#lets all take a breather and remember cute little Harry

[myenterpriseisparked]

The Voyager Bunch

Or, Rascals: Voyager Edition

-----

Based on this post

This is dedicated to @jellybeansarecool @bizships @emilie786 @joyful-voyager and @subtle-spock for providing ideas, encouragement, and for generally being really awesome people. Also they are the nicest folks ever. Go follow them.

This ain’t my first fanfiction rodeo, but it is my first Star Trek fanfiction rodeo so I beg for your patience. Also, I am perfectly aware that there are some plot holes in here. This is because I am an animal scientist, not a Starfleet physicist/biologist/whateverist. Swiss cheese also has holes and swiss cheese is good so please consider that.

Click here to read on AO3, if you prefer. Thanks for reading!

-----

Despite having only been a captain for a few years, Kathryn Janeway had seen more unusual occurrences, courtesy of the Delta Quadrant, than most Starfleet captains combined. Some days, she felt a little overwhelmed by the summary of the last three years of experiences. Other days, she was grateful for the callouses such challenges had built over her nerves, preparing her to face even the strangest incidents without panicking.

Today was a day to be grateful, because without having seen everything she had seen, the prospect of her Chief Engineer, Chief of Security, Head Helmsman, and most brilliant Ensign being reverted into child-like versions of themselves would have launched her straight into a spiral of panic.

“How-” Janeway paused for a moment to pinch the bridge of her nose, “how exactly did this happen?”

“Well, ya see, ‘Lanna and Harry and I were in that shuttle and then this big black thing showed up and we flew into it and there was a big flash and-”

Janeway held a hand up, cutting off the shockingly fast string of prattle. “I think I understand that part, Tom, thank you.” She spoke as gently and patiently as possible. “What I don’t understand is how Tuvok got into this.... predicament.”

She turned toward the tallest of the four children, who stood with his hands behind his back in a way that would have been exactly like Tuvok, if the pre-teen boy weren’t fidgeting with the hem of his shirt and looking around the bridge, open mouthed and starry-eyed. “Tuvok?”

The Vulcan turned toward her. “The shuttle was stuck in the anomaly and the tractor beam wasn’t working, so I rammed my ship into theirs to dislodge it.” Tuvok nearly smiled, which was jarring to see on his features, no matter how much younger he looked. “It worked, but I got sucked into the anomaly too. When we came out the other side, we looked like this.”

He motioned to Tom and B’Elanna, who were standing next to him, both of which appeared to be around the age of 5 or 6. Harry, who looked to be about a year old, was currently tucked into Chakotay’s arms, playing contentedly with the rank bar at the large man’s throat.

Janeway looked the group over, ignoring the humored smiled playing at her first officer’s lips. With a sigh, she turned to the members of her senior officer team that were not currently under the age of 13. “I’m open to suggestions.”

“I would like to run some experiments first, but I am wondering if I can age their DNA back to the correct age in a process similar to the one I used to turn you and Mr. Paris back into humans after the, ah, Warp 10 incident,” The Doctor said.

“That might put their bodies back at the right age,” Kes said, brow furrowing, “but their minds appear to have reverted to their new biological age as well. Will the DNA reversal process fix that?”

The Doctor tilted his head. “I’m unsure. I need more time to research and run simulations.”

Janeway nodded. “Get started on that right away. In the meantime,” she turned back to the children and her commander, “let’s get you four something to eat.” 

Neelix jumped to his feet, practically lighting up the room with his enthusiasm. “I’ll fix you kiddos up something real nice!” He dashed over to the door with a wild grin. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll have the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever smelt!” He saluted the whole room and practically bounced out the door.

Janeway glanced over at Chakotay who, for the first time since he had picked up baby Harry, looked nervous. His worried glance met her own and he tilted his head.

“Well,” Chakotay sighed, “hopefully these guys aren’t as picky of eaters as I was.”

-----

As unappealing as Janeway found Neelix’s cooking to be, it was, apparently, perfect for kids, as evidenced by the unrestrained glee with which Tom, B’Elanna, and Tuvok devoured their sandwiches.

The captain couldn’t help but smile as Tom downed the second half of his sandwich in a few bites and think how the older version of Tom would have been appalled to see himself eating Neelix’s cooking with such enjoyment.

As the older children ate, Janeway found herself spooning some kind of mashed vegetable mix into Harry’s waiting mouth. At first, she was a little uncomfortable with the idea of feeding one of her best officers, but, once she was able to get past the strangeness of the entire situation, she found herself enjoying the funny expressions and eager attitude of the baby in front of her.

“Gosh, he’s such a cute baby.” She said with a grin for the fourth time.

Chakotay leaned over, his shoulder brushing hers as he smiled at Harry. “I’d like to agree with you, Captain, but you keep hogging him so I can’t get a good look.” He turned to look her in the eye, raising his eyebrow teasingly.

She shoved him playfully with her elbow. “You got to hold him earlier in the conference room. It’s my turn.”

“I think your turn ended about ten minutes ago,” he grinned.

“I think I can find something else for you to do if you’re going to take Harry away from me, Commander.” She returned his grin.

“Fine,” Chakotay shook his head with a chuckle, “but I get him later.”

-----

Several hours had passed since lunch and, much to Chakotay’s disappointment, baby Harry was still firmly in Janeway’s possession, perched on her hip and looking for all the world like he belonged there.

Chakotay tried not to think too much about how naturally Kathryn had taken to caring for Harry as he watched her pace the bridge, checking on various scanner readings and flight paths, from his position on the floor by their command chairs. Beside him, Tom and B’Elanna rolled a ball back and forth between them, excitedly chattering about... well... everything.

“Do you think the whales were really THAT big?” Tom spread his arms out to the side.

“Yeah they were!” B’Elanna exclaimed loudly enough that the entire ship could probably hear it. Despite Chakotay’s best efforts to get her to lower her voice, the young girl seemed to only have one volume. “I saw a big fake one in a museum once and it was HUGE!”

“Whoa!” Tom’s eyes widened. “Bigger than this ship?”

B’Elanna tilted her head. “I don’t know, but it was definitely bigger than me!”

The two kids laughed, rolling the ball back and forth faster.

“Hey Tom?”

“What?”

“You’re my best friend!” B’Elanna suddenly reached forward and gave Tom a hug.

Chakotay glanced up at Kathryn to exchange a look of awe before he turned back to the kids on the floor. “But B’E, I thought you just said a few minutes ago that I’m your best friend.” He raised an eyebrow, hiding his smile.

The young girl gave him a look that he had seen far too many times on her older counterpart’s face whenever he said something particularly dumb. “I can have two best friends, duh.”

He laughed. “Fair enough.”

Suddenly, he saw Kathryn’s purposeful walk stop out of the corner of his eye. 

“Chakotay,” her voice was even and tense, “where’s Tuvok?”

Eyes widening, Chakotay glanced around the bridge. Tuvok was no where to be seen.

“Chakotay to Tuvok.” He stood as he tapped his commbadge. “Tuvok, please acknowledge.” They waited a moment and, upon receiving no response, moved simultaneously toward the turbolift. 

“It’s possible he hasn’t figured out how to use his comm.” Janeway tucked Harry closer to her side as they stepped into the lift. “Computer: locate Tuvok.”

“Unable to comply.”

Janeway gave the ceiling a glare. “Why?”

The computer did not respond.

“Maybe the de-aging effect has made it difficult for the computer to locate him.” Chakotay rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure he’s alright; he’s probably just exploring the ship; you saw how amazed he was by everything in the conference room earlier.”

She nodded tightly. “Let’s hope so. Where do you think he’s gone?”

“Maybe to the holodeck?”

“Or his quarters.”

“What about the mess hall?”

“He just ate.”

They both paused, mulling it over.

“Alright.” Kathryn straightened. “I’ll check holodeck one and his quarters, you check holodeck two and the mess hall.” She turned back to the lift door. “Holodeck one.”

Chakotay swallowed around the lump in his throat, trying not to think of all the ways a small child could get hurt on a spaceship like Voyager. As the turbolift began to move, Janeway’s badge chirped.

“Kes to the captain.”

Her brow raised as she tapped the emblem. “Go ahead.”

“I think I’ve found something you’re missing.” Kes’s usually lighthearted tone was even lighter, clear amusement seeping through.

Kathryn turned to look Chakotay in the eye, a hopeful smile brightening her face. “I’m on my way.”

-----

Honestly, Janeway was a little ashamed of the fact that she didn’t think to go looking for her best friend among the orchids and other plants in the aeroponics bay, considering his horticulturally-related hobbies. As she and Chakotay stepped into the room, smiles crept onto both of their faces as they watched Tuvok carefully transfer one of Kes’s sprouts to a bigger pot. After patting the soil around the plant firmly, he wiped a hand across his forehead, smearing dirt on his face to match the dirt on his uniform.

Kes smiled up at the command team. “He came down and asked about a hundred questions about our system and then offered to help me with my work while we talked because its ‘more efficient to talk and work than simply talk.’” 

Janeway chuckled at Kes’s approximation of Tuvok’s speech pattern. “Thanks for letting us know, Kes.” She reluctantly handed Harry to Chakotay, who flashed his dimples, and crouched next to Tuvok. “Hello there.”

Tuvok glanced up quickly before resuming his work. “Hello, Captain. Did you know that these Talaxian green beans take only a week and a half to reach maturity?”

“I did not.” Janeway raised a brow and tilted her head. “That’s very impressive.”

“I thought so too when Kes told me.” He patted the soil around another plant and set it aside, retrieving another sprout.

“Tuvok,” the captain reached forward and rested a hand on his shoulder, “I’m glad you’ve found something to do, but you have to tell someone where you’re going before you wander off. We didn’t know what happened to you and Chakotay and I were really worried.”

Behind her, Chakotay’s heart flipped. There was something rather... intimate about the way she had referred to both of them being worried about a child.

“I’m sorry, Captain.” Tuvok nodded his head. “It won’t happen again.”

“Good.” Janeway smiled and stood. “Why don’t you help Kes down here for a while and then come back up to the bridge when you are ready?” She looked at Kes. “That is, if Kes is alright with that.”

The young woman smiled. “Of course, I’d love some help.”

Janeway nodded and turned back to Tuvok. “Be sure to let us know when you’re on your way back up.”

“Of course, Captain.”

She patted him one last time on the shoulder and turned back to Chakotay. They fell into step beside one another and entered the elevator.

As the doors whooshed closed, Janeway turned to Chakotay with the intention of reclaiming Harry, but stopped. A smile grew across her lips as she watched Chakotay bounce Harry gently, allowing the little boy to palm his tattoo in curiosity. Even as one of Harry’s chubby fingers poked him in the eye, Chakotay simply chuckled and took the tiny hand in his own.

He finally turned to look at her. “What?”

Kathryn just shook her head, grinning wider. “I was going to take Harry from you, but I can’t bear to break up this cute little arrangement.” She motioned to the two of them with a long finger.

The corner of Chakotay’s mouth kicked up a little higher. “Captain, did you just imply that I’m cute?”

Her brow arched, but her smile didn’t diminish. “It would be hard for anyone to look unappealing with a cute baby in their arms.”

Her heart stopped suddenly as she realized what she had just said. From the look of Chakotay’s face, he had caught it too. Implying that he and the baby were cute was one thing; calling him “appealing” was another. Before she could say anything else she might regret, Kathryn turned back to the lift door, schooling her features back into the face of the Captain.

If she had turned but a half-second later, she would have seen a wide smile break across Chakotay’s face.

-----

“I’m sorry, Captain, but I need more time. I won’t deactivate myself until I have a solution, but this situation is very delicate and I can’t risk rushing my tests. You’ll need to find somewhere for the children to sleep. Hopefully I’ll have a solution tomorrow.”

Kathryn nodded. “Of course. Thank you, Doctor.”

With a grim smile, the feed from sickbay switched off, leaving her to look at her dark reflection in the black screen. Something like relief swept over help alongside a touch of regret. On one hand, she could really use her senior officers back in functioning shape. On the other hand....

Her eyes drifted back down to Harry, who had pulled a bit of her hair out of it’s ponytail and was curling it around his tiny fist in unbreakable fascination. A smile tugged at her lips as she cuddled him a bit closer. 

She could get used to this.

The thought struck her before she even knew what she was feeling and, as soon as she admitted it to herself, she took that feeling and shoved it as deep into the recesses of her mind as she could. She was the captain of a ship that was constantly in danger and she shouldn’t dwell on things she couldn’t have.

Kathryn sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Well, Harry, looks like we need to find you a place to sleep.”

Turning back to the computer, she moved to set him down so she could use both hands to search the crew quarters layouts for a suitable place to keep the children overnight. As soon as Harry’s feet touched the ground, a wail rose from the back of his throat and his face scrunched.

Kathryn quickly scooped him back up. “Harry? What’s wrong?”

The boy’s cry of protest faded into whimpers and he buried his head in her shoulder, clinging to her tightly.

A warm feeling washed over her. “Ah,” she smiled, “I see.”

She pulled him closer and turned back to the computer, tapping buttons with one hand. “You can stay up here with me, then.”

The door to her quarters chimed.

“Come in.” 

Before she could turn to greet her guest, mischievous giggles rose from the door. Eyebrow raised, she whirled around to find Chakotay standing in the doorway, a stack of PADDs in his hand, a tiny engineer on his left leg, and a tiny helmsman on his right.

He stepped forward with far less difficultly than she would have expected, given the extra weight on his legs. He crossed the room quickly and passed the PADDs to her. “The crew reports you requested.”

“Thank you.” She smiled, glancing down at the still giggling forms. “Not to alarm you, Commander, but it would seem that you have a couple of lifeforms attached to you.”

Chakotay’s eyes grew wide in mock surprise. “Really?” He turned his head and shuffled around, as if to look at his back. “Where?”

Tom and B’Elanna’s laughter grew. Suddenly, Chakotay leaned over and scooped the two of them off his legs, lifting them both up over his shoulders as their shrieked in delight.

He turned back to Kathryn with a wide smile. “Not to worry, Captain, I’ve apprehended the life forms.” 

