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gyubakeries · 3 days ago

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❆ 𝐠𝐲𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 : 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬! ❆ | 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐮 - 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 <𝟑

❆ 𝑑𝑎𝑦 13: christmas morning | l.c

a/n: last fic of the series!! i hope you guys liked all the installments <3 thank you for everyone who read the fics!! love you guys, and merry christmas to all who celebrate! i hope you had a great year, and i wish for the next year to be kind to all of you as well <3 last fic, hope you enjoy :)

p.s. i dont think its that easy to get an hermes birkin, BUT WE WILL PRETEND THAT IT IS. its been literally my dream to get one, so i might as well experience it through my writing LMAO

word count: 1.3k contents: chan x fem!reader , established relationship , idol bf!chan , cuddles , domestic fluff , gift exchanging , chan is energetic , reader is sleep deprived , reader gets their dream birkin bag (projecting onto reader big time)

it's christmas eve and you're going to bed alone.

it's not like you're feeling sad about it. you know chan is holed up in the practice room, practicing choreographies over and over again till he satisfies the perfectionist in him, which is why you're okay with the selfie chan sends you as a goodnight.

you've been dating him for five years, and you've been through a lot of long distance with your boyfriend to easily overcome the feeling of sleeping alone in the cold bed.

plus, you're tired to the bone with how much work your boss had dumped on you over the last three weeks, so sleep comes to you easily.

—

you stir awake when cold hands press into the bare skin of your waist from where your sleep shirt had ridden up.

"chan, cold," you mutter under your breath, turning around to face your boyfriend, who had just failed at his attempt to slip into bed without disturbing you.

"sorry for waking you up," he whispers, smoothing your shirt down so that he can hold you without bothering you with his cold hands.

"'s alright," you yawn. "i'm a light sleeper. what's the time?"

"3:15," comes chan's soft voice, and with the way the warmth radiating from his body wraps you up in a soft embrace, you already find yourself dozing off again.

"merry christmas, baby," chan smiles against your skin. you press a kiss to his neck, the closest part of him that you can reach, and whisper a, "merry christmas, channie," before you're falling back asleep.

—

waking up in the morning is not nearly as soft and quiet as the night before. primarily because chan was shaking you awake, yelling in your ear to get you to wake up.

"i thought you said you were a light sleeper!" chan complains when you smack his hands away.

"well it was a lie!" you grumble, turning to your side to try and escape chan's antics. "let me sleep. i'm so tired."

"oh," chan's voice immediately goes soft. "was it your boss again? god, i wish i could just tell him to go screw himself-"

"how about you try saying that to seungcheol's face first?" you tease him. "if you think you can't face your leader, my boss is ten times worse."

chan blinks.

"okay, i may send him an e-mail then," he huffs. "but babe, it's christmas morning. let's at least do the gift exchange and then we can sleep in, hm?"

you sigh at your boyfriend pulling his best puppy eyes, complete with the pout, and you give in easily.

"alright, let's go."

"i love you!" chan beams with joy. he all but drags you off the bed and bundles you up in his hoodie, knowing how cold you got in the mornings. then he pulls you in for a tight hug, kissing the top of your head softly.

"merry christmas, my love."

"merry christmas, chan."

—

"okay, whose present do you wanna start with first?" you ask chan. you're sat on the living room floor, gift boxes strewn around you.

"let me open what your family got me, and then you can open what my family got you," chan suggests, and you agree. he then adds on, "the hyungs got you a gift too, so you can do that next."

the two gift boxes you got for each other lie in the corner, the both of you eyeing them silently, wondering if the other will like their gift.

"okay! me first!" chan announces excitedly. you hand him the delicately wrapped box your mother had dropped off at your house a few weeks prior to christmas for chan.

he opens up the wrapping gently, and gasps when he sees what's inside. curious to see what the gift was, you peek at the box in his lap, and you find a bottle of expensive whisky inside.

"i can't believe my family supports your alcholic tedencies," you roll your eyes affectionately, and chan gives you the look of a wounded puppy.

you laugh at chan's theatrics and reach for the gift his family sent for you. you unwrap the gift, and you're moved by this inexplicable warmth that fills you as soon as the wrapping paper is gone.

the gift is a framed photo of you, chan, his parents and brother, standing together at chan's brother's wedding. it was the day chan's mother had looked at you with tears in her eyes and said, "you make my son so happy, y/n. i hope you stay in his life for a long time."

along with the photo, there's also a perfume that you had mentioned in passing on one of the many dinners you've had with chan's parents.

"this perfume is so expensive," you gasp. "they really shouldn't have-"

"y/n, they're my parents," chan laughs. "of course they're extra. where do you think i get it from?"

"fair point," you laugh, trying to blink the tears away in your eyes. "okay! give me the gift from the boys."

chan passes over another box to you, and you read the gift card stuck on top.

'merry christmas, female dino'

you sigh at their silly joke before unwrapping the gift and bursting into laughter.

"what is it?" chan asks, leaning over to look at the gift.

it's a plain black hoodie inside the box, with a collage of chan's pre-debut pictures printed all over the front. chan groans when you take the hoodie out of the box.

"i bet this was jeonghan-hyung's idea," he mumbles. "i'm gonna kill all of them."

"sure you will, baby," you giggle, kissing his cheek.

then, there's silence.

the only two gifts left to unwrap are the ones you got for each other.

you look at chan, who looks like he's going to throw up any second, and you clear your throat. "should we open the last two together?"

"yeah," chan nods, reaching for his gift, and you take yours.

"alright, three, two, one."

chan claps a mouth over his hand when he unwraps his gift "you- you got me the watch- oh my god, y/n are you crazy? this must have cost a fortune and- shit, i can't even believe that you... y/n?"

caught up in finding the luxury watch he'd been planning to buy for himself for a year inside the box, he totally forgot the gift he got you. you were currently frozen in shock, and chan can only hope it's the good kind.

while chan was freaking out over his gift, you opened the one he got you. you weren't expecting the expensive bag you had on your wish-list for almost your entire life.

it was the Hermès Birkin bag, the one thing you've wanted ever since you were a little girl.

"chan, this is- where did you even-"

"i pulled some strings," chan replies. "do you like it?"

"do i like it?" you ask. "i love it. this is everything i've wanted, i can't believe you got it for me."

"i thought i was everything you ever wanted," chan pouts, and you would shoot him a glare, but you're feeling so grateful for having such a thoughtful and kind boyfriend that you just lean forward to pull him into a tight hug.

"you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," you tell him, and he hugs you by the waist tightly, agreeing with your statement.

"i'm so glad i bumped into you all those years ago," chan says, and you pull away slightly to kiss him, pouring in all the love you felt for the one person who's made you feel more special than anyone else ever could.

(chan remembers how difficult it was to get the bag for you, but for you, he'd tackle the world's greatest challenges.

next christmas, he hopes he can get you something he's wanted ever since you've entered his life; a ring, and hopefully, a family of your own as well.)

- fin.

divider made by @bernardsbendystraws !

main taglist: @min-imum @sousydive @livelaughloveseventeen @unlikelysublimekryptonite @theidontknowmehn

@baseball-dokyeom @t-102 @grapejuicelh @aaa-sia

@cixrosie @4shypotato

series taglist in comments!

head to the series masterlist - here <3

head to the masterlist for more!

#gyubakeries <3 #mansaenetwork #seventeen #seventeen fluff #seventeen imagines #seventeen drabbles #seventeen x reader #svt #svt fluff #svt imagines #svt drabbles #svt x reader #lee chan #svt dino #dino x reader #dino imagines #dino fluff #dino drabbles

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supernovafics · 5 months ago

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series masterlist | last part — next part

pairing: modern!college!steve harrington x fem!reader, bestfriend!eddie munson x fem!reader

word count: 4.3k words

warnings: explicit language, brief mention of weed, a bit of angst

summary: a power outage leaves you stuck at steve’s apartment for the night

CHAPTER SEVEN | ❝𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌❞

Winter 2015

The call connected after only a few rings. “Hey.”

“Hey, Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too,” Eddie responded. “Did it end up snowing by you?”

“Yeah, only a couple of inches, but it’s still something.”

“Make a snowman in honor of me and send me a picture.”

You laughed a little. “It’ll be the smallest snowman in the world because there’s barely any snow on the ground, Edward.”

“I’ll take what I can get.”

“Fine, I’m not gonna do it now since it’s two in the morning, but I’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” He said and you could hear the smile in his voice.

Things became comfortably quiet for a few moments and you kept the phone at your ear as you moved about your kitchen, searching for something to eat and ultimately settling for a bowl of dry cereal.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Getting a snack.”

“Cereal?”

“Of course,” You nodded even though he couldn’t see you. “You know me so well.”

“I think I’ll always remember that because it's such a random thing,” He told you and you laughed at that.

“What are you doing?”

“Sitting outside smoking.”

“I wish I was there right now,” You told him. “It’s so quiet here because my dad’s not really around. Plus, I really like your hometown.”

“Come here for spring break.”

You didn’t even need to think about his words before you were agreeing. “Okay.”

“Great,” He said. “And you already know about my very loud and obnoxious neighbors, so you’ll like it. It’s rarely ever quiet here.”

You smiled. “Any new stories to share?”

He told you about an argument he overheard yesterday, something about a lawn mower, and then the two of you talked about nothing for the next hour as you leaned back against your kitchen counter eating your cereal and Eddie smoked weed in his front yard. You could tell that he was already tired only half an hour into the call, it was always easy to hear the sleepiness in his voice, but he stayed on for you. You talked until you finally got tired, a yawn escaping your lips as you went upstairs to your childhood bedroom.

“Goodnight. Sorry for keeping you on the phone for so long.”

“No apology needed. I wanted to talk to you.”

You were shaking your head as you got under your covers. “You’re just way too nice to me.”

“I gotta be nice or else I’ll never get my tiny snowman,” He joked and you smiled at that. “G’night.”

“Bye.”

You two hung up then, and you became engulfed in silence and darkness; the soothing and comforting kind that made your eyelids feel heavy. But before you could fall asleep, you thought about the kiss— that quick moment played on what felt like a constant loop in your head.

At first, you had wanted to just forget about it, and a part of you wished that you simply didn’t remember it like Eddie didn’t. But, the more you thought about it over the last few days that you’d been home, the more it felt easier to convince yourself that maybe it was a good thing that it happened. Because you couldn’t help but still believe that it had to mean something.

That entire night had to mean something, actually. Eddie didn’t have his date with Chrissy; you still didn’t know the reason why she canceled it at the last second. And he kissed you at that party— even though he didn’t remember it, it still happened.

You considered finally, finally taking the plunge and just telling him how you felt when you both were back from break. Simply letting it out and letting everything else fall into the places that they were meant to fall. And somehow, the thought of finally doing it, finally admitting the truth, didn’t scare you as much as it once did.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

Spring Semester 2018

You tried to figure out if the silence that you and Steve were currently sitting in was comfortable or not. It felt equal parts good and bad, too much and just fine, and weird but also not really.

You shifted slightly on the couch, which you and Steve were currently sitting on opposite sides of, folding your legs under yourself. Things didn’t immediately become quiet between you two when the power went out. Instead, you followed him, using your phone as a flashlight, as he went to find the candles he had around; there were only three. He lit them and set them on the coffee table in the living room and then that was when you two settled on the couch, a quietness starting to linger.

It was late, getting close to midnight, and a part of you wanted to go to sleep, but there was no way that you’d be able to do so with how silent it was, and you didn’t think that you’d be able to bear sitting in it all night. Maybe it wasn’t too comfortable after all.

You were reminded of when you and Eddie met; the broken down elevator and random conversation that forged an immediate friendship. For obvious reasons, this moment was pretty different— you and Steve weren’t strangers, although you definitely didn’t feel that far off from it, and you knew that you’d be at Steve’s place for much longer than you’d been stuck in the elevator with Eddie.

Because of that, you were abruptly breaking the silence with the first thing that came to your mind.

“Do you remember what your last dream was about?”

Steve was clearly surprised by the randomness of your question because all he responded with was “What?” and let out a confused laugh.

“Things are way too quiet right now and that was the first question that came to my mind,” You told him with a shrug. “So, do you remember your last dream?”

“Um, kinda?” He said and then paused for a moment to think. “I’m pretty sure I was just driving. But, it was in a different country because I was driving on the other side of the road.”

There was something about the mundanity of his dream that was both boring and kind of soothing to hear about. “That’s so normal.”

“What was yours?”

You were thinking for a second before it hit you; the dream that you’d had a few nights ago that was the most recent one you remembered. “I got pushed off a cliff.”

Steve looked at you. It was too dark to read his expression, the candles weren’t doing much to light up the space, but you imagined it was one of confusion. “That sounds much more like a nightmare than a dream.”

“Yeah, abruptly waking up from that was a great way to start my Friday morning,” You responded. “I rarely remember regular dreams where I’m just doing dumb normal stuff. It’s always those falling ones that stick and they actually happen a lot. Before the cliff thing, I remember one where I was tumbling down a hill.”

“You’re talking about this so normally that I don’t know if I should feel bad or not.”

You laughed a little as you shook your head. “Definitely don’t feel bad. Just please tell me about any recurring nightmares you’ve had before.”

“I used to have this one where I’m playing basketball and then I get injured; broken ankle, broken leg, stuff like that,” He told you, which made you inwardly wince because that sounded a thousand times worse than your falling dreams. “That nightmare doesn’t happen that much anymore now, though. It used to happen a lot right when I actually got hurt playing a couple years ago.”

You nodded at that. “Oh, is that why you stopped?”

“Yeah, that injury was pretty fucked…” His eyes pulled away from yours and focused on something else. You were able to read that pretty easily; his want for the subject to change and shift away from him having to talk about his injury and probably basketball in general.

“Y’know, I’m just now realizing that we don’t really know anything about each other. Actually, I’m not just now realizing that, I’ve been thinking about it for the past few days. How this whole thing between me and you feels like when you get partnered up on a project with that one person in class that you never really talked to before,” You were pretty much rambling at this point so you decided to stop. “But, yeah, anyway, the sentiment still stands. We know nothing about each other.”

“I think saying nothing is kind of a stretch,” Steve said, eyes meeting yours again. “I know you’re an English major and you love reading, which of course makes sense. And you have a bunch of roommates; you were just gonna have one, but then that changed to three.”

It didn’t entirely surprise you to hear all of the stuff that he had remembered from the date; it had only been a little over a week ago. What did surprise you was that you couldn’t really say the same. The only things you remembered learning about him were his major and minor, which you already knew, and the fact that he didn’t like reading— you were vaguely reminded of an Italian mouse book series that he had apparently really liked in fifth grade.

“Oh my god, did I seriously only talk about myself during our date?” You said, suddenly feeling entirely too embarrassed by just how true your words were. “I didn’t think I was that much of a narcissist.”

“You’re not. I just didn’t talk about myself that much,” Steve told you with a shrug.

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Why?”

He sighed. “You’re gonna think I’m an asshole.”

For some reason, that made you smile. “Now, I definitely wanna hear it.”

He sighed again and for a second you thought that he just wasn’t going to tell you, but then he was speaking. “I always do that on dates because it’s just the easiest way to keep things surface level and not serious.”

It surprised you that he sounded a little embarrassed to admit that.

“I don’t think that makes you an asshole,” You said, and you were actually being honest. You really didn’t think that him basically putting up walls was an inherently shitty thing to do, but it did sound the tiniest bit sad. You didn’t want to say that, though. “Are you tired right now?” Another conversation shift, solely for the reason that you wanted to keep things simple and easy. This was only the second real and non-fake dating conversation you two were having and you didn’t want it to lead to you two bearing your souls to each other in the dark. It felt way too soon for those kinds of conversations, and you didn’t know if you’d even get to that place with him before the month was over and you two “broke up” and went your separate ways.

“No,” He answered with a quick shake of his head, which you were glad for because you were nowhere near being tired either. “Are you?”

