#like you two would be last people to know that you love each other

[starkeynation]

I love you, I’m sorry

A letter from reader to Rafe

Content: Angst, like PURE sad, the lamp looks weird, based on the song I love you, I’m sorry by Gracie Abrams (may or may not be accurate)

A/N: about that cliffhanger and happy ending, I changed my mind… also ignore any writing mistakes if there’s any and this was kinda rushed so I hope it still turns out good

Masterlist

dividers from @anitalenia

Rafe,

It is Saturday night. I should be out doing something, partying or whatever to enjoy myself, yet here i am, pen in hand, finding myself writing to you again. I know this letter will never reach you- it’ll end up crumpled at the bottom of my drawer or burned to ashes. Still, I can’t seem to stop myself.

It has been exactly two august ago since everything fell apart. I remember the way I laid it all out, raw, I wanted to be real, hoping that honesty would mend us. We weren’t perfect. Hell, we were far from it. We fought like fire and gasoline, burning everything we touched. Jealousy leads us to mistrust each other but even then, I didn’t think it would end the way it did. I never thought that fight would be the last..the final, devastating blow before you ghosted me and blocked me everywhere.

I swear it wasn’t my intention to break up with you, I thought by exposing the cracks, we could patch them together. Instead, the truth just ended up pushing you away. When you drove off in your Benz and left me standing at my gate, it felt like everything had stopped. The time, the world, my heart…everything froze. I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to scream, I wanted to stop you, beg you to stay, to tell you that we could still save us but you didn’t look back, and i was too late.

Now, i watch you from a distance as you become successful, helping your dad doing business, running Cameron’s development like you were born to do it. I heard your name whispered in admiration at the club where I work, how you charm people the way you trained for. And you know what? I’m so so proud of you Rafe. I always knew you had it in you. I’ll be rooting for you always, even from the shadows.

Maybe two summers from now we’ll be talking again at some point, exchange smiles, our lives untangled and we’re cool again. I can picture you’ll be in your family’s jet, travelling, and me, on my boat moving on with our own lives. By then, i hope..im actually ready to move on. I know you’ve already moved on- I mean, why wouldn’t you? Still, there’s part of me wish that you wouldn’t yet, and maybe, just maybe, you would take me back.

But that’s just selfish isn’t it? I was selfish when we were together too. I made everything about me, i was inconsiderate, I turn something small into raging battles. I didn’t listen, didn’t see you for who you were. I’m ashamed of the person I was, of the mistakes I made. After everything i did, I’m surprised you haven’t send someone to kill me yet.

Lately I find myself sitting on the porch, watching sunsets like we used to, with a glass of something strong in my hand. I laugh at myself, at the crash I made, because what else can I do? It’s a twisted kind of coping—laughing at my own heartbreak. It doesn’t feel real and it’s really hard to let go but i guess that’s just the way life goes.

I know i was a dick, Rafe. I had too many flaws to count but as sick as it sounds, I loved you first. You’ll always be my first love. You were the best and the worst thing that ever happened to me, a storm that left me shattered but alive. Your love had impact me deeply, it is carved in my soul. No matter where we are, i want you to know that I’ll carry the past and the weight of my mistakes with me. Trust me, it will always, haunt me.

I regret every second for not treating you well, for not being the person you needed. Lastly, i want you to know that I still, truly, deeply, love you, I’m sorry.

*Ding* you heard the bell rings. You rush downstairs to answer the door.

“Pizza delivery”, says the delivery boy standing in front of you. You almost forgot you ordered one, an hour ago. You take your prepaid alfredo chicken pizza and thank him. It was Rafe’s favourite pizza, you’re not sure if it’s still his favourite though. After shutting the door, you walk to your kitchen.

Just two seconds later, *ding* the bell rings again. Did the delivery boy forget anything? You thought.

You open the door, “yes-“ you pause. You couldn’t believe it, standing right in front of you,

“Topper?”

“Topper what are you doing here?” you ask, your voice laced with confusion.

He then steps aside and reveals a man behind him, lying on the steps of your porch- a man whose silhouette you’d recognize anywhere. “Rafe,” you whisper.

“Shit I’m sorry to bother you but this dumbass got into an accident for driving while he’s high,” Topper blurts out, panickly.

Your brow furrowing and your confusion deepens. You walk closer to Rafe and spot the blood dripping from his head, “Accident? What? Then why do you bring him here instead of the hospital?” You ask, your voice sharp, slicing through the chaos of the moment.

“He won’t let me. He insisted I bring him here to see you,” Topper explains.

“Y/n,” Rafe speaks up, his voice low and strained.

Your heart skips a beat. It’s like the universe has stopped spinning again. This is the first time you hear him calling your name after two whole years.

“Hey Rafe, you’re bleeding,” you say, your voice mix with feelings.

“I’m fine,” he says, giving a soft, disarming smile while trying to sit up.

You instruct Topper to go find some cloth to stop the bleeding. As he dissapears, you sit on your knees facing to Rafe, “Rafe, what happened? Why are you here?” you ask, still have no clue of what’s going on here.

“I wanted to see you,” he replies, putting on that damn smile again, the one that’s always managed to unravel you. “I miss you, y/n.”

Your face goes pale, your eyes widens, the words hang in the hair, heavy and unexpected. “Rafe, you’re drunk,” you accuse, trying to make sense of what’s happening right now.

“No, I’m not, i swear I’m very conscious right now,” he insists, his voice firm. You’re still not sure if he’s telling the truth or not. “I really miss you, y/n,” he continues, his voice low but still clear for you to hear it.

Your heart aches, torn between disbelief and the undeniable pull of his words. “How hard did you hit your head? God, you’re still bleeding. We need to see a doctor,” you say, trying to stand up, but he grabs your hand, pulling you back down.

“Stop it, I’m fine i swear…this is nothing,” he says waving off the concern. Just then, Topper returns with a towel in his hand. He hands the towel to you and says, “dude, are you sure you’re okay? When i saw your car there were smokes everywhere. Looks like you hit that tree pretty hard,” his voice fill with concern.

“I’m fine Top, just go. I need to talk to y/n,” Rafe says with a dismissive wave. Topper hesitates, he looks at you for confirmation as if you’re the one in charge here. You nod at him, signalling an approval, “s’okay Top i can handle this.”

“Okay, just call me if anything happens,” he says. “Thank you,” you mutter softly to Topper as he’s leaving towards his car.

With Topper gone, you shift your focus back to Rafe. You take the towel and start dabbing on the blood on his forehead, “we still need to get this stitched up,” you say. Rafe then grabs your wrist, his grip firm but not forceful, “look at me,” he demands.

You look at him straight in the eyes, drowning in his blue eyes. It’s overwhelming- staring at the man that you love but no longer yours.

“I do mean what i said, i miss you y/n and i wanted to see you,” he says, his tone steady and sure.

“But why now?” You ask, your voice breaking under the weight of the question.

“Sar..Sarah told me tonight that you’ve been writing letters about me. She found them stashed under your bed,” he says, hesitantly.

Your stomach drops and you shake your head in disbelief, “God…i knew it there was something wrong. She was acting so weird when she left this morning,” you mutter.

“So it’s true? You’ve been writing about me?”

Your face is turning red, you’re struggling to find the words. “I- yes…I’ve been writing letters. Pretending like I’m gonna send it to you but i never do,” you stutter.

“Why didn’t you just send them?” He presses, his voice low, almost pleading.

“You know why Rafe…you’ve moved on. You blocked me few months after we broke up. You’re thriving now with your job, you got your whole life together, and I- I was the reason why we broke up. I can’t just crawl my way back into your life like nothing happened,” you shatter, your voice breaking as you’re struggling to control your tears.

Rafe shakes his head. He brushes his thumb over your knuckles and kisses it. “You’re wrong y/n, you’re absolutely wrong. I’ve been doing nothing over the past two years except than trying to forget about you. That’s why I’ve been doing all these jobs, thinking it could distract me, but no,” he shakes his head again. “Nothing could make me stop thinking about you.”

His confession leaves you breathless, your tears streaming down your face as he continues. “About the blocking and disappearing, I’m really sorry, I was a coward. The truth is, that day i came to your house to apologize. Then, as I stood outside, i saw you were laughing with jj through your window. I knew you guys were not together cause after jj left, I may or may not have confronted him…” he then mouthed sorry. “But then, I remember the way you looked so happy when you’re with him. At that time, I knew I had to let you go cause you deserve someone better and you deserve to be happy so that’s why I blocked you..as if that makes any difference.”

You idiot,” you scoff. “I never wanted anyone else, only you Rafe, only you. You’re the only one who could truly make me happy.”

His eyes glisten, his smile soft and hesitant. “Please forgive me y/n, I swear I’m a better person now and I love- I love you, so much. I still do.”

You reach up, caress his cheek and pull him in for a kiss. “I love you too Rafe,” you whisper. He cups your face and returns the kiss. The kiss is passionate, slow and tender. His lip is so soft and only god knows how much you miss this. The world fades around you, leaving only the two of you, two broken pieces finding their way back to each other.

You pull away from his face and let out a giggle. “Why are you laughing?” He asks, can’t help but let out a soft giggle too.

“Before you came I was actually writing another letter for you,” you admit, a shy smile appears on your face.

“Oh really? Tell me about it baby,” he smirks. Your smile widens at the sound of the nickname that rolls out from his mouth. “Mm I miss that. You, calling me baby. Anyways, it’s in my room, wanna come in?” You ask.

He shakes his head, pulling you closer as he leans back against the stairs railing. “Hmm in a bit sweetheart, you can tell me here while we stargaze. I missed your porch- and mostly you, of course,” he replies with a faint smile.

So you do. You talk to him about the letter while your head rest on his shoulder and your fingers intertwined. “Lastly I wrote, I love you, I’m sorry,” you say, explaining the last content of the letter. But then, you realise he has gone quiet. His stillness unsettling. You glance up to him, “Rafe?” He’s not responding. You check his pulse but there is none. Panic sets in as you shake him, calling his name.

“Rafe”

“Rafe, wake up”

“Wake up!”

“Wake up!”

“Y/n”

“Y/n”

“Y/n, wake up”

You gasp, your heart is pounding like a drum. You’re sweating all over your body as reality crashes down. It was a nightmare.

“Hey..baby you okay?” You turn your head to your right and realise it’s Rafe. He’s okay, he’s alive and he’s sitting on the bed next to you. Relief floods through you like a tidal wave.

“Is it the nightmare again?” He asks. You nod, signalling him that he’s right.

“It’s okay baby I got you. Here, come back to sleep,” he says, gently pulling you into his arms. You smile and cuddle him, clinging to the illusion of safety his embrace provides. You close your eyes again trying to fall back to sleep till your alarm suddenly rings.

You wake up with a tear running down your cheek. You hit the snooze button and realise that was a dream and this time, it’s the true reality. You look to the other side of your bed, it’s empty. It always has been for quite a while now. The truth is, that night after Rafe collapsed, you called for an ambulance. On the way to the hospital, they try everything to make his heart beat again, but nothing works. It was too late. He had lost too many blood before that you weren’t aware of and that same night, Rafe had died in your arms.

It’s been 3 years since the tragic. You keep having the same dream almost every night. Part of you is grateful that you and Rafe had ended in good terms but another part of you knows that the truth is you’ll never get the chance to redeem yourself and be a better partner. There’s nothing remaining other than the memories that will haunt you forever.

Rafe, if you’re hearing this, I love you, I’m sorry.

Like and reblog if you want to kys after reading this😇☺️

[nostalgiabearr]

life is so good

☆ pairing: stonerbf!hyunjin x reader

☆ genre: smut, fluff MDNI 18+

☆ word count: 1k

☆ synopsis: it's been a hard week at work and you really need your boyfriend and a smoke sesh

☆ warnings: weed, smoking weed, unprotected sex (don't!), creampie, nipple play, hyunjin drives a truck lmao??

☆ a/n: y'all cannot tell me this hyunjin wouldn't at least smoke weed. also first work on here omg!! pls pls pls don't hesitate to give feedback

as the end of the week approached, you were feeling exhausted. work felt like it had taken up all your time this week and you barely got to see your lover. thankfully, he was all sprawled out on the couch seemingly lost in his own world. you always admired how he could find the positive in everything.

“hey baby,” you said, kissing him on his cheek to pull him out of his daze, “could we go on a drive? i really need a break.” drive and break were usually code words for i really need my baby and i really need weed.

hyunjin smiled as he leaned in for a full kiss and pushed himself up to embrace you. “of course my love. to the overpass?”

“you know me so well,” you said as you helped him up to his feet. on the way out, hyunjin grabbed some joints, and you stole his long hooded cardigan from him. he couldn’t help but notice your dangerously cropped tank and short shorts that barely left anything to the imagination, and you didn’t make it better by draping his clothes over it.

hyunjin helped you climb into the passenger side of his truck and made his way over to the other side to get going. when you two first started seeing each other, you always thought how odd it was that he owned a truck since he was the complete opposite of the typical truck driver. your opinion, however, changed real fast that first night he laid you down on the truck bed to stargaze and later fuck you. now you shared many nights with him smoking, eating, laughing, and fucking in that truck that it could not be a more perfect vehicle for him to own. tonight would be another one of those perfect nights with your perfect boy.

after a quick drive, you two were situated under your favorite abandoned freeway. nestled into the corner of the truck bed, hyunjin took out a joint, pressing it between your lips and flicking the lighter to life. as you took a long drag, hyunjin rested his head in your lap and gazed lovingly up at you.

“tell me what’s wrong baby?” he said before stealing a hit of the joint himself. It was always so easy to open up to him regardless of his carefree nature. hyunjin knew how to be serious when you really needed it and you appreciated that so much. being with him rarely had its down days, but life outside your bubble was sure to not live up to your standards.

as you ranted about rude customers and how your manager somehow stuck the stick up his ass even deeper, hyunjin rubbed slow circles into your thighs. your thin shorts were practically exposing your pussy and hyunjin knew how needy a rough week and weed would leave you. gripping your thigh even tighter, hyunjin maneuvered you to straddle his lap and get even closer to him. 

“remember baby, the world and love are on our side. those people have nothing but karma on their side if they can be mean to my girl.” there was that famous catchphrase of his once again. hyunjin always reminded you that the world and love had you in good hands and everyone else was miserable because they didn’t understand that concept.

with a sigh, you shifted down even harder onto his lap, earning a groan from him. “thank you for listening baby,” you said grabbing the now withered joint from his hands. taking the last hit from it, you ushered him closer and blew the smoke into his mouth as you kissed him deeply. hyunjin’s arms snaked around to your waist as he inhaled the bits you blew into him.

he knew how needy you got, suspecting earlier when you walked in the door from work how this night would end. you were always so in awe of how in tune he was with your emotions, always open to listen, but knowing you had to come to him first before offering his open arms.

sex was pretty much the same, the two of you now moving in sync, grinding against each other as your kisses got sloppier. hyunjin’s hands wandered slowly against your form eventually shrugging his cardigan off your shoulders so he could get a better look at you. his lips fell from yours to stare for a moment before caressing his hands under your short tank top and moving the thin fabric away from your hardening nipples. his lips quickly attached to one while one hand moved from your hips to twist your nipple slowly.

eventually, you had enough and hastily undid his jeans to reveal his straining cock. with his help, you moved your shorts to the side and sunk slowly onto him. time always seemed to stop during sex with hyunjin, but it truly ceased to exist when high. it was like your bodies melted together like this, and with the stars above you, it seemed as if you two were the last people on earth.

as you started to ride him, hyunjin sat up to be able to whisper sweet nothings in your ear and hold you impossibly close.

“my baby is so so good for me, going dumb on my cock and making me see stars.”

soon your slow thrusts turned desperate ruts against each other, your orgasms both quickly approaching. hyunjin’s grip on your hips became bruising as he kissed you sloppily once again urging you to both release at the same time.

“so fucking good, hyune. Gonna cum.”

“me too baby. let all your worries go.” with that, you both let out high pitched moans and slowed your thrusts down as you came against each other. a little piece of each other coming together to fill each other with so much love.

neither of you could muster the energy to pull off each other, instead opting to stare at the stars once again. nothing could beat the feeling of being high on each other, the weed now pretty much out of your systems.

“better now baby?” hyunjin asked as he played with your hair.

“mhm. life is so good with you my love.”

[fawninthesnow]

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥: One Shot

𐙚 Marcus acacius x fem!reader/emperor geta x fem!reader 𐙚 18+

Summary: You are the Empress of Rome in a mundane marriage to Emperor Geta. After a military banquet, you find yourself in the bedroom of his subordinate, Marcus Acacius.

Warnings/Contains: fem reader, smut, teasing, pinning, [slight] dirty talk, unprotected sex, cheating, deny orgm, not proof read,

Word Count: 2.5k

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“I did not think you would remember my name.” Acacius remarked.

“With all you do for this great country…how could I, *Marcus* Acacius?” You smiled in the shade as two servants fanned your tanned skin.

He chuckled with a sly grin while holding the ball in both his hands, tossing it back and forth. “Why did you say that so condescendingly? I would love to hear something genuine coming out of your mouth. After all, you’re the empress.” He laughed before clearing his throat.

“So, I should kiss your ass?”

“In no way, Miss.”

“How about this…” You touch your chin, your [e/c] eyes falling on his chest and strong biceps. “Thank you, Marcus.” You said, touching your thigh. You smiled at his cheeks as they flushed pink.

“I apologize, Miss, in case I disrespected you.”

“It’s water under the bridge, isn’t that right?” He listened to the laughed in your voice as you stood nearly against him now. He inhaled the vanilla and Lily scent off your body. He craved to pull you into his embrace and just taste, a simple taste of your neck. To press his lips on your warm honey skin and suck on your nipples, squeeze and touch you until you could no longer take it

“Your dessert, Miss [].” A server offered you a sweet dessert on a silver platter with a heavy silver spoon. There was a period of silence as the two took in their surroundings and the people who filled that space.

“Lady [y/n], are you and your better half still coming to the Banquet? I know the emperor has not made many appearances.”

You licked a swirl of cream from the spoon. Marcus grew flustered— not that you cared to notice but your eyes fell to his hands. “We will be there.” The sound of her finger leaving her mouth and cream filling on her tongue made his loins ache. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Marcus stayed still. That same small smirk. That same tilt of his head that made his hair shift. That same look of desire and determination to grab and take that seductive woman into his arms, into his rough hands. “Well. I should be going. Enjoy the rest of your day off...” Marcus smiled as he looked away from you.

**That night.**

After a dance, you found yourself on the main balcony. You caught your breath, feeling the cool breeze on your bosom and as it flowed in your dress. “Feeling alright?” Marcus’s melancholy and calm voice touched her ears.

Without turning around to him, you responded. “Yes.” Her tone was that of a question (nearly).

He smiled, moving to your side. “Wine?”

You took the offered glass and smiled, “Thank you, Mister Acacius.”

“Of course, Miss.” You sipped from your glass as the two of you stood together. He threw back the last of the wine in his glass before moving closer. “You seem introverted tonight. What are your days like?”

“Hm? Well, you know, I sit around…and wait for my husband to come to me.” Your body leaned against a pillar, facing him on the balcony as wind whipped your hair around. “Everyday.” You sighed softly; a sad, drunken moan left your lips.

“That doesn’t sound too fun.” He moved closer, his dark hair softly turned and flipped in the night spring breeze. Your looked at his arms, his chest in his white garments. He is a big man, much different from Geta. “Geta does not let you out much?”

