#might also be because ''two lonely souls getting together at a friends wedding'' is a trope i love to play with from time to time hehe

[theflyingfeeling]

Aaahhh I love the new header!! 🤧😍💞

Anyway just dropping by to talk about this thought I have 👀 so I have this scenario in my mind where Olli and Allu have been crushing on each other for a while and one of them breaks up with their partner and gets heartbroken and the other of course feels bad for him and comforts him but can’t stop thinking about how he has a chance now and aaaaaa my brain feels foggy and it’s not working but I feel like there would be so many ways to continue this 🤧 (sorry for rambling 😭)

I love it too if I say so myself 🥺🤲

I know this sounds like I'm making shit up but literally earlier today I thought about almost this exact scenario 😂 only mine was a tad more specific, and bear with me now, because for some reason I imagined a wedding (perhaps a crew members') and one of them arriving there a bit late because they had a fight and broke up with their partner just before leaving for the wedding venue (or the night before) and yeahhhhh, they end up comforting each other at the evening party of the wedding reception 👀

don't ask me why the setting has to be a wedding lol, I'm not sure actually, it just came to my mind for some reason because that's how my brain works, although it might have been inspired by an old picture taken at a wedding I saw last night while browsing Porko's or Niko's instagram, in which Olli looked sooooooo good in a white collar shirt and black suspenders and yeahhhh, just imagine the possiblities of them getting all hot and bothered in their wedding gear, all loose ties and unbuttoned shirts and messy hair and oofff mmmhmhhhhmmhm 😳

obviously in this scenario both of them have secretly been crushing on each other for quite some time, including the one who just broke up with their partner, and perhaps that was even one of the reasons they broke up (maybe the partner noticed something or the other was being distant), so it wouldn't be a "bandage" kinda situation you know, instead they'd both be like aahhhh finallyyyyy 😭

thanks for rambling in my askbox once again! 🥰💖

[figmentof]

So the ‘eager to please’ biscuit spit choice was kind of an interesting one for me. Like obviously Rebecca isn’t seeing Ted in that way yet, that’s how slow burn works. But she’s also eating his biscuits, she knows damn well he’s eager to please (and how fabulous that is). She just hasn’t thought about it in that context and it takes her by surprise. And there’s really no reason for them to go so hard (no pun) on ‘ted is good in bed’ unless it’s going to be relevant!

If we’re talking directorial choices, please can someone come up with a platonic explanation for Rebecca fussing with her hair and jacket towards the end of the Xmas episode (literally the ep after the biscuit spit). Oh right there is none, she is flustered as hell and not sure why.

i might as well get "THE SACRED TEXTSPARALLELS" tattooed in block letters across my gotdang forehead but lest we forget that both Ted and Rebecca had sex on the same night (albeit with different people), the same day that was also the wedding anniversary of Rebecca's failed marriage AND the day Ted's divorce was finalized. it was written in the script (by the war criminal that is Jason Sudeikis) that even though Rebecca's was eyeing the attractive waiter, Ted was on her mind the entire time. i ask, once again, why these parallels? why does the show need to let me see the morning after and their various "walks of shame" of these two friends if not to subliminally imply something? no one goes that out of their way to showcase incompatibility between two people; that makes for an awfully dull and redundant story

Rebecca spitting out the biscuits could have so many different interpretations and like, none of them would be wrong? is she disgusted by this trivia about her gaffer/employee? that's possible. did she spit it out by surprise at the "this people pleaser's need to please extends to the bedroom"? yeah. did her mouth suddenly run dry at the fact that "oh wait Ted is indeed a man that has sexual needs!"? perhaps.

if you went to anyone else and told them Ted's really eager to please in bed, 99% of the response would be "oh ew gross why tf did you feel the need to tell me that?!" so in my opinion, it isn't solid enough of evidence to use as an argument against Ted/Rebecca. and just like you said anon, Rebecca doesn't see him that way yet, mostly because.... she's his boss, her revenge plot (albeit already in shambles) is still going, and she was, and still is, the only person who saw him at his most vulnerable having a panic attack. she's not Keeley who gets off on her man crying lmao but even that is played for comedic effect of how Roy's usually so stoic that him being emotional is refreshing

LET US TALK ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS EPISODE. let us talk about how given two extra episodes that a holiday rom com inspired Christmas episode is what Jason and co. decided to give us

let us talk about parallels yet again (triple edition): Leslie and Julie showcasing how their healthy and happy 25+ years of marriage has created such a warm and safe space that the players all want to be there because they make them feel at home (a future all couples should strive to have); Roy and Keeley as an established couple showcasing how good of parents they'd be through Phoebe (next stop: marriage); Ted and Rebecca as two lonely souls during a holiday of love and gathering, coming together to share a tradition that Rebecca used to do with her ex-husband that she knew would make Ted happy because it was an act of actively spreading love, thus showcasing how their core values are the same (next stop: kiss kiss fall in love 😌)

let us talk about how Rebecca throws stones at Ted's window like she's a teen boy in the '90s trying to get his crushes attention, and uses tinsels to spell out "HI TED" in direct response to his "HI BOSS" (everyone in Richmond Greens watching these two idiots chase each other like they're in a rom com 💀). Ted's "oh no should i change?" and Rebecca saying he "looks perfect" taking a page out of those guilty pleasure Hallmark holiday flicks. the end of the evening with them walking with zero (0) personal space between them and Rebecca's fidgeting with her coat lapel that isn't a single thread out of place while Ted has his hands in his pockets because you know these two want to h*ld hands but they can't yet but they wanna and like at some point their hands are gonna touch and we might as well get a 2005 Pride and Prejudice Mr. Darcy hand flex shot from one of them oh god oh fuck i'm fully feral now

but getting flustered after spending an entire day with a very lovely man is totes platonic behavior y'know

[carryonthroughtheages]

Hello everyone!

Another year of Carry On Through The Ages is over and done! We have emotions and exhaustion, but we're so happy that this year had the hype and excitement that it did.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to all of the AMAZING creators who spent the last several months working away at their historical content!

Thank you also to the hard-working mods: @bazzybelle, @giishu, @palimpsessed, and @xivz . This fest would not have been as successful as it has been without you!

We encourage everyone to look under the page break for all the fics and art. They're all fantastic!

Here is the link to the AO3 Collection: Carry On Through The Ages 2021!

Thank you all, and until next year! 🧡🧡🧡

MONDAY:

1) sun on the sea (T) - @trenchcoat-moth : AO3 // Tumblr

Tensions run high in England, and Malcolm decides it's for the best he sends Baz to live with Fiona, where he'll be safer.

That is, until Baz's ship is attacked.

2) The Words I Long To Say (M) - @bazzybelle : AO3 // Tumblr

Simon Snow was dead.

Baz Pitch was sure of it. Simon had gone away seven years ago to fight a war in the jungle and he hadn't come home.

So, when Simon shows up in Baz's club, investigating a string of brutal murders, all Baz wants to do is hold him close and never let him go.

But these aren't the same boys from 1960 and Baz has a lot of processing to do before he's ready to believe in Simon again.

3) we are slaves to gods, whatever gods are (M) - @wellbelesbian : AO3 // Tumblr

I don’t fully understand what plagues him, but I know it’s bad, and I know it goes deeper than guilt. He didn’t want to kill his father, not really, but we were instructed to do so by Apollo. Cleanse the house of its sins, dispose of a murderer to set things right. It was only right that I join him; he was avenging my mother as much as his. Clearly, Apollo didn’t seem to consider that such an act would make Simon a murderer in his father’s place. It seems I got off fine, but as far as Simon is concerned, the vengeful spirits that once spun and danced on the roof of the palace now hunt him down, determined not to stop until he rids the world of himself.

4) World War II Era Art - @stardustasincocaine : Tumblr

TUESDAY:

1) the art of loving you (E) - @one-more-offbeat-anthem : AO3 // Tumblr

1955. London. Young love.

Forbidden love.

A year ago, starving artist Simon Snow met Baz Pitch, son of a wealthy art patron, at a party, and their days (and nights) together have been a wonderful secret.

But Simon is tired of being a secret and knows it's time for things to end.

(Baz has other ideas.)

2) Reliquary of an Arsonist (T) - @tea-brigade : AO3 // Tumblr

Simon Snow grew up a ward of Watford Abbey, but when his magic manifested in an explosive accident as a child, he became the Abbey’s anchorite—never to leave Watford’s walls, for his own protection. That is, until Abbot David sends him on an important errand…

Basilton Pitch paints portraits for his patron, Lord Grimm. But he’s never forgotten the magic he learned from his mother—nor the men who condemned her to death as a heretic. When Simon arrives and offers Baz a commission from Watford Abbey, he sees his chance to avenge his mother once and for all...and he’s willing to burn down everything in his path to that end.

But it was no coincidence that pulled these two unlikely souls together. Something more sinister is underway at Watford Abbey, and only Simon and Baz can uncover the truth before everything goes up in flames.

3) Westward Son (E) - @aristocratic-otter : AO3 // Tumblr

Simon and Baz have found each other again, but there's nowhere in Brooklyn or Virginia where they can safely be together. So now, they venture the hazards and struggles of the Oregon trail, to perhaps find a little homestead in Oregon of their own.

4) A Way Out (T) - @lying-on-the-sofa : AO3

I frown at him..“You don’t know me.”

He offers his hand. “Simon.”

Simon. I feel the name around in my mind and assign it to his face. Simon. I don’t shake his hand. They’ve still got my arms pinned. “Basilton.”

Simon nods at me. “Now we know each other. Let him go.” Very casually, he takes his other hand from behind his back. A sword, flashing. He leans on it and smiles invitingly. “Let him go.”

This time, they listen.

--

Simon Snow has been trained for years to become a tribute—one of the fighters Athens sends every ninth year into the Minotaur’s labyrinth. He wants to know the way out, if only for Penny’s sake. Luckily for him, Prince Basilton of Crete also wants a way out—off the island, where no one will know he’s the half-brother of the Minotaur.

Unluckily for both of them, they don’t exactly form the most agreeable pair.

WEDNESDAY

1) long is the road the leads me home (G) - @wellbelesbian : AO3 (Version 1) (Version 2) // Tumblr

Baz has a rather unremarkable life, and he's fine with that. Running his late mother's beloved inn with his temperamental aunt, estranged from his father and step-siblings, he's successfully convinced himself that he's better off without attachments.

Then Simon barrels into his life, guns blazing and rapier drawn, and Baz is swept up in dramatic plot he never bargained for.

Worse still, he finds he quite likes the thrill.

2) New Romantics (T) - @ninemagicks : AO3 // Tumblr

Basilton Pitch, twenty-two years old and a famed poet of the Romantic era, has fled to the countryside. In Mummers House, the fabled haunt of literary greats, he sulks himself into oblivion and awaits a sad, disappointing end to his brief years of brilliance. The cause of his downfall? None other than Simon Snow, the so-called “bad boy of English poetry”, breaker of rules and eternal thorn in his side. Baz hopes that Mummers House might mean an escape from London, from Snow and his increasingly virulent popularity... but the rain that comes has other ideas.

3) thnétos (T) - @snowybank : AO3 // Tumblr

thnétos: subject to death, mortal

a retelling of Apollo and Hyacinthus

4) A Medieval AU art piece - @thewriterxj : Tumblr

THURSDAY

1) From Eden (E) - @orange-peony : AO3 // Tumblr

I wonder if his skin is warm or cold to the touch. I tell myself it’s simple curiosity, that I’m an artist and capturing things on paper or canvas is my way to make sense of the world. That drawing him feels so natural, so I should just follow my instincts. Ebb used to say it all the time. Follow your heart. It knows where you’re supposed to go.

I wish I could. I wish I had enough money and freedom to just draw what I want. To paint him in his unattainable beauty. To draw him the way I want to. Naked and vulnerable, raw. Without frills and expensive suits.

Just Baz on paper, my fingers tracing his delicate and beautiful lines with simple charcoal.

2) Slings and Eros (M) - @palimpsessed : AO3 // Tumblr

Young god of love Simonides is tasked by his father, the god of war, to bring about the ruin of a mortal prince to punish his blasphemy. However, once Simonides sees his intended victim, he begins to have misgivings. Prince Tyrannus might have offended the gods with his very existence, but all Simonides can see is how beautiful and lonely he is.

Or, a very loose interpretation of the Eros and Psyche myth.

3) I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire (M) - @knitbelove : AO3 // Tumblr

September 1940: Going back to Watford feels different this year, and not just because England is at the brink of war with Germany and Italy. Penelope seems unsettled by everything, and Agatha is distant, and Baz is … simply not here.

What if Carry On but during the Blitz?? Yeah.

4) A Fool's Oath (M) - @thewriterxj : AO3 // Tumblr

A simple soldier is invited to join the ranks of the royal guard. He and his appointed mage arrive at the royal city to find themselves at the mercy of an unmerciful court. As he struggles to find his place in this foreign environment, he also finds himself entranced by music that only he seems to hear that floats out about the city. He makes an oath to wed whoever makes such beautiful music.

Too bad that person is the crown prince.

FRIDAY

1) Stranger Tides (T) - @tea-brigade & @xivz : AO3 // Tumblr

“If some god shall wreck me in the wine-dark deep, even so I will endure…” Captain Simon Snow of the Chosen One is many things—cunning, handsome, ruthless. Greedy. It’s no surprise that Snow finds a way to piss off the God of the Sea, he always manages to get himself into some type of trouble. This time, however, he’s not the only one who will suffer the consequences. Poseidon promises to not stop his pursuit until Snow and all of his men are dead.

Enter Basilton Pitch—rich, beautiful, mysterious. Suspicious. He offers the crew of the Chosen One a hefty sum to take him back to Europe from the Caribbean. And who is Captain Snow to refuse so much coin? After all, Greek gods aren’t real.

Right?

2) The wayward heir [comic] (M) - @letraspal : AO3 // Tumblr

Like a folk song, our love will be passed on. Simon Snow wants to be an artist. He used to live in Fiesole where he worked in the wool shop of his good friend Ebeneza Petty. He has now chosen to return to his native Florence in order to participate in an art contest hosted by the Pitch family, the most important bankers in all the three continents and Simon’s last chance for an art patronage. No matter how much he hates them.

But being back in Florence also brings back the memories Simon wanted to leave behind : his days as an orphan, the mystery about his mother, and once more being under the inquisitive eyes of his godfather, the new archbishop Davy. The archbishop is very same man who would never forgive him for dropping out the priesthood and ruining his secret plans against the Pitches.

The last thing Simon needed was an unbearably handsome jerk getting him into trouble on his very first day in Florence. How can focus when this man is the most annoying person he has ever met and yet his major source of inspiration.

3) Prohibition Blues (T) - @heyyyandrea : AO3

Simon Snow is a baker and aspiring playwright in Prohibition Era New York City. When he meets a handsome man at Shepherd's speakeasy who is interested in his work, he can't help but think it feels too good to be true.

4) Earth Below & Sky Above (M) - @phoxphyre : AO3 // Tumblr

In the depth of the palace of King Minos of Crete lurks a creature known as the Minotaur.

Baz, prince of Athens and chosen of the god Poseidon, has heard the stories. And now he’s volunteered to come to Crete as one of the annual tributes—to dance with the king’s bulls and fulfill his destiny. He just wants to survive the bulls, protect his people, and go home.

But what if the Minotaur isn’t a monster—but just a boy? And what if instead of slaying him, Baz fell in love with him?

A Carry On retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, set in Bronze Age Crete.

5) A 1980s AU Art piece by @stardustasincocaine : Tumblr // Instagram (Slightly NSFW)

[prettywordsyouleft]

10 Dates | The Wedding Date (Final)

Summary: Kim Junmyeon was the epitome of a perfect catch - he was successful, handsome and everything you currently didn’t want in a man. Yet after agreeing to his request to give him 10 dates in total to change your mind, you realised you might have been looking for someone like him all along.

Pairing: Kim Junmyeon x reader

Genre: dating au / romance

Warnings: none

Preview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

You shared a watery smile with Junmyeon as you listened to the vows being spoken around the wedding venue right now. He beamed back at you, mouthing that he loved you. You raised your hand to your chest to let him know it was mutual and then turned back to the couple before you, your tears spilling down your cheeks when Kelsi choked on her words.

You never had expected to feel this overwhelmed watching your longest friend get married, and to Chanyeol, Junmyeon’s business partner, no less. You also weren’t prepared to look beside you to Ayla now sobbing openly, her hand clamped over her mouth to muffle some of her emotions. Smiling, you reached for her free hand and gave it a squeeze.

Weddings were just beautiful to be a part of.

And once Kelsi and Chanyeol were announced as husband and wife, you watched their first kiss together, glancing behind the loved up pair to Junmyeon again. You could tell he held the same thought as you did right now as well.

You could still taste that very kiss from your own wedding two years ago.

And once the photographer had taken enough photos of the wedding party afterwards, you moved into your husband’s arms, staring up at him lovingly. “It was beautiful.”

“Yes, you are,” he murmured before kissing you softly.

“Junmyeon,” you chided when he pulled away, smiling at you mischievously. “I meant the ceremony.”

“So did I. You looked beautiful the whole time.”

“Which wedding are you talking about?” you wondered with a small smirk and Junmyeon tenderly ran his hands over your bare arms.

“Sue me for thinking of our wedding, Mrs Kim. Though this one was very nice, and you look breathtaking today too.”

“You’re wicked.”

“You’re the reason I couldn’t concentrate. I’m happy for Chanyeol and Kelsi, but I can’t help but think of our special day either.”

“I’m guilty as well,” you admitted with a giggle and Junmyeon grinned, pulling off his suit jacket and slinging it over your arms. You shook your head in wonderment. “How do you know whenever I’m cold?”

“Isn’t that my duty as your husband?”

“What’s mine then as your wife?” you asked and Junmyeon leaned in so he was close to your lips again.

“To accept all my love.”

“I do that every day, you cheeseball.”

“Look who’s talking,” another voice commented and you turned to see Ayla standing there, dabbing another tissue under her eyes. “You’re both cheesy.”

“Jealous, Ayla?”

“Intensely. When does the bar at the reception open? Maybe if I drink enough wine, I might feel less lonely.”

You smiled and stepped over to take your friend’s hand. “Or maybe you can accept that you keep making eyes with Oh Sehun and go share a drink with him.”

“And what, suggest he takes me on ten dates? That might have worked for you and Kelsi, but it won’t for me.”

Junmyeon chuckled. “You never know, Y/N was adamant it wasn’t going to work for her and now look at where she’s at.”

You glanced up at your husband and smiled happily.

Those ten dates sure had a lot to answer for. And knowing Kelsi had tried the concept with Chanyeol herself only made it seem more dreamlike. Admittedly, Chanyeol had needed twelve whole dates before he decided she was the one for him.

You had known much sooner than that.

The reception wore on and toasts were shared, along with more tears �� mostly from Ayla. She had cried at your wedding, and now she was crying on Sehun’s shoulder, the tall man attempting to calm her down as Kelsi and Chanyeol shared their final farewell before taking to the honeymoon suite in the hotel the reception was being held in.

And as you moved up to your suite for the night, you felt Junmyeon’s love before he even reached to taste it from you once the doors were closed.

Much later, now entangled against his bare body, the moonlight cascading over his skin, you leaned in to kiss his arm gently, leaving a trail of kisses until you found his swollen lips. You were spent from all your love-making, and further, from the day.

Weddings were beautiful, but they were also exhausting.

“Love you, Y/N.”

“Love you too.”

“Can I ask you something?” he said a moment later and you opened your eyes to cast your gaze to his face. Despite his satisfied, love-drunk appearance, Junmyeon was strangely curious and the tiredness within you was replaced with curiosity. You nodded once. “I noticed, you know.”

“Noticed?” you echoed, your eyebrows knitting together.

“Mm,” he hummed into your skin, kissing your bare shoulder. “You didn’t take a single sip of alcohol tonight.”

“Oh, that.”

“When were you planning on telling me?”

“I’m not sure if I am or not, but I didn’t want to take any chances.”

Junmyeon kissed your neck before continuing. “Have you taken a test?”

“It came back positive this morning.”

“No wonder you didn’t tell me,” he breathed, sounding relieved that you hadn’t known long. “Fancy taking a pregnancy test on the day of our best friends’ wedding.”

“It’s not the right time to go announcing anything like that. Let them have their honeymoon first,” you mentioned and Junmyeon nodded against you. “But I think we’re pregnant, Myeon.”

His hand immediately moved to your torso, rubbing at it affectionately. Giving him a look, he laughed at you. “I’m doing this to promote growing vibes.”

“That’s not how babies are made.”

“No, I’m well aware of what it takes to make one,” he replied lowly, the embers that had died within his eyes from your passion heating back up. “So if one hasn’t started growing in there yet, I’ll just have to keep trying.”

“Is that so? Do I need to be pregnant?”

“I want a mini-you.”

“That’s not fair, I want a mini-you first.”

Junmyeon chuckled. “So, twins?”

“Why am I not as outraged as I should be about this?”

“Because you want it as much as I do. Our family is growing.”

“Is this what you imagined when you were younger?” you asked, referring to when he had crushed on you as a teenager. “Did you ever think you and I would end up married and debating over how many babies we want to have?”

“I don’t think I was quite so ready to consider children when I was barely done with being one myself. But I was hopeful for a lifetime with you.”

“It’s so weird to think you hoped for that. How did you know back then that I was the one?”

Junmyeon smiled. “I don’t know, it’s just always been you for me. Maybe you’re my soul mate.”

“Maybe I am,” you mused, leaning in to kiss your husband. Pulling back, you grinned. “When we’re back home, let’s make an appointment to confirm if I’m pregnant or not.”

“Sounds good to me.”

You soaked in his elated expression, running your hand over his face gently, in hopes you could feel the emotions under your fingertips. You couldn’t love this man more even if you tried. Smiling, you thought back to when it wasn’t like this for you, when you had almost turned him away. How foolish your past self had been towards such a pivotal person for your world. Your smile grew and Junmyeon pecked your palm as it crossed paths with his mouth.

“What are you thinking of now?”

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for liking me so much.”

“You don’t have to thank me for liking you.”

“I do,” you countered, sitting up a little. “Had you not fought for us back then, I would have walked away from all of this.”

“You’re right.” Junmyeon became thoughtful. “Okay, so maybe a thank you is in order. And you’re welcome. I knew I wasn’t going to let you go by me this time around. So thank you for staying with me after Italy.”

“Which Italy trip?” you asked with a giggle, having returned to the place where the magic had truly started to happen between you for your honeymoon. This time you had taken a month there, and whilst you still loved the place, it wasn’t your dream anymore.

Junmyeon was.

“Both. You could have decided after the honeymoon that married life didn’t suit you.”

Rolling your eyes, you shook your head. You fell silent as you continued to think about the earlier parts of your relationship. One thing stood out to you. “We never finished all ten dates.”

