#obsessed with Edwin’s little smile after ‘how about’

[stark-lord]

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES (2024)

1.06 - The Case of the Creeping Forest

for @nix-nihili

[spookystree]

I haven't written much in a while so I'm sorry if this isn't great, this is for my roommates au that I'm kind of obsessed with now tho

( @dbdayuletide , prompt -> Gift exchange)

Once Edwin and Crystal decided it was time that the Christmas decorations should go up, their partners were VERY excited and decorated very quickly.

Christmas morning was more chaotic than any of them thought it would be. Crystal is the only one who almost never wakes up early, though, when Niko woke up she went to the kitchen to make Crystal coffee and see what she wanted for breakfast. When Niko went out to the kitchen she saw Edwin making himself coffee and Charles was sitting on the counter, talking about some story about work, something to do with Jenny and some blonde woman? Niko didn't quite catch all of the conversation before Charles stopped to say good morning to her and pull a mug out of the microwave.

Edwin turned around to face Niko, “Good morning Niko,” he paused and grabbed her one of Crystal's coffee cups from the cabinet. “I assume Crystal wants her coffee.” he finished the statement as he handed Niko the cup in his hand and then picked his own full mug up, stepping to the side afterwards.

Niko thanked him and filled up the cup as Charles resumed his story about how Jenny had to kick someone out of the bar recently.

- Later that day 😁👍 -

Edwin was draped over one side of the couch, his legs on Charles's lap, Crystal was sitting on the other side as Niko arranged everyone's gifts into piles in front of them, Christmas music was on in the background, turned down quite a bit so the group could talk.

The wrapping paper Niko used was blue and had snowmen all over it, Charles's was red and had Santa on it, Crystal used some monochromatic set, Edwin's was tree branches with birds on it.

“Okay! So we start from left to right so Crystal you open one!” Niko explained as she sat down next to her girlfriend on the couch. Crystal picked the top gift up, it was very obviously from Niko with all the stickers on top of the wrapping paper, “Cute.” Crystal commented and gave her girlfriend a kiss on the cheek before starting to unwrap the gift. Once she got the wrapping paper off it was a small pink box, opening that box revealed a small necklace with 'Crystal' as the charm. She smiled when she saw it and had her girlfriend help put it on, giving her a kiss on the cheek as a thank you.

Niko was next to open a gift and she opened one from Charles, she smiled the whole way through unwrapping it, it was in a very taped up cereal box underneath the wrapping paper, when she finally got that open after needing crystal to grab her a pair of scissors from the kitchen to get it open (with a sorry from Charles), it ended up being a pastel Christmas sweater with snowmen on it. She thanked Charles with a hug and then put the sweater on.

Charles was next and the gift he grabbed was from Edwin, it was a box and a letter, Edwin insisted he opened them together. The letter went first, he opened it and read it, with just a bit of trouble cause of Edwin's fancy handwriting. He read the full letter and then looked at Edwin very happily, “We're getting a dog??” he questioned with a clear tone of excitement. Edwin nodded and reminded him to open the box as well, Charles ripped into it very quickly, it was a leash and some nice gloves, for cold winter walks and such. Edwin ended up getting a very long hug and Niko was just about as excited as Charles was.

Edwin's turn! He tried his best not to rip the nice monochromatic wrapping paper, leading to Crystal and Charles teasing him about it. Once he got it opened (even before that), it was obviously a book, when he had it fully opened he smiled down at it, it was a very nice looking copy of Frankenstein by Mary Shelly. He didn't necessarily thank Crystal but he smiled at her at that's pretty much the same thing with him.

That's the end of my little writing project 😭😭 hope you enjoyed!

[popodoki]

Hey, teacher! Catwin motorcycle AU part 3

Warning: Esther Finch is a total bitch

Edwin only has a whole amount of three seconds to properly steel himself, swallow a deep sigh, and force the most pleasant smile he can muster onto his face. 

"Madam Finch. How are you this fine afternoon?" 

Esther Finch lives on the nicest street, in the nicest neighbourhood, in a perfectly nice house, fit for an entire family of the nicest people in Port Townsend. There is nothing nice about Esther Finch. As the sole reigning heiress of the town’s long-lasting elite, she has more money than the mayor, owns enough land to constitute a national park, and is truly one of the worst people Edwin has ever met. Edwin reasons either her life didn’t quite turn out the way she imagined, or she simply decided her life reached its peak during her college years, and she’s not quite willing to give that up, even decades later. Obsessed with holding on to (at the very least the idea of) eternal youth, nostalgia perhaps for the control and power of years long, long past, Esther Finch both shoves and turns her nose up at everyone and anyone’s business in equal amounts, and takes extra personal interest in any males below the age of 20. 

So according to the laws of the universe, one of her personal goals in life was to get Edwin into her bed, and under her thumb.   

There’s something sickening about a woman twice his age sizing him up like a treat, giving him a saccharine-sweet smile instead of the disgusted curl of red-painted lips Edwin saw on her face just moments before. "Oh, Edwin, sweet thing." She struts closer with a clack of stilettos, kisses the air next to each of his cheeks, takes his hand, clinging to it like some sort of schoolgirl. She really is terribly obvious, and after over a year of this game, Edwin wonders how long he will have to make it clear he's not interested before she gives up. Or switches targets. Over the shoulder of her expensive-looking beige blazer, Edwin can see her cronies sizing the man occupying the bench up, the latter almost comically still asleep, dead to the world, utterly unaware of the danger he’s in. Like a cat taking a nap next to a pack of dogs. Edwin would laugh, but as it is, he fears his little slip of eye-contact might already be playing with fire. 

"I wanted to invite you to my church's public picnic tomorrow. The whole congregation will be there, of course, and I just wanted to make sure you knew you had a special invitation to my table." She idly strokes his hand with one thumb, and Edwin feels extremely uncomfortable.   

His mind races, trying to come up with some sort of excuse that she'll accept. Reflexively, his eyes are drawn back to the motorcycle, the man on the bench near it. "As it happens, I'm entertaining a friend this weekend, and I'm not sure I'll have the time." 

"Well, invite him along! Everyone's welcome at the church, hmm, unless he's one of those , of course." She crinkles her nose and narrows her keen eyes, the most her face can manage anything approaching a true expression of laughter, not even aware that Edwin is not sharing her amusement at her joke. 

In fact, this whole exchange is making him feel like he's 8 years old. A child, back home, listening to older family members talk about what is right, and more importantly, what is wrong with the world. 

"Do consider it, Edwin, sweet thing. I'll be so sad if you don't come. You really should get out more, you know how people talk." 

The people talking tend to mostly consist of Esther and her cronies. Edwin does not much care for their gossip. Does not much care for confrontation either, truly. That is how he reasons to himself, his reaction, staying silent in the end, wringing his hands as Esther Finch turns around, dismissing his existence entirely, and struts right up to her new target. The gaggle of middle-aged women part for her like lower ranked predators, giving their pack leader the first choice of prime cut flesh. They close the circle with poorly concealed excitement behind faux concerned frowns. One slender hand reaches out, a manicured finger taps, taps, taps the shoulder of that black leather jacket. Edwin quiets his own breathing, in order to hear the exchange he knows is coming.     

The man, Thomas, Edwin’s mind supplies, stirs awake with an ease that belies the tension rapidly filling the air, and almost seems to take in the sight of a group of older women looming over him as a regularity. He raises his hands, gives a finger waggle that Edwin theorizes might be found charming by someone, somewhere , and makes no further move to get up, or even rearrange his limbs in a semblance of proper posture. "Now what can I do for you, ladies?" His voice is a low, rough sleepy sound, and has a wildly different effect on Edwin than it does the people he’s actually addressing. 

"Oh, I do hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, as a long-standing member of the Homeowner’s association, and of course, you see, simply being involved in the protection of our community, I must tell you about some, hmm, concerns .” There’s the curl of red-painted lips, as cold eyes flick between the man on the bench, and the motorcycle parked perfectly legally nearby. “I assume you’re just passing through, of course, but I simply must ask, you understand. Do you have a license for that thing ?” Thomas smiles good-naturedly, charmingly, but Edwin knows restrained anger when he sees it. “I must ask you to keep that noisy machine out of residential streets, our children, you understand.” Esther’s gaze tracks over Thomas in barely concealed disgust, then flit to the cup of coffee, sitting innocently on the bench. “Littering, likewise, is not tolerated here.” One of the women of the group, perhaps sensing the opportunity to score peer approval, walks over briskly, snatching the coffee cup with a flourish. While Thomas, charming smile still on his face, but rage building in his eyes, offers a quick “That’s not even empty, honey,” the woman is already marching to the trash can and depositing it with unnecessary drama, “alright then.” is all that leaves Thomas’ mouth, tilting his head back to Esther as she is clearly not done just yet. “Furthermore, there’s been complaints of vagrants sleeping in a public area, I've come to tell you to move along."  She motions sharply, waving her hand through the air in the direction of the bench and Thomas on it, like shooing an unwanted animal. 

"Wasn't asleep, really. Just resting my eyes. And I'm not dangerous, just dangerously good-looking." Thomas smirks, but it fades when he sees it has no effect. He holds up one of his hands, starts ticking off fingers. "One: I have a license, of course. Two: I’m also parked perfectly legally. Three: littering implies something left behind, and I’m still right here aren’t I? And I'm not a vagrant, either. Just passing through, like you said." 

"You really want get into semantics with me ? I have both the mayor and the police chief on speed dial, darling. This is private property, and you are not welcome here." Another shooing wave of her hand.  

"Look honey," Thomas begins again, clearly exasperated. “Was I sleeping in a public area , or on private property now?” 

"Darling, you call me honey one more time and we will have a problem." 

Thomas takes a deep breath. Edwin wonders where he finds the strength to keep calm, attempting to keep a charming front. " Ma’am , I’m really just passing through. I got a coffee, paid for it , drank about half of it, and relaxed a bit on this public bench . I may have dozed off, but I'm not bothering anyone, not littering-"   

He's cut off, when Esther turns sharply, and struts over to the motorcycle. Bending down to inspect every inch of its surface, her manicured, sharp nails sweeping ever closer over its glinting finish. Edwin can see her calculate how much it’d cost Thomas, if she were to call the town’s towing service, demand a full check-up at the most exclusive garage, under the guise of proper concern of the safety of the vehicle, around the children , of course. Edwin knows she has pretty much all the town’s official services on speed dial, considers it her civic duty to spring them on anyone and everyone that she deems threatens her world view. As it was, he can see Thomas coming to the same conclusion, tension lining every bit of his frame as he stands up from the bench, slowly. Approaches the woman circling his motorcycle, slowly. 

If you asked him later, Edwin would not be able to say why he did it.   

He finally stalks over, putting on the most pleasant expression he can muster. "Ah, Thomas! My friend, I do apologize for taking so long, I quite honestly forgot whether we agreed to meet inside or out, and I frankly hadn’t spotted you yet through this..crowd. Oh, Esther, I see you've met my friend!" He puts an awkward hand on Thomas's shoulder, clamping down hard as a warning. 

"Your friend ?" Esther glances skeptically between them, taking a delicate step back. 

Edwin feels Thomas shaking, still, with pent-up anger, but to his credit, he says nothing against the false claim. Edwin can feel his warm gaze on the side of his face, sees that charming smile widen in his peripheral. 

"Why yes, you couldn't tell by the accent?" Thomas smiles broadly, swinging his own arm around Edwin’s shoulders in a much more natural, convincing display of camaraderie. 

"Hm," Esther’s narrow gaze burns into them for a long while, the gaggle of women behind her far less subtle in their tittering. Finally, she sneers, "Edwin, darling, do tell your friend to get a haircut and some decent clothes." She turns on her heel, marching away like the palpable tension hadn’t reached a smothering point, offering a last “And do educate him on the community guidelines!” over her shoulder, as she leads her minions further down the street.   

"Bitch," Thomas hisses under his breath, leaving Edwin’s side the moment the blonde is out of sight. When he looks back, his expression softens ever so slightly. "Real neat trick, that appearing out of nowhere, again, Ghostie." 

"Edwin Payne." He holds out his hand, and Thomas shakes it with a real smile. 

"Thomas King. But my friends call me--" 

"The Cat King, yes I remember. You make quite an impression wherever you go, I must say."   

Thomas smiles just a little wider, stretching out his arms above his head, shaking loose some more of the tension any confrontation with Esther naturally brings. "Figures, after the day I've had. Came all this way, just to find out that the entire Allcott family is vacationing overseas. That's what I get for dropping in unannounced, I suppose."   

"Does that mean you're moving on?" 

Thomas hesitates, looking up at the sky as if it might answer an unspoken question, looking like whatever it’s telling him makes him unhappy, but recovers quickly. "Well, I guess I'll have to. Better not tempt fate, get moving before someone calls in the presidential army to remove my bike." He laughs and moves to shake Edwin’s hand again. "Thanks for keeping me from getting into trouble. And sorry if I caused you any, I owe you one." 

“You owe me nothing.” 

Edwin watches, silently, as the other man turns. Bends over his motorcycle as if inspecting possible damage to it, caused by one Esther Finch’s sheer proximity, nodding to himself at the end of his inspection. One leg is thrown smoothly over the bike, one hand digs in his pocket for his keys, and Edwin, still standing there for reasons unknown to himself, watches him glance upwards again and again, confusion growing as fast as the frown creeping on Thomas’s face.  

Then, the first droplet hits the very top of his head. Followed quickly by the next drip, drip, drip. 

Edwin takes a deep breath, and sighs for what seems like the hundredth time today.   

"Hells," he whispers to himself, knowing that no good will come from this, "Thomas," he calls out, and the other man, fiddling with his keys in his hands, shoots him another charming smile. He looks so tired , is what comes to Edwin’s mind, stays there. "Will you tell me something, honestly?" 

"Sure, Ghostie. I owe you one after all." Thomas barely stifles a yawn. 

"Do you have anywhere to go tonight?" 

The hands fiddling with the keys pause. The answer is obvious, but he says it anyway. "Not really. Not such a big deal, though. You don’t have to worry about me, Edwin. Cats always land on their feet." He’s shot a cheeky wink, the effect of which is utterly ruined by the rain dropping down on them, making the Cat King resemble more of a wet kitten. 

Edwin frowns, feels a surge of anger within himself. "Well. That simply won't do. Follow my car, you can stay with me until you're sorted." 

Thomas blinks at him. "I… no, I can't do that. That's… I wouldn't wanna put you out, it's too much to ask-" 

Edwin waves his hand dismissively in the air. "I have plenty of room.  And besides, what are friends for?" 

Thomas still looks completely taken aback, but he settles back onto his motorcycle, gives a lopsided grin. "Alright then, ghostie. Lead the way." 

[livuvur]

Favorite Edwin moment? Either 03 or BH?

Oh god that's a hard one... Considering I love every moment the two of them are on screen together but I will try, (also note I'm not including the most well-known, iconic moments aka gun scene/proposal, etc.) Just to keep the variety a little, I'm gonna focus more on moments that I believe have very high significance to their relationship but simply don't get talked about nearly enough. (Not in particular order)

1. This moment, especially in the manga makes me very very soft, in the page before this one we see ed being all miserable by himself, he goes to call winry (who is also being all miserable by herself) and I really do love the approach of this moment as it is not Ed trying to comfort Winry after Hughes' death nor bringing up the topic at all, since he himself doesn't know what else he could say about it, on top of the fact that he feels responsible for what happened to him, instead, he just tries to make sure winry doesn't go without eating because it would do her no good, and attempts to leave, but then she just takes his hand and leads him into her room and his face as she does so is just so utterly adorable... I love how soft that panel is, and how despite Ed not being one to comfort her she is still non-verbally asking him to stay, because she needs him by her side in those moments, and his presence alone is enough, and then, despite how he had just eaten he still accepts the apple pie Winry made because she put so much of her heart and her effort into it. And once he sees the tears gathering in her eyes he is simply physically incapable of saying no to her.