“I’m not a dog…but yes, it’s rather hard to convince him to do anything but what he wants.”

“Even with a body like yours?” You said nothing to that, smirking as your eyes settled inside each other. His expression was hard and serious, “I did not mean to offend you. I just cannot believe there’s a man out there that wouldn’t follow your every word.” You touched your own waist and hips, tracing the design on your dress. “Are you happy with…?”

“My husband?”

“Your predicament.”

“…no. How’s things for you and yours?” He smiled softly before breaking into a deep yet empty laughter, “I take it, *Lady* Acacius has a love for the more…” You walked past him and to the other pillar to your left, draping against it as you sipped from the glass, the straps of your dress slipping down your soft shoulders. “Mundane…rather, ‘Vanilla’ things of life. One lover, one child, one home, one position, one bed, same sheets, same plates, same clothes. Isn’t that exhausting?” Your gaze fell onto his slightly pink lips and strong nose.

Your pupils stayed on his lips when they moved, “I don’t think we are close enough for me to tell you the truth.” Your glass was placed on the balcony table.

You took his hands, his rough calluses into your soft ones. He stood close but still, you brought him against your body until you were stuck between him and the pillar. “Is this close enough?”

“Yes.” His warm breath on your ear as his right hand caressed your neck; you look up at him. “You’re drunk.”

“*We’re* tipsy.”

“Doesn’t make it any better.” His deep voice made your thighs spread involuntarily. His palm wondered down the breasts of your dress. Nervous and feeling rather out of himself, Marcus let out shaking breaths. “Let’s go inside.” You looked away from him, letting the wind whip your hair about her face again. He moved hair from your full lips and cheeks. “I can’t stand it when you don’t look at me.” You smiled, turning your gaze back to him. When his hands fell on the hips of your dress, you let out a soft breath. Marcus leaned deeper onto you, enveloping you with his body.

“You are an attention hungry man.” Your fingertips rubbed his pants, gently stroking.

“I only want your attention.”

You thought back to the many times he’d laugh louder at your jokes than others. When he’d move his seat till he was directly across from you at dinner parties. “Poor thing.” You caressed his cheek as his eyes shut. He exhaled on the top of your head, enjoying your touch, and the feel of your curves pressed on him. His hips pushed onto you; his garments felt tight, tighter than ever. His cock needed to breathe. You smiled, turning around so your cheek touched the pillar, and ass pressed on his clothes. As if bucking against you, he held you still, guiding your ass along his boner.

“…damn.” You raised your dress over the curve of your ass. “H- holy shit.” He stared at your bare thighs and ass; such made him groan with pleasure. You felt his warm breath as he pants over your shoulder; he continues working his hips against your ass.

The door to the balcony swung open and the two tore from each other. Marcus stood against the railing, gripping it tightly as he tried to relax his lustful gaze and stiff erection. He gulped, praying his cock wouldn’t bust the seams of his pants as he looked away from anything around him. You fixed your hair, and straightened out your dress before turning to the open door. Geta, drunk and groaning, held onto the door handle for support.

“My, my! Geta.” You helped your husband stand.

“What’s…uh…what…” Geta mumbled, looking at your glossy eyes as he held your cheeks. “What’s goin on? You two…are talking about me, huh?”

“You’re paranoid.”

“It’s my job to be…” He smiled, covering your face with his hot, wine-stained breath. Your lipstick smeared on his face as you messily kissed. Marcus exhaled although shaking, attempting to ignore the erotic sounds that sounded as if it came from a *speaker* behind him. He groaned with no control, letting out a sigh. “Who….right, Marcus. Marcus…Marcus, C’mere. Look at…me.” Marcus cleared his throat, turning to the man. “You look red…”

“You look drunk.” He muttered, watching as the man leaned on his tipsy wife. For a moment, there was silence, then the three laughed.

“Fucker. Haha! I swear…he’d kill me if…I weren’t his emperor.” Geta’s words slurred, and he sighed many times as he spoke.

“Who says I haven’t tried?” Marcus muttered before helping you carrying him.

“You’re funny.” Geta coughed and groaned before trying to fix his posture.

“There are rooms here for guests. Our room is…down the hall.”

“Allow me. I don’t want you to mess up your dress.” You observed Marcus as he sneered, putting Geta in his shoulder. Geta continued to dip out of consciousness, trying to watch his wife’s gaze but it stayed on Marcus.

Later that night, Marcus sat up in bed, glaring at the wall ahead. His wife stayed to her side of the bed, snoring quietly. With his chest rising calmly, he thought of the empress in her dancing dress, leaning forward as she sat at the dinner table. He was beside her at the time with Geta to her left. Although she held her husband’s arm, she leaned to Marcus. Her bosom against his body. Her body was warm, he recalled. Before any time at all, his erection stood beneath the covers. He shut his eyes and mumbled to himself, “Fuck.” As they sat beside each other at the time, he wanted to cup her chest, to rub her ass, maybe even slip his fingers inside of her—

Marcus opened his eyes, not surprised to find his fist around his cock, gently holding himself. With a quick glance to his right, he looked at his wife. His chest heaved as his imagination ran wild about the other woman, about you. He wanted to tie you down to his headboard and make love to you until your body was spent and twitching. Marcus stood, running his fingers through his dark hair before going to the bathroom. He snatched his wife’s lavender body moisturizer from the counter and dipped his hand inside before rubbing it along his shaft with a roughness of a sexually frustrated man. He hadn’t had sex in weeks, not with his wife, a woman who prefers planned sexual activity. On his own, he’s made himself cum more times than her lips have since they’ve met.

He slipped on a robe, and called over a guard, “Send word to the emperor’s suite.” He offered the man a paper. The guard quickly knocked upon the door. You opened the bedroom door. “Marcus?” You read the note. *Come to my room.*

Marcus’s chest heaved and his breath were huffs heavy with lust as he quietly masturbated inside of the bathroom. The man leaned over the counter, and resisted his orgasm. He imagined your perfume scent in his nose beneath him as he huffed, making his hips throb.

His bedroom door was the only one with one flame burning outside, your curiosity grew as the door opened slightly. In the yellow lighting, your pretty body and round face met his gaze. He invited you inside and shut the door. At the nearest wall, he pressed you softly against it, gripping your sheer robe. “Take it off.” You nodded, untying the cloth. He stayed pressed up against your body, breathing deeply… “Fucking hell, you look amazing.”

You looked up at him with glossy [e/c] eyes, hoping and praying he’d make that first move. *No*. You thought. “I- I shouldn’t. Geta. He’s not the best man when he’s angry. Especially over me.”

“Fuck.” He held your throat and brought you closer. His tongue explored your mouth as you softly moaned—you couldn’t help it. His hands rubbing your thighs. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. The slight moans mixed with his words gave away a hint of his excitement. Your leg went to his hip and once again, you felt his erection; this time pressing on your soaked slit.

Marcus let out a soft groan as you scratched around his neck, your actions were getting to him... really getting to him. Your breathing was matching his, your hands were as hungry as his to feel and touch.

He controlled your body, pinning you up on the love seat. “Shhh,” He smiled before he noticed a certain reluctance towards him, “Don’t look away from me. Let me have you.” You agreed, letting your eyes shut. He gently slipped inside of your tight pussy, filling you until those pretty eyes fell back and shut closed.

Marcus's body heated up as your lips moved against his cheek, your tongue tracing the contours of it. He lets out another soft moan as you start to move against him now, grinding your hips deeply against his. Your movement was causing his body to shiver, it seemed as though his hands started trembling now too. “Oh, Marcus,” The sound of your whimpering only excited and riled him up more and more. “You are more of a man than he will ever be.” He gently pushed his hips against yours, making you squeal and scratch his back with your nails. Your words of him being a man had him breathing a bit more heavily. His fingers gently slid up your neck, down to your nipple, gently teasing and rubbing it until your body writhes under his. Moans left your lips, making it hard for you to stay quiet.

The movement and noise they made shook the love seat and the bed his wife lay asleep on, shake. “A- ah~ My empress~” Marcus groaned into your ear, pushing his hips faster with these quick strokes. Your eyes water and spill tears as his thick cock stretched your cunt.

“Hmm-“ His lips met yours, messily smearing your lipstick. “F- fuck, Marcus. Fuck me.” He held you still under him, quickly pounding his hips against yours until you could only tremble, staring in his eyes. “You’re too loud~” You whispered, listening to the squelch of your own wetness and the creak of the furniture.

A few loud knocks on the door echoed in the room, followed by another set of loud bangs. Marcus’s heart pounded as he turned around. “…shit!” His wife slowly rose from bed, wiping her eyes.

“[Y/n]! [Y/n]? Are you in there?!” Marcus pushed you under the bed and put on a robe. He looked at his wife and smiled.

“Go back to bed, honey.” The woman groaned, laying back on the pillows. When Marcus answered the door, he tossed his hair, “Hello?”

“Is [Y/n] in there?” Geta asked roughly, rather hungover. “My wife.”

“Eh, I haven’t seen her all night.” He smiled, leaning on the door. “Would-“

���No.” Geta interrupted gruffly.

End <3 (Thinking of doing a part 2!!) Sorry for any spelling/ grammar mistakes!

More on my Master list!

follow & like pls

[alientee]

Shimmer Head

Ekko x reader

6k+ words

Fem reeader

Hazbin hotel Easter egg included. Addicted song describes reader.

Warning: suicidal thoughts and actions, drug use not by choice though.

Im sorry it took so long yall I’ve been crocheting blankets for Christmas and life has been lifting with work

You were an anomaly, or at least that’s what Silco called you. Apparently he saved you at birth; one calm walk through Zaun's lanes, and your mom was an overdosing shimmer head who was getting her last fix before she pushed you out. You survived. This was something Silco never thought possible; even when you looked like a shivering, whining skeleton, you were strong, a survivor, and from that day on, you were his daughter.

As life went on, you got stronger, faster, and a little more insane; your eyes changed, looking like a wild mix of two different colors. You changed so much it confused you every day to see yourself. How the voices in your head would go from telling you to slaughter everyone to offing yourself.

Silco had you microdosed with shimmer ever since you were a newborn till now, and you handled it each and every time. You were his creation, his wild card. Even as a child, he had you by his side with torture, robbing, and meetings. You’ve done it all. There were days the voices really did get to you; sometimes it was better to hurt yourself rather than to crash. You can remember the times Silco had to stop you from hurting him and yourself. The scars on your arms, the bloodstains left on your clothes, the burn scars from throwing bone down without any care, ready to give it all up. Either you survived, or Silco was just in time.

So when you first met Jinx, your first thoughts were, This poor kid, she’s just a dreamer.

But she followed you around everywhere, calling you sis, saying she’d never leave your side, she’d never leave you no matter what. Not like her sister did. You didn’t believe her; how could you? No one but Silco ever saw you; he’s the only one that loved you.

Until she followed you to a club one night.

You spin around in the chair, listening to the grungy punk music, drunk, horny prowlers, angry wannabes, and goofy dancers mixing into the crowd. You sit in your chair in the corner of the club, drink in one hand, revolver in the other. One bullet, one drink—it was all a game to you. The gun clicked three times, and you took three shots before it was snatched from your hand. And lo and behold, it was your new shadow coming to ruin the fun.

“Hey, what gives, Blue Jay!”

“How are you going to be the big shot legacy Silco says if you're dead, dumbass!”

“It’s none of your business!”

“We’re family now, so yeah, you are!”

“You going to love me even if I try to kill Silco in his sleep?”

“I’d still love you even if you killed me with him.”

Family, huh?

“Fine.”

For the first time you didn’t take your game too far, or get fucked up and pass out behind the bar; you didn’t even have a mental breakdown.

At least the voices got quiet for a while.

After a while you started to think of Jinx as a sister. Someone you could confide in, someone who gets you. Was Silco the best dad? Nah, but he was all you had. Now you know he had Jinx too. You thought everything was ok; you could be happy with your found family; even if you were broken, you still had people to fix you up, so everything was fine.

At least you genuinely believed everything was alright.

Until Jinx’s actual sister showed up, calling her Powder, the hugging, the crying, the family reunion was cute. You haven’t seen Jinx this vulnerable in a while. Everything was calm until some Piltie came out, and then the moment was gone. Jinx threatens the redhead with the gun, and boom, the Firelights had you all surrounded.

“Jinx, if you want your sister back, you gotta be smart about this.” The silence you got back let her know she was thinking up something stupid.

Smoke and ash covered the air, bullets flying and fighting at every turn. The firebugs just didn’t know when to quit, always trying to get into business that isn’t theirs. It was fun knocking them off their boards every once in a while. You’ve faced them before with Jinx killed a couple of times; you didn’t kill any of them, though. Never had the guts to really kill innocent people; you didn’t want to know what the voices would say if you did. You didn’t want to lose yourself all the way.

As always, Jinx is shooting bullets every which way in the sky, which wasn’t bad, but using bombs to blow up the platform is very bad. Your body hurt, your ears were ringing, and you could barely breathe. You tried calling out for Jinx but got no answer. You finally dragged yourself up; you can see some fire bugs down, but you couldn’t see Jinx. Couldn’t see her sister. Didn’t even see the body lying dead somewhere.

Huh, you were all alone.

Then it dawned on you: Jinx did it on purpose. She really was a genius, truly. She blew up the platform, making a distraction; a lot of people were down and out. Nobody could see what was happening; some too injured to chase.

Looks like she could only carry her sister to safety, though.

You’ll never leave me no matter what, huh?

Hehehehehe, yeah right!

You could finally breathe again and got the strength to stand up. It was all just so funny, really.

Bunch of bullshit hahahahaha

You didn’t notice anything going on around you, the shuffling of people standing; you didn’t feel all the cautious eyes on you. Not that you cared; all you cared about were the voices screaming at you so loud you could swear your ears were bleeding.

Walking towards the edge of the platform is easy. Turning around and giving a mock salute to the firelights with a smile on your face was easy. But dropping to your death knowing the last thing playing in your headphones was your and Jinx's song, it fucking burned every lyric you tried to sing just turned to ash in your mouth.

But at least now the voices would stop forever. The air rushed through your ears and then nothing.

Out like a light

You woke up in an eerily dark room; honestly, it was predictable. Down to the moldy smell, the silence, and the creepy guy in the corner with a mask. And you honestly should’ve been more mad at yourself for getting saved; you couldn’t even die in peace!

“Why am I alive, dammit!”

The silence was so annoying; there’s no need to try and be intimidating. You’ve seen worse. You hate people who try those tactics; you can’t torture someone who’s already tortured every day. Geez, just kill them if they don’t tell you what you want.

“Look, I’m not going to tell you shit, so just kill me already!”

And then the mask comes off. You don’t know him, but you knew him, apparently jinx’s past. The boy savior, she calls him; he looks just like she said he would. You also remember what she told you about him. “Better watch out; the boy savior likes to think he can save everybody.”

Ok, you can deal with a wannabe hero.

“Your on shimmer. You are an addict; Slico has you do his dirty work, and he gives you your next fix. Am I right?”

You’re really fucking wrong. Scratch that; you didn’t want to deal with the wannabe hero.

“So how about you tell me what I need to know, and you get to lay low somewhere secret and get off that shit before you try and die again while Silco just replaces you?”

The voices started to get louder, your throat tight and blood dripping from your palms for how tight you started to squeeze them. His words were like acid on your skin. Just who did this asshole think he was?

“First of all, dipshit, I’m his daughter! Ok, not some random street rat shimmer head he feeds. Second of all, shimmer makes people stronger. I should know; came right out of my druggie mom, still living and breathing, full of shimmer! I’ve been injected with it since Silco adopted me! He says I’m perfect; he says I'm his legacy. I don’t do his dirty work; I help him make Zaun better! So you're dead fucking wrong, wannabe!”

Now he’s looking at you like you’re crazy…. And you're used to that.

“This is better? Our people are dying all around us. Kids are abandoned! People are sick and starving. How is this better?”

“Blame Piltover! Duh!”

“It’s Piltover. And Silco, are you crazy??!!”

That word. It always did something to you. You didn’t care when people looked at you like you were... but calling you crazy? Different story. Something that made all the voices laugh, an itch in your brain that told you to break, hurt, destroy, kill, and show them your insane.

“FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU! Hahahahahahahahaha. All of Piltover and Zaun is going to burn you, and your fucking bugs are going to be ash! I’m not crazy. I’m perfect. I’m perfect he said”—

Your music!?! Where were your headphones?!!?

You were so numb, in a really dark place, you never fully remembered how your episodes went. When that singed guy injected you with your first microdose of shimmer, all you remembered was the screaming and Silco whispering how proud he was. But Ekko would remember it all even in his dreams. How you banged your head against the pole you were tied against over and over again. Crying tears of shimmer while laughing hysterically until blood dripped on the side of your head. Only to end up sobbing.

The voices screamed and screamed and screamed. Until they stopped, they never just stopped without music or silco. And you never had this heavy feeling over your ears without your headphones.

Oh, it’s this Ekko guy. What is he doing? Why is he holding his hands over your face? Why is he looking at you like that?

“I’m sorry. You’re not crazy. I promise, okay? Breath for me nice and slow.”

This was nice: everything quiet, everything nice and warm. This is new, huh?

“Hey!? Wai”—

Out like a light again

“She’s a danger to the base!”

“We can help her. She’s not like Jinx! She’s the product of a bad situation. She’s not with Silco because she wants to be; it’s because it’s all she knows.”

“She’s a mess; keeping her here is like bringing bullshit to our door!”

“He’s been injecting her with shimmer since she was an infant! We can’t kick her out!”

“Can y'all shut up sleeping here?”

Bat Guy and Ekko just stared at you.

“Look, I don’t care what you do to me; can I just have my damn headphones? The voices, ya know, they’re telling me to escape and kill everyone here. Soooooo, my earphones, pretty please.”

The boy wonder hands them over and puts them over your ears. And even with no music playing, everything feels peaceful. The whole time, he and Bat Boy are still going back and forth; this time you couldn’t hear it, though. Finally you get silence, if only for a moment. You almost bit Ekko when he moved one of them back off.

“Look, let’s compromise: you get a little freedom, supervised. And we get one shimmer shipment location… not the factory, just the shipment.”

“No bullshit babysitters; it’s you or nothing.”

“...fine.”

You could’ve told him to fuck off and die. Make him eat his sappy little words. But after the way he held your ears, he looked like a kicked puppy for making you freak out. How softly he said sorry. It was different; it was new. You didn’t do soft, not that much.Silco always told you to play your enemies, so maybe giving a little bait wouldn’t be too bad.

“Fine, boy wonder, I’ll give you a shipment that’s all.”

“Thank you.”

There he goes, looking at you like that again.

Like some kind of puppy. What a sucker.

Ekko took you outside, but you didn’t want to socialize, so he kept you both at a good distance from the others. While taking you out of the base, you didn’t want to look at anyone. If you saw any leering faces and judging eyes, you knew you’d lash out.

Oddly enough, you didn’t want to smack the fuck out of Ekko's face. Maybe a little bit, not a lot. You didn’t know what it was, but Ekko was calming; his presence was like a warmth in the dark murk of Zaun. You didn’t understand how he could be so... normal with all of this around him.

Maybe it was the fact that he actually took you out of the hideout and onto a roof to look over Piltover. You could’ve knocked him out, taken his board, and run. Why is he so stupidly trusting? “How do you do it?” He raises an eyebrow. “Do what?” You raise one back “Be so happy-go-lucky when we live in a place like Zaun.” That made him stop his steps, and he looks serious; you haven’t seen him unless he’s talking about shipments.

