#obvi I mean it’s his own fuckin mouth why would I have a say

[violethyacinth]

They’ve got the first season of Last Week Tonight on YouTube now 😁😁😁

[valscodblog]

ℙ𝕀𝕊𝕋𝕆𝕃𝔸 -Part two

Warnings: Mentions of death (obvi-it's call of duty y'all.), in-depth past explanation, OC being forced to take up a role she never wanted, very very very VERY slight mentions of sexual themes (like-one or two sentences), trust issues at it's finest, and that's around it.

Alejandro Vargas x OC

Credits to OC: ME MYSELF AND IIIIIII~~ (Uhm-anyways-)

[{TAGS! <3 : @seconds-over-first @thebunnednun @writing-with-moss }]

Alejandro felt like he had been shot through the heart. "I-What have I ever done to you, to make you reluctant to trust me, Linda?" Maria shook her head, "It's-It's not you, Alejandro...it's just-personal." Alejandro nodded. "I understand. Yo Entiendo." Maria gave him a soft smile-she smiled!-and then walked away. Alejandro nearly died right then. Rodolfo smirked at put a hand on Alejandro's shoulder. " Su maldito desesperado, coronel," Rudy joked, and his higher-up sighed. "Yo se, Rudy...Pero...." "Pero Nada, Amigo. You love her. That's it." "Not so loud, Pendejo!" "We're mexican! We're loud!" "Parra!" "Okay, okay! Don't kill me, Alejandro!" "Mhhh, i should...I really should. But-alas, I can't."

"Say-Pistola, why do they call ye tha', aye?" "Because." "It means Poistol, doon'it?" Soap asked, "So that means-ye must be handy wit one!" Maria groaned and rubbed her face. "If i say yes, will you shut up?" "Nay, prolly not, bonnie." "Don't call me bonnie-" "Bonnie, bon-bon, bonnibell, bonnie-boo," Soap teased, and Maria looked over to Alejandro and mouthed, "Im going to kill you, Pendejo." He just laughed. Maria looked back over to Ghost and Soap-who were...flirting? Talking? How could you tell, honestly? "...Are you two...Novios?" "Huh?" Ghost said, quirking a brow up, "I asked if you two are dating, Fantasma." Ghost shook his head. "No-why would we be?" He snorted, and Soap laughed. "Okay...Although, I hope you two know, that I will be teasing you now." "Aboot...?" "Dating. Because y'all act like a married couple."

"Hey-quick question-why'd'ye sound like yer from Texas or sum?" Ghost asked, and Maria gave him a deadpan stare. "...The border? I live on the fuckin' Boarder?" Maria said, quirking a brow of her own up. Ghost then put his brow back down and then raised both of them this time, "Ah..." what was he supposed to say after a lady just told you that and clearly wasn't liking you? "So-You grew up knowing how to fight, Alejandro says." "Yeah. I did..." Ghost sighed.

"Well-" "If your trying to flirt with me, i suggest you learn a few new pick up lines other than whatever the fuck your on, Ghost." Simon blinked. "Love, i assure you, I'm not takin' a shinin' t'ya." "Good. Because I'm not on the market." "Oh?" Well, she's interesting...Simon sorta was starting to like her. "So..." "So?" "...What's anotha way to say "I came inside of a woman," Pistola?" "...What?" "Loadin' tha dishwasha." And Pistola nearly laughed, but she caught herself and just choose to quirk a brow up and shut her eyes. "Funny." and Ghost smiled behind his mask-but not a nice one, oh no. An annoyed one.

"Hmm, your not laughin' though?" "Yeah-lost my ability to year ago." "Ooh...damn, thats gotta suck f'ya, Lovie." "Oh yeah, it does."

And Alejandro looked over to Maria and frowned. "Here we go..." he muttered to Rudy. Rudy shook his head before saying, "She's not a litle kid, Amigo. She can flirt if she wants-" "Not with that gringo!" "Alejandro!" "....Mhhhph, I just don't like how she won't even look at me half the time i talk to her-but this, this guy! He just shows up and it's all 'Ohh let me stare at him-let me make eye contact!' Like, Pendeja! Por favor, why do you treat him like an old friend, huh?"

and Rudy leaned into Alejandro, arm on shoulder, and said, "Jelous, Ale?" "No-why?" "...Pinche mentiroso..." "No soy!" "Si tu eres! You ranting like-" "Dont." "Si, senor..." Alejandro went back to looking at Maria, whom was still talking to ghost and Soap. He hummed again before saying, "Alright, maybe i am...just a little. Un Puco." Rudy grinned. "First step's admitting it, Alejandro." "Yo se..."

"Right-so...what do I say, Alejandro?" Maria mumbled, more to herself than anything, really. BUt the man caught it and said, "You introduce yourself, tell them your New rank, Maria, and tell them you'll be leading this squad. Okay, mi amor?" "Not your love." And Alejandro sighed softly. "You know how i mean it, Maria...right?" "Claro que si. I just-don't. Just don't, okay?" "Claro, Maria." "Grasias, Ale-" "Maria! Here you are, thought we lost ya!" "Juan Price." "Erm-it's John." "Oh, so sorry, I'm Mexican, Sir." "It's fine, it's fine." "John Price! Ey, one capitan, to another, this is the easy part." "True..."

Alejandro quirked a brow up. "You two, know each other?" "We've met, yes. Back in, what was it?" "Ahh, good ol' Brittan-the country side, right?" "Indeed," Price agreed, smiling. "By the way! How's it coming along for you?" Maria asked, Price sighed and shook his head. "Hassan's still causing problems, so what does that tell you?" "Horrid." "Worse than." "Oof, i feel for you, John." "So, when-"

"Maria, it's time," Alejandro said into her ear and she said, "Fine fine...Sorry John we'll have to catch up later. I have to meet new squad." "Steaming Jesus-right before a mission?" "It's my family curse-we're alwasy last minuet and the people around us are affected too." "Well-i'll let you go before i get affected, huh?" "Hmph, yeah, see you, Price." and Maria walked away. Alejandro stayed behind and said, "That scoff? That's her laugh...consider yourself a trusted allay to Los Vaqueros now, Price." and he clapped John on the shoulder, shook it, and then let go and jogged to catch up to Maria.

Rodolfo was there, already telling the squad a new Captain was to command them and the rest of Maria's new squad just tensed. A new Captain? Oh, Jesus, that was never good...the last one was dead, sure, but this new one? They would have to learn how to read and how to act around this new person.

Or so they thought. It was just Maria.

"Oh! The Corp finally moved up, huh?" Private Diaz asked, and Maria sighed, "Here we go..."

"WHy now, out of all times?"

"HOW DID SHE GET TO MAKE THAT BIG OF A MOVE?"

"Wow...she really just left us in the dust, sucking off Alejandro must help a fair ton."

"For real. Prolly added in a few extra rounds to ensure her new place too."

Alejandro quirked a brow up and was about to say something when Maria shouted, "IF YOU LOVE YOUR MOM'S, SHUT IT!" and everyone shut up-minus one rookie who thought she was joking around.

BANG!

"Any? Body? Else?" Maria asked, her single hand still holding her pistol sideways. The person who spoke had been shot in the leg. "No? Good...now, rule one, i ever hear you talking behind my back again, you'll end up worse than that boy there, okay? Bueno. Dos, listen to rule one." Everyone nodded.

"Maria-that wasn't legal." "And what are you going to say, huh? Nada because if you report me, you'll be asked why you didn't step in." and Rudy shut up. "Damn-she's better than I thought at this," Alejandro said, smiling proudly.

"Well...let's get this mission over with and the lines drawn, yeah?" Maria muttered, Alejandro nodded...but as he started to explain, Maria started to zone out, she didn't feel safe, and this is how she dealt with that feeling.

"Ma? ...Mama? M-...MAMA?" Maria shouted, running into her mother's room as she heard what sounded like fighting. "Mami-mami!" her little brother screamed-in pain. "Eres igual que tu papá, chico..."

"MAMA-ALTO! Whatever he did-"

"No hablo ingles a Me, nina..."

Maria just stared at her mother-not hearing anything but the high pitched ringing in her ears. She had to run-hide. After she was done with her brother-she was next. and in for worse. Maria did run-into the room. She grabbed her four year old brother and then, as fast as her legs could carry the both of them, she ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She ran to the front door, and tried to open it-locked. She unlocked it but her brother wouldn't stop fighting her movements. "You'll just make it worse, Hermana! Stop-please!" "Shhh, dont speak English, Nino! Why do you think your being beat!?" and her brother shut up and chose just to sob into her shoulder. "Poor thing...if only Dad-"

"Tu padre ya no está aquí, no estará por mucho tiempo… Ya tendré tiempo…Es hora de pensar en una mentira… Es hora de hacer que parezca un accidente..."

No-Nononono-She heard the trigger of a gun and then she heard the recoil. It didn't hit her, however. "...Alex?" "Ma...Ri...A..." was his last word and Maria snapped. Thirteen, and she snapped. She dropped her little brother and charged at the drunken woman. Her mother was skinny-she wasn't. She had been working out for the last three years in secret. She threw a punch to her mother and her mom took it harshly. She toppled over, dropping the gun. It would've been funny to Maria if she wasn't so far gone in the moment. Maria then picked up the gun and said, "I'll talk how i want-and just so you know, Dad will know...and then he'll see to it that you get what you deserve..."

"Live, Pendeja...Live knowing I only let you becuase your husband and the god you so claim to love will punish you. They'll punish you so harshly-so badly...that you wish that i killed you-that one day, when we meet again, you will Beg Me to kill you...understand me? And know, that I no longer am a fucking Rodriguez, but instead, a Sanchez-como me Papa!" Maria said, sounding ever so calmly. She then laid the gun down on her mother's chest, and left the house.

She never went back. She found her uncle, and asked to stay with him instead, and her uncle, the evil bastard said yes. So she lived with him and was trained by him for War.

"Maria-MARIA SANCHEZ! Are you listening to a word that Alejandro just said to you?" Maria blinked and muttered, "Que?" Rodolfo sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Alejandro-get your damn girlfriend." Alejandro, who had been talking to one of the rookies, looked over and said, "No eres mi novia, Rudy...solo una amiga importante." And Maria groaned, "Shut it, Alejandro."

Maria walked away and muttered, "I have to stop zoning out..." Alejandro jogged after her-again. "Alejandro-" "I know what your going to say, so just don't! Instead, Escuchame!" Maria nodded, but kept walking. "So...Maria...do you, uhhm..Wanna go get something to eat after this?" Maria stopped dead. "You asking me out, Alejandro?" Alejandro sighed, "Not like-romanticly or anything! Just-you know, a couple of friends going out to eat." Maria laughed softly and said, "You know, I don't trust that...just us two-and i've never seen you outside of work...i don't know you-and you don't know me, Ale."