2. I think I've talked about these panels before on here, something very interesting to me is how the first panel shows ed admitting he always saw Winry as someone so upbeat and cheerful, to the point it is easy for him to forget how much pain she's actually been internalizing the whole time, and then scolding himself for not understanding her feelings at all. And then you have Winry seeing right through Ed, saying she knows he is just trying hard to be tough (and that he is an idiot, *cough*). The thing is, Winry has seen Ed at his worst, she was there taking care of both him and Al when they had lost everything and Ed was struggling under the weight of his guilt and pain, she saw him crying and sobbing everyday, she even mentions that at nights he just couldn't stop moaning from the pain and fever automail caused him. And on the other hand, Ed had been thinking quite the opposite about Winry, because she was always there being a rock for both him and Al even after having lost her family herself, she was there, always smiling for them and supporting his every step with such strenght he couldn't even imagine she was simultaneously grieving as well. Ed always saw Winry's strenght, but she always knew his weakness all too well.

3. Self-explanatory, I'm a sucker for edwin parallels: she thinks of him while she's dying, he thinks of her while he is fighting to stay alive. They are obsessed with each other, next one.

4. THIS MOMENT, GOD. “seeing it made me realize I couldn't go home”, “I want to be able to help you, so your road's not so hard” this whole scene is just so overlooked it hurts, cause it just goes to show Winry's love and dedication to Ed, and how his determination and resolve inspire her own, she is always looking to improve in any ways she can to help him, Ed literally is able to walk and to continue his journey because of her, (and he reminds it to her in one of her darkest moments) and I just think it's amazing how they're both always challenging each other under different circumstances, this is just one of them, with Winry declaring she is gonna push herself to be the fucking best she can so she can be there for him. (Also his sudden self-awareness and blush when he realizes he is staring at her smile... *blows them up with dynamite*)

5. Again, self-explanatory. Absolutely fucking love some good male rage when his boo is threatened, Bradley didn't even have to lay a finger on her and this guy was ready to strangle him right there. (Also Olivier's entire speech in BH saying Ed's eyes were “desperate” and of “a boy who would do anything to protect the things he loves” when he refused to tell her anything about the homunculi because Winry was a hostage, even tho he knew Olivier could have chopped him in little pieces just because of that. <3

6.

Damn apparently I can't add more images lmao but basically this whole thing they unspokenly have going on where they give each other an item that belongs to the other so they keep it as a reassurance/promise they will see each other again: Ed giving winry his red coat after the gun scene, Winry giving Ed her earrings and asking him to keep them safe for her, and even in their very last scene, Winry keeping Ed's white hoodie, the one he wore when he came back home to her. Just. They are so. Yeah.

Believe me I have many more I could go on for hours, I wanted to include some 03 moments too, but it's 1 am and I need sleep so yeah (also forgive any grammar/spelling mistakes on this I really do need to 💤)

thank you for the ask !

[oceanmusings]

Paige -♡- Steve | ABC Fluff

Paige is my oc, who is the lead singer of Corroded Coffin! And paired with Steve Harrington! Enjoy these fluff headcanons about these two <3

A - Admiration (what do they admire about each other?)

Paige admires how far Steve has come from how she first met him. Probably if she told younger Paige she would be with Steve Harrington, she wouldn’t believe herself. But Paige makes sure to tell Steve daily just how proud she is of him.

Steve is so proud of Paige for how ambitious she is, for a music career, or even when she sets her mind on something she will get it done. He’s just in awe everyday he gets watch her do everything she does.

B - Body (favorite body part?)

Paige is obsessed with Steve’s hands

Steve loves Paige’s smile but also her thighs, holy shit-

C - Cuddling (how do they like to cuddle?)

Paige is a sensory seeking type of person, so she enjoys some good cuddle sessions. She loves the feeling of Steve holding her or even him laying on top of her, it’s the best part of the end of the day when they are done studying or when she’s working on new music. And Steve is more than happy to provide those cuddles, though he is the one to sadly bring them to a stop when Paige tries to convince him to let her skip school and just stay in bed all day.

D - Dates (ideal date?)

Any kind of date Paige enjoys going on with Steve, her favorite was the drive-in movie Steve once took her on. But neither focused on the movie much after a game of trying to catch popcorn in their mouth. And the concerts they go to together that either one was looking forward to are always the most fun.

E - Emotions (how do they express emotion?)

For Steve I can imagine it was hard at first to express any emotion. For a while it wasn’t okay for him to express any emotion while growing up with his parents, but slowly both Steve and Paige learn together how to express their emotions in a healthy manner.

So it took some trial and error on both their part over the years of their relationship.

F - Family (do they want one? If they do, when? And what does this family look like?)

At Steve's request, he will get 6 nuggets. Here we go bitches (I’m sorry Paige for the work you’ll need to do here)

Now to be kind to Paige here, she actually enjoys being pregnant! She doesn’t love the first 3 months but that second trimester and a bit of the beginning of the third trimester, she is in love with. But also they wouldn’t have kiddos until they felt stable to do it and ready to do it either, and Steve could be able to stay at home and take care of their kids - since that’s all he wants to do and he loves the job.

But to go in order, here are the Harrington-Evans nuggets.

Edwin "Winnie" Harrington

Imogen Harrington

Lyra Harrington

Milo and Jenna Harrington - a pair of twins

George Harrington

G - Gifts (how do they feel about gift giving?)

Both Steve and Paige grew up in vastly different worlds, with Paige growing up with a more poor family compared to Steve more rich and high honor family. So Paige values gifts but she hates when Steve spends a lot of money on her. Steve enjoys any gift Paige makes for him, especially when she writes music for him. She gets so excited when she finishes a song for him and loves watching all his reactions.

H - Holding Hands (when/how do they like to hold hands?)

Steve’s love language is touch, so he loves to hold Paige’s hand any chance he got. When they need to runaway or anything, he always gravitates to grab her’s, so he can keep her close. His favorite way is wrapping his arm around her though.

When either one needs any kind of encouragement, like if Paige feels nervous to do a gig, or Steve is going in for a new interview. One will give the other’s hand a squeeze and words of encouragement.

I - Injury (how would they act if either of them got hurt?)

Paige is a little more used to Steve getting hurt, from his basketball player days, or just when there has been chaos from the Upside Down. Paige is used to seeing Steve hurt in some way. So in her car she keeps a first aid kit to patch him up if she needs to.

Steve is a little more anxious, just wanting Paige to be okay and not hurt, maybe some part of him blaming himself that he couldn’t make sure Paige could be safe.

J - Jokes (do they like to joke around or play pranks? How does that play out?)

It’s mainly teasing each other in some way, it’s the best when Robin joins in on Paige teasing Steve. But it’s all in fun and games, neither would try to hurt each other and will stop if one becomes passive aggressive. 

K - Kisses (how do they like to kiss?)

If either are in a rush, it’s quick and over, barely a peck. But it’s one of Paige’s favorites to do with him. Sometimes he likes to sneak up behind her, spin her around for a kiss, and then hug her close to his chest. But when they have time it’s slow, sensual, and both are absolutely obsessed with the rush of feelings either gets and the feel of closeness is intoxicating. These ones are exhilarating. But honestly any kisses Steve gives her are her favorites.

L - Love (how do they show/express their love?)

Paige loves involving Steve in stuff she loves. Like practicing lines with him if she is in a play, playing some sort of riff she was playing around with. Her love language is definitely quality time.

For Steve, he just wants to be around her all the time. He loves when she hangs out with him at work on the weekends if she doesn’t have practice. And doing things for her when things feel too stressful, especially some massages or giving her cuddles when she needs it or asking for it himself if he needs it. Which Paige will give happily. His is definitely acts of service and physical touch.

M - Memory (favorite memory together?)

Paige - her favorite memory is when she first said “I love you” to Steve. She had come to Steve's unprompted and she had met his parents, he looked horrified she was meeting them and Paige understood why. Neither of his parents respected Steve for the way they talked him and she realized he didn't live in a loving home. And she found herself wanting to give him all the love she could ever give him. So when they got in his car to drive somewhere, she told him she loves him. The look on his face when she said it was something she would never forget, the look of hope and disbelief in his face.

Steve - After she was done with a gig he saw for the first time. She was covered in sweat from jumping around and the harsh lights, but she was so happy he had come to see her - because Steve wanted to surprise her, her bandmates helped him with surprising her. It was adorable when she first saw him. He felt honored to see Paige in her element and be her most self.

But despite how sweaty she got from the show, Steve still gave her a giant hug and loving kiss “hello.”

N - Nicknames (what nicknames do they call each other?)

Paige - Baby, Honey, Lover boy

Steve - Baby, Babe, Sweetie,

O - Obvious (what's it like when they fall in love? How is it for everyone else?)

Robin was almost going to lock the two in the room to confess their feelings because it was driving her up a wall to hear Steve talk about how much he liked her. And the band was annoyed by how much Paige would just anxiously talk about what would happen if she confessed her feelings, since she was the outcast girl and he was Hawin’s King, Steve Harrington.

P - PDA (How do they feel about pda? Are they shy or shameless?)

Completely shameless. Neither have any shame on doing any pda. Steve loves his girlfriend and he wants to make sure she knows it.

Paige loves showering Steve in kisses, but she keeps in mind where they are and who their company is.

Q - Quality Time (how do they like to spend time together?)

Similar to “L - Love.”

Since Paige’s love language is quality time, she spends as much time as she can.- and Steve is up for - so they are around each other a lot.

Sometimes if Paige has time and Steve works weekends, she hangs out with him at his work. Just any kind of way she can be around Steve she will take, talking about everything and sometimes nothing. Both finding just their company to be enough, not needing to say anything.

R - Rhythm (what song reminds you of them?)

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen

New Romantics by Taylor Swift

Young and In Love by Ingrid Michaelson

Still Into You by Paramore

S - Secrets (how open are they with each other?)

In the beginning of the relationship, Steve and Paige are a little scared of being vulnerable. Because Steve has been burned before and he hasn't had good role models of what a good relationship was. Neither did Paige since her mom didn't date a lot, the only good relationship she watched was her Uncle Dean and Aunt Maeve.

Steve and Paige learn together what it means to have an open, vulnerable, healthy relationship.

T - Time (how long did it take to get together?)

Depends. Maybe a year and a half.

This may change once season 5 comes out.

U - Upset (how are they when either are upset?)

Steve will yell when he's extremely upset and confused,  and Paige comes to learn this quickly. If Paige can, she'll hold his hand to ground him. But if she can't or touch is too much for him, she'll leave him to cool himself off.

If he's severely upset and need comfort. Paige will hold him tight to her until he calms down.

For Steve he has learned touch is sometimes too much for Paige, so it's best he keeps his distance as she processes through her emotions. Once she's ready he will give her a hug and comfort her through that way.

V - Vaunt (do they show each other off? What are they proud of?)

Both SO PROUD to show each other off. Paige will give Steve a shout-out in any gig he's there for. She'll tell others any big thing Steve is doing and just how proud she is of her.

And same to Steve. He is so amazed with the music she makes and honored he gets to hear her process. But also see all these sides of her that no one else has seen. He talks all the time of how proud he is of her.

W - Wild Card (random fluff headcanon)

Steve used to write to a relationship column in the paper for advice for his and Paige's relationship. Paige only found out because her mom showed her when she found the pages.

Paige didn't know if she should be mortified people knew some of the things he talked about or find it adorable. 

X - X-Ray (how well can they read each other?)

Paige is autistic, so it takes her a while to be able to read Steve and see all his tells. But this is the same for almost everyone so it's not him specifically.

Steve is also autistic in my headcanon, so it also takes him a while to read her. But slowly together they can read their body language.

Y - Yes (how would they propose?)

I'm not sure! Again, I need to see how season 5 goes. But Steve might do it when they are together in private or plan some big dinner and do it there.

Z - Zen (what makes them feel calm?)

Steve will immediately calm down with any type of touch Paige can provide him. Or if she gives him some kind of look. And the same can go for Paige. Or when he can assure her that "everything is going to be okay."

[that-crazy-five-foot-two-chick]

Rated T for 1,107 words of EdWin FWP (Fluff Without Plot)

Summary: Edward would never read romance novels...in front of other people. He and Winry get into an argument over romance novels and somehow end up kissing. Except that they've never kissed before. So they're terrified. But then, what better to ward off terror than the need to avoid losing an argument?

A/N: Based on this prompt list of common misquoted idioms I made

Alphonse thought he'd settle in with his copy of Specialized and Little-Known Transmutations, 10th edition on the living room couch. After all, some light reading was in order that afternoon. What he did not expect to come across was a copy of Wrench to My Heart. What he expected even less was seeing it in his brother's hands. Surely there was no harm in inquiring about Edward's reading materials.

"What are you reading, Brother?"

Ed leaped out of his skin and hastily shoved the book into the seat cushion behind his back. "Nothing! Why do you think I was reading? I can't read!"

Al stared at him with a raised eyebrow until he realized his blunder.

"I mean. I only read alchemic texts. Most other stuff is just too boring. Except for comic books, maybe." Ed suddenly found everything in the room fascinating except Alphonse.

"So you're telling me that 'Wrench to my Heart' is an alchemic text."

"It's," Ed choked, "It's encoded! I was deciphering it!"

"Ed, I'm pretty sure that's definitely just a romance novel."

"Shut up!"

Their squabble was cut short when Winry came in, wiping her hands on her apron.

"What's going on in here?" she asked.

"Nothing!" was quickly followed by a gleeful "Ed's reading a romance novel."

"Oh! Well, that's unexpected."

"Was not!" Ed protested.

"What's wrong with romance novels?"

"They're. They're too sappy," Ed said curtly. "Besides, it's an alchemy book I was decoding. You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, I wouldn't, now? Let me see the author, then. Romance is a very misrepresented genre, and some of it is very good writing," said Winry.

Ed handed over the book sulkily. Winry examined the book and said, "This is actually a really well-known author, Ed. I doubt it's actually an alchemy book. It's a good choice, though. I've read some other books by that author, and I really like how her main characters tend to be in unconventional careers. If you weren't reading it seriously before, I'd highly recommend it. There's nothing wrong with a guy liking romance novels."

"But Winry—!"

Al chimed in with a smirk, "He skips to the kissing scenes!"

"NO I FREAKING DON'T, AL!" Ed howled. Winry crossed her arms and pointedly focused her eyes on the painting over the couch. "Well, what's so bad about kissing, Ed?" she shot back.

"Nothing! Nothing's wrong with it, it's just—"

"Then prove it." Winry challenged with a steely gaze.

Al snuck out of the room as the two glared at each other. The room was nearly sizzling with nerves, but Edward stood and strode up to Winry.

"Fine, if you want me to prove it, I'll prove it," he said with her face terrifyingly close to his own.

"Fine with me," she retorted unconvincingly.

Ed's breath was shaky as he leaned in to press his lips to Winry's. It seemed as though the walls and floor had shifted. As though everything had become fuzzy except for the feeling on their lips. After several seconds, he remembered that his lips were actually supposed to move. Winry's hands darted to his shoulders, giving him just enough courage to cradle her face as delicately as if it would break. She attempted to encourage him, but she ended up with his wet lips halfway to her nose. Her face scrunched in distaste.

Ed tilted his head back and scrutinized the situation. Winry bit her lip, avoiding his eyes. Then, without warning, he fitted his lips against hers again, kissing her agonizingly slowly. Agonizing, but far better in every possible way. A new wave of confidence surged through him.

Ed broke the kiss for a moment with wide eyes.

"Is that apple pie?" he asked, then dove back in.

"Are you going to—" Winry was interrupted by another kiss. "let me—" Another kiss. "answer your stupid question?" Ed answered by smirking and continuing to kiss her.

Winry shoved him away, gasping for air. Her face was beet red. Her eyes searched for something, anything to land on other than Ed. "The apple pie's in the kitchen—on the kitchen counter," she stuttered. "Go grab a slice."

Ed hummed and stepped forward, slipping an arm around her waist. His voice lowered to an almost gravelly pitch as he traced a shaking finger along her jawline. "Tastes better like this."

Winry inhaled sharply as he snatched up her lips with a hunger that was far deeper than a yearning for apple pie. Ed's hand tightened around her waist reflexively, and she melted into him. She threaded a hand into his hair, and he couldn't help but whine a little, startling her slightly. Taking Winry's distraction as an opportunity to breathe, Ed kissed her with a renewed vigor. He gripped her toned arm as if it would somehow bring their bodies closer together. As if it was the only thing that kept him grounded to the floor.

