#might just play for a few days before i have to get busy and study...so..../shrug/

[gomzdrawfr]

I can find you a Minecraft world seed with a massive cherry biome at spawn if you want

dont worry I got it!

[soft-girl-musings]

Salt & Pepper

Moon Knight System x GN!Reader

cross-posted to ao3

tags: rated T for teasing, domestic fluff, author does not condone touching people's hair without permission, no use of Y/N

wc: 1,078

fic summary: Marc, are you familiar with the term "silver fox"?

A/N: i might have a problem lol

_____________________

“Put. It. Down.”

Marc Spector does not startle easily. So when he nearly falls from his perch beside the bathtub, you’re surprised you have to steady him.

“Jesus, where’s the fire?” Marc picks up the towel and small cardboard box he’d dropped because of your outburst.

Shifting your focus, you zero in on the latter: hair dye, just as you’d suspected.

“So this is what you get up to when I’m away?” You tut, cradling his temples and shaking your head. "What happened to you?" 

"What? Nothing, I'm-"

"-I wasn't talking to you," you sigh, resting your forehead against the crown of his head. "How long has he been treating you like this, you poor things?"

“Ha-ha.”

You release his face to study it. "But seriously, how long have you been dying your hair?”

 “... For a couple of years. Started to turn gray from stress a while back, and I guess it never stopped.” He fidgets with the loose edge of the container.. “You really never noticed?”

You take the box and set it beside him. “You hid it well.”

You’re not judging him for dying his hair, it’s just… surprising. Marc’s never been one to fuss over his appearance, as far as you could tell. When you first saw his closet, you’d half expected it to be lined with the same outfit ten times, like in a cartoon. Most days, “dressing up” means adding a jacket or blazer.

 “Since when do you care? About your hair, I mean.” 

He shrugs. “I’m not gettin’ any younger, honey.”

“Neither am I.” You kiss the bridge of his nose. “You got a problem with that?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. Goes double for me, don’t you forget it.” Leaning in, Marc tries for another kiss, but you duck and grab the hair dye before turning away with a mischievous smirk.

“Gotta keep you honest,” you wink and dart out of the room before he can catch you.

_____________________

"Love?"

"Hm?"

"Might fall out if you keep playing with it like that.”

You’d been standing behind Steven for the past couple of minutes, meaning to check in on his preparations for his morning tour but had gotten distracted. Very distracted.

“Sorry,” you sigh, your fingers leaving the wisps of hair at the nape of his neck and trailing down to his shoulder. “It’s just… hm.”

Your conversation with Marc must have taken root: over the past few weeks, you’ve noticed the hair that had been dangerously close to another round of boxed dye abuse steadily turning lighter. A subtle blend of silver strands mix with the darker curls that frame his face, making his hair shine a bit brighter in the light of the desk lamp.

“It’s like starlight,” you finally state, leaning in to rest your head against his.

Steven sputters and puts his book aside. “Starli- that’s a bit much, yeah?” His brow furrows, but there’s no denying the smile tugging at his lips.

“Not if it’s true,” you contend. You adjust the reading glasses that had slid down his face and tuck a stray curl behind his ear. “It’s a good look on you.”

There’s no denying the heat rising to his cheeks when you talk. “This– you don’t–” Steven caves and sets his book down, hopelessly flustered. “Either go away or get over here. Cheeky.”

He makes room for you to settle into his lap, which you giddily accept. Your hands sink back into his curls and he shivers as you scratch his scalp.

“Did I ever tell you I had a thing for my professor, once upon a time?”

“Oh my days–” 

You’re not sure who kisses who, but you’re certainly not complaining. Neither is he.

_____________________

The time apart has been agony.

You check your phone for the fifth time this evening. They’ve been gone for what feels like months (it’s been weeks) handling some business in California, of all places. Marc said he’d call when they were on their way home, meaning no news is sad news.

You’re pulled from your pity party by a knock on the door. It’s late, and you’ve already signed for your dinner delivery. Slowly, you get up and grab the bat you keep by the entrance (with a sock slipped over the end per Jake’s advice).

The knocking continues, getting more urgent. You take a deep breath and look through the peephole. A large brown eye stares back and you yelp, dropping your bat. The unmistakable boom of Jake’s belly laughter mocks you from behind the door.

“You’re hilarious,” you groan, standing the bat back on its head and unlocking the door.

You’re ready to lay into him when you open the door, but you’re stunned into silence. Jake’s smile is highlighted by silvery stubble, dusted with black. He adjusts his cap as his dark eyebrows raise in mock surprise.

“What, no hello?”

You tear your eyes away from his jaw. “Hm? Oh. Hi.” You open the door wider for him to step in. “Marc said you’d call first.”

“No fun in that, is there? Besides, you looked ready to handle some trouble.” he shrugs off his coat as you lock the door behind him.

“Trouble, yes. Nuisance, debatable.” You sidle up to him and drape your arms around his waist. You place a kiss on his cheek; it’d be impossible for him to not notice how you let yours drag along the rough line of his jaw.

“I missed you too,” he laughs again. “But man, is it warm in here…”

He tosses his cap and it takes everything in him to not lose it when your eyes widen at the sight of his hair, now more gray than black and curls longer than you’ve seen them before. You’re too enraptured to be embarrassed at your obvious loss for words.

“Your hair…” You reach up to touch it, but Jake grabs your wrist.

“Tsk, tsk, you threaten and barely say a word to me, then go straight for the goods without so much as a ‘please’? What happened to decorum, hm?”

“You fucking tease,” you huff. “...please?”

“Well, since you asked nicely–” Jake can barely finish his thought before your lips are on his, your hand tangled in his starlit hair as soon as he lets go.

“I take it we should cancel Marc’s haircut?” he murmurs as you catch your breath.

Your free hand grazes the scruff on his cheek and you grin. “I wouldn’t complain if you did.”

_____________________

A/N: marvel you cowards give us gray-haired moon knight

ty for reading <3

event tags:@moonknight-events @spacecowboyhotch @juneknight

addtl tags: @mrs-lockley @lunar-ghoulie @shadystarlightgentlemen @casa-boiardi @nerdieforpedro @queerponcho (lmk if you'd like to be added to/removed from this wee tag list)

[pit-and-the-pen]

Three- Eris

I love this song and it is so Eris coded to me. This is apart of my mini-series inspired by this album

Listen to the song here: Three (i could not get the mini player to work, so if you know how to pretty please let me know)

Warnings: Angst, minor injury to reader (burn), self-deprecating thoughts (eris to himself)

WC:

Finally catching up. For the first time I see an image of my brokenness utterly worthy of love. Maybe I’ve done enough. And I finally see myself, through the eyes of no one else. It’s so exhausting on this silver screen, where I play the role of anyone but me... I only want what’s real. I set aside the highlight reel and leave my greatest failures on display with an asterisk worthy of love anyway.

Eris had been acting strange to say the least. It was rare for you to go a day without seeing the red haired male but it had been a whole week now. Your mind kept playing back to something you might have said or did the last time you saw him. 

You’d gone on a walk with the few smoke hound pups Eris was beginning to train. They were all still tripping over large paws and each other and the sight made peals of laughter fall from your mouth. More than once you looked over and saw your best friend staring at you, although he denied it every time you questioned him about it. Shrugging it off you had kept walking until the sun was starting to set. You turned to face him, to say goodbye, and a pup had run straight into you. Your back would have hit the wet forest floor if it wasn’t for Eris’ strong arm wrapped around your waist. His eyes were wide as he looked down at you, full of softness you couldn’t place but made something in your chest flutter all the same. He had just barely made sure you were standing upright before he called the pups back in and practically ran away from you without saying goodbye. 

You couldn’t think of anything in that interaction that would explain Eris’ absence. Finally deciding you’ve had enough of this, you marched to his study. You didn’t knock as you entered, remembering to lightly open the door. Having learned the hard way that he would violently jump with any door being opened or closed harshly. He didn’t look up from his desk as you stood in the doorway. It took you clearing your throat three times before his eyes even glanced up. 

“Hello.” Was all he said before he turned his eyes back down, his brow slightly furrowed. 

“Eris-”You started, a slight whine in your voice. you heard the sigh that left him. 

“Please. I’m busy. We can go on a walk later.” He was hardly looking at you when he said it.

“Okay.” You conceded. Already knowing he wasn’t going to find you later. 

Days went by and you still haven't gotten the chance to talk to Eris. It was starting to annoy you, making your skin itch in an uncomfortable way. You had gone to a deeper part of the forest to clear your head, a part on the trail that only you and Eris ever traveled. It was starting to get colder as the sun drifted lower in the sky and your lack of jacket made you decide to head back to your room. There was no point in going down to the dining room, to sit with the other members of the court and listen to their dull gossip without Eris beside you. 

You were far away as you walked back, mind absorbed with thoughts of how you could get Eris to talk to you. It was only that fact that stopped you from noticing the body you had walked into. You didn’t have to look up to notice that familiar smell of cinnamon and pine, to know it was the very same male you had been daydreaming about standing in front of you. 

“Eris.” You couldn’t stop the smile that graced your face. 

“Hi little doe.” The nickname made your heart skip a beat. And you blushed. “I didn’t think I would run into you out here.”

“Because you’ve been avoiding me.” You half-teased. His face fell slightly. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Please,” You took a step away from him, “Don’t pretend I’m stupid.” 

“I would never.”

“Then don’t lie to me and say you haven’t been actively avoiding me. It's been weeks and I’ve hardly seen you. I miss you.” You said the last part softly, trying to tamp down the anger at the male in front of you. He sighed. 

“I've been busy.”

“You’ve never been too busy for me before.”

“I wasn’t High Lord back then.”

“You spare a few moments from your duties to see me?”

“Please. It’s not like that.” His voice held an edge to it, he wasn’t telling you something. 

“Eris, what’s wrong? Did I do something, did I say something? What happened, I’m sure we can talk it out.” Your words are spilling out of you a mile per minute. 

“Stop. Just stop.” He growled, a pained edge to his voice. It broke your heart to hear.

“Eris please, just talk to me. I want to hel-” A yelp broke from your lips as he grabbed your arms, an involuntary action to the step you took towards him. Both of you were too caught up in the argument to realize the tendrils of flames that had risen from his fingers, the tendrils that had bitten into your skin. He quickly released you, the force throwing you to the ground. His face held nothing but pure horror. When you looked down at your arms you saw the angry red handprints that, despite that they were already healing, would scar. He took a step towards me before he stood completely still. I pulled myself up, tears running down my face. 

“I’m so sor-”

“Figure your shit out, Eris. I’m just trying to help you.” It had been so long since Eris lost control of his powers. Not once had you been the source of that anger. You didn’t look back as you walked towards the forest house. 

You weren’t surprised when you heard a faint knock at your door a few hours after you returned from the healer. A heavy scented balm applied to your forearms, wrapped in pristine white banageds. The burns weren’t bad, you had seen Beron leave worse on his sons. You untangled yourself from the heavy blankets you were curled up in and went to find Eris at your door. You tried to fight the urge to tuck your arms behind your back when you saw his eyes drift towards the gauze wrapped around them. 

“I just wanted to come to check on you.” He muttered, taking a step closer to you. You took a step back, flinching slightly as your arm brushed up against the door frame. Eris wore an expression like you had slapped him. He didn’t look like he was breathing anymore. “I’m sorry. So incredibly sorry.” Was all he said as he turned around, leaving you very confused in the doorway. You didn’t bother calling after him, ignoring the way your body called for you to. You wanted nothing more than him to wrap his arms around you. The two of you had only gotten into minor squabbles. Nothing like this, nothing that stopped you from talking to each other for long periods of time. 

Weeks scraped by and you saw very little of Eris. The manor might have been big but not big enough to explain the rare glimpses you caught of Eris. You didn’t even get the chance to tell him about your upcoming trip to the spring court. One of the healers had their yearly harvest of Hyssop, an important ingredient for making cough medicine that refused to grow in the colder climate of the Autumn court. It was far more potent when used fresh so every year you would make the trip to Spring to collect a few bushels. In return you would stick around for a few days to help with patients. There were always so many in the spring court that any extra hands were appreciated more than any amount of gold. You gathered a few of your lighter dresses to take with you, packing a few more than necessary. And walked to the border, winnowing near your friend's cottage. 

Spring was your favorite court to visit. The flowers and fruit that grew filled the air with a sweet fragrance. The pollen always took some time to adjust to, as did the warmer weather. It was nice to visit but after a few days you would always find yourself missing the rich colors of Autumn. 

Your friend was bursting with joy as she opened the door for you. Your eyes wide as your spied the small babe she was carrying on her hip. 

“Gods, we have a lot to catch up on it seems.” You smile at her before reaching out to pinch the small boys cheeks. “Hello little one.” You cooed, a bell like laugh was your response and you went to hug your friend. 

Cecilia had been busy in the last year since you had seen her. She filled you in on the goings on of the small apothecary she ran. You two had just finished hanging some mint up to dry when you heard the front door open. 

A tall fae male walked into the kitchen. You had met him once or twice during your visits, Greyson, you think his name was. Cecilia gave him a love sick smile that he returned. He said a polite greeting to you before he walked over to your friend's side and gave her a short but sweet kiss on the cheek. They seemed to slip into their only little world, only seeing one another until the baby babbling snapped them out of it. You shoved down the small wave of nasty jealousy at the way they looked at each other. 

“I’ll go check on him.” Greyson said when that little coo turned into a piercing wail. Cecilia’s eyes tracked him until he disappeared from the room. She deflated slightly when he ducked around the corner. 

“So…” You started. A not so subtle way of asking for an explanation. She blushed. 

“We’ve been friends for years, you remember, I was always hoping for a bond to snap and then one day he ran into me while I was picking herbs and it was history from there. We never expected to have a baby so quickly, they’re so rare, but we were overjoyed.” She went on and you realized you were gripping the knife you were chopping herbs with a little tighter than needed. You hummed along to her story. Unknowing what to add to it. 

“And how’s your love life?” She elbowed you teasingly. She was fully aware of your feelings for a certain redhead. You scoffed and went back to stripping off leaves from their stems. 

You left two days later, arms full of all the herbs Ceceila had given you. She gave you a tight hug as you winnowed back to your home. You hummed a light song to yourself as you walked back to your room, feeling lighter than you had in the past days as you arrived at your door. 

Your humming died out as you saw your bedroom door wide open when you knew for a fact you had locked it behind you. Hesitantly, you peaked around the edge of the door. 

“Eris?” At the sound of your voice, he turned to face you. Relief etched into his perfect face. He was across the room in seconds. He wrapped his arms around you, picking you up off your feet. 

“You were gone. I went to check on you and half of your stuff had been packed,” He said as he put you back onto your feet. His chest was heaving rapidly. “I thought you left.” 

“You were too busy ignoring me for me to tell you.” You continued on your path putting away your clothes. Not looking at Eris. You suddenly felt his hand wrap around your wrist which you gently but firmly removed. 

“Doe, please. Look at me.” He pleaded but you only scoffed. 

“Now I’m worthy of your attention. I have been away for three days and now you want to pay attention to me. It’s been over a month since you so much as talked to me, Eris.” You turned to face him, hands on your hips. Almost begging him to try to deny it. 

“It’s not like that-” He ran his hands through his hair, messing up the long locks. 

“Then what’s it like?” You challenged. “You won’t talk to me even though I know something is wrong.”

“It’s nothing.”

“See!” You threw your arms up, a bit dramatic but you didn’t care right now. “You know you can tell me anything.”

“Not this.” 

“Eris, what is so bad that you can’t talk to me about it.” Your tone softened a little at the clear struggle on his face. He didn’t say anything and you wanted to scream at him. You didn’t instead you just told him, “If you won’t…Just get out.”

“Doe. Please”

“Don’t, I’m exhausted Eris. If you truly won’t tell me, I can’t help-”

“I love you.” He blurted out. Both of you froze. When you met his eyes you knew he was telling the truth. He took a deep breath, he opened his mouth and then closed it again. He finally spoke again. “I’ve been in love with you for years. And then when-” He caught himself. Stumbling to shut his mouth. You took a step towards him. Hand reaching for his. 

“When what Eris?” You felt your  heartbeat pick up. 

“When I felt the bond snap,” He looked at your  face, you only nodded for him to keep talking. “You’re sweet, kind, and good. Gods are you kind. Kinder and gentler than anyone I could ever deserve. So I thought if I hid the bond that there would be a chance it never snapped for you. That you would be free to find someone who is…better than me.” 

“Eris-”

“I’ve done awful things to people. I’ve hurt people and backstabbed and betrayed so many of the closest people to me. I mean look at Lucien. He can’t even live in his own court.  Look at Mor. Even you have scars that tell me you deserve anyone else but me.” His voice cracked on the last word. Shaking with unshed tears. You slowly trailed your hand up his arm, leaving it to rest on his cheek. He closed his eyes tight but didn’t pull away from your touch. 

“I love you so much and couldn’t believe the mother would let me have a mate as good as you. So I hid like a coward because the thought of it was too much.” He whispered into your palm. You brushed your thumb near his eyes, a silent plea for him to look at you. 

“You aren’t that person Eris. I’ve never seen anything but the good you’ve done. The horrible things that this court has made you do, is not who you really are. Lucien is alive because you got him to spring. Mor is alive because you made your brothers stop, you’re the one who called for Rhys and Azriel that day. But look at all the good you’ve done, just to the court since you became High Lord.” He was crying now, trembling under your words. “Females can walk around unafraid, something they have never been able to do in this court. Children laugh in the street, full and happy. All because of you. Eris you are good, and kind, and oh so deserving of love.” He only shook his head, like he could stop the words from finding his ears. “And I will tell you every second of every day for the rest of our lives until you believe it. I love you Eris. I have loved you for as long as I’ve known what love is.” You spoke clearly, words hanging in the air as Eris finally opened his eyes. 

“You love me?” 

“Long before I ever felt the bond,” His eyes widened. “It was silly, just a look across the room during a ball. And I could never think of the right way to tell you. But I knew before then that there was no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life with. It’s always been you Eris.” He turned his head to give your hand a small kiss. Then he slid to his knees, clutching that hand like it was solid gold. 

“I might never deserve you, but I promise to love you the best that I can.” You smiled softly at him before you sunk down, eye level with him. You threw your arms around his neck pulling him into a crushing hug. 

“You’ve always deserved me.” You whispered before you pulled him in a kiss that made the world freeze around you.

Tagging the Eris girlies/moots as usual: @daycourtofficial @nocasdatsgay @secret-third-thing

[milaisreading]

Isagi sister y/n x Sae? She was in love with y/n for a long time and he was planning to confess to her. While all this time y/n was thinking that Sae was gay for Shidou after she saw their matches together. When he confessed to her, y/n told him that isn't he is gay for Shidou.

🌱🩷: I was supposed to be studying this morning, but your idea was funny so I had to write it. Thanks for the request!

Warnings: Reader uses she/her. Requests are open

⚽️Blue Lock belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura ⚽️

"Hmmm..." Sae muttered as he looked at the screen of his phone. Over the past few days that was how most people could find him, just sitting and looking at his phone. From time to time, his expressions would change, but that was only if you looked at him fast enough. A lot of people might say it was pre-final game jitters, but whoever knew Sae enough knew that wasn't true. Rin, Isagi, and Shidou would sometimes ask if je was ok, but all they would get is a short nod from him.

'I hope he won't be acting weird tonight. We really need to have his head in the game if we want to win the World cup.' Rin sighed as he received another short nod from Sae.

