#our apartment is on the top floor kind of in the middle of the building

[polymoth]

Oh lads. I've really fucked up. My roommate's socks are in the gutter

[sweetprfct]

The Hate Formula

Joseph Quinn x Fem!Reader

Summary: Living in the same building, across from each other shouldn't be much of a problem, right? But how come you and Joe tend to always push each other's buttons every day? Is it because you both truly just hated each other or is it because there was something more to it?

Author's Note: Welcome to another enemies to lovers fic! :) Let's also welcome back our bff, Sara. I'm sort of excited about this because it's so chaotic and fun and as you all know, I usually write angsty sad fics. So, I'm kind of having fun with this one. I hope you all enjoy! Please comments are always welcome! Thank you!

Wordcount: 2.9K

part one - part two - part three - part four - part five - part six - part seven - part eight - part nine - part ten

Two Years Ago…

The sun was beating down in the city of New York. It was the middle of July, and the heat was basically a torture for you at the moment. You and your best friend, Sara, were just moving into your new apartment building. The both of you had been roommates since you graduated college, and you both have finally earned enough money to actually rent a nice and bigger apartment. It was both of your dream apartment with the nice kitchen, marbled top counters and big glass windows that overlooked the city skyscrapers. 

However, as much as you both were excited with the new apartment, the New York summer heat wasn’t really helping. You were already in shorts, tank top, and your hair was up in a messy ponytail and yet, you were still sweating so much. You both have spent the last two days taking everything out of your old apartment and bringing them into the new building. You and Sara would switch back and forth driving the U-Haul truck, and you both would carry your new furnitures up into the new apartment. You didn’t even realize you had so much stuff until you were packing up your things and had to throw most of the unnecessary ones away. 

But today was your last day of moving the rest of your things. All the heavy stuff was already set up and organized in the apartment and the only thing that was left were just boxes of your clothes and miscellaneous stuff for the kitchen. 

“I’ll take this last box and I can go drop off the U-Haul truck back.” Sara said, grabbing the last remaining box at the back of the truck. 

“Are you sure? I can go with you.” You suggested.

“No, it’s alright. I got it. Maybe I can pick up some pizza for dinner tonight?”

You nodded your head in agreement. “That sounds good. I’m too tired to make dinner.”

Sara chuckled softly, agreeing with you as you both entered the building. You were carrying another box, following behind her and entering the elevator. You loved this new apartment. It was fancy, nice and everything was new. It even had a security guard outside the building that made you feel safe. You couldn’t help but feel proud of how far you two had come.

Ready to finally set down the last box, you followed Sara down the hall when you were greeted by a man from across the hall. He looked familiar, and he looked like he was about your age too. He was, however, shirtless, and he had a grin on his face the moment he saw you. 

“Looks like I got new neighbors across the hall.” His English accent slipped through his voice. 

You couldn’t help but stare at him for a moment. He was cute and not to sound too desperate, you rarely have any men interact with you. Especially cute and handsome men. Immediately, you were already hooked as soon as you heard that accent slip through his voice. His chocolate button eyes sparkled as he smiled at you. His curly brown hair was all disheveled, but it made him look more attractive. 

“I’m Joe.” He grinned excitedly.

Setting the heavy box down on the floor, you introduced yourself. For a moment, you were reluctant to shake his hand because you were literally all sweaty and dirty from doing all this moving. Joe, however, didn’t hesitate to shake your hand. Instantly, you were already charmed by him. 

Or maybe this heat was just getting into your head.

“So, are you new in the city?” Joe asked.

“I’m actually from Chicago, but I’ve been living in New York for five years now.” You cheekily grinned at him. 

“I’ve never been to Chicago, but it seems like they have great and beautiful people over there.” 

You knew exactly what he was doing. 

You knew he was flirting with you, and you couldn’t help but flirt back. He was cute, and him standing here in front of you shirtless was making you slowly fold for him already. 

God, you were pathetic. 

How were you already blushing and all flustered because of this man? You literally just met him two seconds ago. 

“So, you’re moving in with a roommate?” Joe nodded his head towards Sara. 

Looking over your shoulder, the door of your apartment was open, and you could see Sara setting down the boxes and organizing the kitchen. 

“Yeah, that’s Sara. She’s my best friend.” 

“Well, it’s nice to meet you. I hope I’m able to get to know you better.” Joe leaned against the doorframe, a flirty grin still plastered on his face.

Before you could say anything else, the door behind him swung open and a woman with disheveled hair looked at the both of you furiously. She was fixing the strap of her mini dress, and she barely had put on her other high heels. You felt your heart drop to your stomach as soon as you saw the angry look on her face. You were literally flirting with someone who had a girlfriend. 

Wait, was she even his girlfriend? 

And if he had a girlfriend, then why was he flirting with you?

“Really?!” The woman exclaimed, slapping Joe’s arm. “You take me to your place, fuck me, and I haven’t even left yet, and you’re already flirting with another girl?!” 

Your eyes widened as you stood there dumbfounded at what she just told him. Your lips parted about to reason with her that you didn’t know he had a girl inside his apartment, but she had started yelling at Joe. She swung her purse to hit him on his stomach, making Joe groan and hunched down in pain before she turned to look at you with wide angry eyes. 

Oh god. 

You couldn’t believe you fell for it. 

You couldn’t believe that you fell for Joe’s charms and flirt talk, only for you to find out that he was a player. He had another girl in his apartment, and he was flirting with you? 

What the fuck was wrong with him?

The woman set her palms on his chest and pushed him away and nudged you with her shoulder to push you aside before walking away. You stood there, feeling astounded because you couldn’t even comprehend what just happened. You were exhausted, you were sweaty, and you could barely feel your hands from carrying heavy boxes all day. Your brain was too fried to even deal with this. You couldn’t help but blame the heat for getting too much into your head. 

Joe looked over his shoulder, watching the woman walk away as he shook his head and turned back to you. 

“She’s just overreacting.” Joe explained. 

Tilting your head at him, you raised your brows and let out a scoff. 

“Oh really?” You asked, irritated. “Or you’re just a player?”

You shook your head in disbelief, picking up the box from the floor and walked inside your apartment and slammed the door shut behind you. 

You couldn’t believe that you actually fell for that. 

Looking up from what she was doing, Sara knitted her brows as soon as she saw you enter the kitchen. She couldn’t even describe the expression that was on your face when you had set the box down on the floor.

“What happened?” Sara asked. 

“Stay away from the man across the hall.” You said. “He’s a pig.”

Sara just chuckled softly, shaking head. Knowing you for the last couple of years, she knew you could be overdramatic sometimes, especially when it came with men. Although, she didn’t actually expect that the first day in this new apartment was going to be the first of many fights that you and Joe would have. She also didn’t expect that this was going to be something that she was going to start dealing with for the next two years. 

As you got up early the next morning, you went for a quick jog around the neighborhood and as soon as you came back into the apartment building, you saw Joe leading a different girl out of his place. You couldn’t help but shake your head and felt disgusted by his behaviour. Then, as days, weeks, months went by, it was the same thing almost every week. 

It annoyed you to the core.

You found out a month later that he was an actor and that was why he looked so familiar when you first met him. It wasn’t like you have seen his projects before. Just that one Stranger Things show, but you barely even finished it. However, his little celebrity status wasn’t what you really cared about. You were more disgusted by the fact that he thought he could get whoever he wanted and act like this just because he was an actor. 

Ever since then, you had promised yourself to never fall for anything that he would tell you ever again. 

Present Day…

The Friday night rush hit the subway station a little too early. You just got out of the office, and you were ready to just go home and snuggle under your comfy blanket. Your eyes studied the many faces of people inside the subway car as you held onto the metal pole. It was packed and everyone was literally shoulder to shoulder. 

Thank god that your stop was next because it was starting to smell in there, and you hated it when it was this crowded in the subway. Walking out of the station, you decided to stop by at a local shop near your apartment building and pick up some snacks. As you walked through the aisles, you didn’t even care what you picked out on the shelves. You just started putting everything in your basket, whatever that looked satisfying to you. It was Friday, and you had a long, exhausting day. You deserved a little treat after all the stress from work that you have been dealing with. 

Arriving at your apartment building, the moment you exited out the elevator, you instantly saw Joe walking out of his apartment. His curly hair pushed back, he was in fancy clothes, and a playful grin tugged on his lips the moment his eyes caught you. You rolled your eyes at him as he chuckled softly when he passed by. 

“Is that what you're going to do on a Friday night?” Joe asked, looking down at the plastic bag that you were holding in your hand. 

You stopped in your tracks and turned to look at him with an annoyed expression on your face. The last thing you wanted to do was deal with his obnoxious behavior. 

“Do you ever mind your own business?” Your eyes were literally giving him a death glare. 

Joe’s grin widened as he took a few steps forward closer to you. His index finger softly grazed the top of your nose as he poked it. Immediately, you made a face and swatted his hand away. 

“Not with yours.” Joe murmured, amusement all over his face.

You could feel the anger and frustration coming up in your emotions. You didn’t understand how he never got tired of annoying you. It has been two years since you have moved in and every day, Joe always found a way to make you feel irritated. You didn’t care one bit if he was an actor. You didn’t care if he has a little celebrity status. 

He was still disgusting, and he was still a pig. 

You felt your nose flared in anger as you grimaced at his little comment. “Is there someone else you could torture?!”

Your voice raised as Joe laughed softly and poked your nose again. 

“Yes, but I like doing it to you.” 

“And what are you going to do, hm?” You raised your brow at him. “You’re gonna go out there and pick up a new girl again?”

Joe shrugged, “Well, at least I’m not spending my Friday night with a bag of Doritos and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.”

“Well, at least I’m not an asshole.” You retorted back.

Pushing him out of your way with your shoulder, you could see the playful grin that kept tugging on his lips, but you ignored it as you unlocked your door and immediately slammed the door shut behind you. Groaning in frustration, you set the plastic bag on the dining table and saw Sara walking out of the bathroom. Her hair was still wet from the shower, and she was holding a towel to dry it. 

“What did he do now?” Sara asked. 

Sara had lived with you in this apartment building for two years now, and she knew exactly what was happening whenever you entered your apartment with that look on your face. There was no one else in this world that could get under your skin but Joe. Not even your annoying boss or co-workers at work could get you all worked up like this, and Sara could see that every time.

Sometimes Sara would wish that Joe would literally get under your skin, so the both of you could stop playing this game and admit what you two actually felt for one another.

But she would never say that to you nor would admit what she could see between the both of you.

She knew it would just enrage you even more. She couldn’t help but just shake her head and chuckle at your reaction all the time because after all, it seemed like she was the only one who could see why Joe tends to push all your buttons so easily.

“He’s just being an asshole like always.” You grumbled, taking out the snacks that you bought from the plastic bag. 

Sara laughed softly, grabbing the bag of Doritos, opening it. She tilted her head at you and said, “You know, I don't understand why can’t you both just ignore each other?”

You gazed up at her with an even more frustrated look on your face. “Are you kidding? You think I don’t wanna do that? He’s the one who’s always starting something.” 

“Always?” Sara raised her brow at you. 

What was she trying to say? 

When you didn’t answer her question, she added, “Remember when he had a package that was accidentally left on our doorstep, and you held it hostage for two weeks?”

You knitted your brows, stuttering for a moment and said, “He… He deserved it. Besides, I was doing everyone a favor.” 

“Holding his package hostage until he kept the noises down from his apartment wasn’t doing everyone a favor!” Sara argued. “You two were arguing in the middle of the hall every day, and that was a lot noisier.” 

You rolled your eyes, scratching your forehead in frustration. You shrugged your shoulders and pursed your lips without even arguing back with Sara because yeah, you did that on purpose because you just wanted to piss him off the way he always pissed you off all the time. 

“Are you still mad about what happened two years ago?” Sara asked.

You scoffed, stunned at the subject that Sara had brought up. 

“No!” Your voice sounded defensive. “Yes, I clearly fell for his charms but that was before I knew how much of a fuckboy he is.”

Sara chuckled, rolling her eyes at the excuse that you were throwing at her. She never pressed the subject every time she would see that the angry meter on top of your head was starting to spill over. Sometimes she would just imagine grabbing the both of you and banging each other’s heads to see if you both would realize how ridiculous this stupid game you two kept playing. She never understood how both of you weren’t tired of it after two years.

“Which is too bad.” You added, grumbling under your breath. “Because he’s cute.”

Sara stuffed her mouth with Doritos as she settled herself on the sofa. She lets you continue grumbling under your breath until you have let all your feelings out. That was what she always did because then, she would be able to really see how strong your feelings were for Joe. She knew you were just angry with how he behaves, so Sara just let you do your thing as she started browsing movies on Netflix. 

“Hey! That’s my Doritos!” You scolded her after you finally had gone back to reality.

“Too late now.” Sara deviously smiled, throwing a piece of Dorito at you. “Are you done?”

“Done with what?”

“Grumbling over Joe.”

“I wasn’t—” You exhaled a sharp breath. “You know what, I’m gonna go freshen up. You can pick the movie for tonight.”

Walking away, you went to shower to wash away today's stress and settled next to Sara later that night. Holding the pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, you reached over and grabbed some Doritos from the bag that was sitting on Sara’s lap. As you focus your attention on the movie, you couldn’t help but let your mind wander somewhere else. You couldn’t help but recall your little conversation with Joe from earlier. 

“Are we this sad? Spending Friday nights like this?” You asked Sara, turning to face her. 

Sara shrugged, gazing up at the ceiling for a moment as if she was thinking about your question carefully. 

“Maybe.” She answered. “But at least we’re not getting our hearts broken.”

Laughing softly with her, you nodded your head in agreement. 

“True.” 

*********

Taglist:

@palomahasenteredthechat @sunvick @eddies-acousticguitar @demonsanddemogorgons @joesquinns @mmunson86 @ghostinthebackofyourhead @corrodedcoffincumslut @figmentofquinn @tlclick73 @munsonluvrr @ali-r3n @ficsbypix @capricornrisingsstuff @missonlypost @ali-in-w0nderland @amberolivia666 @lalalala-melmosworld @niallersfreckles @nanas-lasagna @emma77645 @indulgence-be-thy-name @readergf @ladamari68 @1paire2vans @d4rk4ng3l86 @paleidiot @josephquinnsfreckles @readergf @mvnsonlover

[anti-romantico]

[consequences] the boyz hyunjae

warnings: enemies to lovers, fake marriage, and they were roommates, oral (m & f receiving), protected sex, couch sex, riding, cursing, PLOT

words: 7467

A/N: WHAT THE HECK

— Can you wear a shirt in my presence? — You asked, annoyed.

— I also live here, sweetheart. So if you can walk around with short shorts and a tank top with no bra, I can walk around shirtless. — Hyunjae answered, using that nickname you were more than used to.

— Not, you don't live here, dude, your cousin was kind enough to let you live with us while you find a new place. This is temporal. — You raised your voice.

— Can you two shut the fuck up? God, I can't even start my day without you two arguing. — Chanhee got out of his room.

— When is he leaving? — You asked, fully ignoring Hyunjae's offended look.

— When he finds a new place.

— And is he even looking for one? It's been almost a month. Or is he going to give us his part of the rent?

— Can you stop talking about me as if I'm not just right here? — Hyunjae finally exploded.

— I'm not going to join your argument before having a coffee. Or at all. — Chanhee walked to his room and locked the door behind him.

— Just for your information, I am looking for a place, I'll go to see one today. Thank you for your concern. — Hyunjae grabbed his bowl of cereal and walked to the living room, his temporary room.

— You better do the dishes before or I'm changing the door lock. — You said before locking yourself in your room.

When you came back from work, neither Hyunjae or Chanhee were home yet. You found a note stuck on your door.

"I'll check another place and eat outside, don't miss me ;)"

Fucker. As if you cared.

You finally had a peaceful meal, until Hyunjae called you when you were washing the bowl and cup you used.

"What?" You answered aggressively.

"Baby, hi! Guess what? I found our perfect place!" You could hear the echo his voice made in the room he was in.

"The fuck are talking about, dude? Did you hit your head on your way there?" You joked, walking to your room.

"That's right, the one you told me. How about you come and see it, I know you're gonna love it."

That's when you get it. "They won't rent it if you're not married, aren't they? What a shame."

"Don't worry, we'll wait for you."

"What? I'm not going, dude, look for another place."

"Perfect, see you here. Love you."

You stared at your phone for a few seconds until Hyunjae sent you the address of this apartment. "I'll do whatever you want for the rest of my life, please come"

You debated yourself if you should really go or not.

The sooner he gets a place, the fastest he leaves yours. Fair enough.

You changed clothes and grabbed Hyunjae's denim jacket before leaving.

You sent him a message once you got out of the taxi you called. Not even a minute later, he was walking out the building.

— He's looking at the window, so don't push me. — Hyunjae said before holding your head and kissing you slowly.

You followed the kiss. — You'll never hear the end of this. — You kissed him again and grabbed his hand, letting him guide you to his new apartment.

— We've been married for 3 months, together for a year. We don't have children and we don't want to. — Hyunjae said while you were waiting for the elevator. — Another thing. — You looked at him tired. — You have to live with me for a while. Then I can tell him we broke up so he doesn't kick me out.

Your two got in the elevator, glad it was empty. — You should've told me that.

— I'm sorry, I panicked. — You arrived at his floor and held hands again.

Hyunjae opened the door for you. Let the show begin

— You must be [Y/N]. I'm Mr. Jeong. — A middle-aged man said once you two got in. — Hyunjae told me you chose this apartment.

— I did, yes. I really like the zone, my mom lives close by. — Hyunjae smiled. You followed his lie unconsciously.

— Hyunjae told me that. That's so sweet of him to live close to your mom.

— He's the best. — You said, but Hyunjae's eyes told you you sounded too fake.

— So how about you show your beautiful wife the place while I go for the papers to my apartment. — Mr. Jeong said. You two panicked.

— Oh, you live in the building too? — You asked, squeezing Hyunjae's hand.

— That's right, on the second floor. — Well, that wasn't that bad. Hyunjae's apartment was on the 8th floor.

Mr. Jeong left, and you two waited a minute to finally argue.

— What is so cool about this apartment that you needed me to pretend to be your wife? — You asked him, following him to a small bathroom. You watched him close the door and layed on it. — I doubt it's the price, this zone it's really expensive.

— The whole place.

— It's too big for one person. — You crossed your arms.

— Juyeon and Kevin also need a place, they still don't know I found it though.

— So what now? How long do you need me here?

— I'm still not sure, but in the meantime, I need you to let them live with Chanhee.

— No.

— Please, then you can go back.

— Ok, fine they can stay there. — Hyunjae nodded. — But what if Mr. Jeong does kick you out once we "broke up". — Hyunjae stayed silent. — That better not be part of the contract we're about to sign.

And it wasn't fortunately. Mr. Jeong left the place, staring at you two with a nostalgic smile.

— I'll pay for everything. The rent, the bills, the moving. — Hyunjae said, joining you at the window.

— Yeah, you better. — You looked at him. — Did you eat?

— Barely, but I'm not hungry.

— Well, we have to go back to my apartment for our stuff and to tell Chanhee about this. You can have your last meal there.

Telling Chanhee was harder than you thought. He immediately refused, telling Hyunjae to find another girl.

— Mr. Jeong already met me, Chan, and I also signed the contract. There's no turn back now.

— If you do something to her, I'll stop talking to you, I swear Hyunjae, I don't care if we're family.

— Chanhee. — You called him, taken aback by his reaction.

— I won't, I swear, she'll be back here in 6 months. — You wanted to protest, but the time sounded just right.

Packing was fast. You were terrified of unpacking.

You walked to the room besides the main one. But Hyunjae stopped you.

— I'm not sharing a bed with you, dude. Also, it's not like he's going to check if we sleep in the same bed.

— He's our landlord, he needs to come and check if everything's alright. — You scoffed. — I got a new bed, a bigger one, we'll be far away from the other.

— If you hug me just once, I'm moving my stuff to that room, you get it? — You pointed at the door you initially were aiming at. Hyunjae nodded.

Luckily, the room had enough space for both, you'd say it was too much for you. You didn't even use all the hangers.

— Are you going to use them? — Hyunjae asked. Of course he needed extra hangers. He didn't like to fold his hoodies.

— All yours. — Hyunake took them and walked to his side of the room. — Why did you mention the kids? Did he ask?

— Yeah, when I told him we recently got married, he asked if we were planning on having kids.

— And you don't want them? — Hyunake turned around with a confused look. — With someone else. — You laughed.

— Ah. Well, yeah I do, actually. But I'll have to wait, I can't afford them right now. — He finished hanging his hoodies and stretched his arms.

— You seriously thought I'd let you pay for everything? — You walked to him.

— I mean, I was expecting you to pay at least for a few things. I've known you long enough to know that you don't like being a burden.

— Then it's set. 50-50? — You reached out your hand to shake it with his.

But there was one thing none of you thought about. The arguments. Just by the next day, you two went back to your usual dynamic.

— I told you to not hug me! — You said, pushing him.

— God, you're not even fully awake and you're already yelling. — Hyunjae turned his body and ignored your disgusted look.

You got up and grabbed the clothes you were going to wear. It was Saturday so at least you didn't have to work. Hyunjae, on the other hand, had to.

— Don't take too long, I need to take a shower. — You looked at him before getting in the bathroom. Once you got out. You found him in just his boxers, waiting for you to come out.

— Are you fucking serious? — You asked, stopping your tracks at the door.

— Well, this is my place, I can walk around however I want. — Hyunjae took his towel and moved you. You felt shivers when he slammed the door.

You were brushing your hair when he got out of the bathroom, with just his towel around his waist. There was no point in protesting anymore.

— I need to go to the supermarket later, do you need anything? — He said, taking his sweet time in choosing a shirt.

— No, thanks. — You said before leaving the room.

You set the coffee maker and grabbed two cups from a box and then went back to the room, begging for Hyunjae to be fully dressed by now.

— Do you want coffee? — He was, kind of. His shirt was still open.

— Yes, thank you. — He noticed you froze. — You just saw me with just my boxers on, what is that reaction?

— Don't know what you're talking about. — You were about to leave, but turned around. — I'll start using the other room's bathroom from now on.

Hyunjae walked to you. — I've never seen you like this, babe. Seriously, what's wrong? Did you have a wet dream about me like this?

— You wish. And I'm not telling you how to dress in your place, but let me remind you you were the one that asked me to help you. I don't mind packing everything again. — You tried your best to keep your eyes on his.

Hyunjae stayed silent, making you smirk. You left the room and got into the microwave the leftovers you two left last night.

It was almost 7pm when Hyunjae arrived, finding you finishing putting away all the plates and cups in the cabinets.

— Did you leave something for me? — Hyunjae looked around.

— The TV's. I'm afraid I'll break them. — You said, sitting on a chair. — Did you go to the supermarket?

— I didn't have time. Juyeon and Kevin needed help with the moving.

— So you help them, but not me? — You asked, laughing at his guilty face. — I'm kidding.

— Babe... — Your eyes snapped at the nickname. He only called you like that as a joke, and his tone wasn't didn't sound like it. He cleared his throat to ease the tension he created. — I bought this, by the way. — He took out two rings. — I don't know if Mr. Jeong noticed we didn't have rings on, but just in case.

Hyunjae was about to grab your hand, but you snatched the ring of his fingers, scaring him.

— Fuck... we don't have pictures of our wedding to decorate. — You said after putting on the ring.

— Juyeon will help with it, but we do need to take more pictures together. Just having pictures of our wedding will look suspicious.

— So that means we have to go on dates?

— Just for the pictures.

— Right.

Another silence dominated the room.

— Do you want to go for dinner? — Hyunjae asked, taking off his back tie.

— Uh, sure. Let me change.

— You look good like that, though.

You bit your lip. You wanted to giggle so bad. — I'm only changing my shirt and grabbing some jacket.

— Right.

You two got into your room and went to your sides of it. Hyunjae was looking at himself in his full body mirror when he saw you taking off your shirt, leaving you in just your bra and jeans.

— Uh... — You turned around, acting innocent.

— So you can walk around with just your boxers, but I can't change my shirt in front of you? Seems unfair. — It was your turn to take your sweet time finding a shirt.

Hyunjae took a deep breath and shamelessly stared at your body through the mirror.

Once you were ready, you turned around, finding him taking a picture of you.

— Not weird at all. — You said, walking to him to see the photo in his phone.

— I mean, you're my wife. — Hyunjae grabbed your hand and showed you the ring you had on.

— Right, just don't take pictures of me sleeping.

In the elevator, you tried to avoid his eyes. Suddenly, the elevator stopped in the second floor, opening its doors to show you Mr. Jeong and you guessed it was his wife.

You got close to Hyunjae and felt his arm around your waist.

— Oh, how lovely that we found you. — Mr. Jeong said. — This is the couple I told you about.

— You both look amazing. — Ms. Jeong said.

— Thank you. — Hyunjae said in unison.

— Going somewhere special? — Mr. Jeong answered.

— Just to find something to eat. — You answered.

— Oh, if it's nothing special then join us, we're going to this cafeteria my wife loves.

You were about to answer, but Hyunjae beat you. — Sounds good, [Y/N] love visiting new cafeterias.

It wasn't a lie. You looked up to him. He gave you a kiss on the cheek and left his lips there.

Once all of you arrive to the parking lot, you walked to Hyunjae's car, Mr. Jeong's wasn't far. He told you to wait for them.

At the cafeteria, you ordered a latte and some pastry. Hyunjae just ordered an americano.

You two were waiting for Mr. and Ms. Jeong ordered at the bar.

— Why did you accept? — You asked, letting Hyunjae put his arm around you, pulling you close.

— To fully convince him we're a couple. So we don't have to kiss in front of him that often.

— Look at them. They're truly in love and you don't see them kissing every three words. — Hyunjae nodded, agreeing with you. — I didn't know I was a bad kisser.