She smiled back with a soft chuckle. “We need to find a place for the life forms to stay tonight.”

Chakotay’s smile faded into a more serious, but not displeased look. “The Doctor doesn’t have a solution yet, then?” He lowered Tom and B’Elanna to the ground. They scampered off to the viewport, excitedly chattering about the stars.

“No, he needs a bit more time.”

Chakotay nodded. “Maybe I could take them for the night, that way someone is there to keep an eye on them.”

Kathryn shook her head. “I have no doubt in your babysitting abilities, Commander, but four children is a lot for one person to watch alone and your quarters are not big enough for Trouble 1 and Trouble 2 to run around in.” She gestured to the kids at the window. 

“Fair point. Maybe I should take Harry and Tuvok then, and you could take Tom and B’Elanna?”

She turned Harry away from Chakotay. “Trying to take my boy again, are you Chakotay?” 

He chuckled and shook his head. “Do you have another idea, then, Mom?”

Her breath caught in her throat, but she managed to smirk at him and continue speaking without any indication that his previous sentence had impacted her. “My quarters are the largest on the ship. If we set up cots here in my living room we could easily both keep an eye on the children overnight.”

“Sounds good to me.” He glanced up at the clock on the wall. “How about I go collect Tuvok from aeroponics and some food from the mess hall while you get the cots set up?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

He gave her one last lingering smile, which she returned, before heading out the door and down the hall.

-----

Apparently the lunch they had shared earlier that day had been misleadingly easy. Supper was, to put it lightly, a challenge.

“B’Elanna, eat your own food and stop taking from Tom’s plate,” Kathryn said firmly.

“But Tom isn’t eating it!”

“I was going to eat it! I’m just a slower eater than you are!”

“Well eat faster then!”

“B’Elanna!” Chakotay set down the spoon he had been using to feed Harry and fixed her with a stern look. “That food isn’t yours, and Kathryn already asked you to stop taking Tom’s food. You won’t be asked again.”

B’Elanna mumbled out an apology and stuffed another bite of her own meal into her mouth.

Kathryn shot Chakotay a grateful smile and turned to Tuvok, who was holding up one of his vegetables to the light. “Tuvok? What are you doing?”

“I’m looking at the xylem and phloem of this plant.”

She bit back a smile. “I appreciate your curiosity, Tuvok, but I need you to stop studying your food and start eating it.”

The young Vulcan turned to her and nodded. “Of course.” He politely chewed and swallowed his food and turned back to the captain. “Did you know that this particular plant is a distant cousin of Terran broccoli? You can tell by the-”

Chakotay smiled as he watched Kathryn listen to Tuvok’s fourth lecture of the evening on plant biology. Neither of them were certain of what he was talking about most of the time, but his enthusiasm for the subject was nearly infectious and neither of them minded listening.

“Chakotay?”

He turned away from the scene across the table and looked at Tom next to him. “Yes?”

“After dinner, will you read to us?”

“Of course.” Chakotay smiled and ruffled Tom’s hair. “Anything particular you want to hear?”

“I want to hear about your missions with the Maquis!” B’Elanna bounced in her seat, all of that barely-contained Klingon energy starting to spill over. 

“Or perhaps you could read to us from a classic story,” Tuvok raised a brow. “I’m fond of the works of Tolkien, maybe Tom and B’Elanna would like ‘The Hobbit’ too?”

“What’s a hobbit?” Tom’s face scrunched in confusion.

“Maybe,” Kathryn interjected before Tuvok could give a detailed recounting of the beloved childhood book, “Chakotay could tell us a story from his tribe.” Her eyes met his across the table. “He is pretty good at recounting ancient legends.”

Heat crept up the sides of Chakotay’s face as he held her stare. “Maybe.”

“Nah,” Tom’s voice broke through the pleasant tension between them. “I wanna know what a hobbit is!”

Chakotay chuckled. “Alright, ‘The Hobbit’ it is.”

-----

It took some time to get the older three to settle into bed, but finally, they began to yawn and snuggle deeper under their blankets. As their heads grew heavier, Chakotay wrapped up his story telling and the command team began to tuck their young companions in for the night.

As Chakotay wished Tom and Tuvok a good night’s rest, Kathryn carefully extracted B’Elanna from where she was snuggled into her side and took her over to her cot. As she got the small girl settled, she suddenly reached up and captured Kathryn in a tight hug. Surprised, Kathryn’s eyes widened, but she returned the gesture in earnest.

“Kathryn?”

“Yes, B’Elanna?”

“You’re my best friend.”

Kathryn blinked and pulled back to look B’Elanna in the eyes with a small smile. “I thought Chakotay and Tom were your best friends.”

“I can have more than one best friend.” B’Elanna’s voice was filled with deep confidence, despite how sleep-laced it was.

“Fair enough,” Kathryn chuckled, pulling the blankets tightly around the girl. “Goodnight.”

She met Chakotay in her bedroom, Harry still in his arms.

“Any time I try to set him down he starts crying.” Chakotay grinned sheepishly. 

She grinned back. “I had a similar experience earlier today.” She reached up and brushed hand over the boy’s soft, black hair. “Its a good thing he weighs next to nothing.”

At Kathryn’s gentle touch, Harry stirred. His dark eyes found Kathryn’s and he reached out for her. With a look of mock hurt, Chakotay transferred the boy to his desired location.

“I’m trying not to be offended right now, Harry.”

Kathryn simply grinned and bounced the baby in her arms gently. “It’s alright, Chakotay. He has excellent taste.”

Chakotay shook his head, dimples flashing. “I suppose I can’t argue with that.”

She turned toward the bed and settled herself on one side, her back resting against the pillows and Harry resting against her chest. “Let’s see if we can get this one sleepy enough to not notice if we set him down.” She looked back at Chakotay, who was still standing, rather awkwardly. She patted the bed next to her with a smirk. “Come on, Commander. Get some rest. We’ve has a big day, wrangling the kiddos.”

He smiled and crossed the room to the other side of the bed, gently sitting next to her, his legs stretched out. “It has been a long day,” he said with a sigh. “But, I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed it.” He tilted his head to look at Kathryn, who was already looking up at him.

“Nor I.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Suddenly, Chakotay was very aware of how close their faces were. He watched as Kathryn’s eyes slid down to his lips. Before he could do something he couldn’t take back, he took a deep breath and turned away.

“Well,” Kathryn cleared her throat, sounding more like the Captain now, “it’s been fun but we should get some sleep. I’ll keep an eye on Harry here and take him to his cot in a few minutes. You should go ahead and rest, Commander.”

“Of course.” He tilted his head and gave her a small smile. “Goodnight, Kathryn.”

She grinned back. “Goodnight, Chakotay.”

-----

Apparently, Kathryn didn’t stay awake long enough to take Harry back to his cot, as evidenced by the weight on her chest as she stirred awake the next morning. She slowly became aware of her surroundings and the previous day’s events came flooding back to her.

She also became distinctly aware of the warm, comfortable presence beside her. As she opened her eyes, she realized that her first officer’s arm was settled around her shoulders and that his shoulder was currently her pillow. His head rested atop hers and the hand that was not draped around her shoulders was resting on top of Harry’s back next to her own.

The situation was all rather snuggly and, were it not a violation of every professional barrier Kathryn had erected between her and the commander, she would have had no issue in savoring the moment.

Then again.... maybe she could allow herself just a few moments to pretend that the baby in her arms wasn’t her star technical officer and that the man holding her close wasn’t her XO and that this was a perfectly normal situation.

Before she could get too far into her fantasy, however, Chakotay stirred next to her, his dark eyes fluttering open to find her own.

“Good morning,” he said, his voice huskier than her own as sleep clung to it.

“Good morning.” 

They looked at each other for a moment before Chakotay carefully extracted himself from her side, helping her up so she could carefully place Harry in his cot in the living room without waking the boy or the other children who were still sleeping. Without a word, they quietly prepared breakfast and coffee, steeling themselves for another day of handling the kids.

-----

“I’m afraid I’m a bit.... stuck,” The Doctor ground out with obvious difficulty.

The captain raised an eyebrow. The EMH admitting that he was struggling to solve a problem was a rare instance indeed. “How so?”

With a huff, The Doctor turned back to his desk, flipping through experimental results from a stack of PADDs. “Kes was right; the DNA reversal process I initially thought might work will not account for the de-aging of the officers’ brains, so I decided to look at the type of radiation that might have caused this and, to be completely honest, Captain,” he turned back to look her in the eye, “I have absolutely no idea how this even happened. There’s no evidence of radiation, the temporal energy around them is unidentifiable, and I can’t figure out how their cells and their minds were reversed.” He lowered his head. “I’m unsure of how to even proceed from here.”

Kathryn nodded, taking the emotions that were beginning to tumble in her chest and stuffing them as far down as she could. “Very well, Doctor. Take a rest and we can all come back to the issue later once we’ve had time to think.” She rested a hand on his shoulder, causing him to look up. “Don’t despair yet; there’s a lot of other brilliant minds on this ship besides your own. We’ll figure it out together.” She smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze before heading into the turbolift.

As the doors slid open, she found Tuvok waiting in the lift for her. She smiled down at him and stepped inside, calling for the bridge.

“Chakotay to the captain.”

She tapped her badge. “Go ahead.”

“We need you on the bridge, there’s a bit of a situation.”

She raised a brow, glancing down at Tuvok, who was gazing at her intently. “On my way.”

-----

“So they want to.... interview us?”

“They want to interview you specifically.”

“To see if we are worthy of going through their space.”

“Something like that.”

“And going around their space isn’t an option?”

“It would add another 7 months to our journey, so this interview is our ideal option.”

“No pressure, eh, Commander?” Janeway shifted Harry from one hip to the other with a long sigh. “Alright. Hail them.”

After a moment, a blue and red humanoid alien appeared on the screen.

“Greetings, Ambassador.” The Captain flashed a polite smile. “I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager.”

The alien woman inclined her head. “Hello, Captain Janeway, I’m Ambassador Tel Parah of the Doonian Delegation.” Her eyes swept the bridge. “You’re ship is heavily armed, which, according to the laws of our people, requires that we do a personal interview of the commanding officer to ensure that violence or other manners of chaos will not be instigated as you pass through our space.”

“Of course, I understand.” Janeway smiled again. “What questions may I answer for you?”

Over the course of the next 30 minutes, Janeway was grilled on their purpose in passing through Doonian space, the types and numbers of weapons they carried, and the journey they had made so far. Just as Janeway thought there wasn’t possibly anything more she could tell them, Ambassador Parah paused and looked up from the computer device in her hand to study Janeway. After a moment, she spoke again.

“Just one more thing, Captain Janeway,” a slow smile slipped onto her face, “What’s your son’s name? He’s absolutely precious.”

Janeway raised her eyebrows in surprise and glanced down at Harry, who she had nearly forgotten was still in her arms. At some point, he had removed her combadge and was currently turning it over and over again in his tiny hands, taking a moment here and there to bite parts of the object he must have found particularly interesting. Kathryn exchanged an amused glace with Chakotay, who shrugged off screen, before turning back to the ambassador. 

“This is Harry.” Janeway smiled, turning the boy so the ambassador could see him better.

The other woman smiled widely. “How adorable. He has the brightest eyes.”

“He does.” Kathryn smiled back down at him.

“You know,” Parah leaned back in her chair, “I usually don’t allow anyone through our space that isn’t from a system or planet we are already know and trust and so I wasn’t planning on letting Voyager pass. However, when I saw your baby and how well-cared for and happy he seems, I felt that I could trust you somehow.” She smiled again. “We value children highly in the Doonien Delegation. Children are often a reflection of a parent’s character. I can tell by Harry’s disposition and curiosity that you are of a fine character, Captain.”

Janeway cuddled Harry a little closer, heart warming. “Thank you, Ambassador, I take that as a high compliment.”

“As you should.” Parah leaned forward again. “You may pass through our space. We will have you stop at three checkpoints on your way though which I will send you the coordinated for in a moment. Have a safe journey.”

The screen went blank and Kathryn turned to Chakotay.

“Should I feel bad that I let her believe Harry is my son?”

Chakotay chuckled, stepping close enough and lowering his voice enough that the rest of the bridge could pretend not to hear him. “Are you saying he’s not?”

Her gaze grew softer. “I guess he’s sort of been like a son to me since we got on board.” She looked back down at him. “I feel very protective of him.”

Chakotay rested a hand on her shoulder. “I know.”

They smiled at each other again. Chakotay opened his mouth to say something more but, suddenly, there was a tug at Kathryn’s elbow.

“Captain? Now that the negotiations are over, I think I have an idea about how to fix Tom, B’Elanna, Harry, and me.” Tuvok’s eyes were bright and eager.

“Alright,” Captain Janeway smiled down at him. “Let’s get The Doctor up here and we’ll hear your idea together.”

-----

Chakotay exchanged glances with The Doctor and the Captain over the table as he bounced both Tom and B’Elanna on his knees. “Could that really work? It seems almost too easy.”

“Well, if this is a phenomena that’s inexplicable and is tied only to the anomaly the shuttles passed through, I feel like sending the children back through isn’t our worst idea.” The captain rubbed the back of her neck. “Doctor?”

The holographic man continued typing into his PADD for a moment before stopping and reading. “I- I honestly think this could work.” He slid the PADD over to Janeway. “It’s hard to predict, since we have no idea what exactly caused this, but if we send the shuttles through the anomaly opposite of the way they first went through, I think it just might turn them back to their usual ages.”

“How do we know it won’t just make them even younger?” Chakotay watched as B’Elanna slipped off of his knee, pulling Tom along with her to go play in the corner.

“We’d have to run some tests to be sure that they don’t. Perhaps we could send a plant through first, or some other organic life form.” The Doctor took the PADD back and made a note.

“We would also have to make sure that, if the tests show some promise, Tuvok can take the shuttle back through the anomaly.” Janeway turned to the boy sitting at her right. “Well, Tuvok? Do you think you could pilot the shuttle?”

He shook his head. “Since I don’t have my older self’s memories I don’t think I could.”

