#maybe they were busy picking out beads for their friendship bracelets | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

spacesquidlings · 11 months

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Beads and Threads

Description: A spur of the moment idea to make beaded bracelets drags Rowan and Gavin from bed early. And while they had been resolved to spend their afternoon crafting, the mischief in Gavin's smile is boundless, somewhat derailing their plans. Not that it matters much, so long as the time spent is with each other.

Pairing: Gavin/Bai Qi x OC (Rowan)

Warnings: Slight suggestive content

Notes: If you're thinking to yourself, is this inspired by making friendship bracelets for the Eras tour???? You would be correct it's all I can think about. Also I'm convinced Gavin would be INCREDIBLE at crafts. A real crafts master. He definitely has a membership card at Michaels.

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A spur of the moment idea had turned into a morning wandering around the craft store and stopping at a coffee shop for snacks and drinks before returning home.

Slumping down onto the couch, Rowan clutched her drink to her chest, sweet steam still curling from her coffee. She sipped slowly, sighing as warmth spread through her veins.

“Tired already?” Gavin took a seat beside her, letting her stretch her legs out across his lap. He was smiling, his hair a mess from the wind that had kicked up while they’d been out.

The once beautiful, crisp spring morning had quickly devolved into a storm, heavy, dark clouds quickly cutting off the buttery sunshine. The wind had picked up quickly, tossing leaves and flower petals and street debris against them like ammunition. They had barely made it home before the clouds had torn open and freezing rain had poured across the world.

The furious drum of rain against the windows and the roof seemed to blanket the world. Her thoughts seemed quieter, her words seemed quieter.

“Hey,” Gavin murmured, his voice muted beneath the sound of the storm. “Come back to me.”

She huffed, smiling gently. “Sorry. I really do feel a little tired.”

“Well we were running around for quite a bit this morning.” He set his cup down on the side table, taking hold of her legs and drawing her closer. “And you got up a lot earlier than usual.”

She frowned. “And whose fault is that?”

He chuckled, pinching her thigh. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so grouchy if you’d gone to bed earlier.”

“I was busy.”

His brow arched, looking very skeptical of her argument. “Busy with?”

She pouted, looking away. “Stuff.”

Another pinch to her hip this time, Gavin trying to draw her attention back towards him. “What kind of stuff?”

He hummed, looking far too amused as she squirmed, trying not to meet his gaze. She wasn’t about to tell him that she’d been up late catching up with a webcomic she’d fallen behind on. Absolutely not. She wouldn’t hear the end of it for ages.

Gavin hummed louder, the sound drowning out the rush of the rain for a moment. He sipped his own coffee, watching her over the rim with his brows still raised.

“What?”

Suspicion crept up her spine, tendrils tangling in her nerves. “You’re being too quiet.”

“You know you left the browser open on your computer last night,” he said, by way of explanation as he set his cup down again. His brows drew low, although the corner of his lips quirked up. “You must have forgotten because you were so tired.”

Inwardly she swore, realizing she’d been had.

“It must have been a really interesting story, if it kept you up so late.”

Rowan pushed her bottom lip out further, wrinkling her brow, hoping his desire to tease would crumble if he saw her pouting.

But instead Gavin seemed unfazed, tapping her bottom lip with his index finger. “You’ll have to tell me about it. I want to know what kind of story keeps you up that late.”

Huffing, she tried drawing her legs up to her chest so she could scoot out of his reach, but Gavin was far too fast. He grabbed her ankles, pulling her closer again before dragging her fully into his lap.

“Don’t go.” His voice was low, warm as newly brewed tea, as a blanket straight from the dryer. Comforting and gentle, wrapping around her and reaching into the marrow of her bones. She felt his smile against the side of her throat as he nuzzled his face against her. “I’m sorry for teasing. I just want you to take care of yourself.”

She reached up, running her fingers through his hair, her eyes growing heavy as his warmth seeped into her bones. “I sometimes go to bed on time.”

His laughter against her skin tickled, and she bit her lip as giggles bubbled in her throat.

“What’s so funny?” She tugged on his ear, earning another stream of warm laughter. She wiggled, unable to contain her snorts.

Gavin peeled away, resting his chin on her shoulder as his golden eyes met hers. “I’m thinking I’m going to have to find a way to entice you to come to bed earlier.”

She scoffed. “Like what?”

He grinned, mischief sparkling like stars in his eyes. He lifted his head to press a kiss to the curve of her jaw, warmth pooling in her belly as he traced his lips down her throat. “I can think of a few things.”

Rowan giggled again, nerves flaring like butterflies flying skyward. Her heart stumbled, fluttering like hummingbird wings. He was holding her too tight to push away, her earlier fatigue washing away as it was replaced by something only Gavin was capable of conjuring.

But just as quickly as he’d brushed his lips against her skin, he pulled away once more. He was beaming, even as she gaped at him, her mind hazy but for the ache the little space between them left in her chest.

Pouting again, she focused on a spot behind him, refusing to meet his gaze. “You said you were sorry for teasing me.”

“I was.”

“Clearly you’re not that sorry.”

He was smiling again as he brushed her hair to the side to kiss the nape of her neck. “I’m not.”

Rowan smacked him, earning a shout of laughter as Gavin’s head bounced back, his eyes glowing as he met her gaze again.

“You deserved that,” she grumbled, flicking his forehead.

His only response was to smile, his expression far gentler than was probably warranted. He took her hand, brushing his lips against her knuckles. “As you wish.”

There was truly no winning for her. He would apologize for teasing her only to tease her more. And he would smile at her so gently, so innocently, it was near impossible to be mad at him. Then he would do something so sweet and genuine that she would feel herself melting, her annoyance crumbling.

She poked his cheek with her free hand, frowning. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“Your love is the most precious thing in the world to me.”

“Alright.” His eyes were bright as stars now, glittering with mischief. His once innocent smile was anything but now; instead his lips were curved up in a devilish grin, his ears and cheeks flushed.

“You’re having too much fun,” she grumbled. “Let me go.”

Now Gavin was the one pouting, his arms tightening around her waist even as his eyes continued to twinkle. Some days she really could not believe this man. Had he really been the standoff-ish, slightly grouchy, shy man she had met so long ago?

Surely he was not the same as this confident, dorky man who was ceaselessly teasing her now.

“I just got back from my mission yesterday,” he whined, fixing her with a pout that would crumble any resistance she had. “I missed you so much, I was away for so long.”

She grit her teeth, feeling herself melt beneath his stare.

Gavin sighed, nuzzling against her throat once more before she could respond. A gasp fell from her lips as she felt his teeth grazing her skin, the sharp nip bringing her quickly to her senses.

“Gavin.”

He hummed, the only indication he gave that he’d heard her.

“Gavin, let me go.”

He paused, breath ghosting against her skin. There was a beat, as though he were considering her words before he responded with a firm “no.”

“What?” She couldn’t believe what she’d heard.

“I don’t want to.”

“Gavin, I thought we were going to work on that craft.”

He huffed, annoyance clinging to his words. “In a little while.”

She squirmed in his grasp. “How long is a little while?”

“You’ll have to be patient to find out.”

She groaned, giving up the fight against the steel of Gavin’s embrace. She wasn’t going anywhere.

But Rowan couldn’t help melting a little, warmth like morning sunshine spilling through her. Like she was a flower in the spring, growing taller and brighter as her cells absorbed the gentle light.

Some days Gavin refused to show any weakness at all, but there were others when he acted childish and silly, demanding to be babied if only for a little while. She was sure he had pushed himself too hard during the mission, in an environment where any weakness could mean disaster. He was the commander after all, the only things he could be in the field were powerful, commanding.

Right now, he probably needed to be babied, needed to let that armour fall away. Needed to be anything else besides a commander, a powerful evol agent who completed his missions with brutal efficiency.

Right now he needed to just be her Gavin, her Babey.

Although she would certainly exact a little revenge for how he’d been teasing her. But she would save that for later.

For now she just ran her hands through his hair, massaged his neck and shoulders. Every few moments he would brush his lips to the crook of her neck where he had buried his face, but for the most part he had stilled after his initial bout of teasing, seeming content to be as close as he could.

“You’re a huge babey, you know that right?” She flicked his ear gently, earning a long sigh that tickled her neck.

“Just the absolute biggest,” she continued, tightening her arms around him. “My big babey.”

She could feel his quiet laughter as it reverberated through her, as his shoulders shook beneath her hands. She ran her hand up and down his back, adding a little pressure when she reached his shoulders. He murmured something that she didn’t quite catch, lips ghosting against her skin.

Nuzzling her face against the top of his head, Rowan smiled. She was only mostly teasing him. He really was a big babey, but she didn’t mind. She loved when he was snuggly like this, when he was needy just for her touch, when he whined because he wanted to be held.

It was so cute, and she could feel her heart pressing against her ribs, threatening to explode from the overload of cuteness. She had the overwhelming urge to kiss his face until he was tomato red, to bite his throat until he was covered in little marks of love.

But she abstained, which she thought showed incredible self-restraint. Instead she quietly murmured into his hair, telling him she loved him, that he was her precious love, that he was her babey. She continued to rub his back, hoping it helped even the littlest bit, made him know he was very, very loved.

The heaviness in her eyes returned, stretching over her like a growing shadow as afternoon gave way to dusk. Her eyelids drooped, her body feeling leaden. Gavin was so warm against her, the steady beat of his heart lulling her mind. His breath still tickled, but even that was comforting, a reminder that he was safe and he was here with her.

She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew she was curled up on his chest, her head tucked beneath his chin.

Frowning, Rowan shifted, peeking up to see if Gavin was awake. His eyes were closed, but his arms tightened around her almost instinctively at the sudden movement, holding her tighter against him.

Her face was half smushed against his chest, the smell of his soap twining with the detergent she’d gotten on sale filled her nose, making her smile. He always made a big dramatic show when he would come back from long away missions, telling her how glad he was that his clothes and his soap smelled nice and everything felt nice and soft now that he was home. But she liked it too; she hated how tired he always looked when he returned, how often he was bruised and grimy after coming home. She liked that he smelled like home, like somewhere he was safe.

“What are you doing?”

She looked up again to find him peering down at her, a small smile on his lips. His voice was rough, gravelly, sleep still clinging to him.

She smiled back, nestling closer against him. “Just thinking.”

“What about?”

She smiled wider. “About you.”

His brows shot up, colour staining the tips of his ears. “What about me?”

“It’s a secret.”

His smile turned mischievous, and he pinched her cheek. “You know I’m a professional at interrogations.”

“You’ll never make me talk, officer!”

“Then I’ll have to detain you,” he laughed, rolling onto his side, squishing Rowan between his chest and the back of the couch.

“I’m innocent!” She smacked her palms against his chest, trying and failing to wriggle away.

“Then talk!”

She squealed as he tickled her sides, unable to escape. “I’m innocent! I have nothing to confess!”

“Hmmm…” He smirked, brow arching. “Sounds like something a guilty person would say.”

“I’m not! I’m not guilty!”

“Then tell me what you were thinking about!”

She managed to grab his hands, drawing them to her chest, fingers interlocking with his to stop his torture. His eyes widened, the flush of red on his ears slowly seeping down to his cheeks, creeping down his throat and beneath the collar of his shirt. She pressed his hands a little closer to her chest, her heart thrumming wildly from laughing so much.

“Gavin?”

He blinked, stuttering out a nervous “yes?”

She shifted closer, so close their noses bumped against each other, their breath mingling together in the sliver of space left between their mouths. “I’m not telling.”

She hadn’t even been thinking of anything that bad before, but there was something about the flush that raced across his face, the pink of a morning sky deepening to the crimson of wildflowers unfurling beneath the sun. Something about his eyes widening and his breath rushing from his lips. He was certainly different than he’d been when she’d first met him, much less reserved when they were together, but he was still so easy to fluster.

All she really had to do was get close to him, lips little more than a breath away, and watch as the colour rose in his face. As he swallowed nervously, his mouth pressing into a thin line as he scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck.

And he was always so cute, it was hard not to tease him, even just a little.

His breath hitched, drawing her from her thoughts. His eyes were focused intently on her lips, his hands clutching hers rather tightly.

“Gavin?” But he didn’t look like he was listening. The colour in his cheeks remained, but his eyes were glowing now, barely a scrap of nerves remaining.

“Gavin?” She tried again, but he was far too focused. One hand extricated itself from her hold, gently grasping her chin.

“Do you know what happens when people we’ve brought in won’t talk?”

His voice was sweet as spun sugar, dripping with honey. It was soft as morning light, as feather down. But his grip on her chin had tightened, like iron.

“Kiss their cheek and send them on their way?”

He chuckled, but his eyes were dark. “Nice try.”

“Good thing I’m not one of those criminals.”

His lips parted. His eyes, depthless and ethereal, fixed once more on her own lips. “Don’t be so sure.”

Her voice was shifting higher, turning shrill. Her heartbeat was uneven, stumbling in its haste. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“You’re obstructing justice.”

“What justice?!”

She tried to laugh, but it sounded hollow, fake. Her belly was twisting itself into knots, her lungs constricting as she tried and failed to draw in air. And Gavin’s voice was so warm, so heady. More intoxicating than a rich red wine. It was so easy to be drawn in, to melt into his embrace.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “I think I’ll have to try other means of finding out the truth.”

A knock at the door wrenched them from the moment, the buttery, heady moment washing away like sand beneath ocean tides.

Gavin’s head whipped to the side, a scowl so furious on his face it could have decimated mountains.

His hand fell away, and he murmured to her to stay where she was before heading towards the front door as the bell rang again. She could have sworn some of the plants they’d perched in windowsills withered as he passed by, but perhaps that was her imagination playing tricks on her as she tried to regain her composure.

With the heat of Gavin’s body and his unflinching stare gone, Rowan felt her sense returning. It wasn’t particularly fast, more of a trickle where a crack had formed in a dam. But slowly she felt the flush in her skin cool, her heartbeat slow.

She shook her head a little, slipping from her perch on the couch to kneel on the floor so she could arrange all of the supplies they had bought that morning. She really did want to take a nap, but she had a sneaking suspicion that if she did they wouldn’t be getting any crafts done for the rest of the day.

Rowan stood to stretch out her arms and her back. Moving around would certainly help to banish the lingering fatigue, and the afternoon air was just crisp enough to help clear the rush of heat that had muddied her thoughts.

She grabbed a few pillows and blankets to sit on, arranging them in a nest on the floor. By the time Gavin returned she was sitting in the midst of a comfortable pile, elbows propped on the table as she sorted through the beads and strings they had purchased.

“I told you to stay there.” He was clearly trying to sound serious, to deepen his voice until it scraped along her senses. But all it sounded like was whining, his bottom lip falling into a pout, shoulders slumped as he set a package down on the table.

Rowan drew the package towards herself, pretending to ignore his sweet pout. “I wanted to get started on the bracelets.”

He crumpled at the corner of her blanket nest, his head flopping onto the table. His expression shifted, a full puppy-dog pout now, no longer a thinly veiled one. His eyes were wide, his brows drawn together. A long, low sigh spilled past her protruding bottom lip. She resisted the urge to reach out and flick it with her finger, if only barely.

“Didn’t we want to make some bracelets for fun?”

“We did…”

“So shouldn’t we make them, then?” She straightened the skeins of thick thread they had purchased, the back of her mind trying to decide which colours she would use. “Before we get too tired.”

He huffed, still pouting, silently pleading with her. It was a stark contrast to how he’d been only moments before. Then, heady and intoxicating as wine; seductive and alluring, an enchantment cast to ensnare her heart and mind. And now, a little pathetic and sad, like a wet puppy; sweet as sugar and very, very needy.

Rowan didn’t give in; couldn’t. She knew her Gavin too well, knew he would be able to enchant her again far, far too easily. So instead she only pressed a kiss to his cheek, asking if he would help her try out the different patterns for braiding the thread. And Gavin wouldn’t refuse her, not if she pressed enough kisses to the corners of his lips until he smiled again.

“Fine,” he relented, eyes falling half closed as he smiled. “You win. But I’ll get you back for this.”

“There’s nothing to get back, babey,” she said, feigning innocence. “I’m just so excited to make this craft with you.”

Gavin snorted, his eyes promising that he very much did not believe her. But he didn’t need to believe her, he just needed to smile and help her with this craft before they inevitably did fall asleep in the late afternoon.

“So you’ll help me?” She plucked up a bag of beads, wiggling it in front of his face. The circular beads were pearlescent pink and orange, and they shimmered in the light, reminding her of stars in a vibrant painting of the night skies.

His smile softened, and he straightened. “Anything for you.”

From there things were simple. Rowan organized the beads into the patterns she wanted for the bracelets. Gavin took up the threads and began weaving them in different braided patterns, seemingly creating them as he went.

“You know you’re really good at that,” she said, pausing in her organizing. His fingers were deft, quick. It was like watching magic being conjured, the colours of the threads blurring between his fingers as they quickly twined together into kaleidoscope shapes.

