#it’s not the first time we’ve seen that

[inkdrinkerworld]

“Don’t even think about getting up, poppet.” Sirius grumbles from behind you as you wiggle closer to him.

“But it’s Christmas Siri, and Santa came.” You’re aware that you’re an adult and Santa didn’t actually come, but it’s early Christmas morning and there’s snow on the window and you’re a child at heart- this is your time.

Sirius chuckles, kissing your temple. “Pretty sure I set out the gifts a’couple hours ago.”

You smile, head tucked neatly under his chin as your hands round his waist.

“Can we go down? I can start the kettle and make a cuppa for you and a breakfast sandwich.”

Sirius rolls his eyes, “Baby, s’not even six o’clock yet.” Still his words are fond and his touch is even more so as he tugs you closer.

You shrug, “But it’s Christmas.”

Sirius pretends to fall back asleep, eyes closed and breathing even as you stroke his waist. “Please? We can even come back to bed after we’ve opened presents.”

He only snores which makes you snicker.

“And it’s snowing, we can make snow angels and take photos for our wall. Our first Christmas in this house, together.”

Sirius is well aware that there’s a high probability that you’re pulling serious puppy dog eyes, and yet he hazards a look at you.

He finds exactly what he’d been trying to avoid- the widest, most blown out pupils he’s ever seen and the cutest pout known to man.

You know what you’re doing to him because the second your eyes meet, you give a little smile and Sirius willingly accepts his defeat.

“Poppet,” he sighs, shutting his eyes and you know you’ve succeeded in dragging your night owl boyfriend out of bed. “Gimme a kiss first.”

You plant several on him, giggling happily when Sirius throws off the covers, your green Christmas pyjamas on display, and helps you out of bed to the bathroom with him to brush teeth.

“You’re so lucky you’re fucking adorable.” There’s too much adoration for the bite he tries to imbue in his voice to mean anything to you. “Never even woke up this early for Jamie at Christmas.”

You all but skip down the stairs, Sirius following behind you oozing reverence as he makes his way to the kitchen to set the kettle on and make you both a cup of coffee as you plug in the tree.

“Happy Christmas, poppet.” He coos the words in your ear as you set the mugs before him, his arms keeping you locked to his chest.

You prop your chin on his chest and smile up at him, one of his hands move to cup your cheek.

“Happy Christmas, Siri.”

[reasonsforhope]

"While COVID-19 lockdown will go down in history as a time devoid of in-person gatherings across the globe, in the United Kingdom, one quiet area on the coast of Suffolk became the hot spot for gray seals.

Orford Ness, a spit off of Great Britain that serves as a coastal nature reserve, has become the home of Suffolk’s first breeding colony of grey seals, according to the National Trust.

It is believed that these seals traveled from well-populated colonies in Norfolk and are now the first breeding colony to arrive in Suffolk — likely thanks to its remote location and very limited disturbance from humans.

The first 200 adult seals arrived at Orford Ness in 2021 when visitor access was significantly reduced in an extended period of COVID-19 closures. 

As it turns out, simply being left alone was all they needed to thrive.

Just last month, the first gray seal pup of the 2024 season was born, and this winter’s breeding season has already seen 80 pups on the scene, with many more expected. The site is now home to about 400 seals, up from about 200 just three years ago.

“We’re really happy to see new pups being born here at Orford Ness for the fourth consecutive year,” said Glen Pearce, Orford Ness’ property operations manager, in a statement.

“Despite the seals’ arrival in 2021, we held off talking about them until earlier this year because we wanted to give them the best chance of survival. Being able to talk about them this year, in real time, is a great opportunity to share more about the species and to help people understand how their own actions and behaviours can impact them.”

Human disturbance, which can include any human activity in the vicinity of the seals, is one of the biggest threats to the species, as it can cause them to change their natural behavior.

Gray seals are not listed as endangered and are protected under U.K. law, but they certainly face threats — mostly from humankind — including fishing nets, boat strikes, marine debris, pollution, or disturbance from fishermen and tourists.

Globally, the gray seal is also one of the rarest seal species, with about 50% of the world’s population dwelling in British and Irish waters. That makes this baby boom on Orford Ness that much more spectacular. 

“We’re really lucky,” Matt Wilson, the trust’s countryside manager for the Suffolk and Essex coast, told the BBC.

“They’ve formed a breakaway group, found this site and moved into the space we’ve got here. It's a real privilege to have them on this site and a responsibility, too, for the team here.”"

-via GoodGoodGood, December 11, 2024

[dailypepe]

You’re trending on tiktok cuz of a meme where people talk about awkward or embarrassing moments, lol…

and Pepe even responded to being a meme on Good Morning America today:

[lumosinlove]

Vaincre

June Part VII

~

So so grateful for all of you who love this story even when I take forever to post!! Happy holidays to all <3 <3

~

No, there's nothin' you can

send me, my own true

love

There's nothin' I'm wishin'

To be ownin'

Just to carry yourself

Back to me unspoiled

From across that

Lonesome ocean

~

Remus ran down the cottage’s porch steps and threw his arms around Lily. It was easy to lose service out at the lake, and he’d last talked to her at the coffee shop he’d always stopped at halfway through the drive from Gryffindor. He had a beloved photograph of Sirius and Julian sitting at an outside table there, the first time Sirius had come to the lake. He’d tried his best to specifically explain the forks and bends in the roads to Lily, but it was still a relief to see them getting out of their car.

“You made it,” Remus said into her shoulder.

“Sure did. Wow. This is the cutest.” Lily gave Remus one more squeeze before pulling back. She pushed her sunglasses into her hair and smiled up at the cabin. “J, look.”

“Hold on, you know this buckle hates me.”

Remus squinted against the sun to see James with his entire upper body in the backseat of the car. When he emerged, he was red-faced and holding Harry—who was already squirming towards Sirius. The slight delay of James closing the car door was even too much for him. Harry burst into tears, then abruptly stopped as Sirius jogged down the porch steps and scooped him away from James. Remus couldn’t make out what Sirius said to him, but he could read the broad smile on his face just fine.

“Oh, it is cute, for sure,” James said. He had his hands on his hips, and maybe a few cheerios in his hair, as he looked over the cottage, then Sirius. “Yeah, hi, good to see you, too, friend.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Sirius said appeasingly, but held a hand out for James to clap and bring their shoulders together. “How was the drive?”

“Very pretty.” James shaded his eyes to look down the stone pathway that offered a glimmering sliver of the lake. He whistled. “That looks inviting.”

Lily brought Remus’ attention back to her with a squeeze to his hands. “How are you, Lupin? Feeling almost married?”

“More almost each day.” Remus wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Come in, we’ve got lunch.”

Maybe Remus shouldn’t have been surprised when Julian and Harry took to each other immediately. Harry couldn’t do much, but he could giggle at whatever Julian was doing and take the small pieces of food Julian held out to him. He could sit in the waves while Julian safe-guarded him against any bigger swells caused by a passing boat. If his mom squeezed his hand when she caught Remus watching them one day with his sunglasses firmly hiding his damp eyes, well, that was fine.

James and Sirius took to each other, too, even after just a short time apart. There was lots of football and jumping off the raft to catch flying passes. Remus didn’t mind. With his parents reading in the shade of the lake-facing porch up above and Julian entertaining Harry a few paces away, he basically had Lily to himself, which almost never happened.

“This is heaven,” she said. “Like, it’s more heaven than a tropical resort or something. I mean, the house is right there, it’s way cooler and less humid than some island, and I have you to make me a drink.”

Remus smiled. “I’m glad you like it here.”

“Would I ever have seen this place if you hadn’t started playing?”

“You? Yeah, if you wanted. Everyone else? Probably not if I never got with Sirius.”

She nodded slowly, turning the ice cubes that clinked against her cup. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun, and she had a large, floppy hat shading her face. Remus reached forward and lifted the brim with two fingers.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said. “I was just thinking about…I don’t know. James has been down about losing the season like this. And maybe—” Lily flipped the brim up and turned to him. Her green eyes were the clear color of the lake. “Okay, I forgot after winning the Cup last year about how every summer’s beginning was like…It’s like they forget they’re good at their jobs. And that it’s going to be okay. And this year…It’s just back. James has been so hard on himself.” She sighed. “And probably losing Logan made it even harder, but he’s been down.” She looked back out at the water. Slowly, a smile crossed her face. “I don’t know. I’m rambling. But look at those lunatics out there. It’s just nice to see him smile.”

Remus nodded. Sirius and James were treading water near the raft. Their voices carried across the water, though he couldn’t make out their words. He didn’t need to. James made Sirius laughed so hard that his head disappeared under the water for a second before he surfaced again, flicking his dark hair out of his eyes.

“Ugh, the cutest,” Lily said.

Remus watched Sirius splutter and toss the football at James’ head. “Hm, yeah.”

“Okay, yeah, but I meant those two.” Lily held up her phone towards Julian and Harry. “Boys! Over here!”

“How do you want us?” James shouted over the water. He already had his arm around Sirius’ shoulders, grinning and ready for a photo.

“Not you,” Lily said, waving Sirius and James off.

“No, no,” Remus laughed and reached for his own phone. “Stay like that.”

Julian pointed at Lily so Harry would look, then tickled him into another grin. James wrapped both of his arms around Sirius and pulled like he was trying to lift him up, startling Sirius into a laughing one in his own.

The sight tightened Remus’ throat. He almost forgot to take the picture as he stared over the edge of his sunglasses instead.

“Did you do it?” Sirius called, then pushed James down again into the water.

Remus nodded, flashing a thumbs up.

“Anyway,” Lily sighed. “When does Logan play? James with his little hockey-pout face wants to watch.”

“Rangers are up against the Lightning tonight,” Remus said. “And yeah. I don’t think Sirius has fully realized Tremz isn’t a Lion anymore. I mean, really. Like, even less realization than Finn and Leo.”

“Yeah, those two cubs seem to be doing better.”

“Mhm,” Remus said. “I hope so.”

“Mais, non, non—” A shout of laughter came from the water, and a fast flow of French that got garbled as Sirius did a cannonball off the raft and caught the football. Remus didn’t know what the rules of their game were, but James, floating nearby, wiped the water from his eyes and looked devastated.

Remus leaned forward, digging his cup into the sand. Sirius surfaced again with the football held high. He shook his soaking hair out of his face, threw his head back, and whooped. It traveled to them over the waves, through the sound of sifting sand and Harry’s babbling. Sirius dunked his head again, and his dark hair plastered back from his face. The smile was still in place. Remus knew all about the down of a poorly ended season. In college, getting knocked out early and having to go to classes with that weight on his chest had felt like hell for the first two weeks. And Sirius Black didn’t do just down. He did devastated and punishing. He did end of the world and hard work and nextyearnextyearnextyear.

But there he was. In Remus’ lake, laughing like—

“Re?”

“Yeah,” Remus whispered. He tore his eyes away, looking at her. “Sorry, sorry, yeah?”

Lily had her hat flipped back again. He was watching him carefully with a small smile on her face.

“Sorry I didn’t hear what you said,” Remus said. “I…”

“That’s all right.” Lily leaned forward, too, checking on Harry once when he let out a loud shriek, before turning back to him. “What’s up?”

“He doesn’t always…” Remus passed his fingers over his mouth, over a smile. “It’s kind of like what you said about James. About summer. But it’s also the opposite. Sirius…He doesn’t always laugh like that.”

If there was anything Remus knew, it was Sirius Black’s face. He knew it guarded, and he knew it open.

“Like a little kid’s laugh,” Remus said softly.

“Pretty deep for a little kid.”

Remus grinned at her. “No, like—”

Lily put a soft hand on his arm. “I’m joking, Re. You’re right.” She squeezed his fingers and let go. “It is. It is nice. I mean…You were there. Before.” She shut one eye against the sun. “Did you love him then?”

“Love? No. Want? Maybe. Mostly I just…I don’t know why because he was fucking mean to me…” He smiled. “But I—no, really. You were there. He was so stubborn. Honest to God, I don’t think he trusted me until his ankle.”

“He’s Sirius Black,” Lily said. “I don’t think he was raised to be trusting.”

“That’s why I like hearing that laugh,” Remus said. “Fuck, Lils, I love that laugh.”

The boys were swimming in now. Julian had Harry in his lap and was waving at them.

“Good thing you’re getting that laugh for life, then.” Lily held up her drink. “To good laughs for a good life.”

Remus picked up his own drink. “Oh yeah, you’ve got one of your own.” He clinked his glass to Lily’s, sand sprinkling between them. “To good laughs for a good life.”

Lily flipped her hat back down. “Okay, okay, before we cry, let’s watch their abs appear from the water.”

“Oh, for sure.”

~

Maybe it was a slight miscalculation on Finn and Leo’s part to walk Logan to Madison Square Garden for his third game against the Lightning, but if there was anything that was worth getting a few good-natured heckles for losing their series, it was watching the Rangers fans waiting at the players’ entrance absolutely fawn over Logan.

Really, for Finn, it was watching fans fawn over Logan while Logan held on tightly to Leo’s hand. It was holding Logan’s bag for him while he…signed a man’s body.

“You really want me to sign…” Logan was staring apprehensively at a shoulder a man was offering him. “For a tattoo?”

“Don’t mess up,” Leo said, then grinned at Logan’s pleading eyes. “Just saying.”

“yeah, yeah,” the man said, grinning. “Just your signature and number. Please. Thank you.”

“Aha,” Finn said, holding up a finger. “Which number?”

“Oh, ten,” the man said hurriedly. “Please. I’m a firm believer that you’ll be back to ten some day.”

Logan looked at Finn.

“Would you look at that,” Finn said.

Smiling, Logan took a breath and uncapped the Sharpie. “D’accord.”

He signed his name and number more slowly than he usually would have, tongue peaking out in concentration. 

“Tongue, tongue,” Finn whispered, nudging his elbow into Leo’s side.

“Shh…” Leo was trying hard not to smile.

Logan had had to let go of Leo’s hand to hold the man steady, and Leo wandered closer to Finn, slinging an arm around his shoulders. Others were taking videos, and Finn felt some of the cameras train on them once Logan had finished signing. He flicked his sunglasses down over his eyes, half because he knew he needed to take it easy on direct sunlight for a while yet, and half so he could just stare at Logan all he wanted while he slipped his arm around Leo’s waist.

“Okay?” Leo whispered back, settling his hand over Finn’s.

“Yeah,” Finn said. “Just taking it easy.”

“There you go.” Logan sucked air through his teeth, surveying his work, then laughed and capped the pen.

“Thank you,” the man said, bending to look. “Thanks so much.”

Finn would have thought the guy’s enthusiasm was a little over the top, but he could pinpoint at least a couple times in his life when he would have gladly let Logan Tremblay write all over him.

“Thanks, guys,” Logan said with a wave. He looked back at Leo and Finn. “Ready?”

Finn hitched Logan’s bag more over his shoulder. “Lead on, Ten.”

Finn saw the way Logan’s shoulders relaxed once they reached the elevator, away from prying eyes. He held out his hand to Finn. “You really didn’t have to carry my bag for me. Feels like you’re dropping me off at class.”

“Should have packed you a lunch,” Leo said.

Logan took his bag, shouldered it, and stepped into Leo’s space. “What would be in my lunch?”

“Oh, the usual,” Leo said. “Turkey sandwich, apple slices, a cookie…” Leo slid his hands around Logan’s waist. “A note telling you that I can’t wait for you to get home so…” The rest was lost to Finn as Leo bent and whispered into Logan’s ear.

It was all right that he didn’t hear. He got to watch Logan sway into him like Leo had hooked his very heart and pulled.

“See you for your nap,” Leo said sweetly. He tucked his hands behind his back and gave Logan a quick kiss.

Logan narrowed his eyes at Leo as he put a hand on Finn’s chest, twisting his t-shirt in his fist. Okay, fine, Finn was hooked, too. “Yeah, if I nap.”

Finn wrapped Logan up in a short hug, knotting his fingers in his hair. “Hey Tremblay…Sign my ass.”

Logan pulled back, shoving Finn away. But he was smiling, brighter than Finn had ever thought any of them would be able to do in this place.

“Game three,” Finn said. “You got this.”

They watched the elevator doors close, Logan leaning over to see them until he was just one green eye. Until he couldn’t anymore. They waved off the remaining fans when they walked back to the street level. Finn made straight for the subway—he didn’t want to be in this traffic hell Midtown longer than he had to. Leo followed him closely, their knuckles brushing until Finn hooked their little fingers together, then took his hand.

“So, what’d you whisper?”

Leo’s laugh echoed off the tiles as they descended the stairs underground. “Maybe you’ll find out later.”

“I hope so.” Finn let Leo through to the platform first, then went through himself. “Alex always dared me to jump these, and I never could. Lo did it once. First time he came home to the city with me.”

Leo raised his eyebrows. “That stray freshman puppy you found did that?”

Finn grinned, putting his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “He was trying to impress me. He just didn’t know it yet. Spent the rest of the time waiting for the train looking over his shoulder all nervous.”

“Okay, that’s more like him.” As the train began to pull into the station, a rush of air that did absolutely nothing to break the heat ruffled Leo’s hair. Leo nudged a toe of his sneaker against Finn’s. “Hey, where you taking me?”

Finn reached out and touched the blond strands, then settled a hand against Leo’s cheek. “Surprise.”

Leo wrinkled his nose. “I’m sweaty, sorry.”

“Like that’s ever bothered me.”

As the doors opened and Finn shuffled them inside, he caught Leo eyeing the pole distastefully.

“Hang onto me instead,” Finn said, taking Leo’s hands and placing them on his waist.

“And what are you gonna hold onto?”

“My New Yorker feet.”

Leo rolled his eyes but squeezed his hips. “Twenty bucks say you fall.”

“Not with you holding onto me.”

Leo eyed him until the doors slid shut with a ding and the train lurched forward. Finn balanced like he’d been doing his whole life, easing them both into the train’s rocking and jolting with his hands on Leo’s hips. He tilted his forehead down to Leo’s and winked.

“All right, city-boy. Now really,” Leo said, their lips brushing. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere,” Finn replied. “But don’t worry. We’ll be home in time for me to buy you take-out and watch baby play.”

Finn led them back onto street level when they reached uptown. The sun felt brighter up here, with Central Park relieving some of the crowded, hot feeling that the buildings gave out. Sweat shone on Leo’s temples as he put his sunglasses on.

“Hmm,” Leo said. “Okay. Interesting.”

“You game to walk across the park?” Finn asked. “Because we’re walking across the park.”

“I’m game for anything. But I have one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I want to make out under a tree on our way.”

Finn closed his eyes and turned into Leo. He kissed the salty skin of his neck. “That’s not a condition. That’s a reward.”

“You’re walking with your eyes closed.”

Finn smiled and opened them. He brought Leo’s hand up to kiss. “Sometimes feeling you and seeing you at the same time are just too much.”

He liked the way it made Leo stare at him. He slapped a hand against Finn’s chest, but kept it there. “Shut up.”

“Pick a spot.”

Leo looked forward. They weren’t in short supply. There were baseball diamonds just ahead of them and The Great Lawn beyond that, speckled with picnic blankets and kids running around.

“C’mon,” Leo said. “Let’s get your pretty little head out of the sun.”

Leo jogged ahead, but Finn didn’t mind. He stopped when he found a dappled spot of shade and waited for Finn there, spreading his arms out with a grin before sitting down in the grass.

