#like oh whats the clock? oh its 21:30

[franksintrayaoi]

-OOOH YOU WILL READ THIS FIC OOOH-

Clementine had been staying at the Atomic Wrangler for the past few days,she had known she was coming soon and she wanted to stay with Francine since afterall,it was her biological baby. Francine had been pampering her,playing with her hair and giving her pretty much anything to get this kid out of her. Clem had been about 2 weeks past her due date. Francine had given her raspberry tea,spicy food and even doing the deed at the recommendation of Julie.

"Well you're up awfully early Clem." Francine said her hair in a messy bun,her eyes were still half asleep and so was her body.

"Well they're kinda like a alarm clock,wakes me up every morning at 5 am sharp and j can never go back to bed."

Clementine tried to stand up but it was damn near impossible. She fell right back in the chair and just stayed there. Her back had been aching and her hips barely functioned without help.

"You need to get rest Clem,you shouldn't be walking around like this so close to the date you might hurt yourself."

"I know Fran,it's just im so bored,there's not much I can do right now beside sleep."

"Well how about me and you have a little date night?I'll help you to vault 21 and we'll have some dinner,hows that sound?"

Clem thought for a moment before agreeing, she needed some time out of the Wrangler. Without Francine helping cleaning it,it reaked of booze and jet.

"Can you get Gabe there with us?I miss him so much." She was practically tearing up,she'd been so hormonal lately and she sought a lot of comfort in Gabe. Despite that it only had been two weeks and Gabe came every day for hours to come and help her.

"Of course,let's just use the one way radio to get him here. Lets get you in a pretty dress for tonight ok?." She brushed her hand on her cheek.

Francine helped try to stand Clem up and help her get dressed. She rubbed her lower back and whimpered. "I think- No,no, I don't just think,my water just broke."

Oh shit. Francine thought for a moment if she was even really prepared to deliver a baby by herself. 1, 2, 3,she counted down in her head before effortlessly picking up the smaller woman. Picking her up really made her realize how small she was and how big she is.

Clementine yelped in pain,it hurt.more than the time she had gotten shot with a bullet covered in rattlesnake venom. And that was saying a lot because Jesus christ she felt like she was dying.

"Lets get you to the bed,I think we need to get you ready." She rubbed Clems stomach and gently carried her to their room. Clem buried her face into Francines shoulder and tried her best to get comfortable on the bed. She couldn't rest though,she dug her nails into the bed sheet and heaved heavy breaths.

Clem whimpered and her eyes were full of heavy tears. Despite going through this before she had always forgotten how bad it could hurt.

"Hey,hey its ok,I won't let anything bad happen to you. If you feel like you're in danger I'll take you to Julie so she can help,take a deep breath."

She rubbed tears off of her face and quietly said. "Mahal na Mahal kita."

Clem had no clue what she had said but it ment a lot to her.

"Do you want to get comfortable?like I can undress you so I can check there every 30 min or so"

Her voice sounded weaker and in pain,she had been wearing a dress. Pants were way too hard to fit in now,she knew she'd just outgrow them anyhow.

Francine began to undress her,she practically looked like beach ball,she was absolutely adorable though.

"Ok so give me a moment to read what I'm supposed to do......" She flipped through the pages of the book,landing on a page about how to check dilation. "Ok I know you probably will feel a little pain but it says I need to check how far you are."

Clem groaned and let her do it,she was around 4 cm,which was good but not far along enough to push. Francine laid down next to Clem and patted her head with a damp rag,it was cold,yet refreshed her and helped her relax some more.

A long 4 hours dragged on,hardly any progress and Clem was absolutely miserable from being in so much pain.

"Would you like me to run you a warm bath?maybe it'll help with the pain"

Clem nodded and rested her hand on a stuffed bear,as embarrassing as it was, it brought her a lot of comfort. It was old and filled with patches,but she loved it.

Francine stood up and walked her way into the bathroom,it wasn't originally attached to the building but had been built there by her and James's father. She turned the old knob and warm water trickled out of it.

Francine began to help her up until James bursted in. "FRAN CHECK OUT HOW MUCH- ooooh..ok. Sorry for interrupting your fun time." He slammed the door and ran off. All James had seen with his half a brain cell was a naked woman being picked up by Francine.

Francine gently put her in the tub and helped massage her hips and lower back,that's where it hurt the most. Francine had checked her dilation again,before she had run the bath a few hours had passed and now she was 9 cm dilated. As more time passed it only became more unbearable, until Francine injected her with med-x. A wave of calm and numbness in her lower area washed over her. She began to calm down before she kissed Francine on the lips.

"I think I'm ready to push now,but I'm scared. But I know even if I don't my body will just do it for me anyways." She was crying,she had a whole mix of emotions going through her body, she was happy,scared and nervous.

"Is it normal for you to bleed or should I immediately get Julie? Man I don't know I haven't ever done this stuff before.."

"S'normal,happened last time and it'll happen again" She gritted her teeth and Francine wiper some sweat off her forehead.

Clem felt like nothing was happening,like they were stuck and she wasn't going to be able to do this. "Look uh I think they breeched Clem? I need to rotate them head down."

Clem knew what that ment. She knew it ment Francine would have to cause her a lot of pain all so she doesn't have to have a emergency c-section.

"I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to say in this situation but I know you can do this,you're super strong. Hell ive seen you carry around Gabe princess style. Im to saying this will be a cake walk but isn't it easier the 2nd time around?"

Clem leaned back on the headboard of the bed and Francine prepared to turn them. She held both sides of Clementines stomach and told her to count down to ten. But she waited 3 seconds and turned them. Clementine screamed and swore like a sailor. To be completely honest she was hoping to be caught off guard so the pain would shock her so much she'd release more adrenaline.

"Do you think you can push like this now Clem?" Francine cupped both of Clems hands and looked her in the eyes.

Clem felt confident now,she had known something was wrong when there was no movement. It wasn't like Gizmo or Espie at all.

Clem gripped Francines shoulders and gave it a few more pushes. It didn't take much now that she felt stronger and more confident in her ability to do this. Francine caught the baby, she was tiny and had the cutest ears ever. Francine used a dry towel on her sternum and rubbed it up and down before she let out a wet cough and started crying.

Francine put her on Clems chest just stared for a moment,it'd really only just hit her that she had a kid now and it was only because she was right in front of her,before it all felt like play.

Clem sobbed and held Francines hand and put it on the baby.

The little thing continued to wail but was calming down,it was a whole new place out here and she was brand new here.

"She looks so much like you Fran"

She had brown skin and it was unclear what color her eyes were. She had small tufts of brown curly hair. She was a chunky little thing too,for something so small she was a chubby little thing.

"Do you want to do the honors?"

"What hono-oooh..I almost forgot,it's just this is really so special to me." She tied off her cord and scooted her way right back up toward her. Her nose scrunched as she wriggled around on Clem.

"Can I please hold her?" She didn't have to ask to hold her own baby but she did. Clem gently lifted her up and her legs scrunched up,she was absolutely precious looking. And then here comes James again with his half a brain cell. He'd finally realized they were weren't just having a incredibly romantic day.

He walked over and looked at her. "Oh man Fifi congrats....I really didn't know that's what was happening I would have closed down the casino if I knew." He gave her a awkward side hug,it was the best he could do at the time.

"I'll let you 3 have some time alone,mind if Bandit stops by?"

Clem already knew the second Bandit would come in it'd be crying and him blabbering about how cute she is,he just had dad spelled all over his personality. "Not at all,I welcome it honestly"

James called for Bandit and he practically darted faster than a professional track star. "OH MY GOODNESS OH MY GOODNESS OH MY GOODNESS" You could already see he was already crying about it. He sniffled and asked "what's her name?she looks like a little baby doll those kids would get pre war"

Clem looked at Francine because neither of them had even picked something out yet.

"Well I was thinking Eeya but I didn't know if Clem would like it.."

Clem looked at her and said in a sweet and content voice "..I think that'd be a perfect name for this little thing"

Bandit hadn't ever seen his sister-in-law like this before,she was incredibly stoic but here she was crying about being a mom.

Francine with a hoarse and sniffling voice spoke "Habang may buhay, may pag-asa....." No one could understand her but it didn't matter to her. She was too happy with what she had done even if it was a accident at first. It was the best accident to ever happen.

[niobe-loreley]

Heaven Is In A Shortcake {vi}

have another chapter/appetizer~

disclaimer: The Gray Man and the characters are NOT MINE, even the reader. I only own the plot and the reader's character lol. pictures are NOT MINE, only the edited version of it for the fic (msg me if you're the owner), credits to the rightful owners and to weheartit + canva. additionally, i am not a subic/zambales native so my apologies for any wrong, locations, or languages.

Six x F!Reader / Courtland Gentry x Fem!Reader

warnings: moderate swear words. some filipino words. slow burn. fluff. comedy if you use a magnifying glass. trust issues. culture shock. check word count.

CHAPTER SELECTION in the ✨Masterlist✨ Chapter 5 - c'mon vamonos, find me in the masterlist Chapter 6 - this is it [next chapter link will be posted below for suspense & convenience hehe]

word count: 2.9k (N/N) = nickname *Kiara = Claire *Kurt = Court *cover names | reader doesn't know (except you do know #wreck the 4th wall)

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It’s been a week since Claire furtively gave you a two-way portable radio. And because she had too much fun talking with you (verbatim), Claire has revised the schedule of your secret conversations.

[Mondays + Tuesdays] 15:00-15:30

[Wednesdays] 13:30-14:00

[Thursdays] 21:30-22:00

[Saturdays] 23:30-00:00

Claire has omitted the Friday schedule since that’s when they have dinner at the cafe. Except yesterday, which is Friday, the father-daughter duo didn’t arrive. You practically broke the rules and tried contacting Claire as soon as you got home from work, but to no avail. The girl was radio silent since Thursday, it made you quite worried— and you still are.

You glimpse down at your wristwatch, 21:58. Laughter erupts from the group of friends as they simultaneously rise from their booth, you instinctively regard them and then glance at the Betty Boop cat clock on the wall near the windows, still 21:58. The cat's permanent sneer appears to be mocking you, and you can hear it verbalizing its ridicule with every sideways tick of its eyes and tail—

Tick— why —tock— so —tick— wor —tock— ried?

Tick— you're —tock— just —tick— an —tock— acquaintance.

One of the customers catches your gaze just before you ignite the laser beam to destroy the feline clock. "Thank you!" she says, waving.

You stammer. "Oh, thank you! Come again!"

The rest of the group give their gratitude in scattered replies. You keep the toothy grin even as they exit out of the cafe, disappearing from view. 'They're probably the last customer this Saturday,' you sigh and immediately lift the corners of your mouth up. 'So what, right?'

You decide that by 22:15, if they aren't any customers yet, you'll close up shop. You grab a tray from its station, stride to the last customers' booth, and start cleaning up. Muro is in the kitchen with Mindy, he’s been there after the two of you served the customers’ order. You grimace bitterly and decide to intervene in the couple’s alone time. Opening your mouth, you’re about to holler for them, but something moves in your peripheral vision.

You turn, expecting the bells to chime as a customer enters, you’re startled to see icy blue orbs piercing into your eyes. “Kurt?” you hesitantly wave a hand up.

Court glances away for a full three second, scrutinizing something at the parking lot, he then sidles in. If it weren’t for the bells, you wouldn’t have heard him, because the way he enters is very discreet: no extra movements, light steps, and guarded posture. He’s like a ghost.

“Good evening,” you smile, eyes flickering behind him. “Where’s Kiara?”

“In the car, sleeping,” he replies quickly and stands beside the door, glancing out the windows, he adjusts the cap on his head. You notice it’s navy blue with gold outlines instead of the usual black or gray.

You carefully approach him. “So.. it’ll be take-out, huh?”

“Yeah, here’s our order.” he hands you a piece of paper, along with 500 pesos.

“Alright, this will take about fifteen minutes or so.”

“That’s fine.”

“I’ll have Muro help me in delivering it to your car.

“No!”

You recoil, astonished that his voice can raise two octaves higher, and glance over to the kitchen doors. But your co-workers don’t seem to have heard Court. “Okay..?” you watch him swearing under his breath as he lowers his gaze, “I’ll just wave at you from here?”

He nods. “You can tell me through the radio if it’s done.” and lifts his eyes to look at you, and you spot remnants of remorse.

You furrow your brows. “Radio?”

“The walkie-talkie that Cl— Kiara gave you,” he pauses, “I found out about it.”

“Oh..” you blink, "Did you ground her? Is that why you two weren't here yesterday?"

"Yes and no. I only grounded her for two days, and then we went on a 3-day trip."

"Really? But when did you find out?"

"Monday morning."

'Oh.. Kiara found a way to get another radio, for sure.'

With the way Court is sighing after he sees the look on your face, you're sure that he knows what you're thinking, which means that it's true— and he did nothing to stop his daughter.

"A three-day trip, huh?" you say, grinning.

"Yeah, nothing special. Just a gesture for reprimanding her," he replies and shortly gives a polite smile.

You want to ask about their trip, but with the way Court is avoiding your gaze, you know he doesn't want to indulge you. 

"That's sweet of you," you chuckle, glancing at the paper containing their orders. "I'll go ahead and cash this in now."

"Yeah, yeah.. find me on channel 15, privacy code 11. Make sure no one sees you using it, are we clear?"

"Crystal!"

As you swivel around to march towards the cashier like those toy soldiers from Toy Story, you swear that you heard Court breathing a laugh. But you stop yourself from looking over your shoulder. Maybe it was just the wind— even though the door is shut.

You hear him exit the cafe as you reach the cash register. After typing in the orders, you head into the kitchen to give the paper to Mindy. She’s about to ask where the father-daughter duo is, but you’re already out the swinging doors. You then type in the payment, and when the device automatically calculates the change, you press ‘ENTER’.

The receipt noisily effuses out while you prepare everything needed for the drinks: two iced strawberry green tea with chia seeds. You decide to make them once Mindy announces there’s ten minutes left before the food is ready.

“Uy?— Hoy!” Muro shouts when you’re about to pass by him in between the swinging kitchen doors, “Sa’n ka pupunta? Saka asan yung mag-ama?”

Where are you going? And where’s the father and daughter?

“Nag-hihintay sila sa labas. Huwag mo muna gawin yung drinks, matutunaw agad yung yelo!”

They’re waiting outside. Don’t make the drinks yet, the ice will immediately melt!

You weave through the kitchen, arriving in the staffroom in no time. You can practically go in and out of the cafe blindfolded. The locker door creaks when you swing it open, the keys attached to the padlock swings with a silly jingle. Rummaging through your bag, you pluck out the portable radio from the case you’ve hidden it in.

Once your locker is secured, you hastily proceed into the bathroom and lock yourself in. You power the transceiver on, switch to channel 15, and insert the privacy code. “Hello? Kurt, do you read me? Over,” you say to the device in a hushed tone and put your finger off the button.

There’s a slight crackle, signaling of a nearby transmission coming through.

“Why is a raven like a writing desk? Over.”

You blink. “Because it can produce a few notes.. though they are very flat,” and pause to chuckle, “and it is never put with the wrong end in front… Over.”

“So, you’re a Lewis Caroll fan, huh? Over.”

“Not really. I actually hated Alice in Wonderland when I was a kid. Over.”

“Seriously?— Over.”

“Uh-huh! I hated getting lost, which annoyed me ‘cuz I had no sense of direction at a young age. And it frustrated me when Alice kept going deeper into Wonderland. Over.”

Court chuckles. “Well, that is what the story is about. Alice is venturing through an unknown world like a child progressing into teenagehood. Over.”

“I know.” you reply matter-of-factly, gazing down at your Chucks, you snort. “I can relate to Alice on a molecular level.. except the blonde hair, blue eyes, and complexion. Over.”

“What about the accent?— Over.” Court prompts.

“I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, because I’m not myself, you see. Over.”

“I think I haven’t watched the animated movie in a while, because I think you sound just like Alice.” he snickers, “Over.”

“Well, then, I’ll take that as a compliment. Over.” you say, still with the British accent.

A moment of comfortable silence shrinks the distance between you two. You feel as though Court is right beside you, but when you turn, only your reflection in the mirror is with you. Clearing your throat, you push yourself off the wall, which you just realized that you were leaning against. 

“Hey, Kurt, I should go. I’ll keep the radio in my pocket, but it’ll be turned off. Over.” you say into the transceiver.

“Alright.. I’ll keep mine on, over,” he replies.

“Copy that. Over and out.”

You slip the walkie-talkie in the pocket of your shorts after powering it off. When you exit the bathroom, something flurries around your chest as though a swarm of butterflies have escaped your ribcage. Get it?— Joking aside, you shortly pat your chest in confusion and wonder about the funky feeling proliferating throughout it. 

You soon forget about the internal flutterings as you help Mindy with the meals. Before you and Muro whip up the drinks, you shortly excuse yourself to the bathroom and inform Court that their orders will be ready in ten minutes.

"Why are you getting that?" Muro loudly asks as he powers up the blender, mixing the green tea with ice.

After you put little strawberry slices in the bottom of the cups and spread whipped cream around the sides, you extract the strawberry shortcake from the display cabinet. "I wanna take one of the last slices of my cake!" you reply in the same volume, packaging a slice into one box while the remaining two in another.

Muro stops the blender. "What about the two last slices?"

"..." you murmur.

"What?"

"...for.."

"Anong sinasabi mo?" What are you saying?

"Basta…"

"Sabihin mo na kase!" he shouts.

Just say it!

You explode. "It's not for me, okay!? Bakit ba nangingialam ka?!" Why are you bothering me?!

Muro's face goes from shocked to teasing in 0.3 seconds. You ignore him completely as the two of you finish up the drinks, all the while the increased temperature of your face doesn't let up.

"Want me to help or do you wanna deliver it by yourself?" says Muro, grinning wolfishly.

You retaliate by making faces and mouthing incomprehensibly. Taking the cup carrier that holds the flavorful iced teas, the straws are taped on the side of each of the drinks, you grab the large paper bag and whisk away.

Muro jogs past you, chuckling all the way to the door, which he opens for you. As a thank you, you heavily step on his foot on the way out. You grin at the symphony of curses floating behind you.

Court climbs out of the gray SUV, and you quicken your gait, albeit carefully. "I told you to call me when it's ready, so I can pick it up myself." he says when you're two feet away.

"Sorry, but that's bad service for us." you sheepishly grin, handing him the cup carrier.

You nearly recoil. When his fingers brush yours, there's a momentary jolt through your arms as though you’ve touched an electric fence— which you have once.. twice.

Court quickly scans your face, taking the paper bag next, and you flush furiously, imagining ramming your head down through the sandy ground. Even though you only nearly recoiled from the brief contact of his skin, you believe it wasn’t obvious. 

‘Not to him, I guess..’ you mentally grumble.

“The change and receipt is in there,” you gesture at the paper bag, “I also put two slices of strawberry shortcake— on the house. I didn’t know what other flavors you two like.”

“Thanks.. but you didn’t have to,” he says with that typical, tight-lipped, polite smile.

You shrug. “After a sudden trip like that, I figured you two could use a taste of home.”

What?

Your ego is practically screeching at a corner, while your superego is shaking your id back and forth by the neck.

“Not that my strawberry shortcake tastes like home to you and Kiara,” you sputter, like you’re being framed for murder, but instead of blanching, your face brightens with scarlet. “It’s just that you two live here, or near here anyway— and I assumed the 3-day trip wasn’t in the vicinity of Zambales. But if you two went to Baguio, then the strawberry shortcake is just redundant—”

“(Y/N)!” Court cuts you off, laughing. “It’s okay. But to ease your anxiety, no, we didn’t go to Baguio. And once again, thank you.. you’re quite thoughtful. Which makes you sweeter than your strawberry shortcake.”

Whatdidhesay?!

You look away from Court’s calm face, coughing noisily, and you try not to pound your throat with a fist to knock your heart down back to where it should be.

But what you don’t know is that Court’s ego is digging his grave, while his superego is aiming a nuclear missile at his id, who’s tied up to the wall.

“T-The cup carrier and takeout containers are reusable. You can put your names on them if you wanna use them for future takeouts,” you say once you have the courage to turn back to him.

“That’s neat.” he glances down at the cup carrier.

“Yeah.. but we do advise to leave the takeout containers in Joy-infested waters for 5 hours. Or any dishwashing liquids or soaps. We can clean it again, too, on your next takeout.”

“Duly noted with much appreciation,” Court nods, like a cowboy tipping his hat.

You scratch behind your ear. “The food will be warm for up to 20 minutes. But if you’re going to have it for later, I suggest you leave it out open until it’s not even lukewarm before you refrigerate it.”

“Yeah, alright,” he glances at the SUV. “I’ll do that if Kiara isn’t hungry when we get home.”

“Okay.. oh! And I’m sorry for not telling you about the walkie-talkie.”

“It’s fine.”

“If you want it back, I have it here in my—”

“Just give it back next week. Maybe then, you can stop entertaining my daughter.”

You flinch at the chilling blast from his tone. It was rather abrupt, freezing you like Frozone’s swift, icy assaults. You manage to recover soon, the volcano of your short-temper bubbling, but you put a lid on it.

“Okay.. safe driving. Buh-bye.”

“Bye..”

You stride away, quite rigidly. And as you try to relax, Claire’s face when interacting with you swims up your eyes. The moments you have with her are genuine and precious, whether face-to-face or through radio waves, the budding relationship between you two is certainly not for either of your amusement.

That’s why putting a lid on a volcano is inadvisable. Because the magma will find its way to another opening , or even create numerous exhausts.

You find yourself staring at your reflection on the black-tinted windows of their SUV. The glass lowers, along with your mortified reflection, and you frown at Court with determination.

“What is it?” he asks, still looking straight ahead.

You quietly breathe in and out. “You may not know me well, Kurt, but I don’t make promises that I don’t want to keep.”

He looks at you now. “Shouldn’t it be ‘can’t keep’?” he quips with a scornful smirk.

“Well, if I say that and something happens that will inevitably make me not keep my promise.. then I would’ve dishonored myself and hurted the person I made a promise to.”

“That’s a first.” he remarks mirthlessly.

“You know what they say, there’s a first time for everything.” 

“So, what is it that you really want to say?”

You set your jaw tight. “I want you to know that I do want to exchange gifts with Kiara on Christmas.” you pause for a second, “You don’t have to tell me why you two look like you’re on a secret mission to chase after the Road Runner, only God knows why. But… If either of you find yourselves wanting someone to talk to, or you miss the food in the cafe.. leave me breadcrumbs and—”

“You’ll find us?”

“If you want me to find you.. then, yeah.”

“What makes you think we’re hiding?”

You snort. “You literally just said so.”

Court tightens his jaw, and even in the dim blackness of the car, you see the corner of his mouth twisting down. You realize the stubble adorning his jaw has thickened, he probably hasn’t shaved since last week. You dare a glance at Claire in the reclined passenger seat, she’s all cuddled up with a pillow between her and the door. 

The hum of the engine continues to fight against the tension in the air. A battle of vibration and reinforced stillness. You keep the anxiety in your teeth as you patiently wait for Court to speak. He's glaring at the windshield, probably imagining it's you, and briefly clenches the wheel before he expels out a sigh.

As if on cue, a cold gust drifts past you, making the bottom of your apron flap lightly. You’re glad that you have your hair in a dutch-braid, only a few short strands wave into your face as Court turns to look straight at you.

“I’m telling you this for your own good, (Y/N).” says Court, eyes as cold as its color and somehow colder than the sea breeze. “We’re not chasing after the Road Runner… Kiara and I are the Road Runner. So don’t go making promises you can’t keep.”

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A/N: gosh, see that tension? it's so visible it slaps!

To proceed to Chapter 7, wait for the click this to enter the portal to open

✨TAGLIST✨

@kat-thepoet @queenofhellhasrisen

[chaeryybomb]

BRUTAL

pairings: female reader x best friend!jungwon

summary: they told you that these were the golden years, but to you "golden" was a rusting metal spray painted yellow. the story of a seventeen year old trying to survive high school when all you do is try your best. but your best friend jungwon makes it worth the while. 

genre: high school au, friends to lovers, fluff, tiny bits of angst if you squint, attempt at humour

featuring: jang wonyoung, kim sunoo & nishimura riki 

word count: 4.5k 

warnings: reader having a existential crisis most of the time, strong language, mentions of insecurity

the sour series masterlist

You slumped forward the moment the bell rang, letting your head hit the table. You could care less if a bruise would form on your forehead, you had much bigger things to worry about. Your teacher left the class wordlessly as the class was busy doing their own thing. And by that, everyone was buried nose deep in studying. You lifted your head to see the different books of the same topic scattered on your desk, a yellow highlighter balancing on the edge of your table.

Reaching over to grab the highlighter, you turned your head over to the side to look at your desk mate. Wonyoung sat there looking straight out from a k-drama, with her hair flowing down her back perfectly and her slender nimble fingers moving as she continuously wrote in her notebook. She was smart too, fluent in English and Korean, great at maths and science. And on top of that she was kind and friendly, everyone loved her. You did too, you had the honour of calling her your best friend. But sometimes you felt insecure around her, everything she did looked flawless and there you were just trying your best.

"Ack!" You yelped as you sat up straight, holding your forehead. Wonyoung rolled her eyes at you with a small smile on her lips, she had flicked your forehead to get you out of your thoughts.

Without taking her eyes off the textbook, she tapped your own workbook with her pen. Silently telling you to stop procrastinating. You pouted at her and looked at the clock, 10 minutes before lunch. Maybe a walk to the girl's bathroom would do you some good.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," you whispered to Wonyoung. She nodded and smiled at you before you walked out.

As you strolled towards the girl's bathroom, you passed by the bulletin board outside your class. A bright blue poster stood out with the words "ENJOY YOUR YOUTH" in white. Scoffing at the message, you continued on your way.