Gavin’s answering grin was far from the bashful look he had once given her when she’d praised him on his crafting ability. Now he looked smug, pleased by the simple praise.

“There’s a lot more I can do with my fingers,” he teased. He reached out to pinch her cheek, but Rowan batted him away, scooting further from him lest he try to grab her.

His comment had done its job, though. She felt her face burn, so hot it felt like a million matches had been lit beneath her skin. She ducked her head, hoping the fall of her hair would mask her blush as she hurried her movements, plucking beads with letters and beads that looked like miniature disco balls.

“Rowan?”

She refused to look at him. Refused. She could not let him see how such a small comment had gotten to her, had burrowed beneath her skin and reignited the fire she had hoped had been quenched earlier.

“Why won’t you let me see your face?” His voice was so soft, sweet as honey in her tea. And his touch was even softer, little more than a featherlight touch of the tips of his fingers against her cheek as he brushed her hair back. As he tucked it behind her ear. As he smirked, trailing his fingers down her flushed jaw.

“You’re so pretty,” he murmured, little more than a low hush that dragged claws down her spine. He stroked her cheek, eyes like molten gold. “This might be my favourite colour.”

Rowan considered her options carefully. She could try and run, but then she would abandon her craft. And Gavin would most likely chase her. And he always won.

She could smack his hand away, maybe pinch his cheek in return. But there was no guarantee that wouldn’t instigate something else. He could grab her wrist, draw her into his lap. He could carry her away to their room and once she was in his arms she was always all too willing to let him have his way.

There was, of course, a third option. But it was silly, and he might look at her like she was insane. But perhaps it was the best option she had.

So she scooped up a handful of beads, chucking them at him as she leapt to her feet.

Gavin sat, utterly stunned, staring down at the beads she had thrown at him.

“That’s for trying to distract me!” She cried, tossing another fistful at him. “When I wanted to do this craft with you!”

He laughed, shoulders shaking as his head fell back. Buttery sunshine gilded his features, and she imagined the moment as a painting. Titled something like ‘Happiness.’ It would be hung up on some gold-encrusted wall with crown molding on the ceiling and swathes of tourists milling around. Some in awe, some bored, some in tears at the joy on Gavin’s face. Surely there was nothing so pure, nothing so beautiful. It rivalled the sun and every star combined.

Perhaps it would be fashioned with beads, not just paint. Customized gold and silver and gemstone beads, carved to the artists’ specifications. Then the piece would glitter, for this moment glittered like it had been wrought with starlight.

Then again, no piece of art could compare to this breath of a moment. To the warmth in Gavin’s face, the colour rising to his cheeks. His adams apple bobbed as he swallowed, his head still thrown back as he fell against the side of the couch. One hand was pressed against the tabletop, fingers splayed against it as though to steady himself so he didn’t topple over completely. He snorted, a sound she had heard so many times before and yet could never stop finding delight in.

Gavin, who acted as if he were cold and imposing, dissolving into laughter and uncontrollable snorts because she’d thrown a few handfuls of beads at him to distract him.

She couldn’t help, but smile. Laugh. How could she not when there he was, beautiful and warm. Never had she imagined herself like this, dancing on her toes as she waited to see if he would leap up and give chase. Listening to his laughter arc through the room like beautiful music. Warm spreading across her chest, loosening her limbs, blurring the edges of her mind.

Never had she imagined she would be so happy in such a scene, and yet how could she not be? Just looking at him was enough to warm her heart, listening to him talk brightened her day. She looked forward to her moments with him, even the little ones. Late night showers where he spilled all the gossip from the day. Early morning cuddles before he had to pry himself from her arms when he promised he loved her, he would always love her. Spare days off together where they could do anything they dreamed of.

The warmth in her body spread, and she felt a little drunk, although the only thing she’d drank was some water earlier that morning and then the fancy coffee Gavin had bought her.

She giggled, unable to help herself. She jabbed a finger at Gavin, fighting the smile at her lips. “That’s for trying to tease me!”

“I would never.” But his own smile betrayed him. Because he had, and he would certainly tease her again.

“Now you should clean that up!” She snapped, trying her very best to seem commanding. She hoped she did. Although her voice was a little wobbly, a little shrill. There was still laughter in it, and her cheeks ached from her smile.

But Gavin only nodded his head, smirking. “Yes ma’am.”

“I’m going to get some water.”

“You really should drink more water, pumpkin,” he started, looking up from his task. But he didn’t get a chance to finish his lecture before she pointed at the mess of beads again.

So he shrugged, that infuriating smile still on his lips. “As you wish, love.”

“I’m not getting water anymore, either!” She winced at the sound of her own voice, more shrill than she had hoped.

Gavin huffed, his eyes slowly narrowing. “You really should, pumpkin. Coffee isn’t enough to refresh yourself.”

Rowan stomped away before Gavin could chastise her any further, thinking maybe she would walk right out the door to the nearest Starbucks and buy herself the biggest size they sold.

That was not what she did, though. Instead, Rowan boiled the kettle and steeped a warm mug of tea. She didn’t actually want any coffee, but she did want something warm. Something she could cup between her hands and feel warmth spread from her palms through the rest of her body.

She stirred the tea bag, watching as the water darkened from a pallid amber to a deep soil brown. She could hear Gavin humming in the other room, and she paused her stirring to listen close, savouring the sound. It was warm, with just a hint of sweetness softening the edges. She didn’t recognize the melody, but it was strangely delicate, like fragile flower petals embroidered with spider-silk. Her toes curled, heat blossoming like flower petals unfurling in her belly.

She scooped out the teabag, spooning in sugar and milk. Her heart was pressing against her chest, as though a string had been hooked through its chambers, dragging her back towards Gavin.

“What are you humming?” She called, emerging from the kitchen with her tea, forgetting her previous ire. She nestled into the pile of pillows and blankets, arm bumping against Gavin’s.

His brow was furrowed, the corner of his bottom lip drawn between his teeth. The tips of his ears were the red of cardinal feathers, but he did not shy away. Instead his brows only furrowed more, his eyes narrowed.

“You know, I’m not actually sure,” he admitted. His expression softened as he met Rowan’s eyes. “It was just in my head.”

“It’s awfully pretty.”

A smile touched his lips. “It reminded me a little of you.”

“What does that mean?” Her ribs felt like they might crack beneath the pressure of her heart, although she didn’t fully understand what he meant. She tried puzzling out his words, picking apart the meaning. But she couldn’t quite understand it, and in the end she was stumped, frowning as he deftly braided threads together.

“Gavin?”

But he didn’t answer, not at first anyways, looking smug as he continued humming.

“Gavin.” She pinched his side this time, earning a yelp followed by laughter.

He took her hand rather than batting it away, gently pressing the bracelet he’d been working on into her hand. “Alright. It makes me feel warm, which is why it reminds me of you.”

Gavin wasn’t a man of many words, but when he found them they were always the sweetest, most gentlest things she had ever heard. She had to turn around quickly, her face burning like she’d been standing under the summer sun for far too long.

He clicked his tongue, grasping her chin to turn her head back around. “Don’t look away. I love you.”

“But I don’t know what to say,” she squeaked, clutching the bracelet to her chest. “And I feel silly.”

“Silly that I love you so much?” He leaned closer, his breath ghosting against her lips.

She shook her head. “No. Just…” For a moment the words didn’t come, so preoccupied was she with the sudden nearness of his lips. “I just feel silly that I never know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.” His voice was a low murmur, a gentle caress down her spine, across her nerves. Her hands tingled as he took them gently, cradling them in his. “I just want to see your face.”

“Okay.”

“You have to promise.”

A smile curled at her own lips now. “I promise.”

He kissed her then, as though sealing the small promise she had made to him. It was gentle, less needy than before. She felt fuzzy, her mind nothing but golden bubbles. A cool wind caressed her cheek, tangled in her hair, although the windows were closed.

Gavin sighed as he pulled away, not sounding like he wanted to end the kiss at all.

“We should continue the craft,” he said, sighing again. He started to pull further away, hesitated. Then his lips brushed the corner of her lips, the edge of her jaw.

“Now we can continue the craft,” he amended, seeming satisfied.

“We couldn’t start it before?” She brushed his bangs back, hoping her voice sounded teasing rather than whisper-thin.

“I just wanted to make sure of something.”

“Which was?”

He cupped her chin in his palm, pressing his lips to her brow. “I’ll tell you later.”

“I think you just wanted an excuse to kiss me.”

“So what if I did?”

Rowan smirked as Gavin resumed his post, finishing up the last of the bracelets. He watched her from the corner of his eyes, their warm amber aglow. It was as if he was saying yes, yes he did make up an excuse to kiss her. But what was she going to do about it?

She decided to do nothing, at least for now. Instead she focused on organizing the beads, trying to decide on different patterns she wanted to do. Dandelion coloured hearts and translucent stars mixed together with onyx polyhedrons. Chunky white beads with letters spelling out little phrases or song lyrics or shared nicknames. Marigold and tangerine and bronze beads spreading out around ‘pumpkin.’ Magenta and carnation and salmon beads lining ‘babey’ and ‘my love.’

Some of the bracelets had no words at all, just a cacophony of beads, like they were toddlers being introduced to making friendship bracelets. Some were all one colour, some with splashes of cerulean or indigo between the crimson and the cerise beads.

It didn’t take particularly long to make one single bracelet, so they made many. So many that there was a pile when they were done and Rowan’s tea had long since gone cold and their fingers ached.

Rowan perched in Gavin’s lap, having given up on distancing herself from him. He was too enticing, too comfortable and warm. And he smelled so nice and she loved to listen to his heartbeat, loved to feel the vibrations in his chest as he hummed that tune neither of them could place. He massaged her hands, chin propped on her shoulder, breath tickling her ear as he spoke.

“What do you want for dinner tonight?” He tilted his head, his teeth nipping at the shell of her ear.

“Cake.”

He snorted, pressing the pads of his thumbs into the spaces between her fingers. “We can’t have cake for dinner.”

“Not with that attitude.”

Gavin sighed, as though mildly put-out. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Keep massaging my hands?”

“As you wish, my love.”

She closed her eyes, nestling a little closer. “We could make something simple. Like tacos.”

“You think that’s simple?”

“Well it’s not hard.” She cracked open one eye to peer at him. “We just have to cook up the meat and then cut up all the vegetables and things.”

“What about the guacamole?”

Now she was the one sighing. “Last time, you added too many chili flakes.”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

Both her eyes were open now, and she craned her head to the side until her nose bumped against his. “Gavin, even you were coughing.”

He didn’t even have the good sense to look guilty. Instead, there was nothing but mischief in his eyes. “We could try making it again.”

“So you’ll make guacamole but not cake?” She popped out her bottom lip, putting on her best puppy-dog pout.

Gavin ran his index finger over her bottom lip, smirking. “I never said we couldn’t also make cake.”

“It was implied.”

His answering laughter was soft, a warm rush of air from between his lips as he stroked her bottom lip. “Now you’re making things up.”

“Am not!”

“You are!”

“I’m not!”

His hand fell away, and he leaned his brow on her shoulder, eyes closing. “Alright, you win. But we can make a cake if you want.”

“I want cinnamon buns too.”

He opened his eyes just enough so that they were little more than amber slivers watching her. “You’re awfully greedy today.”

“Maybe I’m just trying to take advantage of this extra time I have with you.”

“If you’d wanted to take advantage of the time you could have napped-”

“We can do that later,” she said, cutting him off before he could continue. She knew there would have been no napping, as much as he griped about wanting a nap. And even if they had fallen asleep, she knew she would have woken up with his hands all over her.

It wasn’t unwelcome, and she did want to spend a very long time tangled together with him, his heartbeat against her cheek, beneath her fingertips. But she also wanted to do so many other things, and she knew if they started with that there wouldn’t be time to do anything else.

He closed his eyes, admitting defeat. “Whatever makes you happiest, pumpkin.”

“Spending time with you makes me happy.”

“So we will make our own guacamole?”

“Will you make cake and cinnamon buns with me?”

He took her hands, bringing them to his lips and pressing kisses to her fingertips. “I’ll do anything if it makes you happy.”

Her attention fell on the bracelets then, piled high to the side, the rest of their supplies spread haphazardly across the table. “Anything?”

“I don’t know if I like that tone, but yes, anything.”

Rowan stroked the corner of his lips, delighted by his response, despite the slight reluctance. Perhaps even because of that reluctance, because he knew she was about to ask him to do something very, very silly.

She wriggled out of his grasp, stretching her hands across the table to grab the pile of bracelets and drag them closer. “Okay, you need to wear them.”

He chuckled, sorting through the different bracelets, lifting them to the light to consider the patterns of beads before setting one down and picking up the next. “Which ones?”

“All of them!”

He snorted. “That’s a lot of bracelets.”

“What’s the point of having them all if you don’t wear them?”

Gavin laughed, eyes flicking skyward. “Will they even all fit on my arms?”

Rowan took hold of one of his arms, sliding a bracelet on. “Only one way to find out.”

He laughed again, eyes falling closed. But he did not stop her, letting her shove as many bracelets as she could onto his arm until he looked like his arm was trapped in the midst of a glittery, magical girl transformation. She could almost imagine more colourful bands running up to his shoulder and along his other arm. And then poof he’d be wearing some bright bodysuit made of glitter and starlight.

Giggled, Rowan grabbed Gavin’s other hand, preparing to cover it in bracelets next. The mental image she’d conjured was so funny she wished she had any art skills because she would draw it in a heartbeat. Although maybe she could commission someone to draw it, ask them to make sure to dump eight bottles of glitter on the finished piece to really make it shimmer like her daydream.

“What’s so funny?” Gavin encircled her wrist, halting her movements before she could slide on any more bracelets. He was grinning, mischief dancing in his eyes, in the crescent moon of his smile. “Tell me.”

She considered telling him, but she also knew he would certainly think she was a lunatic. “If I do, you’ll think I’m crazy.”

He held her arm tighter, reaching out with his free hand to pluck up a bracelet. He gently slid it over her hand, letting it fall over her arm. “Try me. I want to know.”

“Promise you won’t think I’m crazy?”

“I promise.”

“Alright well…” She described the image that had been conjured in her mind as he slipped more of their bracelets over her arm, the beads cool against her skin. His eyes widened slowly, but he didn’t say she was crazy, just as he promised. Instead he only chuckled, brushing his lips against her palm before continuing his work.

“Well if I looked like that, then I’d need a partner,” he said, slowly rolling a golden bead between his thumb and index finger. “Don’t magical girls usually work in teams?”

“They do.” She bit the inside of her cheek as he shot her an impish grin. “But I don’t exactly look like a magical girl.”

“Not yet,” he laughed, pushing the bracelet in his hand over her wrist. “Give me a few minutes here though, you and you will.”

True to his word, a few minutes later, Rowan’s arm had morphed into a twin of Gavin’s, both of them looking as though they were caught in the midst of a magic transformation.

“There, now we match,” he announced, looking pleased.

She lifted her arm, twisting it back and forth, watching as the light gilded the cacophony of coloured beads. Some seemed to glow, others cast miniature rainbows across the room. “You don’t think it’s silly?”

“Of course I think it’s silly,” he said, poking her side. His tone was light, teasing, gossamer butterfly wings billowing in her stomach. “But that’s what makes it fun.”

She leaned back against the couch, her head falling back on the cushions. “I bet you’d make a really good magical girl.”

Chuckling, Gavin copied her, lounging against the couch beside her. “Really?”

“Well you’re already halfway there with your evol.”

He snorted. “I think you’d make a cuter magical girl.”

She arched a brow, peeking at him from the corner of her eye. “Now that I find hard to believe.”

“They’re all supposed to be cute, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, it comes with the magic,” she said, lifting her brow higher.

Gavin’s hand hovered just above her cheek, so close she could feel the pulse thrumming in his wrist. The pad of his thumb grazed her skin, so soft it was barely there. “Well you’re the cutest person in the world.”

Heat flared in her chest, and although he was barely touching her she found she couldn’t move. She was rooted to the spot, like an enchantment had been cast and she was frozen, caught in between the breaths of this second.

His words hadn’t even been that romantic. But then again Gavin didn’t have to be particularly romantic. The things he said were simple, but she could feel the emotion in them, the weight. They were like a caress, or an embrace. They filled her heart until it overflowed and her nerves short-circuited and all she could feel was the bubbling of love and contentment and warmth spreading through her.

So she found herself fixed, caught in his spell.

His eyes narrowed as he gazed at her, sparks alighting as she watched an idea form in his mind.

“Wait here,” he said, standing quickly. He froze, turning back around, mouth quirked up even as his brows furrowed. “And this time don’t move.”

“I won’t make any promises.”

Clicking his tongue, Gavin shook his head. “What am I going to do with you?”

She hummed, stretching her legs out in front of her. “Keep me? Love me? Tell me I’m your beloved?”