“Here!” he called. “Get your butt over here, city-boy, and sit in the dirt and grass.”

‘Yikes,” Finn teased, but he let himself down beside Leo with a huff, being careful of his shoulder. “You think I don’t sit in grass?”

“You do love a good leather booth and bistro chair.”

Finn laughed. “Fair.”

“Speaking of.”

“Speaking of?”

Leo leaned in and brushed their noses together. “Take-out is nice. But I think tonight you should take me, sit me down practically in your lap in one of those leather booths, and order us ice cold martinis and that to-die-for steak at that place we love. Then you take me home to watch Logan play.”

Finn grinned and hooked a finger in Leo’s closest belt loop. “In my lap, you say?”

“Yes. The place where they have those garage doors that open and let all the heat in.”

“Okay, I will.”

“So I can start the night watching the sun set, and end it in a dim enough corner for kissing until a waiter has to clear their throat to get our attention.”

“I thought the kisses were reserved for this very tree right here.”

Leo smiled as he tilted his head into Finn’s palm when he cupped his cheek. “Your ears get pink—” His words broke off into Finn’s first kiss. “—when you drink gin.”

“You and Lo say that about everything.” Finn kissed the corner of his mouth, his jaw, before finding his mouth again.

“We think about it a lot.”

Finn felt his cheeks warm when Leo reached up and tweaked his ear. Maybe he did prefer booths and bistros and couches and warm soft chairs that bookstores kept in their corners, but when Leo laid him down in the grass of the very place he used to wonder about finding someone, about loving someone, he wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Leo’s mouth was soft. He kept Finn still and heavy with kisses that made Finn feel like the warm earth was becoming as cloudy as his head. Everything was so soft, so smudged and perfect, that he almost missed it when Leo said—

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, Le.” His time with Logan was invaluable, but there was nothing like the three of them. Nothing at all. “But you came back to me happier, so—”

“No, I mean…” Finn felt him press his mouth down on his shoulder before Leo pulled back to look at him. He was framed by the sky. “I missed you while I was away, yes. But I missed you in the locker room after what Jack did. And when you were home but you were hurting and not yourself. And I missed you when—when…”

“When Logan got traded,” Finn said softly.

“Yeah,” Leo said shakily. He stroked Finn’s hair back from his face. He bent down and kissed the shell of Finn’s ear then came back smiling. “Yeah.”

Finn wished he could see the two of them. The way Leo put one thigh over his, and the grass stain on his t-shirt.

“Needed this,” Leo sighed.

Finn kissed the corner of Leo’s mouth. “I’d like a list of all the things you need, ranked in the order you’d like them.”

Leo’s laugh was soft, and Finn kissed his left dimple when it appeared. “Finn…”

“Okay, fine, we’ll start here,” Finn whispered. “Help me and this slightly bum shoulder up, and come with me.”

~

The cottage always seemed to take the sunset into its very paint and walls. It soaked through the windows and made it almost impossible to sit at the dining room table without the gauzy white curtains drawn. Those curtains turned the lake into a glistening blur. It set the rosé glasses on fire. Remus wanted to sit between Lily and Sirius and look at Harry happily babbling from his mother’s lap for the rest of his life.

“So, Logan’s sisters called me—well, Noelle called me,” Remus said. “And they’re sticking around in New York until the Rangers—you know.”

“Win or lose,” Julian supplied, and then knocked on wood at the same time as Remus. Sirius was holding the wooden salad bowl to pass to Hope and drummed his fingers on it once.

“Right,” Remus said. “So, that’ll happen. And then they’re going to be at the Shore Hotel, so that’s really close. And Logan is surprising Leo and Finn with a cabin, they think they’re staying at a hotel.” Remus put a hand on the sun-warmed back of Sirius’ neck.

“Ouais,” Sirius said. “I told him to get one because if we’re doing what we said—you get ready here at the cottage, I thought I would get ready with Reg, James, Tremz and Pascal there.” Sirius took Remus’ hand and kissed it, smiling. “Then I meet you at the end of the dock.”

“I have so many plans,” James said. “I mean, Dumo vetoed like eighty percent of them, but I still have so many plans.”

Sirius grinned. “Maybe I have plans, too.”

“What?” James shook his head. “No, I do. You can’t have plans, you’re the—one of the grooms!”

“I also have plans,” Lily cut in, looping her arm through Remus’. At Remus’ face she patted his cheek. “Super chill plans. Leo and I brought Talker down a few notches.”

“A few?”

“A lot of notches.”

“Hold up,” James said. “Whose side is Finn on?”

“He requested to, and I quote, ‘wander between the two,’” Lily said.

“Classic,” Remus said.

“Oh, those O’Hara boys are just the sweetest,” Hope said. Harry slapped the table as if in agreement.

“Why do all parents love Finn so much?” James asked.

“He’s just charming, that’s all,” Lily said. “But yeah, I don’t know how he’s going to pull it off, but he wants to wander.”

“If we forget any last minute things, he can run to the shops,” Hope said.

“I actually think he’d love that,” Sirius laughed.

Remus grabbed for another bread roll and Sirius passed him the butter without a word.

“Plans or no plans,” Remus said. “My original point was we have dates for everyone’s arrival, no matter how far the Rangers make it. Literally all we have to do is remember to pick stuff up.”

Hope hummed. “You’d be surprised at how difficult that can be. The flowers are late, the cake is late—it turns into a whole thing.”

“For sure,” Remus said, but smiled at her then pulled a face at Harry who giggled. “But do I really need flowers and cake or do I just need my husband?”

“For sure,” Lily parroted. “But your guests definitely need flowers and cake.”

Julian raised a hand. “I totally need cake.”

James raised both hands. “I totally need flowers. For reasons that are beyond me.”

Remus laughed and felt Sirius stretch his arm out over the back of his chair. He knew it meant Sirius only needed one thing for this wedding, too, and it was him.

“What kind of plans?” Remus knelt on their bed to push open the windows. The night had cooled, and he wanted to clear out some of the stuffiness the day’s heat had trapped. He got hot enough with Sirius pressed up against his back all night.

Sirius looked up from where he’d been checking the time on his phone. “Puck drop in five. Plans for what?”

“About your bachelor party, you said you had plans.”

Sirius laughed. “Reg and I were talking about it. I just wanted to freak James out a little. We’re gonna have dinner at that place you showed me. Play pool, darts.”

Remus pushed himself off the bed. “Dinner, huh?”

“Oh, come on.” Sirius clicked his tongue. “You know me. Dumo will order good wine, Leo will order the best—”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Remus pointed a finger at him. “Leo’s on my team.”

“Your team?”

“My team.”

Remus loved that outraged, amused smile Sirius was giving him now. He gave it to refs, he gave it to Logan. Remus wouldn’t choose it over the little-kid laugh, but it was something—especially as Sirius walked across their room’s creaking floorboards and set two palms down on either side of Remus’ hips, pressing into the old mattress springs and making them whine.

“Creek creek,” Remus whispered. He tilted his mouth up to brush Sirius’.

“So, we have teams now,” Sirius whispered back. He kissed Remus so lightly. A feather, there-and-gone.

“And here you were thinking you’d finally gotten me on yours,” Remus put his arms around Sirius’ neck, pushing until Sirius was straightening and Remus could put his socked toes on Sirius’ toes and press their bodies together, standing there in a bedroom he’d been sleeping in since he was little.

Sirius smiled. “Almost.” Both his palms pushed under Remus’ t-shirt. “So close. Any day now.”

“Hey, Cap!” James’ voice came from below. “Lo’s taking first face-off!”

Remus sighed. “Self-torture.” Then, he kissed Sirius’ protests until they tasted like a smile.

~

Leo recognized the steps immediately. They were broad and stone and timeless, leading up to stone pillars. School kids were led in lines—the little ones jubilant, the older ones shuffling. Tourists raised their cameras high, and groups of people on their lunch break made clusters at various heights.

“You’re sweet,” Leo said. “You took me to the MET?”

Finn smiled. “I like watching you look at things. And besides, we better do it while Lo’s busy or else he’ll sulk if we bring him along and sulk if we leave him behind.”

“A-plus timing,” Leo laughed as they began to climb. “Hey, speaking of Lo. I think he doesn’t want to ask if we’ll come to Florida…but.”

“Oh, he definitely wants us to come to Florida.” Finn reached for his wallet. “I can feel it when he stares—” Leo snorted, Finn tilted his head back, laughing as they crossed into the grand entrance hall. “You know the stare.”

Leo pushed his nose into Finn’s cheek, eyes wide open. “This one?”

“Bit of an exaggeration and also wildly true.”

Leo grinned. “You, Logan, ocean. Sounds good to me.” He looked down at the red member card Finn had gotten out. “You keep a membership while you live in a different city?”

“I am nothing if not loyal, Butter.” He held his card out to the guard waiting in front of a long, white room flooded with light.

“One guest?” She scanned his card.

“Yes, indeed.” Finn smiled at her.

“Your name is Butter?” she asked.

Leo stared at her, trying to figure out if she was being serious. She just looked back with slightly uninterested blue eyes.

“I…” Leo nodded. “Yes. My name is Butter. Thanks.”

He pulled Finn into the waiting galleries before she could see him laughing.

~

Logan found a spot on the floor while they waited for coach to get the pre-game video loaded. He stretched his legs out, kneading one of his thighs. Percy was singing, Will was trying to cover his mouth, and Saint was watching them both with narrowed eyes. Logan didn’t know if he knew he was crushing the red bull can in his hands, but Luke gently eased it out of his fingers and drained the remaining liquid.

“Hey.” Alex settled himself down beside him.

“Hey,” Logan said. He sent him a quick smile, then did a double take. “Hey…”

Alex might not be Finn, but Logan liked to think he knew his O’Haras. He knew that lilac color. He knew that slightly vacant brown-eyed stare that only came out when Finn was trying oh-so very hard to be all right. Logan had put that look on his face more than once. He didn’t like seeing it.

“What’s wrong?” Logan asked quietly as someone turned the lights out in the room. The screen flickered to life, showing Florida’s starting line frozen in the middle of a play.

“Hm?” Alex didn’t look at him.

“Maybe I’m summoned when you get that look on your face.”

Alex, recognizing his own words, let out a tired laugh. He glanced Logan’s way.

Logan pushed their shoulders together. “By my inner Finn.”

“I’m all right,” Alex said.

Logan waited, keeping his eyes ahead as Coach began to talk through defense. It felt nice to sit surrounded by teammates. Nice to be in the dark. He was tired and exhilarated all at once, heart fast but limbs sore.

“It’s kind of—I don’t know. I was wrong,” Alex said softly. “You know when you just play something out in your head, but it turns out that what you were thinking only makes sense in your head?”

“If Finn was here—” And maybe Logan couldn’t stand that he wasn’t, that Leo wasn’t, and he wasn’t sure if that feeling was ever going to give him any peace, “he would say I’m the dictionary picture of that.”

Alex smiled slightly. “That boy has a lot of sayings.”

“That boy?”

“What? My baby brother? Fish-Finn.”

Logan smiled. “I remember hearing you call him Fish the first time.”

“When?”

“Well—not the best time. First concussion.”

Alex’s face lit up, but only in recognition. “Oh, that’s right. You were asleep in the chair.”

“Yeah. That was the first time I dreamed about kissing him. Ever.”

Alex’s eyebrows went up. “And you’re telling me I woke you up from that?”

“Yeah, fuck you.”

It earned Logan a smile at least. Alex still looked troubled as he returned his eyes to the screen. They listened. Logan took note of positions and numbers and the warning that there was some bad blood towards him and number 56 wanted to fight. When he shrugged, Luke and Percy laughed at him.

The lights came up to soon, and he was left looking at Alex as they both squinted a little in the sudden brightness.

Alex patted a hand on his chest. “I’ll be okay, Tremz. Really. Let’s do this first.”

The words seemed tired, but not like a lie.

~

Ice Floes. Claude Monet.

Finn’s shoulder pressed warmly against Leo’s as they stared at the hazy white landscape. The gallery was calm around them. A tour group murmured in another room. Two older women sat on the bench with their canes between their knees.

“For Lo’s birthday once,” Finn said softly. “I took him to a pond to skate because he said he missed it. Looked like this.”

“That first birthday you knew him, right?”

“Uh-huh.” Finn’s pinky finger found Leo’s and he hooked them together. “And—well, you know the rest of that story.”

“That I do.” Leo shivered just remembering it. His eyes found the small, paint scratched signature in the painting’s corner. A thought made him laugh.

“What?” Finn asked.

“Artists sign their work.” Leo pointed to it. “That man wanted Logan to think he was a piece of art.”

Finn laughed—maybe too loudly for a museum. “That man could only be art because he wants Logan’s name tattooed on his body.”

“Oh? Do you want Logan’s name tattooed on your body?”

“No,” Finn said, but he tilted his head. “I would, however, like Logan to get some more tattoos.”

“Mm, yeah.” Leo leaned his temple against Finn’s. “Where? Arm?”

“Forearm.”

“Forearm, yeah. Collarbone.”

“Oh, yeah, good one. Back?”

“Mm. No, I like it as it is.”

“True,” Finn said. “You’d look good with a tattoo.”

Leo wrinkled his nose. “Eh.”

“You would. I’m not a tattoo person. I don’t think.”

“There’s something pretty about just you and all your freckles.” Leo squeezed their linked fingers. “Your head okay? Shoulder?”

“Knees and toes, knees and toes…”

Leo laughed. “Okay, okay. Where to next?”

They walked back downstairs to the bright sky-lit rooms of ancient Greece and Rome. They passed the large column, the intricate vases of fighting warriors and seated Gods. Leo wondered if he could find any replicas of the pretty Roman glass. He lost a wandering Finn while he was taking photographs to show his mom, but found him again in front of Heracles. He had his head tilted at the statue’s thick chest, only covered by the paws of the thick lion skin draped across the statue’s back.

“Halloween costume?” Leo asked, and Finn rolled his eyes and pulled him away.

They walked to the room transported from Pompeii, then deeper into the museum to suits of armor and lances. Leo found himself thinking of a school field trip. He’d been a junior in high school, whispers and stirrings about the NHL already surrounding him so much so that some of his teammates in his history class thought it was stupid for him to be excited about something as small as a field trip to a local museum. He had been though.

At least until Jack wouldn’t so much as look at him on the bus, never mind sit beside him.

Now, he felt Finn’s palm push under the hem of his shirt, brushing a thumb over the small of his back. They were in a darker part of the gallery, dim except for the low lights aimed at the weapons. Finn had pulled out his glasses to read the museum sign, but pushed them into his hair as he finished.

“Cool,” Finn said. “The hilts come off, so you can replace your blade. Or I guess change the hilt with your outfit? Do you think—”

Leo put a hand on his jaw, turning his head, and kissed him.

Finn hummed when Leo pulled away. “Fantastic. Kisses and weapons.”

“Thanks for sitting with me on buses,” Leo whispered. “And taking me to museums.”

Finn put those Jack-tinged pieces together quickly, and his eyes softened.

“Thanks for telling me you wanted me the first time I asked,” Finn said.

Leo’s eyebrows went up, and Finn smiled, wrapping his arm more fully around Leo’s waist.

“Like you didn’t know Logan wanted you,” Leo said.

“I did. I just didn’t know if he’d ever let himself take me.”

“Those words sure sound sweet coming out of your mouth.”

“Oh yeah?” Finn smiled. “Besides, I am pretty Lo-fluent.”

Low on his stomach, Leo covered Finn’s hand with his own. “Funny, he’s said the same thing about you.”

“Oh, I bet he has.” Finn nosed against Leo’s cheek, and stole a slow, leisurely kiss—far too much for a museum, even the quiet corner of one. “But still. You looked me in the eye. One-for-one.”

“And then I ran away from you?” Leo reminded him, kissing his jaw.

“But you let me come find you.”

“He wanted that, too. Believe me.”

Finn laughed. “You don’t have to defend him. You know I’d have kept him in my pocket if I could. Always.” Finn gave his hand a little tug on Leo’s waist and began to nudge him towards a free corner. “I’m taking about you. I’d keep you there, too.”

“Your pocket? Honey, I like it in your arms just fine.”

“Oh,” Finn said around a smile, then “hm” just before he kissed him again.

Leo didn’t know if he should be leaning against a wall here, didn’t know where a guard was to yell at him, and didn’t really care. At one point, he put his hands into Finn’s hair and had to catch the glasses he’d forgotten about. The small gasp he gave as his fingers fumbled for them let Finn right in, and suddenly any sort of footsteps or place was simply gone.

“Ready to go,” Finn guessed when Leo made a wanting sound, then smiled and kissed him again, quick. “Yeah, we are.”

~

Kasey was waiting for Alex on their floor outside their building’s elevator. Alex was pushing his hair back, still damp from his shower at the rink, and rubbing sleep out of his eyes when he saw him. He’d already begun tugging his tie from his neck. His muscles ached, and his shoulder had felt just a little off since that open-ice hit in the middle of the third, but when those doors opened and he saw Kasey leaning against the wall in the hallway, it all dimmed. The caught gaze between them felt as unfinished as their words.

“Good game,” Kasey said.

“Thanks,” Alex tugged his tie all the way off and let the elevator close behind him. “How did you know I was home?”

“I tracked your location.” Kasey slid his hands into his pockets. “Just like to know where you are. And what you’re doing.” His mouth pulled to the side. “And if you’re okay.”

Alex rolled his shoulder. He dropped his go-bag, walked forward, and kissed him. It maybe came out a little rough. Kasey’s hands found his hips. They slid up the arch of his lower back. Alex held onto his shoulders, turning into the softness of Kasey’s mouth until they had to breathe. He broke the kiss, catching his breath, then tried to lean back in. He was stopped by Kasey’s hand on his jaw. His thumb came to rest just over Alex’s bottom lip. Alex kept his eyes closed, waiting. Kasey’s thumb tapped twice. The silence was long, but it was like basking in sun.

“What, you couldn’t…” Kasey began softly. “You couldn’t talk to me about it?”

Alex was sure he could feel it each time Kasey’s brown eyes shifted over his face.

Kasey grasped Alex’s shoulders. “All the times we… Al, you took me ring shopping. I feel horrible, I feel so, so horrible—”

Alex couldn’t help it. He turned away. He rubbed a hand over his chest and beating heart.

“I need you to tell me things,” Kasey said. “I need you to.”

“I…” Alex’s voice hardly came out. He looked at the warped reflection of the two of them in the elevator doors. More silhouettes than anything. “I want you to be happy.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. I don’t know.”

“Alex, what—” Kasey stepped forward, voice raising. “And you think you don’t make me happy?”

“It wasn’t about me!” Alex turned back towards him. He couldn’t keep the break out of his voice. “It was—”

“I want it to be! I can’t—I can’t come home and—it turns out that you think—” Kasey was shouting now. Alex had seen it happen once. Maybe twice. “It turns out you think you’re sometimes to me? Sometimes?”

“You were getting married!”

“You said you were okay with it! You’re still ours.”

“What the fuck was I supposed to say?” Alex could feel the burn in his throat. “What the fuck was going to happen if I said no?”

“So you decided to lie?”

“I decided to keep you for as—” Alex broke off. Aware they were in a hallway, he dropped his voice. “For as long as I could.”

Kasey flinched. He took a step backwards. He filled up the hallway with his broad shoulders and the way the light caught his hair. He filled up Alex’s head with everything from the way he tossed anything he was holding between his hands like a puck, to the sheepish way he kissed in the morning.