Then the floor echoed with footsteps.

Ed jumped away, if reluctantly, and pushed Winry an arm's length away just as Alphonse strolled into the room with an innocent smile.

"Did you see that Winry made apple pie, Brother? You should really try some."

Edward floundered for words. "I already—I mean, yeah, so people seem to love telling me. I should...go get some." He took a couple steps, then stumbled on air before sprinting into the kitchen, red-faced.

After a moment, Winry stammered, "I should, uh, make sure Ed doesn't eat all of the apple pie." She fled in the same direction.

A slice of apple pie sat on the kitchen counter. Ed cut a second slice and handed Winry the plate. "I thought I'd get one for you, too, since you made it." They stood in silence for a minute, eating their pie.

Then Ed burst out, "I don't know what happened to me, I just couldn't stop kissing you like some...lips-obsessed monster or something. I'm sorry. I should have had better control of myself. I should have made sure you actually wanted to. I know what made me do it, obviously. It's hormones. Just a bunch of chemicals. But that's no excuse for—" Winry lightly touched his shoulder, and whatever words he had fizzled out on his tongue.

"Ed. It's...it's okay." She fought to meet his eyes, summoning the courage to speak. "More than okay. Actually, um...do you want to...do it again sometime?"

Edward's jaw dropped, and he was certain his blush could be seen from a mile away.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Alphonse walked over to the book Ed had abandoned. "Hm, a kissing scene," he noted smugly. "What do you know."

*

*

*

A/N: I could not think of a title for Ed's novel for the life of me, so I had to come up with a place holder and brainstorm more. Rest in peace, Ooh La La Womance and Grease-Stained Embrace.

[welshmoony]

An Unknown World

An Unknown World - Chapter Four

First Chapter: [One]

Previous Chapter: [Three]

Next Chapter: [Five]

Characters: George Weasley x Male OC

Fic Summary: Just weeks before Edwin Scally turns 18 and is sent to a private summer school, a couple of idiots crash a flying car into his garden and invite him to live with them in the Wizarding World. He accepts the offer and falls in love with one of the twins. Just months later he is attacked and his life will never be the same; will Edwin regret moving to the Wizarding World? And how will he deal with the consequences?

Word Count: 1482

Warnings: N/A for this chapter

A/N: Feedback welcome! :)

May the 31st fell on a Friday that year. It was his 18th birthday today but all he could think about was the fact that he was to depart for summer school tomorrow. His parents never bought him gifts that he truly liked but instead got him a new suit. He knew that he would never wear it but thanked them out of politeness. Antoinette gave Edwin some watercolour paints in private, away from his parents, it seemed like she knew him better than his parents did, he thanked her sincerely and went straight to his room to try them out. His room was almost bare now as he had packed everything for summer school, he didn’t own many belongings, about two trunks full, if that. He didn’t want to pack most of the things his parents had gifted him over the years and his new suit was now added to the pile of things he would not even consider taking.

He spent his day talking to family members he barely knew as they were all invited over for a celebration meal. After an exhausting day of socialising, he returned to his bedroom for the night and started to open the cards he had received during the family gathering. He put up his cards on the shelves so his walls looked a little less bare for the night, and put all the money from inside his cards into his wallet. He had enough to buy himself some new vinyl, books, and new clothes with some left over to save.

He lay on his bed, reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, this was his third time reading the textbook in a month, he was obsessed with learning about the magical creatures, he had a few favourites, they were mainly dragons with a few exceptions. He loved the Matagot, even though they were native to France so doubt that he would be able to see any in London. He also loved the look of the Zouwu, a gigantic, elephant-sized cat-like creature, native to China. He found them a lot more interesting than the Muggle world creatures and found it unfair.

As he turned the page he heard a loud BANG which startled him and soon followed a “SURPRISE!” He was ecstatic to see the two familiar redheads back again in his bedroom. 

“Happy Birthday Mate!” said Fred as he handed over a small, badly-wrapped gift. He opened it to find a selection of magical sweets.

He looked in awe as he rummaged through the box, “thank you so much, Fred, this is amazing!” He pulled out a purple box and on the package, it read ‘Chocolate Frog’. “I- Uh- love it and all but a chocolate frog? Am I supposed to eat this?”

The twins laughed and Fred replied, “Of course you are! What else are you supposed to do with chocolate?!” Edwin slowly opened the box, he could feel something moving inside… but surely it wasn’t alive, he thought. He squealed a little as the frog burst out at the opening, jumping away before Fred managed to catch it. “Here! Now bite it before he goes again!” Both Fred and George had massive smiles on their faces, he could tell that his reactions to the magical food was amusing to them. He slowly bit into the frog, he felt wrong for doing so, it didn’t seem right, but after chewing he realised that it really was just chocolate. 

“You can open mine now!” George said, nudging Fred out of the way a little. He handed over a neatly wrapped box, complete with a ribbon, from George and proceeded to open it.

“This one won’t jump away will it?” Edwin joked.

“No, no! Just opened it!” George’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Edwin opened the box to reveal a golden wristwatch. 

“George I-”

“It’s a year late but I thought you would appreciate it!” He smiled at the boy, “When wizards come of age, at 17, it is traditional to be gifted a watch. Obviously, you’re not a wizard but we can see how much the magical world fascinates you and thought it would be a great gift.” George was still smiling but was also now slightly red in the cheeks.

“Muggles come of age at 18!” Edwin claimed. He hoped that they would appreciate his use of wizarding vocabulary. 

“What have you lot got to come of age for?” Fred said with a confused look on his face.

“Wait… what are you guys talking about?” Edwin said he started to get flustered. 

“We’re talking about when it’s legal for wizards to use magic outside of school! You keep your dirty mind to yourself, Mister!” Fred said as he patted Edwin on the back and they all began to laugh. 

Although Edwin was slightly embarrassed at the misunderstanding, he felt comfortable with the boys and he was glad that they found it funny. It was likely that they would tease him about it but he didn’t really mind, he was just happy to be in their company. Edwin didn’t have any friends other than the twins as he had been homeschooled for as long as he can remember.

“How did you two know that it was my birthday anyway?”

“Well, we did pop in earlier, but the room was empty apart from a card from your parents,” George explained.

“Yeah, it was a bit embarrassing shouting SURPRISE at nothing! We left quickly after we saw the card to get you presents from us.”

“Why are you packed up, anyway?”

Edwin sighed and looked at the pair, “My bloody parents are sending me to a summer school.” He slumped back on to his bed and the twins did the same, one on either side of him.

“I thought you guys came of age at 18?” said Fred.

A puzzled Edwin and George looked at him, and both said, “Meaning?”

“Meaning that you can do whatever you want? Right?” Fred said looking at them as if the solution was staring them right in the face. In a way, it kind of was.

But Edwin gazed back, still confused. 

“C’mon mate, you can stay with us!” he said jumping up off of the bed.

Edwin pondered on the thought, he really did love visiting the flat last time he went and it meant that he wouldn’t have to see his parents for a while. His parents… how on Earth would they react? Their son has run away with two men neither of them had ever met before... Would they even care?

He stood up from his bed and began to walk around the room, the twins followed him up and down and up and down. The silence was tense and Edwin had finally come to his decision. “I know what I want to do.” He said, stopping in his tracks and the twins almost bumped into him. 

“Go on, tell us!” the twins almost yelled with an eager look on their faces.

But Edwin said nothing. He walked over to his desk and got out a piece of paper and began to write, he folded up the letter and placed it into an envelope.

“I accept your offer” he said, finally cracking a smile. The boys began to cheer and jump around, “BUT- George can’t be staying on the sofa the whole time!” 

“Ahh, so you want to be roommates?” Fred winked and smirked at Edwin. “Got it, got it! If you need me out of the way, just let me kno-OWW! What was that for?” his face was now in a fake pout, he knew exactly what he was doing and why both Edwin and George had punched him on an arm each.

“We’ll sort it out once we get to the flat, you all packed Eddie?” George said, smiling down at the shorter of the three.

He could feel that his cheeks were a lot warmer than usual and his stomach seemed to be full of butterflies fighting to get out as a strip of lighting from outside Edwin’s window revealed that George was looking rosy-cheeked too.

“Uh-Y-Yeah” he managed to choke out. He took one last glance around at his bedroom, he had spent the past 18 years of his life in this room, although he enjoyed being in it, it didn’t bring the best memories. Maybe it really was time for a change. “I’m ready!” He smiled at the boys.

“You lovebirds make me sick”, Fred teased and got a kick in the leg from George in return. They picked up a trunk of Edwin’s each and clung onto Edwin’s elbow with their free hands. “Hold on tight, Edwin! We do not want to be messing this up!” With a whoosh of wind and a BANG, the three boys and their possessions had vanished from Edwin Scally’s bedroom for the last time.

[agreeablesenseofthemacabre]

Lifting the Sea

“Where’s Cas?” 

Dean does a full comedic rotation before spotting the Angel— his husband— whatever, scowling at his phone near a landmark. 

He shrugs, “Catching those little monster dudes probably. Apparently they’re all over the place here.”

Sam’s brow furls, he looks over at Eileen who shrugs. 

“What?”

“You know that fuckin’ app that everybody was obsessed with like... 5 years ago? Pocket something something”

Sam frowns for a split second then it hits him.

“Pokémon go?”

“Yeah that shit.” Dean shrugs again, his green eyes still fixed on the man in question. “I knew it was a mistake getting a smartphone” but he doesn’t sound nearly as bothered as he claims. He glares upward. “It’s fucking hot” 

Sam’s also dart up. “I mean. It’s the beach Dean.” He stares pointedly at his brother’s attire. “Would it kill you to buy some shorts maybe a tshirt?” 

Dean pulls a face, but doesn’t argue, Cas is waving happily- just now noticing how far they’ve walked away from him. He points excitedly to his phone and says something. 

“Can’t hear—” Dean sighs, “CAN’T HEAR YA CAS, you’re too far” he yells, smiling softly. “Asshole.” 

Dean points at the nearby shop, waving to get Sam’s attention, a couple kids are clustered around Cas chattering to him animatedly. 