“Not even close,” You responded. “Do you have any games we can play or something?”

“I have a deck of cards.”

“That works.”

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

You two didn’t end up playing any actual card games. Steve attempted to teach you poker, but after only a few rounds you hated it, and there were no other games that either of you could think of with simple enough rules that you could teach him or he could teach you. Therefore, you two instead started playing with the cards themselves, attempting to build little card houses and other things, which was Steve’s suggestion.

It had been quiet for the past few minutes, but surprisingly comfortably so. You could feel yourself becoming the tiniest bit tired, but at the same time not at all.

“Do you like living alone?” You asked as you attempted to stand two cards up to make a sort of triangle shape and balance on each other, which actually wasn’t that easy.

“Yeah, definitely,” Steve nodded. You two were sitting on opposite sides of his coffee table and the candles had been moved to the floor— which probably should’ve felt more like a bad idea— to make room on the table. “The roommate I had Freshman year was horrible.”

You laughed at that. “I also had a shitty roommate experience Freshman year, but I still love having roommates…” You trailed off as you tried to think of the perfect way to fully sum up your thoughts toward your current roommate situation. “It feels like summer camp, but without the poison ivy and multiple cases of mono.”

Steve gave you an amused look. “What kinds of insane summer camps did you used to go to?”

“Really bad ones,” You told him. “And I hated it every year, but my parents were obsessed with sending me to them— especially after they got divorced— because they worked a lot and didn’t want me to be alone all the time.”

“Okay, now it makes sense why you like having roommates.”

You nodded. “Only child and divorced parents. Terrible combo. I hate when things are too quiet.”

You pulled your eyes away from the cards that you finally managed to make stand on their own to look at what Steve was doing. He was much farther along than you were at building something that actually looked interesting.

“You’re weirdly good at this,” You said when your cards fell again and instead of immediately trying to stand them back up, you watched as Steve kept building some sort of pyramid.

He shrugged. “I don’t know why, but I used to always do this when I was bored as a kid.”

“That’s actually quite wholesome,” You told him as you picked up your two cards. A beat of silence lingered for a moment before you were speaking. “So, did you ever go to camp or were your summers spent playing with cards like a bored child in the fifties?”

The laugh Steve let out at your joke made you smile. “I only went to camp twice; when I was twelve and then thirteen. It felt a lot like the kind of summer camp that you’d see in any movie. Lots of lake stuff and campfires and that type of thing. The first year kinda sucked, but the second year was fun. I even had a camp girlfriend.”

You let out an exaggerated gasp. “Wow, you actually had a girlfriend?”

Steve laughed. “Yeah, it was the greatest three-week-long relationship ever.”

What happened?

That was what you wanted to ask— not what happened to the camp girlfriend because you obviously knew how those relationships went. But what happened to him wanting crushes and relationships and actual feelings?

You didn’t ask that, though. You felt like you couldn’t; the question felt too deep, too real. And you also thought that it would be kind of pointless to ask it.

“Do you think it’s working?” Steve asked, abruptly pulling you out of your thoughts.

“What?”

“This fake dating thing. Do you think it’s working for you?”

“Oh, yeah, sometimes I think it actually is. Like, after game night, Eddie stayed over at the apartment and we watched TV for a few hours and then he randomly asked if I really liked you. I told him yes— obviously— and he said “Cool,” but there was this certain look on his face too. I couldn’t tell what exactly it was, but it felt like something,” You said, thinking back to that Monday night. “But, then, I also think it’s not really working because nothing like that has happened since.”

Steve shook his head. “I don’t know if that’s true. The party a few days ago didn’t feel like nothing.”

“You think?”

“Yeah, it looked pretty clear that he didn’t want you to stay with me,” He told you and you weren’t entirely sure how true that was, the end of the night was a little bit of a blur, but you did believe Steve. “Have you ever thought that something was going to happen between you and him before? Like, moments that made it feel obvious or whatever?”

Your mind traveled to the drunken kiss at the frat party Freshman year. A fleeting kiss that felt like a distant memory at this point, and the tiniest bit like a dream. What also felt like a dream, or more so a nightmare, was the day that you came back from Winter break, weeks after the kiss. You had finally worked up the courage to tell Eddie how you felt and you were knocking on his door to do it before you could convince yourself not to. He opened the door after only a second and there he was with Chrissy.

You didn’t immediately know it was her; at first, she was simply just a random girl wearing his t-shirt. What happened over those next few minutes was Eddie explaining to you that they met up during the last few days of break and the rest was history. They seemed happier than ever and you knew for certain that your chance was gone.

You hated thinking about that moment. You remembered feeling stupidly hopeful, like everything was going to finally fall into place for you and him, and then feeling severely disappointed, but having to hide that with a happy smile. From there you pushed everything to the side— went back to pretending that you felt nothing romantic for your best friend and simply avoided thinking about it altogether. Until they broke up and now here you were back to pining.

It felt way too embarrassing to admit all of that to Steve right then.

“Um, I don’t know…” You finally said, trailing off and shrugging. “Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate the moments that are solely friendly with the moments that could maybe mean something more.”

If Steve could tell that you were lying and avoiding saying a lot more, he didn’t call you out on it; which you were glad for. Instead, he simply nodded at your words.

You pushed up the sleeves of your sweater. “These candles are making it really warm in here.”

“I can give you something to wear if you want, so you’re not in jeans and a sweater all night.”

You hesitated just for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, that would be good, thanks.”

You followed him to his room and stood by the door as he went to grab something for you. When he handed the clothes over, you saw that it was a t-shirt and basketball shorts. You went to the bathroom to change, keeping the door cracked so that it wasn’t entirely pitch black.

You put on the shorts first and then slipped the shirt over your head. It smelled just like Steve, which shouldn’t have been surprising at all since these were his clothes, but you still were a little startled. Maybe it felt more surprising to you that you were able to easily recognize his smell; that you could get hit with the scent of something that was somehow equal parts musky and sweet and immediately place it as Steve.

It felt weird and almost too much, and a part of you wanted to take off his shirt, but you knew that it probably would’ve been weirder and more of a big deal if you did. So, you didn’t take it off and instead decided to actively not think about why it had felt weird to you at all.

When you returned to the living room, you sat on Steve’s side of the table because you wanted to lean back against the couch. The pyramid he had been building was gone and instead, he just had a few cards in his hand. You noticed him yawn, which made you realize that you still weren’t really tired, and you also wondered what time it was. You grabbed your phone off the table to check the time; 1:17a.m.

“Are you tired now?” You asked Steve as you placed your phone back down. You knew what answer you were expecting to get from him, but you still wanted to ask the question anyway.

“Not really, no,” He answered, and you, of course, didn’t believe him.

“You can go to sleep if you want,” You said, glancing at him. “I’ll be fine out here.”

You probably would end up staying up all night if he did leave you right then, but you didn't want to force him to stay awake with you if he was tired.

“It’s okay,” He said. “Let’s just keep talking.”

You still weren’t completely convinced, but you nodded at his words anyway.

“This is random, but sometimes Talia bakes in the middle of the night whenever she’s stressed and can’t sleep,” You told him and then let out a small laugh. “And she’s a very noisy baker. I was woken up many, many times to the sound of a mixer last semester.”

Steve turned his head to look at you. “Isn’t that annoying?”

“A little bit, yeah. But she thankfully got one of those stand mixers that are pretty quiet last month, so now it’s not that bad,” You said, and you briefly thought back to a few weeks ago when she made blueberry muffins on a random Tuesday night. “Also, we wake up to freshly baked muffins in the morning so that makes it okay too.”

“Okay, yeah, maybe the muffins make it worth it.”

“Very much so.”

You poked at a few of the cards on the table, flipping them over and then flipping them back just so you could have something to do with your hands.

“Tell me about your Freshman year roommate,” Steve said. You’d forgotten that that had been briefly brought up in the conversation earlier. “Any shitty stories to share?”

“Oh, a lot. I’m pretty sure she hated me. She never blatantly said that, but it just felt obvious. Anyway, though, she always brought people over and never told me about it. I lost count of how many times I walked in on her and some guy mid-makeout,” You quickly explained. “That was actually how me and Eddie got really close. He lived across the hall from me, and his roommate was barely ever around, so I would always go over to his dorm when my roommate was being annoying.”

“Okay, she sounds a thousand times worse than how mine was. He would mainly just leave trash everywhere and play music really loud.”

“That sounds like heaven compared to the shit I had to deal with.”

“It was still enough to make me never want a roommate again,” Steve responded, putting the cards in his hand down on the table and leaning back against the couch. “I don’t mind the quietness that comes with no one else being here.”

“Okay, this question is very random and probably dumb, but why did you say yes to the blind date thing when Eddie asked you?” You weren’t entirely sure why you asked that, but you were curious, and also finally starting to get a little tired so your mind was moving to even more random places. The kinds of places that it wouldn’t have gone to if your lack of sleep from the night before wasn’t beginning to catch up with you.

“He made you sound really cool and nice and—”

You stopped Steve mid-sentence. “Okay, wait, never mind, pretend I didn’t ask. It feels weird hearing that, actually.”

“Honestly, I think he probably does feel the same as you. The way he talked about you that day felt different than just how a friend talks about another friend, now that I'm really thinking about it.”

You weren’t entirely sure how to respond to that.

It was hard to tell the difference between having false hope and having expectations that were actually realistic enough to be fulfilled. You didn’t know where this Eddie thing lay. It felt so in the middle, perfectly toeing the line.

You leaned back against the couch and that was when you noticed how close you and Steve were sitting. Your sides just barely touched, the short sleeves of your respective shirts lightly brushing, but you didn’t feel the need to move over.

“So, if this fake dating thing ends up working for you, and you’re not forced to go to the Hamptons to find your future wife, do you know what you’re gonna do for the summer?”

You figured that, at the end of the day, if what you two were doing didn’t end up working out on your side of things, at least Steve would hopefully get something good out of it.

“I’m not sure yet. Maybe go to Europe for a bit with a few friends.”

“That’s very rich kid of you to say,” You joked.

Steve laughed a little. “Do you know what you’re gonna do?”

“I don’t know,” You shrugged. “But, I do know that it probably won’t include backpacking around Europe.”

The conversation continued moving in different directions from there, but it slowly started to fade out. With both of you saying things that probably didn’t make too much sense and probably wouldn’t even be remembered in the morning because you were falling asleep as you were talking and the lines between what was real and what felt like a dream became blurred. At some point, you were closing your eyes and leaning your head against Steve’s shoulder because you were too tired to think better of it.

The night had felt entirely unexpected, but you were glad that it happened. You were happy about the stupid storm and stupid power outage.

Finally, you felt like you actually knew him— not just the stuff that mattered for fake dating. He was your friend now and you were his. Neither of you would end up saying that in the morning or anytime soon, but it felt pretty obvious.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

next part!

taglist (lmk if you want to be added or taken off<333); @eddiernunson , @loulouloueh , @the-aster , @blckburd , @totally-bogus-timelady , @yujyujj , @irhdifartzamfyaa , @mochminnie , @munsonssweets , @blckbrrybasket , @xprloki , @definitionwanderlust , @dwcode , @sun-fiower-seed , @keerysfolklore , @damon-loves-pie , @lodeddiperrodrick , @bisexual-and-intellectual

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington x you #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington series #steve harrington x fem!reader #stranger things fluff #eddie munson x reader #bestfriend!eddie munson #steve harrington imagines #steve harrington angst #stranger things imagine #stranger things series

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anyamaris · 1 year ago

Text

Purrfect Company

Word Count- 6726

Pairing- Boss!Lee Know x Employee!F!Reader

Trope/AU- Coworkers to lovers AU

Summary- Working at a cat cafe has a variety of perks, though you’re not sure if your crush on the handsome shop owner, Minho, counts as one. Despite it being the holidays, you have no one to spend it with so you’ve volunteered to take the shift at the cafe on Christmas eve. A power outage and a surprise visit from your seemingly rigid employer has you discovering things you might never have known otherwise. Maybe Minho has a warmer, softer side than you’d realized.

Warnings-Vulgar language, sexual language, unprotected sex, forbidden relationship dynamic (boss x employee), lots of pussy (ha!), MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY

This is one of my two entries in our 16 Days of Smutmas 2023 Collab! Check out the other writers as well!!!!

A/N: Firstly, definitely an enormous thanks to @kwanisms for this collab, listening to me flail my way through it AND creating the BEAUTIFUL BANNER HEADER-ISNT IT GORGEOUS? ISNT SHE AMAZING?

A huge huge huge thank you to @sanjoongie for helping me through the many hurdles of writing this and reading snippets to ease my anxiety. It means more to me than you'll ever know. @millennial-fangirl as well for reading part of my smut and giving me helpful criticism, I love it so much!

Thank you to everyone who listens to me whine about everything always, I love you all.

Tags- @cultofdionysusnet @ksmutsociety @wooyoungmybelovedhusband @yoonguurt @shinestarhwaa @stardragongalaxy @kpop-stories-21 @starlitmark@millennial-fangirl @ericssmile @wooahaeproductions@changbinslovelylegs @yeosxxx @millennial-fangirl @starillusion13 @duchesskaren @minki-moo

A huge thank you to @saradika and @cafekitsune for the amazing banners, without you creating them our work wouldn't look so beautiful!

“Goodnight! Happy Holidays!” You wave, closing and locking the door behind the sweet couple who had come in last minute to pick out a cat for their daughter. You can’t help but smile at the thought of the beautiful kitty who will get to wake up with a new family to love and accept her.

Turning, you smile at the few cats left in the living room/play area the owner had set up for them. The three left were napping, one on the couch and the two others curled up together on a cat tree. Humming happily, you turn to finish the few closing duties you have left. You’d closed down the cafe area after the couple had gone in to play with the cats and now you just had to make sure the till was put in the safe. You planned on spending some time with the last few cats before you made your way home for the evening.

It was Christmas Eve and as you turn to look out the window once more, you frown at the heavy snow coming down. “Figures, going to be hell going home,” you breathe out as you lock the safe, then the office door. You stretch and yawn, taking off your apron to hang as you make your way into the kitty area.

“Peanut, are you comfy?” you ask the lone orange tabby curled up on the sofa. Minho, the owner of the cafe, had furnished this area nicely for the comfort of the cats and the people who came to play with and possibly adopt them. If you took away the cafe portion, this could be the cozy living room in the home of any family.

Peanut peeks an eye out at you from under his tail to let out a soft trill as you sit beside him, running a hand over his velvety fur. “Merry Christmas to you, too. I wish I could take you home with me but I’m afraid I can’t have pets at my tiny apartment.” He purrs softly, leaning into your hand as you scritch his ear. He gets up and stretches then immediately climbs into your lap, curling up and making you beam proudly. You’ve always gotten along well with most of the cats here, and it always brought you joy to have them accept you.

Letting yourself relax, you close your eyes as you pet your comfy companion. The soft overhead christmas music lulls you into a half sleep and you don’t even realize you’ve drifted off until something draws you back to consciousness. Blinking yourself awake, you freeze as you suddenly hear a rattling noise from the other room, as if someone is trying at the doorknob. Peanut perks his ears up and lets out a soft growl at the disturbance, but you soothe him quietly as you lift him from your lap, placing him down so you can go to see what the noise is.

You’d accepted the shift for Christmas Eve without hesitation because everyone else had plans. You had only a studio apartment and the prospect of take out at home, so you’d volunteered so no one else had to work. Minho had entrusted you with the closing duties, and now here you were, faced with a possible break in.

Your heart pounding in your chest, you creep into the hallway leading to the back employee area, as well as the door to the back of the building. It feels as if your chest is going to explode from fear and anxiety as you watch the door creak open with wide eyes. Your thoughts on the cats you are there to protect, you reach out and grab the nearby broom handle, holding it out as you yell, “Stop, or you’ll regret it!”

