#like this guy was having a hard time getting his suitcase in the overhead and я почти спросила его ‘помощь нужна?’

[greghatecrimes]

everyone on this flight is speaking french and my brain is so scrambled

[bteezxyewriter12]

Love Motel/ 20

Pairing- Changkyun x Named Reader

Word count- 2.8k

Includes- Angst, fluff

Tag List- @90s-belladonna @mingtina

@direitobulando @honey-zip @chansbabydoll

@anthropologymajorkpopmultistan @jaxxmine @yeosayang

@delightfulmoonbanana @itsshaydeekaydee @seokwoosmole

@rpkth @tannie13 @wisejudgedragonhairdo @y00nzin0 @marsstarxhwa

Series Masterlist

J POV

Staring out of the plane window, I wish we were in the air

Flying far away from Korea

There's bustling around the plane as more passengers put their suitcases in the overhead compartments, try to find their seats or calming crying children

I ignore all of it, pulling my hood up, keeping my eyes out the window, trying to discourage any attempt at conversation and staying in my own head

I can't believe I'm actually leaving Korea

Planning and thinking about it is completely different from doing it

I cried like a baby again when I had to leave Milena at security

It just hit me hard that I'm not going to see her in person for awhile

And that means I'm never going to see him again

That thought devastates me and I close my eyes, leaning my head against the window, letting the tears fall

Why me?

Why do I have to love him?

The things he said to me should make me hate him

Make me angry at him

But I'm not

I was at first, for the first few hours but the anger faded

And all I want is him

I'm so fucking pathetic

Not only do I want a fucking criminal, I want a guy who used me for sex, who told me he regrets everything we ever did and was a mistake

I'm heartbroken over him

God I'm so fucking stupid

So stupid

I know getting over him is going to be next to impossible

It's going to take a long time and it's going to hurt and I just want to skip all that and be fine

I'm so tired of being hurt, so tired of crying, so tired of everything

I feel someone sit in the seat next to me

Great

I was hoping to be alone in my aisle

There's only two seats in the row but of course someone has to sit here

I hope they're not annoying and leave me alone

I can't handle someone trying to talk to me for fourteen hours

I feel a hand slide in mine, fingers intertwining with mine, his soft voice saying, "Jagi"

Snapping my eyes open, I look down at the hand holding mine

Tattoos on the knuckles that are all too familiar to me

Tattoos I looked at all the time

Tattoos I kissed

His tattoos

Slowly I lift my head up, to his face, his eyes intensely looking into mine

I blink, making sure I'm not seeing things

I really don't need hallucinations right now

"Jo", he says softly

"I...I'm...not...are you really here?", I ask

"Yeah baby. I'm here"

How did he find me?

How did he know I was on a plane?

And did he just call me baby?

What the fuck?

"I don't understand", I tell him, trying to get my thoughts out of the jumble in my head, "How did you find me? Why are you here?"

"I'm here because I love you", he says

Uh.....what?

That goes against everything he's ever said to me

"I don't...what?"

"I love you Joanne. So much"

"But...but you said-", I start

"I know jagi. I know what I said", he answers, "But I lied. Everything I said was a lie. I love you with all my heart. I never loved a girl before but fuck, I'm so in love with you. Hurting you was the worst thing I've ever done"

The worst?

He's killed people

Hurting me is worse than that?

'Not the thing to focus on right now Joanne', I tell myself

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I said to you. For the names I called you. I'm sorry for making you cry. I'm sorry for leaving you alone"

His apology makes me remember everything he said and it makes me tears well up and fall

Again

How do I know he's telling the truth now?

I don't

"You were never just a fuck to me. Never. From the first time, all I wanted was you. That's why I kept calling you. I wanted you"

I'm having a hard time processing everything he's saying right now

"That night, you were right baby. I was making love to you"

I suck in a breath hearing him

I knew and he made me think I was crazy

"I wanted to and I did. I wanted to show what I could never tell you. And when you called me out on it, I freaked. I freaked out when you told me you loved me even though it's everything I wanted to hear. I'm so sorry baby but I swear, I'll never hurt you again"

"Why?", I whisper, "Why did you say those things to me?"

"Because I was trying to protect you. I didn't want you involved with the jokop. I didn't want you near them. I didn't want them to corrupt you, turn you into something you're not. You're too good for that baby. Too good for me"

"No I'm not. I wanted you. I didn't care about the jopok, I didn't care what you did for them"

I told him this

He knew I was never afraid of him or what he did

He knew I wanted him despite that

"I know", he nods, "But you would have been involved to some extent if you were with me. And you would be used by my enemies to get to me. I couldn't risk you getting hurt or worse, killed"

I shake my head, "What is different between then and now?"

If everything is the same then why is it ok for him to be with me now?

Because he decided he wants me?

How is that fair?

"Because I walked away jagi"

I blink in surprise, "You what?"

"I left the jopok. I...I couldn't get married to Daseul. I just couldn't. I missed you so much and I felt like I was dying without you. I left in the middle of the ceremony to come to you"

"But you...you said you love her"

I'm so fucking confused

"I don't jagi. I just told you that to get you to stay away from me. I never loved Daseul, I don't even know her that well. I could never love her. She's not you"

I'm honestly at a loss at what to say

This is so much information thrown at me at once

"I love you Joanne. And I left everything for you. Because I can't live without you"

I blink, hearing that clearly

He left?

But weren't his people there?

Her people?

"They just let you go? No one tried to stop you?"

"Oh my grandmother tried to stop me. Tried to convince me to marry her, to be loyal to the jokop. I said no."

He said no?

And how is he still in one piece?

"I told my grandmother I loved you. That my loyalty is to you"

Oh my god

He told his grandmother this?

That's bad

I know how much Koreans care about respect, especially respecting your grandparents

"She told me that if I left the church then I can never come back to them", he explains, "And I left without hesitating"

"Kyun", I gape, "Aren't they going to come after you?"

"Yeah. But it's a good thing we're going to Virginia"

"What?"

"I'm coming with you baby. That's why I came on the plane instead of calling you. I'm going wherever you go"

"But...but your life is here. Everything is here."

"You're not going to be here. And that's all that matters", he says

I am just completely shocked

"I don't regret anything jagi. Nothing we did, not being with you. I don't regret leaving everything behind. I don't regret getting on this plane"

I'm literally speechless

This is everything I ever wanted to hear from him and now that I am I'm having a hard time processing it

"You were never a mistake Joanne. You're the best thing that ever happened to me"

Holy shit

It's so surreal to hear him say that

Like the last month didn't happen

"That is, if you still want me-"

"Of course I want you", I cut him off, "I'm in love with you Changkyun. That just doesn't go away because you left. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too"

He breathes in a sigh of relief, a smile creeping on his face

"I love you Joanne", he whispers and I'm so fucking happy

I honestly never thought I'd hear him say that

I thought I'd go to Virginia and never hear from him again

I was prepared for that, knowing it would kill me

"I love you Kyun"

He pulls me to him, in a kiss that completely blows me away

He's mine

He's really mine

Feeling his arms around me again, is fucking heaven

When the kiss is over, he leans his forehead against mine

"I'm sorry baby-"

"No Kyun. It's ok. As long as I have you, I'm happy"

"You have me jagi. You always did", he answers, "And as long as I have you, I'm happy"

"You do baby", I promise him

The plane starts moving and I realized we missed the entire safety announcements

Not that it matters, I've heard the same thing so many times

We settle in the seats, his hand never moving from mine

But he never answered the question of how he knew where I was

"Uh Kyun, how did you know where I was?"

"Milena told me"

"Milena?", I gape

What the hell?

He nods, "After last week, I was worried about you. I called her and told her everything"

"Everything?"

He nods, "Everything. How I felt about you and why I was keeping us apart. I told her to keep an eye on you and that if anything happened she could call me and I'd indirectly help"

That sneak!

She knew how he felt and never said a word to me

I'm gonna kill her

"Jagi, I told her not to tell you"

I glance at him, "How did you know-"

"You're face baby. I could tell what you're thinking"

Oh

Guess I have to work on my poker face

"She texted me when she found out you were moving. She sent me all the information for this flight and a picture of your ticket"

That sneaky brat!

"She told me to go after you jagi"

My eyes snap back to his, "She did?"

"Yeah. And when I thought of never seeing you again....I couldn't. I left. I don't need anything Jo, I never really needed anything but I need you"

I pull him to me, hugging him tightly

"I need you Changkyun. You're my everything"

He squeezes my body to his with no sign of letting go and I'm more than ok with that

When we let go, he asks me, "Why are you leaving jagi? Because of me?"

I explain to him the same thing I said to Milena

That I couldn't hope to keep seeing him

That my happiness couldn't be sustained just from that

That I was going to leave anyway after I graduated so why not now?

"I understand baby, but I want you to know I never wanted you to leave the country"

"I know Kyunnie. And you really don't have to leave for me either. We can come back"

He shakes his head, "No baby. It's not safe for me here, especially in Seoul"

I swallow, worrying, "Are they coming after you?"

He shakes his head, "I made sure to cover my tracks. I only brought one suitcase with clothes and nothing else"

I blink, "Nothing?"

I mean even I brought other stuff too

He shakes his head, "I couldn't risk the chance of them tracing any electronics I had. I left everything at my house, including my cell phone"

So that means he has nothing

Including no money?

I mean it's ok I have a lot saved but how is he going to get a job?

He'll be there illegally

"Kyun how are you-"

"Going to get money? Work?"

I nod, "I mean I have money saved so we can use that but it'll eventually run out-"

"No no no. How many times do I have to tell you, I'm taking care of our financial situation"

He's still on this?

"But Changkyun-", I start to argue

"Jagi relax ok. I have it under control"

"How? You didn't even know you were leaving Korea two hours ago!"

"Jagi, I was the boss of one of the most powerful jokops and I have loyal friends. I got an American passport and papers stating that I'm a citizen of the U.S."

He what?

How did he get that so fast?

He has no clue I'd leave for the U.S.

Does his jokop work freaking miracles?

"So I'm good there baby. And I have money"

"Can't they trace your accounts?"

"No the one I'm using. It's an off shore account and completely untraceable. Jooheon wired enough money to us to live very comfortably for a very long time. Everything is fine jagi"

Well I guess it is

Jesus, he thought of everything

I know there'd be no way I would be thinking that ahead if I found out I was leaving the country in a few hours

But he's smart

It's one of the things I love about him

"Jagi, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah baby"

"Why did you change your hair? When I saw you last week, you looked so different. Not like you. The clothes, the hair, the new tattoos? It wasn't you"

How am I going to tell him this without hurting him?

I'm thinking when he squeezes my hand softly, "Don't lie jagi. Just tell me the truth"

I sigh, nodding

"The tattoos...I just wanted to feel something other than the pain in my chest. It was breaking me Kyun and I just needed it to stop. I chose the ribs because it's one of the most painful spots to get tattooed. I wanted physical pain. And it worked for the eight hours it took to do it. My body was in pain and I didn't have a chance to feel anything else. The same with my leg. I just wanted the hurt to stop"

"I'm sorry jagi. I never wanted to hurt you like that. It killed me, baby. It did. You don't know how many times I just wanted to tell you everything I just said was a lie and hold you, tell you I loved you and wanted you. But I couldn't. I'm sorry"

I just nod, "It's ok baby"

"No it's not"

No, it's not ok because I went through hell but I know he did too

I know now it hurt him to hurt me and he was just as devastated as I was

"And your hair?", he asks

"I just wanted to look completely opposite of what you liked. You liked my hair long, straight and black. So I did the opposite. I didn't want to be the me you didn't want. I want to be someone else"

A few tears fall down his face, making my heart hurt

I hate him being hurt, hate seeing him upset

"I'm so sorry jagi. I always wanted you. I couldn't tell you but I swear I always did. I'm sorry"

Touching his cheek, I wipe his tears away

"It's ok baby. I know you were hurting too. Don't think about it anymore ok? It's over. We're together now, it doesn't matter anymore"

"Just promise me you won't change because of me. Only if you want to. I promise I'm going to love you no matter what. Ok?"

I smile softly, nodding, "Ok baby. I promise"

He nods, holding my hand tightly

"I love you", I tell him

"I love you"

He pulls me closer to him, kissing me softly, his kiss full of love and I can feel it

He really does love me

Even though I'm leaving Korea, I'm so happy he's with me, he loves me

"Excuse me"

We break away to look at the flight attendant who interrupted us

"Please fasten your seatbelts. We're taking off in a few minutes"

"Oh sorry", I answer, letting go of Changkyun's hand to buckle the belt

"Thank you", she says, continuing her walk down the aisle

As soon as Changkyun buckles his seatbelt, his hand is in mine again, holding tightly

He lifts our hands, kissing the back of mine, smiling at me

I smile back, pulling his hand and kissing the back of his

The plane starts driving down the runway fast and then takes flight

"It's just you and me jagi", he says softly

I nod, "Yeah baby. Just us"

Lifting the chair arm between us, he pulls me to him and I cuddle into his warm body

I missed his arms around me so fucking much

I'm in heaven

He kisses my forehead, settling into the chair, holding me tightly

And I thank whoever is out there that everything worked out and I got the man I love

[queensoybean0724]

Succession Chapter 4 (Karl Heisenberg/female reader) Resident Evil Village fanfic

Here’s chapter 4!!  I hope y'all enjoy it!

Title: Succession Chapter 4

Characters: Karl Heisenberg, female reader

Rating: PG-13 for language (possible kidnapping trigger warning) this is a slow burn; it will get very smutty and spicy later on!

Summary: you discover a long lost relative has died and made you his sole beneficiary.  While flying to collect your inheritance, you crash in a village in Romania.

Author’s Note: I do not own the characters from Resident Evil Village. This is a work of fiction. Anything remotely similar to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter 4

The factory was not a cozy place.  The air was stifling and steam rose sporadically from slits in the walls.  It was a dark place with sparse light bulbs overhead guiding the way down the halls.  Some of the bulbs hung busted and dark.  Red lights sat over doorways to show where the exits were or pointing towards the direction of the nearest exit.

You remembered the various turns and doorways so you could easily escape if and when you were given the chance.

Heisenberg kept his grip on your arm tight as he pulled you down the hallway towards his living quarters.  He lifted the cigar in his other hand up to his lips, taking a deep puff.  You walked through the smoke as he exhaled, unable to stop yourself from enjoying the smell.  He stopped before a door at the end of the hall.

“Here we are,” Heisenberg announced, turning the knob to the door.  He pushed it open and took a step back, releasing your arm, and allowing you to be the first to step inside.  You stood there and gave him a stoic glare.

“Come on...in you go,” he said, his arm coming around behind you and his firm hand connecting to your ass.

“Ouch!” you yelped as the force of the spank pushed you over the threshold.

His living quarters were surprising.  In a massive building where everything seemed cold and hard, this room was quite cozy.  It was a large room, twice the size of the room he had you locked away in.  It was warm due to the small fireplace against the wall.  A tiny kitchen area was directly to the right with a sink, countertop, and a stove with an oven on top.  Against the far wall was a queen size metal bed with headboard and footboard.  Both ends had vertical metal railings.  A small nightstand sat next to the bed with a lamp and two books on top.  On the other side of  the bed was a large dresser with six drawers.  Next to that stood a large bathtub along with  a full standing shower with head to toe glass walls.  You looked to the left and saw a large table that acted as both a dining room and a desk.  Papers lay strewn across it along with a dirty plate, dirty mug, and an ashtray..

“This is where you’ll stay...with me…” Heisenberg said, closing and locking the door behind him.  You watched as he locked it with a key that he put in his pants pocket.  Damn, you thought, no chance getting out without the key.

“And where will I sleep?” you asked...but you dreaded the answer.

“In the bed,” he answered as if you had asked him the stupidest question he had ever heard.  You scoffed.  

“And where will you sleep?” you asked, dreading that answer even more.

“In...the...bed…” he said, getting closer behind you.  He leaned in and inhaled the scent of your hair.  

“I am not sleeping in the bed with you!” you firmly stated, turning around to face him head on.

“Well, it’s either in the bed or on the hard floor,” he shrugged, going to his desk and rummaging around the papers with his cigar hanging from his mouth.  You looked down at the floor and grimaced.  It did not look like it had been swept or cleaned in a very long time.  

“You think I’m going to willingly sleep in that bed with you?” you asked in amazement, “what if I try to escape while you sleep?  Or what if I try to kill you in your sleep?”

Heisenberg looked at you and let out a loud laugh before walking to the bed.  “You truly are a little spitfire, aren’t you?”  He bent over the headboard and picked up a long chain with a vice-like contraption that looked like handcuffs.  You narrowed your eyes at him.

“Do you do this to all the women you bring back here?” you quipped, finding yourself getting more brazen with your words.

“Haven’t had any complaints before,” Heisenberg joked, letting them fall loudly to the floor.

You rolled your eyes and turned your back to him, going towards the table.  A drawing was facing up and it looked like sketches of some kind of person.  You walked over, your curiosity spiked.  As you reached for the paper and the stack of papers beneath it, the dirty plate and mug slid across the table and fell on top of the picture.  You yelped and jumped back, turning around towards Heisenberg.  His left hand was extended towards the table, his fingers curved as if reaching for something.  You looked between him and the plate and mug.

“How are you doing that???” you asked in disbelief, remembering how he seemingly moved the cot telepathically in the other room to stop you from escaping.  Heisenberg chuckled and lowered his arm.

“Y/N, you are in a place that defies any laws of physics, genetics, science, or biology....” he said as he shrugged his trenchcoat off his shoulders.  He went to the chair next to the table and draped his coat across the back.  “I know you are afraid, you are in shock after the crash, and you think I have brought you here to do God only knows what to you...but trust me when I say that this factory is the safest place for you.  You have no idea how dangerous it is in the village…”

“And you’re not dangerous?  You literally have a giant wheel and conveyor belt full of bodies rotating out there!”

Heisenberg laughed as he sat down on the chair.  He rested his elbow on the table and took another drag off his cigar.  “Don’t comment on something you know nothing about,” he murmured, “now, I think you should relax and rest your weary head.  I’m sure surviving the crash has left you a bit shaken…”

You shook your head defiantly.  “No...no, I need to call for help!  I was on my way to Moldova...I need to inform them that I’m still alive!  There has to be a rescue crew searching for the wreckage...please let me go!  Let me call someone!”

Heisenberg continued to smoke his cigar, studying you as you began to panic.  “Calm down, doll face,” he said, putting his cigar out in the ashtray, “look...this place isn’t on any map.  We are surrounded by mountains, and the only person who comes through here is the Duke when he sells supplies and his wares.”

“The Duke?” you asked, “well...when will he come around again?  Could I get a ride with him to the next town and call for help?  Or the castle...that Moreau guy said there was a telephone in the castle…”

“You are not stepping one foot out of this place, Y/N, and that is final!” Heisenberg roared, standing to his feet.  He took three steps forward, ripping off his sunglasses, and looked down at you.  His sudden burst of anger scared you, but something about his eyes made you go still.  Yes, they held menace and were threatening...but...it was like he wanted to protect you from something.  A tiny glint showed in his gaze as he looked from your eyes to your mouth and back again.  You felt your throat go dry and your heart beat increase.  You glanced at his mouth and back to his eyes.  A soft stirring formed in the pit of your stomach.

Heisenberg put his sunglasses back on and walked towards the table.  He cleared his throat and shuffled his papers.  Gathering every piece of paper in a pile, he turned back to you.  “Your full name is Y/N, right?” he spoke gruffly.

You took steps backwards and sat down on the bed, still shaken by his gaze and closeness.  “Yes,” you murmured softly.  Heisenberg picked up a pencil and wrote your name on the top paper in the stack.

“I’ll go to the wreckage and see if I can find whatever is left of yours amongst the cargo...maybe a few other suitcases that you might be able to use.  In the meantime,” he said, walking to his dresser, “here is an old shirt of mine.  Your clothes are covered in dirt and blood…”

You looked down at your clothes and saw that he was right.  With all the hell you went through, you didn’t stop to look at how your clothes were riddled with dirt, snow, and blood (both from you and from when the lycans drooled over you.)

He pulled an oversized beige shirt with three buttons at the neckline.  He held the shirt out to you and you took it from his grasp.  “Thank you,” you whispered.

Heisenberg walked to the door and retrieved his key from his pocket.  “You can get water from the tap.  There are some books on the table and on the dresser...they aren’t much, but they’ll pass the time until I get back.”

You watched him as he opened the door, stepped out, and closed the door without another word.  You continued to sit on the edge of the bed, his shirt in your hand, and your thighs pressed tightly together.

[formula1imagines]

Daniel Ricciardo Fanfiction

Chapter 1: An Adventure Awaits

Characters: you, Daniel Ricciardo, Michael Italiano and Blake Friend.

Warnings: no warnings just fluff.

It’s the off-season and you’re visiting Daniel’s family in Perth, Australia. He hadn’t been home in 2 years because of the lockdown regulations in Australia. This was a huge moment for Daniel and his family.

It was a long flight from Monaco to Perth and you both were cuddled up for most of the flight- Daniel loved the smell of the shampoo and cream you used. You were wearing his recent merch- a green hoodie with sweatpants and he wore a black hoodie, skinny jean and cap. You both wore a mask (for obvious reasons- covid) and sunglasses. Sunglasses meant that you were less recognisable. Since the time photos of Daniel and you were cheekily released to the public by the paparazzi, there has been too much unwanted attention. Both Daniel and you had always wanted to keep your relationship private and this situation is something you both did not want to be in but it was what it is.

Michael and Blake were travelling with the 2 of ya’ll as well. You shared a very good relationship with both the guys- maybe Michael more than Blake because you spent more time with him. You really appreciated the both of them and the relationship they shared with your boyfriend. The were his constants through the long seasons- you were not able to attend every race. They were his home away from home and had always had Daniel’s back. They knew when to be professionals and when to be Daniel’s best mates. Michael knew how to switch from Daniel’s best friend to his personal trainer and so did Blake- from Daniel’s close friend to his manager. The 4 of ya’ll made quite the gang and it was always informal and chill between ya’ll.

The flight was a long one. You woke up at the middle of the night to drink water and stretch your legs. You had to quietly get out of Daniel’s warm embrace. His arms were possessively wrapped around your waist and you were practically stuck to his body. Being able to completely recline your seats and sleep comfortably was one of the perks of flying first class. As you slowly got up, you were trying to make sure Daniel didn’t get up- he needed as much sleep as possible because whether or not he showed it, you knew he was exhausted from the long season.

As you got up to stretch, you saw Michael listening to music on his headphones. He was wide awake and you two met eyes. You smiled and nodded at him and he reciprocated the gesture. After a few minutes of stretching and drinking water, you turned around to see that Michael was still awake and was reading a book. You decided to go up to him and check up on him. There was a seat empty next to him. The ambience of the flight was dark and it was super cold as well. As he saw you coming near his seat, he shifted one seat to make the seat next to the aisle free for you to sit. Always a gentleman, Michael. You gave him a wide smile and sat down. “What’s up? Why aren’t you sleeping?” you asked him’ “Just thinking about stuff”, he said casually. You knew there was something more. You felt something was troubling him so you asked him to confide in you. “I know something’s up. You know you can tell me things if you want to Michael. I’m always here to listen.” you said calmly and gave him smile. “I know that and I really appreciate it.”, he said. “It’s just relationship stuff you know. I’ve been in a long distance relationship with my girlfriend for 2 years now and suddenly it’s all very different. It’s not what it used to be. We hardly communicate well and because of all the time zone differences, we don’t get much time to talk. And you know me, i won’t compromise DR’s training for anything. Nothing. This career is my priority. DR relies and trusts me to do my best and it’s my job to do so. I’m thinking of ending the relationship because it’s getting to hard for me to manage my emotions. I don’t want it to affect my career as DR’s coach. I need to be the best version of myself for DR to be the best version of himself physically. You get what i’m saying?.” says Michael.

“Yes, i totally get what you’re saying M.” you say. “I know how dedicated you are as Daniel’s coach. I don’t want to interfere in your relationship but i just want you to be happy. Do what makes you happy M. That’s all i want. I know you’ll do what you think is best. Just know, i’m always here for you and Daniel’s always here for you. Michael nods and smiles at you and you give him a reassuring hug before getting up from the seat. As you get up from the seat, you see Daniel’s pouty face looking at you from him seat. You slowly walk towards your seat and Daniel shifts in. “Why were you gone for so long? I was getting cold without you.”, says Daniel making a puppy face. His curls were all over the place and just when you thought he couldn’t look cuter, he did.

You went back into the same sleeping position with Daniel. He kissed your temple and pulled you in closer. This time he wasn’t letting you go- even if it was for a stretch, you knew it! After about 10 minutes, when you thought Daniel was asleep, he whispered into your right ear, “What were you talking to Michael for so long? Is everything okay?”. “Everything’s fine- just something about his relationship. He’s kinda tensed you know. I told him we’re always here for him. I don’t like seeing Michael like this. He’s generally so energetic. Hope he figures it out.” you say. “Oh right, he was telling me he might break it off with his girlfriend.” said Daniel. “Yeah.” you said, sadly.

Talking about Michael and his situation made you a bit sad and Daniel could sense that. He hugged you tighter and smothered you with kisses. “You know i love you, right?” Daniel asked. “I know that, and I love you too Dan”, you said. You turned around on your bed and faced Daniel. He looked into your eyes and pulled you in for a kiss. A light, reassuring and comforting kiss. He then kissed you on your forehead and you closed your eyes, burying you head in Daniel’s neck. He brushed his fingers through your hair and placed a kiss on your head. You were grateful you were wearing a comfy hoodie and were next to Daniel because boy was this flight cold!

“We’ll be landing in Perth shortly so please straighten your seats and prepare for landing.”, announced the flight attendant. You could literally sense Daniel’s excitement. You knew he couldn’t wait to see his parents, his sister, his brother-in-law but most importantly his nephew, Isaac!

As you guys landed, Daniel squeezed your hand and looked at you. His brown eyes almost stared into your soul. His eyes were a little watery as well. “Welcome to Perth, baby! Prepare to have the most fun you’ve ever had in your life! I’ll make sure of you!”, he said as it winked at you. You gave him a wide smile and kissed him.

As you got up, Michael and Blake were already up and ready with their luggage. You got up to take your luggage out from the overhead compartment- it slightly heavy and that’s when Blake stepped in to help you get it down. You smiled and thanked him. Michael lead the way out of the aircraft, followed by Blake, then you and then finally Daniel. Daniel refused to let you carry your own suitcase. So he walked out with 2 suitcases. You rolled your eyes but smiled because he looked so funny. You knew there was no point in arguing with Daniel because the gentleman he was, he definitely wasn’t going to let you carry the suitcase. You thought it was cute but knew you were perfect able to carry a few suitcases.

As you exited the aircraft, a warm and welcome breeze blew right into your face, causing your hair yo fly back. Now you knew why Dan was crazy about the Perth weather! It was great to be in Dan’s hometown. You were excited to finally meet his family and spend some quality time with Daniel because you knew that once the season started, spending quality time with each other was going to be very tough. You really looked forward to this coming month. You were suddenly knocked out of your daze when Daniel shouts your name, “Babe! I know Perth has a dreamy effect on people but we really need to get going! I don’t even know how far ahead Michael and Blake are. Hurry up!

[bitchapalooza]

Hetalia charas as people I've seen on the public bus

I took the public bus to and from school since I was about 13 so I've seen a lot... Enjoy.

America would be that guy in the way fuckin back of the bus blasting his music on a portable speaker. Driver has to tell him like three times to turn it off or get off the bus before he stops.

Turkey is that person who gets on and then gets off not even 10 minutes later. Like he could have walked to where he needed to go but no waited 15 mins to 1 hour and he paid the full 1.75$ just to go the next bus stop.

England is the guy who sets his bag down in the seat next to him. When a new passenger asks if they sit there he reluctantly moves his bag and scooches so fucking close to the window that he's become the window itself.

Ukraine would be the person who brings a whole ass suitcase onto the bus and takes like 5 whole minutes struggling to get onboard until the driver gives in and lowers the bus/wheelchair elevator for her.

France is the guy in the middle of the bus talking on the phone loudly and on speaker.

Romano and China start a fight that to this day I don't understand what the cause was but damn did they yell at each other...

Latvia is holding onto the pole for dear life because he can't reach the loops above and there are currently no more seats. The driver is the Roadrunner On Monster Energy™ type of driver so Latvia is currently trying not to lose an arm when they roughly stop at a light or bus stop.

Belgium would nonstop talk to the driver. Like shut up please. Everyone can hear you guys. That fuckin fan overhead of the driver is loud sometimes so they YELL and in turn Belgium YELLS. Stoooop we dont care about your gossip GOD.

Prussia is the one struggling to open the window. Like he politely asked it was okay but that was 20 mins ago. And he just can't figure that shit out so he's sitting there struggling his entire ride there.

Canada is the quiet one who basically made the waaaay back window seat his home. Like hes sittin there slouched. Got his feet up on the arm rest of the seat in front of him(unless someone is already sitting there). He's very comfy. Which says a lot because those speckled ass 90s lookin seats have no cushioning whatsoever. Its just the thin ass fabric and whatever hard ass material the seats are made of. But he's sodamn comfy in his little cubby area. Granted he wont feel his ass for a good 20 mins when he gets off so..

Denmark is the one who tries coming in through the back/side door and the driver and passengers combined have to correct him twice.

Greece falls asleep and misses his stop and when he wakes up he, very hazardously, gets up while the bus is moving and asks the driver where the fuck they are.

Feliciano would bring his entire cart full of groceries on board plus the 20 that are dangerously cutting into his arms. Takes up all room underneath the seats and the carts takes up half the walk way.

[kookie-doughs]

Y/N L/N AND THE HALFBLOODS

Percy Jackson X Reader

-Y/N L/N met Percy Jackson and everything is now ruined.

Chapter 22: Then It Ended

As soon as we came, Annabeth ang Grover tackled me. We were the first heroes to return alive to Half-Blood Hill since Luke, so of course everybody treated us as if we'd won some reality-TV contest. According to camp tradition, we wore laurel wreaths to a big feast prepared in our honor, then led a procession down to the bonfire, where we got to burn the burial shrouds our cabins had made for us in our absence.

Annabeth's shroud was so beautiful—gray silk with embroidered owls— Percy told her it seemed a shame not to bury her in it. She punched him and told him to shut up. Percy being the son of Poseidon, he didn't have any cabin mates, so the Ares cabin had volunteered to make his shroud. They'd taken an old bedsheet and painted smiley faces with X'ed-out eyes around the border, and the word LOSER painted really big in the middle.

