#its the way she holds her coffee mug in the morning | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

joeyfranchise · 1 month ago

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𝟙𝟚 𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕗𝕚𝕔-𝕞𝕒𝕤: 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕠𝕟𝕖

under the mistletoe

lsu!joe x fem!reader

summary: you and joe can’t stand each other. what happens when your stubbornness meets his head on… underneath the mistletoe.

warnings: minors dni, 18+. cocky joe is always his own warning, kissing, spitting, p in v, semi-public sex.

word count: 4.3k

note: happy first day of fic-mas! what better way to start than with lsu joe <333

“yeah, i’ll be able to make it… i think,” you say into your phones receiver, struggling to slide your uggs on and talk on the phone at the same time. “sorry margot! i’m scrambling this morning!” you tell your roommate, turning her on speaker and laying your phone on the counter.

her cheerful voice fills the kitchen as she responds. “it‘s okay babe! i just heard about this party and we have to go to it before we go home for christmas this year! can you write it on the fridge calendar?”

as you listen to margot talk, you pop a k-cup into your keurig and begin brewing it, sliding your trusty travel mug underneath to catch all of the delicious liquid that you can only hope will get you through this day.

“yep, i’ll put it on there! december 21st?” you ask her, popping the cap off the dry erase marker that your white-board calendar holds.

“yes, that’s right. we’ll just have to watch our alcohol intake that night since we both have an early flight the next morning.” she laughs.

you write the event down and close the marker, placing it back in its holder. you fix up your coffee as margot continues talking, filling you in on the campus drama she’s already seen this morning.

“so anyways girl,” she raved, the smirk on her face evident in her tone, “i saw justin and joe this morning talking to the same girl. like get a grip. they’re probably having another weird competition again.”

you scowl immediately as you hear joe’s name. the quarterback and his best friend chatting up the same girl, how cliché. “god i cannot stand them!” you reply with an eye-roll, annoyance present in your voice.

you weren’t sure why you hated joe so much. maybe it was the incessant flirting he did with you and every other girl you knew. maybe it was how his friend group always made bets on who could “bag bitches” first, or maybe it was just the overly confident attitude that seeped from his pores. every class that you took with him, you dreaded, because you knew he’d be right there on his bullshit the whole time.

over time, he grew to dislike you as well, especially when he realized his advances wouldn’t work on you. you tried your best to avoid and ignore him, but he always made it difficult for you. he’d bump you as you passed by, knocking you and your books over into the floor. he’d stick his foot out in hopes that you’d trip. he’d send unsolicited dick pics just because he knew it’d piss you off. the joke was on him when you’d reply with laughing emojis or even the shrimp emoji.

margot laughed at your anger. “joe’s honestly kinda funny.” she says, only making you scowl even more. “oh am i?” you can hear him ask her, it becomes obvious to you that he’s made his way over to your best friend. “mhmmm.” she draws out, and you gag. you can imagine her twirling her hair around her finger as she flirts back with him. puke.

“hey princess, comin’ to the party?” he asks, clear that he’d taken margot’s phone. hanging up the phone on him is your answer. how could she be talking trash about him flirting one minute, and then flirting back the next. you roll your eyes for nobody but yourself.

you grab all your things and leave your flat, locking the door behind you as you head to class, ready to get the last few days before winter break over with.

☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆

the days seem to fly by, which you’re thankful for, and you pack your bag at the end of your last class before break with a smile on your face. the party is tonight, which you aren’t really excited for, but you’re going for margot and to get at least a little tipsy.

you sling your bag over your shoulder and head out of the class, your stomach growling as you think of what you should have for dinner.

you’re lost in thought as you walk, and soon you’re running straight into a hard body. as you look up to apologize you realize it’s joe, so you close your mouth as quickly as you’ve opened it.

“damn, princess.” he chuckles, grabbing your elbows to steady you. “if you wanted a hug i could just give you one.” he winks.

“no thanks.” you say, shoving him off you. “i’m too afraid i’ll catch chlamydia or something.” his friend ja’marr laughs at your words and joe throws him a scowl.

“that’s not how that works.” joe snarks, raising an eyebrow at you. “but then again, you probably wouldn’t know, you’re probably a virgin.”

you stomp down hard on his toe. “actually no, i fucked your dad.” you retort, blowing him a kiss as you walk past, and farther down the hallway.

you don’t see justin and ja’marr losing their minds at what you said, falling into each other with laughter. you also don’t see how joe stares as you walk away, a mix of anger and pride written all over his face.

when you make it home, you can barely get your keys out before margot is throwing open the door and dragging you in, headed straight for her closet. she has about ten different outfit options laid out, and even some she’s selected for you, including a beautiful strappy red dress.

“help me pickkkkk.” she whines, rifling through all the clothes she’s strewn over her bed. you pick up a navy bodycon dress with shiny silver accents and hold it up to her frame, followed by a long, dark green dress.

“i’ve always liked how these two look on you, marg. pick one of them!” you say, trying to sound as chipper as possible. she holds them both up as she turns to look in the floor length mirror, examining them and trying to make a decision.

“ughhhhh, i don’t knowwww.” she whines again, and you’ve had enough. you snatch the red dress off the bed and race out of her room, headed for your own. you lock the door behind you, and you hear margot laughing as she knocks at the door.

“bitch!” she yells, amused at your antics. you step into your bathroom, hanging the dress on the back of the door as you slip your clothes off and turn the hot shower on. you tie your hair up, not wanting it to get wet, and you step under the hot stream.

the water hits your back pleasantly, the warmth working at the knots of stress you’d been holding in your shoulder blades. you lathered your body wash onto your loofah and began scrubbing, washing away the ick of your day.

you quickly check your body, rinsing before turning the water off and stepping out of the shower to dry off with your favorite fluffy towel. you lotion up, put on some perfume, and apply a quick layer of makeup - concealer, mascara, and lipgloss - before sliding the dress on and letting down your hair. the red fabric hugged your shape in all the right places, and you posed in the mirror as you admired just how good you looked.

you plugged the curling iron in and as you waited for it to heat up you ran out into your room to slide a thong underneath your dress, followed by putting on a pair of sparkly silver heels. you began curling your hair shortly after, and then you applied some hairspray, then a few accentuating pieces of silver jewelry.

once you were satisfied with how you looked, you spritzed on some extra perfume and unplugged the curler, wrapping the cord around it and shoving it back under your bathroom cabinet. you unlocked your door and went out to the kitchen to try and find a quick snack before the party. you settled on toast, popping a piece of bread into the toaster and pushing the button down.

margot stepped out of her room and joined you in the kitchen just as you were spreading peanut butter on your bread, and she spun around so you could critique her look. she wore the navy dress with black heels, and she looked incredible.

you took a bite of toast before speaking, “it looks great babe!”

she gagged as you spoke with your mouth full. “i can’t believe you’re eating that in a dress, my dress no less!” she scowled playfully.

“i like living life on the edge.”

you finished your food and washed your hands quickly, margot was ready to get out the door. you grabbed your phone and locked up, heading to her car so she could drive to the party. you left your phone in her car as you arrived, knowing you’d be staying sober and driving back home tonight. you had originally planned on drinking, but you changed your mind. leaving your phone was against your better judgment, but you did it anyway.

margot left her phone as well but she gave you her keys, knowing you’d be dragging her ass home tonight since you had to fly out in the morning.

as you walked into the party, you laid down the game plan.

“alright, let’s try to stick together, no unnecessary hook-ups. and please don’t drink too much. i’d also like to get home in enough time to sleep a little, and finish packing a few things.” you tell her.

she rolls her eyes and calls you a procrastinator before reluctantly agreeing. you head into the party, the loud music was already bumping through the house and making the floor shake. you knew this was a “christmas” party, but you didn’t expect anything less than rap music to be blaring throughout the frat house.

you stuck by margot’s side as she waded to the kitchen, ready to indulge in a few drinks. you politely declined all that was offered to you, and you kept a close eye on your friend as she began downing shots. after a few sips of liquid courage she finally wanted to dance, so she pulled you along until you were passing through the doorway into a giant room that had been transformed into a dance floor. red lights created a sexy scene, and a disco ball was hung from the ceiling, swirling around and creating a beautiful pattern along the walls.

unfortunately, you didn’t make it past the door. as you were headed one way, joe was headed another, and his friends blocked you both so neither of you could pass.

“the fuck are y’all doing?” joe asked irritatedly, shooting pointed glares toward his friends and to you. “seriously, move and let me through.” you said, just as angered.

justin and ja’marr laughed and smirked at each other, and you noticed margot giggling too as she pointed up to the top of the door-frame. hanging there, of course, was a bit of mistletoe.

joe spoke first. he shoved at justin, “dude, fuckin’ move.” he said.

you tried pushing past ja’marr, but he wouldn’t budge. joe shot you a dirty look. “come on, let’s get it over with then.” he said, annoyance very clear in his tone.

“hell no.” you refuse, crossing your arms in front of your chest. “i’d rather stand here all night than kiss you.”

joe’s face turns to what seems to be a genuinely offended expression, and he mirrors your pose as he challenges you. “oh yeah? alright then.” he says, sticking his bottom lip out and furrowing his brow as he shakes his head. “let’s stand here all night.”

you firmly place your back against the door frame as you make eye contact with him, and he does the same. margot is standing by with his friends, and all three of them are laughing hysterically.

“literally the two most stubborn people i’ve ever seen in my life!” she giggles, leaning on ja’marr’s shoulder.

“you think we need to stand and watch ‘em?” justin asks, looking over at margot. ja’marr answers before she has the chance. “nah, if there’s one thing i know about 9, he ain’t backing down from a challenge.”

“y/n’s the same way. she’d argue with a brick wall if it meant she could prove a point. she won’t budge until he does.”

justin laughs at their answers before ushering them off to the dancefloor, leaving you and joe alone to stare at each other with utter disgust.

you huff as you look at joe, and he smirks back at you, unfazed by your little display of attitude. people pass between you and stop to kiss under the mistletoe, on the lips, cheek, or forehead. the two of you also earn many dirty looks.

standing there is honestly easy - at first. the sheer amount of dislike you have for joe is what’s holding you upright, it has to be. you continue to shoot dirty looks at him, all of which he returns, but after a while your legs start feeling weak. you slouch, eventually falling into a sitting position, and you fix your dress along your thighs so nobody can see under it. joe takes the opportunity to tease you.

“just a quick peck,” he smarms, making a kissy face at you. “that’s allll it’ll take.”

you gag, mostly jokingly, at the thought. “i don’t wan’t your lips anywhere near me, burrow.” he laughs and shakes his head, continuing to stand there with his arms crossed.

you sit there for what feels like hours - it has to be hours, people are leaving the party now… and joe is still across from you, still crouched against the doorway. people have resorted to stepping over you both to get through to the kitchen, pecking each other happily as they cross. some of joe’s friends have tried to come save him, they’ve offered to kiss you so he could come play beer pong or hangout, but you won’t let them. you made this bet with joe, and you have to see it through.

you figured joe would break whenever a girl would come offer herself up to him, but he didn’t. he declined everyone that wasn’t you, and brushed all his friends off. you pretended that didn’t affect you… but the fact that he was doing all this because of some stupid rivalry you had with him turned you on as much as it pissed you off, not that you’d ever admit that to him.

as the crowd starts to dwindle down you get nervous, you really need to get margot and head home, but there’s no way you’re breaking and kissing joe. you look over and see her kissing ja’marr in the corner and you roll your eyes. joe seems kinda proud of his friend and a tiny smirk falls upon his lips.

you scoff.

“what’s your problem?” he asks you, sticking his foot out and kicking yours. “i really need to get going. margot and i have to fly out early and she’s over there sucking face. and i’m over here…”

“not sucking face?” he laughs, tilting his head slightly. “exactly.” you agree.

“look, if it’s bothering you that bad,” he shrugs, “i’ll give you a peck to get it over with. then you and margot can leave.” for a moment you think you can see a crack in that ‘fuckboy’ exterior. you aren’t sure you want to take him up on that offer, but you know neither of your friends will let you move from this spot if you don’t.

you think about it for a brief second, and reluctantly agree to let joe kiss you. you try to talk yourself down. i mean, it could be worse. at least he isn’t ugly.

“okay… fine. but you have to tell everyone you caved.”

“whatever you say, princess.” he lilts, already leaning in toward you. “don’t call me that, i hate it.” you snap, looking him firmly in the eye.

“why?” he teases, inching closer, “it’s what you act like. even now, getting your way so you can go home instead of standing here all night. you’re a spoiled little princess.”

you reach out your hand and place it on his chest, you definitely don’t want to kiss him now. that doesn’t stop him, though. he’s already almost there until finally, his lips are touching yours as his frame towers over yours a bit. you’re both still sitting on the floor, but joe stands up quickly and yanks you up with him.

your immediate reaction to the kiss is to squirm away, but joe doesn’t let you. he wraps his arms around your smaller frame and pulls you into him, caging you against his chest. his lips start moving against yours and after a moment, you start kissing back.

all the alarms in your head are going off, but you can’t force yourself to care now. joe is a really good kisser. your hands find their way to his hair, tugging slightly. joe pulls away for a quick breath.

“went from not wanting my lips near ya to tugging on my shit real quick, huh?”

you slap his arm, earning yourself a laugh. you wait for joe to lean back in, but he never does, and for some reason you feel hurt by it. you look over and see margot still occupied with ja’marr, and then you turn your attention back to joe. he takes in your expression before laughing, you look like a kicked puppy.

“what’s wrong, princess?” he teases again, sliding his hands back around your waist. “didn’t realize you liked me so much?”

“fuck off, joe.” you retort, but you’re laughing as you say it. you stand on your tiptoes to meet his lips again, and he obliges you. you move together in sync, and this time he keeps his hold on you, pulling you even closer.

“always knew you liked me, could fuck you under this mistletoe if i wanted.” he rasps. you moan at the thought. you aren’t sure what’s come over you. you didn’t drink anything… you aren’t usually desperate… maybe it’s something to do with the fact that joe said he didn’t want this just as much as you said you didn’t, but here you are both reveling in each other’s touch. it felt like you couldn’t get close enough to each other. he pushes your back against the doorway, finally moving his hands off your hips and tangling them in your hair.

the tip of his tongue dips into your mouth slightly, and you push yours back against his, sliding it along the roof of his mouth as you slip past his lips. before you know it, joe’s dragging you down the hall and into the first vacant room he can find before he’s throwing you down onto the bed and towering over you. you push up to unzip your dress, realizing you might want this just as much as he does, but he stops you by holding out a hand.

“nah, keep it on. slide it up.”

you do as you’re told, sliding your dress over your legs, wiggling your butt and arching your back so you can get it up over ass and hips. joe drinks in the sight of you, your smooth legs and gorgeous body. you’re insecure about yourself a lot, but he’s looking over you like a man starved as he licks his lips.

he doesn’t bother closing the door as he stalks toward you, pulling a condom from his back pocket with one hand while unbuttoning his pants with the other. you slide your panties down your legs and spread them open for him with confidence.

“fuck,” he gasps, watching as you dip your fingers down between your folds to gather some of your wetness and then you rub them in tight circles on your clit. you gasp as you touch yourself, your eyes following joe as he finally pulls his pants down far enough, fisting his hand along his admittedly large length. you always teased him about it in pictures, but it was big. he knew it, you knew it, half of the state of louisiana knew it. and to your dismay, it was prettier in person.

joe finally makes it to the edge of the bed, still watching you as you work yourself. you figured you’d be cringing at the lack of foreplay, or how his pants aren’t even all the way off, but you can’t bring yourself to care as he continues stroking himself before ripping open the condom and sliding it on. he gets on the edge of the bed by his knees and comes toward you a little, a hand extending out to run a finger through your heat and gather some of the wetness pooling there. he smears it all over his cock, and even though the condom is there, it still drives you crazy to see. “joe, come on before i back out.” you tell him, and you almost don’t recognize your fucked out voice.

the heat of the moment is so enticing to you both. his clothes are still on, pants down his legs halfway, and your dress is hiked up while you dig your high heeled shoes into someone else’s mattress. he finally leans forward and slides into you. you take a sharp breath, feeling more full than you ever have as he pushes in to the hilt.

joe barely gives you any time to adjust before he’s thrusting into you roughly. his lips find yours again and you gasp into his mouth. he pulls away slightly, allowing a drop of spit to fall from his lips into your mouth, which you take happily. you’re both moving sloppily against each other, but as joe brings his hand to your clit to flick his fingertips against it gently, you can’t bring yourself to even care. you’ve had sex with plenty of people and you’ve had orgasms before, but you’ve never experienced the euphoria joe is making you feel.

the warmth starts at the top of your head and it spreads throughout your extremities, into your fingertips and toes. you arch into him, your lips still moving together, and joe’s hips are still pounding into yours, shaking the bed against the wall. you cringe as you hear margot’s keys jingling in your bra. it doesn’t seem to bother joe.

with a few quick slips of his fingers over your clit, you’re cumming against him without warning, and harder than you ever have in your life. the tight squeeze around his cock as you cum is the catalyst for his own orgasm as he spills into the condom.

he pulls out of you with haste, ready to tie off the condom and discard it as fast as possible, hating how slimy it feels. just as soon as he’s moved you dart off the bed, grabbing your panties and slipping them up your legs before attempting to make a run for it.

joe pulls his pants and boxers up, tucking himself in and then runs after you, making it to the door before you. “pretty good, wasn’t it?” he jokes, and you roll your eyes at him before pushing past and walking back down the hall, headed for margot. he chases after you.

“okay, didn’t last as long as i normally would, but i mean, we could do it again, i could prove it. that was… you were…”

you press a finger to his lips as you pass through the very same doorway that got you into this predicament. your eyes study joe’s face as he nervously worries his bottom lip between his teeth. you’ve never seen him like this before, he’s shaken up, and you like that you’re the cause of it. you’d hate to admit it, but you would like to do this again. you point up at the mistletoe and joe takes the hint, pulling you in for another short yet sweet kiss.

“text me.” is all you say before walking over to margot, grabbing her by the arm, and dragging her out the door and to the car. you pull her keys from your bra and unlock it, opening the passenger door and shoving her in before going to the drivers side and starting the ignition.

margot slurs her words as she speaks to you. “wha’ happened? did’ya kiss ‘im?”

“i’ll tell you later, marg.” you say, eager to get home as quickly as possible. you park as quickly as you’ve pulled into the space and you help margot out, grabbing both your phones before you go inside, taking margot right to her room. she insists she’s okay enough to take off her makeup and undress, and she promises she’ll drink water before she falls asleep. you head to your room, shocked to see the clock on your phone reading 1:00am already.

you set yourself an alarm for six, and you undress quickly before sliding on some pajamas and settling in bed.

when you wake the next morning it’s to margot beating on your door. “wake the hell up, we missed our flight!”

you scramble out of bed, unplugging your phone and running out into the hall. margot stands next to her door, laughing at you as you panic.

“don’t just stand there, marg!” you shout, your voice laced with panic. “we’ve gotta get dressed, load our bags, call the airport—“

she cuts you off with a loud laugh. “relax, y/n.” she says between giggles. “we aren’t late. i just wanted to get back at you. how dare you sleep with the quarterback and not tell your best friend?” she shoves your shoulder.

you look down at your phone, realizing it’s only 6:10am. “bitch.” you laugh, running back into your room. you lock the door behind you again, and margot continues her laughter. “i need all the juicy details! literally every last second of it, you have to tell me everything!”

you weren’t sure how she even knew, even though you’re sure ja’marr probably texted her.

you roll your eyes at her even though she can’t see it as you head to your bathroom, ready to take a quick shower. you check your phone one last time before hopping in the water, noticing a text notification from joe, who you’ve affectionately saved as “fuckface.”

you don’t open it just yet, but you crack a smile knowing he’s messaged you already. what have you gotten yourself into?

all photos and dividers used are not mine. all credit to owners.

taglist: @slimshiesty @starsinthesky5 @kykysinlovewithafairytale @burrowdarling @joeyb1989 @loveyatopluto @toterry @unhingedfangirl @superheroprincess22 @burreauxsworld @definitelynotdomanique @samanthamark5 @superstarshitblog @fa1ry03 @wickedfun9 @xbriexx @venic-bxtch @burrowdarling @angels555 @idbe-theman @yelenasbraid @ladyluvduv @joeburrowshaircurl @joeybisbootiful @livinobx @blairsworld22 @jarring-behavior @joeyburrrow

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sundrlands · 3 months ago

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‘significance’ j. sunderland x reader

minors dni

cw: light face slapping, light scent kink, sub/top j. sunderland x dom/bottom reader, oral, breath play if you squint, breeding kink, light spit play, dry humping. no depictions of specific characterizations in regards to the reader’s looks. reader has she/her pronouns.

summary: what happens when two deprived people meet by accident? a server and that odd man who’d always come to drink coffee every morning at 6am. from awkward conversation to a dinner that turned into rough, needy indulgence. it was easy, a deprived little thing like him… it was just too significant.

a/n: this is years after the events of sh— no mentioning of the events either. forgive me if this is all over the place… it’s definitely a long one. i kind of went wild while writing this one. there’s more smut than there is plot but nonetheless… i hope you enjoy my very first james sunderland fic.

there he goes again… that odd man… in the same spot he’d always sit in. the farthest table by the window with no one to accompany him besides himself.

james… that was his name. james sunderland.

he was kind enough to tell you this after the tenth time he’d come in. you didn’t have to ask or even tell him your own name… mostly because you didn’t know how to approach that level of conversation. you were just a server— giving the customers phony smiles, a ‘hi, how can i help you today?’ and the fakest kind of enthusiasm when any other would try to offer a joke out of curtesy.

yet something about him… his somber eyes— with light wash of rosy pink coloring the bags underneath them— that looked as if he was deep in thought… as if he were to be troubled by something… or someone from his past… the short stubble that grazed over his chin and upper lip, and his body language that seemed as if he never wanted to be bothered or probably never slept. his gaze always wandered around the diner, out the window or at the soft ripples within the mug he’d hold. sometimes… you found him staring at you, nervously looking away whenever your eyes connected. you never understood why though or what he could be thinking each time he looked at you, so you never asked or gave it much question.

james was just a stranger who came at the same time, almost every single day— six in the morning, as the sky still glowed its grey hues— not a minute early. not a minute late. the bell from the diner’s door ringing loud and brash with the thick of his boots stepping on every creaking, rotten floor board.

each time he’d come, you’d watch him to see if he’d do anything different. maybe he’d add in a sugar packet… two or three… or maybe he’d get a breakfast sandwich like mr.colemen always did— the trucker who you knew had a wife but still flirted with the older cook, ms.miles on tuesdays— or maybe he’d bring in someone he knew to occupy his time… he didn’t. it was the same each time. he’d arrive, ask for seating and sit— not wanting anything else but his coffee— black. no sugar. no cream, just like he liked it he said. he’d watch the steam from his cup vanish until it ran cold then take his sips that felt like a lifetime in between each one.

you couldn’t lie… you were fairly intrigued by him… it wasn’t as if you hadn’t had regulars come in just as much he does, if not more, but something about him seemed different… the expression he always wore… he always seemed so lost in thought yet… so attentive in his surroundings. something in you wanted to know who he was.

each time you gave him a cup of his favorite black coffee, you couldn’t help yourself but try to formulate conversation after he gave out his name… but he was always just so fucking vague… each sentence he spoke was watered down— that trickled slow like shallow water… simplistic and dry, running in a soothing hum.

it was pretty. the way he spoke.

you told him that too. a gentle, ‘you have a nice voice’ after he sung a sweet ‘thank you’ after setting the coffee down in front of his hands. he was awkward about it, like he hadn’t received a compliment like this one or a compliment at all. no words given other than that, having the conversation run flat and you walking away in regret thinking, ‘maybe that was too much’.

it only took one day when you had been off shift to see him sitting at a park bench, the one at the end of the town with his hands in his pockets, back slouched and those same somber eyes staring into the park’s pound to finally sit next to him and not feel the dynamic imbalance hit you like how it did in the diner.

“james!” your breath creating its soft clouds within the cold air as you softly spoke, vanishing as it rose.

“ah!” he hummed, “funny to see you here.” he looked at you… the blonde strands flowing against the wind, his attention fully on you instead of him quickly trying to look away. it was direct, like he stared from within your body… you didn’t expect a person like him to have such good eye contact… it almost made you nervous.

“no coffee today?” you replied, offering a smile.

“afraid not. im just on my lunch break… needed some fresh air.”

“may i ask where you work? hope that’s not improper of me to ask.” you laughed quietly, taking a real good look at him. he was almost like a statue… a rugged one. his lack of fashion sense…and his ability to hold so much expression all the while it being so bland and so cold.

he chuckled, shaking his head as he turned his head back towards the pond, “no… no it’s not ‘improper’. it’s just an office job. pretty boring id say.”

“fitting.” you replied, “not that you’re boring! just… seems like a occupation you’d have is all.”

“i wouldn’t say that you’re wrong even if you did say that.” giving yet another humming chuckle.

you stayed for the time he had to spare. the conversation going just as you thought it would… awkward but he was sweet nonetheless. though it was the way it was, his words flowed with every sentence he spoke, like the gentle stream of the pond in front of you both or the thick clouds that scattered in the grey sky. it took you just a few moments to notice how pretty that man was. he exuded such odd comfort… and warmth that made you want to keep talking to him. listen to anything he said even if it meant nothing or sounded humorously stupid.

“well.” he sighed, grunting as he stood, “id love to keep… talking, but i have to go back.”

you nodded, exchanging your goodbyes as you watched him walk down the park’s path until his body disappeared in the distance.

and so, from then on it had been easier to talk to him. finding any way to get to know more about the odd man who only drank black coffee and stared at you from time to time. it started just at your workplace, quick and steady back and forth talk then at the park, then offering a time to spend together on your off day for breakfast.

that was the first time he had something other than coffee. it was the first time you saw him smile more than once… not a faint one… a real one— seeing how his teeth jumbled at the bottom of his mouth or the harsh smile lines appear by the sides of his lips.

the more you looked, the more you conjured how pathetic of a man james really was. his life seemed so dull… just like the springs occasional showers and faded blue skies… but he was like the sweetness of june— the warmth within this man was little to none but still, he captivated you with his odd charm even if he tried or didn’t. you couldn’t help yourself but to think it was so easy to get him flustered, to have him smile whenever you showed interest in whatever he spoke about… like a lost puppy who finally got attention after being alone for so long.

a slip of a compliment flowed in almost every other sentence, seeing him stutter in his words, choking up a thank you whenever he could. it was amusing… like an addiction. sewing your way into his life was oh so significant. he considered you a ‘friend’ to put it lightly, one who obviously stared at you whenever you weren’t looking: like at the pier. you stood in front of him, hearing the crows sing and the water waves crash against the wood— he’d eye down your frame, seeing the way your clothes hugged your form… dissociating the world’s music around you both with an open mouth and twiddling fingers.

each time, you acted as if you hadn’t noticed and maybe you were just that good for him to not pick up on it whenever you failed to mention or question why he’d stare so goddamn much. it didn’t matter anyway, you liked it just as much as he liked staring at you.

he’d sit stiff, noting how erect his back would be whenever you placed your hand on his shoulder, a soft grip given as you both spoke about whatever. he’d clear his throat whenever you stood a little too close to him, rubbing the tapered part of his hair on the back of his head with a line of ‘uh’ and ‘ums’ in between each word he spoke.

god… this man was just so pathetic.

“why don’t we have dinner?” you smiled as you turned towards him, the bustling chatter amongst the passing people as you both walked down the same park you and him had your first real conversation.

“oh.” he chirped, a quiet laugh intertwined in his speech, “sure. where?”

“my house.” you answered confidently. through the few months of you being his ‘friend’, it only seemed right, so you told him. you wanted him in a place of vulnerability. to rule out every other being that’d pass by or surround you while in public. you just wanted it to be you and him. him and you. “if that’s fine by you. im not too bad of a cook.”

“your house?” his voice fell flat but it was nothing that worried you. the ring of his monotone voice was thick and with how he reacted to your small gestures, you knew he was more than willing to oblige. “you don’t mind me… coming to your house?”

you gave a little nod and he gave a gentle smirk. james didn’t know what could happen once the dinner would happen but he had no reason to disagree… or even want to. he grew accustomed to your company, more than any coworker he had that tried to gather him for night drinks after tough shifts… or even the women who were so abrupt in their interest in him… the thin pencil skirts and revealing blazers. he didn’t care.

a date was given. four days from then after his early ending shift. and so time flew. he hadn’t come to the diner at six in the morning like he did, he wasn’t even at the spots he’d sit during his breaks from work. a part of you had been worried if he tried to avoid you, wondering why you haven’t seen him since your request. he wasn’t good at texting— sending him a ‘hi’ would only result to him replying a ‘hey’ three days later. you almost didn’t buy the groceries you needed to prepare or an outfit that wasn’t too much but definitely would grasp his attention.

luckily you did.

it had been the day and it was five in the afternoon, the sun setting itself and the wind blowing more rapidly, flowing with the night’s usual atmosphere. james stood at your door with the address you gave him not too long after he agreed for the dinner you proposed. he just stared at it’s wood, his heart racing without his mind fully understanding why. he was a grown man but too afraid to see your face until this very moment. so he’d stay in the house longer than he needed to without going to the diner in the mornings. he’d stay in his cubicle on his lunch break, finishing any extra assignments he needed done for his boss.

moments spent with his feet planted on the ground before he gave three knocks at your door. he waited, only for a minute before you opened the door. you were dressed so nicely opposed to his work outfit still on and the light fragrance of the food fumigating in the air, hitting his nose.

“you’re here.” you spoke, relieved that he hadn’t stood you up. “come in.”

and so he did. small talk was given, complimenting your abode and trinkets you had scattered all about, admiring the personality your home gave opposed to his apartment that was just there… only the essentials, almost soulless. you thanked him of course, going on about little things as he listened before you finished all that needed to be done for dinner— it was pasta. simple and easy to not fuck up.

two plates placed with wine in crystal glasses and forks being spun. you connected over the flavor of the sauce and the warmth of the garlic bread that complimented the pasta. everything went smoothly, more than you thought it would’ve. easy conversation with the add in of knowing more about who james was… though he was his usual vague self.

you couldn’t pinpoint why he had been or what was truly on his mind. in certain instances, he’d drift off, his eyes wavering with a slow chew before ending his sentence with something mundane. your curiosity kept prodding with each question you gave— he didn’t show feeling of intrusion but he wrapped around certain topics leaving you needing more to be answered.

it felt like twenty one questions… moreso… him answering yours than you were with his but his composure and hospitality hadn’t changed from his kind and awkward demeanor he’d always give. it took awhile before you realized you had been digging in his chest like a crow on a rotting corpse before you covered your mouth with a soft, inaudible gasp.

“ive been blabbering…” you say, shyly laughing as you continued the last of what was left on your plate.

“no.” he responded, his voice trickling like soothing raindrops against a windowsill, “you’re just curious.”

“that i am.” your eyebrows raising as you sipped the bitter red liquid of your wine, “but you’ve had enough.”

he shook his head, wiping his mouth with a nearby napkin as he gulped, “i enjoy the conversation. i just have a lot in my past im not too fond of is all.” you noticed his eyes again… that troublesome look… the blank stare. whatever happened seemed to had never left him. james was like a puzzle piece… all scattered… some pieces missing so the full picture could never be seen or even admired.

“don’t we all…” pursing your lips as you set your glass down, “…but that’s the beauty of life, yes? it’s shitty… things come and go. regret… wrapped in solace. but that only means you can make happier memories.” trying to be positive to remove anything he had stored in thought.

you saw his shoulders relax from its usual tension, his eyes finding their way towards yours with a thick silence being transferred between you two. “yeah.” he spoke, breaking the silence momentarily before it fell back. the white noise… the gentle buzz cradled your eardrums, sitting like a stone in both of your seats.

the contact between your eyes spoke a million words… ones that haven’t been spoken out loud— it was of interest, undeniable lust. from his constant gaze from when you once were strangers… his usual order of coffee, to the moments you spent together in numerous places to now. those pretty light eyes shook as they bounced from each part of what your body showed at the table. they were quick… hungry… without any hesitancy. he dared not to look away, enjoying the visual of your being in a place with no one around, just you both.

as for you… the feeling of his eyes felt like fire caressing your skin… as if his wherever his pupils directed themselves, you could feel. it felt like fingertips gliding underneath the fabric of your clothes… just as when he ate… the way his lips latched onto the silver of his fork— the unintentional sensual gesture as he slid it from his mouth and chewed. the coat of spit that was left across it, and the delicate way he held onto the spine of the wine glass. you wanted to replace the flavor of your homemade sauce with the flower of your labia… to feel the latch of his lips against your breast or on the sides of your neck. the way he ate gave you an intense feeling of need… greed… swelling indulgence. not to mention his goddamn voice… the voice you were already so found over— the subtle cracks and dips between certain vowels… how deep it was… how gentle it felt amongst the silence.

“james..?” you questioned, tilting your head slightly, almost in a trance by the tone of your voice.

he gulped roughly, already sensing whatever you were going to say by the look you gave. “yes?”