Hyunjae looked at you scared. — You're not, god, I'm sorry if I imply that.

You laughed. — Jae, relax, I'm joking.

— You're enjoying a little too much scaring me, you know?

— I don't think so. — Hyunjae brushed his thumb on your chin before giving you a small kiss.

— Sorry for taking too long. They had this new drink I wanted to try. — Ms. Jeong apologized.

The talk was surrounded at your oh so lovely perfect wedding. And it was more a conversation between Ms. Jeong and you.

— If you don't mind, Hyunjae, would you make me some company while I smoke? — Mr. Jeong asked. Hyunjae excused himself and went with him.

The night was chill. The cafeteria had a special place for smokers.

— I'm going to be honest with you, Hyunjae. I thought you two were pretending. You wouldn't be the first couple that lied to me. — Hyunjae panicked at Mr. Jeong's words. — But just the way she's talking about the wedding, and how you look at her. It reminds me of me and my wife.

Hyunjae was speechless. — Any advice?

— I think you two are fine. There's no such a thing as the "perfect couple". But I do find it hard to believe you don't want kids.

— I mean, not now, we're still trying to settle ourselves in a new place.

— I really hope I can meet them.

Back in your apartment, Hyunjae and you changed clothes quietly.

— I'm going to the convenience store in the morning to get breakfast, is there anything you want? — Hyunjae asked, opening the blanket.

— I'm going with you. — He nodded.

The next morning, after having breakfast, you two changed clothes again and went to the supermarket, making the list on your way there.

— You already paid for the dinner and breakfast, Hyunjae, stop fighting. — You said, giving the cashier your card.

— Then the next trip to the supermarket is on me. — Hyunjae kissed your cheek, making you giggle.

On your way back, you received a message from Chanhee, asking where you were. The three of them were outside your building.

— Why are you here? — You got out of the car and walked with your friends inside the building while Hyunjae parked the car.

— We brought you welcome gifts! — Kevin said, turning his back a little for you to see his well packed backpack.

You chuckled. — That's sweet of you, Kev, but I'll be here just for 6 months.

The four of you waited for Hyunjae to join you outside the elevator. Once he did, y'all went to his apartment.

Fake plants, fake wedding pictures, food. At least the latter wasn't fake.

— How's married life going? — Juyeon asked, sipping on his can of beer.

— I thought you'd be back to the apartment by the next day, if I'm honest. — Chanhee said, not hiding the fact that he missed you.

— If you think arguments are over, don't be dumb, of course we argue. — You answered.

— Just not that often.

Everyone, including you, didn't expect Hyunjae to give that extra information.

After a month of living together, the two had figured out how to not argue over small things like the clothes all over the place, the expired food in the fridge or him constantly using your soap.

— I was thinking... — He seemed nervous. — We haven't had a movie night since we started living together. Or since we met.

— Of course we had them. — You chuckled and tried to push the shopping cart.

— Chan was there.

— And that makes them not being movie nights?

Hyunjae got close to you and caged your body between his body and the shopping cart. — I'd just like to have a movie night with my wife.

— What got into you? — But he didn't answer, his lips were over yours, slowly kissing you.

When he parted from you, you noticed Mrs. Jeong rounding the corner with her shopping cart.

— What happened with the "I don't want to kiss you every time we see them"? — You asked, faking a deep voice, hiding your disappointment that he only kissed you for that.

— I never said that. — Hyunjae walked away with the shopping cart, not letting you answer, again.

— Yes, you did. — You saw in a whisper, walking in his direction.

And by the months passing, you got used to his touchy and clingy side in front of your landlord. Behind closed doors, Hyunjae would keep his distance, and there were times you thought he wanted you to go to sleep mad at him.

He ate your breakfast even when you told him it was yours, you found your underwear at the bottom of the laundry machine after three days, of course they smelt horrible, sometimes he would ignore you or what you told him, like the time he slept with just a pair of boxers, saying it was too hot for him to wear pajamas.

You end up sleeping in the room you initially planned to, but this time he didn't protest.

By the end of the fourth month, the same dynamic you two had at Chanhee's place was back.

You were walking out the building on a Saturday morning, you were finally free of Hyunjae's annoying ass. Even though you didn't have a plan, you just wanted to be out of that apartment.

— Good morning, [Y/N]! — You heard Mrs. Jeong said in her usual energetic tone.

— Oh, good morning. — You said, waiting for her.

— Hyunjae's working? — Just the mention of his name made you have a headache.

— Yeah, he's... working.

— Is everything ok? — Of course she noticed your disgusted tone.

And you remembered, the 6 months were almost over, the plan was to pretend to break up so he could keep the apartment. Well, let the show begin.

— No, but I'm sure it'll be.

— Are you going anywhere?

— Not really, I just wanted fresh air.

— How about you and I go for a fresh juice and talk in the park? Does that sound good?

Her tone reminded you of your mother. — That sounds like a good plan.

You spent 5 minutes making up a whole story of how you and Hyunjae were falling out of love while sipping on your juice.

— What you're telling me, [Y/N], it's making me feel really bad. You two really seem to want a future together. — Mrs. Jeong said.

— And if you'd asked me 3 months ago, I'd told you I also wanted a life with him, but I guess we needed more time. My best friend even said it was too soon for a wedding. I should've listened to her.

— You can still work it out, sweetheart, you two have a really special connection. I'm sure if you sit down and talk, problems will be solved.

Hyunjae was back in the building at 8pm. He made sure his car was locked when he saw Mr. Jeong.

— How nice to see you, Jae. — Mr. Jeong said, giving Hyunaje an affectionate pat on the back.

— Likewise. How's your day going?

— Pretty calm. By the way, my wife and yours spent the morning together.

Hyunjae pressed his lips forming a fine line and nodded.

— It seems it's true by your reaction. — Hyunjae stopped walking, making Mr. Jeong to also stop. — She didn't tell me much, but she said you're having problems.

— Not all couples have problems?

— They do, yes, but they don't seem to be small problems, Jae. And I know we like to always be right, but it doesn't hurt to hear what they have to say.

Hyunjae practically ran to his apartment once he said goodbye to Mr. Jeong. He opened the door and found you watching a movie in the living room.

— May I know why you are venting our problems with our landlords?

You paused the movie. — Hello to you too, babe, are you hungry? Dinner is almost ready.

— Answer me.

You got up and didn't care that he was taller than you. — I told her that we both were falling out of love. That's all.

— And why is Mr. Jeong telling me to listen to you? — He kept his angry tone.

— How long have we been living together? — Hyunaje didn't answer. — And how long did we say we would live together?

Asshole.

— I'm just starting to make them believe we have unsolving differences and a divorce is expected. Wasn't that your plan?

— It's been only four months, [Y/N], you could've waited a little longer.

— Oh yeah, so we can tell them out of nowhere we're getting divorce the same day I'm leaving.

— Well, that could've been the plan if you weren't out there telling Mrs. Jeong our problems!

— Stop raising your voice at me, Hyunjae, or this conversation is over.

Hyunjae nodded and laughed in a sarcastic way. — You know what? You're a fucking genius! Tomorrow the first thing I'm doing is asking our landlord if he's going to kick me out if we get divorced, how about that?

— I don't know why you are reacting like this, this is your fault! You lied to Mr. Jeong, you told him I was your wife, and now I'm stuck with you for another 2 months!

— Don't pretend you didn't want this, babe, you had the option to not even show up that day. But there you were, sucking on my tongue when I kissed you.

You just couldn't believe your ears. — I wanted you out of my apartment, that's why I did it.

— You're so pretty when you get mad. — Hyunjae said after scanning your face.

He held your chin between his thumb and index, but you pushed him before he could kiss you. — Don't you fucking dare to touch me after how you just talked to me.

— Listen, I'm sorry for overreacting, but I don't enjoy it when others know about my shit. Even if this is a fake relationship, I'd like to have some privacy.

— Well, I'm sorry for telling her about that, but you've been acting like an asshole for months now, I just wanted this to be over.

This time, when Hyunjae hugged you, you didn't push him. You had your face buried in his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

— If I'm honest, I did all those things to get to you. And it worked, just not the way I expected. — Hyunjae laughed when you hit him in the stomach. — Let's have dinner and watch a movie.

Movie night was calm, you had blankets over you two. You noticed Hyunjae was falling asleep and felt bad. He worked the whole day and still wanted to watch a movie with you.

— Let's go to sleep. — You said, pausing the movie. It wasn't even halfway through.

— We'll finish it tomorrow. — You nodded and his sleepy voice.

When you were about to get in the room you were sleeping in, you felt Hyunjae's hand grabbing your wrist.

— I promise that attitude will disappear, please, come back to the room.

You just couldn't say no. — Let me grab my pajamas then.

— You can borrow a shirt of mine. —You laughed at his child-like attitude, pulling you to his room.

He gave you a shirt, too big for you, and turned around so you could change.

— Am I allowed to hug you? — You turned your head over the pillow to look at him. He was really close.

— Sure.

The next morning, you were still trapped between his arms, glad he wasn't squeezing you to death.

— Jae... — You softly said. You wanted to know the hour, but you left your phone in the living room.

— It's early, go back to sleep. — Hyunjae's mouth was on your neck, sending shivers down your spine.

— Can you read my mind? — You turned your body, Hyunjae keeping you close to him.

— I do, actually, you're thinking you just had the best wet dream of your life and I was in it.

You laughed, he was back... — You need to work on that skill, then, because that is highly inaccurate.

— Oh yeah? — You felt his finger on your left side, realizing the shirt lifted up while you were sleeping.

— Very inaccurate. — You said over his lips.

— I don't believe you. — His hand traveled to your leg and pulled in over his waist.

It was when you remembered you were only wearing panties and his shirt.

— May I know what got into you? — You asked, sighing when you felt his finger digging just below the skin of your butt.

— How am I supposed to control myself when my beautiful wife kept rubbing her ass over my cock the whole night? — His soft voice changed to a dark and deep one.

— I didn't do such a thing.

— I wasn't joking when I said you had a wet dream, though, you were moaning while doing it. It took everything on me to not fuck you while sleeping. Unless you're into that. — Hyunjae bucked his hips, finally letting you feel his boner over your clothed cunt. — That is your fault, so you better fix it.

He didn't have to tell you twice. One of your hands pulled his pajama pants and underwear down while you licked the other to jerk him.

He hissed at your warm touch, making him bite his lower lip and pulled you to kiss you.

— Fuck... I'm so sensitive, please don't stop, babe. — You were enjoying his reaction too much, tighting your grip around him from time to time to help him cum.

He wanted to warn you, but not a single word came out of his mouth. You felt his cum spilling out to your hand and couldn't help but see.

— Sorry, it felt really good. — Hyunjae removed the sweat from his forehead and ran to the bathroom, coming back with some papel to clean your hand and some drops that fell on the bed.

And you wanted to talk about it, but didn't know how. It was until dinner that he mentioned it.

— I... Sorry... Thank you for this morning...

— Are you thanking me for making you cum? — That was the first time.

— Yeah? I enjoyed it a lot.

— And why did you apologize?

Hyunjae avoided your eyes, he was clearly embarrassed. — I.. wanted to return the favor.

— And why are you suddenly shy? — You've never seen him like this.

— I guess it's just the flashbacks...

— Well, I think we have to make some rules if this is going to happen again, right?

— Rules? Why?

— Are you going to be able to live with me for another 2 months after having sex?

Hyunjae bit his lip, his idea of returning the favor wasn't having sex, but now that you mention it... — Right. So this is going to happen just once?

— That's why we need rules, Jae...

— Fine, I get it. Shoot.

You finished your drink and made a face. — This can happen multiple times as long as we both are single. Even after I leave. But the moment we start talking with someone else, this ends. — Hyunjae crossed his arms and nodded. — Let's keep this as a secret, Chanhee would kill you if he knows.

— I wasn't planning on telling him. It's clear he loves you more than he loves me. And I'm his family.

You laughed at the pout he made. And then you remembered... — I don't mind you touching me while I'm sleeping... — Hyunjae couldn't believe his ears. — But if you want to take it further, wake me up.

— Sure. — He didn't intend to sound so excited.

— I don't take the pill, so if you don't have condoms here...

— We should've talked about this in the morning so I could go to the supermarket and buy some.

You laughed again. — Are you going to return the favor then?

Hyunje smirked, standing up and taking your hand, pulling you to your shared room.

— Lay back and enjoy.

You laid down on the bed and with the help of your elbows, could see him taking off your jeans and panties.

He gave you a last look before sinking into you, groaning at your taste. You threw your head back and bit your lip to mute your moans.

But Hyunjae heard your whines increasing when he inserted two fingers while he was sucking in your clit.

You suddenly kept quiet, making Hyunaje look at you. — Did you just... cum?

— Maybe... — You answered, catching your breath. You stood up and pulled up your jeans, walking to the bathroom, leaving Hyunjae more than confused.

But you were embarrassed, you've never cummed that fast before, and you didn't want to admit you have wanted this to happen for a while now.

The next day, Hyunjae left to work before you did, making you wake up alone in your shared bed. And you didn't know if you liked it or not.

He left you breakfast ready and a note wishing you a good day. Another first time.

You found Mrs. Jeong again, giving the "good news" that Hyunjae and you solved your problems.

[To: Menace] 7:24pm

"Going to the supermarket, you want something?"

But he didn't answer. You bought some snacks, debating yourself if you should get the condoms.

You checked your phone once you were home and couldn't fight the disappointment when you noticed Hyunjae left you in read. But your head snapped when you heard a door closing.

— Hyunjae?

He walked from his room and almost ran to greet you. — I'm sorry for not answering, I was busy. But hey, I bought the condoms.

You laughed, finding him adorable.

On the weekend, Hyunjae planned a movie night, but it got interrupted by a very heated make out session. The movie working as background noise.

You were on top of him, humping his very hard boner. His hands were under your tank top, massaging your boobs over your bra.

He kissed your neck while one of his hands was looking for something inside the drawer beside the couch you two were.

You looked at him. — You shouldn't have told me this can happen multiple times. I left condoms all over the place. — He said, taking off your tank top and bra before sucking in your left tit.

— And what if the guys come and find one? — You brushed his hair with your fingers, enjoying his tongue playing with your nipple.

— I don't want to think about that right now, babe, I want you to keep moving your hips, please. — You loved the new nickname, it wasn't in a teasing way anymore.

Instead of moving your hips, you got off him and started to undress, Hyunjae doing the same and grabbing the condom.

But you took it away from his fingers and got on your knees. Hyunjae cursed under his breath and let you do your thing.

You pumped his dick before licking it up and down, and then you sucked on his balls. You proceeded to open the condom and rolled it down on his boner.

— Do I have to schedule a blowjob with my wife? — Hyunjae asked when you straddled him. He positioned his tip over your clit and rubbed it.

— I have to check if I'm not busy... — You said over his lips.

Hyunjae smirked and pulled you down, earning a very loud moan from you. Your nails digging on the skin of his shoulders. He kissed you again, giving you time to adjust. You sucked on his tongue and started to move your hips up and down. Hyunjae whined when you tightened around him, giving you a small spank.

It didn't take long before you were jumping on him, not kissing anymore. None of you were shy with your noises, not caring about the neighbors.

Hyunjae got one of your boobs and sucked it, pinching the nipple of the other. You knew your nails were leaving red marks on his neck and chest, but you didn't care.

— Why did it take us so long to do this? — You asked, throwing your head back when you felt your orgasm close.

— If you weren't such a tight ass, this would've been the hundredth time. — Hyunjae answered, making you laugh.

— If you weren't so fucking annoying... — You grabbed his neck for support and got close to his face. — we wouldn't have to pretend in the first place.

Hyunjae kissed you, pulled your hair, bit you, spanked you. He knew you were right.

Before him living in your and Chan's living room, your friendship wasn't as chaotic, you even admitted to some friends you found him attractive. Hyunjae also developed a crush on you, but living somehow together gave you the sign that you two wouldn't work out.

You felt him give you another spank, biting your lip and bouncing harder. Your legs were sore, but you needed your release more than anything. You grabbed Hyunjae's hand and directed it to your clit, him immediately understanding.

— You look so hot on top of me, babe. — Hyunjae said, hypnotized by the view. — I can get used to this.

"Me too" you thought, but you were so immersed in your pleasure, you only could kiss him, sucking on his tongue and scratching his nape.

Hyunjae hugged you by your waist and made you stop, growling. You felt his cock twitching repeatedly inside you.

After a few minutes, Hyunjae's fingers brushed your hair. You lifted your head and looked at him. He looked different. Or maybe it was your orgasm making you have these thoughts.

Hyunjae pulled you for a kiss, a sloppy and romantic one.

— Let's get cleaned up. — He said on your lips, but he kept kissing you.

— You have to let me go for that, babe.

It was the first time you called him that, and he showed you he loved it.

— I can always carry you to the shower. We can have round two there. — His low voice made you clench around him.

But you stood up, sighing by the sudden emptiness. — I think I have a free space to give my husband a blowjob just now. — You said, walking to your shared bedroom.

Once you two were in the bathroom, Hyunjae literally dragged you to the shower. Earning some giggles from you.

A week later, Chanhee, Juyeon and Kevin visited you again.

The whole time, Chan was awfully quiet and kept looking at the both of you, making you nervous. After an hour, Juyeon and Kevin went to the convenience store for snacks, but you noticed Chanhee told them something before they left.

Hyunjae was looking for bowls to serve some chips and you were cutting carrots, maybe using this as an excuse to not look at Chanhee.

— Since when?

Here we go.

— What? — Hyunjae stopped his tracks and looked at Chanhee.

— Since when you've been fucking?

The sudden question made you cut your finger with the knife. You threw the knife and licked your little cut.

— Are you ok? — Hyunjae practically ran to you.

— Oh, so it's serious.

— No!

— It's just sex.

Both answering at the same time made Chanhee laugh. — Right. And I guess you weren't planning on telling me.

— For what? — You asked, looking for some bandaid.

— I don't know, I'm your best friend. — And then he looked at Hyunjae. — And I'm your cousin, your family.

— Well, I'm sorry for not telling you, but it's been just a week. — Hyunjae said, helping you finish the carrots.

— Wait, what? A week? — You raised an eyebrow at his words. — You two act as if you've been dating since you started living together.

— Don't be ridiculous. — You said, not being able to look at Hyunjae.

Chanhee couldn't say anything, Juyeon and Kevin arrived and started talking about some new snacks they bought.

After they finally left, you took a bath in what were you planning to be your bathroom 5 months ago. The water was warm and you were glad you still had a lavender bath bomb.

You told Hyunjae you need to think about what Chanhee said and it was if you slept separately. And even though Hyunjae wanted to argue back, he also needed to think.

The next morning, when you got out of your room, Hyunjae was already waiting for you with an empty cup.

— Coffee or tea?

— I think I'm just having cereal. — Hyunjae nodded and put away the cup.

— We need to talk. — He said. Your back was facing him, you only hummed in response. — The fifth month it's almost over.

— I know.

— What does your lack of packing mean?

You were only looking at your empty bowl. — Do you want me to start packing?

You turned your body and looked at him, he was already behind you. — I just want to know so I can talk with Mr. Jeong.

— Are you going to tell him?

— What? That I lied about you being my beautiful wife? — He brushed his nose with yours. — I'll just make a deal with him. We would exchange places with the guys.

— And if he says no? — Your fingers clench on his pajama shirt.

— He already trusts us, I don't think he'd have a problem.

— But I like this place. — You slightly pout.

Hyunjae chuckled and gave you a peck. — Yeah, but we both know what three people living in a place that only two people fit is like.

You nodded, hugging Hyunjae by his waist.

— Tell you what. We keep the place, but while they find a bigger place, they can bring some of their stuff. Let me remind you we have a whole empty room.

— And what about us?

And if you were honest, you thought he would tense with the question, but he just hugged you tighter.

— Do you want to make it official?

You looked up, finding his eyes on you. — Official? You haven't asked me shit.

You tried to pull away, failing miserably.

— If you weren't such a tight ass and would let me speak. — You stayed silent. Not hiding your excitement. — Would you let me be your boyfriend?

— Ugh, you're so cheesy. — You said, pulling him by his collar. — But yes.

Hyunjae laughed and kissed you. But the romantic moment got interrupted by your stomach.

— Someone's hungry.

— If you'd have let me have my breakfast first.

While you were cooking, Hyunjae decided the best way to still ask Mr. Jeong.

Mrs. Jeong was the one that opened the door.

— Oh, Hyunjae, how nice of you to visit us.

— I'm sorry if this comes as rude, but is your husband here? I need to talk to him.

— Oh no, don't tell me [Y/N] and you have broken up? — The lady placed her hand over her mouth.

— No, it's not that, don't worry.

— Is everything ok? — Mr. Jeong appeared drying his hands with a towel. — Hyunjae, what can I do for you?

After Mrs. Jeong poured three glasses of water, the three of you sat down in the living room.

— I really don't know how to explain this so I'll just say it. I'm thinking about giving my apartment to some friends and finding a smaller place for [Y/N] and I.

Mr. Jeong nodded. — Are these friends trustworthy?

— They are. One of them is my cousin and my wife's best friend, actually. The thing is that the place they have is really small for three people.

— So you want to exchange places with them?

— Not really, that building isn't of [Y/N]'s liking.

— Well, that's nice to hear because there are also smaller apartments in this building. — Mrs. Jeong added, making her husband nod.

Hyunjae felt stupid. — I... I didn't know.

— I don't have a problem with your friends living in the building, but even if you say they're good, the rules will apply to them too. Even stricter ones if it's going to be all men.

— Right. — Hyunjae chuckled. — Then I'll talk to...

— She doesn't know? — Mr. Jeong interrupted.

— I just mentioned it this morning, she was worried you didn't want three men living under the same roof.

— I never had issues with groups of friends living together, I'm just stricter with them 'cause, well, I was also young.

Cold sweat ran through Hyunjae's back. — I thought you prefered couples living here?

— I said I'm used to them, this zone is famously known by families. You are the first couple I admit without children, though.

— Right...

Hyunjae went back to his apartment, feeling like the stupidest man on earth.

— Where were you? Food is ready. — You got out of the kitchen.

— Come here. — Hyunjae practically threw himself to the couch and waited for you to sit down beside him, but you sat down on the small table in front.

— Babe, you're pale...

— I talked with Mr. Jeong about the apartment. — And you were about to interrupt him, but he grabbed your hands. — Baby, I need you to listen to me and I'll understand if you don't want to talk to me ever again.

— You're scaring me. — He never called you "baby".

Hyunjae took a deep breath. — He told me he doesn't have a problem with our friends living here, in fact, he never had a problem with groups of friends in general. He just sets different rules

— And how did we end up in this situation? — Hyunjae felt you tense, he just cared your skin with his finger.

— Because him telling me only families lived here made me believe only families were allowed to live here.

You started to laugh, not in a sarcastic way, you were genuinely laughing at his dumbness.

— And what made you think I wouldn't talk to you anymore? — You said after finally being able to speak.

— I don't know. I guess I panicked.

You kissed him and straddled his legs. — And what will happens with us? — You said over his lips.

He gave you a chaste kiss before talking. — Mrs. Jeong mentioned there are smaller apartments, maybe we can check them out.

— But I like this apartment. — You said kissing his neck. His grip went from over your clothes to under it.

— Unless you want to have kids... this place is too big for us.

— That doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Hyunjae almost lost control over his own body at your words. — Not yet...

And this could have continued further, but both of your stomachs interrupted, making both of you laugh.

— Not yet. — You said over his lips and stood up, grabbing Hyunjae's hand and taking him to the kitchen.

[tofulune]

༻laundry day

—"gonna shrink your shirt"

noctis lucis caelum x reader

Synopsis: Loving Noctis is like wishing for rain on a hot summer day. Irritating and Pointless.

Tags: [Words: 1,129], pining, angst, set before the game, reader is gender neutral

a/n: fun fact i finished writing this while waiting for my laundry to dry LMAO

“Pom, what are you doing?” You take the lollipop out of your mouth and gesture towards the house of cards Prompto was building on the floor of the laundromat.

“I’m trying to keep busy.” Prompto mutters as he carefully places the next card on the tower.

The laundromat smells like chlorine and despite the slight breeze you feel whenever the fan hanging by the door turns your way, your skin feels sticky from sweating so much.

It was a hot summer day and Ignis decided that today was cleaning day at Noctis’ apartment.

“This room is not fit for a Prince, let alone the soon-to-be King.” Ignis had said in his ever so posh voice.

You and Prompto couldn’t weasel your way out and were included in the cleaning regime since you were already hanging out at Noct’s place. You guys weren’t doing anything in particular—just sitting in front of a fan while playing King’s Knight on your phones.

The four of you spent the day scrubbing Noctis’ apartment down floorboard by floorboard, top to bottom. Your feet are sore and astrals know you need a shower.

When you guys were done with that, Ignis prompted things to go by quicker if the four of you split up. Ignis and Noctis went grocery shopping while you and Prompto were on laundry duty.

“The fact that it’s not even our OWN laundry we’re waiting for.” Prompto leans back on his hands with a groan.

A high pitched beep plays from the dryer and you jump off of it to unload the first batch of clothes.

When you open the dryer, a white piece of folded paper falls out onto the floor.

“Oh, hey. I guess Noct left something in his pockets.”

You pick up the note and start to unfold it when a hand snatches it out of yours.

“No!” Prompto clears his throat.

“No!” Prompto clears his throat.

Your eyes widen and you furrow your brows in confusion as Prompto starts to walk away from you.

“Psh, this is just…a list of princely duties.”

Prompto sings the last part as he folds the paper up again.

You nod your head, suspicious. Prompto tries to avoid your eyes.

“Prompto, what’s that?” You say slowly.

“Nothing!”