The figure opening the door stops, their arms laden with something but you don’t process much else than a harsh sigh, then the lights are being flicked on. “Really, what are you going to do with that? Sweep me to death?” The male voice greets you and it takes you a brief moment before you realize the voice and face belong to your boss, the owner of this cafe.

Lee Minho.

Letting out a relieved sigh, you fall against the wall and clutch your chest. “I wasn’t aware that you’d be here this late, did something go wrong with closing?” Minho asks, then his eyes widen. “Are the cats alright?” His severe frown as he shoots a look behind you has you immediately responding. “No, no everything is fine, I just checked on them a moment ago and was going to head home.” you tell him, rubbing your eyes.

His eyes meet yours again and his eyebrows furrow. “At one in the morning?” he asks and you just blink at him. “Excuse me?” shaking your head, “No…I didn’t-” you turn around to dash back into the cat room, grabbing your phone. “Shit.” you say and you hear a soft laugh behind you. “Lose track of time?” He asks, coming in behind you and setting down the bags he had been holding. Peanut immediately runs to him, purring around his legs as the other two sleepy cats peek out to see what’s going on.

“I closed a little after 9pm, and everything was done. I sat down to pet Peanut and I guess I just….” you shrug, frowning. “I’m sorry, I promise I did everything for closing before I nodded off. Don’t worry, I will mark my time slip as off at 9pm.” you tell him, embarrassed, cheeks heating from having fallen asleep in your workplace.

“Nonsense, you were keeping the cats company on Christmas Eve. Peanut needed company, right buddy?” he asks, kneeling down to scratch his ears. You smile softly, noticing how much your boss seemed to go from the gruff, teasing, sarcastic man to this warm, caring soul when faced with feline company. Relaxing a bit, you remember your last part of the evening.

“Sylvie was adopted at the last minute, the couple said that they will let us know if their daughter changes her name when she gets her. Sylvie really loved them, they were here for a while with her before they took her home. They were very pleased.” you smile, watching Minho look up at you, his eyes widening in excitement as you speak. You have to stop your heart from thumping as he beams happily at the news. He was far too handsome for your health.

You definitely didn’t have a crush on your boss, definitely not.

“I’m so glad, she deserves a little girl to play with. How old is the daughter?” he asks, his eyes sparkling. “Twelve. They said that’s all she wants for a gift is a kitty to love. So I’m hoping it’s a good fit.” He smiles and nods, looking back down at Peanut, who is now sniffing at the bags he’d brought. “You’re stuck with me, pal. You, Luke and Leia. Christmas with Uncle Lino.” he coos at him, looking over at the pair napping. You can’t help but smile at the names of the two, one of Minho’s friends having named them when he stopped by.

Blinking at yourself just lingering and ogling your boss, you shake yourself out of it. “I’ll get out of your way.” you say, glancing at your phone again, finally noticing the missed messages. Frowning, you open a text from your neighbor. “It’s pretty nasty out-” you hear before your mind is processing the text sent hours ago. “Well, damn.” you mutter at your phone.

‘Hey-just fyi, power is out in the building. You might want to find somewhere else to stay if you have one!’ it reads and you just deflate from the news.

Of all things, especially on Christmas Eve when everyone was out of town or busy, you think.

“What’s wrong?” you hear from beside you, Minho’s voice concerned. Rubbing a hand over your face, you look out the window at the heavy snowfall. “I guess my building’s power is out.” Looking over at him, you can only smile and shrug, then lean down to pet Peanut as he winds around both of your legs. “Going to be a terrible Christmas Eve alone with no electricity, huh bud?” you whisper to him.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Help me put this stuff away and then you can come upstairs and sleep on the couch.” When you open your mouth to protest he just turns his back and starts unloading the bags. “If you don’t feel comfortable, you can sleep down here with Peanut. Either way, there’s no point in going back to a place with no power. Unless you have someone who you can go to?” he asks, tossing you a look over his shoulder. Shaking your head, you glance one last time out the large window at the cold, white sheet obscuring any view and just sigh.

“If it’s really alright, I’ll take you up on it. I’ll stay.”

After helping put away the cat food and litter he’d brought in, you smile as he takes another bag of toys and opens each, letting Peanut sniff at them. Luke and Leia are finally stirring, peeking out to see what’s going on. You can’t help but smile as they just yawn and curl back around each other. Lucky kitties, you think. Am I jealous of the cats? You ask yourself, suppressing a small laugh.

Minho stands, noticing your look and he clears his throat. “Come on, I bet you haven't even eaten anything since before your shift started.” He says harshly, but when you look over at him, he’s smiling softly. “I-” you start, then wince, shaking your head. “Are you spying on me?” you ask him with a laugh and he just stares at you for a moment, then nods once. “Of course I am.”

You can’t help but chuckle at his deadpan expression as he turns to go to the door leading upstairs. “I hadn’t thought to ask but…what’s upstairs?” Without looking back, he starts up the stairs leaving you to follow behind. “I live up here, leave the door cracked, please. The cats like to come upstairs if they get bored down here.” he says and you smile as he leads you into a big open space apartment.

“Oh wow….I had no idea you actually lived here.” You say, looking around. He smiles as he turns on some lights and takes off his shoes, and you do the same. You make sure to leave the upstairs door cracked as well, noticing his approving nod. “Mmm…I bought it years ago, when I first moved here. The downstairs was being leased out to a bakery. Once they left when their lease was up…” he just shrugs, shooting you a look over his shoulder as he makes his way into the living area.

“Wow, what made you want to turn it into a cat cafe?” You ask him as he gestures for you to sit. “Make yourself at home. Do you want something to drink?” he asks, heading into the kitchen. “Sure, whatever you have is fine.” He hums as he goes into the fridge, pulling out some water bottles. “I’ll make some tea.” He says, turning on the electric kettle, then he comes to sit next to you, handing you the water. “Thank you.” you say and he smiles, leaning back to look around.

“It’s not a very … interesting story.” he finally answers, his lip twitching. “You’re likely to think I’m weird.” he says, eyes darting over to you. Twisting off the cap to drink, you recap it as you set it down and try not to grin. “And if I already do?” You say, surprising yourself at your boldness. Before you can regret your remark, he throws his head back, letting out a laugh and it makes you smile as he looks back at you with a smile to echo your own. “Well, then I have nothing to worry about.” He quips and you blush, looking away.

He really was far too attractive and here you were with him, alone, on Christmas Eve. Ignoring the pleasant warmth in your stomach, as well as the fluttering, you turn your attention back to his words as he answers.

“When I moved here, I really missed my cats back home.” he is saying, smiling as Peanut slips through the opening of the door. “I have three at my parents house.” he says, watching the big orange cat wander off to explore. “Aww, I bet that was really tough.” you respond, frowning, remembering your own cats you left behind to move here. He just nods, continuing. “Well, one day I found two kittens outside in a box, and I couldn’t leave them. So I brought them home. Then another followed me home a few weeks later after I fed it. The next thing I know, I had seven cats and a space downstairs to lease out.”

“Wow! Seven cats?” you exclaim, blinking in disbelief at him. “And counting.” He laughs, shaking his head. “I couldn’t leave them out in the streets. I was trying to figure out how to keep gathering all these stray cats and figure out how to rehome them, all while trying to work.” You just look around, taking in the apartment. While it was spacious for more than one person, you couldn’t imagine having seven plus cats roaming around without the downstairs.

“So you just thought, ‘Oh I'll open a cat cafe’?” you can’t help but smile at him. He shrugs, tilting his head as he hums softly. “Pretty much. I had some help from friends and family, thankfully.” His gaze feels suddenly intimate for some reason as you relax into the conversation, his deep brown eyes warm and soft. Finding yourself leaning towards him more as you listen, you both are startled when the kettle starts to beep and he clears his throat, standing to go to the kitchen.

“Actually….” he stops halfway there, looking out at the fat snowflakes falling down, then turning to look at you. “Would you like some hot chocolate?” he asks and you smile at him, nodding happily. “That sounds amazing actually.” You lean your head on your hand, watching over the back of the couch as he busies himself in the kitchen, inhaling blissfully as the scent of chocolate slowly permeates the open space.

Your earlier embarrassment has faded into almost happiness at falling asleep with Peanut, grateful that you’re not in a cold, lonely apartment tonight. The scent of the cocoa mixed with the euphoria of having an actual conversation with Minho has you in an odd headspace. In the months you’ve worked for him, you can’t remember having many conversations with him. He was always on the go, in and out of the shop, most of his time being spent with the cats.

That’s what started this silly crush, you think.

Watching him talk to the cats, cooing at them, playing with them when he had any free time. Admiring the way all of the felines would flock to him, noticing him immediately when he came in bearing food and treats, as well as a variety of toys and new furniture for their temporary living space.

The way he checked in on all of the cats that got adopted, treating them like each one was his child. How he cared for them, expression lighting up when he comes through the door to see the beautiful furry creatures; playing, fed and happy. He truly was dedicated to their well being and watching it over the months you’ve spent working for him, it had definitely interested you in finding out who he truly was.

You can’t lie to yourself as you listen to him hum a soft tune, smiling as he turns to mix the drink in a saucepan. It was pointless to deny that that simple crush on a handsome man was turning into a little bit more.

Not that you’d expect anything from it, of course. He was your boss, you were his employee. That’s not even accounting for his own personal feelings. You didn’t have any illusions about anything happening, but you just couldn’t deny it any longer. You’d just keep it to yourself, enjoying that sense of being young and silly, pining over the unobtainable. Sometimes that’s all you need, just something to look forward to, for yourself.

“Are you alright?” you hear him say, snapping you out of your thoughts as he walks over, carrying two steaming mugs. “It’s hot, be careful.” he says, an almost worried look on his face as he hands you one of the drinks. You can’t help but smile and blush at his concern, feeling suddenly like you’re getting an inside view of what the cats must feel like under his care.

He raises an eyebrow at you as he blows on his own drink, sipping at it carefully. “I’m fine, just ….” you look down at the cocoa, the smell making you feel more nostalgic for the holidays than you’ve felt for a long time. “Just?” he asks, frowning as he blinks at you with those beautiful eyes. Letting out a sigh, you take a tentative sip, your eyes widening at the flavor. “Wow…this is…amazing!” you say, taking another sip of the warm, rich beverage. His eyes light up at your words and he smiles proudly. “It’s homemade, not the powder, it’s quite different from the packets you get.” He tells you and you nod, savoring each sip. “Well, it’s delicious. I don’t think I’ve had cocoa in ages, let alone something this good….ever.” His eyes crinkle at the sides as he looks down and you swear you can see him blush a bit. You might have to compliment him more if he was going to react like this, you think.

“It’s fairly easy, I just happened to have the ingredients. I thought for Christmas Eve it was a bit more festive.” he says, and you nod as you watch him talk. “Speaking of….” he says, brow furrowing suddenly, “Why did you decide to work tonight?” He asks, settling back as he turns to you, his gaze curious.

You hum as you raise a shoulder to shrug, “I don’t have family in the area, and we don’t really celebrate together much, as everyone gets really busy this time of year. All the friends I have here all had plans, and honestly, it’s really just another day to me most of the time. I figured I’d give everyone else the night to spend with people since they all seem more interested in that.” His hum and pursed lips as he nods has you suddenly realizing he’s alone as well.

“What about you? You mentioned your parents and cats at home, why are you here?” you ask and he smiles, rocking his head back and forth as he thinks. “This year, I decided to send my parents on a vacation since they’ve worked so long and hard all their lives. I gave them the gift early and they are currently on a beach somewhere nice and warm. As they should be.” he says, smiling softly.

Your heart thumps at his expression, your throat closing at how very caring he was for the people he loved. Suddenly, you feel overwhelmed with some feeling you can’t define, almost as if the idea of being loved that much made you feel happy and extremely lonely all at once. You almost laugh as tears spring to your eyes and he blanches, looking shocked.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asks as you wipe at a stray tear and you let out a soft chuckle at your foolish emotions. “Oh yes, sorry. Just thinking of how proud they must be of you, to have raised such a caring, lovely son.” Your words take him off guard and he looks down into his drink, blinking rapidly. “I don’t know if I’d say all that…” he says, his cheeks flushing red. You bite your lip, having to look away from how adorable he looks being shy.

“Really, I don’t know many people who think like you do. How you are with the cats as well as your family…” you shake your head. “Most people tend to think of the holidays as a time for getting things, I’ve found.” He hums softly, the silence between you slightly tense but far from awkward as you both enjoy your drinks. “I’ve been meaning to ask…” he says, clearing his throat as he sets down his mug on the coffee table. “Hm?” you say, curious. “I thought you’d be spending the holiday with someone special. I figured you’d have someone waiting for you at home.” He says, studying you. “Someone special?” you ask, then realize what he’s asking.

“Ah…no, I don’t have anyone. I broke up with my last boyfriend shortly after starting work here.” you gesture around you. “Ah yes, that’s why I thought….” he trails off, looking away. “I noticed a man coming in when you started so I just figured.” He shrugs and you sigh, frowning as you set your mug next to his. “No, we broke up…he…it’s a stupid story.” you laugh without any amusement, waving it off. “Oh?” he says, leaning forward a bit. “If you don’t want to-” You shake your head, making a sour face. “Long story short, I found out I wasn’t his only girlfriend. So, I broke it off.”

The look on his face has you bursting into laughter. The sheer disgust is so adorably cute, his lip curling as he lets out a ridiculous noise of revulsion that you just can’t help but snort as you giggle loudly. It only seems to encourage him as he repeats the noise, adding, “Is he stupid?” You just nod as you wipe your eyes, this time the tears are from your laughter and you can feel your stomach hurting from it. “Yes, that was my thought, honestly.” you tell him, his sudden smile bringing butterflies to dance in the pit of your stomach.

“He must be, I wouldn’t-” he stops, shaking his head. “Any man like that isn’t worth your time. Better off without him!” he says, throwing his hand up into the air. You laugh again and this time he joins you, the shared moment has you relaxing back into the cushions as you turn to settle more comfortably on the couch, facing him fully.

“Yeah, definitely.” you sigh, “Still lonely around this time of year though.” His smile slips and you decide to not ruin the mood. “What about you? I didn’t even know you lived up here, I thought you’d have some big house with a wife somewhere.” you say and he winces, looking away. “No, it’s been a while since I’ve dated. Between the cats and running the cafe, I’ve kept myself from being too lonely. I have everything I need right here.” he says, eyeing you. “Besides, being alone doesn’t always mean being lonely,” he says, giving you a look.

“That’s entirely true. I do enjoy my time to myself, plus it’s easy to just crush on someone to keep myself from thinking too much about a relationship. Sometimes it’s better to live in my own head and create my own narrative than to deal with another person.” you say with a smirk and he raises his eyebrows in response. “A crush?” he asks and you freeze, realizing you’ve likely said too much. “Sure, why not? Everyone has crushes throughout their lives.” you say nonchalantly, shrugging a shoulder.

“Who’s this crush?” He asks teasingly, but you swear his eyes darken a bit, almost dangerously. Swallowing, your cheeks heat up as you look away. “Nobody it would ever work with, so it’s not really important.” you respond and sneak a peek at him. He’s studying you intently, not smiling and the room is suddenly oddly tense. “Don’t tell me it’s some idol-” he starts but you wave your hand, laughing softly. “No, nothing like that. I mean, of course I have those as well but that’s not what I meant.”

“What about you? Or is raising kitten children your only passion?” You tease and he raises an eyebrow, smirking. “Hm…” he hums, “Strangely enough, my answer is much like yours. Nothing that would ever work.” It’s your turn to be curious, leaning forward towards him. “Why wouldn’t it?” you ask him, wondering what would stop this man from pursuing anyone lucky enough to catch his interest. His lip twitches and he suddenly leans forward with a sly grin. “It’s one of those taboo things.” he says cryptically, his wicked grin drawing your attention. “Taboo?” you say, scooching forward and widening your eyes dramatically. “Well now that sounds interesting. What’s so forbidden about this person?” you ask softly, trying not to grin. You’d never seen or heard of him being involved, that’s why you assumed he must be married, or voluntarily single.