“may i kiss you?” the words flowing softly within a sigh, holding your breath as you waited for his answer.

he just stared at you, eyes blinking like a cat in comfort as he continued to stare. moments past… which felt like hours before he nodded.

you stood from your seat, his attentiveness not failing to follow you in whichever way you went, slowly walking towards him with your hand sliding against the rough stubble on his face. he exhaled through his nose, his eyes shutting closed, his body melting into your touch as if he longed for such embrace. he hummed… the vibration flickering against the tips of your fingers before you felt the warm air of his exhale against your lips. slowly you leaned, shaky breaths with a soft press of the lips.

his lips were so soft yet stiff, a long press, occupying the other side of his face with yet another hand, pulling his face closer to yours as you deepened it. james let you lead, his rough calloused hand grazing against your wrist with a gentle grip, simultaneously pulling you closer to his embrace.

at the touch of his lips, you felt yourself get jolted with pleasure in between your legs, the softness rushing to a hungered one— his lips opening, allowing your tongue to push through and taste the sweetness of his of spit. his mouth was warm and the muscle of his tongue slid into yours as spit started to slide down his chin… quickening breaths and an even louder hum than he ever gave.

with the sharp sound of the chair scraping against the floorboards, he scooted back, you unconsciously sitting onto his lap just to feel the growing bulge against his work pants. you sat right on it, feeling it press against your clothed cunt with a groan that wrapped around your tongue and down your throat. he felt big, and the throb of it excited you, having your hips think on its own with a heavy yet slow rut.

the hands that held onto your wrist fell at your hips, the tightness of his fingers digging into you as if he’d never want you to leave from his touch. your bodies molded into one, your breasts pressing against his heaving chest with your hands now gripping the back of his neck.

at release, your forehead pressed against his… his deep gasps sounding pathetic and irregular, lips ajar, trying to savor the feeling of your lips that were once on his. the creek of the chair upon your slow grinds were loud and obnoxious but that didn’t stop you from adding on more friction, loving the feeling of his hardening cock against you.

“let me… do what i want to you… let me make you feel good.” you whispered against his lips, feeling your words being sucked from his quickening gasps.

“please.” he whined… a sound you’d never heard before from a man, let alone one of business. his willingness in the subtle acceptance of him submitting to you had your mind fill with haze. the glisten of his eyes pleaded for something… anything… like he had never been touched before. “please…”

his face leaned in the crook of your neck, his nose nudging against the warmth of your skin, sharp inhales, devouring the perfume that coated it. light peppering kisses lining up and down, all along the side of your jaw. a smile crept up on your lips… you knew just from the sight of him that he was just a pathetic little thing. and with the way he acted just from a kiss… how hard he got with you sitting on his lap, you knew that whatever you did he’d grant you a reaction that would be better than any man has ever gave you or will give you.

you gripped the back of his head, a drunken stare as his lips still purse from the abrupt release of his kiss. “wait.” you breathed, pressing your finger in the center of his lips. he was so tantalizing… his eyes drooped with anticipation, knowing that since he has you now… his self control was little to none.

at the side of you finger, he kissed it, holding onto your wrist as you placed another finger against his lips. you watched and he watched you— his mouth slowly opening and guiding his fingers against his tongue. with hallowed cheeks he began to suck, bobbing his cute head down to the knuckle. curling your fingers, you felt his tongue slither in between, spit messily sliding down your palm and arm.

“good boy..” you praised, your voice in sync with the sounds of his sucks— a deeper whine trembling against your fingers at the sudden pet name.

you grinned, cocking an eyebrow at his reaction. he liked that? you thought. seems fitting.

sliding your fingers from his mouth, you gripped his chin, a gentle press given, “watch me.” you whisper and with a pull at your top, he watched. his eyes directing themselves at your breasts with an even quicker and excited exhale exuding from his whining lips. eyebrows furrowing at the need to touch, his hands hesitantly removing from your hips and curling, waiting for the okay to be able to grope them upon your request. unclasping your bra, they drooped prettily in his face, letting whatever you took off hit the floor beside the chair.

“come on pretty boy… touch them.” you slurred, your voice seductive, teasing him, watching how his eyes never left, just opening at the sight of your bare breasts. “i know you want to.”

he sighed, one that was pent up and riddled with eagerness. “oh my god…” his voice shook. james was driven by the lustrous nature of your body. captivating by the sounds that fell from your lips and the commands you spewed— each word directed itself at his cock, feeling it twitch and tighten at his pants. the way you were entranced by his eyes as he was with yours, looking up at them with admiration, need and desire that festered throughout his body, making him burn at the touch.

doe and gentle with a sweet song flowing in the disguise of a moan he sung. the single free strands laying against his skin, complimenting with the reds that blossomed at his cheeks.

‘i want her… i need her… all of her… i want it. i want it. i want it. i want it.’ he chanted in his brain— feeling as if he was going to pass out at how hard he was breathing— his hot mouth curling at the warm bud of your breast, tongue flicking at it’s hardened tip, pulling back with the gentle graze of his teeth until a pop was heard, pressing a series of kisses around your breasts.

you were drunk off the man. that poor pathetic odd man. his body calling for more… groping your breasts with vigor, feeling the shortness of his nails digging and molding them to his liking… and the little broken noises he made, so soft and sweet, higher than his usual tone. a fleeting glint of mischief glistened in your eyes, letting out a chuckle.

“that’s it…” your voice trailed, lifting your hips, starting to bounce on his lap, granting a broken moan to feather against your nipple.

“god… fucking dammit..” he exhaled, gritting his teeth as his body sunk into the chair, his feet planted harsher on the floorboards, bucking his hips upward, feeling the weight of you created more friction, his swelling cock pulsating. “don’t stop… please.” he whined, eyes squinted as drool fell from the side of his trembling lips.

your hands running in his warm blonde strands, “that’s a good boy.” you tightened your gasp, pulling it with a yank. he blinked slowly with a coo, “you like it when i bounce on it?” you teased.

he nods. his poor hips already tiring out, them stuttering at every upwards thrust. “yes ma’am… fuck it feels… it feels so good.”

planting your hands at his chest, you felt the fast pace of his heart, running your palms up his body until your fingers wrapped around his slender neck— each digit falling into his skin, hearing his strain. “poor baby… you wanna feel more don’t you?” you grunted, his head tilted back with your face hovering his. with a slight cock of your hand, it collided with the softness of his cheek, a loud yelping moan bouncing along the dining room walls.

“fu… fuck…” he stuttered, his lips almost at pout.

no woman had ever treated him this way, so rough and teasing and you hadn’t even fucked him yet. his nerves was heightened as his cheek burned with the faint remnants of your palm. never did he think he’d enjoy something like this, in fact… he was left speechless. the sight of his eyes looking more pleasing than they already looked. they never looked away from you, wanting to get every expression you gave… watching your lips as they continued to taunt him, needing to see the way your breasts bounced as you continued to rut against his lap above his pants.

“oh?” you chirped, noticing the deepening submission in his glare. “you liked that didn’t you?” your hips now stopping in its place.

weakly, he laughed, “i do.” his voice still so sultry and deep.

leaning closer to his face, your lips feathered his, exchanging breaths with shared smiles, “go on your knees and take it out for me.” your other hand sliding down slow until it cupped his bulge. removing yourself from his lap, now standing.

he lifted himself off the chair, taking off his bottoms and boxers. there he sat, like an obedient little thing, on his knees— his thick dick laying and jerking at every throb as it laid so delicately against his thigh— staring up at you adoringly with gleaming eyes, as if he had been admiring a star.

it wasn’t as if you necessarily thought about what he looked like underneath his boxers, but the sight of it made your eyes sparkle— it was so thick and long, it made your mouth water.

“james…” shocked and even more turned on at how pretty his dick was. the light graze of his brown pubes looking well kept. “fuck it’s so pretty.” running your finger down its side, hearing the most pathetic moan fall from his lips— his fists balling at the sudden touch. “needy little thing you are.”

it was cute. from the little slap you gave him and the way he wanted you to have your way, it only fed into the desire to treat this boy with some excitement. that dull life he had was now changed as thoughts puddled at your brain seeing this man look so weak as you stood to look at him.

“such a pathetic… pretty man.” you cooed, tilting your head, “and look at your dick.” his eyes dropping to watch it leak and pool at the flesh of his thigh. “it’s excited for me isn’t it?”

his fingers wrapping around his shaft, needing some type of friction… it was starting to get painful with how long it hadn’t been touched bare. whenever he was turned on in the comfort of his home, he’d jerk himself off until he fell asleep. over and over again until his wrist burned and his throat dried. he had no self control and with you around, he could cum just from your voice.

“take your hand off.”

“god i just…” he whimpered.

“mmh mmh.” your head shook, as you bent down, “hands off. i tell you when you can and can’t, do you understand?” placing your finger underneath his chin to raise it, seeing gentle plea in his eyes.

“yes ma’am.”

he felt belittled, unable to control his own person. a quick shiver fell down his spine, leaning closer into your embrace… just the soft touch of your finger gave him a bolt of pleasure. knowing if he touched himself, you’d slap him in retaliation. oh how he so desperately wanted that.

you unzipped your pants, stepping out from them, alongside your panties, already dripping against the inner of your thigh. placing a palm at the top of his head, your fingers gripped tight, angling yourself in front of his face.

he gulped roughly, staring at the swelling of your clit. “lick it.” without hesitation, his face fell in between your legs, his curved nose nudging against your clit as he inhaled, lapping his tongue in between the folds of your pussy.

the scent of it drove him wild— eyes rolling back as he continued to inhale, loud enough for you to hear. he smothered himself, the muscle of his tongue thickening with his lips latching it just to get the taste of you fully.

you were taken aback at how skilled his tongue was, how his nose stimulated your clit so lovingly with each bob of his head. obnoxious sucks radiated in the air with his fingers clasping against your thighs, hard enough to hurt.

moans trickled from your throat, gasping on the thick of the air, guiding him with the hand that gripped his hair. his tongue plunged deeply into your pussy, feeling his mold his muscle inside of your fleshy walls, thrusting his head to fuck your opening.

you felt yourself already needing to cum and that has never happened before. at least not this quick. the softness of his lips sucked so roughly and his tongue flicked so fast, your knees buckled inward, unable to keep up with the pace of his mouth.

“james…” your moans heightening in volume, your chest deepening after every breath you took, “your fucking mouth…”

his hair, all tattered and messy, with his eyes reddened from it almost tearing up because of the lack of air he was given, not stopping for a second as he drank in your arousal and your moans. a tingling sensation bounced off his body, circling through each part of his limbs.

the sounds of his sucks almost overpowering your moans itself, as he felt your meaty pussy flutter in and out his mouth loving how full you made his mouth.

“i can’t stop,” he gasped against your cunt, “it’s just so good… i love it, i fucking love it. fuck… fuck…” nothing in this man’s brain could made him stop. it was like he pushed himself in between your legs like he wanted to be apart of you— keeping his strength in his neck to keep his same motion.

removing himself to breathe, he gathered spit, directing at your clit and watching it drip before catching it in his mouth, rolling his tongue along the hood of your clit before latching on with hallowing cheeks. sucking in air, your body curled forward, feeling two of his fingers slide in the opening of your pussy. they curved as they started with long strides.

that ‘odd’ man surely knew how to please a cunt. fingers picking up its pace with the loud wet sounds interweaving the moans you both sung. “yes… yes… james…” you panted, his wrist steadying, feeling you leak against and down his knuckles. your walls clamping on his fingers like a heartbeat.

“im gonna..” you announced, your body trembling more than you could even control, your legs giving out with him quickly holding you up as much as he could— his face deepening in your cunt, grunting as he felt you cum against his tongue.

“mmmhm” he hummed over and over again, feeling you shudder against his face.

falling to your knees, your face was angled with his— his mouth wet all from his nose down to his chin. the sight of you, trying to compose yourself from the orgasm you had made him feel dizzy. “feel good?” he whispered, trailing your face from where it hung low, catching your lips. you could taste yourself on his lips, running your tongue at the flesh of his bottom, sucking it in your mouth with small nips before pulling back.

forming spit in your mouth, you held onto his cock, an immediate grunt rupturing from his throat, letting the spit falling down at his tip. brushing your thumb over it, lathering your spit down to his shaft.

“tighter… please…” he mumbled, foreheads now pressing as he watched your hand wrap around his throbbing and slightly veiny shaft, rolling your wrist in circular and jagged movements. tighter you held, hearing the sound of his throaty moans.

“like this?” you breath, quickening your pace. he deserved it.

lifting the bottom of his shirt, he placed the cloth in his mouth, seeing the light spread of hair that tracked up his navel and a hollowing abdomen at every whine he let out. “yes..” he gritted through his teeth.

his precum swaying around from the vigorous speed that continued to grow. he held his breath, brows knitted, body tense at the rhythmic pattern, veins channeling on your forearm with your fingers glazing against the underside of his tip. “look at me.” you whispered, his eyes slowly traveled up your body until they locked with yours.

you spoke of lust in both your gazes, hearing the wetness of his spit coated cock at every pump, hunger radiating in you both like you desperately needed this— shameless and passionate intimacy.

your body yearned to feel him inside and the way he stared at you— the burning sensation it brought you— made it difficult for you. you wanted to feel him stretch your cunt. pushing him back by the press of your palm against your shoulder, he lay. hovering over him, wrapping your leg over his waist before angling yourself over him.

slowly you slid down on him, never feeling something as big as his. even just from the tip, you felt yourself gasp heavily as you kept lowering yourself down onto him. “fuck you’re so… big…”

james continued his whines, eyes closing tight, his body shuttered… you were so warm, your fleshy walls holding him so comfortably. bodies slowly enveloping on another as he tried to talk to your body with his hands— sliding against your thighs, up your waist and momentarily on your breasts.

“you….” he breathed, it hitching as he mindlessly held his breath, with you pushing more of him into you— textured and wet, with a heartbeat that cradled the shaft of his cock. “your pussy is sucking me in…” he groaned, his ass tensing.

all of you. the sight of it all, each movement you made. fuck, didn’t you drive him insane. at this moment, he knew he couldn’t hold back any longer.

your pussy gripped his cock, deeper it went, as if your grip was unable to let him go. each moan you let out, your pussy clammed and mimicked each word as it pulsated against him.

he couldn’t stay still, whimpering as you started to lightly bounce against him— hands planted on his chest with a slight roll of your hips. you couldn’t believe how good he felt inside of you, how full he made you. with you already cumming, it was hard to keep yourself steady, feeling yourself break down each time you lowered yourself.

pressing his hand on your back, he turned you both, now with you on your back laid against the floor, “let me pleasure you… please.” he begged, both hands placed on the sides of your head.

“fuck me like the good boy you are…”

and with that, it was as if a switch had been turned on in his brain. using one hand to grasp your thigh, “like this?” he breathed, his words as slow as his thrusts, his drowsy-like eyes running up against your face. gritting his teeth, sucking on the cool yet hot air, eyebrows knitting together. he placed his forehead against yours, your hand now sliding up to his neck— the pads of your fingers and thumb pressing down the sides of it, slowly tightening your grip. with struggling breaths, his hips continuing his rhythmic thrust yet trying to find the spot, the spot that will lead you into ecstasy.

the hand that held your thigh pressed it down further, his knees fixing itself at a better position, now his groin aiming downwards. his thrust now falling into slow, hungry pounds, his balls hitting just above your asshole. “does it feel good here…?” leaning down as he pressed wet kisses at the edge of your lips.

all you could give were responding moans, your body overstimulated by every movement he made.

each inward thrust, you could hear skin slapping against one another, your breasts mashing into each other. lips trailing down to your cheek, then to your ear, his tongue running at the side of your ear then switching to the next, groaning a series of ‘fucks’ and your name as the thrust started to increase in intensity. they were once slow, now holding more power, grunting at each inward hit. “god. your… pussy… feels… so…. soo fucking… so goood…” each word ending in a hitch.

his voice now holding a deeper, grosser tone, more animalistic as he grew pussy drunk at how you wrapped around him.

he enveloped your lips, inhaling and capturing your tongue in his mouth, sucking on its pink muscle, bobbing his head and swallowing any ounce of spit that rolled down to the back of his throat. your tongue slipped from his mouth, pressing a long kiss against his lips once more.

your mind transversed across what could possible be the gates of fucking heaven at this point. each twist and turn of his hips hitting spots your fingers could possible never do, your damp walls clamping around his girthy cock—greedily needing to paint your insides with his cum, over and over again if he could.

"it feels good, it's so good...." you trailed off, lips pressing together as you muffled a few moans of satisfaction that sounded nearly like his name—the tip of his relentless cock hitting sweet, sweet spots with each charging pound. your hands removing themselves, now dragging and scratching into his back, tugging the flesh leaving continuous marks onto his skin— causing him to wince in blissful pain.

the reverberating sounds of your name rolling off his tongue along with the desperate whines and groans of pleasure only elevated your lust "you're obsessed with my pussy," you whined, head thrown back at the intense plunges against your favored spot.

your promiscuous ways dragging him down in the mud, wanting to rut and fuck you like an untrained animal. that alluring voice of yours, cracking into a moan after you tried so desperately to tease him.

your concaving walls collapsing at his cock, walls with a flowery texture that ran against the pulsating veins of his dick. your wails rushing to his dick alongside your suction— with each inhale making its grasp tighter than before. your folds clasping at the sides of his shaft at every pull.

he place a thumb so kindly pressed at your slippery clit. circling it slow, with rougher presses at each thrust, it’s hood pushing back, feeling your wet, exposed bud nudge at the skin of his thumb. each run around, he could hear it, how your slick found it’s way all the way to your clit, making it harder for his thumb to be held in place.

his body loosened, with his hips now controlled, it’s speed rising with a longer pull and harder pound, body muggy with a thin layer of sweat, with your face buried in the inner corner of his neck.

“i don’t ever want to stop fucking you… your pussy is too good.” his voice ridged and strained.

rhythmical slaps of wet skin colliding as his balls felt a sharp sensation each time it bounced against the sweetness of your hole. your pussy’s heartbeat causing his eyes to roll, holding his breath and letting it out shakily.

“fuck me just like that james… just like that.” your eyes widening with your legs wrapping around his waist. “im close!”

“i don’t want to stop fucking you… i wish i could fuck you nonstop… i want to keep going…” his chest madly rattling against his ribcage.

shivers cascading through your arms as they gripped his hair firmly once again. your beings were joined in such an impassioned, fervid act of lustful ignited bursting flames out of your bodies. “can i..." he breathed out, voice hoarse, “can i breed you… please… please..”

the walls echoed sounds of your repeated pleasure lamentations followed by his needy words and melting into the increasing melody of skin against skin, lead you over the hill, "cum inside! do it baby…" you uttered directly into his eyes, the familiar knot forming at the pit of your abdomen, convusling cunt tightening around his sliding shaft with each thrust.

he couldn’t stop himself, feeling you cum on his cock made him bury himself further inside, hot spurts of his own cum filling you with rolling eyes and harsh gasps. glazed spit lips, bodies trembling from their high, and strained moans.

his arms snake around your body, cum oozing down his balls and thigh. “fuck….” his body not even finished with his high, slow thrust to chase after the leftover high you both breathed out.

“god james… who wouldn’t known you fucked so well…”

laid out on the floor, you both tried to catch your breaths. the contrast between every moment of you knowing one another to now, fucking each other like your life depended on it, you couldn’t help but laugh.

how significant is it to have a simple man— attractive at that— with his usual order of black coffee in your house, fucking you without a care in the world.

you knew… this wouldn’t be the last time.

#james sunderland smut #james sunderland x reader #james sunderland #james sunderland silent hill #james x reader #silent hill 2 #silent hill 2 smut #silent hill x reader

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unholyhelbig · 7 months ago

Note

More Wandanat pls 😊

Title: Are you Avoiding me?

Ship: Female!Reader x Natasha Romanoff x Wanda Maximoff

Word Count: 2935

Warnings: pet names, sexual situations implied, broken glass, and horrible spelling (I don't proofread).

Summary: It's becoming harder and harder for reader to avoid both Natasha Romanoff and Wanda Maximoff. Things only get worse when they're cornered in their lab.

[A/n: This is just a little drabble, that's been sitting in my drafts for months, nothing with too much sustinance! I've been distracting myself lately with Wenclair content instead of writing]

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There were thousands of mugs with Shield’s logo on the side that floated around the compound, changing hands between agents and the high-ranking Avengers. It’s why you felt less bad about dropping the one in your grasp to the floor. It shattered into dozens of pieces, and the rest of the pale coffee you were drinking seeped out of the wreckage.

“Ow! Why? Why?” Clint’s voice had turned to a growl by the end of his sentence. He had righted himself and gripped his own mug to his chest, leveling you with a glare that was much too vicious this early in the morning.

The words were trapped in your throat and you dropped down behind the kitchen island, pressing yourself close enough to the wood to become apart of the grain. If you could just hide long enough for them to wander away, then all would be well.

The archer glanced down at you, and then back to the hallway that passed the communal kitchen. Natasha Romanoff had her brow furrowed, lifting a sculped eyebrow at him. She had just come back from her morning run, a fine sheen of sweat coating her muscles. He gave her a shrug and that was enough encouragement to send her on her way.

You let out a long sigh at the sound of her footsteps retreating. “Don’t look at me like that, Barton.”

“I can look at you anyway I want to, you’re the one that would rather be on the ground than talk to Natasha.”

It wasn’t just talking to Natasha. It was looking at her too; breathing the same air as her, meeting her fern-colored eyes across the room and ceasing to have a tangible thought pattern. You were an Avenger, for fucks sake, an ex-KGB spy shouldn’t make you fumble the way that you did.

“It’s not that hard, y/n. She’s harmless, really.”

That was easy for him to say. You huffed quietly and picked up the broken pieces of mug before depositing them into the trashcan. Coffee would make you too jittery anyway. So, if you really thought about it, your nerves had done you a favor.

“She’s terrifying.” You said, reaching for an empty glass. You filled it up with tap water and tentatively took a sip. It went down clunky and cold. “And gorgeous.”

“A combination that renders you absolutely useless.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

Clint lifted both of his eyebrows at you, not saying a word. He didn’t have to. And you didn’t need all of this judgement from him in the first place. He had been so scared of Natasha that he couldn’t bring her in, in the first place. He would tell it differently, but you didn’t stick around to find out.

There were other things that you had to do; like a mountain of paperwork and a few modifications to the Vibranium arm that had found its way onto your desk. A cold shower wouldn’t do you any harm either. And if your fingers were to wander? No one would know.

You flashed him the middle finger, abandoning all thoughts of nourishment for the day. Tony kept his labs stocked with bottled water and granola bars after some nagging from Pepper. That would hold you over until lunch and if you started to drift, there were plenty of electrical sources that would give you a low-grade jolt.

Most of the time, you kept your head down, earbuds in even if they weren’t playing music. It was easier not to get caught up in the fanfare of the Avengers. Most of them were human, and they made human mistakes even if they weren’t.

You answered your superiors and fixed any problems that arose with tech and machinery, sometimes even costuming. Those things were simple, cut and dry. Your feelings for Natasha Romanoff and Wanda Maximoff weren’t even slightly that.

There was admiration from afar, and Clint would even say a numbness that clouded your brain completely. That celebrity that all other agents produced around any of the spandex wearing heroes often evaded you.

But each time Wanda stepped through the doors of your lab to get a personal watch fixed, or once, a VHS player that had the scent of smoke and burning plastic. She’d jutted out her lower lip when a copy of ‘I Love Lucy’ was burnt to a crisp.

Despite your meager salary, you had found one at the thrift and set it outside her door without a word. Not a romantic gesture, Clint. You should have seen her face. It was something you’d do as a friend, a co-worker.

Your shoulder collided with something strong, yet soft. There was a small grunt released from the back of your throat. You got a mouthful of the scent of rain and vanilla tobacco. But strong hands were suddenly gripping your forearms, keeping you steady.

Your eyes widened and met with curious hazel ones. You thought you gave Natasha enough time to get back to her room. But here she was, in that tight tank top, sweat drenching the collar. She looked beautiful, the lights overhead hitting her.

Agent Romanoff reached up and pulled one of your earbuds out, letting it hang loose against your chest. “Doctor y/l/n, are you avoiding me?”

“Avoiding?” You laughed with a little too much force, compensating for the lost air by snorting and instantly regretting it. A light blush fell over your cheeks. She didn’t look mad, in fact, she looked quite amused. “No, no. I’m not avoiding.”

“So, what would you call ducking down behind the counter in the kitchen?”

“How did you…”

“I’m a superspy and you’re not exactly subtle.”

Yeah. You’d forgotten about that. She didn’t’ allude to the fact, simply continuing on her way and leaving you to your horrible conversation with Clint. But then she had waited in front of your lab, her own clearance not allowing her past the sliding doors without you in it.

She lilted her head to the side “Don’t worry about it, it’s actually rather adorable.”

The heat against your cheeks started to spread down your neck and to your collarbone. If she noticed, and of course she noticed, she didn’t’ say anything. But she released her hold, and you fought back a whimper of disappointment.

“What can I do for you, Agent Romanoff?”

“Us, actually.” She responded, eyes darting towards the locked doors. “I’d rather talk somewhere a bit more private, if that’s alright.”

“Yeah, yeah, absolutely that’s alight. If this is about the Widow Bites that I redesigned then I can most definitely tweak them. We don’t want you to get a jolt every time you use them. Not that I’m saying you’re not skilled enough to avoid that,”

You kept talking as you swiped your card and it with a beep, walking into the instant familiarity of your lab. There was a coolness there for tactical purposes, but it washed over your heated skin and hopefully took some of the soft color away.

You started to flit around the lab, flicking on all the lights and the different purifiers. There was an experiment that Fitz was working on that needed a rotating heat source and that was turned on as well.

“If we remove the outer panel and with a little tweaking, we can make them non-lethal, heavy with stopping power. They can break up under the sub-cutaneous tissue-“

Again, you ran into Natasha. Her body was so warm and solid, stable compared to the way you buzzed about. The door had slid shut behind you, its frosted glass exterior shielding you from the rest of the world.

This time you didn’t’ rush to apologize, instead you pushed your glasses up to the center of your nose and stared at her in a comfortable silence. “This wasn’t about your widow bites. You said us.”

She nodded at you, suddenly seeming quite shy herself. You’d never seen her avert her gaze before and something about the reaction worried you. Your stomach was doing somersaults, flipping back and forth between pure panic and excitement. This was the longest you two had spent in one another’s space without you bolting from the room.

“For the past six months I’ve been involved in a sexual relationship with Wanda Maximoff.”

“Uh,”

It was the only word that you could muster. Thoughts that flushed your cheeks all over again ran through your mind; bare breasts pressed against each other, lips hungrily clashing, hands raking up perfectly toned muscles. Your eyes were hazy with lust, but you blinked it away just as fast as it had settled. Natasha ghosted a smirk regardless.

“It was purely sexual, we both needed to blow off some steam. I’m sure you know how that is.”

On nights when you needed to ‘blow off steam’, you went into the empty training room and ran for six miles before taking a stark cold shower to loosen your muscles. When you ran, you forgot about the dip of Natasha’s collarbone and the dexterity of Wanda’s fingers.

Now that you thought about it, there were signs that the two of them had something and why shouldn’t they? Subtle touches that led to more. The tenderness in Natasha’s eyes betrayed more. If she hadn’t noticed yet, you weren’t going to be the one to tell her.

“It was fun for a while, a supply closet here, the gym floor there. But going on month seven it’s almost losing its… spark.”

“I’m sorry?” You were cautious with your words, and she giggled, the Black Widow herself was giggling at you.

“I’m not so good at this.”

“You’re good at everything.”

She smiled “Wanda insisted that I come and talk to you first because you’re skittish. Moreso around her than me. She was upset when I told her you let me stay the afternoon in here last week, just watching you work.”

Each move you made that day was languid. There was a nervousness to you that seemed to vanish when you could open up the back of a monitor and stare at the innerworkings. You were recruited right out of MIT, and though you had been offered more than one job, you jumped at the idea of working in the Stark tower, living here.

She worked her hand through her hair and sighed “see, not so good at this.”

“What exactly is this?”

Natasha furrowed her brow and a small crease formed between her eyebrows in response. You wanted to reach up and smooth it away with the subtle touch of your thumb. That part wasn’t complicated, not like people usually were.

So, you did just that, you touched the pad of your finger to her soft, warm skin and pressed until the tension started to leave her body. Natasha’s fingers wrapped around your wrist and moved your hand until you cupped her cheek. She sighed into the embrace; eyes closed for more than a single moment.

“I want you, y/n.” She mumbled against the palm of your hand, turning it to the side and delivering a single kiss to the pulse point on your wrist. You were sure that she could feel the quickness in which it thrummed. “So does Wanda.”

You were dizzy, suddenly glad for her hold on you. Months, close to a year, you had spent ducking behind counters and taking the long way back to your dorm. They were both stunning to an intimidating degree, to the point where it devastated you.

“Say something, please” Natasha whispered, voice breaking “I know this is a lot and you can absolutely decline. We can forget this conversation ever happened and you can go back to breaking coffee mugs.”

“No! I mean, no. I don’t want to go back to breaking coffee mugs. I think Clint is running a tab, and Mr. Stark isn’t exactly generous with our salaries.”

A grin spread across Natasha’s face. It was like being wrapped in a warm towel after a long day in the rain. You’d do anything to make her smile. You were in down bad, not that you’d admit it to Bird Boy.

She tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “Can I kiss you?”

You nodded, not trusting your ability to vocalize anything right now. Her lips were on yours, soft and tender. She kissed you slowly, with purpose. The two of you savored the moment, a sigh of extasy escaping you, your arms winding around her shoulders, hers pressing against your spine.

Natasha broke the embrace, staring hazily at you. That cocky smile had turned into a wonderstruck and borderline goofy one. Have you broken the superspy? She’d certainly made you waver. You were effectively rendered silent.

“Oh, sweet girl, how easy it is to fluster you.” Natasha pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “But I fear that a certain witch is lurking just close enough for you to open the door.”

It slid open on its own with a dejected beep. You glanced down at the pocket of your lab coat, badge still attached. A small pout made its way to your lips but softened when Wanda stalked into the mostly empty lab, you felt your defenses lower.

The remnants of red twirled around her fingers- and god, you didn’t mean to stare, but they held a power to them. With Natasha slotted against your body, the primal scent of her, you couldn’t stop your mind from wandering. Oh, how good they’d feel on your tongue.

A pink blush crept up her collarbone and at the tips of her ears. Wanda raised a perfectly sculpted brow at you. There was no doubt in your mind that your thoughts were loud enough for her to hear them. And somehow, you didn’t mind one bit. You’d never imagine being this bold with either of them, but the kiss with Natasha had left you heady, greedy for more.

“Have you been able to do that the whole time?” You panted out, watching the door slide shut once more.

“Well, yes. But I respect your privacy… to an extent. You have quite the dirty mind, don’t you?”

“I… you… no!”

You pulled away from Natasha, crossing your arms over your chest. If you weren’t careful, your glasses would fog up just by being in the same vicinity as them both. Sure, there had been a few times where you’d let your mind wander; images of Wanda shoving you against the wall, pinning your arms above your head.

Natasha taking you over the lab table that you made sure was meticulous in every single way each night before you left. The thought of them taking control was alluring, tantalizing. You thought all the time, too much about every move you made. You didn’t want to admit that you’d welcome not thinking at all, even if it was only for a few moments.

“You’re a terrible liar.” Wanda soothed.

“That’s why Stark keeps me in the basement.”

She’d gotten impossibly close. You could smell the lavender shampoo that often accompanied her. They were both taller than you, though, not by much. Your breath still hitched in your throat at her proximity. Wanda tucked a piece of hair behind your ear, lilting her head to the side in a way that made your knees feel unstable.

“Is this okay?”

You nodded, and a smile moved across her lips. “You need to use your words, sweetheart.”

“Oh, don’t be mean, Wanda.” Natasha wrapped her arms around your midsection, resting her chin against your shoulder. You felt the incredible warmth she provided, nearly sighing into it. “This is a lot to take in. Baby steps.”

You couldn’t tell which of the two held more control over the situation, but didn’t much care when you felt Wanda’s breath hot against your lips. She closed the distance and you kissed until it stung, until your lungs were begging for air. A desperate noise that you had never made before escaped you when she broke the embrace.

All the while, the calloused pads of Natasha’s fingers were running softly over the expanse of skin between your waistband and shirt. Her touch was so delicate and impossibly warm compared to the coolness of the lab.

Natasha hugged you closer, and you allowed her to. Everything about both women surrounding you screamed control. The darkness that settled over Wanda’s stare made a wetness pool between your thighs. You squeezed them together in an attempt of subtly.

It was like fooling a seer. They could read your body like an open book and you clenched your eyes shut but could still feel the grin that stretched across Natasha’s face in the crook of your neck. It would be so easy to give up control to them.

“Does anyone else have the key to your lab?” Wanda purred, her hand splayed on your chest in a startling grounding motion. Your eyes snapped open, hazy with lust.

You were breathless, stunned. “Just you.”

Wanda’s head tilted, her tongue darting out against her bottom lip. Chills pushed down your spine, Natasha’s hold tightening around your center. You were sure that you’d catch flame right there and wake up from this dream. But neither of them vanished when you blinked.

“Good. What’s your safe word, darling?”

Natasha’s grin was nothing short of wolfish. She squeezed both of your hips possessively, hauling you with a spy’s quickness onto the nearest counter. You nudged a white mug with a SHIELD logo on the front. It fell to the floor, shattered into a million different pieces.

None of that seemed to matter.

#Natasha Romanoff #Natasha Romanov #Natasha Romanoff x you #Natasha Romanoff x y/n #Natasha Romanoff x reader #Natasha Romanov x reader #Natasha Romanov x y/n #Wanda Maximoff x reader #Wanda maximoff #Wanda Maximoff x y/n #Wanda Maximoff x you #Wandanat #Wandanat x reader #Wandanat x you #Wandanat x y/n

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muffinpink02 · 6 months ago

Text

Coffee Shop

Summary - You get a job with Mapi, she's a big flirt, your current partner is a dick, does Mapi sway your mind? Some appearances from the Barca girls. Got a lot done but a lot more to go. This will hava a part 2 at some point.

Warning Smut 18 & rough, consensual sex/shitty partner

“That’s it, just like that. Good” She husked

“Like that?” You whispered, listening intently to the girl's instructions.

“Sí, go a bit higher.” You could see from the corner of your eye she was biting her lip.

