#like i said in the tags in my last reblog! a caramel latte is a nice middle ground! does paul know

[rammingthestein]

mr paul landers from berlin was so right when he said that a milk coffee (latte) is too weak and a cappuccino is too strong.

[lightdancingwords]

Crossroads of the Heart - Part Five of ?

Pairings: CJ Braxton x Y/N Female reader

Series Summary: Y/N is a psychology major assigned to shadow CJ at The Stand, unaware he's the one who basically saved her life four years before. CJ is unaware that she's the one who left a notable impact on him over the phone four years ago. As they navigate the work at The Stand, they develop a spark that demands revelation and connection.

Word Count: 3,012

Tags/Warnings: A little bit of fluff(?), some angst, mention of s*icide in the storyline

A/N: Comments, Likes, Reblogs, Kind feedback are always highly appreciated. Please let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! Evidently my muse won't shut up, so here we go! A new story in a new setting! I hope you all enjoy!

Dividers: credit to @saradika-graphics

Chapter Five: Growing Connection

A month into her practicum, Y/N had found her place at The Stand. The once-daunting environment now felt like a second home, thanks to the people she worked with. Gabby had become a close friend, her playful energy and constant encouragement making every shift a little brighter. The two often spent their breaks together, sharing snacks and swapping stories about their lives outside of work.

“Don’t forget, we’re hitting the café after this,” Gabby said one afternoon during their break. “You still owe me coffee for beating me at foosball last week.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled. “You just like an excuse for a caramel latte.”

“Guilty as charged,” Gabby replied, grinning.

Priya, ever the calming presence, had taken on a big-sister role in Y/N’s life. She offered advice on everything from handling difficult calls to navigating the ups and downs of adulthood. During quieter moments at The Stand, Priya would sit with Y/N, sharing anecdotes from her years of experience as a counselor.

“You’re doing great, Y/N,” Priya said one evening after a tough call. “You’ve got this way of making people feel safe. That’s not something you can teach—it’s just part of who you are.”

Y/N blushed at the compliment. “Thanks, Priya. That means a lot coming from you.”

Even Miles, who had initially seemed reserved and sarcastic, had warmed up to Y/N. The two often bantered during shifts, their friendly teasing becoming a highlight of Y/N’s day.

“Don’t you have, like, a million notes in that notebook by now?” Miles asked one day, nodding toward the ever-present item on Y/N’s desk.

“I’m thorough,” Y/N replied, smirking. “Unlike some people who just wing it.”

Miles snorted. “Winging it is an art form. You should try it sometime.”

And then there was CJ.

Over the weeks, CJ had made an effort to get to know Y/N better. Their conversations, once professional and surface-level, had grown deeper and more personal. He asked her about her hobbies, her family, and what had brought her to psychology in the first place.

“So, what’s with the notebook?” he asked one evening as they were tidying up after their shift. “You’re always writing in it.”

Y/N hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of the notebook. “It’s kind of my everything book. I write notes about calls, but I also jot down ideas, lines, random thoughts. It helps me process things.”

CJ nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good habit. I should probably try something like that.”

“You’re welcome to borrow mine,” Y/N teased, holding it out to him. “But good luck making sense of my handwriting.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll stick to my Post-it notes, thanks.”

Their conversations often drifted into personal territory. Y/N had shared bits and pieces of her family history—how her mother’s death had left a void that her father’s remarriage hadn’t filled. CJ listened intently, offering quiet support without pushing her to say more than she wanted to.

One evening, as they wrapped up a long shift, Y/N turned the tables. “What about you? You’re always asking about me, but I don’t know much about your family.”

CJ hesitated, his usual calm demeanor flickering for a moment. “My family’s... complicated,” he admitted. “But they’ve always had my back. Even when I didn’t deserve it.”

Y/N tilted her head, her curiosity evident. “Like when you were younger? You mentioned before that things were rough.”

CJ nodded, his gaze dropping briefly before meeting hers again. “Yeah. I wasn’t the easiest kid to deal with. But they stuck by me, and eventually, I got my act together. I owe them a lot.”

Y/N smiled softly. “They must be proud of you.”

“I hope so,” CJ said, his voice quieter now.

“I’m sure they are,” Y/N said kindly.

CJ enjoyed their growing connection, and it wasn’t easy to ignore the warmth he felt whenever she was around—the way her smile lit up the room or how her kindness seemed to make even the hardest days a little easier.

CJ often found himself catching small glimpses of her during shifts, whether she was handling a tough call or laughing with Gabby over some inside joke. It wasn’t something he could explain, but there was a pull—a quiet connection he couldn’t ignore.

Y/N, for her part, noticed the way CJ’s presence had a grounding effect on her. His steadiness, his quiet humor, and the way he genuinely cared about everyone at The Stand made her feel safe. And yet, there was a part of her that couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more between them—something unspoken, hovering just beneath the surface.

For now, they both stayed within the lines, keeping their growing bond tucked away in shared moments and quiet conversations. But in the back of their minds, the question lingered: How long could they pretend it was just friendship?

