#please excuse my messy writing im very tired and angry

[thomascoolatta]

Alright, I've been thinking about this for a while and I've seen a ton of it so I'm making a post. Y'all have GOT to stop pulling ableist shit with Tommy! He is childish, yes, but he's 37! He's HEAVILY coded as autistic, even if not purposefully. Y'all pull so much bullshit with him it drives me up the fucking wall.

The man can and has sworn. He's 37. Benrey doesn't need to "secretly teach him swears." He's 37 and has sworn in the edited footage as well as more in the unedited footage. He's not an Innocent UwU Cinnamon Roll Baby. On that note, stop calling him a Baby! He's 37 years old. 37. He's old enough to be some of y'all's dad.

He's a scientist. He has a PhD. He's not stupid. He created Sunkist. That was all him. Stop making Gman the one who made Sunkist! He's trusting and excited by his interests, that does not make him a naïve child.

Stop comparing him to animals, holy shit! I honestly cannot believe how many times I've seen him compared with an animal or roleswapped with fucking SUNKIST and things of that variety. Hell, I've seen him made into a child while everyone else is still adults! Stop that shit!

Y'all have GOT to think more critically about the shit you pull with Tommy. Think about the stuff you say/write and how it falls into harmful stereotypes/tropes/etc. Hell, ask others or google references if you're not sure. Just, please try and be more careful about how y'all treat his character.

[shotosimp1]

naps

sugawara x GN!reader.

Authors note: helloooo this is my first ever fic so if I did something wrong or its low key cringe don't hate me lmaoo so this fic is basically that you're daichis sibling and you and sugawara are like close friends who love taking naps togather I don't want to spoil anything so I'm going to stop here. ⚠️Important note⚠️: when suga is talking the text colour is purple. And when you're talking its blue :D genre: fluff. warnings: nothing but if there is dont be afraid to tell me! Here is this playlist i made for this fic i hope you like it! :D

being daichi's sibling came with its pros and cons. I cant lie to you he is a good brother but that doesnt mean he isnt protective of you. And no, no boyfriends. But the best thing about being daichis sibling is that you would get to spend time with the one and only crush of yours sugawara koushi. Everything about him just made you happy. He is so caring and sweet you just couldn't halp yourself from falling for him. And because sugawara and daichi met in middle school they were very close. And with that he came over to hang out like at least once a week. You didn't mind as long as daichi let you be around for a bit you just wanted to be around cutie

And with that you and him would chat every now and then Just getting to know each other more. Both of you would talk about your hobbies and interests and life etc. You just found him so interesting you just kept wanting to be around him more and more. And daichi as the good brother he is will try to leave you two alone for a couple of minutes to have a good conversation together and would excuse himself with "oh im going to the bathroom" or " um im going to get a snack" and it works too!!

Finals were close and the boys, daichi suga and asahi came over to study it was their second year and you were a first year student. Suga would help you study and help you understand the things you couldn't and all that jazz. You felt kinda flustered whenever he says "good job!!" And gives that warm smile of his. It was around 1:12 pm and all of you were too focused on your work and didn't remember lunch....Yeah I know unbelievable. "Mmmm god I'm so hungry" "shoot we didn't eat lunch" daichi said looking at the clock "its 2 something pm there is still time for that just go order _______ or something" -"ahh your probably right" asahi said "okay okay should we all go get _______ i mean we should get our mussels movi-" "im not going anywhere im tired" "okay fine what about you asahi?" -daichi- "sure" "and what about you ____?" -asahi- "nahh I would rather stay sorry.." "eh its okay we'll get going yeah?" -daichi- " yeah let's go" -asahi- and boom you two are alone.

"You look kinda sleepy" he said as he chuckled for about. 10 minutes both of you were kinda silent he was laying on his tummy on the sofa while you sat on the floor near the desk you were studying on. "Kinda actually" "oh? Well mabye you should take a nap" "sure.. but uh you look sleepy too" "hm? Oh yeah i am " you both laughed a bit. "Wanna sleep in my room? It would be more comfortable there?" " well what about you?" "My bed is big i will be just finee" seconds after you said that he starts..to grin? "Ooou you wanna sleep with me that bad?" "You're honestly making me regret my choices." "Hey!" "You can sleep on the sofa bye bye!" You said as your going to your room and him of course following you.

"Cute room kinda messy tho" he laughed " can you leave me and my "messy" room alone" "fine fine" he said chuckling. Both of you layed on the bed and him falling asleep almost instantly from how tired he was. It was peaceful sleeping next to him. I mean yes you were blushing at the thought of him being so close to you but it still felt so peaceful and nice. You turned around to face him. It sounds like too much but he looked like an angle. You stared at his features for quit a while.. he's just so nice to look at. "Can't sleep?" "what the hell!? You scared the living shit out of me!" He laughed. He asked you again "can you not sleep?" " yeah actually" you said still mad at him for scaring you like that. He asked if he can come closer and you said yes. He but a hand on the back of your head and gently guiding it to his chest. And with that your head is on your crushes chest. You tried your best to not show how surprised and flustered you were. "Do you feel comfortable? Can i put my hand on your back? it would feel even better" "s-sure I don't mind" he started to rub soothing circles on your back. Seconds after that you fell asleep..in his mf arms ahh.

"Sorry we took so long the line there was kinda long" No response. Both asahi and daichi left the house for about an hour. They looked around the living room to see that no one was there. "Hm that's wierd" -asahi- daichi agreed as he went to check your room to see if your there. "Oh.my.god." asahi heard him and went to see what's up. "Wait aww that's kinda cute" "what! No its not!" Asahi laughed at how angry he was from just seeing his best friend cuddling his younger sibling. "Hey..hey! HEY!!" "Hmm what what do you want cant you see were sleeping here ugh" " yeah i CAN see and get your filthy-" " why are you so mad? Its not like I did something to them I was just helping them sleep" " I mean he has a point..plus I'm sure its just a nap" -asahi- "ugh fine...CAN YOU ATLEAST MOVE YOUR HAND OH MY GOD" "Why are you yelling...?" You said as you got woken up from your brothers yelling "its nothing..get up its time to eat" daichi said as he went downstairs to eat. Asahi mouthed a 'sorry' to both of you and went to fallow him. "Did you sleep well? I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable or anything.." "No no!! It.. it was nice thank you" "great!! Let's go downstairs now im starving..." you both laughed as you went downstairs to eat.

From that day whenever the both of you found the chance to nap together you would do it. Suga tired from practice? nap time! Stressed? Nap time! Sad? Nap time! It's like both of you were nap buddies and you loved it. Daichi couldn't really do anything at this point. Don't get me wrong he was SO happy when you actually found someone to hang out with and actually be comfortable around. But he just didn't like the fact that the both of you were so touchy its like you guys were dating. But you always denied him saying "no no he's just a close friend nothing else!!!!" Until...

