#on the bright side i finished my exam!!! so now i just need to work on chemistry stuff and my art paper ^^

[cloudcountry]

i think i may have created way to much pressure on myself when i tell people to send stuff that theyve tagged me in that i've missed. like yes i'd love to be able to read everything you guys send me but im gone most of the day now and its just not possible anymore. it kinda makes me sad because ive probably missed out on so much because of the sheer amount of things in my mentions.

[oceanicwriting]

probably.

summary: after years, you've finally realized that you are in love with your best friend theodore nott. but what will he think about it when you confess your feelings in the most foolish way?

pairing(s): bsf!theodore nott x hufflepuff!fem!reader

a/n: aaah! working hard to get back and write, but between my road trip and my preparation for my college year, it's getting hard! send me strength xoxo.

. . .

ㅤㅤㅤ —is that okay with you? —you look at him, aware that you’ve dissociated every word because of how pretty his hair looks this morning—. did you hear me?

ㅤㅤㅤ you just hope, more like pray, that he doesn’t smile. you want his eyes to not get smaller at the rise of the corner of his lips, showing his perfect, shiny teeth. you want his eyes to stay confused, not bright with the amusement he gets from seeing you lost. you want him to look away to avoid knowing the truth. although, of course, theodore would never stop doing that. shooting arrows straight to your heart full of them.

ㅤㅤㅤ —are you okay?

ㅤㅤㅤ —yes. of course i am. why wouldn’t i be? i have no problem with what you said —you answer, unable to hold his bright gaze much longer.

ㅤㅤㅤ theodore has a tender smile drawn on his face. it's so cute that you glance at it for a second out of the corner of your eye to save it in a chest of the most beautiful images.

ㅤㅤㅤ —so you're going to let me copy the entire potions exam? —and your jaw drops straight to the floor, opening and closing your mouth like a fish out of the water—. you didn't hear what i said.

ㅤㅤㅤ this time, you have to be honest, shaking your head down and listening again to what he had proposed for the weekend.

ㅤㅤㅤ you and theodre nott met one day in the second year at hogwarts. you stopped talking about the details of that encounter a long time ago, but he, a full-fledged slytherin, was the only one who stopped the mockery of the joke that a bunch of ravenclaws had played on you at christmas dinner. now, strangely enough, a clumsy hufflepuff and a coveted slytherin have declared themselves the best friends in the wizarding world. or you were, until recently, when one-sided feelings blossomed.

ㅤㅤㅤ you and theodore are already seniors, and although you think your feelings are nothing new, less than two months ago, you had a majestic revelation. why else would you blush when he tells you how gorgeous a piece of clothing looks on you? why else would you feel your heart race when he hugs you or kisses your cheek? why else do you become a bundle of nerves when he smiles? you were totally lost.

ㅤㅤㅤ —are you sure it won’t be a problem for the others? —you ask, playing with the notepad in your hands—. i don’t want your friends to feel uncomfortable with my presence.

ㅤㅤㅤ —oh, come on, you know that the boys adore you. —theodore closes the book you were studying and forces you to look at him, now understanding the root of your naive question—. you don't mean the boys? right?

ㅤㅤㅤ of course not. what you're really worried about is theodore's ex-girlfriend, with whom he assured that ended on good terms, as friends, according to everyone. the worrying thing is that theodore commented on one occasion, thanks to a slip of his own words and your insistence, that you had been the reason for almost all their arguments. he always spends a lot of time with you, always runs if you need him, always does what you want, and you'll always be on top of her or anyone. and theodore nott could never deny that.

ㅤㅤㅤ —you don't have to worry about that —he assures, caressing your hand gently—. come on, come with us. i promise i'll do my best when we study together and...

ㅤㅤㅤ and he doesn't need to keep talking because there would be no way to refuse when his warm touch turns your stomach, and the innocent look of his blue eyes never stops connecting with yours.

ㅤㅤㅤ when the weekend comes, overwhelmed by the machinery of thoughts, you had decided that you would be honest with theodore that same afternoon. there was little time left to finish the year, and if anything went wrong, you could hide under the endless exams that were coming. it was the perfect plan.

ㅤㅤㅤ it was already the weekend and you were going upriver, because according to theodore, who is walking with the walkman headphones hanging from his neck and at full volume, kilometers towards the mountains there is a beautiful waterfall. something that you had never seen due to your lack of courage.

ㅤㅤㅤ —how much longer? —you ask, tripping over your own steps for the fifteenth time, and only avoiding the fall thanks to theodore catching you again.

ㅤㅤㅤ —a little more, miss i-can’t-stand-sports.

ㅤㅤㅤ you intend to hit his shoulder for the mocking tone, but when you turn to see him he has a huge smile on his face and you can’t contain the explosive blush that settles on your cheeks.

ㅤㅤㅤ you’ve already walked a lot of time, almost infinitely for someone with a great thorn of honesty buried in his tongue. the whole time of the walk your hands have been sweating, your heart hasn’t given you a moment of rest, your head keeps inventing scenarios and, even you’ve had many opportunities to take the great weight off your shoulders, you never manage to get the words out of your mouth.

ㅤㅤㅤ you look at him, theodore has his eyes glued to the road, taking confident steps and softly humming the song that comes through his headphones. maybe that was the biggest difference between you. nott was such a confident boy that he could declare his love to a girl whenever he wanted, sure that he wouldn't be rejected or that they could fall in love with him no matter what.

ㅤㅤㅤ —theo... —it's a whisper that escapes almost without thinking. the others are steps away from you, walking between animated conversations—. i...

ㅤㅤㅤ —theo! —it's his ex-girlfriend, who calls from the group of friends, stopped a couple of meters away—. they've enchanted this path.

ㅤㅤㅤ —give me a second —he shouts back, looking at you intently again—. what were you going to say?

ㅤㅤㅤ and the words get stuck again when all his friends are looking in your direction, waiting for theodore to analyze the situation. then, feeling a heat embrace your cheeks, you deny and assure that you should see what happens first. he didn't seem happy with the way you divert attention, but he doesn't put up any resistance either.

ㅤㅤㅤ —a simple spell, —you say, after examining the magical charge of the place—. but it's one on top of another. if we continue this way, they'll take us to hogwarts without us realizing it.

ㅤㅤㅤ —there must be another sector that isn't enchanted. should we split up and search?

ㅤㅤㅤ —how will we know if we find the other entrance? —mattheo says, taking a drag from the joint they were sharing—. if we turn on a light, they'll discover us from the castle. i imagine they must be watching this shit...

ㅤㅤㅤ everyone agrees, nodding until theodore decides to speak—: you can call them every now and then. you're a legilimens.

ㅤㅤㅤ you look at him. even though you'd like to say no, you're speechless. using your ability for something like this, especially with his best friends, was a matter of death. if you wanted to let them know something, you would have to project yourself into their minds, and every single thing you presented to them would be about theodore nott. his friends would have to be very dumb not to notice your feelings.

ㅤㅤㅤ —that will help, —lorenzo says—. draco and i will go to the right. riddle, zabini, and parkinson can go that other path. maybe it will work. you two continue through the field on this side.

ㅤㅤㅤ even though you would like to say something, you don’t manage to do so before everyone disappears down the paths berkshire had assigned.

ㅤㅤㅤ —are you coming? —theodore asks, walking with his back to the path and inviting you with a smile to follow him.

ㅤㅤㅤ during all the time you spent searching, you didn't talk much more than about finding the way. theodore was sure that they should have left a space to enter, so you both surrounded the magical energy. sometimes, he insisted on knowing what you were going to tell him before. however, you are a mastery in diverting his attention every time.

ㅤㅤㅤ theodore nott with his wavy hair that falls unruly in all directions, white cheekbones, and profiled jaw. it was even surprising that you hadn't noticed your crush before, fantasizing every time about being close to or living with him. until very recently, you would have said that your reactions were just shyness, fear, or surprise, and the scenarios in your head were simply a product of friendship. now it was as clear as water that it wasn't just that, that there was much more behind your emotions.

ㅤㅤㅤ —hey, come here. feel this, —theodore says, calling you over to stand beside him between two large trees.

ㅤㅤㅤ as you approach, you notice that there is no magical pressure pressing against your skin, or if there is, it’s imperceptible. theodore then smiles, certain that he’s found an entrance.

ㅤㅤㅤ —call the boys.

ㅤㅤㅤ you freeze, looking at him with a bit of fear. it takes theodore a second to notice your dismay, his expression changing to one of bewilderment soon after.

ㅤㅤㅤ —what’s wrong?

ㅤㅤㅤ —can’t we turn on a light? i don’t think they’re watching from the castle. don’t you think they’d have come looking for us by now? besides, the boys could have found another entrance. maybe we could go after them and...

ㅤㅤㅤ he frowns, stopping your words—: it's still dangerous to turn on a light, and if they find something, we'll know about it now. come on, you've never had a hard time doing it.

ㅤㅤㅤ you'd like to comply with what he asks, but you take two steps back and step on some stones that make you wobble on your feet. theodore extends his arm to grab yours, trying to stop the fall. however, his own body betrays him and falls with you. one of theodore's hands reaches for the back of your head, protecting it from the fall, and the other supports its own weight to not crush you completely.

ㅤㅤㅤ —shit...

ㅤㅤㅤ his breath collides with yours, making you feel dizzy because of the smell of his perfume and body heat trapped between you two. your whole body has tensed up at the collision, and even if you want to move, you can’t. you look at him then, lingering as you feel the red in your cheeks build up. it was now or never. maybe it’s because of the way his body hasn’t moved an inch, almost enjoying the situation, or because you can’t stop the avalanche of terror that being discovered by his friends causes you.

ㅤㅤㅤ —i like you. —it feels like a bucket of cold water falling on your head, taking you straight to the reality—. i only realized it a few months ago. i know we’re friends, and you probably think this will ruin us. don’t you think so? well, i do. but just think that this never influenced our friendship, even though i probably felt this way from the first day we met. i've always liked you. probably since before we met, if you want me to be honest. this is so dumb. do you think it doesn't make sense? probably...

ㅤㅤㅤ —can you stop saying probably all the time? —theodore interrupts, sitting on the floor, looking at you without any expression you can decipher.

ㅤㅤㅤ a terrifying silence settles between you two. theodore just stares at you, enigmatic and incapable of anything else. you sit down, facing him.

ㅤㅤㅤ —theo? —and with all the fear that runs through your body, you would like to have another reaction than the unbearable silence of the trees dancing—. please, say something.

ㅤㅤㅤ and it happens so fast that it's hard to process. theodore has taken your face, leaning down to collide with your lips and light up thousands of signals throughout your body. the simple contact, although short and soft, had managed to make imaginary fireworks come out of your ears. theodore can't leave everything there because the moment he separates, he attacks your lips again, this time with a playfulness that takes you time to follow. your arms wrap around his neck, pulling him tenderly. theodore's hands, which now travel to your hip, make you sigh between the warm movement of his mouth against yours.

ㅤㅤㅤ —theo... —you whisper against his lips, getting him to separate to take a breath of air.

ㅤㅤㅤ —could it have taken you less time to realize it? —he leaves his head against yours, joining your forehead as your bodies adjust to the outburst from a while ago—. don't you think?

ㅤㅤㅤ —what?

ㅤㅤㅤ he smiles, caressing and brushing his rings on your face.

ㅤㅤㅤ —how much i've waited for you to fall in love with me. at this point, i thought it would never happen with all the planning we did with parkinson. didn't you realize how much i tried?

ㅤㅤㅤ your cheeks turn a deep crimson again that it's impossible to look away, because theodore reaches your face to look at you for a while before kissing you again as if he couldn't get enough. the rest of the afternoon passes like that, stuck in the middle of the forest, talking as if he could see a new part of you. now you are as familiar as two friends, but as unknown as two newly in love.

[moonstruckme]

Hi lovely, any chance you could do James x reader who is stressing over exam season?

Thanks for all the great work bb we appreciate it so much :)

Thank you angel, I love you <3

James Potter x fem!reader ♡ 768 words

“Hey, lovely girl.” James comes up behind your chair with an arm around your front and a kiss to your head, surreptitiously slipping away your coffee. “How’s it going?” 

“It’s going fine,” you say. It’s a lie, but you have larger concerns. Your boyfriend is acting suspicious. “What are you doing?” 

“Just checking in on you.” 

“No, what are you doing with my drink?” 

“I was thinking we could make an exchange,” James says casually. 

You sigh, both craving and resenting the break. “I need to focus. No side quests.” 

“This isn’t a side quest. It’s a…a brief deviation—”

“That’s another way to say side quest.” 

“You didn’t let me finish. A brief deviation which will ultimately result in you being more productive.” 

You pause. “Okay…” 

James stamps a happy kiss to your hair. “So, first, I was thinking we could pick up some matcha or something—” 

“James,” you cut him off gently, “that’s a sweet thought, but matcha doesn’t have any caffeine in it.” 

“I’ve heard that, yeah. That’s a key feature of the plan, as it happens.” 

“I feel like I sort of need caffeine for my studying, lovely.” 

James makes a wishy-washy humming sound. It buzzes against the top of your head where he rests his chin. “Have you noticed that you’re vibrating?” he asks.

“I’m…” You take a quick stock of yourself. You feel exhausted, drained. Not vibratey. “No, I’m not.” 

“Mhm. I can actually feel your heart beating against my arm right now.” 

Now that he says so, you can feel it too. “Well, I’m nervous.” Your voice takes on an unintentional sharpness. “I’ve got three exams this week, and I want to do well. I can’t just check out.” 

James might have been anticipating you’d get prickly. He stays perfectly calm, only sweeping his thumb over your collarbone mollifyingly. You feel instantly ridiculous for your small breakage.

“I know, angel,” he says, in that everything’s-just-fine voice of his. “I get that you’re stressed. And it sucks that it is so stressful, but I’m not saying you should check out. I just want to make your studying go easier.” 

You’re quiet, guilty and embarrassed for sniping at him when he’s so relentlessly kind to you. James never does anything but make things easier for you, even when he’s not trying to. He makes your life easier just by existing. 

James lets go of you with the arm across your chest to squat by your chair, looking up into your face. He touches his thumb to the top of your cheekbone. 

“You look like your eyes hurt.” 

“They do,” you admit. 

He smiles ruefully. “Can I tell you the rest of the plan?” 

“Yeah. Sorry.” 

“I was thinking we’d take our matcha—or uncaffeinated beverages of your choice—and go to the park by Remus’ place. It has that little quiet area down the trail, remember? You could bring your books. It’d still be studying, but” —James shrugs, looking at the bright light you’ve positioned above your textbook, your grimy coffee mug, the chair you’ve been sitting in since you got up this morning— “this isn’t good for you. Maybe a change of scenery will help.” 

Now it’s you wanting a deviation. A side quest, an excuse to check out. You want to take James’ face between your hands and spend the rest of the week ensuring no inch of it goes unkissed. Screw exams. When he looks at you like this, so wholesome and earnest and chock full of good intentions, you genuinely think you must be the luckiest girl in the world. 

“That sounds nice,” you say. 

James grins, and god, his dimples dig in so deep you really could get lost in them if you let yourself. “Yeah?” 

“Yeah.” You give in slightly to indulgence, leaning down to press your lips to his cupid’s bow. Retracting before you forget about exams altogether. “That’s a really lovely idea, Jamie. Thank you for thinking of it.” 

“Well, it wasn’t hard,” he says breezily. “All I had to do was think to myself, if I were wearing my eyes out being a swot all day, where would I rather be?” 

You smile. James’ doubles in wattage because of it. “Well, you nailed it. That sounds perfect.” 

“Plans are my forte, lovely. Let’s see, maybe we try studying there until the sun starts to go down, and then you can call it quits for the evening.” 

“I thought we agreed on no checking out.” 

“But what if I put cucumbers on your eyes? That’s not checking out, that’s just rejuvenation.” 

“I…might be slightly more amenable to that.”

[urrsstrully]

park gunwook with a younger s/o

zerobaseone park gunwook x younger!reader genre : fluff, a very tooth rotting fluff word count : 760 warning : too fluffy, so much usage of petname (baby), usage of “oppa”, some of you might find this cringy but it’s my style of writing so please don’t judge 🥹🫶🏻 a/n : this man live in my head rent free and i just have a lot of thoughts of him dating a younger s/o (also because i just love boys whos older than me so i made this). this is for all of the gunwook stan whos younger than him <3 reader is around 1-2 years younger than gunwook !

DEFINITELY GONNA BABY YOU MOST OF THE TIME. just like how he saw yujin, he just wants to protect you and offer you all the best efforts he could provide.

he finds all the things that you do endearing and it makes him love you even more. PARTICULARLY, if you’re the shy type who gets flustered so easily.

he would unleash his flirty side even more. He ADORES seeing you flustered; there’s simply no way to escape from his flirtatious behavior. Sometimes, he'll put his hand on top of your head and ruffle your hair or gently pat your head. Or he might suddenly bring his face close to yours, maintaining eye contact until you can’t handle it anymore.

his heart wouldn’t take it anymore and wants you in his pocket immediately so that he can bring you anywhere he goes. “could you stop being such a cutie, cuz i can’t handle it.”

even when you’re smiling and giggling, he feels like his heart is about to burst. “please stop that bright smile of yours, baby. i might faint because of your cuteness right now.”

he would let out his protective side even more. of course, because you’re his baby and he needs to protect you.

you got hurt? he’ll be panicking and acts on it immediately, even if it’s just a slight cut on your finger, he’ll be treating you like a wounded soldier. you’re suddenly crying? he’ll give his shoulder for you to lean on.

he’ll be sooooo cuddly and clingy, all he need after a rough day is just your cuddle. prepared to be babied whenever you guys cuddle cuz this man LOVES babying you and he just can’t help it.

it’s definitely the popular senior x junior type of trope between the two of you. you’ll be the luckiest junior to be with him, cuz who wouldn’t want to have a boyfriend like gunwook.

ALSO, you got to know him because you had the chance to be a part of the student council, with him being the vice president of the student council at that time.

he always got his eyes on you whenever there’s some opportunity of you two working together in school. he always finds an excuse to be beside you and some other student council members might actually notice the change in his behavior whenever you’re near him.

you’ll probably got to be the most talked-about junior among the seniors because how close you are to gunwook and how sweet gunwook’s gestures are towards you.

but because of the csat, he got too focused on it and became a bit distance with you. HOWEVER, after the test and all of the final exams were done, he finally had the courage to talk to you seriously about his feelings.

it’s a bit sad that you guys established the relationship when he’s already on his way to graduating.

BUT DON’T WORRY, cuz after he graduated, he will be your own private lesson teacher. he’ll always be there when you need to finish your homework and whenever there’s a quiz or test coming up, he’ll be there to help you with the materials.

there have been a few times where he actually asked if you had a test or quiz upcoming. “do you have any tests coming this week? if so, don’t be bother to tell me, alright?”

he’ll be worried too if you overworked yourself. he’ll ne the one who always remind you to take a rest and eat properly.

“school isn’t everything, baby. you don’t need to overwork yourself okay? you need time to rest too.”

if you had a rough time at school, your escape would be him. spending time with him would let go all of the burden on your shoulders. ESPECIALLY, you could burry your face onto his broad chest and rant about what happened in your school.

aside from all of the school stuff, he’s just going to be the best boyfriend ever. with the best effort and he wants to be the best for you and you’ll always tell him that he’s just the best.

one thing that definitely gonna fluster him is when you occasionally call him oppa.

“oppa, can you help me with this..” “okay… oppa will help you with it”

his face will be full of the most lovesick, cheeky, and cocky expression ever. he just can’t hide his wide smile anymore and definitely gonna remember it for the rest of the day.

“call me that even more, please.”

IN CONCLUSION, THIS MAN IS THE BEST BOYFRIEND EVER.

©️urrsstrully.2024.copyright

[kbandtrash]

Less Than Three (Hongjoong x Reader)

~Rachel~

@sorryimananti-romantic hahaha remember how I said I was the slowest writer ever? Apparently that's not true because it only took me a month and a half to write this. I need help

Content: fluff, a whole lot of delusional one-sided pining (the cute kind though) (from him), silly middle school antics from both teachers and students, betting, friends to lovers

Summary: Kim Hongjoong teaches middle school math and finds himself absolutely smitten with you, the math department's newest hire. You're the last person to find out.

Note: This is set in an American-style middle school because that's where my teaching experiences have been and I figured my best work would come out of the system I'm most familiar with

Word Count: 11.5k

Why did Hongjoong choose middle school?

He asks himself this question every day as well

If he wanted to be a math teacher, high school was clearly a better option

But no he had started out in a middle school, promising to take a high school position as soon as one opened up

And now he was actively avoiding high school principals that wanted to recruit him

Is it because he found out the math is easier to explain and the kids really aren’t that bad?

Yeah sure

But this year he had another reason to stay

See his math department had a position open up this summer and as he got to take part in interviews to select a new hire

He fell in love

Now that was not the whole reason he advocated to hire you

In fact your credentials as a math teacher

The places you had taught before

Your praxis exam scores

Your recommendation letters

The professional development programs you were a part of

Test scores from your previous classes

The way you understood math

And especially the way you believed that every student had the potential to pass your class

All of these made you the obvious choice and everyone else agreed

But he was struck several times with Cupid’s arrows throughout the interview and that absolutely did not hurt his opinion of you as a potential colleague

On this particular morning his excuse to talk to you before classes started for the day was a test for your 7th graders

Which they would be taking next Friday

Your feedback always ended up being valuable anyway so there was no need for this to be an “excuse” but it got to be one anyway

You were typing something up when he knocked on the open door to your classroom to announce his presence

You finished typing your sentence before you looked up, and when you saw Hongjoong leaning against the door frame with some papers in his hand, you greeted him with a smile and a wave

He wondered if it would look unprofessional if he grew out his hair to cover his ears

You looked gorgeous today (every day) and he knew there was no stopping his ears from turning bright red

“I have the unit tests for 7th,” he said, stealing a chair from a desk to sit backwards on while he talked to you

“Oh good!” you replied. “I’ll take a look at those and get them back to you by lunch”

Buy lunch he thought

That sounded like an excellent idea

He should buy you lunch

He didn’t say that though

“Works for me. How was your weekend?”

And he stalled and stalled and stalled until the first bell rang and he had to get out to hall duty

At lunch he walked in again while you were putting in assignment scores and munching on some pretzel sticks

“I made a key for that new assignment we decided to add for 8th grade. Can you check answers if you get the time?”

His heart did a little flip as you covered your mouth with your hand while you finished chewing

How could you be so graceful and polite?