“We could use the tractor beam to send the shuttle through,” Chakotay said. “If we give them enough of a push to go through the anomaly, they should be able to pilot themselves back to Voyager once they get out the other side and have returned to their normal ages.”

Janeway raised her eyebrows. “Well, it’s worth a shot and I don’t have any better ideas. Commander, set a course for the anomaly. Doctor, prepare the experiments.”

-----

Tom and B’Elanna seemed to sense that something was up as they suddenly became even more clingy. The whole trip back to the anomaly, B’Elanna shared the captain’s chair with Kathryn, insisting with all of her Klingon passion that the older woman tell her more stories from earlier in their journey through the Delta Quadrant. At the helm, Tom hung on to Chakotay’s arm, watching the stars go by and asking Chakotay a hundred questions about piloting starships. Tuvok sat in Chakotay’s usual seat, interjecting with questions of his own here and there, and Harry sat on Kathryn’s knee, chewing on her jacket sleeve, her combadge still clutched tightly in his left hand.

After they reached the anomaly, it took a couple of hours for The Doctor to complete his experiments and, once he had declared that plants that had gone through the anomaly twice were returned to the same age the started as, they began preparing the children to enter the anomaly themselves. 

“Will it hurt?” B’Elanna asked in the smallest voice she had ever used in her life as Kathryn tucked the small Starfleet uniform that she had come through the anomaly with around her shoulders.

“It won’t,” Tuvok said. “It didn’t hurt when we came through the first time, did it?”

She shook her head, but didn’t look very reassured.

“It’s okay, ‘Lanna!” Tom grabbed her hand. “I’ll be right beside you.”

Kathryn stood and took a step back, feeling almost as if someone had filled her chest with some of Neelix’s heavy stew. She had to let them go, of course, this wasn’t the way they were supposed to be, but she was certainly going to miss seeing the level of innocence her officers had now. B’Elanna was unburdened by trust issues, Tuvok was passionate and bright, and Tom - well, she supposed he hadn’t changed all that much, but at least he seemed to be genuinely happy, not just putting up a front of humor to protect himself.

It would be hard to see them go back, but maybe, now that she understood how the world and time had changed her friends, she could help them.

She was shaken from her thoughts by a tug at her collar. She looked down to see Harry pulling at her pips, completely enamored by the gold metal.

“Oh, Harry.” She nearly choked on his name. Since he was so young now, she didn’t have any insight into his personality after having seen him as a baby, but she was going to miss his innocent curiosity and familiar weight on her hip.

Before she could think too much about it, she handed Harry over to Tuvok. The younger boy scrunched his face up and whimpered at the change of hands, but Tuvok bounced him gently and he settled down, reaching for the pointed tip of Tuvok’s ear.

Kathryn took a step back, feeling Chakotay step up behind her so that they were nearly touching. “Best of luck, you four.” She gave them her most reassuring smile. “See you on the other side.”

She and Chakotay hurried up the bridge and gave the go ahead for the ensign who had taken over Harry’s post to begin using the tractor beam to move the shuttle out into the anomaly. They stood side-by-side on the bridge and watched the shuttle go through. At come point, they grabbed each other’s hands and squeezed each other tightly.

There was a flash as the shuttle passed through the anomaly. After a few terrifyingly quiet moments, the shuttle came bursting out of the other side and a voice crackled over the comm.

“Cochran to Voyager,” confusion leaked through Tom’s voice. “What the hell just happened?”

Kathryn and Chakotay smiled at each other in relief. “What’s the last thing you remember, Tom?” Chakotay asked.

“B’Elanna, Harry, and I were coming back to Voyager when we- wait a second, how did you get here, Tuvok?”

Janeway laughed. “Why don’t we get you four back on board and then we’ll explain everything.”

“Copy that. See you in a few.” Tom’s voice grew quieter, like he was leaning away from the comm. “I have a feeling this is going to be one heck of a story.”

-----

After everyone had been debriefed and left to process the last two days of strangeness, Chakotay found Kathryn in her favorite spot; on her couch and staring wistfully out at the stars as they drifted past. She had shucked her jacket and taken her hair out of it’s clip, leaving her in her grey turtleneck with her hair falling around her shoulders and face.

“Got a lot on your mind?”

She turned to smile at him, a note of sadness in her eyes. “It’s been an interesting couple of days.”

He settled on the couch a ways down, turning to face her. “It sure has.” He was quiet for a moment. “I’m going to miss our kids.”

“Me too. It was fun having little ones around, playing at being a parent.” She fidgeted with the seam on the couch. “It was different and they sure did give us some challenges,” she chuckled, “but I loved it.” 

“Have you ever thought about having kids of ou-” he coughed, “your own?” 

Her crystal blue gaze caught his. “Yes.” She smiled and looked out the window again. “I always thought someday I would be a mother.” With a snort and a smirk, she continued; “Of course, I never thought I’d be mothering my helmsman, security officer, engineer, and technical officer.”

Chakotay laughed softly. “I think you were mothering them before they were turned into actual children.”

“Perhaps.” A pause. “What about you? Did you ever think about being a father? Outside of the whole instance with Seska, of course.”

He nodded. “When I was in the Maquis, no. My life was too fast-paced to be a proper father. If I was going to be a dad, I wanted to do it right and I couldn’t have done that from a Maquis ship.” He took a deep breath. “After joining this crew, though.... I’m in a better place now, and I think I’d be thrilled to be a father.” He looked over at Kathryn to find that she was already looking at him with something like wonder in her eyes. He held her gaze for a moment and, finally finding a bit of courage, he said: “I’m more at peace.”

A smiled played at the corners of her lips, and her eyes looked a little like they were silver-lined, though Chakotay couldn’t quite tell for sure in the low light of her quarters.

“You were really good with the kids. You would make an excellent father, I have no doubt.”

He smiled. “You would make an excellent mother. You’re a natural.”

“Thank you, but I barely felt like I knew what I was doing.” She chuckled.

“You could have fooled me.” He grinned for a moment, before his countenance grew more serious. “I hope you get your wish someday, Kathryn. I hope you get to be a mother.”

She was quiet for a moment, and Chakotay suddenly felt his chest tighten. Had he said too much.

Before he could fall too far into his panic, her hand slid over to his, giving it a squeeze. He looked up into her eyes, which definitely had tears in them now.

“I hope you get to be a father too Chakotay. Someday.”

He squeezed her hand back and they both fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the view of the stars outside Kathryn’s window.

[muffindaddystyles]

okay but imagine waking up next to soft!dom harry in the middle of the night and snuggling closer to him because you had a nightmare or you just couldn’t get to sleep well and he just kisses you, whispers sweet nothings and holds your hand as he helps you back to sleep

SCAREDY KITTEN Y/N, CLINGY AND MELTING OVER HARRY ALWAYS GONNA BE MY FAVE

Wednesday’s are most tiring for Harry. Shit tons of paperwork, shipping and unloading and then being a visible leader at the workplace to make sure the gang runs efficiently.

Weary and knotty in his muscles Harry dragged himself all the way to the threshold of his house to his room, his comfort space for many reasons— it smells incredibly sweet of his lovie, it’s cosy and the blankets are always toasty with her warmth and the room temperatures's the perfect chilly against your skin, akin to whole house.

“Hi Mushy,” He greets her coarsely, ducking down and a bit to the left of her gaze when she busily mumbles a ‘hi!’ Back with her head stuffed into her books, crossed legs on the chunky silken duvet and blankets.

“No kisses, pretty?” He asks, patting her head gently and she looks up at him. Equally tuckered out and bushed, she’s been trying to solve this stupid stupid algebra and it seems like algebra solved her and kicked her in arse telling her to do this nonsense with someone other.

“Sorry.” She sighs, scurrying to her knees and lifts her bum to plant a soft kiss to his lips instead ends up smashing a sloppy peck to his chin making both of them giggle.

She really thought she was about to get a good sleep, after having a tummy full dinner, doing her night routine with Harry and cleaning the little mess around her room because it keeps on irking her the whole night of otherwise --- she really hoped.

Her hopes were crushed brutally with a bulldozer when Harry knocked out the moment his floppy head hit the pillows, his embrace's homey and his breath melting into her skin makes her wants to learn the pattern mentally and sleep to it— she did.

She almost lulled herself into a light slumber when their whole house shook, the windows squeaked and their bedhead banged against the wall ever loudly from the force of her jolt due to the peal of unexpected thunder.

Y/N hates thunderstorms. It hyperventilates her badly and she’s never able to sleep during them, she might ends up crying or trying to make a clever run god knows where. She’s a science student still her silly and scared brain convinces her that the lightening will fall on them and burn them to ashes.

For a moment it didn’t happen again, replaced with calming patter patter of rain and she was glad she hasn’t woken Harry up. Who’s snoring softly into his pillow, his arms lax around her body and his facial features placid and soft.

There’s an ominous roar again in the sky and this time it fucks her up properly. She whimpers like a puppy shrinking into Harry’s side, eyes bolted shut as she feels her heart pumping in her ears – thumping eerily against Harry’s chest and she gasps, her knees knocking against Harry’s lower abdomen when there’s furious amount of non-stop thundering. Quite funnily he only mutters something incoherent and tucks her further into him.

Y/N’s sleepy, loggy and her scary surroundings doesn’t makes any sense to her and she doesn’t want to wake up Harry.

She’s feeling awfully, small and little and skimpy.

Terrified her eyes blows away when she sees the light-flashing outside scarily bright, “Daddy!” She cries out, latching her elbows around Harry’s neck and her thighs around his waist -- practically haggling the dude into a bendy doll.

“Daddy, daddy, daddy. . .” She mumbles unremittingly into his throat, her tears soaking the crew neck of his shirt -- tummy jolting against him and it stirs Harry, trying to take in his wear-bouts— knuckling the blurriness away from his eyes, he looks down at his lovie in haziness worried something bad happened because last he remembers she was good and about to drool over him. His warm palm gliding up her back, the fabric of her pyjama top bunching in his hold.

It doesn’t took him long to realize why his lovie’s so rucked up, clinging onto him like she depends on him for dear life when another wave of thunder-clapped and she was shoving herself into him with a frightened sob.

“Hey, hey . . Poppy. Daddy’s here. Not g'na let anything happen t’ya, sweet girl.” He whispers, cupping her face with both of his hands and tilts it up gently to look into her scared eyes, he sandwiches her shaky hands in-between his thighs and brings her impossibly closer to him – stroking his thumb over her wobbling wet bottom lip.

“We're gonna die!” She stutters a whiny sniffle hating that this awful thundering wouldn’t stop. Her outburst quirks Harry’s lips into a small smile, his heart oozing with overloaded infatuation for his love who’s just too innocent and cute for her own sake.

He gives her an eskimo kiss, pecking the corner of her salty lips then kissing her mouth tenderly and lovingly, “Said the same thing last time baby.” He calms her down. Rubbing her back, halting at the dip of her hip to massage the soft spot gently.

“Shh, shh, ‘s okay . . . I know it scares my darling so much, hate tha’, wouldn’t want my little’s poor heart to suffer this much would I?” He says groggily, tone coy and affectionate. He brushes the frays falling over her eyes out of shakiness, behind her ear and smooches a kiss to the side of her temple.

A surreal quietness blanketed them, her timid voice breaking through it and Harry smiles foppishly and lazily down at her hands still covering her ears. He tuts caringly when she blinks and glistening moisture collects under her eyebags.

“Sorry, didn’t wanna wake you,” She skootches impossibly closer into him, nuzzling her face in his strong healthy rising chest and he shakes his head petting her hair, “Would’ve been bummed if you didn’t,” He hugs her securely, and she relaxes taking a nourishing breather. Something so protective, safe and warm his huggies makes her feel.

Harry himself is the definition of tenderness, for her.

“Good?” He inquires, pressing his lips to where her neck and shoulder meet—- rubbing his hands up and down her arms smiling assuringly when Y/N hums in meekness.

His head perks up, brows shooting up nonchalantly when Y/N groans again upon all of it starting again and he coos, tightening his hug more compassionately screwing his mind too think of any idea to distract her.

“Would my baby like to keep me inside her, keep daddy warm?” He cuddles her chuckling softly when she buries her face in his neck, fisting the waistband of his joggers out of shyness and quick to bob her head timidly as Harry showers her in tiny sloppy wet fond kisses.

“Hmm. My soft little one.” He murmurs, hooking her panties away and spitting in his palm to squeeze it around his girth and gives himself few pumps before lubricating her with his own precum and eases carefully inside, not to hurt her.

Their temples falls against eachother, whimpers mingling as Harry bottoms out inside her. Balls snug against her bum, his eyes glassy as he nudges her playfully, “Now if we get stoned to death . . atleast it’d be with me cock inside ye',” His belly does a loopy loop upon earning a shy giggle from her (he takes pride in making his lovie laugh) and she moans breathily when he squishes her bum cheek grumbling disgruntled.

“Not letting them see yer bum thou,” She hiccups a giggle, feeling ticklish from all the raspberries he’s blowing at her skin and lapping the sensitive spot then, teasing it dry.

“You’re s’nice to me, I love you.”

“I love you too, my little one.”

Harry’s forever and always gonna be her comfort person.

[peggyrose19]

A Night to Remember

This is a part of @opaleyedragon‘s Fic-O-Ween for SW/C2C. The team's annual party ft a drunk Logan saying "I am not sober enough for this" to his boyfriends, a tipsy Finn kissing them senseless, and a mostly sober Leo exasperated with the both of them. Also featuring Leo and Finn both dressed as Sherlock Holmes because they insisted on keeping their costumes a secret from each other. 

This turned out very different than when I first started, but I'm not mad about it. 

Characters belong to the wonderful @lumosinlove, thank you for your amazing world. Huge credit to @heyitssmiller and the Blog for the fic and costume ideas, you guys are all amazing. I hope you guys like it! If you comment I'll love you forever. <3

“What the fuck are you wearing?” a voice asked. Leo turned, taking in the familiar face before him.

“Oh, hey sweetheart,” he said instead of answering.