“What?” Kasey’s whisper was hoarse and desperate. “What?”

Alex just shook his head. He wanted to take the words back. Right then, if he could have, he would have reeled back every word he’d ever said in his life. “I…I don’t know. I’m so stupid, Kase, I don’t…I’m…”

Kasey made a frustrated noise, and then Alex was being crowded against the wall. Kasey put his hands on either side of his head so they were eye-level.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Kasey whispered. He nudged his nose against Alex’s cheek. “You—Hazard…”

Alex nodded. He’d always liked his nickname, but right then it just felt like the truth.

“No,” Kasey whispered. It had a scolding tinge to it. “You’re not. Not like that.” Kasey kissed his cheek. He let his mouth stay there, warm and soft. “You’re not.”

Alex realized he was was kissing tears.

“I’m a mess,” Alex said.

Kasey pressed a palm to Alex’s other cheek, thumbing away the trails. “You’re not a mess. You’re crying.”

That made Alex laugh, startled and, well, a little snotty. “What’s the difference?”

“The difference is you’re not a mess,” Kasey said. He kissed the corner of Alex’s mouth. “And you look fucking gorgeous.”

“You’re mad at me,” Alex said.

“A little, yeah.” Kasey leaned back to look at him. “And I love you so much I might lose it.”

Alex sniffed again. “God. God, I love you, too. You’re angry.”

“I can be both. And one part will fade. Guess which? Not the love part. That’s been here to stay since the first day I met you and you wouldn’t shut the hell up up and let me go to sleep.”

“I…” Alex took a few moments to twist an end of Kasey’s hair around his finger. “I don’t—I have this little brother, you may know him?”

Kasey’s eyebrows went up, amused. “Uh-huh. Think so.”

“He had this boy at college that he…” Alex sniffed, blinking away the wetness from his vision. “I don’t remember his name. Liam Trombone, or something.”

Kasey smiled, just a little. “You have the weirdest sense of humor.”

“Lionel Trustfund.”

“Finish the story that I already know.”

  “Okay.” Alex dropped his eyes, studying the curve of Kasey’s upper lip. “The little brother burned up a little, waiting for him. And there was nothing I could do to help him.”

“Okay,” Kasey’s expression had softened, listening.

“I didn’t know how to help him, but I knew how much he was hurting.” Alex put his hands on Kasey’s chest. “I think that little brother’s stronger than I am. I think he’s smarter than I am. I think he could survive it. Even if it didn’t work out.”

Kasey’s hands covered his.

“I don’t…think I could,” Alex whispered. “So I tried to stop it before it was too…”

“I get it,” Kasey said. “Don’t worry, I understand now.”

“Maybe I’m jealous,” Alex said. “Or I’m insecure, or something fucking stupid like that—”

“Maybe,” Kasey cut him off, “you’re as in love with us as we are with you. Maybe we’re fucking stupid or something like that. Maybe I was leaving hockey and I knew just one part of this new life that I was about to have, and that part is Natalie.” Kasey ducked until Alex looked at him. “Maybe I couldn’t believe I actually got you back and I didn’t…” Kasey pressed his lips together against tears. “You’re not just sometimes, Al. Of everything in my life, you’re the only thing that’s always been always. I don’t have this incredible family like you do, I don’t have…I’ve always had my teammates, and then I had Natalie, but first I had—first there was suddenly this really kind, fun…loud person—”

Alex let out a breath of a laugh and Kasey smiled, brows drawn together against the tears.

“Really beautiful person suddenly filling up my life,” Kasey finished, carding Alex’s hair back from his face. “First there was you.”

Alex nodded hard. “You’re that for me. You’re that for me, too.”

Suddenly, Natalie’s voice filtered down the hallway. “This hallway has very bad lighting for confessions of love.”

Alex closed his eyes and laughed when Kasey grinned. They turned to see her leaning out of their doorway. She wore Rangers blue.

“Hi, gorgeous,” Alex said, rubbing at his eyes. “Where is my bag?”

“I’ve got it,” Kasey said.

Kasey picked his things up and followed Alex to their door.

Natalie stood aside from the doorway, letting them in, and looked up at Alex. “I would have gone with Leroy Trampoline.”

“Laurence Trespass,” Kasey added from behind him.

For some reason, it was that that truly made Alex cry. Natalie was ready for it. She didn’t let Alex put a hand over his eyes. She caught it and kissed it. She smoothed a hand over Alex’s shoulder, as she kissed his cheek.

“And when were you going to tell us this hurts, too?”

“My shoulder hurts a little,” Alex said somewhat dutifully, and she smiled, shaking her head.

“O’Hara,” Kasey began to protest.

“Barely,” Alex said. He wrapped Natalie up around her waist and lifted her off her feet a little. “Okay, okay, I promise. I don’t know why I hide it, I really don’t. Natalia?”

“Alexander.”

“You look so beautiful when you look at wedding things,” Alex said softly. “Are you sure you…Are you sure you don’t…” Alex shook his head. He looked at Kasey pointedly, then shook his head down at himself. “I mean, I…Are you sure?”

“What can I say,” Natalie said, leaning up to kiss the corner of his mouth. “I want two diamonds. And two pairs of brown eyes. And two hearts. And you. You.” She kissed him more fully, hands in his hair, and said her next words against his mouth. “Let them call me greedy, see if I care.”

~

“No,” Leo pushed at Finn’s cheek, laughing. “Lick Logan all you want, don’t lick me.”

They were just a little tipsy after a full dinner and watching Logan play, tucked into a booth at Finn’s favorite place with whiskey and Leo’s mouth on on his neck. Finn was possibly feeling a little riled up from Logan’s intense expression on the TV, and Leo’s bright smile right beside him. He’d let himself be pulled home, pulled through their door, pulled into Leo’s arms, pulled against his body. Leo was salt and sweet. Finn had gotten him off once already—right here, Leo had said, pushing Finn to his knees in the entrance hall. Ever since Lo said about you two…He’d glanced over his shoulder at the mirror and laughed. Finn liked the way that small table rattled against the mirror. He and Logan bit back smiles whenever they locked eyes in that mirror now, coming in from a walk or dinner. He’d never walk through there the same way now. Not with Logan, not with Leo, not alone.

“Okay, okay, okay, come back.” Finn kissed Leo’s cheek, turned against the pillows. He was stretched out against the bed now, bare except for his boxers. “Come back.”

Leo pretended to keep his face turned away, smiling, but his hands were sliding down to Finn’s hips, pushing into his boxers and turning back to kiss him.

“Do I get to—” Finn couldn’t help the low sound in the back of his throat as Leo closed a hand around his cock. “—hear—to hear more of the list of the things you want?”

Leo’s palm was warm, his pulls slow and teasing. “You’re hearing it right now.”

“Oh,” Finn’s voice felt tight and coiled in his throat. “Uh-huh.”

Leo hooked an ankle over the back of Finn’s knee. His free hand scratched through Finn’s hair, angling his chin for another kiss. Finn pressed his hands into the pillows by Leo’s head, fingers fisting the material as Leo’s hand sped up. But then, Leo was using that ankle as leverage, and suddenly Finn found himself on his back.

“Don’t…” Leo whispered the word, even mouthed it. He let Finn slide his palms down his ribs. “Move.”

Then he was grinning and gone, leaving Finn staring up at the ceiling.

“I—wait, I, what?” Finn stuttered. “I—what?”

“Don’t move!” Leo shouted from the living room.

Finn heard rummaging, and Leo’s bare feet on the hardwood.

It was funny, being alone in this bedroom. Logan’s bedroom. He turned his head into the pillow and could smell his scent there. Logan’s bed had been a rare delicacy at one time. Being in it. Being warm in it, being cold in it. Being cramped in it. Waiting for him to come back but waking up alone in it.

He’d never been in Leo’s bed when they’d lived together before they were together. He’d sat on top of the covers. Or rumpled covers. Warm from Leo just waking up, Finn back from his run and showered, watching him go back and forth from the bathroom, getting ready. A little hard in his jeans at Leo’s smile and skin.

“Le?” Finn called. He looked down at himself, briefs tight, and ran his thumbs just above his waistband. He’d leaked a mess while sucking Leo off and he was tempted to kick away the darkened material. But he wanted Leo to do it. “Come back.”

“I’m coming!”

“Whatever you think you need, you don’t,” Finn called again.

“Oh-ho, yes, I do.” His voice was closer now. He came back to the doorway, still in his boxers. Finn’s heart gave a kick at the shape of him, trapped tight against his body. Nothing looked new. He wasn’t holding anything that Finn could see, but his hands were tucked behind his back. He was smiling, teasing almost, but his eyes dropped to Finn’s hips and it turned soft. He bit his bottom lip and tilted his head, then withdrew a hand and held something up—a Sharpie.

“You left me for a pen.”

Leo uncapped the pen with a flourish and pointed the nib at Finn’s body. “Art.”

“Oh my God,” Finn said.

“You are so turned on right now,” Leo said delightedly. He knelt on the bed, jostling them both, and swung a leg over Finn’s hips. They both let out a breath as Leo spent a few moments grinding down on him. Finn got a hand around the back of his neck and pushed his nose against Leo’s left dimple.

Leo smiled into it. “Kiss me.” He traced his tongue over Finn’s bottom lip, coaxing Finn into opening his mouth and kissing him properly. When Finn did, Leo groaned softly, pleased.

“Yeah…Like that,” Leo murmured, and Finn made his own pleased sound when Leo slumped against his chest to be kissed. Finn had just settled back against his pillows, tilting his head to scrape his teeth gently against Leo’s lower lip, his hands guiding Leo’s hips down in slow rolls against his own, when Leo gasped for air. Finn smiled and kissed him again, harder, sloppier, before Leo broke away.

“God, Finn.” Leo leaned back, hand rubbing at himself through his boxers, then Finn. “Okay, okay, where to write first?”

Finn laughed. “There are a whole lot of things we could be doing that don’t involve writing.”

Leo ignored him. He studied Finn’s torso, then spread a warm palm against his ribs and bent down. Finn tried not to jump when the cool point of the pen began tracing a slow line over his skin.

He tried to pick out the cursive letters, but couldn’t. Instead, he let his head rest back against the pillows. “That’s kind of nice.”

Leo capping the pen and admiring his work. He blew softly on the ink, though it had dried, and Finn shivered. When he looked, he saw that Leo had written his signature, and he laughed at the fact that he’d even included his number like he’d do for fans.

“Wow.” Finn reached forward to pull Leo down against him. “Do you have any idea how much I’d be worth on Ebay now?”

“Oh, shh,” Leo said, but let Finn steal the pen from him.

“Shh,” Finn parroted, and grasped Leo’s knees and flipped him onto his back. The pen was warm, so was the center of his chest when Finn kissed it. He sat back on his heels like Leo had. “What do you want, Sunshi—oh, I’m doing that.”

Finn chose the spot on Leo’s hip were Logan’s tattoo resided and drew a small sun. Circle, rays coming out. Over the bump of his ribs, he started the straight line of his signature. F. Then the loop of the O. Then, smaller, 17.

“What number would I be if I wasn’t 17?”

Leo snorted. “Ten.”

Finn smiled. “No way.”

“Hm…Maybe 22.”

Finn made an interested noise. He drew a small heart near Leo’s left nipple. “That’s a good one.”

“And me? And don’t just say another classic goalie number. Like, 30 or something.”

Finn capped the pen and swiped his thumb over the sun. “Maybe…Something with a seven in it. 72. Or a 4. I like 4 for you. 74. Or 3. Three of us, three on your jersey.”

Leo put his hands behind his head, smiling. “I ask for one number, of course you give me four.”

Finn shrugged. “What can I say? You’re versatile.” Finn put his hands over Leo’s wrists where they were resting above his blond, messy hair. “I like that about you.”

One moment Leo was grinning, and the next he was swinging his weight up to put Finn on his back again. “Oh?”

Finn ran his hands down the full length of Leo’s back and gripped the back of his thighs.

“I really, really want you,” Leo whispered. “Fuck, Finn, I loved today.”

“I know,” Finn whispered back. “Me too.” When he messed with the band of Leo’s briefs, Leo was helping him get them off before he could even ask, “yeah?”

Leo moaned into Finn’s kiss, and Finn’s cock jumped at the want and relief in it. Leo just pushed the elastic band below his balls and pressed against Finn’s body like he couldn’t wait any longer. Finn got a hand between them, giving him a tight hold to fuck into. He was already slick.

At the same moment, their front door slammed.

“Hello?” Logan shouted. Keys in a bowl. Bag dropping down to the floor. “I’m home.”

“Oh…” Leo panted. “Oh—”

“Good?” Finn settled a warm hand on his lower back. He didn’t care that he himself was aching. He wanted to make Leo come again the second Logan found them. “Come when you see him.”

Leo was too far gone for his laugh to be anything by half-breath. He was rocking into Finn’s fist more roughly now and Finn crossed an ankle over the back of Leo’s knee to give him more leverage.

“You wanna finish like this?” Finn swiped a soothing thumb over his back. “Hm, baby? Anything you want.”

“I need to.” Leo’s voice was shaky. “I’m so…”

“Yeah, you are.” He could hear Logan’s footsteps coming towards them and knew Leo could, too. Gently, Finn nudged his nose into Leo’s hot cheek until he turned his head towards the bedroom doorway. “Look.”

Leo’s breathing jumped. “I’m coming, I’m—”

Finn felt the first hot streak of Leo’s come on his chest, his neck, just as Logan appeared in the doorway. He was still in his suit, a light grey three-piece that Finn loved him in. His hair was dark, damp still, dripping on his collar. He had a new but shallow cut on his jaw. He stopped hard when he took in the sight in front of him.

“Hello, Lolo.” Finn’s voice was a little tight from the feeling of Leo pressing down on him. “What’s up?”

“Fuck,” Leo panted, eyes hooded.

Logan just stared. “I…”

Finn smiled and turned back to Leo. He carded his fingers through his hair and loosened his grip around his cock, bringing him down with gentle strokes. He was so hot in his palm, spent and softening. Finn felt like even the fabric around him could set him off.

“You,” Leo whispered, smiling as he noticed. “You’re so…”

“I’m good. You’re perfect,” Finn said. “Feel like I’ve come twice just watching you.”

Leo’s smile turned wide and sated. His kiss was slow. Out of Logan’s view, Leo slipped the Sharpie into his hand and Finn grinned, arching into Leo’s hips and the kisses he’d began placing on the underside of his jaw.

Logan just crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway. Slowly, he found the different marks and dark lines on their skin, and frowned. “What is…that?”

Finn brought the pen up to his mouth and took the cap off with his teeth. “C’mere, Ten.”

Logan took a small step back, one corner of his mouth lifting, unsure. “What the fuck?”

Leo leaned back from what Finn was sure was entirely different type of artwork now dotting his neck. “Finn took me to the museum.”

“Artists sign art,” Finn added.

He gave Leo’s shoulder a small push and settled him on his back again and sat up with his knees parted over Leo’s hips. Leo reached out a hand to cup Finn’s covered cock, and Finn let himself rock into it gently as he surveyed Leo’s lean, pale skin, already marked in a few places. He felt like he’d been on the edge for hours. Sometimes, he didn’t want it to end. “Ah. Here.”

He wrote slowly, scrawling his signature again across Leo’s inner arm. He watched the way Leo’s breathing hitched and how goosebumps spread out from the marker’s cold nib. Leo didn’t laugh like he had before. He just pressed up into Finn’s hold as Finn scooted backwards and hooked one of Leo’s strong, slender legs over his shoulder and considered the expanse of Leo’s inner thigh, right where it was softest and sprinkled with blond hair. Finn steadied him, fingers in the strong crease of his hip, and drew a heart.

“Huh.” Logan’s mouth was slightly open. “Isn’t that bad, like, for skin?”

“Not my skin,” Leo whispered. He had his hands above his head and watched Finn through dark, half-closed eyes. “Not in those hands.” He turned his head. “What are you still doing over there?”

“Waiting for someone to take this suit off of me.”

Leo gave Finn a small smack on the hip that Finn took as go. Finn slipped off the bed. In two strides, he was in front of Logan, gently tilting his neck to the side, and writing a small 17 just below his ear.

“Hi, demanding one,” Finn said, then capped the pen a put it between his teeth to hold while he got to work on Logan’s tie.

“Why do you keep putting that in your mouth?”

“To draw your attention to it,” Finn said around the pen.

“Please remember I have to go into a locker room.”

“Oh, come on. You know I gotta show Luke what’s mine.”

Logan tilted his head back and groaned. “Finn.”

“Just kidding.” Finn took the pen out from between his teeth, cupping the back of Logan’s head to pull him into a kiss as he slid his tie out from his collar.

“You’re not kidding,” Logan protested, looking at Leo. “Le’s not jealous of Luke. He’s a mature person.”

“I’m jealous of anyone who gets to spend that much time with you these days,” Leo said.

Logan’s eyes turned soft, still staring at Leo as Finn slipped his jacket from his shoulders. It fell uncaringly to the floor. Finn could have watched them look at each other forever. He could feel their locked eyes like a strand of heat beside him. He undid the top buttons of Logan’s shirt and pushed it off his shoulders just enough to get at the center of his chest.

Logan looked down when he felt the cold pen. “What—”

“This is so much better than writing on shoes.”

H-E-A-R-T. Finn wanted to circle the letters, carve himself a space, and fall in. He settled for a kiss to the skin, then lower, lower, until he was kneeling and Logan’s shirt was on the ground. There was a fresh bruise on his ribs and Finn gently traced its shape before writing Logan Island.

“You’re so weird,” Logan said faintly. He gave Finn’s hair a little tug, brushed a thumb over his bottom lip, then went to kneel on the bed and kiss Leo.

Finn grinned at his soft salut and the sound of a kiss. He pushed himself up and sat on the edge of the bed. While they were busy, he tugged Logan’s socks off and pushed his pant leg up enough to draw a couple stars on the back of his calf. He heard Logan laugh into the kiss. The ink looked different against Logan’s more tan skin. With Leo it was stark and beautiful. Logan made it like it had always been there.

“Good win by the way. We watched you from that corner place we love,” Leo said when Logan rolled on his back to kick off his pants. Leo turned on his side to touch the bruise. “Maybe you should take it easy.”

Logan grumbled something Finn didn’t catch, down to his underwear now.

Leo glanced at Finn, smile knowing. “One more time?”

Logan huffed. “I’ll have big Florida hotel beds to take it easy all by myself all I want.”

Leo reached out for the Sharpie and gave Finn a nod. He hooked a knee over Logan’s thigh and began drawing small stars over Logan’s collarbone.

“Big Florida beds, huh?” Leo asked.

Logan watched Leo’s face as he drew. “Yes.”

“All by yourself?” Finn repeated.

That got Logan to look at him. He still looked put-out by the thought, but there was hesitation there, too.

“Ouais,” he said.

Finn tilted his head. “Says who?”

Leo capped the pen and blew on his stars. They were in a pattern, Finn realized. A constellation.

Logan pushed himself up onto one elbow. He looked between them, mouth open. “Quoi—non. What?”

Finn moved forward to settle in between Logan’s legs, smoothing his hands up Logan’s thighs when he wrapped them around Finn’s waist. “I said, says who?”

“Merci.” The word nearly got lost in Logan’s relieved sigh. Then he was reaching for Finn, locking his fingers around his wrists. “Really? Really?”

“Of course we’re coming with you,” Leo said. “What do you take us for?”