The soft hum of activity in The Stand had dimmed during Y/N’s call, the weight of the situation commanding the room's attention. The student on the other end of the line had been struggling with thoughts of suicide, their voice trembling as they described feeling like they had no way out.

Y/N had done everything she could to stay calm, but midway through, she’d glanced at CJ, her eyes filled with a silent plea for help. He’d immediately stepped in, sliding into the seat next to her and taking over the conversation seamlessly. His voice, steady and warm, wrapped around the caller like a lifeline, offering validation, support, and a path forward. Y/N sat beside him, her heart racing as she listened to every word, her fingers clutching her notebook tightly.

When the call finally ended, CJ hung up gently, letting out a quiet breath before turning to Y/N. “You okay?” he asked, his tone low but concerned.

Y/N nodded quickly, her movements stiff. “Yeah, I just—” She stopped, her voice faltering. Her hands trembled slightly as she set her pen down, and her gaze dropped to the desk. “It was just... a lot.”

CJ’s brow furrowed, his attention fixed on her. “Y/N, it’s okay. That was a tough call. You did everything you could.”

She nodded again, but her breathing was shallow, and her eyes looked distant, unfocused. CJ recognized the signs of someone spiraling, their mind pulling them somewhere else entirely.

“Hey,” he said softly, leaning closer but keeping his movements slow. “You’re here, okay? You’re safe.”

Y/N’s lips parted as if to respond, but instead, her chest tightened, and a memory surged forward unbidden.

It was four years ago. Y/N had been sitting alone in her dorm room, the weight of grief and loneliness pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. Her mother’s death had left a void she couldn’t fill, and her father’s remarriage had only deepened her sense of isolation. That night, the darkness had felt insurmountable.

Her hand had trembled as she dialed The Stand, unsure of what she was even looking for. The line had rung once, twice, and then a voice answered.

“The Stand, teen helpline, how can I help you tonight?”

She hadn’t been able to speak at first, her throat tight with unshed tears. But his voice—calm, patient, and kind—had eased some of the tension. Slowly, she’d begun to talk, haltingly at first, but then spilling everything: her mom’s death, her father’s neglect, the suffocating loneliness.

Y/N hesitated. Did she actually dare to speak? Did she dare to try and get help? The silence stretched out, and she wasn’t sure how to begin.

“I—I’m sorry, this was a mistake,” she finally said.

“It's okay,” CJ said. “Let’s take a breath. Why did you call?” The soft tone was comforting.

The memory hit Y/N like a wave, and she gasped, her hand flying to her chest as she tried to steady her breathing. Her surroundings blurred, and for a moment, it was as if she were back in that dorm room, gripping the phone like a lifeline.

“Y/N,” CJ’s voice broke through the fog, gentle but firm. “Look at me.”

She blinked, her vision clearing as her gaze found his. His green eyes were steady, grounding her in the present.

“You’re okay,” CJ said, his voice soft but sure. “Take a deep breath. In through your nose, out through your mouth.”

Y/N obeyed, her breaths shaky at first but gradually evening out. She clutched the edge of the desk, anchoring herself as the room came back into focus.

CJ watched her carefully, his tone even. “Do you want to step outside for a minute? Get some air?”

She nodded wordlessly, and he stood, motioning for her to follow. He led her to the small courtyard outside The Stand, the crisp air brushing against her skin. They stood in silence for a moment before CJ spoke.

“You don’t have to tell me what’s going on,” he said gently. “But if you want to talk, I’m here.”

Y/N hesitated, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared at the ground. “It’s just... the call reminded me of something,” she admitted finally, her voice barely audible. “Something I went through. A long time ago.”

CJ didn’t push, his tone careful. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Whatever it was, it must have been hard.”

“It was,” Y/N said, her voice trembling. “But... I got through it. Someone helped me. Someone at The Stand, actually.”

CJ’s chest tightened, but he kept his expression neutral. “I’m glad you called,” he said softly. “Whoever you spoke to... they must’ve seen how strong you are.”

Y/N let out a shaky breath, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe. I just... I never forgot how much it meant. That someone was there.”

CJ’s gaze lingered on her, a strange sense of familiarity tugging at the back of his mind. He thought of the call that had stayed with him all these years—the girl who had sounded so lost but had fought so hard to hold on. Could it be...?

He didn’t dare ask, not yet. Instead, he offered her a small, reassuring smile. “And now you’re doing the same for others. That’s something to be proud of.”

Y/N looked at him, her eyes glistening but steady. “Thanks, CJ. For being here.”

“Always,” he said, his voice firm but warm.

As they stood together in the quiet courtyard, both of them felt the weight of unspoken truths hanging between them. Neither knew the full story, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. What mattered was the connection—the understanding—and the shared determination to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

The end-of-shift hum filled The Stand as everyone began packing up for the day. The second shift had settled into their rhythm, and the first shift was winding down, chatting quietly as they gathered their things. Y/N sat at her desk, carefully tucking her notebook into her bag when Gabby plopped down in the chair next to her, grinning as usual.

“You and that notebook,” Gabby teased, nudging Y/N lightly. “What’s in there, anyway? The secrets to world peace?”

Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled. “It’s just... my everything book. Notes from calls, lines, random thoughts. Nothing special.”

Gabby’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Random thoughts? Like what? Let me see!”

Y/N hesitated, holding the notebook protectively against her chest. “It’s personal.”

“Come on,” Gabby pleaded, clasping her hands together dramatically. “I’m your friend! I won’t judge. Promise.”

Y/N sighed, glancing around the room as if gauging whether it was safe. Finally, she opened the notebook to a random page and handed it to Gabby. “Fine. But don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Gabby’s grin widened as she flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the neat but expressive handwriting. Her smile softened as she reached a section filled with short, fragmented lines of poetry.

“This is beautiful,” Gabby said, her voice quieter now. “You write poetry?”

“Sometimes,” Y/N admitted, her cheeks flushing. “It’s not really a big deal. Just something I do to clear my head.”

“Not a big deal?” Gabby repeated, looking up at her in disbelief. “Y/N, this is amazing! Why didn’t you tell me you were a poet?”

Y/N shook her head, embarrassed. “Because I’m not. It’s just... bits and pieces. Nothing finished or polished.”

Gabby ignored her protests, flipping through a few more pages before jumping to her feet. “Priya! Come here. You have to see this.”

“Gabby!” Y/N hissed, reaching for the notebook, but Gabby danced out of reach, waving it in the air like a prized possession.

Priya wandered over, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. “What’s going on?”

“Y/N’s a secret poet,” Gabby declared, holding the notebook out to Priya. “Look at this.”

Y/N buried her face in her hands, groaning. “It’s not a big deal, Priya. Please don’t—”

But Priya was already flipping through the pages, her expression softening as she read. “Y/N, this is lovely,” she said after a moment. “You’ve got such a way with words. These are full of emotion and depth.”

Y/N peeked out from behind her hands, her cheeks still pink. “You really think so?”

“I do,” Priya said firmly, closing the notebook and handing it back to her. “You have a gift, Y/N. You should share it more.”

“I don’t know,” Y/N mumbled, tucking the notebook back into her bag. “It’s just something I do for me.”

Gabby crossed her arms, smirking. “Well, now it’s something you do for all of us, because we’re officially your biggest fans.”

Y/N laughed despite herself, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

As the three of them chatted, CJ stood nearby, packing up his bag. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but their conversation had caught his attention. The mention of poetry sent his mind spiraling back to the framed poem on his desk—the one that had stayed with him all these years.

He glanced over at Y/N, who was laughing as Gabby dramatically proclaimed herself Y/N’s future manager. CJ’s chest tightened slightly, his thoughts drifting to the quiet evening he’d spoken to a lost girl over the phone. He wondered, not for the first time, if the poem and the person in front of him were connected.

Shaking the thought away, he slung his bag over his shoulder and approached the group, his tone light. “What’s all the excitement about over here?”

“Y/N’s a poet,” Gabby declared, grinning. “And she’s amazing.”

CJ raised an eyebrow, glancing at Y/N. “A poet, huh? Didn’t see that one coming.”

Y/N waved a hand dismissively, still blushing. “It’s nothing, really.”

Gabby shot her a playful glare. “It’s not nothing! She’s being modest.”

CJ smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on Y/N for a moment longer than necessary. “Well, I’d love to read something someday. If you’re ever willing to share.”

Y/N met his eyes briefly, her expression softening. “Maybe. Someday.”

The weight of her words lingered as the group began to disperse, each heading off for the evening. CJ watched Y/N, the faintest flicker of curiosity and something deeper stirring in his chest. Someday, he thought to himself. Maybe someday.

When Y/N turned and walked toward the exit, CJ’s eyes followed her until she disappeared through the door. Priya smirked, walking over to him with a knowing look. “You’ve been staring,” she said lightly, setting her mug down on his desk.

CJ blinked, startled out of his thoughts. “What? No, I wasn’t.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” Priya said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on, or should I just assume you’ve got a crush on her?”

CJ sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Priya, come on. It’s not like that.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, clearly unconvinced. “Look, I’ve been around long enough to know the signs. You like her, don’t you?”

He hesitated, his gaze dropping to his desk as he fiddled with the strap of his bag. “I don’t know,” he admitted finally. “Maybe. I mean, she’s... incredible. Smart, kind, funny. She just... gets it, you know?”

Priya’s expression softened as she leaned against the desk, her tone gentler now. “So, what’s the problem?”

CJ let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “The problem is, I don’t know if she feels the same. She’s always so focused, so professional. I don’t want to assume anything.”

Priya studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. “CJ, you’re overthinking this. You care about her, and from what I’ve seen, she cares about you too. The way she looks at you, the way she lights up when you’re around—it’s not nothing.”

CJ looked up at her, his expression conflicted. “You really think so?”

“I do,” Priya said firmly. “But you’re never going to know for sure if you keep holding back.”

He sighed again, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to mess this up. She’s... special.”

Priya smiled, her voice warm. “That’s exactly why you should trust your instincts. You’re not the kind of person who rushes into things, CJ. If this feels different, it’s because it is.”