And your hands were so pretty wow

“Yes just as soon as I finish putting these in. And—” you turned your chair around and grabbed something from behind you— “here are the 7th tests from this morning. I added a couple notes on the integer operations review questions, but other than that, I think they’re great”

He unfortunately did need to go and eat his own lunch and fulfill other teacherly lunchtime duties so he couldn’t stall as much as this morning

But he read your notes on the way back to his classroom

And boy he could have lived in your handwriting

The pen that you used was the perfect instrument to capture every letter, every dot, every loop in a way that encapsulated your personality

And as soon as he caught himself thinking that he knew he needed to ask the home ec teacher to smack him over the head with a frying pan because wowie

He would need professional help in order to date you like a normal person at this point

Anyway he was practically skipping back after lunch because he came up with another question to ask you

There were students there so instead of using your first name he caught your attention by calling you Miss (L/N)

Which for some reason gives him more butterflies than calling you normally

This time luckily instead of giving you a new task it was a task he could do for you

“How many copies of the activity page should I put you down for?”

“Ooh good question”

You put your finger over your lips as you counted on your other hand and he had to actively look away and think about other things

There were students present after all

“Which classes are you doing it with?” you ended up asking

He used the opportunity to set a hand down on your desk and lean forward in a cool pose

“I’m making the eighth graders do it but it’s extra credit for the seventh”

“That sounds like a good plan to me. So sixty for the eighth graders and then how many do you think I would need if it’s optional?”

Oh boy he loved it when you asked for advice

It gave him the chance to look cool and smart and he always got to play it off as the humble senior teacher

“I do half just to be safe. Plus then you have extra if you want to do it again later in the year or even next year”

And then your face did that thing it did when you liked a suggestion he gave

Your face lit up with your eyebrows raised and your mouth in a little “ooh”

There were students around there were students around

“Okay then sixty for the eighth graders and forty-five for seventh. A hundred and five?”

He scribbled the number down on the copy request form

“Excellent. I’ll run this down then”

He gave you a smile and a wave as he went to attend to his own class

Which you returned

And he was sure his heart would never physically recover from the stress it was under this year

You didn’t need to know that you were the only other teacher he was sharing this particular activity page with

He would give it to the other teachers if they asked him for it but he wasn’t going to go out of his way for this one because it was kind of silly and short

But he would do anything to make your first year at a new school just a little bit easier

Back in his classroom he tried to get class started when one of his eighth graders had the audacity to raise his hand and say the following:

“You just walked back from Miss (L/N)’s class huh?”

Mr. Kim squinted suspiciously at the student

“Yeah…why”

“You’re way nicer when you go to her class before our class starts”

Before he had any time to figure out what that meant, the class exploded in giggles and shouts of agreement

“Yeah you smile a lot more this year than you did last year” a girl who had had his class the previous year as well agreed

And then from the back corner

One of the notorious trouble makers stood up

Pointed his finger up at poor Mr. Kim, who was now considering taking a high school position again

And shouted “Mr. Kim has a crush on Miss (L/N)!!!”

There was no longer any hope for this class

Exponent rules? Down the drain

Hongjoong was now a laughingstock

Irredeemable in front of a bunch of 13-14 year olds

So he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, lips pursed, and his eyes dangerously blank

It wasn’t long before kids started shushing each other

Even once they were quiet, he held their attention for a second longer

“If you have two to the fourth times two to the third, what’s the product?” he asked clearly, writing the problem on the whiteboard in new black marker

Not addressing the issue would not stem the tide of curious teenagers for long but it would have to be a band-aid solution until he figured out how to do this properly

Because he couldn’t allow rumors to spread that he liked you because firstly unprofessional and secondly what if you heard them and thought he was weird

But he couldn’t lie and allow rumors to spread that he definitely didn’t have a crush on you because firstly. unprofessional kids don’t need to know about that stuff

Like they think they’re all mature and old enough to date when they can’t even drive yet like can you imagine as a teenager asking your mom to drive you to your date with your girlfriend. Embarrassing

BUT SECONDLY

What if you heard the rumors and maybe you did like him back and it crushed your heart to hear that he didn’t like you

While the kids were working on their assignment and he was working on his computer he decided the best way to explain this to them

If they ever brought it up again

Was that they’re always in a better mood when they get to talk to their friends, right?

You’re a good friend and it’s fun working with you

The other math teachers are fun too but you’re close to his age so it makes sense that you would be closer

Yep

Good explanation Mr. Kim

Literally just one day later the kids bring it up again and they do not buy his explanation

They don’t even pretend to because their brains are not developed enough to have that kind of social tact

And the rumor doesn’t exactly spread like wildfire around the school but everyone knows about it you know what I mean

Except you actually

You’re usually very aware of everything going on in your classroom but somehow this particular subject escaped your attention

You learned early on that for some reason kids don’t have shame anymore in spilling their guts to the classroom about what they’re gossiping about

So the usual “if you can’t wait to tell your friend later then tell the whole class now” classroom management tactic is now useless

So you didn’t do that instead you just asked them which problem they’re helping their friend with and if they’re not helping their friend with math then they should get back on task

You didn’t think that any middle school level gossip could actually be that interesting anyway so yeah you had no idea that kids were shipping the teachers

And you didn’t want to know

So you stayed blissfully ignorant

While Hongjoong was lowkey agonizing over it

Now you and Hongjoong tend to eat lunch in your own classrooms rather than the staff lounge

Because why use up any more social energy than necessary right

But there is a vending machine in the staff room and Hongjoong was craving something sweet one day

And when he walked in the other teachers in there suddenly went awkwardly silent

And he knew

They were talking about him

Yeah he should take a high school position next year

Two of the younger teachers, Jung Wooyoung from the history department and Choi San from the phys ed department, broke the silence giggling to each other

“Sorry Hongjoong” San apologized “the kids are just hilarious these days. They’re so excited about you and (Y/N) it’s adorable”

Hongjoong gave them a look

“Adorable?”

“Well firstly you” Wooyoung pointed out “I never thought I’d see you fall head over heels but I totally get it. She’s super cool”

“And secondly the kids” San continued “any time you guys are talking in the hall I have all of the girls talking about it during warm ups. The boys all think of you as their role model when it comes to liking a girl”

“That reminds me!” Wooyoung interrupted “I actually did have a boy confess to a girl in my class the other day and you wanna know what he told her??”

Hongjoong’s eyebrows furrowed in a glare, absolutely sure that his reputation was never going to recover

“He said ‘I like you more than Mr. Kim likes Miss (L/N)’”

The teachers tried to tone down their laughter out of respect

Hongjoong wanted to leave immediately but this stupid vending machine was having issues

“And then you know what she said back?”

Wooyoung was having trouble holding himself together

His eyes were shining a little with tears of laughter

“She said ‘That’s impossible. No one can like anyone more than Mr. Kim likes Miss (L/N)’”

The other teachers could not hold it back anymore

The vending machine finally gave Hongjoong his candy bar

(Plus the extra one he bought for you)

So he made his way swiftly back towards the door

“Oh no no wait” Wooyoung called after him

“Tests to grade” Hongjoong lied simply

“No come on you have to hear this”

Hongjoong stopped at the door, fighting the urge to classroom manage his coworkers

He looked back both unimpressed and expectant at the same time

“Okay everyone raise your hands if you betted on before Christmas break” Wooyoung called out

Some of the teachers looked at him like he had just asked out a widow at her husband’s funeral

But they raised their hands sheepishly anyway

“Great yes and after Christmas break?”

The other half raised their hands, most of them looking like they wished that had eaten lunch in their own classrooms

“These are bets on when you’re going to ask her out” Wooyoung explained cheerfully

“Wasn’t someone also trying to get bets going on whether you would confess first or she would notice first?” San asked

“That was also me” Wooyoung said with a grin

The lounge door opened again and in walked the principal and one of the vice principals

Hongjoong thought this was finally the end to this stupid conversation

But no

“Oh Hongjoong!” the principal greeted him with a pat on the arm “I’ve got $50 on you dating before Christmas. Don’t let me down”

Waiting until the end of the school year to take a new position would simply not be soon enough

Hongjoong needed to find a new job or retire within the month

But then on the way back to his classroom he remembered he had an extra candy bar for you

So he made a detour

But what greeted him was a closed door with the window on the door covered

He hadn’t ever seen your door shut like this before so he wasn’t sure what it meant exactly

Maybe you went out to lunch today?

Then he could just nab one of your sticky notes and leave the candy bar on your desk with a positive message

He would rather give it to you himself, but the idea of you finding the candy bar on your desk later made his chest feel all warm and cozy so it was fine

Your door was unlocked, so he pulled it open just enough so he could see inside

And you were in there actually

Slumped in your desk chair with your head in your hands

Oh

Oh no

Hongjoong had been there before

Every teacher had been there before

The work of a teacher isn’t as easy as most people would like to believe

Especially for middle school, and even more so for math, it takes someone with unending patience and courage to help kids learn every day

And some days that patience and courage runs a little thinner than other days

Even experienced teachers wonder from time to time if it’s worth the soul that they give to their classes

The classes that seem sometimes not to notice one way or the other if you’re teaching or not

You hadn’t noticed that you weren’t quite alone anymore, so that left Hongjoong with a choice to make

Did he let you have this moment to yourself?

Or did he try to help you through it?

He closed the door as softly as he could

And then he gave a little knock to give you some privacy and some time to gather yourself

Then he opened the door and stepped halfway through

“The vending machine spat out two candy bars instead of one” he lied with a grin, holding up the extra candy bar and wiggling it between his fingers

You had sat up and were resting your chin on your hand curiously

But there was definitely a downtrodden aura about you that he couldn’t miss

“That’s pretty lucky,” you replied

He took that as permission to enter and on his way to your desk he snagged his usual chair to sit backwards on

“How’s today going so far?” he asked as if he knew nothing, setting the candy bar down on top of your closed computer

“Oh, you know,” you sighed

He chuckled, opening his candy bar, not making eye contact with you to relieve some pressure for you to keep up an act

“That good, huh?”

You laughed in return

“Just got my butt kicked by a bunch of seventh graders, so yeah, it’s kind of whatever right now”

Ah the teacher equivalent of “I want to quit my job and hide in my bed for the rest of my life”

“Oh, yep, I’ve been there more than once” he said with a nod “and sometimes there’s really nothing you could have done better, you know? Kids are just like that sometimes. It makes me glad I’m not an elementary school teacher”

“Oh my word yes” you agreed, finally picking up the candy bar “at least I can kick these gremlins out after 45 minutes and I don’t have to see them again until the next day. I can’t imagine being with the same class all day”

Did Hongjoong end up squandering his entire eating time just to talk with you and make sure you felt better?

Yes

He would have to sneak bites of his sandwich in between activities during his afternoon classes

But like it wasn’t the first time he’d had to do that and heaven knew it wouldn’t be the last

At least he had a good reason today instead of something stupid like he was lost in the test grading sauce and forgot to eat

He proceeded to get his butt kicked by his afternoon classes because he couldn’t wipe his lovefool smile off his face

But it was okay because once again it wasn’t the first time and heaven knew it wouldn’t be the last

Not long after came the hallowed and hated teacher inservice day

Professional development day

Both a huge waste of time and a relaxing little work day

The administrators usually planned a series of workshops for the morning that all looked. well. kind of stupid but it was all planned with good intention

Then it was lunch time

And then after that you had until the end of contract hours to do whatever pretty much

The math department liked to go to lunch together and then have a really productive planning meeting until people got bored and then it was individual prep time pretty much

Mostly it was just kinda nice to be at school without kids there

This year was no exception to all of this

But Mr. Principal had $50 on the line and decided to play matchmaker about it

For each of the workshops the teachers were split into groups

And you and Hongjoong had been placed together every single time

Somehow you genuinely thought it was just good luck

Hongjoong was hyperaware of every other teacher looking and pointing and giggling and you were so peacefully oblivious to it

The first workshop was about medical emergency training, specifically training teachers in case of allergy or diabetic emergencies

As soon as the nurse finished with the epipen instructions you leaned over to Hongjoong and whispered “like this?” 

And stabbed him with the fake epipen right in the thigh

Hongjoong swore he was going to die right then and there because why was that so attractive???

“Four…five…six…seven…eight…” you counted out, holding the epipen in place for the full ten seconds

And like a good patient he sat like a statue because his circuits were absolutely fried

You glanced up at his face and your expression immediately dropped

You checked the epipen all over to make sure it was just a trainer

(It was)

“Hongjoong are you okay?? Your face is all red did I do something wrong?” you worried

He unfroze and tried to undo the damage of his Little Moment but the nurse was already over at the table taking a closer look at him after dismissing the rest of the teachers to practice

She looked at you and then at Hongjoong and then at you again and back at Hongjoong and a funny look of understanding came over her face

“Are you Mr. Kim the math teacher” she asked

He nodded awkwardly

“And are you Miss (L/N) the math teacher” she asked

“Yes?” you answered

She patted Hongjoong on the shoulder

“He’ll be fine in a minute or so” she reassured you, glancing up and away somewhere else

You both followed her gaze over to the principal, who gave her a bright smile and a thumbs up

Which looked innocuous enough to the untrained eye

But to Hongjoong this was just another in a long list of embarrassments

The principal had told the guest workshop speakers about him

And he had been spotted that easily

After that was administration-provided snack time

Hongjoong offered to grab sodas if you would grab chips and stuff

And at the soda table he was greeted by Wooyoung and San, who called him affectionately Mr. Traffic Light

Hongjoong resisted the urge to react publicly

Even though there were no children around he refused to allow himself to be caught cursing them out

But he brainstormed violently about the ways he could get back at them without getting caught

Truly his middle school teacher powers of ignoring were activated because those two were practically dancing around him trading one-liner after one-liner and Hongjoong paid them no mind

Until he realized they were following him back to the table where he was sitting with you

He did not need them teasing him around you so he tried to shoo them off

But Wooyoung gleefully turned his attention up to the projector screen where the groupings for the next workshop were displayed

Truly your presence was the only saving grace this day had to offer

They were in this group with you two

The computer teacher/school tech support guy was leading this workshop and he was showcasing how one might use ai in their classroom

And all four of you were totally zoned out because firstly ai in a math classroom?? For what

Chat bots are notoriously bad at math

Ai in San’s gymnasium? Once again no practical application

And Wooyoung honestly just wasn’t that interested because none of you were listening so he didn’t feel like he had to either

So he decided flirting with you was more fun

Just to make Hongjoong mad

But for all of his whispered pick up lines and compliments you had approximately the same response as to this ai workshop:

Playing gamepigeon with Hongjoong under the table

(Which Hongjoong had initiated by the way)

(And you had perpetuated after destroying him at the mini golf game)

Aka you ignored Wooyoung pretty well

So Hongjoong got to glare over at him with the peace of mind that your attention was fully his right then

San tapped your shoulder and asked for your number

Which you gave him a little too easily for Hongjoong’s continued peace of mind

But then San just made a group chat for the four of you to play uno together for the remainder of the workshop

So Hongjoong decided that actually this setup wasn’t so bad

The last workshop was unfortunately much more important so the four of you couldn’t continue slacking off

The principal was running this one and it was genuinely for the betterment of the school environment

Plus San and Wooyoung were sent off to other groups

So it was the two of you and a few other senior teachers that were going to have a discussion about one of the behavior initiatives that the school was trying out

You were the only two math teachers in the group, so when the principal passed out data that had been collected about this behavior initiative, the other teachers sort of automatically passed the papers to you

(And the science teachers in the group but that’s irrelevant)

There was only one copy of each dataset, so that meant you got to share

And that meant that you got to scoot your chairs close together to look at the paper at the same time

And even better the text was kind of small so you had to bring the papers close to your faces to read them

So the two of you were shoulder to shoulder

Practically cheek to cheek, your heads almost touching

To read this data and explain it to the less number-savvy teachers

Today was actually pretty fantastic so far, Hongjoong thought

He also wondered if you could physically feel the heat coming off of his face but that was not something he was going to let bother him right then

He was going to live in the moment

And perhaps thank the principal later

After a surprisingly productive and insightful discussion

It was finally ~lunch time~

The math department gathered up in the department head’s classroom to decide which of the nearby restaurants to choose to go to

And no one could agree

Not a single person was feeling like eating the same thing

Except Hongjoong he was agreeing with whatever you said

Not just because he wanted you to have your way but because whatever you said sounded good to him too

Maybe it sounded good because you said it but nonetheless

And then the department head said the following fateful words:

“How about you two just go ahead and we’ll try to decide on something for the rest of us

Hongjoong was suspicious right then and there that this was a setup

The department head probably had money on Before Christmas

But Hongjoong was absolutely not going to let this opportunity slip through his fingers

“I’m cool with that” you answered before Hongjoong could gather his thoughts enough to say anything

Then you turned to him

“I need to go grab my purse from my classroom. Do you need anything from yours?”

“Oh, yeah, just my wallet” he answered totally on autopilot

You stopped by your classroom first and then his since his was closer to the front of the school

He was so excited to finally realize that dream of his from a few weeks back

He was gonna buy you lunch

And not only that it was just the two of you going out to lunch

It didn’t matter that this wasn’t a date

Or that technically you were just gonna buy food and eat it back at school

It was special to him to go somewhere with just you 

That wasn’t school

Seriously he was so happy he couldn’t stop smiling when he told the cashier that your orders were together and he was going to pay

You kinda elbowed him and told him he didn’t have to do that

But he just shrugged and turned his smile on you

“But I wanted to” he replied

You accepted that

“It’s on me next time” you promised

And oh man he could have died right there he felt so complete

Except if he died then there would be no next time

But you were saying next time and it made him think that wow yeah this would happen again

You meant if it ever happened again but he was determined that it was a certain for the future

Because even if it didn’t happen by chance then he would make it happen himself

When you got back to the school the rest of the math department was gone so you started eating without them

And that was a magical moment of peace too

Just the two of you

No one around to tease Hongjoong

He could almost pretend you were just normal friends and he wasn’t head over heels for you

Then the rest of the department came back and they all had food from the same restaurant

So Hongjoong had been right to be suspicious earlier

It was most definitely a setup to get the two of you by yourselves

And he liked it so he wasn’t going to complain about it

Even though it was embarrassing

Well as fun as professional development day ended up being

Parent teacher conferences were not

Hongjoong was looking forward to more Mr. Principal shenanigans

Like maybe when all the teachers were in the gym yours and his table could be next to each other

And he could talk to you when neither of you had any parents

And when the night was wrapping up

And he could walk you out to your car because it was dark

And maybe treat you to dinner because the school-provided food wasn’t usually that great

But no

None of that could happen

Because someone had decided to have teachers stay in their classrooms for conferences this year

The parents would have the wonderful opportunity to get lost in their child’s school trying to find all of their classes

What a joke

They were probably going to get so many complaints they would switch it back to normal next semester

But the one time Hongjoong was looking forward to parent teacher conferences

Of course

Was the one time they had to switch it up

The one silver lining in this was the teachers complaining about it together

Hongjoong’s favorite email he had ever received was now from Wooyoung

Who was replying to the email notifying teachers of the different setup this year but just to Hongjoong

In all lowercase:

“hey loverboy u see this crap

math teacher romancephobic fr smh”

And then with his full professional email signature at the bottom

This precious email was moved to Hongjoong’s funny emails folder, which was usually reserved for unhinged student emails

He did not reply to it

San and the other phys ed teachers were joking about how nice it would be to have the gym to themselves for once but they were in agreement that this probably wouldn’t last

Of course the math department had tests scheduled across all the grades right before conferences

Which of course left everyone grading like crazy

And of course the kids trashed the classrooms the day before

And of course the head janitor ended up getting sick

So it was up to the teachers to make sure their classrooms didn’t look like trash

Even though they had 150+ tests to grade and a pile of late work to grade

And they had 24 hours (7 of which were going to be spent teaching, and hopefully 7-8 would be spent sleeping) to make this all work before parents started showing up at 4 o’clock tomorrow afternoon

What a time this was going to be

So Hongjoong picked up his pile of tests and went to your classroom

Predictably you were grading tests

He stole a student desk and moved it close to your desk

“Which tests are you working on?” he asked

“Eighth” you replied, not looking up from the test you were currently grading

“How does this sound” he began “I’ll take your seventh and you take my eighth so we don’t have to switch answer keys?”

Still barely looking up, you handed him three binder-clipped stacks of paper

“As long as you don’t mind working to music” you replied, your eyebrows raising as a little smile played on your lips

He took your tests and handed you his eighth grade tests

(This worked out nicely as you both had three classes of seventh and two classes of eighth. He was tricking you into letting him take the heavier load ohoho so sneaky)

(He was just lucky you were grading eighth instead of seventh first)

“Don’t mind?” he snickered, uncapping his favorite felt-tip grading pen “I’d prefer it”

And that’s how speed grading turned into karaoke

Grading went almost certainly slower than it would have if you had worked alone but it was way more fun this way

Of course he ended up with sixty some more tests to grade than you

So when you finished you left for a bit and came back with snacks

As well as his pile of late work

He tried to protest but no no

“You’re not nearly as sneaky as you think you are Mr. Kim” you teased him “You thought you could fool a math teacher into thinking we had an equal workload here?”

“That wasn’t the point” he whined, trying to put the cap back on his pen and inking his finger instead

“Then what was the point?”

I love you that’s the point

But what was the point actually

What was a point he could believably tell you without giving himself away

“Just…because” he said convincingly, shrugging his shoulders and settling back into his tests “You look stressed these days. Wanted to do something nice I guess”

You brandished his late work stack again

“So I’m going to do something nice too”

Yeah he probably wouldn’t ever feel this way about anyone ever again

For him at this point it was you or nothing

But the problem was he was willing to let it be nothing for far too long

He would never make a single move unless he knew you were okay with it

Because if he and his stupid heart ruined whatever you had going now then it would really be nothing

He wouldn’t give up the something he still had

He was like a curve approaching an asymptote

He could get infinitely close, but he would never actually touch you

After settling your gradebooks for tomorrow you started by picking up your classroom together

This did go faster with music by the way

And then you picked up his classroom together

And then he realized Hongjoong realized he could have his wish

The one about walking you out to your car and taking you out to dinner

Walking you out was easy but taking you out was another story

He would have to suggest it himself

A little known fact about teachers is that they became teachers because they don’t know how/don’t want to talk with other adults

Kids don’t judge you if something comes out of your mouth a little different than you meant it

Other adults are mean and judge you over silly things

This unfortunately meant that he didn’t know how to ask you to go to dinner with him without making it sound like a date

He was kinda just hoping a lil Kdrama moment would happen and one of your stomachs would rumble really loud so he could laugh it off and say you should go eat together

But you got closer and closer to your car and no tummy rumbling

You got to your car and no tummy rumbling

You opened your door and said goodbye and still no tummy rumbling

“Wait!!!”

He could have slapped his own mouth

You were a little startled but it stopped you from getting in your car

“Hmm?”