You stare the blonde down until he shrinks his shoulders.

“You’re not gonna wanna read it.” Prompto mumbles.

“Try me.” You say, walking up to him and taking the note from his hands with your thumb and pointer finger.

It’s a letter from Noctis addressed to you.

Your heart skips a beat and you bring the note closer to your face.

You skim through it, brushing past him telling you about his engagement to the Oracle and how he’ll be leaving Insomnia to be wed to her because you didn’t need to cry over that again.

What sticks out to you is the line in the smack middle of the letter.

‘The truth is I’ve liked you for a long time.’

‘I’ve liked you.’

‘I like you.’

You zero in.

Because Noctis is Noctis and he holds his feelings in until they implode on himself, he rambles on for a couple of paragraphs about his feelings for you, but you skim past that, too.

Because how could he? How could Noctis confess now of all times?

You pale as you lower the note.

“I told you, you shouldn’t have read it.” Prompto sympathizes, pouting.

“Did you tell him?”

“No, you told me not to.” Prompto says as if it was such a sure thing.

You fold the paper up, putting it in your own pocket. The letter has reached its receiver.

You and Noct have always had this kind of tension in your friendship. Lingering touches and words that could mean more than platonic. It’s a tricky type of thing. Something you don’t want to break. You and Noctis were both cowards, afraid of tipping the boat and drowning, because what if it didn’t work out? What if these feelings were a phase and once you both got into a relationship it would lead to regret?

For a second, Noct’s letter, his words, made you feel like maybe this was something worth feeling, but ultimately it isn’t. People are dying in the never ending war and in order for it to end Noctis has to marry the oracle. It’s what the king decided.

That’s why the letter was crumpled at the bottom of his dirty cargos.

It’s why you’ll bite your tongue and stuff it in your own pockets.

“But this is a good thing! Isn’t it!” Prompto smiles in hopes of cheering you up. “Noct likes you, you like Noct.”

You give Prompto a sad smile before wincing.

“Prom,” You say his name solemnly, “This doesn’t change anything.”

Prompto’s smile dies and he sighs.

“Yeah, I know.” Prompto says after some silence.

You take Noct’s clothes out of the dryer, put them in a basket for Prompto to fold, and start on the next batch.

The dryer springs to life again and you heist yourself back on top

You gnaw on your lollipop stick for a bit.

“When are you guys leaving?” You mutter out.

The question makes Prompto pause, but he resumes folding.

“In three days.”

You nod once, slowly.

It’s sunset when you and Prompto walk out of the laundromat, and with only a few steps there’s Ignis and Noctis.

Noctis—with his stupid spiky hair, and his adoring blue eyes, and his red-bottom combat boots that look way too big for him.

It feels like you’re seeing him with new eyes even though he’s always been like this. Now, it’s different because you know he sees you, too.

Prompto eagerly greets the two and teases Noctis about how long it took for his laundry to dry and how great of a friend he is that perhaps it calls for a royal favor to which Noctis mutters out a, “yeah, right.”

“I can’t wait to get back home.” Noctis groans and rolls his neck back.

He shoots you a teasing smile, but it’s different from all the other ones now that you know what you know. You see the hidden glint in his eyes behind his bravado and your heart aches for a future you can’t have.

You give him a small smile back, heisting the laundry basket up before making your own complaints.

The truth is he never planned to confess to you and neither will you.

Whatever you and Noctis have now is all you’ll ever have—

You know that.

He knows that.

Loving Noctis is like wishing for rain on a hot summer day.

Irritating and pointless.

[littlelalu]

Lego Date | Milo Manheim

———————————————-

I pull the last bit of my hair into a loose bun, glancing at the mirror. Comfortable but cute. Tonight, my best friend, Milo, and I will be having a lego building date, so I know I shouldn't overdo it on my outfit.

We have been best friends for a while and always hang out when he is not away shooting a movie or something. I had been telling him about my office job trouble and how I have been under a lot of stress, so he planned a chill and relaxing evening for us. He has always been so caring and loving towards me. His personality is really the only reason why I fell in love with him. I haven't told him because I do not want to ruin our friendship.

Before I can lose myself in another thought spiral, my phone buzzes on the counter.

His name lights up the screen, and I can’t help but smile.

"Hey cutie, you on your way?" He asks excitedly.

"Just finished getting ready," I say laughingly, grabbing my keys. "I’ll be there in about 20 minutes, boo."

"Perfect. See you soon!"

He hangs up before I can ask what the surprise is he’s been hinting about all week. A little thrill runs through me as I imagine what it could be.

I grab my jacket and head out the door, the flutter in my chest turning into something warmer. Something hopeful.

Once I arrived at his place, I knocked the door. He almost instantly opened it like he had been waiting near it.

“Y/N! Hi” He says happily. He looked so handsome, yet it was only gray sweats and a Green Day T Shirt.

“Hey Milo. How are you?”

“I feel great now that my bestie is here. Come follow me. I have a surprise for you.”

He grabbed my hand, which made me feel like I had butterflies in my stomach. He led me to his living room. Right in the middle of the room was his living room table covered in a white cloth with 2 lego set boxes, our favorite snacks, and drinks.

“Aww Milo. This is a cute set up”

“Good because it is all for you. I know you told how stressed you have been from work. I figured this is the most I can do for my best friend.”

“You are amazing, Milo. Thank you.” I said as I hugged him. He hugged me and kissed the top of my head.

“Okay. So, I got you a LEGO Heart Ornament because you mentioned to me how you wanted this before.”

“Yes I did! I cant believe you remember that from months ago. What are you going to build?”

“I picked a bouquet of roses. I figured I could use them for decor or something else.”

“Well theyre going to look beautiful.”

Milo and I sat on the floor, opened our boxes and started to build. We began to talk about what has been going on in our lives while we were apart. He was talking about his upcoming Zombies 4 movie and how excited he was to watch it together when it officially comes out. I was just telling him about my work drama, which he seemed invested.

“Done! Look how beautiful my heart ornament looks.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” he said and winked at me. “Anyays, I am done with my roses, too. I think I may actually have a small vase for these. Let me go check.”

Milo left and came back within minutes. Although, when he retuned he in fact did have a vase, but laso brought another box.

“What’s in there?” I asked curiously.

Milo sat on the floor again, put the LEGO flowers in a vase and placed it in the living room table next to me. He then sets down a LEGO message board next to the roses, but the back of the board is facing away from me.

Before I can say anything, he grabs both of my hands and looks into my eyes.

“Y/N. Ever since I laid eyes on you, I knew you were different. You aren’t like other girls. You’re kind and caring. You are probably the only person in the world who knows me so well. I have loved you since I met you, but for the sake of our friendship I remained quiet so I wouldn’t lose you. Every time I have to go, you are alaways in my head thinking about coming home to you. I cannot contain my feelings any longer.” He paused and turned the message board around and it read ‘Will you be my girlfriend?’.

I lightly gasped as I was in shock. His beautiful brown eyes looking straight into mine waiting for me to answer. He flashed me a hopeful smile.

I smiled and said , “Yes! You have no idea how long I been waiting to hear you say that.”

He moved one of his hands to my cheek. He leaned in slowly and we kissed. His lips felt soft. When we kissed it felt like the 4th of July. It was magical. All we knew from that moment on was that he was mine and I was his. There was no other care in the world.

_________________________________

Note: I have not written fan fiction in forever! Last time was 2016 😩 please let me know what you think

[tomboyjessie13]

Sorry if this took over a week to finish, I had some distractions and bad writer's block.

Sequel to this: "Now, let the Fun Begin!" — Library, DIO's Mansion Half hour later (tumblr.com)

Downtown Cairo, Egypt The next day, 10 AM

Medea finally booked an appointment with one of DIO's Agents to collab with, she looked at the address on the assignment sheet as drove though the roads of Downtown until she arrived at a decently built 5 floor apartment building. 

Medea: *Leaves the car and enters the building* ........ *Sees a middle-aged woman standing by the entrance* You're the landlady here?

Landlady: I run a clean building here, yes. You looking for a place to rent?

Medea: No, I'm here to meet someone. *Takes the photo off the assignment sheet* Do you know any tenets who look like this? *Shows her a photo of the Agent.*

Landlady: ....4th floor, D7. 

Medea: Thank you, ma'am. *Goes to the elevator*

Apartment floor 4th Floor

Medea walks to the door labled "D7", she immediately felt cold the second got close to it, something was wrong with the air, so much so that [Molly] jumped out to defend Medea.

Door: ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ 

Medea: ...........*Deep breaths* It's just for the letterman jacket...... *Knocks on the door*

???: Who is it?

Medea: It's the pizza man, who do you think it is?......*She sees the door opened by itself, giving her chills*......*She cautiously walks in, immediately she notices that the apartment is fairly nice, the furniture is a mixture of both Western and Egyptian styles and is decently arranged, there's also a couple of potted plants hanging and laying around.* ...... *She sees a trail of black smoke coming out of one of the rooms*......

???: *In the room* Hurry up, I don't have all day.

Medea: *Follows the smoke in the room, the door reads: keep out*...... *She enters the room and sees what appears to be a witch's room, being decorated charms, trinkets, books, and equipment that belong to the occult, this amazes her* Whooooa......

[Molly]: *Senses something dangerous and goes into defense mode, they growled at a woman by the door* Kiruuuuuuuuuu......

???: *Reading what appears to be a Necronomicon while dressed in black with silver jewelry, a bluish green mesh top, a black bowler hat, and purple make up and nails* So......You made it. *Looks up* Took you long enough.

Medea: Yeah, I know, sorry, Eris, I had to finish up a few morning chores before coming here, and Enyaba wouldn't shut about the damn oven breaking down.

Eris: Tch, that hag always has something to complain about.

Medea: Tell me about it. *Looks around*..... Anywaaaays, I knew you were a bit of a goth chick, but I never realized that you're a fan of all this witchcraft-y stuff, I thought that kind of practice was banned in Egypt.

Eris: It isn't, but lots of people still see it as taboo here, especially the religious fanatics. *Points at doorknob with a keyhole* That's why I've invested in locks that's usually reserved for front doors, to make sure no one but me see my wares unannounced.

Medea: *Shrugs* Totally fair. 

Eris: *Looks at her book* Anyways, I'm just glad that you finally showed up, I was just about to perform a ritual with this Necronomicon.

Medea: Necronomi-... Wait, isn't that a fictional spellbook by H.P. Lovecraft?

Eris: Yes, but there's been rumors of it being connected to Egypt's book of the dead *closes book*, I was planning on sacrificing that goat over there to test it if you didn't show up.

Medea: *Sees the goat in a cage in the corner of the room* WHAT THE HELL!? OoO

Eris: *Nonchalant* But I guess my afternoon plans have changed now that you're here. *Puts book away*

Medea: THAT'S A LIVE GOAT!

Eris: Relax, you big baby, goats are permissible. So what has our Lord have in store for us?

Medea: B-but, oh forget it, *gives her the mission sheet* you're one of the few agents on standby for a mission in Egypt and it says you got a "clean up" job. 

Eris: *Takes the sheet*......I see, my target's one of Lord DIO's former business partners trying to run off with his delivery. Oh, and will you look at that, he lives in Suez

Medea: Where?

Eris: Suez, a seaport city by the Canal under the same name.

Medea: Oohhh, that's the large waterway separating the mainland from the Sinai Peninsula, right?

Eris: That's right, and it takes an hour and 30 minutes by car to get there. *Starts getting ready* That really makes the whole thing easier for me, I just get in and get out, maybe make his death look like a suicide.

Medea: What's all this you stuff? I thought this was a partnership?

Eris: Yes but I'll be doing most of the heavy lifting, you're just my back up.

Medea: That means I won't get a chance to shine.

Eris: No no, you'll still get a chance to shine, just not in MY spotlight.

Medea: Dude what? I took the damn job so I can get paid like you and the other agents, I can't get paid if there's no equal treatment.

Eris: *Rolls eyes* Tch, fine, fine, we'll share the spotlight, just don't get into [Nephthys] line of fire. *Grabs her coat* And you're doing the driving. *Puts on sunglasses*

Medea: Fair enough. 

Eris: Just shut up and let's go. *Opens the door* We got a long journey ahead of us.

Medea: *Exits* Alright, alright, quit shoving.

Eris: *Leaves and locks the front door*

END

[havatnah]

note: this is a very personal story involving our beloved top hat wearing gang leader. It is based on true events but are mixed with how I wished things would have turned out. I hope that I still managed to capture Jacob's personality well enough and didn't need to bend him too much.

word count: ~8k

warning: trigger! please don't continue if easily triggered, description of violence, blood, self harm and rape

Personal mission

With quick but not hasty strides did the young gang boss climb the flight of stairs up into the 3rd floor of a small apartment building. Three of his Rooks were already waiting in front of a door. It was a sunny day outside, so atypical for the London weather, and hence so much more precious to enjoy it. The top hat wearing man was enjoying a day off from his hunt, as the entire city seemed to have agreed on a truce, when a messenger boy came running to him, asking for him to come as quick as possible to one of his rook’s flat. The boy didn’t use the emergency word but when he stated the address the young man was already on his way.

“Boss! Good you’re here. She wouldn’t open the bloody door” Jimmy, a middle aged Rook with a bowler hat on stated with a slight worry in his voice. 

“What happened?” was the sharp question, even before Jacob reached the last step. 

“We don’t know. We were to meet, as she had agreed to help us with the buses but she wouldn’t open the door. We only hear” and there it was. The sound that Michael, who was wearing a combination of the Rook’s green uniform and that of a bus driver, was about to refer to. A deep agony filled crying, punctured by breathless sobs. Michael didn’t need to end his sentence but exchanged a short glance with his boss. A boss he never thought he would have. So much younger than himself but good at what he did.

Jacob nodded, pushed himself past the three Rooks and waited a moment, hoping there would be a short pause in between the sobs, that were clearly filled with so much pain, so he could knock and the female Rook, who occupied the flat, would hear him. With a gentle but firm voice, Jacob Frye called out “It’s me, Jacob. Open the door”. There was no answer; only silence. Not even more crying. The seconds passed and felt like minutes, like eternity. The Rooks behind him noticeably grew more uncomfortable with worry. Jacob knocked again, called out a bit firmer this time “I know you’re in there. Open the door. Now.” 

The reply he got now, wasn’t one he ever would have expected. 

He knew you as a gentle soul, who always tended to the needs of the other gang members. Sure, you could be deathly when on a mission or in a gang war. So deadly that you, after you’ve joined the gang, quickly climbed up the ranks, and became one of the few, he would trust with delicate missions. No matter whether it was to take down a blighters’ strong hold or tracking down a higher ranked Templar, or even infiltrate a party for intel. Your abilities as a chameleon have proven to be a valuable resource for all kinds of missions. Your loyalty to the cause of the Rooks earned not only the other members’ trust but also his own, which he didn’t grant too easily. But there was one trait of yours that has proven to be a nuisance. Your curiosity. 

Your curiosity has driven you to stick your nose into businesses that were complicated and dangerous. There were many times, this natural drive of yours, helped to gather information on the enemy, on the Templars. Like a spy you would be delicate in retrieving the needed intel for the Rooks to form a plan before the Blighters would only do as much as to think about executing their own. But that one night, you have stumbled into something else, caught Jacob and his sister Evie with documents, not related to the gang, but to something else. Piece of Eden, Templars, a long lasting war between two parties that led back not only centuries but millennials. Your boss was a member of a syndicate that was called the Assassins. The third tenant would have urged the twins to get rid of you. The brotherhood was not to be compromised but just when Evie was about to act, Jacob intervened. He couldn’t. He just couldn’t let you be killed. You were so loyal to the Rooks so far and, what he didn’t know at the time, something else in his stomach made him protect you. A gut feeling. The young assassin claimed that his gut feeling was rarely wrong. Of course Evie held another opinion but at the end agreed to make you an initiate to the assassins. She would soon leave with Henry Green for India but until that time would come, she insisted that it was her who would teach you as much as she could about the creed. Since you were a too valuable member to the gang, the option of sending you to Crawley for the training was off the table, but Evie didn’t want her brother to set you on a, to her, wrong path for an assassin. After Starricks defeat Evie and Henry left for India, trusting that the few blighters and Templars remaining in London after their grand master was gone, would pose no problem. Not even when it was her dear baby brother and an initiate, who did well for the short time of training, that you had so far. That was about two years ago. 

You were deadly to the enemies but he didn’t know a more compassionate and caring soul, when it came to the gang; or now also the brotherhood. It would be a heavy loss and cause him pain if you would…leave.They say, curiosity killed the cat. Was this the case now?

“GO! AWAY!” 

Was that you? He never heard you scream like that. Your voice was filled with aggression towards him, or was it towards everything? For a moment the witty reprobate was speechless. When he regained his composure after a second he was glad that his employees weren’t able to see his shocked expression. But they must have looked the same, or even worse. Then miff took over and Jacob turned on his heels, descending the stairs.

“Boss!” the third Rook, an older man with whiskers, called out. “You can’t leave”

Why were people telling him what to do now all of the sudden? “You heard her. We shall go away.” He hissed over his shoulder, clearly offended and already on his way down again. He didn’t like to be shouted at nor what he was supposed to do. That was one line you crossed too much. Or did you not? 

“But boss…” Jacob stopped in his tracks. Again. He had taken several steps down already. Shortly tilting his head back into his neck he groaned, rolled his eyes and turned back around. He fought his anger. You were still his subordinate and were in no place to scream at him, yet alone to order him around. 

After taking a deep breath and having reached your door once again, he stated “I won’t go away. Open the door” His voice was even and surprisingly conveyed care but the only reply he received was another scream “GO! AWAY”, which was even more bone shaking than the previous one and he sensed that the three men behind him took a step back. The hatred and agony in your voice made his blood boil in his veins and it took all his strength to keep his composure. His gut twisted and he needed a deep breath before he would try one last time: “Open the bloody door. Now! Or I’ll break in. This is an order! Understood?” 

No reply. What was going on? An uncertainty that was hanging in the air was slowly tightening its grip around each of the men’s throats. Slowly strangling them with every moment that passed without a reply. The young gang boss took a step back, lifted his right leg and was about to kick his way in; he didn’t take orders after all, from nobody. But did the door always look so damaged? It looked like one of the urchins could break in. When he heard a shuffle behind the door, his posture relaxed.  Only a few seconds, which felt at least like a minute, later the lock was turned and the door handle pressed. The door opened just enough to be unlocked but not further. The shuffling sound, now louder, slowly became quieter again as you withdrew from the door without answering it. What made you do this, you had no idea. You wanted them gone. You wanted everyone gone. You wanted yourself to be gone. You felt like a machine. And as empty as one, but in the next second the pain was back. The roller coaster of emotions inside you made you go through a back and forth change between feeling absolute emptiness and despair and agony. 

With a flat hand, Jacob slowly pushed the door open, the Rooks followed him with a short distance. When the door was open enough to enter a sight, of blood on the floor greeted him. Drops, marked a trail from one room to the door and now back into the sitting room. Jacob was no stranger to blood, it didn’t bother him, but when he saw this trail of red life essence, he knew it was yours, and that was a fact he didn’t like. At all. His bearing turned 180° and the miff from before was replaced by worry. Careful steps carried him inside, wary of what would be revealed. Suddenly he felt like the victim of a horror show. He prided himself on not being afraid of anything. There wasn’t a mission too dangerous for him. His ability to work on the fly was his greatest asset and that was something that made him fearless. But in that moment, he felt what must have been fear. His heart was pounding and he could hear it drumming in his ears as it rushed his own blood through his veins. Following the bloody path he reached the sitting room and found you. And for a moment he felt like in a nightmare. It must have been a nightmare right? 

You were sitting, no, you were crouching, on the sofa, with your knees pulled up to your chest, arms crossed on top of them, eyes staring ahead and away from him. In one hand you held a knife, its blade smeared red. The other arm showed the source of the blood on the floor. Warm red liquid was dripping from deep cuts on your forearm. 

You have cut yourself.

“Go away” the same mantra, only much quieter now filled the room. “Go away…please”. The aggressive screech had turned into a desperate plea and was followed by another wave of sobs. From where Jacob was standing, he wasn’t able to fully see your face but it was enough to see that it was red, your eyes bloodshot and tears were now streaming down your cheeks. Certainly not the first that you spilled today.

“I’m not going anywhere” Jacob whispered loud enough so he was sure that you could hear him and as he took one step across the doorstep to enter your living room his ear rang.

“GO! AWAY!”

You have turned your head just enough to scream at him, but didn’t look at him. Your hand clenched around a knife, knuckles white from the vigour, and shaking.

“GO AWAY!” 

The Rooks behind their boss shuffled, confused, helpless what to do. They couldn’t see much and none of them dared to push their boss but they heard enough. That wasn’t you. It couldn’t be. No. Not ever.

How dare you shout at him like that? Anger boiled up again for a moment and then blended into sympathy. He knew, by instinct, if he was to make one wrong move now, he would kill you. Even though it would be you, wielding the blade, the blood would be on his hands now that he entered your lodgings. While he never minded blood, for hell’s sake he was an assassin, killing was part of not only his job description but who he essentially was, however at all cost he wanted to prevent that it was your blood being spilled; more. He also was a Rook. He was their leader. And a Rook protected. As a leader he had to protect his Rooks when they couldn’t. 

He needed a plan, because his ability to think on the fly was not working properly. His brain didn’t supply him with any idea what to do in such a situation as he has never faced something like that. He knew how to take down his enemies, but what was it if the enemy that threatened his Rook was the very same Rook itself? How would you defeat an enemy that was in the skin of an ally? He didn’t know. So to hell with his sister’s preaching of forming a plan. Despite him not knowing what to do in such a situation he did what he always did, when in a tight situation. Trust his instincts. 

“GO” AWAY!” every one of your screams became louder and louder.

“Out. Now!” He hissed over his shoulder. The look he gave his subordinates was a glare that didn’t leave any room for discussion and so the three men, cladded in green, retreated immediately. 

“Go away, please” You have heard the mean leave but sensed that your boss was still only a few metres away from you. “Please” you whimpered and pulled your knees even further up.

“I won’t. Talk to me…please” Jacob lowered his voice to a soft tone and for the first time since forever he said ‘please’. He wasn’t the personality that would ask for things. He took them. He did as he pleased. And knew how to run things to have them turn out the way he wanted them. So he never said “please”, not to anyone.

“Go away” the mantra again.

“Talk to me” he would then start a mantra of his own.

“Go away” you didn’t raise your voice, which was a good sign.

“Talk to me, please” and again, he asked, almost begging you. 

The feeling in his stomach that made him intervene on that day when you discovered his secret, he didn’t know back then, as it was only a mild feeling, but over time it became more frequent and stronger. It took him a while but he realised that this tingling feeling would only arise when you were around. When he would see you laugh he couldn’t help but smile. When your hands would touch one another for a fraction of a second when, for example, you handed him a pint or cards, he felt like an electric shock. But it was pleasant. And soon, without himself realising it at first, he would seek these small touches. The feeling that they gave him was addictive and he wondered if you have felt the same way. So it occurred that whenever there was an opportunity to make an accidental touch, he would grab it. He was Jacob Frye after all, not missing any chances. When he slid in on the table in the bar your knees or shoulders would shortly bump into each other. When dealing out cards, he would accidentally grab them early and brush against your fingers, when handing out drinks, he would either hand them or take the stein in a way that a short touch was ensured. He didn’t know why but he grew to enjoy your presence more and more, even though you could be pesky and annoying at times. His sister’s teaching was clearly seeping through. You would nag him at times, tell him your opinion. But surprisingly he didn’t mind because you managed to do it in a way that was different from his father’s, George’s or his sister’s. You made it appear like a casual side comment and never directly opposed him. You would never tell him that his ideas were bad, or that he needed a plan. No. You did it in a subtle way that never questioned his qualities but reminded him that there were other options too. That way he was able to save his face in front of his gang and also never felt offended. You did your job well. Sometimes he would heed your advice. Sometimes not. And when he did not, you still were there alongside with him. Always ready to save Rooks or him from a tight situation. Mostly you kept yourself in the background but would always be the backup when it was needed. And that has saved them a few times already. And while he never openly admitted it, he was thankful for it. You became the person he would trust his back with. When you were on with the mission, he didn’t need to worry about shit hitting the fan. He never did in the first place, but he worried less about others getting hurt and hence was able to focus on other things. The fun things. Like blowing up smuggler ships, or, when not flooding the streets of London with beer, racing through them. You managed to save the situation somehow. Clean up after him. And when there was no need for that, he sometimes would hear you whine in the pub that you had nothing to do and missed all the fun. You would banter over that and drink and laugh and have fun after all. 

You saved him and the Rooks numerous times, now it was time that he saved you and he still didn’t know how; only that he needed to get this knife out of your hand. 

You didn’t reply to his begging but starred ahead with a ghost-like empty expression.

“Talk to me, please. I won’t do anything. But please talk to me”

Again only stillness. The clicking of the clock on the wall was the only sound in the room. 

“May I enter?” He tried a different approach. He wanted to coax you into speaking, get you out of this agonising mantra.

“People don’t care what I want. So why do you bother asking?”

He managed to get you out of it, finally. But there was only a tiny joy for this accomplishment. What did you mean? You sounded so defeated. The thought of suggesting to drown your sadness with a bottle of Jager crossed his mind, but he discarded it quickly. It was a balancing act. And he didn’t like that. Being sensitive to someone, that was your job, not his. But now the roles were reversed because his instincts told him that if he wasn’t delicate right now, things might not turn out ugly.

“I won’t do anything that you don’t want” the young gang boss bit the inside of his cheek after this came out of his mouth, realising that he would need to leave if you asked him one more time. But you didn’t. You only shrugged. Good, his instincts were still good to rely on.