“Well, aren’t you the gossip.” he shoots back and you laugh. “I mean, yes. Just wondering what would keep a man like you from doing anything he wanted.” His eyes widen as his eyes flick down to your lips, then back up and he clears his throat. “A man like me?” he asks, and you can feel the tension again building at the softness of his voice, the nearness of him. You take a moment to collect your thoughts, not wanting to sound ridiculous.

“You’re successful from what I know, of course I don’t know everything about you. Just from the outside looking in. You’re handsome, caring, you have your own place, run a business. You’re funny, you make amazing hot chocolate-” You stop at his look, at how his adam's apple dips as he swallows thickly. “Do you plan on pursuing your interest…your…crush?” He asks you in a whisper and your cheeks flush, heating up at the very idea. What he’s asking...how easy it would be to just lean a bit more forward….

“No…I can’t.” you shake your head, looking down. “Why not?” he asks softly, and your whole body feels like it’s vibrating from his nearness. “It would be unprofessional and I doubt he’d even look at me like that.” you say without thinking. His eyebrows raise then draw together at the comment, confusion on his face for a moment as you feel embarrassment wash over you.

“But the only guy-” he says, shock registering on his face. “He’s married!” he gasps and you blink at him as you realize he’s thinking of your other male coworker. “No! Oh my god, do you think I’m that horrible?” you ask, stunned. “Of course it’s not him it’s y-” your words catch in your throat as you stop yourself too late, his goading making you thoughtless. “Forget about it, it’s nothing, really.” you say, turning to stand, to go somewhere-anywhere but here.

Before you can though, he’s grabbing your arm, tugging you back down, his eyes large, dark and serious as he pulls you towards him. “Me?” he asks, and there is no way you can read the look on his face. Your stomach bottoms out as you realize just how badly you just fucked up. Here you were, in your boss’s apartment, with nowhere to go and a snow storm outside.

You were going to lose your job, you just knew it. You know how inappropriate it is to-

“Is it me?” he asks, this time a bit more forcefully, his words snapped out. Slumping back, you close your eyes and sigh out softly, unwilling to look at him. “I know it’s not right, you're my boss. it’s unprofessional and I-”

“You’re fired.” he says harshly.

Despite knowing it was coming, your eyes snap open to protest just in time for him to close the distance between you; any words that were about to leave your lips dissipates as he slips a hand behind your neck, pulling your mouth into his. Your body stiffens for the briefest of seconds before you’re wrapping your arms around his neck, combing your fingers into his hair as his tongue slips along the seam of your lips. You shiver at the growl that escapes from deep in his throat when your tongues meet, his arm sliding around your back to yank you closer to him.

Giving in completely to the moment, you shift with him as he guides you into his lap. Pure instinct takes over as you move together, his fingers prying at your clothing, yours threading through his hair. As your thighs settle on either side of his and you press down into his lap, he moans into your mouth. You gasp between kisses as his hand settles on your lower back, pressing you down against his stiff length through your clothing.

“I want you.” He purrs out as his mouth parts from yours, looking up at you with those rich, lustrous eyes. You can barely catch your breath as you take in his gorgeous swollen lips, parted as he gazes up at you with desire. “You can have me,” you declare, your body almost humming for him and without another thought, his hands are traveling up your back, his hips lifting as you grind against him. “Take me, Minho~” you utter, tugging at his hair. “Fucking christ-” he hisses, burying his face into your neck.

As his lips brush the skin of your neck, you tilt your head for him, rocking your hips against his hardness. You should be ashamed at how your panties are already soaked from his touch but you can’t feel anything but need, pure carnal lust for him right now.

Consequences be damned, the way you needed him was the only thing on your mind.

“Take this off.” You manage to say as you shudder under his mouth. It takes him a moment to register that you’re tugging on his shirt and his tongue darts out to lick your neck where he was kissing before he leans back and helps you remove the garment, his hands immediately yanking your shirt over your head as well.

Tossing it to the side, he takes a moment to lean back and admire you, his dark gaze hungry as he runs his hands up your sides. “Fucking gorgeous, just like I always imagined you would be.” Your breath catches at his words, at the look in his eyes for you. He leans forward to press his face between the valley of your breasts and you let out a long moan. “Smell so fucking good, too.”

Everything he’s doing is causing you to clench like crazy, small mewling noises escaping from your throat as his hands work at the clasp of your bra. “Minho-” you shiver as you feel him free you from it, sliding the straps down your arms. “God, keep saying my name.” He groans, his cock twitching against you as he pulls your bra down to reveal your bare tits.

“So beautiful,” he whispers as his lips close around your nipple. Your fingers dig into his scalp, your other hand gripping his shoulder as he sucks harshly at the sensitive bud. “Please…” you whimper as his hands slip up to cup the flesh of your breasts, kneading them as he lets your nipple go with a popping sound, immediately moving to the other to do the same. Your breathing is ragged as you reach between you to tug at the button of his pants.

“Not here.” he rasps out, then he’s sliding you off his lap, standing you both up. Before you can protest, his hands are around your waist, his mouth back on yours, his tongue urgently seeking your own. You return your hands to the front of his jeans, unbuttoning, then unzipping as he backs you up towards the hallway.

“Door-” he says between kisses as you are pushed against it. He reaches behind you to twist the knob and then he’s walking you into the room, the back of your knees hitting the bed. He stops as you slide your hand into his now open pants, slipping your palm along him through his boxers. He lets out a low groan as you touch him, his hands cupping your ass before he’s shoving your pants down as well.

“Tell me you want this-” he gasps out as his hands run over your bare skin, his lips tracing your collarbone. “I do, more than anything-” you respond, tugging off his remaining clothing as well. “I need to make sure, I don’t want to make you feel pressured-” he says as he pulls you close, brushing his lips against yours. “I swear, Minho, there’s nothing I want more than this.” You tell him as he pauses to study your eyes, the concern ebbing away as he watches you, his fingers skimming your lower back.

“I’ve been dying to hear you say that to me.” he whispers, and the urgency seems to fade as he leans in to kiss you deeply. For a moment you both stand there lips connected, your arms around his neck, his hands roaming your back. Then his hands cup your bare ass, yanking you firmly against his stiff cock as he moans your name. You pull him down with you onto the bed, your mouth never leaving his as he settles between your legs, the underside of his cock pressing along your wet core.

He growls softly as he moves his hips against you, and you arch your back as the length of him parts your folds. Breath hitching as the ridge of his head brushes against your clit, you look up into his half lidded eyes as his lips part. “Tell me again.” he whispers, his hand dropping down to clutch behind your thigh and raise it around his hip. “Tell me you want me.” he hums as he watches your eyes roll back from the ache of clenching around nothing.

You reach up to comb your fingers through his hair, digging your nails into his shoulder as he rolls his hips again. “I need you so much-Minho-please I want you so fucking much-” you manage to gasp out. His eyes darken as he reaches down between you, pulling back to cup you, his fingers sliding through your drenched lips to part them. “For me?” he asks, his voice low as he dips down to brush his lips to yours. He swallows your moan with a kiss as he pushes his finger into you, tasting your panting as you tighten around it. “All for you-” you cry as his tongue plunges into your mouth.

He deepens the kiss as he pulls his finger from you, suppressing any protests. Any dismay at the loss is replaced with pleasure as he guides the tip against your slit, slipping along your folds, teasing at your clit. There are no thoughts in your mind, only overwhelming need as he rubs his head along you, finally, finally giving in to your wordless pleas as he presses it against your tight hole. As he thrusts forward suddenly, he breaks the kiss with a cry of his own, your walls giving as he stretches you.

“Minho….. Minho-,” his name echoes through the room to mix with his moans as he draws back to snap his hips forward again. “So fucking….tight!” he bites out, his breathing heavy as he drops his head into your neck, his hot breath tickling your skin. As he starts to plunge in and out of you, your legs wrap around his waist as you tilt your hips for him.

Your nails run down his back as he fucks you, making his motions stutter as he moans loudly for you. “So good, oh fuck-Minho!” your cries have him propping himself up to look down at your face. “Yeah?” he asks, his nose wrinkling as he puts more force behind his thrusts. “Yeah? Like that?” he asks and you have to clutch his hair as your body jerks, your tits shaking the harder he moves. “Yes! YES! I - LOVE IT-” you scream, words devolving into loud, animalistic moans.

“Your-cunt- is so-fucking-divine-” he gasps out, each word punctuated by his cock delving deep and hard into you. You can feel the familiar tight burning sensation building deep within you as your legs shake, as he slips a hand under your back, as he lunges forward to wrap his lips around your nipple to suck and nip at it. The friction of his pelvis rubbing against your clit, and his mouth on you has your entire being vibrating and you start wailing his name over and over as you begin to clench.

“OH FUCK-” his voice grates out as he releases your nipple, his breath hitching as your climax hits you like a boulder, blindly intense as you arch beneath him. “Fuck fuck fuck I can’t-” he cries out as his hips falter, his pace becoming erratic. “COME!” you scream out desperately, clinging to him as you shudder and his mouth crashes into yours as he lets go, bursting in a hot flood deep within you. Your kiss is frenzied, crying wordlessly into each other as you come together. His thrusts slow, lazily emptying himself into you finally as he gasps with every clench of your pussy around him.

As you finally come down, he collapses onto you, nuzzling his face into your now sweaty neck, his chest pressing firmly against yours. You can feel the fast beat of his heart as he places small kisses along your damp skin, along your collarbone and you slowly comb your fingers through the strands of his hair. “Fuck.” he whispers, kissing his way up to your lips, his own fingers smoothing back your hair. “Fuck.” you echo and he smiles softly, drawing back to study your eyes. You can only smile dreamily at him, completely exhausted from the entire experience.

He slowly rolls you both on your sides, facing one another as he pets your hair, placing kisses to your lips. “I…” he starts, gasping as you clench around him again and he laughs softly. Then his face registers a sudden shock as you adjust and he slips out of you. Your thighs are damp from your combined releases and he blinks rapidly, worry on his features. “Oh fucking hell-I didn’t even think about-” he cups your face but you shake your head, silencing him. “I’m on the pill. Sorry, I ….wasn’t even thinking about that.” he relaxes slightly, pressing his forehead to yours as he closes his eyes.

“Don’t be sorry, this wasn’t exactly what I expected to happen.” he murmurs, his gaze studying your face. “Unexpected but not unwanted.” you reassure him, reaching up to tuck his hair behind his ear. You can’t help but blush as he smiles at you softly, pulling you closer to him to hold onto you. “I’m glad I wasn’t the only one…” he whispers against your mouth as he kisses you again.

He rolls onto his back, pulling you with him to settle your head on his chest, playing with your hair as you wrap around him. The silence settles around you as you savor the moment with him, both of you just touching and kissing each other, exploring one another deep into the night.

Finally as exhaustion begins to overwhelm you, you look up at him with sleepy eyes and he smiles down at you. “Tomorrow…we can talk about everything.” You nod against him and then suddenly you remember, snapping your head up.

“You fired me!”

His laughter makes you frown, and he just kisses your nose. “Just for now, kitten. Don’t worry.”

The cat cafe is humming with excitement, and it’s just another day that you get to watch families take home the much deserving animals to become their family. Peanut keeps you company, of course. He was now a permanent fixture at the cafe as Minho had decided to keep him. As the day winds down and you lock the door, you feel the familiar arms of your boss wrap around you from behind, placing a kiss on your neck.

“Lee Minho! How dare you do that with an employee!” You berate him, unable to stop yourself from laughing as he spins you around. “Ah yes, I forgot. I’m horrible.” he purrs out, touching his forehead to yours.

“You’re fired. Now kiss me.”

#cultofdionysusnet #ksmutsociety #16 days of smutmas 2023 #lee minho skz smut #Lino smut #Lee Know smut #skz fanfic #skz smut #Stray kids smut #Stray kids au

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atinyslittleworld · 3 days ago

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18:19

a/n: Hello everyone!!! Thank you for all the love and support on Claimed. I’m so excited to share this second part of the story with you. I hope you enjoy how their story unfolds and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Also, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas Eve and a Merry Christmas! May your holidays be filled with joy, love, and warmth xx

Word Count: 1,417

Genre: romance, friends-to-lovers, suspence

Warnings: stalking, harassment, physical confrontaion, emotional distress

The night outside the club had cooled, the distant hum of traffic and the occasional bark of a dog filling the quiet as Mingi drove Y/N back to her apartment. The weight of the evening still hung between them, the shared intensity of their earlier kiss making her pulse quicken whenever her eyes flicked toward him. His hands rested on the steering wheel with a casual confidence, but his jaw was tense, and his focus seemed sharper than usual, as if he were keeping his guard up.

Y/N broke the silence, her voice soft. “Thanks for earlier... I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t stepped in.”

Mingi glanced at her, his dark eyes meeting hers briefly before returning to the road. “You don’t need to thank me. You shouldn’t have to deal with creeps like that, ever.” His voice was steady but low, a thread of anger still simmering beneath his calm demeanor. “I wasn’t going to let him keep making you uncomfortable.”

The warmth of his words settled over her, easing the remnants of her nerves. She smiled faintly, turning her gaze to the window to hide the flush that rose to her cheeks. The city lights blurred past, the rhythm of the tires against the asphalt filling the quiet between them.

As they neared her apartment, Mingi’s grip on the wheel tightened imperceptibly. He’d noticed a car following them for a while now. At first, he dismissed it as coincidence—plenty of people drove the same routes late at night. But it had been at least ten minutes, and the headlights behind them had yet to waver or take a different turn. The uneasy knot in his chest grew tighter.

He stole another glance in the rearview mirror. The car was still there, maintaining a steady distance. Mingi decided not to mention it; maybe he was being paranoid. The last thing he wanted was to worry Y/N after the night she’d already had.

Finally, he pulled up in front of her building, the familiar sight of the apartment complex easing some of his tension. He parked by the curb, the streetlight overhead casting a warm glow over the car. Shifting into park, he turned to Y/N, his lips quirking into a faint smile.

“Home sweet home,” he said lightly, though his stomach still churned with unease.

“Thanks for driving me,” Y/N replied, returning his smile as she unbuckled her seatbelt. “And for everything tonight, really. I feel... safer with you.”

The sincerity in her words made his chest tighten, but he only nodded. “Always.”

They lingered for a moment, the air between them charged with something unspoken. Finally, Y/N pushed open the door, stepping out into the cool night. “Goodnight, Mingi.”

“Goodnight,” he murmured, watching as she walked toward the building entrance. His gaze stayed on her until she reached the door, his fingers gripping the steering wheel as if anchoring himself.

As she entered her building, Mingi shifted his car into reverse, ready to leave. The uneasy feeling from earlier still gnawed at him, but he tried to brush it off. He drove down the street, the tires crunching softly over the asphalt. But the further he got, the more his instincts screamed at him to turn back. Something didn’t feel right.

It was then that Y/N, now standing just inside the building’s front doors, heard a shuffling behind her. Before she could turn completely, a hand grabbed her arm with a force that sent her heart racing. She spun around, her breath catching in her throat when she came face-to-face with the stranger from the club. His eyes were glassy, his movements unsteady—a clear sign he was drunk.

“You think you can just brush me off like that?” he slurred, his grip tightening on her arm. His voice was thick with resentment, and the smugness he’d displayed at the club had curdled into something far darker. “I knew you were lying about him. He’s not your boyfriend.”

Y/N’s mind raced, fear prickling down her spine as she tried to pull away. “Let go of me,” she said, her voice trembling but firm. “You need to leave.”

The stranger only laughed, the sound cold and unsettling. “You think you’re too good for me? Is that it?” His words were laced with wounded pride and the kind of entitlement that made her stomach churn.