“All of that is true.” He chuckled, arms crossed. His eyes seemed to darken, something heady filling his gaze. Even his voice lowered, softened, once more a featherlight caress that sent goosebumps racing across her arms. “But I was thinking of something different.”

Her voice was little more than a squeak as she spoke again, the weight of his gaze pinning her in place. “Weren’t you going to get something?”

His brows shot up, eyes bright once more. “That’s right. But stay here.”

This time she did stay in place, although she was tempted to move around. To tuck herself into a corner in another room just to see what his reaction would be.

She would save that for later, though.

When he returned, Gavin was brandishing the polaroid camera she’d bought him for his last birthday. It was the soft blue of a morning sky in the spring, a watercolour blue that streaked overhead as a crisp breeze stained the air with the smell of cherry blossoms.

She laughed as he flopped back down to the floor beside her, wiggling close and tucking his head beneath her chin.

“That tickles!” She tried shoving him away as his hair tickled the sensitive skin of her throat and jaw. It was a fruitless endeavour, and Gavin’s laughter wove through the air alongside hers as he wiggled his head again, tickling her all the more.

She was gasping for breath as he snapped the first photo, bright light flashing in her eyes as a sharp click was nearly drowned out by their joined voices arcing against the walls and ceiling. She watched the film pop out from the top of the camera, and then Gavin was plucking it away and tucking it to the side, face-down to finish developing.

“Let’s try another one.” He straightened, free arm wrapping around her waist gently now, as though she were something delicate, made of gossamer and spider’s silk. As though she were more precious than gold and diamonds and sky sapphires and forest emeralds and bloody rubies.

Rowan leaned against him, nestling as close as she could. She made sure to brandish her arm of bracelets, figuring it would be important to document them in some way.

Gavin took photo after photo until he’d used up all the instant-film he had. He had them pose in goofy positions, had them snuggle close, even went so far as to kiss her over and over until she was a blushing, giggling mess. And then he took a photo of that too.

He’d become quite the amateur photographer, forever going out of his way to take as many photos whenever they were out as he could. Some were goofy and blurry, their eyes bright red from the camera flash. But others were beautiful, catching joy and awe and love.

They’d scrapbooked them all, every photo he took, because Rowan adored each and every one of them. There hadn’t been a photo she’d been able to part with, not when Gavin was always beaming when he took them. Not when he was so proud of himself every time he caught what he considered a ‘perfect’ moment.

“Can I see them?” She asked, gesturing to his pile of photographs as he fiddled with his camera, popping in a new square of film.

“They’re not done developing yet.” His smile was wide, his cheeks and ears flushed. He set the camera to the side, flipping up one of the first photos he’d taken to get a peek before setting it back down.

“Gavin.” She wiggled her shoulders as she whined, hoping to weaken his resolve. “I wanna see.”

“And you will, pumpkin,” he promised, catching her pout in a gentle kiss.

“I want to see them right now!”

He chuckled against her lips, stroking her cheek. “Not yet.”

Wrinkling her nose, Rowan drew back, fixing her very best glare on him. Not that it seemed to have any affect on him, his smile only widening. “But I’d like to see them now. It doesn’t take that long for the film to develop.”

“Maybe I want them to be a surprise.”

“For what?!”

He shrugged, clearly trying his best to look enigmatic. Mysterious, even. But Gavin wasn’t enigmatic or mysterious. He was Gavin. He was her Gavin, the man who had spent nearly an hour in the Lego store a few weeks ago. Who’d asked if they could buy matching headbands when they’d gone to Disney. Who was forever plucking stuffed animals away from her to wiggle himself into her arms instead, insisting that he was much better for cuddling while she laughed.

So his smile only came off as satisfied and utterly delighted as she sputtered, failing to convince him to reveal the photos.

“It’s a surprise, pumpkin. You’ll just have to wait.”

She threw herself back onto the floor, stretching her arms over her head. “I don’t want to wait.”

“What if I make it worth your time?”

She propped herself up on her elbows, frowning. But his expression was nothing but pure, angelic innocence. Which made her even more suspicious. Gavin was no devil, but he was certainly not a pure, innocent angel either.

“What are you plotting?”

He beamed brighter. “Well we could go to the grocery store, pick up the ingredients for dinner and for all the desserts you’d like to bake.”

She drew her brows low. That all sounded wonderful, but surely there was a catch.

“Ingredients for cake? Any cake?”

“Whatever kind you’d like.”

“And for cinnamon buns, too?”

The tips of his ears were still flushed pink as newly bloomed peonies. It further solidified her suspicions, even as he continued nodding, looking almost innocent.

“We can get whatever you’d like, my love.”

She hummed as he continued to smile, regarding her with a gentle look that normally would have turned her into a puddle of her former self. And it was melting her slowly, her arms holding her up already so weak she was certain they would give out on her if he didn’t catch her safely in his arms.

“What’s in it for you?” She had to look up at the ceiling, tracing the patternless bubbles of the popcorn ceiling with her eyes. The house was older, and they had yet to shave the texture off, although she made a mental note to start looking into that soon.

“Just getting to spend my afternoon with you.”

Now Rowan did look back at him, cutting him a sharp glare. Her stomach flipped, wispy butterfly wings taking flight as she met Gavin’s eyes, their warm amber a heated, devastating gold.

She gave a halfhearted kick against his side, earning a low chuckle as she scooted further away, lest she be caught in his enchantment. Although she wasn’t sure there was any amount of space she could put between them that would keep her from being caught. She was a mermaid trapped in a fisherman’s net, and all she could do now was wait as she was slowly reeled in.

“What’s the real catch?” She sat up so she didn’t have to worry about her arms giving out, snatching up a pillow and clutching it to her chest like a shield. Not that it was a particularly useful shield, not when he was already so good at making her heart flutter like hummingbird wings.

“Well…” He trailed off, reaching for her legs and dragging her close once again. He balanced her calves in his lap, running his hands up to her thighs and down once again. “There is one catch.”

She knew it!

“I’m listening.”

He continued running his hands over her legs, his expression a little more serious. “Well I want it to be a bit of a surprise, but I have the next week off, and I have something special planned.”

That was not at all what she thought he was going to say. She found herself instantly intrigued, and she leaned forward. “Something special?”

He laughed. “I can’t reveal too much, not yet anyways.”

“You have to now!” She moved forward, settling fully in his lap, hoping her proximity would convince him to divulge the details of this special surprise. “Please, babey? Please?!”

He shook his head, smiling wider, all mischief and delight. “All I can say is that we’re going to go on a trip somewhere to see something.”

Somewhere? To see something? She was left with more questions than answers, but it was clear Gavin was not going to divulge anything more.

“But…” He trailed off before continuing, the blush in his cheeks deepening. “First we should head to the grocery store, and get working on all these treats you want to make.”

He tried lifting her from his lap, but she refused to budge, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her forehead against his. “Gavin! You have to tell me!”

She could feel his smirk against her lips as he breathed. “No I don’t.”

“I thought you loved me.”

“I love you with every part of my being.”

She slumped against his shoulder, not wanting his lips to tempt and distract her. “Then you’ll tell me what you’re planning!”

“I can’t do that, pumpkin. I’m not finished with all the parts of the surprise.”

“You know you’re horrible.”

He pinched her cheek, chuckling. “No I’m not. You think I’m handsome and kind and you want to spend all day with me.”

“No I don’t.” She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see the shine of his eyes.

“You said so yourself this morning!”

“No I didn’t!”

He pinched her side this time, trying to get her to open her eyes. “Yes you did. When you were lying on top of me, begging me not to go on my run this morning.”

She winced. He was, unfortunately, very right. She had said all those things that morning, wanting a few more precious minutes of morning cuddles before he went to work out.

“Well I take it all back!”

“You can’t take it back.”

“I just did.” She cracked her eyes open just enough to glare at him, to stick her tongue out at him before peeling away from his shoulder.

He wrapped his arms around her before she could escape, drawing her close once more to press a soft kiss to her cheek. “I promise you’ll find out soon.”

“I had better.” She huffed, although didn’t fight against him. “And you’d better make sure you bake all those treats with me tonight.”

“I’ll do my best.”

She patted his arm, signalling that she wanted to get up. “Then we should head out to the grocery store so we can get everything we’ll need. We’ll be up all night if we wait around.”

“Yes ma’am.” He stood, offering her his hand.

She took it, although couldn’t help frowning as he gave her a satisfied smile. “What are you so happy about?”

“Can’t I just be happy to spend the day with my wife.”

She bit her lip before her knee-jerk response slipped out, settling on what she hoped was a look of disbelief. And clearly it did work, because Gavin started chuckling, drawing her close to press his lips to her brow.

“I also think it’s a little funny that I was able to distract you so thoroughly from the photos by mentioning the surprise.”

Only then did the memory of the polaroids photos they had taken not ten minutes earlier lance to the forefront of her mind. She swivelled around, staring down at where they still sat on the table.

“I still want to see them,” she announced.

“I know you do.”

She furrowed her brow, unable to step closer to the table as his arms held her back. “Do they have anything to do with your other surprise?”

He shrugged, a mischievous and deeply frustrating smile playing at his lips. “Who knows?”

“You know.” She jabbed her finger against his side. “You know, Gavin!”

“Well I’m not telling.”

Rowan ground her teeth together, prying herself free from his embrace to stomp away.

“I bet I could find a way to distract you from both things!” He called after her, laughter in his voice. He was teasing her! Teasing her while her mind scrabbled over everything she knew to try and figure out what he was planning, why he was being so cryptic.

“I don’t believe you!”

He looped his arm around her waist, catching her easily. She huffed, figuring she should have at least sprinted from the room to make it harder for him to catch up.

“But you don’t know what I was thinking of doing to distract you.” His voice was low, warm and heady as he hinted at what he was hoping to do.

“If it’s trying to mess with me and telling me about another surprise, then I don’t want to hear it!” But she couldn’t help smiling despite her words, a shiver racing down her spine as he slowly stroked her hip.

“That’s fine, I won’t tell you about it then,” he teased, dropping his lips to her ear, his breath brushing across her skin, raising gooseflesh. “But I can promise it will distract you for the rest of the night.”

“Make me dinner first,” she said, turning her head to face his, their noses bumping together. “And all the desserts I want, and then I’ll consider it.”

She was too close to actually see his smile, but she could feel how it softened, so close it brushed against her own as he spoke. “If it makes you happy, I’d be more than happy to do that.”

“Perfect, then we’ll need to get the grocery bags.”

She extricated herself from his arms to search out where they had tossed the grocery bags, humming to herself.

“What if we just got takeout tonight? To save time for baking?” She called, turning away from the closet she’d been sure the bags were in.

Gavin appeared a moment later, brow arched. “I thought we were trying to eat healthy.”

“I mean how healthy are tacos anyways.”

He shrugged, brushing a kiss to the side of her head as he passed. “They won’t take too long. And I love cooking with you.”

She reached deep into the closet, spotting a swath of green too bright to be either of their coats. “Are you sure? Even though we’re going to be doing baking, too?”

“I’m sure.”

She snagged the patch of green, three more grocery bags falling over as she yanked one free. She lifted it above her head like a trophy. “Hah! Found them!”

With the bags found, and next their grocery list written and safely tucked into Gavin’s wallet, they were ready to go.

“Do you think we’ll have time to stop at the mall, too?” Gavin asked, swiping the car keys from the kitchen table.

“Probably.” She slung her purse over her shoulder, hand on the door-handle. “What did you want to get?”

He looked away, scratching at the back of his neck. “Well there was this lego set that came out pretty recently I was looking at.”

“We can do whatever will make you happy.” She stepped forward to cup his face, drawing it close to press a kiss to the corner of his lips. “If it makes you happy, then I’ll go with you anywhere.”

He covered her hands with his, sighing softly. “I’m happy just being with you.”

“But you still want the lego set?”

He chuckled, pecking a kiss to her lips. “I do, yes.”

She took his hand then, as they headed back out. Delighted to have this day together, to know she was going to have the next week together, just the two of them, off doing whatever surprise Gavin had hidden up his sleeve.

Little crafts, taking photos together, going grocery shopping, all of it was so small and mundane, and yet all of it was so precious to her. All of it made her happy, so long as she had him beside her.

She lifted his hand, pressing a kiss just below his wrist, copying the move he so often did to her. Because she loved him, because she was happy being with him, because she loved the way his face flushed.

“Then let’s go,” she said, brushing another kiss to his hand; his palm this time. “If it makes you happy, then it makes me happy too.”

#mlqc gavin #mr love queen's choice #mlqc bai qi #bai qi #mr love gavin #gavin bai #bai qi x mc #bai qi mlqc #bai qi x oc #gavin x mc #gavin x oc #mlqc #love and producer #star kissed winds

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fictionalhubbydreamer · 2 years

Text

Headcanons: When S/o gifts turtles

💙Leonardo💙

* You were nervous as you enter the lair with Leo's gift

* You made a set of beaded charms to attach to his katana handles

* You find him in the dojo meditating

* "You practicing to sneak in quietly?" He opened his eyes giving you his signature smile

* You promptly shake your head smiling,"Nah, you got that covered already" you told him

* He seemed more curious now watching as you take something out your jacket pocket

* It was set of small silver charms, The one had S/o name while the other had Leo's name on

* Leo immediately put them on his Katana handles then hugged you

* "This is such a lovely gift Y/n"

* "Well i made it for you. Now you can see we the perfect pair"

* He then nuzzled into your neck just really happy at that time, maybe a little emotional from such a lovely gift as its handmade

❤️Raphael❤️

* You come to the lair holding a gift for Raph

* Eventually you find him working out in the weight room

* "Like what you see Doll?~"

* "Babe! Yes and yes, but im here actually to give you something-"

* Raph put the weights down instantly, now giving you his undivided attention

* You blushed a bit handing him a wrapped package,"Uhh hope you like it. I made it."

* Raph takes it and ripped the wrapping paper off revealing a biker's sleeveless jacket and it had custom tattered edging. There was also S/o and Raphs initials on the pocket

* "Babe...you made this...for me?."

* You nod slightly nervous if he liked it or not

* He instantly put it on and it fitted him so perfectly!

* He pulled you into a bonecrushing hug for a moment then kissed your forehead

* "Then this means you get to ride my new bike with me that I been working on."

* You squealed in excitement hugging him

* however he decided to pick you up throwing you over his shoulder taking you to his room to give you a much needed "Thank you" for the gift

💜Donatello💜

* You were busy threading some beads together

* Your computer chimed with a message that you instantly checked

* It was Donnie checking in on you.

* You mail him back telling him you will be right over

* Arriving with the gift in your pocket a bit nervous of his reaction, you check to see where he is

* You find him in his lab reading some science theory

* " Oh hey babe, I was just catching up on new theories online. What you got there?."

* "Something I made you."

* You hold it up showing a purple turtle charm that had S/o name engraved behind it

* He was so thrilled with it that he put it on right away

* He then pulls you onto his lap and kisses you all over your face

* You are in a fit of giggles from this affection, but glad he likes the gift

🧡Michelangelo🧡

* You knew exactly what he would like, so you were spending hours to make it

* After an unknown amount of time your phone rings

* "Hello?."

*"Baaaabe!! I miss you!!."

* You chuckle at his affectionate behavior

* "Hey im coming over now so be prepared for a surprise!."

* "You already mine babe, but sure! Looking forward to it!."

* You laugh a little hanging up the call packing his gift

* Arriving at the lair, it wasnt long before you were swept off your feet by Mikey

* "Baaaaaabe! Im so happy you here!."

* You take out his gift, a friendship bracelet with S/o and his initials. It was in his colour too!

* He immediately sets you down taking the bracelet and puts it on,"Babe this is awesome!."

* He goes over to his brothers to show it off leaving Y/n blushing and giggling

* He after a moment picks her up and hugged her, then proceeded to kiss her cheeks while whispering sweet nothings to her

#tmnt #bayverse #teenage mutant ninja turtles #donnie #raph #mikey #leo #fanfiction #fluff

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mihidecet · 4 years

Text

SBI d&d AU: Tommy (2)

I’m back! This is the second part of Tommy’s POV for the au, and it’s directly connected to the previous part!

There is a third part coming, probably in a couple of weeks! ((I’ll be a bit busy due to Writober starting today, but I really want to keep adding to this AU! Also, if you maybe want to check out what I’ll be posting … You’ll find them on AO3, even tho they’re not mcyt related))

Also!! Soon we’ll have another character sheet! A special thanks to @spout1nk for bouncing off ideas with me about Techno’s, which will come in the future!

And as always a special thank you to @whatimevendoinhere , who is an amazing and incredible friend and also a super poggers artist!

There are slight trigger warnings for this chapter: there’s characters getting injured twice, and mentions of blood. There’s also a brief example of d&d level of violence. Let me know if I should add more or underline possible triggering parts!

Thank you all for readign and for all the wonderful support, all the follows and likes and comments! It really means a lot and it gives me so much encouragement to keep writing!