As I was still unclaimed, Hermes cabin had made me one. (Just... IDK go crazy with your shroud IG) It was fun to burn. As Apollo's cabin led the sing-along and passed out s'mores, Percy and I was surrounded by my Hermes cabinmates, Annabeth's friends from Athena, and Grover's satyr buddies, who were admiring the brand-new searcher's license he'd received from the Council of Cloven Elders. The council had called Grover's performance on the quest "Brave to the point of indigestion. Horns-and-whiskers above anything we have seen in the past." The only ones not in a party mood were Clarisse and her cabinmates, whose poisonous looks told me they'd never forgive us for disgracing their dad. That was okay with me. Even Dionysus's welcome-home speech wasn't enough to dampen my spirits. "Yes, yes, so the little brats didn't get themselves killed and now they'll have an even bigger head. Well, huzzah for that. In other announcements, there will be no canoe races this Saturday...." Going back to the cabin I finally had time to talk to Luke. Who just expressed his relief of me being fine, and how he was scared when Annabeth told everyone about me. No wonder everyone was so shocked seeing me come back with Percy. On the Fourth of July, the whole camp gathered at the beach for a fireworks display by cabin nine. Being Hephaestus's kids, they weren't going to settle for a few lame red-white-and-blue explosions. They'd anchored a barge offshore and loaded it with rockets the size of Patriot missiles. According to Annabeth, who'd seen the show before, the blasts would be sequenced so tightly they'd look like frames of animation across the sky. The finale was supposed to be a couple of hundred-foot-tall Spartan warriors who would crackle to life above the ocean, fight a battle, then explode into a million colors. As Annabeth, Percy and I were spreading a picnic blanket, Grover showed up to tell us good-bye. He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt and sneakers, but in the last few weeks he'd started to look older, almost high-school age. His goatee had gotten thicker. He'd put on weight. His horns had grown at least an inch, so he now had to wear his rasta cap all the time to pass as human. "I'm off," he said. "I just came to say ... well, you know." I tried to feel happy for him. After all, it wasn't every day a satyr got permission to go look for the great god Pan. But it was hard saying good-bye. I'd only known Grover a year, yet he was my oldest friend. Annabeth and I gave him a hug. She told him to keep his fake feet on. I asked him where he was going to search first. "Kind of a secret," he said, looking embarrassed. "I wish you could come with me, guys, but humans and Pan ..." "We understand," Annabeth said. "You got enough tin cans for the trip?" "Yeah." "And you remembered your reed pipes?" "Jeez, Annabeth," he grumbled. "You're like an old mama goat." But he didn't really sound annoyed. He gripped his walking stick and slung a backpack over his shoulder. He looked like any hitchhiker you might see on an American highway. "Well," he said, "wish me luck." He gave Annabeth and I another hug. He clapped Percy on the shoulder, then headed back through the dunes. Fireworks exploded to life overhead: Hercules killing the Nemean lion, Artemis chasing the boar, George Washington (who, by the way, was a son of Athena) crossing the Delaware. "Hey, Grover," Percy called. He turned at the edge of the woods. "Wherever you're going—I hope they make good enchiladas." Grover grinned, and then he was gone, the trees closing around him. "We'll see him again," Annabeth said. July passed. I spent my daysplanning out strategies with Luke for capture-the-flag and making alliances with the other cabins to keep the banner out of Ares's hands. I got to the top of the climbing wall for the first time without getting scorched by lava. From time to time, Percy and I would walk past the Big House, he'd glance up at the attic windows, and think about the Oracle.

I tried to convince him that its prophecy had come to completion. "You shall go west, and face the god who has turned." "Been there, done that—even though the traitor god had turned out to be Ares rather than Hades." "You shall find what was stolen, and see it safe returned." "Check. One master bolt delivered. One helm of darkness back on Hades." "You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend." Percy recited. "Ares had pretended to be our friend, then betrayed us. That must be what the Oracle meant.... Or maybe Nereid?"

"And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end." He sighed. "I had failed to save my mom and lost you..."

"So why are you still uneasy?" The last night of the summer session came all too quickly. The campers had one last meal together. We burned part of our dinner for the gods. At the bonfire, the senior counselors awarded the end-of-summer beads. Percy and I got our own leather necklace, and when I saw the bead for my first summer. The design was pitch black, with a sea-green trident shimmering in the center.

"This is so beautiful..." I smiled to Percy. "The choice was unanimous," Luke announced. "This bead commemorates the first Son of the Sea God at this camp, and the quest he undertook into the darkest part of the Underworld to stop a war!" The entire camp got to their feet and cheered. Even Ares's cabin felt obliged to stand. Athena's cabin steered Annabeth to the front so she could share in the applause. I'm not sure I'd ever felt as happy or sad as I did at that moment. I'd finally found a family, people who cared about me and thought I'd done something right. And in the morning, most of them would be leaving for the year. * * * The next morning, Luke called me. He gave me a paper, telling me to fill it out, and asked me to meet him as soon as I could. I knew Dionysus must've filled it out, because he stubbornly insisted on getting my name wrong: Dear (WRONG NAME) , If you intend to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, you must inform the Big House by noon today. If you do not announce your intentions, we will assume you have vacated your cabin or died a horrible death. Cleaning harpies will begin work at sundown. They will be authorized to eat any unregistered campers. All personal articles left behind will be incinerated in the lava pit. Have a nice day! Mr. D (Dionysus) Camp Director, Olympian Council #12 That's another thing about ADHD. Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face. Summer was over, and I still don't know what to do. I had no where to go to. The only option I had was Percy's or maybe Hades was not joking about inviting me back to the Underworld. Sighing I decided to just meet Luke before filling it for second opinions. The campgrounds were mostly deserted, shimmering in the August heat. All the campers were in their cabins packing up, or running around with brooms and mops, getting ready for final inspection. Argus was helping some of the Aphrodite kids haul their Gucci suitcases and makeup kits over the hill, where the camp's shuttle bus would be waiting to take them to the airport. I was walking around looking for Luke. I jumped when I felt someone tap me from behind. I instinctively unsheathed my knife and turned only to see Luke with his hands raised.

"Whoa! Calm down just me." He laughed.

"Kinda weird seeing someone laugh at a knife pointed at them." I smirked sheathing my knife.

"I only laugh since its you." He smiled and ruffled my hair. "Are you done with everything?"

"Not really. I don't know whether to leave or not yet. That's why I came. Help me?" I asked him.

He turned to me and to the forest. "How about you hear me out about something... important and private... then decide?" He gestured towards the forest.

"Not planning on killing me are you?" I squinted at him.

He gasped. "Not you. Never. I would never hurt you."

I let him lead me to a shrouded area of the forest.

"How serious is this thing that you can't let anyone see? I am blindly trusting you here Luke." I laughed nervously. But when he didn't reply I felt something was off. "Luke, okay this isn't cool. How deep into the forest do we have to go?"

"Y/N remember when you said... You want to be the person I trust...? How you promised to help me?"

"Luke?" He took my hand and pulled me sharply. I winced at how hard he pulled me. "That hurts! Let me go!"

He snapped back and let go of my wrist. "I-I'm sorry... Y/N..."

As much as I knew I had to leave, I couldn't I was worried about him. I reluctantly placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's happening?"

"I did it..." I said and sat on the ground. "I swear I didn't mean to get you hurt. But, I confess to everything. I  stole bolt and helm, I summoned the hound, I gave Percy the cursed shoes... And just now, I tried to kill Percy Jackson." He looked at me with empty eyes.

I shot up and looked at him in emotions I couldn't put in words. "W-Wh---" I wanted to leave and check on Percy. But once again, seeing him right now... I need to stay with him. "Why are you telling me this...?"

"Join me... please?" his voice was weak. He sounded vulnerable. "Let's serve my Lord together..."

"L-Luke... no. I-I can't do that!" I took his shoulder, "Y-You should stay with me instead. How about that, huh? L-Let's explain to Chiron and the others... come on please. I could help you!"

Nothing was working.

"Come with me..." He muttered.

"Luke, I won't join you. You have to change your mind. You can't do this."

"I can't change my mind."

"I can help you with that? How about you go with me huh? I could spend all my time doing this and that. Please, just change your mind."

He didn't reply for a while until he whispered, "Promise me."

"Promise you what?"

"You'll stay with me."

"What? Luke I wo--"

"You won't join... Just...don't stay here for the year... and stay with me."

"I-If I stay with you... what would that mean?"

"Yo-You... might change my mind."

"I'll go." I replied with no hesitation. "I'll leave camp for the year. And I'll find my parent to prove to you that Gods and Goddess aren't all bad. We'll find my parent together."

"I do my lord's bidding--"

"You can still do it. If you want to. But whatever happens... stays only between us. I'll stay with you until I change your mind. And I'll bring you back to camp."

"I would never do anything to ruin your trust in me." He knelt down. It was kinda awkward but hey... "I need you."

Worry not hero. We shall stay.

"Please..."

We'll meet again. Wait for us, we shall join you soon. Now leave.

I had no idea what happened since when I came to Luke was gone and there was no sign of him anywhere. How were we going to st---

We will meet him once we leave. Now go as our hero needs us.

I suddenly remembered Percy's state that Luke had told me about. So I ran. I ran to the Big House

***

Percy finally opened his eyes. He was propped up in bed in the sickroom of the Big House, his right hand bandaged like a club. Argus stood guard in the corner. Annabeth and I sat next to Percy, I was holding his nectar glass and she was dabbing a washcloth on his forehead.

"Here we are again," Percy said. "You idiot," Annabeth said, "You were green and turning gray when we found you. If it weren't for Chiron's healing..." "Now, now," Chiron's voice said. "Percy's constitution deserves some of the credit." He was sitting near the foot of the bed in human form. His lower half was magically compacted into the wheelchair, his upper half dressed in a coat and tie. He smiled, but his face looked weary and pale, the way it did when he'd been up all night grading Latin papers. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Like my insides have been frozen, then microwaved." "Apt, considering that was pit scorpion venom. Now you must tell me, if you can, exactly what happened." Between sips of nectar, he told them the story.

I bit my lip trying to keep what happened between Luke and I private. It was a risky move that would not be approved by anyone after all. The room was quiet for a long time. "I can't believe that Luke..." Annabeth's voice faltered. Her expression turned angry and sad. "Yes. Yes, I can believe it. May the gods curse him.... He was never the same after his quest."

Percy was looking at me as if checking what was my reaction to his story. "This must be reported to Olympus," Chiron murmured. "I will go at once." "Luke is out there right now," Percy said. "I have to go after him." Chiron shook his head. "No, Percy. The gods—" "Won't even talk about Kronos," Percy snapped. "Zeus declared the matter closed!" "Percy, I know this is hard. But you must not rush out for vengeance. You aren't ready." "Chiron... your prophecy from the Oracle... it was about Kronos, wasn't it? Was I in it? Y/N? And Annabeth?" Chiron glanced nervously at the ceiling. "Percy, it isn't my place—" "You've been ordered not to talk to me about it, haven't you?" His eyes were sympathetic, but sad. "You will be a great hero, child. I will do my best to prepare you. But if I'm right about the path ahead of you..." Thunder boomed overhead, rattling the windows. "All right!" Chiron shouted. "Fine!" He sighed in frustration. "The gods have their reasons, Percy. Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing." "We can't just sit back and do nothing," He said. "We will not sit back," Chiron promised. "But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unraveled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger. Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come." "Assuming I live that long." Chiron put his hand on Percy's ankle. "You'll have to trust me, Percy. You will live. But first you must decide your path for the coming year. I cannot tell you the right choice...." I got the feeling that he had a very definite opinion, and it was taking all his willpower not to advise me. "But you must decide whether to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, or return to the mortal world for seventh grade and be a summer camper. Think on that. When I get back from Olympus, you must tell me your decision." "I'll be back as soon as I can," Chiron promised. "Argus will watch over you." He glanced at Annabeth. "Oh, and, my dear... whenever you're ready, they're here." "Who's here?" Percy asked. Nobody answered. Chiron rolled himself out of the room. I heard the wheels of his chair clunk carefully down the front steps, two at a time. Annabeth studied the floor. "What's wrong?" Percy asked her. "Nothing. I ... just took your advice about something. You ... um ... need anything?" "Yeah. Help me up. I want to go outside." "Percy, that isn't a good idea." Percy slid his legs out of bed. Annabeth and I caught him before he could crumple to the floor.

I said, "I told you ..." "I'm fine," He insisted.

He managed a step forward. Then another, still leaning heavily on me. Argus followed us outside, but he kept his distance. By the time we reached the porch, his face was beaded with sweat. But we had managed to make it all the way to the railing. It was dusk. The camp looked completely deserted. The cabins were dark and the volleyball pit silent. No canoes cut the surface of the lake. Beyond the woods and the strawberry fields, the Long Island Sound glittered in the last light of the sun. "What are you going to do?" Annabeth asked us. "I don't know." Percy replied. "I got the feeling Chiron wanted me to stay year-round, to put in more individual training time, but I'm not sure that's what I want. I also don't want to leave you both with Clarisse only." Annabeth pursed her lips, then said quietly, "I'm going home for the year, Percy." He stared at her. "You mean, to your dad's?" She pointed toward the crest of Half-Blood Hill. Next to Thalia's pine tree, at the very edge of the camp's magical boundaries, a family stood silhouetted—two little children, a woman, and a tall man with blond hair. They seemed to be waiting. The man was holding a backpack that looked like the one Annabeth had gotten from Waterland in Denver. "I wrote him a letter when we got back," Annabeth said. "Just like you suggested. I told him... I was sorry. I'd come home for the school year if he still wanted me. He wrote back immediately. We decided... we'd give it another try." "That took guts." She pursed her lips. "You won't try anything stupid during the school year, will you? At least ... not without sending me an Iris-message? Both of you?" Percy managed a smile. "I won't go looking for trouble. I usually don't have to."

"You already know my plans."

"When I get back next summer," she said, "we'll hunt down Luke. We'll ask for a quest, but if we don't get approval, we'll sneak off and do it anyway. Agreed?" "Sounds like a plan worthy of Athena."

She held out her hand. Percy shook it. She gave me a hug. "Take care, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth told Percy. "Keep your eyes open."

"You too, Wise Girl."

Then turned to me, "Good luck on your own quest Droopy."

"Of course Peabody." We watched her walk up the hill and join her family. She gave her father an awkward hug and looked back at the valley one last time. She touched Thalia's pine tree, then allowed herself to be lead over the crest and into the mortal world. "I made my decision." Percy said. "What's yours?"

"I'll be leaving camp... I'm going to look for my parent..." He looked at me in shock. "I'll be back next summer," I promised him. "I'll survive until then."

"Alone?"

I smiled at him.

"Don't you want to stay with us? Mom said---"

"I want to find my parent. I need to. I'll be fine Percy."

I helped Percy to his cabin so he could pack and went to mine. To my surprise I see a middle-aged man with an athletic figure slim and fit with salt-and-pepper hair, and a very familiar sly grin. He had bags at his foot.

"Delivery for Y/N L/N."

"Uhm..."

"Hermes." He said.

I froze and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Personally packed. As a thank you for what you're about to do." He smiled softly and handed me the bags.

"H-Huh...?"

"For helping Luke."

"I..."

Don't forget her mail!

Ooh! And tell her to bring us snacks next time we meet since it'll be often now!

No it wouldn't be often! She'll be with Luke!

"Both of you keep quiet." Pulling out a mail he handed it to me. "Luke... prayed to me telling me about your plan. He asked me to help you. I don't know what or why he did it. But I know he'll change thanks to you. So do guide him."

"Sorry you lost me at the talking air..." I blinked.

Hermes laughed and showed a caduceus. "It's just George and Martha."

"Hi?"

Hello!

Hi

"I just wanted to let you know. No god or goddess could see you. No matter how hard they tried. So your secrets.. are really secrets. Good luck on your travel."

Next time we meet you should have snacks.

Then he vanished.

Staring at the letter on my hand, I was stunned seeing it was from... my mom and dad.

Sweetie,

You've made quite a friend here.

-Mom and Dad.

I immediately knew where to look. I hurriedly took my bags not bothering to check the contents. I ran to Percy's cabin and helped him out so we could leave.

Percy got a cab and looked at me worriedly.

"I'll write you. Stay safe Arthur Curry." I ruffled his hair and watched him go.

I didn't know where to go so I just went to the first secluded area I saw.

"You have more stuffs than when you arrived." I heard someone behind me.

"You prayed to your dad. I hope he knows how to pack." I sighed turning to him. Turning around I barely made out Luke from the few days I last saw him. "You okay?"

"Do you know where to look first?"

Call upon our hound.