The Spaniard placed her tattooed hands around yours, directing your movements, you felt your breath catch slightly in your throat from her touch.

“Just like that. You’re doing good, hold it there.” She was so close, you could smell her woody perfume. She let go of your hands, giving you range to move.

“I can see someone’s getting more comfortable.” Mapi hummed.

You chuckled softly, her breath tickled your neck. “I have a good teacher.”

The brunette lightly chuckled. “Okay. Now hit it hard so the air bubbles go.”

You pulled the jug of milk from the machine and did as the brunette said.

“Perfecto. Now this part is more tricky, but try and do the heart, like I showed you.”

You tilted the mug with the shot of coffee and poured the frothy milk inside. Trying your best attempt at making the artwork from the steamy milk. You both watched as the hot milk mixed with the coffee. It had started out well but began to look similar to a poo emoji.

“Ergh. I can’t do it, Mapi.” You looked at the coffee mug, a frown now on your face.

The Spaniard put her hand on your shoulder. “Hey, it’s not easy, princesa. I didn’t get it straight away. You’re getting there.” She smiled warmly at you.

“Yeah, I just want to get it right.” You looked down at the coffee mug, letting out a loud sigh.

——————-

It had been a month since you started working at the coffee shop. On your first day you arrived ten minutes early, you entered the small cosy cafe that you had always passed on your walks, but for some reason had never entered.

The bell rang above your head, catching your new colleagues' attention. You were greeted by the tattooed Spaniard, the very confident, very beautiful, very cocky Spaniard.

“Hola, you must be the new starter. I’m Mapi.”

Mapi was hot, with a capital H. You drank in her olive skin and tattooed covered arms as she walked toward you. You tried your best to not stare for too long. Though the Spaniard didn't try very hard, her brown eyes scanned your body as soon as you walked through the door. A cheeky smile plastered her face as she stuck her lean arm out for you to hold.

She showed you around, demonstrating the basics of the machines, where the storage cupboard was and where you could find most of the supplies you would need during your shift. She got you to clean for the day, not wanting to overwhelm you on your first day, allowing you to get used to your surroundings.

You cleaned like she had asked, even cleaning bits that looked like they hadn’t been touched in a while. You weren't able to talk much longer as the shop got busy in its morning rush.

But now and again you got distracted, you had found yourself staring at Mapi throughout the day. Your eyes drifted to her decorated arms as you cleared tables. You watched the way her muscles flexed when making the drink orders for the customers. Or how she stuck her tongue out in concentration as she counted the customers' change.

The Spaniard had caught you staring plenty of times, but never said anything. She would smirk at you as if she had an idea of what you were looking at, and she would take the opportunity to ask if you were doing okay, or ask if you needed help, smirking to herself as you flustered.

Of course you tried to make it look like you weren't staring, trying your best to look away before she caught you. But your eyes would still end up wandering back to her not long after.

In the quieter hours of the day you found out you had a lot of things in common. Mapi played for a local football team, she played in defence. You explained how you had played before but not since you injured your knee, but you told her you’d love to try again in the future.

“You are more than welcome to come and try out. Or even come and watch us play.” The Spaniard smiled at you, pure joy on her face.

“Yeah, definitely. I’d love that.” You smiled at the brunette.

By the end of the shift music started to play through the shop's speakers, Mapi asked what you wanted to listen to. Finding out you had very similar music tastes.

She closed the shop door behind her, locking it with the keys. She turned to you.

“Hey, you did well today. I’ll show you more of the coffee making tomorrow, in the quiet times.”

“Thank you. Yeah, that sounds good, I don’t want you to think I’m useless.” You laughed.

“I don’t think you are anything of the kind.” She looked at you with a straight face.

You felt your cheeks warm up, you chuckled gently. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” She smiled at you.

————

It was now a month in, and you were a lot more comfortable, thanks to a certain Spaniard. It was closing time, and as usual Mapi had her music blaring over the speakers. You swept the floors while she emptied the dishwasher.

“Hey, what are you doing tonight? Me and my friends are going to Club 10 if you want to join?”

The thought of going out clubbing with Mapi was exciting, and you were a little sad that you couldn’t join, only as you had plans.

“I can’t. My girlfriend’s coming to mine for dinner. But thank you for asking. Next time though.” You smiled apologetically at her.

“Ahh no worries, I’ll ask again.” She winked at you as she started to stack the mugs.

Since you started working at the coffee shop, Mapi shamelessly flirted with you. She flirted with such ease it never felt serious. She would laugh after a one liner that made your cheeks go bright red, then get on with whatever task she was in the middle of doing. She never made you feel uncomfortable, it never felt gross or too much, she just liked teasing you.

You knew the Spanish were flirty, touchy people, you had even seen her do it with customers now and again. She was clearly just a naturally flirty person.

However, it didn’t stop your heart from racing every so often, especially if she was giving you a certain look when she did decide to flirt. Or a certain cheeky smile when she was being extra touchy, you would have to take yourself to the bathroom to have a quick breather. You weren't blind, Mapi was beyond sexy, but not only was she your type on paper, she was kind, funny and genuinely seemed to care about what was going on with you.

But, you never took your feelings further than that, you had a girlfriend, a girlfriend of nine months. Things were going good, you really liked Frankie, she was smart, successful, funny and great in bed. You had even recently said those big three words just over a month ago, she hadn’t said it back but you weren't going to push her. She would say that in her own time.

————

You plaited up the food you had spent ages cooking, pleasantly surprised at how it came out.

“Smells good babe, you didn’t put any spicy stuff in it did you?” Frankie asked while scrolling on her phone.

“No, nothing too spicy. I added some seasoning, but only for flavour.”

You placed Frankie’s food in front of her.

“Okay, cos I really can’t do spice.”

You sat down across from her and smiled.

“I know. No spice. I promise.”

Thankfully Frankie deemed it edible enough to eat. Well, it was more the vegetables that she ate. She attempted the chicken that you had added a small amount of flavour to, she had to stop a few times for extra water.

“So when do you think you’ll get a proper job?” Frankie asked as she pushed around the food on her plate.

You stopped your own fork before it got to your lips.

“What do you mean?” You frowned.

“Well a waitress isn’t a real job. When do you think you’ll be going back to an office job?”

“Well, I’m not a waitress, it’s a barista role and I’ve only started there and I actually really enjoy it. You know I wasn’t happy at my last job. I needed a break from all that corporate shit.”

She gave you that look that you hated, it was a look that made you feel stupid, like you had just said the dumbest thing she had ever heard.

“Well, you can’t do that forever. You’ll have to get back to it at some point.” She drank her water.

You suddenly lost your appetite, you placed your fork on your plate. You felt that anxious feeling creeping on your skin.

You had left your project manager role just over six weeks ago, you hated your last job, it had gotten way too stressful. Your manager would make you feel bad for not putting in extra work, and extra work was putting it lightly. He wanted you to do two people’s jobs, and then some. They hadn’t hired enough staff due to people leaving monthly. You wouldn’t have minded too much but they didn’t even pay you for the extra hours you did do.

The job had even started to creep into your personal life. You were too tired to meet your friends as you were working over time and too stressed to not take your mind off work during the weekends as you would get constant emails and calls from clients.

Your manager had even called you while you were on a pre booked holiday asking you to end it early. And you did leave the holiday early, as you were half threatened that you would lose your job if you didn’t. When you needed a half day for a funeral you were denied straight away, that’s when you knew you were done with the company.

You gave in your notice the next day and decided to have a small break, you had saved up a bit of money over the years, so financially you were fine. You just wanted to have a two or three month break, to maybe go away or just figure out a new role. Nothing like what you were doing before.

You had only taken the coffee shop job because Frankie wouldn’t stop talking about you not having a job. It made you feel lazy and insecure, you felt like you kind of had to. So your break was cut short to two weeks.

“Well, I’m happy there. I don’t think I’ll be looking for anything else any time soon.”

Frankie rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her water.

“Whatever, it’s your life, waste it on what you want.”

Before you could respond Frankie’s phone began to ring. “I got to take this, you can throw the rest away. It’s too spicy.”

Frankie left the room, her phone pressed to her ear.

You cleared the table, a lump bubbled in your throat, you felt like shit. You knew Frankie meant well, but she was from a different background. She was from money. Her dad got her role in PR because he knew the owner of the company. She hadn’t worked for the role in any way. And if that didn’t work out he would more than likely get her a role in another firm, like he always did.

————

It was half three, and dead in the coffee shop. You and Mapi were having a debate on what women’s team were likely to win the euros in 2025.

“Come on, Spain will win, we won the worlds! Why would we not win euros?”

You loved winding her up about football, she was the only other person that loved it as much as you.

“Hmm I don’t know. You guys got lucky in my opinion.”

“Pshhh. You are just hurt because we are the better team.”

“It was luck, just one goal. Nothing to shout about.” You smirked.

Mapi was done with your teasing, she grabbed the jug of milk off the side and flicked the froth right at your face. By the look on her own face she had done more than she meant to, she looked slightly worried until she saw you smile.

You dramatically gasped, wiping some of the mess from your cheeks. You broke out into a playful smile and began to laugh. She smiled instantly at your reaction, laughing at her mistake.

You looked around the counter, trying to find your own weapon, you grabbed the hot chocolate ganache pot, laughing internally as Mapi’s face dropped.

“No, come on. I was kidding. I’m sorry. Please, chica.” Mapi put her arms up in defence. You stepped closer to her, clearly not caring about her protest. She then took a different approach.

“Come on, princesa.” She pleaded.

You couldn't help but feel butterflies at her nickname for you.

“You can’t waste it, you can’t put good chocolate to waste. If you do it, you’ll have to eat it off me” She stepped closer to you, a devilish smirk on her face. The smirk that made your knees buckle, and you had a feeling she knew that.

You were never one to flirt back, you would normally roll your eyes or batter off whatever hot and heavy sentence the Spaniard would lay on you, but you decided to play her at her own game. The words came out before you could really register what you were saying.

“Hmm. but I don’t think you could handle my tongue.”

Mapis' face was a perfect picture of shock. You gave yourself a mental pat on the back for being able to make the girl falter like you did. Before the brunette had a chance to reply the bell on the door chimed, you turned around to greet the customer

“Frankie? Wha- what are you doing here?”

Frankie walked towards the counter, a big smile on her face. Until she eyed up Mapi, who was probably standing too close for Frankie’s liking.

“Well, don’t look too happy to see your girlfriend.” She emphasised the last word.

“No I am. I just. I wasn’t expecting you.”

Frankie loved when she made you a bit helpless, you could see it on her face, you must have looked like a deer in headlights.

“Well I was passing by, I wanted to see why you loved it here so much.” She then eyed up Mapi once more.

“Frankie, this is Mapi. She’s trained me on everything I need to know about coffee and how to make the perfect hot chocolate.” You smiled at Mapi. “Mapi, this is Frankie, my girlfriend.”

Mapi reached her hand out for Frankie.

“Hola, it’s nice to meet you.” The Spaniard smiled at Frankie.

Frankie looked Mapi up and down like she didn’t want to touch her hand, but she did, and she did it quickly. You didn’t miss it, and neither did Mapi.

Frankie laughed. “Is there really much to know? It’s coffee, not rocket science. It’s not that hard.”

You felt your skin prickle. You hated when Frankie was like this.

“Actually there is a bit to know about coffee and how it’s made. It can almost be a science lesson.” Mapi laughed at her own joke.

“Mapis right. There’s a lot to it.” You looked at Frankie, almost pleading with your eyes to stop her rudeness.

“Hmm, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. Are you allowed to have that many tattoos showing while you’re working? Does it not put the customers off?”

You heard Mapi laugh under her breath.

“I actually get a lot of compliments, especially from the ladies.” Mapi winked at Frankie, she wasn’t going to bite back.

“Each to their own. I just wouldn’t be allowed to have any tattoos showing like that at my work.”

You then chimed in. “You don’t even have tattoos and I don’t actually think they would care much at your work, Frankie. It’s not like you're a rocket scientist.” You joked but could tell that pissed Frankie off.

Mapi laughed, she put her hand on your shoulder.

“I’m going to count the items in the storage cupboard chica. Was nice to meet you Frankie.” Mapi walked away, leaving you and Frankie alone.

“That was rude. Why are you being like that?”

“I was just joking. Listen, I came here to apologise. I was a dick the other night, I don’t want to argue.” Frankie took your hand in hers, giving you the puppy dog eyes that she always used when you argued.

You smiled, you weren't one to stay mad. You squeezed her hand back, leaning in to give her a quick kiss.

“Do you want to go for dinner next week? We can go to that place that you like?” Frankie asked.

“Yes! The Spanish restaurant?” You chimed.

“Yeah, that one.”

“I’d love that.” You clapped.

Frankie smiled, you could tell she had more to say.

“I also have to travel for work tomorrow. We’ve got a new client that the company wants to impress. So I’ll be gone for three nights. I won’t be able to talk to you much.”

You felt your shoulders drop. “Really? Okay well. I guess you can’t say no. We can FaceTime at night.” You tried to be positive.

“Well, maybe, you would have to text me first. Don’t just spring a FaceTime on me, I might be out with the new clients.” She laughed.

“Yeah that makes sense.”

“I’ll be back Thursday evening, we can go for dinner on Friday evening.”

“Okay, I can’t wait.” You said.

“Anyways I got to go, I’ll see you later tonight?” Frankie smiled.

“Yeah. See you tonight.”

You leaned back in to give Frankie a quick kiss, but you suddenly felt her grab you by the T shirt, pulling you hard. You yelped as she pushed her tongue deep into your mouth. You pulled back, looking at Frankie in confusion, she never kissed you like that in public, she was always one to hate PDA. You caught her eyes, she was looking at Mapi, who wasn’t paying any attention to the pair of you.

“What are you doing?” You wiped your mouth, slightly annoyed.

“Nothing. Just wanted to kiss you. I’ll see you later.” Frankie walked out the coffee shop, smirking to herself.

Mapi came back up to restock the fridge. “Your girlfriend is nice.” She said it with enough sarcasm.

“Sorry. I don’t know why she acted like that.”

“It's obvious, no?” She smirked as she stalked up to you. “You have to work with a very sexy.” She stepped closer. “Very charming.” Her arms trapped your body against the coffee bar. “Very tattooed, Spanish girl, all day.”

The brunette had your body caged between hers and the bar. Her face was so close to yours, you could feel her breath on your lips. You couldn't stop your eyes from roaming over her delicate pink lips. Your mind wondered what it would be like to have those same lips on yours, or other places. You felt your pussy spasm at the dirty thoughts flooding your brain.

She whispered.“See bonita, you can’t keep your eyes off of me.”

Her smirk was devilish. It was like she could read your mind. You felt your cheeks blush from her comment. Her dark eyes roamed your face, it looked like she wanted to kiss you. Suddenly her body was gone. Her laugh brought you back from the daze that was Mapi. She started stocking the fridge, chuckling to herself as if she hadn't just had you hanging on to every word of hers.

“You are like a baby rabbit, no. Squirrel? Some kind of fuzzy creature.”

You blew out a chuckle, trying to compose yourself. But you could feel the heat between your legs. You looked over at the clock. How many hours did you have left?

—--------------

“Fuck, just like that.” You were between Frankies legs, eating her out while she pulled hard on your hair. It was the third time in a row that you had gotten her off, not that you minded but you had been horny since work.

Not for any particular reason.

But you had been desperate to have some release and the minute you stepped through the door you could tell Frankie needed it to. She had just about said hello when she pulled you into the bedroom, kissing you hard. Her teeth sunk in your bottom lip making you whimper against her mouth. But she only swallowed your cries. She pushed your back against the wall, you winced as you hit the foundation.

“I need your tongue.” Was all she said before you were being pushed to your knees. She unbuckled her jeans and grabbed your head, forcing your face between her legs. She let out a gasp, her head tilted back as your tongue made connection with her clit. You didn’t mind this kind of sex, you were the more submissive one between the pair of you, and it could get rough and desperate and you knew Frankie liked being in charge.

She grabbed the back of your head as she fucked your face against the wall. Her hips rolled into your mouth, taking complete charge of your movements.

“Stick your tongue out.” She demanded.

You stuck your tongue out for her. She grinded her pussy along your tongue, it was like you was her fuck toy.

She came quickly, pushing your head against the wall as she used you to get off. After she came, she moved you onto the bed. You thought she wanted to do the same to you, but she made herself comfy on the pillows. You watched as she laid back, opening her legs and pointed between them.

So you did as she asked, you didn't mind going again, you were a giver, you loved pleasing your partners but the wetness between your legs was ever growing. It took her a lot longer to come this time, as she had literally just came a minute before she had you on your knees again. But eventually after some time she came in your mouth, her hand holding your head down roughly.

Once she released your hair you sat up. You were desperate for her now. It had been a while since you had sex with Frankie. You knew she was stressed from work, having new important clients on. So sex was off the cards. Well, she would be too tired to do bits to you. So you ended up like this a lot of the time, your face or hands between her legs. You moved up to kiss her, she sucked your tongue into her mouth.

“Again.” She husked out.

“Again?” You chuckled breathlessly.

“Yeah, I need you babe. You make me feel so good.” She stroked your face lovingly.

“Okay. Are you not too sensitive?”

“No.” She kissed you again and started to push your head down.

“Okay.” You gave her a final kiss before you moved down her body, kissing her stomach on the way down. You licked slowly.

“Fuck.” She pushed your head further in between her legs, rocking herself on your tongue. Once again it took her a while to come, clearly too sensitive. You could feel your cunt throbbing, needing to be touched.

Your jaw began to ache from how long you had been eating her out. She pulled your hair hard, your eyes closed from the pain, she sometimes didn't realise how rough she was being. You wondered if Mapi was ever this rough. You could feel your underwear becoming uncomfortably wet. Finally, you could tell she was close, she started to grip your head tight, it was painful, but before you could stop her, her hips bucked into your face. You groaned as she pushed you further into her core. It was almost hard to breathe.

“Fuck, suck it. Suck it. Yes, just like that. Such a slut” She gripped at your head, not letting you move an inch as you sucked on her clit.

Her legs started to shake. You felt her wetness start to enter your mouth. Her thighs clamped your head. She kept you how she wanted you, her hips grinding into your face. You swallowed her juices. As she let out a groan. You tried to move your head away to breathe but she pulled you back.

“I didn't say stop, keep going”

Your lips wrapped back around her clit.

“Do it gently. Swallow.” She gripped your neck.

You stayed there like she demanded. Finally she let go.

“So good.” She husked out.

You lied next to her, catching your breath. “Yeah?”

She sat up, groaning from the pleasure. “Yeah. I needed that. I'm going to get in the shower.”

“Oh?”

“What?”

“Nothing, I just.. I thought we could carry on? I wa- I really want you Frankie.” You smiled, hoping she would get the hint.

“I’m tired.”

“Okay. It’s just that, it's been a while since you kind of touched me like that. I just miss you.”

She rolled her eyes already annoyed. “I’m tired.”

“No, I get that. I just wanted t-,”

“God, can’t you just give me a break. I don’t want to. Don’t try to make me feel bad because I’m tired.”

This was the third time you had mentioned it. Frankie hadn’t touched you in 6 weeks. You tried to ask her what was wrong. If there was a reason she didn't want to touch you, if it was something she needed to talk about, but everytime she just brushed it off and blamed work.

You already couldn't be asked to argue. You would just take care of yourself. Again.

“Okay.” You looked away, not able to look at your girlfriend, worried she would see your pain.

“Ergh. I’m going to mine. Thanks for ruining a good moment.”

“No, Frankie don’t.” You begged.

“No. You’ve pissed me off.” She quickly put her clothes on and left. Slamming the door behind her.

You flinched from the slam. You felt the tears prick at your eyes. Then the hot tears ran down your cheeks. You felt numb. Frankie had been arguing with you more and more lately. Snapping at you for small things, arguing over nothing. And now she wasn't touching you. You felt ugly, unwanted.

You definitely didn’t feel horny anymore. You took yourself to the bathroom and had a long hot shower, you had your dinner and scrolled through Netflix to watch a movie. It had become a routine at this point, doing this alone after an argument with Frankie. Half way through you got a text, you ignored the giddy feeling you felt when you saw it was from her. You looked at your phone to see Mapi’s name on your screen, you couldn't stop the stupid smile that appeared on your face.

It was a picture of her cat dressed up in a cowboy hat. She told you about the purchase she had got for her pet. You didn't believe her, but here it was picture proof. You replied.

Mapi - Picture sent

You - she doesn't look too impressed.

Mapi - ignore her, she always looks that way. She loves it

You laughed, shaking your head at the Spaniards' antics. Another text came through.

Mapi - I'm going to the ‘Blue Cherry' tomorrow, wanna come?

You bit your lip in thought. You had no plans tomorrow. Frankie was away, and if it was anything like her trip before you didnt get to speak to her once. So, yeah why not. It had been ages since you had a night out.

You - Yes! I’ll be there 🎉

That stupid goofy smile grew on your face once more. Mapi always had a way of making you smile, or feel special, even something as simple as wanting you to go out with her and her friends. You found yourself looking over her instagram page, again. You smiled as you looked over the now familiar pictures. You scrolled down to the very familiar picture of Mapi sitting on a rock in her bikini. The girl's body was unreal. You felt a little bad that you lingard on the photo, learing at your friend. But you had been so worked up from earlier, your body was basically on the edge of exploding.

Your mind drifted to your memories of today. You could still feel the weight of Mapi’s body pressing against your own. You could see the curve of her pink lips smirking at you, the way she always did when she was messing with you. Her lips had become a common thought in your mind, you had wondered how her lips would feel on your own, or how her tongue would feel if it were to trace down your stomach. Followed by gentle kisses.

And suddenly that hornyness returned.

Your hand slowly descended down your stomach, your fingertips traced small lines on your exposed skin, just teasing yourself with the thought. Recently you had been doing this more and more.

You slipped your hand down your pj shorts. You weren't shocked at just how wet you already were. You tried to put it down to you pleasuring Frankie, but you knew deep down it wasn't because of that, not right now.

You dipped your finger past your lips and just below your clit, finding your essence already dripping. You gathered the juices on your finger tips and brought it straight to your clit. You let out a small hiss. You were past sensitive. It almost hurt to touch yourself, you weren't sure if it was mental strain or physical.

You bit your lip at feeling the pleasure of finally having some friction on your bundle of nerves, circling your clit just the way you liked. You couldn't stop the images of today flashing through your mind, you could see Mapi in front of you, you could feel the shape of her body pressing against yours, your fingers picked up the pace.

You could see her brown eyes looking at you, her lips smirking at you. Your imagination got the better of you when you pictured Mapis' hand in place of your own, touching you, pressing your clit lightly. Her smirk became wider as she felt you becoming wetter.

“You want me, don’t you?” You imagined her voice.

You nodded. Even an imaginary Mapi knew you wanted her. Your hips started to grind into your own hand. You imagined her fingers touching you, her eyes watching you. You then imagined the girl in front of you, in your home, pulling your pjs shorts down, her brown eyes staring between your legs, licking her lips.

You started to get rougher with your touches, needing Mapi more and more. You imagined her tattooed hand reaching between your thighs, stroking your skin, teasing you as she got closer to your core. You imagined her gentle touch as she finally got to your clit, rubbing tight circles on your sensitive bundle of nerves.

“You like it, princesa?” Her imaginary voice asked.

You nodded. You could feel your orgasm rising. Mapi invaded your mind, her freckles, her smile, her laugh, the way she smelt, the way she talked, the way her eyes watched you when she thought you weren't looking. She filled your mind with everything that was her, your legs began to shake as her imaginary fingers brought you closer to your orgasm.

You imagined her lips tracing your neck, sucking gently on your skin. You gasped as you felt your climax start to take over. Your legs began to shake, your back arched off the sofa as you imagined Mapi kissing you while you came. Your hips bucked into your hand at the aftershocks of your orgasm, your breathing slowly returning to a normal pace.

You laid there, staring at the ceiling, guilt took over for Frankie and Mapi. But before you could think anymore about it a text came through, you looked at your phone to see Mapi replying to your text.

Mapi - Finally!

You let out a loud sigh as your head dropped back on the sofa.

#woso #woso community #woso fanfics #woso smut #barca femeni #fcb femení #mapi leon smut #mapi león x reader #mapi león #mapi leon #alternate universe #woso x reader

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shares-a-vest · 2 years ago

Text

Wayne shuffles to the door, desperate to answer the incessant knocking that sounds like whoever is on the other side is going to beat the exterior fly screen straight off its hinges. He is greeted by Claudia Henderson, clutching her handbag strap tight across her chest and looking very serious.

Although it might just be his sleep-deprived inability to gauge the emotions of chipper 9-to-5 receptionists who wear cosy sweaters. He checks his watch. He’s only been asleep for about an hour after getting home from night shift - what with waiting for Hurricane Eddie to finally head off for the garage.

“Hello, Wayne,” Claudia nods and purses her lips.

He scrubs a hand over his face but steps back nonetheless to let her in. Claudia is one step in the doorway anyhow.

“Coffee,” he not-so-much asks as he moves to the kitchen.

“No, thank you,” Claudia says politely, “I usually wait for my morning tea break.”

He looks over to find her pulling out his assigned chair at the breakfast table. She looks nervous, if a little pissed off as she gathers her handbag up on her lap. He blinks harshly and pinches his nose enough to press his forefinger and thumb into the inner corners of his eyes. He really needs to wake the hell up a little more, it appears.

“What did Eddie do?” he sighs, looking over the drying rack on the sink for one of the mugs he has in his rotation at the present time.

“Oh, Eddie hasn’t done a thing!” she insists, a smile evident in her voice, “I’m here about Steve.”

Cubs mug it is then...

He frowns again and turns back to Claudia, confused. And the woman looks like she was expecting such a reaction because she huffs and straightens up, looking like she is readying herself to give a sermon on the kid.

“I need you to help me convince that boy to move in with Dustin and me,” she explains, promptly holding up a defensive hand, “Now, I know he stays here, mostly This isn’t about anything to do with you… Or Eddie…”

She tacks that last mention of his nephew on with a tone and a knowing look.

Wayne clears his throat. It’s certainly far too early in the morning for the ins and outs of that conversation. He flicks the kettle on to drown out the awkward silence between them.

“Have you uh...” he hums and scratches the back of his neck as he searches for words, “Have you talked with him about this, at all?”

Claudia squeaks out a noise he assumes is a negative as he quickly spoons coffee into his mug. He’ll settle for black coffee for now - he really cannot be assed to stand up for much longer, even if he did have the sense to quickly step into his comfy slippers when Claudia came a-pounding on the door.

“And you want my help specifically?” he says, raising his voice above the steaming kettle that is whistling away in boiling readiness.

“Yes!”

He waves a hand in the air, “Well, what about Robin?”

“Oh, gosh, no! I can’t talk to that girl,” he barks a laugh that makes Claudia startle in her seat, forcing her to clarify, “I mean she is a steel trap about that boy!”

Wayne smirks and nods as he heads for the table with his piping hot - and hopefully, heavily caffeinated - beverage, “He’s not the biggest talker when it comes to himself.”

“I’m not one to speak ill of other mothers,” Claudia says in a hushed tone, “God knows, I am not perfect. But where are his parents?”

She rocks a little with each word like she has needed to ask that question for a good long while. Of course, Wayne thinks about Steve’s parents. A lot. Because the boy almost never mentions them.

He shrugs, “He says they stayed away on business.”

“After everything that has happened in this town?” she argues, voice growing shrill with worry, “Did he tell you what actually happened with the mall fire? It was more of that other dimension nonsense!”

He almost chokes on his coffee. He knows a little - there was no way around it with Eddie in the hospital surrounded by all those secret nurses and doctors. But he didn’t know Claudia Henderson knew about some of it too. Still, he decides to remain cautious and gestures for her to continue.

“And he’s been concussed more times than he can remember!”

She slumps back in her seat with a look of such horror, Wayne thinks the sweet woman sitting opposite him considers it her closing argument.

Wayne taps on the rim of his coffee cup. They would have to tread carefully, not ambush the kid.

“He does get a lot of migraines - ” is all he can think to say.

“ - And he has dizzy spells,” Claudia cuts in, leaning forward. He can see tears starting to well up, “I just want him to be looked after. I know he’s a young man with his own life and everything, but he still needs a parent to care for him, to support him.”

“Yeah,” Wayne nods firmly, “Yes, he does.”

#wayne and claudia to the rescue #i feel like i'm writing a vaguely connected henderson-munson plus steve found family thing #but it's all separated into ficlets???#idk if i should put it all together???#wayne munson #claudia henderson #steve harrington #steve harrington ficlet #stranger things #steddie #steddie ficlet #lilys ficlets #claudia henderson 🐈

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w1w2 · 10 days ago

Note

could you write super shy and quiet reader meeting the twice members as minas girlfriend?

Shy Hearts and Warm Smiles

Myoui Mina x Fem!Reader

Word Count: ca. 4,5k

Synopsis: Mina invites her shy and reserved girlfriend, Y/N, to meet the members of Twice at a cozy dinner hosted by Jeongyeon.

Notes: Here you go Anon🫶🏻 Happy New Year!

English isn’t my first language so I apologize in advance for any mistakes.

♡ Enjoy! ♡

The soft hum of the city filtered through the half open window of Mina’s cozy apartment, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves from the park below. Golden sunlight spilled across the room in lazy streaks, catching on the small trinkets Mina had collected from her travels, tiny glass figurines on the windowsill, a framed polaroid of the ocean, and a delicate ceramic vase holding fresh daisies.

The air was warm and inviting, carrying the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the faint sweetness of vanilla candles Mina loved to light in the mornings. The quiet atmosphere felt like a world of its own, tucked away from the bustle outside.

Y/N sat cross legged on the couch, her fingers curled around a warm ceramic mug that seemed to heat her from the inside out. Her favorite sweater, oversized and soft, slipped slightly off one shoulder, exposing a delicate curve of skin. Her gaze lingered on the window, where sunlight glinted off distant rooftops, her thoughts a quiet swirl of reflection. She was always like this in the mornings, calm, introspective, and content in the silence.

From the kitchen, the faint clink of dishes signaled Mina’s presence. Her movements were deliberate, almost rhythmic, as if choreographed to match the serene mood of the morning. When she appeared in the doorway, carrying a small plate of toast and fruit, Y/N’s lips curled into a faint smile, her heart softening at the sight. Mina had that effect on her, a quiet gravity that pulled her into the moment.

Mina set the plate down on the coffee table with a soft clatter, then slid onto the couch beside Y/N. She tucked her legs neatly beneath her, her movements as graceful as a ballet, and leaned slightly toward Y/N. The sunlight illuminated her delicate features, her luminous skin, her expressive doe eyes, and the curve of her gentle smile.

“Good morning,” Mina murmured, her voice a blend of softness and warmth. She reached out to brush a strand of Y/N’s hair behind her ear, her fingers lingering for a moment in a small, affectionate gesture.

“Morning,” Y/N replied, her voice barely above a whisper, though it carried a sweetness that made Mina’s smile grow. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching Mina’s as if sensing there was something more to this morning than toast and coffee.

Mina leaned forward just a bit, resting her hands lightly on the couch cushions. “Jeongyeon’s hosting a dinner tonight,” she began, her tone gentle but tinged with anticipation. “At her new house. Everyone’s going to be there. I thought it’d be a nice chance for you to meet the others.”

The words settled in the air between them, and Y/N froze. Her fingers tightened around her mug, as if anchoring herself. Her eyes widened slightly, betraying the nervous flutter in her chest. “Oh… I don’t know,” she said hesitantly, her voice barely audible. “Meeting everyone at once… It sounds… overwhelming.”

Mina immediately noticed the tension in Y/N’s shoulders, the way her lips pressed into a thin line. Without hesitation, she reached out, her hand resting gently on Y/N’s knee. Her touch was light, reassuring, yet firm enough to draw Y/N’s attention.

“I know it’s a lot,” Mina said softly, her gaze steady and calm. Her tone held no pressure, only an invitation wrapped in understanding. “But I want them to meet you. They’ve been so curious about you, and… I want you to be part of this part of my life.”

Y/N’s cheeks flushed a light pink under Mina’s gaze, her heart skipping at the sincerity in her words. Mina’s presence was like a balm, soothing the anxious thoughts that had already begun to spiral. “I’m just… not good at this kind of thing,” Y/N admitted, her voice trembling slightly as she met Mina’s eyes.

Mina’s smile softened, her expression shifting into something playful and sweet. She leaned in, her nose brushing Y/N’s in a gentle eskimo kiss that sent a ripple of warmth through Y/N’s chest. “You don’t have to do anything but be yourself,” Mina murmured. “And if it gets too much, just squeeze my hand. I’ll be right there the whole time, okay?”

Y/N stared at her for a moment, Mina’s words wrapping around her like a blanket. The tension in her shoulders eased, and she gave a small, almost shy nod. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of newfound courage. “For you.”

Mina beamed, her eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as she tucked a strand of Y/N’s hair behind her ear once more. “That’s my girl,” she said softly, pressing a kiss to Y/N’s temple before settling back against the couch, her hand still resting lightly on Y/N’s knee.

In that moment, Y/N realized that as daunting as the evening seemed, Mina’s quiet strength and unwavering support made it all feel a little more possible.

As Y/N quietly sipped her coffee, her thoughts drifted to how it all began.

She’d met Mina during one of her rare ventures out with friends. It was a quiet café, one of Mina’s favorite haunts, and Y/N had been tucked into a corner, sketching absentmindedly in her notebook. She hadn’t noticed Mina watching her from across the room, captivated by the way Y/N’s shy smile lit up when her friends teased her gently.

It was Mina who approached her first, her calm confidence breaking through Y/N’s initial hesitation. Their conversation had started slow, both of them naturally reserved, but as the minutes stretched into hours, Y/N found herself opening up in ways she hadn’t with anyone else.

