#just warms my heart seeing them all have fun together<3 until one of them got upset and that was a whole thing but mostly was great | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

neewtmas · 11 months ago

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12 days of Christmas // A Lockwood & Co Advent Calendar

DAY 10

Hello everyone! It's the second-to-last post for this advent calendar, and today, it's time for my personal favourite. I wanted to include an x reader fic for every member of the agency, and after Lucy (day 2) and Lockwood (day 6), it's finally time for George! Seeing as this is a certified George-Fanblog™️ of course his fic is gonna be the grand finale.

But the best thing about today's post is that it is actually a collaboration! I wrote this together with the wonderful and insanely talented Eden (@givemea-dam-break) who understood my vision for this so well and I am so proud of what we created together. Thank you so much for doing this with me Eden, it was so much fun!!! love you🫂🫶🏻

make sure you don't miss out and go check out Eden's other writing here: masterlist

Brother Knows Best

pairing: george karim x fem!reader

wordcount: 6.3k

short summary: George's brother shows up at 35 Portland Row and shakes things up between George and reader

advent calendar tags: @givemea-dam-break @wellgoslowly @maraschinomerry @losticaruss @oblivious-idiot @uku-lelevillain @avdiobliss @strawberryloveyyy @strawberrycowgirly @demigoddess-of-ghosts @thefriendlyneighborhoodmomfriend @boookfreeak

my masterlist

day 1 day 2 day 3 day 4 day 5 day 6 day 7 day 8 day 9

It was a beautiful day in the middle of winter when (name) realised she was in love with George Karim.

The two of them were walking side by side, their breaths forming little puffs of white in the freezing air. It had snowed the night before, but all that was left were some dirty grey piles on patches of grass by the road. She’d had her hands buried in the warm pockets of her coat the whole walk, but still, her fingers felt stiff as she pushed open the gate in front of 35 Portland Row. George followed closely behind, carrying a bag full of books and newspapers they’d borrowed from the Archives.

(name) bounced up the stairs like she always did, not considering what the puddle of melted snow on the steps that had wet her shoes this morning would turn into over the course of the cold day. The worn sole of her boot slid over the patch of ice, and she lost balance, trying to grip the railing to prevent a fall.

But that wasn't necessary. George was there in an instant, arms wrapped around her and steadying her until she found her footing again.

"Are you okay?" he asked, and she nodded, finding herself unable to speak.

He released her from his grasp, taking a slow step back. (name) could do nothing but stand still for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart. She had no idea if it came from the adrenaline of almost falling or the shock of having George be so close to her so suddenly. She watched as he picked up the bag he had dropped on the ground in his rush to catch her, and then searched his coat pockets for the house key. His fingers trembled slightly, probably from the cold, as he pulled it out and turned it in the lock, keychains jingling.

Inside, the kitchen was deserted, but the kettle was still warm so (name) just had to choose two mugs and quickly reboil it while George laid out the books they had gotten. At this time of year, the warm, cosy kitchen of Portland Row was so much more inviting than the somewhat chilly archives. They could turn the heating up as much as they wanted here, which was why they had opted for just a short trip over to gather some books and then return to the warmth of their home.

(name) brought the two steaming mugs over to the table and made herself comfortable on the chair beside George. He had already grabbed one of the books and was intently skimming the table of contents.

“You can get started on the newspapers," he said without looking up, flicking through the book to find a specific page. “We’ve got a few to work through.”

She knew that, of course, because she had been the one to go on an hour-long hunt for all the ones he claimed they needed. Silently, she pulled the heap of newspapers over and started with the one on top, dating back 15 years.

George took a sip from his tea and grimaced. "You forgot the sugar."

That wasn’t like her. She always remembered the sugar. What was up with her?

George leaned over and reached past her for the sugar, and (name)'s breath hitched in her throat at the proximity. She could faintly smell his shampoo and was near enough that she could see the little scar on his temple, barely visible, from a case they’d taken on a month or two ago. Wordlessly, and seemingly oblivious to the thundering of her heart, he poured some sugar into his cup and stirred, all the while focusing back on what he was reading.

(name) tried to do the same, she really did, but the fact that George was now so close that their legs were touching made the simple task everything but. How was she supposed to focus when all she could hear was the blood rushing in her ears; hearing him muttering quiet words under his breath as if he hadn’t just stolen the air from her lungs?

It was when she looked at him then, a picture of serenity in the winter sunlight streaming through the kitchen window, that she felt it in her heart. Some urging sense of need, of want. A desire to do this for the rest of her life - to sit beside him, whether it be to research something or remember to put sugar in his tea or God knows what. To spend an eternity pressed up to his side, feeling this thrum of her heart. To feel the thrill of his fingers brushing hers as he reached over to peek at something in the newspaper she was reading.

There was no guarantee he would feel the same, she knew that. She didn’t expect him to, not when his life revolved around uncovering the root of the Problem. But she was grateful for what she got: the time he spared for her; the books he would gift her after visiting a bookshop on his way home from the Archives; the tea he’d make in the morning, served with some partially burnt toast he’d forgotten he’d put in the toaster until the moment it popped out.

And that was okay. Truly, it was.

—

35 Portland Row was in chaos.

George was in the middle of a cleaning spree, rushing around in a flowery apron and blue rubber gloves, scrubbing at every crack and crevice to be found - and, well, there were many of those. Lockwood was straightening the pillows in the living room, something he would seldom be found doing, and it was likely that he was stuffing things under said pillows to save having to find space for them in the cluttered house. Lucy, bless her soul, was making tea quicker than her hands could move and had spilt boiling water on her toes. Many curse words ensued.

This chaos, however, did not extend to (name).

Standing by the living room window, staring out onto the street beyond, she felt an odd sense of calm mixed with a hint of excitement.

Why? What incredible company could they be having that had the ability to send the members of Lockwood and Co. into such a frenzy?

Issam Karim.

She had been set on guard duty, ordered by the younger Karim brother to shout out when she saw him approaching. In all honesty, she wasn’t entirely sure why George was making such a fuss about it. He had four older brothers, Issam, or Sam as he preferred, being the youngest of them and, according to Lockwood, the one most similar to George. So it wasn’t like he had anything to worry about.

Even still, when (name) saw a familiar mop of dark curls, she called out to the others and hurried over to the front door.

The knock came soon after; two slow taps followed by silence. George was there, staring at the door over her shoulder, tugging his rubber gloves off. And there was Lucy and Lockwood, peering from the end of the hallway like overly interested parents meeting their child’s friend for the first time.

(name) swung the door open.

Seeing Sam was like looking into George’s reflection, minus the glasses and with slightly neater hair. He was a little taller, broader, and, well, more adult-looking, she supposed. But he was most definitely a Karim.

And, god, did he smile like George, too.

It was the same kind of smile that George showed when he was proud of something - full of teeth and elation, with a sparkle of dark eyes to top it off. If it had been George smiling at her like that, her knees would’ve buckled and her heart would’ve threatened to beat out of her chest, but there was something different about Sam’s variation of the smile. Something extremely fraternal.

George ushered his brother in, scooting past (name) with barely any room thanks to the narrow hallway. Her heart lurched at the feeling of his arm brushing against hers as she hurried to move out of the way.

“Oh, Georgie,” Sam said, smiling at the decorations covering the walls, “you’ve been holding out on me. If I knew you stayed in a house like this…”

He plucked the nearest mask off the wall, scrutinizing it, and Lockwood looked as if he wanted to tell him off, but he refrained after the warning look George gave him.

(name) could understand that. He wanted to impress his brother, especially after years of feeling excluded from his family simply for pursuing a life revolving around ghosts rather than engineering.

She just hoped that he knew he impressed her regardless.

The five of them sat down in the living room, the coffee table laden with mugs of steaming tea and plates stacked high with biscuits and doughnuts. Sam plucked a Hobnob from one of the plates and chewed on it carefully, glancing around the room like a child at a theme park. He had a look of wonder in his eyes that (name) so often saw and admired in George’s.

“You’ve met Lockwood before,” George said from beside his brother. “But this is Lucy, and that’s (name). They’ve both been here a year and a half now.”

“Oh. This is the infamous (name)?” Sam’s smile was dazzling despite the scathing look George gave him. “Wonderful to meet you.”

(name) and Lucy shared a look. Lucy looked like she was trying not to smile as she caught Lockwood’s eye. It seemed like the two of them knew something that (name) didn’t, and it had her feeling a little uneasy.

“Nice to finally meet you, Sam,” she said, offering up a smile.

The conversation went well enough thanks to Lockwood, who started asking Sam about his university life and how classes were going. Most of what he said, however, was just confusing to them. As agents, they hadn’t gotten the chance to experience much of a school life, so all this talk of complicated maths and big, fancy words went straight over their heads. Sam didn’t seem to mind. It appeared that he just liked having people he could sound incredibly intelligent to.

Definitely related to George. Although George was much more willing to simplify what he was saying so that the others understood.

Not that (name) minded. She could listen to George speak in his overly-complicated way for the rest of their lives and she’d be grateful.

An elbow dug into her side. “You’re staring,” Lucy murmured, leaning close.

“Hmm?”

“You’re staring. At George. Hard.”

(name) blinked. “No, I'm not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No! Look, over his shoulder, there’s a tear in the sofa cover. That’s what I was looking at.”

Lucy rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes, with lovey-dovey eyes, huh? You can’t even give a half-decent fib.”

(name)’s face felt awfully hot, and she couldn’t even get herself to look in George’s general direction. She hadn’t been staring at him, right? She had just looked for a moment, finding herself particularly fond of how his hair flopped over his forehead in soft curls; how his fingers fiddled with the loose threads from a rip in his jeans, and -

With a silent curse, she realised that, yes, maybe she had been staring.

At least it was Lucy who had noticed and not George. Although, she likely would have to deal with incessant questions at night when she was trying to sleep.

The conversation carried on for a while longer before Sam sat his empty teacup on the table and rose from his seat on the sofa.

"Alright, that was lovely, but I’m going to head off for a bit. I have some friends in the city that I haven't seen in a while", he said, wiping his hands on his jeans.

Lockwood stood up as well, brushing some imaginary dust off his trousers as he so often did. "Will you be back for dinner?"

"(name) is cooking", Lucy added.

Sam turned to (name) and shot her a smile. "Well, in that case, I'll make sure I'll be back. Wouldn't want to miss that."

(name) lowered her head, embarrassed at the attention that was on her now. "I'm not even that good,” she mumbled.

"I think you're great", George blurted out, though if the slight pink tinge to his cheeks was anything to go by, he hadn’t meant to say it.

(name) was sure she was blushing now. She knew George appreciated her cooking, but considering his cooking skills, she sometimes wasn't sure if he didn't just say so to make her feel better.

Sam left the house a few minutes later, and any indescribable tension that had built up dissipated. Lockwood and George started up a conversation while Lucy and (name) grabbed the dirty mugs and took them through to the kitchen.

"So… What do you think of him?" Lucy asked as she dumped the dishes into the sink.

"He's nice", (name) replied, adding the dishes she was holding to the pile in the sink, though much more carefully than Lucy. She frowned at a chip in the top of one of the mugs. "But I didn't expect anything else. After everything George has said about him, you know, I half expected the sun to shine out of his ass."

Lucy snorted, leaning back against the counter. "George seems a little on edge, though, don't you think?"

(name) wasn't sure where Lucy was going with this. "He's probably nervous if we'll like him. He's family after all."

Lucy looked at her for a moment with an unreadable expression. "That must be it,” she finally said, before leaving the kitchen to retrieve the rest of the dishes that were still waiting in the living room.

----

(name) was quietly humming to herself as she sliced some tomatoes, periodically checking if the water in the pot on the stove next to her was boiling already. The house was still and quiet, just how she liked it. Sam was out with his friends, Lucy and Lockwood were out doing whatever - they had been gone since lunch - and were, in all honesty, probably fawning over each other in that way they so often did, albeit obliviously. George had buried himself in the library since Sam had left, mumbling something about 'important research and experiments'. (name) had the sneaking suspicion that that meant he was doing something with the skull, but what exactly, she didn't really want to know. Based on the faces the skull always pulled after a day like this, his expression more horrid than ever, it couldn't be anything good.

The evening sun was shining right through the kitchen window in front of her, and in her peripheral vision, she saw movement in the garden. She looked up and spotted a small red squirrel running through the high grass before racing up the tree. She smiled at the sight of the animal and its simple joy in the winter garden, but a sharp pain tore her from her stupor, and she couldn't help the yelp that slipped past her lips.

Immediately, her gaze fell to her hand, where a deep cut on her finger was bleeding heavily. Shit, there was blood all over the cutting board. Without thinking, she hurried over to the sink and held her finger under the water, cursing at how cold it was. The water faded to red after running over her finger, and she could already feel herself starting to get lightheaded. The shock of the cut was wearing off, and the pain was intensifying.

It was stupid, really, that she was in such a fuss over a small slice. Nevertheless, she yelled for George in what was probably a futile attempt. If he was deep in his experiments, there would be no tearing his attention away. Lockwood had tried many things in an attempt to get his attention, so she didn’t hold out much hope.

But just a few seconds later there he was, suddenly in the kitchen doorway. His eyebrows were raised, lips parted in a silent question as his eyes found her finger in the tapstream, leaking a seemingly endless amount of blood.

"Oh shit, (name), what happened?"

“Thought I’d add a bit of my finger to dinner." She spoke through gritted teeth, joking in an attempt to ease herself, or even George. It didn’t work that well.

She’d never had any problems with blood, and she’d cared for many injuries her teammates had sustained over the last year, but her blood - that was an entirely different story. George was next to her in an instant, rummaging around in the medical cupboard for a plaster of the right size. She almost laughed upon hearing him complain that they needed to reorganise the whole thing as he tore a long strip from a box and cut it with a pair of scissors.

"Can you turn off the water?"

(name) did what he asked. Before she knew it, one of his hands was gently holding her wrist, bringing her hand closer to inspect the cut. It wasn’t as deep as it had appeared at first glance, just long and thin, but it was still oozing blood. Most of the issue had been the sheer shock of it and the throbbing pain that filled her whole finger.

It was easier, though, to forget about the pain when his skin was touching hers. He held her so softly, dabbing blood away with such care that her heart swelled as she watched him, brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to avoid the cut itself. He pressed slightly too hard, and her breath caught.

"Sorry, I'll try and be gentle,” he promised.

He led her over to the kitchen table, where she could rest her arm atop the scribbled-on cloth as he worked away. He was quiet as he took the plaster off the paper, slathering on antiseptic cream before wrapping it carefully around her finger. Something in his cheek twitched.

She watched as the concentration moulded his face into some softer version of a frown, the kind of one he often donned when working away in the Archives on a more complex case. Delicately, he stuck the remaining side of the plaster down before relaxing a little. His hand rested on hers, enveloping it in comfortable warmth, and she had to question if the lightheadedness she felt was still from the blood or just from the way he smiled at her.

For a wonderful moment, neither of them moved. His hand squeezed around hers ever so slightly, and his eyes found hers; his gaze encapsulating her very soul. She couldn’t look away, trapped in eyes that no artist could ever replicate, and found a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She could’ve stayed like that forever, would’ve given anything for this moment to last just a little longer, but it didn’t.

George cleared his throat, pulling his hand back and tearing his gaze from hers as he stood. (name) looked down at her finger, wrapped snugly in its waterproof plaster, and hoped he couldn’t see the blush that was staining her cheeks.

"I'm going to take over dinner", George said, shuffling awkwardly. "There is no way I'll let you cook with your hand like this.”

“But -”

“Research can wait before you say anything.”

And that was that.

(name) reluctantly did what he said and stayed in her seat, watching as he washed off the cutting board and then continued where she had left off. It was frustrating how much neater he sliced tomatoes than she did.

The pain that had momentarily subsided had come back worse, and her whole finger was pulsating with waves of dull pain. She tried her best to keep up a conversation with George, and not let on how she was feeling. No need to make him more worried than he already was. But it was clear that he was still concerned, what with his short glances back every two minutes. She had to fight back a little smile at that.

A bang sounded, signalling that somebody had just come in the front door, and she turned to look through the kitchen doorway to see who it was.

Sam, upon seeing the kitchen door open, made his way down the steps after taking off his jacket, smiling as he entered.

"Man, that was exhausting", he said, making himself comfortable on one of the seats - Lockwood’s. He wouldn’t be happy about that. “Forgot how big London is.”

"Do you want something to drink?" (name) asked.

"That would be great."

She squeezed past George, half-annoyed at the small walking space in the kitchen and half-grateful that she had another excuse to be closer to him, and reached up into one of the cupboards for a glass.

"What happened to your finger?" Sam asked, gaze fixed on the plaster as she filled the glass with water.

"Just a little cut", she said, plastering on some semblance of a smile. The pain was worse now after bashing it on one of the shelves. “Nothing much.”

Sam furrowed his eyebrows in a way that looked so much like George. "That doesn't seem like just a little cut", he said. "Can I check it?”

(name) didn't know what to do. She looked over to George, who was busy stirring the contents of the pot, seemingly not listening to their conversation.

“Oh, no, George has already patched me up. I’ll be fine.”

“George is about as good at first aid as our dad, which is to say shit. I insist. It’ll be quick.”

With one more glance at George, she sat back down, setting the glass in front of Sam. No harm in letting him check, she supposed.

He shuffled his chair around, sitting so that her legs slotted in between his, then took her hand and inspected the plaster. A shadow of blood was already peeking through.

"I'm going to take this off and see how bad the cut is, alright?"

(name) nodded in agreement, already dreading the pain this was surely going to cause.

George had turned down the heat of the stove and now leaned against the counter to watch them, his arms crossed. There was something in his expression, a sliver of unfamiliar emotion hidden in his eyes and the slight downturn of his lips.

"Is that really necessary, Sam?" he asked, his voice unusually sharp.

Sam moved closer to (name), slowly peeling the plaster off and revealing the cream-covered, blood-stained finger that had her feeling lightheaded again.

"Oh, it’s necessary. After that one time you tried to patch me up when we were younger, I wouldn’t trust you with a paper cut.”

George huffed. “I was eight. It’s not like I was going to be an expert. Besides, you’re an engineer, not a doctor.”

Sam only hummed, glancing at his younger brother for less than a second. A shadow of a smile haunted his lips.

(name) shuffled uncomfortably, gaze flickering between the two. Tension was rising for some reason unknown to her, and she had a feeling that she was the root of it. But why? She’d only cut her finger. That shouldn’t have been a cause for anything.

“Just as well I’ve checked,” Sam murmured. “That’s definitely more than a little cut.”

“It barely hurts now,” (name) lied. “Seriously, it’s fine.”

And it was. It had been. She had liked it when George had held her hand so tenderly, making sure not to hurt her. Sam doing the same wasn’t necessarily bad, but it felt wrong. Especially with that look on George’s face. He looked ready to kill.

That look alone had a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. Did it mean he felt the same as she did, even just a little bit?

No, she told herself. This was George. George loved his books and scribbling insults on the thinking cloth for Lockwood to find later and reading away in the Archives. There wasn’t enough room for her to fit in his heart. Surely.

Sam was quick to put a new plaster on, this one more neatly cut than the one George had rushed to tear, though there had been an essence of care in it. In reality, she preferred his jagged edges over Sam’s cleaner ones.

She wasn’t entirely sure if she was thinking about plasters now.

“Thanks,” she said, taking her hand back out of Sam’s grip. “Uh, George, how’s dinner coming?”

For a moment, there was no reply. Then George seemed to remember that there was a world beyond the little bubble that had encased the three of them and hurriedly glanced back at the boiling pan of vegetables.

“Fine,” he said eventually.

“Hope you’re better at cooking than you are at first aid, Georgie,” Sam jested.

It was clear he meant it to be a joke, but whatever had soured George’s mood had twisted it into something different. He all but scoffed as he turned back to the pan, stirring methodically.

“George is the best,” (name) said. “If we didn’t have him, we’d be living off of Lockwood’s toast and jam.”

George’s shoulders eased slightly at that. “Either that or spag-bol every night. There’s only so much of it I can eat.”

(name) laughed and so did George, albeit breathy and quiet. Even still, it had the pressure building in her chest ease off a little and had her heart aching to hear more.

Sam’s eyes flickered between the two of them. “So, how long have you two been together?”

Dead silence. There it was again - that suffocating tension. (name)'s heart felt like it had stopped in her chest entirely, and George had ceased every movement. The wooden spoon in his hand hovered over the simmering water, dripping and dripping and dripping until the sound became unbearable and, somehow, too loud.

Did she mind someone assuming she was in a relationship with George? No, of course not. She couldn't imagine anything better for herself. But the hesitation in his movements, the way he looked back at Sam with what could only be described as acute disbelief, had her lunch making its way back up her throat. That tiny sliver of hope she’d felt earlier? Gone.

“No! We’re not - ” George stammered helplessly, eyes wide.

“Oh, my mistake,” Sam said nonchalantly. There was a glint in those dark eyes of his. Mischief. “Just from what I’ve seen today, and how much George talks about you, (name), I kind of assumed…”

“Sam!”

Sam closed his mouth, apparently unwilling to be further berated by his brother, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his smile.

- - - -

Dinner, to begin with, went as smoothly as it could after the bomb Sam had dropped. Lockwood and Lucy returned from their escapades, rosy-cheeked and laughing, but their demeanours soon shifted upon feeling the tension filling the kitchen. With nothing more than a look, Lucy seemed to gauge the situation and began talking about some of the strange stuff she and Lockwood had encountered on the streets of London.

Well, to her and (name) it was strange. To the native Londoners, it was an everyday thing. But truth be told, (name) was much more concerned about George… it was strange seeing him behave like he did.

George was often quiet, unless he was talking about a topic he was particularly enthusiastic about or insulting Lockwood or the Fittes team they’d dubbed their rivals. Yet there had always been a sense of peace in those silences, a comfort that allowed (name) to know that he was okay, either just listening or pondering away in his own little world.

Now, though… This silence was new and different and she knew that it was caused by the implication that they were acting like a couple. (name) tried to think over everything they’d ever done to make it seem that way - the lingering touches and long-held gazes, the time spent together and the happiness they always seemed to feel around each other - and she could see why. And if Sam had been telling the truth, George had talked about her to him in what she had to assume was a positive way.

So why was he reacting like this? Why did he seem so distressed by the thought of her?

It was halfway through dinner when she decided she couldn’t bear it anymore. He wouldn’t look at her. Wouldn’t answer her questions on how his research was going. Wouldn’t listen to Lockwood droning on about heaven knows what.

She stood from her chair and moved away from the table. “I’m going for a walk.”

That seemed to perk everyone up.

Lockwood frowned. “You all right?”

“I just need some fresh air,” she said. “It’s stuffy in here.”

Sam shifted in his chair, making to stand. “I’ll come along. I know some good places to clear your head -”

“No, it’s fine,” (name) insisted, and her voice came out rather firm. “I’ll not be long. Just a walk around the block.”

And then she was gone, fighting not to look back to see if George was concerned or unbothered.

Why did she care so much if he was? He had practically ignored her throughout the whole of dinner, despite her effort to have a conversation, all because his brother had assumed they were a thing. Was she truly so inadequate? Was the mere prospect of being with her so terrible?

It didn’t matter. She’d be just fine on her own. She’d managed it all of these years, and she’d do just the same regardless. What did it matter whether or not he liked her?

But, as she strolled through the wintery streets, it became abundantly clear that no matter how hard she tried, it would always be important to her.

(name) loved George more than anything she had before. She would give him the world if she could. And part of her wanted to believe that, even if he didn’t feel the same, she would always hold on to those feelings.

But that sentiment was just for the romantic movies and sappy novels she spent her free time reading. In reality, she didn’t have it in her to give and give and give and get nothing in return.

The cold air bit at her cheeks, and she crossed her arms as she walked, trying to preserve any warmth that she could. Maybe she should’ve grabbed a thicker jacket on her way out, or changed from her trainers into the pair of boots she’d left out because, god, the frost was seeping through the canvas material.

She almost jumped out of her skin when something wrapped around her neck.

In a burst of fear, she whirled around and stumbled backwards before realising that the thing was soft, and it was warm. And the person who had wrapped it around her was someone extremely familiar.

“George?” she asked, frowning. Her hand reached up to the thing he’d wrapped around her, nails catching on the knitted fabric. “You brought me… a scarf?”