Logan looked like someone had just taken some heavy weight off his shoulders. He turned his head to put Leo’s forehead against his own.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you…”

“Honey, there’s nothing ‘thank you’ about it,” Leo said. “If we can follow you, we will. You know that.”

“I—still. It’s not like I’ll have much free time,” Logan said. “And—And I thought you’d probably want to go home.”

Leo smiled into Logan’s kiss. “Take a look at Harzy. I think he feels pretty at home right where he is.”

“Oh yeah,” Finn said. He leaned down over their them, barely having to turn his head to place a kiss to the corner of Leo’s mouth, then Logan’s. “We’re going to get you some silver. We’re going to go watch our best friends get married. There’s nothing not ‘home’ about any of that.”

~

It almost felt strange, to watch hockey like this again. To worry about who was going to win and not be able to help a team get there. Sirius spared half a moment to glance at Remus as he set his tea down on the table. He said something soft and smiling as Lily handed Harry over to settle sleepily against his chest.

Sirius watched for a moment as a drone image of a Florida beach took up the TV screen. He stood behind the couch with his arms crossed, and as long as the blue water was on the screen, he could lower his hands to mess gently with the hair at Remus’ nape. Remus, rubbing Harry’s back, looked backwards and upside down at him.

“All right, Black, I’m not kidding, you standing there like that is not going to make the Rangers win.”

“I’m not—” The TNT logo flashed and suddenly Logan’s face filled the screen. He had his mouthguard half out of his mouth, and there was a neat line of stitches on his cheek from a re-opened cut. The camera panned to the ice where the Rangers were about to lose the last seconds of a power-play, and Sirius crossed his arms again, back into their original position. “I don’t want them to win.”

Lily scoffed. “We do for right now.”

“Gah,” James put a finger over her lips. “La-la-la.”

“I won’t say that out loud,” Sirius replied.

Around Harry’s sleeping back, Remus mocked Sirius’ position, crossing his arms. “You’re saying you don’t want Logan to win you-know-what?”

Sirius actually flinched. “I’m saying—I’m not saying anything that could influence anything. I’m standing here, watching a friend on television.”

“You’ve had your arms crossed like that since Logan scored in the first period.” Lily looked at the living room clock. “That’s about an hour and a half ago.”

“Oh my God.” Remus let out a loud ha, then put a hand over Harry’s head as if to say sorry. He held up his phone to Lily and James, who made similar sounds, then flipped it to show Sirius. Leo had sent a picture of Finn to the team group chat. Finn was sitting with his back straight in what looked like a hotel room, palm trees outside. He had his hands placed specifically on his knees, his eyes on an out of sight TV.

Leo had written, he hasn’t moved at all since Lo scored but he “isn’t superstitious.”

Sirius pointedly looked back to the television. Logan was on the ice now, gliding into Florida’s zone.

Sirius glared when he heard the sound of Remus’ camera click.

~

They were about to go into their second over time, and Logan had blood in his mouth as he walked down the tunnel to the visitor’s locker room. He checked his teeth, but it was just a cut lip.

“Fucking seventy-four,” Luke said from two steps behind him. “Got a fucking mouth on him.”

“Ouais.” Logan handed his gloves over to be dried and pulled his helmet off. He rubbed at the red mark the tightness had left and tried to think what Finn would be saying over his shoulder right then. He would be talking a mile-a-minute and pressed right up against his back. Logan could text him and Leo and read the words, but that wouldn’t feel the same.

He could imagine it in snatches. If we had gone around—Too early—So fucking gorgeous, Tremzy—I tried to but he cut me off, so next time—

That wasn’t the same, either.

He got a bag of ice, twisting it closed, before sitting down heavily in his stall and holding it against his mouth. It felt swollen already. The bleeding had stopped, at least.

From his stall, he heard his phone buzz.

Sixteen texts from Finn and Leo. Two from Remus.

One from Sirius.

The Sirius one, for some reason, sent his heart all funny. They talked. Of course they talked, but not much and never during games. Too many lines blurred like that, and it was bad enough that Logan still couldn’t look at Sirius without thinking of him as his captain. But there it was. Sirius Black. One new message.

Finn and Leo’s texts were a tangled string of admiration that ranged from sweet to dirty. Logan bit back a smile and vowed to take another look at those later.

Remus had sent him a screenshot from the Lion’s group chat. A photograph of Finn, sitting tensed on the couch. The beat of warmth that Logan got when he realized that intense look on his face was because he was watching him was another thing to be examined later. The second photo, sent by Remus, was of Sirius standing behind a couch with his arms crossed. He wore the same intense look on his face.

Sirius’ lone message was simple. Bring it back home.

Logan knew Sirius was talking about the game. Bring it back to New York, finish this round on home ice, and move on to the final round for the Cup. But the word bled and healed like the cut on Logan’s cheek and lip. Sirius shared more than one home with him. Home was speaking French. Home was Pascal. Home was letting themselves go, and letting themselves love. Logan had been sitting there, trying to imagine home around him. Home was waiting for him in a hotel room not even twenty minutes away. He’d be washed in blue eyes and sun later tonight, in pale skin and auburn hair. The lonely feeling was half-habit when it came to Logan—and Sirius. Sirius knew that better than anyone.

For a fraction of a second, Logan’s world didn’t feel so very far away.

[rose24207]

May I request a George Weasley x reader where they are dating in secret because she's a Slytherin and their friends and families wouldn't approve their relationship, but reader gets tired of it being a secret but George wants so keep the secret so they fight and then reader gets injured in a Quidditch match and George doesn't leave her side while she's in the hospital wing? with a fluff ending please

Love beyond house colors

Summary: After a secret relationship strained by house rivalry, George proves his love for his Slytherin girlfriend by standing by her side after a Quidditch injury and publicly declaring their relationship.

Genre: angst, fluff

TW: arguing, secret relationship, mention of prejudices

A/N: love the idea and here it is! English is not my first language. I hope you enjoy it though! Requests are open and welcome!

Masterlist

Keeping your relationship with George a secret had been thrilling at first. It was sneaking around corridors, stolen kisses behind bookshelves, and whispered confessions under the cover of darkness. But over time, the secrecy had grown heavier. You weren’t ashamed of him—far from it. You adored him. What hurt was the idea that George might be ashamed of you.

You were a Slytherin. And as much as you hated the stereotypes, you knew the world wasn’t kind to your house. You could only imagine what the Weasleys would say if they knew George was dating you, and the thought of your own housemates’ ridicule made your stomach twist.

But the secrecy was becoming unbearable.

It all came to a head one crisp Saturday morning in the library. George had slipped into the seat across from you, his red hair unmistakable even under the hood he’d thrown over his head to stay incognito.

“Morning, love,” he whispered, his grin crooked and infectious.

You barely looked up from your parchment. “Morning.”

George tilted his head, frowning. “What’s wrong?”

You set your quill down and looked at him, your heart pounding. “I can’t keep doing this, George. The sneaking around, the lying—it’s exhausting.”

His expression faltered, and he leaned closer. “Y/N, we’ve talked about this. You know what people would say if they found out—”

“I don’t care what people say!” you hissed, keeping your voice low. “George, I’m proud of you. I want to hold your hand in the halls, sit with you at meals, go to Hogsmeade without hiding in the shadows. Don’t you want that?”

“Of course I do,” he said softly, reaching for your hand, but you pulled it away.

“Then why are you so afraid?”

“I’m not afraid,” he said quickly, his jaw tightening. “But you’ve seen how my family talks about Slytherins. Fred would never let me live it down, and Mum—” He sighed. “I just want to protect what we have. I don’t want anyone ruining it.”

Your chest ached at his words. “You don’t trust us to be strong enough to handle it?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying, George?”

He hesitated, and in his silence, you stood, gathering your things.

“Y/N, wait—”

“I can’t keep doing this,” you said, your voice trembling. “When you’re ready to stop hiding, you know where to find me.”

You left before he could respond, blinking back tears as you walked away.

The Quidditch match later that afternoon was brutal. Slytherin was playing Ravenclaw, and tensions were high. You were determined to throw yourself into the game, hoping it would distract you from the ache in your chest.

The last thing you remembered was a bludger heading straight for you and a sharp, sickening pain as it collided with your side, sending you spiraling off your broom.

When you woke up, the first thing you noticed was the throbbing pain in your ribs. The second was the warm hand clutching yours.

“Y/N?”

You blinked, your vision clearing to see George sitting beside you, his face pale and his eyes red-rimmed.

“George?” you croaked, your voice hoarse.

He exhaled a shaky breath, squeezing your hand tightly. “You scared the bloody hell out of me.”

“What happened?”

“You fell,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “The bludger hit you, and you fell off your broom. Madam Pomfrey said you’ve got a few cracked ribs, but you’ll be fine.”

You winced as you tried to sit up, and George immediately leaned forward, helping you gently. “Easy, love. Don’t push yourself.”

“Why are you here?” you asked, though you didn’t mean it harshly.

“Where else would I be?” he said, his eyes meeting yours. “I couldn’t leave you, Y/N. Not after—” He stopped, running a hand through his hair. “I’m an idiot. I should’ve never let you walk away this morning.”

You stared at him, your heart pounding for a different reason now.

“I was scared,” he admitted. “Not of what people would say, but of losing you. I thought keeping us a secret would protect us, but all it did was push you away. I don’t care what anyone thinks anymore. I love you, Y/N. And I want to be with you—no more hiding.”

Tears welled in your eyes, and you reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. “You mean that?”

“Every word,” he said, leaning closer. “I’ll tell Fred. I’ll tell my parents. I’ll tell the whole bloody school if you want me to.”

You let out a watery laugh, wiping your eyes. “Maybe start with Fred.”

He chuckled, his grin returning as he brushed a strand of hair from your face. “Deal.”

Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, lingering there for a moment. “I’m so sorry, love. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if I have to.”

“You’re already forgiven,” you whispered, your heart swelling with love.

The next day, George made good on his promise. By breakfast, the entire Great Hall knew about your relationship. Fred’s initial shock gave way to teasing, but by the end of the day, even he was begrudgingly supportive.

And as you walked hand-in-hand with George through the castle, you couldn’t help but feel like you’d finally found the freedom you’d been longing for—all because of the boy who wasn’t afraid to love you, no matter the odds.

Thank you for reading!

[talesfromawannabewriter]

@things-arent-what-they-seem66

Adam: I knew you would my little shepherd.

Abel: …Mama while we’re on the subject of siblings…have you seen Cain down here?

Adam figured he’d ask him that. It was always his first question whenever he arrived back from the exterminations. As he was one of the very few, outside of those in charge, who knew about what went down in Hell on that day. While he did reluctantly turn a blind eye he had to know each time if there was any sign for his brother.

Adam: Yes, we’ve actually been in contact with one another for a while. If you’d like my son I can send a message from you to him?

The First Anti-Christ

@things-arent-what-they-seem66

(excuse me for the long prologue)

Anti Christ, the child of the fallen one, the devil. Everyone knows of the name and what it means. However, they don’t know of WHO that child is do they? Everyone thinks that the child will make themselves known as they bring on the end of humanity. What people don’t realize is that the anti-Christ has already walked upon the Earth.

In fact he was the first to be born on the planet. You see he was one of the very first humans. The very first child and son of the mother of humanity, Adam the first omega. His name was Cain.

Now many must be wondering on how this came to be. Why did it happen. How and why did the first omega manage to give birth to the fallen one’s offspring. All will be explained here, in this story.

A long, long, long, time ago when the Earth was still young the creator of it had decided on what its final inhabitants would be. They were called humans, the very first of their kind. He made them into something special. With their names came their designations.

Lilith the first woman and alpha

Adam the first man and omega

He made the two to be companions, to watch over another as one would for a friend or as he hoped like siblings. However, his other creations had other plans. While the Lord was busy attending to his purpose of watching over the universe. The other creations, the angels went down to the humans and they told the two that they were more than just companions. They told them that they were mates and they would bring forth true humanity.

Both were confused and asked how? The angels told them that once a month Adam’s womb would welcome Lilith’s seed and instructed him for when the time came for Adam to lay on his back and to spread his legs for his mate. When they heard of this both were rather disgusted by it. They hadn’t known each other for long but they simply weren’t compatible in that way. They couldn’t even bother to be friends for they both had too many differences that often clashed with each other.

While Adam was energetic and outgoing, Lilith was reserved and careful. It would often cause arguments from the two, especially when it came to their duties. Their first duties, of naming and caring for everything in the garden. Lilith thought Adam to be immature. Adam thought Lilith to be demanding. Both seemed to think that nothing was ever good enough for each person. One thing they both could agree on is that they did not wish to be mates.

Still Adam did not wish to upset the angels and simply bowed his head and nodded submissively. They began to explain other sets of rules that both were to follow. Lilith as the alpha was to always provide and care for her omega. Adam as the omega was to always follow her way and submit to his alpha. Both were to bring children into this world.

Lilith would become the father of humanity. While Adam would become the mother of humanity.

Lilith, disgusted at the thought, disagreed wholeheartedly. She fled from the garden and away from the omega. Hoping to never set another foot in there again. She was found by someone, an angel of the Lord himself, whom she would soon call a friend and sometime after that a husband. Though she didn’t trust him at first she eventually told the angel of why she ran from paradise.

The angel was shocked and confused. Why would his siblings do that? Why would they mess with his Father’s creations that way? He wanted so badly to go up there and tell his Father of what they had done to Lilith. He knew that they would somehow find a way to pin the blame onto him.

That is why he came up with a new plan. To meet and talk to Lilith’s supposed mate. What he didn’t know at the time was that the omega was actually his true mate.

He crept into the garden, careful not to aware the elders of his presence. What awaited him in the garden was not what he expected. A true beauty, one that took his breath away. Though he had thought Lilith to be pretty. She was nothing compared to Adam.

His soft brown hair, honeyed eyes that sparkled, and tan skin that was splattered by freckles. His Lucious curves was enough to drive him insane. The angel managed to open his mouth and introduced himself. His name was Lucifer, the angel of light and God’s most favored son.

[chancloud8]

Christmas Love {2}

Pairing: bf!skz x reader

Tags: fluff, sugestive

~ gift giving based on this fake texts smau

part 2: minho, seungmin, jeongin

-> read part 1 with chan, hyunjin, jisung and changbin here

Minho - Visiting cats at the shelter

The local shelter is a familiar place for both you and Minho. Three of the five cats you have at home come from here and you also try and volunteer whenever you can, so when you walk in, hand in hand with your boyfriend, multiple people greet you by name. 

‘I can’t wait to see all the kitties, it’s been a while since we’ve been here and they always get so many new strays around the holiday,’ you say, leaning your head against Minho’s shoulder. 

‘Yeah, one of the reasons I hate people,’ Minho murmurs and you chuckle.

‘Just so you know, we're only bringing home one cat,’ you say, wagging your finger in his face as a warning. ‘So don't go falling in love with siblings or duo's that have to stick together.’ 

Minho snorts and snaps at your finger with his teeth. ‘I should be telling you, kitten, remember last time?’ 

‘We're not talking about that right now,’ you reply, poking your tongue out at him. ‘We both have a weakness and we know it.’ 

The two of you easily find your way into the shelter, wave at the people behind the counter and then slip into the room where some of the cats are allowed to wander around and play with each other. Immediately multiple cats come running your way, rubbing their bodies against your legs and purring loudly. 

‘Aww hey, guys,’ you coo, getting down on your knees to properly pet them. 

Minho does the same, sitting down cross legged and within seconds there’s a cat on his lap and one on his shoulder, sniffing his hair. You laugh as he lifts the cat off his shoulder by the nape of his neck. 

‘Bad kitty, you can’t just climb people like a tree,’ he scolds the cat, setting it down beside him. 

‘You sure about that baby?’ you tease, scratching the orange cat next to you behind his ears. ‘What if I want to climb you like a tree?’ 

Minho gives you a heated look. ‘You’re the only exception to that rule.’ 

‘How is that fair?’ you laugh as you get up, walking further into the room to greet the cats that don’t dare to come closer right away. 

‘Life isn’t always fair,’ Minho shrugs. 

You roll your eyes and bend down when you see a small black cat with big green eyes staring at you from underneath one of the cat trees. 

‘Hello gorgeous,’ you say softly, holding out your hand for the cat to sniff if he wants too. 

At first he just looks at it like he’s never seen a human hand before, but then his nostrils flare and his ears twitch as he slowly stretches his neck to reach your fingers. You stay as still as you can to not scare him away and after a few seconds the cat slowly moves forward, its body staying close to the ground. 

‘That’s it, come say hi,’ you coo, keeping your hand still. 

‘Oh he’s adorable,’ Minho pipes up from behind you. ‘Look at his eyes.’ 

The cat lifts his head when he hears Minho’s voice, but he doesn’t run away. 

‘He’s going to need a lot of love,’ you say as the cat turns its beautiful eyes on you again. 

‘Good thing we have plenty to give,’ Minho smiles, shuffling closer to you and the black cat until he’s behind you, his chest touching your back. ‘Cause I don’t think we’re leaving here without him.’ 

You turn your head to look at him, a grin already on your face. ‘Really?’ 

Minho presses his lips to your temple in a soft caress. ‘Really.’

Seungmin - Pink collar

At first you didn’t plan on actually getting the collar, thinking Seungmin was only joking when you asked anyway, but the more you thought about it, the clearer it became to you that he wasn’t joking. He had hinted about it before, showing you images of other collars while wiggling his eyebrows, but you’ve always laughed it away, thinking he was just teasing. 

You also knew he liked wrapping his long fingers around your throat when you were being intimate together, as well as pulling on any necklace you'd wear. So, after careful consideration, you decided to buy the collar he sent you as his christmas present. You also got him his favorite perfume, a new sweater and some of his favorite snacks, just in case it had been a joke after all. If he didn't really want it, then at least you could laugh about it. 

‘What’s up with you tonight, babe?’ Seungmin asks, placing his hand on your thigh when you nervously shift in your chair again. 

‘Nothing,’ you smile at him, putting your hand on top of his. ‘I’m just excited to give you your presents.’ 

Seungmin raises his eyebrows at you and his eyes scan your face carefully. 

‘I promise Minnie,’ you say when he keeps looking at you. ‘Now eat your food.’ 

Your boyfriend however has other plans and pushes his chair back. ‘Nope, I can’t enjoy your delicious cooking when you’re anxious. Come on,’ he says, holding out his hand for you. 

You sigh in defeat and place your hand in his so he can help you up, it’s no use arguing with him anyways. Seungmin interlaces your fingers together and leads you to the living room, only stopping until you’re in front of the Christmas tree. 

‘I still have dessert, you know,’ you say when he turns around to face you. 

‘We can have it after,’ he replies, pushing a loose strand of your hair behind your ear. ‘Do you want to start or shall I?’ 

You reach down to grab one of his gifts, the perfume, because you’re too much of a chicken to give him the collar right away. 

‘Here, Merry Christmas love,’ you smile, leaning in to press a kiss on his lips while giving him the wrapped present. 

Seungmin frowns when he sees the perfume and your heart sinks when he looks up at you. Shit. Did he not like this perfume anymore? 

‘This is what you were anxious about?’ he asks, pulling you close to him. Oh. ‘Baby–’ 

‘No, no,’ you hurriedly interrupt him. ‘It’s another present.’ 

‘Okay,’ Seungmin says. ‘I’m sure I love whatever you give me, I always have.’ 