When he saw eye movements and a tiny twitch of your head he was thankful for his father’s training to be able to detect the smallest of movements without trouble. He would scoff at himself about having such thoughts but now wasn’t the time. He took these tiny motions as a clue that you tried to build up a connection, that you wanted to open up. He had to be careful now. Too much haste is too little speed, his sister’s words reminded him, which brought bile up into his mouth. Slowly he would take a step inside. Out the corner of his eyes he saw that the front door was indeed shut again. Good.

“What happened?” - no reaction.

“I want to help you” - still no reaction, Have you shut down again?

“Please” - and again he whispered "please”, which started to have a foul taste on his tongue but it caused you to slightly tilt your head and flicker your eyes. Only to turn back again a moment later.. A little advancement. How much he hated that, to work at such snail-like speed. But what outweighed his displeasure was his worry for you now.

With slow and careful strides he entered the room further but didn’t reduce the distance to you just yet. 

“I can be patient” - again a twitch, slightly more this time but you turn back once again. It wasn't an outright lie. He was able to be patient; he just didn’t like it. Your tongue darted out to wet your lips and Jacob hoped that this was a sign for your willingness to speak. So he remained silent. For ten seconds. For a minute. For two minutes. He stopped realising how long he waited. In the meantime more blood dripped from the wounds on your arm, the knife remained firmly in your hand. 

You wetted your lips again, parted them but closed them again into a thin line when no word came out. He waited. Again. And again after a while the same. Wetting your lips, parting them but this time a sound left your throat, which, Jacob only realised now, had marks that definitely didn’t belong there. This discovery made his blood first freeze and then boil. He had to swallow as a nasty hunch crept into his mind. If he had believed in god he would have prayed for this not to be true. But other than his sister, he wasn’t superstitious. He now wished he was.

You turned your head towards your boss but your eyes were still fixed on the flow only occasionally flickering up, but never quite reaching his face.

Usually he didn’t like when people weren’t able to look the other person in the eyes but considering the current situation he booked this as an advance, which he didn’t want to destroy, but his worries grew with every drop of blood that left your body.

Your lips trembled, opened and closed times and again in an attempt to speak. You wanted to. You wanted to trust that man standing there in your sitting room to stay true to his words. He wanted to help, and you wanted to tell him what had happened to you. But the words just wouldn’t come out of your mouth, no matter how hard you tried. You felt helpless, cold, broken, dirty, worthless. All of that while you felt empty all the same. Regret and guilt were the spices that made your emotions so much more unbearable. They were tearing at your inside. Literally. Your chest felt like someone was stomping on it. Your heart clenched vigorously and your throat hurt so much that even breathing was hard. And yet you wanted to reach out to this man, even though it was a man who did all this to you. But this gang boss was made of another wood, right? You didn’t know if you could trust him or even trust yourself anymore. You are partially responsible for this whole mess after all. You were uncareful hence responsible. Yes. If you hadn’t been so careless nothing of this would have happened. You could have reported this man to the police or even better taken care of him yourself, preventing what he has done. But you didn’t. Your inaction was the reason you were in this situation right now.  

Just when his own patient was running out and Jacob parted his lips to speak, you did him better: “He surprised me” the nasty thought of what might have happened was fed by your shaken words.

“Don’t” Was the thought that ran through Jacob’s mind.

“He” another sob interrupted your attempt to speak, your mind was back in that time, at that place. It was faster than your words. But you had to speak. Willing yourself to continue, you forced yourself to take several deep breaths, with each of them your body shook less until you finally continued “broke in and strangled me and…” a new wave of cries and tears overcame you as your mind replayed this torture for you in a loop, over and over an over again. So Jacob had seen correctly, the door had been victim to a break in.

The hair in his neck stood up as grief was replaced by the thirst for revenge. He knew what he would do and he almost would have turned on his heels to find this son of a sun but you were more important right now. 

The sobs shook your body again, your face pressed into your knees. Taking that opportunity Jacob approached you with the stealthiest steps he could muster and slowly reached for your hand with the knife. When he closed his hand around yours, your body went rigid and for a long time, both of you were still. Only when your hands relaxed ever so slightly, Jacob slowly peeled the knife away from your fingers and out of your hand. 

After he had let the knife drop to the floor, he kicked it away into a corner of the room, causing the floor to get painted red and you started crying again.

“He raped me, Jacob”

There. It was out. Albeit having had a hunch before, truth hit the young man like a freight train. He wanted so many things at the same time then: Track that bastard down, and rip him apart, limp by limp. He wanted to turn back time and prevent this from happening. He wanted to cradle you into his arms and tell you how he felt and that you’re safe now. But he did none of that.

For several more minutes you cried. Let more of your emotions out. Telling your assassin brother about it was like removing the cork from a bottle of champagne, only that it wasn’t champagne that was free to flow now but tears of bitterness. You sounded so defeated that Jacob never could have dreamed up. The cheerful Rookie who always had an open ear to every issue, no matter how small or big, who would annoy him sometimes with her obnoxious remarks, that you were, was now a defeated warrior. 

It was going against his nature but he needed to be calm and responsible now. For your sake. Because what kind of person would he have been when he couldn’t save you one bloody time while you have saved him and others so many times?

“I will take care of that” Jacob wanted to call this son of a sun thousand words but railed himself in, “bastard. But now we need to take care of you”

A shaky nod was all he needed as an allowance. The gang leader, who usually made Templars shiver from fear and kneel to him, kneeled down and removed his cravat from his neck to use it to wrap it around your arm just about the cuts, to stop the flow of blood. Luckily the cuts were on the upper side of your arm, where blood would still flow but no vital artery was severed. The rest of the red cloth was wrapped around your cuts. He could feel that some were deep. So it was to no surprise that they were still leaking. You definitely needed medical treatment.

“I don’t want anyone to see me like this” just in time when Jacob finished tending to your arm as much as he could, you told him about your wish, because you knew exactly what he was about to suggest. He wanted Mrs. Nightingale to treat your arm with proper medicine. Without missing a second Jacob got out of his coat and wrapped it around you and pulled up the hood. That way, nobody would see anything. The coat completely wrapped around you and the hood obscured everybody’s sight on your face.

The familiar smell of leather and gunpowder were mixed with your boss’ own individual scent. You inhaled deeply and a feeling of safety wrapped around you, like his leather coat. But also guilt as you were ruining his best coat. You remember how smug and proud he looked when he first strolled with it into the Rook’s owned bar where you and the others had been celebrating a more than successful heist. “Baron Jordane's Finery is it called.”, the grin on the gang leader’s face was contagious.”A coat has a name.” the assassin had spread his arms out in a manner to present himself or rather his new possession and you could see that Evie would have liked to bonk him for his boasting “Can you believe that?”. From that point on, it was clear that this coat had become Jacob’s favourite piece and he would wear it for special occasions, like celebrations or on calmer days. And now you were ruining it, yet you couldn’t speak up. You would repay him somehow. Later.

After he helped you up, careful where he would touch you, he guided you out of your own flat. The last strides before you reached the door however, he stepped ahead. Opening the door he ordered in a sharp tone: “closed coach. Pronto”. Hasting down the stairs, the three rooks followed the order without so much as grumbling a word. A green four wheeler was ready by the time you made it down the stairs. It took only a glare for the Rooks to back away. He would drive himself. Without his coat the wind, even though the sun was still shining brightly, was chilly. 

Mrs. Nightingale, didn’t ask you many questions out of respect, or was she shut up by the top hat wearing assassin? You didn’t know. And in all honesty, you didn't care about the reason, but were thankful for the silence. “Scars will remain, my dear” she stated in an informative but soft manner. Since you didn’t look at her it was unclear to you, if she meant you or Jacob.

With a bit of arguing and Jacob repeatedly assuring that he will regularly check on you, Mrs. Nightingale agreed to discharging you. You were suspended from your duties for the Rooks for the time being. The only order that you had to follow now, so said your boss, was to focus on recovery. And indeed he dropped by every evening. Sometimes he brought a beer from a new pub he found and deemed it drinkable, sometimes he would bring his deck of cards, from which you were sure he always had with him. So you spend the evening drinking, playing cards or just talking about what was going on in London, while the latter remained a rarity. Sometimes Jacob would get into a fret about something the assassin council remarked about his style of handling things. But you weren’t sure if this was just an act on his part to entertain you or not. Usually he would just shrug them off. So at least have you experienced the council meetings and ‘scoldings’ so far. Rooks made sure to drop deliveries of food and other necessary items for you, so you wouldn’t be required to leave the flat when you didn’t feel like it.

As you fumbled with your fingers one evening, Jacob picked up on it and prompted “spill it, Rookie” while he was dealing out the cards for another round. “You know I can’t deny anything from you”, these words left his lips faster than he could think of them and now he couldn’t take them back. So he plastered on a cocky smile, making it appear like a flirty comment.

“Would you accompany me for shopping?” You didn’t look at him, feeling embarrassed for this question so you railed in “never mind. Forget it” and hastily took your cards. You played several more rounds of cards, all losing to Jacob. He must have cheated somehow. You were sure of that but didn’t question him. You’ve caused him too many inconveniences already, now you even dared to ask him for more support. Luckily he has dropped the topic. Or so you thought.

As he was exiting you flat with a mocking tip of his hat and priggish smile he casually stated “so tomorrow around the same time I’ll pick you up”. Leaving you no chance to reply he sashayed down the stairs and into the cold evening air.

The knock on the door pulled you out of your grim thoughts that have been haunting you all day. Glad for some distraction you went to get the door. Jacob was waiting behind it with two packages in his hands. One was a basket filled with a few groceries, the other a brown paperback which content stayed unknown to you. “Get dressed for some fun” was the greeting you got and the reprobate, who looked eager to get going, pushed the grocery basket inside your apartment.

You were confused, “I thought we go shopping?”

 “I have an even better idea” your boss smirked at you “so get ready” and already began to turn waving his hand to cue you to follow him.

With haste you got into your boots and felt a little excitement coming up. Jacob usually had good ideas but sometimes they involved too much space for interpretation. So you didn’t know what exactly he meant with ‘fun’.

Despite you trying to peek inside the paper bag and asking him where he would lead you, Jacob’s lips stayed sealed, only curving up into a teasing smile that showed that he enjoyed leading you with a carrot stick. He knew your curiosity well, it was the reason you joined the brotherhood after all, and hence he knew how to play it and tease you. And he did so up to the very moment until you reached your destination. A new fighting ring.

Topping had told Jacob about him planning to open it a few days earlier and Jacob confirmed he would pay a visit, knowing that Topping told him for his own benefit, namely money. Good fights meant more revenue for the bookie and Jacob was a guarantor for good fights. So it was no surprise that the man with the ridiculously looking top hat was very excited to see Jacob strolling into his new money earning paradise. 

“Ah, it's good to see you!” The bookie approached the younger man “here for some good fights, I presume”

“Of course” still with a smirk on his lips, Jacob confirmed what the other male already knew, or at least believed to know. The ticket for participating in the ring was issued without any question but enthusiasm, however when Jacob handed that ticket directly to you, he earned confused looks from both you and Topping. “You need to fight this off” his voice dropped into a serious tone as his smirk vanished. Damn, he had played you. When Topping wanted to object, Jacob did only as much as raising a hand to silence the other man while he was still looking at you. “I told you to get ready for some fun. Now, fight this off and”, he raised the paper bag and waved with it “you get a special price. If you win, that is.” He was back to teasing you, eyes glittering with mischief.

It took you a moment but then you crossed your arms and raised your chin and replied “only if I know what I’m fighting for”, for you couldn’t fight a small smirk tucking at the corner of your lips. Oh how much have you missed these banters with your brother assassin. You have enjoyed the nights Jacob dropped by to provide company but this, this was a bit of normality coming back.

The index finger of his free hand wiggled at you “Ah Ah! Where is the fun in that?” and he held up the bag when you tried grabbing it. It was out of your reach, as it was one of the easiest tasks for him to hold you off “Now, love, get ready. You know what you’re fighting for” he stated after he had pushed you off him, still smirking impishly but there was a hint of seriousness in his tone that made you nod.

The second round was just over and you were breathing hard, leaning on a post of the ring waiting for the next round to start. Jacob approached you from behind. “Good so far. This one has a preference for dealing out kicks to the knees.” he tucked his chin towards a man with suspenders “so look out for that. Also for your footwork, stance is good so far. Stay light on your feet and play your advantages well”. While Jacob was giving you the tips you studied the three men who got ready for the next round. Beside the man with suspenders there were two tall and broad shouldered men who looked like their punches would hurt a lot. The bell rang and the round started. 

Jacob had been right. The suspender guy did indeed try to immobilise you by breaking your knees with kicks and he would have gotten you if not for your footwork. The two others threw powerful punches and swings but were slow over all. You managed to surprise them with a few rolls and quick turns and knock them out with a kick to their heads, which was, considering their and your size, something they definitely never expected. After a few more minutes you managed to take down the suspender man as well and stumbled back to your pole where Jacob was waiting with a beaming grin. He caught himself a few times, wanting to join in the fun but the bag in his hand reminded him that this was about you and you recovering. And that indeed it did. Sweaty from the fighting you felt like a welcomed ordinariness has returned. Glee has returned and you have reveled in the action. There would be one last round and Topping looked at you surprised that you were still standing. 

While you leaned on the pole trying to get your bearings together before the last round would start you heard the man behind you whisper “you manage this one and I have somethings special for you”

Turning your head so you could look the assassin, who almost had leaned over you, in the eye, you smirked and shot “what is so special you keep your lips sealed so long? A kiss?”. The blush on the man’s face was just too amusing but before either of you could say more the bell rang, initiating the last round for you this evening. 

Mumbling something about audacity Jacob continued watching you and towards the end even whistled to cheer you on. The fight was hard and at some point it even looked like you would lose. Something seemed to drive you though, to get up on your feet again. At the end you emerged victorious, bruised but victorious and the adrenaline rushing through your body made you forget the pain. 

Jacob sautered towards you after you had received the prize money from the bookmaker “So now for your price”.

“Oh, you really meant it? I get a kiss now?” you played innocent and surprised, opened your arm as you would wrap your arms around the gang leader to receive the kiss you claimed he promised. 

“I thought this”, he held up the bag and wiggled it “would be more appealing than a kiss, but if you insist”, he was slowly closing the distance and while he dropped his voice into a velvet murmur “I can give you a kiss and take the Jäger for myself” his face was mere inches from yours and you craned your chin up pointing out “You can’t stand Jäger” in an equally seductive tone and the tension between you both was rising, but you couldn’t decide whether this would lead to something positive or negative. Granting your boss the victory, you backed out of the flirty stare off and reached for the paperback, which this time wasn’t pulled away. Indeed there was a large bottle of Jäger inside. “This must have cost a fortune” you gasped at the size of the bottle. “Don’t mention it” the top hat wearing man grinned, eager now to get a pint or two “So shall we go and celebrate your victory now, Rookie?”.

“You would drink Jäger for me?”

 “You know I can’t deny anything from you” as he offered you his arm in mockering politeness, you took it, pretentiously acting like an aristocratic  lady. But it took you both only a few steps towards the door until you bursted out into a joined laughter, which felt so liberating.

You were strolling along the streets heading to a bar you knew would serve good beer, you continued to banter and joke with Jacob. Your directness has made Jacob blush again which in turn made you giggle. In a pub the rest of the evening was boozy and the top hatted reprobate stayed true to his word, drinking two shots of the almost black liquor. How you could call it sweet flavoured was beyond his understanding as the burn in the back of his throat was prominent when he upended the shot.

Next day buried the young gang leader in work, a lot of trouble with blighters and he had a feeling that he might have had a shot or two too many the previous night, but it was fun and he didn't regret it. But now that issues were settled he was on his way to you, which he looked forward to. A few beers and rounds of cards would be a fabulous closure for such a hectic day. When he was taking the direct route across London’s roofs he came across Scotland yard and by instinct he dived into his ability to heighten his senses. He already had a slight headache from using his eagle vision so much during the day but the uneasiness  was gone the moment he saw something surprising and made him stop in his tracks.

While the word turned grey there were a few things highlighted by specific colours. Red always meant enemies, green were his allies while gold was his target and blue, well, these were the nuisances of bobbies patrolling the streets. But there was a man sitting in the Scotland yard cell who didn’t fit any of this. He was purple. His savviness told him what it meant and what he had to do, he didn’t need books for this like his sister. He had seen Freddie exiting your house a few days ago and he felt more anger rising in his gut. That he hasn’t thought about this possibility. But to his own defence: he endeavoured to help you recover.

The creed of the assassins had three tenets

Stay you blad away from the innocent

Hide in plain sight

Never compromise the brotherhood

His father had added a forth “Don’t allow personal feeling to compromise the mission”. He himself had reminded Evie of that when they had been hunting for Lucy Thorn and Starrick. 

But what if the mission itself was personal? 

A shadow dropped down onto the streets and approached the Scotland Yard building. Hiding in the dark the shadow took out the policemen one by one, working its way up the floors to where the criminals were held in a cell. It was soundless and with steps light as a feather it didn’t cause any stir, so contradicting to what it usually loved to do. 

The night was usually calmer than the day but Sergeant Abberline was beginning to wonder if it hadn’t been too quiet to be true. The middle aged man with sideburns was about to get up from his desk to check on his subordinates on the lower floors when he saw a shadow climbing up the stairs. When he reached for his revolver a familiar sounding “Don’t” stopped him.

The assassin allied Policeman looked up and saw how the shadow was approaching him but to his question “Jacob? What are you doing?” he didn’t receive a reply. The figure, wearing a hood, concealing most of his face approximated further. And albeit Frederick Abberline wasn’t able to see the other man’s eyes he felt the intense stare from under the hood. He also prided himself with something, the strong Abberline constitution, but the closing in gang leader managed to shake it once and now the second time had arrived. Doing his best to cover up what he assumed the assassin’s prey must feel when they see their enemy coming closer, namely trembling inducing fear, he asked once more “What is wrong?”

The brisk order “Give me the keys” that made others move with haste was declined by the only officer left awake in the building, as realisation what the assassin was here for set in. “You know I cannot do that”. The man’s eyes flickered sideways to the cell mere metres away. A mistake. A great mistake, because this moment was enough for the assassin to bring himself behind the policeman, who gave up asking how a person can move with such inhuman swiftness. 

“I’m sorry, Freddie. But this is personal” with an arm locked around the other man’s neck Jacon made the constable lose consciousness and took the keys for the cell after he dropped his assassin gauntlet on the wooden desk. He had been a bit gentler than with the other bobbies, Freddie was sort of a friend to him after all but this mission didn’t allow any sympathies. 

The golden eyes gleaming in the dark that spread as the sun was setting, caused the inmates to think a demon was entering their cell. “Try anything fishy and you’re dead” hiss to the two others, forcing them to press into a corner only with his word.

Pale as a bleached piece of paper the third inmate demanded “What do you want?”But he only received a grunt and Jacob’s bare knuckles colliding with his jaw as an answer which sent him stumbling against the wall. This bastard wasn’t worth the tiny effort that it took to speak because he must know what the demon’s reason was. What he did.

Not granting him any time to recover Jacob swung another fist to the other side of his face and before he could even collapse on the ground a punch to his solar plexus, with the fist remaining there, held him up. “That was for asking a dumb question. Now for what you did” The younger man started strangeling the rapist and despite being a bit shorter than his prey the gang leader lifted him off the ground. Just before he was to lose consciousness, the grip was removed and the man collapsed onto the floor, coughing and ringing for air. 

“What the he…” the man interrupted in his angered coughing then he received a kick to his jaw and a foot was placed upon his chest, slowly pressing down, once again cutting off the air supply. The man tried to wiggle himself free but to now avail.

Jacob looked down on him with contempt. “Now, to give you an idea, how she must have felt” the assassin replaced his foot with his knee as he knelt down so he was able to reach for the man’s groin. Without mercy he squeezed slowly crushing the jewels and if the man had been able he would have screamed in agony but the knee on his chest was pressing down so hard that he didn't have air to make any vocal sounds. 

When Sergeant Abberlin regained consciousness he saw how a shadow exited the cell, which was now inhabited by two silent and trembling lawbreakers and a distorted body that missed its genitals. Its arms were twisted in unnatural directions as were his legs and the constable was sure that the human leg didn’t have a joint between the knee and hip. The white material sticking out of a wound confirmed that. There was blood spread everywhere in the cell and some even made it through between the metal bars, almost reaching his desk. 

While the young assassin grabbed his arm contraption from the desk he mumbled “I apologise for the mess.” and vanished through the window without bothering to put on his weapon. He would later send someone to clean up but for now he had a more important destination in mind. 

That day the time flew by as you have been occupying yourself with all sorts of different activities but when the usual time that Jacob would show up on your door, has passed, not just by a few minutes but two hours, you started worrying. Have you done something wrong? Until now you have thought that things were going great, you have enjoyed yourself and believed Jacob felt the same. You even have decided that it was time for you to head back out and to work the next day. When you were readying yourself to go to bed, you heard a knock on your door. But who could visit you at this time of the evening? It filled you with panic. With a pounding heart you called out “Who’s there?”

The familiar voice replying “Me” prompted you to open the door. You knew it was your boss but never would you have expected the sight that the door revealed to you.

Jacob was standing in front of your door with an unreadable expression. His face as well as clothing was sprinkled with blood. His hair, neither covered by a hood nor a top hat, even more dishevelled than usual. When your eyes travelled further down, you saw that he was holding his gauntlet in his hand. It wasn't secured around his left forearm, and it looked clean. Au contraire to his bare hands. His knuckles were painted red with someone else’s life essence. His boots were covered in a mix of dirt and blood. After you have taken in his appearance, you met his eyes with confusion.

By stepping aside you allowed the assassin into your refuge and closed the door behind him. “Is this…”

“Yes”

You turned around to face the person who got rid of the reason you felt unsafe outside of your four walls. Moving on instinct you took two quick steps up to your boss and threw your arms around him for a hug. You were certain that you crossed a line there, between boss and subordinate but you didn’t care. “Thank you” - your whisper was muffled by his coat, Baron Jordane's finery. What an irony. Now you definitely had to get him a new one. You smiled to yourself.

You felt his arms wrap around you as he returned the hug, the gauntlet discarded lying on the floor. He didn’t use it when he ended that monster’s life. Nor did he use any other weapons. This had been personal. 

“You’re free now”

[screpa]

Your Steamy Birthday Celebration (Pt. 3)

Summary:

Your boyfriend Bertolt wanted to gift you three perfect days as your birthday gift. He asked Sasha to ask you about your kind of perfect day. Sasha managed to make you treat her and the girls (Mikasa, Krista, Ymir) to a girls' night out at the bath house. The guys - Jean, Reiner, Armin, and Connie – decided to help out but ended up embarrassing Bertolt. So, what did the gentle giant had in store for you?

Chapter summary:

Bertolt surprised you with a mini vacation as your birthday gift. Bertolt suddenly transformed into a charming and confident man that you were completely under his control.

Tags: Mature, sexual tension, cute date.

Read here or on AO3, up to you ^^

Here are the 1st and 2nd chapters if you missed it ^^

Under Bertolt's Control

The next morning you found your sweet boyfriend waiting for you by the entrance of the women’s dorm. You grabbed his arm in excitement and said, ‘Good morning, sweetheart. So? Where are you taking me?’

He restrained himself from kissing you as people are around. He toussled your hair instead. ‘Well, have you packed your stuff?’

‘Yeap, enough for 3 days, 2 nights! So, where are we going?’

‘You’ll see when you get there’. He playfully pressed the tip of your nose.

You faked a pout, ‘Well, let’s go then!’

Turned out that he took you to one of the districts within wall sina. You’d been there before numerous times, but it felt different, well, more impressive now that you were there without any duty in mind.

You were busy admiring the buildings and the beautiful people that you just followed wherever Bertolt was guiding you toward.

He stopped in front of one of the row houses. There was a sign engraved with ‘Lisbeth’s Inn’ on top of the entrance door. 

‘Let’s go in,’ Bertolt smiled as he invited you to follow him.

A homely middle-aged woman greeted the both of you. ‘Welcome to Lisbeth’s Inn, how may I help you?’

‘I reserved one of your rooms for a couple of days? Under the name Bertolt Hoover?’

‘Ah, yes, Mr. And Mrs. Hoover, please follow me to your room’.

‘Ah, we’re, we’re not–,’ Bertolt stammered.

You cut him short, ‘That’d be lovely, Ma’am’.

He looked at you, confused.

The woman took you to the second floor and showed your room. It wasn’t a room. It was more like a tastefully decorated apartment. It had a living room with a small balcony, a small dining area, a bathroom, a bedroom. 

You were speechless that your boyfriend was treating you like nobility.

The woman said kindly, ‘I hope you like the apartment. It’s perfect for newly-weds like you’.

‘We–‘

You blurted before Bertolt could say anything, ‘it’s perfect, Ma’am! We’re going to enjoy our stay here!’ 

‘Please, let me know if you need anything. You can inform the kitchen, located near the entrance, if you want to eat. We always have warm food ready for our guests. I take my leave now’.

‘Thank you, Ma’am’.

When the woman closed the door, you went to hug Bertolt and pecked him all over the face.

You kept both of your hands on his cheeks. He circled his arms on your waist.

‘You’re going way and beyond this time, sweetheart! What’s gotten into you?’

He sheepishly answered, ‘I just wanted to do something nice for your birthday. It’s two days late, but happy birthday, my love’.

You didn’t even remember it was your birthday. You hugged him closer and thanked him over and over.

He said, ‘the others helped too. The girls gave the idea after talking to you. And the guys, well, they helped in their own way. Jean and Connie prepared a gift for you. Let me take it’.

‘So that’s why the girls were curious about a perfect day with you’.

‘Yea, I knew that I won’t be able to fish out the information without you suspecting anything. I took you out here, far away from the headquarter, so that we can be free being ourselves’.