“Just uh…it’s kinda late and snacks are great but they’re not that filling…so do you wanna um…” he trailed off and did not finish his thought

“Wanna what?” you asked

Big boy pants Hongjoong come on

“Go grab dinner? Or something?” he finally spat out

He must not have seen your face light up in the dark

“No pressure” he added when you didn’t answer within 0.05 seconds

“No that sounds great! I was thinking of grabbing something on the way home anyway and it would be way more fun to do it with someone else” you accepted

He let you pick the place again and you drove separately because after you would be going in different directions

But it ended up being a nice little fast casual restaurant

And it didn’t feel like a date really but it kinda felt like a date but no it didn’t

It just ended up being a comfortable little outing between friends

Hongjoong knew he couldn’t stop smiling

And he wondered if you already knew how he felt about you

He was sure he didn’t smile like this at anyone else

And you were many things but dense couldn’t possibly be one of them

He knew he was the opposite of subtle

But if you were willing to spend time with him like this then that meant he didn’t make you uncomfortable

Honestly he was so used to the way you made him feel at this point that loving you from afar felt like second nature

Being friends with you was enough if he could keep loving you like this

The waiter came by and asked if it was one check or two

And Hongjoong was fully prepared to pay once again

But you beat him to it

You were already prepared with your card and everything

“I owe you for last time, remember?” you told him with a cheeky grin

He shook his head

“You don’t owe me anything”

“Well then next time it’s on you”

Hongjoong started to smile again

“Next time?”

“Well, yeah” you said with a shrug, now a little bashful “This was fun. We should keep doing it”

“It is fun” he agreed with a laugh “It’s nice to hang out with people outside of school for once”

You laughed at that

“Oh boy tell me about it. Nobody told me that teaching would ruin my social life”

And things just kind of continued like that for a while

Before you had come to the school, Hongjoong had lowkey felt like he was kind of going nowhere with his life

Any time he spent at school outside of his contract hours felt like an infringement on his personal time

Or not even at school, just away from home

He had been hoping that taking a high school position would give him back a little bit of the passion for teaching that he was losing

He hadn’t even been teaching that long it’s just that the profession really is like that

Indescribably rewarding and incredibly draining all at the same time

(Especially these days. Sometimes you really wonder if it’s worth it)

But having something to look forward to every day besides a favorite class ended up being what he needed to love his job wholeheartedly again

It wasn’t just you he had fallen in love with

He had also found new friends in an unlikely place

The math department was like family and he enjoyed their company dearly

But that weirdo phys ed teacher and obnoxious history teacher had turned into excellent friends frighteningly fast

Sometimes they joined you and Hongjoong on your dinner outings

And honestly it was such a blast

An amendment to my previous statement about teachers being teachers because they don’t like talking to other adults:

Other teachers often do not count as other adults

Sometimes they do when you have to have grown up conversations

But gossiping about students does not count as grown up conversation

There were some eighth graders that all four of you had

Hongjoong not currently but he’d had them for previous classes and they were now in your class

Was it a little embarrassing as 20 somethings to have your main source of gossip be preteens?

Yeah but oh man there is nothing like finding out which of your students are lying to their other teachers about the work they need to do

Or what they’re like in other classes

(You and Hongjoong, and sometimes Wooyoung, tended to have very different opinions about some students than San did so it was double fascinating)

Who they’re friends with outside of your class

Or crushes they have on each other

Basically if you spend every day around preteens you gossip like them too

It was now November and starting to get uncomfortably cold outside

So San had offered his home as a little gathering space for you all to order food and hang out

It was almost like a little Friendsgiving

“Any of you have (male student name, obnoxious connotation)?” Wooyoung asked, taking a sip of his soda

You immediately scoffed

“I’m about to write an email home about that kid”

Hongjoong was surprised

Annoying kids existed in every class but you usually had something nice to say about them at first at least before you got into the bad behavior

He hadn’t had this particular student but he was intrigued as to why he annoyed you so much

Wooyoung and San also both looked surprised

“He’s great in gym—like cooperative, doesn’t do stupid stuff too often—” San said “but that doesn’t usually mean anything about how they are in math class”

“No he’s great in history too” Wooyoung added “finishes all his work on time, helps his friends with theirs if he finishes”

Your eye might have twitched a little bit

You let out an unamused laugh and crossed your arms over your chest

Hongjoong was fascinated and quite enamored with this new side of you

“If he has time to help his friends then he should be working on the seven late assignments I’ve been reminding him about. He hasn’t turned in anything for two weeks”

Wooyoung gasped and covered his mouth

“You’re joking”

“I’ve talked to him about it twice and I warned him if I had to remind him a third time then I would email his parents” you said, shaking your head “Like I asked him if he’s understanding the material, if he’s got something going on at home, if he needs some help, and he’s giving me nothing to go off of”

Wooyoung smiled devilishly

“He’s been lying to me, then. I ask him every day if he has other classes to do stuff for and he says no. I will absolutely be getting on him about that”

San shook his head

“Teenagers” he sighed

Everyone nodded and repeated what he’d said

“Teenagers.”

After a moment of silence, Hongjoong spoke up

“How about (female student name, pleasant connotation)?”

The mood lifted immediately and everyone gave their own version of the word “aww”

“She is the highlight of my whole day” you said

“Seriously she’s so polite and she tries so hard even when she’s having a hard time” Wooyoung agreed

“Super athletic too” San added

“Ooh and (male student name, pleasant connotation)?” you said to another chorus of agreement “He’s kind of a punk sometimes but he’s another one that always does his best”

Hongjoong smiled

Complaining was fun, but he loved the light in your eyes when you talked about the parts of the job that you loved

Anyway as I said it was November and the Before Christmas faction of teachers was starting to get nervous because there was no sign of anything happening

They saw you walk out together more than usual but they didn’t know that you were meeting up outside of school and stuff

The kids were also more riled up about it than usual

To the point where Hongjoong wondered if the other teachers were inciting chaos on purpose

It was getting bad enough that one of his classes almost failed a test across the board—on a unit about rounding and converting fractions to decimals of all things

As in the easiest math ever

So Mr. Kim had to resort to drastic measures

At the beginning of all his classes, he drew a box on the edge of the whiteboard

“This is the nonsense box” he explained with a teacherly smile

That is to say frustrated but still filled with love for his students

“Every time one of you is talking about anything that is not related to class, a tally mark goes in the box. Each tally mark represents an extra fifteen seconds you get to sit in your seat after the bell rings”

A chorus of protest arose

“I don’t want to hear it” Mr. Kim shook his head “How many of you are planning on retaking last Friday’s test?”

About half of the hands in the room came up sheepishly

“Exactly. It’s because we’re constantly off topic that no one is able to listen and learn in here. We can do better, okay?”

And then immediately from the back of the room

“Ooh, Miss (L/N) just passed in the hall!!!”

And chorus of “Ooooooh”

Whether it was true or not, Hongjoong was happy to draw his first tally mark without a word

Just that same teacherly smile

Another round of protest came and he drew another one

After the third tally mark, they shut up

“Good. Let’s talk about coefficients. Has anyone heard that word before?”

Once again I will say it was November

And the month after November is December

And December is the month of Christmas

Not just Christmas break

But Christmas itself

And that meant that Hongjoong now

After coming back from a brief Thanksgiving break

Had only a few weeks to find you a Christmas present

Now he wasn’t thoughtless like this wasn’t the first time it had crossed his mind

It had just stressed him out wondering if he would have the guts to confess his feelings for you or if he would be outed somehow first

Plus in case y’all didn’t know teaching (especially teaching around the holidays) is stressful

He just imagined Christmas as this far off date that was too good to ever come

And so he hadn’t even had time to think about what to get you

Something for your classroom?

Something for your home?

A cute accessory?

A fun math shirt?

Not a gift card though that was far too impersonal

Nothing seemed good enough for you

If he were to deliver his feelings with a gift like any of these, it felt insufficient

Most lunches the last bit of November and the first week of December

(If not spent pestering you)

He spent fretting over his Amazon cart with his head in his hands

And then the most unfortunate miracle occurred

The heaters toward the math hall decided working at full capacity was a waste of tax dollars

And the weather was shaping up to be quite uncomfortable

Everyone started to bring blankets and stuff but it was never quite enough

Your classroom was especially cold, since it was the farthest down the hall

So Hongjoong was gifted an opportunity

He went and found one of those soft and cozy electric blankets

In a color he assumed to be your favorite considering how much you wore it and how many of the little trinkets around your classroom were that color

And he packaged it like he had meant to give it to you for Christmas anyway

Then he brought it for you the next day

You were sitting at your desk in your full winter outdoor gear with a blanket that did look cozy but thankfully was not electric

And your teeth were practically chattering as you waved hello

He still hadn’t taken off his coat or his gloves either actually

He set the present on your desk

“I was saving this for Christmas but I think you might need it more now” he told you with a grin

Your curiosity was suddenly piqued

You opened the gift cautiously, glancing up at him every few seconds

But as soon as you felt the material of the blanket, you perked up

And upon discovering that it was electric you could have cried

“I haven’t been able to feel my fingers since last week” you told him gratefully “Seriously I was trying to figure out how many space heaters I would need to buy to survive the winter”

“The department head has one in her classroom” he said “If you grab your old blanket and your laptop then you can let your new blanket heat up here while we hang out over there”

What a beautiful suggestion

The department head raised her eyebrow at the two of you coming in with blankets

But she smiled too when she saw you settling down in front of her heater

“Don’t tell anyone” she said “but sometimes I take a nap over there during lunch”

“Oh I see exactly why” you agreed, sitting cross-legged and setting your computer in your lap “I can literally feel my bones thawing out”

Hongjoong settled down a respectable distance from you

But he thought someone else was pranking him when he felt a blanket drape over his shoulders

He looked around, startled, and then he realized it was the other side of your blanket

You had thrown your blanket over him to share, even though he had one of his own

And now you were pulling his arm to get him to scoot closer to you

Was this a dream??

He would not be happy if his alarm rang

But no it was real and he happily obliged

You were sitting shoulder to shoulder again

Just like at the professional development workshop

Except this time it was so warm and cozy and there was definitely a much less professional vibe

The department head raised her eyebrow at you once again

But Hongjoong was way too enamored with your shy smile to notice

After just a few minutes in this cozy little haven

Your time was unfortunately cut short

Not by students arriving to school

But by Wooyoung poking his head into the classroom

“Oh I’ve been looking everywhere for you guys”

He stepped into the classroom and greeted its owner accordingly

She nodded as if to allow him permission to enter

“They have hot chocolate down in the teachers lounge” Wooyoung informed them “I figured you icicles back here in the freezer rooms would want some but it looks like you were hiding a—” he looked down at the two of you skeptically “campfire back here”

Wooyoung clearly thought he meant something by that but no one else knew what he was trying to say

So his last comment went ignored

“Do you want hot chocolate?” Hongjoong asked you “I can go get some for us”

“No it’s okay I’ll go with you” 

Oh Wooyoung saw exactly what was going on here

Hongjoong did not

Hongjoong was a little confused—was his help becoming an awkward burden to you?

While Wooyoung saw the truth

You just wanted the excuse to walk with him

Now Wooyoung had two choices

He could step back and let you two walk down together, maybe say something to speed this math teacher romance along

Or he could third wheel

And who was Wooyoung if he didn’t pass up the chance to annoy?

Plus he had taken an oath once he started collecting bets that he wouldn’t try to swing the competition one way or another

And since telling you about the hot chocolate while you were together felt like pushing the competition faster, it felt right to pull it back a bit by getting in between you for a few minutes

So he offered hands to both of you to help you off the floor

“Let’s all go together then” he said “You should also find out if your campsite director wants any”

“Campsite director?” Hongjoong asked, shutting his computer

You also closed your computer and set it aside, looking around to figure out who Wooyoung was talking about

“Your gracious host this morning” he clarified, giving the department head a charming little wave

You both took Wooyoung’s hands at the same time and almost pulled him down with you in the process of standing up

As you straightened your pants, you asked the department head if she wanted you to bring her back any hot chocolate, to which she responded yes please

Wooyoung insisted on walking in the middle

And Hongjoong wondered if all of the patience he had acquired as a middle school teacher was going to be spent on not wringing this guy’s neck this morning

Fortunately Mr. Jung acted enough like one of Mr. Kim’s students that he was able to pretend he was one and just let it go

Unfortunately by the time they got back to the department head’s classroom kids were starting to show up so that was the end of artificial campfire cuddle time

But there was a silent agreement as you picked up your blankets and computers that you would be doing this again sometime

The first few weeks of December didn’t necessarily fly by but they did go by quickly in hindsight if that makes sense

And before everyone knew it

Christmas break was upon you

And there was no further progression of the math department couple

The Before Christmas teachers had gotten antsier and antsier right up until the day before break started

But thankfully no one had been worried enough to interfere

Hongjoong decided to stay in his classroom that day

(As if he didn’t stay in his classroom every day)

Because people had been giving him disappointed looks all over the school and he was tired of it

Even the principal had made a trip to Hongjoong’s classroom the Friday afternoon before everyone left

Just to tell him how disappointed he was that he hadn’t had the guts to make a move even when he knew the principal’s precious money was on the line

And ask him if you were secretly dating already and just didn’t want to make a big deal about it

But ultimately to wish him luck and a nice break

A few minutes after he left, you popped into his classroom

You had your bag and your coat and it looked like you were ready to head home

“Are you so ready to get out of here?” you asked

He stopped immediately in the middle of his task and slammed his laptop shut

Contract hours had ended a whole minute ago and he had wasted a whole minute still doing work? On break?

“Say no more” he said, standing up and putting his coat on “We should have left five minutes ago”

“Wholeheartedly agree” you replied “I would have but the principal visited me and I felt like I had to look like I was doing something”

Hongjoong froze

The principal had visited you too?

Why?

For what purpose?

Betting purposes?

This technically didn’t still count as Before Christmas Break right?

“That’s weird haha he came and visited me too, like ten minutes ago” he said with the normalest most unbothered tone he could manage

(He tried)

(His voice was not quite an octave higher than usual)

(Which is considerable improvement since it’s usually an octave and a half)

“Maybe he’s just making rounds” you said with a shrug “It’s nice to see how much he cares about this school. Definitely one of the better principals I’ve worked with”

Hongjoong relaxed perhaps too visibly

“Yeah if you need a guy to have your back he’s got it no question”

“Anyway if you don’t have any plans for the day after Christmas you should spend it with me”

If Hongjoong had been drinking something he would have choked

Even if he’d had plans in the first place he would have canceled them for you

“My day is wide open” he said “As is almost all of my break”

You smiled and his stomach did a flip

He wondered if it was ever going to stop doing that

He hoped not

“Mine too. If you’re bored, you can probably text me and I won’t be doing anything”

Was it cringe that he was now looking for technically his second Christmas present for you?

Yeah maybe but that was his lifestyle now

To quote N.Flying’s Lovefool “if they call me a lovefool it’s okay as long as it’s for your sake”

Even if you didn’t see him that way that was A-Okay

Anyway he found some cute little math-themed trinkets like pi earrings and a right triangle pin that said “I’m always right”

Because actually who are math teachers if they don’t like puns

And the morning after Christmas Day he wrapped them up all nice for you

And he got ready to meet you at a little restaurant you now frequented together

But this was actually like the first time he was meeting you on a whole day off so he had to figure out how to dress not like a teacher but still kinda nice

He had no idea

All of his pants were teacher pants

His shirts? All teacher shirts

He was way too good at dressing for his job

So he wore jeans instead of his usual khakis and hoped that was different enough?

He also layered one of his graph paper teacher shirts with a plain t-shirt underneath and didn’t button it up

He looked himself up and down in his mirror, trying different poses to make sure he looked like a Normal Guy

In the end he decided his hair was the only issue

He only knew how to style it in a teacherly fashion

And leaving it unstyled wasn’t an option

So he looked up some tutorials on some easy styles but he just could not see himself as anything other than a math teacher

So he gave up and just prayed that he looked okay

You looked perfect of course

The difference was subtle in theory but the way you dressed, the way you did your hair and makeup, it made for a world of difference

Oh you looked so gorgeous he was never going to get over it

Your eyes practically sparkled when you met him out front and man he thought before that he couldn’t be more in love with you but he was wrong

You did seem a little more awkward today than usual and he couldn’t figure out why

Like you almost seemed nervous

What for? It was just him

You got your food and he suddenly remembered the gifts in his pocket

“Oh!” he exclaimed, pulling them out “I know I gave you the blanket a few weeks ago but I found these and I knew you had to have them. Merry double Christmas?”

You covered your mouth to hide your laughter and your bite of food

“That’s so funny because I found something for you too”

And you pulled a little package out of your bag

Down bad wasn’t even a good descriptor anymore and neither was head over heels like there had to be a stronger silly description of being in love and if there wasn’t it would have to be invented for him

You had found him a shirt that said “Math is hard. So is life. Get over it.”

(Tbh an actual shirt that I own)

And he promised you he would be wearing it the day you all got back from break

As for his silly little gifts you adored them

You put the pi earrings in immediately and started brainstorming what do do with the other things out loud

He could not have been happier with himself

And then you caught him staring at you

You paused in your excited little ramblings

He sat up a little straighter, wondering what to say next

But you smiled and looked down at your plate

“You’re pretty cute, you know that?” you told him, unable to meet his eyes for more than a second

In front of you, his first instinct was to deny the possibility and he followed it without thinking

“Eh, no I’m not—not in comparison to you, anyway”

Hmm if he wanted to keep his feelings secret then that was not the thing to say

But you deserved to know it

Not just cute but beautiful

Heartstoppingly so

You took the compliment well anyway

“Have you ever thought…” you began, trailing off

You watched him as he waited for you to continue, his eyes wide and curious

“Never mind” you dismissed with a casual wave of your hand

“No hey what were you going to say?” he asked

“Nothing I just had a weird thought for a second”

“No no come on! You know I wouldn’t judge you for anything”

You hesitated again and he could see that same nervousness he’d noticed before

“Have you ever thought…I don’t know” you put your elbows up on the table “of us as more than friends? Like dating maybe?”

Once again he was going to be very upset if his alarm clock went off now

But even if this was a dream, there was no harm in saying it out loud

“Every day since the day I met you” he answered honestly

You blinked like you didn’t believe him

“You’d better not be joking because I mean this like I’m risking our whole professional relationship here—”

And then he realized

You literally had no idea about him

Genuinely no clue that the whole school knew exactly how you had him wrapped around your finger

Except you

“—on the slightest chance that you might feel the same way—”

“Hey” he stopped you softly “I would never joke about how I feel about you”

Embarrassment began to set in for both of you

“Seriously,” he said, holding back a laugh, “you can ask any of my students, any of the teachers. I think you were the last one to find out that I have a massive crush on you”

“Oh no you’re kidding!” you exclaimed, your hands coming up to hide your face

“I really wish I were—Wooyoung has two rounds of bets going with the teachers about when and how we would end up dating. It’s just about me though—I don’t think anyone else knew about you”

You buried your face further in your hands

“That is so embarrassing” you whined “Seriously I might kill Wooyoung when we get back from break”

“I’ll help you” he promised

You ended up deciding to tell the other teachers on account of the bets they had placed on you

But you asked them not to tell the kids

Hongjoong was comfortable dealing with them at this point and he didn’t see the point in subjecting you to the attention he got about it

Speaking of the bets

No one won any of them technically

The two categories were before/after Christmas break and you notice/he confesses

And since you confessed during Christmas break well

As tempting as it would have been to say that you two deserved the money

(Especially on those teacher salaries)

You just made Wooyoung give it back to everyone who had put money down

And honestly? Very little about your at school dynamic changed

The kids still teased Hongjoong every day about his obvious soft spot for you

But he didn’t care because he knew better than they did anyway

You did actually start to notice now that kids were gossiping about you and Hongjoong

And it was really funny actually

Especially when he stopped by your classroom and the kids went dead silent watching you

Or when you left his classroom and you heard the kids explode with their weirdo little preteen comments from just outside in the hallway

Wooyoung insisted on telling you about every time you were mentioned in his classroom

This included the story about the girl rejecting a boy because quote no one can like anyone as much as Mr. Kim likes Miss (L/N) enquote

And you about died from laughter and embarrassment

Because how had you missed every single sign thrown your way??

It was so obvious now that you were dating him and you knew why he spent as much time as physically and contractually possible in your classroom

Because like I said very little about your at school dynamic changed

He still treated you almost exactly the same way

Except now if you were having a bad day he could hug you and kiss you on the head and tell you that everything would be okay and you were a good teacher

And if he got cold he could come to your classroom and have you sit on his lap while you shared your blanket

You were very very careful with any displays of affection by the way like it was only behind a locked door that you would even dare

Because firstly unprofessional

A literal breach of the code of ethics more likely than not

And secondly what if the kids saw you???

The other teachers were whatever like you didn’t really want them to walk in on you either but at least they were other adults

But the kids??? 

There were already too many rumors flying around the school about you and they did not need a even whispering of confirmation

The end of that came of course when you got engaged like a year or so later idk and you showed up to school with a ring on your finger and the kids went wild

“Mr. Kim she has a ring!!!”

“Mr. Kim what are you going to do?? She’s gonna get married!!”

“Mr. Kim you must be heartbroken”

You had prepared for this together

You had known it was coming so you knew you had to be ready for the chaos it was going to cause

So you had decided that he would also start wearing a ring to match even before the wedding

So to all his very concerned students he got to hold up his hand and say in the coolest most chic manner possible

“And who do you think gave her the ring huh?”

It was like setting off a nuclear bomb of middle school gossip but it was so worth it

Anyway breaking the chronological flow going back in time because this needed to be the last scene

The cutest change with your at school dynamic now that you were dating was now you could exchange secret messages on sticky notes with the papers you traded

He started it by handing you a test key to check with a sticky note on the top that you assumed was a label for what the test was

But on closer inspection it was a pickup line

“The limit of my love for you is like the limit of 1/x as it approaches 0; it doesn’t exist”

So you wrote back on the same sticky note “well mine is like 1/x^2 and it approaches infinity so there” and handed it back to him once you checked his key

Not to be outdone he wrote you a new note

“Girl are you a 30° angle inscribed in a circle because you’re acute-y pi”

Oh that one was bad

You had to give him something worse

“If we’re both math teachers, how come we have so much chemistry?”

You handed him that one in between classes

And as he read it he had to disguise his sudden laughter as a cough because there were kids around and they didn’t need to be curious about what he was laughing at

His next sticky note had a crease down the middle horizontally

128√e980

You recognized it immediately but you folded it in half to reveal the secret message anyway

“I love you”

So you gave him back “I hope you like fractions because you’re my other half”

You stored all these away in a little file on your computer titled “Valentine’s Day Math Jokes”

Maybe for some future Valentine’s Day activity

But mostly just to keep them all somewhere safe where you could look at them any time you wanted

Without some kid being like “oooh Miss (L/N) whatcha lookin at”

Your favorite note from him was about as simple and dorky as they came

Much like Hongjoong himself actually

Simplify 2x+6i<2(x+9u)

First you distributed the 2 on the right

2x+6i<2x+18u

Then since there was a 2x on both sides, you could subtract them and cancel them

6i<18u

Then divide by 6

And the answer made you smile every time

i<3u

(so I know how I wrote this so fast actually. I just have a goal to write 250+ words every day and uh pretty much every day of the month of January ended up dedicated to this one. Someone said Math Teacher Hongjoong and I (graduated in December with a math teaching degree, student taught in a middle school for 4 months) went feral over it whoops)

Masterlist

[p1nkprincess444]

LOST CAUSE - JAMES WILSON

female!reader x james wilson

word count: 1,989

contents: 18+, angst, fluff

Wilson sat at his desk finishing up last minute paperwork, it was late pushing nine o’clock. Silence filled his office until it was all interrupted by a knocking on his door. He assumed it was House wanting something for another patient, but when the door opened it was you. 

