#my friend might be coming to town so maybe we’ll end up spending some time together !! <3

[satorisoup]

EEEK good afternoon friends and happy sunday !! ⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝ i hope everyones day is full of love and i’m sending all of you SOSO many smoochies !! MWUUUUAH !! 🍓

[beautiful-songbird]

The Strings of My Heart [29] - Third-Wheeling

← Chapter 28 | Chapter 30 →

Pairing: Zoro x Jupiter

Genre: fluff, angst, f2l

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: none

Summary: Zoro’s moved to sunny California for college to escape from the life of fame for a little while. But when he loses his violin case in the second week of school, he’s sure his college experience has just gone up in flames. What will he do when, despite all odds, his case is returned to him?

Zoro, Jupiter, and Hyeon headed to LA the next morning to catch their flights.  They left rather early so they had some time to wander around town before they had to head to the airport. 

“Hyeonie, did you ever see my apartment while I lived here?” Zoro asked.

“I saw it when you moved in, but otherwise, no.”

“Really?” Jupiter asked in shock. “Were you never in town?”

Hyeon shook her head. “I didn’t ride with you guys last summer, and that was the only time I was here before you guys moved.”

“Ohhh.  Well, dang.  That’s too bad.  I think one of my friends still lives there, so we might be able to go see her if I can get ahold of her.”

Hyeon giggled. “Do you think I should come here for school?”

“No,” was the immediate response from both Jupiter and Zoro.

“Oh?  Why not?”

“Um, well.” Zoro mulled over this thought for a moment. “First of all, I think it would be mean to Mama for both of us to move across the ocean.  And honestly, I don’t think you’d like USC.”

“Are you saying that just because you didn’t like it?”

“…maybe.”

Hyeon laughed. “It’s ok.  I actually got accepted by Yonsei…and I’m thinking about going there.”

“You got accepted to Yonsei?!” Zoro asked, eyes wide. “When was this??”

“A while ago,” she admitted.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t know.  I know you applied there and didn’t get accepted, so…I didn’t want to make you feel bad.”

“Hyeonie, I never wanted to go there.  Honestly, I applied just to see if I could get in.  I didn’t expect to at all.  I’m so happy for you, though!  Isn’t that one of the ones you really wanted to go to?”

“Yeah, it is.  I didn’t expect to get accepted, though.  I only applied because Mama and Appa insisted that I do so.”

“Well, I’m glad they did!”

She smiled. “I was thinking about Korea University too.  I’m not sure yet.  It’s kinda the reason I’m taking a gap year.”

Jupiter turned to face Hyeon. “Hey, I know that Zoro said you shouldn’t leave your mom, but if you ever feel like coming to work for me after you finish school, call me.”

Hyeon laughed. “Don’t hire me just because I’m your boyfriend’s sister.”

“Oh, come on, Hyeon.  If you’re going into business, that means you’ve got a brain.”

“She got into Yonsei and Korea University.  That means a lot,” Zoro informed Jupiter. “That’s like Harvard or Yale here.”

Jupiter’s eyes widened. “Wow!  Yeah, Hyeon, come work for me after you’re through school.”

Hyeon giggled. “We’ll see.  I’m not sure I want to work in another country.  I’d have to move away from Jiwoo if I did….”

“Ah.  Of course.  You can’t move away from the boyfriend.”

◇◆◇◆◇

Jupiter’s friend never responded to her, so the three of them ended up just getting lunch before they headed to the airport.

“I can’t wait to spend thirteen hours on a plane,” Hyeon commented sarcastically as they ate.

“Hey, at least it’s a straight shot home.  No stupidly long layovers this time,” Zoro laughed.

“That’s true.  I’m never booking a flight like that ever again.”

“Did Mama and Appa not help you?”

She shook her head. “They gave me the card and told me I was booking my own flights.”

He chuckled. “Well, I suppose you learned something from it.  You’re never going to book a fight with a super long layover ever again, right?”

“Definitely not,” Hyeon shook her head. “Did they make you book your own flight when you came to school?”

He nodded. “I booked my flight and worked out my apartment and bought my car.  I was about a year older than you are now, though.”

“Yeah!  See!  I knew they were being unfair.”

He laughed. “In their defense, I didn’t want to go anywhere by myself when I was seventeen.”

“I hate when you’re right.”

◇◆◇◆◇

Both of their flights departed at three, so they arrived at the airport around twelve-thirty so that they were at their gates on time.  Jupiter practically wouldn’t let go of Zoro as they wandered through the airport.

“You’re clingy today,” he muttered into her hair as he swung his backpack over his shoulders.

“You’re gonna be gone for a month.”

He smiled sadly.  Thankfully, Hyeon was in her own world as she used her phone camera as a mirror so she could adjust her hair.

“I promise the weeks will go by in a blink.”

“I know they will.  This is way shorter than the time you spent here and in Korea last year.  I just already miss you.”

“We have another hour before we have to part ways.”

“Mhm,” she hummed.

After they’d made it through security, Zoro took the liberty to pick Jupiter up.

“What are you doing?” she asked quietly.

“Picking my clingy girlfriend up.”

This was something he’d never done before, but Jupiter found that she quite liked it.  He was strong enough that he could handle carrying her around, too.

“Hey, you balance out my backpack.  It’s perfect.”

“I’m sure that that is not true.”

“My backpack weighs about 140 pounds,” he informed her very seriously.

“Wow.  You’re telling me you can carry around 280 extra pounds?”

He nodded.

“Man.  What kind of workouts have you been doing?” she asked, teasingly reaching up to squeeze his bicep.

“Very strenuous ones,” he assured her. “Specifically carrying two children and five bags of groceries all at once.”

“Oh, is that true?  My strong man.”

His hold on her and her legs around his waist put her at the perfect height to kiss him, so she did so happily.

“Guys, cut the flirting.  You’re making me feel like a third wheel,” Hyeon groaned.

“Hey, I have to watch you and Jiwoo flirting for the next month without being able to see Jupiter.  Quit whining,” Zoro shot back.

It wasn’t long before they went their separate ways, Jupiter back to New York and Hyeon and Zoro to Korea.

◇◆◇◆◇

Zoro and Hyeon’s flight got in at eight the next evening, costing them an entire day and then some because of the time difference.  Their dad picked them up from the airport, and it was nearly nine before they got home.

“Zooooroooooooooooooo!” Noah squeaked as he bolted across the living room to attack Zoro’s leg.

“Well, hi there.  Did you miss me?”

“Yeah.  Miss Zoro.”

No amount of convincing or tugging could get Noah to let go of Zoro’s leg.

“Hey, why doesn’t Hyeonie get a hug?” Hyeon asked.

“Because miss Zoro.”

“All right.” Zoro dragged Noah along as he found his way to the kitchen. “Hi, Mama.  What ’cha making for dinner?”

“What?  You don’t see me for three months and this is the first thing you say to me?  No, ‘hi, hello, how you doing?’  Not even a hug?”

Zoro smiled and dragged his brother a few steps further so he could give his mom a hug.

“Sorry.  I’m hungry, and your cooking is way better than mine.”

Zelda laughed and patted his back. “I remember the days when you liked me for more than my food.”

“Heyy…cut me some slack.  I just spent thirteen hours on an airplane.”

“Of course.  Dinner will be ready soon, don’t worry.  I started it late so you and Hyeon could eat with us.  How was the wedding?”

“It was good!  It’s too bad you guys couldn’t be there.  We had a blast.”

“Yeah, they had it just a week too late.  Break ended last Monday.” Zelda glanced down at Zoro’s leg. “Noah, what are you doing?” she laughed.

“Miss Zorooooooooo.”

“It’s ok.  He’s not bothering me,” Zoro assured her.

“Well, that’s good.  Jiho was throwing a fit last week when Noah did that to him.”

Zoro laughed. “Well, that’s just Jiho for you.” He sighed and leaned his cheek against Zelda’s head. “I really wish New York was closer.  It’s so hard having to be with only you guys or Jupiter’s family at the same time.”

“Just move all of them here.  Problem solved!”

“I wish it were that easy,” he grumbled. “I’d do it too if there weren’t complications and she didn’t have a company to run.”

“It’s ok.  We all just miss you a lot.”

“I know,” he pouted. “I miss you guys too.  I can’t say I regret anything, though.  I love my new life.”

“I get that.  Grammy wasn’t thrilled when I moved over here either, but I don’t regret it.”

“Really?  You never wish you’d stayed in America?  Even with Appa?”

She hesitated. “I mean, it would’ve been nice if he’d moved there with me, but I’m so close to all of your aunts, and even when I did live in America, it wasn’t anywhere near Grammy.  She’s seen me more since I got married than she did when I was modelling.”

He hummed. “Was it hard living away from them?”

“Definitely.  Especially so when I was modelling.  It was an awful industry, and I really didn’t enjoy my life while doing it, honestly.  There were little moments when I did enjoy it, but overall, it was just bad.  I’m glad I did it, though.  It’s the only reason I met your dad.  And now I have all of you guys.  Best choice I ever made even if it was a bad one at the time.”

“That’s how I feel with Jupiter.”

“Is it?”

He nodded. “I hated USC.  I was so scared of everyone that I could never bring myself to like going there, but she was worth it.  I can’t imagine my life without her now.”

“Do you think you’ll marry her?”

“I don’t have a doubt about it.”

“Well, I’m very happy to hear that.”

“Really?”

“Of course!  I love Jupiter.  She’s been a sweetheart from the moment I met her.”

He laughed. “What did you think about me bringing a girl home for Christmas?”

“I knew you were serious about her in some way to bring her home with you.  I could tell you liked her.”

“Wow, so everyone but me knew?”

“Who is everyone?”

“Hyeonie was asking if I liked her when we came!  I didn’t even realize I did until she asked me!”

Zelda laughed. “Looks like you needed a nosy little sister.”

He shook his head. “I’ve always needed her.”

◇◆◇◆◇

Noah announced his need to sleep with Zoro that night as everyone was getting ready for bed.  Usually, he slept downstairs near his parents, but tonight he wanted to sleep in Zoro’s room.  Zoro didn’t really mind this.  He was beyond used to little kids crawling into bed with him now because of Jupiter’s siblings.  It wouldn’t be odd to find all three of the littles in their bed in one night.

Noah was abnormally silent tonight.  It was clear that he was thinking hard about something, but Zoro wasn’t sure what could be happening in the little five-year-old’s mind.  After a long spell of time, Noah spoke in his usual curious tone.

“Zoro?”

“What is it, buddy?”

“Heard Mama talking to someone today.  She was sayin’ I’m different.  She was saying she thinks I might be…” he paused, clearly having forgotten the term. “Autism?”

Zoro let out a chuckle before fulling processing what the little boy had said. “Oh.  Really?”

“Yeah.  She said I talking funny.  And she said I like to give lotssssssssssssssssss of hugs.”

“Huh.”

“Huh,” Noah repeated.

Zoro had never really thought about it before.  Sure, maybe unconsciously he’d recognized the fact that Noah’s speech pattern was a bit off for his age – Bella was the same age as him and spoke like a little adult – but Zoro had never found it weird.  Nor had he thought anything of the fact that Noah liked to hug people so much.  It was just…his little quirk.

“Do you know what that means, buddy?”

“Mmm…no.  Mama didn’t say.  Do Zoro know what it means?”

Zoro hummed, grasping for an answer.  Heck, he didn’t really know what it meant.  He pulled his phone out and searched up the answer.  There were a few words that he chose to glaze over when repeating the information to the five-year-old.

“It means your brain works differently than mine does.”

“Oh.  Ok.”

Noah seemed content with this answer, and he cuddled up with his bear and leaned against Zoro’s shoulder. “Bye-bye night.”

This was his way of saying goodnight.  Zoro had always found it rather endearing.

“Night, Noah.  Sweet dreams.”

“Ooh!  Like candy!”

Chapter 30 →

This is part of the Dad!BTS series that can be found here

Series M.list

A/N: I genuinely do not know what to write for the weeks Zoro is in Korea ahahahaha help

It would be greatly appreciated if you reblogged the story if you liked it!

Taglist: @jiminie-and-his-pinky-finger @jinnie-forthe-winnie

[an-unusual-ac-adventure]

Here’s part 2 of this post:

This villager hunt also didn’t turn out the way I expected it to.

Here’s villager hunt #2;

1. Al

2. Boots

3. Cephalobot

4. Pango

5. Croque (He is a resident in my New Leaf town)

(Yes, I also have a New Leaf town that I just started, but I haven’t made any posts about it because I can’t take any good quality photos of it.) Croque is a starter villager in my NL town and he is one of the coolest villagers I have ever met. He’s hooked me up with some neat furniture and is surprisingly the nicest villager in the town along with one other villager who I will get to later. Maybe I’ll invite him to stay on the new island one of these days if he does leave the NL town.

6. Rex

7. Deirdre (Man, I miss her so much! Deirdre was a starter on my original island before she moved away. She was so cool. I’ll bring her back one day since I have her amiibo card.)

8. T-Bone

9. Alli

10. Raymond

Yes, I found the Twitter/Tumblr cat. I did thought about taking him in just for giggles and then I thought, “Why not flip a coin to see what happens.” You can probably tell what the outcome of that was.

11. Biskit

12. Olivia (again)

13. Becky

14. Cephalobot (again)

15. Kidd (again)

16. Frogbert

17. Stitches

18. Pekoe (again)

19. Bertha (3rd time)

20. Tiffany (a permanent resident on the original island) ((Forgot to take a photo again! 😩))

21. Aurora (money rock island for the 3rd time)

22. Melba (Also a resident in the New Leaf town)

This is the other resident in the NL that I briefly mentioned. She’s very sweet. She often invites me to her house and she sometimes gives me some cute clothes. I might invite her to stay one day as well.

23. Tia (again)

24. Lyman (again)

25. Alice

26. Velma

27. Elvis (money rock island 4th time)

28. Curt

29. Cyrano

30. Canberra

31. Anchovy (Another old friend who used to live on my original island before he moved. I missed him, he was fun.) {I accidentally cut off some of the dialogue lol.}

32. Wendy

33. Naomi

34. Hippeux

35. Dom

36. Flip (A permanent resident in the original town) {I cut off the dialogue again lol}

37. Buck

38. Tiansheng

39. Boris

40. Carrie

41. Wendy (again)

42. Annalisa

43. Portia

44. Ione (again)

45. Chow

46. Tucker

47. Rodney

48. Naomi (again)

49. Lucha - Now at this point this was my second to last ticket and I had to think to myself if I really wanted to risk spending the last ticket. I also thought about how funny it would be to have a luchador bird on the island. Sure, I already have two bird-like villagers on my island, but come on. I can already see what kind of shenanigans this guy is going to get into if he moves in. I thought about it long and hard, then I made my decision. Lucha is going to stay on my island for a bit.

So I never found the cranky and snooty villagers that I wanted, but I did end up getting something pretty interesting. We’ll see how it goes.

[doctors-journal]

13 August

It might be nice to see John again. I ran into his wife, Maria, while I was picking something up at the grocery store for mum, and she said she'd tell him I'm back in town. Maybe we'll meet up and kick a football around. It really has been ages.

I’m sure mum would be happy to get me out of the house. I've mostly just been hanging out while dad’s been at work. I’ve helped a bit with the chores here and there, but I’ve mostly just been whiling the time away, flipping through the news and poking around at my old things. I even still have my old books from med school. See how far that got me.

I should be doing something, but it just doesn’t happen. It’s a terrible excuse, but it’s all I’ve got. At least I found out I can still drive—it’s been a while, but I made it into town alright. I saw a few people I recognized at the store, and there were more who seemed to know me, probably through mum and dad. One woman who I didn’t recognize at all came up to me at the checkout and apologised for trying to get me kicked off the football team in high school. She must be the mother of one of my old teammates, but I don’t know who. I guess it’s better late than never.

I ran into Maria, John’s wife, by the produce. She’s from Portugal, I think. I don’t know her very well. We only met once or twice before the wedding, and then I left for Syria. I recognised her though, and she came over to me and said hello. She was surprised to see me. I didn’t really tell anyone I was back in the country. We made some small talk. She asked how I was doing, and I just shrugged. She said John would be happy to see me. I just hope he’s not furious with me for not telling him I’m back.

I guess the detective—Justin—isn’t the only one who’s been avoiding old friends. Clearly something happened between Justin and his friends, but maybe he’s just as frightened as I am that they won’t get it and things will just never be the same. They can’t be the same. I’ve changed too much.

John and I were best friends until I left for Syria. Even when I was studying in London, we’d get together as often as we could and kick a ball around for old times’ sake, chat about school and work. Sometimes our old teammates would come too. I was always closer with them than anyone I met in university. But so much has happened since then.

According to Maria, John is still an immigration lawyer. He’s pretty successful. She seems to think we’ll have something to talk about. I hope we will. Mum is already thinking about inviting John and Maria to dinner sometime before I leave again. That might be easier, but I want to see him first. It’s the least I can do. Depending on how that goes, then maybe they could come for dinner.

I haven’t even done that much today, but now I’m all worn out. Somehow, the less I do the more tired I end up. It was also never this hard being home, seeing everyone at the store, talking to mum and dad. I love them, but coming back into my room I took a breath of relief. Even spending time with Justin wasn’t like this. He’s a lot, but at least he didn’t crowd me or worry. Maybe it worked because we kept each other at a distance, not that it helped in the end.

[goldenroutledge]

grass ain’t greener

pairing: ex!rafe cameron x female!reader

wc: 4.3k

warning(s): angst, breakups, swearing. there’s like one fluffy moment in here lol

summary: while seeing rafe for the first time since your breakup, you can’t help but remember the downfall of your relationship. rafe isn’t good at knowing what he wants, and now it might be too late to go back. loosely based on ‘traitor’ by olivia rodrigo.

a/n: me posting a fic??? shocker. i hope you guys like it :)

take my heart and run (part two) ~ rafe masterlist

© goldenroutledge , do not copy, steal, or translate my work

“No, Topper. No way.” You proclaimed abruptly, arms folded across your chest as you refused Topper’s invitation to a small kickback at his home. His parents were out of town for the weekend, leaving him with the perfect window to invite his closest friends over.

“Come on, Y/n. Will you at least think about it a little more than that?”

A heavy sigh fell past your lips, focusing on fidgeting with your rings as it seemed much more entertaining than the conversation at hand. “What’s there to think about? I’ve hardly seen him, let alone hang out with him.”

Him being Rafe. Your ex-boyfriend of a few weeks. Honestly, you should’ve seen this coming. Dating someone who’s a part of the same friend group proved to burn you in the end, hence the already curious kooks offering to help mend fences between you and your ex.

