#oh yea and my wife is stressed to the balls for work

[violentviolette]

last week my dad who is too slowly dying of kidney failure had a stroke and is still in the hospital, one of my sorta-cousins died of a drug overdose, found out my wifes mom is having surgery i have to help out with aftercare for, had to have daily phonecalls with multiple members of my family, and then i capped it off with getting violently sick and now my sleep schedule is upsidedown

i think if a single solitary thing goes even slightly wrong this week im allowed to begin killing people. like legally.

[fredshufflepuff]

hiii can you do a smut (if you’re comfortable) where dracos wife (the reader) ignores him so he fucks her real hard?

ignore || d.m ✧˖*°࿐

summary: the reader ignores draco which ends up in him fucking the attitude out of her.

warnings: fem!reader, degrading, language, slapping, unproductive sex, rough sex, oral sex male!receiving, poorly written smut, i didn’t spell check so >:/, lmk if i missed anything!

word count: 1,402

you had gone all morning ignoring draco, giving him the silent treatment as soon as you woke up.

some people say when you go to bed mad, you wake up feeling better. but not for you. you could hold a grudge.

“pass the pepper” draco said, reaching his hand out across the table as he chewed on his steak.

you ignored his request, staring down at your plate of food and humming to yourself. you pushed your peas around with your fork, stabbing a few before plopping them in your mouth.

“what the fuck is your deal?” he suddenly asked, pushing himself away from the table and standing up abruptly.

you flinched slightly at his sudden outburst, rolling your eyes clearly for him to see before looking up with a bored expression on your face.

“my deal?” you mimic, draco’s face turning sour as you stand up yourself—your utensils dropped loudly onto the table as your hands curled into fists.

“are you really that dense?”

“me?” draco laughed, making his way around the table with his arms over his chest, “dense?”

“you fucking heard me-”

he quickly reached out and gripped your chin between his fingers, forcing you closer to his face as you stood on your tip toes.

“getting confident now?” he growled, the color that once stood present in his eyes replaced with anger and rage. first you ignore him, and now you give him attitude—you were definitely in for it now.

he shoved you back against the table as your back legs hit the edge, sending you to stumble against the wood.

“let’s see how confident you are with my dick in your mouth.”

he yanked you down to your knees as you whimpered from the sudden contact. you looked up at him as he unbuckled his belt, draco being quick to pull down his trousers along with his boxers—his hard and erect cock springing free.

“is that okay with you?” he suddenly asked, voice dropping to his caring and soft side as you nodded in response, a reassuring smile on your face.

“good, cause i’m fucking the attitude right out of that pretty little mouth of yours.”

his leaking tip runs along your lips before shoving himself deep inside you, your eyes widening as you gagged loudly around his length.

he was so deep inside your mouth your nose pressed against his happy trail, your hands gripping his thighs as he started to thrust in and out rapidly.

he held both sides of your head to keep you still, groaning at the feeling of your warm mouth wrapped around his cock.

he fucked your mouth at a violent pace, your nose brushing against his happy trail every time his hips snapped forward.

he was practically forcing himself down your throat, his cock destroying the inside of your mouth as you gagged loudly around him.

“stupid fucking slut, such a whore for her husband’s cock” he groaned, his head tilting back at the feeling of you around him.

you felt him twitch in your mouth as your eyes fell shut, waiting for him to release and flood your throat, but he never did.

he quickly pulled out as you gasped for air, not realizing how hard it was to breathe with him in you.

“m’gonna fill you up like the little cum slut you are, you don’t deserve to taste me” he spat, flipping you around as your hands pressed against the hard wood table.

he bent you over before yanking down your shorts, your panties coming off too as you gasped from the sudden action.

“safe words ‘red’, yeah?” he reminded, leaning over your body to kiss along your shoulder blade. you could feel him lining himself up, his chest pressed against your back as your palms laid flat on the table.

“yea— o-oh! fuck!” you cried out, draco slamming himself fully into you before thrusting at a painfully rough pace.

your body jolted against the table as your face fell flat against the wood, his hand pinning your neck down as the other slapped your exposed ass.

you felt every inch of him inside your walls, his balls slapping the curve of your ass as he fucked you roughly from behind.

“stupid fucking slut—” he growled, grunts and groans falling from his lips as his hips snapped into yours, “—ignoring me all day. who the fuck do you think you are?”

it wasn’t a question, more rhetorical. but your mind was too foggy and your legs were too weak to comprehend any of his words, your whole body felt like jello. 

“d-draco fuck” you moaned out, whining loudly as he slapped your ass roughly, your skin stinging in pain as it turned a bright red color—his hand mark starting to appear.

“it’s sir to you, you don’t deserve to call me draco” he spat, twisting your hair quickly into a ponytail before yanking you up against his chest, fucking you from behind as you were forced to stand on your tip toes.

“s-sir, fuck it feels so good” you cried, draco smirking like a bastard behind you as his grip around your hair tightened—your scalp burning from his actions.

“i can feel you clenching around me? cumming already?” he teased, his thrusts slowing down as you cried for him to continue, begging him to not stop.

“please s-sir, please let me cum” you cried, his bottom lip sticking out to mock you but you couldn’t see.

you didn’t expect him to shove you back down onto the table, gripping your hips and railing himself back into you like before.

you practically cried out in relief at the feeling of him moving inside of you, your legs shaking and your heart pounding as you felt your high come back.

“cum on my cock, make me happy and coat my dick” he ordered, slapping your ass one last time as you finally released all over him.

your legs shook violently as tears ran down your face, the pleasure inside of you hitting your body like a tidal wave.

draco gripped your hips and held you still, pressing his hips against the curve of your ass as he released himself inside of you.

“fuck” he groaned, your walls milking his cock as he then pulled slowly out of you, his eyes fixated on his cum dripping out of you.

“now...” he trailed off, walking into the kitchen to grab a washcloth before coming back over, “are you going to tell me why you’ve been ignoring me?”

he ran the wet cloth along your ass before helping you stand up, your arm wrapping around his neck as you struggled to keep yourself up.

“you yelled at me yesterday” you mumbled, draco frowning as he tried recalling everything that happened.

he remembered he was stressed about something, most likely work, and how you came in to ask him about your guys date night.

he yelled at you saying he didn’t have time for stupid shenanigans and that you were distracting him from his work. he felt terrible after, but he didn’t know how upset you would be.

“i’m so sorry, love” he whispered, kissing the crown of your head before bringing you into a much needed hug, “i would never intentionally hurt you, i love you too much.”

“i love you too, draco” you said, smiling into his chest as he ran his fingers through your hair.

“i’ll take you out tomorrow, yeah? we can go to that restaurant you’ve been talking about.”

you looked up at him with a smile before giggling a quiet, “i don’t think i’ll be able to walk.”

“then we’ll have date nights here until you can” he said, a grin on his face as you nodded at his suggestion.

draco picked you up bridal style as you held him tightly, not wanting to fall and bust your already bruised ass.

“but please don’t ignore me, love. next time tell me.”

“what if i want to ignore you?” you asked, a playful tone in your voice as he shook his head, rolling his eyes at your question.

“then i’ll have to fuck the attitude out of you, and we wouldn’t want that again now would we?”

it was your turn to roll your eyes, a teasing smile on your lips as you kissed along his neck.

“i don’t know, i’d say ignoring you was worth it.” 

🏷 @eunoniaa @xlauren-malfoyx @90smalfoy @whipped-for-the-weasley-twins @ang9lic @fjorelaant @malfoysbiitch @Harrypotter_Whore @aetheralist @miraclesoflove @myloveforluna @bellatrixscurls @dracosbaibe @skaratjung @1800-shutup

[babymilkawa]

are your requests open? if so can i get bakugou, kiri, shinsou and sero (or anyone) surprising their s/o with a puppy they’ve always wanted? or their s/o coming home with a puppy without telling the boys ? thank you !! n happy valentine’s day

this is so cute!! My requests are almost open lol and if they’re not, it’ll show up on my pinned post ^^ And happy belated Valentine’s Day to you too anon <33 make sure to take care of urself 🤍

surprise puppy headcanons with:

bakugou katsuki, kirishima eijiro, shinsou hitoshi, sero hanta

gn!reader :)

bakugou katsuki

he knows that you’ve been looking on adoption sites for dogs

you haven’t actually brought up the topic to him yet, unsure of what his response would be

it just so happened that your anniversary was coming up and bakugou couldn’t think of a better gift for you

he didn’t mean to be snooping around but he had searched your history and noticed one tab that you just never deleted

it was a a little puppy, about 2 months old and bakugou had a feeling that this was the one

sharing the site to his own laptop, he booked an appointment to adopt immediately

he had to choose between taking you to the adoption center or straight up bringing the puppy home

the latter seemed better though

so it’s the day before and your boyfriend is leaving it at your neighbors place so he can pick it up the next morning

he wanted you to wake up to the puppy

smiling at the thought, bakugou entered into the home you shared and greeted you at the door

“How was your day, babe?” you asked

“not too bad, you?”

you yawn and stretch and tell him of your day’s activities

then he asks what you want to do for your anniversary tomorrow

“Hmm maybe keep it lowkey this year? hang out at home?” you asked hesitantly, unsure of whether he wanted to do something more

but bakugou thought it was perfect

you could spend the whole day with your new puppy

the night before, as you laid cuddled to his side, bakugou stared at the ceiling until a thought occurred to him

what if you hadn’t told him about wanting a dog because you weren’t sure urself? No but you never closed that tab

You must’ve really wanted it

he just wished that you could’ve told him

he didn’t want you to hold yourself back for his sake

you were always so selfless and thoughtful of him

he hoped that tomorrow and in the years ahead, he can show you just how much he appreciates you

it’s 5 am and bakugous slipping out of bed

he makes sure you’re warm before leaving the house, careful to not make any noise

he knocks on the neighbors door and they hand him the puppy in its cage

at home, bakugou takes out the box he’s pre-wrapped and places the puppy inside it

it starts to squirm a little, now that it’s finally out of its cage but bakugou holds it still, petting its head to calm it down

the puppy was quick to obey and he let out a sigh of relief

carrying the large box to your room, bakugou froze when he saw you come out

“huh? what’s that, babe?” You say, sleepily

“just go back to sleep y/n” he said, placing the box down

he ushered you back in bed and you tried to pull him down with you, whining when he protested

“I gotta do something real quick, ok? I’ll be back”

thanking the heavens that you were facing the opposite direction as the door, he slipped the box right next to it

there was still a couple of hours until you would agree to start the day so bakugou joined you under the covers and pulled you close

he must’ve been exhausted because when he woke up, you had a little blob laying on your chest

“oh my god, katsuki!!” your face was split into a wide smile and the puppy was happily playing around with you

bakugou’s eyes widened and cursed out loud

“sorry babe, we were supposed to open it together. I must’ve overslept”

“Aww it’s ok katsu, I woke up to this little ball of sunshine here”

it must’ve jumped out of its box, he thought

“But how did you know that this was the exact one I wanted?” You asked

he shyly rubbed the back of his neck, “you had that tab open for ages”

the puppy continued to bounce in your arms and bakugou admired the smile on your face

leaning in for a kiss, he said, “happy anniversary baby”

kirishima eijiro

you had gone to the adoption center just to look around while your boyfriend was at work

you really hadn’t meant to actually commit to it when you saw the most cutest puppy ever

it was even clinging on to you, surely it was perfect

and your boyfriend also seemed to really like dogs so you really just said why not?

it was a pretty big impulsive purchase but you knew he wouldn’t mind

it was for the both of you after all

bringing it home, you couldn’t wait to think of names with your boyfriend, knowing that he’d come up with really creative ones

kirishima still had a couple hours left of work so you decided to pass the time with your new friend

you set up its bed and its food, all while having the puppy follow you around the house

you were in the closet at the back of the house, rummaging for a blanket when you noticed that your puppy wasn’t right behind you any more

not having a name for it yet, you weren’t sure how to call out for it

so you decided to just look for it yourself

it wasn’t until you were closer to the front of the house did you hear the sound of your boyfriend laughing

“eiji?”

he was holding the puppy in his arms and it was licking his face, causing him to laugh in response

it was such a cute sight, you had to snap a picture

“what’s his name, hun?” He asked

“haven’t decided yet. I was hoping you’d have some good ones”

“How long have you been planning this? There’s no special occasion is there?”

“I went to the center for fun and I decided to just get it”

“Good choice” he laughed

“so you got any names?”

he set the puppy down and it whined, looking up at him

“I was thinking d/n?”

it was perfect

calling its new name out, the puppy immediately turned its attention to you, leaping into your arms

“aww” your boyfriend said, before wrapping you both into a hug and picking you up

shinsou hitoshi

so we know he’s more of a cat person

but after seeing how much you interact with dogs and gush about them, he decided to surprise you with one

it was shinsou’s day off but you still had to work so he took that chance to visit the adoption center

before when he had asked you what kind of dog you wanted if you were to ever get one, you told him your favorite types, including gender

luck seemed to be on his side because he found the exact same breed you liked

it was a much younger one though, only being a few months old

excited to see your reaction, shinsou signed the papers and brought your new puppy home

he also figured that since you seemed to be stressed and overworking yourself, this was the perfect present

there was no special occasion but hey, couldn’t he just spoil his s/o?

by the time you came home, the puppy was asleep but away from your line of vision

your boyfriend kissed you hello and took your belongings

he could see how exhausted you were and part of him was glad that the puppy wasn’t jumping around right now

hopefully you could play with it when you had more energy

“you hungry y/n?”

“no just come here please” you made grabby hands at him and he laid on the couch with you

he ran his fingers through your hair and gave you a small peck on both your eyelids

you were about to fall asleep when you heard small, high pitched barks and the sound of paws on a hardwood floor

sitting up, you looked straight in the face of your new puppy

“toshi...?”

“that’s for you babe. I know you’ve been stressed out recently so I thought it would help”

“but I thought we agreed to get a cat?”

“you wanted to get a cat for me. But I know you like dogs better babe”

“aww” you pulled him into a hug and he kissed the top of your head

the puppy, wanting to be included, jumping in between you two and snuggled his way in

as it got settled on your lap, you gave your boyfriend a thank you kiss

sero hanta

sero’s birthday was coming up and you had no idea what to get him

you couldn’t think of anything your boyfriend had said he wanted recently

until you guys were talking about his boss’s anniversary with his wife and how she got him a golden retriever

a lightbulb binged in ur head

that’s what you’d get him

trying to not reveal your plans, you asked him what kind of dog he’d want

he was open to anything really

so you went straight to the adoption center the next day and you decided to find one you’d like too because your boyfriend was ok with any kind

after hours of playing with each dog, you settled on a small puppy

it had been sleeping on your lap the entire time until you brought out snacks the staff gave

it woke up immediately and obeyed when you told it to “sit” and “jump”

driving back home, you were satisfied and picked up a cake for the celebration tomorrow

you decided to just give the puppy early and have the cake on his actual birthday

when sero came home, he called out for you, receiving no response

thinking that you must be busy, he went into the kitchen to feed his stomach

turning around with a sandwich in his mouth, you popped up from the corner and held the puppy up, a cute ribbon tied to its neck

“tadaaa”

he looked at you and dropped his sandwich, his face lighting up

he pumped his fists in the air and yelled “hell yea we got a puppy!”

you let him scoop it from your arms and it’s snuggling up to him immediately, licking the remainders of his sandwich from the corner of his mouth

picking up the sandwich your boyfriend dropped, you set up dinner while listening to the joyful sounds of your boyfriend playing with his new puppy

bnha masterlist

[fenrys-moonbeam-lochan]

With oath sworn like these

Summary: Rowan and Aelin are tired parents. Lorcan and Fenrys are to the rescue.

Ao3

Part of my Comfortember2020

XXX

Rowan startled awake as a pricing cry of a baby filled the air. Beside him, his Fireheart groaned and turned over, gently holding her stomach.

"Not again," Aelin murmured, "Mala above, the poor boy is going to cry and scream his voice away,"

Rowan murmured his agreement and was about to get up when their son's cries suddenly stopped. His wide eyes met his wife for a split second and then he was jumping out of the bed and racing toward the jointed nursery.

They had sent the nanny away. No one was supposed to be-

As he was about to open the door, a familiar wave of controlled, dark magic hit him and he sighed in relief.

He turned to his wife who was hurrying up behind him, a worried look on her face.

"It's alright," he told her, "It seems like out broody companion finally made it,"

Rowan opened the door and sure enough, Lorcan was pacing the length of the room while gently cooing at the baby in his arms. Cadyn was still softly sniffling but the attention of his uncle seemed to have done the trick. He was a lot more calmer.

"You know," said Aelin, "You could have announced yourself better. Nearly gave us a scare,"

Lorcan gave her a sheepish look, "Apologies. The storm slowed me down a bit but I promised Fenrys I would be here to train the recruits with him first thing in the morning. I was passing in front of your suite when I heard him cry. My ears are a bit more sensitive than your human guards,"

Rowan smiled at him. Lorcan might have a hard time sparing any sincere apologies but Rowan knew he meant that one. The older male had made it no secret that he adored the Whitethorn Glathynius children and he took the safety and care of their children as seriously as he took his own.

"He is at the peak of his cold," said Aelin told Lorcan, while gently stroking Cadyn's hair, "And honestly I haven't seen him this peaceful in days. I never had this much trouble with his sister,"

Rowan moved closer to his wife, gently placing a hand on her back, "It's not your fault, Love. Every child is different. And I haven't had much luck either,"

"Not to mention the two of you weren't in this much stress when you were with Evalin," said Lorcan

"Oh?" said Aelin, raining her eyebrows, bemused. Rowan's own lips quirked up in a smile

"Hmm," said Lorcan, his eyes on Cadyn and completely oblivious to their amusement, "You have all these treaties lined up and not to mention you became with child again only four months after this little one was born, and now you're five months along. Small children can pick up on moods, you know. He's probably sensing that his mama is very stressed and very tired while his papa is ready to pull his hair out,"

When he didn't get any response, Lorcan looked up to see his Queen and companion suppressing laughter.

"What?" he said, annoyed

"Pray tell us, Lord Lorcan Lochan," said Aelin, a grin on her face, "How did you come to know all this? If I didn't know better, I would say you've been taking lessons from the healers and midwives,"

"That name," He growled at her, "You are very lucky I'm holding your child right now,"

Aelin merely smirked.

"Come on, Queen," Lorcan grumbled, "You know my son and daughter are only a year apart. Who do you think walked around with Zirrek while his mother was carrying his sister,"

"I'll give you that," said Aelin, "Well, thank you for your service Lord Lorcan Lochan but we will relieve you now,"

Lorcan looked to the child and then to Aelin's outstretched arms.

"I have a better idea," he said, "Why don't you two say goodnight and I'll stay with the little one. Poor thing is probably going to want constant company,"

"We can-" started Rowan

"And probably needs it too just in case he develops a fever," continued Lorcan, talking over Rowan

"Lorcan," said Aelin with clear exasperation in her voice

"The two of you seem much too tired to be staying awake and I know you don't want to bother the nanny since you already sent her away,"

Rowan raised his eyebrows at him, "Are you sure this isn't another attempt at spending more time with and I quote 'the most adorable little thing'?"

Lorcan stared back at him with a blank face, "You have meetings in the morning too, don't you? I can function on very little sleep, you cannot,"

Aelin sighed and turned to him so they could lock their eyes together.

He's being annoying again. We never should have introduced our children to him.

A much as it pains me to admit it, he is right.

Really? He'll become even more insufferable about hogging them.

Fireheart.

He's worse than Fenrys!

After a little more back and forth, they finally turned back to Lorcan. He looked at them expectantly.

"Fine," said Aelin, "But I expect my child to be in perfect shape come morning,"

"Of course," said Lorcan, in obvious delight. He gave Cadyn over so they could say goodnight. The little boy squirmed a bit in their hold but settled back when they gave him back to Lorcan. If Rowan didn't know better, he would say Cadyn preferred the other male.

"Don't be foolish," said Lorcan

Rowan looked at him in surprise, "What?"

"I know what you're thinking, idiot," he said, "I'm just a lot warmer than you, that's all,"

Aelin snorted, "Come on, Buzzard. Uncle Lo has it handled I think,"

"Yes. Yes," said Lorcan, practically shooing them away "Go to sleep. Cadyn and I will be fine,"

Rowan shook his head as they headed back to their room. As he closed the door behind him, he heard his companion murmuring to his son.

"Did you hear that, Cadyn? You're going to spend the night with Uncle Lo. Yes, you are,"

Rowan couldn't help but smile to himself at Lorcan's, admittedly adorable, antics. If he had known that it would take children to make Lorcan more tolerable, he would have made the cadre adopt a hoard of them years ago.

xxx

Lorcan had stayed up with Cadyn the whole night, gently coddling him and giving him his draughts when necessary. Now, he stood by the window as the sun coloured the horizon, almost as beautiful as the precious little one in his arms.

"You're a beautiful little thing, you know," he said to Cadyn, "I don't know how your parent created two people as lovely as you and your sister but it happened,"

Cadyn stared at him with his Ashryver wide open ad curious. Usually, he would have answered with a little coo of his own but right now, he was silent.

"Still feeling a little weak, aren't you?" he said, "The healers are probably setting up now. We should get you checked out, hmm?"

Behind them, the door opened and Lorcan instantly recognized the scent.

"I did not expect you to be here," said Fenrys, "You didn't stay in your room?"

Lorcan turned to him, grinning at the younger male's surprise at seeing Cadyn in his arms.

"I spent the night," Lorcan said, answering the silent inquiry, "He was sick and crying, figured I would give his parents a break,"

Fenrys snorted as he came closer, "And I'm sure your intentions were entirely selfless. Absolutely nothing to do with spending time with 'the most adorable little thing', hmm?"

"You say something once," grumbled Lorcan, "And they never let it go,"

Fenrys snorted, gently stroking Cadyn's cheek. The little baby turned his head toward his other uncle, arms waving as he recognized the familiar face.

"How tired are they?"

"I really don't think they should be woken up right now, especially since they haven't gotten up themselves. Really, when was the last time Whitethorn slept in?"

Fenrys grimaced

"Their meetings," he said, "I told them they should give more responsibility to the nanny and the governess. It's what they're paid to do,"

"You can't completely blame them," said Lorcan, "They don't want to be the kind of parents that depend entirely on others to raise their children. As it is, someone is going to have to do something about those meetings now.

"Well, you're the Lord," said Fenrys

Lorcan snorted, "Yea, and then Aelin will cut my balls off for even daring to touch her schedule,"

Fenrys shrugged, "Tell her I was the one behind it,"

"Well," said Lorcan, pondering, "I suppose that could work,"

Just then Cadyn let out a small sound, the first one he had made since his crying himself out the night before.