“Hi. What are you wearing?” Finn was staring at Leo open-mouthed, his nearly empty cup forgotten in his hand.

“Oh. I’m Sherlock Holmes. You like it?” Leo gestured down at his costume, although he had shed quite a few layers. He was still wearing the infamous cloak, but had only a white tee on under. The jaunty cap was perched on his head, covering his blond hair.

Finn looked utterly offended at Leo’s answer. “No, I’m Sherlock Holmes.” Leo took in his costume, nearly identical to his own, the same hat placed carefully on his head.

Leo laughed, “We can both be Sherlock Holmes, Fish. But maybe next year we should coordinate a little better.”

“Hmm, maybe you’re right.”

“We’ll get Lo on board, come up with some couple’s costume.”

Finn smirked at the idea. “That’d be fun. Where is Lo anyway? I haven’t seen him.”

Leo frowned. “Uh, he said he was getting another drink. But that was a while ago. I’m not sure where he went.”

“Oh, you’ve seen him? What’s he dressed as?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.” Leo smirked at Finn, who groaned dejectedly.

“Leo," he whined, "Tell me.”

“He looked good, that’s all I’m telling you. Oh, and drunk. He looked drunk.”

"Uh oh,” Finn grimaced. “He better not get too drunk tonight. Drunk Logan is a time.”

“I’m well aware of that, love,” Leo laughed. Finn stepped closer to Leo, wrapping his arms around him.

“Hmm, I suppose you are,” he murmured and kissed him. 

It never wore off, Finn thought dimly, the novelty of it all. The ability to kiss Leo when he wanted, in front of all his teammates and their families. Leo was just as steady as he always was, holding Finn close, giving him what he asked for.

“Let’s go find Tremzy,” Leo murmured against his lips after a long moment. “C’mon.” He pulled away and grabbed Finn’s hand, leading him back into the crowded kitchen.

 They were quickly stopped by James, who was dressed as what appeared to be some kind of strange monkey. He held a squirming Harry in his arms, wearing an adorable lion’s costume. “Hey guys!” he said cheerfully. “I like the costumes.”

“Hey James. Thanks. What exactly are you supposed to be?”

James looked offended at that. “I am Rafiki, obviously.”

Finn frowned, “Rafiki…?”

“From the Lion King, babe,” Leo said quietly to him.

“Oh! Cool! Is Harry Simba then? Aw, look at how cute he is.” Finn began cooing at Harry and Leo rolled his eyes. But he couldn’t fight a smile as he watched them. There was something truly adorable about watching his six foot hockey boyfriend baby talk to a lion while dressed as Sherlock Holmes. He almost couldn’t stand it.

“I’ll be right back,” he whispered to Finn, before slipping away.

 The October air hit Leo in the face when he stepped onto the deck, chilling his flushed cheeks. He stood for a moment, staring at the backyard, breathing in the fresh air. His eyes closed, arms wrapping around himself to try and preserve some warmth. He forgot, sometimes, how big everything was. It swept him away, his love for Finn and Logan, leaving him breathless. He couldn't believe they loved him right back. 

After a moment, he heard the door slide open again.

“You alright?” It was Regulus, coming to stand beside him.

“Yeah,” Leo responded, opening his eyes. “Just needed a breather. Big crowds, y’know.”

Regulus nodded understandingly. “Too many drunk people.”

Leo huffed a laugh. “That too.”

The pair lapsed into silence, staring out at the darkness together.

 When Finn finally managed to escape from James, he had lost both of his boys. He continued on his path to the kitchen, checking to see if they were in there. As his eyes swept the crowded room, he spotted a familiar head of brown hair. He made his way to the other side of the room, weaving through people and saying hello to everyone, until finally he reached Logan, standing alone in a corner.

“Hey, Lo!” With a small shriek, Logan jumped and spun around. The action sloshed his cup, which was thankfully mostly empty. Or maybe not so thankfully.

“Hi!” he chirped.

“How’s it going over here?” Finn laughed, surveying him. His smirk faded as he took in Logan’s costume.

He was dressed as Batman, although this time with more clothing. Still no shirt though. His fleur-de-lis tattoo was stark against his skin and Finn fought the urge to run his fingers over it.

“Nice costume,” he managed, mouth dry.

“Thanks!” Logan said, grinning wildly. Finn surveyed him closely.

“You’re drunk.”

“Maybe a little.”

“I think it’s time to get home,” he said decisively. Logan was decidedly tipsy, his words beginning to slur. Finn was well familiar with drunk Logan and knew that, if he had anymore, he would soon become sappy Logan. And that was not something he felt like dealing with right then.

“Right. Lo, why don’t you go find your coat and meet me by the front door, how’s that sound?”

“Okay!” Finn rolled his eyes, not entirely trusting that Logan had taken in a word he’d just said, but left him all the same, now on the lookout for Leo.

As he turned to check the living room, he caught sight of a familiar flash of blond curls.

 When the door slid open again, both Regulus and Leo jumped.

“Oh! Hey, sweetheart,” Leo said, turning to Finn as he stepped outside.

“Hey.” Finn gave Leo a quick kiss before wrapping an arm around him, tucking the taller boy into his side. “Hey Reg. What’re you guys doing out here?”

“Just needed a little break,” Regulus answered with a small smile. “Too many people in there, it was getting a little loud.”

“Gotcha. Hey, Nut, we should get Logan home. It’s getting late and he is currently very drunk. I sent him to get his coat.”

Leo squinted. “Uh oh. How drunk?”

“Chipper drunk.”

He grimaced. “Yeah. Let’s go. And why did you give him a task? You know it’s not going to end well.”

“I had to come find you.”

“You could’ve just taken him with you.”

Finn just shrugged. Leo rolled his eyes, fighting a laugh. “See ya,” he said to Regulus, who saluted in return. “And don’t stay out here too long, I don’t want you to freeze.”

Reg smiled a bit. “I’ll go in soon, don’t worry.”

“Okay. Bye!” With a small wave, Leo and Finn headed back inside.

 Logan ran into Finn. Literally ran into him. He had a plastic cup in his hand, the same as before, which sloshed all over Finn.

“Hey!” Finn said. “Lo! What’re you doing here? You’re supposed to be finding your coat, remember?”

“Oh! Hi!” Logan said with a dopey smile. Finn narrowed his eyes.

“I warned you,” Leo added from behind Finn, peeking over his shoulder at Logan.

“Wait…” Logan froze, looking between Leo and Finn. “There’s two of you? What? Then who have I been talking to all evening?”

Finn glanced at Leo, both of them fighting a laugh. “Both of us?” Leo offered.

“Yeah, you literally jumped when I saw you earlier,” Finn added.

“I can’t handle this right now,” Logan muttered before turning and promptly disappearing into the crowd of people. Finn and Leo burst out laughing.

“We should probably follow him,” Finn said when they finally stopped laughing.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

With a smirk, Leo began threading through people, heading in the direction Logan had gone, Finn at his back. When they finally found him, he was in the spare downstairs bedroom, staring blankly at the wall. “

You alright Tremz?” Finn asked.

“I’m very drunk,” he said matter-of-factly. Finn glanced at Leo before going to sit next to Logan on the bed.

“I can see that. Maybe we should head home now before you crash.”

Logan swung to look at Finn abruptly, face only inches away from him.

“Non. I wanna stay.”

Finn frowned. “You sure? You don’t look too good.” It was true. Logan’s face had gone pale, his eyes wide as he stared at Finn. He glanced back at Leo and mouthed sappy drunk. Leo grimaced, smirking a bit.

“Oui, ‘m sure,” Logan murmured, and pressed his lips to Finn’s.

Finn startled, but leaned into Logan, curling a hand around his waist and pulling him closer. He licked into Logan's mouth, hand reaching up to his hair. After a moment, he felt the bed dip and then Leo was at his side, lips latching onto his neck. Finn groaned into Logan’s mouth, reaching for Leo with his other hand. Logan suddenly pulled away and stood up, staring at both of them.

“I-” he stammered. “I am not sober enough for this. I need to leave. Yeah.”

“Tremz, what?” Leo and Finn both stared at him, baffled.

“You- you kissed me. Finn. And Leo was-” Logan seemed to lose his train of thought halfway through as he stared at the two of them. “Why’d you kiss me?” Logan asked Finn dumbly.

“Because we’re dating?”

Logan gasped. “We are?”

“Yeah, babe. We’ve been together for, like, eight months. All three of us.”

“Really? All three?”

Finn glanced at Leo, who was fighting a laugh. “C’mon Lo, let’s get you home.”

 When Logan woke the next morning, he immediately wished he hadn’t. His head was pounding and there was a strange taste in his mouth that he couldn’t seem to swallow away. With a groan, he slowly opened his eyes. He surveyed the fuzzy shapes around him and came to the conclusion he was in his bedroom, the lights off and the curtains drawn, keeping out most of the sunlight. A light knock drew him from his thoughts, and he groaned in response.

“Hey, Lo?” a soft voice asked. It was Finn. “You awake?”

Logan mumbled something in response that sounded a bit like French.

Finn smirked. “Here, take this.” He handed him a glass of water and an aspirin. “Drink that whole glass.” Logan slowly complied. “You feel any better now?”

Logan just grunted in response. “What happened last night?” he asked groggily, voice a bit clearer now.

“You don’t remember?”

“It’s all a bit fuzzy.”

Finn grinned. “C’mon. Leo made breakfast. Well, lunch. Maybe more will come back to you once you have some food. If not, I’m sure Nutty and I can fill you in.”

“Oh no.”

Leo looked up from the stove when Logan and Finn walked in.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” he said with a smile. Finn walked over and wrapped his arms around Leo’s waist, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Logan just slumped into a chair at the counter, leaning his forehead on the cool surface.

“Is he alive?” Leo asked, laughing.

Finn shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”

“Fuck you,” Logan grumbled, voice muffled by his sweatshirt. He didn’t remember putting that on last night.

Leo just laughed and slid a plate towards him. “Here, eat. You’ll feel better.”

“Will I?” But he dutifully sat up and pulled the plate towards him, taking small bites and trying not to puke.

After he had eaten, Leo and Finn joining him at the counter, Logan’s head cleared a bit and his stomach settled. Finn had given him two more glasses of water, instructing him to take small sips and drink it all.

“Your memory coming back at all?” Leo asked cheerfully.

“No. How are you two so chipper?”

Leo chuckled, “Not all of us spent the entire evening drinking rum and coke, mon cheré, that’s why.”

Finn put his chin in his hand and leaned on the counter, smiling sweetly at his boyfriend. “Yeah, some of us even remember you kissing us last night.”

“Mm, oui. And your sexy batman costume.”

“You’re teasing me,” Logan complained, glaring at them petulantly, looking about as threatening as a small child.

“Oui,” Leo said again.

Logan frowned. “Did I kiss you last night? I don’t remember.”

Finn and Leo exchanged a glance before bursting out laughing.

"What the fuck, what? What did I do?"

"Oh, babe," Finn just sighed.

Leo, voice shaking with laughter, said, "Well, first, you got confused when there was two of us. Harz and I both accidentally dressed as Sherlock Holmes and you thought we were the same person."

"Then," Finn continued, "You kissed me."

"Oh, well, that doesn't sound too bad..."

"And then forgot we were together," Finn finished. 

Logan stared at them open-mouthed for a long moment. 

Then he dropped his head onto his arms, shaking his head repeatedly. 

"Oh, it gets better," Finn chirped. Leo just laughed, his whole body shaking. "When we tried to get you in the car, you decided that you just had to sing along to the radio, and then you cried when Leo turned it off."  

"Oh no. Please, stop."

"When we finally got you home," Leo continued, "You thought we had kidnapped you and were trying to seduce you. So of course, you did what any reasonable person who believes they're being kidnapped would do and took all of your clothes off. And then started crying again cause you were cold."

"It took us an hour to get you into bed. And then another half hour to get you to stay there. You insisted on cuddles. But then wouldn't sit still long enough to actually receive cuddles."

"Oh God, kill me now." 

"It was probably two in the morning when you finally fell asleep."

"Yeah, did you know you talk in your sleep when you're drunk?" Leo added. Logan slowly shook his head. "Well, you do." 

"I....I am so sorry." 

Finn smiled softly, pulling Logan in. "Aw, it's okay. We love you anyways."

Logan blushed. "Thanks. And thank you for taking care of me. Apparently it was not easy."

"No, it was certainly not," Leo laughed. But he leaned over and pressed a kiss to Logan's cheek. 

"Besides," Finn added after a moment, "now we can tease you forever and ever!" 

"Oh no."