I whistled, I don't know why. But when I did, D/N came out of the blue. Luke looked at me and my dear dog, who was probably bigger than the hound he'd summon back then. "How do feel about L.A?" I said riding on D/N and making space behind me for Luke.

~~~END OF BOOK 1~~~

Previous | Book 1 Masterlist | Series Masterlist

END OF BOOK ONE!!! THANK YOU FOR READING YLATHB I HOPE YOU ENJOY!! I'LL PUBLISH BOOK 2 WHEN I'M DONE OR EVEN AT LEAST HAVE WRITTEN 5 CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK 2 ;))

I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!!

Taglist?

@gayer-than-the-gayest-gay @the-natureofme @booknerd-3000 @katara720 @ynfics

[matsbarzal]

Time’s a Ticking || Matthew Tkachuk

Notes: anyways I decided to do matty and I found this long list of soulmate AU prompts so I know what I’m doing tonight yikes. so here’s a lil bit of a nervous/anxious matty even tho he refuses to admit it. hope you enjoy!!! let me know how you like it <3 

Summary: everyone is born with a dwindling time on their wrist. the moment the time reaches zero is when a person meets their other half, the person who makes them whole; their soulmate. 

Word Count: 3k+

10,584. 7 days, 8 hours and 24 minutes. 7 days until he’d meet his other half, the person that’s meant to complete his soul, be his better half, or whatever a soulmate is meant to be. Matthew wasn’t crazy about the idea of soulmates, sure, he was surrounded by people who were madly in love and happy and complete; but he was also surrounded by those people... the one’s whose time stopped, girls and guys who had a permanent marking of time on their wrist that would never move again.

He wouldn’t say he was a pessimistic person, but he had seen so many friends and family fall into a spiral after their soulmate clock stopped ticking, watched as their other half broke them without even meeting them. He wanted to be excited and optimistic but Matthew couldn’t bring himself to feel the same delight that his friends did on his behalf. Anything could happen in this 7 days, 8 hours... and 22 minutes now.

6160 minutes

You could feel the bump of the plane as it touched the ground. This was the one part of flying you hated the most, the anxiety and the bumping as the plane made its way down the runway towards its destination. You knew anything bad was unlikely to happen, but your nerves were on edge. All you could think about was the time on your wrist, the time that kept on ticking. It hadn’t stopped in your entire 21 years of life, and from the looks of it, you were approximately four days away from that happening.

Sighing, you listened to the claps from around you as everyone congratulated the pilots for landing the plane safely. Around you, people stood up and began collecting their belongings, grabbing their bags from the overhead compartments as the chatter continued in the cabin.

You politely smiled at the man beside you as he passed you down your bag, a quick “Thank you” leaving your lips as he gestured for you to walk in front of him towards the exit. 

Originally, you hadn’t had any intention of leaving Alberta for the holiday break, but your parents had practically begged you to come home for the holiday’s, citing the fact you had remained in Lake Louise for the last year and that they had only seen you once since you made the choice to unravel everything you knew by packing a few bags and moving halfway across the country to Alberta to work at some fancy ski resort in the mountains. 

It was originally only meant to be a few months worth of work, waitressing in Lake Louise at a 5-star resort that is, and then time kept going by, and the more and more you fell in love with not only the scenery, but the people. Everyone was happy there, tourists were always excited and polite, everyone just wanted the chance to see the Lake, skate on the Lake, whatever it was. No one was ever unhappy here, and you loved that. 

You were pulled out of your thoughts as the line in front of you continued to move quickly, people eager to get out of the cabin and get back into the fresh air that flowed outside. You could barely contain your giddiness as you stepped off the plane. You could barely believe how much you missed the province, missed your friends, coworkers, you even missed the tourists. Who would’ve thought?

After about 20 minutes of watching the carousal spin and spin and spin, you finally eyed your bright red, Flames red, as a lot of people reminded you, suitcase. Grabbing it, you hauled the bag off of the carousal and onto the ground. You were eager to get to your car, which you had already paid a good 500 dollars worth of parking for, and eager to get the move on the three hour drive across Highway 1 to Lake Louise. 

After four and a half hours of travelling, you knew this three hour drive was going to exhaust you. And with the temperature out in Alberta right now? All you wanted was your bed and a cup of piping warm hot chocolate to end the day.

4590 minutes

“Man, your face is already awful to look at. You really trying to ruin it even more right before you meet your soulmate?”

Before Noah could even think, a wad of tape hit the side of his head while exclamations went up around the room about the choice of target. “Whoops, guess my tape slipped... out of my hand.”

Matthew shrugged his shoulders, an innocent grin on his face as he stood up to grab the tape from beside Noah Hanifin’s locker. 

“No, but seriously, why are you getting into fights with three days left on your wrist? Don’t go and get yourself killed or something, they’d be devastated if they’ve waited this long for your dumb-ass just to have 4000 minutes tattooed on her wrist for the rest of her life.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Matthew ignored his teammates comments, choosing instead to run his finger across the always-changing number on his wrist. 

“It’s not like it matters anyways.” His words were barely above a mumble, but it was enough to spark the attention of his captain, who was quick to tell him to meet him in the trainer’s office after he was done showering and getting the blood that was currently dripping down his face, cleaned.

Obliging on his captain’s orders, he found Gio in the office, a tight smile the only warning that he was about to get ripped apart by the veteran. Gio was one of the lucky ones, he had barely been 16 when his clock finally hit the big 0. It made him an advocate for all the soulmate bullshit, constantly encouraging his teammates to wait it out, be patient, their time would come. 

“Chucky, buddy, we gotta have a chat.”

Quirking his eyebrows at the older man, Matthew nodded, “Well Gio, I kinda figured that one out buddy, unless you pulled me in here to look at my oh so pretty face.” 

“I’m serious. You need to stop with this constant bashing of soulmates and times and shit. I know you don’t like it and you hate the concept of soulmates and whatever, but you’re doing nothing but worrying the younger guys. These kids are constantly terrified their minutes are just going to stop and be etched into their skin.”

Subconsciously running his fingers across the number on his wrist again, 4530 minutes. Wonder what that is in exact time. Shrugging his shoulders, he was quick to apologize to his captain. “Sorry, G. Not trying to scare the kids, just getting a little... I don’t know? Worried? It’s getting too close, I don’t want to get like...  it’s not important, never mind. I’ll stop talking about times in the locker room. Sorry.”

Quickly tightening the tie that was now wrapped around his neck, Matthew raced out of the office before Gio could say something else to him. He eagerly grabbed his phone, wallet, keys and suit jacket before quickly making his way towards the parking garage, the only thing on his mind was of course, you.

2120 minutes

One whole day and just a few hours. You could barely breath as you ran your thumb over the little black number on your wrist. You knew it was inevitable that you’d be meeting your soulmate while working, the moment you looked at the work schedule when you arrived back from home, you knew you’d be stuck working during the time in which you were meant to meet you soulmate. You were giddy, sure. But what if they didn’t like you? What if whoever it was, was snooty, and rude, and didn’t like you for who you were?

“Y/N, you gotta stop thinking about it, babe. You’re gonna get your head stuck in a whirlwind of thoughts. Think about other things! Like... the Calgary Flames.”

Eyeing the blonde beside you, “Tell me Cassidy, why in the world, would I think about the Calgary Flames, instead of thinking about my soulmate?”

Your coworker shrugged her shoulders and gestured to the board behind your head. You had all been notified a day prior that the Calgary Flames had reserved a whole floor of the Chateau for the weekend. With your restaurant being directly in view of the Lake and the Mountains, you were expected to be the main dining spot for the team over their course of the weekend.

“Believe me, Cass, the last thing I want to think about is a bunch of hockey boys who are going to make me miserable the weekend where I’m supposed to be... not miserable.”

She winked at you, a teasing glint in her eyes, “Maybe one of those awful hockey boys has the same number on your wrist. Maybe Noah Hanifin’s your soulmate. God, I’d be so jealous, could you imagine being destined for that beautiful exhibit of a man? God, I’d climb him like a tree.”

Laughing, you wacked her with the towel in your hand as she continued to egg you on, gloating about how beautiful of a specimen Noah Hanifin was, and how she’d do just anything to crawl into bed with that man. Cassidy was always like this, bubbly, happy, positive. Her number had stopped moving 12 years ago, or so she says. She hadn’t been paying attention the day it stopped, the number etching itself into her skin permanently, to never move again. She was never negative about it, always saying that she hoped just the thought of her brought peace to her soulmate in their last moments. 

“Okay okay, enough about the Flames. I doubt it’s even going to end up being any of them, hockey boys and I do not get along. Especially the one’s that are just constantly bothering people, and that’s the entire Flames roster, so... let’s get back to work.”

440 minutes

One thing Matthew was sure of was the fact that he loved everything about the drive to Lake Louise. He wasn’t notorious for being a huge fan of the scenery around him, but something about the drive across Highway 1, the trees, the snow covered mountains, they all just faded together and created this picture in his head. It was hard to describe, there wasn’t anything specific to the picture, it was just joyful, it was happy, it was calm. Jesus, maybe he was just fucking crazy. 

A lot of people always said you feel more calm in the hours leading up to the first time you meet your soulmate. But he sure as hell didn’t feel calm. He was on edge, the scenery around him, albeit, it was beautiful, it was not calming him down. His leg was shaking, his foot tapping the ground beneath him on the bus. He could see Johnny giving him a look every time his shaking leg touched his teammates. He knew the entire team was frustrated with him. Two games straight, two 10 minute fighting majors. 

He was being a pest, constantly egging people on, trying to ignite arguments or fights or just some form of stimuli to get his mind off of the only thing it could stray to. You. He didn’t want to think about whoever the hell you were, he didn’t want to get his hopes up that maybe his clock would actually hit 0, maybe he’d actually meet his better half. Or maybe he'd fall through a crack in Lake Louise and never have to worry about it again... hopefully. 

“If you touch my leg... one more fucking time, I am going to sock you in the fucking face Chucky.”

Immediately pressing his heel into the ground, Matthew mumbled out a quick ‘sorry’ to the teammate beside him as he watched the trees continue to go by outside the bus window. The time was still changing on his wrist, every minute counting down as the minutes passed outside. There was barely any cell service on the drive up, so the only thing that could truly distract him at this rate, was you, and he hated that.

“Soooo... you excited Chucky? It’s gotta be the big day, no?”

If choking a teammate was legal, Matthew would already be wringing Noah Hanifin’s neck. 

“Yeah, delighted.”

“C’mon grumpy pants, you’re literally like what? 6 hours away from meeting the person who’s supposed to complete your soul... and you’re in a foul mood. Did Doughty crawl up your ass and die last night or?”

Grinding his teeth, Matthew tried to bite his tongue, refusing to lash out at his teammate, even though he so desperately wanted to. He wasn’t going to be the cause for a toxic locker room, especially over something as stupid as soulmates. 

It was obvious that something was going on, everyone on the team knew the time on his wrist equalled out to less than a day. Everyone could see how on edge he was slowly getting as the time dwindled down, but no one could figure out why he was getting more and more frustrated, why the excitement wasn’t shining through as the time continued.

“Why the hell aren’t you excited man? This person’s supposed to be the love of your life, and you seem like you couldn’t give two fucks if you meet them or not?”

It was too late, Matthew was exploding before he could even comprehend what he was saying. “It doesn’t fucking matter man, okay? I don’t give a shit about this soulmate bullshit. Everyone’s soulmate is gone one day anyways, what the hell does it matter if you meet them now? I’m gonna be aching at some point because they’re gone and I’m alone. Woohoo, I get to meet them today, woo-fucking-hoo. I could literally not care less, so stop bugging me.”

27 minutes.

It was all around, highly likely, that your soulmate had some form of connection with the Calgary Flames. Their reservation was scheduled for 23 minutes from now... and your wrist had that small number 27 etched on it as it continued to count down. 

“Wow... maybe your soulmate really is Noah Hanifin... I’m sorry for saying I’d climb him like a tree.”

A loud laugh left your throat as you watched a guilty smile form on your co-workers face. “Cass, I highly doubt it’s Noah Hanifin. It’s probably just a coincidence that their reservation time coincides with my meeting my soulmate time.” Cassidy gave you a knowing look as she walked away, a small smile on her face.

You were anxious, you couldn’t deny it. Every second that counted down, you were nervous, what if you weren’t good enough for them? What if they were embarrassed it was you? What if... oh god... what if they hated soulmates? What if they were one of those people who was willing to cut the tie, ignore the call, ignore the connection?

You refused to think about that, instead putting yourself to work, clearing the tables and plates of the previous occupants, you waved off the clearing crew, instead choosing to do it yourself. Anything to get your mind off of it. 

The Flames weren't the only occupants of the Chateau tonight, only taking up about half, you were able to still seat other tourists who were interested in the view tonight. 

That’s how you found yourself, 25 minutes later, your hand on your hip as you interacted with the group of rowdy guys in front of you. They were from Edmonton, and they were absolutely hammered. They were as nice as you could expect them to be, continuously flirting your ears off, as they tried to impress you with their... what was it? Accounting job? You couldn’t remember for the life of you, your mind solely stuck on the small number 1 now etched on your wrist. 

You were roused out of your thoughts at the feeling of a hand touching your waist. “C’mon sweetheart, you’re not even paying attention to us here. Take a shot with us, baby!”

You politely removed the offending wrist, a tight smile now etched on your face. “First, I would ask that you please don’t touch me. Second, I was most definitely listening. You boys want another round of beers, and 6 tequila shots. Unfortunately, I don’t believe the shots are the best idea, nor do I think the beer is, but I’ll definitely get you a glass of water.”

Spinning on your heel, you went to walk away but were stopped by the feeling of a hand tightly gripping your wrist, a small squeak falling from your lips.

“We don’t want water.”

“Please get your hand off of me.”

“Get us what I asked for then, bitch.” 

You were about to retort, a vicious snarl on your lips, but your words were caught in your throat as you watched a fist connect to the cheek of the man in front of you, a gasp leaving your throat.

2 minutes

This had to be a joke. He was apparently two minutes away from meeting his soulmate, and here he was, in an orderly fashioned line as him and his teammates made their way into the restaurant. He could barely breath, his pants felt too tight on his hips, he could feel the sweat seeping through his shirt. Thank god he made the choice to wear black. 

It felt like everyone’s eyes were on his, everyone was wearily watching the number on his wrist go down, as the obvious anxieties began to cloud his every thought, action, move... everything.

He tried to take his mind off of it, observing the restaurant as the team slowly made their way to their designated tables. There were a few other patrons, most of them caught up in their own world. One specific table caught his eye, they were a group of rowdy guys, maybe a few years older than him. 

Quite frankly, they looked like all around assholes. Looked like the guys you’d see from Wolf of Wall Street, and from the looks of it, they were really starting to irritate their waitress. Although, all he could see was your back, your posture was unbelievably straight, your hand on your hip as you inventively listened to the guys in front of you.

Matthew continued to watch you, something inside of him telling him that he just couldn’t look away. He had to keep looking. He watched as you turned your body, ready to walk to wherever your destination in mind was, but he instantly zeroed in on the hand that was now tightly wrapped around your wrist, a violent look on the man’s face.

He wasn’t moving on his own accord now, his feet were basically moving by themselves as they raced towards you.

“Get us what I asked for then, bitch.”

His fist was connecting with the other man’s face before he could even think. He heard the gasp from beside him, he watched the number on his wrist hit 0 the exact moment he looked at you, a look of shock on everyone’s faces.

“Chucky!”

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“I’m going to call the police you fucking curly-headed fuck.”

He could barely focus on the voices around him. You were here. You were literally right in front of him. Both of your numbers were at 0, he could see it on your wrist. He was literally staring in the eyes of his soulmate.

“Oh my god, you punched one of our guests.” Your voice was like bells to his ear, soft, delicate, everything he wasn’t... but god, you were perfect.

“I’m Matthew, and yes... I uh... I think I did punch one of your guests. I also think you’re my soulmate. Does it count as self-defence... if I punched him in my soulmate’s defence?” 

You laughed, trying to cover it up with your mouth as you watched your manager’s rush towards the now bleeding asshole at the table behind you. 

“I think I like you already, Matthew.”

[imaginedisish]

Devil’s Advocate (Tenet) Neil x Reader

Chapter 2: I’ll Try Anything Once

A/N: Hi guys! So this sort of feels like a filler chapter, but I hope you still all enjoy it :) And ps...this chapter is based on I’ll Try Anything Once by Julian Casablancas (it’s derived from one of the Strokes’ demos I think)

Summary: You and Neil land in London to some majorly unfortunate circumstances that are too overwhelming for you to handle, but Neil is done letting you get hurt. 

Warnings: Death, guns, gunshot wounds, explosions, violence/murder (implied more or less), cursing, minor angst maybe, and yay fluff!

Word Count: 4,191

“Hey,” A voice whispers softly; the familiar sound encourages you to lift your eyelids. “(Y/N), we’re about to land,” The voice whispers again as you feel yourself slowly rocking back and forth. You groggily open your eyes. 

The cabin of the plane is dark except for a few scattered overhead reading lights. You notice that your head is still resting against Neil’s chest as his warm hold envelopes you, keeping you pressed tightly against him. A tickle twitches in your stomach as you feel the plane drop down closer to the ground. The tickle quickly turns to terror as you remember where you’re headed. You feel your heart rapidly beat in your chest. You take a deep breath, hoping to suppress your paralyzing fears of being back out in the field. 

Neil’s calming voice grounds you. “Are you alright?” He asks, his arms tightening around you. The airplane drops some more, causing the tickle in your stomach to continue. 

“I’m not sure,” You respond honestly as you try and swallow your fear in your throat. Of course, it doesn’t work. The airplane drops again, and you pull slightly away from Neil to look out the window. Lights twinkle below you, and you can see Heathrow Airport in the near distance. 

The seat creaks a bit as Neil moves closer to you. His cheek brushes up against yours as he peers out the window. His closeness was comforting. 

Neil sighs. “I know you don’t want to be here, (Y/N),” Neil says as his right arm wraps around your shoulders again, stealing your attention away from the lights of the towns below.  “But it’s going to be okay. We’ll get in, get what we need, get rid of who we don’t, and get out.” He shoots a smirk in your direction.

The plane grows even closer to the ground but the tickles disappear, and nausea fills your stomach. “I think I’m going to be sick,” You complain. Anxiety courses through your veins, worsening your current state. 

Neil, with his arm still around your shoulders, shakes his head and pulls you away from the window. “You’re not throwing up here,” He says, chuckling a bit. “Or I’ll be doubled over with you.” You find yourself laughing too, but it’s no surprise. That’s simply what Neil does to you. He makes everything seem like it could be…

Okay. 

You were too wrapped up in thoughts of Neil to notice when the wheels of the plane came crashing on the ground. The sound of skid marks screeching against the tarmac gave way for the anxiety to settle back down into your stomach. You shudder, imagining all the things that could go wrong. All the stupid little things that could go horribly, horribly wrong.

You watch as everyone begins to stand up from their seats, walking out into the aisle and grabbing their things from the overhead compartments. Neil gives you a final squeeze before letting go and following suit with the rest of the people on the plane. You look back out the window for a second, contemplating whether or not being in Tenet is worth it at all. There’s so much danger, so much death, so much fear. 

And my own father is the enemy, You think. 

“Are you ready, love?” Neil calls, breaking you out of your thoughts. 

You shrug and stand up from the seat, hunching over ever so slightly as to not smack your head against the ceiling. “I don’t think I’ll ever be, so I might as well just jump without looking, right?” 

Neil smiles sadly, almost as if to apologize. “Then I’ll be ready for you, and I’ll catch you when you fall.” 

Your heart flutters in your chest at his reassurance, despite the sardonic nature of your comment. “Neil I-,” You say, carefully stepping out into the aisle. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Don’t thank me,” Neil starts, seemingly minimizing his ability to change your entire mood. “This is what friends are for.”

Right, friends. 

Neil guides you out of the plane and onto the bridge. After a short walk, you enter the airport. 

It’s a ghost town. Some people are sleeping, slumped over in uncomfortable, stiff chairs waiting for their flight. You had forgotten that the time had changed. You look down at your phone to see that your New York time zone has already been switched to London’s. 

3:56 AM

It only takes a few shuffles out to the main concourse for you to recognize how exhausted you are in spite of your ability to sleep on the plane. After all, that had been the most sleep you had gotten since the…accident. 

You and Neil walk in silence for a while. It isn’t an awkward silence. It’s the comfortable, relaxing kind. It’s the kind of silence shared by two people who don’t need to talk to share how much they enjoy the other’s company. You take in all the shops and food stores as an attempt to keep yourself distracted from the terror of the mission. 

You step onto an escalator, and your attention finally lands on Neil’s face. You had studied it a million times, as odd as that sounds, but you couldn’t help it. You liked looking at him. You liked getting confirmation that he was in fact real and was in fact with you. 

“Hey,” You finally speak up. “Aren’t we in your hometown now?”

You watch as Neil’s cheeks lift and the corners of his mouth turn up. “Yeah,” He says back. “I guess we are.” His eyes rest on yours for a second before they flicker down to your lips. It catches you off guard, but the moment is gone just as soon as it begins as you’re forced to step off the escalator. You enter the baggage claim area and head straight towards the exit of the airport. 

Conveniently waiting outside the doors is a black town car. You look to Neil, making sure it’s the right one. Neil nods, silently confirming that this is a part of the plan. You open the door and plop onto the seat. You hear Neil open and close the trunk before he takes his spot next to you in the car. 

“We live in a twilight world,” Neil says. But there’s no answer. 

You clear your throat nervously, reaching underneath your black, baggy, menswear dress pants, clutching onto the small revolver tied against your calf. “He said, we live in a twilight world.” 

There’s no answer again. You take the revolver out, aiming it at the man. You look over at Neil and notice that his shirt is undone; he had already taken his gun out. He always kept it under his shirt, attached to his chest. He hunches over, slowly moving towards the man through the center console. 

The man’s hat is titled over his forehead. Neil takes it off. 

Neil parts his lips. “Fuck,” His voice is shallow. “He’s dead. He’s got a bullet in the center of his forehead,” There’s a panic in Neil’s voice.  He looks up to the windshield, and you follow his gaze. There’s no point of entry, no shattered glass. 

“So someone else has already been here,” You remark. Neil’s eyes widen as he moves the man’s shirt over a bit. 

That’s when the light beeping noise starts. 

“SHIT!” Neil screams. “Get out of the car! NOW!” He opens the door on your side of the car and practically shoves you out. You stumble, barely able to catch your balance when your feet hit the ground. Neil sprints to the trunk, opening it up and grabbing the luggage. 

You follow behind him, tugging on his arm, trying to pull him away. “The luggage, really?” You shout in disbelief. 

Neil secures both bags in his right hand, and grabs your wrist with his left. You both break out into a sprint. “We need to take cover,” Neil says in between breaths, his eyes frantically searching around the taxi area. “Do you see-,”

BOOM!

“FUCK!” Neil yells, practically tripping over his feet as the concrete vibrates violently below. He catches his balance just before he can face plant into the ground.

The car explodes behind you. The heat of the flames radiate on your back. You don’t dare look behind you; you keep running. 

You and Neil finally reach a parking lot, and stop for a break.

“What the hell was that?” You whisper, angrily grabbing Neil by the collar and bringing him in between two minivans for cover, just in case anyone had followed you or was planning to attack. 

Neil grabs your waist in return, brining you even closer to him. Your breath hitches in your throat as you realize how close you are to him. “They must know we’re here,” Neil says. His eyes are still wide and his breathing is still heavy. 

“And the suitcases?” You question with heavy concern, and even frustration, in your voice. “Do you not have firefighters come into your elementary schools in England? Do you not get taught that stuff can be replaced and human beings can’t be?” Your whisper turns into more of an angry shout. 

Neil shakes his head in disapproval. “There are explosives in my suitcase, (Y/N). If they detonated we would be dead,” He says, panic still evident in his voice, and a bit of anger as well. 

You nod, loosening your grip on his collar. “I’m sorry I just,” You pause, knowing full well what had just come over you. “I just didn’t want anything to happen to you, that’s all.” You feel your eyes becoming glossy. This was the very thing you were afraid of. You were almost blown to bits, and worse than that, Neil could’ve died. The mission was already failing, and it hadn’t even truly started yet.

You shut your eyes tightly, and a few tears roll down your cheeks.

Neil swallows hard, his arms still resting on your waist. “No, I’m sorry. You didn’t know. I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat like that.” Neil pulls you into an embrace. 

“It’s okay,” You mumble quietly into his chest.

You let him hold you in silence for a few moments. You needed to process things. You needed to ground yourself. You needed this second with Neil. 

You feel yourself dozing off a bit in Neil’s arms. Visions of a bed with a plush comforter and satin sheets play over in your head. It had to be almost 4:30 in the morning at this point. 

“How are we going to get to the hotel?” You ask, longing for a good night’s sleep. “And what if they know what hotel we’re staying in?”

Neil pulls apart from you and reaches into his pocket to grab his phone. “I’ll call TP and figure out what we’re supposed to do.” Neil types in his passcode, presses on the screen a few times, and lifts his phone up to his ear. 

You look up into the night sky to distract yourself. The stars twinkle lightly, but there’s too much light pollution to get a good look. The cold wind nips at you roughly. You turn to face Neil. He’s pacing back and forth about twenty feet away from you. You try and tune into what he’s saying.

“They fucking know we’re here, what am I supposed to do?” The frustration in his voice is clear. He waits for a response. 

“Yeah, she’s alright I guess, but you shouldn’t have forced her out into the field this early,” He pauses again. “No I don’t care that you’re the boss, she wasn’t ready when she left this afternoon and she definitely isn’t ready now!”

Silence, and then another sentence. “No, I’m not letting my feelings get in the way, that’s not what this is.”

Feelings? 

“I mean of course it’s because I care about her, you know how I feel…” He trails off, and walks a bit farther away from you. What he says next, you can’t hear.

After a few seconds, he starts to walk back, still keeping a bit of a distance. “Alright, we’ll head over there now,” Neil looks up at you and winks, confirming that there’s some sort of plan set in place. 

Neil turns his back to you. “And I swear to God,” He whispers, thinking you can’t hear him, “If she dies, I’m going to kill you.” 

A shiver rolls down your spine at his words. You knew Neil cared about you, but you didn’t know he would threaten TP for you, even if it was just a sarcastic threat.

But this wasn’t a joke.  

“Yeah okay. Thanks,” Neil says finally. “Talk to you later.” He takes the phone away from his ear and presses the red button to hang up. He walks back over to you. You’re still overwhelmed by what Neil had said on the phone, but you push those thoughts to the back of your head.

You yawn listlessly. “So what’s going to happen?” You ask, ready to crash to the ground in exhaustion. 

Neil smiles. He picks up the luggage in his right hand again, and points to the other side of the parking lot. You notice a separate lot filled with rental cars. “TP put in a favor and we’re getting our own car. Looks like you’ll have to deal with my driving.” 

You can’t help but smile back at him. You didn’t mind Neil’s driving at all, to be honest. You felt safe when Neil drove. But then again, you felt safe with Neil no matter what he did. 

“It’s just on the other side of the lot,” Neil reassures. You roll your eyes at the thought of more walking, but you figured it may be a good time to talk about what you had just heard Neil say on the phone. 

Before you can think of something to say, Neil loops his left arm around your waist. His fingers settle on the exposed skin underneath your oversized blazer. Your nerves tingle underneath his touch, and any thoughts you had before disappear from your mind. 

After a few seconds, you force yourself to think back to the phone call. “Neil? Can I ask you something?” 

“Anything,” Neil says back, smiling down at you. 

“The phone call you just had, with TP,” You pause, trying to find the right words.

Neil shakes his head. “Whatever you heard, don’t worry about it, please. I know what I’m doing,” He pauses and pulls you closer to him. "You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be alright. ” You’re not entirely content with his answer, but it’s enough for now. 

After a five minute walk, you finally reach the rental lot. Neil walks over to the man inside of the tiny cube shaped building. You can’t hear what he’s saying, but a set of keys are exchanged, and Neil motions for you to follow him. You begrudgingly pick up your pace to catch up with him.

“What kind of car is it?” You ask. Neil presses the panic button once, and the headlights of a black, Porsche 911 flash across your face. 

You go to get into the car, approaching the door on your left hand side, forgetting you’re now in Europe. Neil smirks at you, grabs your hand, and brings you to the other side of the car. He sets the luggage down on the ground, and opens your door, letting you slip inside. Normally, you would have a cheeky response to Neil opening the door for you, but you were too tired now. Neil grabs the luggage, and walks around the other side of the car. He opens his door and puts the luggage in the back seat. 

Neil puts the key into the ignition and starts the car. He takes out his phone, and through your blurry vision, you watch as he slides his finger around. 

“What are you doing?” You ask. Your voice is barely above a whisper and it’s filled with tiredness. “Just drive,” You order sarcastically, nudging Neil with your elbow.  Your sarcasm melts away when you remember the gravity of the situation. “What if they’re already here? What if they’re looking for us?” 

Neil puts his phone in the cupholder, and rests his hand on your thigh. “I’m just setting up the GPS and choosing some music, love,” Neil says. “Take a deep breath. TP just arranged for us to stay at a different hotel, and he has eyes and ears everywhere. We’ll be alright.”

Ten decisions shape your life,

You’ll be aware of 5 about,

7 ways to go to school,

Either you’re noticed or left out.

“I love this song,” You say, struggling to keep your eyes open. 

“I know,” Neil says. “Try to sleep, I’ll wake you up when we get there.” His voice is calming, and you almost do as he says, but you remember where you are. You wanted to look at the city. You wanted to see it before all the chaos began. You had been to London plenty of times before, but leaving the United States still excited you, even though you were rarely there at all anymore.

When I said "I can see me in your eyes,”

You said "I can see you in my pants,”

That's not just friendship that's romance too.

You like music we can dance to.

The highway goes on for a while, looking reminiscent of highways in America. Grass and trees line the black concrete. There’s no light save for a few street lamps. Each time you start to doze off, you force yourself to wake up. The feeling of Neil’s thumb drawing circles on your thigh doesn’t make it too hard. 

Sit me down,

Shut me up,

I'll calm down,

And I'll get along with you.

The trees melt into industrial areas. Car dealerships, stores, apartments, hotels. And finally, after a few more minutes, you’ve hit Central London. The lights are bright and the buildings are beautiful. 

Don't don't don't don't it's not safe no more,

I've got to see you one more time.

Neil pulls into a parking garage and finds an open spot. “We’re here,” He says, squeezing your thigh lightly. 

You unbuckle your seat belt, carefully open the door, and slide out of the car. Neil grabs the two duffle bags and gets out after you. You head inside the hotel, and Neil checks in. He grabs the keycard and ushers you into the elevator. 

The second you enter the lift, worry fills Neil’s face. His brows furrow and he shuts his eyes as he lets his head hit the wall behind him. 

“Neil?” You ask. “What’s going on?” Maybe it was the jet lag, or maybe it was the exhaustion, but you feel more confident than usual. You step towards him and grab his hands in yours.

Neil takes a deep breath. “I’m so sorry we’re here,” He says, his eyes still closed, as if he’s too guilty to face you. “I didn’t want to do the mission yet. I really wanted to wait. I know you aren’t ready yet. I just-,” 

You wrap your arms around Neil, and hold him tightly against your body. “I’ll be alright Neil, I promise.” His arms wrap around your body in response. You pull away from him slightly, your heart beating rapidly in your chest. You look up into his eyes, down to his lips, and back into his eyes again. Neil brings his face closer to yours, so close that you can feel his breath against your lips. 

“(Y/N), I need to-,” 

The conversation is interrupted by the dinging of the elevator and the giggles of a drunken couple as they step inside. 

The woman speaks up. “Sssorry for interrupting, loves,” She slurs, cackling a bit. Her boyfriend joins in and cackles with her. Neil politely smiles and nods. He picks up the luggage yet again with one hand, grabbing your wrist with the other. He pulls you outside the elevator and into the hallway. 

Your heart is still beating wildly in your chest. “Neil, you had something you needed to say?”

But the moment is over. He shakes his head. “We can talk about it some other time, I don’t want to overwhelm you. Enough has happened tonight.” Your heart sinks in your chest. Neil swallows, glancing back over towards the elevator. “And those people seemed off. We should really get inside the room.” You nod, agreeing, and allow Neil to take hold of your hand and guide you down the hall to the suite.  

You finally approach the room. 

505. 

“This is us,” Neil says, setting the luggage on the ground to swipe the keycard. The door unlocks, and Neil press down on the handle. You enter the dully lit room, and immediately flop onto the king bed. Neil smirks at you from the doorway. 

He walks inside, and you sigh in relief. “This is so nice,” You murmur, sliding your black converse off your feet. You push yourself further onto the bed so that your head rests on a pillow. 

“We should probably shower,” Neil says, crossing the room. He places the duffle bags on the desk by the window. He takes his suit jacket off. 

You chuckle. “What, like, together?” You erupt into laughter. There was something about being so unbelievably tired and jet lagged that made you a completely different person. It was like being drunk. 

Neil shakes his head and smiles widely. “If that’s what you want,” He retorts.

Oh? Is he flirting with me? He can’t be.

“I-I think I’m t-too tired for a shower a-at all,” You stutter, not sure what else to say. 

“Me too,” Neil says. He begins to undo the buttons of his white dress shirt one by one. Suddenly, his chest is completely exposed. You feel heat rising to your cheeks. 

He undoes his belt, unzips his fly, and steps out of his trousers. He’s only wearing his boxers now. You had seen him like this a million times, but it still caught you by surprise. He walks over to the other side of the bed, grabs a pillow, and drops it on the ground. He grabs the throw blanket at the edge of the bed and drops it on the ground as well.

You furrow your brows, confused by his actions. “What are you doing?” You ask. 

Neil’s blue gaze meets yours. “Setting up camp,” He jokes, sending a smile your way.

You breathe deeply, still riding out on the confidence that being sleep deprived gave you. “Why don’t you sleep in the bed with me?” 

Neil inhales sharply. “I don’t want to bother you. You’re exhausted.”