"What's up with Undereyelashes senior? Did you two have another fight?" Shidou snickered, earning an annoyed look from Rin. But, before the younger could yell back at him, Isagi stepped in between them. They didn't need all of this hours before their final game with Germany!

"Just calm down everyone. Let's leave Sae-san alone for now."

'Be honest when confessing, and also be smooth about it?' Sae frowned as he read through the guide.

'I hate these internet advice sites.' Sae groaned, putting the phone away and rubbing his eyes. He was tired, very tired from all the training, but also from keeping all these emotions under wrap for the past few months. Sae Itoshi wasn't someone who saw himself falling in love with anyone, heck, he never saw himself having a crush! But, here he was, hours before his final game at the World cup, he was busy figuring out a way to confess his feelings for (Y/n).

'This is ridiculous. I should have done this before the game. But, only if I win tonight will I see myself worthy of her.' Sae shook his head as a blush spread across his face.

"I will take a walk." The rehead muttered to himself as he walked out of the room Rin  Shidou, and he shared.

"Are you not nervous? The final game kept mom, dad, and I up all night." The older Itoshi froze in his footsteps as he heard the voice of the one person that's been haunting his thoughts for the past months.

'(Y/n)...' Sae gulped as he observed her and Yoichi's interaction.

"I was nervous days prior, now I am just numb to everything." Yoichi shrugged his shoulders as (Y/n) poked his cheek.

'Wish she would do that to me-Is that Yoichi's jersey she is wearing?!' Sae gulped as he noticed the familiar clothing item, which caused a weird wave of jealousy to hit him.

"Hm?" Feeling eyes on them, (Y/n) turned to look at Sae, and gave him a smile and wave.

"Sae-san! Ready for the game later?!"

Yoichi looked back as well, noticing the blush on the older's cheeks.

"You finally got out of your room?"

"Finally?" (Y/n) asked in confusion, but instead of getting an answer, the boy turned around and quickly walked away.

"Maybe he is nervous?" (Y/n) suggested, watching in sadness as Yoichi chuckled a little.

"Hard to imagine. He basically breaths football." He answered back, earning a nod from (Y/n).

'I think he might be panicking because him and Shidou are in the same team again. After all, I know all to well how it feels to be close to someone you love, but can't tell them that.' She thought as her expression fell a little.

'I wish he liked me like I like him. But, Shidou is the one he wants.'

"Let's go and get some food. I can't play on an empty stomach." Yoichi said as he pulled (Y/n) towards the exit.

"Sure..."

'Maybe,in another life he would like me back.'

Meanwhile, Sae was having a small breakdown in the bathroom.

'That smile... shit, it's so cute! She is so sweet and caring, how can one not fall for her.' Sae thought as he washed his face, hoping the cold water might help his blush.

"That smile, the voice, the eyes, everything is way too ethereal about her. I need to get this off of my chest as soon as possible." Sae took a few deep breaths.

"Shit, get your head into the game, Sae. You can't embarrass yourself in front of (Y/n) tonight."

A few hours later, the game was about to start. The stadium had a special euphoria haunting it, something neither the Japanese or German team felt before. Was it because it's the final game? Was it the loud cheers from the Japanese fans? They didn't know, but they definitely enjoyed it... some more than the others.

"Sae-chan! Ready for the game? You finally got off your high horse?!" Sae flinched as Shidou jumped on his back and yelled into his ear.

"Get off!" Sae yelled, shoving Shidou off of his back and looked back to where (Y/n) was sitting (he had to beg Yoichi to tell him where her seat was). Sending her a small wave, the girl returned it, then she looked back to where Yoichi was.

"YO-CHAN, DO YOUR BEST!!"

Sae sighed dreamily as he heard her yell, ignoring the small jealousy he felt for Yoichi at the moment.

'I wish she would cheer me on like that.'

"I WILL!!" Yoichi was heard yelling back, looking away from Kaiser for a moment.

"Hmm? Who is that? Your girlfriend?" Sae froze for a moment as he heard Kaiser's voice, then looked at the blonde, who had an amused smirk as he stared back at (Y/n).

'Don't look at her, you creep.' The redhead narrowed his eyes and walked over to where Kaiser and Yoichi were.

"Eww! That's my older sister, you dumbass." The blue-eyed boy cringed, which only amused Kaiser more.

"Even better, then. Hope the cutie will not faint from all the magnificent goals she is about to witness from me."

Hearing his words Yoichi recovered from his disgust and sent a warning glare in Kaiser's direction.

"Stay away from her."

"And if I don't?" Kaiser challenged as Sae arrived at Yoichi's side.

"Just shut up. The game is about to start."

Although his voice sounded monotone, that was far from what he felt inside.

It was a tiring 95 minutes of the game. With Sae, Rin, and Yoichi scoring on one side, and Kaiser and Ness on the other, but they made it. Neither the players or the fans could believe it. Japan actually won the Cup. The players of the Japanese team collapsed on the ground after Yoichi scored the final goal, too tired and excited to do much, while the fans were the ones erupting in screams of joy and crying.

"YOICHI!! YOU DID IT!!" The said boy laughed a little as (Y/n) ran up to give him a tight hug, tears streaming down her own face.

"I am so proud of you!" She cried out as Yoichi hugged her back.

"Thanks... without you and our parents' support I wouldn't be here." The boy said back as they separated.

"You are too humble." She pouted, but before she could say anything else, Sae interrupted the conversation.

"(Y/n), can I talk to you for a moment?" The boy asked, looking oddly nervous to the two siblings.

"Sure." She nodded her head as Sae led them to a more private area, or at least a spot where there were no cameras.

"What did you need? And congrats on winning! Your goal earlier was amazing!!" (Y/n) said, which boosted Sae's ego even more up.

"Thanks, glad that you liked it. But, I called you here to talk about something else."

"What is it?" (Y/n) wandered, part of her wanting to ask why he was with her, when he could be celebrating with Shidou.

'Maybe he needs dating advice?' She mused.

"I wanted to tell you this for a while now... I really like- I mean, love, I really love you."

(Y/n)'s eyes widened in shock and her face turned red as Sae continued.

"You are always so calm and kind to others, you were even kind to me after I acted like a jerk the first time we met. I am not really one to fall in love, I never imagined myself in this position, but I am glad that it is you who I fell for."

"Sae... wait, so... so you don't like Shidou-san?" She asked, trying to process everything. Sae stopped talking and looked at the girl in bewilderment.

"Why would I like him of all people?"

"It's just... you both look so close. And your interactions during the U-20 match, I thought that you like him..." (Y/n) admitted, nervously playing with her fingers. Sae was pretty much speechless for a good 2 minutes, ignoring everyone around himself as he sighed.

"I only love you. Shidou is a friend, I will admit that, but I don't see hin as anything more." Sae spoke as he took her hands into his. (Y/n) got more flustered as she avoided Sae's eyes for a moment, but eventually spoke up as well.

"I.... I love you as well. I have for a while now." She stuttered out while looking up at Sae. The boy felt a variety of emotions hit him, but the one that stood out the most was happiness. Pure, utter happiness.

"That makes you mine, from now on. And I will be yours." He said, kissing the embarrassed girl on the cheek.

"I am glad then." She laughed a little.

[lordprettyflackotara]

affection || Sam Golbach || part two

smut, 18+, minors dni (this is for the sam girls and the sam girls ONLY. i promise ily colby)

part one is here

the finale is here

One last time.

This had to be the last time he saw you.

Sam stood outside of your apartment door, staring blankly at the hideous brown paint.

How could he have never noticed how unappealing this color was before? He shook his head, forcing himself to stay on topic.

Sam could ignore the downgrade of quality of his content. He also could blissfully ignore your steady decline in your studies, even though he knew you had big dreams of running a business one day.

What Sam couldn’t ignore, nor forget, was when he came home at dawn after a long night with you.

Sam never felt the need to hide when he came home around sunrise. Colby was never awake. Typically he was either in a deep slumber, or quietly editing in his room. The brunette usually never emerged from his bedroom during these hours, allowing Sam to slip in and out as he pleased.

The color from Sam’s face drained as he entered their house, Colby watching TV in their living room. It wasn’t the fact that Sam looked like shit that alarmed him. His blonde hair was fluffed up, courtesy of you pushing him deeper into your drenched folds. The scratches on his back were hidden by his hoodie, even though he could still feel the ghost of your nails as he rammed into you.

He awkwardly held his high top vans in his left hand, too exhausted to try to put them back on after he left your place. All of those factors were visible, sure. But what he knew would raise questions were the purple and brown marks littering his neck. Colby turned to him nonchalantly, bags hanging under his eyes. Sam calmly locked the door, trying to steer the conversation away from the obvious direction it was going.

“You good man? I never see you up this late,” Sam asked, expressing genuine concern. Colby shrugged, turning down Shameless as it played on their flat screen TV. “I’m having trouble editing our new video dude. It just doesn’t have your flare to it and it feels wrong. Y’know?” Colby said. Sam felt the guilt he obtained crawl into the front seat of his mind, waving at him mockingly. “I’ll help you after I sleep. I’m about to crash,” Sam replied. He turned towards their staircase, avoiding Colby’s gaze.

The blonde thought maybe he was in the clear, before Colby’s excited voice rang out. “Holy shit dude! I thought you were always coming in and out from late night runs,” Colby exclaimed. Sam turned hesitantly, Colby excitedly hopping over the back of their couch. Sam watched as his best friends eyes scanned over his fresh layer of hickies. “Dude I was so worried you’d never allow yourself to get laid again. But look at you! You look like a wounded deer,” Colby teased.

Sam allowed himself to stifle a laugh. “A wounded deer? What a comparison,” Sam chuckled. It was almost as if the tension had diffused, Sam beginning to shove his guilt back into the backseat of his mind where it belonged. “Who’s the lucky girl? I’m glad you’re moving on,” Colby said, playfully patting Sam’s shoulder. Sam had a hard time maintaining eye contact with Colby, his mouth running dry. A lie escaped his lips before he could stop it.

“One of the girls we met at Tara’s party a few weeks ago. Dont tell Tara though, I think she might freak if she found out.”

Sam went to raise his closed hand, wanting to knock on your door. It was one in the afternoon on a Wednesday. He was almost sure you had class, but he needed to talk to you. He needed to call this whole thing off.

He almost got caught.

His career and life long friendship with Colby was nearly shattered over some fucking hickies.

Sam could feel his heart racing, the pounding sounding like it was going to explode out of his chest.

He could feel himself beginning to panic.

The idea of telling you that it was over engulfing him.

“Sam?”

Oh your sweet voice.

All of the anxiety he had was nearly swept away by the sound of you calling his name.

Sam looked over in your direction, brown paper bags full of groceries in your hands. “Here let me help with that,” Sam said quickly, practically running over to you. He took the heavy bags from your arms, your curious eyes meeting his. “No disguise at one in the afternoon and you’re in front of my apartment when you know I have class on campus today,” You mused. You awkwardly shuffled and dug your keys out of your purse, unlocking your apartment door.

“Is something wrong?”

Sam drug his feet over to your kitchen, setting your groceries down on your marble counter. He could hear the click of the door locking behind him, his heart beginning to race again.

You both sat awkwardly on opposite ends of your gray couch, your arms crossed.

Sam couldn’t bring himself to look at you, your facial expression sure to make him crumble and change his mind.

“We can’t do this anymore.”

His words stung like a million bee stings, your heart sinking in your chest.

“Well, I was guessing you were going to tell me you gave me an STD, so this seems slightly better,” You joked dryly. Sam snorted, feeling himself get emotional even through the laughter.

You tried to ignore the tears that threatened to welt up in your waterline, a weak smile spreading across your lips.

“Can I ask why?”

“It’s probably better if you don’t,”

You nodded, understanding. After all, how long could you expect this to continue?

You rose to your feet, swallowing hard.

“I’ll show you out then,” You offered. Your apartments front door was a grand total of ten feet away from the both of you, but that didn’t matter. Sam nodded, feeling his face flush red at the sight of you.

He followed behind you slowly like a wounded puppy, even though he was the one who made this decision. The two of you reached your front door, Sam towering over you as he stared down at you. “I guess this is goodbye then,” Sam mumbled. You looked up at your blonde lover, the one who had kept your bed warm all this time.

Unsurely you raised your left hand, cupping his pink cheek. His skin was warmer to the touch than usual, and you weakly smiled again. “Dont cry Sammy, you know when you cry I cry,” You say lightly. Sam swallowed hard, nodding.

You were so close, your lips so plush and pink. Sam could smell you too, the sweet vanilla scent flooding his nostrils. “You smell good,” Sam murmured, He knew he sounded like a total nerd, but he just couldn’t help himself. He brought himself closer to you, cupping your soft face in his hands. You softly gasped as he brought his lips to yours, unable to get enough of you.

His touch was soft and sweet, the faint taste of mint flooding your tongue. You pulled away slightly, Sam’s hands refusing to leave your face.

“B-but I thought we were done,” You whispered. You could feel your core throb at the feeling of his desperation, your body craving his the same way his did yours. “One last time. I promise i’ll leave you alone forever if you let me fuck you one last time,” Sam pleaded. He was practically begging you. He would sink to his knees and plead if he needed to.

Sam wanted this ingrained in his mind forever. The sound of your moans, the feeling of your soft skin. The taste of your sweet juices coating his tongue and soaking his chin. “Please,” You whispered, your own desperation overriding the feeling of grief. Your agreement was all Sam needed, instantly dropping to his knees. He pressed you against your front door, quick to make work at your skinny jeans.

You kicked off your shoes, Sam’s eagerness overriding his urge to tease you. He looked up at you, his blue eyes soaking in your face. You bit your lip, feeling his hot breath fan over your folds. “You’re so fucking hot,” Sam muttered. He spread open your folds with his index and middle finger, admiring your cunt. “And you have the prettiest pussy,” He praised. Sam licked a stripe up your cunt, relishing in hearing you groan for him.

You spread your legs a bit more, giving him complete access to your cunt. Sam snaked his hands around to your ass, gripping the flesh harshly. You raked your fingers through his hair, bucking your hips closer to his mouth. “Eager for me, huh?” Sam smirked. You sighed in frustration, attempting to push his head into your folds. “Shut up before I change my mind about this. You’re always so cocky-” You began complaining, a moan escaping your lips mind sentence as Sam began lapping at your folds.

His tongue swirled and he sucked at your clit, as if he was trying to suck your soul out through your cunt. “Sammy please,” You whined. Sam brought two fingers to your cunt, your slick coating his chin. “You’re practically dripping for me. Such a dirty slut,” Sam commented. He slowly pushed his fingers inside of you, causing you to squirm under his touch. Sam watched your mouth drop into the shape of an O as he curled his digits, knowing where your g spot was like the back of his hand.

It was then the sound of loud knocking caused you to freeze.

Sam hesitated as well, looking at you for guidance.

He couldn’t answer for you, this was your apartment.

“Who is it?” You called out. Sam didn’t remove his fingers from your aching cunt, the voice on the other side of the door one you both knew all too well.

“It’s Colby,”

Shit.

You went to squirm away from Sam’s fingers, his breath fanning over your folds as he watched your reaction carefully. “Answer him, don’t be rude,” Sam whispered. His voice was barely audible, and you were sure Colby didn’t hear him.

“Now’s not a good time Colby,” You said, your voice cracking. Sam felt your walls clench around his fingers as you said his best friends name, causing him to smirk. He nuzzled his way back into your cunt, sucking harshly on your clit as if your life depended on it.

“Look im sorry about before. I think Sam is fooling around with Kat and doesn’t want to tell me. It just makes me think that I took you for granted and that maybe we should try again,” Colby admitted. The brunette stood anxiously in front of your apartment door, wishing that he had a key so he could open it and see you.

You tugged at Sam’s roots, slightly afraid you’d accidentally yank out his hair. You bit the inside of your cheek, trying to conceal the unholy noises that threatened to escape your lips.

“I-i’m not sure Colby,” You stuttered. Sam began to finger fuck you faster, as if he wanted Colby to hear you getting ruined. Sam could feel his bulge growing in his pants, the situation too lewd for him to not take advantage of.

“Look if you give me a second chance i’ll give you the world. I miss you,” Colby sighed. Sam’s teeth grazed your clit, causing you to audibly whine. You covered it up with a fake cough, your eyes widening. Colby stood on the other side of the door, dumbfounded as to why you were standing so close to your front door.

“I’m not feeling too well, give me some time to think about it. Okay?” You asked, adding an extra cough at the end of your sentence. You could feel the knot in your stomach forming, your orgasm getting closer and closer. Sam sensed it too, quickly rising to his feet. His chin and mouth were covered in your juices, his large hand flying over your lips to conceal your noises.

“Okay. You can call me anytime. Let me know if you want me to come over and make you feel better,” Colby offered.

Sam listened carefully, listening to Colby slowly walk away.

“Go on baby, cum for me. Cum all over my fingers like the dirty little whore you are for me,” Sam purred. His breath was hot against your ear, his fingers non stop fucking you. You grabbed onto his arm, your eyes fluttering shut in pleasure. You moaned loudly into his hand, his name coming off of your lips like a mantra. “There we go. That’s a good girl,” Sam praised. He left soft kisses on your ear, moving his hand away.

“T-that was so dangerous. But so hot,” You admitted, blushing madly. It was one thing to have a fantasy, it was another one to play it out in real life. Sam smirked down at you, bringing his lips to yours. He kissed you roughly, as if he was trying to absorb you.

Your hands rushed down to his belt, shakily unbuckling it. “Relax, I got it,” Sam murmured. He shoved his jeans down to his ankles, his boxers right along with them. “As much as i’d love to use your pretty mouth, I just wanna feel you one last time,” Sam admitted. He guided his cock, his tip rubbing up and down your slick folds. “Do you wanna move to the couch?” You whispered, Sam’s face an inch away from yours.

“Jump,” Sam ordered. You did as instructed, your legs wrapping around Sam’s waist. He pushed your back fully against your front door, your arms wrapping around him for support. A devilish smirk crossed his lips as he slowly pushed himself inside of you. You gasped as your body adjusted to him, his girth always stretching you out. “Nah. I wanna give your neighbors one last show,” Sam said. He pushed himself in further, quietly groaning as he nuzzled his face into your shoulder.

“I want anyone walking by to know that i’m the only one who can make you feel this good,” Sam explained, nibbling at your ear.

You felt him bottom out, your walls adjusting to his size. Sam’s hand slithered up to your neck, pressing down on your sensitive pressure points.

“I want everyone to know that nobody else is ever going to make you feel this good again,” Sam told you sternly. His blue eyes watched yours intently, your walls involuntarily squeezing him. Sam slowly bucked his hips, causing an unholy moan to escape your lips.

His grip on your throat tightened, causing you to gasp.

“You’re a filthy whore. You know that? You don’t think I can feel you squeezing me? All because I ruined you?” Sam mocked. He began to pick up the pace, snapping his hips into yours. He loosened his grip on your throat, your lungs gasping for air. Assertively he pressed your neck against the door, slamming into you. His cock was abusive and rough, his thrust no where near loving or caring.

Sam Golbach fucked you like a slut, and you loved every second of it.

“I can’t believe I ruined you. I ruined you for everyone else. Even yourself. You understand? No one will ever be able to make you feel as good as I do,” Sam grunted. Your moans were incoherent babbles of his name and curses, the words repeating themselves like mantras.