[atlafan]

It’s Monday, I’m back from dance, showered with clean bedding and now I’m in bed with my favorite snack a Jordan fic!! Ohhh goodness we are in for it! Sub Harry?!!? 👀👀 also where can I sign up to get a photoshop master class from you?! Having the mid 20s life crisis and questioning my knowledge and knowing if I should know more lolllll! Anyway onto bookclub!! Also tax attorney, me getting all my 2020 taxes together... yay adulthood! “gym-class-heroes” aka me in middle school before puberty and hormones and judge mental middle school girls!! Wow I really expressing a lot of personal emotion in bookclub... don’t mind me! “He never met another girl like her, and there were times he really did miss her.” Is it bad that I want this to be a goal of mine? Harry panicking when Blair is coming for their meeting, banging his knee and asking if he looks alright or has anything in his teeth! 🤣 “I don’t trust anyone else to take care of me.” Ahhhh I’m crying! So much is happening!!! “And no offense, but my friends don’t fuck a ton of women weekend after weekend and treat them like shit.” I ALMOST SPITTED OUT THE ORANGE I WAS EATING!!! IM SCREAMING!!! “I take it back you’re not a weasel, you’re the devil.” Something I would say to Harry! The way Harry still remembers everything, every little thing, about Blair!!! “They had a really special bond that was hard to find with just any one.” I’m feisty from the fight but soft because they have cute moments and their past... ugh this hurting so good! “He liked that she kept things simple.” I love the simple little things! Those are the best and honestly best memories as well! Them reminiscing in bed about their first meeting and date!! “Pretty sure I did a good job making you forget about any other guy you had ever been with.” Boy you better say that to me irl!!! Okay I really need this chat from Harry about things will pass and major life change because man I have been going through some shit and it sucks!!! “Your early twenties fucking suck.” Scream it from the mountaintops. “I want to help my girlfriend who is insanely frazzled.” WHY IS HE SO CUTE?!? Now I want to be held!!! “I let you lay me on the counter and lick chocolate sauce and whipped cream off my body. Then I did the same to you.” 👀👀👀 screaming wax! Wow this story I really relate to!! Just the relationship and the conversations! “Couldn’t have my baby being sore the next morning, could I?” Please do this to me after my long day of rehearsals!! “You’re always good at doing exactly what I say.” I want to say this to Harry but more importantly I want Harry to say this to me!! I’m the good girl!! “which I’m pretty excited about since I’m still hopelessly in love with her.” Ahhhhhh!!! I want this so fucking bad!! Stop calling me single I already know!!!! Ohhh yes the sex conversation!!! Talk to your partner and discuss needs and wants as well as things to avoid!!! “You know how much I love all your ties, I’d love to tie you up with them.” My kinks are showing!!! “He had me wrapped around his finger from the second we met.” Me! As a dancer who danced their whole life and has big ass D cup titties I understand! I like bralettes but no support but bras are too annoying! It’s a love hate relationship with titties!!! Tbh if I ever teach an open class of some sort I wouldn’t mind having Harry join! I want to teach him modern!! Oh boy the foreplay! He really missed her mentally and PHYSICALLY!! “Just wanna be as close as possible tonight, baby.” Wax!!! “We’ve got a lot of time to make up for.” AHHHHHHHH!!!! Who knew this story would just be me WISHING I had a fucking man in my life!! Oh god this one hit differently!! I don’t know why but I do but also don’t!! Oh god I need a breather! I have a lot to think about! Love love love!!!

OKAY so with the photoshop, don’t feel bad about thinking you need the skill. If your job and every day life don’t require it, then it’s really not a big deal. I will say, it’s really easy to use. I only do basic stuff with it, like idk how professional editors do some of the things they do, or like I have no idea how to brush away acne and stuff (I use the app facetune for that), but for basic stuff, photoshop is really simple. Also, adobe has a ton of how to videos and insutrctions for just about everything, and there are other people that make how to videos as well. Whenever I don’t know how to do something I just google it, and it’s usually not too difficult to figure out. I do the same with with Adobe Premiere CC, like in the last youtube video I made I needed to do a freeze frame, so I just looked up how to do it and it was super simple. 

AS FOR THE REST THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!!!

[gucciwins]

H, I love you

A/N: my professor talked to us about being prepared for the worst and this blossomed.

It was suppose to be a normal Tuesday, you would leave work at five and begin dinner. A lasagna because Harry had begged all weekend for it and you did not give in and felt bad. Harry would arrive home with a new dessert to try because recently your sweet tooth had awoken. Harry started calling you ‘sweets’ it was cute. He loved it too much plus it was growing on you so you let him keep it.

However, it’s three o’clock and Pam, Steve and you are stuck on the second floor due to a fire and no one pulling the alarm. The idiots on the third floor ran without alerting anyone till they made it outside. By the time you noticed the smoke it was too late to get out.

Steve had tried to open the door but it had become too hot to touch. The only good thing was knowing help was here. Who knows how long it would take them to get to you, but you hoped it wasn’t long. 

Pam pulled her phone out and brought it to her ear. “I’m calling my wife, you never know what can go wrong. In matter of seconds or minutes or life can change.”

As Pam was talking on the phone you began to panic. A possibility of never hearing your fiance's voice is not something you are going to risk.

You got your phone from you back pocket and dialed Harry. It rang three times before going to voice mail.

Four calls later and there was still no answer. Sitting there about to send a text you remember why he hasn’t answered. You let out a sigh because he’s recording a few tracks for the new album.

You rang one last time and like the previous times he didn’t answer but this time you left a voicemail.

“H, there was a fire in the office. The firefighters are working hard but i don’t know if they’ll make it in time. I’m praying for the best but always remember I love you. You’re my everything. Forever and always.” You begin sobbing as you hang up.

The air is thicker and you’re getting dizzy. Pam throws you a scarf to try to breathe through but it’s no use.

Steve is getting desperate as he looks over at us. He begins to yell but you can’t register what he’s says.

You fill your lungs start to give out slowly making you lose conscious just as the door is bust open.

**

Harry can’t believe how good that take went. Jeff told him to take a breather and then they’ll keep going. That a few more hours and they are done for the day.

He’s happy because that means he can spend more time with his fiance.

Harry grabs his phone and see’s he has a few misses calls from “sweets”. He smiles at the name but can’t help but get a little nervous at her calls.

He decides to listen to the voicemail thinking she probably left her message there since there wasn’t a text.

Harry hears her voice and knows somethings wrong with her first word. He doesn’t know what to do except let the message play.

As soon as the message ends Harry is crying. He’s crying so hard he shocks everyone around him.

“Harry, are you okay?” Jeff asks concerned.

Harry shakes his head and terror slowly overtook his face because he doesn’t know if she made it out.

“Let’s go, Jeff” Harry says after trying to stop his tears. Jeff is confused but is scared to ask more.

“Go where?”

“My sweets needs me, you have to get me to her.” Harry pleads. “There was a fire.” Jeff stares at him in shock. 

“Don’t make me drive myself.” Harry begs not wanting to be alone, also not wanting to get behind the wheel. 

Jeff nods quickly. No one says anything as Harry rushes outside with Jeff hot on his tail. Harry leaves behind his friends who are just at heartbroken for Harry.

Jeff reaches the office as fast as he could and it looks like the fire is almost completely out. Harry jumps out of the car not waiting for the car to make a complete stop.

Harry spots a paramedic immediately is gives them your name. He isn’t sure but goes to check for him. This only causes Harry to panic more. He shut his eyes and said a prayer not knowing what else to do.

“Harry!” He turned quickly hearing a shout of his name. He saw Sandy the receptionist wrapped up in a blanket. “She got taken to the hospital. She inhaled too much smoke.”

Harry doesn’t know if he should be relieved or more scared because she made it out alive but what if the smoke was too much for her lungs. He runs a hand through his hair. Jeff approaches Sandy and they speak momentarily before Jeff guides him back to car.

“She’s at Mercy’s. We are ten minutes away.” Jeff tells him calmly, not wanting to upset him.

**

Harry runs to the front desk. “My fiance Y/N Y/LN was brought in from a work fire.”

“Yes, she’s in room 205. The doctor will be in shortly but she is currently stable.”  She said with a sincere smile. Harry gives her a small smile in return.

Harry stands outside her door. Room number 205 staring back at him. He’s a bit nervous to head inside but he throws that away because he can’t stand being another minute away from his sweets. 

His lower lip quivered because he never wants to see his girl in pain. Harry takes slow steps to her side and can’t but think that even with all the smoke on her face and arms she is still the most beautiful person he has ever seen. 

He sits in the worn out chair and pulls it closer to her bed. He grabs her hand and sighs in relief because they have not lost their warmth. He brings it up to his lips for a kiss. 

“I love you. You’re my world, sweets.” He whispers, his words filled with nothing but love.

“We’re going to get married. Have the small wedding in my hometown you that you want with only the most important people in our life. The long honeymoon I keep begging so I can be selfish and have you to myself.” His tears are falling onto her hand but he doesn’t seem to care. 

“You and me against the world.” Harry was going to continue talking when there was a knock on the door. 

In walked in a man and Harry assumed it was her doctor.

“Mr. Styles, I’m Dr. Reynolds, your wife’s-” Harry interrupts him.

“My fiance.” He looked back to you on the bed and gave your hand a squeeze. “We get married in three months but wife has a nice ring to it.” He gave the doctor a small smile.

Dr. Reynolds smiles, “ Your fiance is well. The oxygen mask is so she can get good air into her lungs. We gave her medicine allowing her to rest but nothing to harm her or the baby.

Harry’s eyes widen. “Baby” He whispers.

“I’m sorry, I take it you both didn’t know.” Harry shakes his head know and reaches his hand to rest on her stomach that is growing their child. 

“Well let me be the first to tell you congratulations. She is seven weeks pregnant.” Harry thanks the doctor. 

“Please make an appointment for an ultrasound before you leave. To make sure how the baby is developing.” 

Harry nods and stands up to shake his hand. He’s grateful for you being in good health and that your child is doing well. 

Harry just wants to wake you up to share the news with you. Instead he settles with leaving a sweet kiss on your forehead, very gently as to not move you.

“Guess that makes us three. Us three against the world.” He lays his head on you lap facing your tummy. 

“I’ll love you both forever.” He whispers. 

Harry closes his eyes to rest knowing his sweets and bub are safe.

In that hospital room, right before Harry begins to dream he vows to marry you sooner than three months.

Thank you for reading! Feed back is appreciated and welcomed, much love

[harrystylesgoldencreature]

The Spark- Chapter Three

As difficult as it was, Harry stayed far away from her for three days. Three whole days. It had only been three days, and Harry was beyond anxious. He spent his every waking moment thinking about her. He had not felt this way about anyone in a very long time so it almost felt foreign. The crazy part was that he still did not know all that much about her, however the things he did know drove him wild. It was obvious that she liked his music, by the way she had hummed along to them. He really liked her shy demeanor, and he absolutely adored the way she smiled slightly as she glanced away. And her eyes..... Her eyes were like sparks of lighting that had him entranced.

He had not wanted to come off as a stalker so he did his best to stay away. It had taken every single ounce of will power that he could muster. He knew that Eric had told her about their conversation by now, and he really didn't want to scare her away. He also didn't want her to think of him as a creep.

His friends constantly teased him about his crush. They loved to joke about his love life, but it was harmless. His band had become like family to him. They spent most everyday together, and he valued their opinions above all.

He was currently in the studio going over some fresh new tunes. It was now the fourth day since the night at the club, and he felt as if he were losing his mind.  

Nothing seemed to be coming out right, he was having an off day. Everyone could sense his frustration, and they tried to convince him on taking a break. He had a lot on his mind and couldn't seem to write any good lyrics.

“Harry, mate, why don't you take the day off? You've been working yourself nonstop. Maybe you just need a break.” Mitch asked.

“I don't know. I really want to get this finish,” he said frustrated.

“We have plenty of time to finish! Go take a breather. We'll never get it done, if your heads not in it.”

He knew that Mitch had been right. He would never be able to produce a good song, if he wasn't in the right mind set.

“Ughh fine.” He agreed reluctantly.

“Hey why don't you go see your girl?” Sarah teased. “Maybe you'll find inspiration after speaking with her.”

“Great idea!” Mitch chimed in. “Come on, let's go for coffee.”

Harry looked at them both with narrow eyes.

“Joke all you want.”

“We will,” Mitch informed sarcastically. “Hey I have a song for you! Harry's in loveee with Y/n!”

“And all her little things!” Sarah sang along.

Rolling his eyes, Harry grabbed his coat. “I'll see you all later.”

“Don't be out too late, you still have a curfew!” Sarah teased.

“Use protection,” Mitch laughed.

Ignoring them both, he made his way outside. The wind blew hard making the air a bit chilly. Pulling his jacket tighter around his chest, he made his way down the street.

Out of habit, he found himself at the coffee house. Although he wasn't in the mood for coffee at the time, he still looked through the large window. Disappointment flooded him, when he didn't see who he was searching for.

Sighing he continued walking. He wasn't far from were his beautiful mystery girl worked, when he heard a commotion. Looking up instantly, he saw her standing outside of the store, arguing with an older man.

“Look! I just need a moment! For crying out loud, could you just give me a few minutes to pull myself together.” She cried out.

“Y/n, Your shift is not over, and I need you back in there. Your personal life can wait until you get off of work!”

“Carl, I have worked for you without complaint for two years now. I have never asked you for a thing, and you know I work harder than every other employee you have ever hired. If you won't allow me a few moments to myself, then I'm taking the rest of the day off.”

“If you leave, don't bother coming back.”

“You really want to go there?” She asked, her stance changing. She stared him down. Harry could fell the tension radiating from her body.

“You leave, you're fired.” He said again.

“Go ahead, fire me! And I swear to God, that as soon as you do I will sue you for everything you're worth. Remember all the shit you've put me through these past two years? Remember the Christmas party last year and again on valentines day? All of that will come to light, so help me. I have proof of it all, and I'm not afraid to show it if need be! You have no reason to fire me, and you know it! I am a damn good employee, and I am done letting you run over me the way you do. Now I'm going to be with my family, and I could care less what you have to say about it. I will see you on Monday.”

Throughout her speech, Harry could see the man's face go pale. He wondered what she had meant. What had happened at their party? Harry's mind was racing, as he watched the two stare each other down.

“Fine,” The older man said finally. “Have it your way.” Turning around he disappeared back inside the store.

Y/n let out a deep sigh. Harry could see her body relax, now that the altercation was over with. Harry had seen and heard everything, from the spot he was standing. She had thankfully not see him ease dropping.

He watched, as she walked a ways down the street and took a set on a nearby bench. Placing her head in her hands, she looked utterly defeated. Harry's heart went out to her. He had always hated to see people upset.  

After giving it much thought, Harry decided to see what was bothering her. He slowly made his way to where she still sat. He could hear her quiet sobs, and he wanted nothing more than to wrap her into his arms.

“Are you alright?” He asked softly.

She lifted her head ever so slightly. Harry could see her tear streaked face, and exhausted eyes.

She laughed softly, “I don't think I would be crying if I were.”

“Fair point,” he said with a shy smile. “May I join you?”

“Of course.” She said simply, as she made room for him.

Harry took a seat next to her and thought about what to say next. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked finally.

She looked at him thoughtfully. “It's kind of a long story.”

“I've got time,” he told her with a smile.

“Are you sure? I'm sure you've got a ton of better things to do than talk to a stranger about her problems.”

“You'd be surprised,” he said with a chuckle.