“I have to make a change for the people who can’t help themselves; I want to give people something to live for; the firelight is my way of doing that.”

And there he goes again, making your mind feel funny again. It sounds like he means it; everything Ekko says always sounds genuine, but somehow you can’t bring yourself to believe him.

“Alright then, help me by teaching me how to ride one of those hoverboard things.” Ekko’s eyes get wide, and his mouth even opens a little. “You want to learn? I’ve been trying to get you to do that for a week. What changed?” You didn’t want to let him know the real reason, so you decided to play it off.

“Just thought I could kick your butt at something, boy wonder,” he scoffed. You knew he hated the nickname; it was too fun teasing him to stop, though.

“Alright, alright. If you’re so confident, then I’ll teach you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you end up falling off a few times.”

“I’ll be a pro; just you wait and see.”

You were in fact not a pro. Your knees were scuffed, and the dirt on your clothes was a testament to just how many times you hit the dirt. “Sorry this is taking so long; I feel fucking stupid.” Ekko grabs your hands and pulls you up, grabbing the board. “Don’t; it takes everyone a minute to learn this is no different. How do you think I feel? I made it; I had to test it and fall a lot.” You give him a nod, deciding to take the board back with a little more confidence this time. “What a boy genius you are,” you got a snort in return.

“Now, remember, hoverboards are pretty sensitive. You have to find your balance and keep it steady. And be careful not to lean too far to one side or the other, or you’ll tip over.” Ekko watches you carefully as you mount the hoverboard, his arms crossed over his chest. The hoverboard begins to move forward as you lean, slowly at first, but steadily gaining speed.

You could hear Ekko yelling behind you, “There you go, you’re doing great! Just keep your balance and focus on the path ahead.”

“What about turns!? What if I fall??”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be right here to catch you if you fall.”

You got the hang of it after a while; you both went back to the base riding your hoverboard and even racing some of the kids. It was a good time, no responsibilities, no expectations. It still hurt you; there was no Silco, but at least you had distractions.

Ekko seemed to show up when he wasn’t asked; it’s like he knew when to butt into people's business.

He was there during your worst moments of loneliness. When the darkness was too much, when the voices kept repeating the insults louder and crueler. Telling you to kill yourself, that you're nothing, worthless, not good enough, burn the firelight base to the ground, and watch everyone around you die. You’ll only end up alone anyway. The smell of ash and blood, you could remember it by heart. Tears pouring out of your eyes continuously, you didn’t even sob. You had nothing to be sad about in the moment. You just naturally cried, and all you could do was scream, hoping I’d stop. Sitting in the dark waiting for it all to end. Thinking, hoping that just maybe one day you’d be blessed enough not to wake up.

It wasn’t until you felt Ekko's heavy gloves on your shoulder. Asking if you were ok, if you needed anything, if you needed him. Looking at you like you're the only thing that mattered in the moment. Moving to sit next to you, his shoulder lightly touching yours. “You don’t have to talk; just know I’m right here with you. I’m not going anywhere.” Those days were hard, but it always felt nice to have Ekko lying on the floor next to you, no words, just his company.

He even let you into his little workshop. His words: “You don’t have to knock. If you need me, just come in” You’d hand him his tools and use all the knowledge you had on tech to help. You used to make a lot of trinkets that helped your day-to-day life. You didn’t like to make weapons like Jinx, but you could make a mean bomb. You’ve even fallen asleep to his tinkering and his little nerd-out moments. “You're such a dork.” He wouldn’t even take his eyes off his invention.

“Shush if you're not going to help.”

“Touchy touchy. Here, let me look, boy genius.” When you actually put in effort to help him, he’d look at you from the side of his eye, and you’d pretend like you didn’t notice the small smile creeping up on his face. Sitting by his side until late at night, making new things to help out in the base. Both your giggles and the metal clanking were the only things heard at 3 am.

And that’s how it was for a month. Ekko is coming in, trying to coax you into giving up Silco; you give him a little info, and he folds and gives you what you want for the day. You had a good thing going. So why’d he want to ruin it now? You were fine seeing the kids; you made small talk with one of the firelight girls, but that’s it. Everyone else you dealt with in passing. So why was Ekko so set on you interacting with more people?

“How about we hang out with the group for a bit?”

“I’m fine; I hate people.”

“Look, I’m just trying to—“

“I don’t need help! I don't need friends! I—I need my dad; I need…. I need to feel in control. It still feels like I’m a fucking prisoner even if you say I’m not.

Ekko doesn’t talk for a minute; you can tell he’s trying to choose his words wisely, his white locs covering his face. “I don’t know what you see in Silco, even if he took you in…. You can’t tell me you truly see the good in what he’s doing.

You didn’t answer him. Afraid you’ll say something you’ll regret by lashing out. He didn’t get it; he didn’t get you! Silco was your dad; Silco helped you ignore the voices; he loved you even if he had a funny way of showing it.

“He’s not the best dad in the world, but he’s my dad. He helped me when I had no one. Doesn’t that count for something?”

Ekko didn’t answer you; it’s like he wanted to argue, but he knew you needed this.

“Just... just give it a chance; you may find your people.”

If he heard your scoff, he didn’t react to it.

I don’t have people; all I have is my dad and myself, even when I don’t love myself.

Ekko’s soft words pulled you out of your thoughts.

“You have me too.”

“Until how long, hmmm, till I run out of information?”

“That’s no—“

“Hey, Ekko, tell me how I survived the day I jumped.”

Ekko went back silent; he was giving you that look again, and you hated it. It’s like he saw everything within you, and it made you feel naked, like you couldn’t hide.

“Oh that… flew down to save you.”

“Why?”

“When you smiled at us before you fell, I thought you were asking for help.”

You giggled at that; only Ekko would think of saving his enemy who tried to off themselves in front of him. “Your something else, Sunflower.”

“Sunflower!? What kind of flower is that? We don’t have those in Zaun.”

“Alright, take me out or whatever it is you want.”

“D-don’t say it like that. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the kids.”

You never knew Zaun could look like this, or even have a tree, and now the name firelights makes sense: nothing but a lush green tree with the fireflies all around it. It’s peaceful, plush; it’s nice. You got a few looks here and there, but it’s fine; ekkos here, and you weren’t forced to hang out with who you didn’t want to.

And that’s how you spent your day bonding with Ekko and even the kids; they weren’t as judgy, and you appreciated it. Even when they had questions, it didn’t feel pointed. “Why do you always wear those things on your head?” your headphones; you never took them off, never could bring yourself to part from the one thing that helps stop the voices, no matter how battered and dingy they are. “They’re headphones. They help me when I’m scared or upset.” “Oooooh, I get it; my mask helps me! Makes me feel stronger!” “Good, use your strength to become the best firelight you can be.”

That’s how the day started and ended: you playing with the kids, running around, playing tag and hide and seek until the night came. The kids gathered around, using common objects around them to make a little band; music brings a lot of the firelights together, and somebody brings an actual scrap-made speaker playing louder music. Some even start to dance. And in this moment you couldn’t help but think maybe Ekko was right; maybe these people were ok.

You grab the overworking leader by the arm and pull him with you. “What is it?”

“Come on, Ekko, let’s dance!”

“Dance?”

“Yeah, you scared boy wonder?“

“Not at all, but um… why?”

“Who doesn’t like dancing!”

That’s when the music hits and nothing else matters. Ekko moves effortlessly, his body flowing in perfect harmony with yours. He keeps you close, his chest pressed against yours as he twirls you around. The world outside seems to fade away, leaving just the two of you in your own little bubble. Your body’s moving in rhythm as the music gets Ekko pulls you closer, one hand resting on your waist while the other takes hold of your hand, spinning you. He begins to sway gently, guiding you in a slow dance. Holding each other’s sides, swaying back and forth. Every minute you got to look in Ekkos's eyes, seeing him smile at you like that did something to you; he really was something else.

You couldn’t let those eyes shake you, though. You knew it was only a matter of time before it all went to hell; no one really gives a damn about you, no one except Silco. But maybe if you were a better daughter, he would’ve found you by now.

Ekko could only look at you in confusion when you walked away from him, away from the gathering. He thought it was a good moment that he was finally getting through to you. But he wasn’t one to push, not when he knew what you’d been through, but he followed you up the stairs to the treehouse.

And when he found you, the silence was heavy but comfortable. That’s how it was with you too, and you’d never say it out loud, but he made you feel safe.

“Do you want to stay here?”

You timidly glanced into his eyes before you took a deep breath. “I don’t know,” you looked away, closing your eyes, trying to stop yourself from getting out of hand. Ekko hummed, leaving more silence in between you both, and then he asked another, “Even if you know Silco loves you, it isn’t healthy.”

You opened your eyes as a bitter taste remained in your mouth. Your face contorted into different expressions as you debated with yourself on whether or not you would share.

“My mother was a shimmer addict; she had me right as she overdosed. And Silco found me; I was different; I survived even with a small, premature body full of shimmer. He said I was unique, that I could change all of Zaun. I believe him. I’ve done a lot of great things… at least I think so. Even if you don’t agree with him, he saved me.

“But you're not okay—

“Don’t tell me what I am! I’m perfect as I am; he said so! I may not be normal, but I am living instead of surviving, Ekko! Can’t you see that?”

“I do. But you know what else I see? I see how happy you are riding your board; I see how sweet you are with the kids, especially when you steal yarn from the top side and crochet stuff for them; I see how you care for Raven when you think she’s not looking by finding her favorite things to surprise her without letting her know it was you; I see how you truly care for the people you're loyal to. You touch people's lives and leave light in your wake. I see how beautiful you are inside and out. You’re your own person, not what Silcos made you! You can do better than what he has you doing.”

“Is that what you’ve come up with in your mind? That I’m just this lost, misguided girl who was groomed to be fucked up? News flash! Boy Wonder, I’m in Zaun. I was going to be fucked up regardless of Silco! Who do you think I am, huh? Don’t act like you know me, 'cause you don’t! Stop trying to change me into something I’m not! I’m not some knockoff version of Jinx you can fix just because I decided to be nice a few times. What?! I’m your little powder passion project. Couldn’t save her, so you’re trying to save me because we both have family, daddy, and abandonment issues?!”

You knew it was a low blow, but even though she left you, you couldn’t help but think about Jinx’s words, taking them to heart, and everything she told you. “He likes to think he can save everyone.”

He narrowed his eyes at your response; you could see him clenching his fist and clenching his teeth. His eyes no longer looking at you with acceptance or worry like you were used to, only irritation

“I wasn’t trying to change her; I thought she was in danger. I didn’t know she went with that piece of shit willingly…. I thought I could save her; I needed to because she was my friend.”

“Ohhhhh, that’s right, you’re the boy savior!”

His eyes went from a glare to cold and lifeless.

“Fuck you. You know nothing; you only know Jinx's pain but not mine. You’re right about one thing, though: you and Jinx are similar. So I don’t know why I was stupid enough to try and help you; just like her, you don’t deserve it.” That just pissed you off more.

“I didn’t ask you to help me! I didn’t ask for you to save me from offing myself! I didn’t ask for you to try and fucking fix me or my life!”

“I’m not trying to change you; I’m trying to give you something better! A chance! Silco didn’t give you a chance; he used you! Your work, a tool! If you survived on shimmer this long since birth, you're proof that his product can lead to something greater than he thought. But it’s at the expense of you and your health.” His voice lowers, his breathing heavy. “Please… tell me you see it. You have to know that keeping you on shimmer as long as he has wasn’t to help you. Only him.”

In the back of your mind you knew; you always knew. And yet the faith he put in you gave your heart love you’ve never felt before. How he always stated he was proud of you, said you were the best thing to happen in his life, that you're his legacy, his daughter. But what was the cost for your heart, suicidal thoughts, breakdowns, nightmares, and dissociation? A mother that never wanted you, a father that loved you but not enough to see your pain, only your potential. “Hey Ekko, thank you. For saving me and making me realize. I don’t want people to end up like me... because I’m not ok.”

“Then let me he“—”. He didn’t get to finish before you pushed back, making him crash into the tree behind him. You jumped from the stairs on the tree; you didn’t care about the fall because it’s the freest you ever felt. You could hear the other fireflies yelling, but the adrenaline and the wind in your ears helped you ignore them. As soon as you fell, you pushed forward, not caring about the pain in your legs and ankles. Grabbing a hoverboard before speeding off and out of the hideout.

When Ekko got up, he didn’t chase you, nor did he call out for you; all he could do was watch. Scar rushed up to him, looking at him expectingly. “She’s going to go back to Silco!? We have to catch her before she rats us out!?” Ekko didn’t react to his words, only looking forward to where you had run. “Ekko!” And when Ekko finally looked at Scar, he just shrugged. “She’ll be back when she’s ready.” “She’s not coming back." Ekko, she’s been waiting for an opportunity to escape, and we let her!”

Ekko just shook his head, picking up something off the ground. “She’ll be back.” “How do you know!?” Ekko moved his hand in front of Scar, showing him what he picked up. “She left her headphones.” Scar just scoffed. “That doesn't mean anything.” Ekko just shook his head. “Trust me, if you knew her like I do, you’d know it meant everything.”

You wandered around one of Silco's biggest shimmer factories, where most of his shipments go. You walked around the rooftop, pacing back and forth. “I’m addicted to the madness~” You turned on your headphones, singing along, tuning out the noise below, scummy workers and henchmen everywhere. “Let me leave my soul a-burning; I’ll be breathing it in.” Sneaking down through the crawl spaces, you laid out bombs everywhere you could stick them. You set up trap after trap after trap after trap. You knew this place like the back of your hand, so it was easy to get in and get out.

“I’m addicted to the feeling, getting higher than the ceiling~” This place had meaning to you… this was the first place Silco took you when he felt like you were ready to work for him. The first place where he showed you the ropes was the same place he had you start your injections. The same place you had your first breakdown. This felt like a goodbye to the past, the pain, everything that made you feel inadequate. You don’t know what you’d be without Silco; you knew the voices would never fully leave, but at least with this you could let your dad know you were ok and that you were going your own way.

“Just concede and give in to your inner demons again~” You hit the button, and it all blew up—the building, the workers.

And you too. Hopefully, Silco can forgive you for not saying goodbye.

It’s been 3 months; Ekko waited for you to return. But after a while he could only assume you’d either gone your own way or something terrible happened. Missions still happened with no sign of you with Silco's goons, and there’s talk about the huge explosion that happened, so he couldn’t pinpoint what had happened to you; all he had to give him comfort about your departure was your headphones. He never touched them, only keeping them by his bedside with your memory lingering with him whenever there in his sight. But today at 12 am, he finally had the courage to tinker with them, hopefully fixing them up.

He was concentrating so hard he didn’t hear the door open; it was Scar. “Your stray is back,” and as soon as he came, he left.

“Hey sunflower,” he jumped and turned around so quickly you thought he’d fall out of the chair. He did slip a little as he rushed to hug you, but you couldn’t bring yourself to laugh.

“Missed me?” He squeezed your torso, chuckling a little. “Missed your humor, not your bullshit.” You poked at his side, making him jump. “Lies, you missed that too. Everyone else is boring.

He pulls you over to his patched-up couch, both of you plopping down. You lean into his touch, laying on his shoulder. Neither of you said anything; you didn’t need to. You don’t know what you expected when it came to his reaction. But you’re glad Ekko didn’t pressure you to talk about anything or question what you’d been doing. You’d tell him one of these days. The withdraws, breakdowns, you almost ending it all. But right now you just wanted to enjoy his company; being alone for months took its toll, so it’s good to be back in a warming presence.

It took everything in you to not go back to Silco, to everything that was easier. But you pulled it off, and you hope Ekko could see that you really are trying. “Was it you?” He spoke so softly you thought you just imagined it, but Ekkos looking into your eyes let you know it was real. And you knew what he meant; your explosion was nothing but destruction, but you wanted to leave that behind you. So you said the only thing that was closest to the truth. “I’m following my own path now, Ekko.” When you looked back at him, it almost took your breath away. Those stupid, big, brown eyes looking at you with so much warmth you could’ve melted right then and there. It made you sick.

“I’m happy for you... So you’re just visiting?”

“Geez, trying to kick me out already, huh?” He shook his head. “Of course not. I just…. I want you to be happy and go your own way, even if it’s not here with me.” You looked away, biting your cheek. “So what if I wanted to be happy here?”.

“Then I’d make a space for you right now; you’re always welcome.”

“Even in your room~”

“Yeah, you can stay with me if you want.”

You felt all your thoughts falter and come to a stop once the words were out of his mouth. You paused and looked at him, face red. “Easy there; we don’t want everyone jealous that the big boss in charge is playing favorites.” He pulls you so close, too close. His nose and forehead touching your own. You don’t know this Ekko, Ekko who always was too shy to flirt back, who was always the gentleman, who only gave fleeting touches like he was afraid to break you. “You are my favorite; you’ll always be someone special to me.” You couldn’t help pushing his buttons, not wanting him to see your face reddening.

“Leaders shouldn’t show favoritism, ya know. I’m going to need something for me to keep quiet; wouldn’t want to hurt the kiddies feelings, would you? out of all the things you expected Ekko to say, you didn’t expect what he’d do.

Ekko leans down, capturing your lips in a gentle kiss. It’s slow and tender; the brush of his lips is so soft. He takes his time, savoring the feel of your lips against his, pouring all of his love and affection into the kiss. He leaned back and smiled warmly as he continued to gently caress your cheek. He looked at you with a soft, affectionate expression, his gaze filled with adoration thatyou’d noticed before. You just never had the guts to call him out on it.

“Is that enough to keep you quiet?”

“It's a start.”

[justsomerandomfanfic]

An Amazing First Kiss - Hobie Brown X GN Reader

Title: An Amazing First Kiss

Hobie Brown X GN Reader

Additional Characters: Reader's friend (Mentioned)

WC: 1,651

Warnings: Try at writing a Cockney accent, Reader's nervous, italics, Reader's nervous about first kiss, Hobie is the best boyfriend, hurt/comfort idk?, nicknames, teasing, banter, flirting, mini angst, very brief mentions of lying, and fluff

To cut right to the chase, you were dating the amazing, and super lovable, Hobie Brown. You met him when he was performing with his band at some pub with your friend, and you just couldn't look away from him. His charisma, how easily he seemed to draw people to him, his passion for music, and just the way he’d spot you in the crowd. It made you feel as if no one else existed in the world, except you and him.

His dark brown eyes - even though they were covered by his Spider-Punk mask - had found yours in the crowd. He, too, was unable to look away. The way you softly danced in spot, bouncing on the balls of your feet. Your friend's arm linked with yours, your friends jumping up and down with more enthusiasm, but you drew him in; entranced him. It wasn't long until the two of you started seeing each other, going out for dates and whatnot. And it wasn’t long until the both of you started dating, and he revealed his secret identity to you.

Everything was perfect, except that you were very nervous. You were worried that Hobie might want to kiss you soon. And it's not that you don't want to kiss him. You did… You really did. And you would, eventually. But, at the moment, you just weren't ready. But it seemed that Hobie was. Only last week, he tried ‘the lean in’. But you were quick to come up with some sort of excuse. But, it was coming to a point where you hated lying to him and not talking to him about it. You didn’t want him to think that he was doing something wrong or that you weren’t interested or attracted to him.

The first time he tried to lean in, you had been sitting on the couch together, in his loft, watching a movie. Well, you weren't really paying much attention to it, and neither was Hobie.

"'is movie's bit boring, innit?" He muttered, his arm resting over your shoulders, his fingers randomly drumming along your forearm to an irregular beat. 