“I think I’d sleep better if you were with me, actually.” You let the words come right out, no regrets. “You make me feel safe, Neil,” You confess. 

Neil smiles and bends down, grabbing the pillow and the blanket, placing them back on the bed. He lifts the covers and slides in. You get underneath the covers too. You don’t realize how close you are to Neil until you turn onto your side to face him. 

“I’m glad I make you feel safe, (Y/N),” Neil finally responds. Your heart feels like it might burst. You and Neil had shared a bed in the past, but you had only ever been this close inside of one a handful of times before. “You have no idea how much I care about you.”

“You have no idea how much I care about you, Neil,” You say. 

Neil pushes himself up a bit, and presses a kiss against your forehead. You’re stunned. “Goodnight, (Y/N),” Neil says, and he reaches over to turn off the lamp next to his nightstand. The room goes pitch black. 

“Goodnight, Neil,” You say. Neil turns over to the other side and you do the same. You stay like that for a few minutes, before tossing and turning a few times. Seconds ago you were comfortable, and now you weren’t. 

As you laid alone in your thoughts, your anxieties all began to flood back to you. How the fuck am I going to do this? How is this mission going to turn out? This is going to be absolutely impossible. What if something happens to Neil? Your mind races with thoughts. You turn a few more times before you feel a hand on your waist. 

“I thought you were exhausted,” Neil snickers. 

“I am but-,”

Neil cuts you off. “But that doesn’t stop your mind from racing?” 

You turn around to face him. “Unfortunately, no.”

Neil wraps his arms around you, and pulls you into his bare chest. “Is this okay?” He asks. 

“Y-yes,” You stutter, pressing your face into the center of his chest. 

And finally, for the first night in over a month, you were able to sleep, nightmare free. 

So why not try it all,

If you only remember it once?

Sit me down,

Shut me up,

I'll calm down,

And I'll get along with you.

>>>>>Chapter 3

[capsteddybear]

Our Playlist - Wanna Be That Song - Brett Eldredge

Song lyrics:

"When you're searching the horizon, When your eyes look back, When you're standing in the moment, Every life has a soundtrack"

----- ------

You wake up to the sound of people getting their suitcases from the overhead cabinets. You stretch out in your seat and open up your window cover and quickly close it from the bright sunlight beaming in. You feel a tap on your shoulder and you look up and it's your fellow colleague Sarah, "hey wake up, sleepy head. We landed."

"Hey, Sarah. Yeah, I'm up, I'm up." You stretch out again and gather up your things and get your carry on bag from the overhead cabinet. As you board off of the plane you see your other coworkers and students waiting at the gate. Once you're all together you guys head to the baggage claim and gather your other bags and guitars.

You guys then hop in a shuttle and head to the hotel where you guys will be staying for the trip. Once you guys arrive at the hotel you help check in all of your students. The lobby is packed with other students from different universities, but luckily enough the check in process doesn't take too long. You head to your room to check it out. As soon as you walk in you carefully prop your guitar case against the wall and toss your bags on the floor and flop onto the bed face first hugging a pillow. You lay there for a moment letting your body relax. You slowly turn over and stare at the ceiling as you listen to the city atmosphere coming from the street below. You sit up and walk over to the window and pull open the window curtain and look down at the street. Your room is on the 15th floor of the hotel so the crowds of people below look like a bunch of ants. You scan the surrounding buildings taking in the scenery.

You hear a knock at the door and it's your colleague Betty, "hey (y/n), we're gonna head out on the town and get an early dinner. Wanna join us?"

"Yeah sure."

"Okay we'll meet up in the lobby in about an hour?"

"Yeah sounds good."

You close the door and decide to unpack some of your stuff. You pull out your phone and call Chris back home. At first he doesn't answer and you look at your clock and figure out that it's around 3 o'clock in the morning back at home. You decided to leave a message instead, "Hey Chris, I know you're sleeping right now, but just wanted to let you know I made it to Japan. I miss you and Dodger. Love you. Bye."

About a minute later your phone is buzzing and you see Chris' face on your screen.

"Hi"

"Hello, beautiful. I got your voicemail."

You can tell he was asleep from the tone of his voice, "Just wanted to let you know I landed."

"I tried to stay awake, but I fell asleep on the couch. I felt the phone vibrating, but it got lost in the covers and by the time I found it, it stopped ringing."

"You didn't have to stay awake."

"I know, but I wanted to…. Or at least try. What time is it there?"

"It's almost 4:30 in the afternoon."

You hear Chris yawn over the phone, "What are you guys gonna do the first day?"

"Just settle in. We're about to go get dinner." You hear Chris yawn again, "I should let you go back to sleep."

"Mmm, call me when you get back to the hotel? I should be better after I get a couple of more hours of sleep."

"It's okay we can talk another time."

"Nooooo, I miss the sound of your voice…. And I miss your face."

You smile, "It's only been a day."

"After a minute passes I miss you."

You giggle, "aww, that's sweet. I think you need to get some sleep."

"Yeah, but please call me later. Promise I'll answer."

"I will. I love you."

"I love you, (y/n). Good night."

"Good night, babe."

You hang up the phone and freshen up a bit before heading down stairs to the lobby to meet up with the others. You guys head out on the town and do a bit of sightseeing before finding a spot to eat. Everyone is tired from the flight so there's not as much talking at dinner, but you know everyone is enjoying their time together.

After dinner you all head back to the hotel. Once you're back in your room you take a quick shower before calling Chris.

It rings a couple of times before he answers, "hello?"

"Hi, did you sleep enough?"

"Yeah…. I wanna see you, can we video chat or is it bedtime for you?"

"Yeah we can for a bit. Let me set up my laptop and I'll call you back, okay?"

"Okay, bye. Love you (y/n)."

"Love you. Bye."

You grab your laptop out of your backpack and hop into bed. You connect to the wifi and call Chris back. It rings twice before you see his handsome face on the screen.

"Hey handsome."

"There's my girl."

You can tell from the background that Chris is in the kitchen, "What are you up to?"

"Cooking breakfast… your favorite… pancakes." He lifts the pan from the stove and shows you.

"Yummy."

"What's some? I think I made a bit too many."

You rub your stomach, "No thank you. I ate enough at dinner."

"How was it? How's the view from the hotel?"

"It was delicious. There was a lot of different food, I couldn't remember the names of everything, but it was really good. Wanna see the view?"

"Yeah!" Chris puts the pan down and concentrates on the screen as you get out of bed to walk to the window. "Oh wait, you were in bed? Sorry, you didn't have to get up."

"No, it's fine. I didn't find my comfy spot yet."

You hear Chris giggle as you open up the curtains to reveal the view. You hold up the laptop closer so he gets a better view and you point out stuff to Chris.

"How far is the university from there?"

"I think the schedule said about a 10 minute drive."

"Ah not too bad, what time do you guys have to be there tomorrow?"

You walk back to bed and snuggle back in the covers with your back leaning against the pillows with the laptop on your lap. "Call time is at 9 so I'll probably wake up at like 7:30-8 and make sure everyone else is up and has eaten breakfast…. And you, what do you have planned after breakfast?"

"Take Dodger for a walk and visit my mom later."

"Tell her I said hi."

"I will."

"How's Dodger?"

"He's doing good. He slept on the couch with me after you called earlier."

"Why didn't you sleep in bed?"

"I fell asleep watching tv waiting for your call, and I was too lazy to walk to the room after you called."

You let out a giggle, "sorry, I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"It's fine, I'll always wait for you." Chris winks at the screen that causes a big smile to appear on your face.

"I love you."

"I love you too, (y/n). You should get some sleep. You got a long day ahead of you tomorrow."

"I should. I'm really tired from the flight. How do you get used to the time difference?"

Chris laughs, "it'll take another day or so, but you will don't worry."

"Ugh, okay. Gonna sleep now, I'll text or call you when I can okay?"

"Okay. I love you, (y/n). Good night."

"Have a good day, Chris. I love you. Bye."

You close the laptop and place it on the nightstand. You set your alarm clock and soon drift off to sleep.

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

The next morning you're up 20 minutes before your alarm goes off. Your head is pounding so you take some medicine before having breakfast and meeting your students in the lobby. Once at the university you guys head to the music department and auditorium where you guys will be rehearsing. You think the auditorium at your university is big, but this one seems three times as big. First you guys sit in the seating area as the director of the university introduces himself and welcomes you to campus. After the introduction he shows you the practice and dressing rooms. You guys leave your stuff in the rooms before taking a tour of the music department. Once the tour is over you have your students warm up on stage before rehearsing as a group. Your headache is almost gone which makes you happy, but you brought your medicine with you just in case.

During rehearsal you would walk off stage and down the aisle of the seats. Having to perform in a bigger space than you're used to means you have to play a bit louder to fill up the space. Even though there would be mics set up on stage you made notes in your head on certain parts of the piece where you'll need to change the dynamics. You walk back up stage and end the piece. You flip back through your score and add the dynamic changes and tell your students to do the same. You go through your other pieces and add notes as you go along. Your colleagues are also sitting in the audience so you ask for any suggestions that they have and make note of them too.

After you rehearse all of your group pieces you take a 20 minute break before it's time for the solo acts and duets to rehearse their pieces. During your break you send a message to Chris telling him how rehearsal is going and attach a photo of the auditorium with the caption saying "it's 3 times as big as the one back home." When break is almost over you notice that the other ensembles from the other school start to enter the auditorium to watch you rehearse before it's their turn to practice on stage. You start to get nervous. First, it's the bigger concert hall and now it's having unfamiliar people in the audience during practice, not even during the concert yet. You start to fidget in your seat and you feel your phone vibrate in your hand. You look down and it's a message from Chris:

"Hi sweetheart, that's a beautiful spot you get to perform at. I'm so proud of you. You worked really hard to get there. Don't get nervous, okay? You're gonna do great. I love you. 💙 "

You smile and your eyes get teary, but you quickly wipe them away so your students don't notice. However your friend Sarah is sitting in the same row as you and notices you wiping your face and comes to sit next to you.

"Hey, (y/n). You okay?"

"Yeah, just nerves. I'll be fine."

"I'm here if you wanna talk, okay?"

"Thanks, Sarah."

Rehearsal continues and the solo acts and duets from the students sound great. They even get applauses from the other university that's watching. Once all of the students are done rehearsing it's now your colleagues and your turn to take the stage. A few of them perform before you. Once it's your turn you read your message from Chris one more time before placing your phone is your guitar guitar. You take deep breaths as you make your way up to the stage. You perform 2 pieces "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" by Francisco Tarrega and "Asturias" by Isaac Albeniz.

After you finish your time on stage you put your guitar back in your case and take your seat in the audience and watch your other colleagues perform. Once everyone from your university has a chance to perform on stage the next university sets up their ensemble to rehearse. You, your students and colleagues stay in the audience to watch them as well. After 2 hours of rehearsal you guys go to the practice rooms and work on whatever else needs adjusting. You check in on your students if they need any other help with stuff and you give them your notes that you took while watching them rehearse.

The next few days of the trip consists of rehearsals on stage and in the practice rooms. Not only for your students, but also for yourself. When you're practicing in one of the rooms you get text messages from Chris. Mostly of him saying he misses you and that he loves you. But your favorite ones are random photos of him and Dodger throughout the day.

"Dodger misses you." Attached is a photo of Dodger chewing on one of your shoes. "Don't worry, I'll buy you a new pair by the time you come back home."

"Tell Dodger I miss him too. Gotta get back to practice now. I'll call you later."

When you're back in your hotel room you video chat Chris. As you're eating dinner he's eating breakfast so it seems like you're eating together.

"What's for dinner tonight?"

"I just ordered some fruit and a salad. Not really hungry tonight."

"You okay?" As Chris tilt his head in a concerning manner.

"Yeah, I had a big lunch earlier. I'm fine." You smile to reassure him.

"Okay, remember I'm here if you wanna talk."

You let out a deep breath, "I know, thank you. We've been rehearsing a lot and I'm just tired."

"If I was there I would give you a massage."

"Please? I miss your massages …. And your cooking."

Chris laughs, "just another week and I'll give you as many massages and pancakes that you want."

You sigh, "gosh, another week? Don't remind me." You rub the back of your neck from the tiredness.

"Aww come on, besides all of the rehearsing I'm sure you're having an awesome time, right?"

"I am, I just miss you."

"I miss you too, (y/n). I love you."

"I love you, Chris."

"You should get some rest."

"Yeah, you're right…. I'll call you when I can."

"Alright, sweet dreams, sweetheart. I love you."

"Good night, Chris. I love you."

---- -----

The second week of the trip consists of master classes with the instructors from the different universities and the guest judges. When you perform with your students you get a handful of great comments and a few pointers to work on before the final performance at the end of the week. Between rehearsals you always find time to call home and check in with Chris.

"Hi Chris."

"Hey beautiful, how's it going today?"

"It's going great. We finished our master classes this week and we have one more full dress rehearsal tomorrow before the concert."

"Woo, sounds like you've been busy… Gosh, I really wished I could be there to support you in this."

"Aww, I wish you were here too… Promise I'll play my solo pieces for you when I get home."

"Please do. I love listening to you play."

"Okay, I gotta go back to work now. I love you, Chris. Bye."

"Love you too, (y/n). Bye sweetheart."

---- ------

The last dress rehearsal is a success. All of the ensembles from the universities sound amazing. With it being the last night before the concert you go out for dinner one last time with your students and colleagues.

One of your colleagues makes a speech before your food arrives at the table.

"I would like to start off this toast by thanking (y/n) for getting us here. If it weren't for your dedication to your students and your hard work ethics we probably wouldn't have been here."

You turn a light shade of red because now the whole table is looking at you. You take your glass in your hand and raise it up as you stand up from your seat, "I'll take partial credit for getting here. If it weren't for my hard working students we wouldn't be here. These past 2 weeks have really shown me the dedication and time you guys have put into your craft. I really appreciate that, it makes my job easy and fun." The table laughs as you finish up the toast. You enjoy the food and company before heading back to the hotel to sleep.

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

The day of the concert you get to sleep in longer than usual. You feel refreshed and well rested. You have breakfast and lunch with your colleagues and head back up to your room to relax and call Chris.

"Hey."

"Hi, sweetheart, tonight's the concert right?"

"Yeah, in about 2 hours. Wanted to call you before it starts."

"You excited?"

"Uh, yeah, but more nervous than excited."

"Don't be nervous, sweetheart. You're gonna do great. You've worked so hard and so have your students. You guys are gonna rock. I know it."

"Thanks, Chris. I love you. I'll call you later."

"I love you (y/n)."

You take a shower before heading to the university.

Once you're in the dressing room you unpack your concert attire and dress in your conductor outfit for the ensemble pieces first. You stand backstage to the side as you watch the other universities perform first. After they're done it's now your ensemble's turn to take the stage. As you walk across the stage to the conductor podium you hear the applause and your heart starts to race. You take a few deep breaths before you cue your students. You lose yourself in the musical pieces. All of your focus is on the music and your students. And soon enough you're done. You freeze in the cut off position for a moment before you relax your arms and let out a breath of relief as you step down from the podium and the audience applauses your performance. You bow to the crowd and walk off stage as the curtains close to set up for the next ensemble. You miss the next couple of performances as your change into your solo concert attire. As you take one final look in the mirror in the dressing room you notice a single white rose and an envelope with your name on it. Your eyes get watery because you have a feeling you know who it's from. You quickly rip the envelope open and read the note inside:

"Hi sweetheart, I hope you get this in time before you get on stage tonight. Your friend Sarah contacted me and said you were a bit nervous this whole week about performing. I know I probably sound like a broken record when I say this, but don't be nervous. You're gonna sound amazing on stage. I'm so proud of you. I love you. Can't wait to see you when you get back home. - Chris. "

You smile and wipe the tear falling down your cheek as you freshen up before heading back to the stage. You listen to the other solo performances before it's your turn to perform. As you walk on stage again to the concert bench you take deep breaths to steady your heart beat. You take a seat on the bench and get into the playing position and start your performance. After you play the last note of your piece you freeze for a moment and then relax and take a bow as the giant auditorium fills with cheering sounds. A smile of relief appears on your face as you take another bow and walk off stage. You place your guitar back in its case in your dressing room before heading back to watch the rest of the performances.

Once the concert is over you change into more comfy clothes and head back to your hotel room and turn in for the night.

----- -----

You wake up early the next morning for your flight back home. You pack up all of your stuff and meet everyone in the lobby to take the shuttle to the airport.

Before take off you send Chris a text:

"Heading home now. Can't wait to see you. I love you."

While on the plane you stay up and watch multiple movies and read some chapters from a book that Chris recommended for you.

Soon enough you're back home in Boston. As you make your way to the end of the gate you spot Chris in his Boston cap and red flannel. With it being early in the morning you see a sleepy smile appear on his face as soon as he sees. You run up to him and jump into his arms burying your face into his neck as he hugs you tight.

"Chris!!!"

"Hi sweetheart."

He gives you a welcome home kiss before you hug him again and pepper his face in kisses. "Gosh, I missed you so much."

He giggles between kisses, "I can tell. I missed you too." You stand there for a minute in each other's arms, happy to be back together. "Let's go get your luggage and head home." He laces his fingers with yours and you lead the way to baggage claim. When your stuff appears on the belt Chris carries your guitar case in one hand while still holding onto yours.

On the drive back home you lean your head on his shoulder as he drives. He kisses the top of your head and you smile watching the sunrise.

Once you make it back home you're greeted with puppy kisses from Dodger.

"Hi handsome!"

He melts to the floor as you rub his belly. Chris laughs and walks passed you and heads to the kitchen, "you hungry?"

"Depends…. You gonna cook pancakes?" You walk into the kitchen and see Chris with a plate of pancakes already made. You cover your face and bust out laughing.

"You said you wanted pancakes when you got home… I never break my promises." He places the plate on the counter and walks up to you and hugs you.

"Do you remember the other part of your promise?"

A grin appears on Chris' face and he leans in for a kiss, "if you're talking about the massage, then yes I remember."

You kiss him back, "then I'll take the massage first." You wink as you lead the way to the bedroom.

Chris laughs and spins you around into his arms and kisses you passionately before picking you up and carefully placing you on the bed with him laying on top of you.

"Welcome home, sweetheart."

You run your fingers through his hair, "I'm glad to be back."

He peppers you in light kisses before you guys roll around in bed, lost in each other's eyes. Soon enough he does end up giving you that massage he promised. You missed the touch of his warm, strong hands on your body. You moaned as your body relaxed more and more. Soon after you fall asleep. A few hours pass and you wake up from your nap. You roll over in bed and see Chris with his phone and headphones plugged in. You tap his arm to get his attention.

"What are you watching?"

He turns his phone so you can see, "you."

"What?" You rub your eyes to take a better look.

"Your friend Sarah emailed me clips of your performances…. You sound amazing, sweetheart…. You always do…. And you look really beautiful."

You set up in bed and kiss Chris, "I love you so much, babe."

"I love you too, (y/n).... Wanna eat your pancakes now?"

"Yes please!" You hope out of bed and run to the kitchen. You can hear Chris laughing from down the hallway. "Oh nooo!"

Chris jumps out of bed and runs to meet you in the kitchen, "babe, what happened??" You both catch Dodger in the act eating your pancakes and bust out laughing. "It's okay, I'll make a fresh batch for you." He gives you a kiss on the forehead as he walks over to the stove.

"Thank you, Chris." You take a seat on the stool at the kitchen island and tell Chris all about your trip as he cooks pancakes for you.

[yungidreamer]

Seen

Summary: Yunho, Mingi, and San are at the cabin with their girl and her family for a month of summer fun and relaxation. Mingi finds it hard having to hide again, with both his loves so close and yet so far. Meanwhile an old friend appears, catching the eye of San. And a careless moment reveals a little too much to her family.

Wordcount: 11.7k

Content warnings: Small references to misgendering and families not accepting of non-traditional gender identities, anxiety about relationships, pining, making out, a little sex, impregnation kink, exploration of a new relationship.

“Are you guys ready to go for a swim?” she asked, five towels piled high on her shoulders as she leaned on the wall outside the room the four boys were sharing. The double bunk beds in the cabin had never been completely filled before. A few years ago her brother had been allowed to bring a friend who had stayed in there with him, but more often, she had shared the room with him while other family members used the extra queen room that wasn’t where her parents were staying. They liked spending their whole summer there, all four weeks they could take out of the city and away from everything and everyone.

As a kid she hadn’t always enjoyed it; feeling like it was forever without her friends and her activities and everything she liked doing. Her dad eventually gave up on trying to limit the number of books she took to read, happy enough that she still went out for swims, walks, and to take the boat out on the water. She and her books were even good company when they went out to fish for some dinner. She didn’t mind being quiet and she was patient. It was great, in his personal opinion.

This year the cabin was full to the bursting. She had the extra queen bedroom, her parents had their favorite place, and all the boys were packed into the bunk beds in the kid’s space, despite most of them no longer being kids at all. It didn’t matter, the whole family was together and life was good. The summer weather had been lovely and hot, but not too humid, meaning that the heat at the worst part of the day was easy to escape by heading to the shade, or better yet, into the lake.

“Yeah, coming!” Mingi’s raised voice came from behind the door to the room. Thumping and shuffling noises followed alongside muffled discussions as her three boys struggled in the small space to get into their swim shorts and flip flops to walk down to the dock. She suppressed a smile as she waited for them to emerge.

“Oh you have the towels,” Yunho said, stepping out of the room, his broad chest bared to her eyes. If she could have been sure that her parents or her brother wouldn’t chance by, she would have stepped forward and given his nipple a teasing lick, but alas, she couldn’t be sure.

“I do,” she handed him one and peeked around the corner to see San and Mingi looking nearly ready themselves. Mingi seemed to be looking for something but she couldn’t imagine what since he seemed to be dressed and had both of his shoes. “What’s up babe?”

“I can’t find my watch,” Mingi turned in a small circle, knowing it couldn’t have gone very far. “I just don’t want to lose it.”

“Look in the bedsheets,” she suggested, hugging the frame of the door to stay looking at him while also leaving room for San to push by, grabbing one of the towels off her shoulder while he did.

“Thank you Chipmunk,” he said, giving her cheek a kiss as he lifted the towel off her shoulder.

“No problem, Sannie,” she nodded.

“Ah ha!” Mingi triumphantly lifted the leather and brass object of his search up, placing it in the little drawer of the bedside table they all shared.

“Good job, babe,” she laughed as he finally padded towards her. “You ready to go swimming?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, taking a towel off her shoulder and throwing it over his before he leaned over and picked her up in his long arms. “Let’s go take a dip.”

“Love, you don’t have to carry me all the way down to the docks,” she laughed, throwing an arm around his neck.

“I know,” he said quietly, so that only she could hear. “But it's a good reason to hold you for a little while. I miss having you beside me when I go to sleep.”

“I miss you, too,” she sighed. “I’ll figure something out soon, okay?” Mingi nodded and gave her a slightly melancholic smile.  Following behind San and Yunho, he carefully minced his way over the winding path down to the dock that reached out into the still, sparkling lake. He managed to get the both of them down to the water with only one incident of getting her hair caught in a low hanging branch, largely thanks to the very narrow space on that part of the path.

As soon as the dock and the lake came into view Yunho and San were off like a shot, competing to see who could make it into the water first. She and Mingi shared a look, shaking their heads at the sight of the two of them unable to keep their competitive nature from taking over at the first chance it was presented to them. Somewhere near the shore, Mingi put her down in the protective shade of one of the large trees that lined the lake.

“Do you want to hop in?” She took his hand, looking up at him.

“Maybe not yet,” he admitted, looking at the other two boys splashing around in the water.

“Okay, let’s just sit in the shade for a little while,” she suggested, spreading out one of the towels on one of the broad, flat rocks nearby.

“You can go swim if you want,” Mingi rushed to assure her, feeling bad that he was keeping her from having fun with everyone else.

“I’d like to spend a little time with you,” she grinned up at him, patting the space beside her. “And the water will still be there later. I miss you too, you know.”

“You sure?” He checked, a shy smile on his face.

“Yeah, babe,” she nodded. “Are you having fun out here?”

“Yeah, of course,” Mingi was quick to reply, his stomach turning at the thought she might feel like he wasn’t grateful to be there with her and the whole family.

“I know this sort of place isn’t really your sort of place,” she bumped him with her shoulder. “You’re a city boy and that’s okay. The bugs, and the sun, and none of your games are here. It can be a little bit of an adjustment. Actually,” she turned to look up the hill as an idea struck her. “Do you want to go grab something that we can read together for a little while?”

“I already read most of the stuff I brought,” he sighed.

“That’s okay,” she assured him. “I brought some things I think you’ll like, we could sit in the shade for a while and I’ll read it to you.”

“You don’t mind?” He checked, not wanting his slightly off mood to burden her, or anyone else there.

“It actually sounds like a good way to spend the afternoon,” she assured him. “We’ll grab some drinks and snacks and maybe something better to sit on. Come on.” Standing up, she extended a hand to him, bounding back up towards the cabin to get everything they needed for a relaxing afternoon on the shore. Gathering a picnic blanket, some sandwiches, a bottle of soda and a half frozen bottle of water together in a couple of cloth bags, she also went to her room and grabbed a well worn paperback from the side pocket of her suitcase before jogging out to meet Mingi still standing in the kitchen.

“Ready?” She asked, taking one of the bags from him and offering him a hand. Mingi nodded, entwining his fingers with hers and letting her lead the way back down the path to the water.

“Hey,” Yunho greeted as they drew near, stepping back up onto the shore. “I was wondering where you had gone. What did you bring?”

“Just some snacks and something to read,” she said as she put the bag down against a rock near a flat place in the shade. “We were feeling a little more like relaxing and doing some reading. Maybe saving swimming for a little later.”

Mingi felt a pang of gratitude that she had made it sound like a decision they had made together, rather than calling it out as him being a bit of a wet blanket. He started working on pulling out the blanket and smoothing it out on the ground under the tree.

“Oh, we can wait on swimming if you guys want to do something else,” Yunho offered, flipping the damp hair off his face.

“No, no, no,” she waved him away as she slipped off her shoes and stepped onto the blanket. “Go swim, we’ll be right here when you want a break or a snack or something to drink. Have some fun, yeah?”

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Yunho looked between them then blew them both a kiss before jumping back into the water.

“Do you want to lie down, babe?” She asked, patting her lap after she sat down with her back leaning against a boulder that was sticking out by the edge of the blanket. Mingi happily curled up on his side, his head resting on her lap. The dappled sunlight swept his face as the breeze stirred the leaves overhead. She laid a hand on the side of his head, threading her fingers through his hair as she ran her nails lightly over his scalp. In her lap, Mingi visibly relaxed as he brought one arm up around her knee with a happy sigh.

“Should I read a little to you?” She offered in a gentle voice.

“If you don’t mind,” he nodded slightly.

“Not at all, babe,” she soothed. “Let’s see.” Picking up the old book, she flipped to the first page of the first chapter. “Sophie couldn’t sleep. A brilliant moonbeam was slanting through a gap in the curtains. It was shining right on her pillow…” Mingi heard her voice more than he heard the words, half following the story but mostly enjoying a quiet moment in her lap. After their trip to New York and feeling the freedom of being out and being able to reach for both of them and kiss them whenever he felt like it, having to be careful around her family was cutting him. He was skin hungry. He needed to have those moments before he drifted off where he felt the warmth of their embrace.

Really, he was grateful to be there. A month would have been an intolerably long time for her to be gone, but this half compromise of being around her but feeling like he was on eggshells half the time was harder than he thought it would be. Still, he would never say anything. He didn’t want to complain. He didn’t want to be a problem, especially when they were all being so generous to include him anyway.

So caught up in his thoughts and in enjoying the moment he was able to steal with her, he didn’t notice when she paused in her reading. It was only when he felt her second hand brush over his jaw that he took note of the fact she wasn’t reading to him anymore.

“Why did you stop?” He asked, lifting himself up on his elbow.

“You were frowning, love,” she informed him, brushing hair off his forehead. “I thought maybe you just needed a few minutes of my undivided attention.”

“Oh, sorry,” he looked down at his hands. “I’m just… I miss you a little. I know its stupid because you’re here so I can’t really miss you but--”

“I miss you, too,” she told him gently. His eyes snapped up to hers at her words. On her face was a warm expression, a gentle smile that made her eyes sparkle.

“Yeah?” He gave a little chuckle as color rose on his cheeks.

“Yeah, baby,” she tilted her head to the side as she cupped his cheek. “I’m not sleeping as well without you. I actually thought about borrowing a shirt from each of you to sleep with so it’s easier for me to fall asleep.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea,” his eyes widened and brightened at the thought. “Can I have something to take to bed?”

“Sure,” she nodded, giving the tip of his nose a little peck. “I’ll give you something. You can hide it under your pillow or something.”

“Is there somewhere we can get away for just a little while?” He looked up at her with a slightly pained look on his face. “I just want to hold you both for a little while. We don’t have to do anything. I just want… I miss you.”

“Mmm, me too,” she sighed.

“Is that who I think it is,” a voice that Mingi didn’t recognise came from a few meters down the shore.

“Alex?” She said, a little surprise in her voice as she said the name. Mingi sat up and looked behind him towards where the voice had come from. He found someone he didn’t recognise standing there. They were dressed in a large baggy t-shirt and basketball shorts with a short haircut that was nearly buzzed on the lower half. Actually it reminded him of his haircut, but shorter on the top. He wasn’t sure exactly why but they seemed nervous and a little awkward as they stood a little ways away from them.

“Yeah, yeah,” they nodded, rocking on the balls of their feet. “Long time no see, huh?”

“You look good,” she said, moving to stand up and go to the new-comer. “It’s really nice to see you.” Their girl pulled the other person into a hug which they returned after half a second.

“Um, so like, are you here with your family or did you just come with friends or something?” They asked, looking at all the unfamiliar faces. Yunho and San hadn’t even noticed the newcomer as they swam in the water, competing to be the fastest or to stay under longest.

“Oh the whole family is here, but I did bring some friends this time,” she gestured at all of her boys. “Ummm actually, the family doesn’t know but I’m actually dating the blond and the one with the blue hair. Don’t mention it to the rest of the family, but I know you can keep a secret and all.”

“Yeah totally,” they nodded, looking between both of the boys. They stepped closer to her and asked a little quieter, “Both, like at the same time?”

“Yes,” their girl whispered back with a grin.

“Nice,” they nodded and raised their hand for a fistbump. Their girl met the gesture with her own fist and a big grin. “So if those two are boyfriends, who’s Mr. Dark Hair, out there?”

“That is San,” she replied. “He’s my brother now. We sort of adopted him a little while ago. He’s cool and he is the only one who knows about all of us.”

“It’s cool that he knows,” they nodded. “Uh, so, how long are you going to be here and all?”

“The rest of the month,” she replied. “We’ve only been here about a week now. What about you?”

“Another couple of weeks,” they rocked, sticking their hands in their pocket and looking around a little as they answered.

“Do you want to come and sit with us?” Their girl offered, gesturing over towards where Mingi was still stretched out on the blanket. “We have some drinks and some snacks.”

“Umm, sure, if I’m not being a bother,” they nodded with a shrug.

“Not at all,” she said, looping her arm through their arm and leading them over to the shaded blanket. “I’d love to catch up with you and to have you meet all my boys. How long has it been now?”

“Like a year and a half I think,” they said after a brief pause. “The last time I think was that Christmas thing our parents made us all go to.”

“Oh yeah,” she breathed, eyes widening. “I still can’t believe your dad made you wear a dress to that thing. Do you mind if I ask if he’s gotten better about things?”

“Eh, he lets me dress how I want even around him now,” Alex shrugged. “He still insists on calling me Alexandra half the time and doesn't get the whole they/them thing.”

“Man,” she sighed. “I’m sorry about that. That really sucks. How are things at school though? What are you studying?”

“I’m actually doing digital art and design,” Alex replied, bringing their knees up to their chest. “Just at the local community college back in Rochester, though, so…”

“That’s really cool,” she replied. “Actually, one of our best friends back at the university is also studying design, though he is focused more on fashion and graphic design. I think you’d like him. He’s pretty cool and funny actually.”

“Oh he must be smart to be studying there with you guys,” they nodded, giving a half smile.

“You know you’re pretty cool and smart yourself right?” She told them encouragingly. “Have you thought about maybe applying as a transfer student someplace? Maybe see if you can’t get a little distance from your parents and all?”

“Maybe, but I don’t think I’m good enough to get anywhere,” they shrugged, digging their heel into the soft sand through the blanket.

“I would bet you are,” she said warmly, putting a hand on their shoulder. “I think I remember seeing a few things you did a while ago. I bet you’ve gotten even better since then, too.”

“You always were really nice about my stuff,” they offered her a smile. “Thanks, it means a lot that you believe in me, even if it’s just on principle.”

“Not just on principle,” she laughed. “I remember you were good, really I do. You should have a little more faith in yourself.”

“Hello everyone,” San said coming up from the shore, still dripping slightly. “Who do we have here?”

“Hi Sannie,” she greeted, smiling up at him and Yunho who was just behind him. “This is my friend Alex, their dad works at the same place as my dad.”

“Oh?” San said with a perky interest. “Then you must have been friends with Chipmunk for a while then.”

“Yeah, a little while,” they nodded. “You call her Chipmunk, too?”

“She’s my little sister,” San said with faux affront. “Of course I am going to use my favorite nickname for my precious sister.”

“Oh, right,” they nodded, a pink rising on their cheeks.