You were a nurse that worked in the oncology ward, every so often you got lunch with him, or you would converse about patients, always casual and polite. He hadn’t expected to see you working so late, but here you were, your hair pulled back, which started neat at the beginning of the day but was now messy. Your scrubs were wrinkled with a small smudge of blood across your abdomen. 

“ Can I come in ?”

Wilson set aside his paperwork turning off his computer, “ Of course, come in, sit. ”

A soft smile graced Wilson’s lips, his eyes following you as you sat across from him. 

“ So what do you need? ”

“ A favour, it’s a bit uhm- unprofessional. ”

His mind wandered for a moment before answering, “ What’s the favour ?”

“ I- uhm found a lump on my breast. ”

His expression immediately changed from casual and relaxed to tense and on guard. 

“ When did you notice the lump ?” He stopped treating you like a friend and immediately saw you as a patient.

Wilson fired off questions and you answered as best you could, “ I’ll have an examination scheduled, a mammogram, and an ultrasound. ”

“ Wilson- I just want you to perform my exam, please. ”

WIlson was hesitant it was highly unethical to perform a breast examination in his office, alone, on someone who was working under him. He cleared off a space on his desk, locking the door to his office. You took your place sitting on top of the cleared space. 

“ Untie your scrubs for me, please ?”

You responded with a nod reaching for the small bow that kept your scrubs in place. You slowly pulled the shirt open, taking a soft breath at the cold air.

His hands examined the area slowly feeling for the supposed lump. He found it almost immediately in the side of your lower right breast. He gently pulled his hands away watching as you retied your top. He helped you off the desk and back into one of the lounge chairs in his office before sitting next to you. 

“ I’ll schedule all your appointments. It’ll be alright. ” He placed a gentle hand on your shoulder looking at you with his soft brown eyes. 

He didn’t tell you but when he felt the lump it raised more alarms, and did little to soothe his worries. 

He had caught passing glimpses of you in the hospital halls, you seemed completely unaffected, your smile as bright and bold as ever, your laugh loud and happy as always, that’s why it killed him when he received your tests. 

He called you into his office just as your shift was ending, your soft smile still on your face. You looked how you always did after your shifts, messy hair, dirtied scrubs, and yet still a smile on your face.

“ Sit, please- ”

“ You have my results ?”

“ Yes. ”

You could tell it wasn’t good, Wilson couldn’t meet your gaze, his responses short and stale. 

“ Wilson- just tell me. It’ll be okay. ”

You reached across the desk gently grasping his hand. 

“ It’s Invasive Ductal Carcinoma- We- We’re going to schedule a biopsy for tomorrow, okay ?”

You nodded, still smiling softly at Wilson. He didn’t understand how you could still smile after hearing that news, knowing what it meant. 

After a few days Wilson called you back into his office. He couldn’t meet your eyes when you entered the room, he looked tired, defeated. He didn’t speak, only gestured for you to sit down. 

“ It’s a grade three Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. It- It’s more aggressive than we thought it to be. ”

He watched as the smile slowly disappeared from your face. 

“ Without treatment you may have months possibly a year- with treatment we’re looking at maybe two years. ” Wilson couldn’t raise his gaze from the papers, he knew if he saw your face he wouldn’t be able to hold it together. 

“ I can set up your treatme- ”

“ No, I don’t want it. ”

“ What? ” Finally Wilson met your gaze, his brow furrowed, confusion written across his face. 

“ I do not want treatment. ”

You walked out before he could get another word in. 

Against your wishes Wilson penciled you in for treatment. Your appointment was scheduled for Friday, Wilson came to your apartment on Thursday night. 

Wilson stood on your doorstep, dressed in his usual work attire carrying a small take out bag.

“ Can I come in ?”

You moved away from the doorway allowing him in. You closed the door behind him, Wilson set the bag on your coffee table before draping his coat over the back of your sofa. 

“ We need to talk about your decision. ”

“ What is there to talk about ?”

“ Well for starters you walked out of my office without even scheduling treatment. You have time, a lot more time than some of our patients. You need to fight. ”

“ Why, just to prolong my death? Just so I can go back to my job where I see what I’ll be in a year ?”

“ You do understand what you’re doing, right? You’re choosing to die, you are purposely ending your life sooner than it has to. ”

“ It’s not your choice James. ”

“ And what about the people who care about you? What about the people you’ll leave behind ?”

“ I’m allowed to be selfish! I am dying James, I will be dead in a year! I want dignity, I want a say in how I die! ” Tears were rolling down your face as you screamed at Wilson. You hadn’t meant to, it wasn’t his fault.

“ Please- just fight, for all you have, or what you might have. You’ve seen people survive this, people make it out. You can make it out. ”

You were a mess, your body trembling and shaking with sobs. His arms came to wrap around your waist pulling you close as your body was wracked with sobs. Your arms clung to his neck, your tears soaking into the collar of his shirt darkening the light blue fabric. His hands moved to hold your face, his thumbs coming up to wipe away your tears. You didn’t know what you were doing as your lips came to meet his.

He kisses you back, desperately as if each kiss could breathe life back into you. His fingers trembled as they threaded through your hair, holding you closer. When you both part your breathless with tear stains down your cheeks. Your hands shook slightly as you fumbled with his tie. Wilson’s hand wrapped around your wrist stopping your movements.

“ No, Not like this. ”

“ Why not ?”

“ I don’t want to do this out of desperation or despair- Not as a goodbye. ”

You paused before looking to him with soft, tearful eyes. “ I’ll get treatment. ”

You held his hand guiding him down the hall to your bedroom. As you entered the bedroom he turned to you taking hold of your face again.

“ This is not a goodbye. ”

He leans in kissing your lips with feather-like gentleness. His thumbs wiped away any remnants of tears, before moving down to unbutton your blouse slowly, reverently, as if you were the most precious thing on earth. He guides you down gently on the mattress, his eyes never leaving yours. He didn’t rush his movements, he took his time undressing you. He didn’t rush, or discard the clothing, instead he set aside each piece of clothing as if unveiling a treasure. 

You laid completely bare under the blankets as Wilson stripped off his clothes leaving them discarded on your floor. 

Wilson was on top of you now his forearms pressed into the bed caging your head in on either side. His lips met your deep kiss, he takes his time as if he wants to memorize every inch. He used one of his hands to push apart your thighs, before his hips slowly moved forward, and his cock slowly slid into your cunt. His movements were slow, watching your face for any discomfort as he pushed deeper. His hands moved to frame your face, his eyes locked onto yours. 

His hips rolled into yours rather than thrusting, maintaining a slow pace. He didn’t want this moment to end, he wanted to prolong this forever, to remember every second. A soft groan left his lips, his hips pushing deeper, increasing in speed slowly. He watched as soft moans slipped past your lips, watched as your eyes fluttered when he hit that soft spongy spot deep inside you. 

He began to replace his gentle slow pace with a deeper faster rhythm. He can feel your hips pushing down against his, desperate to take more of him as your moans grew louder. He supports himself on one arm now using the other hand to caress your cheek as he increases his pace further. His breath comes in shorter gasps now, as he felt the knot growing inside himself. 

He watched as your hands fisted the sheets that lay under you, the way your back subtly arched. He knew you were nearing your release, watching as you writhed underneath him. He could hear it in your moans, listening as they grew higher in pitch, the way your breathing hitched and your eyes rolled back. He felt your cunt tighten around him, the sudden warmth surrounding his cock. His orgasm crashed over him just as suddenly as yours had, his cum filling you completely. 

You lay together in a tangled mess holding one another close, your fingers intertwined with his. Wilson brushed sweat-dampened hair from your face pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. 

“ Are you alright ?”

You answered his question with a nod pressing a kiss to his fingertips. You smiled looking up at the peaceful look on Wilson’s face, he looked hopeful, and calm. 

These memories were all Wilson had now. There was no hope for you to survive longer. Even if you started treatment the day he diagnosed you it would not have been enough. The treatments were brutal on your body, but they allowed you two years more with Wilson. You traveled, moved in together, even got married. The wedding was a small ceremony only having your closest friend, and Wilson’s closest friend, Gregory House. He scolded Wilson for marrying a dying woman, but he didn’t care even if House was right. 

Wilson had held your hand many times throughout your relationship, the first time you had sex, when you received your cancer treatments, and at your wedding. Now he lay next to you in a hospital bed, clutching your frail limp hand. His eyes were red and tired from lack of sleep, and  his usual neat appearance was disheveled. He still couldn’t help but look at you with a mixture of love and despair. His heart aching with each beat of the machines keeping you alive. 

House’s words echoed in his head over and over again, “ She’s not really here anymore, Wilson. You’re just keeping her corpse alive. ” 

He called for the nurses to turn off your machines, he stood by your side clutching your hand with tearful eyes. The nurses turned off your machines one by one, launching the room into an eerie silence. The mountain shaped lines on the EKG slowly flattened out, each number dropping to zero. Every change felt like a punch to the gut, he leaned down, trembling, as he pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. He felt his whole world shattering as he looked down at your now dead body, what was he supposed to do now? Go back to the apartment you once shared, sleep in the bed he held you in when the pain was too much? He was destroyed unknowing of how he would continue.

[lsunstreakerl]

1.4k of scrapbook max- this is closer to the end of the scrapbook, near graduation. (they grow up so fast)

if you haven't read the esteban ficlet, check it out here. provides some background to them :)

Esteban slides the drawer shut, crossing out a line on his checklist. It wraps up stocking supplies for exam room three, which just leaves him four through eight to finish today.

There's a slight sharpness in the air, a weirdly flat sensation that always makes him shiver. He sighs, setting his notepad back on the counter as he leans back against the drawers, watching the door.

Sure enough, it swings open a few moments later, and Max is already grinning at him, a lazy tug at his mouth.

"Doctor."

It's a low purr, nothing professional about it at all, and Esteban frowns, glaring at him.

"You know I am not actually a doctor."

Max shrugs, suit plating clinking softly. He doesn't look injured, and he's come a long way from needing Esteban's critical care experience.

He tries not to look too hard at Max's shoulders, even if he can't remember when they got so broad.

The younger students have puppy crushes the size of the moon, and Esteban knows because they like to talk about it constantly. Sometimes he considers pulling out his phone and finding old photos of Max from years ago, lanky and bitchy.

He doesn't. It's important for the younger students to view them as larger than life- it helps keep them sane.

"Maybe I've hurt my hands."

Esteban raises an eyebrow. Max can't even say it with a straight face, smirking at him. His hands are fine, and Esteban knows it because the suit is designed to send the medical team a ping when the sensors get overloaded. He hasn't gotten any kind of ping, and the white metal plating is as spotless as it was when Max was pulling it on this morning, tucking the duvet back around his shoulders as he left, a soft press to his forehead.

Perks of sleeping with a human lightning rod- Esteban's phone is always charged. Downside? Max has to be up before the sun rises to supervise the younger students, since he's a dorm lead.

Esteban is also a dorm lead, but the medical student building isn't near as volatile as Max's, which seems to have some kind of structural issue every week.

"So badly you had to come straight to me? And I didn't get a ping?"

This is so stupid- Esteban can't believe he plays this game every time. If his juniors could see him right now he'd never hear the end of it.

Still, Max makes a sheepish face, wiggling his hands at Esteban, even though Esteban can see the thick black fabric underneath the plating is perfectly fine.

"I am being cautious, Doctor Ocon. I'd hate for something to happen to my fingers, I know how fond you are of them."

Esteban feels his face heat as he steps forward, skin buzzing when he gets closer to Max.

"You are so stupid, shut up."

Max is grinning, eyes bright as Esteban tugs at his glove. His hands are more scar than skin at this point in their lives, midway into their twenties as they're getting ready to graduate.

The gloves slide off easily enough, metal clinking as Esteban sets them on the counter, fingers running across the top of Max's hands.

He knows the path of Max's muscles and nerves better than his own, effortlessly finds the usual spots for damage, visualizing the sensation he's getting in his mind.

It used to be much harder, when Max would bring him a mangled mess, unable to move his hands, nerves dead up to his elbows, skin charred. Esteban has spent countless nights painstakingly repairing pathways, weaving together muscle and sinew, just for Max to turn around and destroy it all again.

He knows better now- Esteban finds only the barest hint of overexertion, practically nothing at all. He repairs it anyways, because Max has an embarrassing point about what his fingers are good for.

Max is quiet while Esteban works, a solid presence. He can feel the heat of him along his side- Max runs hot. It's nice in the winters, but not so much in the summers, when Esteban kicks him out back to his own dorm at three in the morning, sweating buckets.

He runs his fingers absentmindedly along the inside of Max's palms. He's not even looking for anything anymore, touching just to touch. Max presses closer, and Esteban leans against him. He's used to the buzz of his skin, the smell of ozone. It's just Max to him.

There's been a few occasions where he's had to leave the medical wing, going outside of campus to help with emergencies, and it's always jarring to feel it at such an extreme, hair standing up on his arms, teeth aching.

Esteban prefers his Max, the calm after a storm, gentle with the juniors and reliable no matter what. He doesn't often see the other Max, the one the juniors talk about in hushed tones- bright eyed maniacal intensity, impossible to keep down, unrelenting.

Well- he knew that Max before. It's why he laughs whenever he overhears the juniors calling Max unstable- they've never really seen it.

Esteban has; in what was one of the most terrifying moments of his life, twitching from shock and pinned against a wall.

Max maintains that he's never been headbutted that hard before in his life. Esteban is privately proud of that fact.

He sighs as Max wraps his arms around his waist, gently walking them back towards the bench.

"Max, I have work to finish."

Max hums, and Esteban knows he's not listening at all.

"Max."

The back of his knees hit the bench, and Max squeezes gently at his hip.

"I can be quick- I've heard I'm quite famous for my speed."

It's a terrible idea. Esteban has an entire rules list printed in the medical dorms, and one of the top rules, highlighted and underlined, is to not fuck in the exam rooms. He has an example to set, even if he really doesn't want to.

He puts a hand against Max's chest, metal warm under his palm. Max is pouting at him already.

"Not in the exam rooms, you are as bad as a dog."

"Somewhere else then?"

Esteban narrows his eyes, lifting his hand to flick Max's jaw.

"My room, later. When we are both not busy- I know you have not had enough time to drop off the post-class evaluation."

Max is frowning, because he knows Esteban is weak for the pout.

"I made Charles do it, so I could come see you."

Esteban bites on his lip not to laugh. Max has an infamous hatred of paperwork- but so does Charles. Putting both of them as team leads was a horrible call from Vettel, but they work distressingly well together out in the field.

When they get over their personal grudges, anyways. They're best in a crisis situation, when they can't think too hard about who exactly they're fighting side by side with.

"So I will get a mean message later, I'm sure, telling me how I am a distraction?"

Max's eyes narrow, even though they both know he's joking, bringing a hand to brush across his cheek with his thumb.

"You are never a distraction to me, Esteban."

It's honestly embarrassing, how it still makes his cheeks heat when Max is genuine with him- a peek behind the persona he's had to cultivate within the academy.

Esteban twists his head to briefly kiss Max's bare palm before slipping underneath his arm and grabbing his clipboard.

"I would say the same, but you have come in to distract me on purpose, so I will not fall for it."

Max is still grinning fondly at him, eyes gentle.

"Yes, I am working on my criminal mastermind plans, starting of course with this exam room."

Esteban fights his own grin, lifting his chin.

"Exactly, and I'm not going to let you."

Max dramatically grabs a hand to his chest, making a wounded expression.

"Argh, smiles, my greatest weakness- how did you know?"

Esteban drags a hand down his face, helplessly trying to fight the giggles.

"You are ridiculous- get out of here, go help Charles with lesson planning."

Max's eyes are sparkling.

"But you haven't fixed me, doctor."

Esteban points a finger at him, shaking it playfully.

"I told you, we are not making that a thing."

"But how will I get better without a kiss? I'll die without it, really."

Ugh, he never should've done it in the first place- he knows better. Max gets an inch and takes a mile, and he knows Esteban is weak for it.

"You are terrible."

He's stepping forward anyways, kissing Max gently as he feels a hand settle on his hip, a pleasant buzz shooting through him before he pulls back.

"There, you're all better now."

Max pouts. Esteban isn't falling for it again.

"Paperwork, Verstappen."

[queers-gambit]

Dornish Wine, Weddings, and Bruised Knuckles

prompt: your best friend's getting married and you've got a thing for her brother. during the bachelorette party, you learn maybe your affection wasn't so one-sided after all.

pairing: Modern Aemond Targaryen x female!reader -> also Helaena Targaryen x Cregan Stark

fandom masterlist: House of the Dragon

word count: 11.1k+

warnings: modern AU, cursing, male-centric aggression, mild violence, (more) against-a-wall smut, author uses writing as therapy so theres way too many details, implied character-age-up (they're all legal to drink), barely edited so be nice, author probably missed some warnings!

Dorne wasn't just the Seventh Kingdom that withheld against conquest the longest, but now extremely notorious for their epic party scene, luxury resorts, sex-positive atmosphere, and overall debauchery. Dorne was lively, Dorne was hip, Dorne was ever-changing and always current. Dorne set trends, created challenge, and showcased their always-evolving lifestyle. Dorne was bright, colorful, tropical, and forever warm to the bone; being the ideal hot-spot for those who had money to spend.

Dorne was where everything happened.

Dorne was the place to be.

Dorne was exactly the thing you needed after finishing an over-worked, grueling finals season at your university.

When you and your best friend met for coffee nearly a full year ago to tell you she and her fiancé were thinking of a destination wedding in Dorne, you felt your excitement spike to never-before-reached heights. You would've been ashamed at how fast you jumped at the chance to travel, but you didn't have the time! You've never been to Dorne, hardly anywhere really, but going to university in the country's capital meant you interacted with a lot of international peers. Many who told you endless stories about their drunken foolishness in the Seventh Kingdom, driving up your interest and want to visit.

And now the time had finally come.

"My family's already there," Helaena told you softly; both sitting in the exclusive first class cabin after boarding the aircraft, "so we'll have transport when we land, so we just have to worry about our luggage."

You nodded at her, "Sounds good."

She offered you a look, laughing, "Just say it - I know you want to."

You glanced up and down the aisle of the plane before quickly squealing and jogging in place, "This is so fucking cool!" Helaena laughed as you calmed down, telling her, "I feel so fucking fancy right now, you have no idea! I can't believe your dad's doing all this!"

You and Helaena were traveling together because you, one, you were her bridesmaid, and two, you had a similar final exam schedule; both pursuing advanced degrees that kept you wildly busy. So her family went ahead to the resort to make sure everything was as it needed to be, and now that you were both done with exams, you were heading for Dorne to kick off 10 full days of wedding shenanigans.

When you calmed down, Helaena asked with a small smirk, "You gonna be okay?" You held up a pill bottle with an eye roll, giving it a shake; emitting a rattle. "Oh, no... No, no, no, no, no, don't take an Ambien. You're gonna be so delierious when we get there!"

"I either drug myself now or you clean anxious puke off your lap later..."

She handed you her water bottle.

The entire craft was in the air within minutes; being able to recline your seat since you were flying fancy, covering up with the blankets the pretty flight attendant offered. With earbuds in, you let Helaena lift the arm rest to lean her head on your shoulder in a snuggle, shutting your eyes, and that was honestly that.

Sure, when you woke, you were groggy and a little confused, but when you remembered where you were, all sleepiness evaporated into vibrating-excitement. You were allowed to disembark first, grab your luggage, and instantly located the sleek, tinted SUV that Helaena's father had sent for you.

Long gone were any Ambien side effects, your heart elated by the sights of Dorne you drove past. Oh, it was all so beautiful. So new. So stunningly busy. "Here!" Helaena beamed, holding her phone up and making you both pose for couple of sillier selfies before smiling sweetly for the camera for another few saved photos.

"Look, look!" You gasped, pointing to the street vendors. "That man actually has a snake on a leash! Holy shit!"

"Pretty normal here, Miss," the driver spoke stoically.

Helaena laughed, "This is so cool! Look, look at those!"

"Oh, we'll have to come back," you grinned, looking at the array of handmade purses and bags another vendor was selling. The rest of the ride was very similar, just the two of you gasping and grinning and pointing out everything you found interesting or alluring.

Upon arrival to the Sun Spear Spa and Resort (and Casino), you were blown away by the immaculate detail and decor. It was open, breathable, modern, and vast. There were three pools, direct and private beach access, six different restaurants, guided tours, several different bars planted in every corner of the resort. The walls were high, and inside, it was like stepping into a whole new world; lush green plants spewing everywhere; glass ceilings that let in all the light; marble flooring and a light perfume in the air.

"Hi," you beamed at the concierge. "We're checking in for the Stark-Targaryen wedding."

"Hi, welcome, welcome to Sun Spear! May I have your names?" The man asked in an upbeat tone, typing when you told him. He smiled and revealed, "The rest of your party has already arrived, but I have here your key cards." He handed Helaena a tiny envelope with her set of keys before offering you the same. After consulting the room numbers, you thanked the man with the name tag 'Robb' before rushing for the elevators.

"Can you believe it!?" Helaena squealed.

"Barely," you laughed, pouting dramatically. "Awh! Feels like yesterday I was introducing you and Cregan. Now we're checked into the resort you're getting married at, and it honestly doesn't feel real yet."

"Maybe it'll sink in later," she mused, moving to enter the elevator when the doors opened - but stuttered in step. "BROTHER!"

You gasped when Helaena surged past you to launch into someone's arms and knock them both half a step back onto the elevator. After a stunned moment, you recognized the long white hair adorned with a leather strap and felt your stomach plummet. You know how people say 'butterflies in my tummy' when talking about the person they like? Yeah, no, the sentiment is understood and appreciated but it's not entirely accurate. It was more like an anxious stomach-sinking feeling; churning, nauseating almost.

You smiled politely when Helaena let go and Aemond glanced up at you. He spoke your name cooly, blinking twice before seemingly remembering where he was. "Here," he offered, reaching out of the elevators to grab your suitcases.

"Thanks," you tried to laugh lightly, luggage all loaded into the death machine.

"'S good to see you," he directed at you, Helaena leaning into his side. "You look nice."

You waved him off, "Oh, you're so sweet, but you're obviously lying. I'm in my airport clothes, just spent, like, 8 hours on a plane, and I know I look as tired as I feel."

"Still," he eased softly, "beauty doesn't know tired." You didn't get to answer his compliment because when you got to Helaena's floor, the doors opened to reveal a grinning Cregan - it being obvious she had texted him and he came to greet her.