You grab the small box from under the tree, eyeing it for another moment in hesitation, before putting it in Seungmins hands. 

‘Open it, but keep in mind that you asked for it and it’s totally okay if you don’t like it.’

Seungmin rolls his eyes at you and takes off the lid, exposing the pink collar. It has the pink bow in the middle, just like the picture it send 

Seungmin blinks, and then blinks again.

When he looks up at you again you can't quite figure out what the look in his eyes mean, but it makes your stomach flutter anyways.

Seungmin carefully takes the collar out of the box.

‘Turn around,’ he says. No, he orders.

Heat spreads to your cheeks and neck, but you do as he asks, lifting your hair up for him so he can put it on. The cool leather touches your skin and you shiver when you feel Seungmin's fingers at the back of your neck where he fastens the collar.

You turn back to him to see his eyes locked on your neck in fascination while his fingers come up to touch it.

‘It looks absolutely incredible on you,’ he groans.

You giggle and bring your own hands up to touch the leather as well. ‘So you like it?’

Seungmin's eyes meet yours and then he hooks his finger under the collar to pull you close.

‘I more than like it, I love it and I think we should skip dessert and head upstairs.’ Without waiting for a reply, his lips are on yours and he starts to walk the two of you backwards and out of the living room.

Jeongin - Matching pyjama’s 

‘No,’ Jeongin says, shaking his head. ‘Nope, nu-uh.’ 

In his hands he’s holding the soft pink pyjama bottoms you bought for the both of you. The fabric is covered in Hello Kitty's and bows in a darker shade of pink. 

‘You said not to get you the grinch pyjamas,’ you pout at him. ‘And you look great in pink!’ 

Jeongin shakes his head again, putting the pyjama’s down on his lap. ‘I’m not sure what’s worse, the grinch ones or these.’ 

‘Obviously not these, we’re going to look so cute together!’ you giggle, leaning against your boyfriend to press a kiss on his cheek. 

‘We’re always cute,’ Jeongin says, taking a hold of your chin to keep you close so he can properly kiss you. 

You hum against his lips and kiss him back, moving your mouth over his. It’s soft and sweet, and when you pull back you feel warm and fuzzy and loved. 

‘I got you something else too,’ you whisper, blindly grabbing the present from under the tree where you put it not too long ago. 

Jeongin accepts the box you set down in his hands, eying you curiously before carefully undoing the bow and opening it. 

‘Oh,’ he gasps. ‘Y/N, it’s beautiful!’ 

Inside the box is a silver bracelet you designed yourself along with a matching pinky ring. You had one for yourself as well. 

‘Do you like it? I didn’t know what to get you, but I figured some new jewelry would never hurt,’ you smile. 

Jeongin looks up at you with sparkling eyes. ‘Like it? I love it, baby. Will you help me put it on?’ 

You let out a sigh of relief and take the box from him, carefully taking out the ring first. Jeongin holds out his hand and you gently slide the ring on his pinky. 

‘This feels weird,’ Jeongin laughs. ‘I should be the one slipping a ring on your finger.’ 

‘Then you should be getting down on one knee,’ you wink, picking up the bracelet next. 

Jeongin freezes, but only for a second and you look up at him in confusion. 

‘You know I’m joking right. I mean, of course I want you to ask me one day, but I’m not like expecting anything now or soon, or I don’t know in the near future,’ you ramble, your cheeks heating up in embarrassment. 

‘Hey hey, look at me,’ Jeongin says, his fingers once again grasping your chin as his eyes lock onto yours. ‘I will ask you to marry me. Not today, but I will.’ 

You gape at him and he grins, leaning in close to nuzzle your noses together. 

‘One day you’ll be Mrs. Yang.’

a/n: Happy Christmas Day everyone!! Part 3 with Felix will probably be up tomorrow, I wasn't able to start his yet and it's family time now :) Hope you enjoy <3

taglist: @jaeminie-cricket @jeonginsbaee @staylovesmiley @newbbystay @cashtonsbetch @mariahxrrera @kaleigh-2002 @silencionyx @smileykiddie08 @my-neurodivergent-world @yaorzu-blog @yoongiismylove2018 @staytinyluv @bookswillfindyouaway @queen-thiccness @notastraykid @ateez-atiny380 @estella-novella @furfoxsake22 @hyunjinhoexxx @insomnjen @hannahisnotblue @vivilovesuu @velvetmoonlght @skz8love @corgilover20 @littlelostdemonofthelight @stephanieeeyang @zulie-and-cats @chanshugsaretherapy @pizzalove5000 @dazzlingjade

[geotjwrs]

Could I request a fanfic featuring a male reader x Jenna, where they are co-stars in Beetlejuice 2? The story follows the trope "she fell first, but he fell harder." Jenna falls for the reader during filming, but later, the reader also falls for her—and much harder.

i like you, i do

Pairings ; Jenna Ortega x Male!Reader

Warning/s ; none

The lights on set flickered as another take wrapped up. You were in your full costume—black and white pinstripes, messy hair, and green makeup smeared across your face as you played your role in Beetlejuice 2. The director’s voice echoed across the set, calling for a quick break before the next scene. You glanced at Jenna Ortega, your co-star, who had been absolutely killing it as Lydia’s daughter.

From the moment filming had started, you noticed something different about her. Jenna had an infectious energy, always professional and kind to everyone on set. She had a knack for slipping into character instantly, but off-camera, she was the first to crack a joke or offer a smile. There was something magnetic about her, but you chalked it up to her being a talented actress.

What you didn’t realize was that she had started to notice you too.

Jenna had always been good at keeping things professional, but over the past few weeks, something had shifted. Maybe it was the long hours spent on set together or the easy banter you shared between takes. You didn’t see it, but every time you made her laugh, her eyes lingered on you a little longer. When you walked past her, she couldn’t help but follow you with her gaze.

It was subtle at first—the way she’d find excuses to sit next to you during lunch breaks, the small comments she’d make about how great your performance was that day. It wasn’t until one night, during an after-hours shoot, that you noticed something had changed.

You were waiting for the next setup, leaning against a prop table and going over your lines. Jenna walked up beside you, her face still smeared with a bit of makeup from her last scene. She was dressed in Lydia’s iconic goth aesthetic, but the soft smile she gave you was worlds away from the character she was playing.

“Tired?” she asked, her voice casual, but there was a hint of something deeper in her eyes.

You smiled back, shrugging. “A bit. But you know how it is—long days come with the job.”

Jenna tilted her head, her gaze flickering over your face like she was seeing something no one else could. “You’re doing amazing with the role, though. Really. I’ve seen you work on other films, but this… I don’t know, it just feels like you’ve completely embodied the character.”

You chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck. “Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. You’ve been killing it as Lydia’s daughter.”

She smiled at your compliment but didn’t look away this time. “You ever think about what happens after the movie wraps up?”

You furrowed your brow, not sure where the conversation was heading. “What do you mean?”

Jenna shrugged, her hand absentmindedly brushing against yours as she leaned on the table. “I don’t know… We’ve spent a lot of time together, and it’s been fun. But what happens when we’re not filming together every day?”

There was a weight behind her words that caught you off guard. You blinked, glancing at her, and for a second, it felt like the air between you changed. You hadn’t thought much beyond the movie. Sure, you got along great, but this was a job—at least, that’s what you had told yourself. But now, with Jenna looking at you like that, you couldn’t deny the connection building between the two of you.

“I guess we just… move on to the next project,” you said, though the words sounded hollow as they left your mouth.

Jenna’s gaze flickered down, and for a moment, you thought you saw something like disappointment in her eyes. But she quickly covered it with a soft laugh. “Yeah, I guess so.”

The conversation ended, but it left you thinking. Over the next few days, you started to notice all the little things you had been ignoring—the way Jenna would glance your way when she thought you weren’t looking, how she’d laugh a little harder at your jokes, the way she’d linger after filming when everyone else had gone home. It was subtle, but it was there.

You didn’t want to assume anything, though. Maybe she was just being friendly. Maybe you were imagining it. But then, one night after filming, she invited you to hang out at a small diner nearby. It was just the two of you, and the conversation flowed as easily as it did on set, but this time, it felt more personal.

At one point, as you both laughed about some behind-the-scenes mishap, Jenna’s smile faded slightly, and she looked at you with that same look from before—the one that felt like it was asking more than what her words said.

“You know,” she began quietly, “I wasn’t sure about this movie when I first signed on. But meeting you… it’s made it better.”

Your heart skipped a beat. There was no mistaking the look in her eyes now. She liked you. And for the first time, you realized you liked her too. You hadn’t been paying attention, too focused on your own work to notice, but now that it was in front of you, you couldn’t ignore it.

But even then, you hadn’t fallen yet—not completely.

It wasn’t until the last few weeks of filming that you started falling, and you fell hard. The more time you spent with Jenna, the more you realized how much you loved being around her. She was funny, down-to-earth, and despite her fame, she never let it get to her head. Every moment with her felt easy, natural. You found yourself looking forward to her texts after a long day of shooting, smiling when her name popped up on your phone.

You’d catch yourself thinking about her at random moments—during rehearsals, on your way home, even when you were supposed to be focusing on other things. It was like everything about her had crept under your skin, and now you couldn’t shake the feeling.

One evening, after a particularly emotional scene, you were both walking off set when she stopped you.

“Hey,” she called softly.

You turned to see Jenna standing just a few feet away, a soft, almost nervous look on her face. She shifted on her feet, biting her lip before she spoke again.

“I need to tell you something,” she began, her voice almost timid. “I… I’ve liked you for a while now. I didn’t want to say anything because I wasn’t sure if you felt the same. But now that the movie’s almost over, I don’t want to miss my chance. I really like you, Y/N.”

For a second, you stood there, stunned. She had fallen first. All this time, she had been waiting for you to catch up. And now that she had said it out loud, the weight of your own feelings hit you like a tidal wave.

You stepped closer, your heart pounding as you looked at her. “Jenna… I didn’t realize it until now, but I like you too. A lot. Maybe even more than I should.”

Her eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across her face, one that made your heart race even faster.

Before you could say anything else, she closed the distance between you and pressed her lips to yours. It wasn’t a rushed kiss—it was slow, sweet, filled with all the feelings that had been building between you both for months.

When you pulled away, you rested your forehead against hers, both of you breathless but smiling.

“Guess I fell harder than I thought,” you admitted with a grin.

Jenna laughed softly, her arms wrapping around your waist. “I think we both did.”

From that moment on, things were different. You and Jenna had found something special, something neither of you expected when you first started filming. It wasn’t just about the movie anymore—it was about each other.

Filming wrapped up a few weeks later, and while you both moved on to new projects, your relationship stayed strong. The chemistry you had on set carried over into real life, and no matter how busy things got, you always found time for each other.

And every once in a while, when you caught Jenna looking at you with that same soft smile, you’d remind yourself just how lucky you were to have fallen for her—because while she might have fallen first, you definitely fell harder.

[meazalykov]

baby its cold outside

barcelona femeni x salma paralluelo x finnish!reader requested

summary: the request

merry christmas!!!

the snow crunches beneath your boots as you lead the group toward the log cabin nestled deep in the forests of rovaniemi. 

the cold bites at your cheeks, but it doesn’t bother you. this is home, and it’s always been beautiful no matter how many winters you’ve spent here. you glance back, a grin tugging at your lips as you watch your girlfriend, salma, and your teammates—vicky, martina, sydney, jana, and kika—trying to maneuver through the snow, bundled up in layers upon layers of thick coats, scarves, and hats. 

for most of them, this is their first experience with real snow, and their reactions are nothing short of hilarious.

“i swear, i’ve never seen this much snow in my life, shit i think my eyes are blinded by the brightness” vicky says, her voice muffled by the scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. 

“do people actually live here?” kika mutters, her portuguese nose red from the cold as she tries to step into the packed down path you’re making for them.

you chuckle softly, slowing your pace so they can catch up. 

“yes, kika, people live here. it’s not that bad once you’re used to it.”

“used to it?” martina exclaims, dramatically pulling her gloves tighter. 

“my toes are going numb, and we’ve only been outside for five minutes.”

salma catches your eye, her own lips twitching into a small smile as she shakes her head at the antics of your friends. her cheeks are somewhat flushed from the cold, and the spanish woman tucks a stray strand of her dark hair into her hat. 

even in layers that nearly swallow her whole, she’s beautiful. the sight of her here, in your world, makes your chest feel warm despite the icy air around you.

when you finally reach the cabin, you pause and turn back to them, throwing your arms out. 

“ta-da!” you announce. 

the girls gape at the cabin. it’s exactly what you wanted—cozy yet spacious, its wooden exterior dusted with snow, smoke curling from the chimney, and fairy lights strung along the railings of the porch. a warm glow spills from the windows, promising comfort and warmth inside.

“it looks like it came straight out of one of those christmas movies jill shows me,” jana says, her eyes wide.

“please tell me there’s a fireplace,” sydney adds, stomping the snow off her boots as she makes her way to the door. 

you laugh, grabbing the keys from your pocket and unlocking the door. 

“of course there’s a fireplace, and hot chocolate waiting inside.”

as everyone piles in, kicking off their boots and shedding their layers, you guide salma toward the couch by the fireplace. she sinks into the cushions with a sigh, and you sit beside her, pulling her close under the thick blanket already draped there.

“better?” you ask, tilting your head to look at her.

she nods, resting her head on your chest. 

“much better.”

meanwhile, the others are exploring the cabin, voices echoing through the space. sydney is already inspecting the kitchen, while vicky is pulling an xbox out of her carry-on bag, much to everyone’s confusion.

“you brought an xbox?” martina asks, her tone caught between disbelief and amusement.

vicky shrugs nonchalantly. 

“we have downtime, and fifa’s a must.”

you roll your eyes fondly, turning your attention back to salma.

“so, what do you think? worth braving the cold?”

she leans into you, her dark eyes meeting yours with a teasing glint. “baby, it’s cold outside,” she murmurs, a playful pout on her lips.

you laugh softly, brushing your lips against her temple. 

“yeah, love, we are in finland. what did you expect?”

salma’s laughter is warm and light, and it makes your heart swell. moments like this, with her wrapped up in your arms, make you forget the freezing temperatures and the chaos of bringing your friends to your hometown.

the next morning, you decide it’s time to introduce the girls to some true finnish winter activities. breakfast is a lively affair, with sydney teasing kika about her dramatic reaction to the cold, and martina snapping pictures of the snowy view outside the window. after everyone’s bundled up again, you lead them out to a nearby trail for cross-country skiing.

“okay,” you say, holding up a pair of skis, 

“this is one of my favorite winter sports. it’s not as hard as it looks, i promise.”

your words are met with skeptical stares. salma raises an eyebrow at you. 

“are you sure about that?”

“positive,” you reply with a grin. 

“just watch me.”

“alexia is going to freak out if you come back to barca injured!!” vicky calls out. 

“i won’t, i know what i am doing!” you laugh. 

“we don't!” sydney protests.

you strap on your skis and push off, gliding smoothly over the snow. the wind bites at your face, but it’s exhilarating, the kind of freedom you’ve missed since moving to barcelona. you glance back, expecting to see the others following your lead… instead, you’re met with chaos.

kika is flat on her back, her skis tangled beneath her, while martina tries—and fails—to help her up. jana wobbles dangerously before falling into a snowbank, and vicky is clutching onto sydney for dear life as they both struggle to stay upright. 

salma, to her credit, manages a few awkward glides before losing her balance and landing on her knees.

you can’t help but laugh, the sound echoing through the trees. 

“come on, it’s not that bad!” you call out, stopping to wait for them.

salma glares at you playfully, brushing snow off her gloves. 

“easy for you to say, ms. finnish! you’re a natural.”

“and you will be too, with a little practice,” you tease, skiing back to her. you help her to her feet, your hands lingering on hers for a moment longer than necessary. 

“you’re doing great, though.”

her expression softens, and she leans in close enough for only you to hear. 

“you’re lucky i love you.”

your heart skips a beat, and you grin. 

“i know, and i love you too.”

by the time you all make it back to the cabin, everyone is exhausted but in high spirits. hot chocolate is the first thing on your mind, and you quickly set to work in the kitchen, heating milk and stirring in cocoa powder while salma hovers nearby, sneaking marshmallows from the bag.

when the mugs are ready, you carry them to the living room, where the others are already sprawled out on the couches and floor. vicky has fifa up and running, and the sound of friendly banter fills the room.

you hand a mug to salma and sit beside her on the couch, draping the blanket over your laps. she takes a sip, her eyes fluttering shut as she savors the warmth. 

“delicious,” she murmurs.

you steal a sip from her mug, earning a mock glare. 

“sharing is caring,” you say innocently.

she rolls her eyes but doesn’t protest, leaning against you as you both watch the chaos unfolding around you. kika is yelling at jana for a missed goal, while martina and sydney cheer on their teams from the sidelines.

the xbox, as ridiculous as it was to bring, has brought the perfect amount of holiday cheer to the cabin.

outside, snow begins to fall again, soft and silent. inside, the warmth of the fire and the love of your friends make the cold seem a distant memory. 

you tighten your arm around salma, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“thank you for bringing us here,” she says softly, her voice barely audible over the laughter and shouts of your friends. 

“this is… it’s special.”

you smile, your heart full. 

“you’re welcome, love. i’m glad you’re here to share it with me.”

masterlist

[ender-cloud]

HYDE IS IN THIS UPDATE HOLY SHIT!!!

Tgs spoilers under cut

Haha, you guys remember that one off comment i made last week

Ha ha ha……. Oh god, I’ll get to that when I get to it. Lets start with more of Jaspers good points and leadership skills first

Jasper makes a great point here.

The Lodgers are the society! They make the magic, the energy, the environment, Jekyll is just the ring leader of it all making sure things don’t get to out of hand, but in the end he had started to have a hard time being able to find that control and keep them in check.

This is why a type of “revolution” like this will do more good then harm in this situation because it will allow Jasper to take Jekylls place of keeping everyone together as the times turn and they need to protect themselves.

But uh… maybe the lodgers might not see this as I do

Ok ok, I get the Lodgers hesitants, Fritz brought to my attention that because Jasper is the newest lodger, despite everything they probably dont have enough trust in him.

Which I definitely get, they are in hard times right now and its hard to trust Jasper, even if they’ve known him for a while they were just betrayed by someone they’ve known for years, how can they trust someone they’ve known for a little over a month (I think)

Also theres a reason why I said that one off comment, not only because it was a trope I see a lot, but because I truly felt like it was a possibility

BUTTTT!! With this it doesn’t necessarily mean that they wont 100% not follow through with what Jasper is saying.

It is clear that they are unsure, yes, but they may need to think it over, and theres got to be a few lodgers who agree with his points.

Some who agree with Jasper that may help the other Lodgers get on board to. If they are truly Reluctant to Jasper leading them because they haven’t known him for long, if some people who they have been living with for years joining up may give them the boost to join.

Jasper made many great points in his speech, and with so many people not everyone could have disagreed with what he said.

I believe this moment of doubt will be just that, a moment, but once other people start agreeing and maybe adding their own points, then it will grow into what Jasper wanted before, the lodgers believing him and letting him lead them in this hard time

It will be the next part of this turning point into someone more confident for Jasper, because while motivating the lodgers with words might be easy, actually forming a plan and leading them through it will be harder, it will also teach him to not give up quickly when things look bad.