"I'm seventeen now, where's my fucking teenage dream?" You muttered to yourself. You were tired of waiting for your life to end up like a coming of age movie. Everyone told you that these were the golden years and you should enjoy your youth, but you swear to god if you hear another one of those cheesy sayings, you might just cry on the spot.

Reaching over to open the stall door, you halt in your actions when you heard familiar voices talking.

"I'm so worried for finals, my parents are gonna kill me if I fail English again," a girl complained. You hear the sound of tap water running. "How are you so calm during this time, Mirae?'

"What's the use of studying hard anyways," the second girl, Mirae, said. "We all know the top spots are gonna be taken by Jang Wonyoung and Yang Jungwon, I just study enough to pass."

The other girl snorted at her reply. "Imagine if those two got together, the power couple of the year," she suddenly said.

"Poor Y/N then, she's gonna be over shadowed by them."

"As if she already isn't. I almost forgot they were a trio until you mentioned Y/N," the girl laughed.

"What can I say? They're out of her league," Mirae joined in with her laughter.

The two voices faded away as you heard the door closed. Finally pushing the door open, you looked at your reflection. Your eyebrows knitted in annoyance and your face was morphed in a scowl. You washed your hands aggressively and poked the inside of your cheek. What bugged you was that they were right. You were the black sheep between Wonyoung and Jungwon. Both of them were smart and amazing, and you're just…you.

You love your best friends, you truly do. But you were constantly compared to them and you hated it. Everyone wanted them, you watched as guys tripped over to confess to Wonyoung and girls squealing when Jungwon smiled at them. The two of them always reassured you that you weren't beneath them but you were sick of their sympathy. You're so caught up in the news of who likes you and who hates them. You just wished people liked you more.

Storming out of the bathroom, someone accidentally ran into you and caused you to fell onto your butt. The student immediately stood up and scurried off, not bothering to even a mutter an apology. All I did was try my best and this is the thanks I get, you thought bitterly.

They said that these were the golden years, but you wished you could just disappear. God, it's brutal out here.

"Y/N, wait up!" Jungwon called after you.

You stopped in your tracks as you watched Jungwon waved goodbye to some students before jogging towards you.

"You heading to cram school today?" He asked you as the both of you fell into the same walking rhythm.

You shook your head, clasping your hands behind. "I moved it to Thursday instead, Wonyoung said I had to many things on Tuesday," you told him. Originally, you would be heading to the library to study before heading over to the cram school. But Wonyoung took one look at your schedule and decided that you did not had enough breaks, so she managed to convince you to take the Thursday slot instead. Thursdays are one of the days where you would not go to the library.

Jungwon seemed to be disappointed to find out that you had switched slots. Maybe he should changed slots too, but does he have any empty spots open for Thursday though? He'd have to check later. Instead, he coughed and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Do you wanna come over later? The new Demon Slayer movie is out," he offered, hoping that you'd accept.

Unfortunately, you once again shook your head. "Sorry Jungwon, I'd want to cram even more later. Finals are really creeping in and I can't afford to waste any time," you told him with a sad smile. As much as you would like to ditch the books and watch Demon Slayer, the glaring C on your last history paper was telling you otherwise.

You stopped walking when you had reached your doorstep. "Thanks for walking me home, Jungwon. See you tomorrow!" and with that you disappeared behind the door.

Jungwon waved goodbye as he watched the door closed. The smile on his face dropped and his shoulder sagged. Jungwon you idiot, of course she would want to study, he scolded himself. With disappointment on his face, he trudged home with a heavy heart.

"Change of plans, guys," he announced as he swung the front door open, unfazed by the fact that Riki and Sunoo were lounging on his coach. He accepted the fact that Sunoo had somehow gotten the keys to his house (suspecting that his mother probably gave it to him due to favouritism or maybe Riki had sneakily made a copy).

Riki's head poked out from the couch. "She rejected you, didn't she," the younger boy said with a smirk.

Jungwon's face ears turned red as he glared at the boy. "No she did not!" He immediately told him. "She rejected the offer to watch the movie, that's different!"

"That's basically rejection, hyung," Riki laughed.

The other boy just glared at him. "Shut up!" he sputtered out before hiking up the stairs.

Sunoo gave Riki a look, to which the Japanese boy just shrugged his shoulders innocently.

Jungwon walked out from the shower, a towel around his neck with one hand running through his damp hair. Sunoo and Riki had left earlier, finally giving him some peace and quiet. His phone screen was flashing from his study table, initiating that someone was spamming him (quite aggressively) with text message. With a raised eyebrow, he picked up his phone

[7:09 pm] wonyoung: JUNGWON

[7:09 pm] wonyoung: JUNGWON

[7:09 pm] wonyoung: JUNGWON

[7:10 pm] wonyoung: WHY DID Y/N JUST MESSAGED ME ABOUT HOMEWORK

[7:10 pm] wonyoung: ISNT SHE WITH YOU

[7:11 pm] wonyoung: I THOUGHT YOU SAID U WERE GONNA WATCH A MOVIE

[7:11 pm] wonyoung: DEMON HUNTER OR SMTG

[7:12 pm] wonyoung: WHY IS SHE ASKING ME FOR HW

[7:12 pm] wonyoung: DID U CHICKEN OUT???

[7:13 pm] wonyoung: omg u chickened out didnt u

[7:14 pm] jungwon: jfc wonyoung

[7:15 pm] jungwon: and no i did not chicken out okay

[7:15 pm] jungwon: she declined

[7:16 pm] jungwon: she said she had to study ;-;

[7:17 pm] wonyoung: omg u suck

[7:17 pm] wonyoung: i told u the movie idea was dumb

[7:18 pm] wonyoung: but do u ever listen to me

[7:18 pm] wonyoung: no

[7:19 pm] wonyoung: and now u suffer the consequences

[7:20 pm] jungwon: yea yea i get it im dumb

[7:20 pm] jungwon: now what's ur solution the great jang wonyoung

[7:21 pm] wonyoung: i am so glad u asked :)

[7:21 pm] jungwon: oh no

[7:21 pm] wonyoung: stfu im giving u a better idea

[7:22 pm] wonyoung: a n y w a y s

[7:22 pm] wonyoung: my ynradar is going off and she's s a d

[7:23 pm] jungwon: how would u know

[7:23 pm] jungwon: she seemed fine today

[7:23 pm] wonyoung: stfu jungwon its best friend things u wont understand

[7:24 pm] jungwon: i-

[7:25 pm] wonyoung: and as her future bf u SHOULD start to train ur ynradar

[7:25 pm] wonyoung: anw its exam season stoopid

[7:26 pm] wonyoung: and its when those kids start to talk abt how the both of us are gonna get top scores

[7:26 pm] wonyoung: and they talk down on y/n while doing so

[7:26 pm] wonyoung: assholes

[7:27 pm] wonyoung: so i propose to u

[7:27 pm] wonyoung: a ✨ study date ✨

[7:28 pm] jungwon: i

[7:29 pm] jungwon: that's

[7:29 pm] jungwon: actually not a bad idea

[7:30 pm] wonyoung: obv i came up with it

[7:31 pm] jungwon: can u not

[7:31 pm] wonyoung: anw a study date

[7:32 pm] wonyoung: she's struggling in maths

[7:33 pm] wonyoung: specifically taxes because she said and i quote

[7:34 pm] wonyoung: "why do we have to do taxes when we pay people to do it for us"

[7:34 pm] wonyoung: so pls help her and try to cheer her up

[7:35 pm] wonyoung: and confess coward

[7:36 pm] jungwon: i make no promises for the last one

[7:36 pm] wonyoung: aFTER EVERYTHING I JUST SAID

[7:37 pm] jungwon: what if she rejects me wonyoung

[7:38 pm] wonyoung: WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION A LOT OF TIMES JUNGWON

[7:38 pm] wonyoung: SHE LIKES U BUT SHES TOO DUMB TO REALISE

[7:39 pm] jungwon: sigh

[7:40 pm] jungwon: fine i'll try thanks wonyoung

[7:41 pm] wonyoung: np i expect y'all to be a couple by next monday <3

[7:41 pm] jungwon: i-

Sighing for the nth time of the night, Jungwon sat on his bed. He allowed the towel to slipped off his shoulders as his thumb hovered over your chat icon. Truth be told, he always thought his crush on you was unrequited love. You never showed any signs of returning of feelings so he thought he would just ignore the feeling until it was gone.

But oh boy was he wrong, because he didn't knew that he would be spending his high school years by your side. And now you occupy his mind 24/7. Wonyoung could literally tell that he was in love with you, but somehow you never caught on. He allowed Sunoo and Riki to convince him to do the whole "movie date idea", but that failed. So Wonyoung's suggestion was his only option left.

He typed out the message, ready to send it out. If only he could just press the button. Come on Yang Jungwon, you can do this. Just press the damn button Jungwon. Suddenly his phone pinged loudly, scaring the lights out of the poor boy as he yelped and his phone landed with a thud on the ground. He peered over his bed, as if his phone was a ticking bomb.

Oh, it was a message from you.

[8:01 pm] y/n: hey do u know where wonyoung is

[8:01 pm] y/n: she isn't answering my texts

Oh no. He realised that your chat was open, the two ticks indicated that he had (unintentionally) read the message. He couldn't just leave you on read. That's just evil. Scrambling to get his phone, he immediately typed a reply to cover for the other girl.

[8:02 pm] jungwon: sorry i don't :/

[8:02 pm] jungwon: what do u need her for

[8:03 pm] y/n: mf was supposed to teach me a maths question but she left me on rEAD

This was his chance! It was the perfect opportunity for him to score a date with you. Okay, breathe in breath out Jungwon. Don't mess it up and just ask her, he mentally prepared himself.

[8:04 pm] jungwon: oh i could help you if you want

[8:04 pm] jungwon: yk with finals coming up and everything, i can help you study

[8:05 pm] jungwon: if you want of course

[8:05 pm] y/n: omg srsly??

[8:06 pm] jungwon: pls help me study my braincells are literally dying

[8:07 pm] jungwon: jdsjkda okay how about this saturday at your place?

[8:08 pm] y/n: yeah sure

[8:08 pm] jungwon: cool its a date then!

You blinked at Jungwon's message. A date? Wait, did Yang Jungwon just indirectly asked you out? Nah, nah. You were overthinking it. Yes, definitely overthinking. Don't kid yourself, why would Jungwon ask you out on a date? Jungwon is just a friend, you tried to convince yourself.

Keyword: tried.

If he really was just a friend, then why did it felt like butterflies were in your stomach when he said "it was a date"? Then why did you frowned when those girls said that Wonyoung and Jungwon would make a good couple?

Oh god, do you have feelings for your best friend?

Saturday came faster than you would have liked it to. Ever since that last chat with Jungwon, it gave you the sudden realisation that you did in fact had feelings for your best friend. You tried so hard to avoid him in school because you don't want the butterflies back in your stomach. It was basically confirming the fact that you like him. Well, avoiding him also confirmed the fact but you choose to be in denial about it.

You didn't tell Wonyoung about your study date but lately she's been sending you outfit ideas on Pinterest. Specifically, date outftis. And whenever you tried to ask her a question about school, she brushed you off with a random excuse. So it left you no choice but to save those questions for Jungwon.

Speaking of Jungwon, he had texted you 10 minutes ago that he was on the way. You were standing in the middle of your room with your hands on your hips. Both of your parents were out for the day, which left you alone at home. You had taken out the low table to be used later and it was currently in front of you. Colourful workbooks were neatly stacked on top of it.

You did a 360 turn around your room. Was it messy? You cleaned it this morning when you woke up. Did you had any clothes out? No, doesn't look like it. For some reason, you were a nervous wreck. You blamed Jungwon. He just had to call this a date, didn't he.

Should you change? Maybe you should finally look through all those pins Wonyoung sent. Wait, no, why would you have to change into something nice. Jungwon was here to help you study, just that.

Yeah, a study date, your mind emphasised on the word.

The sound of the doorbell pulled you out from your thoughts. You immediately went to open the door. Yang Jungwon stood there on the other side, with his signature smile. Had he always resembled a sheep? He just looked so fluffy.

"Hey!" You greeted him with a smile, internally wincing at your way-too-enthusiastic voice.

But Jungwon didn't seem to mind it. "Hey!" he greeted back.

You moved to the side to let him in. "Thank you for having me," he said as he bowed then proceeded to remove his shoes.

"Uh, do you want anything? Water?" You asked him.

He shook his head.

"Ah, cool. Let's head to my room," you started to walk back to your room.

"Where are your parents?" He asked.

"Out," you simply replied.

That was when it dawned upon you, that your parents were not home. Leaving you and Jungwon, alone. Together. In your room. Alone. With the boy you potentially have a crush on.

"Y/N?" Jungwon tapped on your shoulder. You had stopped walking when you were suddenly washed over by your thoughts. Snapping out of it, you sent him a small smile before opening the room to your door.

The both of you shuffled into your bedroom, you sat down in front of the low table while Jungwon settled down next to you. He moved to take out his books then turned to you. "How about we do some studying and if you have any questions, you can ask me okay?" He said.

You nodded and flipped your own workbook open, immediately starting to work on the first question. Jungwon copied your action and a comfortable silence engulfed the both of you. As the time passed, you found yourself stuck on a certain maths question.

You slightly turned your head to the side to look at Jungwon. He was concentrated at doing his work, you felt a sense of deja vu while looking at him. He resembled Wonyoung when she was studying. At the thought of Wonyoung, you suddenly thought of what those girls said at the bathroom.

They would make a good couple, wouldn't they, you thought. The power couple of the year.

The butterflies in your stomach faded away into an uncomfortable feeling. Just the idea of them getting together already made you sick. You bit the inside of your cheek, you really did had feelings for him. And now it scared you because what if he doesn't feel the same. You made a mental note to consult with Wonyoung later, at least you hope that you'll allow yourself to tell her.

Jungwon must've noticed you staring and gently tapped your head with his pencil. A contrast to when Wonyoung painfully flicked your forehead.

"What's wrong? Are you stuck on a question?" He asked.

You leaned back a bit at the sudden action. You were so deep in your insecurities that you had totally forgotten about the literal problem sitting in front of you. Yet you couldn't even bother to ask him so you just shook your head. "I'm gonna get something to drink," you said instead.

Jungwon watched as you stood up, then decided to follow you as well. "I'll come along."

The boy joined you in the kitchen, perched on one of the island stools as you grabbed a can of soda from the fridge. He studied your movement as you worked around the kitchen. Your features were neutral, you weren't smiling nor frowning. But he could tell that your shoulders were tensed. Wonyoung was right, you did seem down. And he cursed himself for not noticing earlier.

"You okay?" His question made you stopped in a mid-pour stance, the can of soda was tilted but not enough for the contents to be poured out.

You brushed his question off and poured the drink into the cup. "Yeah," you hummed.

Unconvinced by your answer, he pried more. "You know you shouldn't care about what they say, right?"

You furrowed your eyebrows at him, pretending like you didn't understand where he was coming from.

"You're not below us, you know that right?"

You couldn't help but scoffed at his words. Jungwon's lips tugged downwards "I'm being serious here, Y/N," his tone was stern. "You shouldn't listen to what they say. You're more than just-"

The sound of the can being slammed down shuts him up. Your fingers tightened around the can as you looked at him. You didn't had the energy to hear him preach the same old "Don't Listen To Them" speech. You don't need his pity.

"I don't want to hear it, Yang Jungwon," you said through gritted teeth. Not sparing him another glance, you threw the empty can into the trash as you grabbed your glass.

As you walked past Jungwon, he suddenly reached out and held onto your forearm. "Y/N," he said softly. "Please tell me what's wrong."

You sighed and slowly turn around to face him, placing the glass back on the counter. You took in a deep breath before you opened your mouth. "I feel like I'm not enough," you finally said. "Everything I do just doesn't seem enough. All I'm doing is my best but it's just crushing my ego because everyone is telling me that you're better than me."

"I feel like no one wants me and I hate the way I'm perceived. It's always poor Y/N this and poor Y/N that's because everyone just sees me as your shadow and I fucking hate it. I only have two real friends," you gestured wildly. "And lately I'm a nervous wreck cause I keep comparing myself to the two of you. I'm not cool and I'm not smart, and I can't even parallel park!" You threw your hands up in frustration, the feelings you kept inside were pouring out like a waterfall.

Jungwon just stood there as he listened tentatively to every word. He didn't knew that you felt this way, bottling up all your emotions like that.

"And I'm so tired of people telling me to enjoy my youth and that these are the golden years. I might just fucking cry if I hear those words again," you finished ranting. It felt good, it felt like a weight on your heart has been lifted. Then you remembered that you just dumped all of it on Jungwon.

You opened your mouth to apologise to him but he surprised you by pulling him into his arms. At first you were standing stiffly at the sudden contact, but it took a millisecond for you to melt in his embrace. His arms were gently around your back and you returned the hug by wrapping your arms around his torso. The two of you stay in that position for awhile, relishing in each other's embrace. You definitely needed this hug.

Tightening your hold on Jungwon, you realised how important he was to you. He was your best friend and he was always there for you. It was stupid of you to compare yourself to him, when all he did was tried his best for you. The taller boy chuckled when he felt you rubbed your face into his shoulder, he involuntarily released a contented sigh. You felt one of his hands stroked your hair, it felt comforting. That action itself was enough for the butterflies to slowly settled back in you.

After a while, both of you finally (unwillingly) released each other. He pushed a strand of hair behind your ears and said, "You're wrong by the way." Which made you tilt your head in genuine confusion.

"You are cool and you are smart. You're like the coolest person I know. And no one thinks of you as our shadow, you don't hear it but I've always hear the juniors praising you for helping them and how enthusiastic you are," the way he delivered his words was filled with pure awe for you.

"And who cares if you can't parallel park. You didn't hear it from but Jay hyung failed his drivers test three times just because he couldn't parallel park," and that got a laugh out from you. Jungwon smiled proudly that he managed to make you laugh. "And you're wrong when you said no one wants you. I want you."

You blinked once, twice and thrice. He wanted you? "You're just saying that cause you're my best friend," you replied.

"No," he firmly said. "I like you, Y/N."

(Jungwon doesn't know where he got this sudden surge of confidence, but the mood was the perfect time for him to confess. It was a one time chance and he had to take it.)

You chuckled. "I like you too, Jungwon. We are friends aren't we?"

"No, Y/N. I like you. More than friends."

"Oh." Oh.

"Yeah," he scratched the back of neck awkwardly. Oh no, did you not feel the same way?

While you on the other hand, were malfunctioning on the inside. Your best friend just confessed to you and you were frozen on the spot. Why couldn't he had done it over text instead. If he had done it over text, then you could've left the message unread and you could've spammed Wonyoung for help. But the thing is that it wasn't over text and you couldn't just tell him to wait here while you panicked to Wonyoung in your bathroom.

Yang Jungwon likes you. And you like him too, right? Because if you didn't, your cheeks won't be heating up right now and your heart would have not be beating rapidly like it was going to break your rib cage any second. If you didn't like him, there would have never been butterflies in your stomach. Yeah. You like Yang Jungwon, you like him a lot.

"Me too," you whispered, it was soft but it was enough for him to pick it up. Jungwon eyes snapped to you, doe eyed filled with hope. "I like you, too," you said, this time louder. And you made sure you looked him in the eye when you confessed.

You watched as Jungwon's mouth morphed into a big grin. He let out a sigh of relief and dropped to his knees, surprising you. "Jungwon!" you squeaked, bending down to help him.

"I'm fine! I'm fine," he assured you as he stood up with your help. The grin on his face was still there. "It's just that … you like me," he breathed out. "You like me back, wow. I-I can't believe it."

Your face was definitely burning with embarrassment. You punched him lightly on the shoulder, turning away to hide your face. "Believe it, you dork. I like you, okay!" Somehow his grin was able to grew wider at your words, Gently, he took your hand in his.

"How about we stop this study date, and I'll take you out on real date?"

© chaeryybomb 2021

a/n: thank you so much for reading this <3

[brainrot-the-frog]

Moments in time | Hashira

《Imagines》 《Inspired by KNY Imagines [to the moon] on Tumblr》

This post contains spoilers for Kimetsu No Yaiba/Demon slayer!

《6:02, AM》 《Mitsuri Kanroji》

You chuckled as you felt sweet kisses tickle your neck up to your jaw.

"Mitsuri! We must get up!"

You said with barely any force behind your words, truly, you didn't want to leave your bed, you didn't want to have to leave Mitsuri either. 

And man did she know that. 

She subtly held and pinned your hands as she continued to kiss you. Her lips connected with every bit of skin on your face and neck, until finally, her lips made contact with yours.

One word. It took one word for you to completely give in and be at her mercy. She gave you a kiss so tender you forgot to breathe, she inched her lips to your ears and whispered smoothly,

"Stay..."

《7:34, AM》《Shinobu Kochou》

"You need to slow down! You're going to choke!"

Shinobu yelled as she flailed her arms in front of your figure, you were downing every rice ball, oatmeal, eggs, and meat on the table you shared. You were beyond hungry for whatever reason, and Shinobu merely watched blankly as you began to choke violently.

"My, my, what did I tell you?" She huffed before expertly delivering pressure to your stomach and in one extra push, the piece of food escaped your mouth. You began panting in a crouched form, with your lover crouched in front of you with a hand on your shoulder.

"Thank you so much... I'm sorry for not listening...." you said as Shinobu offered you a glass of water. You let out a much needed exhale as you drank it all.

"My~ you'd truly be dead without me hm?"

"I would." The two of you chuckled until suddenly you inched closer, Shinobu gave the smile of a vixen before swiftly connecting her lips with yours. She cupped your face and deepened the kiss until you departed for air.

"But to be frank...." she stroked your cheek lovingly and gave you a genuine smile only you were capable of getting from her.

"I wouldn't be able to live without you too..."

《9:15, AM》《Sanemi Shinazugawa》

"Oi Sanemi! I've brought you some ohagi!" You grinned as you held a plate of ohagi in your hands. You realized Sanemi was training and thought it would be a nice treat.

"Took you long enough..." he sat down next to you and gratefully took the treat and downed it with ease.

You chuckled in seeing the little bits of ohagi remains on the outskirts of his mouth.

"Why the hell are you laughing? What's so funny?" You covered your mouth to suppress a snicker, though it still urked Sanemi for the sudden secrecy.

"Whatever.." he glared slightly.

"I want another one.." Sanemi leaned in your direction, not noticing the fact your eyes were on his lips. Swiftly you took a small bite of the ohagi in your hands before planting your lips on Sanemi's.

His eyes grew wide in suprise, the sweet decadent taste of the dessert amplified the effect of your lips, Sanemi was reduced to a vulnerable shell as you pressed on. You departed for air, your eyes opened slowly to see the surprised face of your lover.

"I think...." you licked your lips.

"I made the ohagi too sweet again," you cooed slyly.

《11:54, AM》《Kyojuro Rengoku》

"You must hone your body to become the best version of yourself! I believe in you!!" Kyojuro remained enthusiastic even at the sight of your sweating, slightly dead body panting a storms worth.

"EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! NO MATTER WHAT VERSION YOU'RE STILL THE BEST!" His eyes went wider, much to your surprise. He smiled a soft, and loving smile you couldn't look away from no matter how bright.

"I believe in you okay? I know you think I'm going hard on you but that's because I know you're destined for greatness. But I understand that forcing you will not help... you may train at your own pace, I still believe in you no matter what." You swear your heart leaped to your throat as he said each word like honey, his loving eyes and smile were toppings on the cake.

"Y-you.." you were at a loss for words at the short vulnerable moment Kyojuro had given to you without much thought.

"I love you so much.." you embraced him, he smiled as you buried your face into the crook of his neck.

"No matter what happens I will love you always."

You remember him saying as you wiped your tears into the familiar white haori decorated with flames.

《1:30, PM》《Muichiro Tokito》

"Are you thinking about him again?" Muichirou rested at your side, you hugged the white haori tighter as he put his arm around your shoulder.

"I miss him too, I really do. But he wouldn't want you to mourn him. He'd want you to be strong and become the best version of yourself..." he rested his head on your shoulder as he sighed.

"But for me... I'm fine with your mourning, crying, and sadness..  I don't want you to bottle your emotions, I want them to be free without constraint, without judgement...." he trailed off his words... his eyes now viewing the sun rays outside.

"Come.." he softly lifted you up, his hand giving you support to walk. As the light came into view you were stunned by the warmth of the sun. It came down upon you as if you were a stranded boat in a violent sea, feeding you with peace and hope.

Like he did.

"Thank you Muichirou..." you kissed his cheek and laid your head on his shoulder.

"Anything for you..." you didn't know it..

But he needed just as much comfort as you did.

《4:42, PM》《Iguro Obanai》

"Kaburamaru.. what're you doing here?" The Ivory serpent head butted your cheek, a small hiss escaping its mouth, as if they were trying to tell you something.

"Where's Iguro?" Kaburamaru wrapped around your lifted arm, you felt a slight pull at it coming from the snake. You trudged forward as you sang a soft tune, your plan was to visit Iguro anyway, so Kaburamaru's arrival was anything but an interruption.

You found yourself at the entrance of his estate, you knew well that he probably would be sleeping by now, you also knew that the Snake Pillar usually sleeps on tree branches.

It didn't take you long to find him since his black and white haori was an eyecatcher in the crowd of brown and green.

You stared upward at his sleeping face, Kaburamaru left your arm and slithered to Iguro's. That movement wasn't enough to wake him though, but you knew what was.

"I–Gu–Ro~!" You trudged up, and you were just able to to meet your face with his, you kissed the cloth that covered his lips, you felt him lean forward into the lip lock as his eyes began to open.

"Good morning.." he yawned.

"It's 4 o' clock silly!"

《6:56, PM》《Gyomei Himejima》

"I must ask... why do you choose to hang around me like this?" Gyomei asked, the two of you were sat outside near a lake. You were being hugged from behind by Gyomei.

"Because you're always working! I never get time with you!" You heard a chuckle as deep as the ocean, Gyomei rested his head on yours.