"Not the best movie I've seen, no," You agreed, glancing at him, "But it's entertaining to a degree."

Looking down at you, he continued, "'is guy a bit of a git 'ough." Hobie randomly gestured towards the screen where the main character was fighting with his brother.

“I agree…” Looking up at him, your words began to trail off when you noticed how close your faces were to one another. Looking into his beautiful brown eyes, you felt your stomach flip flop. However, you began to inwardly panic as he began to lean in. Red, flashing lights blared inside your mind as you froze and jumped out of his arms and off the couch. Letting out an awkward chuckle, you gestured down at your watch. "I have to go... Uh... Feed my cat." You stumbled over your words, making your way to the front door. Opening the door, you turned to give him a nervous grin, "I'll see you tomorrow, love you!"

“Love you…” As the door shut, Hobie let out a deep sigh, falling back upon the couch. Raising his legs up, he propped his feet on the coffee table. Why did you leave like that? And when did you get a cat?

~~~

A couple of weeks later, you were back in Hobie's loft, baking cookies. You hummed along to the song that Hobie was playing on his guitar in the other room, your thoughts drifting elsewhere as you worked. You didn't know how much time passed, or when Hobie stopped practicing, but as his arms wrapped around your waist, you couldn't help but smile. 

"Wha’ are you makin' 'is time?" He asked, resting his chin on the top of your head as you pressed the heart-shaped cookie cutter into the dough.

"I think you know what I'm making, Hobie." You sputtered out a small laugh, "It's quite obvious." 

He let out a small chuckle, before asking, "Well, 'ow many are you makin’ 'en?" 

"About ten, I think? I won't know until I cut them all out." You patted his hand on your stomach briefly, “And you’re not eating them all like last time.”

Hobie hummed as he pulled away from you, his fingers brushing your waist as he did so, causing a shiver to run down your spine; heading to the stove, he grabbed the kettle, "You want some rosy?" He asked, setting the kettle on the burner, and turning it on. 

Glancing over at him, he was already looking at you, leaning against the counter beside the stove, arms crossed. His gaze was warm, and his grin was - as always - breathtaking. You returned his smile, "Sure, thanks. That would be nice. Do we still have Earl Grey?" You asked before going back to the cookies as Hobie went to fetch the milk and sugar, humming softly to himself.

“‘Ave no scooby-doo.” He answered, before searching around in the cupboards, pushing other boxes of tea around until he spotted the Earl Grey, grabbing the tea box.

Reaching over your shoulder, his chest pressed into your side, Hobie grabbed the sugar from the counter near you. Looking up at him, you were surprised to see him still looking at you. There was that look again, the one that made your insides just turn into mush. But, as if in slow motion, he began to lean in. Quickly, you turned to look back down at the cookies, his lips pressing a kiss into your warm cheek; the coolness of his lip ring sending goosebumps over your skin.

Hobie pulled back, titling his head at you, his eyebrows narrowing as you slid the cookies into the oven; pursing his lips. Hobie was beginning to really wonder now. You seemed reluctant to kiss him, which made Hobie wonder if he had done something wrong. Did he do something? Say something? Did you just not want to kiss him? Hobie snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of the screeching kettle.

Now, Hobie wasn't one to keep quiet about things bothering him. After pouring both him and you a cup of tea, he joined you on his couch. Setting both the cups on the coffee table, Hobie turned himself in his seat to face you, his arm resting on the back of the couch.

"Let's cut to 'e chase, yeah? 'Ave I done some'nin wrong?" He asked you, a slightly concerned expression crossing his features. 

Your shoulders slumped and a small, sad smile formed on your face as you looked down. "No. You haven't done anything wrong, H." You looked over at him, your sad smile turning into a frown upon meeting his eyes, "I... Uh, I don't think I'm ready to kiss yet." You knew Hobie wouldn’t break up with you because of this, but it was an irrational fear that your brain liked to tease you with.

Hobie, though, tilted his head, looking confused at this response. Noticing your frown, the unleashed tears in your eyes. Hobie moved closer to you, wrapping his arms around your shoulders and pulling you into his chest. You melted into his embrace, relaxing in his grasp as you let out a sigh of relief. He gave you a reassuring squeeze. "I 'ough' you just didn't want to kiss me, or some'nin' like 'at." 

You shook your head at his words, nuzzling your face into his chest, "No, I... I just don't think I'm ready to kiss anyone right now... I think sometime in the future I will be ready, I don't want you to think that I just won't kiss you ever."

At this, Hobie chuckled, lightly squeezing your shoulder. "Ya silly, luv." He teased, "You should know 'at it's fine. We ain't rushin' into anythin'. You’re stuck with me. I’m not gonna jus’ up and leave ‘cause you ain’t ready to kiss me."

Nodding your head, you gently pulled yourself out of his embrace, looking up at him. "Thank you, Hobie."

"Anytime, luv." He said, moving to lie down on the couch, opening his arms to you. You gladly climbed on top of him, laying your head on his chest; cuddling with Hobie always felt like home. His heartbeat was a steady rhythm under your ear, a comforting sound that made the world outside seem distant and unimportant. 

Leaning up on your arms, you looked down at him, "You're amazing, you know that, right?" Grinning, he reached up and ruffled your hair, causing you to scrunch up your nose. "Oi, don't mess up my beautiful locks," You laughed, jokingly swatting his hand away.

"An' I'm always amazin’. ‘Ough’ you knew ‘at ‘bout me already." He said with a wink, causing you to giggle. 

Staring down at him, you silently admired him. His dark complexion, chocolate brown eyes, high cheekbones, the piercings on his eyebrow and lip. Suddenly, you had an idea. "Hobie, honey, I’ve got an idea." You stated, grinning.

The tall boy sat up with you, a slight tilt of his head and an intrigued look on his face, "What's 'at?" Shifting on his lap, you leaned forward and took his face into your hands, his cheeks soft under your gentle touch. Giving him a small smile, you leaned forward. You shut your eyes before the tip of your nose bumped into his. Softly, you shook your head, giggling, your nose rubbing against his in an nose kiss. As you opened your eyes again, you saw Hobie staring back at you, his eyes half-lidded. A smirk played across his features, "Wow, luv." He whispered.

"Pretty amazing first kiss, eh?" You joked, your hands dropping from his cheeks, and reaching for his hands; interlacing your fingers with his.

"Oh, very amazin’ indeed." He said, bringing your hands to his lips, and kissing each knuckle. “Maybe even more amazin’ ‘an me.”

~~~

Main Masterlist | Spiderverse Masterlist

[echantedtoon]

A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch23 Christmas Spent Together

Taglist: @shadyd3ar @jcrml

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@the-unknown-fandom

@lavenderdropp @mimisweetz. @purplesoulsapphire

@kksmush @denkpanda18 @whomisi @lessthanimperfect @silver-rin

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Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know

(Warnings for Obanai having a small panic attack.)

The most wonderful time of the year. Christmas.

Or that seemed to be what people thought a whole lot. You loved the holiday just as much as the next person but you didn't like all the holiday hassle and the stress of getting Christmas presents before everything was bought out and gone already. You thought shopping was supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Sigh. No matter. You had everything you needed.

You sighed as the crinkling of paper sounded out. The reindeer printed wrapping paper getting folded up and tapped down over the folded pink sweater you've gotten for Mitsuri just two weeks ago. Next Tuesday would be Christmas so you needed to have everything wrapped up before then. 

"Will you be celebrating the holiday with your Aunt?" Gyomei looked up from where he was helping you wrap up the items you had gotten for everyone. Minus the book you had gotten him of course. "Mitsuri will understand if you couldn't come to her play."

Again you sighed. "I wanted to, but turns out she's going to be busy again." Something about having predictions and needing to hang up mistletoe around the city?? You never understood her crazy thinking. "So Im going to be free to spend it with you guys. What about your mom?"

"She never celebrated the holiday. Says it wasn't something she has interest in," he replied tapping down the corner of a mini box that held a cute bracelet you thought Kanae would like. "You certainly have been busy this month." 

"Well I'm about to be out of works for almost two weeks until Christmas break is over. I figured I might as well do everything I can before then." Gently placing the bow wrapped up sweater to the side, you sighed. "I just want all the stress to be over with."

He hummed reaching out a hand to pat your shoulder. "Do not worry too much. In only a few days you'll be getting a break from the stress and then you'll have nothing to worry about."

You guessed he was right. Your stressful shopping was done with and you only had this last week of work and classes before break. Really all you had to do was to pose for Tengen this weekend and then the next possibly. He had mentioned that he was almost done with his painting, so soon you'd no longer have to be his muse either. Thank goodness. So much was going on that you had little time for your boyfriend. You felt guilty about it but like always he was understanding of everything. 

The rest of that week went on as normal. All gifts were wrapped up and ready to be handed out. Final notes were taken and assignments were turned in. Your final paycheck until January was cashed in. And you once again posed for Tengen that weekend before you could finally relax and enjoy one of two days before you got to go to the Christmas festival in the park right next to the University. The plan was to go to the festival before meeting back up with everyone to watch Mitsuri's play and then head on back to her house for a party she was hosting since most everyone else was spending Christmas Day with their families instead of each other. Sounded like a plan to you.

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

The snow looked beautiful today.

The soft snowflakes coming down from the skies fluttering and falling from the dark clouds but there was still enough light peeking out of the silver clouds to allow her to see what was in the sky. Like little shiny diamonds shining in the sunlight and sparkling in the sky on the way down until they joined the ground where they joined the white blanket covering the earth that sparkled more than a thousand strands of studded silk.

Her eyes scanned the beauty before her shivering as the wind blew the cold winter air across her body and dusting her with the sparkling snowflakes.

"Are you cold? You can have my jacket if you need it!" 

You quickly held up a hand to Kyojuro as his hands immediately went to try and unbutton his jacket but stopped when you stopped him. "No. I'm ok. It's supposed to be cold after all. A white Christmas is the perfect Christmas!"

It was almost noon and already the skies were a little dark with clouds and sparkly snowflakes were falling despite the snow already being on the ground. Now here you were standing just a few feet away from the entrance next to your boyfriend and Kyojuro whom you offered to carpool with to the fair. You wouldn't have to meet at the University's theater until Mitsuri's play started at five, so you all had nearly five hours to kill and what better way than enjoying the festival?

You all slowly made your way towards the entrance to the park, feet crunching in snow and multiple people walking around you both in and out of the park.

Crowded, murmuring of a large crowd, smells of carnival food- Yep! You were in front of the park alright. Kyo motioned for you to follow him and you followed him as he began walking off towards the park entrance. Gyomei joined walking alongside you. There was a lot of people walking around you all as you went through the snow covered streets with the snow crunching under your feet, and being able to see your breath. The cold hitting your face as you looked around. It was really beautiful and perfect for Christmas.

Walking with them you all eventually heard and saw it. The many screams of delight, the smells of popcorn and other fair foods, distant fair music, and then the absolute menagerie of colors that hit you once the flood gates were passed. Your eyes widened seeing the many MANY booths lining the many splits and different walkways that the parks pathways split into. Lots were selling different items such as fan made merchandise, Christmas themed things, food, or some were games. You didn't see any rides though so it was probably a vendor only fair.

Kyojuro must've noticed your wonder filled eyes because he let out a small hum under his breath. "So. Where do you wish to go first?"

"How about the food booths?," Gyomei suggested. "I could use something to warm me up."

You nodded. "I'm down for that."

With you agreeing the group made your way to the left path where the smell of food was a lot more prominent and soon found yourselves walking down booths of popcorn, candied apples, some kind of meats on sticks, and of course the regular carnival foods of hot dogs, funnel cakes, sodas, corn dogs, and the like. You were drawn to one particular booth that was selling a variety of those items. 

You chose to just get a cup of warm apple cider and a funnel cake compared to the two giant turkey drumsticks Kyojuro bought himself. You all began walking again soon after. Not sure where you'd be going now but Kyojuro seemed to be the lead so you went along with it as you a  looked around the booths you passed with people shouting at you all or entertaining other people. one caught your eye and you suddenly paused, Gyomei did too when you suddenly weren't next to him. What caught your eye was a booth with a woman who was selling key chains with all kinds of cute and shiny metal kitsune charms. And as the small sign suggested all were just a dollar and by the size of the booth there was a decent amount.

"Is there something you like, Young Lady?," the older woman asked you with a smile.

You ended up getting a cute little white kitsune wearing a big red bow around it's neck. "Hang on a second." Your head tilted as you realized something. "Where'd they go?"

F/c eyes widened looking around before sighing when you realized the both of them was just a few booths away from you looking very interested in a booth that displayed some kind of game booth run by an older man. What the world was THAT?? You walked on over to where they were until you walked right up to the booth and the man behind it.

The elderly man in front of him practically lit up and gestured to the small machine behind him. And you realized what they were. There was tons of ornaments hanging up on a plastic Christmas tree that was spinning slowly around as they gently swayed on the rotating tree. Next to the rotating tree was a long fishing pole like thing only there was just a hook on the end without any line. Was it some kind of game?

"Hey guys." The two jumped and looked up as you addressed them, leaning over to blink at the game in front of you. "What's going on here?"

"Oh this?,'' the man asked gesturing to the tree behind him, "It's called 'Grab The Ornament'. You take one of these poles here like this." He demonstrated by grabbing one of said poles and extending it towards the tree. "Then you try to hook it through one of the loops holding the ornament to the branches like so. You get two tries. If you can get the hook through the hoop-" He managed to hook onto one of the pokeballs decorated in the pattern of a candy cane before pulling it from the tree branch. "Then you win a prize based on the numbers on he bottom. Although I can't guarantee what you'll get. It's all a mystery but that's all a part of the fun!" He casually pulled the ornament off the hook and just plopped it back onto one of the spinning branches. "Would you like to play? It's two dollars a person."

"Sure! Sounds like fun!"

You all watched as Kyo slapped down two dollars and proceeded to try and win a prize. His first try failed but on his second try he managed to hook onto an ornament that had little santa hats printed all over it. Holding it proudly up to Gyomei who couldn't resist also giving it a try of his own- You blinked when someone nudged your side and looked up towards Kyo's smiling face.

"You wanna try giving it a go?", he asked gesturing to the game. "I don't think you played anything yet."

You blinked but shook your head. "Nah. I couldn't. Wasn't ever good at fishing let alone games anyways. I doubt I could even catch one that's moving."

He hummed looking between you and the booth just as Gyomei held up his catch of a shiny red, green, and white striped ball..before smiling. You rose a confused brow as he strolled right up to the booth, reached into his coat pocket, and then slapped down two dollars onto the booth again.

"I'd like a chance to play again, Good Sir!" He happily beamed at the booth man who was happy to take the money presented to him.

"Kyo!" He turned to you as you gestured to him in shock. "What are you doing? I didn't mean for you to actually try to win a prize for me!"

He blinked. "Oh, I know. But I want to." He grabbed the pole just as the booth man handed it to him. "Besides, just take it as a gift in return for the one you gave me earlier." He must've been referring to when you helped his dad as he smiled at you and gestured to the rotating Christmas tree. "Besides it's all in good spirits for the holidays! Two dollars isn't going to hurt me, so go ahead and and pick out whatever ornament suits your fancy."

"Give him a chance. You might win something good," Mei encouraged holding his own prize up again with a smile. "Just try to relax a little and have fun!"

You gave him a look before looking back to Kyl who again motioned towards the game. ...You didn't have a say in this did you? With a sigh you looked back to the game with all the shiny pretty ornaments gently rotating on the tree just waiting for you (or in this case Kyo-) to take home as a pretty little reminder of fun that day. You accepted his gesture to come up to the booth and stand right next to him, f/c eyes blinking and intently watching the pretty tree continue to spin around and round like a pretty plant themed merry-go-round.

"Take your pick! There's plenty to chose from. Get any you want."

Any you wanted huh? Well that seemed like a good option, except you didn't know how good Kyojuro's catching skills were. Looking back at the tree it was a decent size. Not too big or small. Looked just a foot or two above you. Kyo was taller than you as well so the ones near the top would probably be the easiest ones for him to catch as well as the one's in the upper middle of the tree. Trailing your eyes downwards you looked towards the lower middle and very bottom of the tree. Hmm. He could probably grab the other middle ones but the ones on the very bottom branches are no doubt the hardest. That might be something he could do but like before you weren't sure how good his fishing skills were and you'd hate for him to have spent two dollars for nothing. So taking a sigh, you turned back towards the tree and gave a rose brow as you looked all over the fake plastic pine branches as the small machine of a tree stand ever slowly turned. Where could you even start? There was so many in all pretty foils wrapped up like a present waiting to be opened all shiny and beautiful among the lights. Flashy pretty and bright.

There certainly was a decent good amount to pick from. There was some dressed up to look like candy canes, or was wrapped in wrapping paper with prints of Christmas-y pictures. Sleighs, santas, snowflakes- And then there was those who were just wrapped up in shiny metallic or glittery wrapping paper without any patterns or prints. Plainer looking but still beautiful ornaments. But there wasn't really any you could pick right away. They all looked pretty so it was hard to chose. How were you to chose? Any one could be very special- F/c eyes paused at the sight of red and white. At first you blinked and almost didn't pay attention to it, just writing it off as another pokeball dressed up to look like a peppermint candy, but then a flash of..black?? You blinked at the ball that vanished behind the tree as it rotated before coming back around as you blinked. This one looked-...Totally different. It wasn't wrapped up in printed or shiny or patterned wrapping paper. In fact...it wasn't wrapped up at all. You blinked as on the lowest branch of the tree was an ordinary black ornament with no decoration but a single long red ribbon wrapped around itself. No wonder you got a glimpse of black...This one was the only one that wasn't fancy like the others. Kyo seemed to watch your eyes and also latched onto the ball that went to rotate around the back of the tree again, before pointing a hand at it.

"That one seems like a diamond in the rough," he commented as it disappeared watching you closely. "What do you think?"

You still stared at the tree for the longest time before looking back at him and nodding. "Sure. But can you get it?"

"Let's find out!," he cheerfully replied holding up the hooked metal pole. You all watched as he extended the pole out before him and angled it down towards that bottom branch as the ball came back around. Despite his taller height and longer arms, even he had to half way lean into the booth and stand on his tip toes to push that pole right over towards that very, very low branch. The very tip of the hook managed to catch onto it before it slipped from his hold, wobbled a bit on the branch, and then continued to mosey on it's way around in a loop again. "Hey. No worries. I still have a chance to catch it. Let's give it another shot." That was true. Kyo got to have two tries, but if he failed the second time then that would mean that he wouldn't get a chance to try again unless he gave the booth man another two dollars which you didn't want. You all watched with tense and baited breath as you all watched the ball rotate around again and again He reached towards it. This time the end of the hook catching the underside of where the ribbon around it was tied into a pretty red bow around it, and he pulled. The ball slipped from the branch and onto the hooked end of the pole. With a smile, he brought up the ball back to him, letting it dangle for a moment before grabbing it from the end of the pole. "Well it looks like we have a winner!"

"Good job, Kyo! I wonder what it is?"

He shrugged. "Dunno. Let's cash in our ornaments and see. Here." He tossed it to you which you fumbled to catch. 

You all turned it in. Kyojuro won a small packet of candy canes the vendor pulled out from under the booth, and Mei had gotten a scarf despite the fact he already wore one, and you had gotten the absolute CUTEST teddy bear you've ever seen! So fuzzy and a cute white with a shiny red ribbon tied around it's neck with big eyes staring at nothing. You LOVED IT!! 