She shook her head ever so slightly. “I highly doubt that.”

He glanced at her nervously. She was beyond stunning, and it made his heart race. It had been quite some time since anyone had made him this nervous, and he kind of liked it.  

She could somehow sense his nerves. Glancing at him, she saw him blush ever so slightly.

“You know, you're kind of cute when you're nervous.” She said smiling.

Her comment had taken him off guard. He chuckled. “I'll take your word for it.”

“Well.. I'm hardly ever wrong,” she said sarcastically.

Standing up, she turned to him. “Would you like to go for a walk with me? I need to clear my head, and I really don't want to be anywhere close to this place right now.”

He gave her a breathtaking smile and stood to his feet. “I would love to.” He told her sincerely.

Hesitantly, he took her by the hand. She smiled at him shyly and intertwined their fingers together. They started down the sidewalk, walking in comfortable silence.

[lettersandinkstains]

11/11/11 (#??)

I was tagged by @jcckwrites​, thank you!

Answer 11 questions, ask 11 questions.

Tags: @bookenders, @klywrites, @kainablue, @kittensartswriting, @inexorableblob, @ink-flavored, @livvywrites, @androgynousscarves, @dontwritethatone, @dove-actually, @tricksexual, @pen-in-hand, @ofinscriptions

My Eleven Questions:

If your WIP got made into a movie, which actors/actresses would you cast for your main characters?

What is a story you’d like to write, but don’t know how to yet tackle?

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Coffee, hot chocolate, or tea?

Do you believe in the death of the author?

What is a trope that needs more love?

What is your biggest inspiration?

Let’s go on a little adventure: One day, you end up in the same world as your characters--or if they’re in ours, you end up with your characters in some way, shape or form. What do you do?

If you had a magical power, what would that power be?

What is a genre that you feel is underrated? What about overrated?

Have you accomplished anything that you’re proud of?

1. Do you title your chapters? If so, how many times do you end up changing the title before it’s done? If not, what do you title them with and why?

 I do sometimes! I don’t really change them at all. Depends on my mood, really.

2. List 3-5 works (books, comics, tv, movies, etc) that you know have influenced your worldbuilding and/or writing. Feel free to include why beside them!

Harry Potter Lord of the Rings Madoka Banana Fish

3. If there is a food/drink that inspires you to write, what is it and why?

No.

4. What is your writing ‘routine?’ Either to start writing or keep the momentum?

I don’t think I have much of a routine, outside of put on some music, buckle down, and get started. It’s easier if my brain is alert and rushing because everything becomes much more interesting and magical. But if real life hits, the magic sorta leaves.

5. Do you like fancasting your characters? Why or why not?

No. I find it uncomfortable, not going to lie. Can’t really put my finger on it--also, I’m just really lazy lol

6. Do you have a self-enforced daily word count? Why or why not?

No. This may sound as an excuse, especially towards some people who may think that having a self enforced word count are the absolute way to go, but I have pretty bad depression. Functioning in daily life is enough of a chore that if I placed one more expectation, especially something that is an escape and hobby first and foremost, it will just add onto daily stressors, and I would no longer have fun with it. It would become another thing if I can’t accomplish, I’ll just hold it against myself.

And plus, I’m happy with whatever I’m able to get down on paper. Whether it’s 10 words or 10,000 words, I’m just happy when I get to write. And I’m mostly satisfied with that--and that’s okay.

7. Have you accidentally put someone in your life in your story? Who? Did you regret it when you realized it?

MmmmMMMMMMMM. All of my OCs are based off of people I know in one way or another--but never in bad ways. Whether it’s just a few traits or things I admire in them and that’s about it.

But an actual person with similar names, no.

8. What is a genre you could never write and why?

Erotica. I dunno. I’m just not interested in sex as a whole--written, screen, or otherwise. Also, it’s just uncomfortable for me?? Sure, kink is cool and I’m writing something kinky to spite a certain group of writers (bc I have a Big Mad) but it’s just a “eh” (and I don’t consider it erotica because nobody really fucks on page). I’m more into intimate emotional aspects, the two best friends who are soul mate best friends, simple gestures of love, subtle gestures such as hand holding or eye contact.

Otherwise anything physical horror, such as written on screen gruesome horrible stuff. Blood and guts make me ill. Psychological? Okay, I’ll give it a shot.

9. What is your weirdest ‘writing habit’?

Is ignoring every piece of writing advice out there considered weird?

Or is “I write at 3 am for no other reason but because I can”?

Also, what’s considered weird? What’s normal to me might be weird to someone else--and that’s hard to pinpoint.

But between you and me, my weirdest writing habit is writing a cute scene in public, having to stop and take a breather and make sure I’m not like outwardly showing I’m being emotionally affected in one way or another. This also happens in private. WILL THEY KISS? I DONT KNOW, I CANT LOOK even though I’m writing this. ARE THEY HOLDING HANDS? OH GOSH OH GOSH OH NO

I’m easily embarrassed

10. Who is a character of yours you can or will never write again? Why?

So far, there’s nobody on that list.

I can write just about anybody and wish I can reuse most of them for other stories. Bailee and Lucija deserve happiness, Sage and Nyx deserve a meet cute AU.

11. List the last 3 writing accomplishments you reached. Be as detailed as you like! And remember to look back on them and feel really, really proud of yourself!!

I wrote two chapters of So Said the King and posted them

I reached over 1k words of So Said the King, and am working on chapter three

The worldbuilding for So Said the King is utterly amazing and I’m thrilled with how it’s coming out.

Zephyr.

[thecaffeinebookwarrior]

Internal Conflict:  Five Conflicting Traits of a Likable Hero.

1.  Flaws and Virtues 

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but characters without flaws are boring.  This does not, as many unfortunate souls take it to mean, imply that good, kind, or benevolent characters are boring:  it just means that without any weaknesses for you to poke at, they tend to be bland-faced wish fulfillment on the part of the author, with a tendency to just sit there without contributing much to the plot.

For any character to be successful, they need to have a proportionate amount of flaws and virtues.

Let’s take a look at Stranger Things, for example, which is practically a smorgasbord of flawed, lovable sweethearts.

We have Joyce Byers, who is strung out and unstable, yet tirelessly works to save her son, even when all conventional logic says he’s dead;  We have Officer Hopper, who is drunken and occasionally callous, yet ultimately is responsible for saving the boy’s life;  We have Jonathan, who is introspective and loving, but occasionally a bit of a creeper, and Nancy, who is outwardly shallow but proves herself to be a strong and determined character.  Even Steve, who would conventionally be the popular jerk who gets his comeuppance, isn’t beyond redemption.

And of course, we have my beloved Eleven, who’s possibly the closest thing Stranger Things has to a “quintessential” heroine.  She’s the show’s most powerful character, as well as one of the most courageous.  However, she is also the show’s largest source of conflict, as it was her powers that released the Demogorgon to begin with.  

Would Eleven be a better character if this had never happened?  Would Stranger Things be a better show?  No, because if this had never happened, Stranger Things wouldn’t even be a show.  Or if it was, it would just be about a bunch of cute kids sitting around and playing Dungeons and Dragons in a relatively peaceful town.

A character’s flaws and mistakes are intended to drive the plotline, and if they didn’t have them, there probably wouldn’t even be a plot.

So don’t be a mouth-breather:  give your good, kind characters some difficult qualities, and give your villains a few sympathetic ones.  Your work will thank you for it.

2.  Charisma and Vulnerability

Supernatural has its flaws, but likable leads are not one of them.  Fans will go to the grave defending their favorite character, consuming and producing more character-driven, fan-created content than most other TV shows’ followings put together.

So how do we inspire this kind of devotion with our own characters?  Well, for starters, let’s take a look at one of Supernatural’s most quintessentially well-liked characters:  Dean Winchester.

From the get-go, we see that Dean has charisma:  he’s confident, cocky, attractive, and skilled at what he does.  But these qualities could just as easily make him annoying and obnoxious if they weren’t counterbalanced with an equal dose of emotional vulnerability. 

As the show progresses, we see that Dean cares deeply about the people around him, particularly his younger brother, to the point of sacrificing himself so that he can live.  He goes through long periods of physical and psychological anguish for his benefit (though by all means, don’t feel obligated to send your main character to Hell for forty years), and the aftermath is depicted in painful detail.

Moreover, in spite of his outward bravado, we learn he doesn’t particularly like himself, doesn’t consider himself worthy of happiness or a fulfilling life, and of course, we have the Single Man Tear(TM).

So yeah, make your characters beautiful, cocky, sex gods.  Give them swagger.  Just, y’know.  Hurt them in equal measure.  Torture them.  Give them insecurities.  Make them cry.  

Just whatever you do, let them be openly bisexual.  Subtext is so last season.

3.  Goals For the Future and Regrets From the Past

Let’s take a look at Shadow Moon from American Gods.  (For now, I’ll have to be relegate myself to examples from the book, because I haven’t had the chance to watch the amazing looking TV show.) 

Right off the bat, we learn that Shadow has done three years in prison for a crime he may or may not have actually committed.  (We learn later that he actually did commit the crime, but that it was only in response to being wronged by the true perpetrators.)  

He’s still suffering the consequences of his actions when we meet him, and arguably, for the most of the book:  because he’s in prison, his wife has an affair (I still maintain that Laura could have resisted the temptation to be adulterous if she felt like it, but that’s not the issue here) and is killed while mid-coital with his best friend.

Shadow is haunted by this for the rest of the book, to the point at which it bothers him more than the supernatural happenings surrounding him.  

Even before that, the more we learn about Shadow’s past, the more we learn about the challenges he faced:  he was bullied as a child, considered to be “just a big, dumb guy” as an adult, and is still wrongfully pursued for crimes he was only circumstantially involved in.

But these difficulties make the reader empathize with Shadow, and care about what happens to him.  We root for Shadow as he tags along with the mysterious and alternatively peckish and charismatic Wednesday, and as he continuously pursues a means to permanently bring Laura back to life.

He has past traumas, present challenges, and at least one goal that propels him towards the future.  It also helps that he’s three-dimensional, well-written, and as of now, portrayed by an incredibly attractive actor.

Of course (SPOILER ALERT), Shadow never does succeed in fully resurrecting Laura, ultimately allowing her to rest instead, but that doesn’t make the resolution any less satisfying.  

Which leads to my next example...       

4.  Failure and Success 

You remember in Zootopia, when Judy Hopps decides she wants to be cop and her family and town immediately and unanimously endorse her efforts?  Or hey, do you remember Harry Potter’s idyllic childhood with his kindhearted, adoptive family?  Oh!  Or in the X-Files, when Agent Mulder presents overwhelming evidence of extraterrestrial life in the first episode and is immediately given a promotion?  No?

Yeah, me neither.  And there’s a reason for this:  ff your hero gets what they want the entire time, it will be a boring, two-dimensional fantasy that no one will want to read.  

A good story is not about the character getting what they want.  A good story is about the character’s efforts and their journey.  The destination they reach could be something far removed from what they originally thought they wanted, and could be no less (if not more so) satisfying because of it.

Let’s look at Toy Story 3, for example:  throughout the entire movie, Woody’s goal is to get his friends back to their longtime owner, Andy, so that they can accompany him to college.  He fails miserably.  None of his friends believe that Andy was trying to put them in the attic, insisting that his intent was to throw them away.  He is briefly separated from them as he is usurped by a cute little girl and his friends are left at a tyrannical daycare center, but with time and effort, they’re reunited, Woody is proven right, and things seem to be back on track.

Do his efforts pay off?  Yes -- just not in the way he expected them to.  At the end of the movie, a college-bound Andy gives the toys away to a new owner who will play with them more than he will, and they say goodbye.  Is the payoff bittersweet?  Undoubtedly.  It made me cry like a little bitch in front of my young siblings.  But it’s also undoubtedly satisfying.      

So let your characters struggle.  Let them fail.  And let them not always get what they want, so long as they get what they need.  

5.  Loving and Being Loved by Others

Take a look back at this list, and all the characters on it:  a gaggle of small town kids and flawed adults, demon-busting underwear models, an ex-con and his dead wife, and a bunch of sentient toys.  What do they have in common?  Aside from the fact that they’re all well-loved heroes of their own stories, not much.

But one common element they all share is they all have people they care about, and in turn, have people who care about them.  

This allows readers and viewers to empathize with them possibly more than any of the other qualities I’ve listed thus far, as none of it means anything without the simple demonstration of human connection.

Let’s take a look at everyone’s favorite caped crusader, for example:  Batman in the cartoons and the comics is an easy to love character, whereas in the most recent movies (excluding the splendid Lego Batman Movie), not so much. 

Why is this?  In all adaptions, he’s the same mentally unstable, traumatized genius in a bat suit.  In all adaptions, he demonstrates all the qualities I listed before this:  he has flaws and virtues, charisma and vulnerability, regrets from the past and goals for the future, and usually proportionate amounts of failure and success.  

What makes the animated and comic book version so much more attractive than his big screen counterpart is the fact that he does one thing right that all live action adaptions is that he has connections and emotional dependencies on other people.  

He’s unabashed in caring for Alfred, Batgirl, and all the Robins, and yes, he extends compassion and sympathy to the villains as well, helping Harley Quinn to ultimately escape a toxic and abusive relationship, consoling Baby Doll, and staying with a child psychic with godlike powers until she died.

Cartoon Batman is not afraid to care about others.  He has a support network of people who care about him, and that’s his greatest strength.  The DC CU’s ever darker, grittier, and more isolated borderline sociopath is failing because he lacks these things.  

 And it’s also one of the reasons that the Lego Batman Movie remains so awesome.

God willing, I will be publishing fresh writing tips every week, so be sure to follow my blog and stay tuned for future advice and observations! 

[hurryupharry]

Speed Dial; one

an idea for this fic just popped into my head whilst i was wracking my brains for something to get me going, so here it is. let me know what you think by leaving me a message in my ask here. x

what it’s about: Aerin faces the reality of no longer having her best friend with her when she receives a reply to the supposedly defunct number that used to belong to her. 

trigger warning: mentions death

aerin, (020)-8127-9381

BREAKING NEWS

update: the cute guy in my english class started a conversation with me this afternoon.. found out that his name’s liam.