George, who looked mildly shocked by his actions, nodded. “Uh, yeah - yes. You, um, you left without it. I didn’t want you - didn’t want you getting cold, you know?”

“Uh, thanks.”

And for a moment, she lingered, waiting for him to say something. George stood still before her, looking at her in a way she was sure he had never before - slightly wide-eyed, awe-like - but he tore his gaze from her and looked at the ground.

It was then that the feelings she’d been consumed by just moments ago began to creep back again. Why was she still standing here? So what if he'd brought her a scarf? He hadn’t even been able to stomach speaking to her after Sam assumed they were together.

The thought was enough to convince her. With a tight, thin-lipped and awkward smile in his general direction, she turned to continue on her walk. She’d come out to clear her head, and although she was grateful for the scarf, George was jumbling her thoughts again, just as he always did. And, well, if he wasn’t going to say anything, then she was just going to continue her stroll.

“(name), wait.”

She was half-tempted to keep walking, but the tone of George’s voice was enough to stop her feet from moving. He was nervous. Yes, sure, she had seen him nervous many, many times, but this was different. With the slight tremor in his voice, so very subtle, he had all the power at that moment to stop her.

Slowly, she turned to face him again, stuffing her hands in her pockets. “Yeah?”

There was a look in his eyes, unlike anything she had ever seen before. They had softened considerably from when he had been talking to Sam, and there was a crease between his eyebrows that showed a hint of worry she would usually have to search for in his movements. Never did he show his anxiousness as clearly as he did now.

“I -” His voice caught, and he tore his eyes from her face, instead looking at his muddy trainers. “I’m sorry. About how I’ve been acting today.”

She shrugged. “I get it. Your brother’s here. You want us to like him, but he’s getting on your nerves. It’s what siblings do. None of us mind, George. Sam’s nice.”

“That’s not…” It wasn’t what he had meant, and it was clear that he knew she was trying to avoid the topic. “Sam is a lot of things, you know. He’s annoying and insanely smart and kind and -”

“I’ve met him,” (name) said, not unkindly. “I know.”

George ran a hand over his face. “I know, but what I mean to say is that he isn’t a liar.”

Usually, George Karim was not someone to beat around the bush. It was one of the things that (name) admired about him. If there was something he wanted to say, then he would say it, straight and upfront. But to see him now, fumbling over himself and avoiding the point…

“You’re making no sense,” she said.

“What he’s been saying about me… me talking about you a lot.” There was a brief pause. “He’s not wrong. I do talk about you a lot. I think my mum knows more about you than about me.”

A smile tried to fight its way onto her lips, but she held it back. If this was going where she so desperately hoped it would, it wouldn’t hurt to have him say it directly.

“I suppose that’s what friends are like,” she said. “Growing up, my dad knew every detail there was to know about my best friend.”

If one were to describe George Karim, bold would not be a word they would use. Smart, of course. Sarcastic, yes. Awkward, yes again. Bold? Absolutely not.

But there was no other way to describe his actions at that moment. The certainty he stepped forward with, the soft yet assured feel of his hands wrapping around hers. God, he was so close now that she could feel his warm breath ruffling her hair. And his eyes, lord, his eyes. Despite the slow-creeping darkness in the evening sky, his eyes only seemed to grow brighter. She could see the anxiety creeping beneath the surface, whether it be for the actions that may follow or her possible reaction.

“I don’t want to just be your friend,” he said. His voice was barely more than a whisper, but she could hear the words as clearly as she would if he had shouted them.

She had known the words had been coming or had hoped, but hearing them was an entirely new thing. She could feel her heart swell with joy and relief, feel the smile that had so badly wanted to break free rise onto her lips. Her hands shifted carefully, cautiously, until her fingers could fit in between his.

“I’m sorry again about how I’ve been acting.” His words were beginning to rush out the way they did when he had too much to say. “I hadn’t felt ready to tell you, and Sam kept pushing and pushing. I thought if I ignored him I could sort my feelings out, but then I got too nervous and couldn’t even speak to you. God, you make me nervous. Did you know that?”

Her face scrunched with delight. “Georgie?”

He looked a little out of breath. “Yes?”

“Can I kiss you?”

Judging from the look of pure shock on his face, he had not expected such a straightforward request. He didn’t speak, but he nodded.

(name) grinned, slowly pulling one of her hands from his grip to push his glasses up his nose before placing it on his shoulder and leaning forward.

As a child, she had not liked to watch the kissing scenes in movies. They had always felt awkward and, at the time, she had never been able to imagine sharing an intimate moment like that with anybody, nevertheless enjoy it.

But here she was, kissing her best friend, and loving it.

It was a little stiff to begin with but after a moment, they relaxed into it - into the feeling of fireworks and butterflies and warm lips. George’s hand squeezed hers, and his free hand slipped around to her back, pulling her a little closer.

The kiss didn’t last long, no more than a few seconds, but (name) found herself unable to compare the breathtaking moment to anything she had ever experienced. And, well, the look on George’s face told her that he felt much the same.

“I don’t want to just be friends either,” she said, finding herself feeling somewhat shy after such an uncharacteristic moment of confidence. “If that’s okay with you.”

George nodded with such vigour it was a wonder his head was still attached to his neck. “Okay with me.”

thank you for reading!

#lockwood and co advent calendar #george karim x reader #george karim #lockwood and co #lockwood & co #lockwood & co x reader #lockwood and co x reader

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yuniniverse · 1 year ago

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Hi loves i want to request a yeachan and the reader both are rappers and they get paired up by eden ( kq’s producer) and maddox helps them makes a song and they just have to write lyrics and stuff and they have to work on it like a project yk das all and oh my god i love seeing a notification from u that u updated like i loveeee your writing its too good lovebu lotsss <33

PAIRING ! ━ idol!yechan x reader

GENRE ! ━ slight angst, kissing in the rain, fluff fluff and fluff!

WORD COUNT ! ━ 1.11k

AUTHOR NOTE ! ━ uni has me stressing oml im so sorry for answering so late TvT also omg tysm ydk how happy it makes me to read such sweet compliments :"3

SONG RECCS ! ━ Drawer by 10 cm !

You sighed as you stood infront of the door to the studio, your heart slightly jumping at the thought of the red haired boy sitting inside waiting to work with you. You were one of KQs best song writers and always were praised for your works by hongjoong and Maddox especially since you worked with them alot, even helping them prepare KQ new boy groups debut album. That's how you met Lee Yechan.

You knew Minjae as both him and you were sm trainees at first untill you realised maybe idol life isn't the best for you so you moved to KQ to pursue your songwriting passion. During xikers debut preparation you were met with a red haired boy that held minjaes hand, his eyes roamed everywhere almost as if he was scanning the place. He looked like a cat you thought.

That's how you knew about Minjae, Yechan and Sumin, the rapper line who you would get close to. Since they were at the same age group as you it took no time for you four to get along well, sometimes even pranking the KQ staffs together and having fun in between recording sessions.

You twisted the door knob when you hear a 'come in' a smile forming on your lips as you see yechan sitting next to Maddox, his hair was messy, his headphones were lifted off his left ear to listen to Maddox's instructions as they played the demo. You close the door behind you and leave your bag onto one of the chairs, taking a seat next to yechan.

You were supposed to work with Yechan for one of xikers upcoming songs. At first, it felt like a piece of cake because Yechan was the easiest to work with. Although the boy was loud at times, he was always so soft and sweet with you, making you develop a crush on the now grape haired boy.

Days went by and you got more busy with college too which resulted in you not having time to go to the studio as often. Yechan texted you saying he understood your situation which you felt so grateful for.

However, you got quickly burnt out from college, not to mention how your family were giving you slight troubles too with your parents constantly nagging at how you were always late to come back home when really you were travelling back and forth from your university to the company.

Yechan noticed how serious you've gotten in the past few days, you almost never joked around and only slightly smiled at minjae and sumins horrible dad jokes.

You on the other hand was scared. Scared that the feeling of overwhelming stress might've made you act differently towards the boy which is the last thing you'd want.

But the unfortunate happened.

Yechan entered the vocal room, getting himself to warm up as you looked through his part. He nodded signalling he was ready to record his part of the song. However something was missing, he wasn't himself, his flow of rap would be broken from time to time almost as if he was getting distracted.

You didn't want to loose your cool but you were getting tensed too. You cut him off and scolded him, Your only motive was to get the boy ace his rap like how he used to but it was clear he had something else on his mind. Only if you knew it was you that was on his mind.

He looked down, tears threatening to fall. Maddox tells the two of you to take a break as he notices the atmosphere in the studio tense up. A 15 minute break was what you two were given so when yechan didn't show up 30 minutes later you started to get worried. You looked out the window to see it was pouring, 'he couldn't have gone outside could he?' You excuse yourself and run out to try and find yechan, you get out of breath and panic takes over you as Yechan doesn't pick your call. Maybe you were too harsh. You run through the streets a little further untill you see a familiar boy sheltering himself from the rain.

You sprint up to him and hug him, the impact making him stumble back but he regained his position. You felt a tear roll down your cheek, Yechan was drenched from the rain and shaking from the cold. You felt your whole world crash down and you feel your shoulder get wet from yechans tears as he trembled more into your embrace, uncontrollable sobs left his lips as he holds you tight. You pull away with a slight smile, caressing his cheeks, " I'm sorry" he says looking down. "You're ok Yechan, I should be the one apologizing." Your eyes soften at him, he looked at you with a smile, shaking his head. "None of us were at fault, you had other things on your mind and so did i" he says with a chuckle, wiping away his tears as you nod. "Let's go back? Maddox will get worried if we're out for too long" you say as you hold his arm trying to walk out, the heavy pour now slowed down to a light drizzle. You felt your hand get tugged back and when you turn around you feel a pair of lips on yours. A shy grin spreads across your lips as you return the sweet gesture, yechans hands snakes around your waist, pulling you close as you share a sweet kiss under the rain. He pulls away with the most adorable smile you've ever seen, you peck his cheeks before pulling him with you. You two walked hand in hand back to the company, only to find a very distressed Minjae pacing back and forth, scolding you two as he gives you two each a towel to dry yourself. You couldn't help but giggle at how adorable he looked with messy hair as he crinkled his nose at Minjae who wouldn't stop nagging at how he'd catch a cold at this rate if he continued being this playful.

At the end of the day you bid goodbye to the xikers members, wishing them good luck since their recording sessions were over and now they had to shoot their mv scene and learn the choreography.

As you were about to leave you feel an arm wrap around yours, looking up to see yechan smiling cheekily at you. You smile back, tilting your head in confusion, he looks around and cups your cheek, placing a quick peck on your lips before running away screaming " I love you my y/n !"

#xikers #xikers drabbles #xikers imagines #xikers fluff #xikers reactions #xikers x reader #xikers fanfic #yechan #lee yechan #yechan xikers #yechan x reader #yechan fluff #yechan imagines

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theglamorousferal · 10 months ago

Text

Cryptid of Smallville Chapter 3

Hey ya'll, this has been a long time coming.

First off, I want to thank everybody who liked and shared! I'm not great at talking to people but know that everything has made me so happy and warms my heart so much that I can barely put together words.

Secondly, I will be writing more, but I definitely won't be able to keep any sort of schedule. I already have a good part of the next chapter started and though it's definitely going to be a shorter one, it will still be good.

Finally, this beast of a chapter. I wrote the first 3/4 of this chapter about a week after I finished the first chapter and then began to second-guess myself about whether people would want an entire chapter dedicated to a lore dump. I fought with myself for literal months before I finally sat down and was like, "You won't be able to do the rest of it until you get this one done, it's important". Finally this morning I sat down and plugged out the last bit of the chapter and after looking everything over again I decided to just post it before I lost my nerve.

Please let me know any critiques you may have, I barely edited this. Thank you so much for the support!! <3 Here's the AO3 link

For as long as he can remember, Danny has always been fascinated by space. Something about the fact that each star out there being home to other planets and all the different things on those planets just tugs at his curiosity. To make it better, it’s infinite, so he can just keep learning about new places for as long as he’ll live. Which might be forever, but he’s trying to not think too hard about that right now.

He wonders what the members of his Fright are up to right now. Jazz it probably trying to psycho-analyze Vlad who claims that his days of evil are over with and that he plans to just be the chill uncle to both the Fenton children. Tucker’s probably hacking into the GIW again just to mess with them. Sam’s probably planning a protest to try and get some of the anti-ecto acts repealed while Mom and Dad help with the research to back her up. Ellie is probably still hanging out with Pandora learning how to fight ancient style. Danny sighed, most of that sounded really fun, and he really wished that he could learn to fight alongside Ellie. He missed his totally-not-twin.

Right now, Danny is basically on vacation until his body is back to being 16. He basically can do whatever he wants, but he does have to go to school to keep up appearances. He’s allowed to use his powers whenever, but not where anybody can see. Which typically means he’s not allowed to go into low orbit to look at the stars because that’s just a bit far for the Kent parents' tastes.

They compromised with the roof.

So here he was, at the highest point of the Kent family home staring up at the night sky with little to no light pollution and not a cloud in the sky. The Milky Way was on full display as the stars all twinkled above. One thing he noticed pretty early on is that despite this not being his planet Earth and dimension, the constellations are the same. He tracked his way through all of the astrological signs, pausing a moment on Libra as he pictured himself as the balance with morbid humor, and then through the popular ones like Orion and the Big Dipper. He glances next to him a moment later when someone settles down on the roof with him.

“Hey Clark, what’s got you up?” Danny asked, turning back to face the sky. It’s been about five months since he started staying with the Kent’s and he’s forever grateful that they’ve been so kind and understanding with him.

“Not much, was finishing up studying for this new unit in science when I noticed you were up here. Heard you sighing, what’s got you worked up?” Clark sat with an arm braced on his knee and the other behind him staring up at the sky as well.

“Just thinking about what my Fri- family is up to. I know time works differently here and it’s probably just been a couple days or maybe even hours for them, but I miss them a lot. They’re a crazy mess, but they’re my crazy mess, ya’know?”

Clark glanced down at Danny, the kid looking a bit lost. He shifted so he was leaning back on both of his hands. “Actually no, I mean, it’s just been me and Ma and Pa out here before you came along. I don’t really have friends at school that I’m close with.” He paused for a moment, staring straight out across the fields. “Mind telling me about them?”

Danny whipped his head toward Clark, scanning his face. “Are you sure? You don’t have to listen to me ramble, I know I can go on and on, and I don’t want to bore you or anything.”

Clark chuckled, “Nah, go right on ahead and tell me about your family and friends, it’d be nice to hear about the people who helped make you, well you.”

Danny paused looking at Clark’s face for a moment before he blew out a breath and turned away to look at the sky.

“My parents are mad scientists,” Danny started. “Not in the ‘we’re building a thing to take over the world’ way, but in the ‘this sounds insane but it’s somehow real’ way. They’re the leading scientists in Ecto-biology and Ecto-engineering, also known as the study of ghostly behavior, biology and the properties of ectoplasm. Ectoplasm is both an energy source and the material that ghosts are made of. They make all kinds of things from weaponry to shield generators to tracking devices all based on ectoplasm. Their crowning achievement however was the portal.” Danny paused here, debating how much to say. “They built a portal to the afterlife in the basement of my childhood home, and it’s the reason I have ghost powers.” He decided to not get into the fact that he walked in and had a whole dimension pulled through him as the portal opened, no need to scare poor Clark.

“Lab safety has always been a thing that was more like guidelines than actual rules in the house, so since growing up in that environment, it led to myself and my family getting contaminated with ectoplasm. I definitely have it worse off than my family members, but each of them has something that’s just a bit off about them. Like my dad lifting things he probably shouldn’t, my mom moving just a little too fast, and my sister does this thing where she’s looking at you and it feels like she’s looking at your soul and it takes her just a little too long to actually blink and then she’s psychoanalyzed you and knows all your secrets. It’s unsettling, but we just live with it. I had a bit of an accident so I got more contaminated which is why I can fly and do other ghostly things.”

“Must be great having people around who’ve studied ghosts and everything when you have ghost powers. If you have them, why were you left with us? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have you stay with your parents who can handle it if your powers get out of control?”

Danny winced at this, “It’s kinda complicated. So I have some responsibilities in my dimension that I kinda need to be bigger for. I have all my power, and who knows maybe going through puberty a second time will make them grow more, but for now it shouldn’t be much. I’m mostly here to get something of a ‘normal’ childhood and to wait it out until I’m my full size again. It’ll be weird because by that point I’ll technically be 26 but hey I’m not gonna have to go through all the ‘adult’ things I need to do, just need to lay low and do some fun kid stuff, maybe do better in school this time around, maybe I’ll be able to pass high school when I get back. Maybe I’ll work on learning some stuff that could be useful like karate, that could be fun, we could do it together! Since we’re both strong we wouldn’t have to hold back against each other!” Danny excitedly looked over at Clark. It was hard to see in the light of the full moon, but it almost seemed like the freckles on Danny’s face were glowing green in his excitement. Clark smiled at his excitement.

“Yeah that sounds like fun, we can ask Ma and Pa together tomorrow.”

“Yeah! It’ll be great, maybe when I get back I can show off that I’m a black belt just like mom. I can show Ellie all my new moves while she shows me what she learned from Pandora.” Danny smiled to himself and yes, those were certainly glowing freckles.

“Who’re Ellie and Pandora?” Danny stilled for a moment, the freckles dimming a bit. Should he tell Clark about the whole clone thing? Should he mention that he’s friends with what basically amounts to gods?

“So Ellie’s like my younger sister/cousin, we are very close and everyone says we could be twins, she’s a bit of a free spirit and is traveling a lot of the time. Right now she’s spending some time with Lady Pandora. Does your dimension have the myth of Pandora’s box?” at Clark’s nod Danny continues. “That’s her, she keeps the horrors in a box that she keeps locked down pretty tightly in the GZ, there’s a whole labyrinth and everything. I did have to help her one time when someone got a hold of it, not a fun time, but hey it was one of the first positive experiences my parents ever had when dealing with ghosts so there is that. Pandora has become something of a doting awesome aunt who can and will teach you how to fight if given the opportunity.”

They lapsed into silence for a bit, Clark content to just sit there while Danny gathered his thoughts.

“Let’s see, I talked about my parents, Ellie, Pandora and a little bit about my sister. So Jazz is the most amazing and overbearing sister known to all kind. She has her heart in the right place, but Ancients if she puts me in soup-time one more time, I’m gonna figure out a way to do it to her and see if she likes it.”

��Excuse me, ‘soup time’?” Clark was baffled. “Actually a few things you’ve mentioned have me confused, what is the ‘GZ’ and why say ‘Ancients’ like it’s a curse word?”

Danny looked sheepish at that. “Right yeah, I forgot, I’m just so used to talking to people who know. So the GZ is also known as the Ghost Zone, the Infinite Realms or the afterlife. Basically it’s a dimension connected to all other dimensions and houses the ecto-entities of the worlds. It’s where all the afterlives are connected together and there are also, like, gods or god-like beings, which are the Ancients I mentioned, there as well as monsters. Basically anything that gives off a whiff of ‘spooky’ is probably connected to the GZ in some way.”

“So your friends in the corn fields?” Clark trailed off giving a dubious look at the fields.

“Yeah, they’re technically ecto-entities. There are places that the veil between thins and sometimes things crossover. Like, I saw in one of the aerospace books that you also have the Bermuda Triangle as a thing, a lot of those incidents are from the veil thinning there and some natural portals opening up into the Infinite Realms. Sometimes they come back out, but it’s likely going to be a different time period than they first went in.”

“So, ‘soup time’?” Clark asked, getting Danny back on track.

“Right! So, you know how I mentioned that my parents make some crazy things? Well some of those things are containment devices, but there’s one that works the best out of all of them, and that is the Fenton Thermos. Basically it’s bigger on the inside and can suck in and hold an ecto-entity until it is released, usually through the portal. It’s very cramped and not a great feeling and my sister is rather clumsy so when she first started helping me, she accidentally sucked me into the thermos six times. Six times! Like I get it, sometimes somebody’s aim can be a bit off, but she kept getting me and not the ghost that was attacking! She’s gotten better and can and will join us on patrol if need be, but she’s more like a backup and also our field medic. She’s going into psychology and stuff for school, but she also wants to be a certified emt, it really couldn’t hurt in our town and with what I do.” Danny paused here, seeming to think about the fact he wasn’t home patrolling his Haunt. “Hey Clark, would you mind going for a short fly around the property with me? I need to move a bit.”

“Yeah, sure we can do that.” Clark got up and waited for Danny before making his way down towards the ground. “So you mentioned patrol? What’s up with that? Also do you have any friends you hang out with?”

Danny started flying in a set route and Clark followed along, curious. “So, you know how I have powers and whatnot, kind of obvious now that we’re actually flying.” Danny and Clark both snorted at this. “So not all things that come through the portal in my basement are good things. I fight whatever comes through and send it back where it came from. Most of the time it’s just animal ghosts that don’t know any better, but there are also ones that know full well what they’re doing and seem to just want to make my life worse. I mean, can’t Skulker lay off me for long enough for me to finish an essay? Honestly.”

“So, you’re a hero, is what you’re telling me? A vigilante?” Clark asked, and watched as Danny scanned the horizon for anything weird. Well, at least weird for Danny, which, on second thought, Clark decided he would just pay attention to the child-teen next to him. No need to see things not meant to be seen.

Danny glanced over at Clark, “Yes, though it took a while and some misunderstandings for the town to accept that I’m there to do good. There was an issue with mind control and then the mayor was possessed, it was a whole thing, I’ll go into it later. Anyway,” Danny turned down a path between fields. “So I talked about my parents, a bit about my sister and the basics of ghost stuff, how’s about I talk about my best friends in the whole world?” He smiled at this, a fond wistful thing.

“So my best friends are Sam and Tucker, and Valerie is getting there. We had a bit of a rough time before she realized I was the ghost boy she wanted to fight. It was a whole thing, but we’ve figured it out. We’ve got a truce going and she’s starting to hang out with us more and trains with us when she can. She’s this badass hunter in a red power suit with a flying surfboard, it’s really awesome. I mean, it wasn’t when she was unknowingly working with my nemesis, but the suit is now tied into her own ecto-signature so he can’t take it back from her now.”

“So I guess that brings me to my best friends in the whole world, they’ve been with me since before all of this and have stood by me and kept my secret before I told my parents. Tucker is the best hacker that I’ve ever met, and I know a ghost who literally can become electricity. He’s a self-proclaimed carnivore and will not eat veggies unless they’re with an almost equal portion of meat. He’s also the reincarnation of an ancient Pharaoh and will inherit a domain in the GZ when he passes on. He’s been helping out my parents with some of the tech they make and also keeps all our data safe. He also has been working with some people in the GZ to update our tech, specifically stuff for tracking and also medical stuff for ecto-entities. He may hate hospitals, but that doesn’t mean he won’t help when it’s needed.” He paused for a breath here before he basically sighed out, “And then there’s Sam.” His freckles started to glow again when he said her name.

“Sam is awesome. She’s a vegan and a goth and can and will absolutely beat the afterlife into anyone who messes with any of us. She has some level of powers following an incident that had her possessed for several days, but mostly it’s stuff like enhanced strength and speed, nothing too alarming, and juuuust a touch outside of normal for an athletic human, but she also can take and recover from hits almost on my level. She can talk to plants and grow them very quickly and when needed during a fight she can sprout out vines from the ground to help take out enemies. She’s set to take control of a part of the GZ as well when she dies, just as a princess, but still. She’s really smart and knows all this stuff about mythology and the kinds of things that we end up fighting a lot before the rest of us realize what it is and she’s a great shot too.” Danny seemed more content now than when Clark first came out, and while Danny had been right to warn him about the rambling, he found he really liked it when Danny was talking about the people he loves and things he knows about.

“So, what other things do you want to do before you go back? You already mentioned karate, did you want to learn anything else?” Clark asked. They started to make their way back to the house since they found nothing along the edges of the property.

Danny thinks for a moment. Learning new other combat techniques wouldn’t be a bad idea, but he can always learn from masters in the Zone. On one hand, learning politics wouldn’t be a bad idea, but he has a feeling that it’s probably different in the Zone than in the living world. On the other hand, he was told to treat this time like a vacation, meaning he can just enjoy himself and pursue his hobbies here.