That's how it was for the first hour. You hung out with Gyomei and Kyojuro until Kyojuro went off to watch a live Kabuki street performance and then you split with Gyomei as you both wanted to check out different sides of the park with a promise to meet up with the others in front of the university at four thirty to get the best seats for the play.  The next hour and a half was spent walking around, playing a few games, and buying one of two cute trinkets you stuck into your purse. Along the way you saw someone else whom you went expecting to see.

"Obanai?"

You stared at the familiar short, black haired man whom was standing off to the side of the park where the booths ended. He wore his usual medical face mask and black and white coat. He looked to be standing in line for a hot chocolate stand which with the cold you weren't surprised. He just barely stood there behind one man with a mom holding a baby on one hip while trying to manage an impatient whining toddler tugging on her pants. However the baby seemed VERY interested in Obanai staring at the side of his face. You smiled brightly and turned to start walking on over to say hi to him.

"Obanai!," you called out waving an arm as you passed by walking people.

Of course he turned hearing his name, blinking in surprise as you walked towards him. He turned to face you. The mother turned to hush her child. Unfortunately both turning gave the infant the perfect distance to reach over and grab the mask over his face. It all happened so fast. One moment he was staring at you wearing a mask, and then the next it was gone. Grabbed up in the iron grip of a chubby little hand and yanked off. Two large scars revealed to the world before two hands launched up and they were hidden from sight once more. 

Your footsteps halted immediately where you stood stunned. Staring wide eyed at the man whom looked like someone just told him that the love of his life just passed away. His eyes blown wider than saucers, and his hands desperately glued to his mouth. 

Obanai didn't move. 

He felt light headed. And his feet heavy like cement was weighing him down and those glazed over eyes stared at nothing. He couldn't see anything. The crowd of blues whirling around and meshing together in blurs. A massive buzz of voices like a beehive but those eyes couldn't make out the words on display for him to see nor could the ringing in his ears hear anything over the the pounding of the heart in his throat. Soon a raindrop stained the white snow underneath him. Followed by another. And another. And another until his eyes became the storm clouds and his tears the rain. And the snow his unsuspecting victims.

Exposed.

Panic.

Hide.

Don't look.

Monster.

PANICEXPOSEDHIDEDONTLOOKPANICEXPOSEDHIDEDONTLOOKPANICEXPOSEDHIDEDONTLOOK-

R U N

"Obanai!!"

Your voice didn't stop him from turning around and sprinting faster than you thought the small man could run. Through the crowd knocking over a random bystander who yelled out as Iguro unintentionally body checked him into a nearby pile of snow. Past a few park trees and disappearing into the area of the park that the fair didn't extend to. 

"Obanai!"

Again your voice could do nothing to stop his form from quickly disappearing into thin air. After a few seconds of standing there stunned, your legs moved on their own accord. Pushing past people and yelling out apologies to their mean looks as you crossed the pathway and continued to where he dashed off too. Your feet meeting off the path snow with a crunch as you continued onwards into the darkened and snowy park. 

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Went the sounds of your feet went following the first pair of footsteps through the limited light towards the destination of the man that ran off. 

"Obanai!?"

Your voice echoed around the air as you called out towards him, slowly down your pace huffing and puffing out smoke light a train into the chilly December air. Slowly coming to a stop to look around the area. Behind you was the distant lights of the fair and a few street lights. Your left and right held nothing but snow and bare trees so you kept on slowly following the footprints in front of you in the snow. Your feet making a second paid of footsteps next to the first as you continued onwards. Closer and closer to where the man disappeared off too.

"Obanai?"

Your voice softer carrying over the area as f/c eyes looked over the cold space. No answer as you looked and looked and walked and walked. F/c eyes keeping an eye on the footprints still ahead of you as you walked along. 

Until you stopped.

And you stared ahead.

In front of you was another concrete pathway covered in ice, and lit up by a few street lamps. The wind blew a few creaking bare branches of a tree near the path and around it's based was a pair of footprints disappearing behind it, the faint sounds of heavy breathing coming from it's backside. You still stared at the tree like a scene from a bad horror movie. Before you held up your hand.

"Iguro?"

"DON'T LOOK AT ME!!"

You jumped back in surprise from the tone of his voice. It was demanding and forceful but also at the same time panicked and maybe possibly scared? Every other time you two spoke he was softer spoken and awkward. 

"I-Im not going to look at you!," you quickly clarified holding up your hands despite that he couldn't see you. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok."

"Don't come any closer!," he shot back from behind the tree, "I don't want anyone to see me!"

"I won't come closer..but maybe I can help you?" You made sure to stay calm, keeping a respectful distance away. When he didn't answer you you tried again gently. "You lost your mask. Is that why you ran away?"

"That's NONE of your business!"

So that's a yes. And explains why he didn't want you to see his face. ...Face. An idea suddenly struck you and your hands immediately went to the scarf around your neck. Pulling at it and untying the knot around your throat.

"Hey, Obanai. I got something that might help you!" The long scarf slipped free from your neck and into your hand. 

"And what's that?!"

"My scarf. You can use it if you want to." No answer back. "It's pretty long so it should cover yourself pretty well....Do you want it?"

There was a long pause of silence. Awkwardly long. About two maybe even three minutes as you stood there scarf in hand. You thought about possibly calling Gyomei or probably Mitsuri as the best option to come help him because to your surprise something slowly slunk out from behind the tree. You blinked realizing it was a hand and arm covered by a black and white coat sleeve. It was held out to you with his hand in a beckoning motion.

"Give it to me."

You blinked but obliged. "Ok. I'm gonna get close enough to hand it to you. Are you ok with that?"

"....Fine."

You stepped a few feet forward and just placed the end of the scarf in his hand- Before you jumped as it was yanked from your grip quickly disappearing back behind the tree with his arm. ...Oh.

"I'm gonna back away now. Ok?"

You got no answer back from him but you backed away anyways to help him feel more comfortable. And there you stood patiently waiting as he was assumedly thing your scarf around his face. Silence was the only answer you got back as you patiently stood there for a long time waiting for him to come out of to say something to you. When he didn't you decided to speak up again.

"Obanai, are you ok?"

"..... I'm fine."

"Ok. Are you ok if I come over to you?"

"You aren't going to interrogate me are you?"

"No, no! I just wanna talk to you is all. May I talk to you face to face?"

"....I guess."

He sounded reluctant to that, so you still made sure to keep a good distance away to be sure he was comfortable enough and if he changed his mind you'd just back away again. Slowly making a half circle, you stepped around the tree keeping a few yards away to look around the side of the tree. And there he was. Leaning his back against the tree with his arms crossed and despite the pink fluffy scarf tied around his mouth, he was turned away from you. But his head tilted slightly hearing your footfalls to acknowledge that he knew you were there.

"There you are." You smiled despite he was turned away from you. "You had me worried when you suddenly ran away like that."

"I'm fine!," he bluntly stated raising his shoulders. "Stop pretending to be worried about me! It's not like we know each other anyways!"

"No. We don't know each other that well you're right, but I was actually worried about you." You leaned over trying to catch his eye. "You're Mei's friend and he cares about you a lot too. Of course I'd be worried for you. I don't like seeing anyone in distress." 

He didn't answer at first but his head tilted further that you could see his green eye looking at you. "....Did you now?"

You nodded gesturing to his face. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have come all the way here to offer you my scarf. Does it feel okay? It's wool and I know some people find that really itchy-"

"It's fine. I'm covered so it works." Again he was blunt but it didn't sound mean. Just blunt.

"That's good." The silence then resumed between the both of you as you awkwardly stood there. He still stared at you silently so at least he wasn't ignoring you. Eventually you pointed out the direction of your car. "You know if you need a mask, I'm pretty sure I have some in the medical kit in my car." His perked up immediately in interest. "And there's still a good hour before Mitsuri's play. If you want, we can go get you one and be back before it even starts."

"You're being awfully nice to me."

"Am I not supposed to be? You haven't done anything mean to me so there's no reason for me to be mean to you.  Do..you still want to go get a mask?"

He continued to stare at you before he eventually and pushed himself off the tree. "Fine. It's better than using this scarf anyways. I don't need Tengen making any jokes about me if he sees me wearing your clothes."

You smiled. "Alright then. I think I recognize this pathway from when I did my project last month. If we follow it back around it should take us to the parking lot by the university." Fully turned to you now he just simply nodded signaling that he was probably going to follow you.

So obviously you turned your body to look towards them to leave- Except...You didn't count on the frozen ice under your feet when you stepped onto the path. You gasped as your foot slipped on the slippery surface loud enough to catch someone's attention. Your arms reached out for nothing but balance which even escaped you. No balance and nothing to grab onto to stop you from slipping on the ice and falling and hurting yourself on the hard concrete-

But..

No hard concrete hurt you.

You had squeezed your eyes shut hard expecting to feel the cold hard concrete but instead you felt a soft but firm ..something around your shoulder and lower back, and on instinct your hands reached to clutch at the thing stopping you from falling. And your body froze.....Well you weren't fallen on the ground but then how were you suspended in ...air-...You body all but froze up as soon as you opened your eyes and stared wide eyed into just as equally wide eyed mit h matched ones. Silently you both stared at one another registering why yours and Obanai's faces were so close. Until it finally dawned on your buffering brain. GOOD GRIEF!! He must've tried to catch you when you fell but instead managed to catch you and held you in a perfect dip (ironically under that blasted mistletoe as if mocking you and your situation-) and his arms holding you. On instinct your hands had clutched onto his front jacket and his face was looking at you as if equally surprised he caught you like this. The cold wind blowing over you was countered by his warmer breath..before he opened his mouth to say something. Something like 'Are you ok' or something like that, but that wasn't about to happen. He moved but not by his own accord. His foot, which was STILL standing on the same ice you were, squeaked as it slipped against the slick ice and sent him lurching forward until his face collided with something soft and warm...

And that something just so happened to be you.

His face from collided with yours. Both frozen as his scarf being the only thing separating you both. Everything in time froze for the both of you that moment.

There you stood frozen as Obanai stood above you but not on purpose. After all he did just slip on ice. But your body was frozen, numb as you stood there looking up at him like your eyes turned into those funny googly eye stickers. He did in the same. Seeming in shock, frozen in time as his gold-green eyes stared back in the same state at you. Both mind blanks and bodies not being able to feel anything but neither could tell if that was due to the cold or the fact you two were in more shock than if a pikachu had zapped you. Eventually someone did move. You did. Your brain finally processing what was happening enough for common sense to finally return to your thought process and you moved your head back. Freeing your face from his that was thrown forward from the trip, his soft black hair that hung off him tickled your forehead as it brushed against it from the moment you pulled back. The action seemed to make himself overcome the shock as well, after a moment righting his weight and yours up and slowly retracting his hands from the you to rest at the front of his body.

And you both stared at one another.

And then your brains finally processed what really happened.

The snowflakes and cold air colliding with his face couldn't extinguish the fire that froze in his cheeks as they instantly lit up the brightest shade of pink you've ever seen. But it wasn't just his face. His ears and whole face was now a pretty primrose pink instead of the usual complexion they were every other time you've seen him. And he suddenly reacted. You jumped when a gloved hand of his slapped over his covered face and his face gained a flustered expression as he just stood there. 

After a while of you both still not moving you slowly held up your hands. "I-Iguro? Are you OK-"

"I'M SORRY!!" You blinked and leaned back as he bowed up and down so fast you didn't think it was humanly possible. "IM SORRY!! DON'T TELL MITSURI!! I DIDN'T MEAN TOO! ILL DO ANYTHING!! DONT TELL MEI!!"

"Obanai!! OBANAI STOP!!" You had to physically grab him by the shoulders again when he leaned back up to stop him from bowing anymore and forced to look at you. "It was an accident. We slipped on ice. You're fine." Slowly you let go of his shoulders as he still stared. "Nothing happened. If you don't want to tell anyone else about this embarrassing situation then I promise you I won't. In fact let's forget that ever happened ok?" You jabbed a thumb behind you. "I have a first aid kit in my care, and I'm sure I have some medical masks. How about we go get you one and then just go meet up with everyone else?"

Stiffly and slightly shaken he nodded silently and you turned to start leading the way. This time keeping an eye out for any ice this time and he slowly followed behind. A few steps in Kabauramaru poked his head out and gave him a look-

"Don't gi-give me that look!" His hand gently forced him back under his scarf. "You get back in there before you catch a cold!"

"What'd you say?"

"NOTHING!"

Thankfully you didn't skip again on your way back to your car in the crowded parking lot. The walk there was mostly silent with Obanai keeping at least two yards distance behind you as you all walked to your beat up, hand me down can where he just watched as you fished your keys out of your purse, unlocked your trunk, and proceeded to carefully move over some of the packed gifts for the party tonight until you spotted the white box with the giant red x. Ah. Here we go. You quickly opened it digging through the box until you found a few folded up medical masks behind the burn cream. Obanai was still there just silently waiting when you finally closed the trunk and with a smile offered the blue foam mask to him.

"Here you go! It should fit."

He slowly took it from you before giving a serious look. "Turn around and close your eyes." To his surprise you... actually did as he asked. ".. Don't turn around until I say so."

"Ok."

His eyes narrowed suspiciously at you.. before he looked around to make sure no one else was around to watch him before his hands even reached up to carefully start removing her scarf. He held it to his face still with one hand before it completely dropped and he snapped on the mask with expert hands from years of doing this. Carefully shifting the blue mask to fit comfortably over his face all the while his eyes never left her unmoving form keeping a VERY close eye on her form but she didn't move an inch.

"....You can move now." You slowly turned around with a blink smiling upon seeing him looking away but awkwardly holding out the pink scarf towards you again. "Here. Take your scarf back."

"Well I'm glad that's settled." You did take it from him, quickly slinging it back around your neck. "How do you feel?"

"Better." He left it at that before he turned around again to just leave. "I'm going back to the festival."

"Ok. I guess I'll see you when it's time to see the play then?"

"..Yeah."

"Alright. I'll see you then, and don't worry. I won't tell anyone about what happened today. It'll just be our secret."

He gave you another look but didn't say anything else as he just turned back around and proceeded to take his leave back into the festival. You left soon after relocking your car and spending the last hour of your free time playing a few more games at the fair before leaving to go meet everyone else at the university's theater. Everyone was easy to spot considering how unusually tall both Gyomei and Tengen was. You found them all just gathered outside the entrance to the building along with Obanai whom looked annoyed made to wait for everyone to show up. 

"Oh finally! There you are!," everyone seemed lightly surprised by the fact Obanai of all people spoke to you first with an annoyed look. "The line for tickets is already being formed and we're gonna be late getting inside if we don't hurry!"

"I'm sorry. I'm here now though so we can just go get in line."

His hand pointed at you. "Don't do that again. I was this close to just finding you myself and dragging you back!"

You didn't complain when he turned to quickly step towards the already forming line before Sanemi gave you a confused brow. "The fuck was that about?"

You shrugged. "He probably just wants to get a good seat."

Sanemi hummed again but didn't press the issue when everyone else was being ushered towards the line. Standing in line and paying the twenty five dollar entrance fee to be allowed in lead you to the inside of the theater once more only this time it was much more crowded than usual. You ended up getting wedged in a seat between Giyuu and a random stranger near the middle of the rows of seats waiting for everyone to get settled and for the play to start. You thought you also spotted Mitsuri's brother and parents sitting in the rows in front of you but it was dark to tell. What you did notice was Obanai taking out his phone to either record or take pictures of the play (or more specifically his girlfriend). Which was sweet. 

You hadn't ever seen the play before so you weren't exactly sure what was going on during some stages of the dancing or what the dancers were supposed to be doing, but it was beautiful none the less especially with Mitsuri dancing in the spotlight in her beautiful dress and make up. She was rather stunning and you could see how Obanai was a lucky man...And the rest of your friends too of course. The play went off without a hitch ending with the cast all bowing to the audience cheering and clapping for the performance of the night.

"You were great Mitsuri! I didn't know you could dance like that!"

You all found yourselves in front of the university waiting for Mitsuri to come out and join you all which she did after twenty minutes. With her face still glittery from the performance makeup and a giant bouquet of roses someone else had gifted her for the perfect performance. Of course she gushed at your words, giving a small happy squeal of delight. 

"THANK YOU!! IM SO HAPPY YOU MADE IT!! ARE YOU STILL COMING TO MY PARTY?!"

"Of course I am!...But there is one problem." You embarrassedly rubbed your neck. "I dunno where you live."

"That's ok! You can follow Obi's car! It's not even that far from here honestly!"

"Ok. Sounds like a plan."

Sounded like a plan but it was easier said than done trying to follow Obanai's van through the dark snowy evening. Luckily you were still carpooling Kyojuro whom turned out had incredibly good night vision and was able to help you point out where you needed to go and you were easily able to find the Kanroji's family home. Decorated with shiny Christmas lights and a big wreath hung up onto the door. 

Oh. That was lovely but not as lovely decorated as the inside was. With a large pink Christmas tree(you were surprised Mitsuri would decorate her house in pink Christmas decorations) decked out in silver ornaments and tinsel, garlands everywhere one looked, cutesy gingerbread men shaped throw pillows on her sofa, and much much more. Kyojuro helped you bring in two large paper bags again to which Mitsuri and Suma instantly perked up immediately when seeing it.

"HA! What's that?! More mochi cakes?!," Suma asked with wide eyes practically drooling at the thought of more of your yummy desserts.

You smiled at her. "Nope but it is for you guys!" You continued already reaching into the bag to go fishing for the gifts. "They're Christmas presents!"

You pulled out the first one which happened to be Giyuu's to which you handed over to him and watched as with happy eyes he opened it to reveal the old tsume shogi board game you'd found. Shinobu mentioned once that it was his favorite game and you promised to play it with him sometime as he stared wide eyed at you. Kanae and Shinobu was next and both sisters lit up when finding out about the matching butterfly earrings you got for them. Kyojuro instantly lit up upon seeing the sake you gave him immediately holding up his bottle and shouting-

"I'll get another one and we'll use these for our New Year's festivities!"

Sanemi just looked stunned by the cute wooden beetle in his hands after you explained that Kanae mentioned him having a few pet beetles at home, but it didn't stop him from turning a bright pink. You were going to give him the silver chain you'd bought earlier but you didn't think he'd like it since Sanemi never wore any jewelry. Instead you gifted the chain to Tengen along with the new paintbrushes to which he immediately put on commenting on how 'flashy' it looked on him. Makio and Hinatsuru gushed over the amber and Ruby pendants and Suma all but death hugged you crying over the sapphire ring she had gotten. Makio pulled her off you but you were pulled into another death hug as soon as Mitsuri sat the cute Hi Kitty sweater underneath reindeer wrapping paper. This time it was Giyuu who saved you before you could pass out from lack of air. 

That means there was only two gifts left.

"Merry Christmas, Honey." Gyomei blinked down at his hands when you placed a wrapped rectangle shape in them. "I got you something I really think you'd like."

"Oh? A gift for me. How thoughtful." His smile was already there as you watched him unwrap it and feel a hand across the cover. "Oh. A book."

"Nansō Satomi Hakkenden to be exact. You said you've been wanting to read it and it took me a while-" He looked back to you in surprise. "-but I found one that was in brail for you. Y'know..So you could read it."

He continued to stare at your direction before he turned his face back down towards the book in his hands again. Feeling the soft hardback in his grasp before he smiled. "I think...this is the most thoughtful gift anyone's ever given me." You blinked when he suddenly cupped your face. "Thank you."

