#josh kiszka wear that hat again challenge

[sparrowofthedawnsworld]

as I officially enter my Josh era…. these pictures are everything to me and and and- i will never shut up about them 😵‍💫

[suicidalcatz]

DOG DAYS ARE OVER : EPILOGUE

Pairing : Jake Kiszka x reader

Genre : College AU

Previous parts : prologue, chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 6, chapter 7, chapter 8, chapter 9, chapter 10, chapter 11, chapter 12, chapter 13, chapter 14, chapter 15, chapter 16.

Masterlist : Here

Warning : NSFW

AN : Hi everyone, it’s been two years. Ironically enough, this epilogue is set three years later. To be honest I was starting to get bored with this story around chapter 13 or so, and when I finished writing chapter 16, I had already turned over a new leaf in my head so I couldn’t put my mind to writing this epilogue. It took me some time, and I honestly am baffled that some of you still find this fic, read or reread it, fav and share it, etc. Your support had been crazy. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it, and it’s what motivated me to finally finish writing DDAO. I will continue to write GVF fics, but I can’t promise a date, since I’m writing for several fandoms. Also, I’m on Wattpad @SuicidalCatz if you ever feel like dropping by. Talking about this now, you may have noticed the NSFW warning. It was a real challenge to write smut in a language that isn’t my mother tongue. I hope you’ll like this nevertheless. Thank you again for all your support throughtout this series, I’ll be waiting for your feedback and I’ll see you again someday x

                                           EPILOGUE

The sky was devoid of all clouds on this sunny afternoon. The wind was hot, caressing the students’ cheeks like a warm touch while they were all chatting excitedly in the school’s garden. Laying eyes closed on the grass, head against my backpack and joint between my lips, I was hoping the day would never stop and we’d just be stuck in this moment forever.

- I can’t believe we graduated.

Looking like she was at a loss for words, Mandy sighed like it was some kind of fantasy dream coming true. I could practically hear Josh shrug when he stole the joint from me.

- Of course we did, darling, look at us, he said like it made his point.

Knowing where this was going, I was already snickering, and Jake ran a hand through my hair.

- You had to take three re-take exams.

As usual, the twins started bickering, with Josh yelling at Jake that he thinks he’s so smart, and Jake making fun of him for being thick-headed, their fake fight soon covered by our collective laughter, until Sam spoke.

- Yeah, not everybody here wears an ugly ass hat, you know.

Craning my neck backwards to look at him between the green grass and its daisies, I understood he was mentionning the golden graduation hats we all had to wear, along with the robes, while he and Danny sat in the middle, plain shirts and ripped jeans in contrast with our shiny attire. Not really sure what to say, we all went silent out of sympathy, and Mandy gave their hands a gentle squeeze as I rolled over on my belly to see them more clearly.

- The year will fly by in no time, you’ll see, I smiled, trying my best to reassure them.

I often forgot that they were seniors in high school when we first met them, since the academy served both as university and secondary school. To think that they were now starting their last year… time sure flew by.

- Aw Sammy, no need to cry, said Josh teasingly, you know we won’t find another bassist as great as you.

- And as annoying, added Jake unhelpfully.

Nothing had really changed between us. Sure, some fights had broken through, about the band, our friendship, or love. Even Danny at some point had had enough of everyone’s shit and gave the most spectacular tantrum we had ever witnessed. Or some days it was because of Sam, who was feeling bored and therefore acted like a little bitch. Mandy had her fair number of yelling with both him and Josh, when they both went overboard with the playful-turned-sassy banter. As for Jake and I… of course we had ours. Some really ugly, I recalled, but in the end we always got to the other to apologize and reconcile with a hug and a kiss, sometimes more… Those three years went by awfully fast, and it was with a strange sense of nostalgia that my mind filled itself with memories of our time passed together. The concerts, the nights out drinking, or playing board games inside, and others completely depressed and tired because of said nights. That time Danny lifted me under the arms at a rock festival so I could see the stage. And the one we all crashed at their dorm and in Sam’s bed just to piss him off. And that day Josh and Mandy went out in drag just for the heck of it. And Jake… even if I wanted too, I couldn’t think of anything that involved him without adorning a fond smile. He was always there. For every trouble I had, he offered his help. And every laugh, we shared together. The butterflies were long gone, but replaced with something more heartfelt and real, like a connexion. For the first time in my life I was feeling like I was his and he was mine, in a very pure way. I felt whole with him. Not that I could ever tell anyone, let alone the boy himself, it was too embarrassing. The gang had already made me the butt of the joke waaaay more than once, so I’ll pass this time, thank you very much.