“Sam. Can you keep an eye on him? I’ll be right back” 

~~~

When Dean walks back out into the sunshine Cas has finally decided to join them. He’s signing to Eileen and going intensely through the alphabet. Probably more about that damn Pokémon game. 

Sam whistles, “I’m blind” he laughs. “Your legs, they’re reflecting the sun”

Dean flips him off.

“No, but for real Dean, have your thighs ever been exposed to light? Are you sure it’s safe?”

“HA, HA, fuck you”

Cas turns at his voice, eyes glowing happily, and how in the hell did Dean Winchester get so lucky. 

“I caught a Charizard in the wild Dean, none of the other players were able to capture him” He informs proudly, phone still out, finger flipping with precision, “You have very nice legs” he adds. “The sunlight will cause you to have more freckles, plus the added health benefits of vitamin D”

Dean winks, “Any nude beaches out here? I could benefit from your vitamin d”

Sam retches, seizing the umbrella from Dean and heading toward the beach. “You two are disgusting” 

Dean waves cheerily before turning back to his boyfriend— husband. 

“So What’s a charred—“

“Charizard.” Cas corrects, “dragon fire type”

“Uh-huh” Dean reaches for Cas’ hand, it takes him a second to get used to flicking with his thumb, but he manages, Dean lets Cas lead. “Did you bully those kids out of their dragon? Dragons suck dude.”

“It is very rare to catch in the wild, Edwin told me, he is one of the top players in this region, he is 12, and though he is Team Valor, and I am team Instinct, I decided to trust him.”

“Whatever you say babe.”

“I think you might enjoy this game Dean, it combines hunting and tracking with less bloodshed and all of the monsters seem kind.” Cas squints suddenly, yanking them out of the flow of traffic and down onto the beach. “I see combees.”

~~

“Handsome and artistic, you’ve gotta be a serial killer right?”

Dean raises his head, shielding his eyes in the sun. She’s tall, and curvy with sparkling eyes and a near perfect smile. 

“I don’t know about artistic, but I never murder and tell”

She throws out a hand. 

“I’m Clarice” 

“Dean.”

She notices the lift of his expression and rolls her eyes good naturally, “Yeah like Silence of the Lambs”

“Put the lotion in the basket” he intones with a mock accent. 

“Yeah that never gets old” 

He laughs and she smiles and takes a seat on the beach chair beside him.

“What brings you out here into the sunshine?” 

“Celebratin’.” His eyes turn back to his sketchbook, thumb smudging a carefully drawn mop of black hair.

“Oh, that’s fun, how old are you?” She doesn’t seem bothered by his in attention, sips her drink and watches him sketch. 

“Ah um” He shifts and does the mental math. “Forty-three I think...”

“Looking good” she says appreciatively. He’s too focused on the lines, eyes occasionally darting to the ocean, quite obviously only half listening. She’s not put off yet- no ring on his finger, only a necklace with two silver circles and that could mean anything.

“So uh, a couple of my friends are headed down into the—“

“DEAN!” 

His attention is immediately diverted, a man waist-deep in the frigid surf is pointing excitedly at something, he’s still wearing his snorkel mask. He pulls something free of the water- revealing a long, lean wriggling shape.  

“Is that a fucking shark?” Dean mutters in disbelief, then much louder “CAS is that a fucking shark?”

A giant man with longer hair stops splashing the woman with him, turns and starts cackling. The shark handler pulls his mask off, beaming. “Jack would love this!”

Clarice shades her eyes and takes a good look at the man with the shark and then at the drawing Dean’s been working on. 

“Who’s that?” She asks, his distraction giving her a better chance seeing what’s in his sketchbook. 

A lovingly rendered drawing of what looks like the man with the shark. But in the sketch it’s in a much different position, hair ruffled in detail over his brow. Blankets pooled around his barely covered hipbones. His eyes burn with inner heat despite the fact that they’re merely pencil on paper. His subject had clearly been in love with whomever he’d been looking at. 

“That is my boyfriend, he’s gonna get his nipple bit off if he’s not careful.” Dean’s smiling cause Sam is trying to talk Cas into releasing the shark and is clearly failing. “Oh hell, I guess husband now.”

She stands, “I am so sorry, I didn’t realize. I gotta—“

“Nice to meet you Clarice” he says, honestly surprised by her quick exit. “Yo STEVE IRWIN. put the shark down and come up here— time to reapply sunblock”

~~

“Who was that woman?” Cas asks, shaking like a dog and stirring a loud swearing session out of Dean as he shields his sketchbook from the saltwater.

“What woman?”

“The one speaking to you earlier? When I caught the shark?”

Dean looks completely vacant before remembering. “Oh shit, yeah! Clarice or something. Nice lady.”

Cas nods, waiting patiently while Dean starts applying sunscreen to his back. 

“Did she need something?”

Dean shrugs, “just being friendly I guess, lean close. I gotta get your nose”

Cas hums and obliges, he grins suddenly and rips open a Velcro pocket in his trunks revealing his prize to Dean. 

“Is that a goddamn crab Castiel?”

The angel nods happily. “We should find out if Claire can FaceTime. She would love to see.”

~~

Claire and Kaia lean close, Dean’s got the camera aimed so that it’s mostly sky and their foreheads. Cas is smushed against his cheek waving. 

“Jesus.” Claire hisses. “Hold the damn camera still. Dean— look, YOU’RE the square in the corner.”

Kaia hasn’t stopped giggling since they connected.

“How is Kansas?” Cas asks. “Are you well?”

Claire rolls her eyes. “You’ve been gone two days. It’s the same Cas— house burned down and a ghoul attack—“

The camera reels, two deep gruff voices start speaking rapidly. 

“She’s joking!” Kaia intervenes. “Castiel, Dean. She’s joking. We’re fine and safe, worst thing that happened is we ran out of coffee.”

He nods seriously— the left side of Dean’s face is unamused.

“Tell them not to put damn Walmart coffee in my coffee machine—“

Cas lifts a blurry item into view. “I caught a crab today,”

She freezes only for a moment, crabs had been her thing in 1st grade. Her dad had shared some of his favorite memories with Cas; she was realizing that he did it because he trusted the angel. The crab thing was a new one— he seems proud though, pleased that he remembered. 

“He also caught a fucking shark with his bare hands.” Dean adds, taking the phone back, view now up his nostrils. They’re both sunburned and nearly glowing with happiness. “Almost lost a nipple”

“I did not.” It’s Cas’ turn to roll his eyes. “I will send you photographs via messaging after the call.”

“When are you guys headed back?” Claire asks, cause she’s pleased about the pictures and doesn’t know how to admit it. 

Dean turns the camera again. This time slightly more centered. 

“Sam and Eileen are heading home tomorrow, but Cas says he has more surprises for me and “undomesticated equine could not drag the secrets from him’”

Dean and Claire snort simultaneously. 

“I was being funny.” Cas interjects, Dean laughs at something off camera and grabs his face, kissing Cas’ cheek. “I know the saying.”

“Gotta go.” Dean says, with a wink. “Gotta get our vitamin D for the day, right Sunshine?”

The camera tips; Cas is frowning in confusion and they can barely see the top of Dean’s now suggestively wagging eyebrows.

“Oh. Uh. Yes.” Cas looks guiltily at the phone and shakes his head at Dean. “Vitamins.”

Kaia starts wheezing with laughter. It dawns on Claire moments later.

“That’s fucking gross.”

Cas shrugs apologetically, Dean’s laughter fills the background.

“We appear to be having connection issues.” Cas mutters, They watch Cas fumble with the phone as he frantically tries to hang up before Dean does anything scandalous.

“See you in a week!” Dean shouts. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Bye...” the screen goes dark and Claire is left with her and Kaia’s amused reflections. “Dads.”

~~ 

If you liked this it’s connected to my ao3 vibesandwonders. Come say hey here and see the rest of the series

[lilmissbeanie]

Navigation

Haikyuu Masterlist

Toru Oikawa x F!Reader

Song ~ Wedding Dress by Levi Hummon

Warning - Swearing maybe? I can’t remember ＼(≧▽≦)／

Fluff SFW

Word Count ~ 2.6k

Part 1 <you are here>| Part 2 | Part 3

Posted 09/07/20

July 16th, 2018. That was the day that Toru Oikawa stood proudly next to his best friend Hajime Iwaizumi as his best man. 

"What if she's changed her mind and ran away? That she thinks marrying me is a huge mistake." Oikawa rolled his eyes at his best friend, in all the years he had known him he has never seen his best friend this anxious, not even in a volleyball game against a powerhouse school back in high school if anything, it was Iwa trying to calm Oikawa. The poor lad was all jittery. 

"I wouldn't worry so much, you know Y/n is there with Emiko, and we both know how much she loves you. Y/n will get her here on time, and the second you see her in that stunning white dress, you will cry." Oikawa stepped forward, smoothing out the white shirt before straightening out his mint blue tie and peach coloured rose corsage. 

"Remember if it weren't for you and Emiko, I would not have met Y/n and fallen for her. Y/n will not let anything happen to Emiko; no a hair will be out of a place or an eyelash on her cheek, we owe the pair of you too much for matching us up so your wedding today will be flawless." Oikawa gave his confident smile and patted his best friend on his shoulder, Iwaizumi slipped his hand in his mint blue slacks as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. 

Fishing his phone out of his pocket, Oikawa spotted that it was only a couple of minutes to one, the ceremony would begin shortly. He spotted the text on his screen from Y/n - on our way see you soon (♡ω♡)

He smiled at the message before; sending back his own kaomoji o(>ω<)o, the pair were obsessed with sending kaomojis back and forth.

Locking his screen again before smiling at the photo, it was one of his favourites taking by Emiko herself. It was taken back last year when the four of them went to the beach to celebrate their engagement. Oikawa was giving Y/n a piggyback, his hands under her thighs, they were both in their swimwear, soak from swimming in the sea. Y/n had one arm wrapped around his shoulder with the other outstretched in from of them as she threw up the peace sign. Her h/c thrown up in a messy beach swept ponytail, her chin resting on his shoulder with a broad playful closed-eyed smile spread across her lips, Oikawa could see his matching grin spread across his face as his head was leant against hers. 

He loved that photo. She was showing off her natural beauty. No makeup or hair done up just right, with the tiny scar above her right eyebrow, he couldn't see it in the photo, but he knew it was there, he knew it was from a childhood accident of that one time she fell out of a tree when she was playing with her brothers. He knew all the scars, and where they were, his fingers had traced them all, knowing all the different childhood stories behind, ranging from messing around with her brothers to the one of her breaking her arm and the bone sticking out when she fell rock climbing. 

"Oi Shittykawa." Iwaizumi hissed bring the love-struck boy out of his memories and back into the church. "She's seriously got you wrapped that tightly around her fingers, huh." He stated as he hit the old Seijoh captain around the back of the head. 

"Ow! Iwa-chan that hurts!" Oikawa grumbled as he slipped his phone back into the pocket of his mint blue slacks, before rubbing the sore spot on the back of his head, but he was glad that Iwaizumi wasn't quite as nervous as before, "You're being vulgar again." 

From behind him, he could hear Matsukawa and Hanamaki stifling there laughs at the pair, he sent a glare over his shoulder to the two groomsmen, who were wearing white shirts with peach coloured slacks with matching ties and corsages. 

Before either of them could comment, the music began to play, the guest stood. All turned towards the door, Oikawa could not help but smile as he watched Takeru walk down the aisle as the ring bearer in his outfit matching the two groomsmen. Next to him was (niece's name) dressed in a tea-length peach coloured ball gown dress. It was so cute to watch them walk along together, (niece's name) throwing little flower petals as she walked, Takeru proudly carrying the wooden box with the glass window in the lid showing the rings sat on the velvet mint coloured pillow. Next, to walk along was Emiko other two bridesmaids, wearing peach coloured a-line asymmetrical chiffon dresses with a sweetheart's neck. Their hair was curled, and a half was styled back, each holding a small bouquet of peach roses in their hands. Oikawa knew who was next, it was his beloved, he knew she would be wearing mint blue to match him, but he had no clue what dress she would be wearing. 

Emiko and Iwaizumi, well mostly Emiko, had decided they wanted a peach and mint summer wedding, the groomsmen and bridesmaids would be in peach while the maid of honour and the best man along with the bride and groom would be in mint. Well, Emiko would be in white, but she would have accents of mint to her hair and in her bouquet.

When Y/n stepped through the door, Oikawa could do nothing but stare. She looked stunning in her floor-length a-line dress. He loved the sweetheart neckline and the way the sleeves were off the shoulder. He loved the way the chiffon fell and made it look like she was gliding along the floor, the peach coloured roses of her bouquet stood out against the mint blue of her dress. Her hair was tied back into an intricate bun, and she donned a light layer of makeup that brought out her sparkling crystal-like e/c eyes.

Their eyes locked with one another's and she gave him a gentle smile, she took her place on the bride's side of the aisle, giving him a wink before Y/n looked down the aisle with a proud look. Oikawa's eye's flickered to the doorway where Emiko was stood in her pure white lace ballgown dress, with a v-neck neckline. Her hair was in an even more intricate way with braids and curls going into a bun, with mint blue gems weaved into her hair before they flickered to Iwaizumi. Oikawa could see the tears welling Iwaizumi's eyes as he saw the love of his life stood there with her father ready to walk down and to give her to him for the rest of lives together. 

The ceremony was beautiful. Oikawa's eyes would continuously flicker to where Y/n was stood and back to the bride wonder what she would look like in a wedding dress. He wanted to see that; he knew he was going to marry her one day. Still, the pair had agreed to take it slow, they didn't want to rush a thing, and with Oikawa being a professional Volleyball player for Argentina it was hard enough for him to have this time off for the wedding. 

The wedding breakfast was great, filled with great food, booze and of course the speeches, Oikawa teasing the newlyweds but also congratulating and thanking them both for setting him up with Y/n. 

He would quite often see Y/n tear up at the speeches and when Iwaizumi and Emiko did there thank you speech and handed out the presents to their parents and the wedding party. Emiko was especially thankful for Y/n, "Honestly Y/n if it wasn't for you I think this wedding would have been a disaster, you kept me grounded through all of this, if I were having a meltdown you would be on a flight from Argentina to me that night, I don't know how many times you did that-"

"She did it thirteen times we had a travel case sat by the front door of our flat ready~" Oikawa interjected with a smirk winking at Niko.

"Don't worry I spent his money on the flights~" Y/n smiled as she leaned into Oikawa's side planting a kiss on his cheek as he fake gasped at the fact she stated. The room laughed at the couple. 

"Toru you a professional volleyball player, get over it! Anyway, if it weren't for you Y/n I would have probably thrown in the towel and cancelled everything on many of occasion, so I must also thank you Toru for letting your girlfriend come and help me at the drop of a hat and fly back here to Japan. Honestly, if it weren't for you two, this wedding wouldn't have been a disaster." Emiko grinned, raising her champagne glass "To Y/n and Toru!" 

"To Y/n and Toru!" The room chorused after her, the toasted pair stood there with there arms wrapped around each other, and there own champagne glasses in hand, Y/n rested her head against his chest as Oikawa planted a kiss on the top of her head as he whispered: "I love you, baby girl."

The first dance was beautiful, just Iwaizumi and Emiko slow dancing across the dance floor to I'll Be by Edwin McCain now and again Iwaizumi would twirl her around. They were whispering to each other. Both grinning, ever now and again kissing, either on the cheek or lips or in Iwaizumi's case her forehead too. Once again, Y/n was cuddled into Oikawa's side, holding her newly filled champagne glass to her chest as she smiled the tears welling up again.

Oikawa was happily chatting away to his old Seijoh teammates. He wasn't sure where Y/n was she said something about catching up with her old high school friends. His ears pricked up at the sound of the music, Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison was playing. Knowing how much Y/n loved this song from the movie Pretty Women, his eye's drifted to the dance floor, where he instantly found the bridal party and their high school friends dancing together singing along. Y/n and Emiko were doing some kind of ballroom dancing, their hands linked together spinning around and laughing, he loved this side of her, she was just having fun and letting loose not caring what people thought of her and her dancing. The next song to come one was Love is Strange by Mickley and Sylvia. Oikawa sighed he knew the DJ was playing the song from Dirty Dancing and he knew them all seeing as Y/n loved that movie as well. Their eyes lock at a certain point, and they both smirked.

'Sylvia~' Oikawa lip-synced to the song. 

'Yes, Mickey?' Y/n hip swayed to the song as she slowly, swaying her hips as she moved closer to him.

'How ya call your loverboy?' He was leaning against the pillar, knowing that his old teammates and her friends were watching

'Come here, loverboy!' using her head to signal from him to come to her. 

'And if he doesn't answer?' He smirked grew 

'Oh, lover boy?' giving him big doe eyes, her hands linked behind her back trying to look innocent, still quite a bit away from him

'And if he still doesn't answer?' He pushed himself off the pillar

'I smiply say, baaaaby' She couldn't help but giggle at him when he did the air guitar to the song.

'Ooooohhhh, baaaaabbyyy' Now stood toe to toe both laughing at Oikawa as he continued to do the air guitar. 

'My sweet baabbyy, you're the one' Planting a kiss on his lips before returning to the girls on the dance floor. 

"Damn you are whipped, aren't ya!" Yahaba laughed patting his shoulder, he just shrugged, he knew he was and he did not care, he loved her wholeheartedly. He continued to watch her on the dance floor once again thinking back to how he wanted to see her in a wedding dress, maybe it was the champagne going to his head, but he wonders if he just went up to her right now and went down on one knee, would she say yes? 

Y/n continued to dance with Emiko before they disappeared out the door so Emiko could change into her evening dress, something a little lighter and more comfortable to wear. 

Later into the evening, Oikawa's eyes locked onto Iwaizumi walking up to the DJ, he didn't miss the smirk that Iwaizumi sent his way. Not long after Iwaizuki walked away, a song began to play that Oikawa instantly recognised. It was his and Y/n song, I Was Made For Loving you by Tori Kelly began to play, he's eyes darted around the room looking for his beloved, he felt a hand on his arm. He grinned, taking her hand in his placing a kiss on her knuckles. 