You were like Sam’s personal brand of ecstasy, his body addicting yours. All of the guilt and withdrawals went away, his body now focused on chasing his high. Your breast bounced as Sam fucked you against your front door, the knot in your stomach tightening before you could even process it.

You were lost in the pleasure, Sam quickly bringing you back to reality. He grabbed your face harshly, causing your lips to pucker out like a fish.

“Do you understand? I own this cunt, no matter what happens,” Sam barked. You began slurring a response, gripping onto his shoulders for support.

“I understand,” You managed to say, barely hanging on. Through out Sam’s degrading, his hips never faltered or stuttered. “Who owns you? Say my name,” Sam growled. He was going feral, getting off on the fact that even though this was the last time, he would own you.

Even if he never got the pleasure of touching you again, you would always think of him in the dead of night. When your cunt was aching of desire, you would think of him. Only him.

“You do Sam. You own me. I’m yours,” You panted. Sam released your face, gripping your waist with both hands now. His fingers always grabbed you the exact same way, the bruises he left on you never fully fading as he replaced them with new ones. “Fuck. I’m gonna miss this sweet cunt. I can feel you getting close for me. You gonna cum on my cock one last time?” Sam asked. He was barely holding on himself, his lips beginning to prod and suck at your neck.

You whined as he sucked on your sweet spot, your body shaking. You felt like you were on fire, euphoria clouding over you. “Fuck i’m cumming, fuck Sam,” You cried. Your walls tightened around Sam, causing him to throw his head back. Light hickies covered your neck, one last piece of evidence that you were his. “Such a tight cunt. Fuck i’m going to breed you,” Sam grunted. You clung onto Sam for dear life as his thrust continued.

“Hold on for me baby, I’m almost there. You’re such a good girl for me,” Sam praised. The words fell off of his lips effortlessly, like this wasn’t the last time he planned on seeing you. You pulled him in for a rough kiss, the two of your guys teeth almost clashing together. Your soft lips and the faint taste of the bubblegum flavored gum you always chewed sent him over the edge.

He moaned into your mouth, his warm cum painting your inner walls. He rested his head on your shoulder, trying to return back to planet Earth as he came down from his high.

Sam was never one to neglect after care, even at the expense of getting caught. But this time, it just didn’t seem right. Sam slowly slipped out of you, setting your shaking body down on the floor. He reached down and pulled up his jeans and boxers, before quickly working at fixing his belt. “No aftercare?” You questioned. Your eyebrows were furrowed as the blonde avoided your gaze.

“It doesn’t feel right. I’m sorry. This is for the best,” Sam said quickly. He ensured he had all of his belongings before going to unlock the door. You stepped out of his way, concealing your exposed lower half behind the door. Sam walked out of the open door, unsure of what to say. You could feel his cum drip down your upper thigh, your face flushing with embarrassment. This wasn’t right. Not having Sam wasn’t right.

“Sam? Sam! Don’t do this. I love you,” You confessed. Sam froze for a moment, the sun hitting his face. He considered turning around, his back turned to you. He knew he couldn’t face you on fully, causing him to glance over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Was all he uttered before walking away.

The pain in his chest was demanding for him to turn around. To acknowledge the pain written across your face or the sound of your front door slowly shutting.

But if he wanted things to go back to the way they were, before he had met you, he could never tell you the truth.

Not now.

Not ever.

(I promise there will be a part three with a happy ending i’m locked in. love, tara)

[augustvandyne]

oh here’s another addison thought

reader and addison start getting on, reader helping and assisting in surgeries. reader isn’t an intern tho.

reader gets a feeling addison likes her, addison does but she is Scared™️

and then addison goes to LA :(

and reader goes to her, last ditch attempt. “why did you leave me?”

angsty.. i like it

why did you leave?

You were Addison’s fellow. You were in your final year of residency when Addison made her big entrance, and you stood idly by as you watched everything with Derek, Meredith and her go down.

As soon as your options for fellowships opened up, you made sure you were to study under the Addison Montgomery.

She was kind of rude to you at first, as she was going through the final stages of her divorce, but she did finally open up to you and let you in on surgeries. And then, the two of you were closer than ever.

You did a lot of the surgeries with her, led them too.

Addison and you ate lunch together almost everyday, because all your other friends ate lunch while you were in surgery, so Addison would offer to eat with you.

“But Callie is sitting over there. You should go sit with her,” You would shrug and take a seat in the back of the cafeteria.

“I can’t leave you alone,” Addison huffed and sat beside you. “Besides, Mark will sit with Callie.”

You smiled appreciatively, “Okay. Only if you want to.”

You’d also go to the bar with her, and sometimes even get dinner with her if your schedules aligned. The two of you even got together for Christmas and exchanged gifts. Mostly because neither of you had any blood relatives in Seattle, and found comfort in each other.

She got you a necklace, and you would play with it when you got nervous. Addison would notice and try to comfort you, but she was beginning to think it was her that did it.

“Stop,” She removed your hand from your necklace. “You’re going to make a mark on the back of your neck from tugging on that.”

You’d let out a breath, “Sorry. It’s just the nerves.”

“Oh?” Addison lifted her brows, sitting beside you on the abandoned bed in the hallway. “What’s going on today?”

“An old friend is coming down to see me,” You shrugged. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Sure it is,” Addison swallowed down the negative thoughts and her own anxiety. “How long did you know them?”

“It’s a she, and I knew her my whole life before I moved out here. She was actually my first kiss.”

Addison nodded, pretending to be busy with the hair tie on her wrist.

“Hey, listen,” Addison turned her head, and she thought she might have told you about her ongoing feelings, but something else entirely comes out. “I’m going to visit a friend in LA next week. Could you watch over my patients? You’ll work under another neonatal surgeon while I’m gone. It’ll only be a day or two.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

She was gone for more than two days, and she didn’t answer any of your messages while she was gone. She came back almost a week later and she was different.

Addison told you about how she met a guy down there and that she missed her best friend, Naomi.

You stood by and tried to be supportive, you smiled and pushed the jealousy down, because even though you didn’t want to, you felt the same way she did.

She was tanner than when she left, and her red hair was a lighter shade now.

“It was nice down there,” She told you. “I think you’d like it. Because you love beaches.”

Your heart throbbed at the fact that she remembered something you told her the first time she talked to you.

“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr. L/n,” Addison threw her gloves in the trash.

She barely called you that anymore, but right then she did, and it hurt like hell. For some reason you didn’t believe you’d see her the next morning. And your hunch was right.. because you didn’t.

You didn’t even know what you were doing, honestly. You just got the urge to leave Seattle for a few days, and you took yourself to LA.

You were at a local market when you spotted her.

She looked amazing. She’d cut her hair, and it was now to her shoulders. She was still tan like she was when you last saw her, but her hair was back to her normal red color.

She looks at you, and you think she might not even recognize you at first. Because truth be told, it had been almost a year since she’d left, and she’d built a life for herself out here.

Or so you hear through Callie.

You look down at the blueberries you were messing with, suddenly trying to look busy.

“Y/n..” Addison approached you, but you didn’t look up. “What are you doing here?”

“Um..” Your voice shakes, and you’re not sure if you’re going to be able to talk. “I needed to get out of Seattle for a few days.”

“I know the feeling,” She chuckles.

The sound of her voice and laugh makes your body tingle from your head to your toes.

“I’m sure,” You say bitterly, picking up a carton of blueberries so you can hopefully leave this conversation behind.

She just follows behind you as you make your way to the vegetables, “So.. uh.. how are you? How’s— how’s Seattle?”

“I’m fine,” You shrug.

“Are you still working in the neonatal field?” You see her hoist her bag higher on her shoulder from the corner of your eyes. “Is that why you’re here?”

“No,” You grit your teeth. “I’m here because I needed a few days away from Seattle, I told you. I didn’t mean to drive here, I just put my brain on autopilot, and it brought me here. I didn’t even think about you being here until now, okay?”

Your voice is soft and it’s scaring you because you hold nothing but anger for Addison. So the fact that you’re speaking in a sweet tone..

“It was nice seeing you,” You attempt to get her out of your head again, but it doesn’t work.

“Do you wanna.. I don’t know.. meet for drinks tonight?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” You clench your jaw, trying to keep yourself from saying something you know you’re going to regret.

“Y/n, look at me,” You hear Addison’s voice wavering like yours had only minutes ago.

You manage to pull your eyes away from the fresh produce and to her face, and it’s hard for you to look her in the eyes, but you manage.

Her hand comes up to touch you on the face, and when it does, you flinch at her soft touch. Your breath catches in your throat, and you have to swallow down the lump in your throat so you don’t start crying.

“Why did you leave?” Your voice breaks, and tears are beginning to fill in your eyes, much to your dismay.

“I needed a change of scenery—“

“No,” You all but growl, you sharply inhale and press your lips together. “Why did you leave me?”

Addison’s eyes flutter, and her own eyes fill with tears. You’ve struck her in a wound she was so desperately trying to heal.

“Y/n..” She wipes a stray tear with the pad of her thumb, her palm resting on your cheek. “I didn’t.. I didn’t leave you..”

“You did, though,” You try to turn your head, but her hold on you is soft and strong. “You left me, and I didn’t even get a goodbye.”

Next think you know, she’s pulling you into a hug, one of her hands now on the back of your head while the other snakes around your waist.

“I never meant to make you feel like that,” Her mouth is by your ear.

“It doesn’t feel that way,” You sob into her shoulder.

She pulls back, both her hands making their way to your cheeks, “I had feelings for you, Y/n. And I know it was immature, but— I— I was scared that you didn’t feel the same and I had to get out of there.”

As if your heart hadn’t broken enough times in your chest since this interaction had started, it somehow broke again.

“Addie.. I did— do feel the same. Didn’t you see?”

“I didn’t want to assume—“

You lean up and place a kiss on her lips, “Well stop assuming, and start living in the moment with me. This has been the worst experience ever. I hate the new head of neonatal, and I think she hates me too. I wish you would have just talked to me..”

“I will from now on,” Addison promises, staring into your eyes.

“What?” You smile softly, all of your pent up hate for her slowly melting away. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re beautiful, am I not allowed to admire you?” Addison tilted her head.

“No, you can,” You draw your brows together in amusement. “I like it, actually. But you want something from me.”

“I want another kiss,” Addison shrugged, shyness in her tone.

You laugh, “You’re adorable.”

“Thank you,” Addison nodded. “Now come on, I have a lot of people to introduce you to.”

“There it is,” You throw your head back.

[onceuponaoneshotfanfic]

Call It What You Want (Superstar Chapter 2)

'Cause my baby's fit like a daydream

Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to 

 Sequel to Superstar where the Reader and Roy Kent have their first date.

Roy Kent x Reader

5.7k words

Warnings: language (because Roy Kent), adults drinking adult drinks

Note: We’re in a parallel universe where Roy & Keeley never date and Keeley is in a healthy relationship with Jamie. Also, this came out a bit longer than I expected but dang it was fun to write!

The tension came to a head during lunch that Friday, our office door closed as we both sat at my desk, eating falafel out of the foil containers Roy had smuggled in past Ted and Beard. As I took a bite, I snuck a glance at Roy, who was gazing at the orange sticky note he’d stuck above my computer the day before:

~

It had been a week since Roy Kent had discovered the shrine to himself in my childhood bedroom. The following days had been sprinkled with autographs left on any papers that didn’t look too important, teasing pleas for no pictures during work hours, and one particularly mocking offer to save his beard trimmings the next time he shaved. But it was also filled with lingering stares in the hall, chocolate muffins left on my desk each morning, lunches shared in our tiny office, and the occasional smile and wink on the pitch when no one else was looking. A few times, Roy even brushed his fingers against mine when we squeezed by each other in doorways. With each small touch or moment of longing eye contact, I felt myself wondering how long it would take for one of us to break.

To my biggest fan

XOXO Roy Kent

“When’s your mum’s birthday?”

God, would I ever get used to his out of nowhere questions? “Why, d’you want to crash her birthday dinner too?”

A snort flew out of his nose as he turned his attention back to his lunch. “No. Just wanted to make sure you’re not busy tonight before I ask you out.”

Look up the signs of a heart attack when you get home, you might be having one. “Oh, really?” I tried to keep my breathing steady. “You think I’m the kind of girl who has no plans on a Friday night?”

Roy rolled his eyes and stuffed another bit of falafel into his mouth. “I think,” he said between bites, “you’re the kind of girl who’s gonna be really fucking annoying on our date tonight.” He paused to meet my gaze. “Unless you’ve already got plans with David Beckham? Or Lionel Messi?”

Another one of his recurring jokes that week was asking about my interest in other football players. I narrowed my eyes. “Unfortunately Becks was busy tonight,” I played along. “So, I guess I’m all yours.”

“I like the sound of that.”

A heat filled the air as Roy used his foot to roll my chair towards him, opening his knees slightly so I could come close to him. My knees hit the inside of his thighs and our noses practically touched; the back of my neck prickled. This was the closest contact we’d had since our kiss upstairs at my parents’ house. His eyes searched mine, thick eyebrows raised. My heart hammered as I leaned forward-

“Roy? Hey Roy?”

My chair was swiftly kicked back into place before Ted opened the office door, his head bent over his phone. We both quickly turned our attention back to our lunches, as if eating falafel took a lot of effort. By the time Ted looked up, Roy and I looked like we’d just been eating in silence- which was actually completely believable.

Ted’s face lit up when he saw me. “Oh, there you are. Was wondering where you’d gotten to.” He turned his attention to Roy, then paused when he saw the food in our hands. “Aw, you’re already eating.” He snapped his fingers. “I was gonna invite y’all go get some fish ‘n’ chips with me ‘n’ Beard.” He shrugged. “Well, enjoy your…” He studied the bowls a moment. “Meat? Whatever it is, looks tasty.” With an oblivious wave he turned on his heel and left, calling out for Coach Beard to follow him.

After a moment of listening to the sound of their receding footprints, followed by blessed silence, Roy finally looked back at me. “Well, he fucking ruined that moment. So, I’ll get you at seven?”

“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll text you my address.”

“No need.” Roy grinned. “Don’t forget, you’re an easy stalking target.”

I stuck my tongue out at him, amazed at how comfortable I had grown with Roy “he’s here, he’s there, he’s every fucking where” Kent over the past week. “I turned off my Snapchat location, thanks to you. So be nice or else no address.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Fine. Then you can just meet me at the restaurant, and we can miss out on the whole ‘you open the door and my jaw drops when I see you’ moment.”

We narrowed our eyes at each other for a moment before breaking out into matching grins.

“Pick you up at seven,” he repeated.

~

From the moment I got home from work until the moment I heard a knock on my door, my hands shook and my heart hammered. I was incredibly grateful that Roy had used the word “date” in our conversation that afternoon; if he hadn’t, I probably would have spent hours agonizing over what the evening ahead meant. Even with the confirmation that this was indeed a date, I was a mess as I agonized over the perfect outfit and fought with my hair, desperate to look special compared with what Roy saw each day at work. When the sound of knocking reached my ears at 6:59, the tremble in my hands spread to my whole body.

Relax. You know he likes you. He wouldn’t have kissed you and asked you out and tried to kiss you again if he didn’t.

An involuntary gulp escaped when I opened the door and saw Roy standing in front of me. He looked really good in his fitted black slacks and black button-down shirt. He looked even better when he smiled at me, his brown eyes traveling down my frame slowly.

“Fuck,” he whispered, eyebrows raised. “You look great. Really fucking great.” He held his hand out to me, his eyes sparkling. “Are you ready then?”

We walked out to his car, neither of us saying a word. When we got to the car, he opened the door and helped me in before climbing in on his side. I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat.

“So, what’s the plan, Kent?”

“Figured we’d go sit in our office and eat takeaway,” he answered as he started the car. “Y’know, same shit we do every day.”

“Romantic,” I snarked.

Keeping one hand on the wheel, he took my hand, interlocking our fingers. “Fine, nix that plan then. How about drinks and then a late dinner? Just no fucking work talk please.”

I stared at our hands, wondering if he could feel my pounding pulse through my fingertips. “Sounds great,” I agreed, giving his hand a squeeze.

It was a somewhat quiet drive, but a comfortable one. I’d turned on the radio to some pop station, and Roy drummed out the beat with his fingers, tapping the back of my hand rhythmically. With his attention on the road, I allowed myself the opportunity to unabashedly stare at him. He was still Roy Kent: grizzled, dark, something of a brooding aura surrounding him. But he looked different that he normally did in the office, more like he had that evening at my parents’ house. His shoulders were relaxed against the driver’s seat, and his mouth was curved ever-so-slightly upwards, a shadow of a smile. As if he could feel the heat of my gaze, his eyes shifted off the road and towards me, causing his mouth to curve even further upwards.

“Admiring something?” he asked, clearly amused.

A bit embarrassed to be caught staring, I turned my eyes back to the road. “Just… taking in the sights.”

“The sights,” he repeated, nodding his head. “I’d say to take a picture since it’ll last longer, but I think you’ve got enough fucking pictures hanging at your mum’s house, wouldn’t you agree?”

My embarrassment deepened. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Roy gave my hand a squeeze. “Nope. Only because I like seeing you blush so much.”

We finally arrived at the pub, with me refusing to look at Roy’s smug face for the rest of the car ride. He quickly got out of the car and jogged to my side, opening my door, and holding my hand to help me down.

“D’you really need such a massive car?” I teased as his hand settled in the small of my back.

A playful huff came out of Roy’s mouth. “Oi, don’t make fun of a man’s car. Otherwise, you’ll be walking home.”

“Aww, but how will you walk me to my door and kiss me at the end of the night?” I asked with a pretend pout, crossing my arms to give the full bratty effect.

Roy gave a hearty chuckle as we entered the dark pub. “You’re a presumptuous thing, you think you’re getting a kiss on the first date?”

I rolled my eyes as Roy guided me to a secluded corner booth, letting me slide in before following me into the seat. “Oh, I’m sorry, can you only kiss a girl when you’re surrounded pictures by yourself? Because I stopped carrying your photo in my wallet ages ago. Might still have a couple saved on my mobile though, would you like me to check?”

Roy stared at me hard for a moment, his dark eyes practically drilling holes into my brain. “You talk way too fucking much, anyone ever tell you that?”

Before I could come up with some clever response, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. I could only squeak weakly in response as my eyes fluttered closed. This kiss was a bit rougher than the one we’d shared a week ago, with my lips parting to mirror Roy’s own slightly open mouth. It ended entirely too soon, with Roy smirking at me.

“That ought to shut you up for a fucking minute,” he chuckled as an older woman in an apron approached, a knowing smile on her face.

“How’re you Roy?” the woman asked casually, although her eyes were on me.

Roy grunted in response, suddenly reverting to his usual monosyllabic self. “Fine. Usual, please.”

The woman hummed and raised her eyebrows at me. “And you sweetheart?”

I quickly ordered my drink, offering up a couple of pleases and thank yous. With drink orders out of the way, I finally let myself look around the pub. It was dimly lit, with a couple televisions above the bar. There was a mostly older crowd, with most other customers having at least a decade on my parents. There were darts on a far wall and a foosball table near another wall. A jukebox in one corner played a Vann Morrison song that I vaguely recognized. The place was a far cry from the loud, crowded, sweaty clubs my mates usually tried to drag me to. If I had to pick between the two, I’d take this pub any day of the week- especially with Roy Kent by my side.

When I turned my attention back to Roy, he was already staring at me, his mouth in a straight line for the first time all night. “Is this alright?” he asked bluntly. “You weren’t expecting champagne and caviar, were you?”

