#oh yeah uhmm merry christmas i guess

[umblrspectrum]

its beginning to look a lot like War Without Reason

[nina-nkl]

The Notorious Alpha// Chapter One//Peter Hale

A/N: I KNOW. I KNOW. I am terrible, but life has been a mess. With university, personal life and all that. My mom had the corona but she is great now. I am trying  to come back to writing.  I am really sorry guys. Merry belated Christmas!

The Notorious Alpha// master list.

Chapter one.

S02 E12- Master Plan

Zoe’s P.O.V.

I parked my new BMW X6, which was a gift from my father when he tried to get me to stay with him, in front of Beacon Hills High School to see my little brother and Stiles who is not my brother but after knowing him for his entire life, I am pretty sure he is my brother. 

As I walk in the school hallways so many memories come to my mind, I mean it’s only been a year since I was a student here, I miss high school life was so much easier. I was late when I parked the car in the parking lot, some people were leaving, there was a lacrosse game tonight, Stiles took my ear off about it. I walked towards the locker room first to see if the boys were in there, as I neared the locker rooms I could hear talking.

“She is gorgeous,” a voice said.

“Shut up” I heard two different voices say at the same time and I am pretty sure one of them was Scott.

I leaned against the wall watching for a few seconds, and I decided to make myself known.

“Well, isn’t this a sight for sore eyes!” I say and in a flash four pairs of eyes snap to me. I see my brother, a cute blond guy beside him and to men in front of the boys.

“Zoe?” Scott said surprised to see me.

“Surprise, I guess?” I said a little bit weirded out from all the attention I was getting right now.

“What are you doing here?” Scott asked me.

“Stiles called me a couple days ago, filled me in on what's going on. I got a little tied up with dad or else I would have been here sooner” I answered “ I can’t believe you are a werewolf” I continued.

“Uhmm, who is she?” the cute blond asked.

“Zoe, my sister,” Scott said.

“Another McCall? Great,” the tall moody man said sarcastically.

“Tone down the sarcasm Cranky Pants” I bit back at him.

I glared at the man as I walked around him towards my brother. I am not going to lie, he is kind of hot.

“I am going to guess you are Derek and you are Isaac,” they both look at me weird, “as I said Stiles filled me in”.

“Hi,” Isaac said awkwardly.

“Hi,” I said sweetly to him, “so, who is the Cranky pants.” I pointed towards him as he glared at me and I sarcastically smiled back at him.

“That's Peter, Derek’s uncle. Little while back he tried to kill us all, and then we set him on fire and Derek slashed his throat out.” Scott explained.

“Hi.” Peter waved with a small awkward smile.

“That's good to know,” Isaac replied. 

I was too shocked to say anything, I mean yeah Stiles filled me in but only informed me about my brother being a werewolf, the kanima, and Derek’s pack. That is just too much to handle. I mean my brother took part in the murder of someone, werewolf or not, psycho or not, that is still a life. Not to mention the supposed murdered victim is alive, breathing, and standing  right in front of me.

“How is he alive?” Scott asked, still glaring at Peter .

“Look, long story short he knows how to stop Jackson, maybe even save him”  Derek answered him.

“Well that’s very helpful, except Jackson is dead” Issac says.

“WHAT?” I scream the same time Derek says what too.

“Yeah! Jackson is dead. It just happened on the field” Scott confirms. 

Derek and Peter look at each other obviously bothered by the news.

“Okay why is no one taking it as good news?” Issac asks. 

“Because if Jackson is dead, it didn’t just happen. Gerard wanted it to happen,” Peter says, and damn his voice is deep, mysterious and sexy.

“But why?” Derek asks his uncle to elaborate.

“Well, that's exactly what we need to figure out. And something tells me the window of opportunity is closing”.

“Peachy, just god damn peachy.” I say done with this whole thing already. 

“We are going to the Hale House,” Peter says.

As we walked towards the parking lot, I could feel eyes on me from behind. I didn’t turn around though. When we reached the exit I started walking near my car, when I felt Scott stop a few steps behind me. I turn around to look at him.