For the next couple of months, rumors of the kid that beat Technoblade - the shadow thief, the most infamous assassin of the realm - spread like wildfire.

At first, it’s just Tommy coming up with stories.

He vaguely mentions besting Techno in hand-to-hand combat, then says he’s had it since they met and it’s the reason why he was allowed into the group. One time, he states he stole it from under his nose. Another time, he tricked Techno into drinking a sleeping potion and pocketed it as he was unconscious.

His personal favourite is: one time, as they were sparring, he backflipped over Techno’s head and grabbed the knife from his very hand; Techno was so impressed by his moves that he gifted it to him out of respect. Phil wheezed so hard when he heard it that he lost his voice for almost half a day, and because of that nobody believed his story, but it was still worth - just for hearing Phil laugh.

Then one night, in a squallid tavern, Will sings the song of the young warlock who tricked the thief, sold his soul just to steal a knife, and it kicks off a whole new wave of rumors.

And everything goes perfectly well.

Everyone focuses on the rumors, the stories. Their popularity increases, their job offers multiply.

Tommy gets to show off half of his present, and get to keep what’s really meaningful all to himself.

It works perfectly well, up until it doesn’t.

With fame comes a peculiar kind of danger, one that is born from the mind of really, really dumb people that like to think that if they’re prepared enough, they might have a shot at defeating them - as if an ancient black dragon hadn’t already tried his best against them and failed.

Still, this one particular time, the whole team realises quickly that whoever is trying to get to them has come prepared.

They attack in the middle of the day, which is unusual but efficient: everyone in the team can see in the dark, so attacking at night would be useless, or even detrimental if whoever was attacking had to rely on torches.

They also attack in the middle of the street of a crowded town. Techno and Phil had realised they were being followed a couple of days prior, and they’d decided to head to the nearest village in hope of covering their tracks, or at least buy themselves some time to find out how many and who was tracking them, assuming whomever it was wouldn’t attack them out in the open.

Instead the first knife flies directly towards Phil during a late morning, while they’re looking for a place to eat. Phil dodges, then curses and raises a hand to still catch the dagger, which would have otherwise hit a farmer he had been talking with - blood splatters on the poor man’s face as Phil yells at everyone to get away.

With the crazed crowd of a Monday market, most of the team has to restrain themselves. Tommy can’t really summon a demon in public, Phil won’t be able to transform into a bear and Wilbur will have to rely on his swordmanship, instead of destroying his enemies’ eardrums and minds.

Still, it’s not like they don’t have anything else at their disposal.

The Tommy of two years prior would have never been able to survive, but while his stories of beating Techno are mostly false, the two of them have been sparring for a long time. Techno is an incredibly strict teacher, but that just means that he has more control of where his spheres of fiery eldritch power land.

He sees Phil direct a handful of people away from the danger, while Wilbur makes sure to attract most of their enemies’ attention by hurling insults at them - one of them stumbles back, hands moving up to clutch at their head as Will’s words echo inside their mind.

There’s a flash of colour, then a figure falls to the ground: Techno stands behind them for a moment before throwing one of his daggers at an incoming enemy.

Seeing him fight is always an incredible spectacle, but this time Tommy doesn’t allow himself to be distracted.

There’s nowhere to hide in the big, empty square they’re fighting in, and there are still innocent people trying to escape. Phil is expending spells left, right and centre, creating walls and shooting out healing magic in order to prevent people from dying and getting targeted - Tommy sees a figure jump in front of a cobbler, blade drawn, and then lock up, muscles freezing as Phil takes hold of his body with a clutched fist and a shaking arm. Techno swoops by a moment later, taking care of the paralyzed fool before disappearing again.

There are enemies appearing from all sides, and it gets more and more clear that this is not only a well organized group but also a group with enough money to spend on people willing to be cannon fodder for them.

Tommy keeps his distance, shoots anyone that approaches him and picks off enemies that threaten his teammates (family) whenever he can. Each time someone falls to the ground, he hears a joyful whoop ring inside his head, usually followed by an exclamation of “another one for my collection!”, and feels his strength increasing - small wisps of flames circling around him, and he knows his eyes are glowing after the fifth one.

It takes some time - there are a few moments when Tommy knows that if he weren’t so focused he would be getting bored - but eventually the number of goons approaching starts to dwindle, and then stops. Tommy only needs a quick look at Wilbur’s heaving chest, Phil’s limp and Techno’s tired frame to decide he’s going to get up close and personal to finish the last three remaining enemies.

One would think that someone, seeing a half-demon glowing with fire and shooting spheres of dark red energy, would back off with the rest of his retreating friends. Apparently that is not the case, as one of them is dumb enough to try his hand at fighting him the moment he sees him approaching the group.

And the thing is, normally Tommy wouldn’t even blink and incinerate the man, but he has been casting a lot more spells than usual in order to keep everything at bay, and he is in the process of shooting a ball of fiery energy at another dumbass cornering Wilbur - who’s clutching at his rapier with both hands, arms shaking with exhaustion.

So the attack comes out of nowhere, from his left, and he only notices the man when it’s too late: one moment he’s there, the next there’s a thin, vertical gash running from the edge of his elbow up to his shoulder.

The pain is there, but not much - he’s young, yes, but he’s also been an adventurer for a while - but then he feels a small pressure alleviating from around his upper arm.

Oh no. No no nononono-

His mind is suddenly filled with shock. Then rage, as he unleashes the ball of energy he’d been in the middle of casting right into that bastard’s face with a loud snarl - one for him, and one just a moment later straight to the leg of the bastard threatening Wilbur.

But he’s not even aware of that because this guy *just broke Techno’s friendship bracelet*.

The stranger falls to the ground silently, lifelessly, but Tommy’s already sitting down on the ground, frantically tearing at his cut open sleeve as he mutters curses to himself, tears of frustration pricking at his eyes.

A moment later a pair of hands are on his, and he looks up at Phil’s worried but reassuring eyes.

“Don’t worry Tommy, it’s just a scratch-”

“No no no you don’t get it! He- he cut the bracelet!” Tommy protests; he hates how his voice pitches up and how Phil’s eyes soften, but at that moment Techno and Wilbur join them, also looking worriedly down at his bleeding arm, and Tommy slips the bracelet free of his arm. The onyx bead is still hanging on by a thread, and the young warlock has to carefully keep the whole thing in the palm of his hand - the edges where it got cut are already undoing themselves and Tommy is so *angry* about it-

“You kept it?” Techno asks, having the gall to sound surprised, and Tommy can’t help but sputter in indignation, waving his injured hand around - because his non injured one is cradling the broken bracelet, despite the frustrated hum Phil lets out as he prevents him from cleaning the wound.

“Of course I did! What did you think, that I threw away your gift?! I might be rude but I’m not an asshole!"

"Point taken.” He mumbles back, and after a moment of quiet awkwardness Wilbur elbows him in the side. The two of them share one of those silent eye-conversations that they love to take part in, which Tommy is absolutely not jealous of. Then Wilbur claps his hands together and announces he’s going to call the guards and make sure no townsperson got injured.

Techno lets himself sit down silently as Phil grabs his arm and starts cleaning up the gash. The thief lets out a tired sigh: Tommy can see from the corner of his eye how tired he is - being the only one of the team used to up close, one on one fighting in urban streets, probably made him feel like he had to compensate for all three of them. Which is true, he indeed had, but Tommy knows he’s probably more tired from the adrenaline and anxiety that though caused than the actual fight.

“… I’m sorry it got cut up. I thought if I kept it here it would be safe.” Tommy comments at one point, while Phil is unrolling a gauze from his healing kit - the fact that he’s not using magic to close the cut is a testament to how hard that fight was. Or maybe he’s just being cautious, in case the goons change their mind and decide to come back, or in case there are more coming soon.

“I mean, we can always make another one.” Tommy’s head snaps up so fast that he almost gets whiplash.

“We can?” He asks, unable to mask the excitement and awe in his voice - it’s worth it, because it does bring a small smile to Techno’s face. Phil finished tying the bandage around his arm at that moment, letting out a huff of breath and standing up.

“After we’ve gone back to the tavern and eaten. We’re laying low for a while.” The elf states, staring both of them down as he offers Tommy a hand to help him up.

“Alright, dad.” Techno sasses, rolling his eyes, but Phil’s face just lights up and the thief instantly looks pained and regretful.

“Right, I forgot that’s not an insult to you.” Phil’s grin just gets more brighter as he pats the thief’s back and nods towards where Wilbur is approaching them, followed by a handful of guards.

“Come on, sons, let’s go get your brother.”

#sbi au #sbi dnd au #dnd au #tommyinnit #wilbur soot #philza #ph1lza #technoblade

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calumance · 4 years

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i feel like baby logan doesn’t get enough attention and maybe that’s just because he’s the middle child and middle child never get the same attention as the oldest or the youngest do but i can imagine logan actually being in a serious relationship with a girl (or a boy, we don’t judge) and they pay SO MUCH attention to him and he almost hates it cause he’s not used to it. i also imagine him getting away with a lot as a kid/teen as a result of eyes always being on aiden and bailey, lil rebel

I may have gone in a different direction than what you were originally thinking? I don’t know. I hope you like it though! (let me know if you want more 👀)

Logan sat quietly at the breakfast table with a spoon in one hand and his phone in the other. Around him was utter chaos. His mom scrambling to get Bailey ready for school, his dad running rampant alongside Aiden who had dropped by to get help on a paper that he neglected write. Aiden had moved out almost two years ago to go to college but would drop by when he needed help with something. Which was almost every day. Logan looked down at his bowl of cereal and shook his head, it was like he never actually left. No one ever seemed to pay attention to Logan until it was time to go to school, then he was pushed into the car like a herd of cattle.

When Logan and Bailey were dropped off at school, whichever parent that was driving would kiss Bailey goodbye and then vaguely yell towards Logan. He would turn and wave awkwardly back, but continue walking into the school, the only place he felt like he didn’t have to deal with the chaotic nightmare that was his home. The bell signaling the students had two minutes to make it to their class rang just as Logan shut his locker. As he weaved his arms through the straps of his backpack he turned. He jumped at the sight of Jack, the boy from his physics class that he struck up a friendship with and has found attractive for more than half the school year. “Hi, Logan,” Jack said with a sweet smile.

Logan finished adjusting the straps of his backpack and swallowed, “Hi, Jack.” As the pair started walking down the hallway, Jack started to ramble on about something that happened with his family the night before. Although Logan was listening, his mind was elsewhere. Logan knew he was attracted to both girls and boys from a young age. And it wasn’t that he thought his parents would disapprove of his sexuality, it was more that he felt they didn’t care. His parents were always so busy with Bailey or other things, that Logan was always left in the background. Classic middle child syndrome.

Jack stopped dead in his tracks and Logan lifted his head to see that they were at Logan’s classroom. “Anyway, what are you doing this weekend?” Jack asked clacking his heels together.

Logan looked from inside the classroom to Jack and raised his eyebrows, “Uh, nothing. I think my dad is in the studio all day which means my mom will be preoccupied with my sister.” Logan cleared his throat and looked at his feet. Aiden probably wouldn’t be around either, the weekends is when he goes out to all of his college parties.

“We should, maybe, go to dinner or something?” Jack swallowed in nervousness and suddenly Logan’s heart started to race.

His heart was beating so fast that he had to look down to make sure it wasn’t jumping out of his chest. Logan nodded and looked back up at Jack, “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Great,” Jack said with a smile wider than Logan had ever seen. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven.” Jack nodded and quickly walked down the hallway, reaching his classroom just as the bell sounded. Logan let out a breath and walked into the classroom.

Home was still a chaotic nightmare even when Aiden wasn’t there. Almost every night his parents had someone at the house, and they always brought their kids, which were either much older or much younger than he was. Bailey was playing with some of the kids they considered cousins, while the other group were swimming in the pool. Rolling his eyes, not wanting to do either thing, he walked down the hallway to his bedroom and closed the door. Which is where he stayed until the next morning.

It was quiet in the house which meant he could walk around without having to deal with the chaos. It was his favorite time to be home, it meant he could make himself some coffee and head into the backyard and just enjoy the time alone. Once everyone started to stir, he would sneak his way back inside and into his bedroom. Hiding away from everyone until it was time to get ready for what he considered a date.

Logan looked at himself in the mirror. He had decided to dress a casual, but not t-shirt and jeans casual. He was wearing a denim button up that he left open but rolled the sleeves to his elbows and underneath was a plain white t-shirt. He pulled on a pair of black jeans and cuffed the legs so that just an inch of his ankles was showing. He topped the outfit off with a pair of white converse that he rarely wore and accessorized with a watch and some beaded bracelets his dad got him in Japan the last time they toured. As he sighed, accepting his outfit choice, he looked at his watch, then his phone. Jack was outside wondering if he should come in. Logan furiously typed a message back, “No, it’s okay. I’ll be right out.”

After sliding his belongings into his pockets, he left his room and tried to find his parents. His mom and dad were in the living room. His dad had big headphones on, still being in writing mode from being in the studio all day, and his mom was reading a book. Logan cleared his throat, “I’m going out, I’ll be back later tonight.” His mom barely tore her eyes off her book as she reached her hand up and waved at him. He nodded and made his way to the front door, not a single other word being said to him.

Logan shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked out the front door. Jack was leaning against his car, something in his hand. Jack smiled and pushed himself away from the car when he noticed Logan walking towards him. Once Logan reached Jack, he wrapped his arms around Logan, pulling him in for a bear hug. Feeling a bit unsure for a moment, Logan left his hands dangling in midair, but the seconds Logan smelled the intoxicating scent of Jack’s cologne, he gave in to the hug, and wrapped his arms around Jack’s middle. “I, uh, got you something.” Jack said as he pulled away from Logan. Jack handed him a black box with a silver bow on the top. “It’s not much, but I didn’t know if you liked flowers, so I got you this instead.”

Logan swallowed the lump in his throat and started to open the box. Once he pried it open, he saw the silver band inside. Logan looked up at Jack and chuckled, “I thought you said it wasn’t much.”

“It’s not, I found it at that store you told me you liked. The one at the mall that no one shops in.” Jack rocked back and forth on his feet, putting his hands in his pockets.

Again, Logan chuckled. This time it was more because of how weird this all felt. He mentioned that store to Jack once, and he mentioned it to him months ago. “Thank you, I love it.” Logan finally choked out. Jack nodded and turned to open the passenger car door. After closing the door for Logan, Jack jogged around the front of the car and plopped into the driver’s seat, a smile on his face as he turned the engine over and pulled away from the house.

They sat across from each other at the restaurant, laughter falling off both their lips. They had known each other for a while now, but this felt different, it felt real. “Why don’t you talk about your family that much?” Jack asked, placing the glass to his lips.

A sigh escaped Logan’s chest as he sat back and looked away from Jack, “Because you could easily look up anything you want to know about my family on the internet.” It came out crude and harsh, but it was true.

Jack nodded and pointed the conversation in a different direction, “What was it like growing up with a famous dad?” Jack put the glass down and it clunked against the clothed table.

“I got away with a lot.” Logan smiled and suppressed a laugh, “My older brother is the star of the family, he is a carbon copy of my dad, so everyone loves him. My sister is the only girl in the family, so everyone loves her simply for that fact.” Logan twisted his glass between his fingers and took a deep breath, “I just exist. I’m a carbon copy of my mom, who was never famous, she’s only known because she’s been with my dad so long, and my parents are always super busy, and my siblings always manage to catch their attention first.” Logan looked up at Jack and smirked, “So, I tried to push the limits and see what I could do to get noticed. When I was younger, I would put random things in the grocery cart, then as I grew older, I started sneaking out, all kinds of stupid things. My parents never noticed. I don’t do those things now because I’m more mature than I was, but it was definitely fun while it lasted.” Jack laughed at Logan and held his glass towards Logan. They clinked their glasses together and continued talking the rest of the night.

