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nadvs · 9 months ago

Text

out of bounds (part seven) (end)

pairing zach maclaren and soccerplayer! female reader

rating mature 18+ for smut

summary zach has never been the type to rebel, but when he meets you at a soccer camp where you’re both working as counselors, which has a strict policy against dating between staff, he’s tempted to break the rules for the first time.

» masterlist

When you wake up in your cabin the next morning, it’s the first time since you arrived at camp that you wish you were waking up in your own bed back home.

Because after the way everything came crashing down on you yesterday, you don’t want to face what’s waiting for you.

At best, you have three weeks left of the season, of living with Ami after she broke your trust, of dealing with whatever’s going on with Zach if Malcolm’s words on the field didn’t make their way to the directors.

At worst, you and Zach get fired. And if your season really is cut short and you’re kicked out of here, you’re worried he’d only see you as the rule he broke, the girl who played a role in ruining something so important to him.

You check your phone to see the text exchange you had with Zach a few minutes after you left him outside last night. He had texted I’m sorry. You replied me, too.

You’re not sure how to even have this conversation. He was clearly upset with you last night and you can understand why he would be.

But at the same time, you’re uneasy thinking about the night you first told him that Ami knew about you two. He said he was okay with it, and now you’re not so sure, because last night, he texted that all was good, but it seemed like he was anything but good when you ran into him.

Zach had told you he’s not always upfront about when something’s bothering him. You know it’s simply a piece of who he is – it’s not personal. But you can’t rid yourself of the ache in your heart when you realize that even after you’ve shared so much together, you’re no exception. He keeps things from you, too.

You get ready for the day, deeply wishing your secret relationship had stayed secret.

You’re sitting with your campers in the dining hall when Ami approaches your table a few minutes into breakfast.

“Can we talk real quick?” she says quietly, cupping a hand around the inside of your elbow. You nod, following her outside.

“I am so, so, so sorry,” she says once you’re out of earshot from everyone. “I totally get why Zach’s mad and I get if you’re mad, too. I chewed Malcolm out for it first thing this morning for what it’s worth.”

You wish you knew firsthand how Zach is feeling instead of hearing through Ami. You figure she heard through Malcolm, but it hurts that you haven’t spoken to him yet.

“Why’d you tell him?” you say with a disappointed sigh, crossing your arms.

“It honestly slipped out,” she begins. “You know how I told you I thought things were starting to get serious?”

“Yeah.”

“The night before the game, I asked him if he sees anything in the future with us and…” Ami shakes her head, her frown deepening. “He was all like, this is just a fun thing for the summer. But I just kept trying to convince him and then I blurted out you and Zach are planning to stay together, so why couldn’t we?”

She sighs.

“I’m so mad at myself,” she says. “I started this fling with him agreeing it was casual, but I caught feelings and embarrassed myself and told your secret in the process.”

You take a moment, genuinely empathetic of her heartbreak. If Zach had told you he didn’t want to pursue things with you after the season, you’d be gutted.

“I’m sorry he did that,” you say.

“It’s okay. He wasn’t mean or anything. Just honest.”

You nod, figuring as much. You’re not surprised to hear that Zach’s best friend wasn’t unkind about it. Zach wouldn’t be the type to willingly surround himself with mean people.

“I really am sorry,” Ami says. “When I yelled at him about it, he said he knew not to say it loud enough for Ruby or any of the kids to hear.”

“But other counselors were around,” you say.

“That’s what I said,” she sighs. “And I swear, I told him not to tell anyone, but he was like, if any staff take it seriously, I’ll say I was just kidding around. But he apologized and I could tell he felt really bad. Apparently, he’d never seen Zach that upset.”

You look down at the grass, wishing the weight of regret on your shoulders was enough to erase it from ever even happening.

“Are we still friends?” she asks. “I’m so sorry. I’m not usually this dumb, I swear.”

You exhale slowly. You can tell she’s devastated. And what’s done is done.

“You’re not dumb,” you tell her. “I’m convinced there’s something in the air here that makes it hard to keep secrets.”

Ami gives you a grateful smile, chuckling softly, clearly remembering the stories you told her all about the close calls you had with Zach.

“I can get on board with that theory,” she says.

“Do you think Ruby heard? Or if any other counselors took Malcolm seriously?” you ask.

She takes a moment, then shrugs.

“I don’t know,” she admits. “All I remember is being really mad at him. Did she say anything to you or to Zach?”

“Not to me,” you say. “I don’t know about Zach. We only talked for like a minute last night. It was weird.”

“Weird?”

You nod, relieved you can at least find some sort of release with venting to her about this.

“I think he was upset with me, but didn’t want to say so. And I didn’t want to force him to talk, so I left. We said sorry to each other over text. Things just… feel off.”

“Please don’t tell me my big mouth broke up the cutest couple ever,” she says.

“Ever?” you laugh.

“Ever.”

She gives you a quick, appreciative hug before you both have to run back inside.

You meet Zach’s eyes a few times through breakfast. Even though he’s all the way across the big, loud hall, the air between you feels stiff.

Of all the difficult things you’re feeling, the sharp sense of guilt is the most overwhelming. Even though he was the one who took the first step, asking to kiss you that night by the lake, you wish you’d have resisted the temptation.

Because you know that however much anxiety you’re feeling, he’s feeling it a hundred times worse.

When Zach sets out to the pitch after breakfast, surrounded by boisterous kids, he accepts that the hope that he’d feel better after getting some food in him was misguided.

He’s always hated when his thoughts race like this. There’s no clear right answer, no obvious way to fix this. And while he’d like to listen to his impulse to ignore the discomfort, there’s no way to do that.

He knows he needs to talk to you. He’d do anything to fast forward past the serious conversation and get back to how things were.

There’s a very real chance that your relationship has been exposed. It’d be so embarrassing to have to face his aunt and uncle after breaking the one big rule, when he, of all the staff, is supposed to know better.

He’s not sure they’d really even go through firing anyone and would possibly just settle for a warning, but them finding out would be punishment enough for Zach.

He takes the fact that neither Ruby nor Tom have approached him since the game yesterday as a good sign. Plus, Malcolm assured him that whoever heard his words on the field wouldn’t take it seriously. But there’s never a guarantee.

Zach doesn’t like being mad. But he is. At his best friend. At his girlfriend. At himself. He tries to throw himself into work, pretending like the unsettled feeling hanging over him isn’t there.

By the end of the day, you still haven’t had a chance to speak to Zach. And now that you’re even closer to being found out, you’d rather not take the risk of talking in a public place.

So, you check the schedule to see that the next time one of you has an empty cabin is two days from now, when Malcolm is on an overnight shift.

Before dinner, you text Zach: want to talk on thursday night when malcolm’s gone? i think it’s best we have privacy.

He replies: yes. smart.

And then, because he can’t help himself, because he’s afraid he screwed up, he texts: miss you.

The message is a reprieve from the stress you’ve been feeling all day. You respond: miss you, too.

When Friday rolls around, Zach feels like he hasn’t spoken to you in years, instead of just days. He rushes to his cabin after lights out, tidying up like he did the first night you came over.

He’s sure in he’s in the clear because he hasn’t been spoken to by his aunt or uncle. They don’t know. While that is a relief, knowing he’s on shaky ground with you is enough to keep him on edge.

You knock quickly and quietly. Zach opens the door. He can’t help himself. He has to hold you.

You close the door and face him and he wraps his arms around you so suddenly that you let out a startled gasp.

“Hey,” he says hoarsely, nuzzled into your neck. You hug him back.

“Hi.” You breathe in his familiar scent, fresh like the morning breeze. He pulls back to see your brows pinched together, your eyes searching his face. He hates that you look surprised that he’s giving you affection.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah,” you answer on impulse. You shake your head. “Actually, no. I mean, well, we haven’t been fired. That’s good.”

“Yeah. If they knew, they would’ve have said something by now.”

“Right,” you say. You take a deep breath. “But things feel different. With us.”

Zach hates to agree, his lips falling into a small frown. He doesn’t want to do this. He just wants to hold you and kiss you and joke around with you.

“It’s because we had another close call,” he says. “It’s okay. Things are different because we haven’t snuck out to make out in a shed in a while.”

His joke falls flat as you look down at the floor. His hands are still on your waist and when you comfortingly drag yours down to rest on his chest, it slows his thoughts down a little.

“I want you to tell me when you’re not okay,” you mumble when you gaze back up at him.

Zach’s stomach numbs with anxiety. He can feel it rising, the reflex to pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.

“I did,” he says. “I do. Remember the night on the dock?”

You nod. The way he had opened up to you about how he’d struggled with being bullied for being a quiet kid was different. That wasn’t about you.

“I mean I want you to tell me when I’m the reason you’re not okay,” you reply. “I heard from Ami that Malcolm said he’d never seen you so upset.”

“Because I was mad at him,” Zach half-chuckles. “And he’s over-exaggerating.”

It’s not entirely true. The conversation had been the most tense one they’d ever had.

Malcolm was lighthearted about it at first, saying it was a joke and that he was offended that Zach hadn’t told him about how he was breaking rules with you. But once Zach had tersley told him he could have messed everything up for him, Malcolm’s smile disappeared and he apologized profusely.

Zach couldn’t blame him. He’s hardly ever the type be serious. But so much is on the line here.

Confrontation is easier when it’s his best friend of years, but it still isn’t exactly comfortable. So confronting you, a girl he’s helplessly falling in love with, opens the door to an argument and to you deciding he’s too sensitive and not worth the hassle.

“I don’t want to push you,” you tell him, “but I remember you telling me that you get over things on your own and you don’t have to that with me. It’s okay if you’re mad that I told Ami.”

“Baby,” he whispers with a smirk. “What else could you have done? She saw these, right?”

His fingers are featherlight over your collarbone, gently rubbing over the fabric of your shirt. He wonders if the hickeys are still visible.

“I could’ve hidden them better,” you say, “or come up with a lie.”

“I’m not mad at you,” Zach breathes.

A quiet, tense moment passes between you. You’re not convinced.

“Do you promise?” you ask, eyes doleful.

His smirk fades. At this point, he’d be lying straight to your face if he said yes. Seeing you so sad is gut-wrenching. Being dishonest with you while you’re like this would just be wrong.

“It’s… complicated,” he rasps.

You bite your lip. You’re not upset that he’s mad. You’re upset that you had to pry it out of him. Your hands fall off his chest and you step back, swallowing the tears threatening to fall.

“Can we sit?” he asks softly.

You give in, settling on the edge of his bed. He sits next to you. Watching you like this is making every part of him ache, his mouth going dry.

“When you told me you don’t admit when you’re upset,” you say, “I wondered what’d happen when I did something wrong.”

Zach swallows hard. It sounds like you’ve been on edge since that night you went shopping together, holding onto his words.

“So, what, you’ve been on eggshells since then?” he asks, his tone low and sympathetic.

“No. I just mean that problems are bound to come up and I want us to feel comfortable telling the other when they do.”

You expel a deep sigh, crossing your arms. It’s hard to explain, the sense of instability this has been giving you. You want to be able to take him at his word when he says everything’s okay. Not have to wonder and nag him.

It concerns you if this will be the dynamic in your relationship. Maybe it’s too soon, but you can’t shake away the worry.

Zach nervously threads his hand through his hair. He doesn’t know what to say.

“I shouldn’t have told you,” he mumbles regretfully.

You meet his eyes, lips parted in surprise.

“What?” you say. “You should have told me. I don’t want you to suffer alone.”

“Suffer is a stretch,” he says with a small smile.

Again, you don’t laugh. The tension keeps thickening instead of easing, his heart hurting more instead of feeling lighter.