“Well aren’t you gonna come? I am driving!” I tell him.

“I think you should go home” Scott tells me and I look at him with disbelief. “I will go with Derek,” he continues.

“Oh, so I am supposed to let you get in the car with the guy who turned you and tried to kill you and the guy who slashed his own uncles throat out? I am not crazy yet. ” I tell him seriously and am kind of angry. Derek looks at me mad, or offended I can’t really tell and Peter just looks uninterested.

“Zoe--” Scott tries to plead.

“No, puppy eyes don’t work on me. I am the one who teached you that look.'' I cut him off. “Now get in the car and let’s go”. Then I unlock my jeep and hop in, which is kind of a challenge since I am short and the stupid thing is 10 times the size of me.

“Do you need directions?” Derek asked me when Scott got in the car with me.

“No, I am good. I know where the infamous Hale  house is,” I replied and with that my car roared into life and I backed out of my parking space. “Don’t get left behind Sourwolf”. I saw Issac try to hold back a chuckle and even Peter let out a small smirk slip out of his hard façade.

As we walked into the Hale house ( Derek got his ego bruised ‘cause I beat him here) Scott was looking at his,

“Oh. Oh they found Stiles.” Scott said relieved.

“I told you I looked everywhere,” Derek said to Peter who walked towards the stairs.

“You didn’t look here”, Peter says and crunches at the beginning of the stairs and takes something from underneath a step.

“What is that? Α book?” Derek asks/

“No, it’s a laptop. What century are you living in” Peter replied with sarcasm. Derek rolls his eyes at him. “A few days after I got out of the come, I transferred everything that we had. Fortunately, the Argents aren’t the only ones that keep records.” Peter says. He got up and walked towards a table. Suddenly Scott's cell phone rings.

“Hey, Mom, I can’t talk right now.” Scott answers the phone. “What's wrong?” he asked. After a few seconds he hangs up the phone and announces that we have to go to the hospital. “ Isaac, Zoe, we have to go to the hospital.”

“I don’t think I should come with. I haven’t seen mom yet and I don’t think we should reunite over a dead body” I say to him. “ Take my car, I’ll stay here to see if I can help” I look at him as I extend my hand to give him the car keys. “See you soon, be careful.”

As Scott and Isaac practically ran out of the burned down house, I look at the older werewolves in front of me. Derek just looks at me, as Peter has already started working on getting information for the kanima. 

It’s been maybe 30 minutes since we were all staring at the laptop screen, I was standing leaning over Peter's right shoulder and Derek was just standing by the left.

“Oh my god, what is that?” I look at the screen. 

“Call Scott.” Peter says. I was still staring at the screen leaning closer to it and brushing Peter’s shoulder in the process. Ignoring that, I hear Derek talking in the background.

“Okay, look, I think I found something,” Peter says. “ Looks like what you are seeing from Jackson its just the Kanima’s Beta shape.” he continues.

“Well, meaning what? It can turn into something bigger?” Derek asks, also leaning over.

“Bigger and Badder.” Peter replies with worry in his tone.

“He is going to turn into that? That thing has wings.” I exclaim. 

“I can see that sweetheart.” Peter says to me but not sarcastically, but with fear in his voice.

“Scott bring him to us.” Derek says into the phone.

“What is that? Right there?”  I point towards the screen where there is a play button.

“Look, somebody made an animation of it. Maybe it’s less frightening if we--” Peter taps the mouse and a screeching sound comes out of the speakers. The tree of us jump back and Peter closes the laptop quickly. “No not at all. We should probably meet him halfway”

All of us ran towards the door and suddenly I ran into Peter’s back. “For fuck’s sake Cranky Pants” I curse under my breath.

“We need Lydia.” Peter says.

“There is no time for--” Derek starts

“That's the problem. We are rushing. We are moving too fast. And while everybody knows that a moving target is harder to hit, here we are, racing right into Gerard’s crosshair.” Peter says.