Hyde’s just casually acting like he didn’t just have a mental breakdown and immediately just teases Lanyon (I love them so much chat it’s unreal)

ALSO THIS CONFIRMS THAT HYDES MENTAL BREAKDOWN WAS HAPPENING THE SAME TIME AS JASPERS SPEACH!!!

Anyway, back to the actual pannel.

I find it interesting how in Hydes head, he also has a reputation to keep up, its not just Jekyll. The only difference is that hyde has his tough guy, bad boy rep (I hate myself for saying that) He cant let anyone see his weakness, not even Jekyll.

He clearly has mentally trained himself to be able to just change his mood on a switch, but even if he can change how he acts his face has to show some evidence of what happened, i mean we’ve seen him be a little bloody from the glass and Lanyon must have seen that too.

He might be talking about what Hyde looks like when he said he made quite a mess out of himself, not only the glass, which might make Hyde nervous, i feel like he wont be able to keep his facade up for long with how he was acting before.

It’s a little hard delve into the few words they exchanged but im excited for the next update, which may include some blaming of what happened to Jekyll.

(Also more Lanyon and Hyde which I’ll take anyday 🙏🙏)

Happy Holidays Btw!! I hope you have a great Christmas or anything you may celebrate!!

[thedemisapphic]

Sorry it took so long to come and explain my thoughts. I’ve been making shaker cookies and yesterday I ended up baking for 10 hours. I am not joking. I was so stressed because I only planned to be baking for 3 hours TOPS. I was going through it.

Anyway. So, as we all know, after Stolas lost his powers, he’s just ALWAYS had his pupils. There hasn’t been one moment where he doesn’t have them. At first, a lot of people thought it was because he lost his powers, and this was just a side effect of being stripped of everything. Some people theorized that it’s because he had so many emotions at the time and that’s what triggered it. And honestly, my theory, though a little different, deviates from that one!!!

So, to preface this, I took a closer look at the eyes of other folks in Stolas’s family / Goetias.

Stella and Octavia ALWAYS have their pupils. I’ve never seen a moment where they haven’t had them.

Andrealphus and Vassago however, DON’T. And I don’t think we’ve ever seen them with them. Even when Andy shows strong emotion like in this picture, still he has no pupils. At first I thought pupils were a sex-specific thing. This would pose more questions as to why Stolas could have them in the first place, especially when they aren’t always there. But then I dug a little more.

When we take a look at Paimon, however, he DOES have pupils. Which makes me think being able to have pupils in the first place is likely genetic.

Now, if Stolas has the genes, how come he doesn’t have pupils all the time?? After all, when he was a kid we saw he didn’t have them. Well, that’s where my theory comes in.

Stolas is on antidepressants, and a very common symptom of antidepressants is emotional numbness. Some pills function to counteract negative feelings by nullifying feelings altogether. I can imagine his pupils going away could also be a side effect of his antidepressants. This would explain why Stolas’s pupils only show from STRONG emotion. Enough to push through the antidepressants.

I’m not sure how I would explain this in the context of him being a kid, I can only say Stolas’s pupils are tied to his emotions as is the main point of this theory, but moving on.

In the season Finale, we see Stolas go an EXTENDED time WITHOUT antidepressants, after an incredibly traumatic event, going through an incredibly difficult transition in his life. His emotions are high, and his antidepressants aren’t there to dull it. So he’s feeling EVERYTHING to the max, his system unregulated and imbalanced. All of this causing his pupils to come back regularly.

So my theory is just that Stolas ONLY has his pupils back for this long because he’s been without his medication. We’ll know if it’s true if he loses his pupils again in the next season, now that Via gave him a bottle of his antidepressants. There’s a very good chance this isn’t true, but I think there’s a good chance it is! Let me know what you think or if you have your own theory for why Stolas has his pupils back now :)

[thewertsearch]

?GG: the frog we need is nowhere to be found in the medium ?GG: it was on earth!

Well, that sure isn't a normal frog. There's a lot to talk about here, so let's get started.

First of all, I don’t think this is a First Guardian.

Yes, it’s a white, glowing, obviously supernatural animal, but none of the Green Sun’s calling cards are present. There’s no aura of lightning surrounding the frog, nor are its eyes missing, and its body isn’t flickering into other locations, the way Scratch and Bec do.

Whatever this thing is, it's something we've never seen before.

It was notably teleported directly on top of the mini Battlefield - or, more precisely, it was sent to the real-world analogue to the object’s position on Prospit.

The implications are a little unclear, but the two are clearly connected in some way. Is the Final Frog the same entity as the Battlefield object, or was it sent here to interfere with it?

Second of all – yeah, someone sent it here! Just like with Jaspers, we’re seeing this little guy’s story out-of-order, and he'll be created later in the comic, under unknown circumstances.

This could be very good, or very bad, depending on who sent it.

If the sender was trying to help, then this is a clever way to allow the kids to benefit from hindsight. For example, a future Jade could have done some extra frog breeding down the line, effectively editing the universe retroactively, to take advantage of future insights. This frog could leverage the efforts of characters in future arcs, perhaps augmenting the universe in ways that we'll later learn are vital - inoculating it against English, perhaps?

If the sender is our enemy, then this frog is a trap. Maybe it’s adding traits to the universe that will completely screw us, when the time finally comes to complete the game. It’s really impossible to say how it could screw us, because we don’t know anything about Genesis Frog breeding, but I can think of plenty of nightmare scenarios.

I think the former is more likely, mostly because the frog’s eyes match our heroes' signature colors. This could represent the future versions of our kids, or even the rebooted versions of our heroes. Like, maybe this is a way to create a universe from two Genesis Frog genomes, synthesized across two versions of the same session.

We’ve already abused time travel to get more frog time than we're supposed to. Who’s to say we won’t do it again?

[fratboyharrys-gf]

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 | 𝐇.𝐒.

SUMMARY: harry goes home with YN for christmas to meet her family.

WARNINGS: none

WORD COUNT: 1.7k || masterlist

A/N: merry christmas/happy holidays! this is so rushed because i wanted to get it out today so its def not the best 😭 but thank you so so much for all of the support already it means so much :’)

join my taglist here!

The snow fell heavily from the night sky, cascading downwards in a flurry of glittering white. YN sat in the passenger seat of Harry's car, staring out her window at the beautiful scenery, her breath slightly fogging up the cold glass.

A sudden warmth on her thigh broke her from her daydream, and she knew it was Harry’s hand. She swiveled her head to glance at him, finding his gaze fixed intently on the road, and his other hand firmly gripping the steering wheel.

YN broke the silence by asking a question, her voice laced with a hint of concern. “Are you nervous?” She inquired, her gaze flickering from Harry’s hand to his face as they traveled towards her parent's home. They were scheduled to stay for a few days for the holidays, during which time Harry would have the opportunity to meet her family.

YN saw the look of nervousness on his face as her hand sought out Harry’s, its warmth enveloping his. She gently squeezed, offering a reassuring smile as she said, “You have nothing to worry about. They’ll love you. I love you. I know they will too.”

Harry glanced over at her, her smile showing a hint of nervousness. He rotated his hand, interlocking their fingers together before refocusing on the road ahead of them. “I hope you’re right. It means a lot to me to be liked by your parents,” he confessed, lifting their intertwined hands to gently press his lips upon the back of hers. “And I love you too.” He placed their hands back in her lap.

As they pulled into YNs family’s home, Harry took a deep breath and shut off the engine. He turned to YN, a flicker of nerves still apparent in his expression. She took his hand in hers once again and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

”You’ll be fine.” She said, her voice soft yet steady. “They‘ll love you just as much as I do.” She leaned in closer, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek.

”Thank you, love.” Harry responded with a small smile.

They sat in silence for a few moments more, their hands still joined together. Harry’s thumb stroked gently over YN’s knuckles, a small gesture that comforted them both. Finally, Harry spoke again.

”Ready?” He asked, his voice laced with anticipation.

YN nodded, her anticipation mingled with a sense of excitement. She looked at Harry, admiring his courage in facing her family for the first time.

”I’m ready,” She answered, “Let’s go.”

Harry unbuckled his seatbelt, hesitating momentarily before opening his door and stepping out into the cold winter air. He took a deep breath and then made his way around to the passenger side, opening YNs door and holding out a hand for her to take.

YN took his hand, feeling his warm palm against her cold one as he led her from the car. Together, their hands intertwined once again, they made their way towards the front door of her family’s home.

The sound of laughter and conversation filtered through the door, giving him a glimpse of the welcoming family that awaited him inside. YN glanced at Harry, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

He returned her smile, his grip on her hand tightening slightly before he brought his other hand up to knock on the door.

After waiting a couple of seconds, it swung open, revealing YNs mother, which Harry knew because of the many pictures he had seen.

“You’re here!” She exclaimed excitedly before pulling her daughter in for a hug.

”Hi mom.” YN smiled, immediately hugging her back just as tightly. It had been so long since she had last seen her.

As they separated, YNs mother turned her attention to Harry, a kind smile on her face. “And you must be Harry.” She said. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

He smiled back at her, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. “Yes, ma’am.” He replied, trying to maintain his composure. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Her mother chuckled. “Please call me YMN,” she replied, her smile growing. “And I have to say, YN hasn’t shut up about you lately.”

YN couldn’t help but blush as her mother spoke, her cheeks turning a rosy hue at the mention of how much she talks about Harry. She looked at him apologetically, but he returned her gaze with a smirk, clearly amused.

”Is that so?” He asked, his voice filled with playful teasing. “I hope it’s all been good things.”

YNs mother laughed again. "Oh, don't worry, it has been," she responded, reaching out to pat Harry's arm. "I think you've made quite the impression on her."

YN knew that this was her mother's way of expressing approval and acceptance of him, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew how important her parents' opinion meant to her relationship, and it seemed like things were going pretty well so far.

Harry smiled, feeling reassured and thankful for the warm welcome from YNs mother. "I'm glad to hear that," he replied, his voice more relaxed than it had been earlier.

YNs mother turned back to her daughter, her expression softening slightly. "Why don't you show him around a bit? Everyone else is in the living room."

YN nodded, wrapping her fingers around Harry's hand again. "Sure, we'll go do that." She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Sounds good," Harry responded, returning her smile. They stepped past YNs mother and into the warmth of the house. The foyer was adorned with beautiful holiday decorations and the scent of the dinner that was being cooked filled the air. Harry soaked in the sights and sounds of YNs childhood home, his grip on her hand tightening slightly as she led him through the house.

They passed through a long, narrow hallway with various family photos lining the walls. YN pointed out different ones and shared memories about each, her voice soft and nostalgic.

Harry listened intently, his eyes fixed on the images of YN as a child. He noticed how the woman in the pictures resembled the one walking beside him now, seeing the same sparkle in her eyes and the same dimples in her cheeks.

Finally, YN led him into the living room, where the rest of her family was gathered. They looked up as they entered, all giving them warm smiles and greetings.

YN introduced Harry to each of her family members, who welcomed him with open arms. Harry shook hands with each of them, feeling a bit overwhelmed with nerves again, but YN kept her hand on his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze every now and then as if to remind him that she was there for him.

They spent the next few hours chatting and laughing with YNs family. Harry found himself relaxing and enjoying their company, feeling more comfortable with each passing moment. They asked him questions about his job, his interests, and how he met YN, to which he answered honestly. Throughout it all, YN stayed by his side, offering little touches and discreet smiles whenever he glanced over at her.

Time seemed to fly as they all talked and got to know each other better. Stories were shared, memories were recalled, and more laughs were had. Harry noticed the genuine warmth and acceptance that YNs family showed him, and he felt a profound sense of happiness.

He found himself looking at YN often, her soft smile and loving gaze making his heart flutter. He realized that this was what family was supposed to be like, and he was grateful for it.

The night winded down, and one by one, YNs family said their goodbyes. YN and Harry helped clean up a bit before heading upstairs to the guest room where they would be staying.

As they lay in bed that night, YN snuggled closer to Harry, her head resting on his chest.

Harry wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as his fingers gently traced patterns across her back. He felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over him, the earlier nerves and anxieties completely gone.

He spoke quietly into the darkness, his voice soft and sincere. "Your family is incredible," he said, his fingers still moving against her skin.

YN smiled against his chest, her hand tracing mindless circles on his bare skin. "They really liked you," she whispered, tilting her head up to look at him. "I knew they would."

Harry lifted his hand to brush a strand of hair from her face, his thumb lingering on her cheek. "I liked them too," he responded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

They were silent for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence. YN snuggled closer to him, her body molding effortlessly against his.

Harry tightened his arms around her, his fingers splayed across her back. He rested his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair and feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath against his chest. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to be here with her, surrounded by her loving family and creating memories together.

"I love you," he whispered, the words feeling as natural as breathing.

YN smiled, feeling a warmth spreading through her chest at his words. She pulled away slightly to look up at him, her eyes meeting his in the dim light. "I love you too," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with emotion.

Harry bent down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss, the touch of her mouth sending a jolt of electricity through him. They kissed lazily for a few moments, their mouths moving in perfect harmony before they pulled apart and settled back into each other's arms.

They lay there in silence, their bodies entwined and their breaths syncing. Harry's fingers continued to caress her back, his touch gentle and soothing. YN closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his heartbeat, the steady rhythm lulling her into a state of complete relaxation.

With each passing moment, the weight of the day's events and emotions began to fade away, leaving only a sense of peace and contentment. They both knew that they were exactly where they were meant to be, and they wouldn't want it any other way.

taglist: @nikkimartinez23 @elliedafish @meadowwitchpinklight @howling-wolf97 @carolinaastyles @carolinaskiiwi @tianajames17 @illicitverstappen @cassofheartsss @fangirl509east @fruity-harry

[deathofpeaceofmiiind]

Christmas Eve // Quinn Hughes

be my date this Christmas Eve, be my holiday, my dream

summary: a heavy snowfall changes Quinn’s Christmas plans

warnings: light fluff, kissing and cuddling. Sorry it’s short! I just wanted to post something Christmas themed 🎄

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

Quinn paced back and forth in front of the window, his phone glued to his ear. It was Christmas Eve and we were supposed to be heading to Michigan to spend the holidays with his family, but our plans might be changing despite our best efforts. Vancouver was covered in a heavy blanket of snow, not a single car was seen on the road all morning. Quinn gets off the phone, a small exhale left his lips as he walked towards me. I was buried under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate wrapped around my hands, doing anything I could to stay warm. Christmas music filled the room as I watched Quinn, he was stuck in his own head as he sat down beside me. My eyes never left his face, he bit his lower lip, something I’ve noticed he does when he’s deeply thinking.

“What’s the verdict?”

“Nothing is flying out of the airport right now, so it looks like we might be spending Christmas here.” His voice was low, almost like velvet. His face was hard to read, he looked upset our plans changed but also keen on us just staying in Vancouver. His hand traced small circles around my ankle as he locked his eyes with mine. They were the perfect shade of green, always adapting to whatever emotions he was feeling.

“I’m really sorry.” My heart sunk, I was looking forward to seeing his family again too. His parents welcomed me with open arms and his brothers treated me like I was the sister they never had. All I knew was that I had to help fill the void Quinn was going to feel not being with his family, and those were hard shoes to fill.

“It’s okay.” His words mumbled as he continued to chew on his lower lip. “I’m actually okay with us being here instead.”

Confused by his reaction, my head titled to the side, “what do you mean?”

“Every time we celebrate a holiday, or a birthday, I rarely get to have you alone.” His voice somehow lowered more, it was husky this time, making my stomach flutter. He guided my face towards him, pulling me into a delicate kiss. His lower lip, arguably my favourite part of his body above his belt envelopes my mouth so effortlessly.

We pulled apart briefly, my lips trailing his jaw this time, “that’s the whole point of the holidays though.”

“Yeah but…I’m tired of sharing you with everyone else.” he replied, brushing my hair out of my face so he could admire what was in front of him, “I love that my family adores you but I want you all to myself this Christmas Eve.”

He was right, every time we’ve gone out to celebrate something, we’re surrounded by our friends, his teammates or family. We should be so lucky that we have so many people that love us, but anytime we tried to have a moment alone we were interrupted by someone. Most birthday parties ended up with our friends sleeping on our couches, even our own bed and leaving us somehow separated. This might actually be our first time celebrating something together, with no interruptions.

“This is so tedious.”

I looked over at Quinn who was squinting as he iced some sugar cookies. He looked so adorable in the Christmas sweater I forced him to wear, I was gonna save it for tomorrow but now seemed like the perfect time to wear it. He looked like he belonged in a Christmas hallmark movie.

“You’re doing great.” I commented coming up behind him. He turned around and put some icing on my nose, making me grab some to return the favour.

“Let me taste test.” His tongue ran along my nose as he got rid of the icing. I went to do the same but he ran away from me.

“Quinn, get back here!” I yelled as he made his way into our room. He stopped, laughing like a little child until I pushed him onto the bed. I had him right where I wanted as I crawled over him, licking all the icing off his face. He squirmed but my thighs kept him locked into place. We fell into a fit of laughter, completely enjoying each others company.

“I made a call when you were in the shower.” Quinn said, breaking the silence as he propped himself up with his arm.

“About what?”

“I got the owner to let us have the rink so we can go skate before dinner…maybe pass the puck a little bit.”

“You’re so cute.” I mused, “always thinking about hockey.”

He licked his lips before his bright eyes looked into mine, “I didn’t want to spoil the surprise but I got you new skates I was hoping we could’ve used in Michigan. I guess our arena will have to do.”

A few hours later we were in the Canucks dressing room getting our skates on. Quinn rolled his eyes at me when I said I wanted to sit in JT Millers booth to put my skates on instead of his. He knew he was my favourite player besides him so he let it go. He placed my foot on his lap and he knelt down in front of me and tied my skates up. My stomach flipped just watching him so effortlessly tie them for me. As he finished he sat up and pressed his mouth gently to mine for the hundredth time today, but I didn’t care. My eyes fluttered shut, making me want to savour this moment with him.

“I’m gonna tell JT we kissed in his booth.” I snicked as we walked down the tunnel towards the ice.

Quinn just shakes his head as he opened the bench door for us, “you’re such a brat.”

He grabbed my hand and led me onto the ice. I admired the empty arena, it felt like a completely different place compared to how it was during a game. You could’ve heard a pin drop in here right now. We did a few laps around so I could break in my new skates. I was a pretty decent skater but I felt like Bambi compared to him.

“One on one?”

I just nod as Quinn passed me a stick. It was a little long for me but I was determined to make it work. He dumped a bucket of pucks onto the ice as he began to fish one out with his stick. I watched him, bewildered. The way he controlled the puck was so effortless. He looked up, cheeks flushed as he realized what I was doing.

“What?”

“Nothing.” I replied bashfully, “am I not allowed to admire my boyfriend’s stick work?”

“This is doing it for you?” He smirked, raising his eyebrow. “I do this every night.”

“I know.” I breathed. I’d be lying if I didn’t say watching him play was my biggest turn on, because it definitely was. “I guess I never get tired of it.”

Quinn threw a sarcastic remark at me, I rolled my eyes before he pulled me into a deep kiss. My stick dropped to the ice as my lips parted for his tongue that was begging to enter my mouth. Despite it being cold in here, my cheeks were completely flushed.

“I wanna take you home.”

“Soon.” I replied, grabbing my stick and slowly guiding a puck into the net. We played one on one for a good hour before we decided to go home. Quinn will never admit I scored more on him than he did on me, so I guess that will be our little secret…for now.