"They're so fucking cute," you whispered.

"A little too cute," Aemond answered at the same level; you both sharing a smirk.

After brief greetings to Cregan and parting words to the couple with promises to text everyone later with plans, you and Aemond continued on your way to your floor in the elevator. "You don't have to walk me to my room, you know," you told him softly.

"I know, but what kinda guy passes on the opportunity to aid a pretty lady?"

"Oh, that was smooth," you teased, snorting in amusement. "I'll give you that one."

"C'mon," he eased, the doors opening again and the pair of you striding out. "I'm actually in the room next to you, looks like," he glanced at his own door as you used your key card.

"Good, I'll have someone to help do my hair," you teased, letting him pass because he held everything and you, only your purse. Hey, he offered!

Aemond chuckled, setting your belongings down and dismissing himself, "I'll let you get settled and see you later, yeah?"

"Yeah, I just want to wash the travel off me. Wanna meet in the lobby before dinner tonight?"

"Why don't I just pick you up and we go down to dinner together?"

"Woah, but it's such a long walk for you. I don't want you going out of your way," you snickered, watching his lips twitch in a grin.

"I'll see you tonight, sweetheart."

When Aemond slipped out of your room, you giggled to yourself. You just couldn't help it; hands clasping together in glee and merriment over the banter you exchanged; feeling so very girly, and while so silly, it was a welcomed feeling. And did he ask you out? No, not really, but you couldn't help but romanticize his offer to pick you up before the family dinner that evening.

You ripped open your suitcase and the chaos began; being the only person in your room meaning throwing around what you wanted wherever you wanted without disturbing others. You brought way too many clothes but you were glad you did - needing options for the different events.

You picked an outfit, scurried into the bathroom, gawked at the interior for a long moment (it was a huge bathroom for a single room), and then got the shower turned on to heat up. In the meantime, you laid out your toiletries and products and tools, then stepping into the hot shower and literally moaning from relief.

"Ohhhhh yeaaaah, baby, that's it!" You groaned through a laugh. "Is this what water pressure is? Shit, this is nice. Gods bless it," you turned so the stream was on your chest, humming again. "I can't go home ever again, can I? Nope, probably not. This kind of water pressure would literally injure a child in King's Landing, they'd never allow this kind of luxury."

You tweaked the knob, upping the temperature, and sighing when the steam swirled around you; moaning again. You were unaware that Aemond had double-backed, pausing at your door when he heard you and swallowing harshly. He glanced down and glared at the tent pitching in the front of his jeans, but then you moaned again and his single eye fluttered shut. He retreated to his room before he spent his load right then and there.

You've never done this before, but that shower was so mesmerizing, you were in there for 56 straight minutes - with zero regrets. And now, you had the distinct pleasure to prepare for dinner with your best friend's family; including her brother, who you were deeply attached to; wildly attracted to; and wanted to impress by looking more than good tonight.

You wanted to look delectable. You wanted to look stunning. You wanted to be looked at as if a five-course meal.

With that in mind, you stepped out of the shower and got to work.

Three definitive knocks announced his arrival, and honestly, you could've cried from anxiety. You figured you couldn't wait much longer after doing a fourth once-over in the mirror, couldn't look any better if you tried, and proceeded to yank the door open. "Hey," you chirped, readjusting your earring back.

"Shit," Aemond blinked as his single eye raked you up and down; leather eyepatch matching his leather belt and shoes. His button-up was black, unbuttoned at the top to show off his two thin silver chains, both at varying lengths; wearing easy black jeans.

"Hi," you mused, purse under your arm as you made sure to shut the heavy door after checking your keycard was where you needed it to be. "You look handsome, loving the monochromatic look."

"It's one of the many colors gracing my wardrobe," Aemond teased. "And if anyone should have a compliment, it's you, doll, I mean, just wow," his hand snatched yours to hold onto yours fingers and gave you a twirl while whistling. "This dress is a little short, no? Not that I'm complaining, I just know Aegon..." He teased, still holding your hand to yank you into his side; arm lazily tossing around your shoulders as he moved you off for the elevators.

"Your brother isn't a worry of mine," your eyes rolled, "not since I caught him..."

"Doing?"

"Nothing," you sang, punching the elevator door rapidly.

"Hey, now," he turned you so you were pressed to the cold, metal doors, "if it's about my family, I have a right to know."

"Only if it's dangerous or otherwise," you breathed. "Trust me, he's not in trouble, he's just... Busy...?"

"Where did you catch him?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Does to me."

"You're gonna make fun of him, no."

Aemond sighed, hearing the metal contraption arrive and easily stepped back; pulling you with him just as the doors opened behind you. He simply held your wrists and then drove you backwards, chuckling to himself when you pouted up at him and yanked your hands from his. "Still don't like your personal space invaded, huh?" He laughed, giving you space after hitting the lobby's floor.

"Who the fuck does?"

He nodded in agreement. "Where did you catch Aegon?"

Your eyes rolled, "Nope."

When you arrived in the lobby, you and Aemond were still bickering back and forth; all the way to the restaurant of choice that evening. You ran into Jace and Luke - Aemond's nephews - but didn't wait for them to join you; understanding the tension due to Luke's recklessness costing Aemond's eye.

"Hey," you mumbled to him when he went rigid about the lads, "you're okay. You're gonna be okay, it's okay, just ignore them."

He huffed hot air through his nose, nodding stiffly, and then following you to the reserved "party room" - being a private dining patio. When you arrived, there was a round of cheering, both you and Aemond being greeted, and when you looked, there was only 4 seats - both beside one another.

"Here," Aegon beamed, tugging the chair beside him out.

"C'mon," Aemond whispered, leading you to your chair; pulling it out, offering you to sit before he joined. Before you sat, you greeted Aegon, taking the advantage to whisper in his ear,

"Secret's still safe but Aemond knows something's up." You offered him a pointed look before smiling at Aemond and taking the seat he offered you. Beside you was Aemond and Helaena, and beside him, you and Aegon; Cregan on Helaena's side and Robb Stark on Aegon's other side.

After Jace and Luke arrived, the toasting began. Wine was poured, helpings dolloped to plates, cutlery scraped plates, and over it all, Alicent stood to her feet, "Well," she sighed, nodding at the table, "just let me say: welcome to the wedding of my daughter, Helaena, and her incredible fiancé, Cregan, who I believe has always been meant to join our family. I speak on behalf of my husband," she smiled at her decrepit husband, "Viserys, and I, and we just want to thank everyone who came all this way. Welcome to the start!"

After the obligatory sip, she offered, "Any others?"

The table glanced at one another, so, you stood and cleared your throat. "I'd like to offer a toast," you smiled as Alicent sat. "Watching Helaena and Cregan in the time we've all been friends has truly, truly, truly been a one-of-a-kind experience because how often do you get to witness two people who are meant to be, find each other? Like a puzzle, they are two halves of a whole, and while perhaps a little rough around the edges, still has a perfect fit. Thank you for inviting me, but mostly, thank you, Cregan," you smiled at the groom, "for being a one-of-a-kind man, because our Helaena deserves the absolute best. It brings us all peace and joy to know she will be loved and protected - as she deserves. However," you paused, "I also want to thank Helaena because, as friend to you both, it's been refreshing to see my mate be treated as he deserves, too. To Helaena and Cregan - our perfect puzzle pieces!"

Another round of applause and sips of wine.

Viserys toasted Cregan's strength and Helaena's bravery - saying they made a handsome couple. Something that made Aemond's eye meet your own with soft smiles.

Best man, Harwin Strong, toasted the beauty of young Helaena and how a "sorry sod" like Cregan would never deserve a woman like her, but so long as neither of them forgot that, everything should work out. You felt Aemond's pinky finger reach out to stroke your own resting on the table, and again, you met his gaze with a much shier attention than before.

Sansa Stark thanked everyone for the amazing time so far, loving their generosity and attention to detail. She toasted to loving your best mate first, how that will always make for a much better relationship; and how Helaena and Cregan just make having a relationship look easy, it was truly inspiring. This time, however, Helaena started to tear up a little and you reached into your purse to produce tissues for her; missing the way Aemond stared at you with a longing expression. Yet Aegon did not, nudging his brother and muttering, "Just ask her out already, for fuck's sake. She's not gonna bite."

Aemond swatted him away, taking a much longer pull of wine than the others taking an obligatory sip of wine.

A few others gave speeches, too, but you were drastically annoyed by Jace and Luke, sitting with their girlfriends, all snickering together over any and every congratulatory sound. They thought they were being quiet, yet they were anything but; the entire table eventually hearing them and offering glares that went ignored by the youngsters. You felt tension rolling off Aemond in suffocating waves, frowning when you noted a few Starks exchange unamused looks at the show of blatant disrespect. You were just about to open your mouth to tell them off when all of a sudden, after groomsman, Robb Stark, sat down, Aemond's fist punched the table to aid his standing movement.

He played it off by fluidly lifting his goblet.

"Final tribute," he spoke stoically, staring directly across the table at his nephews, "before we turn to our meals this evening, is hoisted in honor of the entire Targaryen brood. Tonight, we do not mourn the loss of a sister, but the gain of a brother, and I think it only fair we offer the same curtesy they've always shown us - respect."

"Aemond," Alicent warned.

"You've shown us all what love is," he told the couple. "How to keep it alive, how to remain level, patient, kind, resolute, and how to compromise." His eye flickered to yours, continuing, "Making us all envy the connection... The friendship you share, the time spent together - growing and nurturing one another. It's not everyday you're able to marry the right person at the right time," he half smirked, "someone you think understands you better than anyone else." He blinked, then cleared his throat, "And yet, I've always heard there's no bond like that of family - those you share blood with. Tonight, it wasn't Cregan who proved me wrong..."

"Aemond, don't," you mumbled when you heard Helaena sigh sadly.

"Hm," he seemed to change his mind, and instead, raised his cup in the air. "To my sister, the most beautiful bride and her very own Prince Charming - to Helaena and Cregan! May it be a long and happy marriage that we continue to envy through the ages."

"Here, here - "

"But also to our nephews, Jace and Luke," Aemond cut off the responses - the entire table stilling with confusion.

"Us?" Jace asked softly, "What for, Uncle? We are not the ones getting married."

"Well, since you found it appropriate to whispering during every speech, I figured why not just give you the attention you so obviously need."

The younger crowd at the table all oooh'ed in union while the older adults tried to diffuse the tension. You simply reached out to grab Aemond's elbow and pull him back into the chair beside you; frowning when he only smirked. "That wasn't very nice," you reprimanded softly.

"Needed said," he shrugged.

Alicent and Rhaenyra, mother of Jace and Luke, Aemond's older half-sister, were bickering in anger about Alicent's son disrespecting her own - but Alicent countered that Nyra's sons disrespected her daughter by their chattering. The tension melted into the night, everyone moving about their business; seemingly sweeping the tension under the rug, dishing up dinner and starting fresh conversation.

Your own peaceful talk with Cregan's uncle, Ned Stark, was interrupted when you jumped as a hand boldly laid on your mid-thigh. You covered your surprise with a dab of your cloth napkin to your mouth, looking discreetly to the warm fingers grasping your flushing flesh; then trailing your gaze up to the owner of said hand. Aemond casually ate with his other hand, a smirk pulled on his lips; never looking down at you, but wriggling his hand a little to make you squirm.

It felt so fucking good to be touched by him like this.

Even if it was minimal, fleeting; barely there and never-lasting. You savored the feel, the heat, the way a single, simple touch made your stomach twist in knots and heat to flush your skin.

However, when his hand slid up your thigh to push the hemline of your dress - your hand slapped down to halt his movements. You moved his hand back down to your limit, patted twice, and let go, distracted by Ned Stark's alluring baritone, accented voice. He took the hint and only touched you at your limit, still too casual for your liking; leaving you alone in your burning-desire state. If only you knew that Aemond was having just as hard a time as you - thinking you had the softest skin he's ever held before.

Soft, shaved - or is it waxed? - moisturized, and basically calling to him that he needed to get a handful. He helped himself.

You almost moaned when he curled his finger to your inner thigh; an embarrassing gush of arousal seeping from your cunt at the slightest movement from the handsome, silver-haired, one-eyed dickhead known as your best friend's brother. Yet you didn't give him the satisfaction of reacting beyond that, all too happy to listen to the others chatter away. He didn't push you too far, and yet, never once removed his hand - almost entranced by the feel of your warmth.

When dinner was brought out, Helaena and Cregan stood and everyone - yes, everyone this time - silenced themselves to listen. Sitting back in your chair, you slowly let both your hands come around Aemond's one; just holding his forearm as you listened to your besties thank everyone for their efforts and appearance during their nuptials.

When he didn't shy away from your show of silent affection, you let your hand drift to hold his bare wrist; frowning when his arm contracted in movement. However, your frown turned into an easy, relieved smile when he only moved to fold his hand into yours; fingers interlaced, resting on your lap to let your other hand cover your conjoined ones.

"And to my beautiful bride," Cregan purred, turning to Helaena, "I hope this is all you've ever wanted, exactly as you've imagined it... Because giving you the wedding of your dreams is top priority. To see your friends and family come together has been truly incredible, and I hope the rest of these celebrations are exactly that - a celebration as you've always dreamt it'd be. I'd give you whatever you'd ask for, you know," he grinned, the hand in your tightening. When you met Aemond's eye, Cregan continued, "You're all I could've dreamed of, and at the end of this week, we'll have the rest of our lives together - something I only ever thought was possible in my dreams. You're all I want in this life, and I'll spend the rest of ours being worthy of you."

Aemond squeezed your hand, you returning it as you beamed at your best mates kissing; the table cooing at their adorable antics while you snuck a glance at Aemond. His head was cocked down at an angle, smiling down at you, looking all too soft and kind for his usual demeanor. You couldn't look away once you made eye contact, staring at one another, lips slowly curling in a bright grin as his hand tightened in yours.

The following evening breezed in with the tropical wind, and after an hour and a half, you were pecking off room service platters you had delivered and used plastic cups to drink the Dornish sweet wine from the bottle your friend had gone to the bar to get. Sansa Stark made sure your hair was in order before she pulled her long, red strands up in a high-teased ponytail; complimenting the way her bright Tully blue eyes were rimmed in a smudged-liner. You made sure you both ate a significant amount before starting to drink - wanting to loosen up as you finished getting ready together.

She wore something from your closet, you wore something of hers. With everything you needed in your purse, you latched your heels on and took your phones off chargers. "The cabs are here!" Sansa mocked, making you sputter a small laugh. This side of her was a breath of fresh air, knowing that truly, if anyone deserved a feel-good night out, it was Sansa.

So, you made the decision to stay sober - you know, so she could drink under a safe eye. However, after double checking for hotel key cards, ID's, cash, debit cards, the paper bag of bride-to-be merch, and whatever else you deemed necessary, you left the room, and was surprised to see some of the guys leaving their rooms, too.

"Hey," You greeted the best man, Harwin Strong, "what're you guys doing?"

"God daaaaaaamn," he whistled, "lookin' good ladies!" He smirked, looking you up and down, "We're heading out to some clubs and bars, too, princess."

Your eyes rolled in good humor, "Okay, yeah, sure, where are you really going?"

"Out," he nodded, following you to the elevators. "Seriously, there's a couple places we wanna check out. By the looks of things, y'all had the same idea, huh?"

You smiled as Sansa answered, "Yeah, it was last-minute. Kinda like a bachelorette thing."

"That explains all that, huh?" Harwin snickered, pointing at your paper bag.

"Don't be a hater 'cause you didn't think of it," you teased.

He hummed, "You both look really gorgeous tonight, by the way. Just incredible, I mean, Sansa, this dress is - just wow!"

Sansa flushed, letting you thank him for you both as she seemed a little tongue-tied. However, when you made it to the lobby, it was a semi-chaotic scene as the entire bridal party had gathered to share mutual rambunctious excitement. After joining in and greeting everyone, you set the paper bag down and started to dress Helaena in the obnoxious bridal garb.

"Here," Sansa giggled, handing out different paraphernalia to each lady, "just for a few pictures!"

Nobody objected. Robb had no problem taking a load of photos; some with you all posing and others more candid. It was all in good fun, the cab driver even offering to take a large group photo of the entire bridal party; encouraging a few different poses and giving you a thumbs up when done.

"Hey," Aemond approached you as you stood to the side and texted your mother, assuring everything was okay on your vacation, "haven't seen you since dinner last night."

"I know," you pouted lightly, "I'm sorry I've been a little MIA, we had an all-day spa day today."

"And here I was thinking you were avoiding me, huh?" He mused, but you heard the underlying insecurity to his voice.

"Not even close to the truth, Aems," you promised.

"So, uh," he glanced at the guys before back at you, asking, "it's just you ladies going out tonight, right?"

"Mhm," you nodded, trying not to break apart under his gaze.

"Without... Someone there?"

"I mean, we'll all be there, looking out for each other," you offered Aemond a confused smile, "and I'm not drinking, so I'll make sure everyone's safe."

"You think that's a good idea?"

"Why not?"

"New country plus drinking, I mean, sounds pretty accident-prone."

"We'll be okay, I'll stay sober and keep an eye out, make sure nobody breaks an ankle or two like last Halloween."

He looked at the bridal party, musing, "You're going to keep hold of five drunks?"

You paused for a long moment, not putting much thought behind logistics. "I think I can manage," you admitted with uncertainty. "They're not that bad. I mean, Arya's small enough to haul over my shoulder; Helaena never drinks too much, I think I have it covered best I can."

"You know what? I'll just come with you ladies."

"What?" You giggled, thinking you must've misheard him.

"I've already been out with the boys for the bachelor's party. You're one person trying to look after my sister and her friends. Trust me, I think you're gonna need help."

"Between us, who do you think has more experience between wrangling drunk women?"

Aemond just smirked, nodding, "C'mon, we should head out."

Figuring there was no use in arguing, you turned for the minivan and got in after the other girls. After Aemond spoke to Cregan and Robb, he got in the passenger seat, and away you went. "What's he doing here?" Rhea asked cautiously, looking guarded.

"He wants to help keep an eye on us," you smirked.

"So you're gonna keep creepy dudes away from us?"

"Sure," Aemond agreed just as his sister squealed and begged for the radio to be turned up - she absolutely loved this song!

The club had no central lighting in the warehouse styled event room. There were multicolored strobe lights that flickered and pulsed and beat in-time with the loud, blaring music that was dialed to a volume that made the floor vibrate. Trendy music played in remixed playlists, heavy speakers lining most walls that didn't host the VIP sitting area.

Sweaty bodies bumped and ground together.

There was the dance floor. Then the bar lined the entire back wall, bathrooms located to the left and a fire exit to the right. The right most part of the room, stretching wall-to-wall, was an elevated space that had separate, roped-off lounge areas; complete with velvet couches and individual tables.

"Here," Rhea waved you all after her, leading you all right up to the bouncer and being granted access. Heleana looked skeptical as she realized this was some orchestrated event, not liking the idea of being clued-out of the knowing, but still, played along with the luxury treatment. You were seated in the corner booth, and without missing a beat, Sansa was tossing you her purse and yanking Helaena to the bar with the hope that her bride-to-be apparel would earn free drinks.

"This place is nice," Jeyne tried to compliment, but you and the Stark sisters shared a bemused look. "Oh! Goodie!" She squeaked when Sansa and Helaena returned with a full tray of assorted drinks.

"So, they just filled it with all the forgotten drinks," Sansa explained, "and said it was on the house 'cause of Helaena's bachelorette shit."

"Well then," you smirked, reaching for a single shot, "a toast!" Everyone reached for a drink and hoisted it in the air. "To our dear, sweet love, Helaena, and her saying 'I do' to one helluva guy! May this marriage be long, prosperous, adventurous, and full of the love you deserve! To Helaena!"

"And Cregan!" The bride slipped in as everyone echoed their toasts to the soon-to-be-married couple. You had your one shot, and while the others filled up, you and Aemond just watched them. Jeyne, Rhea, and Sansa scurried off together, Arya seeing someone she apparently knew and running off with them, and Helaena was looking at you with a dramatic pout. "Come dance with me," she whined. "I let you convince me to come out tonight, so you have to dance with me! Before I'm a spoken-for woman!"

Aemond smirked when you spared him a look as if to beg him to rescue you, but being unable to because his sister was adamant to get you on your feet.

Everyone was buddied up and accounted for; leaving Aemond alone at a reserved table. However, he didn't mind watching purses if it meant he could turn mutely to watch the dance floor, and while the lights made it hard, his eye caught sight of you.

Helaena was having the absolute time of her life, and the women around her all seemed blissfully distracted by the alcohol in their systems. He watched you. His eye did not stray, until he realized that while he could see you, so could every other wanton eye roaming the hazy room. Aemond glanced around and saw a few VIPs smoking, figuring it was okay to light up. Out of defensive anxiety, he pulled a cigarette carton from his pocket, tapped a single filtered death stick out, fingered his lighter before pausing to light, inhale, and return his gaze back onto you.

You were lost in the music, evident that all you ladies needed some stress relief after the whirlwind that is wedding planning. He knew you weren't drinking, but seeing you laugh and toss you arms up, rolling your hips in rhythm to the music, he knew you didn't need a single drop to have a good time. He thought that was admirable, incredibly rare these days. In Aemond's experience, college kids had a hard time saying no to alcohol, and the fact that you did it so willingly felt like whiplash.

Aemond stood and neared the guard railing of the elevated section he was stationed on. His shoulder leaned into a steel support beam, staring at you for several long moments while casually smoking; perking up only a degree when you told the girls something and then started moving through the throngs of people.

You pushed up to the bar and the bartender almost immediately took your order. He figured all seemed well enough because you weren't moving from the bar yet, his gaze shifting to scan the building.

Bodies were pressed together at every inch, the smell of sweat and spilt alcohol seemingly permanently perfuming the air. It was hard to see, but after adjusting, he could make out a few faces. Nobody seemed too hair-raising, nothing suspicious, nothing out of the ordinary...

Until his eyes returned to you. The bartender was distracted doing their job, and instead of you standing peacefully, there was some guy obviously trying to flirt with you. He seemed desperate for a conversation, Aemond almost cringing from a distance as he could only imagine what kind of terrible pick-up lines this guy was using. He felt ready to move into action, but the moment the thought entered his mind, Aemond saw you gather the glasses from the bar, turn, and quite literally ignore the blonde man - who stared after you with a gobsmacked expression. Aemond smirked when the man turned to complain to his friends; holding a drink in one hand as the other gestured angrily after you.

The man's friends got a glimpse of you and laughed, slapping their friend's chest; and Aemond hoped one of them told him that a girl as pretty as you was lightyears ahead of his league.

Aemond relaxed when you returned to the party, taking a long drag when you distributed drinks to your friends. Arya had come back around with her friend, the group mingling and enjoying their new acquaintances. He noted you were empty handed, flagging a waitress down; the VIP section apparently having the luxury of being waited on to avoid the long waits at the bar. He quietly requested two bottles of water be delivered - unsealed - to their table.