“If i get the chance to kill Jackson, I’m taking it.” Derek says and turns back around. 

I freeze in my spot, shocked that I am about to participate in the murder of a teenage boy- kanima or not. Peter sees it and grabs my hand rushing behind Derek.

We stop behind an abandoned building, Derek and Peter get out of the car and I follow.

“You guys stay here. I will go meet Scott and Isaac. Peter you will know when to come out” Derek says.

“Whoa, hey, wait a min--” I was caught off by Derek already running in all fours, like a dog I guess. “Well, fun meeting you Cranky Pants, but I am going to go to my brother now.” As I turn to walk away, Peter grabs my arm, really hard may I add, and turns me towards him.

“What are you doing? You can’t go out there. When Jackson will wake up he will go on a killing spree.” Peter whisper yells.

“Well, you already went on a killing spree once, what if you get off your rockets again and I will be your first victim.” I whisper yell back at him.  

“Zoe-”

“Bye Peter!!” I say as I look him in the eyes and tear my arm from his grasp. I could see that he was a little angry, but excuse me that I wasn’t gonna stay with somebody that tried to kill my brother less than a year ago. When I cached up with Scott and the others, they were already in the abandoned building. I could hear Peter close behind me. 

“-- wouldn’t let a rapid dog live.” A middle age man explained to the three werewolves. I was about to walk into the building another voice broke the silence.

“Of course not” an old man said. That’s when Peter grabbed me and pushed me beside the door. I knew it wasn’t the time to argue. I could feel the tension in the air. Peter and I peek around the corner although he tried to hide the view from me the best he could. “Anything that dangerous. That out of control... Is better off dead.” The old man said.

Right when Derek went to slash Jackson stomach, Jackson’s claw dug in his chest. I felt like I was going to vomit and I turned myself so I wouldn’t see what’s about to happen. From the side of my eye I could see Peter getting angry and his claws expanding. I took deep breaths trying to calm myself and I look towards Peter. 

“Kill them all” I heard shouting and I almost fainted. I got down to the ground and pulled my knees close to my chest, trying to make my self as small as possible when we heard the screeching of tires and a loud bang. I heard the voice of Lydia yelling Jackson name and I slowly stood up. After a couple of seconds Peter jumped out and pushed his claws in Jackson back and Derek in his stomach. When Lydia was on the floor besides Jackson body I make my way towards my brother and Stiles.

I was looking toward the couple with tears in my eyes as I stood beside Stiles. Derek was looking on with a sad expression on his face and Isaac too. 

“Where is Gerard?” Allison asked and the middle aged man answered that he can’t be far. When Lydia turned towards us Stiles started towards her but was stopped by the sounds of claws dragging on the concrete. All heads turned to the dead boy in front of Stiles jeep to see his wounds starting to close and Jackson getting up slowly. My eyes widened and turned my eyes towards the older werewolf here hoping that’s there is an explanation for this but all he did was too looking on with a shocked expression. 

Stiles started to tear up and moved forward but stopped beside Scott for a few minutes the two boys were looking at each other when Stiles looked down and said “He scratched my Jeep.” With hurt in his voice.

“Stiles...” I moved towards him following behind in the Jeep. He got in the driving seat and  I got on after him. He started driving and didn’t say a word. “Stiles... are you okay?” I speak softly as if i was going to scare him. I didn’t get a reply back...

“Stiles, let’s go at my place, have a sleepover like old times.” I said and he turned towards the route for Scott’s and mine’s house. When we got there my mom’s car wasn’t in the driveway, she must work late night shifts. I will see her in the morning. 

We go up to my room and I give Stiles some of my brothers clothes as I too take some for pajamas, because my suitcase is in my car and right now I really don’t know where my car is. After I was my face in the bathroom, I go to my room seeing Stiles in my bed already. I creep towards him and get in the bed beside him. I hug him from behind when he starts to sob quietly.