“Well, I haven’t really had the time to do my hobbies or major interests in the last couple of years, so I guess I could do that. I’m not sure where you are with video games, but I’m sure they’re nowhere near what I’m used to, but building model spaceships and maybe I can try out flight simulators at museums. I’d love to learn to pilot, but right now I have the body of a six year old, so that’s gonna have to wait until I’m bigger. I’ve been a bit interested in the mechanics of things too, my dad’s shown me how to solder computer parts together, so I wouldn’t mind learning about how electronics and engines work. I’ve always wanted to be an astronaut, so I’d have to learn some of that stuff anyway.”

“Oh, one of our neighbors has a small plane he uses for crop dusting and sometimes for fires or rescue things if the police or firefighters need his help. We can see if he’d be willing to take us up sometime! I think there’s an aerospace museum in Metropolis that has a flight simulator, but it’s pretty far away, we’d have to go in winter when we can leave the farm for a day, but I’m sure Ma an’ Pa would take us. I’m sure Pa would be happy to teach you about the engines of the truck and the tractor too, though he might not let you do anything except hand him things until you’re older. As far as video games go, I’m not sure what they’re like there, but we only really have an arcade with some fighting games that are pretty cool. I mean, the Mayor’s kid has a home gaming system, but they’re hard to get around here.”

“Aw man, I’m gonna end up spending all my allowance at the arcade aren’t I?” Danny groaned as they made their way up the stairs of the house. Clark chuckled, swinging the door open. “But yeah, all that sounds awesome! I hope we can convince your parents to let us do all that stuff.” Danny yawned. “I think it’s time I actually head to bed though. Tiny baby body needs sleep.” Danny floated his way up the stairs, too tired to use his legs and not wanting to wake the Kent parents with the creaky stairs. “Hey, Clark?” Danny asked.

Clark turned back to Danny, about to head to his own room. “Yeah Danny?”

Danny smiled a small smile. “Thanks for listening to me, I think it helped with me being homesick. To, you know, talk about them all. I do wish I could see them and hang out with them all, but I’m glad that I’m here too. For the first time in a while I’m not responsible for anything, I can actually be a kid.”

Clark smiled back at Danny, “Of course, I’ll listen anytime.” He thought for a moment. “You mentioned before about responsibility, you mean the hero thing right?”

Danny nods at first, then tilts his head to the side for a moment. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, it’s not just that. I’m also to be the King of the GZ when I’m old enough.”

Clark’s face drained and he landed hard on his feet. Breathlessly he asked. “King of the GZ? You mean the dimension that connects all the dimensions? You’re going to be King of it all?”

Danny just nods then sits criss-cross in the air. “Yeah, gimmie a sec, I can make the royal getup appear, you might want to shield your eyes, it’s a bit bright.” Danny called forth his newest transformation, the one that came to be when he agreed to become Crown Prince of the Realms. A bright white light similar to an aurora with static on the edges appeared at his middle and hoarfrost seemed to spiral outwards as the light passed over his body. Left in its wake is medieval looking armor.

Chainmail that seemed to be made from frost under a breastplate of black metal with his logo etched in silver. A cloak that started as a slippery black faded on the edges to look like the galaxy itself was trailing after him. His bracers were a pale silver and the clothes beneath his armor were a black leather-like material. He had white leather boots that went up to his knees and had the same pale silver metal tipping the toes. Above his head an aurora circled and little flakes of snow would drop into his hair like falling stars. Danny himself changed also, he stayed a six-year-old, but his skin faded to a light blue, his freckles began to glow a bright green as they had earlier. His eyes changed and glowed with a similar green light, and his hair turned white as snow and seemed to float as if in water. His fingertips were a deep navy and clawed, his canines elongated and his ears became pointed. On his finger there appeared to be a ring made of onyx with a gem so bright a blue that it almost hurt to look at, though it didn’t seem to light up the place more than Danny himself.

The most startling thing to Clark however, was not his appearance. “Danny, why don’t you have a heartbeat?” he asked, projecting as much outward calm as he could muster while being twelve and internally freaking out.

Danny seemed confused for a bit before he seemed to realize something. “Oh, right, so right now I’m a ghost, and as a ghost I don’t have a heartbeat, you should be able to hear some sort of almost rhythmic buzzing though, that’s my core, it’s similar to a heart and brain for ghosts.” Clark listened closer and relaxed once he found the buzzing sound. It reminded him of the sounds of a plane engine in the distance.

“I also completely forgot that I never showed you my ghost form, so one sec, this one’s a lot brighter, I definitely don’t advise looking at this one.” Clark decided to listen this time, as the last time hurt his eyes.

In a flash of bright white light, Danny appeared once again differently than before. He kept the green eyes, snow-white hair and glowing freckles, but the rest of him looked more like his human form, albeit wearing a black and white full bodysuit. The suit itself was black with the stylized DP logo, white boots, white gloves and a white belt. Danny’s skin was a more healthy tan, though still a bit paler than his human form.

“So this is my usual ghost form, I’ve been able to change into it since I got my powers and it’s why my parents didn’t know I was who I was at first. It led to a lot of miscommunication and getting grounded even though I was out saving the day. Things have gotten much better since they learned about me and then looked at their research and realized a lot of it was wrong. I’m really proud of them, they looked at all their biased papers they had written over the years and instead of doubling down or letting it ruin them, they instead found a renewed vigor and are learning all they can. They’re releasing paper after paper correcting all the assumptions they had made now that they aren’t blinded by their prejudices.” Danny had a soft smile on his face as his eyes and freckles glowed brighter thinking about his parents. He yawned again. “I think I’ve dropped enough info on you for tonight though, so I’m gonna head to bed. You should too.” Another bright flash and Danny was back to being human, feet firmly on the floor.

“Yeah, I’ll do that. Sleep well Danny.” Clark appeared to have reached his limit for processing things as he put some dots together. As he lay awake in his bed he realized that Danny is going to be a king to literal gods.

And he thought his math final was stressful.

Part 1 Part 2

#dp x dc #dpxdc #fanfic #long post

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shiro-s2e2-erukinzu · 1 year ago

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Anime only watchers and people who aren't caught up with the Manga, BEWARE... Cuz I'm about to discuss Spy X Family Mission 87... You have been warned...! 👌

[SPOILERS AHEAD FROM THIS POINT ON]

Man, it's been awhile... BUT WE'RE FINALLY BACK BABY!! 😆

And as I suspected, today's chapter turned out to be a pretty chill one...!! 😄 So let's talk about it, shall we? 😁

First off...:

WHAT KIND OF EXCUSE IS THAT FIONA (AND OR WISE!?!?) 😂 If I heard that someone fell from the fourth floor to the first floor, I WOULD'VE ASSUMED THAT THEY DIED!! 😵

(Also, Mr. Gorey from Mission 67 shows up, nice[?] to him again...! I guess... 😌)

Anyway, Mr. Gorey is there to drop off the medical files of the VIP patients, but then the "nurse" comes in to tell him to leave Fiona to rest, and I just as I suspected, the "nurse" was actually Handler!! 😆

It always nice to see Handler / Sylvia and it's also nice see how much she cares for her agents...!! 💗😊💗

We also get some confirmation that Fiona's training in woods might've actually saved her from being in even worse shape than she already is...!! 😆

I LOVE THIS CALLBACK!! 😆

After that, this happens...:

HAHAHAHAHA!! 🤣😂

This just confirms for me that Handler is the goat and can read her agents like a book!! 😖

After seeing what Fiona was up to, we cut back to the Forgers and...:

OH MY GOSH...!! THE PROGRESS!!! 💗😍💗

We're finally getting confirmation that Yor's cooking is GETTING BETTER...!! 🥹

I've been hoping since Mission 24 that we'd progressively hear about how Yor's cooking was getting better and better...!! But, that didn't really happen until JUST NOW...

...IN MISSION 87...!! 😤

Oh Endo, what am I gonna do with you...? 😌

Moving on, after breakfast Loid heads to his room to rest while Anya and Yor spend some time together...!! 💗🥹💗 Yor asks Anya if she had fun at the zoo, which of course she did, and shows her mama what she got at the zoo...!! And just like in Short Mission 3, Bond gets jealous...!! 😁

But instead of ripping up her new plush pal like he did with Agent Penguinman, he ruffles his fur to look like a lion to get Anya's attention!! 🤭

After seeing Bond look like a lion, Anya asks Bond to try to mimic other animals to varying degrees (Elephant Bond was not a success, while Giraffe Bond was... 🤭😂🤣 You get idea...!! 😁)

After that, Yor fixes Bond's hair brushing him and seeing how happy he looks, Anya wants to get her hair brushed as well...!! 💗

This just warms my heart to the highest degree...!! 💗🥹💗 (I am loving all this BONDing time between the three of them...!! 💗😭💗)

Then... The man, the myth, the legend; FRANKY RETURNS!! 😆

And Anya tries to have him get his hair did, but Yor declines because she thinks no one will recognize him...!! 🤣

Poor Franky...!! 😌

Finally, Loid hears the commotion and comes out of his room, only for him to immediately go back into his room...!! 🤣

And that was Mission 87, a fun return after a four week wait that honestly felt like forever!! Seriously, I don't know why, but the wait for this chapter really felt like we waited TWO WHOLE MONTHS instead of just one...!! 😵

Besides my horrible sense of time, this chapter was an absolute delight...!! 😊 From Sylvia and Fiona's interaction to Yor and Anya's mother daughter time (with Bond), I enjoyed it a ton...!! 💗😁💗

I'm excited to see what's next for our favorite manga / anime family, the Forgers and what Endo is gonna put them through!! 😁

But before I go, I'd like to do something that haven't really done before, recommend a series I've recently became a fan of...!! 😄 The series that I'm recommending is called Undead Unluck...!! I started reading it two Thursdays ago, and...

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE IT...!! 💗😍💗

It's about an undead guy who meets an unlucky girl that causes bad things to happen whenever someone touches her... The undead guy (Andy) wants the the unlucky girl (Fuuko) to give him THE GREATEST DEATH EVER, and then their journey begins...!!

I don't know if it'll be everyone's cup of tea (especially from just that short synopsis that I just gave 😅), but I think that if y'all just give it a shot and stick with it for a bit, you'll (hopefully) be enthralled by the amazing cast of characters, their development and the crazy world that they live in...!! 😁 (Or you could also just watch the anime for it that's coming out in October, but I still suggest reading as well...!! 😊👍)

Sorry to disrupt my usual flow of my reviews to promote another manga, but I honestly haven't had another manga that has grabbed my attention this much in recent years since Spy X Family and Chainsaw Man, and I just want more people to give a chance after I myself ignored it for years...!!

Anyway, that's all I'll gotta say because now I gotta go read Chapter 173 of Undead Unluck since I finally caught up to the series last night...!! 😁 So until the next mission, take care, be safe out there and be kind to one another...!! Later!! 👋😁

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haechwrites · 2 years ago

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two winners - L.DH

idol!lee donghyuck x gn!reader (first person)

synopsis: haechan has ideas when the boys are gone

wc: ~1.1k

warnings: suggestive ish, not really. idk how to write smut

A/N: this is just a blurb tbh but i wanted to thank you guys for the attention on my first work hehe <3 also this is written in first person!! as most of my works will be in the future, so i hope that's okayyy

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

“okay, we’ll see you guys in a few hours. you sure you don’t want us to bring any food back?”

fully engrossed in the ending of the movie, i let haechan reply and he tells mark that we’re okay. while i was trying to piece together the last few clues before the movie reveals who the killer is, haechan is anxiously bouncing his leg as the rest of the boys leave. i put my hand on his knee and rub soothingly, thinking the movie is just exciting him. after he hears the sound of the lock, he launches himself off the couch and my hand is long forgotten.

“jesus christ, you scared me! sit back down, we’re about to find out who the killer is,” i groaned, tugging at his wrist and trying to look past his body at the screen.

“no time!” he announces. “come with me to my room.”

tearing my eyes away from the TV, i stare at him in shock as he races to his door, not bothering to check if i were following. part of me wanted to whine again until i put the pieces together myself. the boys are out? he wants me to come to his room? my heart started to race at the thought of what we were going to do, and i giggled to myself. quickly wiping the popcorn salt off my hands, i scrambled to grab the remote to turn off the TV. with a hop in my step, i scurried to his room.

and there he was standing… with a board game in his hands. he’s grinning from ear to ear and shaking the newly sealed box in my face. i look at him dumbfounded, about to protest and trudge back to the living room.

“i found a new game at the store the other day and i’ve been waiting to play it with you.” he plopped down on his rug and savagely tore open the packaging. standing there with a pout, i watched the excitement pour out of him as he sets up the game next to my socked feet. haechan whacks my calf to get me to sit down and i oblige with a huff. so this is what he wanted to do.

“and you wanted to play this while the boys were gone?”

he looked up and i gave him my best half smile, trying not to ruin his fun, even though i was hoping to have some fun myself tonight…

he sneered as he set up the board, “the hyungs like to steal my game pieces so that they don’t have to play with me.”

i couldn’t help the chuckle that left my lips and i gave in, picking up the instruction manual.

“oh my poor hyuck,” i coo, cupping his cheek.

he quickly pecked my palm and shrugged it away, “okay, game time.”

i roll my eyes and prepare myself for the natural competitiveness i was about to witness. he animatedly rubbed his hands together and briefly explained the game. without any time to waste, we started the first round.

i tried to be as invested as possible for his sake, even though the pit of my stomach had been dying for something more… exciting. and a little more active. i glanced at his lips as his tongue peeked out to wet them while he focused intensely on his next move. fumbling with my game piece, i cleared my throat and tried to snap myself out of it.

haechan looked up at me to check if i was alright, or to see if i was having as much fun as him, and i gave him my best smile. he saw right through it but he shook it off. i watched his hair bounce and noticed that one side was flat from laying on the couch earlier. i held myself back from wanting to run my hands through it. can i not play a game with my boyfriend without wanting to jump his bones?

after about half an hour, all hopes of doing something more had left my brain and i was as fully engrossed in the game as he was. i took off my sweater since it got warm in his room with my matched game spirit and tossed it on his bed. it was his anyways. doing a quick arm stretch above my head, haechan looked up from the board to see the bottom of my tank top lift.

“uh your move,” he blurted, suddenly completely flustered and fully aware of how good his significant other looked sitting in front of him.

“oh shoot, my bad,” i chewed on my lip as i thought about my next move, twiddling the piece between my fingers.

haechan shifted in his spot, watching my mouth a little too closely, but i was too focused on my game strategy to notice.

my eyes lit up when i figured out my next move, and i leaned over the board to place my next piece. my hand fell in front of his crotch to place it down and i smiled at what i thought was a really smart decision on my part. i looked up at his face, hoping to see haechan defeatedly staring at the board but he was already looking at me, only an inch away. the usual warm, honey brown in his eyes was a deep, darker shade. i almost flinched.

the look etched on his face was completely different than earlier too. there was no way his mind was on the game anymore. at this point, i realized how close i was to his face and how my body was hovering the board.

“haechan?” i whispered, trying to break his trance.

“mm?” he responded, only breaking eye contact to quickly glance down at my mouth.

“do you still wanna play?” i hold back a laugh, already knowing his answer.

he shook his head slowly but in an assured away. i smiled wide at his response and flicked the game pieces off the board before crossing to straddle his lap. i wasted no time in hooking my arms around his neck and he instinctively wrapped his around my waist. i hummed in satisfaction, finally getting my hands in his hair. the familiar buzz in my body returned.

“you know, when you asked me to come to your room when the guys left, this is what i thought we were gonna do,” i teased.

he tossed his head back and laughed, “this was probably a better idea.” he pulled me closer and swiftly pushed the board game to the side.

i lean in and ghost my lips over his. “i think so too,” i whisper before giving him a long awaited kiss.

“i was gonna win anyways," we both say at the same time.

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emilyssky · 2 years ago

Text

War Of Hearts // JJ Maybank

PAIRING: JJ Maybank! x fem!reader

WORD COUNT: 13.7k

GENRE(S): smut, angst, fluff, fuck buddies to lovers

WARNINGS: smut [ praise, degradation, fingering, dirty talk, oral sex, choking, slapping, spanking] , mentions of violence, mentions of blood, swearing, mentions of alcohol, smoking. Jealous and protective JJ !

Author's note:Wrote this last night after finishing season 3, hope you’ll like it :)

SUMMARY:

You and JJ have been messing around for a few months now until you try to cut it off because of your growing feelings for him that you think are one sided. A series of unfortunate events bring you face to face with unexpected fear and your relationship with JJ when you get caught up in their treasure hunt.

I've always loved summer. Something about the warm weather, the sun, the ocean, and the salt on my skin made me feel alive. For the most part, I loved my life in ΟΒΧ. Some would say that I was born blessed, that I got both sides of the coin with my mom being a pogue and my dad being a kook but it feels mostly like a curse to me. My whole life I've never been fully accepted by either side. I wasn't t rich and snobby enough for the Kooks and never wild and spontaneous enough for the Pogues. It's not like I was on bad terms with anyone, everyone was friendly enough but ever since I could remember I felt left out, never having real friends. And if I'm being honest, it wasn't the kooks that I was jealous of, something about the pogue life pull me in. It seemed exciting and freeing in a way. When my mom married my dad and had me she knew that she wanted me to grow up knowing both sides. She wanted to offer me the chance to be the one to choose where I belong. She's big on following your heart and dreams and always told me growing up that I'll find my way and that if I follow my gut, the choice is gonna be pretty easy. We lived in Figure 8 but my mom opened a cafe on the south side, wanting to keep in touch with that side of her life. My life is a series of the same things over and over again. I like spending time alone, if I'm not at school or working my shift at the cafe, I'll probably be by the beach, reading or surfing. Sometimes I will go on boat rides with my dad or steal the keys and go by myself. It's not often that I will hang out with the Kooks, in fact, Sarah Cameron is probably the only person that I would voluntarily hang out with and actually enjoy it. And when it comes to the Pogues, everyone knows that it's just Kie and her boys. I'm friendly with all of them, occasionally have chat with or enjoy the waves together but that's about it.

Today is a day exactly like any other; I finished school and came straight to the cafe. It was not too crowded, with only a few regular customers enjoying their usual cup of coffee. I was behind the counter, cleaning the coffee machines, making sure everything was full and ready until I heard them. It's the group of kids that you hear before you see. John B enters first, pushing his long brown hair back as he laughs at something Pope is saying. I like John B, we share a lot in common and have nice conversations from time to time. He's a really fun and social person but this year was a rough one for him. His dad went missing almost a year ago, many people consider him dead by now but John B will not accept it, he still thinks he's alive, somewhere lost at sea. My mom and his dad were close back in the day before she met my dad and moved to figure 8. We used to play together when we were young up until he met his current best friends. My dad offered him a few jobs involving our boat and at the cafe, after Big John disappeared so I've been seeing him around more lately. Pope and Kiara follow right behind him. Me and Kie used to be close, but now our relationship has changed into a few talks here and there, I still consider her one of my closest friends though. Pope is fun. He's one of the few people that talks to me normally and always makes me feel comfortable at social events or parties. And lastly, my favourite pogue follows. JJ Maybank. Me and JJ have an interesting relationship. Teasing, flirting, bickering, that's his speciality with every girl in the Outer Banks, kook or pogue but sometimes I like to think that he actually enjoys my company. He was always the one I was looking forward to see but today he's the one I'm trying to avoid and have been trying for the past 2 weeks. His blue eyes find mine the minute he walks through the door, and a smirk spreads across his face.

"Hey, Y/n" John B greets me, reaching the counter.

"I'm not serving you free coffee." I immediately shake my head, knowing exactly what they want.

"Oh, come on." He frowns his thick brows, fake pouting.

I let a small chuckle at his attempt. "How many times do you think it will take for my mum to notice?"

"One more?" He offers, lifting his shoulders.

I scoff, shaking my head again.

"Come on, your mum loves me anyway." He presses.

"Yeah, but my dad not so much."

JJ places his elbows on the counter, right next to John B, and I immediately look down, continuing cleaning the coffee machine like I was doing before they came in.

"What if I'm the one asking?" He says, leaning in with that playful smile of his that I know all too well.

"Then it's defiantly a no." I fake a tight smile.

"Why so grumpy today princess?" He places a hand over his heart.

I roll my eyes and turn back to John B. He brings his palms together, begging me silently.

I sigh. "This is the last time." I point my finger at both of them.

"Yes!" They high-five each other.

"I'll bring it over." I wave them off.

I lift my eyes to his only for a second, catching the wink he sends my way as he follows John B to their usual table where Kie and Pope are seated.

I quickly fix up 4 iced coffees and walk over to them.

"Here you go."

"You're the best." John B touches my side lightly.

"You're coming next Saturday right?" Kie asks reaching for her coffee.

"What's next Saturday?" I question placing the last coffee on the table.

"We're throwing a party on the beach. It's gonna be fun." Pope explains.

"You're coming." JJ states without looking my way.

"I'll see." I nod at Kie with a small smile before leaving them to it. I walk back to the safety of my counter feeling his eyes burning on my back. The parties here at obx were always good. It's the one time that Kooks and Pogues can coexist in one place without jumping on each other's throats. Well, sometimes at least. It's fun nevertheless, all of us drinking and dancing by the beach forgetting our responsibilities and problems for a little while. I stay behind the counter, doing any task possible to distract myself but anytime I let my gaze fall his way, he's already looking.

"Thanks for the coffee Y/n." John B waves at me as they leave about an hour later.

"See you at the party cupcake." He brings two fingers to his forehead.

"Maybe." I shrug, walking to their table to clean up.

"You know I'll be miserable without you." He yells already out the door.

. . . .

I don't usually work on Fridays, so after school, you'll probably find me at the beach if I'm not locked in my room. I enjoy my alone time. Riding the waves, sitting under the sun with a good book, or drawing in my sketchbook. Today my mind felt a little heavier, so I took my time, and before I knew it the sun began setting. I quickly throw my bag over my shoulder and begin to make my way back, realising that it's almost dinner time. I silently curse at myself for not riding my bike to the beach cause the walk back to Figure 8 seems dreadful. My ears perk up catching the sound of a motorcycle approaching with speed and I close my eyes hoping that it's not him but when I hear the motorcycle slowing down I know that my hope is not coming true. He stops beside me and I stop walking, turning to look at him. His hair is pushed back by the wind, he's wearing a simple white t-shirt with grey cargo pants, and his face is as pretty as always. My eyes narrow a little as I spot a bruise over his right cheekbone and it doesn't take long before I spot all the different marks and scars across his face.

He still forces a smug smile on his lips, ignoring my staring. "Having an afternoon surfing session princess?"

"What happened?" My eyes can't stop studying his face.

"Oh, you know the Kooks had it coming." He shrugs, masking his face perfectly like he always does but I know better.

"JJ." I trail off, my stomach tightening knowing exactly where he got these injuries from.

His jaw tightens. "It's nothing' Y/n. Same old, same old." I shake my head, in disgust. I can't even stand the thought that his dad walks around the OBX freely. He's such a piece of shit. "Get on the bike." He nods behind him.

"It's fine, I'll walk." I tilt my chin.

He scoffs with a smirk. "When will you stop with this whole act you’re putting on?" He waves his hand around.

I change the weight from my right to my left leg, crossing my arms. "I don't know what you're talking about." I keep my face expressionless, ignoring the way his beaten face cause my heart to tighten.

His eyebrows come together and his gaze shifts, dropping the playful act. "You're ignoring me." He states.

I'm trying.

I avoided his eyes cause I know that the more I look at them the weaker I get. It happens every time, I say that I'm gonna stand my ground and then I find myself beside him regardless.

"Look," He clears his throat, eyes moving everywhere. A weird expression takes over his features and I immediately know that he feels uncomfortable. "I don't care why you're pushing me away but can you stop ignoring me for a few hours?" He struggles to speak the words and that makes me a little warm inside. I glance at his bruised face once more, remembering all the times he came to me after his fights with his father. All the long talks we would have in order to get his mind off of it or the times I would sneak him through my window to treat his injuries.

I sigh and silently climb behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I feel him chuckle. "Just so you know, we're just talking."

"Sure." I can't see his face but I bet he's grinning.

He took his time, driving aimlessly around the streets of OBX. I don't mind though, I know him enough to know that it helps him clear his head, so I stay silent resting my head against his back and enjoying the ride. The sun has set and the night breeze tingles my skin in the best way. I notice that he takes the familiar route to my house.

"Are your parents home?" He yells, looking behind his shoulder.