"I have a duty, as a Pillar, I must work twice as hard. You understand, no?" You sighed as you leaned into his embrace, his touch brought you peace albeit your thoughts were anything but. You had to talk about them.

"You need time for yourself, you need to work at your own pace and not do anything so taxing.. I know you're one of the most strongest humans alive, but even you have a limit, I'm telling you about this because I care about you.." You turned around to face him, his mouth was slightly ajar, he didn't expect you to say that. Ever.

Tears. Suddenly he was tearing up, your first instict was to wipe them away however they poured and poured.

"I–I understand.. perhaps.. I could treat myself to some peace... with you?" He didn't even have to ask. You smiled, then passionately kissed him.

"I love you.." you whispered out to him.

"I love you too."

《8:21, PM》 《Giyuu Tomioka》

"Ouch!" You hissed as Giyuu carefully rubbed healing ointment on your wounded arm. He tried to be as gentle as possible however it still stung.

"This is why I told you not to stray so far," he said blankly, but you could sense the undertones of worry as well as the boiling frustration that began to grow.

"I wasn't aware of the other Kizuki's presence, I didn't expect the demons to be together at all—" You grunted in pain as Giyuu tightened the bandages on your arm.

"Which is why I told you not to be so reckless and idiotic! You fail to understand your own limits! I hate it!" You swore that if he kept tightening the bandages, he'd rip up a dozen more injuries.

"G–Giyuu! Stop it!" You gasped as you retreated your arm, you could visibly see the veins in your arms.

"I–" his eyes went wide as he realized what he had just done. "I'm so sorry– please forgive me–!" You tackle hugged him to the floor, without thought his arms wrapped around your waist, enveloping you in a tight warm embrace.

"I know you're frustrated, and I understand you only did that out of worry.. but you have to understand I'm not so fragile and soft, Giyuu. However, you are one of the only people that can make me that way... I did what I did, so you didn't have to." There was silence as you cupped his face with your hands. You let out a sad smile at the sight of his eyes. Dark, but filled with so much emotion.

"I can't lose you, I won't lose anyone else.." he whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere," you softly gave him a kiss, the feel of your lips reducing him to a baby.

"No matter what happens, I will love you always."

《11:11, PM》 《Tengen Uzui》

"why are you up so late?" 

Tengen came up from behind you and kissed your shoulder, you smiled as his hands were carefully placed on your once cold ones. You were staring back at the glowing moon, its breathtaking shine rained down upon the two of you. Making the moment even sweeter.

"I believe this is the time of night where one makes a wish." You turned to give Tengen a kiss before looking back at the moon.

"Oh? Have you thought of any wishes?" He asked, holding you tighter.

"Hm.. maybe to be more flamboyant?" You smiled in seeing the look of utter bewilderment your husband gave you.

"You are the love of my life! So naturally you have reached maximum flamboyance! You're wasting your wish Love! Think of another!" You giggled like a child. 

You loved and cherished every moment you've spent with the man beside you, but you also cherished the time you've spent with the others.

Slowly but surely, the answer came to you.

.

"I wish to spend every moment in time, with the ones I love."

(I'm bringing all of my old works from my Quotev to Tumblr! It'll take a while since I've written a lot!)

[otonymous]

A Bolt From The Blue (MLQC Shaw - NSFW) - Part IV (End): Courage, My Love

Description: The final chapter.  The Big Bang 😉  Warnings: NSFW/18+: Explicit/graphic language & mature themes — reader discretion is advised.  Potential trigger warnings: physically aggressive behaviour, ex-boyfriends, angst, size kink, profanity, vaginal fingering and intercourse Word Count: 4237 words (~21 mins of thrills, real talk, fluff and smut) Author’s Notes: To all the lovelies who have been patiently following this story: you’ve made it! 🥳  Welcome to the final chapter in this Shaw saga, where we aim to go out with a massive bang (pun intended 😆).  Once again, thank you all for every like, reblog, and comment I’ve received on this story.  You are all amazing, and I appreciate your support! 💕

As always, tagging the lovely @op-peccatori​ — I hope you enjoyed this story!  I certainly had lots of fun writing this!  Please note the potential trigger warnings listed above, dear readers, and happy reading! 

Jump to Chapter(s): One | Two | Three

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

The quiet is back.

But there is no peace, no relief in the monotony that follows after the man known as Shaw burst into your life like a bolt from the blue, stirring up long forgotten feelings like dead leaves animated by a carefree wind — here one minute, gone the next.

And with each passing day, hope erodes.

Little by little, your heart learns not to race as the clock above the magazine rack approaches 1:30.

It becomes harder to remember the sound purple sneakers made walking through the store.

You stop hoping, wishing, to see a head of lavender hair; that the next person to approach the register would place a cup of Pepsi mixed with Coke on the counter, amber-eyed gaze speaking volumes without uttering a single word.

Days become weeks, and then eventually…

…you stop counting them altogether.

* * *

“You’re looking good.  I see you’re doing well for yourself.”

He reaches for the jade pendant hanging around your neck, eyes flashing with amusement when you hit his hand away with an audible smack.

“What the hell do you want?  Haven’t you already done enough?” You say through grit teeth, steps quickening as you head for the better lit part of the street, trying to outpace the man and silently cursing the fact that returning to the convenience store was no longer an option at this point.

“C’mon baby, don’t be like that.  It took a lot of effort to track you down and I waited a very long time for you to get off work.  It’s cold, dark and lonely out here.  Is that any way to treat your boyfriend?  Or friend, at least?”

“ ‘Ex-boyfriend,’ asshole, and you’re no friend of mine, especially not after the way you took my life’s savings and ran.”

“Baby, it wasn’t like that—”

“Oh yeah?!  Did you try telling that to the loan sharks too before they came and trashed my place?  I had to move, Leto, because it wasn’t safe for me anymore, not with the way they kept harassing me and the neighbours asking about your whereabouts.  They even came to my office.  I lost my fucking job.  So don’t come around here and tell me that I’m doing well for myself.”

Breaking into a sprint, your mind races as you try to think of a way to lose your ex, anger and anxiety prickling every nerve in equal measure.  He had ruined your life, singlehandedly taken away everything you had.  And though you had known him once, desperation has a way of making monsters out of men.

And right now, for all you knew, he was desperate and dangerous.

“Please, I just want to talk.  I don’t need much this time, just a little bit to get me through this rough patch.  I’ll pay you back, I swear, just…just STOP FOR A MOMENT!—”

You shriek to feel Leto wrap his hand about your wrist, but before he could tighten his grip, another arm is thrown around your shoulder, pulling you back until you’re pressed up against a hard, muscular chest, staring at a close up of Snoopy riding a skateboard.

“You got business with my girl?”

That voice.  Dangerous and cocksure, yet comforting like nothing else as the muffled words reverberate through the tiny bones of your ear, a prelude to the soothing ba-bump of his heart, rhythm steady and concrete as the ground upon which you stood.

Shaw.

He’s really here.

“Hehe.  Your girl?”  The derision in Leto’s voice makes you sick to your stomach; you can’t help but hold your breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop as he looks Shaw up and down, zeroing in on his old t-shirt.  “Tsk, tsk.  So, not only do you enjoy wearing second hand clothing, you also have the habit of picking up sloppy seconds?”

BOOM!

Deafening thunder rolls moments after a bolt of lightning rends the night sky in two, throwing a jagged spotlight on the fury written on Shaw’s face when he moves just as fast to grab a fistful of Leto’s collar.  The muscles of his forearm bulge as he holds up the entirety of Leto’s bodyweight in one hand, the sky opening in a sudden downpour as your ex struggles in midair, rain dripping almost comically from dangling feet.

And when Shaw brings Leto’s terrified face up close, the ferocity in those amber eyes sends a chill up your spine.

“This is the last time you’ll ever talk to her, see her, even think about her.  Or else I’ll find you and take my sweet time making you wish you were never born, do you understand me?”

Head bobbing in vigorous nods, drops of water fly off the tips of Leto’s rain-slicked hair.  Seemingly satisfied, Shaw tosses him onto the ground at your feet, voice low yet audible as it cuts through the din of the storm when he says, “Beg for her forgiveness.”

The fear in his expression almost palpable, Leto looks between you and Shaw — cowardice etched onto features you had once found so pleasing a lifetime ago.  He prostrates himself onto the wet pavement, voice cracking in between sobs as he yells over the sound of the rain:

“P-please…please forgive me!  I’m a piece of shit!  I’m nothing, I’m garbage!  I…I deserve to go to Hell for what I did to you!  I-I’m so sorry!  Please forgive me!”

Leto reaches out a shaky hand towards your soaked shoes before he remembers Shaw’s warning, but it is too late.  Black combat boots hit the concrete hard within an inch of Leto’s face as Shaw stoops, yanking back a fistful of hair and pulling until your ex is looking up at you like a pitiful supplicant begging for mercy.

“Satisfied?”  Shaw looks to you as if he were asking about something as mundane as the weather.  You nod, suddenly too tired to even speak.  You wanted to wash your hands of Leto, wanted nothing to do with all that had happened since you finished your shift at the convenience store.  All you could do was watch as Leto scrambled away on all fours the moment Shaw loosened his hold, running until he was nothing more than a speck of darkness merging with the night.

The rain is cold, wetness driving against your body to leech even the final bits of warmth from bone.  Your clothes are drenched, heavy as they cling uncomfortably to skin.  But you are too drained to care, lacking the energy to even notice when the dim light of the streetlamp above is blotted out — Shaw holding his leather jacket over your head in the place of an umbrella.

All you are aware of before your vision goes dark is the anxiety in his voice when he calls your name over and over again, how weightless it felt to be carried in the cradle of his arms.  

How much you missed the scent you thought you had learned to forget.

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

“Finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?”

You opened your eyes to gaze into irises of warm amber, the situation similar to one you experienced before except for the fact that this time, you were the one lying in bed, staring at a man who sat on its edge, brows knit with concern beneath soft lavender strands.

“If you slept for any longer, I would’ve had to knock on your neighbour’s door.” Shaw chuckles but the sound is hollow, mirthlessness obvious like the blanched knuckles of his tightly clenched fists.

“What…how did we…” You begin, voice raspy as it dies, a sudden sharp pain in your throat making you wince.

And immediately, Shaw is on his feet, rummaging through cupboards in your kitchen until he finds a glass.  You watch him run the tap, fill it to the brim.  Feel the strength of his arm around your back as he holds you up, touch lingering even as you down the water in gulps to chase the discomfort away.

“You passed out not long after your douchebag of an ex ran off with his tail between his legs.  I found your keys in your purse, so I let myself into your apartment — hope you don’t mind.  Although, to be fair, I was also carrying you at the time, so it’s not really breaking and entering.”

Head feeling like it would explode as the events of the evening come rushing back, you turn towards him…slowly…slowly, afraid Shaw might disappear before your eyes should any movement prove too sudden.

Thank him.  Now.  Before he goes away again.

He is close, so close that you can count those long, beautiful lashes; almost feel the minuscule shifts in the air between you every time he blinks — those pupils encroaching onto gold as they expand and pulling you into their depths as they do.

“Why are you doing this?”

He doesn’t flinch at your question, and you can’t bring yourself to be shocked by the discrepancy between what you meant to say and the words actually spilling from your lips.  And as the grey memory of days spent counting the hours of his absence settles like lead in the pit of your stomach, the only thing you knew was that your heart couldn’t survive latching onto this sliver of hope only to have it ripped away again.

All you wanted…was the truth.

“Because I can’t stand to see you sad anymore.”

There is no smirk to stretch across that handsome face, only pain that hurts your heart to see it.  Resignation heavy in his voice, Shaw takes a deep breath before he continues.

“Turns out I’m weak when it comes to you.  Selfish.  I know I’m no good for you; there’s no future with me.  I can’t give you anything, can’t even promise you tomorrow, but…I just can’t stop thinking about you.  Wondering how you are.  Whether you’re eating well, sleeping well.  If you’re safe…happy.

“Tonight wasn’t supposed to happen.  I just wanted to make sure you got home okay, that some asshole wasn’t going to hassle you at work.  But then your ex showed up and when he tried to get fresh with you, well…I couldn’t let that slide.

“Listen, I don’t know what’s wrong with me but…I’m sorry, if I ever made you sad, if I scared you.  I’m sorry for everything.”

His gaze drops to the rip in his jeans, the drip, drip of the leaky faucet the only sound in the ensuing silence of his confession.  That is, until you say,

“I’m sorry too…that you’re such an idiot.”

His head whips up, brows furrowed and mouth slack as if caught in a rare moment of speechlessness.  The shock makes him seem years younger, lending him an air of innocence that you couldn’t help but smile at.

“In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions.  I’m not so naïve that I don’t know what I would be getting into by being with you.  You say you can’t promise me tomorrow, but tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.  All we can ask for — hope for — is the here and now.  

“Love takes courage, as does life.  But a life without love…it’s not much of a life, is it?  So I’m willing to be brave if that’s what it’ll take for us to be together.”

As quickly as they came, the words are gone, leaving you cotton-mouthed and faint as your heart pounds to send the blood rushing to your ears.  That could’ve been the only explanation as to why Shaw’s “I knew there was a reason why I loved you” sounded so muffled you had to ask him to repeat himself.

“Too bad, I only say things once.”

And there it is again: the spark in his eyes, smirk on those lips — igniting the fire you only allowed yourself to feel in dreams of his body on yours, skin to skin like kindling to flame.

“Are you that single-minded about everything?”  You ask, the smile on your face mirroring his as it approaches closer…

“Only when it comes to not letting go of the one I care about.”

…closer…

“Tell me one thing.”  Your voice is barely above a whisper.

…and closer still.

Lips now a hair’s breadth apart, the gentle rhythm of his exhalation blows soft upon your cupid’s bow; a shy request.  Your vision is filled with him, wonderfully awash with colour — lavender, amber, the soft pink of his mouth — and you wished you were the very clothes upon his body; saturated in his intensity, dyed in his hues.

His eyes fixate on your tongue when you wet your lips before asking, “That night, when you were hurt so badly you passed out in my store…why did you still insist on coming in?”

Shaw’s breath catches, hitching in his throat.  You know because you can feel it, the way the warmth stops short on your skin.  And when he speaks, the eyes that hold yours tell you this is no lie.

“Because if it was going to be the last night of my life, I didn’t want to go without seeing your face one more time.”

Love is a funny thing.  Formless, senseless, yet the strongest thing that could bind two strangers.  You hadn’t known Shaw for long, could count the days you spent together on one hand.  And still, entirely without reason, he bled into each and every hour, crept into the darkest corners of your mind to fill your weary heart with a desperation that made it very clear that love was far from done with you.

That right or wrong, the only place you wanted to be was here — held in the arms that wrapped around your body: hot, tight, safe…

…Shaw.

His lips are softer than you ever imagined when he brings his face to yours, plush silk gliding corner to corner to cover your mouth in reverent kisses — one for each night he came into your store, watched over you from afar.  

Your stalwart protector.

You tasted it now, the remnants of cinnamon on his tongue from the gum he was so fond of chewing, intensified by the memory of all the times you wondered about its flavour: pink bubbles popping in his mouth as he coolly dealt with the robber, the night you emptied his pockets as your neighbour stitched him up on your bed.

Shaw tasted sweet.  Far sweeter than you ever imagined.

And when his tongue slides against yours — slow and sure as it explores your mouth with increasing fervour before drawing back just as you clenched around emptiness, yearning for more, the beast within you refuses to abide.

You like the shock that passes over his face when you move, sudden and forceful, to push him onto the mattress beneath you; the artless way Shaw sinks teeth into his bottom lip in response.  You like how he watches as you straddle his hips — gaze earnest and body honest, hardening as you grind undulating circles upon his groin.

But, perhaps most of all, you liked the spark of something wild in those amber eyes, an unpredictability warning that if you weren’t careful, you’d be the one to find yourself pinned to the bed.

Because wasn’t that ultimately the push-and-pull that characterized so much between you and him?  Maddening at times, but always, always binding you to Shaw like some red string of fate.

So you nod when he whispers “May I?”, unable to suppress a moan to finally feel his hands on you: tracing along your jaw, cradling your face…resting the pad of his finger on your lip before pushing past to stroke your tongue.

Every sound he makes pleases; the soft hiss preceding the bob of his Adam’s apple to feel your lips pucker around his finger to suck, pink tongue enticing as it swirls along the length of that digit, drawing it deeper into the hot wetness of your mouth.

You never saw yourself as seductive before, but Shaw made you feel sexy.  Perhaps the impulse stemmed from some primitive desire, an instinctive call to please the man you felt so profoundly for that shame was the farthest thing from your mind when you pulled his hand from your lips to guide it to your breast, only partially aware of how wet you were becoming from his gaze alone — half-lidded and heavy with lust.

The heat of his touch permeates your blouse, white and transparent still in patches from the rain.  You watch his hands as they play: cupping your breasts in a gentle squeeze, thumbs and forefingers catching your nipples to pinch and roll until they stood stiff against the drape of your clothing, the flush of your flesh bold through fabric.

“You’re so beautiful that there are times I think you can’t possibly be real.”

His voice is low, husky.  You let it wash over you, almost frightened by how stupidly happy you become, willing the magic to linger even as his words dissipate amongst the sounds of the night: neon buzzing and the faraway screams of sirens in the distance.

A world apart.

Your hands find the broad expanse of his chest, tracing along muscle before circling the nipples that stood erect against his damp t-shirt.  Each twitch is endearing, every erratic breath he draws to feel your touch making you fall harder.  And when he tries to focus on unbuttoning your blouse while fighting the impulse to tear it clean off your body, the stirring between your legs grows in intensity until he finally pulls the silken panels aside, a quiet gasp escaping his lips to see his necklace nestled between your breasts.

“It really does belong on you.”  

The admiration in his tone is laced with a hint of possessiveness that makes you throb.  Shaw pushes himself to sitting, gathering you onto his lap in one smooth motion as he buries his face in your chest, inhaling deep.  You gasp to feel gentle teeth sink into the flesh of your breasts, Shaw following the chain of precious metal with his lips until it leads to the pendant.  And when his tongue slips out to draw the piece of jade into his mouth, he brings your nipple along with it.

“Oh!…”

The sensation is unlike any you’ve known before, the soft wetness of his pliant tongue a searing contrast with the cool, smooth stone rubbing against the sensitive tip of your breast in equal measure.  You feel his smile on your skin when you fist your hands into lavender hair, spine curving as your legs begin to tremble.

And he had yet to touch you below the waist.

“Your body responds so well to me.  I knew you were a good girl.”  He looks up at you, teasing shamelessly even as he continues to lavish attention on your breasts.

“Just your girl, if you’ll have me,” you say without second thought, long past the point of caring to keep your cards close to your chest.

Something breaks in that expression, the final walls crumbling like dust when Shaw blinks once…twice, revealing eyes that shine with emotion when he replies, “For the rest of my life, if you’ll have me.”

* * *

“Hmm!—”

Your moan is muffled, swallowed by Shaw’s greedy lips like he does with every sound of ecstasy that leaks like you do around his cock, buried impossibly deep in your body as it rocks back and forth, back and forth on his muscular thighs…

…doing your best to adjust to his ample size.

He had barely suppressed a chuckle when you first slipped your hand into his jeans, a subtle mix of pride and amusement on his face to see your eyes widen when you couldn’t quite wrap palm and fingers around the entirety of his girth.

And foreplay had only just begun.

“Still doing okay?” Shaw asks, touch tender as he brushes loose strands of hair from your eyes, lips smoothing along the apple of your cheek to feel its pink heat.  “We can go as slow as you want, there’s no rush.  If it’s too much, we can stop—”

“No!  No…I’m okay.  More than okay, I’m great.  Please…please don’t stop…don’t stop…”

Struggling to string words together, your breath comes in disjointed pants as Shaw begin to thrust up — the look on his face effortlessly sensual when he bites his lip to feel you spasm around him, tight wetness yielding in increments to accommodate his body as it broke new ground.

For you had never taken a man of that size, the litheness of Shaw’s muscular body belying the impressive package he’d been hiding in those jeans.  Your jaw ached just to look upon the length of that thick cock, mouth watering as a fresh wave of arousal made you press your thighs tighter together.  The movement didn’t go unnoticed.  Shaw had drawn you to him then — deft fingers dipping low to trace the outline of your swollen folds through moist panties, lavender head bending to kiss its lacy trim.

He took his time preparing you, licking his fingers before he eased them into your pussy — first one, then two…curling deep until the slippery sounds of arousal told him the time was ripe to introduce the third, leaving you blooming for him even as he whispered, “Think you’re ready for me to make you my girl for real?”

It borders on overwhelming, this sensation of fullness — between your legs, within your heart.  And as skin stretched to capacity to accommodate the sweet friction of his slide, you wished there was a way for the euphoria of this connection to last forever:

To the one you could never forget, no matter how hard you tried.

To this man you loved like no other.

“Shaw.”

His name is faint on your breath when he falls back onto the bed, taking you with him.  And as you found yourself straddling his hips once more, the altered angles of your bodies gave him the leverage to make you gasp when he begins to thrust in earnest.  The eroticism of his face, lost in lust, drives all thoughts from your mind as you drop a hand to your clit, fingers drawing tight circles before his hungry eyes.

The violence of your climax takes you by surprise, having no time to consider neighbours and thin walls as the lewdest sounds escape your lips at high volume.  Intense convulsions wracking your body in waves, you clench in time around your lover.  The sensation proves too much to bear, drawing out Shaw’s own release as he pulls out to spill onto the folds of your pussy — swollen and pink and trembling still beneath the coat of his pearlescent seed.

* * *

“I love you.”  

Morning light trickles across your walls like the slow crawl of spidery legs.  Shaw’s words hang in the air between you, a final, sacred moment shared between lovers before the rest of the world wakes.

You loved the hoarseness in his voice; a testament to the hours of noisy lovemaking you had shared in lieu of sleep.

You loved the weight of his hand, stroking softly at the crown of your head.

You loved the rhythm of his heart, echoing just below your ear to confirm his existence.

“I love you too.”

You look up into those amber eyes, trying to discern whether those four little words were sufficient in conveying that fact that you adored every fibre of the man before you.

The smile that graces his face in return is tender, honest…more brilliant than the day breaking in the East.

Your hands find his body, bare beneath the sheets.  And as a curious finger traces along the ridge of the scar that runs in a broad stroke across his sculpted abdomen, your gaze falls on his t-shirt, draped over the back of a chair.

“You should probably throw that Snoopy shirt away, especially after what happened last night.”

Shaw follows your line of sight, chest rising and falling in a deep sigh.  “Shitty as its previous owner was, I could never bring myself to hate something that reminds me of you.  Aside from saving my ass, this was the first gift you ever gave me.  And I never throw away gifts from my girl.”

His girl.

The mystery of life is that filled with unknowns though it is, we continue to live, brave in the face of the uncertainty that comes with every passing day.  You had no idea what fate had in store for you or Shaw, had no way of knowing if your relationship existed on borrowed time.  

The only thing you were certain of was that your feelings for each other were real, that try as you might, neither of you were very good at forgetting the other.  That in this moment, here and now, the only thing that mattered was this love that hit you…

…like a bolt from the blue.

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

Thanks so much for reading!  I hope you all enjoyed this Shaw saga! 💖 

Check out more of my work here! 📚 (Please do not repost/copy/alter my work.  Reblogs, on the other hand, are perfectly fine and much appreciated! 💖👍🏼)

Jump to Chapter(s): One | Two | Three

[itstaskeen]

One night bow;tom holland|one.

chapter summary: An unfornunate 21st birthday

pairing: tom holland(prince!au) x reader

warnings: fluff, *, flashbacks in italics

word count: 1.6k

My name is Y/N Brown. My dad works as a baker in one of the most well-known bakers in England. My existence was very pleasant until I got caught up In a one night stand with the prince of England; Tom Holland. Now how did the most unfortunate night of my life begin? Yesterday was my 21st birthday so I decided to get under the influence of alcohol for the first time. I don't recall anything aside from waking up beside the Prince on the expensive royal bed. ________________________________________________ CHAPTER ONE ________________________________________________ My eyes opened to the sight of an elegant bedroom. The room is like an ideal magazine cover. I'm afraid to take a seat in case I wrinkle the fabric or stain it with something I do not even recognize is on my pants. The couch is cream however inlaid with exceptional green silk; leaves embroidered so delicately that they could have landed there in springtime and simply sunk in, but I recognise that they took hundreds of hours to sew. The white curtains are linen, the kind of white that is untouched by arms and without dust. A careless look to the right indicates me the nearly hidden cords which are used to open and near them. there's no tv, no bookshelf, no dining desk, best the chairs organized around the bespoke fire which leaps with a gasoline flame. The bedspread was made of silk mattress softer than The ground is an extravagant polished wooden, dark and freed from dust or clutter but what I did not realize was that I was laying ON the bed with a very attractive man beside me.   A guy with brown eyes, Those brown eyes are a million hues, so I wonder what the word "brown" even means. They are the forest and the autumnal leaves, the soil in the summertime and after the rains. How could we ever reduce something so spellbinding to one word, when the colours invite us to marvel in their simplicity, very recognizable brown eyes indeed he was Tom Holland; the prince. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course, the blush that accompanied it was a dead give-away but his posh princely attitude ruined the whole image. You were lost in your thoughts when you looked down and saw you were wearing nothing and it finally hit you you had slept with him, you had slept with the prince.  I quickly get up and look around the room for my clothes.  Fuck, I whispered as I see its a poshly decorated room. As fast as I can speak I run while grabbing my clothes to the door.  Leaving already? a male voice asks behind me.   Without thinking twice I run out the door and leave the premises of the palace.   _______________________________________________________________________ -  Flashback from last night - __________________________________________________________________________ « Happy Birthday y/n », my dad, exclaims. « Thank you, dad, I hugged him looking at the massive cake in front of me. Finally 21!! I grab my phone after celebrating with my dad and message my best friend Olivia. ( swipe to see )  O: happy birthday y/n!! Y: thank you liv O: tonight we hit the night clubs Y: yes we’ve been waiting forever and now here we come O: pick you up at 6? Y: sounds like a plan. I wore a pink gown made of delicate, satiny fabric, long and loose. A semicircular, high collar made of silk-like materials that headed the knee-length robe. __________________________________________________________________________ TIME SKIP                                                                                                             __________________________________________________________________________ As soon as we arrived at the night club we walked in and ordered our drinks. Once we got them Olivia and I sat down at our table and waited for the crowd to get busier. It was early for a night club so there was nothing much to do. Once the clock stoke 6:30 a whole crowd comes running in and starts to dance to the music.  As soon as I reach the dance floor I bump into a few people but Olivia and I live our best life. Dancing like no ones watching, singing like no ones listening.  I decide to get some air after indicating Olivia about it who nods I exit the club. Following me comes an attractive male who stands next to me with a vodka.  « Well hello, darling », the well-spoken gentleman says. I was in shock thinking someone this handsome and well-spoken was at a night club. « Hi », I laugh as the control over my body was gone and the alcohol was taking over. I defined regretted taking 4 shots.  « Like the club? », he asks trying yo drive a convo. « Yeah it's nice », I reply. « nice? This is one of the best night clubs in the whole of London and all you can say is nice », he chuckles. « One of the best.. », I pause and look at him. Something familiar comes to mind which I can't wrap around my head. « Tom », he smiles. « One of the best night clubs, Tom », I continue. « oh I’m y/n by the way », I smile and walk-in. If only I knew what was waiting for me in the next few minutes.