What started as quiet coffee dates turned into walks through parks, late night talks under city lights, and shared moments of unspoken understanding. Mina’s nurturing warmth drew Y/N out of her shell, while Y/N’s thoughtful presence grounded Mina, giving her a safe space to simply be.

Y/N smiled faintly at the memory, her heart swelling with affection. Mina had a way of making the world feel less daunting, her gentle strength a constant source of comfort.

And now, Mina wanted to share her world, her group, her family with Y/N.

The thought was intimidating, but as Mina nudged her playfully, offering her another piece of toast, Y/N realized she couldn’t say no.

The car pulled up to Jeongyeon’s new house, nestled in a quiet neighborhood that blended modern sophistication with homey charm. From the outside, the house stood proud with sleek, minimalist lines, a warm-toned wooden façade, and large windows that reflected the twilight sky. Fairy lights adorned the front porch, casting a soft, welcoming glow that contrasted with the crisp evening air.

As Mina parked, Y/N stared at the house, her nerves bubbling to the surface. Her fingers, already clasped in Mina’s hand, tightened slightly. Mina gave her a reassuring squeeze, her thumb brushing lightly over Y/N’s knuckles.

“It’s going to be fine,” Mina said softly, her calm tone steadying Y/N. “Just stay close to me. They’re going to love you.”

Y/N nodded, though her heart was racing. She followed Mina up the short path to the front door, the sound of laughter and chatter spilling out as Mina rang the doorbell.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Jeongyeon with an easygoing grin. Her casual outfit, a relaxed sweater and jeans, matched the laid-back vibe of the house. “Finally!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with warmth as she pulled Mina into a quick hug. Then her gaze shifted to Y/N.

“And this must be the famous Y/N,” Jeongyeon said with a teasing smirk, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Mina’s been talking nonstop about you.”

Y/N flushed, a shy smile creeping onto her face. “H-Hi,” she stammered softly, clinging to Mina’s hand as if it were a lifeline.

“Come in, come in,” Jeongyeon said, stepping aside to let them in. The interior of the house reflected Jeongyeon’s personality perfectly, cozy yet modern, with a mix of clean lines and inviting textures. Soft rugs and throw blankets softened the sleek furniture, and personal touches like framed photos and a guitar propped in the corner added warmth to the space.

As they stepped into the living room, the energy of the Twice members hit Y/N like a wave. The group was gathered around a large sectional couch, their laughter filling the space. The smell of home cooked food wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the faint scent of Jeongyeon’s signature sandalwood candles.

“Yah, Mina! Finally, you’re here!” Nayeon called, her bright voice carrying over the group’s chatter. She stood and crossed the room quickly, her confident stride and radiant smile making Y/N instinctively shrink back a little.

“So, this is the girlfriend!” Nayeon said dramatically, hands on her hips as she looked Y/N up and down with an exaggerated, playful squint. Y/N opened her mouth to respond, but Nayeon was already grinning. “Don’t look so nervous. I don’t bite. Mina’s taste is impeccable, obviously.”

Y/N blinked, unsure whether to laugh or retreat, but Mina’s soft chuckle beside her eased the tension.

“Nayeon, don’t scare her,” Jihyo said, appearing beside them with her signature warmth. She gave Nayeon a light swat on the shoulder before turning to Y/N. “Hi, I’m Jihyo,” she said, pulling Y/N into a gentle hug. Her embrace felt like a cocoon of reassurance, and Y/N couldn’t help but relax slightly. “We’ve all been looking forward to meeting you. Thank you for coming.”

Y/N managed a shy smile. “T-Thank you for having me,” she said softly.

“Don’t let her fool you,” Dahyun quipped, appearing with a sly grin. “She’s only been looking forward to meeting you because she needs someone else to babysit Nayeon for a change.”

“I heard that!” Nayeon called from the couch, pretending to glare.

Dahyun winked at Y/N. “See? You’re already fitting in.” She gestured grandly toward the couch. “Come on, let me introduce you to everyone properly.”

As Mina led her further into the room, Y/N’s nerves began to settle. Dahyun’s silly commentary drew a soft giggle from her, and Jihyo’s steady presence felt like an anchor amidst the group’s playful chaos.

From the corner of her eye, Mina watched Y/N carefully. Her chest swelled with pride as Y/N’s shy smile began to peek through more often. This was only the beginning of the evening, but Mina was already certain, it was going to be a night to remember.

The dining table was set beautifully, a mix of casual and elegant that mirrored Jeongyeon’s personality. The centerpiece, a simple arrangement of fresh flowers, was flanked by a variety of dishes, from hearty Korean stews to colorful side dishes. The soft glow of overhead lights made the room feel cozy, though to Y/N, the lively energy felt a little overwhelming.

The members had gathered around the table, their chatter and laughter filling the space as they passed plates and shared jokes. Y/N sat beside Mina, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her shoulders slightly hunched as she tried to take everything in.

“Eat, eat!” Momo said enthusiastically, her chopsticks already diving into the nearest dish. “You’ve gotta try this. Jeongyeon’s mom made it, amazing as always.”

As the conversation ebbed and flowed around her, Y/N felt a pang of anxiety. The lively atmosphere, though warm, was far outside her comfort zone. She cast a glance at Mina, her quiet unease clear in her eyes.

Mina immediately noticed. Without saying a word, she placed her hand on Y/N’s knee under the table, her thumb brushing lightly in soothing circles. Y/N looked up at her, meeting Mina’s calm, steady gaze. Mina’s smile was soft, encouraging, and just like that, Y/N felt her heartbeat slow a little.

“Try this,” Momo said, leaning over to place an extra serving of japchae on Y/N’s plate. “It’s one of my favorites. Oh, and that one too!” She added a piece of fried chicken, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Thank you,” Y/N said shyly, her voice barely audible over the din. She took a tentative bite and smiled, the flavors comforting and familiar.

“See? Good food fixes everything,” Momo said with a grin.

Sana, sitting across from Y/N, leaned forward with a playful glint in her eyes. “By the way, I love your sweater,” she said, her voice dripping with sincerity. “It’s so cute, and it suits you perfectly! Mina has such good taste, obviously.”

Y/N’s cheeks flushed a deep pink as she murmured, “Thank you.”

“Oh my gosh, you’re adorable!” Sana gushed, clasping her hands dramatically. “Mina, how did you manage to find someone so precious?”

“She found me,” Mina replied simply, a proud smile tugging at her lips.

Jeongyeon, sensing Y/N’s growing discomfort at all the attention, jumped in with her usual wit. “Okay, Sana, let the poor girl breathe,” she teased. Then, turning to Y/N, she added with a smirk, “Don’t worry, they’re always like this. You’ll get used to it, or you’ll learn how to tune them out, like I do.”

The table erupted in laughter, and Y/N found herself smiling, even letting out a quiet laugh of her own. Jeongyeon winked at her. “See? You’re already a pro.”

Mina squeezed Y/N’s knee lightly, her smile growing as she watched Y/N relax bit by bit.

As the meal went on, the members took turns drawing Y/N into the conversation. Dahyun shared a funny story about a clumsy moment during rehearsal, complete with exaggerated gestures that had everyone in stitches. Chaeyoung asked Y/N about her hobbies, nodding along with genuine interest when Y/N mentioned her love for drawing.

“Mina didn’t tell us you were an artist!” Chaeyoung said with wide eyes. “You have to show me your sketches sometime. I bet they’re amazing.”

Mina, noticing the softening of Y/N’s expression, leaned in slightly. “Why don’t you tell them about the time you drew that mural for the community center?” she suggested gently, her tone encouraging.

Y/N hesitated, but the warm smiles around the table gave her a small boost of confidence. “It was… just a volunteer project,” she began softly. “They needed someone to paint a mural for the kids, so I—um, I designed something with animals and flowers. It took a while, but the kids seemed to like it.”

“That’s incredible!” Jihyo said, her eyes shining with admiration. “You’re so talented, and so modest about it.”

“Show off,” Jeongyeon teased with a grin, earning a playful nudge from Momo.

As the laughter bubbled up again, Y/N couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. The warmth and acceptance of the group wrapped around her like a blanket, and though she still felt a bit shy, she began to see why Mina cherished them so much.

Mina watched it all unfold with quiet pride, her heart swelling at the sight of Y/N slowly opening up. She reached for Y/N’s hand under the table, giving it a small squeeze. Y/N looked at her, a shy smile blooming on her lips, and Mina’s heart melted.

By the end of the meal, the table was filled with empty plates, satisfied smiles, and a deeper sense of connection.

The group moved from the dining table to the living room, their energy still high as they settled into the plush couches and floor cushions. Jeongyeon, ever the host, returned with a stack of board games balanced in her arms.

“Alright, what’s the vibe? Competitive or chaotic?” she asked, setting the games down on the coffee table.

“Chaotic, obviously,” Nayeon said, grabbing a box of charades and waving it in the air. “Let’s get moving!”

“Fine, but I’m keeping score,” Jihyo declared, picking up a notepad and pen from the table.

The group quickly split into teams, with Y/N ending up on Mina’s side. She felt a flicker of anxiety but took a steadying breath as Mina leaned in close.

“Just have fun,” Mina whispered, her lips brushing lightly against Y/N’s ear.

As the game began, the room filled with laughter and cheers. Momo’s exaggerated pantomimes and Sana’s inability to stop giggling during her turn brought the kind of chaos only Twice could create.

When it was Y/N’s turn, she hesitated before standing. Mina gave her a reassuring nod, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. Taking a card from the stack, Y/N read it quickly and began miming.

“Uh… a tree?” Chaeyoung guessed, squinting in confusion.

“No, no!” Jihyo shouted. “A giraffe?”

Y/N clapped her hands and pointed at Jihyo, who erupted in a triumphant cheer. The room broke into applause as Y/N sat back down, her cheeks pink but her smile wide.

Mina beamed at her. “You’re doing great,” she whispered, placing a soft kiss on Y/N’s cheek.

As the game wound down, the lively buzz in the room began to soften, the group naturally splitting into smaller clusters of conversation. The sound of laughter lingered, now mixed with the occasional clinking of cups and the rustle of cushions as people shifted into more comfortable positions.

Y/N found herself still seated on the couch, her hands resting in her lap as she observed the group. Despite her initial nerves, she felt more at ease now, the warmth of Mina’s hand on her back grounding her even as Mina moved momentarily to help Jeongyeon clear a few plates.

Chaeyoung slid onto the couch beside Y/N, holding her phone and wearing a bright, curious expression. “So about the art..” she said, her tone brimming with enthusiasm as she tilted her phone toward Y/N. On the screen was a detailed digital sketch of a bird, its wings mid flight. The strokes were confident, but there was a rawness to the shading, as though Chaeyoung hadn’t quite decided how to finish it.

“I’ve been trying to figure out shading,” Chaeyoung continued, leaning closer. “It’s so hard to get it to look soft but not flat. Do you have any tips?”

Y/N’s eyes lit up, her natural shyness momentarily giving way to quiet excitement. She leaned in slightly, her gaze focused on the screen. “This is really good,” she said sincerely, her voice soft but earnest. “The details are amazing. For the shading…” She paused, her brow furrowing in thought. “Maybe… try using softer strokes around the edges? Blend them a little more so the shadows look gradual. It makes it feel more three-dimensional.”

Chaeyoung’s eyes widened, her face lighting up. “Oh! That makes so much sense!” she exclaimed, quickly jotting down notes on her phone. “I knew asking you was the right move. You’ve gotta show me your work sometime. I bet it’s incredible.”

A shy smile spread across Y/N’s face, a small flicker of confidence sparking at Chaeyoung’s genuine interest. “I-I’d love to,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of warmth.

Nearby, Tzuyu appeared, her graceful movements as effortless as ever. She held a steaming mug of tea in each hand and offered one to Y/N with a small, serene smile.

“Here,” Tzuyu said, sitting down beside her. “I figured you might need something to help you relax after all this.”

Y/N accepted the mug with both hands, the warmth of the tea comforting against her skin. “Thank you,” she murmured, her gaze flickering to Tzuyu’s.

The tall girl settled beside her, cradling her own mug as she regarded Y/N with her usual quiet confidence. “You’re doing really well tonight,” Tzuyu said after a moment, her voice calm and candid.

Y/N blinked, surprised by the compliment. “Oh,” she said softly, her cheeks warming. “Thank you.”

Tzuyu’s lips curved into a knowing smile, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’re so kind and gentle, I can see why Mina likes you so much,” she said, leaning back slightly. “You make her smile a lot, you know. I’ve never seen her this happy.”

Y/N’s blush deepened as her gaze dropped to her mug. She traced the rim with her finger, her voice barely above a whisper. “She… she makes me happy too,” she admitted, her words heartfelt and sincere.

Tzuyu chuckled lightly, the sound low and warm. She reached out, patting Y/N’s shoulder with an almost sisterly affection. “Good. Just make sure you keep treating her well,” she said, her tone teasing now. “Or you’ll have eight of us to answer to.”

Y/N laughed softly, the sound surprising even herself. It was light and unguarded, and it earned an approving nod from Tzuyu.

“I mean it,” Tzuyu added with a grin. “We’re protective of our Mina, but you seem pretty perfect for her.”

Y/N glanced up, meeting Tzuyu’s gaze. “Thank you,” she said, her voice carrying a little more confidence now.

Tzuyu leaned back, sipping her tea as the conversation shifted to lighter topics, the earlier intensity giving way to a comfortable camaraderie.

As the evening wore on, the energy in the room began to mellow. Some of the members were sprawled comfortably across the couch, their laughter quieter now as they shared funny stories and inside jokes. Others lingered in the dining area, tidying up plates and cups amidst easy conversation. The soft hum of background music played from a speaker in the corner, blending seamlessly with the occasional bursts of laughter from across the room.

Mina, ever attentive, noticed Y/N shifting slightly in her seat, her eyes starting to wander as the group’s energy began to feel overwhelming again. With a gentle touch on her elbow, Mina leaned in close. “Let’s take a moment,” she whispered, her tone as soothing as a lullaby.

Y/N nodded, letting Mina guide her to a quieter corner of the living room, away from the bustling energy of the others. They found a spot near the large bay window, the faint glow of the city lights beyond casting soft patterns across the floor. Mina turned to face Y/N, her hands naturally reaching out to take Y/N’s in hers.

“Thank you for coming tonight,” Mina said, her voice low and intimate, the sincerity in her tone wrapping around Y/N like a warm embrace.

Y/N looked down at their entwined fingers, her lips curving into a small, shy smile. Her voice was soft as she replied, “I was so nervous… but they’re all so nice. And you were right, this wasn’t so bad.”

Mina smiled, her gaze filled with pride and affection. “I’m so proud of you,” she said, her thumbs brushing lightly over the back of Y/N’s hands in a rhythmic, comforting motion.

Y/N hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering between Mina’s face and their joined hands. Finally, she took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak. “Thank you,” she began, her voice trembling slightly but carrying a weight of sincerity. “Thank you for staying by my side tonight. For… everything.”

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if the words were meant for Mina and Mina alone. “I love you.”

Mina’s breath caught for a moment, her chest tightening in the best way as Y/N’s quiet declaration settled over her like a melody she never wanted to stop hearing. Her lips parted in a soft exhale, her heart swelling with emotion.

She reached up slowly, her fingers brushing against Y/N’s cheek before cupping it gently. The warmth of Y/N’s skin against her palm felt grounding, intimate. Mina tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto Y/N’s as if memorizing every detail of this moment.

“I love you too,” she murmured, her voice steady, filled with a depth of feeling that made Y/N’s breath hitch. Mina leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Y/N’s temple, letting her lips linger there for a moment longer than usual. It was a silent promise, a gesture of everything she felt but didn’t need to say aloud.

Y/N closed her eyes, leaning into Mina’s touch, a faint smile curving her lips. They stayed like that, their foreheads almost touching, the world around them fading into the background. The faint murmur of the group, the clinking of dishes, and the soft music became distant, like a backdrop to their own little universe.

Mina’s hand slipped down to Y/N’s shoulder, pulling her closer until Y/N rested her head against Mina’s. The quiet comfort of their presence filled the space between them, unspoken words of gratitude and love passing through every glance and touch.

For Y/N, this moment felt like an anchor, a reminder that, no matter how overwhelming the world might be, Mina would always be there, steady and unwavering.

And for Mina, seeing Y/N like this, relaxed, happy, and finally at ease, felt like the most precious gift of all.

The evening gradually reached its quiet finale, the earlier liveliness fading into a warm, serene atmosphere. Most of the Twice members had gathered in the living room again, some lounging on the couch while others sat cross-legged on the floor, holding cups of tea or nibbling on the last few snacks. The soft glow of the overhead lights cast a golden hue over the scene, making it feel like a moment frozen in time.

Mina sat beside Y/N on the couch, their hands loosely intertwined. Y/N had relaxed significantly, her shoulders no longer tense, her smile now coming easily. The warmth and kindness of Mina’s friends had finally melted the last of her apprehension, leaving behind only a quiet sense of belonging.

Jeongyeon, who had been scrolling through her phone, suddenly clapped her hands together, drawing everyone’s attention. “Alright, before we call it a night, I think it’s time to make things official.”

The group turned to her with varying degrees of curiosity and amusement. “What do you mean, official?” Nayeon asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jeongyeon smirked, pointing toward Y/N. “Y/N’s basically one of us now. Don’t you all agree?”

A chorus of agreement rose from the group, interspersed with cheers and clapping.

“Yes!” Jihyo said, her voice carrying its usual leader-like authority. She turned to Y/N, her expression softening. “We’re so happy Mina brought you tonight. You’re wonderful, and honestly, it already feels like you’re part of our family.”

Y/N’s eyes widened slightly, the sincerity in Jihyo’s words making her chest tighten with emotion. She glanced around the room, taking in the warm smiles and nods of agreement from the others.

“Totally,” Sana chimed in, scooting closer from her spot on the floor. “You’re adorable, kind, and you make Mina so happy. That’s all we need to know.”

Dahyun grinned, leaning over to give Y/N’s knee a playful pat. “And hey, you survived your first Twice gathering. That alone deserves a round of applause.”

Laughter rippled through the group, and Y/N couldn’t help but smile, her cheeks flushing as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. “I… I was so nervous about tonight, but you’ve all been so kind. It means so much to me.”

Mina, sitting beside her, squeezed her hand gently, her expression radiating pride.

“Well,” Nayeon said, standing up dramatically, “there’s only one thing left to do. Group photo!”

Groans and laughs erupted from the group as Nayeon grabbed her phone. “Come on, come on! Everyone squish in!”

The members shuffled around, some squeezing onto the couch while others crouched on the floor in front. Y/N found herself in the center, seated next to Mina, who kept a firm yet gentle grip on her hand.

“Okay, everyone, smile!” Nayeon called, holding the phone up.

As the group leaned in, laughter and playful shouts filled the air. Momo pretended to photobomb, Jihyo threw up a peace sign, and Sana hugged Dahyun from behind, making her burst into giggles. Y/N couldn’t help but laugh, the joy of the moment washing over her.

The shutter clicked, capturing the scene perfectly. Y/N with a radiant, shy smile, Mina holding her hand tightly, and the rest of the Twice members surrounding them with bright, happy expressions.

As Nayeon checked the photo, Jeongyeon grinned. “That’s one for the books,” she said.

Mina leaned close to Y/N, her voice a soft murmur in her ear. “See? They already adore you.”

Y/N turned to Mina, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Mina smiled, brushing a strand of Y/N’s hair behind her ear. “You deserve it,” she replied, her voice filled with quiet conviction.

The photo, a perfect snapshot of a night filled with acceptance and love, became more than just a memory.

#mina x reader #myoui mina imagines #mina x fem reader #mina x fem!reader #twice x reader #twice x fem reader #twice imagines #kpop x reader #gg x reader #girl group imagines #kpop imagines

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avis-writeshq · 8 months ago

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pairing: early seasons!spencer reid x sunshine!fem!reader genre: fluff, pining, best friends to lovers warnings: reader struggles growing her nails out, reader gets her nails done. vietnamese women are the best at doing nails i swear (also if you get the reference you win another kiss) wc: 1.08k

Spencer thinks you deserve all the best things in life. There are various reasons for this but the one that sticks out to him the most is that fact that you have always been exceedingly kind to him. You have always listened to him when he talks and never once tried to belittle him for any of his interests. A part of him thinks that it’s because your ages are so similar. Another part of him thinks that you’re just pitying him. He truly hopes that isn’t the case.

He makes you your coffee in the mornings. He knows how you take it– which milk you prefer, the amount of sugar. He has even gone as far as to buy your favourite instant coffee brand– the kind that are unreasonably expensive and have to be bought through a weirdly sketchy website despite its raving reviews. He remembers the way your eyes lit up as you held the familiar box excitedly and he can’t help but preen at the memory.

“Thank you for coffee, Spence,” you chirp as you spy your unofficially assigned mug on your desk. You’re wet from the rain, the shoulders of your coat darkened from where your umbrella has dripped water onto it. “Hotch would’ve killed me if I had to spend another five minutes at the kitchen. It’s not my fault my train came fifteen minutes late.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, watching as you shake your hair away from your face before warming your hands with the mug. “I did tell him that there was a correlation between rainy weather and increased train delays which could have been a reason that you were late.”

You smile, clearly amused, asking, “how did he take it?”

“He pointed out that I’m still earlier than the rest of the team,” Spencer responds sheepishly, his cheeks growing pink. “I planned my train route for when the rain would be the least heavy.”

“I should follow in your footsteps,” you muse, sipping at your coffee and sighing in relief. “You always make this better than me.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he murmurs, his hand brushing against his scarf. “I was– um, I was wondering if you wanted to get lunch together later?”

You laugh softly and he relishes in the sound. “I only just got here and you’re already asking about lunch?”

He feels his cheeks glow hotter as he scrambles to explain himself. “Well– usually– uh, JJ usually asks you so I guess I wanted to ask before she did. And you have lunch with Garcia a lot so I thought I should ask when you get here and– sorry, is that wrong?”

“No, of course not,” you assure, beaming. “I’m touched that you think that I’m so popular that you need to book an appointment with me.”

“You are popular?” He says it like a question because a part of him is genuinely baffled that you don’t realise how well liked you are. He has found that you always manage to command the attention in the room and he has seen first hand the way people would be instantly drawn to you. He finds that he is no different.

“I promise you that I am not as popular as you believe I am,” you say with another laugh. “I’m flattered though, truly. I’d love to have lunch with you.”

Spencer cannot stop smiling.

***

“You’re whipped.”

Spencer shoots JJ a look, his cheeks glowing hot with embarrassment. “I am not whipped.”

“You have been staring at her talking to Officer Deetmore for the past six minutes and twenty seven seconds,” she points out, her eyes narrowing.

“They’re probably just making small talk.”

Emily shrugs from her desk, mixing her cup noodles around. “I don’t know, I’m surprised that she can hold a conversation with someone so intellectually disinclined.”

JJ snickers. “You’re just mad that he mislabeled a file and spread the profile.”

“Intellectually disinclined.”

“Guys,” Spencer pleads, inconspicuously gesturing to you saying your farewells and already heading in their direction.

You’re smiling although it doesn’t quite reach your eyes. Your arms are folded over your chest, a classic sign of discomfort, and your hands are tucked into your armpits. “Hey. What’s going on?”

“Are you alright?” Spencer asks instead of answering, soft enough as not to call attention to your little group. “What’s wrong?”

“Hm? Oh. I broke a nail.” You show him briefly– your natural nail has split at the corner just where they’re gaining length. “I’m a little bummed. It caught on the zipper of my go-bag.”

“Do you want to get your nails done after the case?” He asks, brows furrowing. “I have a nail clipper and file in my bag.”

JJ can’t help but be amused at this new fact. “You have a nail care pack in your bag? What, do you just take it around with you everywhere?”

He shrugs, ignoring the slight jab, pulling out the little pack from his satchel and handing it to you. He is well aware that you take pride in what you look like, especially your nails. You’ve told him the reason before, that your school was so strict that they wouldn’t let anyone grow their nails long and if they did they would be cut short by the nurse. He thinks that it’s borderline abuse.

“Manicures are expensive,” you murmur, your eyes downcast as you focus on clipping each of your nails to an equal length. “Are we even allowed to have our nails done?”

“Federal Enforcement Resources states under grooming guidelines that ‘Makeup (including fingernail polish and artificial nails) may be worn by employees but must be professional and must not interfere with the proper use and handling of equipment necessary for their assigned duties’,” Spencer provides helpfully. “I can pay for your nails, too, if price is the issue. The bakery I buy my banh mi from has a nail place next door. I’m sure I can get a discount.”

You laugh as you file down your nails into a smooth edge. “You want to pay for my nails?”

“Oh, um, yeah.” He nods, cheeks suddenly hot and he wipes his palms on his slacks. “If you’d let me.”

“Gosh, well, at least take me out to dinner first, Spence.” You say it with jest, your eyes lighting up with mirth.

He doesn’t seem to catch your joking tone, nodding in earnest. “Alright. After the case, how does Saturday sound? I can pick you up at 6?”

Emily and JJ are all too pleased.

reblogs are always appreciated !!

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid #spencer reid x reader fluff #spencer reid fluff #criminal minds #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds x reader fluff #criminal minds fluff #matthew gray gubler #matthew gray gubler x reader #matthew gray gubler x reader fluff #matthew gray gubler fluff

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fuctacles · 4 months ago

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Remember late bloomers ?

Love popping into my wips and finding finished stuff I should have posted ages ago

Jeff gently informs him that getting running gear for the first date is a bit of an overkill.

“There is so much wrong with that idea. First of all, you hate running. Exercising, in general. And second, this is kinda pathetic.”

Eddie gasps.

“How dare you!”

“Dude, you just officially met today. Why would you waste money on something you might use once and then never again?”

Jeff was, of course, none the wiser that Eddie was about to enter his fit era. He’s going to jog every morning from now on, he’ll get cute matching sets with Miss Stephanie, drink smoothies, and get a gym pass. He’s going to turn his life around, lose the tummy fat he’s been harboring all winter, and turn it into a sixpack. Their fans are going to love it. Stephanie, too. They’ll run off into the sunset—or sunrise—together, they’ll make and raise the healthiest little babies—

“Are you planning your wedding or something?” Jeff interrupts his daydreams with a scoff.

Eddie bristles.

“I’ll be planning your funeral if you don’t start supporting your perpetually single friend,” he bites back.

Jeff raises his eyebrows.

“You sure that’s what you should be saying to the only friend who can lend you some jogging clothes?”

“Uh…”

“Thought so.” And Eddie hates his satisfied smirk but he’s desperate so he bites his tongue. “So, what you really need are good running shoes…”

He feels all kinds of stupid in his sporty get-up. He’s wearing his old Reeboks he wears only when his shitkickers are in repair (he will wear them to his grave), Jeff’s tracksuit pants, and his lucky Ozzy t-shirt. He woke up extra early today and his mug of coffee was almost empty by the point she, Stephanie, rounded the corner.

His mind goes blank when he recognizes his hoodie.

Maybe he hasn't woken up yet. What other explanation was there for this beautiful creature, backlit by the rising sun, to be walking up to him, decked in bright-colored leggings, and tank top and his hoodie, clashing unforgivingly with its blackness? How else would he get a date with her if it wasn't a dream?

"You're actually dressed for running," she observes. No 'hello', no 'good morning', just her eyes roaming over his body from above. He quickly jumps up from the porch steps.

"Yeah! Lemme just..." He motions to the door with the mug, then quickly gulps down the last mouthful. "Want some water?" he asks, hand on the door.

Stephanie's eyes snap up to his face.

"Yes."

It's weird, the way she says it, the way her eyes wander over his body. There's no way he's looking that good in borrowed sweats. They have some ugly gym logo on the side too.

"I don't really own gym clothes, but my friend was nice enough to share his," he explains, letting her in. She hums absentmindedly and follows him into the kitchen. He puts the mug in the sink and grabs a glass to fill it with freshly filtered water. When he turns around she's right there, now without the hoodie which she hung over on one of the chairs. Her tits are right there, but he holds her gaze, like a gentleman.

"Thanks." She takes the glass from him and takes a tiny sip, not breaking eye contact. Then puts it aside, on the counter behind him. "What's your stance on making out on the first date?"

Eddie's brain starts screaming.

"Not opposed to it," he answers and is immensely proud of himself for keeping his voice steady.

"Great," she says, almost relieved, as if he could give any other answer than an enthusiastic "ravish me, lady," and gently grabs his face, thumbs rubbing on the stubble along his jaw. She gives him a second to back away before leaning in.

She kisses his lips, just a little peck, a gentle caress. Dives in for another, and one more. Eddie reaches up to run his hands from her elbows up to her shoulders and feels little tremors running through her body. He frowns.

"Steph...?"

She groans instead of answering and her little kisses turn to kitten licks. When he parts his mouth for her, she licks across it, tongue pulling on his upper lip. He yelps in a pleasant surprise.

"I come here with innocent intentions," she says, her voice a bit strained, dipping into lower registers. "And you sit here, with your scrawny little ass in gym sweats." She lets go of his face so her hands can squeeze his waist minutely, before hauling him up onto the counter behind him. He squeaks, less dignified than the sounds he made before, holding onto her. Stephanie presses in and he opens his legs for her without hesitation. "And your dirty old sneakers, ready to jog with me. Eager like a puppy."

Eddie whines at the comparison.

"I'm not," he protests. He's just an adult man confronted with a beautiful woman out of his league.

"You're not?" she asks condescendingly against his ear. She's been rubbing her cheek against his stubble, nosing along the bones like she's the dog, trying to rub her scent all over him. Now she leans back to pout at him. Her lips are plush and pink and they haven't been kissed enough yet. "But I like strays."

Eddie's brain short-circuits.

"Uh... bark?"

She laughs and grips his thighs before capturing his mouth. She dominates the kiss without struggle and Eddie lets her use his mouth to her heart's content. He just wraps his arms around her neck and takes it, moves his tongue where she guides him. He can feel her hands on his thigh itching to touch more, but he doesn't want to part long enough to let her know she can, that she can take whatever she wants.

Eventually, she slides her hands up, thumbs digging into the crease of his thighs, and he mewls. His face immediately goes red at the sound that just left him.

"Well, that's something I'm not gonna un-hear."

Stephanie freezes and moves to pull away, but he traps her with his legs around her waist and presses his face against her shoulder, to hide his shame. Of course this is when Jeff decided to get up and walk into the kitchen.

"Uh, I'm sorry? And, good morning," Stephanie offers, seeing as her actual host won't be of any help. He makes a little wounded sound against her shoulder and she swats his thigh.

"Good morning," Jeff offers back. "Stephanie, right?"

"Yeah."

"Jeff. I live here too, unfortunately. I was under the impression you were going out for a run, though?" He raises his eyebrows. "Did I lend him my exclusive membership sweats for nothing?"

"They're yours? Can we keep them?" she asks immediately. Eddie presses his nails into her skin not to make a sound at how she said 'we'. "He almost has an ass in them."

"Hey!" It's the first thing he says since Jeff walked in and the first time he moves away from the safety of Stevie-shield. Thankfully, his friend looks mostly amused, not angry or disgusted.

"Please," he makes a face. "I don't want them anymore."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Eddie's eyes narrow, the familiar back and forth giving him enough courage to release Stephanie from the clutch of his legs. She doesn't move far, just enough so the three of them can look at each other and chat comfortably. Well, considering the situation.

"I just saw you dry humping in them and you dare ask me?" Jeff scoffs.

The two culprits start protesting over each other with "We weren't dry humping!" and "We were just kissing?!" but he stops them, raising both his hands.

"I don't care! Just take them and leave the kitchen! I need some caffeine before work and the only bodily fluid I want in it comes from cow tits."

"Ew, dude," Eddie groans, but Stephanie lets out a surprised snort.

"We're leaving!" she promises, pulling Eddie down from the counter. He scrambles to find balance but she grabs his hand to steady him. Despite them just making out, that's what makes his heart skip a beat. "it was nice to meet you, Jeff!" she offers, waving on her way out of the kitchen.

"Likewise. Good luck on your run!" he calls after them.

"Thanks!"

Through the windows, he can still see them, Stephanie fixing Eddie's rumpled t-shirt while he's staring up at her with the dumbest expression he's ever seen. And he's seen a lot of them from his friend.

"Good for him," he mutters to himself with a fond smile.

#stevie harrington #steddie #t4t steddie #transfeminine steve harrington #transfem steve harrington #mine #steddie fanfiction #stevierything #transmasc eddie munson #stranger things #eddie munson #steve harrington #jeff stranger things

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roosterforme · 1 year ago

Text

Playing From the Rough | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Bradley agrees to play in a charitable golf tournament as long as you tag along. When he tells off a professional golfer for being rude and then beats him at his own game, Bradley braces himself for the consequences. But it's you the professional decides to take it out on. Guess he didn't get the memo: don't mess with the Bradshaws.

Warnings: Fluff, swearing, mentions of smut, mentions of blood, non consensual touching

Length: 3800 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You? along with a bunch of my one-shots and other series, but it can be read on its own! Check my masterlist for the reading order. Beautiful banner by @mak-32

"Come on, Rooster. We need a fourth golfer," Bob coaxed, handing Bradley another beer at the Hard Deck. "It's a foursome, not a threesome. And it's for charity."

Bradley sipped the drink and thought about how he'd have to spend a whole weekend day away from you, and he really just wasn't feeling it. The two of you were enjoying that newlywed bubble you'd been living in. Recently, Saturdays had been reserved for sleeping in late, walking the dog, and fucking.

"Wow, I guess Bradshaw just hates charitable events for children's hospitals," Jake drawled, sipping on his glass of bourbon. "Come on. Be a sport. Payback and Fanboy are deployed. We need one more to make a team."

Bradley sighed. "Let me check with my wife."

