#oh and of course my dumb ass joins close to Christmas so the holiday storm for retailers is on too

[primordial0riginator]

Shower done hoorayyy

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Of Farms Fairs & Fame (Part 19)

Two days under heavy snow had left them plenty of time to work on songs. At times it wasn’t just she and Sokka. TyLee would often join them and Mai and Zuko on occasions. Including the three songs she had already, Azula had a total of six. It was half an album and she still had plenty of time to spare. So, for the time being, Azula put her guitar aside.

“I really wanna go build a snowman or somethin’ TyLee commented.

“Good luck gettin’ outside.” Azula shrugged.

TyLee frowned, eyeing the white coated world outside Azula’s bedroom window with an unapologetic longing. The snow out there was deeper than it had been in years and it was piled nearly halfway up the door. “I ain’t ever seen this much snow in my life.” Azula commented.

“I don’t think I ever did either.” TyLee agreed. “Whad ‘bout you, Sokka?”

“Same as y’all.”

Azula moved over to her bed to snatch her blanket. This weather was going to leave her sick and sniffling. She reckoned that Ozai wouldn’t be too thrilled about having to fix her soup and fetch her medicine.

“Lordy, yer han’s are col’, Azula.”

“Everythin’s cold.” She returned.

“Yeah.” TyLee agreed. “Ain’t yer dad hear of heaters?”

“He has, but he says that fire’s the way to do it.”

“He’s gonna need ta set the whole house on fire if wants ta do it like that.” Sokka commented, slinging his arm around her shoulder.

TyLee glanced between the pair and suddenly her face lit up. “You finally did it didn’t y’all!?”

“I don’t know what yer talkin’ ‘bout, Ty.”

“You ‘n Sokka!” She practically squealed.

“Whad ‘bout us?” Sokka asked.

“Yer together now, right?”

Azula flushed, “we might be.”

TyLee beamed even wider. And to Sokka she says, “I been tellin’ Azula that she liked you since before the fair. She said that she ain’t though, but I knew the truth.” Azula folded her arms over her chest as TyLee continued to ramble. “Oh y’all are sooo cute.” She paused, but only briefly. “So when are ya gonna tell yer pops?”

Azula groaned. “I’m sure he’ll figure it out on his own.”

.oOo.

They spent the better part of the day decorating the interior of the house and stirring hot chocolate with spoons made of candy canes. They had made good work of Azula’s family’s estate, if Sokka said so himself. They lined the stairwell and banisters with holly and set glittering candles of gold and silver in every window sill amid other Christmas decor. Katara had fixed a mistletoe in the entryway. By the closing of the day the thing had moved at least thrice before some jerk decided to move it under the dinner table. It went unnoticed until everyone in the house was gathered under it at once. No one kissed and no one fessed up.

Sokka was fairly certain that he was the only one who had heard Ozai grumble, “if I find that thing one more time Imma tossin’ it in the fireplace.” He was also quite sure that he hear Iroh chuckle about how brilliant has plan to hang it over the dining room table was.

But Sokka chalked that up to some fever dream. It was easier than accepting the possibility of Azula’s kind and demure uncle having a mischievous streak.

Of course Sokka hadn’t minded when TyLee had moved the mistletoe above Azula’s bed. She was still awkward about sharing kisses with him, red faced and needlessly careful. He was under the impression that he was the first boy she’d ever fancied.

By day three, they’d well and driven her father half-mad. Between the soft giggles and the affectionate prodding, it had become ridiculously hard for the man to deny that his daughter had her first boyfriend.

“I know you been ‘round here a lot,  boy.” Ozai remarked on the fourth morning. “Yer a bit dull up there…” he pointed to Sokka’s head.

“Azula has mentioned that ‘fore.”

“But yer a hard werkin’ young man. I like you well a’nuff. So don’t give me a reason ta…”

Sokka didn’t let him finish. “I ain’t gonna do anythin’ dumb...er than usual.”

“I ain’t want to come home one day ‘n find out that she’s pregnant.” He continued regardless, leaving Sokka a brighter shade of red than he thought possible. “‘N you best treat her right, I ain’t wanna gome home one night ‘n find her writing sad breakup songs ‘bout you.”

Sokka’s didn’t think that it was even possible for his face to get redder than it was. “I won’t git ‘er pregnant. ‘N I won’t make ‘er cry either.” She’d probably make him cry if that was a task for anyone. “Ya ain’t had ta worry ‘bout me ‘fore, ‘n ya ain’t gotta worry ‘bout me now.”