He nodded slowly, her words settling over him like a quiet reassurance. “Thanks, Priya.”

“Anytime,” she said, giving his shoulder a light squeeze. “Just don’t let your uncertainty stop you from seeing where this could go. Life’s too short for that.”

CJ offered her a small smile, the tension in his chest easing slightly. As Priya grabbed her mug and headed for the door, he sat back in his chair, his thoughts lingering on Y/N.

The truth was, he didn’t just like her—he admired her. And that scared him more than he cared to admit. But as he replayed their conversations in his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder: Could Priya be right? Could there be something more between them, waiting to be discovered?

For now, all CJ could do was take it one step at a time—and hope that when the moment came, he’d find the courage to take the leap.

Tag List:

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[writingfortoomanyfandoms]

Black and Blue - Three

Pairing: Detective Loki x Reader

Summary: She saw the world in black and blue

Requested: Nope

Chapter Warnings: Some swearing I think??, mentions of past abuse

A/N: So here’s the third part of BAB! I really like this one so I hope you guys enjoy it as well! Please remember to let me know what you think - reblog, comment, send asks, I love hearing from all of you :) and remember that tag requests are only accepted through my inbox xx

One // Two // Four // Five

Y/N Y/L/N saw the world as pain and waiting.

Somehow the worst part about it was the waiting.

Because at least when the pain came it was happening. She knew how bad it was. 

Whereas with the waiting, she had to calculate every decision she made carefully. She had to anticipate what it would be like. What he would be like. How much the inevitable pain would be.

For the longest time she had loved the colour blue. Even after he had come along she had loved it.

Loved him.

The blue eyes that would beam at her. Sparkle in joy. 

Blue eyes she could get lost in. That could set her free.

Blue eyes like the sky.

She had come to loathe the colour blue. 

For too long it was the only colour she could see. He wouldn’t let her see any other. 

And even when she was permitted to look at his colours there was no sparkle anymore. No birds flying in his blue sky. 

Now there were clouds in his sky.

///

Y/N was less surprised than she had thought she would be upon seeing Loki entering her newly renovated cafe the next day. 

She allowed herself to scan over his face properly, taking in his features. She had come to the conclusion that he didn’t mind her looking at him. Taking him in. He hadn’t commented on it. On her meeting his eyes.

There were bags under his eyes. His hair was unkept compared to it’s usual gelled-back style. 

“Are you okay?” She asked quietly as he reached the front of the queue.

“Long day,” he muttered, pulling out his wallet. 

Y/N knew all about his long day. It had been on the news that morning when she woke up. Alex Parker had been released from jail.

She considered phoning the Dovers or the Birches to check up on how they were doing but she wasn’t sure if it would be appreciated or not.

“Did you sleep last night?” She blurted out despite herself. It was none of her business really, she knew that. But Loki just looked too exhausted.

“I was following leads,” he told her following a brief hesitation. “Coffee?” He asked finally and Y/N nodded.

“Of course.”

“And... and one of those... one of those brownie things?” He added unsurely. An unwarranted shyness in his voice.

“I’m actually sold out of them - but... would come cookies do?” She questioned, biting her lip in worry as she saw the disappointed look on Loki’s face.

“I - uh - are they good?”

“They’re my sisters favourite?” Y/N offered, lips twitching a little at the edges as she watched Loki not his head.

“I guess I can trust her judgement,” he muttered. He passed her over the exact change and Y/N smiled to herself as she took it, waiting until he was down the other end of the counter to make room for the next person in line until she began to prep his order.

Instead of putting his money into the till, she opened up the box where she would put the baked goods and placed it in there instead, grabbing a napkin and writing: I told you it was free before closing the lid immediately and beginning to make his coffee.

“Hey, Detective?” She asked, placing the lid on the take away cup and handing that with the box of cookies over to him.

“Yeah?” 

“You... you’ll find them, right?” Y/N questioned, biting her lip nervously as she waited for his response.

Silence fell thick between them, broken only by the background chatter of her other customers.

“I’m not giving up on them.” 

That was enough for Y/N.

///

Loki had a usual.

He’s come into her bakery-turned-cafe every day while he was working the Dover/Birch case of the missing girls.

He’d order the same thing every day - coffee, black, no sugar, and then something from the cabinet of baked treats that Y/N picked out for him.

She hated to admit that she had begun to bake things especially for him that she thought he would like. She couldn’t believe he had never had baked goods growing up and so it seemed that she was trying to make up for that single handedly.

Y/N looked forwards to his visits into her shop. She looked forwards to the five minutes of conversation that they would share.

The bags around Loki’s eyes got darker every day and his shoulders sagged a little more, carrying the weight of two worlds on his shoulders.

And yet, despite the huge, crippling weight carried on his back Loki always mustered up a smile for her. A tired, overworked smile but a smile nonetheless.

Occasionally he’d even update her on the case, how it was going and how far along it was.

Mostly, though, they just spoke about mundane things. New chairs Y/N had bought, new mugs that Loki liked or new recipe’s she was trying out. Things which had no real relevance to anything.