"Bring her," Coyote said, lining up a shot at the pool table. "We get two extra tickets. She can drive a golf cart and drink beers all day if she wants."

Bradley cocked his head to the side before he turned to look at you and Nat taking shots up at the bar. "Who else would come?" he asked the guys. "With the other extra ticket?"

But Coyote had followed his gaze. "Give it to Nat. They'd have fun."

"They can be our cheerleaders," Jake said with a smirk.

Bradley snorted. "Don't hold your breath. I think drinking, heckling, and hitting us with the golf carts would be more their speed."

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

"Roo."

Bradley woke up to you pushing your fingers back through his hair, and he groaned. It was just before six in the morning, and you were rubbing yourself against his leg and kissing his neck. He realized he had an erection before he could even remember what day it was, and then he groaned louder.

You and he had to be at the gold course for the charitable fundraiser in about an hour. Bradley wrapped his hands around your waist. "We need to get up, Baby Girl."

"No," you whispered. "You need to fuck me. I'm so horny."

"Shit," he sighed, glancing at the time on his phone. "We can't. We'll be late."

"Roo!" you whined, thoroughly unaccustomed to being told no when it came to anything, but especially when it was something you wanted in bed. Bradley was weak for you in that way.

"I'll make it up to you later, after I'm all sweaty and you've had even more time to get wound up," he promised, squeezing your ass.

You moaned softly next to his ear. "You better. I want it twice."

"Three times," he replied with a smirk as he got out of bed. He watched you get dressed in a little tropical print pleated skirt and a sleeveless white golf shirt. And nothing else. "Are you planning on wearing any underwear?" he asked, following you into the bathroom.

"No," you told him casually, bending over at the sink to wash your face. He could see your bare pussy. You were doing this intentionally to mess with him. This is what he got for telling you no sex. "Fuck."

When he came up behind you, clearly having a change of heart, you stepped away from him and said, "We don't want to be late." He watched you walk back into the bedroom with your chin in the air. Oh, he'd get you good later.

Once you were holding two travel mugs of coffee and Bradley had his golf bag, he followed you out to the Bronco. He tossed his clubs in the back and then buckled your seatbelt. He let his palm rest on your thigh as he leaned in to kiss you.

"You're going to look so pretty sitting in the golf cart and cheering for me," he said, trying not to laugh.

"If anything, you're my trophy husband," you replied with a laugh as you kissed his scarred cheek.

"I love you," he promised before closing the passenger door and heading out.

The weather was perfect, the sky was blue, and when you and Bradley arrived at the golf course, the others were already there. The four of them were wearing matching golf shirts emblazoned with Top Gun on the back along with white pants. Bradley wasn't the best golfer by any stretch of the imagination. He usually just tagged along because it was fun, and today was no different. They were raising money for a local children's hospital, and some of the kids were present.

Bradley smiled at the children who were waving to them after they got checked in. "They'd probably love some pictures with you guys," you whispered, running your hand up Bradley's bicep.

"Nah," Bradley replied. "There are some TV stars and musicians here. I don't think they care about us."

But you pushed him and Jake toward the kids, and their little faces lit up. Soon Bob was handing out some pins with wings that said Top Gun, and you took pictures while the kids asked questions about aviation.

Bradley ended up sitting with a little girl named Abigail who asked him a million questions about his Super Hornet, but he didn't mind. He loved kids. But it was almost time to get started, so he stood and gave her a high five. And he posed for one more photo that you took before he headed to one of the golf carts.

"That was sweet of you to pose for pictures with the kids," you told him as you slipped into the driver's seat.

"It was sweet of you to take all the photos," he replied, sitting next to you and kissing your cheek.

"Ready?" Coyote asked, taking a seat in the back. Bradley watched Nat tear off in the other cart with Bob and Jake barely hanging on. You followed them to the first tee at a much slower pace, and Bradley was happy to see that there were more kids among the spectators.

He played the first few holes pretty well. Surprisingly, he was keeping up with Javy and Jake. You and Nat were half watching and half laughing with some drinks in your hands, but Bradley just wanted you to have a good time.

And you were definitely making sure he was having a good time. Whenever he met your gaze, you ran your fingers up your bare thigh or licked your lips. He was probably playing so well because he knew what was in store for him later. Probably a blowjob to start, but you'd definitely let him finish in your pussy. When he checked the time on his phone, he saw a text from you.

Baby Girl Bradshaw: I'm really horny.

He groaned. You were hot for him and texting him from twenty feet away. He texted you back before tucking his phone away so he could tee off.

Behave, or I'll spank you.

Bradley thought he could hear you moan from the golf cart. But that sweet sound was soon drowned out by someone else.

"Jesus Christ. I told him to fuck off! He doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. And his golf swing looks like a piece of shit, too."

It was a guy about his age, swearing up a storm in front of all the kids. Bradley clenched and unclenched his fist in his glove. Sure, he could appreciate the subtle art of the f-word, but not in front of families with kids representing the charity! There was a time and a place. Like bullshitting at the bar or whispering dirty stuff in your wife's ear.

"Rooster, you're up," Javy called, and Bradley rolled his shoulders and walked away.

But this prick was still running his mouth at the next hole. Bradley didn't know how he got unlucky enough to have to play next to this idiot, but he couldn't take much more. And when he looked up and saw Abigail and her parents, he decided that was enough.

"Hey man, do you mind?" Bradley asked him, and then he was met with cold, gray eyes.

"I'm sorry, but who the fuck are you?" the prick responded, sizing Bradley up.

"Someone who's sick of listening to your mouth," Bradley replied without hesitation. This guy was handsome and smug, and Bradley couldn't stand him. "This is an event for children. There are kids everywhere. Cut it out with the foul language."

Bradley turned and walked back toward the golf cart where you were laughing with Nat when Jake jogged up next to him. "Dude, what did you just say to Hunter King?"

"Who?"

"You were just talking to Hunter King. He's a super famous pro golfer!"

Bradley turned back to see that he was still being glared at. "I told him to shut his mouth and stop swearing in front of all the kids," he told Jake.

"But that's Hunter King," Jake insisted with wide eyes.

Bradley shrugged and said, "I don't care who he is. He's being rude." Then he took a quick sip of the beer you were holding before handing it back to you with a kiss to your forehead.

"Ready to go to the next hole?" you asked, brushing the hem of your skirt a little higher.

"I'm ready to take you home," Bradley replied, squeezing your perfect thigh.

"Gross," Nat complained, climbing out of the cart and heading to the other one. You and she drove the four of them to the next hole, and Bradley saw that Hunter King was right there as well.

"Go get a hole in one, Roo," you told him, rubbing high up on his thigh and brushing his cock.

"Baby Girl, I'm gonna teach you a lesson later."

"Ohh," you crooned. "Will you teach me how to hold your club?"

"If you're good," he replied, climbing out of the cart with a shake of his head. Bradley watched Hunter King play par on the hole, and then it was his turn. Bradley drove the ball with a nearly perfect swing, and the ball landed on the green.

You and Nat were both cheering for him, and the kids in the area all looked delighted as well. Nat drove Bradley over to the green to putt while you waited with Bob and Jake. And to Bradley's surprise, he came in at one stroke under par for the hole. He just did better than a professional golfer. And now Hunter King looked even more pissed off.

"Good," Bradley muttered to himself, bending to get his ball out of the hole. "That's what you get."

And then Bradley beat him on the next hole. And the one after that.

"Wow, Rooster," Nat said, rubbing his shoulder. "I had no idea you'd be this good. Jake tells everyone how terrible you are."

Bradley rolled his eyes as you walked over and wrapped your arms around his waist. "You're doing better than Javy, Bob and Jake," you informed him, clearly impressed.

"It doesn't matter," he replied. "It's just for charity." But he was still shocked when he finished in third place overall. Hunter King finished in fourth.

Bradley went over to congratulate the first and second place finishers, but he was cut off by Hunter. "Good game," Bradley managed through clenched teeth, holding out his hand. But the other man didn't shake it. Instead he smiled in such a way that made Bradley feel very uneasy.

"Are you married?" Hunter asked him.

Bradley's brow scrunched up. "Yeah," he replied.

"Which one's your wife?" Hunter was nodding to where you and Nat were standing in the sunlight. You looked beautiful, the golden glow illuminating your skin as you shifted weight from one foot to the other. With one hand planted on your hip you tossed your head back and laughed. You were his wife. His perfect wife.

"You know what?" Hunter replied. "It doesn't matter. I'll take real good care of both of them."

"What?" Bradley asked, but as soon as Hunter headed your way, someone was trying to pull him aside for a photo with the other winners. When he turned back, all he saw was you and Nat being led away with Hunter's hand on your lower back.

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

"Ladies."

You looked up into a pair of soft, gray eyes and were met with a brilliant smile. "My name's Hunter, and I'd love to take you on a tour of the VIP tent."

"Sounds swanky," Nat replied, smiling at him.

"Oh. It is. I promise," he said with another charming smile. "Let's go."

You looked back to see that Bradley was absorbed with a photography crew and some of the kids associated with the charity. You tried to wave to get his attention, but you supposed it didn't really matter. You wouldn't be gone long enough to even need to grab you phone from the golf cart.

Then Hunter's hand came to rest just above the swell of your butt, and you thought your eyes were going to bug out. As he nodded at the security guard watching the entrance to the VIP tent, you slipped out of his grasp.

"Welcome, Mr. King," the guard said with a smirk. "Two guests with you?"

"That's right," he replied with a laugh. He was annoying, but the inside of the tent was incredible. It looked more like a small arena inside. There were people checking out golf simulators and waiters walking around with drinks. You watched Hunter grab two bottles of champagne from a large ice bucket.

"This way, ladies," he said, and you took Nat by the hand before she could wander over to the simulators. Hunter looked at your joined hands as you both followed him, and he muttered, "That works for me, too."

You pulled Nat a little closer as the three of you ended up in a secluded area. After he popped the first bottle of champagne, he handed it to Nat. "A whole bottle?" she asked. "Thanks, Hunter."

Then he popped the second one and gave it to you. "Drink up."

His fingers lingered on yours as you said, "I love pink champagne. My husband buys it for me all the time."

Hunter's eyes appraised you, lingering on your lips and chest. You were suddenly very aware of your lack of underwear and peaked nipples. "Oh, you're married?" he asked casually. "Was he the one who finished in the top three?"

"Yes! He placed third," you told him before taking a sip of the expensive champagne. It was delicious, and Nat had already finished half of her bottle. You kind of wanted to share your bottle with Bradley, but you also kind of wanted to ditch it and leave.

"You like to play golf?" Hunter asked, completely focused on you now.

You shrugged. "I haven't played much. I usually just hang out in the golf cart when I go."

"Your husband won't let you play?"

You rolled your eyes. "I can assure you that I do whatever I want."

"I love to hear that," he laughed with a smile. "And I think you want to try out one of the simulators."

You noticed that Nat had already wandered away to one of the booths. "Just for a minute," you agreed.

Then you listened to him explain how the simulator worked. It was a small booth, and you would wear a virtual reality mask. It looked just like you were really on a golf course.

"Let me close the door for you," Hunter murmured next to your ear. "So you can get started."

He closed the booth, and it took you a few seconds to realize he was still in there with you. Because when you bent a little at the waist, you bumped into him with your butt.

"You need a little help with your posture?" he asked, wrapping his hands around your hips from behind. In an instant, you knew you were rubbing against the zipper of his pants, and his left hand was skimming over your skirt right where your little rooster tattoo was covered by the thin fabric.

You gasped when his hands slid a little lower. You had no underwear on, because your main goal of the day had been to tease Bradley. But now Hunter was the one almost touching your bare skin.

"What the hell?" you shouted in the small space, whipping off the mask covering your eyes and spinning around. "What the hell is your problem?" You watched his face as you pulled your right hand back. He looked alarmed, eyes wide and hands held up in surrender as your palm made contact with his face.

"Ow! Fuck!" he screamed. Somehow you managed to slap his cheek and also hit his nose with the heel of your hand at the same time. It started gushing blood onto his pale blue shirt, and he tried to pinch the bridge of his nose to get it to slow down.

"I'm married, and you're creepy!" you informed him loudly, shoving past him to get out of the simulation booth. "Come on, Nat," you called, taking her hand again.

"Why are we leaving? I didn't finish my champagne!" she complained. So when you walked back past the ice bucket, you gabbed a new bottle for her and a second one for yourself.

"Hunter is a creep," you informed her as you made your way to the tent exit. But Hunter was hot on your heels and reaching out for you.

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

Bradley saw you go inside the VIP area, but he got pulled aside for some group photos. He knew the kids, including Abigail, were waiting for more photos as well, but he quickly excused himself to head after you.

"That son of a bitch," he muttered to himself as he approached the security guard. Hunter King was mad that he told him to shut his mouth, and beating a professional at his own game really hadn't helped Bradley's cause. And he just knew Hunter was going to try to take it out on you and Nat.

He started sweating. You were all horny and wound up, and you had skipped underwear to mess with him. And now the guy who was pissed off at Bradley was probably inside pawing at you. And you weren't answering your phone.

"Whoa, hang on," the guard said, sliding into place in front of the entrance just as Bradley got there. "This area is off limits for you."

Bradley grunted. "My wife is in there."

"Good for her," he replied with a shrug of his enormous shoulders.

"You don't understand. She's with Hunter King."

The guard had the audacity to smirk at him. "One of those two attractive women? I'm sure she's having a great time with Mr. King."

What was that supposed to mean? Bradley had to close his eyes and silently count to ten. "I just need to pop in there, and then I'll be right back out."

"Absolutely not."

Bradley ground his molars together before he managed a very insincere sounding, "Please?"

Then the security guard laughed at him, and Bradley contemplated trying to shove this guy out of his way. He had about a hundred pounds and four inches on Bradley, but it would be worth the pounding to make sure you and Nat were okay. Just as he was working himself up to do it, he caught sight of you heading his way, dragging Nat along. You emerged from the tent looking unscathed.

"Hi, Roo," you said sweetly, gripping a bottle of pink champagne for some reason. You wrapped your arms around him, the cold condensation from the bottle pressing to the back of his neck.

"What's going on, Baby Girl?" he asked, still completely bewildered as you kissed him. "Where's Hunter King?" He was pulling you a little closer, waiting for some sort of explanation.

But Nat started laughing. "You don't need to worry about your wife. Cheers," she said, holding up a second bottle of champagne before popping the cork.

You whispered, "I love you," against Bradley's lips just as he saw Hunter come storming to the tent entrance with blood all over his shirt.

Bradley took your face in his hands. "What happened? Why is he covered in blood? Did he try to hurt you? Or Nat? This is all my fault for telling him to stop swearing and then beating his score." Bradley could feel his pulse quicken, feel his brow crease in concern, but you were smiling.

"He's a creep. I told him I was married, and he still tried to touch me, but I'm pretty sure I broke his nose."

Bradley shoved you gently away from him, ready to beat the ever living shit out of both the security guard and Hunter King. He watched Hunter's eye grow wide as he clenched both hands into fists, but then you were in front of him again.

"Roo! It's okay!" you promised, pressing the champagne bottle to his chest and pushing him back.

"It is not okay," he growled, letting you push him a little further away from the tent. "I'll rip him in half."

"Roo! Right before I saw you, he tried to grab me again. I told him I'd call the cops if he didn't match the donation that was being made to the children's hospital."

"Match the donation? That's like four hundred thousand dollars," he replied, looking at you with surprise. "You just got Hunter King to make a personal donation of four hundred thousand dollars?"

"Yep!" you replied, pressing yourself to the front of him. "I sure did. And I got him to say it in front of one of the charity's coordinators. I also insinuated to that coordinator that perhaps Mr. King shouldn't be allowed to spend any time alone with women in the VIP tents in the future. And that maybe he should be removed from the circuit. Now let's go home, pop this delicious bottle of pink champagne, and celebrate your third place victory!"

Bradley was still gaping at you before he scooped you up into his arms. He was careful to keep your butt covered with one big hand as you kissed his face while he glared past you at Hunter King until the other man slinked back into the shadows where he belonged.

"You're such a badass," he told you suddenly. "I'm so impressed by you all the time, Sweetheart. You don't even need me."

"No, I don't," you agreed with him, kissing his cheek and trailing your lips back to his ear. "But I really, really want you."

"Let's go home," he grunted, carrying you to one of the golf carts. "I just want my bed, my wife, and the expensive champagne she stole from the VIP tent."

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

Don't mess with the Bradshaws! Thanks to @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

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storiesofsvu · 5 months ago

Note

One ask wasn't enough! So, how about these prompts, with Cabot?

"I can't sleep, can I stay here?" and

"Don't... I'm ticklish!"

Thank youuuu 🥰🥰

Thank YOU so much!! Here ya go!

Insomnia Strikes

Alex Cabot x reader (more implied than anything else lol) Warnings: mentions of anxiety/insomnia, I think that's about it. Just a nice little comfort one shot.

Being the natural night owl that you were, you never had any problems swapping shifts around when someone on the squad got roped into an overnight shift. You honestly didn’t mind it, you basically chilled alone, ate snacks, scrolled through your phone and answered a handful of phone calls that the desk clerk downstairs didn’t catch. It was a very rare occasion where something actually made its way to you prior to six in the morning and by then you were usually only on intake, passing it off to the day team before heading home. It was a nice little break from the chaos that the squad room and a courtroom normally were.

You spent the first few hours catching up on paperwork, finishing all the nearly late files, scrawling your signature across them before popping them into Cragen’s inbox. The squad slowly disappearing as late evening hit until only Olivia remained and you tossed a crumpled up piece of paper onto her desk, telling her to get out of there. You knew she liked to stick around as late as she could, not wanting anyone to really be trapped all alone in the building and she was quick to ask if you’d eaten dinner yet. You laughed, saying you had your breakfast before you came in and that she better get home to get some sleep. If she complained of being tired when you finally did have to call her in, you’d hold it against her. That finally got her going, giving you a warm smile as she wished you goodnight and finally left the precinct.

Once office lights began to flick off and the downstairs desk attendant clocked in things fell into a state of stillness, quiet and calm seeping through the air. Your paperwork was actually done, the most recent case you’d been working on waiting on the jury and you appeared to be free from actual work. So you started on the more mundane tasks, things that didn’t get done until you were on night shift. You started out by cleaning your desk, tossing out old receipts, crumpled up pastry bags, pencils that were so slivered down they couldn’t be used. Grabbing the collection of coffee mugs from the bull pen you headed into the break room, loading up the sink with hot soapy water to take care of the dishes in there. The cleaning crew usually came through around midnight, so you tackled the fridge, throwing out anything and everything that wasn’t labelled, had been in there for too long or seemed to be growing its own ecosystem.

After a very thorough hand wash, you wandered back to your desk, phone in your hand as you ordered some food for dinner, though maybe it was technically your lunch. Having no messages, calls or emails waiting, you pulled out your I-pad, sitting it on your desk as you settled back into your chair, pulling up your most recent binge. You were starting to get a little antsy twenty minutes in, your foot tapping against the floor over and over again. If it were day shift you’d usually caught a case or had to trek over to the DA’s office by now, but you were still just sitting there wishing you had an easier way to get your steps in. Your prayers were partially answered when the desk sergeant called up saying your food was there and you got to jog down the stairs to pay the driver before wandering back up them to your desk.

You ate a couple of slices, snagged a soda from the machine and set the box off to the side as you turned your attention back to the screen in front of you. The cleaning crew came and went, efficiently working through the space in no time, waving a friendly hello and then goodbye to you once they were finished. It wasn’t much later after that when you heard the shuffling of feet coming from the hallway and you glanced up, half expecting the desk clerk to be coming to take advantage of the vending machines. Your head tilted when instead you spotted Alex, loose leggings and a fuzzy sweater wrapped around her frame, hair messily tied back.

“Lex?” You greeted and her head lifted up, a small smile on her cheeks when she saw you. “What’re you doing here? Please don’t tell me you’re gonna have to go wake up a judge.”

“No.” She replied with a small huff, leaning over to press a kiss to your temple before pulling over a spare chair and dropping into it. “Tried your apartment first, neighbour said they saw you leaving for work late so I figured you were stuck on night shift.”

“And you thought I needed a babysitter?” You asked with a tease and she shook her head at you.

“Long day. I just wanted to make sure I got to see you at some point.” She yawned, her hands sneaking under her glasses to rub furiously at her eyes.

“You could’ve just called.”

She glanced up at you, a nervous look in her eyes as she chewed on her lip for a minute before letting out a breath, “I can’t sleep. Can I just stay here?”

“Yeah.” You smiled, reaching out to squeeze at her knee, “course you can. Did you at least try to sleep? Or were you still up on the couch pouring over case files?”

“I did.” She revealed with a sigh, “stared at the ceiling tossing and turning for almost four hours before I gave up. My brain just won’t shut up.”

“Did you take your meds?” You asked and she glanced up at you with a sheepish look on her face, softly shaking her head.

“I ran out on Monday; didn’t realize I was so low and I couldn’t get an appointment for a refill until next Tuesday. I took the anxiety one at eight and doctor’s orders say I can’t take melatonin with it, so I’m just kinda out of luck.”

“Shit.” You frowned, squeezing at her leg again, “next time we’ll make sure you always have an immediate refill on hand.”

“Thanks.” Her hand caught yours, squeezing it softly as she smiled across at you.

“You eat?”

“Wasn’t really hungry.” She shrugged, “had a granola bar.”

“How about you dig into this,” you tugged the pizza box from the other side of the desk, flipping it open in front of her and when the smell wafted over to she felt her stomach begin to grumble. “I’ll see what they have for tea in the break room.”

Leaving a kiss on the top of her head you left her to it, commenting for her to change the Netflix to whatever she wanted while you were gone. Digging through the break room you were pleasantly surprised to find a box of chamomile tea, turning on the kettle and brewing a mug exactly the way Alex liked it. When you crossed back into the bull pen she was curled up in the spare chair, your NYPD hoodie you normally stashed in the lower drawer of your desk draped over her lap as her hands played with the fraying cuffs.

A warm smile overtook your features as you placed the mug down in front of her, kissing her cheek again before reminding her to eat. With a tired sigh she finally leant forward, taking a slice of pizza, a pleased groan leaving her when she found it still warm.

She’d chosen one of your mutual favourite comfort movies, a classic rom com with no drama or terribly corny jokes set in the city you’d made your home. She ate her slice and sipped at her tea while she watched, relaxing into your side as she did so. You had to answer a couple of texts over the course of the hour but otherwise you were pleasantly occupied and comfortable. There were about five minutes left in the movie when she was fully slumped on your shoulder, you could feel her steady breathing and were certain her eyes had finally closed even if she wasn’t asleep yet. Your fingers poked gently at her side and she grumbled, flinching away from your touch without moving her head off your shoulder.

“Don’t. I’m ticklish.”

“Sorry.” You murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, “lets get you to the crib, you can get some actual sleep.”

“Come with me?” She finally looked up at you with sapphire puppy dog eyes and a pout on her lips. You smiled softly, letting out a breath of a laugh.

“Okay, but only ‘til you fall asleep. I am on duty after all.”

“Fine.” She scowled, yawning, her eyes still drooping as she reluctantly stood from the chair, your hoodie still curled in her arms.

Alex shuffled away to the bunk room, letting herself in and leading you to the bunk burrowed in the corner. You grabbed a couple of extra pillows and blankets, making sure she was more than comfortable, tucked in and relaxed as she curled up on her side face you. Perched on the edge of the bed you smoothed back her hair, tucking it behind her ear as her eyes fell shut again, letting out a content sigh.

“Thank you.” She murmured; her voice muffled by the pillow.

“Anytime baby.” You whispered back, fingers trailing across her cheek before you kissed her forehead.

By the time you’d sat upright she was out like a light, soft snores echoing through the small room and a small smile crept onto your lips. Pulling out your phone you quickly set an alarm so she would have enough time to get home and get dressed properly for the day before having to return to the DA’s office and quietly made your way from the room. You knew it wasn’t much, but it really was the little things, knowing that whenever Alex was fighting a bout of insomnia she found solace and relief in you, that no matter where you were, she would eventually be lulled into comfort and thus sleep as long as you were around.

________________________

@mickey-gomez @cabotfan42 @detective-giggles @red1culous @beccabarba @imlike-so-gaydude @altsvu @svulife-rl rl @svushots @mspetey @wannabe-fic-reader @lawandorderimagines @gaylorrds @mysticfalls01 @littlegaybabe @bumblebear30 @wosoimagines @solemnnova @cerberus-spectre @emskisworld @ex-uallyactive @lawandorderuswnt @samwithnoplan @multifandomlesbianic @narvaldetierra @momlifebehard @poisonedcrowns @a-little-bit-of-this-and-that @somethingimaginative17 @alexxavicry @daddy-heather-dunbar @evilregal2002 @7thavenger @disneyfan624 @msvenablesbitch @happenstnces @onmykneesformarvel @desperate-gay @riveramorylunar @kmc1989 @irishavengersassemble @noahrex @temp0rary-bliss @wittygutsy @chimnlex @maximoffcarter @sapphicqueenofdonuts @ralla-ralla @chestnutninny @gamma-rae-bursts

#alex cabot #alex cabot x reader #law and order svu #alexandra cabot #svu #law and order #law and order special victims unit #insomnia strikes #alexandra cabot x reader

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moeswriting · 5 days ago

Text

daylight | 1. black and white

pairing: no-outbreak!sheriff!joel miller x f!pregnant!reader

chapter summary: It was supposed to be a normal day. What happened to his normal damn day?

warnings: implied abuse (reader), implied parental neglect (reader), implied character death, descriptions of injuries on a pregnant woman (reader), descriptions of grief, age gap (joel is 48 and reader is 28), a little bit of a slow burn, reader is pregnant, eventual POV swapping but this time it’s all joel, small town gossip, this small town does not apply HIPAA because they’re borderline feral

word count: 7.8k

a/n: welcome to the very first chapter of daylight!!! this chapter is very joel-heavy, but i promise that next chapter we’ll get more of a glance into reader’s brain and what the hell is going on with her. next chapter should be up sometime in the next couple weeks (but obviously with my track record, who knows).

series masterlist | next chapter ->

read on ao3

“Ellie! What’re you doin’? You’re gonna be late for school!”

It’s 7:58. She should already be at school, but she’s not. He can’t even remember the last time that she was on time for school.

He takes a sip of coffee from his green mug with a picture of a little mug in front of a striped wall holding a placard that reads “MUGSHOT”– a gift from Ellie for his last birthday. He loves coffee. October is perfect weather for it. The revitalizing liquid warms up his frozen fingers through the ceramic and slides down his throat like heaven. He loves coffee.

Footsteps pound down the hallway and all he sees of his teenager is a blur of green plaid as she rushes past the entryway to the kitchen and to the front door.

“Hi Joel! Bye Joel,” she yells, hand popping into his view with a wave and quickly disappearing.

“Hey! Get back in here right now,” he shouts.

“What,” she pants, coming back to the entryway with one shoe on and the other dangling by the laces from her mouth, her tawny hair in a floppy, loose ponytail. Good god, he has no idea how this child has no manners at all. He knows she was not raised like this. Sixteen-year-olds should know not to put shoelaces in their mouths.

But all he does is grumble like he always does because it’s too damn early in the morning and he doesn’t want to argue with her when he’s this damn tired. He can’t think when it’s this early. “Take a poptart please. I don’t want people thinkin’ I starve you.”

She throws her hands up in the air and snatches the silver package off the table. “Okay, Jesus!”

Ellie already has her other shoe on before Joel can even blink. He hears the telltale squeak of the front door opening.

“Have a good day at school!”

“Whatever, Joel!”

And then the door slams shut, the cold October wind rushing its way in behind her.

He takes another sip of his coffee. If he gets another call from the principal lecturing him about Ellie’s tardiness, he might lose his mind. He cannot stand the sound of that man’s voice in his ear– it’s like nails on a chalkboard or the sound of a fork scraping on someone’s teeth. He just wants a normal day with no emergencies or stupid antics from his teenager.

He finishes his coffee off, rinses his cup out, and places it in the sink.

A normal fucking day.

When he walks into the sheriff’s office, he is greeted by Mary– the nice old lady who works the front desk. Her graying hair is pinned up into curls like she came right out of the 50s and she’s wearing a simple blue dress that compliments her maternal curves with a flair.

“Morning, Sheriff!”

He gives her a polite smile like he does every morning. “Mornin’, Mary. How’s the family?”

“Good! Earl is getting a promotion tomorrow! He’s gonna be the manager over at the hardware store.”

“Oh, that’s great! Tell Earl I said congrats.”

“I will, Sheriff.”

He makes his way to his office, which is all the way at the back of the department to avoid talking to people as much as possible. He passes multiple people along his way back, the woman who keeps track of their files, one of the three beat cops in town, who he greets mildly. He passes his brother’s desk, which is empty save for the steaming mug of tea sitting on his “World’s Best Dad” coaster. He’s somewhere around here.

And, of course, as Tommy often does, he has invaded Joel’s space.

Joel leans against the entryway to his office and clears his throat.

Tommy’s sitting at Joel’s desk with his feet propped up and a hand over his eyes. For a second, he’s almost convinced that he’s asleep, but after a second of impatiently waiting, Tommy speaks up.

“Bill called.”

Jackson, Wyoming is too small for its own good. You can walk from one end of town to the other in thirty minutes or less, and everyone knows everyone and every bit of each other’s business whether they like it or not. Being the sheriff in a small town is easy in most respects– nobody’s getting murdered and there’s hardly ever any robberies– but when it came to Bill Brown, there were times he wished he hadn’t rallied for this job so hard.

Joel sighs and walks into the room, “Why?” He picks his stetson up off his head and smacks it onto his desk beside Tommy’s feet which makes him jump and place a hand over his heart dramatically.

Tommy shrugs after he gives himself a moment to recover, wide eyes pointed at his brother, “Says a ‘dangerous’ woman broke into his property.”

That could mean any number of things with Bill: it could mean that there really is a dangerous woman on his property, it could mean that a woman was walking their dog too closely to his yard, it could mean that a saleswoman knocked on his door to sell him solar panels. Bill is beyond paranoid, but Tommy sitting on his ass, not responding to his call probably means it’s nothing. He’ll check anyway, because if he doesn’t, Bill will come to the station later to get on his ass about it.

“Which property?”

“Old Betty’s place.”

What would anyone want to do with Betty’s house? She didn’t leave anything important laying in that house. It was just a glorified grandmother-themed Ikea after her lawyer had distributed all the things she had left in her will.

“Okay. I guess I’ll go see what’s up.”

The drive over to Betty’s is familiar. The gravel road that knocks his truck around winds him through the dense forest that surrounds the land that Betty Loving called home her entire life. The trees are a mesmerizing mix of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens that come together to highlight the tiny, white cottage that sits on top of the wooded hill.

Without thinking, he knocks the secret rhythm that only a few know onto the tall, white door. He’s stood here on this porch more times than he can count, but in the last few years, he’s avoided even thinking about it. It’s just not the same.

He’s pulled into the house by the collar of his brown button-up with a quick force.

“Bill, what the hell is wrong with–”

“Shhh!” Bill puts a finger up to his lips, scraggly mustache parted by his pudgy finger.

Said finger points towards Betty’s bedroom at the end of the hall, the one with the pink floral wreath on it that reads, “Elizabeth” in curly script.

Oh god, maybe something really is wrong. He didn’t notice the front door being jammed in any way, nor does he see any damage in his peripheral, but maybe the damage was contained to her room. He really hopes that she didn’t break any of Betty’s trinkets.

“She in there?”

Bill nods his head adamantly, eyes wide.

Joel sighs out his nerves and puts on a brave face. He has to be ready for whatever he’s about to see in there. All he knows is that there is a trespasser that could be dangerous, he’s not sure. He can’t hear anything, in fact it’s eerily quiet.

He pulls out his gun from its holster on his hip. He rarely does it– it’s mostly just a prop to scare drunks from acting too crazy at the bar or one of his fellow officers from being too violent with their own weapons. The metal of the gun lays familiar in his shaking hands.

He pads down the carpeted hall with a practiced patience, boots softly scraping the tops of the fibers. Even as he approaches the door, he still can’t hear anything. Maybe his knock scared them off?

Placing his hand on the cold doorknob, he can feel wind blowing through the bottom crack of the door. Weird, considering it was 50 degrees this morning. She must have gotten through the window. He opens the door.

Laying on Betty’s frilly bedding is a young woman, probably late twenties or early thirties. Your eye is swollen and a dark shade of purple, but it’s fading into yellow around the edges. You’re wearing a long tan coat and a gray sweater dress that shows off the obvious curve of your stomach, hair splayed out underneath you in a halo. What he can see of your fingers and legs are covered in bruises and small cuts of their own. You look like a renaissance painting, splayed out over the bed like a star with your high-heeled boots dangling off the side– it’s almost Biblical paired with how tormented you look, eyebrows pulled together and mouth downturned into a frown even in your sleep.

He holsters his gun and pinches his brow with a heavy sigh.

“Jesus Christ, Bill– that’s an injured, pregnant woman. She’s not a danger to anyone.”

Bill grumbles an unintelligible response.

Another sigh tumbles out of Joel’s mouth, “Did you try to talk to her?”

“No.” Bill crosses his arms and huffs like a child being told off for hitting their sibling.

The wind blows into the room and causes Joel to shiver, fingers weaving together in front of him in an effort to gain some warmth.

“So, you just assumed that she was a danger based on… what?”

“She broke into my house!” He punctuates his stage-whisper by throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation.

“Bill, you are ridiculous.”

All he does is huff, the bristles of his mustache fly up with the breeze his breath makes.

Joel mutters a curse under his breath and stalks his way to the end of the bed.

“Ma’am? Ma’am?”