“Sannie, you are such a tease,” she smacked his leg, the only piece of him she could reach, pursing her lips at him and shaking her head.

“Ooo ouch,” he pouted at her for emphasis, taking a seat on the boulder she had begun the afternoon leaning against. “Is this your way of telling me you don’t love me anymore?”

“Oh my God,” she rolled her eyes. “You are just so ridiculous. Alex, don’t mind him, he’s just a flirt and completely ridiculous. But he is also a complete sweetheart that I trust with my life. You’ll get used to him.”

“Did you say you had snacks maybe?” Yunho asked as he took a seat near her and Mingi.

“I do, love,” she nodded, reaching for the bag of snacks and things. “Do you want some chips?”

“Chips sounds good, but,” he scooted closer to her and put a hand on Mingi’s arm before whispering. “I could really use a kiss if we can sneak away for a few minutes sometime today.”

“I already told them we were together,” she whispered back, giving his cheek a quick peck as well.

“Oh?” Yunho grinned. “In that case,” Yunho cupped her face, bringing her lips to his and giving them a leisurely brush. He nibbled at her bottom lip, tasting the softness of them as his hand caressed her cheek. Pulling back, he turned to the nearby Mingi, still lounging on the blanket, tilting the other boy’s face up so that he could steal a similarly tender kiss from him.

“Wow, you guys like really are all together, aren’t you?” Alex asked, not quite having thought the two boys would have been comfortable like that.

“They are the stupidly cutest set of people ever to exist,” San said as he leaned in conspiratorially. “It would be sickening if they weren’t also the nicest, cutest, and sweetest people on the face of the earth.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Alex gave a nervous chuckle. “I know she’s always been really nice and cool. It makes sense that she would fall for someone… or I guess, someones, who are also nice.”

“They are,” San agreed. “Which is a good thing, because I would hate to have to kill them for hurting my precious baby sister.”

“Hey,” Mingi protested. “What if she breaks our hearts; would you not defend us?”

“Okay, who here thinks she wouldn’t and if she did, she would probably be justified?” San asked the group as a whole. Literally everyone but their girl raised their hand in the small circle, including Mingi. “Aaaaand that should put that question to rest.”

“How, what?” She sputtered. “What is this odd faith you all seem to have in me.”

“You are the nicest person I know,” Alex shrugged.

“Yeah, love,” Yunho reached out and stroked her hair. “I know you wouldn’t ever want to hurt us. You haven’t given me reason to doubt that.”

“I… you…” she sputtered. “Thank you, I guess.”

“Hey, Alex,” she asked as the boys started packing up the picnic blanket and the mostly empty container that had held the snacks she and Mingi had gathered earlier. “I was thinking of maybe doing a bonfire and camping out here by the lakeside tonight. Do you want to join us?”

“Uh, you sure it would be okay?” They asked, furtively looking at the group of boys on the other side of her. “You don’t have to invite me to just be nice.”

“No, it would be fun,” she shook her head and smiled. “The more the merrier. Ummm, why don’t you come by after six. Do you by chance have a tent? I think dad only brought one and I’m not sure if we could all fit in it comfortably.”

“Oh yeah,” they nodded. “I can bring something. I can also bring some snacks and stuff. Do you still like making s’mores?”

“If you have marshmallows and half decent chocolate bars that you can bring, I will love you forever,” she replied forcefully. “Jacob ate all of the chocolate bars we brought before I could and I still haven’t decided if I have to murder him yet. Please, save us both.”

When she took one of their hands in hers, holding it pleadingly with a face asking to be saved, Alex couldn’t help but let out a giggle. She was so earnest in her hyperbole it was endearing.

“Trying to bring a fourth person into our little family?” Yunho teased, coming up behind her.

She looked at him with a wide eyed expression and sputtered at him for a few seconds before regaining the ability to speak. “You know, they aren’t going to know you are joking. Play nice, mister.”

“It’s okay,” Alex rushed to assure her, not wanting to be the reason for a fight or discord. “It’s just a joke, no biggie.”

“He thinks he’s so funny,” she said, putting her hands on her hips and shaking her head.

“He kind of is,” Alex leaned in and laughed.

“I know, but he doesn’t need to know it,” she whispered conspiratorially. “He already knows he is awesome, we don’t want to give him an even bigger head.”

“Ah,” they nodded, a grin spreading over their face and a little bit of tension leaving their shoulders.

“We have to go up and help with dinner, but see you in a couple of hours, yeah?” She asked, taking a step to follow the boys who were starting up the path to the cabin. Behind her, San caught Alex’s eyes, giving them a smile and a little wink before turning to walk up the hill.

“Yeah, see you soon,” they said, watching the cheery group go.

“Hey dad, where is the tent?” She asked, poking her head in the third cabinet as she looked for it while they waited for dinner to be ready to be served.

“It’s in the closet by the front door,” he replied, poking his head out of the kitchen. “Why are you looking for it?”

“We’re going to camp by the lake tonight,” she replied with a grin. “Me and the boys and Alex.”

“Oh she’s here with her family?” Her father asked, a happy tone in his voice.

“They dad,” Jacob said from the armchair without looking up.

“Huh?” Her father blinked at his son.

“He’s right, Alex goes by they dad,” she replied as she walked over to the closet in question. “I know it isn’t natural to you yet and you knew them a lot longer as she, but just do your best to remember. Their dad isn’t really doing a great job letting them be who they are, but we can do our best.”

“Right, of course,” her dad nodded, trying to make a mental note. “I don’t know that there is enough space for all of you in that tent. It’s big but not that big.”

“It’s okay, Alex is bringing a second tent,” she explained. “It should be fine if we have two that we share.”

“Oh good,” her dad smiled. “Then you can share with he-them and the boys can take the other tent.”

“Just going to say,” she pulled the tent out and then stood looking at him with narrowed eyes. “I’m 20 now, I live with the boys, and for all you know, I could totally be attracted to Alex. They look good these days, in my opinion. Nice undercut and everything.”

“Well, they can’t get you pregnant and ruin your future,” her father retorted.

“Thanks to modern medicine, neither can the boys,” she returned with equal attitude. This time it was his turn to sputter and blink at her assertion. He really wasn’t quite ready to see her as an adult, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Much as he wanted to protest, he was at least happy that she was being responsible. At twenty, if his own experience was anything to go by, she could probably speak from experience. He wasn’t ready to ask about certain things but at least she was giving him every indication she knew to be careful. For now, that was all he wanted to know.

“Hey, Alex,” her father said as he answered the door after dinner. His daughter and the boys were busy throwing the last of the blankets and pillows they needed into bags to take down for the evening. “It’s good to see you. How have you been?”

“I’m good, sir,” they replied, giving him a little bob of acknowledgement and deference. “I hope you’ve had a nice summer so far.”

“Yeah,” her father nodded. “The weather has been nice so far which means I’ve been able to get out on the lake whenever the mood struck.”

“Yeah, dad has been doing a lot of fishing,” they nodded. “I’ve been doing my best to avoid it. If you wanted to go out with him, it would probably save me some suffering.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” her father laughed as the shuffling sound of the kids making their way down the hallway drew closer behind him. “Everything ready?”

“Yep,” his daughter nodded, pillow under her arm and a canvas bag in the same hand. “But if we forgot anything, we’ll just pop back up.”

“Try not to be coming in and out a lot after ten, okay?” He requested. “Your mom and I are probably going to sleep about then, so just try to make sure you have everything you need before then.”

“Okay dad,” she agreed, leaning into his hug as she passed him to head out the door. “Thanks and we’ll come for anything we need.”

“Have fun,” he kissed her forehead and let her go to head out the door. “No night swimming though.”

“Okay, we’ll be safe,” she promised. “Thank you dad.” Leading the way, she headed down the hill back towards the shore where they could camp and have a little bonfire. Everyone followed behind her, hauling armfuls of blankets, pillows, tents, snacks, food, and various little things they thought they would need for the night.

By the shore they started to set up camp, putting up the tents and putting down towels to sit on before gathering up some loose kindling they could use to start a fire. Dried old wood littered the ground of the woods around them. Once the tents were set up, San, Mingi, and Yunho set off to gather what they could for them to use.

“Did you already have dinner, too?” She asked Alex as they stacked the kindling in preparation to start the fire.

“Yeah I had something with my parents.” They nodded as they moved some of the small rocks in the area into a circle to help contain the fire they would build there.

“Okay, good,” she nodded. “Just wanted to make sure.”

“Umm, can I ask how you like, adopted San?” They asked as they carried over another small rock.

“Oh, yeah,” she nodded. “Ummm, he sort of went through a tough time after graduation and luckily my dad heard that he needed some love in his life so we took him in for Thanksgiving about a year ago and he’s really been part of the family ever since. I’m not sure what I would do without him now. He’s loyal as a puppy and probably just as sweet. But don’t let your guard down,” she shook a finger at them warningly. “That man is a total flirt and he will weasel into your heart before you even notice. Fair warning.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” they laughed as they adjusted the last few stones to make a full circle.

“Can you pass me my big canvas bag over behind you?” She gestured towards the item in question. “The long matches are in there for me to light the kindling.”

“Oh sure,” they nodded and reached behind them, passing the bag over to her just as the boys returned with armloads of wood.

“Look at you all,” she said proudly as she stood up to watch them as they arrived with their hard earned loot. “Such good hunters of the wild and wily dead wood. Excellent providers if we ever got stuck out in the wilds.”

“Of course, did you ever doubt us?” San tried to sound wounded by her lack of faith in them.

“Never, never,” she assured him, rolling her eyes dramatically. “I know that all of you would 100% be glorious manly hunters who would never let me suffer even for a moment.”

“Darn straight,” Mingi laughed leaning in to give her a peck on her temple as he dropped his wood in a pile nearby.

“Such good boys,” she cooed at him and Yunho as he came up to stand behind the other boy. “I’ve got the very bestest of boys, don’t I?”

“At least you are aware,” Yunho chuckled, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

“How could I forget when you are here to remind me?” She gave him a look and puckered her lips playfully.

“So, what I am hearing is that I need to remind you of this at every opportunity,” Yunho joked, lifting her into his arms to hold her up at a level where they were face to face.

“Mmm,” she nodded. “That sounds like a plan to me.” Yunho kissed the tip of her nose before putting her down again and picking up a few pieces of wood and piling them on the kindling. Leaning in with Mingi, the two boys started working on lighting their evening bonfire.

Alex felt San draw up alongside them and flicked their eyes to try and covertly take him in. Did he need something? Were they in the way?

“Am I really so scary?” San asked, putting out his bottom lip slightly.

“What?” Alex asked, feeling their eyes widen in surprise and a slight sense of panic.

“You look like you are expecting me to bite,” San said just loud enough for them to hear. “If I promise to only do that if you ask, will you take a breath and relax a little?”

“I… I’m sorry,” they gripped their hands in front of them, shifting on their feet nervously.

“No, no,” San smiled, putting an arm around their shoulders. “Come sit with me. I want to know more about you.”

“I’m not that interesting,” they demurred.

“Everyone is interesting in their own way,” San smiled and shook his head. “I know everyone else here pretty well, but I’d like to get to know you better. Let’s start with what you like to do in your free time?”

“Umm, music, I guess,” they stuttered out, all memories of what they did in their free time for fun having fallen out of their brain the moment the question was asked. “Drawing, reading, movies…”

“What do you like to draw?” San followed up as he took a seat, patting the space beside him on the blanket to invite them to sit as well. Without a word, they took a seat, leaving a few inches between them

“For fun, I enjoy drawing fantasy scenes and making characters,” they shrugged. “But I also do a lot of stuff for school and sometimes stuff people need for a project or something.”

“Oooo,” San’s eyes widened with interest. “I’d love to see some of what you do.”

“I don’t really have much here,” they shook their head. “Just a little sketch pad to keep me from going crazy out here. I mostly do digital art.”

“I’d still love to see it,” he gave them a gentle bump with his elbow. “Could I maybe commission you for something?”

“Like what?” They turned to look at him, interested but worried he would expect too much.

“Do you do portraits or characters based on people?” He questioned as an idea struck him.

“Sometimes,” they nodded.

“Could you do something with all of us?” San proposed. “Something with each one of us as… something else, more than just our boring selves.”

“Do you mean like as animal characters?” They quirked their head to the side.

“Hmmm, or maybe like fantasy creatures,” San suggested excitedly. “Can’t you see her as a fairy? Or maybe a witch? And the boys as her familiars?”

“Oh dude, yeah,” They replied excitedly. “She would be the cutest forest witch and maybe Yunho would be her wolf and Mingi… maybe her fox?”

“Oooo, yes, I like it,” San gushed with a wide grin. “What about me? What would I be?”

“Oh, you feel like vampire to me, I think,” they replied without missing a beat.

“Is that why you seem to think I must bite,” he teased.

“No,” they laughed, a real relaxed laugh for the first time that day. “But you are too charming, I have to stay on my toes.”

“Charming?” He puffed out his chest at the compliment. “Are my charms working on you?”

“Maybe, a little,” they suppressed a smile.

“Guess I’ll have to try harder then,” San leaned in closer, giving them a meaningful look. The conversation between the two of them was interrupted by a triumphant Mingi and Yunho hooting over their primal success at making fire. She looked proudly at her two boys raising one of her hands above her head in a celebratory gesture at their success.

“See, we can take care of you, even if we have to run away into the woods because society collapses,” Mingi laughed.

“Never had a doubt,” she replied, opening her arms to him as he came to join her where she had taken a seat. “I have the best boys.” She welcomed his curling around her as he took a seat behind her and pulled her back against him. He tucked his face into the top of her head, breathing in the scent he missed so much. Just the smell of her, the feel of her soft warmth in his arms made the tension start to melt from him and his chest feel just a little less tight. Yunho took a seat beside them, entwining his hand with one of Mingi’s, scooting until his thigh was pressed against the other boy’s.

“They really were made for each other, weren’t they?” Alex asked San as they both watched the three of them settle in together. “How do their families not see it? Like how do they keep it a secret?”

“Some of it has to be that they don’t want to know,” San shook his head. “And at least her family, they know something, they just… I don’t know that it would occur to them that they would make it work, the three of them all together.”

“Yeah, I guess I didn’t get it either, even when she said it,” they agreed.

“For a while I wished they had just… taken me in too,” San admitted.

“You mean like, not just as a friend?” They asked, eyes widening slightly at the thought.

“Mmm,” San nodded. “I think I just wanted that kind of acceptance and to be that important to someone. I like both of the boys but…”

“But you don’t really want to be with them like that,” Alex filled in for him.

“Maybe I’d like it more than I think,” he nodded. “But having kissed them all… Chipmunk is really the only one I really feel that way about. Or did? Maybe… It gets to be a little confusing sometimes.”

“I think I’m a little too selfish to want to share like that,” they admitted. “Not that I can even find one person who wants to be with me, but, you know.”

“Oh? No boyfriend or girlfriend… or gender neutral partner?” San asked, trying not to reveal too much with the question.

“No,” Alex gave a little scoffing laugh.

“So you’re telling me I have a chance?” San leaned closer and gave them a charming smile.

“As if you would,” Alex could feel a flash of heat rise on their face and chest at the flirting. He doesn’t really mean it, they told themself. He’s just teasing.

“Alex?” San said their name softly, coaxing them to look at him. Pausing for half a second in indecision, he took his chance. After all, no risk, no reward. San reached out, cupping their cheek and holding their face at the right angle for his lips to meet theirs. It was a bare brush of lips, nothing too much or too aggressive since he wasn’t sure it would be welcomed.

“Why?” Alex asked as he pulled back slightly to be able to look into their eyes.

“Because I think you’re cute and interesting,” San replied gently. They looked back at him, scanning his expression for any sign of dishonesty or teasing, but found none. It didn’t make sense that such a gorgeous guy would like them and they didn’t really trust it… but…

Alex leaned in connecting with Sans lips again, taking the initiative. They tilted their head, letting their nose brush past his as they let their lips part just a little as they took his. San gladly took the invitation and brought his hand to the back of their head, pulling them closer as he sucked their bottom lip into his mouth. They drew in a quick breath at the sensation as their nose brushed against his cheek gently.

San felt a shock of arousal and satisfaction as they gave into the kiss. He couldn’t deny that they had caught his interest from the moment they had appeared so fortunately on the shore of the lake talking to her. There was something… kind about them. Something under that sense of discomfort in their own skin was a clear gentleness and desire to make those around them comfortable, even as they couldn’t find that for themself.

Much as he could have happily gone further, San pulled back. They were worth going slow for and, at the very least, they had all night to see where things would go.

“Would you roast a marshmallow with me,” he asked, letting his hand drop from cradling their head, instead going to entwine his fingers with theirs.

“Do you want to make a smore to share?” They suggested. “I brought good chocolate for it.”

“I’d love to,” San beamed, giving them a peck on the cheek before he reached for one of the metal skewers propped up nearby.

10:35 P.M. in the cabin

“I’ll be right back,” Her dad said, slipping on his shoes near the door to the cabin. “I’m just going to check on the kids one last time.”

“I’m sure they are fine, honey,” her mother smiled at him as she continued to read in the comfy armchair under the lamp. “But I know you’ll feel better if you go make sure. Tell them all to sleep well for me.”

“Alright,” he nodded and laughed. She knew him too well, but how could she not after more than a quarter of a century being married to him? The moon was full and bright overhead, lending a light to the forest below where it was open to the sky. His years of visiting this place meant that the dark parts of the path felt like second nature to his feet. It hadn’t even occurred to him to bring a flashlight.

He could hear the kids before he could see them. Even though he couldn’t make out what was said, he could hear San speaking in a soft teasing tone followed by Alex snickering. It may have been a while since he had seen h- them, he corrected in his mind, he recognised it. A smile spread across his face. It sounded like they were all having fun.

Before he got to the edge of the trees he could make out their group and what he saw made him freeze in his tracks. Seated between him and the bright, flickering bonfire was his daughter and her two best friends. There was nothing unusual about seeing all of them together, even to see them all touching, or piled in each other’s laps. But what he saw was something more.

She was nestled tightly between Yunho’s lanky legs as he held her against him with one long, gentle arm. His other hand was resting softly on the forearm of the other boy who was seated as close as he could manage, his legs slipped under hers and weaving around the butts of the two people he was facing. Mingi was not only sitting curled around the other two, something he would have found perhaps confusing but not surprising given how close they had always been. No, he was busy kissing his daughter. A deep, passionate, familiar sort of kiss that wasn’t something that just happened between friends on a whim.

What really confused him, was how comfortable Yunho was being so close as they made out like that. He had never had a friend like that. His mystification at that only lasted a few seconds until Mingi pulled back and then moved to connect his lips with the other boy who met him with equal passion. All at once, things started to fall into place for him. All the years of saying she couldn’t choose, all the years of them being so inseparable as a trio. The way they looked at his daughter and seemed to trail after her with hearts in their eyes.

Why didn’t she ever just say something? He asked himself as he took a step back, heading up to the cabin again. Would he have ever let her move in with them if she had told him when they were all starting university together? No, probably not, he admitted honestly. He probably would have thought they were insane. They were kids after all, what did they know about life and love? I guess enough that they are that happy even after living together for a year.

He walked in the door and headed to the bedroom where he found his wife already dressed and lying in bed, reading the same book she had been reading when he headed down, now just tucked into the covers of their bed.

“What’s up honey?” She said, folding her book in her lap. “Did one of the kids say something stupid, or were they doing something they shouldn’t?”

“No, just…” he started as he took his shirt off to change for bed. “Are we good parents?”

“Of course!” Her tone was scolding and surprised at the question. “What did they say? Who do I need to go yell at? They are kids, what do they know?”

“No, no, no one said anything, but,” he sighed, pausing long enough to finish changing so he could crawl into bed beside her. “Something is happening with our daughter and the boys.”

“Oh that again,” she relaxed a little against the headboard as she put the book down on the bedside table with the lamp. “They are the best friends I could have asked for our daughter. I can’t really ask for more as long as she is happy, honey.”

“They really love her,” he sighed.

“Why do you make it sound like that is a bad thing,” she chuckled at him, picking up his hand and giving it a squeeze. “I know it might be making it hard for her to find someone to date but I can’t say that it breaks my heart too much right now.”

“No, I don’t think there is room for anyone else there,” he sighed.

“That will change with time,” she tried to soothe. “Someone will catch someone’s eye and they’ll all have to go their own directions. I just hope they really do stay friends forever.”

“You know how I’ve always said she must be dating one of them,” he tried again, starting over. “But I could never figure out which one it was?”

“Yes, yes,” she smiled at him.

“It’s because it’s both of them,” he turned to look at her, wanting to gage her reaction, in part, needing to know he wasn’t the only one who had been blind to that possibility.

“I know they are all close, but that doesn’t mean--” she started, trying to tame his worries.

“I saw them kissing,” he clarified. “All of them.”

For a second she stared back at him, trying to take in the information or find some other explanation and failing. “Like kissing kissing? She was kissing both of them?”

“And they were kissing each other,” he emphasized. Admittedly he hadn’t seen her kiss Yunho, but he had no doubt she had, given the way he was holding her as Mingi did.

“Oh,” she said slowly, sitting back and looking thoughtfully into the space at the foot of the bed.

“Are we bad parents that she felt she needed to hide this from us?” He asked after a moment of silence.

“No honey,” she assured him. “Of course not. But… I think I can see why she might think we wouldn’t understand.”

“I don’t think I do understand it,” he shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t accept it.”

“And that is why you are a good dad,” she gave his cheek a kiss before leaning her head on his shoulder. “Did you talk to them?”

“No,” he admitted, feeling a little embarrassed that he had basically run away. “I was so startled and I didn’t know what to say to them.”

“Should we talk to them tomorrow?” She offered. “We can all sit down and get it all out in the open.”

“No, I…” he gave a sigh and flattened his lips into a line as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. “I want her to come to us. She isn’t a little kid and she is allowed to have secrets and decide when she is comfortable letting us in. I just… I want her to know that we will love her no matter what. We just want her to be happy.”

“Well then let’s make sure she knows that,” she slipped an arm around his waist. “Gosh, it isn’t just her secret is it?”

“What do you mean?” He asked, returning the gesture.

“Well, even if she thought we would accept it, at least at some point,” she sighed with a slight sadness. “I think she knows she is also keeping it to protect the boys she loves.”

“Oh, right,” honestly the thought hadn’t occurred to him yet.

“Mingi’s father has always been a little biggoted hasn’t he?” She pointed out. “I’d imagine that wouldn’t go over well with him, really.”

“Well we took in one adult son already,” he joked. “What’s a couple more, right?”

“Right,” she agreed with a smile. “Maybe letting them know that is a place to start?”

“This is why I married you,” he gave a contented sigh and pulled her into a full hug. “Always pick someone smarter than you.”

10:31 P.M. at the lake

“What would you think of heading to bed soon?” Yunho suggested, placing a kiss on the side of her neck as he cuddled her back against his chest.

“We should make sure that Alex feels okay with San though,” she pointed out as her fingers played with the hand pressed against her stomach.

“They look like they might be grateful for some privacy actually,” Mingi grinned broadly, casting a glance at them. She turned to look at the pair off towards the side of the fire, cuddled up together as San flirtily whispered something to Alex, who blushed and smiled.

“Did we play matchmaker,” she whispered to the boys excitedly.

“Maybe,” Yunho chuckled with both of them. “Oh my god, are we becoming those people?”

“Those people?” Mingi asked, his brow furrowing.

“The happy coupled people who want everyone around them to pair off,” Yunho couldn’t help but laugh, hiding his face in her shoulder as he tried not to be too loud.

“Oh no, maybe,” she grimaced. “But in our defense, we didn’t do it to set them up.”

“True,” Yunho nodded, pressing his cheek to the top of her head as he looked at Mingi.

“Do you think your family has gone to bed yet,” Mingi asked, his gaze flickering towards the cabin even as he reached for them.

“What time is it?” She grabbed Yunho’s hand to look at the watch he had on one wrist. “Oh probably. It’s 10:30 so they probably went to bed a little while ago. I’m a little surprised they didn’t come to check on us, but… yeah I guess they figured we would have come if we needed anything.”

“The only thing I need is you two,” Mingi pouted, leaning closer to them.

“Aww, my poor love,” she reached out and cupped his face. “We have all night, though I suspect I should probably slip into the tent with Alex sometime before dawn.”

“Do you think someone will come and check?” Yunho asked.

“Not so much check as I think dad will probably come and get us for breakfast and he would notice if I wasn’t in the right place,” she sighed. “But we can have a few hours just the three of us and we can give San and Alex a little more time to get familiar if they want as well.”

“Does that mean I can kiss you now?” Mingi asked, a hopeful look on his face as he slid his legs under hers, getting as close to her as he could.

“I think it’s safe, love,” she nodded, looking up into his face as he drew close. Mingi gave her a dreamy look for half a second before he took her lips. One of his hands helped her head move to the right angle while the other slid over to rest half on Yunho’s thigh and half on her waist. The slightly smokey taste of roasted marshmallows clung to her lips, mixed with the deeper taste of chocolate over the flavor of herself. He could feel the sense of contentment he had been craving flow through him at the touch. His nose brushed over the peach fuzz softness of her cheek as he felt Yunho’s large, warm hand caress over his forearm. With a gentle suck, he pulled the tip of her tongue into his mouth. A shiver went through him at the soft velvety sensation of it moving past the softness of the inside of his lips.

Yunho waited patiently, hearing the impatient sounds Mingi let out, completely unaware that he was doing so. It was one of the things he loved about him. He was completely guileless in his enjoyment of them. Somehow he didn’t seem to have it in him to even pretend an indifference or patience, even for show. He was earnest in his need and wants and you never wondered where you stood with him.

Pulling away from her, he turned his hooded eyes on Yunho and moved to take his lips. Between them, she happily leaned her head against Mingi’s shoulder and listening to his heart throb. The moist sounds of her two boys kissing sent that familiar thrill through her as their bodies held her between them. She had missed this more than she thought and a hunger trickled over her skin.

Pushing Mingi away slightly, she turned to look at San and Alex who were sitting cozily together not so far away. “Alex,” she began, addressing her friend gently. “Are you okay with San if we… take a little time together in the bigger tent?”

“Yeah, we’re okay,” they replied, cuddling more into San’s side. “We might take some time in the other tent while you, uh, do your thing.”

“Yeah?” San looked at them closely. “We don’t have to rush anything. But if you want a little time alone, I wouldn’t say no.”

“Let’s put out the fire and then we can go… talk a little more,” they blushed even as they suggested it.

“Okay,” San nodded, brushing a soft kiss over their lips before he stood up to get a little water to smother the fire. They stood up behind him, picking up a bowl to gather a little water to help smother the fire.

While San and Alex busied themselves with the fire, Yunho led Mingi and their girl into the tent and zipped the door closed behind them before lighting the little battery powered lamp that hung from the highest point of the inside. Mingi crawled over their girl, asking her to lay down with his body rather than his words. She happily stretched out on top of the slick fabric of one of the sleeping bags as he lowered his body over hers.

“You so eager to make love to our girl?” Yunho teased, stretching out beside them.

“I want you both,” Mingi replied, reaching out for him. “What do you want to do tonight?”

“I want us both to make love to her,” Yunho’s eyes seemed to darken in the tent as he spoke. “I want to see you make our girl cry out your name, then I want to have my turn. I want us both to come inside her; all of our cum filling her up and mixed together. Maybe…”

“Maybe this time we’ll fill her until she has our baby?” Mingi finished for him, one of his hands traveling down to stroke her still trim waist. In the time since their trip to New York, the fantasy had become one of Yunho’s favorites. The fact that none of them were really ready for children didn’t matter. They all wanted it someday and the image of her round and carrying their baby had been something that clung in the backs of their minds. Someday it would happen and anyone who saw her would know she was taken, she was theirs.

“Maybe,” Yunho agreed. “If we keep her filled up all the time, it will happen one of these days, won’t it?”

Under Mingi she shivered, feeling pleasure pooling in her stomach and between her legs. Her thighs cradled his narrow hips and she squirmed against him as she looked for friction. There were too many clothes and it had been too long. She wanted to feel filled and enveloped by her boys. Tonight was already feeling too short and impatience was rising in her with the same ferocity as her pleasure.

“Do you want that too, love?” Yunho asked, petting her head gently from the side.

“Yes please,” she whimpered. “I want everything off and I want you both to fuck me, please.”

“I don’t want to fuck you tonight,” Mingi used his hands to turn her face to look at him. “I want you under me and around me as long as possible. It’s going to be so long before I can do it again.”

“Oh babe,” she cradled his head as he pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll find time again soon. I promise to find at least a couple times a week for the rest of the time we’re her, okay?”

“Promise,” he looked at her with puppyish eyes.

“Mm-hm,” she lifted her lips just enough to touch his. “Maybe a picnic tomorrow? We can have an afternoon, just the three of us?”

“Please,” he nodded, letting out a sigh.

“You know I’ve missed you too, right?” She assured him. “I miss my precious Mingi’s arms around me while I go to sleep. I miss the way you snuggle up when you aren’t quite ready to get up in the morning. I miss the way you stick your knee between my thighs just to get a little closer when you curl up against my back.”

“Waking up tangled up with both of you is my favorite part of the day,” Yunho confessed, curling around them both from the side. “Someday I’ll never have to let you go again.”

San lay down on the pillowy material of the sleeping bag as Alex zipped the tent closed. He watched as they paused briefly after closing them both in the intimate space of the tent.

“You okay?” San asked gently. “We can go back out and hang out on the dock or something if you want.”

“No, no,” they turned around, carefully moving to sit beside him. “I’m just… I don’t really do this so I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”

“There isn’t anything you’re supposed to do,” He smiled, sitting up. “What do you want to do?”

“I’m not sure,” they blushed. “Can I just lie down with you for a little?”

“Of course,” San nodded, scooting over more to the side of the tent to give them space. They lay down on their side, tucking a pillow under their head, facing him in the dimness.

“Won’t you come a little closer?” They reached out towards him.

“Gladly,” San agreed with a pleased look and a sparkle in his eyes. “Just let me know what you want.”

“Okay,” they agreed, eyes fixed on him as he came closer. A small part of them still expected him to pull away or say he was just kidding and couldn’t keep up the ruse. Someone as handsome as him didn’t like people like them. They weren’t that lucky. Maybe he was just lonely being stuck with what was seemingly the happiest thrupple in existence. But even if that was what it was, they wouldn’t turn him down. Who could turn down the chance to bask in the sun that was the attention of someone like him, even if it was just for a little while. It was better than nothing, wasn’t it?

“What’s that sadness I see in there?” San pouted, brushing his fingers over their cheek.

“What?” Their eyes widened, wondering what was being revealed through their expression.

“Just something in your eyes,” he explained. “They are beautiful, but sometimes I think I see something that just makes me want to tuck you in my pocket and keep you safe.”

“You make me sound like a kid or something,” they scoffed slightly, wrinkling their nose.

“Not a kid,” San scolded sweetly. “Just someone very special that deserves to be protected from the meanness in the world.”

“I do okay on my own,” they shrugged.

“Do okay, huh?” He sighed giving them an enigmatic look. “I want to see you be that bright shining person I catch glimpses of when you laugh without thinking about it. You’re beautiful when you’re like that. Or should I say handsome? Maybe enchanting?”

“Beautiful is okay,” they assured him. “I mean I’m not, but I don’t mind you saying it.”

“But you are,” San scolded, pulling himself up on his elbow as he looked down at them. “Looking in your eyes gives me butterflies, they are so lovely.”

“I wish I believed you,” they admitted.

“Should I tell you what I see?” He asked, running his fingertips over their cheekbone. They only nodded in return. “I see eyes that sparkle with laughter when you think no one is watching. I see blushy cheeks that are so cute I just want to reach out and hide them with my hands. I see a nose with little freckles that remind me of a dusting of cinnamon on a cookie. I see lips that just beg for kisses. And behind all that, I see someone warm and wonderful who deserves to be adored just for being themself.”

Alex looked at him across the short distance, looking for some sarcasm, some something that showed he was just flattering them for fun or some other ulterior motive that would have made much more sense. Yet, they found none. They had a few friends at school, some people who accepted them without judgement and question, but they weren’t that close and none of them had ever had anything resembling a crush on them. They just… weren’t really anyone’s type. Or maybe it was just that they weren’t someone people noticed. Except, it would seem, the most beautiful guy they had ever seen.

Pushing past the doubts and the feeling that this was just too good to be real, Alex pushed up and leaned over San to bring their lips together. For a second San was surprised, not expecting them to be so daring, but he quickly recovered, moving his hand to cradle the back of their head. His lips parted and his palm stroked along the fuzzy softness of their short hair where it blended into the back of their neck. Their warm breath puffed nervously across his cheek as their hand gripped the muscles of his bicep just a little tighter than necessary. San smiled against their lips, letting out a satisfied chuckle.

“Sorry,” Alex pulled back at the sound. “Did I do something wrong?” San didn’t even answer, just pulled them back to lie on top of him more fully as he guided their lips back to his.

She gasped at the stretch as Mingi slid home inside her. His body covered hers, enveloping her in the warmth and scent of his skin. Yunho held one of her hands in both of his as he laid beside them watching and waiting for his turn. She could feel the burning heat of his eyes even as Mingi’s hands cupped her cheeks, holding her face to keep their gazes locked.

“Mingi baby,” she whispered, running her other hand up along his spine. “I love you so much more than I could ever tell you.”

“I wish I was waking up tomorrow like this,” his eyes searched her pleasure dazed gaze. “My chest hurts when I think about not being able to just be able to hold you. I feel like I’m alone again.”

“Babe, we can find a little more time to sneak off now,” she soothed. “Do you want a sort of safe word for when you need one of us to make time?”

“I know I’m being stupid about it,” Mingi sighed, pressing his forehead to hers.