“You won’t be alone, Y/n/n. We’ll be there, and Kelce too.” Sarah informed. “We can swim all day and then sit around the fire at night. Maybe roast some marshmallows?” Sarah nudged your shoulder gently, hoping that her rhetoric was convincing enough.

“I don’t know, Sarah. It’s still fresh, y’know?”

“I doubt Rafe will even show up.” The girl alleged.

“Because of me?” You wondered aloud. “If I’m what’s stopping him then you should let him come. I’ll stay home.”

“But we want both of you there. At least the boys want Rafe there.” Sarah attempted to joke. “You know I couldn’t care less.”

“What she’s trying to say is,” Topper interjected, “we’re tired of these separate hangouts! When one day we’re with you and the next we’re with Rafe. God, it feels like my parent’s divorce all over again.”

Sarah swatted him on the arm, whisper-scolding Topper for being so blunt. “Gee thanks.” You exaggerated, offering a tight-lipped smile to follow.

“So, will you do it?” He questioned, anxiously reading your expression.

“Fine.” You surrendered. “I’ll be there.”

-

At least your friends gave you a few days of notice, or else you definitely would not have come. And just as Sarah guessed, Rafe was nowhere to be found. You’d spent a delightful day with Sarah, Topper and Kelce. Truthfully, you forgot Rafe was invited at all. Being with your friends was a sure thing to boost your mood, and spending time with them again was a great reminder of that.

By nightfall, the four of you were out of your swimming attire and in clothes that accommodated for the cooler weather. You sipped from a beer can as the fire crackled in front of you, relaxing into one of the luxury garden chairs Mrs. Thornton had decorating the patio.

You laughed at something Sarah said from beside you, with Kelce to your left in a chair of his own as he strategically roasted a marshmallow, occasionally yelping when he thought he burned it. Topper returned from inside with a new tray of s’mores ingredients, setting them down on a nearby table. All of you were so busy with your own thing, nobody heard the sound of an engine cutting off, followed by two car doors shutting. The only warning you got was the sound of Rafe’s voice hollering as he made his way into the backyard.

“Hey, guys! Is the invitation still open?”

You clenched your jaw before it could drop, your eyes meeting Sarah’s wide and bewildered ones. Kelce only focused on the s’more he was making, removing himself from the awkward reunion before it started, hardly glancing up.

“Yeah, um. Of course man.” Topper greeted him once he got over the initial shock, their palms clasping together for their handshake. “Glad you could make it.”

“Right.” Rafe muttered, looking behind him over his shoulder, waving someone on. As the light from the fire allowed it, another person came slowly into view. You had to squint before you could make out the person. A girl, wrapping her arms around Rafe’s torso. “Guys, this is my...” He blanked, pausing momentarily. “My girlfriend. Mia.”

The pressure you were applying on your jaw was unbelievable, nearly tooth chipping but you couldn’t help your reaction. You weren’t sure what the alternative would be, but you were positive it couldn’t be pretty. Sarah craned her neck to take a closer look at you, trying to gauge your expression a bit better, while giving you an ‘I-swear-I-didn’t-know’ that you could read in her eyes.

“Hi, everyone.” The girl chirped. “It’s lovely to meet you all.”

Everyone else spoke up a little in response, minimizing their words to a simple introduction of names. It wasn’t long before Rafe sat down in the empty chair across from you, pulling Mia down onto his lap. “Guess you’ll have to sit here, babygirl.” He noted, referring to the 5 patio chairs circling the fire.

“We weren’t expecting you to bring a guest, Rafe.” Sarah jabbed subtly.

The atmosphere turned tense and awkward faster than you could blink, but you tried so hard to stay unbothered by Rafe and the person accompanying him. Everyone else had a hard time making conversation as well, which you weren’t sure if you were making up in your head or if they were feeling uncomfortable too.

“So, you remember my sister Sarah… Don’t you, sweetheart?”

Before the girl could open her mouth to answer, Sarah was speaking in her place. “Actually, I don’t believe we’ve met. Well, I don’t remember us meeting.”

You nearly choked on your drink, but concealed a chuckle anyways.

“Oh.” Mia responded, unsure of what else there was to say. “I think I remember you though, Y/n.”

At the sound of your name, your eyes snapped to hers menacingly. Harsher than intended, but nonetheless you faked a smile. “Hm. I don’t believe we’ve met before, either.”

“No. I swear I’ve seen you somewhere. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

“Y/n and Rafe dated for a while.” Sarah blurted.

“Briefly.” Rafe corrected his sister in a low mumble while avoiding your eyes entirely. They’d been avoiding you since he arrived. You chuckled coldly at his lie.

Mia nodded. “Oh, right! I think Rafey told me about that. He said it wasn’t serious.”

“They almost eloped.” Sarah blunted yet again, earning a glare from both you and Rafe. You didn’t need her coming to your defense right now. It was nice, sure, but it made you look as if she was defending you for the sake of still being heartbroken. Though after just about one month, surely some feelings were still there. You just happened to be good at hiding them.

“Really?” Mia queried, looking to you for confirmation. Almost as if Sarah’s word wasn’t believable enough.

You nodded, exaggerating your next words. “Mhm. Thank god we didn’t go through with it.”

“Wow. See baby? That’s another sign that we were meant to be together.” Mia marveled while gazing at Rafe. “Isn’t that amazing?”

“Sure is, darling.” Rafe smirked, cupping her cheek and kissing her lips sloppily.

You picked at your nail polish, cringing at the satisfied moan and giggle Mia mustered. The topic of conversation sent shivers down your spine and aches to your heart all at once. It was one of your last, but one of your fondest memories in your time with him.

« Rafe’s turn for date night was usually over the top. Tonight, he’d planned for you two to have dinner on the Druthers. Something simple but thoughtful, to get away from the stresses in your lives.

“Get over here.” Rafe cheesed, arms wide open for you to join him under the stars. You happily obliged, leaning your head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around you.

“Thanks for dinner.” You told him, drawing shapes on his chest. “It was perfect.”

“Of course. I wish we could’ve spent more time together these past few weeks. I’m sorry. Just trying to make it up to you, honey.”

“It’s not on you, Rafey. I understand.”

He kissed your head comfortingly. “I wish we could have a break. I'm happiest when I’m with you, y’know.”

You giggled, heat rising to your cheeks. “We will. Soon. We’ll carve out a break in our schedules, take a roadtrip, or just lay here for the whole time. It doesn’t matter. But we’ll be together.”

Rafe lifted your chin with two of his fingers to gaze into your eyes, the calmness bringing him comfort you would always be there to give him. “Sometimes I wish we could just elope already.”

“You wanna get married?”

“Yeah. To you.” He confessed. “I couldn’t see myself marrying anyone else.”

“Me either.” You admitted, a smile pulling at your lips. The thought of marriage did scare you a tiny bit, especially given the sad excuse of an example you had, but the way Rafe reassured you made it all a little more bearable. There was no one else you could imagine committing to.

“We could go away to some random church and do it. It doesn’t have to be a church, either. I’d marry you in a McDonald’s parking lot.” You laughed at Rafe’s honesty which told him to go on. “Then we’d come back as Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. And everyone would be jealous because they didn’t get to witness you in your beautiful dress. But I think that makes it even more special. Because I’m the only one who gets to see it.”

“I love that.” You beamed, your smile bright and your eyes twinkling.

“And I know we’re both busy, and I haven’t given you a ring yet or even officially asked. But I do want to marry you, Y/n.”

You kissed him gently, rubbing a thumb over his cheekbone. “We’ll have time one day. We’ll figure it out, my love. Because we will always find our way back to each other.”

He chuckled breathlessly, pecking your lips now. “We better.” »

“I guess you were just a placeholder.” Mia quipped, laughing annoyingly at her own joke. She failed to realize that she was the only one who found it funny.

“Guess so.” You affirmed, making eye contact with Rafe for the first time all night. It didn’t seem like it lasted long, though it did in your mind as you replayed it over and over.

You pondered her words for quite a while. When Mia moved to the island, you and Rafe had been together for at least 2 years. She was neither a kook nor a pogue, but began to work for the Cameron family as a gardener.

As she was at Tannyhill almost everyday, someone had to keep her updated on what needed to be done, etc. That someone being Rafe. Ward appointed him to take some leadership and oversee the staff at their home. Questioning Mia and Rafe’s communication wasn’t a thought in your mind at first. Even as they became acquainted.

Right before your eyes, Mia became one of Rafe’s priorities while you slowly dropped from the top of that list. He’d cancel dates or plans you’d had set up for weeks with the excuse of: “Mia needs my help, can’t make it.”

You watched him flirt with her outside, his bedroom window being cracked open to give you a good hearing advantage as she complimented the way he looked in his preppy polo shirts. He ate up the compliments, giving her some in return about her appearance more often than not.

You hated being jealous. It was more wishful thinking, hoping that Rafe would realize what he has and pay you more of those compliments. He didn’t.

Realistically, you strained to remember the last time he’d pointed out a detail about you at all. Maybe he’s just busy with other things. Or maybe he stopped noticing altogether. It was a constant battle, trying to decide if you were grasping at straws or not.

So, you had asked about it.

« “What’ve you been up to today?” You questioned your boyfriend over the phone.

“Not much. What about you?”

“Not much.” You repeated. “Was Mia there today?”

“Oh, yeah. She was.” You could almost hear Rafe’s smile through the phone. It made your stomach churn. “She made breakfast today.”

“What?”

“She made me breakfast this morning.” He reiterated. “We had french toast, and she put these strawberries on it. Best meal I’ve had in a while. She got here early so we sat outside and watched the sun come up.”

“Oh. Sounds fun.”

“Don’t start with that jealous crap, Y/n. I can hear it in your voice.” Rafe noted.

“But you still told me anyway. How would any girlfriend react to hearing their boyfriend had a romantic sunrise breakfast with someone else?”

Rafe scoffed. “Well, what was I supposed to do, Y/n? Should I have told her to sit outside alone in the dark? Mia and I are friends. The same way you’re friends with Topper. If you’d stop being insecure for a second and get to know her, she’s actually a really nice girl.”

“If you say so, Rafe. I don’t go out of my way to cater to Topper, though. So maybe it’s not as similar as you think.”

“Whatever. I’m done with this shit. Mia would never make a move on me, she knows I have a girlfriend.”

“Ok. I hope you’re right about that.” You divulged, hanging up immediately. »

The worst you’d felt, though, was on your birthday. Rafe sent you a text in the morning, but he went under the radar for the majority of the day. His disappearance led Sarah to be the one throwing you a party. Something at the boneyard, with people you hardly knew.

Eventually he had the decency to show up, only catching wind of the party because of Sarah’s persistent texts and voicemails demanding that he show up for his girlfriend’s birthday celebration. Although you weren’t going to voice your feelings, you could’ve gone the night without seeing him. It was your birthday after all. Thankfully, you were able to have an epiphany. Upon talking with and seeing some of the unfamiliar guys, you decided it was time to give someone else the same attention Rafe gave to Mia.

Never going as far as breaking boundaries and cheating, but not staying completely within them either. Maybe you wouldn’t have had to, had your boyfriend acted like he wanted to be there, or like he actually remembered your birthday at all.

« “Hey, babe.” Rafe greeted you, snaking his arms around your waist and disregarding a touron you were in conversation with. “Happy birthday.”

“Nice of you to show up.” You expressed, tone coated in sarcasm. “Party’s almost over.”

“Well, I’m here.” He shrugged, believing you would settle for it. “So the party’s just begun.”

“Where’ve you been today?”

“Damn, Y/n. Shouldn’t you lighten up? It’s your birthday.”

“Answer the question.”

Rafe rolled his eyes at you, knowing you weren’t going to give this up without a fight. “I had to drive Mia home.”

You squirmed out of his grasp, the urge to douse him in your drink strengthening with seconds. “Of course you did.”

“Y/n.” He began, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. “Mia works at Tannyhill. Her car broke down. I helped fix it, but she needed to get home early so I offered her a ride.”

You raised your eyebrows in suspicion, but not surprise. “You fixed her car? Rafe, I’ve never even see you change a fucking lightbulb.” You headed for the other direction, Rafe catching up with you.

“Fine. If that’s what you wanna do, then have it your way. I’ll go.” Rafe suggested, now walking the path towards his truck as you had stopped behind him.

“To Mia’s house? Are you gonna fix another one of her cars? Maybe buy her a new one? Hm?” You seethed, no thanks to the alcohol in your system.

He turned around, throwing his arms up in the air with his words. “What’s your fucking obsession with her, huh?”

“No, Rafe. I should be asking you that question.” You shot back, closing the distance between you two as you approached him, your finger pointing towards his chest. “What is so special about that bitch that makes her worth ditching your girlfriend for?”

“She’s not a bitch. Don’t call her that.”

From his words, you wanted to scream and practically pull his hair out. All of the emotion you’d been holding in about your boyfriend’s new ‘friendship’ was too much to suppress anymore. “Fuck you, Rafe. I’ll never understand why you keep choosing her.”

“Choosing her? She’s not my girlfriend. You are!” He answered incredulously.

“I couldn’t fucking tell. If you keep treating her like she is your girlfriend, then she might as well be.”

By now, Rafe was backed up against his truck as you two shouted back and forth. And luckily, a good distance away from the party in your honor.

“That’s convenient for you to say. Especially when I don’t even know who you’ve been with all night.”

“It wasn’t you.” You ridiculed, arms crossed over your chest. “It could’ve been, had you been here.”

“I guess I had other priorities.” He shrugged. “And it looks like you do too.”

“Okay. I’m not gonna argue with you anymore. Not on my birthday.”

“I’m sorry for fucking up your night, Y/n.” Rafe conceded before you could walk away, his head hung low as he stared at the ground.

“You didn’t fuck it up. I had a really good time without you.”

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, locking eyes with you again. “What do you mean?”

“I had a good birthday. The first good day I’ve had in a while, actually.”

He wasn’t aware of what you were getting at, but he just knew it couldn’t be good. He tried to keep his voice steady, but nonetheless it wavered with the bubbling and uneasy gut-feeling. “Why are you telling me this?”

“I think we should break up, Rafe.”

He didn’t say anything for a few moments, eyes darting everywhere else as he uncrossed his arms. “I-I apologized, Y/n. I don’t understand what else you want me to do.”

“It’s not about that. It’s not only about that, Rafe.” You shook your head in disagreement with him, tears pricking your eyes. “I’ve watched you fall out of love with me for months. And it didn’t hit me until today that maybe I’m happier without you.”

“That’s not true.” He protested. “I love you, Y/n. I know I don’t say it too much, and probably don’t show it as often as I should… but I love you.”

“I wish you acted like it.”

“I wish it didn’t have to end like this.” Rafe muttered, slowing down from the argument earlier. “But if it’s what you want…”

You nodded, shoving your hands in your back pockets, clearing your throat to speak up. “Feels like I’m too good to you sometimes. I think we just need to be apart right now.”

“Answer this for me then.”

You quirked an eyebrow, silently telling him to voice his question.

“It’s not just because of Mia?”

“Answer this for me then, Rafe. If you had to give up one of us… who would it be?”

He remained still, leaning up against his truck with his hands in his pockets. He didn’t flinch at the question. His answer was calm, his eyes told you far more than you needed to know.

“I’m not gonna stop being friends with her, Y/n.”

Your lips pursed together at the revelation, blinking tears away before giving him one last look and turning your back.

“Goodnight, Rafe.” »

“You ok?” Sarah muttered to you and you only. You gave her a curt nod in response.

She knew you didn’t want to break up with Rafe, it was more like you had to. You had to protect yourself from the heartbreak that was coming your way. Although now, watching Rafe and Mia together, your heartbreak may have decided to arrive anyway.

“Do you guys wanna head in?” Topper questioned the group, the tension in the air much thicker than it was earlier, if that was even possible.

“Before we do..” Rafe interrupted, words slurring together from the several beers he had. “I just wanted to thank you guys for being so welcoming to my girl. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Rafe’s eyes fell on you before he kissed his girlfriend passionately, almost as if he was making sure you were paying attention to the pair. She ran her fingers through his hair, the same way you used to. It didn’t seem real. That only weeks ago Rafe was able to call you his, and you were able to call him yours.

Without a second thought, you got up. “I think I’m gonna head home, actually. Thanks, Top.”

“Y/n..” Sarah started, prepared to come after you.

“Don’t.” Her brother interrupted, following your trail instead as the rest of the group stood still, staring blankly.

“Let’s go inside.” Kelce suggested, snapping everyone out of their trance before Mia could say anything too. The boy showed her the way through Topper’s back door urgently, making sure none of your conversation would be heard. Though your vision was clouding with tears, it was easy to find your way back to your car.

“Don’t go.” Rafe stopped you, holding down your car door so you couldn’t open it.

“Why did you follow me, Rafe? Go inside with everyone else. Please. Get lost.” You pleaded. You couldn’t let him see you cry right now. You couldn’t let him see his pursuit to upset you was successful. His ego would inflate and probably explode.

“I wanted to check on you.”

“You’ve checked now. I’m fine. Let me go home, please.” You rested your head and forearm against your car, letting some tears soak into the fabric of your plaid flannel.

“So.. you’re just gonna avoid me for the rest of your life?”

“Yeah, that was kinda the plan.”

“We can’t even be friends? Come on, Y/n. You wanted this breakup, right?”

“Friends?” You repeated his choice of words, barely above a whisper as your tense throat put a strain on your voice. “I can’t believe you, Rafe.”

“What’s so wrong with that? You left me, remember?”

You now turned around to face him, back resting against your car now. “You gave me no choice. I knew you were gonna run off with her the second you got the chance. I saw it coming.” Just because you expected it, didn’t mean you wanted to witness your fear come to fruition.

“So, you just.. gave me the chance?” Rafe interrogated. “If you ever loved me, you wouldn’t have left. You would’ve fought for us.”

“I wish you did the same for me, Rafe.” Your eyes glossed over as you stared into his. “You left me way before I left you.”

“What are you talking about, Y/n? I never cheated on you or anything.”

“Sure. You didn’t cheat on me, Rafe. I’ll give you that. But you still betrayed me. And I can’t trust you.”

He stayed silent, shoving his hands in his pockets. The chirps of crickets were the loudest sound out there. “I’m sorry, Y/n. I never meant for it to happen like that.”

“There’s nothing you can do now. Don’t act like you have any remorse for me.”

“I never imagined we’d be here. I don’t want you to hate me, Y/n.” He stressed, his voice soft as he was struggling to put his feelings into words.