Tom holland tag list : @adriannajackson123 @agentsofparker @imaotshollandd @rainyseb @zspideyy @antigoneidk @ssss3388 @dahliasbroken

pls leave feedback PWESSE :)

[jaxsteamblog]

Longing

Click here to read the full fic on AO3

Katara had not done well in any of her creative writing projects. Flowery language didn’t come naturally to her and her public speaking engagements were riddled with awkward silences when she finished speaking far sooner than her audience anticipated. 

She worried her words lacked sincerity; Zuko often said such wonderful things about her as if he had put hours of thought behind it. Yet when she tried to reciprocate, she had situations like the time she told him he fought good after watching him practice. 

And worse still, Katara did think about him all the time.

As she walked out to her balcony, Katara gazed out over the wide ice fields. With the calm weather and the twilight midafternoon, the frozen desert looked like more of the sea. It was this empty expanse that thrummed the ache in her chest.

If she were a poet, she could describe the feeling better. But what came to her mind was the pitiful observation that longing just increased the distance between her and Zuko. Days stretched past its clock face bounds and the miles of ocean became leagues of doldrums. 

The time and space between them was long, and so her yearning was stretched painfully over the distance. 

And the wire between them, the red threads that bound her, were slowly being tightened by Arnook and her father. 

But it wasn’t going to be the threads that snapped. 

“Katara?”

She squeezed her eyes shut at the sound of her father’s voice. Rationally, she knew he would of course be staying in the North Pole until the coronation. Both as her father and the chief of the South Pole gave him reason enough to stay.

But oh how she wished Sokka was around.

“I’m out here.” Katara called.

Hakoda moved slowly through her bedroom and Katara took in a deep breath, feeling her lungs expand. As she blew out, her breath became a cloud and she watched it rather than looking over at her dad.

“How are you feeling?” He asked.

“I’m fine, dad.” Katara replied.

“You seem a little tense.” Hakoda said.

“I wonder why.” She said dryly.

Hakoda leaned against the railing and Katara glanced at him from the corner of her eye. 

She had always imagined him as broad shouldered and looming. Like he could cut icebergs in half with only a handaxe. 

But her father was as tall as Sokka, and almost as thin. His cheeks were carved deep into his face, a holdover from his imprisonment in a Fire Nation workcamp. He was not an imposing man and was often quiet, never drawing much attention in a room. 

He was only a man after all.

 “Katara, ever since the festival in the Fire Nation, I feel like you’re trying to avoid me.” Hakoda said.

“I was trying to avoid you before that.” Katara stated. “Now I just get pissed off when I’m near you.”

“What’s happened to you?” Hakoda demanded. “You were such a-”

He stopped and Katara turned, looking furious and curious.

“Such a, what? Toddler?” Katara asked. “But regardless of the whole growing up thing, I did fight in a war.”

“So did I.” Hakoda countered, his voice low and dangerous. “I was also trapped in a Fire Nation prison for years.” 

“I went out to look for you.” Katara said. “You and mom. All I wanted was for us to be a family again.”

“We can be Katara. Here and now, we can be a family again.” Hakoda said.

“You may not have noticed, but mom is dead.” Katara spat out. “We can never be a family.”

“I loved Kya and I miss her every day. But Malina is part of our family now and we can-”

“You can.” Katara interrupted. “Sokka can too for all I care. But I will never be part of a family that doesn’t include mom.”

“Except for the prince of the Fire Nation?” Hakoda asked. 

Katara glared at him, holding his eye and silently daring him to look away. 

“Zuko.” She clamped her mouth shut, feeling her emotions swirl up in her chest. Her chest was nearly heaving, as if she had run for miles, and her heart pounded adrenaline into her veins. 

“Zuko knows everything.” She started again. “Being the Fire Nation prince means he knows exactly what the war cost me personally, and he knows exactly how much blood is on my hands.”

Katara turned away from Hakoda, looking back out at the ice.

“Do you know how many men I killed? How many ships I sunk? How many bodies I took over in agnonizing torture?” She asked. “After Zhao, I thought I was a monster. After mom died, I willingly became one.”

“You are not a monster, Katara. You are my daughter.” Hakoda said firmly, but in a softer voice. 

Katara scoffed.

“You don’t even know who your daughter is. Haven’t you heard the whispers back home? Haven’t you talked with Hama?” She asked. When Hakoda didn’t answer, she turned to him. Examining his drawn face, she laughed bitterly.

“You met her.” She said. 

Hakoda turned his body away and Katara did the same. 

“She told you I was a Bloodbender.” She continued.

“It is forbidden. I know she was lying.” Hakoda said.

“She wasn’t.” Katara said. She turned away from her father to go back inside, but paused to address him.

“There is nothing forbidden to me. Not my bending and not Zuko.” She stated.

As she walked, she felt the thread pull at her. It dragged her heartstrings over the ocean and into the rich black soil of the Fire Nation. 

At the summit, when she watched Zuko circulate among dignitaries and journalists, Katara made her choice. She had sacrificed so much and gained so little in return. Every restriction she placed on herself, to make things easier, only resulted in her getting pushed around. 

There would be no more restrictions. She would not willingly shackle herself to weights that threatened to drown her.

This yearning, this longing, this distance, would be the only thing that would take her breath away and place this ache deep within her breast. 

Passing through her bedroom, Katara picked up her phone and opened her message app. 

She would see him soon.

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[indefiniteimagines]

Not Even For A Minute || Poussey Washington Imagine *Requested*

Summary: Poussey has a crush on the reader and thinks she doesn’t like her back, but she does.

Pairing: Poussey Washington x Reader

Warnings: Fem!reader, lewd language/comments, language, reader doesn’t have a preferred sexual orientation, use of R slur, angst, fluff

A/N: Holy shit! This is my first piece of writing in actually only a couple of months, but I’m claiming years because I am officially back like I was in high school. I’m so sorry if this is not my best, I am EXTREMELY rusty, so take it easy on me for now :) 

It was dinner time at Lichfield and it was only my second meal in my new home. My new home filled with almost 200 other women. For the next 5 years, I will see the inside of this cafeteria 3 times a day, 21 times a week, 1,095 times a year and a whopping 5,473 times in total. You’re probably wondering why that matters, but it matters.

I take my tray and do a quick search for a place to sit. I find a spot at the very end of one of the middle tables. It was the only seat with no one in a two foot radius of me. I sit down and look at the food in front of me. My first dinner includes spaghetti, two mini oranges, a salad, and a brownie. It’s not horrible when you think about it. It’s a pretty standard meal. Well it would be without the questionable odor coming from the meatballs. I close my eyes and sigh. 

“Maybe she’s deaf.”

“She ain’t deaf.”

“HELLO!”

“She can’t hear you if she’s deaf, dummy.”

“Fine, then you try, Angie.”

I was so deep in my own world that I almost didn’t notice the cherry tomato that hit me in my head. 

“Hey, girl!”

I opened my eyes and looked to my left.

“Are you talking to me?” I asked with a hint of a nervous tone.

“Uh yeah, have been for the last 5 hours. You retarded or something?”

“5 hours ago? No that can’t be right. Remember, we was in the laundry room 5 hours ago, Tucky.”

“Jesus, Angie! I was being snide.”

“You mean sarcastic?”

“Snide means sarcastic.”

“Then why not just say sarcastic?”

I watched as “Tucky” closed her eyes and tilted her head in annoyance.

“I’m sorry, but did you guys need something?”

Tucky’s eyes snapped open, “Uh, yeah. Why’re you sitting here?” She took her bottom lip into her mouth as she waited for my response.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was sitting here.”

“She never said that,” Angie said while flashing her pearly browns.

“I’m confused.”

“Wow maybe she really is retarded,” Angie said.

“Tucky” nodded at Angie, “I think you’re right, Ang. Here, I’ll break it down real slow like for you: You don’t belong here.”

“Look, I don’t want any trouble. Just let me finish my dinner and I’ll never sit with you again.” I tried to reason with the little troll, but she just wasn’t having it. 

She nodded her head while picking up her milk carton. She then poured it all over my food. “Seems to me like you’re done.”

All I could do was stare with my mouth open. 

“Why did you do that?!”

“BECAUSE YOU DON’T BELONG HERE!” She screamed as she stood up and let one of her fist hit the metal table.

“Dogget! You’re done! Empty your tray.” A CO finally intervened from the next row over. Dogget and her Meth Mates got up from the table and walked out. 

All I could do was sit there with my head hanging low as I let a few tears escape. I’m not usually this weepy, but in my defense, all I wanted was that little brownie...which was now swimming in a pool of used milk. 

*A few tables over*

“Fuck was that about?” Poussey asked her family as she nodded her head over to the other table; finally arriving with her tray. 

“Mmmm, Meth Mouth and her cult were fuckin’ with one of the newbies,” Janae replied in the middle of finishing her bite.

Poussey hovered over her chair to get a good look at the bothered inmate and sat back down while shaking her head. 

After having a mini pity party for myself, I got up and dumped my spoiled tray before leaving the cafeteria. I go back to my temporary bunk and buried myself under my blanket. 

“Cheer up, Kid. You’ll be out of here sooner than you know.”

I gave a pitiful grin to the nice older woman.

“I like your eyeshadow.”

“Duh,” she said as she threw me a wink.  

I let out a sigh, got comfortable and laid in my bed until morning.

I finally fell asleep, but only for 2 hours. At the ass crack of dawn, I was woken up by the morning announcement, which had absolutely no enthusiasm. “Good morning, ladies. Try to seize the day. The world is your oyster.”

“You’d think she’d quit if she hates her job so much.” That was the first time I heard the redhead with the horrible bed head speak.

“Bell is about as enthusiastic as a wet bag of hair, but she’s one of the good ones.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said groggily.  

“You joining us for breakfast?”

I drifted back to sleep before I could hear her response. I woke up in what seemed like an hour, but was only 30 minutes. For the slightest second I forgot where I was. I opened my eyes and was met with DeMarco standing right in front of me.

“Well good morning sleepyhead! Nice of you to join the living.”

“What? What time is it?”

“You see a clock in here? What I do know is that you got 10 minutes left for breakfast. You better hurry.”

I hop down off my bunk and start to change.

“Thanks.” 

“You don’t talk much, do you?”

I gave her a shrug as I zipped up my jacket and headed for breakfast. I arrived in the cafeteria and was able to get my food right away since there was no line. Some tables are still filled, but some are also empty. I scan the room and pick the table farthest away from Doggett and her followers. I was in the middle of eating my eggs when Angie walked by and sneezed on my tray. 

“Oops, ‘scuse me,” she said with a shit eating grin.

“God damnit,” I whisper to myself while trying not to deck this bitch.

“You shouldn’t say the Lord’s name in vain like that.”

I look up at her through hooded eyes, “Walk the fuck away.” My voice was low and I kind of scared myself.

“Oooo, devil eyes. Hey! She’s got devil eyes,” she says louder than the first time, except now she’s giggling and pointing at me while backing away. Doggett sucks her bottom lip at me while flipping her hood and getting up to walk out. I can feel people starring so I do a very quick observation and then stand up to leave. 

“Empty your tray,” the guard at the door told me. “Get some coffee while you’re at it. It’ll help you stay full until lunch.”

 I look up at his name that’s stitched into his shirt. Ohhhh, so this is O’Neil. I heard some of the girls talking about his scandalous relationship with CO Bell. Good for them. I turned around and went to dump my tray before following the advice and going for the coffee. 

“Yo, why they always fucking with her?” Poussey asked the table as she watched in disapproval as Y/N dumped her tray.

“Why do you care?” Taystee asked while rolling her eyes.

“For real? You ain’t notice that ever since China got out, Prince Charming over here been lookin’ for a new helpless, basket case? I mean, shit.”

“Aye don’t talk about Brook like that. Not cool, Cindy.”

“ “Cindy”? Bitch, fuck you think you is? My mama? Ugh, check ya tone.”

“Whatever man. I’m just tired of seeing Meth Madness fuck with people like they run the place.”

“Again, why do you care?”

“Shit just ain’t right, is all.”

“Mmmhmm,” Taystee replied as they got up from the table.

I turn around after filling my mug and notice that it’s just me, the inmates that clean up and the CO’s supervising them. I carry my warm mug through the halls and I notice there’s not as many people crowding them as there were last night. 

“Inmate! Where you are supposed to be?”

“Uhm, I’m not really sure.”

“Wrong answer!”

“Wrong?”

“Don’t get smart with me. Jefferson! Tell inmate...Y/L/N where she’s supposed to be.”

“Well, since it’s after lunch, we’re supposed to be headed to our work detail. Not whatever you was doing, apparently.”

The tall guard with the creepy mustache looked down at me and raised his eyebrows.

“Thank you, Jefferson.”

“I don’t have a work detail yet.”

He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opens them he looked back at Jefferson, “you work in the library, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Take her with you.”

She sucked her teeth, “Man, what do I say when someone asks why she’s there? No offense, but I ain’t taking no shots just because she’s somewhere she’s not supposed to be.”

“What’s a shot?”

“Jesus fuck. Will you both get out of my goddamn sight?” 

He snatched my mug; Jefferson and I gave each other a look and started towards the library. When we got there it was almost empty.

“You know, the labels are there to help the books be put back in their respectful place, not to look cute. I mean, damn.” I notice Jefferson chuckle at the girl we hear before seeing. She’s talking to a pair of inmates who are whispering to each other before tossing another book down and scurrying off. 

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” she calls after them, but to no avail. She sighs to herself before returning back to work. 

“Hey, P! Whatchu up to?”

“Practically cleaning up behind bitches. I mean, why is it so hard to put a book back in its original spot? Jane Eyre belongs in literature, not SAT Prep,” she called back.

“Truly first world problems,” Jefferson said unamused.

“Yooo, you ever heard of “Oedipus”? It’s mad crazy. Like this one part where the main dude...” she kept talking as she rounded the corner to finally come face to face with us.

“...who’s this?”

“Our puppy dog for the day,” Jefferson said as she rolled her eyes.

“Oh alright then. Well I’m working over here in history. Y’all can start in fiction. It’s a fuckin mess over there.”

“Um, then why don’t we all work in fiction?”

“Did you not hear me say it’s a fuckin mess? Have fun.”

I walked away, smiling to myself. I didn’t think anyone here would care for books like I did.

After the work day was over, I separated from the two friends and went back to my temporary bunk until dinner. The next day I followed Jefferson back into the library.

“Oh, puppy dog is back.”

Jefferson turned her head to me, “Don’t you know when you gettin your work detail yet?“

“Sorry, still no.”

“As much as I’m sure you love the view you get, I’m gettin tired of you following me.”

“I can ask someone if I can work somewhere else.”

“T-ha! And make me look like a problem? I think not.”

“Nah, we could use the extra help in here since bitches can’t put shit back where it’s supposed to go. Hate to break it to y’all, but foreign language is even worse than fiction was.”

“My god. Can’t you help us over here instead of doing whatever it is the fuck you doin?”

“Uh no.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m President of the Library.”

“Says who!?”

“Suzanne,” she said as a matter of fact while leaning forward to show us her ID that read “President Washington: Library”.

“Aw damn. It’s official and everything. Man, that’s some bull shit,” Jefferson said as she walked away.

All I did was look at the Presidential badge and smile.

“Since you don’t complain like some people, just know you’re first in line for Vice President. Just don’t tell Taystee,” she told me on the sly.

“Taystee?”

“Jefferson.”

“Ohh, got it.”

“I’m Poussey, by the way,” she said extending her hand.

“Y/N. Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah you too.”

She has a beautiful smile.

Towards the end of the work day, I found myself near Poussey’s section. Since our work for the time being is pretty much done, I start to browse the shelves when I spot a book dear to my heart, “Alice in Wonderland”. I get a mini rush of serotonin and pop a squat up against one of the shelves. I lose track of time, until I realize I no longer see anyone. “Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality”. You are right about that, Mr. Carroll.

“Hello?” I’m immediately startled. I start to shuffle to my feet and by the time I stand, I’m met with someone else.

“Whoa, shit. My bad. I didn’t think anyone else was in here.” Shit, I must’ve I said that out loud.

“Sorry, I guess I lost track of time.”

“It’s cool. So you haven’t been assigned a work duty yet, huh?”

I shook my head.

“I, uh, I must admit that this is the best job. Call me bias, but it’s the truth.”

“Thanks,” I say with a slight smile.

“You’re the one Pennsatucky and her crew keep messing with.”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“Y’all got beef on the outside or something?”

“No, but I found it’s better to not provoke a methed out mental case.”

“Not wrong there. Well, I’ll see you around. Oh and be careful with Alice, she’s my favorite.”

The next few days were the same. I would follow Taystee into the library and listen to her and Poussey be absolute clowns. Poussey and I got to be closer since we were usually the last two to leave. We talked about how much time we have, our family, and she even told me about the Vee drama. During my stint of unpaid work in the library, I was finally able to change out of the highlighter jumpsuit and into a khaki set.

After an hour or so into a shift, I found myself distracted with my favorite book, “In Five Years”.

“Oh uh, that goes on the second to last shelf right behind you.”

“Huh? Oh yeah. It was actually already in the right spot, but it’s one of my favorites,” I tell her as I put the book back.

“What’s it about?”

“This woman named Dannie-“

“Y/L/N!”

We both looked towards the door and saw and the same pasty CO that sent me here.

“With me.”

I gave Poussey a grin and walked towards the CO,

“Where are we going?”

He didn’t answer me and just kept walking. I followed him to a warehouse that smelled of Clorox and musty water.

“Janitorial. Your job assignment. Morello will fill you in on what to do.”

“Oh yeah I can do that. No problem.”

The first couple of hours involved cleaning the halls, but I moved on to the Spanish bathrooms. Poussey was right, the library was the best job to have.

*A few weeks later at dinner

“I don’t know why you’d let Edward Scissorhands cut your hair and not me.”

“Because Danita only charges me a bag of Doritos. Not two cokes. Plus, she don’t even ask for the Cool Ranch flavor!”

“Beggars can’t be choosers. I do two cokes worth of work, Child.”

I laughed at Taystee and Sophia having their little banter in the food line. I walked with them to the table and sat down.

“...but then the dragon realized the little ghost girl was friendly, even though she was cold as ice. Fire and ice, that would never work!”

“Why not? What happened to opposites attract?” I ask sort of challengingly. 

“Mommy said ice is used to put out fires. Well, technically water is used to put out fires but ice is just water in solid form. So the fire would go out!”

“But do you know what happens when fire and ice mix?”

“The world goes dark?”

“No. They make steam,” I gave Poussey a “subtle” smirk.

“Mommy says steam is for showers, crab legs and “fun times”.

“I miss making steam with a fine gentleman with a curve on that dick.”

We all laughed along at what Cindy said and I agreed with her.

“There are just some things your fingers can’t accomplish,” I said jokingly while being serious. She pointed her fork at me, “I like her.”

Poussey was noticeably quiet throughout the rest of dinner. Only chiming in to seem interested. She didn’t even finish her tray before she was dipping out.

“Wait I’ll come with you.”

“Nah, stay and eat. I’ll catch you later.”

“Uh oh. Trouble is Lezzy Paradise?”

I almost didn’t hear Cindy as I kept watching Poussey leave the cafeteria.

“Stop it.”

Taystee rolled her eyes and shook her head.

For the next few days, it was hard to get ahold of Poussey. Since we knew each other’s schedules, it was easy for her to avoid me.

Meals were no better. She made sure to get there early so by the time I was sitting down, she was done.

“Aye, you need to fix that,” Janae told me with her eyebrow raised.

“I don’t know what the problem is.”

“I know you are not that dumb,” Boo said as she sat across from me.

“She’s kicking her own ass because she broke the #1 rule of being interested in pussy...” she continued.

I looked at her as I was waiting for her to continue.

“Never fall in love with a straight girl!”

“Love? What-When did I say I was straight-”

“The other night when that one was talkin bout curved dick and you chimed in basically foamin at the mouth at the thought,” Taystee said.

“Noooo, I was joking.”

“Yeah well, apparently she don’t know that.” I looked at Janae and sighed.

I had to wait until the weekend to see her. It was pouring rain and there was a leak in the library and the cleaning warehouse had a slight flood, so neither of us had work.

I snuck my way to her bunk only to discover her to not be there.

“There’s only one place she’d go...” Janae told me.

I made my way down and opened the door.

She was right.

“...there was another before you, but she got out. There’s a time machine in the laundry room. That was their place. That’s where she goes to think.”

“How’d you find me?”

“Your bunkie.”

“What do you want?”

“What’s going on? Why are you being so weird?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said standing up.

“Are we not friends anymore?”

“Friends,” she said with a sarcastic chuckle.

“Can we please sit?” I gestured to the inside of her hiding spot. She backed up slightly to let me further in to the time machine and we both sat down. Neither of us said anything for a while until I did,

“I’m not gay...”

She nodded her head with a sad smile on her face.

“...but I’m not straight either. I’m just me. I’ve dated guys, I’ve had experiences with girls-”

“Experiences? But you’ve never dated a girl?”

“No, but for the past few weeks, I’ve really wanted to,” I said with a slight smile.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because of this. I didn’t want to say something stupid and mess this up. And because I’ve never dated a girl before, but I have dated guys, I didn’t want you to think I was using you. I thought that because I don’t identify as anything, you wouldn’t like me back.”

“I thought you didn’t like me.”

“I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Look, I got my heart broken not too long ago by a girl that promised me forever. She didn’t identify as anything either and she ended up falling in love with a dude when she got out. We were both in a dark place when we met and getting to know each other and eventually falling in love helped. I could’ve given up on love and fate, but I haven’t yet. Look, maybe this-..this connection that we have, challenges what you thought you were. And maybe I'm gonna get my heart broken in a thousand different pieces again. But those are maybes. You can't live your life according to maybes.”

The next few months were bliss. Poussey and I have connected on a level I didn’t know was attainable. 

Today is Valentine’s Day and right now we’re back in the time machine. We’re both laying down, holding each other and looking up at the ceiling. 

“It’s about a woman named Dannie who’s this a high-powered corporate lawyer. She’s one of those types who has everything planned out. The story has a lot of twists and turns because her five year plan goes differently than she thought.”

“So why is it your favorite if it’s so inconsistent? For a woman who knows what she wants “Dannie” sure seems okay with settling.”

“It’s my favorite because it mirrors me. It mirrors us. In five years I saw myself at some job a teenager would have with my only responsibility being my phone bill.”

“What do you see now?”

“I see me with our dog, Keith, holding signs with your dad on your release day. Then I see us heading to our apartment where you can see it for the first time in person. Then we’ll go to our jobs, pay rent, and hound our parents for travel money.”

“I’m in your future?”

“You are my future.”

She gave me a kiss when there was a bang on the cardboard door, “Hey kids! They’re doing interviews in the bunks,” Boo informed us.

When we got to her dorm, there were a few guards asking ladies questions about love.

“Does anyone else want to be asked questions?”

“Yeah, I do,” Poussey said while raising her hand.

I feel Taystee put her elbow on my shoulder, “What the hell?” The rest of the family comes around.

“Okay Washington, what is love?”

“Love. It’s just chilling, you know? Kicking it with somebody, talking, making mad stupid jokes. And, like, not even wanting to go to sleep, ‘cause then you might be without ‘em for a minute,” she looked at me, “And you don’t want that.”

•taglist: @mina672

[stardancerluv]

Unlikely Delights

Part Two

Summary: Reader tries to “run into” Dan again, will it work out?

Warning: establishing age!gap, Dan mid 30’s Reader 21, 22

Note: It’s about Novemberish...they met in September. Reader and Dan have been running into each other a handful of times.

It was bitter cold today. “Billy remind me again why we didn’t tie the tarps around the buildings last week when it was in the fifties?” Dan grumbled

“Because the weather was supposed to hold.”

“Right.” Dan shook his head and pulled down on the cord and fastened it down.

“At least its not snowing yet.” Billy peered around his side of the small pharmacy.

“True, oh Tammy we got this. It is too cold out here. We’ll clean and do the rest?”

Tammy, smiled tucking some blond hair behind her ear. “Are you sure Mr. Torrance, Mr. Freeman? I finished my homework.”

Dan nodded but raised an eyebrow. “Dan, please.” But he smiled. “Yes, sweetheart we got this. Gone and enjoy your free time.”