It was a Saturday night you and suga were in your room watching a barbie film. It was a chill night both of you got snacks and watched the movie in peace. sugawara kept giving you these side eye glances every now and then you noticed them but didn't say anything. It was the last 20 minutes of the movie and he did it again but this time it was a side glance his eyes were fully on you. "What?" He giggled and said nothing. You were confused a bit so you paused the movie and looked at him. "Is there something on my face?" "No..you just look pretty" he smiled. Both of you were eye to eye and very close. His eyes would go from your eyes to your lips as he came even closer. He gently took your hand in his as he said "can i kiss you?" You were in shock your heart was beating as you nodded. It was gentle and sweet you swore you could right a whole essay about how that kiss was the best thing you have ever experienced. "AHM AHM!!!" Both of you pulled away almost instantly as you saw daichi standing in your bedrooms doorstep "listen- its not what it looks like okay??" "Uhuh..koushi have you been dating my sibling behind my back?" "WHAT? no!! I swear-" "come downstairs cuz we have some stuff to discuss here"

You sat there confused but genuinely so happy 'I kissed him..' 'holy shit i actually kissed him!!' your mind was running with thoughts 'wait what if we start dating?' 'Oh my god!!!!' 'Wait what did daichi mean when he said "discuss some things"??' "Hey im back..." he smiled nervously at you "oh hi!" He smiled as he sat down on the bad next to you "um suga" "yes?" "what did my brother 'discuss' with you downstairs?" "You know "don't hurt their feelings!!" And "don't even think about cheating on them!" And he may or may not threatened to kill me if I did" you giggled "all that because of a kiss? Its not like were dating" " ..Well what would you do if I asked you to be my partner right now hm?" "Uhhh!!??!!? I- I dont know mabye say yes or something" he laughed "well then do you want to be my lovey dovey partner?" You giggled a bit as you nodded "tsk, man i kinda wanted to hear you say "yes please please i do!!" Oh well.." "really suga.."

I hope you guys liked it ♡ again this is my first time ever writing fics so I hope its not that bad

[novannna]

You Were the Hands That Held Me

Danissa soulmate au.  everyone has a soul mate, and any marking that appears on their skin, appears on yours.  narcissa’s pov.  Kinda angsty, but also fluffy.  

tw: self harm, and mentions of abuse kinda

wc: 2363

Narcissa stared at her arm in awe.  This was the first time her soulmate had ever drawn something on her skin.  She had felt the same cuts and bruises her soulmate had received, just like everyone else, but this was the first time her soulmate had deliberately marked her own skin.

Messy butterflies with uneven wings, and twisted antennas marched down Narcissa’s forearm.  

“Oh,” she whispered.  “Cool.”  She grabbed the nearest marked, and held it poised above the other arm, ready to reply, but thought better of it.  

She shouldn’t force her soulmate to stop their art for Narcissa.  She dropped the marker, and kept watching the thick lines as they covered her entire arm.  

That night she washed it all away in scalding hot water before her grandfather noticed.  He wouldn’t approve of Narcissa communicating with her soulmate.  

He hated the idea of How there was one person in the world, waiting just for you.  

His soulmate had died years ago, leaving him heartbroken and angry, bitter to the world.   

If Narcissa wasn’t careful, he might take the anger out on her.    

Narcissa could take it, but she didn’t want to hurt her soulmate too.  Narcissa would feel awful.  

So she tried to ignore the small flowers and butterflies her soulmate drew constantly.  Narcissa tried her very best.  

---

Years later, Narcissa wrote to her soulmate for the first time.  It was in the middle of the night, when Narcissa had felt a searing pain across her arm that looked like a red slit across her pale skin.  

Her soulmate was in trouble.  She couldn’t just stand by now. Narcissa had to do something.  

Grabbing a tissue to staunch the bleeding, Narcissa scrawled across her hand in thick ink. 

STOP

I can’t , her soulmate replied. 

Please, just hear me out, Narcissa wrote, hoping she could do enough.  Hoping she could convince the person who had drawn butterflies everywhere on their body, that maybe the world really did want them. 

please, just stay out of this

I can’t. This is my body too.  And even though I’ve never met you, you're my soulmate and I care about you. 

Fine. I’ll listen. Her soulmate's handwriting was a little shaky, but very neat, with tall, loopy letters.  

I’m guessing you’ve been having a hard time with life recently, Narcissa started. 

I guess

Do you want to be here?  Narcissa asked bluntly

There was a long pause.  I don’t know, her soulmate finally responded.  I love Earth, but the people…. I can’t stand the people. All they do is bring hate and hurt to me

I get that.  But the people don’t matter. You do.  Danna wrote desperately. 

No I don’t. I’ve never done a single good thing in my life

You have!  You’ve made me smile!  You’ve made me laugh!  

Her soulmate replied, When?  This is the first time I’ve ever talked to you

When we were younger, you used to constantly doodle little flowers and butterflies all across our bodies. I loved to watch you draw them, watch the blocky little lines appear across my body.   Danna smiled as she recalled the delicate insects she wore across her body daily. 

I thought you hated those. That’s why I stopped

No, of course not!

Then why did you erase them?

Narcissa sighed. She thought for a second, then wrote, my grandfather. He hates soulmates. If he knew I was communicating with mine, I’m afraid he would hurt me.  And doing that would hurt you. 

But… that means you could get in trouble right now!

No. I won’t, I’m fine. You are more important.  Tell me, what made you want to hurt yourself today?

I guess I’m just tired of being ignored. I’m tired of being treated like a child. I want to leave my house, but I can’t. I can’t live on my own. 

Thats okay, you shouldn’t be ignored.  You should be your own person, and if your parents cant see that, they’re idiots!!

Narcissa capped the pen, and tried to wrap her blanket around her arm, the blood slowly soaked through the fabric, staining the blanket a bright red.  How would she explain that to her grandfather?  It didn’t matter right now though.  Right now, she had to make sure her soulmate was okay.  That was her one and only goal.  Nothing else mattered.  Narcissa had the opportunity to maybe save a life right now.  That’s what she had to do.  

They aren’t.  I’m the one who’s screwing up, her soulmate replied.  I cant ever get anything right.  Im just a big mistake that shouldn't even exist.  The worlds probably better without me

THATS NOT FUCKING TRUE!  Narcissa scrawled as quickly as she could.  I dont believe it.  Not for a second.  Just by being here, you’ve made the world a better place.  Everyday, I wake up and check my body for some indicator that you’re here.  I can’t help but think about the fact that there is someone out there meant for me.  And I’m meant for someone.  

I guess…

Narcissa sighed heavily.  She had to go to bed before her grandfather woke and saw her light on.  

Are you okay?  She wrote.  Are you in any danger?  If you are, im here.  For both of us

A minute passed before the reply came.  I dont think so.  I think im better.  But… if i feel bad again, can i talk to u?  This actually really helped me.  Thank you

Narcissa smiled.  Of course!!!  Just, could u write somewhere less obvious?

Sure.  I understand.

Narcissa smiled gratefully.  How ‘bout our ankles?  That’s less obvious and easy for me to hide

She felt pressure on her right foot, and slid it out from beneath her blanket.  A smile, and little butterfly doodle greeted her eyes.  

Good night, soulmate, Narcissa wrote

Good night.  Sleep tight.  And… thank you.

Narcissa smiled.  She slid out of bed, and held her arm close to her chest while creeping to the bathroom.  Once inside, she scrubbed all of the ink off her skin, and bandaged the red slit shut.  

Narcissa and her soulmate were okay.  That was all that mattered.  Everything was alright.  At least for now.  But now was the only thing Narcissa could bear to think about.  

---

After that one night, Narcissa’s soulmate never hurt themselves like that again.  But that didn’t mean they weren’t hurting.   Narcissa could tell they were hurting themselves in other ways.  