“We both agreed we didn’t need to count them anymore. Besides, we’ve had hundreds of them since then.”

“Still… can I count today as the tenth one?” you asked and Junmyeon waited for you to explain. “Remember when you said; give me ten dates to see if there was something worth trying for?”

“Baby, we’re married already. You can’t say no now, you definitely said I Do two years ago.”

“Humour me,” you stated and Junmyeon smiled, knowing he had asked you to do just that on that fateful first date.

“Okay, today is the tenth date. Was it worth dating me this long?”

Leaning in closer, you nodded as you cupped his face in your hands. “You won’t regret being with me forever?”

“God no. Forever seems too short anyway.”

You nodded in agreement. “Good, because after ten dates with you, I only hope for an eternity more of them.”

“An eternity with you?”

“Would you rather just another ten dates?”

“Let’s space them out if that’s the case,” he encouraged, holding up both his hands so he could eliminate fingers as he counted. “A pregnancy date, sleepless nights with a newborn date, crying together when we drop them off at school for the first day…”

“You’re clearly only thinking of me being pregnant now. What about us? We don’t go missing just because we’re going to have a child.”

“Twenty years together,” he tacked on, and starting listing off other events that would lead up to your elderly years.

“Let’s have our very last date when we stop breathing,” he announced with a tearful smile, joining you in being overwhelmed of the future together. “A death date might be fun.”

“By then, we might be excited to return to how we look just now too.”

“You’ll age beautifully, I just know it.”

“I can’t imagine a day where you won’t be handsome to me,” you breathed and he nuzzled you affectionately. “Well, we did say until death do us part.”

Junmyeon shook his head. “We don’t part in death. Didn’t you just ask if I would be with you forever?”

“Stop before I really start crying, Kim Junmyeon,” you whispered and your husband caressed your face, trailing his thumb under your eyes.

“Give me your forever,” he requested earnestly and you choked a little on your tearful laughter.

“Just forever in total?” Junmyeon nodded at your recycled line from your first date. You nestled into his chest, listening to his heart beat erratically. “Alright, let’s see where forever take us.”

_________________

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[evak-fic-rec-turtleanon]

Evak Fics - Kid Fics

*** Isak and Even have a child together *** They are parents but to different children *** Only one of them is a parent 

***** THEY HAVE A CHILD TOGETHER *****

Nas by OrTheNightEverythingChanged (571 words) - Isak and Even take their daughter to the skatepark. 

Sugar Coat This Love For Me by i_once_wrote_a_dream (1k words) - A little argument over candy during Halloween. 

life with our little prince by glbertblythes (SERIES. 3 Fics) - Isak and Even adopt a little boy with prince curls and blue eyes. 

All in the Eyes of a Boy by MacksDramaticShenanigans (1.3k words) - the first time Isak and Even meet their son. 

all i want for christmas is you by stringsinmelody (1.3k words) - Isak and Even enjoy their first Christmas together with their baby. 

sugar and spice and everything nice by chasingflower (1.6k words) - Eskild and Noora finds Evak’s kid from the future. It’s adorable as heck. 

småfolk by stringsinmelody (SERIES. 5 fics) - a/b/o undertones. 

the room's hush hush and now's our moment by ahana (2.2k words) - A night in the life of Isak and Even, sixteen years later. 

Stjerner Lyser Skinnende by MacksDramaticShenanigans (2.4k words) - Isak and Even attend their daughter’s music concert. She has a surprise for them. 

The Beginning of Believing by MacksDramaticShenanigans (2.5k words) - Their children argue about Santa. 

I'll be there by Wolle19 (SERIES. 3 fics) - All Isak want is for his husband to be home for the holidays. Mpreg. 

I'll give you the brightest sunshine by goldenkisses (3k words) - It was something that they new would always happen, a life being brought into their lives that would make all the gloomy days into something so bright. Adoption. 

everything that happens is from now on. by Skamtrash (6.7k words) - Adoption. At the end so not a lot of the kid is involved here. This is part of a series. The next part, wrap your arms around my heart just like you always do. has more of the kid. 

Isn't He Lovely by MacksDramaticShenanigans (4.4k words) - the first time Evak’s kid meets his uncles. 

don't be wasting your time (on your own) by orphan_account (4.6k words) - Five things Even reminds himself not to forget, and the one thing he does. NOTE: The fic says this is a sequel and the first fic is a must read. But there’s no link so if you know which the main fic is, let me know. P.S. This could go under the different children category but they are already a family here so.. 

The Fools Who Dream by Janey_E (6k words) - A collection of moments from Isak and Even's family life, important and not-so-important. Kids, friends, mornings, evenings, weddings, birthdays, bad days, good days. 

Our Steady True North by verlore_poplap (orphan_account) (9k words) - Five times Isak and Even were amicable; plus one time they just weren't. Co-parenting. Post break-up. 

i ain't no hercules by grinsekaetzchen (12k words) - Post-apocalypse world. This is a sequel. So SPOILERS. They kinda adopt this boy. The first part is if you must live, darling one, just live and it’s amazing. 

my entire world fits perfectly in my arms by theyellowcurtains (12.8k words) - A bunch of cuddle prompts. Not all of these are kid fics. 

(WIP) Everyday Evak: The Realistic Stories of Isak & Even by NeonViolet (14k words) - A realistic looks into Even and Isak's life. It's not always glamorous. 

you told me we were forever by Skamtrash (19k words) - Isak finds out he's having a baby soon after Even breaks up with him so he makes the decision not to tell him. Except Even finds out on his own 3 years later. 

The Fiction of Reality by Midlifecrisis (24k words) - Isak and Even have a daughter, but life is not plain sailing. 

Soup is for the Soul by unfancyandy (26k words) - This is a sequel. So SPOILERS. set 5 years after "Sleep Is For Dreamers," Even and Isak are starting a new adventure. 

Evak Family by orphan_account (SERIES. 7 fics) 80k- Isak is nineteen, Even is twenty-one, and they had a plan. A plan that they've very, very carefully stuck to. Until, that is, Isak gets sick and can't seem to figure out what's wrong with him. Spoiler: he's not sick. Mpreg. 

You Are Everything I Have Never Been by staylucky (78k words) - Isak Valtersen is an unpresented, soon-to-present omega who is convinced his best friend Jonas Vasquez is his alpha mate until he meets a very charming and persuasive new alpha, Tall Stranger aka Even Bech Naesheim, making him question everything. The kid part comes later on in the fic. 

Calm After by desp3ration (270k words) - This is a sequel to Tidal Waves . So SPOILERS. The tags say Evak becoming parents but I have not yet read this and I don't want to fo through it to figure it out because I want to read this later. So if it shouldn't be in here, let me know.  

***** THEY EACH HAVE DIFFERENT CHILDREN *****

shred by tusktooth (22k words) - Has a twist but nor really a twist. I’m just gonna put this in this category.  There were two versions of Isak Valtersen. He was cool, smart snowboarder guy. The real Isak, was also trans, gay, and a father. Keeping the two Isaks separate wasn’t that difficult. At least, not until he saw Even again. 

***** ONLY ONE OF THEM IS A PARENT *****

Even the Illustrator by eavk (SERIES. 3 fics) - An AU where Even’s an illustrator who draws what kids describe to him for YouTube, and Isak is the smitten father of a six year old with a wild imagination. 

a lullaby for you by noirophelia (2.2k words) - Isak has a wonderful little daughter. Even is her wonderful teacher. 

Better With You by iriswests (5.8k words) - Isak and Even don't know what they'd do without the other. Eventually, they realize they don't really need to find out.. Single dad Even. Vet Isak. 

(WIP) carrying our dreams and all that they mean (trying to make it all worthwhile) byodair_goes_my_sanity (8.4k words) - We’ve been hooking up for the past few weeks and holy shit it turned out you’re my kids teacher oh god this embarrassing! 

Universe At Its Finest by Skamtrash (8.6k words) - The universe brings Even into Isaks life, he just didn't know Even came with a full package. A kid fic with 90% pure fluff. 

The Little Flower Named Dahlia by Bellakitse (18k words) - Single!Dad Isak + Preschool teacher Even and the little girl that brings them together. Adorable fic. 

(WIP) Draw a Family by Isakprettykitty (21k words) - Isak, a single parent, takes his 5 year old son to preschool for the first time. Before Isak adopted Magne, his biologic parents weren't treating Magne as they should and some of the scars still haven't healed. Magne's teacher is no other than Even bech næsheim, who makes it his goal to help Magne out with his social anxiety. As time passes, Even and Isak grow closer and the younger one finally learns that it is okay to depend on other people. 

Lovesick by Sabeley (SERIES. 2 fics) - Even is absolutely not making up excuses to take his daughter to see the hot new pediatrician. 5 times Even's daughter wasn't actually sick and 1 time she was. 

take me as i am-universe by argentae (SERIES. 3 fics) - He isn’t crushing, and nevertheless this guy has become a Problem, because whenever he’s on shift he’s made it increasingly difficult for Isak to really spend his time productively. Sure, he could just find another place to study but he likes the access to coffee here even though he actually kind of hates the bitterness of it and he’s just not going to let himself get swept aside because of this guy. Parent!Even. 

We are our Choices by recklesslee (40k words) - Even is informed that one decision he made on a lonely night months ago has led to a new bump in the road. Now Even has another choice to make, and that just might change his life for the better. Doctor!Isak. 

Emmy by NeonViolet (48k words) - Isak is 25 and working in marine biology. Sana is his best friend. He has a 7 year old. And her new school principal looks familiar. Adorable! 

waiting outside ('til you're ready to go) by mellowellom (52k words) - An AU where Isak's daughter is an actual little devil that he can't control for the life of him, and his neighbour Even offers a helping hand. 

we've made it this far, kid by everythingislove (straykid) (SERIES. 2 fics) - Technically, Isak is an uncle. The one where Isak is just trying to raise his nephew as best he can with the help of his best friends. He doesn't expect to fall for Felix's gorgeous football coach along the way. 

(WIP) The Daughter by Laika_the_husband  (10k words) - A sequel. So spoilers. Even’s daughter appear in the previous fics but not as much. Continues from the series, A Dove, a Snake, a Ghost and a Madman. And what an excellent series this is. 

Quitting You by Laika_the_husband (65k words) - A sequel. So spoilers. From the series, Because of You I'm Nothing, I'm Nowhere. Isak Valtersen is a happy stay-at-home dad of his baby girl, taking care of his new home in Belgium. His peaceful life as a domestic god gets turned upside down, when his deeply buried desires are suddenly forced to resurface. It is simple enough to find someone on Grindr, but when that someone is painfully familiar, things can get complicated. Another excellent series. 

I Can Hardly Breathe by Flatfootmonster (82k words) - This fic, man. Isak gets hired to be the nanny? for Even and Sonja’s kids. This fic is just absolutely amazing. 

[christinesficrecs]

This trainwreck of a post is dedicated to oodball-faerietales for being a kind and generous soul. You are appreciated always. 💖

Every single one of these fics is a gift which I have opened multiple times and enjoyed them every time! I did not include any fics I’ve already mentioned this year and it was SUPER hard! But you can find more favorites here. 

Wait by cutloosemcgoose | 23.4K | Explicit

Sitting on his couch, staring at the wall, it feels like Derek is watching his whole, miserable, lonely life flash before his eyes. He’s twenty four and he’s alone. No family, no friends, no real pack. He’s six days away from spending one of the most family-oriented holidays of the year trying to avoid any human interaction. If anyone could see him right now, they would tell him he looks pathetic. If Laura could see him right now, she would probably beat the crap of him and then tell him he’s a loser.

I am a HUGE fan of the woke up married trope but this fic is so much more than that!!! I should probably say that I wasn’t that impressed with the movie The Family Man but this AU is 20 times better!!! So even if you don’t care for Nick Cage or kid fics, this fic is still worth a read. Why you say?!?!! Stiles is THE perfect husband through and through. He is EVERYTHING Derek deserves and so much more! Also, I was just chatting up @dearericbittle about how much I love a great epilogue:

“Are you ready?”

“Jesus, Derek,” Stiles says, turning around so quickly that his foot catches on the rug and he almost goes flying. “You’re not supposed to see me before the wedding, it’s bad luck.”

Derek rolls his eyes at Stiles and they stare at each other for a second, wordless, before Stiles cracks up.

“Yeah, I know,” he says. Derek used to think that Stiles was mildly psychic, maybe an empath or something because of the spark, but he’s since realized that Stiles just knows him—knows all of them—so well that’s it scary and a little out-of-this-world.

“Are you ready?” he asks again. Stiles straightens the lapels of his tux, frowns down at it.

“I feel really silly wearing something so fancy to be married by an Elvis impersonator, I’d just like to say.”

“Write your congressman,” Derek advises. “Come on, we gotta go.”

Big Days by crazyassmurdererwall ( smartalli) | 9.6K

It’s an impulse really, inviting Derek to spend Thanksgiving with him and his dad. The Sheriff. Who once arrested him. It’ll be fine. Stiles is sure it’ll be fine.

This is pure gold. EVERY single thing about this fic is a gift! 

“I might have invited someone to spend Thanksgiving with us.”

He lifts one eyebrow. “You might have?”

“Yeah, no. I absolutely did.”

He may as well own up to it. Besides he’s not sorry he did, he’s just sorry he has to have this decidedly awkward conversation.

“Okay…” John says slowly. “And do I know this person?”

“You do.” Stiles nods back, slowly. “Sort of.”

“Sort of.” His hand grasps the edge of the counter as he says, with a saintly patience born only out of years of being Stiles’ dad, “Does this person have a name?”

“They do.”

“Excellent. And their name would be…?”

Saturday Night At The Movies by aussiebee | 7.3K | Explicit

After running into Stiles at the late night movies, Derek realises just how badly Stiles is handling the post-nogitsune fallout. He knows the feeling.

Derek healing post-nogitsune Stiles with saturday night movie dates is perfect! 

Derek didn’t see much of Stiles in the days after that, but it was hard to be disappointed about it when he drove past the café on Fourth St and saw Stiles and Scott sitting inside, talking over coffee, or when he came out of the bank diagonally opposite the sheriff’s station to see Stiles and his dad sitting on the bench beneath the tree outside of it eating lunch together, both of them looking lighter than they had in months.

But then Saturday arrived again, and Stiles was letting himself into the loft, settling in against Derek’s side in his customary spot, bogarting the remote. “Spaceballs is on in twenty minutes,” he said, smelling of nerves and hope.

“I’m so excited I couldn’t hold my oil,” Derek quoted, making Stiles chuckle, the sound light and at ease.

“May the Schwartz be with you,” he responded gravely, then leaned into Derek and snuggled up close when Derek lifted an arm to drape around his shoulders.

A Walk in the Clouds by Dexterous_Sinistrous | 13.9K

The one set during WWII where Stiles is a pregnant grad student and Derek is a PTSD riddled soldier, both of them looking for a better life.

I love crossovers and AUs. Jill did such a great job with this film reboot!! 

Mieczysław couldn’t help the small smile on his lips. “You can call me Stiles,” he offered.

Derek sighed. “Stiles is certainly different than Mischief,” he stated.

“A nickname,” Stiles replied.

“Well, Stiles,” Derek started. “What if you brought home a husband?”

Stiles looked confused by Derek’s suggestion. “How could I do that? There is no one—”

“There’s me,” Derek replied.

“I— I couldn’t ask that of you,” Stiles began. “I already ruined your trip to San Francisco.”

“Maybe I was meant to be here,” Derek offered. “There seems to be a reason for me bumping into you on the train—exchanging our tickets. Getting kicked off the bus.”

“Those were all my fault,” Stiles dejectedly replied.

Derek shook his head. “Or it was fate knowing that you needed a husband for a day.”

Call Me (Cliché) by SomewheresSword | 84.6K | Mature

When the sheriff's sister ends up in a wheelchair for the duration of summer, Stiles' dreams of three months full of pack bonding, late-night video games and bro-time with Scott come crashing down. He's temporarily relocated to Redford, a three hour drive away, and he can already tell he won't be getting many visitors.

Sure the pack will forget about him while he's gone, Stiles is determined to make the most of his summer of isolation, training his body and mind - and his magic - so he can come back with a bang, and maybe catch a certain Sourwolf's eye.

Then Derek shows up at his window one night with a flimsy excuse about needing research done. Suddenly, his summer away is looking a whole lot more interesting.

When I was a young fangirl there was a series called Ever Fallen In Love With Someone. This is not that fic but the initial plot is similiar especially with the S2 vibe which gives me all the feels! 

“So, there’s this guy,” he began, anxiously reaching for a cookie and nibbling at the edge. Hannah nodded in a wordless ‘go on’ motion. “He’s… older. Dad wouldn’t like it. Or him.” Very firmly didn’t like him, as a matter of fact. Hannah’s grin widened.

“Ooh, a bad boy?” Stiles nodded — that was a bit of an understatement. “Sexy. Tell me about him.”

“He’s got these really dumb, scowly eyebrows that are about ninety percent of his facial expressions and at least fifty percent of those expressions threaten murder,” he said, the words coming before he could think to stop himself. “But he’s such a marshmallow and he doesn’t seem to realise that I can’t take him seriously anymore because I know he’s got all of the emotions. He’s so damn overprotective and sweet and he pretends like he doesn’t care about anything but it’s all lies and I just wanna give him a hug so bad because I honestly don’t know the last time someone hugged him for real.”

Tell Me, So I Know by TroubleIWant | 7.4K | Mature

It took years for Derek to finally confront the way he felt about Stiles, and even after he figured it out he could only explain in Spanish. It took them two years more to get to where they were now. Only with neither of them quite willing to commit, where exactly is that, anyways?

Well, for Stiles it’s a deserted stretch of road behind the Hale house, half trapped in a car wreck after being abducted by hunters. Frankly, he could really use Derek’s help if he’s going to get out of this alive. Mates are supposed to be able to tell when the other is in pain, right? As Derek would probably say, 'querido, no.'

Or, a love story in two parts... and two languages.

I love everything about this fic. It’s hot and beautiful with mates and polyglot Derek. So perfect! 

He trails off, knowing he can’t say amor in the next line without Stiles realizing exactly the sort of thing he’s being told.

“Holy hell,” Stiles rasps, his voice heavy with lust. Even in the low light Derek can see the pulse in his neck, the rabbit-fast tick confirming exactly how attractive Stiles finds his bilingual skills. “What was that?”

Derek shrugs. “Just something I memorized once. It reminds me of you.”

“What’s it mean?”

“It’s a parable about a sheep who pesters a wolf with too many questions and gets eaten for being so annoying.”

“Liar,” Stiles says with a smirk, but he leans back in his chair and doesn’t press the issue for the rest of the meal.

[allandoflimbo]

Take It Back (Chapter 19)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Summary:  About five years ago, a one night stand with Y/N tore Bucky’s life apart. It was also the night before his wedding. Now he’s married to her sister and she needs a place to stay.

Chapter Warnings: Language.

A/N: Over my manic episode lol, now back to work. :) Here you guys go. Sorry it took so long to get my shit together. I love you. ALSO, i know a lot of you guys caught up with it on AO3, so just let me know if you no longer wanna be tagged in this. :) 

MASTERPAGE |

It had become routinary.

Like an immortal soul or a person without any malice and without non-malice intent, you’d carry on and on.

You’d wake up at five-thirty am, take a hot shower, go for a run, take another shower, get dressed for work, stop by your choice of restaurant that week, pick up cat food, feed Pebbles, clean the house, take another shower, put on your PJs, and binge-watch American Horror Story until it was too late to decide if it was actually too late to go to bed.

It took exactly one week into your emotional break down for you to realize that your life had to be this way in order for you to succeed. It was the only way you could keep yourself distracted from the other thoughts of guilt that would lead to ultimate heartbreak.

You had left Ashlyn’s life in a way that you didn’t see yourself doing.

At first, you felt wrong for it.

She was your only sister and the only closest family member you had left. You especially thought it was wrong for leaving without any explanation. But eventually, after much-considered thought, you decided that even though it was wrong, it was the best choice. It was something you had to do.

You had to do it because it would be wrong of you to hang out with her or have some kind of association with her without her knowing the evil thing that you had done behind her back.

It didn’t sit well with you.

You also realized that if you stuck around, you would probably develop some kind of hate for her that would be beyond your control; hate made out of jealousy and envy.

You wouldn’t be able to see them together ever again, you would not bring yourself to.

You had texted her a few days after your decision, explaining to her that new opportunities had arisen in your life and that you might be seeing less of her because of it.

Though you still reassured her that you would continue to stick around if she needed anything and she reciprocated vice versa.

As much as you disliked her, as much as you didn’t like the choices she’s made, or person that she had become, at the end of the day she was always your big sister. That was a kind of bond you couldn’t break.

After she’d wished you good look and good wishes, you wondered if you should contact Bucky.

You wondered if he would tell her.

That was the first time the thought entered your mind and it scared the shit out of you. You prayed that he wouldn’t say a thing.

You thought about Steve as well. You knew he wasn’t dumb but you were thankful that he never mentioned anything both that night. But for some reason, you couldn’t get that damn look he had on his face. You couldn’t forget the way he looked at you at the wedding.

He had chased you, and he looked hurt by you.

Like he knew.

Sometimes you wonder if maybe if it had been Bucky that had run after you if you would have stayed.

But it wasn’t.

After that conclusion, you begged yourself to move on.

That was when the routines began- it kept you busy and distracted.

It had been five months and two days since you walked out of his life.

After much time, it was going a lot better than how you thought it would. You started by distracting yourself with your own life.

You even picked up extra hours at work and spent endless nights learning new recipes.

You wouldn’t admit it out loud, but you ended up watching way too much of the news. Maybe it was the adult in your trying to peak out, or maybe you were just that desperate to get away from your own issues.

You and pebbles sat on your couch as you both mocked Trump’s face on CNN, softly caressing Pebble’s little black head.

Your sat on your legs, your little throw blanket thrown over your lap and Pebbles next to your feet on the couch.

You shook your head in dismay as yet another scandal unfolded itself.

“What a dumbass, Peb.”

Meow.

You gasp.

“What do you mean you would have voted for him?”

Meow. Prrrr.

You huff.

“That’s what I thought, you little nugget.”

Everything during the day got easier as time went by, including life.

Slowly, you had cut yourself out of everyone’s lives.

You didn’t want to, but you felt like it was the best choice in such a predicament.

You didn’t answer Steve’s calls.  

Bucky never even attempted to reach out to you except for one night about a week ago.

You had stared at your phone in a trance, completely puzzled at first, before tossing it on your couch.

You went back to sliding on your sneakers for your daily run.

No.

You ran your emotions away until the sweat mingled in with your tears.

You didn’t even realize it started pouring until you had to stop on the side of the road, breathing hard as you attempted to catch your breath.

You let your head fall down as your hands rested on the knees of your bent legs. You sobbed relentlessly as the thunder clashed in the skies above you.