She shifted where she stood. Billy stood up and echoed Dan’s nod. “Yes, go on little lady we got this. And yeah, Billy please. I don’t want to feel older then I am.”

She smiled brightly. “Ok. Have a good one, Dan and Billy.” Tammy waved, grabbing her bike that leaned against one of the oaks hopped on and rode off.

“She’s such a good kid.”

Billy nodded. “Yeah. Good kid, good family.”

“Yeah.” Dan sighed as he eyed the rest of the layout, “The clock tower or the church next?”

“Let’s get the clock tower, its such a pain in the ass.” Billy complained.

“It certainly is that.” He paused. “Hey Billy wanna hit the diner for dinner tonight.”

“Sure.” Billy shrugged.

“I’m so glad I’m off from the hospice tonight and I am in no mood to cook.”

“I hear that.”

*****

You were eyeing your phone. Class was over five minutes ago. The professor was just droning on and on, all because of the three day weekend.

Finally! You excitedly thought, you practically rocketed out of your seat. You pulled on your coat, and almost strangled yourself with how fast you tied your scarf. You rolled your eyes at how silly you were but all you could think about was Dan.

You really hoped you could catch him at teeny town. Today was when they were closing it for the winter. After that, you didn’t know how you were exactly going to run into him. Maybe today you could suggest coffee or something.

“Y/N are you coming to the party tonight?”

“Oh, hey Jen I’m not sure. I’ll call you.”

You walked fast out of classroom then the building. The coldness of outside hit you hard and you shivered, but the thought of possibly catching Dan made butterflies appear in your tummy. It was three blocks to Teeny Town, you could make it.

*****

“Alright, let’s now get to the rest of it.” Dan rubbed his hands together.

Together they unraveled the drop cloth and then stretched it good and tight. As he did and pulled it down then he paused.

Warmth filled him as he felt you. You were close. You were such a breath of fresh air, you were like the sun. His heart had picked up knowing, he’d see you. These last two months of little chats and encounters had always left him wanting a little more. You never failed to make him smile.

“Dan, Dan did you tie it?”

“Oh.” Dan chuckled. “Sorry got distracted.”

Billy laughed. “It’s alright Danno. Pull and tie.”

He did and then fastened it down. Eyeing the knot he made, he cleared his mind and himself be surprised your arrival.

“Guess who?” Two very soft and dainty hands covered his eyes. He let out a loud gasp.

*****

You had made it, a smile spread wide across your face. You calmed your breathing. That would be a dead give away. You had to be cool.

You eyed his soft dark strands, the curve of his cheek, which had the shadow of growth. Clean shaven, goatee or full on beard it had all looked great on him.

Walking over on small steps, you crept up behind him. With your heart racing you put your hands over his eyes.

“Guess who?”

His warm, pleasantly rough yet smooth hands covered yours. “Who could it be? Oh I know Janice from the diner are you bringing me a piece of pie?”

“Nope.”

Billy popped his head up and smiled and shook his head.

“One more guess!” You said cheerfully.

“Oh! I know. Abra! Does my sister know you’re here?”

You giggled. “No! It’s me silly.” You stood back to give him room to stand up.

He stood up and dusted his knees off. “Oh, hi there Y/N, I could have sworn you were my niece.”

“Oh Dan!” You just smiled and rolled your eyes. Gently you pushed him. “I’m so sure!”

He reached out and grabbed the ends of your scarf, he gently tugged on it. “Remember when your hair was this colorful?”

“I do.” He didn’t immediately let go of your scarf. “Maybe I will do it again soon.

“Hi Y/N!” Billy came around and Dan let go of your scarf.

“Hi Billy.” You said sweetly.

You stuffed your hands into your pockets.

“You must be cold.” Dan looked around, and gave you a soft smile.

“I’m fine.” You fibbed but couldn’t hide the shiver.

He stepped closer and rubbed one of your arms. The butterflies in your stomach went into a frenzy.

“Billy and I are going to catch dinner tonight at the diner.” He pressed his lips together, running his fingers through his hair. “Why don’t you meet us there, get a table and warm up.”

“Yeah?”

He nodded and gave your arm a squeeze. “Unless you have to go to help at the boutique?”

You shook your head. “No! I have the entire three day weekend off!” You said happily.

He smiled and your heart squeezed, as the butterflies stopped and turned entire flock of birds flapping their wings inside of you. “Fantastic! I have tonight off too.”

“Great! Ok, I’ll go grab us all a table.”

*****

“Dan?”

“What?” Dan, had not been able to wipe the grin off his lips as they finished up.

“Umm, you were grumpy and cold, well now...” His voice trailed off.

Dan nudged his friend in the shoulder. “She’s cute.”

“She is, she twinkles when she looks at you.”

“Does she?” Dan stopped.

“Yeah buddy. But Dan, she’s young.”

Dan sighed. “She is but she’s not a kid. I don’t know. I..” Now it was time his voice trailed off.

“True. Just be careful.”

Dan rose eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Billy shrugged. “You are a bit of heart breaker.”

“Two girlfriends and a few dates does not make me a heart breaker. And Janice is happily engaged now.”

“Yes, but still moony over you.”

Dan shook his head. “She is not.”

“She is too.” Billy stopped. “Alright just don’t let her be the reason why you get back on the bus.”

“Billy! Seriously?”

“I had to say it. She seems like the one that could really be something.”

“You think so.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “I worry about you.”

He nudged his friend again. “Billy, I’m not going anywhere. My family is here, Abra would probably kill me.” He chuckled. “And my best friend is too.” He eyed Billy.

“Oh, don’t be sentimental.” Billy replied dryly.

“Well, its true.”

“Thanks pal. Alright, as your best pal of course, I’m going to worry.”

“Thank you. But I think it will be ok. I have a good feeling.”

“Ok, good. You are happier since that first hug.”

“I am.” Dan chuckled and pushed open the door to the diner.”

*****

You glanced back as you walked away. You couldn’t help notice Dan was still smiling, that certainly brought a spring to your step.

Once in the diner, you began to warm. Dan had certainly been right about that. You shrugged out of your coat and scarf.

While you waited you had switched where you sat twice. You were so nervous. Then you tried sitting as differently as you could after finally settling on what side you sit on.

“Water, honey?” Asked the warm voice of the waitress.

“Yes, please. Three.”

“Three?”

“I have some friends joining me.”

“Oh ok! Great. I’ll bring those over.”

Hearing, the rich sound of Dan’s laughter made nervously open and close your hands under the table. You could do this and not be completely silly.

Turning, where you sat you smiled and waved. “I’m over here!” You called.

@hollow-r-us @mrskenobi19 @i-cant-hear-you16 @thebeckyjolene

[readyplayerhobi]

Flower | 07

; Hoseok x Reader

; Genre: Fluff, angst

; Word Count: 3.2k

; Warnings: Discussions of death, car accidents, self-destructive behaviour

; Synopsis: You finally decide to take a dip into the world of online dating and find the Flower dating app. One of the top matches for you proves to be a guy who looks to be your complete opposite; tattooed, pierced, a metalhead and oh…incredibly handsome. What happens when you throw caution to the wind and reach out to him?

; A/N: I hope you’re all still enjoying :) This series is incredibly easy for me to write due to the short length of each chapter. I love Hoseok in this too! Please reblog and leave me comments/asks if you enjoy it! i want to hear your thoughts on them!

; Flower Masterpost

-

You felt sick. You genuinely felt like you were going to throw up what little you’d eaten while at work today and you couldn’t tell if it was nerves from tonight or anxiety over having your routine interrupted. Work nights were for going home to your small apartment and curling up with your cat, not going out.

But Hoseok had asked if you’d come over to his tonight and you’d been so flustered over the invite that you’d said yes before even thinking. 

Going over to his was something that you’d been lowkey excited about and hoping for for the last two weeks. The two of you had gone on another three dates; bowling, the movie theatre to watch 21 Bridges and then to the theatre again to watch Frozen 2. Which he’d obviously been just delighted to watch.

He’d finally decided that it was time to start having cheaper dates, which meant hanging out at each other’s place. You didn’t know if this meant you were officially dating, like boyfriend-girlfriend dating or that weird adult form of dating where neither of you say anything but it just slowly happens. It kind of felt like number two was happening.

So here you were, stood outside his apartment door at 5:47pm. He’d said to come over for 6, but you didn’t want to knock and look like you were being too eager. As much as you like being early to things, you personally hated it when people were early in turn to you. It stressed you out too much.

Chewing on your lip and fidgeting quietly, you look at your phone screen once more and wonder how long it would be okay to wait before finally knocking. And then suddenly the door was opening, the movement causing you to jump slightly as you shuffled backwards with a hot face.

Hoseok was stood there, grinning at you with grey sweatpants on and an oversized white shirt covering his torso while a black snapback was turned backwards on his head. It made him bizarrely look more frat boy than it did metal head, but the colourful tattoos pushed that impression away.

Actually no, it combined fuckboy and metalhead together until you were suddenly faced with a lethal combo. He should not look that good, really. And then you realised that you were staring, that you had been staring for far too long in fact, as he lets out a quiet laugh.

“How long are you gonna stand there for? Or would rather come in?” He points behind him and you peer around his body, taking in the oddly neutral colour scheme of his place. You weren’t entirely sure what you expected it to look like, but the boring beige he had wasn’t it.

Glancing back, he looks back at his own place before sighing and gesturing you inside, closing the door behind you and taking your coat. “It’s not very interesting to look at but I’m one of those people who’d rather spend their money on other things.”

“Can’t relate. It’s not a home unless it’s filled with a million things for me. Even my desk at work looks like Disney and Pokémon had a baby which then threw up Studio Ghibli.” Hoseok looks at you strangely for a moment before grinning and gently pushing you through to the living room. It’s open plan with the kitchen to the left, the space divided by his large corner sofa while a huge television screen took up pride of place on top of a sleek black glass counter. 

You could spy a Playstation 4 beneath and your brow raised momentarily, wondering why he’d never mentioned playing any games. But you didn’t get chance to say anything as he gestured for you to sit on the couch, the plain black pillows looking out of place on the grey fabric.

“What do you want to drink? I got beer...well I got beer and water. So I guess you’ll want water.” He said, more to himself really and you couldn’t help the small smile as he heads back in, a glass of water in his hand and an opened beer for himself. You take a small sip before leaning forward and carefully placing it on his coffee table, looking at the CD coasters in amusement.

“Sorry, I should have something nicer for you to drink.” Hoseok apologises, flopping down onto the couch next to you with a huff and giving you a twisted smile. Shaking your head, you place your bag on the floor before leaning back against the comfortable cushion as well.

“No, it’s okay. I drink water at home too. I know. It’s not interesting.” You shrug at him, biting your lip.

“Doesn’t need to be. If that’s what you like then at least it’s cheap, right?” Snorting, you nod and grin at him shyly, looking down at your hands. Despite getting more comfortable with him over the last two weeks, you were still awkward and didn’t really know how to talk to him properly. It was probably even worse with him than with your friends, because you felt a level of expectation on yourself given the attraction you had to him.

Hoseok doesn't seem to notice though, his attention focused on the remote in his hand as he navigates through his TV to the Netflix app. Glancing to you, he gives a quick smile as he clicks it on.

"Not gonna be too interesting tonight I'm afraid, but I thought we could just...spend some time together and watch some Netflix?" He pauses suddenly, eyes widening as he looks from the screen to you. "I-er-I mean...this is not me trying to like...Netflix and chill or something. It's literally just watching something...call for some takeout, so don't worry."

The horror in his eyes as he evidently realises how his words could be construed makes you giggle lightly, anxiety vanishing for a moment at his blunder. You think it's cute how desperate he is to make you feel comfortable and you find your hand resting on his arm to reassure him.

"I didn't think you were. It's okay. Just...pick something good." He eyes you then, lips pursing before he begins to play with his lip ring. Then he hands you the remote, mentioning to the screen with a gracious smile.

"You can put something on. Though I should make you watch something terrible after you made me watch Frozen last time." You scoff at that, mock outrage as you glare at him before flicking through what's available.

"Riiight, right. Frozen is evidently so terrible that you know all the words to Let It Go apparently. And I didn’t make you do anything! You suggested it because you’d seen everything else" 

"...Elsa is badass okay?" 

-

The two of you end up watching a Netflix original film, something that started out okay but ended strange. It had been nice and peaceful though, your random comments and observations causing him to chuckle in amusement rather than annoyance thankfully before he ordered a pizza for you both.

There had been some casual conversation too, spurred on from the film itself and you'd both discussed why it was that so many Netflix films had such terrible endings. Not that either of you had come up with an answer, but it had still been fun.

Even if you'd both had mouthfuls of pepperoni pizza at the time which not only made it harder to speak but also just looked gross. But at least he looked equally gross.

Hoseok had chosen the second film, the time ticking later and later, causing you to glance at the clock in slight anxiety before forcing yourself to stay quiet. It wasn't too late really, and you found yourself unwilling to leave him anyway. You enjoyed being around Hoseok.

It had surprised you to discover this, but he had an easy personality that made it simple to talk to him. He was outgoing and pleasant, willing to engage you in whatever you wanted to talk about while making sure that you were comfortable. You were positive that you somehow hit the jackpot which in turn meant that you were positive it would all go to shit with your luck.

He was slouching down now, legs laid out in front of him as he sat on the bit of the couch that connected to the other half. You were next to him, leaning a little closer than you intended because of his weight causing the cushions to dip. 

It gave you a great view of his tattoos though, the arm closest to you bright and vibrant with its colours, eye catching to say the least. You find yourself looking over them more than watching the film curious as to what they were and what they represented.

"You can touch them you know, I'm not gonna freak." Hoseok's voice makes you jerk in surprise, looking up with wide eyes to find him watching you with a carefully neutral expression. You make no movement towards him and he reaches out, resting his hand on your thigh before giving you a small smile.

"I'm serious, I don't mind."

You hesitate for a moment before taking him up on his offer, letting your fingers travel along the intricate art of his arm. It's his right arm, the one with the seeming mish-mash of images and you look each one over in interest.

There's a ghost pirate ship sailing among a sea of ruby red roses with a single gold rose floating amongst them all. The night sky surrounding the ragged grey sails is black, pin pricked with spots of white to signify an array of stars while a full moon turns into a clock, the hands frozen at what looks to be 3:30. 

The sea of roses soon shift into a detailed skull, only half of it present while it morphs into a woman's face on the other side, crystal tears dripping down her face that shifts into blood on her chin. Long black hair swooping down past her face forms a lean panther, snarling in a jungle of trees. There's far more detail woven into it all than you’d realised and you admire them with a smile you don't even realise you have.

"These are beautiful. I didn't look too close before, but they're all linked right?" Hoseok is quiet for a moment before nodding, turning his arms to let you see those on his inner wrist. "How long did this take to get all this? I'm guessing you have one on your chest from what I can see and your other arm is gorgeous too."

"I got my first when I was fifteen. Wasn't legal obviously, but I didn't care back then. Didn't care about much to be honest." You frown up at him, noticing the way his face has gone carefully blank and how he stares away from you. 

"That's young, right? Isn't the legal age like...eighteen?" He nods in response and you bite your lip carefully. "What do they mean? If you're willing to tell me. You don’t have to, I’d just...like to know?"

You add the last question on quickly, getting the feeling that these tattoos are more personal to Hoseok than you realised. 

Sure enough, he stays quiet for a moment before pointing at the half-skull, half-woman. "This represents my sister, Hyeri. The pirate ship is because she was obsessed with pirates back then and the roses because she used to really love them. She thought red roses were romantic but secretly she preferred gold, hence the gold one."

His fingers shifts to the moon-clock. "This...shows the time she died. 3:33pm, September 26th. She was only eleven. I was eight."

You're shocked into silence, one hand moving to your mouth as you feel a wave of sympathy for him that surprises you. He sees your look and gives a half smile shaking his head before he takes your hand and winds your fingers together.

Even with the shock of his words, your stomach flips with nervy excitement at the way he held your hand so easily. It was the first time he'd ever done that, the first time hed extended physical contact beyond the cheek kisses he’d become fond of giving you.

"I got a really shitty tattoo when I was fifteen because I thought it would piss my parents off. I was angry at the world, but it was really because I felt guilty and I was angry that the world wasn't angry at me. You see...I was convinced that I was the reason Hyeri died." You don't have any words to give him then, staring at him in disbelief. He takes your silence as a cue to continue.

"My parents were driving us home from the mall. I was angry because Hyeri had won some stupid toy in an arcade machine and I didn't have anything, you know how it is back then. Kids are stupid over tiny stuff. So I started a fight with her. Mom was leaning back to stop us and dad was shouting...then we get hit by a car. I blamed myself for her dying. Thought it was my fault, because I'd started fighting and distracted my parents." He sighs deeply, squeezing your hand gently.

"I couldn't handle it. I was only a kid you know? I loved Hyeri a lot, looked up to her. And then I had this guilt I'd put on myself. It was a drunk driver who ran a red, it wasn't me but...you can't accept that. Not when you’re that young. My parents weren’t angry with me, kept telling me they didn't blame me and I hated them for that. I didn’t understand why they weren’t angry and that pissed me off even more. So I acted out. I was pretty nasty in school, joined the bad crowd, smoked, drank, did drugs, fucked around. Anything to just...get my parents angry,"

"But they never did. Because they knew that I blamed myself. I refused therapy ‘cos I thought it was lame. Got into college somehow and I started dating this girl freshman year. Older than me, liked bad boys. She was a psych major. I think she liked trying to analyse them or something. But she must have seen I had real issues that could be resolved so she got my friends to encourage me to go to counselling. I did...and I finally came to terms with Hyeri's death. Accepted it wasn't my fault, it was the drunk driver. She would've died even if I hadn’t started the fight. Cleaned up my act after that...apologised to my parents, stopped smoking and doing drugs. Stopped fucking around, discovered computers and metal. Got these tattoos to memorialise her, because I still love her."

A quiet sniff leaves you and he looks up in surprise, face breaking into a gentle smile as he sees the tears falling down your face. You hadn't been able to stop them, the pain in his voice at his sister's death pulling at your heartstrings and then his agony at coming to terms with it all.

"I'm sorry Hoseok, that sounds awful." You get out, lips quivering and he chuckles softly, reaching up and wiping away at your tears.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm at peace with it all now and all that jazz. Now I get tattoos ‘cos I like them. And I have a great relationship with my parents now, I swear." Using your free hand, you trace over the woman's face, his sisters face you presume with a quiet reverence.

"They're beautiful. Really. I'm glad...that you made something nice out of it all." Hoseok snorts softly, letting his thumb stroke the back of your hand while his other hand cups your cheek gently.

The film is completely forgotten in the background, but neither of you seem to care as he stares deeply into your eyes.

"Thank you. I'm glad you like them. My other sleeve is just cos I thought space dragons would be cool." That makes you break out into a series of giggles, bending closer to him slightly from the force of your laughter. Hoseok keeps you there when you try to move back, deep brown eyes staring directly into yours while you feel his warm breath ghosting over your lips.

"You're very beautiful. Have I told you that?" You can feel your body heating, unsure whether to be embarrassed or run away from his sudden compliment. The only response you can do is to glance down, away from his charged gaze.

"You are, really," He whispers and you make a noise, unsure what it was but not wanting this moment to end either. "...this might seem a little weird given the topic we've just discussed...but can I kiss you? I've been wanting to…"

Oh god, oh god. He wants to kiss you. This disgustingly attractive man who could command the attention of any woman if he tried hard enough wanted to kiss you. Was he mad? Had he thought this through? Surely he was going to regret this, there were far better women out there than you.

And yet your head nods of its own accord, movement foreign to you suddenly and it's like you're not in your body. Not aware of the bubbling nausea from the swirling emotions in your stomach and veins, not aware of the tension in your body or the sudden way you feel hot and flustered.

Hoseok doesn't say anything though, just smiles before leaning forward. The space between you both is even shorter than you'd realised and he's kissing you. His lips, so soft and warm, are pressed against your own and you're frozen in shock, desire and indecision.

The feeling of his solid lip ring against your mouth is foreign, and yet it's what brings you back to life. Suddenly you feel everything in your body, too much. Like your mind is being overloaded with sensation and emotions, all focused on the fact that Jung Hoseok is kissing you.

And you like it. In fact, you love it.

Before he can move away, you shyly reach and wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him a bit closer. He grins into the kiss, breaking the contact slightly and letting you both breath before he's shifting, tugging you closer till you're laid out on the couch, body pressed to his side.

A gasp leaves you at the feel of his solid, warm body against your own and he takes full advantage of it, slipping his tongue into your mouth with the practised ease of someone who has done this many times. You like that too.

And for the first time in a long time, you let yourself ignore the stresses, anxieties and worries that plague your mind so often. There on Hoseok's couch, you do no more than kiss like loved up teenagers and yet it's the first time you've had any kind of romantic interaction with someone without the looming dark clouds of negativity in your head.

You purposefully push it away, too desperate to simply enjoy this moment with an attractive man who genuinely seems to like you. And so you do. 

For the first time, you simply let someone in.

[horansqueen]

You & Me : chapter 43

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5 || CHAPTER 6 || CHAPTER 7 || CHAPTER 8 || CHAPTER 9 || CHAPTER 10 || CHAPTER 11 || CHAPTER 12 || CHAPTER 13 || CHAPTER 14 || CHAPTER 15 || CHAPTER 16 || CHAPTER 17 || CHAPTER 18 || CHAPTER 19 || CHAPTER 20 || CHAPTER 21 || CHAPTER 22 || CHAPTER 23 || CHAPTER 24 || CHAPTER 25 || CHAPTER 26 || CHAPTER 27 || CHAPTER 28 || CHAPTER 29 || CHAPTER 30 || CHAPTER 31 || CHAPTER 32 || CHAPTER 33 || CHAPTER 34|| CHAPTER 35 || CHAPTER 36 || CHAPTER 37 || CHAPTER 38 || CHAPTER 39 || CHAPTER 40 || CHAPTER 41 || CHAPTER 42

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his -4.5k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

READ AM CONVERSATIONS AGAIN ON WATTPAD HERE

- notes: wow, it took a while didnt it? i have a hard time writing this story for a few specific reasons and thats why it takes me longer. i also need to plan the ending of this and its not easy because im scared to forget something. but i hope you enjoy this chapter! thanks so much for still reading this story!!!

if you want to be on the list of blogs i notify when this is updated, just message me :)

requests! : its late and i hope i dont forget any! i didnt add everything from the 2nd request in my chapter tho. i also promise more requests in the next chapter! its all planned so thank you!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHARACTERS HERE

Chapter 43 : His chapter

NIALL

June 25th, 2018

"Okay, move slightly on the right." I heard her, doing what she told me cautiously. "Now watch out, there's a step."

"Big or small?"

"Uhm, medium" she replied after thinking about it.

"Gee Liv, thanks!" I replied sarcastically before I carefully tried to put my foot on the step.

She guided me with difficulty until the car and I packed her last few boxes in the trunk. We sat in the car and I started it, feeling her gaze on me but I tried to ignore it until I felt her hand on my thigh. I suddenly relaxed and my eyes met hers for half a second before going back on the road.

"You should have let me help you." she pointed out with a soft voice. "I can carry more than one box, you know."

The left corner of my lips raised gently and I glanced at her again before stopping at a red light and turning my head completely her way. Her eyebrows raised and I sent her a small smile, shaking my head.

"I want you to let me take care of you." I admitted, bending closer to press my lips gently against hers in a quick kiss. "Besides, an old lady like you shouldn't carry heavy things."

With a chuckle, she slapped my arm gently as I started laughing and started driving again. It was already mid june and we had been working on her moving in with me for about a week. Most things were actually bought by Louis so all the furniture stayed there but it took us a while to pack all her stuff and bring the boxes to my house. I mean, our house.

"I'm only two years older than you!" she argued, making me laugh even more. "Do I have to call you 'kiddo'?"

"Please, I'm a man." I let out with a frown, half-joking. "You know it, you've seen me naked."

"Oh how my life has changed since then." she replied wih a chuckle, making me smile too.

We brought her stuff to our room and started unpacking together after I put music on. It invaded the house so loudly that the neighbours probably heard since we had opened the windows. It was a warm saturday afternoon and I still had a little bit more than a week off. I knew we were going to miss each other since I was about to leave for three months (even if i was going to be back here at some point in august for a few concerts) but we didn't talk about it much, as if it would make things worst.

I kept glancing at her from time to time as I was putting her stuff in my closet and my lips curled when I noticed she was dancing while putting her clothes in her dresser. It was nothing new. She had always been like that but somehow, at this exact moment, it made me realize how perfect this moment was. Loud music, finally sharing a house with the woman I loved, watching my girlfriend dance and sing happily close to me with a promise ring hidden in my underwear drawer. That whole scenario happening right in front of me felt like the accomplishment of something very very important and even if I couldn't define exactly what, I tried to remember this in my brain like the movie of a memory I wanted to watch over and over again until i'd be on my death bed. The smallest details seemed important and when she moved a lock of hair that had stuck on her lips behind her ear, I held my breath. Could I write a song about this?

She turned around and our eyes met and suddenly, her lips curled into a fond smile. I loved when she looked at me like that. I was used to it, because she's looked at me like that for as long as I could remember, but it's only now, the second time we're dating, that I realized what it meant and how important it was.

"Are you gonna help me or are you just going to stare at me while I do all the work?"

I chuckled and rolled my eyes before shaking my head and grabbing an other box. It was heavy and when I opened it, I saw a bunch of books, the first one on the top being the one she was reading at the moment. I knew because sometimes we'd just sit together in the living room in silence. She'd read and sometimes i would too, or id end up writing, or playing guitar. Just being in the same room was enough sometimes and I liked it. I grabbed the book and turned it around to read the summary but something else caught my attention and I frowned. Something was sticking out of the book and I pulled on it slightly only to see my face and hers on a few pictures. It came from the photobooth and if my memory served me right, it was from the first time we dated. I pulled on it more to see all the pictures and finally just opened the book so she wouldn't lose her page and let my eyes roam on the older pictures of us. I remembered how I felt, but I was well aware it was not comparable to the feelings I had now.