She tried to help.  She wrote reminders every few hours, telling her soulmate to eat, and drink water.  She wrote encouraging messages, and doodled across their skin.  

But still, Narcissa would feel her stomach growl with hunger, and her tongue beg for more water.  She felt her eyes grow heavy even though she had slept almost 10 hours the night before.  Her soulmate just didn’t care, and there was nothing Narcissa could do. 

They would talk to each other constantly, ranting about their day, or commenting about something they saw.  Narcissa grew much closer to the person she had never even seen the face of. Closer to them then anyone else she had ever known.  

Even her grandfather. 

Narcissa had a very strained relationship with her grandfather.  She knew deep down he loved her, but he had a hard time showing it.  He was caught in a life of crime, and there was no way out.  

He had been an arms dealer for years, selling guns and other weapons on the black market.  He made a lot of money, but not a lot of friends.  He was a bitter old man, who took all of his anger out on Narcissa.  He had never hit her, but his words were hard enough. 

Narcissa knew she was being abused, and belittled, and manipulated, but she always ended up excusing his actions. Or even worse, sometimes she would place the blame on herself.  She knew she was in a bad situation, but it was one she was stuck in. 

Narcissa talked about him lots with her soulmate.  It turned out, they had a similar situation with their parents.  

Mistreated, abused, bullied, shamed. 

The two escaped into their skin, engrossed with each other.  They held each other right through the pain and the tears.  Though at times, both of them desperately wanted to, they held strong and never hurried themselves for fear of hurting the other. 

---

One day, the straw finally snapped for Narcissa. She was 17 now, and old enough to live her own life. Old enough to understand what her grandfather gave her wasn’t love, it was trauma.  

After he yelled at her for an hour straight because she put a book in the wrong bookshelf, Narcissa decided she had taken enough. 

Can we go?  She desperately scrawled across her ankle. Can we escape these sorry excuses for lives?

Her soulmate wrote back a few minutes later. What do you mean?

We’re old enough to live on our own. Why are we forcing ourselves to live with these people who treat us so terribly. Why don’t we just run away together?

Ok. The reply shocked Narcissa. She had been expecting them to try and convince her otherwise, make her see the absurdity. Not agree.  But Narcissa was glad they agreed. They both deserved a chance to start over. To make a life for themselves, and do it right. 

You will?

With you?  Of course I will silly. I’ve been waiting years for me to ask

When?   When can we leave?

Whenever your ready

A week, Narcissa declared, I’ll meet you in a week at Gatlon City, at the train station

Ok.   I’ll be there, I promise, her soulmate wrote. 

Me too. Narcissa grinned. She was finally escaping. Finally starting fresh. Finally leaving her grandfather to be with someone who truly cared.  Narcissa couldn’t wait.

---

Narcissa creaked the door open, cringing as the hinges squealed loudly. 

“Just where do you think you’re going?”  Her grandfather slurred from the couch. 

Shitshitshitshit, Narcissa though. She was caught.  She was never going to escape her life.

“I told you earlier this week I’m going to a friends house tonight,” Narcissa said lightly, trying to mask her terror. 

“Stop lying!”  He screamed.  “I know that’s not true, you don’t have any friends.”

Narcissa cringed.  

She breathed in deeply.  She was already leaving forever, there was no point in lying anymore.  

“Fine  I’m leaving.  For good.”  She braced herself for the rage. 

Instead, he laughed.  “You?  You're leaving?”  He scoffed.  “You would never.  You’re too scared and dependent on me.”

Narcissa drew herself up.  “No.  You’re wrong.  I’m leaving, to find my soulmate.  We’re making our own life.  Together.”

He gaped at her.  “You can’t!  You can’t go to your soulmate,” he spat.  “You’ll live a terrible life.  You’ll be tied down forever.”

Narcissa shook her head.  “No.  I won’t.  I’ll live the best life I can.  Because I’ll be happy.  I won’t live in fear anymore.  I’m sorry you weren’t meant for your soulmate, but it’s different for me.  I know them.  We are meant for each other.  I wouldn’t expect you to understand.  All you know is hate.”

“So you’re really going?”  Her grandfather’s lip curled up.  

Narrcissa nodded.  “I am.  I’m making my own life, as far away from here as possible.”

“Then go!”  He snarled.  “I don’t want you in my house if you won’t see a reason.  Go.”  He picked a book sitting next to him, and hurled it at Narcissa’s head.  

She ducked, her hair ruffling by the wind.  

She turned to him, tears in her eyes.  “Goodbye grandfather.  I’m sorry.”  She threw open the door, and fled into the night.

---

Narcissa’s heart thudded in her ears.  This was it.  This was the day she was going to meet her soulmate.  She knew she should be realistic, but Narcissa couldn’t help imagining the meeting like something out of the sappy romance novels she liked to read.  

She expected the dreary clouds to disappear, and the sun to shine out on top of them.  

She expected to know exactly who was her other half

She expected to run up, into their arms, and kiss them like she had wanted to be kissed her entire life.  

But Narcissa knew how unlikely it was.  But, a girl could hope, couldn’t she?  

She inhaled deeply.  Uncapping the pen with her teeth, she scrawled on her palm, I’m here  

Me too, her soulmate wrote back.  The familiar loopy red marks eased Narcissa.  She knew this person.  This was her soulmate.  Everything was going to be okay.  It would all be okay.  

Her eyes locked onto a girl standing near a bench, her head bent over her hand, a pen tucked behind her ear.  

Somehow, Narcissa knew.  She knew this was the person she had been searching for her whole life.  She knew that the girl was her soulmate.  

Summoning every miniscule scrap of courage Narcissa could find, she approached the girl.  

She tapped her shoulder.  “Hi,” Narcissa breathed, heart pounding.  “I’m Narcissa.  I think I’m your-”

She was interrupted by the girl throwing her arms around her tightly.  

“I’ve waited so long to meet you,” Narcissa’s soulmate said roughly, her voice thick with tears.  “I’m Danna.”  

Narcissa laughed.  She realized she was crying.  “Me too.”

“I feel like I already know everything about you,” Danna laughed.  She swiped her eyes.  

Narcissa nodded.  “I know we’re soulmates, but I want you to know I understand if you don’t want me,” she said.  “I get it- not all soulmates are really soulmates.”

She was cut off by Danna pressing her lips to hers.  “I want you,” Danna breathed.  “You're the one who I’ve trusted with every secret I’ve ever held.  You’re the one who helped me when no one else could.  You’re the one who took care of me.”  Danna held their hands up, exposing the thick identical scars that spread across their wrists.  “You are the only other person in the world who understood, and actually helped me.  You were the hands that held me.”  Danna reached her hand to Narcissa’s face, wiping away her tears.  “I want you, and no one else.”

“Me too,” Narcissa whispered.  “Me too.”

Tag list: @novissa @thepurpledragon4444  @phobidawg @janisarkisian  @rvbell @lavenderbloo @redassassin  (let me know if you want to be added/taken off!!!)

[mianix]

Gift Fic for FoxHughesArt ~ “PDA at the DPD”

My very good friend FoxHughesArt just posted their first Reed900 artwork and was kind enough, since they knew Reed900 is my fandom love, to share the WIP with me before they posted the final piece.  I was so inspired, I had to write something for them and this is it.