"I know-pero-i wanna take you out, okay? Tu eres muy linda, bonita, ermosa, and not to seem like im kissing your ass or anything but-" "Vargas. Your already kissing my ass." "Oh, shhh! Let a man talk to you for once, Maria!" Maria laughed again before nodding. "Sure, Vargas. Talk." "Grasias! Dios mio...okay, where was I?" "Oh so this was rehersed?" "In the mirror to myself." "Alejandro Vargas!" "What? Im telling you the truth!"

"Oh my god, fine! I'll go out with you-but no where cheap! Make an impression if you want this chica to stay around. Dont ask or tell me where, just take me. Okay?" and she winked.

Alejandro felt like he had been shot through the heart again-but this time...by cupid's bow.

[not-me-simping-for-blasty]

bakugou thoughts pt 2001847471 :)))

- if u go to the park, and somebody is like, walking their dog n the animal barks at y’all??? bakugou is barking back. mans full on squares up, n barks at the dog until it backs off

- he rarely gets into shows/series, but when he finds one he likes, he’ll only watch the first few episodes and then make u watch the rest with him. he’ll always say sum “if i dont watch with you, then i gotta make extra time for your needy ass. ‘m prioritizing my fuckin’ time. it doesn’t mean anything, shut up.” ...... he’s lying. it does mean something. it means he wants to share the things he likes with u

- pls he’s so smart, and generally pretty aware, but sometimes he’ll just do something so duMb. like, u kno that thing that happens sometimes with hair?? like, when it sticks to ur fingers and no matter what u do, u can’t get it off?? bakugou is literally breaking his wrist a foot away from u, shaking his hand back and forth and cursing soooo loudly. u just gotta go up to him and gently remove the hair from him like “oh honey- no.”

- peanut gallery comments. lots of them. mans will sit fully dead silent, not talking for the whOle day, but the second u do something embarrassing?? like trip??? suddenly he has a LOT to say ..... smh men

- animals just always like him. its absolutely unexplainable bc he’s so loud n moves super suddenly,,, but the amount of street animals that follow him home is ridiculous. srsly. sometkmes he even has other people’s pets trying to follow him home

- respects absolutely no one n that somehow strangely makes him the most respectful u’ve ever seen??? like- he hates everyone the exact same so u won’t ever catch bakugou in an act of discrimmination

- he can’t draw at all but if u asked him to draw something, it’ll be the same skull every single time. it’s a good skull, but it’s soooo obvious he learned how to draw it from a tutorial in the midst of his emo phase

- will fully make fun of others for baby-talking around their s/o, n then just fully go home n look at you like “tired.” “hungry.” “kiss.”...... like okay baby man, maybe try putting a full sentence together before u start trying to run your mouth. hypocrite.

- probably sleeps like the dead. contrary to popular belief, i absolutely do not believe he’s up at every single noise. man’s could sleep thru an explosion, im sure of it. that being said tho, it’s probably actually hard for him to turn his brain off n fall asleep. he prob goes to bed so “early” bc he has to wind down for a good hr or two until he’s ready to actually sleep

- he’s got a vendetta against salespeople. like, if his phone rings with some bullshit about a product? if somebody, god forbid, tries to walk up to your door? fully frothing at the mouth annoyed. will chew out any employee who’s too underpaid not to listen to him

- eats like an absolute animal. no rlly, its bad. holds his spoon with a fist and digs at his meal like its the gold rush. the worst table manners you’ve ever seen rlly

- he gets sorts antsy if he sits for too long, so he’s always off doing random shit. like, u’ll look out the window n he’s just like, raking the .3 leaves from ur driveway, probably trying to guess where the wind will be so they wont blow back

- ik this with my heart and soul okay,,, bakugou has never had a conversation with u that wasnt from exactly .2 meters away. like,, if he’s comfortable, then he’s just close all the time. like he’s waving his hands around and yelling and you just have to take his face in ur hands and go “im literally right here. ily but pls tone it down for the sake of my hearing.”

- very much guard dog behavior when y’all go out. absolutely will not leave ur side for even a second, like, at a bar or during a concert. even if u go to the bathroom he’s like, leaning against the wall and waiting right outside the door

- gets absolutely bitchy about your phone blowing up while you’re hanging out. its not that he’s suspicious that ur, like, cheating on him, it’s just that he doesnt understand why u’d even leave ur phone on in the first place since he always has his turned off when ur around. if he gets annoyed enough he’ll fully take the phone out of ur hands, say sum “yeah, you don’t fuckin’ need this anymore. you’re done with this.” n toss it across the room while he kisses u senseless

- tbh his ultimate love language is 100% playfighting. v much would go heart eyes if u even seemed like u might try n wrestle him. obvi u dont win, but his favorite is how u laugh while he pins ur hands above ur head

- he sneers at other angry people. will fully, fully sit there like “jesus christ, they need to calm the hell down. annoying as shit- fuckin’ loud too.” ....... -i. who’s gonna tell him

- silent conversations with ur eyes. no rlly. if y’all are with friends and somebody says something questionable, bakugou is immeadiately turning to u, eyes hardly even shifting but u just know he’s hurling insults in his head

- he doesnt realize his own strength sometimes. like- he knows he’s strong, but if u ever open a door n ur like “woah, careful, this is heavier than it looks” bakugou is .2 steps behind u practically ripping the damn thing off it’s hinges. he’ll look at it, huffing like he doesn’f even understand the issue

- he rlly likes when u call him by his name. pet names are fine, but he srsly is super soft for the simple stuff. like when u look over at him, all excited, smile wide like “hey katsuki, u gotta see this! c’mere!”

- his road rage is severe. no rlly. bakugou drives like every day is a race n he’s one win away from going formula one. you’re pretty sure that the only reason he passed his license test is bc the instuctor was too terrified to tell him no

- bakugou probably does that thing where if you’re sitting on the counter top, watching him cook, he’ll stand between ur legs. hands on ur thighs or resting on ur hips while you tell him about your day

- can’t explain this one, but he doesnt kill spiders. he takes them outside. says sum “they eat ticks, idiot. what- you actually want a fuckin’ blood disease? Hah? ‘m not gonna kill it. motherfucker’s gotta earn his keep before dyin’ just like the rest of us.” while he v gently picks the spider up into his hand and walks it outside

- ik that his one cheat food is sugary cereal. like, he’s a health freak, but the one thing he can’t help but make a concession for is sugary cereal on the weekends

- he’ll sometimes get in this over-stimulated mood where everything pisses him off, n the only thing u can do is leave him alone. u learn this quick bc his anger doesn’t discrimminate and if u push him even after he tells u what’s up?? pls bakugou will lash tf out. at u. like, ik y’all like to write it but that whole “it’s okay- it’s just me. just look at me.” thing does not work with him,,, u literally gonna get merc’d if u try

- he’s probably a guy who’s gonna be super big on passing touches. like he drops his hand on ur head when he passes, or bumps his shoulder into urs when he laughs. no footsies tho. too sappy even for him- pls if u tried to initate that he’d crush ur toes under the table aHAHAHA

- feeds every street cat he comes across. is probably super fond of the ones with a bunch of scratches/scars on them. he’d die if u knew, but one time u caught him feeding a scratched up calico n going “bet u beat his stupid ass, right? that’s my girl. we always win, huh?”

—/—

surprise suprise,, my brain rlly never shuts the hell up about this man

[hawkinsindiana]

were you ever going to tell me?

ALMOST PARADISE: PART THREE - CHAPTER THREE OF TEN (?)

pairing: steve harrington x henderson!reader

word count: 3.5k

a/n: god damn.... it’s been a while. happy fuckin’ new year! hope you enjoy one of the most angst ridden chapters ruby and i have ever written. also pretty sure there’s going to be ten chapters! obvi i will inform you if that changes! hope you all have been staying safe and healthy! mwah!

masterlist

You and Steve haven’t spoken since Friday night when it slipped from your lips how you’ve felt - how you’ve felt about him for a year.

There’s not a doubt in your mind that it’s over. You should’ve known better than to keep something like that from him, that’s overwhelming information for anyone to receive. Even though the words “we’re done” haven’t been said, you’re positive that they don’t need to be.

And Steve - god, he hasn’t known what to think about it all. Unconsciously, he’s spent the last two days reliving everything, and of course you had feelings for him. You threw away so much for him and he rarely returned the favor. He almost hates how devoted you were - no, he doesn’t mean that.

He can’t mean that.

Steve’s wanted to reach out every moment that you two have been apart. He doesn’t blame you for the fact that you haven’t, he can’t imagine what’s going on inside your head; he assumes you’re pissed beyond belief.

The school day’s been tough. Knowing that Steve’s here and inside these walls, it makes you flare up with embarrassment and shame. You can’t wait to get out of here.

Jonathan’s voice startles you a bit when he approaches your locker, just passing by on his way out to say goodbye. Concern blooms from within him at the way you hold yourself, how your eyes can’t seem to focus on anything in particular as you turn the dial.

He clears his throat as he tries to come with something to discuss, “So, uh - do anything else fun over the weekend? Will told me you watched something spooky. Hopefully Dustin wasn’t too annoying this time.”

Jonathan laughs, crossing his arms over his chest, “Like remember that time we took them to see Cujo? I felt so bad for the other people in the theater.”

“I, um-“ You stutter over your words as you swing the door open, mind flashing back to events on Friday, “No, I didn’t do anything else this weekend. It was pretty shitty, actually.”

“Bummer,” Jonathan leans against the column as you unzip your backpack and begin to unload your belongings. His brow furrows further once he notices something else is off, until he finally realizes what. 

“Steve’s runnin’ late today,” Jonathan checks his watch, “You two are typically joined at the hip right about now.” 

And by the way your jaw clenches and your actions freeze slightly, Jonathan can tell he unwillingly struck a nerve.

Your throat starts to close up as you think about him again, feeling the familiar burning sensation behind your eyes, “I haven’t, uh, I haven’t seen him. I don’t know where he is.”

Jonathan watches you intently. He hasn’t seen you like this in a while - not since the day after Halloween. The puzzle starts to put itself together.

He leans in a touch closer; his whispers are covered by the rustling sound of you putting on your windbreaker, “Did something happen? Are you two… you know, good?”

You’re an inch away from whisking Jonathan somewhere else to tell him everything. Over the past few months - but especially over the last couple days - you’ve been tempted to let the secret spill. Keeping all your feelings in, both the good and the bad, doesn’t feel like such a good idea anymore. 

You figured that Nancy would be the person you’d tell. While it’d probably be awkward at first, she is the one who told you to go for it, regardless of the past. 