Behind the hard expression on his face, I could see anxiety in his eyes. My mind wandered to the women I’d seen him with in magazines and online… models, influencers, a couple B-list actresses, none sticking around for more than a couple months. I’d even read one blog post about a woman who stole his watch before ending the relationship. It dawned on me that most of the women he dated would probably not be okay with a place like this. Despite the almost-scowl on Roy’s face, I felt myself melt at the realization that he was nervous about what I thought of the place.

“I think,” I said after a moment, “that this place is great.” I laid my hand on his, feeling him relax instantly beneath my touch. “You must come here a lot if you have a usual?”

“Couple of times a month,” he admitted, his facial expression softening. “The old geezers know who I am, but they leave me alone for the most part, sometimes give me shit about Richmond when the team fucks up. Never have to worry about them posting pictures of me on Twitter or some shit. And the barkeep, Rose, she doesn’t always tally up all my beers correctly and undercharges me all the fuckin’ time.” His smile returned. “So at Christmas I like to clear a tab or two, to make up for the free shit I get.” He nodded to himself. “It’s nice to just come here and have a beer, not have to worry about being Roy Kent, y’know?” He squinted at me for a moment. “Alright, now you kiss me, because I’m talking way too fucking much.”

I laughed as the older woman- Rose- returned with our drinks. She smiled at me as she set down my glass. “He must like you,” she mused, her eyes darting to Roy. “Never brings his dates here. ’less you count that pretty-boy soccer player. Went on that bloody reality show. The one they sing that stupid shark song about?”

“Jamie Tartt?” I offered, eyebrows raised. I turned to Roy, whose eyes were practically behind his head. “Do I have competition? Because Jamie Tartt is definitely hotter than me.”

Roy dramatically threw his head back and let out a massive, growling sigh as Rose walked away, her chuckles echoing behind her. “Don’t ever call Tartt hot, I swear I’ll cut my ears off.”

“Relax, van Gogh,” I scoffed. “I won’t get jealous of Jamie if you don’t.”

“Hmmf.” Roy eyed me carefully, taking a sip of his beer. “Who’s hotter, me or Tartt?” he challenged. The tiny upturn at the corner of his mouth assured me that he was teasing.

“Definitely Jamie,” I deadpanned, taking a sip from my own glass. “I’m only here because he and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t call me back.”

Roy shook his head and smiled, sliding his hand out from under mine and placing his on top. “Just so you know,” he murmured, leaning in close. “Ronaldo’s a fuckin’ prick.”

Before I could laugh, he pressed his lips to mine, mirroring the kiss from earlier, but gentler, slower now, full of affection. My eyes fluttered closed as I kissed him back, the little voice in my head unable to form a coherent sentence.

Roy Kent kissing me it’s Roy Kent he’s here he’s there he’s kissing me Roy Kent

~

“Fuck.” Roy gazed at his phone. “We were supposed to be at the restaurant a fucking hour ago.” He grimaced as his eyes met mine. “Had a reservation and everything.”

My fingers traced the rim of the glass in front of me as I shook my head. “Roy, it’s fine,” I laughed.

We had spent the last couple of hours- and rounds of drinks- cuddled in our booth, cracking jokes and sharing stories. Roy told me about his sister and his little niece and reluctantly explained his workout routine with Jamie Tartt, while I shared stories about my ridiculous brothers and gave a detailed ranking of Jane Austen’s leading men. The way his arm wrapped around the back of the booth and his hand grazed my shoulder made missing the reservation worth it.

Roy wrinkled his nose. “I should feed you,” he argued. “’d be a shit date if I didn’t.” He glanced at his phone again. “D’you like pizza?”

Twenty minutes later, we were sitting across from each other, sodas in front of us, Roy’s pensive expression tinted red by the neon glow advertising Fresh Pizza.

“Can I tell you somethin’?”

I nodded, sipping my Coke through a straw. “Hmm?”

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a date,” he murmured. “And the first time I feel like I’m with someone who’s interested in being with me, not just being seen out some fucking footballer.” He gave a small nod. “So, thanks. Really, thanks.”

Heat rose in my cheeks as his eyes bore into mine. “Honestly, Roy,” I breathed. “Sharing an office with you is the best part of my workday.”

A grin flashed on his face. “Oi, we said no work talk.”

“Oh, shove off,” I mumbled, giving him a soft kick under the table as a young man in a red polo shirt brought us our pizza. I grabbed a slice and began to nibble on it as the teen employee did a double take at Roy before going back behind the counter. “Take a compliment, Kent.”

“Compliment,” he repeated gruffly, grabbing his own slice. “Is that something I’ll have to get used to? Being complimented?”

I tilted my head and swallowed a bite. “What d’you mean?”

He shrugged and took a sip of his Coke. “Gotta know what dating you involves. Spoiler alert, after tomorrow’s game I’m going to ask you if you’d like to go out again sometime.” His eyes darted away. “Hope that’s alright,” he grumbled, that nervous look in his behind his expression again.

I gave another kick under the table, much gentler this time. “You better ask me out again,” I teased. “Because this is the best date I’ve had in a long time.”

“You must’ve been on some fucking shit dates,” he joked, his eyes meeting mine. “Guess I’ve got to make up for that.”

For a moment, we just sat there, smiling at each other under the buzz of the neon light, slices of pizza in our hands. If two months ago someone had told me I would be on a date with Roy Kent, sipping drinks in a small pub, eating pizza in a hole-in-the-wall shop, I would have never believed it. But there I was, unable to look away from the brown eyes I’d spent years dreaming about, making him laugh and smile. And honestly, having the best time I’d had in a while.

The sudden preoccupied look on Roy’s face brought me out of my dreamy bubble. “Oi, there is something we should talk about.” The air suddenly felt heavy.

“Hmm?” Good, stay cool, don’t act nervous.

He took a deep breath, exhaling with a tiny growl. “Don’t take this the wrong way- I feel like a fucking prick saying this out loud-” He groaned, shrugging in defeat. “Would you be okay with, I dunno, not telling anyone about this-” He gestured between us. “-just for a bit?” A grimace now completely covered his bearded face. “It’s not like I’m embarrassed, or like I want to date anyone else-”

“That’s a relief,” I teased. My cheeks turned warm seeing him so flustered; it was endearing. “I thought you were completely ashamed to be seen with me and wanted to see if you had a shot with Jamie Tartt.”

That smile finally returned. “Come on, I’m being fucking serious.” He reached across the table and grasped my free hand. “Look, I really like being with you. I feel less pissed off at work when you’re around. And I want to see you outside of our fucking office. But you’ve seen the muppets we work with. They’ll never leave us the fuck alone once they find out we’re seeing each other. And I’d like to be in, I dunno, a little fucking bubble or something for a bit. Just while we’re getting to know each other and seeing where this goes.” His thumb stroked my hand. “Is that okay?”

The earnestness in his eyes nearly stopped my heart. “Of course,” I assured him, nudging his foot with mine. “I like the idea of being in a bubble with you.”

~

It was nearly midnight when Roy walked me up to my flat, his arm wrapped around my waist. After pizza we had gone walking around aimlessly, neither of us quite willing to say goodnight to the other. But my gentle reminder to Roy that Richmond had a game the next day was enough for him to sigh dramatically and agree to call it a night.

We paused in front of my door, turning to face each other as I fiddled with my keys nervously. Despite all the hand holding and flirting and shared kisses, I still felt a flutter in my stomach when I saw the fondness in his eyes as he gazed down at me. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw such warmth aimed in my direction; the fact that it was Roy Kent was just a bonus.

“Think I could give you a ride to work tomorrow?” he asked softly, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

I grinned up at him. “What happened to keeping things quiet at work?”

He shrugged, his hand still lingering beside my face. “Do I sound like a fucking prat if I say I just can’t wait to see you again?”

“Just a little,” I teased, leaning my cheek into the palm of his hand, not caring that he could feel the warmth of my face. “But I like it. Pick me up at 10?”

“How about 9? I’ll buy you tea and a muffin.”

I laughed and pressed myself a smidge closer to him. “Bribery works wonders on me. I’m in.”

A small kiss landed on my forehead. “I love that you’re easily bought.” Another kiss on my cheek. “Guess I should let you head inside before some nosy fucking neighbor sees us.”

“We’d be trending on Twitter within the hour. Roy Kent and Random seen outside flat the night before Richmond game.”

“The fucking press’d definitely blame you if we lost tomorrow.” A kiss on my other cheek. “So, we better say goodnight.”

I nodded, not bothering to hide my smile. “Guess we should.”

His mouth found mine for the millionth time that night, assuring me that this would not be the last time he’d be walking me home. A wide smile filled his face when he finally pulled away. “Good night then.”

“Goodnight, Roy,” I answered, planting one last peck on his lips.

~

Roy’s car now felt familiar as we rode to the Dog Track. I leaned my chair into a comfortable position and fiddled with the radio until I found a station playing an hour of 90s hits. I ripped off a bit of the giant chocolate muffin that sat on my lap and tossed it into my mouth, reveling in the brief domestic bliss before we had to act professionally in front of everyone.

“Gimme a bite,” Roy mumbled, eyes on the road. I ripped of another piece and popped it into his open mouth. “Thanks,” was his muffled reply as we pulled into the still empty parking lot. “And thanks for riding here with me,” he muttered, clearing his throat. “It was nice.”

A smile crept across my face. “Thanks for offering,” I answered. “We should probably head on in, I’ve got some things to do in the office before everyone comes in.”

The halls were eerily quiet, only a few cleaning crew milling about, offering nods and soft “good mornings”. I flipped on the lights in the changing room and coaching offices, quickly setting to work as Roy leaned on Beard’s desk, watching me with that thoughtful look on his face.

I started my Game Day routine: leaving our report on the opposing team neatly on Ted’s desk, right next to the playbook that I pulled off his bookshelf, updating the league standings on the whiteboard next to Beard’s desk, noting the possible rank changes based on game outcomes, setting up the coffee maker to their specifications so all they had to do was hit the Start button when they walked into the office. Between tasks I paused for the newest addition to my routine: stealing kisses from Roy, taking full advantage of the empty building.

He followed me into our office so I could organize my things; Game Day had quickly become my favorite part of my job. During games, I would stand by the coaches with my tablet, keeping track of different statistics: goals, passes, saves, anything and everything the coaches could analyze later to improve their plans. Ted kept repeating something about me “putting the Excel in excellent” when I first presented my detailed spreadsheet to the coaches, so I knew this was valuable data to them. It was the part of my job I took most seriously.

And I loved that it allowed me to be on the sidelines with Roy all game long.

“Are you going to be able to focus out there today?” Roy teased softly, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me.

“Are you?” I shot back, leaning into him as I tapped away on my tablet, setting up my new spreadsheet. “I’m working, all you’ve been doing is staring at me.”

He laughed and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Trust me, as soon as those pricks show up, I’ll be my usual grumpy self.”

As if on cue, the sound of Coach Lasso’s voice echoed from down the hall. Roy immediately released me and threw himself into his chair, planting his feet on his desk and pulling out his cell phone; to anyone who just happened in, it looked as though he had been completely ignoring my existence, rather than holding me close. I shook my head and grinned to myself as Ted and Beard entered their office.

“Mornin’!” Ted called, poking his head through our shared door. “Look at you early birds. Y’all are just a couple of peas in a pod.” He pointed at me, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Thanks again for figuring out the Keurig. You’re a k-cup K-Pop star.”

I smiled and nodded, still unsure about what to do when the man complimented me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Roy smirking behind his phone.

Ted noticed too. “You’re looking downright chipper this morning, Roy. Anything special you wanna share with the class?”

Roy’s smirk faded, his eyes still on his phone. “No.”

“No worries, I’m just happy you’re happy.” Ted was completely unphased; the guy was truly remarkable. He turned back to me. “Say, could I bother you to run some papers up to Rebecca’s office? Get some steps in before we head to the field.”

“Sure,” I agreed, setting down my tablet. “And it’s ‘pitch’, Coach.”

Ted nodded. “Right, right. ‘Pitch’.”

After a few more Lasso-isms, I was on my up to Rebecca’s office, carrying a folder filled with papers. I had shot Roy a wink before I left our office and was awarded the smallest of smiles, which was enough to make me practically skip down the hall, past the players making their way to the changing room. I smiled and waved at each of them, feeling excited to have a small role in this special team.

“Come in,” Rebecca called when I knocked on her door. She and Keeley Jones were sitting on her couch, Keeley adorable as ever in pigtails and a fluffy sweater, Rebecca the picture of class in her dress and heels. The women smiled and waved me in.

“Hey!” Keeley called, jumping up to give me a small hug. “How’re you doing? I tried to call you last night, but you didn’t pick up.” Within two days of me starting work at Richmond, Keeley had decided that we were meant to be friends, an offer I was more than happy to accept. She pouted at me playfully. “Were you out getting some?”

My ears burned. “Yeah, right,” I scoffed. “My phone’s been acting up lately, sorry about that.” I reached around to hand Rebecca the folder. “From Ted,” I told her, trying desperately to avoid the topic Keeley had brought up.

Rebecca opened the folder and glanced at it. “Shit, I should look at this,” she muttered to herself. She nodded towards Keeley. “Why don’t you head to our seats to watch warm up? Just don’t wolf-whistle at the boys too much, hmm? Save some for the game.”

Keeley gave a salute to Rebecca and linked her arm with mine. “Shall we?”

We strolled down the hall, Keeley talking a mile a minute about the party she had tried to invite me to the night before. “There were lots of real fit guys there,” she gushed, knocking her hip into mine. “Some of them were even worth talking to. Come on, what’s your type? I need to know what to look out for.”

I cleared my throat. “I don’t really have a-”

“Oi. You forgot this.”

Roy appeared out of nowhere, holding up my tablet, its case covered in Richmond stickers I’d bought the day I had gotten this job. My cheeks were warm as I accepted it, careful not to touch his hand. I could feel Keeley eyeing me curiously.

“Thanks,” I murmured, avoiding Roy’s eyes; I knew that any contact would tempt me to kiss the man.

He seemed to understand completely. “Keeley,” he greeted, giving a short nod to the blonde. He nodded to me now. “See you out there.” He turned and walked towards the doors that led to the pitch.

Once he turned the corner and was out of view, Keeley squealed and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Fuck, you should ask out Roy!”

My eyes widened. “What?”

She nodded, her pigtails bouncing. “Come on. He’s fit, he has a good job, and if anyone ever messed with you, they’d never find the body.” She wiggled my shoulders, waggling her eyebrows. “And the man looks good shirtless,” she added.

As if there wasn’t a shirtless picture of him tapped inside the closet of my old bedroom. I made a quick mental note to take it down and hide it- maybe burn it- before the next time he came over. Surely, he’d be coming over to my parents’ place again sometime? Maybe not anytime soon, but eventually, right?

Whoa there, relax. Don’t get so ahead of yourself.

“Come off it, Keels,” I scoffed. “I’m not asking out Roy Kent.” Well, you’re not lying. He asked you out, after all. “We work together. We share an office for God’s sake. And besides, he’s Roy fucking Kent.” I laughed and shook my head, trying to be really convincing. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m not his usual type.”

A smile spread across Keeley’s face. “Well, all I know is that last time he and Jamie were working out, he told Jamie he was sick of dating just to date. He’s sick of models and shit. He told Jamie he wanted something real.” She shrugged. “I dunno. You seem like the kind of girl who could be something real.”

I did my best to hide the pleasure on my face as Keeley confirmed what Roy had told me last night. Instead, I cleared my throat and turned my attention to my tablet. “Well, good for Roy. But I should be going, I’ve got to get to the pitch.”

“Yeah, gotta go stand next to Roy for the next few hours.” Keeley winked at me. “Don’t think I don’t notice the blush on your face whenever he’s around. You’re not as clever as you think. I’ll get you two together eventually.”

Little does she know, the little voice in my head chucked. “Sure, Keeley,” I humored. “I’ll see you later.” I planted a kiss on her cheek, reminding myself to try to match the affection she brought to a friendship, and waved as I walked away in the direction Roy had disappeared in.

I should have been more surprised when I turned a corner and found him leaning against the wall, scrolling on his phone. He smirked when he saw me.

“Did you wait to me?” I asked, not bothering to hide the smile on my face.

He shrugged, tucking his phone into his pocket. “Maybe.”

“Very sweet of you,” I hummed, shoving his shoulder with mine as he fell into step beside me. “But you should probably be a little bit less obvious at work. Keeley was just telling me about her new goal.”

“And what would that be?”

“To play matchmaker for us,” I answered casually. “Which means our chemistry is obvious.”

Roy let out a scoff of a laugh just before we reached the pitch entrance. “Let her try. I’d kind of love to see what kind of scheme she cooks up.” He sobered up as we walked onto the green, where the Greyhounds were beginning their warmup. From the stands closet to the pitch, I could already hear Keeley whooping and hollering. She’d definitely have something to say about seeing me and Roy walking to the dugout together, but I’d come up with my excuses later.

I took my position between Ted and Beard, showing them the stats from our previous match and reminding them about the adjustments they’d discussed based on it. Ted said something about me being just like Q from James Bond, a reference I actually understood. I smiled at the praise and took a seat, not needing to do much now until the match started. Instead, I took advantage of the cover around the dugout to brazenly stare at Roy, grinning to myself every time he yelled “Whistle!” at the top of his lungs.

As if he could feel my gaze, he turned his head subtly, a half smirk on his face when our eyes met. He shook his head at me and pulled out his phone. A moment later, my own mobile vibrated. I glanced at the glowing screen.

You’re going to make hiding this really fucking difficult, aren’t you?

Of course. Making your life harder is half the fun.

My phone vibrated again. Fine. Whatever. Grab a bite after the game?

My grin widened as I began to type back.

Only if I can get an autograph.

Roy turned his head again, that upturn of his mouth barely visible. I relaxed into my seat, tapping away at my tablet. For the first time in my life, I could hardly wait for a Richmond game to be over.

[lino-jagiyaa]

desire - kim seungmin | next

genre: suggestive, fwb | pairing: seungmin x female reader | warnings: swearing, perv!seungmin (stealing panties and being a peeping tom, feeling y/n up in a dark classroom), implied thick reader  | words: 1,405

☀︎ your deskmate, seungmin couldn’t seem to keep his hands to himself during class.

note: this ended up longer than i thought lol, sorry in advance...

do not repost or translate ©︎lino-jagiyaa - please remember to reblog and leave your feedback if you enjoyed it! do not spam like, you will be blocked.

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it was friday afternoon, your last class and your professor was letting the class relax since he gave you all an exam the day before that was really stressing everyone out, including him who had to grade everything today. so instead of starting a new lesson, he decided that he’s put on a movie while he started grading. seungmin had a few classes with you. he always chose to sit next to or near you since you were at least a little bit acquainted and it didn’t seem like he had many friends so you just let him.

he was nice to you. you liked having his company on days when your friends weren’t there. he’d offer to bring you water bottles or snacks when you studied in the library on late nights. he was a really nice guy. 

when he walked into class today, you were already sitting at your table. the lights were dimmed low but you could see the friendly smile he gave you. “hey, seung.” you started

“hey. what are we doing today? everyone looks slumped.” he says, putting his bag down on the floor next to his chair as he sits

“oh, we’re just watching a movie since the teacher has stuff to grade.”

“ooh, okay. is it any good?”