Alex ~ thank you so much for chatting with me over the last couple of months.  For letting me chatter on when I’m sad and letting me do the same for you.  Your art is lovely and inspiring ~ Just like you. 💙

“PDA at the DPD”

As they walked into the DCPD, Nines felt anticipation.  

Gavin had once told him this particular part of his day was better than his morning coffee.  They would get up, feed the cat and carry about getting ready for work as any working partners might do if they found themselves staying over with one another.  But the moment they found a vacant elevator, there was electricity in the air between them.

Gavin liked a bit of pretense and Nines indulged him in this, because it seemed to end in benefit for them both.

“Fuckin’ thing follows me everywhere.” Gavin said annoyedly to the officer who checked them through the security gate.  Nines remained silent, watching, as usual.  Gavin turned to him.  “What are you looking at RoboPrick?”

“A middle aged man with a smoking addiction, foul mouth and a receding hairline.” Nines replied simply.  He saw Gavin blush, his eyes narrow and Nines felt a small twinge of victory at catching the Detective off guard.  He enjoyed teasing him and found Gavin liked to be teased in more ways than just verbally. Nines opted to walk through the terminal, ignoring Gavin as he did and it had the calculated effect.  He could feel Gavin’s eyes on him as they came to the elevator doors and he felt static run through his skin.

Nines stepped inside and felt Gavin’s eyes watching him still as he turned and casually pressed the button that would take them to the homicide department.  The Detective’s heart rate was elevated and that made his bio components hum sweetly. The moments ticked by as the doors slowly shut and the moment they did the two found themselves tangled in one another.

Gavin pushed Nines against the wall, kissing him deeply with a measured grin on his face.  Nines let him lead, because it seemed to please him so early in the morning, but he also knew once they were done for the day it would be Gavin submitting to him.

And they loved their routine… Oh yes.

“Did you really mean that shit about my hair?” Gavin asked in between deep, messy kisses.  He was grinning though, good humored about the jab at his ego.

“Only about 84 percent.” Nines replied and Gavin pulled back to narrow his eyes at him.  Nines only leaned in and whispered against his swollen lips “Any hair loss can probably be attributed to me, Detective.” Nines continued as he wound his fingers into Gavin’s hair and pulled back, getting a startled gasp, then grin from him as he leaned down and kissed him slowly and calculating.

“Keep that shit up an we’ll be-” Gavin began, but was cut off as the elevator stopped prematurely.

Without warning, the elevator doors opened and they were able to right themselves before an interloper from another floor stopped their progress.  Nines was able to easily compose himself, but Gavin looked so flustered the officer who entered had given him an odd look.

“What the fuck you looking at?” Gavin had barked, face reddening further.  The man turned away and the three stood awkwardly as the elevator ascended again.

Nines cast his eyes sideways and saw Gavin’s hand mere inches from his own.  A new idea formed and he reached out to take hold of it, only for Gavin to snatch it away.  Nines raised an eyebrow at him and noted Gavin looked annoyed, shaking his head at him, then indicating the officer in front of him.

Gavin waited till the officer exited to his floor and the elevator began its ascension before turning to Nines.

“Don’t do shit like that in front of people.”

“I’m not allowed to hold your hand or I’m just not allowed to do it in front of co-workers now?” Nines asked and felt annoyed either way.

“We work here.  It’s unprofessional.” Gavin mumbled, face still red from the make out session they had just had.   Nines narrowed his eyes at him.

“You didn’t seem to share this same opinion a moment ago when you were letting me sample the coffee from the back of your tongue.” Nines replied and felt a small victory at the vivid blush that overcame the Detective’s face at these words.

“That’s different.  No one can see us in here.”

At this, Nines stared at him pointedly, but Gavin was avoiding his eyes now.

A part of Nines knew, of course, that this shouldn’t be bothering him near as much as it actually was.  This was their workplace, after all and public displays of affection weren’t exactly encouraged. But a simple hand hold behind a person’s back who wouldn’t even notice?

He thought often about moments like this one where he was denied simply because it proved inconvenient for the Detective.  No matter his own personal wants.  He’d caved in pursuit of a happy medium, because he knew that Gavin wouldn’t.  He never did. Nines was tired of it.

Gavin must’ve noticed the shift in mood, because he leaned forward and put his hand to Nines’ face to draw him back to him.  Nines only stared, unaffected when Gavin leaned in and tried to kiss him.

“I’m sorry, Detective.  But as a place of business, such actions would be highly inappropriate.” Nines said evenly, almost robotically.

“Are you serious?” Gavin asked as he pulled back a ways.  But the answer was plain as day on Nines face. “Whatever.”

Gavin turned and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets as they made their way to their floor.  Once the doors opened he didn’t even wait for Nines as he stepped out.  Nines figured Gavin might throw a tantrum about this, as he usually did when he didn’t get his way, but there was no way he was going to be the one to cave this time.  In fact, as he saw Connor walking over to him, he decided that there was a much better alternative at hand.

“Everything okay, Nines?” Connor asked, side glancing Gavin who walked by him without a word.

“Of course.  Do you have a minute?  I’d like to go over a case with you before I get started on my own daily briefing.”

“Sure thing.” Connor replied, but Nines knew that Connor was onto him.  This was a Gavin code between them, meaning he needed to discuss the Detective or needed help with something regarding him.  They would huddle at Connor’s desk, pouring over some random file, but would converse inside their heads.  If Gavin suspected as much he never said.  Only Hank seemed to catch on.

“You guys working on a GV200 error?” Hank asked with a smirk as he sat back in his chair.

“GV600 actually.” Connor replied with a grin.

“Shit.  That bad huh?  I don’t want to know how high up that number can go.” Hank said as he turned to look at Gavin.  He was working at his terminal, but he was obviously stewing over their conversation.  

[RK800]: You do realize he might be very angry at you about this later?

[RK900]: He’s much more fun when he’s riled up.

[RK800]: Be sensible.  You could just try discussing this like adults.

At this, Nines leaned back in his chair and looked towards Gavin.

“Excuse me, Detective.  Could I speak with you for a moment?” Nines called across the bullpen.  Gavin didn’t reply, only put up his middle finger at them.  “It’s very important.” Nines continued and Gavin set down his coffee so his other hand was free to flip him off with both hands.  Nines turned to Connor, knowing he proved his point.

[RK800]: Plan B then?

[RK900]: Plan B it is.

Nines knew the Detective well enough and despite his hard persona, he was weak for specific things and Nines was one of them.  He also knew that Gavin didn’t believe anything that he could not emotionally feel.  If he wanted him to be the first to cave, then he’d need to remind him of what he was missing.  A plan began to formulate and, despite the very real chance Gavin would be even angrier at him, the other possibilities of what could come of this were so enticing that Nines could not consider any other alternative.

After conversing a bit with Connor, Nines moved to his designated seat and began his morning briefing via terminal.  No sense in slacking off work.  He felt Gavin watching him, trying to capture his attention, but opted to ignore him.  After a time, paperwork was dropped off on his desk and he took the opportunity to finally address the Detective.

“May I borrow a pencil, Gavin?” Nines asked as he looked up to find Gavin tapping away furiously at his phone.  The man’s eyes moved from the screen to his and narrowed, but he opted not to answer him.  Although cute, Gavin could never play this game quite as well as Nines did.  “Too bad, I guess you’ll have to finish this paperwork entirely on your own.”