“Maybe you’ll be the one to miss me one day, Rafe. Maybe not. But I hope you’re happy with letting me go.” I hope you won’t be able to get me out of your head like I can’t get you out of mine. I hope that one day I’ll be able to look you in the eye and feel nothing. “And when that day comes Rafe, I hope I care for someone who treats me a hell of a lot better than you did.”

He chewed on his bottom lip, nodding as he took in your admission. Maybe in denial that the day you were talking about had arrived so soon, though he wouldn’t say it yet. Your words hurt to hear, but this was only the beginning of the loss Rafe would feel.

“I hope someone treats you better, too. You deserve it.”

With that, he stepped away, allowing you to get into your car. Rafe stared at the ground, hands still resting in his pockets as he heard your car door shut after you got in.

“Y/n?” He faltered, but you easily heard him through the rolled down window.

“Rafe?”

“You said we’d always find our way back to each other.” He recollected, his speech slurred but dripping with pain. “Will we?”

“I don’t know, Rafe. You can’t find someone who doesn’t want to be found.” Rafe pursed his lips, swallowing the lump in his throat before you continued. “Maybe that shit’s not even true. I think you just had me fooled for a while.”

“I hope we can be okay again.”

His words, for some reason, made you smile softly to yourself. Maybe in irony because he was the one to cause this. “Yeah, well… Don’t hold your breath.”

With that, he stood there as he watched you drive away. His eyes clouded with tears just the same as yours were when he was able to take one last look at them. Rafe’s breaths became heavier as his heart pounded in his chest, a sick feeling swirling in his stomach.

He failed to understand true happiness with you until it faded into a memory. Rafe figured that you would be the one to come around. That this would be another stupid fight that would blow over. He was oblivious to the fact that it was because of him that he was in this position. Standing here, alone. Left behind by the girl that at one point— was completely and utterly in love with him. And even with pride like Rafe’s, he would have to learn that the grass isn't greener on the other side.

part two

a/n: i’m not very confident in my angst writing so i would really really love it if you guys gave me some feedback!

taglist: @ilovejjmaybank @missevi @nxsmss @cameronsrafe @msgorillagripcoochie @bibliophilewednesday @tovvaa @rudybarnes @annab-nana @babeyglo @reawritesthings @moniamaybank @outerbankspreferences @laneybobeczko-g @jjpouggues @j-j-may-bank @httpjolyne @eifhames @outerbankies @pogueslandia @kaysapogue @mildkleptomaniac @professional-busboy @mrs-cameron @maybanksslut @it-was-never-meant-to-be-boys @alanniys @sunnymaybank

rafe taglist: @vintageobx @chrisevansfuturewife @drewstarkeysbitchh @littlementalpolaroids @mildkleptomaniac @destourtereaux

some peeps who were interested <3: @mentalpolaroids @kookypogue

[thewritetofreespeech]

Hiii! I don't know if your requests are open. But i would still like to request one. I would a knb one where the gom+kagami gfs wore a skirt(which shrunk during washing and had no choice but to wear it) and every time they bent, their patience are tested until they couldn't take it anymore. Their s/o completed obvious to the attention they are getting from others.

GOM Boys + Kagami and Short Skirt Reader (f!reader)

Akashi

“[Y/N]-chan, lets go in here.” You pause in your walk with Akashi around town, spending the lovely outside, in front of a pose looking clothing store.

“Here? Why?”

“I thought you might like to buy something in here.” He replied with a soft smile.

“Oh...Akashi-kun...I don’t know. It looks awfully expensive.”

“It’s my treat.” He countered. The corners of his soft smile becoming strained. ���I’ll get you anything you want.”

“I appreciate it Akashi-kun, but I couldn’t let you do that. Spending money on me like that would make me feel uncomfortable.”

“[Y/N] please.” Now not only were the corners of his mouth strained, but his voice as well. “I’m trying to put this as delicately as possible but, you’re skirt is too short.” You blink at Akashi. Not expecting that, nor did you really think your skirt was that short. Sure you’d had it since middle school but... “It’s incredibly distracting, and not just for me.” His mouth scrunched in an unflattering frown before it softened again. Those beautiful crimson eyes darting to the left, sending a pack of boys running off. “So please, let me buy you a new skirt or outfit. You look beautiful in anything, so you don’t need a short skirt like that to get my attention.”

That hadn’t been your intention in wearing the skirt today and you blush. “Well....ok.” It was always really hard to argue with him.

Akashi bought you a new outfit in the store; you dare not look at the price tags. You continue on your date hand in hand. Your skirt you had thrown in the shopping bag after changing mysteriously vanishing when you got home.

Aomine

The bell for second period ending chimed, and was soon drowned out by the sound of students shuffling through the halls. You were about to join them to your next class when Ryo asked if you’d seen Aomine. He wasn’t in class, apparently, and he took it upon himself to collect his teammate’s assignments to pass them on to him.

Such a nice guy.

You look towards the window, where the sun was shinning brightly, and sighed. “I’ll give them to him.” You knew exactly where he was.

Climbing the stairs to the roof, you of course find Aomine there. Stretched out like a cat in the warm sun, dozing the day away in the fresh air. 

“Honestly Aomine, you couldn’t even make it to second period?”

The tall, tan basketball star opened his eyes slowly from his cat nap and grinned at you. "What up with your skirt?”

Your cheeks turn red and you tried to futilely pull the front down. “I-I-It shrunk in the wash! The school was supposed to get me a new one but they didn’t have my size!”

“Nah. Keep it. I like this one much better.” His grin grew wider. “Did you wear those blue panties just for me today? Since it’s my favorite color?”

Your blush deepened and your growled at your boyfriend. You swing your arm to swat at his propped up knee but he caught your wrist and pulled you down. Forcing you to fall haphazardly on top of him; just like he planned.

“A-Aomine! Q-Quit it!”

“Nope. No can do.” He replied. His hand on your thigh. “I held out as long as I could. You can’t expect me not to react when you wear your battle panties in front of me.”

Needless to say, neither of you made it to third period.

Kagami

Another lively afternoon at Serin basketball practice. You were sitting on the bleachers, watching your friends and boyfriend, play 2-on-2 games around the court for training. You would cheer Kagami and some of the others on. Doing your part to motivate the team as your way to show support.

Riko finally blew her whistle to call for a break and the team let out a collective sigh of relief.

“H-H-Here!” You look put at Kagami when he came up to you, cheeks flushed, holding out his warm up jacket. “Put it on!”

“I...uh..thanks Kagami-kun. But I’m not cold.” You assume that why he gave it to you.

“It’s not that! Just put it on! Don’t worry. It’s not dirty or anything.”

“Um...ok. But why?” 

“Don’t worry about it!” He snapped. “Just put it on!”

You frown and grumble a little, before you demand, “no. Not until you tell me why.”

Kagami grumbled himself and looked away. “....your skirt....” He said it so quietly that you have to give a little ‘hn?’ and he repeated, “your skirt. It keeps riding up when you cheer. I can’t practice right.....”

You blink in confusion, then blush. You hadn’t thought about your skirt coming up when you cheered. Now you felt embarrassed.

You took his jacket and put it on. Obviously swimming in it with your boyfriend’s large frame, which was good for once because it fell past your skirt for coverage. “Is this better Kagami-kun?”

The red head’s eyes went a little wide, and his cheeks darked to almost the shade of his hair. “N-N-No!” He exclaimed, taking you by surprise, before he looked away and scratched his head. “Now you look even cuter......”

Kise

“It was so nice of manager-san to give me this skirt. I can’t believe I own something from a designer now!”

Kise grumbled beside you as you left his photoshoot. His hand attached to yours squeezing it tighter as you walked. “Kise-kun? Is something wrong?”

The blonde seemed to realize that he was frowning, and quickly bounced back to his jovial self. “What? Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong [Y/N]-cchi. Just tired I guess.” You give a suspicious hum at Kise. Knowing that when he did 180s like this that something really was wrong.

“Kise, you know you can tell me anything. If something wrong, just tell me.”

“It’s....your skirt.” He finally confessed. Looking slightly to the left, away from you. “I’m all for fashion, and it was really nice of manager-san to give it to you, but....it’s too short. And I didn’t want to say anything because I sound like a cranky old man, but it’s true! [Y/N]-cchi’s perfect legs are only for me! I don’t want anyone else to see them!”

You snicker at Kise’s outburst. He could really be so silly sometimes.

“If you didn’t want me to wear it, then why didn’t you say anything.”

“I didn’t want to insult manager-san.” He told you. “He’s helped a lot with my career. And he really was being so nice to you. Plus, green is not my color.” Meaning he was jealous.

You giggle again and lean up to give him a kiss. “Lets head back to my place then and I’ll take it off. I’ll put on something more ‘appropriate’ for you.”

“Or....maybe don’t.” His hand squeezed yours again, only this time his face held on to a bright grin when he looked at you.

“We’ll see.”

Kuroko

You fiddle with the charm on your phone as you head down the street, leaving your apartment to go meet Kuroko.

He was supposed to meet you at your house, but when you didn't see him outside you just assumed that he got mixed up and went to the bookstore you had been planning to go to instead. Boys could be so spacey sometimes.

"Short," you jump a little at the sound behind you, seeing Kuroko there. "Your skirt is short."

"K-Kuroko-kun! Don't scare me like that! Wait....what?" It took you a minute to process what Kuroko was saying, being startled like that. "My skirt is too short?"

"Yes." Kuroko replied in his normal, soft tone, with a little nod. "It's too short."

You grumble a little and stamp your foot. "Who are you to tell me my skirt is too short??"

"No one I guess. But, I'm your boyfriend." He said. As if you needed to be reminded. "And I don't like other people staring at you, [Y/N]-kun." You blink once back at him. You hadn't noticed anyone staring. Nor had you noticed the slight tightening in Kuroko's fist until now. "It's why I've been following behind you for a while now. To keep your butt safe."

You let out a startled squeal and swat Kuroko in the arm as your cheeks turn red. "D-Don't say stuff like that!" You scold while he rubbed his arm. But...maybe he was right. Maybe it was too short. "Fine. Follow me home and I'll go change."

"Right behind you." Kuroko said with a smirk as he came along.

Midorima

‘Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!’ You repeated over and over in your mind as you sprinted in a mad dash towards school.

You alarm hadn’t gone off, and it was honestly a miracle you had woken up even remotely close to the time with just enough time to make it out the door in a panic. If you some how made it to school on time you would never forget to set your alarm again!!

Cresting the hill, you see the gates to the school coming into view. And, more importantly, Midorima standing there. He was always on time, so he must have been waiting for you. Your heart swelled at the thought of it, and it gave you the extra boost to run fast towards him.

“Midorima-kun!”

“Don’t shout. In any case why are you so -- WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WEARING?!?!”

You come to an abrupt halt in front of your boyfriend. Not expecting that response when you got close to him. “W-What? My uniform?”

“That’s not your uniform! That skirt is too short!”

You look down and turn about as red as Midorima was as you realize the skirt you had pulled out of your closet was your middle school uniform skirt. Not your high school one. They looked close enough in color you hadn’t noticed, and thought the ‘breeze’ was from you running. Could this day get any worse!!

There was movement out of the corner of your eye and you look up from your moping to see a field of green being offered to you. “The Oha Asa is never wrong.”

“M-Midorima-kun.....” You feel like you’re about to cry as you take the scarf and wrap it around your waist. This would do, for now. At least until you could get to your gym locker after first period.

“Let’s go. We’ll be late for class.”

You smile at Midorima and fall in beside him as you head to class. Spirts lifted. Maybe you should listen to the Oha Asa more too.

Murasakibara

"What is the process called when an animal reproduces with itself? Is it A) Biomorphic reproduction? B) Symbiotic reproduction? Or C) Asexual reproduction? ....Mura-kun....? Mura-kun? Are you even listening to me?!"

"Ccccccaaaannnn'ttt...." Murasakibara whined from his place across from you at the table. Looking rather comical scrunched up like that.

"Jeez Mura-kun. I offer to help you study. The least you can do is pay attention."

"Ehh.... I can't. [Y/N]-chin is trying to seduce me."

"W-What??"

The towering teen smirked before he licked the potato chip salt off his fingers, then tugged at the hem of your skirt. "[Y/N]-chin's legs look like tasty mochi. I can't resist."

Your cheeks turn pink and you bat his hand away before returning to your book. "Y-Your...You're not going to get out of this so easy Murasakibara-kun! You need to study!"

Murasakibara frowned with a low hum of disappointment before retuning to his potato chips. "I'd rather have mochi......"

[wormstacheangel]

Suptober Day 1: Harvest

wc: 1.7k tags: fluff with the side of tiny case fic, established relationship, spoilers but cw they are drugged with cider,

It was a long hunt. One that they accepted as their last one, but, of course, they can never sit still enough not to take an easy local hunt. By local, he means a two-day trip away, but still, they saved a couple of old folks from a ghost, which was fun. Dean sure enjoyed getting thrown around until Cas finally burned the dentures.

Like he said, long hunt.

They stayed at a nice little Airbnb overnight. During breakfast, their waitress told them of the Harvest Festival a town over. Cas was still a little bruised up, but Dean convinced him to go, at least to try their famous apple cider.

“We’ll make a day of it! Just me and you.” With that, Cas agreed, taking Dean’s waiting hand across the table.

The festival was lively when they arrived in the afternoon, with more people than they expected considering the small town they were in but apparently when they say famous they meant it. The tents lined up with food from funnel cakes, donuts, chicken, and some pumpkin spice beer that Dean chugged down even though it tasted like shit.

They eventually ended up with bags filled with treats and souvenirs to take home to the kids--Sam and Eileen fall into the kids’ category. They each held a bag while Dean held Cas’ hand tight in his own, dragging him around from seller to seller, buying and tasting as he went.

“We should start heading home, or soon you’ll be too full to drive.” Cas teased as Dean finished off their bag of apple crisps. “You think we’re feeding an army.”

“Considering how Jack eats, we might as well be.”

“He gets that from you, you know.”

They continued their banter as they made their way out of the festival and to the parking lot.

Then they were stopped by a woman wearing a volunteer pumpkin shirt, “Aw, leaving so soon? Don’t ya wanna stay for the fireworks?”

That quickly took Dean’s attention, brightening up his whole face so much that once again, Cas couldn’t find it in himself to refuse. Instead, earning himself a small kiss on the cheek as a thank you before being was dragged to the car to drop off their items.

Once back in the festival, they walked around until another volunteer told them about the amazing view of the fireworks at the middle of the corn maze.

“It’s a small maze, but in the middle is a little hill. So it’s usually first-come, first-serve. But I haven’t heard of anyone taking it as of now.”

Once again, Dean was easily hooked in and took Cas along for the ride. Not that he was complaining. He enjoyed watching Dean get excited over small things, things he wouldn’t have permitted himself to get excited for before. Of course, it helped when Dean hooked his arm around Cas’s waist to tug him close, whispering, “Ever kissed someone in a corn maze, Cas?”

“You know I haven’t, Dean.”

That did it for Cas. A promise of a spectacular kiss that will put the fireworks to shame.

At the entrance of the maze stood a cider cart, and Cas made a beeline for it. “I at least wanna be warm if you are going to make me walk around in the cold.”

“On the house.” The saleswoman winked at them, and something uneasy passed through them, but they ignored it as she motioned them to go right on in that the fireworks should be starting soon.

They took their hot cider and walked right in, taking hold of their hands as they walked through the maze in comforting silence. Watching the sky above them change from orange and pinks to the dark night sky.

When the maze opened up to a clearing, Dean started to run—taking the small space on top. It was tall enough to see over the cornstalk and watch the lights twinkle from the festival up ahead. They could even see groups of people exiting the maze from their left, and for a second, Dean wondered why they didn’t run into anybody on their walkover. It looked like a lot of people were going through the maze, but nobody passed them.

That thought was quickly dismissed as the first firework lit up the sky, cheers from the crowd echoed the loud boom, and Dean felt secure with an arm hooking around his shoulders to bring him in closer. So they sat there watching the firework show and polishing off their now cold cider until Cas couldn’t wait another second.

Gently, he turned Dean’s face just enough so they could start the kiss slowly. The snap crackle pop of the fireworks above their heads just kept lighting up the fuse between them until Cas asked for them to find another place to spend the night.

“Should we go now?” Dean kissed down Cas’s jaw, feeling the hastily nods instead of seeing it. “Okay. Okay, let’s go.”

They both stood up and took one last look at the view before they got down. Turning left, where they were sure they saw the other folks exit from before. Every few steps, they pulled each other for another kiss-- smiling into them like giddy newlyweds--until they started to realize they’ve been walking for way too long.

The fireworks had long been over, and they soon realized it was their only source of light. It soon became so hard to see anything that they didn’t dare let go of each other’s hands. They tried to go back to the hill to see if maybe they could see the trail from there, but it was like it never existed in the first place.

“Fuck!” They turned the corner to find another dead-end. “Isn’t this shit for children!”

“You know we haven’t seen or heard anyone in a while. Not since-”

“We came in here. I know. I was thinking the same thing earlier when we were on the hill.”

“Why didn’t you say anything then?”

“Cause you stuck your tongue in my mouth and impending doom took a backseat.”

They started to run, calling out for help as they did, but it only felt like they were going in circles.

Then Dean yelled, “Hallelujah!” When a flashlight shined into their faces.

“There you two are. It’s time to go.” The old man sounded so relieved to find them. He didn’t look sinister. He didn’t even make it sound like they were gone for that long. “You two okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah. We got lost, I guess.” Dean shrugged, watching as Cas stared ahead of him.

“Many people do. But they always find their way out, though.”

They followed the man out of the maze while Dean’s knuckles brushed alongside Cas’. They were listening to the man recite a memory when suddenly Cas tugged at Dean’s arm.

“Dean.” It was a shocking gasp.

“Cas?” Dean turned around to watch; Cas’s eyes rolled to the back of his head before dropping like a ragdoll. “Cas!”

And just like that, Cas was out to the world.

Dean fell to his knees to take Cas into his arms, but it was useless. He was heavy, and Dean’s body was starting to tingle, his muscles becoming weaker with every passing second.

“Don’t you worry about your little friend.” The man flashed his light on Dean’s face. Blinding him, but Dean kept glaring up at him. “Just like you, he won’t feel a thing.”

“What did you do to him?” He tried to growl, but it came out too breathless for it to be threatening.

“Same thing we did to you. Same thing we do every year to a couple of tourists.”

Dean could feel himself slipping out of consciousness, but he kept trying to shield Cas from whatever was coming.

“Don’t fight it, boy.” The man walked over to him, raising his flashlight high above his head. “Hate it when they struggle.”

