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morningstargirl666 · 22 days ago

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hi, how's it going? love tbbw and all your other works! any wips in progress?

im fairly new to the fandom and was looking for a few good kc authors...any recs for fics and/or authors?

Hi! Thanks so much for enjoying tbbw! I'm not really working on anything else other that tbbw right now, but I do have a ghost!caroline au somewhere in my pile of drafts, as well as the next chapter for Divided We Fall and Songs of the Sea --- not that they're anywhere near finished 😂.

But if you meant what I'm working on for tbbw currently, I'm up to the old chapter 30, which is now split between chapter 41 and 42 in the rewrite (yes, it became two chapters --- not at all SHOCKING). I'll share something I worked on just last night under the cut.

As for kc authors.... so many good ones! @cupcakemolotov / cupcakemolotov and @lalainajanes / LalainaJ and @lynyrdwrites have hundreds (and I mean that literally) of kc fics under their belts, spanning dozens of aus. @bellemorte180 / BelleMorte180 also has done a ton of aus with many of them multichaps --- my favourite of hers is a one-shot called The Howling. @helpless-in-sleep / perfectpro has written an absolutely transcendant fic that deals with Caroline's trauma with Damon and I'm told her Adams Family AU is a kicker too. @little-miss-sunny-daisy / sunnydaisy has written a mix of brilliant aus and canon divergence fics, much like perfectpro. If you're into canon divergence and multichaps, @stars-and-darkness / for_darkness_shows_the_stars is your gal. @ks-caster / KS-Caster is much the same. It's not personally my thing, but if you liked the baby plot, @galvanizedfriend / Yokan has got you covered with The Wolf. @kirythestitchwitch / KiryTheStitchWitch is currently organising @klarolinewinterexchange which will release some new fics into the wild soon, and her own fics are legendary too.

If you want to check out some relatively new authors (that I've met recently anyway) there's @accidental-rambler , @artemisravencourtney , @impossiblekryptonitecolor , @averseunhinged and probably many more I'm forgetting. And because I can't leave my fellow kc artists unmentioned, @certifiedceraunophile @the-road-betwixt @stardust414 @push1na @highgaarden have all done some Queen Shit in this fandom and need to recieve more love, so go check them out.

As promised, here's a little sneak peak for tbbw --- Sam is NOT having a good time hehehehehe

Turns out, getting shot in the head was just as pleasant as it sounds.

The pain was unlike anything else when he woke; like a hot poker had just been shoved right through his skull, searing through the tissue behind his eyes. But before that, before he became aware of the pain, woke to the world around him — there was the in-between.

A vampire’s soul didn’t cross to the Other Side when they were ‘killed’, even though their bodies imitated the process of dying. They were clinically dead to the rest of the world when their necks snapped, or when a wooden bullet was put between their eyes. And even as the magic that kept Sam from true death began healing his body, the cells in his brain had already started dying, releasing one desperate flood of DMT before the lights went out, dreaming bigger than he’d ever dreamed before. Some see their life flash before their eyes; memories skittering across your brain, full of loved ones and friends, mixing with a firework display of imagination to create one last delirium-induced fever dream.

Sam, well.

Sam saw Riley.

She’d been little, when they were taken. Barely just older than four. He remembered she had their mom’s eyes; their mom’s laugh. During those dark days, deep underground, where no one could hear them scream—

He’d have given anything to make her laugh. He managed to, once or twice; coerced a smile from that small, innocent face.

That face, in all its deathly stillness, was the last thing he had seen before Lycaon’s venom had torn its way through his body, setting his blood on fire. Lycaon had been too late to save her, nearly too late to save him.

The bite was always a gamble; a simple toss of a coin. Life? Or death?

That day, Sam had lived.

But his sister had died.

And all those memories; that kaleidoscope of horrors that warped and twisted behind his eyelids rushed to the surface, lingering like a wraith as he woke, hissing in his ears. His expression twisted with pain as the agony inside his head split his skull open, and for minute, he thought it was the witches, twisting their magic into his blood vessels with cruel fingers and making them explode—

“He’s awake! He’s awake!” a voice shouted to others, out of place in such memories.

The vervain hit Sam next. Suddenly he found himself coughing, rolling over as harsh breaths shook his entire body, struggling to breathe through the poison in the air.

“Ask if Klaus is alive–” another voice was saying, further away and distinctly male.

“Hybrid!” someone else yelled over them. “You lying, traitorous excuse of a lap dog. Where’s my brother? Is he alive? Answer me!”

Sam’s eyes shot open. His fingers scrambled over his forehead, digging into the wound in the middle of it, wincing at the pain and wheezing in every breath of vervain-infused air, pulling out something close to the surface. It dropped to the floor amongst the hay and dirt, a sharp, pointed thing; a wooden bullet.

The fuck?

“Sam, thank god,” someone near him said; the one who had spoken first. He looked up, meeting concerned, kind eyes. Her face blurred, Sam’s eyes tearing up from the sting of vervain. Her voice sounded urgent, trying to reach him through the wooden, barred walls. “Are you okay? Sam, can you hear me?”

Wait… barred?

He stared at her fingers, wrapped around an iron bar to the right. Like a cage.

Sam looked up, eyes moving around the pen he was caged in, gaze roaming the walls; from the barred window slightly higher up and the locked cell door, to the vervain misting in the air, blowing out of the fans in the corner of the room. When he spoke, it was just one word, but the sheer desperation in his voice, the fear, like he was pleading for a lie, struck a horror in him so deep, everyone heard it.

“No.”

It was bigger than the ones the witches kept him, the walls haphazardly reinforced together, rather than meticulously organised — premeditated — but the feeling was the same. He could feel the walls closing in, the dread — the knowing — that there was no escape suffocating him more successfully than the vervain. Helpless. Forgotten. Left to rot in the dark and the cold.

And this time — alone.

“Sammy? I’m scared.”

He choked, but not from the vervain. He rolled onto his back, scrambling away from the cell door in front of him like it was a terrifying beast and not a simple meld of iron and hinges.

“It’s alright, Ry. Someone will come, you’ll see.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.” A pause; followed by movement in the dark. “Pinky swear?”

A quiet, sniffled giggle. “Pinky swear.”

Sam stared at the cell door in horror, beginning to shake his head back and forth, repeating that same word over and over.

“No, no, no, no, no, no-”

His hand came up to clutch his hair, pulling so harshly at the strands it hurt, just as his back hit the wall behind, nowhere left to run.

“Sam! Sam!” Caroline yelled, trying to get his attention. “What’s the matter?”

Sam couldn’t hear her.

“Dad says you lost your younger brother,” he’d asked Klaus once, when the man had still hated him, sneering whenever he came close.

“I don’t talk about it.”

“That’s alright,” Sam had said back, looking out across the woods, leant on the cabin’s balcony. “I don’t talk about it either.”

Klaus hadn’t said a word, but he’d looked at him. And then his face had softened. In the silence that followed, for the first time, they found some common ground.

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acourtofquestions · 2 months ago

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Kingdom of Ash Chapter 64

Chapter; Highlights

Hours later, Yrene was still shaking.

At the disaster they'd narrowly avoided, at the deaths she'd witnessed before that wave had struck, at the power of the queen on the plain. The power of the prince who had prevented the ensuing steam from boiling alive any caught in its path.

Yrene had thrown herself back into healing during the chaos since. Had left the royals and their commanders to oversee the aftermath, and had returned to the Great Hall. Healers drifted onto the battlefield, searching for those in need of help.

All of them, every single person in the keep or the skies or on the battlefield, kept glancing toward the now-empty gap between two mountain peaks. Toward the flooded, decimated city, and the demarcation line between life and death. Water and debris had destroyed most of Anielle, the former now trickling toward the Silver Lake.

A vision of what would have been left of them, were it not for Aelin Galathynius.