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

Tag list: @mantlereid @notinthesameguey @viiirg0@wheniminouterspace @thinkofmehlgh @another-lonely-heart @limer-encia @itsmytimetoodream @babyoria@treatallwithkindness @karajaynetoday @talkfastromance4

**If your URL has a strike through it’s because it won't let me tag you ☹️

Ko-fi

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candlesandink · 4 years

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i want an apartment decorated with soft carpets and twinkling fairy lights. i want to frolick around in rolling fields of grass and clover while i pick wildflowers of every colour on the vast spectrum. i want to eat in restaurants accented with candles that cast flickering gold shadows on the mahoghany flooring and ivory tabecloths. i want to sleep in smooth silk pajamas in a bed topped with lush comforters and fluffy pillows. i want to wear dresses made of light chiffon and cardigans made of soft wool. i want to accessorise with necklaces made of delicate chains and rings made of dainty gemstones. i want to play a piano of gently yellowed keys, and a ukulele painted with stars and flowers. i want to dust off old records and play them loud while i sway to the music. i want to read ancient books with withered pages and ripped covers, and watch old films in black and white. i want to attend elegant soirees in my finest gown, and drive-in movies in my comfiest pajamas. i want to flip through albums of yellowed photographs and smile at the memories they bring forth to the front of my mind. i want to do my hair in pretty french braids and feel the dark weight of mascara on my eyelashes. i want to swim in lakes as clear as a summer’s day. i want to make bracelets of colourful string and vibrant beads to give to my friends, their initials dangling off the tails. i want to sing songs about love and friendship, my words springing out of the speakers and dancing around the room. i want to write poems about self-discovery and growth that i can read aloud to my friends, the kindest of critics. i want to strum riffs that make me think of a summer morning. i want to sit on a patchwork quilt and stare up at the stars, my best friend beside me and a mug of creamy cocoa in my hand. i want to draft tales of warriors and dragons and act them out as if i were a child playing at recess. i want to wander through enchanting forests with a camera in hand, taking pictures of every animal running through the underbrush, every flower dripping with dew. i want to stare into brown eyes that look like pools of honey in the sun, blue eyes that look like the pacific ocean. i want to be around beautiful people, with their crooked smiles and galaxies of freckles and frizzy hair - people of all sizes and all colours and all kinds of beauty.

i want to surround myself with pretty things, because i am not in the business of denying myself things that bring me pleasure - things that i love, things that put me at peace with myself. and maybe, someday, i can start to heal.

//why is this lowkey the best thing i’ve ever written-

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ginnyzero · 4 years

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Completely Harmless Ch. 26

Completely Harmless An SSO SilverGlade Re-imagining Story (Or Fix it Fan Salt fic) By Ginny O.

When Lily and her friends wanted to buy horses and were directed to the Silverglade Manor and its myriad of problems, they didn’t expect to start a revolution. They were just a bunch a stable girls. Completely harmless. Right?

A/N: Things are only canon if I say they’re canon. Pre-Saving the Moorland Stables compliant for the most part. Posted in its entirety on my website. Posted in 2000 to 4000 word bits here. Rated T for Swearing Word Count 177,577

Chapter Twenty-Six Planning Rainbow Week Part One

After conferring with Linda, Lily requested a meeting with the Baroness and invited Antonia, Aaron, Anastasia, Agnetha and Judy to join too. She laid out what they knew about Dark Core and G.E.D. being in the Silverglade Area. “We all want to deal with this in the safest and most legal way possible, Baroness. We want you to know what we’ve uncovered as we uncover it,” Lily said. Then she explained about wanting to expand Rainbow Week all over South New Jorvik County and how they hoped to have everything here at the Winery, outside of the big pavilion, ready before then.

“If that’s not ready, mother, we can put up a temporary fair one until after the festival,” Anastasia suggested brightly.

“We can have a special friendship dessert,” Aaron looked pleased with the idea.

Antonia leaned back. “I don’t see why we can’t have our Grand Opening this Rainbow Festival. Maybe the Stormgarden will be ready to do the same and we can exchange tourists.”

“Rainbow sherbet,” Aaron mused, “with a heart sugar cookie.”

The Baroness smiled fondly at her son. “That sounds delicious.”

“We can tint the heart red of course,” Aaron wiggled in his seat.

“Or, well, there’s a way to freeze and layer cookie dough to make rainbows,” Stacy said. “I can find a video on J-Tube, I’m sure. There might be several different variations.”

“I think that this calls for fireworks at the castle,” The Baroness said. “We can find fireworks that fit the theme of course.”

“There are three events this summer. You don’t want to wait for Midsummer or Happy Horse Week?”

The Baroness waved a hand. “Surely we can do fireworks for every occasion.”

Lily nodded.

Linda scribbled down notes.

“Well, Jorvik Stables has a friendship race, and Firgrove is doing the Red String Trail Ride,” Lily said.

Linda cleared her throat and it sounded like she was saying ‘appropriation.’

“Moorland is hosting the festival as usual. And they invited JoJo Siwa, though I’m not sure exactly where she’s performing. Was there something special that we can do?” Lily asked. “Other than the fireworks at the Castle?”

“Hmm,” the Baroness tilted her head. “We don’t want to encroach on Jorvik Stables or the Li Family tradition that got translated into a trail ride.” Her lips twitched indicating she knew the origins of the trail.

“Yellow roses are a sign of friendship,” Linda said and pushed up her glasses.

“As are friendship bands,” Regina said. “We want everyone to go to every stable right? Why not have special charms they can get at each stable to go on their friendship bands. The more stables you visit with a friend, the more charms you get. We can use the yellow rose for ours.”

“I can add a rose decoration to the dessert,” Aaron said.

“Why not make it a craft thing in our pavilion? Like a rose on a headband or a rose wreathe?” Linda asked. “Topaz is another friendship stone. We can get topaz beads and make old fashioned headbands with them. It’s not a race or a trail ride, but put it in the middle of the Rose Garden Trail Ride, they can stop, rest, make a headband, and move on.”

“Then we definitely should hire people play in all the places we’ve got for them to be playing,” Anastasia said. “We must have music and I know several classical quartets.” A look at them told them that there was no way that the Baroness would allow a pop star like JoJo Siwa into her venues.

“I believe that will cover a ‘special’ event,” the Baroness nodded. “Judy, I think you should be the one handing out the charms.”

“Yes, Baroness,” Judy nodded. “That does make sense.”

“Then, we need to get working,” Agnetha said. “And not lazing around here. Especially if we’ve got a grand opening to make spectacular.”

Stacy stayed behind to help Aaron come up with the best cookie, yellow rose out of white chocolate, and ice cream combo looks wise while the rest went to help with the garden. Agnetha wasn’t going to hold back now!

The next week was extremely busy! Given that they were going to be doing their grand opening during Rainbow Week, Agnetha drove them harder than ever. She even conceded to let Bjorn go to Jorvik City and pick up the masses and masses of flowers and turf they were going to need to finish everything up properly.

Trucks arrived hauling in everything from a new Romanesque style bandstand, rustic furniture for the Wine Cellar, the lights and benches for the gardens, and even the statues that had been on order.

Why, Agnetha conceded to renting another composter and buying a gas tank to put behind her house to fill it up. That was how much debris there was and how fast they were moving to get rid of it.

Though, the new bandstand inspired Agnetha to train roses on it. Then when the sitting area for the Baroness came in, she did the exact same thing. So, the club decided that it was simply Agnetha being Agnetha. The sitting area being a curved rectangular style gazebo with nice cushioned seats in it where the Baroness could get the best afternoon light.

But by the end of the week and the next meeting, they had most of the important work done for the Moon and Folly Terrace gardens including putting out the lights and benches, and having most of the flowers planted. The Temporary Pavilion had arrived for the event and so they had a checklist for the next week, finish planting the Folly Terrace Gardens, clean up and plant around the pavilion and the Riding Arena, install a duck coop behind the Arena, and clean, install furniture, and decorate the Wine Cellar.

Through the week Lily received texts about ideas from each Riding Club about what they should do for their special events. Ingrid kept sending exclamation points and heart emojis as this revealed new artists and ideas for the Flea Market. However, Loretta had been suspiciously silent and that worried Lily.

They convened for a meeting.

Loretta laid out the pictures of everything she had.

They all stared at her. “What’s this?”

“The decorations for rainbow week,” Loretta sniffed.

Lily rubbed her forehead. “Where are the rainbows?”

Loretta pressed her lips together.

“Loretta, this is all Bobcat pink,” Kate said and crossed her arms.

“And are these arches trailing Ivy?” Pia poked at them.

“I’ve had Catherine running my club ragged trying to make the perfect Friendship cake all week and this is not going to cut it for decorations to go with the chocolate cake topped with local strawberries and blueberries and sprinkled with powdered sugar.” Amelia said.

“Or all the rainbow colored teddy bears that I’ve been busting my ass all week to get the dye for Daxton!”

Pia poked at it. “And where are the bows. I’ve got the Siwanators camped out in Fort Pinta gushing about the bows.”

“Siwanators?” Lily asked, her eyes wide. She tried not to sound too appalled.

“Super fans. They’re real names of Saffi and Selma.”

“Oh thank the dear and fluffy Lord,” Lily murmured.

“They’ve been making rainbow sequin covered bows to hand out and are insisting they need to be on the arches too.” Pia rubbed her forehead. “And, and you know, everywhere as decorations.”

“Pushy,” Lily observed. “Loretta, this isn’t going to do.”

Loretta crossed her arms. “Those are what we always use.”

“And they aren’t appropriate for a county wide celebration,” Lily’s voice turned sharp. She had beyond had it with Loretta’s attitude.

Loretta smacked her hands on the table. “You’re just a jumped up stable girl, and a foreigner at that.”

Someone, Lily wasn’t sure who since she was locked in a staring contest of wills with Loretta, made a whinnying bray.

Loretta turned deep red and broke Lily’s gaze.

Lily inhaled deeply. It was tempting to bitch the girl out. She let it out slowly. “Loretta,” she tried for as patient as possible. “Our competition needs to end outside of the eventing circuits. It doesn’t matter which Club ends up at the Claymore Challenge, it matters that the best one does. When we walk through these doors to convene as Presidents, we’re doing things for the good of the entire county. We can’t keep doing things the old way and expect it to advance the county. We aren’t trying to put one Club ahead here in the public eye, but all of them, us, in our rainbow of colors. This week is about Friendship and Love.”

Loretta scowled.

“And about coming together as Clubs,” Pia nodded.

“You’ve had a stranglehold on this area for how long?” Amelia raised her brow.

Ginny mumbled, “Too long.”

“Were you even going to buy new things?” Ingrid asked. “Or were we supposed to match you?”

Loretta chewed her lip.

Lily held up her hands. “All right, let’s each of us get on our phones and have our best party girls meet up at Fort Pinta and go to the city for decorations. We’re going to be here a while, so they might as well do that, and this way, they can forward us pictures and we can approve before any money is spent.”

The Presidents pulled out their phones and made the calls, even Loretta.

“Okay, let’s start from the top,” Lily said. “Regina suggested doing a friendship bracelet, and then making it so that every stable they go to with their friends, they get a charm when they talk to the Stable Master.”

“They can make their bracelets at the festival site in Moorland, and choose whatever order they want to go in from there,” Pauline said with a glance at Loretta. “That could count as the Moorland craft?”

“I was thinking, maybe a photo booth?”

“Like different ones, or one?”

“Different ones so they can make an album. Definitely one with Jojo Siwa at Moorland, we’ve got more Clubs than we do the colors of the rainbow but maybe the photo booths are in Club colors for simplicity sake?”

Lily texted Regina. “Photo booths or photo walls, just something they can take pictures together.”

“It should probably be something fairly simple,” Riley said.

“And something that we can just switch out some decorations for the next festival,” Another girl nodded.

“So, colored sheets?” Lily asked cynical.

“That sounds about right.”

The girls stifled giggles.

Lily’s phone buzzed. “Regina wants to know since rainbow week is about friendship if she should be getting yellow rose decorations to go with these photo walls? Not canary, she says because canary is obnoxious but more champagne?” Lily raised a brow. “And she’s asking about beads.”

“As long as it’s not too wedding like,” one girl wrinkled her nose.

“Wouldn’t that be funny if there ended up being some weddings,” another giggled.

“Well, Regina thinks that most the decorations we’re going to find are going to be wedding or wedding adjacent for the photo booth, walls, whatever,” Lily rolled her eyes and set down her phone. “Okay, Loretta, Jojo Siwa is performing at the fairgrounds, you have the parade, and that’s where the friendship bracelets are going to be.”

Loretta nodded.

Lily turned to Pia. “Pia, you have Siwanators in Fort Pinta with sequin bows.”

“Yes, and they want bunting, lots and lots of swag bunting.”

Lily picked up her phone again to text Regina.

“Isn’t there bunting on the Championships?” One of the girls asked. “We should change it out for appropriately themed rainbows.”

“This is going to be so gay pride.”

“All types of love, all types,” came the reminder.

“What else is going on,” Lily asked Pia trying to stay on topic.

“Well, the horse Linda sold James,” Pia started.

“Fussywithers?” Lily asked.

“Wait, that’s who Fussy went to?” Pauline gaped. She burst into giggles.

“Fussywithers,” Pia sniggered. “I’m not calling him anything else now, Fussywithers is giving James fits by living up to his name of being fussy and wanting everything perfect. Fussy and Mayor Peanut have bonded, so we’ve been sending James and Fussy out with Mayor Peanut to get exercise every day.”

“That’s perfect,” Ami giggled.

“And he’s seen the disrepair of some of the places and has decided that right now he’s going to take photographs himself as an awareness campaign as he searches for spots to take pictures of Token.” Pia wrinkled her nose. “All according to plan. They have a warm up run they do around Fort Pinta area, and then they go off into the unknown. Or, as unknown as James gets. He met up with Andy and just as we wanted, they’re conspiring to well, explore together, and coordinate their geocaching and Token Takes Jorvik book.”

“Now, all they have to do is meet Hayden,” Pauline said.

“Oh, I made a nudge about visiting the Mirror Marshes,” Penny smirked. “I think it is on the to-do list.”

Pia nodded. “We’re going to use a pony head for our charm on the bracelets. The Swinators are going to have their bows ready to hand out when the week starts and open a shop in the Moorland festival grounds. So, that’s not really on us. They’ll also be the turn in points for the bow hunt.”

“I think you need something more,” Lily said.

Pia bit her lip. “We have the dance club kind of sitting there being empty. I mean, you have to get to the clothing shop in through there now.”

“What did you do?” Lily widened her eyes.

Pia groaned. “Okay, so there were so many shops and carts cluttering things up. You haven’t been since?”

“Agnetha,” Pauline said and it explained everything.

“The gardener,” Lily tacked on.

Pia looked back and forth. “Ohkay,” she murmured. “Well, one of the beauty salons closed down. Not enough business, so their stylists all moved over to the one next to the dance floor with the café outside of it, Beauty on the Beach. Then next door to that, we put in a Tack shop, Mayor Peanut’s Sunshine Saddlery. And on the inside of the dance club, you can access the clothing shop, Disco Daze Fashions.”

“And that leaves you with what?”

“A clear courtyard with a fountain in the middle,” Pia said. “And a beach, but I’m not sure if the beach party guy is willing to come out early to set up a dance floor down there or not.”

“Okay, who else is there music wise in Jorvik that could play at Fort Pinta,” Lily said.

“Lisa,” one girl said.

“Missing,” Penny interrupted.

“Lisa’s missing,” another gasped.

“Okay, find Lisa,” Lily added to her list. “Um, who is Lisa?”

Penny lit up. “Lisa Peterson, she’s a country rock singer and guitar player.”

“She’s Jorvik homebrew,” Polly added. “Sort of.”

One girl made a face. “Well, there’s Raptor.”

“Oh good luck getting him out of Jorvik City.”

“The Miscreants?”

“Not really their type of venue, way too disco. They’re more rock.”

Lily drummed her fingers on the table.

“DJ Kai, I mean, she’s not huge, but she’s techno, the disco ball would be her jam and she needs the exposure,” another girl said.

“Isn’t Herman’s brother in the music business,” someone propped their chin on their hand.

“Okay, so,” Amelia made a face. “We’ve got this heavy metal style shop and a hair salon in Jarlaheim. How about we host these Miscreants there?”

Lily was digging through her contacts. She found Herman’s brother’s number and dialed it. She relayed to him what was going on since he was the one who had their contracts with Black Light Records. “If you could be any help at all, Mr. Wetton.”

Lily gave the other girl’s a thumbs up. “Lance and Lilith you say, too? And The Flaming Trio? I’m sure the Baroness wants the Silversong String Quartet for the Manor. That would be so great. Syntax is moonlighting as a DJ? I have no idea who DJ Wetfloor is. There are 12 riding clubs and 12 venues Mr. Wetton. Your people along with JoJo Siwa makes 10 performers though I’m not sure all them fit the venues. That is 10 if someone knew where Lisa was. Do you have anyone who does folk music?”

Lily rolled her eyes at the girls. “Thanks, Mr. Wetton. You’ve been beyond helpful. It’s next week. I know it’s short notice and all. I’m sure you’ll find great talent.” She shut her phone off. “He wants to hold a talent show at one of the locations to scout for new people.”

“Do any of us really have the venue for that?” Melissa sounded baffled.

“Probably not,” Ingrid grimaced.

“But we can definitely put DJ Kai down for the Fort Pinta disco,” Lily said and Pauline scratched out a note.

“Art show,” Pia said. “We can do an art show, rainbow and friendship themed.”

“All right, that covers Fort Pinta then,” Lily said. “That sounds special enough. Okay, Summer Chipmunks, you’re up.”

“Okay, Daxton is going to be doing special rainbow teddy bears. Harold is the town baker and he’s trying to come up with a treat that’s suitably rainbow to have as a special. I think he’s going to do a cardamom rainbow sugar cookie. He was muttering about freezing dough and layering and cutting it into circles for least amount of waste. I think Lance actually lives in Silverglade Village, if it’s the same Lance.”