Meanwhile, Mingi had only made it a few blocks before the nagging feeling became too much to ignore. He abruptly turned his car around, cursing himself for not trusting his instincts sooner. As he approached her building again, his worst fears were realized.

There, under the streetlight, stood the same man from the club, looming over Y/N with a grip on her arm. Mingi didn’t even think. He threw his car into park and bolted out, his long strides eating up the distance between them in seconds.

“Get your hands off her,” Mingi growled, his voice low and dangerous as he yanked Y/N behind him. His tall frame towered over the stranger, his body radiating protective fury.

The man staggered back slightly, clearly not expecting Mingi’s sudden appearance. But he recovered quickly, sneering as he looked between them. “You’re lying,” he spat. “You’re not together. She was just using you to get rid of me.”

Mingi’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. “I don’t need to prove anything to you,” he said coldly, his gaze unflinching. “What I care about is you staying the hell away from her.”

The stranger laughed bitterly, but it lacked the confidence he’d displayed earlier. “You think you can just show up and play hero? She’s not worth it.”

That was it. Mingi stepped forward, his presence alone enough to make the man falter. “You don’t get to talk about her,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “And if I ever see you near her again, you’ll regret it.”

The stranger hesitated, the steel in Mingi’s voice finally cutting through his drunken bravado. With a muttered curse, he stumbled away, disappearing into the shadows of the street. Mingi didn’t move until he was sure the man was gone, his broad shoulders heaving with restrained anger.

Turning to Y/N, his expression softened instantly when he saw the tears brimming in her eyes. “Let’s get you inside,” he murmured, his hand gentle as it rested on the small of her back.

She nodded silently, her body still trembling as he guided her up the steps and into her apartment. Once inside, he locked the door behind them, double-checking it before leading her to the couch.

Y/N sank onto the cushions, her hands shaking as she hugged herself. Mingi sat beside her, his arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. “You’re safe now,” he said softly, his voice steady and soothing. “I’m here, and no one’s going to hurt you.”

Her tears spilled over, and she buried her face in his chest, clutching his shirt as if he were the only thing keeping her grounded. Mingi’s hand moved in slow, comforting circles on her back, his touch a silent promise that he wouldn’t leave her side.

“I was so scared,” she whispered, her voice muffled against him.

“I know,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “I was scared too. When I saw him... I couldn’t think of anything but getting to you.”

She looked up at him then, her eyes red but filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Mingi. You saved me.”

His thumb brushed away her tears, his gaze tender yet intense. “I’d do it again. A thousand times.”

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the weight of the night fading into the background. Slowly, Mingi leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that was soft and filled with emotion. It wasn’t like the fierce kiss at the club—this one was gentle, a quiet confession of everything he felt but couldn’t yet put into words.

Y/N melted into him, her hands clutching his shirt as if afraid he might disappear. The kiss deepened slightly, his hand cradling her face as his thumb traced soothing patterns along her cheek. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the room.

“I can’t lose you,” Mingi whispered, his voice raw. “Seeing him with you... I nearly went mad.”

“You won’t lose me,” she replied softly, her fingers brushing against his. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

#ateez fanfic #ateez imagines #ateez x reader #ateez fic #ateez #song mingi #song mingi imagine #song mingi x reader #mingi imagines #mingi x reader #mingi

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rumiracle · 2 days ago

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i participated in @isat-secretsanta-2024 !! i dont do these often but i was cheesed to slide in just before closing :]! bVery scary! Uwah!!!! (probably because i got the creator of my favorite isat au, @basilpaste !!!) mwah mwah very peak

Anyhoo. Story behind this under the cut... If you dgaf about it then feel free to proceed on...!!!

Merry Christmas, Basil! Hope you have a good holiday :3!!!!

Secret Extra Words.. Here's my blurb from the ISAT secret santa discord.

Okay. Thank you for Listening. i give you a Big Wet happy kiss on your forehead. mwwwwah. Goodnight. Merry christmas. Sniles at you sneetly

#isat secret santa 2024 #in stars and time secret santa 2024 #do we have... like.... a consistent tag?#idk #in stars and time #isat fanart #isabeau #isat isabeau

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littlejoyss · 5 days ago

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𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚃𝚛𝚎𝚎 Day 10 - Surprise visit | “I didn’t know you were here.” @12daysofchristmas Stray Kids - Hwang Hyunjin x Reader Word Count: 1.2k

Stray kids performed the weekend before Christmas, leaving them no time to come back home.

It was a bittersweet holiday season in your house. The decorations were up. Twinkling fairy lights, an imperfect Christmas tree, and stockings hung by the fireplace. Yet, the house felt emptier without Hyunjin's laughter filling it.

This was the first Christmas you'd spent apart since moving in together. Stray Kids was on tour, performing for fans who adored them just as much as you did. While you were proud of Hyunjin and everything he achieved, you couldn't help but feel lonely when you saw couples holding hands at the Christmas market or families gathering for festive dinners.

You’d promised yourself to stay busy. The week was filled with baking cookies, wrapping gifts, and video calling friends. Still, your mind always wandered back to him. Each notification on her phone brought a flicker of hope that it might be Hyunjin - sometimes it was, with a quick text or a blurry photo of him.

As the day before Christmas Eve approached, you set up your phone to video chat with him. Hyunjin’s face lit up the screen, his smile warm even through the phone.

“Merry Christmas, jagiya,” he said, voice soft but tinged with exhaustion.

“Merry Christmas,” you replied, your smile softening at the sight of him. He looked tired, his hair slightly messy, but his smile was as radiant as ever. “You’ve been busy. Have you even had a moment to rest?”

Hyunjin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Not much, but I’m okay. The performances have been amazing, and the fans are so supportive. But…” He paused, his gaze softening. “It’s not the same. Without you, I mean.”

“I miss you too,” you said, your voice equally soft. “The house feels so quiet without you here.”

“I keep thinking about last year. Remember how I insisted on putting the star on top of the tree, but it kept falling off?”

You laughed, the memory warming your heart. “And you blamed the tree for being crooked.”

“It was crooked!” he defended, chuckling. “We’ll fix it when I’m back.”

“You promise?” you asked.

“I promise. But until then…” He leaned closer to the camera, his face filling the screen. “You have to take care of yourself, okay? No skipping meals, and make sure to get some rest.”

“You sound like me,” you teased. “I will, Hyunjin. You do the same, okay?”

“I will,” he replied, though the exhaustion in his voice betrayed him. “And hey… I have a gift for you that should come in two days.”

“Two days?” you asked, tilting your head. “Hyunjin, that’s Christmas Day.”

“Exactly,” he said with a sly grin, leaning back in his chair. “It’s special. You’ll see.”

“Now I’m curious,” you said, narrowing your eyes playfully. “Should I be worried?”

“Not at all,” he replied with a laugh.

You rolled your eyes dramatically. “Fine. I’ll practice my patience.”

Hyunjin’s laughter filled the call. “Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you too,” you said softly. “And I’m so proud of you. You’re doing amazing.”

His smile faltered briefly, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. “That means everything to me. I’ll call you again soon, okay?”

You nodded, not wanting to say goodbye yet but knowing he needed rest. “Okay. Goodnight, Hyunjin.”

“Goodnight, my love,” he said, his voice warm like a cozy blanket wrapping around you.

As the call ended, you sat there for a moment, staring at the now-dark screen of your phone. Whatever Hyunjin had planned, you knew it would be good.

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

It was Christmas morning, and the soft glow of the tree lights cast a warm glow across the living room. You walked downstairs to make yourself breakfast.

The smell of coffee filled the air as you poured yourself a mug, savoring the taste. But just as you were about to settle onto the couch, you heard a faint knock at the door.

Frowning, you set your mug down and approached cautiously. Who could it be so early on Christmas morning?

As you opened the door, your breath caught. Standing there, bundled up in a coat and scarf, was Hyunjin. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, and his suitcase sat beside him.

“Merry Christmas,” he said softly, his eyes glinting with excitement and love.

You stood frozen for a moment, unable to process the sight of him. “Hyunjin?” you finally whispered. “I didn’t know you were here!”

“It’s me,” he said with a grin, dropping his suitcase and opening his arms. “Surprise!”

Before he could say another word, you launched yourself at him, your arms wrapping tightly around his neck. He laughed, the sound muffled against your shoulder as he held you just as tightly.

“What are you doing here?” you asked, pulling back just enough to look at him, your hands framing his face. “I thought you couldn’t make it.”

“I couldn’t stay away,” he admitted. “The schedule was tight, but I worked it out. I couldn’t imagine spending Christmas without you.”

Tears welled in your eyes as you pulled him inside, the warmth of the house enveloping you both. “This is the best gift ever.”

He leaned down to press a gentle kiss to your forehead. “I told you it was special.”

You leaned to kiss him, your lips meeting his in a kiss filled with all the love and longing that had built up over the time apart.

When you finally pulled away, his forehead rested against yours. “I missed you so much,” he murmured.

“I missed you more,” you whispered back.

Hyunjin’s arms tightened around you briefly before he pulled away, glancing around the living room. His eyes lit up when they landed on the Christmas tree, still decorated with its slightly lopsided star.

“You didn’t fix the star,” he teased, his lips curving into a playful grin.

“I was waiting for you,” you said with a shrug, wiping your eyes. “It’s tradition now, isn’t it?”

He laughed, pulling off his coat and scarf before heading to the tree. “Alright, let’s see if I can redeem myself this year.”

You watched as he reached up to adjust the star, his tongue poking out in concentration. It wobbled slightly, but he managed to get it steady. He stepped back with a triumphant smile. “Perfect.”

“Only because I didn’t touch it this time,” you teased, joining him by the tree.

“Hey, teamwork makes the dream work,” he said, wrapping an arm around your waist.

You rested your head on his shoulder, smiling as the soft glow of the tree lights flickered around you. "Teamwork, huh? Well, I'll admit, you did a pretty good job this time."

Hyunjin chuckled, pulling you closer. "Only because you didn’t critique my every move."

"You’re lucky I love you," you teased, nudging him gently.

"I know," he replied with a grin. "I’m a lucky guy."

"Now that you're here, I don't think I want this Christmas to end," you said softly.

Hyunjin’s smile softened, his eyes locking with yours. "It doesn't have to end. We have today and tomorrow.”

He kissed your forehead gently, pulling you closer as you both sank into the couch, content in the quiet comfort of being home together.

#12daysofchristmas2024 #stray kids #skz #hyunjin #hwang hyunjin #christmas prompts #christmas #skz fanfic #stray kids fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #kpop fanfic

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mercair · 3 days ago

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Merry Chistmas everybody !!

Merry Christmas everybody!! I hope all of you are having a wonderful day. I just wanted to make something a lil' more special for today! Though admittedly, this artwork is not that different or complex than my other artwork, i still hope you like it nonetheless! Even though it'll never be enough, every piece of artwork and music i've made this year and the ones before has been a way of me to thank all of you for allowing me to be a part of this. All of you are so talented, and i can't wait to see what awesome things you'll make in the future! And even if this year wasn't that great for some of you, don't worry, i'm sure the next one will be a lot better.

The entire Mercair' Silly Deltarune cast wishes you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy [NEO] Year!! Goodnight everyone.

#deltarune #deltarune oc #deltarune secret boss #sheriff woostern #bonslick the wicked #left-e #sonatta #quiddo #shikari #sakriss

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daisies-daydreams · 1 year ago

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Home for the Holidays (Simon "Ghost" Riley Fluff)

Pairing: Simon Riley x Wife!Reader Category: Fluff Warnings: Slight Angst (if you squint) Word Count: 1k+

Summary: When Simon comes home from a mission in the middle of the night, he decides to surprise his daughter, Lily, with a special guest.

A/N: This was inspired by another fic that had a similar premise but with Price. I can't remember the name of the original author, but if anyone knows, please comment down below! I hope you enjoy and Happy Holidays! 🎄

Simon scratched at the puffy white beard that was tightly strapped to his face before digging inside a giant bag.

"Let's see here," he hummed as he pulled out a neatly wrapped box and placed it next to a large stack. The burly man paused when he heard a floorboard creak behind him.

“Santa?” his daughter, Lily, whispered. The lieutenant's shoulders relaxed as he slowly turned around, his heavy boots thudding against the hardwood floor of his living room. His daughter’s eyes widened as he gazed down at her, his dark eyes shining beneath the long, red hat nestled on his head.

“Merry Christmas, Lily,” he said with a more jolly voice. Lily squealed before rushing up and wrapping her little arms around his legs.

“I knew you’d come!” she said while nuzzling his red pant leg. Simon chuckled softly as he bent down and pulled her into a gentle hug. Lily sniffed.

“Santa, why do you smell like my Daddy?” she asked with furrowed brows. Simon’s heart stopped for a brief moment. He showered as quickly as possible at the base before he came home.

“We must use the same shampoo,” he replied as he pulled back.

“Oh,” Lily giggled. Simon’s heart warmed at the sound of his little girl’s laughter floating around the living room like bubbles.

“Have you been good this year?” Simon asked as he knelt down on one knee. His daughter’s eyes lit up as she nodded.

“Uh-huh! I brush my teeth twice a day and I never tattle,” she said while proudly holding her head up. Simon chuckle as he patted her head.

“Good. And how about your brother Tommy?” he asked. Lily scrunched her brows together and shrugged.

“I dunno, he’s just a baby!” she laughed. Simon held his fingers to his hidden lips. Lily gasped and covered her mouth. “Sorry,” his daughter frowned. “Am I on the Naughty List now ‘cause I was loud?” she pouted. Simon shook his head.

“No, but you do need to get to bed,” he whispered loudly.

“Why?” she asked while tilting her head. Simon remained on his knee as he placed a hand on Lily’s small shoulder.

“Because the sooner you fall asleep, the sooner you’ll be able to open your presents,” he beamed. Lily’s eyes sparkled as she wiggled with excitement.

“Okay Santa!” she squealed. Lily gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth. “Okay Santa,” she whispered with a giggle. Simon chuckled as she gave him one more hug.

“Santa…can I ask you something?” Lily asked. Simon hummed and nodded.

“One more thing, then you need to go to bed,” he gently reminded her. Lily‘s smile fell as she gripped his coat.

“I know I asked for a few things this year…but what I really want is for Daddy to come home for Christmas," she sighed. Simon's heart clenched as he watched his little girl's eyes grow glossy with tears. "So please please please make Daddy come home. Please?” she sniffed. Simon’s eyes softened as he kept his strong, burly arms around his precious daughter.

“I’ll see what I can do, swee-Lily,” he quickly corrected himself. The little one’s eyes lit up as she squeezed him again.

“Thank you, Santa” she sniffled before stepping back. “I’m gonna go to bed now. Night night!” she whispered. Simon nodded.

“Goodnight, Lily,” the lieutenant whispered back with a wave. Lily blew him a quick kiss before running up the stairs. Simon chuckled as he turned back to the tree.

The Next Morning…

“Mama! Mama! Santa was here last night!” your daughter squealed as she burst through your door. Your eyes snapped open as you nearly jumped out of bed.

“What?” you ask while yawning and rubbing your eyes. Lily giggled as she climbed onto your queen-sized bed.

"Santa was here! And he said that he'd try to make Daddy come home!" she beamed while bouncing up and down on your mattress. Your youngest child, Tommy, cooed beside you as he stirred awake.

"Oh! Good morning, bubba," Lily said before kissing her baby brother's forehead. You smiled at her sweet gesture before Lily turned back to you.

"Good morning, Mama," she giggled and kissed your cheek.

"Good morning, Lily," you smiled and brushed some hair from her face and pecked her forehead. "Are you ready to open your presents?" you asked. She smiled widely and nodded.

"Yeah!" she said before sliding off of the bed and rushing to the baby gate. You chuckled as she energetically bounced up and down while you took Tommy into your arms. You quickly checked his diaper before heading to the gate.

"Santa really was here, Mama! He had a super deep voice and smelled just like Daddy!" your daughter giggled. Your eyes widened a little as she took your hand.