"Can't believe you kept this."

My eyes didn't move from the pictures but I felt her stop moving and finally get closer to me. I sat on my bed and I felt her sit next to me in silence until I finally looked up in her eyes.

"You have no idea of all the things I kept." she admitted and I could swear her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. "I kept a lot of souvenirs of you, Niall."

My smile curled a bit and she chuckled. "Really?"

"Oh don't look at me like that, it's not like I built a shrine for you or anything." she just rolled her eyes. "But your friendship and your love... yea, it's important for me."

I ran my thumb gently on the pictures for a few more minutes and finally put them back in the book before closing it. I stared at it until Liv grabbed my hand and I squeezed her fingers, looking up at her and sending her a smile.

"You know we need to christen the rooms." This time, she let out a loud laughter and it made my lips curl. "It's true!"

"It only applies to new places, Niall!" she laughed more. "We've already had sex pretty much in all the rooms of this house, and that says a lot!"

"Are you sure?" I asked, raising my eyebrows before she nodded. "All the bathrooms? Bedrooms?" She nodded again and I raised my nose up with a low groan, making her laugh again. "There must be somewhere we didn't fuck!"

"On the dryer."

"What?" I frowned.

"We never fucked on your dryer." she repeated with an amused smile, her head tilted. "We fucked in the showers, kitchen's table, kitchen's counter, on the couch, on the floor of the living room, in all the beds, on all the bedroom floors, in the music room and against that piano.. One time you even grabbed me when I got out of the shower to fuck me against the wall in the hall."

The left corner of my lips curled as the memory came back to my head and I raised my eyebrows. "Oh yea, I remember."

"But I don't remember fucking on the dryer."

My eyes roamed on her and I licked my lips. "We can do that now."

"Join me in 5 minutes?"

I raised my eyebrows in surprise when she suddenly got up and left. My fingers gripped the book in my hands tighter and I finally put it on the bed before turning my eyes to the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was the longest 5 minutes of my life and if I wanted to be honest, I only waited 3 and a half anyway.

I heard the dryer's noise and frowned a bit when I realized she had started it and when I got there, she was sitting on it and I noticed the matching black and silk panties and bra she was wearing. Her legs were hanging down the dryer and she was holding herself with her hands slightly behind her body, her dark hair falling near her back, and I stopped as soon as our eyes met.

"When did you put this on?"

"I wore them all day." she admitted with a smirk before chuckling when my face changed. "I mean, I wanted to show you but we were sort of busy."

I took a few steps closer slowly and put my palms on her thighs, sliding my hands up very slowly on her soft skin.

"Spread your legs, petal." I whispered as she bit her bottom lip but did as I asked.

"I wasn't sure if it actually looked good on me." she admitted low and I shook my head quickly.

"Oh shut up, darling, this makes me so fucking hard." To prove my point, I turned my hips a bit and pressed my hard cock through my pants against her naked thigh. "See?"

I ran my hands up to her breasts, touching them before slipping one of my hands under it to run the tip of two of my fingers on her nipple. "I'm so torn right now. I want to rip it off of you, but watching them on you is so fucking hot."

"Just move my panties aside and fuck me."

Her eyes seemed to sparkle but her expression was needy and I just licked my lips, bringing my hands down to my jeans and unzipping them as I kept staring at her.

"Such a needy little slut." I let out in a low tone. "Tell me how bad you want my cock. Beg me."

Her eyes never leaving mine, she brought her feet on the dryer, exposing her panties even more to me and slowly, I took my cock out and started stroking it. I could feel the dryer getting warmer and the way she seemed to shake over it made me want her even more.

"Fuck, Niall, I want you so bad. I need you deep inside me." she whimpered and licked her lips. "Please, Niall, I need your cock, please i'm begging you, fuck me."

I jerked off harder, making sure the tip of my dick rubbed against her pussy over her panties, and she whimpered and bit her bottom lip harder.

"Move your panties, pet. Show me your pretty little cunt."

She did as I asked and my eyes dropped between her legs as I moved even closer, close enough for the tip of my cock to push inside her. I groaned low and she let out a short whimper as I felt her throb around me.

"Deeper." she breathed out. "Fill me."

Quickly, I pushed myself inside her until I was balls deep and she let out a moan, her head falling back slightly and her eyes fluttering.

"Like this petal? How does my cock feel?"

She squirmed slightly and with difficulty but I watched her shake glancing a few times down to watch her grind despite herself on my dick. The feeling was amazing and I groaned louder when I felt her clench around me.

"So good, so fucking good." she whimpered again.

"You're so fucking wet and horny I just want to watch you fuck yourself on my cock until you cum all over it, baby girl." I let out without thinking. "How about you do that?"

I moved as close as I could and she ground on me for a few minutes. I loved the way she moved, all her facial expressions and the way her moans sounded but after a while, I couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her waist, my fingers sinking in her skin as I pulled her against me in motion with my thrusts.

"Fuck, i'm gonna cum." I just said still going hard.

I didn't know if it was because of my words or if she had been holding it for a while but she started shaking even harder against me as she came, my name escaping her lips in incredible moans and bringing me to my own orgasm. I shut my eyes tight, pushing myself so hard against her to make sure I went as deep as I could, and when I got down from my high, I leaned my forehead against hers, eyes still closed, as we both panted with parted lips.

"This is so much better." I whispered, moving a bit to reach her lips with mine.

"Better than what?" she asked in a breath as I kissed her gently again.

"Better than anything. Better than anyone." I confessed. "Better than sex without feelings."

It took her about a minute to talk but her words made me open my eyes suddenly.

"Are you in love with me, Niall?"

I pulled away to look in her eyes and frowned for a few seconds before shaking my head. I knew she was probably asking me simply because she wanted to hear it but I couldn't help but fear that she doubted it.

"Yes. I am in love with you, Olivia." I affirmed. "It will never change. I'll always be in love with you, for as long as I live, and maybe even after."

                                                        ---

June 29th, 2018

I was a bit sad she had insisted on inviting Louis and Eleanor on her birthday but I went along with it because it was her day and I loved her. She also had asked for nothing big, just a movie and games night with our friends, and somehow, I was down with that. Normally, I'd want to celebrate in a bar with many more friends but we were about to be separated for a while and I was not in the mood to celebrate that. I was just grateful I could spend her birth day with her.

"Okay, Liv, you sit next to me. Your boyfriend can sit next to El." I heard Louis say as I walked back in the living room with two bowls of popcorn.

"Excuse me? I pretty much intend on watching this movie cuddling my girlfriend, thank you very much!" I argued with a frown as I stood in the middle of the living room.

"If we do that we'll just spend an hour and a half making out!" Louis explained with round eyes. "At least you two will! You're both horny animals!"

"It's not like we were gonna fuck in front of you." I pointed out, rolling my eyes before sitting next to Eleanor who just laughed.

"Don't be a jealous boyfriend, Niall. Liv was my roommate before being your girlfriend again and I'm very sad that I can't wake her up by literally jumping in her bed at 6 in the morning anymore!" he joked with a chuckle before turning to my girlfriend. "Bet you miss it too!"

"6 in the morning?" I repeated with a frown again. "You never wake up so early."

"He did when he had meetings for his album." Olivia pointed out. "As you already know, 'pain in the ass' is in his DNA."

I laughed and she did too but the way she looked at me made me smile. Louis placed his arm on the back of the couch, near her shoulders, and I groaned low at sight. It's not that I wanted to read too much into this, but it was bothering me a lot and it was tough to hide. I was not the type to be jealous and I knew Olivia loved me, but every time I saw them near each other, I couldn't help but remember that they fucked multiple times and that nothing could ever erase that.

What took me out of my thoughts was something hitting my nose and the sweet laughter of my girlfriend. I shook my head slightly and sent her a smile as she sent me more popcorn and I grabbed some from my own bowl before throwing it at her, too. She laughed louder and we kept on throwing popcorn at each other until Louis groaned and stopped the movie. It was crazy how easily Louis could make himself home. He was using my remote for my tv, was sitting on my favorite spot on the couch, cuddling with my girlfriend.

"Fine! Fine I get it!" Louis gave in, raising his hand up in defeat. "You guys can't stay too far away from each other for too long. It's sad but it is what it is!"

He practically jumped off the couch and walked up to me. After a quick head movement, I sent him a smile and got up to. I let myself fall next to Liv and immediately, she cuddled my side like a magnet, making me smile more. I had no idea why I was insecure when it came to Louis, but she proved over and over again that I had no reason to be. I wrapped my arm around her to pull her closer and we finished the movie before grabbing a few beers and talking. It was almost 3 in the morning when Louis and El left and I watched as Liv got up, yawned and stretched.

"I'm so tired, let's go to bed, yea?"

"We really should clean first." I pointed out, grabbing a few bottles.

I was about to bring them to the kitchen but she stopped me with a grimace and a groan. "Niall, we need to sleep. Come onnnn, we can do that tomorrow."

I stared at her and sighed, not really sure I liked the idea but I finally nodded and followed her to the room as she held my hand and pulled me with her. We fell asleep quickly but she did before me and for some reason, I enjoyed watching her snore lightly, her lips parted, as I held her close to me. These days, we fell asleep holding each other face to face and it was very different from our usual spooning. Still, I liked it but when I woke up, she was on the other side of the bed, her legs were over mine, and I smiled at how much she had moved.

I got up, put sweatpants on and made coffee before drinking a cup as I looked at the mess in the living room and the kitchen. She joined me about half an hour later, entering the kitchen as she yawned. It made me chuckle but I liked the mess of her hair and her lazy smile. I wanted that every single morning of my life.

"Slept well?"

"Yes but not enough." she just shrugged with an other yawn.

I poured her coffee in her favorite mug and we both drank in silence, leaned against the counter. After I was done, I put my cup in the sink and without turning back to look at her, I sighed.

"We need to clean now."

"Mm, I just woke up. We can do that later in the afternoon." she just shrugged.

"Liv, we need to clean now. That's what happens when we postpone these kind of things. It'll never be fun but doing it now means we can do something else after."

She stared at me a few seconds and sighed, letting her head fall back on her shoulders. I didn't want to argue with her, and I knew how messy she was, but she also knew I was the opposite and that leaving everything as is the night before had been annoying to me.

"Well I don't want to do it now."

I didn't expect that answer and took a step back as my eyebrows raised.

"Why are you being like that?"

"Why are you being like that?" she repeated. "This can wait! I can't believe we're arguing over that!"

"Olivia, please! We left this mess last night and we need to clean!"

"You knew how i was before I started living here, it's nothing new!" she let out a bit roughly.

"And you know how I was too!" I argued before she brought her hands to her face and sighed. "You need to make efforts, okay? I am!"

My voice was a bit too loud and I knew it but I was getting pissed. I couldn't believe we were arguing over something like that. After all we had been through, I didn't want to accept that something so silly could be what would end us.

"I just... I need a shower."

I left without waiting for her answer and stayed a bit too long under the hot stream but when I got out of the bathroom with clean clothes, my lips curled at the sight. She had cleaned a good part of the living room and was now working on filling the dishwasher. I walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind, leaning my chin on her shoulder.

"Thank you." I whispered, leaving a few kisses on her neck and she finally turned in my arms to look in my eyes.

"I'm sorry."she sighed and licked her lips. "I'll make efforts, I promise."

We finished cleaning and ended up sitting at the table with an other cup of coffee and eggs. The problem was, I couldn't stop thinking that I was leaving in a few days and it bothered me. I wanted us to discuss it but at the same time, I was not sure she wanted to talk about it. I knew that she thought mentioning things out loud made them more real or concrete but ignoring them and pretending the problems weren't there wouldn't make them disappear.

"It's gonna be tough, you know. We'll be away from each other for quite a while."

It took her a few seconds to answer as she seemed focused on her coffee but after a while, she breathed in and sighed.

"I know it won't be easy, Niall, but I also know that it will never be as hard as it was without you for a whole year. So yea, I think we can get through this and come out stronger." she said in a calm way before looking up in my eyes. "I hate being away from you but that won't change my love for you, not even just a little."

I reached for her hand on the table and squeezed her fingers before sending her a small smile. "It won't change mine either. And you're right, that year without you was the worse I've ever been through."

"It's... different." she told cautiously, looking up at me and noticing my questioning look. "You spent that year without me because you decided it, it was your choice. You did it for a reason and you wanted to be alone to live things you clearly thought you couldn't live with me. But me... I suffered through it. You broke up with me, broke my heart... I lost my best friend and the love of my life at the same time, you know? We didn't live that year the same way."

I felt my heart thump hard in my chest and I just nodded very slightly, as we stared at each other.

"You know, Niall... you left me with nothing." she said and I could swear I heard her voice crack. "I tried to find someone else, to find what I was missing from someone else, but I never really found it because what I was missing was you." Once again, she breathed in and sighed. "I know it's not easy but maybe you should try to put yourself in my shoes and... try to understand how I feel, you know? How I felt all those months."

I remembered that she told me it was tough for her but I never really understood how hard it had been until I found out she had literally tried to kill herself. Still, I felt like I couldn't really know the feeling and never would be able to. I remained silent as her words kept running in my head and finally held my breath. I couldn't believe I was thinking about writing a song in such a deep moment but I was and I just shook my head.

"You're right, Liv." I admitted, reaching for her other hand and squeezing both of them tight. "I'll try to understand how you felt in that year we were apart, after I broke you. It's hard to imagine but, I know I've hurt you more than I ever hurt anyone else, and I'll listen to everything you have to say about it."

She sent me a fond smile and nodded. "I can't really put it in the past." she added low. "Not because I don't want to, but because I feel like it's part of our story. I thought I knew who you were, I thought you'd never leave. I mean, we've known each other for decades... I thought you would never break my heart. But it was hard to accept, you know? That I didn't know you as well as I thought I did. I felt like... you ripped my heart out. Like you stole something from me that I could never get back without really knowing what it was. And I wanted it back. The worst was.. I still wanted to be with you. If you had came back I would have said yes in a heartbeat. I was always thinking of you, no matter who I was with, and yes, it includes Louis."

I stared at her, blinking a few times but still remained silent. I didn't want to let go of her hands and I also didn't want to talk. I thought it was just time to listen.

"I just... I went in bars and clubs to change my mind, I tried to date other people, I tried to drink my pain away... I just wanted to get over you and nothing worked, because I had nothing left." She paused again and shrugged. "I learned that making you the center of my life was not a good idea but it was something I was used to, I did it since I was a kid. Now I don't want to do things for you, Niall. I want to do things for us, and I want you to do the same. It's a team work. I mean, it's us against the world, right? That's what we said?"

I sent her a bigger smile and nodded. "It is. You and me."

[words-in-air]

00:00

Mikan sets her phone down on the nightstand and rubs her eyes, keeping them closed as she stretches. It's been a long day. Mikan looks next to her, where her boyfriend grunts peacefully. In his sleep, Natsume looks like an angel, the juxtaposition within him of elegance and something raw and ethereal.

As if he can sense her eyes on him, Natsume's eyes flutter open. When he sees Mikan very much not asleep, he props himself up sleepily on one elbow, his eyes asking a question.

Mikan obliges. The kiss is salty. "I'm nervous," she admits.

"I wish you would have let me done it."

"It wouldn't have worked, if it was you. Hotaru and I have a special connection that can't be explained, just like Alices can't be explained."

"Still, I'm the one who owes Imai," Natsume says quietly. "I owe her my life."

"No," Mikan smiles. "I owe her my life. I get to go to bed and wake up in the morning to this bad breath. Go to sleep already."

"Only if you spoon me, Polka," Natsume smirks.

"Big baby." Mikan tugs the bedroom lamp, plunging the room into darkness. She wraps her skinny arms around Natsume’s hot skin. I love you, she mouths against his back.

“”MmLove you too,” Natsume mumbles. He’s already dreaming. As usual, Mikan is in his dreams. They are sweet.

06:00

When Mikan and Natsume arrive at the Alice Academy Hospital Wing, Narumi and Yuu are there to greet them. “Narumi-sensei!” Mikan cries, running into his arms.

“Mikan!” Narumi crows, hugging her tightly to his chest. He catches Natsume’s eyes playfully. Natsume glares and ignores him: “Hey, Yuu.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Like shite.”

“Language.”

The two men share a laugh. “You know what I remember?” Yuu says, almost wistfully. “That time my Alice was stolen, and how Hotaru got shot, and how you and Mikan and Ruka and Tsubasa-senpai tried to find the antidote. You were all trying to out hero each other even then. I hope that you know you don’t have to do anything. Hotaru wouldn’t want that.”

“You know Mikan. It isn’t about debt or trying to be heroic,” Natsume replies. “It’s about love and necessity. That Hotaru is Mikan’s soulmate I’ve already known for a long time. Because I know she needs to do this, I’m standing back and letting her make her decision. Because I understand. It’s like me and Ruka.”

Yuu is raising his eyebrows.

“What,” Natsume says, a little embarrassed at the passion he put into that little speech.

“Just waiting for you to say no homo.”

“Yes homo, dude. I love Ruka. No need to hide anything.”

“I love how humorous you’ve become after dating Mikan,” Yuu remarks.

Meanwhile, said subject is going over paperwork. “Mikan, are you sure?” Narumi sensei asks. He thinks of Mikan as his own child. He also thinks Mikan has never resembled Yuka more than in this moment, determination emanating ferociously from her expression.

Of course, her response is relaxed and chipper. “Yes, sensei. It’s not that she’s done so much for me. It’s that I don’t know who I am without her. And I don’t want to know who I am without her, either. I’m sick of living a half filled life. I want to live with Hotaru by my side.”

Before Narumi can say anything, Mikan cuts him a look. “Please don’t say anything about her body and soul still being in the hospital. I know. I come here to see her everyday. And I also know that she’s not going to get better by herself at this rate.”

“You don’t know that though,” Narumi finds himself arguing. “This is a gamble. You’re gambling half of your organs away, not to mention a significant portion of your lifespan—“

“Sensei,” Mikan says kindly. “I know it as well as I know Mr. Bear, or Jii-chan, or Natsume — I feel it in my bones — that it will be fine. Me and Hotaru, we will make it work.”

12:00

Natsume is allowed one last hug before Mikan disappears behind the double doors. “I love you,” he whispers gruffly.

“Love you,” Mikan says, remembering the way that his heart beats. “I’ll see you soon, so stop looking at me like that.”

“I always look at you like this,” Natsume says, but he’s averting his gaze. Subaru’s coming his way, and he’ll be damned if he actually cries in front of someone. Why couldn’t Imai be like her brother, he thinks not for the first time.

Subaru and Hotaru were successfully brought back from the time warp a few months ago, after nearly half a decade of studying and experimenting with the full efforts of the Academy, who made the Imais’ return a top priority. Subaru recuperated quickly, the only traces of the time warp now left in his head as memories, because he has the Healing Alice. As for his younger sister, well... once again she was on life support.

Natsume thinks of the way Mikan had looked the first time they visited Hotaru’s room. He coughs. Yuu pats him on the back.

“She said she was coming back,” Natsume reasons.

Yuu finds that watching his friend is too painful. He can only silently nod.

Inside the room, Mikan begins the procedure of removing her clothes. Subaru goes through the clipboard, marking errant notes awkwardly.

“You can speak, Dr. Imai,” Mikan laughs as she puts on the hospital gown.

“I just don’t understand you girls.”

“I don’t understand what you’re about to do to my body, but as long as Hotaru gains consciousness, consider it a job well done.”

Subaru shakes his head. “Anyhow, thank you for doing this.”

“Thank you,” Mikan says. “For helping me do this.”

18:00

Hotaru is alone, walking on a beautiful garden filled with flowers made of metallic petals. Penguin is here, next to her.

So I’m dead, she thinks bluntly. Then: why is death so boring?

She has been walking this same path, listening to the same electronic hum, for the past few months. At least she thinks it’s a few months. She didn’t know how to keep track of time when she first arrived, but then her instincts clicked into place after a certain amount of time and she built herself a clock.

It’s boring, she thinks again. Penguin heees. “What’s that, Penguin?”

“Hee! Hee!”

“Mikan? What about Mikan? She’s in danger?”

Penguin only hees again, urgently. It must be this place messing with its reception, Hotaru thinks frustratedly. Stupid place. Stupid Penguin. Stupid—

“Hotaru. HOTARU!” She hears, and looks up right as a dark mass drops onto her.

For one split second, Hotaru thinks she’s died again. And then she hears something: “Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Hotaru, it’s really you...”

Hotaru knows this voice. She hears it often in her head, in her memories that surface like gifts in her dreams. “Mikan?”

“Hotaru!”

“Mikan...!”

21:00

“This place is so weird,” Mikan says. She sniffles. The first hour she wouldn’t stop crying, and the past two hours she has gone over everything that’s happened in Hotaru’s absence. When it was Hotaru’s time to share she took Mikan for a stroll along the path.

“I know,” Hotaru says.

“It’s very you, though. Look at the robotic flowers. Look at these baby robot bees. Where even are we?”

“I don’t know,” Hotaru said. “I’m still amazed you even found me.”

“It’s the power of our love,” Mikan smiles. “Right, Penguin?” Penguin hees.

Hotaru feels a surge of emotion for her best friend and she combats it by taking out her Baka Gun, Heaven Edition. “Look what I made.”

Mikan shakes her head. “Of course you did. Oh my gosh, Hotaru, look!! There’s a turtle!!”

The two girls watch as it leisurely crosses the path ahead of them.

Hotaru takes this chance to say what’s been on her mind: “Mikan, what if we’re stuck here?”

Mikan doesn’t even miss a beat. “Then at least I’m stuck here with you.”

“Mikan...”

“Hotaru,” her best friend says. “I think the reason you haven’t come back Earthside yet is because.. you don’t want to. And that’s okay, as long as I get to he by your side. When you’re ready we can go back. But we have all the time in the world, so there’s no rush.” Mikan pauses. “Do you think we get to bring Penguin back?”

“No, you idiot,” Hotaru replies. “I think this is a place for wandering souls. Like in a time warp, but not in the sense of time. Like you said, there’s an element of indecision, I agree.”

Mikan peeks over at her best friend.

“What?” Hotaru feels compelled to ask.

“Don’t you think I’ve become, like, smarter? And more intelligent? Subaru said— OW! Hotaru!”

“The Baka Gun Heaven Edition thinks otherwise,” Hotaru says. “My sincere condolences.”

22:30

“Hey, what’s Ruka been up to these days?”

“Why’re we asking? OKAY okay, no need to pull out the cannon. He’s a vet. In France. He’s flying back this week to see us though. By us I mean me and YOU.”

“...”

“Why do you ask—Hotaru! Stop running! Wait up!”

23:15

“Do you think we’ll remember this when we wake up?” Mikan wonders. “It’s so beautiful. I want to remember this.”

“Probably as a dream if we do,” Hotaru says. “We’re actually really close to the real world. Hear that electronic hum? It’s hospital equipment, I think.”

Mikan’s mouth makes an O. “Hotaru, you’re so smart!”

“Damn straight.”

23:45

“It surprises me that Hyuuga hasn’t asked to marry you,” Hotaru remarks. She and Mikan are laying down now, watching the periwinkle sky ripple with color.

Mikan hums. “Even if he did, I wouldn’t say yes.”

Hotaru turns her head to look at her best friend. “What if I never woke up? You never were going to get married?”

“Yep,” Mikan says cheerfully. “It’s okay, Natsume understands.”

“You’re crazy,” Hotaru states simply.

“You’re my most important person! And don’t lie to yourself, Hotaru. You would do the same!” Mikan exclaims.

“No,” Hotaru argues. “I would find a way to wake you up way sooner because I’m a genius.”

Mikan sticks her tongue out and shuffles closer to Hotaru, draping her arms around her best friend. “Was it lonely?”

“No,” Hotaru thinks. “Just boring. I might’ve been lonely if you hadn’t found me sooner, though.”

“What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that when I come home, I want to be brought home on an elephant. The time warp once dropped me and Onii-chan in India once, and that’s how they carried royalty.”

“That actually sounds really nice.” Mikan muses.

Penguin hees softly. Mikan snuggles in. Hotaru smiles. She’s content, in this moment.

She’s ready.

“You’re ready?”

Hotaru squeezes her best friend’s hand. “Yeah, let’s go back.”

00:00

“Natsume,” Mochiage urges. “You need to stand up straight. Natsume.”

The entire class of 2B is congregated in the hospital’s waiting wings. Natsume’s face is gray. Mikan’s been under operation for 12 hours now, during which Natsume has refused to eat or drink or move from his spot.

Ruka shakes his head. “Leave him be. It’s been a long day.” Mochu sighs, throwing his hands up.

In another corner, Sumire is pacing, biting her nails. Koko pulls her hand from her mouth, encircling it within his own hands.

“I’m not nervous, because there’s nothing to be nervous about,” Sumire declares sharply, looking at her husband.

Koko only smiles. “I know, Mire. I know.”

“They’ll come back. Where’s Anna and Nonoko? Anna! Nonoko!” Sumire pulls her hand from Koko’s grasp and marches purposefully across the room. “I swear I told them to...”

Koko sighs. He doesn’t need to be a mindreader right now to know what everyone’s thinking. He wishes he had an Alice limiting bracelet, because at a hospital especialy, everyone’s thoughts are so damn loud. His hearing is amplified to an exponential amount.

Hey, Hotaru, Koko suddenly hears.

What? Koko thinks, alert. That was definitely Mikan’s dumb voice.

What, you idiot.

This voice is so familiar and heartbreaking to Koko that he falls to his knees. He’s spent the past few years trying to remember and memorize this voice, as proof that she had existed. Hotaru Imai had existed, because she had a voice in his mind.

“Koko?” Yuu rushes over. “Koko, what’s wrong?”