“Hey,” Zach says, placing a warm hand on your forearm, “listen, I just want us to be good again. We would have lost our jobs by now if they knew. They don’t. We’re fine. You’re still my girlfriend, right?”

“Of course.” You uncross your arms to hold his hand, saddened that he’s wary of the possibility of you giving up on him.

“So, let’s just move past this and enjoy what’s left of the summer.”

“And what happens next time I upset you?” you ask.

“I’ll tell you,” he says. You gaze at him, not sure if you can trust him.

“You will?” you ask.

It’s the first time he’d ever been on the receiving end of a critical look from you. His heart feels like it cracks down the middle.

This was the spark that catalyzed every break-up he’s gone through.

You’re kind of a pushover, Zach.

Why are you so scared of telling the truth?

You’re a nice guy, but you suck at communication.

It reminds him of when he was a kid, ridiculed for not using his voice, or really, not using it the way people wanted him to.

And it’s too much. Things with you were good and easy until you insisted on pulling his uncomfortable feelings out into the open.

Zach sighs your name, a subtle edge in his tone. He keeps his gaze on the floor, lips firming, grip on your hand loosening.

Despite your intentions to understand him, to have an honest conversation, you realize that you’re doing what you tried to avoid. You’re pushing him.

“Okay. Sorry,” you whisper, moving your hand away.

“This is why I don’t say anything,” he admits. “Because now you’re beating yourself up. I’ll be fine. I am fine.”

“Zach, if I hurt you, you deserve an apology,” you tell him. “And you can’t get one if I don’t know what’s going on in your head.”

He runs his fingers through his hair again, wishing he could just go back to how things were a few days ago when you were kissing and touching and laughing together.

He doesn’t reply. He doesn’t know what to say.

You lick your lips before speaking again. Despite everything, you just want to make him feel better and to figure out what’s next.

“Ami didn’t mean to tell him,” you say. “But since other people heard him during the game, I think we should just get through the rest of this season without taking any risks. Does that work for you?”

The sinking feeling of rejection settles deep in him. Avoiding risk means that you want distance again. And this time will be different. He can feel it. Things between you are so obviously tense. You want space from him and not just because it could get you in trouble.

He swallows down the painful lump in his throat, pushing away the hurt.

“Yeah,” he says with a shrug. “If you can resist me.”

Zach meets your eyes with a smile that you know isn’t genuine. You’ve figured out by now that making jokes is his defense mechanism. This time, you let him do what he needs to feel better.

This conversation only broke things down further than fixing them, but even though you’re exasperated, you don’t have it in you to leave him the way you did a few nights ago.

Zach’s muscles lose all their tension when you lean forward, your lips brushing against his. It’s the best reassurance you can give him.

When he kisses back, cradling your face in his hands, your heart hurts a little less. You pull away, staring into his soft blue eyes, surprised how you can mad at someone but also so eager to make them happy.

It’s because it’s Zach. The man who looks out for you, who puts your clothes back on for you after intimacy, who stresses over the very thought of even accidentally hurting you.

After you pull away, he gives you the first genuine smile since you got here. You squeeze his hand before you stand up to leave. He pulls you back for one last kiss.

The following Saturday is the most excited you’ve seen the kids. In the early morning, counselors and campers are set to depart the campground in school buses to a museum that’s currently running a sports science exhibit.

You’ve overheard the vets talk about how field trips are the most exhausting days of the season, but you welcome it. You want the distraction.

After guiding your campers onto your assigned bus, you settle in the first seat behind the driver. Your heart does a flip, somehow both happy and sad, when you realize that the counselor you’re sharing the bus with is Zach, the man you need a distraction from.

His brows raise when he comes up the steps, a smile appearing on his face before he guides kids to fill up the seats. Even though you left things sort of tense, it’s nice that he’s clearly happy to see you.

When he settles on the seat across the aisle from where you’re sitting, he crosses his arms and leans back against the window, biceps bulging under his t-shirt.

“How was the shift?” Zach asks. “The night before a field trip is always a wild card.”

It takes you a moment to realize he looked at the schedule to see you had an overnight shift. Of course he’s checking on you even when you’re not on the best terms.

“Not great,” you admit. One of the girls in your cabin had woken you up after she had a nightmare. You spent a long time calming her down and then had trouble falling back asleep yourself. “I’m thinking I should learn how to do monster checks.”

Zach grins. His heart warms whenever you reference something he’d told you. He loves that you remember his silly little routine with his sister.

“Do I have to teach you everything?” he says with a sigh.

You laugh and fight the impulse to shift over and sit next to him. Despite the fragile state you left things in, you miss touching him.

Throughout the bus ride, you’re both in lively conversation with the campers. You notice that Oliver clings to Zach, talking with other kids but always close to his counselor. He clearly has found comfort in him and of course, Zach shows him nothing but endless patience and kindness.

You can’t forget how he told you Oliver reminds him of himself when he was a kid. It hurts to picture Zach as a kid, shy and reserved, needing to stay close to an authority figure so he doesn’t get made fun of.

He admitted to you how he spent so much of his childhood sad. Somebody so sweet should never have to be sad.

You glance over at him to catch him staring at you.

“Making it obvious?” he says, echoing what you’d texted him when you teased him for the way he looked at you by the campfire many nights ago.

You wish you could go back to when you were still careless, sneaking around, no conflict wedged between you. But you only nod with a chuckle, looking away.

Minutes before you arrive at the museum, Zach stands and gets everyone’s attention. You gaze up at him as he goes through the rules and reminds everyone that they’re representing the camp today.

It gives you a moment to really take him in, your eyes travelling over his hard jaw and tousled hair. He’s easily the kindest, most charming man you’ve ever met.

He makes a joke about how this is his campers’ chance to prove that they’re better listeners than yours. You gasp and stand, encouraging your girls to prove Zach wrong.

Once you plop back down on your seat, you grab one of the granola bars you packed for the kids just to throw it at Zach. He feigns shock when it hits his chest with a light smack.

“That’s not representing our camp well at all,” he scoffs. He looks at the wrapper and smiles before he rips it. “Mixed berry. Nice.”

“Give it back,” you say.

He takes a bite, looking at you with a smirk.

“What? I didn’t hear that,” he says.

You can’t stifle your laugh when you look away. Zach keeps his eyes on you, imagining a world where he doesn’t have to be your boyfriend in secret. But he feels lucky to be your boyfriend at all.

When you arrive at the museum, you direct your campers in a hectic rush. You’re standing by the bathrooms, trying to keep your campers together, when Malcolm passes by.

“Having fun?” he jokes to you over the noise.

You chuckle awkwardly, considering it’s the first time you’ve spoken with him since the staff game. Ami had told you things with her and Malcolm ended amicably, but she’s been keeping her distance, and since you’re usually with her, you haven’t had any chance to talk to him.

“Loads,” you play along, looking out at the sea of kids through the lobby. After a few seconds, he looks around and kneels closer.

“Hey, my bad about everything,” he says. “I didn’t mean to start any drama.”

“It’s okay,” you say quietly, sure he can read the regret on your face.

“I was kidding around,” Malcolm explains. “Nobody would believe he’d actually break the rules. You’re obviously special since he did.”

You know he said it to make you feel better, but it has the opposite effect. Without you here, Zach would’ve had another easy, stress-free season, instead of one full of sneaking around and risking his job and reputation.

“I guess so,” is all you can say with a forced laugh.

When it’s finally time to head back to the buses, you’re exhausted. You make sure all your campers are accounted for and you settle in the front seat, wishing it was more comfortable.

You sit with closed eyes, trying to rest while you can, chatter surrounding you.

Zach sits in the front, smirking to himself when he sees you. Your eyelids flutter open and you look around, adorably disoriented. You meet his gaze.

“I’m just resting my eyes,” you say with a sweet chuckle.

“Take a nap if you want,” he says. “I got this covered.”

You smile gratefully and close your eyes again. His eyes travel over your pretty face, taking you in, missing everything about you. He’s never wanted time to go by quickly this badly.

A few days later, the directors announce that there’ll be a comet passing over the campground next Saturday night, falling right in time with the season’s last fun day.

Tom asks Zach to run an errand into town to buy all the binoculars he can find. And because he’s respecting your wish to stay at a distance, Zach invites Malcolm to go with him instead of you.

It doesn’t take you and another first-year counselor, Theo, long to set up blankets on the grass behind the staff cabins on Saturday night.

You had rushed through your dinner and volunteered to do it. At the end of the day, it’d be nice to get a good reference from your bosses. Theo overheard and offered to help, making conversation as you set up.

When the campers and counselors come out, they settle across the field. Ami stands next to you as your eyes quickly find Zach, who’s handing out binoculars.

“Remember to share,” he says to a few kids close to you. He looks down at you as he passes by. “Hey.”

“Hey,” you say. It’s the first thing you’ve said to each other in a week.

“Get a room already,” Ami mumbles quietly after he leaves.

You snort a laugh. You wish.

Tom stands in front of everyone and shares facts about the comet, pointing to where it’ll be seen in the sky and telling everyone that it’ll be visible by binoculars for a few minutes, so there’s no need to fight over them.

You know the kids well enough to know they’ll still find a way to argue.

Once it’s time to search the skies, you gaze up at the stars on the off chance that you’ll see it without binoculars.

“Any luck?” Theo asks, staring up next to you, his binoculars over his eyes. You hear impressed ohh’s scatter over the crowd. “Whoa,” he says a second later.

“No,” you laugh.

He lowers his binoculars and hands them to you. You thank him and try to find the comet, but you can’t see anything but stars through the lenses.

“I can’t see it,” you tell him sadly.

“Here - can I?” Theo says, his hands hovering over your shoulders.

“Sure.” You let him guide you to adjust your angle, his palms firm on your shoulders.

“I think you need to look just a little higher,” he says. You follow his instructions and then you see it. A bright circle with a pale streak of light following it. It’s beautiful.

“Wow,” you say with a big smile.

Everyone’s gazing up at the sky except for Zach. He’s looking at you smiling while Theo has his hands on your shoulders. Another man is touching his girlfriend and she looks happy while he does it.

He shakes his head to himself as frustrating jealousy squeezes his heart. Staying away from you has been tough, but watching someone else touch you is on another level of agony.

After the comet passes, everyone packs up for the night. The kids are still chatting about how cool the comet was as they make their way to the camper cabins.

Ami leaves your cabin for her overnight shift while you shower. You gaze up at the ceiling as you wash your hair, wondering how you already have only seven sleeps left before the end of the season.

On Saturday, parents are arriving to pick up their children and staff will pack up their things and the season will be over. It’s been a long summer, but you’re happy you came – you made money, rekindled your love for soccer, and best of all, met Zach.

You still haven’t spoken with him about what dating will look like when you’re done here, considering your colleges are an hour apart. But at least you don’t have to worry about getting fired anymore. You’re sure it would have left a mark on your relationship.

You settle on your bed in your pajamas, scrolling on your phone for some downtime. Minutes later, there’s a knock on your door.

It’s Zach. And there’s a fire in his eyes that you haven’t seen before.

“Hi,” you say softly.

“It doesn’t work for me anymore,” he says gruffly.

“What?”

“Not being with you doesn’t work for me anymore.”

You stare at him with parted lips, heat rushing through your body in seconds.

“What do you mean?” you ask.

“Watching another guy get close to you is too much, okay?” he says. “You’re my girlfriend.”

Your brows furrow in confusion, recollecting all that happened since the last time you spoke. He seemed fine when he greeted you earlier tonight. Who got close to you since then?

It comes to you in an instant. Theo helped guide you to spot the comet.