The overwhelming guilt consumed you.

You had done good, you did everything you could to distract yourself and to not think about him.

But during the nights it was the hardest.

Simply put: you were lonely.

You missed your friends, Steve, and Nat. You wanted to make peace with Steve, you wanted to tell Nat how sorry you were for being a coward, and most importantly, you missed him.

You’d wake up the next day and repeat it all again.

It was the only thing that helped.

_

The beginning months of their marriage had been rocky.

It had gone in any way you would’ve expected for a man who had just cheated on his wife.

Their wedding night had been a disaster.

When they returned to their room that night, in a mix of tight hand-holding and severe lack of eye contact, Bucky had allowed Ashlyn to go into their suite before him.

While inside, he sat on the bed, back faced to her, and he had been silent as he unbuttoned his dress shirt.

Ashlyn had stared at him, even though he couldn’t see her.

The silence had been unbearable.

She felt pain-filled tears in her eyes at his cold demeanor.

He was treating her not how a husband should, especially on their wedding night.

He was treating her like something was very wrong.

She didn’t understand why.

Their ceremony had been everything she had ever dreamed of, but during the reception, he had barely stared into her eyes. He didn’t look at her during their dance, and only once or twice after that.

They made brief eye contact once when his eyes had been cold and soulless. In an instance, a part of her heart hurt badly within her chest.

What’s wrong?  She had wanted to say.

She wasn’t too oblivious. She knew that months ago something had happened with him and someone else, especially after she had been gone for so long on her work trips. She knew that they had gone through a big bump in the road.

And the guilt of that had eaten her alive and she promised to put it behind her, so she continued to strive for them - to make this work. Ashlyn wasn’t sure exactly what Bucky had done, but like a silent mutual agreement, neither touched the subject any further.

For some time, she had even believed maybe she was wrong because they started doing so well again.

But their wedding day and their wedding night went anything but well.

She had gone into their bathroom and slowly taken off her jewelry and dress. Soft tears ran down her face as she took the hundreds of bobby pins out of her hair, laying them down on the sink with shaky fingers.

She had refused to look at herself in the mirror, knowing that she’d start crying right away.

She slid on a pair of matching pink silk PJ shorts and a tank top.

Neither said a word as she slid up next to him on the bed.

It didn’t surprise her that he didn’t even make love to her that night.

It took time, but eventually, he had gathered her in his arms, caressing the sides of her waist as she breathed against him.

Her lingerie was tucked away and left untouched in her suitcase.

They didn’t talk about it, and Ashlyn swallowed back heavy tears as he laid motionless without saying a word.

It took them hours to fall asleep that night.

Early that morning they took their flight out to Mykonos.

He held her hand the entire flight, occasionally giving her a small smile that never reached his pretty blue eyes.

A pair of eyes that ones use to shy but were now a pit of no emotions.

Ashlyn tried to hold back more tears as he laid his head against the window, staring down at the puffy clouds and not at her.

She regretted it- the nightly escapades -what she had done with men on her work trips, what she had sacrificed to give them.

Their future was now filled with materialist fortune because of her filthy mistakes, and she most importantly regretted what she had done with his father.

She wanted them to be okay.

She wanted him to love her the way he used to.

She sniffed slightly as her throat grew tight. She laid her head on his shoulder.

The heavyweight of her head made Bucky look down at his lap, closing his eyes tightly together.

He felt awful.

Sure, he didn’t want Ashlyn anymore, but something just didn’t sit well with him knowing what he did and Ashlyn knowing damn well that he was acting strange.

On their honeymoon, when they did talk they argued.

They had gone to a little restaurant in a bay area but barely spoke a word to each other.

The air was tense and his kisses only lingered like a tangent poison on her lips.

Every night he had woken up shaking and sweating. He always dreamed of you and your gorgeous smile.

He could hear you saying his name in his dreams, and he could feel the bones of your hips on his hands as he guided you to move above him.

Then, he would hear you tell him you loved him and he would start crying in his sleep.

They were never loud enough to wake Ashlyn up, but it was strong enough to make him stir and awaken.

They didn’t make love until the night before they flew out.

It had been spontaneous and Bucky had done it more out of anger and stress after he had seen something in a gift shop that reminded him of you.

He had whimpered against Ashlyn's mouth as he held her against the wall of their little bedroom. It was a small room, about thirty by forty feet because they had wanted the trip to be as authentic as possible.

His hands helped to wrap her legs around his waist and he grabbed her harshly, forcing his tongue down her throat.

He shoved her beneath him onto their bed as they ripped each other’s clothes off.

Next, he had taken her brutally against the mattress.

Afterward, Ashlyn had been stunned.

He had never fucked her that way before. It had been purely carnal, dirty.

She laid shaking that entire night.

He woke up again that dawn, having dreamed of you again.

He knew he needed help, he knew that the guilt was eating him alive and so was the sadness of losing you.

Four five months, their marriage has been silently suffering and grew complicated. The other wondered how long it would be before one of them said something to make or break it.

They moved into Bucky’s father’s penthouse shortly after.

It was beautiful. It wasn’t as big as Ashlyn would have expected, and Bucky also had sworn it used to be bigger when he used to live with his parents. It had an average size foyer that would lead into the living room. The wood flooring was light and contrasted beautifully with the white walls. To the right was a large window that occupied most of the wall, and to the far side was a decent sized kitchen with dark brown cabinetry. Down the hall was a guest bedroom and a powder room.

On the left side was a dining room and then to the corner glass stairs that led up to the upstairs area where there were three other bedrooms, one full bathroom and a master bathroom that connected to the master bedroom.

The mere thought that Bucky was now sleeping in the same bedroom that his now-dead parents used, made something creep up his spine - a cold and chilling feeling.

It didn’t help their marriage and it certain didn’t help with the other emotions he had felt.

They would eat dinner in silence and then they would have silent meaningless sex on their dinner table in a tangle of confusion and unspoken declarations.

It got to the point where Ashlyn had left for work every morning without even waiting for him anymore.

She would feel used and empty, the bruises on her hips nagging and mocking her for the rest of the day.

Ashlyn considered just asking Bucky what was going on.

She wanted to, but she was afraid.

It had been going on for five months.

It’s a Tuesday morning when Bucky was having breakfast by himself in the kitchen. He hears a knock on his door.

He looked up from his phone, where he had been reading today’s news.

He perks a brow, not expecting anyone to have been at his home at this time. He hadn’t even seen Steve since his wedding day, their little awkward encounter not yet having been addressed.

It was evident neither wanted to.

“Come in.” He said loudly through a mouth full of honey nut cheerios.

The big white door swung open.

Bucky was slightly scared at who the intruder was until he saw a big head of red pop out from behind the door.

A long sigh escapes his lips.

The beauty spins her head around and gives him a bright smile, closing the door behind her.

She perks a brow.

“You didn’t comb your hair today, I see.”

Bucky runs a quick hand through his hair as he swallows down the cereal.

“What gives? My house, I can do I want.” He mumbles swirling his spoon in his milk.

He peaks a teasing eye up at Nat and smirks.

“Yeah, I can see that.” She laughs.

“What’s up?”

“How are things with you and Ashlyn?”

Bucky stalls for a moment, swirling his milk one more time, before responding.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing, I’ve just noticed that you’ve been a bit different the last few months,” Nat states simply.

Bucky sighs, looking out towards the kitchen window and out into the city.

He gives into himself and sighs.

“It’s been better, Nat. Marriage isn’t as easy as we’d hope I guess.” He mumbles the end as he takes the bowl off the island and turns around to put it in the sink.

Nat sighs, “Yeah, I can imagine. Why do you think I haven’t gotten married yet?”

Bucky chuckles, “You’re right. You’re smart.”

There’s a small smile on his face when he says it as he spins back around, but Nat senses the pleading tone in his voice and both of them are quiet.

Nat eyes him up and down before she reaches into her bag.

Bucky narrows his eyes at her.

“Just know that if there’s anything you need, you can just ask me. If you need a friend, advice, anything. If you guys need any help-”

“Thanks, but we’re fine.” He cuts off curtly but not in a rude manner.

Nat ignores him and pulls out a white card and slides it across the table.

“Please don’t take this as an insult or me trying to pry or anything like that, because it’s none of my business. But I think this might help you both.”

Bucky takes the card.

Couple’s Therapist

Bruce Banner

34 6th Street

New York, NY

(212)***-****

Bucky looks at it for a second.

He contemplates it, really contemplates it, and he finds the gesture comforting and surprisingly sweet.

He bends the edge of it as he reads the name of the doctor repeatedly- over and over again.

“Thanks.”

Bucky could care less any longer about salvaging his wedding with Ashlyn. He should’ve known it was all an evil scheme for her since the beginning, so he was doing this for his own selfish needs.

Bucky wants nothing more than to rip his hand out of hers as they sit next to each other on the dark brown leather chairs. He hopes the good doctor doesn’t see right through his phony act.

Dr. Banner was soft-spoken and wore small glasses on the peak of his nose. He gave off a sweet soul that automatically piqued Bucky’s interest. From his first firm handshake, he knew that Banner would be someone he could trust.

Bruce gave the beautiful couple a small smile before sitting down directly in front of him.

The room smelled of aloe and mint, calming Ashlyn for the first time in a long time.

“Mr. And Mrs. Barnes please sit.”

“Thanks.” Both Bucky and Ashlyn said.

Bruce takes off his glasses and eyes the couple curiously.

“So let’s start by introducing ourselves. You just got married five months ago?”

“Yes. Sir.”

He lays his glasses down on the table in front of him.

“That’s very recent. I’m surprised.”

Ashlyn gives Bucky a side glance as Bucky continues to hold steady eye contact with Banner.

“Yes, we’ve had some issues in the past.”

Bucky’s jaw ticks.

Bruce notes this.

“Well, we’re going to discuss possible issues that maybe could’ve arisen and insecurities between the both of you. This will be a long process, but I will do in my best ability to help you both. We’re going to put all our walls down for this, do you understand? No secrets from me.”

Bucky swallows while Ashlyn nods. She looks once more at him and Bucky is still facing forward, jaw tight and tense.

“You see? He can’t even look at me.”

Bucky rolls his eyes.

“Do you not love me anymore?”

Bucky doesn’t respond.

“Do you want a divorce? We’ve been married for five months. You didn’t even have sex with me on our wedding night.”

Banner raises a comical brow at this.

“I can’t leave you.”

Bucky says fiercely. The silence that follows it is tense and questioning.

“So we need to make this work,” Ashlyn says, quickly letting go of his hand.

Their first session with Banner was an hour and five minutes long. It was the most the couple had talked to each other since their wedding day, and it solved absolutely nothing.

Dr. Banner sighed as he watched them walk away, not really knowing what the hell he was going to do with them.

He was just thankful that they were done screaming so he could take his small coffee break and read a bit.

Of course, that was cut short when he heard a small knock coming from his door.

“Yes?”

Bucky walks in slowly, a mischievous look in his eyes as he slowly closing the door behind him.

Banner raises a surprised brow at him.

“James? Something wrong?”

Bucky licks his lips nervously.

“N-no sir, I just…”

Well, this was interesting, Banner had to admit. He sits down on his desk, still keeping one foot on the floor.

He notices how upset and nervous Bucky is and it’s the first sign of emotion he had shown aside from anger all day. It intrigues the doctor.

“You can tell me.”

“If I ask to see you privately, as my therapist, would what me and you talk about be confidential?”

Bruce is silent for a second as he connects the dots. He notes Bucky’s fidgeting hands and his pleading eyes.

Something was killing the poor kid.

“Is there something you don’t want Ashlyn to know?”

“Yes.” It comes out in a whimper. His tone, begging.

“James, if whatever this has to do with your marriage, you should tell your wife. You're here to fix your relationship with her, but yet you want my help to help keep something hidden from her.”

Bucky is silent as he looks away, defeated. This stuns the doctor.

“You’re not here for your marriage.” Bruce says it like it’s not questionable, “you’re here for you.”

Bucky’s stance and tone become pleading as he steps closer to Banner.

“It has more to do with my health though. Look, I know it doesn’t make sense but I need help, please. I’ll pay you twice or ever three times as much. As much as you want. Please, doctor Banner.”

Bruce didn’t like this, but for some reason, he figured that maybe if he helped Bucky with his private issue, it could eventually fix the problem he had with his wife.

Maybe.

He regrets it a bit after he says it, but he does.

“Alright, I’ll help you.”

You had another episode last night and it was worse than usual.

You swore you could feel his soft hands on your hips as you moved on top of him.

You felt the whispers of his voice against your ears as he kept telling you he loved you, and it felt so real.

You were a ghost when you woke up, and your body robotic. The sun wasn’t up yet so you turned on your side lamp on your nightstand since it wasn’t too bright and wouldn’t hurt your eyes.

It took you a bit for you to come to your senses and for you to notice that you had gathered your personal belongings on your bed and that you were throwing things out.

Things that reminded you of Ashlyn. Pictures of when you were kids, T-shirts, gifts she had given you - everything.

Tears ran down your face as you skim your finger over one specific picture of you and your sister with your parents.

You sobbed and your sadness became anger as you continued to stare at her in the picture.

How dare she get the loving man, how dare he love her more than you…you were angry.

And you wanted to move on.

In a fury, you rip the pictures into tiny pieces until they’re scattered all over your bed.

Your breathing is shallow and heavy as you look at the mess you’ve made.

With a different kind of pain that you hadn’t felt in a long time, you bury your face in your hands and cry silently.

Everything around you was silent. The house was silent and so was the world outside.

You were alone.

Fifteen miles away sat Steve in his work office at Barnes Enterprises.

He had just put his two-week notice in and he couldn’t stop thinking about you.

He couldn’t stand to work for Bucky right now, not after the wedding night and not knowing anything about what was happening.

It distracted him too much and it made him upset.

He’d gotten a new job at a new company five blocks down. Steve had requested two weeks from his top guy so he didn’t even have to talk to Bucky directly to let him know he was leaving.

He was almost entirely packed except for some things that he still had to finish before he left.

It was early morning and he was finishing up one of his files when the image of you clouded his mind.

The image of you running out of his best friend’s wedding and crying haunted him.

He needed to find you.

That’s when he had stopped doing what he was doing and he pulled out his phone.

He found your name without thinking and clicked the little phone icon under your name.

Steve lets out a heavy breath as he brings his phone to his ear. With his other hand, he runs it through his hair and pulls slightly at the top.

ring.

ring.

Come on. Come on.  He says in his head as he bounces his left leg up and down. What was he even going to say?

The ring cuts off and he sucks in a breath-

“I’m sorry but the number you are trying to reach is no longer in service.”

His heart falls into the pit of his stomach.

In your room, you had somehow fallen asleep through all your crying, and your phone laid silent and untouched on your nightstand.

__

Chapter 20 |

@wxntersoldxer16​ @void-imaginations​ @heykarsyn​ @avashroom​ @sarcastic-and-cool​ @lunaticbarnes​ @benhardygalileo​ @wildmavs​ @runaway-escape​ @stevieboyharrington​ @kimvmarvel​ 

[365days365movies]

February 3, 2021: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

The year: 1986. A small new fictionation is founded as part of a disparate group of similar territories. Near to another civilization founded by Woody Allen (we’ll get to him later this month, whoof), a new settlement was founded by one Nora Ephron. It began with Heartburn, a rom-com starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. While it was somewhat successful, it wasn’t exactly a dynamo by any means. And that is when Nora met the future Empress of her fictonation.

Her name was Meg Ryan, and the film...was When Harry Met Sally.

Ephron only wrote this film, rather than direct it. But it didn’t matter, as this film was CRAZY successful (and I’ll be watching it later this month). Some years past, and both Ryan and Ephron rose in power. Ephron became a director, Ryan became a movie star, and the two pillars would reunite for greater things. And THAT is when the future Empress met her Emperor.

Enter Joe vs. the Volcano, where Meg Ryan...met Tom Hanks.

Now, was this movie amazing? No, not from what I’ve heard. But the two new co-stars apparently made an impression on Hollywood at this point, as their respective stars would only grow brighter. And so, when 1993 came along, the three pillars finally met, and ascended to their true roles as the rulers of a now united Holy Romance Empire. And that film...was Sleepless in Seattle.

Time to witness a nation RISE. SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap

We start where all romantic comedies should start: at a Chicago graveyard!

Architect Sam Baldwin’s (Tom Hanks) wife, Maggie, has sadly passed away, leaving Sam and their son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). Sam’s clearly broken, understandably, and he decides to move from Chicago in order to leave behind the bittersweet memories of his wife. And where he’s headed? You know where.

Jimmy Durante’s rendition of “As Time Goes By”

Jimmy Durante sings us in (I love this song, for the record), and we head not to Seattle, but to Baltimore, 18 months afterwards. There, reporter Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) is going to a Christmas party with her new fiancée, Walter Jackson (Bill Pullman), which is announced to great aplomb at the party. Her brother Dennis is played by Niles from Frasier (David Hyde Pierce), and I nearly spit out my sandwich.

That night, Annie’s mother gives her her old wedding dress, and have a VERY frank conversation about their sexual relationships. It is...awkward. Anyway, the dress tears, which Annie sees as a sign. In any case, she still seems happy...I think. On the way to Walter’s parents’ place, she tunes into a radio talk show, where a child is making a Christmas wish to the station.

This child is, of course, Jonah, calling on behalf of his father from Seattle. He tells the host, Dr. Marcia Fieldstone (Caroline Aaron), that his father is lonely after his wife’s death, and that he wishes he had a new wife. She convinces Jonah to put him on the phone, and while he’s reluctant to do so (understandably), he accepts. All the while, Annie’s listening, and seems to sympathize deeply with him and his sarcastic responses.

However, Sam begins to open up, and Dr. Fieldstone christens him “Sleepless in Seattle,” after the fact that he doesn’t sleep much at all these days. His story resonates with a number of people, Annie included. A few people call in to respond to him, and at the end of the call, he describes how much and why he misses his wife. And I gotta be honest, I’m with Annie here. It is...very moving.

Damn you, Tom Hanks, it’s only 20 minutes in, why are you already making me FEEEEEEL?

The next day, it’s a splash, and over 2,000 women call in in response to this. This is discounted by her co-worker and friend, Becky (Rosie O’Donnell). At the New Year’s party soon after, she and Walter make a date to meet in New York City, and register for their eventual wedding. Meanwhile, Sam tucks Jonah in to sleep, as Nat King Cole serenades us (I ALSO love Nat King Cole, real talk) and Sam stares at the fireworks off of his houseboat.

And, mentally haunted by the ghost of his wife, he’s seemingly literally haunted by the ghost of his wife, Maggie (Carey Lowell). The next morning, he goes to help a client, Barbara (Dana Ivey), and his co-worker Jay Matthews (Rob Reiner) with a house, and finds out that everybody knows who he is at this point. Additionally, Jonah also give the radio station their address, and MANY women are now soliciting Sam, including...his third-grade teacher. Ew. EW.

Sam and Jonah next have a talk about whether or not a prospective new wife would have sex with Sam, and I wonder if sexual conversations with your parents are supposed to be this common, or if I’m just crazy. Because me and my Dad? Nuh-uh. And no worries if your relationship with your folks is like this, but mine DEFINITELY IS NOT, lemme tell you.

Annie and Walter prepare for bed, and Ray Charles sings them to sleep, followed by Carly Simon talking about the wee small hours of the morning. During those hours, Annie gets up, also unable to sleep, and turns on the Dr. Marcia Fieldstone show. During the highlight reel for the show, Disappointed in Denver notes that:

Everytime I come close to orgasm, he goes and makes himself a sandwich.

...Wow. Um. Asshole? And then Marcia tells her to make a sandwich for him beforehand, WHICH IS NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. Anyway, Sam is also featured in that highlight reel, and Annie cries again as he talks about his wife, and it’s a disproportionately long excerpt compared to the others, what the hell? Marooned in Miami is DISAPPOINTED now.

Annie goes to meet her brother Niles (he’s basically Niles from Frasier, seriously) the next day, and explains that she’s fantasizing about Sam, a man she’s never even MET. She’s also feeling doubt about her upcoming marriage, which is...interesting. I’ll get to that later. In Seattle, meanwhile, Sam asks Jay what it’s like as a single man in Seattle, and they have a conversation about how cute Sam’s butt is. Nice.

Upon the realization that his 9-year old son is hanging out with more girls than he is (yeah, there’s a kid named Jessica hanging out with him when Sam gets home, it’s awkward), Sam’s back in the saddle again (as the song indicates; that said, goddamn is the music choice on the nose sometimes, seriously). He calls a woman named Victoria (Barbara Garrick), and asks her out on a date.

Annie’s watching the movie An Affair to Remember (lateeeeeer) at Becky’s, as she’s lamenting her fixation on Sam, while also struggling to fully understand how she feels about Walter. Becky RIGHTFULLY accuses her of believing in Hollywood, movie love, which is demonstrated by Annie’s meaningless platitudes about her supposed love for Walter. This is while she’s writing a letter to Sam, then aborts it when she realizes what she’s doing. She sits on the couch with Becky, they mouth the words together in the movie, and they cry while I laugh, because that was funny.

Things aren’t as jovial for Sam and Jonah, as Jonah’s had a nightmare, and the two reminisce over missing their mother. Sam notes that Maggie could peel an apple in one long...curly...strip. You mean...like Annie was doing earlier? I see what you did there, movie. I see what you did there. As if to compound their invisible connection, both of them sit on a dock, staring into two separate oceans at night.

Sam proceeds to write a story for the paper on “Sleepless in Seattle,” and through some...mildly creepy personal invasion, she finds his address in Seattle, and a hell of a lot more personal information. Like I said, it’s a little creepy. Sam, meanwhile, is going on a date with Victoria, when Jonah opens a letter...from Annie.

Annie. What’re you doin’?

Jonah appears to IMMEDIATELY ship the two, but Sam quotes the coast-to-coast distance as being a bit too much, and goes on the date with Victoria. While on the date, Jonah tries to hook Sam up with Annie by getting him to agree to take them to New York City on Valentine’s Day. Damn, Jonah, you lookin’ to escape a whale, because you are BUILDING A GODDAMN SHIP

Victoria, a woman with an amazingly obnoxious laugh, does not rub off well on Jonah, or me, or my girlfriend. I’m really hoping that somehow, in SOME WAY, Victoria and Walter get together. He’s boring, she’s obnoxious, who knows? They might like each other. My ship...is being built.

Jonah, meanwhile, is TAKING THE FUCKING WHEEL of this ship. He calls the radio station once again, and Annie is alerted to this by Becky. She wakes up, punching Walter in the process (dude gets HURT), and goes downstairs to listen. Jonah’s telling the station that Victoria SUUUUUCKS, and straight up calls her “a ho.” He hangs up abruptly, and screams to stop his father from kissing Victoria. Annie, meanwhile, listens to this in the closet for some reason.