The narrowing of Ozai’s eyes told Sokka that the man was skeptical. He supposed that he should have expected as much. The man was protective of Azula. Sokka spared a glance at the fireplace where three pictures hung. One captured Ozai tossing a football to Zuko. The second photo showed the man helping Azula adjust the position of a baseball bat in her teeny eight year old hands. In the third, both siblings were atop his shoulders; Zuko’s head was tossed back in laughter and Azula grinned wider than he’d ever seen and with a twinkle in her eyes that could only be found in those of a child. And Ozai, the man looked as prideful as a father with kids like that ought to. Sokka speculated that Ursa had been behind the camera, at the very least, behind the camera of that third one.

According to Azula, most family photos featuring their mother had been taken down to spare Zuko a sense of crushing despair at the reminder of the woman he lost. He always had been a mama’s boy and losing her had torn him apart.

“Promise, I won’t anythin’ to upset ‘er.”

“I know.” Ozai replied. “But I just wan’ed to warn you. If anythin’ happens to my daughter, I will find you and I will will make you scream like one’a them goats when we ferget to feed ‘em.”

Sokka shifted in his chair. He’d been threatened before, but never quite like that. He backtracks, recalling that he actually had; apparently Azula learned how to threaten people from her father.

Sokka didn’t quite know how to deal with that one so he simply replied with a, “thanks fer the warning?”

“No problem, boy.” Ozai replied in a more uplifting tone of voice. “T’was a good talk.”

Sokka begged to differ, but he didn’t make mention as Ozai wandered to join his brother in front of the television.

.oOo.

Peering out at the snow, it hit Azula hard. It had been a very good few days, but the holidays were always hard. Ursa may not have died anywhere near them--no, she had passed in the summer, burned out like a summer sunset, Iroh said--but she had loved the holidays more than anyone Azula knew in her short life.

She remembered, fondly crafting a gingerbread house with the woman and Zuko. Though Azula couldn’t really say that she had been building it, more or less she kept picking off the gumdrops and popping them into her mouth when Ursa and Zuko turned away. She’d only gotten caught when she’d run off to give her father one of her steals and the man loudly declared, “get me a red one next.”

Azula smiled at the memory, but it brought a wetness to her cheeks. It was one of the few moments where Ursa hadn’t been absent with her. One of the few times where her depression hadn’t had it’s grip on her. “I miss ‘er Sokka.” She mumbled. On days like these she would wonder how things could have been.

Bitterly, she thought that, had Ursa not fell to alcohol poisoning, that things could have been righted between them. That Ursa could have been in that recording studio with her. That thought was somehow more tear jerking than thinking the woman would have scorned her forever. “She’d have loved this.” Azula gestured to the wintery world outside. “She’d have loved you…”

Sokka scooped her into his arms and rubbed her back. “I think the same about my fa sometimes, I know he ain’t gone, gone. But he ain’t never home. Sometimes I think I’m the dad ‘round my farm.”

“‘Least yer father’s comin’ back.” Azula muttered. “My ma ain’t.”

“It ain’t yer fault.” He mumbles.

“I…” she trailed off. She was going to say that she knew. But did she? Did she know? After hearing her song for the first time, her father had made it pretty clear that it wasn’t her fault. He’d told her that Ursa mentioned wanting to close the distance between she and Azula. That the woman had been seeking treatment before the alcohol took her.

“I know.”

.oOo.

Sokka smiled. But the sadness didn’t come to pass. He was waiting for Azula to start crying...and for Ozai to come storming up the stairs with an ass beating on the horizon. But she didn’t cry, not even a soft sob. She was frowning terribly deeply and her eyes were some misty. But the tears never fell. Instead she burrowed deeper into her blankets.

“I have an ider.”

“Is it a dumb one?” Azula muttered. “It’s a dumb one ain’t it, Sokka?”

“Naw! It ain’t!” He declared. “Not this time.”

Azula sighed. “What is it?”

“I were just thinkin’ that maybe ya can release yer album on ‘er birthday! ‘N ya ken dedicate it to ‘er. My ma says that, from wherever they are now, lost loved ones ken still hear them kin’a things.”

Azula’s frown faded. “I suppose that ain’t too dumb an idea.”

“It’s brill’nt.”

“Maybe a ‘lil.” Azula replied, a hint of a smirk appearing on her face. “You best not get too happy, you just used up yer one smart idea fer the year and you ain’t gonna have another fer a very long time.”

“That’s a’right wit me. I think I done used it well.”