"Yeah, I think."

"We'll have to be quiet then." He clicks his tongue.

"Like that has stopped you before." I smile against his shoulder.

"True." He glances at me again, the corners of his mouth lifting.

He parks his bike a block down from my house and he walks quietly around the back while I go from the front door.

"Hey, honey." My mom yells from the kitchen at the sound of the door opening.

"Hey, mom." I enter the kitchen, sneaking my arms around her waist while she chops some cucumbers, preparing a salad for dinner.

"Dinner will be ready soon." She smiles.

"Oh, I'm not hungry, I already ate." I brush her off, walking to the fridge.

"It smells amazing dear." My dad enters the kitchen, dropping his keys on the kitchen table.

My mom flashes a smile at my dad before turning back to me. "When did you eat?"

"I hung out with Kie by the beach and we had some sandwiches." I quickly make up an excuse, grabbing a water bottle and closing the fridge.

"Just Kiara?" My dad lifts an eyebrow.

"Yes dad," I sigh.

"Honey." My mom scolds him.

"What?" He lifts his shoulders. "I'm sorry that I don't want my daughter hanging around boys that smoke weed, get drunk, and steal shit on the daily."

"Mark." She glares at him.

"They're not stealing anything, dad." I narrow my eyes, sick of him attacking them all the time. "They're not like that, you don't know them."

"Well, some of them are." He continues and I know exactly who he's referring to.

"You're wrong" I shake my head, lifting my hands. " and you're not gonna tell me who I can and can't hang out with." I walk past him shooting him a glare and head up the stairs.

"Y/n." I hear my mom yell but I ignore her and hurry into my room, slamming the door shut and locking it.

JJ's shoulder is rest against the open window, arms crossed in front of him with an unreadable expression. I drop my gaze to the floor, walking to sit on my bed and placing the bottle on my nightstand, feeling a little ashamed for the way my dad spoke about him and his friends.

"I'm sorry for my dad." I feel the need to say.

He moves to sit next to me, forcing a tight smile on his lips. "It's fine, we all know his opinion about the south side."

I move my head, trying to get a better look at him. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah princess you don't have to worry about me." The nickname tugs at my heart almost as much as his smile.

I reach to touch his hair, pushing them back and toying with the short hair at the nape of his neck. "You know you can talk to me."

His eyes twitch with suppressed emotion, his jaw set with eyebrows frowned. "I know." I offer him a small smile, not moving my hand. "Can you, like, talk to me?" He asks. His eyes are screaming even though he manages to keep his expression under control. "I want you to take my mind off things, just talk to me about anything." His tone is almost begging.

I bring my knees to my chest, wrap my arms around them and turn to face him. 'What do you wanna know about this time? My weird obsession with serial killer documentaries, my views on feminism, or if I put the milk or cereal first?"

His face breaks into the first real smile today and I feel a little proud. He shakes his head lightly, his eyes not leaving mine before he pulls me by the neck, smashing his lips to mine. It's like all the pain he carries and all the words he desperately wants to say are spoken by the way he moves his lips hungrily against mine. The softness of his mouth contrasts his rough breathing as his hands hold my face, pulling me closer to him. His small groan that echoes through the room and the feeling of his tongue brushing over mine snaps me back to reality.

"Jay," I whimper, pushing at his chest lightly.

His lips leave mine but our foreheads stay together. "I'm sorry." He mumbles, inhaling short, sharp breaths.

My fingers trace his bruises and my stomach twists even at the thought of how his dad created them. I hate how he grew up having to hide all this pain and I hate how he's being treated. "I don't want you to go back to him tonight." I whisper and his eyes snap to mine. "Stay with me."

His face finally breaks, and the emotion in his eyes overtakes his whole expression.

"But we're just sleeping," I lean back, pointing my finger at him. "and you'll have to leave before my parents wake up."

His eyes water a bit but a grin paints his lips as he wraps his arms around me, pushing me back to the bed.

A giggle escapes me. Damn him.

. . . . . . . .

"I'm going with Topper." Sarah touches up her already perfect makeup.

"Ugh." I groan. "What do you even see in him?" I scrunch up my nose. Sarah is the only kook that I can stand to hang out with. And the only Cameron I actually like.

"He's nice." She rolls her eyes at me, holding up two dresses, one yellow and one blue. "Stop being a bitch to him. Which one?"

I tilt my head." The yellow one obviously."

"What are you wearing?" She questions while peeling off her clothes and changing into the short yellow dress.

"I don't know if I want to go." I lay back down on her king-size bed.

"Come on, you love parties. Is it that you don't wanna go or that you don't wanna see a certain someone?" She wiggles her brows at me.

"I'm just not in the mood." I shrug, looking away but she sees right through me.

"Yeah right." She chuckles. "Cut the shit and get dressed." She throws a black shirt on me.

. . . . .

The beach is full of people, kooks, and pogues dancing, drinking, and having fun. Big barrels of beer everywhere, stands with bottles of alcohol and hundreds of red cups here and there. It's not even midnight and everyone is already wasted. Most of the girls are in their bikinis by now, dancing like there's no tomorrow on top of giant rocks. The minute we enter the party, I go straight for the beer, pouring myself a cup. My eyes silently search the crowd for any sight of his fluffy, blonde hair, or of any of his friends. I spot Kie and Pope taking shots with a few other people and John B just a few meters again, flirting with a blonde girl but he's nowhere to be found.

"Looking for someone?" Rafe says close to my ear, catching me off guard and making me flinch away. He smiles at my reaction.

"What are you doing here?" He's one of the people that rarely joins things like this. He and his friends really don't get along with the pogues, unlike me and Sarah. I try my best to limit my contact with Rafe, Topper, and the rest of their little group but somehow they find a way to be right in my face.

"Enjoying the free alcohol." He lifts the cup to his lips, hiding his smile. "What are you doing here?"

I take a sip of my beer. "I came with Sarah."

He nods, eyeing me up and down. "You look gorgeous as always."

I roll my eyes at his compliment. "Thanks."

"You know," He leans in closer. "you're always cold towards us but when it comes to these pogues you're a fucking angel. Why is that?"

I sigh out loud, not really in the mood to deal with his whining. "Cause I can. " I offer him a smile before walking away, blending in with the dancing crowd.

It didn't take more than 4 cups of alcohol, to find myself dancing between a few half-naked girls, that are probably as drunk as I am. My body has a mind of its own as I swing my hips to the beat of some '00 song. I lost sight of Sarah half an hour ago when she disappeared with Topper, and I joined Kie and Pope and took a few shots before throwing myself between the sweaty bodies, pretending that the fact that JJ is still nowhere to be found does not affect me at all. He's a known player around the Obx, sleeping around, flirting his way through, breaking hearts left and right and I've had my fair share of it. But the game he's playing is a dangerous one, and I'm trying to protect myself the best way I can.

"Shots!." John B yells, throwing his hands in the air, holding a bottle of tequila in his right one. A few girls extend their cups for him to pour them some but I've probably dropped mine while dancing cause it's not between my fingers anymore.

I tap on his shoulder to get his attention. "Hit me!" I yell over the music and open my mouth wide.

"Let's go!" He yells pouring a shot straight into my mouth. The alcohol drips down my chin as I try to swallow, my eyes watering at the process.

"Another one." John B says and taps my chin waiting for me to open my mouth again and I do. All eyes are suddenly on us, everyone is cheering and yelling as I shallow my fourth shot in a row and I feel two hands grabbing me by the legs and lifting me higher. I throw my hands in the air, laughing as the people around me scream louder. My mind is somewhere else, and I let the carefree feeling and numbness that comes with alcohol overtake me. Until I open my eyes. I sober up in a second when my eyes find his. His on top of a rock, smoking with a few other people. A girl leans in towards him, her hand wrapping around him as she laughs at something Pope said but he stays unbothered, his eyes still on me as he lifts his cup my way with a nod and a smile. I nod back not knowing what to do before turning back to the girls I was dancing with. I continue moving to the music but my mind isn't letting me shake him off. Suddenly, the alcohol feels heavy in my stomach and the sound of my heartbeat is louder than the music in my ears. My hand flies to my mouth as I run out of the dancing crowd and as far away as I can from the people before dropping to my knees and vomiting in a bag full of used cups. I feel two hands reaching for my hair as all the alcohol that I consumed leaves my system.

"It's okay, I got you." I hear Rafe's voice over the music that has faded a bit due to the distance. "Here" He hands me a napkin.

"Thank you." I cough out, taking the napkin, and bringing it to my lips.

"Hold on, let me bring you some water."

I wipe my mouth and drop the napkin inside the trash bag.

"Here." He pushes a cup of water into my hand, tugging my hair behind my ear as I take a few sips of the water slowly. "Stop drinking so much Y/n, Jesus."

"I'm okay." I rise to my feet.

"Come on," His hand wraps around my waist. "let's take you home yeah?" He starts pulling me towards the other side of the beach.

"I don't think she's going anywhere with you Cameron." My head snaps to the right, hearing Rafe scoff at the sight of JJ. JJ's eyes twitch when they fall on me, his eyebrows coming together.

"I don't think you have a saying in what she does pogue." Rafe's hands drop from my body as he takes a step forward.

JJ's expression shifts in a second when he moves his eyes from me to Rafe, a smile spreading over his lips. "Oh I think I do," He takes a step forward as well. "And she's not going anywhere with you." His voice drops a little.

"I suggest you take a step back." Rafe doesn't back down.

JJ's eyes darken. "Or what?" He takes yet another step. "Last time I checked you're still nipping at her heels and following her around in case she pities you and gives you a chance."

Rafe lets out a growl, pushing JJ backwards but he just laughs mockingly, knowing he hit a nerve but that angers Rafe more.

I step between them before Rafe can make another move. "Stop acting like five-year-olds." I look at both of them, but they ignore me, not taking their eyes off each other.

"Hey," My hand touches Rafe's chest, forcing his eyes away from JJ. "go back to the party, I'll let you know when I'm ready to leave." I lie, knowing that it's the only way to make him walk away without creating a scene cause trying to make JJ drop this would be even harder. Rafe's eyes narrow, flickering back to JJ. I reach for his hand, softening my tone. "I'll find you." I nod, trying to reassure him.

He nods back, letting out a sigh. "Turn him down kindly babe." He says, knocking JJ's shoulder with his as he walks out.

JJ's eyes are fixated on me. "You'll let him know when you're ready to leave huh?" He says when Rafe's far enough.

"Maybe." I play along, shrugging my shoulders.

His tongue comes out to wet his pink lips, hands resting on his hips as he takes a step towards me. "Is that so?"

"Last time I checked I can go home with anyone I want." I cross my arms, trying not to let my gaze drop to his lips.

"We both know that I would never let that happen." His voice drops, his tone raspier.

"Why JJ?" I tilt my head upwards due to our height difference but that doesn't stop me from taking a step forward as well, only leaving a few inches between us.

His fingers wrap around my neck, catching me off guard. "Come on now princess, let's not play dumb." He smirks.

"I'm not playing dumb. Actually, I'm done playing." I wrap my hand around his wrist, pulling it away from my neck.

Something flashes over his eyes but doesn't stay for long. "Trust me, I'm done playing as well." He mumbles before cupping my jaw with both hands, not letting me escape and in a split second his lips crush into mine. My breath hitches as the taste of weed and beer coats my tongue but I'd be lying if I say that I haven't missed it. It's been a week since the last time I kissed him and since then I've tried to keep myself at a distance, knowing that the more I let this go on the more invested I become, and knowing JJ, it will not end up well If I do. He lets out a low moan as his tongue enters my mouth, colliding passionately with mine. My fingers grab his shirt for support, my body suddenly overwhelmed by the familiar knot in my stomach that begins to build.

"Fuck, I missed you baby." He breaks the kiss, allowing me to take a much-needed breath. I dare to lift my eyes, looking up at him through my eyelashes, only to find him looking hungrily down at me. His hands travel from my jaw, down to the curve of my waist and he pulls my body to his. "You kept me waiting for so long." He breathes out, resting his forehead on mine.

"JJ" My tone begging and warning at the same time. "We shouldn't be doing this."

"You can not name a single good reason for us not to." He says, running his thumb over my bottom lip.

"I can name a few."

His hands drop to my ass and in a swift move, he lifts me off the ground forcing my legs to wrap around his waist. "I'd rather hear other sound out of that pretty mouth of yours." He starts walking away from the party, keeping his hands secure under my thighs and crashing his lips to mine once again. He makes sure we're far enough from the crowd and behind plenty of trees and bushes before stopping and dropping me carefully on the sand. He breaks the kiss, straightening his body and reaching to peel off his white long-sleeve shirt.

"You look fucking amazing tonight." He doesn't break eye contact. "I was hard from the minute I saw you walk in." He leans back down, his eyes roaming over my body as if he hasn't seen it in ages.

My hands reach for the ends of my shirt, pulling it over my head. "Fuck." He dives hungrily into my naked chest. Sucking, nibbling, and biting. He squeezes my boobs between his palms, rolling his tongue over my nipples, making them harder by the second. His wet lips slide down my stomach teasingly as his fingers toy with the button of my shorts before finally unbuttoning it. He drags it down my legs, leaving me in my black panties, exposed and ready for him. Somehow I always find myself in this position as much as I'm trying to avoid it but the sight of him desperately fumbling with his belt as his eyes devour my body is one that I'll never get enough of.

I lift myself onto my knees, lowering my body so I'm facing his crotch. I pull down his shorts along with his boxers freeing his already hard member. A small moan escapes my lips at the sight, my mouth watering. His thumb and index finger reach for my jaw, tilting my head to meet his dark gaze.

"I want your eyes on me as you choke on my dick, okay princess?" He says and I'm aflame from head to toe. He takes his dick in his other hand, pumping it a few times before dragging the tip across my lips, coating them with his leaking precum. I keep my eyes locked on his wild blue ones as I take him in my mouth.

"Fuck" He curses under his breath as I twirl my tongue around the tip. I replace his hand with mine, taking him deeper, the size of him weighing on my tongue. I relax my jaw, allowing almost his whole member to enter my mouth. His hands fist my hair while his hips begin to thrust forward, lightly fucking himself in my mouth.

"You're so fucking good at this baby." He praises me. "Look at you choking on it, that's it." I force myself to breathe through my nose while saliva starts dripping from my mouth down to my chin. He fastens his pace only for a few seconds before, pulling my head sharply back by my hair, his dick dropping from my mouth as I gasp for air.

He groans out loud. "I missed this."

His words sink in as much as I try not to let them. It's always 'I missed this' and never 'I missed you.'

He connects our lips again, tasting himself while he pushes me down on my back. His fingers run over my clothed pussy, and that's enough to make my back arch, silently begging him for more. My body responds to him in ways that I can't explain or control. Just a touch and he has me already panting. He pulls my underwear to the side opening my folds with his middle finger.

"Ugh." I gasp.

"Shit baby, you're already dripping." He whispers satisfied against my lips. His mouth falls to the curve of my neck, sucking on my skin as his fingers begin to rub circles over my clit making tiny moans escape me. Unexpectedly, he slides two fingers inside me, quickly building a fast pace.

"Oh, my god." I shut my eyes, pleasure creeping into my lower belly.

"You respond to me so well princess." He kisses me, capturing my bottom lip between his teeth. His fingers pump in and out of me, making my breath shorter as the pleasure builds.

"God Jay, I'm gonna-" The words die in my throat and the flicker of his thumb on my clit sends me unexpectedly over the edge. My orgasm rushes over me like a wave, my body going numb for a few seconds, gasps and moans leaving my lips.

"That's it baby, ride it out." His pace slows down a bit before pulling his fingers out. He leaves wet kisses along my jaw, making my eyes fly open.

"I want more. " My tone begging with no embarrassment.

A grin overtakes his lips, his eyes shining under the dim light of the moon. "I want you on your hands and knees. " He demands.

My body moves on its own, and before my mind can catch up I'm on all four, my ass on display in front of him. He runs his palms over the skin before slapping sharply my right ass-cheek.

I gasp, flinching forward. "That's for flirting with Rafe."

"I wasn't flirting with-"

Another slap.

"And that's for ignoring me for a week." He growls. I stay silent as he pulls my underwear to the side again. He strokes my pussy with the head of his dick, dragging it up and down my slit, teasing me.

"JJ please," I whine desperately.

He leans down bringing his lips beside my ear. "Say you're sorry for ignoring me."

I swallow the last bit of pride that's left in me, understanding that my need for him is too big, and knowing that his ego is hurt, I do as he says. "I'm sorry for ignoring, I'm sorry."

"You want me?" He presses, his tone dripping with enjoyment.

"Yes, I want you so bad, please." I push my ass backwards.

He lets out a low chuckle and I hear him rip open a condom, seconds later his head presses against my entrance and slides in slowly. We both let out a groan at the feeling. God, I missed this too.

"Ready?" He asks breathlessly after a few seconds.

I nod my head, allowing him to move his hips. He grabs a full fist of my hair while his other hand stays on the curve of my ass before he pulls out and slams back in.

I immediately gasp when he begins to thrust inside me building a fast and steady rhythm.

"God, you're so fucking tight." He groans. The sound of skin on skin fills the air and my breaths begin to come out short as I arch my back. His dick feels too good inside me, almost heavenly. The way he moves, the sounds he makes, I've missed everything.

"Fuck it's so good." I brokenly moan. His balls begin to hit perfectly at my clit, pushing me closer and closer to my second orgasm. His grip on my hair tightens and pants of air mixed with low growls leave his mouth. I'm struggling to keep my body up as a fucks me harder than ever before and the fire in my belly grows.

"I'm not gonna last long." He mumbles in my ear but the pleasure between my legs is too much, my muscles burn and I squeeze my eyes shut as I let my second orgasm wash over me, euphoria spreading at every inch of my body. My legs begin to shake the sensation too intense as he fucks me through the last of it. His thrusts become sloppier, his nails digging into the flesh of my ass.

He falls forward and I feel his heartbeat on my back. "Fuck, Y/n." He lets an animistic growl in my ear, his body stilling completely as he empties himself inside the condom. Drops of sweat fall from the tips of his blonde hair on my shoulder, while both he and I catch out breaths. After almost a minute he plants a kiss on my back before pulling out slowly. The feeling of emptiness creeps in, alongside with the embarrassment and the realisation of what just happened. I hear him pulling the condom out and throwing it somewhere, while I stay almost frozen. Now that everything is done, I can't find the strength to face him. I lift myself to my feet, my legs still a little weak but I ignore it reaching for my shorts and putting them back on. I keep my back to him and my head low as reach for my top. The sound of his belt lets me know that he doing the same. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn around. He holds up my shirt between his fingers.

"Thanks." My voice falters. I pull the shirt over my head and run my fingers through my tangled hair. I feel his eyes on me, burning at the side of my head. I build up all the courage that I can master and turn my gaze to him and it takes one second to regrade it. He stands there, fully dressed, his blonde hair a mess, looking at me with those eyes. Those big, blue eyes that I've grown so used to over the last few months, staring at me with so much softness, analysing. Suddenly, my body is fighting a wave of emotions.

"What?" I ask, my tone almost a whisper.

He clenches and unclenches his jaw, his eyes saying so much but his mouth, not a single word. "I'm taking you home." He states before turning around and walking away back towards the party. I don't fight him, I simply follow him to his bike. Both of us know exactly what's going on, I know he understands what I'm trying to do but he doesn't seem to understand why and I don't bother explaining. I know him. I know how he is, I know how he reacts. I know who he is and who I am. I keep my hands tight around his waist as we make the short way towards my house on his bike. I try to enjoy these last few moments with him. It's always stolen moments like these. On his bike, on the beach, hidden in John B's van, silently in my room, or in my dad's boat. And that's not enough.

It's been days since I last saw him. He left me home, with a small nod and a goodnight and I haven't seen him since then. Truth be told, I haven't worked at the cafe at all, claiming to my mother that I have a lot of homework, which is partly true. I've been distracting myself as much as I can with school and studying. Tonight is no different, I'm sitting comfortably in my bed working on my homework for Monday.

"That's it, I'm done with this boy." My dad's yelling interrupts me, catching my attention.

"Honey please, he's going through a rough time." My mom tries to calm him down. "Let me talk to Y/n, maybe she knows something."

"She better not, she shouldn't be hanging out with these boys in the first place." I hear a door slam. I have heard my dad this angry in a long time, but usually, it is always about the same things; either me sneaking around and breaking his house rules or something to do with the pogues. My dad loves my mom and accepts her for who she is but he doesn't get why she still wants to have ties with the south side and most importantly why she wants me to grow up knowing both sides. But what are they fighting about now? What boy?

A soft knock on my door snaps me out of my thoughts. "Come in."

My mom opens the door slowly., entering my room. "Hey, honey." She closes the door behind her.

"What's going on mom? Why is dad yelling?" I ask her right away.

She lets out a sigh and approaches my bed, taking a seat. "Y/n have you talked to John B at all?"

My eyebrows twitch. "Um, no not really, why?"

She doesn't appear mad unlike the way my dad sounded a few seconds ago, instead, her face falls at my answer. "Are you sure? Have you talked to Kiara or the other boys?"

I shake my head, her questions confusing me more. "No mum, why?"

"Apparently the keys to the boat are nowhere to be found." She finally explains.

"And you think Jonh B stole them?" I lift both my brows. "Mom, come on, I mean I would expect something like this from dad but not from you."

"No, no" My mom shakes her head, reaching for my hand. "No, honey. You know what I think of him, I care about John B, I've known him since he was a child. I wouldn't mind if he took the key and had fun on the boat with his friends for a few days but you know how your dad gets."

"It's always the pogues' fault." I roll my eyes.

"Please talk to him, " She nods. "I would hate for him to lose his job because of something like this. Just ask if he took them."

I nod back. "Fine, I will."

"Thanks, honey." She places a kiss on my forehead. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight mom." I hold my smile until she closes the door. Why would John B take the keys to our boat? He knows that if he simply asked me or my mom we would let him borrow it. This doesn't seem like something he would do but then again, the only people that have access to the boat are me, my parents, and him. I reach for my phone and call John B but the phone rings and rings with no answer. I try a few more times, before trying Kie and Pope, but no luck. I stare at his number for a few seconds before pressing call, mentally preparing myself to listen to his voice after so long but just like the rest of them, he doesn't pick up.

"What the hell? Why is none answering?" .

I decided to go by the chateau after my morning shift at the cafe. I prepare myself and go over the things I'll say if by chance JJ's there as well but I stop in my tracks when an unfamiliar van comes into view packed outside the house. Sounds of glass breaking, things being thrown around, and doors slamming can be heard as I move closer to the house. I push myself behind a big tree, narrowing my eyes, trying to peer through the open window, when 2 men come into view. Big, muscular, and scary looking. Fear begins to spread through my body.

"You better not be in there boy!" One of them yells as they both throw themselves to a closed door, trying to open it. They kick and punch at the old wooden door as it slowly begins to crumble. Suddenly I see the window on the side of the house opening, and a body quickly forcing its way out of it. He turns around and I immediately recognise Pope's face. Kie follows shortly after with John B right behind them. They begin to run my way as I stay frozen, completely shocked by what's happening right in front of me. Pope's eyes lock with mine, his face taken over by a scared expression probably mirroring mine.

"Guys." He yells in a whispering tone and everyone's heads snap my way. JJ is the last to jump out the window, running behind his friends.

His eyes fall on me, eyes widening. "No, no, no." He mumbles as they all reach me. "No, not now." He grabs my arm just when a gunshot echoes through the area. I gasp, my body numbing with fear as JJ drags me along with them, my eyes not leaving the house as the 2 guys open the door and burst into the room that they guys came out of. JJ pulls me inside the small chicken coop closing the small door behind us. I bring my hand to cover my mouth, my fingers trembling. I look around taking in all of their scared faces. "W-what-" I try to say.

"What are you doing here?" JJ angrily whispers, pulling me by the arm to face him but I don't react.

"JJ now is not the time." Kie snaps at him, fear written all over her face as well. The chickens begin to make noise, yet nothing reaches me. "Do something. " She nods towards the chickens.

"Like what? Pet them?" Pope jokes while trying not to panic.

JJ reaches over taking the chicken in his hands and squeezing his little neck until it eventually stops breathing. I try to take deep breaths but my eyes stay locked on the house as the men get inside the car and drive off. Kiara takes my hand in her, tears wetting her cheeks.