She'd been asked to inspect the queen when she'd been carried in to a private chamber by Prince Rowan, the two of them borne off the plain by Nesryn. Yrene hadn't been able to stop her hands from shaking as she'd hovered them over Aelin's unconscious body.

There had been no sign of harm beyond a few already-healing cuts and slices from the battle itself.

Nothing at all beyond a sleeping, tired woman.

Who held the might of a god within her veins.

Yrene had then inspected Prince Rowan, who looked in far worse shape, a sizable gash snaking down his thigh. But he'd waved her off, claiming he'd come too near a burnout, and just needed to rest as well.

So Yrene had left them, only to tend to another.

—

To Lorcan, whose injuries ... Yrene had needed to summon Hafiza to help her with some of it. To lend her power, since Yrene's had been so depleted.

The unconscious warrior, who had apparently tumbled right off Farasha as he and Elide had passed through the gates, didn't so much as stir while they worked on him.

That had been hours ago. Days ago, it felt.

Yes, she needed to rest.

But a horn, clear and bright, blared from outside.

Everyone halted-then rushed to the windows. Yrene's smile grew as she, too, found a place to peek out over the battlefield.

To where the rest of the khagan's army, Prince Kashin at its front, marched toward them.

Thank the gods. Everyone in the hall muttered similar words.

From the keep, an answering horn sang its welcome.

Not just one army had been spared here today, Yrene realized as she turned back to the water station. If that wave had reached Kashin.

…

Lucky. They had all been so, so very lucky.

Yet Yrene wondered how long that luck would last.

If it would see them through the brutal march northward, and to the walls of Orynth itself.

Lorcan let out a low groan as he surfaced from the warm, heavy embrace of darkness.

"You are one lucky bastard."

Too soon. Too damn soon after hovering near death to hear Fenrys's drawl.

Fenrys's smirk was a slash of white.

"You've been out for a day. I drew the short stick and had to look after you."

A lie. For whatever reason, Fenrys had chosen to be here.

Lorcan thumped his head back on the pillow. "Elide." Her name was a rasp on his tongue.

The last he remembered, they'd ridden through the gates, Aelin Galathynius's unholy power spent. Then oblivion had swept in.

"Helping with the healing in the Great Hall," Fenrys said, stretching out his legs before him.

Lorcan closed his eyes, something tight in his chest easing.

"Well, since you're not dead," Fenrys began, but Lorcan was already asleep.

Lorcan awoke later. Hours, days, he didn't know.

The candle was still burning on the narrow windowsill, down to its base. Hours, then.

He didn't care. Not when the dim light revealed the delicate woman lying facedown on the end of his cot, the lower half of her body still on the wooden chair where Fenrys had been. Her arms cradled her head, one outstretched toward him. Reaching for his hand, mere inches from hers.

Elide.

Her dark hair spilled across the blanket, across his shins, veiling much of her face.

Wincing at the lingering ache in his body, Lorcan stretched his arm just enough to touch her fingers. They were cold, their tips so much smaller than his. They contracted, pulling away as she sucked in a sharp, awakening breath.

Lorcan savored every feature as she grimaced at a crick in her neck. But her eyes settled on him. She went still as she found him staring at her, awake and utterly in awe of the woman who had ridden through hell to find him ...

Tired. She looked spent, yet her chin remained unbowed.

Lorcan had no words. He'd given her everything on the back of that horse anyway.

But Elide asked, "How do you feel?" Aching. Exhausted. Yet finding her sitting at his bedside... "Alive," he said, and meant it.

Her face remained unreadable, even as her eyes dipped to his body. The blanket had slid down enough to reveal most of his torso, though it still hid the scarred-over wound in his abdomen. Yet he'd never felt so keenly naked.

It was an effort to keep his breathing steady beneath her sharp-eyed gaze. "Yrene said you would have died, if they hadn't gotten to you when they did."

"I would have died," he said, voice like gravel, "if you hadn't braved hell to find me." Her gaze lifted to his. "I made you a promise."

"So you said."

Was that a hint of color stealing across her pale cheeks? But she didn't balk. "You said some interesting things, too."

Lorcan tried to sit up, but his body gave a burst of pain in protest.

Elide explained, "Yrene warned that though the wounds are healed, some soreness will linger."

Lorcan gritted his teeth around the sharp stab in his back, his stomach. He managed to get onto his elbows, and deemed that progress enough. "It's been a while since I was so gravely injured. I'd forgotten what an inconvenience it is."

A faint smile tugged on her mouth.

His heart halted. The first smile she had given him in months and months. Since that day on the ship, when he'd touched her hand as they'd swayed in their hammocks.

Her smile faded, but the color on her cheeks lingered. "Did you mean it? What you said." He held her stare. Let some inner wall within him come crumbling down. Only for her. For this sharp-eyed, cunning little liar who had slipped through every defense and ironclad rule he'd ever made for himself. He let her see that in his face. Let her see all of it, as no one had ever done before. "Yes."

Her mouth tightened, but not in displeasure.

So Lorcan said softly, "I meant every word." His heart thundered, so wildly it was a wonder she couldn't hear it. "And I will until the day I fade into the Afterworld."

Lorcan didn't breathe as Elide gently reached out her hand. And interlaced their fingers. "I love you," she whispered.

He was glad he was lying down. The words would have knocked him to his knees. Even now, he was half inclined to bow before her, the true owner of his ancient, wicked heart.

"I have loved you," she went on, "from the moment you came to fight for me against Vernon and the ilken." The light in her eyes stole his breath. "And when I heard you were somewhere on that battlefield, the only thing I wanted was to be able to tell you that. It was the only thing that mattered."

Once, he might have scoffed. Declared that far bigger things mattered, in this war especially. And yet the hand grasping his ... He'd never known anything more precious.

Lorcan ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "I am sorry, Elide. For all of it."

"I know," she said softly, and no regret or hurt dimmed her face. Only clear, unwavering calm shone there. The face of the mighty lady she was growing into, and had already become, and who would rule Perranth with wisdom in one hand and compassion in the other.

They stared at each other for minutes. For a blessed eternity.

Then Elide untangled their hands and rose. "I should return to help Yrene."

Lorcan caught her hand again. "Stay."

She arched a dark brow. "I'm only going to the Great Hall."

Lorcan caressed his thumb over the back of her hand once more. "Stay," he breathed.

For a heartbeat, he thought she'd say no, and was prepared to be fine with it, to accept these last few minutes as more of a gift than he'd deserved.

"Say it," she whispered, fingers stilling in his hair. Lorcan opened his eyes, finding her gaze. "I love you."

"Yrene said you might always have this," she said, her hand mercifully falling away.

"Then it will be the scar I treasure most."

Fenrys would laugh until he cried to hear him speak this way, but Lorcan didn't care. To hell with the rest of them.

Another one of those small smiles curved her lips, and Lorcan's hands tightened in the sheets with the effort it took not to taste that smile, to worship it with his own mouth.

But this new, fragile thing humming between them ... He would not risk it for all the world.

Elide, thank the gods, had no such worries.

None at all, it seemed, as she lifted a hand to his cheek and ran her thumb along it. Every breath was an effort of control.

Lorcan held absolutely still as she brought her mouth to his. Brushed her lips across his own.

She pulled back. "Rest, Lorcan. I'll be here again when you wake."

Anything she asked, he'd give her.

Anything at all.

Too shaken by that soft, beautiful kiss to bother with words, he lay back down.

But until then, he wanted her here. Sleeping at his side, where he might watch over her. As she had watched over him.

Elide seemed to read that on his face, and her cheeks reddened further. "Later, then," she breathed, limping to the door.

Lorcan sent a flicker of his power to wrap around her ankle. The limp vanished.

A hand on the knob, she gave him a small, grateful nod. "I missed that."