“Are you okay then with taking them?”

“I swear,” Kate murmured. “Lilith runs Cool Cutz.”

“Maybe they’ll be southern rock and not embarrass you,” Lily smirked.

“We’ll take them,” Kate tucked hair behind her ears. “If they’re locals, I don’t want to piss them off or humiliate them by asking other people to step in. I mean, otherwise, we’re coordinating with Landon to do a rainbow sheep race. Catch the rainbow colored sheep? It’s one of his more feisty ones.”

Lily coughed. “Okay then.”

“We’ve decided on a rainbow charm with a cloud.” Kate gave Loretta a tiny glare. “I never heard your charm, Loretta?”

“Jojo Siwa’s bow,” Loretta sniffed.

“Duh,” Tan muttered.

FOR THE ACCOMPANYING IMAGES PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE MY WATERMARK AND CONTACT INFORMATION. THANK YOU. I get it. Some of you might get excited and want to see this stuff in the game, especially the clothes, tack, and pets. However, the only way I want to see this in the game is if I get paid for it. If I see it in the game and I’m not paid for it, there will be hell to pay. You think I’m salty. I’d be angry. Personally, I’m not going to send this info to SSO. If you do, leave my contact information there! Don’t give them any excuses to steal.

Now, I’ll know you haven’t read this note if you leave me comments about how ‘salty’ I am about the game and if I hate it so much I should do something else. I am doing something else. It’s called Mystic Riders MMORPG Project. Mystic Riders however is a very baby phase game. You can check out our plans on the game dev blog. (Skills, Factions, Professions, Crafting, Mini-Games, 25+ horse breeds!) If you know anyone who would be interested and has money or contacts about game making, direct them to the blog.

#star stable #sso #star stable online #fan fic #jorvik reimagined #star stable salt #completely harmless #silverglade reimagined #many nods to ruth westside #meetings are how lily leads #focusing on silverglade area here

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ashadowsideofme · 4 years

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"I’ll give you something to believe in, I’d rather fail than never try"

:: Solo ::

The sound of my mobile phone buzzing against the hardwood of the bedside table, caused me to jump and pull from my sleeping slumber. Barely able to open my eyes, I reached over to grab my phone. A groan surpassed my lips and my hand moved to pinch the bridge of my nose. My eyes squeezed shut. I tried to figure out where I was, actually who I was. Sometimes I even forgot who I am and what my own name was. My head was banging and I could feel the vein in my forehead pulsating like a bitch.

The sound of my own blood rushing through my system was heightened in my ear in the silence of the room. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, and peeking open an eye. I punched in my passcode and groaned as my phones backscreen came to life, almost blinding me.

“Ah, shit!”

Another groan came as I placed the phone, screen down onto my chest. Using the balls of both my hands, I pressed them into my eye sockets. I needed painkillers and a shower to even attempt to wake me. Taking in a heavy sharp breath, eventually taking my hands away from my face. My surroundings slowly began to come into focus.

“What the f…….”

This wasn’t my apartment, nor my bed. I had yet again woken up in a hotel room. At least it wasn’t a gutter. That was kinda one of my worst fears. Being so blind drunk and ending up in a gutter. I had done some crazy ass shit over the years. One time while on tour with my band ‘The Shadow Side’, I was so wasted while on stage, that I thought it was a good idea to jump from the stage to another platform. Completely misjudging the distance, I landed nose first into the railing, breaking my nose, and cracking four ribs. But I had so much alcohol in my system, that it completely numbed my nerve receptors that I continued the performance despite of that.

So the fact I was actually in a bed and it was only my head that was pounding. I was taking this as a complete ass win. Even if it wasn’t the most brightest idea I have ever had. I felt a heavy weight finally across my stomach and raised the covers. I was naked. Fucking score. Way to go Ethan. We know what you did last night. An arm, which wasn’t mine laid across my stomach. Turning up my nose, I turned my head slowly to see the mass of red hair covering the girls face. I couldn’t even remember coming back with her, let alone her name or even what she looked like. Classy Ethan. She wasn’t the first, nor would she be the last of one of my rebellious indiscretions and I was going to need to slip out before she even woke up. Hopefully.

Picking up my phone from my chest, I used the other to gingerly take her wrist, I lifted her arm up off of me and slipped out of the bed, it wasn’t until I was perfectly free from the bed, I placed her hand down slowly. Cringing when I heard a slight moan. My body freezing as I waited to see if she is going to wake up. She doesn’t and I breathe a sigh of relief. Looking around the bedroom. It slowly came to me that we were in a hotel room. Thank fuck for that. I could escape easily and never have to worry about seeing her again, whoever ‘she’ was.

Grabbing my boxers and pulling them on, I did the same with my jeans. Slipping my phone into my pocket. I would wait until I got outside to see who had tried contacting me, I didn’t have time to hang around here and I was really in need of painkillers and a shower. Finding my shirt and pulling it on, I made sure I was wearing all my necklaces, rope and bead bracelets, I didn’t want to be leaving anything behind for her.

Sitting on a nearby chair, pulling on my socks and boots, I did the laces loosely. Before pushing myself up and looking around for my jacket. Spotting it near the door, amongst the girls clothes, I snatched it up and shrugged it on. Checking the pockets for my keys and wallet, which thankfully were there. I did the most disgusting thing I had to always do after nights like this. It wasn’t pleasant nor something that I enjoyed doing, but it had become a necessity since these one night stands would do anything these days for money and fame.

Grabbing the bin liner from the hotel bin beside the bed. I tied it into a knot and shoved it into my pocket for now to dispose of when I was clear from the hotel. Wherever the hotel was of course. I had an apartment in New York I shared with my childhood best friend Chelsea. We had known each other since we were six. We both grew up in London, England. To somewhat middle class parents. We lived next door to each other and have been inseparable ever since. Chelsea like to give the impression she was an innocent and naive woman, but she wasn’t. She could drink, eat and kick ass like the best of them.

I have always been into music, and she was always there for the ride. So when we were sixteen, we moved from London to LA with my band, The Shadow Side to try and make it big or even try and make it. After two long years of living in and out of vans, sleeping rough and taking shitty jobs so we could pay to eat. We were finally signed to a label and we hit it big, quickly. Maybe too quickly. None of us would quite handle the shit that was going down. We were massive on the alternative metal scene, and able to live comfortably, but we weren’t rich and famous. Even now, nearly a decade on.

But we were selling sold out shows around the world, we were touring every other year. I went off and did a solo project for a year and now we were back full force as a band. We all moved to New York to get away from the large press and media of LA who was following us around and documenting every mistake the band made. We were trying to clean up our image somewhat, but the moment we got back on tour, shit went out of the window. We were currently recording and writing our sixth studio, my seventh if you include the solo project and things were going well. That just meant tour and that was where we shook hands with the devil and shit got crazy.

Chelsea was our tour manager. She did the organising and made sure everyone had their shit together before we took to the stage. You didn’t want to mess with her and her schedule, because she would drop kick your ass into next week. She was feisty and took zero shit from anyone. I backed her 100%, and no one got away with disrespecting her. Ever. But we lived together. The amount of social media comments on that was crazy. Two people of the opposite sex couldn’t be just friends. It made us chuckle mind. It wasn’t anyone’s business and we stopped defending our friendship a long ass time ago.

So now, with a trash bag with last nights condoms in my pocket, I slipped from the hotel room and closed the door silently behind me. As I walked down the hallway to the elevator, I ran my hand through my hair, puffing out my cheeks. As I waited for the elevator to come, there was a maids cart, so I took the opportunity to dump the trash bag discreetly and shove my hands in my leather jacket. When the doors to the elevator opened. I stepped inside and hit the ground floor button. Resting my head back against the glass mirror. Trying to push the throbbing pain in my head away. It was blurring my concentration. Opening my eyes slowly I remembered my phone message and pulled my phone from my pocket. The doors opened and I stepped out.

Palming my phone as I went to the check out desk. I gave over my details and explained someone was still in the room. I paid with my credit card and shoved it back in my wallet, and into my pocket, peering over at the guy as he checked me out.

“Don’t suppose you have any painkillers?”

He looked me over once before smiling.

“Certainly sir”

I shuddered. ‘sir’ I was twenty-seven. I wasn’t that damn old. Pulling my shades from my pocket and putting them on. I clearly looked like utter shit. I felt like shit. I would say I am never drinking again but that was a complete lie, once this headache went I would be back to my old self again. When he came back with the painkillers and a bottle of water, I took them from him and thanked him. Heading outside, I looked around. I noticed we weren’t far from the bar I attended last night. I knew it was where I was without even having to remember. It was the same bar that Chelsea and I, along with the other band members frequented.

Taking the painkillers and knocking it back with water. I hailed down a cab and got in the back. Giving over my address and settling back. I finally got around to reading the text message. I had a few missed calls from Chelsea, along with Sam, Jamie and Declan, the other guys in the band. I wasn’t surprised by those, and would listen to the voice messages later. Going to my messages, there were loads. I skipped over most of them, really not in the mind space to read them. It was Chelsea’s messages I did open and there were around ten, all starting from three am this morning. Shit. It was the last message that made me chuckle.

“You better be dead or dying asshole because I am going to kill you when you get home”

Aww the love from my best friend. Beautiful. She worried about me and because I hadn’t contacted her, she didn’t know if I had lived out my worst fear and died in a gutter somewhere. I debated on replying but I didn’t. I would give her the satisfaction of killing me when I strolled through the door at 7:30am. I would never take her berating of me away from her. Especially since I needed to be in the studio this afternoon with the guys. Smiling amused to myself, I closed my eyes and rested my head back. Just waiting for the headache to pass now, and get home and shower.

#storylines

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fly-like-a-grayson · 7 years

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How to be a Good Boyfriend. (Evan Hansen x Reader)

Request: Evan x reader something fluffy please!

WC: 4,097 (I’m sorry)

A/N: I’m going to put this under a read more because it’s long. I’m not even sure if this is good or even fits the request. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Evan wanted you to know how much he loved you, he really did. It was hard sometimes because of his anxiety. He had never been in a relationship before. He didn't know what to do. He never felt like he was giving as much to your relationship as you were. You constantly tried to reassure him that he was, but in his on special way. He never accepted that though. Evan wanted to be an affectionate boyfriend that could do sweet things for you. Not a boyfriend who was flustered to even hold your hand.

When he decided to make this change, he enlisted the help of one of the not unreliable sources ever. No, not Jared Kleinman, worse: the internet.

He plainly googled, “how to be a good boyfriend?”. Then he had his checklist on how to make your relationship perfect. He decided that he’d put his plan into action immediately.

Show affection often.

Why he had to start off so strong, he'll never know. When you met him at school, he pulled you into a bone crushing hug in front of your group of friends. His cheeks burned as he tried to ignore the confused looks of the surrounding people.

You were the one to pull away, but with a lighter blush than his, “Evan, are you alright?”

He nodded with a sheepish smile, “I’m fine.” You eyed him suspiciously but continued on with the day.

He gave you a kiss your hand when you parted ways after lunch. Zoe did not let you forget that for the rest of the day. This sudden change in Evan was a little off, but you just left it. If he felt like there was anything he needed to tell you, he would.

Step one was a massive bust, he had to move to the next one.

2. Appreciate her beauty.

This one was easy. Evan always silently admired you, how hard would I be to verbally tell you that? Very hard.

The next day he walked with you to school, something he did often. As the two of you walked, he kept glancing at you. He was in awe that he with you. He had to say that, you needed to know. So he told you, but not as smoothly as he wanted, “You're pretty. Like trees in the fall pretty.”

You face contorted into confusion, “Thank you?”. You knew that from Evan, it was a high compliment. That still doesn't mean it didn't sound odd.

Evan felt his stomach drop, that wasn't the reaction he wanted. You were supposed to blush or something like that.

He knew he had to try again, “When I look at you, I feel not sad.”

You smiled at him, “Ditto, I guess?”

This wasn't working, he had to skip to the next step.

3. Compliment her sincerely

Why did the people that made this list assume the boy was dating a girl? And how was that any different from the previous step?! Time to skip to number four.

4. Give gifts, at special times and anytime

This one would be a tiny bit difficult. Probably because he has no money. He still had to give you something. Maybe he could make you a bracelet? Wait, do you even like homage gifts? He wouldn't know until he tried.

Actually, he remembered seeing a friendship bracelet making kit in the children’s room in the hospital. Does it count as a relationship bracelet kit also? Maybe he should go after school and make you one, or fifty. Hell, he would make a thousand to show you how much he cared for you.

Right after school, he speed-walked to the hospital which was at least 20 minutes away on foot. He was welcomed there with open arms, considering his mom is working there. He said a few quiet hellos to people who remembered him from when he broke his arm.

Once he entered the children’s room, he was bombarded with bright hues of the rainbow. Children's laughter came from all over, which was ironic for a hospital. Some were running around, while others were sitting quietly at tables. He looked around the room, hoping they had what he needed. The kit was at a yellow table with two little girls making bracelets currently. He was sure they wouldn’t mind him joining in. So, he sat in a tiny plastic chair, hunched over to reach the table which sat below his knees. He then picked out your favorite colors from the knot of string sitting in the center of the table. He then taped the ends down and started weaving them together.

It was calming for it, Well mostly. He could feel the two girls looking at him, but they're kids. Most kids don't know it's not polite to stare. He just hoped they wouldn't say anything to him.

“Excuse me, Mister?”, one girl said. Crap.

He looked up, “Yes?”

“Aren't you a little old to be in the kid's room?”

“N-no?”, he said. But it came out more like a question. He looked down again and continued to make his bracelet.

The other little girl spoke, “Who are ya making that for?”

Evan continued to weave, “My girlfriend.”

The girls practically gushed, “Is she pretty?” Evan nodded at the two.

“Are you going to get married?”

Evan froze, “What?” The girls looked at him like he was stupid, “Get married. That's what adults do when they're in love.”

“Well, yeah, but not when they’re 17.”, Evan explained with another light blush.

“But you’re ancient!”, one of the girls giggled.

Evan shook his head, “Most people wait for a few more years.”

“But you love her, right? How do you know that you love her if you aren’t married?”

“Love is more than that. That’s why I’m making her this, to show her that I love her.”

One girl scoffed, “Grown-ups are weird.”

Evan smiled and continued on with his bracelet. Over time, the two girls got bored of the string and went to play dolls with some other kids. He had made at least 12 bracelets for you. Some had beads made woven into them. He was very proud of them and knew that you would love them.

He gave them to you later that afternoon at your house. He was shaking with nervousness. He was confident that you would love his bracelets, but what if there was that one possibility you didn’t? No, he HAD to give you these. He had to stop questioning if he should do the things on the list. He rang your doorbell with a shaky hand.

You smiled at him when he answered the door, “Hey Ev. I wasn’t expecting you today.”

He felt regret was over him, “Is now a bad time? Are you busy? I should have called you or texted you. Or emailed you, do you check your email often? Do you have an app?-”

“No, Evan, it’s fine. I’m not doing anything right now. We just didn’t have plans for today, but I definitely don’t mind spending time with you.”, you protested. You opened the door wider and beckoned him inside.

He sighed with relief and went inside. “Is any of your family home?”, he asked looking around the corner.

You nodded, “Yeah, my parents are but they’re in the back yard. We can go to my room if you’d like.”

Jesus Christ, his palms were already getting sweaty. He’d never gone into your room before. You two usually stayed in the living room or the kitchen. “Yeah, sure. That’s fine.”, Evan stammered.

So, the two of you made your way to your room. Evan took notice of the photos that were framed on the wall. There were some family portraits, some of just you when you were still a toddler, and some of your siblings. His favorite, by far, was one of you, Zoe, and Connor. You had grown up with the Murphy’s since your mom and Cynthia had been friends since college. In the photo, the three of you were blowing bubbles at Larry. You couldn’t have been more than 4 years old. Evan always wondered if Larry would have known that the three of you would be who you are today. That the two Murphy siblings couldn’t even stand to be in the same room. That Y/N would be having her own emotional problems. That these 3 kids wouldn’t be the bubbly selves that they were at that moment. Evan hadn’t even realized he was staring at the photo until you put your hand on his shoulder. He jumped slightly at the sudden contact.

“Evan, is there something wrong?”, you asked. Then you saw the photo he was looking at, “Fourth of July. Connor and I were 5 and Zoe were 4.” Whoops, he was wrong. He was close to guessing your age. You smiled at the memory of that day, “My mom and Cynthia had dragged us to some fireworks display. None of us wanted to go, I don’t even think they wanted to go. All three of us got scared of the fireworks so Larry and my dad took us on a walk. My dad gave us little bottles of bubbles and we started attacking Larry with them. I think we got them in his mouth and eyes.”