But they would always - always - pass the money backwards and forwards between them. It was a game at this stage. To find the most creative way to get the other person to accept and keep the money. But they never kept it. They would always hand it back to the other person the next day with a mischievous smile on their face in the knowledge that they’d be getting it back in only a few hours time.

In those five-minute interactions she felt safer than she did the rest of the day.

So she missed him on the day that he didn’t come in.

But that turned to worry when she heard the news and found out that he was in the hospital with Anna.

Y/N closed up a little early that day, filling a box she had set aside for him with almost everything that she had left - brownies, cookies, salted caramel shortbread, cheesecake, angel cake and a cinnamon bun.

She made two drinks in to go cups - two chai lattes. 

Y/N had coerced Loki into trying one one day that he came in late and she refused to serve him caffeine, insisting he needed sleep and Loki had admitted that he liked them.

Though he wouldn’t be caught dead ordering one for himself.

Y/N was nervous as she walked up to the hospital. Her fingers drummed relentlessly on the box as she balanced the two take-away mugs on top of it.

“Name?” The bored receptionist asked, barely looking up at Y/N.

“Y/N? Y/N Y/L/N,” she breathed.

“Who are you here to see? And what’s your relation?”

“Detective Loki? I’m his... his friend.”

That got the receptionist’s attention and she looked up in shock.

“You’re friends with dark and stormy?” She asked, her nose wrinkling just a tad and Y/N bit her lip to prevent herself from giggling. The woman focused on the box in her hand. “What’s in the box?”

“Just some food,” Y/N said.

“From the bakery in town?” Y/N nodded. “I love that place,” the woman admitted with a grin.

“Thank you,” Y/N bit her lip to stop her smile getting too wide and the woman’s eyes widened a little.

“Oh shit! That’s where I recognise you from! I used to come in every day on my way to work before I moved house! Your bakery is the best thing that’s happened to this town this year,” the woman insisted and Y/N smiled shyly down at her feet.

“Thank you,” she said again, biting her lip.

“Sorry - he’s in room 102,” Y/N nodded her head at the woman and began to walk through the way that she had been shown.

Y/N paused outside of Loki’s door. She shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, debating whether or not she ought to go in.

Would he appreciate her coming to visit him?

She took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock on the door.

There was a subdued ‘come in’ from inside and Y/N pushed the door open.

“Hey,” she said, watching Loki’s head snap up to look at her.

“Y/N?” Y/N walked over to the side of his bed and placed the box and chai lattes down on his bedside table.

“Is it okay I’m here?” She asked and Loki swiftly moved into action, shifting to make room for her on his hospital bed as he nodded.

“Yeah! Yeah, of course!” He patted the sheets next to him with a small, unsure smile.

Y/N sat down at the very edge of the bed.

“I just... wanted to make sure you were okay,” she admitted softly.

“I am,” Loki said immediately, clearly seeing the doubt on her face. He reached out hesitantly and took her hand, giving her time and space to pull away if she wanted to. “I promise.”

Y/N squeezed his hand.

“I brought you a chai latte? And some... things I had left over in the bakery that I thought you’d like?”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Loki told her.

“I know - I wanted to.”

“I’ll pay you back,” he promised and Y/N squeezed his hand again, assuring herself that he really was okay.

She hadn’t realised how worried she had really been until right now.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to?” Loki let out a raspy chuckle.

“Thank you.”

///

“Hey,” Y/N sat down on the seat at the table opposite Loki. He looked up from his paper work confused.

“Oh - hi,” a small smile graced his face, softening his features. “Don’t you have to work?” Y/N grinned, gesturing around them.

“You’re the only customer, Loki,” the detective laughed gently as silence fell between them.

“David.”

“Pardon?”

“My name - it’s David,” he smiled at her, his fingers playing with the handle of his mug. “Can you... could you call me that?”

“If that’s what you want,” Y/N agreed, biting her lip.

“Yeah - I really do.”

Silence fell over them again, comfortable and light as opposed to the heavy, awkward ones that Y/N was used to.

Anna had been found just over a week ago, Loki having been released from the hospital the day after he had been admitted, though he hadn’t been allowed to drive immediately from the amount of painkillers he was on and had rung Y/N to ask if she would pick him up.

Y/N had been happy to agree and help him out, shutting the bakery for half an hour as she drove to the hospital. Though she had been reluctant to drive him anywhere other than his home, especially when he said he wanted to go to Mrs Parker’s home.

But Loki had been insistent and Y/N couldn’t help but give in to his pleas.

Loki found Keller. He was still in the hospital a week later and Loki had visited him, unsure of whether the man would want to see him or not but needing to discus the case and what would follow with him.

Since closing the Dover/Birch case for good, Loki had dove straight into his next one and had been spending even more time at Y/N’s cafe, often coming to sit in there rather than take away, reading over his case notes in the corner booth by the window - which had essentially become reserved for him by now. 

“I was wondering something,” Loki finally spoke again, though his eyes were fixed on his mug of coffee.

“Yeah?”