"I think our prince agrees," murmured Fenrys, gently placing a kiss on Cadyn's head. The little boy let out a happy little squeal in answer, weakly waving his arms.

"I'm going to call Nox," said Fenrys, "The three of us will figure something out, give them a little more time,"

"Moonbeam-" Lorcan tried

"I'll get the healers for Cadyn too," Fenrys called out right before shutting the door behind him.

Lorcan sighed.

"That one still has the brain of a hyperactive child," he told Cadyn

Cadyn cooed in response.

"Of course I'm right,"

xxx

When Rowan woke up, his first thought was he hadn't woken up this refreshed in a while. His second thought was oh shit.

The rays of sunlight coming in were completely wrong. They were supposed to be up ages ago.

"Shit," he cursed out loud.

It was loud enough to wake his wife up too. It took her a few seconds to get her bearings right but once she did, her eyes widened.

"We are very late," she said, "Very very late. Why didn't anyone wake us up?"

"I don't know," said Rowan pulling clothes out of the closet, "But we need to get ready,"

Aelin nodded and turned her head toward the nursery door, "I'm going to quickly check on Cadyn,"

Rowan nodded as he put on his shirt, "I'll come too,"

They stepped through the door and stopped. Cadyn was laying on a blanket on the ground while Evalin was gently playing with his hands. Fenrys was curled around the children in wolf form and Lorcan was watching from where he was perched on the arm of the sofa. How he got his large body to balance there, Rowan would never know.

As soon as Evalin noticed them, she got up and started to run toward them.

"Mama! Papa!"

Rowan grinned down at his daughter, the sight of his child chasing away any irritation from having woken up late.

"Princess," he cried, matching her enthusiasm and scooped her up. The little girl giggled and kissed his cheek.

"I had breakfast with Fenrys and Uncle Lorcan," she said, as Aelin took her and kissed her head.

"Oh did you now?" said Aelin, "Now only if these males had woken us up on time,"

By now both Lorcan and Fenrys were standing and winced at her dangerous tone. 

"Uh," started Lorcan, "We moved your meetings around. The dignitaries are watching the session we were supposed to train. The tour of the gardens has been moved to a 'sunset tour' thus your meetings will not start for another hour and...let me see...twenty-two minutes,"

"Gives some more time," said Fenrys

"Oh and I took Cadyn to the healers," continued Lorcan, "He should be fine in a couple more days. Evalin is had her breakfast but we brought some extra with yours just in case she wants to eat with you,"

"Breakfast?" asked Aelin, tone carefully measured

Lorcan's eyes flicked to Rowan's for a brief moment before going back to the queen.

"Uh, yes," he said, "We thought it would be a good idea,"

"He keeps saying 'we'," said Fenrys, mischief clear on his face, "But really he was the one who arranged it. Nox and I just nodded and followed along,"

"Really?" said Aelin, voice quiet

"Fenrys Moonbeam!" hissed Lorcan and then turned toward Aelin, "Look, you were obviously tired and I figured it wouldn't be too big of a problem and it was Fenrys's idea to begin with-"

He abruptly trailed off as Aelin took a few steps forward and wrapped her arms around him. Lorcan's expression went from comically baffled to absolutely panicked. His eyes widely bounced between Rowan and Fenrys, his whole demeanour screaming 'help me!'.

Neither of the males stepped forward to help, quite content to watch his discomfort. Fenrys had even picked up Cadyn so the little prince could watch the show too. 

After a few moments, Aelin stepped back and quickly cooled her expression.

"We will blame that on the fact that I am pregnant and hormonal,"

Lorcan vigorously nodded his head, "Of course. Whatever you say,"

"Good," said Aelin and turned toward the table, "You said something about breakfast," 

Lorcan instantly took to the subject change, "It left it in the other room in a warming tray. I'll be right back,"

He stepped into a room and came back with cut-up fruit, warm eggs, bread and fresh juice. As promised there were smaller portions for Evalin. 

"Here you go," he said, setting everything on the table, "You can eat, get ready and then be down for your meeting in about an hour,"

"We can take the children if you like," said Fenrys

Aelin's eyes met Rowan's for a second and then she smiled at the wolf, "No, Fernys. It's fine,"

"Alright then," said Lorcan, already backing toward the door, "I'm going to leave now,"

Rowan smiled. The older male really wasn't hiding his desire to be out of there as soon as possible. It seemed like the show of affection from Aelin had disturbed him enough to even willingly leave Evalin and Cadyn's side. 

"We do have those recruits to look at," said Fenrsy, obviously taking pity on his former commander.

"Yes. Yes," said Lorcan, "The recruits. Have a good morning,"

With that, Lorcan practically ran out the door

"I think you might have broken him a little," said Rowan

"Maybe," said Aelin, amused

"I'm going to go make sure he's not too broken," said Fenrys, "You all try to relax a bit,"

"Thank you Fenrys," said Aelin

Once the young male was out of the door, Rowan sat down with Aelin and placed Cadyn in his lap.

"I have a pretty great court, don't I?" said Aelin while storing their daughter's hair. 

"I suppose you do," he murmured, "I suppose you do,"

[dc41896]

Light

Pairing: Andy BarberxBlack Reader

⚠️: Small bit of angst, mention of divorce, slight sexual content(its very quick), fluff throughout!

This wasn’t exactly how you planned your night out going. What started out as you arriving at a quiet lounge looking to unwind from a stressful week turned into you joining a new handsome acquaintance back at his apartment stumbling through the door as you both fumbled with the others clothes.

“Sorry,” you’d each lightly chuckle after getting stuck on a button or trying to pull down stubborn jeans.

“This um isn’t really something I normally do,” you admit shyly as your back touches the mattress, heart pounding in your chest.

“Honestly I don’t either, so trust me I get it,” Andy smiles out of breath, bare chest hovering a mere inches above your body. “We can stop though if you want.”

“No, I want to! I mean like I want to continue not to stop if that wasn’t clear. Also sorry that came out really eager. I’m excited but not like this is my first ever time you know and now I’m rambling and killing the mood I’m sorry.”

Chuckling, his thumb traces over your red tinted lips making you smile. “Don’t apologize, your rambling is cute.” Your hand caressing the back of his neck slowly brings your soft yet hungry lips together as your bodies follow close behind becoming tangled in each other as well as the sheets below.

Now here you were, sore yet comfortable being woken up by your vibrating phone across the room. Squinting your eyes trying to adjust to the foreign space around you, the bed feels more spacious than before as you turn to find Andy gone and his side of the bed neatly made.

“Right, I should probably get going,” you thought as your feet touched the carpet below carrying you to each garment you were previously wearing before reaching your phone with missed calls and texts.

Carla: Hey boss man needs you to come in asap

Carla: And it’s looking like you might want to come in uniform...

Y/N: Ugh, alright give me a couple hours

“Morning,” a deep voice speaks slightly startling you. “I uh wasn’t sure if you might want coffee or tea so I made both.”

“Oh, thank you.” Small smile spread on your lips, you carefully take the coffee from his hand enjoying its freshly brewed smell and warmth. There’s a hint of awkwardness between the both of you as you slowly rock back and forth on the balls of your feet, while Andy peers down in his mug tapping his thumb against the rim.

Maybe that’s why you both never did this before. To avoid situations like this wondering how the other was feeling and what was the right next move.

“This um tastes really good.”

“Thanks, it was actually a gift from a friend. I’m getting low so I should probably ask where she got it from,” he chuckles to himself.

And so returned the awkward silence as you both stood sipping from your cups with cars speeding by outside.

“Cmon Y/N this doesn’t have to be difficult. You’re both adults who are highly capable of talking about their feelings,” you thought setting down your coffee on the dresser next to you. “Just spit it out and get it over with.”

“So-,” you both speak at the same time giving you two a much needed laugh.

“You go ahead.”

“No no you go. Mine can wait,” you smile waving your hand for him to continue.

“I was just gonna say that I’m...I’m leaving soon so um if you need a ride anywhere I can drive you so, you know, you don’t have to pay for one.”

Luckily you had a good poker face to hide your embarrassment and the sinking feeling in your gut from his words. Of course you’d be the one wanting for it to grow into more and break what’s possibly known as the cardinal rule of one night stands. Arms crossed over your chest, you busy yourself trying to find your shoes avoiding his eyes.

“Um yea! Thank you, I was actually gonna ask the same thing so it’s um funny you said that.”

“Oh, looks like we were on the same page then,” you both chuckle.

“Ehh I’m not so sure about that,” you thought as he bent down before handing you your other shoe. Lips slightly parted, it seemed as if he had more to say when you finally met his bright, blue eyes. You hated to admit it, but you honestly hoped he had more to say; specifically about your situation.

However, yet again you were disappointed watching him clear his throat nervously scratching the back of his neck as he picked up your nearly empty mug. “We can leave after I take care of these.”

“I can do that if you want?”

“No no I got it. Don’t worry,” he smiles walking towards his kitchen leaving you to gather the last of your things.

“Trust me, that’s the last thing on my mind,” you quietly speak to yourself before joining him in the center of the apartment.

———

Sneakers squeaking against the shiny hospital floors, you hurriedly make your way to your next patient’s room hoping they were much more pleasant than your last. Long story short, they weren’t a fan of having a new physical therapist.

You weren’t entirely mad though, you understood how frustrating it could be to get used to one person then have to change to someone entirely new. Heck you felt a bit overwhelmed yourself once you learned you’d been given a new schedule and entirely new set of people you’d have to care for.

Lightly knocking on the thick glass shielded by a curtain you quietly enter the bright room once hearing a soft “come in.”

“Hi, I’m Y/N and I’ll be Jacob’s physical therapist while he’s here,” you warmly greet extending your hand to the woman in front of you. Long dark hair framing her slender face, you could see the pain through the brave image she upheld.

“Hi I’m Laurie, Jacob’s mother. Me saying this is nothing against you, but I was expecting his usual therapist, Zoe.”

“It’s okay I understand. Zoe had to have a change of schedule due to personal reasons so I’m taking over for her patients.” Lightly nodding her head, the door sliding open steals both of your attention as the last person you’d expect to see entered the room.

Clearly he felt the same way stopping in his tracks once meeting your familiar brown eyes.

“Um hi...”

“Hi Mr. Barber I’m Y/N, Jacob’s new physical therapist,” you smile once again holding out your hand. Were you currently wishing you could run away, crawl in a hole, and scream to your hearts content? Yes, but at the end of the day you still had a job to do and you wouldn’t let an awkward interaction get in the way of that.

“Nice to meet you,” he smiles back similarly maintaining his professionalism while shaking your hand. “And you can call me Andy.”

“It’s nice to meet you too Andy.”

Feeling his lingering touch as your hands part instantly bring you back to last night making you flustered and what seemed like a wave of heat run across your body. Clearing your throat, you mentally collect yourself before standing next to the beeping machines monitoring Jacob’s vitals.

“So just like Zoe was doing, I’ll basically come to make sure his arms and legs get movement and try to limit any further muscle deterioration.”

“And will this only be once a day like before?,” Laurie asks from the other side of the bed smoothing Jacob’s hair down.

“That’s what he was scheduled for, but I can make a note for it to be increased to twice if you’d like? And before I leave for the day I can try to come back to work with him.”

“Thank you. If you’re too busy though you don’t have to-,”

“No it’s fine! If I can’t get to him, I’ll try to send someone to see him.”

Putting on your gloves, you begin gently extending and flexing his arm before eventually moving to his hand and fingers as you continue your conversation with Laurie. At times Andy would join in asking his own questions about his son’s recovery, but mostly just stood by the window gazing out at the rest of the city. He’d try to steal glances here and there taking note of little things like how the lone strand of hair that didn’t make it in your bun dangled ever so perfectly down your soft cheek.

Then there was your plump lips. How you’d innocently bite them when intently listening to Laurie go on about a new study she read about coma patients and treatments. How he could still feel them against his own from last night and how warm they were. How part of him wished you’d come back so he could feel them again.

Being so wrapped in his thoughts, he didn’t realize how his admiring caught your attention making you quickly glance in his direction before returning your attention to Laurie.

Once finished with his other leg, you removed your gloves making notes on the paper attached to your clipboard.

“How is he?,” Andy asks arms crossed over his chest.

“He’s good. No sign of muscle stiffness or rigidity. He actually still has a bit of strength intact, which will definitely be good for starting the more rigorous therapy if he wakes up.”

“Oh ok good,” he nods. “Thank you.”

“It’s part of my job, I feel like you don’t really need to thank me.”

“Nonsense. You’re taking time out to help our son which we greatly appreciate,” Laurie adds with a soft smile from the leather recliner next to the hospital bed.

“Well you’re welcome,” you smile collecting your things to leave. “I’ll try to come back after my last patient to work on him again. It was nice meeting you both.” Giving a small wave as you leave the room, Andy sits at the edge of the bed looking at his sleeping son.

“She was nice.”

“Hm? Oh yea, she was,” Andy quietly speaks grazing a thumb over the back of Jacob’s hand.

“Cute too.”

At this Andy just shakes his head lowly chuckling to himself before turning to look at his amused ex wife.

“So where’d you guys meet?”

“What makes you think I know her?”

“A bit of woman’s intuition. Also the fact that you looked like you saw a ghost when you walked in helped further prove that point,” she laughs.

“It was last night at the lounge downtown. We were both at the bar alone so we started talking.”

“Must’ve been some conversation. I haven’t seen that look in your eyes in a while.”

“Y-Yea, you could say that,” he shyly admits nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

“Did you ask her out?”

“Laurie...”

“If you don’t want to talk about it I understand and won’t pry, but Andy if you’re holding back because of me, the divorce, or Jacob don’t. We had our time and it was great, now don’t be afraid to create more great times with someone else. Plus I know Jake would want to see you happy.”

Looking down at his hands with a sigh, he knew Laurie was right. He really did want to get to know you more, but what if you didn’t feel the same? Especially now knowing a portion of the baggage he was carrying.

“I don’t know...I mean I want to but it’s not just me she’d be adding to her life you know.”

“I get it, but you won’t know how she feels about that until you ask her,” she replies carefully standing up from her seat. “I’m going to the cafeteria, want me to get anything for you?”

“No I’m fine. You want me to go instead? You really need to rest your leg.”

“My leg is fine Andy, plus I still need to walk on it to help it heal. Oh, you can do me one favor though,” she adds stopping in front of the door.

“What’s that?”

“If Y/N happens to come back while I’m gone, talk with her.”

Closing the door behind her, Andy was left with his racing thoughts on what he’d say the next time he saw you.

Or better yet all the possible ways you could say no. Wait, was this even allowed? Given, he wasn’t your direct patient, but still he didn’t want you to get in trouble or possibly lose your job. “This is probably a bad idea,” he spoke to himself with hands covering his face.

The sound of someone clearing their throat makes him quickly sit up to see your nervous smile as you close the door behind you. “I uh just finished with another patient down the hall when the nurse asked me to bring these extra washcloths while she finishes up. She should be here in the next few minutes to clean him up.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“No problem.” Placing the white cloths on the nearby table, you turn to leave with hand gripping the cold, metal handle before being stopped by Andy calling your name. He looked flustered as his hands rested on his hips and his eyes shifted from you to the floor below.

“...We need to talk.”

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[samcedeswannabe]

Prompt: Soul mate AU where soul mates can hear whatever music your soul mate listens to and you’re forced to sing whatever song your soul mate is singing

The Bond

The nineteen year old slept peacefully on his bed. One of his legs was bent at the knee, while the other remained extended. He had only managed to fall asleep around two that morning after studying for hours with his best friends in his room. Boss was sprawled out on the floor with a pillow tucked under his head and Man’s face was buried against the cushions of Sarawat’s couch, both snoring softly in their slumber. As if possessed, Sarawat sat up with a loud gasp disrupting the quiet of the room and placed a hand over his panicked heart. Fuck, not again. He groaned as the now familiar music in his head played once again. His eyes travelled over to his phone and looked at the time, it was four am. What the fuck? Why was his soul mate listening to music so early in the morning? Again! Please don’t sing, please don’t sing, please don’t freaking sing. He begged in his mind, hoping that their soul mate connection extended beyond hearing the music that the other was listening to and of course the other dreaded thing that was also part of their bond. The singing.

Sarawat normally loved to sing. He was part of a band and often substituted with others. But this was different. This was singing beyond his control and he hated it. He could still communicate with his expressions and through writing, but whenever his soul mate decided to randomly sing, he was forced to sing as well. Even if he was minding his business in the men’s bathroom, he had to sing. Even if he was in a quiet movie theatre, he had to sing. Not only did he have no power over when it happened, he had no control over what was being sung in the first place. And he had officially determined that his soul mate was either a member of a band called Scrubb or his soul mate was absolutely insanely obsessed with the band. Day in and day out, Scrubb. He didn’t even know who Scrubb was before all of this and now he hated them with the fire of a thousand burning suns all thanks to his bloody soul mate. Why couldn’t his soul mate connection be like Man’s where he could write on his arm and his soul mate could respond to him the same way? Or like Boss’ where he had miraculously adapted whatever skill his soul mate learned. Why did Sarawat’s connection have to be a damn mind thing? Ugh. He was over it and he was tired. His mouth began to tingle and his lips parted as he began to belt out the lyrics to the song playing in his mind. Fuck. Why did his soul mate have to sing at this time in the morning? Upon hearing the loud singing, Man woke up with a start and rolled off of the couch with a loud bang. Boss bolted upright with his eyes still shut and his hands balled into fists as if he were going to fight someone. Sarawat frowned as he continued to sing the upbeat ballad in a blind duet with his soul mate.

“The hell?” Man groaned as he rubbed his head and glanced over at Sarawat who couldn’t stop singing. “What time is it?!” He reached into the cushions of the couch and pulled out his phone. “Are you fucking kidding me?” Man turned to Boss who had now opened his eyes and was bobbing along to Sarawat’s talented vocals.

“Oh I like this one. This one’s Together right?” Boss asked and Sarawat nodded while he sang. “Your soul mate really likes that one.” Boss mused out loud before he yawned. Sarawat rolled his eyes. He wished more than anything that his soul mate would switch it up. He had even curated a whole playlist to listen to so that his soul mate could hear a variety of songs. But nope. It was Scrubb. Always Scrubb.

“This has got to be mental warfare.” Man declared as he crawled on to Sarawat’s bed once he had managed to stop singing. There was a new slower song playing in his head now. “We need to do something.” Man continued.

“Like what?” Sarawat frowned, “This has been going on for weeks.” Officially it had been going on since his nineteenth birthday, the age when everyone’s soul mate bond became activated. He had been initially intrigued about it, but now all he felt was annoyed.

“I say, you sing embarrassing songs out loud during the night and wake them up. Their neighbours will think they’re insane.” Man smirked as he looked over at Boss.

Boss nodded, “Oh yea, like the itsy bitsy spider.” He suggested.

Man shook his head, “Bigger than that.” He turned to look at Sarawat who was entertaining the idea.

A mischievous look transformed Sarawat’s features. He smirked and looked at his two friends, “I have an idea.”

---------

Tine sat at the back of his class with his best friend Fong. They were reviewing the slide show they had created for their presentation before they were called up. He had spent all night working on it along with the countless number of other assignments that he had due that week. To say that he was exhausted would be an understatement. He felt bad because he needed his music to keep him awake the previous night despite knowing that he had woken up his soul mate as well. He just hoped that she was a forgiving soul who would understand that their soul mate bond was stressful for him too. Based on how much the girl sang and how it always happened at a consistent time of the day, he assumed that she must have been in some type of band. It helped to know that she usually sang around lunch time and after class hours. That way he had been able to go home and sing it out where no one else could hear him. He was a horrible singer and he didn’t think it’d be appropriate to subject others to the whale noises he felt like he made. Sometimes he would be singing, but there was no music in his head. Yet, the words tumbled out of his mouth. It was like the music was coming straight from him, but he knew that it wasn’t. He had told Fong about it and his friend suggested that maybe the music wasn’t coming from his soul mates mind, but from their heart. Tine thought that was the dumbest thing he had ever heard.

“Tine” Fong snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention. Tine blinked and looked over at him.

“Yea?”

“It’s our turn to present. You sure you’re good to do this?” His friend asked him. Tine nodded and flashed a tired smile.

“For sure, look” He waved his cue cards at his friend, “-I have my cards all done up. Notice that I used colourful ones to make us look fancy.” He patted Fong’s shoulder, “We are going to kill this.”

Fong gave him a weary look and then shook his head, “Alright. Let’s head up.” Tine grabbed his laptop and placed it on the desk near the front so that he could hook up the adapter to it and project their presentation on the screen. Once it was up, he stood beside Fong and smiled out at their classmates.

“Hey everyone, I’m Fong.”

“And you all know me as Mr. Chic, but for the purposes of this presentation, I shall go by Tine.” He grinned as some of the girls giggled and others rolled their eyes. Well, you can’t win them all. Their teacher gave them a warm smile as she looked up at the screen.

“So our case was about a young wife who recently-“ Fong began explaining their case, but Tine’s eyes widened in fear as he heard music playing in his head. It wasn’t unusual for his soul mate to listen to music throughout the day, and he normally didn’t have difficulty focusing on his studies when it happened. But he had heard the girls’ music now for a few weeks and this song that was now playing in his head, was very different from her usual tastes. The hell? He frowned and was snapped back to reality when Fong shook his shoulder.

“It’s your turn.” He whispered from the side of his mouth.

“Shit, sorry.” Tine cleared his throat and looked at his first cue card, when his lips began to tingle. No. NO. His lips parted just like it would any other time when his soul mate was singing. What? No, she can’t sing now. It’s too early. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Beads of sweat pooled on to his brow as he realised what was about to happen. He squeezed his eyes shut and belted out the lyrics like his life depended on it, “I like big butts and I cannot lie, you other brothers can’t deny, that when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist and a round thing in your face, you get sprung, want to pull up tough, cause you notice that butt was stuffed.” He clapped his hand over his mouth and continued to sing a muffled version of the song as his classmates erupted into laughter and his teacher pressed her lips into a firm line. Fong’s jaw dropped as he watched Tine struggle.

“Um, sorry Miss, it’s his soul mate bond. When one sings so does the other.” Fong frowned as he tried to explain, “Tine, go to the hall. I’ll finish this.” Fong gave him a sympathetic look and pushed him towards the door. Tine hoped that his friend knew how grateful he was as he closed the door behind him and ran as fast as he could to the bathroom.