And with a single hit, Dean was knocked out. Falling over Cas. Hoping that at least he gets killed first this time around.

Dean woke up again when he felt someone kicking his legs with little to no effort. His arms were numb, and he realized it was because they were pulled back and tied around some huge boulder.

“Dean?”

Dean recognized the voice and happily groaned out a complaint. “Hate small towns. Creeps. All of them.”

Cas chuckled in relief. “Glad you’re okay.”

Dean blinked a couple of times before his eyes focused, looking across from him to find Cas in the same position as him. Cas looked dirty, a few scratches on his face from being dragged, which made Dean furious—tugging at the ropes that hold him back from checking for any more injuries.

“Fuck! Shit! You okay? They hurt you?”

“Not as much as they did you.” Dean didn’t feel much pain besides the stretch on his shoulders and a raging headache. “I guess that’s not true. You have a swell on your head.”

“Yeah, well, I went down swinging. Unlike you.” Cas didn’t look amused, but he looked concerned. Dean followed his gaze, looking for an explanation or a way out. “I guess we’re either bait or dinner.”

“I’m used to being bait.”

“And I’m used to being dinner. Well, aren’t we a match made in heaven?” This time Cas glared, and weirdly enough, it made Dean relax a little. “Okay, so what’s the plan?”

The plan was simple, while Cas may not be a full-powered-up angel, he was still an angel. And he was stronger than an average human. So with a little more force, Cas had his arms free, rubbing his wrist while shrugging at Dean, “I always see humans do this.”

“Yeah, cause it hurts, so if you can just-” Dean motioned for his arms and Cas quickly reached to untie him. Then, when they were both free, they once again started to look around the empty cornfield. “I say leave now and call for backup; come back in the morning.”

“Considering we have no weapons, I think that would be for the best.”

“So much for date night.” Dean took Cas’s hand, and they quickly started to get themselves out of there. Running like maniacs as they pushed through the endless corn.

“I actually enjoyed myself today. You know, before the whole being drugged and left for dead part.”

“Really? That was my favorite part.” Dean joked, squeezing Cas’s hand as they made their way to safety. “You think all the stuff we bought was drugged?”

“Won’t stop me from having another donut.”

“Man, I love you.”

[slasherhaven]

Bo Sinclair X Reader

Part 1, Part 2

I've been enjoying some Soft!Bo recently, so here's some more!

Soulmate AU: shared pain and shared scars part 3:

Time passed since you first stepped into Ambrose, only a few weeks since you ended up meeting your soulmate in the most unlikely place and getting stranded in the small town. You told yourself you were stranded, tried to convince yourself of that, but it wasn't completely true. Now you thought that even if you got the chance to escape, you wouldn't. You wouldn't leave and if you did...you would probably end up being drawn right back to Ambrose.

Weeks passed. You mourned. You still found yourself saddened by Carly's death, but you had come to terms with everything that had happened. Bo had, in an act of kindness you supposed, demanded that Vincent didn't use any member of your group to create new wax figures. You were supposed to be at home in this town, you didn't need a constant morbid reminder of your past.

Of a night, you had been staying in Bo's room while he slept on the couch. Surprisingly, he had insisted on it. Despite you being his soulmate and practically being destined forgive him, he supposed he should try to make it easier for you. He just hoped it wouldn't take too much longer, the couch wasn't as comfortable as his bed.

The events from your arrival had settled and the town seemed to fall into it's more day to day routine. You had gotten to know Vincent and Lester a little better, but you found yourself more comfortable around Bo, which made sense even if it wasn't logical to an outsider.

Despite spending more time around Bo than the other brothers, you surprisingly didn't talk much. Neither of you really knowing what to say. You wanted to be around him instinctively but didn't know what to say to the man who killed your friends, or even if you wanted to say anything at all.

Today went by as usual, you spending the day down in the garage with Bo, eating lunch and dinner with him, and awkwardly sitting on the couch in front of the brother's little television. Sitting on opposite ends of the couch, occasionally risking glances at him.

You had excused yourself and gone up to bed, changing into one of Bo's tee-shirts. You didn't exactly have a wide selection of clothes just yet but did you have other options of sleepwear? Yes, you did. Still, you chose to wear Bo's tee-shirt. You found it comforting.

Unsurprisingly, you hadn't been sleeping well. It took a few nights for you to get a good few hours of sleep but you were sure that your sleeping had actually become more disturbed than it had been. The bed was comfortable, and smelled of Bo, but you still found yourself tossing and turning, feeling like something was missing.

It was something you had been debating for the last few nights but always talked yourself out of it. Tonight though...you had decided to take the risk. You knew you would end up doing it eventually anyway.

Pushing back the sheets, you climbed off of the bed and exited the bedroom.

When you had arrived, the house had been untidy but you had fixed that during your stay. You had to fill your time with something and it helped make you feel more comfortable. So, now, you didn't feel too worried about walking around barefoot.

You made your way down the stairs and quietly into the living room. Bo mustn't have heard you since he was still sitting with his feet up on the coffee table, eyes on the television, with his temporary bedding piled beside him.

"Bo?" you asked quietly and he instantly turned to you. Under different circumstances, you might have found it amusing that you had surprised him.

His gaze scanned your body, wetting his lips at the sight of you in one of his tee-shirts. "You alright, darlin'?" he had never been shy about pet-names, always calling you by them. You didn't mind. You liked it.

"Can't sleep" you mumbled, wrapping your arms around yourself.

"Wanna sit with me?" he asked and you nodded without having to think about it.

He gave you his signature charming smirk. "C'mon then" he patted the space beside him and you walked over to him.

Bo lifted his arm, laying it over the back of the couch as you sat down beside him, his arm behind you. Some old film was on the television, you had no idea what, but you didn't mind. Bo didn't seem very interested in it either.

"You got any idea what's going on in this?" Bo asked, gesturing towards the television, you just shook your head. "Need better fucking stations" he muttered to himself, making you smile a little in amusement.

"Or you could upgrade from VHS...maybe get a DVD player" you mused. "Do they even sell VHS's anymore?" you asked with a small chuckle, earning a smile from Bo.

"Guess we'll have to save up for your fancy technology" Bo teased, proud of himself when you laughed.

"I think I can deal with it" you shrugged before, not so subtly despite your best efforts, shifting closer to him.

"Good" Bo hummed, his arm lowering from the back of the couch to wrap around your shoulders and pull you closer. You allowed him, resting your head against his shoulder.

The two of you fell silent as you watched the screen, not really taking anything in. Risking your glances at Bo once again, the hand that lay lazily in his lap caught your attention. He was wearing a tee-shirt, ready for bed, leaving his wrist visible.

Gently, you reached out and took his hand in yours, your other hand tracing his scars. "Will you tell me about them now?" you asked quietly, watching your fingertips trace his scars.

"Ain't much of a story" Bo shrugged, watching your expression of concentration.

"I'd still like to hear it. Been wondering since my childhood" you confessed.

"Me and Vincent were very different kids. He was well-behaved and quiet, me...not so much. I got angry, I'd shout, throw tantrums, parents had to restrain me at the dinner table sometimes. I'd try to get out, fucking up my wrists" Bo explained, finding the repetitive touches to his scarring strangely relaxing. It wasn't something he usually liked to have on show, but he knew he could be vulnerable with you.

"That's horrible...I'm sorry" you frowned, meeting his gaze with nothing but sympathy in your eyes.

"Eh, had to do what they had to do" he shrugged dismissively. Surely, he should be apologising to you if anything.

"You did what any kid with behavioural problems does, they should have handled it much differently" you shook your head, brow furrowing in frustration. Who would treat their child like that?

“Ain’t a big deal” he shrugged again. You could already tell that he didn't like talking about this sort of thing and you found yourself hoping he would begin to grow more comfortable with opening up to you.

“Come on, Bo…if you can’t talk to me, who can you talk too?” you asked with a small but sincere smile. You were his soulmate after all. “I know it hurt, I felt it, remember? At least when the pain started for me, I had someone there to calm me and help me. I can’t imagine how distressing it would have been…” your smile quickly faded, expression turning to sympathetic as you squeezed his hand gently.

There was a short silence, Bo not looking at you, and you decided that if he didn't talk, you wouldn't push it further. “It hurt” Bo finally spoke, clearing his throat. “Each time the restraints would get tighter, ‘least that’s how it felt. The more I struggled the more it hurt, but the more it hurt the more I struggled. Just wanted to get out of the damn chair” he told you shortly, sighing as your thumb brushed over the inside of his wrist. And then he looked at you properly, “for what it's worth, I’m sorry you had to feel that too…and everything else.”

“You don’t need to apologise. I was never angry with you for the pain, just angry with those hurting you” you confessed.

Bo smirked a little at the anger in your expression. The hand that you held onto moved, gently grasping one of your wrists as he brushed his thumb over the matching scarring. "Hey, don't you start worrying about me, alright?"

"I'm not allowed to care?" you asked, suddenly hit with the realisation that you did care. You cared a whole lot about this man.

"...you want to care? You go ahead and care, darlin'" he nodded, giving his permission, making you smile.

"Good...because I will, even if you don't want me too" you told him, knowing that now. Accepting that.

"Beginning to think you're warming up to me" Bo hummed, the hand on your shoulder stroking up and down your arm.

"Don't ruin it" you rolled your eyes but still moved closer to him, naturally draping an arm around his waist and laying your head against his chest. "I wanted to ask you something" you spoke quietly after a short pause in conversation.

"Shoot" Bo looked down at you, his hold around you tightening ever so slightly.

"Was wondering if you...wanted to sleep in the bed, maybe, with me tonight?" you glanced down at your lap. You shouldn't have been embarrassed, he was your soulmate, but circumstances were more than unusual. "Don't like sleeping alone...it never used to bother me" you confessed.

"Can't complain about getting back in my own bed" Bo mused before hooking a finger under your chin, lifting your head and making you look at him. "All you had to do was ask, darlin'" he assured you.

The way he looked at you, the intensity of his gaze, made heat rise to your face, but it still earned a smile from you. "Just sleeping, though" you added, not wanting him to get any ideas.

"Just sleeping. I swear" Bo chuckled lowly, the sound vibrating in his chest. It was a nice sound.

"Thank you" you whispered, breath catching in your throat when you realised how close your faces were now.

Bo noticed how you gaze flickered down to his lips before meeting his eyes again, cheeks darkening with a flush. He hadn't been subtle despite putting effort into making you comfortable, you had often caught him staring and he'd only smirk when you caught him looking at you.

Bo didn't seem like the type of guy to sit back until somebody else made a move, he seemed like an initiator type, but you knew that he wasn't going to play into that role right now. You had just talked to him properly, invited him back into his bed. He could be impulsive but he wasn't stupid, he wouldn't risk scaring you away right now.

You had no idea where you got the confidence from, or maybe it was just the innate gravitational pull you felt towards him, but you started leaning in. Eyes fluttered shut as your lips brushed against his.

That seemed to be enough to reassure Bo that you wouldn't run away as he fully closed the space, pressing his lips further against yours in a proper kiss. One that you instantly returned.

You couldn't help yourself, arms looping around his neck as you lent into his chest. Strong arms circling your waist and pulling you closer, practically onto his lap. His kiss, his touch, his mere presence, lit a fire in you. The like of which you had never experienced before. In that moment it truly felt like you were the only two people who existed. Two people colliding in an unlikely little town.

And, in that moment, you knew. Monster or not, soulmate or not, you were supposed to be right here with Bo. It didn't matter if the universe had a sick idea of fate, the past didn't matter, only now mattered. Only him and only you. Finally, you accepted the truth you had been resisting for so many days.

He was yours and, more importantly, you were his.

[clementinesjourney]

Record Shop Funk - Pt. 1 Like real people do

A.N. : Hey guys, so i had this idea yesterday, and i really hope you'll like it. <3

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Words: 1,9k

Pairing: camboy!Steve x Reader, roommate!Bucky x reader, Stucky x reader (as the story goes)

Warnings: nothing yet :)

Summary: Who knew that having a secret crush, then a hearbreak will end in such a sweet thing..

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

You and Bucky shared an apartment above the recordshop you both worked in. Your aunt was the owner of both, so it was a fairly good payment, and a fairly good apartment for a cheap price. It was a bright and big apartment with two bedrooms, so your decided to rent it out, all while searching for a helper to the shop downstairs. When Bucky came in applying for the job, you asked out of joke if he needs a place to live since you had seen around 5 people already and none of them felt right. His eyes lit up as he said he is in fact looking for a place. Since he was fitting for a job, and looked like a decent guy, you congratulated him on his new job, and asked if he wants to see the place today. You still had one and a half hour to close, but after it you would gladly show him the apartment.

He had nothing better to do, so he agreed to it, feeling happy about having a job he might actually like and a coworker he might actually will get along with.

-Do you drink coffee? I was thinking of getting one in the meantime. My friend works close by, and they make the best coffee in town. - He asked.

-I could go for one thank you - you smiled at him - iced cold-brew, no sugar, i'm sweet enough.. - you said with a smile.

He couldn't help but smile back at the joke. When he arrived at the café, he saw his friend Steve flirting with a girl whom he could visibly see trembling just cause he talked to her. Steve always had his way with girls, ever since the serum of course. After he broke up with Peggy, it was mostly just hookups, never finding a girl worth keeping around. Not as if they werent kind, pretty or good to him, it just never felt right. Bucky smiled at his friend, Steve immediately shifted his gaze from the girl, to a very happy Bucky.

-Did you get the job?

-Better.. I got the job, and she has a room for rent which i'll see tonight.

-Wow Bucky, i didn't know you were even better then i am.. sooo how does she look? - asked Steve with a slight wiggle of his eyebrows. He wanted Bucky to get a girl since ages and hearing this, his mind immediately ventured there.

-5'7, ginger, green eyes, freckles, curvy just the right places. why?

-Nothing Buck.. nothing.. - Steve said smirking at his friend.. Bucky never realized when he liked a girl, so he never really acted on it. He last had a woman back in the 40's.

-Sooo i know you didn't come to have chat with me, one black coffee and.. ?

-ah, iced cold-brew, no sugar..

After paying for the coffee, he hurried back to the shop, hoping to get to know his coworker a little bit better.

You thanked him for the coffee, and when you tried to pay, he refused.

-Next round's mine then. - You smiled at him with your 1000 watt smile, which again he couldn't help but smile back at.

-So tell me about you Bucky, what do you do in your freetime?

-Nothing really, just reading, spending time with my friends, kind of thats it.. I have a boring life really. What about you?

-Well, i work here, then i go home and listen to music, cook, god i love to cook, thats a big pro for the apartment.. just saying. - you said with a playful wink. - besides that nothing much. Sometimes i go to a nearby bar with my friends maybe concerts and thats it.

-I like washing dishes if that helps with the application for the room. - he said with a shy laugh which made your heart skip a beat.

- It sure does.. Do you leave your stuff around?

-No i'm a tidy person.. thank you very much. - he said cockily (just for the sake of being funny really).

-Okay okay, if you like it you can have the room, just promise to tell if you bring up a girl so i can leave. The walls are kind of thin.

-It's okay, i don't really...

-Oh um i'm sorry, i didn't meant to intrude, it just something i would really like everyone to add to their rental contracts. - you chuckled embarassed.

-Noo no, it's okay, i'm not embarassed by it. I guess i don't want hook ups, if one day there's someone i'll tell in advance.

-yea me too, i promise. If you end up renting it anyway haha. on that note it's time to close so i can show the room in a min.

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

When you opened the door to the apartment Buckyquietly took in it all. It was really bright, white walls with paintings all over the walls, plants in every corner or shelf you can put one on, a comfy looking mustard couch, aztec-y rug under the coffeetable, and a wall fully shelved, filled with books and little trinkets, it looked like a home he never had a chance to have. The livingroom had an american kitchen on the side, island in the middle of the kitchen area, it was white, and blue which reminded him of greece, down the hallway you showed him the bathroom which of course had a lot of plants that liked the atmosphere of a bathroom, a shower in the corner and a bathtub under the window. You then showed the empty room he could rent out. It only had a shelf and a wardrobe, and a queen sized bed. No decorations, no signs of anybody ever living there. You then pointed to the room the opposit of what could possibly be Bucky's in the future, saying that is yours. You didn't show your room, he wasn't gonna go in there anyway, and showing your most private space on the first day didn't seem like a good idea either. You then invited him out to the balcony, watching the setting sun, smoking a cigarette.

-So thats about it, what do you think?

-I really like it, and i mean.. my workplace is pretty close so thats a plus, also you said something about cooking all the time.. sooo if it's alright with you i would love to rent it out.

-It's settled then roomie. I'll give you the keys, you can move in whenever you want to. Tomorrow we are closed, so maybe that would be ideal.

-Yea, then tomorrow it is then. I'll ask my friend to help, then we can maybe hang a bit if you're free.

-Sure, i have nothing planned, and it's good to know who i'll be living with. - you said with a smile.

Before closing the door, you said your goodbyes, and you realized what did you just do, after he wished you good night with a killer halfsmile that almost had your knees buckle. You just agreed to living together with possibly the most handsome man you've ever seen who is also your new coworker, so you will basically spend most of your time with him.. Guess we'll see how this goes you thought to yourself.

Morning came soon enough, you were sitting out on the balcony when you saw Bucky arrive with a very tall, just as handsome man, carrying boxes of books, and bags of clothing. Bucky looked up at the balcony, waving towards you, you waved back, then moved to open the front door before going back out to the balcony, resuming your coffee and smoke.

When they finished bringing all Bucky's stuff in, it was already midday, so you decided you'd order pizza for all of you, as in like a welcome present.

-Hey guys, i'm thinking of ordering pizza, what kind would you like?

-Oh (y/n) you don't have to. - said Bucky, earning a smirk from Steve as he looked back and forth between you two.

- Noo i insist, today won't be the day i'll start to slowly kill you with my cooking. - you said giggling a bit.

- Whatever's fine peach. - said Steve with a wink, that you decided was just out of friendlyness. You didn't veen knew his name, and he seemed like a lady's man anyways. Not really your type no matter how handsome and muscular he is.

- Steve, by the way, nice to meet you.

-(Y/n), likewise. - you shook his hand.

When the pizzas arrived you called them to the kitchen, listening to all their shared stories from their early years. They seemed like really close friends, and genuinely good people. You had a really great time. It was nearly 9 pm when Steve left, for saving a dame from dying cause of boredom he said. You and Bucky chuckled, then he let him out, closing the door, locking it for the night.

-I guess i have some packing to do, so.. good night (y/n).

