#plus why WOULD Jack try and take over another holiday

[rogue205]

A Nightmare Before Christmas sequel?! Oh ffs Disney. Stop destroying beloved franchises with the “MUST have a sequel” garbage! Not everything needs it and I’m afraid of what would happen to it with this new “woke” Disney we have.

Thankfully Tim Burton is keeping the greedy Mouse at bay so far. (Although there apparently IS talk about a prequel… 🤔 I’m intrigued by that one but it would depend on the story I think)

And before anyone says it, “Long Live the Pumpkin Queen” was not created with Tim but was released by the greedy Mouse(because Tim wouldn’t give them a sequel) so I don’t consider it canon. That’s just my opinion.

[aturnipsingularity]

Can that day be today?? I want to see ur trinket collection 👉👈

So, technically, this isn't everything. I'm still trying to figure out where everything is bc I'm in the process of getting rid of a LOT of stuff -- spring cleaning turbo mode and all. But here's what I could find! Keep in mind that these are all what I would classify as trinkets. If we're talking collections, then we're tackling a different beast entirely.

So! To start off with, here's the things that don't necessarily have a home yet. I keep them in a Tate's Cookies tin --

I have every bouncy ball known to man plus one (1) jack

Toys I got years ago from quarter machines, an old keychain, a bell, a small turtle, some charms, a button, and a single, tiny bead

Stuff I got as souvenirs! Yes, I own a fidget cube, yes I use it (not this one tho I have a green and black one I use). The marbles are actually my favorites I own, but I do have a BIG tube just full of marbles. Maybe I'll take a tour through those someday. I also have a box of sea shells one of my brother's exes gave me. I want to point out the Volkswagen minibus specifically bc it's one of my dream vehicles. It'd be so cute to own one.

I have this mini gear shifter an old coworker gave me. It's part of a keychain!

I also have this music box. It plays an excerpt from Yellow Submarine.

Then we have all of my stress/squishy trinkets -- plus a few extras. They're on my pride shelf with a ton of stuff I got from friends/Pride events over the years. Below that is part of my Funko collection, but we can go into that another day.

Here's most of my crystals/rocks! I should note that I don't actually use these for a spiritual purpose. I just really like rocks. I do own books on different types of witchcraft/divination, but they're mostly for reading. Sometimes, I'll break out the tarot cards to do a reading for close friends! But I also tell them that (for me) it's a form of reflection and meditation.

Sidenote: the little box on top of the bigger box contains dried cherry pits! I don't remember why.

And also, the big box is actually an old cigar box. My mother gave it to me, and it holds other various things I've gotten pertaining to metaphysical supplies.

I have a small Bob Ross corner. Also all gifts, I think I got them over the holidays. The Bob Ross bobblehead has a button to make it say things, but the speaker is absolute garbage. So??? Idk it's uplifting in spirit. The painting shown on the flipbook is my fav from the prints it has in it.

Then we got a deer skull I got from an oddities shop. All of the books it sits on are antique. In order they are Vayenne by Percy Brebner (1907-1908), The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters by L.T. Meyers (1912), Il Trovatore by Verde (distributed, I think by the Oliver Ditson Company, 1917), and Faust by Gounod (also distributed by the Oliver Ditson Company, 1914).

I have one more small photo, but I'll have to add it in a reblog. Hold on.

[goodgirlssayiloveyoutoo]

2/31

Danny Pino is stupid hot and as Angela’s oldest brother Gabriel Lopez I really see this going well for Lucy. Cheers to @crose84​ for pointing out in their post today that Lucy definitely has a type and it seems to be older and divorced. I ran with that. I also just really want Nyla, Angela and Lucy to be real friends. Plus Angela and Nyla would 100% be on the get Lucy laid brigade. Also in this Tamara is away for the weekend okay?? 

_______________________________________________________________________

The only reason Lucy decides to make an appearance at Nolan’s soon to be annual Holiday bash is because he was so damn excited about it and honestly, she really wasn’t ready to be alone over the holidays. So she puts on a a festive dress and forces Nyla to join her. The first thing she does upon arrival is grab a full bottle of red wine from the serve-yourself-bar (Nolan’s first mistake of the night, really) and raises an eyebrow at Nyla who nods.

Dodging the other party goers, the two woman immeditely sequestered themselves to a corner of the room with the commandeered bottle, and Nyla efficiently popped the cork pouring large glasses for the both of them. 

“So I know why I’m drinking tonight, what’s your reason?” Nyla asks after they cheers and both take far too long of a sip. 

“Too many to count.” 

Lucy thinks of the gifts she bought for Jackson months ago hidden in the back of her closet, she thinks of the presents she will be mailing to her parents instead of delivering in person, and she really tries not to think about Tim across the room with his hand on Ashley’s lower back.  

The wine helps. 

“Feel that.” Nyla lets out a big sigh and takes another gulp, “Wanna talk about it?” 

“Not tonight.”

Nyla nods slowly, and offers Lucy a soft understanding smile, “Maybe tomorrow.”

“Yeah, maybe tomorrow.” Lucy returns the smile as best she can, and the other woman nudges her shoulder in a show of support. 

Everyone seems to be in a festive mood, and it makes Lucy happy to see her people happy even if she didn’t feel up to partaking in it. Nolan and Aaron are sitting on the couch, laughing and watching Smitty who had clearly already had too much eggnog and was trying to start a dance floor while Grey turned up the volume on the Christmas carols. 

It’s bittersweet without Jackson, and it makes Lucy’s heart ache in a particularly painful type of way. She takes a bigger sip of her wine, she just wants to have fun tonight and forget about everything else. She doesn’t think the wine is going to cut it but John didn’t supply any tequila. 

Nyla’s voice shakes her out of her thoughts, “Damn, who is that?” 

“Who?” 

The who is answered very quickly, because behind Angela, Wesley and Baby Jack making their grand appearance is an extremely handsome man Lucy has never seen before who is carrying the baby’s diaper bag, and it’s an ode to his attractiveness that it does absolutely nothing to dampen it. 

“Jesus, that man is fine.” Whistles Nyla and Lucy can’t help but laugh, it feels good to be gossiping in the corner over a glass of wine like they’re normal people.

“He really is.” 

Angela clocks them hiding in the corner, immediately hands the baby to her husband and grabs an empty glass on her way over to the two woman. “Top me up please ASAP, I’ve already pumped and I’m looking to get tipsy.” 

Lucy nods and tips the bottle into her glass, giving her a more than generous pour, “Yes m’am.” 

“Who is that man with Wesley that you brought in?” Nyla asks, as Angela takes a large sip. 

Angela laughs, “That’s my oldest brother Gabriel, he’s recently divorced and I felt like he could do with a night out with some new people.” 

Lucy watches the man in question over her wine glass, he’s undoubtedly attractive but that doesn’t really surprise her, the Lopez’s have good genes. 

Nyla smirks and nudges Lucy, “Hey Lucy, he’s just your type, older and divorced.” 

Angela lets out a loud laugh and Lucy rolls her eyes but can’t help but laugh with them, “Oh my god, shut up. I knew it was a mistake to tell you two about Nolan. It was in the academy! And you two got me drunk on wine to reveal all my secrets!” 

Angela raises a knowing eyebrow, “I don’t think she was just talking about Nolan.” 

Lucy pointedly ignores her even though she knows what Lopez is none to subtly hinting at. Lucy having any sort of feelings or ideas around Tim has never been mentioned with our without wine, nor will they ever be. That is firmly hidden away in the deep compartments of her brain that only arise in sleep and her weaker moments . 

Angela finishes her glass and holds it to Nyla for a refill before taking a scan of the room and her eyes lighting up at whatever she sees, “Lucy, can you go grab me a snack from the food table?” 

Lucy turns towards the table in question and sees Gabriel there holding Jack and perusing the food selection. “Seriously? You’re not even trying to be subtle about this.”

“Yep. You’re not going to deny a new mother sustenance are you?” 

Lucy rolls her eyes and lets out a huff before placing her wine glass down,  “Of course not.” 

She pulls her high pony a little tighter and makes her way over, standing next to Angela’s brother and waving her fingers in baby Jack’s direction cooing at him, “Hi cutie, how are you doing?”

Gabriel looks up from the charcuterie spread and grins at her, “That’s forward.” 

Lucy lets out a loud laugh, “Don’t get cocky, you know I was talking to Jack.” 

“Well, maybe Jack can introduce me to the pretty lady.” 

The boy in question simply looks between the two of them and blows a raspberry and they both laugh at his antics. He reaches for Lucy and Gabriel easily hands him over and once in Lucy’s arms, Jack immediately tries to reach for one of her hoops.

She shifts Jack to rest on one of her hips and holds out a hand, which he takes in his larger one, “Lucy, I work with Angela.” 

“I’m Gabe. My sister told me about you.” 

 “I bet she did.” 

“Angela’s a meddler. Just like my mother.” 

“She is.” Lucy spares a glance in Angela’s direction and sees her and Nyla intently watching them so she stick out her tongue at them. Jack copies her and Lucy laughs again, Gabe joins in the laughter and her heart already feels a little lighter. 

Gabe tickles Jack’s side and offers another smile to Lucy, they’re easily won and there is something that feels so simple about it all, “She also has good instincts.” 

Lucy isn’t sure where he’s going with that but she’s intrigued enough to find out, “She does. Hell of a detective.” 

Gabe shuffles his feet a little and for the first time that night he looks a little nervous (but still so so handsome), “Angela also told me she thought we would hit it off.” 

Lucy can’t help the wide smile nor the blush that crosses her face, “So far, so good.” 

“How about I return this child to his parents and me and you go get a drink somewhere besides this party?” 

It’s forward and far too quick but Lucy had been wanting to leave the party the moment she arrived and leaving with an insanely attractive man feels on the right side of reckless, “What did you have in mind?” 

“I know this really great tequila bar around the corner, if you’re interested.” 

If Gabe hadn’t already charmed her before, that would have done it. 

Still, Lucy can’t help but be unsure, “You don’t want to stay? You only just arrived?” 

Gabe shrugs, his smile bordering on cocky and it does things to Lucy, “Honestly, I only came because Angela said she would introduce me to you.” 

The blush that Lucy thought she had tempered erupts full force at his honesty, and she bites her lip, far too pleased with his attention, “Alright, that sounds perfect, let me deliver this snack to your sister, you give Jack back to Wesley and I’ll meet you at the door.” 

“Perfect.” 

Lucy turns on her heel with a plate of cheese and cured meat, dropping it beside Angela and grabbing her coat. Nyla and Angela are watching her with poorly disguised smirks covering their faces and she wills the blush away. 

“So…How’d that go?” Angela asks, looking far too pleased with herself. 

Lucy laughs and tosses her long ponytail over her shoulder as she grabs her purse, and downs the rest of her wine, “I’m leaving. Don’t wait up.” 

The catcalls the two women make as Lucy walks away draws the attention of the room and she shakes her head, losing all hope at a subtle exit. Tim makes eye contact with her across the room and raises his eyebrows in question and she quickly looks away from him, because honestly it’s the last damn thing she needs. That and he’s still glued to Ashley’s side. 

Lucy meets Gabe at the door, and he’s standing there in his black pea coat, dark hair and dark eyes and he’s so fucking sexy she almost can’t believe it. So she makes a decision. 

They step out together into the cooler night air on Nolan’s veranda and Lucy takes the chance to lean in closer to Gabe’s personal space, looking up at him through her eyelashes and running a hand across his lapels, “I’ve got tequila at my place.” 

Lucy doesn’t miss how his eyes darken and his breath speeds up and she certainly doesn’t miss the sweep of his heated gaze up and down her body, Gabe smiles and grabs her hand, “Lead the way.” 

[oftenderweapons]

Dirty ABCs | Namjoon and Vixen

Pairing: Namjoon x Vixen (OC)

Wordcount: 2.1k

Genre: headcanons

Rating: 18+. Minors, do not interact.

This just me having a little bit of fun in between collabs and commissions with an NSFW alphabet, so I can also get to know my characters better (yes, they're just characters. Do not assume the boys like/dislike any of the things I mention). A new drabble should be out soon, but just in case you missed it, here's Jimin's post-Soowoozoo smut! Please, read the trigger warnings carefully 🥺💖

Here's my masterlist! enjoy!!!! 💜✨

Trigger warnings: cumshots, cumeating, creampie, marking, unprotected sex, switch!vixen, switch!joon, daddy!joon, DDLG, lapdance, stripping, masturbation, voyeurism, exhibitionism, roleplay, homework within a professorxstudent roleplay, positions (doggy, missionary, reverse cowgirl, bend over), intimacy kink (?), bondage (hands tied, gags), impact play, oral sex, oral fixation, biting, casual mention of foot fetish, food play, choking kink, erotic massage, jealousy (kink), sapiosexuality, size kink, mention of infidelity and sharing partners, mention of outdoor sex, sex toys (dildo, vibrator, manacles, cockring, paddle, buttplug), edging, orgasm denial, orgasm control, overstimulation, BDSM club, uhm...bicuriosity ig?, thickdick!Namjoon, bubblebutt!Vixen impressive sex drive (?)

Aftercare: Namjoon is the kind of guy who’d gladly collapse in bed after some good, nasty fucking. He puts plenty of energy in it and he isn’t content until he’s barely alive before calling it a night. Yes, both him and Vixen need to force the other into heading to the bathroom and cleaning up before falling asleep. When he goes especially hard on her, aftercare becomes a way to relax for both of them: he needs to pamper her to even things out, and she in return likes spoiling him, giving him cuddles, letting him fall asleep with his head on her chest while she strokes his hair. Yes, his favourite cuddle is her touching his hair and chatting about how they felt during sex.

Body part: He most definitely has a thing for legs, hips and ass. Vixen is all about his chest and arms — but, truth is she’s absolutely crazy about his neck.

Cum: He either cums inside or on Vixen’s ass. No other alternatives for him. He hates cumming in her mouth, mostly because her cunt is soooo much better to him; and then again, that means he can eat her out right after — or mark her up and shove his cum back inside. Vixen is a fan of him cumming inside, she’s pretty much traditional about this.

Dirty secret: Namjoon loves when Vixen doms him. He’d never admit that out loud but he’s praying for her to tie him up and strip for him before performing a lapdance and fucking herself with that glass dildo he bought her… He’ll just wait… hopefully… Vixen wants Namjoon to give her homework on some impossible topic and then punish her for every mistake she makes while he’s dressed in a suit and glasses.

Experience: We know all about Joon’s and Vixen’s bodycount. Joon had four, possibly five partners, one of which broke his heart. He wasn’t entirely vanilla with them, but Vixen is most definitely the spiciest he’s been with — and the most rewarding. Vixen had two partners before Namjoon and her first boyfriend was way more experienced than Namjoon is, but that is not an issue to her. She knows if she ever asked him, they could try out pretty much anything.

Favourite position: Namjoon is mostly about doggy and missionary. Doggy for enthusiastic fucking with that teenage eagerness that characterises them both. Missionary when he needs to make love to her slow and steady — though he admits Vixen on top of him in reverse cowgirl is also a hot topic for him. Vixen likes good old missionary since she likes Namjoon’s body shielding hers. She also enjoys bending over for him — especially on the back of the sofa.

Goofy: neither of them is that goofy when it comes to sex. For them is a moment to get rid of tension and gain more intimacy. It’s a moment of communication and connection, and a very spiritual one at that. There might be little giggles and laughs here and there when they’re in a playful mood, but even then they’re more happy than goofy.

Hair: Namjoon trims his hair slightly, just to keep things neat and tidy. Vixen used to shave at the beginning of their relationship. She waxed a few times, to try something different and to feel Namjoon’s tongue better when he goes down on her. She switched to trimming when she found out Namjoon enjoyed a more natural look.

Intimacy: Nothing isn’t intimate between these two. Brushing their teeth together before going to bed? Religion. Getting dinner ready? A ritual. Making love? Therapy. Fucking like gorillas? Relief. These two share one single soul. They’re each other’s temple, and their bedroom is their church.

Jack off: These two? Masturbation galore. They’re the literal proof that being in a relationship should never stop you from taking care of yourself. They masturbate together while they watch porn, they masturbate to the sight of the other one doing it or just watching them. Namjoon is a huge fan of watching Vixen touch herself. He can do it with his hands tied, untied, or stroking his cock. He really doesn’t care as long as he can watch. Plus the fact that the wall dividing his bedroom from the shower is made of glass really gives him the best view when he has morning wood and Vixen is washing herself. And that goes both ways. She likes watching him while she showers, putting on a bit of a show. Vixen also likes watching Namjoon masturbate, though she prefers putting her hands on him. And Namjoon prefers her hands to his own, especially since she’s so fucking good at that.

Kink: We all know these two are the resident DDLG freaks. Other than that Namjoon suffers from a pretty severe case of voyeurism. On the side, all giving, we have oral fixation, impact play, marking, biting, cumplay and cumeating, and a very mild, very experimental foot fetish. He’s also into roleplay, especially regarding school/university environments. To that, we need to add on Vixen’s end exhibitionism and food play, and then, all giving, choking kink, exhibitionism, bondage and gags, erotic massage.

Location: these two need someplace private, since they can’t get in the mood unless they’re 200% sure they can take their time and relax and be as loud as possible. Namjoon would never stand the idea of them getting caught: he needs to protect Vixen. And Vixen would never try something in public. She knows he’d be too focused on the possible dangers to properly enjoy the experience. That doesn’t mean that they don’t tease each other in public. Vixen likes when they talk dirty in public so once they get home Namjoon rips her clothes off her.

Motivation: Namjoon gets turned on whenever Vixen looks incredibly refined and elegant, completely out of his league. Pair that up with someone flirting with her and he goes out of his way to remind her why she got his ring on her finger ten months after they first met. He also gets hot under the collar when he’s reminded of how fucking smart she is; that makes him both proud and horny. On a baser level, she just needs to grind against his thigh, rub her ass on his crotch, kiss his neck or suck his fingers to make him instantly hard. Vixen gets horny very easily when she sees him exercise power — which happens pretty often with him being the leader. Also watching him tower over someone who isn’t her makes her a little volatile — that’s her daddy, he’s her protector.

No: easy. Sharing. Even simply her moans being overheard by someone would make him nervous. Once he used to share everything about his sex life with his friends, but after he and Vixen got engaged, everything involving her without clothes on became a 100% restricted topic. He still happens to talk about sex with his friends, but he must be in need of desperate help in order to share details. Vixen agrees on sharing being a hard no. She also thinks doing stuff in public is absolutely a hard no: she’s far too attached to her job to risk a scandal ruining it. And of course she would never stand Namjoon’s career and reputation going downhill.

Oral: Both fans, Namjoon both on the giving and receiving side, though he prefers giving by far. Vixen is also a fan of receiving. If Namjoon weren’t so damn intimidating, she would enjoy giving more, too.

Pace: depends on the mood. Playful or angry? Then he’s fucking her like she’s nothing but a cocksleeve, straight up jackhammering his way in. Loving and emotional? Then they’re going slow and steady so they can feel every inch of their flesh meeting and parting and squeezing and squelching and sliding.

Quickie: yes, but not excessively. Vixen can only consider a quickie as a form of foreplay. There’s no way to satisfy her unless at least two rounds are involved. Namjoon is more than happy to take his time with her. If they don’t have that much time, they prefer masturbating together — quick, efficient, delectable.

Risk: No? The only risk he would take would be fucking her out in the open, but someplace where the possibility of getting caught is lower than 0.1%. He’d book super secluded villas for their holidays and fuck her until she’s begging him to give her a break.

Stamina: Namjoon hasn’t got too much stamina and Vixen doesn’t either, they just deprive and tease each other when they want to make it super special, otherwise they would be lazy and take naps in between a round and another. And they can truly deal with that brilliantly since they are great at foreplay and that makes up for their rather weak stamina.

Toy: These two are shameless about their toys. Vixen has a thing for dildos, and Namjoon loves spoiling her with those. She has a couple vibrators too, but she’s not that much of a fan: she has a practical one, when she needs things done quick and easy and another one that looked way too cute for her not to have it. In addition to that, they have manacles, a cockring, a paddle and a quite interesting plug.

Unfair: Being with Namjoon is all about the pleasure. He’d much rather overstimulate Vixen rather than deny her. Also because he has very poor control over his instincts and he can’t deny himself. He would tease, edge or deny Vixen only to punish her and make sure that she actually reads that as a punishment and not as some sick way for her to get exactly what she wants (aka spanks). Vixen is more on the teasing side, and she enjoys controlling Namjoon’s orgasms, but she’s very fair. They like to play dirty, but they make sure everyone gets what they need.

Volume: Namjoon is all about low and deep. His moans, groans, growls and grunts all come in a very quiet, although very eloquent way. He prefers keeping it quiet so it feels more intimate. Vixen on the other hand is very vocal, especially when Namjoon goes down on her or is trying to overstimulate her. She’s still considerate about the people living next door, but at the same time, she has a thing for doing it in the studio so she can be as loud as she wants, much to Namjoon’s — and his private tracks’ — chagrin.

Wild card: if it weren’t for his jealousy and his position, Namjoon would love to fuck Vixen in a room full of strangers, just to show how good he can make her feel, and to enjoy just how deranged she would get once adrenaline started kicking in. Claiming her in a semi-public context would help him sate his possessiveness for a good while. Vixen instead would love to go to a BDSM club with Namjoon and watch scenes from other people — maybe, potentially, join? — she most definitely wishes she had done stuff with a girl before getting with Namjoon.

X-Ray: Namjoon is packed. Length is not exceedingly more than average. But match that with more than impressive girth? That’s a wild ride. It most definitely takes a stretch. Vixen has rather small boobs — but she’s more than stubborn to make up with a full, round bubble butt.

Yearning: at the beginning they go pretty wild. Vixen is used to getting at least an orgasm before falling asleep — every night. Of course that tones down once she gets with Namjoon, especially since she learns to prefer quality over quantity and he refuses to get stuff done in ten minutes. She easily slips into a two to three times a week regimen, but deprive her for longer than ten days and she’ll feel neglected. Of course she’d take care of herself, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t start drifting away as she’d feel emotionally neglected too. Namjoon considers himself happy as long as he can have a full weekend of fucking: he tends to cram all the sex in days where he can relax since during the week he’s often too tense to initiate anything sexual. But he wouldn’t deny it if the fancy struck him.