"That's strange," you said with a nervous laugh. Lily nodded as she tugged you down the steps.

"Uh-huh! But Santa said that-" your little one froze when she reached the bottom of the stairs. Before you sat your husband clad in his plaid pajama pants and black t-shirt. He looked up from his book and set his coffee mug down.

"Merry Christmas, Lily," he grinned as he held his arms out.

"DADDY!" Lily shrieked as she ran towards her father. Your heart glowed as you watched Lily jump into your husband's arms and nuzzled her face into his broad chest. Simon lifted her up and squeezed her in a gentle hug as you stepped over.

"I missed you so much, sweet pea," your husband whispered.

"Missed you too, Daddy," Lily cried as she refused to let go of him. You patted Simon's back while balancing Tommy on your hip. Your daughter quickly pulled back with a new, wide-eyed expression.

"Did Santa bring you here?" Lily asked. You and Simon shared a quiet chuckle.

"That's right, Lil," your beloved beamed while booping her nose. Lily giggled before pressing a quick kiss to Simon's cheek.

"I knew he'd bring you back," she smiled widely while squeezing your husband like a koala bear. The two of you exchanged bright smiles before sharing a quick kiss.

"Welcome home, Santa," you whispered with a wink. Simon chuckled before pecking your lips again, your heart warming at the fact that your beloved was finally home for the holidays.

————

Thank you for reading! ❤️

Taglist: @maybethatfanfictionwriter @depressesoespressorat @yuhhtricki999 @lavenderbabu @tayleighuh @thedevax @famouscattale @spktrgantenk @zombieblogx @mrswhitethornbelikov @galaxy-dusk @samanthashadowriley @theloneshadow24 @xxkay15xx @inspace1 @manlikemilesmyguy @ghostslynx @synamonthy @oharasfilipinawife @scaleniusrm @jotarossshark @acotarobbsessed @8xbygirl @blueapplesiren @catchmeupimgettingoutofhere @lyrasdrawer

Want to be a part of my taglist? Comment down below!

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zylophie · 1 year ago

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ღゝ◡╹)ノ♡ — day 6 featuring shinonome akito

knock knock!

heres some mail!

ଘ(੭´꒳`)°* ੈ‧₊ 💌

⌨️ᶻᶻᶻ...anon is typing... ♡

↻ᴹᵉˢˢᵃᵍᵉ ˡᵒᵃᵈᵉᵈ !

❝Hii can I request the Christmas prompt "a gift?...all I want for Christmas is you" with akito please! Thank you>.<❞

━━❝A gift...? All I want is you for Christmas❞

"(name)?"

"Waahhh!"

You come dashing in from the kitchen to see why he was calling, only to see a puzzled Akito holding a bag of spare clothes...

"Wh-what's wrong?" Your voice cracked for a moment.

"Nothing... I'm just going to bed..." He stared, a little suspicious "What were you doing?"

"Uhm, nothing interesting..." Avoiding eye contact as in not to give yourself away "The guest room is just down the hallway, okay? Goodnight!"

You ran back to the kitchen seemingly in a rush.

Weird...

It was a fun Christmas date, eating roast chicken, the Christmas cake and now he is staying overnight at your place for the unwrapping presents...he wanted to give you his gift but...

"I probably shouldn't bother..." He mumbles, slowly peeking from the kitchen doorway to see what you were doing...

Tidying up?

"...Is there something wrong, aki?"

"No, are you okay? You're acting weird"

"What? No! I'm totally fine, see!" You laughed awkwardly, clearly hiding something... "I thought you were going to sleep?"

"Uh..." Akito thought for a moment. It's looked like you didn't want him around so what's the deal here? "... nevermind, I'm going to bed, Goodnight"

"Night!"

Akito went to the guest's bedroom, closing the door behind him, sitting down on the be "Hmm..."

Not long after, he heard shuffling footsteps approaching the door. then heard knocking on the door "Come in"

The door bursted open "Merry Christmas!!"

You came in wearing...a Santa outfit, holding a present sack over your shoulder. The sight alone was enough to stunned the boy as he stared in disbelief.

You looked ridiculously cute in that baggy costume...that a grin is growing on his face. You tilted your head, confused by his reaction "Um... aren't you surprised?"

"I thought Santa only came when you're asleep?"

"S-Sometimes he comes to talk to good kids!"

"How did Santa get in the house? We don't have a chimney so I thought he couldn't come"

"Through the front door of course!"

"I just locked the door before going to bed?"

"Uh, but..."

Racking your brains for an explanation, the more flustered you are, the wider his smirk gets.

"Um, don't be mean to Santa or you wouldn't get your present!"

"Aww, that's no fun"

"Don't stare at Santa like that"

"Hey, Santa..."

"Wh-What?"

He backed you into the room, cornering you up against the wall to which you gasp in surprise as you tried to step back but he pouches on you, forcing the two of you tumble down on the bed...

"Hey, Santa..." He was on top of you now "I want a present"

"Umm..." You awkwardly try to squirmed yourself out "Could you move? I can't give your gift like this..."

"..." He didn't said anything at first, slowly bringing his lips to your ear to whisper "A gift...? All I want is you for Christmas"

And when he move away to look at your face...he see your bright red face "...?!"

The presents can wait...

(っ'-')╮=͟͟͞͞💌 You receive a letter from Santa Yue!

↻ᴹᵉˢˢᵃᵍᵉ ˡᵒᵃᵈᵉᵈ !

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. . .

yahoo~ silly santa is so fun to tease right:3 I have fun with this one!! though my personal favorite one is more goofier(?) Is that the right word ehh.. whatever.

calling...@msith , @6-zao-xing-9

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lio-the-chaotic-nonbeanie-weenie · 7 months ago

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Fanfic Masterlist

I don't know how I completely forgot to make a masterlist for my fanfics so here it is! This list will be pinned at the top of my intro post as well. Each fic has all their warning tags so read safely!

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

Sticks, Stones, and Words That Do Hurt [ao3 link]

The Favorite Side (Brotherly Creativitwins) [ao3 link]

You And I (Logince) [ao3 link]

A Prince And His Subjects (DLAMP + Brotherly Creativitwins) [ao3 link]

Balloons (Logicality)

Roman's Lullaby (Platonic LAMP)

Goodnight, Family (Platonic LAMP)

You're My Hero! (Logicality)

Mornings Together (Platonic LAMP)

Thanks, Dad (Platonic LAMP)

The Sunrise (Logicality)

Not Even Death Will Do Us Part (Past Roceit + Brotherly Creativitwins) [ao3 link]

He Loves Me, He Lied To Me (Roceit) [ao3 link]

Crayons For Patton (Royality)

Logan The Android (Analogical)

Do It For You, For me (Analogical)

The Quiet Game (Past Moceit + Brotherly Creativitwins)

A Supernatural World: Chapter 1, Chapter 2 (Brotherly Creativitwins) (Permanently incomplete)

Prince Of Hearts (Platonic DRLAMP, Prinxiety if you squint) [ao3 link]

Merry Christmas, Janus (Roceit)

Royal Promise (Brotherly Creativitwins) [ao3 link]

I'm The Star (Platonic Royality)

Bruised Ego (Roceit + Brotherly Creativitwins) [ao3 link]

Drift Away (Brotherly Creativitwins)

The Night Will Be Over Soon (Platonic Royality)

Protect Me (Logicality)

Paint War (Platonic LAMP)

A Blanket Fort Kind of Day (Platonic LAMP)

Bad Liar (No pairings)

Breaking Point (No pairings)

Drunk Host, Drunk Sides (Slight Prinxiety, Slight Logicality)

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

Bad Things Happen Bingo Fic List

Going Into Hiding

Bedside Vigil

Wiping The Other's Tears Away

Big Brother Instinct

What Have I Done

Hallucinations

Backhand Slap

Forgetting To Eat

Sleep Deprivation

Hidden Scar

Rendered Mute

#li talks #sanders side fics #ts fics #roman sanders #remus sanders #janus sanders #virgil sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #ts fic masterlist

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basketballanonsblog · 1 year ago

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A Bouquet For My Love

This is set after Goodnight and Goodbye in the Jihyo x military!reader AU

I'm sorry this feels rushed 😪 but there will be more for this AU in the future

Synopsis: After almost two years, it was time to try and win your ex-girlfriend back

-x-

"Damn girl, you didn't waste any time."

It didn't take long before news of Jihyo being in a relationship to reach social media once Twice's dating ban was lifted.

The leader was thankful for the members' support, but...

"What about y/n unnie?" Tzuyu asked.

There's that.

"The right thing to do is to tell her, before she finds out online."

They had a point.

"Our breakup was amicable. I'm sure she'll handle the news well. Besides, it's not like she waited for me, right?"

No one commented on how it sounded like she was trying to persuade herself.

-x-

You darted around the house as quickly as you could, not even bothering to talk to your brother.

"Y/n! Slow down, we just got back from overseas, maybe you should rest."

You've been away for eight months, and in that time, all you could think about was your ex-girlfriend.

"There's no time. I need to see Jihyo to try and win her back."

Min-jun recalled how you were after the breakup. You drew back into your shell, the spark in your eyes dampened.

But the spark returned.

"Wish me luck!" And just like that, you were out the door.

"Good luck."

He brushed off the sinking feeling in his chest.

-x-

You made your way through the market, flowers in hand. It was surprisingly devoid of people, but it made it less time-consuming to go through. It was your last stop before heading to her apartment.

Turns out you didn't need to go far to see her again. She was holding someone else's hand, and her laughter that once made your heart skip a beat, now made it ache.

Jihyo finally noticed you standing there with a bouquet of her favourite flowers.

"Y/n..." Your knees almost gave out there and then.

You put on a smile as the man introduced himself, even though you knew who he was.

It was awkward and painful.

"My brother asked me to pick up flowers for his girlfriend." No one asked, but you felt compelled to give a reason why you had them.

Jihyo didn't believe you. She almost asked if you wanted to catch up, but the hurt in your eyes stopped her.

She did wait for me.

The guilt became almost unbearable as she watched you walk away.

That's the second time she didn't ask you to stay.

-x-

You became a mess at the bar. You cried while looking on the internet, at the various outlets reporting the official news of Jihyo dating Kang Daniel.

"Y/n you idiot! You should've moved on. She probably thinks you're a fool for waiting." You began a cycle of drinking and demeaning thoughts.

It didn't take long for company to find you. A woman convinced you to loosen up from your sad state.

Even going as far as pulling you up to dance. She laughed at your clumsy moves and impulsively kissed you.

You were immediately taken aback, but you didn't oppose the display of affection. You kissed her back, and it got hot and heavy real fast.

"Wanna get out of here? No strings attached." That's all it took for your hesitance to vanish as you exited the bar.

With the alcohol and lust going through your veins, the bouquet laid where you left it, forgotten.

Merry Christmas again, guys! 🎉

#twice x reader #jihyo #jihyo x reader #twice fic

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mischievouslittlecreature · 6 months ago

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Part 21: The Shadow of the Abattoir

Summary: Tragedy arrives even faster than they'd anticipated.

Word Count: 4,416

Warnings: Smut, minor/canonical character death, injuries, and references to violence.

Previous Chapter • Series • Fic • Next Chapter

Chapter 4: No Peace For You Ever

Right. So.

They may or may not have failed to properly think over the sleeping arrangements before they decided to return back to the Shelby’s home in Small Heath.

In all fairness, they’d been a little preoccupied.

Lucy watched Charlie cuddle up into the narrow bed shoved in the corner of the all too familiar room. It felt strange to be back in here. She could recall so many nights spent, sneaking up into this very room after dark, her and Tommy plastered up against one another in the tiny bed.

No matter how small both she and Charlie were, though, she doubted all three of them were going to be able to fit. Not without risk of someone getting squished or elbowed in the middle of the night.

She probably shouldn’t have sold the flat she’d once had in Small Heath. But after they bought Arrow House, she almost never used it, and if she ever needed to spend the night in Birmingham, she could stay here at the Shelby’s house or book a room at the Midland Hotel.

It didn’t really matter one way or another tonight. Neither of her or Tommy were likely to get much sleep. But they were going to need to figure something out for the future.

Who knows how long they would be here for.

“Goodnight, Charlie,” she said to the sleepy boy, pressing a kiss to his brow. “Sweet dreams. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Lucy,” he chirped sweetly. She smiled at her boy, giving him a fond ruffle of his hair before stepping away so that Tommy could perch on the edge of the bed and say goodnight. “I’m going to run to the loo,” she mumbled into his ear. He nodded, and with one last kiss blown to Charlie, she slipped out the door and down the hall to the tiny washroom.

Hands bracing on the edge of the sink’s basin, she stared for a long time at herself in the mirror. She looked horrid: a couple faint blood stains still present along her jaw and one of her cheekbones. Dark circles under her eyes. Curly red hair even more unruly than usual, makeup smudged and making her look a little like a raccoon.

With a sigh, she turned on the water, splashing it on her face, scrubbing away the remnants of her eyeliner and any more lingering blood on her skin. There was a bathtub in the room, but she was frankly too tired to put in the work to get it filled and bathe properly at the moment.

Maybe later.

A soft knock at the door roused her, and she realized that she’d just been standing there for who knows how long, staring numbly at her own reflection.

She opened the door to find Tommy there, coat off and rubbing at the back of his neck.

“Hey. You need to come in?”

He shook his head, even as he stepped into the tiny space with her and closed the door. “Just wanted to splash some water on my face.”

Lucy nodded, stepping back to give him room in front of the sink, watching him rub cold handfuls of water onto his face and neck.

“You missed a spot there,” she said, indicating a strike of blood near his left ear. He turned his head to the side, examining the spot in the mirror before washing the crimson away.

“Thanks.”

“We’re going to have to sort out sleeping arrangements. Especially if we end up being here for a long time. No way all three of us can fit in that tiny bed. And no,” she poked him in the chest when he turned around, “you will not be sleeping on the floor.”

His lips quirked up, hands landing on her waist. “I don’t think everyone will stay here. We’ll have to see. You and I might be able to take one of the other bedrooms if they don’t.”

“I suppose we just have to wait now, don’t we?” she rested both hands on his chest. “Hope everyone gets here on time.”

“Yeah,” his thumbs rubbed circles into her hips. When she looked up, he was staring at her with a funny expression on his face.

“What?”

His hands tightened against her waist. “C’mere.”

She couldn’t fully contain the giggle that left her when Tommy pulled her flush against him and kissed her. Arms winding around his neck, she pulled him tighter to her, mouth parting against his. With a groan, Tommy suddenly picked her up, spinning them around and propping her up against the small counter top. Lucy gasped, kisses growing deeper as her legs dropped apart so he could slot himself between them.

“Fuck,” he hissed, suddenly pulling back. “Fuck, do you want to…?”

“Yes,” she replied immediately, as if her hands currently sliding up under his shirt weren’t answer enough. He moaned lowly, kissing her again, fingers fumbling at the fastenings of her trousers. He stepped back just enough to pull them down along with her knickers, and then he was between them again, huge hand sliding up her thigh.

Lucy sighed, eyes closing blissfully as his fingers teased her entrance while his mouth moved to brush and suck against the most sensitive part of her neck.

“Tommy,” she said, and he chuckled softly when she reached down and grabbed a handful of his ass, squeezing him through the layers of his trousers, urging him closer until she could feel his growing bulge rub against her.

In retaliation, he slipped two fingers inside her, crooking them and beginning to work her over with quick pumps while his thumb circled her clit.

With a small whimper, she undid his belt and slipped her hand into his trousers, Tommy’s mouth pressed to hers again, and they both moaned when she wrapped her fingers around his hardening length, stroking him with movements that matched the pace of his fingers inside her.

“Please,” she half begged. She was plenty wet, and they both knew that they couldn’t take too long. Other members of the family might arrive soon. Or Charlie could wake up and go looking for them.