-Good night Bucky, if you need anything just knock. - you said with a smile, and he couldn't help but smile back. He felt at peace. He had Steve, now he had a job, and a room to make a home of, and you as a new addition. You were so kind, so eager to help if he needed anything, he loved how the scent of raspberries and flowers lingered in the apartment mixed with coffee and cigarette smoke. It seemed to have a calming effect on him.

You heard a soft knock half an hour later. WHen you opened the door you saw a smiling Bucky, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

- Hey, um.. sorry. I forgot i didn't bring a blanket, could i borrow one until i get my own?

-Yea sure, i'll get one in a min. - You said, leaving the door open, letting him see a bit of "you" while you were searching for your spare blanket in your wardrobe. The room really was you. White, with mustardy curtains on the window, plants everywhere, books piled up here and there, a really comfy looking bed, pictures of you and your friends on the walls. And damn, your room smelled even more like you. If he wouldn't pay attention your scent would lure him into your room and never let him leave he thought.

-There you go. - you handed him the blanket smiling.

-Thank you very much.

Then he stood there for a moment drinking in the sight of you in front of him. You were wearing an oversized tshirt, that ended just around the middle of your thighs, hair in a messy bun, no makeup. He could swear he thought you were pretty before, but seeing you as you were made him fancy you even more.

With a small smile you told him goodnight again, then closed the door in his face.

You could hear his little laugh on the other side of the door, then his door closing. For the first time in months he didn't wake up in the middle of the night, and he didn't had a nightmare either. He was afraid he would, and then he would wake you up with his screaming, but looks like the blanket which smelled just like you calmed him enough.

After waking up because the rays of sunshine on his face, he smiled to himself guess i'll wait with getting my own blanket then...

[feelingofcontent]

DNP Rewatch: A Festive Day in the Life of Dan and Phil!

Date video was published: 12/20/2014 (X)

DNP Main Channel Rewatch: 254

The 2014 DITL video! The last one had been back in August 2013. This is my absolute favorite DITL and probably one of my top five DNP joint videos of all time. Get ready for me to have way too much to say about it.

0:00 - sleepy morning + quiff Phil! We’ll see a surprising amount of that in this video.

0:05 - “almost a week till Christmas,” so they must have filmed this just a few days before it was posted

0:25 - no waking up Dan in “his” bedroom like in the first two DITL. Hmmm...this scene doesn’t seem staged at all...especially since Phil’s laptop is already open on the arm of the sofa. Unless he just left it like that overnight.

0:37 - love that the other advent calendar on the mantle in the one they made. 😂 There are 18 of the doors opened on it, so they’re probably filming this on the the 18th or 19th of December.

0:47 - they both jump into doing the theme music as soon as Phil says “titan”

0:57 - that is pretty late for them to be putting up the decorations! Phil looks sad about it too.

1:01 - sad tinsel. I think Phil had the silver piece in the background in his last video. And the little WALLE in the background here, from all the way back in PINOF. 🥺

1:17 - this domestic insight, just 😭😭😭

1:26 - full circle back to the first DITL video. I wonder if they watched the previous DITLs before filming this one.

1:41 - so many mugs.

1:48 - Dan did not want that one because it was very hard to actually drink out of as he discovered in DITL London. I really bet they did watch the previous ones shortly before this...so many references back!

1:55 - awww, happy warm Phil

2:13 - such a dramatic sigh but he goes to get it anyway!

2:25 - well that is a terrifying way to burn a tealight...put it on a dish!

2:33 - I love that there is no explanation for this in the video. Phil is superstitious about new shoes on the table, which they had both tweeted about before.

2:40 - Dan fashion show and an encouraging Phil

2:47 - immediate smile when Dan notices Phil there

2:56 - why does Phil looks SO GOOD in this clip. also, as usual a weird/slightly horrifying poem from his brain.

3:02 - love that they both decided to wear holiday jumpers. They also wore these same ones for their December radio show. Also the Dan lean-in 🥺

3:12 - PJ tweeted about this DNP visit!

3:27 - this whole leaving scene is possibly the most domestic part of any video - the candle argument, the coat adjustment, the stop in the bathroom to check their hair, Phil checking to make sure Dan has keys, the spider checking and joking... I mean.

4:13 - more throwback conversation to DITL London

4:35 - so glad he chose not to lick his hand. Even more horrifying in 2021.

4:40 - Dan talked about this and falling up the escalator in What not to do on Public Transport

5:00 - “bit corporate isn’t it?” but caves immediately because Phil wants to. 

5:10 -  Love that Phil orders while Dan finds a table. Love that Phil makes Dan draw something happy not just a sad face. Love Dan’s huge smile after that.

5:33 - Dan really can’t say much he was reading his phone in the clip right before this!

5:58 - Dan’s talking about this weird incident that Phil posted a clip of on LessAmazingPhil

6:18 - they always go to at least one nerdy shop in the first DITLs!

6:36 - the things they choose to zoom in on in this shop...Dan with Spiderman’s crotch a few seconds before this and now Phil on the shirtless guy book cover. subtle, lol.

7:29 - I had actually heard of this board game prior to this video because Wil Wheaton did a TableTop episode. I remember being so surprised to see DNP wanting it!

7:39 - Phil and his weird people encounters. 😂 And Dan just mocking him for it.

7:59 - they did, in fact, go to see Matilda the next summer.

8:10 - oh my god this clock scene. Of course Phil wants to make a game of it. And then Dan with the seemingly slight fudging of what he was pointing at. And this look and then both of them giggling. 👀

8:32 - that start of Dan’s running! This is around the time or shortly after he had started to see a therapist (according to the timeline he gave in Daniel and Depression), so thinking he probably wanted to start for his mental health.

9:11 - Dan talks about the “guy wearing the white sheet in Manchester” in What not to do In Town. Their reminiscing faces are too much.

9:19 - Phil is so excited about this. He had tweeted a couple times in the past about Moomins (1, 2)

9:37 - the excitement about the treats and the festive drinks and decorations and Phil’s teasing 😭

10:04 - they film fairly often in the back of cars and I just feel like must be so awkward, but it doesn’t seem to bother them. And Phil’s hair is quiffed again!

10:28 - and the stairs song! Which they are too prepared for so it must be a regular thing they say/sing. This video has SO MANY moments that I love.

10:51 - Phil just sitting while Dan hauls the tree box out. Maybe Dan lost rock-paper-scissors.

10:59 - reminiscing about THE TREE now, which is the last time they decorated on camera

11:09 - why is this a common theme in DITLs!? lol. Love that they’ve lit the candle again after getting home.

11:22 - “stop doing that” as he can’t control his giggles. sure.

12:03 - okay, Phil had to go get the other decorations! The “Christmas faces” are slightly horrifying

12:22 - that is the most horrifying. also, Dan and Phil themed toys/decor even in the bathroom.

13:02 - Dan’s little messed up piece of hair in the back is so cute. Also love that they have the garlands up and everything at this point too.

13:19 - even more quiff-Phil!

13:31 - their fridge contents are not great

14:04 - unexpected filming but a huge grin anyway from Phil. Also, how do they make just answering the door so awkward, lol. Also: what is that picture in the background in the bathroom(?)

14:32 - they’re so excited about this set up and dinner plan

14:43 - and now glasses Phil! Also, arguing about wrapping neatness. I love it. Although when we see Phil’s wrapping in a minute, I think I might agree with Dan...

15:03 - PJ will end up with one of these face banks

15:10 - Phil came up with some decent gifts for Kath this time, although he didn’t think she had good ideas.

15:18 - I find it so cute that Dan wants to keep the cookbook

15:30 - Dan looks almost embarrassed to share this. He’s also got something “12 Days of Christmas” themed in that blue box on the chair. Although apparently a lot of his family just wanted money.

15:37 - I have no words for Dan filming this closeup and then them choosing to keep it in the video.

16:16 - Phil’s trying to be all serious with his wrapping tutorial and then the tape just immediately falls. 😂

16:40 - “it’s endearing” Dan does look pretty endeared, lol. Dan’s concerned because the face banks are actually gifts from both of them, at least according to PJ

17:04 - wow, Vine mention

17:25 - Dan’s just expecting Phil to come up with a great pun on the spot. Also, the lobster thing is an old reference.

17:39 - I think I mentioned this in the last DITL post, but I like that we do see even in a short video that they spend some time alone. That’s just so normal, especially for introverts even when you’re that comfortable with someone.

17:45 - Phil will keep reading that book over the holidays

17:48 - we did see the inside of the chest. So what is Dan implying here, lol.

17:52 - well then. Dan’s giggly face though.

18:08 - soft piano Dan 😭

18:25 - Ariana Grande had sent them both cat ears after they met her for the radio show

18:37 - a glimpse at the early gaming channel set-up.

18:46 - we don’t actually see that footage in the gaming video

18:51 - it must be pretty late at night by this point considering it was dark when they came home 

19:15 - Phil’s first instinct is to throw it of course

19:18 - this face and the sweater paws. I can’t. 😭

19:25 - and of course a joint ending. 

19:40 - Dan is so sleepy and happy seeming here

20:13 - awwww 🥺 The last video of 2014!

One difference from the first two DITL is they don’t even pretend that they’re going to see other friends/invite someone over. Just the two of them hanging out and they seem quite happy with that. This is probably the most “domestic” of the DITL videos. I love it so much.

Phil went to his parents’ on the 23rd to celebrate Christmas. He had Swedish food, was very excited as usual, got a stocking with a toothbrush and animal socks, and watched Guardians of the Galaxy. Dan went to his family’s on the evening of the 24th after a candle incident (lol, though I love that he was burning the candles even without Phil there. He started the tradition of yearly Christmas pictures of Colin. And also posted this.

On to the 2015 videos, and the start of the TABINOF/TATINOF era!

[toomanystoriessolittletime]

Going Back Home

Summary: Claire never thought she would be back in the town she grew up in. But after her fiancé broke off their engagement, leaving her 5 months pregnant and alone she found herself calling Frankie Morales in the middle of the night, one of her childhood friends who insisted that she booked the next flight out. Trying to fix her life with a little help from her friends she would find out soon that going back would be the best decision she ever made.

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Claire Beck

wordcount: 3.1k

Warnings: more or less unplanned pregnancy, break up, mentions of sexual encounters

A/N: I am a weak weak person so here it is, a chaptered fic. I will try to update this weekly, but no promises. Rating will go up later. I'm attempting slow burn. Let's see how slow lol Let me know what you think. Reblogs are, as always, appreciated 💙

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Taglist in reblog

Even Though most of her happiest memories were connected with this town, the town she spent most of her life in, Claire never thought she actually would be back here. And certainly not pregnant and all by herself.

It wasn’t that she had been unhappy here. Claire just always wanted something… bigger. Something more. Something exciting. After her parents died and most of her friends moved away, there was nothing holding her back. Well, that wasn’t true. Frankie and Santiago were there. But only when they weren’t overseas or god knows where, which left her with her dream of being a journalist in a small town where she had no chance to ever make it.

She still remembered Santi’s face when she announced that it was her turn to leave just before they were about to be gone for months again. She had gotten a job in New York and thought for days about what to do until she took the job. That was eight years ago and they hadn’t seen each other in person since then.

Yet when she called Frankie three days ago in tears, it was like no time had passed. She wanted to call Santiago first, but she knew him. If she had told him what happened to her he would have gotten into his car and gotten to her, no matter if it took 3 straight days. No, she had called Frankie. He had listened to her for hours until he made her promise to book the next flight out.

When the fuck did her life become such a shit show?

Only a week ago, she had the dream job, was engaged and 5 months pregnant.

Claire was happy. Until her fiance came back from a work trip and suddenly announced that he wanted nothing to do with the child and moved out within days, leaving her on her own. Not even his phone number was working and she wasn’t gonna show up at his work. She wasn’t that desperate. She should have seen it coming. John never planned to have kids. But when Clarie found out that she was pregnant he had already asked her to marry him and maybe he was too proud to end the engagement back then. Thinking back maybe this was the reason he stayed. Because a part of him wanted to spend his life with her. They didn’t fight. He just moved out, told her that he would take care financially of her and the child, but that he didn’t want to be a father.

The first days she was just numb. Trying to wrap her mind around the fact that the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with, left her while she was pregnant with a child they didn’t plan but that she loved without a doubt. That was what kept her going. Her little bean. Claire would do anything to protect her little girl.

The guys to this day called her bean. She found herself thinking more of them since John left. Even without seeing them in the last years, they still stayed in contact. Not a week went by where she didn’t receive a letter. They had a group chat that was only used when they were at home and the bachelor was on. Cause fuck did they all hate that show but they watched it anyways.

Claire was okay with the whole suddenly being on her own thing, until she felt her baby move for the first time and turned in her bed to wake her fiance, finding the side empty and cold. For one tiny moment, she had forgotten that she was alone in a city where she had only a couple of friends who were his friends rather than hers. She had always had a hard time finding friends. That probably wouldn’t change.

Sucking her bottom lip in, she rested one hand on her belly as she waited for her luggage to arrive. She slept almost through the entire flight. Claire had gotten rid of the last eight years of her life in the last 48 hours. She wanted to start fresh. She needed a fresh start. Even if she had no idea how to deal with all of this on her own.

A woman next to her helped her get her suitcases on the cart, noticing that Claire was on her own. Pushing the cart through security she saw Frankie as soon as the door opened and next to him Ben, Will and Santiago who all smiled at her, while she felt the first tears escaping her eyes.

She had met Ben and Will only a couple times, they were living an hour away, but they became part of the group immediately. Once upon a time her childhood best friend, Leah, was in that group too. Claire hadn’t thought of Leah in a long time. She had died in a car accident almost 12 years ago.

Arms pulled her in a warm embrace and even after years of not seeing each other for such a long time, she still noticed Frankie’s scent.

“We got you,” he whispered, kissing her hair. She sobbed once before she was pulled into Santi’s arms.

“Look at you,” he smiled before he looked down at her belly.

“And look at you?” he smiled and leaned down.

“Hello, this is your favorite Uncle speaking,” he winked, bending down to speak directly to her belly, making her chuckle.

“Oh please, we all know I’m gonna be the favorite, hey bean,” Will hugged her.

“Don’t listen to them baby girl, we know they're all gonna spoil you rotten,” she grinned, letting Ben kiss her cheek.

“So you’re staying?” Frankie asked and you nodded.

“I already called some realtors. I wanna get this over as quickly as possible. Already sold everything back in New York,” Claire said, looking at the two men who formed most of her teenage years.

“Okay. Let’s get you out of this airport first. You okay to stay with Frankie? He has the biggest house,” Santiago asked, pushing the cart as you slowly walked towards the exit with Ben’s arm around her shoulder.

“Uh… I don’t wanna impose. I could just take a room…”

“Fuck no. Stay at my place. It’s my Pa’s old ranch. I’m renovating it.”

“What? No way!” she said surprised but Frankie only nodded.

“Yeah after Liz and South America I needed something to keep me busy. Also needed more space for Elena,” he explained. A small smile sneaked to Claire’s face.

“I still can’t believe you’re a dad Frankie.”

“Can’t believe you gonna be a mom. Fuck we’re really adults now, huh?” he winked and Claire sighed.

“Certainly didn’t plan it that way. Or planned it at all,” she said sadly before she shook her head as if to get rid of the sad thoughts clouding her mind.

“I meant it, Claire. We got you. We are bored most times anyways.”

“Hey speak for yourself, Fish. I got a business,” Santi said.

“Yeah. Yeah. Me too. But after work you’re either drunk or after some pussy so?” Ben grinned, making her chuckle.

“So still no ladies in your life, boys?” Claire asked as they reached what definitely was Frankie’s truck. It had his company name on it. “Morales gardening”

“Nope. But now that you’re here we could finally….” Will started only for Claire to look away in disgust, making them all laugh.

“You ready to become a Daddy, Will?” she asked, her hands both on her belly.

“Uhm… of course?” he answered and she chuckled.

“That’s what I thought,” she patted his cheek.

“Come on. Let’s get you to bed. You must be exhausted,” Frankie said and opened the door for her.

“We’ll see you tomorrow for the BBQ,” they all waved. She waved back, letting Frankie help her inside before he closed the door behind her and hopped into the driver’s seat.

“BBQ?” she asked.

“Can’t blame the folks from wanting to welcome you, bean,” he winked.

“What folks?”

“Ya know. Folks. You gonna see,” he looked at Claire. He felt better now that she was here. Frankie had missed her these last years, the couple of calls throughout hadn’t nearly been enough. And when she called two days ago in tears… He would have gotten the chopper and flown over but he couldn’t risk it. He had to be on good behaviour to be able to keep seeing his daughter.

“I missed you, Francisco,” she whispered.

“Missed you too, Bean.”

The sun was already setting when Frankie drove down a familiar path. Claire had spent countless days on this ranch when she was younger.

“How is your Dad doing?” she asked softly and Frankie sighed as he killed the engine in front of the house.

“I fucking hate that I can’t take care of him on my own, but he’s hanging in there.”

“I’d like to visit him if you’re okay with that,” she reached over squeezing his hand and he looked at her with a small smile.

“I bet he would love that.”

“And I’m sure he would have wanted it this way, Francisco. You know your dad. He wouldn’t have wanted you to drop everything for him. Don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said quietly.

“Damn I really missed you Bean,” he shook his head.

“Missed you too,” she let her head fall against his shoulder.

Claire didn’t really have eyes for the house, all she wanted was to go to sleep.

“I finished the guest room this morning for you,” Frankie said, setting one of her suitcases down as he opened the door.

“Please tell me you didn’t work overnight to finish this,” she sighed looking at him. He was rubbing the back of his head, pulling the cap he was always wearing down and avoiding her eyes.

Knowingly she shook her head, but couldn’t help the smile sneaking to her face.

“I won’t say it. But please don’t touch the walls, they might still be wet,” he said and she chuckled.

“Okay. Bathroom is over there. The shower isn’t working yet but you’re welcome to use mine. Will is coming over to take a look and make this one work. Other than that if you need anything just ask. Until you found a place this is your home.”

“You really didn’t have to do this, Frankie,” she said quietly, feeling overwhelmed by all of this. So many things had changed in such a short amount of time for her and she only now seemed to realize that she was indeed about to be a single mom.

“I wanted to. You’re… You don’t deserve to be treated like this. So let us help you, okay?” he said softly and she nodded but avoided his eyes.

“Okay. Go to sleep. My room is down the hallway if you need anything,” he stepped closer, kissing her forehead and for one tiny moment, she felt like the 15 year old teenager again who was crushing on Frankie Morales.

“Good night, Francisco,” she smiled.

“Good night, bean,” he whispered before he turned around and closed the door behind him.