Your eyes flash open and he watches your pupils dilate as the bright light offends them. He hates to think it or even put it out into the universe, but your eyes are beautiful. They compliment your features in a way that makes his heart stop in his chest.

Before Joel even has a chance to react, you’re up and as far from him as you can be, huddled against the metal headboard. Your boots leave behind a muddy stain on the white sheets as you clamber away from him.

He can see you wince in pain with the effort. It’s then that he notices the circle of blood you’ve left on the bedding where you were laying. It’s soaked into the white, turning it a dark maroon that slowly fades to pink around the edges. He can tell it’s fresh from the way the stain expands itself.

Jesus Christ.

“Woah, woah now, darlin’. Ain’t nobody here to hurt ya.”

Eyebrows crease together, you raise a hand up to signal him to stop.

Your voice comes out in a husky whisper, upper lip snarled, “Get away from me.”

He takes a step back and puts his hands up in mock surrender. He can tell you’re not going to hurt him, nor would you be capable of it, probably, but he wants to keep you calm and if backing up is gonna keep you calm, he’s willing to do it.

“You’re hurt,” he points out with a finger pointed down to the blood.

You chance a quick glance down to where he points, like you’re afraid that if you don’t look at him for two seconds that he’ll get the jump on you. He supposes he could.

As if you can read his mind, you look back up at him with a piercing scowl.

“I’m fine,” you reply, voice a little clearer now.

He scoffs with an eye roll to accompany the sarcastic action, “Clearly you’re not, don’t have to act all tough. I’m Jackson’s sheriff; I can get you to the town doctor in less than ten minutes.”

Joel watches you evaluate him. Your eyes dart from one of his to the other, run down his body, and then back up to his face. He’s never felt so vulnerable just from being looked at. You soften a little.

“Really?”

He nods patiently, “Yes, ma’am. Dr. Teddy’d get you fixed up in no time.”

Your chest expands with one breath, two breaths, and then you let out a pitiful sigh.

He takes a chance by putting a hand out for you to take– a sign of good faith– and you hesitate. Your fingers twitch by your side. Suddenly, your soft palm grips his calloused one with a quiet ferocity.

Joel helps you up and to his truck, not without a little mumble in his direction about how he better get her on trespassing, which he quickly replies to with a directed glare. Bill retreats into the kitchen to sulk.

Your wool coat is soaked with blood around the back, turning the nice tan into a dark brown. He tries his best to ignore it as he guides you up into the passenger seat. He’s going to have to clean the damn leather after he figures out what to do with you.

Hopping into his own seat, he turns the key in the ignition and turns the heat on. Out of the corner of his eye he can see you sink down into the warmth.

You’re silent the whole ride there, which he’s fine with. He’s never been good at small talk and he doesn’t think he wants to know what the hell is going on with you, your trespassing, or your excess of injuries.

Or maybe he does. He shakes the thought out of his head. He’s going to get you examined at Teddy’s and send you on your way– he doesn’t have time for this shit. Not today. Today is supposed to be a normal day.

He parks in the one parking spot in front of the small, blue house that is the home to the practice of the one and only qualified doctor in town.

Teddy is kind. You need someone kind, which is definitely not Joel.

He points to the building and motions with his chin to follow him. You stumble out of the car and do just that, putting most of your weight on your left leg as you walk. He offers an arm out to you, but you ignore him and push ahead.

He stomps up the porch steps behind you, kicking snow out of the tread of his boots before he steps inside.

The bell jingles loudly to signal your arrival, but he yells anyway, “Teddy!? You in here?”

A soft, raspy voice calls from the back, “One second!”

He turns to you with a, hopefully, calming smile. It feels more like a grimace than anything else on his stiff face.

“This is Doctor Theodora Taylor’s office. She’s gonna take a look at ya.”

Without warning, Teddy is next to him. Her voice makes him jump, but he tries to hide it behind a scoff. Her red-covered lips turn up into a smirk as she regards you.

“You can call me Teddy.” She holds out a hand to you. You hesitate before you grab her hand in yours for a weak handshake. He watches your muscles tense when you make contact with her, but the spasm goes away just as quickly as it came on.

Theodora Taylor is one of Joel’s only friends– her husband Jan is also included in that small number. She has thick, jet black, curly hair and skin so pale it’s a surprise to know that she goes outside at all. Her features are soft, lips always a vibrant red that makes her bright blue eyes pop. Voice raspy from a youth of defiant smoking, she is a calming force and a bright light.

“Follow me– exam room’s right over here.”

He follows behind you, because he has to. He has questions he’s supposed to ask and technically he needs to know if you need to go to court because of the trespassing, but there’s a part of him (the large majority, if he’s honest with himself) that just wants to send you to wherever you belong and leave you be. Bill can be convinced to drop the charges some way or another.

Teddy gives him no attention after her initial questioning of the situation and neither do you, surprisingly, as he plops down in one of the squeaky, teal, pleather chairs usually reserved for parents or significant others. It’s uncomfortably cold under his blue jeans. He’s sat in this chair a couple times before– one time when Ellie broke her leg a few years ago when she first started living with him, and a few times before and after that to evaluate drunks from the bar after they got into slurred fights resulting in, usually, minor injuries.

He watches Teddy go through the motions of listening to your lungs and taking your blood pressure. Joel isn’t a doctor, never claimed to be, so he doesn’t fully understand what’s going on, but she doesn’t look overly concerned as she peels the coat off your back and pulls your shirt up in the back to examine whatever injury is back there.

But when she puts a little too much pressure on your right leg, your whole body tightens and you gasp.

“Woah, what’s going on? I hurt you?”

You pause, evaluate (which he has quickly identified as a habit of yours), and pull your dress up higher on your thigh to reveal a nasty bruise that he hadn’t seen before. Black mixed with purple and dark hues of red over the entirety of your upper thigh. He has to stop himself from letting out the gasp that’s constricting the back of his throat.

Teddy’s dark eyebrows furrow for a split second before she cools her expression and looks up at you with gentle eyes.

“I’m sorry, hon, but I have to ask– where did those bruises come from?”

He watches your eyes flicker up to him and back down to your lap. Teddy takes the obvious hint, and so does he.

Something is very wrong.

“Joel, could you step out, please?”

He nods and pushes up out of the chair, “Yeah, ‘course.”

A grateful expression flashes over your face that he only catches for a second as he shuts the door behind him.

He knows he should be in there technically, to continue his evaluation, but it feels wrong to listen to you be vulnerable. He’s never really had a problem with it before– the child growing in you is probably the reason he feels the need to hide. Pregnant women make him think of her.

A few minutes pass as he sits in the quiet lobby– no one around to bother him or quiet his rampant thoughts. Just him, the open air with a distinct smell of hand sanitizer, and the muffled sounds of cars driving past.

He can see Teddy talking to you through the glass window on the top half of the door, that’s usually covered by a curtain, but it needs to be open in case you really are a danger to yourself or Teddy and she needs help restraining you. You look ashamed, embarrassed. Teddy just looks back at you while you talk, no emotions flashing over her face– just simply taking the information in. He wonders if it’s to keep you calm.

The front door slams open. The little bell attached to it slaps into the wood aggressively.

Maria almost sprints into the building; she looks disheveled, braids pulled back into a makeshift ponytail with a rubber band, eyes wide in a panic, still wearing her pink, flannel pyjama pants.

When she spots Joel sitting in one of the many chairs strewn in random places around the room, she lets out a puff of air and hunches over with her hands on her knees.

“Hey, we just heard–”

He nods and points to the windowed door, “Yeah, Teddy’s in there talking to her now.”

Tommy follows behind her. He looks just as out-of-breath as his wife from running after her.

“Why the fuck did we run here? Jesus Christ,” Tommy mutters to himself, pulling a hand through his hair while the other holds his tan stetson to his chest.

She clears her throat, ignoring Tommy as he walks in and keeping her attention on Joel, “How injured is she?”

“Not sure. She was walking fine, but her legs, Maria– they were covered in cuts and bruises.”

“Oh god,” she sighs and rubs a hand down her face, “Okay, I’ll go in there and talk to her. You two stay out here.”

They nod their heads to her like the loyal guard dogs they are.

Tommy flops his ass down in the chair next to Joel’s, slaps him on the thigh, and spreads his legs like a cowboy. Joel’s posture is ramrod straight, fingers intertwined in his lap. He can’t stop himself from bouncing his knee– the nervous energy in his brain spreading throughout his body. He is Tommy’s opposite as always.

They watch the three of you through the small window cut out of the door. He can visibly see you calm down as Maria speaks to you in her usual confident and calming tone.

Tommy crosses his arms with a scowl on his face, “I recognize her.”

“How?”

“I– I’m not sure.”

Joel examines you for a second. You look upper class based on your outfit alone– expensive wool coat, gold jewelry. But those sad eyes– he could spot those sad eyes anywhere. He feels like a fool for not noticing it earlier.

“Betty’s funeral.”

Tommy points a finger at him, a grin spreading across his stubbled cheeks. “Yes! Yes, that’s it. She gave that speech.”

“She’s Betty’s granddaughter.”

A chill runs down his spine and all the way down to his toes.

Tommy slaps his knee in some show of triumph, “Oh man, that explains why she was at the cottage.”

Joel looks over at you again. He thinks he can see your eyes starting to water, so he shifts his gaze back over to his brother. He can’t bear to see your vulnerability; not like this, not again.

“Yeah… it does.”

Maria steps back out of the room and shuts the door behind her soft and slowly.

“Joel. I need to talk to you really quickly.”

She’s got that look, pinched eyebrows and lips downturned: the guilty look she gets when she asks him to watch their son, Benny.

“What? Is it a secret?”

She turns to Tommy with a glare, “Shut up, Thomas.”

Tommy throws his hands up in the air and widens his eyes in exaggeration.

Maria turns back to Joel, a disgruntled scowl covering her face. She and Tommy love each other– have for more years than he’s even lived here– but Tommy is the King of Maria’s annoyance. He knows just how to push her buttons, the ones that Joel wouldn’t dare to go near.

Joel nods, and follows her out to the porch. It’s cold, too cold to be outside.

“What,” he deadpans. Get it over with, he wants to spit out.

“I need you to take her in.”

No.

“Excuse me,” Joel blurts out, his mouth five steps ahead of his brain in shock.

Maria places her hands on her hips and rolls her deep brown eyes. Even in pyjama pants, she’s intimidating.

“Joel, I highly doubt she will be any trouble to you. You’re barely home anyway.”

He can’t picture you in his space with your sullen expression and hollow eyes. The idea of anyone besides him or his family in his home makes him want to cringe.

“I’ve already got my hands full with Ellie. I don’t think taking on a huge responsibility like this is really in my job description.”

And, boy, does that ruffle Maria’s feathers. Her face drops even further than before.

“This ‘responsibility’ is a pregnant woman with no family, no home, and no job who needs immediate bedrest. She is extremely fragile right now and it’s best for her and her baby if she can keep her in to term. She just needs a place to relax, read a book, do some light chores– she’s not a teenage girl, she’s a grown woman who can take care of herself.

“And I don’t want to mention this, but I feel that I have to: she’s Betty’s granddaughter. You’re really not gonna give her and Betty’s great-granddaughter the best chance they have of living? After all she did for you?”

She gives him a pointed look; they both know she’s right. Her brutal honesty makes him uncomfortable, makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand to attention.

Joel sighs, “Maria…”

Suddenly, he watches guilt take over her features again. “I know; I’m sorry. I just need you to really think before you say no to that woman in there.”

“I’m not… ‘m not saying no, I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

She shakes her head and puffs out a breath of frustration, “Why?”

He doesn’t really know why. Call it a gut feeling, call it intuition, call it whatever you want– he doesn’t know why it’s a bad idea. He just does.

“I don’t know.”

Maria’s shoulders sag. “Just do it. Please.”

He feels himself giving in before he can even say the words. He folds like a cheap suit.

Hands held in the air in surrender, he replies, “Fine. Fine, okay.”

“Thank you,” she sighs out exasperatedly.

“Couldn’t I just… couldn’t I go live in my grandma’s house? Then I wouldn’t have to be anybody’s problem.”

Teddy shakes her head, a strand of her curly hair falling into her face, “Betty’s place is way too far from here. You need to be as close as possible to the clinic with how high-risk your pregnancy is. Joel lives two houses down from here and he has an extra bedroom. You wouldn’t be any kind of problem for him anyway.”

He shakes his head, “You wouldn’t be.”

He can tell you’re conflicted. Your eyes flit from his face, to Tommy’s, to Teddy’s, Maria’s, and then back to his. There’s a hint of something there in your irises– something that makes his skin crawl with the memory of when his own eyes looked as dull as yours. Grief. For what exactly, he doesn’t know, but it’s there.

“Okay,” you mumble, eyes going to your lap where your fingers are picking at your cuticles.

What has he gotten himself into?

“Okay,” Maria exclaims, “Good. Let’s let Teddy finish her exam– Joel, you stay with her until she’s done?”

He nods.

“Alright, let’s go, deputy.”

She waves a hand for Tommy to follow her.

His brother turns to you with an overly-confident smile and chuckles, “She’s embarrassed that if she admits she likes me that people might find out she has emotions. We’re married, y’know? You’d think people would’ve found out she’s not a robot by now.”

A small smile takes over your lips, barely reaching your eyes. There’s Tommy doing what he’s always been naturally good at– talking to people, making them feel comfortable and relaxed.

“Tommy,” Maria shouts from the entryway.

“Coming, wife!”

Joel doesn’t even have to see her to know that she’s rolling her eyes into the back of her head. She loves him to death, and so does he, but he’s always been a bit of a handful.

Teddy shakes her head amusedly as she listens to the tell-tale sound of the front door closing behind them.

She turns back to the room, with you in tow.

It’s another 20 minutes before Teddy comes back, but she’s alone. You’ve been left in the exam room by yourself.

Teddy flops into the chair next to him and lets out a heaving breath.

“She’s got a pretty large cut on her back that’s going to need the bandage changed at least once every day. So, I’ll be there every day around noon to change it until it’s healed, but if she starts to bleed through it, I’m gonna need you to help her do it. I assume you can do that?”

“Yeah.”

“She can walk on her own, but she just needs to keep that leg elevated and iced as much as possible– give it a couple weeks to heal up. Just keep an eye on her for me.”

“Okay.”

There’s an awkward pause. She won’t look at him, just stares off towards the large bay window that overlooks the snow-covered trees in front of them.

“Did she tell you what happened?”

She nods. Her face is emotionless. “Yes.”

“Do I get to know?”

Teddy purses her lips and shakes her head, “Not unless she tells you.”

Licking his lips, he nods back, “Okay.”

He tastes blood when he bites down on his bottom lip to rip a piece of dead, dry skin off. His tongue runs over the wound left behind– smooth, raw. He relishes the taste of the aftermath of his pain.

She looks over at him. “And, Joel?”

“Yeah?”

Her cool expression is replaced by concern– heavy, devastated concern.

She lets out a long breath and mutters back to him, “Please be patient with her.”

“Yup.”

Joel cannot handle this conversation anymore. He needs to get out of here before he explodes. In what? Anger? Remorse? Pity? He doesn’t care; getting out of here is what he needs and he needs it now.

Pushing himself up makes his knees crack with the effort. The oncoming winter always makes him feel his age more than anything. He masks his pain as he always does with a practiced cough and a slap to the side of his thigh.

“Whelp, gonna get outta your hair, Teddy. Tell Di I said ‘hey’.”

She looks equally relieved to be ending this conversation with him, even more so with the mention of her toddler.

“I will. She misses you; you should come visit soon.”

“I’ll try.”

He probably won’t.

WIth a quick side hug and a goodbye from Teddy, he walks out of the waiting area and to where you’re sitting in the exam room.

“Let’s go,” he states, pointing a finger towards the front door.

He doesn’t wait around for you to follow. You catch up.

Once you get to the porch, you begin talking to him quietly, “You know, you really don’t have to do this.”

You’re shivering aggressively, whether it’s the cold or the effort it takes you to talk to him, he doesn’t know. He’s just realized that you left your bloody coat behind in the exam room.

He shucks off his duck jacket and holds it out to you. You stare down at his hand like it’s going to bite you and shake your head reluctantly.

“Well, Mayor says I gotta, so seems like I don’t really have much of a choice, do I,” he replies with a huff, walking down to the bottom of the porch steps before your voice stops him.

“You could’ve said ‘no’.”

Your face is stoic, but he can see the apology in your eyes. They’re very expressive, like you can’t help that you wear your heart in them. He wonders if you even know.

He shakes his head, “She's my sister-in-law, I could not have said no.”

No response comes from you as you pick up your aching feet and creep your way down the steps. Joel offers to help, but you sigh and send a glare in his direction. He backs off.

When you’re at his side finally, he points at his house– two houses down and across the street. It’s a small thing– but it works for him and Ellie, who spends most of her time in the garage anyways. He’s always wanted to paint the light grey-blue siding something more neutral, but he just never has the time nor the energy and there’s no way in hell he’ll hire someone else to do it. Someday.

You fall into step beside him, heels of your boots clacking on the cracking concrete of the sidewalk.

The sweater dress you’re wearing looks comfortable, but the tights don’t look very warm and the large stain on the back of it must be freezing. His house is right there; he’ll let you borrow something of his while he goes to grab your bags from Betty’s.

You speak up again, arms crossed and hands shoved into your armpits.

“Tommy's your brother?”

“Yup.”

“Apple fell very far from the tree.”

He huffs, “Not really a talker.”

“No shit.”

You’re being brave. He can tell you’re nervous, but you’re trying your best to hold a conversation and that’s pretty fucking brave to him.

“Thank you,” you mutter through an exhale. Your breath is visible in the early morning air.

“Don’t gotta thank me. Just doin’ my job.”

“Thank you for doing your job, then.”

He doesn’t like being thanked. It makes him uncomfortable, rattles his bones. But he’s not going to ignore you when you’re being vulnerable– that would make him even more uncomfortable.

“No problem.”

A high-pitched voice screams across the road, “Joel!”

You both watch as Ellie runs down the street, her arms waving above her head like a lunatic, sneakers screeching because of the drag of her feet. The child has no decorum or manners.

He drops his forehead into his hand.

When she gets to the two of you, she leans over with both hands on her bent knees, breathing heavily. She takes a moment to recover. Joel spares a glance in your direction, but you’re no longer beside him. He catches a sliver of your hair as it whips behind him.

Ellie’s gonna be the death of him, probably you too if you scare this easily.

“Can I go over to Dina’s?”

His hands settle on his hips in his most “I’m not fucking around” pose, “No, kid. I gotta talk to you about somethin’. Go home.”

“What? Dude!”

“Don’t ‘dude’ me. Go,” he points to the house and leaves it at that.

She turns and stomps her way to the house with her arms crossed and a sour look on her face, “Ugh! Whatever, asshole.”

He loves her and he would travel to the ends of the earth for her; but it’s moments like these where sometimes he wished he was a little harder on her. Maybe she wouldn’t scream swear words in the middle of the street. He doubts it.

“Who was that?”

Joel clears his throat, “Uh, that's my kid.”

Your eyebrows furrow, expressing the most you have the entire morning, “You have a kid?”

It’s accusatory– the emphasis on the ‘you’. He can feel himself bristle with something at the accusation that he wouldn’t be capable of caring for a child. What is it about him that makes you think he wouldn’t have a kid?

You’re right. She’s not his. But he had a child. A long time ago.

He huffs through a dry chuckle, “Well, she’s not technically mine— but she lives with me and I feed her, so she’s my problem.”

“Whose is she?” Your eyes flick across the street to Ellie and then back to him.

He can’t help the sigh that leaves his lips.

“A friend’s. She passed away a few years ago and she didn’t have any family, so…”

Your face shifts with pity, forehead wrinkled and eyes wide, “Oh, I'm so sorry.”

He’s used to the pity– the stares, the muttered sorrys. He doesn’t want it from anyone, but he especially doesn’t want it from complete strangers like you.

“It’s alright. She was my daughter’s friend more than mine, but when she got sick, I agreed to take care of her kid.”

“Oh, you have a daughter?”

He feels the grief rip through his chest like he always does when someone mentions her. But you don’t know what happened like everyone else in this town does, so he’s not going to get irritable with you like he would with other people. Besides, you don’t need Joel to be an asshole to you when you’re supposed to be on bed rest.

He hesitates, “Yeah.”

Your eyes search his face– for what, he doesn’t know. But whatever you’re looking for, he thinks you’ve found it as you move the conversation on from her and onto Ellie’s frame as she slams the front door shut so loudly that the entire street can probably hear it. He thanks his face for conveying how desperately he does not want to talk with you about Sarah.

“What’s her name?” You point in the direction that the teenager went.

“Ellie.”

He shifts his stance, ready to restart your short walk to his house when you speak up.

“She seems like a good kid.”

He lets out a breath of amusement, “She's the best. Has a very colorful vocabulary though.”

You shrug, “Eh, she’s a teenager. I was a lot worse than her at that age.”

“Oh, really?” He’s not sure if this is surprising information or not. He’s having a hard time getting a read on you– and that’s a big part of his job, to read people. It feels wrong that he can’t figure you out.

“Yeah. I could’ve won some kind of award– ‘Worst Daughter In The World’. I would’ve deserved it too,” you huff.

He hums in acknowledgement. He doesn’t want you to feel like he’s ignoring you; he just doesn’t know what the hell to say to that. That you did deserve it? He wouldn’t know.

“It’s why my parents used to ship me off to my grandmother’s. ‘Grandma knows how to handle you’, they’d say. Really, I just liked her a lot more than them.”

He gets that. He really gets that.

“Well, I ain’t got nowhere to ship Ellie to. She’s stuck with me whether she likes it or not.”

You hum, “I think she likes it.”

He chuckles, “And you can tell that from a thirty-second argument?”

You look up at him with a burgeoning smile on your face, “She wouldn’t have listened to you if she didn’t like you– trust me.”

Trust me.

“Whatever you say, ma’am.”

You nod resolutely.

It’s silent the thirty seconds it takes to walk the rest of the way to Joel’s.

He shows you around the house and watches you as you map out his home in your head. You pay extra attention to the exits and the windows. Joel catches the way you stare longingly at the kitchen from the entryway.

When he walks up the stairs to show you the bedrooms, you lag behind. But he doesn’t notice until he’s already at the top of the stairs and he doesn’t hear your footsteps anymore. You’re staring at a picture on the wall. It’s of Sarah.

You don’t say anything. Just stare. He can’t get himself to say anything either.

One breath, two breaths. And you look up at him with something in your eyes that he can’t quite identify; it’s soft, but not pity. Understanding, maybe.

You walk up the rest of the stairs, holding tight to the banister. There’s a slight twitch in your lip when you put weight on your bad leg. He offers to help you, but you just shake your head.

He points out the upstairs bathroom, his room, and then guides you to the guest bedroom that’s been gathering dust for a while now. It used to be Ellie’s, but ever since she’d moved into the garage, it’s been empty. He’d renovated it on the very off chance that one of his relatives came to visit, but it’s stood empty for almost two years, so he doesn’t find himself opening the door very often.

“This’ll be your room. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get you through until you get that baby out of you.”

It’s a small room, enough to comfortably hold a double-bed, a couple side tables, and a dresser. The closet door stands ajar in the corner, full of Christmas decorations. He’s going to have to take those out– find somewhere else for them. Maybe Tommy has room in his basement–

“Okay,” you mumble, “Thank you.”

Your heels click on the hardwood floor in even beats as you walk into the room. Your evaluating eye examines the bed when you approach it. You swipe at a spot on the blanket and the dust jumps and sails through the air, illuminated by the sunlight. Once you’ve decided it’s good enough, you sit down slowly, a hand planted on the mattress behind you as you lower yourself.

Maria had said you were six months pregnant. He remembers how miserable Sarah’s mom had been at this time in her pregnancy. The memory makes him want to puke.

“I know it’s none of my business—“

You glower at him, “Yup. I would say that too.”

“But, whatever brought you here— I hope we can help you. You just let me know if you need anything.”

You soften a little, but the glare remains. “Okay.”

“You ain’t a talker either?”

The both of you know he isn’t talking about “talking”. Emotional vulnerability isn’t a strong suit of his, and it is very clearly not one of yours either.

“Nope.”

He nods, turns, and walks out the door.

Ellie is strong. You don’t lose your mom at thirteen and not have massive amounts of strength afterwards. But she is an expert pouter.

When Joel creeks open the garage door, Ellie is face down on her bed, limbs spread out beneath her. A punk song plays over her speaker that makes Joel’s ear drums pop. Even with the hearing loss in his right ear, he can feel his teeth rattling.

He walks over to the blasting stereo and turns it off.

Her head whips up to pierce him with a death glare, “What the fuck?!”

“Can’t hear myself think with that shit on.”

She mumbles something in her pillow, probably some egregious swear word or some insult related to his age, but he lets her get away with it. Your words come back to him– she wouldn’t listen to him if she really didn’t like him. He’s not patient with most people, but he tries to be for her.

He lowers himself on her bed with a grunt.

“She’s gonna be living with us until her baby comes.”

She hums into her pillow and stuffs her face even further into it.

Joel sighs, “What are you thinking, kid? I’m sorry you didn’t get much of a choice.”

Her voice is muffled as she responds, “Well, what does it matter what I think? You would’ve done it anyway.”

His eyebrows furrow, “What makes you think that?”

“Dina heard she was Betty’s grandkid. Is that true?”

He has no doubt that Dina already knows; she loves to harass Maria when she thinks something is going on and he’s sure that Ellie has been texting Dina since she was forced to go home.

He nods reluctantly. Joel is sure that as soon as he leaves the room, the stereo will be back on and her phone will be in her hands.

“Exactly. You would not have said ‘no’ to her.”

He sputters, “I’m very capable of sayin’ ‘no’.”

She shakes her head and flips over onto her back, “Not when Betty’s involved.”

He huffs, a small smile on his lips, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

He doesn’t hear the knock on the front door, but Ellie does.

“There’s someone at the door, old man.”

Joel sends a glare in her direction and hoists himself up and off her bed.

He walks to her door, but she interrupts him, “Hey, Joel?”

“Yeah, kid,” he huffs.

Her joking smirk has fallen off her face and a rare seriousness replaces it.

“I’m okay with it, by the way… with her staying. Don’t worry about it.”

All he does is nod. She mocks him with an equally gruff nod.

“We’re not done talkin’ about this; there’s gonna be some new rules around here,” he states.

Ellie throws her limbs up into the air and waves them around erratically, “Whatever! Get out of here so I can sulk!”

The door closes softly behind him and his quiet chuckle.

Opening the front door reveals Mrs. Cassini, his neighbor and the town gossip.

Her grey hair is in tight, pink curlers and she has a half-done knitting project in her hands, like she’d gotten up in a hurry. There’s little footsteps in the snow in a path from her porch, through his yard, and up to his own porch; her purple slippers are so soaked that they look like a completely different color.

She leaves no time for pleasantries.

“I hear you’ve got a pregnant, homeless woman living in your house.”

It’s gotten to a point where he doesn’t even question how she hears things anymore. He heard a rumor a long time ago from one of their other neighbors that somehow her landline picked up other people’s phone calls. He stopped using his landline after that.

He can’t help the breath of frustration that puffs out of his mouth, “Mrs. Cassini, go home, please. She doesn’t need you spreadin’ rumors about her. She’s already stressed enough as it is.”

Her eyes widen.

She gasps, “So, it’s true?”

Well, it was going to be confirmed at some point. Guess that point is right now.

“Mrs. Cassini, please go home.”

She huffs like a child, turns on her heel, and walks back to her little cottage next door. He needs to get some sort of security system in his house, specifically for this woman and her unexpected visits.

He hears footsteps scurry up the stairs when he turns around to go back into the house.

Well, shit.

Joel hadn’t heard the bedroom door open nor had he heard your footsteps as you came out. Mrs. Cassini always knew the worst times to show up, didn’t she?

He approaches the bottom of the stairwell and calls out to you as calmly as he can, “I assume you heard that?”

A tiny gasp comes from the top of the stairs and your feet come into view. You step down a couple stairs and sit yourself down carefully on the plush carpet.

You nod.

“I’m sorry. She’s just kinda like that. Town gossip and all.”

You shrug, stiff and dejected.

“I get it. Weird pregnant girl shows up and everyone’s gotta know what’s wrong with her.”

“Well, it’s none of their business. I’ll just keep turnin’ ‘em away.”

You grab your knees like a kid who’s in timeout. Why do you always look like you’re about to be reprimanded– like you have to protect yourself from some unseen force? He suspects he might look that way too sometimes.

“Thank you. For telling her to go away.”

He hums, hands awkwardly stuffed in his pockets.

“Well, uh, I gotta go back to work, but don’t worry about Bill– I’ll get him to drop the charges on you.”

“Oh, okay.” You nod with a faraway look in your eye, hands coming up to your stomach almost instinctively.And he leaves, hops into his ancient, blue pickup truck, and puts it into drive. What happened to his normal fucking day?

series masterlist | joel masterlist | masterlist of all masterlists

#joel miller #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller the last of us #tlou #joel miller tlou #ppcu fanfic #ppcu fanfiction #ppcu #joel tlou #joel miller au #joel miller fluff #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fanfic #joel miller fic #joel miller series #pedro pascal

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pdriesta · 28 days ago

Text

pairing — levixblack!girl

genre — tooth-rotting fluff

word count — 16k

summary —levi colwill never believed in fate—until he met y/n. their chance encounters at the café leave him questioning everything he thought he knew about destiny. she’s guarded and doesn’t give him the time of day, but he’s determined to win her over. yet, how can he do that when he can’t even remember his own name?

an — peak avoidant procrastination core! instead of studying for finals, this idea came to me and i knew i had to write it. i hope you enjoy!

masterlist

levi wasn’t sure why he walked into the café. he’d passed it plenty of times on his way home, its muted green awning blending into the quiet street. it wasn’t the kind of place that screamed for attention—no neon signs or bright chalkboards advertising specials. maybe that’s why it appealed to him this morning.

he needed something... different. not the usual machine-brewed coffee from the training ground or the same protein-packed routine he’d been following for months. he wanted something strong. sharp.

so here he was.

the café was still waking up, the kind of place where the hum of a grinder and the occasional clatter of mugs filled the silence. the barista behind the counter didn’t even blink when he walked in, hoodie pulled low over his face, hands shoved into his pockets.

“black coffee,” he said, his voice barely above a mumble.

the barista nodded, moving with the kind of precision that only came from years of practice. levi stepped back, leaning against the counter as he waited.

his eyes wandered around the room, taking in the cozy, unassuming vibe. exposed brick walls. shelves lined with books and plants. a handful of tables, most of them empty.

except one.

his gaze landed on a girl near the window.

she was sitting alone, her head bent slightly, long braids falling over her shoulder in a way that made them look impossibly soft. she had clear-framed glasses perched on her nose and headphones covering her ears, the kind that looked big enough to block out the world.

her hands were busy with... something.

he squinted, trying to figure it out. she was holding a bundle of yarn, looping it around a shiny metal stick with quick, practiced movements. he didn’t have a clue what she was doing, but it was oddly mesmerizing.

“coffee’s ready,” the barista called, snapping him out of it.

levi grabbed the cup, hesitating for a moment before heading to her table.

he didn’t think about what he was going to say. he rarely did.

“hey,” he said, stepping into her line of vision.

she glanced up, her fingers pausing for half a second before resuming their work. “hi.”

her tone wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t rude, either. indifferent, maybe.

“what are you... doing?” he asked, gesturing vaguely at her hands.

her eyes flicked to the yarn, then back to him. “crocheting.”

he blinked. “cro... what?”

“crocheting,” she repeated, slower this time. “you know, making things with yarn?”

“oh.” he nodded like he understood, even though he didn’t.

her hands moved again, looping and twisting the yarn with practiced ease. he wanted to ask more, but something about the way she was looking at him—calm, detached, like she’d seen through whatever he was about to say—made him falter.

“so, uh... do you come here often?” he tried, leaning on the table slightly.

her brow lifted, and for a moment, he thought she might laugh.

“is that your line?”

he grinned, trying to play it off. “no, just... curious. i haven’t seen you here before.”

“maybe you weren’t looking,” she said simply, her attention already drifting back to her yarn.

he frowned. that wasn’t the response he’d expected.

“well,” he said, straightening up, “if you’re a regular, maybe i’ll see you around again.”

“maybe,” she said, not looking up.

he lingered for a second, waiting for... something. but she didn’t give him anything. no name, no question, not even a glance.

“right. have a good day,” he said finally, backing away.

she hummed in response, a soft, dismissive sound that made his chest tighten in a way he didn’t like to think about.

levi left the café, the cool morning air hitting him like a splash of water.

it wasn’t until he was halfway down the street that it hit him.

he never told her his name.

“idiot,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

still, he couldn’t shake the image of her—the calm, focused way she’d ignored him, the faint smirk that had lingered on her lips when she called him out.

he told himself he wouldn’t go back. she didn’t seem interested, anyway.

but deep down, he knew this wasn’t the last time he’d see her.

levi didn’t usually believe in fate.

but after last night’s match—an edge-of-your-seat thriller that had him riding high on adrenaline well past midnight—he couldn’t help the good feeling that crept over him when he woke up this morning. it wasn’t just the win, though that felt sweet enough to carry him through the rest of the week.

he thought of her.

the girl from the café.

he told himself it was harmless, coming back. his training session wasn’t until later that afternoon, and he needed coffee anyway. besides, it wasn’t like he knew she’d even be there. but something in him—a quiet, nagging instinct—urged him to go.

by the time he stepped into the café, his heart was already beating a little faster.

he spotted her almost immediately.

she was in the same seat by the window, her head bent slightly as her hands worked at another bundle of yarn. the morning light streaming in through the glass caught on the soft brown of her skin, her long braids swaying as she adjusted her position.

he didn’t realize he was smiling until he was already at the counter.