The next day, Jonah’s friend, Jessica, tells Jonah to send a letter to Annie on his father’s behalf. Meanwhile, Annie flies to Seattle in the guise of doing a story, when she’s actually going to try and meet Sam. Victoria, meanwhile, is leaving from the airport, where Sam and Jonah are seeing her off. Victoria basically implies that she’d like to ditch the kid and go fuck someplace sometime, which might FINALLY rub Sam the wrong way.

Sam talks to Jonah about the fact that he’s dating Victoria, not marrying her, and that she might not be the one for him. He also says that there’s no such thing as soul- 

-mates.

Yeah, they actually did just do that. Sam loses Annie at the airport, after immediately chasing after her. They’re perfect for each other, as Annie goes RIGHT to Sam’s houseboat address. She hangs around the neighborhood, and sees them having fun on the beach together as Harry Connick Jr. plays in the background. That night, she confides in Becky about her guilt in lying to Walter.

And if I can just say this...yeah, THAT isn’t great. I get that there’s some cinematic paegentry to the whole thing, but, like...tell your FIANCEE about your FEELINGS. It’s hard, yeah, duh, but YOU GOTTA DO IT. You most certainly owe it to Walter. At least she appears to know it, though.

Annie at the hotel

The next day, Annie goes once again to weirdly spy on Jonah, and sees him hug a woman very happily, and of course believes that that’s Victoria. However, this is his friend, Suzy (Rita Wilson), who’s visiting with her husband, Greg (Victor Garber). In any case, this leads to Sam and Annie seeing each other for the first time. He says hello. She says hello. Then she almost gets hit by a taxi, and she IMMEDIATELY flies back home WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUH

We find this out later, but the taxi and the fact that all she could say was “Hello” is actually all a reference to the film seen earlier, An Affair to Remember (again, later this month). This is also part of the repeating motif that this film has: signs. Y’know, the kind of “IT’S A SIGN” thing. However, the real twist here is that the signs are the ones that they can’t see. Like the apple and the hello thing. Not yet, anyway.

Also, dear lord, An Affair to Remember is just making EVERY woman in the film cry, even when they’re TALKING about it. And every time, the men just look at each other like “WOMEN, with their EMOTIONS and their VAGOOOOOOS.” Jesus, ‘90s movies. Even JESSICA (Gaby Hoffman), Jonah’s friend, the LITTLE GIRL, is crying at this movie. JESUS, I’m really interested in seeing this movie now.

Jessica and Jonah start conspiring on how to get to New York to meet Annie, and do so by FAKING AIRLINE TICKETS OK THEN. Meanwhile, Annie’s given up on the whole “Sleepless in Seattle” thing, and goes to meet Walter for their Valentine’s date in NYC. Walter rightfully comments that Annie’s seemed distant, and here’s the thing: Walter deserves better than this. Yeah, he’s BORING AS SHIT, but the dude’s committed to her, and she’s amazingly flaky in comparison. I dunno, maybe it’s because it’s Bill Pullman, but I feel bad for him.

Anyway, in New York, the two begin to rekindle their relationship, and Walter gets a ring for her at FUCKING TIFFANY’S HOLY SHIT. Meanwhile, Sam’s THIRSTY AS FUUUUUUUCK, and is leaving to spend the weekend with Victoria, which Jonah is NOT a fan of. This ship is gonna SAIL if JONAH HAS TO FLY TO NEW YORK CITY HIMSELF

So, Jonah flies to New York City himself, in order to...meet his new mother. This movie has some VERY interesting issues, Jesus. Jonah does, indeed go to the top of the Empire State Building to look for Annie, and he asks all the girls on the Observation Deck if they’re Annie. Which, of course, none of them are. Why?

Annie’s at dinner, that’s why, and at the FUCKING RAINBOW ROOM DEAR LORD HOW MUCH MONEY DOES WALTER MAKE? Sam also makes his way to New York, probably to DESTROY HIS CHILD

And at dinner, Annie actually redeems herself by telling Walter the ENTIRE TRUTH about her feelings, and about “Sleepless in Seattle.” And Walter is a CLASSY-ASS GUY ABOUT THE ENTIRE THING, and the two break off their engagement amicably. Annie says that she doesn’t deserve Walter, and BY GOD SHE’S RIGHT. Walter’s a sweet dude. And as soon as they break up...a sign.

Sam finds Jonah on the Observation Deck, and the two tearfully reunite. And as they two unite, and everybody else leaves the Observation Deck as it closes for the night, Annie rushes on her way there. An Affair to Remember is invoked one last time, as Annie convinces the guard to let her up there. But, OF GODDAMN COURSE...she goes up in one elevator, and Sam and Jonah head down in another.

But wait. Isn’t that Jonah’s backpack on the ground of the Observation Deck? 

Yup. THERE’S the happy ending we’re lookin’ for. They finally formally introduce each other, and Sam says that they’d better leave...ALL of them, together. Love at first sight. PLAY US OUT JIMMY DURANTE!!!! And yeah, I know that Celine Dion sings the end credits song, but NOPE! TAKE ME AWAY, JIMMY! MAKE ME HAPPY!

And that was Sleepless in Seattle! And again, I liked it! I’ll get more into it during the Review!

[soundofseventeen]

Under the Umbrella (Kim Mingyu)

Alright y’all...you have my full permission to condemn me for never being on. I meant to have this posted like two weeks ago, but moving is hectic. Anyways, a happy late birthday to @notprincesscharming and @mingyulonglegs and I hope y’all like this! -Bee

Word count: 4962

“Y/N, don’t forget the umbrella,” Joshua called from the kitchen. “The news said it was actually gonna rain today.” He came into the living room, holding a bowl of popcorn, calmly sticking them into his mouth one by one. He eyed your casual attire, wondering if you’d be able to make it without getting wet.

You shook your head as if reading his mind. “They’ve been saying that since...forever ago and it’s been nothing but hot weather. I’ll live.” You sighed when your roommate shook his head at you, and went back to find said umbrella and came back out with a small huff and he nodded approvingly. You had just opened the door, stepping outside and only stopping when you remembered. “Do you need anything?”

“The will to live might be nice! I’m ready to drop out or get hit by a bus….I’m fine with either option at this point.” He flashed you his famous devil may care grin. “Anything will be better than this torture.”

You pulled out all the won in your pocket and waved it at him. “Sorry pal; the best I can do is an energy drink and maybe some ramen if you’re lucky.”

“I can live with that. Make sure it’s not that low carb shit though! Last time, I had a crash so bad that I slept for two days.” The engagement ring on his finger reflected against the sun and it shone on your face, making you turn away with a grimace. The wedding was a week away and you couldn’t believe how soon so many things that’d change. At least you knew that this would always be intact.

“You take what you get and you don’t complain!” You laughed and closed the door, ready to head to town for the week’s groceries since Joshua would be doing the cooking for a few more days. The sky was blue but a hint of the gray clouds colored around it. Rain had been in the forecast for sometime but it had yet to fall and you knew once it happened, the last traces of the humid weather would disappear for the remainder of the year and the cold would take its place.

Normally, you’d be thrilled to bring out your sweaters and blankets and parade down the streets in your favorite boots but lately you couldn’t find yourself to move past the summer or the adventures it brought. You could still taste the watermelon when you speared it with a toothpick and ate it while you waited in the laundromat for the washer to finish its last spin cycle and you could hear the songs playing on the radio while you roasted marshmallows and swatted the pesky mosquitoes while the campfire crackled happily with the attention. And you could smell the sunblock as you rubbed it on your skin even though you didn’t plan on leaving the shade. These memories you couldn’t let go of just yet and you hoped it could stay like that just a little longer until you could accept it. Especially when those expressive brown eyes and warm smiles that lit your soul from the inside out seemed dedicated to searing themselves deeper and deeper into your heart until a permanent mark took its place. You dusted the nonexistent dog hair off your shirt, hoping to shake it off.

The grocery shopping didn’t take as long as you expected it to, so you took the long way home, picking up a few extra things on the way back, even cutting your roommate some slack and picking up some takeout so he wouldn’t dirty the kitchen you spent a long time cleaning up. You didn’t enjoy the hot breeze that hit your face but it still hinted at the summer weather and for that, you were grateful. You walked past a popular restaurant, pausing when you recognized Minghao and nearly waved at him until you saw that he wasn’t alone. Your breath got caught in your throat and you struggled to get it out, your lungs failing you. Your hands trembled a little at the sight and it took all your power not to drop all the items in your hand and turn around. Minghao saw you and he waved, but you couldn’t. You merely walked past the window, not bothering to turn back until you were sure you wouldn’t see either of them. You faked a smile and a good mood for Joshua (which he bought, bless his soul) as you chatted (or rather gloated at how you were right and you didn’t need the umbrella) at the table and when you went outside to take the trash out, you looked at the evening sky once more.

Not a hint of rain.

*

The relationship you had hadn’t always been this way and you didn’t think you’d even make it as far as it did. You and Joshua had agreed to travel abroad together to experience a life outside of your home while you continued your studies, deciding that you needed a culture shock at least once in your life. You lucked out when you moved somewhere you could still speak English but the same couldn’t be said for others. That’s how Joshua met Kim Mingyu when they became roommates for a year.

Mingyu was someone who understood the basics of English but often had trouble communicating so the pair became fast friends because Joshua spoke Korean almost as well as Mingyu. It’s not that you didn’t have an interest in getting to know him, but you stayed in your dorm a lot, often studying and refusing to leave the place when your social anxiety kicked in, especially when it felt like you couldn’t relate to your own roommate. But when you started spending more time in their dorms, it seemed inevitable to befriend him as well.

He piqued your interest when you saw the photographs hanging all over the place and how good they looked even if he wasn’t a professional. He took a lot of candid pictures Joshua and many other boys you recognized both in your class and around the campus, and you noticed the captions on the back, writing the dates and the activities and the food stains that contrasted against the whiteness of the Polaroid he sometimes used. You were confused when you saw yourself in some of the background photos because you couldn’t remember Mingyu ever taking out a camera in your presence. It surprised you even more when you found out it was more of a hobby than a passion for him.

You weren’t sure what sparked the movement but you just knew that one day he was your best friend’s roommate and the next, he showed you his private world that included bass playing and poetry slams his other friends helped him write. He left after a couple of semesters due to him still being undecided in his major, but exchanged social media to keep in touch with each other’s lives. He was a great friend and even though it hadn’t been meant to have him around for a long time, you were satisfied in knowing you could watch him grow and cheer for him from afar. After all, it was a big wide world and you didn’t expect to cross paths with him again, not when he was destined for great things and his lack of posts on his social media proved it.

Over the school years, you and Joshua hopped around from university to university and meeting new people and being introduced to new things. You two dated around, although no serious commitments ever came out out of that, which sometimes bothered you because of the pressure to find someone hit you out of nowhere but Joshua often encouraged you to shrug it off and have fun. You wanted something serious but also your wanderlust always won in the end and you knew finding someone who was okay with you seeing parts of the world with your best friend was nearly impossible.

Your luck seemed to change when you arrived in South Korea. Tired of always asking your parents to transfer money into your bank account, you obtained a work visa to provide for your necessities and Joshua followed suit. You finally managed to move out of the dorms and into your own apartment with him as your roommate. Granted, you struggled in the beginning but anywhere seemed like a better option than sharing a place with someone you didn’t know.

It didn’t surprise you when Joshua casually announced he was going on a date one night you were doing calculus but you wondered why it had taken so long. When the first date turned into a second and then a third, you felt lonely because he didn’t stay home as much, even though he tried not make you feel left out and you appreciated that. However, you knew that you couldn’t hold onto him forever, especially because he seemed serious about this one. So you sucked it up and let Joshua be, keeping your emotions to a minimum.

One day, while at the hardware store, you were browsing the aisles, looking for the paint section because the living room needed a new coat when you saw a familiar face. He stuck out like a sore thumb even after not seeing him in a few years. Kim Mingyu carefully balanced the bird feeders in his arms and when he struggled to hold onto them, you found yourself running to help when one nearly toppled to the floor. His eyes widened when he saw you but he treated you like an old friend as he chatted away about the old lady near his house who was too old to replace her old ones and your paint was long forgotten. Just before he left, he said it had been good to see you again and it was a small world to wind up there of all places. You left home with a good mood at seeing him even though you exchanged nothing except a small catchup on your lives.

A month later, you found out you worked next door to each other when you had gone out for lunch and you saw him leave a local clinic for his own lunch. He called your name, flashed you a smile and waved you down, heading in opposite directions and all, and you ended up eating at a Japanese restaurant he swore was the best in the area. From there, not only did you try to time your lunch breaks to at least see him, but you finally managed to get his phone number although you quickly realized he was busy outside of work too. He had hobbies that included building cabinets and desks and painting them, and often checked in with the ajumma in exchange for learning her recipes. (He said it was good for future résumés.) He had switched to online courses so he’d have more time to do things so whenever you saw him during the lunch hours you couldn’t meet up, you’d see him with a laptop stuck to his face as he typed away.

The first time he asked you to hang out with him after work happened at the last minute. With work being slow, you were allowed a couple of hours earlier than usual when he had walked out, his phone wedged between his shoulder and his ear as he locked up, assuring someone it’d be okay. He had spotted you the moment he hung up and asked if you were busy. When you told him no, he apologized for asking you last minute but he had planned to go to a concert with his friend Seungcheol, but his sister had broken her arm and they were currently at the hospital and if you’d like to go. You thought about it a moment, quickly weighing out the pros and cons, and agreed. You texted him your address and he promised to pick you up within 30 minutes. Joshua wasn’t there so you wrote him a note not to wait up for you and that you had your keys in case you arrived later than planned and Mingyu whisked you away for the afternoon.

You two hit it off and before you knew it, he became part of your everyday life and you managed to balance school, work, home and now him. He began calling you weekly to see if you’d like to accompany him to do laundry late at night and most of the time, you said yes. Though most of the time he worked on his assignments, he made sure to bring the seasonal fruit in a container for you two to snack on until you complained you were hungry and he dashed to the McDonald’s across the street for a last minute meal. He invited you to a lot of other places that recommended or required a plus one and you went along with him whenever time allowed.

It took you a lot longer that you wanted to admit that he was someone who couldn’t be alone. Most of his personality trait revolved around the fact that he needed constant companionship and it wasn’t a bad thing but when you asked him about it he shrugged and said he liked being around people. But he did, however, invite you to an animal shelter and he rescued a pup that he fell in love with immediately. And then you figured out he liked helping others, felt a sense of responsibility and pride when he looked after people, and when you brought it up to him another night, he gripped the insect repellent little too tightly which made it slip from his hands and fall with a dusty crash next to Aji who woke up scared from her nap. He never thought of it like that and with a shy smile, he placed his hand on your knee and explained his dream to become a nurse to feel that sense of belonging in the world while Ed Sheehan sang contentedly in the background.

Joshua met him again and the two often made plans to hang out when their schedules lined up. Apparently they had a ton of mutual friends and they spent a lot of time together, often making a party out of study dates. You didn’t accompany them those times, instead taking advantage of the peace and quiet to catch up on your work, sleep or latest Netflix binge until your roommate came back.

Joshua noticed the sparkle in your eye whenever he saw you with Mingyu or whenever Mingyu stopped by, but he never said anything in fear of you denying it and pushing Mingyu away because it had happened in the past with a few others. However, he knew it wasn’t his business to interfere with your love life so he let you be, watching you slowly fall in love Mingyu, but also wondering if you’d ever make your move. He could tell that while watching Mingyu spraying your back with the sunblock and begging you to join him for a swim, he’d be your one that got away and he remained unsure if you’d be able to bounce back from that. That was one heartbreak Joshua would not know how to handle.

You swore you could never do that, but it was dusk and you saw him fiddling with the bass trying to keep the somber timbre between Hansol and Wonwoo rapping about hope despite the hopelessness they painted and you could feel Joshua wrapping his fingers around your hand as he let their words of affirmation sink in. You squeezed his hand back in reassurance, his breakdown still fresh in your minds and only let it go when you stood up to give Mingyu his well deserved standing ovation and you realized just how far you fell into the rabbit hole. He met your gaze bashfully and looked away just as quickly, a rare thing for someone as confident as Kim Mingyu. You threw a stray flower in his direction, to which he caught by the pink petal and fumbled out a meek, “thank you,” and walked offstage before anymore attention would be on him.

He might have not been the brightest crayon in the box, with the way he’d suddenly exclaim at a bruise he barely noticed while you talked about the possibility of failing one of your classes or whenever he called you in the middle of the night when you were dead asleep and asked if you wanted to go have dinner because he had just finished building the ajuma’s house for her blue jays (but you rejected those offers most of the time). Rather, it was the way he talked a hundred words a minute when it came down to him teaching Aji a new trick to when he raved about how Soonyoung was his favorite person for giving him extra guacamole so he wouldn’t have to ask for more. And your favorite times were when he’d swipe his eyes happily when he told you about the recovering drug addicts and alcoholics and how long they had stayed sober.

Just like that, you could feel the ache in your chest because you were just one of many of Mingyu’s admirers. He treated you the way he treated everyone else: with common courtesy and basic respect. You could easily find him having a meal with one of his coworkers while on break the same way you knew his everyday hobbies that included people. You didn’t let it get to you; just being his friend was more than enough. You merely smiled when it was your turn to spend time with him, feeling like the luckiest person walking the planet because you had been blessed with an angel...with respects to Jeonghan of course.

You kept him close, often letting him fall asleep during a movie when he overworked himself, and turning the air conditioner on as low as it could go because he radiated more body heat than you ever could and then covering yourselves with a blanket so he wouldn’t get cold and helping him make dinner when he didn’t have enough to go out and pretending you were in a relationship, because when he’d pick up whatever he was cooking with his chopsticks, and blowing on it so he could feed it to you and get your opinion, you couldn’t help but feel how domestic it was, especially if you managed to get sauce on your face somewhere and he’d clean it off with a napkin.

And then somewhere between your own mental breakdown from stressing out over everything and Joshua one day telling you he’s getting married, Mingyu also dropped the news he’d be leaving at the end of the month to Japan to pursue a cooking career which turned your life upside down and you went out of your way to shut him out so the goodbye could be easier. It worked some days, like when you agreed to open or close at work so you wouldn’t bump into him and joining a couple of study groups so you wouldn’t outright fail your classes and even accompanied Joshua to see the caterers that interested him the most. You’d be so tired at night, Mingyu wouldn’t even cross your mind as your head hit the pillow and your eyes closed involuntarily and you brought your blanket as close to your face as you could. And some days, it felt impossible because a piece of Mingyu always seemed to be everywhere: the grocery store, the gym you passed by on your way home, the park and you could recall the details, even the insignificant ones like Mingyu tying tying his shoe and jumping in surprise at the bee that flew in his face, mistaking him for a flower. (Could you blame the bee though? He bloomed fully with the light in his eyes and the clean smell from all the soaps and detergents and fabric softener he threw in the washer, and how beautiful he was to marvel at. You would’ve done the same thing.)

The leaves finally started changing their colors, the department stores breaking out the scarves for the cold weather, the coffee shops with their infamous pumpkin spiced everything, and the night crept in earlier with each passing day and yet, the warm weather remained as if not quite letting you let go of Mingyu either.

And even when the first day of autumn officially arrived with promises of rain in the forecast, you still sighed heavily and wondered when the summer would be over for you.

*

“Don’t wait up for me,” Joshua said on the other end of the line. “We’re still looking for homes and the person who owns the venue might be late.”

“You have three days until your wedding and-never mind. Be careful both of you. You have your key, right? Okay, yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow.” You hung up and immediately went to your room to pick up the (overdue) library books as well as the ones neatly stacked up on the kitchen counter. You were thankful that the librarian working today was familiar with you and wouldn’t charge you the late fees and for that you were grateful.

This particular day brought the time of firsts. You woke up in the morning feeling well rested and okay, and when you opened your window, a cool breeze greeted you. You even checked the weather app, and for the first time in a long time, there was no rain scheduled in the forecast. With that, you burst into a sleeping Joshua’s room and announced the good news, and running out to search for your favorite slipper socks and blanket for the special occasion. You didn’t work and you had finally caught up in most of your classes so as a reward, you binge watched all your favorite movies with your roommate until he had to get ready for the final wedding preparations and hopefully find a place to live. He asked you to come with him, especially because the temperature rose and he found it difficult not to laugh at you for getting carried away but you declined, savoring the day until reality kicked in again. That happened sooner than expected when you saw your books and cursed yourself and gave in, switching out of your pajamas for a pair of shorts.

Chan snickered at you when you sheepishly handed him the books, and as part of the deal, handed him his favorite packet of gum in exchange for the override and after picking out new reads, saw you off with a sarcastic yet happy, “See you next time!” and stuck a stick of spearmint gum in his mouth and blew a bubble.

You hadn’t even been inside long but when you stepped out, you noticed the sky had turned a dark gray color. The cold air picked at your skin and you rubbed your hands up and down along your arms to keep warm. It wasn’t a long walk but you didn’t know if you’d be able to handle it. You stopped long enough to put the books into your backpack when you felt the raindrops...and you groaned. The one time you didn’t bring your umbrella and this happened. And you hated the meteorologist in charge of the Seoul weather for not doing their job properly. It fell long and hard with the pent up energy of not doing it sooner.

You had yet to get up but you didn’t have the strength to, feeling overwhelmed as if you had just experienced a betrayal. You were supposed to enjoy the change in climate, not suffocate in it. And just like that, it stopped…but not really. It still fell around you, but it wasn’t pelting you like before. You looked up to see none other than the Kim Mingyu shielding you and himself from the rain. He offered his hand to you, and you hesitantly took it as you stood up.

“What are you doing out here dressed like that? You’re gonna get sick.”

“I didn’t know it was gonna rain. I...had to turn in some books and got some new ones.”

“Doesn’t Joshua hyung take care of you?” The tone he used surprised you. It sounded bitter, almost angry even.

“Joshua had some stuff to do for the wedding,” you mumbled, staring at the wet ground. You didn’t doubt that a few minutes, it’d be pooling at your ankles and you knew that you had to leave. Fast.

“Oh.” He stayed quiet for a moment, but not making an effort to move. “I haven’t seen him lately but please tell him I’m sorry that I’m not gonna be able to attend the ceremony.”

“Mingyu-” You were at a loss for words. “He’s one of your best friends. You need to be there.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’d…” He struggled to say thoughts out, only to fail and choke on them. “I can’t go. He’s one lucky guy.”

You nodded. “I agree. It’s what he’s wanted.”

“Is it what you want though?” He asked.

“Huh?” You looked up at him in confusion. His eyes, often telling the stories of his emotions, stared at you intensely, and you wondered if for a moment, he could see the inside of your soul.

“Does he make you happy?”

“Well, yeah. Mingyu, he’s my best friend-”

“Do you know that he’s cheating on you?”