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

After hours of singing up the most embarrassing songs that he and his friends could think of, Sarawat finally sat down on his bed with a satisfied sigh. There, that would keep his soul mate quiet for a bit. He pulled the air pod out of his ear and paused the song ‘Sexy and I Know it’ on his phone and laid back on his bed. It was exhausting singing all of those songs and they definitely weren’t the kind of music he listened to, but it was all worth it to get his point across. He spent the rest of the night reviewing his notes, getting take out, and taking a shower before he got ready for bed. It had been a quiet night, which he appreciated after all the music he had listened to earlier that day. Hopefully he hadn’t bugged his soul mate too much. He just wanted to tease them a little bit. The more he thought about it, the guiltier he felt. Hopefully nothing serious or important had taken place today. He frowned at the thought as he pulled his sheets over him. Nah, what were the odds. Sarawat smirked to himself and fell into a deep sleep after having had such a disrupted one the night before.

He woke up in a terrified panic and clasped his hands over his ears as the death metal pounded into his head. Scrambling and flailing on the bed as the music continued to wrack his brain. He scooted too close to the edge and fell off the side on to the floor. Fuck. He groaned as the music continued to play. Great, he definitely had pissed off his soul mate then. The music suddenly stopped as he laid down on the floor. What the hell was that? He rubbed at his elbow and his lower back as he climbed back into the bed to go back to sleep, only to be woken up again in the same way with the same song two hours later. That time it played for an entire hour. Scared that it would happen again, Sarawat sat up in his bed, opened up his computer, logged on to Netflix and watched shows until the early hours of the morning.

At the sound of banging on his door, he winced and groggily walked over to open it. He grimaced as the sun poured through the opened door.

“Rise and shine beautiful!” Man said loudly as Sarawat squinted at him. “Oh shit. What happened? I thought you said the plan worked.”

Sarawat sighed and stepped back for Man to come in, “Oh it worked. It worked so well that my soul mate decided to blast death metal in their ears in the middle of the night.” He pinched his lips together, “Not once, but twice Man.” His eyes widened in shock, “Twice!”

“You look bad. Like real bad.” Man exclaimed, “Like horrible.”

“Yea, I get it thanks.” Sarawat scowled and sat down on the side of his bed. “I need to meet them.”

“How?” Man asked, “I mean I only met Type because I wrote to him on my arm saying, hey wanna meet? And he was like you’re not a murderer are you? And I was like, well I hope not.” He smiled, “And the rest was history.”

Sarawat stared at him and then glanced away, “My soul mate loves Scrubb right? So maybe I can get the music club to get them to come here.” He thought out loud. “They’ll definitely go to the concert. Then I can tell them to cut the shit out or else.”

“That-“ Man paused, “could work.” He laughed, “Aren’t you and your soul mate supposed to be all lovey dovey? I don’t think threatening them will help.”

Sarawat narrowed his eyes, “Don’t care. I need to sleep.”

Man folded his arms across his chest, “What if you don’t find them at the concert? How will you even know who they are?”

Sarawat scoffed, “I never heard of this band before, I doubt anyone will show up.”

-------

As they stood among the hoards of concert goers, Sarawat knew he had messed up. “No one will show up huh?” Man teased as Sarawat shot daggers out of his eyes at him.

“After hearing you sing their songs so much, I love Scrubb!” Boss said excitedly beside them as he smoothed down the front of his Scrubb T-shirt, “I told everyone in the faculty to come.” He admitted.

“You what?!” Sarawat whipped his head at him. Boss nodded.

“Yea, Scrubb’s the best! I have deemed myself an official Scrubber,” Boss smiled, “It’s what we fans call ourselves. We were thinking about calling ourselves sponges, because you can scrub things with it.” He explained, “But we didn’t want people to get confused and think we were into Spongebob Squarepants because let me tell you, that fandom is insane.” He chuckled, “Absolutely nuts I tell ya.”

“Scrubbers?” Sarawat asked, “Boss that’s the dumbest name.”

Boss rolled his eyes, “Sarawat’s a dumb name too.” He muttered under his breath but Sarawat still caught it.

Sarawat dragged a hand down the front of his face as he looked at the hundreds of people. This was never going to end. He and his soul mate were just going to continue their song battle until one of them gave in and it was not going to be Sarawat. He was not a quitter. So what if he had headaches and his eyes had begun twitching? It was all worth it.

Despite hearing the songs over and over again, he caught himself bobbing his head in time to the music. It wasn’t so bad now that he was hearing them live. However, it was very loud because he was hearing the music inside and outside of his head. He knew that his soul mate had to be there. Man and Boss jumped excitedly beside him as the music electrified the atmosphere, making everyone around them hyped up. Sarawat noticed one tall boy in front of him who was really into the music. He was jumping around, twirling, smacking his friend on the shoulder, dancing with his friend, and just straight up enjoying the experience. Sarawat couldn’t help but smile at how happy the boy in front of him was. After the nightmare he had recently been living, it was nice to see. The guy in front of him continued to jump and jump until he ended up jumping right into Sarawat. Ugh. He reeled back and touched his chest where he had been bumped. The boy in front of him immediately turned around and bowed low in apology. Despite feeling grumpy about his situation, Sarawat didn’t feel mad or annoyed. He touched the guy’s shoulder. The boy stood up to his full height and stared at him. Sarawat stared back. His lips parting as he took in the other. The mystery man was incredibly handsome with his neat eyebrows and gorgeous does eyes.

“I-I’m,” The boy stuttered as a blush dusted the apples of his cheeks, “so sorry.” He finally got out.

“It’s fine.” Sarawat offered him a rare small smile, “You okay?”

The boy in front of him nodded, “Yea. Are you?” Sarawat returned the nod. “Okay.” The other said slowly as he continued to stare.

“Um,” Sarawat glanced away as his heart pounded in his chest. What was this?

“Tine you’re missing the concert.” The boy’s friend shook him. Tine? Nice name. He looked back at this Tine, who was giving him the goofiest of smiles.

“Hey Tine! It’s me Boss, from the fan club!” Boss waved excitedly. Tine tore his eyes away from Sarawat and looked at Boss.

“Hey dude!” He gave him a high five, “Amazing concert right?”

Boss nodded, “The best! I was telling Sarawat that we’re called the Scrubbers.”

Sarawat watched as Tine beamed even more proudly, “Yea, Boss came up with that one. Pretty cool name right?” Tine asked him. Sarawat personally thought it was stupid, but like hell was he going to say that to this ethereal looking man.

“I love it. So much.” Sarawat lied through his teeth.

“But you said it was d-“ The rest of Boss’ words were cut off as Sarawat placed his hand on his friends mouth.

“I said I love it. It’s great.” Boss licked his palm, “ugh.” Sarawat wiped his hand on his shirt and tried to look unbothered. Boss looked proud.

Tine raised a brow at him and chuckled, “Ok, well sorry again. Sarawat.” He turned around and continued dancing with his friend. But Sarawat didn’t miss the other’s occasional glance over the shoulder at him. He rubbed the back of his neck shyly and tried to focus on the concert in front of him.

-------

It had been weeks since the concert and for some odd reason Tine’s soul mate had stopped tormenting him. He didn’t know what had gotten into her, but he figured that maybe he had messed something up by developing a random crush. On a dude. On a dude he had never seen before. A dude that he couldn’t stop thinking about. He had asked Boss for all the information that he could tell him about Sarawat, but Boss just said he was a moody cool guy that liked to keep to himself and was currently going through some things. So to sum it all up, the dude he was crushing on was emotionally unavailable. Which was fine, Tine was willing to wait it out. He slightly felt bad anyways, as if he had betrayed his soul mate somehow. But he figured she must be into someone too because she had been listening to a lot of love songs lately. He didn’t mind that because it definitely made him feel much better and many of the songs she listened to were Scrubb. Tine could now understand why they might have been soul mates. They both obviously had impeccable music tastes. She must have been at the concert and he had missed her.

Oh well, he missed her, but had found Sarawat. Not too bad of a trade. He plopped down at a table at the coffee shop and began sipping on his Blue Hawaii as he scrolled through his IG on his phone. Was it weird that he was looking at Sarawat’s page, maybe, but it was all in the sake of research of course. He was curious if Sarawat had already found his soul mate. That way Tine would know if he needed to back off.

A familiar song past his lips, but once again it didn’t go through his head. He didn’t know what it was and he had tried to look it up, but the song didn’t seem to exist which was weird. Tine figured that it was one of the heart songs that Fong had told him about earlier. It was a bit concerning, because Tine knew for sure it was a love song and wondered if his soul mate could sing his heart songs too. Meaning that she knew he was thinking of someone else. That would be one awkward conversation once they ever did meet.

He heard the sound of the chair directly behind him scrape across the floor and a clunk of a bag on a table. The person behind him was also whispering something that he couldn’t quite figure out. But it was none of his business anyway. He took a sip of his drink and continued to sing the song and then suddenly stopped. The whispering behind him stopped too and then started up again. Tine began to sing the song once more and then again abruptly stopped. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to face the person behind him. His eyes widened and he could immediately feel himself start to blush.

“Oh, hey.” He tried to say casually, “Sarawat right?” As if he didn’t know. The other boy’s eyebrows were raised.

“Yea. Tine?” He asked and Tine nodded. “What?-“ He paused, “What were you singing?”

Tine’s blush deepened, “Oh god, sorry was I too loud. Did I hurt you ears?”

Sarawat shook his head, “No, it just sounded like-“ He paused again and studied Tine’s face, “What song was it?” This was weird. Tine had hoped to see Sarawat again, but he had different ideas of how this conversation was going to go.

Tine shook his head, “Uh, I actually don’t know.” He shrugged.  Sarawat cleared his throat and Tine’s lips began to tingle. Oh shit not now. He didn’t want to sing horribly in front of his crush. Sarawat began to belt out the same song that Tine had been singing earlier, and it took Tine a moment to realise that he was singing too. The patrons of the cafe turned to look at them as they continued to sing and then abruptly stopped. Tine’s eyes widened and Sarawat chuckled. “Wait a minute.” Tine stared, “Am I-? Are you-?”

“I wrote that song. “ Sarawat nodded happily. Woah. Fong was right. The songs that had no music in his mind had come directly from his soul mate’s heart. “So you’re the nuisance who kept me up at night.” Sarawat accused and then smirked.

Tine frowned, “Only because you were an asshole and made me sing about butts in class, yea.” They looked at each other and then started to laugh. “I thought you were a girl.” Tine stated. Sarawat looked down at his body.

“No, don’t think so.”

Tine rolled his eyes, “You know what I mean.”

“Yea. I figured you were a boy, but I wasn’t sure.” Sarawat admitted, “It would have been awkward if you weren’t I guess.” Tine stared at him, “I’m gay.” Sarawat stated.

“Oh, okay yea.” Tine laughed, “I got you.”

“So...” Sarawat started.

“So...?” Tine repeated.

“Is it weird to say, that I’m happy it’s you?” Sarawat gave Tine a shy smile.

Tine chewed on his lip, “No,” Tine paused and glanced to the side before he looked at Sarawat again, “Because I’m really happy it’s you too.”

“Alright.” Sarawat gave him a lopsided grin, “Now that we got that out of the way.” He paused, “What is your deal about Scrubb?”

“Oh, I’ll tell you all about it.” Tine laughed as he brought his things over to Sarawat’s table. “How much time do you have?”

Sarawat scratched his chin, “For you? I have all the time in the world.”

Tine snorted through his nose and immediately explained everything and anything Scrubb related to his soul mate.

[pcygoldenchild]

Royal Rendezvous

✨summary: You and Chanyeol were sworn enemies of feuding royal families. But underneath it all were the fun exciting rendezvous with each other.

✨warning: slight NSFW, mentions of sexual intercourse but not much smut.

The week went by. And it was an interesting one. Ever since the day Chanyeol called you “Princess Park” you were so confused. You didn’t get any answers or confirmation. Nothing was being told to you. It’s like everything was happening around you. People were in and out of your palace. King and Queen Park were visiting almost twice a week. They were visiting. Your father wouldn’t talk to you about anything but he seemed stressed. He seemed like he was very conflicted. You’d catch him staring at you spaced out and when you’d ask him what’s wrong he’d say it was business. You were clueless until the end of the week.

You woke up and got ready for your fencing lessons. Every Friday you fenced and by now you were a pro but you kept them up to release stress. You walked into the room and started to put on your gear. You felt someone grab the clasps at the back of your padded jacket and hook it for you. You assumed it was your instructor.

“This might be a difficult session for you today. I’ve got a lot to get off my mind and really need to poke something to death.” you sigh out. Your instructor, who was like a brother to you, would usually retort something smart but instead he stayed quiet. So you carried on while putting on your gloves still facing away from him.

“I don’t know what’s going on in that place but it’s driving me crazy. And for some reason I can’t know any of it. I feel like I’m just as important to this kingdom as anyone. I should know everything that goes on. Dammit I’m the princess and they’re treating me like I’m five.” you snap out turning around at the last word. You gasped at the man in front of you. It was not your instructor. This man was way taller. He had on his mask and gear already so you couldn’t see who it was right away but you know his body. It was hard to miss those long legs and broad shoulders.

“Chanyeol?” you whisper looking around.

“Maybe it’s not the time for you to know these things Princess.” he said. And it was in fact your Chanyeol. You pulled him to the doorway that lead to the garden outside of the fencing room.

“Chanyeol what are you doing here? Are you trying to get killed?” you snap at him. He takes his mask off and reveals his beautiful face and silver hair. He’s smiling that same smile that you saw right after he called you his.

“Hello to you too.” he said ruffling his hair. He leaned down and kissed your lips while you stood in shock.

“I’d think you’d be more excited to see me. I put all this on for you and I have not a single clue about how to fence.” he joked. You stared at him dumbfounded. Why was he just here and pretending like everything was fine?

“Ah there you are.” you heard the all too familiar voice. It was your father. He walked to the door and didn’t realize you were there until Chanyeol stepped to the side.

“Oh hello dear.” he said kissing your forehead. He stood next to Chanyeol and let the awkward silence consume you. You looked between them waiting for one of them to explain but all Chanyeol did was stare at you smiling and your father stared between you two. You stood there for what felt like ages before crossing your arms and pouting.

“Why don’t you both get changed and we’ll talk in the dining room over breakfast.” your father said. Chanyeol nodded and walked away before kissing your head. He kissed you again right in front of your father. Your father took a deep breath and followed after Chanyeol left. That left you utterly confused. Even more confused than before. How confused could you get? Find out next time on, your life is a big unsolved puzzle.

You walked into the dining room to see Chanyeol and your father sitting down at the table. The seat next to Chanyeol was set so you took a seat there. Your father sat across from both of you. You glanced over to see a smiling Chanyeol looking at you. That boy was always so happy while you were completely confused.

“So I guess you have a lot of questions by now.” your father spoke up. You looked up at him and swallowed your food. You took a sip of orange juice and gathered your thoughts. You wanted to be treated like an adult so you would act like one.

“Yes I do. And I expect answers to all of them.” you said back. Chanyeol cleared his throat a little and you saw him smiling to himself. It wasn’t funny.

“Ok...ask away little lady.” your father said.

“What the hell is going on?” you barked out. You never use language like that but to be fair you had every right to. Chanyeol choked on his water and your father fixed his table set, a habit he had when he was uncomfortable or shocked.

“Language young lady. I know this seems weird but that’s no right for you to talk that way.” he said looking down. You instantly felt bad.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off that way. But father, this is all more than weird. From my point of view, it looks like we’re in bad business with the Parks. I mean they are always here now and you’ve never looked so stressed in your life.” you ranted. He looked up at you and then Chanyeol.

“Well I’m stressed but only because my little girl is growing up. Do you remember last week at the ball?” your father asked.

“Yes, what about it?” you responded.

“Do you remember exactly what happened in the garden?” he asked again. You more than remembered what happened in the garbed but you doubt he meant Chanyeol having his way with you.

“When King Park and I found you two, we just came from discussing something rather important for our two families.” your father said again. He was beating around the bush.

“Ok and?” you say getting impatient.

“And when I called you Princess Park, I meant it.” Chanyeol spoke up next to you. You looked at him and he was staring at your father.

“What does this mean? You guys have to give me some confirmation so I don’t think something that’s not what it is.” you say to the two vague men in front of you.

“What do you think that means?” Chanyeol joked. You looked at him and kicked his leg under the table before looking at your father. You could have swore you saw him smile.

“Well dear, what do you think that means?” he said. You knew what being the title Princess meant but the name associated meant something else.

“It means...I’m his wife.” you whispered. And you looked up at your father to see a glimmer in his eye. No way.

“This isn’t funny. It’s a real sick joke.” you said getting up. Chanyeol grabbed your hand and looked up at you with a very serious face.

“I would never joke about something like this.” he said pulling you down.

“Oh my God. What? How? What does this mean?” you started to ask. Your head was spinning with excitement but also worry. What did this mean for your father and your kingdom?

“You don’t have to worry about a thing. Chanyeol made some amazing things happen and it all works out for all of us.” you father said calming you. You look over to Chanyeol who is holding your hand waiting for him to explain.

“Well you remember I said I was away in Paris visiting my sister? Well while I was there, I made trade with one of the biggest market traders there. Neither of our families trade with them because of what happened like 100 years ago or something that has nothing to do with us today. To be quite honest none of this fued has anything to do with us today. It’s really just traders and markets pushing our families apart for their own safety. But anyway, I signed to trade with them if and only if we could join our families. We don’t need to be enemies to trade to one of the biggest businesses in France. We are way more powerful if we are together. And they know that just as much as I do. So now we can be together, married, and have the most powerful kingdom. We span from here to France, making us the largest kingdom. We own a lot of territory now and have just made a lot of money.” he explained smiling so brightly exposing his pearly whites. You followed his every word and got lost in his lips. Those beautiful lips were yours now. What the fuck Chanyeol? How can someone like him manage to end generations of a feud, make millions, expand territory, and get the love of his life all within the span of less than two months.

“Well not yet.” you father said breaking you from your trance. You both look over at him and he stands up.

“You two have to get married first.” he said and as if on queue, a group of people came in with a dress, papers, flower samples, the whole nine.

“The busy palace was for planning your wedding. The Parks have taken a huge part in planning and to be honest, I thank them for it because I have no clue how this works. Your mother did all our wedding stuff.” he said handing you a book of the plans. The name in the book said Prince and Princess Park. You smiled at it until you heard your favorite voice.

“Well aren’t you lucky to have me back now?” Your mother. You jumped up and ran to her crushing her with your arms. She hugged you back securely like she always did. She was your first home, your first love, the first to ever look into your eyes. That’s just the bond you had with your mother. She was your number one.

“Hi little one.” she smiled holding your face in her dainty hands. You smiled back at her and never let her go.

“Seems my little one isn’t so little anymore. You’re soon to be a married woman. If anything do you know the main thing to take away from your father and I?” she said. You loosened up a bit and looked at your father smiling at his two girls.

“The woman is always right.” you said confidently to your mother. She replied in a healthy laugh that was music to your ears. You heard your father and Chanyeol laugh too but more in disbelief.

“Yea that won’t work with me Princess. We both know that.” Chanyeol said smirking at you. Your face heated up and blush crept over your whole body. Flirting in front of your parents, this boy.

𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝐻𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓎𝓂𝑜𝑜𝓃

“So what’s the first thing we should do, Princess Park?” Chanyeol asked coming up behind you wrapping his arms around your waist. You relax into his arms and take in the fresh Paris air. You shrug in his arms and kiss his hand adorned with a gold band with your initials.

“Any plans to take over the world? We’ve got a lifetime ahead of us but we can always start today.” he said kissing down your jaw. You smile at the optimistic boy you are now wed to. You look down at your beautiful ring now becoming one with your skin. It was all really real.

“We’ve got a lifetime. Why waste this moment on that when we can just have each other?” you said turning in his arms. You hold his baby face in your hands occasionally glancing at the ring on your finger.

“Either you’re more in love with your ring or you’re still in shock.” he smiled bending down to kiss you sweetly. He tasted like strawberries.

“Both.” you whisper into his lips making him laugh. He pulls you close and bites your lip.

“Maybe I can show you something better than that ring.” he said. You smirked as he pulled you back into your suite to the bedroom. It was set with petals everywhere and candles illuminating the large room. You go to stand in front of the bed and watch as he starts to shed his clothing.

His body was never something you’ve really gotten the chance to see. You’ve only shared quick rendezvous together. You were unaware of what this large man really looked like. He took his time letting the silk fabric of his shirt fall from his shoulders onto the floor to expose the most beautifully sculpted man. His chest and shoulders along with abs and v line were enough to make you swoon over him. He continued undressing and you nearly lost balance. His bare body now standing in front of you in all it’s glory was all yours. The candle light flickering off of his perfect skin was enough to distract you from the large cock standing at attention. He walked up to you and pushed your silk dress off your shoulders. You were left in nothing making him raise his eyebrow.

“Surprise.” you smirk.

“A surprise for me? You shouldn’t have.” he laughed. He pulled your naked body to his and your mind went blank. You were finally skin to skin with this man. Your husband.

“So what about now? Is that ring still on your mind?” he teased. You raised your hand next to his face and looked at your ring as if thinking it over before looking back at him.

“I think you have to try a little harder.” you whispered in his ear. You felt his lips smirk against your neck before he pushed you down on the bed and hovered over you. He was instantly between your legs and the rest was a blur.

All you can remember was the rapid pounding of his cock deep inside you. The sounds of your moans and the sweet bliss of a real fuck and not your secret rendezvous. The feeling of his skin under your nails, his hips meeting yours, his muscular chest on top of yours. The sex was great but all the factors of this being real made the sex almost seem fake. It was like a dream. He was fucking you in Paris on your honeymoon. He was your husband, Park Chanyeol. And you his wife.

[squirrelly831]

Being Scared but Pretending to be Okay [Hoseok, Namjoon, and Jimin]

The title doesn’t do the reaction justice I feel, but yea this is basically the kids being scared of xyz, but trying not to show they really are.

Enjoy~~

Hoseok

How Elfie convinced Hoseok to take Liam out on a nature walk was beyond him. Originally, Liam had asked his mom to take him on a nature walk and she was more than ready to drop everything to do so. However, being the klutz she was, Elfie sprained her ankle after taking a tumble off the step ladder that her oldest son, Yohan, insisted she didn’t use during her cleaning spree and was under house arrest by both her eldest and youngest kids.