He watched the rest of the somber clear out of her expression and he knew that he’d used it well.

[kookie-vith-suga]

Act

Summary: “Just pretend to be my boyfriend till he comes back” or the time you asked the twin brother of your boyfriend to help you out

Word count: 1872

Warnings: Nothing

Author’s note: I hope this makes any sense. 

–> Masterlist <–

Recent: Distance  –>  Closeness --> Unification

“Why do you never bring a boyfriend with you?”, my aunt asked.

“Because I don’t have one.” I tried to sound polite.

“But you are a beautiful young lady. Why are you not putting yourself out there?! When I was your age...I knew how to live life..” She winked at me. Did my 65 year old aunt just told me that my life is boring.. I think I hit rock bottom.

“Even your sister found someone and she is younger than you”, my grandmother barged in.

“I am well aware of that”, I surpressed the urge to roll my eyes. “Have you ever thought about the fact that I maybe don’t want a boyfriend? I am perfectly fine by myself.”

Everyone started laughing. “Don’t lie, Y/N.”

“This is for real something only single people would say.”

“Maybe she is gay...”

The comments were thrown in from all sides burying my little bit of pride that I had left. I groaned in frustration and got up.

That had been me last year. I have sworn myself this year would be different and I should be proven right.

“The holidays started”, I sighed and looked at the clock. My shift was over just now.

“You should be thankful that you can visit your hometown”, my colleague pointed out, “I cannot go since they are living to far away.”

“I know and I am thankful...but sometimes my family can also be a whole handful when they all gathered up.”

“That is how familys work though...”, she shrugged.

I started gathering my clothes. “I am off. Happy Thanksgiving!” I hugged her goodbye.

“Happy Thanksgiving and greetings to everyone! I am sure it is gonna be fine so enjoy your time”, she showed me a warming smile.

“If you knew”, you mumbled to yourself while leaving the office.

“Namjoon it is me. Are you there?”

“Hey babe.” He exited the living room with a small suitcase in his hands. He put it down and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. My heart still skipped a beat every minor contact we have. He went back to his room so I followed him. The doors of his wardrobe were torn open and he had the suitcase sprawled out on the bed.

“Why are you packing already? We will not leave before tomorrow morning”, I questioned lying down on his bed stretching my limbs.

“Oh umm about that...”, he stopped and faced me scratching his neck, “Something very important has come up and I have to work. My flight is leaving tonight.”

“What?!”, I straightened and eyed him with a careful look, “You are joking right? Please tell me this is one of your stupid jokes!”

“Unfortunately not...But I will try to come as soon as I am done.”

“And how long will you be away then?”

“I don’t know. The deal can be sealed tomorrow but also next week”, he sat down next to me and tried reaching for me.

“Really?! Next week?”, I slapped his hand away, “You promised that you will come with me! I told everyone about it already. What am I supposed to say now?”

“I know this meant a lot to you, babe but I cannot change it. Just tell them we will meet them on Christmas.”

“No! You don’t understand this! My family consists of the most invasive people you can imagine. They will not believe me and say that I lied about you”

“Come one Y/N. I am sure it is not like this. Also maybe I will be able to catch up. Then you do not need to worry so could you just calm down for now.”

“Just calm down”, I repeated angrily, “You know what. Don’t bother! Just stay here alone and eat some deep-frozen turkey. I don’t want to see you anyway.”

“Y/N...you don’t mean it that way. You are just angry.”

“I mean it exactly like I said it! And stop analyzing me! I get it, you are the mature one and I am just the whiny kid! Good day, Namjoon.” I stormed out of his room. I had a hard time suppressing my tears when I put on my shoes. As I straightened and grabbed my bag from the shelf I accidentally kicked down a photo. Quickly I picked it up again. It showed Namjoon and next to him a guy who looked like an exact copy of him. Suddenly an idea stroke through my head but it was interrupted by Namjoon calling for me. I hurried out the door with a smile on my face. That is what you get for leaving me hanging!

“You want me to do what?”, a clearly perplexed Hoseok questioned.

“Just be my boyfriend till he comes back”, I stated like it was obvious.

He chuckled. “Do you heard what you say?”

“I know it is something rather strange to ask but I really need your help!”, I made a pouty face.

“Does Namjoon know about this?”

“Of course! He even suggested it since he knew I would be angry”, I lied biting down on my lip hoping he would believe me.

“Fine then. I will do it. When will we leave?”

It took a load of my mind. “Thank you so much!”,I hugged happily, “Tomorrow morning.”

“Great!”, his arms wrapped around me as well.