Claire looked around, in awe of the room, the bed looking so inviting to her. Sighing she walked over to the window, knowing she would be able to see the whole property during the day. Crossing her arms in front of her she closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of nature that she had no idea she had missed living in the city for all these years. She felt a fluttering in her belly, her hand wandering down to feel a kick.

“We’ll be happy here, I promise,” she vowed, rubbing over her belly.

She didn’t want to disturb Frankie, even though she could hear the TV running so she just washed herself at the sink before she put her Pajamas on and sat down on the bed. She would unpack tomorrow. For now she had to sleep.

The sun wasn’t even up when Claire woke up. She turned in bed, propping herself up so she could look out the window and watch the sunrise. She had to make a plan. A plan that included finding a house, a doctor and help. Though help would be her smallest problem. She already looked at houses in the area and it didn’t look good. If she had more time she would buy the house just down this road, but there was no way the house would be ready before her due date. She would ask Santi for help. He had a lot of connections through his business. Though Frankie too. Claire knew that he had a little gardening company since he lost his pilot’s license. He never really talked about it, but then again, they didn’t talk that much. She knew that he had some problems with drugs in the past, but that he has been clean for almost two years and was doing better. She also knew that there was a lot more to this story then he had told her. Maybe they would have time to talk. To really talk. Groaning to herself, her quiet and peaceful morning was interrupted by her bladder. Time to start the day.

For a minute she wondered if she could risk sneaking into Frankie’s room to take a shower when she heard music playing. Grabbing her bathrobe and toiletries she opened the door and walked down. Now being really awake she had time to take in the house. It seemed like there still was a lot to do. The walls were still unpainted, the floors still old, though she could see he already started with the floor the closer she got to the kitchen.

Frankie was sitting at the kitchen island, a cup of coffee in front of him as the radio quietly played in the background. He had a serious case of bed hair and she smiled to herself. He hadn’t noticed her yet and she found herself thinking back to all the times she had thought that maybe there was something more in between them than friendship. And maybe there was at one point a long time ago. But that was before he joined the military. She might be selfish for it, but she couldn’t be in a relationship where her partner was gone all the time. She needed someone to be there. Even Though there had been times in the past she had found herself asking if maybe she should have risked it.

Instead she had slept with Santiago.

Yeah, that was a big fuck up. Well it was also a pretty good fuck but it was just once and they definitely were better off as friends. She still didn’t know if Frankie knew. Not that she had to explain herself. Frankie always knew what effect he had on the women around him, and he sure as hell took advantage of it. And now she felt nothing more than love for him. As a friend, nothing more.

“Good Morning,” she said quietly and Frankie turned his head, yawning at her.

Chuckling she walked over taking in the kitchen, setting her toiletries down.

“You weren’t kidding when you say you were still renovating,” she sat down next to him. He got up from his seat walking over to fix her a mug of tea.

“Still hooked on Strawberry tea, I hope?” he asked and she nodded, surprised that he remembered.

“Yeah. Though the kitchen and living room are supposed to be finished by the end of next week. So sorry for the noise in the next couple days,” he walked over and set down the mug of tea in front of her.

“Hey it’s your house. I’m just thankful you let me stay.”

“Of course. Couldn’t let you stay in the dumpster motel in this town,” he winked. She took a sip of the tea and it was perfect.

“So what are you planning for today?” he asked.

“I probably should start looking into houses. I’m kind of on a timetable here,” she rested one hand on her belly and Frankie followed her movement.

“Yeah. I think Pope already called someone for some houses. It’s not looking good.”

“Yeah I thought so. Everything I found on the internet was in really bad shape,” she sighed.

“It’s gonna work out. And if you don’t find something, you’re welcome to stay. The place is big enough,” he shrugged and Claire laughed quietly.

“Yeah I bet you can’t wait to live with a hormonal pregnant woman and then with a newborn,” she joked.

“I lived with Pope. Nothing can be worse and…”

“And?” she asked.

“I already lived with a hormonal pregnant woman. It’s not that bad,” he shrugged with a small smile. She looked at him with a small smile on her face.

“You say that now. Wait till I’m craving your mug cake at 3am now that I’m living with you,” she joked. Frankie laughed.

“Wow I haven’t had one of those in at least 10 years.”

“Well then it’s about time.”

“Yeah,” he sighed, looking at Claire. She looked more relaxed today, like she had a good night’s sleep and he was thankful he put in an overnight to finish the guest room for her. She deserved to relax. When she told him that she not only was pregnant but dumped by her fiance Frankie was furious, yet at the same time he already decided that he would take care of her and help her with everything she needed. It was the least he could do.

Even though they grew apart in the last years, she still was one of his best friends.

“Okay. I’m gonna go take a shower. I got to drive out to check on a project. You gonna be okay here for a while?” Frankie asked. Claire nodded, grabbing her mug of tea.

“Just tell me when you’re going out so I can take a shower,” she said.

“Thank you, Frankie,” she whispered when she stopped next to him and softly kissed his cheek, before she walked down the hallway. Frankie looked after her with a soft smile before he got up to get ready to head out.

Next chapter

[galactic-magick]

As Long As I’m With You: Agnes/Agatha Harkness x Reader

Request: Hi, can you please do where Agnes (a villain) saves fem reader's life because she has feelings for her? In the end they end up together // also took some ideas from this request

Summary: You’re accused of witchcraft in your village, and a mysterious beautiful witch comes to your aid.

Words: 2200+

Warnings: fem reader, Agatha is low key evil so she hurts some people, a swear word, reader has an angsty past

Author’s Notes: This can be read as either a standalone fic or as a prequel to my other fic “Spell Practice.” I took quite a lot of creative liberty with this, hopefully that’s alright. Also disclaimer I am in no way a history expert so even though this is set in like the 1500s-1600s it’s probably very inaccurate, but it’s fanfic so anything goes right?

Taglist: @nyx-aira​ @midnight-lestrange​ @thestrangeundoing​ @thegayances @sleep-deprived-athlete @dr-robotnik-said-hella​ @fallingfor-fics @p-nymph​ @thelanawinterrs @sunproud​ (if your tag didn’t work it might be bc your blog isn’t searchable so make sure that’s on so you’re notified of future fics!)

-

-

-

You had no idea how much your life would change when you left your house that day.

It started out with a simple run to the market and the garden to get what you needed for supper that night, a job that almost always falls to you. You don’t necessarily mind getting away from your family and talking to some people in town, but it’s clear that your family doesn’t want you in the house as much as possible either.

It’s gotten to the point where they’re just looking for a reason to get rid of you. You’re a disappointment, after all. You refuse to marry in order to help your family’s status, even though you’ve gotten a couple offers. You counter your parent’s rules and ideas every chance you get, no matter how much they tell you you’re crazy. They belittle you constantly, saying your dreams are worth nothing and you’ll have to be dependent on them forever if you never submit to the role in society you’re supposed to.

Obviously bullying you out of their lives wasn’t working, so they’ve moved on to spreading rumors about you and setting you up for crimes. None have worked yet, of course, but every day you fear they’ll get too close.

Until you get burned at the stake, though, they’ve given you basically every responsibility of the house. You do all the shopping, cooking, and farming, as well as taking care of your younger siblings. You wonder what they’d do without you, despite how much they seem to want you gone.

As you’re buying a few crops and eggs from your neighbors, you swear you see something move. You turn around and see a little boy floating in the air, screaming.

You drop everything in your arms and reach up to him, trying to grab him and help him down, but he keeps flailing, and his screams start to feel directed at you.

“Hey! It’s okay! Let me help you!” you hold your hand up, speaking as calmly as you can. “I’m not going to hurt you,”

“WITCH!” a man yells as he sees you. “SHE’S A WITCH!”

Everyone around turns and watches you.

“No! No! I’m not the one doing this! I’m trying to help!”

“Let him down and maybe we’ll wait to kill you til tomorrow!” someone else demands.

A couple people march towards you to grab you, and all you can think to do is start running.

You race out of the center of town into the trees, and about five men chase after you. You keep going until it feels like your legs are going to give out and you can barely breathe, but they keep coming.

“Please! Please stop! It wasn’t me I swear!” you cry. “I don’t know what was happening!”

“Shut up, girl,” one grunts. “Your father always said there was something wrong with you, makes sense that you’re a witch!”

“What’s so wrong about witches?” a female voice calls.

You and the men spin around, trying to figure out where it came from.

Before you can blink there’s purple smoke surrounding you, and the men are thrown against the trees. They’re knocked unconscious instantly, but you remain standing and untouched.

“Who are you?” you ask, your voice quivering.

“Don’t be afraid, my dear,” the smoke starts to fade and you can make out her silhouette, then eventually her face. “I’m here to help you,”

She’s beautiful. You’ve never seen someone that immediately feels so friendly, so different in all the best ways.

“It’s alright to stare, I know I’m quite a sight,” she laughs. “I’m Agatha,”

“I’m Y/N,”

“Ah, yes, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of you,” she smiles. “Everyone in the village can barely stand you,”

“Thanks…?” you’re not sure how to respond, especially after all that just happened. “Wait, if you live in my village, why have I never seen you? And how come you’ve never gotten caught using magic?”

“Memory spells, of course,” she shrugs. “Now, let’s get you somewhere safe, alright?”

You nod, and she wraps an arm around you. She takes you deep into the forest until you reach a small house, the glimmer of the fire peering through the windows.

You settle down on a chair while she makes some tea and food. She offers you a blanket and hands you the cup and plate, sitting down across from you.

“So how long have you been practicing magic?” she asks.

“Oh…I…well actually I don’t know how to use any magic,”

“Really? Why were the witch hunters after you then?”

“I was set up, I think,” you say. “There was a little boy floating in the air, and since I was near him they thought it was me. But I wasn’t doing anything,”

“Well,” Agatha sips her tea. “Sometimes magic can manifest itself subconsciously. Maybe you were doing it but didn’t realize it. It’s quite common,”

“But…how would I have magical powers? I’ve never learned it from anywhere,”

“Some people are just born with the gift,” she grins.

You exhale, thinking over what she said. Could it be true? You’ve been a witch all your life without even knowing it?

 -

 That night, Agatha conjures another bed for you to sleep in. But even though she made it as comfortable as she possibly could, you can’t get a wink of sleep.

You lift off the blanket and wrap it tightly around you, getting up slowly and quietly. You walk outside and sit against a tree, looking up at the stars.

You’re sure your family has heard the news by now. Their disappointment of a daughter is finally gone, accused of witchcraft. It seems that the foreseeable future will be spent with Agatha, the only safe person you have.

You wonder just how much she already knows about you. She mentioned she’s heard people gossiping about you all the time in town, yet she still saved you after hearing all those negative things.

Why is that?

“Can’t sleep?”

You jump at her voice, and she chuckles a bit at your reaction.

“Sorry,” you sigh. “I just have a lot to think about from today, I guess,”

“No worries,” she sits down beside you. “So do I,”

“Agatha,” you say. “Why did you save me?”

“Us witches have to stick together. I saw you were in trouble, so I saved you,”

“But you knew, didn’t you? You’ve known I was a witch long before this, didn’t you?”

“I had my suspicions,” she agrees. “Whenever I heard people talk about you, I figured you weren’t like everyone else. But I didn’t know for sure until today,”

“I wish you had taken me before,” you huff, a few tears falling down your cheeks. “It’s been so bad, Agatha, feeling worthless just because you’re different, everyone hates you…”

She pulls you into her shoulder, letting you cry into it, “I know, dear, I know,”

 -

 It takes you a while to come to terms with your potential powers, but as soon as you’re ready Agatha begins to teach you how to use them. You spend your days studying her spell books and practicing simple spells, most of which you fail at.

She encourages you as much as possible, explaining to you that magic is not something you can learn overnight, sometimes not even over years. She tells you that she’s actually thousands of years old (a surprise to you due to her stunning looks) and she’s been practicing for much of that time, and there’s still some spells she hasn’t mastered.

Your impatience still gets the better of you most days, though. You can’t imagine waiting several centuries to get something to work, if you get it to work at all.

One day you’re sitting at the table, trying out a simple transfiguration spell. You wave your hand repeatedly at a potato, hoping to turn it into an apple. It doesn’t even wobble, not even a single spark, but you’ve been sitting here for hours and don’t want to give up just yet.

You nearly fall asleep from exhaustion when all of a sudden it happens. It works.

There’s an apple in front of you. Not a potato, an apple.

“Holy shit!” you scream. “Agatha! I did it!”

You run over to her and point at your small accomplishment.

“Look at you go, darling!” she smiles, hugging you. “At this rate you’ll be changing rocks into cats before you’re 200!”

You laugh, “Oh come on, this is literally just one of the beginner spells,”

“So what? That’s where everybody starts,”

You break out in giddy excitement again, jumping up and down a bit and looking back and forth just to make sure your creation is still there.

Without thinking, you kiss Agatha quickly on the lips.

She stares at you, mouth open.

Before you can apologize, she grabs your face and kisses you hard. She’s everything you’d imagined and more, soft and warm but with a spark you can’t ignore.

When you finally break apart, her hands linger, brushing across your features and in your hair, “I’ve been waiting to do that,”

 -

 Things change after that, but in only the best ways.

Agatha isn’t just your mentor anymore, the only friend who came to your aid.

She’s your everything now, a soulmate, your home.

You tell her all about your life, and she tells you all about hers. As she has significantly more stories to tell, you’ll fall asleep many nights to her whispering all the legends she lived through that no one else knows are true.

She makes you laugh every day, and makes sure you always know how much she cares about you. There’s only so much you can do in your hidden home in the woods, but with magic the possibilities are endless and she’s never short of romantic ideas.

Tonight you find yourself lying your head in her lap while she plays with your hair, close to the fire so you can watch the little shows she creates with the flames.

“What about love?” you ask.

“What about it?”

“Out of all the stories you’ve told me, you’ve never mentioned being in love before,”

“Well,” she sighs. “That’s because I haven’t been,”

“Why not?”

“It’s just never appealed to me,” she says. “Until I met you,”

“Oh,” you grin, looking up at her.

She leans down to kiss you, but you’re broken apart by a loud noise outside.

You shoot up, looking at Agatha in pure panic. Your heart races as the noise gets louder and louder, eventually leading to shouting and knocks at the door.

“WE FOUND YOU!” a booming voice yells.

“Aggie?” you whisper. Everything crumbles around you. Your perfect, happy life, now about to be stolen from you. You have no idea how they found you, if you are about to be dead, if you’ll be able to defend yourself at all.

She kisses you and stands up, “Stay here. I’ll take care of it,”

With a fling of her fingers the door flies open, and the torches the townspeople are holding are burnt out. She smirks, purple smoke covering the area as she goes through them one by one, some just throwing to the side and others suffering a painful death.

She turns their own weapons against them, their own people against them, and makes them regret everything they’ve ever done.

When she returns to you, you’re still in so much shock and panic you couldn’t tell exactly what she was doing.

“Did you…kill all of them?”

“They got what they deserved for threatening us,” she says nonchalantly. “But we’re not safe here anymore. It’s time to find somewhere new,”

“Okay,” you nod as she pulls you against her. “As long as I’m with you,”

“I’ll always protect you, even when you learn enough to protect yourself,” she kisses your forehead. “Always and forever,”

 APPROXIMATELY FOUR CENTURIES LATER

 “I’m back, darling!” Agatha calls, shutting the door behind her.

“How’d it go?” you run to her, grabbing her hands.

“Splendid, that poor Wanda already loves her new neighbor!”

“Wow,” you giggle. “You know I must say, this whole living in a sitcom thing isn’t that bad, you look gorgeous in that 50s dress,”

“Oh darling, somehow after all this time you still flatter me,” she pretends to fan herself. “I have to go back over real quick, alright? Gotta give her this spicy magazine,” she holds her hand up in the air and magically forms one in her grasp.

“Ah! Be sure to get some ideas to use on me when you get back,” she laugh.

“Oh I will honey,” she winks, kissing you before going out the door.

You settle on the couch, looking around at your home. Out of all the places you’ve moved to together, this was by far the weirdest. There’s no color, and everyone besides you and Agatha and Wanda are under some kind of mind control.

You never imagined that day all those years ago would bring you here, spending your life with a beautiful witch and being her partner in all things, even sinister ones. But you wouldn’t have it any other way, and you know this strange town will only bring you more opportunities to practice your magic and help Agatha with her plans.

[lisinfleur]

Things I do for her

The request:

Author’s Notes | I hope you can forgive me for how long it took to be ready. Loved this piece! I hope you guys like it too! Universe | Vikings Pairing | Alfred x Ivar’s Sister Reader Info | Viking Age AU, requested by anon for 5CW Ivar II, posted for HTGI Event Words | 1246 ⁑ Warnings: None

"I could marry him."

She saw him what? Twice in a lifetime?

And there was my little sister: wanting to solve a whole conflict between Englishmen and our men by marrying that thin rag of a man the English had the guts to call "The Great".

Beyond the phlegm of looking me in the eye and smiling at that idea, I couldn't see what else in Alfred was really that great.

"It sounds like a plan to me."

The stupidity, maybe.

"Are you suggesting you would marry my sister for an alliance with my people, is that it?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm saying I think her idea is pretty good once it would not only avoid unnecessary slaughtering between our people but, perhaps, establish a solid relationship between our crowns, my friend."

I'm not your friend! Don't call me "friend"! I wanted so bad to cut his belly open right there!

But Y/N was smiling so proud of herself and the recognition she was receiving from that stupid smile on his face... I couldn't do it.

Although it would be a pleasurable end for that content - definitely a thousand times better than seeing my sister getting married to that thin stick of a king! - I couldn't be the one responsible for the tears I would see in Y/N's eyes for him.

It was true that she never stopped babbling about Alfred since the first time she saw his slender figure.

"Have you seen his pale tone?"

"His hair is so beautiful!"

"Oh, he has a sweet smile!"

"His voice is so peaceful."

Fucking shit.

More praises and I would stab my own ears not to spend my time hearing about that Christian prince.

I knew her heart. Y/N's could have my eyes and my traces, but she wasn't like me. We were the perfect opposites, and I knew it!

She was placidity where I was wrath. Her eyes were the blue sky of a sunny day, while mine were the thin blue of the furious sea. And I knew it.

Her place wasn't beside me.

And, although it would hurt me forever, I knew it.

"What grants me my sister won't end up being burned like a witch by your superstitions bunch of Christians you call a people? uh?"

I knew it! But I wouldn't give up on her so easily!

"First of all, I'll make her the Queen of Wessex, which is already reason enough for her to be safe from the peasants," Alfred started.