“That wasn’t anything,” you tell him.

“It was to me,” he says, the jealousy still ripping through him. “I don’t care who knows about us. I want him to know.”

It’s like he’s another man, not the Zach you know. His lustful stare and his dominating presence and his possessiveness are making your heart pound. Instead of the tension that’s been following you for the past two weeks, the air between you is electric, full of burning anticipation that you’ve both been trying to avoid.

You don’t care about how things were left. And you know you shouldn’t do this. But you’ve never been good at ignoring your impulses when it comes to him.

“Come in,” you say.

Zach doesn’t need to hear another word. Once the door’s shut behind him, his lips meet yours. You tremble under his hot, hard kiss.

His hands are firm against your jaw, gripping you as if you’ll slip away. Your breaths start to quicken as you kiss deeper, his hands pushing you back towards your bed.

Feeling you again, tasting you is an overwhelming relief. It’s like he’s home again. His body is buzzing, his boxers starting to feel tight already.

You let him guide you on your bed, his commanding frame leaning over as you settle on your back. His mouth trails to your throat, kissing you as you cup the back of his neck.

“I’m yours, okay, baby?” you whisper.

Your words make him moan against your skin, his hips bucking against you. He’s been dreaming about this for too long. Once he’s had you, having to keep you at a distance and act like you’re nothing but coworkers is torture.

Desire takes over you, your hand trailing to feel him over his sweatpants. Simply pressing your palm against his hard bulge makes you involuntarily writhe beneath him.

You’ve never had your mouth on him the way he had his mouth on you and now, you desperately want to please him, to show him how he’s the only one you want.

“I miss you so much,” Zach whines. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“I know. Me, too,” you reassure him. “Lie on your back for me.”

You obeys, letting you perch over him as you kiss him, but he can’t let go of control, not all the way. He pulls your shirt up, a groan of pleasure leaving his mouth when he sees that you’re braless.

You tug your shirt over your head and he roughly pulls you closer by the waist, giving him access to your bare chest, kneading and kissing.

You arch your back, moaning in pleasure as he sucks at your skin. You’re already aching for him, knees growing weak, biting your lip as he tongues you.

It takes all your willpower to pull back, but you shift lower to tug at his sweatpants. He shuffles to let you pull down his pants and boxers in one movement, his cock springing out.

He heatedly takes his shirt off, giving you the view of his naked body that you’ve missed so much.

Zach’s breath hitches when you lean to hold him at his base. Your lips are torturously close to the head of his cock.

“You don’t have to,” he says, his voice thick and hushed. You smile at him. There’s the man you know and love, checking in on you, making sure you’re comfortable.

“I want to,” you say. When you shift to kiss him on his tip, he shudders. This is all he needs, to know you want every part of him, like he wants every part of you.

You swirl your hot tongue over him and he throws his head back in pleasure, eyes squeezing shut. But he wants to watch. He wants to see how you look pleasing him like this.

He meets your eyes as you lock your lips around his length. His head is swimming watching you slowly take him in, pacing yourself, getting his cock wet with your spit.

You pull back with a smack of your lips, stroking him, eyes hard on him.

“Why would I even look at another guy when I have you?” you ask. Zach’s sure he’s never felt this good in his entire life.

You take him in your mouth again, sucking as you start to gently bob up and down. You breathe slowly as you lower to reach his base, quietly gagging when you take him all the way.

Your hot mouth tight around him makes pure euphoria flood his system.

“That’s so good,” he says, strained. “Fuck, baby, that’s so good.”

He lowers his hand to gently lace his fingers through the roots of your hair, applying no pressure, simply just wanting to hold you.

You pull back, your wrist slowly twisting as you pump. The sight of you like this, your lips glossy and your eyes lustful and your fingers wrapped around him, is unlike anything he’s ever experienced.

“You deserve to feel good,” you whisper.

He’s not sure he agrees based on the way he acted the last time you talked in his cabin, but you silence his thoughts when you take him in your mouth again, cheeks hollowing.

Zach’s groans are strained and his breaths are shallow as you suck and lick. The sounds of your mouth against him are near perfection. He knows what’s really perfect is the feeling of being buried deep inside you, both of you wrapped in bliss.

He’s still feeling the flame of jealousy and so badly needs to show you how much you’re his and how much he’s yours. He finds the strength to gently pull your mouth off of him by your roots.

You meet his stare, letting him take full control as he guides you onto your back. The sight of him standing over you, tongue running over his bottom lip as he pulls down your pajama bottoms and panties makes arousal pool in your gut.

Zach leans over, chest heaving and cheeks flushed as one arm holds him up and the other dips between your legs, fingers firmly dragging up and down.

“Tell me only I get to see you like this,” he rasps.

“Only you,” you praise. His touch grants you such elation that you start to feel dizzy. “And only you get to touch me.”

His jaw clenches at your words. He traces circles on your clit, gazing down at you as your breath catches.

“You like how I touch you?” he says.

“Yes,” you moan. “You’re so good at it. You’re so good at everything.”

Zach lowers to kiss you, tongue pressing into your mouth the same moment his finger dips into you. You writhe under his touch, the pressure of his finger inside of you making you moan again.

“More?” he whispers, the pad of his middle finger nudging against your entrance.

“More.”

He slowly sinks a second finger into you, groaning at how tight and wet you are around him. He starts to slowly pump in and out, curling his fingers at the hilt, pulling back just enough to watch your expression.

His movements are slow and firm, and when he starts to rub your clit with his thumb, you clutch his shoulders in deep pleasure.

“Like that,” you whisper. “My good boy.”

The praise makes him feel like he might go insane in the best way. He can’t take the ache anymore. He pulls his fingers out, shifting to grab a condom from your drawer.

You watch him through heavy lids, taking in how perfect every inch of him is, spreading your legs so he can get inside you as soon as possible. Zach lines up against you as he lies over you, his throbbing tip gently pressing against you.

“Ready?” he whispers.

You don’t answer, hungrily gripping the backs of his hips to pull him forward. He groans, in heaven from how much you want him.

He sinks into you completely and it’s a flawless type of pain having to adjust to him so quickly. He pulls back and thrusts back into you hard, lips against yours, mouths open.

You wrap your arms around his shoulders, both of you already sweaty, and you pant together as his slams fill you over and over, jolting you, your bed shaking.

“You’re my good girl,” he whispers through sighs. “Mine only.”

Your moans tangle with his, your soft heat squeezes him, and when you wrap your legs around his hips, he wants to live in the moment forever.

Zach knows he loves you. And he knows he has to wait to say it because he’d hate for you to feel pressured to say it back. If he’s lucky, when it’s time, you’ll say it back.

He grinds against your clit with steady friction and he fills you with hard pressure, pushing you closer and closer to your orgasm.

“I’m gonna…” you breathe, clenching around him. You can’t finish your sentence, losing your voice as you come, sparks firing through your body.

Feeling you flutter around him is what sends him over the edge, kissing you as he unravels, hips stuttering with sloppy thrusts as his body releases all the tension and hunger and love he has for you.

He collapses on top of you, still hard and inside you, leaving soft kisses on the corner of your lips.

When he finds the strength to stand and clean himself up, he comes back to bed with a warm, damp towel, kissing your bent knee as he gently wipes you, letting you stay on your back and come down from your high.

Zach eventually lies down next to you, cradling your jaw, thumb rubbing over your cheekbone as you gaze at each other.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I’m sorry things were weird with us. I’m sorry I’m so bad at talking about things sometimes.”

You meet his eyes, gently raking his messy hair back, remembering how it’s the first thing you noticed about him.

“It’s okay,” you say softly. “I’m sorry I pushed. I get if it’s hard for you. I just want us to be honest with each other.”

“I was mad,” he admits. “And I already hate being mad, but being mad at you just felt so wrong. I know you didn’t mean for it to come out.”

“Why do you hate being mad, baby?”

“Because I just… I feel weak.”

“Weak?”

“Like I should be able to change the way I’m thinking about it,” he says. “I should be more understanding.”

You let out a soft giggle, kissing the tip of his nose.

“You’re the most understanding person I know,” you tell him. “You can’t control how you feel.”

“I think I feel too much,” Zach confesses. His heart is pounding again. He’s never been so raw with somebody. But the deep adoration in your eyes makes the vulnerability less scary.

“You feel the perfect amount,” you tell him. “Your heart is big and that’s not a flaw.”

He leans closer, kissing you tenderly.

“Please tell me next time,” you whisper. “What’d you say when I didn’t tell you I was sick? I have to let you know when I don’t feel well? It goes both ways.”

He chuckles and kisses you again.

“I will,” he says. “All I’ve been thinking about is you and how I screwed up and how I don’t want to screw up again.”

“All I’ve been thinking about is you and how I can’t wait to be your girlfriend without having to hide it.”

A bigger smile grows on his lips, his eyes softening at your words. You’re a pure ray of sunshine in his life. For once, he’s confident a girl will stick around when she sees just how messy his head can get.

“How often are we going to be seeing each other when we’re out of here, huh?” you ask. “We have a whole hour between us.”

“The distance from your cabin to mine is already hard enough,” he says. You laugh hard and he realizes just how much he missed the sound. “Every weekend, at least.”

“Deal,” you say. At that moment, your stomach lets out a hungry growl and you sigh a chuckle. “I rushed through dinner and I don’t think I ate enough.”

He sits up, collecting your clothes off the bed. You laugh when you watch him tugging your panties over your ankles.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re sneaking into the kitchen,” he says. “You’re not gonna be hungry on my watch.”

The night air is cool as you make your way towards the dining hall. Sure enough, Zach finds a few snacks in the kitchen cabinets to satiate you, sitting on the counter next to you, chatting about what your class schedules will look like when the school year starts.

You get lost in conversation, and an hour later, you’re both almost dozing off. You decide to finally head to bed, rushing out of the hall and towards the staff cabins, hand in hand.

Your shoes crunch against the gravel path past the campground office so loudly that you almost don’t hear your name called.

You rip your hand out of Zach’s and turn to see one of your campers, Jemma, standing close by.

“Hey,” you say, almost frozen in anxiety. She definitely saw you and Zach holding hands. “Why are you out of your cabin?”

“I woke up,” she says with a shrug. “And I couldn’t fall back asleep so I wondered if I could see any more comets. Were you guys just holding hands?”

You don’t know what to say. You clear your throat and shuffle closer to her.

“I’ll walk you back, okay?” you say. “You’re not supposed to be out at night without a counselor.”

You drop Jemma off, the whole walk over filled with you avoiding her questions and asking her about anything you can think of. Zach is in your cabin get back, his eyes wide.

He said he didn’t care who knew earlier tonight, but you know he was overtaken by his emotions. You can tell by his expression that he’s tense. This is bad.

“She saw us,” he says, almost robotically.

“She saw us,” you confirm. You sit next to him on your bed. You figure you should lay it out on the open. “And she loves to talk. And it’s not appropriate to ask her to keep a secret. She’ll tell her friends.”

“I have to tell my aunt and uncle,” he says, “before they hear from one of the kids.”

You meet his eyes. The happiness you were feeling is deflated now, overtaken by dread. You have to accept that your worst fear just came true.

“We have to tell them,” you say. Tears prick at your eyes. “I’ll go with you. I’m so sorry. This screws everything up for you.”

“No,” he says. “I said you were worth the risk and I meant it. I knew going into it that this could happen. It happened. We’ll deal with it.”

“You’re really okay?” you ask.

“I’m weirdly relieved,” Zach admits, looking at you with empathy. “Are you okay? You could get fired.”

“Your job became more important to me than mine a long time ago,” you tell him. “You have more on the line. That’s why I feel so bad.”