“just a black coffee, please,” he told the barista, his eyes darting back toward her table as the machine hummed to life.

she hadn’t noticed him. her focus was entirely on whatever she was making, her fingers moving with that same quiet efficiency that had caught his attention last time.

coffee in hand, he made his way over, his sneakers making a soft scuffing sound against the floor. he stopped just short of her table, waiting for her to glance up.

she didn’t.

“hey,” he said, the word hanging in the air for a moment before her head tilted slightly toward him.

she pulled one side of her headphones off, her eyes meeting his with that same calm, almost detached gaze he remembered.

“hi.”

he gestured to the empty chair across from her. “mind if i sit?”

she glanced around the café, taking in the sea of empty chairs and tables, before looking back at him.

“you couldn’t find anywhere else?” she asked, her tone dry but not unkind.

he laughed softly, running a hand over the back of his neck. “what can i say? the company here’s unmatched.”

she stared at him for a moment, her lips pressing into a line like she was deciding whether to send him away. then, with a small tilt of her head, she gestured toward the chair.

“go ahead.”

“thanks,” he said, sliding into the seat with a small grin.

her attention drifted back to her hands, the yarn pulling taut as she worked. for a while, he just watched, sipping his coffee and trying to think of something to say.

“so,” he started, nodding toward the yarn in her hands. “what are you making this time?”

she glanced up briefly, her brows lifting. “this time?”

“yeah,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “last time, you said it was a blanket, right?”

her lips twitched, and for a second, he thought she might actually smile.

“it wasn’t a blanket,” she said, her tone patient but amused. “it was a sweater.”

he blinked, caught off guard. “a sweater?”

“yeah.”

“like... a proper one? with sleeves?”

she tilted her head slightly, her fingers never stopping their work. “aren’t most sweaters proper ones?”

he let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “you’re telling me you made a sweater with just that... hook thing?”

“crochet hook,” she corrected, her voice steady.

“right. that.” he gestured toward her hands, still baffled. “how do you even do that? doesn’t it take forever?”

“depends on the pattern,” she said, her tone nonchalant. “some things take longer than others.”

he nodded, though he didn’t entirely understand. “how long have you been doing it?”

she paused for a moment, her gaze flicking up to meet his before returning to her yarn. “since i was a kid. my grandmother taught me.”

“that’s... cool,” he said, though the word felt too small for what he meant. “so, you just make stuff like sweaters and blankets for fun?”

“sometimes,” she said. “sometimes i sell them.”

he sat back, genuinely impressed. “you’re telling me people buy this stuff?”

her lips curved slightly, the faintest hint of pride in her expression. “yeah. people buy this stuff.”

he let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “that’s mad. i can’t even sew a button back on my shirt.”

“doesn’t surprise me,” she said lightly, her tone teasing.

he grinned, leaning forward again. “you’re full of jokes today, huh?”

“just being honest.”

he laughed, the sound drawing a few curious glances from the barista behind the counter. he didn’t care. for the first time in a long time, he felt like he didn’t have to try so hard to impress someone.

“what’s your coffee order?” he asked after a moment, the question slipping out before he could stop it.

“a latte,” she said, not looking up.

“what flavor?”

“hazelnut.”

“fancy,” he said, raising his brows.

“not really,” she said, her tone even.

he chuckled, taking another sip of his coffee. the bitterness felt grounding, a sharp contrast to the way his chest felt light just sitting across from her.

they fell into a comfortable silence, the soft click of her crochet hook filling the space between them. he wanted to keep talking, to ask her more, but something about her calm focus made him hesitate.

eventually, he drained the last of his coffee and set the cup down with a quiet clink.

“thanks for letting me sit,” he said, pushing his chair back slightly.

“sure,” she said, her gaze still on her hands.

he lingered for a moment, the words caught in his throat. he thought about introducing himself, thought about saying something clever or memorable. but instead, he just nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stood.

“see you around,” he said lightly.

she hummed in response, not looking up.

as he stepped outside, the cool morning air hit his face, and he realized he was smiling.

she hadn’t asked who he was. she hadn’t cared.

and for some reason, that made him want to see her again even more.

levi sat there, his gaze drifting back to the yarn slipping through her fingers, the steady rhythm of her hands like a quiet hum in the background. he took a sip of his black coffee, grimacing a little. it was fine, but he wasn't exactly a fan. black coffee was just something to get him through, especially after a late-night match and the early morning training ahead.

"i still don’t get why you drink this," he muttered, shaking his head. "it’s not even that great." he chuckled, trying to make the comment lighthearted, though it was clear from the way he cradled the cup that he didn’t find it appealing.

she glanced at him from behind her glasses, her eyes briefly meeting his before flicking back to her project. “i’m guessing you’re not here for the coffee,” she said, her voice flat.

he smiled, leaning in slightly, genuinely curious. "yeah, i’m trying to expand my horizons. i only drink black coffee when i’m tired or when work’s got me running on fumes." he paused, eyeing his cup again. "but i don’t even like it that much."

“so, you’re still figuring out what you actually like?” she asked, her voice carrying that same cool indifference. but there was something in her tone that made him want to push past her walls.

levi shifted in his seat, adjusting himself slightly. “i guess so. i don’t even know what i’m looking for.”

she snorted, but it wasn’t in a mean way. “i could tell,” she said, focusing on her hands again. “you’re still working on figuring yourself out, huh?”

levi chuckled softly, nodding. "you could say that."

a silence settled between them, but this time, it wasn’t uncomfortable. levi found himself watching her again, intrigued not only by her skills but by the way she carried herself. the way she didn’t rush, didn’t give much away.

“so, what made you start doing this?” he asked, trying again, genuinely wanting to know more about her.

she gave a small shrug, her hands working faster now, the movements fluid. “just picked it up. been doing it since i was a kid.”

"that’s impressive," levi said, leaning forward a bit. "i could never do something like that. i can barely manage to focus for more than a few minutes at a time."

she glanced up at him briefly, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "you don’t look like you’ve got the patience for it."

he smiled at that, leaning back in his chair. “maybe not. but i like the idea of making something from nothing.”

"well, it takes time," she replied, her voice low and steady, focusing intently on the sweater in front of her.

levi watched her for a moment, the tension between them subtle but palpable. his mind was racing with questions, but he couldn’t figure out how to ask without feeling like he was pushing too hard.

“what’s your name, by the way?” he asked, finally breaking the silence, his words slipping out before he could stop them.

she didn’t stop her work, her hands still moving expertly as she glanced up at him for a split second. “you’ll have to work for it,” she said, her lips curling slightly.

levi chuckled, nodding. “fair enough. guess i’ll keep trying then.”

“guess so,” she said, her tone nonchalant, though a slight smile tugged at her lips.

he smiled back, not sure why the idea of keeping her name out of reach made him want to try even harder. “well, i’ll be back tomorrow. i’ll try a chai latte next time. see if i like that better than this black coffee.”

"we’ll see," she said, barely sparing him another glance as she continued her work.

levi stood up, gathering his things. “alright then. i’ll be around.”

"maybe," she replied, not looking up.

he walked out of the café, the door chiming behind him, but this time, there was something different in the air. he didn’t know exactly what it was, but he had a feeling he’d be back tomorrow, and the day after that, until he figured out what it was that kept pulling him to her.

levi had come to the café so often, he didn't even think twice about sitting in his usual spot anymore. it had become a place he didn't mind spending time, especially after training sessions that left him exhausted. but there was something else that kept pulling him in—something he couldn’t quite shake. and that was the girl. the girl with the quiet hands that worked magic with yarn, the girl who barely seemed to notice him at first, and yet, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. he'd grown fond of the place, sure, but it was really because of her.

tonight, he hadn't planned to see her. he didn’t even expect to find her here at this late hour. but the moment he walked in, he instinctively went to the same table by the window, his eyes scanning the dimly lit café. the usual crowd had thinned out, but as he pulled out his phone, scrolling through a few texts and messages, something caught his attention. his breath hitched in his chest as his gaze lifted, locking onto her.

she was standing in front of him, her hands holding two drinks, and in that moment, levi couldn’t breathe properly. she looked... different. so different that for a second, he thought maybe he had missed something—had he even been looking at her the way he should have before? her hair wasn’t in braids anymore, but loose, soft curls that framed her face perfectly. her baby hairs were delicately laid, and she wore no glasses this time. she was dressed in a brown pencil skirt, a beige turtleneck, and the most stunning leather thigh-high platform boots he’d ever seen. even standing up, he was still towering over her, but it didn’t matter. she looked incredible.

he stood up, instinctively wanting to say something, anything. but all he could manage was a quiet breath, his voice unsure. “you... you look different.”

she laughed softly, the sound easy and effortless. “thank you, i guess.”

levi watched as she slipped into the seat ahead of him, the same spot she always sat in when he’d seen her before. she settled in, as if nothing had changed. but he had changed. he was suddenly more aware of her—of the way she held herself, the quiet elegance in her movements.

“you’re here late,” she commented, her voice calm as she placed one of the drinks in front of him.

"yeah, i guess i've... grown fond of this place," levi said, unsure why he added the ‘fond’ part. it just came out. but it was true. he had grown fond of the café, especially at this hour when everything was quieter, and the bustle of the city outside seemed a world away.

she raised an eyebrow at him, almost teasing. “you didn’t get a drink?”

levi chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “was going to. didn’t really know what to get.” his gaze shifted to the drink she’d placed in front of him, his curiosity piqued.

without saying much more, she nudged the drink closer to him, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “you said you wanted to widen your horizons. try this, and see if it meets the expectations of your ‘black soulless coffee’.”

levi blinked, momentarily taken aback by her words, but then he smiled. “you’re too generous,” he murmured, finally taking the drink from the table. “thank you.”

he took a sip, not expecting much, but when the flavor exploded on his taste buds, he nearly groaned. it was nothing like what he thought it would be. it was smooth, sweet, and somehow rich, with layers of flavor he couldn’t quite place. he leaned back in his seat, wide-eyed. “holy shit... this is... good. is this even coffee? it tastes like... a cake.”

she chuckled softly, clearly enjoying his reaction. “it’s a cookie butter latte. half sweet, decaf. considering it’s the evening.” she paused, her fingers absentmindedly tapping on the table as she looked up at him. “you’re welcome, i guess.”

levi blinked, still trying to wrap his head around how good it was. “this is incredible. no one’s ever done this for me before.”

“well,” she said with a shrug, her tone light but not unkind, “don’t get used to it, pretty boy. that ran me five pounds.”

levi let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “i’m definitely coming back for this.” he took another sip, savoring the taste. “so you’re a uni student, huh?”

“yep, go to ucl,” she replied, her voice still casual. “but it’s break right now, so i come here to unwind.”

levi couldn’t help but smile at that, the way she spoke so simply, as if she was still somewhat closed off, but in a way that intrigued him even more. “must be nice. i bet it gets overwhelming with everything you’re doing.”

she shrugged again, looking down at her drink. “it is what it is. everyone has their own shit to deal with, right?”

“yeah, i get that,” levi agreed quietly, his gaze on her. “but it’s nice to have a place to unwind, right?”

“i guess so,” she said, her voice quieting for a moment. “it’s better than dealing with everything in my dorm.”

levi noticed how her expression shifted slightly, a bit more guarded than before, and it made him want to ask more. something about her still felt off, but he wasn’t sure if it was something she wanted to talk about. yet, as if the question was out before he could stop it, he found himself leaning forward, a genuine curiosity in his voice. “so, what’s got you all dressed up tonight? not that i’m complaining,” he added quickly, not wanting her to think he was being too nosy.

her lips curled slightly, and for a moment, he could see a flicker of something behind her eyes. “it’s none of your business,” she said, her tone a bit sharper, but she didn’t look mad. more resigned. “but i’m coming from a bad date.”

levi blinked, taken aback. he hadn’t expected that, and it hit him harder than he thought it would. jealousy rose in his chest without warning, but he tried to keep it off his face as he asked, “bad date? what happened?”

“he was... well, he wasn’t exactly my type,” she started, leaning back in her seat, clearly in the mood to share now. “kept talking about himself. didn’t really seem interested in anything i had to say. and, let’s just say, there was a lot of... silence.” she rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her drink as if she was trying to distance herself from the memory.

levi let out a small chuckle, trying to hide the slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “sounds like a disaster.”

“yeah, well, i guess you could say that.” she sighed, her shoulders dropping. “and then he asked if i wanted to go out to dinner after, like, i didn’t just sit through the world’s longest monologue.” she shook her head, a laugh escaping her despite herself. “some people just have no idea how to talk to anyone.”

levi nodded, half-laughing, half-intrigued by the way she was speaking now. “sounds like you dodged a bullet.” he paused. “but i’m sorry that happened.”

“yeah, me too,” she muttered, eyes on her drink. “but i’ll live.”

levi couldn’t help himself. the silence between them was comfortable now, but the way she looked tonight—how she spoke so casually about her date, yet still had that mysterious air about her—made him want to push just a little further.

he leaned back in his chair, his eyes finding hers once more, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "you know," he said, his voice lower than before, smooth, almost teasing. "i can’t help but think that if i’d been on that date, things might have gone a little differently."

her brow arched slightly, and she glanced up at him, the faintest smile playing on her lips. "oh? how’s that?"

he shrugged, his smile widening, his voice almost a whisper. "well, for starters, i actually listen when people talk," he teased, leaning forward just enough to close the space between them. "and i definitely wouldn’t have spent the whole time talking about myself. unless, of course, you wanted me to."

her eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no mistaking the hint of amusement in them. “so you’re saying i should’ve been on a date with you instead?”

levi chuckled, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back again, crossing his arms with a confident smirk. “well, i wouldn’t want to say that, but... maybe you’re onto something.”

she laughed softly, shaking her head. “you’re a piece of work, you know that?”

he shrugged casually, his grin never wavering. "hey, if i’m gonna be a piece of work, at least i’m a good one." he leaned in a little closer, his gaze locking onto hers. “you know, if you ever want a do-over on that bad date, i’m pretty sure i could make it worth your while.”

she paused, eyes flickering to his lips for a split second before meeting his gaze again, her voice quieter now. "you’re bold, i’ll give you that."

levi’s grin softened slightly, but his eyes never left hers. "yeah, well, it wouldn’t be me if i wasn’t."

he took another sip of his drink, watching as she did the same, a subtle tension now hanging between them. he was flirting, sure, but it felt different with her. like something more. something unspoken. and as the seconds ticked by, he realized he didn’t mind the tension. in fact, he kind of liked it.

“you know, i’ll be back tomorrow,” he said casually, his voice smooth, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "i’ll be here... just in case you want to give me another chance to prove i’m not so bad."

she looked at him for a long moment, her lips curling into a smile. "we’ll see about that, pretty boy."

and with that, levi stood, his heart racing a little faster than it should have, but he didn’t let it show. he smiled at her, giving her one last lingering look before he turned and walked out of the café, the door chiming behind him. as he stepped out into the cool evening air, he couldn't help but feel like he was one step closer to understanding just what it was about her that kept him coming back. and as much as he’d like to think it was just for the coffee, he knew it was something—someone—far more intriguing than that.

the days without him felt oddly long. y/n found herself sitting in her usual spot at the café, the soft hum of background chatter surrounding her, but it wasn’t the same. he wasn’t here, and though she tried to tell herself it was fine, that she didn’t need to see him every day, she couldn't help the way her thoughts drifted back to him. to the last time they spoke. to the way he always seemed to appear out of nowhere, like some kind of mirage, and then somehow make the air feel just a little bit lighter.

she hadn't seen him for days—he’d mentioned something about traveling, which, in her mind, had only made him seem even more distant, like he was off somewhere doing something important. she couldn't quite figure out how she felt about that. part of her wanted to believe it was just the simple, fleeting nature of their interactions, that she'd be perfectly fine without him. after all, they barely knew each other.

but, there was something about him. something that kept tugging at her, something she couldn’t shake, no matter how much she tried to keep herself busy with her coursework or with her crochet projects. every time she made coffee at home, she wondered if it tasted like the one he’d gotten her. that cookie butter latte. the one he seemed so taken with. the one she couldn’t help but think about every time her mind wandered.

it wasn’t even about the drink anymore—it was about him.

as much as y/n didn’t want to admit it, there was something magnetic about him. not just the way he looked, though he was undeniably handsome, but the way he made her feel. seen, even in the briefest moments of their conversations. he didn’t ask for much, didn’t try to push her past her boundaries, but he was there—always just a little bit closer than she was ready for.

y/n found herself wondering what he was doing now. what he was thinking. if he ever thought of her the way she was thinking of him. she had no way of knowing, of course. he was a stranger. just the handsome boy from the coffee shop.

he’d slipped in and out of her life so seamlessly that she had barely noticed. until now, when he wasn’t there anymore.

levi sat on the bus to newcastle, the city’s skyline fading behind him, and couldn’t help but think of her. the girl from the coffee shop. the one who, despite her quiet nature, had managed to capture his attention with nothing more than a smile and the faintest of glances.

it hadn’t been a big deal when he’d first noticed her, but now? now it felt different. it was the little things. the moved her hair from her faxe when when she was focused, the way she looked down when she smiled, as if she were shy about it. the way she’d corrected him when he’d called her knitting “crocheting” the other day—it had been a small thing, but he’d liked it. liked how she didn’t let him get away with things, even in passing.

he found himself thinking about their conversations more than he should have. wondering what she was doing, where she was, what she was thinking. maybe it was the fact that he was so used to people coming and going, but with her, it felt different. like she was a part of something he didn’t quite understand, but couldn’t stop thinking about.

he knew nothing about her, other than the small details she’d shared—she went to school, studied something, but had never told him exactly what. he didn’t know her name, didn’t even know what made her laugh the hardest. but still, he found himself wishing he could know. wishing he could be the one she reached out to. wishing he could see that smile again.

and yet, despite all of that, he hadn’t gotten her number. hadn’t asked her for it. maybe it was the fact that their interactions felt like something so casual, so simple, that asking for something more felt... strange. he didn’t want to ruin what they had, even if it was fleeting. he wasn’t sure if he was ready to push for more—maybe because he didn’t know what that even meant with someone like her.

but damn it, he thought as he gazed out the window, he missed her.

back at the café, y/n found herself checking her phone more often than usual. the same notification that had come through earlier in the day had now come through again. a message from one of her friends. but she didn’t really care about that. her eyes darted to the door when she heard the jingle of the bell. he wasn’t there. of course, he wasn’t. he was away.

the thought made her chest tighten, and she found herself biting her lip, fighting against the way her mind kept trailing back to him. she didn’t even know his name. didn’t know anything about him other than the fact that he liked the same spot she did. and that somehow, that was enough for her.

y/n let out a breath, trying to focus on her work, but it was impossible not to think of him. she hated how much his absence had affected her, even if she didn’t know how to put it into words. there was something magnetic about him, something in the way he looked at her that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t just the girl sitting at the table, minding her own business. she was her.

the thought made her smile, despite herself. and that damn smile, she couldn’t even explain it. it was like it had a life of its own.

it had only been a few days. but she couldn't help wondering if he was thinking of her too. if he was sitting wherever he was, lost in his own thoughts, just like she was.

the next day, y/n walked into the café, the familiar chime of the door ringing in her ears. she looked around, expecting to find her usual spot empty, as it had been for the past few days. but this time, her gaze immediately found him—the boy from the coffee shop.

he was sitting in his usual seat, but this time, there was a small change. two cups sat on the table in front of him, each one steaming gently, a soft swirl of vapor rising from the tops. his presence seemed to fill the space in a way it hadn’t before, and y/n felt an odd sense of relief settle over her. she couldn’t explain why, but the sight of him, sitting there waiting for her, made her feel oddly happy. maybe it was because she hadn't realized how much she'd missed him until now.

he hadn’t seen her yet, so she took a deep breath before walking over, the heels of her boots clicking softly on the floor as she approached. when he finally looked up, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“you’re here early today,” she commented, settling into her seat across from him.

levi didn’t answer right away, his eyes briefly flickering between the two cups before he looked back at her. he didn’t want to make it obvious, but he’d been waiting for this moment all morning. it felt... comforting to see her again, like a small piece of normalcy in the whirlwind of his own thoughts.

“yeah,” he said with a small grin, his voice steady, “wanted us to try something new together.” he pushed one of the cups in her direction. “this one’s for you. a little something different.”

y/n raised an eyebrow, her fingers instinctively reaching for the cup. “new, huh? what’s the catch?”

“no catch,” he said, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. “just thought it might be nice to... mix things up.” his voice was casual, but there was something in the way his eyes softened when he looked at her that made her heart race just a little faster.

she smiled as she picked up the cup, the warmth of it radiating through her fingers. taking a small sip, she was surprised at how much she liked it. the flavor wasn’t overpowering but had a sweetness to it that lingered on her tongue.

“okay,” she said, setting it back down with a raised eyebrow. “this... is actually really good. what is it?”

he hesitated for a second, not because he didn’t know, but because he wasn’t sure how to explain it without making it sound like he was showing off. he didn’t want to reveal too much, didn’t want her to think that he was that guy.

“it’s a caramel hazelnut latte. i thought you might like something a bit sweeter,” he replied, his gaze flicking to her.

“yeah,” she nodded, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. “you definitely know what you’re doing.” she leaned back slightly in her chair, looking at him with a small smirk. “you’ve got good taste. i’ll give you that.”

levi felt a small chuckle escape his lips, his usual reserved nature slipping for just a moment. “glad to know i didn’t completely mess up.”

they sat in a comfortable silence for a few seconds, both sipping their drinks, enjoying the warmth that filled the space between them. levi’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than usual, watching the way she curled her fingers around the cup, the way her gaze flicked to the window, as if lost in thought.

“how was your trip?” she asked, breaking the silence, her voice soft but curious.

he stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the question. he wasn’t used to sharing details of his personal life with people, especially not when he didn’t know where it would lead. but somehow, with her, it didn’t feel as hard as it usually did.

“it was... fine,” he replied after a beat, shifting in his seat. “same old. long hours on the road. nothing too exciting.”

y/n nodded, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying but not pressing him for it. “i get that. the whole traveling thing must get old.”

“yeah,” he said, his fingers tapping against the rim of his cup, “but it’s part of the job.” he paused, his mind racing for a moment. then, before he could stop himself, he added, “though... i can’t say i missed the long bus rides or the hotel rooms.”

she smiled at that, her gaze softening. “sounds rough.”

“you have no idea,” he said, his voice lighter than before.

she looked at him then, really looked at him, and for a brief moment, levi felt a strange sort of vulnerability settle in his chest. he wasn’t used to people looking at him like that. like they cared.

he quickly cleared his throat and leaned back in his seat. “but enough about me. what about you? how’s school going?”

the question caught her off guard, but she shrugged, not wanting to seem too eager to talk about herself. “it’s going alright. i’m just... trying to keep up, you know? exams are coming up soon, so it’s been a bit hectic.”

“i bet,” he said, his voice laced with genuine interest. “must be tough balancing all of that.”

“yeah, well,” she paused, taking another sip of her drink, “i manage. just a little more coffee and a lot of late nights.”

he chuckled, a soft sound that made her smile involuntarily. “yeah, well, you’ve definitely got me hooked,” he admitted with a grin. “i didn’t really need coffee before, but i think you’ve converted me.”

y/n raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. she leaned forward slightly, her gaze meeting his with a hint of mischief. “are you sure it’s the coffee you need?” she asked, her voice light but laced with something deeper.

levi froze for a moment, caught off guard by her sudden flirtation. she was really flirting with him, wasn’t she? the girl who always seemed so composed, so hard to read, was throwing him off balance with just a few words. the playful glint in her eyes only made it harder for him to stay focused. he tried to laugh it off, but there was a nervous edge to it.

“what do you mean?” he asked, trying to sound casual, though his heart had picked up its pace.

she shrugged, her lips curling upward as she leaned back into her chair. “oh, nothing,” she said, her voice soft but teasing. “just thinking... you seem to get a little lost in your thoughts these days.”

levi blinked, feeling heat rise to his cheeks. he knew she was being playful, but the way she said it made him feel exposed in a way he wasn’t used to. he ran a hand through his hair, trying to regain his composure, but he was already hooked on the way her words had made him feel.

“you think i’m lost in my thoughts?” he asked, a playful edge creeping into his tone as he leaned forward, mirroring her position. “maybe you’re just distracting me.”

she laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement, but there was something different about the way she looked at him now. she was still holding that confident, almost untouchable energy, but there was a softness to it. it was as if they were playing this delicate game of flirtation, testing the waters without really admitting anything.

“maybe,” she said, a coy smile tugging at her lips. “but it’s a good distraction, don’t you think?”

levi wasn’t sure how to respond. he had come here expecting another quiet, easy conversation, but now everything felt charged with an intensity he hadn’t expected. it was as if the dynamic between them had shifted in an instant, and he didn’t quite know how to navigate it. still, he couldn’t deny that he liked it—liked the way she was making him feel, liked the way the air between them had thickened.

“i don’t know,” he said, his voice lowering just a touch. “guess i’ll have to keep coming back to find out.”

y/n tilted her head, studying him, and for the first time, levi saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. it was subtle, like a crack in a mask she’d perfected over time, but he caught it. just for a second. and it made his chest tighten, wanting to see more of her behind that guarded exterior.

“you’re welcome to,” she said, her tone playful but somehow more inviting than before. she picked up her drink again, taking another sip, and they fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the tension between them almost palpable.

“how was the trip, though?” she asked after a beat, bringing the conversation back to something more grounded. she didn’t want to dwell too much on the moment, but she couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on behind his cool exterior.

he hesitated for a moment, not wanting to give too much away. “work trip,” he said simply. “nothing exciting. just the usual.”

y/n nodded, her gaze softening. “you know, you don’t have to be so mysterious all the time. i won’t bite.”

he chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair again. “i don’t know,” he said, his tone teasing. “you seem like you’ve got a few tricks up your sleeve.”

she smirked, clearly enjoying the back and forth. “maybe. but you’re just as mysterious as i am, aren’t you?” she tilted her head, narrowing her eyes slightly. “can’t hide behind that charm forever.”

he leaned in slightly, his voice low and playful. “guess we’ll just have to keep finding out about each other then, won’t we?”

she looked at him, their eyes locking for a brief moment, the flirtation between them lingering in the air like an unspoken promise. for the first time, levi wasn’t sure where this was going, but he knew one thing for sure—he didn’t want it to end.

and y/n, despite all her usual composure, couldn’t help but feel the same.

there was a brief silence before she tilted her head, studying him in a way that made him feel both self-conscious and oddly seen. she didn’t know who he was—what he did for a living—but she seemed to be genuinely interested in him, and he couldn’t help but feel the need to keep that illusion intact, just a little longer.

her eyes narrowed playfully, but she said nothing more, just taking another sip of her drink as they both sat in comfortable silence, the world around them fading as the moment stretched on.

and for levi, that quiet, unspoken connection—no matter how small or fleeting—felt like something worth holding on to.

the café was unusually quiet when y/n arrived, her usual table by the window empty for once. she was already there, seated with her laptop in front of her, but something was different today. usually, she had a crochet project or a book, but now she was hunched over her laptop, fingers flying over the keys, her brows furrowed in frustration. the tension in her posture spoke volumes. levi hadn’t even noticed at first—he’d been so used to seeing her relaxed, calm, even playful—but today, she seemed anything but.

when levi walked in, he didn’t expect to see her first. the sight of her there, looking so different from the usual sunny demeanor he was used to, made his heart twist in an unfamiliar way. he ordered their usual drinks, and without a second thought, made his way toward her, two steaming cups in hand.

he took a step closer, then another, his eyes scanning the table. "hey," he said softly, and she startled slightly, glancing up from her screen, her face tense. she tried to mask it with a small smile, but levi could see right through it. there was something off, something she wasn’t letting on.

"hey," she replied, her voice strained. "what’s up?"

he set the cups down on the table gently and leaned in a little, studying her. "you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle but curious. it wasn’t like her to be so absorbed in work, to be so... off balance. "what’s wrong?"

she gave a small shrug, trying to brush it off. "what do you mean?" she asked, but the tension in her voice was impossible to miss.

levi tilted his head, his gaze not leaving her. "well, usually you're making something, or reading, or just... doing your thing. i’ve never seen you bring work here before. so... must mean you have a lot on your plate." his words were slow, deliberate, as if he were carefully navigating the space between them, not wanting to overstep but also unable to ignore the concern bubbling up in him.

y/n let out a small huff, and a frustrated sigh escaped her lips. "is it that obvious?" she asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended. it was clear she hadn’t expected him to notice, to see through the facade she’d tried to maintain all morning. but levi wasn’t just anyone; he was... different.

before she could retreat into herself, he did something he’d never done before. something that sent a jolt through her chest. he didn’t sit across from her like he always did. instead, he moved around the table, sliding into the seat next to her. the shift in space was almost intimate, the proximity far closer than it had ever been. his large frame pressed up against hers, their shoulders nudged together in a way that left her feeling acutely aware of how close they were.

she blinked, momentarily stunned by the sudden closeness. "what are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but she couldn’t move away, couldn't bring herself to make the space between them. instead, she returned her gaze to her screen, pretending to focus on the words before her.

but levi wasn’t having any of it. gently, he reached over and placed a hand on her chin. his touch was featherlight, as if testing the waters, but it was enough to make her body stiffen for a second, caught off guard by the soft, intimate gesture. her breath caught in her throat as he guided her face toward him, forcing her to meet his eyes.

and once she did, she couldn’t look away.

levi’s gaze was intense, searching. it felt like he was prying into her very soul with that look, digging deeper than she was prepared for. it made her heart race, her breath hitching in her throat, but she couldn’t escape it. not from him. not from the way he held her gaze like he was trying to understand her, trying to reach her in a way no one else had.

he whispered, his breath warm against her skin, "talk to me."

and those three words, so simple yet so loaded, broke something inside of her.

y/n blinked rapidly, her chest tightening as a rush of emotion flooded her all at once. her mind raced, and for a moment, she thought she might drown in it. she hadn’t realized how much she needed to talk, how much she needed someone to listen. she hadn’t expected him to be that someone, not like this.

but she couldn’t stop herself.

“it’s this damn group project,” she muttered, her voice cracking slightly. “i’ve been doing everything, everything. no one else is pulling their weight. they’re all either half-assing it or disappearing altogether. it’s like... like they don’t care, and i’m stuck picking up the pieces. it’s not fair. i’m so tired. i can’t keep doing all the work on my own.”

her words spilled out faster than she could stop them, the floodgates breaking open, and for the first time in a long time, she let herself be vulnerable in front of someone. levi didn’t interrupt, didn’t try to comfort her with empty words. instead, he just listened, his eyes never leaving hers as she continued.

"i feel like i’m drowning, like no matter how hard i try, nothing’s good enough. i can’t be the only one carrying the weight of everyone’s mistakes. and i’ve been trying to stay calm, trying to keep everything together, but i just... i just can’t anymore. i’m exhausted." she let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of it all, the pressure pressing down on her chest.

levi didn’t speak for a moment, letting her words hang in the air, the tension between them palpable. then, slowly, he leaned closer, his arm brushing against hers, the warmth of his body grounding her.

“you don’t have to do everything on your own,” he said quietly, his voice soft but firm, like he was trying to make her believe it. “you don’t have to carry everything, y/n. you don’t have to be the only one holding it all together.”

she blinked, the sincerity in his voice making something inside her shift. it wasn’t just the words—it was the way he said them, as if he meant every syllable. he didn’t offer her advice, didn’t try to fix her problems, but his presence, the way he was there with her, offering a quiet kind of support, was enough. it was more than enough.

y/n took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. she wasn’t used to opening up, wasn’t used to being this raw with anyone, but somehow, with levi, it felt different. safer, even.

“thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but levi heard it.

and even though she didn’t say it, he knew what she meant.

levi watched her carefully, the tension slowly easing from her shoulders. the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable anymore—it was like a quiet understanding, an unspoken connection that neither of them had expected but both felt. he noticed her looking at her screen again, the stress still lingering in her eyes, so he decided to do something, anything, to lighten the mood.

he slid the new drink he’d gotten her toward her, the warm cup resting gently in front of her. "here," he said softly, giving her a small smile. "thought you might like to try this one. it’s a new blend i saw. figured we could see if it’s any good together."

she looked at the cup for a moment, her fingers brushing against it before she met his eyes. "you keep surprising me with these," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. she picked up the cup, her fingers wrapping around the warmth of it, and took a careful sip. immediately, her eyes lit up, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "okay, this... this is actually really good."

levi grinned, pleased with her reaction. he hadn’t known if it would be her thing, but seeing the spark of enjoyment in her face made it worth the guesswork. "i knew it," he said, leaning back in his chair a little. "i have a pretty solid track record."

y/n shook her head, laughing lightly, and for a moment, it felt like the weight of her frustrations had melted away, if only for a little while. the sound of her laughter, soft and genuine, warmed levi in a way he hadn’t expected. it was so rare to hear her laugh, and when it came, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

she took another sip of the drink, her shoulders relaxing further, and levi found himself watching her with a quiet smile. then, without thinking, he slid his hand over to hers, the gesture casual but deliberate, and gently squeezed her fingers.

"look," he started, his voice a little more serious now, though still soft. "if you need help with this project or... whatever else, i’m here, okay? i might not be a hot shot pre-med student like you, but i can at least sit here and look pretty if that’s what you need." he said it with a teasing smile, but there was an edge of sincerity underneath it all.

y/n raised an eyebrow at him, the smallest hint of a playful smirk on her lips. "you? look pretty?" she asked, her voice teasing but light. "i think you might be underselling yourself."

levi’s smile widened, but he stayed quiet for a beat before responding, his tone low, as if he was trying to make her take him seriously despite the playful words. "no, really," he said, his voice softening. "if you need anything—anything at all—i’ll help. even if it’s just sitting here and being a distraction. i’ll do it."

y/n looked at him, her gaze soft, and for a moment, he could tell she wasn’t just seeing the boy who sat across from her at the coffee shop. she was seeing him, the person, the one who cared, the one who wanted to make things easier for her, even if he didn’t have the answers.