Hey, I think you’ve got the wrong number.

fuck i’m so sorry i’ll stop texting you now this just used to be ella’s number and i haven’t stopped trying to contact her so i

you know what 

just pretend you never got those and we’ll be good

No, you’re fine love. Who’s Ella, if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve just got this new number a while ago..

i don’t think there’s a nice way for me to put it so 

my best friend who passed in april.

I’m sorry, love. I shouldn’t have asked. But I hope you’re doing well, and don’t worry, you’re free to keep texting this number as long as you don’t mind a stranger being the middleman for you and Ella. x

i wouldn’t want to disturb you.. it’s alright. it’s mostly me talking about stuff in our circle after she’s left anyway. thank you though.

Anytime. x

“I-I don’t know! It was a stranger who didn’t introduce himself but offered to let me keep sending messages to him as if it was still Ella on the other side,” Aerin sighed as she slumped further back into her seat. “I’ve officially lost her. This is it. Why didn’t anyone remind me to keep paying her phone bills?”

Gracie looked at her worriedly, her hair a mess and her once bright eyes now dimmed with the shadow of what it used to be. Aerin and Ella were absolutely inseparable since they met in fifth grade and became that stereotypical dynamic duo, doing absolutely everything together as if they were joined at the hip.

“Aerin, it’s okay. It had to come sooner or later. Ella will understand, she’s a sweet girl,” Gracie reasoned soothingly in a futile attempt to get her to calm down. She seemed to be just hanging on the edge of her sanity as of late and took too many pills and anti-depressants for her own good. It was truly worrying everyone around her, especially since it was nearing the start of her final year in UCL that she’d worked so hard for. 

Aerin seemed to no longer be capable of feeling emotion in the same way that she used to. It all came in shock-like waves, only highs and lows, but never reaching a middle ground for more than a minute. She’d get excited over scoring tickets to the premiere of the movie that her and Ella were supposed to catch together, but everything would come crashing down on her the moment she remembered that Ella wasn’t around to do that with her any longer. 

“I’ll be okay. Maybe it is time for me to move forward.. That would be what Ella wants me to do, right?” She manages the ghost of a smile before her phone began to buzz with the news of a text message.

(020)-8127-9381: I’ve got a joke. It’s a good one.

i think i’m good here

You have to listen to this one, please. x

okay then, raconteur.

What did the electrician get arrested for?

cutting the wifi supply

Battery!

oh, ha-ha. cute.

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his library seat as he mulled over the book in his hands. A piece of literary genius, undoubtedly, but just enough for him to want to wrack his brains in order to comprehend properly. After all, he was a History student. 

“A Room of One’s Own,” her voice sounded like the song of the birds in the morning on a foggy Sunday morning up by the Lakes that his family would drive up to as a little boy. “One for feminism, I see?”

“I’m just a believer in what’s just,” He shrugs with a little smirk as he looks up from his thick-rimmed glasses to the girl stood before him, laptop in her arms and dressed in a big yellow sweater that made her look like she held the energy of the sun in her hands. “Do you just say that to every girl to make them fall in love with your equality-loving male adonis front? It isn’t that shallow, I’m afraid.” She chuckles, shaking her head at his disappointing attempt at being funny. “But I’m also afraid that this space before you is the only unoccupied one in this place, so you’ll have to make some room for me.”

He speaks up again just as she got settled into the armchair across from him, “What exactly do you have against this book, anyway? It’s a lovely read.” 

She chews on the inside of her left cheek for a second. 

“Well, for starters, Woolf was extremely privileged in her time and granted, her vision is wonderful, but so painfully unaware of the real problems that take precedence over literature and a proper education in a third-world country. I don’t blame her though, I would be just as disconnected if I were her,” the ray of sunshine began to ramble unknowingly, never once noticing how enraptured the Adonis was in her mannerism, though any other English student would realise that she was simply skimming the surface on this one. “I started babbling again, didn’t I?” She sighs, mentally noting that she should make an effort to stop doing that to poor strangers. 

“It’s fine, love. You’re good,” He piped, making her sigh in relief. “I’ve just started on this one, wanted to pick up reading as a hobby as a little breather from all the cold-blooded fighting and sparring.” 

He was a history student, then. She made another note to keep that in mind. They had a tendency to be quite philosophical and loved to lament on about the past too much at times.

“I’m ‘Arry, by the way. Thought it would be rude to not have told you my name,” He extended his hand as a formal greeting to the girl. She took it, her hand enveloped in his large one as they shook on it. “Aerin. Nice to meet you, Harry.”

i never got your name, fake ella.

Neither have I gotten yours.

well looks like we can both be anonymous and simultaneously catfish each other. 

sound good?

I’m all yours. x

[harrystylesgoldencreature]

Last Christmas, I gave you my Heart

*****ONE SHOT REQUEST!***Could you write about bff H being at YNs for Christmas and he's not feeling so good so is being more cuddly than normal etc and he has no idea she loves him until he's feeling a lot worse and is crying and she kisses his forehead? Like maybe he says something about wondering what her lips would taste like and she says he would find out if he wasn't so blind? Like a cute couple ending please?*****

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

“Harryy!!” You screamed. “I'm so glad you came!”

You opened the door to let your best friend into the house. Looking at his face, you frowned. “Harry? What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?”

“I'm fine, just a wee bit of a cold.” He pulled you into a warm hug.

“Are you sure?” You asked, not convinced. Putting your hand to his cheek and then his forehead, you could feel the warmth radiating from him.

“I'm sure!” He said brushing you off. “I'm not going to let a little cold ruin your family Christmas.”

“But..” You started to abject.

Putting his finger over your mouth, he shook his head. “No buts.”

“Fine! But you have to go sit down and relax.”

“Yes ma'am” He said sassy.

Rolling your eyes, you pushed him towards the living room. You picked up the presents he had left by the door and placed then under the tree. Harry made his way to the couch in the corner, and you brought him a blanket.

“So.. When is everyone suppose to be here?” He questioned, yawning.

“Should be any minute now. Can I get you anything?”

“I'm alright.” He mumbled closing his eyes.

“Are you sure? I could make you some soup, or I could get you some tea. I think I have some cold medicine here somewhere.”

Harry let out a slight chuckle. “I'm fine mum!”

You playfully smacked him. “I'm just trying to help.”

“I know, I know. Thanks, love.” He muttered settling deeper into the sofa.

You watched him fondly for a moment. It hurt you to see him sick, and all you wanted to do was make him feel better. You decided to let him rest. Going to the kitchen, you tried to busy yourself until your family arrived.  

You had just finished removing cookies from the oven, when you heard the doorbell ring. Rushing to answer it, you greeted your family.

“Y/n!” Your dad called out first, giving you a big hug.

“Hey y/n,” your step-mom came next. “It's smells wonderful in here.”

“Thank you!” You told her giving her a brief hug.

Your brother and his wife were the next in line. Then came your sister and her new boyfriend. After greeting everyone, you led them to the living room. Harry was sound asleep in the corner.

“Oh hey! Harry's here!” Trina cheered. Your sister was a huge fan of Harry's and always stayed close by whenever he was around.

“Yes, but he's not feeling well. So behave!” You told her sternly. She stuck her tongue out at you, causing you to laugh. “Real mature.”

“Are you ever gonna tell that boy you're in love with him?” She asked curious.

“Trina!”

“What?” She said unashamed.

“Harry and I are just friends.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”

“Alright! Enough bickering you two.” Your dad called out.

“Why don't we start eating?” You suggested.

Getting an agreement from everyone in the room, you motioned for them to head towards the dining room.

“What about Harry?” Trina asked disappointed.

“Harry needs to sleep. I'll fix him a plate later.”

“Awe look at you all caring. Your so in love,” she teased.

“Oh hush!”

Your family gathered around the table and passed around the food. The conversation flowed nicely. Your family had always been one to make fun of one another. The laughter was nonstop, as the jokes flew back and forth.

You enjoyed having your family over. You had always been a big family person and found peace in the company you shared.

Once dinner was finished, and the dishes put away, you all headed back into the living room. It was getting late, and it was time to open presents.

Heading to where Harry still laid, you quietly put your hand on his forehead. His skin felt even hotter than it had before. Rushing back to the kitchen you got a glass of water and some medicine. Upon returning, you nudged Harry.

“Harry.” You shook him.

“Hmm?” He responded turning his head towards you, with his eyes still closed.

“Come on! Take this,” you urged him.

Mumbling some more he sat up on the couch and took the cup of water from you.

“What is it?” He asked looking at the pills questionably.

“It's medicine! It'll make you feel better.” He gave you a doubtful look. “Oh just take it, you big baby!”

Grunting he grabbed the pills from you and threw them into his mouth. “You aren't trying to poison me are you?” He asked after swallowing his medicine.

“I guess we'll find out,” you teased. “Do you feel well enough to open presents with us?”

He looked around, at the mention of 'us'. Seeing your family, he looked a bit embarrassed.

“Y/n! Why didn't you wake me when everyone got here?” He whispered to you.

“You needed your rest.” You stated simply.  

Shaking his head, he said a brief hello to each member of your family. Trina was ecstatic that he was finally up. She came to sit in between the two of you and started to bombard him with questions. Rolling your eyes, you gave Harry a look of pity. Deciding to save him, you tried to get her attention.

“Trina, how about we let Harry have a breather and open presents?” At the mention of this, Trina leaped up with joy. You stared after your 17 year old sister in disbelief.

“Thank you!” Harry spoke softly so only you could hear.

“Anytime,” you told him with a smile.

You remained by his side, as your dad started handing out presents. Harry leaned over and laid his head in your lap. You smiled down at him fondly, since he was looking away.

“How are you feeling?” You asked running your fingers through his hair.

“Awful,” he admitted finally.

“I'm sorry dear.” You told him worried.

“It's alright, you make it all better. Will you stay with me?” He closed his eyes and relaxed a bit into your lap.

“Of course. I'm not going anywhere.” His skin felt as if it were on fire, and you desperately hoped the fever would soon break.  

Harry dosed in and out of consciousness, as you watched your family unwrap their gifts. This had always been your favorite time of the year. You loved having your family around. Along with Harry, they were your favorite people in the world. You just wished he felt better so he could enjoy it with you as well.

You kept noticing your mom glancing at the two of you. She had a smirk on her face, and you knew what she had been thinking instantly. Secretly, your entire family had been routing for the two of you to get together. You had to admit, you wanted the same.

You and Harry had been best friends for as long as you could remember. You couldn't remember a time where he wasn't a part of your life. He meant the world to you, and you wanted more than anything to be the one who made him the happiest.

You watched for years as he dated girls that did nothing but use him. They all seemed to be the same. They would date him long enough to be in the spotlight, and then leave him broken. It killed you that he fell for their lies and manipulation.

'If only he could see how much you truly loved him for him.' You thought sadly.

It had gotten late, and your family were getting ready to leave. You started to get up, to tell them goodbye.

“Noo don't go,” Harry whined half asleep. He grabbed your waist to keep you there.

Laughing slightly, you looked at him sadly. He would never know how much it hurt you when he done things like this. He always grew quite clingy when he was drunk or unwell. You loved clingy Harry, but deep down knew that it would never mean the same to him as it did to you.

“I'll be right back, I promise.” You told him. He pouted further, but let you go.

You quickly told your family to drive carefully and lead them out the front. Your mom hung back briefly, as you watched the others head for the car.

She smiled at you, as she looked you over. “Oh just say it!”

“Honey,” she started. “I just hate seeing you like this. I don't want you to get hurt. I know you care for him, but you just have to take care of yourself as well.”

“I know,” you whispered.

“You know I love you.”

“I know, I love you too mom.” Giving her one final hug, you watched her leave.

Sighing, you shut the door and returned to Harry. He was sound asleep once more. Checking his head, you sighed with relief. His temperature was finally starting to drop.

Checking the time, you left him to get some more medicine. You also made him a bowl of soup. You knew that your mom had been right, but you couldn't help how you felt. You couldn't imagine your life without Harry. If that meant you had to just be his friend, so be it.

Trying to clear your mind, you headed back to wake him. Setting his food on the end table, you went to wake him.

“Harryy,” you sung softly. “Time to wake up!”

He groaned, but didn't budge. “Come on sleepy head! You need to take some more medicine and eat something.”

Groaning once more, he slowly sat up. He looked adorable, with his hair a mess and sleep in his eyes. Giving him the pills, he swallowed them without protest.

“Here,” you handed him the soup. “You need to eat something.” His hesitation caused you to roll your eyes. “Oh come on! I made your favorite, and you know I'm not gonna stop until you finish it.”

Sighing, he took the bowl. He knew it would be pointless to fight a losing battle. “You're going to be the death of me.”

“You're welcome!” You told him smiling. “I honestly don't know what you would do without me!”

He gave you a shy smile. “I don't either,” he muttered. He has spoken so quietly that you weren't sure you had heard him correctly.

Finishing his soup in silence, you decided to turn on a Christmas movie. He sat aside his empty bowl and smirked at you. “Happy now?”

“Almost,” you told him smiling. “How are you feeling?”

“A bit better.” He laid down, once more putting his head in your lap. “Thank you for taking care of me.” He mumbled snuggling into you.

“What are friends for,” you told him sadly.

Sensing your mood shift, he glanced up at you. “What is it?” He asked concerned.

“It's nothing,” you told him faking a smile.

“Even when I'm sick, I can still tell when your lying to me.”

“I'm not lying.” You told him sticking out your tongue.

“I know you didn't just stick your tongue out at me,” he said with a wicked glint in his eyes.

“So what if I did?” You said challenging him.

Slowly he sat up, as he watched you. Without warning, he started to tickle your sides.

“Heyy!” You said protesting trying to fight him off.

“Say you're sorry,” he said laughing.

“Never!” You said between giggles.

He continued in his torment. “I can do this all night,” he warned.

“Fine!” You said giving in. “I give up, but only because you’re sick! I'm sorry!”