But Jonathan’s right here. And someone else has to know. 

“You can’t tell anyone else,” You say, tossing your backpack over your shoulder. Your tone matches his, quiet and hushed underneath the obnoxiously loud commotion of the hallway. 

Jonathan’s face twists; both curiosity and concern is laced throughout his expression, “Uh, yeah. Of course.”

The experiences you’ve shared will bond you forever. You’d trust Jonathan with your life - you figure he can handle this piece of information too. 

A deep sigh passes from your lips. You don’t know why you’re so scared to admit this.

“Steve and I, we - we’re, uh…” Your hand moves absently in the air as you try to find the words. But when you trail off in search of them, your silence says enough. Jonathan’s brow raises in realization - it all makes so much sense. 

And Jonathan goes to answer, mouth opening but he doesn’t get to respond. Instead, his attention is brought to your side. He kicks your shoe to grab your gaze, which moves quickly between Jonathan’s eyes, and where they landed. 

You avert your focus from Steve as soon as you see that it’s him. The quick glance is enough to transport you to that night, and the emotions you felt watching him leave. 

“Hey,” Steve speaks softly as he comes up beside you, sending a nod and light wave to Jonathan before he leans in a touch closer, “Can we talk?”

Jonathan takes that as his cue to leave - he wishes you both a good-bye. As your friend disappears into the crowd, you bite down onto the inside of your lip. 

“Yeah,” Your voice trembles, afraid because this is it. You can’t bring your gaze to meet Steve’s again, “Yeah sure.”

“Let’s uh-” Steve mutters, clearing his throat as you pull the collar of your coat away from your neck. His eyes fly around the hallway, catching sight of the other students that mill around in the space. Not here. 

Steve exhales before he speaks, “What do you say we go for a drive?”

—

Every few seconds, Steve’s eyes drift between the empty road and you; your leg bounces wildly in the silence. He’s trying to figure out how to compile his thoughts - he doesn’t even know where to begin.

The longer you both sit without speaking, the more anxious you become. You wish you had an inkling of what he plans to say. You wish you could prepare. 

Steve shifts in his seat, voice faltering a bit, “Um, are you... hungry? Wanna grab something?”

God, you hate how considerate he can be. 

You lean your head against the hand you propped on the armrest. You haven’t taken your eyes away from the landscape beyond the window since buckling in. It takes every fabric of your being to try and forget that Steve’s beside you; it’s the only way you can attempt to calm yourself down. 

It doesn’t help that every time you’re in Steve’s car, you’re surrounded by memories. 

Like when you spent ten minutes explaining the chemistry assignment, only for him to grab your notes and toss them into the front seat. 

You protested, about ready to smack him when his fingers danced over your jaw, pulling you closer. He kissed you for a moment before muttering against your lips, “I think I’d rather study our chemistry instead.”

You couldn’t take him seriously after that comment; you laughed until your stomach hurt. Steve couldn’t even be offended, the sound of your giggles only brought a smile to his face. 

“I don’t what you think is so funny,” He quipped, smirking as he looked back at you, “That was one of my best ones!”

You scoffed, “You say a lot of cheesy shit, Harrington. But that? That was the worst one out of them all.” 

Steve didn’t get a chance to reply, because you took his face in between your palms and kissed him. Your love for him is more powerful than all the horrible jokes and puns he could come up with. In fact, they only made you love him more. 

How different that moment was in comparison to the one you’re in now. You figure that it’ll take everything you have to try and get over him. 

“I’m not hungry,” You say curtly, with a tone much harsher than you intended. You immediately regret it. 

“I’m sorry, I just…” The sentence falls short, you’re not sure where it was going. You felt the need to apologize for something. This is your fault, after all.

Steve hears you curse under your breath as you ponder how to continue. Another moment passes.

You sigh before leaning back against the seat, the anger at yourself only grows with each passing second, “God, I fucked up-”

“You’re not the one who fucked up,” Steve interrupts suddenly. He runs his fingers through his hair aggressively, irritated by his own actions from the other night. He never should have left.

“Sometimes I just…” Steve pauses as he stops the car at a red light, “I can’t believe how selfless you are. And I just don’t know how to handle it most of the time.”

“I can’t imagine putting my own feelings aside for a whole year, just for another person’s happiness. I’m not sure if that’s selfish or not.”

Steve takes a deep breath, relishing in the admittance of his guilt. He figures that’s something he should do more often - he carries so much of it with him.

Barb. Nancy. The endless list of others who were touched by his lack of empathy. 

And now you. It might be too late to make it up to them, but he can certainly try to make it up to you. Hopefully, you can forgive him in time. 

“It was a second. A second, and then I turned and realized how it seemed, that I didn’t want you anymore but I do. God, I do.”

You start tearing up a bit because his words hit you harder than you were expecting, “You turned back?”

Steve looks to you briefly before he nods, “Right as you locked the door, yeah.”

He doesn’t give you time to reply; he continues speaking as the light turns green, “I’m just so lucky to have you. And I’m sorry. I never should have left that day.” 

In that moment, the relief floods your face. Once again, you expected the worst - you’ll have to learn to stop doing that. Especially with Steve. 

But Steve grows more concerned over what your expression implies. The anxiety you displayed wasn’t for no reason, he figures. 

“You weren’t worried about anything besides that, right? You didn’t think I was gonna… break up with you, were you?”

His voice is so weak with emotion because all you’ve shown him has been devotion and love and more affection than he could’ve dreamed of; this is how he pays it back? Your silence is answer enough. 

A tear finally rolls down your cheek, but you can’t help but feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders at these revelations. The only sound is that of the rain that’s begun to hit the windshield. It’s strangely soothing after the previous conversation. 

Steve reaches over the center console to hold your hand in his; you laugh and sniffle a bit, wiping your eyes as he presses a kiss to your knuckles, “We’re not very good at this, are we?” 

Steve's looking a little downtrodden - as you’re sure you are too - but his eyes are shining and he’s grinning, so it can’t be that bad. 

“No,” He chuckles too, his thumb tracing over the back of your hand tenderly, “But we’ll learn.”

—

The following weeks are fairly uneventful in regards to your relationship. Since that day, you’ve been more transparent with each other. While you were afraid the truth would only cause pain, it’s actually brought you peace. 

It hasn’t gotten any easier to face your brother, unfortunately. Every time you mention that Steve’s picking you up, Dustin’s eyes grow wide. 

“Can I come?” He begs. You always sigh - you both know that the answer is yes. Neither you nor Steve can ever seem to say no to Dustin. Especially now that a few of the kids have begun to couple up, your brother is lonelier than ever. 

While Steve might love the kid, that doesn’t mean he’s thrilled to see Dustin by your side every time. The glares that Steve sends your brother when he isn’t looking puts you in stitches. 

Steve can handle your brother crashing your dates - he figured that might happen. He wasn’t prepared to attempt to avoid all of them.

You were sure that you would finally be able to see this movie together with Dustin at Will’s with the others for the weekend. You leaned into Steve’s side, with his arm over your shoulder, just subtle enough to go unnoticed in the darkness of the theater.

It’s some cheesy film - neither of you knows or even cares what the title is because you get to be that couple at the movies, when out of nowhere-

“Hey guys! You didn’t tell me you were coming, we’ve missed like a quarter of the movie!”

You and Steve scramble to part; Steve goes beet red, hissing under his breath, “I thought you said he wasn’t coming!”

“He wasn’t! I don’t know how he even found out!”

Dustin plops himself in the seat next to yours, popcorn spilling onto the ground, “What did I miss?”

Steve coughs and it brings Dustin’s attention to the blush on his face, “Were… were you guys gettin’ cozy?”

“No!” You both exclaim; several people shush you in the audience. 

Dustin’s not sure he believes you. He offers you his box of Milk Duds, “Want some?”

His offer only fuels your annoyance with him further, “No, I don’t want any! What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were at Will’s!” 

Dustin gestures next to him as he shrugs, dumping the box of chocolates into his tub of popcorn, “Yeah, but we got bored. Mike mentioned the idea, and Max wanted to see this anyways!”

Steve groans when he sees the pack of them settling into the seats next to your brother, each of them with snacks in each hand. Mike tilts his drink towards your boyfriend, his smirk growing with every second. Steve decides telling Mike your Friday night plans is no longer a good idea.

With all of that aside, there is one thing that has been bothering Steve. He decides to inquire about it one night.

“Were you ever gonna tell me?” Steve questions; his voice breaks the silence. In the darkness, his eyes are trained on the pale color of the ceiling, absently focused on nothing. He doesn’t understand why it’s been on his mind, because it’s not important anymore. You’re together now, that’s all that matters. Right?

But it’s been keeping him awake - the curiosity. He’s not used to that.

“Hm?” Exhausted, that’s all you can muster as a response. You’re tucked against his side - every time he breathes, you rise with the motion. You like the reminder that Steve’s really here, lying with you in the late night’s twilight.

“How you felt. About me.”

Oh.

He doesn’t need to elaborate further because you know how his mind works. It’s likely that he’s been obsessively picking apart your words, trying to find any glimmer of hope; they were devastating to him.

Your chest heaves before answering, almost afraid of giving him the reason. Softening your tone, you finally answer him, “No, no I wasn’t.” 

Steve has a thousand thoughts swirling through his head now; it doesn’t make any sense that you’d want to keep yourself from a chance at happiness. He has so many things he wants to tell you, wants to ask you - but he only comes up with one.

“Why?”

It’s quiet, quieter than anything spoken so far. It seems silly, but his question contains so much sadness because he doesn’t understand it. It’s only three letters, but each one makes your body flood with emotion. And even though it’s right there, in the forefront of your mind, you can’t bring yourself to tell him.

“Maybe, if you did...” Steve continues when you don’t, carefully trying to navigate the topic, “We could’ve been happy. Not-not that I’m sayin’ we aren’t now, of course.”

His nerves calm a bit when a light laugh bubbles from you, grinning a bit as you tighten your hold on him - he returns it quickly. 

It’s a short moment of joy, because Steve’s brow furrows as his mind keeps running, “But maybe it could’ve been sooner. We could’ve been together.”

Your cheeks flush at this idea he proposes; that maybe he would’ve wanted to be with you earlier if you had just said something. But you’re still not so sure.

“Steve,” You sigh as you pull away from him, sitting up so you can meet his gaze, “You don’t know that. Maybe it had to happen this way.”

He doesn’t like that. Steve wants to believe that out there somewhere, there’s a chance he could’ve been there for you sooner. That there’s a chance you two would’ve been able to avoid all the heartache, the uncertainty, and the anger that you were left with instead.