“You have arms, don’t you?  Get it yourself asshole.  I’m busy.” Gavin grumbled as he let his eyes go back to his phone.

Nines could’ve simply reached across his desk, over to Gavin’s, and plucked a pencil out of its holder.  It was within his reach, but an idea was forming, so Nines instead stood and walked around the desk to stand behind Gavin.  He leaned down, reaching his arm out over the Detective’s shoulder as the side of his face lightly touched the helix piercing on the back of his ear.

He felt the Detective tense, as he knew Gavin would, considering he often reacted to Nines playing with this piercing under both leisure and intimate circumstances.  If Gavin wanted to object he could have, but he sat still.

“I think…,” Nines stated in a low voice right next to Gavin’s ear. “Hmmm…,” He continued, letting the rumble of his voice vibrate through the delicate metal piece as he prolonged this torture. He idly picked up one pencil after another as if it was a very important decision.  “This one looks…sturdy.”

Gavin’s vitals had elevated and Nines smirked to himself when he turned ever so slightly to see Gavin’s face bright red.  The hands holding the phone were gripping it tightly and his jaw was clenched.  He was trying so hard to keep his eyes forward.  Time to get his attention.

Through precalculation, Nines knew the right angle to let go of the pencil as he pulled it back so that it would land, almost perfectly, between the Detective’s thighs on the chair.  As calculated, it did just that and Nines began to reach down to grab it when his hand was stopped by Gavin just as his fingertips feathered over the seam of his jeans.

“I’ll fucking get it, asshole.” Gavin said, but his voice was higher than normal and that only pleased Nines more.

“Are you sure, Detective.  I have arms after all.  Don’t I?” Nines said, mimicking Gavin’s own words.  Gavin lifted the pencil up quickly and Nines barely hid his own amusement as he took it from him.  “Thank you, Gavin.” He whispered as he pulled back, letting the side of his cheek run along the side of Gavin’s as he did so.

When he made it back to his desk, the look on Gavin’s face gave him great pleasure.  A beautiful shade of red, as well as his ears.  The same shade he saw often when Gavin was overwhelmed by him physically and emotionally.  Gavin’s eyes met his and he stood up, walking off in the direction of the bathrooms.  

To think, it was still only early morning and he had hours of ideas planned for Gavin.  He only hoped he wouldn’t cave too quickly, as Nines shivered at the thought of prolonging this sense of control for as long as he could.

Gavin Reed was going down.

Gavin splashed cold water over his face, dipping his hand back down to the faucet and filling again to repeat the action until his face settled into its natural tone.  Phckin androids…

All this because he didn’t want to hold Nines’ hand?  When had his partner become so damn particular about this stuff?  It was one of the things he liked about Nines, his no nonsense, no strings attached approach to everything.  So why now was he being so pushy about this PDA shit?

Gavin looked at himself in the mirror and his mind drifted to a few moments ago.  There was a lingering scent on him from Nines, which Gavin didn’t think androids could have smells, but Nines did.  The more he thought on it, it was a mixture of elements from his apartment.  So, to Gavin, Nines smelled like home.  When he realized what his own thought just was he felt his face redden again with embarrassment.  Nines smelled like home? Get a grip Gavin, phck…

He knew, of course, what Nines was doing and he decided he wasn’t going to fall for it.  If Nines could avoid and ignore him, then so too could Gavin.  He wouldn’t give him the pleasure of flustering Gavin again.  He psyched himself up in the mirror, took a couple of deep breaths before he walked out of the bathroom.

He expected to see Nines sitting at their desks, but he was once again huddled with Connor over at his desk.  Gavin watched them with a frown.  Did he talk to Connor about what happened in the elevator?  The two were close as brothers and Nines had told him plenty of times when he couldn’t seem to adjust to some social interactions it was Connor he relied on.

“What about me?  I can teach you lots of stuff about social interactions.” Gavin had said at the time, slightly hurt Nines wouldn’t come to him.  Nines though lifted a brow at him.

“Forgive me Gavin, but the only social interactions I feel I can learn from you are the kind of things I’ll save for people I don’t wish to interact with.  If I need schooling on the proper ways to flip off people, I assure that you’ll be the first one I seek out.” Nines had said in reply, but Gavin had found that funny and only laughed.

That was another thing Gavin liked about Nines.  His blunt wit was attractive as all hell and Gavin didn’t mind taking a few blows to his ego.  He couldn’t even be mad at him and usually if he was it wasn’t for very long.

The one saving grace, as Gavin saw it, is that this lover’s spat would likely be forgotten by the time they went home tonight.  Here they were partners, but at home, they were whatever the fuck they wanted to be and Gavin loved that.  He didn’t have to be mean Detective Reed and Nines could stop being so damned uptight and instead come unbound and undone.

At this thought his face reignited.  His mind was flooded with Nines face, flushed blue, mouth parted…  

“Phck.” Gavin breathed as he grabbed his coffee cup and went to refill it.  If he wasn’t careful he might have to make a run for the men’s room, but this time for a completely different reason.  He opted to ignore Nines unless absolutely necessary for the job.  Then, when the day was done and they headed home he’d be generous and let Nines apologize to him for being a dick.  Maybe draw it out for a little bit of extra attention in the bedroom…

Ego restored, Gavin walked confidently to his desk and grudgingly started doing paperwork, making sure to keep his eyes off of Nines.

The day passed by slowly without Nines constant intervention in his work day.  He went to lunch with Tina instead, but opted not to mention their spat.  As much as he loved Tina, she tended to side sometimes with Nines on specific things.  So he let her talk about the newly deviated receptionist android she’d been going on about for a month.  It was kinda cute to see her crushing so hard and he did his due diligence to encourage her to finally just ask her on a date.  There was not much else he could do.

Afternoon came and went and Nines continued to remain by Connor’s side, pouring over documents and reviewing evidence down in the evidence room.  Every time Nines walked by him he ignored him, hoping he might glance his way, but his attention was completely on Connor and Gavin felt himself sulking every time Nines refused to look at him.

Finally, Gavin had enough when his watch showed 7:47pm and Nines made no move to leave.  So he stood and stretched, figuring he’d venture down into the evidence room himself on the pretense of a case he was working on to see what the hell they were up to.  As he began to walk though, they emerged and Connor called out to him.

“Detective Reed.  It’s late, you should be heading home.” Connor said and at this Gavin’s eyes turned to look at Nines.

“What about you?” Gavin asked.

“Connor has asked me to remain for a time to go over additional evidence that was found for his current case.  They’re bringing it down now, but it’s a ways out of Detroit, so head home without me and I will catch up with you once we’ve finished here.” Nines replied coolly.

Gavin just stared at him, trying so hard not to show his disappointment.  In a moment of weakness he heard his voice announce his obvious insecurity.

“You’re coming home tonight, right?”

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Phck!

“I’m not yet sure, it all depends on the-”

“Whatever.” Gavin said quickly to mask his growing apprehension.  He didn’t wait for a reply, just walked back to his desk and collected his bag.  He thought he heard Connor call after him, but he didn’t care.  He just wanted to get away.

He felt his eyes sting a bit, but managed to compose himself.  Why the hell did that hurt so much?  He realized that since he became Nines life partner that he’d never went home alone.  He’d not fallen asleep without Nines beside him.  So Nines so casually denying him this comfort hurt.  Like he had lost something in the exchange of words.