Evan smiled at your memory. He then felt something wet on his arm. He looked over at you, and you were softly crying. He went into full panic mode. He held you close to him, “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

You sniffled, “It’s just, I don’t know. It’s not even a sad memory. I’m sad with how things are now. I wish I could talk to Connor more, I wish Zoe had time for me. I wish they got along. I wish Cynthia and Larry got along. I wish that the family got along. I want things back to the way they were.”

Evan nodded and felt his heart crumble a little, “Well, things aren't perfect now. I mean, you’re all different people than you were then. It’s better to think of the good memories and try to improve the bad ones. I’m just guessing though. I could be wrong, I don't know.”

You squeezed him tighter, “Thank you, Ev.” That wasn’t the list. It wasn’t the list that helped him comfort him. Maybe he didn’t need it after all. You slowly pulled away from him, wiping your cheeks, “Now let's actually go to my room this time.” He followed you to your room with a barely noticeable smile.

When he entered your room, he felt oddly calm. That’s the aura it gave off. It was painted a light beige, per request of your parents. He remembered you telling him that you wanted to paint it your favorite color, but your parents didn’t allow you to. The walls were completely covered with posters of your favorite bands, TV shows, musicals. You had a section above your desk that was reserved for polaroids of your friends and family. The room itself was slightly messy, but it still looked nice. It really did feel like you.

“So did you come here for anything specific, or just to talk?”, you asked sitting on the edge of your bed.

“Well, I, um. I actually had something to give you.”, Evan admitted, sitting on your rolly chair you had for your desk.

“Oh, what is it?”

Evan looked down at his hands, something he did often when he felt nervous, “I made you some bracelets.”, he took them out of his pocket and thrust them to you. You stood up and grabbed them from him, “Evan! These are amazing. Thank you so much!” You had a beaming smile on your face. They really were beautiful. Evan smiled also but smiled even wider when you gave him a bear hug.

Once you pulled away, you requested he tie them on for you. He did so, but his hands were trembling from happiness. You liked his bracelets! The list had worked! The listed had worked… A realization struck him if it weren’t for the list he would have never given you the bracelets. Maybe he did need the list. The other points were a failure because of him. His face dropped, but you didn’t see. He would have to move on with the plan.

5. Sprinkle your relationship with doses of spontaneity.

Evan is by no means spontaneous, he was predictable. He wore some variance of a blue polo, khaki pants, and the same shoes everyday. He never tried anything because he was always too scared to. But you know who isn’t? Zoe Murphy. Zoe did new things all the time. Because of her family’s richness, she could go on whatever adventure she wanted to! If Evan wanted to make this step work, he needed Zoe’s help. Problem was, he and Zoe never really talked. How was he going to get her help if he could barely talk to her? He was just going to have to suck it up and ask her one day after school.

That Friday, Evan saw Zoe alone in the library during lunch. He knew this was his chance to talk to her without her friends gathered around. He texted you that he would be in the library if you needed him.

He slowly pushed the glass door open, it gave a slight squeak which made him wince. He found himself trailing to Zoe’s seat, he was happy that the library was pretty much empty. As he approached her, he felt his knees ache and his palms get sweaty again. He thought about leaving very quickly and going to lunch to be with you, where he felt safe.

Zoe looked up from her textbook, “Do you need anything?”

He wanted to say no, he really did but the words just came out like vomit, “I’m trying to be a better boyfriend and the internet says that I need to be more spontaneous. I’m a very reserved person and I saw on your Instagram that you take a lot of vacations to cool places, not to say that I stalk you or anything it’s just I don’t know who to ask and I thought you’d be good to ask and I’m probably just being annoying and I’ll leave. I’m sorry.”, he turned quickly to leave.

Zoe called after him, “Hey, Evan! Wait!”

He stopped and turned back to her, “You know who I am?”

She smiled, “Of course. You’re dating Y/N and I keep tabs on the people I care about. I will help you because she’s always been there for me. I want to give that back. What do you have in mind?”

Evan only shrugged in response.

Zoe thought for a second, “Well, she likes art. Why don’t you go to an art museum then get ice cream?”

“But that’s not spontaneous?”

Zoe shook her head, “It depends on when you take her and if you give her time to prepare. Trust me, Evan. This will work”

So he did, he trusted Zoe and decided to take you out right after school. Bad thing is that he didn’t know you were staying after, so he waited for 2 hours. Then he also remembered that he didn’t have his license, so the whole ‘SURPRISE WE'RE GOING TO A MUSEUM” factor was lost. He had to tell you where you were going, which you were appreciative of.

You and Evan usually had dates on Saturdays and Sundays. Friday dates weren’t something that happened often because Fridays are mandatory family dinner night at your house. But you were going to get in trouble for allowing Evan to drag you away. Not that you didn’t want to be with him, it just sucked that you could potentially get grounded and not have any dates with Evan for a week.

But the museum was calming, neither of you really spoke, just enjoyed the artwork and company. He insisted on buying you something from the gift shop, but you didn’t need anything. He wouldn’t let the two of you leave until you let him/ You settled on a simple postcard with a print of “Sunflowers” by Van Gogh. It only cost a dollar, so you didn’t feel bad about that. Sadly, you two weren’t able to get ice cream after because your parents demanded you be home by 7.

Evan felt bad the entire ride home, he had gotten you in minor trouble with your parents. Surely you were mad at him, or something? He barely spoke the entire ride home. He felt the music softly playing over the speaker was enough noise.

When you dropped him off at his house, you reached over and grasped his hand with yours. He looked down at your hands, and then back up at you. He moved over the console and gave you a soft and worrisome kiss. You subtly smiled and kissed back. He felt his face get warm as you placed your other hand on the back of his neck. The kiss lasted only a few more seconds before you pulled away, but he could feel your breath lightly on his lips when you spoke.

“Ev, I gotta get home. My parents are gonna be pissed if I’m late.”

He sighed as the sadness set in again, “Okay. I’ll see you on Monday.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of your car.

“It’s a plan, Stan.”, you called out behind him.

He wasn’t sure if step 5 was a bust or not, you got in trouble but had a nice time. Best not to dwell, he had to move on.

6. Take care of yourself.

How would he do this? He didn’t have too many unhealthy habits. He could try and stop biting his nails. Don’t some people put like nail polish on them to stop that? He could put on some of that clear stuff that his mom has.

He had gone into his mom’s bathroom, with her permission of course, and looked under her sink for what he needed. When he found it, he went back up to his room and tried to paint his nails. The fumes had hit him unexpectedly and he realized he didn’t know how long he had to wait for it to dry. He sat at his desk, not moving for at least an hour, too afraid he would do something while it was drying and screw it up. He did pretty well, considering his hands weren’t the steadiest. He did get some on the skin surrounding his short nails, but it was clear so he didn’t worry too much.

The next day at school, he noticed the nail polish to be working. Every time he would go to bite them, he felt the chemical taste and would grimace. He wanted so badly to just do something with his hands, anything! Plus, he wasn’t even sure you had noticed he wasn’t biting his nails. So, was this a bust also? He was so confused.

7. Give her (and yourself) some individual space.

He didn’t like this one, at all. He wanted to be around you as much as he could. He wanted to always be with you. You were Evan’s rock, he wanted to spend all his waking moments with you. But is that what you wanted? Was being around him bearable for you? It was for him, but he had never stopped to ask you what you wanted. What if you wanted space? If that’s what you wanted, then that’s what he’d give you.

He did just that, he avoided you all day long. He walked to school 20 minutes earlier than you two usually did, leaving you alone to walk. He went straight to his 1st-period class, instead of talking to you before the bell rang. He went different ways to each of his classes, making sure to avoid your usual routes. By lunch, he was sick of it. He wanted to be with you more than anything! But he was doing what was best for you. He had to do what was best.

Instead of sitting with you and Jared at lunch, he sat in the library, silently eating his lunch. Even though he knew you weren’t allowed to eat in the library, he got special privileges. Before you and Evan had started dating, the librarian would let him eat in here because he didn’t have anyone else to eat with. He didn’t want to sit alone and look like some weirdo.

After the school day ended, he did what he always did. He walked home, but usually, you would be with him. He missed that, he missed you.

“EVAN HANSEN!”, he heard yelling from behind him. He turned to see you, looking very angry with him. Oh god. He stopped walking immediately. When you caught up to him, he could tell you looked more sad than angry, “Are you okay?”

He tried to pretend that he wasn’t, “Yes, why would you ask?”

“Seriously, I wasn’t born yesterday. You’ve been ignoring me all day. Did I do something wrong?”, you questioned.

He looked down in shame, “No.”

You huffed, “Then what’s up with you? I missed you all day.”

Evan fiddled with the bottom of his polo, “I missed you too.”

“Then why did you ignore me all day?”

Evan’s gut wrenched when he realized what he had done. His eyes started to water at anger and disappointment from himself. “I’m sorry.”, he said with a whimper.

All the anger you had was replaced by concern, “Evan?”. He felt his tears come out faster as all of his feelings came out at once, as he buried his head in his shaking hands. Your heart broke at the sight in front of you, “Let’s get you home.” You guided Evan to his house, both of you walking slowly. Your arm was wrapped around his shoulders.

As expected, his mother wasn’t home so the two of you sat on the couch. His face and eyes were a crimson color. Every so often, he would have to write snot away from his nose with the bottom of his shirt. You didn’t try to get him to talk, you only hugged him as closely as he would allow. His hands clenched into the back of your shirt has he stained your shoulder with his tears, and a few of your own had left. It hurt you to see him like this.

When Evan felt ready, he tried to talk to you. But he couldn’t, he couldn’t get himself to look at you and say everything that made him feel terrible. So he just gave you the list he had tucked away in his pocket.

You opened it and read the title, “Evan…”. You didn’t know what to say, you didn’t know how to feel. You were sad because he thought he wasn’t a good boyfriend. Angry at yourself for not being able to show him he was and not even noticing he had these doubts. “I’m so sorry.”, was all you said as you looked at the paper.

Evan shook his head, “It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I should have been better. I could have been better. I tried to change, I really did. I want to be the best me possible, for you. I didn’t know how to on my own, so I googled it and got my list. I failed though. I should have tried harder. I’m sorry I screwed up.” He looked like he wanted to cry again, but he had no tears left.

You pulled him into another hug, “I love you. I love you more than I could ever explain. You don’t need to try and be the perfect boyfriend. For me, you already are. I love you for you. Not for whoever anyone says you need to be. You make me happy every day. There’s only one Evan Hansen, and sure, you're not perfect. No one is, everybody is weird in some way. Every single person has flaws. Your flaws are what make you, you. Your flaws make you Evan Hansen. I don’t want you any other way.” He hugged you tighter like if he let go you would disappear.

Evan Hansen made you feel wonderful. Evan Hansen did, not some stupid list he found on the internet. He didn’t need to be anyone he wasn’t. He loves you, and you loved him. With you, Evan Hansen was all he needed to be.

#dear evan hansen #dear evan hansen imagine #dear evan hansen x reader #evan hansen #evan hansen x reader #evan hansen imagine #ben platt #ben platt imagine #ben platt x reader #dearevanhansen #dear evan hansen the musical #deh x reader #deh imagine #deh #dear evan hansen headcanons #dear evan hansen hc #deh headcanons #deh hcs #evan hansen smut

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seriouslyhooked · 8 years

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Souvenirs (A CS AU) Part 13/14

A Modern CS AU where Emma has grown up in Maine her whole life and runs a store with Ruby and MM. Killian Jones is the new guy in town, who just bought the local bar. Only Emma and Killian have met before and now she can’t help but wonder if their past has influenced his plans for the future. Includes tons of fluff and a happily ever after. Rated M.

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven,Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve

A/N: Okay, here we are, another day, another Captain Swan wedding! This variation of the nuptials has the same spirit as all of my other wedding chapters – lots of fluff, smut, and cute friendship moments. I also managed to incorporate some elements of the title choice that I’ve had in my mind throughout writing this that I hope you guys like. Thanks as always for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

The sun today was perfect - the way it hung in the sky, the way the warmth was still tangible but not oppressive, the way the light lent a bit more beauty to the world around her. Emma shouldn’t have been surprised, of course it would be a lovely day because today was the day she was marrying Killian. And yet, the forecast could have called for torrential down pours and she’d still have found the beauty in it.

“Emma, have you even moved in the past few hours?” Mary Margaret’s call from the ground floor of the lighthouse pulled Emma from her musings, and tore her gaze from where it was fixed on the ocean.

“No. Figured I’d get enough of that –“ she looked at her watch “in two hours or so.”

Mary Margaret huffed and Emma could just imagine her friend’s face at the moment. She was pregnant, but probably already formally dressed for the ceremony ahead, and now she was on bride duty. A bride who had no grand imaginings of a huge white wedding, only ones about a life with the man she loved. Mary Margaret was probably having a blast with that.

“Are you really going to make a pregnant woman climb all these stairs to get you?”

Emma sighed, caught as she knew she would be, because no of course she was not going to do that. Instead, she grabbed her sketches and headed down the stairs at a leisurely pace. Once in front of her friend, she handed her the designs.

“Great news, I managed to come with an entirely new line today.”

Mary Margaret’s shocked expression was priceless and Emma laughed as she linked her arm with her friend’s and led the woman back out to the car. Emma took the wheel to drive, allowing Mary Margaret to see the sketches.

“Emma, these are… they’re genius.” Emma smiled, for she thought so as well. Still it was good to get some feedback. “Souvenirs, though? Why that name?”

“I like the idea that the big moments in our lives are these grand adventures, even if they are only flashes in the journey. This line can be a physical manifestation of those big milestones, and it’s something to remember the moment with.” Emma had one such piece in her engagement ring, and in the pile of papers before Mary Margaret there were half a dozen others that could be made for their customers.

“Inspired, and think how long a line like that can go on, with the different variation and everything.” Emma smiled, knowing her friend was the business savvy one and thinking about how good that would be for the line and for the store.

“Exactly. But I’ve had enough of work today. Right now, I think it’s time to get me married.” Pulling up in front of her house, Emma saw Ruby, Belle and Tiana waiting on the porch; the three of them also donning bridesmaids dresses.

“Finally, the woman of the hour.” Ruby said as she raised her hand, gesturing with frustration. It brought a huge smile to Emma’s face.

“Oh come on, Ruby. It’s my day.”

The teasing in Emma’s tone was not lost on her brunette friend who laughed before pulling Emma inside. Once there, Emma made her way to her bedroom and found her wedding dress. None of the others had seen it yet, as Emma had opted to travel to Boston alone to pick it up from the up and coming designer who she’d been consulting with.

The dress was elegance itself, and a beautiful ivory color that clung to Emma before billowing out into a truly remarkable skirt. It was light, despite its appearance, and easily moved in, so that she and Killian could share more than one dance tonight. That had been a big concern of Emma’s – she absolutely needed to spend most of the night dancing with her husband.

To go with the style that simultaneously harked back to the forties (with sheer sleeves that cut halfway between shoulder and elbow), while being modernly infused, Emma was wearing her hair up in a braided twist. Instead of a veil, though, she’d opted for a headband that had intricate beading that matched the belt of the gown. In complimenting beaded ivory shoes, and wearing her ring and a rose gold wreath necklace and bracelet set she’d designed, Emma felt like maybe, finally, she understood what so many women were on about when going crazy over their wedding.

“What do you guys think?” Emma asked, turning to her four friends, and there wasn’t a dry eye among them.

“Emma, you look gorgeous.” Belle’s words were heartfelt and Emma smiled, then turned to Tiana who was nodding, clearly stunned.

“I don’t know what to say, except you look like royalty.”

Emma laughed at that, for that had kind of been the aim, if only because royals tended to be meticulous about the classic element in a gown. That was what Emma wanted. If she was standing up in front of the world, she was damn well going to do it right.

“They’re going to have to hold him back, babe,” Ruby said as she hugged Emma tight and Emma was a little surprised. Of her two best friends, Ruby was the less affectionate, but it was a pleasant occurrence, and Emma was happy that her friend thought Killian liable to lose his mind.

“Mary Margaret?” As if the hiccupped sobs weren’t enough testimony to Mary Margaret’s happiness, the woman wiped away her tears and exhaled sharply.

“It’s perfect, Emma. Really perfect.” Emma took Mary Margaret’s hand in hers and then looked around to her other friends.

“I want to thank you all right now, before the madness, for standing with me today. It means more than I can say.” There was a moment of companionable silence before Emma spoke again, trying to lighten the heavy emotions before she cried herself. “But it’s best to tell you guys now, since when I see Killian in a suit, all bets are off.”

The laughter that came next stayed with the women who were light hearted and excited as the got in the limo set to take them where the wedding was. Emma knew some things to come, but she had largely stayed out of the planning, leaving it to Mary Margaret who’s instincts she trusted. Killian, though, had been a little less excited to hand over the reigns to her pixie-haired friend, and currently, Emma was listening to Mary Margaret go on about one particular disagreement over the band.