Natsume knows. Natsume knows, and his head whips up and focuses on Koko with a burning intensity.

Do you remember? Mikan now, her voice clear, a little weak.

Yeah. Hotaru responds, quiet. Yeah.

So it wasn’t a dream. Then, I’m glad.

Koko nods at Natsume, who is up on his feet in less than one second just as Dr. Imai appears through the doors. He’s sweaty, exhausted. His bangs are sticking to his head. Natsume thinks he’s never seen anything more angelic when he speaks.

“The operation was a success.”

Subaru finally cracks a smile.

“You can go see Hotaru and Sakura now.”

｡o° ✧༺ ✿ ༻∞ ❀ ∞༺ ✿ ༻✧ °o｡

It’s been a week since the two girls’ release, and every single day Mikan has fallen asleep next to her best friend. Natsume, grumbling, has been relocated to Ruka’s place in Tokyo. Today, though, Hotaru is moving out. Mikan sits as Hotaru goes through her suitcase one last time.

“Do you have to move out,” Mikan says, for the umpteenth time.

“Hyuuga—“

“Don’t lie and make this about Natsume.” Mikan is petulant. “We spent so many years apart, the least we could do is—“

“No,” Hotaru breaks in. “You are a slob, you never clean up after yourself, there are crumbs in the bed. Plus, you drool, and you move around in your sleep. And you sleeptalk. Only Hyuuga deserves to put up with this. Not someone like me.”

Mikan pouts. “Where are you going to stay?” Upon seeing Hotaru’s face, horror dawns upon her. “Hotaru, no.”

“Nogi was kind enough to offer, who am I to refuse his hospitality?”

“Is Ruka not going back to France?” Mikan is shocked. “He’s just leaving his entire house to you?”

Hotaru looks into her luggage. “Well, it appears that he’s staying in Japan for the time being. To open a Japanese branch for his clinic.”

Mikan is scandalized. “So you’re willing to be roommates with him, but not with me? Hotaru!”

“He’s not going to bother or distract me. I have a multi billion dollar corporation to launch. I have all these years to catch up on. Stop pouting, you look ugly.”

“Hmph!” Mikan snorts. She takes a different angle. “At least let me visit.”

“Twice a month.”

“Hotaru! Twice a day.”

“Twice a week.”

“Seven times a week.”

“Seven times a week for half an hour each.”

“One hour. I’ll be quiet. I can be quiet, you know.”

“No, I don’t know,” Hotaru smirks. “Fine. You have yourself a deal.” She closes the suitcase and secures the clasp, pulling it as she drags it out of the room. Mikan follows, a little woefully.

“How are you getting there, at least?”

“Oh,” Hotaru smiles. “I called in a few favors.”

Outside the house, a familiar blonde Frenchman sits atop a big, grey elephant. The two of them are happy, playing around, unawares of the gaping brunette and the pair of unimpressed violet eyes.

“It’s just as sickening as I remember,” Hotaru mutters.

“You’re insane, Hotaru!” Mikan whispers.

When Ruka notices them, he blushes. “Hi, Mikan! Hi, Imai! Are you ready to go?”

“You heard the man.” Hotaru turns to her best friend. “Wanna ride with me?”

“HOTARU! I love you!” Mikan leaps and crashes into her best friend. “You know the answer’s forever yes.”

Yes, it was forever Mikan and Hotaru, and Hotaru and Mikan. They had found ways to be together no matter how big the obstacles that faced them were. The future was going to be no different — there was undoubtedly going to be a great amount of uncertainties, but Hotaru and Mikan would find a way to be together through it all. Because it was Mikan and Hotaru and Hotaru and Mikan. They belonged to each other.

—

For @crimsoncitrus who requested a Hotaru and Mikan fic! This got so much longer than anticipated, sorry (*´ω｀*) hope you enjoy!!

[inkribbon796]

Egotober Day 1: Childhood Terror

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Prompt: T-Shirt

Summary: The Manor is notoriously not a kid friend place, for the suits of armor, to the precious paintings, to the mountain of secrets hidden in the attic. But most parents figure that by their teens kids can be trusted not to accidentally hurt themselves. However, this is unfortunately not the case.

A/N: PSA! Do not fire t-shirt cannons directly at people! You will hurt them. The Author is just being dumb. A reminder that Kay (Kaylor) is King of the Squirrels.

Warnings: None. Just don’t play around with t-shirt cannons or aim them at people.

~::~ Six Years Ago ~::~

Kay and Illinois were playing chess at the Manor’s kitchen table, Kay currently had Illinois on the defensive, but except for the occasional click of the chess clock and the clack of chess pieces on a board so old it was made of legitimate ivory and the board was marble, the two young teens were quiet.

Arthur burst in and shouted, “Dodge this, fucker!”

Illinois didn’t even turn around before he dove for the floor, which left Kay unfortunately in the line of fire, and before he could look up he was hit square in the chest by something so hard it knocked him and his chair back and all he could see was white. The young teen was in so much pain that he couldn’t even scream . . . yet.

“Shit!” Illinois swore as he ran over to Kay who was on the ground. “Kay?”

Then he looked back at Arthur, who looked nervous. “What did you do?”

“I don’t know, is he dead?” Arthur asked as he came around the table, a t-shirt cannon in hand. “Help me hide the body, before the Old Man finds me.”

“Fuck off,” Illinois told him.

Kay let out a choked sob, before he started wailing in pain.

Almost at that same second, Dark was on top of them, his aura ripping the t-shirt cannon out of Arthur’s hands and angrily throwing it against the wall. The Entity shoved Illinois and Arthur out of his way and knelt over Kaylor who was limply clutching his chest.

“Can you breathe?” Dark demanded, looking Kay over with parental desperation.

The young teen’s answer was a pained scream, and Dark took that as a solid yes.

He used his aura to carefully scoop the teen up and glared at Arthur, “We’ll talk afterwards.”

Then the Entity rushed into a portal, heading to a doctor.

Arthur was standing in the kitchen with a look of pure fear on the young author’s face. “I’m so dead.”

“Yeah,” Illinois nodded in agreement. “What was that thing?”

“It shot t-shirts so I was going to shoot you in the head for being a shitheel,” Arthur admitted, as if that was a perfectly reasonable thing to do and say.

Illinois stared at him and remembered Kay’s screams, “You’re an absolute asshole.”

“I didn’t mean to hit him,” Arthur defended heatedly. “I meant to hit you. It’s not like it’s a gun.”

Illinois shoved the notebook out of his hands and kicked it across the kitchen. Arthur gasped in horror and hit Illinois in the face for his act of violence. The two teens began a violent fist fight.

Arthur threatened, trying to reach for his notebook, “Oh, I am going to make you choke on your own tongue when I get my pen back.”

Suddenly they were both pulled apart by Dark’s aura and pinned to the ground. Both of them were spitting and cursing in anger.

“I can’t leave any of you alone, can I?” Dark fumed in anger.

“He tried to kill me!” Illinois accused.

“He kicked my notebook!” Arthur screamed in a blind rage.

Dark rolled his eyes and sent both of them into a different portal, making sure Arthur and his writing powers were safely contained in a little pocket space so he could simmer and write out his anger without hurting someone. Illinois was shut up in his room for his part in the fight.

The Entity would later check the camera system he’d had set up around the house ages ago by Google. Only after he was sure Arthur would stay put and Kay was actually okay despite his four cracked ribs and furious anger at Arthur for being shot at. It had become a must as his children grew older and their personalities began to settle.

Illinois would be grounded for three days, which actually turned into just six hours, for punching Arthur and starting the fight. And Arthur would be grounded for a week, which only turned into a day, for the mess with the t-shirt cannon and threatening Illinois.

Dinner that night was awkward, Dark having to put up his aura as a protective barrier so Arthur and Illinois didn’t kick each other underneath the table as the three teens involved glared at each other in angry silence.

Kay was the first one to break the silence by flipping Arthur off while he was grabbing the juice pitcher, starting an argument in its wake.

[flipsideds]

it’s all run amuck.

a server’s dropped two trays of fresh-baked scones, and the confections litter the floor like fallen leaves, purple-pink icing making the banquet hall look less like the site of a charity benefit and more like the streets of chilham mid-fall. it lights nostalgia beneath his ribs, and flip finds his lips tugging into a wistful smile.

but then a penguin-prettied guest clears his throat and arches a bristly brow.

“ right then, ” flip says with a curt nod. he clasps his hands, gaze sweeping one final dance across the sugar speckled floor. “ i’ll see to some replacements for you. ”  he forces a gentle smile –– the chasm between the man’s brows only deepens.

amuck indeed.

flip glides toward the kitchen. he’s a smooth-sailing afternoon cloud; light. airy. bloody nervous.

oh, dear.

flip allan bell has a case of the collywobbles, theodore, his old assistant would tease whenever he’d drop a bowl, tray, or spoon. the best baker’s hand he’d been, that one. it’s a shame he ––

flip blinks. thinks of flames, of ink black smoke. then tries not to think about anything at all.

quick fingers collect ingredients, combine. get to kneading. in here, there’s no clammer. no crowd. just sugar, butter, flour. a baffled baker’s best friend. he’ll forget the chaos, for a little while. he’ll close his eyes as he brings cherry compote to a simmer, and think of home.

or, alternatively :  greetings loved ones!! my name is linc ( 21 / est / she/her ) and here is the ever so lovely, ever so flighty phillip allan bell !

below the cut you’ll find a messy run-down of who he is, where he’s come from, and where he’s headed. i am so excited to write with all of you !!  he’s fresh out of the oven ( just ask nika ) so i am head over heels for watching him grow in the windy city !

toss on some nat king cole, julie london, billie holiday, chet baker & let’s get cookin’.

— && guests may mistake me as david corenswet, but really i am phillip "flip" allan bell + cis male + he/him/his  and my DOB is 02/29/1992. i am applying for the banquet manager position as part of the EHP and would like to live in suite 201. i should be hired because i am + breezy, expressive, peaceable, but i can also be flighty, perplexed, vacillant at times. personally, i like to bake sweets, not hum along to nat king cole while dancing around my flat alone, and most certainly never wear trousers that are just a bit too short to show off my eccentric sock collection when off the clock, but that won’t interfere with work. thank you for your consideration! 

h i s t o r y .

born in the small english village of chilham, phillip allan bell never knew his parents––but they took great care in stapling a note with his name, birthday, and favorite color to the blanket he was found swaddled in on the steps of the local market. ( phillip allan. 29 february. needs green. ) or, at least, that’s how flip tells the story. it’s unclear whether or not his parents’ chicken scratch called for green the color, or green the currency.

when phillip started speaking, he couldn’t properly say his own name. hence the nickname flip was born. the other children in the group home took to it easily, so the single-syllable stuck.

he spent the majority of his childhood in and out of foster homes throughout kent, always returning to the same group home after intervals of six months to a year. he began helping in the kitchen early on, so he became known as flip baker –– whether in foster care or the care of group home supervisors, flip always came to dinner with a new sweet treat for the others to try. people wouldn’t want to end their time fostering him because they loved the food. but in the end, the poor boy wouldn’t be adopted. reasons tended to ring much the same, “ oh, he’s lovely, really. what a sweetheart. just a bit too nervous for us, we’re afraid. ”

in fact, nervousness colored most of flip’s young life. from loud noises to spiders to fitting in, his mind always spun about endless possibilities –– quite rarely the good ones. the kitchen was the only place he truly quieted this tendency. he baked and cooked with steady hand, when he was alone. other folks in the kitchen with him would disrupt that cadence, but flip was never one to complain. he’d just fumble a bit, laugh nervously, and move along. he’s a remarkable chef –– and the kitchen always has ample marks to prove it.

shortly after turning 16, flip relocated to london. an older couple agreed to foster and adopt him as their own, but that stability was short-lived. they perished in an apartment fire just two months later. their youngest son, theodore, agreed to take him under his wing. at only 18, the two boys became fast friends. when flip decided to open his own bakery, theodore offered to be his assistant. from then on, the sweet by & by was born.

the bakery quickly rose to fame in the london area. people traveled from far and wide to try the legendary fruit scones, fresh cakes, and scrumptious sourdough. the bbc did a feature on the bakery for one of their london food series, and the sweet by & by began attracting tourists for something more than its treats :  its adorably frenetic baker. the kitchen was always spotted, his cheeks always dotted with icing or sugar. but he’d always greet customers with a molten-honey smile. tender green eyes. for years, the bakery prospered. flip prospered. he rose early to bake. he and theodore experimented with new recipes, danced around the kitchen to billie holiday, nat king cole... things were brilliant. radiant. whole. and then came the fire.

( tw: fire, death ) it happened while on a morning that was... well. most unusual. typically, flip and theodore would open the bakery together––3am sharp. they’d start preparing the day’s fresh goods, oldies playing softly on the stereo around them. but this september day in particular started off like no other: with theodore opening. alone. flip had stayed the night at one of his friends’ flats, unplanned. they’d hosted a housewarming party, and broken out his kryptonite: good bourbon. he’d drank more than his fill, and shot a text to theodore asking if it’d be alright if he started out the next day on his own. theodore agreed with a cheeky reply, getting some, are you, flip? right! as if. both men thought nothing of it. the opening, the slight shift in daily pattern. flip would be in by noon and business would carry on as usual. except flip always handled the faulty oven. on this particular morning, the device’s... quirks... slipped theodore’s mind. it took twenty minutes for the wires to start smoking. thirty minutes before theodore, swirling about the countertops with earbuds in, realized something was burning. on september 30, 2020 the sweet by & by burnt to the ground. and three days later, by smoke inhalation, it took flip’s dearest friend with it.

and that’s how it goes, innit? the story? the heartache? standing on the corner of upland and darrell road dressed in his funeral tie, squinting through scorched brick and metal like maybe, maybe if he stared hard enough, theodore, alive and well, might rise from the ashes. he didn’t. he didn’t, and flip visited the property each day for a week until he realized... he never would. he sorted through theodore’s personal affects. finally started his adopted surname, bell, as his own. he appeased reporters, for a little while. told the story, expressed how much he’d miss his best friend. his brother. but what about the bakery?, they’d ask. what about the sweet by & by? in the last interview flip ever did for the local stations, he reckoned perhaps that chapter, however sweet, was now meant to close. somewhere, online, there’s footage of him blinking through tears. twisting theo’s favorite ring around his own middle finger. green –– tsavorite. it means compassion, theodore had explained one night, after closing up. after they’d snatched a pint at the local pub and meandered on home. benevolence. beauty. somewhere, online, a reporter asks flip about that very stone. somewhere, online, flip pretends he didn’t hear it.

then came the bubble wrapping. the cardboard, packing tape. fingers rubbed raw from crinkling tape around itself, tearing it off, starting again. after theodore’s services, after relinquishing the bakery property to dulwich, flip packs his bags. he buys himself a nap, a pack of werther’s originals, and flees across the sea.

to chicago. the windy city. it’s always been circled on theodore’s map of america. that’s one i’d like to see someday, he’d say over a glass of bourbon. reckon they’re as tough as they seem? flip would always shrug, take a sip of his own drink. he didn’t know. but now? now, he would. on the plane, he spins theodore’s ring around his middle finger. even when he falls asleep, his forefinger and thumb stay there, shielding.

his initial thought is... perhaps he’ll open a bakery. but with the financial losses from the blaze, flip knows better than to embark on such an undertaking. so he does the responsible thing –– he finds a respectable job, at a respectable inn. the american experience, he hears theodore croon in the back of his mind, as he fills out his application. he’s jet lagged, distracted –– he doesn’t realize he’s checked the wrong box until the material’s been sent. and then he gets it. a banquet manager. oh, dear –– he hasn’t the faintest idea where to begin.

d i s p o s i t i o n .

born on a leap year. meaning he’s 28. but also 7.

for real footage of how flip handles himself in the kitchen, or just in general, check out this video. do i watch it daily? yes. did it inspire the general framework for flip’s frenetic kitchen tendencies? ...maybe. the chief difference lies in the result. things may crash and burn. it might look like it’s about to fall apart. but he always, always pulls it into a beautiful success.

he’s got a very deep-seated fear of fire. he’ll light candles in his flat only to flinch and snuff them out. if someone in the kitchen cooks with wine or vinegar and the skillet bursts into flame, he’ll look as though he’s seen a ghost. and he believes he’s subtle about it; oh, he truly does. but anyone with two eyes and a brain can piece together this man is very uneasy around flames.

he’s moved here with truly no plan, beyond experiencing chicago in all its glory, to make good on theodore’s dream. but as glorious and exciting as that is, he’s petrified. please help him.

there’s... a lot of unresolved traumas and sadness regarding his childhood. the bell family was the first to truly see him and give him, in all his anxious entirety, a chance. losing his last link to them has been... difficult, to say the least.

he’s a sucker for oldie music. god. it transports him. you can frequently find him in the malnati kitchens after hours whipping up something beautiful to a background of billie holiday or french classics. humming along, eyes closed, swaying... he’s graceful, truly –– when he’s not thinking about anything.

very terrible about crushes. very terrible about crushes on him. flirting sends his brain into overdrive and... often, he short-circuits. ask him a question about himself he isn’t expecting and he’ll handle it kindly, but will look like a deer in headlights.

amendment: more often than not looks like a deer in headlights.

peaceful at his core. but with the ruckus and the world raging around him, there’s always something more to worry about. if he gives you winnie the pooh vibes, it typically means he’s spinning.

he has a very delightful way of managing, mostly because he’s scared shitless of people being mean. he handles every blip and bump with ease. but inside? he’s fretting.

amendment: most often, he’s fretting. very little quiets his mind. baking, maybe. you can tell he’s having a shit time if he shows up unannounced with endless supplies of new recipes.

adores poetry. he likes reading in public spaces, people watching. he’ll often mouth the words to himself, brow furrowed, eyes lighting like he’s seeing suns rise and fall for the first time.

he’s been in love once in his life. her name was georgie. she was the epitome of breathlessness, milky sunlight, espresso brewed on a crisp morning. she was... not who he thought she was. ( she cheated, after two years of time spent together. he found them out, on a date, on an impromptu trip to brixton market for fresh supplies. )

pansexual and very aware of it. he’s in denial about people fancying him. but he very frequently develops small admirations for people, from afar.

6′4, very tall. his pants are always a slight bit too short. if you tell him, he’ll act surprised, the beautifully eccentric socks peeking out from underneath will suggest otherwise.

he’s never had a s’more. he can’t tell if he’s more intrigued or scared by the thought of them.

doesn’t like birds, particularly ones that swoop low. ( there’ve been incidents. ) he also doesn’t take a great liking to men in tall hats. ( another incident. )

make fun of his accent please i beg you. he does not know how to handle it. he’ll stammer and chuckle and it’ll be bloody amazing, i promise you.

c o n n e c t i o n s .

MAGNOLIA BARNES –– friend. they met during her time in london. neither of them are aware they’re in the same city now, let alone the same hotel. i imagine flip hasn’t told her about the bakery yet. it hasn’t really made news outside of england, so that will certainly be... a story to tell.

FLIRTATIONSHIP / SOMETHING MORE –– just imagine this nervous little bean navigating a new love connection... please... he’ll be a mess.

TOUR GUIDES –– ever wanted to show someone your version of chicago? now’s your chance! flip is so bloody new to this place. he gets lost almost always.

CONFIDANT –– they talk about anything and everything. perhaps not all of it. but there’s an unspoken trust between them. they likely met in the most unlikely of ways, and here we are now.

literally anything under the sun? oh my WORD it has been an epoch since i’ve rped and i’m just. here for any of it. all of it. cute neighbor shit. mailroom mishaps. friends. enemies. someone who keeps sneaking the last of the lobby mints. i want anything you want to throw at me!!

[wonjaekook]

The Perfect Man

A/N: We’re starting off with one of the most cliche of cliche tropes - best friends to lovers, with this particular plot. You’ll see :)

21 Tropes: 1. Best friends-to-lovers + lavender w/Johnny (ft. Jaehyun)

Description: You’ve spent the last few years trying to find the perfect man. After a lot of first dates and not many second, you finally find him. You also find that, maybe, he’d been there the entire time.

Word Count: 5.2k

Genre: fluff, angst

Warnings: none

“I enjoyed our date, it’s just,” he clears his throat to try to reduce the awkward air between you, “it didn’t seem like your heart was in it. No spark, you know? Um, thanks anyways and maybe I’ll see you around?”

“Thanks... I enjoyed it-” The streetlight illuminates his figure as he turns his back and begins to walk away, “-too.”

Truthfully, you didn’t even remember his name. He was good-looking enough and remained polite through the entire evening, putting up with all of your lame attempts at jokes, but there was nothing impactful about him. He was right that there wasn’t a spark - but that didn’t make the rejection hurt any less. As you let yourself back into your empty apartment, flicking on the lights and mulling over the failed date, you remember that you owe Johnny a text. Right on cue, your phone buzzes in your pocket.

Johnny: how’d it go?

Johnny: unless it’s going reaaally well… then don’t answer this text ;)

Y/N: no luck. he didn’t want a second date.

Johnny: damn

Johnny: call me?

Kicking off your shoes at the door, you slump down on your sofa and press on his contact. The instant you hear his voice on the other end of the phone, you relax a little.

“So, what happened?”

You frown, though the man on the other end can’t see your expression. “He said it didn’t seem like my heart was in it. What does that even mean?”

At this point, he would normally crack a dumb joke, saying something like ‘it means your heart wasn’t in it,’ but he seems to sense your dejection through the phone and bites back any insensitive comments. “Don’t get caught up on this one guy, Y/N. He just didn’t really see what you have to offer, and that’s his loss. He’s just one guy. One dumb guy.”

“But, the thing is, it’s not just one guy! Every date I’ve been on for the last god-knows how long has ended like this. I haven’t had a stable boyfriend since high school!” The last part comes out as a whine. “I just don’t get it, Johnny. What’s wrong with me? Do I lack passion? Do I need new hobbies? Is there something wrong with my face?” You rant to him, getting slightly more bitter with every question. He sighs into the phone.

“Listen, how about I set you up with my friend? He’s the perfect guy and you’ll love him. If you don’t get a second date, next round of drinks is on me.”

“Not that I doubt your matchmaking skills, Seo, but you’d better be prepared to pay for drinks.”

“Does that mean you agree to the date?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever.” In your mind’s eye, you see him celebrating his small victory, grinning into his phone. The image has a genuine smile tugging at your lips for the first time since you had left for your date earlier that night. Except, even as he had suggested the date, he feels a tugging in his chest and a slight frown making its way onto his face. He almost wants to take back the offer, but if it has a chance at making you happy…

Even though you know almost for a fact that the date Johnny is planning is going to fail, just like the rest of them, it wouldn’t kill you to make him happy and go on it. Yeah, maybe a part of your heart would hurt, but it wouldn’t kill you. Before he can say anything else, you remember that you need to return the favor and ask about his day. “How was practice, John?”

“Long. Tiring. So, the usual.” You chuckle at his comment. “I miss you. We should hang out soon.” “You’re the one living the idol life with a full schedule all the time. Still, let me know when you’re free. I miss you, too.” Glancing at the clock on your wall, you frown. It’s almost half past eleven. “It’s getting late. What time do you have to wake up?” “We have a schedule in the morning so, maybe… 4:30?”

You nearly scream, but you suppress it. Your neighbors would not have liked the noise at this time of night. “You idiot! Get off the phone and go to sleep!”

“Are you sure I have to? I have the energy of Donghyuck on three cups of coffee right now!” Hearing him whine almost makes you laugh and give in. However, as much as you’re enjoying talking to him, you know he tends to let his health rest on the backburner sometimes and you couldn’t let him be even more sleep-deprived than he already is, especially with his early schedule tomorrow.

“Yes, I’m sure. Sleep well! Now, go.”

“Alright, mom, I’m going. I’ll let you know when your date is! Goodnight!” After forcing some cheer into his voice, he hangs up and you stare at your blank phone screen, smiling softly and mumbling to yourself. Unbeknownst to you, on the other side of the black mirror, he does the same.

“Goodnight, Johnny.”

The next morning, you wake up to a text from your best friend.

Johnny: date’s this friday at 3, i’ll send you more details later xoxo

Though he wants to keep it a surprise, you try to grill him on who his friend is. You only manage to get out of him that, no, he is not as tall as Johnny, and, yes, he’s trustworthy.

By the time Friday rolls around, you’re nervous. This is Johnny’s friend - how much does he know about you? Did Johnny tell him about the incident from freshman year of high school? Does he already know your full name and your birthday and all about your parents? Has Johnny even mentioned you to him before? Your feet nearly drag as you walk to a familiar cafe, one you frequent with Johnny whenever he has time. And, outside of the cafe, you see a somewhat friendly face leaning against the building. “Jaehyun?” You say. There’s no way…

“Y/N!” His smile is sweet, a slight sparkle glimmering in his eyes when he notices you.

Though you don’t know him too well, you know that he’s a nice guy. You’d been to your fair share of small NCT 127 gatherings with Johnny, but you never had many opportunities to chat with Jaehyun in particular. With the short exchanges you did have with him, he came off as polite and funny, and you do find him attractive. Perhaps this wouldn’t be the most disastrous date ever.

His hair is a lavender color, faded from what used to be a more vibrant purple, and his dress is relatively casual, just a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, which makes you feel slightly more relieved when you notice. You’re glad you didn’t completely underdress on the first date.

“So, are you the friend that Johnny pressured into going on a date with me?” You start, standing in front of him. He straightens up from his leaning position and moves to pull the door to the cafe open, gesturing for you to enter first.

“Yes,” he says, a smile resting on his lips, “though I wouldn’t say there was much pressure involved. I’ve always thought you were cute.”

Your eyes widen and your lips part in surprise. “Really?” You can’t help saying.

“Yes, really.”