Tommy cupped the side of her head, fingers dipping gently into her hair while he kissed her. She whined softly when he drew his fingers out of her, but then he was hooking both her thighs over his hips, his cock nudging at her entrance.

“Mm…” she looped both arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck while he eased himself slowly inside of her, large cock stretching her wide as it pushed deeper into her. Tommy growled, hand that had guided himself in resting on her hip, helping to keep her in place as he pushed forward until he bottomed out.

His lips pressed to the side of her head, nuzzling in silent request until she lifted her face so he could kiss her again, both of them breathing deep and heavy as he slowly started to move in and out of her.

“Tommy,” she grabbed at his shoulders, pushing her hips forward to meet each of his thrusts. He groaned in reaction to his name on her lips, kissing her harder, pressing himself near flush against her as he did.

By this time tomorrow, she had no doubt that it would be a madhouse. There would likely be shouting and screaming. Someone might even try to pull a gun or a razor. The house would be filled with people who despised them, united again only because of their shared desire not to be slaughtered.

But for now, it was just them.

Tommy’s thrusts picked up in pace, his head dropping down into her shoulder, pushing aside the fabric of her shirt to kiss the skin there. One of his hands cupped her breast, squeezing and running a thumb across her clothed nipple. She grabbed at his hair, head falling back as she moaned, teeth clenching to try to keep it somewhat contained. He felt so good, hitting all the spots inside of her that made her see stars with every stroke, knowing exactly where to touch her to have her crying out his name in seconds.

She clenched tight around him, feeling herself starting to get close. Tommy made a pained sound, cock twitching.

“Fuck, sweetheart, too good…” he was kissing her neck again, tongue sliding across the spot just under her ear that made her shiver and squeeze unintentionally even tighter around him.

He was plowing into her so fast that if the counter hadn’t been bolted down, it likely would have been rattling against the wall. His cock throbbed inside her, sliding right up against her g-spot with each stroke, her walls pulsing around him desperately. Lucy ran her fingertips tenderly through his dark hair, down his strong back until she was gripping one of his biceps, the muscle flexing under her palm.

“Shit, shit, shit, can’t hold it–” he grunted, and a moment later he was coming hard inside her. His hips continued to thrust, prolonging it until he started to soften and he pulled out. Before she could even begin to lament the loss of him inside her, he was on his knees, face burying in her cunt and eating hungrily.

She cried out, half in surprise and half in pleasure at the first swipe of his tongue across her folds, hand flying into his hair, steering him by it. Tommy purred in approval, burying his face even deeper into her as he let her guide him, tongue teasing her clit and fingers gathering up his seed where it was starting to seep out of her, fucking it back into her. He moaned at the combined taste of them on his tongue.

“Fuckkkk…” she’d already been on the edge when he came, and it took but a few pumps of his fingers and well-timed swipes of his tongue to have her tumbling into bliss, coming hard on his mouth. But Tommy didn’t stop, instead lapping up everything she had to offer, fingers still moving inside her, and her eyes widened at the realization that, even with the aftershocks of her orgasm still running through her, he was going to make her come again.

A strangled sound uttered from her lips, head tipping back and muscles tensing with another climax that made her head spin, latching tightly onto both Tommy’s head and the counter for stability as it shot through her.

Tommy continued to lap lazily at her, cleaning her with long strokes of his tongue, but when his movements started to pick back up again, she winced and pushed gently at his head.

“No more,” she gasped out, inner thighs still twitching with sensitivity from the two previous climaxes. “Too sensitive.”

He leaned back, wiping his mouth and looking quite pleased with himself as he stood, hands skimming up and down her sides and forehead dropping against hers. Lucy hummed, hugging his shoulders and nuzzling closer. Tommy touched her cheek, then kissed her.

“Merry Christmas,” he said, in a soft, quiet voice. She let out a breathless laugh.

“Merry Christmas to you too.”

∗ ∗ ∗

The call came in the morning.

The sun was already rising slowly from behind the horizon. Tommy had gotten a fire going in the hearth in the kitchen downstairs, and was just setting about making some tea for him and Lucy while she ransacked the pantry to see if there was anything good to eat. And then the insistent first shrieks of a phone in the betting shop started up.

“I’ll get it,” Lucy said, straightening up and heading into the darkened shop before he could argue.

“Thanks,” he told her, reaching around to pluck up two teacups, setting them down on the table behind him along with some cream and sugar. He could hear Lucy fumbling about, the betting shop still quite dark with all the curtains drawn, and he raised an eyebrow at the sound of a light thunk and Lucy cursing quietly under her breath when she tripped on something. “Alright?” he called to her.

“Yeah, I’m fine!”

He snorted a little to himself, shaking his head fondly while removing the kettle from the stove to pour the steaming water into the teacups. Asher’s nails clicked against the floor, coming to stand expectantly beside Tommy with his tail wagging.

“What, boy?” Tommy asked, reaching around to scratch him behind the ear. “You need to go out?”

Asher’s tail thumped against the floor, ears pricking with interest.

“Alright.”

In the shop, Lucy finally found the phone that was making all the racket and picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Luce, I’m taking Asher out,” he called to her. She was a little hard to make out in the dark shop, but he was able to see her head bob in an acknowledging nod. “Come on, boy,” he urged, opening the back door and watching the dog bound out and about, sniffing around.

Outside, Small Heath was still asleep. It would only remain like that for maybe a few minutes more. Once the sun cast a few more bright rays onto the cobblestones, the city would rise. Men and women going to work. Children playing and begging in the street. Horses and dogs roaming both the alleyways and roads.

Pinching at his brow, Tommy closed his eyes against the city he’d once dreamed of leaving, first as a child, then as a young man. He’d long ago accepted that he probably would never be able to escape Small Heath. But this past year, he’d been able to distance himself from it. At least slightly.

And yet here he was, back home. Called back to the bowels of hell with nowhere else to turn.

Leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest against the chill in the morning air, he watched Asher raise his leg and piss on a corner of a wall. Once the dog was done, Tommy whistled, once, and he came immediately trotting over, tongue falling from his mouth and tail wagging. Tommy stroked his head absentmindedly, ushering him back in and shutting the door.

Sniffing, knuckles brushing along his nose, he returned to the kitchen to find Lucy standing there, face pale and hands fiddling with the simple golden rings she was wearing.

“Luce?”

“Tommy, love…” she took a tentative step forward, reaching out to him and grasping both of his arms. Her grip was tight. As if she were afraid that he would disappear if she didn’t cling to him hard enough. Immediately, his heart dropped, dread filling his chest, like a sinking ship steadily filling with water.

“What’s happened?”

Her wide green eyes looked at him sadly, wetting her lips once. “Tommy, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

She took a deep breath, and Tommy braced himself, for a moment worried he might bend over and vomit all over both of their shoes with the way his stomach had tied itself into knots. As if sensing this, her hands squeezed him even tighter. A reminder that he clung to that she was there.

If the news that she was about to deliver caused him to break, she’d hold him together.

Her green eyes were sad, but steady. Prepared for exactly that, if need be.

His hands folded around her forearms, holding onto her in preparation.

“Tell me.”

Lucy took a deep breath, and began. “Changretta’s men attacked John and Esme’s house this morning. Michael was there. He’s wounded. Esme’s already called an ambulance that is going to take him to the hospital,” she hesitated, stuttering a little around the last part before actually being able to bring herself to say it. Though Tommy already knew what was coming the second after the first sentence of her report had left her lips.

“John is dead.”

∗ ∗ ∗

Pale blue light illuminated the double doors that led into the mortuary. There was something ominous about those doors. As if passing through them would lead you to the place between life and death. The acrid smell of chemicals permeated through the hall, growing stronger with each step they took. The chemicals they used to preserve bodies for burial.

There would be no need for that for John. He would not be buried, and they would not wait long enough so that his body would have time to sour before they lit his pyre.

The glass on the doors was frosted, making it hard to see what was going on inside save for a few darkened shapes moving about. It was cold. Like being stuck in a freezer.

They came there straight from the hospital. They’d beaten the ambulance, and when it arrived they escorted Michael on his stretcher through the halls to a room. Blood was gushing from bullet wounds in his torso, and his teeth had been gritted, trying not to make too much noise or writhe in pain. It was a battle he ultimately lost, back arching and hands balling up into fists while strangled sounds burbled from his throat.

Polly had been there, remaining at her son’s side save for one moment when she screamed at Tommy that she wanted men who were former soldiers guarding Michael while he recovered.

If he recovered.

But Lucy had felt bad for her. Differences between them aside, no mother should have to go through what Polly was experiencing. Especially not when they had already lost one child.

She looked so unlike how Lucy was used to seeing her; half mad in the eyes and with tears streaming down her face while it crumpled. Terror set in the shape of her mouth.

Ada had come to look after her, and it was her who told them that Arthur was already at the mortuary, with John.

What was left of John, anyway. From what Michael had told them through gritted, bloody teeth, it sounded as though he was more bullet holes than person, now.

“I’ll stay out here,” Lucy said, once they got to the door and Tommy wrapped his hand around the doorknob. He shot a look that almost seemed a little panicked.

“You’re not coming in?”

With a sad half smile, she touched his shoulder. “You and Arthur should have a moment alone with him.”

It was no secret she and John hadn’t exactly gotten along. Especially after the whole mess with Angel Changretta had gotten Grace killed. But still, he was Tommy’s brother. And it hurt her to see Tommy look so lost and torn up over his death.

She squeezed his shoulder. “I’ll be right out here.”

Tommy wiped at his mouth, looking to the doors that led into the gloomy, dimly lit room. “Right.”

She sent him on his way with a quick kiss to the cheek, sighing and leaning against the wall by the doors, lighting a cigarette while she waited. Two men came out, one a policeman and the other a mortician of some kind, neither making direct eye contact as they walked passed.

She heard the sounds of something being thrown or knocked over inside the mortuary, but other than that, it was quiet. Tilting her head back against the cool tile wall, she looked up at the ceiling.

Already, one of them was gone. How many more would die before this vendetta was done?

The door at the end of the hall, leading to the outside, blew open, and a small figure with tangled hair and wild eyes charged at her.

“Where is he!?” Esme demanded.

“Esme–” Lucy started, moving to block the door, catching her by the shoulders.

“Is he in there!?” she demanded, wrestling against Lucy’s grip. Her dark makeup around her eyes was smeared, face contracting with a look of grief even as she tried to fight against her.

“Esme, stop, wait–” Lucy didn’t want to hurt her, and that was ultimately what allowed Esme to wrench herself out of her grasp and blow through the doors before Lucy could stop her.

Lucy hurried after her, into a room containing a row of slabs, a little medical table containing autopsy tools at the end of each one. John was not the only body being housed there; other corpses lay out on the slabs, waiting to be cut open by the coroner or identified by family members.

John was lying on the second slab from the right side of the room. Still. A cloth, half red with blood soaked up from the wounds in his stomach, was laid out across the bottom half of his body starting from his waist. His shirt was open, revealing his bloody abdomen riddled with holes. His eyes were closed.

“You cunt!” Esme started to scream, raging and sobbing in equal measure. Tommy turned at the sound of her voice and caught her when she charged at him, pulling her to his chest in a hug. Esme collapsed against him almost instantly with a sob. She remained there for only a moment before she pushed away from him, staring at John’s body with nothing but agony written across her face.

“Leave me with him,” she requested, in a quiet voice. Tommy nodded, gesturing for Arthur to follow him out. As he passed her, he took Lucy’s hand, walking with her to the doors.

∗ ∗ ∗

The fire crackled and popped in the hearth, steam rising from the bathtub in the center of the room. Charlie was still asleep, snuggled in warmly under the quilt, passed out cold after being up for a good part of the night.

Lucy toweled off her wet hair. She’d taken a bath first, scrubbing off the dirt, sweat, and any lingering blood from her skin quickly, giving a hasty wash to her hair before jumping out and getting dressed in fresh trousers and a button down shirt, replacing the dirtied, lukewarm bathwater with hot, clean water for Tommy.

He’d come up just as she was finished filling the bath for him, having been busy downstairs coordinating with Charlie Strong, Johnny Dogs, and Finn, who were all already arrived at the house, helping to prepare things for the family meeting that would take place as soon as everyone had gathered.

He had undressed in silence, and she watched him nervously where he was standing naked in front of the window, broad, strong back to her. Good thing that the drapes were still closed. Otherwise the people on the street below would be getting treated to quite the view.

He had said barely a single word since they’d gotten back from the mortuary.

She wished that they could take a moment to rest. That she could pull him into bed or some quiet little place and just hold him. Comfort him. Misery seemed to practically radiate off of him, and she found herself feeling helpless as to how to make it better.

“Tommy?” she asked, timidly. He didn’t seem to have heard her, so she approached him slowly, like she would a skittish animal. “Tom?” she touched his shoulder gently, and he finally turned to her, expression vacant.

“Hm?”

“Bath, love?” she asked, angling her head towards the steaming tub. He glanced over like he’d only just remembered it was there, and nodded.

“Right.”

She backed off a little, going to pull on her waistcoat while she watched him sink into the warm water. He lit a cigarette for himself, water sloshing as he leaned back in the tub.

Finished buttoning herself up, she went to kneel behind him by his head, arms wrapping around his bare, damp shoulders, face tucking into his neck, kissing him just beneath the ear. Tommy sighed, hand not occupied with his cigarette settling on her forearms, rubbing absentmindedly. His head tipped back, until it was practically resting on her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry,” though her voice was quiet, it felt loud as a thunderclap in the otherwise quiet of the room. Tommy shook his head, turning to press a small kiss to her arm.

Soon–too soon–for her liking, a knock sounded at the door, Finn announcing from the other side that everyone was gathered downstairs.

“Right, just…give us a few minutes, Finn,” she called over her shoulder. Tommy leaned forward, rubbing at his eyes, finishing his cigarette and tossing it into the bathwater before rising. He took the towel that Lucy offered him, drying himself off and moving to the chest of drawers to pull out some clean clothes. She finished dressing, keeping an anxious eye on him as she did.

“Tommy,” she said softly, stopping him before he could go to the door after he’d pulled on his coat. Cupping both sides of his face, she angled his head to look at her. His eyes were so sad and miserable, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed in the way she recognized was in an attempt not to cry. “Come here,” she ordered, pulling him close, arms wrapping around him, hand on the back of his head guiding his face to rest in the crook of her neck.

Hesitantly, his arms wrapped around her. And then a little more of his weight rested upon her. Not even to tip her over, but enough for her to worry that if she weren’t holding onto him, he might’ve crumpled to the floor. The shaved sides of his head prickled her palm as she stroked the back of his head.

“It’s okay,” she murmured, and it was as if he were waiting for her permission before the floodgates opened completely, and a strangled sound left his throat. “It’s okay,” she repeated, holding him tighter.

It reminded her of when Grace had died, the sudden deja vu so strong it nearly knocked her over. Except that time she had not been able to hold Tommy together. They had been equally a mess, sobbing into one another’s arms in the dark of night. Barely able to keep themselves pulled back from the precipice of going mad with grief.

At least this time, she could do more for him.

She let him collapse into her, hands holding onto her so tight, it was a wonder it didn’t hurt. But still she held him, his face pressed into her neck, body shuddering.

Lucy did not let go. She held him together, keeping the broken pieces cinched tight, not allowing them to unravel. Doing all she could to take away the agony threatening to rip him apart.

And in her arms, Tommy finally allowed himself to weep.

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#tommy shelby #tommy shelby x oc #peaky blinders #lucy winters #lucy winters x tommy shelby #my ocs #my fanfiction #love me where i'm most ruined

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justanerdwithatablet · 1 year ago

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DCA Secret Santa 2023

I am so late! I want to wish my Secret Santa @bilolli a late Merry Christmas! The original plan was to write a fanfiction, but I forgot how difficult I find writing now. So I panicked and made this drawing. I'll also leave a small snippet of what I originally began writing. I hope you're not too disappointed!