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with you. I’d do it all again even if I knew it’d end like this.”

“You’re not going to see me as the girl that ruined this place for you?”

“Baby,” he says with a disbelieving exhale. “Of course not. You’re the best part of this place.”

“Really?”

“One hundred and five percent,” he says with a smile, reminding you of how he’d answered the same way when you asked if he’s sure he wants to start secretly dating.

His sweetness is what makes your tears finally fall. He kisses you softly, shushing you and rubbing your back as you dig your head into his chest. You stay like that until you feel too tired to sit up any longer.

The next day, you and Zach meet at the campground office before breakfast as planned. He’s the most nervous you’ve ever seen him as he turns the handle and enters the room, greeting Ruby as she types at her laptop on a circular table.

“Can we sit for a second?” Zach asks.

“Of course,” she says. “What brings you in?”

You settle next to him at the other end of the table, realizing your knees are bouncing in anxiety. He told you he’d take the lead. You glance at his profile, glad he’s still as calm as he seemed last night.

“We, uh…” He looks at you. “We kind of broke the no dating rule. And last night, Jemma saw us holding hands. I wanted to come to you before you heard from anyone else. I’m sorry.”

“Me, too,” you say, meeting her eyes nervously. “I’m really sorry. And I completely understand if you need to let me go. But please give Zach a little grace.”

“What?” he mumbles. You hadn’t talked about doing this.

“He loves it here,” you tell your boss, the words spilling out of you. “I’m sure you know that already. I’ve never seen someone so passionate about a place. He respects and admires you and Tom so much. The way he talks about this camp and the way he enjoys the job is part of why I’ve grown to love it so much. He’ll be crushed if this ruins his reputation and if he can’t come back to work here. I know I’m in no position to ask for anything, but please spare him.”

“Hey,” Zach says to you softly. He’s so moved that if he didn’t already know he loved you, this would be the moment that sealed it. “It’s okay. I deserve to lose my job.”

“Zach,” Ruby says. You both look at her. “Sweetheart. You really think I didn’t know?”

“What?” you and Zach say in perfect unison.

“I’ve known you all your life,” she says. “I can spot when something’s up with you from a mile away.”

“Wait… what?” he says again. “How? Since when?”

“You’re not one to get mad at the kids for little things. But then we had that barbecue and you,” she says, eyes landing on you, “got hurt because some campers were rough-housing.”

You feel for the now healed burn on your forearm.

“Tom told me all about it, how uncharacteristically angry and worried you got,” Ruby tells Zach, “and then it took less than a day to confirm my suspicions. You really don’t know how obvious you are. You smile like you just won the lottery whenever she’s around.”

You feel your face go hot, butterflies swarming in your stomach. It’s the second time someone’s said Zach seems extra happy around you.

“So, you knew?” he says. “And you didn’t say anything?”

“I didn’t want you to feel embarrassed,” she says with a shrug. “I figured you’d do a good enough job hiding it from everyone. And I’d never fire you. You’re a… what’s Malcolm call it? A nepo baby?”

“Hey,” he says with a relieved laugh.

“Kidding,” she says, eyes darting to you. “I treat all my staff equally. And we’ve never actually fired anyone for dating. We just strongly discourage it because of things like last night. It’s inappropriate if campers see any sort of PDA.”

“We were just holding hands for a second, I swear,” Zach says.

“I know,” she sighs. “But no more cutesy stuff, got it?”

“Got it,” he says. “So we’re not fired?”

“Just go to breakfast and let me enjoy my coffee,” she says with a small smile.

“Thank you,” you say quietly.

As you and Zach head out, Ruby calls him back for a moment. You wait outside for him to make sure everything’s okay.

Zach closes the door behind him, expecting a verbal lashing.

“I like her for you,” Ruby says. He beams, unbelievably relieved.

“You’re really not disappointed?” he asks. He should have known his kind-hearted aunt would be so compassionate.

“Honey, I’m happy,” Ruby says. “Even you need to break rules sometimes. You must really like her if you decided to stop being a goody two-shoes for once.”

“I do,” he says confidently. “And I am not a goody two-shoes.”

“Debatable,” she teases.

When he steps out of the office, you share a sigh of relief, laughing.

“What’d she say?” you ask.

“Changed her mind. I am, in fact, fired.”

You scoff, nudging his shoulder.

“Hey, no touching allowed,” Zach laughs. “Save it for after lights out.”

“Shh,” you laugh, looking around in case anyone heard. “Have you learned nothing?”

He smirks at you.

“Thanks for saying that stuff about me back there,” he says.

“It’s all true,” you reply.

The last week of camp is the fastest of them all. Gossip spreads about you and Zach, but you just deny it whenever kids bring it up, both saying you’re just friends.

Packing up your cabin and saying goodbye at the end of the season is one of the hardest things you’ve done all summer.

Two Months Later

The triple whistle blow signals the end of the game. You’re absolutely spent, hands on your knees, so tired that you can’t even celebrate that you’d just beat an unbeatable team.

Last year, they beat you every single time, but now, you look up at the scoreboard to see your score at 3, and the visitors’ score at 2. Soon enough, your teammates pull you into a hug, the air buzzing with pride and excitement.

The hot shower you take in the locker room after the game is unbelievably rewarding.

You beam when you see Zach standing by the stadium front doors. His face lights up the moment he sees you.

“You were amazing,” he says, pulling you in for a hug and taking your heavy duffle bag for you as the crowds exiting the building surround you. “Did you hear the crowd when you nailed that one tackle in the second half? I was so proud that I told the guy beside me that you’re my girlfriend.”

You laugh, perching up on your toes to quickly kiss him.

“And what’d he say?” you ask.

“He just looked at me like this,” he says, pulling an annoyed expression. You laugh again. “Baby, you killed it. Best defense I’ve ever seen.”

“Now you’re pushing it,” you chuckle.

“I’m serious,” he says. “You’re amazing. Who’d you train with? Obviously a pro.”

“Alright,” you roll your eyes, smiling.

“I mean it. And five.”

You lace your fingers in his, grinning. The more you opened up to each other, learning about how hard it can be for Zach to express his difficult emotions, ‘and five’ became your way to assure each other you mean what you’re saying, a silly reference to how he loves to say ‘one hundred and five percent.’

‘And five’ is your way of saying you promise. That you’re sure. That there’s no reason to doubt anything.

“Wow, and five?” you say. “So, you’re not just trying to flatter me before dinner.”

Zach grins, pulling you in for a hug. You’re set to go to his house to meet his family after you get ready in your dorm.

“You’re sure you’re not too tired?” he asks.

“I don’t care how tired I am,” you say. “I can’t wait to meet them. And seeing Tom and Ruby again will be nice.”

The MacLarens’ house is warm and welcoming, just as you expected. You feel like you already know his parents and sister within minutes and when Zach’s aunt and uncle arrive, it’s comforting to see them, knowing they already like you.

Throughout dinner, Tom and Ruby tease Zach for how obviously lovestruck he was at work all summer. Even his sister joins in, calling him cheesy.

“I hope you know we’re all just joking, sweetie,” Zach’s mother says to you quietly, clearly a bit worried you’ll think they’re being too harsh on your boyfriend.

“I do,” you say kindly. In the time you’ve been together, you’ve joked with Zach that teasing seems to be his love language. It’s sweet seeing him at home, joking with his family, looking up at you every so often to make sure you’re having a good time.

After you say your goodbyes, Zach drives you to your dorm. He pulls up to your building, the back of your hand warm from where he’s been resting his palm.

Every time you’re in his car, you think about the first time you were in it back in the summer, going into town, getting to know him. You’ve been in it so many times since then, driving around and playing your favorite songs.

“Well, thank you again,” you say, relieved to have heard he knows his family loved you, just as he suspected. “I had fun.”

“You fit right in,” Zach says. He hopes it’s not too much, but the longer he’s been with you, the less scared he is of being too much.

You smile at him, proving him right. He doesn’t have to hold back.

“I was thinking something,” he says, “when I was looking at you at dinner.”

“What?”

“That I always knew that things between us didn’t go so fast because of the whole forbidden thing,” he tells you. “They’d go that fast anyway. For me, at least.”

You smile, relieved to hear it. You spent so much of the camp season wondering if the rule you were both living under was the reason things escalated the way they did.

You’ve talked about the summer, reminiscing on your memories, laughing over your favorite moments, finding it hilarious how stressed you both were about the bosses finding out about you when they already knew, but you never dove into how fast your relationship went.

“You have no idea how nice it is to hear that,” you say. “I agree. I would’ve been just as crazy about you if we met outside of work.”

“Me, too,” he says, his dimples caving into his cheeks as he gazes at you. He takes a deep breath, bringing your hand up to his mouth, kissing your palm. “I love you. And you don’t have to say it back, but I just want you to know.”

“I love you, too,” you say, feeling weightless. “Obviously.”

“Yeah?” Zach doesn’t know when his heart started pounding this hard, but it’s thudding in his ears.

“Yeah,” you say. “And five.”

He leans close and kisses you over and over, just like he did the first night on the dock.

But this time, instead of saying that you should stop and that this isn’t allowed and that you could get in trouble every time your lips part, you’re whispering that you love each other.

(the end)

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#zach maclaren and you #zach maclaren and y/n #zach maclaren and reader #zach maclaren x y/n #zach maclaren x you #zach maclaren x reader #zach maclaren

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starlostjisung · 1 month ago

Text

loml

PAIRING: jeongin x makeup artist!reader

GENRE: angst to fluff

WC: 4.5k

CW: heartbreak (get your tissues ready)

SUMMARY: a misunderstanding leads what you thought could be the love of your life to the possible loss of your life

“don’t you think i’m cute?” jeongin asked you while you did his makeup

“i think you’re annoying” you replied

“annoyingly cute?”

“no, just annoying”

he buffed at that while lee know and seungmin laughed at your response. you first met the boys three or four years ago when you started as their makeup artist but they had become your best friends now. almost like family. working together for so long, so many hours, and the constant travelling made you find a home away from home in them.

“jeongin stop moving or i’m going to poke your eye with this” you threatened him

“you said i’m annoying so i’m just acting accordingly”

you rolled your eyes so hard they almost disappeared. you loved all of the boys, you really did, but some days they could be a pain in the ass. especially jeongin. that could also be because he was your best friend so he knew which bottoms he had to push to annoy you. just like he was doing today. you swore if he didn’t stop with whatever game he was playing today you were going to-

“iyen-ah, come on, stop it. we don’t have a lot of time and y/n has to do my makeup too” thank god for hyunjin

“thanks for the warning mate” now it was jeongin’s turn to roll his eyes.

you laughed having won this battle, but you knew there would be another one. there was always a new one. but that was how your friendship had always been. easy banter.

the first time you met jeongin, not gonna lie, you didn’t get on really well. not that you hated the guy, it was just that you two were different. opposites. that shouldn’t have worked well. however, you later found out that, underneath all his quick-witted and loud persona, there was a boy who was incredibly patient, sweet and would always listen whenever you needed him. so, slowly, you started to become friends until you became inseparable.

jeongin stood up from the chair he was sitting on - so hyunjin could take his place now - but even then, he didn’t go too far, he sat down in the sofa that was right behind the makeup chair.

the three of you chatted while you did hyunjin’s make up, later adding lee know and chan to the conversation. once they were all ready, you wished them good luck and watched them go to the designated area in which they would shoot their new music video.

the boys would have different looks throughout the video, so while they shoot their parts with their first looks, you got everything you would later need for their following look. when you finished, you went to the set to see the boys recording. they looked a bit exhausted but you could also see how happy they were. they had worked so hard for everything they had achieved and you couldn’t help but feel nothing but proudness.

after the director yelled cut, the boys got ready to go backstage to prepare for the second and final look of the day. you went backstage with other people from the staff and talked about how beautiful the set looked and how excited you all were with the boys’ latest comeback.

lee know was the first to put his second outfit on, so you did his makeup first this time. you asked him if the kitchen at his and han’s dorm was ready and he told you that it would be ready the following week. you had been begging him to bake you your favourite dessert for months and finally there was not long to go now. after lee know, felix and seungmin came, both of them telling you about their games nights at their dorm and how the only music they listened to now was the animal crossing song or something.