His attention returned to the bridal party, only to watch a few guys join your group. Sansa and Rhea ate up the attention; leaving Jeyne and Helaena to dance alongside Arya and her friend, as the same guy from the bar holding your conversation hostage. You still looked disinterested; stoic and cold; body language assuring Aemond that you weren't receptive to the stranger. You flinched in discomfort when he had to lean in to shout in your ear just to be heard over the music, but your eye rolls told Aemond you wouldn't listen even if in a silent library.

Something in the interaction made him annoyed. It wasn't jealousy that someone was paying attention to you, standing so close and intimately; invading your space. It was something else. He could tell you weren't interested in whatever was being said, and when you turned from the man once again, obviously dismissing him to dance with Helaena and Jeyne, Aemond could see offense paint the man's face. It wasn't jealousy, but perhaps something akin to protectiveness after witnessing the way the man had approached you at the bar, and now, again, on the dance floor.

Without a single thought, Aemond was pushing off the beam and dropping his cigarette to crunch under his boot the moment the stranger reached for your upper arm to whip you around aggressively; snarling and scolding you. Aemond easily slotted through the sweaty crowd, not entirely barging through them but not exactly waiting for them all to part for him. The stranger was sneering something at you, demanding an apology for blowing him off (twice) so rudely, but you were snapping that it was rude to bombard you. To pester disinterested women. To impose. To approach an entire group of women and ruin the good vibe by simply being an intrusive, entitled man. The blonde man was just in the middle of snarling in your face how much of a "catch" he was when Aemond arrived, and without truly thinking, he reached out and tore the man away.

Aemond, while decently lanky and skinny, was ripped with defined muscle and when his anger was flared up, he was near unstoppable. So, in reality, the stranger would've been moved whether sober or not, but because this man was drunk, he nearly toppled over. As the stranger scrambled off the floor, Aemond stood protectively in front of you with his anger almost palpable, barking, "She told you to fuck off, mate."

"Oh-ho! Got a big man here, do we!?" The blonde stranger raged, his pale flesh turning a bright red from his anger and alcohol consumption. "You wanna have a go, mate, I'll fuck you up right here! Right now! Fuck you think you're doin', touchin' me like that, you fuckin' prick!?"

"She's not interested," Aemond stood his ground, "and you need to walk away - right fucking now."

"Over some stuck-up whore who won't even accept a drink? She's that much of an up-tight bitch? Too full of her-fucking-self? Man, you're wasting your time, chicks like that don't know a nice guy even when he hits her."

"As if any woman in their right mind would accept a drink from you," Aemond sneered, looking the man up and down. "You got ears? You speak the Common Tongue? Turn around and fuck off - the ladies aren't interested."

"Like I'm listening to some one-eyed, pussy-boy - "

"Aemond!" You yelped, shoving yourself in front of him when you saw the impending danger. You knew his injury was off-base; not a topic of conversation anyone dare engage in. The fact this stranger honed in on it so easily was triggering in the worst way imaginable. "Hey, hey, hey, he's not worth it. Hey, c'mon, don't let it get to you this bad. It's okay. Aemond, c'mon, let's just walk away."

"Listen to your bitch, mate! She's not even fuckin' worth it! What kind of a guy wants to parade around with some whore? Wearing something like that for everyone to see! What's wrong, princess?" He directed at you. "He don't give you enough attention? Huh? You gotta find it anywhere else, don't'cha, why else dress like that - huh!?"

By now, a small crowd had formed and the blonde, drunk stranger was being egged on and riled up by his mates. "Don't," you repeated to Aemond, perfectly all too used to men's reaction when women reject them or simply didn't get what they want.

"Walk away," Aemond repeated, his veiny hands moving to hold your arms as if it would physically restrain him; your hands on his waist to keep him anchored.

"Man, what the fuck ever. Not even worth it," he scoffed.

"Then why do you keep talking?" Sansa drunkenly snapped from behind Aemond's broad shoulders.

"Fuck did you say, bitch!?"

Aemond sighed and tugged you behind him, stepping up to the drunk blonde man; lowering his tone to mutter something as he stood between you ladies and the lads in tacky Hawaiian-print button-ups. You're not sure what was said, but Aemond seemingly had the last word; watching him turn back for you lot and instantly start checking that each of you was truly okay.

Aemond gently caressed Helaena's cheek, muttering, "You good?"

She nodded, but then, her eyes widened and she squeaked when the stranger charged Aemond from behind, shouting his name in warning. "Shit!" You yelped when he dodged out of the way just as the man threw a wild punch.

Nobody could've stopped the fight if they tried.

You made sure to herd the women close as Aemond dodged two more throws, his long platinum hair swinging as it fell out of its bun before he found his opportunity. Aemond strategically waited until the blonde stranger was open to throw his weight behind his fist colliding with the drunk man's cheekbone.

The crowd of people around you all 'ooohed' in union, wincing when Aemond, again, knocked his fist into the man's jaw and, again, sent him sprawling to the floor. One of the friends managed to sneak in and land a blow on Aemond's cheek, but his head only barely turned with the impact. His eye locked onto the new target, and not a minute later, the other guy was nursing a broken nose.

Aemond glanced around for any other contenders, sighing when there were none - just a cloud of jeering drunks voicing their approval towards the violence. "Hey," you begged again, his eye finding your worried face, "you done now? Can we get you cleaned up?"

Sansa stepped up, stating, "We can go if you guys want - we don't have to stay!"

"No, just... Stay outta trouble," Aemond sighed. "I'll be up there," he gestured back at the elevated VIP section. You hated seeing him shoulder his way through the rowdy crowd who had already forgotten about the fight.

You shook your head, grabbing Helaena's arm and leaning into her ear, "I'm gonna check on Aemond. Don't go anywhere, stay with the girls!"

"I will!" She agreed, letting Arya push another shot in her hand. You turned and grumbled when bodies began bumping into you instantly; your jaw clenched to keep upright. You had to eventually shove a few people out of your path, but didn't care, jogging up to the VIP section and looking around. When you got back to your table, Aemond was sitting with his head tilted back, eye closed, smoking another cigarette, ice on his slightly reddened hand.

"Aemond?" You checked, announcing your presence as you took the seat beside him; scooting closer. "The fuck was that? Gettin' in fights in the club, Alicent wouldn't be proud," You spoke gently, readjusting his ice so it was actually over the swollen area.

"Just guys being dudes, dudes being guys," he mused, free hand holding his cigarette to speak as he exhaled. "Why're you up here?"

"I wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine, you can go back - "

"Aemond," you snipped, "I'm fine here. I needed a break, and I wanted to check on you."

He nodded towards the table, "Water's for you."

You glanced over, finding the two water bottles amongst an array of items on the tabletop. One unopened, the other cracked and partially drank. "Thank you," you spoke sincerely, waiting until his eye met yours, "for the water and for defending me back there. I owe you one."

"I only did what a gentleman should do," he sighed.

"Wasn't worth bruising your knuckle, was it?"

"I'd actually say it was necessary," he spoke like it was easy. You hated that, how he seemed fluent in flirting but you knew he wasn't really. Why would he? Aemond Targaryen made 'being perfect' look fucking perfect.

You were quiet for another moment before you blurted out, "It was pretty hot, I have to admit. Seeing you defend my honor."

He eased his cigarette to an ashtray, speaking clearly, "Wasn't gonna let him touch you." You thought that was final and just smiled softly, but then Aemond finished, "Wasn't about to let any man touch what's mine."

"Yours, huh?"

He smirked, "Why not?" His now free hand landed on your bare thigh; dress riding up when you sat down to give him access to your spa-waxed legs. "You anyone else's?"

"I'd like to think women aren't possessions."

"Yet you're the one prize I fucking need," his hand squeezed. "Don't even know what kinda gem you are, do you?"

"I think your adrenaline's got you talkin' crazy," you tried to deflect, giggling lightly. But his hand squeezed again, making you look up to meet his gaze.

"I know what I want. And I know," his hand slid up to ease up the curve of your ass, "that I'm done denying my want for you."

"Aemond," you felt drunk on his presence.

"Tell me to stop, doll, and we won't ever have to talk about it again. But if you can't," he palmed your flesh, "and you want this, too - "

Your hand grabbed his wrist to stop him, pulling his hand from under your dress, "Helaena's my best friend, and you're her brother. This is... The most taboo situation we could entertain right now."

"Hmm," he pulled his hand back, making you instantly snatch it back.

"But I can't tell you I don't feel it, too." Aemond's eye glittered in the strobe lights, feeling him pull your legs so you were nearly sat on his lap; legs laid over his so he could fully touch your thighs again. "But we can't, i-it would - this would take away from Helaena - we can't."

"I don't see her here right now," he purred, leaning in close to breath in your neck. "Tell me how long you've wanted me."

"Aemond."

"Keep sayin' my name, baby, but it doesn't answer my question."

You only managed to answer, "Too long," in a quivering voice before,

"HEY!" Sansa slurred, beaming brightly from over Rhea's shoulder as they stumbled up; giving just enough time for you and Aemond to separate. "I know you guys! Oh! I know them! Look! It's our friends!"

Rhea Royce, being just-as-drunk, gasped, "I know them, too! Oh, bless the Seven! We know you!"

"Hi," you laughed, eyeing them all with full amusement, "everyone doing okay?"

"I called our ride, they're up the street - they can't get down here 'cause of traffic," Jeyne informed with a pant, Helaena and Arya held to her body. You smiled at Aemond before getting up to gently take Helaena's weight from Jeyne, who breathed, "Thank you so much. C'mon, our ride's up there - "

Aemond grunted as he stood and offered his water to Rhea, assisting the ladies in keeping their balance in sticky-soled heels. You handed Sansa your unopened water as you held onto Jeyne, watching Aemond help Arya, Rhea, and Helaena - who needed his support.

It was a shit-show getting the group in another minivan; the only relief being when they were bribed with tacos. The ride to the resort was a total 180 compared to the ride out, as everyone knocked out except you and Aemond. A couple of times, you wondered if you should speak first but never did - being vulnerable isn't your forte.

You know what you would rather do than wrangle in five drunk girls? Specifically after a bachelorette party? Declaw wet cats. Contract measles. Be hit by a bus. Learn how to speak Latin (a dead language, for those who don't know). Go to Vegas with your entire lifesavings and lose it all. Use pliers to yank a tooth out - no dentist or anesthesia used (Ron Swanson style).

Anything would be better than this.

It took the better part of an hour for you to get all the girls out of the van, through the resort, and into Jeyne's border-line empty hotel room. Empty because the sweet, party girl from Northern University didn't unpack, and was the cleanest; the perfect place to dispose of everyone. Aemond was as helpful as ever, but he didn't do much past helping you get the women in bed; unsure how to help past that. From there, you did the rest: took off any shoes and / or glasses, plugged phones in, left water bottles and a bottle of Advil in view, and shut the curtains to grant them deliverance when the sun rose.

When done, you and Aemond snuck out of the room quietly and let the door shut behind you; leaving you in the hall. "I put Sansa's phone on FaceTime with mine," you showed him, "in case one of them throws up or needs something, and left it on the charger."

"So we should get you to your charger, right?"

"Oh," there was teasing to your tone, "worried about my battery running low?"

"Just wondering if your batteries can go all night," he smirked, picking up on your innuendo.

"Oh, good one," you teased, watching him smirk. "Thanks for helping tonight. It was nice having you watching our back."

"Yeah?"

You beamed, nodding, "For sure. I could tell Helaena had a blast."

"Good, 's what I care about," he nodded. "Listen," he cleared his throat, "I, uh... I have to make a confession."

"Aemond Targaryen wants to tell me a secret?" You teased, facing him in full-interest. "Please," you encouraged, gesturing for him to go-on.

His tongue wet his lips swiftly, "I know you're Helaena's friend and you say it's wrong, but I just... I tried not to have these feelings for you, but I can't stop them."

You smiled, "Aemond, that's the alcohol talking."

"What if I said I didn't have any?"

You blinked in mild shock, offering quietly, "I'd say you were delirious from dehydration or something. It was really hot in there, must've been sweating a lot, or maybe it's your adrenaline again!

"Why is it so far fetched for you to think I could have honest feelings for you? Truly, have you thought this was just a one-way street?"

"You're Helaena's brother," you spoke softly, sadly, "and maybe we're just - I don't know - not thinking clearly! We need to cool off - "

"No, no, I don't need to cool off, you see, because I'm thinking the clearest than ever before," Aemond shook his head, reaching for your shoulders to squeeze, and move down to hold your upper arms, squeeze again, then down to just above your elbow. "I feel as if I don't say it now, I might lose the nerve later. I've always admired you, sweetheart, and I know it's wrong, I know it's taboo and scares you, I know I'm your best friends brother, but I can't help it. You're just - this - like - fucking incredible person, who is loyal and wise and strong and knowing and open and sweet and empathetic and wickedly intelligent - "

You cut him off by surging into his arms; chest to chest, lips locked together in a passionate exchange of fierce, over-boiled emotion without a single thought towards further repercussions. There was tongue, there was teeth, there was an-ever spreading warmth that stretched from your cheeks to your toes. Aemond tasted just like he semlled - sweet, salty, just the right amount of spicy. He let you lock your hands in his hair, always knowing your affinity for his long silver mane; tugging the strands you managed to get ahold of gently to cause Aemond to moan while sucking on his domineering tongue.

Aemond was losing his mind; infected with all you were, all you are, all you would, could, and should be. The way you made him feel, the obvious care you put into others, the sweet, innocent look in your eye replaced by a haze of lust - all thanks to him. For a moment, Aemond's mind felt numb before it jolted back into reality, realizing he was kissing you. You. You were kissing him, he was kissing you. His dear, sweet, kind, ever-so-perfect sister's best friend, you - he was kissing you and you were kissing him back. Sure, he dreamt of this happening about a few dozen times but the real thing was tenfold what he ever imagined.

Holy Seven, he was kissing you.

"I take it," he panted, breaking apart before surging in for another taste of your pouting lips, "you might feel..." another kiss and a small moan, "feel the same?" He pulled back to look in your eyes, but when you didn't answer him, Aemond teased, "Oh, c'mon, princess, tell me you feel the same. Tell me I'm not makin' a fool of myself, that we're not just runnin' high from the club's fumes."

"No," you promised, "you are no fool, Aemond Targaryen; far from it, in fact. I, too, feel whatever this is, whatever is emotional, tangible, physical between us, I feel it, too, and I want you - oh!"

He didn't need to hear anything more, suffocating you in another kiss, and this time, you let him control the motions because you were unsure how far this would - or should - go. His hands squeezed over your hips, turning, and pushing you against the wall just a few steps behind you. Your moan was meek, released into his mouth; loving Aemond's taste on your tongue; and for now, you simply forgot he was your best friend's brother. Or ignored the fact.

"Shit," he panted, looking down at you before glancing down the hall, "listen, listen, listen, baby, hey, if we keep goin', I might not stop." He offered a small shrug, "Ready to bust right here, right now, if I'm honest, but I'd rather be inside you."

You considered his words for a moment; waiting for his gaze to return to you before voicing your opinion. Feeling inexplicably turned on by his earlier actions to defend you, bruising his knuckles on a stranger's jaw; how he called you his, how he touched you, and when his single violet eye turned back to you, you surprised yourself by your words, "Better make it quick, then."

Aemond smirked, "You want me to fuck you, here? Against the wall?"

"Maybe," you answered softly, letting your hand reach out to palm over his swelling cock; hearing his breathing catch and continuing, "only if you can be quick so we aren't caught and slapped with an indecent exposure charge."

Aemond did not hesitate to swoop down and slam his lips to yours; pushing his hips forward so he could grind into your palm. Hands roamed to touch, caress, squeeze until they secured your hips in a bruising grip, then dipping low to suddenly grab your thighs and hoist you up. As if you weren't turned on enough, the obvious show of strength and ease in which he held you made your cunt contract over nothing; dampening to an embarrassing level. You couldn't remember the last time someone made you feel so frantic; so animalistic; so feral that you needed to be fucked right here, right now, in this hall that was so very public.

But that was the fun: having a frenzied fuck with the looming threat someone might catch you.

You moaned like a wanton bitch in heat, core pressed against his straining member and only imaging what the feel of him would be. A whimper was ripped from your throat, gasping as Aemond grew to a knew height of desperation; turning a degree more aggressive in the way he pressed close to you, teeth scraping your lips. It was like he was trying to suck your soul through your mouth; tongues battling, hands sliding around one another as if unsure where to hold. You settled on his cheeks, finding the chiseled features alluring enough to grip; his securing your waist and base of your ribcage in a bruising grip, both moaning in pleasure and need.

"Gotta keep it down, pretty girl," he muttered with a smirk, holding you expertly so he could grind his harden, black-jean-covered member to your ever-dampening core. "Don't wanna get caught, huh? Disturb the peace, have someone hear us," he breathed against your lips, "come outta their room to check?"

You whimpered.

"Oh," he chuckled darkly, pulling back only just to look at you, "my pretty girl would like that, huh? Always knew you were a fuckin' freak."

His lips were on yours as you pawed as his belt and jeans. Aemond chuckled into the kiss, readjusting his hold on you to help; and the moment the garment was loose, you shucked his jeans to mid-thigh. All the while, Aemond leaned back in to smother your neck and shoulder with his searing-hot, teeth-raking kisses; uneven breathing making you tremble when each exhale covered your saliva-coated skin to send a shiver through your muscles.

"Aemond," you begged, riding up your dress to expose your soaking-wet, black lace thong, "just need you - now. Please, please, we don't have time for begging."

"Gotta warm you up - "

"I've been warm since you shoved that guy off me," you rushed, whimpering, "please, okay? Just fuck me. I need it, I need you. Take your time with me later, but for right now, just fuck me - I need you to fill me, Aemond."

"I gotta condom - "

"I'm on birth control - that NuvaRing is fuckin' incredible," you laughed, hearing him hum in amusement as his teeth latched down on your bottom lip enough to encourage you into another tongue-wrestling session.

After a moment, Aemond grinned and glanced down to push away any lingering fabric, lips licking yours messily; grabbing hold of his cock to line up at your core. Never before had you felt "dripping" for any man, but Aemond wasn't just any man. No, in your mind, he was The Man.

No warning was necessary for him to snap his hips forward; sheathing his hot, leaking cock in your sopping warmth in one fluid motion; piercing you. He praised in your ear, "Oh, there's a good fuckin' girl," before sharing a moan; yours from absolute pleasure, and his from sheer relief. He's wanted this longer than you have, which felt impossible, but the truth was the truth. Aemond's been in love with you for what felt like an impossible amount of time.

"Shit," you begged, teeth scraping the shell of his ear, "hang on, hang on, hang on." You whimpered, "You're so fuckin' big - just a moment, please, hang on."

"'S all right, love. Take your time. I got you," he soothed, unfazed by your repeated pawing around his neck to keep your balance; sweaty palms catching his hair a few times. "Just fuckin' feel me, baby," he groaned in your ear, "and how full you feel. So fuckin' tight," he grit.

You whimpered.

The thing is, you've fucked your share of men (and women) before, but Aemond was something Godly. You felt disappointed you didn't get to physically see his glory, nor have it in your mouth, but figured there was time to admire him like a painting in the Louvre later. For now, you could only understand that Aemond was by far the biggest you've had; both in size and girth. You shuddered at the feeling of him filling you to the brim, whispering, "M-Move, please, move, just start moving, oh, my Gods. Y'Feel so fuckin' good, shit, Aemond, baby, you feel - Godsdamnit, you feel so fucking good."

Aemond did as you asked, moving his hips to drag his cockhead along your quivering walls to collect your wetness, only to push right back in; creating a languid pace as to allow you accommodation. His teeth grit tightly, "No idea what it feels like for me, sweet girl. Fuck. Who got you this wet? Huh? Who got you here? Fuckin' tell me, baby, who got you like this?"

"You, Aemond. Always you, baby, always gettin' me wet - so fuckin' wet," you babbled. "Don't even have t'do shit t'get me goin', 'M always so ready for you to have me." You felt a scream build and Aemond must've seen it because he offered you a stern look as he humped quickly into you. "Quick and quiet, right?" You complained with wide eyes, swollen lips; the perfect pout that would get you whatever you wanted from the middle Targaryen.

"Jus' for right now, can get as loud as we want later, huh?" He hissed, groaning as he readjusted his stance to increase his speed. "Hold on, princess, just hold onto me, I got us, almost there," his lips ghosted your neck before letting his teeth gnash your flesh in a show of messy dominance. "Good fuckin' girl, yes, yes," Aemond grit, flexing his jaw when he felt your arms tighten, "just hold on fa'me - can't get enough of this. Huh? Hear me? Can't ever go back, princess, not when I've had you like this - jus' fuckin' made f'me, Godsdamnit - yes, yes, yes, there's my girl, good girl, so fuckin' good for me. Shit, I don't wanna cum, I just wanna feel this pussy for as long as possible, but I can't hold it, baby, shit, I can't hold it anymore."

Your moans and grotesque sounds of Aemond's balls slapping your leaky cunt filled the hall; your mind only briefly registering the idea for a moment to let you glance up and down the hall to ensure your "privacy". Words failed you, your lungs heaving in short puffs; gripping his shoulders as if it would keep you anchored, but the truth was, his forceful hips were sending you up the fucking wall.

"Ae-Aemond," you begged brokenly, reaching for your clit and only needing to add minimal pressure; ready to shatter from the harsh thrusts your one-eyed lover provided. "I-I-I'm there. I'm there, baby, please, oh, shit!" You felt a sob lodge in your throat.

"Cum on my cock, princess," he demanded as your head tilted back to bang into the wall, sinking his teeth deep into your pulse point when exposed. "Lemme feel you, love, c'mon, just let it go. Show me - " he felt the trickling of your cum squirting out in a rare display, "oh-ho-hoooo, look at that, yes, yes, there's my good fuckin' girl. That's it, fuckin' soak me, there it is - shit, shit, oh, fuck. Grippin' me so fuckin' tight without anythin' needin' to be said. Good girl," he grunted, feeling as if stabbing through you with the way he thrusted and jackhammered his cock into your tightening cunt with each word.

Your tongue flattened against his neck, hearing his groan, and when your mouth closed down to lock your teeth over his pale flesh, sure to leave a red mark, Aemond gave a final grunt. He shuddered; hands bruising your skin as his hips stuttered once, twice, and stilled against you. Your nether region blossomed with his warmth, your lungs panting to catch your breath; feeling full as Aemond barely deflated inside you.

"Shit," you whispered.

"Yeah," he gaped in agreement, gulping harshly. "You all right, love?"

"Mhm," you nodded against him, nuzzling his cheek with your nose. "You?"

"So fuckin' good," he chuckled, glancing down the hall. "I gotta set you down, baby, 'M cramping a little. Easy does it, just hold onto me," he spoke soothingly, pulling his cock out and easing you to your feet while holding onto his neck and shoulders. "Keep my cum right there," he smirked down at you, readjusting your panties over your swollen cunt before tugging your dress back down; giving a playful slap to your clit that made you jump a little from the overstimulation. "Don't let a drop out, hmm?"