‘And do what man and wife do?’ You asked him teasingly.

‘Oh, ah, that, well,’ he stammered nervously.

‘Re-laaaax, sweetheart, I’m not asking you to marry me now. Not pressuring you or anything’.

‘Ah. Well. Just know that it’s not that I don’t want to marry you. I want to! That’s the one thing that I really, truly want to do, but not here’.

‘Not here?’

Bertolt realised his mistake. He couldn’t reveal that he actually wanted to take you back to Marley and spend the remainder of his life there as your husband. He was speechless as he didn’t know what to say.

‘You meant not now?’ You asked.

‘Y- Yea, that’.

You smiled and pulled him close.

‘Remember this, I’m not pressuring you to settle down, okay? I thought it’d be nice to just live like a married couple while we’re here. So we just go all the way while we’re here’.

He caressed you cheeks, ‘I’d like that. And know that I’m not pressured. I want it to be a reality too’.

You kissed him tenderly.

He said, ‘now, the gifts!’

He handed a parcel with a sketch books, some pencil and charcoal.

‘That’s from Jean and Connie. Jean said that you might want to save some moments as drawings’.

‘Ah! That boy knows me too well!’

‘And this one, this is from me’.

‘Whoa! You’ve given me so much already! What’s this?’ You tore the wrapping paper and found the most beautiful yellow frilly dress. You gasped. You haven’t worn anything like that before.

‘Go and try it on’.

‘Oh, o-okay’.

You went into the bedroom and change. You looked at your reflection as you put on the dress. It was a perfect fit. You’d never felt so beautiful before.

‘Wow!’ You heard him admiring you.

You turned around to see him in a half-unbuttoned white shirt and dark blue pants. He looked so perfect that you went speechless.

He stood by the door with confidence. So unlike him at all. Not that it bothered you. It was just that you suddenly felt nervous. 

What’s this? You asked yourself. You were never nervous around him. You were always in control while he would be the shy and devoted one.

He approached you. His walk, his posture, his facial expression screamed self-assurance and confidence that you felt your knee weakening as your entire being swooned over him.

He pulled you close and kissed you passionately. He pushed your mouth open with his lips, his tongue rushed in to meet yours, he took you deeper into his mouth. The kiss further weakened you, but he pulled your body into his and you went mad with desire.

But he suddenly stopped, abruptly severing you from pleasure.

He told you in a low, seductive voice, ‘I will have you. Later’.

You whimpered.

He took your hand and gently guided you out of the apartment.

You could only blindly follow him.

Once outside, Bertolt went back to his usual boyish self. He cheerfully asked you what you wanted to do first.

Your body was still hungry for him, viciously protesting for the sudden interruption.

Then you saw his muscled chest peeking from the unbuttoned shirt, his exposed skin continue to his long pillar of a neck, to his alluring adam’s apple that you just want to nibble. Then his face, though no longer carrying a masculine confidence like a few minutes ago, looked so exquisite that you just want to plant wet kisses on it.

‘… What do you say? Y/N?’

You were drowning in lust that you didn’t hear him.

You saw him holding your canvas tote bag and you roughly took it from him.

He jumped a bit, but you didn’t care. You frantically searched for the sketch book from Jean and Connie, took it out and started to fan yourself with it. 

You need to cool down. Cool down. Cooool down. All in good time, Y/N, breathe, you told yourself.

‘A- are you okay?’ He asked you, concerned.

‘Of course not! Let’s just start walking okay,’ you snapped at him, continuing to fan yourself.

He chuckled innocently. It was an act. He knew full well that you were under his control now.

He gently took the sketch book from you and put it back in the bag. He slung the bag on his shoulder and locked your hand in his.

Both of you walked along the streets, going to where the shops and cafes were located. The walk helped to ease the sexual tension. Both of you browsed the merchandise on sale, chat about nothing and everything, just enjoying each others’ company.

You caught a whiff of fragrant coffee scent. You looked around to find its source and found a coffee shop. You tugged at his shirt toward the place. You told him to take a seat in shop’s patio as it was a perfect spot for people watching. Plus, the weather was too beautiful to be cooped up inside. 

You wanted to be the one ordering the sweets since Bertolt tend to order ‘just enough’ when you preferred to have more! You took your time choosing since there were just too many good selections.

The shop keeper would bring the coffee and sweets to you later, so you went out of the shop. You found Bertolt sitting and chatting with an attractive, busty blonde, who was standing way too close.

Back in the Regiment, he was a hidden gem among the brutes, but now in his civilian clothes he suddenly became Mr. Hot and Steamy that women couldn’t help noticing.

What was that you saw? The woman giggled and dared to squeeze his arm. Her hand stayed way too long on his arm! While he... He didn’t flinch at the touch!

You were raging mad! 

You somehow managed to control yourself. Without a word, you took a seat opposite him. You pretended to people-watch.

‘Your sister’s beautiful, just like you!’ She said in a husky voice.

You gripped the edges of the table so hard that the tip of your fingers turned white. 

‘She’s my wife, but I agree that she’s beautiful,’ Bertolt cheerfully told the woman.

‘Oh, I see,’ the woman replied with clear disappointment. ‘I wish you both an wonderful day then. Ta-ta’.

You made a face while quietly repeating her flirty ‘ta-ta’.

You then stared him in annoyance. He stared back at you with his innocent, adorable face.

He was saved by the arrival of the coffee and sweets. 

Once everything was placed neatly on the table and you were left alone, you aggressively stabbed at one of the cakes and bit it in half. You kept looking at him while you chew, openly showing your anger. But he kept his innocent expression and sipped his coffee.

You were still holding the fork with half of the cake stuck to it.

He said, ‘I also want to have a bite of that’.

You were going to deny him that pleasure, but he gently grab your hand directed it toward his mouth. He took a bite, ‘mmm, so good!’.

You gulped. That moan was too provocative for a mere piece of cake.

‘Oh, some of the cream dropped to your wrist. We can’t have you dir-ty’. He put extra emphasis on the word dirty. Then he slowly licked the cream from your wrist. His hot, wet tongue traced the sensitive area of your wrist. 

You felt hot lava erupting from between your legs.

You suddenly turned very shy toward him. You stammered incoherently and pushed the fork and the cake into his hand. You rubbed your whole arms to get rid of the goosebumps.

He just smiled toward you and finished the cake in one bite, as if nothing had happened. Then he started to people-watch, sipping his coffee once in a while.

You couldn’t take a sip your coffee. You were too busy regulating your breath and trying to ease the wave of lust that came back with a vengeance.

‘Should we have dinner at the inn tonight? The lady mentioned about beef stew. Sounded so good, right?’ he asked.

How could I think about food right now!!! You screamed in you head.

‘Yea, sure’. You said matter of factly.

Before we head back, we should get some ingredients for breakfast. I feel like having your muffins for breakfast.’ The way he said ‘muffins’ made you think if he meant it as a pun.

‘Sure’.

‘I’ll ask the shopkeeper to pack the sweets. Be right back’. He gathered the sweets and went into the shop.

You started to fan your face with your hands. Darn it, woman, get a grip! You scolded yourself.

You tried to act normal when shopping and during dinner. All you wanted was to get back to the apartment and have him in you. 

But, for some reason he was frustratingly slow in everything that he did. 

He selected eggs like his future depended on it. He inspected them one by one. Then he scooped the flour little by little, making sure that the weight was exact. The same when he picked the blueberries and bananas. He even had the audacity to ask the shopkeeper to explain how to choose the best vanilla pods. 

During dinner, he chewed so slowly, savouring every bite. Sipped and swirled the wine in his mouth. You were too impatient that both the food and wine tasted like sand to you.

Finally! He was done. You grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the stairs. But he saw the lady of the inn and stayed for a chat. You stood by the stairs, stopping yourself from banging your head to the wall with all your might.

He said goodnight to the lady and started to walk up the stairs. Leaving you behind. You were fuming mad!

He went into the apartment, straight into the living room.

You closed the door and rested your head on it. You were too angry now. You just wanted to wash up and go to bed.

You saw him standing in the middle of the living room, his back to you. He looked so relaxed, both of his hands in his pocket.

You told him in annoyance, ‘I’m going to wash up and go to bed. Good night!’

He half-turned his body toward you and told you in a gentle, but reprimanding voice, ‘I don’t think so’.

His confident face stared at you.

You started to feel nervous and shy again.You felt goosebumps on your arms. You were unsure of how to react, so you just stood there looking at him.

He slowly walked toward you, still with hands in his pockets, locking his eyes on yours. ‘I remembered perfectly well that I said I will have you later’.

He stood towering in front of you. He grabbed the small of your back to pull you closer, pressing your body against his. He added, ’that later, is now’.

---

Things are heating up in part 4, let's go!

This story is part the "Detours to Your Heart" series, comprises of stories of your friendship and slow burn romance with Levi Ackerman. You build many interesting relationships with other AOT characters, such as ambiguous friendship/ romance with Hange Zoe, a whirlwind romance with Bertolt Hoover, sibling-like relationship with Jean Kirstein, and many more!

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[blackink-onpaper]

The Descend and the Resurface

Damian Hart (Beyblade) x OC

Summary: OC comes from a complex background, and in the midst of trying to save it all and help her family she enters a strange arrangement, which will change her life forever.

Masterlist 🖤

Tags: Beyblade, Beyblade Metal Masters, Julian Konzern, Jack, Damian, OC, Gingka Hagane, team Starbreaker, team Excalibur, dr. Ziggurat, Hades Inc.

A/N: Hope you enjoy!

Also, please let me know what you think so far! It means a lot to me!

Chapter 5

Bewildered, I ripped the entire envelope apart and opened the letter:

Dear Miss Casilarghi,

You are hereby personally invited to come to Hades Inc. headquarters tomorrow at noon for a meeting with dr. Ziggurat.

This invitation also extends to a pick up at 11:30AM and return to your hotel with our chauffeur, a guided tour of the entire Hades complex and a complimentary lunch. We are looking forward to your arrival.

Best regards,

Dr. Ziggurat

CEO of Hades Inc. and Hades Academy

“Oh like fuck I will” I threw the letter into the trash: “I wasn’t even asked, they just let me know I am supposed to come! Hah, ridiculous” slowly sitting down on the bed again and running my hands through my hair, my thoughts continued: “Hades…” could it have anything to do with Kerbecs? With Starbreaker? A quick Google search later, I learned that Starbreaker is managed by this dr. Ziggurat, and that this academy is where they train their bladers. I also came across many articles about how Starbreaker members are the only three members of the Academy that were ever publicly acknowledged as graduates of the program. Apparently, many people apply and get accepted, but the majority get sent home eventually. One article even said all accepted candidates of the program need to sign iron-clad NDAs, but this was from a blog so I took it with a grain of salt. I was in a conflicted position: on one hand, I didn’t want to waste my time, which was meant to be dedicated to reconciling with Julian, on the guy who managed those lunatics from Starbreaker, but I also couldn’t help but wonder what he wants to talk about with me? This was all very suspicious, yet thought provoking. Drawing myself a warm bath to rest in, I decided to indulge dr. Ziggurat and see what he wants. After all, if I will want to leave I can. After this, I will get in contact with Julian and see if he recovered enough to speak with me.

For the meeting, I decided not to dress too formally. Even though I decided to indulge dr. Ziggurat with this meeting, I don’t plan on honouring him or his organisation by wearing my nice clothes. Therefore, I settled on a pair of ankle-length straight white jeans, and a black viscose tank top with a square neckline and thick straps, accessorised with a regular black shoulder bag and white sneakers. At 11:30 sharp, the chauffeur was in front of the hotel, holding the rear door of a big, black jeep open for me. The driver himself was dressed all in black, and was wearing black leather gloves and sunglasses. He greeted me with a polite, noticably trained smile as I settled into the vehicle. The seats were comfortable and soft, but the tainted side windows made me feel uneasy. The drive itself was not long, but it occurred to me that the reason why they sent a driver in the first place was because they want absolute control over who comes in, and who goes out. The Hades complex was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but dust and empty land. A circle of tall buildings built of sun-reflecting glass surfaces, which gave the city a kind of glow from a distance, surrounded a single skyscraper. Upon entering the city, I noticed that there was no one in the streets, maybe an odd man here and there. The driver pulled up in front of the tallest skyscraper, and another suited man opened the door for me.

“Welcome to Hades Inc.” A short, blonde woman greeted me with a neutral but pleasant voice. She accompanied me to the elevator, where she placed one of the highest floors.

“How come there is no one in the streets?”

She smiled mildly at me: “people are working! This is a company more than anything. Besides, this time of the day it gets too warm, and the solar panels work better if there are no disturbances.”

“But where are the employees’ cars then?”

“There are several levels of underground facilities in this complex, the first one featuring a garage” she spoke just a bit more lively than Siri or Alexa, but in a very similar manner. When the door opened, there was another frosted glass wall in front of us, the door of which required a finger print for enterance. Apparently, the glass wall was sound-proof, because when she let me in I could hear two men discussing something:

“Sir, your 12PM appointment is here.” the woman let me in and closed the door softly behind me.

Dr. Ziggurat sat straight across from me, seated behind a minimalistic black desk, with two chairs in front of it, and surrounded by light gray walls and carpet. There was a lot of natural light coming into the room through floor-to-ceiling windows, yet the room was at a comfortamble temperature.

Dr. Ziggurat got up from his seat, and walked over with a grin. When he stood up, I noticed he was much taller and skinnier than I expected. He extended his hand: “Camila, so nice of you to come!” He showed me to one of the seats in front of him. On the left side of the room was a two-seat black leather sofa supported by a silver metal rod, and a man with a short beard and thin glasses sat there.

“I am dr. Ziggurat, the owner of Hades Inc., and this is my colleague, dr. Carlisle. If it is not a problem, he would like to stay for this meeting.”

“You have a lovely complex, dr. Ziggurat” I employed a bit of charm my mother taught me: “I am really impressed by the design and upkeep of the entire facility.”

“We do try our best” Ziggurat smiled, before leaning back and looking at his tablet: “So Camila, I see here you speak 4 languages?”

I was just about to engage in this small talk, when I decided my time was more valuable: “Why am I here, dr. Ziggurat?”

He smiled again: “Straight to the point. Very well. Are you aware that I am the managing figure of the US representative team in this Beyblade championship?”

“Until now, I wasn’t” I lied, but I was not going to give him the satisfaction of admitting I Googled Hades Inc. last night.

“How did you like the battle yesterday, especially as a supporter of the European team?” He grinned and looked at me directly over his orange-tinted glasses.

“Doctor, am I really here to talk about that? Besides, I didn’t even watch it.” I blurted out, I don’t even know why.

“Now now, lying is not very ladylike. I’m sure you know that” He fixed his glasses: “Besides, we are well aware of your affiliation with Julian Konzern, and your recent… how shall I put it… change in this affiliation?” I stared at him, I did not know what to say. Yes, I was frequently photographed with him and his family, so I wasn’t unfamiliar to the occasional photo in the newspaper, or a mention in a gossip column, but this guy seemed to have more information on me than I would be comfortable giving if he directly asked me.

“We think you were not treated fairly by Julian, or Excalibur.” He lowered his tone a bit: “and after seeing your passionate support for the team regardless of the severed relationship, we could not help but want this extraordinairy woman for ourselves.”

“Excuse me for being so direct, but why are you interested in my personal life and disrespecting my privacy?”

“Please forgive me. I am a scientist, I’m not so good with words.” He explained, but I highly doubted that statement: “What I meant to say is; we think Julian and Excaibur treated you unfairly on a personal matter just as much as a professional one. You abandoned further studies and pursuits after graduation in order to support Julian, and were not compensated for the years of devoted service in any way. How is that fair?”

“I loved- I love him.”

“Yes, but do you see in what kind of a position he put you in? And left you in?” Ziggurat continued: “not to mention your family.”

In order to not come across as outraged, which I was, I took a moment of silence before I asked once more in a soft tone: “Doctor, why am I here?”

He smiled, this time a genuine one I think: “We would like to help you and your family by offering you a position at Hades Inc. with a generous salary. You would be working closely with the members of Starbreaker at a salary of your choice.”

I was absolutely baffled: “What?”

“We know you’re a supporter of the European team, but we hoped you might give our generous offer a thought.”

I thought about it, but how does any of this make sense? Who am I benefitting here? I could literally be ripping them off for vast sums of money? For what?

“And what would be the nature of my employment?”

“What an eloquent young lady” Ziggurat purred: “This is exactly what the boys need. We would like to hire you as… an assistant, shall we say. You would be living and working in the Starbreaker wing in order to bring a softer touch, and more team building among the members.”

Then the other doctor spoke up: “Their schedules are very densely organised, so we considered adding a feminine touch might help the boys feel more calm by bringing a more realistic environment to them. More balanced.”

“Balanced?” I asked, and I still wasn’t sure what my job would be exactly.

Ziggurat picked up this time: “We’ve seen your demeanour by Julian’s side, and we believe you would enhance our boys’ performance by providing them with a friendly, emotional support. Plus, the program of the Academy does not yet feature girls, so having a female presence might remind them of previous education, or of home.”

“And you would pay me whatever I asked to be a friend to the boys from Starbreaker?”

Carlisle cleared his throat: “by no means are we suggesting a particular kind of relationship, we would financially support your natural development of a relationship with the members of Starbreaker as a means of helping them reach their maximum potential.”

I accidentally snorted: “wait, you think I’d like to hang out with Jack and Damian after what they did to my friends yesterday?”

Both doctors chuckled: “Ah yes, Damian loves to take things too far to entertain the audience. And Jack is… simply extravagant.” Ziggurat explained, but I was not convinced at all. Enteratining the audience or being dramatic is completely different from torture and ridicule.

“I am sorry gentlemen but as of this moment I am not sure about this offer.”

There was a brief pause, before Ziggurat spoke up again: “Camila, you are a smart girl. You went to a prestigious school, and while all of your peers followed their dreams and potential, you were halted by your family’s lack of funds, yes, but primarily by a boy who asked you to drop everything to be by his side, only to leave you to fight your battle alone once things got too difficult for him to manage.”

“He never asked me.” I defended myself

“Not directly, no” Ziggurat left a moment of silence pass: “Consider our offer until this time tomorrow, and if you decide to join us, send a message to this contact.” He passed a card across the table, and leaned back in his chair: “Would you like a tour of the complex? Something to eat?”

Darting s look at the clock on the desk, I’ve noticed somehow an hour and a half passed, and I did not want to be here any longer: “Actually, I am still quite tired from yesterday. I would like to go home.”

After saying goodbye to both doctors, and promising to Ziggurat I would carefully consider his offer upon leaving the room, the door closed behind me cutting me off from the conversation the two doctors were about to have:

“She is very interesting” Carlisle massaged his temples: “not even typically pretty, she really has that subtle beauty.”

“Yes, she is very European” Ziggurat said, perhaps even sarcastically: “but she is exactly who we need in order to get what we want on all sides, and from what the investigators found her family is… quite desperate” He chuckled at this last part.

Carlisle looked at his colleague: “Do you think your plan is going to work?”

“You’re the psychiatrist, dear friend.” Ziggurat poured a glass of whiskey, and handed it to Carlisle: “Besides, it’s all women are good for isn’t it?”

[towritecomicsonherarms]

Part 10

Vanessa: Can I......get you something?

Barry: Like what?

Vanessa: I don't know. I mean...I don't know. Coffee?

Barry: I don't want to put you out.

Vanessa: It's no trouble. It takes two minutes. It's just coffee.

Barry: I hate to impose.

(Vanessa starts making coffee)

Vanessa: Don't be ridiculous!

Barry: Actually, I would love a cup.

Vanessa: Hey, you want rum cake?

Barry: I shouldn't.

Vanessa: Have some.

Barry: No, I can't.

Vanessa: Come on!

Barry: I'm trying to lose a couple micrograms.

Vanessa: Where?

Barry: These stripes don't help.

Vanessa: You look great!

Barry: I don't know if you know anything about fashion. Are you all right?

(Pouring coffee on the floor and missing the cup completely)

Vanessa: No.

(Flash forward in time. Barry and Vanessa are sitting together at a table on top of the apartment building drinking coffee)

Barry: He's making the tie in the cab as they're flying up Madison. He finally gets there. He runs up the steps into the church. The wedding is on. And he says, "Watermelon? I thought you said Guatemalan. Why would I marry a watermelon?"

(Barry laughs but Vanessa looks confused)

Vanessa: Is that a bee joke?

Barry: That's the kind of stuff we do.

Vanessa: Yeah, different. So, what are you gonna do, Barry?

(Barry stands on top of a sugar cube floating in his coffee and paddles it around with a straw like it's a gondola)

Barry: About work? I don't know. I want to do my part for the hive, but I can't do it the way they want.

Vanessa: I know how you feel.

Barry: You do?

Vanessa: Sure. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I wanted to be a florist.

Barry: Really?

Vanessa: My only interest is flowers.

Barry: Our new queen was just elected with that same campaign slogan. Anyway, if you look...

(Barry points to a tree in the middle of Central Park)

Barry: There's my hive right there. See it?

Vanessa: You're in Sheep Meadow!

Barry: Yes! I'm right off the Turtle Pond!

Vanessa: No way! I know that area. I lost a toe ring there once.

Barry: Why do girls put rings on their toes?

Vanessa: Why not?

Barry: It's like putting a hat on your knee.

Vanessa: Maybe I'll try that.

(A custodian installing a lightbulb looks over at them but to his perspective it looks like Vanessa is talking to a cup of coffee on the table)

Custodian: You all right, ma'am?

Vanessa: Oh, yeah. Fine. Just having two cups of coffee!

Barry: Anyway, this has been great. Thanks for the coffee.

Vanessa: Yeah, it's no trouble.

Barry: Sorry I couldn't finish it. If I did, I'd be up the rest of my life.

(Barry points towards the rum cake)

Barry: Can I take a piece of this with me?

Vanessa: Sure! Here, have a crumb.

(Vanessa hands Barry a crumb but it is still pretty big for Barry)

Barry: Thanks!

Vanessa: Yeah.

Barry: All right. Well, then...I guess I'll see you around. Or not.

Vanessa: OK, Barry...

Barry: And thank you so much again... for before.

Vanessa: Oh, that? That was nothing.

Barry: Well, not nothing, but... Anyway...

(Vanessa and Barry hold hands, but Vanessa has to hold out a finger because her hands is to big and Barry holds that)

(The custodian looks over again and it appears Vanessa is laughing at her coffee again. The lightbulb that he was screwing in sparks and he falls off the ladder)

(Fast forward in time and we see two Bee Scientists testing out a parachute in a Honex wind tunnel)

Bee Scientist #1: This can't possibly work.

Bee Scientist #2: He's all set to go. We may as well try it. OK, Dave, pull the chute.

[locitapurplepink]

Chapter 28

________________________________________________________

Hunter, Tasya, Lydia, and Omega arrived at the apartment "Thank you for helping us, Lydia." He said to Lydia. "Anytime, Hunter. I'm gonna pick Liam up and back home." "Ride safe !" Omega warned. Lydia nodded and left the building.

Hunter and Omega took Tasya to the second floor "Welcome to our home." He opened the door while Omega took Tasya's hand to enter but the dress made her stuck on the door.

He sighed "Kid, you pull, I push. Get it ?"

Omega still holding Tasya's hand. "Okay on 3...2...1." They tried to unstuck Tasya from the door and Tasya was thrown inside the apartment and landed on the sofa "Ooh, this is comfortable."

"Well, make yourself as a home. I know this is not might a large house but it's nice enough for me and my sister to live."

Then Hunter stared at his sister "Omega, you better get shower and go to bed. You have school tomorrow. I'll take Tasya to..." they heard a soft snore from Tasya who fell asleep on the sofa.

Hunter shook his head as smile as hearing Omega say "I think she's so tired for a whole day." "Yeah, I have been like that few times." As Omega went to shower, Hunter took a blanket and put on Tasya's body, letting her to get some rest.

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On Wildberry land, Wrecker had been waiting for the princess for the whole day. At the same time, Neville the squirrel. She saluted to him "Prince Wrecker."

Wrecker was surprised as came to her "You must been one of the princess' little friends."

"Yes and I need your help. Tasya's in danger." Wrecker was so shocked as taking his sword "I'll do anything to get my princess back." "Great, let's go !" Neville took Wrecker's hand to go outside and arrived at the waterfall.

"Uh...what's this place to do with the princess ?" He was counfused. "The old lady pushed Tasya into the waterfall and afraid she might been hurt. I saw it myself."

"Well, I trust you, little squirrel." Wrecker looked down to the water "Don't worry princess, Prince Wrecker is coming to the rescue !" He carried Neville and jumped into the magic waterfall.

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Back on Tipoca city, there was a journalist who investigated the circle door was in the middle of the road "Hmm...interesting. I never seen this door before. It should report on TV."

When he was going to check inside, the circle door was opened by something or someone then here came Prince Wrecker and Neville the squirrel.

"I've been dreaming about a true love's kiss..."

Then he stared at the journalist as pointing with his sword "Are you the one who holding the princess ?"

"No, sir. I am not. May I have to take picture of you ?"

"Uh, what is picture ?"

The journalist was counfused that the prince didn't know about it. He tried to explain "It is some kind of drawing or painting that I would like to post on my report so everyone who read know about you."

"Well, give me the best look." Wrecker prepared for his prince post while Neville smiled at the journalist. It took seconds for the journalist to take pictures.

The journalist gave one of his pictures to Wrecker "Here sir, you can take this one." Wrecker took a look of the picture of him and Neville "Ooh, look at this, we look great."

Neville was impressed "Yes, it is." Which surprised the journalist "That squirrel can talk ? Talking with human language. Incredible." He wrote everything he figured out on his journal.