With a pink face you giggled into his touch before smiling. "I'm so happy you think so. I wanted to get you something you really liked." That left only one last present though. You gently removed yourself from his grip to pick up one last box before turning to the room before you blinked. "Where's Iguro?"

"Oh. I thought I heard him retreat to the kitchen. He might be helping Mrs. Kanroji with the baking."

"Alright then. I'll be right back."

With one last smile you took your leave of the small living room to go make your way to the kitchen where the delicious smells came from. Gingerbread, roasted turkey, and chocolate being some of the few smells you smelt before poking your head into the kitchen area. You saw an older woman in an apron who was pushing a gingerbread man shaped cookie cutter into light brown dough on the table and across from her stirring a pot on the stove was an older man whom had the same eyes as Mitsuri. He noticed you first looking up towards the doorway with a smile. 

"Hello there, Young Lady," he greeted which made his wife look over. "You must be the new girlfriend my daughter's been going on about. Don't think we've seen each other since that nice Rengoku family hosted Halloween."

'Girlfriend'? You brushed it off think he must've been mistaken or he was referring to you as one of Mitsuri's girlfriends as the platonic way. "Sorry. I'm looking for Iguro. Someone told me he was in the kitchen."

"Oh. He's in the backyard roasting the ham on the grill. It always tastes better when it's cooked over an open fire. You can go through the backdoor there and find him." He gestured to a door against the wall you hadn't noticed before.

"Oh. Thank you."

Leaving the couple behind you made for the door thankful that you hadn't removed your coat yet. Opening up the door you were met with a snowy backyard with a fence, a big grill with a full on ham being cooked over it, and Obanai standing next to said grill looking surprised to see you. You stared back at him ..and tried to not to laugh seeing the pink frilly apron tied over his coat with his black hair pulled up into a bun, and a pair of kitty paw oven mitts adorning his hands as he stood there staring at you. His snake was poking itself cutely under his chin and looked he was wearing a fuzzy socks Obanai had cut the tip off of to shove over him.

He stared at you with comically large eyes, probably turning to you when he heard the door open before he sputtered. "W-What are you doing here?!" He quickly accused pointing a cute mitten at you. "No one's supposed to be here until we're done cooking!"

You decided not to laugh and instead smiled at him holding up his gift. "I brought you a present!"

...He blinked. "A what?"

"A present! Y'know. A gift?," you said stepping forward to hold out the box. "Here. I got this for you. Merry Christmas, Obanai."

His brows rose once more. Looking at you, then the gift, then you, then the box again..and then finally back to you raising one brow high in confusion. "A gift? Why would you get me anything? We aren't even that close."

"Because I just wanted to." You held the gift closer to him. "Will you at least look at it? If you don't like it I'll take it back and get you something else."

Again he didn't say anything at first looking between you and the box a few times before his eyes glanced to the ham still roasting over the grilled fire. Not sure if he was contemplating entertaining you or if he was making sure the food wouldn't burn before talking to you but he turned to look at the box again .... before slowly removing the cutesy mitts from his hands and putting him to the side. You smiled and watched as he slowly took it from you. He stood there for the longest time turning it this way and that inspecting it before bringing it up to his ear and shaking it-

"Careful!" He stopped. "It's fragile. If you shake it too much it might break."

...He blinked. Before looking at the box suspiciously and just reaching up to rip the lip off. Peeking inside. .... before he blinked yet again. Just...staring at the box. You stood there still in silence as he continued to just stare unblinking into the box. 

"... It's a snake! Or it's supposed t-to be a snake. Tengen told me you liked amezaiku candy. I uh-... I'm not very good at making it as you can see b-but I hope you like it." 

Obanai said nothing still, just looking into the box silently before reaching inside the box and carefully pulling out the fragile sugar-starch statue from inside. It was a snake, of what was supposed to be a snake. It was bulging in strange places, and the scales sculpted onto it's body was uneven, and it's head looked like someone used helium to inflate it. Eyes popping out cartoon style. The edible paint used to pay it either was a bit sloppy and chipped and some places weren't even painted. Overall not the best looking.

"Mitsuri showed me a picture of Kaburamaru so I tried using him as a reference..but I don't think it came out too good. Sorry about that."

He just...held it in his hands. Yes hands because he let the box drop to his feet in order to cradle the small thing into his hands like he was handling glass. Eyes wide as the houselights bounced off the shiny sugar it was made from. Like an imperfect statue still made from beautiful glass. 

"You made this..." He looked up at you wide eyed. "For me?"

You nodded happily. "Yes! Merry Christmas, Obanai. Do you like it?"

He looked back at the statue awed. "Yes."

You lit up in relief. "That's good. I'll leave you alone now. See you back at the party."

You then turned to go back inside and to let him cook. He watched you go back inside silently staring at where you disappeared before slowly looking back down at the candy snake in his hands. 

The rest of the party went off without a hitch. You spent a few hours there before saying you had to go home and being sure to drop your boyfriend and Kyojuro off first before returning very late to your home, dragging yourself inside, and then just plopping yourself in bed after the long day you had. 

The rest of that week into the next was pretty normal. 

Christmas Day you stopped by your aunt's to give her the present you'd gotten her but she wasn't there so you left it in her mailbox. You were invited by Kyojuro and Tengen to their New Year's Eve party next week at Tengen's home. You finally got to relax a lot. You went out to the park and dinner with Gyomei. Posed for Tengen yet again that weekend and he promised to have it done in time for New Year's which just made you all the more excited for the party. You even got to hang out with Murata after so long of you two being busy and watched him go nuts over the comic you got him. Everything seemed to be going so well!

Until next week.

It was a few days before New Year's and the party, and you were trying out the recipe for no bake cookies from your new cook book (a gift from Sanemi of all people) when you heard a loud knocking on your front door. With a confused blink you paused in your work to go towards the door. You were expecting your aunt, your boyfriend, or one of your friends but you weren't expecting to see the short man on the other side staring at you as soon as you opened the door. You blinked at the thick black and white coat and the thick scarf wrapped around his neck and lower face hiding his mouth from view. 

"Oh. Hi, Obanai. I wasn't expecting to see you here." You smiled but you were a little confused by his presence here. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer at first before saying two words. "Totoro kombu."

You blinked. "I'm sorry. What?"

"Totoro kombu," he repeated seriously.

You still stared at him confused at first before it hit you. "Oh. Do you want me to make you more?" He instantly nodded eagerly. "Oh sure. I can do that right now since I got some seaweed. Do you wanna come in? It's cold out there."

He nodded again and you stepped aside to allow him to come inside.

[hughesybear]

Quinn & Tocchet on the locker room dynamics (12/21/2024):

Quinn:

“Yeah, it’s been a lot of learning for everyone in here. Not to beat around the bush, everyone knows what the reports are out there, but I think that everyone expects a lot from each other. There’s times where I get upset with Millsy, there’s times where I get upset with Petey, there’s times where I get upset with Hronek, and that doesn’t mean I don’t love those guys and vice versa. I’m going to make some bad plays, and they’re going to make plays where I wish they saw me here or saw me there, and over the course of playing together for six years, I think those things are normal and they’re going to happen. As far as my leadership, I think just continuing to keep everyone on the yellow brick road and our goals, which are short-term having a good game tonight and long-term being a successful team and making the playoffs.

“One hundred percent I believe it’s workable. I mean, we know it’s workable, we saw it last year, very evident, and I think both of them have been going through their own struggles this year. I believe in both of them, I think they’re great players, great people. Like I said, there’s times where we’ll all get into it, but it is a family in here, and we’ve just got to continue to push forward and play the way we need to play. If there’s a positive looking forward to this, I think Petey and Millsy would both say that they haven’t played their best hockey this year and we’re still where we are in the standings. That’s a positive thing we can look at, that two of the best players out there can be better.”

Tocchet:

It's all about the crest," Tocchet told reporters. "It's always about the crest, not the name on the back. You're going to have arguments, you're going to have fights. Whether people are bickering and complaining, it's my job to make sure guys have a voice and you move on from that sort of stuff. But, you also have to be mature too.”

[starrieangel]

🩷 Curly helps reader regress 🌻

Request by Anon: “How about Curly with a reader who wants to regress but struggles to due to responsibilities and stress, And Curly just, gently coaxing reader into relaxing and taking a break from all of that”

Features: CG! Curly x Little! Reader

Tags: Fluff, Female Reader, Age Regression, omg this is way longer than expected, my Curly bias is showing

Notes: I used Daddy, Papa/Papa Bear, Teddy/Teddy Bear as cg names for Curly (cause he's my f/o and that's what I would call him alskxndkslsnxhkz thanks for requesting this, it’s very self indulgent..!!!)

rbs appreciated !! ☆ ~

Curly begins to notice that you aren't regressing as often as you used to. You've been extra busy with work or school, just general life stuff, and it seems to be taking up a lot of your mental energy

Normally he could get at least a giggle out of you each night, getting you to either regress or just relax into a calmer state by tickling you or playing with your plushies or offering to read you a bedtime story- just anything that he knows you'll enjoy

But lately when you go to bed, you don't seem to smile as much. It's like your responsibilities are weighing you down, sucking all the joy from you :(

Teddy Curly cannot have his little princess be so gloomy..! It kills him to see you so clearly stressed, but he's not really sure what to do at first..

Until one day, you come home from work/school, and Curly insists you let him take care of you.

“I know you haven't been feeling well, Princess, so I was hoping maybe today could be a.. little day? I've seen how stressed you are and, I just really want to help you feel better.”

“I don't know, Curly, I haven't really been in the best mood lately...”

“That's what I'm talking about, just... let me help you, okay? And, if I'm being honest, I really miss my little girl, too.” He says the last part sheepishly, looking down at his shoes as he says it.

You think about it for a minute before reluctantly agreeing. He sighs a breath of relief before his lips crack into a shy smile. 

“See, there's my good girl..” He wraps you in a hug, running his fingers thru your hair. “Now tell Daddy what's wrong. Please, bunny?”

You're already starting to melt a bit, feeling his strong arms around you, and hearing his handsome voice saying your special title for him.

You tell him what's been happening at work/school that has you so upset, he's resting his chin on your head as he adds “uh-huh, I hear you” or “I know, baby, that sounds hard” you can feel tears prick your eyes a bit as you near the end of your story, your speech sounding more and more like your little voice. 

He cups your face in his hands, rubbing his calloused thumb against your cheek. “Thank you for telling me that, baby. It's all going to be okay now, though. Papa's got you.” He wipes away a stray tear from your cheek.

“C-can we start that little day now?” You say, the weight of grown up life was beginning to be too much.

He chuckles a bit, thinking of how cute you are looking up at him with big wet eyes. “Of course, baby.” And without warning he picks you up so that you're resting on his hip, arms around his neck. You start to feel even more little- He’s so strong that he can easily pick you up like you're a baby /)(\

“How does a nice warm bath sound, darling?” He says in his soft voice. He presses a kiss to your cheek, really rubbing it in so that his facial hair scratches against you. You giggle from his stubble tickling your cheek- he always knows how to make you smile ♡

You nod your head, and he goes to draw you a bath ~

I think I will do a part two for this since it's kinda long!! Part 2 will have Curly giving regressed reader a bubble bath and putting them to bed 😊 Thank you for reading! and leaving requests :) sorry if I don't get to all of them, I try to only write for fun and not force anything, but I love hearing other's ideas! 

Please leave a comment letting me know what you think! I love talking to other people abt fanfic aaaa ♡ Thanks again! 

🩷🌻🧸

Guys why is this so long. Why am I so cuckoo for coco puffs over a character from a horror game. This is deranged

[paladin--strait]

soulmates part 5

luke hughes x reader

sorry this is so short! i'm hoping it'll kinda be like a filler chapter that'll kinda set things up more. sorry that its moving kinda fast, i'm hoping to keep this series under ten chapters.

tw!!: some language, use of y/n, reader can be depicted as any body shape/size. this story moves kinda fast, since I want it to only be a couple of parts long. this is a complete work of fiction. I am no way saying or implying that these people act the way they do in the story. I am open to any sort of constructive criticism! thank you!

-

"quinn." i say, shutting the door to his room behind me. "we need to talk."

he sits in silence on the side of his bed, staring blankly at the wall. "what." his words have no emotion behind them.

"what the hell is going on?" i cross my arms as i move to stand in the line of his vision.

"nothings going on." he says, his tired eyes flickering to look up at me.

"bullshit, quinn." i step towards him, "i need to know."

"i told you, it's nothing." he shrugs, looking at me with an annoyed expression on his face.

"but it's something."

"it's not your business." he fires back, his tone a little more harsh than i hope he intended it to be.

"but it is quinn," i plead, sitting beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder. "it involves me somehow and i need to know what it is."

he doesn't respond, his shoulders dropping as he sighs.

"i don't want to spend the last two weeks at the lake house with some of y'all being so depressed. there's tension, quinn. and it's killing me already, killing the others. they won't tell me what's going on, so i need you to."

"fine." he says, looking over at me. "i..." i wait for his response, hoping it's nothing bad.

"i made a huge mistake." he sighs and i look at him with a confused look on my face. "i shouldn't have tried to set you and luke up together."

my brows furrow, "why not? i thought you said we would be perfect for each other."

"because..." he looks down at his sock covered feet, "i didn't realize...how much i like you..."

my eyes widen slightly at his sudden confession, "what...?"

"i like you, y/n." he looks back up at me, this time with a look of pure adoration in his tired eyes. "me and luke...we got into it after you left for vancouver. brock said something about the way we act towards each other and it made me realize how much i truly like you..."

my shoulders slump a little, "quinn...i don't know what to say."

"you don't have to say anything. i know you don't like me that way and i'd prefer we stay friends. if you still want to be, that is." he says, his lips pursing into a line after he finishes speaking.

"i'd love to still be friends with you, quinn. you're everything to me. but, i don't like you like that and i don't want our opposing feelings for each other to take a toll on our friendship." i explain, hoping he'll understand.

"i agree completely." he nods, "but luke is upset with me and i don't want me and him to be upset with each other and there be even more tension if the two of you end up together."

"i'll talk to luke, try and work things out." i stand, putting my hands in the pocket of my canucks hoodie. "i think i like him, quinn. he's different than what i thought he'd be. he called me a few times while i was gone to check up on me, he's really sweet."

quinn smiles softly, "i'm glad he's been so good to you. i'm sorry about all this."

"don't be sorry, quinny. everything will be okay. and i'm sure it's just a little crush, you'll probably get over it soon." i smile at him, holding my arms wide open for a hug and he stands immediately, placing his arms around my waist and pulling me in for a hug. it's gentle but loving, his chin placed on my shoulder.

i let go, walking over to his door and opening it to leave, "you'll get over it soon, i promise." i whisper, smiling at him softly.

but i don't hear the words that leave his mouth after i shut the door behind me. "probably..." his words laced with sadness and defeat as the bed dips under him as he sits back down.

-

i walk down the hallway and to luke's room, knocking on the door.

a few seconds later, a tired looking luke opens the door. his eyes are red and puffy, like he's been crying. "hey luke...can we talk?" i ask. he nods, opening the door further to let me in. i walk in and he shuts the door behind me, looking over at me. "i just talked to quinn and-"

"shut up." he cuts me off, his hands placed on my hips as he pulls me closer.

"luke...what are you doing?" i ask, my eyes widening with confusion and almost a hint of excitement.

"what i've been wanting to do for a while." luke's words are quiet and sweet, with a sense of urgency and nervousness hinted in there too. "what i need to do before he takes you away from me."

[merrybloomwrites]

You Can Start A Family (Extra: Telling the Parents & Celebrating the Holidays)

Summary: It's time to celebrate the holidays with Mitch, Harry, and Sarah's families but before that can happen, you need to fill them in on the truth about your relationship.

WC: 3.2K

CW: mentions of past family deaths, alcohol consumption

AN: I've been feeling oddly nostalgic about the beginning of this series (I cannot believe I posted the first chapter a year and a half ago!). I wasn't sure exactly where this extra would take me, but I like that I was able to go down memory lane a little bit.

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The first holiday season spent as a foursome was very laid back. You were still recovering from your pneumonia and septic infection, so it was decided very quickly that you would take it easy. You’d spent quality time together doing all of the classic Christmas traditions. 

Your favorite thing about that time was naps by the tree. You, Sarah, Mitch, and Harry had spent an afternoon together decorating it, and it looked perfect. The living room looked straight out of a Christmas card, and was just so cozy, especially with the fireplace going and jazzy holiday music playing softly in the background. Plus your girlfriend and boyfriends were more than happy to cuddle you at any time.

So yea, snuggles on the couch while living in a winter wonderland was the happiest Christmas you’d had in years.

This year though. This year would be a bit different. Not bad! Just, a lot more activity. 

All four of you would be traveling to England to spend the holidays with Harry and Sarah’s families. 

You had worked out a system that would make everyone happy. Thanksgiving with Mitch’s family, Christmas with Harry’s and New Years with Sarah’s. It was the perfect plan! 

Except that you hadn’t yet told their families that all four of you are in a relationship. And you all knew that had to happen before seeing them for the holidays. 

You’d been with Mitch and Sarah for a year and a half at this point, and Harry and joined a few months later. But no one really knew how to explain the details of your relationship. Sure the four of you were always together, but everyone assumes it was two separate couples, like a constant double date situation. It’s time to finally set the story straight.

You start with Mitch’s parents, since you see them somewhat frequently. When you sit down and tell them, it’s clear that they’re confused. But after a bit of explaining, they seem to understand. Or at least they try their best, but it’s definitely a learning curve. You’re all just relieved that they’re not upset in any way, and after a couple more dinners together, it’s clear that Mark and Tammy are fully on board and supportive.

Sarah’s family is next, done over Facetime. They’re very free spirited, and apparently a four person relationship is no big deal to them. They like Harry, and they’ve heard good things about you from Sarah, and seeing more people love their daughter is a good thing in their eyes.

Harry’s family is last, also done on video calls. You start with his sister, Gemma, since she has been around the four of you most. When Harry starts to explain she has a look on her face you can’t quite figure out. 

“Guys, you think we don’t know?” Gemma says when Harry is done telling the story.

All four of you are taken aback, not having gotten this reaction yet.

“What do you mean?” Harry asks.

“Mum and I have known for a while,” she says. 

“How long?” You ask.

“We started wondering last year when you were sick. I guess we technically didn’t know for sure, but we’ve assumed since then,” she answers. 

With this new information, you guys decide to add Harry’s mum into the call. She’s confused at first but Gemma cheekily says, “They have something to tell you,” and Anne’s face turns from befuddled to knowing.

It’s an easy conversation, and she is nothing but happy that the four of you have each other.

With all the families in the know, your stress over the holiday season has lifted. Now you’re just excited to actually celebrate with other people. In the years since your immediate family had died, you’d always received invites to spend the holidays with friends or more distant relatives. 

It was nice to be included, but it hurt more to see these happy full families celebrating together. The year prior to meeting Sarah, Mitch, and Harry you had decided to stay home for the holidays. It was dark, and lonely, but at least you didn’t have to pretend to be happy and having fun. 

But now you have people to share it with. And you find yourself counting down the days with excitement rather than dread. 

Thanksgiving at Mitch’s parents isn’t all that different from a typical dinner with them. But you are in that small group who actually loves turkey and all the traditional sides, so it’s a real treat for you. 

The house is decorated with classic autumn colors and the lights are dimmed, allowing candles to create a soft glow for the evening. 

It’s so lovely to be able to share affection with all your partners. For so long you could only be this close with Harry, and it always made you feel like you were leaving the others out. 