Zzz: He falls asleep like a bear. He goes positively lethargic the moment he hits the bed after cleaning up. Vixen finds it extremely endearing. She usually takes longer, but not too much. She likes cuddling him while he’s sleeping.

[ratingtheframe]

10 Films to watch this Valentine’s Day if you’re single as hell.

If anyone or anything is making you feel worthless on the Capitalist Holiday that is Valentine’s Day because you’re single AF, then don’t fret because it means one of two things;

You’re happy enough with yourself to not need anyone else.

You’re allergic to people.

Though mine is both the former and the latter, I can still get down to a good romance movie now and again. Now I’m not talking about those horrendous rom coms that Netflix seems to be churning out every damn minute, but those emotionally invested, earthy and well written dramas that has you ugly crying into your bathrobe for 17 minutes straight (me at the end of Her.). Here is a compiled list of some of the best romance films I’ve seen over the years and how each one doesn’t showcase an abundance of clichés and brands them as “acts of love”.

A Star is Born (2018 or 1953, take your pick)

I’ve found that both the 1953 version of A Star is Born with Judy Garland and the 2018 newer version to be a perfect and well rounded love story. What makes this love story so fierce is the vulnerabilities and downfall of its characters, which even though there are many sad moments, it perpetuates and strengthens the acts of love shown in the film. Both versions are similar in that they follow a woman who’s rise to fame as a performer becomes overshadowed by her jealous partner, who is also a notable celebrity. In the 2018 version starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Gaga’s character Ally is helped by a country singer, Jackson Maine to become a successful singer and icon amongst the music industry. As she rises, Jackson falls and the character dynamics and intensity between them is a fitting love story. I was thoroughly bawling at the end and I guarantee you will too as Lady Gaga’s rendition of Love Again was the true scene stealer of the film. 

Call me by your name (2017)

I have an incredible bias towards this film and it has nothing to do with the film’s context or characters or even Timothée Chalamet The reason why I feel so connected to this film and proclaim it as my favourite film of all time is because of when I watched the film. It’s almost like seeing a film about a political event right after it's happened; you have this rush and connection towards something that’s actually affected you in the real world. I had the same feeling with Call me by your name after going through a rough and confusing patch whilst trying to get over someone I thought I truly loved. Turns out I didn’t (thank god) and yet Call me your name was almost like a shoulder to cry on. It’s a film that’s taught me to love and love hard but most importantly, not beat yourself up or try to distinguish the pain felt by true love. If you haven’t been fortunate to catch this beauty of a film, it follows two men, Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer) and their brief relationship in the summer of 1983 in Northern Italy. 17 year old Elio lives with his parents and his father (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a scholar who invites students from outside the country for the summer in hope of passing on his wisdom to them. This is when Oliver arrives, a handsome twenty something American who becomes the infatuation of Elio. 

I’ll never forget the first time I heard the monologue that Elio’s father gave his son at the end, explaining to Elio why he shouldn’t feel embarrassed by the pain he felt after loving Oliver:

“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster, that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing so as not to feel anything - what a waste”

That, ladies and gentlemen and all in between, is what love is.

Her. (2013)

Once again, another film about love that had a profound effect on me because of when I watched it. Her. follows the story of Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) and his search for a story using an A.I to help him write. However, after getting to know this A.I named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) and hearing the way she adapts and shows emotions, he soon falls in love with it. Some may deem this as rather sad (which it is) but I think it speaks to bigger constructs like internet dating and letting go of people you loved thus diminishing the fantasy and world you created for the two of you. This part of the film got to me a stark way as I felt the pain of letting go of not only a person, but a fantasy, just like Theodore had to do in letting his past partners go. Her. is truly beautiful, with some great production design, cinematography and acting.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

The absolute queen of love stories would be Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire, a film about the romance between two women in the late 18th Century. Definitely not a narrative you see every day or one that’s been painted in such a way (pun intended). Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is commissioned to paint the beautiful and stubborn Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) and the portrait is to be gifted to a suitor of Héloïse’s from Milan. But instead of getting the painting done and sending it off, Marianne and Héloïse unexpectedly fall for one another at a subtle and well timed pace that had me gawping at the screen the entire way through. Slow, sensual and moving is Portrait of a Lady on Fire and I would definitely say is one of the best LGBTQ plus films ever made to date.

Broke Back Mountain (2005)

Ang Lee scooped up a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar for his direction on his adapted screenplay of Brokeback Mountain. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) form a romantic bond after shepherding alone together on the side of a mountain. Once their time herding sheep comes to a close and they return back to their respective lives, it's clear that their bond is stronger than they had anticipated. They live in constant fear of their relationship becoming apparent to those around them, which leaves one of them taking matters into their own hands. A controversial yet extremely successful film of its time, Brokeback Mountain does a fabulous job of showcasing the consequences and despair of love using two of Hollywood’s finest actors.

Carol (2013)

It’s difficult to fully appreciate LGBTQ plus films set in the past as they mostly focus on the persecution of homosexuals as opposed to the love they wish to express. However, this was pretty accurate of the time and it's only very recently that we have begun to accept one another’s sexualities and genders fully so much that we play these stories out on screen without the persecution part. Carol is a film directed by Todd Haynes and stars Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. I found them to be an extremely intense pairing whilst they unravelled as their characters on screen. Therese (Rooney Mara) works in the toy department of a department store when one day she lays eyes upon Carol Aird, a beautiful and elegant married woman who becomes the infatuation of Therese. Therese throws all caution to the wind in order to be closer to Carol and because of this and the 1950s society they live in, their relationship is doomed from the beginning. I was in complete awe of the way Carol had been shot and created into this sensual and rich drama set in the 1950s. From the costumes, to the lighting to the acting, everything about Carol held weight to it showcasing the devotion of a truly talented director.

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (2004)

Usually I’d pass on a Charlie Kaufman film, seeing as they make no sense, however I felt that it was time I delved into this cult classic starring Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood. It’s a really well made film with a clear and distinct message to it that’s represented in some phenomenal filmmaking techniques. The plot line of this film follows a man trying to erase a past lover and his memories of her get wiped away physically before your eyes on screen. It made me wish that I could do the same with people I’ve liked in the past, but the contradictory of this would be the trauma of eventually ending up with someone you had already met in another life. I haven’t experienced a break up nor felt the pain of one, though I could judge that this film tells that experience really well.

Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight is one of few films that I would genuinely worship if it were a religion. It's also one of the films that I outwardly shame people for not having seen, as it is truly a masterpiece and film lover’s film. Deep, emotionally connected, colourful, harsh, moving and eye opening, this film takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the eyes of Chiron and the three stages of his life that have carved out his essence as a human being. Not only that, but he falls in love with another boy at his school, and when he does, he’s hurt rather badly. Literally. Moonlight is the definition of profundity and was awarded the top prize of Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards. 

Loving (2016)

When I think of a truthful and honest testament of love, the film Loving comes to mind which is a fitting title for such a delicate yet strong story. The film is based on a true story of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga) being banned from Virginia in the 1950s for choosing to be together. If that ain’t a true sacrifice of love, then I don’t know what is. Choosing someone you love over your own home is an unfathomable thing and certainly shows the strength that this couple had in facing the judgements of others whilst remaining emotionally truthful to themselves. 

The Shape of Water (2017)

The Shape of Water is a strange yet enlightening love story between Eliza, a deaf woman (Sally Hawkins) and a creature being tested on in a laboratory. Awards season went mental for this back in 2018, winning four of the THIRTEEN Oscars it was nominated for. I would categorize it as quite the niche film and wouldn’t usually think that such a film could be garnered with Oscar success. However everyone who worked on this film really pulled out the stops in creating an entire new world and perspective that has many layers to it, as well as an abundance of conflict and dynamics for audiences to lull over. The relationship between Eliza and the feared swamp monster that’s being cruelly tested in the laboratories where she works, is heartfelt and honest, which is strange seeing as Eliza’s virtually in love with a monster. The casting in this was outlandish yet it really worked as all actors in this melded well into the story as their prospective characters. It also has one of the most touching endings to a film I’ve ever seen.

And there you have it, ten Romance films for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day. Watch them all at once, or maybe just watch one. Whether you watch it alone or with someone, it doesn’t really matter!

Lots of love

Ang x

[wormstacheangel]

Smiles with a Christmas Kiss

Merry Christmas @professorerudite 

Summary: Dean and Cas are left behind in the bunker on Christmas Eve. A regular movie day is planned but it slowly becomes a lot more.

It’s Christmas Eve and the bunker was quiet. It was just him and his best friend in this big place, their footsteps echoed the halls like no other time before. When it was just him and Sam the place always felt okay. It was home and it was nice but with Cas - finally human and finally staying - the place felt warm. It was a damn home again. 

Jack followed Sam and Eileen on a holiday trip to Ireland. Of course, Dean had to refuse. Thinking of the long plane ride alone was making him feel sick. Though he insisted Cas should tag along with them - go see the world and all that jazz - he didn’t budge. Insisting he just wants to stay in the bunker. 

Dean didn’t argue. It was nice not to be alone during the holiday season but at the same time, he hoped Cas didn’t stay behind just for him. Dean would have done what he always did for Christmas. Go to a bar full of lonely people and find someone, or someone’s, to have some fun holiday party on a motel bed. 

Well, that’s what he would like to think he would have done, heck maybe a long time ago he would have done just that, but now it’s different. He hasn’t gone to a bar looking to hook up with anyone in years and he wasn’t going to start now. After throwing excuse after excuse at himself about why his libido just went into a downward spiral, fighting God and all that shit really wasn’t a good excuse for him apparently, it all came down to one angel. Well, person now. 

“Good morning, Dean.” Cas walked into the kitchen, dragging his bunny slippers across the cold floor and towards the coffee machine. 

Dean watched as Cas poured himself a big mug full and then sat across from him on the kitchen table to join him. Dean already had the sugar and creamer on the table, prepared for Cas who always gets up a few minutes after him. 

As soon as he took a sip he smiled into his mug and Dean rested his chin on the palm of his hand as he watched. Enjoying the way Cas’s eyes crinkle at the side when he smiled with his eyes closed. He even shivered just a little as the hot drink ran down his body, holding the hot mug in between both his hands and close to his face. 

“Morning, Sunshine.” Dean finally tells him as Cas placed his mug down on the table to smile back at him. 

He could live like this for the rest of his life. As much as Dean wanted more, he was okay with this. Having Cas like this. Seeing him like this. Shaggy hair that curls up at the tips and stubble that was already too long but must feel so good against Dean’s skin. Cas’s baggy sweatpants that fall too low on his hips and Dean’s old band tees that were exclusively worn for sleep cling to his muscled frame. 

Cas was just art that he could enjoy looking at but not touch. At least not the way he dreams to touch.

A happy sigh escapes Cas’s lips as he rolls his shoulders back and reaches for the untouched toast on Dean’s plate. “Merry Christmas Eve by the way.” He took a bite of the toast with butter and then made a face before he reached for the jam. Sweet tooth. He took another bite before he started talking with his mouth full. “I know you don’t celebrate but I still hope we can watch that movie you wanted to show me.”

Dean hummed in response as he sat up straighter, reaching for his coffee to have his hands do something. “We can do that.”

“Which reminds me we also need to go grocery shopping. We’re running low on supplies.”

“Cookies?”

“Exactly.” Cas winked at him.

Dean laughed and it always felt like he was floating when it was Cas who made him laugh. Yeah, he can live like this. If he can have these mornings everyday then he can live with Cas as his friend.

Grocery shopping took a while even though the place was mostly empty. Dean had a list and Cas kept ignoring it to add random junk he wanted to taste. Some of the stuff Dean hasn’t even tasted himself, “Then we can experience it together.” Was all Cas said and Dean couldn’t argue with him on that.

“What do people do on Christmas Eve?” Cas asked when they walked back to the car to load the groceries. “That child looked at us with pity when we told him we didn’t have any plans for today.”

“Dude, how am I supposed to know?”

“You know more than me.”

“The last real Christmas I had - I was three, Cas.” Dean opened the trunk of the Impala to start stuffing the bags. “Plus, I’m pretty sure that I imagine all those happy memories I had with my Mom and Dad.”

“I’m sure some were real, Dean.” Cas placed the last of the bags in the trunk as he looked at him with a small smile. Pity smile. “You’re Mother loved you so I’m sure she would have done her best to give you-”

“Cas,” Dean sighed as he closed the trunk with a loud thud. “I just want to watch some movies and sit on the couch with you and a tray full of nachos. I don’t want to psychoanalyze my childhood.”

“Ah.” Cas nodded, another smile. This one was softer and warmer. A smile that felt reserved for just Dean. Cas’s cheeks were even rosy from the cold wind piercing through their many layers. “Understood. I’ll take the cart back and you start the car then.”

Dean watched Cas walk away, scratching the back of his head when he saw him walk back into the grocery store. He was going to go after him but decided to do what he was told and just start the car. Maybe they needed a quick getaway.

Cas returned a few moments later with nothing in his hands.

“Dude, what the hell?”

Cas just shrugged and put his hands up to the heater. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

That was the only response he knew he was going to get from his angel - oh wow! Not his. Not even a damn angel anymore. 

Dean drove them home while Cas turned on the radio. Tapping his fingers on his knee to the beat of the music. Dean wondered how Cas would react if he just reached over and twined their hands together but instead he gripped the steering wheel tighter. 

It was already late when Dean called Cas over to watch the movie. He was going to go with Die Hard, his childhood Christmas movie he watched with Dad, but Dean had a feeling that Cas wanted a movie where it was actually about Christmas. So he picked his other childhood Christmas movie. A Christmas Story.

Cas walked in, his blanket already in tow, and took a seat on one end of the couch. Dean sat on the other with the nachos tray right in between them. Cas sat with his legs crossed and tucked into a corner, almost facing Dean, while he reached into the food before the movie even began to play.

“So you watched this as a kid?” Cas said, mouth full and head tilted as Dean settled on his side of the couch. 

“Yup.” Was all Dean said as he handed Cas a beer and pressed play.

It was only the first few minutes when Ralph walked in with a full cowboy getup that Cas laughed and when he met Dean’s curious eyes, enjoying every second of that rare laugh. Cas pointed at Ralph and then him. “Dean that’s you.” He laughed harder as soon as the words left his mouth and Dean hit him with a pillow. 

The nachos were moved to the table in front of them, where Dean had his feet propped up.

Cas continued to make little comments as the movie went on.

“Ah, reminds me of that whoopee cushion prank you did on me.” Cas noted as he took a sip of beer. 

“All of that for a damn tongue on a pole?” Cas sounded so annoyed that Dean spits out his beer laughing.

They somehow moved closer on the couch with every little comment Cas made. From the mention of yellow eyes. To ask what was put in Ralph’s mouth after he said fudge. (“Dude he said fuck.” “So? You say it all the time.” “I’m a grown man.” “Oh. Children can’t say it?”)

As soon as Ralph said son of a bitch Cas was somehow already shoulder to shoulder with Dean. He laughed, his shoulders shaking, before turning to look at Dean with that big smile again. Dean never thought anybody could look as beautiful as Cas did when he grinned at him like that.

“Dean, I told you that’s you.” He smiled and Dean didn’t have it in him to argue, even as a joke. Instead, he nodded, smiling back at Cas, while his grinch heart grew three sizes. 

This was supposed to be a safe nonromantic movie but Dean hasn’t watched it in a while. He forgot the ending when the parents sat in the dark, just like they were in now, and enjoyed the snow falling. With only the Christmas lights shining. 

A few years ago he wouldn’t have thought it was romantic - there was no kissing or grunting in this scene what so ever- but the soft touches is what he craves now. He was already so close to Cas as it is. Feeling the warmth radiate off his best friend while his blanket was now over both their laps, he doesn’t even remember when that happened. 

He was already so close. Dean could turn his head and his nose could be buried in Cas’s hair, the smell of nature still follows Cas around, and he could hold him. Hold him like he has always wanted to hold Cas, with no immediate danger or death hanging over them. He just wanted to hold Cas because he wanted to hold him. No reason.

Cas leaned into him a little more, untucking his feet from underneath him so he could lay them flat on the ground. Dean noticed every fidget of Cas’s fingers and he wondered if Cas was uncomfortable with the closeness but then in a sudden move Cas had an arm around Dean’s shoulders. Cas cleared his throat as he squeezed Dean’s shoulder closer to him - trying to act like this was a normal thing for them- while Dean stared at him with wide eyes. 

Dean couldn’t find the words. He wanted to say some dumb joke or push Cas off but he stopped himself. Instead, he relaxed under the touch and leaned into it. 

“Oh, um, the movie ended.” Cas cleared his throat while he started to pull his hand away.

“I’ll, um, I’ll just - let me pick another one.” Dean reached for the remote and picked a random movie in the Christmas category and pressed play. Then he leaned back into the couch again and Cas’s arm was around him again. 

Dean doesn’t remember how many movies they watched that night or how he ended up falling asleep on a couch too small to hold two grown men. But he didn’t care because now he had Cas’s fingers making small circles on his back and the touch was so gentle.

“Merry Christmas, Dean.” Cas must have known he woke up. 

So Dean folded his arms over Cas’s chest and looked down at him. He could feel the dumb smile on his mouth. “Merry Christmas, Cas.”

“I know it’s customary to give gifts now.” Cas started reaching for something on the floor while Dean opened his mouth to argue but Cas looked at him with those just-shut-up-Dean raised eyebrows so he listened. “It’s something small I got at the grocery store so I’m sorry it’s not something you may want but I believe you deserve a Christmas gift, Dean.”

They both sat up when Cas pulled out a small shiny gift bag with a Christmas tree right out front. Dean wondered when Cas even had time to get this or sneak it in as he sat crisscross back on the couch while Cas copied him. Handing over the present with a wry smile.

“I didn’t even get you anything, Cas.” Dean started saying, hesitant to get the present. 

Cas shrugged. “You can make it up to me later. Now take it.”

Dean took it and it didn’t even have tissue paper to hide what was inside. Dean laughed as he pulled out a few Reese’s shaped like a Christmas tree, some DVD of a movie he hasn’t even heard of so it must be new, and a gift card for Dominos pizza.

“These are great, Cas.” Dean laughed looking down at his gifts. “Looks like you already planned our next date night.”

“I did?” Cas looked down at his presents before looking back at Dean with wide eyes. “Date night?”

“I mean, only if you want to-”

“I want to!” Cas quickly leaned into Dean’s space again and he probably didn’t mean to lean in so close but Dean was also not thinking as he met him halfway to press their lips together. It was just a quick kiss before they pulled apart. 

Dean didn’t say anything as they sat back on their seats. Staring at anything but each other. 

Cas cleared his throat. “Was that my Christmas gift?”

Dean chuckled. “Yeah, I’m cheap.”

“Can I have another gift then?” Cas asked, leaning his head down so he could catch Dean’s downward gaze. He was blushing -fuck he was blushing- as he smiled at him again and Dean was taken back to that morning. Where he thought that he could live with just having that smile in his life but now he knows how that smile felt against his own.

Dean only nodded once before Cas fell back into him. Their lips smashing together into a grinning kiss, teeth smacking together, as Dean wrapped his arms around Cas’s waist to pull him closer. Then he pulled away just enough to kiss Cas again, slowly as he took everything in. Cas’s weight on his lap. Cas’s fingers on his face while he held the back of his neck. The soft noises Cas kept making at the back of his throat as they moved against each other that was making Dean crazy. 

He can have this. Can have Cas and it was a damn Christmas miracle that Cas was dumb enough to want Dean the same way. And fuck his stubble did feel great against his skin.

“Merry Christmas, Cas.” Dean said when they pulled apart to breathe, their foreheads touching. 

Cas grinned, a small laugh shook his body and Dean felt every shake that was in his arms. “Merry Christmas, Dean.”

Thanks @destielsecretsanta2020 for this fun project! 

[britishassistant]

The Villainous Paranoiac Just Wants An Uneventful Holiday (Part 1)

This is not how you wanted to spend your break.

The school was supposed to be empty. Everyone except the Octavinelle trio was supposed to be gone.

Not to say you don’t enjoy your friends’ company but. No magic-using people means no magic-spewing overblots.

You were looking forward to just bringing the fairies their firewood and working on your winter homework while taking the first opportunity in a good long while to unwind with Grim and the ghosts. No investigations to worry about, no weird dreams to get worked up over, no overblots to frantically try and survive.

You wanted a break.

This? Marching 10km into the desert with the rest of Scarabia dorm for the third day in a row due to their leader’s looming psychotic breakdown? This is not a break.

Although...

There’s definetely something rotten in Scarabia dorm, you think to yourself as you watch Viper-senpai hand out skeins of water. Kalim-senpai had no problem using his unique magic yesterday, and yet today he acted like Grim had mortally insulted him when he asked for a repeat performance.

If the outburst had been after two or three other instances of Kalim-senpai using Oasis Maker and receiving what he felt were insufficient thanks for it, then his current attitude would make a little more sense. But taking umbrage after using it just once? And being universally praised by everyone else the rest of the day for it?

It doesn’t add up.

Even deranged behavior has some sort of internal logic to it, as Rosehearts-senpai and the Rules of the Queen of Hearts have taught you. Even with how nonsensical all 810 rules are, it’s rare to find a scenario where one rule actually conflicts with another— all of them usually work smoothly in tandem with the goal of having an orderly unbirthday party in mind.

Even if they do violate most forms of dignity and common sense.

Kalim-senpai’s behavior though? It’s erratic without rhyme or reason, bouncing from nice to mean and back again seemingly as he enters and exits a room. He insists you and Grim stay and participate in this asinine “training”, despite the fact that you both belong to a different dorm, and are technically rivals to Scarabia in Magift and exams.

If you didn’t know better, you’d say it’s almost like he’s trying to imitate Rosehearts-senpai before his overblot—and doing poorly at it.

And with how much Viper-senpai has been invoking parallels between the current situation and what happened back then...

The smartphone Crowley gave you is a cold, heavy weight in your pocket. Its charge ran out yesterday, which is unsurprising given how many times you dialed and redialed the dumb bird headmaster’s number only to be met with his voicemail. You can probably recite that stupid message by heart now. You’ve heard nothing from Ace and Deuce either.