“Would you... maybe... ever, like... I mean... would you...” Loki bit his lip and shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”

“David?” Y/N considered taking his hand across the table but wasn’t sure if he would appreciate the contact. 

He never did.

“Would you... maybe... could I take you out for dinner sometime? I mean you said that - that you hadn’t really eaten out since you moved here and... I just...”

Y/N closed her eyes.

Her mind flooded with images. 

Pictures of blue, blue eyes.

Or black spaces.

And red. Red everywhere.

With the screams.

The fear.

The doubt.

The unknowing.

But - but she had taken refuge in the unknowing recently. She liked the unknowing. 

Loki was the definition of unknowing. So maybe...

“Yeah... yeah, I’d like that.”

[itsalliepg]

The first Valentine’s Day – Part 1 – Zig X Scarlett (MC)

SUMMARY: Zig and Scarlett (MC) are celebrating their first Valentine’s day together! But as it’s Wednesday, he has plans to extend this celebration to the next weekend.

PAIRING: Zig X Scarlett (MC)

RATING: Everyone

WORDS: 2.071

NOTE: Hey! Finally I’m posting the first of eight parts of this series about Zig and Scarlett’s (MC) first Valentine’s Day. I started to write it in February, right after I realized PB wouldn’t do a Valentine’s Day spin off this year :((( so I thought my OTP’s first Valentine’s Day should be written by me LOL I delayed a bit to post because I had an idea that made me write again some parts: this could be the perfect moment for them to say those three little words...

English isn’t my native language. I write to practice and learn, so please sorry any mistakes. I hope you like it, and if you do, I’d appreciate if you like/comment/reblog!

Tagging @flynnomalleys @maxwells-nut @seawhite-seafair @molly7998 @ziggy-o @purpledinosaur4ever @writtenbycandy

Scarlett woke up early on that cold winter morning. It was snowed all night and she glanced to her window to see Hartfeld covered by white. Suddenly, her phone buzzed and she grinned when she saw Zig’s name on the screen.

She opened her wardrobe and quickly dressed up, and then she grabbed her backpack and headed to the coffee shop, where Zig was already waiting for her outside. She ran into him, and when he saw her, his face broke into a wide smile. Scarlett threw her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the floor.

               _Oh, my god, Zig! Can you believe this is our first Valentine’s day together? – she pulled back with a grin and he lowered her before cup her face between his hands to a passionate kiss.

               _The first of many to come – he smiled – so, I have something to you – he turned to a bench where was his backpack, and behind it, he took a cup of latte, with cinnamon and caramel, and a chocolate cupcake – I know these are your favorites – Scarlett smiled sweetly.

               _Thanks, Zig – she grabbed them from his hands with a quick kiss in his lips – I have a gift for you too, but I didn’t even think to bring it now.

               _Hey, this is not my gift, babe – he pointed to her hands – did you really think I’d give you a latte and a cupcake for our first Valentine’s Day? – they giggled – I’ll give you tonight.

               _Oh, yeah? – her eyes were wide – and did you plan something for us tonight?

               _How about a nice dinner at a nice restaurant? I’ll pick you at your home at eight, okay?

               _Great! What should I wear?

               _It’s not a fancy restaurant, if that’s your doubt. You know your boyfriend’s a broke college student – Zig pouted and Scarlett stroked his cheek.

               _And you know that your girlfriend too! She doesn’t need anything expensive, just be with you – they closed the distance to another lingering kiss – and I think I have the perfect outfit in mind.

               _I’m pretty sure you’ll be stunning tonight – he smiled and looked at his phone – although I’d love to stay here with you all the day, my biology class starts in five minutes.

               _My psychology class too. So I think we should be going – hand in hand, they headed to their classes, and parted ways after one more kiss. Thoughts about their date later popped into their heads during all the day.

Later that day, Scarlett was in her room getting ready for dinner with Zig. She wore a dark blue dress, with long sleeves, round skirt, whose hem was just above the knees, black pantyhose and high heels. She picked her purse and the gift over her desk and went into the living room, where Zack, Kaitlyn, Chris and Becca were watching TV and sharing a pizza.

               _Wow, Scarlett! You look incredible! – Zack whistled and Scarlett whirled, with one hand on her waist.

               _Yeah, Zig will be speechless! – Kaitlyn giggled.

               _It looks like he’ll take you to a special place tonight.

               _Well, he didn’t give me too many details, Chris, he just said it isn’t fancy.

               _But with this outfit, you could go to anywhere five-star – Becca smiled.

               _Thanks, Becca. And how about you, Singles Club?

               _I suggested we could go to a bar to flirt, but nobody got excited – Chris sighed.

               _Sorry, Chris, but this moment in my life is about finding out myself, and becoming a better person, so then I’ll be ready to love again – Becca threw her hair back, smirking, and they all cheered, laughing.

               _That’s awesome, Becca! And you, Kaitlyn? Why you don’t call Annisa and invite her to hang out?

               _I don’t want to rush things. We’re getting to know each other slowly and I like it that way.

               _Just like me and Grant…but I’m very glad for you and Zig, and Tyler and Abbie! I talked to him today and things are great between them.