- I guess what Sam’s trying to say is that it’ll be lonely without you guys, said Danny.

All heads turned to him, with his big brown puppy eyes and a lopsided, kinda shy grin. It was only a matter of seconds before we all tackled him to the ground and melted into a giant hug.

- We’ll see each other every week end, like we promised, I heard Mandy whispered to Sam.

The couple was still together, after having broke up at least a million times. It was usually after a fight, one of them would go overboard, and the other would slam the door and say goodbye, but somehow they always gave themselves another chance. Their antics had made Jake and I feeling concerned more than once, but even if we proposed the idea to maybe let things at it and move on, they just couldn’t go on without the other. Sam knew from the beginning that Mandy’s big dream was to work in the merciless fashion industry, and it included living in the city after she graduated in order to find a job more easily, and she knew Sam's life was with the band.

Speaking of love affairs, Danny had received a fair amount of love confessions on the school’s facebook page, and from time to time, a girl left a letter in his locker telling him how handsome she thought he looked, which inevitably made him flustered each time, while the other shitheads teased him about it. The drummer dated quite a few girls, but nothing really serious, as he didn’t find the one just yet. As for Josh, nobody could imagine this curly haired troublemaker would be this secretive about his relationships. No one in the gang saw him dating anyone, not even his brothers (even if I suspected Jake to know something about it but keeping silent to honor some kind of twin oath). This had been the main topic of many many discussions, everybody trying and failing miserably to make out some schemes to spy on him, or exposing theories since the boy himself wouldn’t answer to any of our interrogations. Oh, and of course the bastard would wiggle his eyebrows or wink at us every time we had one.

Those three years were crazy, and we went through a lot, and reflecting on it while doing something so simple as drinking booze and chatting in the school’s park seemed kind of silly. It was like the information that all this was over didn’t reach the brain yet. So we just sat here, basking in the sunlight until we noticed it was gone and dusk was settling already. Of course, the students had organized a huge party in the school’s property to celebrate the end of one terribly hard year, but it felt bittersweet to stand in the middle of all those people partying and this loud music knowing that we would never experience all of this again. That it was the last time.

Beginning to feel sentimental, I took Jake’s hand in mine and squeezed it lightly, appreciating the heat radiating through me when he pressed it back. As he turned to take a look at me, a flash of concern crossed his features and I understood he knew what I was thinking. Jake always got me, and I always got him. At first it was hard, because he’s that type of person who doesn’t particularly share deep concerns and prefer to deal with everything himself. But eventually, after our first fight, we both agreed to make some concessions. Communication was… not that great. At least verbal communication. Telling him when I was depressed made me feel silly and awkward, and I guess it was the same to him, but we managed. However, we now knew each other so much that I could tell what every little wrinkle on his face meant. Partyed too hard, Josh annoyed him, forgot something important, was in a melancholic mood, in deep thought about something existential… His body language and facial expressions didn’t have secrets to me anymore. And it was the same for him. It was a bit stupid how it surprised me every time, how well he knew me.

- Come, Jake said over the noise, making no effort to yell because he knew I could probably read the word in his lips.

My boyfriend lead the way through the trees, taking us away from the crowd. By a swift motion of the arm, he told Danny and the others waiting at the beer stand that we’ll be elsewhere for a while, not reacting to their suggestive cheers and cat calls as we disappeared in the dark.

The night was hot and so was Jake, sitting on a tree stump with his shirt unbuttoned to the navel, sweaty chest glistening under the moonlight. He looked ethereal in this setting, like an elf of some sort. Piercing through the trees, the white rays stained the bushy ground with glistening dots, illuminating the grass and highlighting the dust floating peacefully above it, and suddenly the quietness of the setting around us had something enchanting, as if all that noise coming from no more than ten meters away didn’t exist.

- Not having a good evening ?

- It’s weird to think that tomorrow we’ll pack our things and go.

- Yeah…

Silence fell between us. Jake took a sip of his beer, looking elsewhere, suddenly curious about some ruffling leaf noise probably made by some birds or even a rabbit.