“it’s okay i guess, not much has played yet and to be honest i haven’t paid much attention to it.” you chuckled, laying your head on the table facing him

“i see. well, how was your day?” he asked sweetly, laying his head on the table as well

“it’s been pretty good actually. but i didn’t see you barely at all, where’ve you been?”

“i’m glad. and ah, i was busy studying for business math. you know how that goes.” he jokingly rolls his eyes

“mm, yeah it sucks.”

“yup.”

“you wanna know something weird though?” you ask

“sure..?”

“okay so, i went to the gym like i usually do. well duh, you know because you go in the same hour as me- anyways, after my workout i went to shower, and when i got out, i couldn’t find some of my clothes.”

“like... the dirty ones?”

“yes. i was like.. who the fuck?”

“did you leave them on a bench or in your locker?”

“on the bench, but they’ve never been stolen before. so i’m guessing one of those frat boys took it for their rush or something. it’s whatever, i guess.” you shrug

“damn, that’s sick as fuck.” seungmin frowns

but the truth was, he was trying to keep his composure since he was the one who took your sweaty gym clothes. specifically your underwear. he’d never gone as far as stealing before. only sneaking glances at you in the locker room when you changed, or through your bedroom window at night. giving him easy access since you neglected to get a pair of blinds in your dorm. he usually admires you during classes or in between them. how beautiful you looked, he couldn’t keep his eyes off of you.

“yeah, but it’s fine, really. it’s not like i can’t just buy another pair of underwear- shit, sorry. i didn’t even mention that before, i don’t know why i told you that-” you stammered 

“y/n, it’s fine. we’re friends, right?”

“yes.” you cleared your throat

“okay then, it’s all good.” he smiled

that damn smile. why is he so handsome?

“you’re good at this.”

“at what?” he questions

“comforting people, me. you’re such a smooth talker, you know.”

“well, i try.” he smirks

fuck. y/n, calm down. he’s just a friend. right?

“you don’t date, do you?” you sit up

“not particularly, no. but if i see a cute girl, i might shoot my shot.” 

he nudges you on the shoulder when he speaks. shit. is he flirting now?

“how about you? i haven’t really seen you with anyone, i mean, except hyunjin sometimes...” he says low

is he... jealous? maybe you’re over analyzing things...

“no, you’re right. i’m not seeing anyone right now and i’m not apposed to dating or even hookups but i guess nobody else seemed interested.” you reply

“you sure about that?” he leans closer to you now

“you’re not... interested in me, are you?”

“maybe i am. what would that mean to you?”

you could feel your face heating up, cheeks burning in a deep red. as well as the heat between your legs growing stronger.

fuck. kim seungmin, the man you are...

“...yeah- i mean, you’re a charmer for sure. you’re not joking, though right?”

“now why would i do that? you’re gorgeous, y/n. and anyways, i’ve had a crush on you for a while now. not sure how you haven’t noticed until now.” his eyebrows drew together

“really?” you question 

“do i have to show you, y/n?” he leans in closer now, so close that you can feel his breath on your face.

it was making your head spin. the proximity between you two getting smaller and smaller as the conversation goes on.

“i wouldn’t be opposed.” you whisper 

“you sure?” he whispers back

“just kiss me already.”

and he does. sure, he looks and acts sweet but right now he’s taking his time with you. kissing you slowly and drawing you in to face him more by your waist.

your panties must be soaked now, and he knows it. knows how much of an effect he has on you already. he should, he’s been observing you for so long so he knows just what to fo to drive you crazy. can’t wait fuck you dumb. 

his hands are resting on the small of your back now and you whine into the kiss. it makes him draw back. 

“why’d you stop?” you said in a breathy tone

“there’s other people in room. don’t wanna get carried away, do we?” he smirks

“...right” you look away from him, scanning the room

“the class ends soon, so don’t worry. but i’ve got an idea.”

“oh?”

“let me hold onto your thigh till the end of class?”

“seungmin...”

“don’t be shy.” his eyes focused on the short hem of your short skirt that now rides up your thighs. oh so beautifully.

“okay. yes- you can do it.”

“don’t worry, i’ll be gentle.”

he scooted closer to where you were on the bench seating. only about an inch or two worth of space between the two of you. enough room for his hand to reach your thigh.

he played it safe at first, softly placing a hand on your right thigh. just resting it there, scanning your face for discomfort.

“you’re soft...” is all he managed to say before you were parting your thighs for him, ever so slightly. but he got the hint and subtly moved his hand closer to your core. 

“fuck. you’re already soaked for me and i haven’t even started yet.”

neither of you were looking at each other, pretending to pay attention to the movie that was still playing. it only seemed to have about ten minutes left anyways so it didn’t seem to matter.

oh, how glad you were to have picked a spot in the very back of the class. but still nervous that someone would catch onto what the two of you were doing back there.

you could feel seungmin lifting up your skirt a little higher, inching his fingers higher and higher up your thigh. so close. so close to where you wanted him to be. he squeezed your thigh, making you impulsively squeeze your thighs together. on his hand... giving him even more access. 

it didn’t last for long though. no. he forced your thighs back open, even wider than they were before with the single hand that was resting there before.

“damn, you’re such a tease.” he huffed, “don’t tease... your teasing is torture, baby. just wanna make you feel good.”

luckily for you, the bell rang and your professor told everyone they could leave. seungmin let go of you, getting up and grabbing his bag, waiting for you to do the same. once you did, you could feel your thighs sticking together. there was no way he didn’t notice. his gaze on you was hungry, needy. he wanted you, needed you.

he held out his hand, signaling you to grab it. “wanna get out of here? my apartment is near campus.”

“absolutely.”

he didn’t have to ask you twice. you wanted him too.

taglist: @dadonbabysworld @lynanist @lix-ables @xhazmania @svngcore @seungisms @strayingawayy 

[samieree]

Jealous Heimdall x Reader (Request)

I'm sorry you had to wait so long 😣🙈 But I hope that you're gonna like it! 💗

Request: Can you do a smut one where heimdall gets jealous and decides to breed you?

!MATURE CONTENT! !MINORS DNI!

“Who was it?”

You had barely time to sit back in the armchair after a hard, busy day, when Heimdall came into the room with a clear grudge in his voice. You sighed heavily, turning in your chair to look at him.

“You mean the nice boy who gave me a seat in the mead hall, or the one who went to refill my tea?”

“I didn't know about the second one, but now I know, thanks.” You rolled your eyes. There, before you stood Heimdall, with his usual envy. It doesn't matter that you're married, he acts the same as when you weren't even together. “So?” He moved closer and leaned over you. “Who was it?”

“How do I know? I don't ask the name of every person who looks at me.” You shrugged, resting your head against the back of the chair and closing your eyes. But not for long.

“You should.” You opened your eyes as you felt him tap you on the shoulder.

“Why? So you can stalk them later?”

You already knew how it would end. Once one of the dwarves made you sad, and not even on purpose, later it turned out that you misunderstood his words... But it was enough that you felt sad for a moment, a few tears fell, soaked into your beloved's shirt, and that he knew exactly by whom you felt like that...

Now the dwarves don’t speak to you anymore, except honorifics. You didn't know what he did or said to them, but something that shut them up forever.

A similar situation happened with a certain Asgardian. He accidentally bumped into you and you dropped your coat in the mud. You didn't make a big deal out of it because all you had to do was wash it. You even refused that boy when he offered to wash it himself. You were surprised when you put your coat away for a while at home to take care of it later, and when you came back, it was gone. And the next day that boy knocked on your door, clearly very stressed, and handed you a cleaned coat.

Okay, this is where Heimdall might have gotten a little nervous because the coat was a gift from him, but come on, it was just a mud stain.

“I'm not stalking anyone.” You raised an eyebrow, looking at him carefully. His expression remained the same, questioning. He was still waiting for you to give him a name.

“Dwarves don't talk to me anymore. Only with Thor and Baldur I can talk freely, although it happens that you peek from the side anyway. Yes, I have eyes and I can see it.” He wasn't too surprised that you knew he was following you from time to time. But only sometimes! At least that's what he says. “And I have enough of your jealousy.”

“I'm not jealous!” He stopped leaning over you. He straightened up completely, folded his arms over his chest, and his face was filled with the typical expression of an 'offended' boy.

You had to fight with yourself not to laugh at your husband's attitude. He was a master at playing a pissed-off  teenager. In fact, he played this role brilliantly throughout his whole life.

“Then how do you explain?” You asked with a slight smile on your face. The situation was slowly starting to amuse you, not to annoy you.

“I just…” He paused. He didn't know how else to explain it. He was silent for a few moments, looking at you out of the corner of his eye before continuing. “I don't like to see anyone thinking they can get close to you. Too close.”

“So you're jealous.” You replied, barely holding back a laugh, which he noticed.

Suddenly he leaned over you again, but this time your faces were very close and he was studying you intensely. His purple eyes stared into yours and you immediately stopped laughing, now you just stared at each other and you wondered what he had come up with.

“Maybe I should make it clear to everyone that you're mine?” You felt a blush spread across your face as you heard those words. Spoken softly, in a gentle tone, coupled with the touch of a hand on your thigh. “Would you like this…?” His lips brushed yours, clearly teasing you. “Walking around with my baby in your belly so everyone knows they have no chance…?” He placed his free hand under your chin and lifted it up slightly, kissing you.

You didn't have to answer with words, just returned the kiss, deepening it.

Would you like to have a child with him? You never thought much about it, because neither of you brought up the subject. But the child, being part of you and part of him... Maybe even with his shining eyes... You'd like to see that. You would like to see how he holds your child in his arms, how he braids its hair when it grows up a bit...

You let yourself be lifted from the chair and moved to the bed for comfort. You felt his hands at the bottom of your shirt, lifting the clothes up and finally over your head and landing somewhere on the floor. You felt warm kisses on your lips and elsewhere on your face as he quickly stripped you of your clothes.

He was thrilled by the thought that you wanted to have a child with him. He was thrilled with every kiss you gave back. He was excited by every touch he felt, first through his clothes and then on his bare skin. No matter how many times your hands are on his body, he enjoys it just as much each time.

He loves kissing your perfect lips, being naked in bed with you, watching and feeling your body respond to his touch. He loves to hear the moans that escape your mouth as he kisses and licks your breasts as he does now.

Teasing you is one of his favourite pastimes, as he often waits for the moment when you start asking him for more so he can finally touch you where you want it most.

On the other hand, he struggles with himself, feeling your hands in his hair or nails digging into his arms or back.

“That's what you want?” He whispered the question in your ear, playing at your entrance.

You nodded, moving your hips, wanting to touch him harder, to feel him against your womanhood. You waited for a while, hoping that he would take pity on you. But no, you had to say it. Beg him.

“Please…” You moaned underneath him, turning to his face by your ear and kissing him. You had to wait a while for the answer, when you were kissing deeply, with tongues. 

“How could I refuse such a beautiful woman who needs my help?” You finally felt it. You felt him inside you and a shiver ran through your body.

It was a wonderful feeling of the perfectly fitting bodies. When your movements synchronized, when each thrust released a moan of pleasure. Every moment that passed in this state was filled with pleasure and completely unique. Every kiss, every touch, every single element that made up the whole was significant and pleasant.

When you both felt that you were close to the end and it was getting harder and harder to endure, but at the same time there was even more motivation to see it through. The movements were faster and stronger, the breaths shorter and shallower, until all the tension gathering in the bodies found a way out, flooding you with a wave of pleasure.

Breathing heavily, Heimdall rolled onto his side, one arm behind his head.

“You scratched me again.” He said as he caught his breath, looking at you meaningfully.

“Your clothes cover your entire back, so I don't see any problem.” You replied with a slight smile, moving closer to him and resting your head on his chest. You closed your eyes, remembering the fresh moments you had with him.

“You don't think it's over, do you?” He put his finger under your chin to make you look at him. “I won't stop until I'm sure you're carrying my child.”

Oh, you had no doubts about that.

~Author's note~

I don't know what to think about all those smuts I have written 🙈 I feel like I'm still not brave enough to use strong words 🤷‍♂️ But what do you think?

-> general masterlist -> God of War: Ragnarök masterlist

@izzy-star1223 It was for you If I remember correctly 💖

[specialagentlokitty]

Angel x reader - gently falling

Sitting in your dorm, you looked towards the door as you hear a quiet knock and you furrowed your brows as you stood up.

Walking over, you opened the door.

“If this is about your party Zack I’m not going so stop asking.”

You threw it open, then you looked at the man who was standing on the other side with a confused look on his face.

“I uh.. I’m not Zack?”

You blinked and you narrowed your eyes at him.

“Well I can see that, are you a friend of his or something? Because if you are you can tell him to get stuffed and stop sending people to my door.”

“No, I don’t know who that is. Are you (Y/N)? Your cousin sent me, she uh.. she said you have some old books that you use to help you translate dead languages?”

“Yes I am, and so?”

“Could I borrow one?”

You rose a brow at him.

“I don’t even know your name, and Buffy hasn’t told me anything about you borrowing books.”

“Oh right, I’m Angel, and she said she’d call you?”

You shrugged a little bit.

“I’ll call her, but you better bring it back Angel because those books aren’t exactly printed in mass. Wait there.”

You closed the door and walked over to the phone on the desk, calling the number for your cousin and you spoke to her for a few minutes before hanging up.

Walking back over to the door you opened it and stepped aside, gesturing to the room.

“I can’t come in unless you invite me, it’s rude to just enter the room.”

“Right, come in then. Do you know what you’re looking for or the language?”

“No, but I’d recognise it if I saw it.”

You nodded, walking to your bookcase you sat down on the floor.

Angel looked around the dorm room, just surrounded in books and papers, and he picked some of them up to look through them.

“Can you really read all of this?”

“I wouldn’t be studying it if I couldn’t, here.”

You held a book up and he took it, flicking through the pages.

“What is it?”

“It’s a book obviously.”

You stood up, and walked back over to the desk to sit down and carry on with what you were working on.

“I know it’s a book, why is it in different languages.”

“I complied a list of every language I’ve come across so far, that’s it. If you recognise one, let me know and I’ll get you what I can, why do you need this anyway?”

“It’s for a… project Buffy is working on.”

You hummed, nodding your head and glanced at Angel before turning back to your work.

“Why do you study these?”

“I’ve always had an interest in languages I guess, a fascination with them, thought I’d get a career in it.”

Angel placed the book in front of you, pointing to the page on the left.

“This one, this is it. What is it?”

You took a look at it.

“Old Norse, I’ve got a few texts in it, but nothing that’ll help you. If you can’t read the language you’ve got no hope.”

You got up, gathering a few books and brought them back over for him, putting them into a bag before giving it over.

“What if I bring the text here? Could you translate it for us?”

“Look I’m busy okay, I’ve got assignments and other things to do I can’t be playing assistant to some random guy. Buffy has to learn to do work she can understand I can’t bail her out of this one.”

“Just once? She’s really stuck on this.”

You sighed, nodding your head.

“Fine, bring it here tomorrow, if I’m not here check the university library I might be in there.”

“Thank you.”

You watched him leave then went back to your studying.

The following day you were sat in the library and you saw somebody sit in front of you, laying some papers on the table along with your books.

“If they’re damaged Angel I’ll kill you.”

“Perfect condition I swear.”

You looked at him, and he slid the papers across the table.

“There’s a few extra’s, Giles wanted you to read through them.”

You nodded, grabbing your notepad and pen and you began slowly translating the works while Angel quietly watched you.

“So, clearly you’re not in high school, so why are you hanging around with kids?”

“Me?”

You looked up, rolling your eyes.

“Yes you moron.”

“Oh… well, we just met at a… activity?”

You looked at him.

“Worst excuse ever.”

“It was an every school thing for her class I was just there helping out.”

You went back to your work.

When you were finished you handed it back over to him, along with the translation.

“I’m not going to ask what project needs old Norse, or old Norse mythology but here. Next time you’re paying me.”

Angel chuckled a little, nodding his head.

“Deal. Thank you again, I’ll let Buffy know.”

After then Angel would often come by the university to get you to translate things for him, half of which didn’t make sense to you.

Everytime he would just sit there watching as you translated something for him.

It went on for months, and you began to expect his knocks on your door around the same time every evening.

And today was no different.

“Another, seriously what are you doing just printing things out for me to go through?” You laughed.

You walked over to your desk and sat down at your desk, glancing at the paper briefly before turning around.

“Angel this isn’t even a real language.”

“Yes it is.”

“Where?”

He glanced away.

“In… Greece..?”

“No.”

“Russia?”

“Try again.”

He glanced at you and then sighed a little.

“Okay, I just threw a bunch of things together..”

“Yeah, you’ve been doing it for the past two weeks.”

“You knew?”

You gestured to the papers on your desk.

“I’m not working towards a diploma for nothing. So, want to tell me what you’re up too?”

He said nothing, pretending to find interest in one of the artefacts laying about your dorm.

“Angel?”

“(Y/N)?”

There was a knock on your door and you got up, pointing to him.

“We’re talking about why you’re bringing me fake languages.”

Making your way to the door, you opened it and sighed.

“Get lost Zack.”

“Come on, you can’t stay mad forever, it wasn’t anything special.”

“You were making out with another woman, I don’t care if it wasn’t anything special. Leave me alone.”

Zack pushed his way past you and you turned around.

“Zack I’m warning you I’m not in the mood, get lost.”

“Come on, just stop being so petty, now we’ve got a date so throw this dress on and let’s go.”

You stormed over, taking the dress you put it back and turned to look at him.

“Fine, just go like that then I don’t care, let’s go.”

Zack walked over, and then he stooped, glancing behind you.

“She said go.”

“Who the hell are you?”

Zack reached out and Angel gripped his wrist, standing in front of you.

“When a lady says to leave, you leave, do you understand me?”

He pushed Zack back and stood there until Zack left, then turned around to face you.

“Who was that?”

“My asshole of an ex, that’s who.”

You sighed, then you looked up at him smiling a little.

Walking over, you leant up and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you for that Angel.”

Angel stood there frozen while you sat back down at your desk, his eyes glued to you and he sat on the chair next to yours.

“I want to be around you, all the time. And I shouldn’t, but I do.”

You stopped working, setting your pen down.

“The fake languages?”

He shrugged a little.

“I.. I have to go…”

“Angel?”

He stopped and you walked over to him, smiling a little bit.

“Want to get a coffee?”

“Really?”

Grabbing your jacket your threw it on and grabbed your keys.

“Let’s go, I know a quiet place.”

Angel trailed after you, and he glared at anybody who even dared to look in your general direction

[gretavanlace]

Poppins (part 4)

Josh kiszka x reader

18+ only! Minors do not interact!

Warnings: graphic sexual content, discussions of pregnancy, language, etc

“You’re not one of those ‘cilantro tastes like soap’ people, are you?” Josh asks, knife hovering over the herb mid chop, as if the possibility has only just occurred to him.

“No.” You smile from your perch on the counter. “I happen to have a very sophisticated palate, thank you very much.”

With a nod, he carries on and then sprinkles the tiny bits of green over the avocados he has already sliced into crescents.

Your fingers inch out to swipe a piece, only to be swatted away like a child reaching for an electrical outlet. “Lime first, sweetheart.” He shakes his head. “You’re worse than Lil.”

She’s long asleep, nestled in cozy sheets and little girl dreams.

Truth be told, had you the slightest idea of what was good for you, you’d be long gone, too. But when Josh fixed his hopeful eyes on yours and asked you to stay and join him for a late night snack, he’d won the fight before you’d even stepped into the ring.