               _Oh, thank God they finally made amends – suddenly, a honk outside warned that Zig had arrived. Scarlett said goodbye to her friends and left the house. Zig was waiting for her, leaning his car, arms folded against his chest to protect himself from the cold. When he saw Scarlett, he smiled and wrapped his arms around her.

               _Didn’t I say you’d be stunning? – she smiled and they kissed – ready for your gift?

               _Sure! But let’s do it in the car? It’s so cold out here! – they got into Zig’s car and Scarlett gazed at him, with his gift in her hands – happy Valentine’s day, Zig – she gave him the gift and Zig opened the package, and found a little box. Inside it, a picture frame with the photo they took in Little Italy. Scarlett smiling at the photo and Zig kissing her cheek. There was also a card, with a message in Scarlett’s handwriting: “Thanks for this date. I’ll never forget this night, so funny and romantic, but mainly special because I was with you”. Zig grinned as he read and turned to hug and kiss Scarlett.

               _I’ll never forget either. And yeah, being together makes anything pretty special. I’ll put this beside my bed, to look at your smile every night before going to sleep and every morning after waking up – he put the photo back in the box, and Scarlett put it in the glove compartment in the car as he turned to get a larger box behind his seat – now it’s your turn, missy – Scarlett opened the gift and found a stuffed owl. On the card, Zig wrote: “The owl is a symbol of wisdom, intelligence and is often linked to writers. I always found it a beautiful meaning. And it has everything to do with you, especially this one that is cute and adorable just like you” – Scarlett chuckled, looking fondly at Zig.

               _That’s so sweet! Horton got a friend! I’ll call him Zig Junior and cuddle with him when you can’t spend the night with me.

               _That’s the idea. But I hope he doesn’t become your favorite cuddle buddy – Zig smirked, taking her face by her chin.

               _Impossible. This title will always be yours – Scarlett closed the distance for a searing kiss. When they pulled back, she noticed a strange look in his eyes – Zig? Are you okay? Is there a problem?

               _Scarlett, I… - he sighed deeply – I…I love you – he looked at her eyes, smiling shyly.

               _Zig… - she grinned widely.

               _Maybe you think I took too long to say it, but this kind of feeling is new for me. What I feel for you…it’s much stronger than I’ve ever felt for anyone before. You saw me beyond my appearance and my rough manners, you made me want to be different, you made me feel special and able to do anything I wanted. All that things I said to you, I was trying to express it. And today, I thought could be a perfect moment to say it: I love you, Scarlett.

               _Oh, my angel… - she stroked his cheek – you didn’t take too long, you said just in time. And you also changed my life. With you I feel really extraordinary, strong and beautiful. You always remind me of the good things about me, and I feel safe and confident with you. I’ve never felt like this before either. I love you too, Zig, I love you so much – he also grinned before another lingering kiss – it couldn’t be a perfect Valentine’s Day without these three little words, right? – they smiled again.

               _Yeah, you’re right – he rested his forehead on hers – I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

               _And I’m the luckiest girl in the world – they kissed again – so, let’s have dinner? I’m hungry!

               _Sure, let’s go – Zig started the car and they headed for the downtown. He parked the car beside an Asian-themed restaurant, and got out of the car to open the door for Scarlett – please, lady – he reached out to her, and she caught it, beaming.

               _Thanks, sir – holding hands, they headed to the restaurant’s door, but Scarlett saw another restaurant across the street that made her chortle.

               _What’s so funny? – Zig asked, confused.

               _Nothing, just…I’ll tell you inside, let’s go in – at the door, the maître nodded at them and led them to a table near a big, gorgeous picture of a lotus flower. The maître moved away to call a waiter, and Zig pulled the chair to Scarlett. She giggled.

               _I'll get used to it this way.

               _Hey, tonight’s a special night, you deserve, my princess – he winked while sat on his chair, and a waiter arrived with the menus and left after taking orders. Scarlett took one of Zig’s hands on the table.

               _So, who indicated this place to you?

               _One of the guys of football. He’s a Thai food fan and I’ve been waiting for a perfect opportunity to come here with you – he squeezed her hand.

               _I’m happy to try new things with you – she smiled – but now I’ll tell you why I was laughing when we arrived. There’s a restaurant across the street where I went last year with James when I met his parents. Do you remember that fiancée fiasco we mentioned during our summer road trip?

               _Yeah, and you guys never told me the rest of the story! – Zig leaned back, crossing his arms, laughing.

               _Now you’ll know. His parents were really hard at that time, they expected to see James as a business major and…engaged. So, he asked me to pretend to be his fiancée during a dinner with his parents. We created a story about our first meet, and we had to take all the possible care to keep our roles – Scarlett looked at Zig, an indecipherable expression in his face, before he burst out laughing.

               _Oh boy, and how they discovered it all was a big lie?

               _Well, after using all our theatrical skills, James decided to face them and told he wanted to be a writer and I was just a friend…at first they argued with him about his decision, but they accepted when they saw how talented and passionate he is.

               _Wow, this was such a story – he laughed, shaking his head negatively – but you won their sympathy forever, as I saw when we went to their summer house.