One thing is clear; no one’s going to help you out of this mess but you.

“Kalim-senpai?” You brace yourself as you step towards him. “Can I ask you something?”

“What could you possibly question me about?” He barks, glaring down at you haughtily.

“Well, I was just wondering, what’s the point of all this?” You fight to keep your nerve as his posture stiffens. “I don’t mean any disrespect, none at all, but you do want everyone to do better in Magift and exams, don’t you? I was hoping you could explain to me how the parades and defensive magic training are supposed to do that. I apologize for my ignorance, I’m nowhere near as smart as you, but could you please tell me why we don’t just practice Magift and brush up on the class material inst—”

Your head’s ringing.

You think you hear faint yelling, though it sounds like it’s coming from somewhere far away.

Your cheek aches.

Numbness blooming into a sharp stinging throb that feels like it’s growing with every second that passes, burning hotter than the sun above you.

You cautiously poke your tongue against your teeth, but none feel loose, thank the Seven.

Damn, the desperate, near-hysterical thought flits through your head. Even a pampered rich boy like him has strength behind his hits, huh?

The rest of you is just trying to process what the Hell just happened.

“How. Dare. You?!”

Asim-sama looms over you, red eyes burning with fury.

It’s a fight to keep yourself from curling into a terrified ball under his gaze, tucking into yourself as though seeing less of you would abate the anger, the shouting, the hurt, like you used to when you were a child.

“You dare to question my methods, my leadership of this dorm?! You? A sniveling street rat leeching off my hospitality?! Do you know who I am?!” He rages. “I am Kalim al-Asim! I am the Head of this dorm! I don’t have to explain ANYTHING, justify ANYTHING to the likes of you!!”

You knew, you knew you were pushing your luck when you first asked, but you thought it would just be yelling, like it was before. You can handle yelling, nothing Asim-sama can say could ever be worse than what you’ve already heard.

You didn’t think he’d hit you.

You didn’t think he’d hit you.

You didn’t think—

“DON'T YOU TOUCH MY MINION, FGNAH!”

Your arm whips out almost on instinct.

You jolt forward slightly as Grim collides with it, hissing and spitting like he really was an irate cat, the flames in his ears flaring brightly enough that some detached part of you is worried about getting burned.

The other Scarabia students are reaching for their magic pens.

“Lemme at ‘im! Lemme at ‘im!!” Your friend howls, fighting to get past you. “Forget butt on fire, I’ll BURN IT TO A CRISP FOR HURTING MY MINION!! I'LL STEAL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND SELL IT FOR LUXURY TUNA!! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR CROSSING THE GREAT GRIM—”

“No, Grim.”

Your friend halts in his flailing to stare uncomprehendingly at you. “But Yuu—!”

“It was my fault.” You say, trying to keep as much emotion out of your voice as possible. Tears and trembling only show weakness, only make them worse. “Asim-sama was just correcting me. He was right to do so. I shouldn’t have questioned him. I overstepped my bounds.”

Asim-sama sniffs. “At least you know your place. Be glad I don’t punish you anymore than this.”

“What?! He slapped you for asking a question, you can’t possibly believe—” You gather Grim into your arms and hug him close. You quietly thank the Great Seven you at least have him, trying to hide the quiver in your limbs by burying your face in his fur.

But that’s exactly why you can’t let him do this. It’s just the two of you, you can’t win against an entire dorm of wizards like you did against the ghosts. Maybe if Ace and Deuce and Jack were here...but it’s just you. You need to protect your friend in the only way you can. “We can’t win this. Please, Grim.”

You feel him grumble, then a paw carefully pushes at your forehead. “Hrm...I’ll show mercy for now, so geroff already. It’s too hot for you to keep hugging me like this, I’m cooking here fgnah.”

Despite saying so, he settles onto your shoulder, tail smacking your arm as it flicks irritably.

“If you’ll excuse me, Asim-sama.” You duck your head slightly. “I will remove myself from your sight and head back early as penance for my behavior. Once again, my deepest apologies for insulting you.”

Asim-sama gives you a curt, dismissive nod.

You turn and make your way through the crowd of Scarabia students, snatches of muttered conversations floating to your ears.

“How could he—?”

“Just for a question?”

“Isn’t that going too far...?”

“Unforgivable...”

“Prefect.” Viper-senpai takes you by the shoulder, turning you to face him. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” You reply monotonously, eyes on the sand below you. “Just...just need to be by myself for a bit.”

His lips purse and you can feel him study your face. He presses a full water skein into your hands. “Take this. Even if it’s not as cold as I’d like, it should help with the swelling some. Plus you need to stay hydrated out there.”

“Thank you, Viper-senpai.” You nod, keeping your eyes down.

“And Prefect?” He squeezes your shoulder, voice lowering only a fraction. “I am truly sorry about this. All of this. It will not happen again, you have my word.”

It would’ve been a nice apology, had you not caught a glimpse of a smirk on his face.

You nod, making sure not to outwardly react to that or to the way the whispers of the other Scarabia students turn from the condemnation of their dorm head to the exaltation of the vice dorm head. You begin following the tracks in the sand back to the main dorm.

The sun beats down on your back as you take a swig from the skein and pass it to Grim to drink from. He’s still grumbling about how you should’ve let him recreate his rampage at the entrance ceremony.

For your part, the distance and good company have let you pull yourself out of that headspace enough that you can try and look back objectively on what happened.

Your mind keeps circling back around to one question: why did Asim-senpai hit you?

Based on your interactions before this, Asim-senpai doesn’t seem to be the type to resort to physical violence as a first response, or even a last one. Which means something in your question likely backed him into a corner enough that the normally pacifistic dorm head felt lashing out physically was the only way to get you to stop.

...Like the fact that he couldn’t answer it?

Even when screaming abuse at you, his ultimate response was that he wouldn’t explain himself to you. Is that because he didn’t want to? Or because he couldn’t? Does Asim-senpai himself not know the reasons behind his own actions? But how can someone act without knowing or meaning to, without being under the influence somehow?

Under the influence.

People acted without knowing or meaning to thanks to being under the influence of Buchie-senpai’s Unique Magic during the Magift incident. But he went home, you saw him leave, so what...?

You pull out your notebook, flipping through the pages with sweaty hands until you get to your records of the testimonies from the incident. You scan through the testimonies from Scarabia students, hoping to find something, anything—

Oh.

Oh.

“Motherfucker.” You hiss, staring at the page in dismay. You are an idiot. You are the biggest idiot, you make Deuce look like a genuis, how could you forget about this?? It was only the key testimony that helped pinpoint Buchie-senpai and Savannahclaw as the culprits behind the injuries. And it explains so much— why you kept agreeing to stay here despite wanting to go back to Ramshackle so desperately, almost like your mouth was speaking without your consent.

“Minion?” Grim asks, pushing the water skein back onto you. “What’s wrong?”

You snap your notebook shut and slide it back into your pocket, taking another fortifying swig from the skein. “Grim? Think we can get back soon enough to work on the escape route in our room before the others arrive back for lunch?”

“If we pick up the pace a bit, yeah.” He hops back onto your shoulder. “But what’s the rush? We have all night tonight to work on it.”

“Let’s just say the sooner we can get out of here, the better.” You mutter, cogs and gears turning in your head as a tentative plan begins to form.

This is not how you wanted to spend your winter break.

[sojourner-between-worlds]

Let Me Take You When I Go

Fandoms: Alex Rider/Hawaii Five-0

Summary: If I let go of these chains/ Now will I float away?/ Can I just hold on? --Alex is used to being busy during the holidays, distracted from everything that he’s lost. Forced to come face to face with his grief, he doesn’t know how he’s supposed to get closure for deaths years in the past -- or if he even wants to. Luckily for him, he’s not alone anymore.

Series: Don't You Worry, Child

A/N: I debated for days on whether one scene is even necessary, decided it was and then spent several more trying to figure out how to make it better, and - well - it is what it is, lol. This is already technically a month later than I wanted this to be out (plus a few days later than on Ao3 because I was being lazy, ahaha, whoops), so I'm just calling it good.

I'm not sorry for the amount of cheese or for the conflicting feelings this may bring about.

(Title and lyric lines in the summary from RED's Of These Chains)

Read on Ao3

. . . . .

For the life of him, Alex couldn’t figure out what his problem was.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He had a laundry list of them courtesy of his therapist, but this was something different. Probably. The more he mulled it over, the less this seemed to be related to depression or anxiety or survivor’s guilt or -- the latest addition to the list -- abandonment issues.

Maybe he was missing something and this sudden restlessness and irritability was related to one of them somehow, but he couldn’t seem to find the connection.

After coming to the conclusion that he simply was not going to figure it out on his own, he found himself sitting in Dr Young’s office, trying to find some way to express this current enigma to her in the hopes she would have some sort of answer. Unfortunately, five silent minutes had already passed, and Alex was no closer to getting any words out than when the session had started. Irritation at his own limitations clawed its way up his throat, only serving to make it that much more difficult to find the right words.

Another moment passed and finally Alex sighed and bit out, “I don’t know why I’m trying. I don’t know how…”

Dr Young nodded once and said, “Take a deep breath. Relax for a moment. Then we’ll try again.”

He took two for good measure -- slowly in, slowly out -- but it didn’t particularly help. He had been on edge all week; relaxing felt nearly impossible.

“I can see you’re having a difficult time today. Would it be all right if I asked you some questions?”

“Yeah, that… might help, I guess.”

“This time of year tends to be more difficult for some people. Do you think your current distress might have something to do with the holiday season?”

Alex frowned. “I’ve never had any particular problem before.”

“How have you spent the past two Decembers?”

“Well, last year I infiltrated a drug ring and ended up with Steve and everyone on Christmas Eve. The year before was when I was working for ASIS. I barely made it home in time for Christmas it seemed like.”

“So you’ve been a bit… preoccupied with non-holiday related things then, correct?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“What about this year?”

Oh. “Just school.” He slumped back in his chair. “And soccer.”

“No major distractions. For the first time, you’re having to cope with the fact that they aren’t here and that the holidays will look different without them.

“It seems to me that after every major loss in your life, everything kept moving rather too quickly, never leaving you much time to process those losses. Have you ever taken the time to properly mourn any of their passings?”

She wasn’t wrong, he realized. He had been whisked away by social services practically before the fire in the Pleasure’s car had been put out. After Jack, he had dissociated through the weeks between Cairo and San Francisco, and then he’d been focused on starting over. And after Ian… he had been too busy investigating and getting caught up in things he would have been better off left out of.

He shifted uncomfortably. “Not really, I guess.”

“Mourning is essential to moving on with life, and the lack of processing your grief may be contributing to your current distress,” Dr Young stated. “Additionally, it might be why you feel stuck and why you still can’t define what types of relationships you have with others. When you hold on to lost relationships, it becomes difficult to understand the new ones.”

Alex swallowed thickly. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation about relationships, and Alex knew she was right. Still holding on to Jack and Ian with an iron fist, he knew he was only hurting himself, but he was afraid the pain of letting go would be worse. Even if he could let go of them and, in the process, let himself truly get close to someone else again… Steve had been telling him -- making it a point to tell him -- that he loved Alex (with no expectation of having the sentiment returned), and Alex never could work up the courage to say it back. If he allowed himself that feeling and then lost Steve… The thought was more than he could bear. It was easier to hold onto old hurts than to risk new ones. “What if I don’t want to?”

“I certainly can’t force you, Alex, but -- as always -- I’m here to help if you change your mind.”

. . .

Alex knew he’d done a poor job of hiding his sobs when he heard a soft knock on his bedroom door. He knew he could tell Steve to beat it and Steve would leave him alone, but then he would be subjected to those Concerned Looks(™) until he broke down anyway so he might as well just get it over with now.

“Can I come in, buddy?”

Sucking in a breath, he held back the sob to a hiccup and somehow forced out an affirmative answer. He didn’t look up from his spot curled up against the headboard as he heard the door click open and a moment later felt the bed dip beside him.

“Oh, kid. What can I do?”

Alex shook his head. There was nothing, after all; Steve couldn’t bring back the people he’d lost. He couldn’t help the next sob that violently tore its way out, and then suddenly he was in Steve’s embrace, inevitably getting snot and tears all over the man’s shirt. Christmas was fast approaching and, now more than ever (with no thanks to Dr Young for bringing it up), he was missing Ian and Jack, and now, he realized, he didn’t care who knew it.

. . .

“Here.”

Alex glanced up from where Luna was curled up and purring in his lap as he took the mug from Steve’s out-stretched hand. “Thanks.”

Steve sat down next to him on the sofa. “You wanna talk about it?”

Alex snorted. “No.”

“Yeah, I didn’t figure as much.” He smiled sympathetically. After a moment, he added, “I know the holidays can be a difficult time of year. It’s okay to not feel happy and festive all the time. It’s okay to be hurting.”

Alex took a sip of his tea. “I miss them.”

“I know the feeling.”

“How do you do it? How do you just…” Alex waved a hand vaguely in the air, too drained to find the right words.

“Sometimes I don’t. The first couple of years I was back here, I didn’t bother putting up a tree because it hurt too much. Every year it hurts because that had always been something we did together -- my mom, my dad, my sister, and me -- and I know it’s something that will never happen again. Even if -- on the very small chance -- my mom wasn’t off undercover somewhere and my sister made the flight over, there would still be one person missing.

“But, you know… this year it maybe hurt just a little less.”

“What changed?”

“I have someone else to share those traditions with now.”

Alex looked up to see Steve smiling sadly back. He tipped sideways until his head hit Steve’s shoulder.

Steve wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulders and planted his chin on top of Alex’s head. “Love you, kid. I’m glad you’re here.”

. . .

“Steve?”

“Yeah?” He looked up from his tablet to where Alex was standing on the landing.

“This is going to sound like a weird question, but… is there anywhere to go ice skating around here?”

Steve nodded. “The Ice Palace over by Aloha Stadium is open year-round. Why?”

“Well, it's just… you know how you said it doesn’t hurt as much when you can share traditions with new people? Ian would take me every year -- and later, Jack too. Well, most years, anyway. One year we went skiing in Colorado and I saw him fighting some guy with a gun and… yeah, we didn’t go that year.”

Steve grinned. “There’s a lot to unpack there, but if what you’re trying to say is that you’d like to go, I’d be happy to take you.”

Alex chuckled. “Thanks. Can you even ice skate?”

“I wouldn’t put it in my top ten talents, but yes, I do know how. How’s Saturday?”

“As long as you’re not working…”

“I won’t be. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Even if the world is ending?”

Steve snorted, waving a hand dismissively. “Danny can handle it.”

. . .

“Thanks for coming with me today, Alex.”

Alex shrugged as they slid into their usual booth in Whit’s End. “I know you’d do the same for me.”

When Steve had asked him to come along to John McGarrett’s grave in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Alex hadn’t hesitated to agree. The visit was a very personal and private thing he was being invited into, and Alex wanted to return the support he had received in some way, no matter how small it felt.

“I still appreciate it. It’s just one of those things, ya know? That makes him feel not quite so far away.”

Alex had visited Ian’s grave a handful of times when he still lived in Chelsea, but it had only left him feeling more empty. Maybe that was just because he hadn’t let himself process the loss. (He was sure that’s what Dr Young would say, anyway.) He had visited his parents’ too, with Ian, but since he didn’t remember them, that too had felt empty. He almost wished he could now, though.

They ate in silence for a few moments before Steve got that look on his face that Alex had become accustomed to seeing when something occurred to the man that concerned Alex. He promptly ignored it in favor of his ice cream; that look usually meant talking about something that Alex would rather not (though arguably usually needed to) so he wasn’t about to give any opportunity for his guardian to voice it. Ignoring it never worked since Steve would inevitably bring it up eventually, but Alex could hope.

“Alex, you’ve… never been to Jack’s grave, have you?”

Ah, there it was. Rather quicker than usual, but whatever. “No. Didn’t exactly have the opportunity.” It went unsaid that when he had been in DC with Branning, he hadn’t wanted to go, had he even felt like he could ask (which he hadn’t).

“Would it help if you could go?”

Alex stiffened. Would it? He had never considered the idea. Steve said it helped him feel closer to his dad. Dr Young said he was still holding on and needed to let go. Truthfully, he didn’t think he could do that when, more often than not, her death still didn’t feel real. If he went to the place she was buried, would that change? “I don’t know.”

“Would you like to?” Alex’s gaze shot up to meet Steve’s. “We can leave right after you get out for break, stay for a few days -- maybe take in the sights while we’re there, if you’re up for it -- and get back just in time for Christmas.”

Alex was stunned. “You’d really fly all the way across the country just so I could visit Jack’s grave?”

Steve shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”

“It’s kind of a long way just for that, isn’t it?”

“No.”

“No?”

Steve smiled. “Better pack warm. They’ve got snow this time of year.”

. . .

Steve wasn’t blind. He could see how hesitant Alex still was in -- well, pretty much everything. The kid liked hugs but rarely initiated them. He always hesitated when introducing Steve to other people, like he wasn’t quite sure how to refer to him. And, while Steve had assured him that there was no pressure, Alex had yet to return an ‘I love you’. Which was fine -- really and truly; Steve didn’t want the kid to say something out of obligation that he didn’t mean, but it still left him wondering regardless. No matter how close they had gotten over the past year, Alex still seemed to try to keep him at arm’s length all the same.

He wasn’t too proud to ask for advice, either -- privately, of course, but still. So he had called up an old Navy buddy of his who had studied child psychology.

“You’re not doing anything wrong,” had been the answer. “Traumatized kids have a harder time forming new relationships. Clearly he wants to, though -- and that’s a good sign. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

He would, of course; he didn’t need anyone to tell him that. He loved his kid so he would do whatever it took to help him heal. And if that meant flying to DC the week before Christmas to help Alex process Jack’s death, then he would do it without a second thought.

They packed as warmly as one who lives in Hawaii could hope to and caught the redeye the evening after Alex’s last final exam. They arrived just before noon the next day, and as they made their way through the terminal in search of the car rental counters, Steve had never been more glad he had suggested this.

“So what do you think, Alex? It’s seven AM at home, so should we get breakfast or lunch?”

“Breakfast food is good any time of day, so…”

“Breakfast it is. I know this great little hole-in-the-wall diner in the same direction we’re going, actually. Sound good?”

“Yeah.”

Thankfully, the place was still there and open; Steve hadn’t been in DC in quite some time, after all, so there had been no guarantee. They slid into a booth, ordered coffee and tea and pancakes, and settled in to wait.

“So, what would you like to do first? After we check in at the hotel, anyway.”

Alex glanced out the window, and Steve followed his gaze. Snow was lazily drifting down from the sky outside. “Can we go to the cemetery? I mean, that’s why we’re here, and I’d kind of just like to get it out of the way, you know?”

“Yeah, I get that.” Steve smiled softly. “Of course we can.”

Their meal didn’t take long to arrive, and they polished it off just as quickly -- it was as good as Steve remembered, which was a positive start to the trip -- and then they made their way to the hotel and checked in, piling on as many layers as they could before venturing back out into the snowy afternoon.

Steve had called the Starbrights the week before to find out where their daughter was buried, and the spot was surprisingly easy to find. As he pulled to the side of the drive and shifted into park, he asked, “Do you want me to come with you or would you rather be alone?”

Alex sighed quietly. “I think I need to do this alone.”

“Okay. Take as much time as you need. I’ll be right here.”

“Thanks.” Alex opened the car door, letting in an icy blast as he got out, and made his way through the falling snow, down the row of headstones, until he apparently found the one he was looking for.

Steve could only watch as Alex stood for a moment, hands stuffed deep into his jacket pockets, before his shoulders started to shake and he fell to his knees. His own heart breaking, Steve wanted nothing more than to get out and go to him, to comfort him. But he knew he couldn’t. Alex had asked for privacy, and Steve would give it to him -- no matter how much it hurt to watch his kid falling apart.

. . .

When Steve booked this trip, he made sure to get a room with a kitchenette for exactly this reason, so he could do what he was doing now: making hot cocoa for one half-frozen teenager who desperately needed the pick-me-up.

By the time Alex had returned to the car, he had been numb and soaked through from the snow. Without a word, Steve had cranked up the heat and shifted into drive, going straight back to the hotel, where he had promptly demanded that Alex take a hot shower while he ran down to the convenience store right next door. He had returned before Alex was out, and now, as Alex settled onto the couch under a blanket he must have pulled from one of the beds, Steve finished mixing it up.

Pouring the hot drink into two mugs, he went over to the couch, handing one to Alex before settling down into the cushions himself. Almost immediately, Alex tucked himself into Steve’s side, letting out a small, contented huff. Wrapping an arm around Alex’s shoulders, he quietly asked, “So what would you like to do now, buddy? Other than getting warmed up.”

Alex sniffled. “Can we just watch something?”

“Yeah, of course.” Steve shifted to set his mug on the side table and grabbed the TV remote. “Let’s see if we can find something worth watching.”

Alex shifted slightly and cleared his throat before murmuring, “This is going to sound stupid, but can you… find the Hallmark Channel? They usually show Christmas movies pretty much non-stop this time of year.”

Steve was baffled. “I thought you hated romance movies.” Regardless, he brought up the TV guide to look. If that’s what Alex wanted right now, he would indulge it.

“I do, but… Jack always made me watch them with her. It won’t really feel like Christmas unless I watch at least one.”

Oh. Steve should have known -- should have been able to guess -- it had something to do with Jack. He squeezed Alex’s shoulder with one hand and continued scrolling through the guide with the other until he found it. “Well, what do you know? We’re in luck.”

“You don’t mind?”

“Not as long as I can make fun of it in a running commentary.”

Alex let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “That was the plan.”

(And if Alex started crying again halfway through the first one, Steve would never tell.)

. . .

“Can we go back to the cemetery again today?”

Steve glanced up from his breakfast, eyebrows raised. “I don’t know -- are you fully thawed out from yesterday yet?”

Alex snorted. “Yes. So can we? Please?”

“At least it’s not snowing anymore. If it still was, I think I’d have to say no. Don’t want you to get sick, after all.”

“So is that a yes?”

Steve grinned. “We can go right after we’re done eating.”

“Thanks.” Alex smiled back.

“Don’t mention it. That’s why we’re here.”