"honestly," she said, her voice quieter now, "just having you here is enough. you don’t need to do anything." she looked down at their hands for a moment, her thumb brushing gently over his knuckles before she added, "it’s just... nice. to have someone here."

levi’s chest tightened at her words, and though he wanted to say more, to somehow put into words how much it meant to him, he simply stayed quiet. there was no need for more. sometimes, silence spoke louder than anything else.

he kept his hand in hers, the warmth between them undeniable, and watched as she started to relax, her fingers slowly uncurling from their tense grip around her cup. for once, her eyes weren’t filled with worry or frustration. they were just... soft. and he realized, for the first time in a long time, that maybe he didn’t have to fix everything. maybe being there, just being present, was enough.

and as they sat together, both silently savoring the quiet comfort of the moment, levi knew one thing for certain—he didn’t want to be anywhere else.

levi sat back in his chair, the laughter of his friends and teammates filling the air as the waiters bustled around the table. the dim lighting of the restaurant cast a soft glow over the group, their conversations ebbing and flowing like the clink of glasses and the rhythm of silverware. it was a typical night out—good food, good company, the kind of evening that didn’t require much thought, just relaxation. but levi’s mind wasn’t entirely present.

his gaze flickered to the empty seat next to him, where his friends’ girlfriends had nestled themselves, chatting animatedly with each other. he wasn’t sure why, but his thoughts kept drifting back to her—the girl from the coffee shop.

the memory of her soft laughter, her gentle teasing, the way her eyes would light up when she found something amusing... it lingered with him like the scent of freshly brewed coffee, something impossible to shake off. the fact that he didn’t even know her name didn’t help the restlessness in his chest.

"yo, levi, are you even listening, mate?" noni’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. levi blinked, realizing everyone at the table was now looking at him expectantly.

"what?" he replied, his attention snapping back to the group. noni grinned mischievously.

"you’ve been staring off into space for like, the past five minutes," noni said, nudging him with his elbow. "someone’s got a girl on his mind, huh?"

levi chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "nah, just thinking about stuff," he muttered, but his tone gave him away. he didn’t want to get into it. not yet.

"oh, really?" cole chimed in, winking at him. "come on, mate, you’ve been acting all... distracted lately. is there someone we don’t know about?"

there were chuckles around the table as several of the guys gave each other knowing looks. levi shifted in his seat, feeling the familiar pull of anxiety creep up on him. he didn’t know how to explain it. he wasn’t used to having his emotions laid bare in front of everyone.

"i do have someone," levi said, his voice quiet, but a little more confident than before. he tried to sound casual about it, though the words left his mouth with an unfamiliar weight. "there’s someone i’m seeing."

the teasing stopped for a second, and the table fell silent as they all looked at him, eyes wide with curiosity. noni was the first to break the silence. "oh really?" he asked, his grin widening. "and what’s her name, then?"

levi froze, a frown tugging at his lips. the question hit him harder than he expected. he had been so careful about not saying anything, so careful not to reveal that he didn’t know her name.

"uhh..." he stammered, feeling the pressure building as all eyes were on him. "i mean... i haven’t really asked yet," he added quickly, trying to play it off.

the table erupted in laughter.

"are you kidding me, levi?" jadon laughed, shaking his head. "you’re telling us you’re seeing a girl, but you don’t even know her name?" he leaned back in his chair, his eyes widening in mock disbelief. "what, are you just calling her 'coffee girl' or something?"

"nah, man, it’s not like that," levi muttered, his face heating up under the attention. he felt himself getting defensive, even though part of him knew they were just joking. "we’ve been talking for a while. i just... i don’t know, things just haven't... come up, you know?"

wes raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "wait a minute. you’re telling me you’ve been hanging out with her and you don’t even know her name?" he laughed, nudging cole beside him. "this guy, man. how do you even manage that?"

"you’re not exactly a smooth talker, are you, levi?" cole teased, elbowing him lightly. "what’s next? you’re gonna tell us she doesn’t have a number either?"

levi felt his face flush even deeper. "shut up," he muttered, trying to hide the embarrassment in his voice. but the laughter around him only grew louder.

"you gotta be joking, mate," noni continued, shaking his head. "the newest rolls royce in the prem can’t even get a name out of a girl? you must be slipping."

levi shot him a half-smile, but his mind was elsewhere. part of him wanted to tell them everything—that he didn’t care about her being some random girl, that it wasn’t like what they were implying. it wasn’t just a casual thing to him. but the words didn’t come. instead, he just shrugged, doing his best to keep his cool.

"yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he muttered. "but when it happens, you’ll know."

there was a pause before cole leaned in, giving levi a knowing look. "come on, levi, we’re just messing with you. but seriously, you’re gonna have to get that name soon, yeah? she’s not gonna just let you keep calling her 'coffee girl' forever."

"trust me, i know," levi muttered, rubbing the back of his neck again. "i’ll figure it out."

he tried to push the conversation aside, but as the laughter died down and the conversation turned to other things, levi couldn’t help but feel a small knot in his stomach. he didn’t mind his friends teasing him. in fact, he expected it. but the fact that they were right, that he had no idea how to even start asking for her name, bothered him more than he cared to admit.

as he glanced at the group around him, his thoughts drifted back to her, to the soft curl of her hair, to the way she made everything feel just a little bit warmer whenever she was near. he didn’t even know her name. but he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

the soft hum of the coffee shop, the gentle murmur of conversations, the aroma of freshly ground beans—it was all so familiar to levi by now. each visit had become a small ritual, a time where the world outside didn’t matter as much, where the only thing that mattered was the girl who sat in the corner, reading her book or typing away at her laptop, always so absorbed in her own world.

it had been a month since their first meeting, and levi found himself losing track of time whenever he was with her. he couldn’t help it. she had this way of making everything else fade into the background. even now, as he walked in, the bell above the door chiming softly, he saw her sitting there—calm, relaxed, her eyes glued to the pages of the book in her hands.

he had meant to do it today. he had promised himself he would finally ask her name, that today would be the day. but as soon as his eyes landed on her, that familiar pull in his chest took over, and all thoughts of anything else slipped away.

her posture was soft, her shoulders slightly hunched as she read, her face the picture of concentration. her hair, the same messy braid that he’d come to adore, framed her face in a way that made everything else seem secondary. levi had always been drawn to the way she carried herself, the way she was so quiet yet somehow so... alive in her own space. there was a gentleness to her that made everything around her feel quieter, more peaceful.

he wasn’t sure what it was about her. maybe it was the way she looked at him sometimes, those fleeting moments where their eyes would meet and hold for just a second longer than normal. maybe it was the way she always made him feel like he was the only one in the room, even though they were surrounded by people. or maybe it was just her presence, the way she seemed to fit into the space like she belonged there, and for some reason, levi felt like he belonged with her, too.

his steps carried him toward her before he could stop them, and before he knew it, he was sitting beside her—not across from her, like he usually did, but right next to her. the familiar warmth of her presence immediately wrapped around him, and his breath hitched slightly.

she didn’t seem to notice him at first, her nose still buried in the book. levi couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly beautiful she was, how she didn’t try to stand out or demand attention. she just was. and somehow, that made him want to know her more, made him want to understand the quiet strength behind those deep brown eyes.

he leaned in slightly, just close enough to let his shoulder brush against hers. her breath hitched slightly, and she glanced up, her eyes meeting his. for a moment, neither of them spoke, as if the world had slowed down just for them.

“you’re here early today,” he said softly, his voice almost a whisper. it wasn’t much, but it was enough to break the silence. she smiled, her lips curling upward in that way that made his heart beat just a little faster.

“yeah,” she said, closing her book gently and setting it down on the table. “i wanted to get some reading done before the noise picked up. i’ve been putting it off all week.”

levi chuckled softly. “sounds familiar. i do that with everything.”

the air between them felt charged, electric in the quiet space. he shifted slightly, moving closer, his hand brushing lightly against hers. he hadn’t done that in the past, but for some reason, it felt natural to him now, as if they had somehow crossed into a different kind of space together.

he hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to ask the question that had been gnawing at him for weeks. but the words didn’t come out easily. he didn’t want to make it awkward. he didn’t want to ruin the easy rhythm they had, the comfort of just existing in each other’s space.

she must have sensed the hesitation, because she looked at him curiously, her brow furrowing slightly. “what’s wrong?”

levi swallowed, shaking his head. “nothing, just…” he trailed off, feeling his throat tighten. this wasn’t how he imagined asking. he had thought he’d be smooth about it, or at least more confident, but now he couldn’t find the words. “i just... i’ve been thinking about something,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost vulnerable.

“like what?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.

levi didn’t want to say it, didn’t want to risk making things weird, but it was like the words were already on the tip of his tongue. “i don’t know your name,” he said softly, the truth tumbling out before he could stop it.

for a moment, she didn’t say anything. her eyes widened, and for a brief second, levi thought he’d made a mistake, thought he’d pushed too far. but then she laughed—lightly, almost nervously—and his chest eased.

“that’s... that’s funny,” she said, her voice soft. “i guess i never introduced myself, did i?” she tilted her head slightly, her gaze softening as she looked at him. “my name’s y/n.”

his heart skipped a beat. y/n. the name seemed to fit her in ways he couldn’t explain, like it had been made just for her.

“y/n,” he whispered, savoring the sound of it. he smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. “it’s... perfect.”

the quiet buzz of the coffee shop seemed to fade away as levi let the sound of her name roll around in his head. y/n. he couldn’t help but smile to himself, the relief that washed over him surprising even him. it was such a simple thing—knowing her name—but for some reason, it felt like a milestone.

her smile deepened at the sight of him so obviously pleased with himself, and he felt a warmth spread through his chest. he could have stayed in this moment forever, just sitting here with her, knowing who she was at last.

“so, you’re y/n,” levi said again, as if testing the name out on his tongue. “it suits you.”

her cheeks pinkened just slightly, and she shrugged. “it’s just a name,” she said, her voice soft but with a playful edge to it.

“i don’t know,” levi said, leaning in a little closer, “it feels like it means something more when it’s coming from you.”

y/n raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting him to get all smooth with her, and a tiny laugh bubbled up in her throat. “you really do know how to say things,” she teased.

levi couldn’t help but grin at that. he liked the way she reacted to him, the way she seemed so at ease with his quiet attention, but he could tell there was something more underneath—something that kept her grounded, that kept her in control of the conversation. it intrigued him more than he wanted to admit.

“yeah, well, my mates think you’re made up,” levi said, the playful grin still on his lips. “they can’t believe someone as... amazing as you exists and i’ve never mentioned you before.”

her eyes widened just a fraction, and a laugh escaped her lips. “what? really?”

he nodded, leaning back slightly, trying to stifle a chuckle. “yeah, they think i’m making you up. i mean, who else would i be spending hours with every week just for coffee?”

“it’s the coffee, huh?” she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, clearly teasing him. “i’m starting to think i’m just the excuse for you to get out of the house.”

levi laughed, enjoying the way her energy seemed to shift as the conversation lightened. “maybe,” he said, leaning in closer with a grin. “but i’m starting to think it’s not just the coffee anymore.”

y/n gave him a skeptical look, but the corners of her mouth curled up as she set her book aside. “and what’s that supposed to mean?”

“it means that you’re the best part of my day, y/n,” he said, his voice quieter now, the playful tone still there but with a hint of something deeper. “and i don’t want to mess that up.”

her expression softened, and levi could see her fighting the urge to smile. she didn’t say anything at first, her eyes meeting his with a curiosity that made him feel like he was being pulled in all over again.

“i’m just glad you showed up today,” she said after a moment, her voice soft and genuine. “i really needed someone to talk to.”

levi’s heart softened at the sincerity in her tone. he had always been good at reading people, but something about y/n made him feel like he could never really get ahead of her. every time he thought he understood her, she surprised him in the best way possible.

“i’ll always show up,” he said without thinking, the words slipping out before he could stop them. “i’ll be here whenever you need me.”

y/n looked at him for a long moment, as if trying to read something deeper in his words, but then she nodded slowly, her gaze softening.

“that means a lot to me,” she said, her voice quiet but sincere. “thank you.”

he felt a warmth spread through him, a feeling that had nothing to do with the coffee and everything to do with her. for the first time, he felt like he wasn’t just there because it was easy, because it felt good. he was there because he wanted to be.

they sat in silence for a moment, the air between them comfortable, but levi couldn’t shake the feeling that they were slowly moving toward something more. maybe it was just the way she looked at him, or maybe it was the way his heart raced every time she laughed, but he knew one thing for certain: he was falling for her, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

“so,” he said after a beat, trying to break the quiet without losing the intimacy of the moment, “how about we get another coffee before you go back to that book?”

y/n smiled softly, nodding. “that sounds perfect.”

levi stood, his hand brushing hers once more as he made his way to the counter to get them another round. as he walked away, his chest felt lighter, as if the simple act of being with her, of knowing her name, had somehow set something in motion. he didn’t know where this would go, didn’t know what the future held, but for once, he didn’t need to. he was happy just to be here, with her, in this moment.

and maybe that was enough.

she blushed slightly, and levi couldn’t help but reach out, his fingers lightly brushing against hers again. he wasn’t sure why he felt so drawn to her, why he couldn’t seem to stop wanting to be close to her. but as she turned her hand to hold his, just for a second, everything felt right.

he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. “you know, i’ve been thinking about you a lot lately,” he murmured, his voice low and steady.

y/n looked up at him, her eyes flickering with something he couldn’t quite place. “yeah?” she asked, her voice soft, but there was an edge of curiosity in it.

“yeah,” levi said, the words coming more easily now, his hand gently brushing her hair back from her face. “and i don’t think it’s just the coffee.”

her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, levi thought she might say something, but instead, she closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a slow, soft kiss that made everything inside him warm. he could feel the gentle tremble in her hands, the way her body seemed to melt into his, and he knew then—he wanted this.

he wanted her.

and as they pulled away, he couldn’t help but smile, his thumb grazing the side of her cheek as their foreheads touched gently.

“you’re perfect, you know that?” he whispered, his voice thick with affection.

and for the first time in a long while, levi felt like everything was falling into place.

levi walked into the training ground the next day with a smile plastered on his face, a little lighter than usual. the guys noticed immediately, their eyes narrowing with the kind of suspicion that only teammates could muster when one of them seemed unusually cheerful.

noni raised an eyebrow. “what’s got you so happy today, levi?” he asked, his voice teasing but with a hint of curiosity.

levi grinned, not able to hide the satisfaction that buzzed in his chest. “i’ve got news,” he said, his tone smug in the way only a guy who’d just learned a girl’s name could be. he paused for dramatic effect, enjoying the way his teammates leaned in, eager to hear what he was about to drop on them.

“my girl’s name is y/n,” levi said, the words flowing out of him easily, his smile never fading.

the table of guys went silent for a second, before all of them burst into laughter. wes slapped him on the back, his grin wide. “wait, hold up,” he said, shaking his head, “you’ve been talking about some girl, and now we finally get a name, and it’s just y/n? you couldn’t have picked a more generic name?”

levi rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but laugh along. “hey, don’t make fun of her,” he said, defending the name, “it suits her. it’s simple, but it fits.”

cole leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “oh, we’ve finally got a name,” he said dramatically. “now we just need the story. come on, levi, give us the details. tell us what makes this y/n so special.”

levi felt a warmth spread through his chest at the mention of her, but he quickly shifted the topic. “nothing too crazy. we’ve been meeting for a while now, just coffee and talking.”

“i swear, levi,” jadon said, his tone light, “you’ve been going on about this y/n for weeks, and now we know her name, and that’s it? no juicy gossip? no exciting stories? you're killing us here, man.”

“look,” levi said, leaning forward with a smirk, “not everything’s got to be dramatic. sometimes it’s just about… being with someone, y’know?”

the guys gave him a knowing look, none of them buying into his easygoing response. “oh, we know,” wes said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “this whole ‘no drama’ thing is the biggest giveaway that levi’s gone soft. wait till y/n hears about this.”

levi shook his head, a smile still on his lips. he’d never been one to show much of his personal life to the guys, but there was something about y/n that made him want to share. he liked the way she made him feel calm, how her presence was enough to keep him centered, and he didn’t mind that they were poking fun at him.

but then, as he sat back, the reality of the situation hit him. he’d been so focused on her, so happy to finally know her name, that he’d completely overlooked something crucial. something that made his stomach twist a little with embarrassment.

his face fell as the thought hit him. “wait…” he muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “i never actually told her my name.”

the table went quiet for a second before they erupted into laughter, none of them able to contain themselves. noni let out a loud laugh, holding his stomach. “wait, you’ve been seeing this girl for weeks, talking about her like she’s the best thing since sliced bread, and you’ve never introduced yourself properly?”

levi groaned, slumping into his seat. “i can’t believe this,” he muttered. “how did i not think of that?”

jadon laughed, shaking his head. “man, that’s got to be the most levi thing ever,” he said, still chuckling. “going on about a girl for weeks, and you forget to tell her your name.”

cole, ever the one to find humor in any situation, leaned over with a teasing grin. “what are you gonna do now? show up tomorrow and say ‘hey, i’m levi, nice to finally meet you’? that’s smooth.”

levi buried his face in his hands, cringing. “don’t make me think about it. it’s embarrassing.”

wes, his grin wide, threw his arm around levi’s shoulders in a playful show of support. “honestly, man, you’re lucky she even likes you without knowing your name. but hey, at least you’ve got that one step down, right? maybe next time, just mention it.”

levi shook his head in defeat. “i don’t know how i forgot,” he said, still feeling the sting of it. “i’ve been so caught up in everything else, i guess it just slipped my mind.”

noni patted him on the back. “well, it’s good to know you’re actually interested in her, levi. just don’t screw it up with the whole ‘i’m levi’ bit when you finally tell her, yeah?”

levi looked up at his teammates, finally cracking a grin. “i swear to god, i’m never living this down.”

the guys continued to laugh, and levi couldn't help but join in. even though he felt like a fool, he also knew that this was just another part of the journey with y/n, one that had somehow become more important to him than he ever expected.

he’d fix this. he’d go see her again, tell her his name, and maybe—just maybe—he’d stop embarrassing himself in front of his mates. but for now, he couldn't help but laugh along with them, knowing that the next time he saw y/n, he’d be properly introducing himself.

and that, in the end, was the only thing that mattered.

levi rushed through the streets of london, his breath ragged as his sneakers hit the pavement with each hurried step. he barely noticed the cold night air nipping at his skin, or the buzz of the city around him. all he could think about was getting to the café. getting to her.

it had been on his mind all day, the fact that he hadn’t told her his name. how could he have spent so much time with her, gotten so comfortable, without sharing something so basic? it had gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the one thing he’d missed, the one thing that seemed so simple but so important.

his heart raced as he reached the café, breathless from the sprint. he saw her sitting at her usual spot, her back to him as she focused on her book, the soft glow of the lamp above casting a warm light on her face. she looked so serene, so calm, so entirely her.

levi stepped forward, still catching his breath as he approached her table, trying to steady himself. when she turned to look at him, her expression soft and curious, he felt his heart jump.

“hey,” he panted, stopping just in front of her. he stood tall, his chest heaving from the run. “my name is levi,” he said, the words feeling heavier than he expected. “i realized i never told you.”

y/n blinked at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “levi?” she repeated, her voice soft but surprised. “what?”

“yeah,” he said, still out of breath. “levi colwill. that’s my name.”

she didn’t seem phased, which only made levi feel more self-conscious. she tilted her head, considering him for a moment, before motioning to the chair across from her. “sit down. you look like you’re going to pass out.”

levi chuckled and collapsed into the chair, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to catch his breath. she slid a water bottle across the table toward him, and he grabbed it gratefully, taking a long drink.

without a second thought, he eased into the seat beside her, close enough that their shoulders brushed. it had become second nature to sit next to her since that day he’d held her hand while she worked through her group project. now, the proximity felt natural, like it was exactly where he belonged.

as his hand wavered slightly from exertion, she reached out instinctively, her fingers steadying his arm. the warmth of her touch lingered, and levi glanced down, the corner of his mouth twitching up into a grin.

he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked at her. “if you wanted to kiss me, you could’ve just asked,” he teased, his voice still a little breathless.

y/n rolled her eyes, but the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. “yeah, sure,” she said, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. “maybe next time.”

her hand lingered on his arm longer than she meant to, her touch grounding him in a way he couldn’t explain. levi glanced back up, his grin softening into something more earnest. “i’ll hold you to that,” he murmured, his voice quiet but steady, his gaze unwavering as it locked on hers.

he leaned back in his chair, finally feeling his heart slow down to a more reasonable pace. the air between them felt different now, more relaxed somehow, now that he’d finally said it. “you know,” he said, his voice soft but serious, “i’ve been thinking about this. i’ve been talking to you for weeks, and i never once told you my name.”

“i know,” she said casually, her eyes meeting his with an intensity he hadn’t expected.

he froze. “wait, what?”

“i know who you are, levi,” she said, her gaze steady as she watched him. “levi colwill. you play for chelsea.”

levi blinked, confusion creeping into his expression. “back up. you’ve known who i was this whole time?” he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and disbelief. “since when?”

she shrugged, her lips curving into a small smile. “levi, you play for chelsea. i’m from west london. you don’t think i knew who you were?” her smile turned a little softer as she added, “your face is plastered around stanford bridge. my family are huge chelsea fans.”

levi stared at her, his mind spinning as the realization set in. all this time, she had known exactly who he was—and had never said a word. he couldn’t help but laugh, a small, incredulous sound. “seriously? you knew, and you didn’t say anything?”

“no,” she replied, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks as she looked down at her hands. “i didn’t want to make it awkward. especially because... well, you never told me your name or mentioned anything about work. i just assumed... i didn’t want to make it weird.”

levi’s chest tightened with something unspoken, something deeper. he moved closer to her, the space between them growing smaller. his hand reached for her chin, lifting her face gently to meet his gaze. she blinked up at him, her eyes wide but softened by the trust they had slowly built.

“you make me forget my own name, y/n,” levi whispered, his voice low and sincere. “you’re so beautiful, and every time i’m around you, time just... blinks by. i can’t stop thinking about you. i don’t know what it is about you, but there’s something about the way you make me feel like everything else fades. i like you. more than i expected.”

he paused, his thumb gently brushing against her skin as he continued to hold her chin, keeping her gaze steady. “i don’t even know when it happened, but i can’t stop thinking about you. every moment i’m not with you feels like too long.”

her breath hitched slightly, and she didn’t look away, holding his gaze with a vulnerability he hadn’t expected to see. “i like you, too,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “i didn’t want to admit it, but i’ve been waiting for you to say it first. i didn’t want to feel stupid.”

levi’s heart surged in his chest, a sense of relief washing over him. he had been nervous, unsure, thinking about all the ways he might mess it up. but here, in this moment, it felt right. it felt real.

he let go of her chin and placed his hand on the table between them, leaning back in his seat just slightly, though the tension between them still buzzed in the air. “you have no idea how happy i am to hear you say that,” he said quietly, his smile softening. “it’s like i’ve been trying to figure this all out, and now, it just feels... easy.”

y/n smiled at him, a gentle, knowing smile, and for the first time, levi felt like he wasn’t trying so hard. like all the pieces were finally falling into place.

“i’m glad,” she said, her voice a little lighter now. “but we should definitely talk more about this. i mean, we’ve been doing the whole ‘secretly liking each other’ thing for a while now.”

levi laughed, the sound easy and full of warmth. “yeah, definitely. no more secrets.”

and with that, the world seemed to settle around them. everything felt a little clearer, a little simpler. and for the first time in a while, levi didn’t feel like he was chasing time—he was simply living it.

levi’s heart was still racing, but this time, it wasn’t from running or nerves—it was from being so close to her, from the way her soft gaze met his, from the way everything in the room seemed to fade except for the two of them. the air between them felt electric, charged with something that had been building up for weeks, and now it was almost unbearable. he could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on them, drawing them closer, and there was no escaping it anymore.

he pauses, his fingers gently brushing her cheek as he looks into her eyes, the air between them thick with anticipation. "can i kiss you?" he asks softly, his voice low, as if the question itself could break the moment.

she breathes in, caught off guard by his words but not by the warmth that rises in her chest. she nods, a quiet smile tugging at her lips, the answer unspoken but clear.

and then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he closes the distance, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that feels like everything he’s been holding back.

he leaned in just a little, his hand still resting lightly on the table. y/n didn’t pull back, didn’t shy away. her eyes flickered to his lips, and for a second, the world outside of them didn’t exist. it was just them, in this small café, the quiet hum of the city fading as their breathing slowed. levi’s heart pounded in his chest, his mind fighting against the impulse, but he couldn’t stop himself.

with a slow, deliberate motion, he closed the distance between them, his hand gently cupping her face as his lips brushed against hers. it was soft at first, tentative, like they were both testing the waters, unsure but so sure at the same time. he could feel her breath against him, warm and steady, and it only made him want to deepen the kiss.

y/n responded in kind, her fingers brushing lightly against his arm before she let them settle on his chest, pulling him closer. the kiss grew bolder, more urgent, as if they were both afraid if they didn’t give in completely, it would slip away. levi’s hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her into him as their lips met again with more force, more passion. everything about the kiss felt real—raw, honest, full of longing.

when they finally pulled back, their foreheads resting together, levi’s breath was shallow, his lips still tingling from the contact. he looked at her, his eyes soft but filled with an intensity that made her heart skip. her hands were still on his chest, her fingers tracing small circles against his shirt, as if grounding herself in the moment.

"you... you really know how to make a guy forget his name," levi murmured, his voice husky from the kiss.

y/n laughed softly, the sound full of warmth and affection. “i guess i’ve had practice,” she teased, her fingers gently pressing against his chest. "i mean, it’s not every day you get kissed by someone who makes you forget your own name."

levi chuckled, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. “you know, i’ve never felt this much for anyone.”

she smiled back, her eyes sparkling with something new. “i know exactly what you mean.”

they sat there for a moment, just breathing in the quiet, content in the realization that the tension that had been building between them had finally, beautifully, exploded into something they both wanted. everything else seemed to fade as they just sat there together, wrapped in the stillness, knowing they had just crossed a line they wouldn’t be able to uncross, but one they were both happy to have crossed.

EPILOGUE

it's been over a month now since that night at the café, and levi can't believe how easily it feels like time is slipping by when he's with her. he can’t remember the last time he was this happy, this comfortable, this himself.

they've had their fair share of quiet nights in, curled up together on his couch or in his bed, the soft hum of music in the background as they talk or simply exist in each other's space. on days when she’s overwhelmed with university work, he holds her hand while she studies, a small touch that seems to anchor her. he watches her, marveling at how focused she is, the way her brows furrow slightly when she’s deep in thought.

and when the weight of everything gets too much, he’s there to pull her into his arms, wrapping her up in his embrace like he can shield her from everything else. it’s as if being in his arms is her safe place, the one place she can let everything go.

she’s made him a few things to wear—sweaters, scarves, even a beanie—and he proudly wears them in his pre-game fits. he tells anyone who asks about them, a grin on his face, “my girlfriend made it,” and when his teammates tease him about it, he doesn’t care. he’s proud of her, proud of what she’s created with her hands, proud of the girl who’s somehow managed to worm her way into his life, his heart.

today, they’re at a chelsea holiday dinner, the kind of gathering that brings together teammates, coaches, friends, and family. levi’s arm is wrapped around her waist, and she's walking beside him like she belongs there, her presence a comfort to him.

as they make their way to their seats, the guys from the team spot them, and their eyes widen in disbelief when they see who levi’s brought with him.

"wait," noni says, squinting like he's trying to make sure he's not imagining things. "this is her?"

"yeah," levi replies, trying to keep his cool but failing. "my girl, y/n."

cole bursts out laughing, shaking his head. "no way, man. this is the girl you’ve been talking about?"

"yeah, man," levi says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "what’s the problem? she’s real, isn’t she?"

"i can't believe it," jadon says, eyes wide in mock horror. "we honestly thought you made her up to make us jealous."

"yeah, bro," wes chimes in, grinning. "we thought you were just describing some perfect girl you were dreaming about. never thought you'd actually bring her here."

levi rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "seriously? she's real, alright? and she's with me, so you better get used to it."

y/n just laughs, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she glances at levi, her hand slipping into his. "i think they’re just shocked you finally found someone who’s actually real," she teases him, a playful glint in her eyes.

"well, i’m shocked too," levi says, pulling her close for a moment before turning back to his teammates. "but she’s mine now, and i couldn’t be more grateful."

the dinner is full of laughter, food, and good company, and as the night winds down, the music plays softly in the background. levi pulls her onto the dance floor, holding her close as they sway to the rhythm of the song.

"you’re really here," he murmurs in her ear, his voice soft and low, as though he can’t quite believe it.

"you’re lucky," she whispers back, her smile lighting up her face, "i could’ve been somewhere else tonight."

"yeah, i’m really lucky," he says, pulling her a little closer, their bodies fitting together perfectly. "i’m the luckiest guy here."

and as the song plays on, the world around them fades. it's just them, in their own little bubble, wrapped up in each other’s arms, dancing the night away.

“you’re really here,” he murmurs in her ear, his voice soft and low, as though he can’t quite believe it. there’s a wonder in his tone, a quiet disbelief at the simple joy of having her here with him.

she glances up at him, her smile warm, the corners of her lips turning up in a teasing way as she steps a little closer. “you’re lucky,” she whispers back, her voice playful yet affectionate. “i could’ve been somewhere else tonight.”

levi chuckles softly, the sound rich and genuine, and for a moment, the world seems to slow. the laughter from the dinner table, the chatter, the clinking of glasses, it all becomes distant as he pulls her a little tighter, their bodies now almost perfectly in sync. “yeah, i’m really lucky,” he says, his words serious now, as if he’s speaking the truth he’s known deep down for a while but only just realized how much it means. "i’m the luckiest guy here."

she lets out a breathless laugh, her hand resting against his chest, fingers tracing the subtle beat of his heart. “how did i get so lucky?” she asks, the hint of vulnerability in her voice betraying just how much she’s been feeling in this moment, in his arms.

he doesn’t answer with words at first, instead tightening his grip on her slightly, as if he’s afraid to let go, afraid that saying something might shatter the spell they’re both caught under. so he just sways with her, his chest rising and falling steadily, their feet moving together in a slow, effortless rhythm, as though they’ve been doing this for years.

the music swells softly in the background, the warm tones wrapping them both up like a familiar blanket. it’s as if nothing else in the world matters, as if the only thing that exists is this—her in his arms, him holding her, and the soft, steady beat of the music guiding them through the night.

her fingers curl around his, and she lifts her head to meet his gaze. their eyes lock, and for a heartbeat, time seems to freeze. it’s as if everything they’ve been through, everything that’s brought them to this moment, is reflected in the quiet depth of his look.

“i think,” levi starts, his voice thick with emotion, “i think you make everything feel… effortless. like this.” his thumb brushes across the back of her hand as he speaks, his eyes never leaving hers. “i’ve never been someone who believed in fate or anything like that, but when i’m with you, it’s like everything just falls into place. i don’t have to try. i don’t have to fight it.”

she blinks, caught off guard by the raw sincerity in his words. it feels like they’re no longer in a crowded room filled with people, no longer at a dinner with friends. it’s just the two of them, alone in this moment, standing in the space between words and feelings, surrounded by nothing but the truth of what’s been building between them.

“levi…” she starts, her voice soft, almost shy, but he cuts her off gently, pressing a finger to her lips.

“let me finish,” he says, a soft smile tugging at his lips. he brushes her hair from her face, the touch so tender, so reverent, like she’s something too precious to take for granted. “i don’t know what it is about you, but when i’m with you, it’s like the rest of the world disappears. and i don’t even need to know the answer, because it doesn’t matter. all that matters is that you’re here with me. just like this.”

her heart skips a beat, overwhelmed by the depth of his words, by the feeling of finally being seen for exactly who she is. all the things she’s kept hidden, the parts of her she thought no one would ever truly understand—he sees them. and he chooses them.

“you don’t need to say anything else,” she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. “i already know.”

levi smiles then, his heart swelling in his chest. the weight of everything between them—the moments of quiet understanding, the shared laughter, the long talks, the feeling of finally finding someone who makes everything feel right—comes crashing over him in a single wave of emotion. he leans down, his lips brushing against her forehead softly, lingering there, not wanting to break the magic.

and as the song continues to play in the background, it’s as though everything else fades into nothingness. the chatter from the dinner, the clinking of glasses, the bustling around them, it all disappears. there is only levi, and there is only her, and in this moment, that is all they need.

they sway for what feels like hours, their movements slow, their steps in perfect sync. every now and then, levi looks down at her, catching the way her eyes flutter closed when he brushes his lips against her temple, the way her breath catches when he pulls her a little closer, a little tighter. it’s perfect. more perfect than he could have ever imagined.

“hey,” she whispers suddenly, her voice playful again, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she tilts her head back to look at him. “i think i’m the lucky one, levi.”

he raises an eyebrow at her, his grin returning. “oh, yeah?” he says, his voice teasing, but there’s still a layer of softness in it. “and why’s that?”

“because,” she says, leaning in close enough to whisper directly into his ear, “i got you.”

his heart skips another beat, and he pulls back slightly to look at her, his smile wide, his eyes bright with affection. he doesn’t have to say anything, because the way he looks at her says it all. in this moment, with everything they’ve shared, everything they’ve built, they both know the truth: this is just the beginning.

and as the music plays on, levi holds her close, and she holds him back, their hearts beating together in perfect harmony as they dance the night away, knowing that no matter what comes next, they’ve already found something worth fighting for.

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