He heard the unspoken words as she disappeared into the busy hall.

I missed you.

Lorcan allowed himself a rare smile.

#Chapter 64 #Kingdom of Ash #Sarah J. Maas #Yrene Towers #no spoilers please #first read #read with me #read along #First Read along with me NO SPOILERS PLEASE though warning for post & tags up to KoA 64 & more reacts/notes/quotes in tags below #Elorcan #Yrene-Shaking-Queen&prince quote a pair-Blood glowing-the Line-No time for those levels-He watched her #A tired sleeping woman who held the might of good within her veins-He can heal himself but should take the help but also sweet #to want to tend each another-Carranam with hafiza? How do the healers work-a smile-another prince has arrived-not just one-luck again #GET TO ORYNTH-LorcanLIVES-Fenrys-Darkness embraces him-lol-Their fight-Chosen-Since you’re not dead?-A candle to tell time #A kindness-His hand-Utterly in awe-Through hell to find him-He’d given her every word-Aching exhausted alive&he meant it-#I made a promise-Didn’t balk-😂-Inconvenience-She smiled2-Forgiveness can you imagine🥹-Only for her-For this sharp eyed —#cunning little liar who had slipped through every defense-Let her see all of it-Many loves kindling-poor Gavriel just avoiding everything #What then?-So Lorcan said softly-Every word-And I will-I love you-I will be with you always-I have loved you-He was glad he was lying down -#-so he didn’t pass out-the light of her stole his breath-Since vernon-The only thing that mattered-Most precious-For all of it-#A mighty lady of Perranth-History repeats-I know-With wisdom in one hand and compassion in the other-A blessed eternity-Stay #ALL THESE STAY LINES-So Close-Defiant storm-All these ship making me nervous it’s going to well don’t hurt my bbs-The scar I treasure-BOTH-#Fenrys would laugh talking this way-He would not risk it for all the world-She wasn’t worried for once-Anything at all-I’ll be here #Soft beautiful lingering-Sweet who would’ve thought he’s a lil softie after all-Unbreakable-Dundundun-Watch over him #Driving eachother insane but in a hot way lol-I missed that-I missed you-The brace -Lorcan smiledAGAIN2times-No cages ever again #WELCOME HOME KASHIN YOU ARE GOOD NEWS WE NEEDED YOU #what’s the speech Fenrys?-never known anything more precious yeah that’s elide

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johnsbleu · 1 year ago

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Hold My Hand: John Wick x Reader Chapter 163

warnings: nsfw! hmh masterlist

After letting yourself cry for a bit, you decide it’s at least time to get up to the house and see Ronan. You want to see her since she always cheers you up, but you’re not ready to talk to John. You can’t really avoid him since he’s definitely still in the house, but you’re not ready to talk to him--he knows that too. He knows you’ll come to him when you are.

When you open the door, John leans over from the kitchen and gives you a small smile. He goes back to what he’s doing though. He’s just checking that you’re coming in. You make your way up to Ronan’s room and smile to yourself when you see her asleep in her crib, and you fight the urge not to crawl in there and lay down with her.

“I love you, bug.” you whisper to her, then you leave her be.

You reach for your phone in your back pocket and text Tess: Girls’ night? Me, you, Amanda. It’s urgent.

Tess texts back immediately: YES!

Turning in your room, you make your way to your closet and go through your clothes for tonight. You just want to have a nice night with Amanda and Tess where you can vent about what’s going on. Sometimes you just really need your friends.

“So…” John clears his throat, and you turn to look at him--he just looks sad, but you’re not going to fall for those brown eyes. Definitely not the soft puppy dog eyes he’s giving you.

Don’t give in. Don’t give in.

“I’m going to go out with Tess and Amanda.”

John nods, “I figured.”

You look over your shoulder again when he sits down on the bed and watches you, “I thought you said you were going to give me space.”

“I was, but…” he looks at you and sighs loudly, “This is killing me, Y/N.”

“Imagine how I feel.” you say back, and he looks down. “You made me feel like an idiot when you allowed your ex to be hired. I’m so fucking embarrassed. I--you know what, I don’t want to talk about it now. Give me space.”

John stands up and wipes his hands on his jeans as he looks at you, “Okay.”

You two look at each other for a moment before he steps closer to you. Of course you don’t flinch or back away from him when he comes closer to you, and you close your eyes and lean against his chest when he hugs you. It feels nice to be in his arms despite the fact that you’re still mad at him. He kisses the top of your head, then he tilts your chin up and kisses you softly. You kiss him back, of course.

“I love you,” he whispers, and you keep your eyes closed. “We’ll talk when you get home?”

You nod, “Yup.”

“Okay.” he kisses you once more, then he gently runs a finger along your jawline, “Be safe. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will,” you smile softly but it doesn’t reach your eyes, “I love you too.”

John inhales deeply and swallows before he turns around and leave your room.

It’s annoying that he’s so damn cute.

Not that you were expecting to feel better from some drinks, but you expected to at least be able to put it aside for a little bit. But you can’t. It’s right there in the front of your brain, just waiting for you. No matter how much you ignore it, it just sits there and waits for you to pay attention to it. You know you have to talk about it, if not to Tess and Amanda, you’ll have to talk about it tonight with John when you get home.

You look down at your drink and inhale, “John let me hire his ex at the shop.”

Tess and Amanda both look at you with wide eyes. Tess is the first to say something.

“He what?”

“Who?” Amanda says, furrowing her brow, “John doesn’t have exes. He dated Helen and you, so like, who the hell was it?”

You look at them with weak, sad eyes, “Rachel.”

“That…” Amanda looks around to make sure her kids aren’t near, “Bitch! She wouldn’t leave him alone after they went on one date and he told me that he wasn’t into her. He had just met you! He was literally obsessed with you the moment you two met!”

“They went on two dates,” you say, holding up two fingers.

Amanda gives you a small smile, “One was a pity date, let’s be real. After he met you, babe, no one could change his mind. He knew you were the one.”

“I guess it’s not really even about that. Okay, well, it’s a little bit about that. I’m human, of course I’m going to get a little insecure about it.” you shrug, “It’s mostly the fact that he didn’t tell me who she was. Had he just pulled me aside and told me, I wouldn’t have fought so hard to hire her. Then there’s that! I was so set on hiring her, so we did. I literally fought to get her hired, which makes me look so stupid because I didn’t know who she was! He thinks that if it were him, he’d be cool with it.”

Tess and Amanda immediately roll their eyes and shake their heads while saying ‘no’ over and over.

“Bull…shit.” Tess lets out a small laugh, “I’ve seen how John acts when someone looks at you a little too long. If he’s trying to say that he’d be cool with your ex working at the shop, he’s a fucking liar.”

“And on top of it, we literally have not had sex in…so long.” you admit, your cheeks turning a little red, “It’s been almost three weeks now. After the pub crawl last week, we got home and planned on it, but it felt weird being…planned. We’ve never had to plan to have sex. I mean, what the hell, right?”

Amanda shrugs, “Sometimes you just get into ruts. ‘Relio and I have been together forever, so of course we’ve had some slumps here and there. Of course we’ve gone a while without having sex. It doesn’t mean I’m not attracted to him--y’all know I’m insanely attracted to my husband.”

She is very much attracted to him. Every time you all go out, she gushes about him the whole time and how sexy he is. It’s actually pretty cute.

“But of course we get into slumps. I think it’s just natural. Is this the first time since you’ve been married?”

You shake your head, “I wouldn’t say the first time, but it’s longest we’ve gone, that’s for sure. John usually can’t keep his hands to himself, and now with the whole Rachel thing, of course my anxiety is lying and telling me something that isn’t true. I have to keep reminding myself of that.”

Tess reaches over for your hand and smiles, “Good. We always worked on that, didn’t we?”