“It’s okay, everything is going to be okay, Stiles” I whisper sweet nothing to his ear until he fells asleep, me following close behind.

A/N: The sibling love is real between Stiles and Zoe!!!!

Tag list: @wil2space​ @iclosetgeek​

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Day 24 : Christmas Eve - Seto Kaiba

I haven’t been able to post properly for this because I was out with my family for Christmas meals with the relatives ( What a time to be alive x At least managed to catch up on some games and books <3 )

“Okay, Mokie, I will raise you up on my shoulders and you put on the Blue Eyes White Dragon uh...Star...Ornament...Thingy...On top of the Christmas Tree, okay? And then we gotta hurry and see how the cookies are doing. Seto’s gonna be home soon.” I explain, as I helped Mokuba on my shoulders, and he put the ornament on the Tree’s peak. “Woaw, it looks so cool! I bet nii-san’s gonna love it!” he cheered as he got down and we rushed to the kitchen. “Smells so goooood!! Can we eat it now?!” he asked excitedly, but I only chuckled, shaking my head as I take out the last tray of cookies, putting them on the table, carefully placing each of them on plates. “Yeah, they smell amazing, but they’re much too hot to eat now.” I tell him, patting his head, then clap my hands together, smiling in happiness. “Well, we’re done with the Christmas preps! Okay, Mokie, we can change in PJs now and go back to the living room and watch movies until he comes, okay?” I wink at him, but he said nothing, already bolting off to change in more comfortable clothes and so did I.

We grabbed the fluffy blankets and pillows and went to the living room, making ourselves comfortable on the couch and put on various Disney movies, beginning with 101 Dalmatians and then Hercules, but at the middle of the movie, we heard footsteps and looking back, we see Seto standing behind the couch, looking with wide eyes at the decorated living room, and the huge tree filled with decorations and gifts underneath.

“What’s...This?” he asks in a low voice, still not over his shock. “Surprise! Happy Christmas, Seto!” I jump over the couch and hug him tightly. “Nii-san, Merry Christmas!” he cheers, hugging his brother’s leg. “Christmas...?” he asked, still out of it. “Don’t tell me you worked so much you forgot it’s Christmas! Seto, you promised you’d take it easy and take care of yourself more.” I pouted, looking up at him. “I guess I last track of time and forgot completely what day is today.” he muttered, with a small scowl on his face, before he huffed in amusement. “Anyhow, you two did a great job at making this place look...Uhmm...” he thought of something, but something was stopping him from saying it. “Like...Home...?” I asked softly, and he only nodded. “Yeah.” he muttered, putting his arms around both of us. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go get changed and let’s watch some quality movies! When you get back, we have cookies and hot chocolate, so hurry!” I kiss his cheek, pushing him forward.