Steve expected the day to go about the same as the one before, but this time, when he pulled the car to the side and shifted into park, Alex hesitated.

“Would you come with me?”

Steve would never dream of refusing. “If you want me to.”

“I do.”

Steve turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, Alex following suit.

Alex took the lead, their feet crunching in the fresh snow, finally stopping half way down the row in front of a plain, marble headstone. Jack’s full name, date of birth, and date of death were displayed above the simple text “Beloved Sister and Daughter”. Steve held back as Alex moved closer and knelt next to the stone, brushing away snow that had stuck to the face.

“Hey, Jack. It’s me again. I brought a friend with me this time.” Alex turned to look over his shoulder, and Steve took that as his cue to move closer. Turning back to the grave, Alex continued. “This is Steve. He’s been taking care of me for a while now, been keeping ‘6 off my back. I think you two would have really gotten on.”

Seeing the mistiness return to Alex’s eyes and hearing the tremor in his voice, Steve placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder and gently squeezed. “It's nice to meet you, Jack, and I just want you to know that Alex is in good hands. You can rest easy. He’s gonna be okay.”

Alex sucked in a shaky breath. “We’re going home tomorrow, so I won’t be able to come back -- not for a long time, if ever honestly. But I just wanted you to know.” He stood back up, wiping at his eyes, and turned to Steve with a watery smile.

Once they were back in the car, heat blasting the chill away, Steve asked, “So what would you like to do now?”

Alex took a deep breath, let it out, and smiled. “We came all this way, might as well see the sights.” He paused. “And Steve?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. For everything.”

“Always. Love you, kid.”

“Love you too.”

. . . . .

Tags: @diekatimitdemhutohnehut @just-add-butter (asdfghjkl; tunglr won't me tag you YET AGAIN oh well you already know it's up lol)

If anyone would like added, do let me know and I'll try my best but we all see how well that's going, lol.

[mercurygray]

October 2021 Prompts- 'glass' for the single parent/teacher AU for Dick and Joan perhaps? Juno xx

It was really just going to be one glass.

"Oh, come on, Joanie!" Kitty was saying over the phone. The Welsh family holiday extravaganza was an annual, adults-only event not to be missed, and Joan, for reasons far beyond her control, had missed it for the last four years. "Jack's at Kurt's for the first time everrr and you have Saturday off! Live a little! We'll let you sleep on the couch, you don't even have to worry about driving." Kitty paused. "I'm inviting a couple of the guys from the office," she added, wheedling just a little.

"Kitty, I'm not -"

"I know, you said you're not looking, but what's the harm in showing up looking like a fox? Come on - for me. Otherwise I'll be stuck with all the moms discussing Montessori schools and baby food."

Joan sighed, considering her options. There was something alluring about spending her one childless night of the holidays at home on the couch with a movie, but a holiday party sounded fun, too. "All right then - I'll come for a little bit."

Kitty had shrieked with delight at the other end of the phone, and spent the rest of the afternoon texting Joan Pinterest links to 'cute holiday attire' while Joan, still at work and suffering over a deadline, sank deeper and deeper into her chair and wondered why she'd said yes.

She was still wondering why she'd said yes when she'd showed up at Harry and Kitty's in a new dress (courtesy of a marketing email for a deeply discounted sale and the sudden realization that nothing in her closet would fit both the occasion and her post-Jack body) and been greeted at the door by Kitty, who took her coat and pronounced her ensemble cute.

There were already too many knots in the front room of people she didn't know, and Kitty was busy taking her coat upstairs, so Joan let herself into the kitchen, very mindful the neckline of the dress was showing off more collarbone than she'd thought.

"Hi there."

She turned quickly, only to be come face to face with a vision of that kind of slightly soft domesticity suggested by khakis and a tasteful merino sweater with the sleeves rolled up. Joan's mind went back to that Hallmark movie she'd been thinking of watching and cursed Kitty for talking her into this.

Just what was the protocol for meeting your child's teacher at a holiday party and thinking he looked like a snack?

"...hi." She struggled for a moment. "I'm sorry, I didn't think - this must be very awkward for you. I'm sorry."

Dick shrugged. "We're two adults, meeting at the house of a mutual friend. Maybe we could start over." He moved his drink from one hand to the other. "Hi, I'm Dick, I'm a friend of Harry's from school."

"Joan," she said, taking his hand and shaking it. "Harry and I went to college together."

"Yeah, he was telling me you were going to be here this evening," Dick said with a rare smile. "He said I should look out for a hottie in blue."

Joan felt her face flush. "...Please tell me he didn't actually say that."

He shrugged again, but the smile that had accompanied it did not dim, or lessen. "That might have been Kitty. Can I get you a drink? You do look very nice, by the way."

"Thanks," Joan said, glancing down to make sure she wasn't falling out somewhere. "And...sure."

It's just one glass, she repeated to herself. Just one glass, and then I can go home.

The door opened again, and there was laughter in the hallway that made Dick look up from the wine bottle, his face suddenly falling.

"Something wrong?"

He looked a little paralyzed. "It's...um. My ex. She must have come as a plus one, Harry wouldn't have invited her, he knows..."

Joan looked into the living room, surveying the crowd and trying to figure out who had just come in. "The blonde?" Another cascade of laughter from the living room, and Dick swallowed, nodding. Joan remembered that feeling, the cold, cruel wash of not having anyone to lean on when Kurt showed up at the next fundraiser with the newer model in towering heels and a dress that was half an inch too high for the occasion. Get mad, or get even, that was always the plan, and getting mad, in this case, was not really an option for Dick.

Well, Joanie, you did buy the dress. She took a breath and took a sip of her wine. "So, how long have we been dating?" He looked at her, confused. "I've embedded with army groups and done long-term investigative undercover reporting. Kitty will sell anything I tell her to and she loves a good soap opera. So - how long have we been dating?"

It finally clicked."...start of the school year?"

"Great." She took his arm and smiled. "Let's go make her angry she left you."

His arm was warm and solid under the sweater, and she could feel his pulse speeding up a little as they moved, slowly, into the group in the front room, her own speeding up to match it. Girl, you're either a genius or the world's biggest idiot.

[guardian-o-the-books]

Some RotG Episode Ideas bc that Potential Animated Series Project Post by @lumin0usfox Inspired Me

(( i haven't read book 5 of goc yet so mega apologies if some of this is off (im writing this with knowledgeup to War of Dreams) and assuming that most people outside of the fandom haven't read the books. im kinda writing it for that mindset))

- Opening episode is Jack and Jamie working on trying to get Jack believers. hyjinks ensue.

- like following the logic that William Joyce has already set that Burgess doesn't really have a specific time. like yeah it's like 2012 but it's also in the past so the Internet isn't really that big of a thing. So they can't just make a blog post or YouTube video and have it go viral. so they focus on more in-person not-offline ways of getting believers

-or idk maybe the technology does exist and a youtube video goes viral and Jack gets a lot of believers that way. the rest of the guardians are just... "is that allowed???".

- I know this is super self-indulgent but can we please have Jamie and North try to teach Jack, Bunny, and Tooth memes please. if nothing else than as a running joke

-an episode of all of the guardians checking up on pitch to make sure he's not trying anything. and since Jack's lost most of his memories this could be where he (and the audience) learns Pitch's past

- at least one episode that's not too much of jack really interacting with the guardians or the kids from Burgess specifically and we kind of get more of a glimpse into what his life was like before becoming a guardian or having believers

-holiday special must include a party at North's. I think this might actually be canon actually. plus sandy goes nuts for the eggnog so that's gonna be fun. Sandy absolutely destroys Bunny at charades.

-an episode where Jack is kinda awkward and still figuring out his role and dynamic with the guardians. like North invites his to spend time at the pole after he learns Jack doesn't have much of a home outside of The Oak of Sorrows and they really confront that whole "u guess abandoned me for 300 years and now we friend and give me a second I need to adjust. maybe they learn about how lonely jack felt or that they didn't know how bad it was."

-episode to introduce Katherine and how she's really come into her role as Mother Goose. maybe she's spent sometime moving on from nightlight. she still misses him obviously, but she's recognize that jack isn't him anyway and i can't imagine her trying to force anything or interfere with his life if she thinks he's happy. if the episode doesn't start with "Once upon a time, ..." then i give up.

- I really can't imagine romance being like a main focus point here but the grounds are kind of already laid for Jack and tooth to get together from the movie. And also because lesbians are powerful and make everything better, Katherine and mother nature could have bonded over their conflicts with pitch and IDK they would be an absolute power couple. Also Sandy is a literal alien, so I don't think he really cares much about human gender roles or standards. Non-binary icon.

- maybe because Jack hasn't been able to talk to the Man in the Moon for so long the Guardians 2 Straight Up take him to the Moon to get closure. This whole event can be like a 2 episode special or something. Maybe this is where Jack learns the night light lore if that would be something that anyone would wanna touch. (i love GoC and I've been a part of the fandom since at least 2016 but damn i still can't think of a non-completely convoluted way of connecting Jack to Nightlight. Maybe something happens after book 5 that causes NightLight to forget about the Guardians when he's in his human form the Guardians don't know who he became when he became human so they lost track of one another. (It could explain why the Guardians don't recognize Jack is Nightlight even though they look exactly alike and act the same and have the same powers.))

- these are all really plot-heavy so what are some light-headed episode ideas?? uhh... let's see...

-Similar to how Bunny has egg hunts and tooth has puting teeth under the pillow, Jack and Jamie try to figure what some tradition for him could be and try to popularize them.

- Jack finds out north used to be a criminal and the Bandit King. it's absolute chaos.

- Jamie has to get a bit more creative with coming up with excuses for why he keeps getting caught talking to the air.

-So what if this takes place a few years after RotG. We can see has Burgess has grown a bit and Jack has to see Jamie grow up a bit and start to enter high school. he still believes in jack of course but it could be bitter sweet plus Jamie at age 14 would be physically the same age as Jack. ~~ Parallels ~~ the inherent existentialism of being immortal, u know, fun stuff (if done right).

-Jack tracking down his sister's family in the modern day to know they're okay and so he can see the consequences of his sacrifice.

-Sophie is Bunny's helper for the day.

-really just a season where jack figures out his place with the guardians and more about who he is. those themes of found family and building trust with those around you. oooh that's the good stuff.

-I know this is ambitious but maybe like the first season could be Jack kind of building that relationship with the Guardians and his new Believers with hints of who he was in the past and then like the second season is the deeper dive into who he was unlike it just gets really deep and oh my God I can't stop thinking about those now.

[ejzah]

A/N: @mashmaiden and an anonymous friend were kind enough to suggest/request and an anniversary fic for Densi’s second Wedding Anniversary.

***

Two Years of Perfect

Kensi rolled over onto her side, woken by the early morning sunlight. Deeks lay on his stomach, just like he did most mornings, sheet and quilt pulled down to just below his waist. She watched him for a couple minutes, just appreciating the slow, steady rise and fall of his back as he breathed, the soft noises he occasionally made.

When the sunlight was strong enough to cover him in a soft, golden glow, Kensi reached out and brushed her knuckles across his jaw. He shifted, turning into her touch, and she was suddenly overwhelmed with love for him.

“Good morning,” she murmured, sliding closer to kiss his cheek. He kept his eyes closed, but smiled slightly and tucked her into his chest. “Happy Anniversary.”

He grinned at that, finally opening his eyes, and whispered back,

“Happy Second Anniversary, Mrs. Deeks.” Even though Kensi normally didn’t like going by her “married name”, something about the way Deeks said it when they were alone, never failed to make her smile.

“Two of the best years of my life.” She kissed him again and nuzzled his jaw with her nose.

“Having to move and going through IVF are part of the best years of your life?” he asked doubtfully. Kensi shushed him with a finger against his lips.

“Don’t ruin the mood,” she teased. “But yes, even with all the tough things we’ve been through, I wouldn’t ask for anything else because I get to do it with you by my side.

“Oh my god, I think that is the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said.” He paused, his smile turning softer as he caressed her cheek. “And that’s one of the reasons I love you.”

“Mm, I love you too.” Slipping out from under Deeks’ arm, she rolled him onto his back, and slid her legs over either side of his hips. His eyes lit up as she hovered over him, bracing her hands on his shoulders. “I have a surprise for you”-she dipped her head and pressed a kiss directly between his pecs-“and this is part one.”

***

“So, what do you want to do after this?” Deeks asked Kensi, leaning across the kitchen island. They’d finally made it out of bed way past breakfast, so while Deeks was showering, Kensi had run out to grab their favorite tacos.

Nell, who was turning out to be an exceedingly generous boss, had given them the entire before Kensi could even fully ask.

“I thought we could go for a walk or maybe surf,” Kensi suggested.

“Perfect idea. But I have to go get something first.” She frowned as he abruptly ran back upstairs. He returned with a flat box, wrapped in blue paper and a periwinkle bow on top, and handed it to her.

“Babe, didn’t we agree on no presents this year?” Kensi reminded him with an exasperated, but fond expression. As much as he claimed to hate organized holidays, he loved giving her gifts.

“First of all, I purchased it in exchange for my legal services. Plus, this is a special occasion,” he explained, gesturing for her to open it. Knowing there was no point in arguing about it, she started sliding her finger under the invisible tape (significantly more than she would have used), revealing a plain brown box. She was extremely curious what he could have bartered for.

“Oh my god, Deeks, this is gorgeous,” Kensi gasped as she lifted the lid to reveal a perfectly rendered oil painting of them from their wedding. It showed Deeks cupping her chin between his palms as she embraced him, adoration clear as they gazed at one another.

“Really?” He sounded unsure and Kensi wrapped her free arm around him, hugging his bicep.

“It’s perfect.”

“I wanted to use one from the actual ceremony, but I forgot how many have Anatoli Kirkin grinning in the background and I didn’t want to explain why one our guests was wearing handcuffs.”

“It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Kensi reiterated, lightly running her fingers over the texture of the paint. Whoever the artist was, they’d taken extreme care with the task, capturing each element with stunning detail.

She carefully set the painting down on the counter and wrapped both arms around Deeks, pressing her face into his chest. He smelled like the organic shampoo he used, warm and familiar.

“Thank you for creating such a beautiful memory for us.” She leaned up and kissed him, her enthusiasm forcing Deeks against the counter. He cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss and within a few minutes, lunch and the picture, were completely forgotten.

***

“I’m sorry we couldn’t do anything fancier this year,” Kensi sighed, playing with the bits of hair at the nape of his neck, which had grown out in the last couple months. His head was pillowed on her chest, one hand loosely spread across the expanse of her side.

Although she’d had plans to get dinner, or even try cooking something, she didn’t feel like moving for the rest of the day. Deeks didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get up either. It looked like surfing was off the schedule as well.

“Hey, you know that when it comes down to it, I don’t care what we’re doing, as long as I’m with you,” he murmured back. Kensi lifted her head just enough to squint an eye at him.

“Now who’s being cheesy?”

“And you love me for it,” he said confidently, echoing his words about her from that morning.

“That is true,” she agreed. “I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

“Not even my tendency to watch “mind numbing documentaries?” She shrugged, shoulder brushing up against Deeks chest.

“Meh, I’m accustomed to it now. Besides, you’ve more than put up with my Titanic obsession.” Kensi wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, drawing a groan from Deeks.

“Just for the record, I am way too tired to pull out the Jack costume,” he warned her and Kensi rolled her eyes.

“Noted.” If she really wanted to, she knew it would take very little persuading to change Deeks’ mind. She was content to lay there for as long as she could. The days were they could just be together, uninterrupted, were few and far between and she planned to savor every moment.

“Happy Anniversary,” Deeks murmured again, sounding on the edge of sleep.

“Happy Anniversary, baby.”

As Deeks fell asleep against her, Kensi thought of the little box she had hidden away in the upstairs bathroom, filled with a half dozen strips of paper, each baring increasingly darker lines. Later, when the moment was right, she’d give it to Deeks. And tomorrow would be the start of an even better year together.

***

Happy Second Densi Anniversary to you all!

[achliegh]

Golden

Yeehaw Leo… it's all because this song came on one day (I don’t even really listen to country anymore so it really is fate). Leo is based off that song, each chapter is going to be based off a yeehaw song too.

Characters belong to @lumosinlove

Beta: @the-most-slyterin-hufflepuff & @punkkkboi

TW/CW: Smut, terrible yeehaw sayings and jokes, injuries, mentions of past death/suicide, minor character death, underage drinking, mentions of past arrests, cringe

Chapter Songs (listening in order is recommended):

Chapter 14:

Holiday Playlist

Sold (Dance)

Leo was freezing, shivering in the car with the heated seat under his ass and heat blowing on him. He changed his pants from the ice soaked ones earlier and his ankles were sore from his skates but he was happy. He made a good impression on Logan’s sisters, his mom texted him to let him know the sale went through, and he watched Clay face plant on the ice.

All was well in the world.

He was smiling to himself as he leaned back into the heat of the seat with his arms hugging himself, teeth only chattering a little bit. He is listening to Logan chat with his sisters in the back in fairly fast French-Canadian French, he knows Finn is confused. But Leo is listening to him tap on the steering wheel to whatever song was playing in his head. The radio is off because Leo doesn’t want to overwhelm Finn with too much noise in a small confined place. He would be miserable the rest of the night.

They pull up to Pascal's house and the Trembly siblings are the first out of the vehicle, leaving Leo and Finn in the dust. Finn kisses Leo’s temple after shutting off the car.

“Ready?” Leo smiles and nods, he is honestly a little tired but he’s excited to get a little drunk and just relax with the team plus the team’s families.

Leo grabs onto the handle to push open the door when it is suddenly flung open and he topples out face first first into the ground. Hearing someone gasp from above him he rolls over to his back and blinks a few times.

“I think… I broke my teeth again.” Leo runs his tongue over his two front teeth and feels the chip in his tooth is suddenly much larger, but still less than half his tooth so he doesn’t really care.He has broken his teeth way worse before. Ma will get a kick out of it. “That's fun.”

“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Aubry is helping him sit up and is grabbing his still dazed face and looking it over to make sure he’s okay. She looks over to her left and sees Logan looking at her and she can feel the anger rolling off of him. His arms are crossed and his hands are gripping his arms, Sydney takes one look at Logan and steps back a couple of feet.

“Can you let go of my face?” Leo mumbles, causing her to look back at him and smile a little at his squished cheeks. “Also I break my teeth all the time, 90% of my front two teeth are fake so…” He shrugs and smiles at her. She lets go of his face and Finn helps Leo up.

“Again I’m sorry Leo!”

“I feel like I look like Jason Derulo after he tried eating corn off the cob with a power drill.” He laughs at himself as he looks in the side mirror of the car. Rolling his bottom jaw a bit, popping his neck from side to side, then rolling his shoulders. He notices a scrape on his chin and his cheek. “Not gonna lie, I kinda look rugged.”

“Let’s go inside, get you a drink and an ice pack, yeah?” Logan takes his hand and smiles up at him, taking note of his scrapes and his chipped tooth when he smiles back.

“Yes please!” They all make their way inside to find families just chatting on the couches in the living room, people drinking wine and eating little horderves that Celeste and Adele put together. Leo is led to the kitchen where the two chefs were.

“Oh Leo, did you fall on the ice after we left?” Celeste looks at him as she hands him an ice pack wrapped in a paper towel.

“Non, Aubry opened my door with me attached to it and I landed face first on the concrete. Broke my teeth some more but.” He shrugs and his nose scrunches as Logan dabs at his scrapes with a wet paper towel. “Okay! Okay! I’m Okay! OW!” Logan sighs at Leo’s dramatics and goes to throw the paper towel away.

“So you’re the man with the terrible singing.” Adele looks up at Leo from where she is cutting pinwheels. “I wondered if you were ever going to appear.”

“You don’t like my singing?” Leo smiles at her and she smiles back. “Wait, when have you heard my singing?” He absentmindedly starts helping her put pickles on sticks. He remembers catching a glance of her the first time he visited Pascals’ but he doesn’t remember singing when she was around.

“When Logan was really sad after Louisiana, he would only fall asleep to these videos of you singing in front of a fire pit. It was really annoying for a while.” Leo is silent for a moment, Adele looks up at him and notices how he is trying to keep his face blank but the frown lines are still ghosting. “He is better than ever now that you are with him and Finn though, he blabs about you two all the time.” That makes him smile a bit.

“No! Alex! Let go!” Leo and Adele turn around to see an older version of Finn keeping Logan in a headlock. Leo hides his smile by sucking in his lips and holding them between his teeth. “Ah!” Logan is suddenly on the ground with Alex laughing from above him, asshole kicked his feet out from under him. Glaring Logan takes his hand and gets helped up. “Jerk.”

“Hey! You can’t be mean to me or I’ll tell Finn.”

“He would be on my side!”

“He would laugh at you and give me a high five and you know it.” Logan thinks for a moment and then signs knowing Alex is right.

“Why do my boyfriend's siblings bully me?”

“Because we are family, shortstack.” Alex gets punched in the stomach for that nickname everytime. Yet he still calls Logan that any time he gets the chance. After a moment of catching his breath, Alex looks up to see Logan’s face buried into another man’s chest. He was tall and had a couple scrapes on his face but he looked young. Maybe in his early twenties. His hair was barely sticking out from under his.. Cowboy hat… he was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt… with cowboy boots. Who was this guy!? Does Finn know about him and Logan?

“Leooooo, I got some people I want you to meeeet!” Finn walks into the kitchen with his mother and Father trailing behind and bumps into Alex who is just staring at Leo like he's a ghost. “I promise he doesn’t always dress like that.” Taking a few steps towards his boys he gives Adele a fist bump and then leans his head on Leo’s shoulder. “Mom, Dad, this is Leo. The cowboy I have been talking about for…. A good year now. He is Logan and I’s boyfriend.” He smiles.

Leo feels his heart pick up a bit as the nerves of meeting parents that have authority makes him feel like he shouldn’t be there. He shakes the fathers hand after Logan goes to help Adele take out more tiny foods. He goes to shake Finn’s mother’s hand but is pulled into an aggressively tight hug that reminds him of his Mama’s hugs. He smiles and hugs her back. Already starting to feel at ease.

“I’m Alex.” Alex pats Leo on the shoulder.

“Leo, Finn talks a lot about you. He has your pictures up all around the apartment. I was convinced you two were twins for a while.” Leo smiles and continues to relax as Alex bursts out laughing.