It’s no secret that you have anxiety and that most of the things that you’re thinking when it gets triggered aren’t true. Of course John didn’t know that Rachel was coming in for an interview, and he isn’t being intimate with you because of Rachel--that’s something else entirely. But your anxiety is telling you the opposite.

“But if he’s not being intimate with me because of her, then why isn’t he being intimate with me?”

Tess shrugs one shoulder, “Maybe it’s you not being intimate with him.”

“What? Why would you even say that?” you say, immediately getting defensive, “Of course I want to be intimate with him.”

“But are you initiating it? Are you doing anything to set the mood? It can’t always be him. It’s not always Jimmy. Sometimes I set up for us to have romantic nights together when I know he’s stressed out from work.” she says, and you put your hand over your mouth when you realize that it can’t always be him and it might be your fault. “Do something special for him.”

You let out a small laugh, “Well, I’m mad at him right now. I came over here for some support, you know.”

“We know,” Amanda laughs as she pours more wine into your glass, “And we agree with you on that, of course. But you’re clearly having other troubles, so we’re here to give you advice.”

Tess smiles, “Obviously we’re on your side. I’ll always be on your side no matter what. But I’m also going to give you advice when I can. I know you don’t want trouble in your marriage--no one does--so I’m going to help you.”

“First thing is first, John was completely wrong with the whole Rachel situation and he should absolutely apologize. Knowing him, he’s sitting at home just dreading every second you’re gone and just waiting for you to get back so he can apologize. We all agree there.” Amanda says as she gets up and grabs a pad of paper and a pen, “You have the most fantastic communication, so I have no doubt that you two will talk all of this out, but…”

You start to laugh, “You just want to help plan a romantic night?”

“Yes, of course!” she smiles, clicking her pen, “Let’s brainstorm.”

On the way home, your anger dissolved. It probably dissolved earlier in the evening but you noticed as you drove past the shop. You’re not in the mood to yell and argue with John, so you hope that he’s ready to talk it out. You’re not one to really fight or raise your voice anyway, so here’s hoping John is in a good place to talk things out.

There’s only a single light on in the living room when you pull into the driveway, but soon another light turns on. John has been waiting up for you. You park the car and lock it, then you walk inside, immediately greeted by John and some flowers.

“Hi,” he breathes out quietly.

“Hi, John.” you let out a small laugh, “Flowers?”

He looks down at them and shrugs, “I know you like these, and when I went to the store earlier, I saw them, so I decided to just pick some up.”

You look at him and raise a brow, “You went grocery shopping?”

“Yeah, of course.” he says, and you nod your head.

Usually the two of you go together, but every now and then, it’ll just be one of you. John went grocery shopping by himself with Ronan, which isn’t always easy. He definitely deserves some kudos for that.

“You embarrassed me,” you say as you look at him, holding his gaze, “I wish you would have told me right away who she was. I get why you didn’t--it’s awkward! I just wish you would have told me instead of me finding out for myself.”

“I was going to tell you. I really was. I just didn’t know when to tell you, and you were so excited about having more people out there.” he steps closer and reaches for your hand, “I apologize for everything. I apologize for not being honest with you. I apologize for you having to find out on your own. I apologize for not doing my job at being your husband.”

You inhale deeply, “You realize why I was so upset, right?”

“Absolutely. It was completely wrong of me to not tell you who she was. I should have stayed for the interview and told you as soon as she left. I should have but I didn’t, and I’m paying for that, which is fine and I accept that. I understand that you’re upset with me and don’t blame you at all. And I promise you, this will never happen again.”

You start to laugh, “Of course it won’t, I fired her.”

“You did?”

“I did!” you walk into the kitchen, stopping short when you see the candles and chocolate on the counter. You look over your shoulder at him and smile, and he shrugs a little. “I forgot that you don’t know what even happened.”

John shakes his head, “I don’t, but can we just…can we talk about us first?”

“Yes,” you turn around to face him, “Going forward, I never want you to lie or hide something from me again. No matter what it is. That’s not how we do things around here.”

“I know. I don’t know why I did what I did, but I apologize. I’m sorry,” he says, pulling you closer to him, “So, so sorry, peach.”

You smile softly, “I don’t care what it is, you need to tell me. I don’t care if it’s an ex or something else, please tell me so I don’t look stupid.”

“You didn’t look stupid,” he says, holding your gaze, “How would you have known who she was?”

“Well, I mean, I would have if you told me,” you say, letting out a small laugh. John doesn’t find it funny though. You reach up and cup his face, “You look miserable.”

“I am so miserable, mouse, you have no idea.” he pouts, and you lean up to kiss him. He wraps his arms around you tight and holds you, pressing his lips to yours over and over, “I’m sorry.”

“I accept your apology,” you close your eyes and lean your forehead against his lips, “I missed you.”

John keeps his lips pressed to your forehead, “I missed you too. Oh, and more one thing…”

“Yes?”

John takes a deep breath and lets it out with a chuckle, “I would not be okay with hiring your ex. Not a shot in hell.”

You laugh, “Trust me, I know! I knew you wouldn’t!”

“I’d rather die than let that happen. I don’t want any of your exes near you,” he says, and you start to laugh, “For selfish reasons, of course.”

“Oh, well, obviously.”

John pulls you closer, “But I don’t want anyone who has ever hurt you to ever be near you again.”

“I would like to see you a little jealous though,” you admit as he laughs, “Maybe a little sexy possessiveness too. That’s hot.”

“All you have to do is go to a bar and you’ll immediately get hit on, and then I’ll be there to shut that shit down,” he says, and you bite your bottom lip and smile, “At the pub crawl, I saw guys looking at you. I didn’t want to be…possessive, but I made sure they knew you weren’t available and that you were there with me.”

You snort, “Which is why you grabbed my ass a lot.”

“Well, yeah, that and your ass is fucking incredible.” he says, spanking you a few times before sliding his hand into your back pocket, “You’re mine and I’ll fight for you.”

“Trust me, there’s no fight. There’s no one else I want to be with.”

John smiles as he leans down to kiss you tenderly, “Same. I really am sorry.”

“I know,” you say softly, cupping his face, “Thank you for apologizing…several times.”

“I fucked up!” he says, and you nod, “I really fucked up, and I’m sorry. I want you to know that I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings and that’s not right, so I apologize. I know that I can be a better husband than that.”

You jerk your head back, “John, I have never thought you were a bad husband. We argue. It’s natural, but I don’t think you’re a bad husband because of that. I have never thought that, babe. I think you’re the best husband, even when you’re being an idiot.”

John starts to laugh, “Good, I’m relieved.”

“I mean it,” you look into his sad brown eyes, “Yeah, you made me mad. You upset me, but I know us. I knew we’d talk it out and figure everything out--just like we’ve done with any other argument we’ve gotten into. You apologized, you were genuine, and I forgave you. I forgive you, babe.”

“Thank you,” he whispers as he leans down to kiss you.

“Ro is already asleep?”

“Mhm,” he says, still not moving his lips.

You smile and finally tilt your head back to look at him, “I love you.”

“I love you more. So much more,” he reaches up and tucks your hair behind your ear, “No one could ever change that. Especially not someone who I don’t even give a second thought to.”

“She said she was going to try to get you to leave me.”

John shakes his head, “Impossible.”

You run your hands up his chest, “Good. I fired her and she wanted me to tell you to give her a call when we get divorced.”

John starts to laugh, “I’ll pass, because we’re not getting divorced, are we?”

“Nope!” you smile at him, reaching up to move his hair a little, “You look tired.”

“I am,” he laughs, scrunching his brows, “You just going to keep insulting me? First I looked miserable, now I look tired.”

You start to laugh, “Stop! I’m sure I do too.”

“Why don’t we go to bed? Just go lay down and watch something?” he suggests and you nod your head as you let go of him.

“I just want to go see Ronan.”