"We should really go." Neville suggested. Wrecker responded "Yeah, we'll take that weird carriage. "

Wrecker and Neville catched up the bus, leaving the journalist behind. "Wait,sir ! I haven't finish asking you yet !" Wrecker jumped on the top of the bus and broke the roof which he and Neville fell inside the bus.

Causing the passengers were panicked and unhappy, especially for the bus driver "Hey, why are you cut the roof ? You have to pay for this !"

Wrecker stood up and spoke "I am Prince Wrecker. I am looking for the princess."

The driver sighed "Yeah, right, this is not the show. Now, get off of my bus !"

"Wow, this is called a bus ? Never see like this before." Wrecker was impressed of this transport. "Get out !" He and Neville rushed to out of the bus.

Soon after that, the journalist entered the bus and stared at the driver "Good morning, Echo. Have you see the man with a talking squirrel on his shoulder ?" "Good morning, Tech. I just kicked them out... Hold on, a talking squirrel ? There's not any talking animals on the world."

"I swear to you, Echo. I see and hear all by myself."

"You just image it because you haven't been found any interesting news..."

Their arguement causing the passengers complain that they all would be late for work.

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Tasya woke up and looked around the living room was pretty mess. "Looks like this place needs to clean up." But first thing first, she called all the animals with her singing voice.

Which making all the animals around Tipoca city rushed to the apartement and also causing the other people was panicked. Tasya was surprised and grateful to have all these new little friends.

"Oh, hello everyone. I need your all helps to clean this place and I'll give you all some food." The animals cheered and started to clean up.

Tasya using a blanket as an apron then sang a song as she and the animals working together.

As they cleaning, one of the birds accidentally broke the bowl 'causing Omega woke up and out from her room. She was surprised seeing the animals cleaning the apartement. She followed where the animals walking to and watched Tasya sing and clean with the animals.

After Tasya sang, she mentioned Omega was so surprised "Did you clean with these animals ?" She asked. Tasya said "Yes."

"Can you really talking with the animals ?"

"Yes." She responded.

"That is so crazy." She couldn't believe everything she just saw was true.

"You should wake your brother up." Tasya suggested. Omega nodded then rushed to her brother's room "Hunter ! Wake up ! You won't believe it what I just saw !"

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As Hunter took his motorbike key, he saw Tasya changing to a mint green dress "Where did you get from ?" "I made it. Do you like it ?" But he quickly noticed there were some holes on the living room curtains.

"You made it from my curtain ?!"

"Oh no, you're unhappy. I'm so sorry."

"I'm not unhappy, I'm angry."

"Angry ?" There was a new word for Tasya. "Yeah, it's a strong emotion which it will fell like gonna be explode !" Then he took a long breath after noticing Omega was standing behind them. "Omega, please go to the motorbike. I'll be there for any seconds."

Hunter sighed "I'll take my sister to the school. Then I'll take you to my work and hopefully, someone know where's your home is. What's the name ?" "Wildberry Land ?" Tasya replied. Hunter totally had no idea what kind of place is it. He just said "Okay..."

________________________________________________________

Taglist : @cassie-fanfics , @zaya-mo , @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond , @crosshair-simp , @leosardonyx18 , @littlefeatherr , @omegathebadbach , @omglisalithium , @l-lend and anyone who excited for this chapter and upcoming chapters.

[jupiterisaroace]

BARRY: - Actually, I would love a cup. VANESSA: Hey, you want rum cake? BARRY: - I shouldn't. VANESSA: - Have some. BARRY: - No, I can't. VANESSA: - Come on! BARRY: I'm trying to lose a couple micrograms. VANESSA: - Where? BARRY: - These stripes don't help. VANESSA: You look great! BARRY: I don't know if you know anything about fashion. : Are you all right? VANESSA: (Pouring coffee on the floor and missing the cup completely) No. (Flash forward in time. Barry and Vanessa are sitting together at a table on top of the apartment building drinking coffee) : BARRY== He's making the tie in the cab as they're flying up Madison. : He finally gets there. : He runs up the steps into the church. The wedding is on. : And he says, "Watermelon? I thought you said Guatemalan. : Why would I marry a watermelon?" (Barry laughs but Vanessa looks confused) VANESSA: Is that a bee joke? BARRY: That's the kind of stuff we do. VANESSA: Yeah, different. : So, what are you gonna do, Barry? (Barry stands on top of a sugar cube floating in his coffee and paddles it around with a straw like it's a gondola) BARRY: About work? I don't know. : I want to do my part for the hive, but I can't do it the way they want. VANESSA: I know how you feel. BARRY: - You do? VANESSA: - Sure. : My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I wanted to be a florist. BARRY: - Really? VANESSA: - My only interest is flowers. BARRY: Our new queen was just elected with that same campaign slogan. : Anyway, if you look... (Barry points to a tree in the middle of Central Park) : There's my hive right there. See it? VANESSA: You're in Sheep Meadow! BARRY: Yes! I'm right off the Turtle Pond! VANESSA: No way! I know that area. I lost a toe ring there once. BARRY: - Why do girls put rings on their toes? VANESSA: - Why not? BARRY: - It's like putting a hat on your knee. VANESSA: - Maybe I'll try that. (A custodian installing a lightbulb looks over at them but to his perspective it looks like Vanessa is talking to a cup of coffee on the table) CUSTODIAN: - You all right, ma'am? VANESSA: - Oh, yeah. Fine. : Just having two cups of coffee! BARRY: Anyway, this has been great. Thanks for the coffee. VANESSA== Yeah, it's no trouble. BARRY: Sorry I couldn't finish it. If I did, I'd be up the rest of my life. (Barry points towards the rum cake) : Can I take a piece of this with me? VANESSA: Sure! Here, have a crumb. (Vanessa hands Barry a crumb but it is still pretty big for Barry) BARRY: - Thanks! VANESSA: - Yeah. BARRY: All right. Well, then... I guess I'll see you around.

HEARD YOU’RE BACK TOGETHER

[aryanreality]

Godrej Gurgaon Sector 49: A Luxurious Haven with Exceptional Amenities

Gurgaon is the most preferred and prime hub for infrastructural development and corporate jobs. and in Sector 49, Gurgaon, one of the most desirable areas, Godrej is launching its ultra-luxury residential project. Prepare to see one of the largest launches ever from Godrej, the most reputable developer. Ten acres of land will be used for the development of this planned luxury high-rise skyscraper. We the team of Aryan Realty Infratech Pvt Ltd, one of the most experienced real estate consultants in Gurgaon, are here to educate you about this luxurious property from Godrej. As a knowledgeable real estate consultant we provide our clients with best-suited property options from world-class developers and assist them throughout the dealing process. here in this blog, we will cover different aspects like Godrej Gurgaon Sector 49 Price, amenities it offers, location advantages etc.

About the Godrej Properties: - 

The Godrej Group's values of innovation, sustainability, and quality are introduced to the real estate sector via Godrej Properties. Every Godrej Properties project blends a dedication to state-of-the-art architecture and technology with a 122-year history of quality and trust. Godrej Properties has won hundreds of awards and recognitions for its exceptional work in infrastructural development in the last few years.

About the Godrej Sector 49 Gurgaon

At Godrej New Launch Sector 49 Gurgaon, live in opulent, ultra-modern luxury. The latest landmark at the intersection of Golf Course Extension Road and Sohna Road is this impending building. The Godrej Gurgaon Sector 49 Floor Plan is created by professionals considering the needs of all kinds of families. There are four, five, and three-bedroom luxury apartments available in this property. The location of Godrej Sector 49 strategically provides residents with unparalleled convinces; the property offers easy access to many educational institutes, metro stations, major business hubs, and hospitals/clinics. The well-planned vicinity of Godrej offers a good connection with the national capital Delhi. 

The Amenities at Godrej sector 49: - 

One of the most fascinating things about this residential property is its luxury and the facilities it offers. Here are the features residents will enjoy: -

Clubhouse with Spa and Fitness Center: Bring out the best of you through our top-notch clubhouse featuring a spa and fitness center. Options ranging from yoga to meditation to guided relaxation are available to you at the clubhouse.

Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi: Cluttered and chaotic? Take a dip in your spa’s cool water or just relax in the Jacuzzi and enjoy a nice evening. it will be the best solution for a hectic day. 

Landscaped Gardens: Through the proposal of Horticultural gardens within the residential complex, you will be in the middle of nature, breathe deep and feel a sense of harmony. 

Sports Facilities: Sports enthusiasts can use the facilities such as tennis courts, badminton courts, and a play area for children which they can use to keep a healthy lifestyle which promotes the whole community to be lively. 

Affordable price and various options: there is a wide range of apartments with 3BHK, 4BHK, 5BHK etc. and Godrej Gurgaon Sector 49 Price also varies according to the space and apartment plans.

Smart Homes for Modern Living:

Godrej Gurgaon Sector 49 introduces Smart Homes with state-of-the-art technology for home automation systems designed to deliver an oh-so-easy living experience. There are varieties of other devices ranging from calculating the lighting and air condition to advanced security systems that can be controlled by residents with just a touch of ease, improving their comfort and safety.

Sustainable Living:

Social Godrej Properties conforms to sustainable development and at this Godrej Gurgaon Sector 49 residential project we are committed to this goal. This project factors in eco-friendly methods such as building rainwater harvesting systems and energy-efficient designs that will make the construction eco-friendlier and in the long term lead to a cleaner and more sustainable future. So, if you are planning to buy any real estate property in Gurgaon or to grab a chance to experience world-class luxury, contact Aryan Realty Infratech Pvt Ltd. We’ll provide you with the best options in an affordable range and also assist you throughout the buying process.

[schrodingers-tits]

VANESSA:

- You're talking.

BARRY:

- Yes, I know.

VANESSA:

(Pointing at Barry)

You're talking!

BARRY:

I'm so sorry.

VANESSA:

No, it's OK. It's fine.

I know I'm dreaming.

 :

But I don't recall going to bed.

BARRY:

Well, I'm sure this

is very disconcerting.

VANESSA:

This is a bit of a surprise to me.

I mean, you're a bee!

BARRY:

I am. And I'm not supposed

to be doing this,

(Pointing to the living room where Ken tried to kill him last night)

but they were all trying to kill me.

 :

And if it wasn't for you...

 :

I had to thank you.

It's just how I was raised.

(Vanessa stabs her hand with a fork to test whether she's dreaming or not)

 :

That was a little weird.

VANESSA:

- I'm talking with a bee.

BARRY:

- Yeah.

VANESSA:

I'm talking to a bee.

And the bee is talking to me!

BARRY:

I just want to say I'm grateful.

I'll leave now.

(Barry turns to leave)

VANESSA:

- Wait! How did you learn to do that?

BARRY:

(Flying back)

- What?

VANESSA:

The talking...thing.

BARRY:

Same way you did, I guess.

"Mama, Dada, honey." You pick it up.

VANESSA:

- That's very funny.

BARRY:

- Yeah.

 :

Bees are funny. If we didn't laugh,

we'd cry with what we have to deal with.

 :

Anyway...

VANESSA:

Can I...

 :

...get you something?

BARRY:

- Like what?

VANESSA:

I don't know. I mean...

I don't know. Coffee?

BARRY:

I don't want to put you out.

VANESSA:

It's no trouble. It takes two minutes.

 :

- It's just coffee.

BARRY:

- I hate to impose.

(Vanessa starts making coffee)

VANESSA:

- Don't be ridiculous!

BARRY:

- Actually, I would love a cup.

VANESSA:

Hey, you want rum cake?

BARRY:

- I shouldn't.

VANESSA:

- Have some.

BARRY:

- No, I can't.

VANESSA:

- Come on!

BARRY:

I'm trying to lose a couple micrograms.

VANESSA:

- Where?

BARRY:

- These stripes don't help.

VANESSA:

You look great!

BARRY:

I don't know if you know

anything about fashion.

 :

Are you all right?

VANESSA:

(Pouring coffee on the floor and missing the cup completely)

No.

(Flash forward in time. Barry and Vanessa are sitting together at a table

on top of the apartment building drinking coffee)

 :

BARRY==

He's making the tie in the cab

as they're flying up Madison.

 :

He finally gets there.

 :

He runs up the steps into the church.

The wedding is on.

 :

And he says, "Watermelon?

I thought you said Guatemalan.

 :

Why would I marry a watermelon?"

(Barry laughs but Vanessa looks confused)

VANESSA:

Is that a bee joke?

BARRY:

That's the kind of stuff we do.

VANESSA:

Yeah, different.

 :

So, what are you gonna do, Barry?

(Barry stands on top of a sugar cube floating in his coffee and paddles it

around with a straw like it's a gondola)

BARRY:

About work? I don't know.

 :

I want to do my part for the hive,

but I can't do it the way they want.

VANESSA:

I know how you feel.

BARRY:

- You do?

VANESSA:

- Sure.

 :

My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or

a doctor, but I wanted to be a florist.

BARRY:

- Really?

VANESSA:

- My only interest is flowers.

BARRY:

Our new queen was just elected

with that same campaign slogan.

 :

Anyway, if you look...

(Barry points to a tree in the middle of Central Park)

 :

There's my hive right there. See it?

VANESSA:

You're in Sheep Meadow!

BARRY:

Yes! I'm right off the Turtle Pond!

VANESSA:

No way! I know that area.

I lost a toe ring there once.

BARRY:

- Why do girls put rings on their toes?

VANESSA:

- Why not?

BARRY:

- It's like putting a hat on your knee.

VANESSA:

- Maybe I'll try that.

(A custodian installing a lightbulb looks over at them but to his

perspective it looks like Vanessa is talking to a cup of coffee on the

table)

CUSTODIAN:

- You all right, ma'am?

VANESSA:

- Oh, yeah. Fine.

 :

Just having two cups of coffee!

BARRY:

Anyway, this has been great.

Thanks for the coffee.

VANESSA==

Yeah, it's no trouble.

BARRY:

Sorry I couldn't finish it. If I did,

I'd be up the rest of my life.

(Barry points towards the rum cake)

 :

Can I take a piece of this with me?

VANESSA:

Sure! Here, have a crumb.

(Vanessa hands Barry a crumb but it is still pretty big for Barry)

BARRY:

- Thanks!

VANESSA:

- Yeah.

BARRY:

All right. Well, then...

I guess I'll see you around.

 :

Or not.

VANESSA:

OK, Barry...

BARRY:

And thank you

so much again... for before.

VANESSA:

Oh, that? That was nothing.

BARRY:

Well, not nothing, but... Anyway...

(Vanessa and Barry hold hands, but Vanessa has to hold out a finger because

her hands is to big and Barry holds that)

(The custodian looks over again and it appears Vanessa is laughing at her

coffee again. The lightbulb that he was screwing in sparks and he falls off

the ladder)

(Fast forward in time and we see two Bee Scientists testing out a parachute

in a Honex wind tunnel)

BEE SCIENTIST #1:

This can't possibly work.

BEE SCIENTIST #2:

He's all set to go.

We may as well try it.

 :

OK, Dave, pull the chute.

(Dave pulls the chute and the wind slams him against the wall and he falls

on his face.The camera pans over and we see Barry and Adam walking

together)

ADAM:

- Sounds amazing.

BARRY:

- It was amazing!

 :

It was the scariest,

happiest moment of my life.

ADAM:

Humans! I can't believe

you were with humans!

 :

Giant, scary humans!

What were they like?

BARRY:

Huge and crazy. They talk crazy.

 :

They eat crazy giant things.

They drive crazy.

ADAM:

- Do they try and kill you, like on TV?

BARRY:

- Some of them. But some of them don't.

ADAM:

- How'd you get back?

BARRY:

- Poodle.

ADAM:

You did it, and I'm glad. You saw

whatever you wanted to see.

 :

You had your "experience." Now you

can pick out your job and be normal.

BARRY:

- Well...

ADAM:

- Well?

BARRY:

Well, I met someone.

ADAM:

You did? Was she Bee-ish?

 :

- A wasp?! Your parents will kill you!

BARRY:

- No, no, no, not a wasp.

ADAM:

- Spider?

BARRY:

- I'm not attracted to spiders.

 :

I know, for everyone else, it's the hottest thing,

with the eight legs and all.

 :

I can't get by that face.

ADAM:

So who is she?

BARRY:

She's... human.

ADAM:

No, no. That's a bee law.

You wouldn't break a bee law.

BARRY:

- Her name's Vanessa.

(Adam puts his head in his hands)

ADAM:

- Oh, boy.

BARRY==

She's so nice. And she's a florist!

ADAM:

Oh, no! You're dating a human florist!

BARRY:

We're not dating.

ADAM:

You're flying outside the hive, talking

to humans that attack our homes

 :

with power washers and M-80s!

That's one-eighth a stick of dynamite!

BARRY:

She saved my life!

And she understands me.

ADAM:

This is over!

BARRY:

Eat this.

(Barry gives Adam a piece of the crumb that he got from Vanessa. Adam eats

it)

ADAM:

(Adam's tone changes)

This is not over! What was that?

BARRY:

- They call it a crumb.

ADAM:

- It was so stingin' stripey!

BARRY:

And that's not what they eat.

That's what falls off what they eat!

 :

- You know what a Cinnabon is?

ADAM:

- No.

(Adam opens a door behind him and he pulls Barry in)

BARRY:

It's bread and cinnamon and frosting.

ADAM:

Be quiet!

BARRY:

They heat it up...

ADAM:

Sit down!

(Adam forces Barry to sit down)

BARRY:

(Still rambling about Cinnabons)

...really hot!

(Adam grabs Barry by the shoulders)

ADAM:

- Listen to me!

 :

We are not them! We're us.

There's us and there's them!

BARRY==

Yes, but who can deny

the heart that is yearning?

ADAM:

There's no yearning.

Stop yearning. Listen to me!

 :

You have got to start thinking bee,

my friend. Thinking bee!

BARRY:

- Thinking bee.

WORKER BEE:

- Thinking bee.

WORKER BEES AND ADAM:

Thinking bee! Thinking bee!

Thinking bee! Thinking bee!

(Flash forward in time; Barry is laying on a raft in a pool full of honey.

He is wearing sunglasses)

JANET:

There he is. He's in the pool.

MARTIN:

You know what your problem is, Barry?

(Barry pulls down his sunglasses and he looks annoyed)

BARRY:

(Sarcastic)

I gotta start thinking bee?

JANET:

How much longer will this go on?

MARTIN:

It's been three days!

Why aren't you working?

(Puts sunglasses back on)

BARRY:

I've got a lot of big life decisions

to think about.

MARTIN:

What life? You have no life!

You have no job. You're barely a bee!

JANET:

Would it kill you

to make a little honey?

(Barry rolls off the raft and sinks into the honey pool)

 :

Barry, come out.

Your father's talking to you.

 :

Martin, would you talk to him?

MARTIN:

Barry, I'm talking to you!

(Barry keeps sinking into the honey until he is suddenly in Central Park

having a picnic with Vanessa)

(Barry has a cup of honey and he clinks his glass with Vanessas. Suddenly a

mosquito lands on Vanessa and she slaps it, killing it. They both gasp but

then burst out laughing)

VANESSA:

You coming?

(The camera pans over and Vanessa is climbing into a small yellow airplane)

BARRY:

Got everything?

VANESSA:

All set!

BARRY:

Go ahead. I'll catch up.

(Vanessa lifts off and flies ahead)

VANESSA:

Don't be too long.

(Barry catches up with Vanessa and he sticks out his arms like ana irplane.

He rolls from side to side, and Vanessa copies him with the airplane)

VANESSA:

Watch this!

(Barry stays back and watches as Vanessa draws a heart in the air using

pink smoke from the plane, but on the last loop-the-loop she suddenly

crashes into a mountain and the plane explodes. The destroyed plane falls

into some rocks and explodes a second time)

BARRY:

Vanessa!

(As Barry is yelling his mouth fills with honey and he wakes up,

discovering that he was just day dreaming. He slowly sinks back into the

honey pool)

MARTIN:

- We're still here.

JANET:

- I told you not to yell at him.

 :

He doesn't respond to yelling!

MARTIN:

- Then why yell at me?

JANET:

- Because you don't listen!

MARTIN:

I'm not listening to this.

BARRY:

Sorry, I've gotta go.

MARTIN:

- Where are you going?

BARRY:

- I'm meeting a friend.

JANET:

A girl? Is this why you can't decide?

BARRY:

Bye.

(Barry flies out the door and Martin shakes his head)

 :

JANET==

I just hope she's Bee-ish.

(Fast forward in time and Barry is sitting on Vanessa's shoulder and she is

closing up her shop)

BARRY:

They have a huge parade

of flowers every year in Pasadena?

VANESSA:

To be in the Tournament of Roses,

that's every florist's dream!

 :

Up on a float, surrounded

by flowers, crowds cheering.

BARRY:

A tournament. Do the roses

compete in athletic events?

VANESSA:

No. All right, I've got one.

How come you don't fly everywhere?

BARRY:

It's exhausting. Why don't you

run everywhere? It's faster.

VANESSA:

Yeah, OK, I see, I see.

All right, your turn.

BARRY:

TiVo. You can just freeze live TV?

That's insane!

VANESSA:

You don't have that?

BARRY:

We have Hivo, but it's a disease.

It's a horrible, horrible disease.

VANESSA:

Oh, my.

(A human walks by and Barry narrowly avoids him)

PASSERBY:

Dumb bees!

VANESSA:

You must want to sting all those jerks.

BARRY:

We try not to sting.

It's usually fatal for us.

VANESSA:

So you have to watch your temper

(They walk into a store)

BARRY:

Very carefully.

You kick a wall, take a walk,

 :

write an angry letter and throw it out.

Work through it like any emotion:

 :

Anger, jealousy, lust.

(Suddenly an employee(Hector) hits Barry off of Vanessa's shoulder. Hector

thinks he's saving Vanessa)

VANESSA:

(To Barry)

Oh, my goodness! Are you OK?

(Barry is getting up off the floor)

BARRY:

Yeah.

VANESSA:

(To Hector)

- What is wrong with you?!

HECTOR:

(Confused)

- It's a bug.

VANESSA:

He's not bothering anybody.

Get out of here, you creep!

(Vanessa hits Hector across the face with the magazine he had and then hits

him in the head. Hector backs away covering his head)

Barry:

What was that? A Pic 'N' Save circular?

(Vanessa sets Barry back on her shoulder)

VANESSA:

Yeah, it was. How did you know?

BARRY:

It felt like about 10 pages.

Seventy-five is pretty much our limit.

VANESSA:

You've really got that

down to a science.

BARRY:

- Oh, we have to. I lost a cousin to Italian Vogue.

VANESSA:

- I'll bet.

(Barry looks to his right and notices there is honey for sale in the aisle)

BARRY:

What in the name

of Mighty Hercules is this?

(Barry looks at all the brands of honey, shocked)

How did this get here?

Cute Bee, Golden Blossom,

 :

Ray Liotta Private Select?

(Barry puts his hands up and slowly turns around, a look of disgust on his

face)

VANESSA:

- Is he that actor?

BARRY:

- I never heard of him.

 :

- Why is this here?

VANESSA:

- For people. We eat it.

BARRY:

You don't have

enough food of your own?!

(Hector looks back and notices that Vanessa is talking to Barry)

VANESSA:

- Well, yes.

BARRY:

- How do you get it?

VANESSA:

- Bees make it.

BARRY:

- I know who makes it!

 :

And it's hard to make it!

 :

There's heating, cooling, stirring.

You need a whole Krelman thing!

VANESSA:

- It's organic.

BARRY:

- It's our-ganic!

VANESSA:

It's just honey, Barry.

BARRY:

Just what?!

 :

Bees don't know about this!

This is stealing! A lot of stealing!

 :

You've taken our homes, schools,

hospitals! This is all we have!

 :

And it's on sale?!

I'm getting to the bottom of this.

 :

I'm getting to the bottom

of all of this!

(Flash forward in time; Barry paints his face with black strikes like a

soldier and sneaks into the storage section of the store)

(Two men, including Hector, are loading boxes into some trucks)

 :

SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEE==

Hey, Hector.

 :

- You almost done?

HECTOR:

- Almost.

(Barry takes a step to peak around the corner)

(Whispering)

He is here. I sense it.

 :

Well, I guess I'll go home now

(Hector pretends to walk away by walking in place and speaking loudly)

 :

and just leave this nice honey out,

with no one around.

BARRY:

You're busted, box boy!

HECTOR:

I knew I heard something!

So you can talk!

BARRY:

I can talk.

And now you'll start talking!

 :

Where you getting the sweet stuff?

Who's your supplier?

HECTOR:

I don't understand.

I thought we were friends.

 :

The last thing we want

to do is upset bees!

(Hector takes a thumbtack out of the board behind him and sword-fights

Barry. Barry is using his stinger like a sword)

 :

You're too late! It's ours now!

BARRY:

You, sir, have crossed

the wrong sword!

HECTOR:

You, sir, will be lunch

for my iguana, Ignacio!

(Barry hits the thumbtack out of Hectors hand and Hector surrenders)

Barry:

Where is the honey coming from?

 :

Tell me where!

HECTOR:

(Pointing to leaving truck)

Honey Farms! It comes from Honey Farms!

(Barry chases after the truck but it is getting away. He flies onto a

bicyclists' backpack and he catches up to the truck)

CAR DRIVER:

(To bicyclist)

Crazy person!

(Barry flies off and lands on the windshield of the Honey farms truck.

Barry looks around and sees dead bugs splattered everywhere)

BARRY:

What horrible thing has happened here?

 :

These faces, they never knew

what hit them. And now

 :

they're on the road to nowhere!

(Barry hears a sudden whisper)

(Barry looks up and sees Mooseblood, a mosquito playing dead)

MOOSEBLOOD:

Just keep still.

BARRY:

What? You're not dead?

MOOSEBLOOD:

Do I look dead? They will wipe anything

that moves. Where you headed?

BARRY:

To Honey Farms.