Gavin’s drive home was in silence.  He didn’t want to listen to the radio and coasted his way home in a haze.  His mind wouldn’t stop overthinking everything.  When he arrived home he was greeted warmly by his cat, Dick, who danced around his ankles for want of attention and food.  Gavin obliged, soaking in the affection the cat offered as a substitute in Nines absence.

A few hours into a few bad movies and TV shows Gavin checked his phone.  11:23pm and still no word from Nines.  Despite everything, he was worried.  He opened his messenger and clicked the name “RoboPrick”.

[TrashHuman]: You coming home soon?

He smirked slightly at seeing his username permanently changed because Nines refused to tell him how to change it. To anyone else it would seem they hated each other, but in all honesty these were terms if endurement.

[RoboPrick]:  At present we are analyzing over 230 various types of dirt to calculate which one was found on a boot at a crime scene.  This particular sample has ground mica found in it, so we’re cross referencing drilling plants and other possible locations against this particular type.

[TrashHuman]: Is that a yes or a no ya prick?

[RoboPrick]: The task will likely take all night between the two of us, so no.  I will meet you at the office in the morning.

[TrashHuman]: Whatever.

Gavin tossed his phone off to the side, feeling pissed but figuring there wasn’t much he could do about it now.  Boy would he make Nines pay for this tomorrow.  What if he called himself in sick and refused to open the door if Nines tried to come see him?  Then he remembered the time he fought with Nines and the android had completely removed his door from the other side with a simple screwdriver, breaking his lock in the process…and later his bed frame.

Gavin blushed and resigned himself to going to bed and work tomorrow.  He figured he wasn’t going to hear from Nines again, but then his phone went off again.

[RoboPrick]: <3

Gavin felt his face redden even further, that small emoji meaning more to him in that moment then the sender could possibly understand.  He stood and padded his way into his bedroom, crawling into his bed and realizing he was missing something.

“Dick?  Here kitty, kitty, kitty!” He called out in the usual way he addressed his feline friend.  The cat was normally found following him around the apartment, but he noticed that the cat stood outside the door looking in at him.  “Get in here asshole.”

Gavin tapped the empty side of the bed and the cat came to jump up.  But instead it stood on its hind legs, front paws on the bed as it observed the empty side that typically held Nines.  Dick looked at him, then meowed.   Gavin realized that the cat often fell asleep ON Nines, or laying between them.  The android could turn up his body temperature and the cat had fallen in love with this feature.  Just like Gavin, who had relied on Nines being here for things to feel normal, Dick too seemed reluctant without him present.

Instead, the cat wandered the apartment yowling all night for the android that was nowhere to be found.  Eventually, before sunrise, the cat jumped up beside Gavin and curled up in Nines’ vacant spot.  Gavin, who often suffered from insomnia, pulled the cat close to provide him the warmth he was obviously missing.  The cat purred in his arms and the vibration coming from the cat seemed enough to make him feel like Nines was there.  So he finally slept.

Gavin coasted through his morning barely feeling it.  His morning coffee was bland without whatever the hell it was Nines did to make it taste like liquid sex, his ride in just made him irritated because without his partner there to focus on he noticed how many stupid people were driving the streets of Detroit.  It was so rainy out he was practically soaked as he ran into the building. Then, worst of all, he had to face the elevator all on his own.  Gavin stood and looked at it for a while and when it opened its doors to him he felt cold.  He turned, instead, and took the stairs.

Only when he reached the doors leading into the homicide department did he feel a little life returning to him.  He would see Nines and maybe the android had forgiven him enough to stop with the games.

But it wasn’t the RK900 that greeted him as he entered, but Connor, wearing gray sweatpants and a DCPD hooded sweater.

“Good morning, Detective Reed.” Connor said jovially.

“What’s with the outfit?” Gavin asked, not use to seeing Connor in anything but his android issued uniform.  

“Ahh, yes.  Well, you see.  Nines and I got up early this morning to scout some potential sites for the ground mica we found last night when it began to downpour.  Our clothing was completely soaked through before we realized it.  So I’m wearing this today.” Connor replied, a slight blush on his face.

“Don’t you two even know when to come in out of the rain?” Gavin asked, rolling his eyes.  Cyberlife could’ve at least equipped them with common sense.  Oh well.  “Where’s Nines?”

“Locker room.”

Gavin left Connor behind and stood just outside the locker room doors.  He was trying to psych himself up to talk this out rationally with Nines.  He wouldn’t give in, of course, but surely Nines felt how bad his night was without Gavin there?  He felt his stomach sink at the thought of what if Nines felt no difference at all?  What if he never even gave Gavin another thought after he’d left?  This worked Gavin up alright, but it was not rational at all.

“Nines!  Where the fuck are you?  We need to talk.” Gavin called as he slammed the door open and stepped inside the locker room.  It was, for the most part, vacant.

“Back here, Detective.  One moment please.” Nines called out from the back of the room.

“No one minute please bullshit, we’re talking about this n-” Gavin began as he stomped his way back to where he knew Nines would be, only to stop dead in his tracks at the sight that awaited him.

Nines stood, tall and lean, in nothing but a towel.  His skin was still wet, gleaming under the harsh lighting from above and as he turned to view Gavin his hair was a soft mess of curls with one fierce gray eye peeking out from beneath.  This wasn’t work Nines, but leisure Nines.

Gavin swallowed hard as his eyes went to every inch he could memorize, because Nines was fucking beautiful like this.  His hair curled when he didn’t set it back with gel and Gavin’s heart swelled to see him so off guard.  Especially after the terrible night he’d had.

“I can’t sleep.” He had told Nines when they first got together, confiding in him about his issues with insomnia.  Nines had lain down with him and recited his favorite books from memory so Gavin could fall asleep, cheek pressed to his chest as the drone of his biocomponents and the hum of his voice emanating from there soothed him.  He’d not had another sleepless night, not since last night.  

Other times he’d run his hands through Nines hair, messing it up so it could curl over his eye just as it was now.  The way it would caress his face as Nines hovered over him and how warm it was against his lips as he gave in, gladly, to his demanding lover.  Always a look of such tenderness behind those curls.

Gavin felt a rush of warmth, such affection that he was overwhelmed by it.

“Yes, Gavin?” Nines asked as he waited for whatever it was Gavin had originally meant to say.  But for all his bravado, he couldn’t bring himself to argue with Nines about this.  Because he fucking missed this and him, but he didn’t know how to just fucking tell him.  So he turned, without a word and walked back out into the main area of the department.

As Gavin stepped into the bullpen he heard a clattering of noise coming from the very center and noticed Fowler trying to get everyone’s attention.

“Listen up everyone.  Lieutenant Anderson has something he wants to say.  Pipe down Philips!” Fowler said, pointing his death glare towards an officer who was still talking.  “The floor is yours Hank.”

“Thanks, Jeffrey.” Hank replied, then cleared his throat when he realized all eyes were on him.  “Today marks an important milestone for the DCPD. Not only has crime decreased in the last year, but solved cases are up.  While I stand among you good men and women who work tirelessly for the city of Detroit and its people, I think we can all agree that this is due in large part to the tireless efforts of our android counterparts who work at our side willingly.” Hank said with a pause, before continuing. “One year ago, today, the first android prototype of his kind walked through the doors of Jimmy’s bar and found himself a royal pain in the ass.”