"I think it's clear." John B says. "Come on." He steps out of the coop, Pope and Kiara following him.

JJ moves in front of me, stepping out as well. He extends his hand for me to take. My trembling fingers wrap around it, allowing him to pull me out.

"What are you here?" He repeats. His eyes look at me still panicked, moving around my face almost fanatically. His hands come up to my face, pushing hair away.

"I.." I try to form a sentence but my mouth is dry. "I was looking f-for John B."

"God." He runs his fingers through his hair, moving around.

"I thought we were going to die." Kie breathes out, holding her hand over her chest. Pope moves to her side and pulls her into a side hug.

"What just happened?" I say still trying to catch my own breath. "Who are they? What did they want?"

John B looks at his friends, and I know that he's silently asking them if he can tell me. He walks towards me. "Hey, I'm sorry you had to see that." He pulls me to his chest.

"Are you in trouble?" I look up at him. "you know that my mom will help you with anything. Just tell me."

"Y/n-"

"You don't have to know everything." JJ says, his hands crossed in front of him, his face suddenly cold.

I move my eyes to him, confused by his tone and sudden energy shift.

"JJ.." Kiara sends him a careful glare.

"Why were you looking for me?"

"Um," I mumble, my eyes still fixated on JJ. "did you take the keys to our boat?"

He closes his eyes, cursing under his breath. "Yeah," he looks at his friends again, all of them looking at me apologetically. What the hell is going on? I'm used to not being involved in pretty much anything when it comes to them, but this is not a joke.

I narrow my eyes at all of them, shaking my head. "Can anyone please explain to me what the fuck just happened?"

"Look Y/n-" Pope takes a step forward but JJ cuts him off, placing a hand on his chest.

"No, she doesn't need to know."

"What's wrong with you?" Anger overtakes my tone. He's acting like an asshole right now. "Do you realise what just happened JJ? Those guys had a gun."

"I know that Y/n." He clenches his jaw, walking back towards me. "but it doesn't involve you, so just go back to figure 8 cause last time I checked that's where you belong." He gets closer to my face and I feel my whole body stiffens at his cruel words. "Stop trying to be a pogue."

I tighten the muscles on my face, not wanting to let the tears leave my eyes but the unexpected anger overtakes my body and my hand moves across his face, slapping him hard. His face freezes, staying to the right. He has never spoken to me like that. He has never acted this way towards me and I hate it.

"Fuck you dude." I spit, shaking my head. I turn to John B. "Give me the keys." I don't care why they took them and I don't wanna know what happened anymore, I just wanna go home.

"Y/n.." He gives an apologetic look.

"Give. me. the. keys." My tone is sharp as I open my palm in front of him.

He lets out a sigh before dropping them in my palm. I put them in my pocket, not saying a word to him, and turn around.

"Y/n, let me come with you." Kie offers.

"I'd rather not." I say getting inside my car and slamming the door shut. I pull out without waiting for any of them to try and stop me and drive off, letting the tears finally fall. Tears of fear, tears of anger, and tears of hurt. He was right; I desperately wanted to be one of them my whole life but that wasn't the reason why I asked. I don't give a shit what they were doing and how they ended up in a situation like that, but it was serious. It wasn't fun and games, those guys weren't joking around and I care about them. All of them. If they're in trouble I want to help them as much as I can. My mom would understand them and she would do anything to help cause she's a pogue. But I'm not. I'm not and they'll never see me as one. They'll never trust me enough. He'll never let me get close. I know how it is and I thought that I had accepted it but clearly I was wrong cause it hurts.

. . . .

It's been 2 days and yet I'm still on edge. I still look over my shoulder every 5 seconds, and I still flinch over any slightly loud noise. I've been zoning out constantly, my mind travelling back to that day and his words. It still hurts, the way he talked to me but it was the reality check that I needed. Maybe it's time to actually stop and move on.

I wipe the last of the tables getting ready to close the cafe. The sun is setting and I can't wait to go home and relax after a long day. I move to the counter, grabbing my stuff and making sure everything is closed and in order when I hear the 'ding' the door makes when it opens.

"I'm sorry we're closed-" I turn around coming face to face with the 2 men that broke into John B's house.

Their faces hold the same smug expression, satisfied with the clear shock that overtakes my whole body. "We're not here for coffee." One of them says, his voice raspy and low.

My feet move backwards until my back hits the front of the counter. "I-I can't help you then." I shutter.

"Oh but you can," He smirks. "you can deliver a message to John B for us." I shake my head repeatedly, my chest heavy as I try to breathe. He grabs me by the arm, his fingertips digging painfully into my skin while the other finds my neck, choking me.

"And since words won't do it for them, maybe this will. "The other one says, nodding to his partner with a smirk. The guy releases me and before I have time to catch my breath, his hand slaps me across the face so hard that it sends me to the ground.

"Ugh." It takes me a few seconds for my sense to return, my head heavy with pain and my skin burning. He grabs me by the shirt, forcing me upwards only to bring his hand across my face again. I yell in pain, tears streaming down my face as the taste of blood fills my mouth. My eyes struggle to focus.

He stands straight, looking down at me. "P-Please stop." I beg but he stays unphased, kicking me right in the stomach. Pain spreads through my body, my knees coming to my chest as I cough violently. He kicks me again, and again, his boot finding my face at some point and I scream until there's no strength in me to make noise anymore. The tears won't stop and breathing gets harder by the second.

"Tell your friend that he better give us the compass or else he's next. "He pulls my head up by my hair causing me to whine in pain. He gives me one last evil smirk before slamming it back on the wooden floor and walking away without a second glance at my aching body, his partner following.

I sob violently at this point, trying to keep my head focused and my eyes open but they're getting heavier and heavier, the world starting to spin. I don't know how long I stayed on the floor in and out of consciousness but when I heard my name being yelled my eyes snapped open.

John B kneels by my side. "Oh my god Y/n, what happened?" He says, his voice full of panic. His hands' ghost over my body not knowing where to touch me as he scans the injuries.

I don't reply but a broken sob escapes me.

"It's okay, it's gonna be okay." He slides his hands carefully under my body, my face twitching with pain. He takes me in his arms and walks out of the cafe. "It's okay, you're safe, I got you." he murmurs against my head. He lays me down on the back seat of the twinkie before hopping in on the driver's seat. His hands move fast, his eyes wild, looking back at me every 2 seconds as he drives.

"What happened?" He whispers. "W-who did this?"

I keep my eyes close and try to control my breathing but the pain is too much. "T-those men" The words that leave my mouth are barely audible but he catches them.

His hands tighten around the wheel, before punching it. He looks back at me anger written all over his face, his eyes almost watering. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Y/n. It's all my fault."

"The compass.." I drag out, causing him to look back at me with wide eyes but everything fades again.

I feel his hands on me again. He takes me in his arms. "We're here." He whispers and I bury my face in his neck. I recognise his house immediately. He takes big steps almost running trying to hold me without causing me pain.

He reaches the house. "Guys!." he yells. "Help!"

"Oh my god, Y/n," Kie cries out rushing to us.

"What happened?" Pope tries to help John B carry me to the couch.

"Y/n." It's his voice that makes my eyes finally open and it's the look on his face when he sees me that hurts more that the pain in my body. A single sharp breath leaves his mouth before he's by my side as John B places me on the couch. I let out a small whine.

"What happened?" He whispers, dropping to his knees beside me. "What happened?!" He yells turning to John B who has his hands buried in his hair, pacing around the room. Kie appears back in the room with a first aid kit.

"Those men, the 2 men that broke in, jumped on her. " He answers.

"What?" Pope says. "Why would they do that to her? How do they even know her?"

"It's the boat, idiots." Kie angrily says passing some ice to JJ. "They saw us jumping inside it to escape them."

"Baby," JJ presses the ice to my cheek, with trembling hands. I can already feel different parts of my body brushing. His other hand comes to my head, brushing my hair back. "Baby, I'm sorry." He places his lips against my forehead. His lips tremble, and he shakes his head, eyes wide full of fear and anger. "You're gonna be okay, I'm here yeah? I'm not leaving you again." He whispers, his voice breaking.

Kie appears next to us. "Jay, let me take care of her." She touches his shoulder. "She needs help and rest."

JJ leaves one last kiss on the side of my face before getting up. "I'm gonna fucking kill them."I hear him growl before he and the boys move further into the house. Kie cleans up all my wounds and takes care of the cuts that I had on my face.

"Get some rest okay?" She smiles a sad smile at me.

"Thanks, Kie." I mumbled before drifting off.

. . . . . .

I shiver, the sudden cold air that hits my exposed skin forces my eyes open, waking me up from my slumber. The living room is dark, not a single person is here except me. I try to lift my body into a seating position, and a sharp but lighter pain spreads around my stomach and back causing me to whine.

I hear a groan from my left and I turn to find JJ's sleeping body laying on the floor. His closed eyes twitch before opening. It takes a few seconds for him to react but when he sees me awake his body shoots up, hands stretching towards my body.

"Y/n," He breathes. "hey."

I rub my eyes with the back of my hands. "What time is it?"

"Um," His hands fumble with his phone. "It's almost 3 am. You fell asleep"

"Hmm," I hum, lifting myself into a seating position. "My parents-"

"Kiara texted them from your phone that you're gonna stay at hers tonight." He says. "Take it easy." He touches my back softly. A sad expression overtakes his face when he sees me struggling to straighten my back.

"Y/n.." He shakes his head and I know exactly what he's going to say.

"It's okay, it's fine." I reassure him. JJ tends to hold a lot of guilt inside. He thinks that he's responsible for anything that happens. It seems like he holds the weight of the world on his shoulders when there's really no need.

"No, it's not." He shakes his hand repeatedly. "It's not. I can't stand seeing you hurt because of me. You did nothing wrong, it shouldn't have happened like this." His eyes drop to his hands that are resting on my thighs.

"It's not your fault." I place my hand on top of his.

"But it is. We stole your boat to escape, they saw that. And then I acted like a dick refusing to tell you anything in order to protect you and keep you out of it when in the end it's you who got hurt." His voice is filled with guilt and anger.

"Protect me from what?" I scoff. "What's going on Jay?"

His eyes soften at the nickname but he stays quiet.

"Why don't you trust me?" I mumble, mostly to myself.

"I do trust you." He defends.

"Just not enough right?" I smile a little.

He closes his eyes. "Y/n, you know it's not like that. You know me."

"Apparently I don't JJ." I raise my tone a little. "I mean I thought I did, I wanted to. I was patient and I was understanding. I listened to you and I was there. As much as you would let me at least." I go on, and all the words that I was holding inside come rushing out. "The JJ I know would not talk to me like that, the JJ I know would not disappear for days, the JJ I know would not keep secrets from me."

"Y/n-" He tries to interrupt me.

"No, I get it, I know my place. " I hold a hand up between us. "I know we're not together but I care JJ. " I admit looking at him dead in the eye. His face falls at my words, jaw tightening. "I liked it when you would climb through my window and we would talk for hours about all the things you guys had done that day and I liked it when I would sneak out after midnight and go on bike rides with you. I liked how we would surf together or how we would lay on my rooftop, looking at the stars talking about all the things we want in life. You were the one that was pushing me to join you in all kinds of things, you would always tell me that I was a pogue deep down." Tears threaten to spill but I try to contain them.

"You were the one that pushed me away," He point a finger towards me. "Since day one, since the first day we fucked, you never wanted me."

"JJ," I lift my hands to my hair, struggling to control my anger. "I was trying to protect myself!"

"For what?" He shoots back, his frustration building as well.

"From you!" His shoulders fall. "I wanted you, I've always wanted you but I know you." I sigh, studying his beautiful, blue eyes that are piercing mine. "I know better than to let myself fall and believe that this is more than it is." I say quietly.

He tilts his head, his eyes never leaving mine. "I tried to stay away from you because I couldn't stand to hold you and know that you aren't mine. Every time I would look at your face, I would see nothing but walls. We would have sex and then you would go back to being cold and wanting to be as far away from me as possible and I honestly get it, people like me don't deserve people like you."

I shake my head in disbelief. "How can you say that?"

"Cause it's true." He chuckles sadly. "Look at you and look at me." He motions between us.

"Stop." I close my eyes, unable to stand the way he views himself, I wish he could see how extraordinary he actually is.

"Y/n, I know." His gaze hardens. "But when John B walked through that door with you almost unconscious in his arms. Your body and face brushed and beaten," He twitches his face as if the image brushes through his mind and physically hurts him. "I lost it. My heart dropped. Nothing mattered but making sure that you were okay and holding you in my arms. The thought that something like that had happened to you," He shakes his head, reaching to take my jaw in his hands gently. "I can't fucking stand it. And I swear to you that I will search the whole island for these motherfuckers and I'll fucking kill them for laying a finger on you." He leans forward, his forehead inches away from mine.

A small smile creeps on my lips at his words, my heart warming instantly.

"I'm sorry about what I said the other day, all I wanted was to protect you and I'm sorry for disappearing on you. I'm sorry about all the lying and the secrets and I'm sorry I can't be what you need and deserve." His eyes move all over my face while his thumbs move gently over my cheekbones.

I bite my lip. "JJ, you're all I want. You're more than enough." I say with my whole heart, wanting nothing more than for him to see himself the way I do. "You're the most incredible person I know and it hurts me that don't see it."

"I don't deserve you." He whispers, his lips ghosting over mine. His breath becomes my breath.

"Shut up." I smile crushing my lips to his. It doesn't take more than a second for him to react, moving his mouth against mine, inhaling sharply as if I'm oxygen. I let out a low moan as JJ's lips started nibbling at mine, demanding entrance that I'm all too happy to grant. It's ridiculous how much I've missed him, the taste of his lips is enough to make all the pain disappear. Everything fades away as our tongues collide, teasing and testing each other. My hands travel to his hair, tugging lightly while he holds my waist carefully. I push myself forwards, sucking on his bottom lip before capturing it between my teeth. I can feel him holding back, he digs his fingers into my skin and releases a sharp breath.

"Y/n," He lets out a low groan, breaking the kiss.

My frustration builds more with each second passing, wanting nothing more than to feel his hands on me. I need to feel him. "What?" I breathe out.

"Maybe.." His eyes fall to my swollen lips, his mouth opening. "Maybe we should take it slow, considering what you went through the last few hours."

I shake my head. "No, I want you." I inch forward wanting to taste him again but he doesn't let me.

"Princess, trust me I want nothing more than to throw you on the couch and fuck you senseless while you scream my name for everyone to hear." He tilts his head downwards, his words making my insides hot and causing my thighs to clench together, hoping for some relief. His eyes big and wild, hungrily staring back at mine while I let my hands explore and touch his face, brushing his hair back and down his neck. My burning desire for his touch has overtaken me completely, my stomach tightens just at the thought of all of the things we could do but I know that he's right, my body still feels beaten and heavy.

"You need to rest for tonight." He takes my jaw between his fingers.

"Will you stay with me?" I'm scared that the minute we leave each other, things will go back to how they were, and what I realised after tonight and after what happened is that I don't wanna be without him anymore. I don't want to be scared anymore cause you never know what will happen.

His face breaks into a soft smile. "Lay down."

His arms felt familiar yet foreign. Like I missed the feeling of falling asleep buried in his chest, his scent filling my senses but different like something's changed.

The book that I'm reading has been getting less and less interesting with each minute passing. Maybe it's the fact that it's 10:00 pm and I'm laying in my bed, reading on Saturday night, or the fact that he hasn't called me or even texted the whole day. It's been a few days since the incident at the cafe. After we woke up that day JJ drove me back home and explained pretty much everything, about The Royal Merchant, the compass that they found, and how it lead them to the tape recorder that Big John left for his son. I still can't believe some of the things that happened to them and what they discovered. He made me promise that I won't tell a soul, something I would have done even if he hadn't asked. I haven't seen him since, mostly cause my parents have been babying me none stop. I told them what happened at the cafe, twisted around a little the actual truth, and claimed that the 2 men tried to rob the cafe but JJ and John B showed up. I haven't gone to school or done anything in general for the past few days. I've been laying low and have recovered completely but my mind has been stuck on what JJ told me. Through the days I found myself wondering what they were doing and wishing I was with them.

A knock on my widow breaks me out of my thoughts. JJ sends me a small wave. My head snaps to my door, checking if it's closed before running to open the window. He quickly pushes his tall body through the small opening, stumbling a little in the process.

"Hi" he breathes out, standing up straight.

"Hi," I giggle "what are you doing here?" I scan him with my eyes making sure that he's okay and also taking in the sight of him that I've missed so much.

"I wanted to check up on you." He says, running his hands through his hair.

My hands are itching, wanted to reach in and touch him but I don't know if that is too much. Honestly, I don't know where we stand, all I know is that I've missed him.

His eyes move around my face while he tugs his bottom lip between his teeth. My eyes catch the movement. "Come here." He mutters before reaching forward and wrapping his arms around my waist. I bury my face into the curve of his neck, my eyes closing at the feeling of his embrace.

"I missed you." He speaks so quietly that I almost didn't catch it.

I tighten my arms around his neck, silently responding. I missed him too.

"I was worried about you." I say, pulling away slightly.

"About me?" He lifts his brows playfully. "Come on have a little faith in my survival skills princess."

I slap his shoulder lightly, trying to hide my smile. "What happened? Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, everyone's fine." He brushes me off. "I'll tell you everything but first.." He cups my jaw with his hands and presses his lips to mine. I let out a surprised sound that dies in my throat before moving my lips against his, responding. I feel him smile into the kiss and he opens his mouth slightly, allowing my tongue to slide inside. He hums as our tongues play with each other, letting his hands fall to my waist. He pulls my body closer to his, forcing me to my tiptoes while the kiss gets heavier. The sound of our lips and our heavy breathing fills the room.

"My parents will hear us." I breathe out.

"I don't care." He attacks my lips again, backing me slowly until the back of my knees hit my bed. He breaks the kiss and gives me a light push causing me to fall on the bed. He stares down at me with a smirk slowly dropping his hands to the bottom of his shirt and peeling it off his body. My eyes take him in, his chest and abs on full display. I bite my lip wanting nothing more than to reach out and touch him. He leans down, wrapping his hands around my neck, forcing my head upwards to look at him.

"Don't look at me like that." He drawls out.

I relax my face, staring at him through my lashes. "Like what?"

He pushes me down completely, my back flat against the bed while his legs are spread on each side of my hips.

He gives me a light slap on the cheek but it's enough to make my back arch and my thighs to clench together. "Don't test me, princess, 'cause I don't give a shit about your parents being just across the hall."

My hands find the bottom of my own shirt, pulling it over my head. "I don't give a shit either."

"Fuck." He dives right into my chest, his mouth nibbling and sucking on my exposed skin. My hands go to his hair instantly, guiding him to my breasts. He wastes no time, unclipping my bra and taking one of my nipples in his mouth.

"Mhh," I moan as he circles his tongue around the hardening nub. His hands hold my hips down when I try to find some relief by grinding my hips to his. His lips travel farther down teasingly, dragging his tongue over my stomach and stopping at the top of my pajama pants. His eyes shoot up, the light and hunger in them challenging me. His fingers toy with the fabric, pulling it down slowly, not breaking eye contact while I lift my hips, allowing him to fully take it off. He straightens up, his hands fumbling with his belt with his eyes glued to my panties. His breathing hardens when I open my thighs exposing myself to him.

"You have no idea how I missed you." He groans, pulling his pants down.

I blink at him with a small smile. "How much?"

His eyes darken, looking down at my figure hard. " Let me show you." He pulls me by the thighs to the edge of the bed and kneels down right in front of my core. I inhaled sharply as he wastes no time ripping my panties off of me. His eyes beamed with hunger, taking in the sight of me. He lowers himself just a little, his hot breath fanning my bare pussy causing shivers to spread through my body. He looks up, eyes narrowing playfully using the tip of his tongue to deliver a soft flick over my clit. My legs twitch slightly, which causes him to smile.

"Stay still princess." He pins my hips down again and drags his tongue over my slit. He groans against me, the vibration shooting through me while he wastes no time diving in and moving his tongue at a faster pace. Heat explodes through my veins, my toes curling at the feeling of his wet muscle absolutely devouring me with no hesitation. He sucks and nibbles, drawing and flickering against my sensitive nerves as I whimper shamelessly underneath him. My hand shoots to his hair, head falling back and my back arching when I feel not one but two fingers slotting into my entrance.

"Oh my god, Jay." I rasp out, my palm covering my mouth.

His fingers start moving violently fast inside me, filling the room with pornographic wet sounds as the heat on my lower stomach builds embarrassingly fast. "Fuck baby, you're so wet." He groans against me before moving his thumb to cover my clit, rubbing circles in a fast motion.

His mouth attaches to my neck, taking the soft skin between his lips. "I want you to come on my fingers baby can you do that for me?" He whispers in my ear.

My body lifts off the mattress, feeling myself climbing higher and higher. "I-I'm gonna-" The words die in my throat as a giant wave of unexpected pleasure crashes over me, my eyes roll all the way back to my head, my mind going completely numb as his fingers keep up the pace allowing me to ride it out.

"That's it, baby," He mumbles against my neck. I close my eyes, still feeling the tingling sensation lingering in my belly. He pulls his fingers out, the aftermath of my orgasm dripping to his palm. He wraps his swollen lips around them, testing me while piercing me with his blue eyes.

He moans lightly. "The taste of you is incredible."

"Can I have a taste?" I nod down to his visibly hard member, that's fighting against the fabric of his boxers as he straightens his back, towering over me. My mouth watering at the thought, hands inching to fill the weight of his throbbing cock against them.

A low chuckle escapes him. "I would die to feel those pretty lips around my dick," He takes my jaw between his fingers. "But there's something I want more right now." He captures his bottom lip between his teeth, reaching to pull his boxers down. His dick shoots up free hitting his stomach, my eyes flicker to the tip, red and swollen with drops of precum coating it already. He pulls the drawer of my nightstand open, grabs a condom from the ones that he left a few weeks back, and quickly rolls it over his dick. He takes both of my wrists in his hands before I have any time to touch him and slams me back down on the bed.

He pins my hands over my head. "Your hands stay there."

I nod, trying to stop the grin of excitement that's forming on my lips. The feeling of need and frustration that only he can make me feel and that I've missed so much overtakes me as he lines his dick in my entrance. His tip brushes over my clit, opening my folds before pushing in slowly. His forehead falls on mine and we both gasp as he fills me up entirely.

"Shit, princess." He hisses when I nod my head and give him the green light to move which he wastes no time doing. He pulls out all the way before slamming back in, filling me up again with such a powerful push that it causes me to gasp out loud. His hips find a rhythm in no time, attacking me with sharp, deep thrusts that make my breasts bounce almost painfully. His forceful movements draw all kinds of sounds out of me while everything begins to fade. My ears fill with the sound of my own heartbeat and his low moans and grunts as he pushes in and out of me, stretching me out with the size of his cock. I fight to keep my eyes open, only being able to focus on his beautiful face, that's overtaken by a mesmerizing fucked out expression. His eyebrows are drawn together, drops of sweat coating his forehead while his mouth hangs slightly open. He looks breathtaking as he fucks me senseless, reminding me with each thrust that in reality, he's all I want. His hands reach for the back of my right thigh, lifting it a little gaining access to a better angle that allows him to thrust deeper. My eyes roll back, unable to contain the pleasure that shoots from my core, my hands fly to his back, nails dining to the soft flesh, earning a deep grunt from him.

"You're doing so well baby, look at you taking my dick like a good girl." He grabs my neck with his free hands, his pace quickening making the knot in my stomach tighten. I dig my nails deeper, hands tugging his hair while both of our bodies dripping with sweat but I don't care about anything except my second orgasm that approaches.

"Are you gonna come for me again princess?" He teases me, feeling my walls tighten against him. "Tell me how good it feels, and maybe I'll let you come." He demands, tilting his head downwards and tightening his grip around my neck.

I can feel my wall throbbing, tightening painfully around his dick trying to keep him inside as heat begins to spread in my belly. "It feels so good Jay, so fucking good please baby don't stop." My dignity dissolves as tears start to form at the corners of my eyes.

"Tell me I'm the only one you want." His thrusts being to get sloppy, signalling that his own high is approaching. His eyes are wild, and everything starts to feel overwhelming.

"Y-you're the only one, I only want you." I confess, my tone desperate and begging.