I am onto something huge here.

MOOSEBLOOD:

I'm going to Alaska. Moose blood,

crazy stuff. Blows your head off!

ANOTHER BUG PLAYING DEAD:

I'm going to Tacoma.

(Barry looks at another bug)

BARRY:

- And you?

MOOSEBLOOD:

- He really is dead.

BARRY:

All right.

(Another bug hits the windshield and the drivers notice. They activate the

windshield wipers)

MOOSEBLOOD==

Uh-oh!

(The windshield wipers are slowly sliding over the dead bugs and wiping

them off)

BARRY:

- What is that?!

MOOSEBLOOD:

- Oh, no!

 :

- A wiper! Triple blade!

BARRY:

- Triple blade?

MOOSEBLOOD:

Jump on! It's your only chance, bee!

(Mooseblood and Barry grab onto the wiper and they hold on as it wipes the

windshield)

Why does everything have

to be so doggone clean?!

 :

How much do you people need to see?!

(Bangs on windshield)

 :

Open your eyes!

Stick your head out the window!

RADIO IN TRUCK:

From NPR News in Washington,

I'm Carl Kasell.

MOOSEBLOOD:

But don't kill no more bugs!

(Mooseblood and Barry are washed off by the wipr fluid)

MOOSEBLOOD:

- Bee!

BARRY:

- Moose blood guy!!

(Barry starts screaming as he hangs onto the antenna)

(Suddenly it is revealed that a water bug is also hanging on the antenna.

There is a pause and then Barry and the water bug both start screaming)

TRUCK DRIVER:

- You hear something?

GUY IN TRUCK:

- Like what?

TRUCK DRIVER:

Like tiny screaming.

GUY IN TRUCK:

Turn off the radio.

(The antenna starts to lower until it gets to low and sinks into the truck.

The water bug flies off and Barry is forced to let go and he is blown away.

He luckily lands inside a horn on top of the truck where he finds

Mooseblood, who was blown into the same place)

MOOSEBLOOD:

Whassup, bee boy?

BARRY:

Hey, Blood.

(Fast forward in time and we see that Barry is deep in conversation with

Mooseblood. They have been sitting in this truck for a while)

BARRY:

...Just a row of honey jars,

as far as the eye could see.

MOOSEBLOOD:

Wow!

BARRY:

I assume wherever this truck goes

is where they're getting it.

 :

I mean, that honey's ours.

MOOSEBLOOD:

- Bees hang tight.

BARRY:

- We're all jammed in.

 :

It's a close community.

MOOSEBLOOD:

Not us, man. We on our own.

Every mosquito on his own.

BARRY:

- What if you get in trouble?

MOOSEBLOOD:

- You a mosquito, you in trouble.

 :

Nobody likes us. They just smack.

See a mosquito, smack, smack!

BARRY:

At least you're out in the world.

You must meet girls.

MOOSEBLOOD:

Mosquito girls try to trade up,

get with a moth, dragonfly.

 :

Mosquito girl don't want no mosquito.

(An ambulance passes by and it has a blood donation sign on it)

You got to be kidding me!

 :

Mooseblood's about to leave

the building! So long, bee!

(Mooseblood leaves and flies onto the window of the ambulance where there

are other mosquito's hanging out)

 :

- Hey, guys!

OTHER MOSQUITO:

- Mooseblood!

MOOSEBLOOD:

I knew I'd catch y'all down here.

Did you bring your crazy straw?

(The truck goes out of view and Barry notices that the truck he's on is

pulling into a camp of some sort)

TRUCK DRIVER:

We throw it in jars, slap a label on it,

and it's pretty much pure profit.

(Barry flies out)

BARRY:

What is this place?

BEEKEEPER 1#:

A bee's got a brain

the size of a pinhead.

BEEKEEPER #2:

They are pinheads!

 :

Pinhead.

 :

- Check out the new smoker.

BEEKEEPER #1:

- Oh, sweet. That's the one you want.

 :

The Thomas 3000!

BARRY:

Smoker?

BEEKEEPER #1:

Ninety puffs a minute, semi-automatic.

Twice the nicotine, all the tar.

 :

A couple breaths of this

knocks them right out.

BEEKEEPER #2:

They make the honey,

and we make the money.

BARRY:

"They make the honey,

and we make the money"?

(The Beekeeper sprays hundreds of cheap miniature apartments with the

smoker. The bees are fainting or passing out)

Oh, my!

 :

What's going on? Are you OK?

(Barry flies into one of the apartment and helps a Bee couple get off the

ground. They are coughing and its hard for them to stand)

BEE IN APARTMENT:

Yeah. It doesn't last too long.

BARRY:

Do you know you're

in a fake hive with fake walls?

BEE IN APPARTMENT:

Our queen was moved here.

We had no choice.

(The apartment room is completely empty except for a photo on the wall of

the "queen" who is obviously a man in women's clothes)

BARRY:

This is your queen?

That's a man in women's clothes!

 :

That's a drag queen!

 :

What is this?

(Barry flies out and he discovers that there are hundreds of these

structures, each housing thousands of Bees)

Oh, no!

 :

There's hundreds of them!

(Barry takes out his camera and takes pictures of these Bee work camps. The

beekeepers look very evil in these depictions)

Bee honey.

 :

Our honey is being brazenly stolen

on a massive scale!

 :

This is worse than anything bears

have done! I intend to do something.

(Flash forward in time and Barry is showing these pictures to his parents)

JANET:

Oh, Barry, stop.

MARTIN:

Who told you humans are taking

our honey? That's a rumor.

BARRY:

Do these look like rumors?

(Holds up the pictures)

Fuck it

Bee Movie script

Bee Movie

By Jerry Seinfeld

NARRATOR:

(Black screen with text; The sound of buzzing bees can be heard)

According to all known laws

of aviation,

 :

there is no way a bee

should be able to fly.

 :

Its wings are too small to get

its fat little body off the ground.

 :

The bee, of course, flies anyway

 :

because bees don't care

what humans think is impossible.

BARRY BENSON:

(Barry is picking out a shirt)

Yellow, black. Yellow, black.

Yellow, black. Yellow, black.

 :

Ooh, black and yellow!

Let's shake it up a little.

JANET BENSON:

Barry! Breakfast is ready!

BARRY:

Coming!

 :

Hang on a second.

(Barry uses his antenna like a phone)

 :

Hello?

ADAM FLAYMAN:

(Through phone)

- Barry?

BARRY:

- Adam?

ADAM:

- Can you believe this is happening?

BARRY:

- I can't. I'll pick you up.

(Barry flies down the stairs)

 :

MARTIN BENSON:

Looking sharp.

JANET:

Use the stairs. Your father

paid good money for those.

BARRY:

Sorry. I'm excited.

MARTIN:

Here's the graduate.

We're very proud of you, son.

 :

A perfect report card, all B's.

JANET:

Very proud.

(Rubs Barry's hair)

BARRY=

Ma! I got a thing going here.

JANET:

- You got lint on your fuzz.

BARRY:

- Ow! That's me!

JANET:

- Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000.

- Bye!

(Barry flies out the door)

JANET:

Barry, I told you,

stop flying in the house!

(Barry drives through the hive,and is waved at by Adam who is reading a

newspaper)

BARRY==

- Hey, Adam.

ADAM:

- Hey, Barry.

(Adam gets in Barry's car)

 :

- Is that fuzz gel?

BARRY:

- A little. Special day, graduation.

ADAM:

Never thought I'd make it.

(Barry pulls away from the house and continues driving)

BARRY:

Three days grade school,

three days high school...

ADAM:

Those were awkward.

BARRY:

Three days college. I'm glad I took

a day and hitchhiked around the hive.

ADAM==

You did come back different.

(Barry and Adam pass by Artie, who is jogging)

ARTIE:

- Hi, Barry!

BARRY:

- Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good.

ADAM:

- Hear about Frankie?

BARRY:

- Yeah.

ADAM==

- You going to the funeral?

BARRY:

- No, I'm not going to his funeral.

 :

Everybody knows,

sting someone, you die.

 :

Don't waste it on a squirrel.

Such a hothead.

ADAM:

I guess he could have

just gotten out of the way.

(The car does a barrel roll on the loop-shaped bridge and lands on the

highway)

 :

I love this incorporating

an amusement park into our regular day.

BARRY:

I guess that's why they say we don't need vacations.

(Barry parallel parks the car and together they fly over the graduating

students)

Boy, quite a bit of pomp...

under the circumstances.

(Barry and Adam sit down and put on their hats)

 :

- Well, Adam, today we are men.

ADAM:

- We are!

BARRY=

- Bee-men.

=ADAM=

- Amen!

BARRY AND ADAM:

Hallelujah!

(Barry and Adam both have a happy spasm)

ANNOUNCER:

Students, faculty, distinguished bees,

 :

please welcome Dean Buzzwell.

DEAN BUZZWELL:

Welcome, New Hive Oity

graduating class of...

 :

...9:

 :

That concludes our ceremonies.

 :

And begins your career

at Honex Industries!

ADAM:

Will we pick our job today?

(Adam and Barry get into a tour bus)

BARRY=

I heard it's just orientation.

(Tour buses rise out of the ground and the students are automatically

loaded into the buses)

TOUR GUIDE:

Heads up! Here we go.

ANNOUNCER:

Keep your hands and antennas

inside the tram at all times.

BARRY:

- Wonder what it'll be like?

ADAM:

- A little scary.

TOUR GUIDE==

Welcome to Honex,

a division of Honesco

 :

and a part of the Hexagon Group.

Barry:

This is it!

BARRY AND ADAM:

Wow.

BARRY:

Wow.

(The bus drives down a road an on either side are the Bee's massive

complicated Honey-making machines)

TOUR GUIDE:

We know that you, as a bee,

have worked your whole life

 :

to get to the point where you

can work for your whole life.

 :

Honey begins when our valiant Pollen

Jocks bring the nectar to the hive.

 :

Our top-secret formula

 :

is automatically color-corrected,

scent-adjusted and bubble-contoured

 :

into this soothing sweet syrup

 :

with its distinctive

golden glow you know as...

EVERYONE ON BUS:

Honey!

(The guide has been collecting honey into a bottle and she throws it into

the crowd on the bus and it is caught by a girl in the back)

ADAM:

- That girl was hot.

BARRY:

- She's my cousin!

ADAM==

- She is?

BARRY:

- Yes, we're all cousins.

ADAM:

- Right. You're right.

TOUR GUIDE:

- At Honex, we constantly strive

 :

to improve every aspect

of bee existence.

 :

These bees are stress-testing

a new helmet technology.

(The bus passes by a Bee wearing a helmet who is being smashed into the

ground with fly-swatters, newspapers and boots. He lifts a thumbs up but

you can hear him groan)

 :

ADAM==

- What do you think he makes?

BARRY:

- Not enough.

TOUR GUIDE:

Here we have our latest advancement,

the Krelman.

(They pass by a turning wheel with Bees standing on pegs, who are each

wearing a finger-shaped hat)

Barry:

- Wow, What does that do?

TOUR GUIDE:

- Catches that little strand of honey

 :

that hangs after you pour it.

Saves us millions.

ADAM:

(Intrigued)

Can anyone work on the Krelman?

TOUR GUIDE:

Of course. Most bee jobs are

small ones.

But bees know that every small job,

if it's done well, means a lot.

 :

But choose carefully

 :

because you'll stay in the job

you pick for the rest of your life.

(Everyone claps except for Barry)

BARRY:

The same job the rest of your life?

I didn't know that.

ADAM:

What's the difference?

TOUR GUIDE:

You'll be happy to know that bees,

as a species, haven't had one day off

 :

in 27 million years.

BARRY:

(Upset)

So you'll just work us to death?

 :

We'll sure try.

(Everyone on the bus laughs except Barry. Barry and Adam are walking back

home together)

ADAM:

Wow! That blew my mind!

BARRY:

"What's the difference?"

How can you say that?

 :

One job forever?

That's an insane choice to have to make.

ADAM:

I'm relieved. Now we only have

to make one decision in life.

BARRY:

But, Adam, how could they

never have told us that?

ADAM:

Why would you question anything?

We're bees.

 :

We're the most perfectly

functioning society on Earth.

BARRY:

You ever think maybe things

work a little too well here?

ADAM:

Like what? Give me one example.

(Barry and Adam stop walking and it is revealed to the audience that

hundreds of cars are speeding by and narrowly missing them in perfect

unison)

BARRY:

I don't know. But you know

what I'm talking about.

ANNOUNCER:

Please clear the gate.

Royal Nectar Force on approach.

BARRY:

Wait a second. Check it out.

(The Pollen jocks fly in, circle around and landing in line)

 :

- Hey, those are Pollen Jocks!

ADAM:

- Wow.

 :

I've never seen them this close.

BARRY:

They know what it's like

outside the hive.

ADAM:

Yeah, but some don't come back.

GIRL BEES:

- Hey, Jocks!

- Hi, Jocks!

(The Pollen Jocks hook up their backpacks to machines that pump the nectar

to trucks, which drive away)

LOU LO DUVA:

You guys did great!

 :

You're monsters!

You're sky freaks!

I love it!

(Punching the Pollen Jocks in joy)

I love it!

ADAM:

- I wonder where they were.

BARRY:

- I don't know.

 :

Their day's not planned.

 :

Outside the hive, flying who knows

where, doing who knows what.

 :

You can't just decide to be a Pollen

Jock. You have to be bred for that.

ADAM==

Right.

(Barry and Adam are covered in some pollen that floated off of the Pollen

Jocks)

BARRY:

Look at that. That's more pollen

than you and I will see in a lifetime.

ADAM:

It's just a status symbol.

Bees make too much of it.

BARRY:

Perhaps. Unless you're wearing it

and the ladies see you wearing it.

(Barry waves at 2 girls standing a little away from them)

ADAM==

Those ladies?

Aren't they our cousins too?

BARRY:

Distant. Distant.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

Look at these two.

POLLEN JOCK #2:

- Couple of Hive Harrys.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

- Let's have fun with them.

GIRL BEE #1:

It must be dangerous

being a Pollen Jock.

BARRY:

Yeah. Once a bear pinned me

against a mushroom!

 :

He had a paw on my throat,

and with the other, he was slapping me!

(Slaps Adam with his hand to represent his scenario)

GIRL BEE #2:

- Oh, my!

BARRY:

- I never thought I'd knock him out.

GIRL BEE #1:

(Looking at Adam)

What were you doing during this?

ADAM:

Obviously I was trying to alert the authorities.

BARRY:

I can autograph that.

(The pollen jocks walk up to Barry and Adam, they pretend that Barry and

Adam really are pollen jocks.)

POLLEN JOCK #1:

A little gusty out there today,

wasn't it, comrades?

BARRY:

Yeah. Gusty.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

We're hitting a sunflower patch

six miles from here tomorrow.

BARRY:

- Six miles, huh?

ADAM:

- Barry!

POLLEN JOCK #2:

A puddle jump for us,

but maybe you're not up for it.

BARRY:

- Maybe I am.

ADAM:

- You are not!

POLLEN JOCK #1:

We're going 0900 at J-Gate.

 :

What do you think, buzzy-boy?

Are you bee enough?

BARRY:

I might be. It all depends

on what 0900 means.

(The scene cuts to Barry looking out on the hive-city from his balcony at

night)

MARTIN:

Hey, Honex!

BARRY:

Dad, you surprised me.

MARTIN:

You decide what you're interested in?

BARRY:

- Well, there's a lot of choices.

- But you only get one.

 :

Do you ever get bored

doing the same job every day?

MARTIN:

Son, let me tell you about stirring.

 :

You grab that stick, and you just

move it around, and you stir it around.

 :

You get yourself into a rhythm.

It's a beautiful thing.

BARRY:

You know, Dad,

the more I think about it,

 :

maybe the honey field

just isn't right for me.

MARTIN:

You were thinking of what,

making balloon animals?

 :

That's a bad job

for a guy with a stinger.

 :

Janet, your son's not sure

he wants to go into honey!

JANET:

- Barry, you are so funny sometimes.

BARRY:

- I'm not trying to be funny.

MARTIN:

You're not funny! You're going

into honey. Our son, the stirrer!

JANET:

- You're gonna be a stirrer?

BARRY:

- No one's listening to me!

MARTIN:

Wait till you see the sticks I have.

BARRY:

I could say anything right now.

I'm gonna get an ant tattoo!

(Barry's parents don't listen to him and continue to ramble on)

MARTIN:

Let's open some honey and celebrate!

BARRY:

Maybe I'll pierce my thorax.

Shave my antennae.

 :

Shack up with a grasshopper. Get

a gold tooth and call everybody "dawg"!

JANET:

I'm so proud.

(The scene cuts to Barry and Adam waiting in line to get a job)

ADAM:

- We're starting work today!

BARRY:

- Today's the day.

ADAM:

Come on! All the good jobs

will be gone.

BARRY:

Yeah, right.

JOB LISTER:

Pollen counting, stunt bee, pouring,

stirrer, front desk, hair removal...

BEE IN FRONT OF LINE:

- Is it still available?

JOB LISTER:

- Hang on. Two left!

 :

One of them's yours! Congratulations!

Step to the side.

ADAM:

- What'd you get?

BEE IN FRONT OF LINE:

- Picking crud out. Stellar!

(He walks away)

ADAM:

Wow!

JOB LISTER:

Couple of newbies?

ADAM:

Yes, sir! Our first day! We are ready!

JOB LISTER:

Make your choice.

(Adam and Barry look up at the job board. There are hundreds of constantly

changing panels that contain available or unavailable jobs. It looks very

confusing)

ADAM:

- You want to go first?

BARRY:

- No, you go.

ADAM:

Oh, my. What's available?

JOB LISTER:

Restroom attendant's open,

not for the reason you think.

ADAM:

- Any chance of getting the Krelman?

JOB LISTER:

- Sure, you're on.

(Puts the Krelman finger-hat on Adam's head)

(Suddenly the sign for Krelman closes out)

 :

I'm sorry, the Krelman just closed out.

(Takes Adam's hat off)

Wax monkey's always open.

ADAM:

The Krelman opened up again.

 :

What happened?

JOB LISTER:

A bee died. Makes an opening. See?

He's dead. Another dead one.

 :

Deady. Deadified. Two more dead.

 :

Dead from the neck up.

Dead from the neck down. That's life!

ADAM:

Oh, this is so hard!

(Barry remembers what the Pollen Jock offered him and he flies off)

Heating, cooling,

stunt bee, pourer, stirrer,

 :

humming, inspector number seven,

lint coordinator, stripe supervisor,

 :

mite wrangler. Barry, what

do you think I should... Barry?

(Adam turns around and sees Barry flying away)

 :

Barry!

POLLEN JOCK:

All right, we've got the sunflower patch

in quadrant nine...

ADAM:

(Through phone)

What happened to you?

Where are you?

BARRY:

- I'm going out.

ADAM:

- Out? Out where?

BARRY:

- Out there.

ADAM:

- Oh, no!

BARRY:

I have to, before I go

to work for the rest of my life.

ADAM:

You're gonna die! You're crazy!

(Barry hangs up)

Hello?

POLLEN JOCK #2:

Another call coming in.

 :

If anyone's feeling brave,

there's a Korean deli on 83rd

 :

that gets their roses today.

BARRY:

Hey, guys.

POLLEN JOCK #1 ==

- Look at that.

POLLEN JOCK #2:

- Isn't that the kid we saw yesterday?

LOU LO DUVA:

Hold it, son, flight deck's restricted.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

It's OK, Lou. We're gonna take him up.

(Puts hand on Barry's shoulder)

LOU LO DUVA:

(To Barry) Really? Feeling lucky, are you?

BEE WITH CLIPBOARD:

(To Barry) Sign here, here. Just initial that.

 :

- Thank you.

LOU LO DUVA:

- OK.

 :

You got a rain advisory today,

 :

and as you all know,

bees cannot fly in rain.

 :

So be careful. As always,

watch your brooms,

 :

hockey sticks, dogs,

birds, bears and bats.

 :

Also, I got a couple of reports

of root beer being poured on us.

 :

Murphy's in a home because of it,

babbling like a cicada!

BARRY:

- That's awful.

LOU LO DUVA:

(Still talking through megaphone)

- And a reminder for you rookies,

 :

bee law number one,

absolutely no talking to humans!

 :

All right, launch positions!

POLLEN JOCKS:

(The Pollen Jocks run into formation)

 :

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz,

buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!

LOU LU DUVA:

Black and yellow!

POLLEN JOCKS:

Hello!

POLLEN JOCK #1:

(To Barry)You ready for this, hot shot?

BARRY:

Yeah. Yeah, bring it on.

POLLEN JOCK's:

Wind, check.

 :

- Antennae, check.

- Nectar pack, check.

 :

- Wings, check.

- Stinger, check.

BARRY:

Scared out of my shorts, check.

LOU LO DUVA:

OK, ladies,

 :

let's move it out!

 :

Pound those petunias,

you striped stem-suckers!

 :

All of you, drain those flowers!

(The pollen jocks fly out of the hive)

BARRY:

Wow! I'm out!

 :

I can't believe I'm out!

 :

So blue.

 :

I feel so fast and free!

 :

Box kite!

(Barry flies through the kite)

 :

Wow!

 :

Flowers!

(A pollen jock puts on some high tech goggles that shows flowers similar to

heat sink goggles.)

POLLEN JOCK:

This is Blue Leader.

We have roses visual.

 :

Bring it around 30 degrees and hold.

 :

Roses!

POLLEN JOCK #1:

30 degrees, roger. Bringing it around.

 :

Stand to the side, kid.

It's got a bit of a kick.

(The pollen jock fires a high-tech gun at the flower, shooting tubes that

suck up the nectar from the flower and collects it into a pouch on the gun)

BARRY:

That is one nectar collector!

POLLEN JOCK #1==

- Ever see pollination up close?

BARRY:

- No, sir.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

(Barry and the Pollen jock fly over the field, the pollen jock sprinkles

pollen as he goes)

 :

I pick up some pollen here, sprinkle it

over here. Maybe a dash over there,

 :

a pinch on that one.

See that? It's a little bit of magic.

BARRY:

That's amazing. Why do we do that?

POLLEN JOCK #1:

That's pollen power. More pollen, more

flowers, more nectar, more honey for us.

BARRY:

Cool.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

I'm picking up a lot of bright yellow.

could be daisies. Don't we need those?

POLLEN JOCK #2:

Copy that visual.

 :

Wait. One of these flowers

seems to be on the move.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

Say again? You're reporting

a moving flower?

POLLEN JOCK #2:

Affirmative.

(The Pollen jocks land near the "flowers" which, to the audience are

obviously just tennis balls)

KEN:

(In the distance) That was on the line!

POLLEN JOCK #1:

This is the coolest. What is it?

POLLEN JOCK #2:

I don't know, but I'm loving this color.

 :

It smells good.

Not like a flower, but I like it.

POLLEN JOCK #1:

Yeah, fuzzy.

(Sticks his hand on the ball but it gets stuck)

POLLEN JOCK #3==

Chemical-y.

(The pollen jock finally gets his hand free from the tennis ball)

POLLEN JOCK #1:

Careful, guys. It's a little grabby.

(The pollen jocks turn around and see Barry lying his entire body on top of

one of the tennis balls)

POLLEN JOCK #2:

My sweet lord of bees!

POLLEN JOCK #3:

Candy-brain, get off there!

POLLEN JOCK #1:

(Pointing upwards)

Problem!

(A human hand reaches down and grabs the tennis ball that Barry is stuck

to)

BARRY:

- Guys!

POLLEN JOCK #2:

- This could be bad.

POLLEN JOCK #3:

Affirmative.

(Vanessa Bloome starts bouncing the tennis ball, not knowing Barry is stick

to it)

BARRY==

Very close.

 :

Gonna hurt.

 :

Mama's little boy.

(Barry is being hit back and forth by two humans playing tennis. He is

still stuck to the ball)

POLLEN JOCK #1:

You are way out of position, rookie!

KEN:

Coming in at you like a MISSILE!

(Barry flies past the pollen jocks, still stuck to the ball)

BARRY:

(In slow motion)

Help me!

POLLEN JOCK #2:

I don't think these are flowers.

POLLEN JOCK #3:

- Should we tell him?

POLLEN JOCK #1:

- I think he knows.

BARRY:

What is this?!

KEN:

Match point!

 :

You can start packing up, honey,

because you're about to EAT IT!

(A pollen jock coughs which confused Ken and he hits the ball the wrong way

with Barry stuck to it and it goes flying into the city)

BARRY:

Yowser!

(Barry bounces around town and gets stuck in the engine of a car. He flies

into the air conditioner and sees a bug that was frozen in there)

BARRY:

Ew, gross.

(The man driving the car turns on the air conditioner which blows Barry

into the car)

GIRL IN CAR:

There's a bee in the car!

 :

- Do something!

DAD DRIVING CAR:

- I'm driving!

BABY GIRL:

(Waving at Barry)

- Hi, bee.

(Barry smiles and waves at the baby girl)

GUY IN BACK OF CAR:

- He's back here!

 :

He's going to sting me!

GIRL IN CAR:

Nobody move. If you don't move,

he won't sting you. Freeze!

(Barry freezes as well, hovering in the middle of the car)

 :

GRANDMA IN CAR==

He blinked!

(The grandma whips out some bee-spray and sprays everywhere in the car,

climbing into the front seat, still trying to spray Barry)

GIRL IN CAR:

Spray him, Granny!

DAD DRIVING THE CAR:

What are you doing?!

(Barry escapes the car through the air conditioner and is flying high above

the ground, safe.)

BARRY:

Wow... the tension level

out here is unbelievable.

(Barry sees that storm clouds are gathering and he can see rain clouds

moving into this direction)

 :

I gotta get home.

 :

Can't fly in rain.

 :

Can't fly in rain.