The room laughed and Gavin noticed that Connor, while smiling, was blushing a bit.

“I wasn’t pleasant, or even baseline decent.  But he persisted.  Not only did he stay by my side when chaos reigned, he stayed with us once he had the choice to leave.  He was a major figure in the history books who could’ve gone on to do great things, but instead he chose to remain my partner and all of our friends.  So I wanted to thank him and mark his one year anniversary so he remembers just how appreciated, needed and loved he really is here.”

Hank pulled up a small bag from under his desk and set it in front of Connor.

“Some of the guys pooled in to get you this.” Hank said, fondly watching the emotional roller coaster that was Connor’s face.  At this, Gavin noticed Nines had joined him, watching curiously.

Connor looked around, obviously not use to such attention, but he reached into the bag and pulled out a small box.  He opened it and his face immediately lit up.

“We got you a new coin, but this one is one of a kind.  Just like you Con.” Hank said warmly. “Look at the inscription on the back.”

“Faithful friend. Great humanitarian.  Lover of Dogs.” Connor read aloud and there were a few chuckles from around, but a few silent tears as well.  Connor, among them.  “I don’t know what to say.  Thank you.  I will cherish this.”

Connor stood and put his hand out for Hank to shake, a sign of respect, but Hank wasn’t having it.  He took Connor’s hand and pulled him into a tight embrace.  Connor accepted it and nearly lost his composure as his fingers grasped to the old man’s jacket.

Gavin looked around and saw his co-workers smiling, Tina Chen recording the moment on Hank’s phone and even Fowler was grinning from ear to ear.  Gavin turned and looked at Nines, who was smiling so big it was a sight to behold.  And Gavin understood, because as he looked down to see Nines’ hand right next to his own all he wanted in that moment was to slip his hand into Nines’ and show him and everyone that he loved and appreciated all the small things Nines did to make his life better than it ever was before him.

Gavin slowly moved his hand, so close to Nines he could feel the warmth it radiated.  At the last moment though, Nines lifted his hand with the others and clapped as Connor turned from Hank to grin widely at them all.  Moment gone, Gavin lost his composure.

He turned and grabbed Nines by the lapel of his jacket, turning him towards him and kissed him full on the lips in view for everyone to see.  He didn’t care who saw or if it was proper etiquette.  He wasn’t going to waste another moment doubting.  Nines was startled, but eased into the kiss naturally.  Because that’s what this was.  Fucking natural. Gavin pulled away from Nines, still holding his lapel as he addressed his aghast co-workers.

“You see that fuckers?  Nines is MINE.  I fucking love him.  We make out, we have sex and it’s fuckin great!  If any of you asshats has any problems with that then I got a fist I call ‘no fucks given’ to introduce your face to.” Gavin said in quick succession, daring anyone to cross him.

The room was deadly silent, awkward even as everyone just stared.  Tina had turned Hank’s phone on them and no doubt recorded the whole damn thing. GOOD.  Then a voice rang out over the silence.

“No one gives a shit you’re gay for Nines Reed!” Fowler said, chuckling.

“Everyone knows about your make out sessions in the elevator, asshat!” Tina chimed in.

Gavin stood, dead still and narrowed his eyes at the room.

“Are you a moron Reed?  This is a Government building.  There’s camera’s everywhere you dumbshit.” Hank chimed in and Gavin noticed a few nervous chuckles starting up around them, turning into an uproar.

Still clinging to Nines’ jacket, Gavin leaned in closer to Nines as he glowered at the room.

“Did you know about this RoboPrick?” Gavin whispered to Nines.

Nines leaned in and circled Gavin protectively in his arms, pressing a smirking mouth to the side of his head.

“Of course I did, Detective.  Don’t play coy, you did too… It’s all part of the thrill.” Nines replied and Gavin felt his face burn, red hot.  Without a word, he pulled Nines along towards the elevator.

“Reed!  It’s only 10:30 in the morning, where the fuck do you think you’re-” Fowler started, but bristled when Gavin only lifted up his hand and flipped him off without even turning back.

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You can visit my AO3 for anything I don’t currently post to Tumblr, which is a multi-chapter Reed900 fic currently ongoing.  Thanks for reading! 💙

[tidsoptlmist]

Walmart - G.D.

Authors note: this probably sucks ass but im gonna post it anyway so enjoyyyyy

Summary: Based on the writing prompt: “I’m on the verge of tears because of a rude customer and you step in and stand up for me”

▸ MASTERLIST 

In contrast to what felt like everyone else in the world, you never liked Fridays. For you, Fridays consist of two lectures of 4 hours each by Professor Thompson (a 100-something year old with a monotone voice). And after those dreadful lectures you still had to work from 7pm till midnight at the 24-hour Walmart down the street.

This Friday had been an exceptionally bad Friday. You woke up with a sore throat, spilled your coffee all over your new sweater - which almost  made you late for class since you had to change shirts and when you finally got into the right lecture hall, you found out you forgot all your writing utensils at home.

So, it didn’t come as a surprise to that you were in a awful mood by the time you were making your diner (macaroni and cheese). After a quick meal, where - of fucking course - you burned your lip, you changed into your work clothes, grabbed your keys and phone and left your room.

The only good thing about this Friday was that it wasn’t raining during your walk from the campus to the Walmart. But considering that you studied in Los Angeles, that wasn’t as much as a win as it could have been.

You walked into the store and checked in, dropped your keys and phone into your locker and walked to the schedule to see which cash register you had today.

‘Number 4 it is,’ you mumble to yourself as you walk to the right register. You type in your code on the computer and wait for your first customer. The first one of this Frightful Friday was a big lady with a happy face and blonde hair. She greeted you and placed her grocery’s on the register. You scanned all the things and asked if she’d like a bag. She didn’t need a bag; she brought her own. Her total amount was $43,55.

Time went by slowly. It’s not that busy, and, after what felt like years, you’re finally on your first break at 9pm. The only good thing about working Fridays is that there aren’t many staff members. So no meaningless awkward small talk!

After your break, time seemed to even go slower. There were about three consumers in the whole store and of course the all go to self checkout. You start to zone out. It’s close to 11pm now, which means just one hour left until you can leave. You start scraping the nail-polish of your thumb. Suddenly you’re loudly awoken from your daydream by a harsh voice.

‘Excuse me?! Are you deaf?!’ You look up into an aggressive face. It’s the face of a big man: he’s over 6ft and his arms are tatted and muscular.

‘I’m so sorry, how can I help you?’ you ask him nicely, trying not to sound as scared as you actually are.

‘I asked you where I could find the engine oil but I think firstly you need to get those ears checked out!’ He screams at your face. You look at him with big eyes.

‘I’m sorry, I don’t really know where to find that, maybe you could asks one of our stock clerks? I could summon one for you,’ you tell the man as calmly as you can.

‘You work here don’t you? Then why don’t you know where the fucking engine oil is?!’ Splatters of spit land on the register and tears are beginning to from behind your eyes. Fuck, you think, I can’t cry now!

‘I work as a cashier, I don’t know the store layout by heart. Asking a stock clerk would help you way faster. Like I said, I could call one for you right away!’ Your hand hovers to the phone on your right and you notice your hand is shaking.

‘Do you think I’m stupid or what? Don’t you think I already asked a stock clerk?!’ He growls at you.