While you’re not huge fans of public displays of affection, there are occasional kisses and hand holding. When you all retire to the living room to chill with some post dinner drinks, Mitch’s parents don’t bat an eye that you are curled up to Mitch’s side while Sarah and Harry sit close together. 

You know it must be a lot for them to come to terms with, having seen their son with his wife for years. Learning he now has another boyfriend and girlfriend is a big change, and you’re grateful that they are so chill about it. 

Later you’re in the kitchen washing some of the wine glasses when Mitch’s mom comes up to you.

“I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised,” she says.

“About what?” you ask curiously.

“About the four of you. When Mitch started working with Harry, he talked about him all the time. Which, as you know, is a bit out of character for him. Part of me thought maybe something was going to happen between the two boys. When Mitch met Sarah he couldn't stop talking about her either, and it was clear there was something special there. And then came you.”

She pauses for a moment, but before you can worry she continues. “During the hardest time in my life, you appeared, like an angel who delivers delicious Italian food,” she says with a laugh. “From the start you were family to us. I could see the way Mitch and Sarah cared about you. And there was a shift after that weekend Mark and I spent at the cabin and you stayed here with them. When you told them about your family. I thought they were just more protective after hearing that your loved ones had passed. But it was more than that, wasn’t it?”

You blush and shyly answer, “That was the first time they kissed me.”

“I figured. And you’re happy with the three of them? They make you happy, take care of you?”

“Oh absolutely. They’re wonderful to me, all of them. I feel so safe and loved when I’m with them,” you reply.

“Then that’s what matters. I will say, it’s a bit of a new concept to me, but the four of you seem to have something special, and I’m glad you all have each other. And if there’s anything you ever need, you know I’m here for you too, right?”

You smile and nod before she pulls you in for a tight hug. 

Having finished up in the kitchen the two of you walk back to the living room together, and you catch the pleased look on Mitch’s face as he watches you interact with his mom. The evening wraps up shortly after that, and the four of you make your way home. 

In bed that night you reflect on your conversation with Tammy. You know that no one will ever replace your parents, but it’s nice to have people so willing to help fill that gap in your life. With a full heart, you fall asleep wrapped in Sarah’s arms. 

The next couple of weeks fly by in a flurry of holiday planning. 

When it’s time for your flight to England, you’re happy to have three people to travel with. Sure, you’re good at being independent, and you’ve managed to travel solo a few times before, but it’s always nice to have other people with you. Especially when the weather delays, then cancels your flight. You’re impressed watching Harry so quickly fix the situation and get you all on a new flight leaving only a couple hours late.

You’re all tired once you finally take off, and you rest your head against Harry’s shoulder, trying, and mostly failing to nap. 

When you arrive in England, it’s clear your group has been spotted. Harry keeps an arm around you, ensuring you’re protected in case there are any fans or paps who get out of hand.

Luckily it seems to be just a few respectful fans who only want to say hi. They aren’t disappointed when Harry politely tells them he has to keep moving, as his sister is there to pick them up and he doesn’t want to keep her waiting. 

When you do make it outside, Gemma comes running up, first hugging her brother, then pulling you in a tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re all here!” she exclaims as she hugs Mitch and Sarah as well. You all load into the car, and Gemma begins the drive to their mum's house. 

Anne greets you with warm hugs and a delicious meal, fretting over all of you after your long day of traveling. After everyone finishes eating lunch, Harry quickly gets up to start cleaning the dishes. 

“Put that down, love,” Anne says. “I appreciate the help, but you guys look like you’re about to pass out. You should go rest for a little bit. Harry, show them up to your room, everything is ready for you all.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, ever the helpful gentleman.

“I’m sure. Go rest so you can help me with dinner,” she replies with a smirk.

Harry does as he’s told and leads the three of you up to his bedroom. He’s surprised when he opens the door and sees his desk is gone in order to make room for a new, very large bed.

“Mum, what is all this?” he shouts out.

Anne appears and answers, “Well, I figured the four of you would be quite squished on your old bed. It was starting to wear anyway, so this made the most sense.”

“You didn’t have to do that. At the very least I should be paying for it-”

“Nonsense,” she says, cutting him off. “I’m happy to do it. I want you all to be comfortable here. Make sure you keep coming back for visits!” she jokes.

“Thank you,” Harry says, leaning down to give her another hug. 

“Of course my darling. Now go, rest, all of you,” she replies, ushering the four of you into the room.

She’s absolutely right about you guys being tired, and within minutes all of you are asleep in a big jumble on the bed. 

Feeling refreshed later that evening, you have a lovely dinner with Anne, ending the night with Christmas movies in the living room. 

The next day is Christmas Eve, and there’s much preparation that needs to be done. Luckily there are plenty of you to help with all of the cleaning and cooking, since a bit of Harry’s extended family will be coming for dinner. 

Around midday you’re in the kitchen with Anne, helping prepare some of the side dishes. You work in companionable silence for a while, and you can’t help but think about your family. How you wish they were here with you, could see how happy you are. A wave of grief threatens to overwhelm you, but then Harry pops in the room, giving you a big smile and pressing a kiss to your head. 

Mitch and Sarah enter a moment later, their faces bright and cheerful as well, and just like that they’ve prevented overwhelming grief. You’re still sad, still miss your family, but this reminder of the love you have surrounded you makes it bearable. 

The evening is lovely, and you enjoy getting to meet more of Harry’s relatives. The dinner is delicious, and everyone shares happy stories. It’s a room filled with joy, but even then, you still feel just a bit of sadness for those who are missing.

In bed that night you curl up next to Sarah, Mitch on your other side and Harry behind him. 

Sensing that something is on your mind, Sarah asks, “Are you alright, love?”

“Yea,” you reply in a quiet voice. “I just love you all, so much. Thank you for loving me.”

They know that there’s more than what you’re saying, but you’ve been together long enough that they don’t have to ask. Holidays are hard for you, and they all vowed to support and comfort you long ago. So they do just that, holding you tighter and telling you how much they love you, how happy they are to have met you, how excited they are to spend life with you.

Soothed by the three people you love most, you fall into a peaceful sleep. 

The next morning you’re all greeted to the best surprise. A light coating of snow fell overnight, creating the most picturesque Christmas scene. It’s a calm morning filled with gift exchanges and a delicious brunch. Harry then leads the three of you on a walk around the neighborhood, pointing out places that are special to him. 

It’s one of the best Christmas Day’s you’ve had in years.

The next few days are peaceful, and you find yourself wanting to stay there forever, hiding in this perfect little bubble.

But you’re also excited to go spend time with Sarah’s family. You haven’t spent much time with them before, having only seen them briefly on two different occasions. And while you’re nervous about making a good impression, from what you know of them, they’re very laid back and nonjudgmental. 

It’s a tearful goodbye as you leave Cheshire. Never one to hide his emotions, Harry does nothing to stop the tears that slide down his cheeks as he leaves his mum’s house. The sadness is short-lived though, and by the time you get to Sarah’s an hour later, everyone is cheerful once again.

Sarah’s parents are unlike any parents you’ve ever met before. Which shouldn’t surprise you, knowing Sarah as well as you do. Any parents who encouraged their young child to follow their passion and become a professional drummer are probably pretty chill. 

Within the first hour you’re there Sarah’s dad says, “Heard my daughter’s been teaching you to drum.”

“She is,” you reply with a smile.

“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got,” he says, walking out of the room.

It’s clear you’re meant to follow, and you’re grateful that Sarah comes with the two of you. It’s not that you’re uncomfortable, just unsure of what is about to happen.

He leads you to the garage, where album art decorates the walls and numerous instruments are scattered throughout the space. 

“Sarah, go get those boys of yours, let’s see what you all can do together,” he says. 

While she’s gone he turns to you and says, “So, four people together. Bit unorthodox. But you all seem to make it work.”

“Yea, we’re really happy together. I can’t imagine my life without all three of them in it,” you answer. 

“Whose idea was it?”

“Uhm, well, Mitch and Sarah both approached me, so I’m not really sure.”

“Bet it was Sarah. My girl’s never been afraid to go after what she wants, even if it’s not what's ‘normal’ or ‘typical’. Now, show me what she’s taught you so far.”

It’s a bit nerve wracking to be playing for him, but from the second you pick up the sticks that fear washes away. Because he’s immediately smiling at you and nodding along. There’s a look of pride that you assume is for his daughter, that he’s impressed by her skills and her ability to share that with others.

Sarah walks back in with the boys just as you finish playing and he walks over to her. He wraps an arm around her and says, “Excellent job teaching her, my love.”

You smile and you watch the interaction and then he’s walking over to you. He places his hands on your shoulders before saying, “And you! You have real talent, and I can tell you’ve worked very hard. You should be very proud of that, I know I am.” It’s one of the best compliments you’ve received in a while, and it means so much coming from him. 

The rest of the afternoon is spent in the garage playing music before you all head to a nice restaurant for dinner. 

The next day is New Years Eve, and Sarah’s parents have a tradition of going downtown for the celebration thrown there. The few blocks in the center are roped off, and once you pay to get in you can get access to all the stores, restaurants, and bars. 

The night starts normally with a casual dinner together. And then things start to get a bit more wild. After the third different bar you lose count, but the one with the piano battle may be your favorite. 

When the clock strikes midnight the four of you all exchange kisses, for once not worried what people will think. 

An hour later the six of you are walking back home. It’s not exactly a short walk, and it is quite cold out, but in your group’s inebriated state, it seems like the best idea.

You’re hand in hand with Sarah, her father on your other side with his arm slung around your shoulders. 

“Ya know,” he starts. “I was always surprised when Sarah settled with a man. Always thought she’d at least bring home a girlfriend or two, even if she was into men as well.”

“Dad!” she exclaims through embarrassed laughter.

“No, no, don’t get me wrong. I love Mitch, you know that. Honestly you kids seem to have it figured out. The four of you are really great together, that’s easy to see. You get to have all these different dynamics, and three people to lean on when you need them. And I do love your boys, but I will say, I’m grateful you got me another daughter.” He ruffles your hair as he says that, and while you know these are drunken ramblings, you can tell he’s sincere. It makes you feel so warm inside, and you feel Sarah squeeze your hand, as she’s fully aware of how much this means to you.

The rest of your trip to England passes in a blur, and after an uneventful day of traveling back to the states, you’re glad to be home.

Sitting in bed that night you reflect on the past month and a half, how different it’s been and how happy it’s made you. 

Having Harry, Mitch, and Sarah as your partners has been an absolute blessing. But being so accepted by their families is a true gift, and you’re so grateful to have all of them in your life.

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AN: Happy holidays! Thank you so much for reading!

The next extra will be spicy, potentially one of the dirtier/kinkier ones I've written sooo we'll see how that goes haha

Taglist: @akkatz @pandeebearstyles @walkingintheheartbreaksatellite@theekyliepage@numafarawayglxy @booberry019-blog @hillzrry@ssareidbby @gem1712 @acesofspadess@houseofdilfs@shaquille-0atmeal-1@kissitnhekitchen @amateurduck @poguestyleskye@n0vaj3an@snwells@drunk-teens-doing-drugs ; @fdl305

[littlejoyss]

𝚄𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 Day 9 - Christmas fair/market | Late shopping (together) @12daysofchristmas  Stray Kids - Hwang Hyunjin x Reader (Not Famous AU) Word Count: 1.4 k

At the beginning of December, you convinced your 8 friends to participate in a Secret Santa. Every one of them pulled a name out of a hat to see who they would get a gift for.

You got Hyunjin, your boyfriend.

You decided to get him something that reflects his personality and passions: a customized sketchbook with his initials embossed in gold on the leather cover. Inside, you added personal touches, including a handwritten note on the first page expressing how much you love and admire his artistry and a small set of art prompts inspired by your shared memories to spark his creativity.

To complement the sketchbook, you included a set of high-quality colored pencils in his favorite shades and a delicate charm bracelet with a tiny palette charm to represent his love for art.

Of course, that wasn’t the only gift you got him. But, it would be the one you give him at the Secret Santa exchange.

Tomorrow was the day of exchange, and you had your gift already wrapped and ready to bring.

Hyunjin, on the other hand, did not.

He told you while you were scrolling on your phone on the couch. It was 5 pm. You gasped, “You haven’t bought your gift yet?”

“You know me,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I’m terrible at remembering these things.”

You shook your head, half amused and half exasperated. “Hyunnie, the exchange is tomorrow! What are you going to do?”

He flopped back onto the couch dramatically, burying his face in a throw pillow. “I don’t know. Panic? Maybe write them a heartfelt poem? People like poems, right?”

You raised an eyebrow. “Who did you get, again?”

“Han,” he mumbled into the pillow.

You laughed despite yourself. “Well, lucky for you, Han is one of the easiest people to shop for. You could literally bake him cookies and he’d be over the moon.”

Hyunjin sat up, his face lighting up. “Cookies! That’s perfect. He loves cookies. But…” His expression shifted into a pout. “We don’t have the ingredients.”

“You’re hopeless,” you teased. “Good thing you’ve got me. Come on, we’ll head to the store and get him something.”

“Oh! Have you heard about the Christmas market nearby?”

“The Christmas market?” you repeated, intrigued.

Hyunjin nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! I saw a poster for it last week. They’ve got stalls with handmade gifts, snacks, and, I don’t know, festive stuff. Maybe we can find something unique for Han there.”

You tilted your head, considering. “That’s actually a great idea. Plus, it sounds like fun. Let’s go!”

Hyunjin hopped off the couch, already reaching for his coat. “You’re the best, you know that? What would I do without you?”

“Probably show up tomorrow empty-handed and try to charm your way out of it,” you teased, grabbing your own coat and keys.

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

The two of you headed out into the crisp evening air, the streets glowing with holiday lights. The Christmas market was bustling with people, the air filled with the scent of pine and cider.

Hyunjin’s eyes sparkled as he took it all in, pulling you toward the first stall he spotted. “Okay, let’s focus. Han would love something quirky and thoughtful. Maybe… a handmade music box? Or - oh, look at these!

He pointed to a display of hand-painted ornaments, each one unique. He picked up one of two snowmen in sweaters that were holding hands. “Aw! Us!’

You laughed, shaking your head. “Hyunjin, we’re supposed to be looking for Han’s gift, not ours!”

“But look at them!” he said, turning the ornament around to admire the tiny details. “They’re holding hands. It’s destiny. We have to get this.”

“Fine,” you relented with a smile. “But it’s coming out of your budget, not mine.”

Hyunjin grinned, triumphantly cradling the ornament. “Worth it. Okay, back to Han.”

As you continued walking, the two of you were immediately distracted again. This time by a stall selling miniature houses made entirely of gingerbread.

Hyunjin gasped. “Oh my gosh, look at these! They even have tiny frosting icicles!”

You leaned closer, marveling at the intricate details. “These are incredible. But, they’re not for Han.”

“Wait, what if I got Han a gingerbread house kit?” he asked, his eyes lighting up. “We could build it together! It’d be fun, and he’d love it.”

“Not a bad idea,” you admitted. “But wouldn’t you just end up eating all the candy before the house is done? Those houses are a pain in the ass to assemble.”

“Okay, fair point,” he said, reluctantly putting down a gingerbread man he’d been inspecting.

Before you could steer him back on track, the sound of live music caught both of your attention.

“Is that… carolers?” you asked, craning your neck.

Hyunjin grabbed your hand. “Let’s go see!”

The two of you followed the cheerful singing to a small stage where a group of carolers, dressed in Victorian costumes, were performing. Hyunjin swayed to the music, humming along.

“This is so festive,” he said, grinning. “We should join them.”

“Hyunjin, you can’t just jump on stage,” you said, laughing.

“Why not? I swear I could’ve been an idol in a different life,” he teased, doing a little spin.

“Cute, but focus!” you reminded, tugging him away from the stage.

“Right, right,” he said, though his eyes lingered on the carolers for a moment. “Han’s gift. Let’s keep going.”

But as soon as you passed a stall selling hot cocoa with whipped cream piled high, Hyunjin froze again.

“Okay, last detour, I promise,” he said, pulling you toward the stand. “I need this to fuel my brainstorming.”

You rolled your eyes playfully but followed him, ordering two cups of cocoa.

As you sipped your drinks, you spotted a stall nearby selling quirky enamel pins. “Hyunjin, look! These are perfect for Han. He loves collecting pins.”

Hyunjin’s eyes lit up. “You’re a genius! Let’s pick one.”

Finally, the two of you managed to focus long enough to choose a pin shaped like a tiny guitar with musical notes swirling around it, and a pin with a joke on it.

“Okay, we did it,” Hyunjin said, holding the bag triumphantly. “Mission accomplished. And it only took, what? An hour of distractions?”

“One and a half,” you corrected, laughing.

“Worth it,” he said, grinning as he took your hand. “Now let’s get home before I spot something else.”

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

The next day, the group gathered in Chan’s living room, which was adorned with a beautifully decorated tree. Everyone was buzzing with excitement as they exchanged gifts, eager to see the reactions to their choices.

“Okay, let’s go in order of who’s sitting closest to the tree,” Chan said, pulling the first wrapped gift from under it.

The process was chaotic and filled with laughter as everyone unwrapped thoughtful, silly, or creative gifts. Finally, it was Han’s turn to open his gift from Hyunjin.

Han eagerly tore through the festive paper, revealing the quirky enamel pins Hyunjin had picked out. His face lit up as he held up the tiny guitar pin.

“Hyunjin! This is perfect!” Han said, genuinely delighted. “It’s so me. And this one - ‘Life is better with jokes’? Absolutely iconic.”

Hyunjin beamed, clearly relieved. “I knew you’d like them! It’s all thanks to the world’s best shopping partner.” He shot you a wink, earning a laugh from the group.

Then it was Hyunjon’s turn. He picked up his gift from under the tree that had you labeled as the gifter.

You beamed. “Merry Christmas!”

Hyunjin opened it carefully, his eyes widening as he revealed the customized sketchbook. He traced his fingers over the gold-embossed initials, then flipped it open to see the handwritten note and prompts.

“Babe, this is…” He trailed off, visibly moved.

“There’s more,” you prompted, gesturing to the box of colored pencils and the charm bracelet tucked inside.

Hyunjin carefully picked up the bracelet, his smile softening as he admired the tiny charm. “This is amazing. Everything is amazing. Thank you so much.”

You leaned closer, lowering your voice. “It’s because you’re amazing.”

Hyunjin grinned and kissed your cheek, completely oblivious to the teasing “oohs” from your friends.

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter and a growing pile of wrapping paper as everyone enjoyed their gifts. You couldn’t help but feel proud as you watched Hyunjin flip through his new sketchbook, already sketching out ideas inspired by the prompts you’d written.

[lovebittenbyevans]

A Love Rekindled | Part 3

Summary: It has been two and a half years since you and him have seen each other. As you and Oscar Piastri crossed paths with each other again – you both start to wonder if the love you both had for each other truly faded

Pairing: volleyballplayer/ex-boyfriend! Oscar Piastri x Female Reader

Warnings: none

Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Part 3

You let out a sigh feeling annoyed. Your mind was racing a mile a minute. You didn’t expect him to question you at all about you and him. You haven’t thought about being with him again.

Being back in New York for almost a week you feel like home again. You kind of felt back to normal and yourself again. Your mind has been turned on for the last few days. You need a week in Chicago to shut your brain off and not think.

“Mate, why can you never be real honest with him?” George asked you.

You thought about it for a second before you started to talk. “Because I know the answer he is looking for and I am not willing to argue with him about it.”