Our dinner wasn’t perfect. We had hardly any groceries considering we weren’t supposed to be in town. We found spring rolls in the freezer, made a small charcuterie board with cheese, crackers and grapes we had in the fridge. We polished off a bottle of red wine as we watched a few Christmas movies, both agreeing Christmas Vacation was our favourite. Our hands slowly wandered more and more during the movie as the wine started to hit us. Quinn swooped me up into his arms and brought me into our room, his lips never leaving mine. All the lights were out in our room, all you could see was the snow falling from the sky, Christmas lights in the distance, along with the pale glow of our tree from the living room. It illuminated Quinns face, making his eyes sparkle more that normal.

His movements were so slow, nothing could be heard but our laboured breaths. Quinns face was buried in my neck, his stubble that he’s been growing out more grazed against my skin. It felt rough, but I was so lost in his touch that it didn’t even phase me.

“It’s midnight.” Quinn whispered in my ear, his lips pressing into my neck, “Merry Christmas baby.”

“I’m sorry we couldn’t spend it with your family.”

“It’s okay.” He replies, kissing my forehead before peering into my eyes, “spending today with you was the greatest gift of all.”

Quinn envelopes me into a hug as we began to fall into a blissful sleep, unaware of how much snow would fall during the night. Maybe sugar plums would dance in our heads but all I knew was my heart was full. I didn’t need a bunch of gifts under the tree, I had everything I needed, and he was wrapped up in my arms… the perfect present.

[niallerspayno]

About Last Night - Part 2

Masterlist

With your pregnancy and feelings for Louis now out in the open, you both navigate the challenges of your new relationship and the new life growing inside of you.

Tags: Louis x reader, just a lot of fluff really

Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4 - coming soon

…

Louis gives your hand a gentle squeeze before opening the door to the hotel suite. The buzz of conversation inside fades as you both step in, all eyes turning to you. Harry is sprawled across the couch, Liam perched on the armrest, Zayn leaning casually against the wall, and Niall sitting at the table, fidgeting slightly.

The weight of their collective attention is almost suffocating, but Louis doesn’t falter, guiding you further into the room.

“Alright, lads,” Louis begins, his voice steady. “We’ve got something to tell you.”

Harry is the first to speak, sitting up straighter. “What Louis said earlier… is it true?”

You swallow hard, glancing at Louis. He nods encouragingly, so you step forward. “Yes,” you say, your voice steady despite the knot in your stomach. “I’m pregnant. And the baby is Louis’s.”

A stunned silence fills the room, broken only by Zayn’s low whistle. “Well, that’s a bloody plot twist,” he says, though there’s no malice in his tone.

“How long have you known?” Liam asks, his brow creased with concern.

“A little over a week,” you admit. “I wasn’t sure how to tell anyone. Niall’s been the only one who knew—he’s been helping me through it.”

The boys’ gazes shift to Niall, who raises his hands defensively. “I was just trying to be there for her, alright?”

Harry’s mouth twitches into a grin as he leans back. “You know,” he says, looking between you and Louis, “I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. You two have been dancing around each other for years.”

You blink, heat rushing to your face. “What?”

“Come on, Y/N,” Harry continues, his grin widening. “We’ve all seen it. You and Louis have had this ‘will-they-won’t-they’ thing going on forever.”

Zayn smirks. “He’s not wrong. It was only a matter of time.”

Louis huffs, crossing his arms, though there’s a faint blush on his cheeks. “Alright, that’s enough,” he mutters, but the corner of his mouth quirks up.

Liam’s expression softens, his initial shock melting into a warm smile. “Well, regardless of how it happened, congratulations. This is huge.”

“Yeah,” Niall chimes in, his voice firm. “And you’ve got us. Whatever you need, we’ll be there.”

You glance at Louis, feeling the courage to say what’s next because of his steady presence. “There’s something else,” you add. “Louis and I… we’re together now. Officially.”

The room falls quiet again, and then Harry lets out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Of course you are,” he says, grinning. “Took you long enough.”

“I knew it!” Zayn adds, pointing at Louis. “You’ve been mooning over her for years, mate.”

Louis smirks, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Yeah, well, better late than never, right?” he says, his tone light but the meaning behind it heavy with sincerity.

“That’s sweet and all,” Niall interjects, though his grin is teasing, “but you know management’s going to be pissed.”

“Probably,” Louis says with a shrug, entirely unfazed. “But they’ll get over it.”

Harry snorts. “Yeah, right. A secret relationship? Sure. A baby on the way? They’ll love that.”

“Let them be pissed,” you say, surprising even yourself with your confidence. “This is our life, not theirs.”

Liam nods approvingly. “Good for you. Stand your ground.”

“And we’ll back you up,” Zayn says with a smirk. “Even if it makes for some interesting headlines.”

The room fills with a mix of laughter and reassurances, the tension easing into something more celebratory. Louis glances down at you, his blue eyes filled with quiet pride and affection.

As the boys crack jokes about baby names and ridiculous parenting scenarios, you feel a wave of gratitude for this chaotic, supportive family. Whatever comes next, you know you’ll have them—and Louis—by your side.

…

The conference room feels impossibly cold, despite the sunlight streaming through the large windows. Louis walks beside you, his hand resting on the small of your back as you both step inside. Seated at the long table are the familiar faces of the management team, their expressions ranging from neutral to wary.

Louis doesn’t falter, his confidence unshakable as he pulls out a chair for you before taking the one beside you. The silence stretches for a moment, thick with anticipation, until one of the senior managers clears his throat.

“So,” he begins, folding his hands on the table. “We’ve been informed there’s something the two of you need to tell us.”

You glance at Louis, your heart racing. He offers you a reassuring nod before leaning forward, his tone calm but firm.

“Right. Let’s not beat around the bush,” Louis says, his voice steady. “Y/N is pregnant. It’s mine. And we’re together now.”

The words hang in the air, and for a moment, no one says anything. Then, one of the younger managers mutters under his breath, “Bloody hell.”

Another manager, older and clearly more experienced, narrows her eyes slightly. “And how exactly do you expect this to play out?” she asks. “You’re both under contract. A pregnancy—and a relationship—was not part of the image we’ve carefully curated.”

Louis’s jaw tightens, but he remains composed. “We’re not hiding this,” he states. “It’s happening, whether it fits the ‘image’ or not.”

“Louis—”

“No,” he cuts in, his voice sharp but controlled. “I’ve spent years playing along with what’s expected. But this isn’t just about me anymore. This is about my family—about our family,” he corrects, glancing at you.

Your chest tightens at his words, but you lift your chin, drawing strength from his presence. “We’re not asking for permission,” you add, your voice steadier than you expected. “We’re just letting you know.”

The room falls silent again, the managers exchanging glances. Finally, the senior manager speaks, his tone measured. “You have to understand the complications this brings. The press will have a field day. The fans—”

“The fans will adjust,” Louis interrupts. “They always do. We’ll handle the press, too. This isn’t a scandal—it’s life. And we’re not ashamed of it.”

The older woman sighs, leaning back in her chair. “And the tour? The schedule?”

“We’ll figure it out,” you say firmly. “I’ll do what I can for as long as I can, and when I need to step back, I will. But this isn’t up for negotiation.”

Louis nods in agreement, his hand finding yours under the table. “This is happening. So, you can either support us, or not. But either way, we’re moving forward.”

The room is quiet as the managers exchange looks again. Finally, the senior manager nods slowly. “Fine,” he says, though his tone is reluctant. “But we’ll need to control the narrative. A statement will have to be released, and we’ll need to prepare for the media backlash.”

“Control the narrative all you want,” Louis says, his tone icy. “But make it clear that we’re happy, and that we’re doing this together. I won’t have anyone twisting this into something it’s not.”

There’s a beat of hesitation before the manager finally nods. “Alright. We’ll draft something for your approval.”

“Good,” Louis says, standing and offering you his hand. “Then we’re done here.”

You take his hand, standing alongside him. The two of you walk out of the room together, leaving the weight of the meeting behind.

As the door closes behind you, Louis looks down at you, a small grin tugging at his lips. “Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

You laugh softly, shaking your head. “You handled that better than I thought you would.”

He smirks, leaning down to press a kiss to your temple. “Told you, love. I’m all in.”

And with that, the two of you walk away, ready to face whatever comes next—together.

…

The hotel suite is unusually quiet, a rare moment of calm amidst the chaos of tour life. You’re curled up on the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through endless notifications. Louis is stretched out beside you, one arm slung over the back of the couch. The rest of the boys are scattered around—Niall rifling through a snack bag, Liam flipping through channels on the TV, Harry lounging upside down in a chair, and Zayn perched by the window, scrolling on his own phone.

The official statement from management had gone live this morning, and within minutes, social media had exploded. You and Louis had followed up with your own posts: a sweet photo of the two of you, Louis’s hand resting protectively on your stomach, captioned with simple words: We’re so excited to share this next chapter with you all.

Now, hours later, the reality of it all is sinking in as you scroll through the comments. You’d braced yourself for backlash, but to your surprise, the overwhelming majority of fans had been nothing but supportive.

“This one says, ‘I’ve been a Louis girl since 2010, and I’ve never been prouder. Congrats to you both!’” you read aloud, your voice trembling slightly.

���Read this one!” Harry calls out from his chair, his voice muffled by his upside-down position. “It says, ‘We always knew Louis would be the first dad in the band. The rest of you need to catch up!’”

Zayn chuckles, shaking his head. “First dad, huh? Bit presumptuous. Maybe I’m already ahead of him, just keeping it private.”

“Sure, mate,” Niall teases, tossing a crisp at him.

You laugh at their banter, but the lump in your throat only grows. Another comment catches your eye: You can just tell how much Louis loves her. They’re going to be the best parents.

That’s when it happens. The tears start to fall, completely unbidden. You try to blink them away, but the floodgates have opened, and you’re suddenly a blubbering mess.

“Oh no,” Liam says, glancing over from the TV. “We’ve got tears.”

Harry flips upright, his eyebrows shooting up. “Is it the hormones? It’s the hormones, isn’t it?”

“It’s definitely the hormones,” Niall agrees, trying to stifle a laugh.

“Oi, knock it off,” Louis says, his tone light but protective. He wraps an arm around you, pulling you into his chest. “Let her cry if she needs to.”

“I’m not even sad,” you manage to say through your sniffles. “It’s just—everyone’s being so nice. I thought they’d hate me.”

Louis tilts your chin up gently, his blue eyes warm and steady. “They could never hate you, love,” he says softly. “They can see what I see—how incredible you are. And they’re right. We’re going to be great parents.”

That only makes you cry harder, burying your face in his chest as the rest of the boys exchange amused looks.

“Alright, alright,” Zayn says, standing and stretching. “I’m getting out of here before I start tearing up, too.”

“Coward,” Harry teases, though his smirk softens as he looks at you. “Seriously, Y/N, we’re all happy for you. The fans are just catching up to what we’ve known for years—you two are perfect for each other.”

Niall grins, raising his water bottle in a toast. “To Louis, Y/N, and Baby Bathroom Stall.”

That finally makes you laugh through your tears, swatting at Niall with a pillow. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

“Not a chance,” he says, his grin widening.

Louis chuckles, brushing a kiss to the top of your head. “Let them have their fun,” he murmurs. “We’ve got plenty to celebrate.”

And as you look around the room—at your chaotic, loving bandmates and the man who’s been your rock through it all—you realize he’s right.

…

The muffled roar of the crowd echoes through the arena as you grip the edge of the bathroom sink, trying to steady yourself. At 12 weeks pregnant the nausea has been relentless, and tonight is no different. Your stomach lurches again, and you barely make it to the toilet before you’re throwing up the remnants of the bland toast you’d forced down earlier.

“Y/N?” Louis’s voice cuts through the pounding in your head, followed by a soft knock on the door. “You alright, love?”

You groan, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. “I’m fine,” you call back weakly, though the bile rising in your throat says otherwise.

The door creaks open, and Louis steps in, closing it behind him. His brows are furrowed, worry etched into every line of his face. “You don’t look fine,” he says gently, crouching down beside you. “You’re pale as hell, and you’ve been in here for ages.”

“I’m just—” you begin, but your stomach flips again, cutting you off.

“Alright, that’s it,” Louis says firmly, standing and helping you to your feet. “You’re not going out there tonight. I’ll call management, explain you’re sick—”

“Louis, no,” you protest, clutching his arm for balance. “I can’t just skip a show. The fans will notice. The band will notice.”

“They’ll notice a lot more if you pass out mid-song,” he retorts. “Come on, Y/N. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”

Before you can argue further, the door opens again, and Niall peeks his head in, followed by Harry, Liam and Zayn.

“Mate, we’re on in five,” Liam says, then stops short when he sees you. “Whoa, you look awful.”

“Thanks,” you mutter dryly, leaning against Louis for support.

“She’s been throwing up again,” Louis explains, his tone clipped with concern. “I’m telling her to sit this one out.”

“Honestly, Y/N,” Harry says, crossing his arms. “I get that you’re tough, but maybe Louis is right. You’ve been running on fumes for weeks.”

“And it’s not just about you anymore,” Niall adds, his gaze dropping pointedly to your stomach. “You’ve got someone else to think about now.”

You glance at Louis, who’s looking at you with the same protective intensity he always does. The other boys are watching you, too, their worry palpable.

“I can do it,” you insist, though your voice wavers. “I just need a minute to pull myself together.”

“Y/N—” Louis begins, but you shake your head.

“No,” you say more firmly. “I’ll take it easy, I promise. But I’m not sitting this out. We’ve got fans waiting out there who’ve been excited about this for months. I won’t let them down.”

The boys exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Louis sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Alright,” he relents, though his tone is anything but happy. “But if you start feeling worse—even a little—I’m pulling you offstage, no arguments.”

“Deal,” you say, squeezing his hand in gratitude.

“Let’s at least get you some water,” Harry says, holding the door open as Louis guides you out.

As you make your way toward the stage, Louis keeps a steady arm around your waist, his worry evident in the way he doesn’t let go.

“You’re stubborn, you know that?” he murmurs.

You manage a small smile, leaning into him. “Takes one to know one.”

He huffs a quiet laugh but doesn’t argue, his hand brushing protectively against your back as the opening chords of the first song echo through the arena.

…

The next day you go for your 12 week scan. The waiting room is quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of papers or soft murmurs from other couples. You sit with Louis, his hand tightly gripping yours as the nurse calls your name.

“This is it,” he whispers, offering you a small, nervous smile as you both stand.

“It’s just a scan, Louis,” you say, trying to sound calm despite your racing heart. “Not the baby being born.”

“Still,” he says, shrugging as he walks beside you. “It feels like a big deal.”

You don’t argue because he’s right—it does.

The sonographer greets you warmly and leads you into the small, dimly lit room. The equipment hums softly, and you feel a knot of anticipation tighten in your chest as you lie back on the bed. Louis stands by your side, his thumb brushing soothing circles against your knuckles.

“Okay, let’s take a look,” the sonographer says, spreading the cool gel across your stomach.

You shiver slightly at the chill, but any discomfort vanishes the moment the image appears on the screen.

“There’s your baby,” she says, her voice kind and reassuring as she points to the little blob on the monitor.

Louis sucks in a sharp breath, his grip on your hand tightening. “That’s… that’s them?”

Your eyes sting with tears as you nod, unable to tear your gaze away from the screen. “That’s them.”

“And there’s the heartbeat,” the sonographer adds, pressing a few buttons. A rhythmic thumping fills the room, strong and steady.

Louis lets out a shaky laugh, his free hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. “Bloody hell… That’s amazing.”

You glance at him, and the sight of his awestruck expression makes your heart swell. “It is,” you whisper, squeezing his hand.

The sonographer continues pointing out tiny details—the baby’s head, their little arms and legs—but you barely hear her. All you can focus on is the sound of that heartbeat and the warmth of Louis’s hand in yours.

When the scan is over, and she prints out the pictures, Louis insists on holding them. “These are mine,” he says with a grin, carefully tucking them into his jacket pocket.

“Yours?” you tease as you clean the gel off your stomach. “I’m the one carrying the baby.”

“Fine,” he concedes, smirking. “They’re ours. But I’m keeping these copies.”

You roll your eyes but smile, your heart feeling lighter than it has in weeks.

As you leave the clinic, Louis pulls you into a hug, right there on the sidewalk. “Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.

“For what?” you ask, resting your cheek against his chest.

“For this. For them. For everything,” he says, pulling back to look at you. “I’m so in love with you, Y/N. And I’m gonna do everything I can to be the best dad—and partner—I can be.”

Tears spill down your cheeks, but you’re smiling as you nod. “I know you will. And I love you too.”

He kisses you softly, tenderly, before taking your hand and leading you down the street. “Now,” he says, glancing at you with a mischievous grin, “where do we go to frame these photos?”

…

The soft light of morning filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the hotel room. You’re tucked into Louis’s side, your head resting on his chest as his fingers draw lazy, soothing circles along your back. His touch is gentle, his other hand occasionally brushing over your arm or waist.

The room is quiet save for the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat under your ear. It’s a rare moment of peace, one neither of you takes for granted.

“You comfortable?” Louis murmurs, his voice low and raspy with sleep.

“Mhm,” you hum, snuggling closer. “I could stay like this all day.”

He chuckles softly, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “So could I. Think anyone would notice if we skipped soundcheck?”

“They’d definitely notice,” you reply, smiling against his chest. “Harry wouldn’t let us live it down.”

“Good point,” he concedes, his fingers trailing lower, brushing over your stomach.

The motion is so natural, so absentminded, that it takes him a moment to pause. His hand lingers there, his brows furrowing slightly as he presses his palm gently against your stomach.

“Wait…” he says, his voice soft but filled with wonder.

You tilt your head up to look at him. “What?”

Louis shifts slightly, propping himself up on one elbow as his hand remains on your stomach. “Your bump,” he says, his lips curving into a slow, astonished smile. “It’s there. I can feel it.”

Your heart skips a beat as his words sink in. Glancing down, you place your hand over his and press lightly. Sure enough, the small curve of your belly is unmistakable now.

“It is,” you whisper, a mix of awe and emotion bubbling up inside you.

Louis’s eyes are bright as he looks back at you, his smile widening. “That’s our baby in there,” he says, his voice filled with pure joy. “They’re really starting to grow.”

You laugh softly, tears prickling at the corners of your eyes. “Well, that’s kind of the point, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, but… seeing it, feeling it—it’s real,” he says, his hand moving gently over the bump. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

Your cheeks warm at his words, and you shake your head. “I’m just lying here.”

“Lying here and growing a whole human,” he counters, leaning down to press a kiss to your stomach. “Our human.”

The tenderness of the moment overwhelms you, and a tear slips down your cheek. “You’re gonna make me cry again,” you say with a laugh, brushing at your face.

He looks up at you with a playful grin. “Pregnancy hormones, right? Can’t blame me for those.”

You roll your eyes but can’t stop smiling as he continues rubbing your bump, his expression soft and adoring.

“I can’t wait to meet them,” he murmurs, his voice so quiet it’s almost as if he’s talking to the baby instead of you. “But for now… I’ll just keep them safe in there.”

“And me too?” you ask teasingly.

“I’ll always keep you safe,” he promises, leaning up to kiss you gently. “Always.”

…

The arena hums with activity as the band prepares for soundcheck. Techs are buzzing around, running cables and adjusting levels, and the noise only serves to amplify the frustration you feel deep in your chest. You stand off to the side, arms crossed tightly, already in a foul mood.