We never really talked about it since we agreed it was for the best to go with the flow, but our future as a couple worried me. I knew Josh, Danny, and him were going to go back to Frankenmuth now that they had their diploma, and try to make it in the music industry. And he knew my dream was to become an illustration artist. Until this point in our relationship, we willingly avoided this topic because there was no issue at all. I couldn’t ask him to leave everything behind to stay with me. And I couldn’t just hang out in his parents’ house and wait for him to come home all day, I needed to find a job in what I liked to fulfill my biggest wish.

Now that Jake was sitting in front of me, completely silent and avoiding my eyes, a sense of dread and realization I haven’t experienced for a long time took hold of me. Feeling restless yet powerless, my chest constricted, and it became harder to swallow.

In my head, a small voice I failed to ignore kept repeating « this is it », and the more seconds passed, the more anxious I got that it was right.

Maybe this was the end.

We had fun. It was great. Probably the best three years I’ve ever lived. But all good things always came to an end… right ? After all, it only made sense. School was over, we were all coming home. Visiting  each other on a regular basis was a rather naive idea, and there was a high probability we wouldn’t be able to keep in touch with each other, as it usually happens. So it only seemed logical that Jake wanted to break up with me now.

Maybe he would go back to Mina now that they would be able to hang out and communicate more efficiently. Be happy and forget about me. I wanted to stand up and leave, but the emotion had made my legs weak, so instead I just sat there in silence, trying not to let a single tear fall.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, Jake sighed and carefully put down his beer bottle against the tree stump, then looked at me sheepishly, looking like he didn’t know how to phrase it. And when he finally did, he struggled to look me in the eye, and nervously played with his bracelets.

- Listen, I, uh… I wanted to talk to you about something, and I had planned to do it tomorrow, but I can’t keep it to myself any longer, doll, it’s- it’s all I’ve been thinking about for those past weeks.

My head felt light and fuzzy. I couldn’t concentrate at all, the world was spinning, or more like spiralling out of control. I was losing my boyfriend and I couldn’t say a single word to save myself or change his mind. I was in free fall, sitting on a plane about to crash to the ground. The only certainty I had was that there was nothing I could do to make things better, and it was drowning in a sea of questions and voices repeating that it wasn’t fair because I didn’t do anything wrong. My brain kept offering ideas each worse than the next, like sobbing and asking why, or pathetically fall to his knees and ask him to not dump me because I was terrified of losing him and I genuinely didn’t know what life would look like without him by my side, as cheesy and needy as he might have sounded. And everything kept coming round and round in my mind in the mere seconds Jake was talking, making it harder and harder for me not to cry. Focused on his own thoughts, he didn’t seem to notice and kept rambling, but looking somewhat unfazed and disoriented the few times he took a look at me, probably because my whole face must’ve been blank since it couldn’t process everything that was happening at the same time. It always amazed me how things could turn to shit so quickly.

- We had a conversation with the band and they all agreed it was for the best.

That was it. The split images my imagination supplied were the last straw. Unable to hold my tears anymore, they rapidly flooded my eyes and blurred my vision, making me sniffle in the process as my nose went runny.

- So they all agree we should break up ?

I almost didn’t recognize my voice when it came up as fragile and wounded, nothing like the usual blasé or cheery tones I used. As shocked as me, Jake’s head perked up, suddenly taken aback by the tears, like he didn’t expect it at all. The boy looked at a loss for words, and his hands went instinctively towards me, then to his pocket as if checking if he had a hankerchief, then to me again but stopped mid air, unsure as to what to do.

The fact that he had our break up in mind for weeks was horrible, but the band knowing and supporting him was so cruel it made my heart break. Finally regaining some of my senses, I stood up to go back to the dorms but Jake abruptly grabbed my wrist, not wanting this conversation to be over yet.

- What- What’s going on ? That’s not what I meant- I- Shit, wait just let me finish- please, love.

Rubbing my eyes standing there in the middle of this eery fantasy scenery, the night looked now way more different than I had anticipated and I just wanted to go home. In his effort to pull me back to him, Jake had almost fallen from his position and was now halfway sitting with one knee to the ground, staring at me with pleading eyes I couldn’t ignore. His brown pupils showed a deep and sincere sympathy, like he always would everytime I was feeling sick or sad.

- Baby, look at me, he said gently. Why would I ever want to break up with you ? Where did you find this idea ?

Completely taken aback by this sudden revelation, I stuttered some words of explanation.