“Besides,” You shift to cross your legs, further tangling them in the sheets as you ponder, “Do you really think you would’ve left Nancy for me?” 

And then Steve props himself up to mirror you, watching how your eyes catch the glow from the streetlight just beyond your window. He’s not sure what his answer would have been, if he really thinks about it.

“You still could’ve said something. I mean, I don’t know what I would’ve done but, I wouldn’t have just…gotten rid of you.”

Steve adjusts to move closer, desperately trying to think of anything he could say to make the situation better. Although he’s not sure he’d ever be able to, not after what he did. Unknowingly, as you’ve pointed out countless times, it doesn’t make his heart ache any less.

“You loved her,” You mutter, voice soft; your gaze cast down towards your hands, “And I didn’t think you’d ever see me differently. If all I was going to be was your friend, then that was better than never having you at all. It wasn’t what I wanted, but it was something.”

It’s Steve’s turn not to say anything, because you’re not wrong. It’s true that he didn’t start developing feelings for you until after Nancy had left, and that you were only a friend in his eyes before then. And even though he knows that’s the truth, it still hurts to hear it come from you. It hurts to hear that you never believed you had an opportunity.

“I made the choice not to tell you, Steve,” You finally turn to face him and his soft brown eyes are patiently awaiting your final answer, “I didn’t want it to hurt you.”

“Hurt me?” He pauses after scoffing slightly, “What are you talking about?” 

“I didn’t want you to feel like you had to choose. And we know now that she didn’t love you, but I-” The sentence stops before you can end it, as if it was pulled right from your mouth, like every other time you’ve tried to.

But something’s different now. Your heart isn’t pounding, cheeks aren’t scarlet with embarrassment; part of you wonders if it’s because you think he already knows. 

And with another breath, another sigh, you finally finish it.

“But I do.”

You chuckle as you become overwhelmed with your own emotions. You can’t help the smile that begins to creep up over your lips, realizing you’re finally comfortable enough to tell him how you feel. 

“I’m so in love with you. And I’d never want to do anything to hurt you. Ever. I always thought that if I told you, it’d do more harm than good so… I chose not to do anything about it. You were happy and god... the last thing I have ever wanted to do was take that away from you. So I figured I would just let it tear me apart until I didn’t feel it anymore.”

You feel so much lighter - every card you’ve ever kept from him is now on the table. There’s nothing hidden anymore. 

“You don’t, um-“ You mutter, hands placed gingerly into your lap. Your head shakes - almost in disbelief - you can’t believe what you just admitted to him, “You don’t have to say anything.” 

Right away, Steve opens his mouth to respond, but you stop him before he can utter a single word. He’s not even sure what he was going to say, if he’s honest with himself. But you deserve to hear something after that admission, he thinks - it’s the very least he could do.  

You know how Nancy’s lie affected him; he’s not required to admit anything that he’s not ready to, “No, it’s fine, Steve. It’s okay, I’m okay.”

How very odd for Steve, to be the one receiving this confession, the admittance of your feelings, your love and knowing that you expect nothing in return. He’s used to being on the other side of it truthfully, pouring out his heart and being left on a line - Nancy's hesitation louder than any words.

Steve doesn’t want to - he knows for sure that you wouldn’t want him to - but he feels guilty. But this love is so different from Nancy’s and he has to learn it all again, until it’s comfortable against the thrum in his heart. You’ve had plenty of time to learn to love him and he? Well, he’s on his way.

— taglist: @stevebabey / @mrsukai / @hannarudick / @crazycookiecrumbles / @hellisateenageheather / @alewifex / @l0ve-0f-my-life / @naomiiiiiiiiiii04 / @daddystevee / @thecaptainsgingersnap / @let-the-imaginationflow / @asianravenpuff / @im-a-stranger-thing / @mikariell95 / @pilunb / @harringtherin / @royalestrellas / @ultrunning / @buggs177 / @poutfull / @yoheyyosup / @duchessdaisybat / @janieavalos / @sassisaluxury / @beththebubbly / @i-bitch-you-bitch / @captainstilinskis / @juliebean247 / @im-nada / @whatabeautifulsurrender / @rexorangecouny / @pass-me-jeez-it / @ahoy-scoops-troop / @halefirewarrior / @jointhehunt67 / @peanutem / @ketchuplukehemmo / @m-a-r-i-n-t-p / @fangirl485 / @emmegirl827 / @lookalivesunshine-x / @elite4cekalyma / @marjoherbo / @just-my-fandom / @idumpyourgrass / @alafolieee / @mochminnie / @phantomalchemist / @dustyblueboo / @alonewolfsblog / @ggclarissa / @hufflepuffing-all-day-long / @bippityboppitybabe / @readinthegarden12 / @bakugouishusbando / @stxtch72 / @random-girl-army / @wisdaemon / @thatawkwardlittlefangirl

if you want to be added to the taglist, just lemme know!

[yikesharringrove]

i’m sorry that you’re having a rough time. if you need to talk my ask is always open! 💜 something I haven’t really seen in the harringrove fandom is a bookstore aus. do you have any head cannons for that? or maybe you could write something? i can see billy being a pretentious, flirty sometimes grumpy bookstore owner who is simultaneously annoyed and charmed by clueless steve who is obvi not a reader, but keeps coming in. Billy’s clueless why the pretty keeps coming in. robin is not clueless!

(ao3)

“Fuck.”

Billy shook out his hand, just dropped a large box of books on his fingers.

“Dumbass.” Robin was perched at the counter, leafing lazily through some indie zine her friends made.

“You know you could, like, help.” Billy shot her a glare as she rolled her eyes, leaving him and his smushed little hand to shelve the new stock.

“No point in that, Boss.” Billy just kept sorting maneuvering himself through the narrow shelves to sort the new arrivals.

His bookshop had been open for about a month, and was doing well. He had a little cafe in the back corner, run by Heather and her baked goods. There was a second level to the shop he filled with squashy armchairs, and little tables. It had become a fairly popular spot with the kids from the local university as they studied, or avoided their studies with the books he had on the first level.

He had new and used books, had a trade-in program with book donations. It was warm in the little shop, sweet and cozy.

The bell above the door chimed.

“Hi, I was looking for Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant.”

“You can find Billy, he’s in the stacks over there, and he should be able to help you better than I can.” Billy rolled his eyes, could hear the smile in her voice. He kept shelving, could hear the light footsteps approaching.

“Um, excuse me, I was told you can help?” Billy looked up, his breath hitching when he saw the guy. He was tall and lanky, slouching like he wanted to be small. He had all this messy brown hair, these big dark eyes behind his glasses.

“Kant, right?”

“Yep!”

“This is a good one. Have you read the Critique of Pure Reason? That book was pretty big for me, his thoughts on causation in relationship to time and experience were so new to me first time I read it.”

“Oh, it’s uh, it’s actually for a class. I’m not any good at this philosophy stuff.” Billy just smiled weekly. This guy was almost fucking perfect. He wandered over a few stacks to search.

“You at the university?”

“Yeah, I’m a senior. Just finishing up my generals and everything so I can graduate. I’m studying to be a teacher. Sorry, you probably don’t give a shit.” He had red splotches high on his cheeks.

“No, I always love talkin’ with new folks.” He smiled gently at the guy, reaching up for the book. “Immanuel Kant. Robin up front’ll take care ‘a you.” The guy fidgeted for a second, taking the book slowly.

“Thank you, I’m Steve, by the way.”

“Billy.” Steve waved at him, awkwardly and adorably.

-

Steve began coming in just about every other day.

He would say an awkward hello to Billy, would be all fidgety and weird, and retreat to the comfy second floor with a large iced latte, face red, mumbling to himself.

“He has a crush on you.” Robin was poking him over the counter. Steve had just high-tailed it up to work on his schoolwork after asking Billy how he was and looking so fond when Billy just said not so bad.

“Shut up, Rob.”

“He does. He’s in here almost every day, and gets so fucking nervous when talking to you. He wants to date you and kiss you.” She sang it at him, wiggling around a bit.

“Jesus Christ, Robin, he doesn’t. He’s a paying customer.”

“A paying customer that gets all cute and blushy when you two talk, and who never says more than three words to me.” Billy rolled his eyes, retreating to the back office.

She followed him, stomping loudly.

“At least admit you think he’s cute.”

“He’s fuckin’ adorable, but he said he’s not a big reader, and when I started talkin’ about Kant philosophies, his eyes got all big like that shit went way over his head. I don’t think we’d work out.”

“Just because someone doesn’t read and-slash-or comprehend eighteenth century philosophy, doesn’t make them not worthwhile.”

“It’s kind of a deal breaker for me, Rob.” She glared at him.

“You are so pretentious. He’s cute, and he seems sweet, what does it matter?”

“I just like intellectual types.”

“I fucking hate you.” She huffed, stomping back out into the shop.

-

“What in the hell?” Billy was up on the second floor, cleaning up the discarded coffee mugs and books left behind before closing. He heard muttering from the corner, looking to see Steve, tucked in a large armchair, frowning heavily at the book propped in his lap, something thick and heavy, probably for that philosophy class he’s been trudging through.

“You okay, Pretty Boy.” Steve slammed the book shut.

“Yeah I’m fine.” He began shoving his school work away, stuffing it roughly into his bag.

“Hey, whoa.” Billy plopped down across from him, taking one of Steve’s wrists in his own. “What’s wrong?” Steve whipped off his glasses, digging his thumbs into his eyes.

“It’s just been a long day, and my dyslexia gets so much worse when I’m tired, but this midterm is tomorrow and I need to study.”

“I didn’t know you were dyslexic.”

“Oh, sorry, I forgot my button that says I’m dyslexic, ask me how!” Billy sat back, one eyebrow raised. “I’m sorry, I’m just tired. And my brain hurts.”

“You know we have audiobooks. There’s a whole selection in the back downstairs.” Steve looked up at him.

“Wait, seriously?”

“Yeah. We have tapes and CDs. Have a bunch of random stuff. You wanna take a look through it all?” Steve’s eyes were wide. He shoved his glasses back on, following Billy to the display.

They were sitting on the ground, going through the selection Billy had, Steve had found two of the books he needed for his philosophy class.

“Billy I’m heading out-” Robin stopped when she saw the two of them, sitting in a sea of tapes and CDs. “You do know we closed, like half an hour ago.”

“Holy shit. Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me to go! I would’ve gotten outta your hair.”

“Relax, Pretty Boy. I don’t mind stickin’ around. Don’t got much else goin’ on.” Robin was watching them with a smug look on her face, sitting in one hip.

“No I have to, I should go. I’ll, um, I’ll come back for these tomorrow.” He pressed the few he had selected into Billy’s hand, gripping his upper arm. “Thank you, Billy. It really means a lot to me.” He gave him a sweet smile, threw Robin a two-finger salute as he hefted his backpack, leaving the shop with a jingle.