“I thought the best thing for sure would be a string quartet. But he was adamant that he wanted a band to play the old standards. He had a very distinct vision. ‘I am holding Emma while someone sings like Ella Fitzgerald or you will never hear the end of it.’ He actually said that!” Emma muffled her laughter with her hand, believing it to be true, especially after their conversation at Mary Margaret’s wedding, but Mary Margaret’s eyes turned thoughtful before she turned back to Emma. “Did you show him your dress, Emma?” Emma shook her head.

“Nope, just marrying a guy who knows me, I guess.” That set Mary Margaret off on more stories about the week’s planning that had Emma smiling more and more. Her soon to be husband was very opinionated as she well knew, but there was one thing that Mary Margaret was not permitted to talk about.

“He came as close to threatening me as I think he could given that David was there. Above anything else this week, he wanted this to be a surprise.”

Whatever ‘this’ was, Emma was intrigued, but soon the limo was pulling up and her wondering was over. Instead, she looked ahead to the entrance of the park that they would have to go through to get to the wedding itself, and there prepared for them to arrive was... a series of golf carts?

“Guys, couldn’t we have just parked at the Derby House?” The field in question was part of a Storybrooke estate that was the sight of the town’s historical society. This, to put it mildly was a back ways trek for them to get there.

“I wanted to contribute too! So Mary Margaret let me decorate these for us to drive over.”

Emma was laughing like she couldn’t ever remember having laughed before. This was rich, and not at all what she was expecting, but actually made a lot of sense. Far more than walking to the field in heels did, at least. Ruby came over and handed Emma a giant white poncho to protect her dress and with that, the friends were off, speeding a bit more than was probably necessary through the path and to their designated zone for the aisle. When Emma exited the cart, she didn’t give a damn about her hair, she just knew that it was an amazing way to start the evening. The sun was starting to lower, and soon, very soon, she’d be heading down that aisle.

“Elsa, is that Aunt Emma?” Emma turned at the sound of a small child’s voice and saw a blonde woman who she recognized holding the hands of two young boys. She smiled at them happily and the smaller of the two ran up to Emma and hugged her. “It is her, I knew it!”

“Hi William, it’s nice to meet you too.” The little boy pulled back, eyes wide.

“You know my name?”

“Of course I do. You’re my family.” William grinned and looked back at Elsa and Patrick who were now just before her as well.

“She’s even more beautiful than the phone showed us.” William thought he was whispering, but all of them heard and Emma only smiled, extending her hand to Patrick, who she could sense thought himself a little too old for hugs.

“And you must be Captain Patrick. I heard you’re learning to man a sail boat all by yourself.” The boy brightened instantly and nodded.

“Yeah, Dad’s been helping and Elsa and I went to the library last week to learn all there is to know. When you and Uncle Killy come to visit, I can take you.”

“That sounds great.” Then Emma looked at Elsa and gave her future sister-in- law a big hug.

“I feel like I already know you, but it’s really good to meet you in person.” Elsa had a voice that was light and airy as she replied.

“Same here. Did you guys really get to ride over here in golf carts? That’s awesome!”

Emma nodded and looked back at her friends, pulling them all forward to introduce them. Once the worlds had collided, Mary Margaret reminded Emma of the time, and things went very quickly from there. Elsa moved with the boys so they could take their seats and then the music began. One by one her friends walked down the aisle, until only Emma remained.

When it was her turn, Emma moved with a fluidity that wasn’t intentional, but felt completely natural. Each step was tied to the music as it played, all in the hopes of getting to Killian sooner, and when her eyes caught his, it was like the whole world melted away. All she could see was him, and all she could feel was this incredible desire to get to this happily ever after she’d found with this man.

The look in Killian’s eyes was enough to set her on fire, while also making Emma feel like she was the princess every bride thought themselves to be. There could be no doubt looking in his eyes, that he was as devoted to her as she was to him, and that set the pounding of her heart at ease just a bit. When she was finally within arms reach, he extended his hand that she gladly took and he raised hers to his lips to kiss gently.

“Hello, my love.” He whispered, and just as she was about to respond someone cleared their throat behind Killian.

“Beg your pardon, love, but I hate to watch my brother get married without my actually meeting the bride.” Emma looked at Liam who was coming around Killian and pulling her into a big hug before she could think twice about it. Their guests laughed at that and Emma heard little Connor berating his father from his seat.

“Let Aunty Emma go, Dad! Uncle Killy loves her, and we don’t want to scare her off.” Emma smiled at the boy before turning to Killian once more and bringing her hand to graze his cheek.

“For the record, there isn’t anything that could ‘scare me off.’” His eyes burned an intense cerulean even as his expression softened.

“I’m very glad to hear it. Now, if my dear brother will allow us, I think it’s about time I make you my wife.”

……………

Not for the first time, Killian considered the magical feeling that came when he held Emma Swan – well now Emma Jones – in his arms. With her pressed against him as they made their way about the dance floor, Killian was floating on air, light as a feather, but ready to face anything that came their way.

“You look so happy,” Emma whispered and the sound made its way to his ears like the chime of a bell.

“I feel even more than I am giving away, love, trust me,” Killian replied and Emma kissed him, her own smile winning over when she did so. Then she looked around them again, still in awe of their reception. It did his heart good to see Emma so pleased with her wedding day.

“I still can’t believe you managed all this. I never even would have thought to dream this, but you still knew.” Killian brought a hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb lightly brushing away another of Emma’s happy tears.

“You are the best part of me, love. I only had to look into my own heart to know what you might find desirable.” The happy little sigh that escaped his wife had Killian’s hold tightening and then the joy in her eyes heating over into wanting.

“As lovely as all of this is, it still feels like we’re on display, doesn’t it?” Killian looked around and saw that his bride was quite right. Though they’d only invited fifty people or so, nearly every eye was trained on them, and Killian had a plan.

“Do you trust me, Emma?” he asked.

“Of course I do. With all my heart.”

Killian stepped back, keeping her hand in his and kissing it lightly before leading her towards the back of the party. There was an opening in the trees that led down a small path and with a nod at one of the wedding attendants, twinkling lights soon lit the way in the trees overhead. Emma’s gasp at the lights was exactly the response he’d hoped for, and as they made their way farther from the party, Killian felt a tension he hadn’t realized he had dissolving away.

“You really do think of everything, don’t you?” Emma asked as they reached the next grove and Emma’s face, lit up by the moon and the lanterns that were placed out here was so beautiful, Killian couldn’t respond.

“I know it’s probably bad manners to run away during our wedding, but I don’t care. This, Killian Jones, is exactly why I put a ring on it today.” Killian couldn’t help but laugh at that as he moved over to the set up that was meticulously laid out.

“I thought we might rather like a break, my love. I do believe we have earned it.”

Emma nodded and, with Killian’s help so as not to ruin her dress, she laid back on the lush blanket set up out here. Killian immediately took his spot next to her and found the remote control that had been placed at the corner of the quilt so he could shut the lights off, leaving only the stars in their wake. Now it was just the two of them, and the soft background sound of the music and the murmuring from their party. They were far enough away that constellations made their way into view, but near enough that it was still clearly their wedding.

“I used to see the stars as a little girl and think how small I was, how the Universe was so big and how I was alone in it. Here with you, right now, I’ve never felt more alive or more important.”

The confession from his wife had Killian’s throat closing. She would never be alone again, not as long as he lived, for he could never bear to part with her. Soon enough, they’d add to their family too, and when that day came that they welcomed a child, Killian would love them just as much as he did their mother.

“I have champagne chilling, love. Would you like some?” Emma shook her head and then looked over at him with something to say. Killian ran his hand over her features, wanting to understand why she looked a little worried.

“Did you notice that I didn’t actually drink during the toasts?” Killian shook his head, not having been paying attention, but the fact that she wasn’t drinking sparked a profound hope in him. Still, he wanted Emma to say the words, so he simply shook his head. “I’m pregnant.”

Killian pulled his new wife towards him and kissed her fiercely, pouring all his excitement into it, and trying to make her see how truly joyous he was at the news. God the day had already been perfect, but Emma continued to give him so much more than any one man deserved. Being this happy should be a crime, but damn it Killian couldn’t deny his want for life to always be this way, and he knew it would be as long as he had Emma.

“How long have you known?”

“About a week, but I thought it might be a nice surprise for you tonight. It might be the only thing that could compete with this to be honest.” Killian scoffed at that.

“Your news is the single best thing I’ve ever heard other than you saying ‘I do’ today, love.” Emma ran her hand across his cheek and kissed him once more.

“I have a doctor’s appointment next week, and I know I don’t have to ask if you’re coming or not.”

“I’ll be there. Just try shaking me over the next few months, love.” Emma laughed at that, but the thoughtful look returned to her eyes and Killian wanted everything. He needed to know what she was holding back.

“Tell me what’s troubling you, love. Are you not happy?” She shook her head.

“I am happy, really. I just – I’ve been having the craziest dreams, and in them we don’t have one baby, we have two.” Killian felt a wave of pride surge through him, which he knew to be ridiculous, for dreams weren’t indicative of reality, and there was no proof that they’d have twins. Still, the thought of not one but two babies, both a blending of him and Emma was an even sweeter life to imagine.

“Whatever happens love, our children will know nothing but love and protection from us. Besides, if we have two now, we’re that much closer to our goal.” Emma raised a brow at that.

“Just how many do you think we’re having?”

“A dozen?” Emma barked out a near hysterical laugh.

“Not even close, buddy.” Killian rose to his feet then and offered his hand to help her up, once she was standing flush against him, he pushed a lose tendril of hair behind her ear and smiled.

“Perhaps that is a trifle excessive. How about six?”

“Any more than five, and we are both liable to lose our minds. Even five is a lot.” Killian grinned, knowing five had always been the number he wanted, and reveling quietly in his success.

“Whatever you want, Emma.” He felt a zing of sensation when her hand pressed against his chest, warming him through the thin material of his shirt.

“We probably have to get back now, don’t we?”

“Aye, love. But I promise, just one more dance and then we make our getaway.” Emma looked skeptical at that.

“You want me to spend my last dance of the night with your brother? He already called dibs for one more. Poor Elsa, she must be so tired with all his constant demands.” Killian laughed low at that.

“He made that demand of you, because Elsa is a terrible dancer, love. Two left feet is too generous a description. “ Emma looked surprised at that.

“Really? She looks so graceful, I just assumed she would be great at dancing.”

“Quite the opposite I assure you.”

By now they were back to the original party, and though they were noticed as being recently returned, no one made any unsavory remarks, which Killian appreciated. Sure enough his brother came to claim his dance, and then Killian staked out one more before making good on his promise that he and his bride could make their getaway. He was anxious to get her back to their home and out of this dress.

“Where did all your steely control go? You’re Mr. Impatient all of a sudden.” Emma giggled as Killian swept her up in his arms once they’d arrived to carry her over the threshold, into their house and then through the corridors to their bedroom.

“My show of control was nothing short of heroic all evening, love. I expect a parade thrown in my honor for all I’ve done.”

Killian put Emma down to stand on the floor of their bedroom and Emma smirked as Killian watched her kick off her heels. She then turned around to have him unzip the gorgeous dress that had fit her so superbly all evening long. He probably should have made a moment of it, teasing them both with a slower pace, but his blood was boiling, simmering hot just beneath the surface of his skin, and the only thing that could help was his Swan naked and crying out his name, lust thick in her voice. With the dress now shed from her person, Killian had a moment where he stood at deaths door. His heart nearly pounded out of his chest as he saw the white lace lingerie she’d been donning underneath the classy design of her wedding dress.

“Like what you see, babe?”

Killian’s smile ticked up at the endearment, but words escaped him. Instead of trying to find them, he ran his hands along her smooth, creamy, skin and savored the feel of her warmth and the way her breathing swallowed when he traced absent minded designs along her flesh.

“I love you more than anything, Emma. Surely you know that by now.”

“I do. And I love you just the same. That being said – you better get out of those clothes soon, or we’ll be ruining a perfectly good suit.”

Not one to upset his new bride, Killian did just that, watching Emma’s features heat as he stripped the expensive suit from his person. He wondered if the rumors he’d heard about pregnant woman was true. If they could be trusted, it meant Emma would be more sensitive to his touch and hungrier for the love between them. There was only one way to test the theory.

“Your call, Emma. Do you want me doting and gentle?” She shook her head.

“No, I want you at that point where you’re nearly out of your mind with needing me.”

Her hand came down his chest, across the slope of his abs to grip around his already hard cock, pulling a growl from Killian. If that was how she wanted things, he would not disappoint. Still he removed her hand, instantly missing it, but needing to take things a very different way.

“On your knees, holding the headboard love.” The flash of excitement that washed over her expression had Killian grinning, but Emma moved quickly to accommodate his request. “That’s a good girl. Now, as your husband, I have certain duties do I not?”

Killian asked and Emma nodded, arching to meet his hands that trailed along her back as he took his place behind her. With deft hands, he unclasped her bra and threw the strapless garment across the room. Watching Emma’s unwitting response to the gesture had him grinning. His chest was pressed against her back as he brought both hands around to tease her now very alert nipples.

“Fuck, Killian!” She lifted her hands from the headboard slightly and Killian nipped at the back of her shoulder.

“Keep your hands where they are love.”

She immediately returned them to their original place and Killian continued to pay attention to her breasts until her squirming against him signaled that she needed more. With one of his hands, he traced down her chest over the abdomen that in a few months time would be swelling with the presence of their child (or children, if premonitions rang true). A low grumble emanated from his chest at the thought of Emma carrying such a gift. Still he allowed his hand to go lower, finally ending up between her spread legs, and finding her dripping sex, needy for him. As soon as he made contact with her clit, Emma was moaning his name.

“How do you do that?” She asked breathily.

“Do what, love? Drive you slightly mental with only my hands?” She nodded. “Simple – I know you better than I know myself. I know each and every motion, each and every touch that sets you ablaze. I know that when I give you more…” he slipped a finger inside her waiting heat, “it helps the ache, but doesn’t fill the need. What you need is me, love. Isn’t that right?”

“God, yes. Only you, forever.” Killian kissed at the juncture of her shoulder and neck as he inserted a second finger and felt Emma tighten around him, already so close to coming.

“I will give you the best forever there has ever been, Emma. But now, I need you to let go.” She did just that, crashing into a climax that had her shaking with exertion, and Killian had never seen her so beautiful. When she finally looked back at him, her green eyes were still desirous and her cheeks were now flushed a lovely shade of pink.

“Can I move my hands yet?” He nipped at her lower lip, but pulled back before it was truly a kiss.

“Yes, love.”

Emma moved quickly, pulling him down for a demanding kiss that Killian couldn’t help but lose himself in. Emma turned the tables then, pushing him back on the bed, and straddling him as she pulled the few remaining clips she had in her hair, setting her golden locks tumbling around her.

“My turn. Now you, have to keep your hands right there.”

Emma started with a kiss, moving further and further until Killian thought he would likely expire from the torment. When her mouth kissed the head of his cock, all rational thought was gone, and when she took him in her mouth, he really tried to heed her wishes and keep his hands where they were, but he couldn’t.

“Emma, love I won’t last like this, and I need to be inside my wife this first time.”

Emma smiled at his phrasing, and let him thwart her plan, no doubt knowing her own satisfaction was ensured this way. And in the end, they both got exactly what they wanted, a first union as man and wife that was perfect, sensual and satisfying. As they lay next to each other, both catching their breath before more inevitable love making, Killian ran his hand through Emma’s hair and smiled, taking stock of everything, so he could remember this moment for the rest of his days.

“You’re making a souvenir,” Emma said.

“I’m what?” Killian asked confused and Emma giggled, so carefree and light it had Killian’s whole world brightening.

“You’re painting a picture in your mind. I take them all the time with you, so I can remember all of our moments.”

“Aye, love, I am doing just that.” She ran her hands across his chest, the feel of her fingers against him bringing warmth and calm even as they stirred the craving he had for her once more. “I love you, Emma.”

“I know. I love you too.” Those words shared between them in truth, were the most important thing, and it would be that love that would see them through everything that was to come.

Somewhat surprisingly, Emma had been right, the dreams a bit of magic no one could really explain, but a week later they received the news. They were expecting not one but two babies, all of whom would know exactly how much they were loved and cherished. And so it was, that they had a magical, wonderful start to a much deserved happily ever after.

Post-Note: This story was such a magical way for me to write another Captain Swan wedding! To be honest all this time later I am still emotionally compromised from it, but I love it all the same. That being said, there is only one chapter left for ‘Souvenirs’ and it is an epilogue. Hope you guys enjoyed, and thanks as always for the lovely words! Truly they are so great, I love hearing if you guys like the chapters or not!

#captain swan #captain swan au #captain swan fic #cs fic #cs au #cs modern au #cs ff #cs fluff #cs smut #cs wedding #emma swan #killian jones #the meddling friends #and the meddling family #souvenirs cs au #souvenirs #souvenirs 13 #ouat au #seriouslyhooked repost

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