"Take that up with gravity, I got nothin' to do with it," you whined, leaning on the wall for full-support. After situating his cock back and yanking his boxers and jeans back up, Aemond dropped to a knee before you.

"Here," he whispered, lifting one of your legs to ease your shoe off. You smiled, holding onto his shoulders as he helped you remove both shoes; standing to his full height again. He looked nervous for a moment, mouth opening but closing as words evaded him.

You took mercy, smiling, "Aemond?"

"Yeah, princess?"

"Would you like to spend the night with me?"

He smirked, chuckling, "Yeah, think I would."

"Good. You get to carry me, then." Aemond grinned and moved before you realized what he was doing, swooping you into his arms. You giggled girlishly, "I need my stuff!" He glanced down at the floor to spy your shoes, purse, phone. Aemond grunted as he lowered in a squat, letting you collect your things to rest in the cradle of your belly, snickering, "You're such a show off."

"This is why we don't skip leg-day, pretty girl," he smirked, "or core day, or arm day..."

"We get it, you work out! But weren't you cramping up a minute ago?"

"Yeah, but that was then."

As he walked towards the elevator, you both heard a door open and peaked over to see one of Aemond's distant, great-uncles peaking out in confusion. "Did you guys hear that?" The older man asked hoarsely, obviously disgruntled from being woken up. "What's all that racket? We thought we could expect for a little sleep!"

You felt embarrassment flush your system, a hand slapping over your mouth - but Aemond covered, "Sorry, Uncle, the wedding parties went out drinking. Got them all safe in their rooms, except this one, though. Sorry for the noise."

He smiled, nodding as if in relief, "You're a good boy, Aemond. She all right?"

"Yes, just a little too much to drink," he chuckled, your free hand reaching over to pinch his nipple through his shirt as your other hand now hid an amused smile. "Goodnight, Uncle, there won't be other disturbances tonight."

When the elevator arrived, Aemond stepped on as this distant relative shut his door again, and as the elevator doors shut, you shared a look before bursting out in laughter. "I don't think I can face him at the wedding now," you whined lightly.

"Why not?"

"I literally have your cum dripping outta me - "

"I told you to keep it in."

You smirked, "I guess you're just gonna have to punish me, then, huh? You never did like being disobeyed, now, did you?"

Aemond laughed, his single lilac eye scanning over your face; slowly dropping in serenity. "What're we doing, baby? Hmm?" He asked quietly.

"Going to my room - "

"You know what I mean," he sighed almost sadly. When you arrived at your floor, he walked out of the elevator as you answered,

"You and I know we have feelings for each other. So, for tonight, it's just us... And we'll decide when to tell the others after we decide what it is to tell them."

"Probably best after the wedding..."

You smiled as you arrived at your hotel door, "Well, I was kinda hoping you'd be my date to the wedding?"

Aemond looked down at you with a softening expression. "Yeah?" He chuckled slightly as you opened your clutch to pull out your keycard, but his hands tightened to earn your full attention once the plastic was in your hand. "I'd... Actually really like that, too, sweetheart," he hushed, hoisting you in for another frantic kiss. The door beeped when it opened, closing with a heavy bang behind you both; forgetting Sansa was left on FaceTime... Too distracted by both being obviously turned on, it seemed, by emotional intimacy.

Perhaps not so one-sided, indeed...

requesting rules and masterlist

HOTD masterlist

[bebe-writes-stuff]

I been lurking around your page for a min now n I love your work!^^ Can you pleaseeee do a taju x chubby reader

yesss, also, I finished my exams finally, so now I have a bunch of free time. I'm definitely gonna post more!!

@caramelswirlwithacherryontop

Taiju x chubby reader

I'll see you on Wednesday at 5:30 sharp. in front of the Underwater aquarium. It's a date.

WOW HE'S DIRECT!

You thought, pretty stunned.

But prior to this text, a few weeks ago, You were with Yuzuha. It was nearing sundown and you were walking beside her, listening to her ramble about whatever. That's how you usually were, you weren't always aware of what's going on but you were happy anyway.

"But Yuzuha, you really didn't have to beat that guy up. It was just a silly comment, you know, just a joke." You laughed nervously, tugging on the sleeves of your uniform.

"Huh, What do you mean?! That bastard totally deserved it. That wasn't a joke, Y/n. That guy insulted you and no way was he gonna get away with it." She muttered before turning to you and continued,

"Hey, you gotta stand up for yourself with guys like that. Because if they get away without it the first time, they'll keep doing it." She scolded you, almost like a mother scolding her child, despite you basically being the same age.

You looked to the side, tearing up, remembering your classmate's rude comment "He wasn't wrong, Yuzuha. I am ugly and fat."

"No no, please don't cry. Y/n, Your worth goes far beyond what you see in the mirror. And I appreciate you for who you are, not just for how you look. Your personality, kindness, and strength are what truly matter. If anything, he is ugly! He is a loser and stupid." She cupped your soft face before wiping away your tears and hugging you tightly.

You laughed at her attempted to insult him,

"Do you wanna go to the park? We can swing for a bit." She suggested, You nodded, excitedly.

On the way to the park, Yuzuha continued rambling about her math teacher and how much she hated the class. The park was in view when Yuzuha stopped walking and muttered,

"Huh? Is that Mitsuya and...Taiju?" Her question made you look up and squint trying to see who was there and she was right.

"Yeah, looks like it." You answered.

Yuzuha started sprinting towards them, "Hey, Mitsuya!" She shouted. He turned towards Yuzuha's call and waved, smiling. Taiju was sitting on one of the benches in the park while Luna and Mana were playing with him. Luna was brushing his hair, putting bright colored extensions and also using bright colored hair ties while Mana was putting fake nails on his nails. The sight was hilarious. Whilst Yuzuha was distracted with Mitsuya, who wasn't far, you were hesitant but you sat next to Taiju. You watched as both girls gave Taiju a makeover. Suddenly, you heard a familiar ring tone.

"Is that-" You were cut off by the two little girls,

"ICE CREAM TRUCK!" They screeched in unison, excited. They both took off running towards and Mitsuya obviously followed before they got lost, leaving you and Taiju alone, together, on the bench. You had spoken to Taiju before, actually, if anything you found yourself always gravitating to him, or admiring him from afar, never admitting your feelings towards him. Even when Yuzuha asked, she didn't mind, she was curious. But An uneasy silence settled between you, punctuated by hesitant glances, revealing the palpable awkwardness in the air. You peeked last time, only to see Taiju struggling to remove the fake nails Mana had put on. He was picking at non-stop.

"You need help with that?" You finally spoke, breaking the silence. He stopped before moving his hands toward you. You grabbed his hand, before gently removing each nail carefully so as not to hurt him.

So soft

He thought as he stared at your face the entire process before his free hand reached up and tugged a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Pretty." He whispered.

Blushing and stammering, you found yourself unexpectedly flustered as the subtle charms of the flirtation caught you off guard, leaving you feeling delightful yet a little disoriented.

"A-alright, I'm done." Accidentally stumbling over words. You looked around, Mitsuya and Yuzuha were nowhere in sight.

Wait, did they leave?

"It's getting late, shouldn't you get home soon." Taiju suddenly said, making you jump.

You scrambled to get on your feet, "Yeah, you're totally right, I'll get going-"

"I'll walk you home." He deadpanned,

"whAt." Your voice cracked,

"It's too dangerous for a pretty girl like you to be walking around at this time. There's plenty of shitty delinquents out there." He explained, standing up, towering over you entirely.

"O-okay, whatever you see best."

"Good girl."

Despite your efforts to hide your growing embarrassment, Your body language betrayed your emotions. avoiding direct eye contact, and occasionally tripping over your words. The unexpected attention left you feeling both surprised and self-conscious, creating a memorable moment of flustered charm. Once you reached your front door, You felt Taiju step closer and lean against you, pinned you against the door itself.

"I'll see you on Wednesday at 5:30 sharp. in front of the Underwater aquarium. It's a date."

His straightforwardness made you also wanna become frank with him. You wanted to be honest and do what your body told you to. You reached out and cupped his face, maintaining eye contact which you were avoiding. In sync with your motion, Taiju leaned in, Your lips met in a tender dance, a silent conversation of longing and connection. Time seemed to pause as the world faded away, leaving only the warmth of the shared moment. It was a gentle collision of emotions, a sweet blend of passion and intimacy that spoke volumes without a single word.

In the meantime, Yuzuha and Mitsuya high-fived somewhere, stalking you guys, and see how long it'll take until one of you makes a move.

[jasminsstories]

How finals week with Zayne by your side would be…probably:

gn!reader x zayne / fluff; just for fun, don’t take this seriously pls

will try to support you as much as he can, since he knows best how hard studying is

“I told you to start earlier than to cram the material in the last minute. It won’t stick in your long-term memory this way” “Zayne, I don’t care if it sticks in my long-term memory as long as I pass this exam”

“Come here and eat this before continuing”

Basically drags you daily to the kitchen table where he prepared healthy meals

“But why do only I have carrots in my salad?” “Because you need Vitamin B to stay fit for your exams” “Just say you gave all of your carrots to me, because you don’t like them!”

“If you continue to drink so much coffee, I am afraid I will see you in the ER soon because of arrhythmia… and I don’t want that” “Zayne, you can’t just hide my coffee machine!!”

opens the windows regularly to help you concentrate and makes sure you stay hydrated

definitely will try to lure you out for walks to get some steps in

“Didn’t you say you wanted to see the sunset?” “I do, I really want… but I have to get this done today” “Let’s go, you need some Vitamin D” *suddenly lifts you up bridal style* “Hey, let me down!!” *acts like he doesn’t hear you*

the more time passes and the deeper the night gets with every passing minute, you can’t stop yawning and rubbing your heavy eyelids; still you try to focus them on your bright notebook screen

“Go to sleep. You have to get enough sleep to function tomorrow as well” “I can’t afford to sleep now. Sleep can wait, the deadline for my essay won’t”

tries to get you to bed through various methods

first tries to make it less obvious and wants to make you jealous through your plushies

“Then Mr. Snowman will have to cuddle with me today..” “Mhmmm”

But quickly realizes that it doesn’t work and you don’t react to it

for his second try he sneaks up to you from behind and puts his hands on your waist, pressing a lingering kiss on the shell of your ear, whispering a tempting “Come to bed with me”

you try to stay strong though and ignore his attempt with the last endurance you have

the next time he comes up to your desk for his third attempt, he finds you asleep already, your face planted on the surface of your desk

he can’t hold back a chuckle and a fond glow is in his orbs as he gazes at your face; just looks at you for some minutes

carefully picks you up and carries you to bed, trying his hardest not to wake you up; whispers a “Good night, my angel” and gives your forehead a small kiss

tucks you to bed and will lay down beside you to watch you sleep

when you wake up the next morning you begin to panic because you weren’t able to pull the all-nighter you desperately needed to finish on time

“Breathe, Love. Don’t worry. You can do it, I know it”

“I look kinda like a Panda now with my dark circles, don’t I?” “Yeah…kinda. Maybe more like a raccoon”

when you are finally done with all of your exams and your essays, he will pat your head and smile proudly; “Good job, I knew you can do it”

with a relieved sigh you press a loving kiss on his lips

and now you can finally get revenge for the times he teased you

just the brain rot i have in my finals week. i am quite literally losing my marbles right now, so i needed some zayne fluff. did i write this instead of studying…maybe. i need this man so bad. actually working on a smut atm but since its been so long since i wrote one, it’s hard for me to get into the flow right now.

[harus-simp]

Giving them your hand (hyung line)

Kim Jiwoong, Zhang Hao, Sung Hanbin, Kim Taerae, Seok Matthew

Genre: fluffy fluffy fluffy <3

Requested: can you maybe do zb1 members, giving your hand randomly without saying anything :D Tysmm (@wtfhyuck)

Author's note: Hi anon, I've separated this in two parts so the other one would come out a bit later, I hope you are fine with that ;))

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What happens when you just give them your hand without muttering a word?

Jiwoong

☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆

You and Jiwoong had been away from each other for quite some time now. He had been really busy with his promotions as ZB1 and you were working too hard on your work.

So today that your schedules were empty due to holidays you decided to spend the day together just walking around the park and having a good time by yourselves. He insisted on carrying your bag as it seemed kinda heavy and gave it to him with a relieved smile because it weighted indeed (a gentleman we stan).

You were talking about your days and how you had been copping with all the stress and pression you were having, when you spotted an ice cream truck on one side making you stop in your tracks.

Bur you were feeling playful that day, so instead of asking him directly you wanted to test him a little bit. You had recently watched a tik tok were you just needed to give your hand to your partner and see what they did with it, so you wanted to try it out.

As he looked at you confused when you extended your hand towards him, he figured you just wanted some extra affection so he held your hand into his firmly making you blush a little but not distracting yourself from your aim you proceeded.

"No jiwoong, my bag, I just wanted ice cream 😃"

"Oh, I thought you wanted to grab my hand"he said pouting

That certainly took you by surprise as he gave you a sad expression making you giggle at his antics.

"Well we can, but let me grab us some ice cream first"you answered amused

"Alright"

He went back to his happy smile making you rethink if he was a grown ass man and not just a cute 5 year old baby.

Anyways, once you finished your ice creams he didn't let go of your hand for the rest of the day :D

Zhang Hao

♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡

The stress and the exhaustion from your exams had been draining a lot of energy from you lately. You felt like you were doing well, but were not living to your expectations in spite of giving it your all.

You felt really sleepy and tired, not wanting to get out of your house at all. So when Zhang Hao saw you like this he knew he needed to do something to cheer you up in exchange of all those times you were there for him.

"Babe, you should stop for a little, don't overwork yourself"he said

"But I need to get this perfect tho"

"You are perfectly capable of that, but just take a little break love"

You looked at his worried expression finding him absolutely cute for looking after you, so you just nodded at him and gave him your hand unconsciously.

He looked at your hand and questioned your action.

"Uhm, what are you doing?"

"Oh, umm, I just-"you started blabbering and stuttering non-stop making him chuckle and grab your hand waiting for you to continue.

"Yes?"

"Well I just wanted to see if you would hold my hand"

Now he couldn't stop himself from looking at you with adoration and such a sweet gace that could make you melt in seconds.

"You are cute " he said pinching your cheek softly

So that's how you ended up not only taking a little break, but forgetting about the study part and just talking about your day with your boyfie <3

S.Hanbin

☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆

How can someone be so perfect? Was a question you always asked yourself when you saw THE Sung Hanbin. He just exceeded brightness and comfort, almost in an elegant and classy way. But it was enough to make your world and your heart spin.

Today, you had planned to go on a date to a dog cafe where you could pet some puppies and enjoy some freshly made coffee in each other's company.

"You know, my mom's coffee's better"he said playfully

You giggled at his sassy remark and answered him.

"Well, I can't neglect you there, but sadly she doesn't have animals on his cafe"

He laughed slightly while nodding his head and sipping quietly his coffee, you didn't need anything else, just his mere presence was enough to put you into a good mood. However it was true that you were missing something.

He was really fond on skinship so you needed some type of warmth and heat to make contact with you in some way. So deciding to test a little trend it was going on you gave him your hand to see what he would do with it.

Nevertheless, as you were stretching your hand outwards you made contact with his hand. Both yours coinciding on the same moment to grab the other's hand.

You both saw the shock on your looks and proceeded to laugh openly at how well you knew each other.

He then interwined your fingers softly making your butterflies go wild on your stomach and filling you with this feeling of embarrassment but at the same time cosiness.

"There you go babe"he called you

"We literally share the same brain at this point binnie haha"

And just like that you enjoyed the rest of your date peacefully and in a calm state.

Taerae

♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡

The cold from outside was envolving you in your way to see your boyfriend. It wasn't supposed to be this cold today, the news even said that it would be a really warm day. So you eventually didn't bring a jacket with you, trusting the weather forecast.

You could have went back and grabbed something warmer? Yes. Absolutely. But you were too stubborn to accept you were wrong lol.

So there you were on your way to the guys dorms to see taerae as he had invited you to sleep there. As you knocked the door and waited for someone to open, meeting with yujin.

"Hi y/n noona"

"Hi yujinnie, how's everything?"

"Good good, please enter"he said smiling as he let you inside.

You thanked him as he called for taerae to come.

"Hey sunshine"

"Hey baby"you said as you hugged him tightly due to the low temperature on your body.

"Oh wow,you are so cold, let me get you a hoodie"

Your eyes unconsciously lit up at the mention of wearing clothes from taerae. Oh how would you tease him for his fashion taste haha.

"Are you sure? I'll probably look-"he didn't even let you finish as he threw the hoodie at you.

"Shut up, I don't dress that bad"he whined

"Yeah sure"you answered as you decided to tease him further extending your hand to see his reaction.

Oh. Now he would be the one teasing.

"Huh? Do you need something doll?"

You shacked your hand for him to take the hint as he laughed softly taking your hand in his.

"Get a room already, you guys are taking my innocence away"commented yujin who had been there the whole time.

You guys giggled as you did exactly what he said, getting up to go to his room.

Matthew

☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆

It was simply one of those days where you were not feeling your best, one where you felt helpless and without a specific purpose.

Lucky for you there was your matthew to save the day. With his brightness and his warm smile he was able to usher any negative emotion from your heart, any sadness or gloominess that surrounded you.

"Baby!"you turned around as matthew called for you from the living room

"Coming!"you quickly wiped the tears that were starting to form on your eyes as you went to the bathroom first to wash your face.

You rapidly put a smile in your face to not make him worried, however as you joined him on the couch he noticed your puffy eyes. Of course he did, he wasn't stupid, that smile of yours wouldn't fool him because he knew you better than you knew yourself.

"Hey, is everything alright?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?"

"Y/n, if you want to talk about it I'm right here bun"

And that were the exact words you needed to hear for you to let it all out. You were not going through your best moment, but having matthew by your side was enough to feel way better.

He listened to you carefully, nodding at your remarks and doing everything to understand you patiently. And right after you finished venting he pulled you to his embrace in a cuddling position reassuring you that everything will eventually get better and that you were an amazing and great person.

"Look, you don't need to go through this all alone, I'll always be here for you to come back, you are the love of my life for a reason baby"

Hearing him say that made you so grateful for having him in your life, someone you could always count on. And just like that you gave him your hand seeking for some affection.

When he saw this he smiled brightly as he grabbed it and started making circles on your hand and playing with them to help you relax and find peace.

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Maknae line

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Eighteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Seventeen>> << Nineteen

Dehradun saw the seasons fly by. The trees stood testament to time, as the weather chilled, then slowly drew back spring and then rushed the summer back in. 

The calendar flipped away. Khushi couldn’t believe the year that had been. 

After prom, they had all been left in a whirlwind of events. It hadn’t helped that exams had arrived, leaving the winter a bit sour. 

  

—

“I can’t believe we are doing this!”

“Shut up Preeto!”

“Movie time!”

“I can’t believe we are having a movie night one month before finals!”

“Well I can’t believe my mom let me go!”

“Aunty was concerned you were going to jump off the balcony, Mathur “

“Get lost, Raizada”

They had settled against the plush sofas of the home theatre, a prime highlight in the Raizada house. But Khushi had stumbled when he pulled her to the sofa at the end of the room, flashing her an unholy grin.

—

She blushed to her roots as she remembered that evening. Arnav had shamelessly stolen kisses, while their friends remained blissfully engrossed in the movie. 

—-

“Khush! You need to keep Raizada away ,okay? Don’t let him leave for the dorms! Mathur screwed up the cake order, and now I have to go get the whole thing done”

NK��s words rang in her ear, as Arnav kissed down her throat. Her mind was in a mush. 

Mona had asked her to keep Arnav “occupied” till seven. She tried to discreetly look at her watch, because if he kept this up, she won’t be able to think properly!

“A-arnav”, she called out.

“Hmm?”, he responded before taking her lips again. Again and again.

Needless to say, the deadline of seven was extended by half an hour. For that mistake, Ms. Gupta was awarded a teasing session filled with sleazy innuendos.

——

She slapped her forehead, as she recalled Arnav’s innocent act in front of them. As if she had been the one pouncing on him relentlessly.

——

“Khush”, he whispered. 

They were settled in a nook of her bedroom, even as the others had decided to go out for brunch. Di and Akash bhai were “breaking the news” to the folks. Well of course no one expected an adverse reaction. But they had decided to keep out of the line of possible fire.

“I’m listening” she whispered back, hugging him closer.

“I sent the email to the council”, his voice just a nervous tremble.

“I know”, she sat up, kissing him softly, “Don’t worry, you’ve given it your best!”

“Ya, I have…”

“Arnav. It’s okay to be nervous. But there is still a month left for school to begin. You’ll worry yourself sick if you keep this up! It’s not in your hands any more, so let it be out of sight and out of mind “, she finished passionately.

A smile slowly lit up his face. 

“I thought I was the philosopher”

She huffed, “Well, things change Mr Raizada”

Her nose remained upturned in a haughty pose. Arnav rolled his eyes, before his fingers ran up her sides, sending her into a fit of laughter.

The afternoon was suddenly bright again.

——

She shifted anxiously now, letting the memories of summer fade as Headmistress Manorama took to the microphone. 

Her eyes flitted over to the rows and rows of reds, but couldn’t find Arnav.

“And the sub-captain selected from Red house this year is….”

Khushi felt her heart thump restlessly. She felt cold, as she prayed desperately.

Arnav needs this. He deserves this.

“Raghav Majumdar!”

Did they applaud? Did they cheer? Or did they fall silent? 

Khushi had no idea. All she knew was she was hurting for him. All the years he had spent working towards this….No! She needed to find him. She needed to stop him from breaking. From hurting. She needed to hurry.

Making her way through the chaos of the dispersed assembly, she slipped away into the morning.

-------

Next update will be delayed

[ exams in winter suck ;( ]

Chapter Nineteen

[monstatart]

3/15/25

I know i said blogs be scary earlier, but I think I'll try it. With trying to keep my privacy In check too.

i kinda finished my business degree and I'm taking one last class for my minor.

after that University is done. I'm completely an adult (oh man)

but, i'm like studying for another exam to get a job (one that is directed towards my major n stuff)

the crash course I'm doing is pretty long and tedious but I am a bit annoyed when people think I can just easily cheese through exam prep and get to the exam asap. (note: I am not very academically smart) problem is this exam is charging me like $100 USD to take it, so if I fail I kinda have to cough up another $100 to retake it. I am trying to look for some part time jobs/full time to apply to while studying for the exam (it's to get a license for the job I need) but a lot of jobs out right now favor licensed employee which is understandable. I could try working at fast food places again because I am tired of being broke. But, man that major wasn't cheap and I feel pressured to pursue something related to that major (by fam).

ugh man I REALLY WANT POCKET MONEY!! I have considered selling the clothes I don't wear, but dumping it to a thrift store or good will won't get me money these days. I could try Mercari or online stuff, but I do not feel comfortable meeting up with people by myself. So, I should probably try a yard sale next month.

oh but on the bright side i can still use my uni's pool and free food, so I guess that's good.