It didn’t take long or him to come back and get on the couch with us, putting Mokuba in the middle and cuddling together with me, but not before scoffing slightly and blushing. “Why are we watching these things?” he muttered, but I knew it was just the facade that he sometimes forgets to take off when he’s around us. “But Seto, everyone loves Disney! Just relax and enjoy the cookies!” I smile at him, handing him the plate with the cookies. “Was that decoration on top of the Tree really necessary?” he asked in a whisper, making me chuckle at him. “You love BEWD so much that I couldn’t resist. Besides, you’re adorable to tease!” I stifle a giggle, kissing his cheek once again. “How crude...” he rolled his eyes, but took the cookies, his eyes widening slightly. “These...Are very good. You made them?” he asked, looking up at me. “You bet we did.” I winked, grinning at him. “Someone has to put you into a festive mood, right? Otherwise, you’ll forget even your own birthday...Not that it hasn’t happened before. You’re either overworking or overly indulging in your fantasies, which makes you sometimes forget that you live in the present.” he appeared surprised by my comment for a while, but he nodded silently, obviously knowing I was saying the truth. “I see...Then, next we should watch Mulan and Tangled.” he stated, already searching for them. “Aww, I can’t wait! Those are my favourite Disney Princess movies, along with Beauty and the Beast!” I clap my hands excitedly, but I was shushed gently. “Hmm...?” I tilt my head in confusion. “Mokuba fell asleep.” Seto chuckled quietly, leaning back on the couch, his arm around my shoulder. “Oh! I guess he worked himself too hard for this. Guess we will leave the gift opening for tomorrow.” I stifle a chuckle, looking down at the kid. “Wait here. I’ll tuck him in and we can continue this.” he got up, carrying Mokuba to his room, before getting back and cuddling with me on the couch, watching Tangled. “I really hope you get to de-stress and relax a bit during these Christmas days. Even if it’s just a pretext to take it easy.” I rake my fingers through his chestnut hair softly, as he cuddled to my chest, but after a few moments of silence, he pushed himself up, resting on one arm, while he used the other hand to brush his fingers on my cheek, his expression soft, smiling. “You always worry so much about me and my well-being...And yet, I seem to take everything for granted and forget myself in my work and even my own world of success. Thank you for putting up with me and not giving up on me. You’re the one who keeps me grounded and reminds me that I’m human and still alive, that I feel, and I’m not just some robot who greeds success. Thank you, Katrina, and...I love you. I know I should say it more often, you deserve to hear it much more often.” he speaks his heart out, for the first time in a long time, allowing himself vulnerability. “Darling, don’t be so hard on yourself. You don’t have to say it often for me to know that you mean it. It’s the feeling and actions that count, not the words. And besides, everyone needs an emotional support, and if I can be that for you, then I’m very happy.” I kiss him tenderly, before guiding him gently to use my chest as a pillow, stroking his hair, trying to get him to relax. “You’re too good for me.” he muttered, seemingly drowsy. “You can sleep if you feel like it. You must be tired from everything you’ve been doing all this time. You deserve to rest, sweetheart... I love you.” I hum in glee, holding him close to me. “Happy Christmas, Kat.” he muttered quietly, sighing in content. “Happy Christmas, Seto. I hope you are happy.” I reply softly. “With you, I am.” was his last reply before a comfortable silence took over, letting the movie continue peacefully.

[azylamolap]

Obedient

(by azyl00 for Mr. Love Dream Date Fanfic Contest)

You asked me to wait,

I told you not to;

But you smiled at me

As if you heard nothing.

<<Flashback>>

“Wait for me.” He said.

“You know I can’t, Lucien.”

“Distance doesn’t matter, as long as we love each other, right?”

“But I’m afraid. I’m scared. You know I’m not ready for a relationship. I need to focus on my studies; I don’t want to lose my scholarship. With the dad getting fired, I have to work part-time to afford school.”

“But I’ll be here supporting you. I won’t leave you alone. I’ll help you pay.”

“I don’t want to be selfish, Lu. You’re the kind of person who gives 200%; you’ll be busy with your internship at the hospital. I don’t want you to drag you down nor want your money. You know how I feel about that.”

“You are stubborn as hell. How can you be selfish when you know I could afford it, the money and the time?”

“I want you to prioritize your patients rather than thinking about me, not eating or not. Plus, the US is not as cheap as here.”

“Even if I’m your boyfriend or your friend, I’ll still be concerned. You look like a stick!”

“I don’t want to fight today, anymore, Lu.” She sighed. “Today is the last day I’m spending time with you face to face; you’re flying to the US tomorrow.”

“Okay. Okay. No more fighting?”

“I’ll miss hanging at this Peach Grove with you.” She said while looking at the flowers around.

“I’ll miss you more.” He whispered while looking at her.

She just smiled sadly at him.

An awkward silence surrounded them as they walked home.

“Lu…”

“Why do I feel like you’re breaking up with me?”

“It’s not breaking up when you haven’t even started.”

“M…” He said but was suddenly stopped as she hugged him.

“Please, let’s stay like this.”

“…”

“I guess this is goodbye, for now, Lu. Take care of your flight to the US tomorrow! Send me chocolates, lots of them when you ever visit.” She said as she lets go, wiping her tears as they slowly fall from her eyes.