Hoseok had nothing against the nature walk, really he thought it was safe if it was him and not Elfie. But he knew his nine year old. The one who would all but freeze up at the sight of a bug. The idea that he of all people would ask to go on the walk. Though, Hoseok didn’t fail to realize Liam biting back tears each time a flying insect past his head a few times. Liam tensed once more as he viciously sought his surroundings as if something was about to grab him.

Elfie had mentioned he’s been acting weird… Hoseok thought to himself. Liam, though he was nine, was a crybaby. Well as Elfie would call it, a boy in tune with his emotions. Liam would cry if Yohan took control and made him do homework or clean his room. But as of late, he would do it with no tears or pouts. Hoseok wanted to think of it as a step in a good direction, but Elfie worried like crazy.

Hoseok let out a breath before he came to a stop, “Let’s rest a bit here.” He noticed two boulders beside one another and pointed, “We can sit there just careful of the bugs.”

Liam swallowed as he gave a stiff nod, “Okay…” His voice shook.

“What’s wrong?” Hoseok asked as his eyebrow rose.

“Nothing…” Liam stuck out his chest and took a breath, “I can sit there! That’s what big boys do! We’re fearless.”

Hoseok hummed, “Is that so?” He leaned against the larger boulder. “I don’t think big boys are fearless. I thi–” Hoseok froze as the color drained from his sons face. “What’s wrong?”

Liam pointed as a spot beside Hoseok on the boulder and screamed, “SPIDER!”

Hoseok jumped back as a scream left his lips. He watched the spider fall off the boulder and he moved further away in fear it would approach him. All the while, his son let out the loudest laugh he could muster in his tiny body. Hoseok put his hands on his knees, “I’m too old for this.” He looked at his son and threw up a hand, “And you–Why are you laughing at me? I could have died!”

“You’re such a scaredy-cat, appa!” Liam grinned.

“And here I had this whole speech about how being scared is a good thing…” Hoseok brushed his hands on his cargo pants. He cleared his throat as he straightened up, “How about we go to the park? Or better, a toy store. This place gives me the creeps.”

Liam nodded, “Me too.” Hoseok held out his hand and Liam took it as they walked back the way they came. “But, if mom asks… we did the walk.”

“Oh totally” Hoseok agreed.

Namjoon

Being two hard working parent, Sierra and Namjoon, would work crazy hours. They both missed out on a lot in their children’s upbringing, but they almost made a way to make up for it. And sure, they were both busy, but neither of them never neglected to see changes in their two sons. Especially with their oldest, eleven year old Shion. It wasn’t hard for Sierra to notice a major change.

It was minor things, the once athletic boy suddenly said how much he hated football and basketball and dropped the teams at school. He didn’t go over to friend’s homes after school and was often found in his room. He was harsher with his younger brother, Dabin. Sierra often had to intervene when her oldest said words that no child should say.

Then, she began to notice more. Shion came home with small cuts to some giant bruises. Every time she demanded what happened, he had a new excuse at the ready. “We were rough housing”, “We played dodge-ball and my skin bruises easily”, or the classic “I fell up some stairs”. Sierra was suspicious and she didn’t hesitate to confine in Namjoon and tell him what she suspected.

It was a Saturday and Shion was outside shooting hoops in front of the house. Sierra was making lunch with Dabin at her side which was enough for Shion to get a break from her peskiness. After a couple of dribbles behind what his mom had painted as the three pointer line, Shion took the shot. He watched the ball soar in the sky with excitement only for the ball to hit the rim and make a sharp left from the hoop. “Dang…” He scratched the back of his head as he headed to retrieve the ball.

“Head’s up” his dad called out before he passed the ball to Shion who caught it with ease. “What are you doing out here?”

Shion shrugged, “Clearing my head.”

Namjoon nodded, “Mind if I play you a bit?”

“Mom sent you here to talk to me, right? I told her I was fine. The bruises are from some games we played in gym. That’s it” Shion grew defensive as he pressed the ball into his side.

Namjoon held up his hands, “Hey, I believe you. I used to come home after playing football with a couple bruises, but I also knew a girl who had bruises for other reasons.” Shion’s head tilted to the side and Namjoon Walked past him to take a seat on the porch swing. Shion reluctantly followed curious about the story. 

“You see, she was super smart and musically gifted. I think a lot of people were jealous, but neither here nor there. She had a small group of close friends when I met her, but she was friends with everyone. I was an exchange student at her school. She was always pretty happy, but it changed one day. One moment she was always happy and the next she was friendless and alone. She was a perfect target for bullies at our school.”

Shion’s jaw dropped, “That’s messed up! I don’t understand why people do things like that. Was she pretty too?”

“Gorgeous.” Namjoon nodded, “I didn’t understand it. She shut down due to it all, but it only got worse for her. The verbal bullying became physical. At first, I thought it wasn’t any of my business. She wasn’t my problem.” Shion’s fist clenched as his eyes got darker and Namjoon noticed his demeanor change. “At least that’s what I thought at first. Until I saw her crying in the hallway after everyone had gone home. I don’t know why, but I had the urge to protect her.”

“So what’d you do?”

“I confronted the bullies. Told them I reported them to the office and our teacher and her mom. The school reacted fast too. Talked to the entire school about bullying and suspended the ones who put their hands on the girl. But it wasn’t enough for her, she had so many scars from her so called friends and so she switched schools.”

Shion frowned, “What happened to her? Did she get to be happy? Make friends? She can’t just be sad, right?” He began to panic.

Sierra walked out with Dabin tailing her, “What are you two doing over here?” She asked with her hand on her hip. 

Namjoon grinned sheepishly, “Telling him a story about us when we were kids.” Shion’s eyes widened as he looked from his mom to his dad who put his finger on his lips.

Sierra let out an exasperated sigh, “Don’t you go boring him. Dabin thought of a great idea and thought it’d be nice to go to the park and eat at the pond. You in?” She asked more towards Shion than her husband. He nodded with a smile on his face and Sierra walked over and kissed his forehead. “Good. Bring the ball, we can play at the basketball court too.” She kissed her husband’s cheek before she headed back inside with Dabin.

Shion whipped his head towards his dad with wide eyes, “That story was about mom?” He said a little louder than he expected.

Namjoon chuckled, “Yea… It was. Fear and being weak does things to all of us, but you never have to handle it alone. Your mom had me and the school and Nana K. You and Dabin have us, your uncles, and your grandparents of course. Nana K may be the last one to go to, she can be a bit eccentric. Even so, everyone has at least one person willing to help.” Namjook stood from the swing and stretched, “Now, let’s go get ready before mom starts lecturing me for making you drag your feet” he grinned.

Namjoon headed towards the front door when Shion abruptly stood. “Hey dad” he paused as his dad turned to him. He swallowed hard as he looked his dad in the eyes. His eyes began to water, but he refused to break down into tears, “I’m getting bullied at school… They hit and punch me and I don’t know what to do.”

Namjoon returned to his son’s side and threw his arm over his shoulders, “I know. We’ll deal with it Monday, okay?“

Shion spun the ball in his hands with a side grin, “Yea! First, I wanna beat you at basketball.”

Namjoon grinned widely as his son sprinted to the front door, “You’re on!” He rushed after ignoring the disproving tongue click from his wife as the two raced about the house before they got ready.

Jimin

Gymnastics ran in Yeona’s genes. Her dad was one of the best dancers she knew and her mom was an acrobatic and dance instructor. Even her older sister, Nari, was excellent in gymnastics even though she only learned it when she was five. Yeona though, she wasn’t graced with the natural art of dance or gymnastics. Not like her family. Sure, her dad, Jimin, took classes for dance, but her mom, Daeun, was already gifted with it from the stories her grandma told her. And Nari, she didn’t even like it. She quit because she liked volleyball more and she was still better than Yeona who’s been in classes since she was 3.

Seven years and she still didn’t feel like she was good enough. The pressure weighed on her as the junior competition neared. Her mom suggested Yeona should hold off another year as to not stress herself, but Yeona only took it as lack of faith. Yeona knew she wasn’t the best, but she thought she had some skills at least. Even now that was questionable.

It only got worse the day of the competition. Her mom and Nari were in the bleachers. Her mom analyzed each participant with a careful eye. Would her mom do the same to her? Would she judge her harsher being a Park? Nari met Yeona’s eyes and gave her two thumbs up. That only made the dread sink in. What if she missteps? Falls face first on the beam or somersaulted too much and hit the wall?

She swallowed hard as she felt a finger tap her shoulder. She turned around expecting her coach, Aunt Chaeyeon, to tell her it was her turn, but was happy when she was greeted by her smiling dad. “You made it!” She let out a relieved breath.

“Course I made it! I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He held out the flowers in his hands, “These are for you.”

Yeona giggled, “Where am I supposed to put those? I’m about to go out there” she nudged towards the stadium.

“Right…Right.” Jimin hit his hand against his head, “Your mom always says that I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached to my neck.” He pulled back the flowers and he extended a hand to hug her. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine” she let out a breath of air through her teeth. “I’m doing great. This is easy.”

“Nervous at all?”

She scoffed, “Dad, I’m a Park. We don’t get nervous.”

Jimin chuckled, “Your grandma got to you, huh? Parks’ get scared too. I was scared when I debuted even before then when I was learning to dance as a kid. I was always scared to screw up.”

Yeona smiled, “Yea, but dad. You and mom were both acrobatic and dancers, so why would I screw up?”

“Nerves do that to people, kiddo.”

Yeona deflated as her shoulders slumped, “I’m scared.” She sank down to the ground and her father followed suit.

Jimin nodded, “It’s normal. Everyone feels like that some point or another.”

“But, I’m like terrified. Like, I feel sick and I didn’t even eat this morning. What if I mess up? What if I disappoint you guys?”

“You can’t disappoint us! No way. It’s just your nerves talking.” Yeona bit her lip and Jimin grabbed her hand. “This will go away, you know? Once you keep performing. It’ll just stop. You’ll forget it ever existed. That’s what your mother and I did. We focused on our performances that our nerves were ignored.”

Chaeyeon approached the two, “Hey, no parents in this section. I already kicked your wife out.”

Jimin rolled his eyes as he slowly got to his feet, “What’re you gonna do? Kick me?”

“I’m not above kicking your butt in front of your child” she got in a fighting stance. Jimin held up his hands and Yeona let out a laugh. “You ready, Yo-yo? You’re up next.”

Yeona’s laughed ceased as she took a deep breath. She looked at her dad who gave her a nod. “Yea, I’m ready Auntie!”

“It’s coach” Chaeyeon whined as she walked Yeona to the stadium.

Jimin made his way up to his wife and daughter, Nari, who had her phone up ready to film. He took a seat by his wife and she rubbed his arm, “How’d it go?” She whispered.

Jimin grinned and took her hand into his, “I think she’ll be fine. She’s as determined as you are.” He looked down at his daughter. He noticed the shift in her demeanor as she took to the center of the padding and he could see the determined glint in her eyes.

Part I | Part III

Credit to gif owners

Written & revamped by Squirrelly831

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[buckyscrystalqueen]

Found

Pairings: Ex-Jax x Reader

Warnings: Angst, fluff, domestic abuse for a minute.... fuck, y’all I hate warnings!

Word Count: 3,429

A/N: So y’all really didn’t ask for it but you got a continuation of ‘Running’.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Abel, stay close, please.” You called out to your five year old as you picked up your one year old daughter, Charlotte, from the stroller on the first day of Abel’s summer break.

“Mumma, I go slide.” Thomas said in his half American, half English accent as the three year old slid out of his seat, and ran off to join his brother.

“Stay with Abel.” You told him as you ran your fingers through your dyed, dark red hair, pulled it over your shoulder, and walked a few steps over to the swing set. Your oldest, who had become the most caring, compassionate, and patient little boy in the world in the two years you had been in England, stopped on the steps to wait for his brother as you put your baby girl in the left most swing in the set so you could see the boy’s favorite slide.

“Are we swinging?” You asked little Charlie. Her smile was infectious as she kicked her legs and laughed at you. “Yea, we’re swinging.”

“Mama, watch!” Abel yelled as he sat down behind Thomas on the slide. You looked up and yelled ‘woo’ for the boys as they slid down the spiral slide together. “Good job! You gunna do it again?” The two brothers nodded and raced each other back around the playground to get to the stairs again. Just like you did each and every day you went to the park by your house with your children, watching them play and just be kids without having to worry about someone coming to kidnap them or a drive by shooting because of who their father was, you let out a sigh of relief.

“Mumma!” Charlie screeched with a laugh as she whacked her chubby fist on the front of the swing chair. Your smile grew as you took a step to the side and looked down at her.

“What? What are you doin?” You growled playfully. You held the swing in place for a moment and gave her a few loud kisses on the cheek so she would laugh loudly and whack at your face. With a laugh of your own, you stood up straight and went back to pushing her for a little while longer before you took her down the baby slide.

——

“Yea?” Jax asked into his phone as he walked away from the Red Woody door toward his bike. 

“Teller?” A voice asked. “Toby Anderson, Manchester charter. Listen, my old lady and I were at the park today with my boy. Saw a young red head with two little boys, and a little girl… She had a crow on the back of her left shoulder.” Jax’s stomach turned violently, and he felt his blood run cold as he stopped in the middle of the parking lot.

“The boys… how old…”

“One looked to be about five and the other three, maybe four. Little girl was no older than a year. She called one of ‘em Abel…”

“You fucking sure about that?” Jax said as he kneeled down, and put his hand on the hot asphalt to keep himself from falling over.

“I’d bet my kutte on it, brother.” Tears welled in the president’s eyes as he nodded his head.

“I want eyes on her.” He choked before he cleared his throat and sat back on his heels. “But my wife is smart. Keep your distance, no kutte’s, no bikes. She will spot you, and she spooks easy. I’ll take the first flight out I can get.” Jax looked over at Chibs as he hung up the phone and shook his head. “She has my kids in Manchester. (Y/N)… she has Abel and Thomas… and my daughter…”

“A’righ’, le’s go.” Chibs said as he helped Jax to his feet. “Le’s get a flight out’a ‘ere…”

“Just me.” He said with a shake of his head. “I need to do this…”

“I’m no’ lettin ye go alone, Jackie. ’s’not ‘appenin.” With a nod of his head, he grabbed his helmet from his motorcycle.

“We gotta go now. Before she moves them again.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Thomas, don’t climb up the slide.” You scolded as you changed Charlotte on the park bench. You put your hand on your daughter’s stomach and turned to look at him with your eyebrows raised. “One…” In typical Thomas fashion, he sighed dramatically and flopped down on the slide on his stomach. “That’s what I though.” You said with a nod as you went back to changing your little girl. You looked up again at the woman about your age that had been leaning against her black SUV since you arrived at the park as she dropped her fourth cigarette on the ground and finally went around to get in her car. You picked up Charlie carefully as an unease washed over you.

“Abel…” You called out hesitantly as the woman drove off. “Thomas, it’s time to go…”

“Daddy!” Abel cheered as he slid down the slide his brother had just tried to climb up, and went running. You lurched to your feet and whipped around as Jax crouched down behind you and picked up his oldest son. You felt Thomas slam into your legs and you put your hand on the back of his head as you held Charlie to your chest.

“(Y/N).” Your ex said as he walked over to you, as calm as could be. You shook your head, and slowly backed away from him, terrified of what he was capable of. He stopped directly in front of you, and put Abel down so he could reach out and take Charlotte from you.

“No… please…” You said as tears filled your eyes. He stayed deathly silent as he pulled his daughter from your arms and sat her on his hip.

“It’s time to go.” He said as he looked down at Thomas and held out his hand. “Come on, buddy.” You shook your head, and quickly picked up Thomas to keep him out of Jax’s reach.

“Give me back my daughter.” You nearly whispered as you searched Jax’s blue eyes. “Now.”

“We’re going home.” Was all he said as he grabbed your wrist and pulled you away from the jungle gym. “Let’s go, Abel.”

“It’s alright, Charlie.” You said to your daughter as she started to cry. “Mumma’s here.”

“For now.” Jax responded as he stopped long enough to put Charlotte in her stroller spot. “Abel, I won’t ask again!” Your oldest sighed and jumped down from the stairs. You scrambled to grab his arm but missed, which meant he ran to hold his dad’s hand instead. Never in your life had you actually been afraid of the man you had called your husband for almost ten years but in that moment, as he walked toward your car, and the car next to yours where Chibs was standing, with two of your three children in his reach, you were terrified.

——

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Jax yelled as he paced the kitchen of your home as you stood between him and the stairs that lead up to the three bedrooms of your fiancé’s house. “Think I’d give up looking for my kids?”

“I never thought that.” You said with a shake of your head. “All I thought about was getting my children away from the club and all the death and danger that came with it.”

“Oh, that’s bullshit.” He snapped. “They were never…”

“Don’t you fucking dare tell me they were never in danger, Jackson!” You screeched as you pointed behind you up the stairs. “Abel was kidnapped when he was a few months old and taken to Ireland by the IRA. I was kidnapped when I was pregnant with Thomas, and how can we fucking forget that both boys, the daughter I didn’t even know I was pregnant with, and I were almost blown up IN the supposedly safe clubhouse! So don’t you fucking dare tell me they were safe! They’re safe here!”

“No, you fucking kidnapped them.” He spat as he pointed at you. “You are the one who took them away from their father…”

“Jax, did you really not see how fucked up our son was?” You interrupted. “He brought a fucking knife for show and tell to fucking pre-school and told kids they needed to protect themselves.”

“Well they do…” Jax tried but you quickly shook your head.

“He was three years old, Jackson! He shouldn’t even know what fucking protection even meant…”

“The hell he shouldn’t!” Your ex tried but you continued.

“And Thomas? He was only one. After the bomb, he stopped eating, he stopped sleeping. He had night terrors for weeks after I brought him here. Weeks! His pediatrician was concerned that we were going to have to hospitalize him! He was just a baby! I almost miscarried our daughter from all the stress. So tell me how safe you think our children were.”

“You still had no fucking right to take my kids away from me!” He roared as the front door to your home opened behind you. “They are my Goddamn kids…”

“Not any more.” You said with a shake of your head as your fiancé, James walked quickly into the kitchen to find out what was going on.

“Who the bloody ‘ell are you?” He asked as he pulled you back a step behind him.

“Someone who’s taking my fucking kids home where they fucking belong.” Jax growled back as he grabbed a knife from the block on the counter and walked toward the stairs.

“You’re not touching one hair on my kids’ heads.”

“Jax stop.” You said as you forced yourself around James as he took a step back toward the stairs to protect the kids he had raised since a couple weeks after you got to the UK.

“Move.” He growled as he went to shove you out of the way.

“No!” You shouted as you pushed him a step back with all your might. You gasped and reached out to grab his shirt when he reflexively swung his arm out to stop you, sending the blade of your kitchen knife into your stomach. You felt the stainless steel cut easily through your skin just to the left of your belly button, and your muscles clenched around it, making it feel a thousand times worse. You let out another guttural gasp and stumbled a couple steps in sheer agony as he dropped the knife and grabbed your arms.

“Fuck! FUCK! Baby, I’m sorry! No!” Jax shouted as he pulled you into his arms and gently laid you down on the tile floor. Tears welled in your eyes as your blood pooled under your palms on your stomach. You tried to catch your breath and looked over to find your fiancé’s face as he ripped off his work suit jacket and balled it up.

“Move your hands, love. Move ‘em for me.” He said softly as he put his hands on your stomach, and pressed the material into your wound.

“Ba-bies…” You tried as Jax scrambled to find some mail or something with your address on it to give to the emergency operator.

“They’re alright, my love. It’s OK.” He said as he kneeled down beside you, fighting his own tears. “I’ll call my mum to take them when the paramedics come.”

“(Y/N), I’m so sorry.” Jax tried as he took off his flannel button down to help but your fiancé, who knew all about your ex husband and all your family had gone through because of him, glared at him, threateningly.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough?” He snapped. “Piss off, mate.” Jax nodded his head as you took a strangled gasp, and held on to James’ wrist.

“I l-love…” You tried as your vision started to tunnel.

“Stay with me, my love.” James said as Jax got up and ran to get the door to let the medics in before going to tell Chibs to keep the kids upstairs until your mother in law got there. Your eyes darted over to find his and a small smile pulled at your lips.

“Thank you.” You whispered before you lost consciousness.

——

“…Did you eat all your vegetables?” You heard James ask quietly from somewhere close but seemingly so far away. “Well, you know you can’t have any brownies until you’ve finished them, Abel… Yes, even if mummy is sick.” Your brow furrowed as you tried to figure out what happened and you whined as your mind started to catch up with the physical pain you were in. “Abel, let me talk to Nana.” He said over the squeak of a chair. “It’s alright, love. You’re in the hospital.” You shook your head, not understanding much of anything at that moment.

“Mum, I’ll call you later. She’s comin’ round. Make sure Abel finishes… thanks, Mum. I will. Love you, too.” You felt the bed dip at your hip as James sat down at your side and very gently picked up your hand. “I’m right here, (Y/N). You don’t have to wake up if you don’t want to. The kids are still with me mum. Been there all week…” Your brow furrowed even more as you finally forced your eyes open and looked at his blurry figure. He smiled broadly as a few tears fell from his eyes onto his blue button down shirt.

“Hi beautiful.” He breathed as he brushed your hair back off your face. “You came back to me.”

“What… hap…?” You tried, before cringing in pain.

“You were stabbed, baby.” He whispered. “It was an accident…”

“It hurts.” You groaned as you closed your eyes. 

“I know, my love. But they can’t give you anything for the pain. You’re pregnant, (Y/N).” Your eyes flew open and tried to focus on your fiancé as a mix of emotions flooded your soul.

“What?” He nodded his head, and cupped your jaw in his hand.

“Breathe for me, love. We’ll figure this out together.” You nodded in his palm and squeezed his hand, needing him to ground you. 

“Baby…” You whined in pain, fear, and happiness as tears fell on your cheeks and exhaustion hit you again. Your eyes fluttered as you tried to wrap your mind around everything and your fiancé nodded his head, and leaned forward to kiss your forehead.

“Get some sleep, darling. I’ll be right here.” You nodded your head once more and let your eyes fall closed as you snuggled into his palm. “I love you, (Y/N). It’s all going to be OK.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“… Look, I get that you don’t fucking like me.” Jax said a little loudly, pulling you from the dream you were having about walking on the beach with your family of four and James by your side. “I’m gone, alright. But you need to give this to her.”

“Give me what?” You groaned without opening your eyes. You sighed and pulled your heavy eye lids open as Jax stepped around James and came over to your bed.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.” He said as he pulled a chair over to sit beside you.

“I know.” You whispered as he set something your eyes couldn’t yet focus on on the bed by your leg. 