[escha-ashengrotto]

When You Say Nothing At All

Azul Ashengrotto x GN!Reader

Summary: Azul's been thinking how lucky he was to have someone like you. Even without words, your actions always show just how much you truly love him.

Notes: Established relationship. Reader referred to as sweetheart.

A/N: Inspired from the song of the same title. 🥹🥹🥹

A repost from my old blog @escha-evenstar.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart

Azul liked to think he was a very capable man. He was quite intelligent and confident in his skills. A calculating man who always has a plan. It was how he earned his position as Housewarden of Octavinelle and how he was able to open his own restaurant inside the school.

He lived a busy life. Fulfilling his responsibilities as a student. Attending meetings and doing certain tasks as a housewarden. Being a manager and handling business at the Mostro Lounge. He definitely has a lot on his plate, especially right now with the major exams coming up. Add in his housewarden duties, increased consultations, and then the Lounge getting busier. Work just seemed to pile one after another at an increased rate, wearying him down.

Azul let out a soft sigh as he finally finished working on an important document. He gently set the pen down before slowly turning his head to look at his side.

Right there sitting beside him was you. His beloved. His sweetheart. His romantic partner.

Without saying a word, you can light up the dark

Azul was proud to say that you were the most pleasant change in his life. You made him feel happy. You made him feel loved. You made him feel safe. You were everything to him.

As his eyes trailed over your form, he noticed how cozy you looked, sitting with your legs up on the comfy chair that he specifically bought just for you while leaning against his side as you read your book. He felt his heart pound at the sight of you so close and comfortable with him.

Try as I may, I can never explain

Azul was a busy man and sometimes he couldn't help but feel guilty because of it. He felt that he was lacking as your partner because he couldn't always spend time with you as much as you want. Yet, you always stayed with him. Saying it was okay and that you understand. And that you'll always be by his side no matter what.

What I hear when you don't say a thing

He remembered that one moment during the early times of your relationship. Azul was suddenly swamped with things to do and had to reschedule your date. He felt terrible at having to do so, but you still smiled at him and said that it was alright. You then asked him if it was okay for you to hangout in the VIP Room with him while he worked. It had him confused. As much as he enjoys your company, he didn't want to bore you with just sitting there while he was busy working. You could be doing something else. Something more fun and enjoyable, and maybe in the company of others, but you said wanted to stay with him. You wanted to be around him even if it was just sitting in the same room in silence.

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me

Azul could never forget the bright smile on your face when he agreed to that. The way you suddenly jumped into his arms for a hug and his face a blushing mess as you beamed up at him. He saw how extremely happy you were with the idea of simply being together. You always loved being in his presence, and Azul loved being in yours as well. It was euphoric for Azul to know how much you were delighted to be with him.

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me

You were honestly too good to be true. Azul sometimes wondered why you even chose him instead of the other people around you. As if hearing his thoughts, your head turned to look up at him and he could see the surprise in your eyes. His eyes gazed at your pretty ones and you stared back at him. It was as if you were trying to figure out what the other was thinking. Then Azul saw your lips curve into a smile. That gorgeous smile of yours that always made his heart leap. And in your eyes, he saw the complete and utter love you always had for him.

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall

Your hand made its way to cup his cheek. When your skin touched his, Azul couldn't help but place his bare hand on top of yours as he leaned against your gentle touch and closed his eyes in relief. Moments like this reminded Azul of how much you truly loved him. That despite the ups and downs in life, you will always stay by his side.

You say it best

Azul opened his eyes slowly, revealing the blue irises that you always thought and said were pretty. Your face was the same as before, looking at him with a loving expression from the way your eyes gazed adoringly and the way your lips smiled warmly at him. It made him want to kiss you.

And he did.

He kissed you with all of his heart. He poured all his love and devotion for you into that sweet yet passionate kiss. And when you kissed him back with the same passion, his worries were gone in an instant. All that was left were the sparks and fireworks setting in his heart, knowing that you'll always love him as much as he'll always love you, even—

...when you say nothing at all.

Masterlist here!

If you enjoyed this: likes, comments, and reblogs are much appreciated. Thank you for reading!

[nonnonblog]

Fog in Purple Mountains

Image by kjpargeter on Freepik

Hello there! How are you all this fine evening? It’s been a while. Two weeks, instead of just one. I’m sorry, I had exams. They were very rude, and stopped me from posting last Friday.

While on the topic of annoying changes, just so you all know the link to the Non-Non-Blog has recently been changed so old links to the website may no longer work for a little while. On the positive side, it’s no longer a random stream of numbers, so that is cool. I’ve been changing the appearance of the website a bit lately, specifically in the home page, so if you all have any advice on how it should look that would be lovely.

Anyways, this is a story called Fog in Purple Mountains. It is an attempt to include both prose and poetry in the same story, which turned out pretty well, I think. It was a cool experiment at the very least. Before we actually get to the story, I will say this particular post is better read on my website, just because of the formatting of the page and the paragraphs. I hope you enjoy!

Fog in Purple Mountains

The mountains were purple and blue. They expanded out to the horizon, though that wasn’t particularly far here at Cayen. The clouds hung very low here, for reasons no research or experiment had been able to fully explain. Something about the high amount of rivers that filled the nooks in the mountains and turned the valleys into marshlands, alongside the high winds in the upper atmosphere trapping the fog down below.

“Alright, here’s the plan,” Fyna started, looking over the edge of the cliff and into the valley below. It was an excellent view, there was above average visibility today. “I’m going to fly down to the wreckage, and grab the battery. If it’s still there.”

“...Yes,” Waerren agreed. The word was well enunciated, came out slowly. It had a way of feeling uncertain in how it wavered in the air, though what Fyna had outlined was both oversimplified and obvious.

Waerren shrugged, before punching Fyna in the shoulder. “Look! It’ll be easy, you know all of the steps. You’ve finished everything else, and this is the last part you need! Just go in, be careful of the Cyafirse, and worse case we have to check another wreckage. There are a lot of those here.”

Fyna shrugged. It wasn’t Waerren’s shrug. His had been loose, excited. Fyna’s was half-finished and defeated.

“Look, sis, I know I’m only a year past my own Colyen, so I’m not necessarily the best source on all this stuff, but you got this. It’s only scary the first time.”

Fyna’s eyebrows twisted: “You only have one Colyen.”

Her brother just winked, “as I said, it's only scary the first time.”

Fyna sighed. “Thank you. I guess I’ll go now.”

Waerren nodded, and backed away from the cliff. His hands were restrained in his pockets. If Fyna did end up failing he wouldn’t be able to jump after her fast enough to catch her. But honestly, there was something comforting in that. Waerren was confident enough in her abilities that he wasn’t scared, so why should she be?

She looked back down the cliff again. For once, she would be jumping with a solid view of the ground. The visibility would be worse down there.

Deep breath,

jump!

the wind parted, 

pressing itself to her face.

Then it changed directions as she extended her arms, the wingsuit catching on the air and halting her decent as though she were caught by puppeteer’s strings

The ground was a bright blue, almost cyan

it could be easily confused

With the sky.

the purple mountains,

they grew as she reached the ground.

Fyna was smiling, which was expected, probably. Flying felt… Well, it was just pure adrenaline, with nothing in the way. Her mind was clear, as was her vision. If anyone saw her, they would probably think she had lost her mind. I mean, adrenaline made your pupils get bigger, and that was compounded with the already eye-enlarging effect of her flight goggles. Then add the now absolute mess of her wind-shredded hair, and that previously referenced smile.

Wreckage time.

Wreckages were always a sight. Grey, twisted metal, engines and wires exposed to the air. The copper strands were still sparking, which was a good sign for Fyna, if not the violet grass which was now beginning to mix with orange and red. Wreckages didn’t normally cause forest fires, not with all the rain Cayen got, but you never knew. One in a hundred was still a lot when the population was a thousand.

Fayn didn’t see a door, but she did see a window. Grabbing her window-breaker, a hammer with a pointed edge, she made quick work of getting inside the structure. The window was already shattered, it was just a matter of cleaning up the surviving thorns of transparent glass. The ship wasn’t super large, which made it easy to get to the cockpit. And it had planted itself right on its face, so the controls of the thing had already been torn apart. In other words, Fayn had her battery. The last piece of her satellite. She just had to go back up the cliff, then she was ready for her Colyen.

Oh, god.

She had done it.

She was ready.

       …was she ready?

It had been so easy.

Of course it had, she’d already done this 

twenty times over.

Fayn took a deep breath. She had to get back to Waerren. The fires were creating smoke, not a lot, but enough to attract the Cyafirse. The colorless creatures would crack her spine and drink its fluid and walk into town in her corpse.

deep breath.

Fayn slid to the ground. Carefully. It was really just sitting down.

It was going to be alright! She had an okay vision of what she wanted to do moving forwards, and now she would actually get to experience life and be independent and all of that. But she could be wrong. This would be a really bad time to be wrong.

It was really easy to mess up, 

and while people said you could pivot, Fayn didn’t really believe them.

She was curled up in a ball,

She really had to go.

She really had to go. Cyafirse were colorless. They could be right in front of her, written in font too small to see. She could panic later.

Fayn was barely aware of her surroundings as she left the hull, and made her way to the outdoors. Outside of the shield of the ship. Everything was blurry. She blamed the fog. The visibility was really bad.

Rocket on. Wingsuit open. Land.

“Everything alright?” Waerren asked.

“Yeah. I got the battery.”

Waerren whooped, and threw his hands into the air. “Nice! Congratulations!”

Then, his voice grew smaller. “It’ll be good, Fayn. No one ever knows what will come of their Colyen. That’s a part of why it exists, I think.”

That didn’t make sense, but Waerren hadn’t really expected to.

The End

If you are interested in reading any more of my other pieces, please consider checking out my website, the Non-Non-Blog, through the link below!

[sapphosclosefriend]

- Commendation -

Pairing: Professor! Wanda Maximoff x Student! Fem! Reader

Genre: smut

Summary: your professor, known for being kind and cheerful, has a hidden side she reveals only to you

Word count: 3057

Warnings: bottom! Reader, top! Wanda Maximoff, legal age gap, kissing, SMUT, clit stimulation (r receiving), oral on a strap (r giving), strap-on (r receiving), hair pulling (r receiving), rough-ish sex

A/N: this story contains smut, so anyone who isn’t 18+ DNI. Ok so in my country, when you prepare your university graduation thesis, you choose one of your professors as a “mentor”, meaning that they will help you through the entire journey of writing it. I genuinely don’t know if this happens in other countries’ universities as well so I wanted to clarify it just in case. Istg the struggle was real with this one I don’t know why. As usual, likes, reblogs and comments are very appreciated! Enjoy <3

Masterlist

You still can’t believe that in a couple of months you’ll finally be graduating from university. After years of stress and tears you are finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, life outside of this school. It’s gonna be easy from now on, only two more exams left and then the long awaited thesis.

You have been working on your dissertation for some time now, hoping to finish it as soon as possible and be able to focus only on preparing yourself for its exposition during the weeks prior to your graduation. Thankfully, you’ve been able to secure yourself a place in Professor Maximoff’s list, feeling happy to be able to work with one of the most competent and notorious academics of your entire university. You also may or may not have had a small crush on her since that time she read your essay to all of her classes and called you “inspirational”, but that’s a completely separate thing.

You actually pride yourself in being able to keep the intellectual admiration and the simple schoolgirl crush you have for this woman very separate, or so you did.

You still vividly remember what an experience it was the first time you had to attend your first ever scheduled meeting only with her and just thinking about it makes your heart beat a bit faster than normal. What surprised you at the time was the sudden nervousness you felt at the thought of being alone with your professor, which you, back then, interpreted as simple eagerness to learn as much as possible from the woman, not necessarily a lie but certainly not the whole truth. You didn’t even know why you did all that stuff before leaving to go to her office, but you still remember the blush that inevitably spread over your chest when your roommate asked you if you were going on a date or something. Ok, maybe the face masks and the waxing weren’t really needed, but, in your defence, you’ve always put a lot of effort in your appearance.

You actually remember very few moments from that day, maybe because of the terrible heat that was plaguing the city or maybe because of the unforgettable view of your professor leaning back on her chair with her arms crossed as she listened to you explaining the main ideas you already had for your dissertation. Seeing the state you were in, and blaming the hot weather, she even offered you a glass of water, which, instead of cooling you off, only made you feel warmer when little drops of condensation fell from the glass on your chest, making you shiver even more when knowing she was now right in front of you, leaning against her desk.

Despite you literally being a hot mess around her, you were grateful for the bright smiles she always threw at you, being kind of a signature thing of hers, as she was known for always being able to make all her students feel at ease.

In spite of the struggles you had to go through, it was a really productive and satisfying encounter, the first of many more.

As time went on, with hours and hours spent working on your thesis, you started feeling a little bit more at ease with her. Of course you still felt a shiver down your back every time she greeted you in her office, getting a bit more personal each time, with her arm starting to sneak around the small of your back while leading you to her desk. You tried to focus on working hard to impress her, though, as to show her that you weren’t just some flustered girl who once wrote an incredible essay, but a student worthy of her time.

With your work progressing and you getting more comfortable in the now familiar space of her office, you didn’t even realise it when you stopped sitting in front of her and automatically started taking a seat next to her, getting the two of you much closer and giving you a clear view of her beautiful smile and her slightly wandering eyes every time she chuckled at your occasional nervousness.

Everything changed that day, which you still remember extremely vividly. It all seemed quite normal, with you showing your professor the information you added to the thesis during the weekend. Even her closeness seemed somewhat familiar. As she was leaning closer to you, trying to take a better look at the words on your laptop, you couldn’t keep your eyes from exploring her face, moving from her eyes, to her cheekbones and finally getting to her rosy lips, which looked even more tempting than usual thanks to the thin layer of gloss on top of them. You were able to break out of their spell only when you noticed them curling up a bit, making your eyes dart up and meet hers, now focused on your face. As soon as you tried to excuse yourself, though, nothing came out of your mouth, leaving you there with your mouth open and unable to let any words out. At the look on your face she simply left out a small laugh, that you probably would have missed if you weren’t so close to her, and gave you her beautiful smile that you were now so familiar with. As a couple of seconds passed, you were only able to whisper a small “sorry” as something changed in her eyes, giving them a darker look, almost hungry.

You were still trying to get your thoughts in order when you felt a soft hand on your leg, caressing the skin right above your knee, incredibly close to the hem of your skirt. As you turned your head to look at the gentle touch, you immediately felt her moving even closer to you and running her nose from the base of your neck up to your ear, making a shiver run down your spine as she left out a low hum against it. You simply couldn’t move an inch, especially since she started moving her hand higher and higher at an agonisingly slow pace, making mush out of your brain and your muscles incredibly tense as you grabbed the armchair so hard your knuckles turned white.

It was almost as if the thick air surrounding you was pulsating simultaneously with your heartbeat, making it impossible for you to make out any of her soft whispers. All you could register were the occasional nipping at your lobe and her fingers now grabbing your inner thigh, right under your throbbing centre, making you let out a small whimper at the sight of her hand now fully under your skirt. As she started lightly running her index finger over you through your underwear, she noticed you getting even more tense than before and your lower lip caught between your teeth as your breath started getting more and more scattered

“Let me hear you sweetheart, let me hear your pretty voice”

Her low whispers only made an even stronger shiver run through your entire body, as the knot in your lower stomach tightened almost painfully, making it impossible for you to hold it all in anymore. As you threw your head back and left out a loud moan she suddenly pressed directly on your clit and started rubbing it in tight circles while leaving little kisses on the now exposed column of your throat, moaning at your ragged breath. The small groan she left out at the feeling of your wetness getting all over her fingers even through the fabric of your underwear, her intoxicating perfume and the feeling of her lips now pressed against your temple only added to your pleasure.

Sensing your peak quickly nearing and being in need of some stability, you went to grab her wrist between your legs but were stopped from doing so when you reached your climax, which made your hips buck in her hand and caused you to let out one last strangled moan. Trying to collect yourself as much as possible, you leaned your back on the chair and left your head fall back while you tried to get your breathing back to normal, but shivered once again as she took her fingers off of you to gently grab your chin and turn your still titled back head towards her, getting you to open your eyes only when you felt her lips pressing against the corner of your mouth.

In that moment, with your body still euphoric but your mind much clearer, it all hit you at once. Professor Maximoff, your professor, just got you off, she just touched you here, in her office, which could have potentially been accessed by anyone at any time. For what you know, someone could have just opened the door while you were in such a compromising position and all your past years of hard work could have been thrown out of the window just like that. You’re ironically not even worried about the action in itself, yes, you probably would have considered it inappropriate if any other professor of yours tried to make such a bold move, but you must admit that, coming from her, made it feel way too exciting.

Sensing your uneasiness starting to get a hold on you, she immediately tried her best to reassure you, informing you of the student after you having called off, before leaving a simple peck on your cheek, which successfully put a stop to the rambling in your head and finally made you realise her closeness, once again. This time, some unknown boldness took over you, making you lean forward to press your lips on hers in a quick kiss, which she immediately tried to deepen, taking a hold of your jaw with her hand and moaning at the feeling of your tongue on her lips. With the kiss quickly growing hungrier and messier, hands wandering on each other’s bodies, you were so lost in one another that the sudden sound of a notification on your phone made you jump and fully break the kiss.

Nothing else happened that day, you just left her office after realising how long you had been in there.

With time, though, your meetings started getting later and later at night, taking advantage of the loneliness of the building to appreciate each other as much as you wanted, as taking the risk of moving your activities to your or her home was still a big no.

One thing you were able to notice with your encounters was the different demeanours she displayed to you in such intimate situations, leaving space for her deep desires to take over.

Today you are supposed to meet up at her office once again. It is different, though: you just officially finished writing your thesis, meaning that you technically don’t need your professor’s help anymore. She still confirmed your meeting to “make sure that everything is on track”, but you know what she seeks from you going there.

Your knock on her door echoes through the corridor of the empty building, giving you a sense of comfort knowing that there is very little possibility of someone accidentally catching you two. There is still a small sense of uneasiness deep in you, though, knowing that, now that your academic work is officially over, the chances of spending time together could be more difficult to find.

You are pulled out of your thoughts as the door to her office opens, revealing her figure hugged by one of her signature black suits with her sleeves rolled up, giving you a clear view of her beautiful hands adorned by a couple of rings and her manicured, short nails. There is a small smirk on her lips when your eyes move up to meet hers, before she moves to the side to let you get in, closing and locking the door as she follows you inside.

You can sense her eagerness when she doesn’t even let you put down your bag, taking it herself as she presses her front against your back and starts kissing you from your shoulder up to your neck

“There has been an unexpected event, I don’t have much time, I’m sorry”

“I can come another day, I don’t want to keep you here”

Your small, trembling voice makes her smile in your neck as she lightly sucks your skin between her kisses

“No, I wanna fuck my good girl, I wanna see you cum for me”

Her words and the particular hard squeeze she gives your hips make you let out a small yelp, turning it into a low moan when she pulls you hard against her front, letting you feel the bulge in her pants. The groan she lets out and the way she starts panting against you when you keep moving your ass against her strap lets you know that she’s probably wearing the one she loves, with an end right inside of her.

All of a sudden she moves away from you and walks to her desk, leaning against it and signaling you to move closer. You already know what she wants from you, so, as soon as you reach her, you immediately kneel before her and unbutton her pants, lowering them and her underwear just enough for the dildo safely secured to the straps on her hips to sprung out. Seeing the way her hips buckle when you simply pump it in your hand a couple times, you just start licking it to get it thoroughly wet while looking up at her. Your ministrations don’t last long, though, as she soon reaches down for your hair, roughly pulling it to move your head back to warn you, her stern look being enough for you to stop with the teasing.

As soon as you wrap your lips around the head of the dildo and lower them, using your hand to push it further, the action makes the other end move inside of her, deliciously stimulating her. The low moans she lets out as you bob your head on her faux cock only make you wetter and more eager to please her, so you try to take as much of her as you can and, as you lower your head all the way to the base of the dildo, you’re satisfied to hear her let out a small “shit” at your action. As soon as you pull back and take a breath, she roughly grabs your hair in a makeshift ponytail, signaling you to keep up with the pace. With one end of the dildo repeatedly hitting the back of your throat, it doesn’t take long for her to cum, giving you what would be the most beautiful view of the woman above you if it wasn’t for your slightly watery eyes.

Right after coming down from her climax she leans down to kiss you and the desire and lust you see in her eyes as you pull back makes you jump on your feet to fully press your fronts together and kiss her even more deeply. She immediately moves her hand between your legs to cup you through your underwear and, hearing you moan in the kiss, she sneaks her fingers under the fabric to suddenly plunge two of them inside of you, trying to get you ready for the quite large dildo.

Not being able to hold herself back anymore, though, she soon lowly groans and turns you two around, pushing your shoulders and bending you over her desk, before hurriedly lifting your skirt over your hips and taking off your underwear.

You can’t hold back a moan when you turn your head and catch a glimpse of her putting the fabric in the pocket of her blazer, before taking it off and revealing her wearing a tank top, showing off her beautiful arms and shoulders. Feeling her sliding the faux cock over your folds, making the tip bump on your clit each time, you cross your arms and lean your forehead over them, waiting for her to finally push into you. When she does you try to hold back a whimper at the large intrusion, but cry out as she pushes the rest in one quick go

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that? I wanna hear how good you feel when I fuck you with my strap”

You don’t even have the time to respond, as she instantly sets a quick pace, making it impossible for you not to let out loud moans at the way she deliciously pumps the dildo into you. The sounds she lets out perfectly combine with yours, creating a symphony of desire that makes your head spin even more as she keeps a tight hold on your waist, pulling you back against her to meet each one of her thrusts.

With the raw desire she’s displaying, all you can do is reach for the other end of the desk and hold tight onto it in order to ground yourself as much as you can.

You soon feel her pace getting more erratic and her breathing more laboured as she gets closer to her climax, so you try to push back against her, only to be unable to do so when she harshly pulls your hair, getting a particularly loud moan out of you and making your back arch even more. All you can focus on are the beautiful sounds she’s making and the strap repeatedly hitting the sweet spot inside of you as you start panting even more when she moves her other hand from your waist to you clit to quickly rub it

“Come on baby, I wanna see you cum all over my strap”

It all hits you like a hard, rough wave that takes all your breath away and makes your legs shake and when she straightens up and sees your disheveled state and your arousal running down your thighs, the coil in her stomach tightens even more, snapping after a couple more of rough thrusts.

All you can hear in your blissed out state is her panting against your back as she tries to catch her breath, before she lets out a breathless laugh

“Shit, I might have to keep checking up on your work for some more time, sweetheart”

.

.

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@fxckmiup (shit I forgot to tag you sorry, Idk if you've read this already😥)