John reaches for your hand when you walk past, “Thank you for forgiving me. Sersiouly. I really fucked up. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you hadn’t forgiven me, but I’m incredibly grateful that you did.”

“I love you, John,” you walk back over and kiss him, “Of course I’m going to forgive you. Just…don’t do it again. I don’t like her. I never did. I mean, I did when I hired her, but she wasn’t being herself. She was just using me to get to you. But I do forgive you.”

“Do you trust me?”

You know that John would never stray. You know that John would have immediately shut down Rachel if she tried to make a move. You know he loves you and only wants to be with you. You absolutely trust him. There’s no one you trust more.

You take a deep breath and look into his eyes, “Yes.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he cups your face and smiles, “You’re stuck with me, Wick, and I won’t apologize for that.”

“Hey! I call you that.”

John presses a kiss to your lips, “You’re stuck with me.”

“You’re stuck with me,” you say back, and he grins as he leans down to kiss you. “I wouldn’t change a thing though.”

“Me neither.”

Since you were both so exhausted from arguing, you immediately went to sleep. John held tight to you all night and kissed your shoulder every so often when he woke up, but nothing else happened. It’s a bummer, but you still have a plan. You’re sure he was just too nervous to start anything.

Last night, Amanda and Tess helped you come up with something to do to surprise John, so today you’re dropping Ronan off with Tess and heading out to surprise John for the day. You’re so excited and hope like hell he’ll love what you have planned.

Unfortunately before you can do any of that, you have several things that need to be done around the house. John is outside mowing the lawn while Ronan is in her pack ’n play on the patio. She hates that thing now that she can walk but she can’t be trusted while John is mowing--she’s a little stinker who loves to follow him around.

You step onto the patio and smile when she turns around to look at you. Her face is red and covered in big tears, and you jut your bottom lip out as you walk over to her.

“Oh, sweet girl, you just miss daddy, don’t you?” you reach in and pick her up, “Let’s go see him.”

You wave as you walk over to him but he doesn’t see since his hair is hanging in his face. Ronan squeals loudly and waves at him, and you laugh and call out to him.

“Dad! Daddy! We’re talking to you!” you yell, and John finally glances up and notices, a smile immediately spreads on his face. “Someone missed you.”

John turns off the lawn mower and waits for you to get closer so you can place Ronan in his lap, “She needs some ear muffs so she can ride around with me.”

You laugh as you wipe away the big tears still on her face, “She’d love that, I bet.”

“Someone missed me, huh?” John smiles when Ronan looks up at him, and he leans down to kiss her, “Just someone? Not anyone else?”

“Well, I’m someone too!” you move closer and kiss him, hugging him tight despite the fact that he’s sweaty. “So, after we get things done around here, I have some plans for us.”

John furrows his brow, “But I made plans for us.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, just for…just you and I.” he says gesturing to the two of you, and you start to smile. “We can do your thing though.”

You smile as you nod, “Yeah, I really want to do this for you.”

“Maybe we can do my thing tomorrow?”

“Yeah, that sounds good. My thing isn’t until a little later, like around 8, so I’m going to bring Ro over to Tess’ house.” you say, and John narrows his eyes like he’s trying to already figure out what the plan is--there’s no way he knows. “Then we can get her later.”

John nods once, still sussing you out, “Okay…”

“I hope you like it,” you say softly, and John pulls you closer to him. “I just…really want us to, you know, get back to the way things were.”

“I’ll love it. I’ll be with you, so I’ll love it.” he whispers against your lips before he kisses you. “That’s all I care about: being with you.”

Cupping John’s face, you smile at him and rub your thumb over his beard, “Well, I’ll let you finish this up. I’m going to bring her inside and get her something to eat.”

“Okay,” John slides his hand into your back pocket and squeezes, a smile tugging at his lips, “I’ll be done soon.”

Thankfully Ronan doesn’t fight you when you take her from John, then you head back to the house as the mower starts up behind you. You hear the beep from the horn on it, and you turn around to see John blowing kisses at you and Ronan.

It’s time! You’re ready to go and practically vibrating with excitement. John doesn’t have a clue as to where you’re going, so you’re driving. He also doesn’t know that you won’t be going back home tonight and that you packed a bag for the two of you. You’re in desperate need of a change of scenery tonight and you booked a very romantic hotel for tonight.

“I’m excited,” John says from the passenger’s seat, “Where are we going?”

You click your tongue at him, “You know I can’t tell you.”

“Oh, come on!”

“Nope!” you smile at him, “It’s a surprise, Wick!”

John inhales deeply and looks over at you, “Fine. I’ll stop. I’m only stopping because you’re distracting me with how beautiful you look tonight.”

“Thank you! You look so handsome tonight.” you reach down and hold his hand that is resting on your thigh and you bring it up to your lips, “I hope you don’t have plans later.”

“Oh, yeah, why is that?”

You keep your gaze forward as you grin, “Just keep your night open, Wick.”

“Oh, I will. As long as you keep yours.” he laughs, and you look over at him before you turn.

You can see the sky lit up from all the lights through the trees but it doesn’t look like John knows where you’re going still. Yes, it sucks that you couldn’t bring Ronan with you tonight, but it needs to be just the two of you. You two need a night alone. And what is more romantic than spending the evening at a local carnival.

“Hey, peach…”

“Hmm?”

John glances at you, “Did you happen to look at my phone or anything?”

“No?” you look over at him with your eyebrows scrunched, “Why?”

“Because…” he starts to laugh, “Because, uh, this is where I was taking you tomorrow.”

You start to smile, “We planned the same thing?”

“Great minds think alike, I guess.” he laughs, then he looks over at you, “You takin’ me to a carnival?”

“Yes,” you laugh, and he leans over to kiss you.

John places his hand on the back of your neck and lightly squeezes it, “Cutie.”

“I thought it would be fun, but it’s not my only surprise!”

“You’re not planning to take me on a moonlit walk later, are you?” he asks, and you start to laugh as you look at him, “Well, shit, I just ruined my surprise for tomorrow.”

You smile so hard your cheeks hurt, “You’re so fucking cute, Jonathan.”

After getting through the little bit of traffic outside the carnival, you find a space in a parking lot and park. The moment you step out of the car, you hear games buzzing and children laughing. John comes around the car and stands next to you while you get your bag, and he smiles when you look up at him.

Gently placing his hand on your waist, he pushes you up against the side of the car and leans down to kiss you. He kisses you softly a few times before he leans up to look at you, tucking your hair behind your ear.

“Let’s go have some fun,” he whispers, and you bite your lip as you nod before he holds your hand and leads to towards the bright lights.

You’re not sure why you’re so nervous. Tonight has been amazing. John seemed like he had fun, you couldn’t stop laughing, and it was just a good night. But now that you’re heading to the next surprise for John--that you know he’ll like--you’re still nervous. You turn into the parking lot and inhale deeply, glancing over at John when he realizes you’re at a hotel.

A smile tugs at his lips as he looks over at you, “A hotel?”

“Yeah,” you pull up to the valet and shrug, “Bad idea?”

“Great idea.” he smiles, leaning over to kiss you. “You have a bag packed?”

You gesture over your shoulder to the bag in the backseat, then you get out and let the valet take the car. John holds the bag in one hand and reaches out for yours, and he smiles when you link fingers with his.

“Under our name?” he asks, and you nod your head, smiling at him--you like when you’re reminded that you share a last name. “Thought maybe Veronica was showing up.”

You scoff, then you smile at him, “Nope, tonight it’s just me. Sorry to disappoint.”

“Never a disappointment,” he whispers to you, leaning closer, “Definitely a preference.”

“Veronica?”

John laughs, “No, you! You’re the preference.”

After getting your room key and riding up to the elevator, you head up to your room with butterflies in your stomach. You’re so damn nervous! You just really hope John likes this.