George sat on the chair stool next to you and said. “You can’t be scared forever, Y/N.”

You scoff. “Excuse me? Who said I was scared? I am allowed to feel however I want.”

He rolls his eyes and places his hand on yours. “Look, Oscar is like a brother to me and I would hate to see him not be with the woman who loves to run from her problems and not face them.”

You hate the fact that he knows you better than yourself sometimes. You sigh and shake your head. “G, we both know it won’t work between us.”

George raises an eyebrow. “How long are you going to keep using that same excuse?” He pulls his hand away. “I think you should just stop running and text him.”

A part of you wanted to argue with him but you took a moment to process what he was telling you. You know he was right but at the same time you didn’t want to feel disappointed again.

You huffed and took your phone from your pajama pocket. “I hate you.” Your tone was playful.

He chuckles a bit. “I am just looking out for you, love.”

You type in his name before you click on it and send him a message. You thought about what to tell him and then began typing on your phone.

You: Oscar, I know you probably don’t want to talk to me but I am truly sorry. You are right I am scared. I am scared that we would have gone our separate ways once you became this BIG volleyball star. I was scared that you wouldn’t love me at all. I was scared that you fell out of love with me once we went our separate ways. I was starting to not love you anymore once you got good at volleyball and people began to recognize you. I’m sorry.

You hit the send button and then looked at George. “I sent it but how are you?” You finally changed the subject.

He shrugs. “I’m good. I’m happy I have these few days off before game day.”

You nod. “And how is Nicki?”

He clears his throat and scratches the back of his neck. “She’s good and busy.”

“Uh huh.” You smirks. “Are you in love George?”

His eyes widened as you both noticed your phone vibrating against your lap. “It’s kind of too early, mate.”

You shake your head and check your phone, noticing that Oscar has responded to you. You were kind of nervous to read what he said to you. You clicked on the three messages he sent and read what he wrote to you.

Oscar: scared, huh? You are not the easiest woman I have ever dealt with. You used to be so sweet, down to earth and laid back but now you are this woman who has an attitude lol I never thought I see the day that you apologize but I will say I am happy you are finally being honest with me

Oscar: Everyday I thought about you and I still love you

Oscar: baby steps but when I’m in New York we will definitely talk again y/n

You smile a bit reading the text message before you place your phone back into your pajamas pocket. “I’m guessing from that smile everything is ok?” George got up from the chair stool and went straight to the kitchen.

“Something like that.” You glance to see him taking some pots out the cabinet.

He placed the cutting board on the counter. “Well, we both know Oscar can’t stay mad at you for long.” He placed the green pepper and red pepper on the cutting board.

You rise from the chair stool and head to the kitchen. “Whatever, what are you cooking for me today G?” You prop yourself up on the counter and glance at him.

George began to slice the green peppers in half. “You will see.”

“Do Nicki cook for you?” You tease him.

He shot you a look. “See yeah no we are doing this. Get the brussel sprouts out of the fridge and start cutting them up.”

You jump off the counter and laugh. “One day you tell me all about her.”

“Worry about Oscar first.” He told you while cutting up the green and red peppers with a sharp knife.

[vladdyissues]

so i've mentioned before how i think reign storm made vlad want danny's babies and i feel like you might like what i'm getting at when i expand on it because i am drawin' on ALL the lore for that headcanon

so in season 1, we absolutely got the arc that Vlad had a bit more in common with Jack than he wanted to admit (interests, skill, the ability to hyperfocus until the ectofilter makes their house explode), and that he was desperate for people to love him but unwilling to see them clearly enough to actually love them--he would happily sand off any traits incompatible with his vision, before accepting them as-is. he especially wants to sand off all the traits in danny he associates with Jack

if their relationship had changed in s1, it would be badger cereal all the way down for me. you could not get me to romantically ship it again, even with the chemistry, for love nor money. but it didn't

and then we got Reign Storm in S2

where we got to see vlad and danny being their most sincere and straightforward around each other. vlad was sincerely a magnificent bastard and danny was sincerely not putting up with his shit, but they're so much of their authentic selves only around each other. vlad still wants danny to be his son, to be influenced by him... up until the Pariah Dark fight

i am 100% certain he never meant for Danny to win there. he was waiting for Danny to wear Pariah down and pass out where Vlad could take his place in the suit and win, getting the credit AND the kudos for saving Danny. but that's not what happened

Danny, a younger, weaker, still half-mortal being in a suit actively draining him managed to win against Pariah Dark, who was so powerful it took multiple implied gods to seal him away the first time. all without Vlad having a single moment of true, lasting influence on him. and my theory...

is Vlad's ghost instincts saw this, finally saw Phantom as his own unrelated entity, and went "THIS ONE. MAKE BABIES WITH THIS ONE. LOCK HIM DOWN NOW, HE IS GOING TO BE A LEGEND"

(and so we get Dan and Dani in the same season)

and in every episode after, it is clear Maddie takes a backseat to Danny for him. he doesn't even plot the murder of Jack in any real way until the series finale. his focus is 100% on Danny and making his own Danny using the original Danny and/or putting Danny in a submissive/pliant position

i don't think he's consciously aware of any of this. or, if he is, he hates that he's thinking that way about someone nearly thirty years his junior. but i do think there's a hell of a story in half-ghost instincts being misinterpeted between the two halves of themselves and having to adapt to being their own, separate entity from humans OR ghosts

and that is my comprehensive explanation as to why I headcanon Reign Storm made Vlad's metaphorical ovaries start screaming for his attention

OH.

Shit. That's perfect.

Of course Vlad would wait until absolutely necessary to jump in and deliver the coup de grâce to Pariah. (Let the pawn sacrifice himself, do all the work, King takes credit, etc.) But the pawn... held his own?? The pawn fucking put that thing back where it came from or so help me?? By this time Vlad would surely know how to spot a good investment, and I just know the inside of his head sounded like hitting the jackpot at a Vegas casino when he saw Danny put the smack down.

Is there such a thing as Investments to Lovers? Arranged (Baby) Carriage?

Another thing you're absolutely right about is how Vlad's obsession with Maddie dropped off immediately after Reign Storm. Excepting Phantom Planet, naturally.

I love this meta. It's pure rocket fuel.

[markleessodalite]

Falling Out of Love: l.hc, l.jn, n.jm

NCT Dream drabble-- Falling Out of Love

genre: angst (??? idk if its particularly angsty but its def not happy lol)

content: all about how Haechan, Jeno, and Jaemin would fall out of love with someone. No warnings that i can think of

word count: 655

Haechan:

For Haechan, falling out of love feels stressful. Haechan truly is a perfectionist. When it comes to singing, dancing, writing, even cooking your favorite meal after a long day, everything has to be perfect. In happy times, he wanted to land the punchline to his joke flawlessly. In hard times, he wanted to tell people exactly what they needed to hear. When he finally accepted that it was time to tell you he no longer felt the same way about you, he wanted to find the perfect way to say it. The perfectly firm yet gentle, certain yet tender words to make you understand while preserving your heart. But how could he? How can you tell someone such a thing without throwing them into a world of pain? His mind grows foggier and his shoulders feel heavier with each passing day, breaking his back trying to decipher how to break the news in a way you could handle, how to remain your hero… until he reluctantly understands that, sometimes, even he would have to fail to be perfect.

Jeno:

For Jeno, falling out of love feels guilty. It took so much time for Jeno to break down the walls that he had built around his own heart, but all that effort pales in comparison to the battles he fought to break down yours. He knows how difficult it was for you. For you to understand him, for you to trust him, for you to believe him. It was like trying to walk with chained feet for him to be brave every time he told you he loved you, and for you to believe that he really did love you. Because he did. He loved you and everything about you, and for so long, and with everything he was. So he surprised himself when he realized his feelings weren’t as strong as they were before, though he initially wrote it off as the ‘honeymoon phase’ being over. But as the days, and months, and years went by, it was getting harder and harder to deny it. And it got harder and harder for Jeno to not feel like a villain, like a monster, like the devil himself for working so hard to get his hands on your heart just to let it slip through his fingers. He never imagined there was even a possibility of you two ending, of him not being so wholly and unapologetically enamored with you. He never thought he’d feel any other way about you, especially without even understanding what changed.

Jaemin:

For Jaemin, falling out of love feels frustrating. Just like Jeno, Jaemin knows that telling you how he feels will cause the end of the world. He knows you won’t react well, and that frustrates him. Jaemin is a romantic. Jaemin falls in love so easy– and apparently falls out of love even easier, no matter how much stronger, how much more real it felt than the last time. He was more sure about you than he was about anything else in the world… at least at first, until just like with everyone else he’s loved and lost, the hurricane in his heart and whirlwind in his mind started making way for clarity to come through. It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating that again, he thought he found the one, but he was wrong. Its frustrating that, again, he got ahead of himself, let himself fall head over heels without thinking about how much it would hurt. Its frustrating that he’ll never be set free from the cycle he traps himself in; he has to be the bad guy and hurt someone else, yet again.

[notgonnaedit]

Confusing Feelings

summary: Mira struggles with her feelings, as does Hunter. Meanwhile, Althea thinks they're weird.

Warnings: none

A/n: this was a trade with @dreamsight73! Your OC is awesome and I love her!

The parlor was quiet, save for the soft hum of the music in the background. There had been no jobs for Clone Force 99 for almost a week. Even with Cid giving them everything she had, the team had nothing to do.

Althea sat at the bar, doodling aimlessly with her head resting on her arm. A familiar figure walked over and sat beside her. 

"You're a little young for the bar, wouldn't you say?" Mira asked.

Althea shot her a look. "You're, like, two years older than me," she huffed.

Mira rested her hand on her chest. "I'm actually ten years older than you, but it warms my heart that you think I'm younger."

Althea rolled her lamp-like eyes. "It's probably those potions you brew."

"They're poisons, Thea," the assassin corrected. 

The girl looked up at her. "I'ma medic. And how am I supposed to know what your poisons are if you won't teach me?"

The violet clad woman raised a brow. "Didn't you just say you were a medic?"

Althea huffed. "I still carry a blaster, don't I?"

Mira hummed softly. She knew little of Althea's past, but a girl her age should never have to fight for her life. She would know.  

",I don't know how you keep doing this, kid," a husky voice commented.

Mira was pulled from her thoughts and turned to see Hunter playing dejarik with Omega. The sergeant was losing every game, but he had a content smile on his face. His opponent was suppressing giggles, but was failing.

Hunter leaned back, hands on his knees. "I need a break from this thing."

"No! I'll go easy on you!" Omega practically begged.

A small chuckle escaped Hunter. "Alright, just give me a few minutes." He stood and ruffled the child's curls before walking over to the bar.

Mira's heart fluttered as she watched him. He exuded such confidence and leadership, yet he was always kind to the younger girls. She would never understand why he let her tag along with them, considering his protective nature, but she was grateful nonetheless.

"A little young to be at the bar, aren't you, kiddo?" Hunter asked, setting his hand on Althea's head.

The medic sat up. "Mira said the exact same thing." She huffed before muttering, "I swear, you guys deserve each other."

A nervous laugh left Mira's mouth before she could stop it. Althea looked at her, then at Hunter.

The sergeant had stiffened, and despite the black ink covering half his face, there was a faint red tint. Althea narrowed her eyes. She didn't know Mira too well, but she knew Hunter, and this was weird.

Omega had noticed it as well. She glanced between the sergeant and the assassin before her chocolate hues met Althea's bright ones.

"Riiiiight...." Althea slipped from her stool and moved between the two adults. "I'll just go and see if Tech needs help now."

The pilot had been repairing the ship from their last job with Echo. Wrecker was helping them with the heavy lifting as well.

"I'll go," Omega chimed in, standing to follow the older girl.

"I thought you wanted to play more?" Hunter asked her.

The blonde looked between Mira and her brother. "That's okay."

Great. Mira thought. Just when I couldn't feel any more awkward.

Once the two girls were outside, Althea looked at the younger. "That was weird, right?"

"Definitely!" She agreed. "Why was Hunter looking at her like that?"

Althea frowned. "I don't kn–" She stopped a sudden memory surfacing. "Oh no."

"What is it??" Omega pressed.

"Hunter was looking at her like how my dad would look at my mom." Althea grimaced and stuck her tongue out.

"Your parents?" Omega asked. "That means..."

"He likes her," Althea whispered.

Omega raised a brow. "But you can like people without it being...that. I like you." 

Althea shook her head. "No. He like likes her. Like ‘Lets get married’."

Omega scrunched her nose. "Ew."

"Yeah."

A beat of silence passed between the girls as they approached their ship. Althea put her hand on Omega's shoulder, stopping her. "We can't tell anyone."

"Why not?"

"If Hunter likes Mira but she doesn't like him, it'll break his heart. We can't let it get back to him that we know."

Omega hummed, nodding. Neither girl wanted to see Hunter hurt, so they made an unspoken pact.

Meanwhile, in Cid's parlor, Mira was trying to keep her cool. The girls had left her high and dry, leaving her with an incredibly attractive man she could barely exist around.

"So, they just left," she said in attempt to start conversation.

Hunter kept his gaze on the bar, refusing to meet hers. "Yep."

He always kept his cool during missions and jobs. He never got flustered, yet around Mira it was like he completely forgot how to act.

"Any idea on what the girls are up to?" She asked him.

The sergeant shrugged. "Thea mentioned helping the others on the ship. But I wouldn't be surprised if they found something else to occupy their minds."

"How would you feel about me teaching Althea about poisons?"

Hunter turned his gaze to the assassin before him. "What?"

It was Mira's turn to shrug. "She's been asking me about it lately, but I didn't want to infringe on any rules you had." Her heart rate kicked up. "I mean– I know you guys are close and I didn't want to take away time or anything..."

Hunter stared at the woman. She was asking permission to teach Althea about poisons because she didn't want to break rules or infringe on their relationship?? This had never happened before. Anyone else would have gone behind his back, including his brothers.

She stood there nervously, her beautiful brown eyes watching him warily. Of course she would do something unlike Hunter had ever heard of. She was unlike anyone he had ever met. 

His own heart rate kicked up a notch, his face flushing as he answered her.

"Yeah, I'd think that'd be great."​​​​​​​

[dreamyelectronicmusic]

The late December sun is already up when Wille wakes to the most beautiful sight: Simon’s face inches from his, soft and relaxed in his sleep. His heart swells with happiness and love, but then clenches when he remembers that today is his last day in Bjärstad and he’ll never have another morning like this again. He pushes the thought away and just tries to focus on the quiet joy of the moment. He watches Simon sleep until his bladder forces him out of bed and then he starts rummaging around Simon’s kitchen. The least he can do is make him breakfast.

Simon emerges from the bedroom just as the coffee is ready, looking adorably sleep-rumpled. He attaches himself to Wille from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist.

“Are you making breakfast?” he murmurs, nuzzling the back of Wille’s neck.

“I am. Is that okay?”

“Mm-hmm. I like a man who knows his way around a kitchen.”

“Then I’m sorry to disappoint. Coffee and sandwiches is pretty much the extent of my abilities.”

“You could learn.”

And Wille would, happily, for Simon. He imagines cooking meals for him. Providing for him. It would make him so happy. But no amount of cooking skills could ever make up for the way being associated with Wille would destroy Simon’s life. Wille’s entire romantic history could be divided into two categories: people who were only with him for the glamour, and people who couldn’t live with the weight of becoming public property. He knows Simon is firmly in the latter category. Wille can’t do that to him. He couldn’t bear to see Simon’s light dimmed and being the cause of it.

But at least he gets to have breakfast with him. It’s cosy and domestic with plenty of stolen kisses. They’re both excited about the play tonight.

Then Simon mentions that he’s going to his mum’s house the next day to decorate the tree and bake some cookies. Wille could come too, if he wanted.

“I’d love to,” Wille says, meaning it, “but I can’t. I have to get back to Stockholm. The gala is tomorrow.”

Simon is disappointed, but he knows that Wille dreads the gala, so he tries to give him something nice to look forward to. “Then we could see each other after Christmas. Whenever you’re free.”

Wille’s expression changes at that and he doesn’t reply immediately. An ice block lodges itself in Simon’s stomach.

“You don’t want to,” he says, not a question. He feels like an idiot. Yes, they’ve only known each other for a couple of days, but Wille looked at him with such adoration, Simon really thought they were on the same page. But apparently not. Simon was the only one foolish enough to lose his heart.

“No, I want to, I do,” Wille pleads. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you. I like you so much, Simon, but I – It can’t work. You’d regret it. My life is… you don’t want to be part of it.”

“Oh, I don’t, don’t I? Funny, I don’t remember being asked.” In all honesty, the little things Wille has shared made Simon dislike the monarchy even more and he doesn’t love the prospect of having anything to do with it, but he’s sure they could have worked something out. Except apparently Wille has already made the decision for the both of them.

“Trust me, you don’t. You’d hate it and you’d hate me and it would ruin your life. I’ve seen it happen before. I can’t do that to you.”

“But you can do it to yourself?”

“... What do you mean?”

“If you hate it so much, why do you stay?”

🎄 Hallmark Christmas Movie AU Part 3 🎄

(part 1) ❄️(part 2)

At this point in the script, we need Simon/his family/the town to face some kind of problem that Wille can help solve in a way that doesn’t rely on his royal status, lets him spend more time with Simon and helps him understand what he’s really passionate about. So what I’m thinking is that Simon’s school or maybe the town community centre is putting on a Christmas play. Actually it’s probably a musical so Simon is very involved. It’s an annual thing that the town is completely obsessed with. It’s not Christmas without it, basically. But now there’s a problem: the beautiful hand-painted scenery flats they always use got damaged somehow (Hallmark Force Majeure) and they’re unusable. Everyone is devastated; the flats are a classic and everybody loves them. They can do the play without them but it just won’t be the same. Nobody is available to paint new ones at such short notice. Except a certain prince who is there on holiday so he has nothing to do besides make eyes at his crush and who took up painting some years ago as a way to calm his anxiety.

So Wille offers to repaint the flats. Mostly he wants to impress Simon and spend more time with him, but he also really likes the thought of being actually useful. I don’t know how long it would take in real life but in fantasy world it takes exactly the amount of time they have. Simon keeps him company whenever he can and enjoys watching him paint and the cute little frown he has on his face when he’s concentrating. They talk and joke and flirt and get to know each other better. Wille thinks that he should probably be trying to protect his heart because he knows that this can never be anything more than a little holiday romance – someone as wonderful as Simon doesn’t belong in his dreary life. But he knows that it’s a lost cause. He’s falling hard and fast and there’s no stopping it, so he decides to just enjoy it while he can.

As Wille paints, at first he’s trying to copy the old flats based on photos, but then he gets ideas for changes and improvements. He doesn’t think he should do that, though; it’s a tradition and he shouldn’t break it. But Simon encourages him to be creative and just do what he feels is right, and Wille finds that he’s really enjoying the process. (See, it’s a metaphor! We are not in a subtle genre.)

And you can guess what happens. At some point Wille gets some paint on his face and Simon tries to wipe it off. They were laughing about something just a second ago but suddenly they’re not. Simon’s thumb brushes over Wille’s cheekbone, smearing the paint. Wille’s nose nudges Simon’s, and their lips finally meet in a kiss that’s been days in the making. It’s soft and brief. They break apart to check in with each other, grin, and the next thing Wille knows is he’s dropping the paint brush and pulling Simon closer, closer, closer.

Simon ends up with paint on the back of his shirt and in his hair, but he doesn’t mind.