He connects our foreheads again, hand dropping to my clit and with a single flick of his finger, I'm over the edge. My back arches, black spots fill my vision, and an almost euphoric feeling pulses through my veins. My brain and body are overtaken with pleasure and I keep my eyes shut as JJ's orgasm hits him just as hard.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." He buries his face in the curve of my neck, letting his low groans fill my ear. I let him ride it out, ignoring the over-sensitivity that I start to feel. His body freezes for a few seconds as he releases into the condom before collapsing on top of me. I feel his heart drumming in his chest while he tries to control his breathing. I'm still in a state of bliss, ears still ringing and heart still beating fast. We stay like this for a good minute, our sweaty bodies touching and our fast breathing filling the air until he decides to lift himself off me and fall to the side.

Silence overtakes us, letting everything that just happened sink in. He pops himself on his elbow, head resting on his hand as he looks down at me with soft eyes. His hair going in every possible direction, his lips swollen and his neck covered in marks I don't remember making.

I smile at the sight of him.

"What?" His breathing is still uneven.

"You're pretty." I think out loud.

His eyes shift, lips curving upwards. "I love you, Y/n."

The raw emotion is visible as he speaks the words, causing my heart to stop for a split second. The words I desperately wanted to hear and desperately wanted to say for so long. The skin of my cheeks tingled but I say nothing, still processing what he just said.

His face breaks into a smile, unphased by my silence. "Fuck, I wanted to say that for so long." He lets out a breath of relief, pushing his hair back.

I've dreamt about this moment, never actually believing that it'll happen, thinking that just a hookup was all that I would ever be for JJ.

I stare deep into his ocean eyes. "I love you too JJ." I speak the easiest truth I've ever had to say out loud.

His smile grows more, overtaking his whole face and causing his eyes to almost close. I reach over throwing a hand around his neck and kissing him like I've never had before. We both smile into the kiss and giggles fill the air.

"I'm in love with you." He says again, against my lips.

His phone interrupts our moment before I have the chance to say it back again.

He sighs, reaching towards the floor to retrieve it from the pocket of his pants.

"What?" He picks up, keeping his eyes on me. His face drops, eyebrows coming together. "Slow down, slow down." His gaze shifts and I lift myself to a seating position, quickly throwing my shirt on. "Okay, I'm coming got it." His body almost bounces as he paces back and forth, his free hand moving fanatically until he stops right in front of me, ending the call.

His eyes light up and a challenging smile tugs at his lips.

"What?" I ask, completely lost.

"Wanna join me on a treasure hunt princess?" He grins.

"What do you mean?" My face twitches with confusion.

"John B needs me, they found something." He begins to get dressed.

"And what? You want me to join you guys?" I can't help the excitement that spreads over my face. "What do you mean?"

"The guys are waiting for us at Kie's place." He stands up straight, all dressed and ready with his hands resting on his hips. "That's the reason I came here." He bites his bottom lip, trying to contain his smile. "To get you. They guys are okay with it, especially with everything happening with Sarah and John B. " He waves his hands around.

I frown." What's going on with Sara and John B?"

He shakes his head, reaching for my waist. "I'll explain on the way. Are you in or not?"

I look into his eyes, the deepest shade of blue I've ever seen. The eyes that I've fallen so hard for and I would do anything for. The eyes that are now silently inviting me, challenging me, and making my heart beat faster. All my life I wanted nothing more than to be like them, to feel what it's like to live life their way, and even though what happened was the scariest thing I've ever experienced I can't help but give him a small nod.

His teeth make an appearance before he takes my face in his hands, planting a kiss on my lips. "Get dressed then baby, the gold is waiting." He smirks.

I smile against his lips. I guess my mom was right; the choice is pretty easy if you follow your heart.

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my-hybrid-moments · 10 days ago

Text

us. - spike jonze

a/n: this was supposed to be a little thing bc i was bored but jesus it got long 😭😭

i <3 spike sm gang you have no idea this was so fun

its a teeny bit specified bc i made it as if it were from my own point of view but i did try and make it more general so i could post it

please please please request spike gang i <3 him

summary

you - a famous musician - are being interviewed, and the inevitable question comes up:

"what's the story behind yourself and spike jonze?"

and this is your answer.

warnings/notices to consider

none that i'm aware of, need to properly proofread

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

mine and spike's love story started in walt whitman high, maryland.

it was early november, i was 15, he was 16 - just a few months older than me, him being born in late october and me being born in mid december, so we were still in the same year group. we didn't fully acknowledge each other until we had to. of course, we had a few classes together in the past and even when we met - we both took the film class - but we never really spoke.

until a new club was introduced: film club.

it ran every day at lunch in a big ish room through a back door in the music department (where i usually was anyway). as it turns out, the administration just needed a use for the room in order to keep it there. no one in the school actually cared about film study. except for two little media nerds in 5th year. me, a freak, a loner, an outcast, and adam spiegel - but by 4th year everyone called him spike jonze (that was a nickname the local storeowner gave him - seemingly this stuck for quite a while).

he was always hanging around with these crazy students, i remember one of them was actually jeff tremaine. they were wild, but spike mostly kept to himself and was more just there for the antics rather than partaking (but we know he was - and still is - a fucking menace to society).

back to the big ish room - neither of us were entirely sure what to do, both of us being sort of shy and reserved in our day to day. once we realised that no one else was showing up, we started to talk. we introduced ourselves, discussed our favourite films and hit it off immediately. i don't know about him, but that day i knew we were starting something special. after about a week i'd developed a crush on spike - he was funny, sweet, charming and a gentleman - but did i plan on telling him? did i fuck. but to be fair i didn't have to. it was made glaringly obvious once we started hanging out and being friends outside that big ish room. everyone could see right through me. including spike himself. to this day he still teases me about how sweet my "puppy crush" on him was back in the day. and he still gets reminded that he wasn't any better, blushing and chuckling at what was essentially my every word like the inexperienced 16 year old he was.

he made all the first moves (which i like to remind him of every time he brings up my "heart eyes") - he asked me to the movies (he introduced me to what would become my all time favourite film to this day), he took me for ice cream on the beach (one with stones, not sand - he's always known i hate sand - and linked our pinkies as we walked since he was too nervous to hold my hand properly), gave me his jacket when i got even one shiver (he was freezing the whole time because he refused to take his jacket back), and finally kissed me ever so softly on the lips when we arrived back at my doorstep (he was shaking from nerves and cold, but his lips were still warm and soft, just like they are now - he put his hand on my cheek as the other held my own and my foot popped just like in those old romance movies we both adored back then). i was 16 too by then, it was january when our first date came around. but from the second his lips gently pressed against mine, as soon as i felt him against me, as soon as i felt his breath on my face i knew i couldn't find anyone better to spend my life with. in that moment i knew he was my soulmate. cheesey i know, but i knew then that we would be us.

after that the rest is pretty much history: we graduated together the at 18, moved away for college and in with each other at 19, graduated again at 23 - which was also when i finally released that song i wrote for our second anniversary. and guess what? it got big. that song went popular so fast, and so did spike. not long after we graduated (me with music and production, him with film and english) spike made his first big music video (for me, might i add) and after that he kept them coming, as did i. we got famous in the blink of an eye almost, it was amazing.

until it wasn't for a while.

by the time we were 24 (i know, not that long huh?) we'd both got too wrapped up in our work and got too overwhelmed to the point of snapping. we were exhausted, not meaning a thing we said but still throwing our words out like daggers. we broke up, and the following year was the worst of my life. we had broken up for 1 year, 4 months, 2 weeks and 3 days. i kept track of every day i had been without him, kept track of every day i was left in that house alone, every morning i woke up and spike's side of the bed was colder than it had ever been before. it was the worst torture i could imagine, and every song i wrote in that time was about him - whether it was about missing him or wanting him back, they were all for spike. all i wanted was him, but i thought he was done for good and so i left him alone.

that 1 year, 4 months, 2 weeks and 3 days led up to the mtv awards ceremony, the year spike was nominated for outstanding new picture. i had accepted the request for my performance before i knew that spike had been nominated, and by the time i knew it was much too late to back out to make sure he would be peaceful there.

so i went, having gotten dressed up how he loved out of pure habit. i wore a gorgeous black dress with my hair up. i opened with one of my more popular songs before heading to my seat to watch the awards, but i had to fight to keep my eyes away from spike. he looked amazing - smart suit (i think it was a tuxedo), dressy shoes, and his classic adorable messy yet organised hair. the hair that made him look like a puppy. the hair i used to play with as i fell asleep.

when the time came, he did end up winning the award he was nominated for. i was so proud and all i wanted was to turn to him and kiss him with an embrace like i had for past awards we won, but i couldn't even look up to the stage. i wouldn't. i knew if i did i'd break down seeing him so happy without me. his speech was as expected: thanking mtv, talking about the movie, thanking his coworkers... but then he thanked me. i shot up when i heard that, and that was the first time our eyes met in over a year. and you know what? i didn't completely break down (i definitely cried though i'll admit that). i think that was more because of shock.

i'll never forget that speech - i still go back and watch it from time to time when i'm feeling down. he talked about how that perfect, beautiful main character was based on me and how her loser boyfriend was symbolic of himself, he talked about how without me he wouldn't be stood there, how our perfect relationship had impacted him and his work, and how i never left his mind or his heart that whole time we were apart. he told me that our love story could never be written, and to him it would never be over - that it was the most perfect and pure love he'd ever known or felt - and out of all of his speech, what he said at the end hit me harder than anything:

"i just want you to know that i'll always have a piece of you in me. always."

it hit me then - he felt the same way that i did. all that time we felt the same. he missed me. after his speech the ceremony went on, i closed it out with a slight shake in my voice, singing a song i wrote about missing him (which he swears didn't make him cry, but his eyes were red and wet later that night) and i left for the afterparty. this was the first time in my life i'd gone to a party with no intention of drinking. my goal was to make a beeline for spike, and i needed a clear head for that. which is exactly what i did.

i found him in a corner with his head down, i said his name to get his attention. he looked up with those sweet, soulful eyes of his, only they were red raw and the light and enthusiasm in them was as low as i'd ever seen. usually full of this gorgeous light that was barely there anymore.

for a moment we just stood there, looking at each other, noticing every difference and change since we last were together - then all we did was hold each other. we stood there for so long, my face in his shoulder, his chin resting on my head, holding each other tight and knowing in that moment we'd never let go again.

we spent that night dancing to any song that came on, laughing like we were never apart. i'll never forget that night when he came home, and i'll never forget waking up in his arms the morning after. every moment since then was just like we were before, barely anything changed at all. that was a number of years ago now, he finally proposed a year after we reconnected and we got married the following year. our twin boys are soon to turn 3 and our girl has just turned 5. spike is working on jackass 2 right now, but he always makes sure we're his first priority. he always comes home early and happy. the kids adore him, and so do i. none of us have ever been happier than we are now, the media's favourite family.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

#jackass #spike jonze #interview #jeff tremaine #mtv #spike jonze x reader

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loaksloversblog · 1 year ago

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Gentle pt. 1

pt. 2 here

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT !

ALL CHARACTERS ARE AGED UP (18) .

WARNINGS : Handjob , Oral (F receiving) , Praise , SMUT !!

IF YOU CONTINUE BEYOND THIS POINT , THE CONTENT YOU CONSUME IS ON YOU . ALL WARNINGS HAVE BEEN STATED .

PAIRINGS : softdom!lo’ak x brat/switch!fem human to omaticaya reader .

You and the sully were always close , since you were too young for a cryopod when the sky people left. You and spider were close too, but he was never one to be super compassionate. You and Lo'ak were super close , he always understood how you felt. everyone noticed he was particularly sweet to you. You both felt unbelievably misunderstood, like outcasts. Neteyam was sweet too, but you never felt he understood you as he was always this perfect boy. You loved all of them to death, and they were your home. Ever since you were a kid, you've been begging norm for an avatar body, to be in forever. Most of the clan accepted you, but obviously some didnt. It took Neytiri a while to accept you fully, and even she had her moments sometimes.

As you and lo’ak grew , so did your feelings for eachother . You started your sweet , innocent relationship with him when you were around 16 . On your 18th birthday , Norm announced to you and the Sullys that for the past 3 years , he has been working on an avatar for you that will be ready within the next few months. You were so excited , you counted down the days until you were finally in the right body . You were so excited to smell all the smells of pandora , and be completely in sync with your world . And post importantly , experience the less gentle side of lo’ak .

Lo’ak was always gentle with you . You appreciated this greatly when you were kids , but you’re 18 now . You’re craving something more than hugs and kisses , something more than cuddles and massages when you were sore . You wanted him , all of him .

You guys loved having date nights every Friday . This time , you decided to go to the secluded hot springs together . It started out with just cuddling , until you mounted him , pressing your lips against his . He didn’t stop you , because he craved this just as much as you did . It took everything out of him to hold back , because as much as he wanted to fuck you senseless , he didn’t want to hurt your tiny human body .

The kissing got more and more passionate , harder , more tongue , and you felt a rush of heat move from your core to in between your legs . You wanted more . You felt his cock grow hard under his loincloth , amused by his excitement , you place hard kisses down his neck . His breathing starts getting heavier , sending shivers down your spine . You grabbed his cock , feeling it twitch in the warm water you both are submerged in . “Tanhì , what are- what are you doing ?” he says , while breathing heavy as you grip his cock hard mid sentence . “I want you , lo. i’ve waited so long just to get my hands on you .” you respond , with a glimmer of mischief in your eyes . “I- we can’t . i don’t want to hurt you . you’re too small .” he attempted to say as you untie his loincloth . He wasn’t wrong though . you were even smaller than an average human . “shh , this wont hurt me .” you stroke his dick , slow but with a grip on it . Watching him close his eyes and lean his head back is the most liberating feeling .

You continue to stroke faster , and faster , feeling his heart rate speed up , and his breathing get shakier . The knot in his stomach continues to grow , and you can feel his dick contract in your hands , so you pull away . He looks at you with such confusion . “Not yet sweet boy , you look pretty like this . I want to see you like this for a little bit longer , okay ?” you say with a smile on your face . he hisses in response , but allowing you to have your fun , because he’ll have his soon .

Both of your hands stroking his dick up and down , sometimes just holding it in place to feel his warmth . When you’ve had for fun , you finally give him the feeling he wants . fast , hard strokes . “Tanhì , can i- can i cum now ? please?” he says hissing though his teeth . “yes , you can my love.” you continue to go faster . “FUCK- fuck i’m cumming .” he says , spilling his seed in the water you’re in . You look at him , with such an innocent look on your eyes , giving him a kiss . He places his hands on your hips , picking up your tiny body and throwing it onto the towel behind you , while he stays in the water . FINALLY . finally he isn’t being gentle . “Lo , what are you doing ?” “shh Tahnì , you’re going to be strong for me, yeah ?”

He kisses your stomach , untying your loincloth , and sending tingles throughout your whole body . He lightly parts your folds with his fingers , noticing your breathing getting heavier already . His fingers are huge , taking up the whole length of your pussy . He lowers his mouth down to your clit , placing light licks on it . He moves slowly , building up the tension and your frustration . You grind on his fingers , trying to chase the friction . He smirks seeing how desperate you are for him . He gives in , fingering you faster and circling your bundle of nerves with his tongue , and sucking . “aaah fu- fuck lo.” you moan out , you feel dizzy and in a completely euphoric state . He curls his fingers hitting your spongy spot on the inside of your walls , making you squirm and clench around him . “FUCK LO’AK . you- you’re gunna make-“ “no . not yet . you said you’d be strong yeah ? just a little longer pretty girl.”

You do as he wishes , and hold back from undoing yourself on him . You’re so close . So close , and he can tell . He continues to finger fuck you faster , sucking harder as you tighten your thighs around his head . “Lo , PLEASE . please let me cum !!” you yell out . “your adorable when you beg” he says in between licks . “beg for me again and maybe i’ll let you” He continues these fast motions making you to absolutely insane . “Lo’ak please !! pl- please let me cum ! i- i beg you!!” your screaming at this point , eyes fold with tears and desperate for permission to release . “okay tanhì , cum for me okay ?” as soon as he grants you permission , you undo yourself squirting all over his face , neck , and his chest . He laps up your juices like a starving animal . You’re out of breath and dizzy , not able to form a single word , only able to let out shaky breaths . “you were so good for me” he says , kissing you on the forehead while rubbing your stomach . “Just wait till you are na’vi , tanhì , so i don’t have to be as gentle .” he says . he carry’s you back into the water , rinses you off , and helps you put back on your top and loincloth . Still a little hazey , you crawl on top of his chest , entangling yourself with him , suddenly a little greatful he was always so gentle with you in your body , since you could barely keep up with only his fingers .

I HOPE U ENJOYED IM NEW TO THIS !! send recommendations please , and there will be a part 2 !! love you 💙

-shay out 😽

#loak smut #loak x reader #atwow loak #atwow smut #atwow x reader #atwow fanfiction

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fortheloveoffanfic · 2 years ago

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The Holiday Arrangement

Andy Barber x Reader

Author's Note: I have not been even remotely good at getting back to all the love and engagement that this has received, both in the replies and reblogs, but its so appreciated and they've made writing and posting this fic so much more fun! Summary: When co-parenting during the holidays becomes difficult to navigate, Y/n brings a proposal to her ex-husband, Andy; spend Christmas together- for the sake of their daughter. Their already complicated arrangement becomes even more messy new memories dredge up buried feelings. Masterlists Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter Summary: When a trip to see Santa Claus at the mall goes awry, it puts things into perspective for Andy. Warnings- Angst

The next Monday With just three weeks until Christmas, school out and countless people already on vacation, the only mall in the heart of Newton was packed. It didn’t help that Santa was supposed to be there either. They’d done everything right; woken up at seven, left home at eight and had gotten to the mall by nine- before it was even open- and still, it had taken them more than an hour to get a parking spot. It would have appeared that everyone else had the same idea- get there early to beat the crowd.

By the time they’d secured a spot, at least fifteen minutes away from the main entrance, Y/n could tell that Andy was a little miffed- he’d always been a little too impatient to deal with traffic. Though, despite his obvious irritation, he’d kept his cool, never wanting to show his frustration in front of their daughter, who’d been practically bouncing off walls since she’d awoken that morning. To say she was excited about seeing Santa would have been an incredible understatement.

“Can we go see him now?” Were Grace’s first words the minute the trio set foot in the mall, and she looked almost comical as she jumped up and down excitedly while all bundled up in a black parka with forest animal drawings all about it and the faux-fur lined hood pulled over her dark head, almost entirely covering her face.

“We have to line up first,” Y/n explained, dropping to her knees in front of Grace so she could help her take off her purple gloves and unzip the coat to reveal her cute, warm but picture ready outfit underneath; her favorite blue sweater with a woolen owl stitched onto the front and thick leggings. “Then you can see Santa. Got it?”

“Got it!” Grace cheered, still brimming with enthusiasm. Upon standing, Andy took one of Grace’s hands while Y/n took the other, both of them leading her to the escalators that would take them to the upstairs atrium, where Santa was supposed to be.

There was already a line when they got there, with about twenty other kids in front of Grace waiting their turn, and out of the corner of her eyes, Y/n noted the drop of defeat in Andy’s shoulders; each kid had been allotted ten minutes to tell Santa what they wanted and to take a couple pictures which meant that if every child used up their time to the very minute, they’d be looking at least a two hour and forty minute wait. For a man who’s patience was a little as Andrew Barber’s, that was two hours and twenty minutes too many.

“You can walk around or go get coffee or something if the wait is too long,” Y/n offered after about fifteen minutes.

“And miss taking a picture of my little bunny on Santa’s lap? No way,” he chuckled, tapping the pad of his pointer finger to Grace’s nose, making her giggle and grab at his hand. His words prompted a broad grin from Y/n that was hard to fight; a year ago, he wouldn’t have even joined them at the mall, especially if he knew he’d be standing in line for almost three hours so his sudden change of heart was a welcome surprise. She didn’t think Andy noticed the warmth that had gathered in her eyes at his simple profession, and not wanting to chance him seeing it, she turned away for a minute, fixing her gaze on a clothing store to her left.

After ten minutes had passed and they’d only moved one place ahead when Andy’s phone rang loudly, the sound rising above the Christmas carols wafting from the speakers fitted to the ceiling. Glancing at the screen, he grimaced before flashing Y/n and Grace an apologetic look. “Its my boss. I’ll be five minutes- ten tops,” he promised,” letting Grace’s hand in favor of gesturing with his open palm.

“Daddy,” Grace protested with a pout as he started stepping away.

“I’ll be right back,” he offered again, swiping to answer the call, leaving them both standing in line as he started walking a little way up the pathway, probably in search of somewhere quiet to handle whatever his boss wanted him to.

Y/n knew that she shouldn’t have been upset, he’d been completely present up until then and it wasn’t like he could control when his boss called anyway, but she couldn’t help but feel like the phone call was just the beginng. Grace’s doe-eyed look of disappointment didn’t help either. “Daddy’s gonna be right back,” she gave her daughter’s hand a little squeeze. Grace didn’t respond, instead nodding stiffly before starting to pick at the hem of her sweater.

Sighing as they took a step up when the rest of the line did, Y/n fixed her eyes on the direction that Andy had disappeared off to, practically willing him to reappear. The longer he took, the more she worried that the phone call wouldn’t be the end of interruption. She was so preoccupied with manifesting Andy’s reappearance that she hadn’t even noticed the person behind her trying to call her attention until they tapped her shoulder.

“Huh-oh my God,” she grinned upon turning slightly to see who it was. “Peter, hey.” They worked at different departments at the same company; she worked in finance while he was in accounting. Their paths crossed often though, and after word of her divorce had spread among her friends group at work, she had noticed Peter discreetly trying to get closer. He wasn’t very forward with his advances, and while Y/n did think he was sweet and attractive she was grateful for his restraint; she didn’t think she was ready to date yet anyway.

“I didn’t know you had kids,” she glanced at the children he’d brought with him; a little boy about Grace’s age and a toddler on his hip.

“I don’t,” he ducked his head bashfully, allowing a loose, dark curl to fall over his brow, “They’re my sister’s,” he lifted his head again, “This is Jack,” he introduced the boy, “And Mae. She had to work,” he began while Y/n reached out for the little girl’s hand “And their dad’s…..you know,” he shrugged indifferently and the look on his face was enough to tell her that the children’s after, for whatever reason, was out of the picture.

“I see you’re here with my favorite coworker,” setting the younger girl down for a minute, Peter crouched so he could have a couple words with Grace, who he’d first met at their office’s ‘take your child to work day’ earlier that year, another time when he’d come over to fix the kitchen sink and finally a couple other times after he’d driven Y/n home when her car was down- it went without saying that he and Grace were pretty acquainted.

“So,” he leaned in conspiringly, “What’re you gonna ask Santa for?”

“I can’t tell you,” Grace giggled, former mood forgotten, “Its a secret.”

“Oh come on,” he enticed dramatically, “I won’t tell,” he winked.

Slapping her hands to her mouth to hide a broad grin, Grace shook her head, barely containing the loud laughter that slipped past her small fingers. In return, Peter chuckled, “This one’s good at keeping secrets,” he declared as he stood again, picking Mae up so he could resume his hold on Jack’s hand. “This line’s crazy, huh?”

“Yeah,” Y/n agreed, “We’ve been here for about forty minutes,” she sighed, “My feet already killing me,” she chortled quietly, glancing down at her feet clad in swede, heeled boots- probably not the best choice for the day.

Peter laughed too, “Maybe we can grab cocoa after these three get their Santa time?” He suggested, quickly adding, “So you can rest your feet and we can catch up,” even if it had actually only been two days since they’d last seen each other, “They already seem to be getting along,” he threw a glance and Grace and Jack, who’d started playing amongst themselves.

Her smile slipped for a second, Y/n didn’t think Andy would want to join her work friend for cocoa and they’d already planned to take Grace for pizza and then walk around for a bit after lunch anyway, and she was actually quite excited about their plans. “Actually-”

“Hey, sorry I took so long,” before she could turn Peter down, Andy returned, seeming a little frazzled and giving off the impression that he was in a hurry.

“Its fine,” she glanced at him as he touched the top of Grace’s head while looking between her and Peter. “Uh, Andy, you remember Peter?” When he furrowed his brows, she explained further, “From work, you met him at the bar-b-que-”

“Right!” He remembered suddenly, “Peter the accountant,” he put out his hand for a quick, polite shake.