“Y/N, you ready?” Louis calls from the center of the stage, his mic in hand, flashing that grin you know too well.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” you snap, your tone sharper than usual.

He blinks in surprise, his smile faltering for just a second. “Alright, someone’s feisty today.”

“Don’t start with me,” you warn, walking over to the stage with quick, purposeful steps. The nagging ache in your lower back only makes it worse, and it feels like every little thing is grating on you.

“Whoa, easy,” Niall says as you pass him, holding up his hands like you’re about to explode. “She’s got that scary look again.”

You glare at him, but don’t say anything, instead grabbing your microphone stand and adjusting it a little too forcefully.

“Everything alright?” Liam asks, his voice cautious and gentle.

“Fine,” you mutter, trying to focus on the mic cord and not the irritation brewing inside.

Louis raises an eyebrow, his expression cautious as he walks closer. “You sure you’re okay, love? You’ve been in a mood all day.”

“I’m fine,” you bite out, irritation climbing as you continue to fiddle with the mic. “Stop asking.”

Zayn, who has been quietly watching, steps forward and raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, you’ve been on edge all morning. What’s up?”

“I’m fine,” you snap again, the frustration in your voice ringing louder now.

Louis takes a step back, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off.”

The tension in the room is palpable now, and the rest of the band exchanges uneasy glances. Harry, ever the peacemaker, tries to lighten the mood with a joke.

“Maybe we should all take a break before someone gets murdered,” he says with a smile, trying to ease the thick air.

“Not funny,” you mutter, shooting him a sharp look.

“Definitely hormones,” Niall comments, but his words are just loud enough for you to hear.

“That’s it!” you snap, spinning on your heel to face him. “If one more person blames my mood on hormones, I swear to God—”

“Alright!” Louis cuts in, stepping between you and Niall with his hands raised. “Let’s all just breathe, yeah? How about we grab some water and reset before we start?”

You huff, the sharp edge to your voice still there, but you don’t argue. You step off the stage, Louis trailing behind, the cool air outside the spotlight helping to calm the rising frustration. He gently touches your arm to stop you once you’re out of earshot of the others.

“Hey,” he says softly, his voice low with concern. “What’s really going on? And don’t say you’re fine, because we both know that’s not true.”

You exhale sharply, some of the anger slipping away and leaving exhaustion in its place. “I just… everything’s too much today. My back hurts, I’m tired, I’m nauseous, and it feels like everyone’s treating me like I’m some fragile thing that can break at any second.”

Louis’s expression softens, and he steps closer, his hand brushing your arm. “You’re not fragile, Y/N. But I get it. It’s a lot, love. And you’re allowed to feel overwhelmed.”

You feel the lump in your throat, the sting of emotion threatening to overwhelm you. “I miss… I miss having fun. I miss being the person who could mess around with you guys and not be treated like I’m breakable. Like I can’t do anything without someone being worried I’m about to drop dead.”

Louis’s face softens even more, and he steps forward to wrap his arms around you. “You’re not breakable, love. I know things have changed, but that doesn’t mean you’re not still the same Y/N we’ve all known. You’re strong. And we’ll all get through this together.”

You lean into him, your arms finding their way around his waist as you bury your face in his chest. The warmth of his embrace is comforting, even as you feel the weight of everything pressing down on you.

“Yeah?” you whisper, your voice thick with emotion.

“Yeah,” Louis says firmly, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “And if you need to take a step back tonight, that’s okay. We’ve got this.”

You nod, the frustration slowly fading away in the calm of his support. “Thanks, Louis.”

“Anytime,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to your hair. “Let’s go back in there. You’ve got this.”

You pull away slightly, wiping at your eyes with the back of your hand. “Fine. But if Niall says the word ‘hormones’ again, I swear I’ll deck him.”

Louis chuckles, his hand taking yours as you both walk back to the stage, Zayn falling into step behind you. “Fair enough.”

…

Backstage is quieter than usual, the hum of the arena outside almost a distant memory as you sit in front of the mirror, adjusting your outfit for the night. You’ve been feeling off lately—everything is changing, and while you’re excited for the baby, the changes in your body are starting to weigh on you.

At 16 weeks your belly is no longer a secret, a small bump that seems to grow by the day. It’s still subtle, not huge by any means, but it’s there. It’s just one part of it. The rest of your body has shifted too. Your hips feel wider, your chest feels fuller, and your clothes don’t fit quite the same.

You suck in a breath, staring at your reflection, trying to convince yourself that it’s okay. But the insecurity sits heavy in your chest, that feeling that you don’t look like you anymore, and you don’t know how to feel about it.

“Y/N?” You hear a knock at the door before it opens slightly, revealing Niall. He’s got a worried look on his face, probably sensing that something’s off.

“Hey,” he says softly, stepping in without waiting for an invitation. “You alright?”

You manage a tight smile, but the insecurity is too much to hide. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… getting ready for tonight.” You adjust your shirt again, glancing at your reflection.

“Mm-hmm,” Niall says, his tone skeptical. He takes a few steps closer and then pauses, clearly noticing something is up. “You sure? You’ve been quiet all day.”

“I just…” You trail off, biting your lip. “I don’t know. Everything’s changing. My body’s changing, and it’s… weird.”

Niall’s face softens, and he steps up behind you, looking over your shoulder into the mirror. “You’re beautiful, Y/N. You know that, right?”

You shake your head, feeling a lump form in your throat. “I don’t feel beautiful. I feel like I don’t recognize myself anymore.”

He looks at you, his hand lightly resting on your shoulder. “You’re growing a little human, love. Your body’s doing something incredible. I know it’s not easy, but trust me, it’s all worth it.”

“I know,” you sigh, feeling tears well up in your eyes. “But I’m still just… I don’t know how to feel about it. I don’t feel like me anymore.”

Niall gives your shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll always be you, Y/N. I promise. Nothing can change that.”

Before you can respond, you hear the familiar sound of footsteps approaching. The door creaks open wider, and Louis steps in, looking directly at you. He’s grinning, but it falters when he sees your expression. His eyes immediately soften, and he walks over, his hand going to your back as he leans in to press a kiss to your temple.

“Everything alright?” he asks, his voice gentle, knowing you’ve been on edge all day.

You nod but don’t speak right away. Your gaze shifts to the mirror again, self-conscious. Louis notices, stepping closer and tilting your chin gently to face him.

“You’re beautiful,” he says, his voice quiet but firm. His eyes search yours, and you can see the sincerity in them, but you can’t shake the doubt creeping in.

“I don’t feel beautiful,” you whisper, looking down at your stomach, feeling the weight of your insecurities.

Louis’s hands move to gently rest on your waist, his thumb grazing the edge of your bump. “You’re carrying our baby, love. Nothing is more beautiful than that. And every single part of you, every change, is part of that. You’ve got this glow about you that makes my heart stop every time I look at you.”

You let out a shaky breath, a tear finally escaping down your cheek. “But I don’t feel like myself anymore. I miss when I could just… fit into my clothes and not feel like this.”

Niall’s hand gently squeezes your arm, his voice warm and supportive. “You don’t have to be the same as you were before. You’re still you, just with a little more badass energy now. And besides, the only thing that’s really changing is you’re going to be an amazing mum.”

Louis steps in front of you, cupping your face in his hands, making you look up at him. “Niall’s right. And I’m here, every step of the way. We’ll get through this together. I’ve got you.”

You feel the weight of his words settle in, and for the first time all day, you start to feel the tightness in your chest loosen. You sniffle, wiping your eyes. “You’re sure?”

“Positive,” Louis says, his voice soft but confident. “And look, if you want to take it slow tonight, that’s okay too. You don’t have to perform if you’re not up for it.”

You shake your head. “I’m fine. I want to do this. I just… I needed to hear that.”

Niall smiles, stepping back and giving you a gentle nudge. “Good. Now, let’s get you out there. You’ve got this, Y/N.”

Louis gives your hand a reassuring squeeze as you stand up, and for the first time today, you feel a little lighter, a little less unsure of yourself.

You glance at him, offering a small smile. “Thanks.”

He winks at you, his grin mischievous as ever. “Anytime, love.”

And for once, you believe him.

…

The small, quiet room feels warm as you sit together, waiting for the doctor to come in. Louis is next to you, his fingers intertwined with yours, and you can feel the excitement radiating off him. You’ve both been counting down the days to this appointment, eager to hear everything’s progressing well.

“You nervous?” Louis asks, his voice low as he leans his shoulder against yours.

You shake your head, though there’s a flutter in your stomach that you can’t quite shake. “A little, but I know everything’s fine. I just… I want to hear it from the doctor.”

He smiles at you, squeezing your hand gently. “It’s gonna be perfect, Y/N. Our little one’s gonna be healthy and strong.”

You nod, your gaze fixed on your hands for a moment, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of your lips. Even though the pregnancy has come with its fair share of worries, moments like these—where it’s just the two of you—remind you how much Louis truly supports you.

The door opens, and the doctor enters, a warm smile on her face. “Hey there! How are we feeling today?”

“Excited,” you say, your voice a little breathless as you glance at Louis. “And nervous.”

The doctor nods, adjusting the ultrasound machine before setting up. “Understandable, but we’re going to take great care of you today. Let’s take a look at your baby.”

Louis gives your hand another squeeze, his excitement palpable as he watches the screen flicker to life. You both go quiet as the doctor starts the ultrasound, the cool gel on your belly making you flinch at first. The image on the screen slowly comes into focus, and you see the tiny, perfect outline of your baby.

“There we go,” the doctor says. “Everything looks really good—baby’s healthy, and you’re doing great, Y/N. The measurements are all right on track.”

Your breath hitches in your throat as you watch the screen, overwhelmed with emotion. “That’s really our baby?” you whisper, your heart racing.

Louis presses a kiss to your forehead, his voice soft. “Yeah, it’s real.”

The doctor smiles at you both. “It is. And you should be feeling the baby start kicking soon, if you haven’t already.”

You glance at Louis, your eyes wide. “Kicking?”

“Yep!” The doctor nods, pointing to the image on the screen. “Everything’s perfectly in place. As the baby continues to grow, you’ll likely feel those first little movements soon. It’s a thrilling feeling.”

You turn to Louis, unable to hide the smile spreading across your face. “I can’t wait to feel it.”

Louis’s expression mirrors yours—genuine awe and joy. “Neither can I,” he says, his voice full of wonder.

After a few more moments of the doctor checking on everything, you finally hear the news you’ve both been waiting for.

“Do you want to know the baby’s sex?”

You glance at Louis, his smile widening in anticipation. “Yes,” you say, your voice soft but filled with excitement.

The doctor glances at the screen, then looks back at you both. “It’s a boy.”

A breath catches in your throat as your heart skips a beat. “A boy,” you repeat, feeling a mixture of joy and wonder flood through you. You look at Louis, who’s staring at the screen, his eyes shining with emotion.

“A little boy,” Louis echoes, his voice almost a whisper. He turns to you, a smile so wide on his face it almost doesn’t seem real. “We’re having a son.”

You nod, tears starting to well up in your eyes as the weight of it all hits you—this tiny, perfect little human growing inside you. The realization that soon you’ll be holding him in your arms makes everything feel so much more real.

Louis leans down, kissing your forehead again. “I’m so proud of you,” he says softly.

You smile, feeling so much love in your chest that it almost overflows. “I’m proud of us.”

The doctor finishes up, giving you both the green light to go, but you can’t stop smiling as you stand. Louis takes your hand, guiding you out of the room. As you walk down the hall together, he stops and turns you toward him, lifting your chin to look into your eyes.

“We’re gonna be amazing parents, Y/N,” he says, his voice steady but full of excitement.

You nod, your hand resting gently on your still-growing belly. “Yeah. We will be.”

…

The ride back to the hotel feels like it’s in slow motion. Louis is holding your hand tightly in his, his thumb brushing over your knuckles in a soothing, steady rhythm. Every now and then, you glance at him, his smile still wide, and you can’t help but grin back.

“You’re still smiling,” you tease softly.

“I can’t stop,” he replies, his voice full of joy. “We’re having a boy, Y/N. A little mini version of me.”

You laugh, rolling your eyes playfully. “We’ll see about that. He’ll have his own personality, I’m sure.”

Louis’s grin widens. “I’ll have to teach him the important stuff, though. Like how to make a proper cup of tea.”

“Sure, sure,” you tease. “I’m sure he’ll be asking you for lessons on how to drive everyone crazy like you do.”

Louis looks over at you with a smirk. “I think he’s going to be perfect.”

You feel your heart swell with love as you lean your head on his shoulder. For a moment, everything feels so right. You’re both excited, nervous, and ready for this next chapter together.

The car pulls into the hotel, and you both step out, Louis offering you a hand as you make your way inside. You both feel like you’re walking on air—there’s no way you can keep this news to yourselves any longer.

When you enter the hotel suite, the boys are already there, sprawled out on the couches, laughing and talking. They glance up when you walk in, and you can see the curiosity in their eyes. Everyone’s been waiting for the two of you to return from the appointment, and there’s an energy in the room that’s both expectant and excited.

Louis clears his throat, looking around at the guys with a grin. “We’ve got news.”

The band instantly quiets down, leaning forward, eager for whatever news you’re about to share.

Zayn raises an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

Niall crosses his arms, a smile tugging at his lips. “Everything okay?”

You glance at Louis, and he gives you a nod, his hand still firmly clasped around yours. You both take a breath, preparing for the big reveal.

“We found out today that we’re having a baby boy,” you say, your voice filled with joy.

The room falls into stunned silence for a moment, then all at once, the guys explode into cheers and congratulations.

“No way!” Harry grins, standing up to give you both a hug. “A boy? That’s amazing!”

Niall is already on his feet, pulling you into a tight hug. “You two are gonna be incredible parents.”

Liam, who’d been sitting back and observing, stands up with a grin. “A little one on the way! That’s amazing, mate.”

Zayn, ever the cool one, gives a wide grin and nods. “A son, huh? Looks like we’re going to have a little troublemaker on our hands.”

Louis chuckles, his arms still around you as he laughs along with everyone else. “I’m sure he’ll be an angel—when he’s with his mum.”

You roll your eyes but feel your heart flutter as you glance up at Louis. “Oh, I’m sure. The ‘perfect’ little angel.”

The guys continue to congratulate you, their voices full of excitement and joy, but amidst the chatter, you catch Louis’s eye. He’s looking at you with the most adoring expression, and for a moment, everything else fades away.

“We’re gonna be okay, right?” you whisper, your voice just for him.

He leans in close, his lips brushing your ear as he whispers back. “We’re more than okay. We’re going to be great.”

The moment feels perfect—this tiny, beautiful secret between the two of you, shared with the band who’s become family. The excitement is infectious, and you can feel the weight of it settling in, making everything feel so real.

The journey ahead may be challenging, but with Louis by your side and the support of the band, you know it’s going to be a beautiful adventure.

…

Part 3

[scribbly-squid]

Anyone, Anything

Lucifer x F!Imp Reader

Lucifer's world is thrown into chaos when his wife, Lilith, announces she needs a break from their relationship. Her sudden departure leaves him reeling, clutching their infant daughter, Charlie, in his arms as he battles feelings of betrayal and heartbreak. Struggling to reconcile his emotions, he finds himself thrust into the challenges of parenthood alone - until he meets a fellow Hellborn who understands his struggles.

🌻Here’s my first attempt on writing a small series with [y]our short king of hell. Happy Holidays!

Next Chapter / Masterlist

Prologue

The words that left Lilith's mouth took Lucifer by surprise.

"W-what..?" Lucifer asked hesitantly, hoping he had misheard her.

"I need a break," Lilith said softly, her voice lacking its usual edge.

"Lilith... I don't... I don't understand..." Lucifer stammered, staring down at the bundle of joy in his arms, their daughter, Charlie.

Lilith stood at the entrance of the room, her back turned to both of them. Charlie, oblivious to the tension, let out a tiny yawn, her bright eyes unfocused, too young to comprehend what was unfolding. But Lucifer felt the dread rising within him. Why was Lilith saying this now, after everything they'd been through? The weight of the words crushed him, even if he couldn’t yet grasp their full meaning.

"I can't do this. Not now..." Lilith's voice was distant as she started walking down the hallway.

Lucifer's heart sank. He quickened his pace, following her, a tremor in his voice. "Lilith, please. Don’t... don’t do this. Not when we have Charlie. Not after everything."

"I'm sorry, Lucifer," she said without turning around. "But this is what I need."

"So, what? You’re just giving up on us?" he asked, desperation and disbelief creeping into his voice. "After everything we’ve been through?" His mind raced with memories of their rebellion, of being cast out of Heaven together, side by side. They had survived the fall from grace together. Now, she was walking away?

Lilith remained silent, her footsteps echoing through the grand hallway, each one widening the gulf between them. Lucifer's voice broke with anguish as he pleaded, "At least... for her."

Lilith finally turned, her eyes briefly resting on Charlie, the child she had barely held in the past few months. But then, with a heavy sigh, she turned back to the door, her hand resting on the polished handle of the Morningstar manor.

"Goodbye, Lucifer."

The door shut behind her with a deafening thud, and Lucifer stood frozen in place, the sting of her departure tearing at him. Tears welled at the corners of his eyes, but he held them back. He couldn’t crumble—not now. Not when Charlie needed him. But why? Why would Lilith abandon him like this, when they had everything, when they were supposed to be happy?

A soft, startled cry broke the silence as Charlie reacted to the harsh sound of the door. She hiccupped, her tiny body trembling in his arms. Her frightened cries snapped Lucifer out of his daze.

The murmurs behind him grew louder. His staff had witnessed everything. The thought of their whispers spreading through the halls like wildfire sparked something dark within him. Rage flared, and in an instant, his horns sprouted from his forehead, his eyes blazing crimson. His tail lashed out, cutting through the air as his voice thundered through the manor.

"Get out of my sight!"

Terrified, the staff scattered, fleeing from the wrath of the King of Hell. Once alone in the empty corridor, his fury dissipated, leaving only exhaustion and sorrow. His tail dragged limply behind him as he trudged toward Charlie's room.

He entered the nursery, the walls adorned with circus-themed toys, plush animals, and colorful lamps. Lilith had chosen every detail, but now she was gone. Charlie’s cries had softened but hadn’t stopped, her tiny face scrunched up in distress.

Lucifer’s hand hovered over the rocking chair. He had seen Lilith use it many times, but she never allowed him close enough to help. Now, standing in front of it alone, he realized he had no idea how to comfort his daughter. He was the King of Hell, but he felt utterly powerless in this moment.

He sat down slowly, cradling Charlie as he gently rocked back and forth, unsure of himself. She squirmed restlessly in his arms, her tiny fingers clenching and unclenching. Panic gripped him—what if he couldn’t do this? What if he failed her?

Then, out of nowhere, a memory surfaced. Lilith used to hum to Charlie when she wouldn’t stop crying. With a shaky breath, Lucifer began to hum a soft, tentative melody.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…"

His voice cracked as the emotions surged through him, but he forced himself to continue, choking back the sobs that threatened to escape.

"You'll never know, dear, how much I love you... Please don’t take my sunshine away..."

As the song’s final notes faded into the quiet of the nursery, Charlie’s cries began to settle. Her eyelids fluttered, and soon she was asleep, her tiny body rising and falling peacefully in his arms.

Lucifer gazed down at her, his heart aching. He had to be strong for her now—for both of them. He wasn’t just her father anymore. He would have to be her everything.