“your favourite star is here and he’s ready to have his face made a piece of art by his favourite artist in the world” kind, funny and a little extra, that was changbin for you

“oh aren’t i lucky to have you here this lovely evening?” you replied sarcastically

“oi! not the sarcasm dripping from your voice, i’m sure everyone on set noticed it” he winced dramatically

“it’s not slander if it’s true”

he sticked his tongue out at you and you laughed at him. you loved all the boys equally, but after jeongin, changbin would probably be the one you are the closest to. you instantly hit it off, from the moment you first met. you were like siblings at this point. so the playful banter between the two of you meant no harm.

the two of you chatted while you did his makeup, he would try to tickle you, you would threaten him with poking him in the eye or something.

“come on admit it, i’m your favourite”

“that depends on the day” you told him while concentrating on his makeup

“i’m the most handsome and the smartest”

“says who?” you heard han saying when he passed by and happened to hear you conversation

you laughed at his reply while changbin tried to hit him, but then you looked up and felt everything stop. jeongin had just entered the room and you felt the air leaving your lungs - you made a mental note to thank whoever had decided their outfits for this new video.

even though you had tried to deny it for a long time, you couldn’t try to hide the obvious anymore. you had fallen in love with jeongin. at some point, between your playful banter, jokes, early mornings on set, late night take outs, coffees at the airport between flights. in the midst of it all, you had fallen in love with your best friend.

you had tried to keep it a secret because:

1. you didn’t think he would ever return your feelings, so you wanted to save yourself from pitiful glances and unnecessary explanations

2. in the rare, strange case that there was even a small possibility that he returned your feelings, you working together could make things difficult, you didn’t want people to think that you were there for your connections or, even worse, that you were dating him to not lose your job - deep down you knew nobody would ever think that, but you were still afraid

“earth to y/n, hello, still with me?” you were so lost in your thoughts that you hadn’t even realised that changbin was talking to you

“yes, sorry” you smiled and went back to finish his makeup

he looked in the mirror, trying to see what had mad you so lost in your own thoughts. and that’s when he saw him.

“you okay?” he didn’t have to say anything else, you understood everything

“i’m good” you tried to smile, but it didn’t reach your eyes and he could see it

you really had tried to keep your feelings for jeongin a secret, keyword being tried. one night after having a work dinner, changbin drove you home and you don’t remember how it started or what you were talking about, but you told him everything. your feelings for jeongin. your fear of it not being returned. your fears of it being returned and what it implied. that night you cried in changbin’s arms. you cried for yourself for different reasons. for your fear of not being enough for him. for the both of you not having met in different circumstances. for your heart, because even if it hurt this much, you would choose loving him every chance you had.

changbin could see that you were getting lost in your mind again. he didn’t need you telling him what you were thinking, he already knew. you both had talked about this many times after that night. he didn’t want to see you down at that moment, you didn’t need to go through all that right there. if you wanted to talk about it again, he would listen, but later, when it was just you and him and you could cry and talk and cry some more without the fear of being heard or seen by others.

so he did what any other friend would have done in that situation. he tried to make you laugh. and he succeeded. you laughed until you had tears rolling down your cheeks and your stomach hurt so much that you had to tell him to stop.

you were blissfully unaware of the pair of eyes that was watching you from afar, shooting daggers with his eyes. jeongin was seeing everything, feeling something inside him that he couldn’t quite name yet. something close to insecurity, fear, jealousy. he didn’t understand where all of this was coming from, he only knew he didn’t like it.

when it was his turn to get his makeup done, he was a total different person from the jeongin you had seen that morning. you tried to joke with him, he would laugh almost forced. you tried to start small talk, he replied shortly.

“jeongin, are you okay?”

“i’m fine, just tired”

“are you sure?”

“yes”

you didn’t push him. it was clear that he didn’t want to talk, so you left him be. as soon as you had finished his makeup, he stood up and left the room. you didn’t have time to go after him because as soon as he was gone, chan was there, with a big smile on his face, waiting to get his makeup done. he talked with you while you did it and while you appreciated the distraction, a small part of your mind was on jeongin and what may have happened.

today was an early morning too. after shooting the scenes with the second look the day before, the director said that everyone could go home and they would take it from there the next day. when you had gone backstage to pack everything and leave, jeongin had kept his distance from you. if you were in one side of the room, he made sure he was on the other side. you looked at changbin, only to find him already looking at jeongin. he looked as confused as you did, he didn’t know why jeongin was behaving like that. when jeongin finished, he left the room. he didn’t even look back. he didn’t wait for you like he always did. so with a sigh and a heavy heart, you left the room.

you hoped that today things would go back to normal. that jeongin would tell you that he had had a long day and that he was sorry for behaving like that. that he would apologise and you two would go to your playful banter and jokes. oh how wrong you were.

today was even worse. in the small and short occasions that you had to try and talk with him while you did his makeup after changing looks, he would only reply with monosyllabic words or with no words at all, just shaking his head or shrugging his shoulders.

when all of the boys were on set shooting the video, you didn’t accompany them. you didn’t want to. instead you stayed backstage, wondering what could have happened that made jeongin act this way. so unlike him, so strange, so heartbreaking.

you went through every conversation you had the day before, trying to think if you had said anything that could have hurt him. you didn’t think that had happened, and even if it had, the two of you were close enough to say whenever the other did or said something that hurt or annoyed you. you didn’t see anything weird between the boys yesterday. the shoot went well. what couldn’t you see?

you had packed all your things when the boys came back, having finished the shoot. all of them packed their things and got ready to leave. jeongin was ready to be the first to leave the room again, but you stopped him before he could.

“jeongin, can we talk for a minute?” you asked him while you grabbed his wrist in an attempt to stop him from leaving, to make him stay with you

“y/n i’m tired, can we do this other time please?” he didn’t even looked you in the eye

“i just wanted to know if there was something wrong with you, you’ve been different these couple of days”

“nothing’s wrong, i told you i’m tired that’s all”

“okay” you slowly left his wrist go

he looked at you and you couldn’t recognise his eyes. the shiny, bright eyes that you had fallen in love with were not there anymore. you couldn’t see them. something was breaking inside them and whatever it was, you could feel it breaking inside you too. he turned around and left, no more words were shared between the two of you. the silence was piercing, you could only hear your own heartbeat and your mind screaming, saying that whatever that was happening to him was your fault. and there was no way back.

changbin had seen everything that had happened between the two of you. like you, he couldn’t understand what was happening, but he could see that two of his best friends were hurting inside. that to everyone else they seemed fine, but they inner selves were screaming to be rescued, and he was the only person that could hear them.

days turned into weeks and weeks into a month. the situation with jeongin had got worse. a lot worse. after the boys shot the video, they had a couple of days off before they started with promo activities and such. you thought those days off would be good for him and on the second day you sent him a message “hey, i’m just checking in to see if you’re resting. don’t forget to eat and sleep as much as you can before all of this takes off again!”. he didn’t reply. not even a quick “thank you” or “you too”. nothing. he left you on seen.

when you saw each other again, things were even worse. the first days he wouldn’t talk to you. by now, he won’t even look at you. the boys had noticed this. of course they had, this wasn’t normal. everyone could tell something was going on. something was extremely wrong. while you tried to be brave a put a mask on, there was one person that could see right through you.

changbin.

countless nights you had called him, crying, wondering what had happened between jeongin and you. countless nights he had driven you home and stayed with you in the car while talking about everything that had happened on set. again and again. you couldn’t come up with anything. jeongin was behaving as usual with everyone else but you, so you must be the problem.

“i just don’t understand, changbin, one minute he was fine and then… this”

“i don’t understand either y/n, none of the boys do”

“what did i do wrong?”

“y/n don’t blame yourself for this, you did nothing wrong i’ve told you this”

“but changbin it makes no sense why he’s behaving like i don’t even exist, like he would rather turn himself into a worm rather than be anywhere close to me or even talk to me” you told him through tears. you had been over this a million times and you still couldn’t understand what was happening. why your best friend had gone from being next to you all the day, to pretending that you didn’t even exist. that he would rather not know you at all.

“i know you probably don’t want to hear this, but i think you should try to talk to him about this”

“and you don’t think i haven’t tried that changbin? i tried thousands of times when he started to behave like this, but i just can’t do this anymore. the way he won’t even look at me, the way he will pretend i don’t exist, i just… i can’t do this anymore”

that’s when you broke. completely. changbin could see everything. the exhaustion. the tiredness. the pieces of your broken heart that had been scattered everywhere. and at that moment, he was the only one trying to pick them up, but he wasn’t the one that could put them back together again.

it had been almost two weeks since that night. the boys had gone back to recording after the promo ended, so you were not needed for a while. and while you tried to, you didn’t leave your house. you didn’t feel strong enough to do it. each time any of the boys - minus jeongin - sent you a message to meet up with them - “we’re having dinner at felix and seungmin’s dorm”, “”we’re going to the cinema”, “we’re having a game night”- you would reply saying you couldn’t meet them, using whatever excuse you had come up with that day.

the only one who knew that you were lying was changbin. he had gone to your house one day after you had replied chan telling him you couldn’t go to watch a movie at their dorm because your friend was in town and you were going to see a musical. changbin knew you had been lying all along and while he wasn’t completely happy with that, he could understand why you were doing it.

“you can’t stay like this forever y/n, you need to go on with your life”

“i know, but i feel like i can’t” you told him honestly

“you can do it, and i’m going to be with you, every step of the way. i know it may not seem like it right now, but i’m sure everything will go back to normal”

“how can you know?” you told him with a sad look on your face, he couldn’t dare to see you like this anymore

“i just know” he told you while holding your hand. because, deep down, he thought he already knew what was going on. and he was going to make sure it stopped now.

the next morning you found yourself in café near your house after changbin had texted you earlier telling you to meet him there in an hour - “no excuses, if you don’t come i will go to your house and drag you there myself”. you appreciated his efforts, you really did. you were really lucky to have him in your life.

you were waiting for him, checking your messages when you heard a voice saying your name. not changbin’s voice. jeongin’s voice.

“y/n”

you looked up and saw jeongin there, standing there next to your table. his eyes were bloodshot. his cheeks red, like he had run a marathon. you didn’t know what was going on. why was he here? where was changbin?

“jeongin what are you doing here?”

“i’m here to see you”

“how did you know i was here?”

“changbin”

at that moment you understood everything. you weren’t meeting changbin. you never were. he had made you go to the café to meet jeongin.

“can i sit here, please?” he asked you nervously

you nodded your head and he sat down. you couldn’t recognise the person that was in front of you. you couldn’t recognise yourself neither. the two people that were sat at that table were very different from the people you two used to be. you wanted to felt your heart breaking one more time.