“No babe,” she shook her head, nuzzling her nose against his. “I hurt when you hurt. What you need is what I need too.”

“I just need this,” he breathed, moving his hips with a slow deliberation. “I need to feel you around me.”

Yunho kissed his shoulder, moving his lips gently against the soft warmth of Mingi’s skin. Mingi turned his face to look at the other boy even as he kept moving inside their girl. His lips met Yunho’s with a clashing hunger. His need for both of them flowed over his skin. The past few days had felt like he was in a cage that was slowly filling with water until it threatened to go over his head. Their presence were the hands unlocking the door and pulling him out.

“I love you, Mingi,” Yunho breathed against his lips. “I’m so sorry I’ve been neglecting you.”

“How are you so patient?” Mingi whined, kissing the corner of Yunho’s mouth.

“Because I know I have you,” the blue haired boy explained, love shining in his eyes. “I would be happy to hold you both in my arms every moment of the day, but I know, even when I can’t, I always have you. If I had to wait a hundred years for you, I would. Sometimes I forget to make sure you feel the same.”

A lightness bloomed in his chest, letting it loosen like a lock released by a key. It wasn’t the touch alone that he had been craving. He had needed that affirmation that he was loved and needed by them in equal measure. Had they not been so patient and hidden their wants so well, that sense of isolation and need would not have felt so suffocating. He buried his face in the pillow draped with her hair, emptying his mind of everything but the scent and the comfort and the sensation.

The feel of San’s warm hands on their back sent shivers over their skin. His touch just felt right. They couldn’t help it and let out a soft whimper. Beneath them San let out a satisfied chuckle.

Alex pulled back and gave him a pouting look. “Are you laughing at me?”

“Yes,” he grinned in playful challenge. “You’re so cute.”

“What if I don’t want to be cute?” They gave his shoulder a light push.

“How about sweet?” He tested and they wrinkled their nose and shook their head. “Adorable?” He tried again. They lifted their hand, making a so-so sort of motion. “Oooo, how about hot… sexy… tempting?”

“Am I really?” They asked, a little of the mask of teasing falling away.

“You don’t believe me?” San scolded.

“Not… exactly,” Alex shrugged.

San took their hand and pressed it to his taut stomach before slowly dragging it lower until it rested over his very hard length. “You don’t have to believe when I say it, but you are very tempting.”

“But doesn’t that just, like, happen,” they asked, a blush blooming on their cheeks, yet they didn’t pull away.

“Sometimes,” San admitted with a quirk to the corner of his mouth. “And sometimes it's for a very specific reason.”

“I, um,” they stuttered slightly. “Should I help you with it?”

“It’s okay,” he shook his head, lifting their hand up to rest on his chest. “No reason to rush things.”

“Is… is it uncomfortable,” Alex asked, letting him hold his hand even as their eyes traveled to the bulge of his crotch. “We can… if you want…”

From the other tent, a strangled half moan, half cry drifted through the air bringing a blush to both of the people in the isolation of the second tent.

“I want to wait,” San shook his head and pulled them down to cuddle against his side. “I want my first time to be something special. Something like what they have.”

“You haven’t been with anyone before?” They were surprised to hear that. If there was anyone they would have imagined had their choice of people to sleep with, someone who should have been experienced, it would have been him.

“Nah,” He sighed, nuzzling into the longer hair on the top of their head as it rested on his shoulder. “Growing up I always heard about love at first sight and soulmates from my parents. My dad said he knew mom was for him the first moment he saw her. He never wanted to be with anyone else. Then I saw those three together and it sort of cemented it for me. I want to be with someone who makes it feel like there is only us in a room, even when it’s full of people.”

“You never had someone that made you feel like that?” They bit their lip and tangled their fingers in the fabric of his shirt.

“There might be someone I met recently,” he murmured with a cryptic humor, holding them closer.

“What—” Alex tried to sit up and look at San, not sure he really meant what he seemed to be implying.

“Shhhhh,” he stroked a hand over their cheek as he held them tightly against his side. “Let’s just enjoy the time we have. We can figure things out later.”

Alex relaxed against his side, taking the moment of feeling valued and seen by someone they never would have dreamed would have looked at them twice. His hands, strong and comforting, held them closely against him. His touch was affectionate without being demanding, skating that thin line between making them feel wanted without pushing for things to go further. He was right, Alex thought as they closed their eyes, their head cradled against his chest. They had time to see where this might go.

Masterlist

[harringtonstudios]

best friend’s ex.

plot: he’s your best friend’s ex and you should stay away. 

A/N: i wrote this in one sitting and it’s very long <3 took some creative liberty here so imagine 2020!kells but he hasn’t made it just quite yet in the industry. this is heavily based off the song release tonight with blackbear so enjoy (maybe while listening!)

masterlist!

The circles in New York are different than the ones in Los Angeles. There’s a hint of familiarity in the New York circles, everyone seems to know each other connected by one person or a distant story of that one night the whole crowd tripped on molly. It’s dizzying, intricately knowing every single person backstage or at some club without recognizing them exactly.

You haven’t gotten used to the life, not yet acclimated with the high-fives and looks thrown your way at a party, or the nameless phone numbers crowding your text messages. It’s all new, fun and exciting and you have no one to thank but your best friend.

She’s made for this life, for the late nights and the rushes, the sticky floors and glittery lipgloss. This is her environment, where she thrives, and sometimes when you look at her in the club, necklaces shining with the overhead lights, you find it hard to connect this Domi to the one who you’ve seen crying on your bedroom floor after watching a despairing animal shelter commercial. But then she throws you a grin, crowds close, drapes her arm over your shoulder, and it just makes sense.

It’s been years of friendship, ever since you two met at freshman orientation for college. Her roommate was terrible, and more often than not, she’d be camping out on your twin-sized bed, offering you bites of her snacks in exchange for a safe haven. You both hadn’t really been into the party scene at school, too busy scrambling for reports and fibbing results for the endless lab sessions.

Domi graduated a semester early, spent an entire summer taking accelerated classes so she could go fly off to New York right before the new year started. That’s when things seemed to change. You’d been upset with her, hints of jealousy tinging in when she’d send you pictures of fancy clothes and people she was hanging out with, the nicely decorated venues she’d find herself in. She invited you to come to the city a few weeks in, buzzing on Facetime about backstage passes.

Then you were graduating yourself, packing two suitcases and jetting halfway across the country to live in the shitty apartment Domi’d been renting out with a couple of strangers. It had been hard to settle down at first, the air was different in the city and you’d had to up your resting bitch face game when you sat on the subways late at night, but before you knew it, you were enjoying the city that never sleeps, best friend right by your side.

Colson had stumbled into your life a year ago, and then been ripped out six months after. He was a up and coming musician (self-proclaimed) and had taken a chance bet on the city, moved from Cleveland with his friends and a mixtape. He was beautiful in a rugged way, angled cheekbones and lanky limbs, but Domi had taken one look and called dibs, so you tampered any attraction down.

It hadn’t taken long for them to start dating, even if Domi claimed they were just fooling around, it was clear to see that there was some level of intimacy there, a relationship itching to be formed. You’d been happy for her truly and it was easier than you’d expected to fall into a camaraderie with the guys.

Colson’s friends were funny, quick on their toes and absolutely chaotic. They fit into New York better than you did, and almost every single night, you would find yourself at their apartment, playing shitty drinking games and jamming to loud music.

Domi kept the relationship as lowkey as she could, and at some point, you would hear less and less about Colson. It didn’t really hit you then, but it was the beginning of the end in a way, and then she was walking in, eyes red and wet before yelling out the fated words, “We broke up.”

Everything you had gotten used to was suddenly taken away. You spent weeks consoling her, reminding her that she was better than this guy, stronger and that time was the only way this would heal. She begrudgingly listened, and then took your phone from you, casually blocking Colson’s number along with all his friends.

At first, you’d been mildly upset. She was the one who’d fucked up, the one who’d decided to break up with him, so why was this effecting you? It didn’t make sense, they were still your friends and you liked them more than anyone else you’d met here.

But then she’d given you her patented puppy dog eyes, and you’d dismissed it, decided that if this was what she wanted, so be it. You could stand to lose the drunken nights, your liver would thank you.

Colson Baker and his friends disappeared from your life as fast as they had appeared into it. You spent your nights cooking at home instead of going out, focused on building back your sleep schedule instead of getting drunk off your mind, and the days went by.

-

Of course, nothing lasts forever and six months later, your coworkers’ are begging you for a night out, like the old times. Everyone’s antsy for your reply, know that you haven’t been to a social function with them in ages, and you take one look at their faces before sighing and agreeing.

The entire office claps, you flip them all off before catching sight of your boss, who simply smiles and shakes his head. There’s a faint flutter in your stomach, memories rising from months ago, parties and late nights, flashes of lights and thumping music. You shrug it off, tap your pen against the desk, bring your focus back to work.

Three hours later, you’re catching the train back home. It isn’t exactly rush hour yet, you’ve gotten out a little earlier than usual, Friday evenings usually being dull at work anyway and you’re glad because there’s less people mulling around in the sticky heat of the train station.

The station doesn’t smell great, there’s a tinge of stale pee filling up the air and you discreetly move to the other side of the station, trying to get as far away from the smell as you can. New York City man.

The train pulls in, and you automatically put in your headphones, music blasting in your ears as you sidle into the train car, passing the passengers coming out. It’s relatively empty, being near the front and you thank the train gods before sliding into an orange seat near the door.

There’s a couple of guys sitting at the other end, they’re loud and boisterous, shoving each other and you give them a once-over before settling into the seat. The train moves, and you pull your purse onto your lap, patting it once before letting your eyes fall close.

The next stop comes abruptly, jolting you out of the little dreamscape you’d created. There’s a shout as the doors open and you pause your music trying to tune into what’s going on. It’s still the group of guys, but now there’s more of them and you roll your eyes at the banter drifting across the car.

The music starts up again and you lean your head back, try to get comfortable again, but it doesn’t work. There’s a weird feeling in your gut, making you uneasy but you brush it off, raise the volume until all you can feel is the dirty bass.

A minute later, someone kicks at your shoes and you open your eyes, ready to angrily scold at them until they can feel the rage across the car.

The words die in your throat. Colson Baker’s standing there in all his glory, lanky arm leaning against the metal, blonde hair puffing around his head, grin lighting up his face.

His nose is pierced now and you take it in, the way it brings out his eyes and you pause the music mumbling out, “Nose ring looks good on you.”

You bite your tongue right after, embarrassed that after months of silence that’s the first thing that falls out of your mouth. He laughs, body shaking and you’re flashed back to nights in his apartment, watching him laugh on the other couch, head thrown back.

“Thanks,” he murmurs before going, “How’ve you been?”

“Good,” you answer honestly and there’s another shout from across the car, Colson turning to wave a hand.

“It’s the guys. They didn’t think it was you, but I could tell yanno,” he explains and you raise your eyebrows as he continues, “They’re all still kinda pissed you blocked us.”

The statement falls between you two, awkwardly as the train car rumbles on. You wince a little as he fake coughs to fill the empty space.

“Yeah, I’m sorry about all that man. You guys were like family,” you carefully mention, hands playing with the hair tie on your wrist.

“It’s cool. I get it, I mean we both know Domi,” he stammers out and his own hand goes to rub at his chin.

This conversation isn’t what either of you expected and you shift up in your seat, trying to change the topic at the mention of your best friend.

“So what’ve you been up to?” you ask and he smiles at the gateway question, eager to get rid of the uncomfortable energy.

“Got signed to a record label,” he murmurs and the smile that takes over your face is unreal. There’s pride blooming in your chest.

“No way!! Oh my god, congrats dude. That’s killer,” you gush out and his cheeks taint red at your words.

“Thanks,” he says, eyes meeting yours.

“I knew you’d do it. You’re immensely talented,” you continue on as the train comes to a stop.

It’s not yours but it seems to be his. The guys all shout over at him and he’s looking up and then gazing at you, caught between the two options before he makes up his mind.

He doesn’t choose you, you’re not surprised.

“I appreciate you!” he shouts out before running off the car, joining the rest of the guys on the station.

You turn in your seat and wave at them, catching a couple of glares and hesitant waves back before the car pulls away, to the next destination.

The music starts up again and you will your heart to slow down for reasons you can’t even comprehend.

-

Domi gives you a look as you rush into your room. Usually after work, you spend time in the kitchen, milling around grabbing little snacks as she cooks, but you actually have plans tonight.

It’s the first time you’re going out in months and you take a quick shower before pulling out all the old outfits you’d shoved into the back of your closet.

There’s a nice dress, black with faint traces of glitter and you eye it for a second before deciding against it. This is a fun night with the coworkers, not your insane best friend who’d always managed to get you to dress your very best.

There’s a pair of skinny jeans tossed into a dresser, and you eye the rips in it before pulling it on. It looks good, tight in all the right places and you root around for a shirt that can be just fancy enough.

There’s a nice purple one tossed in the closet, slipping off of a hanger and you grab it before pulling it on and tying it up in the front.

It’s pretty, makes you look just right and you play around with your hair before sitting down and committing to a makeup look.

Fifteen minutes later, you’re throwing your keys, a pack of gum, gloss and your phone into a small purse. It hangs off of your wrist and you take a look in the mirror before stepping out of your room.

“Where are you going?” Domi asks, her tone slightly cold.

“Night out. Coworkers invited me and I couldn’t say no,” you explain, running your hands down the jeans.

“Oh,” her face falls.

“Do I-look good?” you ask hesitantly.

“Yeah. You always do bitch,” she half-heartedly adds and you smile at her.

“I’ll see you tonight,” you say, grabbing a carrot from the countertop.

“I’ll wait up,” she smirks and you nod before heading out the door.

The club’s only a few stops away and when you swipe your metro card again, you groan at how low the funds are running. You haven’t filled it just yet, and the $1.25 flashes up at you, taunting.

“I’m poor,” you scoff at the machine and the girl swiping next to you laughs.

You get in somehow, sneakily using the swinging baby stroller door and by the time the train pulls up, you’re only running a few minutes late.

It only hits you when you sink into the familiar orange seat that you didn’t tell Domi about running into her ex. You know she doesn’t care as much about Colson now, scorchingly refers to him as that one rapper, but it’s an unspoken rule. You always tell if you run into the ex.

Your fingers tap against your phone screen, wondering if texting her is appropriate but you drop it quickly. It’s not a big deal. You’ll just let her know when you get home tonight.

The doors open, you leave and then you’re stalking towards the club doors, eyeing the long line. The bouncer is staring everyone down, and you wade up to the front. You’ve learned enough tricks in the short party lifestyle you’d had.

“I’m with the VIPs,” you flash your ID and then a $5 discreetly tucked under it. He looks you up and down, grumbles slightly before taking the money from you.

The rope opens and you smile before stepping through into the dark. It’s loud inside already, the lights contrasting the slight evening colors from outside. You look around before you spot the team and walk over to them.

“Hey!!!” they exclaim and then you’re being handed a glass, cheering the night as everyone drinks it down.

It’s tequila, stings in the back of your throat and you cough before wiping your mouth, “God, I haven’t had this in so long.”

“See that’s why we needed you out tonight,” one of them goes, checking your shoulder with theirs. You laugh before agreeing and order your drink of choice, chiming into the conversation.

It’s going so well, the night seems to be twinged with good vibes. You feel nice and loose, arm draped over your nearest friend as you two sway at the songs playing.

There’s a commotion at the door and you guys turn towards the bouncer only to see people scuffling around, pushing to get closer.

“Hey dude! I’m playing tonight. Musical guest here!!!” comes a loud voice, and it rings familiar in your head. It’s faint, digging somewhere into the back of your mind and you get on your tip-toes trying to see.

“Fuck you,” someone else spits and it echoes around the club.

The crowd splits open then, and you get a glimpse at old friends, adjusting their hats as they stalk across to the stage.

Rook’s fuming as he walks past you, and you spot the tell-tale crease on his face, the grit of his teeth. It scares you, the memory of it all after late night game losses, the way he would blow a gasket about cheating.

Slim and Baze wander behind him, they seem cooler, always are, but the anger is brimming under and you look away as they pass you.

AJ isn’t there and you guess he’s already in the club. He’s always been the sensible one, stable and ready to take control of the situation when it inevitably turns bad.

Colson’s following the rest but his eyes are on the crowd, hand going out to meet people, smiling at everyone. There’s a faint cut on his lip, blood trickling out and you want to scream at him. He comes up around to where you’re standing, and you step back, let your coworkers high five him as he passes.

He doesn’t see you, it’s better that way.

You order up another drink, ignore the whispers of the pesky rapper as they fill up the air around you. He’s well known here apparently, people aware of him in the scene. They mumble about the fights, the way he never seems to show up without a cut or bruise.

You take a shot, sip at the alcohol, smile fading as your coworker ravishes on about how good looking the musician is.

It takes about twenty minutes, and then the music shuts off. There’s a squeal of microphone feedback and everyone around you ducks, hands rushing up to cover their ears.

“Fuck,” a mumble comes across the sound system.

There’s another shuffle and your friend grabs your arm, pulling you closer to the stage. There’s already people there, milling around, clutching drinks and you try to stay on the sidelines, out of view.

“We should go closer,” he determines and then you’re being pulled forward again, swimming around in the second row.

Colson is standing front and center in all his glory. The shitty lighting makes him glow, and he looks big, energy filling him up. He pulls the mic off the stand and steps back before going, “Afternoon. We are Machine Gun Kelly.”

The name isn’t familiar. You don’t know it and quite frankly, it doesn’t place anywhere either but that’s all you get before the music starts up. It’s weird, a pace you don’t expect from him and then he’s off, singing with a grit in his voice, fingers flying across a guitar draped over his shoulder.

Everyone seems to bob along in the crowd and you do too, losing yourself in the way he sounds, the tone of his voice as he croons. The music is great, drums harsh and strong, guitar loud behind the vocals.

The set’s over quick and you’re slightly sweating by the end of it. He thanks the crowd before jumping off stage, and you immediately retreat back to the bar, anxious to steer clear of him.

Even in your drunken state of mind, it’s a bright red flashing light: Stay away from Colson. Stay away from the guys.

You switch to water for a while, try to stop your head from spinning with the lights. Everyone you came with is somewhere on the dance floor, so when an arm drapes on your shoulders, you freeze up, still facing the bar.

“Hey,” and then you’re looking up at Slim’s face, sweaty and eager.

“Slim,” you breathe out, vice in your chest loosening at the fact that it isn’t Colson. You don’t know why this is better, but it is.

“What’re you drinking?” he asks, hand going up to call over the bartender.

You don’t have the heart to say water, know that he’ll laugh and then get you a beer, so you murmur, “Get me a shot of vodka?”

His smile widens and he shouts the drink order over the counter before dropping his arm, “You sipping the hard stuff now?”

Shaking your head, you respond, “I’ve always drank the hard stuff.”

“Yeah, back when we hung out,” he slips into the banter, and your heart stops. You didn’t realize it had hurt them this bad, that months later, drunk and high off of a good show, Slim still manages to bring it up, voice tightening slightly.

“Look, I’m sorry about all that. I really am,” you start, but then he’s passing you the drink and locking arms.

“Cheers,” he says and you clink your shot glass against his, tipping it back.

“I’m sorry,” you mumble out but he throws you a look.

“Don’t worry about it,” he says and then he’s shouting out, “Yo Kells!”

It clicks into place then, the Machine Gun Kelly. It’s his nickname, has been for years apparently since he was rapping in middle school hallways, but he’d always introduced himself as Colson to new friends, let them decide whether the Kells fit him or not.

You hadn’t called him Kells once, in the months of knowing him, had laughed about it a couple of times with Domi, who loved to mock it any chance she could.

“You stalking me?” Kells sleazes out, there’s already a drink in his hand, someone following him around with bright eyes.

“No,” you state, moving away from the counter. The red lights are in full effect, this could end up terribly.

“Seems like it,” he sums up, coming in closer to lean against the bar. His lip is still cut, looks swollen as he approaches you.

“You fucked up your lip,” you state, mind cursing at the lack of filter you seem to have around your best friend’s ex.

“What?” he goes, and then his fingers are rubbing at the fat lip, eyes scrunching, “Guess I did.”

“Well it was nice to see you again,” you try.

“I just got here, you leaving already?” he murmurs, brushing off the person following him.

Slim’s moved to the other end of the bar, Rook’s throwing you a glare.

“Don’t think your friends want me around,” you nod over.

He turns his head and makes some kind of motion. Rook drops his eye contact, head going to duck at the bar. Slim smiles.

“They don’t know what’s good for them,” he mumbles, head turning back. His fingers tap at the bar, and there’s a beer appearing. He smiles at the bartender.

“I’m good for them?” you scoff, there’s a hint of bitterness at your tone, but it’s not directed exactly at them. It isn’t their fault.

“Always have been. The good influence when we would try and do stupid shit,” he says thoughtfully. He’s almost as drunk as you, eyes slightly red.

You laugh at that, “You’re always doing stupid shit. Great set by the way, impressed the fuck out of me.”

“You didn’t expect it?” he says as if you were supposed to have known all his songs by heart.

“I haven’t heard any of your music,” you honestly reply.

“Not even the mixtapes?” he seems shocked.

“No, Domi never sent them to me and you all just assumed so,” you stop yourself, falling into dangerous territory.

At the name drop of his ex, he winces a little, “God she was a fucking head-case.”

“Hey that’s my best friend you’re talking about,” you shout a little too loud. You catch Slim slamming a hand onto Rook’s shoulder. The air becomes stifled.

“Sorry,” Colson offers, taking a long, pointed sip.

You sigh, “Don’t be. She can be a little much sometimes. I’m sorry for how it all ended.”

“You should hang with us tonight,” he calmly says, switching the subject. Your breath catches in your throat.

“I don’t know-“ you start.

He cuts you off, “I get it. If you want, we’ll be here for a while. Find us.”

That’s all you get and then he’s walking towards the gang, slipping into the crowd. You drop your head onto the shell covered bar, groaning out.

-

The night dwindles down, your coworkers trickle out, slamming messy kisses on your face before walking out. You’re left by yourself soon enough and there’s a pulsing in your head, matching the music vibrating under your shoes.

It doesn’t take long to decide. You want to hang out with Colson and them, with Machine Gun Kelly. It’s a bad idea, you can tell before you’ve even fully determined it, but it’s as if fate’s lined everything up for you. It’s gonna happen.

You push away the nagging thoughts, wander around the club trying to find someone, coming up empty. Everyone seems to have left and you roll your eyes before stepping out yourself. Maybe fate doesn’t want this to happen.

As soon as the thought crosses your mind, you spot Rook across the street, blunt in hand. He hasn’t seen you, looking down at his shoes but you know him well and if he’s around it means the others are close by.

You brace yourself, work up some form of courage and walk over. He looks up at the sound and there’s immediate dislike flashing across his face.

Out of everyone, Rook’s been the most temperamental. You’d thought it was going to be Colson at first glance, but were quickly proven wrong by his friend, by the harshness of his demeanor at times. He doesn’t hide his feelings, and while you respect that, you’re also intimidated by his posturing.

“Hey Rook,” you mumble.

“Y/N,” he bluntly states.

“How have you been?” you try, but immediately know it’s the wrong thing to say.

“Cut the shit. What’d you want?” he bites out, eyes hard.

“Was wondering if I could catch a ride with you guys?” you question. 

AJ usually drives them around, his black van large enough for the gang, and his self control strong enough to stay sober. You don’t know if it’s changed since the last time everyone hung out, but you’re hoping it hasn’t for the sake of your almost empty metrocard.

“Why’d you think we drove here?” he’s shrugs, giving you a hard time, and you shake your head wondering if your pride is worth this.

“Never mind dude,” you turn around but then he’s groaning behind you.

“Yeah we’ll take you back home. Kells’ kill me if I let you walk around here drunk. C’mon,” he says and you try to hide your smile as you follow him.

He takes a few more hits before tossing his blunt to the ground, and you’re glad he hasn’t offered you any. It would be too forgiving of him, too close to what you all used to be, and you wouldn’t know what to do if it came to that. Domi would kill you, hell she’d kill you if she knew you were getting into a car with them right now.

He stops in front of the familiar van, opens the door with force and everyone’s shouting inside, clambering over each other. You almost smile at the chaos, the familiarity of it all.

“Y/N!” Colson’s shouting and you do smile then. He slumps over long limbs and comes over to the door, reaching his hand out to you.

“You coming with us?” he asks and you nod before Rook mutters, “She needs a ride home.”

Colson purses his lips before looking back over at you, hand still outstretched, “Yeah, c’mon in. AJ got you.”

It’s late, later than you should be out and there’s a reminder that Domi’s waiting for you back home, wants to hear about your night. Your resolve flickers the minute his hand wraps around yours.

He tugs you in the van, and you follow, stepping in before they all scatter around, making enough space. There’s another girl with them, someone you don’t remember meeting or knowing but she smiles at you and curls into Rook’s side.

The music in the van is almost as loud as in the club, filling up the space. You wonder, not for the first time, how AJ drives like this, how he casually sings along, fist bumping the rest of the guys after a song.

Before you know it, there’s a blunt being passed around. Colson skips you on the first round, and you try not to let it hurt, remind yourself that you’ve stung them harder than this, hurt them worse.

He leans into your space after handing it off, whispers, “You still don’t smoke right?”

There’s a painful twist in your stomach at his question. When you all first met, you wouldn’t smoke blunts with them, hesitant about the strain and Domi’s eyes on you. She hated weed, despised the smell and would always remind you of that fact before you’d all spend the night out.

After the breakup, she’d loosened up on that, didn’t care if you smoked out on the fire escape, and sometimes even joined in, it was weird. Weirder than the fact that Colson somehow remembered all this months later.

“I do,” you whispered back, licking your lips, “smoke I mean.”

“Oh,” he softly says and then the blunt’s coming back around. He barely takes a hit before handing it off to you, pushing your hand slightly with his fist.

“Thanks,” you mumble, smoking it in. It’s strong, brings an immediate rush. You close your eyes.

When you open them, Colson’s too close to you. The red lights flash hard in your head and then the car’s stopping in front of their building.

You don’t even hesitate, “Is it wrong if I come up with you?”

His eyes look into yours, it’s quiet enough that you feel the weight of your statement sink in. This is bad, so bad.

He doesn’t say anything but everyone around you is moving, pulling off instruments and slamming doors. He carefully takes your hand, pulls the blunt out from your other one.

“AJ, we’re gonna chill for a while,” he says, towards the front seat, giving him the blunt. There’s a hum and then he’s opening the door, pulling you out just as he’d pulled you in.

For a second, you hesitate and then you’re falling into him. His arm wraps around your hips, pulls you back up on the sidewalk.

“You okay?” his voice is quiet, the world still moves around you both but it feels like you’re the only two people who matter.

“Yeah,” you nod.

“Wanna go home?” he says, and the words hit you for a second before you shake your head.

“No, this is cool,” you tongue out.

You’re both walking into the building then, satisfied with your answers. The manager gives you a once over at the front desk but that’s all before Colson’s thumbing the elevator button.

“What about everyone else?” you murmur.

He looks at them unloading the van and lets out a laugh, fingers tightening slightly against yours as he shakes, “They’re gonna be busy a while.”

You laugh back, try to tamper down the feeling of seeing him full-body laugh for the second time that day. The elevator dings and you step in, he follows.

It’s the same damn elevator as it was six months ago, but there’s something different in the air right now. It’s staticky, thrumming through you and it feels like you’re stumbling right on the edge of something.

The doors close, it’s just you and him. The feeling gets stronger, his fingers loosen against yours. You grip harder and he looks up straight into your eyes.

The door dings open again and he huffs a little, “Forgot to click the button.”

You smile but it feels thin. Your brain is flashing wrong, flashing red, screaming Domi’s name, but your heart is racing, pounding against your chest.

You screw your eyes shut.

He hits the button, the elevator starts going and you step closer to him. His back is against the elevator wall and there’s a calm look on his face, but you can tell he’s nervous, can feel it in the clamminess of his palm where it’s sticking to yours.

“I’m going to kiss you,” you blurt and you don’t even have time to regret the words before he’s pushing into you, lips finding yours within seconds.

They’re warm and softer than you expected. He lets out a groan as you kiss back, and you’re reminded of his cut, the swollen lip he’s sporting now. You move back, rest your forehead against his.

“Sorry, your lip,” you attempt to explain, but he shakes his head, forehead sliding across yours, twisting it.

“I like it,” he mumbles and you smile before kissing him again, feeling his arm wrap around you, pull you closer.

It’s the first time you’ve kissed him, he’s strictly off limits, a forbidden idea, but it feels like everything has suddenly fallen into place. The warning signs dissolve into bursts of serotonin as he makes little sounds, pressed up with your mouth.

The door dings open. You break apart and step out. Is kiss drunk a thing, or are you losing your mind? He grins at you, pulls your joined hands up for a soft kiss brushing on your knuckles.

Your heart flutters right then. If you’re losing your mind, you’re glad it’s with him. Dealing with the aftermath is something you’ll do later, so you push all thoughts of Domi and her complications aside and follow him straight into his apartment, consequences be damned.

-

taglist:  @iamdorka @no-shxt-sherl @bakerkells @findingmyths @rosegoldrichie​ @mayaslifeinabox​ @itjustkindahappenedreally @hnbtx @backoftheroomandnotbelonging​ @sophroniaa​ @enchantedamusedslightlyconfused​ @calum-defense-squad​

[jimlingss]

Sugar and Coffee [6]

Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7

➜ Words: 7k

➜ Genres: 99.5% Fluff, 0.5% Angst, Pâtisserie school!AU

➜ Summary: It isn't hard to be a pâtisserie chef, but it's not a piece of cake either. It seems like for you in particular, life keeps throwing in one wrench after another. It always finds ways to make your sweets bitter. The cherry on top is Jeon Jungkook — a rival with a sensitive sweet tooth who always finds ways to complain about you.

➜ Notes: I know it’s not Christmas or even remotely winter, but in the timeline of the fic, it is. I hope you guys don’t mind.

cr.

Sometimes when Jungkook doesn’t hear from you for an extended amount of time, he wonders who you’ve found to terrorize now.   But he doesn’t have to wonder for a long time since you always find your way back to him, plopping down at his table at the dining center during breakfast when he’s mid-conversation with Jimin, sitting beside him during the lectures and online shopping on your laptop when you’re supposed to be paying attention, texting him to ask how you pop a pimple on your back….   The list is endless. You weasel your way into his life until it’s almost natural. Like you’re Hoseok or Taehyung.    And that extended amount of time where he wonders whose life you’re ruining decreases from days to hours to minutes until he eventually stops pondering altogether, knowing that it’s his life you’re destroying and no one else's.    “So I’m guessing you didn’t completely bomb the tempering chocolate part of your final.”   You look over at him with a raised brow. “Who told you?”   “You would’ve screamed about it over text if you did.”   “Hmph.” You tear your eyes away from the dark-haired man, continuing to scrub your dishes beside him. “That’s right. I did well, no thanks to you.”   “Excuse me, I think it was through our failures that you learnt the most.”   The kitchen is still bustling with kids cleaning up after themselves. The two of you are beside each other, washing your own dishes. You hate that Jungkook’s sharing a sink with you, but he complained there was nowhere else to go, and you figured kicking him somewhere else would’ve been more work.   “I’ll admit, it was the motivation to destroy you and win that got me through it.”   He scoffs as you smile mockingly at him, finishing the rest of your dishes. “Are you almost done with all your finals?”   “I have one more tomorrow and I’m finished. You?”   “I’m done with all of them.”   “Wow, are you trying to brag, you little shit?”   Jungkook grins. “Look, I—”   He’s interrupted by the vibration of a phone.    Jungkook quirks a brow, knowing full well there’s not supposed to be any phones in the kitchen. It’s a dumb policy of your teacher, but a policy nonetheless.   You pout at him, pulling the device out of your back pocket. “I’m waiting for a call, alright?”   Luckily class is over and there's only cleaning to be done, so you don’t get into trouble for turning around to answer the call.   Jungkook continues to wash his plates and bowls, minding his own business. But he inadvertently catches the conversation.   “Hey….yeah….I’m good...uh-huh. I have an exam tomorrow and then I’m off for the rest of the month until the second week of January.” You’re speaking in hushed whispers, arm hugging your body as the other presses the phone to your ear.   You peek over your shoulder and Jungkook looks away right in time. But out of the corner of his eye, he sees you frown and whip yourself back around into the corner.    “What do you mean? No, mom. I...broke up with Jin, remember? I’m not—…..what? Are there any more tickets?” There’s a long silence. You release a frustrated sigh, pressing your hand on your forehead. “Can’t you cancel your trip then? Or find a way….”   There’s yet another pause. Jungkook can vaguely hear voices on the other line.    “So you’re just going to leave me behind?” His ears perk when your voice cracks like you’re going to cry, or maybe you’re just angry. Jungkook can’t really tell. “Well, what am I supposed to do for three whole weeks? There are no classes, mom. I don’t want to spend Christmas by mysel—Fine. Fine! Have it your way!” you spit in a whisper that’s loud enough to draw the attention of your other classmates nearby too. “You have fun on your little trip then. No—don’t talk to me! I’m hanging up.”   You remain there for another ten seconds and Jungkook watches you hang up, sliding the phone into the pocket of your apron. He looks at you fast enough to see how your eyes are glossy and diverts his vision, not wanting to embarrass you or put you on the spot.   “Trouble in paradise?”   “There’s always fucking trouble in paradise,” you mutter. “Nothing ever goes right for me. Whatever.”   Jungkook put the dishes away with you. He decides to address the elephant in the room, clearing his throat. “I, uh, couldn’t help but hear…so what’s gonna be your plans for the break?”   “I don’t know.” You sigh again. “I’ll probably just stay here. Work on some stuff. Learn a recipe or two or maybe get a head start for next semester. You?”   “I’m going home. We’re not really religious, but my entire family usually gathers for the holiday for gift exchange and to eat and stuff,” he says, trying not to rub salt all over your wound.    You nod. “That sounds nice. Have fun.”   There’s tense silence again, merely the noise of bowls and plate clanging as you put them back where they belong. But Jungkook is unable to move from the conversation. His thoughts brew in the forefront of his mind.   He knows it’s unnecessary, that he shouldn’t, but his conscience compels him otherwise.   “You should come with me.”   Goddamn. Jungkook hates himself for being such a good person. Why can’t he be as cold as Yoongi? He’s gonna have to ask the man how he does it.    But Jungkook also knows if it were him who just got dumped by his two year long girlfriend, he wouldn’t want to spend the holidays at this damned, empty institution by himself.    “Pardon?” You give him that look of yours, like you’re disgusted or confused. He’s not sure which one it is in this context.   “You should come with me.” The words leave Jungkook’s mouth before he can consider what he’s exactly offering. “Spend Christmas with my family.”   “What?” You shake your head. You’re not appalled, merely perplexed at why he’s going out of his way to propose something so big. “Why would I do that?”   Jungkook shrugs. “You don’t have to. I just think you shouldn’t have to stay here by yourself.”   Your expression softens. “Won’t it be weird?”   “No, my parents won’t mind. Taehyung and Jimin actually spent Christmas with me two years ago and that was fine. You don’t have to stay for the entire break, but at least for the holidays….”   Jungkook knows that expression — the nibble of your bottom lip, the way your brows knit together. You’re touched by his hospitality and benevolence, but hesitant as you consider it, even though you want to.   “There’s no pressure,” he says and quickly adds, “I wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself when I put the ornaments on the tree better than you can.”   All at once, you make a noise between a scoff and a laugh. It bubbles out of your throat and makes him smile. “How does someone put ornaments on the tree better?”   Jungkook shrugs. “Someone without a sense of aesthetics wouldn’t know.”   Your mouth curls. “Is that a challenge, Jeon?”   “You have to come to find out.” He smirks.   “Okay, sounds like a plan then.”   Jungkook grins, ruffling your hair with his hand until you swat it away. “We’re leaving in two days. Get packing.”