Jake was gone again. Wandering on to his next gig, guitar case slung into the backseat of his car to keep his beat to hell and back bag company.

“They booked me for an entire week.” He’d bragged (only slightly humbly) “Place is fuckin’ history, too. Used to be a speakeasy during the prohibition.”

“Well, make sure to stay outta any leftover moonshine,” Josh had teased, yanking him in for a hug. “You can’t play for shit even when you’re sober.”

He focused his radar upon you then, embracing you warmly with a goodbye kiss soft on your neck and hidden from prying eyes by his hair. “See you soon, poppins. Don’t go getting any prettier on me, my poor heart couldn’t stand it.”

Is it normal to feel both elated and devastated to see someone go? Because that’s exactly how you felt. How you always feel when Jake saunters back out of your lives. He causes more trouble for you than you know what to do with, but you can’t claim he isn’t worth it.

So, with his vanishing twin off once more, you simply couldn’t refuse Josh’s offer. He leans towards pensive melancholy in the first few days without his brother.

He once described it as feeling homesick, and you’d marveled at the bond between them…wondered at the invisible string that seems to tie them together, always pulling them back to one another.

“Here, taste.” Josh speaks around the wedge of lime in his mouth and guides a forkful to your mouth, hand cupped beneath it to keep things tidy.

It’s delicious, and you tell him so, watching with rapt attention as he spears a piece of his own and pops the same fork into his own mouth. It’s only a stupid shared utensil, but it strikes you as incredibly intimate.

‘Where’d you get the recipe?”

“No recipe.” He shrugs, looking bashful under your praise, and then taps his temple, “This is where the magic happens.”

You reach forward and poke his blushing cheek softly “Impressive.”

“Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal. I pick my own clothes out, too. Every single morning. Tie my own shoes. The whole thing.”

A hush falls over the dimly lit kitchen as the two of you pick through the bowl, but it’s a comfortable quiet. Still, being the mayor of make-everything-my-business-town, you break it.

“When we were at your parents the other day, Jake and I were in your room and…”

“Yes, love.” He tilts his head and studies you as if looking for signs of a concussion. “I showed up to ruin the party, remember?”

God, you’re such an idiot!

“There was no party, Josh, come on.”

“Please.” He scoffs, slipping another bite into your mouth “You should’ve seen the look he gave me when he walked out. He might as well have pissed a circle around you to mark his territory.”

“Lovely.” You roll your eyes and savory the tang of lime on your tongue.

“What can I say? I’m a born romantic. Anyway, go on. You and Jake were in our room and…?”

“I asked about her.” You suddenly feel horribly intrusive. You never should have broached the subject.

He makes a small sound of acknowledgement and then sets the fork aside, giving you his full attention. “And?”

“And, I don’t know.” Your hands in your lap become your hyper-focus.

“Curious kitten, aren’t you?” There’s a grin in his tone and it eases you into peeking up at him. “Well, what did our dear Jacob have to say on the matter?”

“He said he loved her.”

He cocks his chin in confirmation. “He did.”

“And he said you slept with her.”

Once again, he nods. But slower this time, with regret permeating the room. “Not my finest hour.”

“I guess I just wonder how you come back from something like that?”

He grabs a fresh lime wedge, pops it into his mouth with a contemplative expression, and then offers it up for you to suck once he seems to have found his verbal footing.

“Jake and I have always been the ones to mend the fissures in each other's hearts…even when we’re the ones who’ve created them. I fix him. He fixes me. That’s just how it is.”

You pull on the lime with your lips, like some strange pacifier, offering nothing. What do you say about something you can’t begin to understand?

“Did you know that twins start interacting with each other in the womb at around 14 weeks?”

Now you’re the class act speaking around a lime wedge in fascination. “Really?”

“Mhmm.” He smiles at your widened eyes, lighting up the way he so often does when he spots an opportunity to teach someone something “Researchers studied twins in utero and found they begin reaching for each other at 14 weeks and engaging in comforting behavior. Stroking each other’s heads, holding hands, things like that.”

Your heart swells imagining their tiny translucent hands seeking each other out in the dark.

“Here’s the really amazing part. All this happens before the senses of sight and hearing develop. Which means…”

“The only thing you knew was each other.” You interject.

He seems pleased with your understanding. “For quite a while, yes.”

“So what you’re saying is that it would take much more than some girl to shake such an indelible bond.”

His thumb strokes over your cheek “Right. Even if she wasn’t just some girl.”

He’s no longer talking about the bubbly face smiling out from fading snapshots pinned to a wall across town, but you pretend not to notice.

He watches you, scrutinizing his opponent across a chessboard, and then asks a question of his own. “Why is it that you’ve never asked about her?”

Confused, you shrug inelegantly. “Well, I didn’t even know she existed until the other day. Kinda hard to ask about someone you don’t—“

“No.” He drops his hand away from your face and rests it on your knee instead, circling the pad of his thumb over the worn denim. “Lily’s mother. You’ve never once asked about her.”

“I asked Jake once.” You murmur, almost ashamed of your inquisitiveness.

A short laugh escapes him, “Oh, I’ll bet that went over like a lead balloon.”

You laugh with him, glad for the dissipated heaviness. “A few obscenities I don’t care to repeat is about all I got out of him.”

“Sounds about right. He hates her because he loves Lily so much.”

“Will you?” You prod gently. “Tell me about her, I mean.”

“Not much to tell.” He fits himself between your legs and tenderly toys with the tiny speck of an opal you wear around your neck. “I think I always knew it wasn’t going to work out, but I moved her in anyway when we found out Lil was on her way.”

Jake was right, you hate her already for the rejection you pick up on in his confession.

“She changed almost overnight…didn’t want much to do with any of it. Mom helped me shop for everything, because what the hell did I know? I read the books and set up birthing classes, which she refused to go to, just shit like that…”

He shakes his head like he can’t believe the absurdity of it all. “I brought all these baby name books home once and you know what she said? ‘Just pick something.’ It gutted me. I couldn’t understand how she could be so cold.”

You spin an errant curl around your finger and wait for him to go on…and on he goes.

“I really saw it one day when she came home to find me painting the clouds on Lily’s wall…”

“You painted those?” It touches you deeply to picture him, brush in hand, working diligently to create a perfect world for his little girl.

“I did. I already told you, I’m kind of a big deal. Anyway, she said it was a waste of time and that if I wanted the baby to see clouds so damn bad, I could just take her outside. Then she bitched about the house smelling like paint. I knew right then that it was never going to work.”

“She didn’t care enough about the baby you were already in love with.”

“Not even close.” He leans into your hand as you pet at his hair. “Then Lil was born and it was like watching a cat who doesn’t know how to care for her kittens. You know the ones? Gotta force ‘em to stay in the little box with their babies? That was her.”

“How could anyone not fall for Lily immediately?” You ask with honest confusion. In your eyes, it doesn’t seem possible.

“I ask myself the same question every day. Long story short, I came home early one afternoon. I should’ve had at least three hours left on campus, but I wasn’t feeling well, so I cleared the rest of my schedule.”

He looks far away as he pulls forth the memory. “There she was stuffing a bag full, with three others already zipped up tight on the bed, and the baby strapped into her carrier. I remember thinking ‘I’ll bury her in the backyard before I let her step foot out of this house with Lily.”

You can’t help the giggle that bubbles out of you. Such aggression seems out of place on his tongue. He doesn’t follow suit.

“I really think I meant it.” he mulls it over for a blink. “Yeah, you know what? Scratch the ‘think’, I definitely meant it.”

“You’re a good dad, Josh. The best, even.” You definitely mean that, too.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” There go those pink cheeks again. “Anyway, that was the end of that.”

Biting down on your lip to suppress another laugh, you play along “She’s buried in the backyard?”

“Made Sam dig the hole. Told him I was putting in a tiny pool.”

The laughter finally comes, “You’re an idiot.”

You’ve no way of knowing, but watching you laugh, he thinks you’re one of the most beautiful things he’s ever seen…and he’s seen a great many beautiful things.

“Nah, she only had Lily in her seat because she had planned on dropping her at my mother’s to avoid a messy goodbye with me. Last I heard, or cared, she was living in Wyoming of all fuckin’ places. She’s never so much as sent her daughter a birthday card. Which is for the best anyhow.”

You take a deep, sorrowful breath “I’m sorry.”

“What for?” he pats your thighs. “She was a shit mother and a shit person. There’s not a damn thing to be sorry for. Besides, I wouldn’t have needed a nanny if I wasn’t some Hallmark movie single dad, and where would we be without you?”

Jake’s voice rings out inside your head. He’s in love with you.

Without giving you time to answer, he marches on. “Alright, my turn. You gonna tell me what was going on under my poor mama’s roof the other day?”

“Just Jake being Jake.” It’s hardly an answer at all, but you pray he’ll leave it at that.

Wrong.

“He was on my bed, you know. So I assume you had been to, until you heard me coming, anyway. Did you fuck him in my bed?”

His voice has changed in pitch. Just a little deeper, rasping with secrecy, and for some ungodly reason the word ‘fuck’ breathing out of him makes you flush with warmth.

You answer swiftly and truthfully. “I didn’t fuck him at all.”

“But close, right?” How does he always know?

Your silence answers the question well enough for him.

“Hmm,” he looks you over like he’s trying to fit jigsaw pieces together. “I know a lot about my brother. More than most can say…there’s that twin thing again. And I know how he is, and I know that’s why you think you want him so badly.”

You aren’t following, so you remain closed-mouthed and await elaboration.

He hands it over readily. “I know a lot about you, too. I can see way down deep inside you. You’re careful, and meticulous. Independent. You hold your fucking own, all day, every day. But it gets old doesn’t it, sweetheart?”

You’re nodding gently along with his observations without even realizing.

“Yeah, it does.” His hands are in your hair now, holding you in place with a firm grasp to keep you nose to nose. “It gets old, and you just want someone to make it all go away sometimes, don’t you?”

Nodding. Nodding. Nodding. Is that all you know how to do? Evidently.

“And you think Jake, with his rock and roll-my dick drags the ground-bullshit is the one who can give it to you like that…but that’s where you’re wrong.”

“Josh…”

His fingers tighten in your hair, “Quiet.”

Fuck. Your thighs would be squeezed together were he not standing between them.

“If you want someone to give you that, you’ve been sleeping in the wrong bed, goldilocks.”

This is a bad idea. Terrible. Possibly the worst idea. The magnum opus of horrible decisions…but that no longer seems to matter much to you, and it never mattered to him to begin with.

Tentatively, with nerves scratching their claws along the folds of your brain, your tongue laps against his bottom lip. It’s so plump and full, warm, soft as buttery suede.

Instantly, you want more, need more…and so you take it, curling another lick in the exact same spot.

It’s as if you’ve fired a starting gun into the air, and there are no longer two of you. It’s all hands and tangled limbs. Shared panting breaths. Mouths and teeth. Low rumblings of sound that vibrate out of his chest and make you clench up tightly in your jeans.

Jeans. Your favorite jeans, have been for years, but all at once, you loathe them and wish they would disappear.

Roughly, he pulls you to the edge of the counter, grinding insistent rolls of his hips against you. He’s hard. So hard…and the thought alone causes your already wild heart to pound so frantically you wonder if he can hear it. Your head tips back, knocking against the cabinet behind you with a dull thunk, as his mouth searches the uncharted waters of your throat.

You reach for the hem of your shirt, preparing to rip it over your head. Your nipples are aching and pleading for attention, and you want his mouth on them so badly you’d gladly beg.

But, he stops you.

“Not here, sweetheart. She could wake up and walk in.” Even desperate to finally have what he’s wanted for so long within reach, he’s still her father first. You’d have it no other way.

“Bedroom.” You move to hop down, but he shakes his head, cupping your still hidden breasts like they’re wonderful, coveted prizes he’s worked tirelessly to win.

“Too close to her room.” He looks up deviously, with lust and something mischievous playing about in his darkened stare “I tend to be a bit…vocal.”

Vocal? Maybe there is a god, after all.

“Josh, please…” your legs have wrapped around his waist, gaining leverage to writhe against him like a common whore.

His eyes sweep the room in rapid fire thought, and then, there are his hands fisting into your shirt to haul you off the counter in a graceful sweeping motion.

Your feet never touch the ground (where does he hide all that strength?) as he maneuvers you into the pantry. The door closes with a click as he fumbles around blindly in the air in search of the string that will bring the light to life.

The space is suddenly illuminated, spotlighting two sets of feverishly shaking hands fighting to pop buttons and lower zippers.

He’s tugging your jeans down, granting your silent wish for them to go away, but when you move to reach inside his own, he pulls back and shoves you up against a wall of shelves. Blue boxes of Mac and cheese rain down, dry pasta tucked inside cardboard rattling like maracas at your feet.

Your shirt has gone as well, when did that happen? The cups of your bra are pulled down by his curled fingers, displaying your breast round and gorgeous just for him.

Whining softly you fight to catch your breath, but promptly lose the battle when his mouth, silken and wet, closes around your nipple to suck lightly…just enough to make you long for more.

He gifts it a tiny nip of his teeth and then releases. You mourn the sensation so deeply, tears seem a very real threat.

“You didn’t deny it when I said you two were close to fucking the other day…” his mouth is pressed hot against the shell of your ear as you palm his cock through his pants.

A shake of your head is meant to mean, ‘I don’t want to talk about him’.

He either doesn’t get the message, or just doesn’t care to heed it. The pads of his fingers dance a lovely little circle over your clit through your panties just once. That small action draws a pathetic whimper out of you, and the sound alone causes his cock to jerk, untouched.

“What did you let him do to my girl?” He taunts, clicking his tongue in feigned disappointment.

“Josh,” your hips rock away from the shelving in search of his fingers. “Touch me…fuck, please.”

“Is that what he did?” His voice is a smoky, ghostly finger curling, guiding, beckoning you closer.

“Why do you even care?” You huff, growing pettish and impatient. “It isn’t a contest.”

His fingers have gone back to teasing you, sweeping over your aching clit, sinking into your thighs, thumb tracing patterns over goosebumps. “You’re absolutely right, sweetheart. When it comes to you, there is no contest between Jake and I…you just don’t know it yet.”

Your incessant need takes over, rendering you helpless to your desire, and you leave your body in the clutch of auto pilot. Grabbing him by the wrist, you shove his hand into your panties and lose your footing when his knuckle slides over your clit.

His arm is tucked around your waist in a split second, holding your weight effortlessly. “Fuck, you’re soaked. Who’s this sweet little pussy so ready for?”

Your hands rake into his hair, pulling it lightly, and then harder still when he groans at the sting. “You, Josh. Only you.”

“Only me right now,” he corrects, fluttering his finger rapid fire as though it were his tongue. “Wasn’t only for me the other day. That’s alright though, love. I’m gonna make this pretty cunt all mine.”

Where has this been hiding? Surely this isn’t the same Josh you stepped into the kitchen with tonight.

This isn’t the Josh who brings his daughter a tiny surprise every day, even if it’s simply a stick of gum, just so she knows he’s always thinking of her.

This isn’t the ray of sunshine Josh who claps and whistles wildly in public when his favorite golden palm tree fireworks explode into the sky every 4th of July.

Josh who will spend an hour coaxing a splinter out of your hand so that it doesn’t sting. The Josh who cries when Bambi’s mother dies because “Walt Disney didn’t have to be such an asshole”.

“What are you thinking?” He sounds immeasurably turned on, but there’s intrigue there too. He genuinely would like to peek inside your head.

“I’m wondering who the hell you are.” A breathy laugh stumbles out of you, followed closely by a gasp when he slips down to tease you into believing he might ease a finger inside.

“Sweetheart,” he dips down and sinks his teeth into your neck lightly, careful not to leave a mark that might be asked after in the morning over a tiny bowl of Lucky Charms. “I think you’ve always known what lies beneath. Isn’t that right?”

Flashes of memories flicker through your mind like heat lightning— fast and unexpected. Heated looks, a deliciously possessive drag of his hand over the curve of your waist, a smoldering comment that could be taken as nothing short of innocence if you chose to lie to yourself about it.

“Yeah,” A slick smile plays over his beautiful lips, tip of his tongue resting at the corner, just barely there. “What a smart girl you are.”

Never before have you been much for praise, it always seemed slightly contrived. But, coming from him? You’d eat it up with a spoon, scrape the bowl, then hold it out for seconds. Please sir, I want some more.

His fingers snap the elastic of your panties, tugging you out of your thoughts. “Show me.”

He wants you to pull them aside, you know that much…but you’ve a stubborn streak a mile wide that doesn’t know when to shut up, you know that, too. “You want it? You do it.”

The words have scarcely tripped off your tongue and his hand is wrapped around your neck, forehead tilted in close to yours, opposite thumb latched over your bottom lip to hold your mouth open submissively “I said show me.”

You are no longer yourself. Panting and desperate in this tiny room, surrounded by boxes of Cheerios and canned goods, something long gone is marching up front and center. Some animalistic evolutionary leftover that has found its time to shine once again, and you are reduced to no more than your need.

Pulling your panties to the side, you gaze up at him through your lashes and issue a whispered, please.

He leans back, longing to soak in the sight of what he’s imagined one too many times to count. “Look at you, sweetheart. Fucking stunning. My perfect, pretty girl has a perfect, pretty cunt, doesn’t she?”

You should feel shy, on the spot, way too ‘seen’. At least, normally you would. But with Josh? You feel like art adorning a gallery wall that he has traveled across miles and seas simply to admire. You feel beautiful here, bathed in his perception.

Reaching down slowly, he holds your eyes locked in an embrace with his own as he dips a single finger deeply into your warmth. Arching into his touch, your entire body shakes with electric anticipation, but just as quickly as it is given, he takes it away.

That very finger slips into his mouth as he sucks it clean with a muted hum of bliss. “You’re just sweet as can be everywhere, aren’t you, love?”

You reach for him, finished with his game, and more than ready to get on with it, but he pulls away and bends to ease your jeans up before opening the pantry door, leading the way with an ‘after you’ motion of his hand.

“What?” Your brow is stitched into a frown of confusion.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he sighs, mock-sympathy thick in his tone. “I think it’s time you went to sleep thinking about me for a change, don’t you?”

Incredulous, you can manage no more than a stunned stare.

“Off you go.” He smiles innocently.

You shove him out of the way, feeling foolish and very near tears, but he grabs your arm and spins you around before you can hit the hallway.

“If you can look me in the eye tomorrow morning and tell me that this didn’t feel more right than anything that’s ever happened between you and my brother, I’ll hand over my blessing and step aside.”

“Fuck you, Josh.” Wow, how eloquent.

“Yes, that’s the idea.” He laughs. “Eventually. Amongst other things.”

Taglist: @gretasintrees @greta-van-chaos @celestialfauna @s0livagant @groggyvanfleet @kiszkathecook @brokenbellz @llightmyllovee @doodle417 @seventieswhore @paleshadow-ofadragon @jake-kiszkas-smirk @weightofdreams-gvf @alisonwonderland29 @joshkiszkas @gretavanfleas @gretavangroove @sparrowofthedawn @xserenax-13 @tbagggvf @obetrolncocktails @tripthelightjaketastic @jakeslovehandles @poofyloofy @70sgroupielovr @heatmyfleet @age-of-nyahh @sammiboo162 @spicedandicedtea @jakekiszkasleftnutsack @saoirsemaeve @mywickeddivinity @dvrkblooms @paintmyhouse @tripthelightfandomtastic @tripthelight-fanfic @mckenna4 @sarakay-gvf @theweightofjake @joshsmama @sammysvanfeet @rhythm-of-space @highladyofasgard @jordierama @calumspretty

[saintsir4n]

AFFECTION

MODERN-DAY ADRIENNE AND KLAUS

PAIRINGS: Adrienne Lumière and Klaus Mikaelson

WARNINGS: Klaus being annoying.