“I’m not surprised, when we were younger people swore we were twins, and I think Finn would let people believe it when he was in elementary.” Alex ruffles Finn’s hair.

“So, Finn tells us you’re a Professional Bullrider. Correct?” Finn's dad looks to have the exact same face as his boys, same eyes as well. But he is much more tan and doesn’t have a single freckle that Leo can see, his hair is dark brown and curly, his eyebrows were so thick that Eliose would have the time of her life shaping them, his nose is also quite large and protrudes from his face with a little crook in the bridge making him subtly look like a bird.

“Yes, I do ride professionally. I actually leave in a couple of months to go travel the country to do it all again. My best friend Clayton ropes calves as well and my Mother was crowned Miss Rodeo when she was younger. So, it’s interesting when Finn tries to talk about rodeo stuff with us and he just has no idea. He’s getting better though.”

“I always had a dream of riding bulls or just being a cowboy in general but I’m from upstate New York! Not many cowboys there.” He laughs in the loud way most older fathers do and pats him on the shoulder just like Alex did. His smile was large and inviting, it reminded him of Finn.

“Country is Country wide, Sir. I have rode with people from New Hampshire and Massechusets. If you want I could teach you some things! I do train children in the two weeks before I leave to compete.”

“Don’t give him any ideas, he may be young at heart but his body is becoming old and crepid.” Finn’s parents share a kiss and it gives Leo’s heart a small painful yank. He can’t help but wonder if his parents would look that happy if his dad was still alive. He takes a sip of the Jack and Coke that Finn made him and swallows it along with his own self pity.

Now is not the time to mope.

He chats with Finn’s family some more until the doorbell rings. That would be his mother.

“Hello, who are you?” Pascal is looking directly into the sharp blue eyes of a woman who is either the same height as him… or taller. SHe is holding two milk crates, both filled with jars full of clear liquid. Odd. She is dressed in a tight red long sleeve shirt with a pair of dark wash jeans that flare at the bottom with matching red boots poking out from the jeans. Something flashes light into his eye and he notices the giant buckle on her belt.

“Oh excuse my manners! I’m Eloise Knut! My son Leo should be behaving here. This is Pascal’s house, yes?” She smiles and her teeth are so blindingly bright that Pascal has to look away.

“Oh yes of course come in.” He opens the door all the way and she struts in. Clayton was the first person to run up to her, Marc is on his back laughing loudly as they were just pretending Clay was a horse.

“Ma! It’s about time you show up! I’ll take this.” Clay has Marc hop off his back and takes the crates from Eloise, walking away lifting them over all the peoples heads who are sitting down or children.

“Ma! I want you to meet my brother. Sirius, this is Eloise. Eloise, this is Sirius.” Reg is looking between them with this excited glint in his eye, his two favorite adult figures in his life are meeting.

“Ravi de vous rencontrer.” Sirius shakes her hand and kisses her hand. Eloise smiles and pats his cheek.

“Si gentil de ta part.” Sirius smiles, cheeks turning a bit pink as she pinches them a bit. “You are just adorable! You and your brother have the most beautiful hair. I would love to just sit down and play with it all day.”

“Mama, stop hitting on Reg’s brother. Hit on his boyfriend instead.” Remus laughs from his spot next to Leo as they walk up with plates piled high with food. Leo’s vegetarian, Remus’ not. “I mean look at him, he is exactly your type! Short brownish hair, giant brown eyes, probably a bottom- Hey!” Remus swats at his plate of food to try and knock it over, making Leo barely have time to balance it out again.

“Leo, you’re gay. I thought you would have been better at seeing who is top, bottom, or a switch in relationships. It’s pretty obvious if you ask me.” Eloise smiles at Remus. “Since you have your hands full I will just give you a wave, Deary.” She waves at him. “I’m Eloise, Leo’s mother. I hope you haven’t heard anything bad about me, Leo likes to tell stories of when I was younger.”

“I can’t help it Mama, you were just so interesting!” Leo speaks with his mouth full and Reg, Remus and Elosie all give him a look.

“Don’t speak with your mouth full!” They all manage to say at the same time, catching Leo off guard. He laughs and swallows the food in his mouth.

“There are so many mothers around me. I’m going to see who Clay has rounded up to try the shine.” He stands up and leaves his plate on the little table in the middle of them, Reg grabs a few pieces of his food and eats them as he listens to Sirius and Remus talk about how they will be celebrating the holidays.

“I’ll go with you, I should probably meet the rest of the boys.” Eloise follows him into the kitchen to find Clay behind the kitchen island with two jars of moonshine in front of him, explaining to the team what it is. Leo walks over beside him and takes the lid off one and smells it.

“I think this one is watermelon.”

“Thanks for interrupting me. Anyway, moonshine is technically illegal because… honestly I don’t remember but we have been drinking it since we were like 13 I think.” Eloise walks up behind the two, reaching over them to grab the other jar, Clay and Leo move out of the way to let her in the middle.

“You two make me look like a terrible person, you know that? Letting my child drink moonshine at 13. I could get arrested.” She is examining the jar as the boys back track their statements about drinking so young even when they are still under the drinking age. She has a little half smile on her face when she looks through the clear liquid straight into a set of eyes that are staring right back.

Dark hazel eyes surrounded by the longest eyelashes she has ever seen. Dark smooth skin wrinkling around the eyes as this person smiles. Her mouth was very dry all the sudden, her stomach had a pit in it as well.

“Leo why don’t you let me have that, Y’all can keep all the rest.” She puts the jar she is holding down and takes the open one from Leo who was about to take a sip. She leaves the kitchen without another word. Clay and Leo share a confused look as they watch her leave.

Timmy follows a few minutes later.

The music played in the house after all these kids left to go spend the night at other houses, leaving the Dumias house open for adult activities like swearing. Leo, Reg and Clay had all moved the furniture around, with permission from Dumo and Celeste. There was just enough room for people to dance.

No one was really drunk persay but a couple swings of moonshine definitely got people tipsy. Elosie was talking with Ollie, Andrew, and Timmy. Who leo was keeping an extra close eye on, because he just felt like he should. He knows a lot of people find his mother attractive, that's why Eloise always wore her ring, to get people to back off, but she was almost… flirting back with Timmy.

It made Leo feel weird. Clay too.

Leo was staring at Eloise and Timmy when Sold (Grundy County Auction) came on over the bluetooth. He hears a gasp from behind him and sees Remus trying to get Sirius to dance with him.

“Re, I don’t know the dance.”

“It’s easy I promise!” Sirius gives his boyfriend a look and Remus sighs, giving up on trying to yank Sirius up off his chair . Leo walks over because he would also like to dance but his mom is flirting, Reg gets dizzy, his boys don’t know the dance, and Clay is laying across Thomas and Noelle on the couch a bit too drunk to really do anything but smile at them and twist Noelles hair around his finger.

“I know it, and all my dance partners are busy if you’d like to dance.” He smiles and nods his head when Sirius mouths ‘thank you’ in his direction. Remus hesitates for a moment.

“I only know how to follow really.”

“And you wanted me to dance!” Sirius tsks sarcastically and shakes his head leaning back in his chair so the two front legs were off the ground. Making sure there was something soft behind him, Re puts his foot under one of the chair legs and lifts up so Sirius falls backwards onto the pile of blankets that were thrown off the couch. “Re!”

“Well, I only know how to lead so that works out perfectly.” Leo takes Remus’ hand and leads him towards the group of dancing people on the wood floor of the living room. “Think there is enough space?”

“I think so, here.” Remus grabs his hands and they swing in a circle so people give them room. Leo just about trips over his own feet. Remus catches him while laughing, putting a hand on Leo’s shoulder and holding his other while Leo rests his free hand on Remus’ waist.

Spinning each other they are lost in the dance, not noticing the two or three people filming them. Sirius is just watching Remus move so smoothly, without a care in the world. His hair was long enough it swished with him, his laugh was loud and sweet. He didn't know how he didn’t get dizzy from dancing.

Finn was also watching them dance, as well as Logan. Finn was just enjoying his friend and Boyfriend dancing, Logan was too but a bit more… possessive. They all trust one another but Logan can’t help the little voice in the back of his head telling him to make sure Re knows Leo is theirs.

They finish the dance and just straight up sit on the floor to catch their breath, laughing a bit as people return to the dance floor. Eloise walks over to them and holds out a hand to each to help them up.

“Last Song! I want to go to bed!” Dumo announces as he turns the music down for a moment, he turns it back up before people can complain. Celeste was starting to put food away in to go containers and in tupperware to go in the fridge. Dumo walks over to help her but gets distracted when he hears someone drop a glass. He sighs and goes to help them, James, clean up.

“I am going to stay and help Celeste tonight and tomorrow morning. I will see you at the apartment and then we can go out for lunch.” Eloise smiles as Leo nods and lets her kiss his cheek. Leo and Remus make their way back over to their lovers.

“You were amazing!” Sirius hugs Remus, lifting him off the ground and smooching all over his slightly red face. “Where did you learn to dance like that?”

“My dad and mom used to go to swing classes when I was younger and my dad would always secretly practice with me so he could wow my mom.” He smiles, pushing Sirius’ hair out of his face and sighing happily. “Let’s go home, I’m tired.” Sirius and Reg follow Re out of the house a few minutes later, waving goodbye to the team.

The drive home in the uber was interesting, Leo and Logan were both sliding their hands up Finn’s thighs making his tispy brain only think about one thing. He watched those two whisper to each other before they left the house, Finn didn’t pay much attention, busy watching for the uber to pull up.

Once they enter the house Finn finds himself pinned against the door as soon as it is closed, Leo is kissing and nipping at his neck while Logan is reaching his hands under Finn’s shirt as he kisses him with maybe too much tongue. Finn lets himself be dragged into the feeling of their hands and lips on him.

“Tonight is all about you, sweetheart.” Leo whispers in his ear, Logan pulls away and tugs on Finn’s shirt towards the bedroom. Leo pats his butt to get him moving and follows the other two, stripping off his many layers and stretching his jaw a bit from his fall earlier.

“Hi, how are you?” Finn is pulled on top of Logan who has lost his clothes sometime in between the door of the room and the bed. He was beautiful; basically glowing from the yellow light of the lamp near the bed. Shadows and light contrasting on his tan skin make him look like a work of art. He can’t help but run his fingertips lightly over Logan’s chest and stomach. Smiling as the muscles move under his fingers, he feels a hand on his hand and two hands cupping his face making him look back up at Logan.

“I love you.” Logan pulls him down for a kiss as Finn feels Leo’s rough hands slide his shirt up, he pulls away just long enough to take his shirt off and then dives right back in for more kisses. Logan is very addictive, he lets Finn take over the kiss when he wants and other times he will take over the kiss just to annoy Finn into fucking him. Logan is giggling slightly as they kiss just because all this happiness is bubbling in his chest.

“I love you too, Lo.” He mumbles on Logan’s lips, feeling the bed dip behind him, Finn pulls away from Logan. Only after he is pulled into one last heated kiss that he can barely pull away from. Sitting up on his knees he turns his head to the side and has his lips met with another set of lips he loves.

Leo is almost always soft, besides his calloused hands, his skin is just perfect and makes Finn want to touch him always. He lightly nips at Leo’s lips, drawing a smile from the younger man. They pull away after a moment and Leo wraps his arms fully around Finn’s bare waist, resting his chin on Finn’s shoulder, humming a bit.

“I want to eat you out, is that okay? I mean your ass is so pale it looks like two marshmallows.” Logan snorts at Leo’s comment and flexes his legs from where they are resting on either side of Finn’s thighs, squishing Finn between them. Finn thinks about it for a moment, running his hand up and down Logan’s calf while Leo's hands run all over his torso.

“I don't know. Are you sure you want to? I mean, I just don’t want to find out I’m dirty or something… I also like never shave so… I don’t know.” He absent mindedly twirls a couple of Logan’s leg hairs together between his forefinger and thumb. Trying to ignore the feeling of an embarrassed blush that is creeping from his ears to his chest.

“Finn, you have eaten both of us out. Did you ever care if we were perfectly smooth or whatever else you are worried about?” Logan sits up, Looking him in the eyes. “We want to make you feel good, but if you don’t want to, that's okay too.” After a couple minutes of the three of them just existing together on the bed Finn starts nodding his head.

“Yeah, I want to try it. I think maybe once I get past feeling all jittery I will like it.” He kisses Leo and smiles at Logan. “I want to feel good like how I make you two feel.” He pushes Logan back onto his back and leans over him.

Leo helps Finn out of his shorts and, “Are these… my boxers?” Laughing as Finn nods, Leo also helps him slide off his boxers with fish on them. “You know Fish is a good nickname for you.” Leo starts kissing down his back.

“You named a fish after us and now you are naming me after a fish?” Finn starts to snicker but is cut off by the feeling of Leo licking over his entrance. His brows pinches together, his eyes close and he feels himself turn bright red.

“Hey” Logan kisses his cheek and nudges his cheek a bit with his nose, “Kiss me.” Finn doesn’t waste a second moving to have one hand holding him up by Logan's head and the other is gripping the back of his head with his fingers threaded into the long hair on Logan's neck. “Leo, you’re making him so red.” Logan mumbles on Finn’s lips.

Finn is losing himself in the feeling of Leo slowly opening himself up with his tongue, he knew this made his boys feel good but he didn’t expect it to make his legs shake. He has lost the ability to kiss Logan back because he is breathing so hard, burying his face in the crook of his neck. Every once in a while Finn feels Logan twitch and move under him.

Leo starts using his fingers alongside his tongue, Finn can’t help but rotate his hips in circles as the pleasure keeps flowing through his body. He feels like a soda bottle that hasn’t been opened, but has been shook. Everything was bubbling up and he felt like he was about to explode.

Leo pulls away when he feels Finn is ready. Looking at his boys, they both look blissed out. Leo notices one of Logan’s hands isn’t in sight, Finn is a complete mess. His hair is wild, his face is red, he is panting and looking more out of it than Leo has ever seen him.

“What do you want next?” Leo kisses up his back, nuzzling into the back of his neck and breathing in the smell that is strictly Finn.

“Leo, fuck me.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I get fucked too?” Logan is staring into Leo’s eyes with his pupils basically taking over his green eyes. Leo nods and leans over Finn’s shoulder to give Logan a quick kiss. Sitting back up, Finn follows his lead and sits up a few moments later. He gets handed the lube from where it is sitting next to Logan and covers his fingers. Logan grabs his hand and shakes his head.

“I already did it.” He smiles shyly at Finn who just blinks a few times.

“Loooogannnn! You know that’s like my favorite part!” Finn is pouting as he uses the lube on his hand to cover his cock. He is still mumbling his complaints as he starts to press in. He is already feeling everything more than normal, so his jaw goes slack and he pauses halfway. “Fucking Christ.” He leans down and presses his forehead to Logan’s as he pushes the rest of the way in. Their heavy breathing syncs up until Finn starts to pull out and push back in, just barely moving.

Leo is watching the whole thing, giving himself a few strokes to ease some pressure. He whispers the question to Finn who slows his thrusts to a stop. Leo slowly starts to press in and feels Finn suddenly tense up, Leo pauses and Finn lets out a noise that he knows like the back of his hand.

Finn just came. Logan moans loudly at the feeling of Finn cuming in him.

“Fuck! Finn~” Leo sees Logans hands grip Finn’s bareback digging his nails in.

“Leo- Please keep going.” Leo takes a deep breath to calm himself from just going to town on Finn. He pulls out and groans as Finn clenches around him. He presses his forehead to Finn’s sweaty back and listens to his plea to go deeper.

“Leo!” Logan calls out to him as his eyes start to roll back and his back arches, following Finn’s example from earlier and cumming between the two of them. Leo continues to fuck them as they moan his name, each others names, and grip one another as if they would lose them if they didn’t.

After finding the perfect rhythm, they all fall into a void of pleasure. Their bodies moving on their own, their voices becoming hoarse from moaning, lips raw from stolen kisses. Everything was perfectly balanced.

Logan suddenly breaks the atmosphere by falling off the edge again. He jerks himself through his orgasm and loses his voice as his vocal cords become taunt. Once the fog in his head dissipates he looks up at his boys.

“Can I watch you two?” The raspiness of his own voice catches him off guard, he clears his throat before Leo pulls out of Finn and Finn pulls out of Logan. Leo is holding Finn up as he has slumped back into Leo’s chest. They rearrange, Logan is laying on his side next to Finn who is lying on his back. Leo is between Finn’s legs and moves them so one is wrapped around his hip and the other is out to the side. With Logan wanting to still do something, he holds the leg that is out to the side and sits up to watch as Leo pushes back into Finn. His eyes wanted to watch where they met and Finn’s face at the same time.

Logan knows that Leo’s eyes when he is fucking is one of the most intense things he has ever seen, Finn tries to look Leo in the eyes but ends up turning his head to meet Logan’s.

Logan's eyes are soft and blown out, beautiful green, calming yet wild. Logan is just a walking oxymoron. He was everything. Finn looks back at Leo who is watching them look at each other. He hits Finn’s prostate just right and Finn cums again as he cups Leo’s face and stares into his eyes.

Leo swallows as he starts to slow down. Finn is still looking into his eyes, Leo kisses him passionately. Teeth and tongue are the main part of the kiss. Finn wraps his arms around Leo’s neck and his legs around his waist, pulling Leo in deeper to him. Leo gets the hint and keeps fucking him.

Finn holds on for dear life as he is fucked into the mattress. He is sensitive from earlier so it doesn’t take long to get him over the edge again. Leo is just about to cum when he pulls out as Finn’s limbs flop to the sides of him, hitting Logan on accident, Leo pulls out. Remembering that Finn doesn’t like the feeling of cum in him. So he jerks himself a few times before he cums all over Finn’s chest and stomach. Mixing with his own mess.

Logan being the impatient boy he is… Fully shoves Leo out of the way, placing two hands on his chest and shoving Leo out of the way. Not meaning to fully knock him off the bed but he does. Logan is between Finn’s legs and licks up his stomach and chest, right through the mess. Taking Finn by surprise he shoves his tongue down his throat.

Leo stands up, watching them making out with the mess and feeling himself start to get turned on again. They pull away and look at him, the softest and sleepiest smiles on their faces.

He loves them.

[gingerbreadmonsters]

omg spain how lovely!!!! I bet it's amazing over there, I hope youre traveling safe <3 what kind of things did you do there, or was it more of a just enjoy the sun kind of holiday? and rest the hell up when you get back! or I'm gonna come over there and put you on bedrest myself 😠 and that'll be nice! it's funny bc I'm actually planning to meet an old friend from sixth form this week too 😂 we haven't seen each other in two years and we've been meaning to meet up for ages

I'm not up to much tho, I'm just at home for the holidays (I'm caring for my mum since she's been sick) but I'll be going back to uni after easter break for exams. after exams, I don't really have any plans other than earning some money and an anime convention in july.

I am convinced we are living the same life!!! you must be my doppelganger or smth wth. I also have zero romance/dating experience, we can be single pringles together ❤ I feel the exact same way about love tbh, I feel that I sometimes have my expectations way too high bc of it, and that's why I stick to fictional characters 😌 they never disappoint. It's amazing how you can put it into such beautiful words the way you do. I often try a poetic prose but it's very inconsistent when I do, so I just stick to the basics in my fics so I don't sound dumb 😂

I just call it sun lotion haha

I finally checked out the asmr! I don't know how I feel about it ngl, it definitely needs time to grow on me. there's definitely a lot of information to take in but I'm pretty sure I checked out the vampire one and there was another, I think it was the most recent video of paperwork? yeah, idk, there's something about the accent that sounds cool but also makes me not like it. like you, I know jack all about the regional accents but I do prefer different american accents over his. it's not that I don't like it, but it needs some getting used to. or maybe it's just asmr in general, it kinda feels uncomfortable with headphones, so maybe I'll try playing it in the background on my laptop rather than hearing it right in my ears. there is something appealing about having a nice voice playing in the background, I often have obey me voice lines or the podcast/boys in the house playing as background noise to cough cough kill the loneliness lmao

at this point tho I'm still trying to get my head around the whole universe he has going on, it's really impressive. I think I'll be hooked when I understand it more. also it is so friggin cute that he has specific nicknames for listeners for each character!!!!! I don't even know him much but that makes me wanna sob

- 🌻

hey hey lovely!! aah spain was v nice - spent some time exploring madrid and valencia, plus a day on the beach which is always good :) but definitely resting this week!! got big plans for lots of hitman and for finishing an azure moon run...... for the fourth time....... not my fault dimitri's hot.....

hope you and your mum are alright - all my love to the pair of you (because it's tough being sick! but it's also tough taking care of someone who's not feeling too well, so you look after yourself too!) and i hope she feels better soon 💕💕

singles club!! omg one of my flatmates asked me to pick a celebrity crush/someone who was 'my type' and i fully bluescreened like....... i CANNOT admit that he's 2D i just CANNOT do that to her (i ended up choosing hu yitian because he's beautiful but that's beside the point)

YOU WRITE TOO?? bro!!!! that's so cool!!! and i won't stand for this self-slander - everybody's got different ways to go about it, different things they like to highlight or show, different ways of wording stuff....... there's no one kind or style of writing that's necessarily better or worse! (plus if you ever want to share it..... lmk i would love to read your writing 😍😘)

mmmm redacted.... if you're totally new to the universe, i suggest starting with the "Freelancer Season One" playlist on youtube - canonically, freelancer is new to the world of magic, so the basic outline of the world and the rules of magic get explained very well! i will say that freelancer's early story does contain descriptions of assault - if that's not good, i reckon that asher ("Sweet Werewolf") and david ("Tsundere Werewolf") - or the Valenweek and Afterfluff playlists too tbh - probably have enough background detail to fill you in :)

plus, if his accent is yet to grow on you, sam ("Vampire Mate") and milo ("Feisty Werewolf") both have quite strong regional accents that are distinct from the rest - milo's is my favourite, but i recommend both if you're not feeling it just yet ✌️✌️

[write-orflight]

Trouble: Chapter 2

*Gif not mine*

Pairings: HotchxReader

Prologue  Chapter 1

Rating: M

Words: 3K

Warnings: Basic witch stuff, angst, mentions of child birth, mentions of near death

Request: OPEN/CLOSED

Summary: After Haley’s passing, Aaron Hotchner has lost the light in his eyes. He seems to find it it the most unlikely of places, an occult themed coffee shop ran by a witch.