“What?”

“While you’re over here, probably coming down with a cold, he’s out with someone else. I saw them earlier. They were laughing and holding hands and kissing I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but I can’t come to your wedding knowing that he’s gonna hurt you later in life and-”

And you laughed. So hard you cried and with those tears came all the emotions you’ve been repressing and you cried for everything and he held you with the arm that wasn’t holding the umbrella. “Mingyu…” you had to catch your breath before you could speak properly. “Mingyu, I’m not marrying Joshua.”

“Oh thank God you’ve come to your senses.”

“Mingyu, I never was. I could never, not even for all the money in the world. I love him, I really do, but not like that. Don’t you know that by now?”

“But you guys...are always doing things together...I heard you once when he called you about the flavor of cake you wanted...and how you’re always showing up everywhere together....”

“Mingyu, we’re roommates and friends. It has never gone beyond the platonic level.” Except for one drunken kiss you shared a long time ago, but it was a dare. You had witnesses. “We do a lot of things because it’s convenient for us too.” You took his hand and wrapped your pinkie around his. “He’s happy and I’m happy just the way we are.”

“So you’re not in love with him?” He wiped the last of your tears with his sleeve, looking hopeful.

“No...just you.” You dropped your gaze, not wanting to see his reaction, but wating to hear the rejection.

With that, he dropped the umbrella and took your face in his hands, not caring about getting wet. “You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to hear you say that.” He pressed his forehead to yours. “I thought, I thought-”

“It’s just you,” you assured him. “It’s always been you, I guess. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something as much as this.”

He finally closed the distance between you, enveloping you in a kiss with so much love, it left you breathless. “Let’s go home.”

*

Mingyu laughed as you stepped on him again but didn’t say anything. Since the band played at the reception, he hadn’t let you take a break and while you had gotten a little better, you still had a ways to improve. He kissed your cheek at the effort, and finally cut you some slack and returned to the table, holding your hand proudly the whole time.

The room was alive with music, the laughter and squeals of the children as they ran across the floor, some of them bumping into the dancers, the compliments of the place and the critiques of those family members who wouldn’t have been pleased even if the venue was made of gold, and still you looked around at everyone, the face of the married man who was still gonna be your best friend, to his friends and their dates, smiling at Vernon and his love, just because you knew their history and how his love denied they were together, even though you could see the Hansol’s ring around the neck, loud and clear for the public to see. (You could hear the conversation despite the noise. “I’m gonna smack you right now. Just walk away while you have a chance.”

“You need to let go of my hand first.”

“I’ll do no such thing.”

“Sucks. ‘Bye.”

“Chwe Hansol, come back and give me attention. I’m not done holding your hand.”)

As Joshua clinked his glass to get everyone’s attention, he caught your eye and smiled at you. He stated his speech about his move with you and even though many things had changed, things were relatively the same as well. He was uncertain about his future but one thing remained clear: with his love, he could face anything.

And you looked at Mingyu again, staring at you with a smile on his face, and you kissed him softly. Because as long as you had him, the world could hurl whatever it wanted at you.

[kashimos-hajime]

aphrodite | b.b.

Summary: Bucky’s only in town for the night, and then he meets the woman who steals his heart without a second look back. Unfortunately for you, the small town girl, Bucky’s more than your heart can take.

WARNINGS: CUTE ASS FLUFF! for once, Bucky’s a little shit, unsafe motorcycle riding, pls ride with a helmet, and mentions of sex but like it ain’t that explicit, also sad ending but perhaps a pt 2? Pairing: badboy!Bucky x fem!waitress!Reader Word Count: 6.2k A/N: So I was inspired by Shawn and Camilla’s new song (Señorita) and the music video so I decided it was time to get saucy. Also, I say DEDICATE FICS TO WRITERS YOU LOVE RIGHTS. Therefore, this is dedicated to @jurassicbarnes bc i love her Masterlist

“That’ll be all for you?” you ask, scribbling down the last order of milkshake and fries for a family of three. Tapping your pen on your notepad, you put on a smile and slide the two items into your apron pocket, scooping up the menus. “Great. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Y/N,” the man responds, and you let the grip on your pen slack.

“No problem, and if you need anything,” you stress the word, “please give me a call?”

“We will,” the woman assures and your eyes flicker over to her. Your lips press together in a warm smile because they don’t want your pity. Instead, you look out the windows and note the rain thundering outside the little bistro. “Hot summer rains, huh.”

“Yeah. It’s gonna be a wet summer this year.”

“More fun for the little one,” you tell them as you wave at the tiny boy sitting in the woman’s lap. They chuckle before you leave them alone. Your eyes linger on the rain. You want to run out and let it fall all over you, soaking you to the skin, but you still have to work. Remembering that, you head for the kitchen and rip off the new order, hooking it on the line for Wanda.

“We’ve got a new order. Family of three with a little boy,” you tell her, leaning over the counter. Business is slow in your tiny town of yours, and everyone knows everyone. “It’s Ben and May Parker,” you clarify when Wanda arches a brow at you while she works. She’s great at micro-managing and you watch in amazement as she juggles the deep fryer, stove, and oven all at once, “with Peter.” You can see Wanda’s movements slow as the information sinks in. The two of you share a look and you just stare back until Wanda remembers she can’t let anything burn.

“I’ll make something special for them,” the woman decides and you shake your head with a smile. “I know what May will say, but tell her it’s from me.”

“She’ll know,” you promise, straightening up again. You still have an hour left in your shift, so you might as well make it your best one yet. Fixing your apron, you tuck a slip of hair behind your ear and glance around. No one needs your attention, but you do spot dirty plates, so you head over to collect them before heading back to scrub them up. Less work for Wanda means you guys can close up shop early. Slipping your name tag into your apron pocket lest it fall down the drain and you lose it forever — it’s happened before — you dunk the dirty dishes into the half of the sink full of soapy water.

You begin to run the tap just as the bell above the door rings up front. Sighing, you head out to see a lone figure heading to one of the booths, dripping all over your floor from the rain and your lips twist into a small scowl. Slipping hazard.

Still, it’s not their fault it’s raining in the summer. It’s just the weather around here. So you head on over there, your friendly smile coming up on your face on its own accord. You grab a menu on the way, and think happy thoughts.

“Hi. Do you want me to get you started on anything to drink?” you ask as standard but you find your words come out thick when the figure turns to look at you. Through drenched brunet strands of hair that stick to his cheeks and jaw, blue eyes pierce into your soul and you swallow, not knowing what else to do besides that and blink repeatedly, absorbing this gorgeous guy in front of you. 

As you said, tiny town where everyone knows everyone and you certainly don’t know this guy.

He seems to have a lost for words, too, or maybe he’s just wondering what the hell is wrong with you. But one thing you know for sure, he recovers first. He tears his gaze away and you notice he’s wearing leather gloves which he pulls off to reveal those hands and you try not to stare as he tosses them onto the table before extending a hand up. He has a cute smile and you stare at him dumbly, not understanding.

“I, uh, I need the menu, doll,” he says and you snap out of it.

“Right! Right. Sorry,” you stammer, giving him the menu you’d been hugging to your chest as soon as you lay eyes on him. Heat pools in your cheeks as you try to get through the gist of the weekly special and that he should tell you when you’re ready to order. He scans the menu, listening to you talk with a slight cock of his head and you try not to focus on the fact that this is really how you’re going to get fired. Embarrassing myself in front of the new hot guy. Figures. His fingers trace over the words and you can’t help staring at the strength you can see in them. 

“Just let me know when you’re ready to order,” you manage to get out at last and he looks up at you. There his smile is again, and his blue eyes squint along with it. He rakes a hand through his wet hair, pulling it back and you chuckle nervously. “I can get you a towel or something, if you want.”

“That’d be nice,” he admits, wiping his hand on his pants. Setting down the menu flat on the table, he holds out a hand that’s not rain-wet. “I’m Bucky.”

“Bucky, right.” You slip his hand into his and nearly shiver at how warm he is. His blue eyes pull you in like a hypnotic mist and your breath catches in your throat. “Bucky, okay, uh, right. Just let me know when you’re done with that—” You point at the menu, cringing internally at how you’ve suddenly lost all your communication skills— “and I’ll come take your order.”

“You said that already. Three times, actually.” And then he lets go with that smirk of his and you’re left dazed, blinking.

“Right. Um…” You’re a complete mess, looking down at yourself. You realize you don’t look at all your best, in a day-old uniform with barely any makeup and your hair oily, and compared to him, all black leather and blue eyes, you know this is not the best way to make a first impression. “Towel! I’ll be back, and, uh, just let me know when you’re ready to order.”

Exiting the situation as quick as you can before you can repeat yourself a fourth time, you duck your head to hide your red face as you hear him call after you.

“Thanks, doll!”

You give him his towel, his food, a milkshake and a refill. Then, you refund all favours you’ve ever done for Wanda for her to go and give him the bill while you clean the kitchen. You’re closing up shop now, and the Parkers head out, giving you a wave through the kitchen window. You wave back before pretending to busy yourself, knowing that his eyes are on you.

When Wanda comes back, he gets up and flips the collar of his jacket, tiny droplets of water spraying over as he tries to catch your gaze. Heat is rushing to your head and you turn away, pretending that you aren’t trying to sneak peaks of him out of the corner of your eye.

I need to take inventory, you tell yourself, heading to the back as Wanda deposits the money. Counting the stock of potatoes, you can’t focus and start from one every three seconds as you stare at the tubers.

“Y/N,” Wanda calls softly and you blink, turning to see her at the doorway of the storage closet, “how many potatoes do we have?”

“Uhm.” You turn back to the potatoes, trying to see if you can make a quick count as Wanda walks in, placing a hand on your shoulder. You’re busted.

“The guy out there wanted to know where my beautiful friend went,” she tells you, and you duck your head, that flustered feeling knotting up your chest as you try to stammer out something like you were busy. But it’s Wanda. “He wanted to ask you out on a date, but I told him my beautiful friend is busy tonight.”

“Busy?” you repeat, turning to Wanda who smiles. “Where are we going?”

“Clubbing.” 

.

Bucky drums his fingers on the bar counter, taking a pull of his whiskey. He had needed to stop in the new town to rest before he headed over to Barton’s country-side home for the wedding, but the bistro he’d stopped by prompted an extra few nights stay. 

It wasn’t the bistro so much as the waitress who’d served him. Bucky knows how to keep his cool around the ladies, but to say he hadn’t been momentarily stunned by the woman who’d walked up to him would be a fat lie. 

Even in the stained waitress outfit, and the messy hair, you had been the most perfect woman he’d ever seen. Beautiful, in all ways, with your kind smile and rolling words. With your gentle hands as you pulled summer rain from his soaked hair with that towel of yours, as you told him the milkshake refill was on the house as a welcoming gift to ‘our small little town. Enjoy your stay.’ 

He needs to see you again. Learn your name. Tell you he wants you.

Bucky’s never believed in love at first sight, but he does believe in love at first meeting, and damn it if— 

Stop. You need to stop thinking about her. He closes his eyes, letting the sound around him melt into a lethargic ocean, the air around him thick on his skin, hugging him like molasses as the music fades out into some new romance song that’s a hit on the radio these days. But he can’t. You’re in his mind like a brand, burning so bright and warm. Your eyes stare back at him in his mind’s eye, as if daring him to stop.

If he can find you again, find the most loveliest woman he’d ever seen to walk this Earth, he will, ‘cause then he’ll have the real thing.

Someone asks for a drink two seats down, and Bucky blinks out of his reverie, taking another sip of whiskey. He sweeps his gaze through the bar, trying to see if anyone’s worth his attention or time. Perhaps he can get his mind off his new infatuation for a few hours. Better than drowning in the little memories he has of his Aphrodite — just a taste, not enough.

His dark eyes flicker from patron to patron, groups of people dancing on the floor as drinks are spilled and food bounces into corners of the bar no one will ever see, left for the rats to feast. It’s a nice place, cozy in a retro way, with a jukebox and neon signs. The club is plunged in red light, and he can barely discern one face from another as the crowd parts in a way he can only claim is destiny.

There you stand beneath the neon lights.

He sets down his glass of whiskey harder than anyone ever intends to when they’re in their right state of mind and just stares, unable to take his eyes off you, the way that fabric wraps around you. The way the sequins of your black dress seem to darken underneath the red light as you speak to your waitress friend from where you stand around a table. You’re holding a mojito, or something, sipping on that straw and then he’s up, wading through the crowd.

People push up against him, whether intentional or not, but he only has eyes on you.

Your hair is pinned away from your face, but the rest spills down your shoulders, brushing over your arms as you turn to your friend. More girls join you, giggling and flushed and smiling, but he only has eyes for you.

Bucky rakes a hand through his hair, making sure he can soak in every inch of you as your friend points at him. He strides on over, an involuntary smirk making its way onto his face as you set down your mojito on the table. Your friends all stare, but he only has eyes for you.

“Bucky,” you say at last and the sound of your voice is a masterpiece, a symphony of colours he’s never seen before and places he wishes he’s been to. “I didn’t expect to see you here!” You shout because the music pumping in Bucky’s veins means it’s in his blood, roaring in his ears. Maybe it’s pounding in your head too. Your friends tell you they’re going to get drinks. You don’t seem to hear. Your eyes are fixed on him.

“Well, I wasn’t planning to be here,” he replies and you blink, your bottom lip trapped between your teeth as you look at him. His tongue darts out to wet his lips and you let out a sigh. It puffs against his cheek and smells like mint and sugar. “I just wanted to get wasted,” he adds, leaning in closer. His fingers reach for your wrist as you shiver, and your eyes flicker shut, eyelashes dusting your cheeks. His lips brush the shell of his ear and he hums playfully along to the music. His fingers coax your wrist into his grip as his other hand lands on your hip. Your eyes open drowsily, like you’re Sleeping Beauty and he’s your prince, and you search his gaze. In the red light, the shadows of your face darken and cause you to look cut from marble, a statue of Greece, beauty made eternal.

Your other hand finds his bicep and he pulls you into him. Your chests collide. You squeeze and he smirks, knowing you’re feeling what is there. Leather and hard muscle and power. 

“Then you came to the right place,” you breathe, chin tilting and his head falls to your neck. Your hand on his bicep slides up to his shoulder as he presses a kiss to your neck and you tug, oh so slightly at his jacket like you want to tear it off. He’d let you. So much for a stumbling mess, Bucky muses. Cats come out to play at night. “Bucky, I—” He lifts his head so your gazes meet again, and your lips are trembling, eyes wide with something dark and wild and feral.

“What is it, Aphrodite?” he whispers, tilting his head as his hand holding your wrist slides up your arm slowly, intentionally, and you react in a way he knows you will. You gasp, and his smirk grows. Your hand flies his elbow, stalling him. Curious, his blue eyes meet yours again. “Wanna dance?”

“I—” The noise comes out strangled and you blink, inhaling sharply. When your eyes open again, what is left is who you were earlier that day. The quiet, shy, stammering woman who’d taken his breath away. You shake your head despite what lies within your eyes. “I have to head home. Busy day tomorrow.” In seconds, you gather your clutch and slam a few bills on the table. 

“Wait—” Bucky reaches after you but you’re smaller than he is, and you slink into the crowd. You’re a nymph, beautiful and mystical and magical and maybe you aren’t quite real enough to touch. Bucky isn’t sure. He chases after you, pulling through the crowd — people dancing and laughing and drinking — and he thinks maybe. He catches glimpses of the color of your hair, a flash of your eyes, a slip of your dress.

He’s on the wrong side of the bar when he hears the bell above the door chime, and he knows.

You’re gone, and so is his heart.

He returns to his seat at the bar, slams a fifty on the counter and asks for shots instead of whiskey. Maybe then it’ll chase the ghost of you out of his head.

.

He doesn’t come for you, like you thought he would, and Wanda doesn’t seem to know if he’s gone, too. 

It’s three days before you have to accept the fact that he’s gone. Gone to some other town with some other girl. Guys like him have no trouble getting girls.

You didn’t expect you to be grieving the loss of someone you don’t know, but then again, you’ve never felt so drawn to someone before. On your break, you eat a protein bar and take your hair down for your fifteen minutes and head outside for a breather. The other waitress is in today, and although it’s a busy hour at night, you think the lull in business can give you an extra few seconds. The wind leans into your face, smelling of petrichor and summer sugar, and you know summer rain’s gonna come again. That just reminds you of him, so you push that thought out of your head.

You need to head back inside. You’re closing tonight, so you might as well work to finish early. You count money, clean dishes, wipe down the windows and counters early and mop the floors. Wanda cleans up the kitchen and the last patron leaves thirty minutes before closing, meaning you can leave right on the dot. Wanda and Dot, the other waitress, clock out early as you begin taking stock of the last few ingredients for next day. They’ll need to order soon, otherwise there won’t be any more apples left for Peter Parker’s fourth birthday pie.

“I’m heading home. You sure you’re gonna be okay?” Wanda asks, lingering around the entrance to the kitchen and you send her a tired smile. You can’t read her expression that well when you don’t linger on her face but you know her tone of voice. “You know, it’s okay to miss him.”

You laugh to cover the abyss in your heart. “I don’t miss him. I didn’t even know him.” Wanda looks at you with an ounce of skepticism and you roll your eyes. The hollow feeling in your chest is temporary. “Besides, I’ll be a-okay with my apples and tomatoes.” Wanda wears her tentative smile like a shield as if you’ll blow up at her. She uncrosses her arms, looks at you once more. You sigh. You’re exhausted. “Wanda, go home to Vis. I’ll lock up.”

“Alright. Call me,” she says in farewell and the chime of the bell above the door rings, leaving you alone. You finish up taking inventory and begin locking up, turning off the lights and making sure everything’s sealed. Heading out the back door that instantly locks once it’s closed, you pocket the keys and head out, pulling your hair out of its bun. And then you spot the figure sitting on the couch outside and you slow down, turning to look.

Bucky sits up, eyes wide and lips slightly parted and you smile incredulously. He leans forward, almost half way to standing. You pause mid way through adjusting the strap of your bag and then turn around, a silly smile working its way onto your face as he gets up, scrambling after you.

“Wait! Aphrodite, wait.” You cross your arms as he runs in front of you, towering over you as he does and his blue eyes warmer than any summer rain. “I… I don’t even know your name.”

“Why are you here, Bucky?” you ask quietly, and he runs that hand through his hair again. Aphrodite, you realize, warmth gathering in your stomach. A voice tells you, He thinks you’re beautiful. As beautiful as a goddess. Still, you can’t help the hurt in your voice as you add, “I thought you left.”

“I was thinking of what to say. Thought you didn’t wanna see me,” he mumbles and your eyebrows gather together. Before you say anything, though, he continues, “But I came to ask… ask if you wanted to take a ride.”

His motorcycle is parked a few steps off and you turn to look at the black beast, huge and shining and sleek. It’ll roar when you tear down streets. You know it.

“Yes.”

He helps you on before swinging on in front of you. His ass presses against you as he grabs the handlebars. “Don’t hesitate to wrap your arms around me, Aphrodite,” he murmurs and instantly, your arms encircle your waist and you melt against him. Your legs press against his thighs and he kicks off. The motorcycle purrs and vibrates beneath you as you begin speeding down the street and towards the beach.

The wind rips at your hair and face as the world around you becomes a blur. The night is quiet besides the bike, splitting the night apart with its engine and there’s the smell of sea and salt on the wind. You haven’t been to the beach in forever. 

You hug Bucky tighter when he pulls a smooth turn down a road that leads out of the town. Bucky feels right beneath your palms, all hard and soft lines, leather, and pure muscle where his thighs are concerned. He checks up on you at a stop light, his cobalt blue gaze drawing you into him until you’re leaning against him, cheek against his back as you two start off again. You can hear his heart above the thunder of the motorcycle, and the wind stings your nose but the smell of him stings more. 

He is one of the seven deadly sins, lust on legs, smoke and cedarwood and sweat, and you cling onto him like he’s your saving grace. Your legs tighten and he takes the chance to eye you out of the corner of his eye, turning his head just enough to take a glimpse of you as a Welcome sign for your city comes and goes, a spot in the distance within seconds.

“Focus on the road, Bucky,” you whisper and he listens. You press your lips against the shell of his ear, eyes focusing on the blurring road ahead. The only thing that’s clear is the man you have every inch of yourself pressed again. “And my name is Y/N.” With every word, your lips brush against his ear and you notice the knuckles of his hands blanche remarkably.

“Aphrodite is better,” he tells you through gritted teeth. The muscles in his jaw twitch and oh, how much you want to touch him except if he gets distracted, you both die. Still your hands play with the edges of his jacket, until he scolds you. “Down, girl. I needa focus.”

Alright, baby.” Your words cause a shiver to run down his spine and you feel it as he twists the throttle. Everything is nothing more than colours — the sky, nothing more than a smudge of black ink, the moon, a streak of white. Your arms tighten around his waist. He leans and swerves, boots barely brushing the asphalt and you taste the burn of rubber in your mouth just like how the smell of Bucky bleeds into your nose. 

When you reach the beach, your hair is tousled and you’re panting because the rush of riding a motorcycle has you breathless. Your heart hammers in your throat, almost like it’s trying to speed out of your chest and you swallow it down to your chest, the adrenaline pumping into your smile as Bucky kicks the stand and parks the motorcycle on the pavement

Bucky places a hand on your thigh, swinging his leg off and getting up. The weight of his huge hand, heavy and hot, has you breathing even harder. He’s not wearing his gloves and you can feel the heat of him on your bare thigh. The day dress you’d worn to work and wear now has hitched up your legs, and he gently caresses your thigh as he walks around the bike.

His hand drifts over your skin, across your hips, to your other thigh and then his other hand finds your hip. He lifts you off the seat, putting you down with ease and his skin burns you deliciously. The weight of his hands on your hips is like the best kinda belt and you breathe him in, feel his heat. He licks his lips. You find yourself hungry for something that isn’t food.

“Come on. Beach is empty.” He takes you by the hand, dragging you to the open sand. He dumps his jacket in the sand, pulling off his boots and socks, and you stare before letting your bag drop and toeing off your sandals. You walk out, feeling the summer sand warm beneath your toes as sea winds sweep between your legs and arms. Bucky follows after you, taking hold of your hand and you let him lead you into some dance you somehow both know.

You sway in time to invisible music, as he leans down to press his forehead against yours. Your arms loop around his neck, and you wonder if it’s possible to be drunk off someone else’s presence. 

You twirl through the sand, the gentle lap of the waves your own choir as you push off of Bucky, arms spread out and your head tilts back, letting sapphire moonlight spill all over your face. A carefree smile splits your face apart and you close your eyes. You could stay here forever.

Then, strong arms scoop you up and your legs wrap around a thick waist. Bucky spins you around, his eyes never leaving yours and you touch his face, the rough of his stubbe prickling at your palm as his hands hoist you up from the bottom of your thighs and ass.