“y/n i wanted to tell you how sorry i am for the way i’ve behaved this past month”

“apologise?” you didn’t know how to feel

“yes, i know you didn’t deserve how i treated you and for that i’m really sorry and i will never do it again and i-“ you cut him off

“jeongin, do you even know how i have felt this past month?” you were furious

“y/n i-“

“no jeongin, you don’t get to treat me the way that you’ve done and now come here, say how sorry you are, and expect me to accept it and run straight to you and go back to how things were. that’s not how this works” even though you wanted to do exactly that, he had hurt you. a lot. and he needed to know that

“y/n i don’t expect any of that, i truly don’t, because i’m extremely aware of the awful way that i’ve treated you and how hurt you must have been”

“really? how can you be so sure?”

“because i’ve felt the exact same way” he almost shouted. not at you, just out of frustration. and you could see it in his eyes, that he had been hurting too. it wasn’t enough to completely forgive him, but it was a start.

“then why did you treat me that way?”

“because i’m in love with you!”

time stopped. you felt your breathing stop. you saw his eyes getting bigger when he realised what he had said. you were completely lost, you didn’t understand what was happening.

“you what?”

“please, listen to me, let me explain. i will tell you everything and if after hearing it you don’t want to do anything with me, i will leave. but please just, give me an opportunity”

he took your silence as a sign to continue

“the first day when we shot the video, after we changed our outfits the second time, i went so you could do my makeup and saw you and changbin hyung talking and laughing and you looked so happy. and i wasn’t the person making you smile like that. at that time i didn’t understand why i suddenly felt so small and insecure, but now i do. i was jealous but i didn’t know because that was the first time that that happened. and i was angry at myself for feeling that way and not knowing what was happening or why i was feeling like that. i wasn’t angry at you, i never was. but instead of talking with you about it, or with any of the members, i kept it to myself but it only got worse. i now understand what was going on, that i am in love with you, but i thought you wouldn’t feel the same about me, so i distanced myself. and i knew it was going to hurt me, but i thought it would be better for you. had i known i was going to hurt you like that, i wouldn’t have done it y/n please, you have to believe me” he had tears in his eyes, yours had too

“how could you think that distancing yourself from me wasn’t going to hurt me?” you couldn’t help the tears that fell from your eyes

“i know, i was stupid i can see it now, but i wasn’t thinking, i was just trying to make it day by day. i never wanted to hurt you”

“you hurt me a lot, but i believe you” because you did, he may have hurt you and it was going to take time to forget everything that had happened, but you honestly thought he didn’t do it with bad intentions

“jeongin i don’t know what to say i-“

“you don’t have to say anything. i just wanted to give you an explanation, you deserved that. and i know you may not feel the same way and i promise this won’t change anything if you don’t, but i wanted you to know that i’m in love with you, i need you to know that” the look he gave you was a mix of fear and hope, of the possibility of risking everything you had or starting something new together

you could’t keep it a secret anymore. not when you had been so close to losing him once. not when you had almost known what it’s life without him

“i’m in love with you too”

“what?” he was genuinely surprised

“jeongin i’ve been in love with you for months, but i never said anything in case you didn’t feel the same or we could complicate things”

he was the one crying now. tears of happiness that mimicked your own. tears that sealed a new beginning for the both of you

“i can’t believe you were jealous of changbin” you laughed while you walked out of the café

“i know, you should have seen him last night when he came to our dorm after he left your house and i explained him everything. i’d never seen him so angry! but after i told him what was going on in my mind, he understood. i mean, he wasn’t happy with how i had treated you - and he’s right about that - but he could see why i had behaved like this”

after confessing your feelings for each other, you talked about how to go from there. you told him that it would take time to get you to trust him completely again, and he promised to give you all the time you needed. you also talked about your feelings and what this implied. you didn’t want to be just friends anymore, so you would take things slowly and communicate everything that you felt was necessary to avoid any unwanted situations like the one that had led you to this place. it may have been a happy ending, but the road had been anything but that.

while you were walking along the street, his shoulder was brushing yours every few steps. you caught him glancing down at your hand a few times. you laughed at that.

“you okay?”

“yes, okay, i’m fine, totally fine” he replied while opening and closing his hand, not knowing what to do with it

you decided to choose for him and took his hand with yours. he looked at you surprised. you kept walking, smirking like nothing had happened.

“i��m really happy right now y/n” he told you honestly

“me too” you replied while looking at him

he stopped you and looked at you. your faces were extremely close. none of you moved for a moment. until he did.

he kissed you. it wasn’t rushed or fast. it was slow. sweet. showing you how much he had kept to himself all this time. how relieved he was you were here. how sorry he was for everything he had put you through. how hopeful he was for you future together.

your lips were saying the same thing. how scared you had been without him. how lucky you felt to be on his arms again. how ready you were to fall into him completely.

you pulled apart. then the both of you smiled. the kind of smile that hurts your cheeks but makes everything else feel small. the kind that is bright and hopeful. you leaned into him. he opened his arms. and somewhere between the past heartbreak and the hopeful future, you knew you would be okay.

#jeongin x reader #i.n x reader #jeongin #i.n #stray kids x reader #skz x reader #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids imagines #stray kids oneshot #skz imagines #skz fanfic #skz oneshots #jeongin imagines

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merrybloomwrites · 29 days ago

Text

By Your Side

Summary: When they receive a call that you’ve been in an accident, your brother Ian and boyfriend Spencer rush to your side.

Word Count: 2.8K

CW: mention of car accident, hospital, injuries

AN: I was asked for more brother Ian stories, and decided why not mix that with a Spencer x reader!

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“Cut!”

Shayne, Courtney, Spencer, Angela, and Ian stop bantering about today's board game and look at Alex, confused as to why the director randomly called to stop in the middle of the shoot.

“What’s up?” Shayne asks.

“We need Ian and Spencer,” Jonathan says. “Your phones have been blowing up for the past few minutes. Not sure what’s going on but wanted to let you know in case it’s something important.”

They share a glance, wondering what this might be about but having a bad feeling. Either something’s wrong with work, or something’s wrong with you. Because those are the two reasons someone would be reaching out to both of them.

It’s unlikely that anyone from work would be calling them. After all, they're both in the building, shooting a video. Anyone needing to reach them would know this and would have come straight to the set.

Which means it’s highly probable that you’re the reason they’ve both received numerous texts and missed calls. The two of them share a concerned look, and that’s when the others catch up.

It had been a bit of drama when you started dating Spencer. As Ian’s little sister, everyone at Smosh had always thought you would be off limits. But you didn’t believe in that rule. So what if he worked for your brother? He was cute, funny, kind. So you went after what, or rather who, you wanted.

Spencer himself was unsure at first. You completely understood why he was concerned. After all, your big brother was the boss, and employees tend to avoid dating the boss’s sister. But eventually, it all worked out.

Ian and Spencer have always been good coworkers, and then friends, and now, they have this new relationship: potential future in-laws.

One thing they definitely have in common: they both care about you deeply, and love you. So when Ian’s phone rings again from an unknown number in Los Angeles he quickly picks up.

“Hello?” He asks, standing up and walking off set. No one follows as he steps out of earshot, not even Spencer. He’s unsure if he’s giving Ian privacy, or if he’s so anxious that he’s frozen to the spot.

“Hello. I’m calling for Ian Hecox,” The woman on the phone states.

“This is he,” Ian replies.

“I am calling from Los Angeles Regional Hospital. We have a patient here named Y/N Hecox and you’re listed as her emergency contact-”

“Is she okay?” He asks, his voice full of worry.

“She was in a car accident earlier this afternoon. She’s currently in our Emergency Department being triaged. Unfortunately I don’t have more detailed information at this time.”

“Ok thank you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

After hanging up, Ian looks at all the other notifications on his phone. He has missed calls from you, but no voicemails. You’d texted as well, but it was practically gibberish. He walks back to where the others are and sees Spencer still seated, looking through his phone.

“Have you gotten anything from Y/N?” Ian asks him.

“Nothing that makes any sense,” Spencer replies. “What’s wrong?”

“She was in an accident. I just got a call from the hospital.”

“Is-is she okay?” Spencer stutters out.

“They said they were checking her out but didn’t have any other information. Are you coming with me to the hospital?”

“Of course!” Spencer finally stands and the two men grab their belongings.

“I’ll drive,” Shayne says. Ian opens his mouth to decline but Shayne says, “Neither of you should be driving right now.”

“He’s right,” Spencer says, clearly shaken. Ian looks at the two of them before letting out a shaky breath and nodding, silently agreeing that it’s best for Shayne to take them.

The other people in the room are watching, and they want to reassure the boys, but with nothing to go on it’s hard not to assume the worst case scenario. They know that whatever they say isn’t really going to reach them. Plus, everyone at Smosh considers you a friend, and everyone is worried about you. They just try to not show it, knowing that Ian and Spencer are panicking enough already.

Quickly, they gather their things and head to Shayne’s car. Ian spends the ride reading through all your jumbled messages, trying to see if he can make sense of anything. Meanwhile Spencer sits in the back, his leg bouncing as he tries to keep his anxiety down, tries to stop imagining how bad it might be.

Shayne drops the two off and goes to park the car. Ian speaks to the receptionist, while Spencer hangs behind him, unsure what to do, where he should be. It’s only a couple minutes before Ian is back, explaining, “Y/N’s upstairs getting some scans. We need to wait here until someone comes to tell us more.”

“Did they say anything else? I mean, is she alright?” Spencer asks worriedly.

“Apparently they can only see minor injuries but they need to rule out any breaks or internal bleeding,” Ian answers.

Spencer nods and finds an empty area to pace in while Ian takes a seat in the corner. Shayne finds them a few minutes later, sitting with Ian and listening to the update.

After what feels like an eternity a doctor comes out asking for Ian Hecox. Both Ian and Shayne stand to talk with the doctor, but Spencer can’t bring himself to join them. Right now your condition is unknown, and he can keep telling himself that you’re just fine.

But what if the doctor has bad news? Spencer doesn’t know how he’ll handle that. So he stays away, trying to remain cautiously optimistic for at least another moment.

He does watch Ian’s reaction, and when he seems to let out a sigh of relief while Shayne smiles next to him, Spencer allows himself to actually hope that you’re okay. He starts walking over to the others and just as he gets there the doctor says, “You can go see her in a moment. One of the nurses will come get you.”

“Thank you,” Ian says and the doctor turns to find another family.

“No broken bones or internal bleeding,” Ian says to Spencer. “Not even any stitches. Just some bad bruising and some scrapes.”

“Thank god,” Spencer says. The adrenaline rushes out of him, and it feels like all the air goes with him, leaving him feeling shaky all of a sudden. He sits in the closest chair, holding his head in his hands.

“You alright?” Shayne asks.

Spencer takes a deep, shaky breath and says, “Yea. I’m just- I’m relieved.”

Shayne gets it. Doesn’t need to hear anything more. He knows Spencer was freaking out internally, panicking even though he seemed so controlled externally. So Shayne just puts a comforting hand on his shoulder for a moment before giving Spencer some room.

They wait a few minutes and then a nurse comes to lead them to the room you’re in.

“We’re just getting the discharge paperwork together and she’ll be able to go home soon,” the woman says as they reach your room.

Ian enters first, Spencer close behind while Shayne hovers by the door.

“What the hell happened?” Ian asks as he stands beside you. It’s a brash question, but asked in a quiet, concerned tone.

You take a deep breath, somewhat shaky now that you have people here to support you. They don’t know that you’ve been holding yourself together. Staying strong for the past couple hours since experiencing the single most terrifying event of your life.

Ian notices this, but even though he's your big brother who’s been by your side your entire life, this is new territory for him. Sure he’s seen you upset before, but half the time his teasing was the reason. Other times you were venting about your parents and all he had to do was listen and agree. Then there were the occasions when your friends were being mean or a boy broke your heart. In those cases he always promised to hunt them down and fight them. You knew that would never actually happen, but it was the thought that counted.