“You’re right…”

“I’m always right, Jax.” You breathed as you looked around for some water. As if he read your mind, your fiancé came over with a small glass of water. He told you to sip slow, as Jax nodded his head and ran his fingers through his hair.

“I know you are, babe.” He agreed. “You have been right since we were kids. You were right in saying that we shouldn’t legally get married. You were right in saying we shouldn’t bring kids into my world. You were right in getting them out and you were right in staying away from me.” You nodded your head and looked over at him as he picked up whatever he had brought with him and showed it to you. “It’s all the cash I could get Opie to send to me from the house. It’s a few hundred thousand and I know you left that shit behind on purpose but you need it…”

“Jax…” You tried but he shook his head.

“You need it.” He repeated as he held the cash up to James. “Take it.” With a glance down at your slightly annoyed sigh, and a moments hesitation, he took the cash from your ex. “I’m not coming back.” He finished as he looked back down at you. “I’m not seeing the boys before I go. I want you to tell them that I did this to you. No…” He said with a shake of his head when you opened your mouth to protest. “I’m a fucking monster (Y/N). I fucking stabbed the mother of my kids. And if you don’t fucking tell them, he will. I know he will.” He gestured to James, who was already nodding his head slowly. “You’re gunna tell all of them. Abel, Thomas, and our daughter…”

“Charlotte.” You whispered. He nodded his head and swallowed his feelings back, hard.

“You’re gunna tell them every single bad thing that I’ve put you through. All of it. I want them to fucking hate the idea of me. Thomas and Charlotte know him as dad… Abel will give into it one day, too. He’s obviously been a better father than I could ever be. So it’s for the best. You were right.” He said once more as he reached into his kutte pocket and pulled out a folded stack of papers. “So they’re yours.” You blinked a few times as he put the papers down on your thighs, and stood up from the chair. He searched your eyes with a sad, tight lipped smile and sighed. “I love you, (Y/N). But I hope I never see you again.” You closed your eyes and bowed your head as he gave you a chaste kiss on the forehead and walked out of the room. Tears welled in your eyes as James walked over and took the chair Jax had just vacated.

“I’m sorry, baby.” He whispered as he moved the papers off your lap so he could have his lawyer look at them later. “I know it hurts.”

“I just want it all to be over.” You cried, in both heart break and physical pain.

“It is, darling.” He said with a nod. “It’s all over now.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You could feel eyes on you as you stepped out of the church in your fitted mermaid dress, and they weren’t just the eyes of the hundreds of guests that attended your wedding behind you. You didn’t want to look, but you couldn’t stop yourself. Your eyes found those baby blues easily, leaning against a tree in the park across the street, sad, lost, lonely, but grateful all the same. His eyes left yours for a moment as Abel came running out of the church, calling for his dad, and you knew this was about to break your ex even more. 

“What are you doing?” James laughed as he turned and caught his son around the middle with a laugh.

“We can eat now, right dad?” The seven year old asked as he reached up his hand for your husband’s. James nodded his head as he picked up three year old Charlotte and headed down the stairs toward the waiting limo. You watched Abel wait long enough to take Thomas’ hand to help him down the stairs before looking back up at Jax. He nodded his head subtly, telling you so much in such a simple gesture, before he pushed off the tree and turned to walk away.

“(Y/N)?” Your mother in law, Anne said as she tapped your arm. “She wants you.” You put a smile on your face and a single tear fell from your eye as you turned to take one year old Grace from her arms.

“You ready to go dance?” You asked her as you fixed her light pink, ruffled dress over your arm and grabbed the hand rail and walked carefully down the stairs. “Let’s go dance, baby.” Your youngest giggled and reached up to play with your curls as you walked over to the limo.

“You alright?” James asked as he looked at your face in concern. You smiled and nodded your head as you glanced back up at the park.

“I’m perfect.” You said as you looked back at him. “I found my home.”

[pr3ttym3ssy]

Only Time Will Tell Pt.4

Only Time Will Tell

Part 4

Katie couldn’t even begin to explain how she felt. She had been staring at the button, now comfortably placed above her engraved last name on the lapel of her uniform. This would be the first of many more badges to come. She knew that from now, she was going to work very hard to ensure Earth’s safety and independence from the Galra. After the meeting had been over, she had been enveloped in hugs and kisses from her mother. Shiro and every other soldier in the room, praised her and stood in salute to her. The last to approach her were Iverson and her father, who both after giving her a salute hugged her so tight she felt the pride to her very core. 

She had to tell her friends, she had to tell Lance. He would be so excited, maybe even eliciting a hug from him too. With all the commotion, she hadn’t even had a chance to think about the night prior. She had been in his arms, he had held her tight and they had fallen asleep like that. Not to mention the fact he had dreamt about her. The way her name fell from his lips, so winded and pleading. Lance had dreamt about her and he had feigned innocence. Could it had been that intense that he didn’t want her to know. Katie could feel the heat rise to her cheeks, now walking towards the outside hall where she left the soldier.

“Katie? Sweetie, what’s wrong? You’re all flushed, do you want to have a seat before we leave? Would you like to go back to the hospital? Maybe all this was too much to handle….” her mother had managed to notice her crimson cheeks. Catching her completely off guard as well, Katie turned to her defensively. Her mother looking so concerned. Colleen hadn’t left her daughter side since after she had come home. Much less after the battle.

“hah no Mom please, I’m fine I promise. It’s just, your right, all of this was so sudden I wasn’t expecting any of this at all.” She said waving her hands slightly dismissively. She still felt so guilty for making her mother suffer for so long and now making her worry more was pure torture. Her gut couldn’t take any more guilt. “Mom, I’m sorry I keep making you worry like this. I meant it, I’m okay”, Katie said with a sure smile. Yea there is no way she’s going to talk to her mother about what and or who was making her so flustered.

Colleen, however was no fool and she knew her daughter better than that. She may had been gone for several years, but Katie was still Katie. No matter how much she had grown she was still her baby and they were both so similar. Like they had been cut from the same cloth. Katie wore her heart on her sleeve just like her mother did. Colleen knew that with time she would open up and talk about what was on her mind. “If you say so honey, just know that you can always talk to me’’, she smiled.

They walked together towards the main hallway away from all the soldiers that had now grouped together outside the council room. Different topics being thrown left and right, some about the newest Alien races that had arrived to Earth, others about their duties and the work they still currently had. One topic however caught her ear.

“So, who are you going to the party with?” she had over heard a female commander ask her subordinate. “I had asked my wife and her family to come with us” he answered. They had walked past her and her mother. Party? When?

“Hey mom, have you heard anything about a party?”, she asked her. Colleen looked at her surprised.

Of course, Katie might not have heard yet, with being in the hospital and all. She smiled at her daughter. “Yes, Lance’s mother and her family thought it would be nice to have a little party to liven things up. In lieu of recent events, she with the help of her daughter Veronica have set something up for tonight. They had a name for it in Spanish, I know it means Bonfire. They felt that we all need a little fun, we need to stand as a race in total solidarity and this party will help with that. I’m sorry honey I had completely forgotten to mention it.”

“It’s okay Mom.”

Bonfire? She had never been to one, even in the time before she went to space. Did Lance know about said party? He might, it was his family after all. They were bound to tell him. How come he hadn’t mentioned it though? She contemplated all these thoughts until she clearly heard the voice that had been haunting her most recent day dreams. Lance yelled out for her as she looked up to meet his eyes. He was in a full sprint, coming towards her. Katie could feel the heat rushing back to her face.

“Katie!!” he yelled again waiving at her. She half smiled, very awkwardly. Katie felt a pair of eyes searing at her side. Oh, yea her mother noticed, and just smiled knowingly. Colleen had known it was just a matter of time, she knew her kid well.

She patted Katie’s shoulder gently, “I’ll take my leave sweetie. Your father and I will see you at the party. Okay?”. With a wink and a smile, she took off and left Katie to her own defenses.

She turned her gaze back and before she knew, Lance’s good arm was around her waist and she was being lifted from the ground in a twirling motion.

“Lance! Oh my god put me down!”, her hands gripped his shoulders tightly. No one had ever done that, no one besides her father that is. This felt intimate, so new. Hi broad chest pressed tight against her. What was wrong with her, she never got that flustered around him.

“I’m sorry Pidgeon, I’m just so excited for you!” he chuckled ecstatically as he gently set her down.

“Excited?” she tilted a brow.

Lance smiled brightly at her “Yea, I heard about your promotion. You know I have connections, and long story short I found out about your new rank title.”

He had connections alright, she could see Veronica waving to her from her peripheral vision. Sporting a wide grin across her pretty face. All Katie could do was smile sheepishly and wave back at the older girl.

“So, I’m not sure if you have heard the rumors yet. I sure didn’t know until my mama’ and Veronica came to visiting hours and mentioned it, but there’s this party. I wanted to know if you m-might want to come with me?” he managed to squeak out his question, and Katie couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

The universe was really out to get her, she wasn’t sure how much more emotional stress her little heart could take. Lance was asking her to the party and she just stood there dumb founded.

“Y-you want m-me to go to the party, with you?”

It was his turn to be incredibly shy, and she was sure that he had never looked as handsome as he did that very moment. His caramel skin upon his cheekbones now had a rosy tint. Rubbing a hand behind his neck, pulling at the tiny strands of hair from sheer anxiety anticipating her answer. The boy she had been sure could never possibly be interested in her, had asked her to the party. In return was looking as disgruntled as she had a few seconds prior.  

“unless o-of c-course you’re thinking of going with someone else that’s t-totally understandable”, he stammered on barely taking a breath, not meeting her gaze. The very thought of rejection shook him, and he had to steel himself when he saw her take a breath. ‘Damn, she’s going to turn me down’.

“I’ll go.”

“It’s okay Pidgey. I’m sure you’d much rather go….wait W-what?”, he stopped whilst shooting an incredulous look at her.

“I’ll go to the party with you,” her cheeks now rosy as well, made the amber in her eyes all the brighter. ‘Damn, she is beautiful’.

“Really? Awesome!” he balled up his fist in a triumphant gesture.

Veronica stepped up, after hearing that Katie had accepted. Taking the conversation into her own hands, “I’m glad to know you’ll join us.” She softly placed a hand on Katie’s shoulder, “it will be a Fogata party, a bonfire. We’ll have music and food and so much fun. It’s time we all got out of our funk and actually started behaving like humans again.”

Katie liked the idea, when her mother had mentioned it there had been a shimmer in her eyes. After the Galra invasion, there had been a change in the multitude. The tumultuous time brought it out of everyone, they had all been on guard. Now it was time for change. They had their time to mourn the lost, now it was time to celebrate their victory.

“This all sounds like fun, I’ve never been to a bonfire party. Maybe because I’ve never really lived by the coast. I’m more of a city girl,” she admitted and both Lance and Veronica’s jaw dropped. This poor girl, she was in for a good time, they would make sure of it.

“I wouldn’t even know what to wear. Don’t know if there is anything I could wear, with all the damage and the city being in ruins”, she shrugged.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Actually, the city has been slowly brought up again while you and the rest of the crew were recuperating. We could go on a run to find something for you to wear. Or if you’d like I could also lend you some clothes, I still have this really pretty dress that I was saving to give my niece Nadia when she came of age.”

Dress? Lance’s ears perked up at this and felt extremely hot, he was brought back to his previous dream. The sunset, the beach, the light peach tint of Katie’s lips brushing his. He hoped that the heat from his ears didn’t reach his cheeks again and completely betrayed him. He would get to see Pidge in a dress.  Since when had he been reduced to this, flustered mess of emotions. He was never like this when Allura was near.

‘Because you actually have feelings for Katie you dumb dumb’, the little voice in his head deadpanned. Somehow the little voice in his head sounded a whole lot like Veronica. He was so lost in thought he didn’t hear the real Veronica trying to coax him from his daydream.

“Lance! Hey! You with us?” Veronica asked frustrated. “Hey space cadet, come back to us please,” she snapped her fingers in front of his face. “We’ve decided, Katie will come to our quarters to get ready. We’ll meet you at the Fogata once we’re done. Deal?” her arm was now around Katie’s shoulders in a half hug. Katie’s cute blush now tinting her face again. ‘She’s so cute, and she’s going to the party with me’ he thought to himself. He felt like the luckiest guy.

“Sounds like a plan, besides I have to go get this thing removed”, Lance slightly lifted his casted arm. “I was discharged today and told I don’t need this anymore’’, he said turning to Katie. “So anyway, see you tonight?” his gaze soft. Blue eyes met Amber with longing and a hint of something, she didn’t want to get her hopes up for.

“Yea, see you there.”

They walked towards opposite directions, when through the intercom a very frustrated woman’s voice sounded through the halls.

“Would Cadet McClain, please return to his hospital room.”

‘Oh quiznak’ he thought, Katie walking away with Veronica just giggled.

The sun had set, and the decorative lights had been strung along a common area outside the Atlas. The Atlas had stood idle after the battle. She had been reduced to go back to her ship form in order for the paladins and everyone else to be treated for wounds as well as to reunite families.

The party would soon been in full swing, Lance’s mother had overseen the food preparations, while his father had been working with him and his brother’s on gathering lumber for the bonfire. He had taken time after the preparations to tell the team about the Fogata. Hunk and his family had been all in for the festivities, Shay would be his plus one. Coran and Romelle had been nothing less than intrigued by this human custom and had been looking forward to being honorary humans for the night. Allura had already known, she and his sister had been recently working together. With all the Galran tech and the fact that they had still been trying to find all the missing pieces of the Galran battle beast. Veronica had mentioned it during.

Keith was the tough one, he had practically almost begged him to go. Keith had only feigned disinterest, to his chagrin. After messing with Lance, he finally admitted he wouldn’t miss it. Especially if it meant that he would see Lance make a fool of himself if he decided to dance. Lance couldn’t complain though, he was more than happy that his relationship with the red paladin had gotten much better with time. He could now sincerely say that he was Keith’s right-hand man, as well as he was the right hand of Voltron.

Lance had finished up his duties, taken a quick shower and taken his time on choosing what he would wear. He wanted to look good for his girl. His girl, he really liked the sound of that but no. He wasn’t going to get ahead of himself. She could still very well reject his advances. He would try his best to earn her trust and romance her. He wasn’t the young adventurous man he had been 4 years ago. He had grown, emotionally and mentally. The new Lance was analytical and practical, two important virtues that he had learned from no one else but Katie. The very thought made his stomach flip. She was so good for him, he just hoped that she agreed that he was good for her too.

He stood in his assigned room rummaging through the clothes his family had managed to salvage for him. Giving himself a final look over the mirror. He was very vain, he could comfortably admit that. If he was being completely honest with himself, he looked great. He had chosen a light blue button up collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, untucked. He had some khaki straight legged pants with his regular sneakers on. He had gelled his hair back and to the side, successfully achieving a coiffed look.

He was seeing himself for the first time in weeks, the remnant scars of the battle now clear on his person. Rosy like scars gracing his once perfect unblemished skin.  He also noticed the defined muscle on his forearms and collar area. Which could be nothing short of expected from the training with the simulator at the castle of lions all those times. Past Lance would have flipped at seeing his perfect skin scarred and marred to no repair. The thought alone caused a simple chuckle now. No matter, he had a party to attend and a beautiful little genius to swoop off her feet.

When he got to the party, he saw his family and friends eating and talking animatedly. The rest of the crowd was filled with officers and soldiers in their civilian clothes. He could hear music playing in the back ground, the sound so familiar. Like the summers in Havana when he would visit his uncles, who had been big Salsa musicians in their day. Playing music for him and his siblings, his mother and father teaching him the basics of Salsa dancing. He smiled at the memories. The tradition had been continued through his brothers Marco and Luis and even himself on the guitar. His brothers smiled and waved at him, Marco shouting his direction.

“Lance! Hermano! *Que bola? How are you feeling?”, Lance walked towards them both and greeted them.

“I’m feeling great, you know me I bounce back quick. By the way, I’m looking for my friend. Have either of you seen a short young lady with round glasses?”, he placed his hand near his chest gesturing at her estimated height.

“You mean miss Holt, no bro I haven’t seen her. Is that who you looking good for. *Estas’ hecho un Mango! your looking handsome little bro.”

“It’s not like that, at least not yet” he pouted at Marco’s teasing.

Marco just laughed, he missed teasing his younger brother. “Well if it does become that, I’m proud of you. She’s a good girl and from what we’ve heard she’s a spitfire that one. You remember what Papa’ and Mama’ taught us, you respect her *muchacho. Take good care of her.”

“I think It will be the other way around, she’s always saving me. But, I will brother. I’ll catch you both a bit later maybe play a *bolero with you both. I miss playing.” Waving goodbye, he returned to his earlier mission.

He began to skim the crown for a mop of honey locks and a pair of round glasses, but nothing. Looking over at the 3-foot fire blazing in the pit, he approached Hunk and Shay. They both each had a plate of food and were sitting next to the pit.

“This- Bonfire, you called it right? It’s so pretty and lively”, Shay said astounded.

“Yea, it is isn’t it. Back in Samoa where my mother is from, we have these fun festivals. Very much like this one” Hunk said proudly before popping a garlic knot into his mouth. “Oh, hey look its Lance,” he waved him down.

“Hey guys, I hope you’re having fun. By chance have either of you seen my sister Veronica or Ka-…I mean uh Pidge?”.

‘Smooth dude, way to almost blow your cover’, he thought to himself.

“No man, haven’t seen them. Great party though, I really missed your mom’s garlic knots”, he said whilst chewing said knot. Shay just nodded in agreement.

“Hah, thanks. You and me both my man. I’m going to go look for them, catch you guys in a bit”, he assured as he walked away.

He kept searching and searching to no avail. He was stopped from his search as he felt a slight tap on his shoulder. The act bringing him from his reverie, excitedly turning his gaze to only find Allura behind him. She looked like the very ethereal princess she was. Her tresses falling like silver white cascades over her shoulder and down her back. She was wearing a traditional pink Havanan dress, he recognized as being worn before by his sister Rachel. The trim of the dress low at chest level, leaving her shoulders bare to the night chill. The waist line tight against her frame, accentuating her curves. She looked amazing, and yet he could be far from interested compared to before.

“Lance, this human custom is so much fun. Look, your sister Rachel even managed to loan me a dress for the occasion. How does it look?” she sincerely asked him, twirling in a circle to show herself off.

“You look great Allura, beautiful as always. I’m glad your having fun”, he shot her a genuine smile.

“I was wondering we could spend some time, maybe you could teach me more about your family’s custom’s and festivities like these. Veronica had mentioned many holidays that you all share together as a family.”

He was about to reject her request, when from behind Allura he saw his sister Veronica. She looked great in her red form fitting cocktail dress, it made her blue eyes pop. He remembered many times that he had to scare off possible jerks, trying to pine after his beloved sisters. His sisters were very beautiful, so him and his brothers always had their hands tied trying to pry the scumbags away from them. His eyes then wandered to the person she was talking with.

Next to her was this beautiful vision in a periwinkle colored dress. His breath hitched when he noticed her smiling and laughing with his sister. Her bare shoulders and how the dress hung from her slender neck like a collar. The back of the dress fell slightly low to the small of her back leaving the freckled skin there exposed. His finger tips itched, he could already feel the soft skin and he hadn’t even touched her yet. She had also opted to pinning her hair back into a simple, yet elegant style and she wasn’t wearing her glasses. A bright pink flower was securely pinned upon her left ear. She had a pair of small wedged sandals that complimented her dress and not to mention her pretty, slender and toned legs.

‘Oh quiznak, she’s breathtaking. Crap, I’m in trouble.’

She looked like she was looking for someone, probably him. As she caught his gaze he felt his blood freeze. Had she caught him ogling her from a distance. He probably looked like a creep to her. All those thoughts flew out the window when she began to wave at him with a big smile on her face. She was going to start walking over towards him, when she noticed who he was standing next to she stopped.

“Hey there Assistant Chief of Communications, congratulations on your promotion”, James Griffin startled her, coming towards her from behind her. Drink in hand, he flashed a lop-sided grin at her. That title was going to take some getting use to, but she couldn’t help the swelling in her chest at the sound of it.

“Thanks Griffin”, she reciprocated.

“Please, call me James. May I call you Katie? I heard you go by another name?” he politely asked.

James was nothing short of a gentleman and that southern drawl that he tried to hide so well just made his appeal even more endearing.

“My family and friends call me Pidge actually, Katie is okay too.”

“Well Katie, it’s a pleasure to formally meet you again. Now in a much different circumstance. I hope it’s not too forward of me, but may I say, you look amazing. May I get you something to drink or eat. I’ve heard that Mrs. McClain has some mad cooking skills.”

Katie looked over to Lance, he was still looking at her. She could tell Allura was talking to him, but his eyes were glued to hers.

“Thank you, James. umm sure, I could go for some food. I’m pretty hungry” she agreed, she wasn’t going to just stand in the way of Lance’s chance with Allura. She started following James towards the food tables.

What in the heck! She was walking away with James? Why, did she not see him? He could feel his chest tighten with every step she took away from him.

“Lance? Are you alright?” Allura asked her voice dripping with concern.

“Yea, hey listen I’d love to stay and talk but there is something I need to do right now. I’m sorry, maybe you can ask Veronica. I’m sure she would be more than available to give you the run down. Okay? Have fun.”

With that he was gone, full on stride towards Katie’s direction. He could feel Allura’s gaze burning him as he walked away. Catching Veronica in his way he interrupted her conversation with another officer.

“Vero, please take care of Allura. I feel bad, I had to leave her a bit confused. I must go get Katie, she’s with James. She saw me talking with Allura, and I don’t want her getting the wrong idea”, he whispered into his sister’s ear. She nodded her agreement and excused herself from the officer she had been talking with.

Lance was determined to reach her before anyone else tried to stop him. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy run through him. James was a total stud, he knew him since they were kids. They shared some qualities, cockiness, vanity, but James however was very smart. He knew what James was capable off. From the beginning he knew what he wanted to be and what he could be if he set him mind to it. There was no impossible with him, which made Lance very self-conscious.  Lance could lose Katie to him if he wasn’t careful.

Lance reached his destination, standing behind Katie. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and he smiled towards James. A total fake smile, James could understand what was going on.

“Hey there James. You don’t mind that I take Katie from you for a bit, right?”

“L-Lance? What are you doing?”, Katie said in a harsh whisper.

“U-um s-sure, by all means go right ahead”

“Thanks man”, Lance replied with a smug grin on his face.

He pulled her towards the crowd, away from James. Katie had a firm pout, now contorting her lovely face. He managed to find a place near the fire pit. He stopped them there and tried to talk to her.