A.N: Tarot, wicca, and crystal information is very secondhand if you see any inaccuracies, no you don’t. If you are a witch tho and want to help and be nice to me enter my ask box please, I’m annoying my friend too much.

Chapter 2: God, don't let me lose my mind

The deeper into autumn you got the more busy the shop was. 

Halloween was a big money grabber for your shop. People loved to come to the shop around that time because your shop offered such ‘spooky’ feel, as the hipster who came in that morning would say. You hated that. Halloween was one of your favorite holidays simply because the veil between the natural and supernatural was so thin it was the best time for spells and charms but what you didn’t like was people and baby witches asking you about certain spells or how to commune with spirits just so they can do something “extra spooky” for whatever parties they were having for the season. Consultations were such easy money though so you’d never turn them away but your answer was always the same, that Spirits are not toys and that if they are going to invite them it better be serious and for the right intentions otherwise they might not leave. 

Despite it being your favorite season, It didn’t make you less annoyed. 

“If I have to make another Pumpkin flavored whatever and tell a sorority girl not to invoke a demon in her house, I’m going to scream.” Silena says to you as you enter the shop, Artemis in tow. Your sitter had to take an exam so you had to watch her for the first 2 hours of your shift. Artie, knowing the drill by now, tries to crawl up to the bar stool. You watch her for a second, smiling her little legs before taking pity on her and hoisting her up. She immediately pulls a coloring book and crayons out her bag, before working diligently in silence. You kiss her temple before walking behind the counter, tying your apron on. 

“You had another consultation today?” You asked.  

“Pfft, it wasn’t even that. She asked me while ordering her coffee, though I should’ve charged her for that dumbass question.” You look at her pointed, nodding your head towards your child who repeats everything. Silly winces “Sorry, but still. If this is how halloween is going to be, you’re probably going to have to do some balancing spells.” 

You rolled your eyes. “Exactly what I need, more work.” 

“What’s a dumbass?” Artie pipes up from her perch on the stool. 

“Something you are not and shouldn’t repeat unless you want your mom mad at me.” Silly says, reaching across the counter to ruffle her hair. 

The doorbell of the shop rings and the very man who’s occupied your mind these past couple of months steps in. Aaron Hotchner was one of your favorite customers despite not talking very much, he’d make small talk while you made his order which you found yourself doing slower than it would normally take you, just to get a little bit more of his time, he’d leave a tip in the jar and be on his way always leaving you with a small smile that you always immediately returned with a wide one. You tried to stop yourself from getting attached but here you were, an adult woman who had a crush on a customer who probably didn’t think about you when he left the shop. 

You’d never seen him on a weekend though and frankly you didn’t know if you could handle seeing him like this again, he wore dark blue jeans, a black belt and a black t-shirt that fit a little too well over his broad chest you couldn’t help but staring at his arms that you’d never seen on display like this. You knew for a fact(well you hoped at least) he’d have no issue picking you up or pinning you down. 

Now’s not the time, y/n… you think. 

“Hey, you.” You greet, flirtatiously. You’ve been trying not to flirt with him, you really were but sometimes you couldn’t help it. It was your personality. “Didn’t think I’d see you in here. On a weekend, no less.” 

“Yea, decided to stop for coffee before heading to my sister in law’s. Can I have my usual and an Americano for her?” He asks 

“You got it.” You wink before starting to work. Silly gives you a knowing look which you brush off. Hotch takes a seat at the bar a few seats away from your daughter who looks up at him. 

“Hi!” She says excitedly. “I’m Artie.” 

“Hi Artie, I’m Aaron.” He looks around. “Are your parents around?” You look up. You’d forgotten to mention you had a kid to Hotch, which would probably explain his confusion of a random child sitting alone. 

“My mama’s right there, silly.” She laughs. “Mama?” She says you look up automatically from the milk you’re frothing. 

“Yes, bean?” You say. 

“Can I have a brownie?”  

“Well, I don’t know. Did you finish the addition tables I asked you to do?” She shakes her head at you. “Well, how about you do that then we’ll see if it’s brownie time, deal?” She nods, fast while pulling her math homework out of her bag. Hotch watches the interaction confused but with a slight smile. 

“I didn’t know you had a kid.” He says 

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Gus.” You say, calling him by the nickname you affectionately gave him your first meeting. “But yes I do, that’s Artemis.” 

He nods, knowingly. “How old?” 

“Well, I don’t know. How old are you, bean?” You say. 

“I’m six!” She says, holding up 5 fingers, you grab her other hand to extend her other index finger too so the number was actually 6. 

“Really? You’re not 16 yet?” Silly asks, ruffling her hair. “I thought you were driving us home tonight?” 

Artie shakes her head. “Mama says I can’t drive yet.” 

“Between you and me kid, your mama shouldn’t be on the road either.” You swat at her. 

Aaron gives a small chuckle at the display in front of him. But he has to ask the burning question in his head. “Her dad—“ 

“Not in the picture.” You cut off. “Like not even in the same gallery.” 

Hotch nods understandably as you put his drinks in the carrier for him. He looks at you confused when you add a 3rd cup. 

“Hot chocolate.” You say. “For your son. I imagine that’s where you’re going. To pick him up from your sister?”  

“How did you know I had a son?” He asks. 

“Oh, I just used one of my witchy spells to find out information on you.” You say jokingly, but he looks at you with mild horror. “I’m kidding, Spencer told me.” 

He nods. “Thank you, y/n.” 

“No problem, come back to see me?” 

“Always.” He says, offering you a small secret smile before leaving. You can’t help the dreamy look you give his retreating back. 

“Are you coming back to earth anytime soon?” Sil says, shaking her head. “You got it bad, kid.” 

“Pfft, no I don’t.” You say turning to clean up the mess you just made. 

“I don’t understand why you just won’t ask him out.” 

“He’s healing, Sil.” You say, shrugging. “And I don’t want to push him into something he’s obviously not ready for.” 

Not to mention you also didn’t think you were ready for it. 

———————————————

On Halloween day, you get a visit from one of your favorite customers 

“Pennywise!” You say to chipper blonde women who strolled in she was wearing a orange and black dress with little jack-O-lantern earrings that you had gotten her the beginning of month. You move your hair back to show her the Ouija board pointer earrings she had gotten you in return. Penelope Garcia couldn’t just accept a gift without giving one in return. 

“Hey Y/N, how are you this ole hallow’s eve?”

“It’s Halloween and a full moon tonight.” You say excitedly. “It’s like witch Christmas.” 

“I don’t know about that but I am happy for you. Can I have a pumpkin spice latte and since I’m such a good friend an Americano with extra sugar for the good doctor?” She asks. 

“You got it, Pen.” You say before starting her order. “Heading into work now?” 

“Sure am! Hopefully there’s not a gruesome murder so I’ll be able to spend my Halloween having fun.” Penelope says. “You got any plans?” 

“Other than taking Artie Trick or Treating and charging some crystals in the full moon, no.” 

“Come on, no wild parties? no hexing beautiful men into falling in love with you?” Penny asks. You laugh loudly, shaking your head. “Man, maybe the life of a witch was more exciting in my head.” 

“Yea, you did.” You laugh. “I’m basically just a cool rock collector plus love spells, so not my thing.” 

“So there’s such a thing?” 

“Yea there’s love spells. I don’t believe in using them. I think love itself is it’s own powerful being. It shouldn’t be manipulated with, if someone was meant to love me they would.” 

“Speaking of love and love spells…” Silena pipes up from the display case she was loading pastries she just made into. “Penelope, how’s your boss?” You glare over at her. 

“Hotch?” Penny asks looking between the two of you before smirking at you. “Why do you want to know?” 

“I don’t.” You say at the same time as Silena says. “She has a Texas sized crush on him.” 

Garcia practically squeals at that. “Let me set you up please.” 

“No, Penny.” You say, immediately 

“Why not?” Her and Silly say at the same time. 

“Because… I don’t know didn’t his wife just die months ago, it’s hardly appropriate for me to try swoop in.” 

“Ex-wife. They were already long divorced before she died.” Penelope adds 

“Still! It’s not appropriate.” You say. 

“So what? You’re just going to keep making him free coffee until he realizes you're into him?” 

“Yup” you say adding the 3rd cup to Garcia’s carrier. “Give that to Grumpy for me please.” Garcia opens her mouth to say something but you just hold up your hand cutting her off 

“Fine.” She says, grabbing the carrier. “Only because I have to go to work though, this conversation isn’t over.”  

“Yes it is.” You call after her. 

——————————————

You were back in the shop. Artie was tuckered out after a long night of trick or treating and crashing from her sugar high so you decided to charge some of your crystals and do some balancing spells, knowing for a fact a lot of teenagers did stupid shit to upset the balance. 

As you were lighting the candles and incense, you heard a knock at the door. You were long closed so who could possibly need something right now? You look out the window and Aaron is standing there. You’re confused but you let him in anyway. 

“Hey Grumpy, what’re you doing here?” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t know you were closed, I guess I’ve never been here at night. I’ll go. I'm sorry for bothering you.” He says turns to go but you grab his arm to stop him. 

“Gus… it’s almost midnight, no business is open. You’re here because there’s obviously something upsetting you so I’m not just going to let you leave.” You all but push him into barstool. “Now like I said it’s almost midnight so there is something important I need to do so if you’ll sit tight for like 2 minutes, I’ll make us coffee.” 

Hotch obliges, sitting silently watching you as you lit some candles on the altar you kept in the shop. You placed the honey cake you had made earlier in the day on the altar before whispering. 

“Thank you to the patron, Artemis, Great goddess of Moon and Magic. Mistress of deer and owl. Be thou my guide and Inspiration. Teach me Thy mysteries and lead me in thy ways.” You stand and turn back to Hotch who is watching you intensely. “Sorry about that, midnight is her favorite time. Coffee?” You ask, He nods as you move behind the counter. 

“Can I ask what it is you just did?” Hotch ask. 

“That?” He nods. “It’s a full moon so since Artemis is my patron goddess, it’s best to leave a sacrifice to stay in her favor.” You shrug. He looks at you like you're crazy but you're used to that look. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s no different then some catholic practices. In fact, Christians often stole from pagan practices, and only one is just considered ‘taboo’ now.” 

“Is that why you named your child Artemis, because she’s your Patron?” He asks. 

“Actually, Artemis is my Patron because of Artie.” You say, he looks at you as if asking you to continue. “I wasn’t always like this.” You say gesturing to yourself and the shop. “My parents are pastors and for a long time I was this faith devout christian girl. But I got pregnant out of wedlock, my parents disowned me and I was looking for something to turn to. I met Silena and she introduced me to Wicca, and said whoever my Patron was through meditation and study, They’ll reveal themselves to me. So I went months, meditating daily, and still nothing was working. Then I went into labor, and everything was going wrong. I thought, this was my punishment from god for not only getting pregnant without marriage but turning to witchcraft. I had to have an emergency C-section. And when I was on the operating table, I almost died, Artie almost died. I started to see these images of deer and boar running through the forest. And finally when I came back to, and I could hear my baby crying, the first thing I saw when my eyes opened was the full moon out the window.” You sigh, sliding a cup to Hotch before moving from behind the counter to take a seat next to him. “That’s when I realized the goddess had saved me and my child. And while Artemis prefers virgin patronage, and that ship had long sailed past back then. I figured naming my child after her was the next best thing.”  

“That’s a beautiful story, Y/N.” He says, looking at you sincerely.   

“Thank you, and since you’re not running for the hills, why don’t you tell me why you really knocked at my door at midnight.” 

“It’s just…” He starts, clearing his throat. “Tonight was the first ‘major’ holiday without Haley. And I tried to take Jack’s mind off it, make it fun but it was like this looming weight above us. That it wasn’t the same without her and that it never would be. And I was upset and just wanted to take a walk but I guess my feet carried me here.” He shrugged. 

“Well I’m glad you’re here grumpy. And you’re healing you need to give yourself time--” 

“I don’t have time!” He snaps. You flinch back a bit, having never heard his raised voice. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. It’s just-I don’t have time to heal. I have to be there for Jack.”

“Who’s there for you, Aaron?” You ask. He looks at you confused. You hardly ever call him by his name. It's either grumpy or gus or a combination of the two. Never by his actual name, he hated how much he liked how it sounded coming from your lips. “Do you know what a rock tumbler is?” you ask, he shakes his head confused where you’re going with this. You run behind the counter to retrieve the box you had dug through the very first night you met.

“Well a rock tumbler is a device you put rocks into. Rocks that have eroded, rocks that have trekked the earth, rocks that have been to hell and back. And what you do is you put them in this device with a little bit of water and you wait. Days, weeks, months all the while this device is just spinning, you don’t see what’s happening on the inside but after a while, when the time is right, you get these beautiful lustrous stones.” You say, showing him the box. “Healing is the same way, others don’t see you working. But in the end, they’ll see the result. And you’ll feel the result too. But if you don’t take that step you don’t end up with gems like these. You just end up with an eroded dingy rock.” You look up at Hotch and he’s tearing up slightly. Your heart melts. “Do you want a hug?” you say. 

“You don’t have to--” 

You cut him off. “No one on earth gives hugs because they have to. I want to give you a hug if you want one. So do you want a hug?” 

He nods, fastly. So you stand, he follows suit and allows you to pull him down into a full embrace. Your arms around his neck and shoulders, he envelopes you fully into his torso, arms tight around your waist. You sigh, content. Before shaking yourself out of it. This wasn’t about you. No matter how right it felt. 

After a minute or so you break apart. You look him in the eyes and he’s staring back at you in what feels like admiration. You clear your throat. “Can I give you something?” you ask.

“Is it another crystal?” He asked back. 

“Yes, it is.” You rummage through the box before pulling out the one you needed. “This is Aragonite, it’s good for healing old wounds and building emotional strength. Now I can gift you this but you have to activate it yourself. Even if you don’t believe it, I feel like it’s good words to hear yourself say anyway.” You grab his left hand, sliding the crystal into it. He looks into your eyes. “Now say, I release past wounds and embrace resilience.” 

Hotch sighs. “I release past wounds and embrace resilience.” He then slides the stone in his pocket. Before grabbing your hand again. “Thank you, Y/N” 

“Anytime, Grumpy.” You say.  

Taglist: @megatrexus @roses-and-grasses​ @tittymuncher69​ @liaabsurd​ @ladyravenclaw​ @genevievedarcygrangerreading​ @softbibxtch​ @xxdisappearwithoutatracexx​

[totallynormalfanficauthor]

Scarecrow

Pairings: Jack Skellington/Sally 

Summary: Sally’s first Halloween. She gets scared and runs to the graveyard to be alone, only to realize... she’s not so alone like she thought.

---

This was it.

It was finally here.

Her first Halloween. 

Sally was very excited for this, to say the least. She knew how important Halloween was here, how it was the one thing everyone spent 364 days a year preparing for. She knew how much Halloween meant to everyone, and she admired the way they all tried their very best and put forth all their effort in making the holiday as terrifying- but fun- as possible. 

And she was thrilled that she was finally going to get to witness it. 

Sally looked up from the book she was reading and glanced across the room to the clock. It was almost 6:30, and she could see from the orange light shining through her window that the sun was beginning to set. It was almost time.

She shut her book and stood up off her bed, careful to not look out her window as she walked across the room to place the novel back on its shelf. As excited for tonight as she was, she had no idea what to expect, and wanted all of it to remain a surprise. So she avoided looking outside today. 

The ragdoll left her room, walking straight down the large curved ramp and turning the corner to head into the laboratory. Doctor Finkelstein was already in there, sitting in his wheelchair off to the side at a large metal table. He seemed to be tinkering with something, but Sally couldn’t quite make out what it was. 

“Horrible evening, Doctor”, she greeted as she approached, smiling. He turned to her momentarily, caught slightly off guard by her cheerful tone. Normally she wasn’t this happy to see him. 

Turning back to his work, he replied, “Evening, Sally. Do you need something?” 

She tilted her head. “Oh, no. I was just wondering if you wanted me to make you something to eat before I leave.” The doctor nodded. 

“Yes, I suppose you should-...wait..” He turned towards her again. “-leave?” 

Sally hesitated at the change in his tone, suddenly feeling nervous. “....Well, yes. It’s Halloween tonight, remember? The celebration? I was just-”

“You’re not going.” He cut her off. “And that’s final.” 

The smile fell off her face. “w-what?” 

“You’re not going, Sally. You know the rules. You are not to leave this tower for any reason, especially not alone. I know you’re not ready for Halloween. You are to stay here tonight.” 

“But...I thought..”

“No buts, Sally!” He snapped. “Don’t even try and argue. You’re staying here, understand?” 

Sally closed her eyes, furrowing her brows and looking away. She had hoped that maybe he would let her go out tonight, seeing how big of a deal Halloween is. Then again, she should’ve known better. 

“...Alright...I-I understand..” 

“Good. Now, how about you run along and make some soup for me, then? I’m starving.” 

She nodded obediently, opening her eyes but not making eye contact. She felt bitter, disappointed and sad. 

“Of course…right away…” 

The ragdoll turned around, leaving the lab and heading straight to the kitchen, not looking back.

---

Sally shut the door to the kitchen behind her as she entered, leaning on it for a moment as she went over in her head what exactly just happened. She really hadn’t expected him to react like that. And it hurt. 

She shook her head. She had been waiting far too long for this night to let Finkelstein ruin it! No no, she was going out there- one way or another. 

Sally stood up straight and walked across the room to where her cauldron was, reaching into the cabinet as she passed to pull out the necessary ingredients. But on her way, she grabbed an extra ingredient. Deadly Nightshade. 

If the Doctor wasn’t willing to let her go on his own, she had no choice. She had to poison him. There was no other way. 

It wasn’t the worst thing to do… after all, it only knocked him out for a few hours, plus, this definitely wasn’t the first time she’s done this. It should make just enough time for Sally to slip away and possibly even make it back before he woke up. Maybe...if she got lucky...he’d never even know she was gone. 

She began mixing her soup together, throwing in all her necessary ingredients and even adding an extra spice here or there. After making sure it was ready to be mixed, Sally opened the Deadly Nightshade bottle and plopped a large helping right on top. Grabbing her spoon, she mixed inside the cauldron, but she knew she wasn’t quite done. The scent of poison was very strong, and would be recognized right away. 

To cover it up, she quickly added some frogs breath to her deadly concoction. The nightshade smell might be strong, but this was definitely stronger, and overpowered it immediately. 

Feeling satisfied with the meal she had prepared, Sally took a large spoon and filled a bowl with it. Lastly, she added a seasoning of tiny spider eyes on top for good measure. 

“Doctor? Your soup is ready” She called as she re-entered the lab. He looked up from what he was doing, pushing the experiment away to make room. 

“Finally! Bring it right over here, my dear.” He instructed. Sally did as she was told and brought the bowl over, placing it down in front of him. The Doctor picked up his spoon. “Thank you. That will be all, for now. You’re excused.” She nodded to him, turning around as he brought the spoon up to his lips and took a sip. He didn’t suspect anything. 

And, 3….2…..1…

Thud! 

Sally smiled deviously at the sound. She whipped back around and sure enough, Finkelstein’s head had hit the table. He was knocked out cold. 

She ran over and grabbed a blanket that was folded on a nearby stand, and brought it over to drape around him, so that he wouldn’t be cold, and more comfortable. After all, he could be asleep for a while. 

At last, that was over with. She glanced at the clock- 7:05. The sun had set by now, and it was finally time to go. 

Confidently, the ragdoll strolled over to the door. But she found herself hesitating before opening it. 

“Remember, Sally,” she whispered to outloud, “this is the night you’ve been waiting for. Everyone’s favorite night of the year. You’ve already poisoned the Doctor….there’s no backing out now”

Finishing her thought and taking a breath, she finally pulled the door open, flinching as the breeze hit her. She felt excited, yet, strangely on edge. Almost like..something here didn’t….feel quite right. But she tried her best to push that away and ignore it, as she moved forward, beginning her walk towards town.

---

The wind was awfully chilly tonight. The sky was unusually dark, too. Sally looked around. Everything in town felt… different.

Except for a creaky gate or distant scream cutting through the air every so often, it was completely quiet. Too quiet. The moon above her was round and full, and she couldn’t help but momentarily stare as shadows danced around it’s bright surface. 

She wandered the streets, glancing nervously around her as she went. The more she walked, the more uneasy she felt.

‘Where is everyone?’ , she wondered. From what she could barely make out squinting in the shadows surrounding her, there didn’t seem to be anyone else around. ‘And, more importantly, where exactly am I?’. 

When Sally left the tower, her plan was to head straight into town square. So, that was where she had tried to go- but unfortunately, her only light source was the moon, which didn’t provide too much on it’s own. And now it seemed she couldn’t tell where she was. 

‘Oh, dear… perhaps I took a wrong turn....’

A sudden movement behind her caught the corner of her eye. She whipped around quickly for a better view, but saw nothing. 

“Hello? Is someone there?” She called. No response. Only darkness. Sally shivered, fear crawling up her back. It felt like someone was watching her. But from which direction? Was something staring right at her? Or...was it… behind her..? She turned around again, making a circle, but she still didn’t see anything. Or anyone. Confused and afraid, she continued walking. 

But she had hardly been walking very far, when she heard another noise. But this time, she could tell- it was behind her. Sally stopped, frozen. She was too frightened to turn around. But.. maybe whatever it was, she didn’t need to be afraid of it? Perhaps it was just another citizen or… a cat or something. She gathered up all of her courage, and was about to turn around, when something grabbed her arm. 

Sally shrieked loudly and ripped her arm away from it as fast as she could. The thing let go of her immediately, to her surprise, causing her to stumble forward as she tried to get away. As soon as she got proper footing on the ground again, Sally raced out of there at full speed, running into the darkness and not looking back. 

She wasn’t quite sure where she was going, or where she was. But eventually, she became exhausted and had to stop. She crouched over with her hands on her knees, gasping for breath. Once she could breathe again, the ragdoll stood up straight and finally looked around. Wherever she was, it was much clearer. The sky seemed brighter here, and finally she could see better. When she looked closer at what was ahead, she finally recognized it and knew why it looked familiar: it was the gate to the graveyard. Sally had been to the graveyard a few times in the past. She found it to be a rather comforting spot, where she knew she could be alone. People didn’t seem to visit there often. And if there was one thing she needed right now, it was to be alone. 