---

“It would be nice to know that my wife still loves me.”

Adrienne looked up when she heard her husband's dramatics, confused and annoyed that he decided to distract her from her work. All she wanted to do is finish the few things on her to-do list that was kept in her study and then relax, but it was hard when her husband was in one of his moods.

Klaus narrowed his eyes onto his wife’s laptop, noticing that she still wasn’t giving him any attention, so he pushed it down and shut it, much to her annoyance.

“Nik!”

“Oh, so you remember I exist?”

Adrienne blinked at him and tilted her head to the side, “what are you talking about?”

“So the fact you have neglected to kiss me today doesn’t effect you at all?” The gasp that escaped him earned an eye roll, “hurt isn’t a word I would use to describe how I feel.”

“How do you feel then?” She played along, knowing that the quicker she did so, the quicker she could return to her work.

“It’s fine,” he shrugged, slowly moving backwards and towards the study door, “it appears you do not care for me like I believed you would. I have become a stranger to you and that is how I assume you want our marriage to be.”

“That’s not what I want.”

“Your lack of affection does nothing to help you’re argument,” he retorted.

Adrienne stood up and walked around her desk, “I’m busy.”

“Yes it seems you’re work is more important than I.”

“Christ,” she muttered.

“Exhibit B!” He exclaimed, making her feel back.

“What was exhibit A?”

“That you have neglected me, the moment I woke from my slumber, I expected to feel the warm and loving touch from my dear wife, but did you know what I felt?”

She suppressed a laugh, “no, tell me.”

“NOTHING! Just the cold and empty sheets, where were you?” He dramatically asked.

“Showering,” she answered, “which you know because you joined me in the shower.”

“You take me as some sort of fool!” He snapped.

“I really do,” she mumbled, punching the bridge of her nose.

Suddenly she was trapped between his chest and her desk, which his arms on either side of her body.

“Yet I didn’t receive a kiss, a hug or-“

“We had sex Nik,” she cut him off, “sex that you enjoyed.

“And yet not one kiss!” He restated.

“Fine I’m sorry.”

“Say it with feeling,” he cast her a glare, that she dismissed, “might I recall you gave me the cold shoulder for neglecting to hug you when I return home and that was ONE TIME!”

“Yes because you were mad at me for taking Rebekah’s side in an argument,” she yelled back.

“Which was wrong, just like she was.”

“Just because you believe she can’t sing doesn’t mean she can’t.”

“I think my ear drums can beg to differ,” he retorted and she snorted, “you believe me, but you’re friendship with my sister clouds your judgment.”

She pouted, “And that’s why I didn’t get a hug?”

“Precisely,” he nodded, trying to ignore how adorable she looked at the moment.

“Well you won’t get your kiss.”

“Just one.”

“No.”

“My love.”

“I want my hug.”

“I’ve given countless hugs since then.”

“They mean nothing until I get the one you purposefully declined,” she shrugged, grinning at the eye roll she received.

“Fine.”

“Say it with feeling,” she mocked, before she was brought into a warm embrace.

Hugging klaus always felt like home. The warmth and comfort that engulfed her could put her to sleep, along with the calming scent of his aftershave. Which is why she demanded one every hour, not that he minded, he loved the how easy and right it felt to wrap his arms around her.

Like they were made to fit.

And everything was right with the world.

Whether she was upset or happy or even contempt, one hug from her husband could put it everything right.

Well, maybe not everything because he was a dashing homicidal immortal hybrid that made enemies wherever and whenever he wanted.

Besides that, his hugs were the best.

Pulling away from his comforting hold, she stared up at his big blues and grinned.

“You’re still not getting that kiss.”

“Adrienne!”

a/n:

Send requests of other imagines that you can see Adrienne and Klaus in.

[smaller-comfort]

Wip wednesday? I genuinely could not remember what day it was all day long. I only go into the office two days a week, and yet I was standing at my desk convinced it was Thursday. So! Let's do this.

Some cutting room floor scraps from my Sea of Stars modern AU, and a chunk of the Obyron/Zahndrekh necrontyr monstrosity that has gotten completely out of hand.

Boys of Summer- Sea of Stars College AU, Aephorul/Resh'an (working title; alternate working title is The Brother of the Mayor of Bridgewater, but at that point I might as well just call it "New Brunswick Circa 2002".)

This is all getting cut, actually. I ended up writing a whole bunch of background stuff that doesn't belong in the actual story. (The actual story is 1000% just porn and Aephorul's increasingly panicked internal monologue, followed by Resh'an's increasingly panicked external monologue.)

Nasreen is an OC with a major role in Outshine the Sun, and I adore her, but she mostly only plays an incidental role in this modern AU as Resh'an's occasional beard.

-----

His backpack was covered in scuffed pen and white-out doodles and was held together with safety pins and patches- including a bunch of rainbow flags and pink triangles. When he'd caught Aephorul looking on the first day of class, he'd given Aephorul a flat, challenging glare.

Aephorul had just shrugged. “I don't give a shit,” he'd mouthed, and then he'd gone back to taking notes. And really, he didn't give a shit. It was none of his business.

He did sort of want to ask why Resh'an would walk around with pride flags all over his backpack if he thought he was going to get shit for it- but, again, none of his business. Aephorul wasn't planning to make friends with him or anything like that.

And for the first few weeks of class, that was the end of it; Resh'an was always late to class, and the seat next to Aephorul was always open, and their interactions were limited to discussing problem sets and lab reports, and Resh'an asking to borrow a pencil.

“What happened to the one I lent you on Tuesday?”

Resh'an rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “I might’ve left it at the library?”

After the third week of this, Aephorul went to Staples and bought a twenty pack of mechanical pencils. He started sticking them in Resh'an's backpack whenever he wasn't looking. It still took another week- two lectures and a lab- before Resh'an even noticed.

“Hey, can I borrow a- huh.” Resh'an stared into the front pocket of his bag, frowning slightly. He pulled out a pencil. And then another pencil. And another.

“Where…did these come from?” He sounded slightly lost as he set each pencil on the desk in a neat line. His mouth moved silently as he counted them “Eight? How…?” He unzipped another compartment of his backpack, and more pencils spilled out.

For a moment, Resh'an just stared at them. Aephorul spun his own pencil across the back of his fingers with a practiced flick of his thumb, and kept his expression neutral. “Guess you don't need to bum one off of me today.”

Resh'an turned to stare at him, slowly. His face was red. “You…why?”

“The look on your face was pretty good.” Aephorul shrugged. Honestly, it had been a stupid whim. “Kinda didn't think it would take you this long to notice, though.”

Resh'an stared at him for another moment, as if waiting for Aephorul to say something else. Aephorul met his stare with the same deadpan, flat expression for a few seconds longer, before he finally let the corner of his mouth twist upwards in a smile.

Resh'an's eyes widened a little, and then he shook his head. “A few of us have been having a study group on Tuesday nights in the Atrium- you should come,” he said. “If you're not busy. Nasreen usually brings snacks.”

Aephorul opened his mouth to say that he was busy, actually, but- honestly, his last quiz score hadn't been great. Resh'an had gotten the highest grade in the class. “Yeah, maybe I will.”

“Cool.” Resh'an shoved the extra pencils back in his bag. “You know I'm just going to lose most of these, right?”

“It's fine. I've got more.”

----

He knocked on the door before he could talk himself out of it; it wasn't like he needed Nasreen's leftover bakery experiments, so if he didn't give them to Resh'an, he wasn't sure what he'd do with them.

“It's open.” Resh'an's voice. Aephorul relaxed slightly and let himself in.

“Hey.”

Resh'an stuck his head out over the edge of his lofted bed. “Aephorul?”

“Missed you at study group. Midterm's on Thursday, so I brought you today's notes if you want them.” He held up the bag of cookies. “And Nasreen's leftovers.”

Resh'an scrambled down the ladder to the ground. “Thanks. You seriously didn't have to-”

“What the fuck happened to you?”

There were bruises on his face; a split lip and the beginning of a black eye. Resh'an winced, and then shrugged. “It's not as bad as it looks. I just…didn't want to deal with class today.”

“Did you get mugged or something?” He handed Resh'an the cookies, and then unslung his bag to take out his notes. Campus was pretty safe, but there were parts of town that got sketchy late at night.

Resh'an laughed at that, eyes wide. “No. That's a good excuse, though. No- I just…went to a party. And made a pass at the wrong guy.”

For a brief, disconcerting moment, Aephorul's vision went blurry with some indescribable combination of rage and horror. “Seriously?”

Resh'an shrugged. “It happens. I should've been more careful.”

“That's fucked up.”

Resh'an stared at him, and very slowly took a bite of a cookie. “Why do you pretend you're an asshole all the time?”

“Wh-huh?” Aephorul felt his face getting hot. “What do you mean?”

“The way you talk. You look at people like you think you're better than them. You pull that whole aloof loner thing in class, and then you play a prank on me that's literally the nicest thing anyone has done to me in, like, years.” Resh'an's shoulders drew up, hunching over a little. “And now you're here and…I don't get it.”

“I don't just think I'm better than most people.” Aephorul lifted his chin a little. 

“Yeah. Okay. Maybe you're not pretending.” Resh'an rubbed at his face with one hand. “Why are you being nice to me?”

“Labs are 40% of our grade,” Aephorul pointed out. “And you're the only other person who got higher than a C on the last test.” He cleared his throat and looked away. “And- I sort of figured we were friends?”

“Oh.” Resh'an looked down at his feet. “I dunno, man, that sounds pretty gay.”

So am I, he absolutely did not say, because he wasn't, and even if he was, it didn't matter. "I guess you'd know, wouldn't you?”

Resh'an grinned a little crookedly. "Yeah, you'd think so, right? Never seems to work out for me, though."

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

The nameless necrontyr thing wherein I mostly chew on a lot of world building, but then I inevitably devolve into shameless fetish nonsense.

This bit is the former, but rest assured, everything that follows immediately after is entirely the latter.

--

'Our nemesor is a madman.' Neb appended the message with a glyph of admiration. 

Obyron replied with a glyph of agreement. As an officer, he had the right to a private partition in the phalanx barracks tent, but he rarely bothered to raise it. It meant that Neb would often push their cots together for them to sleep back-to-back, the way they had during their days in the training yards on the homeworld.

In the dark and quiet, the familiar sounds of subvocalized conversations and the soldiers’ nightly rituals were a comfort after the excitement of battle.

Someone began a recitation, calling out the names of the fallen, whose cots would lie empty until the troop carriers made landfall tomorrow. In the dark, together, his soldiers could use their voices without fear of reprimand. Obyron's voice joined them; it was the only time his words ever came easily. This was his true mother tongue: not the High Necrontyr of the nobility, or even the low dialects of the sand-born, but the soldier's chant.

Beside him, Neb rolled over and put his arm around Obyron's waist and pulled himself close. Obyron could hear the way his voice shook as the litany of names continued.

Sahunet, whose night scythe had taken an artillery charge meant for Obyron, and who wrote letters home to her sisters every decan; 'we commend your soul to the stars,' Djedi, fallen as they made their retreat from the artillery line, who shared Neb's cot as often as Obyron did; 'we commend your soul to the stars'. Iaret, who had earned their name upon promotion to the lychguard only two short months ago, hand picked by Obyron for the position. ‘We commend your soul to the stars.’

The stars would burn a little brighter tonight for their sacrifice. Where a noble might leave behind a monument of stone as their legacy, a soldier could only hope to live and die for the glory of their dynasty. Most of them would be consigned to the unmarked graves of the battlefield, but their legacies would live on in the lychguard's chant- until they, too, fell in battle. Once their unit was gone, no one would remember these names.

[dramatisperscnae]

Okay, Hawkeye's got to be fucking with him, right? It doesn't take a rocket scientists to figure out how a service dog for a deaf person would work. Hell, Caspian had been pretty sure the man already had one, given he smells of dog and has what looks like Golden Retriever fur on his uniform. Apparently not. Just a pet, then. Though the prospect of looking at dog photos has Caspian perking up pretty quick.

Not that he gets to; they're unconveniently interrupted then by a woman who looks like she's spent the last ten years teaching the most unruly middle school class in existence. Tough as nails, takes no shit, toe-the-line-or-else…and not inclined to use her words instead of just shoving Hawkeye's feet off the table. It hadn't been bothering Caspian; what's the big deal? Not like this has been any kind of formal meeting up until now in any case.

And apparently she has enough clout to order Hawkeye around. Great. Not that he seems all that thrilled about it. Why's he staying, anyway? Caspian looks from him to the woman and back again in clear confusion before just shrugging. "Is this the part where I find out why I'm here?"

"It is. My name is Angelica Day." Her tone is just as brisk as her stride had been; clearly a woman used to being in charge. Caspian's heard his sister talk like that to shareholders a few times. Except that Keani always does it with a smile, where Ms. Day - Agent Day, probably - just makes him feel like he's in some kind of interrogation. The speech she proceeds to give him doesn't make him feel any better: about how SHIELD has learned he has certain abilities that they feel would make him a useful addition to their forces.

And she's come prepared, too. Before Caspian can even open his mouth to argue she's already opening the folders she brought in, turning them so he can see the reports, the photographs…christ, how long have they been watching him? And how has he never noticed before? He looks back up at her with narrowed eyes. "You've been spying on me on my own property? This how you usually recruit people?"

"Mr. Zane, part of our duty is to ensure that potential threats are carefully evaluated. A man with heightened senses might well have other abilities he keeps closer to the chest." Agent Day says it so matter-of-factly, as if it ought to be obvious. Caspian can't help wondering if she has to practice sounding that condescending or if it comes naturally. "But it doesn't take much observation to understand that you are no threat. Though with the proper training-"

"No." Caspian cuts her off sharply.

"…What?"

"I said no. I'm not joining." He folds his arms, meeting her eyes coolly.

That seems to have thrown her off. What was she expecting, that he'd leap to join a group that spied on him? "…Mr. Zane," she tries again, "With the contents of these files SHIELD has enough to-"

"What?" Caspian interrupts her again, his eyes narrowing. "Detain me for further study like I'm a lab rat? No you don't. Or were you going to make my abilities public to try and ruin my business and force me to join? Shit move, if so, and I'm sure the press would love to hear how a government organization is sabotaging the life of a private citizen."

"Mr. Zane-"

"I have done nothing wrong." His tone is firm, his eyes never leaving hers. "You have no reason to keep me here. I'm not playing your games. I'm not joining. I'm not interested. I'm going to walk out that door, and you're not going to stop me. Am I clear?"

"Mr. Zane, you really should think about-"

Caspian rose to his feet. "I have 'thought'. Get fucked." Heading for the meeting room door he glanced over at Hawkeye. "…This the way out?"

They know the guy has heightened senses (at least, they assume he does), but Clint’s not overly concerned about any conversations he might be able to listen in on. Everyone in the direct vicinity is playing a part—conversing only about inane, unimportant stuff. It’s not the most extravagant play they’ve ever put on (Captain America, anyone?), and it’s not like they talk about classified information outside of briefings or meetings anyway; those don’t exactly happen in the hallways around civilian meeting rooms.

“Whaaat? No way!” Distraction successful. Good work, Barton. He’s just going to give himself a little mental pat on the back for that one. “And they just…hear for you? How does that work? How would they even communicate what they’re hearing to you? Dogs can’t sign—they don’t have thumbs, let alone the dexterity needed in their little paws.”

Is this making him sound stupid? Probably. He doesn’t care much, though. If it’ll get Caspian to stop asking questions Clint’s not supposed to answer for a little while, he’s happy to make himself seem a bit slow. “Pretty sure seeing eye dog is out for mine—he’s only got the one, depth perception is shit—but I think he hears pretty good. Well, sometimes. He doesn’t always listen, but I think he’s just ignoring me then. You wanna see him? His name’s Lucky.”

He doesn’t manage to get his phone out to show off pictures before the door opens and a small but strict-looking woman strides in, a small pile of folders in her arms. Looks like it is Agent Day. Goodie. “Mr. Zane, thank you for your patience.” She knocks Clint’s feet off the table with a look that could wilt flowers, to which he smiles innocently. Well, at least he doesn’t have to stick around for this part (he’s not exactly her biggest fan, either). He’s halfway out of his chair when she snaps, “Sit down, Agent Barton, you haven’t been dismissed.”

For a moment, he stays where he is, hovering over his seat, before finally plopping back down with a huff. Damn her, pulling rank on him like that. A bit petulantly, he leans back and crosses his arms. Manages not to roll his eyes at the powerplay.

[xxfanfiction-emo-trinityxx]

Study Break - Frank Iero x Reader

Summary: You’re stressing yourself out over an exam while on tour and Frank tries to take care of you. Reader: can be read as any gender Warnings: stress, language Word count: 2 153 A/N: I have an exam in pretty exactly 12hours from posting this. Instead of studying I wrote what was supposed to be a drabble but ended up being this.

You had known it was a stupid idea even before you had decided on it, but the idea of letting someone else play your part, of letting someone else play the songs and melodies you had helped come up with had just felt absolutely wrong. But now that you were on tour with My Chemical Romance, knowing you would have to write this stupid exam two days after returning home, you felt like perhaps, just maybe, you should have sat this one out.

The past years had already been hard enough, with driving or flying out to foreign cities as soon as the last lecture of the week was over, playing two or three shows and barely making it back to the classroom in time on Monday morning. One more year of this, you told yourself, and then you would have your degree, and could go on tour with your friends, relaxing between shows just like them, instead of studying for what felt like every waking minute you did not spend on stage. But right now the promise of a whole more year of this was agonizing, especially when you already felt like the next exercise was too much.

Falling backwards onto the mattress of your bunk, in which you had sat, crouched over your book, you let out a quiet sigh. Three days until the exam. The last show of this leg of the tour was tonight, a little more than eight hours away. Maybe you should take a break, have some milk or a snack. After all you had studied since you had finished breakfast, after only a short night.

As if your thoughts had been heard, there was a quiet knock against the frame of your bunk. You groaned affirmatively, and a moment later Frank pushed the curtain you had drawn closed aside, and poked his head in.

“I brought snacks,” he declared, showing you how he was balancing a cup of cold strawberry milk and a plate with cut fruits, crackers and cheese in one hand. The cup was so cold, that condensed water from the warm bus was already running down at the sides, collecting as drops on the bottom.

“Oh my god, you are an angel,” you laughed, and sat up, taking the treats from him, and placing them on the narrow board that functioned as your headboard. “Where are the others?”

The bus had stopped what you assumed must have been a few hours ago, and not much later you had heard the other band members getting ready to go out.

“Exploring the city,” Frank shrugged. “I’m kinda certain Mikey’ll be close to missing sound-check again because he found some ice cream parlour or something.”

With furrowed brows you watched Frank gesture at you.

“What?”

“Move! I’m coming in.”

“Frank-”

All protest was futile as Frank heaved himself up and into your bunk, falling half on top of you in the narrow space.

“Oh, hello there,” he grinned, his face only inches away from yours, leaning on his elbow right besides your head.