He looked at you fondly. “And?” He prompted

“And.. Harry Styles is the most wonderful and sexy man of all time.” You told him automatically.

“And don't you forget it,” he said with a smirk.

He was just inches from your face, causing your breath to catch in your throat. “You're so beautiful,” he whispered.

Rolling your eyes, you looked away. This had not been the first time he had said those words, and your heart wanted so bad to believe him.

“I'm serious!” He said turning your head back so he could look at you. His face grew serious.

“Well thank you, H.” You leaned over and kissed his forehead gently.

His eyes slipped closed, and he gave you a shy smile. “You know I've always been curious about something.”

“What's that?” You whispered. Your heart was pounding out of your chest, and you were sure that he could hear it.

“I've always wondered what it would be like to kiss you.” He confessed.

This took you off guard. He looked sincere, but you knew it was too good to be true. “That must be the fever talking.” You said laughing nervously.

“I'm serious!” He said hurt. “I've always had a thing for you, and I would never be able to forgive myself if I never told you how I felt.”

“Harry.. Please don't.” You begged turning from him. Turning away, you felt tears prick your eyes.

“Y/n,” he whispered, trying to get your attention once more. Giving up, he dropped his hand. “I understand if you don't feel the same.”

The silence lingered only briefly. Taking a deep breathe, you turned back to him. He looked hurt, as he took in the tears running down your face.

“Hey.. please don't cry.” He begged wiping the tears from your cheek.

“Harry,” you said finally, grabbing his hand. You held it to your face, as you closed your eyes. “Harry..” You began again. “I love you.”

“I know,” he whispered, “and I love you.”

“No you don't get it,” you told him shaking your head. You looked into his eyes with new determination. “Harry.. I'm in love with you. I have been since we first became friends all those years ago. I just never knew how to tell you. I didn't want to risk losing you.” You confessed quietly.

You looked away, as you let him digest your words. The silence lingered. Your heart started to break, as you imagined the worst.

“You don't have to say anything,” you whispered. “We can just forget this entire night, if you want.”

The silence was maddening. You finally made yourself look at him. Glancing towards him, you froze. He had the most breathtaking smile gracing his face. You looked at him confused.

“What is..” you began, but you were cut off.

Harry leaned in silencing you with a kiss. His lips were warm against yours, as he kissed you passionately. You melted into him, as you kissed him back with just as much passion. Pulling away, he placed his forehead to yours. Trying to catch your breath, you closed your eyes.

He began to chuckle. “What is it?” You asked amused.

“I've been in love with you ever since the day I first laid eyes on you.” He confessed.

“Wait what??”

“It's true,” he shrugged.

“Then why haven't you ever said anything!” You said incredibility.

“I never thought I deserved someone as amazing as you are.” He said sincerely.

“Harry,” you said with a shake of your head. “You deserve so much more. You deserve the entire universe and so much more.”

Reaching over, you ran your fingers over his cheek. He smiled at you fondly. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his lap kissing you once more.

“Can I officially call you mine now?” He asked hopeful.

“I might be okay with that,” you teased.

“Oh you might?” He said raising his brow. He started tickling your side again. It was hard to put up a fight, when he had you in his lap. “I was kidding!” You yelled.

Putting your hand on either side of his face, you brought your lips to his. “I would love nothing more than to be yours.”

His answering smile was heart warming, as he crushed you into his chest. “Now you really need to be resting, my love. Your still burning up.”

“Still as bossy as ever.” He chuckled.

“That, my dear will never change! Now come!” You told him raising to your feet.

Leading him to your room, you made him lay down. Turning off the lights, you joined him in the soft bed. You cuddled into his chest and relaxed immediately.

“I could definitely get used to this,” he hummed contently, pulling you closer.  

You smiled into his chest, as you drifted off into a peaceful slumber.  

[jawllines]

oKAY LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO PURSUE THIS FIC OKAY

Harry fucked up.

Now was it a tremendous fuck up? No, nothing life altering and terrible would come from it other than hard hitting embarrassment and shame if anyone were to find out he were lying. It was something he could probably weasel his way out of too, since he'd perfected the art of weaseling his way out of things in the past few weeks, but the fucked part is, is that he can't truly weasel the way out of his weasel, if that makes sense. Harry's dug himself into a pit that he's stuck in either way he goes about it -- damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

See, Harry has been going through a period of time this year where he just liked being alone. Just liked staying at his flat and chilling out, after an outrageous Sophomore year in UNI where he had just exhausted himself of partying and balancing his academics on top of that. It seemed like a good idea to just cool down for a while this summer -- to just take a breather, recollect himself and his thoughts, maybe pick up knitting, or finally finish that Bukowski book he'd started midwinter and set down on his nightstand to not be touched since.

Though he had a group of friends who really didn't take that as an excuse to quit partying. It was their vacation after all, they're supposed to be living it up and having a blast while they can -- Harry included -- so if he wanted to get out of something he needed an excuse. A good excuse too, "I'm tired" didn't cut it with them.

So Harry had fabricated a girlfriend. And he knows, god he knows it's dumb, and childish, and he shouldn't be lying about something like this but it was the easiest way out! Ducking out of plans with the ol' "Ah m'sorry Mate, the missus' wan's to visit this Tapas restaurant," or "I would but m'staying in for a cuddle and as much as I love you lot, m'getting head tonight," always worked out smoothest. They never asked much about her, or at least Harry didn't really give them a chance to before he was off the phone. Sure he'd made up bits and pieces here and there that would make it seem like he really won it with this one and had them (especially Niall) thinking he's got the  perfect girlfriend. One who he rarely argues with (unless its playful), is just a freak in the bedroom, likes to pig out with him, smart as hell, gives great back massages, is funny as all get out, and smells sweet too.

Which was good for a while -- it was a safe, clean fib that he was getting away with. Or at least it had been, until he's put in a group chat with the lot of them talking about a cabin they've rented out an hour or two away for a small summer getaway. He gives it his best, he does, tries to wiggle out of it, but they beg and they plead with him.

We haven't seen you in sooooo long

right it's been like a decade !

cuz he's so whipped for his gf he's forgotten about us :(

just bring her too then, ffs, we haven't met her yet, this would be the perfect time to

Yes!! Bring the girl you've been gushing about, been wanting to meet her

u dont even have to pay for the cabin it's all squared away, it'll be so much fun H, u gotta

How was he going to say no to all of that? How could he say no and then explain that he's been lying this whole time, that there is no girl, and he's just been avoiding them all because he's tired? That'd sure start a ton of shit he doesn't want to much deal with.

So he responds without thinking it through to the full extent. Says yes, that they will go, and asks for all the details and times and whatnot, what he should bring and what he shouldn't. They're all stoked, so happy to see him and he can't say that it doesn't feel good that he's wanted -- it's a nice feeling it is, but he's got one aching problem that the love of friends just won't fix.

Harry's got to find a girlfriend that suits everything he's ever said to them in the next four days, or he's going to make a fool out of himself.

                                                                         .                        .                        .

Finding a fake girlfriend was a lot harder than he thought, more so since he'd told the boys that they wouldn't know her. So this requires a lot of digging, a lot of asking one night stands what they're doing in the upcoming week, a lot of asking old friends from Holmes Chapel to fly out so he didn't look like an idiot,  lot of panicked late night drafting, deleting, and redrafting a Craigslist ad. He was willing to offer money too, just for the sake of it and as the final selling point. He was starting to wish he hadn't said much about this fake girlfriend at all, so a fake boyfriend could've been a possibility too, but he hadn't thought that far into the lie.

Harry was just in the midst of realizing how much of a sad, dramatic Disney movie his life was turning into when he gets an alert on his phone. It makes him jump, it vibrating just towards the edge of the counter so he slaps his hand down atop of it to stop it from slipping off the granite. His heart is drumming from the adrenaline of saving his phone when he sees who it's from.

Heyyyy, I was wonderin' if I could have my pen back? I know its been a minute and I said you could have it but turns out that was my fav pen not the copy of my fav pen. I've got your cute flower sticky post-its to return to you too, so we could do a trade off.

Y/N was a girl who sat besides him during his Bio lectures this past semester. Really, she was the only thing that got him through it because he zoned out way too much and she always let him borrow her notes, partnered up with him when they had labs or projects, and always read through the final draft of some of the essays they had to put it (not just for Bio, but for some of his English courses as well). They'd bonded some, but she was one of those friends that really just stayed within the realms of school -- never ventured out of that.

During their exam they had to write a constructive response in pen and Harry hadn't brought one so Y/N let him use hers and in return he gave her his flower sticky notes so they would remember to give each thing back to each other. Neither did, however, and Harry had pretty much forgotten he had it until he came across it the other day. He'd been meaning to text her about it, but he'd left it on his coffee table and sort of just forgot about it again.

Now that Harry thinks about it, he wishes he would've kept in better contact with her. Y/N was a good laugh and nice to chat with -- made the two hour long labs seem like a breeze and the professor just adored her so they always got a damn nice grade. She was pretty amazing too, way fucking smart, and smells really nice -- like vanilla -- and sometimes she would bring in a big homemade bag of these fancy seasoned pretzel sticks that she let him dig into.

Well, now that he really thinks about it, she sounds exactly like the girlfriend he told the others about.

And well, fuck, it was a long shot, but Y/N might just be his best fucking chance at getting out of this scrape free. Y/N's pretty chill with a lot of things, goes with the flow, and is laid back when the time calls for it. Has their old Bio professor thing she was an absolute angel that the heavens bestowed onto this earth, so she was a pretty good actor as well.

He can't imagine this working out in his favor but he isn't just not going to ask. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and he's willing to give her any amount she wants for a week and a half of her time.

So he messages her back for a place and a time and when she offers the coffee shop a few blocks from his house he agrees, takes one more spoonful of the fruity pebbles he'd been cramming down his throat before closing his laptop and setting his phone down atop of it.  The goal right now is hopping in the shower and making himself smell all nice, fresh, and like a "Tropical Thunderstorm" that will hopefully aide in persuading her. All he could hope for right now is for her to agree easily -- hell, he'd even buy her coffee and one of those cute little strawberry hard shell cakes to buy her out.

Blowing a raspberry at the air, he stretches out his limbs towards the sky and the ground, before rolling his arms back. It looks like he's gearing up for a fight but he's just readying himself. This is quest he has to conquer or he's just absolutely, positively fucked.

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"Okay."

What? 

"What?"

Harry had met up with Y/N, bought her a coffee as planned and got them a booth in a comfortable little nook of the coffee shop. They served it in these huge mugs that she was both gushing over and bashing ("This is the most hipster shit I've seen in my life, but s'got such a cute little bunny on the side, I'm in love.), she slid him his sticky notes and he slid her the pen. After a suitable amount of chatter, like how their summer's have been going, and Y/N telling him a very intense story of how she had to help her friend escape from a club so her boyfriend didn't see her (they hiked her up through a bathroom window), Harry tried to bring it up cautiously and carefully. Explaining his dilemma the best he could, from the wanting some personal time to himself to cool down and relax, to the counterfeited girlfriend he'd conjured up, and ending with the fact that now he's expected to go to a cabin with said "girlfriend" to meet his buddies.

So he asked her, trying to keep himself from cringing at his own proposition.

"Would you pretend to be my girlfriend so I don't make a fool out of myself?"

And, well, she just said okay without a second thought at all.

"I said okay," her brows a furrow and a smile tugs at her mouth, "You aren't asking for a kidney, and the amenities include Wi-Fi, running water, and actual bedding as you informed me. Doesn't sound like too bad of a time either."

This went a lot smoother than Harry thought, and he's still blinking at her, wide eyed but  a grin is broadening across his cheeks, "So you'll do it? Really?" Y/N nods, and Harry just about jumps from his seat, stretching across the table to wrap his arms around her in a tight hug, "God you're a life saver! Thought you would tell me to fuck off or something." She returns the hug easily, which is good he thinks -- he hopes this means Y/N's good with being touchy feely, the way she squeezes him to her.

"S'no problem, really, what was I going to do this week anyways? All my friends took a trip to Australia and I refused because of the creatures they have living down there, so I just have loads of TV dramas queued up and candy I shouldn't be eating." She releases him as he settles back down into his seat, "So what kind of girl did you tell them I was -- like how should I act? M'I shy or outgoing, soft and sweet, or loud and brash, please don't tell me you gave them an eye color because I'm shit with contacts."

Harry is just positively giddy, wiggling in his seat as he takes a sip from his latte and tries to recall the nitty gritty details he's told them about her, "You're soft, cute, smart and really funny, so you don't need to work on anything there," he says cheekily and she rolls her eyes, tossing a crumbled up napkin at him, "We eat a lot together and ya give great back massages."

"I eat a lot on my own anyways so this is good." She chimes in and Harry makes a fist in triumph, "I dunno about the back massages, but I can work on my skills, surely. Anything else?"

"This ones the most important," he says, leaning in close, lowering his voice and she leans in as well in response to it, "We are very, very, very in love. We gotta sell this, do you think you can?"

Y/N waves at the air like she's brushing it off.

"Easy as pie."

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Harry is a jittery nervous and excited that he can't really explain. It's like -- he's pumped to see his friends again, he realizes he's missed the dolts after being a shut in for the few weeks he's had been. He's excited for them to meet Y/N, who isn't his real girlfriend but it's nice to finally have her to prove to them he's not lying (well, sort of), because this was sure to quash any doubts. Plus spending time with Y/N outside of Bio wasn't so bad either -- she's proven to be just as much of a good time as she was in there, in the outside world, so he worries none about the two hour trip driving down there nor pretending to be in love.

He's attempting to tidy his house some -- she's coming over tonight with her bags and everything packed so they can leave early-ish in the morning, and they need to go over a few more details before he forgets. They also have to practice being a couple. . .doing coupe-ly things, like cuddles, and hugs, and they can't make it look like it's been the first time they're touching each other or his friends would see through them right away. By tidying though, he's really just shoving things where they fit, stacking papers and cramming them into a book before slipping it beneath his chair, fluffing out his throw blanket and actually lying it on the back of the couch.