John unlocks the door and holds it open for you, and you turn around and watch his reaction as he takes in the room. The lights are dim and there’s rose petals on the bed in the shape of a heart. There’s a platter of food on the nightstand, along with a bottle of champagne.

“I like the heart,” John says, pointing at it.

“I wanted them to write ‘fuck me until I can’t remember my name’, but I didn’t think the hotel would allow that.” you laugh nervously as John looks at you. “So, I just settled for a heart. I hope you don’t mind.”

You absolutely wanted to set the mood, get all dolled up, put on some nice lingerie, but it doesn’t look like that’s what is going to happen. John is holding your gaze and walking closer to you, and you instantly fall into his arms, kissing him deeply as he brings you over to the bed and lays you down. He only pulls away from your lips to get his shirt off and yours, then he’s back to kissing you again. His hands are in your hair, on your neck and shoulder, then down to your ass and hips, greedy for every inch of you.

John fumbles with the button on his jeans while you shuck off your shorts and underwear, then you move up the bed more and reach for him, pulling him back to you and letting out a soft moan when you feel his warm skin against yours.

“I want you so bad,” he whispers, biting and kissing your neck, “Fuck, I want you so bad.”

“Please,” you whisper against his temple, “I’m all yours, John.”

John moves up more and bends your knee for a better angle, then he jerks his hips and buries himself deep inside of you with a groan. You dig your nails into his arms and arch your back, and he moans in the crook of your neck as he thrusts his hips at just the most perfect pace.

“Oh, fuck, you’re so wet,” he groans in your ear, “You feel fucking fantastic.”

“So do you,” you reply with a smile on your face, “I’ve missed this.”

John sits up so he can watch himself and uses his arm to wipe the sweat off his face before he reaches down, using his thumb to rub circles on your clit. You bite your lip and smile as you close your eyes, and you hear John let out a small laugh.

“You look very pleased, Mrs. Wick.”

“I am very pleased,” you say as you sit up to meet his lips, then you push him over to lay on the bed before crawling over to straddle his waist, “You?”

John groans as you slide down the length of him, “Me as well. Very pleased.”

Sitting up straight on John, you roll your hips and hold his gaze. When you move your hips rhythmically, John clenches his jaw and closes his eyes for a brief moment before watching you again, his pupils blown with lust.

“You look so beautiful right now. Fuck, I love your body.” he whispers as he reaches up to caress your breasts, his eyes scanning your every inch.

“Holy shit, I’ve been waiting so long for this.” you say with a little laugh, and he smirks with pride. You lay down on top of him and smile when he places his hands on your ass and guides you on top of him, “Oh, fuck, John.”

John gathers your damp hair and moves it out of your face so he can see you, and you hold his gaze as your body begins to tense up. You open your mouth to moan but nothing comes out, so he gently wraps his hand around your throat and holds your gaze.

“Let me hear it,” he whispers, nodding his head, “Let it out.”

You squeeze your eyes shut and moan loudly as you ride out your orgasm, rocking your hips fast and hard on top of him. He holds your waist and bites his lip, watching you in awe as you throw your head back. Your fingers dig into his pecs as you hold on tight to him before you collapse onto his chest, still moaning and panting loudly.

“Lay on your stomach, baby.” John whispers, helping you back onto the bed--he knows your legs are jello. You lay down on the bed and close your eyes, and you smile when he crawls on top of you and slowly slides back between your legs, causing you to grip the sheets and moan. He leans down and rubs his beard against your back, and you squirm away as you laugh. “Can you come for me again?”

You look over your shoulder at John and smile, “You know I can.”

John lightly grabs a fistful of hair and tilts your head back so you can see him, and he presses a kiss to your forehead before he begins to fuck you from behind. Your eyes roll shut as he pounds into you, and you moan his name loudly. You’re both covered in a thin layer of sweat, so your bodies are slick against one another, and you reach for his arms and pull them around you.

“Feels so good,” John whispers against your cheek, “Feels so fucking good, baby.”

“I love you,” you whisper to him, looking into his eyes.

John presses a kiss to your cheek and holds your gaze, “I love you too.”

Panting loudly in your ear, John thrusts his hips harder, knocking the breath out of you as a result. The room fills with the sound of his hips against your ass, along with your moans and the bed squeaking--absolute music to your ears. John groans loudly into your shoulder, then he holds you tighter to him before he jerks his hips a few times sporadically while you roll your hips, riding out another orgasm.

“Oh, shit…” John breathes into your hair, then he kisses the top of your head. “Am I crushing you?”

“Nope,” you lay down and smile as you hold him in place, “I love it.”

John chuckles, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m so perfect right now,” you hum as John sucks on your neck, surely leaving before little love bites. “So fucking perfect.”

“I’m gonna get off of you. I’m worried I’m hurting you.” he says, and you frown when he rolls off to lay on the bed. “What? I didn’t want to hurt you!”

You pout, “You weren’t. I liked it!”

“You’re too cute for your own good, you know that?” he laughs as he leans over to kiss you, “I am so weak for you.”

“And I for you.” you reply, grinning like an idiot. You sit up and pinch John’s cheek, then you scoot off the bed to clean yourself up. You quickly use the bathroom and walk back out to find John still laying in the same place watching you. “That was nice.”

John opens his arms and waits for you to crash against his chest, “It was very nice. Just hoping we don’t go that long again.”

“Me too,” you look up at him and shrug, “I know it was my fault.”

“It wasn’t your fault, baby.”

You shake your head earnestly, “It was. I wasn’t initiating anything, and I think that hurt your feelings. You should feel like your wife wants you--she definitely does!”

John holds tight to you as he scoots up to rest with his back against the headboard, “A few weeks ago, I came into the bedroom and started…kissing you, but you weren’t in the mood. I wasn’t mad. If you’re not in the mood, you’re not in the mood. I’m a grown man. I can accept when you’re not in the mood and I’m not going to get upset at you for that. But I will admit, it did hurt a little. Because I tried again a few nights later, only to be shut down again.”

“You know it wasn’t about you, right?”

“I do,” he nods, then he shrugs, “But it still hurt. I had been shut down twice, so I just decided that I’d wait for you to initiate something. Then you didn’t.”

“To be fair…”

John laughs, “Okay, to be fair, we do have a daughter and we’ve been really busy lately. I’ll give you that.”

“But we should always be able to make time for one another. If we can’t do that, our marriage will suffer and I don’t want that at all. I don’t want to lose you or what we have.” you sit up and pull the blanket over your chest, “I guess this kind of stuff just happens though.”

“It does,” he nods his head, “It’s natural to have a little dip in that, especially with a baby. I talked to Jimmy about it.”

“I talked to Tess and Amanda about it. They’ve both gone through this,” you reach over for John’s hand and smile at him, “I’m glad we’re able to talk about it though without emotions getting high or one of us getting upset with the other. I’m sorry that I made you think I wasn’t attracted to you. I hope you never feel that way because it’s not true.”

Looking down at your wedding ring, John nods before he looks at you, “Why didn’t you try anything with me though?”

“Honestly…” you start to laugh, cheeks burning, “I’m terrified to be rejected by you. I think I’d die from embarrassment.”

John scrunches his face up, “Why would I ever reject you, mouse?”

“Well, I don’t know! Sometimes people just aren’t in the mood.”

“Trust me,” he pulls you closer, “I am always in the mood for you.”

You shake your head, “That’s not true. You turned me down before.”

“I have never!” he laughs as you lay down and pull him on top of you, “I could never turn down a chance to be with my favorite girl, my peach.”

“So, you were gonna surprise me with the carnival tomorrow?”

John’s cheeks turn red, “Yeah, but you beat me to it. And on top of it, you planned this.”

You look around the hotel room, “I thought a change of scenery would be good or something.”