"Come dance with me," She asked, placing his drink down on the table next to them. He smiled as and followed after her to the dance floor, her left arm wrapped around his right shoulder, and his left arm was gently wrapped around her waist and their free hands conjoined, Oikawa held them to his chest, her head placed gently against his chest as well. They both had gentle smiles on their face as they slow danced on the floor. They didn't see the looks on Emiko, and Iwaizumi faces as they watched the pair, it was just them on the dance floor. 

"We did a good match with those two." Emiko smiled her head resting on Iwaizumi's shoulder. 

"That we did, I think when you throw the bouquet, aim it at Y/n." Iwaizumi commented.

"I already had that planned." The newly wedded couple smirked at each other. 

It was nearly midnight when the after-party started to wrap up, the couple were heading off on their honeymoon, but first, it was time to throw the bouquet. As Emiko said she was going to aim for her best friend, she wanted to see her married to Oikawa; she wanted their children to grow up together and be best friends, even if they would be in different countries. 

Turning her back to the group of girls, Emiko looked over her shoulder, winking at Y/n before she threw the bouquet over her head.

Oikawa was praying that she would catch it, he wanted to propose to her all night, he already planned to buy a ring when they get back to Argentina.

The peach coloured rose flew through the air and landed perfectly into Y/n outstretched hands. Y/n eyes met Oikawa's as he gave her a look that said well we're going to have to now, the blush flushed Y/n cheeks, as she made her way back towards him, cradling the bouquet in her arms.

Iwaizumi and Emiko smirked to one another, knowing they had worked there magic once again, they knew it wouldn't be long till Oikawa would propose now, knowing he wanted to all day anyway, they could tell by the way he looked at her. 

"I'll gladly be your matron of honour," Emiko said nudging Y/n arm as they joined the blushing couple. 

"Give me a shout when you need a best man." Iwaizumi lightly punched Oikawa shoulder as he smirked. "I've already got bits of the speech planned." Catching the scared look that crossed Oikawa's cause the other three to laugh.

"So, if I asked you, would you say yes?" Oikawa asked as his arms snaked around her waist once again. 

After that, there were lots of goodbyes, and even more congratulations as Emiko and Iwaizumi left on their Italian road trip honeymoon. 

"Blue topaz~" Was all Y/n said as he placed a butterfly kiss against his cheek, waving after the car as it drove away.

Part 1 <you are here>| Part 2 | Part 3

©️ All content  belongs to lilmissbeanie, do not copy, edit, repost or translate. 

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[notanotherstuckybb]

NASBB Presents Masterlist: Week 6

Hey, we know how it is. You’re just a weary him/her/thembo, lost amid the  detritus of our prolific authors and artists, unsure where to start.  Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Check out all the COMPLETED fics posted for Week Six below the cut, and make sure you’re following @anotherstuckybb for the latest and greatest. To follow along with our collab teams as they post, keep an eye on the #NASBBPresents tag, and watch for a special teaser graphic (courtesy of @spacerenegades​‘ passion for graphic design) under the #NASBBMastertweet tag.

The Red Daisies || riskywrites & bicappy & espressosaur || rated T || 50k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: slow burn, pre-war, oblivious idiots, and they were roommates, first time Summary: The year is 1938 and Steve Rogers is an oblivious idiot. Having moved in with his best friend after Sarah’s death, he wasn’t prepared for how much space Bucky would take in his mind, or the way his heart flipflops when he’s around. A fun jaunt of mutual pining featuring the Barnes family, Howard Stark, Edwin Jarvis, and two very dumb boys. 

Supermanny || rainbownerds & velvetjinx & ransomdrysdale || rated T || 68k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: Kidfic, Dad Steve Rogers, Nanny Bucky Barnes, Domestic fluff, Slowburn Summary: Steve Rogers: Single dad, perpetually tired and finally ready to break out of the rut he's living in. Bucky Barnes: Successful small-business owner, living alone with his cat and ignoring the empty space in his life. They each might turn out to be just what the other needs.

We Freak on the Cam || howdoyousleep & prettierandyounger || rated E || 15k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: Daddy Kink, Dirty Talk, Webcam/Video Chat Sex, Sex Worker, Mutual Masturbation  Summary: He finds his mind wandering back to The Captain. Tall, broad, beefy. Hair that looks like it’s been kissed by Midwestern sun, a beard that is meticulously well-kept, hands with thumbs that could touch if he grabbed Bucky just right around his bitty waist. Unattainable. Porn star.

Do Not Meddle in the Affairs of Grad Students || theemdash & deisderium & softestbuck || rated M || 46k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: Alternate Universe - College/University, Roommates, Romantic Comedy, Flirting in Lord of the Rings, Mutual Pining Summary: As a student returning to finish his bachelor’s degree, Bucky has a few problems: he’s nearly ten years older than the other students, he has lingering pain from shattering his arm, and his Tolkien-obsessed roommate Steve Rogers is way too hot for his own good.

Barnes Blooms || bleuett & fadefilter || rated E || 50k Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Tags: florist Bucky Barnes, friends to lovers, alternate universe-different first meeting, fluff, hurt/comfort Summary: Bucky Barnes is the heart of Barnes Blooms, a flower and plant shop. He’s gentle and kind and smiles at Steve in a way that makes Barnes Blooms feel like home, so of course Steve keeps finding excuses to visit the little shop.  But Bucky has his own secrets and Steve, recently de-iced and awake in a new century, has his own fight to win.

Steve Rogers, Uncensored || softobsidian74 & potterspink || rated E || 81k Archive Warnings: Major Character Death Tags: Captain America Steve Rogers/Modern Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers is Not Captain America, Epistolary, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn Summary: Bucky’s boyfriend hosts a weekly podcast on the life of the former Avenger, Steve Rogers. When shocking outtakes of Steve’s old PSAs surface, it starts a chain reaction that leads to unexpected revelations and a life-changing encounter with the elusive superhero himself.

Setting Out (For a New Tomorrow) || racetoanyways & softestbuck || rated M || 35k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: Alternate Universe; Enemies to Lovers; Disney World & Disneyland; Pre-Serum Steve Rogers; Pining Summary: Steve is not an asshole, this is a fundamental truth. If he was, he wouldn’t work at Disney World, and he's very good at his job, thank you. It’s not his fault that Prince Charming is seriously testing his patience. 

Color Me with Kisses, Color Me in Love || winterraven & middimori || rated E || 108k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: Domestic life, Slice of Life, reclusive artist Steve Rogers, art college student Bucky, Falling in love Summary: Steve Rogers is a famous artist who walked away the New York art world five years ago and has been living in Indiana ever since. It’s a quiet life until he meets Bucky Barnes who works at his favorite diner Barnes & Cobbler. They’re smitten with each other right from the start.

The Very Memory of You || alaska rogers & deisderium || rated M || 20k Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Tags: John Wick AU, Temporary Character Death, Suicidal ideation, The Dog Dies, Angst with a Happy Ending Summary: James Barnes loved and lost Steve Rogers. The Winter Soldier had gotten out of the life of being an assassin. Now Hydra wants to force his hand and bring him back to the fold. What James finds when he returns is more than he ever expected.

The Unwanted Quest || nina8228 & anisstaranise || rated T || 26k Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Tags: Minor character death, Mutual pining, Friends to lovers, Fantasy au, Knight au, Royal au.  Summary: Once upon a time, in the future, Steve Rogers gets invited on a Quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Carter. But what happens if Steve doesn't want to save the Princess? An introduction to Sir Rogers. Featuring a prince, some gods and a judgy shapeshifter.

Bucky Runs (his mouth) and Comes (back home) || jacqueemackee & shax92 || rated E || 25k Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Tags: Arranged Marriage, Established Relationship, Domestic Fluff, Recovery, Found Family Summary: After the helicarrier, Steve guards Bucky's identity closely as he rampages against Hydra & recovers his memory so the Avengers & media are in quite an uproar when the Winter Soldier keeps blurting out inappropriate things about their Captain. Then the WS issues his ultimatum...

[naptoons]

hey boo, request for a zion imagine where he's away on tour and reader surprises him and they spend all their time just exploring the city before they're seperated and its just super fluffy xx take your time lovie

Hi lovely!!! Ofc!! I got you, I’m sorry it took so long yikes, and I hope it’s good, also sorry I changed your request completely I kinda went overboard haha

Belong

Summary: Zion is on tour, and he misses you dearly, but what he doesn’t know is that you’re in the same city as him, and you’re coming to his last show.

A/n: I’ve been obsessed with this song since I found out about it, this songs just makes me wanna drive up a mountain and just look at the stars lol sorry I’m done talking now.

Proofread: yes/no

Zion was on tour, sending you picture after pictures. Calling you late at night just to fall asleep with you on the phone. No doubt about it, he loved you with all his heart. Zion was the first to fall in love. And when he fell for you he fell hard. Multiple times his jealously was shown but you never quite picked it up, because he was so good at hiding it with humor or somehow his friends covered it up for him. Whenever you would ask him for advice on talking to your crush, what you should wear on your date. He would constantly joke. But sometimes his jokes came off harsh, which eventually caused you guys to ignore each other. But Zion couldn’t take it anymore. So instead of coming to your house to apologize.

He spilled his guts and apologized. And that’s when you knew that all the sarcastic stoic jokes were to cover his true feelings and jealousy.

Patting your hair dry with the towel, your phone vibrates against the counter cuts your music off, sliding to answer you set your phone up so he can look at you. “Beautiful” Zion mumbles, laughing you drop the towel from your hair “you think I’m joking but I’m not! You’re fucking beautiful mamas” Zion presses

“I never said you were!!” You laugh a little, doing your daily hair routine Zion just filled you in with how tour was, every now and then he stopped to say how much he loved you and how precious you are to him. After that you guys watched a movie together while you filled him in on how the past couple of days were for you.

Hours passed and you told Zion you were going to hangout with your “friends” but that was just a coverup how you were going to surprise him at his show, Brandon and Edwin were the only ones that knew you were coming to the show. If you would’ve told nick he would’ve accidentally told him. Nick and Zion are the main ones that don’t have a filter, they speak with whatever is on their mind. Take it or leave it. Grabbing the basket of gifts for him you looked at your outfit once more feeling satisfied with it. You got a text from the videographer to come outside.

Getting in the car he greets you with a soft smile “I swear you might just make his week” he comments, clicking in your seatbelt you smile “why’d you say that?”

“I swear I’ve never seen Zion so irritated in my life, he misses you a lot dude, and his denial just gets stronger and stronger” you giggle at his comment knowing how Zion hates to show how he’s feeling deep inside, when you tell him Everytime “you can confide in the one that you love” , smiling you look out the window admiring the lights over the semi vacant city. On these nights you wish Zion would cuddle you and stargaze. You might just do that.

Sitting backstage with their other friend he fills you in on how Zion acts during tour, how he shows you off to him and posts how much he loves you on Twitter, since you don’t own an account. Zion really is head over heels for you, and he’s never felt this way before. He always told himself if this how love feels I can’t wait to see what marriage feels like. all you did was laugh at his comments ultimately feeling embarrassed at the same time, but he was serious. When prettymuch was done performing you hugged each member before smiling at Zion.

“Hi baby missed me?” You giggle. Zion drops everything in his hands running over to squeeze you in the tightest bear hug. His sweaty chest again yours while his fingers latch underneath your thigh. Tender kisses against your neck with mumbles of ‘i love you’ you felt his torso shake slightly. You knew he was trying to keep his composure together from crying in front of people, you kissed his jawline while threading your hands through his hair. “I fucking love you so much mamas” Zion states, looking deep into your eyes, he just drowns in admiration.

“I love you more baby” you giggle slowly he puts you down on the floor but never taking his eyes off you, Zion locks his fingers with yours. Following where ever you were heading. Sitting down on the couch, Zion sat right next to you arm draped around your shoulder.

“Told you, Zion was acting a whole fool without you” his videographer smiles

“Zion is always a little brat, but this time he was overdoing it!” Edwin jumps in laughing along with you and Brandon. Zion says nothing but lays his cheek on your head. Caressing his arm over your shoulders you kiss the palm of his hand.

“How long are you staying for?” Zion mumbles, almost sounding so regretful he even asked.

“Hm, a day or two maybe, you want me to leave already?” You joke at the end Zion just pulls you closer leaving passionate pecks against your temple.

“I don’t want you to leave at all, I miss your crazy ass” Zion truly states.

“Lucky for you I got something planned”

“I’m excited mamas”

After Zion went to his hotel and freshened up you smile while laying on his bed, seeing the reposts of you surprising Zion, his friend posted it to his story. Many fans calling it relationship goals, most saying ‘maybe his attitude will change’ another saying ‘no more grumpy Zion’ before you can like some of the posts your phone is out of your grasp and you lock eyes with your beloved boyfriend.

“No phones, I just want me and you” Zion smiles bending down to kiss you, Zion was wrapped around your finger and you both knew it, Zion feared that if he ever lost you, he knew love wouldn’t feel as good as this but nevertheless he knew he’d fall in love again if it were to happen.

“Okay, it’s you and me today baby” you kiss him again “ready to go?”

“Yeah”

Helping Zion out the car was much more difficult than you thought, Zion was much taller than you, not only that Zion was also asking way too many question and becoming very curious if every little thing you did. “Mamas if you’re proposing to me I may just cry” Zion chuckles at the end

“What gives you that idea?” You ask feeling the heat rush up your chest to your cheek

“I’ve had a dream about it , but you also got me blindfolded!!” Zion laughs, stopping right in front of the picnic you had his friends set up you hold one of his hands “take it off now” without a second thought he undo the knots his eyes widen at the candlelight’s around the picnic table. It was something Zion wanted to do for months, but things just always got in the way. “Oh fuck mamas I love you” crashing you into his chest he kisses you as you giggle your fingers holding onto his forearm.

“I thought you were the only surprise, holy shit mamas you’re going to wreck me” breathlessly he tells you.

After eating Zion and you just watched the stars while he just listened to you picturing what each constellation looked like. Zion so badly wanted you to stay longer. But he couldn’t force you to put him above your priorities, he’d rather have you not text him for a week then to not do something that’s important to you. “Baby?” You call for him

“Hm?” Zion caught in a daze answers.

“We’re you listening baby?” You grab his chin in the palm of your hands “no, I was distracted, you’re so damn beautiful mamas” Zion leans in kissing you softly, the kiss taking your breath away. “how long you’ve been planing this hm?” He asks you

“Not long two days, it’s funny how you didn’t even notice when you called me that wasn’t my bathroom, it was the hotels”

“Well fuck me, I wasn’t really paying attention, I wanted to call you” his smiles widens, you thumb skidding across his jawline. Zion couldn’t stand how long he was away from you. His denial just made him miss you even more. You told him that after he hangs out with you to apologize to those he popped off on in a fight of frustration. Complying to your request. He shot everyone a text apologizing. Something he normally doesn’t do. But you bring out the best in him.

Zion drove you back to your hotel, walking with you to your room to make sure you were safe. But just as he’s about to walk away you smile “does my boyfriend Wanna come in?” Zion caught wind in his throat, surprised by your sudden change. “You know when I said a day or two, that meant I’m going to leave with y’all right?” Zion pushes through closing the door behind him locking it and scooping you up in his arms walking towards the bedroom.

Removing his clothes down to his boxers he wraps an arm around you just wearing his shirt. His chin laid on the sink of your shoulders. “I bought you clothes for nothing then” you giggle

“Shut up, you know I’ll wear them, I just wanna hold you” Zion mumbles through the cloud of sleep. Leaving no space in between you two your fingers travel up and down his ink.

“Good night baby I love you”

“I love you more mamas,Goodnight”

[slashhinginghasher]

Closet Space - Jesse Cromeans x Marena Polunochnaya

Self-indulgent college AU? Self-indulgent college AU.

College senior Jesse Cromeans makes out with a hot international student at a frat party.

-

Jesse Cromeans and Caitlin Spann didn’t often go to frat parties anymore. The connections they’d gathered over the course of four years of business internships were enough to gain them access to real parties, not the desperate orgies of cheap sex and cheaper beer their peers engaged in. The Incident in their junior year also left Jesse reluctant to show his newly scarred face more than absolutely necessary. (Watching CEOs do lines of coke off of strippers’ tits in the hopes of getting a few business cards by the end of the night was necessary. Beer pong was not.) He’d made lots of excuses in that regard, and Spann was good enough not to call him out on it. But winter term was over, they’d both received their early acceptances from the Stanford School of Business, and tonight they felt like celebrating on somebody else’s dime.

They still made sure to choose one of the more monied fraternities. They did have standards, after all.