“Bucky?” you mumble, completely lost in the way his eyes shift from navy to cobalt to sky. He stops spinning. His lips are parted, tongue flickering out to wet his lips again and something takes a hold of you. This man chose you. The notion blows your mind.

Your hands flat against his cheeks, you decide that if this is real, you might as well take what you can get. So you kiss him, and he bleeds whiskey and honey and all that is sweet in this world.

.

There is summer rain.

That’s the first thing Bucky thinks of as he wakes up. The soft sound of rain splattering windows and tiles and walls, along with the warmth in his gut is a welcomed way to start a morning. Feeling the space beside him, he finds it empty and rolls over, glancing at the window. The tequila sunrise glows golden as you force apart the curtains of the hotel room. Bathed in its glory, you look out the window. So, it rains on a sunrise, does it? Bucky might just start liking this town even more than the people in it.

You continue to stare out the window, and Bucky takes the chance admire your form, covered in nothing but a knitted cardigan that reveals everything and not enough. Bucky squints against the glaring sun as it rises, and moans, catching the attention of his Aphrodite. You turn, tugging your cardigan together as if to preserve decency.

“C’mere,” he mumbles, arms spread out, and you chuckle. Long gone is the shy, stammering waitress with the gentle hands. Here you are, in all your glory; his little minx, his seductress, his bewitching witch. He sits up, naked as they day he was born and you sit in his lap, sinking into him with a soft sigh. “My Aphrodite,” he whispers, hoarse from sleep and other reasons. Your lips meet his again, and you tastes like things he can’t name as your eyes slide shut. Your kiss is toxic, just like the night before, and his hands grab at your shoulders from behind, grounding you to him. 

He needs this poison more than he needs to breathe.

His mouth opens underneath yours and you groan, taking hold of his face. Hooked on your tongue, his eyes close and he bites at your lip. His hands peel your cardigan off your body, and you fling it off, returning your hands to his neck and jaw, shoulders and back, like magnets. You’re so warm, the sun in his arms, and you fit so perfectly in his hands as your lips glide to his neck.

“Don’t stop, Buck,” you whisper, moan, plead. Bucky tilts your jaw back to him with a crooked finger, bright eyes meeting yours. You are something ferocious and wild and enchanting. Bucky wonders what he wouldn’t do for you. “We stay in here, alright? We never have to leave.” You duck down to his neck again. He bites his lip, raising his head to give you better access as his fingers scratch down your back. Your hands trail down his shoulders and sides, scratching and clawing and you’re biting and touching as he sucks in a long breath, lips finding the plane of your collarbone. You taste like summer rain, sweet cream, and sweat, and he wants to devour you. “You hear me?”

“We don’t leave,” he whispers, and he takes you by the hips, twisting around so he pins you to the bed. The white covers are clouds around your skin, and maybe you really are a goddess. Flushed cheeks, wine-stained lips, you sing the prettiest song for him.

“Bucky,” you sigh, lovely and deeply, the sweetest harp, the most beautiful angel.

“We stay here,” he promises, pressing ragged, messy kisses against your mouth as he speaks,  “and I love you every second until I die.” His hips press flush against yours and when his lips find the column of your sweet, silky little throat, he wonders how he’s gonna tell you he has a wedding to get to. He wonders how he’s even gonna manage to leave this hotel room that has your lips and skin and heat and smell. 

How is Adonis to leave his Aphrodite?

.

“You have to go, don’t you?” you ask as you place the strawberry milkshake between the two of you. Bucky sits at the bar, as you get ready for the day to start. The blinds are filtering the sun through the bistro, the doors locked still. The rain has stopped and it smells like fresh pavement out there. You’re here before opening hours, tugging Bucky into the place by your interlaced fingers. On your arm is a poem of numbers and dashes — Bucky’s number — and on the back of his hand is yours.

The strawberry milkshake is topped with whipped cream and a cherry, and there are two straws poking out of the top. He takes a sip. You sigh. Neither of you comment about the bruise under the handkerchief you have tied around your neck or the one blooming on the juncture of your neck and shoulder, just visible when your collar shifts. Or the marks on the thighs where his lips had undressed you the night before. And that morning. And twenty minutes ago.

“Y/N,” he begins but you merely smile sadly, knowingly. He sighs, pushing the milkshake towards you. You take a sip. It’s not the sweetest thing you’ve tasted today. Bucky’s lips can give anyone a toothache. His blue eyes hooded, he grabs your hand on the counter, leans over the counter, and kisses your swollen lips. 

Your hands wrench in his hair, tugging him towards you as he merely cups your face, kissing you sweeter than you want. You want rough, you want something harder. You want him to hurt you so it’s easier to let him go.

“I have a wedding to get to,” he whispers and it sounds a lot like farewell. You want him to ask you to come. You want him to even think about it.

“Bucky…” you begin, unable to finish. He smiles, a whole tragedy in the twist of his lips and the burning in his eyes. His hands slide down your neck, your shoulders, lingering little touches you’ll never have again. 

Because your life is here, and his life is somewhere far from your tiny little bistro.

You can’t even pretend you don’t need him.

“It’s so damn hard to leave ya, doll,” he murmurs, fingers playing with yours. You push off the counter, tearing yourself away and he lowers his head. “Y/N, please.” You walk around the counter and he stands, the strawberry milkshake forgotten, and you try to calm the whirling hurricane in your heart. You try to ignore the aching pain, the grief you feel for no goddamn reason.

And then you’re running across the bistro, running for his arms that spread out and you jump into him, legs wrapping around him like he’s the only thing keeping you from drowning. One hand wraps around your waist and the other traces the curve of your thigh as he closes his eyes, hugging you to death.

“You don’t forget me, alright?” you whisper fiercely and Bucky’s hugging you tighter, holding you like he’s gonna lose you.

“Like I could ever forget you, Aphrodite,” he mumbles into your hair and your face nuzzles into his neck, feeling the warmth of him so different than the heat last night. You wonder if he’s gonna take your heart with you when he goes or just half. I hope this meant something to you, Bucky Barnes. “God, doll, if you ever call my name, you know I’m gonna be comin’ for ya.” He sets you back down, but you’re not quite sure your legs touch the ground. Your knees wobble and you hold onto his biceps, taking in his face — memorizing every tiny scar, freckle, blemish of his face, the colour of his eyes, the rosey touch and shade of his lips. You’re nearly chest to chest, and when his hands cup your face, his lips press against yours, tentative. You feel the tears slip down your face when he pulls away.

His thumb brushes away your tears, kisses every single trail, every new tear he’s missed, tells you you look beautiful and kisses your cheek. 

It feels a lot like I love you.

This is goodbye. You wrap fingers around his neck, pull him down for a hard kiss of teeth and lips and tongue. He kisses back, the mess of both of you stumbling until you’re against the counter, one arm around your waist his other against the bar and your hands tangle in his hair. You have enough time for one more, you don’t care if it's right here. It might be enough of a reason for him to stay—

But he tears himself away before he can pull apart your blouse and bend you over the countertop. You’re left trying to catch your breath, trying to tell yourself it doesn’t hurt. He mumbles something to himself, and the wretched glare he gives you nearly causes you to crumble. You hold onto the counter, desperate, miserable, liar.

And then he turns to go, and you don’t stop him, too weak to move, too tired to try. You close your eyes, turn your head away and let it drop as you sit on the red leather barstool, swivelling to lean on the counter. Your elbow digs into the wooden counters as your tears burn into your skin. Resting your head against your hand, you pretend not to notice when there’s a long pause between the bell above the door ringing and the door closing again. You pretend you don’t feel him look at you one last time. You pretend your heart is still whole in your chest.

You only burst into tears when you hear his motorcycle fade off into the distance.

Wanda finds you minutes later, sobbing into your arms at the counter, dressed for work, but not ready at all. She calls in Dot to cover your shift, puts away the strawberry milkshake so it doesn’t go to waste, takes you outside to the bench near the back — the very spot Bucky Barnes waited for you — and tells you to stay there until she is on lunch break. You stare at his phone number, inked onto your skin, a stain like a lot of things he’s left on your body, and time seems like something you don’t understand anymore. So you sit where he sat, imagining his motorcycle parked in the lot, his arrogant little smile, his surprise of ‘Didn’t wanna go to the wedding anyway, Aphrodite.’

But he doesn’t come. You know you need to get it together because you have work to do, so you cry, sob over the boy in leather who’s never coming back, until you’re all dried up forever.

It nearly works, and you’ve almost taped yourself up enough to get back to being just another waitress, but then Wanda is on her lunch break. She sits beside you, offers a sandwich, asks you to spill, because you’ve fallen in love with a stranger who’s long gone. And the tears come again.

TAGS: bucky: @beyond-the-ashes @aryaes permanent mcu: @teawithbucky @jcc04220 @shenala @schwankyblock permanent: @dulharpa

[blissfulalchemist]

All clear for 🐨🐍🐱? I WANT THAT WRENWESCAT CONTENT BBY! 😘😘😘😘

Once upon a time there was a ship that pleased a drunk @risenlucifer that she requested it stay and so here we are with this little number!

1. Who would sell their soul to the devil to save the other.

THEY ALL WOULD! It would be such a fight on who’s gonna be the one to save the other(s) that eventually the devil is just gonna be “You know what fuck it! You can all live because I don’t want to have a Supernatural thing going on with you guys.”

2. Who would become a stalker, in the right (wrong) situation.

Out of these three? Cat. I hate to drag my daughter like this but she would find out places where Wren and Wes hung out and try to be there to “run” into them and try to become their friend first. 

3. Who would pine away in silence their entire lives without confessing their love.

Okay look, Wren and Wes both feel automatic attraction so they pine for a lot less time, but their smol of the group is not that smart. She will wait and just stick with being their friend and say that she loves them with those two only thinking it platonic but we all know how she is. 

4. Who would leave their friends, family, and life to move overseas to be with the other one.

Hmmm I feel their lives all start to interconnect deeply and so this may be just all of them to different degrees. I mean there’s nothing say that you can’t keep in contact with people you leave behind you know. So I would say all of them.

5. Who would be the most worried the other might cheat on them.

Wren and Wes. Both have their insecurities and have different ways of showing those insecurities. But they all have this very deep understanding and way of communicating that these worries are soon no longer there because there’s just a deep trust in the others.

6. Who would run into a burning building to save a stranger while the other calls 911.

Wes. Not saying that Cat and Wren wouldn’t try but Wes would beat them to it and Wren and Cat tend to be less impulsive and will worry about the after before joining him probably.

7. Who would haunt the other after death and chase away other suitors.

They all would to an extent, Cat would chase off the most suitors because no one will ever be good enough to either replace her or just for them as an individual because she just loves them that much.

8. Who would stand up at the other’s wedding and say they object.

Wes or Wren. They all need to get married together! 

9. Who would write long, beautiful poems for the other.

Wes. He doesn’t say much but would probably write it all out and ask Raf for help.

10. Who would love the other no matter how evil the other became.

Ohhh hmmm. Might have to give this to Cat. She knew them before they were evil and will hold on to the belief that they are still good underneath it all and just lost, you can pry it from her cold dead hands. Then again this might just be an all three of them thing, so maybe it’s just more a game of what the limit actually is.

11. Who would be the most likely to become an addict (gambling/drugs/etc.).

Considering his past I would have to place this on Wes the be the most likely. But its okay he’s got not one but TWO small women to help him. 

12. Who would propose in a grand gesture of some kind.

Cat and Wren will combine their powers and create something so elaborate that it can be seen from space. I’m so sorry Wes.

13. Who would go berserk at harm or death befalling the other.

Wren takes the crown on this one. Not saying the other two wouldn’t have feelings but there’s plenty of Wrath in Wren to make people fear her with a single look.

14. Who would spend too much money on expensive gifts for the other.

I don’t think any would go for expensive. It would be really rare, however the amount of gifts adds up to a sum of money, while Cat will try to make gifts more she would also buy small things here and there to make them happy. She loves her Really Tall and Tall.

15. Who would fight an impossible battle to give the other time to escape.

All of them. They all love each other very much.

16. Who would be able to spend centuries in misery waiting for the other to be reborn.

They all would. They were more than just lovers honestly. They’re all friends, people that made them feel not lonely, made them feel safe, made them feel like there was something to live for. They would want that back in their lives. The biggest question is who’s the most impatient.

[chicagocityofclans]

Minsky Edison → Charles Michael Davis → Witch

→ Basic Information 

Age: 1268

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Straight 

Powers: Neuromancy

Birthday: October 30th 

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio 

Religion: Buddhist 

→ His Personality

Minsky is approachable and friendly, able to easily bond and make friends with everyone, despite their species. He is courageous and an easily excitable individual. He has a great passion for his work and a tendency to ramble off when describing his findings or hypotheses as a Neuromancer and Council member. Minsky takes his role as a Council member and mentor seriously. He enforces the rules the Council made without fail. Although, Minsky also genuinely care for his mentees and friends, willing to find loopholes or help them plead their cases. He likes to have fun and enjoys being a witch; he takes pride in who he is. Over the years Minsky has gained great leadership skills, his intelligence goes beyond his powers, and his altruistic nature has him ready to go and save a complete stranger at the bat of an eye. None of this which curb his competitive streaks. Minsky enjoys flaunting around his knowledge.

Possibly because of his lack of paternal care growing up, Minsky has a strong parental instinct towards his biological kids and those he gained during his marriage. After losing his only biological son, Minsky's attitude become quiet and subdued, at the same time angry and upset, having lost his child due to an inheritance on his part and a failed marriage.

→ His Personal Facts

Occupation: Mentor and Shield Master   

Scars: None

Tattoos: Multiple

Two Likes: Beautiful Surroundings and Privacy

Two Dislikes: Slackers and Shallow Relationships

Two Fears: Being forgotten and Becoming a ghost

Two Hobbies: Tai Chi and Collecting/Listening to Vinyls

Three Positive Traits: Romantic, Altruistic, Joyful

Three Negative Traits: Know-it-all, Over-confident, Strict (Teaching)

→ His Connections

Parent Names:

Darna (Mother): Minsky has a difficult time remembering his mother, her face, and his previous name and last name. However the word Darna is clearly imprinted in his mind. He remembered feeling fondness for his mother, and thinking of her those nights after leaving for sea.  

Sibling Names:

None

Children Names:

Lee Cyto Rinker Jr (Step Son): Kudzai's oldest son who is 1018 years old. Kudzai has a strained relationship with her eldest due to how similar he is to his father. Minsky has tried to be as available to him as possible, and they have formed a cautious friendship. Kudzai has a habit of being exceedingly hard on her offspring, and Lee is no exception. 

Cristae Zephyr Rinker (Step Daughter): Kudzai's oldest daughter who is 980 years old and responsible for the no-offspring mentoring rule. Minsky gets along with Cristae the least of his step children, but he makes an effort to reach out on important days. 

Krebs Jay Rinker (Step Son): Kudzai's middle son who is 364 years old. He is Kudzai and James Thomas' son. Kerbs is Kudzai's least favorite child but Minsky mainly thinks he needs direction. Something he is well aware Kudzai couldn’t give him, for the sake of her own sanity. He found him a job and mentor in Seoul,  and heard he’s doing well in his Master levels. 

Hondria Edison Rinker (Daughter): Kudzai and Minsky's only daughter who is 119 years old. She is a talented Projector and was trained by Minsky himself. Despite his advanced age, Hondria was the first child Minsky ever had. He considered himself too much of a risk to have many close personal connections. He could die at any point, and thought he may be better remembered as a leader and mentor, rather than a father. When he held her for the first time however, everything made sense. He could leave as much of his knowledge in the world as possible, but Hondria and Kudzai and their family was his legacy. He vowed to her when she went to sleep the first night that he would be there as long as he possibly could for her. They are still incredibly close and it broke his heart when she left for her advanced levels. He teleports to see her often, but it’s not what he’d imagined all those centuries ago.

Jamie Edison Rinker (Son): Kudzai and Minsky’s youngest son died in his sleep at the age of 17. They came into Jamie’s birth so confident, much more than Hondria’s, assuming he’d be a mental or maybe another biokinetic. When they discovered he was like his father, it suddenly felt like Jamie had been placed into a box with a bomb in it and any movement would set it off. Both Kudzai and Minsky attempted to go on like things were normal. Jamie was energetic and brilliant; the light of his mother’s eye. And Minsky began to see the box and the bomb go away and suddenly a glimmer of hope swelled in him. If it was genetic, and Minsky had been alive for over a millenia who's to say Jamie wouldn’t share the same fate? He still remembers the day Kudzai found him in bed, having died in his sleep. It destroyed him to his core. He prayed that day and so many others afterwards to just switch him for Jamie. He’d had the life he was meant to have; Jaime’s was cut too short. Minsky and Kudzai separated shortly there after; neither one able to forgive Minsky for his part in it.

Romantic Connections:

Kudzai Rinker (Separated Wife/Woman he loves): Minsky believes himself too old to buy into the idea of soul mates, but there is something that has pulled Minsky and Kudzai towards one another for centuries. Too many chances of being in the same place at the same time; too many opportunities to go back to one another. Minsky has never loved anyone the way he loves Kudzai. Her brilliance, and snark, and steadfast beliefs; everything makes her who she is. Losing Jaime devastated them and there was no way either of them could heal together, but Minsky thinks there may be a spark left for them somewhere. A real shot, not just a brief reconnection when the world becomes too lonely. He’ll wait until the end of his days for that woman.  

Platonic Connections:

Fiona Kekoa (Mentee): She is only 21 years old, but Minsky is training her in case he dies before they turn 50. She has taken extensive notes on his routines and processes so she may keep his work going if he dies.

Catherine Barr (Mentee): Despite Cat’s beliefs, Minsky completely understands what it’s like to lose a child. However, that’s no excuse to unravel different universes. He’s willing to be sympathetic, but if he finds anything more concrete in her head, he will not hesitate to bring her in front of the council for judgement. 

Nikita Platt (Mentee): Minsky finds Nikita refreshingly genuine, especially for a Mnemokinetic. He could see it in her mind, well before she turned 50 and was glad to offer her a spot under his tutelage. Her memory acting up so much already concerns Minsky, but he is willing to assist her with whatever she needs to grow her power. He has already purchased a tracking kit to help her keep track of her keys and phone, and is trying to get her into the habit of putting appointments into her phone so she doesn’t forget them. 

Simon Lee Weyden (Future Mentee): Given that he is still alive for Simon’s next level, Minsky has agreed to take him on. He has potential, and unlike many mentors he isn’t prejudiced against Tantric Manipulators.

Rhiannon Draga (Council Member): Minsky has a lot of respect for Rhiannon and considers her a close friend. He is glad she finally found her happiness with Fallon, Alucard, and Vladimir. Before, he often wondered if the melancholia may over take her. Fortunately, he was proven wrong and happily saw her wedding and met her children. 

Ronan Cleirigh (Council Member): Minsky and Ronan have been friends for a long time. They can both shimmy in and out of each other's shields, making it easier for Minsky to trust Ronan more than their peers. Their friendship has been a little hard on Minsky as of lately, knowing Ronan hates Kudzai with a passion.

Jace Cicero (Council Member): Jace and Minsky often agree with one another when it comes to council decisions. They tend to keep their cool even when more fiery members of Council do not. The only thing they do not agree upon is Jace’s dating of his mentee, Cat. Minsky is concerned that if Cat needs to be put on trial for any illegal use of her power, that Jace may be swayed by whatever feelings he has for her.

Eric Lasiter (Best Friend): Minsky often finds a weight being lifted off of his shoulders whenever Eric is around. Eric's energy and mind sings to Minsky like fairy tales of muses. Eric was a huge help when Minsky lost Jamie and separated with Kudzai. While they might not be the best at time management when it comes to getting together but when it happens, time seems to melt around them.

Averill Sookram (Ally): Minsky exonerated Averill for a crime by looking through his mind. Minsky has been on Averill’s side for centuries. His exoneration created one of the worst fights between him and Kudzai in the past 3 centuries, but he wasn’t willing to let an innocent man be punished for something he didn’t do. 

Sydney ‘Sid’ Velanica (Distant In Law): Minsky is more accepting of those with the Rinker mark than his wife, Kudzai. Minksy never doubted Sidney and even offered to mentor him before Sid chose Jia. Minsky supports Sid's relationship with Sada.

Sol Alfaro (Old Friend): Minsky can honestly say that he has never been friends with an animal shifter until Sol. Sol has lost his wife and went down a dark path of turning to magic to fix the problem. Having seen a lot of death in his time. Minsky advised him against using magic or contacting a necromancer, as a replacement of dealing with his loss. At first, Sol did not take it well but Minsky somehow kept finding him and offering his guidance and friendship. It's been nearly 150 years and they still keep in contact.

Tristan Lawton (Acquaintance): Kudzai has recently informed the Council that one of her mentees may have been misplaced as a Biokinetic. Kudzai is unsure about him being a Biokinetic and believes he may be something else or something new entirely. Minsky and Ronan have been doing research to try and help figure it out before Tristan can do more damage in the wrong field.

Hostile Connections:

None

Pets:

None

→ History (paragraph(s) on background) → The Present (paragraph(s) on how the character connects to the plot)

[bamon4bamily]

TVD 9x09 (part 2) Enjoy! =)

Cut to - Stefan and Caroline, lying on the beach, having some margaritas, just chilling, doing absolutely nothing but stare at the ocean and talk.

 STEFAN: Look at us; who knew we could actually let loose and just go with it.

CAROLINE: I know, I’m loving this side of us!

STEFAN: Marry me again…

CAROLINE: (Laughs, thinking it’s a joke, then realizes he means it) Wait, what?! Are you serious?

STEFAN: Yes, Care; we deserve the wedding we want, not that show we had to put on; I mean, it was beautiful, but it wasn’t us, and we didn’t even get to enjoy it.

CAROLINE: A million times, yes! Let’s do it (they kiss)!... Now, about that thing… I’ve been given it a lot of thought; this is a decision we need to make together. Guess it comes down to answering ourselves if we want this to be short and sweet, or long but uncertain.

STEFAN: If this was just about me, I’d go with short and sweet. I always hated being a vampire, and the mere possibility of becoming a ripper again terrifies me, but the idea of not being able to be with you for much longer, terrifies me even more. I’d like to think I came back for a reason, not just to die all over again.

CAROLINE: I know this might sound selfish, but I rather take a chance with the ripper than lose you. And, if it ever came to that, I’d be here to bring you back. We can do this, Stefan.

STEFAN: We can do anything (kisses her). It’s decided then. Maybe I’m destined to be a vampire…

CAROLINE: Or maybe you’re destined to be with me.

STEFAN: (Tender smile) I like that reasoning better (kisses her).

CAROLINE: So, this option you mentioned, are we sure it’s safe?

STEFAN: No, I mean, there is always a risk with these types of things.

CAROLINE: And Damon is on board with this?