“Thanks Moon, for putting up the Christmas lights. It makes the room feel a little more homey.”

You say with a weak smile. Moon smiled in return before his expression shifted to one of concern. He lifted his hand and pressed the back of his fingers to your forehead.

“Your fever is still pretty high. You should get some rest, Starlight.”

You scoff at the automaton and opened your mouth for a witty retort, but the words were lost as you went into another coughing fit. You turned away and covered your mouth into your elbow. Moon was quick to your side, gently taking hold of your shoulders before he ushered you to bed.

You climb in without protest this time and curl up onto your side, “Ugh… What a time to have a flare up. Course it would be right before the holidays.” You whined quietly with a sniffle. You felt a metallic hand run through your hair. It was so cool against your boiling skin and you didn’t want it to leave.

“Moon…?”

“Yes, Starlight?” He answered with a voice as soft as the quiet snowfall outside.

“Will you cuddle with me for a little while? I know it’s a weird request and it’s okay if you can’t. I just… It would be nice to be held for a little bit. At least until I can fall asleep.” You murmur to him groggily.

Moon was silent for a long moment and you could hear the whirling of his fans kicking in from behind you, “…Of course.”

You felt the bed shift as Moon climbed onto the mattress behind you. One arm slipped beneath your pillow and cradled your head from underneath. The other wrapped over your arms and pulled you close so that your back was resting comfortably against his chest plate. The soft sounds of his coolant systems echoed through the silence of the room.

Your eyes flutter shut as Moon’s faceplate pressed to the back of your head. His hand trailed to your wrist and his pressed a gentle finger over your veins. You knew he was just keeping track of your vitals, but the sensation was comfortable and soothing in a way.

“Goodnight Moon.” You whispered softly.

“Goodnight, my Star.” He mumbled back and held you just a little tighter.

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cariantha · 1 year ago

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Favors

Book: Open Heart, Book 1 Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks) Rating: General Category: Angsty Fluff, Christmas Word count: 2.5K Summary: Sawyer is worried that her crush is getting the wrong impression and is later hurt when she thinks he has taken advantage of a situation. A/N: This takes place during intern year (pre-Miami) shortly before the events in Merry Christmas, Rookie.

Events/Prompts: • Photo prompt from @jerzwriter • Participating in CFWC Holidays 2023 • Participating in Choices Flashfics Holiday Prompts 🎄12: “The tree isn’t the only thing getting lit this year.” 🎅21: “It looks like Santa threw up in here.” 🎁67: “What’s wrong? Do you not like your gift?” • Participating in Choices Flashfics Week #64 Prompts 👨🏻‍⚕️2: “I’m not in the mood for a lecture.” • Participating in Choices Holidays Winter 2023

While waiting in the lunch rush lines in the cafeteria, Sienna reminded her roommates of their party assignments. “...I’ve got the treats covered, Elijah is handling the music, Jackie is making jingle juice-”

“Hell yeah!” Elijah exclaimed, giving Jackie a high-five.

“The tree isn’t the only thing getting lit this year,” she said coolly.

“Oh, and don’t forget your white elephant gifts!” Sienna also reminded them.

“Shit, I forgot about that. What are the rules again?” Jackie asked.

“The only rule is you can’t buy anything,” Sienna answered.

“I’ll go shop the lost and found when we’re done here.”

“Or, I saw some pharma reps in the atrium earlier. You could try to hit them up for some swag,” Sawyer chimed in.

A heavy arm slipped around Sawyer's shoulders when the group reached the front of the line. “Thanks for saving my spot, Brooks,” Bryce winked, cutting in line.

“Do you meatheads have to cut into everything?” Jackie barked.

Bryce chomped into the apple he hadn’t yet paid for. “Yep,” he nodded with a big toothy grin. “I’m just trying to get on the naughty list. If you all want to join me, we could save Santa a trip this year,” he joked.

“You’re already looking at Santa’s favorite ho,” Jackie quipped.

“Brooksie, I actually am in a hurry. I need to scrub in for a lymphadenectomy. Do you mind?” he asked seriously.

Sawyer tilted her head to the register, gesturing for him to go ahead.

“Thanks.” When the cashier asked if they were together, Bryce said yes.

“Bryce, you don’t have to-”

He placed a hand on the small of her back. "I've got you, Ipo. I'll see you later," he promised before hurrying away.

“Girl, what are you holding out for? He's hot and totally into you,” Sienna teased once Bryce was out of earshot.

Sawyer lifted her tray and turned to her friend. She opened her mouth to say something but froze when she spotted a six-foot-four-inch, blue-eyed attending at the adjacent register. Not knowing how much he saw or heard, a blush of embarrassment colored her cheeks. Feeling like a shy teenager at a school dance, Sawyer hoped the interaction with Bryce hadn’t given her crush the wrong impression.

As Ethan raised his eyes to her, he gave no indication. Pocketing his wallet, he stoically turned and exited the cafeteria.

As their shift ended, Sawyer approached her roommates, who were walking in the opposite direction down the hall.

“Locker room is that way, Brooks,” Jackie pointed.

“I know. I just need to run and check on one more patient before I clock out.”

“Do you want us to wait for you?” Sienna asked.

“No, don’t wait up. I’ll be right behind you.”

After ensuring the coast was clear, Sawyer slipped behind the plastic curtain that sealed off the construction wing. Naveen spiked a fever earlier in the day, and she wanted to check on him before going home. She found him fast asleep, and after checking his monitors and medications, she quietly tidied the room. When she finished, she softly closed the door, whispering, “Goodnight, Dr. B.”

On her way to dispose of some trash, Sawyer’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

Bryce knocked and let himself in, making a beeline to the kitchen to find Sienna. “Help?” he asked, lifting a roll of wrapping paper and tape.

She looked at him, puzzled. “Where’s your gift?”

“You're looking at it.” He beckoned her to the living room, where he lay down on the floor.

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?” she laughed, kneeling beside him.

A few minutes later, Sienna placed the last piece of tape, securing the wrapping around Bryce’s torso. Using all of her body weight, she rolled him to his back and slid him under the Christmas tree.

“Si?” he called, his voice muffled. “Do me a favor and start the game sooner than later. I already have to pee.”

In the locker room, Sawyer traded her white coat for her winter one. As she gathered her things, her phone buzzed with an incoming call.

“Hi,” she answered.

“Hi. “By any chance, are you still at the hospital?” Ethan asked.

“I am.”

“Could I ask you for a favor? I’ve had something come up at the last minute. Would you be able to stay with Naveen for a few hours?”

By now, Sawyer had come to know Ethan Ramsey well enough to know that he would not ask for help unless he was desperate. “Sure. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I’m pressed for time right now, but I’ll explain later. I’ll relieve you as soon as I can.”

“No problem.”

“Thanks, Rookie.”

Sawyer was about to text Sienna when Danny entered the room.

“Hey, Sawyer,” he waved. “I thought you’d be at home getting ready for the party. I’m heading there now if you want a ride.”

“Danny, I’m so glad you’re here! Could you take something to Sienna for me? I’m not going to make it home for a while.”

“How come?”

She made sure they were alone and lowered her voice. “Dr. Ramsey got tied up with something and asked if I would look after Patient X for a few hours.”

“You should go and have fun with your roommates, Sawyer. I can stay,” he insisted, having been recruited by Ethan shortly after Naveen agreed to be treated.

“That’s really sweet of you, Danny, but I know you traded shifts so that you could be off tonight. Besides, Sienna baked a batch of peppermint chocolate chip cookies just for you.”

“She did?” he smiled.

“Yeah. Go. Have fun. I’ll be there as soon as Dr. R gets here.”

After Danny left with what appeared to be a wrapped bedpan, she updated her roommate.

Later, Sawyer was in Naveen’s room, scrolling through Pictagram, when her phone vibrated with a new text notification.

Several hours had passed when Sawyer felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Rookie?”

“Hiiiii,” she managed through a yawn.

“I’m so sorry,” Ethan apologized.

“Huh? What time is it?” Sawyer reached for her phone and noticed several missed calls from Sienna and Bryce.

“It’s almost four in the morning. I would have been here sooner, but I accidentally dozed off,” he explained, helping her to her feet.

“It’s okay. There's no doubt you probably needed it. And it’s been quiet here. His fever finally broke a little while ago.”

“Good. Go home and get some sleep,” he instructed, “I’ll tell Ines that you’ll be in this afternoon.”

“Okay.” Sawyer shouldered her bag and headed for the door. “Good night."

“Sawyer?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

With a shake of the snow from her coat, Sawyer entered her apartment and found Landry eating breakfast at the kitchen table. “Oh boy. It looks like Santa threw up in here.”

“Smells like it, too,” he grumbled.

“I’m surprised you’re still going in early after…,” she circled her hand in the air, “all of this.”

“Yeah, well, not all of us are lucky enough to get preferential treatment from Dr. Ramsey.”

“Excuse me?”

“What? This is the second time he’s personally assigned you a case. To my knowledge, he hasn’t assigned cases to other interns in the competition.”

“Wow. Well, maybe he will if you ever crack the top five.” She let him chew on that as she hung her coat and walked to her room.

Bryce turned from the surgical board and spotted Sawyer approaching. “Finally coming to collect your prize, Brooksie?”

Sawyer rolled her eyes.

“What’s wrong? Do you not like your gift?”

“You’re ridiculous,” she said with an amused smile.

“So I’ve been told. By the way, this gift comes with a night on the town.”

Unbeknownst to her, Dr. Ramsey inconveniently emerged from a nearby patient’s room, catching the tail end of their conversation.

“Bryce-”

But before she could protest, he backed his way down the hall. “I’ve gotta run. Check your schedule and let me know when I can pick you up. And you should know, I have a strict ‘no rejections’ policy.”

She sighed deeply once his back was to her, then turned to find Ethan standing a couple of feet away, his eyes focused on the tablet in his hand.

“Dr. Ramsey,” she acknowledged sheepishly.

Ethan glanced at her with a side-eye. “Brooks.”

“Rrrrr! Of course, he is here right now!” As they moved on to their next tasks, Sawyer told herself it was time for a heart-to-heart with Bryce.

"Excuse me, would you please page Dr. Ramsey?"

A few minutes later, Ethan met an attractive woman at the nurses’ station and led her away from the busybodies seated at the circular desk. As they walked down the hall, she handed him a small box. “Thank you, Jen. I really appreciate this. I’ll send you the outcome report as soon as the trial period ends.”

Stepping in front of him, Jen pulled him to the side until their shoulders hugged the wall. "It was great to see you again, " she paused as a couple of nurses walked past. "We had a good time last night, didn’t we?"

“It was nice to catch up.”

She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when Sawyer heard the familiar voice, she wondered if her ears were deceiving her.

“Listen, I would love to see you again tonight,” Jen continued, reaching for the end of his tie and running it through her fingers. I’m staying at The Langham. Come have drinks with me and...” she shrugged, "and we can see where things go from there.”

“I-”

Sawyer stepped out of the vending machine alcove and turned her head toward them.

Ethan’s surprised eyes met hers, finding only hurt. He moved Jen’s hand back to her side as Sawyer spun and walked briskly in the opposite direction.

“Jen, you’ll have to excuse me. I need to go,” he apologized, watching the woman he longed for retreat and disappear. “I appreciate your assistance. I will speak with you later.”

“Later tonight?”

“I’ll text you,” he said as he sidestepped her.

Ethan’s long strides carried him down the hall quickly. He nearly collided with a visitor as he rounded the corner. “I’m sorry. Excuse me.”

In the far corner of the cafeteria, Sawyer watched the snowfall in the empty courtyard. The sound of metal chair legs scraping against the tiled floor jarred her from her thoughts.

“I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Why? Need another favor?” she said, words laced with disdain.

“Rookie, that-”

“Dr. Ramsey, I haven’t been helping you to win favor or get a leg up in the competition. If you want an intern to run errands and cover for your ass, then let me suggest Dr. Olsen. He'd be more than happy to fill that role.”

She lowered her voice, hurt replacing anger. “I canceled plans with my roommates last night because I believed that it must have been important if you were asking for help. If I had known I was only covering so that you could go on a date and get…” She let the rest of the sentence die on her tongue. “Sorry. I know how you spend your free time is none of my business, but I won’t let you take advantage of mine.”

Visibly disappointed, she avoided eye contact. Ethan keenly observed that her disappointment went beyond merely thinking he would take advantage of her kindness. If he had read the situation correctly, it would have been the same disappointment he had felt seeing her with the surgical intern.

“Sawyer, let me explain. Jen works for Phlaum Pharmaceuticals. They are currently conducting a trial on a new antibiotic for sepsis. I reached out to her when I heard about it. Her team is in the area promoting a new product this week. You may have noticed her reps in the lobby. She made herself available to meet with me last night. And after some convincing, she agreed to pull some strings to get Naveen into the trial. She was here this afternoon to drop off the treatment.” Ethan pulled a small vial from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“It sounded like you convinced her all right,” she muttered.

“Rookie. I know we haven’t known each other long, but do you honestly believe I’m the type of person who would trade sexual favors? I agreed to a testimonial and a couple of expo appearances. That’s all.”

“What? Can you blame me for going there? She said she had a ‘good time,’ and you told me you were late because you ‘accidentally dozed off,’ then she asked you to meet her again tonight. At. A. Hotel.”

He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose at her teasing dramatization, failing to hide the crack of a smile.

“So, how’d you get out of it?” she wondered.

“I told her I would text her later.”

“You don’t text.”

“Exactly.” His knee touched hers, but neither one attempted to move away. “I need to get back upstairs. Can you meet me later to review the trial protocols?”

“I have a few patients to check on. I’ll page you after?” she answered.

Ethan scooted back in his chair, but before standing, he covered Sawyer’s hand with his own.

“Sawyer, your contributions and the sacrifice of your time have not gone unnoticed. And as far as I’m concerned, you are my partner on this case. I should have filled you in on the drug trial. I just didn’t want either of us to get our hopes up.”

“Thank you, Dr. Ramsey.” When he moved to stand, she followed. “I’m finished here. I’ll head back up with you.”

The elevator doors were halfway closed when a fellow intern squeezed through.

“Hi, Brad,” Sawyer greeted.

“Sooo, who’s the lucky guy?” he quizzed, embarrassingly indiscreet.

“Pardon?”

“Come on, girl. Why else would you ditch us last night? Your roommates say you’re never home. You rarely come out for drinks anymore. And you’ve parked Bryce in the friend zone.” Brad nudged her shoulder with his. “Spill the tea.”

“Sorry to disappoint, TMZ, but I’m not dating anyone. I got stuck here with a last-minute case.” She made her eyes big and subtly tipped her head toward Dr. Ramsey as a warning. Luckily, Brad picked up on the cue, sparing her from having to tell any more white lies.

Ethan hid a smile, pretending not to notice the act.

“Any chance you guys will host again for New Year’s? You’re the only ones with an apartment big enough,” Brad asked as they exited the elevator together.

“Talk to Elijah. He’s the party planner of the group.”

Once Brad was on his way, Ethan reached for Sawyer's elbow, drawing her back. “You skipped your own party?”

She shrugged. “You needed my help, and our patient wasn’t in any condition to be left alone.”

“You should have told me. I would have figured something else out…” He looked into her eyes with a sense of wonder. “Thank you. I owe you one.”

She smiled up at him. “You’re welcome.”

“So, what excuse did you give your roommates?” he asked as they walked side by side down the hall.

“About that…” she said with a tense grin, “I’m gonna need you to assign some of your cases to the other interns in the top five.”

“Come again?”

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @peonierose @potionsprefect @trappedinfanfiction @jerzwriter @queencarb @coffeeheartaddict2 @quixoticdreamer16 @jamespotterthefirst @liaromancewriter @zealouscanonindeer @tveitertotwrites @tessa-liam @youlookappropriate @kyra75 @socalwriterbee @txemrn @choicesflashfics

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