Old money or not, the inside of the frat house was still chaos. There was a massive, professionally decorated Christmas tree in the living room, which would be largely stripped of its ornaments and tinsel by drunk college kids come morning. Many of the girls had their tits out despite the winter chill, lots of skimpy, crushed velvet dresses and coquettish faux fur trim. Jesse was bombarded with greetings as soon as they walked through the door, and he fielded them with quickly waning patience as Spann drifted off to go do Spann things. He’d achieved a somewhat legendary status on campus after turning a first year stock market exercise into millions of real dollars. Spann had been his partner on that project, but she was perfectly content to take her cut of the money and leave the credit to him. She preferred to work in the background, claiming she got more done when she didn’t have to deal with the interpersonal bullshit politics that Jesse navigated so well.

He eventually wound up in the kitchen, where a steady stream of party-goers helped themselves to overpriced snacks (who put out charcuterie boards at a frat party, honestly?) and mixed half-assed cocktails that were 10% mixer at best. A couple groped at each other next to the pantry, and a short girl with dark, wild hair and an intense expression surveyed the stream of human traffic over the rim of a red solo cup. Jesse poured himself another whiskey and leaned against the island next to her.

PLANNING A MURDER?

The girl jumped slightly at the sound of his phone’s electronic voice, then glanced at him with startlingly blue eyes. She scoffed and took a swig of what looked like water or straight vodka.

“Just contemplating, not planning.” Her voice was lower than Jesse expected from someone her size, with a thick Eastern European accent. His lips twitched with a smile. He did always like them sharp, and a good chase was just what he needed tonight.

YOU DON’T SEEM TO BE ENJOYING YOURSELF.

“I’m not.”

THEN WHY COME?

“I’m fucking poor, and there’s free food.” As if to make a point, she turned around and started rummaging through the fridge like she owned the place. Jesse found himself at a loss for words, a laugh stuck halfway between his chest and his throat.

IF YOU’RE THAT POOR HOW DO YOU AFFORD THIS PLACE?

Jesse and Spann would graduate debt-free thanks to their stock market exploits, but the tuition at their university was… hefty, to say the least. He imagined it would be even worse for an international student.

“They gave me a lot of money because I am very sad orphan girl. And I am also devastatingly sexy,” she said, emerging from the fridge and shoving half a slice of pizza into her mouth in one bite. She flashed him a peace sign that somehow managed to be blisteringly sarcastic and sauntered away with her prize.

She was wearing a heavy plaid skirt that hit mid-calf, her black top looked like it had been run through a woodchipper and reassembled with safety pins, and she was eating stolen pizza straight out of the box.

Jesse wholly agreed with her self-assessment. The sexy part, at least.

***

He was still thinking about her an hour later when Spann sidled up on her platform stilettos, her balance impeccable despite her obvious intoxication.

“There’s a group of loudmouths gathering ‘round the pool table in the basement,” she murmured, resting her head against his shoulder. “You in a betting mood?”

“A hunting mood,” he signed.

“Ooooh.” She waggled her eyebrows dramatically. “Got your sights set on anyone?”

“I might.”

Most people thought Spann and Jesse were an item just because they lived together and spent almost every public moment attached at the hip. Which were pretty good reasons, when one thought about it. But Spann was largely a commitment girl, and Jesse was decidedly not. Spann didn’t want to be a metaphorical notch on a bedpost; Jesse didn’t want to be tied down. They’d made out once as an experiment at the end of their freshman year, then hashed out the boundaries of their relationship in a five-minute conversation that they’d followed ever since.

Jesse had no idea why other people had to make relationships so damn complicated.

Before Spann could convince Jesse to come watch her annihilate some frat boys at pool, the fraternity president approached them. He was a douchebag of the highest order - the type of guy who insisted on being addressed by his last name because his first name was Edwin or Briggsley or some other rich prick idiocy - and Jesse and Spann both hated him, but his obscenely wealthy father would be a useful business contact in the future, so they forced themselves to be cordial.

“Some of the girls are organizing a game of Truth or Dare in the den. You feeling bold, Caitlin?” he asked with a cocky grin. He was also the sort of douchebag who addressed all women by their first name, including his professors and women like Spann who could break his spine over their knee.

“No, thank you,” Spann said, cold and sweet as ice cream. “I finished high school years ago.” He laughed, the insult and the rejection rolling harmlessly off his shiny money veneer, and turned to Jesse.

“How about you, Cromeans?” Jesse was on the verge of saying no when he saw a mane of black hair being led, somewhat reluctantly, towards the small crowd gathering in the den. He shrugged with practiced nonchalance and held up his phone.

SURE, WHY THE FUCK NOT?

“Atta boy!” President Edwin Briggsley Douchebag III clapped him on the shoulder, and Jesse had to force himself not to break the twat’s hand. The other boy left to continue his rounds, recruiting anything with a pair of tits for his little game. Spann - god damn her fucking eagle eyes - had tracked Jesse’s gaze and was now grinning deviously.

“I heard she has sessions with Malloy every other week,” she whispered in his ear, referring to one of the lead staff at the university’s mental health clinic. “Condition of her enrollment.”

Now that was interesting.

“Happy hunting,” she cackled, elbowing him playfully in the ribs. “I’m off to make some rich boys cry.”

***

People were so dreadfully predictable, Jesse thought. Nearly ten people in and not a hint of creativity to be found. People who chose Truth were asked to recount their sexual history or most embarrassing moments; those who picked Dare were promptly relieved of articles of clothing. The object of his momentary obsession appeared to be having similar thoughts as she watched the proceedings with heavy-lidded boredom. The crowd booed as one of the boys dared a girl to kiss him and she threw herself at him with great enthusiasm.

“That’s not a real dare, you’re her fucking boyfriend!” someone protested. The girl stuck her tongue out at them, then shoved it back in her boyfriend’s mouth. There were more jeers and whistles and a few calls for them to get a room. One of the boys tried to get back everyone’s attention.

“Alright, alright, whatever, next victim!” He pointed at Jesse’s girl and trailed off, apparently realizing he didn’t know her name.

“Mareeeennnnaaaaa!” cooed the girl who’d roped her in to the game, dragging the vowels out in a drunken sing-song.

“Marena!” the boy announced. Marena quirked a brow, apparently unimpressed with his pronunciation. “Truth or dare!”

“Dare,” she said with zero hesitation. The boy honest to god rubbed his hands together and grinned like he was about to say something genius.

“Twenty minutes in heaven.” Not that genius, then. He grabbed the closest empty beer bottle and held it up with two fingers. “Spin the bottle and whoever it lands on gets locked in a closet with you for twenty minutes.”

Like hell was Jesse going to let one of these dumb fucks get her alone for even one minute.

“I thought it was normally seven minutes.”

“Are you backing out?” Marena flipped him off as an answer and snatched the bottle from him, sending it spinning with an elegant flick of her fingers.

She had a few whitish scars on her hand and wrist, barely visible in the low light.

Jesse tensed as the bottle slowed, frantically thinking up reasons to start a fight with whoever it landed on. But his efforts were unnecessary, because the universe and physics were on his side that night. The crowd erupted into a clamor of hoots and hollers like someone had just won the lottery. None of them had really expected Jesse to participate; he had connections and status and thus was too cool to be anything more than a silent watcher. President Douchebag ushered the pair to the nearest closet - a walk-in (fortunately for Jesse’s long limbs) that had been converted to a coat room for the night - leering at Jesse like they were good buddies who’d discuss the relative merits of European pussy over drinks later. Jesse ignored him and, ever the gentleman, gestured Marena in before him with a little half bow. Her head barely reached his chest as she passed him wordlessly; she was only a little taller than Spann and she was wearing flats. The door was shut and they were plunged into darkness, the sounds of the party muffled by the thick wood.

A few seconds of quiet stillness passed before Marena turned on her phone (which was at least three models out of date), using the light from the (cracked) screen as a flashlight. She looked ghostly in the faint, bluish light, the shadows deepened in the hollows of her eye sockets. Jesse leaned back against the door and folded his arms as she started a slow circuit of the tiny room, observing the winter jackets twisted haphazardly on every available hanger and piled in the corners on the floor. He would have loved to immediately start making use of his twenty minutes, but there was something animal and twitchy about the way she moved that made him think that any sudden moves would be met with teeth. She did not look at him, or at the way his posture and shirt emphasized the size of his biceps, which he didn’t like, and he really didn’t like the tension creeping into her slender shoulders. When he touched her arm to get her attention, she jolted as though shot.

YOU GOOD?

The amount of time she spent mulling over the question was a clear enough “no”, but she still answered anyway.

“The last time I was locked in a closet was… unpleasant.”

UNPLEASANT IN WHAT WAY?

Thoughts of high school boys with beer breath and over-insistent hands were filling him with a slow rage.

“In a ‘listening to someone be violently murdered outside the door’ way.”

Well, damn. Okay.

WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SOMETHING?

“You ask a lot of questions,” Marena snapped.

I CAN DISTRACT YOU ANOTHER WAY IF YOU LIKE.

She resumed her pacing, chewing her lip, but she looked more contemplative than tense. Jesse was acutely aware of the ticking clock.

“When did you lose your voice?”

I NEVER HAD ONE.

“What happened to your face?”

NOW WHO’S ASKING TOO MANY QUESTIONS?

“Answer it and you can distract me however you want.”

He didn’t need a business degree to know that he was being offered a fantastic fucking deal.

I PICKED A FIGHT WITH THE WRONG PERSON.

Jesse barely waited for the electronic voice to finish the last syllable before tossing his phone to the floor and charging her. He burrowed both hands into that black mass of hair and crushed his lips to hers like a starving man. Her skin was cool, but he felt her hands like brands through his shirt when she placed them against his chest for balance. He tightened his grip on her hair, hard enough to pull slightly on her scalp, and let one hand wander lower, fingertips catching on safety pins and ripped fabric as he made his way down to the modest curve of her ass. In turn, her touch moved upwards, exploring the muscles of his chest and shoulders, sliding up his neck until her thumbs rested firmly over his jugular. It was a bold move, dominant, and he wanted - needed - to get closer to her, to press her body against his in a way their height difference would not currently allow.

Marena wrapped her legs around him with no coaxing when he picked her up by the waist, walking forwards until her back pressed flat against the door. She was so light, like a little hollow-boned bird, and if he’d had a little more blood in his brain he’d be worried about crushing her. As it was, his blood was rapidly migrating south and the only thing he was concerned about was the taste of her as he nibbled on her full lower lip. He nipped at her, hard enough to sting, then soothed the hurt with his tongue, and was surprised when her tongue darted forward to meet his. He rolled his hips into hers, slow and deep, as he explored her mouth, wishing there was less clothing in the way. His cock was pressed painfully against his zipper, but he made no move to free it; he was not going to fuck her for the first time under a time constraint.

Finally, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers as they both panted for air. Jesse shoved a hand up Marena’s shirt, closing over her small breast and rubbing his thumb against the hardening nub of her nipple through her bra. Her head rolled back against the door with a soft thunk, granting him access to the soft skin of her throat. He latched onto her pulse point, sucking hard enough to leave a mark, and Marena purred. The sound shot straight to his groin, and he had a sudden, intense desire to bite down until the salty warmth of her blood filled his mouth and dripped down his chin.

He wrenched back. Jesse was no stranger to violent impulses - had even followed through on quite a few of them - but he didn’t want to ruin the evening by murdering this girl in a closet. Undeterred, Marena grabbed his head with both hands and attacked his mouth with hers. She kissed him ferociously, voraciously, a clash of teeth and tongue, and when she bit his lip hard enough to make him bleed, he almost came on the spot. His hands were all over her, needing to feel every inch of her body but barely registering the ridges of scar tissue they encountered. She slid her hands into his back pockets and pulled him in until his pelvis was flush against hers. He leaned in with his full weight, and the only thing in the world that existed was the heavy grind of his hips against hers and the hot, wet dance of their mouths.

He was so close to saying fuck it, ripping her clothes off and going to town right there on the closet floor, when someone pounded on the door.

“Knock knock, Cromeans! Put your dick away!” Jesse snarled, already planning a way to slaughter the little asshole who’d interrupted the best not-fuck of his life. The sensation of Marena’s body sliding against his as she settled on her feet sent another lightning bolt of pleasure down his spine. There was a shuffle of fabric as Marena picked up her phone and tried to put herself back in order. Jesse didn’t bother; he knew they both looked a damn mess and he didn’t give a single fuck. In fact, the only thing he cared about at the moment was getting her into his bed so he could finish what he’d started.

“Thanks for the distraction,” Marena murmured, opening the door to a chorus of cheers and wolf whistles. She rolled her eyes and started shouldering her way through the crowd. She didn’t look back, which stung a little, and Jesse gave a sarcastic little salute to the crowd to avoid looking like a lovelorn asshole before retreating to the basement.

***

He didn’t realize until much later in the evening that she’d stolen his fucking wallet.

[whatareyousearchingfordean]

I’ll Be

Summary: You knew that embarking in a friends with benefits relationship with Dean would only cause you heart ache. 

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Word Count: 1.3K+

Warnings: Language, fluff, unprotected sex (don’t be silly...)

Author’s Note: Hey, so I’m a horrible human being and totally forgot about this in my WIPs. This little diddy was written for @coffee-obsessed-writer ‘s Mystery Box Challenge. My Prompts were Dean x Reader and the song I’ll Be by Edwin McCain. It sure was a challenge, but this is one of my favorite songs so I had to try. I hope you guys enjoy.

Alexandra’s Library

The rain falls heavy on the roof of the motel. Lightning strikes light up the sky and thunder shakes the walls. Dean’s breaths are heavy in your ear as you stare up at the ceiling. His arm is slung over your sweaty abdomen and his fingers are clinging gently to your waist. 

Dean has always been a cuddler, a fact that you were initially a fan of. In the beginning, you craved nothing more than the closeness of his body heat, but now it just made you nauseous. Sure, you had gotten yourself into this situation by falling into bed with the elder Winchester in the first place. When he said it should remain casual your heart was broken, but not enough so that you could decide to end it. You decided you’d rather fuck him from time to time in secret than not at all. It was a compromise that just wasn’t working for you any longer. You had been naive in thinking you could get him to fall in love with you. Dean Winchester didn’t do relationships. 

With his breathing beginning to even out, you push his arm from your naked body and sit up, throwing your feet over the side of the bed. 

“Where you going?” His voice is heavy with the sleep it desperately craved and you turn to see he hadn’t even opened his eyes. 

“I need to shower, and you need to go.” You say simply. His eyes shoot open and his brow furrows.  

“What do you mean I need to go?”

“Sam will get suspicious if you aren’t there in the morning.” Leaning over to the edge of the bed, you grab your discarded flannel and pull it over your arms. 

“So, you want me to go?” Dean asks as he sits up in the bed. His voice is low and you can’t  handle looking at him right now. Of course you didn’t want him to go, but you had to keep up the charade. You and Dean were just screwing, nothing more. 

“I think it’s best.” That was an honest answer. He shouldn’t be staying after. You stand from the bed and head towards the bathroom. Dean’s voice stops your hand on the handle. 

“Do you? Or do you just think that’s what I want to hear?” You don’t say anything because if you do, you know it will all come out. You can’t lie to Dean, you never could. Sure, you didn’t always tell him everything, but if he ever asks you anything outright, you can't stop yourself from telling him the truth. He deserves at least that much after everything he’s been through. “Cause I don’t. I don’t want to hear you say you need me to leave. I can’t handle it. Cause I… I love you.” 

You whip your whole body around, clearly taken aback by his confession. “What?”

“You heard me.” 

“Dean, you don’t mean that.” You cross your arms as you turn towards him, suddenly feeling extremely exposed. 

“I do. I think about all the times I’ve disappeared in the middle of the night when all I wanted was to stay and be with you. I think about it every time you smile and my breath catches.”

“Dean,” you try, though he’s not finished. 

“No, I’m serious. I thought I could do this. I thought I could tell myself it’s just sex but damnit sweetheart I want it all. I want to be there for you like I never could before.” Dean takes a shuddering breath before looking away from you, his gaze fixing on the window and the rain pelting against it. 

“When I went to hell, all I could think about was you and Sam, all I wanted was to get home to you two. I wanted to kiss you one last time, Hell I need to. You’re the only one that’s been there for me, unconditionally, not even Sam, and I want to be that for you.” Your feet feel like cinder blocks holding you in place. He was better at putting on a front than you realized. How could you never have seen it, it was all right there, and you just misread it all. It wasn’t Dean’s insatiable sex drive that had driven him right into your arms after Castiel had pulled him from the pit like you had originally thought, but it was you. 

“Say something, please.” He has turned back to you. The break in his voice sparking something in you and you are moving back across the small motel room. Climbing back into the bed you throw yourself into him, using your hands to direct his lips to yours. Words aren’t exactly your forte either, so you try to put everything you’re feeling into this kiss. 