STEFAN: He said it was my decision, he’ll do it if I decide to go through with it, so…

CAROLINE: Are you really sure it’s what you want to do?

STEFAN: What I am sure of is that I want to be with you for as long as I can.

CAROLINE: Me too. Well, once we go back home, we’ll get it done.

STEFAN: And start planning for our second wedding.

CAROLINE: Oh, I’m already on that.

STEFAN: (Laughs) I love you.

CAROLINE: And I love you (kisses him). Now, how about we go upstairs and take a “bath”...

STEFAN: (Stands up real fast) You know, another pro is that next time, we’ll be able to vamp our way to the room (smirks).

CAROLINE: Plus, vamp sex, you gotta miss that (smirks back)!

STEFAN: That alone is worth the risk of the ripper coming back. (Grabs their stuff and carries her to their room).

Cut to – Tulum ruins. After four hours Bonnie and Damon conclude the temazcal ritual; La Bruja offers them some fruit and tea to rehydrate.

 LA BRUJA: You are true warriors; I’m impressed you got through the four hours; many don’t get past the first. You know, my ancestors believed the temazcal represented the womb, a place of transition between the heavens and the underworld, and that once you came out of the ritual, you were reborn.

BONNIE: I’ve died many times, linked with a cosmic energy source, but have never felt anything so sublime. Thank you, this truly was a gift.

LA BRUJA: No need to thank me, it was my pleasure. (Turns to Damon, who is very silent and meditative) Damon, how was your experience?

DAMON: Terrifying, yet beautiful at the same time… I don’t know how to explain it. I think I cried at some point, laughed, screamed… Cathartic, to say the least. A million times thank you, honestly…

LA BRUJA: I knew you would face your demons and fight till the end to defeat them. You two have a unique bond, soulmates beyond a doubt.

BONNIE: (Looking into Damon���s eyes with a soft smile) I guess we are…

DAMON: I know we are (kisses her).

LA BRUJA: Destiny doesn’t make mistakes (winks).

BONNIE: Tell me about you and Grams.

LA BRUJA: (Smirks) In the beginning we used to hate each other. Although our covens were amicable, the Bennett’s had a history with the Gemini and the Mikaelson witch, and my coven didn’t approve. Also, your grandma is as stubborn as they come, couldn’t stand her, yet I sort of loved to hate her. Then, a situation forced an unusual alliance and we ended up becoming best friends. After some time, one thing led to the other, and well… you can figure out the rest. One thing is for sure, I love that woman to infinity.

BONNIE: It’s so strange, I feel like there is this whole side of Grams I never knew…

LA BRUJA: Just like there is a side of you she doesn’t either. That is the beauty of human relations, you never truly get to unveil the mystery of the inner self.

BONNIE: I’m happy to know she has that kind of love. Sorry if I seemed rude before, I’m honored to have met you.

LA BRUJA: No hard feelings, I understand you being wary, but I’m hoping that after this bonding moment, we can become friends.

BONNIE: You know it!

DAMON:  I’m curious, you said you met my mother, does that mean you’re an immortal?

LA BRUJA: We are all immortal, Damon. Now, what keeps me in this specific state of existence can be thought both as a curse or as a blessing. I am mother nature, assigned to protect and preserve all biological beings. I am bound to this earth till its end…

BONNIE: Don’t you get lonely? Seeing the people you love move on while you remain?

LA BRUJA: Not at all; just because they move on to another plane of existence doesn’t mean we are not connected. We might not be able to interact physically, but spiritually we are linked for eternity.

BONNIE: That’s a beautiful way to look at it.

LA BRUJA: It is. Well, I must be heading out now, but before I leave, I need to give you two things. One, (hands her an amulet) this earth amulet, whenever you need to reach me hold it in your left hand, close your eyes, and I’ll be there in a blink of an eye. 

Second, a message from the Shaman… (Says the words in Mayan) “Ti' le ak'abo' le unión vence le k'aas” … In darkness, unity defeats evil. Never forget that, it might be the answer you need when the time comes…

BONNIE: What do you mean?

LA BRUJA: Just, remember, promise me.

BONNIE: I will, I promise.

LA BRUJA: Good. My work here is done.

BONNIE: Listen, we should see each other before we go back home, let us invite you to dinner one of these nights.

LA BRUJA: I’d love to! You know how to reach me.

DAMON: Thank you again, really, this has been one of the best experiences of my life, or death, however you want to see it.

LA BRUJA: Ay, Damon, you are such an uncanny soul; but a good one, so stop doubting yourself.

BONNIE: (Teasing) Listen to the herb lady, Damon, she’s on point.

DAMON: (Laughs) Is Sheila this mocking?

LA BRUJA: Oh, yes, it’s definitely a Bennett thing!

BONNIE: Hey!

LA BRUJA: (Laughs) But that’s why we love you ladies.

DAMON: That’s right, Bon Bon (smirks and hugs her).

BONNIE: Oh, I’m still gonna get you back for this, when you least expect it (kisses him, winks).  

LA BRUJA: Well, amigos, my time to go… (just as she suddenly appeared, she disappears, along with the Shaman and the hut).  

DAMON: How about a dip?

BONNIE: (Smirks and slowly takes her clothes off) Catch me if you can! (Runs into the ocean, Damon takes his clothes off as fast as he gets up, and vamps in after her. They make love, multiple times, until sunset).

Cut to - Edward, waking up inside a cell in the underground hi-tech facility.

AUGUSTUS: Sorry, son, I tried giving you the benefit of the doubt, but you don’t seem to get it together. I trusted you’d get things done, thought you were on the right track when you took care of that lunatic Darius, but your attachment to the Donovan kid keeps getting in the way; and for the life of me, I can’t understand why. He might be blood, but he is not family. Oh, well, never leave a boy to do a man’s job.

EDWARD: Where is she?! What have you done to her?!!!

AUGUSTUS: Who? Oops, I think they might have overdone it with the sedatives… Well, it will pass, nothing to worry about. Unless… you haven’t stopped taking your medication, have you?  

EDWARD: I know what I saw, where is she!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AUGUSTUS: Bring Donovan back, and you might find out.

EDWARD: You have all this high-tech equipment, I’m sure you can find where he is.

AUGUSTUS: Well we know he flew to Lima a couple of days ago, but we found his cellphone, and his wife’s, at their house. I’m guessing someone told them not to bring their phones along.

EDWARD: You had him, he gave you what you wanted, and you let him go. If you still needed him, why would you let him go?

AUGUSTUS: Unfortunately, when it comes to humans, errors are bound to happen; we missed a minor detail.  

EDWARD: That’s quite the understatement… but you are wasting your time with me, so go play with your toys, you might have better luck with them. Oh, and I will find out what you did to her, don’t doubt that for a second.

AUGUSTUS: (Grins, sarcastically) In the meantime, I’ll have one of my toys bring you your medication; can’t have you going off to La La land just yet. (An odd man approaches his cell with some pills) I hope it’s the right prescription… (smirks and walks away).  

Cut to - Tyler and Lexi playing cards and having a drink, after a long day at the school.

 LEXI: (Opens her cards) Royal flush…

TYLER: Are you kidding me?! (Opens his) Poker.

LEXI: Aw, Wolfie, (as she takes his chips) better luck next time.

TYLER: Well, I’m out of money, and dignity.

LEXI: Ha, I warned you. (Takes a sip of her drink) So, how are you adjusting? Are you liking this teaching thing?

TYLER: Much to my surprise, I actually am. You?

LEXI: I’m loving it! I’ve always been a huge fan of Harry Potter, so I kind of feel like I’m in Hogwarts.

TYLER: Are you serious, Harry Potter? (Cracks up).

LEXI: Hey, they’re amazing books!

TYLER: (Teasing) Oh, I’m sure they are, but I never figured you as a fangirl.

LEXI: You have no idea, haven’t missed a single con.

TYLER: Ha, ha! As in those geek events where everyone is dressed up? Please don’t tell me you go in costume…

LEXI: Of course I do, I have Hermione down to a T! Just ask Bonnie, she’s gone to a few with me.

TYLER: Bonnie?! Oh, this just keeps getting better! (Alaric comes running in).

ALARIC: Hey, guys.

LEXI: What’s up, boss?

ALARIC: Oh, gees no, please don’t call me that. We have a situation…

TYLER: What’s going on?

ALARIC: It’s actually quite funny if you think about it. You know how Katherine used to be a Traveler?

TYLER: Uhm, yes, but not after she became a vampire…

ALARIC: Yes, but then she became human, died, was queen of hell, came back; who knows what she really is at this point… Anyway, turns out one of her students is an active Traveler and, well, long story short, something happened, and they switched bodies… and no one can figure out how to switch them back. Just thought I’d let you know so you don’t freak out when a teenage boy comes in here, pours himself a drink and starts acting like a crazy person.

LEXI: Did you just say, teenage boy? (She laughs hysterically) Oh, this is too good!!

TYLER: (Also laughing uncontrollably) Karma is a bitch!!! 

LEXI: We have to see this, please, Ric, ask her to come!

ALARIC: Well she, or shall I say, he, is in his room at the moment; freaking out. Radka is with him and the student, trying to look for a way to reverse whatever they did back.

LEXI: (Jumps up) What are we waiting for? Let’s go!

ALARIC: (As they are walking out) Guys, just try not to laugh too hard.    

Cut to - Matt and Khuyana, who have been staying at a cabin, somewhere near the Machu Pichu ruins, for a couple of days.

MATT: Middle of nowhere, you, me, and absolutely no connection to the outside world; I can get used to this.

KHUYANA: I have to say, I thought I would go crazy without my phone, but it’s so liberating!

MATT: It is; makes you think just how dependent we are on our little gadgets, and how disconnected from the natural world.

KHUYANA: I’m reconsidering your offer not to go back to Mystic Falls, or Lima, we can just stay here and live out the rest of our days as hermits. You can become a writer, and I can become a sculptor, or a painter.

MATT: Well, I can’t write for my life, so I’ll need to find something else.

KHUYANA: Or you could be the sculptor, you are great with your hands (smirks).

MATT: Well, we have a couple of more days to decide… (kisses her).

Cut to – Sage and Alex in a real high-end apartment, near the University’s Medical Lab. Sage wakes up, real hung-over. Gets out of bed, goes to the kitchen to grab an aspirin. Alex is reading and having coffee.

 ALEX: (With happy-go-lucky sarcasm) Morning sunshine!

SAGE: Oh, shut up, Alex; my head is killing me.

ALEX: (Mocking) Wonder why? Here (hands her a pick-me up drink he had already prepared for her, she chugs it).

SAGE: (Hits his chest) Why did you let me drink so much last night!?

ALEX: (Laughs) Are you serious? When have you ever listened to me when I tell you to slow it down?

SAGE: I didn’t even drink that much, how did I get so drunk!?

ALEX: I’m guessing it had something to do with seeing Sam again, and meeting his new girlfriend, Elena… (pushing her buttons) she’s hot!

SAGE: Please, she’s your average, totally overrated, “girl next door”.

ALEX: Meow! Catty much? After all these years, you’re still stuck on him.

SAGE: First of all, it’s only been two years. Second, I’m not. I just think he can do better, that’s all.

ALEX: Wait, I thought… never mind, I don’t even want to know. Listen, we start the program early tomorrow, how about we stay in, veggie out, and binge some Walking Dead.

SAGE: That actually sounds like a great idea, can’t function today; but we’re not watching your lame ass show, so get ready for a Hunger Games marathon.

ALEX: (Rolls his eyes) Fine! I’ll make us some lunch while you set the rest up.

SAGE: (With a puppy face) Salmon and cream cheese bagels?

ALEX: Yes, I knew you were going to ask for that, so I went to the market early in the morning; got some champagne and oranges for mimosas too.

SAGE: (Kisses his cheek) You’re the best!

Cut to- Akumal, Mexico. Caroline, Bonnie, Damon and Stefan are having an oceanfront dinner.

CAROLINE: So, how were the pyramids?

BONNIE: Out of this world, you guys should have come.

CAROLINE: We were exhausted, but will definitely join next time; I’m thinking we should make this trip an annual tradition.

BONNIE: Definitely.

DAMON: No objections here.

STEFAN: Or here.

BONNIE: So, wanna hear a crazy story?

CAROLINE: Always.

BONNIE: We met my Grams soulmate…

CAROLINE: What?! Here? What are the odds! How did you meet him?

BONNIE: Actually, it’s a she…

CAROLINE: (Spits out the wine she had just taken a sip of) What??!!!!! Oh my god!! Wait, are you playing with me?!

BONNIE: Nop, she’s a Mayan witch, and apparently mother nature…

CAROLINE: (In total shock) Grams?! Really?!! You’re joking, right? Did you guys smoke that stuff again?

BONNIE: (Laughs) No, totally clear minded.

STEFAN: You mean to tell me Sheila…

DAMON: That’s right, brother, she even told us herself. Her reflection appeared through La Bruja’s eyes, spilled the tea to Bonnie…

BONNIE: When you hear it like that, it does sound like we were trippin (they laugh).

CAROLINE: Now I’m totally regretting not going with you guys! So, what did she say, what happened?!

BONNIE: She told us how they met, and then she initiated us in a ritual called temazcal; that was pretty much it. Crazy shit, right!?

CAROLINE: Absolutely insane!! I totally want to meet her!

BONNIE: I told her we would have her over for dinner one of these nights, you can meet her then.

CAROLINE: Ooh, yes, can’t wait! Well, now that we are exchanging our day stories, we have one we want to share with you as well… We are having a second wedding!

BONNIE: That’s great!! You definitely need a due over, last one was pretty bad, no offense.

DAMON: Only good take away was mine and Bon Bon’s dance, rest was a Carry meets The Exorcist fiasco.

BONNIE: Do you have a date? Are you going for a June wedding again? CAROLINE: Oh no, I’m done with June weddings; I want it to be as far away from June as possible, so we’re thinking early December.

BONNIE: That’s coming up real soon… sure you’ll have enough time to plan?

CAROLINE: Yes, we want something simple this time around. Plus, I’ll have my maid of honor to help me out.

BONNIE: And who might that be?

CAROLINE: Bonnie Sheila Bennett, do you even have to ask?! Of course it’s you, it’s always going to be you! Don’t tell Elena I said that.

BONNIE: (With a sweet smile) Well, I think this deserves a bottle of champagne.

DAMON: I’m on it! (Calls the waiter to order the bottle).

BONNIE: Have you picked a venue?

CAROLINE: The mansion; like I said, we want to keep it classy but simple.

BONNIE: It will be beautiful.

DAMON: (After the waiter serves them the champagne, holds his glass up) To due overs!

EVERYONE: Cheers!

CAROLINE: Okay, so, we might change the mood with this one, but we need to tell you something else … Stefan?

STEFAN: Well, Damon, you already know what this is about. Bon, we didn’t want to tell you until we had made a decision.

BONNIE: What’s going on, Stefan? You’re freaking me out…

STEFAN: Essentially, I’m dying.

BONNIE: What?!

DAMON: Bro, context! You can’t just spit words out like that!

STEFAN: Sorry, Bon. Let me try this again. So, you know how I died, and then you brought me back, and then, well, I had the cure before I died, and then I gave it to Damon, and then...

DAMON: Oh, for god’s sakes! Bon Bon, thing is, the cure is wearing off fast. At this rate, we don’t know how long it will last before… well you know what. Stefan talked to me about it, and I came up with an idea; the only way out of this is if he takes the antidote, which is in my blood...

BONNIE: Wow, you sure you’re not the ones that are high? Sorry, had to break the tension to process this… Stefan, you do know what taking the antidote means, right?

STEFAN: I do, that’s what made it so hard to make the decision, but after a lot of thought, Care and I decided it’s worth the risk.

CAROLINE: We want to do it once we get back home.

BONNIE: This has never been done before, it could be dangerous, (turns to Damon) for both…

DAMON: Bon, don’t worry; we should be fine.

BONNIE: Not if it works like the cure, it won’t. Plus, you’re missing a major detail, Stefan died without the cure, it’s not in his system anymore so the “antidote” wont work. Your sudden deterioration is because you don’t have the cure anymore, just like what happened to Katherine but at a slower rate … Didn’t think it could happen, given that you died and came back, but I guess it did. Answer is simple, if you want to survive and don’t mind becoming a vampire, you need to be turned the old-fashioned way… (They all stare at her, mind blown, and a bit embarrassed they hadn’t even thought of that).

DAMON: (To Stefan) You see? This is why I insisted we talked to Bon Bon first!

CAROLINE: (To Bonnie) I told him to tell you too.

STEFAN: (To Bonnie) Sorry, I asked them not to tell you. I didn’t want to drag you, once again, into one of my problems.

BONNIE: Stefan, are we friends?

STEFAN: Of course we are.

BONNIE: Then, your problems are my problems; you’re not dragging anyone. (Teasing) But if you would have listened to them, we could have solved this way sooner.

CAROLINE: I can’t believe we didn’t even think of that…

BONNIE: Sometimes the answer is so obvious you doubt if it makes any sense.

CAROLINE: (To Stefan) So, what do you think?

STEFAN: To be honest, old-fashion way scares me even more, at least with the antidote option there was a chance the ripper might not come into play; but if we do it like this, it’s bound to happen at some point.

BONNIE: Not if you learn how to control it, and we can help you do that. You can do this, Stefan, you are much stronger than you give yourself credit for.

STEFAN: Thank you for saying that, Bon.

CAROLINE: So, old fashioned way it is…

DAMON: Dibs on the kill!

STEFAN: There’s no way in hell I’m letting you kill me; Care is the one that needs to do it.

CAROLINE: No, no, no, I’m not doing it. I’ll give you my blood but I’m not going to be part of The murder of Stefan Salvatore, true crime series episode.

STEFAN: Bon?

BONNIE: Oh, hell no.

DAMON: (With a grin) Looks like it’s gonna have to be me, bro.

STEFAN: Maybe it’s best if I just ride out this decomposition…

DAMON: Oh, come on, it could be fun! Just like old times!

STEFAN: Fine, but I swear, if you so much as smirk, I’m gonna go ripper on your ass.

DAMON: I’ll be gentle, and well behaved, pinky swear.

STEFAN: It’s settled then… Care, you’ll give me your blood; Damon, you’ll do the deed; Bon, you’ll be my moral support.

CAROLINE: God, this is insane! If anyone heard this conversation, they’d either put us in a loony or in jail.

BONNIE: That’s true for pretty much every conversation we have (they all laugh).

CAROLINE: Okay, now that we got that out of the way, let’s celebrate! (They spend the night drinking, laughing, dancing, having a great time).

Cut to – High-tech underground facility, Edward’s cell. The man that gave Edward his medication is still standing outside the cell, on guard. Edward can’t stop staring at him, intrigued by his uncanny behavior and appearance (which strangely resembles him).

 EDWARD: What the hell are you...

 TVD 9x10 coming next! Hope you stop by, read and enjoy! 

[bloomandcoffee]

some Claumitri, Dimitri grows in the Alliance AU

After the tragedy in Duscur, the political situation on the Northern Lands are dangerous, and Dimitri who is still just not old enough yet to take the crown and the only member of royal crest still alive is sent to the Alliance for protection. After all the Riegan were distant cousin of the Blaiddyd, they can protect the heir of Faerghus until he comes of age. Meanwhile the Kingdom can investigate all who orchestrated the regicide of the late King. 

That at least is the official statement.

In fact, they sent Dimitri over there as a political prisoner at worst or a bride to get a wedding alliance with the Leicester Alliance at best. Nothing more than a political sacrificial piece orchestrated by Cornelia’s faction in Northern Territories to get the heir out of the way. 

Dimitri’s stay in the Alliance is not glamorous at all. More often than not there is some hard work to be done that simply wasn’t available for anyone else and he has to do in order to keep a low profile, or he’s kept locked away for protection. He endures it with a placid smile and kindness, aware that he is away in a land where some will forever be hostile to him and Faerghus.

At least he came with Dedue, at Dimitri’s insistence. Because he won’t leave his friend and stalwart companion and savior behind, especially in Faerghus where people of Duscur are hated. Dimitri may be a political offering, but at least this way, he can protect Dedue.

This is the first thing that clues Claude in that the Northern prince has depths and is playing at some deeper game than just having a soft bleeding heart and grieving mind. He’s intrigued. 

Then he finds out that Dimitri is patiently teaching Dedue how to write and read, and makes some investigations of his own about Duscur’s situation and has an epiphany. 

Claude devises a strategy to get closer to Dimitri and Dedue by teaching them both the alliance mother language. Goading the Prince and retainer into spars and mischief will not yield the results he wants. If he wants to have them trusting him, he needs a more personal soft touch.

He realizes that Oh no, Dimitri is trusting! and then Oh no, Dimitri is cute, and then Dimitri snaps a lance in half while startled and realizes Oh No he’s freakishly strong. 

...and then he discovers that Dimitri feels responsible for the tragedy of Duscur, blames the deaths and has nightmares about the dead and the blood and... Oh No, I really want to save this soul. 

Dedue is their wingman. Mostly because he understands the politicking behind Dimitri’s situation in the alliance, and among all the figureheads in it, he trusts Claude. 

Dimitri doesn’t approve much of Claude’s underhanded tactics, though he respects their merits, especially when they yield results. So he starts learning to be cleverer, not on the battlefield though --he has honor-- but on the political climate of the alliance. 

He surprises Claude one afternoon by reading correctly the political situation concerning a trade --and brings into attention the influence of a faction Claude had previously ignored. “You can’t read perfectly basic southern Leicester, and yet you deduced the communications?!” “I can’t read, but I learned to read people, and once you know the basics, there’s certain alliance body language that seems universal” “You are scary, Dima” 

He also figures it out that Claude is really a Prince of Almyra, but keeps quiet. Politics are politics. 

Mock fights become common place, and Claude opens Dimitri up to his friends that end up warming up to the prince and his bodyguard. 

There are still political tensions, and more than once Dimitri lost a bit of his temper when learning about the situation in the Northern Kingdoms and his inability to help his brethren. Most of the time his communication missives don’t arrive, and it took a bit of work with Claude to find a method where he could keep contact with Ingrid. 

But the situation in north is not good. 

Dimitri never cries about it, but Claude knows there are tears in his voice. He’s so vulnerable like this, vulnerable, malleable and dangerous. Claude yearns. He’s away Dimitri is a political piece in the chessboard, and marriage is an option to expand his vision of a unified Fódlan and Almyra.

But more than anything, Claude wants to protect. So he soothes, and even if a few times they just argue into a stalemate it’s fine. So long as Dimitri feels heard, as long as he feels his burden is not something to carry alone --That it’s something he ought to carry with Claude-- he will take that as a victory.

Though one night, right before they depart for the Officer’s Academy where Dimitri will take the first step to his position as King of Faerghus by leading the Blue house, he promises beneath the stars, next to each other lying on the grass, shoulders touching, gaze connecting “We will make everything better. Your Kingdom, my Alliance, all of Fódlan. We’ll do it. Together” Dimitri smiles and nods. “Together.”