"You're gonna have to give me more than that if you want me to trust you, my friend," I mocked the words. "You're asking me to give you my most precious treasure in exchange for something I could easily get by cutting your throat and slaughtering your men. Besides sparing me from the pleasure of the bloodshed, you're asking me to trust you will care for my sister and keep her safe the same way I have been doing since our father was killed. By your grandfather, by the way!" I remembered.

"Which is nothing but the second reason in my arguments, my friend. Ivar, we have been at war with each other since before we were born. Our fathers were enemies, our grandfathers before them would've been. But I'm not my father nor my grandfather. I recognize my ancestors wronged yours. And unlike them, I'm up to fix these mistakes."

"Go on," I said, bothered.

But interested in what he had to say.

He giggled, noticing my boredom.

"I've tried this first with the Danes and your brother Ubbe. But his power wasn't the same as it is yours. He wasn't the king of Kattegat. You are."

Massaging my ego won't make you come closer to my sister's skirt, my friend... I wanted to say that. But Y/N was there, beside me in my chariot. I didn't want to be... Unpolite.

"And from a king to another, I know your people want the lands I have idle around my town. I know your people have techniques that could increase our production. And I know pretty well, from my experience among the Danes, that our people can coexist. A marriage like this could turn real the dreams of your father and my own."

"And what are these dreams you call your own, King Alfred?" I asked, curious. "I know my father's dreams your kind many times has tried to use against us, to manipulate our people into believing in your God and the false promises of the same land you promise me now. But I know no dream of yours... Clarify me."

"What are the dreams of a king other than making his kingdom the greater, King Ivar?" he answered me.

Showing me some of that ambition I thought he didn't have behind that peaceful facade.

"Your people have been showing your military superiority throughout the years. Mine has the fields necessary to feed the armies, materials, and resources to supply them, the finest smithery to increase your power... Follow my thoughts, king Ivar. We've been fighting for years. What could we do together?"

Here was a fire I wasn't expecting to see inside that man's eyes. I leaned my head, looking at him with surprise.

And I rose my hand, mutely ordering my men to lower their weapons.

"I think you have something in mind that might interest me enough to make this matter something I want to discuss longer. Let us propose a truce among our men, my friend. Set the chess table for two and let us talk about these ideas of yours."

Alfred smiled, and so did my sister. His smile was full of hope. Hers was full of an amount of passion I didn't want to see in my sister's eyes towards a Christian.

"But I have to advise you..." I warned. "Do not invite me into your home planning a trap, my fellow king. I may have a huge army behind me, but I'm more than enough alone to make you pay for breaking my trust."

He knew I wasn't kidding. And Y/N knew I wasn't doing that by my own will.

But what would she ask me to do that I wouldn't do with a smile on my face? Uh?

"The truce is settled then," Alfred declared.

His men inverted the spears around us, showing the flags instead of the spikes as a sign we wouldn't make war.

My men did the same as I sighed on my chariot.

"We'll see each other again tomorrow," Alfred stated. "At the dawn, in my castle."

With what I agreed, although it was clear I wasn't willingly giving up on that fight.

"Chamomile, and wildflowers," I said, getting Alfred confused for an instant before I turned my chariot, looking at him from upon my shoulder. "Sweetened with honey. It's her favorite," I completed.

Rolling my eyes at the way Alfred's smile became a mirror of happiness reflecting my sister's blushed cheeks.

Fuck.

It would be hard to get used to how delicate my brother-in-law would be.

"Thank you, brother," Y/N's voice echoed right before her warm lips kissed my cheek.

Her body bouncing on her heels in that habit she inherited from our older brother Hvitserk to show up when she was happy.

I sighed. It would be hard indeed.

But it was for her.

I could change the whole Midgard for her.

I could do it.

For her.

Do you like my work? Support me!

Tagged ones:

|| @bluearchersstuff || @ivarswickedqueen || @akamaiden || @bang-kim-bap || @cris101071 || @elysias-temple || @alicedopey || @queen-see-ya-in-valhalla || @lol-haha-joke || @readsalot73 || @rekdreams247 || @naaladareia​ || @laketaj24​ || @therealcalicali​ || @grungyblonde​ || @arses21434 || @honestsycrets​ || @2thequietone4 || @blackspiritshake​ || @vikingsbifrost​ || @wallabieswisher || @cyarikashakira​ || @chinduda​ || @isthat-tyra98​ || @xinyourdreamsx​ || @thiahilmarsdottir​ || @queenbeeta​ || @winchesterwife27​ || @gold-dragon-slayer​ || @mzliterarydreamer​ || @youbloodymadgenius​ || @marvelouuse​ || @tgrrose​ || @lif3snotouttogetyou​ || @lordsexmachine​ || @deathbyarabbit​ || @ietss​ || @thorins-queen-of-erebor​ || @didiintheblog​ || @h-e-a-v-y-l-e-a-t-h-e-r || @heavenly1927​ || @alexhandersenx​ || @alexisshoto​ || @letsloveimagines​ || @astrape-the-weatherwitch​ || @destynelseclipsa​ || @charming-merlin​ || @violetidk​ || @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie​ || @ghvsts​ || @littlemoonchildbear​ ||

Want to be tagged? Ask me!

[tempestaurora]

in another time, a gladiator stucky au by @tempestaurora​

image IDs under the cut

IMAGE ID:

FIRST IMAGE: 

i.

 Sunlight dappled across the stone floor, casting cool, dancing shadows in the summer heat. Bucky yawned and stretched, flexing his toes into the sunspots and smiling from the warmth. He watched the newest boy to the school, a scrawny thing called Steve, stand alone in the courtyard.

He tipped his head to the side and called out, “New boy! Over here!”

Steve had straw blonde hair and eyes like the Aegean Sea. He seemed hesitant for a moment before heading over. When he arrived, he looked at Bucky like he might bite, but after sitting, he simply melted into the sunspot Bucky had found.

“You’re pretty small,” Bucky observed. “Your family sell you?”

“What? No, they didn’t.” Steve’s eyebrows furrowed; he seemed insulted by the mere notion. “Your family sell you?”

Bucky shrugged. “Indentured, actually,” he replied. “But they’re practically the same thing. Why are you here, then? You have dreams of being a gladiator?”

Steve scoffed. “No. I don’t. But it was either this or live on the streets.” He paused, twisting his fingers into his tunic. “My mater died, recently. She was all I had.”

Bucky stilled. “Oh,” he said. “Perhaps she is better off now; perhaps she is in the Land of Joy.”

Steve nodded, barely. “There are few places better than the underworld, these days.”

SECOND IMAGE:

ii.

Steve may have been small, but he was fast. He twisted and turned in combat, picked up the skills with ease, and learnt to use his size to his advantage. If he got hit, he was down, so Steve learned to avoid the punches thrown his way.

They trained year-round, through summer heat and winter snow, and soon they grew. Everything Steve learned about being small and fast was discarded when he hit his growth spurt at fourteen, suddenly taller than half his class and finally able to make the attacks, not simply dodge them. He watched Bucky often; the two of them nigh inseparable since his arrival at the school. Bucky was not a golden student, but he was a golden boy; his eyes were like Jupiter’s sky and his hair grew thick and dark in a shaggy mess.

There were few things Steve found himself caring about more than the only boy in all of Italia who knew him, inside and out.

[Beneath is a photo of  the ruins of a temple of Saturn, backlit by the sun. It is ethereal and quiet-looking, with green fields interspersed with crumbled architecture.]

THIRD IMAGE: 

iii.

 They had climbed up onto the roof of the gymnasium to gaze at the sweep of stars painted high above their town.

“Do you think you’ll be up there one day?” Steve whispered in the dark.

“In the sky?”

“The stars,” Steve clarified. “All the great heroes are immortalised in the stars.”

Bucky shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll be a hero – there’s not a drop of godly blood in me. What about you?”

“I don’t want to be a hero,” Steve replied. “I just want to travel; to see all of Italia and beyond. Pompeii and Corinth – maybe even see the Oracle of Delphi, one day.”

Bucky smiled. “I’d like that. I don’t want to be fighting forever.”

“Come with me,” Steve said. “We could go anywhere. We could go everywhere.”

Bucky stared at Steve under the star-lit sky and smiled.

FOURTH IMAGE:

iv.

                                        When they were eighteen, they moved to Rome. The Ludus Magnus gladiator school sat in spitting distance of the coliseum, and this was where they trained. They had long been learning their preferred style of combat – Steve, after shooting up and broadening, fought as a Thracian, with his broad-rimmed helmet, small rounded shield and curved sword. His only armour consisted of thigh-length grieves, while Bucky was granted a chest plate and greaves as a Dimachaerus, dual-wielding two swords.

They fought regularly in practice, but never in the ring drawn into the sand in front of an audience. There was a palpable fear Steve felt at making Bucky bleed. Some nights, he whispered prayers to whatever god might deign to listen – perhaps Mars, for war, or Venus, for love – and pleaded with them to never pit him against Bucky.

[On the right hand side is a close-up of a temple’s columns, with sunlight poking between.]

FIFTH IMAGE: 

v.

 Bucky knew Steve was watching from beyond the Gate of Life as he stepped into the ring for his first gladiatorial combat in the arena. Steve had already won his earlier that day in front of roaring crowds and amused royalty in the Emperor’s box.

Now it was Bucky’s turn, and he twisted his swords in his fingers, facing down his opponent across the ring. Bucky knew their job was to fight – fight and possibly even die – but he also knew his job was to give them all a show.

And Bucky was nothing if not a showman.

In the end, blood stained the sand a vivid red, but Bucky strode towards the Gate of Life, triumphant.

SIXTH IMAGE:

vi.

 There were always popular gladiators, and Steve didn’t know how to react, finding himself to be one of them. Women lined up outside the bathhouses he frequented; shared rumours that dipping their hairpins in his blood might bring them love, that his sweat would work as an aphrodisiac.

“I can see their point,” Bucky whispered one night, his mouth ravenous against Steve’s after a long day of training. Their bodies were always animalistic in these moments, whilst the school was empty and the others were out drinking the night away. They took everything they could get from each other; swallowed each sensation whole.

Steve never wanted these moments to end. He would throw all the glory and money away for more time with Bucky, for more nights like this.

SEVENTH IMAGE: 

vii.

 After amphitheatre fights, admirers and buyers alike would flock to the school where the gladiators lounged on cushions and benches, drinking wine and eating expensive foods. These were the nights Bucky enjoyed the most. No one was allowed to approach unless beckoned by a gladiator, and Bucky would often spend time toying with the admirers, allowing one or two over before sending them away again. Eventually, after the show, he’d slip away into the sleeping quarters or empty storage cupboard, and find Steve waiting there for him.

There was a miles-long list of things Bucky loved about Steve’s body, but number one on the list was how it fit against his own in the dark.

[Cut into the left side is a photo of the Coliseum in Rome.]

EIGHTH IMAGE:

viii.

 A few days before the festival, culminating in three days of games at the coliseum, their master told Steve and Bucky that they were scheduled to fight.

“It’ll be fine,” they told each other in the dark. “The fights rarely end in death. We’re not fighting to kill. We’re fighting to entertain.”

“We’re performers,” Bucky would say. “We’re just there to give them a good time.”

“Don’t act like no one ever dies,” Steve would reply, each and every time. “Don’t act like we haven’t killed our opponents before.” Sometimes, friends would enter the ring with them and never leave it. Sometimes, the audience called for their deaths.

It was blood lust, through and through. The men caught hold of that first splash of red and couldn’t let it go; they had to see more, they had to see death in all its forms. The gladiator could’ve fought bravely, wonderfully, and they might still end up slumped in the sand afterwards.

“Soon,” they would say, “we’ll retire and leave this for good. Soon, we’ll travel the world, like we always planned.” They would whisper lies and truths to each other, desperately tangling them together until they couldn’t tell them apart.

NINTH IMAGE:

ix.

 On the day of the fight, Steve stepped into the ring opposite Bucky and breathed in the cheering crowd; the hot, midday sun. They had kissed in the shadow of the underground corridors, and now faced each other, weapons raised, poised for battle.

It was bloody from the get-go; they were entertainers after all, and the audience was only entertained when they saw the streak of blood dampening the sand. They twisted and turned as if they were dancing, as if there was music playing and this was them, centre stage, having the time of their lives rather than anxiously hoping their blades wouldn’t cut too deep, that the bruises would soon heal.

And then Steve’s sword slashed too harshly at Bucky’s side and he faltered, hissing.

“Bucky—” Steve said, not moving in on the advantage, not moving at all.

Bucky straightened, removing his hand from his side, darkly red. “What are you doing?” Bucky asked, before raising his swords once more. “Fight me.”

“Bucky—”

“Fight me,” Bucky hissed, slamming his swords forward. Steve barely had time to raise his shield. He couldn’t stop staring at the thick blood leaking from Bucky’s ribs.

“No—”

“Steve—”

“No.”

Steve stepped back, feet almost at the ring’s edge. He dropped his shield, his sword to the sand. He held his arms out, palms towards Bucky, and said, “I won’t fight you, Bucky. Not ever again.”

So Bucky took the win, and the crowds jeered at Steve, and the Emperor held his thumb outstretched, unamused by the champion’s surrender.

“You won’t fight me,” Bucky spat, “but you’ll make me kill you instead?”

[Cut into the right hand side is an edited shot of the movie Gladiator; two gladiators rush towards each other to battle, with the crowds filling the stands. Much of the image is in shadow, with streaks of sunlight pouring down from the left side.]

TENTH IMAGE:

x.

 The sand was hot beneath Bucky’s feet; no lazy afternoon shadows in the centre of the amphitheatre. In front of him, Steve knelt facing away, his head tipped low to bare the spot at the top of his spine, all smooth skin tanned and unblemished.

The crowds roared around them and Bucky lifted his sword, pressing the tip at the base of Steve’s neck.

Steve flinched and said, just barely loud enough for Bucky to hear: “Perhaps I’ll go to Elysium… I hear there are few places better to be than the underworld, these days.”

But Bucky knew Steve would not go to Elysium. He was a warrior, but he was not dying righteously, not for fighting well. He was dying for surrendering, for caring about Bucky more than himself.

And Bucky—well he cared for Steve more than himself, too. They were the same that way. They always had been.

So Bucky stepped back, lowering his sword in his hand. He looked up to the Emperor, shadowed in his private box, and shook his head.  

“I won’t kill you, Steve,” he said, and Steve looked around in surprise, like it was really all that out of character. He held out a hand and pulled Steve to his feet, ignoring the roaring of the crowd, the anger that came from mercy.

“They’ll come for us,” Steve said, eyes wary. “They’ll kill us both.”

With one hand, Bucky cupped Steve’s cheek, thumb against his cheekbone, and with the other, he lifted the sword and twisted it. “Let them try,” he said. “But we have plans to travel the world. We’ve got no time for dying, Steve.”

And in the summer heat, they ran for the Gate of Life.

ELEVENTH IMAGE:

[A close up of two marble statues kissing.]

[END OF IMAGE ID]

[nxrthmizu]

love in bubble wraps.

fandom | haikyuu!!

pairing | kuroo tetsurou x reader

genre | fluff

w.c | 1.9k

author's note | based on a real life experience... :)

Love, you think, comes in many forms. Sometimes love is a warm, home-cooked meal that is now cooked at least once a week because you told your mother you liked it. Other times, love is laughing and crying alongside the friends you’ve known since pre-school because everyone passed their highschool finals with flying colours. Throughout our lives, we gradually come to meet the different forms of love, because it comes in all shapes, colours, and sizes.

First, we learn that love is a roof that you can always turn to when a storm blows in. Then, we learn that love is knowing that there are people who will drop everything to help you when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Lastly, we learn to interlock our fingers with the one we wish to walk to the end of time with.

Then again, love varies from person to person— Just like how the goddess of love, Aphrodite, looks different to every soul that sets its sights on her; Beauty truly lies in the eye of the beholder. For some, love comes in the form of a warm body to cuddle next to on a rainy day. For others, love comes in the form of a jewelled ring. For you, love comes in the form of a 6’2 man who still doesn’t know how to tame his bedhead.

Tetsurou is often too busy for his own good, always running around here and there to secure contracts, ensuring that Japan can make a name for itself during the Olympics. He books train tickets to opposite ends of Japan at least once a month, leaving before the sun rises and returning after it sets. The sun never dictates his work day, because while his coworkers work from nine to five, Tetsurou works until he finishes his tasks.

Okay, so your husband is a bit of a workaholic. And maybe not just a bit.

“L/N-san,” Your colleague asks one day out of sheer curiosity. A group of women are gathered around the snack station, sipping on cheap, machine-produced instant coffee as they gossip about their marital lives instead of working. “Now that I think about it… I’ve never met your husband, have I?”

“Ah,” You sweat-drop nervously at this. Wonderful— Your parents are already pressuring you about how Kuroo rarely visits with you— And now your coworkers, too? “He’s quite busy. He works very hard to make sure that we’ll be well-off in the future.” You respond, knowing that your reply is just a thinly-veiled way of saying ‘He’s rarely home,’.

“Oh, that’s awful,” Wherever you go, there’s always a middle-aged lady who has nothing better to do than to prey on the weak spots of your life, “It must feel lonely. You must feel so sad when you see my husband pick me up from work.” A smirk dances up her lips as she waits for you to walk into her trap, smiling as widely as a spider watching its incoming meal.

“Not really,” A practiced smile counters hers as you take a sip of your coffee. “I know Tetsurou loves me— There’s an unbreakable trust between us. He might not be home often, but I know that he’s working hard so that we can have a better tomorrow… And that’s sort of comforting, in a sense. Knowing that Tetsurou wishes for a future where we’re financially stable, where we can just spend a whole day doing nothing in each other’s presence…”

A chorus of ‘awws’ makes you blush. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the middle-aged coworker huff in failure. You mentally fist-pump the air at your victory.

“Anyway, I heard that you got engaged last weekend, Shiho-san,” Changing the topic quickly, you smile when the attention of all the ladies instantly redirects to the said woman, who blushes fiercely as they all coo at her ring. “Congratulations!”

“Oh my! He bought you such a beautiful ring… Ah, Shiho-san, you’re so lucky!”

“My husband also bought me a new bag last week,” The middle-aged woman chips in proudly, cocking her head towards her cubicle, where the leather handbag sits atop a tower of documents. “It’s very expensive.”

“That’s nice of him! It’s been forever since my husband bought me something.” Sighs another lady. Most of the group hums in agreement, sharing sympathetic looks with those that share the same fate.

“At the beginning, when we were still dating, Hayato used to buy me so many things, now…” The coworker that brings homemade cookies every New Years’ party says, looking dejected. “It’s like once we’re married, they don’t have to worry about making us happy anymore…”

“Ah, what about you, L/N-san? Does your husband buy you things often?”