If you told yourself half a year ago you’d be lugging a suitcase and backpack to Jeon Jungkook’s parents’’ house, you would’ve laughed and then called the psych ward to pick up an insane girl in your dorm room claiming she’s from the future.   But you guess in the recent months, insane things have been happening to you one after another.   You’ve been on the bus for five hours now, slowly making your way up north where it’s icy and snowy. You only get to stretch out your legs at a rest stop for about an hour.   “Took you long enough.” Jungkook pushes himself off the wall he was leaning on, eyes flickering down to a bag you’re holding. You notice his stare and you move the bag behind your back. “I thought you went to the bathroom. Went shopping on the way?”   “It was just a souvenir I picked up. A lame key chain for the occasion. How much longer is this gonna take?”   “Well we’re halfway through, so another five hours give or take?”   “Oh my god.” You sigh while stepping outside. The snow hits you at once and it makes your cheeks numb in the frost. “My ass is so sore.”   “You’re the one talking.” Jungkook rolls his shoulder. “My shoulder aches from your heavy head.”   “Hey, it’s your fault for stealing the window seat.”   “I didn’t know you would be sleeping four out of the five hours.” He sighs with a small smirk, feigning frustration. Yet Jungkook’s the first to climb onto the bus.    There are people all around, napping, playing games. You put your souvenir bag into your backpack, sliding it back onto the overhead bin before you look down at the boy who’s settled in his seat in spite of his complaints, looking out the window like he’s having thoughtful contemplation and there’s something in that empty brain of his.   “Are you not gonna give me the window seat?”   Jungkook turns his head, arm propped up on the rest. He flashes a brilliant smile. “Why would I?”   “So your shoulder doesn’t have to be sore anymore, Jeon.”   He hums a low note. “Nah. I’m good.”   You scoff. “Your call.”   You plop down, immediately lolling your heavy head onto his shoulder. You try your best to lean your entire weight on it, as heavy as you can, and you shut your eyes and cross your arms to continue your nap.    Jungkook mutters how bratty you are and it only makes you smirk in satisfaction.   Eventually you’re shaken awake when you arrive at the destination five hours later and your ass is sore beyond belief. Your eyes are bleary as you try to rub them awake, squinting out the window to look at the small town covered in snow.   The white is blinding and it almost overflows into your boots.   You pull your suitcase behind you with your backpack on your back. Jungkook drags his belongings with him too. “Where to now?”   “It’s a fifteen minute walk. Think you can handle it?”   “Yeah.”   Even if it’s cold enough that your fingers are curling in on themselves and snot is dripping down your nose, it’s still better than being by yourself in your warm dorm room with nothing to do.   The town is quiet, not in an eerie fashion but serene. The houses are twinkling with strung lights, puffs coming out of chimneys, people through the windows putting up ornaments or gathering around the fire. This place is the perfect Christmas movie setting, small shops and friendly folks. You wonder if this is where Jungkook grew up.   “It’s this one.” Jungkook stops on the sidewalk suddenly. It’s house one two three at Imlings Avenue, a cozy looking home with a giant front yard and two cars on the curb. You can hear the festive music already.   As you roll your suitcase up the shoveled walkway, hearing the wheels roll, you become increasingly nervous. It’s odd — even if you and Jungkook are friends now — you’ve never met his family before. You’re a stranger to them and you’re probably unwelcome considering this is just a family affair…   “Wait.” You linger back. “Jungkook—”   But it’s too late.    He knocks before he can hear your voice. And the door swings open.   Oddly, you don’t see anyone….until you tilt your head down. There’s a little girl in a red and green plaid dress, her black hair in pigtails. She looks up at Jungkook and bats her lashes. A wide grin spreads into her chocolate stained cheeks and she throws herself onto him. “Kookie!”   There's a stampede of steps and you hear multiple voices. “Yeonjun! He’s here!”   “Oh my goodness, have you been eating well? You look so thin! We’ll change that.”   “Kookie! Kookie!”   “There’s food in the kitchen, son, go have some.”   “Or get some rest if you’re tired. There’s plenty to do, but that can get done later.”   “Okay, okay.” Jungkook laughs and turns around to see that you’re still standing outside. He quirks his head to the side. “Are you going to come in?”   What ensues is one of the most awkward moments in your life. There’s sudden silence, and then two or three sharp gasps. You manage a smile, looking down at the floor as you step into his house.    The door shuts behind you, solidifying your position here.   Your eyes flicker up. There are two kids, an older lady that resembles Jungkook but with wrinkles creased at her features, and an older man, aged like fine wine and with Jungkook’s doe eyes.   “Hi. I’m Y/N. S-Sorry for the intrusion. I really...appreciate your generosity for letting me stay.”   Jungkook smiles softly and plops his hand on your shoulder, gesturing to each person. “Mom, dad, this is Y/N. She’s my friend and, uh, classmate I told you about. Y/N, this is my grandma, my uncle, my aunt, and my two cousins, Lia and Eunbi.”   He goes over them so fast, you’re reeling.   Lia grins a toothless smile, arms politely behind her back as she sways from side to side. “I’m seven, nice to meet you.”   Eunbi, the one who opened the door, spreads her hand in front of you. “Five!”   “Nice to meet you.” You nod.   But instantaneously, your hands are taken by the old lady. Jungkook’s grandma, despite her entire head of hair being stark silver, has her irises shining with newfound energy. “It’s my pleasure, sweetheart. Please, come in. Take off your coat.”   “How long have you known Jungkook for?” his uncle suddenly asks, wearing a blazing smile as well like he knows something you don’t.   “Umm….actually, we went to high school together.”   “Really now?”   “We weren’t close though until...until recently.”   “Jungkook.” His mother shakes her head in disapproval. “You didn’t tell us your friend was a girl.”   Oh god. Now he knows what’s going on and why they’re treating you like you’re a prized possession. “It’s not like tha—”   His aunt completely jumps the gun. “How long have you been dating Jungkook for?”   You choke on air, taking your hands away from Jungkook’s grandma to pound on your chest lest you die this pathetically. Jungkook’s eyes bulge from their sockets. And Lia is old enough to understand and wrinkles her face. “Ewww, are you guys gonna end up kissing?”   “No! No.” He takes a deep breath. “Y/N is a friend. She’s just a friend.”   “I-um, sorry if there’s been a misunderstanding.” You back him up. “I’m not dating him. Frankly, I can’t handle someone like Jungkook. B-Because he’s too great,” you quickly add, not wanting to insult their son in front of their faces when they were already inviting you into their home.    It’s so awkward, you want to run outside and faceplant into the snow and die from hypothermia. “We’re just not like that. Never.”   “Yeah. She’s a classmate. A friend. Like Jimin or Taehyung.”   “O—kay then.” Jungkook’s mom breaks the tension with a warm smile. “Well, we shouldn’t dilly dally here all day! Jungkook, you can take your suitcase up to your usual room. Y/N can have the one down the hall, the guest one—oh no, dear, you don’t have to carry it.” She stops you when you grab your luggage again. “Jungkook can do it for you.”   “A-Are you sure?”   “Of course. He has to make himself useful somehow. Make yourself at home! Lia, Eunbi, want to show Y/N the stockings you made?”   “Yeah!” Lia grabs your hand, leading you away. You glance at Jungkook and he has a tight lipped smile. But the moment you turn the corner, he’s bombarded by his family members' curious stares.   “Are you sure she’s just a friend, dear?” his grandma croaks. “She’s awfully pretty.”   “Are you in the process of courting her, son?” his dad inquires. “Let me tell you, when I courted your mother, I did all sorts of things to get her to like me, so if you ever need advice—”   “You learnt how to drive a motorcycle and almost killed yourself with it,” his mother chides.   “I’m glad he didn’t.” His grandma turns around, deadpanning, “Your funeral would’ve been a terrible embarrassment to the family.”   “I remember that. You stole from me to get that motorcycle and never paid it back,” his uncle pipes up, and his dad ducks his head behind his mom.   His aunt laughs and pats his uncle’s chest. “Now, now, let’s not get ourselves worked up.” She turns, addressing the real issue in the room. “Jungkook, is Y/N really just a friend?”   “Yeah.” He stops, having ignored his family and struggled to carry the suitcases across the living room. Jungkook doesn’t know how many times he’ll have to insist his relationship with you is platonic, but out of everyone he knows his aunt is the most understanding and convincing. If she believes it, the rest will too.    “She’s just a friend. Actually, she….recently broke up with her long-term boyfriend, so…...yeah, um, and she’s my internship partner and I felt bad that she was spending Christmas by herself….”   “Well then, that’s fine. Friends are as valuable as any other kind of relationship. I think your mother and everyone else were just surprised that you brought a girl home.”   “She was going to spend Christmas by herself?” his grandma asks, surprised by the mere idea of it.   “Yeah, I think she was supposed to spend it with her boyfriend’s family but they broke up, so…”   “Well then I’m glad you invited her! No one should spend the holidays by themselves. Poor girl.”   “The more the merrier!” his uncle proclaims.   “But you still should’ve told me it was a girl,” his mother chides with her hands on her hips. “I would’ve gotten her a suitable gift!”   “Friend or not, I don’t want any shenanigans under my roof, Jungkook,” his dad warns. “You’ll both be sleeping in separate bedrooms.”   The mere idea of it has him frowning. “Of course!” Jungkook says as if it should be obvious.    He lugs his suitcase and yours up by himself while wondering what if you brought actual bricks with you.   It hasn’t even been ten minutes in this house and Jungkook already has a headache.   //   Not even an hour at the house, you and Jungkook are thrown into a truck with his dad and uncle to go buy a Christmas tree at some small market.   Your hands dug into your pockets as you walk alongside each other, finally able to get a breather.   “Sorry about them. Did they ask a lot of questions?”   “Only about my education, how old I am, what my parents do, my hobbies, if I have siblings, if I’m religious, where I grew up, and oh yeah, my plans for the next five years.”   “Sorry,” Jungkook repeats with a sigh. He knew they were overbearing but this is really something else.   You giggle. “It’s okay. Just felt like a job interview. I’m just happy they’re so welcoming. Your family’s really nice, Jungkook.”   “Yeah. Mostly. My mom can be pretty crazy. My grandma can be hysterical — same with my aunt. And my uncle and dad can be short tempered.”   “Every family has their fair share of crazy.”   “You could say that again.”   You stop to point at a tall, luscious looking tree. “That tree’s pretty nice, huh?”   “I think it’s too big for the house.”   You keep walking. “I’ve actually never gone looking for a tree like this before. Certainly not a day before Christmas Eve.”   “Really?”   “Yeah, my family usually uses artificial trees.” You smile at the memory. “Oh, Jin’s family uses a real tree. Usually it’s already decorated when I get there though—……” It takes a moment for you to realize what you’re saying. “Never mind.”   Jungkook glances at you. It falls into silence and he can see you brooding in your thoughts. He then taps your shoulder. “What do you think of that tree?”   The boy points to a small one that’s drooped over. “It’s so….sad looking.”   “Hmm, like you, right?��� Jungkook laughs hard when you shove him. He catches himself before he faceplants into the snow.   “God, you should be lucky I love your family or else I would kill you.”   “As if you even could.”   “Don’t test me, Jeon.”   “Hey, kids!” His dad shouts, a few meters away. “Come help your uncle and I with this one. It’s a good one!”   Once it’s paid for, you all haul the tree into the back of the truck.    You muse that you’ve truly never done this before as you watch Jungkook’s mom screaming as all the men try to shove the tree through the front door and the tree losing nearly half of its pine needles, shedding to the carpet.    But finally they manage to get it inside without much damage done and all that’s left is to decorate. You help pull out old boxes from the cottage and Lia shows you the noodle ornament she made in class. “Look!”   You’re genuinely impressed at how intricate it is. God knows your talent was in baking and never in arts and crafts. “Wow, it’s really pretty!”   “Thanks.” She grins and you pick her up so she can slide it on at the very top.    You try to hold Eunbi too so she can put the star topper on but when your arms begin to shake with the weight of the five year old, Jungkook takes over for you. He puts her on his broad shoulders so she can lean over to do it. And you’re finally able to race Jungkook to put the rest of the ornaments up, and find out who’s the true Christmas master. But you don’t get far into the game when his grandma waddles over and starts complaining that he was bunching the candy canes too close together.   “When you kids are done with that, come outside. We’re going to put up the lights,” Jungkook’s dad says as he carries a ladder with his uncle.   Though once you’re actually outside, dressed up from head to toe in Winter gear, there’s not much you can do. You watch as Jungkook climbs the ladder while you hold the bottom rung to steady him, but his uncle ends up telling him to get down when he nearly slips off the roof.   “Imagine if you actually fell…”   The both of you looking up, squinting as you observe the old men bickering to one another about how to string the lights on. “You’d probably laugh and use my body for a ritual to summon a demon, huh?”   You turn to him, deadpanning, “How’d you know?”   What follows is snow hurled to your face and a shriek of his name. “Jeon Jungkook!”   Your body shakes with rage and you collect a snowball in your hands. But he takes cover in the backyard behind a tree, giggling boyishly like he’s four years old. “You coward! Come here!”   You chase after him at full speed, but he runs, laughing even more. You smack the back of his coat, but there’s no effect so you gather another one, patting the snow firmly to chuck it. You wish you had ice shards, so you can put it in and attack with full force.   You sprint after him before taking a leap, jumping onto his back. Unfortunately, your plan in tackling him doesn’t work. Jungkook doesn’t waver, knees not even buckling, but you adapt and slap the snowball to his face. He laughs, shaking you off and you fall onto your ass. It’s one bad thing after another considering you’re not fast enough to run away — and he chucks another one to your face.   Your aggressive shouts and Jungkook’s laughter draws the attention of the kids because they come out all bundled up in toques and scarves, cheeks overflowing above them. They march out in snow pants and thick coats, ready for battle.   “Be careful!” Jungkook’s aunt shouts from the porch before running back inside to hide from the frost.   “I wanna play! I wanna play!” Eunbi hops while Lia runs and falls back, making a giant snow angel.   “Come here, Eunbi! Come here!” Jungkook motions her over and she waddles. “We’re gonna get the evil witch!”   “Excuse me?!” you shriek and it makes the both of them giggle. You tell Lia to help you and she’s old enough to understand your instructions, making snowballs with you quickly as she laughs hysterically and tries to chuck them at Jungkook to no avail.   Lia is hit a few times by her feet, while you’re smacked straight at the neck, freezing snow melting down your shirt inside and making you cry out in agony. You try to smack Jungkook with one but then he holds Eunbi up so she can take the hit.   “Are you seriously using her as a shield?!” you scream at him.   “You gotta do whatever it takes to win!” Jungkook laughs like a maniac as his human child shield giggles along.   You’re unable to hit him at full capacity, but you get the upper hand when you tell Lia to sneak around. She shouts she’s going to the bathroom while you continue to fire light snowballs uselessly. But when the seven year old walks around the gate instead of going inside like she declared, she smacks Jungkook at the back of the head with a snowball, catching him off guard.   “Hey!”   At that moment, you rush him, trying to shovel snow down his coat. But his reflexes are too good. He lightly tosses Eunbi down on the fluffy surface and she laughs, making snow angels and Jungkook wrestles you. “I think not, witch!”   “If I’m a witch, you’re the grinch—!”   Jungkook successfully tackles you down, but you manage to rub snow all over his face, making him spaz.   In the meanwhile, his grandma, aunt and mom watch from the window, laughing hysterically. And the men up on the roof are speechless. “What are they doing?”   “You know how the youngins are.” They exchange a meaningful look, wishing they still had that same amount of energy.   //   Jungkook is a fucking lucky bastard — sometimes you can’t fathom it.   Not only does he have a great group of friends, but his family is amazing. He really has it all.   You find out his dad is an absolute airplane enthusiast, and he even shows you his aircraft collection of small planes he gathered over the years. He’s knowledgeable on all the models and tells you about a realistic flight simulator he’s planning to set up. His mother, on the other hand, can paint like a genius. The artwork in the living room that looked expensive was ones she painted and when you found out, your jaw dropped to the ground.   Everyone in his family also knows how to play chess ridiculously well and everyone seems to know how to play some kind of instrument. Jungkook’s grandma is teaching Lia piano, his aunt plays violin, his uncle is dedicated to guitar and Jungkook tells you he used to sort of dabble in drums.    You wouldn’t be surprised if he turns out to be a musical genius.    The gene pool of the Jeon family is just too strong. You can’t handle it.   And it’s no wonder he’s good in the kitchen. Everyone in his family is spectacular at cooking. You nearly start crying at dinner because of the sheer delicious taste of every dish presented in front of you. You thought you were in Heaven.   After dinner, there are games, and everyone calls it an early night to prepare for Christmas Eve the next day.   By the afternoon of the eve, the adults all leave for last minute Christmas shopping while you and Jungkook stay at home to babysit the kids.   “What are you two doing?” You approach said children when you finally snap out of the Charlie Brown Christmas special playing on the television, remembering it’s for the kids’ entertainment and not yours.   The both of them at the small table, scribbling on some paper. “We’re writing letters to Santa!”   “Oh, is that so?” You look over to see the chicken scratch. Eunbi can’t write yet so she draws pictures. “Wow, looks good. What does...this say?”   “It says cooking stuff, silly!”   “Right, silly me,” you laugh, endeared at how she wrote it as ‘Kooking’ like Jungkook’s name. “You want cooking stuff for Christmas?”   “Yeah.” Lia nods enthusiastically. “I saw on tv this oven and you get to make stuff and stuff.”   “Oh. You mean Easy Bake Oven?”   “Yeah!” Her drawing isn’t bad for a seven year old. “What do you want for Christmas?”   “Me?” You hum, considering it. “Maybe an A for my pastries class. What about you, Eunbi? What do you want Santa to give you tomorrow morning?”   “Chocolate!” she shrieks with laughter.   “She always wants chocolate,” Lia tells you listlessly.   “Candy! Cookies!”   You grin, lowering your voice like you’re about to tell them a secret. “Do you want to make cookies?”   All at once, there’s a change. Eunbi gasps. “Yeah!”   And Lia’s hand stops scribbling. “Can we really?”   You shrug. “I don’t see why not.”   It can’t be too hard.   But you’re sorely, sorely mistaken.   The moment you preheat the oven, Lia opens it and tells Eunbi to climb in — but you shut that down real quick, joke or not. When you melt the butter and turn around for one second, you come back to find Eunbi drinking the butter straight from the measuring cup.   Her lips greasy as she grins. “Yummy.”   “Oh my god—” You collect them together, keeping a reign for both kids. Calming down, you try to show them how to crack the eggs, but they’re clumsy and you end up having to fish eggshells out of the mixture.   As you’re cleaning, you hear a thump. When you whirl yourself around, the floor is coated in white. The flour bag is upside down on the ground.   “Uh-oh.” Eunbi giggles.   Lia’s hands are covered in the all-purpose flour, but she points to her younger sister. “She did it! Not me!”   You take a deep breath, mustering your patience. “It’s okay.”   But it’s not okay.   Not when they put in a cup of salt instead of sugar and you have to scoop it all out. Not when you wash their sticky fingers, clean their faces, and open drawers to look for a spatula to fold the mixture, but you hear giggles instead. Not when you slowly turn around to see them mixing the batter with their bare hands.   But with a sigh, you give in. Some of their techniques are physically painful to watch and make you cringe, but as long as they’re having fun, you’re not going to stop them.   Or at least until Eunbi sneezes straight into the batter.   “Okay, alright, let's not do that.”   “Can we eat it?”   “Eat it? You mean raw?”   Eunbi is already taking the cookie dough by the fistful. “Yummy!”   “Not too much.” You cringe as you watch them taste it. “You might get sick! Hey— Jeon Eunbi, take your hand out of the chocolate chip bag!”   The five year old grins, cherub cheeks rosy as her eyes glimmer with mischief. But after all the trials and tribulations, you finally get the tray of cookie batter into the oven.   In the meanwhile, Jeon Jungkook comes downstairs with a towel draped over his shoulder. His hair is still damp but he came down at the ruckus. He stops at the doorway of the kitchen, freezing as he regards the surroundings. “I left for one shower.”   “We made cookies, Kookie.” Lia grins with a milk moustache, sitting on the counter with her sister.   “They’re almost done,” you tell him sheepishly. “We’ll clean up soon.”   He hums as he looks at the floured floor and the sink overflowing with dishes. He wonders what happened. They’re just cookies — but it looks like a battlefield.   You approach him with a mug. “I made hot chocolate.”   “I thought chocolate was your nemesis.” Jungkook smiles, taking the cup. He notices the floating marshmallows and happily sips.   “I can melt it,” you chide. “I know how to do at least that much.”   You can hear giggles from the girls and at this point, you know it means they’re up to no good, so you turn around with your brow quirked. Jungkook is curious too and Eunbi answers the unsaid questions when she points above you both, right at the doorway.   “Mistletoe.” Lia laughs. “Eww, are you guys gonna kiss?”   You look at Jungkook, and he frowns. His expression wrinkles like he just bit into a lemon. “Gross.”   “Gross?! Excuse me?!” You loll your head to the side. “I’m gross to you?”   The boy grins. “Yeah. You are.”   “Give me back that hot chocolate.” You try to grab at it, but his reflexes are fast. Jungkook moves the mug out of the way and then above his head where it’s out of your reach.   “Nuh-uh. Finders keepers.”   “But I’m gross, aren’t I? You wouldn’t want to consume something made by a gross person.”   “I’ll make one exception.” He brings it down and quickly chugs the steaming hot chocolate.   “It’s hot, you idiot!” you shout, but like the masochist he is, he downs it all with a groan.   “Delicious.” Jungkook grins, wearing his milk moustache with pride.   You shake your head. “You’re ridiculous.”   He helps you clean and when the oven timer goes off, the scent of freshly baked cookies fill the home right in time as the adults arrive home. All twelve chocolate chip cookies are inhaled at an instant and you muse how the entire Jeon family has sweet tooths.    You share a cookie with Jungkook and it’s delicious for the disasters you had to go through.   The evening eventually settles in and they tell you about the family tradition of getting in ugly Christmas sweaters and taking a family photo. You’re touched when they show you the sweater they got, one in neon red plastered with dogs and cats in Christmas hats. Jungkook’s has batteries and physically lights up, and you can’t stop laughing.   “I feel like a tree.”   “You almost look as pretty as one, Jeon.”   It’s cute when they waddle together in front of the fireplace and you wonder what it takes to have a family like this. “What camera are you using?” you ask. “I can take it for you.”   “Oh no, dear. Don’t be silly! Come in, come in!” Jungkook’s grandma motions you over.   His uncle moves to a cabinet. “We have a tripod!”   But you hesitate. “Uh, are you sure?”   “Why wouldn’t we? If you spend Christmas with us, you’re family. Get in here!” His mother moves aside. “Stand beside Jungkook.”   Everyone shuffles, creating a perfect slot for you to join with the Jeon family. Jungkook even slings an arm over your shoulder, giving this biggest and most boyish smile of life. His uncle clicks the button and runs to his spot. The light begins to flash. “Everyone! Say cheese!”   With one snap, the moment is engrained forever.   Dinner is delicious like last night and it feels like you’re being stuffed like a pig. Your stomach nearly bursts at the seams and you would fall into a food coma if not for how Jungkook drags you along to go caroling with the rest of his family.   “I’ve never been caroling before.”   “Yeah, well, it’s something my grandma likes to do. She used to do it when she was young and she freaks out if any of us say we don’t want to go. Personally, I don’t like caroling. It feels like I’m a car salesman harassing people.”   You know what he means when he’s swaying from side to side awkwardly on some stranger’s lawn while his dad knocks on the door and everybody else waits for it to open. Jungkook looks out of place. But the minute he opens his mouth to sing Silent Night — it’s fucking angelic.    You’re shocked, like you found out the devil actually has a halo above his head.   The lady and her child thank you all for the song and while walking, Jungkook finds you staring intently at him. “What?”   “Since when did you sing?!”   “I don’t.”   “How can you say you don’t?! You literally sound like perfection.”   The sudden praise makes laughter bubble out of his throat, a cloud of condensation emitting from his parted lips. His aunt turns around with a smile. “That’s what I’ve always told him. I’m glad someone else can recognize it.”   “I remember when Jungkook was just a small boy,” his grandma pipes up. “He sang so well, knew all the lyrics, and all the neighbours were so surprised. He was so cute, even the grumpiest of grumps would be melting because of him.”   “Remember when he would start crying if he didn’t get the main part or had the harmony?”   “God, can we not talk about this?” Jungkook cringes.   But you grin. “No please, keep going. I’m so curious now.”   “Well one winter…” His mom hugs your arm, leaning into you like she’s sharing a secret. “He peed himself but didn’t want to tell anyone because he was scared caroling was going to be cut short and it ended up freezing in his pants. Poor child got a butt rash afterwards.”   “You peed yourself for caroling?” you ask incredulously.   “I don’t recall,” he deadpans.   “Oh, he used to pee himself all the time,” Jungkook’s dad clarifies. “There was an incident on a plane—”   “That’s enough of that.” He puts a hand on your shoulder and pushes you forward at a fast pace. You laugh as the two of you walk way ahead of the rest of his family and how Lia and Eunbi begin to sing-song that Kookie’s a bed wetter.   Despite being out in the cold at night, you didn’t know your Christmas would end up so warm, surrounded by people who treat you as one of their own. You feel lucky. Privileged to be part of it.   The rest of Christmas Eve is spent around a fire and the tree until it’s lights out at nine. It’s early again since the adults know that the kids will end up making it an early morning the next day. So with cookies and milk left out, you bid your goodnights. But their predictions end up exactly as said after many years of celebrating the gift-giving holiday together.   Right at five thirty with the sun barely risen, you’re shaken away by Jungkook.   “What’s going on?”   Your bleary eyes blink and you rub at them. Jungkook’s tender grin and sparkling eyes are the first thing your vision focuses on. His hair shags over his forehead as he stares down at you. “Get up, sleepyhead. We’re all opening presents.”   “It’s so early,” you whine, but he tugs the covers off anyhow and helps you stand on your feet.   Jungkook ruffles your bed head. “I know.”   The two of you make your way downstairs. The adults are already hugging their coffee cups while Lia and Eunbi tear up their gifts that Santa left them. Christmas melodies are turned on for background noise, and there are hugs and gasps given during the exchange of presents.    You’re given one too.   “For me?”   “Yes, we managed to pick up something yesterday for you, dear. If Jungkook had told us beforehand he was bringing such a nice friend, we would’ve gotten something better.”   You open up the box to find a red, wool scarf. The texture is soft and it looks warm enough to protect you from the cold Winter wind. You’re touched beyond belief. “T-Thank you, I love it.”   “We’re glad.”   “I-I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything.”   “Please, your presence is more than enough, sweetheart.”   “I got this for you, Y/N!” Lia comes over with a piece of paper. “Eunbi and I drew it yesterday, well I did most of the work, but she drew you. Thanks for spending Christmas with us!”   “I love it. Thank you.”   Jungkook watches with a gooey smile. It’s good to see you like this — for once not moping around or crying after some guy that didn’t know your worth anyway. But what he catches him off guard further is when he’s tugged away into the hall by you.   Your arm extends, holding a bag haphazardly.   “Sorry, I forgot to wrap it,” you mutter, barely coherently. Your vision is diverted elsewhere, looking towards the ceiling so you can spare yourself the embarrassment of how he’ll react.   But if you looked, you’d see that Jungkook’s grin could almost break his face. He takes it. “Isn’t this the souvenir you got at the rest stop?”   “Well, I lied. It’s not a souvenir. Open it.”   He does. Quickly. With much anticipation.   You lean over to watch him.   Inside the bag is a box. Jungkook tears it open to find a simple, white mug. But across the surface in black text, it’s written ‘Jungkook — World’s Best Chocolatier’.    “I found an engraving place. Took ten minutes. It’s nothing. But see? I can be thoughtful. Sometimes…”   You pause. There’s silence so you look at him to gauge his reaction. His face is blank, hard to read. Damn. You had second thoughts in the moment but you didn’t think he would hate it this muc—   Suddenly, you’re being hugged.   Jungkook has his arms wrapped around your shoulders, and he pushes you into his chest. “I fucking love it, you witch.”   You smile, a rush of air leaving your nose. “Glad you like it, grinch.”   He muses that you’re the most softhearted witch on the planet.   Jungkook can’t yet pinpoint the reason why, but he knows without a doubt that this is the warmest Christmas he’s had.

[halictus-writer]

Strangers on a Plane

Sirius swung his overnight bag up into the overhead compartment and climbed into his chair. He had the window seat, and despite being too tall for any seat on an airplane (who isn’t though, Sirius remarked), he was content. He could spend the next two hours reading or staring out into the sky in peace.

Increased noise from the front of the aisle told him that more passengers were boarding. Sirius began to play a seemingly-mandatory game of guessing which passenger would be his seatmate. No, no, nope, and then oh. The man he had noticed earlier, in the boarding area, with the tawny curls and the oversized jacket, was apparently on this flight.

The woman who had boarded before him had decided that now was an appropriate time to remove her sweater and stow it in her suitcase, and so the aisle was blocked. Sirius’s guessing game took an unscheduled intermission during the wait. He took another glance or two at the man. James had elbowed him in the ribs earlier for it, because he wasn’t paying attention to whatever his brother was saying at him. But now, with James seated several rows back, Sirius could stare all he wanted.

He certainly wasn’t Sirius’s usual type. Bookish, slightly awkward, the man looked like he would be more comfortable in a library or in the front of a history classroom than in a bar or a club. But looking at him now, Sirius wasn’t sure he had a usual type anymore. He couldn’t really remember any of his ex-flings anymore.

Eventually, the aisle cleared, and Sirius got to resume his guessing game. People walked past him, and then, suddenly, the man stopped. Their eyes met, and Sirius, very confidently and suave, of course, said “4A?”

The man looked down at his printed boarding pass, then up at the seat numbers briefly. “That’s me,” he confirmed, before swinging his long legs down into the chair beside Sirius.

“Cool,” Sirius said after a pause.

“Are you going to try to talk to me during this entire flight?” Bookish man asked.

“Nope, definitely not,” Sirius said, raising his eyebrows. So the bookish and slightly awkward professor man is a dick, too. That’s fine, Sirius thought. He isn’t even interested. It’s not like his left leg was still tingling from where his seatmate’s right had brushed against it briefly.

Determined to display his indifference, Sirius dug into his backpack for his book. He read it in silence, and it wasn’t until after the safety announcements had come and gone that he heard from his nemesis again.

“What are you reading?”

Sirius narrowed his eyes briefly, but couldn’t help the small smile on his face. If playing hard to get was a game, then he was winning. “Just a random, uh, book.” Okay, so maybe he’s still not on his game one hundred percent.

“Is it any good?” The seatmate asked.

Sirius blushed slightly. He didn’t really know how to answer that, seeing as he suddenly became aware that he was reading gay erotica on a plane next to an attractive man who he suddenly realized may be straight. If he hadn’t been charmed by Sirius’s natural good looks by now, then maybe he was of the more unfortunate persuasion, Sirius thought. “It’s fine?” Sirius answered loftily. “Bit of a guilty pleasure, to be honest.”

“Guilty?” He asked. And really, what’s with this guy, Sirius thought. First he was rude when Sirius talked to him, and now he won’t let him read in peace.

“Uh, yeah. Guilty because the writing is kind of bad. But I’m almost done with it, so. Yeah.” Sirius decided to go back to haughty. He actually was in the middle of a more interesting scene, so he was currently quite a bit invested, even if the writing wasn’t very high-brow.

“I’ll leave you to it, then.” The stranger replied curtly.

Eventually, a flight attendant came by, offering drinks and snacks. Rather absorbed in the book at this point, Sirius was actually rather grateful to find his seatmate tap his shoulder to get his attention. He never would have forgiven the man if he had let Sirius go without the free pretzels.

A little while later, a baby began to cry rather loudly, from somewhere behind them.

“God, who brings a baby on a plane,” the bookish man complained.

Sirius quirked his eyebrows at that, but didn’t play his cards. “Yeah, pretty inconsiderate. The parents should just drug the baby or something. They do it for dogs anyway.”

The stranger furrowed his brow, as if not agreeing completely with Sirius’s feigned cruelty.

In the resulting silence between the two of them, but the sustained volume from a (familiar) baby, Sirius finally finished his book. When he got to the inside of the back cover, he was shocked to see his seatmate’s face printed in black and white.

“Oh my god,” he said reflexively. “It’s you.” Sirius held up the book towards the other man’s face, and sure enough, it was him. The same haughty expression, and upon being presented with his own book close to his face, the man’s eyebrows knitted in the same way.

“Yeah.”

“You write gay erotica,” Sirius said plainly.

The man didn’t even blush. “It’s lowbrow writing, or so I’m told.”

At that, Sirius blushed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your, um. Writing. I liked the ending?” he offered. The man shrugged.

Remus Lupin, Sirius read. “Is it a pen name?”

He didn’t really expect an answer, but surprisingly, the man turned back to him again. “No, actually. I was born with that ridiculous name.”

“Me too. Well, not that one, obviously. But also ridiculous. Sirius Black.”

“Nice to meet you,” Remus returned, still looking slightly peeved.

Just then, footsteps came from down the aisle. Suddenly, James was there, and stretched over Remus’s personal space unceremoniously to dump baby Harry in Sirius’s lap. “He wants you,” James said, then turned and walked away without waiting for a response.

Sirius laughed slightly, then focused his attention on Harry. He bounced the infant on his knee, and watched as his green eyes took in his new surroundings. He didn’t seem close to tears at the moment, but Sirius almost hoped he would make noise, just to annoy the standoffish author.

“I, uh. Sorry?” Remus stammered.

“For?” Sirius grinned.

“I didn’t realize that the baby was, um. Yours.”