We pulled up the driveway in front of my parents house. The drive was quite enjoyable to my surprise. I told him something about all the family members who will join us so he will not be too shocked. He laughed a lot about my descriptions not knowing that they were all true. He will see it himself soon. We knocked and only a second later my mom opened the door.

“Y/N!”, she took me in her arms and planted kisses all over my face, “It is so good to have you back.”

“Hello to you too....But can you maybe let go of me now so I can breath again?”, I laughed.

She let go laughing as well. “Sure, sure. Come on in guys.” We did as we were said. She waited till we have put down our baggage to greet Hoseok.

“You must be Namjoon. I gotta say you look even more handsome than on the pictures she showed me”, she exclaimedoverly excited, “It is really so nice to finally meet you in person too! I fell like I have known you already for a long time since all Y/N does is talking about you.” My mom pulled him into a hug.

“Is that so?” He looked over her shoulder to me and grinned cheekily. “I am quite surprised.”

I shot him a death glare and mouthed: “Play along.”

She let go of him. “Sure she does. But what is more important now: How was your drive? Did you had a lot of traffic? You guys must be hungry! I just made a pie. It is still warm.”

“Thank you mom but I think we will go upstairs first and unpa-”

“I really like to have a piece of pie. Thank you Miss Y/L/N”, he interrupted me looking at my mother.

“Why so formal? Just call me Jane! We are one family now, sweetie. Okay follow me.” My mom headed to the kitchen.

“Thank you Jane. By the way you got a beautiful house here.” He completly ignored my second attempt of an death glare and walked behind her.

I sighed out loud starting to regret that idea. I think I might as well can expect the worst....

We kinda survived the first few hours. More and more relalitives have arrived  so the house was pretty packed now. Everyone was incredible curious about me “finally” having a  boyfriend that I could not spare a second alone with Hoseok to set some rules. Hoseok seemed to pretty much enjoy this whole play. He was using every chance to put his hands on me. My waist, my thigh or even my ass always combined with a devilish smirk because he must be well aware that I will not push him away as long as everyone was watching. So I tried to keep my distance by finding excuses to not always stay by his side.

He was currently talking to my aunt when I walked up to him.

“Oh Y/N! You really got a smart boyfriend here.”

“Aha. Thank you”, I answered halfhearted smile.

“What is it with that frown? Be a little more thankful or else he could be gone soon again.”

I did not had to look over to him because I knew he would have that fucking grin up his face.

“You should listen to her. She is a wise lady”, he nudged me with his elbow.

That was the moment I was close to exploding. “Excuse us please.” I grabbed his arm forcefully and made him follow me into the nearest room which happened to be my parents bedroom.

“I do like it rough but not exactly like that”, he rubbed over his arm.

“What is fucking wrong with you? Do you need to behave like this?”

“Like what?”

“Don’t you dare to play dumb!”

“I thought you want me to act like your boyfriend”, he remarked dryly.

“Yeah ACT is the special key word here. Because to me it does not seem like this is hard for you...”

“Because it isn’t.”

“Well maybe then you should hold yourself back a little more since I am still Namjoon’s girlfriend.”

“Are you sure? Because either you are lying to yourself or you have lied to me. I know for a fact that Namjoon would never agree to such a settlement if he knew it. Especially not if it meant that I could be all lovey dovey with his “girlfriend”, he emphazised the last word mockingly, “He was always the jealous one of us.”

I opened my mouth only to let it fall shut again. “I am sorry”, I said after a while sitting down on the bed.

“I should apologise too. I kinda overstepped the boundaries but I wanted to hear it from you.”

“So you knew it all along?”

He nodded.

“Why did you accepted it in the first place then?” I did not know how or why, but he got me curious.

“Maybe because I wanted to score him off for always being so complacent.”

“Maybe?”

“But maybe also because I liked you ever since we have met that day and wanted to convince you that you have chosen the wrong brother...”

He was standing right in front of me slowly bending down. I automatically moved backwards till I was fully lying down and he was towering over me.

“May-be?”, it fell slowly from my lips. I would have lied if I would not say my heart was beating at an unusual fast pace.

“Or maybe because I have always wondered how these sweet, rosy lips would taste.” He was tracing the outlines with his thumb. His scent was engulfing me as his lips came dangerously close to mine.

Suddenly the door was opened. Both of our heads shot into the direction.

Fuck.

That escalated quickly :D It really took me way too long to write but now it is done :) I hope you like this @cherrygatz ♥

Please tell me if you want me to continue ;)