“I don’t need a change of scenery to want to have sex with you. I just need you. I don’t even need a bed.” he whispers against your lips, “I just need you. I can fuck you anywhere.”

John kisses you tenderly before sliding his tongue into your mouth and moaning softly. You suck on his tongue and reach for his hand, then you slide it down to between your legs, moaning when he begins to slide two fingers knuckle deep. Searching under the blankets for him, you smile when you feel him growing hard, and you stroke him slowly.

“I just need you, baby. Anytime you want me, I’m yours,” he whispers, and you hum, “No bed? That’s okay. In public? That’s cool with me too.”

You laugh as you squint your eyes open to look at him, “Is that a hint?”

“It would have been very cool to have had my hand down your shorts on the ferris wheel.” he admits, and you start to laugh. “I mean, as long as we were stuck at the top for a few seconds. And I only need a few seconds, don’t I?”

Your eyes roll shut when John pumps his fingers in and out slowly, “Yeah.”

“Tomorrow night?”

“Yeah,” you moan loudly, and John laughs as he leans down to suck your neck.

The morning and afternoon were spent in the hotel room with room service and lots of sex. It was fucking amazing. John was amazing and so sweet, then he was very dominating and sexy. It was so hot. It was everything you wanted and everything you missed these past few weeks. There was so much intimacy that you’ve been craving.

You finally got out of bed and showered, then you ate something. John hopped in the shower while you got ready, but you don’t know what the plan even is for today. You planned on just going back home, but John had plans for you today and that was the carnival.

“So, wait, what are we doing today?”

John lounges out on the bed next to you, “What do you want to do?”

“I dunno,” you say, shrugging bashfully, “I just wanna hang out with you.”

“Then let’s just hang out,” he reaches over and places his hand on your thigh, “There’s tons of shops around here. We could do some damage on the bank account.”

You laugh as you lean over to kiss him, “That we could. I do need to get some new outfits for Ro. She’s getting way too big.”

“Need new outfits for you?” he asks, and you start to laugh.

“You’re the only guy that I know who willing goes with their wife shopping.”

John grins, “Maybe I have ulterior motives.”

“Oh, I know you do.” you start to laugh as he pulls you closer, “But if I’m honest…my legs hurt.”

“I’ll take it as a compliment,” he grips your leg and tries to pull you on top of him, and you let him. He groans playfully when you lay on top of him, then he mocks what you said last night, “I’m so perfect right now.”

You playfully swat his arm, “Are you mocking me?”

“You do feel really good on top of me,” he smiles, leaning up to kiss you, “Very good.”

“Alright, Wick.” you get up and reach for his hands to pull him to sit up, “Let’s go.”

John pouts with his big brown eyes, “I wanna stay here now.”

“Jonathan Charles,” you tug his hands but he pulls you back between his legs, “We got the hotel for another night, Ro is with Tess again. We still have one more night here.”

“I got a taste of you last night and I want more,” he whispers, and you start to laugh, “Feels like it’s been forever.”

You jut out your bottom lip and lean down to kiss him, “I know, but we can come back here and spend the rest of the night in bed. Maybe sneak in a little nookie somewhere today.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“I think so,” you back away from him and turn around to get your bag, and he rushes up behind you and wraps his arms around your waist.

John kisses your neck and smiles against your skin, “I accept the challenge.”

To say that John was trying to pull you into every shop to find an empty fitting room would be an understatement. He looked everywhere for one. He’s taking this whole challenge so seriously, it’s genuinely very funny. With the carnival near, it’s brought in a lot of people for shopping, so there wasn’t anywhere for him to take you, but you’ve found a shop that isn’t entirely busy.

As soon as you step inside, you look over at John and see him looking around the place. It seems like he’s given up on the whole challenge, but when you tug his hand and tilt your head a little, he grins and leans over to kiss you.

“I have to find something to try on.”

“Hello!” a woman walks over with a huge smile on her face, “Can I help you find anything?”

You smile back at her, “Dragged my husband along to help me pick out something.”

“Oh, we have so many new things around here. Take a look!” she says, then she walks over to help someone with something.

John grabs a shirt off the rack that is very much not your size, then he takes your hand and rushes off to the back as you laugh. He opens the door and pulls you inside, and you cup his face and kiss him while he locks the door. He pushes you up against the wall and kisses down your neck before he kneels in front of you, immediately lifting your dress up. He kisses your thighs and pulls your underwear to the side, and you rest your leg over his shoulder, smirking at him when he looks up at you.

Thankfully the music is loud in the dressing room so no one can hear John between your legs right now--he hums like he’s eating the best meal of his life. You have your hands pressed to your mouth to conceal your moans, but you know that you’re not being completely quiet.

You reach down and tug on John’s hair to try and pull him away as you begin to climax, but he gently removes your hand and pins it to your side. Your body shakes as your eyes roll shut, and you slowly slide down the wall until you’re sitting in front of John.

He chuckles quietly and leans down to kiss you, “Good?”

“So…good. Kind of pisses me off how fast you can make me come though.” you laugh, then you reach forward and unbutton his jeans, “Your turn.”

John immediately stands up and checks the lock, then he looks down at you and smiles. You tug his jeans down a little until they fall to his ankles, then you pull his boxers down and bite your lip when his cock comes into view, hard and wet with a little pre-cum.

“God, you’re so gorgeous,” you whisper as you take him into your hand, then you stroke him and meet his gaze, “Genuinely have missed having you in my mouth.”

“I’ve missed being in your mouth,” he says a little impatiently.

You cock up your brow, “Are you being impatient, John Wick?”

“A little,” he admits, and you lean forward to press your lips to his cock. “More, please. Please, I need more.”

Kissing along the length of him, you look up at him and smile with your eyes as he watches you closely. You finally give in and open your mouth to take him in, and he tilts his head back and moans softly. You bob on him for a few moments, and he places his hand on your head and creates a rhythm that elicits a louder moan. He places both hands on your head and bites his lip as he guides you on his cock, and you place your hand on his stomach and lean back to catch your breath.

Using your hand, you wipe the spit off your chin and take him into your mouth again since you know he’s getting close. The muscles in his legs tense up as you take him into your mouth deeper, feeling him in your throat, and you gag a little before leaning back and stroking him.

“I’m gonna come…” he whispers as he places his hand on the wall to keep himself upright, then he groans and looks down at you, “I’m gonna come, baby.”

You stroke him and take him back into your mouth, then you look up at him and stick your tongue out as he comes. You close your eyes and swallow, which makes John moan again.

“Here…” John hands your purse to you and gets out the water, “Drink this.”

You start to laugh as you stand up, taking the water from him, “Thanks. I didn’t need it but thanks.”

John looks so damn pleased with himself as he watches you take a few sips of water, then he fixes your dress and kisses your cheek before he pulls his pants back on. You both look at each other and laugh quietly, and he pushes you against the wall again and kisses you deeply.

“I fucking love you so much,” he whispers, cupping your face in his left hand, “You are the woman of my dreams.”

“I believe you’ve said that before, and I’m pretty sure it was after I sucked your dick in public.”

John starts to laugh, “Probably, but it’s still true. Even without all this, you’re still the woman of my dreams. I’ll never understand how the hell I got so damn lucky.”

You close your eyes and laugh as he kisses your neck, and you slip your hands under his shirt and lightly scratch his back, those unfortunate scars are still there. You tilt your head back against the wall and smile when he looks at you.

“You are the woman of my dreams, no matter what though, peach. You know that. You know how crazy I am about you.” he whispers, and you nod, “No one will ever take me away from you. I’ve never wanted someone this much. I’ve never loved someone like this before. If I lost you, I would be devastated. I don’t think I’d ever be able to come back from that loss.”

Tears fill your eyes as you look down, but John tilts your chin back up so he can see you. He smiles softly and kisses you, and you feel the warm tears spill down your cheeks when you close your eyes. John’s hand slides up your chest and into the top of your dress where he caresses your breast.