- But- you said you had something to tell me and you looked-

I motioned to my face in a gesture that I hoped was explanatory enough, and he smiled, nodding.

- I’m sorry I gave you the wrong idea. The band had actually a very good news to announce but we were waiting for the right time to say it. After performing regularly at the O’Malley, we started getting more attention, as you may have noticed, and simply put, got spotted by a music producer.

So many mixed feeling were swirling within me I didn’t know how to feel. In a matter of minutes I went from being dumped to not being dumped anymore, to Greta Van Fleet signing to a record label. What the fuck was happening, my brain was about to give out. So that’s exactly what I said.

- What

- Greta Van Fleet is becoming a real band, Jake said more confidently. We signed a record deal.

- Oh my God ? That’s amazing, you guys ! I can’t believe it ! You must be so proud !

I wanted to take him into my arms but my boyfriend smiled a toothy grin and squeezed my hand, taking the other into his, not standing up from his awkward position.

- That’s what I wanted to tell you, he said more seriously and suddenly my anxiety rose up again. We’ll be either locked in the studio for days, or if everything goes really well, on tour for weeks. For us, it’s gonna be fine, because we’ll all be together and the excitation will overcome any fatigue or stress. Well maybe not for Sam and Danny with school and all, but they’ll manage. But the both of us being apart… is another thing.

- So you are breaking up with me.

Dejectedly, I tried to shake his hands off mine but the boy wouldn’t let go, only squeezed harder.

- Doll, please, look at me. It’s very important. We talked about it a lot with the band, and everybody’s cool with it so let me ask you.

His brown eyes met mine with such hope and vunerability that it completely disarmed me. The air around us was still as thick and wet as before, the loud music and people still annoying, we both smelled like sweat and beer and no star was visible in the sky due to light pollution, but somehow he managed to make it romantic just by looking at me in a way no one has ever before.

Without letting go of my slippery hands, Jake leaned more on his knee, and my heart skipped a bit, as if suddenly realizing.

- Will you follow me on this crazy journey ? I know you want to be independant, and I know your dream is to become a full time artist, and I won’t interfere with that. I understand completely if you say no, we’ll manage and I promise I will make up some time for you. But the band and I would love if you’d work for us.

The emotional rollercoaster that was this whole conversation was too much for me to handle, and as Jake wasn’t showing any signs that he would stand up anytime soon, it was me who slumped to the ground in front of him. Firstly because I felt flustered seeing him on one knee like that, and second of all because I didn’t think my legs were going to support me anymore if he kept talking. They had turned to jelly, shaking uncontrollably from both stress and happiness. My whole body was becoming to get filled by a big wave of relief and was now in off mode. It was all too overwhelming for me to handle.

- Are you asking me to be the band’s official illustration artist ?

- We need a cool illustration for our first EP after all. Album covers, posters, flyers, anything, you name it. Love, you’re crazy talented. I wouldn’t be asking you this if I thought overwise. The band would love you to be a part of this adventure. I would love it.

Fighting the urge to scream yes to his face, I took some time to seriously give it some thought. It made sense, to be honest. The band was only making its debut so we weren’t talking about touring already, which made it more simple to begin with. Jake had thought about my desire to work as an artist and provided it to me without making me feel like some sort of sugar baby. He found a creative yet simple way to reunite both our wishes for the future so we could be together and that was honestly the most beautiful gift I could ever receive from him.

Feeling like I would burst into tears again, I nodded vigorously, chewing on my lower lip with a mix of nervousness and excitation.

- Yes ?

Incredulous, Jake repeated the word multiple times as if to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, and took me in his arms in a strong embrace, envelopping me in his warmth and scent. Not in the mood anymore for partying but wanting to spend some alone time together instead, we headed to the dorms and I didn’t wait for him to close the door to kiss him senseless against the kitchen table. Our graduation, our last day, his romantic proposal, the way he had given it a lot of thought and how nervous he looked as he was struggling to find his words, everything had made me like him more, love him more, and by extension, want him more. And judging by how he responded to my kiss, I wasn’t the only one being horny. With one foot, Jake kicked the door shut and put a hand at the back of my head to kiss me deeper, while I was already getting rid of his shirt and throwing it to the tiled floor of the room’s kitchen corner.