(A rain drop hits Barry and one of his wings is damaged)

 :

Can't fly in rain.

(A second rain drop hits Barry again and he spirals downwards)

Mayday! Mayday! Bee going down!

(WW2 plane sound effects are played as he plummets, and he crash-lands on a

plant inside an apartment near the window)

VANESSA BLOOME:

Ken, could you close

the window please?

KEN==

Hey, check out my new resume.

I made it into a fold-out brochure.

 :

You see?

(Folds brochure resume out)

Folds out.

(Ken closes the window, trapping Barry inside)

BARRY:

Oh, no. More humans. I don't need this.

(Barry tries to fly away but smashes into the window and falls again)

 :

What was that?

(Barry keeps trying to fly out the window but he keeps being knocked back

because the window is closed)

Maybe this time. This time. This time.

This time! This time! This...

 :

Drapes!

(Barry taps the glass. He doesn't understand what it is)

That is diabolical.

KEN:

It's fantastic. It's got all my special

skills, even my top-ten favorite movies.

ANDY:

What's number one? Star Wars?

KEN:

Nah, I don't go for that...

(Ken makes finger guns and makes "pew pew pew" sounds and then stops)

 :

...kind of stuff.

BARRY:

No wonder we shouldn't talk to them.

They're out of their minds.

KEN:

When I leave a job interview, they're

flabbergasted, can't believe what I say.

BARRY:

(Looking at the light on the ceiling)

There's the sun. Maybe that's a way out.

(Starts flying towards the lightbulb)

 :

I don't remember the sun

having a big 75 on it.

(Barry hits the lightbulb and falls into the dip on the table that the

humans are sitting at)

KEN:

I predicted global warming.

 :

I could feel it getting hotter.

At first I thought it was just me.

(Andy dips a chip into the bowl and scoops up some dip with Barry on it and

is about to put it in his mouth)

 :

Wait! Stop! Bee!

(Andy drops the chip with Barry in fear and backs away. All the humans

freak out)

 :

Stand back. These are winter boots.

(Ken has winter boots on his hands and he is about to smash the bee but

Vanessa saves him last second)

VANESSA:

Wait!

 :

Don't kill him!

(Vanessa puts Barry in a glass to protect him)

KEN:

You know I'm allergic to them!

This thing could kill me!

VANESSA:

Why does his life have

less value than yours?

KEN:

Why does his life have any less value

than mine? Is that your statement?

VANESSA:

I'm just saying all life has value. You

don't know what he's capable of feeling.

(Vanessa picks up Ken's brochure and puts it under the glass so she can

carry Barry back to the window. Barry looks at Vanessa in amazement)

KEN:

My brochure!

[bxcketbarnes]

Love in the Workplace

fPairing: Gardener!Bucky Barnes x Receptionist!Reader

Words: 4900+

Author's Note: I thought of this idea while staying at our hotel in California and it's the cutest fucking thing in the world. I love this. I hope you guys enjoy it as well! Let me know your thoughts!

"Sarah, I don't need this at seven in the morning," you tell your friend while adjusting your bag on your shoulder. You slam your car door shut, your eyes looking towards the entrance of the hotel.

Your breath hitches in your throat at the sight of the new gardener. "What is it?" Sarah asks you and you clear your throat before tearing your gaze from the man.

"Uh, nothing. I finally see the gardener that the hotel hired," you mention while walking closer to the place. "I gotta go."

Sarah bids you goodbye after telling you to let her know if something happens between the two of you. You shove your phone into your pocket and walk past him, your eyes glancing over his shirtless chest.

His blue eyes meet yours and you give him a shy smile with a wave. "G'Morning," he greets.

"Morning. First day?" You ask the man and a laugh leaves his lips.

"That noticeable?"

You bring your bottom lip between your teeth and shake your head. "Not at all. Just the first time I've seen you. I usually work every morning," you laugh and he smiles down at you.

"I'm Bucky," the brunette introduces and holds out his metal hand. You eye it carefully before smiling up at him. "Sorry, if my arm makes you uncomfortable."

"Oh, no, no. It's a real cool looking arm," you reassure him and Bucky lets out a chuckle.

His blue eyes look down at his vibranium arm after you let go, bringing your hand back down by your side. "Well, thank you. That's the first time I've heard that," Bucky mentions and you bite the inside of your cheek. "Hey, do these hydrangeas look alright?"

You adjust the bag on your shoulder and walk closer to him, inspecting the plants he planted. "They look really good. I love the colors," you tell him, and Bucky smiles while nodding his head.

"Good. Wanna make a good first impression," he explains and you chuckle, laying a hand on his metal arm.

"I'm pretty sure you've already made one if they hired you. The bosses are strict about hiring people."

Bucky runs a hand through his sweaty hair, your eyes raking down his shirtless body. God, he's attractive. You turn your head towards the front door of the hotel before glancing down at your watch, seeing it was almost eight in the morning.

"Well, I would love to stay and chat longer, Buck, but I've got to start my day," you mention and start to walk away from him. "I'll see you around."

The blue-eyed man nods his head and waves slightly. "See you around, doll."

Steve's head picks up when you step through the lobby doors and you smile softly at him. "Morning, Steve," you greet while stepping behind the receptionist desk. "Busy night?"

The blonde shakes his head and stands up from his chair, allowing you to sit down in it. "Not at all. It was extremely dead," Steve laughs and runs a hand through his hair.

You're about to say something when Bucky walks into the building, your eyes dancing over towards him. "Hey, Steve," he greets before his blue eyes meet yours. "Y/N."

A small blush covers your cheeks and you provide a small wave before sitting in the seat. Steve looks down at you, a smirk coming to his lips and you raise a finger before he can say anything.

"Hush!" You laugh and Steve joins in, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I didn't even say anything!" He laughs and you look up at him, narrowing your eyes playfully.

"No, but the smirk on your lips said everything."

Steve gathers his stuff while shaking his head as you sign into the computer. A customer walks up to the counter and you greet them happily as the blonde leans in towards your ear.

"Bucky's a great guy and single if you're interested," he informs you while you're looking up the woman's information, a blush covering your cheek.

You swat at him and another laugh leaves your lips. "Get out of here!" Steve chuckles and raises his hands in defense before leaving the hotel lobby. "I'm so sorry about that."

The woman in front of you waves her hand before mumbling, "it's alright."

"Gotta have fun on the job, am I right?" She grins and you nod your head in agreement, a smile coming to your lips.

-

Two Months Later...

"Tony, I really appreciate you allowing me to stay here until my gas leak gets fixed," you mention to your manager as the man fixes up a room key for you.

The older man smiles down at you and rests a hand on your shoulder. "Kid, I'd do anything for you. You've been with this hotel for years and you're so kind. I couldn't even bring myself to say no," he chuckles and you smile up at him.

"You guys are like my family and I appreciate everything you've done for me," you tell him while Tony hands you the key.

Tony ruffles your hair a bit before walking back towards his office. "Oh, I put you next to Barnes in case you have questions. Plus, I figured you enjoy a familiar face," he winks and you let out a groan.

Of course, he put me next to Bucky. Smug bastard. You gently bite your lip while heading towards the elevator, pressing the button to call it. "Way to be so obvious about your feelings, Y/N," you say to yourself with a sigh, running a hand through your hair.

"Are you talking about your crush on Bucky?" A familiar voice asks you and you jump, placing a hand on your chest before glancing to your left.

Steve and Natasha stand in the archway where the two elevators sit, smirks on both of their lips. "Jesus, you two," you groan as they walk over to you. "What are you doing here?"

Nat ruffles her hair a bit before glancing towards Steve. "Steve and I are going on a date. I'm picking him up," she mentions and a gasp leaves your lips.

"No fucking way?!" Your eyes dance between the two of them and Steve's cheeks blush a bit. "That's incredible. I've only been shipping it for almost six months."

The three of you let out a chuckle before Steve pipes up. "Yeah, well, when are you going to ask out Bucky?"

The laughter dies on your lips and you bring your lip between your teeth. "Shut up," you scoff while rolling your eyes. "I'm not going to ask him out because he doesn't feel that way about me."

Both Steve and Natasha give you a look before the redhead rubs her hands along her face. "Sweetheart, that boy is crushing on you just as hard as you are for him," she mentions and your cheeks flush.

"Go enjoy your date," you tell them before pressing the button to the elevator once more.

The door opens immediately and you step inside, giving your friends one last grin. You press the floor your room is on and watch the elevator doors close before letting out a deep breath.

You adjust your grip on your suitcase and pile out of the elevator when it opens back up. You run into someone, muttering out a quick apology before glancing up at the person. Your breath hitches in your throat as Bucky stands in front of you, his bare torso staring you in the face.

"Bucky," you breathe out and the blue-eyed man glances down at you, "h-hi."

"Hey, doll," Bucky smiles and the two of you stand in the middle of the elevator door.

You swallow thickly as your eyes flicker from his eyes to his chest. "S-Sorry, let me just-" you cut yourself off and move around him, your shoulder brushing against his arm.

"Are you staying here?" The man questions and you look down towards your luggage before nodding your head.

"I, uh, yeah. My apartment has a gas leak, so Tony's letting me stay here for a week or so."

Bucky wets his lips and adjusts the towel in his hands. "I'm going down to the pool for a little bit… would you- would you want to join me?" He asks and your heart beats quickly in your chest.

"Y-Yeah. Yeah, I'll be down in about five minutes," you stutter and give the man a shy smile.

He bites his lip for a few seconds before standing in the elevator, keeping his eyes on you. "Great. I'll see you in a few," Bucky says while the elevator doors shut.

"Yeah…" you trail off as your cheeks blush heavily.

You continue making your way to your hotel room, silently hyping yourself up with each step. You place the keycard into the slot before pushing your way into the room. You set your suitcase onto the bed and open it before grabbing your bikini.

After changing into your swimsuit, you grab a towel from the bathroom along with your keycard before making your way back downstairs. You chew on your bottom lip while walking towards the pool area, seeing Bucky sitting in the hot tub.

You insert your key and open the gate, giving the blue-eyed man a small wave. You set your stuff down beside his before heading towards him. You adjust your red top as Bucky's eyes look you up and down.

"Cute top," he mumbles while draping his arms across the edge of the spa.

"Thank you," you chuckle shyly and sits down across from him. "So, how come you're staying here?"

Bucky lets out a laugh and moves his hands through the bubbly water before rubbing his face. "Well, my ex broke up with me a week ago and I happened to be living in her apartment. Tony let me stay here until I can get my own place," he explains and you frown slightly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," you apologize and Bucky shakes his head, mumbling that it was alright. "But, it was nice of Tony to let you stay here until you're on your feet."

"Yeah, it was. Which room are you in?"

A blush dusts your cheeks and you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. "I'm next door to you. Tony thought it'd be nice to have a familiar face beside me," you laugh awkwardly while looking away from him.

Bucky smirks at you while wiggling his eyebrows. "This'll be fun. We'll be great neighbors," he grins and you roll your eyes playfully while standing up from your seat.

"Shut up," you tell him with a laugh and Bucky watches you step out of the hot tub.

You feel his eyes on you as you walk closer to the steps of the pool, making eye contact with him as you descend into the cool water. Bucky suddenly gets up and makes his way into the pool, jumping in immediately and you release a quiet squeal.

Bucky swims up to you and you take a couple of steps back as he resurfaces. "Well, that was quite rude," you joke and the man suddenly shakes his head, rouge water droplets hitting you. "Bucky! That's cold!"

He hums in response and splashes you playfully. "Oh, come on, it's warm!"

"It's not!" You squeal some more and take a couple of more steps back. Bucky walks closer to you, reaching his hands out before capturing you in his grasp.

His arms wrap around your waist and Bucky holes you against his chest while carrying you into the deeper area of the pool. You wrap your arms around his neck, your chest pressed against the man's face.

"Well, I can die happy now," Bucky jokes and you smack the back of his head, rolling your eyes at him again.

"You're such a guy," you laugh, attempting to get out of his grasp. "Can you put me down now?"

The blue-eyed man looks up at you through his lashes, your breath hitching in his throat as the pool lights shine on his face. "I quite like you like this," he whispers, and your heart pounds against your chest, feeling your cheeks heat up.

Bucky brings a hand to your face and his fingers graze against your cheek. Your eyes flutter shut while resting your forehead against his. He moves his fingers into your hair, gripping softly while slowly reducing the distance between your lips.

Your lips brush against his when a loud voice calls out to both of you. "Hey! The pool's closed!"

The brunette sighs, feeling his breath fanning your lips before pulling away from you. "Sam, it's just us!" Bucky yells and you glance towards the gate to see the man standing on the other side of it.

"Oh, hey guys!" Sam greets with a smile before opening the gate to the pool. "What are you two doin' out here so late?"

"Just hanging out," you tell him while prying yourself out of Bucky’s grasp. "I need to get going anyway. G'Night, Buck."

"Goodnight, Y/N," he mumbles and watches you walk out of the pool. Sam bids you goodnight as you gather your things before heading into the hotel. "Dude, what the fuck!?"

Bucky moves to smack Sam, causing the younger guy to wince away from him. "What?! She said you guys were hanging out! You're too chickenshit to do anything anyway!"

A sigh leaves his lips and Bucky runs a hand over his face. "Well, I'll have you know that we were just about to kiss," he explains while pushing himself out of the water.

"Oh, shit. Sorry, dude," Sam apologizes and Bucky shakes his head. "Go get her! Don't let me stop you."

The brunette wets his lips before nodding his head, quickly gathering his things before running inside. Bucky finds himself standing outside of her door, bringing his hand up to the wooden structure before knocking loud enough for her to hear.

"Y/N? Y/N?" Bucky calls out and rests his forehead against the door. "Goddamn it."

The door in front of him suddenly opens and Bucky catches himself before falling into your room. "Bucky?" You laugh, placing a hand on his shoulder while your other hand keeps the towel wrapped around you. "What are you doing here?"

His blue eyes widen at the sight of you, feeling his cheeks flush. "I, uh-" he cuts himself off as Bucky begins to rub the back of his neck. "I just wanna say sorry… for uh, what happened in the pool."

You furrow your eyebrows in confusion while leaning against the doorframe. "For what?" You ask him and Bucky's Adam's apple bobs in his throat.

"Just… uh, just in case I made you uncomfortable," Bucky explains and you chuckle softly, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

"You didn't make me uncomfortable, Bucky," you giggle and the man lets out a small sigh, nodding his head in reply.

You bite your lip gently as you watch the man in front of you, tapping your fingers against the frame. "Good, good. I'll let you get back to whatever you're doing," he mentions and you nod once before Bucky walks away from you.

"Goodnight, Bucky!" You call out to him, seeing the man give you a small wave before he walks into his hotel room.

Bucky rests his head against the door, a sigh leaving his lips while he quietly curses. He runs his metal hand through his hair when his phone begins to vibrate. Sam's name is flashed across the screen and the man picks it up before answering immediately.

"So?! How'd it go?!" Sam asks and Bucky groans in response, moving to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I- I panicked," he mentions and Sam laughs loudly. "Shut up, Sam."

It takes a minute before Sam finally stops laughing. "I told you that you're too chickenshit, Buck," he reminds Bucky and the blue-eyed man rolls his eyes.

"You know… I hate you," Bucky says before hanging up the phone, tossing it beside him.

-

"So, how did last night go?" Steve suddenly asks you. Natasha smacks his chest and the man lets out a deep yelp. "What?! We were both wondering!"

You look from Steve to Natasha, your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as you step behind the reception desk. "It was good? I didn't do much so I don't know why you two are asking," you mention while stuffing your work bag in the little compartment.

"Well, we happen to have watched the camera footage of you and Buck in the pool," Natasha explains and your cheeks blush, a groan leaving your lips.

"Oh, fuck off. Of course, that's why y'all are nosy," you sigh while rolling your eyes. "Nothing happened."

Steve gives you a look and you cross your arms over your chest. "Come on. You have to be lying," he argues.

A laugh leaves your lips and you lean back in your chair before crossing your legs over one another. "It's the truth. If Sam didn't interrupt then something might've happened," you smirk and the two run a hand over their faces.

"Fucking Sam," Natasha mutters and leans down to press a kiss on Steve's cheek. "I have to go, but I'll see you later."

You smile at the two, finding them to be extremely adorable together. "I take it that the date went well?" You chuckle and Steve nods his head grazing his fingers along Natasha's hip.

"Very well, thank you," Nat grins and places a hand on your shoulder before walking around the desk. "Now it's your turn. Go after Barnes."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," you laugh while shooing the woman away. The phone on your desk begins to ring and you pick it up. "Hello, how can I help?"

You can hear a bunch of kids yelling in the background before a woman starts talking. "Hi, yes, I would like to file a complaint on your gardener," she says and your lips part slightly, allowing her to continue, "he's standing outside our window in nothing but a pair of shorts and we don't need our children seeing that."

"I totally understand, ma'am," you mumble while rolling your eyes at how ridiculous she sounds. "Here's what I'll do. I'll head out and politely ask him to put his shirt on, okay?"

"I would love that. Thank you so much," the woman states, not giving you a chance to say anything else before hanging up the phone.

You blink a few times, thinking about the interaction that just happened. "What in the fuck?" You ask yourself out loud, Steve humming in response to you. 

"What?"

"I- This woman called and was complaining that Bucky's not wearing a fucking shirt. It's like ninety-five degrees out," you sigh while pushing yourself off of the chair.

Steve lets out a laugh while resting his hand over his chest. You roll your eyes playfully as the blonde practically dies of laughter. "Oh my god, you're serious? What the hell," he breathes out.

"You're telling me. I'll be right back. Gotta tell him to put his shirt on," you inform him while starting to walk out the hotel doors.

You tuck a strand behind your ear as you make your way around the building, looking for Bucky. You round the corner and see him planting some flowers, the man is sitting on his knees while wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"Hey, Buck," you greet him and he whips his head towards you, a smile coming to his lips.

"Hiya, doll. What do I owe the pleasure?" Bucky laughs and you glance up to see the woman who called the front desk staring at the two of you.

Bucky looks up at you again after not hearing anything, seeing your eyes looking above you. "Uhm, she called the front desk and complained about you working without a shirt on," you explain to him.

"You're joking?" He asks and you shake your head, crossing your arms over your chest. "It's fucking hot out here. Does she expect me to wear a shirt?"

"Well, I told her I would come out here and politely ask you to put it on," you sigh and Bucky cranes his neck, his own sigh leaving his lips. "Just keep it on until you leave this area, please? I really don't want to have to file a complaint about this. She's just being ridiculous."

"Okay, I will," Bucky mentions while grabbing the shirt that sits on the sidewalk, throwing it over his head. You give him a small smile and pat his chest before starting to walk back towards the entrance. "Hey, Y/N?"

You stop in your tracks and glance over your shoulder, seeing a smile on the man's lips. "Yeah?" You ask softly and Bucky walks over to you, his blue eyes casting down at you.

"Are… Do you want to do something tonight?" He asks and you can feel your cheeks heat up. "If you're up for it anyway."

A smile comes to your lips as you tangle your fingers, walking closer to him. "I can see if I can free up my schedule," you joke with a playful wink, causing the man to laugh in response.

Bucky wets his lips and rests his hands on his hips before shaking his head. "Well, if it does you know where to find me," he grins.

You hum while pressing your lips together, feeling your heart fluttering in your chest. "I'll see you around, Buck. Stay hydrated."

That night, you're swimming on your back while staring up at the stars, seeing an occasional plane coming in for a landing every so often. The sound of the gate opening captures your attention and you move your head in the direction of the noise.

"Hey, stranger," Bucky grins while setting his towel down beside yours.

A laugh escapes your lips as you swim towards the corner of the pool before leaning your arms on the warm concrete. "Hiya," you smile up at him, watching the blue-eyed God whisk his shirt off.

Bucky walks over to you before lowering himself into the water, splashing you slightly. "You weren't bothered by that woman anymore were you?" He asks you and you raise an eyebrow.

"Buck, I think I should be the one to ask you that," you laugh and the man wets his lips, shrugging his shoulders in response. "But, to answer your question, no."

"That's good. She was definitely a bitch," he mentions and you scoff, nodding your head in agreement.

You press your back against the curved wall, your body facing Bucky's as his large hands brush along your legs. "I don't get her problem. I totally wouldn't mind a very attractive man working outside my window," you tell him, causing Bucky to glance towards you.

"Oh?" He draws out and your cheeks heat up, realizing what you had just said. "So, you think I'm attractive?"

"I-" you cut yourself off as Bucky's hands grip your legs before swiftly pulling you closer to him. You let out a squeal and rest your hands on his shoulders, Bucky guiding your legs so they're wrapped around his waist.

You can feel your heart pounding against your chest as both of your faces are inches apart. You swallow thickly as Bucky looks up at you through his lashes. "Answer the question, doll," he whispers, feeling his fingers glide up the back of your thighs.

You lick your lips before biting it gently, your fingers moving to card through his hair. "I… I might think you're attractive," you tell him softly while adjusting your position on him.

Bucky grins widely and leans against the wall of the pool, fingers inching closer to your ass. "Good news is that I might find you attractive as well," he mutters and your heart flutters.

"You do?" You whisper and Bucky nods his head in response. The blue-eyed man brings his face closer to yours, your breath hitching when your noses brush against one another's.

Butterflies soar around your stomach when his lips connect with yours, your fingers gripping his hair gently. Your free hand rests on his cheek as you kiss him back. Bucky pulls away from you after a minute or so, resting his forehead on yours.

"You're so breathtaking," he whispers before pressing a few more kisses to your lips. You let out a few giggles while Bucky wraps his arms around your waist, twirling you around the pool. "Do you wanna get dinner tomorrow night?"

"Of course I do," you tell him and kiss the tip of his nose. "Do you want to go out or just have dinner in one of our rooms?"

Bucky brings one of his hands to your face, stroking your cheek before pulling you in again. A short moan escapes your lips as he kisses you passionately, your nails digging slightly into his shoulders.

"I want to take you out, doll," he mutters against your lips and your cheeks blush. Bucky trails his lips up your jaw, a shudder running down your spine when he whispers into your ear. "You can get all dressed up and I can bring you to your favorite restaurant."

Your grip on him tightens as he continues to play out your date. You swallow thickly when Bucky's lips move down your neck, nipping at your skin softly. "B-Bucky…" you trail off and the man pulls away from you before looking up at you. "If you keep going I'm not gonna want you to stop."

Bucky pokes his tongue out, wetting his lips before reducing the distance between your faces once again. A loud crash stops the two of you from kissing, both your heads snapping in the direction of the noise.

"Goddamn it, Steve," you hear Natasha scold the tall blonde and you roll your eyes.

Of course. You think to yourself while detaching yourself from Bucky. "Hey, assholes!" You call out with a chuckle and the two of them suddenly stand up, their heads poking over the top of the fence. "Enjoy the show?"

"We did until someone fell over," Nat mumbles as you make your way out of the pool, Bucky following closely behind you.

You wrap your towel around your body, shaking your head at the two of them. "Well, glad you enjoyed the show. If you'll excuse us," you laugh and grab Bucky's hand, leading him away from the pool area.

"Use protection!" Natasha calls out and your cheeks flush, feeling Bucky's fingers lace with yours.

"I'm sorry about them," you apologize while glancing back at the brunette, seeing a stupid grin on his lips.

Bucky shakes his head and catches up to you, dropping your hand before wrapping his arm around your shoulder. "It's alright, doll. I know how Steve can be," he chuckles while you wrap your arm around his waist.

-

A knock on your door wakes you up, a small groan leaving your lips as the sun shines directly into your room. You shield your eyes before looking around the room, seeing the television still on from last night.

"Y/N? Are you awake?" Sam's voice comes through the door and you rub your eyes while throwing the blankets off of you.

You quickly grab your sleep shorts off of the floor, pulling them up before making your way towards the door. "What's going on?" You ask in a groggy tone, looking up at the man in front of you.

Sam chuckles and notices the shirt you're wearing. "Do you know where Bucky is?" He asks and you furrow your brows, glancing towards his door and Sam speaks up before you have the chance to. "He's not in there. Already tried."

"I-" you cut yourself off and shake your head, not remembering if he works today or not. "I have no idea."

Your friend smirks down at you and reaches out towards your shirt. "Well, this is Bucky's shirt. Maybe he's in your room?" Sam assumes and your cheeks heat up while your eyes snap down towards your clothes.

You are indeed wearing Bucky's shirt and you desperately try to remember what happened after the two of you left the pool. Your fingers comb through your hair as you glance back into the room.

"Well, look, if you see him just tell him that I'm looking for him, okay?" Sam mentions and you nod your head.

You close the door after Sam walks away and steps back into the bedroom area. Your heart pounds against your chest as you see Bucky sleeping on the left side of your bed.

The blue-eyed man shifts his sleeping position as you crawl onto the bed, gently running your fingers up his spine. "Buck?" You whisper loud enough for him to hear and he lets out a groan in response.

A chuckle leaves your lips as he turns his head towards you, his eyes opening a bit. "Yeah?" He mutters huskily, causing your heart to flutter at the sound.

"What are you still doing here?" You wet your lips as Bucky turns onto his back, his metal hand resting on his stomach.

"I must've fallen asleep," Bucky mentions and runs his flesh hand through his hair. "Sorry about that."

You shake your head and grab his metal hand, playing with his fingers. "It's quite alright, actually," you grin and Bucky does as well, dropping his hand onto your thigh. "It's been a while since I've cuddled with a man."

Bucky hums and drags his thumb across your inner thigh. "Yeah, me too. Well, with a woman… not a man," he snorts and you let out a loud laugh, covering your mouth with your hand.

"You're fucking ridiculous," you giggle while shaking your head.

"Yeah, well, you love it," Bucky grins and you softly bite your bottom lip.

"That I do, Bucky, that I do."

-

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