You groan internally when the attention shifts to you once more. Honestly, you’re just there to listen and enjoy your coffee— Must you keep getting dragged into the conversation? “Well, personally I don’t really need my husband to buy me things to keep me happy, but… He does bring back trinkets whenever he travels.” You think about it for a while, then brighten when you remember the latest thing Tetsurou brought back for you.

“What is it?” Your change in expression isn’t missed by your coworkers, who preen with curiosity, excited to know what made you brighten up.

“Ah, it’s nothing… I promise, you’ll be disappointed if I tell you.” You chuckle.

“Come on!” “Be a good sport, L/N-san!” “We’re curious now, you can’t not tell us!”

“Oh, fine.” You sigh, “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

[ Three days ago, Saturday ]

You were on the couch, binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy with the Netflix subscription Tetsurou got for you to occupy yourself with while he was out of town. Your cat, Kazume (nicknamed after your husband’s best friend) lazed on your lap, yawning once in a while and swatting at the stray threads from your sweater.

Somewhere in between your fifteenth and seventeenth episode, the front door chirped with the sound of someone inserting a key into the lock. You perked up at the noise, Kazume yelping in protest as he almost slipped off.

“Oh, sorry Kazu.” You said quickly, a smile widening your lips as the front door opened.

“I’m ho—” Before your husband could finish his sentence, you were already at his side. Kazume meowed loudly from the couch, complaining about you abandoning him for another man. Tetsurou’s eyes softened, the edges of his hazel irises worn down by exhaustion. You took his laptop bag from him, as well as the folders he has in hand, balancing them like how you would balance your three grocery bags when Tetsurou wasn’t around to help. “I missed you too, but are you sure you can carry all of my files with one hand?”

“Yes!” You replied confidently, showcasing your balance as you wobbled through the living room with all of your husband’s stuff. Tetsurou’s laugh echoed through the apartment as he followed you, his reflexes coming into play as he dived for a falling file. “Oops.” You giggled, helping him up after he practically hurled himself at the floor.

Tetsurou shook his head, sighing fondly while he hugged you from the back, taking comfort in the familiar smell of your hair shampoo. “I missed you.” He mumbled.

“Me too.” You hummed, reaching back to stroke your hands through his still-untamed bedhead.

“Oh, before I forget,” Tetsurou leapt up suddenly, chucking his backpack onto the ground. “I brought back something for you!”

“I already have like, twenty-five keychains from Hyogo,” You reminded him, “Please tell me it’s not a…” Your voice trailed off when Tetsurou proudly whipped his gift from his backpack, hazel eyes shining for your reaction.

“... So?” Tetsurou grinned widely, like a five-year-old child holding up his drawing for his mother to critique.

“Oh my god, I love you.” You declared in your 80 sq ft kitchen, grabbing the gift from him. “I’ll clean up your stuff, go take a bath and we can have dinner while watching the…'' You pursed your lips as you try to recall the information that kept evading you like an annoying fly. “... 15th? 16th episode of Grey’s.”

“You started that without me? I said I wanted to watch that.” Tetsurou pouted petulantly like a child.

“I finished all the other stuff I wanted to watch,” You told him unapologetically. “And Kazume wanted to watch it too. Now hurry and take a bath or I’m starting without you.”

Twenty minutes later, you were cuddled up to your husband, who did not bother to comb his hair (“It’ll just be messy later anyway,” His reasoning was). Every few seconds, he would scoop some cold mash potato out of the giant bowl (The two of you were too impatient to heat it with the microwave) and feed you. All throughout the episode, there was the constant pop-pop-pop of you working your way through the giant piece of bubble wrap Tetsurou had brought home for you.

“You know, I was thinking,” You hummed as Tetsurou pressed ‘Next Episode’. “If It were any other woman, they might have slapped you for bringing just bubble wrap home after a whole week away.”

“Well, then I’m lucky that you aren’t ‘any other woman’, am I?” Your husband smiled, pressing a gentle kiss onto your lips before picking up the mash potato bowl again. “Are we just going to have mashed potatoes for dinner?”

“I bought spicy instant noodles yesterday, we can have that later if you want.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

[ Present, Tuesday ]

“That’s actually so sweet of him!” Your colleague coos as you finish your story. “Wish I had a husband like that…'' Even the middle-aged lady begrudgingly nods in agreement. For a moment, you feel a surge of pride— It was your husband they were talking about— Your sweet, hardworking, dork of a 6’2 bedhead.

“You wouldn’t be able to survive.” Another lady snorts. “That guy is away for weeks at a time.”

You hum. “Well, at least he calls back every night, regardless of how tired he is.” In the corner of your mind, you remember that he makes sure to call his grandmother every weekend, and that he sends his parents (and grandparents) money every month, that he visits your parents the first Sunday after he’s back from his trips— Not to mention that he always brings a gift of wellness products (The most recent one was a box of abalone).

The group of women swoon once more.

“Well, I guess we should get back to work,” You dispose of your paper cup in the trash, brushing your hands off. “See you ladies later.”

The moment you’re back at your desk, you take out your phone to text your husband, who is, no doubt, going to be very, very confused.

[ y/n ] 2.37pm

— we have a problem

[ tetsu <3 ] 2.39pm

— what’s wrong???

[ y/n ] 2.38pm

— i may have accidentally caused 20 women in my office to fall in love with you

[ tetsu <3 ] 2.38pm

— what ???

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

you know it's love when your dad comes home with this giant piece of bubble wrap and your mom literally squeals and snatches it to immediately start popping it on the couch while browsing facebook on her ipad

[smol-and-grumpy]

What I Want Most - Four

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: Dean’s life has been all work and no play lately. When Gabe, his friend, coerced him into tagging along to a club, he couldn’t say no as Gabe has been pestering him for a while now. What Dean didn’t expect was that he’d meet his match in that club in the form of a stunning woman with underlying daddy issues.

Warnings: Daddy kink (by now, this is a given), teasing, rough sex, face fuck

Word Count: 2707

Beta’d by: @deanwanddamons​​​​ <3

Series Masterlist ~ SPN Masterlist

As Dean had promised her, he helped her with the presentation in the morning right after they had gotten into the office.

They were running a little late since she had trouble concealing the marks he had left on her. He watched her trying to conceal it while he leaned against the door frame, his fingers working on his tie.

He almost let it slip out that he didn’t want that, didn’t want her to conceal it, but he knew better than to be a dick.

Something clicked in him though as he watched her. Something that made his heart swell because having her at his place, having her in his apartment, in his bed, breathing the same air, being together in a confined space, all of that didn’t bother him at all. And even though they barely know each other, he still thinks he knows enough. At least it’s enough for him to think that he'd like her here permanently. There’s just this sense of familiarity that he can’t shake off even if he’d try. 

Dean knows that he shouldn’t go there. Not yet. Too early people would say. Just right, is what he thinks.

 *

 In the afternoon, Dean’s at his desk preparing for the next meeting while she’s still out at another meeting. They have way too many of those, if he’s being honest. However, he thinks it’s fun to rile her up. He’s seen that she took her phone with her and her laptop too, but sending things to her laptop seems to be a bit risky so he opts for her phone. 

Dean whips his dick out, gives it a couple of strokes, and it doesn’t take long for his little friend to stand erect. No wonder, he’s been horny all morning and he hopes that the execs have their answer by the end of the week because honestly, Dean doesn’t think he’d survive another week with a constant boner and impure thoughts. 

He takes a picture, making sure that the drop of precum glistens so that she can see. He sends it out to her, typing in some words for emphasis. 

 D: [image]

D: Wish you could get out of the meeting earlier and hop on daddy’s dick

 That was a good one. Dean chuckles to himself as he places his phone back on his desk. He also now has to push his boner back into his pants and it’s really not comfortable. He doesn’t really know if he’s torturing her or torturing himself with the stunt he just pulled.

While he thought it was a good idea, somehow after more thinking, he thinks it’s the worst idea, but he can’t change it anymore now and has to probably suffer the consequences.

He doubts that she’ll answer him and thank god he’ll be gone and sitting in another meeting when hers is finished. That way he might not feel her wrath and by the time he gets out of the meeting, she maybe will have forgotten about it. 

The clock ticks and Dean has never wished for time to move faster right about now. In fifteen minutes he can go to his meeting. He even wonders if he should leave his office earlier. Go get coffee and chat to Garth who’s probably already there in the meeting anyway because he’s a fucking nerd.

Dean flinches when the door to their office opens earlier than expected. Tries to act like he doesn’t fucking know what’s going on when she closes the door and storms into the room. 

Y/N drops her laptop and her phone loudly onto her desk before she walks over to stand next to him. Dean still acts like he’s occupied, doesn’t spare her a glance.

“What the fuck, Dean!” She’s shouting and that’s when Dean tilts his head to see her standing with her hands braced on her hips. 

Oh, she’s angry, alright. But she looks absolutely cute.

“What?” He feigns innocence.

“The picture!” 

Another shout. Dean’s happy the office is soundproof. The only place sound could spill out is through the cracks of the door.

“Well,” He rolls his chair back, putting on his best cocky smirk, too. Because now the only way is forward, “Did you like it?”

“My God, Dean,” 

“Ah,” He wriggles his fingers, crooks it, and beckons her closer with it, “Who am I again?”

“You have to pull that card, don’t you?” She pouts and it’s then that he knows that he has won.

“Yeah,” Dean nods with a smile as he pats his thigh, “C’mon, you know you want it,” 

She licks her lips, and looks at the door.

“Nobody’s going to come in and if someone does, I can hide you under our joint desk.”

“Fine,” She exhales and walks the two feet over, she pushes her skirt up to be able to sit down more comfortably, facing away from him. 

He’s still hard and she starts to grind as his hands travel up her thigh. As his fingers graze the fabric of her panties, he feels it wet.

Dean lets out a groan, “Baby girl, you’re soaked,”

“Mmh,” She hums and lays her head against the crook of his neck. Her lips graze his skin and she starts to nibble at his flesh. Dean can’t resist that even if he wanted to.

“Did daddy do this to you, huh?”

“Uh-huh,”

“Want me to shove my fat cock into your pussy, baby? Make it a little better?” He doesn’t wait for an answer, his fingers go to his zipper, pulling out his cock that still hung out of his underwear. 

He repositions her when he has it out, slapping the hard meat against her wet pussy, making her moan, “Sit on it,”

She lifts herself up a little and pushes her panties to the side before she sits down on his cock. Dean slides in easily. She’s fucking soaked. He lets out a groan as she leans back. His hand goes to her head, tilts it so that he can kiss her sweet lips. 

“So good, baby,” He whispers against her mouth, “So fucking good for me,”

Their movements are slow, shallow, and she’s needy because he can’t reach deep enough, so she sits up straighter to take him further in. Her hands are braced on the desk, and fuck, it’s good. So fucking perfect when she bounces on his cock. 

Dean’s lost in the moment, lost in her when his phone rings. 

“Who’s it?” He asks as she is closer to his office phone. 

“Garth,” She says in between pants.

That’s the moment he realizes that he should be in a meeting and by the look at the clock, one that has already started seven fucking minutes ago. 

“Fuck,” He pushes her off him and scrambles up, pushing his wet cock back into his pants as he threads through his hair one-handed. He shoves his phone into his pocket and takes the laptop with him only realizing when he reaches the door that she’s been laughing.

That little brat.

He stalls by the door, what’s those couple of minutes going to do anyway, and looks back at her, “You did it on purpose, didn’t you? Agreeing to fuck me and make me forget my meeting?”

Y/N shrugs, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dean?”

“You know what? I’m almost proud of you, but tell you what. You want dirty? You can have dirty, you little brat,”

He storms out and lets the door slam close. Just for the dramatic effect.

 *

 Well, Dean should have seen it coming. He made his bed and now he has to lay in it. 

Halfway into the meeting, she sent him texts too. A picture of her wet cunt, two fingers deep in them. 

Y/N: Daddy, my pussy needs attention

He’s grumpy, still.

 D: Baby, this is the payback?

 Y/N: No, the fuck was the payback. Now I’m just really needy

D: You are definitely something else

 Y/N: Find an excuse?

Y/N: No one can take care of me as you do

Y/N: Please?

 D: Baby, seriously, I can’t. They just said that we’ll stay to have a meeting with Hong Kong so I guess it’s going to be late. Can you come by tonight?

 Y/N: No

 Dean frowns. Well, not that she’s not allowed to say no but ugh, he would really love to spend the night with her again.

 D: No?

 Y/N: Yeah, got an early presentation, remember? Can’t be late again so I rather not sleepover at yours.

 D: How about I come sleep at yours?

 Y/N: Is my pussy worth for you to make your way across town just to sink your cock into for a couple of minutes?

 D: First of all, it’s not going to be just a couple of minutes, alright? Second of all, Yes. Worth all that and so much more.

 Y/N: Guess I’ll see you then.

Y/N: [Address]

Y/N: Apartment 265

 D: Can’t fucking wait, baby

 Y/N: [image]

Y/N: Me neither

 Fuck. The picture is of her spread legs with her dripping pussy and one finger up her ass. Dean bites on his bottom lip so as not to fucking groan out loud.

 *

 After the meeting, Dean went back home to pack some things for an overnight stay, and on his way over to her apartment, he had a flash of an idea of how to prank her. 

Y/N wants to do it the dirty way so he’s going to give her that. It’s what he promised after having been tricked into fucking her and totally missed the start of the meeting, and Dean knows an opportunity when he sees one. She’ll probably be mad. Actually, he knows that she will.

 *

 As soon as Dean steps through the door, she attacks him just like he did her. She kneels right down, her hands working on his belt while Dean hasn’t even had the chance to set his duffel down. She’s only in a large shirt, probably doesn’t wear anything underneath, at least that’s what Dean hopes. Clothes are way overrated with them. 

“Woah,” He whispers, “Easy tiger,”

She smiles up at him with a glint of mischief. 

Dean’s fond of that look, comes to fucking love it on her. It suits her personality. She’s the type who doesn’t settle for any less than what she deserves and strives to get the best out of life by taking what she thinks she’s earned. 

And in that moment, she thinks she deserves his cock.

He sets his duffel down, strokes the hair back on her head as he lets her pull down his zipper. Before she can pull down his underwear, though, Dean threads his fingers in her hair, one hand gripping the side of her arm to pull her up. 

His mouth is on hers, kissing her, tongue going in deep, almost making her choke. One hand squeezes her cheek when he breaks the kiss, and then he growls low, “Do you think you deserve my cock after the shit you pulled?”

“Please,” She whines.

“Yeah,” He chuckles, “Beg for it, baby girl,”

“Please, daddy, can I suck your cock?”

He pecks her lips once, “Sounds good, keep going,”

“Please, please, please,” She begs, “Please, I really want your cock, daddy,”

Dean grins, but he doesn’t let her go yet. Instead, he picks her up, carries her over to the small and round dining table, lays her on it with her head dipping off the edge. 

“You want this?” He rubs his clothed dick on her face, “Huh? Tell me how much you want my cock, baby,”

“Please, daddy,” She whines, “I want it so much,”

His hand goes to his underwear with a smile, fingers hooking into the fabric, pulling them down below his balls. His dick springs free, slaps wetly against his lower abdomen and she swallows down the drool in her mouth. 

He lays his heavy sac on her forehead, while he slaps his dick down on her face and she’s a good girl because she opens her mouths, sticks her tongue out for him to rub his shaft up and down on. 

Sex with her is by far the best he had and even though he hasn’t known her that long, he knows exactly how far he can go, knows what turns her on. 

“Look at you, baby, so eager for my cock,” He coos and he pulls her back by her armpit just a little, letting her head hang lower over the edge of the table, “You ready? Tap out anytime, okay, baby?”

Y/N nods, Yes, daddy,”

“Good girl,” Dean whispers and pushes the tip of his cock into her awaiting mouth. He slowly starts to fuck in and out of it, shallow at first, “Sucking my cock so fucking good, baby,” 

Both his hands go to her shirt, pulling it apart by the seam and there’s a sound of protest but it’s muffled by his cock in her mouth.

“I’ll get you a new shirt,” He chuckles.

Dean's hands are now playing with her exposed tits while he thrusts his dick in and out of her mouth, stopping occasionally to let her catch a breath. His hand goes further down her body at the same time his dick goes further down her throat, until he cups her pussy in his hand and starts to rub at her clit. 

She’s soaked. He fucking loves how wet she gets. Loves to bury his face in it, thinks that he should let her sit on his face, smother him with her pussy, but that’s for some other time or later or tonight, he hasn’t decided yet.

The sound of her gagging on his cock is loud in the room and Dean makes sure to pull back every time he thinks she needs a break. His fingers are now fucking into her wet cunt and she moans with her mouth full, the vibrations tickling his dick. 

He begins to fuck her harder the closer he feels he gets to his release. His hand has abandoned her cunt, but he slapped down on it, just to make her yelp up with his cock in her mouth, it’s a feeling out of this world. His hands work their way up her body again and he grabs one tit, uses it as a fucking handle to hold on to while he fucks her throat. His other hand goes to her throat, touches it, and presses down on it to feel his dick through her skin and flesh.

Fuck. 

Feeling himself in her throat makes him want to come faster. 

“Where do you want daddy to come, huh?” He asks, knowing that she can’t answer, “You want me to come down your throat, baby?”  

She hums.

Dean takes that as a yes. He comes with a deep growl, fucking into her harder, buries his dick inside as far as he can go. As he comes, his whole body trembles. She’s tapping. She’s fucking tapping and it’s because Dean still doesn’t pull back. With another growl, he pulls back, taking his dick out of her throat and it comes out sloppy with cum still attached to its tip and her tongue. 

“Jesus Christ!” He groans as he turns her around and pulls her up so that she’s kneeling on the dining table. 

He kisses her hard, rough, tastes himself in her mouth.

“Good girl,” Dean smiles against her lips, “You’re such a fucking good girl, baby. So good for me,” He strokes her hair back, sees her looking at him teary-eyed and tired, but there’s still that fucking glint in her eyes. She’s up for more already, he knows.

Fucking insatiable.

“You get your reward for being a good girl, okay?” 

“‘K,” She nods.

“I want you to sit on my face, let me take care of my girl before I can fuck you again,” Dean leaves his forehead on hers, kisses her nose softly, “Would you like that, huh?”

She doesn’t answer, but she nods with a big smile. 

“‘K,” He whispers, as he pecks her lips, “C’mon, let's get you to bed,”

Chapter Five

Please share your thoughts with me, I’d love to hear your feedback.