Robin slapped Billy’s arm.

“He’s so hot for you, and you’re practically in love with him too, this is disgusting and gay.”

“Robin no homophobia in my store, please.” She laughed at him as they locked up, Billy cleaning up the mess of audiobooks.

-

“Hi, I brought you this.” Steve was wearing a soft sweater under a pair of overalls. He looked so soft and Billy wanted to cuddle him.

He was currently pushing a plastic container full of chocolate chip cookies over the counter.

“I wanted to say thank you for helping me last night, and I know there’s straight up a cafe that sells these in the back, and you could probably eat as many as you like because you own the whole place, but I thought it’d be nice and I bake when I’m stressed and ramble when I’m nervous, if you couldn’t already tell, but you’re really nice and I just wanted to do something nice for you, and I’m gonna shut the fuck up if you don’t mind.” He was bright red, his eyes darting around the shop, looking everywhere but at Billy.

“Thank you, Sweet Thing.” He took a cookie, taking a big bite out of it. “And I got your audiobooks on hold.” Steve giggled when Billy talked with his mouth full of cookie, rifling through his wallet to get cash for the CDs. “Your midterm was today, right?”

“Oh, yeah. I, you remembered.”

“You told me last night.” Steve shrugged.

“Sometimes people kinda tune me out.” Billy frowned, opened his mouth to say something in rebuttle but Steve plowed on. “I had the test today. I think it was okay, but it always goes either way with me. Sometimes I feel super good about it afterwards, but then I’ll straight up fail and sometimes it goes the other way, so I’m hoping ambivalence is key.”

“I think that sounds like a valid plan. Just keep your mind off it.”

“You read anything good lately.” Billy just gave him a look.

“Take in where we are, then get back to me.”

“I mean, you probably read a lot, but have you read anything good lately?”

“Define good.” Steve shrugged. One of the straps on his overalls fell off his shoulder. It was so cute.

“Like, engaging content.”

“That’s a pretty low bar.”

“Well, I know you probably read like, super smart stuff that goes way over my head. If we were talking about novels I would say, engaging plot, interesting rounded characters, all that shit, but you probably read, like, I don’t even fucking know.”

“I’m gonna let you in on my best kept secret.” He leaned into the counter a little. Steve’s eyes were bright as he leaned over the counter, shoving his nose right into Billy’s space. “I’m a sucker for classics.” Steve had this cute little half smile on his face.

“Like, Moby Dick?”

“Jesus, no. Nobody actually likes that book. I mean like, Pride & Prejudice and Emma and Wuthering Heights and Don Quixote.”

“I think I’ve heard of like, two of those.” He gasped a little, his eyebrows going up. “I have an idea! Would you recommend me audio books? Of all your favorites? I want to be able to like, talk about them with you.” His eyes were shining and bright, so excited to share these books with Billy, these books that mean the world to Billy.

“Sure thing, Pretty Boy. I’ll pick a new one out for you every week or so.” Steve hoped from foot to foot, wiggling and excited.

“I wanna do that! WE can have our own little bookclub. It’ll be so fun, we can like talk about your favorite books, and I’ll actually get it because I won’t have to be, like, translating the fucking wiggly words.” He was crackling with energy over this idea, it was making Billy excited.

And then Steve’s phone started going off in the chest pocket of the overalls. When he took it out Billy caught a glimpse of the name Nance.

“Sorry, this is my ex-girlfriend.” He smiled at Billy who’s heart dropped. “But I’ll be back tomorrow, if you wanna have a book ready for me!” He pushed the cookies closer to Billy with a Look, answering the phone as he awkwardly pushed open the door with his back, and a little hey, Nance!

“How was your boyfriend today?”

“Straight. He’s fucking straight.” Robin furrowed her brows.

“Sorry, there’s no way that boy is completely  straight.”

“He got a call from his ex-girlfriend. He’s fucking straight, and we’re gonna start a stupid bookclub thing because he wants to read my favorite books and he’s fucking straight.” Billy shoved the cookies away from him, taking up on of the heavy boxes of book donations, heaving it to be shelved.

Robin followed him to the stacks.

“Just because he had an ex-girlfriend doesn’t mean he’s straight, Billy. He could be bi, or pan, or fluid, or literally anything.” Billy just ignored he, kept shoving the new arrivals away. She sighed at his back. “Okay, asshole. Give him some queer book, like Orlando and see what he says about it.” Robin tromped away when Billy refused to answer.

-

Steve tripped on the door frame the next day.

He spilled out hard on the floor, smacking his chin and spilling paper. It was so fucking funny, but Billy stifled his laugh, and helped Steve up. His face was red, the flush spreading down his neck.

He took one look at Billy when he stood up, and walked right back out the door.

-

He gathered up the courage to come back in three days later.

“Watch yourself there, Pretty Boy.” Steve’s face went hot again.

“I’m so sorry about that. I was so fucking embarrassed, I had to go have a panic attack for like, six hours after that.” He gave a shaky little laugh. “I believe I was promised an audiobook?” Billy took it out from under the counter.

“Maurice, by E.M. Forster. It’s a gay classic about coming of age, and having to live in the closet, and being in love. It’s excellent.”

“Sounds like my fuckin’ life.” Billy stared as Steve just read the snippet on the back of the box.

“You gay?”

“Pan.” Steve said it easily, didn’t even look up from reading the box. Billy can hear Robin gloating in his head, saying that she’s right.

“Cool.” Steve gave him a weird look.

“You’re being weird.” Billy shrugged. Steve glanced at the large pride flag hanging in the window of the store, looking back at Billy with one eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, I’m a big ol’ homo. I’m really not being weird. I just didn’t know.” Steve reached out to push his shoulder.

“I’m kidding, Bill! Quit bein’ so grumpy.” Billy couldn’t help but smile when Steve was looking at him like that, was giggling at him like that.

-

When Steve finished the audiobook, they talked about it over hot tea after closing.

That became their ritual, Steve would get a book recommendation, would finish it in about four days, he’d stay after closing an they’d talk. The next day, he’d get a new one.

They began talking about more than just the books.

Steve was an incredibly easy person to talk to. Something about his big eyes made Billy want to open, to share his past.

He told Steve about his dad, just the tip of the iceberg, just the basic he’s a homophobic asshole. But then Steve told him he’d been kicked out of his house at eighteen, so Billy told him his father was physically abusive, and before he fucking knew it, they were both tearing up and connecting.

“Who’re you texting?” Robin snatched his phone, dancing out of his reach as she scrolled through the texts between him and Steve. “Oh my God, are you sure you two aren’t dating.” He ripped his phone out of her hands.

“Shut up, Robin.” He stormed to the back office, his refuge whenever Robin started bugging him.

“No. You two have been doing this dance for months. You two have your own special bookclub. You need to ask him out.”

“I just don’t wanna assume anything and fuck up this friendship. I don’t have very many friends, and i don’t wanna lose him. Just because he’s into guys doesn’t mean he’s into me.”

“Billy you’re hot. And me, a whole lesbian, telling you that means it’s true. I’ve seen the way he is around you. Remember when he fucking fell and had to leave immediately? He’s so hot for you and nervous rambles all the time. If you asked him out he would say yes.”

But Billy never actually got a chance to ask him out.

The same night Robin was bugging him Steve came slamming roughly into the shop.

“You okay?” Steve was quiet, something Billy had never seen in him.

“Just a bad day.” He sipped at the tea Billy had placed in front of him.

“You wanna talk about it?” Billy said at the exact same moment Steve looked right at Billy as said.

“You wanna go on a date with me?”

“Sorry, what did-” Billy ears were ringing.

“No, I didn’t say anything.” Steve was looking everywhere but Billy.

“No you asked me out.” He took a breath.

“Look, I really like you. Like a whole lot. And today was shit and the whole time I just kept thinking about how I wanted to see you, and talk to you about it, and I knew just walking in here and looking at you would make the whole awful day that much fucking better and I just wanna go on a date. With you.”

Billy’s mouth was open.

“Holy shit.” Steve was steadily going even more red.

“I’m sorry if I just fucked up this whole thing we had goin’ on-”

“No, I wanna go out with you. I really like you too.” Steve was still, and then he started wiggling, that excited little side to side he does.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Steve stood up, shaking and wiggling in the cutest little happy dance Billy has ever fucking seen.

“Oh my God. I’ve wanted to ask you out for like, months. I’m so excited.” He flopped back into his seat. “Okay but first, Animal Farm. I think the pig’s an asshole.”

Billy leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Steve’s cheek.

[dontworrysunflower]

Taste | Shawn Mendes

(Not my gif)

Anonymous requested: Can I request some fuckin dom!shawn bc this video has got me fucked UP

A/N: anon, me too, the fuck.

Warnings: dom!shawn, smut (obvi), language, also no offense to people named Gavin (you’ll see why). Internal angst? (Does that make sense? No.) Friends with benefits trope.

Enjoy! Masterlist in my bio

•••

You unflatteringly bit your fingernails as you leaned over the counter, moving your glass around, watching the dark colored wine swish around.

Out of all the laughing and the loud music, his laugh was the most prominent noise of the night, for you that is.

And he fucking had these skinny bitches tied at the hip to him, his buff arms wrapped around them like the past few months haven’t meant anything to him.

Not that they meant much to you. Pfft, what?

It was truly a mistake. He had asked you to come over, saying it was just one of those days for him. And being the lovesick person you were, you dropped everything you were doing to make your best friend feel better. (The best friend you were secretly in love with. Okay, not much of a secret ‘cause like, everyone knows but him.)

You had arrived with a box of pizza from his favorite pizza parlor, not thinking much of it. Just one friend caring for the other because it’s what you signed up for. Having a best friend who’s always in the public eye comes with the late night calls and tear stained shirts. But you wouldn’t change it for the world.

You had shut the door behind you, barely getting any words out before he leaped onto you, his soft, luscious (don’t judge), pink lips crashed onto yours.

What pizza?

His lips were everywhere, sucking and biting and kissing every inch of skin you were exposing as your shirt came off.

Then his shirt. (Other things too.)

And you weren’t going to complain.

This was something you wanted for so long, you tragically admitted to yourself as he picked you up with ease and laid you on his bed.

He had loved on you all night. Like, all night. He’s got some stamina. You swore it would just be that one time, and that you’d just forget about it. You both agreed to that. (You silently disagreed.)

That was five month ago.

In those five months, all the times you’d go over his house or he’d come to you, it ended with both of you panting, naked under the sheets. And again, you weren’t complaining.