Suddenly a new voice can be heard from behind the big men. ‘Don’t you think you’re being a little rude towards her? She said she doesn’t know and instead of walking aimlessly through the store with you, she offered you to call a clerk: whose job it is to know.’

A young man, around your age, emerges from behind the men.

‘Who the fuck asked you for your opinion, pretty boy?’ The men turns around to face the boy. And oh Lord, he was a pretty boy! He was around 6 feet, maybe a little taller. He had short dark hair, which looked messy - as if he had run his hand through it a bunch of times. He has broad shoulders and muscular arms. A dangly earring hung in his left ear and his hazel eyes looked angry at the men in front of your desk.

He is wearing a grey sweater with ‘DUKE UNIVERSITY’ written on it, along with two crossed lacrosse sticks. The sweater hugged his arms nicely and underneath his nike shorts came muscular thighs. In his hands he held a pack of a 100 colorful balloons, two packages of ramen noodles and a box with a dozen eggs.

‘No one asked you to be rude to her either!’ The boy looks a the man angry and clenches his jaw.

‘You know what?!’ The man turns to you angrily, ‘keep your fucking engine oil!’ He dumps the rest of his groceries and storms towards the exit.

The sound of breaking glass makes you tear your eyes of the man and look up. Only now you realize that the man was carrying a 12 pack of beer bottles. Only 3 of them survived the drop and beer is dripping from the register onto the ground. You quickly get up and grab the roll of paper towels from underneath the cashier. You walk around the register and kneel down to dry the beer off the ground. But firstly you try to pick up as many of the big glass as you can. A shadow falls over you and you look up. It’s pretty boy. He kneels down with you and starts helping to collect the glass.

‘You really don’t need to do that..’ You say and look up. Pretty boy smiles but keeps picking up broken glass. ‘I know, but I want to! You’ve had enough shit for today after having to deal with that asshole!’ You can feel your cheeks heating up and you quickly look down and grab some more glass.

‘Ouch!’ You cry out when you feel a sharp pain in your right pointer finger. A small cut becomes visible and you bit down your lip. Tears are beginning to from in your eyes.

‘Of-fucking-course!’ you mutter, ‘as if today couldn't get any worse!’ You grab some of the paper towels to wrap around your finger to stop the bleeding. A tear rolls down your cheek and you can feel your cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Here you are, sitting in spilled beer which you could have sold, with your finger cut open, crying in front of one of the hottest boys you’ll probably ever talk to.

‘Hey, don’t worry! Everything will be okay!’ You feel a strong hand on your shoulder. Pretty boy squeezes your shoulder in reassurance.

‘I’m so sorry!’ you say, wiping away the tear. ‘This is so embarrassing! It’s just.. I’ve had the worst day ever!’ You confess to him. You’re kinda surprised you’re telling this stranger about your day. This isn’t something you’d normally do. But today you have to.

‘It’s okay! Don’t worry! When does your shift end?’ Pretty boy asks you and you glance at the clock above the exit.

‘In two minutes,’ you tell him softly. Pretty boy smiles and you can see his perfectly white teeth - of course he has good teeth as well! Some people just have everything, don’t they?!

‘Great! Let’s clean this up and I’ll pay for my stuff and we’ll get some coffee at the McDonald’s across the street! I’m Grayson by the way,’ he puts out his hand for you to shake it.

‘I’m Y/N, nice to meet you Grayson.’ You smile at him while you shake his hand.

Grayson helps you clean the beer and glass, pays for his balloons, noodles and eggs and waits for you when you get your phone and keys from your locker. He also helps you put the plaster over the cut in your finger.

Together you walk to the McDonalds across the street. You both decide to get a McFlurry and eat it outside. The weather is nice, it’s been a hot day and it just started to cool down a little bit. You sit next to Grayson on the curb in silence, both eating your ice-cream, when you can’t stand the silence anymore.

‘So what brings you to the Walmart at 11 at night, buying balloons, ramen noodles and eggs?’ You ask Grayson. He laughs and takes one more bit from his ice-cream before he answers.

‘Me and my twin brother have a YouTube channel. We agreed I would get the props for the video we’ll be filming tomorrow but I forgot. So I waited for him to fall asleep, so I could go to the store real quick and now he’ll never know I forgot to buy the things!’

You can't help but laugh, ‘Wait! There’s another boy who looks exactly like you?!’ You exclaim with a smile. Damn!

Grayson laughs and ruffles his hand through his hair, ‘Yea! His name is Ethan. He’s older but less funny so...’

You laugh out loud. ‘Wow he must be a funny as a funeral if he’s not as funny as you!’ Grayson puts his free hand over his heart as if he’s very offended.

You ask Grayson about his channel. He tells you about how Ethan and him got a warehouse where they film their videos and how he had been editing all day today.

‘I mean I really like editing videos, but it tires you out! I feel like I look like a zombie right now,’ he sighs and takes another bite of his McFlurry.

‘I think you look good! I mean if you look like this tired I don't even dare to imagine what you look like normally! Not that you don’t look hot right now! You’re very hot! I mean-’ you ramble. You can feel your cheeks and neck heating up in embarrassment. Dear mother Earth, please, swallow me whole now!

Grayson just chuckles at your discomfort. ‘You’re cute,’ he says softly. You almost choke in your ice-cream. And Grayson rubs your back, trying to help you catch your breath. It doesn’t help though, the places where his hand touched your back burn and tingle worse than your throat.

‘Do you want to come to the warehouse tomorrow? I can show you around and you can meet Ethan! I think you and him will like each other!’ Grayson asks you. ‘I can pick you put or I can give you the address?’ He says softly.

‘I’d love to visit!’ You smile. Grayson smiles back you. ‘Okay, can I get your number? I’ll text you the address!’ He says, still smiling.

‘Smooth boy!’ You grin at him as your type your number into his iPhone X.

‘Fancy phone Mr-I-Do-YouTube-With-My-Twin-Brother!’ you nod at the phone as you give it back to him.

‘Might be one of the worst things I bought to be honest!’ Grayson chuckles, ‘I can’t even use the facial recognition; Ethan can get into my phone because of that! Apple hates twins!’

You laugh at that, ‘I guess so!’.

Once you finished your ice-creams and loads of stories, it’s almost 1:30am.

‘Do you want me to walk you back to campus?’ Grayson asks you. You act like you’re thinking about it, although you already know the answer. You don’t want the conversation with Grayson to end.

‘That’d be nice! Thank you,’ You smile at him and you lead the way back to the UCLA campus. The conversation between the two of your turns deeper and soon you’re deep into the midnight conversations topics about love, what the point of living is and death.

‘This is me...’ You say with pain in your stomach as you approach your room. ‘I wish we could talk longer...’ You confess.

‘Same!’ Grayson says, ‘but we’ll hang out tomorrow!’ He smiles, which makes you smile too.

‘That’s right.’

‘Good night Y/N! It was lovely meeting you.’ Grayson says, and you wish him good night.

Suddenly, he hugs you tightly. ‘I already can’t wait to see you again Y/N’ he whispers into your ear. Your heart skips a beat.

You wait in the doorway of your room until you can’t see him anymore. Then you lock your door and fall onto your bed. A buzz sound  makes you look up.

Unknown number: Hi Y/N! This is Grayson! Although it’s not the same midnight-talking, maybe we can midnight-text? X

sooooo yeahhh ..... i hope you liked it! leave a comment if you feel like it!