“And you’re Andrew the ex,” he joked lightly, though it didn’t seem to go over well with Andy, who clenched his jaw while retracting his hand. As he did, Andy’s phone beeped and he checked it quickly, letting out what she could only interpret as a frustrated sigh.

“Everything okay?” Y/n probed as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

“Yeah, no, I just uh…..that was Lynn,” he cleared his throat and the look on his face made her anticipate his next words, “She wants me down at the office.”

Y/n scoffed, trying to keep her cool and maintain appearances in front of her friend, “Right now?”

Andy gestured defeatedly, dropping his arms at his side, “She says one of the legal assistants just got their hands on some surveillance footage and she wants me to go take a look at it.”

“And then do what?” Y/n huffed a dry chuckle, “The courts aren’t open till January.”

Realizing that anything further would lead to an argument in public, Y/n shook her head, “Just go,” she turned away, panning her hardened gaze to the floor more to her right.

She heard Andy sigh heavily, “I’m sorry,” he offered heavily as she blinked away unshed emotion, “I’ll be back for pictures,” he sounded earnest, but Y/n wasn’t prepared to hold her breath waiting for his return. “I gotta go, Bunny,” he offered Grace softly, and through her periphery, she saw him kissing their daughter’s forehead.

“But daddy, you can’t leave yet,” she protested, reaching for his hand. It broke her heart that he was doing it again; letting them down in favor of work. “We haven’t even seen Santa.”

When Y/n focused her attention on Grace and Andy again, he was bending to ruffle her hair as he promised, “I’ll be back before you do.”

“Promise?” She asked, big eyes hopeful.

Briefly, their eyes met, and Y/n hoped the edge in her gaze was enough to stop him from saying what he was going to. “I…..I’ll do my best,” he smiled tightly, giving her another kiss, that time on the cheek. “I’m really sorry,” he mouthed to Y/n before leaving again.

After he was gone, she and Peter stood in awkward silence, and she didn’t have to look at him to know that he was feeling bad for them. Anyone who’d heard the urgency in Andy's voice could tell that he wasn’t going to be back soon, besides it did seem to be a running theme with his work; one thing led to another, and then another. “Y/n, I-”

“You know what?” She straightened her back and shoulders, blinking quickly to clear her vision, “We’d love to get cocoa after this.”

That evening Just as Andy was turning off the stove, he heard a car pull up in front, and grabbing a dish towel off the counter, he hurried over to the living room window, getting to it just in time to see everything unfold. Peter getting out of the driver’s side of a silver Lexus, heading to the back door that faced the house just as Y/n got out of the front passenger seat. She’d texted him a couple hours earlier, when he was just about to leave the office, at first it was just a couple pictures of Grace with Santa Claus but afterwards she’d sent a short message letting him know that Peter would drive them home and she’d meet him there.

The guilt that had washed over him in that moment had been utterly overwhelming.

After Peter had helped Grace out of the car and the doors had been shut, he and Y/n hugged for a little longer than friends usually did and Andy felt a surge of jealousy join his mountain of guilt. It felt like he was watching his replacement move in on his family. Even after Peter had gotten into his car again, it lingered on the curb until Y/n opened the front door, letting Grace in first.

The sound of their footsteps beckoned Andy to the mouth of the hall, where he caught them wiping their feet off on the mat and Y/n helping Grace out of her parka, which was adorned with flecks of white. “Daddy!” She beamed and the minute Y/n took her hat off, Grace bounded towards him, seemingly unbothered by his failure to get back to the mall.

Y/n however was visibly pissed.

Feigning a groan, he lifted Grace off her feet, planting a big kiss on her cheek. His heart swoll a little when she held his face against hers for a moment, and in response, Andy hugged her a little tighter. “How was the mall Bunny?”

“It was great! I got to tell Santa what I wanted, we took pictures then we got cocoa,” and just when he thought she was done, Grace continued exuberantly, “And then we went to the arcade and Peter won me a snowman!”

The mention of him made Andy’s expression falter and he felt a pang in his chest; what kind of man took another someone else's family to the arcade?

The kind that stepped up when a father put everything else before his kid and the woman he claimed to love.

“Yeah?” Grace nodded, asking her mother for her snowman as the three of them entered the kitchen. From a large, brown shopping bag, Y/n produced a stuffed snowman, back bowler hat and red and green scarf making him look like the embodiment of a seasonal tune.

“His name is Fred Frosty!” She declared, offering the toy to Andy.

“Cool, how’d you come up with that?”

“Peter helped,” of course he did. Internally, Andy rolled his eyes; was the man determined to prove himself a better fit?

“Why don’t you go introduce Fred to Mr. Bear?” Y/n suggested when Andy finally set Grace down, and with a vigorous nod, Grace made a beeline for the staircase. As their little one disappeared out of earshot, Y/n moved over to the counter that separated the kitchen from the dining room, setting down her handbag and two shopping bags.

“So Peter,” he broke the silence, letting jealousy get the better of him. He didn’t think it could be helped though; he screws up once and suddenly there’s another man there to fill his shoes.

“Don’t even start with that,” Y/n warned pointedly.

Andy scoffed, “Start with what?”

“‘So Peter’,” she mocked, “You,” she pointed angrily, “Were the one that said he’d be back before pictures. We spent 2 hours in line- I let Peter’s niece and nephew go before us, hoping you’d show up. But then suddenly it's over, another hour is gone and I don’t get as much as a text from you.”

Swallowing thickly, he ran a hand through his hair, “I got caught up-”

“Like you always do,” Y/n interrupted, “Its always work before us- before her.”

“That is not true,” he argued firmly, “Grace is always my first priority, you know that.”

Shaking her head, Y/n licked her lips, “She wasn’t today-”

“If I’d left that footage today, it would have gone to Neal- he would have gotten that case and my promotion,” Andy cut her off, “It’s just one day, she isn’t even upset,” even if he was, that was not the point. “She’s not even gonna remember that I wasn’t there.”

“Exactly, Andy; she’s not going to remember that you weren’t there, because she’s been going to see Santa every year since she was born and you’ve never been there. She’s not going to remember because to her this is normal. But every time you skip out on us for work, that’s another memory that you’re not a part of.” Tugging off her scarf, she made her way to the living room, draping the thick, plaid strip of fabric over the back of the recliner before starting to peel off her long, leather coat, briefly exposing the woolen inside as she did. “And you’re lucky right now you’re still this big hero in her mind,” she gestured widely with the maroon garment held in one hand, “To her, you can do no wrong and as long as you’re around more often than not, you can keep being that for her,” draping the coat over her scarf, Y/n paused, “But when one day, when she grows up and realizes that your job always comes first it is going to break her heart. She’s gonna look back at the pictures from today and remember that you said you’d come back but didn’t,” her voice broke at the end as fury turned to hurt.

At a loss for words as everything she said hit him, Andy half sat against the back of the sofa, hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders hunched forward a little and eyes fixed on the polished hardwood. He hadn’t thought of it like that; Grace was okay now, but one day she might find out that he broke his promises and let his work come first.

Maybe he was everything the divorce papers had made him out to be- the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

He didn’t know how to talk about his feelings, he didn’t even know how to focus on his family while he was on vacation.

“You’re right,” he elicited softly, hanging his head, “God, you’re so right.” Clasping his fingers together in front of himself, he moistened his lips and shook his head. “Its all my fault, just like you’ve been saying,” he huffed. He’d spent so long telling himself that he didn’t know where it had all gone wrong, that he had done everything he could to keep their marriage together, but the truth was that he hadn’t. Leaving them at the mall wasn’t an isolated incident; for Y/n’s birthday the year before. he'd been late to her party and then on their last Thanksgiving together, he’d let her and Grace go to her parents’ without him. He’d pushed Y/n away every time she got too close and guarded himself against her efforts to help him open up.

The click of her heels on the floor was the only indication of Y/n stepping closer that Andy registered. “You’re a good man, Andy,” she offered, tone as gentle as she reached over to place her smaller hand over his clasped ones, giving his fingers an affectionate squeeze, “I know that, I just want Grace to know that too.”

Andy sighed again, shifting his hands so Y/n’s would be sandwiched between his. “I screwed everything up, Y/n,” he wallowed, finally lifting his head. Unintentionally, their eyes met, hers were a little dim but Andy couldn’t tell if it was with sympathy or something else, but he did know that he hoped she could see the remorse in his. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t the man you two deserved,” he elicited a heavy breath, “I’m sorry that drove you away.”

Y/n frowned and quickly glanced down at their joined hands, though she made no move to separate them. “Its not too late,” she smiled sadly, matching his gaze once more. Her words linger for a moment, sparking an ember of hope in the center of his chest- until she doused it. “For Grace,” she stuttered, “Its not too late for Grace. You know? She still thinks you’re…..a kind, intelligent, compassionate man. Even if you don’t know how to show it.”

He mulled over her words for a minute, “She thinks that?” Y/n nodded and he hesitated before asking, “What else does she think?”

Y/n thought on his question for a moment, “She thinks…..that- she knows that another man isn’t gonna love her the way you do. She knows that….she’s not gonna love another man the way she loves you.”

“Grace?” He probed, knitting his brows.

“Grace,” Y/n reaffirmed, clearing her throat and hastily pulling her hand away. Rubbing her palms anxiously on the sides of her jeans, she explained, clearly flustered, “Cause um….no one loves a little girl like her daddy. And to her you’re irreplaceable,” then, apparently finding her explanation lacking, Y/n added, “Because you’re her father.”

Smiling tightly, he nodded, “I got it.” His heart dropped when Y/n turned away to head upstairs and get Grace ready for dinner; of course it would always mean the world to him that Grace looked up at him, but for a split second, he’d thought that there was still hope for him and Y/n. But she’d made sure to draw a hard line, making it exceedingly clear that any chance of their reconciliation had been taken off the table when they signed the papers.

Tagging: @royalwritersoftheuniverses @patzammit @funfickgirl22 @talesofadragon @what-is-your-plan-today @pono-pura-vida @mdpplgtz03 @shipheart @marvelmenwhore @itschrismasevans @findthebeautyinbreakdowns @bemysugarbean @wintasssoldier @elrw24 @imyourbratzdoll @chasingsnowintheshadows @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @sarahdonald87

#chris evans #chris evans x you #chris evans x reader #andy barber #andy barber x reader #andy barber x you #cevans #the holiday arrangement

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blackswallowtailbutterfly · 2 years ago

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There’s a certain intuition that comes with dealing with kids that’s hard to explain.

Like the time my younger sister was acting up during a time I was visiting, as she often did, and our mom sent her to bath and bed. I was 15 and she was 9 or 10. I had to pee at some point and found my sister sitting on the floor hitting the door stopper. I said something like “You are so bad” in a joking tone, and she angrily tried to close the door on me. And something clicked. I stopped it, came into the bathroom and locked the door behind me, sat on the floor with her and took her into my arms, in a way I hadn’t done since she was probably three. She sobbed and sobbed and I just held her silently. And then she calmed down, got in the bath and I told her stories until she was done and ready for bed. That was a major changing point in our relationship, which had been not great before that.

She has four children now. Her eldest son is 3 years old. I’ve bonded with her two daughters but hadn’t made a real connection with either of her sons until Easter weekend. The little boy was running around and for whatever reason I pointed at him and cried “YOUUUU!” and he laughed and ran way and then came running back. I repeated this and he joined in. I then started alternating with “MEEE!” and he joined in that too. And that was just a fun little game. But later when he was upset about something or other to do with his little brother playing with toys he wanted, I got down at his level and softly said, “youuu, meee” a few times and then he found himself repeating it along with me, stopped crying, let me hug him, and was more receptive to the suggestion of playing with a different toy, where he’d rejected it before. Adults are human and it’s impossible to do the correct thing with a child every time, but a lot of times, I feel like if your mind and heart are open, it kind of just comes to you what to do in the case of a child acting up or being upset. A way of showing them hey, I get you, I’m in this with you. Literally, “you, me”.

Sometimes it doesn’t even take a situation where they’re upset. My younger niece took quite some time to warm up to me. I woke early in the morning to hear her crying one visit, when she was about 1 and a half. I went to her crib. Her diaper didn’t seem full. She eventually stopped and I went back to the couch. She started crying again. This repeated until I eventually picked her up and took her to the couch with me where she quickly went to sleep. My sister woke up a short time later and took her back to the crib. My younger niece went back to not liking me that day (she would stare at me with a frown lmao). So what did it? She likes monsters. At a later visit when she was 2 years old, she would sit in her stroller with her hands out like claws making roaring and growling sounds. During that visit I got the girls out of their bath and wrapped in their towels, and in her little towel my younger niece roared at me. I roared back and was gifted an open-mouthed grin from ear to ear on her little face before she launched herself head-first into me for a hug.

I guess another example is my eldest niece. When she was 4 I was visiting and making a jam. She wanted to be involved and pushed a step-stool next to me to elevate her height, which wasn’t very stable and she knocked it over. She wasn’t hurt but I was more concerned that the boiling pot could have tipped over and splashed her. My sister and I both admonished her, not harshly, not to be moving things around a hot stove. She burst into tears. She didn’t want to be admonished by her auntie she didn’t get to see a lot of and wanted to spend as much time as possible with. She couldn’t express that, of course, but I could put two and two together, having been on the other side of that. I hugged her and found her a sturdy chair to stand on well away from the pot, where she could still see it and I explained to her what I was doing. That’s all she wanted, she was perfectly well-behaved throughout.

Don’t really know where I’m going with this. Just, I don’t know. Making connections and developing relationships with kids is interesting.

#children #kids #child development #empathy with children

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come-chaos · 2 years ago

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I ended up liveblogging my entire rewatch of TBB S1 on Discord and the result was somewhat extensive, so I figured: why not stick it on my tumblr as well? Not because I expect anyone to read it, but because I’m very excited that having a week entirely to myself (I got covid for Christmas) resulted in me actually having the brainpower to form coherent thoughts about what I was watching. So here we go:

_________

Ep 1) This is my favourite episode. I love the opening setting with the snowy wilderness, especially as so much of the series takes place in more urban settings or indoors. Having seen the entire season, I also really like how the conflict between Hunter and Crosshair is established here already.

– Tech has so many great lines in the first half of this episode. He clearly has strong opinions and feelings about everything that's going on. I really like the way he's written.

– The mess hall scene still cracks me up. Poor Echo and Crosshair. 🤣

– The combat simulation is also so much fun. Like [friend] said, it's great to see all of them working as a team. I especially like the way Tech and Wrecker work together here, and how Tech translates the hand signals to Wrecker into a reference that he can understand ("what we did on Felucia").

– "Every choice you've made since Kaller has been wrong." I would love to know exactly what's going on in Crosshair's mind. Is he dealing with any dissonance at all, or is this the only truth he knows?

– I'm still disappointed and confused by Echo's lack of robo legs in the prison scene, but that's the only negative I find worth mentioning.

– The soundtrack from just after the prison break and until they run into Crosshair is very minimalist and cool.

_________

Ep 2) Omega finding dirt amazing is still so heart-warming and heart-breaking and hilarious all at the same time.

– This episode has some nice Echo moments. I like his expression when Tech points out that they've become deserters and how strongly he reacts when Cut mentions Rex.

– "Clones wanted names instead of numbers, but now people are signing up to be given numbers." This is definitely the line I remember the most clearly from this episode. It says so much about where the Empire is heading, but it also hits extra hard because Echo is most certainly thinking of one very specific clone when he says that first part. 😭

– Echo and Tech is another duo I really like seeing work together! Something that stood out to me this time around is how naturally Tech covers Echo while Echo is working, even though Tech is usually profiled as someone who would typically be on the other side of that arrangement.

_________

Ep 3) In which Echo and Tech continue to be a moderately successful team with limited interpersonal patience and trust. 😂

– I'd forgotten how Hunter, Tech, and Echo just keep shrugging at each other when Omega wants to go with Hunter to track down the dragon. They were raised as soldiers, so of course it's hard for them to think of a reason not to let her do the same things that they do.

– This episode is better than I remembered! I originally got a bit stuck on the 'Omega saves the day' plotline, but there's a lot more going more going on here.

– Crosshair's Kallus moment is so sad. 😭

– Wrecker is so sweet in this episode. 🥺 I like that being a good caretaker doesn't come naturally to him just because he has more emotional awareness, but that we get to see him put conscious effort into it.

_________

[Here comes a side note I added:]

Something I've thought about repeatedly during this rewatch so far is how deeply I disagree with the notion that Tech is a stereotype. He's usually less emotionally expressive than the others, but he clearly has strong feelings about Order 66 and the Empire. He frequently talks over people's heads, but he's also able to facilitate communication between his team members ("what we did on Felucia"). He's the brains of the group, but he dual wields 17's like an ARC and has never been shown as anything less than proficient in combat. He's a little awkward with Omega, but is clearly shown looking out for her.

_________

Ep 4) In which Tech has to remind his team that they live in a capitalist society.

– Echo and Omega inspecting the clone trooper doll always kills me. 😭

– Hunter selling Echo is still way funnier than it should be. "Fine, but not at that price. I'm worth more than 2000." 🤣

– "You got me for a bargain." 🤣 🤣🤣

– It makes me weirdly happy to see Echo command his little squad of droid mechanics. He's taking control over a situation that must have been very uncomfortable for him. 🥺

– (What I really want to know is why Echo had a droid costume in the first place. There has got to be a story there.)

_________

Ep 5) In which Tech gets to berate Echo for leaving out information (about not having met Cid).

– "Or he was arrested for violating countless health code regulations." 🤣

– I love Echo's little smirk when he's stopping Omega from touching things.

– ... and how Wrecker holds out his hand for Omega to high five when Cid says that she's the brains.

– Returning to the opening of the episode, I like that we see the boys taking steps to ensure Omega's safety. They're learning from their mistakes!

– I know that the conversation about slavery seems like a missed opportunity to address the Republic's ownership of the clones, but I feel like Omega holding the clone trooper doll still kind of addresses it in a very subtle way. The clones clearly don't think of themselves as slaves, so it's not something they can talk about, but an observant viewer might notice the clone as an object in Omega's hands and put two and two together. Unless it's a coincidence and I'm giving the producers way too much credit, but I'd really like to think it was intentional. 😶

– Wrecker references a previous mission to communicate with the others - check!

– After mainly getting bonked in the head in the previous ep, it's nice to see Wrecker save the day.

_________

Ep 6) In which absolutely no one thinks it's a bad idea to let Omega shoot space arrows towards the door opening where anyone can enter at any moment. 🤣

– Echo is so sweet with Omega even though he has no idea how to train a child that isn't a clone cadet.

– Ah, yes, it's time for "is there an echo in here"! It's so silly and easily one of my favourite moments in the show.

– I like Trace and Rafa, and I think they have a fun dynamic with the BB. I wouldn't mind seeing them again in S2.

– Hunter is pretty cool in this episode.

– Actually, they all look cooler (and weirder 💕) when juxtaposed with some normal people. I love it when a show makes me shift to an outsider POV for a moment and lets me have a fresh look at the protagonists. (The upcoming Ryloth plotline would be the main example of this.)

– [Here I tagged a friend whom I had been talking about Tech with], another emotional Tech moment: Tech is clearly disturbed by the news that their attempt to retrieve the tactical droid came close to sabotaging Trace's and Rafa's mission for the rebellion.

_________

Ep 7)

– Rex is so good with Omega. 🥺

– There's a very satisfying hissing sound when Echo's helmet fits itself around his cybernetics.

– The Fives mention! I so hope that Echo and Rex will have another little chat about Fives in S2.

– The sound effects and music when Wrecker's chip kicks in are so good. Again, the soundtrack turns minimalist and industrial when the BB is in danger from one of their own. The result is super cool and I appreciate being able to enjoy the scene without having to lower the volume.

– As much as I think Wrecker gets hit too hard with the comic relief tropes (though it's perfectly understandable given that it's a family show), it probably serves to make him even more terrifying in these scenes. That, and the fact that the camera spends so much time at Omega's eye level.

– Ugh, this is such a good episode. Such an emotional rollercoaster.

_________

Ep 8) In which Echo takes a very sexy shot.

– Can anyone else make sense of the scene where they're heading back into the Venator and Echo looks like he's reaching out for Omega, but Wrecker notices and slaps him? It's so weird to me. 😂

– Poor Echo really wanted to go with Rex. 😔

– I like the scene with Tech and Omega, and I think a lot of other autistic people would agree that "What was the war like?" is a rather hopeless question to answer. 😅

– I think this episode shows that Tech's optimism, rather than overconfidence, is one of his main weaknesses.

– "I've never been inside an ion engine before" / "It'd be weirder if you had" 🤣

– The old Venator was such a cool choice of location. I love the visuals of the engine.

– The scene with Cad Bane and Hunter is pretty good and I like the soundtrack, but I do feel that it fits poorly in the episode, especially in the middle of all that Crosshair whump (which is glorious), though I suppose Hunter getting injured at the same time as Crosshair makes for a good way to continue to connect them in the narrative. Then comes the FPS view, which makes me claustrophobic and nauseated, so I'm probably biased against it, but I don't think it fits either. Opening the next episode with it might have worked a lot better! I do think it's fun that the producers dared to experiment with style and genre, and I certainly don't hate the result, but I wish it would have been put together more smoothly (though it's very possible that this would have required additional minutes that the budget didn't allow for).

_________

Ep 10) In which we are reminded that Echo's moral compass is actually biased, and Echo meets a Separatist who challenges that bias, resulting in ✨ character development ✨

– Echo sniffing the Mantell Mix is still so funny.

– "You and Omega loop back around" / "That would be impossible seeing as Omega is not on this mission" 😭

– I don't think I'm supposed to find the AT-TE's cute, but they look like big, friendly animals.

– "I never much cared for that vase" 😂

– Wrecker has some really nice badass moments in this episode.

_________

Ep 11) It's Ryloth time! I watched TBB before Rebels, so it's really fun to watch this again now that I know who everyone is and where they end up.

– I don't imagine Crosshair ever got to voice his opinions like he does on Ryloth when he was still a member of the GAR. Crosshair has so many reasons to stay loyal to the Empire, which is something I really like about the show.

– And here we go! The outsider perspective on the protagonists. The Marauder landing and the BB disembarking still gives me goosebumps. I'm such a dork. 😅

– Omega's and Hera's friendship is so adorable. I don't know much about children, but I feel like their scenes together are really well written.

_________

Ep 12) I still have an hour to go before this year ends (or I did when I started typing this), so let's finish the Ryloth arc before my parents call me and the fireworks start. 😆

– "Don't worry, we're defective too" 🥺

– Tech's optimism again! "Children often overreact."

– Meanwhile, Omega has finally got Hunter wrapped completely around her finger. ❤️

– Hunter senses the probe droid! We really don't get to see him use his abilities enough.

– Ahh, the staring contest between Crosshair and Howzer. It's the kind of scene that feels like it exists to inspire fanfiction. 😂

– I like Howzer just fine, but I have the weirdest case of jealousy when it comes to his imitation of Fives. I just don't like it when people act as if he's more amazing than Fives, because he isn't. He isn't. 😡 (🤣)

– Hera flying the shuttle is so funny, both the general chaos and Tech's reactions. "Yes, your dangerous and uncontrolled maneuvering is as confusing to them as it is to us." 🤣

– Also, I've been wanting to mention this for just about every episode, but I love how good of a pilot Tech is.

_________

Ep 13) Seeing as I'm now very much awake, I'll watch one more episode tonight.

– I love that the Weequay and the Ithorian apparently just follow Cid wherever she goes. I have no idea what their relationship with Cid is, but the three of them are clearly some sort of package deal.

– Echo's "the what?" when Cid mentions the hive is so funny.

– When Hunter keeps shielding Omega from the Pykes and the Pyke says they're going to keep her as a hostage and all the boys draw their blasters. 🥺😭

_________

Ep 14) I'm having too much fun. Just one more episode.

– Omega watching Hunter twirl his knife and trying it with her hyperspanner is the cutest thing EVER.

– The face Echo makes at Hunter when they're debating whether to help Gregor is amazing. Like the angriest puppy dog eyes. I'd love to think that he picked it up from Omega, who clearly has great success when using it on Hunter.

– "You did that on Skako Minor when you rescued me" still makes me emotional. 🥺

– "That's Captain Traitor" is still so funny.

– I really enjoy Tech's piloting in this episode, and the way he takes over from Omega is so sweet.