“Wait for me, M.,” he said as he helped her wipe her tears away.

“Don’t, Lu.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead. He bid her goodnight as she entered her house.

I wasn’t supposed to hope;

To be with you someday

Unconsciously, I did.

And perhaps, I was obedient.

Lucien arrived safely in the US and started his career while she continued her studies.

They would talk every night; he’d asked her what she has eaten, she’d ask him how many lives he saved. They’ll do it for hours until one of them is asleep or off to duty.

This was their routine

For a Month…

For a Year…

Until both of them were too busy, he was focused on his career; she in her studies.

Talks for hours became missed calls.

Messages sent.

Messages read later.

She graduated while he was awarded one of the best doctors in his hospital.

100-word messages became shorter and shorter.

From stories, they became greetings. “Happy Birthday.” “Merry Christmas.” “Congratulations.”

Messages seen.

Messages unanswered.

On her mind, she dreamt of scenarios seeing him again. She’ll hug him harder than the last time. She’ll wait for him this time. She’ll be much better.

But years passed, and she started her career. They’ve never met.

No more messages.

Just unsent ones.

Then time passed by,

I saw you again,

And you smiled at me

As if you were to say something.

“I hate these kinds of conferences,” Kiki complained. “Why does the boss always assign boring ones to us?”

“What’s boring about a doctor finding a cure to cancer? Surely, it’s worth the headline.”

“There are no handsome guys here, MC.” Her companion sighed. “As per research, Dr. Freeman is a genius, but he looks like a crazy old dude with no sleep. How can I listen to this four-hour conference?”

“There, there, Kiki. That’s why you have me. We’re in this together. Just don’t forget to take lots of photos, okay?”

“Aye. Aye.”

The program started, “Good morning, we welcome you all to this conference on ‘A Step Closer to Curing Cancer.’ We are afraid that Dr. Freeman is unable to come with us due to an illness, but he will be substituted by his assistant.”

“Oh, that’s probably another old guy. I want to bail out.” Kiki whispered. “Why do we always choose to be on the front? It’s hard to stand up without getting noticed.”

“Shh… keep quiet, Kiki, I’ll need to take note of the name for the article.” She answered her colleague back.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce our speaker, Dr. Lucien.”

…

“Ten Million people per year die because of cancer. It might be strangers, our friends, our loved ones. Ladies and gentlemen, you may have to worry no more. On behalf of my mentor, Dr. Freeman, this is Dr. Lucien, not only saying to you good morning, but we have found a cure.”

“On second thought, I thank you, Madam Boss, for the assignment and you MC for the front row seats. This guy is gorgeous. And his voice, don’t get me started with his voice.”

“…”

“MC, hey.”

“…”

“Earth to MC!” Kiki whispered again as she looked at MC with confusion.

He was here in the flesh. Her friend, is he still her friend even though it has been years since their last message? Exactly 999 days?

He saw her.

Their eyes met,

for one

two

three seconds.

And a smile crept on to his lips.

Did he wait? Did he still love her? All those questions were on her mind as he was speaking to the audience. They were mesmerized by him like she was. Lucien was still Lucien, but he was brighter than ever.

You were supposed to wait;

To be together, you and I,

But then you didn’t.

And sadly, you were obedient

“MC, you were so spaced out during the whole conference. Are you okay?”

“Yes, Kiki. I was just a bit shocked.”

“Did you get star struck? Or fall in love at first sight? So that’s your ideal guy, MC. I’ve never seen you dating since we started working.” Her friend pondered.

“Uhmm.. he just looked familiar.”

“Oh, wait, there he is!” Kiki said as she dragged her through the people who were crowding the star.

“Lucien!” Someone shouted, and a woman suddenly was in the middle of the crowd hugging the doctor.

“Jade! I didn’t know you’d be here,” he said as she smiled at her and kissed her cheeks.

“Wow! What a beauty!” Kiki said as both of them got shocked by the newcomer. “I want to see them closer, I want a picture. They look cozy.”