You hadn’t even realized that you were crying until one of his thumbs brush a tear from your cheek. He’s hesitant. “Sweetheart?”

Hiccuping slightly, you nod. “I love you too, Dean.” 

“Oh thank god,” he kisses you again, pushing you back into the pillows. Dean wedges himself between your legs as his mouth trails across you jaw and down your throat. You can’t help the moan that leaves your lips as you can feel his cock hardening again between you. 

“Fuck sweetheart. I love those little sounds you make.”  His breath is warm as it fans across your chest as Dean moves his mouth across your breast. His lips latch around one nipple, his tongue swirling around the hardened bud. Your back arches into him as the feeling sends sparks straight to your pussy. There’s no rush to his movements. Deans is taking his time as marks up your skin because it isn’t just about getting off anymore. It is about feeling each other. It is about you and him as one. 

“Please Dean, I need to feel you.” The words are breathy as they leave you. Dean just smiles as he uncurls your fingers from his hair. 

“I know baby.” He promises as he sits back on his heels. And you know he isn’t lying as your eyes catch his and he smiles softly. He knows exactly what you are thinking, what you are feeling. 

You watch, breaths heavy as he pumps his cock a few times before lining himself up with you. With his hands now on your hips, he pushes in agonizingly slowly, letting you feel every inch of him as he stretches you. Dean falls forward against you, your bodies incredibly close as he supports his weight on his forearms. 

“You feel so good baby, so tight.” He grunts as he pulls out slowly and thrusts back in. 

“Fuck I need you to move.” You gasp as your body begs for that friction. You fingers dig into the muscles in his shoulders as you hold onto him tightly. Dean obliges, his hips picking up pace and setting a steady rhythm. The fire in your belly building as he continues to hit that perfect spot inside you and you knew you won’t last long. His heavy breathing and soft grunts in your ear are only adding fuel to that fire. 

“I know your close baby, come for me.” Dean latches his lips against the pulse point under your ear and he sucks, sending your body over the edge, your pussy fluttering around his cock greedily. 

“Jesus fuck!” Dean bites gently into your shoulder as he came with you, his hot spendings filling you up. He relaxes slightly, his weight bearing down on you just a little more. Not that you mind. You love cuddling with him just as much as he does. Besides, he is abnormally warm and as your heart rate begins to slow, the sweat evaporating from your skin is chilling in the open room. 

Dean eventually sits up just enough to pull himself from you. “I’ll be here for you no matter what. It’s me and you.” He pushes your sweaty hairs from your cheeks before kissing you gently again. 

“Me and you.” 

[znaeb]

I needed to come see you. | B.A.

“This again?”

You internally rolled your eyes when you saw who was on the other side of the door. You thought he was getting past this, that he was maturing.

The drunken parties had seemed less interesting to him recently, but here he was again. Drunk, whining about god knows what, and on your doorstep asking to come in because he’s too wasted to drive himself home.

“Brandon, What is this?” You closed your eyes and pinched the bridge of your nose.

“I just needed to come see you, I just needed to make sure you were still here.” He stumbled but caught himself with one hand on the doorframe.

“Where would I have gone?” You furrowed your eyebrows at him, “it’s 2am, B.”

“I dunno, out with Steven.” He mimed gagging himself at the mention of your off-and-on-boyfriend’s name.

You chuckled at him before stepping farther into the house and tugging his sleeve so he’d follow you, “C’mon, let’s get you to bed.”

“No, I need to talk to you about something.” He said sternly as he pulled his arm away from you.

“And what would that be?” You said as you sat him down on the couch and tried to get his jacket off of him.

“Well I don’t want to tell you now.” He pouted, smooshing his face against the arm of the couch and tucking his hands under his head.

“Whatever...” you said calmly, knowing he was just drunk and didn’t know what he was saying.

You sat on the floor by the couch so you could comfortably talk to him face to face, you reached your hand up and ran your fingers through his hair. His eyes closed and your plot to make him fall asleep began to work.

“Do you need water or anything?” You whispered to him.

He shook his head and mumbled a quick, “no, thank you.” You sighed and stayed there quietly next to him for a while.

When he was almost completely asleep you stood up and grabbed a blanket from the little rack by the couch to cover him up.

“Thank you.”

“No problem, Brandon.” You smiled at the fact that he even had good manners when he was drunk.

“Y/N?” He said slightly louder as you started to walk away.

“Hm?” You turned around as you put your foot on the first stair step.

“I’m in love with you.” He said it without even opening his eyes. In fact you’re pretty sure he was asleep within 3 seconds of saying it, but even though it seemed not to affect him in the slightest, it took you a minute before you could regain your thoughts and turn to walk up the stairs.

You didn’t sleep very well that night.

—

Fuck fuck fuck fuck....

He was ripping his hair out, cringing at himself for his actions the last night. His drunken self never failing to embarrass him.

“Maybe she’ll think I was just too drunk and out of it...” he whispered to himself as he paced the floor of her living room.

Thankfully she was still asleep and he didn’t have to face her and the inevitable embarrassment of what he’d said.

He grabbed his jacket and bolted for the front door, opening and shutting it as quietly as the squeaky S.O.B. would allow.

He walked the few blocks from her apartment to the parking lot of the pub where he’d been the night before. he pressed the unlock button on his little remote a bunch of times and hopped inside, turning the key and speeding away from all his problems.

“Nick!” He called for his roommate the second he opened the door.

He walked into the kitchen where he saw him eating a bowl of cereal at the small island. “Nick... I fucked up, dude.”

“What’d you do this time?” He rolled his eyes.

Brandon gave him a dirty look before continuing, “I got drunk last night...”

“So?”

“And then went to Y/N’s...”

“Shit...”

“And then I told her I’m in love with her...”

A slight pause. A bite of cereal. And then Nick spoke: “yup, you fucked up.”

“Wow you’re so helpful. Thank you, oh wise one.” Brandon rolled his eyes and tossed his keys on the counter before sitting across from his roommate.

“Well what do you want me to say? You are in love with her, and it’s not like she was never going to find out.”

“But I didn’t want her to find out from drunk Brandon! I wanted her find out when I planned to tell her.”

“Oh? and when was that, Romeo?” Nick mocked him.

“Y’know... when I planned.” Brandon crossed his arms.

“Wow.”

“Shut up.”

—

When you woke the next morning your head hurt. The lack of sleep obviously didn’t agree with you. You rubbed your eyes as you got up and walked down the stairs.

As your foot hit the last step you heard the door close, making you huff and put your hands on your hips. He crashed on your couch, then told you he was in love with you, then bailed? Dick.

“That motherfucker.” You shook your head as you walked into the kitchen to start the coffee maker.

Who does he think he is? Making you lose sleep and then leaving without even offering an explanation?

You considered calling to make sure he got home alive, but you decided to just check the Snapchat map and see his location. Sure enough, he was at his house.

You wanted to storm over there and ask him the thousands of questions that were now swirling around your brain, you wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake the answers out... but you didn’t. You were afraid of those answers.

You didn’t exactly know what your feelings toward Brandon were. You knew he was definitely more than a friend, but you’d never let yourself get farther than that. You refused to let yourself think about him that way, no matter how many weird, intimate, thankfully only occasionally sexual, dreams you’d had about him.

You poured yourself a mug of coffee when it had finished brewing and decided you needed to talk to the best advice giver in the world. Edwin.

“Hey sugar pie, what’s up?” He answered on the 2nd ring and sounded way to chipper for this early in the morning.

“Ed, something happened.” You sighed.

“Uh oh, tell me everything.” You heard his car start in the background and you furrowed your eyebrows.

“Was that your car? Where are you going?” You questioned impulsively.

“Home. My graveyard shift just ended.” He spoke matter-o-factly, “The E.R. was suspiciously slow and I need something to make my day more interesting, so, spill.” He didn’t let the subject change, he loved knowing everything.

“Brandon...” You started and then paused, “he showed up at my house last night, at like 2am.”

“Oooh, did you guys do the diddly do?” You face palmed.

“No! He was drunk.” You rolled you eyes and clarified the situation as much as you could, “he walked to my house because he couldn’t drive home.”

“Oh, is that it? I was hoping for something more interesting.” The disappointment was very evident in his voice.

“No... he kind of— well not kind of... he, um, told me that he’s in love with me?” You bit your bottom lip and squeezed your eyes shut as you waited for Edwin’s reaction.

You heard a gasp through the phone and then, loudly, “fucking finally! I’ve been waiting for one of you to let it slip.”

“Wait, what?” You were officially puzzled.

“Sweetie, everyone knows.” He sighed.

“Knows what?” You asked in a defensive manner.

“That you and Brandon are basically obsessed with each other.” You could practically hear him rolling his eyes at you.

“We are not!” You scoffed at the very notion, then after a moment of silence added, “at least I don’t think we are...”

“Honey, are you seriously going to try and deny this? To me? I know all. I am all knowing.” He sassed and you chuckled.

“Does Miranda know too then? You do tell her everything.” You laughed out loud thinking about it. Edwin and his fiancée, Miranda, pretty much knew everything about everyone in their friend group. They were like the parents to whom all the pathetic single friends brought their drama.

“Well obviously, me and my wife share everything. It’s how we keep our relationship so healthy.” Although they weren’t scheduled to be married for another 3 months, they had been referring to each other as ‘wifey’ and ‘hubby’ since their senior year in high school.

“What do I do, Ed?” You said after another moment of silence, “I don’t know what I’m feeling.”

“Just take some time and think about it, like really think about what you want. And just be honest with him when you decide what you feel. He cares about you a lot... he’ll get it, whatever you choose.”

Once again Edwin came through, he always gave the best advice. You sighed again and nodded even though he couldn’t see you.

“Okay... okay you’re right. I’m gonna just have to wait to talk to him until I know what I want, because I literally have no idea what to say.”

“You got this, boo.” He encouraged, you then heard a door opening in the on his end and him say, away from the speaker: “Good morning, little miss love of my life.”

You swooned at the soft words your friend spoke to his fiancée. you silently wished you had that with someone— and because of the current topic of conversation, your mind automatically went to Brandon.

“Hey, Y/N?” You heard Ed addressing you on the phone again, “I’m gonna go eat some breakfast with M, we can call back in a little while if you still want to talk though.” He offered kindly.

“No that’s okay! Thank you for everything, go spend time with your wife!” You laughed as you shooed him off of the phone.

He laughed then said, “alright alright, text one of us if you need anything.”

You said your goodbyes and hung up. Then you stood alone in your kitchen for another few minutes before deciding to run some errands and think about everything.

—

“Ed, I—“ Brandon was cut off seconds after he began to speak.

“I heard.” Edwin rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“You heard? From who? Y/N? What did she say?” He questioned his best friend frantically, “Edwin, I swear to god, tell me what she said!”

“I’m not going to betray her trust like that!” He smacked Brandon on the side of the head, “calm down.”

“Ow.” Brandon rubbed the spot that was now sore from Edwin’s assault.

“What I will say is that I think you should just give it some time, let it breathe, and she’ll come to you.” Edwin made hand gestures to emphasize his point, “and, also, maybe don’t be a creep and show up at her door at two in the morning!”

Brandon physically cringed for the millionth time.

“I didn’t mean to do it... it just happened. It was totally unplanned.” He hugged himself tightly, hoping it’d make the pit forming in his stomach stop growing.

“Dude, fuck off. You knew exactly what you were doing when you got drunk at the only bar within walking distance of her house.” Edwin leaned against the kitchen counter and cocked his head to the side.

“Ignorance is my story and I’m sticking with it.” Brandon shook his head and huffed.

“Wow, very believable.” Miranda chimed in as she walked into the kitchen. Her long blonde hair swayed behind her as she made a bee-line for Edwin, latching her arm with his, “I almost, almost thought you were telling the truth.”

“Hello, my love.” Edwin completely abandoned the conversation to greet his girlfriend, nothing new.

“Hello.” She beamed at him and kissed his cheek.

“Guys! Focus! I need serious help!” Brandon pleaded.

“Oh, we know.” Ed raised his eyebrows at B.

“Why is everyone so mean to me? My god!” Brandon threw his arms up in defeat.

“Oh stop it, drama queen...” Miranda rolled her eyes, “hey, don’t you have work in like 15 minutes?” She furrowed her brows and looked at him.

“No I—“ He looked at his watch, “fuck! I’m gonna be late.” He rushed around to find where he’d set his keys. When he finally found them he hurried to the door, Edwin following close behind to lock it after him.

In a last ditch attempt to gain some information he turned around in the doorway and rushed out, “Please tell me what Y/N said?”

“Never.” Edwin scoffed and smacked the other side of his head, “go to work, Brandon.”

“Fine, bye.” He grumbled and hurriedly made his way out of the apartment complex and to work.

—

“Zion? thoughts?” You raised your shoulders as you sought the opinion of your neighbor. The normal routine of sitting on his back porch and having a beer to unwind after work was rudely interrupted by you ranting about the whole Brandon mess.

“What about that Steven dude?” He questioned and tipped his chin up, “What’s up with him?”

“I don’t even really like him like that, every now and then we both just get bored of being single and go to the movies or something.” You plopped down on a deck chair after you finished pacing and crossed your arms, “he literally would not care at all if I started dating someone else.”

“So you want to date Brandon?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you’ve thought about it?”

“I mean... yes.”

“Okay.” Zion started, setting his beer down and leaning foreword, “I’m gonna say a word and your gonna say the first thing that pops into your mind. Don’t think, just say it.”

“Z, that’s stupid. What’s that gonna prove?”

“Will you just shut up and do it?” He rolled his eyes, having no patience for your doubt of his methods.

“Fine.” You sighed.

“Tree.”

“Tree?”

“Okay, something other than the word I said, please? Thank you.”

You rolled your eyes, but gestured for him to continue.

“House?”

“Home.”

“Car?”

“Road trip.”

“Friend?”

“Miranda.”

You let your mind go blank. Bored to death with this little exercise, you zoned out.

“Dog?”

“Cat.”

“Lover?”

“Brandon.”

“Aha! You love Brandon!” Zion accused, pointing a finger at you. You were just as startled by your own admission as you were of Zion’s sudden triumphant yelp.

“I... What the fuck?” You scratched your head. You honestly hadn’t meant to say it. Your own subconscious baffling you beyond belief.

Zion leaned back in his chair and sipped his beer with utter satisfaction. A smirk on his face as he mentally crowned himself the king of relationship advice. Even though he himself has never had a serious girlfriend, he reckoned he’d be amazing at relationships.

“I think I’m in love with Brandon.” You admitted to yourself as you came to terms with feelings you’ve had since high school, “Huh... how about that?”

“It’s not that weird y’know, people fall in love all the time.” Zion remarked offhandedly.

“I guess that’s true.”

You both sat in silence while you finished your drinks and then retreated back to your respective homes.

—

It was 2am.

You knocked on the door and waited. Your intense nerves were crawling up your back like some sort of monster and making the little hairs on your arms stand up.

You waited as you heard footsteps from inside, bouncing on your toes and hoping to god that this goes how you want it to.

The door opened and light flooded out and into the ground. Making it difficult to hide the uncomfortable look sneaking it’s way on your face.

“Y/N?” Brandon was surprised to see you.

“Hi.” You did an awkward little wave then stood there silently.

“Um, what’s up?” He stepped outside with you and turned to pull the door closed behind him, taking the light away and making everything dim once again.

“I just needed to come see you.” You spoke quietly and looked down, eye contact seeming impossible at this particular moment.

“I thought you’d be avoiding me for the rest of our lives.” He attempted to joke, also looking down.

“I could never do that.” Your head shot up and you looked at him for what felt like the first time ever.

You re-noticed the small things you adore about him. Like how his eyebrows raise when he’s giving you his attention, and how his eyes are so pretty (even when you can barely see them), and how he bites the inside of his cheek when he’s anxious.

“That’s a relief.” He whispers.

“Hey, Brandon?” You issued a question in response. Your eyes once again glueing themselves to the ground, too scared by what you were about to tell him to look him in the face.

“Hm?” He stepped closer, the tips of your shoes almost touching.

“I’m in love with you too.” You finally forced yourself to look up at him again, and when you did his face was much closer than you had thought. Your noses brushed as he responded:

“Can I kiss you?”

“Yes please.”

And so he did.

[padme4amidala]

Feels like home

Description: After the events of the Reichenbach, Moriarty is still alive and is still playing with Sherlock’s mind yet he has someone else to entertain him.

Pairing: James Moriarty x Reader

Word count: 1,989

Warnings: Fluff, Angst

A/N: To be completely honest, I don’t really know what this is, except that it’s an one shot (if people like it I might do a part 2???). I wrote it because one of my friends keeps encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone with my creativity. It’s my first piece of creative writing I’ve done in a few years so feedback is more than appreciated. Hope you like it 💙

This side of London has always been more humid, at least in her opinion. It smelled like fish and water weeds. The air was suffocating due to the heatwave that had hit earlier that month. It felt like being trapped in a fishnet.

Luckily enough, the business building she spent most of her time in was at the exact opposite pole.

Stale rooms.