It was the closest you got to be with Shawn in any other way. Friends who occasionally fucked, and sadly that’s all he saw it as. He was able to taste you whenever he wanted, no complaints from you.

But now here you were. All alone in the kitchen of his apartment at his party, watching from afar as he practically eye fucked the two girls by him. You slightly smirked at the fact that many people were sitting on the couch that you fucked Shawn on. (And oh, what a good fuck that was.)

You tried not to let it bother you, the Shawn thing not the couch thing. As you two messed around these past couple of months, your feelings for him only grew as he ate you out, thrusted in and out of you in a rapid pace, the cuddles and giggles you shared after consuming your everyday thought process.

You chugged down the bitter wine and reached over to refill your glass, filling it almost to the brim.

“Tryna get wasted are we?” A deep, sultry voice whispered behind you.

You put down the now empty bottle and turned around to be met with a nice looking guy. But not like, Shawn. No, nothing like the god like body of your best friend. God, now your comparing other guys to him.

And that made you really want to stop all of the fooling around. Because you knew you were heading deeper into heartbreak as Shawn went deeper into you. You would never be able to go on another date because all you ever think about is Shawn how no one could ever live up to how Shawn makes you feel. Down there and in your heart.

You sound so pathetic.

You blink and clear your throat, looking up at the guys hazel eyes. Shawn has hazel eyes too. “Uh, yeah. Got nothing to lose so,” you tipped your glass in the air, taking long big gulps at the liquid.

He chuckles and wait for you to place down your glass before reaching his hand out in between you. “I’m Gavin.”

Gavin? What kind of name is that? You look over his shoulder to see Shawn already peering at you, jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. He moves his arms away from the girls, rubbing his hands together above his lap. It’s getting to him, good.

“Hi Gavin,” You take his hand, giving him a firm shake. “I’m (y/n).” You smile up at him.

•••

After a while, you and Gavin got to talking. Oh, how boring he was. He went on and on about his country life (shocker? Not really). You gave him occasional hums and nods, pretending to be listening, but all you really noticed was the tall curly haired guy, making sure he stayed in your line of vision.

Gavin was talking about why he dropped out of college when you see Shawn’s lanky figure walking towards you from the corner of your eye.

“Can I borrow (y/n) for a sec?” Shawn interrupted Gavin, standing above you.

Gavin gave him a look, but nodded you off anyway, going to other girls to bore them with his stories.

Shawn pulled you by your wrist, dragging you behind him as he shut the door of his bedroom.

“What the fuck was that?” He growled at you.

You yanked your wrist from his hold and crossed your arms over your chest, turning your back to him. “What was what?” You asked sarcastically.

“Don’t start with this bullshit (y/n). You know that we’re-”

You spin around, glaring at him. “That we’re what? Fucking! So does that mean I’m not allowed to talk to other guys? You have no right to be scaring them off. You don’t fucking own me.”

There’s a flash of guilt on his perfect face, and you almost want to apologize for yelling at him.

But you don’t. Instead, you walk out and try to enjoy the rest of the night.

Try to.

•••

Shawn was at the doorway, telling everyone his last goodbyes. You, still being the good friend you are (again, still in love with him), you were in the kitchen, throwing away paper plates and red solo cups into a large trash bag.

You hear the door click, and your heart starts to beat faster because you just know how this will end up. Either you in tears or you under him. Maybe both.

You go to reach for other plates, but the trash bag is yanked from your hand and you’re pushed into the counter, Shawn’s hungry eyes roaming your body.

“Shawn what are you-”

“That guy will never be able to fuck you like I do. Wanna know why?” He snarled, his hand moving under your dress.

All you can do is pant, your chest moving up and down as his fingers grazed your nub over your underwear.

“‘Cause I do fucking own this pussy,” his finger moves the underwear out of the way and curls up into you. You bite your lip and let out a moan. Shawn’s other hand grabs yours and places it right above his hard on over his jeans, your fingers immediately kneeding into it. “And you fucking own this cock.”

Was that his way of making it official?

But you barely have time to ask or to even think about it before he adds another finger, rutting them up into you in an unforgiving pace. Shawn swallowed your moans as his lips moved against yours, your hand lightly massaging him over the rough fabric of his pants.

He groans into your mouth when you pull down the zipper, digging into his Calvin Klein briefs, stroking his hard member.

You felt the familiar tug tightening in your lower stomach, your breath catching in your throat as his fingers moving in and out of you bringing you closer to the edge, his tounge fighting yours was enough to actually push you.

You detach you lips from his in a rigid breath, your other hand going up to place it on his neck. “Shawn, I’m-I’m cumming.” You gapsed into his mouth, lips grazing.

“Cum all over my fingers, princess.” He whispered before biting on your earlobe.

You braced your hands on his broad shoulders as you lost feeling in your legs, your eyes rolling to the back of your head as you whispered out some profanities along with his name as he wiggles his fingers in you.

“You looks so pretty when you cum all over my fingers,” You whimper when he slowly pulls his digits out of you, his long fingers coved in your sheen clear liquid. You watch him intently as he sucks on his fingers, his eyes wandering your face as you lips slightly parted, watching him lick up your juices. “now I want you to come all over my cock. Can you do that for me, baby?” He huffs out, his fingers hooking at the bottom of your dress, pulling it over your head. 

He sighs as the view of your naked torso comes into view, your nipples pearling from the cool atmosphere in the room. “No bra, honey?” He whispers before cupping your breasts in his big hands, his tongue sticking it out to lap at your right nipple. You throw you head back and sigh in pleasure, your fingers flying through his hair, scratching his scalp.

You feel Shawn thrusting against your thigh, you have completely forgotten how uncomfortable he must be with his throbbing cock stuck in the confinement of his underwear. You reach over and dig into his briefs again, spreading the leaking precum over his tip before gripping his shaft, moving your fingers up and down. 

He sucks on your breast, lips grazing the nipple before he kisses and sucks and bites his way to the other one. But instead of going to your left breast like you thought, he kisses his way up the column of your throat, kissing your jaw before  sliding his tongue into your mouth, both of you moaning out. 

“Shawn I-”

“I’m sorry. For how I reacted I mean, with Gavin. I had no reason to act like that, I just,” Shawn trails off, his hands cupping your flushed face as he looked at you straight in the eyes, his mouth moving to say something but nothing comes out. 

“You what?” You plant your hands on his forearms, ready for him to finally say that he feels the same way. 

“I want you so bad.” He grunts before picking you up, your legs immediately going around his waist as he makes his way to his room, bumping into the wall a couple times, making you giggle into each others mouths.

He drop you on the bed, his hands massaging the skin if your torso, his thumb just under your breasts. “God, you're so fucking gorgeous.” He muttered, his eyes trailing over your panting body.

You smack his arm, regaining his attention. “Yeah, yeah you too. Just fuck me.” You said breathlessly. He chuckles into your skin, leaving a light kiss on your ribcage before moving off of you to take off his shirt. 

Holy, fuck. You don't know if you're just high off the fact that you're about to fuck him again, or high off the fact that you're about to fuck him, the love of your life, and that he feels the same way but fuck, was his body ever perfect. “Oh, I want you too, by the way. More than a friend.” 

He pulled down his pants, along with his boxers with a smile, his cock springing up, hitting against his toned abdomen. “I know.” 

Your eyes widen, you prop yourself on your elbows. “What?” 

He pulls open a drawer, taking a square packet from inside. “Yeah hun. Uh, you talk in your sleep.”

Okay, so it really wasn't a secret.

“It’s okay baby,” He rips the packet open and rolls the the rubber over his length, he leans over you, his tip grazing your inner thigh, and he pecks your lips, giving you his award winning smile. “Love you too.” He mumbled against you lips before giving you a hard kiss. “Now you're gonna obey me right?” 

His tip grazed your soaked entrance, then you whimper and nod frantically before he pushes in you, not giving you time to adjust to his length (not that you needed to). He pants into your neck as he pounds into you, his fingers gripping your waist tightly and you’re sure you’ll have some bruises in the morning.

Then he just suddenly stops. Like, inside you.

“Why did you-”

“Don’t question anything baby.” He muttered before leaving a light kiss on your neck and slowly pulling out of you, both of you whimpering at the loss.

He leans over the bed and unloops his belt from his jeans on the floor. He gives you a look and you put your wrists out and you watch him diligently as he wraps the leather on your wrists, securing them tightly before he pushes your intertwined hands above your head. “You are going to keep your hands up here, got it baby?”

You moan when he fills you up again, curling your fingers above your head to resist moving your arms down and running your hands through his unruly hair.

Shawn bites his lip to keep his whimper in as he slowly rolls his hips into you, enjoying watching you squirm under him. “You like that honey? You like my big cock inside your tight pussy?” He asked as he kissed your chest, rolling his hips in a faster pace.

“Yes, yes, oh, god fuck j’like that.” You scream out, feeling completely euphoric as he brought you closer to the edge once again.

“That’s right baby, scream my name.” Shawn said huskily as his hand came in between you, rubbing your clit with his calloused thumb.

Your breath catches in your throat, your back arching off the bed, your legs trembling around Shawn as you screamed his name, cumming once again.

He rolls into you as you come down your high, your hair sprawled around your head, hands in fists above your head, cheeks red and flushed and all Shawn can wonder how goddamn lucky is to have someone like you.

You hiss as he pulls out of you, and you watch him as he crawls up the bed, sitting against the headboard, legs spread out. He pats his thigh before running his fingers through his sweaty hair, a small smile on his face. “Come ride me baby.”

You crawl up the bed, licking your lips at the sight of his hard cock up in the air, ready for you.

Shawn grips your hips as you steady yourself on his lap, your legs on either side of him. You bring your hands down to align his member to your entrance, and you both sigh as you sink down on him.

You move your intertwined hands behind Shawn’s head, your fingers gripping his chocolate locks as you slowly move up and down on his shaft.

Taking the matter into his own hands, he wraps his arms around you to keep you in place and pounds up into you, the sound of skin slapping and breathy moans filling the room. “You like that honey?” He asked huskily as he watched your eyes roll back in pleasure, you breasts bouncing in his face. He catches a nipple into his mouth and sucks on it, biting the nub, your orgasm coming closer.

“Shawn..” You moaned out, the familiar feeling bubbling in your lower stomach stopping you from saying much more.

“Let go for me honey.” Shawn muttered.

“You too.” Your head falling back as the orgasm came closer.

“C’mon baby, cum for me.” One hand comes off your waist to go in between you, his thumb playing with your sensitive clit.

Your breath hitches in your throat and your legs tremble around him as you came once again.

Shawn lets out a moan as he fucks you through your orgasm, bringing himself closer to the edge.