She shivered again as another breeze passed through her long hair. Without hesitating, she walked straight up the small hill and through the gate. 

Even if it was darker than normal, everything else seemed the same here. The tombstones where all the same as she remembered and the spiral hill stood tall and proud where it always was. The moon was shining brightly above it. 

Sally strolled over to a gravestone and sat down on top of it. She sighed, playing with her hair. Tonight was supposed to be fun! So why was she just.... afraid?  

‘Maybe there's something wrong with me..’ she wondered, ‘maybe I just..don't belong here…’  Tears started forming in her eyes. ‘I’ll never find my place here… but what am I to do? This is the only home I have...it’s all I’ve got. Surely, I can’t just.. Go away? Leave?’ She began to sob, getting off the tombstone and sliding down it so that she was now sitting on the ground, crying. ‘It’s not like anyone would miss me if I did… I don't.. have… a single...friend..’ 

Sally covered her face with her hands, making her cloth-like skin damp. She was very upset. Tonight was supposed to be the greatest thing and yet, she never felt so out of place. 

A few minutes passed before she looked up again, still weeping. At first glance everything seemed the same, and she thought for a second about maybe getting up soon to try and make her way back to town. But then she noticed something. Something that almost made her cry harder. Movement. Sally wasn’t alone like she thought she was, and once again her fear returned. Someone was walking towards her. She could tell now, it was a figure. A very… tall and skinny figure. She almost thought they looked… familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. She squished herself back against the tombstone, shaking. 

As the figure came nearer, she was able to get a better look at him, and could see him more clearly now. This definitely wasn’t someone she recognized- in fact, Sally had never seen this guy at all. He was a tall, scarecrow looking man. His body, arms and legs were all made out of straw, and he had a pumpkin head that appeared to have features carved out of it, in a sort of jack-’o-lantern style. He wore a purple shirt, closed in the middle held together by stitches. The ends of his long sleeves were ragged and ripped, as were the tails that draped down from the back of his shirt. 

He approached her, holding his hands behind his back. Sally pushed further against the stone, trembling in fear.

“Please…” she cried, “Don’t...hurt me..” 

The strange scarecrow man didn’t reply. He just blinked, slowly. Sally sat there, unsure what to do. Was he going to try and scare her? Well, he was already doing that. Should she just make a run for it, maybe? Or just stay put? 

Before she had time to figure out what to do, the scarecrow man removed one of his hands from behind his back and held it out to her. He was offering to help her up. 

Sally looked back and forth between his outstretched hand and his face. Her mouth went agape, as the gesture took her off guard. But.. maybe this was a good thing? It was certainly a more friendly thing to do… maybe this mysterious scarecrow man wasn’t out to get her after all. But then again, did she really trust him enough to take his hand? 

She sniffed, wiping a tear off her cheek. It felt rude to just sit there and ignore him. Besides, had he really done anything wrong yet? What reason did she really have to be afraid right now? People in Halloween Town were typically very sweet anyway. 

After hesitating one more moment, Sally shakily reached out and took his hand. It was exceptionally larger than hers. He squeezed her hand gently and pulled up right away, helping the ragdoll to her feet. Being unbalanced on her leaf filled legs, she stumbled for a moment, knocking into his chest before she pushed herself away and stood up straight. 

Now that she was on her feet, Sally could get a better look at his face. She must admit, for someone who looked like a scarecrow, he was strangely… attractive. Her eyes widened a bit as she stared at him, unsure what to do now. She tried to swallow the knot in her throat. 

“Who...wh-who are you…?” she squeaked out. But again, the man didn’t reply. Instead, he let go of one of her hands and brought his up to her face, using his thumb to gently wipe the tears out from under her eyes. Sally blinked. She could feel her face heating up at his touch, her cheeks going pink but her expression remained shocked. Who is this guy?  The way he ran his thumb down her cheek was awfully.. soothing. Strangely enough, he was starting to make her feel better- and yet he hadn’t even spoken two words. 

He moved away from her face and reached down to take her hands again. Sally just gawked at him, still not knowing what to do. Seriously, who is this guy? Can’t he at least give her his name? 

She was about to open her mouth to speak again, but she was interrupted by another noise, coming from the direction of town. Music. Both her and the scarecrow man looked up. He turned his head to glance at the graveyard exit momentarily, before he once again flipped his attention back to Sally. ‘That must be the band playing…’ she figured, ‘I knew there had to be others around..! Somewhere..’  

The music itself was slow, and eerie sounding, but also very peaceful and quite pretty. She turned back to the man in front of her. Maybe she could use this as an excuse to leave? That the music... meant she needed to go back to town now? She opened her mouth to say something, but found no words wanted to come out. Part of her almost felt like, despite how afraid she had been, she didn’t want to leave this man. Just from the way he was acting and how he treated her- helping her up and such- made Sally almost feel safe. 

Suddenly, he stood up straight, catching her attention. He took one of her hands and brought it up around his neck, holding the other in his own, then placed his free hand around her waist. Sally straightened her back, her face flushing a bit more. She knew what this was- a dancing pose. He wanted to dance with her. To the music that was drifting in from town. And that’s exactly what he did. 

He took a few swift steps backward. Sally, in too much awe to do anything else, followed his lead. They moved backward, then came forward again. He turned to the side, spinning the two of them in a circle before going backwards again. He repeated the same movements, all to the tune of the music, and Sally followed them, staring at him with wide eyes the whole time. Her mouth was open in shock. One minute, he had been simply helping her off the ground, and now, they were dancing. Together. It gave Sally butterflies. She couldn’t help but note that he seemed to be a rather good dancer, oddly enough. Meanwhile she was struggling with simply trying not to step on his feet as they moved, but he didn’t seem to mind. 

He spun them around again one last time, dipping her down as the music died. She tightened her grip around his collar so as to not fall, though it probably didn’t matter anyway, since he had a good hold on her himself. He brought her back up after a few seconds and Sally blushed as she stood up straight, smoothing out her dress and flicking some hair back over her shoulder. Then she turned to look back at him. The scarecrow man was just standing there now, watching her. 

He moved closer, tilting his head. Sally stared back at him. He moved his hand toward her, and she noticed, reaching out to grab it. She was about to, when suddenly, a loud voice exploded over a megaphone into the air, startling the both of them. 

“Places, Everyone!”

The scarecrow man blinked suddenly. He quickly glanced from Sally, towards town then back at Sally. He nodded to her once, then turned around and began walking away. Sally watched him leave, gasping as she reached out. She didn’t want him to leave, not yet! 

“W-wait!” she called, “don’t go..!” 

But he was already gone.

---

Sally crouched behind a tree, watching all the other citizens do their thing. After the scarecrow man left her in the graveyard , she had found no other reason to stay there, so she had headed back into town. Upon arriving, she discovered everyone was in town square, taking part in some sort of ‘celebration’. They were singing some sort of song. Now this was more like it. Not knowing any of the lyrics or what to do, Sally had taken a seat off to the side behind a tree to watch. This was all so interesting, everyone looked very happy. 

“This is Halloween, everybody scream!” “Won’t you please make way for a very special guy?” 

Sally watched in amazement as a man tugged on a rope connected to a straw horse, bringing it inside town as he marched toward the fountain. There seemed to be something ontop the horse, but she didn’t quite have a good enough view to see what it was. She stood up, peering further around the tree. When she saw what it was on the back of the horse, she brought her hand up and covered her mouth instantly in surprise. It was him. The scarecrow man. 

He picked up a torch and lit himself on fire, dancing and spinning on top the horse and everyone continued singing around him. Sally was completely frozen. If this man was important enough to be the center of the Halloween celebration, why had she never seen him before?! Who IS this guy?!? 

Sally continued watching in complete awe. The scarecrow man did a flip, diving straight into the fountain. 

“In this town, we call home, everyone hail to the pumpkin’s song” 

She leaned forward, waiting to see the orange of the pumpkin head rising out of the fountain. Maybe if she paid close attention, she could figure out who he was and maybe even get the chance to speak with him. 

The water rippled, and a figure rose out of it. But. 

It wasn’t the scarecrow man.

Sally felt her heart stop. It was Jack. Jack Skellington. 

He rose out of the fountain and everyone cheered around him. Sally slunk back behind the tree and covered her face. Jack, Jack SKELLINGTON, their KING… the man Sally knew she really admired, and the one she had COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN about because she was so focused on the mysterious scarecrow… he.. WAS the scarecrow!

She almost couldn’t believe it. Yet there he was… plain as day. 

As Jack stepped down from the fountain, people crowded around him, showering him in praise. Sally just watched from a distance, not knowing what to do at all. Should she go up to him? Ask him about it? But what if it wasn’t her place to approach him..? 

“-Everyone, everyone!” the Mayor shouted, “head to the town hall! We shall go over the awards and prizes there!” 

She watched as everyone turned and followed him towards the large building, chatting it up and laughing as they went. Sally almost wished she could be apart of it.

As everyone went along and passed her, she noticed… someone wasn’t among them. Jack. She turned around just in time to see him slinking away in the opposite direction. She was confused. Where was he going? and.. . why? 

She wasn’t sure but, she decided then and there that she needed to talk to him. She needed some answers. Taking a deep breath, she got up, and sneakily followed him. 

They were almost back toward the pumpkin patch before she decided to speak up. Sally was planning on silently following him, but, unsure with where he was going or when he’d stop, she made her move. 

“.....Jack!” the ragdoll called his name. He stopped walking, giving Sally a chance to catch up. She walked up behind him, hands behind her back. The skeleton turned around. At first, his facial expression looked a bit surprised, maybe even annoyed. But as soon as he saw who it was that called to him, he smiled. 

“Oh, horrible evening, Sally. It’s nice to-” “-It was you, wasn’t it? In the graveyard.” she felt a little bad interrupting him, but, right now she just...needed answers. Jack’s smile fell, but came back only a second later. 

“Yes. It was. I was just on my way to my post for the beginning of our song, that’s all. The graveyard is a bit of a shortcut.” 

Sally’s face went pink again as she spoke to him. “I thought for sure you where coming to...to scare me..”

“Well, I’ll admit, when I saw another person there, that was my original intention. I was going to sneak up on you. But then I came closer, and I noticed..” his smile fell a little. “...you were crying.” 

She turned her head away from him, embarrassed. “Oh.. yeah. I-I just...wasn’t having a very good night.”

“I’m sorry… would you like to talk about it?” 

She shook her head. “No, thank you..it’s alright…” 

The two fell silent. Sally was still looking away from him. She knew what she wanted to ask next, she just hesitated first. 

“....Jack?”

“Yes?”

“Why did you dance with me?” 

She found the courage to look him in the face again. She found his smile returning as he gazed at her, answering her question with no problem.

“Dancing always makes me feel better.” He tapped her shoulder. “Tell me, did it work?” 

Sally stared up at him, once more taken aback. He really did care, didn’t he? She found herself smiling too. 

“Yeah, actually.. It really did...thank you..”

“Of course… though, I do apologize, I hope I wasn’t too forward. I’d never wan’t to make you uncomfortable”

“Oh, no!” she shook her head. “Not at all! I was just confused. Why didn’t you tell me who you were? Maybe I wouldn’t have been so afraid if you had..” “Ah, yeah… sorry about that..” he rubbed the back of his neck. “I tend to not...talk very much in my Pumpkin King form. Just a habbit, I suppose..” 

“It’s alright. Like I said I… was just confused. Thank you for telling me.”

He nodded once to her, then turned and glanced at the moon, noticing how late it was getting. 

“Hm… I should get going…” “To where?” 

Jack smiled at her again, finding it cute how curious she was. 

“I like to hang out in the graveyard after a busy Halloween sometimes. It’s very peaceful to sit ontop the hill there.” “Oh…”

He paused for a moment, like he was thinking about something, and then he turned back towards her with another smile. “Would you like to join me?”

Sally blushed. “Oh..! Are you sure…? I don’t want to bother-” “Of course I’m sure. Some company would be a pleasure right now. What do you say?” 

The ragdoll looked at him and smiled. Her heart began to swell, her face continuing to tint pink.

“...Sure. Thank you.”

“Of course. Let’s be off then.” 

The continued down the trail together now. Sally couldn’t help but stare up at him. As they reached the gate, there was just one more thing she knew she needed to say to him.

“Happy Halloween, Jack.”

“Happy Halloween, Sally.”   

[atlafan]

My Everything - Part Thirteen

A Take it Slow Sequel

What happens with Harry and Y/N after he proposes? How will the two navigate the engaged life while also continuing to juggle their jobs, friends, and families? Let’s find out.

Warnings: Fluff and Smut! 7K

Masterpost

You and Harry had gotten into the habit of singing Jack to sleep at night, and he seemed to really like it. It was something nice for the two of you to do together. Your hormones were starting to level back out too, which was great. Having Anne around was a huge help too. Gemma had come to visit for a couple of weeks, but she couldn’t stay much longer than that.

Nannie had come up around Father’s Day, so your mom had a big cookout for everyone, even your dad came so you could all be together. You had just missed the mark for Mother’s Day, of course, but you were happy to celebrate Harry. He needed the reassurance since he was putting so much pressure on himself.

“Oy! Look at those cheeks!” Nannie says as she holds Jack. She gives him a nice big kiss. “Now that is delicious, absolutely delicious.”

Tons of pictures are taken to show the four generations of people there. Harry was happy Anne was there too. Not that he didn’t like your family, but it was always nice to have a buffer. Plus he enjoyed seeing her interact with everyone.

“You look so good, honey.” Nannie says to you.

“Oh, thanks, yeah, I’m not where I want to be, but getting there.”

“Your body will never look the way it did.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” You laugh.

“All I’m saying is, you’re healthy right?”

“Yeah.”

“So don’t stress too much.” She gives you a reassuring smile.

//

You were passed the six week mark, and you were more than cleared to have sex again, but you were extremely nervous. You weren’t sure if you wanted to go back on the pill or not, maybe use an IUD for a bit until you were ready for another kid. There was a lot to consider. It didn’t help either when you got your first real period for the first time in eleven months. You were raging, and Harry did his best to stay out of your way, but the summer heat wasn’t exactly helping either.

��Are you okay?!” You looked paler than a ghost when you came back out to join him on the couch with Jack.

“Yeah.” You sit back down and sigh. “I just threw up.”

“Why?!”

“Because…I can’t even begin to describe the clot of blood that just came out of me, dude. Like, never in my life have I been so disgusted by my own bodily function.” You look at him.

“Here, uh, take him. I’m gonna get you a big glass of ice water.” He hands the baby to you and he gets up. You take the glass of water from him as he sits back down, and takes Jack back.

“Harry, we should talk about birth control. I have a doctor’s appointment coming up.”

“Alright, what do you feel like doin’?”

“I have zero idea. I could go back on the pill, but that means readjusting to new hormone shit. I mean any form could mean that. I was thinking of maybe an IUD, but those are risky. I truthfully can’t see us using condoms all the time, and if we slip up that could mean another baby, and I’d sort of like to stick with one for a while if that’s alright with you.”

“Yeah, of course. Let’s see how things go with him first.” He smiles. “Maybe the pill is the best option then? You know what you’re like when you’ve been on it.”

“But I’m scared that if I go on it again now that when we do want another one we’ll have issues like before. Ugh, I have no idea what to do.”

“See what Dr. Johnson thinks, I mean, she deals with this stuff all the time. She might know what’s best.”

“I miss having sex with you, I’ll get it figured out soon.”

“I miss it too, but I also want you to take care of yourself. You’ve put your body through enough already because of me.”

“See, when you say stuff like that, it makes me want to have sex with you.” You groan.

“So, you want me to be less nice to you?” He laughs.

“No, you’re pretty sexy when you’re rude too.” You smirk.

“Think that’s just your hormones talkin’, love.”

“Maybe.” You shrug. “I’m also a little nervous to have sex again…what if it, like, really hurts?”

“We’re not exactly strangers to taking things slow in that department. We can start out doing little things. I could just eat you out.” He grins.

“Aw, it’ll be like when we first started dating.” You giggle. “How romantic.” You roll your eyes.

“Last thing I wanna do is hurt you, so we’ll just take it easy, small steps.”

//

“Everything has healed up nicely, Y/N.” Dr. Johnson tells you. “You can sit up now.”

“Thanks.”

“Any discomfort going to the bathroom?”

“Not so much anymore…but I had my first period, and it was disgusting.”

“That can happen.” She nods. “Your body’s still letting a lot of things out, you know?”

“Right. Um, I had some questions about sex and stuff.”

“Oh, you’ve been cleared-“

“No, I know, I guess I was just wondering about birth control. I know Harry and I are gonna want another kid at some point, and it took us longer than I thought to get pregnant with Jack. I’m scared that if I go on some form of it that we’ll run into trouble again, but I also really don’t wanna use condoms all the time.” You sigh. “But I don’t wanna accidentally get pregnant again right away.”

“I think an IUD might be best then. It’s less hormonally invasive, and when you take it out you can try for baby.”

“Aren’t there more risks? Harry, uh, well, he can get in pretty, um, deep.” You blush. “It could get jostled.”

“If your husband is ramming into your uterus, then I think we have bigger problems.” She laughs. “It goes in through an opening in your cervix and into the uterus. Sex can’t jostle it. We wouldn’t use them if it did.”

“Oh, I guess that was kind of stupid then.”

“It’s alright. No stupid questions.” She looks at you. “There’s a copper one that doesn’t have any hormones. It essentially works like spermicide. There are strings on the end of it that you can sort of feel to make sure it’s in place. But Harry shouldn’t be able to feel it during sex. You can still us tampons. I could do it for you today if you want, the procedure doesn’t take long.”

“What if he’s fingering me? We do a lot of that…” You blush again.

“If you’re doing that he may feel the strings, but-“

“Or what if he’s going down on me?”

“Y/N.” She sighs. “You don’t have to decide today. It’s a hormone free option though, and the copper one actually works right away. You just need to wait twenty-four hours after it’s inserted. A lot of people use them. If you try it and don’t like it we can always take it out.”

“And you can do it today?”

“Sure! I just gave you an exam, I know what size you’d need. It’ll be a little uncomfortable while it’s going in. Sort of feels like when you’re getting a pap.”

“Alright, let’s just do it. If I don’t like it, I’ll come back.”

“Okay, after I put it in, I’m gonna use a mirror to show you what to look for. You should be able to feel the strings to make sure it’s in the right place.”

You nod and wait for her to go get a nurse.

//

Later, when you come home, Harry’s sitting with Jack on the floor, just playing with him. It was an incredibly sweet sight.

“Jack look, it’s mummy.”

“Do you think he’ll have an accent?” You come over and sit on the floor with them.

“You know, technically, to me, you have an accent. So he could have yours, or a mix of both.” He kisses you and hands him over. You snuggle him close to you. “How was your appointment?”

“Good, everything’s really good. I had her put a non-hormonal IUD in to try. If I don’t like it she can take it out. It was really fucking uncomfortable though, so hopefully I’ll like it.”

“How’s it feel now?”

“Fine, can’t even really tell it’s up in there. Although, you maybe be able to feel the strings on the end of it with your fingers…sorry.”

“Not a problem, you’re not the first girl I…” You give him a warning look. “Um, it’s no big deal is all I mean.”

“Mhm.” You give Jack kisses on his chubby cheeks. “How was lunch with your mum?”

“Oh it was good! It was good for her to spend time with him.”

“How much longer is she staying here?”

“Only another week or so. I’m kinda sad, it’s been nice to call her and have her be right there, you know?”

“I know, I’m sorry.” You frown. “At least we can spend a little longer there for the holidays, right? Since my winter break is so long, we can go for two weeks instead of one.”

“Very true, and I can always pick up some freelance while I’m out there. Do you think once you’re back on campus you’ll bring him with you?”

“Probably. I think I’ll go to campus quite a bit even though I’m teaching online. I like my office. I was looking into it, and they do have a daycare on campus. The babies need to be at least six months, I think to make sure they have all their shots, but I can put my name in the pool.”

“Must be expensive, no?”

“It’s a little pricey, but it would get him socialized with kids his own age, and at least it would be a formal daycare, and I’d be right there if he needed me.”

“Yeah, I like the idea of that. I suppose comin’ to work with me all the time probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“It’s one thing to bring Buster, but your staff are not babysitters.”

“Obviously.” He looks over at Buster and pets him. “These two have become quite the little buddies. I think he likes the way Jack smells.” He chuckles.

“Still got that new baby smell somehow.”

“His acne’s gotten better.”

“You’ll never believe what I did to get it to go away.”

“What?”

“I read that you should rub your nipple over the baby’s face, so I just started doing that when I’d feed him.”

“Are you serious?” He laughs.

“Yeah! Worked great, didn’t it, Jack?” You hold him up to look at him and he giggles slightly. “God, he’s so cute. We got the world’s cutest baby.”

“We really do.”

//

At some point in July, you got your family photos taken. Mariah did them for you at the studio. It was lovely. It was nice to finally be feeling better about yourself. You and Harry hadn’t quite dived into the sex stuff yet. You had started giving him blow jobs and things of that nature, but you hadn’t let him touch you.

“Harry, I’m not ready to leave him for the night.” You pout.

“Y/N.” He sighs. “My mum is gonna be with him all night. It’s your twenty-eighth birthday, we’re going away for the night like we planned.”  

“Why do we always need a getaway? What’s wrong with staying in? It’s not even a big birthday. Now your birthday later this year, that’s a big birthday, but mine-“

“If we don’t do this now, we’ll never be able to leave him. He’s in good hands.”

“I never said he wasn’t! I just…” You start to tear up. “What if he needs me? What if he can’t sleep without us?” You hear the buzzer for the door.

“That’s my mum. We only have her here another few days, and that’s because she extended her stay another month for us. Please, let her have this last little sleepover, and let us have some alone time.” He huffs, and opens the door.

You didn’t like being put in your place like that, but you knew he was right. You both thank Anne and say goodbye to Jack before heading out. You were quiet on the ride to the hotel. You knew it was good to get away, but you were sad nonetheless.