“Katie….”

“What the heck Lance! Why did you do that. James was just being nice, he was offering me a drink and some food. Did you really have to take me from there” she crossed her arms. Meeting his gaze, she now noticed had turned to a look of hurt.

“I’m sorry! It’s just…. nothing never mind”, how could he tell her he had felt jealousy. How could he tell her that she looked so beautiful and he didn’t want to share her with anybody? That he had asked her to the party as his plus one and that he was feeling very territorial. He couldn’t, she was her own person and he would never want to make her feel like she wasn’t allowed to do as she pleased. Besides, she wasn’t his girlfriend yet. He had messed up and was now at a loss of words.

“No Lance, you don’t get to do that. You already didn’t tell me what you dreamt about this morning. You just pushed it aside and disregarded it. You had mentioned me in your sleep.” She jabbed her index finger into his chest. “Are you going to talk to me?” she asked him very much angry at this point.

His eyes turned somber, he didn’t even know how to begin. He had told himself he wouldn’t spill his guts to her. He was going to keep his promise even if it killed him on the inside. What would he gain from telling her. That he had had an epiphany that morning. That the very thought of her in his arms sent his heart spiraling and he felt total longing. She wouldn’t believe him. Quiznak, why had he been such a dumb flirt in the past. Katie would think he still had feelings for Allura. She spoke up, breaking him from his thoughts.

“Besides, you were talking with Allura. I didn’t want to interrupt you guys, I’d just get in your way” she coldly stated, the acidic words falling from her lips.

“Ugh! What is with you, I’ve already told you that it’s not like that. I don’t have those feelings anymore!” Lance said exasperatedly. He was going to do it, he couldn’t stop that feeling of wanting her to know everything. He stopped himself, when he heard more music playing. A very familiar tune that he had heard before.  

‘Son muchos años que pasaron sin decir te quiero, y en verdad te quiero, pero encuentro formas de engañar mi corazón’

He sighed and held out his hand for Katie to take, “Come follow me”.

She hesitantly took his hand in hers, he pulled her towards the sound of the music playing. Lance’s brother Luis singing the melody of the song. It had been a lively tune, but they had changed the rhythm to a slow melody.

 ‘Fue muchos años que pasaron sin robarte un beso, solo quiero un beso y por tu boca no me importa ser ladrón’

“Dance with me?” he asked her. She looked nervous, he stopped her before she could decline. “It’s okay if you don’t know how, just following me.” Katie nodded her approval. Her blush now very evident on her cheeks. His hands hesitated, hovering near her waist. “May I?”, he asked her permission.

“What?”

“Hah, may I touch you? You know… place my hand on your waist?” he chuckled.

“Nothing stopped you the night before,” she said not meeting his gaze.

His laugh was timid as he gently placed his hands on her waist, she was a spitfire for sure. He slowly moved them at a steady pace.

“Just follow me, okay. I promise I won’t do anything too crazy just nice and simple steps.

Katie placed her hands on his shoulder, really taking in the height difference between them. She noticed that, with all the time they had spent in space she hadn’t notice how much they changed. She wasn’t so young anymore. She had at least grown two more inches, during her time there. She could easily reach his chin now. Looking at their feet moving in sync, she realized she was really dancing.

“What’s wrong?” Lance asked her, looking down at her trying to meet her eyes.

“Nothing, just I’ve never really danced, and I can’t believe I’m actually doing it. Hah, I bet you did this all the time growing up huh?”

“It’s a family thing, I’d always watch my parents teach my siblings and then eventually teach me. Especially because when we would go to parties, dumb guys would always ask my sisters to dance. But they sucked at dancing so my sisters always found their dance partner in us. Ever since Marco got married and Nadia and Sylvio were born, it was just Luis and I taking my sisters to parties.”

“Haha, oh boy. So, you’re an expert then, should I feel intimidated? I feel completely inadequate compared to you”, she teased.

“Psssh, this is nothing. I’ll show you real dancing, some day. I don’t want to scare you away right now” he equally teased her back.

She chuckled and turned to Lance’s brothers playing the same melody, she liked how it sounded even if she couldn’t understand the words.

“Hey Lance, what is your brother singing. It sounds like a nice song, almost romantic.”

“Oh um…” he hesitated, feeling a surge of heat to his face. “Well the song is about a guy telling the girl he likes that he knows he has taken his time to tell her how he really feels. He also asks her if she would allow him to steal a kiss and her heart so they can be together.”

“But isn’t that superfluous, it wouldn’t really be stealing if he has to ask right?”

“Haha you would think, it sounds nicer in Spanish. It doesn’t always translate the way it should”, he liked this. Like all the tension from before had melted away. They were their usual selves now, except now the teasing felt more like flirting. It wasn’t like their usual conversations.

Enjoying the full extent of her body pressed against him, he lost himself in the music. Keeping a steady rhythm for her to follow him, and she began to feel more comfortable herself. She placed her hands behind his neck. The act startled him, but not so much that he pushed her away. In fact, he relished in the moment and pressed her much closer. He felt bold enough that he spun her around, eliciting a laugh from her. That laugh, he loved it so much. More so because he had caused it. As he pulled her back to him, her hands found the nape of his neck again. 

She slightly threaded her fingertips through the small hairs that laid there. Katie’s eyes found his, and for just a second, he saw something in them. So deep and tender. God, could it be that she felt everything he was feeling. Could it be that she felt something for him too? It felt like gravitational pull was drawing them closer and closer, noses brushing.  She has freckles, on dotted along her nose and on the apple of her cheeks. Along her shoulders and he wanted to trace each one. Draw constellations on her skin. Their lips so close to touching just like in his dream, but he stopped himself.

“Katie wait”

She realized what had almost happened, like waking from a trance. “Oh my god, Lance I’m so sorry!”, she tried to pull away from him. “I swear I don’t know what came over me.”

“No, Katie wait”, he kept her from pulling any further away. As the song came to an end, a faster paced one came along. Veronica and her sister Rachel had pulled some people over to join the area for dancing.

“Come, follow me. Can we please talk?”, he decided that after what almost transpired between them. It was no better time than to confess what he felt within him. With everything they had lived and survived, Lance knew that there was no time for what if’s anymore. He would speak from the heart.

Katie nodded. Grabbing her hand tightly in his, he pulled her away from the growing crowd of dancers and towards the Atlas where the Lions stayed idled like the great giant guardians they were.

 Part 3

Sorry I took so long to finish this, as you can see it a hefty chapter, but I couldn’t help myself. I hope you like it. I’m a firm believer that good things take time.

I used some of the lyrics from “Dejame Robarte un Beso” from Carlos Vives. They translate as,

‘Many years passed without being able to say I love you, and I really love you. But I keep finding way to lie to my heart’

‘Many years passed without being able to steal a kiss, I just want a kiss, and for your lips I don’t care if I’m a thief’

&

Marco uses some Cuban lingo, for example.

“Hermano, Que Bola?” – means “Brother, what’s up”

“Estas hecho un Mango” – literally means you are a mango, but in Central America, when you refer to someone as a mango its because they look handsome or beautiful.

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

the ultimate citation list for Schneider of ODAAT, volume 1

A reference collection of quotes and details, organized chronologically, for the first 26 episodes of One Day At A Time. Used to create this character guide.

“Can you believe it's only been 10 months since you moved in? I remember 'cause I got my five year sober chip and your mom baked me that cake. I enjoyed watching you guys eat it." 1x01

"You're 40 and you look stupid." “I'll have you know, I was invited to several Pride parades." 1x01

Uses a “very expensive” Damascus steel hammer. 1x01

"I've been doing some outreach down at the rec center, talking to at-risk youth. You guys wanna start takin' bets? Actually, scratch that. I'm addicted to gambling.” 1x01

"Love isn't even real. It's just something your nanny says sometimes to your dad." 1x02

"Hey, I may have money in the bank and two living parents, and four living stepmothers but there is a hole in here. We never had family meals. I ate alone in front of the TV. Oh, don't get me wrong. It was a massive TV. Sometimes my nanny would join me, but only if I agreed to watch telenovelas. This one time, Rosa got jealous of the housekeeper 'cause she was makin' a move on her man, so she threatened to throw live scorpions on her while she slept. Rosa was my nanny. Ex-nanny. Now, stepmother." 1x03

[Lydia and Pen fighting] “It's startin' to feel kinda like home in here.” 1x03

Schneider cooks fancy hipster food. "Nutted quinoa, wilted broccolini with radish micro-greens, and venison carpaccio on a bed of nettles. Grab a cedar plank and dig in." 1x04

"Always interesting to be the sober one at a dinner party." 1x05

"I immigrated here illegally. I'm a Canadian. But yeah, born in the 'Couve, overstayed my student visa, forced to live in the shadows of Pepperdine University. Anyway, it's fine now. My lawyers made it all okay." 1x05

Uses sheet masks, knows about chauffeurs, butlers, estates. 1x06

“The kids barely touched my black olive tapenade.” “Thanks for helping out, but maybe next time pick a food a kid would wanna eat or has heard of.” “Yeah, and maybe next time, don't hand out masks with my face on them.” 1x07  

"The members of my college band have finally put aside our differences and we're reuniting to play at the fair this afternoon. My band, Full Sail, plays yacht rock. These guys were like family. I used to show up at their dorm rooms unannounced and just hang out for hours and hours and hours." 1x07

"We were setting up for the show and our keytarist threw a decorative anchor at me. This is why Full Sail broke up in the first place. Too many passionate personalities." 1x07

Has a magnifying glass in his costume trunk. 1x07

"I know nothing about my grandparents and I never will. And they live in Pasadena!" (but he goes to 'the depot' in Pasadena) 1x09

"I have never seen such un-professionalism. This is why I don't work!" 1x09

"I need to find a new place to get my eyebrows threaded." 1x10

Has a safe. 1x10

"Well, Father believed it's best to have this kinda discussion in a car because you don't have to make eye contact. Plus, you're traveling in the same direction, which fosters intimacy. So we're in the Bentley with our chauffeur, Paco. Father said it's time to have the talk. We came to the next stoplight. He hopped out, Paco told me everything." 1x10

"I didn't get the period talk till I was 12. Paco just called it 'Shark Week.'" 1x10

"When I was a kid, there was an adult section in the back of the video store. Behind the beads. I'd always chicken out and just rent a Jane Fonda workout tape. Still worked. Still works." 1x10

"You'd be surprised how many of my hookups started with 'Ugh!' ...When I was 15, I told Father I wanted to be a professional tap dancer. He laughed. It was that lack of support that contributed to my drinking and drug problem. Oh, do you find that amusing? Because 15-year-old Schneider's drinking peach schnapps out of an unused tap shoe right now." 1x11

"You have a girl over here and you were offering to have sex with me?" - "Yes, Penelope. That's the kind of friend I am." 1x11

"My dad never came to my games. All he ever did was put me through rehab six times and buy me this building." 2x01

"Maroon 5 is the best." 2x01

"Okay, I decided to take a break from dating. See, I realized that women were just another one of my addictions, like alcohol, drugs, gambling, cigarettes, snow globes. The point is, I've broken the cycle of addiction with spinning. Five hours a day, every single day. I have to do it! Plus, it's the perfect substitute for dating, 'cause it burns a lot of energy and also numbs my junk!" 2x02

“Snow globes? Is this one of our family?” 2x02

"I come over, tell him to do stuff to me, he does it, I go home. You should get one." "I think what Nikki was kinda dancing around is that you don't always have to have a relationship with a capital "R." Sometimes all you need is what the great poets of the Renaissance called a junk buddy." "Exactly. You don't even have to like them." 2x03

"See, the great thing about having a green card is you get to live here without having to do all the stuff Americans have to, like vote or serve jury duty or become obese."

"Okay, but at least you vote in Canadian elections." "Mmm. No. Even in Canada, nothing ever changes. Clean air, sensible gun control, free health care. The system's rigged." 2x04

Can picture himself “doing it” with Elizabeth Warren, was Stephen Hawking for Halloween. 2x04

"You have to pay taxes with a green card? I just texted my accountant, and he said 'cause I'm in the highest income bracket, I don't have to pay taxes." 2x04

Keeps on hand: panic room, gas mask, water purification pills, MREs, enough cash to get to Cape Verde by boat. Followed Max on Instagram. Would be honored to be Penelope's maid of honor. 2x05

"I'm very patriotic. Look in that basket. There's a bald eagle thong." 2x06

All Elena's video game equipment belongs to him. 2x06

"Penelope, tell my third stepmother I loved her! Not the second one, though. She was kind of a jerk." 2x06

"Hummer limo's downstairs. My third stepmother used to take me to the racetrack to spy on Father. For the longest time, I thought she was saying, 'Your father is with Rebecca, that horse!' It's like I'm back at the racetrack with my stepmom. What's next? Throw a mint julep in his face?” 2x07

"I love Cuba! I've been there four times. Property manager, job's just temporary. My father owns the building. I'm really a musician. Play a lot of rap-rock-ska. I'm like a male Gwen Stefani. When you're hiring a nanny, make sure she's not too hot. That's how I met my fifth mom. I had four nannies and look at the results." 2x08

Did not speak a word of Spanish when he first met them, is interested in single moms. 2x08

"If you joined an adult kickball team after saying you were too busy to join mine, you are on a long road to forgiveness." 2x09

"Your idea of stress is when your chest-waxer goes out of town." "Roberto is the only one who doesn't make it sting!" 2x09

"I shouldn't have to need these either, but I do. To see. So it's Fourth of July, 2011. I'd been sober for a while, so I thought I'd celebrate with a beer. Woke up three days later in an alley. Then the bowling ball hit me. I was in the gutter for a long time. It's really slippery without the shoes. That was the day I truly accepted that I can't have alcohol or drugs, ever. Not a beer, not a glass of wine, not even six hits of acid at a Grateful Dead show, no matter how well it makes me dance. I kinda get where you're coming from. There's something I want that I can't have for the rest of my life." 2x09

He and Pen are best friends. Also considers Max his bestie. Wants to Netflix and chill with them both, together. 2x09

"My abuelita used to put Vicodin in her coffee. And her lemonade and her sandwiches. Maybe she had a problem. As my father said to me on my ninth birthday, 'You don't need me anymore.' I use my garage for pickling and sea horse breeding." 2x10

Loves puns. "This is Elena Alvarez, my handyman mentee. Or handy-manatee." "The toilet is a cruel mistress. She is flush with complications." 2x10

"Herb and Sherb McGurb. Her real name is Sheryl, but she gets a kick out of Sherb." 2x10

"Bonsai's for dorks. This is penjing. The gentle Chinese art of tray scenery. Now that you're working for me, I finally have some leisure time." "Oh, look, there's little people. Wait, is that my family?" "Could be any Cuban family." 2x10

"I may only look two or three years older than you, but I have the wisdom of that ancient bonsai!" 2x10

"Always take the lemonade. That's Handyman 101! So you watched Jeopardy with them and then what? Well, now we know what your problem is! You fixed their toilet, but you didn't fix their souls. Elena, growing up, I had everything. But I was always alone. I don't want my tenants to feel that way, so I do more than just fix stuff. Apartment 306, macrame with Mrs. Watson. 201, lose at chess to Mr. Roth. 402, listen to all their Cuban nonsense. That's the job. That's what takes four hours. That's the difference between being a handyman and a super." 2x10

Has heard 'you're fired' a lot. 2x10

"After a grueling 30 minutes of thought, Nikki, will you be my starter wife? You're on the rebound. That's the best time to get married. You don't have time to think. So you were never thinking about me? My emotions? My feelings? You used me, Nikki, Finn's mom! And not in the way I like! And that's not all, Sister Barbara. We knew each other. Biblically. And while we were doing it, she took the Lord's name in vain. A lot!" 2x11

"Last night, I was testing the pH of the water in my seahorse ranch and, as I looked at those vomiting little guys, I realized I suck at tests. All tests. Drug, sobriety, vision, IQ, smog. You name it, I fail it!" 2x12

"Have you ever been arrested?” “Does public nudity at a hockey game count?” “There is, uh, no mention of a public nudity charge in your file.” “Oh, you just go to YouTube and type in 'Zam-boner.'" 2x12

"Yeah, they didn't specifically ask if I got drunk and tried to ride a moose, so after that I was golden." 2x12

"How important is having kids to you?" "Never really thought about it." 2x12

"I'll have you know I babysat my babysitter's kids while she was babysitting my dad, so, yeah, I got a little experience under my belt. Oh, it's my cousin Gordy. He still thinks I'm full-on Canadian. All right, good news is Gordo bought it. Bad news is I'm judging a poutine festival in Saskatoon next week." 2x12

"You're the single greatest mother I know." "Thank you. That means a lot coming from a guy with five moms." 2x12

"Fuzzy Afghan she likes, picture of the Pope, picture of a different Pope, picture of your dad, picture of the family, picture of me with the family, picture of me by a waterfall. I'm just gonna keep talking 'cause I'm not good in crisis situations." 2x13

"It's so crazy how we're both immigrants. I mean, I would never compare my story to yours, but the parallels are spooky. You were 18, I was 18. You left your family behind. I left four step-families, a maid, a butler, a chauffeur, and a horse groomer who really got me. But Father was expanding his business to the US and so I had to go. I remember, at the airport, I was crying. But Father put his arm around me and he said, 'Son, only losers cry.' So that was a long flight. You don't know how dirty a dirty look can get until you're crying for a whole plane ride and you're not a baby. I really didn't wanna be in America. So I drank. And I recreated the snowy plains of Canada with cocaine. I'm told I attended classes at Pepperdine University, but I will have to take that on faith. So, I'm in a detox center in El Segundo. This was my fourth rehab. My re-re-re-rehab. I thought I'd been doing a kickass job keeping my drug stuff a secret from all the tenants and then you showed up in my room at that clinic. You brought me sopa de pollo and said it's Cuban penicillin. You told me, 'You eat this, you get some sleep, and tomorrow, you try again.' And then you tucked me in and kissed me good night on my forehead. Forehead kisses are wildly underrated. Just something really comforting about 'em. Then again, it might just be you. Dad never did that. Or my horse groomer. After I got out of rehab, I started hanging around your apartment a lot more, 'cause it helped. Back then, it must have felt like you had this annoying, intrusive guy over. Not like now. 'Cause now you're my family. Don't worry. I haven't legally changed my last name to Alvarez. My lawyer said it was a whole thing, so... Anyway, Pen said no crying, so I'm not gonna. Actually, for once, I agree with Father. Only losers cry. And we're not losing anybody today. Let's hit that oath ceremony soon, okay?" 2x13

[ikonislife]

Little One.

-Jinhwan x Reader

-Fluff, parent au, mentions of sex

Being the eldest to 6 rowdy boys count as parenting right? Jinhwan questions himself as he stares wide eyes at the piece of black and white paper you had just handed him. His brain had suddenly decided to take a vacation leaving your poor man singing a high pitch wheeze that honestly sounds a lot like a dying cat choking on a hair ball.

"Baby... Husband? Jinhwanie? Mr. Kim?" You had half expected him to faint or scream to the God above but this stone statue vacated of a soul in place of your husband had left you utterly confuse. Shit... you thought. What if, what if your worst fear had finally come true... He didn't want the baby.

"Is this what I think it is? Is it just me or did you just said there's a 4 weeks old wee little peanut baby in your belly." Eyes surveying your face for any sign that this was some elaborated prank you pulled, a stunt to get back at him for pushing you into the pool fully clothed not too long ago at Bobby’s house warming party... But alas, all he could fine was solemn. Jinhwan chuckles dryly, a bit like a mad man talking to the air and his spirit floating about the room rather than directing the questions at you.

"I- yea..." you sigh dejectedly, your nightmare had truly become reality because why else would he be in this state of shock, of disbelief when you had been “practicing” making baby for as long as, no even way before he had called you girlfriend. How would you do it without jinhwan, does all this mean a divorce is imminent? Eyes no longer on him, you stare at your lap, finger fidgeting out of sorrow and anxiety. What would you do without him. for so long it’s just you and him against the world... Could you really handle this world alone, single with a baby in your arms? You let yourself sink further into the couch, doing your all to hold back the tear threatening to spill.

"Aww, baby girl. Was this what had been stressing you out do much? Come here, sweetheart." Jinhwan's arms already around your shivering body even before the sentence was over, hot kisses pressing delicately on your features and it seemed his soul had finally pulled itself together judging by that bright smile on his lips. "You've been picking at your nail again, haven't you?" His hands prying your clasped ones apart, finger smoothing over the redden and frayed skin around your chipped colored nails before a soothing kiss chases the discomfort away.

"Yea... are you angry? I'm sorry." Face digging deep in the crook of his neck, your heart revels in the soft passing of his gentle hand on your back and the tight hold he has around your waist. 

"Why would I be angry?" Befuddlement evident across his handsome features, eyes squinting in hope of deciphering your strange question. Why would he be angry, you had just told him the best news ever yet your expression so pained then revelation hits him like a freight train.   "Wait the minute... Oh my Lord, did you think I don't want our little peanut? No, baby. Don't think that." He near shriek when your words and action finally registered in his euphoric brain. “Why would you think of something so awful. You and the little one are so important to me, how could I not want either of you.” His words brought out the tears you had been trying so hard to suppress. You let all the pent up emotion go, sobbing into his chest. Jinhwan shushes your whimper with words of love and reassurance, “I will never, ever leave you or our baby. My wife is so silly.”

“I- you just frozed when I handed you the ultrasound. You went JPEG on me! I thought you didn’t want the baby or me anymore... It’s not like we’ve ever really talked about babies, I just thought it’s not time yet...” You huff out the sentence, ending it with a wail of relief but it sounded more like a dying whale if Jinhwan has to be truthful. Nevertheless, it made him smile seeing you all pouty and clingy.

“Never! I froze because I couldn’t process what you were telling me. I literally felt like I had an out of body experience. My ghost was dancing around watching me sit here like a dumb ass staring at you.” He pulls you even closer to his chest, fingers threading through your hair doing his best to calm you down with the rocking of his body. “I love you, wifey. I think you just gave me the best present in the world, I don’t know how I’m gonna ever top that. You win best spouse in this relationship.” No words could express how over the moon your man is feeling, he’s a father, a freaking father to a real baby for god’s sake. “When did you find out?” He questions, the picture of your tiny baby clutching tight in his hand as he stares in a happy stupor.