You take Shawn’s face in your hands, rubbing his flushed cheek. “Cum for me honey.” Giving him a peck on the lips, your eyes locked with his as he kept going into you.

His movements falter and he whimpers as he came into the condom.

You are both panting, wrapped in each other when Shawn moves to unwrap your hands from the belt and looks you in the eyes as he kissed your hands, making his way up your arms to your lips.

“I love you.” You both whispered at the same time against the others lips. You giggle and lightly scratch his neck before you pull his lips closer again, kissing him with all the love you have.

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[bytemycupcakes]

Okay au tiem

I’m not gonna share everything I got cause 1. I want questions and 2. I have ALOT

Long post obvi

~~

-Habit Trans!!! Pabit also trans!!!

-Pabits mouth is wider than a normal persons, similar to Habits oversized smile mouth. It is full of sharp teeth. (Meant to mimic his pubbit mouth)

-He has a shadow form just like his father.

-Really Pabit just looks like Habit to a ridiculous extent. Habit may just be a tad bit thankful for that.

-Pabit is not Pabits actual name, it’s just a nickname everyone uses... I haven’t decided on a name for him yet WOOPS

-Pabit will eat teeth. You cannot stop him. You’d think Parsley would find this normal, but no. Even Parsley is disturbed by this teeth eating Child.        -Jimothan is always pointing out that Parsley has no place to judge this child

-Habit was once married. His ex-spouse is Non-Binary (genderfluid maybe?)

-Habit hops around between he/she/they pronouns and addressing them as his ex husband/wife/spouse

-Pabit was in no way planned. Ex was very against the idea of having kids and didn't want to keep him. Habit, though he never planned on kids and was honestly a bit scared due to his own past, could not have been happier.

-Pabits really the whole reason they got divorced. The arguments over keeping Pabit just became too much, the concept of a kid became a deal breaker.

-Habit really only has custody because Ex didn't want anything to do with Pabit. Habit doesn't even ask them to pay Child support.

-Pabit grows up only hearing the occasional story of his other parent, but never meets them. Habit tells him why they split when Pabits a bit older (When he thinks Pabit could mentally handle being the very reason they're not together - Pabits late teens most likely)

-He mostly stays in Habits office during the game events, but comes out with the last new group (When the roof is unlocked)

-He moves around the Habitat, unlike other habititians.         -I always descibe this in a gameplay sense, rather than characters doing normal people things, cause Obvi the charas dont really just stay in one spot all day every day

-FK, named Lillian, is 17 and is Wallus’ younger sibling.

-Pabit takes the place of the diary pages, growing a tooth lily for Lillian once they show (and give) him the ERYTHRONIUM Seed. (This technically means he could be collaged, but the au is the good end)

-Pabit leaves the office because he's noticed his father's erratic behavior and wants to find a way to make him happy again.

-Pabit doesn't really talk to the other Habititians much, he's too nervous.

-He gives the Tooth Lily to Lillian, asks them to say they grew it themself if Habit asks, then leaves the Habitat with Kamal and the other Habititians.

-Habit stumbles through an apology to Kamal once he sees him, and Pabit delivers one to Wallus because Habit doesn't want to scare the poor man.

-Kamal forgives Habit, but their closeness does not immediately return. Kamal becomes Pabits babysitter for awhile, he and Habit end up re-bonding during this period.

-Boraboris woops (I’m weak)

- Lillian kinda becomes an older-sibling figure for Pabit

-They def garden with Habit so 🎉

-After the Habitat shuts down, Pabit misses doing the PSAs

-Habit misses Martha

-Kamal and Pabit get Habit a puppy. Her name is Martha. Habit adores her so much

-Pabit and Kamal making cookies Pabit and Kamal making cookies Pabit and Kamal making coo-

-Habit has a thicc Russian Accent, Pabit has a weaker accent

-Pabit is classmates with Tim Tam (10) and Millie (9)

-Lillian helps Pabit with homework. Habit tries but he hasn't been in school for a while and things are... Very different

-Pabit calls Wallus his uncle, Wallus cannot stop him. Lillian wont LET him stop him.

-he did the same to Kamal but swapped to dad at some point and Kamal just died (in a good way) inside

-Pabit doesnt know why it broke Kamal but Habit thought it was fuckin adorable

[racetrackhiggins]

hehe my partner @alkimara​ said it was okey to post this so here is an excerpt from our newsies modern college dorm au in which Blink (me) proposes to Mush (them)

for context sake, i also play race, race is dating jack, crutchie, and davey in a poly relationship, and the PDAP means PDA police

ship: blush obvi word count: 3343 warnings: tooth rotting fluff and gross lovey dovey gayness

Having some free time, Blink and Mush were cuddled together on the couch, watching some show they'd done the "down six and hit play" Netflix method to find. It was about wedding planning, going through the ins and outs of it in an almost documentary way, even though it was reality tv going through the different aspects.

Blink had his head leaned on Mush, the curtains drawn so that he could have his patch off without any trouble. "Man, I don't get why'd you want all this fancy shit at your wedding anyways. What's wrong with a simple wedding that's about the two of you loving each other, not showing off?"

"I dunno," Mush hummed, "Sometimes it's just nice to have a celebration, but even this is getting to be a bit much. Maybe like. A decorated house? Throwing a party in a house? 'Cause going somewhere is expensive." He was leaning back on Blink, looking relaxed and snuggled.

“Well, see, I could get behind going somewhere nice. Like Italy, it’s real nice there. We find a nice villa to rent out in the countryside, have a small but fun wedding with just our families and the Newsies, honeymoon in Venice, I think that sounds like the perfect plan,” Blink said, not yet realizing the CONNOTATIONS of what he’d just said.

Mush smiled a little, "Yeah. Save most of the money for the honeymoon~." He snickered, "Then I can finally understand the words you say when you get stuck on Italian."

“Actually...” Blink looked at him. “My grandma lives in this beautiful fuckin wine orchard outside of Tuscany, I’ve only been like three times but I remember how pretty it was. Maybe we could-“ he blinked. Oh. He looked away, thinking for a moment as if having a realization. Which he was. He wanted to marry this boy.

"Go visit her? Stay with her?" Mush looked over, curious, not really processing what was happening. Then again, he usually wasn't, nowadays.

“Y-yeah.” Blink looked at him, a bit of a certain but unplaceable look in his eyes. “I think you’d like it there.”

Mush smiled a little, "I think I'd love visiting there the first time with my husband." He giggled a little, shifting to lay more on Blink. Oh man, he really thought that was impossible, huh? No way Blink would marry him. But it was fun to think about.

Well. Blink was. Okay. He looked back at the tv, but he wasn’t really watching it anymore. He had... a lot to think about. Mainly... when and how he’d ask him.

Mush hummed. Blink would never marry him. They loved each other, but Mush was... Mush. Blink would find someone else soon- honestly, Mush was surprised his good luck had lasted this long. Recently he'd felt just... Happy. He'd reasoned that everything was kind of fake, in a twisted sense, so much so that he'd just accepted everything. And he seemed happier when he let that anxiety go. And if Blink did marry him? He'd probably be shocked and realize that this was real. But the mere idea of that seemed... Foreign. They'd never be married. He turned back to the TV, sighing and letting it steal his full attention.

—-

Blink had the ring. He’d gone with Jack, who acted as a second opinion and a hype man. He’d had it engraved with Blush and a dumb cutesie blushing emoticon cause he thought Mush would think it was cute. It felt like a ten ton weight in his jacket pocket.

“Hey, wanna go down to the diner? I’m feelin’ in the mood for a shake,” he suggested when Mush got home from class.

Mush looked up, glancing at the clock. He shrugged, putting his bag down, "Yeah, why not?" He grabbed his wallet and key out of paranoia in case they got separated, putting them in his pockets and smiling a bit at Blink.

Blink hoped Mush didn’t realize how fast his heart was beating as they headed down, wiping his hand on his pants before taking Mush’s and hoping he didn’t realize how fidgety they were.

Mush had noticed. He was already preparing himself for the worst. This was the end of the dream, Blink was going to dump him. He had accepted this long ago. It still hurt his chest a little as he intertwined their fingers, walking with Blink to the diner.

Calm down. Calm down. The worst thing that happens is he says is no. Or thinks that I’m fucking insane and leaves me... CALM DOWN. Blink thought to himself. 

Blink was thankful for the street around them being too loud and busy to talk cause he’d probably die if he had to do small talk right now. He just kept close to Mush, opening the door for him. There were only a couple people in the diner, and they quickly got seated, Blink went ahead and ordered for them. Okay. Okay. He smiled softly at Mush, fuck he didn’t know how to start this.

Mush hummed as they sat down, looking at Blink. He shifted, "Everything okay?" Please don't let the dream end, not like this, I don't think I can take it, He thought.

“Yeah, I’ve just had some things on my mind lately,” Blink said, biting his lip gently, finding he couldn’t look at him for a moment. “I just... I really love you, you know? And I’ve been thinking a lot the last couple weeks about our relationship and stuff and-“ he cleared his throat, shifting a little in his seat. “Would you let me love you forever?”

Mush blinked. Uh. What. "Y-Yeah... I would..." He said, looking confused. "I love you, too, Lou... What's going on?" He was extremely confused. That wasn't a break-up. Was this him dying? Heaven?

“I wanna go ahead and be clear that we’d wait until after you graduated,” Blink said, standing up and moving to the other side of the table to be beside Mush, taking his hand. He took a deep breath, fidgeting with something in his pocket. “But I can’t wait that long to ask...” he looked at Mush, taking it out of his pocket, taking his hand away from Mush’s to open the little velvet box as he kneeled on one knee. “Nicolas Mush Meyers, would you marry me?” He held his breath, looking up at him.

Mush blinked. And he... Blinked. "Y..." He just... Stared, and he felt himself tearing up, and he was going to explode, and his heart was going to break. "Y... You want t-to marry....?" He was crying now, a hand moving to cover his mouth. This... This was real. This had to be real. He couldn't live with himself if this wasn't. He felt a sob leave him, "You really- you love me that much-? You're not-?" He looked in pure disbelief, before he scrambled out of the seat, hugging Blink tightly and kissing him, sobbing while he did so. "Louis Baletti, Y-Yes," He managed through his sobs, nodding and hugging him close. "O-Oh my G-God, this- this is real- y-you-" He was crying, he was broken down completely. He couldn't stop smiling. He couldn't stop smiling. "I love y-you," He cried, giving Blink his hand.

Blink hugged him back tightly, relief washing over him, and such a radiating happiness he wasn't sure he could actually handle it. He could barely hear the light claps from the patrons, the more enthusiastic ones from the servers as he slid the ring onto Mush's finger, bringing it up to kiss it before kissing Mush so happily, he didn't care who saw it.