(For all that Dimitri has learned to read Leicester body language and their customs, he still forgets that Claude is Almyra bloodline as well, and that as is tradition of the eastern empire to propose beneath the stars of the last day of Lone Moon, with a vow of unity.)

Byleth chooses to teach the Golden deer house, though he soon finds that this was in fact a two-way deal. There have been some missions where the blue lions house has tagged along... and with them Manuela who keeps flirting. 

He tried to make sense of it. But Claude and Dimitri move seamlessly like a unit. And he thinks, maybe, the unity of the houses can yield something good for Fódlan.... and it’s not his fault if the Blue Lions come over to have class with the Golden Deer (and some of the Black Eagles have started to appear in some of his lectures too!). It’d just be rude to shove them away, Seteth, and anyway, it’s not like Manuela doesn’t help with the lesson either. 

(He may have found himself a counselor for Dimitri from time to time. Most of it at Claude’s and Dedue’s requests, because his students want to help the blond but Byleth knows an Adult™ is required. Something that Manuela approves.) 

Some Blue Lions and Golden Deer integrate well, some don’t. There is still tension about Dimitri’s actual political situation in Northern Lands, the place he’ll return after school. But it all seems far away, and the Blue Lions warm up to Dimitri and Claude all the same. 

(except Felix, but there are a lot of things to unpack there) 

Edelgard sees this and realizes her plans will fall right over the wayside if she doesn’t act quickly. First and foremost, she must mentally destabilize Dimitri. 

and because I’m in stupid abo phase. They are all alphas, but the kind that during their puberty, if they ingest alpha seed they will turn into omegas. 

Claude and Dedue are acutely aware of the politicking that Dimitri might fall prey of in the Alliance, and watch everything Dimitri consumes like a hawk. There are some few close calls, but they (with the help of the Golden Deer house, specifically, Lysithea) navigate through successfully. 

Everything seems fine, they are eighteen and in the Officer’s Academy. Dimitri sees some of his childhood friends, and even when the protection agreement is near its end and the investigations are apparently complete, the politics are tense --especially after the assassination attempt and Lonato’s rebellion. But they are out of omega-turning danger.

Except not really. After’s Edelgard’s unmasking as the Flame Emperor, Dimitri falls ill. Soon enough it’s apparent that it is not due to poison but heat. 

Everyone believe this is Edelgard’s doing. Given that soon after she is revealed to be the Flame Emperor who orchestrated the murder of Dimitri’s dad, the revolt in Faerghus, and declares war on everything in Fódlan, nobody questions the veracity of such suspicion.

No one will ever know it was in fact Claude’s plan. 

Dimitri’s first heat is terrible, but the church, the Golden Deer and some Blue Lions cooperate so that no alpha ever gets near Dimitri’s quarters and takes advantage.

Rhea is taken prisoner. Blyeth is gone, Dimitri is now ineligible as King because he’s now an omega and Cornelia takes the throne. It’s terrible. People of Faerghus rebel, and some start to think that perhaps the rule of only alpha royals has handed them unjust misery. The system ought to change.

Dimitri loses an eye to Cornelia. He’s now declared an enemy of the Kingdom and a target of the empire. Claude cannot protect him, publicly, that is. 

Golden Deer house, along with some of the more loyalist Blue lion factions make Dimitri effectively disappear. A year after Emperor Edelgard declares war, rumors start that Dimitri is dead though no body has been found.

After a visit to Almyra, most leaders of the alliance smell that Claude is now a taken alpha, but there’s no omega with him. Some think it’s one Almyra princess, the price paid for the Almyra reinforcements. His detractors think there’s someone else.

Dimitri, some whisper. But no one has seen the fugitive prince. Last they heard Dedue was killed brutally by Queen Cornelia’s generals.

There are some rumors of a red haired lancer, long hair in a braid, that leads a bunch of bandits. A robin hood of sorts, that gives food and gold to the refugees trying to escape the war, or the people of the towns near the church, those who are still pious and refuse to abandon their homes even if it means they will be trampled by the empire.

None have seen her. Though many whisper she is kind, quiet and has a sad pained smile. An omega, most agree, probably lost her family during the attacks, the poor dear. 

(Sometimes she’s accompanied by a tall armored man. Nobody has ever seen him, and he communicates with the lancer through sign language. The people keep quiet of that. The lancer and her paladin help them; they won’t ever betray such kindness.)

They are just rumors, of course. Though red hair becomes a synonym of dread for the imperial sympathizers in the Alliance.  

Five years later, Byleth returns to a Fódlan that’s still under war, and to Claude, now the leader of the Golden deer Alliance after cleaning it out of imperialist sympathizers in the most shrewd, clean, and bloodlessly manner possible. When Night comes, where Byleth remained at Claude’s request, he meets a weary Dimitri, now red haired, under a disguise. 

The professor smiles, relieved even if he can see the pain and weight Dimitri now carries around him, and they hold hands in greeting. Byleth also pats his head reassuring him that everything will come to pass, and never missing that he now smells like a taken omega --and the scent is undeniable Claude’s.

He raises an eyebrow at them, and Dimitri is the first one that cracks admitting that they did not have a Seirosian wedding. But Claude insists that they did follow the religion’s marrying rituals.

Byleth shakes his head at his reckless students, but is happy for them. They maintained Fódlan’s hope in his absence, and survived. Now that he’s here to help them (and he will help them) everything will be fine. 

They retake the Northern Kingdoms first and unseat Queen Cornelia. Dimitri is named King regent, though he puts right into planting the roots for the Kingdom to reform into a representative monarchy where the circle of nobility and especially the common people can have more power in how everything is governed. 

And of course, cleaning up Duscur’s name.

Claude doesn’t leave Dimitri’s room the night after Cornelia’s defeat, making sure that his husband understands that he is wanted and loved --even if his step mother never did.

Dimitri is both touched and embarrassed. It hurts, but his kindness is not as unmanageable as it once was.

The empress begs Byleth to end her life when she is defeated. Dimitri offers his hand to Edelgard instead, willing to forgive and give his step-sister a path to redemption. She throws his knife at him instead. 

“Good-bye, El.”

In the end, when everything is said and done, Byleth officiates Claude’s and Dimitri’s wedding official in the way it should have been. (Much to the protests of Seteth who, even if he’d become lax about Seirosian religion, is still scandalized that the new Pope is marrying an already married in sin couple where none is pure at the altar)

[shrunkyclunksbigbang-blog]

ShrunkyClunks Big Bang 2019 Masterpost

Ao3 Collection

Dancing With My Own Shadow by marvellingyou Art By: HeyBoyDraws

Once a week, without fail, Steve Rogers visits his departed beloved’s grave. While he dreams of the past and wishes that time had been kind, Bucky Barnes, owner of Blooming Aster, is waiting to lead Steve towards the future. [Masterpost]

Isn’t it Ironic? (Don’t You Think?) By imhereforgaysuperheros Art By: Huntress79 & HeyBoy

Bucky is used to his daughter bursting into tears in the middle of department stores. What he isn't used to is someone braving the wails and actually being able to stop Becca's tantrum in its tracks. Oh, and he's also not used to that someone being Captain America. AKA, how Steve Rogers calms a screaming kid in Target and falls in love with two more Barneses than he had bargained for.

Fixing Myself to Find You by ThertiaDragonslayer Art By: WitchyLurker

Post-Endgame Steve Rogers discovers that his soulmark has some in. This would be amazing after waiting almost 100 years for them, except it came in when he was doing humanitarian work, so he has no idea who it is. Bucky Barnes is a one-armed engineer who isn't sure what to do after the dusting of half the earth and the returning of them all. So he goes soul searching, but not soulmate searching after finding his mark lit up in his new temporary housing. Will they find each other after therapy and soul-searching? Only time will tell. Also, there's lots of cute animals. [Masterpost]

Mile High by NachoDiablo Art By: esaael

Bucky’s flight is cancelled. Luckily a pair of handsome superheros offer him a ride. [Masterpost]

Inside Edition by romanticalgirl Art By: Huntress79

No one's gotten an interview with Steve Rogers since Captain America was found in the ice. Bucky Barnes has, thanks to a previous article on Tony Stark, gotten a month-long, all-access pass to the life of Captain America. Along the way, he also meets Steve Rogers, and learns that even though they look the same, sound the same, and are the same, they're two very different people. [Masterpost]

Salt by Entwinedlove Art By: Dinogiveafuck

In his last semester of an Engineering degree, Bucky takes an elective class about Unusual Soulmate Marks, mostly because he has one. To cheer him up after the first day of classes, his friend Abby suggests doing a magic ritual to reassure him that his soulmate is out there waiting for him. What he learns from the ritual sends him veering away from the safe, boring life he had planned. [Masterpost]

Living Just To Breathe by emptydistractions Art By: elanatria

All Steve's ever wanted was to help people. And ever since they fished him out of the ice, that's what he's been doing. In fact, that's all he's been doing. In a world that he doesn't recognize anymore, it's easier to buy himself in his work than to face up to the ghosts of his past. Maybe avoidance isn't the healthiest strategy, but it's all he's got. All Bucky wants is to keep his city safe without some big, blonde idiot trampling all over his plans. Ever since the Avengers rose to fame and SHIELD moved in, that simple task's been getting harder and harder, and he's about at the end of his rope with it all. Neither of them have ever been especially good at compromise. (Or: A story about two heroes who hate each other. Until they don't.) [Masterpost]

The (Not so Little) Mermaid by Destiny_Rain_Evans Art By: Raynaki

Bucky Barnes, the son of a rich CEO and local failure, has 99 problems and mermaids are every single one of them. Specifically Steve Rogers, the so-called "noble" and "glorious" mermaid general, who washes up on the beach close to death. After Bucky drunkenly saves Steve's life, the wounded general insists on repaying the life debt. What Steve and Bucky don't know is that under the waves an ancient enemy is waiting for the general to return. And if he doesn't go to it, it will come to him. [Masterpost]

honestly thought i’d be dead by now, but what you can trust is that i need your touch by moonythejedi394 Art By: Raynaki

Bucky is 37 years old; he’s unmarried, hasn’t had a Sub of his own, is definitely not ripped, comfortable at his job as an Advanced Practice RN at Brooklyn General ER, and just got his Five Years coin from AA. Steve is 26 years old; he’s unmarried, his last and only Dom has Alzheimer's, he's worryingly muscular, uncomfortable in his job as the government’s poster Alpha for masculinity and strength, and worries more than he should about his BMI. Unfortunately, Steve and Bucky meet initially in a not-cute moment. Bucky’s tired as shit thanks to the sudden alien invasion that shook New York and Steve is tired as shit because he hasn’t slept more than 20 minutes at a time in – well, since 1936, probably. Bucky’s Alpha instincts get irritated at the sudden presence of another "Alpha" into his territory and Steve’s suppressed submissive tendencies latch onto this grumpy bachelor Alpha and he only suppresses it further. Bucky’s grumpiness and Steve’s duckling impressionism aside, both of them are a mess. But since both of them are a mess? Their messes seem to fit pretty well together. [Masterpost]

Closer by LilyInTheSnow Art By: WitchyLurker

Bucky doesn't need Natasha and Clint trying to set him up with an Alpha. Again. The last few had been utter disasters and he's not at all interested in the new one they bring up. He's not. Especially so close to the full moon and his heat. He just wants to go to the herbalist and get his tea so he can stave off another heat and be left alone. He doesn't need an Alpha. He just kind of wants one. And the one that he kind of wants is the herbalist. [Masterpost]

The Void by KeyWolf25888

Steve has woken up to a world that doesn’t need him any more – that replaced him as Captain America, and has forgotten about him. Watch him try to live life as a civilian, and navigate a relationship with a man who has no idea of his true identity – until, at least, his old life comes knocking. [Masterpost]

Whadda Freakin’ Jerk! A New York City Love Story… a Sequel? by bunnymaccool Art By: tallihoozoo

Steve Rogers has spent his entire life lonely while being surrounded by people. But this time he's dealing with it in a completely unfamiliar world. He just wants someone to belong to. Que the smart-mouthed asshole he meets randomly in a coffee shop, their slightly volatile courtship, complete harassment from his teammates... and the worst timed alien invasion ever. Alternative Title: Coupla’ Assholes from Brooklyn with PTSD, and More Balls Than They Have Sense. - A Thesis by Sam Wilson [Masterpost] 

A Fishy Deal by QueenoftheRandomWord42 Art By: esaael

James Buchanan Barnes was a man of many talents. He was a fantastic shot, could speak several languages, was skilled in a few martial arts, really passionate about space and science museums, Fuck Buddy of Steve Rogers, and was a proud owner of a few betta fish. Things changed when Bucky's sister charged in to talk to her brother and wound up inviting Steve to the wedding as his plus one. But Weddings bring out the best and the worst in people, will their relationship survive? “What just happened?” Steve asked as he ducked back into the bathroom. “I think you just got invited to my sister’s wedding in my ex-boyfriend’s stead…” Bucky said blinking."

Nobody Likes Unsolicited Dick Pics (Except When They Do) by Blondi_Bluue Art By: Lasenby_Heathcote

When Bucky Barnes accidentally sends a dick pic to a wrong number while looking for a little action, he never expected to get a positive response. Feelings are caught, drama ensues, things work out in the end

Walk It Off by Thatswherethelightgetsin Art By: Fannishlove

Steve is, somehow, still alive when the fighting finally ends. Again. Which is good, everyone keeps telling him how good it is. And it’s not that he doesn’t agree, not that he didn’t want to make it through the latest round of horror. But, he’s starting to think that while he may not be dead, he’s not really alive either. He’s not sure he ever really was. Bucky is just the guy that lives a few doors down from Steve and occasionally nods at him when they pass in the corridor. That is until a mix up with the mail makes him wonder if he might be more, might be the spark he needs to actually start living. But, predictably things are never that simple and Bucky might be more than he seems.

[confused-gender]

It’s only make believe Pt. 1

Summary: the reader had fallen for the lone wolf Baron Corbin.

Warnings: swearing and fluff

Word count: 2234

"People see us everywhere They think you really care But myself I can't deceive I know it's only make believe"

I looked at another picture of me and Baron together smiling away at each other. Then looked at the caption "The cutest couple I have ever seen" it read. I smiled at that. In all out honestly Baron didn't really care about me as much as I care about him. I put my phone done and let out a deep sigh. "Hey (y/n), you ready to go?" I look towards where the voice had came from and see Sami Zayn. I smiled and nodded. I was about to grab my bag when Sami grabbed it. "You know I could of grabbed it right." I said to him. "Yea I know but I wanted to be a good friend and help you out." He said. I just shook my head and let out a small laugh. Sami started to walk out when I heard. "I'll take her bags." I looked and saw Baron had said that. "Oh Baron I was gonna ride back with Sami instead." I said. Baron shook his head no and grabbed my bags. He started to walk away with my bags. I sighed. "I guess I'm riding with him. Sorry about that Sami." I said apologetically. "It's fine (y/n). Maybe you can make it up to me?" Sami asked hopefully. I smiled and nodded. "How about I take you out for lunch tomorrow?" I said but it came out more like a question. He nodded. "That will definitely make it up to me." He said smiling. I was about to say something but was cut off. "(Y/n) come on!" I hear Baron yell. "I'll text you so you'll know more about our lunch date." I said to him quickly. I started to jog towards Baron. "Alright I'll be waiting for your text!" Sami yelled after me.

"My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care, My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you. No one will ever know how much I love you so My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me But it's o-only make believe."

Once in the car I could feel the frustration and tension in the air. Baron started the car but didn't back out of our parking spot. I sat there unsure of what to say. I could feel him looking at me but I didn't dare look back at him. After a couple of minutes of just sitting in silence he pulls out of the parking lot and speeds off to our house. I had just moved in recently with Baron because he said it would be fun to have his best friend as his roommate. The car ride home was silent and very tense. I grabbed my bags from the back seat before Baron could and walked towards our front door. I opened the door and went straight to my room. "What a day." I mumble to myself. I hear the front door close and someone walking up the stairs. "(Y/n) you forgot your phone in the car." I hear Baron say loudly. I groaned. I walked out of my room and walked past Baron who still seemed a little tensed. 'Maybe he had a rough night' I thought. I finally reached the car. Huh that's weird my phone wasn't where I had left it. I continued to search the car for my phone. Where the heck could it be? There it is. I reach under the drivers seat and grab my phone. I look it over and notice a small crack on my screen protector that wasn't there before. I probably did that and didn't notice it until now. I locked up the car and made my way back inside the house. My screen lighting up caught my attention. I looked at it and saw it was a text from Baron. I unlocked my phone and went straight to my text messages. I pressed on Barons name and read the text. "Went out with some friends be in late." It read. That's weird why didn't I hear him leave I was outside. I sent back a text telling him to be careful and have fun. I went up to my room to change into my pjs. I grabbed my phone and ordered myself some Chinese food. I sat in the living room waiting for my food when my mind started to wonder off to Baron. Maybe he's noticed that I like him more then a friend. Nah I haven't shown him any signs that I do. What if he likes me more then a friend? Nope I'm stopping myself right there because if I get my hopes up I'll be all sad about it so I'm not going to dwell on that question. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I hear a knock on the door. I hop off the couch and walk to the door. After paying for my food. I found myself feeling lonely as I sat at the kitchen table by myself. As if someone was reading my mind my phone started to ring. I picked my phone up to see who was calling me. I see Sami's smiling face on my screen and his name in bold coming across my screen. I picked up. "Hey Sami." I say happily. "Hi (y/n)." Sami replied back.

"My hopes, my dreams come true, my life I'd give for you, My heart, a wedding ring, my all, my everything. My heart I can't control, you rule my very soul, My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me But it's o-only make believe."

After a couple of hours of being on the phone with Sami I hear the front door open. I quickly turn my attention towards the door. I let out a sigh of relief when I see Baron stumble in. "I really hope she's not up." I hear him say. "Hey Sami Baron just got home so I'll see you tomorrow for our lunch date." I say to him quietly. "Okay see you then. Bye (y/n)." He said before hanging up. I hear the front door slam shut. Ignoring it I put my phone done and start to clean up my mess. I hear him walking up the stairs and then I hear a thud. "OWW." Laughing quietly to myself I continued to put my left over food in the fridge. I looked at the dishes in the sink and started debating on if I should do them or not. I hear my phone make a ding noise telling me I have a text. I quickly look at my phone screen to read that it was text from Baron. Picking up my phone and quickly unlocking it I go to my messages to see what he texted me. *text from Baron* 'Where are you?'. Did he go to my room and notice that I'm not in there? Phone dinged again and I looked back at the conversion with baron. *text from Baron* 'Did you go out without telling me?'. For a man who is drunk apparently he can still text just fine. I text him back. *text to Baron* 'Downstairs'. I could hear some shuffling noises from upstairs but I ignored it and went back to the dishes. I might as well get them done now rather then doing them tomorrow. "(Y/n)!" Baron yells from the top of the stairs. "In the kitchen Baron!" I yell back up to him. I turn on the faucet and put it to a bearable water temperature. Pick up the wash cloth I feel Baron wrap his arms around me. I let out a happy sigh but come to reality when I remember he's only doing this because he's drunk. "You know I love you right?" He ask me. "I know. I love you too." I say back. I know he only loves me as a friend but I mean it when I say I love him. "No like I'm in love with you (Y/n)." He said seriously. I sigh and stop doing the dishes for a second. "Baron you're only saying that because you're drunk. Now please go to bed before you say something else you don't mean to say." I said. I go back to doing the dishes and wait for him to respond. I feel him unwrap his arms from around me and back up a little from me. "I'm being serious (y/n). I'm in love with you." He said. I turned the water off after I finished the last dish and turned towards Baron with a frown. "Who put you up to this because it's not funny Baron. I'm not trying to get my hopes up believing in what the drunk you has to say. When I know the sober you has no feelings towards me because I can see it in your eyes. Just go to bed before you hurt me." I said but mumbled the last sentence. Baron looked at me in disbelief. "(Y/n)..." he steps towards me and lightly caresses my face. "I would never hurt you. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm lying but I'm telling you the truth." He said softly. I push his hand away from my face and look at him with tear filled eyes. "Baron... this isn't you talking. So please stop because by you telling me you're in love with me is hurting me when I know it's not true. Maybe if you told me this when you were sober then I would believe you." I said quietly. I start to walk away from him and wipe my eyes. "(Y/n)?" Baron said but it came out more like a question. I stop but don't turn around to look at him. "Is that all you want. You want me to be sober in order for you to believe me? If that's all you want I can do it for you." He said. I sigh and start to walk away. "Don't make empty promises." I said sadly. I hear him mumble something but I couldn't quite make it out. I start to walk up the stairs when thoughts enter my head. What if he is telling the truth? There could be a possibility that he actually likes me right? No your just being silly and getting your hopes up like you always do. I finally reach my room but hesitate for a moment. Shaking my head I walk into my room and close the door softly. I think a goods night rest could make this all go away. I lay on my bed for what seemed like hours but was only 10 minutes before I finally fell asleep.

"My one and only prayer, is that some day you'll care, My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you No one will ever know how much I love you so My prayers, my hopes, my schemes, you are my every dream But it's o-only make believe (Make believe)"

The sound of someone opening my door woke me up. "Hey sleeping beauty." I hear a familiar voice say. "Mmm five more minutes please." I said half asleep. I hear the person chuckle. "(Y/n) it's almost two in the afternoon." The voice said. "No its not. Baron you can't pull that trick on me again." I said tiredly. "I'm not Baron sweetheart." The voice said. Wait what. I open my eyes finally and look at the person talking to me. "Sami?" I ask unsure. He nods his head. I sighed and started to get up. "Sorry about missing our lunch date." I said. Then it dawns on me. "Wait how did you get in here?" I ask him. "Baron let me in. He also told me to tell you that he's going on a date tonight and not to wait up for him." He said. I knew he didn't mean what he said last night. I feel myself frown. "Hey are you okay?" Sami asks. I nod my head. I knew better then to believe in something that was never gonna happen. "Alright let me get dressed and then I'll take you to dinner to make up for missing lunch with you." I said. I got off my bed and started to walk past Sami to my closet when he grabbed my arm lightly making me stop. "Look (Y/n) it's alright to be upset with Baron. He told me about last night or what he could remember of it." Sami paused and thought for a couple of seconds. "I would be upset too if I was you. Especially if I hear he's going on a date with someone else." He said. I look at him with tear filled eyes. He pulled me into a tight hug and comforted me to his best ability. The sound of the front door opened and the sound of a females laughter filled the air. I cried even harder against his chest. I can't be here not while I have these feelings for him. I pull away from Sami and I look up at him. "I think I should get ready. You can wait in here for the time being." I said. I walk away from him and grab everything I need for our dinner date.