“I was late so I took a test a week ago, but I didn’t want to say anything till I was 100% certain. It was so hard hiding it with you constantly checking up on why I was so upset. I’m so sorry, now I wish I had told you sooner.” Pressing a soft kiss onto his neck, your brain could finally revel in the happy news - you’re expecting a child, with the best husband in the world, how freaking awesome is that! A dumbstruck smile on your lips as you snuggle closer to your husband, whom you dare say even more intoxicated in this joyous occasion than you are. Certainly there’ll be trial and tribulation to come in his future but for now, he’ll settle for that light buzz he got from being so blessed, from having you and your baby in his arms. 

Tour had always been grueling but perhaps it had always been a bit easier when Jinhwan didn’t have anyone at home waiting for him. It used to be a blur of stumbling in and out of the dorm to pack, a quiet ride to the airport then just random shenanigans with his brothers while waiting for the flight. Sure he got to travel places, and eat foods the next ordinary Joe might not get the chance to but the long hour of practice and insane cycle of rehearsal than stage enervated whatever energy Jinhwan got to properly enjoy the rare day off he get to wander the city. Then before he knew it, it was back to the plane for another long haul home - jet lagged and exhausted.

Then like a little miracle, you crashed into his life like a little ray of sunshine he didn’t know he needed, lightening up his days just a bit more with your silliness, laughter, and the adorable little comments about everything and anything. His heart ache to part way with you even if it’s just temporarily yet the trip itself so much more tolerable knowing in the privacy of his hotel room, he had someone to vent to and laugh with about how his day had been. Late nights when he’s worn to the bones were no longer dull because he could always count on you being a video call away, waiting to lift his mood. No longer were he sleeping endlessly in his hotel room nor eat just for the sake of eating. He began to enjoy the little things in life, getting an ice cream down the street or just a walk with the other boys. Jinhwan found himself bookmarking restaurants and jotting down names of attractions, letting his imagination ran wild as he think of the gleams of excitement in your eyes when he can finally bring you to the places he loves most. Best of all, he finally had someone to share his interests and disinterest without having to worry about being embarrass. At the end of it all, he knew once he returns home, it wouldn’t be to an empty bed and the same faces he had seen all tour long. He loves his band brothers but once in awhile, Jinhwan just needed a change and you were exactly that for him. The way you danced in elation when he finally returned home after the first time paring way for a 3 weeks tour was unlike any experience he had before. You had cried for nearly 10 minutes out of missing him and finally getting to hold him again, he couldn’t say he was any better clinging onto you for the rest of that week.

With the little Peanut growing bigger everyday, Jinhwan finds it hard to even leave the house to practice or record let alone going on a long tour. It was harder and harder for him to leave you and the bump at home, even with Hanbin nagging his ears off every day to go do his job, anything at all other than adoring his baby and wife. The second work was done, he’d bolt straight home, never mind the dinner or the occasional night out drinking with the team, all Jinhwan wants was to be home singing to the Peanut and holding you close before all three of you falling asleep. 

“Honey, you gotta get going... Hanbin is going to nag my ears off again if you’re late. Kim Jinhwan! I know you heard me.” You scream from the kitchen, throat sore from the half hour long wake up call he had you do on this morning, feigning ignorant and refusing to budge an inch.

“WHAT?! that little brat called you? He nagged at you? Uh uh, he’s gonna get it today.” Poor Hanbin, by the way your dear husband putting so much emphasis on the way he enunciated “nagged”, someone is about to get a spanking or at the very least pester till he cry of frustration. 

“Seriously, of all the things I said, that’s all you caught? You’re late, Mr. Kim. Get, before Peanut and I kick you out of the house.” Trudging over with his duffle bag in hands, you almost faint from the ear piercing scream Jinhwan let out accompanies by the shock spreading over his face. 

“Mrs. Kim, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Drop that. DROP IT!!” Jinhwan rushes over, bag yanked away from your hand before carelessly landing across the room. Jinhwan bending over, pressing light kisses on your tiny bump before pressing his whole face onto it. With arms tightening around your waist, he peers back at your cold expression completely done with his antics, sharp eyes glaring up only got sharper when he saw the absolutely nonchalant expression on your face.

“Your mama never listen to me, Peanut. Do you see what I have to put up with? Shaking my head, I told her heavy lifting isn’t good for you but she did it anyways.” Goodness, the sass in your smol man. Kneeling on the floor, Jinhwan coos at the baby that was no longer peanut sized but nevertheless the endearing nickname remained. 

“You did not just say ‘shaking my head’ out loud. Seriously, baby, the bag wasn’t even that heavy. you have like 3 shirts in there. You worry too much.” Pulling him off the floor and into your arms, you exchange a sweet chaste kiss spending the last few minutes before parting way just gazing at each other. How lucky are you to be with someone so wonderful, swaying to the music only you two seem to be able to hear... well, make that three.

The world forgotten, Jinhwan lets himself get lost in your smile and the way your eyes sparkle so brightly with love even if you keep insisting that somehow you’ve turned into a rag doll after a hurricane. Finger tracing out the line of your face delicately, he thought of those single days when this seemed so impossible, to have a loving family. Then he thought of those days where shy kisses being peppered on the first few dates and feeling the force of thousands butterflies raging in his stomach. Sure your relationship with him had started out ass backward after foolishly sleeping with each other, result of a fun night with a few too many drinks. Boundaries were gone even before they were established yet after all the difficulties for you both to acknowledge you had feelings for each other, it just felt like innocent first love and first kiss all over again.

After all this times, after all the late night of cradling your worn out body in his arms while you cried on the bathroom floor from the sheer aching of morning sickness, even after all the random outburst of fury from not having enough nutella and cheetos in the house resulting in a grumpy Jinhwan braving the cold 3AM street, you still is the best woman in the world in his eyes. He hates so much when you’d whine that you’re no longer as pretty or couldn’t compete against the other wives in his friend group because Jinhwan honestly couldn’t see how. You’ve only gotten more stunning, ravishingly, astronomically prettier since Peanut decided to grace you both with his or her present.

“I love you so much, you know that baby? I only want the best for you and the little one.” Jinhwan could feel the tear threatening to spill now, it was once again like the first time leaving on tour after claiming each other hearts all those years ago. He just didn’t want to leave, simply couldn’t.

“I know. We’ll be okay, I promise.” Your hand unknowingly travels to smooth over the tiny one, a reassuring smile on your lips chasing his own to wash away the worries on his face. 

He might seems cheeky and low key sassier than Junhoe but he’s the best man you’ve ever met. The past few months hadn’t been easy and you weren’t the best version of yourself with the constant hormonal mood swing but he took it all with grace and not a peep of complaint. 

“I just wish the appointment wasn’t when I’m oversea. I hate the thought of you being alone... I’m so sorry, honey. I-I just, I just want to be here. I feel like I’m not doing my job.” 

“But I’m not alone. I have you and I have Peanut. It’s just one appointment, baby. there’re plenty more, I’m sure of that.” Your suspicion was on the dot, Jinhwan had been lagging on packing and far more brooding over the tour because he somehow thought he’s not being a good dad by leaving you and your baby. Lips locking once more, your heart ache now that you had a glimpse of his concerned heart. You want so badly to tag along but it’d just be a distraction, and you have your own life to worry about. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll call you as soon as they get the goop off of Peanut. Plus, our moms will be there. Yeah?”

“Yea...” He replies half heartedly, sadness lingering still.

“Smile for me. Come on, let me see that fairy smile.” He forces a smile but as seconds tick by, it turns into a small genuine giggle when you poke and prod at his side. “There we go.” Your fun cut short by the nagging ringtone you had assigned to Hanbin’s number. “That should be the van. I’ll see you in a week, okay love?” Jinhwan nods before letting a lingering kiss sends him off, but not before a few soft ones on your belly.

It wasn’t until Jinhwan had sent you one last goodbye text before boarding that you let your emotion run wild - crying because you miss him, then getting angry at yourself for being so dependent. The moment he found out you were expecting, you need not lift a finger. Honestly, you were sure the queen isn’t getting treatment this good, and you doubt any servant would be as doting and adoring  the way your husband is. With him gone, every little task just seemed so impossible until you just gave up and nap. Night time is even worse without his sweet singing lulling you and baby to sleep, nor was his warmth there to keep you toasty and comfortable all night long. 

With much struggle, the big day had finally arrived, the day that had Jinhwan at the edge of his seat all month long. You awaken to 20 messages from your husband and the boys alike, ranging from just incoherent keyboard smash to hyperventilating in text form. 

With Jinhwan being the first to get married in the group, no one is more excited for a new member of the iKon family than the rest of the boys, each showing their affection in their own way, their very own extra way if you might add. Donghyuk had claimed the spot of best uncle, declaring his love for Peanut with endless gifts, even tagging along to parenting class whenever Jinhwan couldn’t. Vying for the same title, Yunhyeong had done all the research he could, perhaps even more prepared than either you nor Jinhwan is at this whole parenting thing. At one point, the old YunDong ship had literally fought each other till near sinking because they both claimed to be the best. Little did they know, uncle Chanwoo had solidified his standing with pampering you with as much food as he could, even going as far as studying up on what food will be good for the baby, always on the look out for easier way for you to be healthy without giving up too much freedom. As expected of your food buddy after all, only he’d be worry about you having alternative to give up your favorite food in avoidance of gestational diabetes. He might be a child but for sure he’ll one day be one of  the best father there ever existed one day. Hanbin had taken on the role of mother hen, nagging you to sleep, nagging you to eat, then nags you the whole way to your doctor appointment. You’re no longer allowed to be near a microwave, nor trekking across the parking lot alone without one of the boys accompanying. Strange enough, Junhoe whom usually has no part of Hanbin’s antic had also turned into a overly paranoid freak over every little thing, playing into Hanbin’s safeguard persona. Every whimper, every second your face contorted in the sheer aching of accommodating two lives in one body, He’d be right there asking all the right question and offering all the solution he could. Bobby although not taking the route of diving into books and parenting class, he was all hands on deck the moment you had announced a makeover for your house. Everything from the cot to the paint on the wall, Bobby did it himself not trusting an outsider to be handling the essentials that will nurse iKon’s “precious cargo” as he fondly refer to Peanut with that cheeky bunny smile of his.

Pushing the delightfulness of your wonderful brothers in law to the side, worrisome plaguing your mind as your car racing down the familiar streets. You didn’t hate going to the hospital without Jinhwan, you know just how hard he works for a better future for your little growing family so your heart long accepted there will be times where he won’t be there to hold your hands. Yet there’s still a lingering sadness as you walk by the waiting room, watching as women of all ages snuggling close to their significant others, their little bump happily resting in between their bodies. 

“He’ll be home soon, Y/n. Don’t worry!” Your mom speaks up never once look up from filling out the many forms prepping for your future delivery, no doubt reading your worries without even needing to face you. All the while your mother in law had already got an embrace around your shoulders, pulling you close with a reassuring smile. This must be what they called mother intuition, they always seem to know what’s wrong and what’s going on long before you feel the need to voice your concerns.

“I know, mom. Just, he really wanted to be here...” Sadden smiles shared among the two women you have so much respect for, they watch with bated breath as the familiar black and white picture playing on the small screen.

Half an hour comes and goes in a flash as the doctor wiping away the goo smeared over on your belly, eagerness and joy bubbling near the surface you couldn’t stop smiling and neither could your moms. 

“Mom.” You call out but they were already both waving you off, shoving your phone back into your hands, knowing smiles on their lips.

“Don’t worry, we’ll finish up here.”

Not a second to waste, you hastily, as hastily as a 4 months pregnant woman wadding like a duck swallowed a planet would allowed, rush toward the exit, elation no longer contain as you squeal in happiness. One ring then two, you’ve never feel so impatient before waiting for Jinhwan to pick up as your feet dance in one spot.

“BABY! YOU FINISHED, HOW’S PEANUT, HOW’RE YOU, WHAT’D THE DOC SAID?” No time for greeting, your husband near screamed your ears off the second your “hello” sounded off in his speaker. Behind his overexcited voice, a  ruckus of overlapping calls for your name and muddled up questions that sounds more of some dead language than anything that’d make sense. A cuss left your husband lips before you could hear the leader’s voice booming out, simmering down the commotion.

“So, baby is fine. She’s super healthy... Just a bit of a brat. Sigh, she’s only four months old but already taking after her dad, being a pain in the butt for mommy. I guess she’ll be daddy’s little girl.” You muses, hinting at the long time coming answer to Jinhwan’s anticipation. You couldn’t contain your satisfaction in being able to share the moment with him (and the boys) even if it’s just over the phone, loving every second you get to say ‘she’, and ‘little girl’. Quite a strange feeling finally being able to put somewhat of an image to Peanut. Thus far your dreams had all been of an faceless, mystery baby that wasn’t really yours. Now you could really let your imagination wander in details and it never felt better. If the pregnancy hadn’t feel real up till now, this was the moment that solidified it all, you’re having a baby girl, your own daughter.

“That’s really good to hear, babe. What about the important news!!!” Clamors of agreement and chants of “boy or girl” erupt in the background.

“I said, She’s only four months old but already giving mommy a headache. Definitely daddy’s little girl.” Lord, what will you do with this man child.

“Aw, is our little baby giving you a lot of pain again? I’m sorry...” He coos out apologetically, completely missing the way you’re dragging out the important words.

“Jinhwan, are you even listening to what I said?”

“Yes, yes I am. She’s giving you a lot of trouble. Daddy’s litt- NO, NOO. Seriously? for real?” Midway through that sarcastic voice he does whenever you scold him for not listening, Jinhwan suddenly caught himself smiling like an idiot, disbelief spreading all over the joyous soon to be dad. For the next minute, loud screams emanating from the speaker, uproar of confusion and Lord knows what else went on before a calm Junhoe finally picks up the phone.

“Hey, noona. So Jinhwan hyung is having a meltdown and everyone else is... excuse me.” A torturous sigh left the young boy’s lips before a muffled “Will you all shut the fuck up!” could be heard over the speaker.  “I don’t know why, he’s not even saying anything but they’re just all screaming together. So what’s the prognosis? What are we having?” He returns to that dead tone, no doubt over everyone else’s shenanigans.

“What are we having? jeez, these boys. It’s a little girl, you’re having a niece!” 

“YAH! WE’RE GETTING A NIECE!!! YA’LL CAN GO BACK TO SCREAMING NOW” By the sound of things, Junhoe had also now lost in the celebration as the ruckus only grows louder from iKon’s noise pollution yelping. Hanging up, you shake your head at just how crazy they get but contentment spreading all over your body much like the comfort of a warm hugs thinking about little Peanut, your little daughter is so lucky to have 7 men in her life that will go through whatever length to protect her. You can’t wait till Jinhwan finally arrive home to you and his baby girl. 

You feel like a whale, no, you feel like a whale corpse washed up on the beach, bloated and ready to blow at any freaking second. Why did you agreed to this, why in the world did you agreed to put on a bathing suit even if it’s in the privacy of your own hotel room. You stare then sway back and forth, turning sideway then turning back, there’s nothing you could do to look less like a puffer fish.

“Wow...” A swim trunk clads Jinhwan casually strides in, jaws on the floor as he shamelessly stare in amazement. His eyes boring holes into your body as they shift from head to toe, lingering just a bit too long on your uncomfortably swollen breasts all the while licking his lips as if you’re something delectable. 

“Don’t you dare start, Kim Jinhwan...” You warn with a finger up, hand pulling a throw over your near naked body.

“What? I can’t admire my beautiful, gorgeously hot wife now?” Ignoring the daggers from your eyes, he inches closer, cold hand trailing gently along your bare belly sending shivers through your body. Pulling you closer to his chest, his lips crashing against yours as if you hadn’t kiss in months. 

“It’s mortifying when you stare at me like that.” Mumbling against his lips, you pull a pout that though he loves, Jinhwan hates the reason behind it. You were never one to care about exposing yourself to him, never shy away from embarrassment when he’d just ogles at you in that sinful black dress you wore for his birthday a year ago, in the cheeky little yellow bikini you wore the first beach date, in the giant pizza stained white t-shirt you stole from him in baggy sweatpants when you first moved in together... He just loves to gape at you, unabashedly, a lot, all the time. Yet ever since little Peanut arrived, he’d walk in to find you pulling a bathrobe over yourself, getting annoyed when he’d barge in the middle of your shower as he always did. 

“Why, huh? Is it really that humiliating for you? Why do you keep covering yourself up around me? Baby, If you ask me to describe in detail your lady part, I could probably do it. So why all of the sudden you wouldn’t let me see you naked.” Parting way from the hug, his expression scowl when he looks down to see your hands rather than embracing back, still holding onto the piece of fabric shielding your body away from him tightly. The red throw rips away leaving your bare skin to bask in the warm sun of paradise, Jinhwan pulls your back against his chest in a soul crushing hug, nudging you closer to the spotless floor to ceiling mirror. It was now your turn to sour as you gaze upon your pudgy body, your vulnerably naked pudgy body. “Look at you, smoking hot as a mom.” He pauses for a second, hissing in enjoyment as a finger trailing the valley of your breasts. A soft kiss tingles its way from your nape to your shoulder, before stopping at your collar bone. “I don’t understand, do you not see me shamelessly staring at you all the freaking time? You turn me on so hard even when you’re in that ugly preggo night gown my grandma gave you. Did you know that, baby?” Much to his dismay, you hum a soft “no”. 

“No? Good gracious, I haven’t been doing my job then. I love you no matter what, baby.” His hands left the hold he had around your now nude breasts, tiny red bikini ripped away moments ago just so he could revel himself in the softness of your curve, basking, near moaning as he gives them light squeezes. Nails delicately scrapping along your side, kisses dotting your skin like stars blooming night sky, Jinhwan whispers praises, luring out a whimper from your lips that tell him he had won this battle. He was in a trance, so enthralls in the way your parted lips gasping softly at his every touch, your hands atop his, guiding the pleasure to places you’d crave to be touch for so long. 

“That’s it, sweetheart. Don’t you miss this?”

No word could be form aside from a ragged yes, you could feel yourself shaking in anticipation of what to come. You hadn’t realize how wonderful this was nor how long it had been since you got intimate, after all, being the size of Mars really make sex difficult. Hand smoothing over your stomach, you gasp from the way his erection flushing so pleasurably tight against the curve of your ass, watching with half closed eyes that devilish smirk blooming on his lips.

“Jinhwan!” 

“Yes, baby, I know. Let me take care of you.” Sultry oozing from his tone but right now, you’re not gasping because of the hand he had snaked into our soiled bottom...

“No, no. Babe, stop. Stop for a second.” Your frantic calls tear his heart apart and the worst scenarios rummage through his brain. 

“What’s wrong. Is Peanut okay? Are you okay, baby? Let me call the hospital.” 

“No, I’m fine.” Perplex, he stands there staring at you as if you had just said unicorn is real, you waste no time grabbing his hands in yours, pressing them against your belly. “Feel that?” Still in a confused haze, he cocks his head aside for a second before a smile breaks out on his lips.

“Oh my God, oh my God. Is that... Did she... Holy shit, I’m freaking out.”Hopping in one spot, coitus forgotten, all he could focus on was that strange yet magnificent buzz in his heart feeling your baby move for the very first time. Peanut is the product of you both but thus far, Jinhwan couldn’t help but feel unreasonably jealous being the third wheel to you and your connection with Peanut. He knew there was nothing you could do to let in in but now, he could finally have a moment to himself. 

You had felt tiny bump here and there but always chalked it to your imagination, never once did you tell Jinhwan afraid of how disappointed he’d be not being able to feel anything. Right now, this moment, it solidified yet another big step for you as parents as Peanut rolls and kicks her way into both your hearts. “Hello, little one. It’s dad!” Nothing brings you more joy than watching Jinhwan interaction with Peanut, the way his eyes sparkle with glee as he coos in adoration. “Babe, babe, feel. She kicks more when I talk to her. Hello, baby. It’s daddy. i love you so so much” You chuckle at his reaction, probably too happy to remember the little one is inside your stomach and every kick, every turn you could feel. 

“Move your hand around, she’ll follow.” You suggest, joy breaks out in your heart when he follows and screech in elation when the little rambunctious Peanut’s movements follow. 

“Wait, how did you know that trick? Have you been hiding things from me again. Babbbyyyyy!!!” 

“I’m not, I swear. I’ve never gotten her to move much until today. I didn’t wanna disappoint you that’s all.”

With a fake disapproving scowl, you were completely ignored as your man get back to the important task at hand, getting his little princess go ham with him. Pulling the bathrobe over your naked body, you settle onto the bed and let your husband have his fun. Oh well, at least the little one will have a good sleep after tiring herself out from playing.

“JINHWANNIEEE. Baby!!” 

“Breathe, love, breathe. Like how we practiced.” 

Huffing and puffing over the phone, Jinhwan mentally curses at himself for not taking the management’s offer to sit out of filming for the talkshow when he had the chance. Now riding to the airport listening to your scream of pain, he blames himself for being so careless. Leaving was always hard but this time, something about it bothered him so, perhaps because your range of mobility is that of a 3 months old, perhaps it’s because Peanut arrival date a mere few weeks away. He was antsy, itching to return when he barely boarded even when you had did your absolute best to persuade him everything will be fine until he returns. Well look how it’s all blown up in his face now. He’s so crazy for actually believing his almost 9 months pregnant wife that everything will be fine, everything is not fine! “Love, I’m boarding now. I’ll be back to you and Peanut soon okay? I love you both so much. You’re the toughest woman I know, you’ll be okay. Love you.”

“I love you too. Hurry, babe.” 

Phone thrown aside, your hands rubbing your stomach as if it would sooth the unbearable pain that showing no sign of subsiding, never mind the mess you had made on the living room couch. No class, no advice could possibly have prepare you for the real torturous waves of contraction, to make it so much worse, Jinhwan isn’t here to hold your hand, to tell you that everything is okay. Were you stupid to push him off to work when you knew Peanut could be here any seconds? Who would’ve thought she would come two weeks early with her dad being away of all thing. 

“Little one, come on. Just a little longer, mommy can hold out. Wait for your dad, okay? Be a good girl, wait for your dad.”

You whisper, hoping your baby will understand your desperation as another round on flesh searing pain radiates out. The second you were seated in the wheelchair, fate in the hand of the hospital staffs, you text Jinhwan again even if it can no longer reach the man, you just need for him to know you’re both safe. Somewhere above the city, Jinhwan prays to God to be with you and thankful the trip wasn’t over sea but a mere few cities over. The hour spent on the plane had been the longest hour Jinhwan had ever experienced, the hardest hour even with the long trainee period and two survival shows in his pocket. A throng of texts flooding his phone like a bad omen leaving the man running out of the airport, leaving all his belongings for the other boys to collect. All he could think was you.

“Hi, baby girl.” He whispers over the phone, although not sure why. 