Mush was bawling like a baby, kissing Blink fiercely, unable to stop crying. "You really love me," He mumbled, as if it was punching him in the chest, "I love you so much- you love me. I-" Another wave of tears hit him as he hugged Blink tightly.

"I love you so much, Nick, and I am going to love you until my dying breath, I fucking promise you that," Blink whispered into his ear, hugging him back just as tightly. "I love you, I love you, I love you so much," he couldn't stop saying.

Mush was whimpering, and he moved to kiss him again and again, "I love you, Lou. Louis, my Louis, my own Blink..." He sniffled, realizing... They were in public. And then he went bright red, trying to stop the tears. He'd probably be crying again later.

Blink looked at him, and oh, those were tears. He pressed his hand to Mush's cheek, biting his lip and just... breaking back into a smile like he couldn't believe it. Right... public. He nudged Mush to sit, and scooted in beside him because he was physically incapable of detaching himself to sit back across from him.

Mush was snuggling into Blink's side easily, moving to hold Blink's hand tightly. He intertwined their fingers, bringing their hand up and looking at the ring. Oh God. It had an emoji and their ship name. Oh God. He was crying again, "It's so cute... I love it. I love you." He moved to kiss Blink softly.

"Shut up, it was Jack's idea," Blink murmured, said ship name on his face. It was Not.

"I will not shut up, I'm going back and showing this to literally every Newsie. It's beautiful. I love you," Mush hummed, sniffling and trying to stop crying again. He brought their hands up, kissing the ring, then kissing Blink's hand.

Blink smiled, looking at him so softly.

The server came back with their shake and their food, whispering an excited, "Congratulations!" before going off to let them have their moment.

Blink looked at Mush, an idea in his head of how to announce this. "Hey, hold up the shake for a selfie," he said, taking out his phone. "In a totally casual, not-showing-off-a-new-ring way."

Mush giggled a little, "Hold on..." He rubbed at his eyes, sniffling, and nodded, moving to pick up the shake, angling the ring towards the phone, and smiling way too brightly to just be happy about the shake.

Blink took the selfie, a bright grin on his own face, then another kissing him softly. He leaned against Mush as he looked at them. "I can put it up, yeah?"

"Yeah," Mush said softly, nuzzling into Blink before sipping the shake through a straw. He took the second draw out, because damn it they could share. They were gonna be married.

Gettin shakes with the boo (also, he said yes).  Blink posted it, and as soon as he put his phone down on the table it started ringing. It was Race?

"Hello?" he asked, picking it up.

"BIIITTCHCCHH WHAT THE FUCK YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED YOU JUST MADE ME START CRYING IN PUBLIC I'M SUING YOU!!!" Race's voice shouted through the phone, loud enough that Mush could probably hear it too.

"The actual wedding-" oh my god, wedding- "wouldn't be until after Mush graduated, but yup, he accepted," Blink said happily, glancing at Mush with a smile.

Mush was blushing and beaming, going into the phone, "Hi, Race!!!" He was just smiling and nuzzling Blink, seriously trying to process this.

"Hello to you too, you married ass motherfucker, I don't care you aren't married yet, you've practically been married this whole time anyways," Race said, actually sounding like he was about to cry out of happiness for them.

Blink giggled, "Did you see what was engraved on the ring?"

"No? One sec-" Race said, a moment of silence before- "OOOHHHH MY GOODDDDDD!"

Mush was laughing, hugging Blink's arm and just snuggling him, giggling at Race. "Don't get jealous, Race, you got three boys to pick from. Prolly should work out a ring of proposals," He laughed.

"We'll hafta rock, paper, scissors for it probably," Race joked, sniffing. "Okay I'll let you enjoy your date now, fucking congrats dudes."

"Thanks, Racer," Blink said, and Race hung up a moment later with a bye.

"Thanks~," Mush hummed, smiling a little when he hang up the phone. He looked at Blink with a soft look, kissing the other again happily.

"I love you~" Blink said happily, so lost on this fucking moment. "You are the best boyfr-" he blinked. "You're not my boyfriend anymore," he said, a smile of disbelief on his face. "You're my fiancé."

Oh. Mush swallowed back another round of tears, nodding with a smile, "Y-Yeah, yeah..." He was so fucking happy, "I love you so much."

"I can't wait til the day someone says something to you and I can go all John Mulaney on them and shout 'That's my husband!'," Blink said, holding Mush's face. "Fiancé... husband... those are some big words, aren't they?"

"Fiancé..." Mush said softly, looking at Blink with the most loving expression ever, "Husband... Technically has more letters." He laughed a little, and- FUCK THERE WENT ANOTHER TEAR. Mush took a shaking breath, wiping his face. "I'm going to be crying about this for weeks," He muttered.

"Can't I just skip to calling you my husband? It'll be so long to wait," Blink said, looking at him so tenderly, reaching up and brushing away another tear.

Mush let out a shaking laugh, nodding. "Yeah, if I can call you my h-husba-band t-too- oh n-no," He had to duck his head, crying again. "I never- I never woulda thought- that someone- someone would l-love me- that much-"

Blink pulled Mush into his arms, laying Mush's head against his chest while hugging around him, his hand tangling in his hair. "I love you so much, and I'm so, so lucky to be able to call you mine."

Were you trying to get him to stop, or cry harder? Because now he was crying harder. He nuzzled into him, actually shaking a little, trying to force himself to calm down. He settled down after like, two minutes, taking soft, tired breaths. He sniffled, going for the shake again to take a sip, offering it to Blink. "I'm luckier to call you m-mine," Mush said softly, unable to stop smiling.

Blink just held him close, pressing soft kisses into his hair until he calmed down. Blink smiled and took a sip of the shake, then he kissed him softly.

Mush hummed in the kiss, kissing Blink again before shifting to cuddle into Blink again. He was just... so happy, he could barely process anything else.

"You know what, fuck it, lets take the rest of this to go and go back home to cuddle," Blink said with a small laugh.

"Agreed," Mush hummed, feeling like he wanted to curl into Blink and never let go.

Blink all but carried him back to the Lodge after he paid, PDAP be damned, he was floating on a goddamn cloud, he couldn't care less about the people who looked at them.

Once they were in their bedroom, he pulled Mush down onto the bed with a kiss.

Mush sighed happily in the kiss, pressing closer and nuzzling into him, "I love you~ I love you so much~." He was almost singing, and maybe that's how you could tell that Mush had never been happier in his whole life.

"You are so damn precious," Blink murmured, tangling himself around Mush, pressing kisses all over his face. Now that they had their privacy, he was gonna show him all the affection he'd been holding out (which was surprisingly a lot considering how lovey he'd been at the diner).

Mush giggled, humming with every kiss, returning as many as he could, just snuggling into him. "Me? Precious? I'm just a Mushy~," He beamed.

"You're my precious~" Blink said in a half hearted attempt at a Gollum impression, looking at Mush's cute ass face before kissing him a little softer, a little deeper.

Mushy snorted softly, giggling in the kiss. "I'm all yours, Lou," He hummed happily, leaning into another kiss.

"And it's a lifetime guarantee now~ You're stuck with me," Blink grinned. He'd be content to have quiet moments just kissing Mush until his heart was that too for the rest of time.

"Good," Mush hummed happily, nuzzling into him, "There's no one I'd rather be stuck with."

"Sei bloccato con me a fare questo in modo casuale per agitare anche te," Blink said with a bit of an impish smile, taking off his patch and laying it beside them.

*(You're stuck with me doing this randomly to fluster you too)

Mush just became a puddle of goo, beaming and kissing Blink again before cupping his face, moving to appreciate the lack of eyepatch. He loved seeing Blink's face without it more than anything, and he just had the most loving look on his face.

"Sei un omosessuale," Blink snorted softly, beaming back at him.

*(You are a homosexual/You're gay)

"Sounds like homosexual," Mush giggled, kissing him again, "I am very gay. I'm also just appreciating how cute you are and how much I love you~."

"Funny story, I was just sat doin' the same thing~" Blink grinned, kissing him again because he simply couldn't help it.

"D'aw," Mush mumbled, blushing and kissing Blink. He really couldn't stop as he started peppering kisses all over Blink, cuddling closer, absolutely giddy. "I can't remember the last time I was this happy," Mush hummed, "Not to say I'm sad. Just that. You've really made me the happiest person in the world, Blink."

"You've done the same... You'd changed me, Mush. Ya made me a mush, hell, I thought weddings were overrated and kinda dumb before I imagined having one with you, and then suddenly it was all I could think about, and the idea of us having our own place, just the two of us, maybe getting a pet or two and treating them like our kids and being that gross lovey married couple..." Blink sighed dramatically as if to prove his point. "See? Now I'm the mush."

Mush was blushing more and more. "Blink... You literally saved me from myself," He said softly, holding Blink's face still with both hands. "I thought everything with you was a dream. I was still scared you'd leave me. And then you pulled out a ring- I thought you were going to break up with me for a second there. You... You really opened my eyes that there's so much in this world," He said softly. He smiled a little, "Who says we have to have just pets like kids? Wouldn't you want a little boy or girl of our own? Us as parents, being that gross lovey married couple... Following our dreams..." Oh, well, there he goes again with the tearing up. "I think I'm still the original Mush."

"Oh, come on, we gotta give it at least a couple years or else everyone's gonna make fun of us for settling down so quick," Blink said, but he couldn't stop smiling. "I'd want a little girl, a little baby girl," he admitted softly after a moment.

Mush nodded in agreement, humming. He nuzzled Blink, "I'd like that a lot. Our own little girl." He was smiling softly, just imagining them running around with a kid.

"I could teach her Italian, I'd teach her how to dance, she could stand on my feet as I taught her the waltz in the living room," Blink said, pretending he wasn't tearing up as he quickly swiped across his face.

"We gotta stop, that's years ahead and we both know we're gonna get impatient again," Mush said weakly, looking at the ring as evidence.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Blink muttered, wiping his eyes, still thinking about this hypothetical daughter.

Mush moved to kiss Blink's eyes gently, wiping off the tears with his thumb. He cuddled closer to him, just nuzzling into his chest now. "I love you..." He hummed softly.

Blink sighed softly, holding him close. "I love you too, more than words could ever tell..."

"'I love you' works just fine," Mush hummed with a smile, nuzzling closer, "'Cause you don't need any other words. I got a ring now to prove it."

"Mhm. And now everyone in the world will know that you have my heart," Blink murmured, letting his eyes close to enjoy the warmth and affection.

"And you have mine," Mush mumbled in a dreamy voice, drifting off a little.

Blink leaned down and pressed a kiss into Mush's hair, but he didn't lean back up, simply staying nuzzled in his hair.