– Seeing Hunter all alone in the forest, ordering the others to leave him behind, still hurts.

_________

Ep 15) In which Crosshair steals the entire show.

– Echo is so sweet when he kneels down to check on Omega. 🥺

– The scenes with Hunter and Crosshair are so intense. "We didn't have a choice." / "And I did?" 😭

– Tech's "How could I possibly know that?" is so funny, and the way Wrecker just assumes that Tech knows everything is so sweet.

– I've been trying to figure out what the chain of command looks like when Hunter is gone, but I still haven't reached a conclusion. I would assume that Tech is in command, but he and Echo seem like they share the job?

– "You weren't loyal to me. [insert full speech here]" 😭 I just love Crosshair's entire thing in the training room. Just everything he says and does. The sequence where Tech sees the reflection in the knife is also amazing.

– I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Crosshair is right about Omega. If the point is to protect her from danger, then Hunter is doing it wrong. (And Crosshair knows this first hand. On Bracca, when he still had his chip, he ordered his troopers to aim for Omega. That wouldn't have happened if Hunter hadn't brought her there in the first place.)

_________

Ep 16)

– Ah yes, the poor clone who has to report on the destruction of Kamino.

– Ah yes, let's almost drown Crosshair. His life is the worst. And the way he rips his arm away from Omega the second he's free. 😭

– ... only to slide on his back across the floor and look super pathetic at Hunter's feet. Oh how the stickly have fallen. 😔

– The dialogue in the underwater tunnel is one of the best in all of SW imo. It just makes me really happy that these characters are allowed to be complicated and have complicated relationships with each other. And what Tech says to Crosshair is something a lot of people in this fandom need to get tattooed on the inside of their eyelids. You can understand someone without agreeing with them.

– Seeing Crosshair and Hunter stuffed into that pod together makes me feel a thousand emotions on top of the ones I was already drowning in. (Tech and Echo sharing one is also pretty cute.)

– "I can't see anything. / "That is a good thing." 😅

– The music when Omega goes after AZI is so damn good.

– Crosshair's reaction to all the others aiming at him after he takes that shot absolutely murders me. He's so resigned when he sits back down. No one even says thank you.

– Crosshair always seems to be the last to get up in this episode. It's not just that he actively keeps his distance to the others. He moves more slowly. Not to mention the way he almost falls apart in the lab before Omega approaches and he has to act functional again. He's not doing well at all. And with that, my fanboy batteries are fully charged and I'm vibrating at top speed in anticipation of S2. ✨

#star wars #the bad batch #come chaos watches star wars

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tonberry-yoda · 2 years ago

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Hello! I would love a MHA match up for the Mystery Date event! <3

I'm a pansexual cis-girl who goes by she/her pronuns!

I am a very affectionate girl who wants needs to let know everyone that they are loved and cared for ^^ I am the mother friend of the group and I love to take care of others, I just love to make everyone happy! (without forgetting my own happiness ofc 😌)

Leaving my caring part aside I am very active and I LOVE the feel of the adrenaline, I am this kind of person who just jumps on every roller coaster in a 5km radious. That also means that I love strong emotions, and that comes to strong activities, I would love to go bungee jumping or skydiving one day.

I dress in grunge style, I adore all the dark colours and aesthetic of the clothes under that name <3 I have to say that I dress grunge but still colorful! like, all the base of my outfit is black but then you see 7 bracelets of different colors forming a rainbow of bracelets in my wrist or a pair of rainbow clips in my hair.

I also love cozy and warm activities, like sitting with my partner in front of the television curled up in blankets inside of a pillow fort, sleeping together inside a cute pink tent installed in a corner of my room, doing skin-care routines or even my favorite one, brush each other's hair!!

My music tastes are very variate but my playlist is almost overshadowed by Marina and the Diamonds, Mitski, and Hombres G (a very good Spanish band <3).

My love language is physical touch, as you can see in what I've written before I'm a very cuddly and physical person who loves to share her love in hugs, kisses, acts like holding hands and all that cute things ^^ But I also love giving gifts!! And by gifts I mean from something shiny that I've found and that reminds me of my partner, from drawings I've made myself (because I live for drawing ^^), playlist dedicated to my partner, and handmade sweets or pastries to something I heard they wanted and bought them in the store <3

-with love, from 🇪🇸Anon. (HA! Bet ya didn't see that coming right? 😈) (Hope you are having a good day though, take care of yourself tonberry ♥)

notes 💌: OMG THIS WAS A SURPRISE! I was just reading through this and even picked you a character and was super surprised to see that it was from you, love <333 thank you so much for participating in this event because you have been nothing but kind to me, so to return that favor for you means the world to me <333 have a wonderful valentine's day and know that i am sending lots of love <3

THE CHARACTER CUPID CHOOSES FOR YOU THIS VALENTINE’S DAY IS…

MOMO!!!

i think having two mother friends in the group would be 10/10 tbh

i think both of your goals are to make everyone around you happy, so naturally, you two gravitated to each other

she will care for you and to have someone care for her means the world!!

she would love that active side of you

the two of you would just goof off outside while you both get your built up energy out

now the only thing is, i dont see her as a super daring person until someone else convinces her to do something super risky. she'll do it, but just know you got to convince her a bit

i think she would totally be down to try those fun risky things though

i dont call her a girlboss for nothing

she loves your style

she doesnt really have a style for herself, but to see you very confident in the clothes you love makes her so so happy

and she just thinks you look so good in everything you wear

SHE LOVES CUDDLING

just hearing you talk about wanting to cuddle next to a fire makes her blush

knowing that you want to do self care with her literally makes her so happy omg

like she could spend all day doing that, but with you??!?!?! you cant tell me she's not over the moon

she loves that you are just so sweet and cling onto her

she loves being the cuddle bug and having someone like you to tell her to take a break every once in a while

PLEASE MAKE HER HOMEMADE GIFTS

she knows they came straight from your heart, so they mean a lot more to her

plus she just thinks you're so talented that she gets all gushy whenever you get her a present

just know that you got yourself a lovely girl who loves every little thing about you <333

💌 HOW WOULD SHE ASK YOU TO BE HER VALENTINE??

she would write you a lovely hand written letter with pink pen that says some super lovely things about you and ends with "and will you be my valentine??" and when you say yes, she gives you chocolates and a teddy bear, a smile never leaving her beautiful face.

💌 VALENTINE’S DAY DATE

Momo wanted a chill day. The two of you had been training and working all week and the last thing you needed to do was go on some crazy adventure and call it a date, only to be both grumpy and exhausted. And you agreed. You were both just wanting some self care time. You both took the day off just to be together and when you woke up, it was already heaven. Momo had brought you breakfast in bed and planted kisses all over your face. "Today is going to be an amazing day," she had said, laying down next to you to eat breakfast as well. "It sure will be." You agreed, making a satisfied sound as you took your first bite of breakfast. "I have the perfect plan for the day!" Momo sounded so excited. You hadn't heard her sound like this in ages. It was probably because she slept in for the first time in a long time to be honest. She pulled out her journal and showed her the plans for the day and you smiled. It all sounded perfect. Every last bit of it. You couldn't wait to be curled up in your girlfriend's arms just sitting next to the fireplace in your living room. The day went nicely. Lots of good food, hugs and kisses every couple minutes, skin care, etc. It was just so relaxing. You hadn't even noticed that the sun had gone down until you were in Momo's arms, wrapped in a blanket talking about the future. Her arms were so warm pressed to yours and you couldn't help but place kisses up and down her hands and face. "Momo, I love you." Momo gave you a loving look and pulled you closer, placing a kiss onto your forehead. "I love you too. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day." <3

~~~~~

mystery date rules | pinned post @tonberry-yoda

#mystery date #mha #my writing #writing #matchup #matchups #my hero academia #mha x reader #my hero academia x reader #momo yaoyaruzo #momo yayorozu x reader

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na-ta-sh-aa · 9 months ago

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I really needed to reread it! I needed the sweetness, the love and the wonderful complicity that the Bradshaws have🥹

“Looks like the power might not be back on until tomorrow,” you explained to Bradley as he walked up to you and wrapped his arms around your waist. You just laughed as his chest, still wet from his shower, dampened the front of your T-shirt. Running your fingers through his damp hair, you grinned. “Good thing it was just leftovers night. But it looks like we might have to eat them cold.”

“I’ve had worse,” Bradley grinned, pressing a kiss to the tip of your nose. “You know what though, babe? I should probably run down and check on the Robertsons first. Make sure they’ve got everything they need before it gets dark, especially if the power won’t be on again until morning,” he said.”

This part leaves me speechless every time I read it because of how many things there are that I love!

1. First of all how sweet she is and how she wanted to put Mr. Scott at ease knowing that he would likely have complaints from other neighbors.

2. Bradley's natural and loving gestures towards his wife. I love every time how as soon as she finishes the call he heads towards her to hold her and the detail of the kiss on her nose makes me melt every time, so sweet and wonderful! 🥹

3. The fact that Bradley immediately thought of going to see if their older neighbors needed anything. I mean Bradley is just the perfect man🥹

“Aw, baby, you know I’m your hero and your hero only,” Bradley replied with a chuckle, kissing you for good measure.”

Aww🥹

“Now the question is what are we going to do?”

“I can think of a few things,” Bradley smirked, waggling his eyebrows at you.”

Ooh Bradley🫠

“I have an idea,” he said, taking the plates from you and setting them down on the coffee table.”

Every time I love so much the joy and enthusiasm with which Bradley sets out to build a fort!

“So that was how you and Bradley ended up spending the next hour or so designing the most elaborate fort you could create on short notice, in the middle of a power outage. Bradley dragged your dining room chairs into the living room, while you went and procured every pillow, blanket, and sheet you could find in the apartment. The two of you laughed like a couple of children as you put it all together, setting up a cozy little oasis in the middle of your home.”

“You forgot all about the power outage as you and your husband spent hours of uninterrupted quality time together, swapping silly stories and laughing until your sides ached. At one point, you grabbed all the junk food you could find in the pantry, both of you promising you’d hit the gym tomorrow as you scarfed down Oreos and pretzels and potato chips. You even started a little competition at one point, taking turns tossing pieces of popcorn into each other’s mouths. Bradley finally had to concede that you were much better at catching them than he was.”

And this part warms my heart every time! The fact that they can have fun, laugh and feel good together in every situation shows how much they are made for each other! Their love is so precious🥹

“Despite your earlier teasing protestations, you and Bradley did make love in your little makeshift fort, his movements gentle and tender as he whispered soft words of devotion in your ear. You could think of nothing more intimate or special.”

“Later, once you’d blown all the candles out and switched the fairy lights off, you snuggled up against his chest, the both of you content to rest in peaceful silence. You traced the scar on his neck lightly with your fingertips, which he lifted to his lips and pressed soft kisses to.”

Awww🥹

It's incredible how every time I read a piece of the Bradshaws it's always as if it were the first time, in fact perhaps even better than the first time because with each rereading I manage to capture small details and focus on some parts that perhaps I hadn't fully grasped before! The emotions they transmit to me are truly unique, they always fill my heart with happiness, I madly love reading about them and I will never stop💗✨

Power’s Out

Pairing: Rooster x Wife!Reader

Author’s Note: Just a sweet little idea that came to me while I was driving, partially inspired by one of Miles’ other films, Two Night Stand.

Warnings: Lots of fluff and allusions to sex (nothing explicit).

Late afternoon was just fading into evening when it happened.

You were sitting on the couch in the living room, quickly folding a bit of laundry while watching a random made-for-TV movie that wasn’t very good. Bradley had gotten home from work not long before and had gone to jump in the shower before the two of you ate dinner. Mav and Penny had been over the night before, and you’d cooked way more than you needed to, so it was going to be leftovers night.

Just as you picked up the remote to change the channel, unimpressed by the cringey movie you’d been attempting to give the benefit of the doubt, the TV screen suddenly faded to black. Frowning slightly, you smacked the remote against the palm of your hand a couple times and pressed a few buttons, but nothing happened. It was then that you realized the light in the kitchen had gone off as well.

Continua a leggere

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mindtrove · 11 days ago

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Cruel Mind, Patient Heart

Omg wow I went to my AO3 and the last time I wrote anything was 2017. Granted I was in Uni at the time and had way too much time on my hands lol

Welp Finished the first draft of a 3-parter (maybe more I'll see how I feel)

I should do a little profile info for Moro(BG3). Her life is a lolt more different in this universe. A lot more pain, but that's where are big bear Halsin comes in for some good ol healing.

I'll come up with a summary eventually. Also got a little bonus chapter that's literally just showcasing how AWFUL her dad is but that's got all sorts of upsetting material so thats a topic for another day.

Is this chapter shit? Yeah kind of, but It's fun writing stuff again. And at the end of the day that's what it's all about so while I do care to get better I'm not gonna let it stop me from getting my ideas out of my head. Let's hope the more I do this the better it gets. This is definitely getting a re-write before going up on AO3 but there's no reason to just pop it on here under the cut of course cus yeah

Moro had promised Lae’zel they would seek out the Creche, and she always stayed true to her word. She also, quite frankly, had zero interest in seeing the Underdark.

Besides, journeying through the Underdark would have deprived her of the wondrous views of the Mountain Pass.

“It’s beautiful,” Moro gasped as they reached the highest point of the summit, where the ruins of what appeared to be a temple or monastery lay in the distance among endless valleys, clouds, and the setting sun.

“Have you never journeyed beyond your Circle?” Wyll inquired.

“I spent a couple of decades in Calimport—that was the furthest I had ever been from home until now. I’ve never gone beyond Calimshan’s borders.”

“One should always take every opportunity to try and see the world. I can’t believe you’ve never considered traveling!”

“I am now, aren’t I?”

“And all it took was getting kidnapped by mind flayers.” Wyll’s jest was met with a gentle smack on the shoulder.

As night neared, it was agreed they would make camp and start fresh toward the Creche in the morning. The evening's meal was simple but filling, and everyone was in good spirits, still riding high from their success in overcoming the goblins and the previous festivities.

A single bottle of wine remained, being shared among the group as they all sat by the fire. Gale was the last to join as he settles between Moro and Karlach.

“So, what did I miss?”

“Well,” Wyll began, pouring a cup for Gale and handing it over, “we have just recently discovered that our ever-stoic leader is a Calishite.” Moro rolled her eyes, her cup long since dried.

“Wasn’t it obvious?” Gale chuckled. “If her sense of fashion wasn’t enough, her spitting three times when that devil showed up was the dead giveaway!”

Wyll winced with good humor at the memory.

“He hid it well, but he really didn’t like that.”

"It was a bit impolite, superstitions aside."

The conversation flowed to other subjects, much to Moro’s pleasure. She told them about her Circle and the Forest of Mir where they resided, piecing together for them how and why the Shadow Druids knew of her back in the Emerald Grove. She offered only enough to sate their curious minds and maintain the lighthearted mood of the camp.

“Now…” Moro set down her cup, “I think I will call it a night soon. But I believe you promised me paper and quill, Dekarious.”

Gale nodded, retrieving the promised items. Moro bid her goodbyes for the evening, making eye contact with their new druid companion.

~~~~

Halsin had remained a wallflower for the night, choosing not to engage too heavily in the festivities. His heart was warmed by the happy faces around him, grateful that the Grove was now safe for good. But he could not help but dwell on what lied ahead.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the squealing of the children, the lone adult among them an elven woman. Long, tamed brown waves framed her richly embroidered casual robe. When he saw the unmistakable scar across her left cheek, he realized who it was and was taken aback.

Moro was ushering the children away; it was long past their bedtime, though they were eager to prolong it. Even back at the Grove, he had noticed how attached the children were to her. It was astonishing to see the woman who had cleaved her way through dozens of goblins with steely focus and no shred of compassion transform within seconds in the company of children.

She became a completely different person: she had patience for their every question, all the time in the world for every game, and arms ready to embrace every injury or squabble. It seemed to come naturally to her.

When the children finally relented and departed, Moro’s eyes met his. Her gaze never left his as she seemed to debate with herself, till she finally made her way towards him with laser focus.

“Halsin,” she greeted with a strained smile, then gave up and returned to a more neutral, tight-lipped grimace.

“Moro," He returned the greeting. "Are you enjoying yourself? You should try enjoy the drinks before they all but dissapear."

“I haven’t had anything to drink yet… I figured this would sound less sincere otherwise.”

Halsin perked up in curiosity, noting how she seemed to want to be anywhere but here before him.

“I shouldn’t have spoken ill of your leadership of the Grove.”

Halsin watched as Moro painstakingly tried to string her words together, refusing to look him in the eye as a small blush crept onto her cheeks. He remembered all too well. During the entire operation to rescue him from the goblins she had curt, lacking any interest in him. Her companions had told him not to worry, but after the confrontation with Kagha she had a lot to say. Halsin couldn't remember the last time he had be ripped into so harshly with so few words.

Bemused, Halsin leaned back against a tree. It was interesting to see her in this light—endearing, even. The usually stoic woman who commanded this strange band of individuals with an iron fist was suddenly more demure, shy—a humble, fallible creature like anyone else. Just like him, he decided he might as well make the most of the moment.

“Are you trying to apologise?”

Moro muttered and cursed under her breath. He didn’t recognize the language but sensed her exasperation, he didn't need to understand her to know she was growing more and more agitated at his teasing.

“I take it it’s not something you do often?” Halsin joked.

Moro threw her hands up, waving him off and attempting to depart. But Halsin was quick, laughing as he gently caught her hand and pulled her back toward him.

Moro closed her eyes, took a long breath, and looked up into Halsin’s eyes.

“I’m sorry. It was not my place.”

"But you do think I'm a bad leader?"

"I just think you could improve disciplining trouble-makers." But that doesn't matter, I'm sorry eitherway."

“Well, while your skills in that department could use some work, I appreciate the apology. You are forgiven.”

They stood there, realising they had held hands far longer than was appropriate. Halsin cleared his throat, less flustered by the act than Moro appeared to be, as she immediately snatched back her hand.

“Why don’t we start again?” He suggested to distract from the awkward silence, “I am Halsin of the Emerald Grove.” His voice lowered, a hand to his heart. “And thank you, for saving me from lunatic cultists.”

“Moro of the Darthiir Wood.”

~~~~

Halsin had been nothing but pleasant since they wiped the slate clean and started anew. He was ever the gentleman, a helping hand on difficult terrain, always there just when she was just shy of lifting something heavy to puck it from her hands, and giving a gentle reminder whenever Gale had brewed a fresh pot of tea.

It irritated her to no end. Moro was keen to expect the worst from people, men in particular. But no matter how much she scolded him for his chivalry, he never ceased, and eventually, she opted to let it be, though she remained guarded.

Most had retired to their tents for the night. Moro remained just outside her tent, propped against a pillow with her legs to her side as she put pen to paper on her little writing table.

She had gone long enough without sending word to her people. They would worry, but they would be fine. And so she spent the rest of her evening penning her current perdicament. Gave instructions for when she would return, if she was to return at all.

“You seem troubled.”

Moro looked up to find Halsin standing over her, a fresh cup of tea in hand—a bargaining chip to join her company. Moro grabbed a floor cushion and placed it before her, inviting Halsin to sit. She thanked him for the tea, watching the leaves as they swirled.

“Finding the right words can be difficult.”

“Commands and instructions for your circle? That can’t be too hard.”

Moro laughed, pointing at an enclosed letter with her quill. “That letter was already done and ready to go,” she said before going silent and writing again. “This one is… much more personal… for my daughter.”

“You have a daughter?”

Moro’s face softened with a warmth Halsin hadn’t seen before. Pride, love, and a deep sense of purpose shone in her eyes.

“Yes, by the Oak Father’s blessing, soon she will replace me as Archdruid. As it should be. As it was meant to be.”

“So, how did a warrior with no finesse for druidic magic or otherwise end up leading a Circle?”

“How long have you been holding onto that question?” Moro grinned.

“A little while,” Halsin chuckled. “It’s not unheard of for Circles to be home to both druids and common folk. But to be in charge?”

Moro placed the quill down and leaned her elbow against the table, taking a warm sip from her tea. “You already seem familiar with the Shadow Druids in Alm, yes?”

“I am,” Halsin confirmed, “and you mentioned you were raised as one.”

“Yes. They wanted to expand beyond Alm. My father was sent as an emissary, and when the Archdruid of The Darthiir Wood in Calimshan refused to swear fealty, he killed him, The Shadow Druids appointed him as First Druid. It was the first successful expansion outside of Cloakwood.”

An uneasy silence fell. Moro continued to nurse her cup, unfazed, as she looked to Halsin, as if to ask if he wished her to continue.

“I had heard the Shadow Druids could be… ruthless…”

“That’s one of many ways to describe them.” Moro dug through her belongings and pulled out a long, slender smoking pipe. “This all happened long before I was born, mind you,” she said, filling the pipe. Halsin summoned a low, controlled flame to light it.

“Settlements from the city encroached on our territory, leading to constant skirmishes, battles, and death. This went on for my entire youth, relentless harsh training to be the perfect fighter. Making up for the disgrace of bearing no gifts from The Oak Father." The last part is said with a bitterness Halsin doesn't dare press more on.

"I think I was about twenty-six when all the druids had been wiped out.” A bitter smirk stretched across Moro’s face. “I sent word to Cloakwood for aid, but it was ignored. A handful of fighting-aged boys, women, and mostly children were left to fend for themselves. What value were we to Cloakwood if Silvanus did not even see fit to bless us with his favour?”

Halsin tried to hide his disgust at the thought that so many innocent lives had been left to die. When he looked at her he could the tell the events she relayed played in her head as she seemed somewhere else. He understood that burden. The doubt, and fear that came with such responsibility when you weren't ready. He wished he could reach out to Moro in understanding.

But Moro was a temperamental creature, he had come to learn. In the brief time they’d spent together, he noted that she was more than willing to comfort others, yet seldom welcomed it in return, keeping everyone at a respectful distance. He was all but certain such attempts to comfort would not be well met.

“They looked to you to lead them?”

“They had no choice; I had no choice. I wasn’t going to let them die. Cloakwood, my father, all the druids looked down on those men and women as ‘imperfect,’ unfavored by Silvanus. But, last I checked, it was the ‘unfavored’ who kept us fed, fixed our homes from the storms, and traded far to fill our larders.”

“Every soul is precious under the Oakfather, Moro.”

Moro looked poised to argue but, to Halsin’s surprise, she nodded in agreement.

“It took me a long time to believe that—separating my father’s doctrine from Silvanus’ true teachings. I was bitter for a very long time, but meditation and time healed many of those wounds between me and the Old Oak.”

Halsin looked at her thoughtfully, noting how matter-of-factly she summarized what had surely been years of pain and suffering. War and trauma wore a person down, and he could see that weariness in her. Beyond the obvious scars, like the one that marred her jaw or how calculated and swift she was in giving orders during battle, how rigid and calm she was in the face of casualties. She was a child of war and it showed.

Despite that it had created this austere outer shell, days in camp he would find her preening and caring for herself to an almost absurd degree. In the field she was covered from head to toe to protect her hair and skin, and while he did not strive or appreciate such conservative attire he couldn't help to notice the benefits of her labours.

Even now the scent of the rose water she bathed and soak her hair and body wiith permeated around her, the deep woody scents of her incense wafted from inside her tent. Her hands just barely held the calluses or roughness that should be expected in one proficient with a glaive. It made him curious of The Druids Circles to the south. Was this a particular quirk of Moro's or was this commitment to finery and comfort a quality of all?

“I’ve been awfully chatty this evening,” Moro exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at Halsin. “I’m not sure how I should feel about that.”

Halsin laughed heartily. “Nothing wrong with getting to know each other.” He stood and took the pipe from Moro’s hand. “Who knows, we might even become friends.”

Moro laughed soundlessly, as if the notion were absurd.

“I can balance things out tomorrow night with a few stories of my own,” Halsin offered, taking one last drag from her pipe before handing it back. “I’ll even bring some decent tobacco.”

That earned him a genuine laugh. He tried to ignore how it's deep notes stirred him.

"Are you trying to make this a routine?" Moro enquires, making her own way inside her tent.

"I would like to..." Halsin offers. "Would you?"

Moro looks the druid up and down, humming in contemplation.

"Only if you bring this Decent Tobacco of yours"

#moro #halsin #bg3 #halsin romance #might definitely work on this a bit more later #time for bed i got a long weekend to get to #>___________<

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