Jake’s fingers slided from my neck to the small of my back until his hands gripped my ass, making me moan into his mouth. Losing his patience already, the boy lifted me with enough force to make me hop into his arms and carried me into the next room, having already lost all patience. He stumbled into a couple of discarded clothes and art supplies laying on the ground until his knees bumped into the bed. My back fell to the mattress with Jake’s body following suit, the bouncing motion making our chest and shoulders collide. Our lips found themselves again, hungry and needy, long brown hair getting in the way of our kiss and masking part of our faces, the other being illuminated by city lights coming through the open window like an unwanted guest. The café’s neon signs and street’s trafic lights twinkled on our soon naked bodies, coloring them with dots of flashy red and greens while we both moaned in unision under the noise of the pop music and laughter from outside. Jake’s sweaty silhouette moved to grab a condom from the night table, his figure sensual and seductive in the dusk. Eyes serious and unintentionally provocative when he ripped the package with his teeth, staring at me with want through dark strands of untamed hair. If only he knew how hot he made me, how my whole body ached for him, how he set aflame my loins by his mere presence. My hands went to him again, fingers gently replacing brown locks behind one ear while the other circled around his dick to give it a firm pump, admiring how hard he moaned after this simple motion, head shooting back and mouth agape, beautiful in the painting of shadows and lights dancing on his skin. His fingers were quick to find their way between my thighs, rubbing small circles and making me wetter than I already was while leaving a trail of kisses on my breasts.

- Are you okay baby ?

Panting, the boy was looking at me seriously like he always did, waiting until I nodded, then kissed me once more. With unsuspected strenght, his hands grabbed me by the hips to bring my body closer to his. Mind foggy, he admired the wrist motion stroking his dick through half lidded eyes, arousal written on his face when he was fighting back growls and moans. Quick to respond when I stopped to guide his erection to my pussy, Jake removed his fingers and sighed heavily as he penetrated my deepest parts, planting kisses on my forehead and beginning a slow yet steady rythmn, teasing my entrance with his tip before entering completely, hitting the bottom relentlessly. The bed was cracking underneath us, as if telling us it was in pain, but nothing mattered when Jake was inside me, biting my neck as he murmured my name over and over.

- You’re so beautiful…

- Right back at you, I smiled playfully.

My arms caressed his sticky back, tracing every bump of his spine, until I could take a handful of his ass, giving it an experimental slap that only made him speed his movements.

- Jake, I’m close-, I half moaned, half whined into his hear.

- Yeah ? Come, come for me, his husky voice replied.

The boy bit my ear as I came trembling underneath him, grabbing his shoulders to keep his chest pressed to mine. He was quick to follow, giving a few more deep thrusts into my tightening pussy before finishing inside me, filling the condom and collapsing on my body. In the darkness of the room, our sweaty form was panting heavily, letting out some breathy giggles and resting next to one another after the rubber was in the trash.

- I love you, I said, lost into the warmth of his eyes.

- I love you too. I’m glad you agreed to tag along. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you didn’t.

The emotion on his face was visible from Mars, and filled my heart with joy. Softly, I caressed his face, rubbing my thumb on his cheekbone, smiling at him. I loved this, laying in bed staring at each other, exchanging thoughts on nothing in particular. Those moments were easily the best we’ve had together. Jake brought me closer to his heart in his embrace, placing his chin on the top of my head.

- I can’t see myself without you, I whispered. But I don’t even know where I’m gonna live.

- Well, how about you stay at my parents’ house for a while, let’s say until we found ourselves a nice flat.

Suddenly I didn’t know how to react, the word flat resonating in my head. Jake must’ve felt my heartbeat going so wild in my chest that even I felt it, but didn’t say anything, instead he just patiently waited for my answer. That’s when it hit  me that it wasn’t my heartbeat I could feel, but his. He was just as nervous as I was by all of this. In a way a couldn’t explain, it reassured me greatly. We were on the same boat, both anxious yet excited by the forthcoming events.

- You want to live together… ?, I asked, just to be sure.

The boy took some time to search his words before speaking, hoarse voice trying its best to sound confident while in reality he was probably scared I would change my mind about all of this and say no to his offer.

- We’ve been together everyday for three years, and I stay at your dorm at least three days a week. I think it’s safe to say we’re ready for the next step, don’t you agree ?

Yeah. I agreed.

- I’ll be in your care, then.

Despite all of the anxiety and uncertainty it may bring, the future looked promising, and I couldn’t wait to step into this new adventure with Jake by my side.

                                                The End