“You can go to them, Kiki. I’m going to go ahead.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m hungry, and I need to go to the office so that it can be printed tomorrow.” She said to her friend as she bid her goodbye.

Thoughts run on her mind as she was walking away.

In the end, he fulfilled her wish;

Not to wait, but to move on.

In the end, she fulfilled his wish,

To wait, even though she told him not to.

Months have passed since that meeting.

Her article was a hit earning her praise.

He flew back to the US to continue the research.

She was sad, but that didn’t stop her in life. She still worked, went out with friends, and thought of him less and less.

Maybe they were not just meant to be?

No other guys she has met ever piqued her interest.

Maybe she was meant to be single?

Maybe?

Maybe not?

Maybe?

Maybe not?

She said as she plucked the leaves on the fallen flower.

She was alone on her sanctuary, at the peach grove, until she hears footsteps.

Until she saw him.

“Hey.” He said cautiously.

“Lu… Lucien?”

“I was looking for you everywhere, I almost forgot we hung out at this spot.”

“You were looking for me?”

“Yes. I’ve tried going to your house, but the tenant said you’ve already moved.”

“Oh yeah. You could’ve messaged me.”

“I wanted to see you.” He said as he looked at her. “At the conference, I was looking for you, but your friend said you were back in the office. I forgot to ask your number from her; you changed your’s way back.”

“Yes, I was busy writing the article about the cure for cancer.”

“I read it. It was an amazing article.”

“Your research was marvelous, how’s it by the way?”

“We are actually on Phase 2 of testing, we are conducting one in the US, and I’m assigned here.”

“Oh,” she was shocked. “So, you’ll be staying here?”

“For good, hopefully. We can conduct researches and coordinate them online.”

“That’s good. I’m happy for you.” She said as she smiled at him.

They spent a few minutes of silence together, admiring the beauty of their peach grove.

“M?”

“Yes”

“I missed you, you know.”

“You’re not the only one who did, Lu.”

“You were right.”

“About what?”

“That forcing it back then would have destroyed us. I would’ve been busy with the patients, then the research, I would have no time for you.”

“And you would’ve blamed yourself for not putting me first and pushing me away. That’s why I did it first.”

“I understand that. I guess it’s the perks of being an adult, yes?”

“True. I would probably hide from you forever if we broke up back then.” She laughed at the notion.

“Six years, and you still laugh the same.” He told her.

“Six years, and you are still as observant as ever.” She countered back.

“And single as ever.”

“You never dated?”

“Too busy with the research.”

“I thought you were dating that pretty girl at the conference?”

“Do I smell jealousy there?”

“No!”

“It was Jade. Her husband was one of my colleagues at the hospital. Both of them were actually there at the conference.”

“Oh.”

“I’m actually waiting for this stubborn girl, but she told me not to.”

“Oh.”

“M … I’m still waiting for you. The moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were the one. But that time, back then, wasn’t ours. I hope now is the right time.”

“We were best friends back then, Lu. Right now, we barely know each other.”

“We’ll take it slow. Let’s hang out like we used to, start being friends again. Then go on dates, adventures, more dates?”

“What about work?”

“The perks of being head researcher means I have many people I can delegate my work to. No more late nights. How about you?”

“No worries on my side. Ever since I started working, everything went well, Dad’s job is stable, and I guess we have no more financial problems.”

“You in? Slow and steady?” he said as he extended his hand to her.

“I’m still scared, Lu.”

“We’re always a good team, M. We can do this together.”

“I know.”

“So? You and me?”

“Yes, you and me.” She said as she held his hand.

They both hugged each other.

Harder than the last.

Harder thinking it was their last.

But actually, it was one of their many firsts.

Their first hug as a couple,

Their first date,

Their first kiss.

He asked her to wait,

the stubborn girl he loved.

To be together, she and him

And he thought she didn’t.

Time has passed

And fate let them meet again

Luckily, she did

The stubborn girl was obedient.