Sirius shrugged, still looking at Harry. “I insulted your book, you insulted my brother’s choice of bringing his infant on a short plane trip. We’ll call it even.” He got a sudden mischievous thought. “But only if you autograph the book.”

Remus rolled his eyes. “Fine,” he prompted. “Hand it over.”

Sirius watched, surprised, as Remus scrawled an elegant signature across the title page.

“Where do you live?” Remus asked.

“London,” Sirius replied. “Same as you, according to your author bio.”

Remus returned to the book briefly, before stowing it away in Sirius’s backpack for him. With a baby in his arms, Sirius welcomed the extra help.

It wasn’t until after Harry screamed his head off during the landing, and after they left the plane, and after Sirius reconnected with James and Lily, and after Sirius said goodbye to the haughty and standoffish and cute Remus Lupin, and after Fleamont and Euphemia picked them up, and after a whole day of food and family time, that Sirius reopened the book. He was laying in bed, at the Potters’ house, thinking, and he opened the book to peak at the signature, just out of curiosity.

To his surprise, underneath the cursive, was a string of digits, and a note in block letters. When we’re both back in London.

[winterrose527]

person a is afraid of flying, person b offers to hold their hand. for robbcella?

Oh my gosh sorry for the delay on writing this. It was so fun and obviously turned out far longer than expected as always.

***

Okay. It’ll be fine. It’ll totally, one hundred percent, be fine. There is nothing to be concerned about. You’re just going to put your things above the seat, in the overhead – ooh nope you’re not. Too heavy, too high –

“Do you need help with that?” a voice cut into her sad little slow motion panic attack.

“Oh, no, that’s alright,” she said, the way she always did when men offered the taxis they’d just hailed for themselves to her, “I’ve-I’ve got it.”

She went to lift her carry-on, but someone must have filled it with rocks because when she tried to lift it over her head it ended up hitting her in the face.

“You uh… sure about that?” the man asked. “Please.”

“Okay, thank you,” she agreed.

The suitcase was out of her hands in a moment and settled safely in the overhead bin.

When it was no longer in front of his face she saw that it was… quite a face. Piercing blue eyes framed by thick, long lashes. A strong nose, square jaw, perfect pouty lips.

She realized after a moment that she’d been staring at him, and her embarrassment was only slightly mitigated by the fact that he’d been staring at her too.

“Can you guys move?” an exasperated traveler asked behind them.

“Sorry!” she exclaimed.

The man gestured to the row of seats, “I’m the window, unless you’d prefer it.”

She shook her head, “No, no, aisle is better for me.”

He looked at her as though he’d heard the nerves in her voice but he nodded and went and sat in the window seat, putting his backpack underneath the seat in front of him but pulling out one of those books by an author that was always sold in airports and train stations. She settled in next to him, taking her bottle of water, headphones and cell phone, and her own weathered paperback out of her bag before pushing it under the seat in front of her.

She buckled immediately, taking a sip of water and then checked her phone. She had a text from Shireen.

Everything will be fine, I’ll see you soon!

She smiled and typed back: I think that’s supposed to be my line, you’re really failing at this whole bridezilla thing. See you soon, xo.

Myrcella put her phone on airplane mode and tried to open her book to distract herself. Instead she read the same sentence of the same paragraph six times without retaining any of it so she closed the book, drumming her fingers on it lightly.

She saw the man glancing at her and realized she was probably being annoying.

“Sorry,” she said, sitting on her hands so that she’d stop.

“That’s okay,” he shook his head, “I like that song.”

She smirked and nodded, taking another sip of water and then looking around. It looked like everyone had settled in and unfortunately it didn’t seem like there was anything wrong with the engine so they’d likely be taking off soon.

This was proven true when the captain started making his announcements and she heard the propellers start going.

She thought about the exercises her mother’s life guru Luwin had tried to teach her. Imagining herself as the pilot.

But I don’t know how to fly a plane!

She stopped that and just focused on her breathing and trying to think logically. Realistically, they were going to be fine. She understood that.

But while she could mind over matter practically anything else, this was the one exception.

“Afraid of flying?” someone broke into her thoughts.

It wasn’t the guy who’d sat next to her, but a kindly looking older woman across the aisle.

“A little,” she agreed.

“Do you want a diazepam?” the woman asked, holding up a little bottle and shaking it slightly.

She heard the guy sitting next to her cough, though it sounded more like he was disguising a laugh.

“No, thank you though, ma’am,” she said and then turned away.

“You know um, realistically the chances of our plane going down are-,” he started.

“Well my grandmother died in a plane crash, so,” she interrupted him.

She leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes, as she felt them starting to move down the runway. She gripped the armrests.

“Oh shit I’m so sorry,” he said, “Really?”

“No,” she grimaced, her breath coming less easily now, “That’s just what I always say to people when they pull out statistics. Apparently it’s my way of offsetting my own discomfort.”

“Or maybe it’s just your way of telling people to mind their own business,” he suggested.

She opened her eyes and found that he was looking at her in concern.

“I won’t pass out or throw up or anything,” she promised him.

He nodded, “That’s good, why don’t you drink some water?”

“You don’t have to help,” she told him, “You can just um… read that book and ignore the hyperventilating woman beside you. I’ll be okay when we’re in the air.”

He looked at her again and then turned to the book and then back to her, “The only problem with that is that I really don’t want to read this book.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, “Then why did you buy it?”

“I always buy one when I’m getting on a flight for more than an hour so I can pretend to read it and ignore the person sitting next to me,” he noted.

She nodded and then pointed out, “You shouldn’t have told me, now you can’t use that trick on me.”

He scratched his cheek, smirking down at the book, “Yeah well maybe I don’t want to.” She realized absently that he was hitting on her but that was sort of overshadowed by the fact that the plane was speeding up, “Look um, we’re about to take off here. Do you want to close your eyes or um… I could talk you through it or… I don’t know, I could at least hold your hand? Mine’s clean, I promise and um… well I had to help my sister in the delivery room so it’s really used to being squeezed.”

She looked at him, and her voice was small when she asked, “You did?”

He nodded, resting his hand on the arm rest, his palm facing upwards and open, and he glanced at it and then back at her, “Come on, I’ll tell you all about it.”

The plane was really speeding now so she slipped her hand into his. Which was large and warm without being clammy. She should have wiped her own on her pants, she realized but he didn’t seem to mind as he interlaced their fingers. She felt the wheels start to lift and her knuckles went white she was squeezing his hand so hard.

“Okay so my sister, Sansa is married to one of my best friends, Jon. They wanted children right away,” he shook his head, “Which we were all pretty surprised about. Anyway, Sansa is about eight months pregnant and they find out that Jon’s mentor – honestly more of a father figure than anything else – who lives up on Bear Island – is sick. Like really sick. He’s telling Jon not to go, that he’ll be fine, and Jon doesn’t want to leave Sansa, but Sansa being Sansa convinces him that he has to because you know, it’s his Dad basically, right?”

“Right,” she nodded, because it seemed like he wanted to make sure she was still with him.

“So anyway,” he went on, “I’m at the office in a meeting late one night and I get a call from Sansa, telling me that she thinks her water broke. I’ve got like, twenty junior employees looking at me as I have a full blown meltdown -,” she hadn’t realized that she’d giggled until he stopped and grinned at her, “It wasn’t pretty. But I’m running out of there like a bat out of hell and calling Jon on my way to go get her. At this point, Mormont’s really bad, but he and Jon have said the things they needed to say and made their peace with it, but of course there is a huge storm.”

“Every good story needs a huge storm,” she noted.

He grinned at her, “I agree. And this one was a doozy. So it became pretty clear that Jon was not going to make it home, and of course he is freaking out because it’s only been a little over eight months and you know um, you don’t know him but this is not the sort of guy that like… handles not being able to be there for Sansa well? Like if he could have given birth he a hundred percent would have and I know that’s easy to say since like… he can’t but he seriously would have. The man loses his mind when she’s got a slight fever. So you can imagine that he was just… anyway. I go get Sansa and take her to the hospital. And it’s early so you know there’s um, a lot of attention on her and everything. But she’s just… calm. I’ve never seen anything like it. She’s just calm. She’s listening to the doctors and she’s telling Jon that everything’s going to be fine and then for a minute it’s just us in the delivery room,” he shook his head and it almost seemed like his eyes were smarting and she squeezed his hand. He looked down at it for a second and then squeezed it back and went on, “And she looked at me and she said, Robby, it’s time to call in my big favor. And I realized then how scared she really was and after that it sort of um… became easy? I guess, to be calm. Because she needed me to be so… anyway, she squeezed the shit out of my hand for five hours and then my nephew was born.”

“Happy and heathy?” she wondered.

He smiled, “Happy and healthy and howling… do you want to hear the weird bit?”

“Has anyone ever said no to that question?” she wondered.

His eyes smiled though he didn’t and he said, “We called Jon to give him the good news, and after the appropriate celebrating, he gave us the bad news. Mormont had died minutes – we later found out a minute – before the baby was born,” she felt a shiver run down her spine and he squeezed her hand, “I know. So, when it came time to name him, Joer was the only option, really.”

“Wow,” she agreed, “That is quite a story.”

He smiled at her and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb, “How are you doing?”

She looked around and realized that they were in the air securely. The fasten seatbelt sign was even turned off.

“Oh I’m sorry!” she went to pull her hand back.

“Don’t be, you’re far gentler than Sansa,” he told her and she bit her lip to hide her smile, “And I’ll let go if you promise to grab it if you need to.”

Now that they weren’t barreling down the runway, she was able to notice just how blue his eyes were.

“Promise,” she said.

He didn’t let her hand go right away, and she didn’t let go of his so quickly either. Their fingers relaxed against one another’s, and she dragged her hand ever so slightly against his. He shivered and she looked at him.

“You alright?” she wondered.

“Fine,” he nodded, looking down at their hands briefly, “And I’m Robb, by the way.”

“Myrcella,” she introduced herself, “Thank you, I know I said you didn’t need to help, but you really did.”

“My pleasure,” he told her.

“Are you sure you don’t want to pretend to read that book?” she asked, “I won’t be offended.”

He looked at her and then at the book and then placed it in the pocket in front of him.

“So what brings you to Dragonstone, Myrcella?” he asked.

“Wedding, my cousin’s,” she told him. “How about you?”

“Engagement party,” he answered, a slight shake of his head. “Sansa and Jon and baby Joer will be there, too.”

“That’s exciting,” she smiled, “I can’t wait to be an Aunt. Not sure how good of a mother I’d be, but I feel like I could really excel at the whole Auntie thing.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked her, “Are you going to be the fun aunt –“

“Obviously,” she interrupted.

He chuckled, and nodded, “Obviously.”

And so it went. They talked about the different things they wanted to do with their respective (mostly hypothetical) nieces and nephews. How long they’d each lived in the Riverlands (since university, for him, two years, for her). She told him about the beach he had to get to while on Dragonstone, where he could eat the best lobster roll of his whole life.

When it came time for their descent, neither of them said a thing about it, but his hand took hold of hers and they kept talking.

“Look, um, Myrcella,” he started, “Don’t feel any pressure or anything, I mean, this could just be the most enjoyable flight of my life and leave it at that but I’d regret not asking so… is there any chance I could take you out when we both get back?”

She’d been hoping he’d ask, but she shook her head, “No… but I’d love to take you out as a thank you for getting me through it.”

He narrowed his eyes at her and laughed, “That was meaner than the dead grandmother thing.”

She grinned, “I’m sorry,” and then pulled out her phone and handed it to him.

He put in his number and now that she could take her phone off of airplane mode she texted him so that he had hers. It was unlike her, usually she’d play harder to get.

Then again, usually she was less interested in being caught.

***

She was still thinking about him as she straightened the hem of Shireen’s gown.

When she stood up, all thoughts escaped her apart from one.

“You are the most beautiful bride this world has ever seen,” she told her.

“By a very wide margin,” Gendry agreed at her side. “And the most mischievous. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

Shireen giggled, “We wanted it to be a surprise.”

“You told her,” Gendry reminded her.

“Well duh, she’s my maid of honor,” Shireen said, looking at her with tears in her eyes and holding out her hand, “And the closest thing to a sister I’ll ever have.”

“Don’t,” Myrcella pleaded, squeezing her hand, “Your make up is perfect.”

Shireen laughed, though in truth she cared little for her make up. She really was the worst bridezilla ever. Low maintenance was the only way to describe her.

She hadn’t wanted the hoopla that went with planning a big wedding, so instead had invited everyone for an engagement party which in a few minutes they’d all learn was actually the wedding.

Shireen looked up at Gendry, “You’ll give me away, right?”

Gendry glanced at her before nodding at Shireen, “Of course I will.”

Neither of them said what they wanted to. That her Dad should have been there. Even if it was a surprise wedding, even if he didn’t know, he should have been at her engagement party.

“Perfect,” Shireen said, looking in the mirror and fixing her veil, “Alright, I’m ready. Myrcella you can head out as soon as you start hearing the music, and then we’ll follow. Ooh and remind me afterwards that I wanted to introduce you to Theon’s best man.”

Myrcella laughed and kissed her cousin on the cheek, “Why don’t you focus on getting yourself married and then you can work on me getting married.”

Besides, what are the chances that his best man will be a better one than Robb?

Shireen agreed and Myrcella grabbed the bouquet of wildflowers that she never would think to use for her own wedding but which were beautiful and perfect for the laidback, seaside wedding this was.

The music started, a single violinist playing an instrumental version of the old school hip hop song that Shireen had declared was her and Theon’s song, as it was playing on the radio in the car right after their first big fight.

Someone else had told the guests a few minutes earlier that they were actually here for a wedding, so they were standing on either side of an aisle, though it was clear there was no rhyme or reason to it, no bride’s side or groom’s side, exactly as it should be.

She walked down the short aisle and smiled at Theon as she settled across from him. Out of curiosity she glanced behind him at his best man, who was grinning at her from ear to ear.

Because of course it was him.

She’d almost asked, the name of the person whose engagement party it was, but there’d been so many other things to talk about and it had slipped her mind.

Only Shireen walking down the aisle could have torn her gaze from Robb’s blue eyes and she fought tears as she saw the way Theon’s heart seemed to stop when he saw her.

Their vows were simple, and sweet, and funny, and fifteen minutes later, Shireen Greyjoy walked back down the aisle on the arm of her husband.

Robb should have offered her his arm, but instead he held out his hand which she took readily, their fingers interlacing as though well practiced in it.

“I thought you were here for an engagement party,” she teased.

He chuckled, “If I wasn’t so happy to see you, I’d be pissed that clearly you made the cut for knowing it was actually a wedding and I didn’t.”

She smiled, “If it helps, Shireen is dying to set us up.”

“Yeah, Theon assured me that there was no way the chick I met on the plane was hotter than you,” he grinned. Then his eyes wandered over her, “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thank you,” she looked up into his blue eyes, made brighter by his navy blue suit, “So do you.”

And it was clear then, as clearer than anything ever had been though it made little sense at all, that one day this would be a part of the family lore, just like him holding his sister’s hand in the delivery room. Over the years they’d perfect it, this story, that they’d have to tell over and over again that night, interlacing parts of it as seamlessly as their fingers.

When he pulled her out onto the dance floor and into his arms, it seemed like he knew it too.

“So I know I said I wanted to take you out when we were back home,” he noted, “But I’ve heard there’s a pretty good lobster roll around here… It’s not the most glamorous first date or anything but…”

She laughed, “Well then this can be our first date. A lobster roll feels like a perfect second one. When do you fly back?”

“Sunday night, the seven o’clock flight,” he told her.

She smiled, “Me too. So that can be our third date.”

“Our third date on an airplane, hmm,” he mused in a voice that sent a shiver down her spine.

She wondered if he was thinking what she was. All those expectations that came with a third date.

Though in truth given that they were at a wedding where the alcohol was flowing freely and he was looking at her like that while he was looking like that, she doubted she’d be following the three date rule.

Even still, the mile-high club lingered in the air between them.

“Well,” she looked up at him, “You’ll have to find some way to distract me. I’m terribly afraid of flying, you know.”

He grinned, and pulled her closer to him, his lips against her ear, “Oh it’d be my pleasure to help.”

[blazedgraysons]

Killing Me Softly

The one where Grayson falls in love in under 12 hours

A/N: Here’s another fic inspired by literally nothing. I am pretty proud of this one though. To all the people who said nice things about Drunk Off You, just know that I read every single one of them and you own my heart and soul. Also, I know literally no one knows who I am but feel free to send asks or messages. I pinky promise to respond. ♡

Word Count: 1.7K

Pairing: Grayson Dolan x OC (Harlow)

Warnings: nothing really, it’s pretty tame minus a lil angst towards the end. 

“Are you B29?”

Harlow removes an earbud, looking up to meet big brown eyes staring back at her. It’s hard not to notice the rest of the man standing in the aisle.

Brown hair flops over his forehead as she moves her eyes down to appreciate the soft scuff lining his chin - not quite a beard, but not quite stubble. He’s dressed casually in a gym shirt that outlines every single bulging muscle paired with grey sweatpants and some Louis Vuitton slides. She nods slightly to his question, hoping the adonis of a man doesn’t notice that slight blush that’s appeared on her face. He offers her a gracious smile and effortlessly slings his carry-on into the overhead cabin.

“Looks like we’re neighbors then.” Harlow hums in acknowledgment, not sure why he’s so friendly. Most passengers would’ve just grabbed their seat and slept or occupied themselves, but this man intends on making himself known.

He slides into the neighboring seat, and Harlow is instantly overwhelmed. If she thought he looked good from afar, up close was even better. Here she could appreciate all the minute details — the dark mole on his chin, the expensive cologne, the 333 tattoo behind his ear. It took everything in her not to stare, so instead, she settles for quick glances hoping he would be too occupied by his phone to pay her any attention. If he did notice, he spared Harlow further embarrassment by not saying anything. She turns back to her magazine, a random Vogue issue she picked up in the airport convenience store to pass the time, mentally telling herself to calm down in order to get through the next three hours.

“ I’m Grayson, by the way. Just in case we crash, and you need to identify me.” He jokes, smiling widely and — oh shit, does he have a diamond in his tooth? Harlow is so screwed. 

—-

Grayson’s never been a big believer in fate until now. The idea of some external force dictating a situation in your life just seemed like bullshit. Yet, Grayson couldn’t describe meeting Harlow as anything else.

He had been irritated all the way up to that point. An overbooked plane forced him off his original flight and away from his twin brother. Ethan had offered to go with him, but Grayson didn’t see a point in delaying their trip even further and told him he’d meet him in Jersey. While the airline was over apologetic and gave him (terrible) perks, in order to make the next flight, he had to sacrifice his first-class seat for an economy red-eye flight. But at least he had a shitty hot towel to make up for it.

He scowled all the way through the check-in and tarmac, vowing to never fly with JetBlue again as he passed the first-class seats that he couldn’t help but stubbornly think, ‘That should be mine.’

It wasn’t until he reached his row that he realized what he thought was a hindrance was actually a blessing. Because there sitting in the seat next to him was a beauty that could only be described as ethereal. Her long, dark hair tumbles in tight coils down her shoulders as she sits crossed-leg, hunched over a magazine, biting her lip in furrowed concentration. She bobs her head slightly to whatever song she’s listening to as she quickly flips through the pages. She tucks her hair behind her shoulder, revealing blemished copper skin that reflects the light.

A small voice in his head (that suspiciously sounds like Ethan) tells him to stop being weird and talk to her. Before he can justify themillion reasons why he shouldn’t, an annoying cough comes from the lady behind him.

He turns around to glare at her a little and asks the mystery girl her seat number with a smile that he hopes comes off as charming and not predatory.

And fuck, he knows she has to be a blessing because she looks like she was sent straight from the gates of heaven to Grayson’s heart. Ironically, the plane’s fluorescent lights form a halo around her head (‘Or maybe you’re finally losing it.’ Ethan's voice tells him.) He blinks, once, twice, three times before realizing that the girl in front of him isn’t a sleep-deprived hallucination and is actually real. He tries to act unaffected by the slow once-over her round, onyx eyes give him. Still, when he notices her eyes lingering on his chest and thighs, he swallows hard before throwing his suitcase into the overhead and sitting down. 

The grumpy lady behind him gives him a look as she moves down the aisle, and he whips out his phone for a welcomed distraction. The girl, unaware of the havoc she was wreaking on Grayson’s mind and body, continues to sneak looks at him that were a little too obvious for Grayson to not notice. He debates whether or not to ask for her name until she turns back to her magazine and Grayson figures that she doesn’t want to be bothered anymore. It wasn’t until the voice in his head repeatedly calls him a pussy (‘Shut up, Ethan’ he thinks back) that he introduces himself. And when her plump lips turn up into a smile, Grayson pretends to not notice how screwed he is. 

—-

Conversation flows smoothly between the two of them after that. Grayson explains the situation with his original flight and his plans to surprise his mom for mother’s day while Harlow talks about her little brother and the birthday party she helped plan for him this weekend. They talk for so long that their conversation turns from typical discussion to hushed whispers to not disturb the other sleeping passengers. They finally pause for a break when the beverage attendant stops at their row.

Harlow’s honestly glad for the lull in conversation as it gives her time to reflect over what she’s learned. Grayson appears to be very humble despite being heavily involved in the influencer scene in Los Angeles, something Harlow desperately tries to stay far away from herself. Also, despite being one of the hottest guys she’s ever seen, he seems to be so shy that it’s endearing. She notices he stumbles over words, getting so excited about their conversations that he trips himself up.

“So in LA, what do you do for fun? Any friends? Boyfriend?” He asks coolly, trying not to be obvious about his intentions (which makes it so much more apparent in Harlow’s eyes) as he drinks his diet root-beer.

“I work for a high- fashion company doing PR, so I’m always there. I have a couple close friends, but since I’m working so much, I haven’t had that much time for a relationship or finding a guy worth making time for.” Harlow sighs wistfully.

“Ah, that makes sense about the magazine.” He nods, trying to hide his excitement. This situation seems to be working more and more in his favor. “And what guy would be worth making time for?”

“I don’t know honestly. It just seems that all the guys I run into in LA are beyond superficial. All my dates have just been talking about how many followers they have on Instagram or TikTok and just end in hookups. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just hard when you want something more, you know?” She shrugs. And as much as Grayson hates to admit it, he does know. Hell, he’s probably been that guy once or twice in his younger years. Still, as he grows older, he craves the same things Harlow does: intimacy, connection, emotion. He takes another swallow of his drink before responding.

“Yeah, I mean hookups and one-night stands are great in the moment, but it’s hard when you just have love you want to give. It’s even harder now that my brother’s dating someone, ya know. Seeing someone you’re close with have what you want; it’s kinda hard not to be jealous.” He shares, hoping she relates and doesn’t think he’s weird for telling so much to someone he met a few hours earlier.

Harlow sits with that for a second before responding, “And what girl would you want to give your love to?” She whispers.

’Someone like you.’ Grayson thinks. But before he could make the bold confession, the plane announces its descent.

——

Grayson realizes almost immediately that he wasn’t paying that much attention to the flight details because the fact that there was a layover in Colorado flew over his head. He lets Harlow pass by him to stand in the aisle and grabs both his and her carry-on to take off the plane. As Grayson stands behind her (and tries not to stare at how incredible her ass looks in her leggings), he does what he’s best at: forming a game-plan. He realizes that a girl like Harlow is too good to let go. So, he figures he could grab a coffee with her, get her number, and plan a date for when they both are back in LA. He smiles, already thinking of the story he’ll get to tell Ethan when he gets to Jersey. As they both slowly move into the terminal, Harlow turns back to Grayson with a bright smile. He smiles back before asking —

“Do you want to get coffee?” He can’t help his heart from swelling as she bites her lip, a habit he notices she does a lot.

“Good, I thought you weren’t going to ask.” She laughs. “Wait here though, I have to run to the restroom.”

He nods, handing Harlow her carry-on. He sits down and pulls out his phone, already texting Ethan that he met his future soulmate.

Five minutes pass: He’s got the future planned out: the wedding, the kids, the farmland in Jersey and the tiny-home in Australia.

Ten minutes pass: He starts to get worried, but figures Harlow can handle herself.

Thirty minutes pass: He considers sending someone to the bathroom to check on her.

Two hours passed: He’s already cased the domestic airline terminal twice, looking for her dark curly hair. 

It’s not until the final call of flight 437-A to New Jersey that he understands: Harlow’s not coming back for him. And he can’t help it when his heart splits into two.

[kenzieam]

Want to Waste - Chapter One

Rating: M

Warnings: Drama, angst, language, smut and bad language

Word Count: 1768

Tags: @jewels2876​​  @moonbeambucky​​  @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​​  @iammarylastar​​ @captstefanbrandt​​  @badassbaker​​  @pinknerdpanda​​  @oliviastan17​​ @mizzzpink​​​

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

Lev and Bucky don’t get along but always seemed to get tossed together when their respective fiance’s, Steve and Nat, have to work on another project together. The last straw comes when Steve and Nat have to bail on a long anticipated vacation and Lev and Bucky decide to go anyway. What could possibly happen between two wounded people in paradise?

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

“Oh, its only you.” Lev remarked, dropping into the booth.

“Yup,” Bucky drawled, leaning back insolently and resting his arm across the back.

“Nat late again?”

“You know it. Steve too?”

“You see him stuck to my ass?”

“Touché, Red.”

“Sorry.”

“Have a drink, maybe you’ll actually loosen up and sound sorry.”

Lev stuck her tongue out at him, rolling her eyes and he curled his lips in a wolf smile back.

The server appeared, having already brought Bucky his first drink a couple minutes ago.

“And for the lady?”

Lev considered something snarky, the guy was eying them like they were together or something equally outlandish. “Sea Breeze.”

“Ooh, doesn’t that, like, have sugar in it?” Bucky quipped, affecting a surprisingly accurate ‘Cali from the Valley’ accent as the server left.

“Thought I needed that.”

“Take more than sugar to sweeten your salty ass up.”

“Fuck off.”

“You fuck off.”

“Aaannnndddd I see they’re getting along just perfectly without us!” Nat announced, dropping in beside Bucky with a smirk.

Bucky forgot his glower across the table for a minute and leaned over, pressing a kiss to his girlfriend’s cheek. “Work?”

Nat gave him a side-eye. “Of course, baby.”

“Sorry, sorry!” Steve sing-songed, bouncing Lev slightly when he fell beside her. He pressed a loud kiss to Lev’s cheek while Bucky made a face at her, which she returned with a curled lip. “Patterson keeps dropping these new projects on us.”

Lev swallowed her irritation and forced a smile. “That’s alright, we only had to share the same table for a few minutes.”

“Yeah, Lev didn’t even have time to really unsheathe her claws.” Bucky added helpfully.

Nat and Steve traded a look before dropping it, this argument had gone so far past old it was almost new again.

“So? What did the old man unload this time?” Bucky asked, pulling his attention away from Lev and looking again at his girlfriend.

Nat shared a look with Steve. “Another realignment of assets.”

Bucky growled, sounding displeased. “Like what… that one a few months back? You didn’t get home any time before ten for like two weeks!”

Lev felt her heart sinking, the same displeasure Bucky was showing heating her skin. That was the trouble with dating someone high up in their profession, one Steve Rogers, compounded by the fact that they worked with your best friend, Nat Romanoff, and so you were always getting left with their asshat boytoy, James Barnes, Nat’s long-time plaything, whenever they got held up at their office.

“It won’t be like that.” Nat replied, flicking a glance at Steve, who replied by dropping his head to Lev’s and nuzzling into her hair, trying to tease out a smile.

Lev bit back a reluctant giggle, still feeling irritated. Bucky was right, Steve had been AWOL too, and always tired when he finally did come home. “Can’t you pass it on to someone else?”

“Not if you want that fancy wedding.” Steve murmured, his voice tender, lips tickling her ear, making her shiver.

Lev leaned back, pushing at Steve’s chest. “That’s not me, I told you I wanted small, you keep adding people to the list.”

“You too?” Bucky chuckled, glancing across the table before looking fondly at Nat. “Every time I think we have the guest list settled; this little minx thinks of five more people to add.”

Nat flicked him a mild glower before rolling her eyes at Steve.

“What are you all having?” Steve changed the subject, lifting the menu to peruse it.

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

Three Weeks Later

Lev raised a brow as Bucky approached, looking past him with an increasingly disbelieving scowl. “No, not this time.”

Bucky shrugged as he reached her side, drawing his compact aluminum wheeled suitcase to a stop beside him. “She said she’d meet us here directly from the office.” The overhead announcements continued above them, announcing incoming and outgoing flights in a brisk monotone.

“That’s what Steve said! Dammit, they better not be late, this is the first vacation we’ve had in forever.”

Bucky lifted his shoulder again. “They cancelled on us last time.” He reminded her.

“Yeah, with two days notice, not when we were standing right in the damn terminal!”

“Easy, Red.”

“Stop calling me that!”

Bucky smirked, looking past her and gesturing with his chin. “Go have a drink, calm down.”

Lev fixed him with a glare. “You talk like that’s all I do, throw fits and drink.”

For the briefest second, something besides a smirk hovered on his face. “Sorry, I just like teasing you. You’re cute when you get pissed, like a wet kitten.” At Lev’s surprised look he hurried on. “I mean, I have to entertain myself somehow, sometimes it seems like I spend more time with you waiting for my fiancé than I do with her.”

Lev looked away, too weary to continue the spat. It was true, it seemed like lately she and Bucky were always getting dumped together when their significant others had to bail, but that didn’t mean Lev was going to just accept it happening again.

“Not this time.” Lev growled, wondering vaguely if the sheer power of her thought vibes would be enough to hurry Steve along and get his ass here in time.

Glancing at her, Bucky strode past, his case trundling behind to sit near a large wall of windows, various jets visible on the tarmac beyond and, sighing, Lev turned to follow.

******************************************************************                               Lev glanced at her phone screen, knee bouncing agitatedly. She stopped in surprise when Bucky’s hand appeared and rested briefly on her leg, pulling away before she could slap it.

He glanced mildly at her and Lev swallowed her angry retort. It wasn’t Bucky she was pissed at anyway.

“Want a bottle of water or something?” He asked casually.

In answer, Lev’s cell began to ring, and Lev focused on it, holding her breath; then, as Bucky’s began to chime as well, she fought not to moan.

With a quick glance at each other, both answered their respective phones, a mix of frustration, anger, resignation and sadness growing on both their faces for anyone watching to plainly see.

“Whatever, Steve.” Lev mumbled, hitting the end button. She glanced over at Bucky, staring down at his phone, having already hung up with a similar goodbye.

“Nat?”

“Who else?”

“Gotta work?”

“Yep.”

“Dammit.” Lev snarled, taking several long, deep breaths to calm back down.

“Well,” Bucky declared, struggling to sound airy, “this was fun, see you around, Lev.” He stood, straightening his shirt and glancing back towards the terminal.

“Wait, you’re just leaving?” Lev asked, a kernel of an idea forming in her mind.

“Yeah,” Bucky answered, frowning down at her. “Nat’s not coming, the vacation’s off.” He spoke slowly, as if Lev was somehow mentally deficient. Anger tightened his jaw, he wasn’t letting on to the same degree as she was, but Bucky was just as disappointed and pissed off as Lev.

“No.” Lev replied, mind racing. “No.” She looked up into Bucky’s wary eyes. “I paid for a vacation, I took the time off work, I’m going on my goddamn vacation.”

Bucky’s frown deepened. “But Steve’s not coming.”

“So? I hardly see him anymore, anyway, how is this any different?” Lev began to speak faster, warming to the idea. “I’m going.” She announced simply, standing, Bucky’s startled gaze lifting to follow. “Steve can waste his ticket, but I’m not. I’ve been looking forward to laying on that beach for months.” She started to march towards the gate then turned to eye Bucky. “What about you?”

Bucky shook his head, confused. “What, go on this vacation with you instead?”

Lev shrugged airily, feeling strangely free. “No, not with me. It’s a big beach, we have separate hotel rooms; we don’t even have to see each other after we land, but are you going to let Nat wreck another trip for you?”

A shadow passed over his face and he looked out through the windows, watching the planes for few beats. “No.” He replied, almost curtly. “No, I’m not. Let’s fucking go.” His face was all hard determination when he looked back at Lev. “You’re right, not again.”

Lev faltered, suddenly rethinking her previous conviction. What was she saying? Go to a tropical resort with someone not Steve? As quickly as the hesitation hit, it melted away. She wasn’t going with Bucky, she was simply flying in the same plane, staying in the same hotel, beyond that they would be entirely separate. “Not again.” She replied firmly.

A surprisingly attractive grin flashed across his face, stunning Lev for a moment then he grabbed his phone, a trace of annoyance bleeding back into his eyes. “Gonna tell Nat.”

Lev grabbed her own phone, tapping Steve’s icon. “Yep.”

******************************************************************************              Lev relaxed back into her seat, grateful that she’d paid the extra for the upgrade. In the row in front of her, Bucky rummaged for something in his carry-on.

“What?” Steve asked, sounding supremely confused. “You’re going?”

“Yeah,” Lev grinned at the flippant tone in her voice. “It’s non-refundable, maybe you’re fine losing your money, but I’m not.”

There was a beat of silence on the other end and Lev could imagine the thoughts running through Steve’s head, all being rapidly dismissed for sounding too selfish or privileged. Finally, he replied. “Well, if you’re sure.”

“I am. I have Bucky for company anyway.” Lev blinked, where had that come from?

Steve huffed faintly.

“C’mon, Steve. You leave him with me all the time. Besides, we’re not going to do anything.”

“No, I know.” There was something in his voice, the beginnings of guilt. “Lev, I’m sorry.” He sounded genuinely remorseful. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

She’d heard that before. “I’ll call you when we land, okay?”

“Okay, and Lev? I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Bucky’s head appeared over the seat. “Do you have any gum?”

Lev smirked, pulling out a pack and tossing it his way.

Later she drowsed, lulled by the sound of the engines, the comfortable seat, the warmth of the sun through her window. She didn’t regret leaving, not yet anyway but she did genuinely miss Steve beside her.

A body thudded into the aisle seat, Steve’s seat, startling her. Bucky grinned merrily back at her bleary glower.

“C’mon, Red. Don’t be like that. It’s weird sitting by yourself, besides, my screen’s not working.” He reached up, flicking on the viewing screen in the headrest of the seat he was just moments ago sitting in.

Lev grumbled and rolled partially away, her eyelids growing heavy again.