               _Yeah, they know I was just trying to help James.

               _So…that day in Little Italy wasn’t the first time you had a role-play dinner? – Zig smirked and Scarlett giggled.

               _Apparently not. That’s why I was great that day – she rested her chin on the back of her hand, winking to him. Zig took her other hand and kissed it.

               _We should do this again, it was fun.

               _Yeah, not today, because we’ve already talked to the waiter, but soon.

               _Yeah, very soon – he looked into her eyes, grinning. She arched an eyebrow.

               _Zig? What do you mean?

               _I have another surprise for you, Scar. But it’s a gift for both of us – he took both of her hands – I know you’re working hard to save the house, and I’m working hard on the dance team and on improving my social skills, so I think we deserve a break. I made a reservation for us at a guesthouse at a small city in the hills. It’s one of those with cottages, you know? I researched a lot about the place, it's pretty and we won’t spend much. We go on Saturday morning very early and we’ll be back on Sunday night. What do you think? – Scarlett’s face lit up.

               _Zig, it’s perfect! A break is all we need…

               _Exactly. And since this Valentine’s Day is our first and we couldn’t stay together all day, we’ll have the whole weekend for just of us.

               _Sounds amazing – it was Scarlett’s turn to kiss Zig’s hands – you’re the best boyfriend in the world, Zig.

               _I just wanted our first Valentine’s Day to be special – he smiled.

               _And you did it, my angel – Scarlett winked and the waiter arrived with their orders. During the dinner they continued to talk about the trip over the weekend.

Thanks for reading!

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[mindkaleidoscope]

50 questions you’ve never been asked before

I was tagged by @talkfastromance4 to answer these. thank you for tagging me hailey xx 

1. what is the colour of your hair brush? black

2. name of a food you never eat? beans and any lentils- hate the texture

3. are you typically too warm or too cold? too cold

4. what were you doing 45 minutes ago? washing my hair

5. what’s your favourite candy bar? snickers

6. have you ever been to a professional sports event? yes my friend took me to watch the women’s netball finals

7. what is the last thing you said out loud? i read the question out loud

8. what is your favorite ice cream? chocolate and any chocolate adjacent- i love ben and jerry’s phish food

9. what is the last thing you had to drink? water

10. do you like your wallet? yeah its just a small cardholder thats like a vintage purple, with embossed flowers on it 

11. what was the last thing you ate? muesli with vanilla yoghurt

12. did you buy any new clothes last week? yes bought some merch

13. last sporting event you watched? idk if this counts but i rewatched the ice skating from the 2018 winter olympics last ngith

14. what’s your favourite flavour of popcorn? caramel

15. who was the last person you sent a message to? my co worker

16. ever go camping? yes, but not by choice

17. do you take vitamins? when i can remember to

18. do you go to church every sunday? nah

19. do you have a tan? nope

20. do you prefer chinese food or pizza? chinese food but it depends

21. do you drink soda with a straw? yes i have a little foldable pink straw

22. what colour socks do you wear? usually patterns, not really solid colours 

23. do you ever drive above the speed limit? lmao im not the best driver so i tend to go below the speed limit bc im so worried im doing something wrong 

24. what terrifies you? i could go deep but honestly monitor lizards/komodo dragons. i cant even watch videos of them. i dont really like any reptiles or amphibians tbh 

25. look to your left, what do you see? my kitchen

26. what chore do you hate? not really a fan of any of them ig 

27. what do you think of when you hear an australian accent? im australian so i dont think too much of it lmao 

28. what’s your favourite soda?  ginger beer? if that counts

29. do you go into fast food places or drive thru? usually walk in

30. who was the last person you talked to? my mom

31. favourite cut of beef? rump

32. last song you listened to? wildflower by 5sos

33. last book you read? cannot remember lmao 

34. can you say the alphabet backwards?  havent tried, cant be bothered

35. how do you like your coffee?  i dont really drink coffee/like the taste so i guess in latte form with heaps of sugar and flavoring like vanilla or hazelnut or chocolate 

36. favourite pair of shoes? my docs, i would die for them 

37. the time you normally go to bed? midnight 

38. the time you normally wake up? pretty much always at 7:30 bc of work 

39. what do you prefer, sunrise or sunset? sunset

40. how many blankets are on your bed?  just my duvet and one other blanket when its winter bc i usually have a hot water bottle if im cold

41. describe your kitchen plates? theyre just dark blue ikea plates

42. do you have a favourite alcoholic beverage? not a huge fan of the taste of alcohol plus im allergic to most of it so i stick to vodka orange or vodka sunrise 

43. do you play cards? no but i play solitaire on my phone

44. what colour is your car? dont have one

45. can you change a tire? nah

46. your favourite province? what does this mean lmao

47. favourite job you’ve had? i mean i guess my last one, working at a toy store but thats bc i loved my co workers and am still friends with them 

48. how did you get your biggest scar? i knelt on some glass

49. favourite day of the week? saturday

50. what did you do today that made someone happy? um i guess i reblogged some fics so hopefully that made some people happy?