The atmosphere of the cafe has always leaned on the romantic side with its warm air and cozy furniture. Each hanging light fixture glows a soft amber and the windows let in a good amount of daylight. You prefer the vibe at night, but it’s just as nice to come during the day, especially with a handsome guy at your side. That is, a different handsome guy than usual. Thankfully, the cafe also keeps its mouth shut about idols visiting.

Ever the gentleman, he pays for your coffee, pulls out your chair, and does everything right. If you’re being perfectly honest, a date hasn’t gone this well in ages and you’ve only been together for fifteen minutes. As time progresses, you find yourself laughing along with him and smiling wider than you have in a while. When your time together starts to come to a close after what feels like the blink of an eye later, he offers to walk you back to your apartment, which you quickly agree to.

As you walk with him, you prepare yourself for the worst. Though you felt like it had gone really well, did he feel the same? You’d led yourself to think dates that had gone poorly actually went well before. What if it was another case of that? So, his first words when you stop in front of your apartment building surprise you. “I’d really like to see you again.”

“I-” You find yourself flustered, stumbling over a response to something you never thought you would hear. His eyes crinkle up in amusement at your reaction and you work to pull yourself together. “I’d like that, too.”

“Great!” His smile begins to melt the barrier of insecurity you’d put up around your heart. “This might sound kind of weird, but Johnny actually already gave me your number. I’ll text you?” At the mention of your best friend, your lips quirk up. You’d have to thank him later.

“Ah, yeah! Don’t worry too much about it, though. I know you have a busy schedule.”

“You’re worth making time for, Y/N.”

The sudden comment has your face heating up, a pleasant blush coloring your cheeks. It feels nice to be appreciated like that. It is nice to be appreciated like that. Saying a shy goodbye, you part ways with Jaehyun. As soon as you’re away from prying eyes, you can’t help but do a little happy-dance. Finishing up your celebrating, you pull out your phone and tap on your text conversation with Johnny. Except, before you start texting him, you stop. A nagging feeling pulls at your heart that you can’t quite place. You shake your head to try and clear it of the strange feeling. What is wrong with you?

Y/N: you didn’t tell me you were sending one of your group members!!

Johnny: oh? pleasantly surprised?

Y/N: better than surprised

Y/N: we had a really great time and he wants a second date!

Johnny: and you doubted my matchmaking skills

Johnny: you’re perfect, he’s perfect, how could it not have worked out?

Your eyes catch at that text. Johnny thinks you’re perfect? Before you can overthink it too much, you tap out a response.

Y/N: shut up johnny, it’s only been one date

Johnny: it always starts with the first date ;)

When Jaehyun returns to the dorms that day, Johnny congratulates him, giving him a friendly slap on the back. He had left the dorm that day looking great, lavender hair perfectly styled, not a thread out of place in his outfit, every piece of him as put together as could be, and he had come back looking just as great. After he returns, Johnny finds that the stewing ball of jealousy in his heart had turned lavender, just like his friend’s hair.

“I really like her, John,” he says, glowing in a way that Johnny hadn’t seen in a while. The thread of envy tugging at his heart pulls taut, but he pushes the feeling back. He wouldn’t sabotage his member’s or his best friend’s potential happiness for the sake of his dumb pining. However, perceptive as always, the younger boy notices his slight shift in expression. “Are you really okay with this?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? I set you guys up.” He isn’t okay with it, but he would force himself to be.

The second date goes just as well. You can’t help but love being around Jaehyun. He’s naturally charming and funny and you understand why he and Johnny get along so well. You actually see a bit of your best friend in him, which puts you even more at ease. On your ice cream and park date, you spend hours just talking to him, learning about each other, until the sun has long gone down and you’ve walked past the same tree five times. When he offers you his arm, you hook your own through it, enjoying the close proximity. Once you’re in front of your apartment building once again, he drops his arm and turns to face you.

“So,” he starts, “we’re having a movie night at our dorm on Saturday. Johnny and all the other guys will be there, and I was wondering if you wanted to come?”

“I would love to, Jaehyun,” you tell him, your eyes lighting up at the opportunity. He seems excited by your response and, reluctantly, you both part ways. You choose not to bring up the topic of your date with Johnny, but he texts you an hour later anyways.

Johnny: movie night. this saturday. you coming?

Y/N: hell yeah! Jaehyun already invited me ^^

Johnny: oh

Johnny: well bring snacks or you’re uninvited

So, on Saturday, you pull up to the dorm, snacks in hand. Having grown up together in the States, you two share similar tastes and not-so-coincidentally have the same favorite chips. When you knock, you hear muffled shouting from the other side of the door before Johnny opens it, the sight of his bare face and floppy brown hair making you instantly light up.

“Y/N!”

“Johnny!”

He picks you up and spins you in the most cliche way possible, triggering you to drop your bag of snacks in the process and making you laugh and hit his chest to put you down. “Put me down or I’m taking my snacks back!”

A second after you say that, he drops you back onto your feet, grabbing the bag and walking to the kitchen. Once he puts you down, you notice Jaehyun leaning against the wall behind him, watching the entire exchange with an amused smile on his face. His lavender hair falls in his eyes and you can’t help but think that he looks particularly good today.

“Jae,” you grin, “I’m happy to see you.”

“Oh?” He says, standing up straight from his position against the wall, “I already get a nickname?”

“Well, if you don’t want one-” You start, biting the edge of your lip.

“I’m kidding. You can honestly call me whatever you want.” He leans in, surprising you by planting a quick kiss on your cheek and pulling away to see the blush making its way onto your face.

“Just don’t call him daddy!” You hear Johnny call from the kitchen in English, “He’d probably be into that!”

You and Jaehyun look at each other before bursting into laughter. “Funny coming from you, Seo!” You call back.

“Shut up!”

As you make your way deeper inside, Jaehyun’s hand brushing yours but never interlocking, you greet all of the other boys as you come across them. Out of the others, you’re closest to Mark, as he also speaks English, and he reminds you a lot of your own little brother. So, when Jaehyun sits next to you instead of Mark and Johnny, like they normally do, Donghyuck is confused for them. You quietly explain the situation between you and Jaehyun.

Donghyuck’s eyes shift towards the kitchen. “But, aren’t you-”

Mark nudges him and he shuts up, confusing you. “What?”

“Nothing,” he says, but leans in to whisper to Mark. You roll your eyes at their confusing behavior and settle closer to Jaehyun’s side, much to his satisfaction. When your best friend enters the room, however, they look up at him and Donghyuck opens his mouth to speak again. “Hyung, tell us an embarrassing story about Y/N.”

“Oh, god,” you say, eyes nervously darting between the maknae and your best friend, “Johnny, do not. Absolutely do not.”

He smiles deviously. He’d better not talk about-

“Freshman year of high school,” he starts and you glare at him.

“Johnny, I will hurt you,” you hiss in English, making Mark and Jaehyun laugh. You can feel his deep laugh rumble in his chest, but your focus remains on Johnny.

Johnny shushes you. “Shh, Y/N, I’m telling the kids a story.” He picks back up where he’d left off a moment before, much to your displeasure. “So, freshman year of high school, there was this guy. He really liked Y/N and, one beautiful autumn day, he asked her out during lunch while we were sitting at our lunch table.” He pauses, looking you in the eye, knowing the worst has yet to come. “But! She did not like him back, and, instead of rejecting him like a normal person, she just blurted out that I was her boyfriend.” You bury your face in your hands, groaning. “However, he didn’t believe her, so we had to pretend to be dating for a month until he left her alone.” The laughter of the others fills the room and you peer between your fingers to glare at him. You don’t notice that Jaehyun isn’t laughing as hard as the rest of them, instead watching the exchange between you and Johnny closely.

“Johnny, don’t make me pull out the pictures,” you threaten, hand reaching for your phone.

“I’m not afraid,” he retorts, smirking.

As the conversation continues, Jaehyun closely watches the two of you until, a moment later, his eyes soften. He should have known.

Eventually, the topic passes and one of the boys starts the movie, some action flick that they had previously agreed on, and you stay close by Jaehyun’s side for the entire thing. A few minutes into the film, you feel like something is off, but you can’t quite place it. That is, until it suddenly hits you. You’re not sitting next to Johnny. At this point, you’d normally be leaning in to whisper dumb comments to each other and, though Jaehyun occasionally provides some of his own, you find that it isn’t at all the same. You do appreciate the arm that he has around you, the closeness of being with someone you like, but a lingering feeling in your gut has you feeling strangely about the situation. Though you try to ignore it, the feeling doesn’t go away during the entire movie.

As you’re preparing to leave and all the boys file away to get ready for bed, Jaehyun trails after you, politely offering you an arm to lean on so you can slip your shoes on. When you’re about to turn around and leave, however, he stops you. “Y/N,” he says, “are you free tomorrow?”

“I should be, why?” You’re curious, knowing he wouldn’t normally ask you out so spontaneously.

“Do you want to go to the cafe with me?” Inexplicably, your stomach drops. You have a bad feeling about this. “My treat,” he adds, setting you slightly more at ease.

“Oh, sure. Text me a time?”

When he texts you later that night, he seems normal. When you arrive at the cafe, he seems normal, when he’s paying for your drinks, he seems normal, when he sits down at a table with you, everything seems perfectly normal. After some small talk, he clears his throat and your heart sinks.

“Y/N, I gotta level with you. I really like you, but,” he pauses and you begin to feel the disappointment and rejection that always follows those words. You lower your head, not really wanting to meet his eyes, the coffee cup in your hands held tight under white knuckles. “You’re in love with Johnny.”

“What?” Your head snaps up and you look him straight in the eye, your mouth slightly agape. That was certainly not what you were expecting to hear. “What?” You say again, absolutely dumbfounded.

“You’re in love with Johnny.” He quickly realizes that repeating the same thing isn’t getting rid of the confused expression on your face and he begins to explain. “I saw the way you look at him, Y/N. Tell me if I’m wrong, but is he the one person in the world you’re the most comfortable with, the one you look forward to seeing all the time, the one you compare everyone to without even trying?” When you don’t answer, he knows that he hit the nail on the head. He gives you a smile, a soft, sad smile that very nearly breaks your heart.

“I…” you start, trying to find the right words to deny him, “I… I’m not in love with him…” The words are quiet, like you’re trying not convince yourself more than convince him. You feel more at a loss about your feelings than you ever have in your life.

“It probably happened a long time ago and you didn’t even realize it,” he says quietly, his voice softer than ever. “Just think about it. I’m pretty sure that he feels the same way about you. And,” the pause he puts between his next words seems longer than the last, and your eyes drift from the table back up to his eyes, “No matter how you look at it, I’m not Johnny, Y/N. I wasn’t lying when I said that I really like you. But I know that our feelings aren’t the same.” He takes a deep breath in an attempt to settle the air between you. “I’d still like us to stay friends, though, even if we stop seeing each other,” he gestures around him, “like this.”

You take him in, his soft lavender hair, his dark clothes, his stature, everything, and you come to the realization that you had been comparing him to your best friend the entire time you’d been seeing each other. The slightly off feeling you’d had with him was because he wasn’t Johnny. Right now, you don’t want to draw any conclusions, to admit that you’re in love with your best friend, but you can at least face some of the facts.

So, from that day forward, you and Jaehyun begin to get to know each other as friends. You mull over your feelings for a long time, the pieces slowly coming together. Your supposed lack of interest on every new date. Your apprehension about texting him about your first successful date with his friend. Your eagerness to always make time for him, no matter how much your schedule clashed with his.

Then, one day, as you’re sitting in your desk at work, you remember the plans you had made with him that evening and you instantly brighten up, working hard to finish everything. As soon as you find your desk empty of tasks, your mind drifts back to him and it finally hits you.

You’re totally, completely, undeniably in love with your best friend. And you have been for a long, long time.

When the time for you to leave finally arrives, you leap out of your desk, bag in hand, and walk towards the door with a newfound purpose. You’re in love with your Johnny. You’re in love with him and you-

What are you going to do?

Your footsteps slow from their previously brisk pace and you stop at the entrance to the elevator. You can’t just profess your love for your best friend randomly. That would be insane. There’s no guarantee he even feels the same way about you. You figure that you might as well talk to the person who made you have this realization in the first place.

Y/N: you were right.

Jaehyun: do you want to talk about it?

Y/N: yeah… meet me at the cafe tomorrow?

You thank whatever possessed the owner of the cafe to decide to keep it open until 3 AM every day, because, when Jaehyun finally finishes practice, it’s past midnight. You know this issue has waited long enough, however, so you agree to the ridiculously late meet-up.

It takes you a moment to recognize him despite the sparse few patrons in the shop, as his hair is now a deep black instead of the lavender you were used to. “You changed your hair.” You can’t help the observation from slipping out when you sit down in front of him with your drink. The corners of his lips curl up.

“It was time for a change.” He watches you for a moment, waiting for you to speak.

“Thanks for meeting me so late,” you start, unsure of how exactly to proceed, “I… I figured it out. You were right. I met up with him yesterday and… I don’t feel that way around anyone else.”

Yesterday, your little hangout with Johnny was the most normal occurrence that possibly could have happened. He came over to your apartment and you just enjoyed each other’s company, chatting and watching videos over takeout. Yet, while the occurrence was not out of the ordinary, the way you felt was. For the first time, you looked at him and knew that how you saw him was not normal. It wasn’t how someone who was just friends with someone else viewed their friend. When he saw you staring at him weirdly, asking you “what’s wrong?” you wanted to pour out your entire heart to him, confess everything that you had held back for what felt like years at that point. Instead, you responded “Nothing,” even though everything was actually wrong. Everything was wrong because suddenly you wanted his casual touches and joking fliration to mean more and you still didn’t know how he felt about you.

Pulling yourself from your memories, you look at Jaehyun again. “You said that he feels the same way about me, but I don’t know. He’s still the same Johnny he’s always been.”

His phone buzzes in his pants and he frowns. “Sorry, just a second.” A moment later, after responding to whoever had texted him, he looks back at you, his phone returning to his pocket. “I’m not him, so I can’t prove that he feels the same way about you, but trust me. You should tell him.”

“I don’t want to ruin what we have,” you mumble, half to yourself.

“You know it would take a lot more than a confession to ruin your relationship.” He’s right. You know he’s right, but you’re still scared. He reaches out, setting a hand on yours. “You can do it. You won’t be over it under you do.”

Letting out a breath, you nod your head. “I’ll do it. Next time I see him, I’ll…” He squeezes your hand. “I’ll tell him.”

“Good.” He smiles brightly before standing up from his seat across from you. “Now, come on.”

“What?” As he tugs you by the hand out of your chair, you forget about your drinks on the table. You follow him out the door and he drops your hand. And, as you exit, you see him. You stop staring at him in confusion for a second.

“Good luck,” Jaehyun leans in and whispers, giving the small of your back a light push towards Johnny before he turns in the opposite direction and begins to walk away.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting to see you here, but I think he planned this,” Johnny chuckles, beginning to turn in the opposite direction that his bandmate had gone. “Walk with me?”

“As long as you and your long legs don’t go too fast.”

After a minute of walking in silence, he breaks it. “Are you mad at me?” “What?” You say, brows furrowing, “No. Why would I be angry at you?”

“You seemed kind of off last night.” So, he had noticed.

“I just had a lot to think about.” He glances over at you when you answer vaguely. You know you’re just stalling at this point, not confessing, but the time isn’t right. Not yet.

“Is everything going alright with Jaehyun?” He speaks slowly, as if he’s afraid to broach the topic. You don’t have to think long about your response.

“Actually, we’ve stopped seeing each other.” He appears confused, opening his mouth to question you. “We’re just friends now,” you add on quickly. He closes his mouth before opening it again.

“I thought things were going well?”

“They were. Things were fine, he just, I just… he made me realize something.”

Johnny quirks an eyebrow. “Care to share with the class?”

You stop walking and he follows suit, turning to face you on the sidewalk. “I…” It’s now or never. A moment like this wouldn’t happen again. The world seems to stand still for that moment, holding its breath for you. Steeling your nerves, you begin. “Johnny, I realized that the reason guys always think I’m not interested in them is because I’m in love with you. And I know you don’t have to accept my feelings, but-”

“Yes.”

“What?” You stop, flustered. Did he really just interrupt your confession?

“I accept your undying love for me, Johnny Seo, because I might have been waiting for you this entire time.” It finally clicks - why he never went on dates while you continuously tried to find a boyfriend, why he always told you that you were perfect, why he was always there, despite everything. A swelling feeling of relief washes over you, followed with a wave of confusion and frustration at him.

“Why didn’t you say anything? Johnny? Johnny!” Your expression shifts from confusion to irritation when he just smiles at you. “We could’ve been over with this months ago, years ago!”

“Friendly reminder that you were the one who just figured out your feelings. I’ve known for years,” he replies smugly, as if holding back his feelings was some great accomplishment. You stand there, the streetlights creating long shadows around you, a baffled expression on your face. 

“...for how long?” Your voice is soft, questioning. He couldn’t have-

“Since maybe junior year of high school?��

A gasp escapes your lips at his profession and all you can do is stare at him with wide eyes. With some further reflection, you could probably figure out that you felt that way about him for just as long, but this isn’t a competition. He loves you and he has loved you. “How? You really never…?”

He smiles, a deep genuine smile that reaches past his eyes and into his heart, which he had given you a long time ago anyways. “It’s easy when you gave me something to look forward to every day, after every practice, after every test.”

“Johnny… thank you.” It’s all you can say, years of repressed emotions welling up in your chest. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

“I would have waited forever for you, babe.” The teasing smile is back on his lips, but you know that there’s at least some truth to his words.

“Johnny Seo, the perfect man,” you giggle, fake-swooning at his attempt to be smooth.

“It’s time you stop thinking about me as just the perfect man and also start thinking about me as the perfect boyfriend.”

[sondepoch]

XXII: Saeran's Route (Saeran)

Where Futures Begin

Life used to be simple for you. Peaceful. But the Savior had other plans for you, and in moments, she ruined what you thought was your one shot at happiness. Blinded by anger, you escaped the Mint Eye, but that triggered a series of events that would bring you further into the world of brothers Saeran and Saeyoung. And further into the twisted world of your love for them.

Neutral Route: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | ✔

Saeyoung’s Route: 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | ✔

Saeran’s Route: 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | ✔

MASTERLIST

The sleep was the best thing, he decided.

Saeran opened his eyes lazily, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't shift his body when his eyes darted over to the clock, the mint greens widening ever-so-slightly when he saw that it was already four in the morning.

His body still hadn't fully adjusted to the whole concept of sleeping more than three hours at once. Or the idea of getting real food instead of pills and sugary sweets. Or even the sensation of not having a suit restricting his movements to make him feel like a prisoner inside his own body.

Even the roots of his Saeran's were beginning to grow back in, and they were redder than he had ever remembered them being.

After all, so much had changed.

But the sleep was still the best thing.

Saeran closed his eyes and wrapped his arms tighter around the (h/c) girl clinging to him, breathing in the smell of her hair.

It never failed to be a surprise to wake up, every morning, and find her at his side.

The sweetest surprise.

The boy let out a sigh, perhaps in preparation to drift off into another dreamless slumber before the sound of cursing from another room pulled him back into a state of alertness. He raised an eyebrow at the sound, an amused smile flitting across his face before pressing a kiss to (Y/N)'s temple, crawling out of bed.

"Need help?" He asked once he had snuck up behind his brother.

"Gah!" The redhead exclaimed, practically falling out of his chair. "You scared me, Saeran! Geez!"

Saeran rolled his eyes, glancing at the code his brother had been working on before wordlessly adding a comma between two parameters. "You need sleep, Saeyoung. I saw you working on this before (Y/N) and I went to bed."

Oh.

That's another thing that had changed.

His redhead brother had abandoned the Luciel persona, deciding that it was time to go back to his roots as Saeyoung. He'd claimed that he was working on a plan to get out of the Agency and begin working with Saeran at Jumin's Intelligence Unit, but that plan wouldn't go through for a while.

"Quiet, little brother. Leave the complicated stuff to your big-brother-defender," Saeyoung responded with a goofy smile, causing Saeran to let out an ungraceful snort.

After two weeks of tension following their return from the Mint Eye, things had finally begun to calm down in their family.

The process was slow going, but Saeran felt it in the little things: the way he no longer tensed at the call of his name, the way his body no longer felt nausea at the sight of a healthy meal, the way the sight of his brother began to calm him instead of frustrate him.

Saeran was healing.

And not just him. (Y/N), too. And even Saeyoung.

At last, all three of them were beginning to grow used to each other, to this whole idea of living together in the bunker.

"Have you decided if you're going to the party or not?" Saeyoung asked, after a moment of silence.

Saeran sighed, plopping himself down on a nearby couch. He stared at the ceiling as he thought about his brother's question.

V had decided to hold another party through the RFA: one to commemorate the return of its original founder (though she wouldn't be joining the organization itself for a long time to come) and to raise the funds necessary to reintegrate all the Mint Eye believers and disciples back into society.

Saeyoung had to attend, as a member of the RFA, but V had extended the invitation to both Saeran and (Y/N). Thus far, Saeran had shown little interest in going and rekindling the flames of their shared memories at the Mint Eye that he'd worked so hard to dampen. But the date of the party drew close, only two days away, and the boy knew that he had to make a decision eventually.

"I'll go if (Y/N) says she wants to," Saeran said after a long silence. "But I don't see any benefit to attending."

"V said that there's something he wants to show you," Saeyoung ventured, turning away from his keyboard to face his brother. "He thought that you and (Y/N) would like it."

"Did he specify with 'it' is?"

The sheepish chuckle from Saeyoung was an answer in itself. The redhead opened his mouth, perhaps to convince his little brother to attend the party, when another voice interrupted them altogether.

"I want to go."

The twins raised their eyes in unison to the source of the voice.

"To the party, I mean," (Y/N) clarified, tossing Saeyoung a sleepy smile as she rubbed her eyes.

"What are you doing up?" Saeran asked, eyes raised in concern. His sleep schedule was still healing from years of neglect in the Mint Eye, Saeyoung the exact same as him in that regard. But it made him worry to see his lover up at such an ungodly hour, especially when she was so vocal about loving her slumber.

"You weren't there in bed," She mumbled, flopping onto the couch and throwing herself into Saeran's arms. She said nothing more, already beginning to doze off as she made herself comfortable while she koala'd herself around Saeran's chest. The boy felt a blush rise to his cheeks, used to her affection but used to it in private, behind closed doors. But if the girl noticed his flustered state at such open love, she didn't show it.

Next to them, Saeyoung stifled a laugh.

"Quite the girl you found yourself, Saeran." An amused grin had risen onto the redhead's face, never failing to enjoy an opportunity to tease his little brother.

"Quiet," Saeran grumbled. He shot his brother a glare, trying not to move to avoid disturbing his lover as she slept—now completely asleep—atop of him. "You found her, too. She told me about how you two kissed in the cabin."

A momentary silence followed, and for a second Saeran worried that he had said something wrong. Should I have not brought that up?

But the boy had no reason to fear.

Time had allowed him to forget how deep his connection was with his twin, but the present was proving that bond to be strong and stronger with every new opportunity.

In front of him, the redhead laughed.

"You've got me there, Saeran," Saeyoung said with a chuckle. A new sort of grin spread on his face, one mischievous and light with amusement. "But I never truly had her."

Saeyoung winked, and Saeran felt a blush spread over his cheeks, knowing the meaning of his brother's words.

Her heart was always mine, Saeran knew. Even when she left.

Even when he had been awful to her, even when the Elixir had stolen the love from his heart, even when he'd brought her a world of pain...(Y/N) had never stopped loving him. And now it was his turn to return all the affections she had never stopped giving him, tenfold.

"Well, you heard her," Saeran mumbled. "She wants to go to the party."

Saeyoung grinned. "Need help picking out a suit?"

"Only if we can find (Y/N) a dress to match."

"And here I thought you wouldn't be one for such sentiments," Saeyoung said with a chuckle. "But don't worry. I'll make sure you both have everything you need for the party."

But Saeran knew that when Saeyoung said those words, he didn't just mean them in reference to the party. No, Saeyoung had made it abundantly clear from the first day when he'd invited Saeran and (Y/N) into his home, going shopping with them the next day to buy them all they could possibly need to survive for the next five years, that his hospitality extended past whatever formalities they were used to.

Saeyoung would make sure that Saeran and (Y/N) were happy, truly happy.

And as Saeran sat, arm wrapped around the love of his life as she slept, engaged in casual conversation with the twin he'd spent so much of his life missing, he found that his happiness was rising with the sun behind him.

It was a slow process, but steady.

And certain as the sunrise, no matter how far Saeran fell, there were now two people in his life who would help him pick up the pieces and get himself together.

The boy smiled, watching lazily as his brother continued on whatever rant he was pursuing, observing as the sun lit up the room: the face of his brother, the outlines of all the previously dark objects in the room, the (h/c) strands of his lover that were beginning to grow back in at the roots.

It was a strange happiness. Certainly not a conventional one.

But the happiness was there, covering every moment as clearly as the light that shone through the window.

"Yeah," He answered his brother when the redhead posed a goofy question, an excited smile on his lips as he continued to gesture wildly. Saeran was barely paying attention to half the words coming out of his twin's mouth, but he didn't need to.

This was happiness, and Saeran had to do was sit back, smile, and enjoy it.

MASTERLIST

Neutral Route: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | ✔

Saeyoung’s Route: 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | ✔

Saeran’s Route: 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | ✔

Word count: 1.7k

Notes: It feels really strange to say, but this next chapter will be the final chapter in the entire series! Preliminary goodbyes are always different than the final farewell, so I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's been with me on this ride before it gets too bittersweet :) I appreciate all your support, and i feel like this publishing this series has taught me so much. It's my first series, actually, and its sort of strange but i can see how my writing has subtly developed and changed from chapter 1 of the neutral route to this here xD anyways - final chapter this thursday (you can bet your butt i wont miss it for the world) and I'll see you all then <3

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Next Update: 4/30/20

I do not own the rights to Mystic Messenger or any of the characters within it.