You jump when there’s a knock on the door, and you widen your eyes and press your hand to John’s mouth. He immediately furrows his brow.

“Occupied.”

“Oh, yeah, I was just coming to check on you.”

You look at John and widen your eyes, “It’s the lady.”

“Obviously,” he whispers, and you bite your lip.

“I’m just deciding if I like this shirt,” you lie, and John starts to laugh when he looks down at his hand on your breast, “I’ll be out in a moment.”

You move to the door and open it a little to peek out, and when you see her turn the corner, you look back at John to make sure he’s decent, then you shove him out.

“I’ll meet you outside,” you say as he grins and leans in to kiss you, “Go!”

John puts his hands up and laughs as he walks off, completely pleased with himself. You put the shirt back on the hanger, then you slip out and sneak past the woman while she’s helping someone else. John is standing on the sidewalk outside smiling at you as you walk out, and he opens his arms and kisses you as you both start to laugh.

“That was fun,” he whispers in your ear, and you nod your head.

You lean back to look at him, “Are we back to where we were before?”

“We are,” he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, “We never left. We just…”

“Had a little bump?”

John nods as he runs his hands down your back, “I’m never going to not want you, mouse. I can be 89 years old and not even have full function of it, and I’ll still want you.”

You start to laugh loudly, “You gonna take little pills to help you?”

“If I have to, but something tells me I won’t,” he moves his hands down lower to rest on your ass, “You’re getting better and better every year, baby. I want you so much more now than I ever have before, and that’s saying something.”

“I think you’re the sexiest you’ve even been, which, yeah, is saying something because you were soooo sexy when we met,” you lean up to kiss him, wrapping your arms around his neck, “I love you.”

John’s brown eyes glow in the sunlight as he looks at you, “I love you more.”

“Never!” you tease as you back away from him, only to be pulled back to him. “Kind of thirsty now.”

“I bet,” John smirks as he takes your hand.

Crossing the street, you hold tight to his hand and smile as you look around to take in the view of the carnival from a distance. It’s near the beach, so you’re hoping that you can get some ice cream and go sit in the sand for a bit. Ronan would love this.

“We should have brought Ro.” John says like he’s reading your thoughts. He looks over at you and shrugs, “I know this was just for us, but she would love this.”

“I was thinking that too.” you nod, then you notice a sign about the carnival, “Well, look it’s here all week. We could bring her tomorrow or something.”

John smiles, “Yeah, we should. You got plans?”

“Uh,” you tap your finger to your chin, “I think tomorrow morning I’m busy.”

“Oh?” he furrows his brow, and you start to grin as he looks at you. He chuckles and nods, “Oh.”

You shrug playfully, “Just need some time alone with my handsome husband.”

“Oh, well, we can definitely arrange that!”

Holding hands with John, the two of you continue to walk towards the carnival. You don’t plan on going into it right now, but there are a ton of booths all around. John squeezes your hand reassuringly and suggests that the two of you grab some food from one of the booths, and you agree and start to scan the booths for something that looks good. There are so many options, from cotton candy to funnel cakes to hot dogs. You finally spot a booth selling fresh lemonade and decide that's what you're in the mood for, so John orders two cups and hands one to you.

“Heartburn later, for sure,” John says, and you laugh quietly. He nods towards an open bench, so you walk with him through the crowd to get to it. John quickly turns around and blocks you, “Rachel is here.”

You furrow your brow, “What?”

Leaning around, you spot Rachel walking towards you, and you scrunch your face up and look at John. You glance at her again and see her looking directly at you as she walks over.

“She’s coming over.” you say, and John sighs loudly before he turns around and looks at her. He reaches for your hand and holds tight to it, the two of you a united front.

“Hello, John.” she says, and you roll your eyes. “Did your wife tell you what she did to me?”

John nods, “I am aware that she fired you. She had every right.”

“Well, I talked to a lawyer, so…”

You start to laugh, “You did not. And if you did, there’s nothing they can do. You were incredibly rude to me. You were planning on being inappropriate with my husband, who is your boss, and before you forget, I am your boss as well. John and I own the shop together. I felt your behavior wasn’t appropriate, so I fired you because that is my right.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t even talk to John about it first! I thought you were this great team.”

“You have disrespected and belittled my wife, and I won’t allow that. I’ll admit I was wrong for even letting you interview for the job, because it’s clear you weren’t a good fit. Not for the shop and not into our lives. Y/N is the smartest, kindest, and most genuine and beautiful person I’ve ever met. You can’t even compare to that.” John says, and you look up at him, “She is the most important person in my life and I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect her. She fired you, and I agree with it.”

“Wow.”

John shrugs, “She’s the only woman for me. There was never any competition either. It was her from the moment I laid eyes on her--she was the only one I wanted. I won’t apologize for falling in love with her either. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Rachel rolls her eyes, “Whatever. I don’t even care.”

“If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t have slithered out of no where to try and steal John from me.” you say, and she glares at you, “If you continue going after married men, or men who just don’t want you, then you’re going to live a really miserable and lonely life. I suggest you take time to focus on yourself and figure out why you are the way you are.”

Rachel scoffs and looks at John, “You’ll let her talk to me like that?”

“I’m not the boss of her,” he says as he looks down at you, smiling with pride, “She can say whatever she wants.”

You look at Rachel and smile as smug as possible, and she rolls her eyes before pushing past you, hitting you with her bag.

“Hey,” John calls out to her and she looks at him, “Don’t ever pull shit like that again. I never want to hear my wife say your name again, so stay away from us.”

Rachel gulps and nods her head before she hurries off. John can absolutely be scary when he needs to be. You’re pretty sure Rachel got the point this time. John exhales loudly and shakes his head as he looks down at you.

“You stood up for me.”

“I should have done that a very long time ago,” he admits, shaking his head a little, “I’m sorry I never stood up for you.”

You tilt your head back to look at him, “Thank you.”

John cups your face and kisses you tenderly, and you pull him closer until he’s flush against you.

“Remember that hotel room we have?”

John nods, brushing his nose against yours, “Yes.”

“I think we need to use it one more time before we head home.”

“I got a better idea,” he says, looking over the top of your head.

You look over your shoulder at the ferris wheel and laugh before looking back at him, “You cannot finger me while we’re going round and round on a ferris wheel, Wick.”

John reaches into his wallet and smiles, “100 bucks goes a long way.”

“So what? We’re gonna just sit at the top while you do it?”

“Yeah,” he grins, “No one can see us up there.”

Laughing quietly, you shake your head, “It’s literally three in the afternoon!”

“Come on,” John smiles, pulling you closer.

You look back at the ferris wheel and laugh, then you look at John, “Well, we’ve always been pretty spontaneous.”

“And nothing says spontaneity like that.”

“You did stick up for me…” you say, and John nods his head as he smiles, “And that was pretty hot.”

John digs a one hundred dollar bill from his wallet and holds it up, “Shall we?”

A smile tugs at your lips as you look at him, then you burst into laughter and hold hands with him as the two of you rush through the crowds for the ferris wheel.

taglist: @sakurachan-9 @beingnerdyissupercool @tnu-ree @ruby-octo @scream-queen-25

i feel like i might be missing people from my taglist, so let me know if i am!

#john wick x reader #john wick x you #john wick x y/n #john wick imagine #fic: hold my hand #hello 👋#im very tired but here's an update #i was going to end it after the ferris wheel stuff at the end #like i was going to write it but i cut it because the chapter was already long and i didn't want it to be too long #and it would literally just be more sm*t lmao #anyway i love these two i love how they talk things through #i love how much they love and respect one another #i love that john stood up for her and i love how much he loves her and cherishes her #I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#ok enjoy byeeeee #<3333

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