Chemical smell of detergents clinging to the air. A bit of "fresh computer" notes too.

Always cold and crisp.

In this particular office though, the aroma of a scented candle masks the artificial feeling of the whole scene. The March sun shines weakly but it's a welcomed change from the white neon.

As she stepped closer to his desk, her high heels echoed, making him a little more aware of her presence. He turned away from the window as she sit on one of the chairs and took in the view in front of him.

"You should really quit smoking, you know. It taints you"

She looked him in the eyes, daring him to continue, mostly to satisfy her own curiosity.

"It's like taking a bite of an apple. Then you discover the worm inside"

"But isn't the apples with worms the healthiest ones? Away from all the chemicals and genetic modifications? Raw and pure through their own tainted nature?" Her words were calm and steady. She was just pointing out the obvious, after all.

He chuckled and stepped closer, bent down to kiss her cheek and lingered for a moment.

Sweet Chanel perfume- his gift for Christmas.

Faint smell of menthols.He wouldn't admit, but he felt like home being so close to her.

"I missed you"

"I missed you too"

Ah, there it was. The strong espresso she adored.

He sit next to her, instead of choosing his chair on the other side of the desk. He wouldn't admit, but her presence was simply intoxicating.

"How was it?"

"Same old. Though, if you'd agree, at once, to come with me, I'd probably see it differently"

There was a short pause before she added:

"It rained a lot. Everyday, actually"

"Good. Then next time I'll come."

Ten years ago, when they'd first met, it was in Dublin.

It was downpouring.

She was wearing a navy tailored suit with a white shirt and high heels. Her butler was holding a black umbrella for her while she was taking a drag out of a cigarette. Her crimson lips stained the filter while she was observing the city life through the lenses of her Holly Golightly sunglasses.

"I like here"

Her butler nodded as she threw the butt of her cigarette.

Inside, she was welcomed by the aroma of a scented candle and a man behind a mahogany desk who raised from his chair the moment she entered the room. Alone, of course. Her butler was to wait until the business was done.

The man shook her hand and they quickly started talking about the reason she was there.

"I shall send my people to take care of this and if you are ever in need of my help again, Mr Moriarty, do not hesitate to pay me a visit at my headquarters in Paris."

The man nodded and smiled-a genuine smile that resonated in his eyes, to her surprise.

"It's James"

Her smile though, didn't reach her eyes. This was just another client and business was simply business.

She could sense his cologne as he walked her to the door, strong yet subtle, sweet and woodsy blending perfectly with the lavender aroma of the air.

"Goodbye Mr Moriarty"

"How’s the Royal contract?"

“ Full of sissies. There’s a lot of unsolved drama between the brothers” She said, taking  a sip of her tea. “It’s going to take a while but I’m a patient person. How’s Sherlock? Still thinking you had left Easter eggs for him everywhere?

“And you mean I didn’t? C’mon Y/N don’t insult me.”

“I’m not actually, You just got too...attached to this project. If it wasn’t for Eurus…”

“Is that jealousy I sense Y/L/N ?”

“Hardly”

She finished her tea in silence before quietly mentioning that she would leave for Denmark in two days.

“Anything I should know about? ”

“No”, she answered softly, not meeting his gaze.

The candle in this room had a flowery scent, not unusual, though. It was March.

"Let's go home, then "

The drive to their apartment was short. The two-levels flat was a few minutes away from their main building, in case something was to happen and they were needed there. It was simple yet delicately decorated, they both had chosen the furniture on their way to London after a weekend in Paris, four year ago. She had decided to move most of her work to England and had to get some last things from her French office.

They had dinner, and then cuddled in their bedroom while watching some old movie. She fell asleep after a short time,  the smell of soap and cologne from James' warm form lulling her to the land of dreams.

He looked at her adoringly while playing with her hair. He saw himself  King and now he has found his castle, and his castle was anywhere she was. She warmed the thick stone walls and turned them into a home whenever he was around.

This was home.

Three loud knocks on the door disturbed their peace, though.

"Kill whoever disturbs us before I do, James" she said, voice full with sleep.

He grabbed his robe, climbed down the stairs and opened the door.

One man he hadn't seen in a really long time was before him and it was no one else but Mycroft Holmes.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure, Mr Holmes? Please come in. Shall I put the kettle on?"

"My visit is short and precise, Moriarty."

"Yes of course. Ice man has a lot of important things to do. Why here and now?"

" There is someone with a soft spot for your .....partner, to say so"

"Who wouldn't? Have you seen her?"

"This someone is the CIA, Moriarty"

"With the right people, they'll forget her. A few willing participants and I was found not guilty after stealing the crown jewels in plain daylight"

"I wouldn't have come if I didn't consider it a serious matter"

There was a long pause and conflict was written over Moriarty's face. Why should he believe Mycroft? Then again, why would Mycroft lie?

"They already have the arrest warrant"

"On what grounds?"

"All of them. From tax evasion to first degree murder"

"We have countless ways of solving this"

"There is rumour that, whoever is after our dear Y/N, wants her out of the game. She is eligible for death sentence. "

"When?"

"Two days from now"

In the morning, their chef made breakfast- black coffee, croissants and oatmeal porridge for the lady and a full Irish breakfast for the man.

“Are you playing with Sherlock today?”

“No. Why? You act like he’s my mistress”

A heartfelt giggle came from her at his words.

“It’s not that, I was just wondering if we could enjoy some…. What do they call it...domesticity? Yes. Domesticity. Too much has happened lately, I need a breath of fresh air before I start again.

”“ Don’t tell me you’ve gotten soft, Y/N”

“ Years of criminality, and suddenly you’re “soft” for wanting to spend some time with your significant other. Unbelievable

”He chuckled then kissed her hand.It was 6 am and yet here she was, in front of him, like a porcelain doll.

“Look who’s soft now”

She played the piano that day.

Started with Bach, to lighten the mood.

“This is for you, my darling. I promise, it’s better than Sherlock’s boring violin. Piano’s more personal”

“You really have to get over your obsession with him, sweetheart.”

“Only after you do.” she said with a grin.

Partita no 1, then Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and her favourite- Vivaldi’s Seasons.

He abruptly interrupted her when he put ABBA on their speakers.

“Really?” she asked cocking her eyebrow.“I can’t have you playing when I want to dance with you”

They started waltzing around the room and he was keeping her close, so very close, as if he was scared someone would barge in and steal her from him.

“JAMES MORIARTY, CRIMINAL MASTERMIND, AN ACTUAL ROMANTIC. Wait till the newspapers hear it”

“Nah, they wouldn’t believe it”

He didn’t dare kissing her. No. He just held her in his arms, in the middle of the living room, admiring her, his most precious prize. She could actually keep him entertained, and proof was their decade of mischief.

He took in her scent- he was sure he would have to cling only to that for a while. He knew. This contract of hers would keep her away for some time. He was in a similar position at that moment, the difference was that he had to stay away from the youngest Holmes and his friends not from her.

Sweet Chanel perfume.

Faint smell of menthols.

This was his.

The next morning he woke her up at the crack of the dawn.

“Pack a bag. NOW. You're going to Tibet. or Brazil. You choose. Where's Edwin? I already have a boat ready. He's coming with you.”

“James. Calm down, you're giving me a headache. Why do I suddenly need my butler when I’m in my own apartment? What time is it?”

“Mycroft told me. You have to leave NOW”

She sat up in the bed.

“I was wondering how long it’d take you to find out. Calm down, now. Sit with me. Let’s have tea”

By now Moriarty was furiously packing. When he heard her words, he had the eyes of a mad man, not that he wasn’t, but this time, all the elegance was gone. He was like the sea on a stormy day, unsettled and terrifying but she kept going.

“All they have is receipts with fake names. Personas with strong backgrounds.”

“THEY HAVE A WARRANT, DUMMY”

“And since when are we afraid of that? Since when are YOU?”

“We are in no control over this. We CAN manage it but-”

“But, what? What name is on that piece of paper, exactly? Samantha Albridge, the one who owns the building uptown? or Marcie Page, the french redhead with the shop in Paris? Natasha Kristoff, who killed the Ukranian diplomat in Krakow? Which one?”

“Mycroft said they're after you.”

“Mycroft IS JUST A PAWN.”

“Not to the CIA”

She scoffed at his words.

“We are a few steps behind. We need time to catch up.”

“ I am in full control over this, just like you were over Saint Bartholomew.”

She winked at him and went into the bathroom.

They spent the rest of the day in silence. They had lunch, then she packed and ran some last errands.

He met Mycroft. Royal security and his own snipers should be a good backup plan.

At midnight they left together towards the private plane in separate cars.

“We can’t risk people to see us together, you’re still dead. It’d blow up years of this plan” she said to him before kissing his cheek and getting into her car.

The total drive was 17 minutes.

He was 5 late due to his chauffeur avoiding a drunk driver.

When he got off, he saw her getting on the plane.

2 minutes later it blew up.

He felt like he falling yet his destination wasn’t permanent as he no longer had one.

He got so entranced with this woman during their time together, he felt angry and highly annoyed at her stunt, gasoline and the smell of fire filling his senses.

There was a fire in front of him yet the one inside was stronger.

“My dear, you better thought this through.”

He got into the car and called off the backup men.

It rained heavily that night.

[allthetonyships]

can i request a stevetony fic where steve finds out tony and peggy knew each other and tony opens up to him and tells him about aunt peggy and jarvis? 💕

Steve likes cleaning. When he was a kid,he didn’t have a lot he could do, and he wanted to help his mum. So if she wasworking, or busy, he’d help clean up the house. It was relaxing, a moment ofpeace.

Later, cleaning became a routine to helphim. He wasn’t obsessive about it; he just liked everything being clean, evenif the rest of his life was a mess. It gave him some control over hissurroundings that he desperately needed.

When he fell in love with Tony Stark, herealized that maybe he’d fallen for the messiest man he knows. Still, that’snot that bad. Steve knows the man, and he knows that Tony would never go forsomeone like Steve Rogers. He’s a womanizer through and through, and even ifSteve hasn’t seen the gorgeous billionaire with anyone for months now, thatdoesn’t mean that Tony is interested in him.

It does mean, however, that Steve can’thelp but keep his hopes up as he drags Tony with him to finally clean thestorage room. He came across it last week. It is full of stuff of all the Avengersthat they don’t want in their rooms, but most of it seems to be Tony’s oldjunk. He isn’t sure what all of it is; the huge room is full of old dressersand some fancy sofas, side to side with forgotten science projects.

‘’Why is all of this even here?’’ Steveasks, crossing his arms, as he lets Tony take in the mess. It’s clear he hasn’tbeen here in ages, as the shorter man walks past the furniture. He runs hisfinger along one of the dressers, his digit leaving a clear track among thedust that has settled on it.

Tony doesn’t turn back to him, but opensa few drawers. They creak loudly in protest, but Tony doesn’t let that stop himas he rummages through whatever’s inside. ‘’This is all from my childhood home.I sold it, a few years back, but all the furniture was still there, so I had itmoved to here. I’d almost forgotten everything is here.’’

Suddenly, Steve sees everything in wholeanother light. All of this stuff was Howard’s. He imagines a younger Tony, adark mop of hair and a bright smile, running through some long hallways,crashing into the furniture. Some part of him wishes he’d been there to see it,all those years ago; another part of him, though, is still so very glad to haveended up in this time. Just in time to meet this version of Tony Stark.

Tony stops rummaging through the closet,and comes up holding a few pictures. He looks at them quietly, and Steve comesto stand next to him. The pictures are old and yellowed, but clear enough.‘’Can I see?’’ Steve asks. Tony glances at him for a moment, but thenwordlessly hands him the pictures. There’s five of them, in total; the first isa family portrait. Howard is older than when Steve had known him, his hairalmost completely grey. He’s sitting on a chair, Maria sitting next to him. Howard’sface is expressionless, but Maria smiles softly, looking directly into thecamera. Tony is sitting in front of them. He’s wearing a suit for the occasion,and Steve wonders how often Tony had to wear those. His face is shut off, justlike Howard’s; he doesn’t look like the happy child Steve imagined just a fewmoments ago.

He flips through the other pictures.They’re various pictures of the family; Tony doesn’t smile in a single one ofthem. He holds them tightly, as Tony goes through another dresser.

‘’So,’’ Steve scrapes his throat. ‘’Wedon’t have to. Clean it, I mean. If you want to keep all of it.’’

Tony doesn’t even look up,absentmindedly picking up some old shoes and inspecting them. ‘’No, don’t besilly. This is all old stuff that I’m never going to do anything with anymore.I should get rid of it. Shouldn’t take too long, I don’t want to keep any ofit.’’

‘’But the pictures?’’ Steve presses.‘’There must be memories in here. Don’t you want to see what else is stillhere?’’

‘’Steve, I’ve lived without all of itfor years. I haven’t given it a single thought. I won’t miss anything that’s inhere; my life has always been photographed. What’s a few more pictures to me?Those you just saw, those were made for magazines. They’re probably still somewhereon the internet, if I really wanted them. These memories? I don’t care aboutthem. I’d rather forget.’’

Steve looks down, at the pictures he’sstill holding. He flips to the last one, and then stops breathing.

It’s Peggy. She’s a little older, herhairdo different and with a few wrinkles around her eyes, but still unmistakably Peggy. She’s sitting in the grass, apparently not caring that herclear white skirt is going to be dirty, and holding a child in her lap. She’slaughing, pure joy on her face, as she looks at the child. At first, Stevethinks it’s maybe one of her own children, but then he recognizes that face,too.

It’s Tony. The only picture in whichTony is laughing, and his dark eyes are bright as he holds onto Peggy.

‘’Tony?’’ he says, and the man comes tosee the picture.

‘’Oh,’’ he just says, and takes thepicture from Steve’s hands. ‘’I forgot about that. Um, this is – well, Jarvismust’ve taken this. I didn’t know this was here.’’

‘’JARVIS?’’ Steve asks. ‘’He didn’texist then, right? Tony, did you know Peggy? Why did you never tell me?’’

Tony winces, and looks up at Steve.‘’Sit,’’ he says, pointing to one of the sofas. Steve obeys, patiently watchingthe emotions cross Tony’s face. ‘’I’ll tell you something about my childhood.It’s something I don’t like telling people, for obvious reasons, but here itis: my childhood wasn’t easy.’’

Steve nods. ‘’Okay,’’ he says simply. Hefeels more is coming, but Tony is looking at him like he’s grown a second head.

‘’Okay?’’ the man repeats. ‘’You’re notgoing to tell me that I can’t say that, because I was rich? Because I wasn’till? Because I had no reason to complain at all?’’

Steve shrugs. ‘’Tony, I believe you.Look, there’s a lot more to a happy childhood than money or health. They help,of course, but that’s not all there is. So, tell me.’’

Tony is silent for a few minutes, andglances at the picture. ‘’I usually tell the press how much I look up to mydad. How much of an example he was to me. Truth to be told, I barely saw him.When he was home, he was cold and distant. I tried to impress him, but nothingreally ever did. He didn’t show me any affection. My mum suffered under it too;it was mostly just the two of us, but she was… well, I loved her. But shecouldn’t give me everything that I needed.’’

‘’What happened?’’ Steve asks, as Tonystops talking. He looks up, almost as if wrenched away from his thoughts. Hesmiles slightly.

‘’Howard hired a butler to see to thehousehold. His name was Edwin Jarvis, and I loved him to death. He did all thethings with me I wanted my dad to do; he tucked me into bed; he told mestories. He was more of a father to me than my actual father. I named JARVISafter him, so he’s still kind of here to look after me. Pathetic, right? Butstill, Jarvis worked for us. He still had to listen to my parents about allkinds of stuff, including me. It wasn’t like that with Aunt Peggy. She didn’tcome around a lot when I was really young, but I think she saw how unhappy Iwas with my parents. You don’t want to know how often I’ve heard her havearguments with Howard. She came to see me at least once a week, and she alwayswanted to play with me. She made Halloween costumes with me, she bought meChristmas presents that I reallywanted. She told me bedtime stories about you, and the war, and she bought me atoy gun. Anything I really love about my childhood is bound to be because ofAunt Peggy or Jarvis.’’

‘’Why didn’t you ever tell me you knewhere?’’ Steve asks carefully.

Tony doesn’t meet his eyes. ‘’Peggy, shewas – I don’t know. I felt like I’d taken her away from you. Like she belongedto you more than to me, in a way, and I’d spend all that time with her whileyou couldn’t. My dad spent all that time searching for you, and then there wasPeggy, catering to the whims of his kid. And then she was gone, and I didn’teven go to her funeral.’’

‘’I’m so sorry,’’ Steve says eventually.‘’I didn’t know. I’m glad she knew you, though. I’m glad she managed to makeyour childhood a little easier. I’m glad that she had you, when she didn’t haveme. And I’m sorry you couldn’t say goodbye. And I’m sorry about thecircumstances surrounding it.’’

Tony smiles wryly. His dark eyes areintent, focused on Steve’s. ‘’It’s a few years ago, Steve. It’s – we both saidand did things we shouldn’t have. I don’t hold it against you, and I neverhave. Peggy wouldn’t have wanted us to fight, and I’m just glad we managed topatch things up.’’

‘’Me too,’’ Steve says. ‘’I’m sorry youfelt like you couldn’t tell me. Would you – do you maybe want to visit hergrave together, sometimes? Bring her some flowers? I think… I think she reallywould have liked that.’’

Tony’s eyes crinkle, his gaze softening.He sits down next to Steve, maybe a little closer than he should. Steve cansmell him. If he shifts his leg just the tiniest bit, they’d be pressedtogether. So that’s what he does. Tony just looks up at him, unreadable.

‘’We should do that,’’ he agrees.‘’Together.’’

‘’Together,’’ Steve confirms, as Tony takeshis hand. It’s reluctant, at first, but when Steve doesn’t pull away, theirhands settle together, as if they belong like that.

Steve smiles. Together – and if he hasanything to say about it, it’ll be like that forever.