“Get off,” you grumbled, quickly trying to crawl out from underneath Frank without him noticing the how embarrassed you had gotten all of a sudden. It was not unusual for Frank to invade your space, which you anything but minded. Still he hardly was ever as close as now, and you did not trust yourself to not do something really stupid if he stayed this close for longer.

“Whoa, so hostile,” Frank pouted, but rolled off of you, almost falling out of the bunk bed in the process, before he sat up. “So, when was the last time you took a proper break?”

The speed at which he went from childishly playful to caring and serious might one day give you whiplash.

“When was the last time you minded your own business,” you answered, sitting up again, so your back was to him and leaning over the book once more, checking the sheet of paper besides it to see which exercise you had to do next.

“I’m serious. You won’t learn anything without proper breaks.”

You had lost count of how many times you had lead similar conversations with him in the past weeks.

“I know, just another...” you counted the numbers on the sheet, “another 4 exercises.”

“How about-” you felt Frank move behind you, before he leant over your shoulder and reached for a piece of cut strawberry, “you do these exercises after the break.”

Placing his other hand on your chin, he turned your head enough to feed you the piece of strawberry, which most definitely made your face heat up. If he noticed, he did not say anything, and instead watched you with raised eyebrows, as you unhappily chewed on the fruit. But you had to admit, the sweet taste and intense aroma was better than most of the stuff you had had in the last weeks, if not months.

“Good?”

Begrudgingly you nodded in agreement, making Frank smile.

“See, not that hard.”

He reached for another piece of fruit, intending to continue feeding you, but you turned your head away, trying to maintain some sort of pride.

“I can eat myself, thanks,” you mumbled, and took the piece of apple from Frank.

“Fine, but then do it,” he replied, not at all salty, rather amused. He knew how close to a breakdown you were due to all the stress and the pressure of performing well both on stage and in the upcoming exam.

With a deep sigh you popped the apple in your mouth, and grabbed the plate before turning so your back was leaning against the outside of the bus. A victorious grin spread over Frank’s face as he watched you take a cracker first, before he grabbed a few grapes for himself. Sitting in silence you shared the food he had brought for you. It was a comfortable silence, one you were only able to share with him, nobody else. And yet the whole time you noticed him watching you. By the time you had finished eating, your mood had brightened a little, and quizzically you looked at Frank.

“What is it?”

Frank shrugged, his eyes scanning your face worriedly.

“Just… you need to take better care of yourself, you know?”

You sighed, having heard the same sermon many times already.

“I know, I know,” you shook your head. “But it’s not like I can pass this exam without studying for it.”

“That’s not- Listen, I have the highest respect for you, doing both the band and college at the same time, and I know you have to study. It’s just… I think you’d do still way good enough with a little less stressing yourself out. I just don’t want you to- I don’t know, have a breakdown or something.”

“I’m having a breakdown approximately every thirty minutes,” you joked humourlessly.

“And that’s the problem! I mean, how much did you sleep last night, huh?” Frank scooted a little closer to you, taking the plate out of your hand and placing it next to the untouched glass of strawberry milk on the little shelf. “Four hours? Five at max, right?”

You only shrugged in response, not feeling like telling him that it had probably been closer to three than to four hours.

“Please,” Frank pleaded, his eyes big as he grabbed your hands in his rough ones. “Take breaks, take a walk or a nap, eat something, drink a glass of water- I don’t care what, just take better care of yourself.”

Only half of what he was saying actually reached you, since he had lent so close that his face was only inches from yours. Up this close you could see every single dark lash, the small specks in his eyes, the faint, almost invisible freckles on his nose.

It seemed as if in just that moment Frank himself had grown aware of the proximity, of how you were holding your breath, of the intimacy of the moment.

You were about to take a breath, about to say something to diffuse the tension like you always did, in order to not make him uncomfortable, when Frank’s eyes shortly, but noticeably, skipped to your lips.

“Fuck this,” he swore in the small space between you, before closing it and pressing his lips to yours.

Surprised – pleasantly surprised – you inhaled, your hand, which was not clasped in Frank’s, coming up to his neck, holding him in place. The kiss was soft and warm, in the already too warm bunk, it tasted of summer, of strawberries and watermelon and the relief of breaks from studying. It was fresh air, and yet familiar, Frank was familiar, his smell, the feeling of his hair between your fingers. The way he kissed you was gentle, nothing like the kisses he threatened to chase Gerard or Ray around on stage with. Those were sweat and spit and teeth, but this, right here, right now, was careful, as if he was scared to hurt you, or to be pushed away.

You lost track of time, had no idea for how long you had been kissing Frank, only that you began to grow dizzy with happiness, or lack of oxygen, it was hard to tell. But it didn’t matter, it didn’t matter because you were kissing Frank, and Frank was kissing you, and it felt like somehow, in all that stress and chaos and pressure, somehow everything had fallen into place, as if you were exactly where you were supposed to be.

Eventually Frank broke the kiss, both of you breathing heavily.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, but the way he kept his forehead pressed to yours told you he did not feel all too guilty about having kissed you without having asked for your consent first.

“Don’t be,” you answered, and kissed him again, short, softer this time, but it made him smile so hard he broke the kiss again.

“I’ve wanted to do this for so fucking long,” he grinned, his eyes searching for yours.

The only thing you were able to say to that was a weak ‘yeah’, which made Frank grin even more, if that was still possible.

For a while you sat like that, heads leant against each other, shut away from the real world outside the small bunk bed, Frank playing with your fingers and you watching him.

Only the crash of the forcefully thrown open bus door startled you, and all of a sudden everything came flooding back, the tour, the other band members, the show tonight, the exam, the studying-

“Hey Frankie, where are you,” Gerard shouted, his steps nearing the bed area.

Alarmed you sat up, anxiously looking over to Frank. As perfect as the kiss and the silence afterwards had been, you had no idea if Frank meant the others to find out. But Frank just tightened his fingers around yours gently, before answering the lead singer.

“Hey, Frankie, (y/n), we were just wondering- did you two make out?”

Gerard had, with far less care for boundaries than Frank previously, ripped open the curtain to your bunk bed and eyed the two of you suspiciously. Only then you realised that, even if there were a decent amount of distance between the two of you, and no hand-holding, Frank’s lips were still red and slightly swollen from the kiss, and so were yours most likely.

“Jealous,” Frank asked cockily, demonstratively intertwining his fingers with yours.

“Of (y/n)? Definitely,” Gerard giggled, making Frank and you both laugh. “Anyway, we were going to order some pizza, you guys want some too?”

Both Frank and you nodded in agreement, and Gerard let you know to join the rest of the band in front of the bus to choose what you wanted from a flyer the others had found somewhere, before he disappeared as quickly as he had turned up.

“Just so we’re clear here,” Frank started, watching as you slowly stretched, “I’ve liked you for a real fucking long time, and if it were up to me, we wouldn’t go back to how things were… before.”

You turned to look at him, a comfortable warmth spreading through your chest at his words.

“Then we won’t,” you told him, noticing how he relaxed at your reply.

He grinned, before he slipped out of the bunk bed, and once you had gotten out as well, he immediately intertwined his fingers with yours again. He was about to lead out to the front of the bus, when his eyes fell to your other hand, holding the book you had been working with before.

“Seriously,” he deadpanned and raised his eyebrows at you.

“Seriously. Only four more exercises, I’ll be finished by the time the pizza arrives.”

Frank rolled his eyes but grinned.

“Fine, fine,” he sighed, and pressed a kiss to your forehead before he led you out to the others.

Tagged:

@alexstyx​​ @jayloverthe3rd​​ @robinruns​​ @lookalivefrosty​​ @butterflycore​​ @vamp-void @omgsuperstarg​ @reinaeru​ @deadlovers​ @kpopchangedmylifesstuff​

[shmaptainwrites]

Crush [Aaron Hotchner]

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x fem!Reader

Characters: Aaron Hotchner, Jack Hotchner

Summary: Hotch tries to work up the nerve to talk to his pretty next-door neighbour with a little help from his son

Warnings: none :)

A/N: Day 5 of Hotch app week!! time is flying by like crazy! I hope you guys enjoy this cute little fluffy piece that’ll definitely make up for Wednesday ;)

@hotchappreciationweek

Aaron never thought retirement was something that would suit him. But while being in WITSEC he realized how much he enjoyed spending time with Jack so after being away for over a year, it made sense for him to leave the FBI and take up a less busy job in prosecution, working part time and only taking smaller cases here and there.

They moved to a new neighbourhood, he bought a house, one with a nice balcony in the primary bedroom, something Haley always wanted. And Jack loved it because as a fourteen-year-old it was big enough to house all of his friends when they would decide to get off their video games and hang out (mainly to just play video games in person).

Aaron liked the neighbourhood for a different reason though. Right next door, 4873 Diver Lane is where you lived. The sweet woman who had first welcomed him and Jack to the neighbourhood. You brought over cookies and a big bunch of flowers from your garden that you tended and cared for almost every day.

It was obvious to Jack that his dad had formed quite the little crush on you, so he decided to ask him about it one night while they watched soccer together on the TV.

“Hey dad,”

“Yeah?”

“What do you think of Miss (L/N)? From next door?” he asked.

“She’s nice,” Aaron nodded, scribbling down some things in the margins of a report he was reading. “Why?”

“Well, it’s pretty obvious you have a crush on her,” he offered. “I mean I’m a teenager, I’m awkward and hormonal, what’s your excuse for having no game? Actually have you ever even had any?”

“Hey there,” Aaron chuckled. “Easy,”

“But?”

“It’s been a while Jack, I think the rules of the game have changed since I played,” he offered. “Why don’t you pay more attention to the TV, you just missed Lukaku do a bicycle kick,”

“What!?” Jack exclaimed and Aaron chuckled to himself knowing his son would catch his lie sooner or later.

“Dad that was mean,”

“No, mean is saying your dad doesn’t have any game,” he grabbed a pillow and tossed it at his son. “30 more minutes then go study a bit more for your test before bed, okay?”

“Fine,” Jack sighed and settled himself further into the couch.

Aaron noticed that after that interaction, Jack started to chat more with you on his way back home from school every day. He always watched him out of the window, trying to read his lips and make sure he wasn’t saying anything ridiculous, but that may have been asking a lot of him.

“I hope you didn’t say anything too out there,” Aaron said one day when Jack walked in.

“Only good things. If you aren’t going to talk to her then I might as well talk you up so she asks you out,” Jack shrugged.

“Good luck with that,” Aaron ruffled his hair.

“I don’t need luck, I’ve got more game than you,” Jack teased and Aaron rolled his eyes.

A few nights later, he could hear quiet talking coming from Jack’s room, well past the time she should have been awake, but when he came to the door, he could see a flickering light coming from underneath the door and he had a good feeling of what he was doing.

“Mom you gotta help me,” he could hear him whisper from past the door. “He freezes up every time we walk past her house and she waves at him. I seriously can’t believe he actually managed to join a play to try and ask you out,”

Aaron couldn’t help but let a small smile sneak past his lips as Jack continued.

“I love him, but he’s a little bit of a lost cause and could use a bit of a push, can you help me?” he asked. “He deserves to be happy again after everything, right?”

Aaron pressed his lips together and decided to leave then, letting the rest of the conversation his son was having with his mother be private.

That night as he laid down in bed, he wondered to himself what it would take for him to overcome his nerves, even just to talk to you, hell, to just walk by your house without becoming a bumbling mess.

Jack even decided that he needed to get his friends involved, each time they were over, Aaron would hear some iteration of,

“Mr. H the lady next door is really pretty! You should ask her out!”

And honestly, he was about to, just to get them off his back because, man could fourteen-year-olds be persistent.

But a more realistic first step came one autumn weekend when Jack slid down the railing, already wearing a sweater he had stolen from Aaron, his phone in one hand, quickly checking his messages.

“Where are you going?” Aaron asked.

“Little walk around the neighbourhood,” Jack said. “Needed a homework break,”

“If you give me two minutes I’ll come with you,” Aaron said and Jack nodded, putting his shoes on and waiting by the door while Aaron went to put on something a little warmer.

When he came back, Jack practically dragged him out of the door and they started in the direction opposite of your home but Aaron knew they would loop back around so it gave him time to prepare himself, even if it was just to say hi.

“So how’s that history paper going?” Aaron asked his son.

“It’s fine, Mrs. Jacobs really liked that piece you helped me write though,”

“Still got it,” Aaron chuckled with a grin and Jack elbowed his dad slightly in the gut to get him to be quiet.

The fall leaves had all changed colour by this point and were slowly but surely falling off the trees and all over the roads and lawns.

Their neighbourhood had their fair share of trees that offered a variety of colours around and Aaron had to agree with his son that it was a much needed break from work.

As they finished their loop around the street and came past your house, he noticed you were outside raking leaves that had fallen into your front yard, warm mittens covering your hands and a scarf wrapped around your neck.

“Hey Miss (L/N)!” Jack waved and Aaron’s eyes went wide, not expecting his son to be so loud in his call.

“Hi Jack!” you waved back and Jack ran over to your fence, Aaron following closely behind him. “I told you to call me (Y/N), remember, Miss (L/N) makes me sound old,” you laughed.

“Right, sorry,” he apologized. “This is my dad, I’m not sure if you’ve met him yet,”

“Maybe in passing,” you nodded and offered your hand for him to shake. “(Y/N),”

“Aaron, nice to meet you,”

“Nice to meet you too. Your son’s told me a lot about you,” you smiled.

“Except one thing,” Jack whispered under his breath and Aaron tried to put his hand over Jack’s mouth, but Jack continued to wrestle out of his grip until he knew he was absolutely free and said, “(Y/N) my dad has a crush on you but he has no game, ok bye!”

Jack bolted off back to the house leaving Aaron standing in front of the gate to your home while you laughed at the actions of the teenage boy, remembering how you had done something similar to one of your friends when you were that age.

“So, is it true?” you turned to Aaron and asked him.

“I-What would you say if it was?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” you shrugged. “Maybe I’d ask if you want to come over for dinner sometime,”

Aaron was stunned. He couldn’t believe Jack’s little plan had worked, all he had to do was say yes. And the push he needed was right there when he saw Jack back at the house, his face glued to the window waiting for his dad’s response.

“Then I guess it is true,” Aaron admitted.

“Then I guess I’d like to have you over,” you smiled. “Is tonight at seven a little too eager?”

“Not at all,” Aaron smiled, “I’ll see you then,”

When Aaron got back to the house Jack was waiting in the living room, slightly cowering under the blankets until Aaron came right up to him, moved the blankets away from his face and kissed his son on the cheek.

“Thank you,” he said. “But if you ever pull something like that again,” he warned.

“Grounded, yep, I understand,” Jack nodded, but he still had a faint smile on his lips knowing that he had done the right thing.

—

“Are you seriously gonna wear that?” Jack asked.

“What’s wrong with this?” Aaron wondered as he looked in the mirror, “I-It’s just a dress shirt and some slacks,”

“Okay, it’s your funeral,” the boy shrugged and Aaron rolled his eyes, something he found himself doing more and more the older his son got.

“Did you bike down to the florist and grab the flowers?” Aaron asked.

“Yep,” Jack nodded. “They’re on the table, wrapped and everything,”

“Perfect,” Aaron breathed. “Okay, wish me luck I guess,”

“Good luck,” Jack patted his dad’s back. “If you need me I will be in my room-,”

“Talking to your girlfriend?” Aaron raised a brow.

“N-No,” Jack shook his head, but it was evident that Aaron had caught him off guard.

“Tell her I say hi,” he chuckled and left his room, grabbing the flowers on the countertop and heading over to your house, knocking on the door.

When you opened the door you wore an apron over your clothes, a simple blouse and a nice pair of pants, a wide smile on your face.

“Hi Aaron, please come in,” you opened the door wider.

“These are for you, but I guess you probably figured that one out on your own,” he chuckled nervously.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “They’re gorgeous though, I’ll put them in a vase,”

You led Aaron further inside your home, inviting him to take a seat at the kitchen island while you finished up the last things for dinner.

“I can’t remember the last time I had actual good home cooked food and not something burnt or takeout,” Aaron told you. “So this will definitely be a treat,”

“Are you not quite the cook?” you asked.

“Well, I can be when I want to, but with my old job I never had time and now Jack’s old enough and he wants to learn to cook so he’s been taking a lot of the load and… well he’s not very good at it yet,” Aaron admitted and you laughed.

“What job did you have that was so busy you didn’t have time to cook?” she asked.

“I was a behavioural analyst and unit chief with the Behavioural Analysis Unit in the FBI,” he said. “So it took up most of my free time,”

“Wow, I’ve heard of the BAU,” you said. “I mean mostly in TV shows and a few times on the news, but it’s pretty prestigious right?”

“Yeah, something like that,” he nodded.

“What made you leave?” you asked, pulling out a pie from the oven.

Aaron tried to figure out the best way to word what he wanted to say and landed on,

“It just put my family in danger one too many times, so I thought it was best if Jack didn’t have to deal with any more trauma because of my work,”

“That’s very big of you. I can’t imagine, it must be hard leaving something you love,”

“It was, but Jack’s more important,”

“Of course,” you agreed. “And what do you do now?”

“I work at the Justice Department, as a prosecutor. I was a lawyer before the FBI, it just seemed to make sense to go back. What about you? What do you do?”

“I’m a writer, so mostly at home work,” you said.

“Would I have read any of your work?” Aaron asked.

“Possibly, but I write under a pen name so you probably wouldn’t have noticed it was me,” you chuckled. “I can pull out my series later if you want to have a look, but I think the food’s ready to eat,”

“I’d love to see it,” he nodded. “But I think you’re right, it can wait until after dinner,”

Conversation with you seemed to come so naturally for Aaron, you asked thought provoking questions and in return Aaron wanted to get to know all about you and your life.

“You know, I have to say, I’m actually really happy Jack said something,” you told him after you had eaten dinner and were now sitting on the couch, slowly munching away at a pumpkin pie you’d made. “Ever since you moved in I wanted to come up and talk to you, but I’m afraid my words come out a lot better on paper than out of my mouth,”

“Well, I was in the same boat,” he nodded. “I got pretty lucky with Jack’s mom and afterwards dating just wasn’t a priority so I must have forgotten how to do it,”

“I guess it makes for quite the story though,” you chuckled. “Set up by a fourteen-year-old,”

“Yeah, if any of my friends found out they would lose it,” Aaron chuckled into his glass before taking a sip of wine. “But on the other hand they’d probably slap me for not being able to get my head out of my ass and talk to a beautiful woman,”

“You flatter me,” you said, feeling your cheeks warm under the dim light illuminating the living room.

“Is it flattery if it’s the truth?” Aaron asked.

“And who says you don’t have any game,” you smiled, feeling yourself lean in a little further.

“Guess I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,” he whispered.

There was a small pause and a moment of silence before Aaron spoke up again.

“(Y/N), can I kiss you?”

“I think I’d like that,” you nodded and let your eyes flutter shut as you leaned in, letting his hand hold the back of your neck while he kissed you. His lips were soft but slightly chapped and you melted into his every touch, your breathing a little heavier once you pulled apart.

“Tell Jack I say thank you?” you asked with a small cheeky smile.

“I’ll tell him when he’s older, can’t let it get to his head,” he whispered with a slight scrunch of his nose. “But I think he already knows,”

You nodded your head and let yourself lean in once more, capturing his lips with yours. “Dinner at mine or yours next time?”

“Unless you want take out or a call to the fire department, maybe here,”

“I can deal with that,” you chuckled.

And if it meant you got the chance to date the man next door, really, you could deal with anything.