“It’s by the beach. I thought tomorrow we could go out, lay outside like you like?”

“Sure.”

“Honey…” He puts his hand over yours. “I’ll miss him too, but this’ll be good for us. We haven’t been alone in a long time.”

“We have plenty of alone time.”

“You’re always afraid we’re gonna wake him up or something. Think of how nice it’ll be to shower without worrying if he’s gonna cry or not.”

“I know.” You sigh. “You’re right about all of it. I’m just not happy about it. I feel like I’m so old already.”

“Old?! What does that make me? You’re not the one that’s six months away to bein’ thirty.” He scoffs.

“I know, it’s silly.” You shake your head at yourself.

Many thoughts left your head as soon as the wine at dinner hit your lips. You’d have to pump and dump, but you didn’t care. You and Harry enjoyed a really nice meal that was long overdue. For the first time in a long time, you were on a date with your husband. For the first time in a long time, the main focus of conversation wasn’t about your son. It was like you were getting to know each other all over again, and it felt good.

“Babe?” You say to him as you get back up to the hotel room.

“Yeah?”

“Will you make love to me?”

He pouts at you and gives you those eyes that look like a puppy’s. He thought he was going to melt into a puddle.

“Of course I will, angel.” He comes over to you and cups your cheeks in his hands. “S’not why I brought you here, I hope you know that.” He kisses your forehead.

“I do.”

He tilts your chin up so you can look at him before he kisses you. You wrap your arms around his neck and pull him closer to you. You can’t remember the last time you two really kissed like this, which was kind of sad. You feel tears prick at the back of your eyes, and you try to blink them away.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just…we’ve really put us on the back burner, huh?” You wipe under your eyes.

“Little bit…” He brings you over to the bed and you both sit down. “I haven’t wanted to say much because I didn’t want you to feel pressured. I know you’ve been nervous. I’ve appreciated you takin’ care of me, but you know I much prefer doing it to you.”

“Remember when we used to be able to take our time for everything? I mean, when was the last time we even got to do anal? Your ass must be so tight by now.”

“Y/N.” Harry laughs, and puts his hand on your shoulder. “One step at a time, yeah?” He leans in to kiss you again. “Let’s just take advantage of this time. We can take all the time in the world.”

“Okay…I know it’ll be fine, I just can’t help but feel nervous.”

“S’just me, love. Nothin’ to be nervous about.”

You nod and stand up. You go to take your shirt off and you grab your breast pump.

“Let me just, uh, take care of this first.” You take everything into the bathroom so you can pump and dump.

Harry gets some music playing and tries to make the atmosphere a little more romantic. You come back out with your arms crossed. He had gotten undressed other than his boxers.

“Come here, sweet girl.”

You walk over to him, only in your underwear and let him hold you close. His hands slide down your sides and then to your breasts. He kisses down your neck and then your chest.

“Harry, wait.”

“What?”

“Don’t…suck on my nipples…”

“Why not? You love that.” He frowns.

“Not when I’m still producing milk!” His hand moves up to grip your throat and your eyes widen.

“Alright, but I’m sucking wherever else I want. That okay?” You nod your head slowly. “Good, now get on the bed.”

He lets you go so you can crawl on the bed. He gets on and hovers over you. He kisses you and works his way to your neck, sinking his teeth in and sucking harshly. You gasp and clutch at his shoulders. He works his way down your body, sucking where he pleases. He pays special attention to your tummy, kissing on your stretch marks that he loved so much. He hooks his fingers into your panties and drags them down your legs. You instinctively clamp your thighs together. Harry puts his hands on your knees and looks at you.

“Would you open up f’me, please, my love?” He asks ever so softly. You take a deep breath and open up for him. He looks down and smiles. “Look, at that. How’s my old friend doin’?”

“Harry.” You giggle.

“M’just sayin’, it’s been a minute. She looks real good, even better than I remember, honestly.” He kisses from your knee down your thigh, stopping to suck on your skin right near your center. He looks up at you and you nod. He licks a flat stripe up from your center to your clit. “Mm, oh my god.” He groans and continues to lap at you.

You lean back on your elbows as things start to feel good. You couldn’t help but get wet from the sounds Harry was making against you. You grip at his hair as he starts to suck on your clit. You grit your teeth when you feel a finger slip inside you.

“Shit.” You moan out.

“That feel oka-“ You don’t let him finish his sentence, you just push his head back down.

“Fuck, Harry, that’s it!” It all becomes too much and you end up coming on his finger. He continues to suck on you as you ride it out. He sits up to look at you afterwards.

“Yeh taste so fucking good.”

“I do?”

“You have no idea.” He leans in to kiss you quick.

“I didn’t know if anything would happen, but I packed some lube just in case. Might be good to use some.”

“Good idea.” He smiles and gets off the bed to grab it from your bag. He slides his boxers off, and get some lube on his hard cock. He spreads some around you as well. “Ready f’me, doll face?”

“Mhm, want you so bad.”

“If it doesn’t feel good make sure to let me know.”

“I will.”

You grip his biceps as he slowly pushes inside you. His eyes flutter closed at the feeling. Once he’s all the way in, he looks down at you. You were gritting your teeth and your eyes were squeezed shut.

“Y/N.” He grunts. Your eyes open slightly to look at him. “It hurts, doesn’t it?” He frowns.

“No! It doesn’t, I’m just getting used to it. I’m really sensitive. How’s it feel for you? Loose, right?” He smirks at you and shakes his head.

“You feel amazing, and I’m not just sayin’ that. Can’t even tell you pushed Jack’s big head outta there.” You both giggle and you relax a little.

“Okay, you can move.”

“Are yeh sure?”

“Yeah, come on, Daddy, fuck me.” Harry’s face completely drops and you burst out laughing.

“That’s not funny.”

“Oh come on, I’ve been dying to say that to you since he was born.” You wipe some tears away. “It was funny.”

“Yeah, you’re a real comedian, babe.” He rolls his eyes. His hand slides to grip your throat again. “Don’t say it again unless you mean it, understand?”

“Okay, okay.” He move his hand away so you can speak. “How about, fuck me, Harry?”

“I like that better.”

He starts to rock in and out of you slowly. Your hands drag down his back, your nails definitely leaving marks. You both were panting against each other. One of his hands snakes between the two of you so he can rub your clit.

“Oh, fuck.” Your head rolls back into the pillows, and you wrap your legs around his waist.

“Fuckin’ love you so much.”

“Love you too, shit, love you so much.”

“I get to have this forever?”

“All yours, forever.”

He groans and picks up the pace. He loses it as he watches your full breasts bounce up and down, and you come from the way he rubs your clit. You gasp at the way his come feels as it fills you up. He collapses on top of you as he tries to catch his breath.

After you both use the bathroom, you get into bed and rest your head on his chest. He rubs your back as you trace shapes on his stomach.

“That was amazing.” You say, looking up at him.

“Yeah? Felt really good for you?”

“Mhm, it was perfect. I’m sorry I was so nervous before.”

“You were just bein’ cautious, I get it.”

“And I really felt good?”

“You felt incredible, I swear. Thought I was nearly going to come when I just got the tip in.” You giggle and snuggle in closer. He looks over and sees it’s past midnight. “Happy birthday, angel.” He kisses the top of your head.

“Thank you.”

//

A couple days a week you’d hold office hours at school, and bring Jack with you. He was so good and barely fussed while you worked, and your students loved seeing him. It was nice to be back on campus after being home with him all summer. He was just about five months old, and was actually starting to look like a person.

Sometimes you’d take Jack to visit Harry on his lunch breaks and it always made Harry happy to see the two of you walk into the studio. You really had a routine down.

“Harry, we got on the list for the daycare at school for next semester, isn’t that great?” You tell him one night at dinner. “There were a couple of open spots. It’ll only be a few days a week since I’m only teaching Monday, Wednesday, Friday.”

“You are?”

“Yeah, we had a meeting today about what days certain classes are gonna be offered. I’m still teaching the same amount, just more on fewer days.”

“You’re okay with that?”

“Yeah! I can go in for office hours on Tuesdays, and then be home on Thursdays. It’ll cost less if he’s a part timer too.”

“Alright, sounds good to me.” He shrugs. “I wanna run somethin’ by you.”

“Okay.” You put your fork down to look at him. Before Harry can speak you hear the baby monitor. “Oh shit, he must’ve pooped.” You sigh. “Sorry, one second.”

Harry cleans up the dishes while you go to change Jack. You come back into the kitchen and wash your hands.

“He go back to sleep?”

“Mhm, barely woke up while I changed him.” You laugh. “So, what’s on your mind?”

“We got this place because it was a decent halfway point between Mark It and Plant Geo, and because Niall was across the street. None of those things matter anymore, do they?”

“I suppose not.”

“I was thinking…I love this place, really I do. It’s been such a great home for us for almost five years.”

“What are you saying, you wanna move?”

“I just thought maybe it would be nice to find a place with a yard. Somewhere Buster could run around, Jack could play outside without us havin’ to pack a bunch of shit to go to the park when he gets older.”

“You wanna be suburbs people?”

“Not necessarily, I mean, we could look for a detached townhouse or something. My business is in the city, and so it your work, so it wouldn’t make sense to move super far away and add a longer commute. But I know there’s neighborhoods around here we could look into.”

“Do we even have enough for a down payment? Homes in Mass are so expensive. Remember what Niall and Sarah had to deal with?”

“My step-father owned some real-estate. When he passed away my mum sold the building. Instead of giving Gem and I the money right away, she put it into an account for us. I have the money for a down payment, I just have to ask my mum. It’s what she’s been savin’ it for anyways.”

“Oh my god. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“I honestly forgot about it. I’ve been talkin’ to my mum about all this, and she reminded me. What do you think? Do you wanna look for a house or something?”

“I mean…sure, I suppose we’re starting to outgrow this place. We don’t exactly have a functional guest room anymore. I don’t know where we’d look.”

“In all honesty, I think it would be nice to look in the Milton area. It’s just outside the city, we could hop on the T if we didn’t feel like driving in.”

“The traffic in the morning would be unbearable…”

“Like I said, I could hop on the T. Niall and Sarah seem to manage just fine. Or I was thinking Quincy.”

“Quincy is nice…and we’d be even closer to my family. I suppose it couldn’t hurt to look, right?”

“I think we should look in like November. A lot of people won’t wanna deal with a move in the winter time so we’d have less competition.”

“You’ve really thought this through.” You smirk.

“It’s definitely been on my mind. Plus…I could always move the business. I lease the space, it’s not like I own it. I could always find another spot if it got annoying for me. It’s you I’d be more concerned about. Like we wouldn’t be able to just run home if we needed something, or visit each other as often.” He sighs. “I definitely don’t wanna go Northshore.”

“God, no.” You cringe. “I think if we could find a neighborhood that has easy access to the T, that should be fine. And you make your own schedule, it’s not like you need to be there at 8AM every day. And I’m allowed to say when I want to teach and what times. None of my classes start before ten next semester.”

“You don’t have any at night right?”

“Nope. Need to stick to Jack’s schedule.”

“That daycare’ll come in so handy if we move.”

“Imagine if we found something in Niall and Sarah’s neighborhood? Niall takes the T to his work a lot, he says he doesn’t mind it. Sarah drives in, and she said as long as you leave early enough the traffic isn’t too bad. It’s more so coming home when it gets bogged down. But we get stuck in that just as bad in the city now.”

“So…we can start house hunting?”

“Yeah.” You smile. “I think it’s a great idea.”

//

You and Harry had found a home down the street from Niall and Sarah, and it was better than perfect. It had four bedrooms and three baths, a nice big basement that could be finished if you wanted it to be, a garage, and a decent sized yard, room for a pool in the future, perhaps. You only had to compete with one other offer, but ultimately, yours was accepted. You bought it just after Thanksgiving. As you walked around your empty apartment, a few tears came to your eyes. There were so many good memories had at this place.

“Ready, love?” Harry asks, Jack on his hip, and Buster at his side. “Think we’ve got everything we need.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Your friends and family were able to help you move, thank God. There wasn’t much work that needed to be done to the house either. You were able to get whatever painting and small things done before moving in. Harry would be able to catch the train with Niall most mornings and afternoons if he felt like it, and your commute wouldn’t be that bad either. Only about ten minutes longer than usual. It felt good to own a house. Jack would have a real neighborhood to grow up in. Your yard was fenced in for Buster, not that he could really use it at the moment what with snow starting to come.

You and Harry spent two and half weeks in London for the holidays. He got some freelancing done while he was there just to make some extra cash. His business was thriving, but expenses tended to add up from time to time now that you had a baby to worry about. He was always putting away for a rainy day, which was smart. Louis and Eleanor got to spend time with you all, and it was cute to watch Eliza May interact with Jack. Overall, it was a great trip and you were thankful that some things didn’t need to change.

He wasn’t expecting much for his thirtieth birthday since you had just bought a house and were still settling in. Maybe just a simple dinner with friends. He had the week from hell with people at work. Him and Mariah had this big sale going on from the New Year, so naturally a ton of people were coming in. It was worth it for the extra money, but they both were exhausted.

“What are you doing for your birthday, Harry?” Isaac asks at the end of the day Friday.

“I have no idea. I told Y/N I didn’t want anything big, so I think she’s just gonna have dinner ready for me when I get home and we’re just gonna chill this weekend.” He shrugs.

“Sounds nice.” He grins. “Thirty’s a big deal, you know? It’s like you’re officially an adult.”

“Oh, so the wife and child didn’t make me an adult?” He smirks.

“Nope, now it’s really real.”

Harry takes the T home, as he did every day. For some reason Niall said not to wait for him at their meet up spot. He didn’t really think much of it. He was on autopilot as well when he drove home from the train station, so he didn’t notice the street littered with cars. What he did noticed when he pulled into the driveway was his house had no lights on.

“What the…?” He pulls into the garage. “Her car’s here…don’t even fuckin’ tell me the power went out.” He groans.

Harry gets out of the car and goes into the house. He kicks his shoes off in the basement mudroom area you had set up, and he hangs his coat up. He flicks the light on to go up the stairs to the kitchen. As he reaches the top of the stairs, more lights flick on-

“Surprise!” A ton of people pop out and yell.

“Jesus Christ!” He clutches at his chest since his heart had started pounding.

You walk over to him giggling, and kiss him on the cheek. You hand him Jack, who had been waiting to see his Daddy all day.

“Happy birthday, honey, are you surprised?” You beam at him.

“Very…I…I had no idea.” He smiles and kisses your temple.

“That’s the whole point.” You laugh. Harry’s jaw drops when he sees Issac and Mariah standing around.

“How the fuck did you get here before me?”

“We may have gone over the speed limit a bit.” Mariah says. “Happy birthday.”

“You knew all this time she was plannin’ a bloody party and you didn’t tell me?” He scolds Isaac.

“We were sworn to secrecy. I’m far more scared of her than you, H, sorry.”

The party was a lot of fun, tons of friends, a few family members, and Harry could have as much to drink as he wanted since he didn’t need to drive anywhere.

“Lemme take him, it’s time for bed.” You say. “Say night night, Jack.” Harry gives his son a kiss before he hands him to you.

“Yeh did good, Y/N.” Niall says, as he helps you put Jack down. “Harry really had no idea.”

“It helped that he’s been too busy to notice me putting the plans together. Perfect way to have a little house warming too, don’t you think?”

“You’re always thinkin’.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“You and Sarah have been married a few months now, been together a few years…do you think you two will grow your family in any way, or are you not so into the baby thing?”

“I want whatever she wants, and she doesn’t seem to want kids.” He shrugs. “She’s always sayin’ her kids at school are enough. We might get a dog soon though.”

“That’s nice.” You smile. “Not that she needs to have kids or anything, I was just wondering is all.”

“My brother’s got a couple, I’m honestly happy just bein’ an uncle, and I think she likes bein’ an auntie to Jack.”

“Whatever works, right? Besides, I’m grateful to have you both so close by again. Jack will really get to know his auntie and uncle.”

“Exactly, and then when he’s older I can teach him how to properly play soccer because honestly Harry is shit at soccer.”

You burst out laughing, and clasp a hand over your mouth to not wake up the baby boy you just got to rest. You both sneak out of the room, and head back downstairs. Harry was chatting with Seth about something, and they were both laughing over whatever it was.

Around 11PM, everyone disperses. People were tired from the work week, after all. You say goodnight to everyone, and collect the cards and gifts people had left for Harry.

“You can open these tomorrow.” You yawn. “Let’s go to bed.” He grabs you and pulls you into him. He kisses you all over your face and you giggle. “Someone had fun.” You push away from him and go upstairs to your bedroom.

“Loads.” He pinches your bum and you have to stop yourself from squealing. You put a finger up to your lips to signal he needed to be quiet.

“If he wakes up, you can put him back to sleep.” You unzip your jeans and throw them in the hamper.

“Well, now you’re just not playin’ fair.” He closes the door behind him. Buster had gotten into the habit of sleeping in Jack’s room. He liked being near him at night.

“What, what am I doing?” You take your sweater off next and throw it in the hamper as well.

“You’re givin’ me a little strip tease.” He sits down on the edge of bed, practically bouncing on it.

“Am not.” You smirk. “I always get undressed like this.” You reach behind yourself and unclasp your bra before going into the bathroom to do your nightly routine. When you come back out Harry was still sitting there with a dumb smile on his face. You were completely naked now. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, actually.” He looks down at his crotch and then back to you.

“Ohhhh, I see. It’s your birthday, so you want to have sex, is that it?”

“Well, I always want to have sex, but sure, yeah, that’s it.”

You stand in front of his parted legs and rest your hands on his shoulders. You run one of your hands through his hair and get a good fistful to bring his head back slightly. You plant kisses down his neck while he grips your hips to pull you into his lap. You straddle him while you suck on the available skin. One of his hands moves up to grip your throat.

“Get comfortable while I get undressed.” He says to you before letting you go.

“Now who’s giving the strip tease?” You cock an eyebrow as you sit up against the headboard. “And who said you were in charge tonight?”

“It’s my birthday.” He scoffs. “Can’t I have it how I want it?” He gets all of his clothes off and walks back over to the bed.

“And how exactly do you want it? I was planning to get that cock down my throat, but if that’s not something you want-“

Harry gets on the bed and sits next to you, spreading his legs apart.

“Be my fuckin’ guest.”

You giggle and get between his legs. You start by suckling his tip. He closes his eyes as his body starts to relax. You take him further in your mouth, hollowing your cheeks as you suck on him. His hands run through your hair, making a ponytail with his fist to hold it back for you.

“Ah, fuck.” He breathes as his head rolls back.

You cradle his balls as you bob your head up and down. You groan against him when you taste his precum. This causes him to buck his hips up and you gag slightly on him. He pulls you off of him and you gasp for air.

“I wasn’t done.” You pout.

“Yeah, well, I wanna fuck my wife now, that alright?”

You smile at him as a blush graces your cheeks. He pulls you close to him by the back of your neck and his lips connect with yours. His hands move down to your breasts so he can knead them. Before you know it, you’re being pinned down, your head on the pillows, and Harry’s fingers plunging inside of you.

“Oh, god.” You moan softly.

He sucks your bottom lip into his mouth while his fingers do their work inside you. He brings you extremely close to the edge before pulling them out of you.

“I really fucking hate when you do that.” You groan.

“It’s my birthday remember?” You look over to the clock.

“Only for twenty more minutes, smart mouth.”

“Guess I better make it count then, huh?”

He spreads you apart and pushes inside you without much warning. You bite your bottom lip to stifle the moan you desperately wanted to let out. Even though Jack’s room was down the hall, you still didn’t want to risk being too loud. You also had neighbors that you didn’t want to think Harry was beating you from the way he would make you scream sometimes.

His tip brushes against your g-spot and you grind your hips up towards his. He thrusts in and out and it feels so good you think you might cry. It’s not that you two weren’t intimate, you normally just had to keep it quick, or sometimes you were just too tired to put a lot of effort in. Right when you think you’re going to come to your release he pulls out all the way.

“Harry, I swear to god, I-“

He grabs your hips and flips you over. He slides back in and swoops his hand to the front of your throat to pull you back to him, back flush with his chest.

“I’ll tell you what, I’m gonna fuck yeh really hard right now.” He was making slow circular motions with his pelvis while he was talking. You could barely concentrate. “And your face is gonna go right into that nice pillow, so you can scream out all yeh want. How’s that sound?”

“S, sounds good.”

You gasp when he pushes you back down, and starts ramming into you. You grasp at the pillow and keep your face shoved in it to muffle your noises. His balls were slapping against you in the perfect way, and you can’t help but rub your clit while he continues to pound into you the way you were so desperate for. You turn your face to the side to catch some air.

“Harry.” You moan. “Please, I need to come.”

That was all he wanted to hear. Just to have you beg him, at least once, it was always music to his ears.

“Go ahead, angel.” He coos as he gives you more hard thrusts.

You feel his come shoot inside you and you lose it at that. You moan loudly into your pillow as his thrusts slow. He pulls you of you and helps you flip back over. He hovers over you and gives you a soft kiss before getting up to use the bathroom. You use it again after him and climb into bed.

You both face each other and get your legs tangled together. He tucks your hair behind your ear and smiles.

“Thanks for throwin’ me such a great party, babe. I love you so much.”

“You’re more than welcome, and I love you too. You’re thirty.” You giggle.

“I’m thirty.” He sighs. “Little weird.”

“Age is just a number.”

“Tell me.” He rolls onto his back. “Am I still the sexy young thing you fell in love with?” He looks down at his stomach and then to you. “Or am I like Dad bod central?”

“Oh my goodness, Harry.” You can’t help but laugh. You move to straddle him again, removing the covers. “Your stomach is as flat as the day I met you, and even if it wasn’t I’d love you just the same. Besides,” you pinch at his love handles, that he’s always had, “what are you always saying to me? More to love, right?” You lean down and kiss him. “Still plenty sexy, and still plenty young.”

“Thanks, you know how I know I’m still plenty young?”

“How?”

“Because I could fuck you again right now if yeh let me.” He smirks.

“Yeah? Wanna take me for another ride?” You roll your hips down on him.

“I do.” He starts rubbing circles on your sensitive clit.

“Fuck.” You breathe. “I think I could go for a second round. You only turn thirty once, after all.”