But here you are, seeming so young and vulnerable, and Ian doesn’t know how to fix it.

Luckily Spencer is there. And instead of freezing like Ian, the sight of you scared in that bed moves him to action. He stands on your side opposite Ian, and gently takes your hand in his while wrapping his other arm around your shoulders, tucking you to his chest. It’s not exactly comfortable, so after some shifting he sits next to you and holds you that way.

“It was an idiot on their cellphone,” you finally say. “He blew right through a stop sign, didn’t even slow down. He hit my drivers side, but like, the backseat and trunk. Spun my car a couple times and I crashed into a light pole.”

You shudder involuntarily as you relive it, and Spencer holds you tighter to him. Ian finally moves forward, placing a hand on your shoulder. At his touch you shift away from Spencer, letting your brother hug you for a moment.

After a minute you move to get more comfortable and groan in pain.

“What hurts?” Ian asks as he pulls away, scared that he’s touching some injury.

“Nothing exactly,” you answer. “Or, well, everything does. I don’t know. I’m just sore all over.”

Spencer gingerly takes your hand in his again, trying to comfort without causing any pain.

“Glad to see you’re okay,” Shayne says from his spot at the door. “And I’ll give you a ride home whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that. I think I’m waiting on paperwork or something?”

“The nurse said they were getting that ready,” Ian states.

Thankfully it’s only a moment later that she’s back, a stack of papers in hand. She explains your care instructions for the upcoming days, how to deal with the pain you’ll be feeling, and what symptoms would require you to come back to the hospital. After that she has you sign some papers, and your hospital visit is officially over.

“I’ll bring the car around,” Shayne says. He leaves to do that and you try to slide off the bed. As soon as your legs touch the floor, you feel how sore and weak they are, causing you to start to tip over. Both men reach out to steady you. Once sure you’re not going to fall over, Ian steps back allowing Spencer to support you.

He helps you walk out to where Shayne is waiting with the car.

“Do you want to ride in the front so you’re more comfortable?” Ian asks.

“No, you take that. I want to sit in the back,” you answer. Spencer helps you into the seat before walking around and sitting on the other side. But as soon as he settles he notices your shaking deep breaths and opts to sit in the middle seat so he can be closer to you. You give him a grateful look, and the anxiety of getting back in a car so soon after the accident lessens with him by your side.

“Where am I going?” Shayne asks.

It’s a good question, and you don’t have an answer right away so you look at Spencer.

“Do you want to stay with me? Or I could come stay with you,” he says and you nod. Ian gives Shayne your address and he begins to drive. Spencer puts his arm around your shoulders and you tuck into his side, hiding your face in his neck so you don’t have to see the other cars on the road.

It doesn’t take long to get back to your place and you thank Shayne as Spencer comes around to help you out.

“If you need anything, let me know,” Ian says. “I’ll come by later to drop off Spencer’s car and I’ll get some things from the store on my way.”

“Thanks,” you say, grateful to have your brother live so close by. Spencer once again supports you and helps you get inside your apartment.

“I want a shower,” you state. You start walking towards your bathroom, only making it a few steps before needing to rest on the couch.

“How about I draw you a bath?” Spencer asks quietly.

You’re not typically one to take baths, and Spencer knows this. But he also knows that you’re not strong enough to stand in the shower right now. You feel like you’re admitting defeat by nodding yes, but it’s the best choice right now.

“You sit here, I’ll come get you when it’s ready,” he says, placing a kiss on your head before walking away. It’s only a couple minutes later that he’s back, helping you to the bathroom.

The two of you stand there and it’s obvious that he doesn’t know exactly what to do now. “I’ll uhm, I can just-” he fumbles, leading you to say, “Stay. Please.”

“Okay,” he says, his voice almost a whisper, knowing that this is a vulnerable time for you. With his assistance, you manage to get undressed and in the tub. It’s a bit of a process, but soon you’re feeling clean, Spencer methodically washing your hair before carefully scrubbing your body. When that’s done he helps you get dressed and in bed.

Just as you’re settling in there’s a knock at the door, and Spencer goes to answer it. He lets Ian in and your brother walks into the bedroom.

“Got you some pain medicine. Also ice packs and a heating pad, not sure which one you’d need. And I talked to someone from your insurance agency so that’s being taken care of.”

“Thank you,” you reply. You and Ian might not be the kind of siblings that talk about feelings or hug it out, but you will always be there for each other. And right now, you really appreciate all that he’s doing for you.

“Need anything else?” he asks.

“No, I think I’m good. Probably just need to go easy for a couple days and then I should be good to go,” you answer, trying to sound as positive as possible.

“Alright well, call me if you need me,” he says, giving your shoulder a gentle squeeze before walking out of the bedroom.

You relax into the comfy blankets, closing your eyes to get some rest, and therefore missing the conversation in the other room.

“Thanks for bringing my car back,” Spencer says. “And for all this,” he adds, gesturing to the bags on the table.”

“Yea, like I said, if you guys need anything else shoot me a text.” Ian stands awkwardly for a moment, looking back towards your room. He takes a deep breath and looks at Spencer and says, “Take care of her, okay?”

“Of course. Always,” Spencer confirms.

“I really am happy for you two. You’re good for each other,” Ian says, causing Spencer to smile.

“Thanks, man. She makes me really happy. And today?” His smile falls thinking back to earlier that afternoon. “Well, not knowing if she was badly hurt, that was one of the worst moments of my life. So I know it must've been awful for you.”

“Yea, I mean, as her big brother, no one's allowed to hurt her but me. And I swear, we stopped wrestling when she turned ten, so that hasn't happened in years.”

“Did you stop because she started winning?” Spencer jokes.

“Oh, absolutely. She’s got an impressive headlock,” Ian replies with a laugh. “I’m gonna head out. Oh, and you’re off the schedule for the rest of the week. Just, be here for Y/N, we’ll cover you at work.”

“Thanks. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Ian says. “Keep me updated,” he adds and walks to the front door.

“Will do,” Spencer confirms as Ian leaves. After checking the door is secure, Spencer heads back to the bedroom but finds you’re already asleep. It’s a bit early, but after the day you’ve had he’s not surprised that you’re exhausted. He puts the new ice packs in the freezer to chill and eats a little dinner before joining you in bed.

You sleep soundly through the night, but wake up with a groan, feeling somehow more sore than the day before. As promised, Spencer takes care of you, helping you with whatever you need.

Within a few days you’re feeling better physically. But you struggle mentally, getting anxious every time you get into a car. Luckily Spencer and Ian don’t have any problems driving you wherever you need to be until you’re ready to get behind the wheel again.

This whole ordeal is one of the scariest things you’ve ever gone through, but with Ian and Spencer by your side, you’re able to heal.

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AN: Thank you for reading!

#ian hecox x reader #Ian Hecox x sister!reader #spencer agnew x reader #smosh x reader #smosh fanfiction

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martinluvrr · 1 year ago

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NUMBER ONE | KATE MARTIN ( III )

⋅˚₊‧ kate martin x actress!reader

⋅˚₊‧ summary: here we are again, just like the beginning.

⋅˚₊‧ part two || final part || nav

"Cut, thank you everybody" the director yelled out. You let out a sigh of relief, finally this dreadful week was over and you had some free time. After the chaotic start of the week that was caused by literally a media circus, you knew that this was going to be a tough 7 days.

Sometimes, you wished you didn't go to that audition. Of course you were grateful, this was a life people would kill for, but with the good side came the brutal one. After the picture and the allegations came out, your publicist went nuts, she wen even more nuts when you said to her "I don't want to respond". Apparently not responding, is responding, and while she tried many times to convince you, you didn't budge.

Deuxmoi. Fucking deuxmoi.

While you contemplated if you should send hate messages to the site with your finsta ( your publicist somehow found out and made you promise not to ), Kate was the calm during the storm.

The night of the game, she had texted you in regards of the plans, and you sadly rain checked. While you though she would stop texting after that, she didn't, and neither did you. Her name was still saved as 6 years ago, back then , you didn't have the strength to delete it, just in case.

While the comments, the sly remarks, the articles, the posts made the time draining, Kate was your fuel. She was literally recharging you, it seemed like you guys were back like you were once, but still you didn't want to get your hopes up.

"Bye darlin'" a british accent pulled you out of your thoughts, Emma, your co star smiled sweetly at you from your dressing room doorway. You smiled at her and said your goodbyes as well. While the media was raging, the cast and crew made the week peaceful for you, what was a week ago, a funny, teasing, loud cast turned into a supportive, calm, quiet one. And of course, you knew why. You have been shooting with this people for the past 2 years, and whether you liked it or not, they knew you. and when Matt saw your face on Tuesday, news and threats spread around if anyone asked anything regarding the incident. Y/n absolutely adored them.

As you walked out of the set studio, only two things were on your mind, your bed and chinese food. When opening the door, you looked up and went to a halt. There she stood, blonde, 5'11, in an all black fit an aces hoodie on, and her car behind her. In all her glory.

"What the hell are you doing here?" You asked, your mouth hanging open. She stood straight ,a wide grin forming on her.

"you owe me a date"

"you can't be serious" you let out a laugh.

"dead ass. get in" she gestured to her car, while opening the passenger door. You still remained in your previous positions, your body frozen,like it couldn't believe she was actually here.

"Kate"

"Y/n" she replied back " what's the problem?"

"Are you sure you want this...again?" you asked, suddenly looking at the ground, your insecurity was showing. You still didn't know if you and Kate were happening again, and you knew that if you lost her again, you couldn't survive that.

"Never been more sure in my life" She replied sweetly "Now get in"

"But i look like Adam Sandler" you said, an embarrasing smile on your face .

"I don't care, now please stop making excuses and get in the car" Kate said. You sighed as you made your way to her car, before placing a kiss on her cheek and getting in.

The way to your blind destination, that you begged Kate to tell you, but immune to your charm , she didn't give a single hint. Kates hand was placed on your thigh. After teasing you about your 'adam sandler' outfit, we finally arrived in a parking lot, of what looked likd, a closed casino/hotel.

As you made your way to the elevator, suddenly the air became tense. When you looked up at her, she was already looking back at you, you could feel your face heating up, a small smile appeared on her face, and a second later you mirrored her. Just as y/n and Kates faces were close, the elevator door opened and a bell was heard.

Just as you were about to question her about the empty hallway, you halted when you saw her open the rooftop door, stairs coming down, she took your hand and helped you climb. When you were both on the roof, you took a moment to admire the view, all of the las vegas was before you, it looked majestic.

"The view...so beautiful" you whispered, still in a daze of shock.

"yeah the most" She whispered back, when you glanced back at her, you realized she was talking about you. When you took a look behind her, you saw a chinese logo. chinese food.

"I'm in love" You moaned, taking a bite of the dumpling. You heard Kate let out a laugh, both of you were dangling your feet out in the corner of the rooftop. You felt like a teenager again. Her and you were back to talking about the past, it felt liked you guys were recapping, when the breakup came up, both became hesitant.

"Where did we go wrong?" You heard her question.

"We didn't go wrong, we just went our separate ways"

"I watched suits, when i heard"

"Really?"

"Yeah, watched the whole season, you were great, just like i knew you were"

Kate was always supportive of your dreams, not that everybody else wasn't, but Kate was the only one you admitted your dream to.

"You were also"

"What?" shock, surprised.

"I watched you" you shamelessly admitted

"You did? no way"

"Yes way, i'm your biggest fan" You said, taking a bite out of the noodles. Kate laughed when you accidentally spilled some, suddenly nothing was tense, it was back to normal.