“Jinhwannie... I’m so scare.” That’s why, he thought the second your wavering voice reaches his ear. He has to be calm, now is not the time to panic, not when you’re the one that’s about to shove a human being out.

“It’s okay, love. Listen to my voice, okay? breathe”

At the sweet sound of your husband, your worries and pain almost magically enervate, leaving a serenity to wash over your being. Suddenly the many needles poking at you, the nurse that keep staring at your lady part every few minutes just disappear. Your breath slow when your brain finally registers that soothing velvety voice, he talks about his day, then the dog he had saw, anything really but it calms you. 

“I’m almost there,sweetheart. How’s Peanut, is she being a bad little girl again? Hurting mommy?” 

“No, she’s perfect right now. The doctor said she’s right where she needs to be.” You gasp when another wave of contraction hits, hissing in an effort to hide your panic but as always, your husband knows better.

“Hey, hey, remember. Breathe, come on, do it with me. In and out. I’m at the front, love. I’ll be right there.” 

Phone shoves away, Jinhwan races agains the clock toward the source of his happiness. His heart beats faster with each step he takes but it wasn’t because of exhaustion, but rather the delightful on cloud nine warmth that was spreading over his body. 

“BABY!” he calls out with all the strength he could mustered up but you didn’t believe it at first, refusing to look away from the tiny human that already got both her mom and dad wrapped around her tiny fingers. Jinhwan couldn’t help but shed a tear at the wires attaching to your body, his mind couldn’t even dare to imagine the pain you were in so he did the only thing he could, the best thing he could. Jinhwan pulls your body into his, lips pressing against your slick with cold sweat skin. “It’s alright, baby.”

“Jinhwan! You’re here.” He’s here, he’s really here was all you could think about for a while, snuggling close to his chest. Your emotion run free as tears of happiness and of fear stream from your face leaving you a blubbering mess.

“Hey, shh. Don’t talk, just sit still. This might hurt okay? But it’ll help the pain.” You follow his sight to see a giant needle heading right for your back, jerking away out of instinct. Jinhwan lets you cling on him, squeezing his hands to a point of pain but he only responds with a smile. The small sobs from your lips rip his heart and soul apart but soon, it’ll be all over so for now, he’ll be strong for you.

The next few hours was a blur of the strange quietness of the drug blocking your pain away, Jinhwan watching over as you finally got a chance sleep then the ruckus of nurses and the iKon boys running in and out of the small hospital room. Yet even with all the confusion, all the insane things that was going on during birthing, he could  remember a few things very very clearly - the way your head leaning into his chest for support and that tired but content smile, how he wishes to take this weight off your shoulder watching your feature contort then twist as you use all your strength to push, when your body drop onto the stained bed knowing it was finally all over half crying half laughing, then the most beautiful sound he had ever heard when his baby cry out. 

He’s a dad.

Jinhwan thought little Peanut was the most perfect thing in the world even when she’s still covered in blood and guts. The cute little nose and the way her tiny fingers grasping so tightly around his unlike anything in this world. He hugs her close, settling next to your worn out form, smile never left his face even though his cheeks hurt.

“Look, mama. I’m here” He coos softly, being the pillar and support you need before handing the little bundle over into your arms. “She’s so beautiful, so beyond perfect just like your mommy.” His finger reaches out caressing her fluffy little cheek as Peanut gazes up with her cute doe eyes, a little smile at her lips when her dad voice enveloping her in love. “She has your eyes, baby. Look! even her smile, she got mommy’s smile. Lucky her!” 

“She has daddy’s nose, lips, and beauty mark though.”

Too spent to say much, you lean back and watch the way Jinhwan worship and adore his daughter before with a sadden pout, he hands her back for a bath as the doctor tends to your raw bleeding lower half but not before he presses another delicate kiss on her forehead with a quick “I love you” that had even the nurses melting. You couldn’t feel pain, not because of drug but because of Jinhwan and your daughter. Not once did he leaves your side, checking back every few seconds as you both being wheel into the private of your room. 

A gentle smile creeps onto your lips when familiar faces gathered in front of your room as you passed the threshold, with a wave, you let sleep lulls you into its embrace. Drowsy, worn, you whisper for Jinhwan to introduce the little one as the boys gather around the tiny couch before finally closing your eyes. As you drifting away with the sandman, you could make out a proud father cradling his baby to his chest as he smugly announces her arrival before darkness takes over.

“Uncles, meet little Peanut!”

[nonsimsical]

Down to Business..

Christian walked through the door a quarter past 4:00 PM and kissed his wife on the cheek before he excused himself, motioning for Freeman to follow him into his office.

“Already? You just got home and early even.” Jaymie stood with her hands on her hips eyeballing her husband with a look in her eyes that said, ‘don’t mess with me right now.’

Christian smiled, not affected in the slightest by his wife’s glare. “I know, I’m sorry, but this is important. I haven’t had a chance to meet with Freeman since he left for Tennessee and there is much we need to catch up on if I’m going to help him with his case.”

Jaymie looked between the two men who stood side by side. She sighed, letting her hands drop at her side. “Fine, but first can you go outside and say hello to your son and see what Freeman brought us as a thank you for watching Amora while he was gone.”

“Of course, Dear.” He walked outside and beelined it over across the yard where Noah stood with his back to him, throwing the ball for Ruby. “How’s my little man doing? Holding down the fort while I was away?”

“DADDY!” Noah squealed, turning around and jumping up and down. “LOOK WHAT UNCLE FREEMAN BROUGHT US! HER NAME IS RUBY!”

“Whoa there, bud. I’m right here.” Christian chuckled, kneeling down so he could let Ruby sniff him. “So this must be Ruby?”

“Yes,” Noah answered him in a more hushed tone. “Like the jewels.”

Christian smiled at Noah, nodding his head. “Dogs are a big responsibility, do you think you are old enough to help take care of her?”

“Oh yea!” His smile turned down after a couple seconds and he cocked his head and looked at his Dad. “What kind of stuff do I have to do?”

“Well, she’ll need to be fed in the morning and at night before bed. And she will need to brushed and bathed and played with.”

“Oh! Yea, I can do that! I can help with all that Daddy.”

“Very good.. Listen.. Do you think you can watch Ruby and Bishop with Amora while Uncle Freeman and I go talk in my office, mm?”

“Ok.” Noah picked up the ball and ran off calling for Amora to follow him.

Christian walked back over to the backdoor and shook his head at Freeman, smiling. “A dog, really?”

“Jaymie was stressed about what’s been going on and I figured it didn’t hurt. Besides.. You guys have been talking about getting the kids a dog for a long time. Why not start out with a retired k9 who happened to be trained in the force?”

“Touche, brother. Touche.” Christian watched as Amora and Noah ran around the yard, Bishop and Ruby right on their heels. “He loves her already.”

“Ruby is a great dog.”

“How come she was retiring out?” He looked to Freeman, concern etched in his features.

He sighed, sticking his hands in his pockets. “Her partner, Janet. She was to also retire. She found out she was pregnant and she and her husband had agreed that she should leave the force. At least until after the baby was born, however, Janet was called out to a domestic dispute that turned ugly. She got shot and is currently in a coma. Ruby was melancholy ever since.”

“That’s terrible. Did they catch the guy who shot her?”

Freeman nodded. “Yes, and was found guilty for it. Janet and the baby are still going strong, but..”

“Say no more, I understand.”

“Anyways, Amora felt safer after I brought Bishop home. I figured.. Jaymie would also benefit from having Rubes around with you working late hours and against unsavory characters.”

“I was concerned leaving them while I worked this case. Especially after Madlaina called and told me about the break-in’s. I was in Montana visiting with my client when it happened.” He shook his head. “What’s worse is that even though I won the case, it doesn’t mean that this will all stop.”

“I can have a police car outside your home watching you guys if you’d like.”

“I would, actually. Thanks, Freeman.”

“Of course, I’ll send in the request officially through the channels, but I’ll give my friend Julian a text and let him know what’s up.”

Christian nodded his head. “We’d better head inside. Madlaina and Benji will be here soon with the kids and she’s been hounding me for details on your case. She knows something’s going on.”

“I know she keeps calling and texting me. I don’t know how much longer I can go on avoiding her.”

“Did you bring it with you?” Christian asked.

“Yes, it’s in my jeep. I’ll get it and meet you in your office.”

@charsimatic

[dc41896]

Due Date

Hey guys! So this imagine is based off of a post I saw from Thomas Rhett (one of my fave country artist 🥰 lol) and his wife, who are expecting a baby soon. Also I’m using a new person so hopefully you guys like it😊!

Pairing: Kenny CrosbyxBlack Reader

Warnings: None (very very slight suggestive language, but other than that fluff)

Y/N: Babe can you bring home some castor oil, pineapple, raspberry leaf tea, and a pint of moose tracks ice cream?

Y/N: Oh! And some spicy pad woon sen from the Thai place we always go to please🥰!

Kenny💪🏼❤️: You know I love you and would never judge you, but these cravings are getting out of hand babe. Castor oil???!

Y/N: They’re not cravings...ok the ice cream is a craving but the rest is for something else lol. I’ll tell you more when you get home 😁❤️

Kenny💪🏼❤️: Lol ok see you then 😘

———

“Babe I’m home!,” Kenny announced, placing the bags full of everything you requested on the counter.

“Hey love,” you smile, walking, well more like waddling, up to your boyfriend and greeting him with a kiss.

“Why are you all sweaty? Are you ok?! What about Bubs?!”

“Relax I’m fine, I was just exercising. Lightly I might add before you have a heart attack,” you laugh before sitting on the grey Pilates ball his teammate, Sheryll, bought you as a baby shower gift. “It’s just even doing light stuff seems to take a toll on me.”

Being in your third trimester, specifically a week away from your due date, you were ready to be done with pregnancy. Not that you disliked all of it though. The fact that you could be so close to your baby all the while your body was doing this miraculous task of creating another human brought you so much joy.

But there was only so much more of the back pains, swollen ankles and feet, and shortness of breath from only stepping a few feet you could take.

“Well that’s why you gotta take it easy ok? Bubs will be here soon enough,” he answers kissing the top of your head. “Now tell me what all this stuff I got is for?”

“To get things moving faster since someone wants to be stubborn like her father,” you smirk, lightly laughing from the dramatic gasp that escapes his lips.

“Um excuse me, if she is stubborn she gets it from her mother Miss Mighty Mouse.”

That was Kenny’s nickname for you since the day you guys met. At the time, you were a bartender making extra cash to help pay for classes, and had seen him come in a few times here and there. You guys never really interacted, though, other than you taking his order and him thanking you before eventually closing out his tab for the night.

That is until one night you were left alone and everyone in town seemed to come into the bar.

“Hey I could help out if you want?,” Kenny offered from his usual spot at the side of the counter, just finishing the last of his beer.

“No I got it thanks,” you quickly answer focusing back at the drink orders you were trying to fill. While you had everything under control at first, as the head count got higher, so did tempers. People began yelling at you for taking so long and demanding their drinks be placed in front of them. You were moving as fast as you could, but it still wasn’t fast enough for the rowdy patrons.

“Sure you don’t need any help?,” he asked again when you were close by, lightly tapping the wooden countertop.

“Nope I have everything under control.”

Sighing, he leaps over the counter placing his wallet and keys on the top shelf behind him, before trying to calm the crowd. “So what’s everyone drinking tonight?!”

“Hey I said I got it, plus you can’t be back here!”

“Listen you’re all by yourself clearly in need of help and I have plenty of experience bartending,” he answers pouring drinks and flipping bottles, successfully impressing everyone with his tricks. “I promise I’m not some creep that’s gonna steal from you or get free drinks while I’m back here, and if I do I give you full go ahead to deal with me as you wish.”

He was doing a great job and everyone seemed to calm down a bit from his banter with them and his tricks. Your boss wasn’t there so he’d never know unless either of you told him. And you hated to admit it, but you couldn’t handle every single order here by yourself, at least not in a timely manner.

Deciding to let him help, you were in charge of orders on one side while he was on the other. Although you’d never done it before, you guys worked amazing together, easily sliding beside each other and moving around to get what you needed.

Your chemistry was undeniable and everyone in that bar witnessed it that night.

As a thank you, you offered half your tips to him, but he refused saying you didn’t have to pay him back. “Well maybe let’s start with you not being so stubborn Mighty Mouse,” he smiles, turning back around to make his way home.

Years of friendship that turned into a relationship later, and here you both were about to welcome a beautiful baby girl into the world.

“Yea yea whatever, just hand me the Thai food please?,” you ask lightly bouncing on the ball with hands on your stomach.

“You know, there is another way we can get things moving,” he smirks bending down to kiss your neck as he places your food in front of you.

“That’s the only thing you took away from the meeting with the midwife didn’t you?”

“No it wasn’t. I paid attention to everything she said thank you very much,” he smiles kissing your cheek.

———

Making you a bath fit for a spa day, Kenny helped you ease into the warm water that smelled of your favorite scents from the bath bomb and bath soap he used. As an extra touch, he even sprinkled flower petals in after you got comfortable making you giggle.

With your braids wrapped on the top of your head and from shoulders up peaking out of the water, along with the tiniest part of your belly, you lean back with eyes closed nearly going to sleep.

“How do you feel?,” he asks softly walking in, sitting on the floor beside you.

“Really relaxed, thank you for doing this babe,” you smile leaning over to kiss his lips. “Oh can you get me the pineapple? I don’t think the Thai food worked.”

“I know you’re excited to see the baby and want this pregnancy to be over, but she’ll come when she’s ready. Don’t stress yourself out trying to make it go by faster ok?,” he smiles gently rubbing his thumb against your cheek.

“Yea you’re right, plus we still have a week it’s not like it’s past her due date.”

“Exactly, which hopefully it doesn’t come down to that but if it does, then we’ll try your ways. And you will officially be just as stubborn as your mom,” he finishes placing a petal on the lone spot of your abdomen poking out of the water.

That is, not before you both see an imprint of her tiny foot kick you from the inside, making the petal rise momentarily.

“I don’t think she appreciates daddy talking about her and mommy,” you laugh.

“Aww I’m sorry Bubs, and I’m sorry mommy,” he responds kissing the spot she kicked on your stomach before kissing your lips.

Taglist: @fumbling-fanfics @crushed-pink-petals @honeychicana @lady-olive-oil @themyscxiras @melinda-january @lovelymari4 @nunubug99 @felicity-x0 @ellixthea @jojolu @jnk-812 @brwn-sgr @captainsamwlsn @itshinothey @wildfirecracker @nina-sj

If you want to be tagged, have asked to be tagged and don’t see your name, or only want to be tagged for certain people I write for let me know🤓!

[lady-macgyver]

My Titian Angel - Chapter 8

Need to catch up? 

My Titian Angel

Tired, I throw down my glasses and pinch the bridge of my nose. The case is running cold and for the first time since saying yes, I’m wishing I had gone with my gut. Don’t get involved with missing persons; just let the chips fall where they may and I could have walked away.

Instead I’m pouring over news clippings of Frances Scott. I finally got around to taking the pretty librarian for a drink and though my thoughts have been on another woman for a few days now it was good be flirted at. Makes a man feel good and flirting back took my mind off the case for the two hours we spent at the lounge.

It also helped me get privileges to stay late at the library.

Now, at home, I can hear Julianne singing over the radio. A pungent smell of nail polish stains the hallway and I want to close my door but the joy of having my daughter here stops me.

It’s been two days since my talk with Gemma and Owen. The name Grace Bennett weighs heavily on my thoughts and I know I need to follow-up with her. The girl hangs like an albatross and my gut is telling me that something bad is going on here.

Standing I stretch my back and look out the window in my make-shift study. The street is busy below and people are gliding around each other to get to their cars or taxis.

“Daddy?”

“Yes Julianne?” I turn and see her leaning against the doorjamb, her fingers at her side and splayed as the nails continue to dry.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine sweetheart.” I pause as she pinches her lips. “Why do you ask?”

“You’ve just, you’ve been in here for about an hour now,” her eyes flick to the scattered news clippings. “Oh! I remember that shooting.”

My eyebrows shoot up and I cross my arms. “You do?”

“Everybody knew about that shooting Daddy,” Julianne tells me with the limited patience of a teenager. “Plus, when the guy’s wife is one of the wealthiest people? Oh yea, everybody talks about it. Plus, the niece went to my school.”

Something wracks at my gut and I look at her, wide eyes. “She did?”

“Yea, I mean, I was a freshman when she was a senior but everyone pretty much knew her or about her,” Julianne explains with a shrug. “Plus, she was real nice to everyone. It didn’t seem fakey, you know? She actually would sit and talk to you for a little bit. And everyone wanted to be her friend too.”

“Did you ever talk to her?”

“Once, maybe twice. Mariah had her for a tutor in – “ here she pauses and scrunches her lips. “In math or science I think. So yea, I talked to her but it was nothing major.”

Little things, sometimes you just need the little things. “Thank you sweetheart?”

“For what?”

“Helping.”

*

“Is it okay if I go back to mom’s tonight?”

Eyeing my daughter over the rim of my coffee mug, I raise an eyebrow. “Julianne, of course you can.” I pause because she’s shifting slightly from the balls to the heel of her feet. “Is everything okay?”

“Yea,” she smiles at me, a true smile and I return it. “I just…miss her.”

“Well, you should.” I give a little shrug and kiss the top of her head, making her scrunch up a little. “You’re with her most of the time and things have cooled off.”

“You’re not mad?”

Shaking my head, I kiss her head once more. “No sweetheart, I’m not mad.” Draining the rest of my coffee I set the mug in the sink and turn back to her. “Tell you what, I’ll even call her when I get to the office and let her know you’ll be comin’ home tonight.”

“Thank you daddy.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart. Now, let’s get you off to school.”

*

Phone call to Lisa finished I’m back to scouring the news articles. A few catch my eye of Alicia, some of them what look like stock photos, other candid with her leaving the funeral. Behind her is Cordelia but only a few of the articles about Scott mention her. Most either leave smoke trails of his nefarious enterprises or how he had married up with Alicia Winthrop.

Letting one flutter to the desk I pick up another and glare at it. Francis Scott is staring back at me, all smirk and slick hair. He’s with a group of his associates, some with their backs to the camera. Wise choice since their walking out of a courthouse after getting off on some charge or another. One man, back turned and shoulders straight is standing next to him. No name in the caption, just a blurb in the description about his “partner” standing next to him.

Another thing to chalk up to ask Alicia about.

Taking a deep breath, I let out a slow release. “Miller!”

My shout carries through the open door and Ellie’s chair scraps against the wood floor. “It’s a small office Emmett, no need to yell.” Blinking at me and then the clippings she tilts her head. “So, what?”

“I need to bounce some ideas.”

Walking into the room she sits across from me, legs crossed. “All right. Shoot.”

Leaning forward I stare over her shoulder, my fingertips against my chin. “So, from what we know is that Cordelia Winthrop went out for a night at a club two. Prior to her going out she went up to her aunt’s house and stayed for a little while before coming back into the city to get ready. We figure she was coming back to her flat from the state of disarray but we can’t be for certain.”

Ellie hums at this in agreement and then wiggles her fingers for me to continue. “After a few days of not hearing from her Alicia gets worried. She somehow figures out I’m off a case and meets me at Mel’s to get me to investigate.”

“And you agree the next day.”

“So I agree. What I have learned so far is that Cordelia is a good kid, out of school, loyal to her aunt from what Gemma has said and noticed. She enjoys to party but she’s young so it’s warranted.”

“What about Grace Bennett?”

“And there’s the extra piece; that little hanger on. Actually, it’s one of them.” Staring down at the news clippings I lick my lip. “What if this is about Scott?”

“But he’s dead.”

“He is,” I stress. “But his business isn’t. Gemma told me a few things but obviously didn’t go into too much detail. One thing she did say is that Cordelia went to her club to keep tabs on Scott; she hated him, but she watched him because of her aunt.”

“Ms. Winthrop put her niece on her husband as a watchdog?”

“No.” Rubbing my face I let out a low sigh. “I’m thinking more along the lines of Cordelia feeling an affection for her aunt and wanting to make sure her uncle wasn’t pissing away too much of her money.”

“Eh, seems plausible.” Leaning forward, Ellie sweeps her hand through the air. “But what would her disappearing act have to do with her dead uncle.”

Standing I begin to pace behind my chair. “Cordelia still went into the club to party and I’m thinking Scott’s outfit still works out of there. Not that Gemma would tell me but they had a good thing going there, and it brings in the clientele for Gemma.”

“True,” Ellie draws out. She leans back and tightens her legs in. “So, what, are you thinking Cordelia saw something one of the nights she was there? Or that night? And one of the guys got to her?”

Hearing her say it makes me pause my thoughts. “Possibly.” “But why haven’t they reached out yet? I mean, if they do have her, it’s been a long time now and you would think that they would have at least try to contact someone.”

“Unless they killed her.”

“Emmett…” Ellie’s white now, her eyes widening.

It makes me sick but I turn to look her straight on. “Look, it’s not what I’m hoping for Miller but I can’t rule it out. It’s not like the outfit needs money from Alicia and with Scott gone they don’t need her running back to her aunt either. They could have taken her to shut her up, thinking that she knows more than she really does.”

“Is that what you really think?”

I let the quiet seep in around us and Ellie shivers. “Well, I’m not going to give up that she’s alive. Maybe she’s being a spoilt child, had a tiff with a friend or boyfriend, and is now shopping her troubles away.” There’s an edge to her voice and she sniffs a little, looking away. Her pallor gives away her true feelings but I leave it be.

“True.”

Watching as her shoulders loosen she turns back to me. “Like you always tell me, anything is possible.”

I’m nodding, smiling a little before opening my mouth to agree when we both jump at the sound of pounding at the front the door.

“What the hell,” Ellie growls and in quick strides is out my office and to the door. “Hold on! Can I help-hey! Hold on then…”

Standing in front of me is Albert the non-butler. His face is various shades of white and red and I fear he’s going to keel over. My height matches his and I can see that’s he actually attempting to calm down. I want to make a remark but I know better and I wait. It seems to help and his face begins to become one color.

“Albert.”

“Mr. Carver,” he hisses out. “Ms. Winthrop has asked that I come to get you.”

“She couldn’t call?” Ellie snaps from behind him and I shake my head sharply. Watching her mouth ‘what?’ I glare at her before turning back to Albert.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ms. Winthrop received a letter today, and then a call. Both about Cordelia. The letter contained a…a picture and the caller did sound like Cordelia.”

“Oh my god,” Ellie gasps and I just start at Albert, my stomach clenching.

“She asked that you come right away.”

“Then let’s not keep her waiting.”