When you both finished your food, you hinted that you should return home because of the 7am shoot you had in the morning, Kate insisted you guys stay for another 30 minutes. And it was definitely worth it, after 15 minutes, a firework erupted. and then another, and another after that, and then 10 after that, they didn't stop for another 10 minutes.

Just as you convinced yourself to not expect anything, and this was still new, she had set this up. When you looked up at Kate and looked down at her lips, one thing was on your mind, and you weren't holding back as you pulled Kate towards you and connected your lips to hers.

✩

As you opened your eyes, sunlight immediately made you close them back, as a groan escaped you and you stirred to get away, two hands locked on your waist held you back. Kate. When you straightened your back, you felt a kiss behind your neck. "Good morning" you heard her raspy voice say.

you didn't make it to your 7am shoot.

✩

thank you for reading pt 3 <3333333 tune in for pt 4 soon!!!!

#kate martin #wnba #kate martin imagine #lesbian #iowa wbb #kate martin fic #kate martin x reader #kate martin x y/n #lv aces #dua writes

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thelovelywriteress · 14 days ago

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DEVIL MAY CRY: FILM INDUSTRY AU! ❝LOVE TRIANGLE GAME❞ ↲

Well greetings to our wonderful readers, who once again, (we suppose -⁠ᄒ⁠ᴥ⁠ᄒ⁠-) are here to get the details on lastest choas our famous superstar trio─Dante, (name) and Vergil have brought to to the film industry and their fans!

So unless you live under a rock, you've definitely heard the whispers about Dante and Vergil —Hollywood's most insufferably attractive twins—and their "not-so-platonic" connection to (name), the rising star who mysteriously started getting cast in both of their films around the same time. Coincidence? We think not.(⁠ ͡⁠°⁠ᴥ⁠ ͡⁠°⁠ ⁠ʋ⁠)

Behold as we once again go through the evidences fans of each ship present but also about a very obvious theory that is "Love Triangle Is Just Game For Frame!"

❝Fans somehow have gone to the deepest rabbit hole of internet to find the clips of interview to the secret sighting, such to show that 'closeness' among (name) and their favourite twin! Sit back and enjoy the these vintage clip and how it makes everyone go crazy!❞

#TEAMDANTE

─ Dante's interviewer when (name) wasn't cast in the film.

[Interviewer] : So we heard it was supposed to be (name) once again getting casted with you but due to (name)'s tight schedule, you guys weren't able to go for your 'Three Times Back To Back Together In Rom-Com' streak.

[Dante] : Yeah you summarised as much as I know. And tho it is sad but I know we will joining sets soon.

[Interviewer] : That's a bold statement but nice to know as we are pretty sure, fans would love to see you guys share the screen again. Through I have to asked were you disappointed when you get to know (name) wasn't in the film?

[Dante] : Of course, of course. I mean everyone likes seeing pretty people together. It shows true creation of god and to your other question─yeah I was. I even consider to leave the film myself to but (na─) my manager convinced me to not.

- [USER03] let's be real, it wasn't his manager! it was (name) for sure. bro is so down bad that he even take part in the film his crush wasn't just because his crush convince him.😭🙏

- [CASUAL_USER] remember that time his only two hits were with (name) so he was more about getting with the person who helps him gain frame not so any crush or love stuff.

↳ (reply): umm no? you don't know how film industry work, do you? fans often sometimes gets bored seeing same couple in same genre. for a rising star like dante getting to act with [actress] was infact a big luck through yet he overlooked her just because of (name).

↳ (reply): yeah? well he had work with (name) before and infact they're few films of their before 'those two superhits' that were flop. So saying he is only wants (name) for frame is such a hater move.

- [RANDOM_USER76] vergil probably start liking (name) recently but dante definitely got thing for (name) long ago.

─ That clip where Dante and [Name] are doing a scene and the director yells cut, but they keep smiling at each other like idiots. Fans zoomed in and swear they saw a wink.👁️👁️

- [USERWANTSTOEAT] I swear vergil fans are just jealous that their favourite twin is not with (name). cause how you look at these clips─and deny that dante and (name) are not in love with each other.

- [STRAIGHT-USER-99] I swear if these two did not end up confessing and marrying, I jumping off the cliff😭 like bro they are literally the living the plot of movies they act in.

↳ (reply): real said.

↳ (reply): in one of plots tho (name) did end up marrying his brother (even if wasn't technically vergil but just saying)

↳ (reply): now that would be such an irony in contrast to this comment if it end up getting true💀

─ Another clip where (Name) messes up a line. Dante goes, "See? Told you she gets flustered when I'm close." (name) turns around, throws a script at him, trying mask flusteration with angry.

- [USER-IS-DANTE'S-TOE] They are so cute together.

- [IWANNAENDMYLIFEUSER] Just show this to my grandmother and she asked me if they are married already? (⁠◕⁠દ⁠◕⁠)

- [BABY_USER_GURL] Me and my partner literally used to act like this! We have been married for 2 years now and just welcome our baby into this world 😭🩷

↳ (reply): aw so sweet! congratulations.

↳ (reply): definitely dante and (name) in parallel or even future universe.

#TEAMVERGIL

─ A picture of (name) wearing Vergil's signature blue coat with an exhausted look and ruined makeup, makes people's assumptions go wild!

- [USER_I_IN_YOUR_HOUSE] guess someone was busy getting cozy in this cold.😏

- [USERGOTPOP] dante can crush all he want but vergil is definitely the one getting to play dress-up with (name).

↳ (reply): damn 💀🙏

↳ (reply): dante play safe, vergil play with protection ifykyk.

- [USER-BADASS] this is literally (name) running for her next appointment after doing overtime in film shooting and vergil's signature blue coat??? so now he own the blue coats, you guys be delusional.🫩

↳ (reply): yoo we got a hater.

↳ (reply): nah it's you guys you are delusional! we got the reality and proof sorted.😌🙂‍↕️

─ A clip of Vergil describing his ideal type.

[Interviewer] : You got the style, the name, the frame─everything that makes fangirls go crazy yet everyone wants to know if you also have your own ideal type you want to date.

[Vergil] : Honestly with all this work on my hand, I prefer not to engage myself in any kind of romantic affairs as of right now. Through their are some qualities, I prefer to seek in a desirable partner.

- [USER-:0] did bro just described the (name)'s personality in this clip.😭🙏🙏

↳ (reply): yes he did.

↳ (reply): bro didn't even hide anything.

[USEROFDELUSIONS] if I remember right??? (name) in also a same 'ideal type' question reply with 'calm but fierce','someone with the way with words' and that definitely matches vergil's traits to!

↳ (reply): yeah I remember it too and if I remember right-it was around the time rumours about them meeting in secret started to spiral.

- [USER_GOT_HELL] he definitely meant this one interview to reach (name) as an indirect confession.🤭

─ Another viral clip of (name) and Vergil, where they are holding hands in some party and (name) leans on Vergil.

- [HELLO-USER-YELLOW] Fellas will you learn on a random person, you got no feelings for?🙂‍↔️

- [ZEROHEROUSER] dante fans can say whatever they want but (name) definetly got eye on vergil and visa-versa.

↳ (reply): yeahh. cause in the end it's on the (name) afterall who she choose (which is an obvious answer here 😮‍💨🪭)

↳ (reply): they look so good together! even my mother and sister ships them!🩷🦋

- [YOUR-DADDY-IS-ME-USER] pretty sure (name) said that she got liking for blue.😏🤭 who will vergil to my (name) tho!😭

Oof~ don't this all tension and suspension surroundings these trio just makes me crazy and crave for more.😮‍💨🤌

Well we guess even the people in the industries are starting to enjoy this love triangle as they have started to place their bets too! Providing us with some behind-the-scenes moments that just tangles this messy romance more!😳

─ Posta by a reddit users in r/dantex(name)xvergil (yes they even got a subreddit dedicated to them😮‍💨🙌)

❝I used to work on the [Redacted] set and let me tell you about (name) and the Sparda twins.❞

i. (name) used to spend late evenings rehearsing ALONE with Vergil. Not unusual, right? Except he hates rehearsals!

ii. Dante visits (name) almost daily especially if his brother in the movie and he is NOT.

iii. Wardrobe crew confirmed they had to sew (name)'s necklace back after someone "accidentally tugged it off" during a totally-not-scripted scene.

iv. One time there was a screaming match behind Stage 4 and all I know is, someone stormed out and said, "Then YOU tell (name) how you feel!”"

❝Written down some incidents that highlights their love triangle. (I had a project to submit in 24 hours even haven't touched it lol)❞

• Dante helps (name) fixed the necklace. Vergil throws them an annoyed stare from sideways. SAME VERGIL WHO WON'T EVEN WASTE BREATH ON HIS BROTHER'S TATICS SUDDENLY THROWING HIM A STARE???

• (name) posted a photo on her story with a cup of coffee and a silver ring on her right hand. The ring is identical to the one Vergil wears in his latest commerical shoot

She deleted it after 6 minutes.

Coincidence? Maybe.

BUT THEN—two hours later, Dante posts a pic of a glass of wine captioned “Sometimes you gotta let it breathe.” WHO ARE WE LETTING IT BREATH?? CAN WE GET SOME ENLIGHTENMENT😭🙏🙏

• You know that leaked blurry wrap party video where all three of them are standing close together? WELL GUESS WHAT—I cleaned up the audio and when (name) leans toward Dante, he whispers something that sounds like:

"Save this for backstage babe, he will be mad right now." I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT BACKSTAGE SHOW TOO🙏😳 (name) laughs then Vergil put a hand around her neck and glares to Dante,"Let's see who got tickets for backstage special." PLSSS LEMME JOIN THIS BACKSTAGE STUFF TOOO.😭😭🙏

Well, well one side where fandom is in choas─the recent scripts with their favourite to not help to lessen this fire any less either!

Recently many fans noticed how (name), Dante and Vergil are getting casted in way too much love triangle films.🫣While many belives it just industry using their love triangle for some money yet many claim that it's just Vergil and Dante getting in the way of each other as many of the simple rom-coms are getting last minute love triangle alterations.🫢

❝DATE TO DATE❞ (Originally a two-person romance)

─ Script leak shows: Dante's character was added two weeks before shooting. Fans noticed the original trailer only had Vergil x (name) clips. Final cut? FULL triangle arc with "tragic betrayal". Behind-the-scenes gossip claims the director said, "There was too much heat between all three not to use it."

❝TO WATCH SPRING WITH YOU❞ (A post-war romance starring Vergil and (name))

─ Test screenings showed audiences felt "too much chemistry between (name) and side character Dante." Studio forced reshoots and marketed it as a "tense love triangle across enemy lines".

• "Dante and Vergil just don't back down," says one alleged crew member from movie set. "You can see it. They both want (name). Offscreen. And somehow it bleeds into the performance." Another insider said,"They're not acting, they’re reacting."

❝HOT SUMMER WITH BABE❞ (originally focused on person finding love of life in beach)

─ Fluffy romantic comedy with (name) and a musician Dante. Somehow: Vergil shows up halfway as "her childhood friend who never stopped loving her." More interesting things is that it is based on a popular manga series (as per first trailer of movie) but by second one they changed it "inspired by".

• When questioned by director on a sudden change in plot, she simply replies,"I don't create triangles," she says. "They walk into the scene, and I just… follow them with the camera. Whatever’s going on between them, I don’t touch it. I just give it a spotlight."

Honestly fans are just like "They both should stop coming in the way of each other". Some say it's 'getting boring!' but views these films are getting says otherwise.(⁠〃ﾟ⁠3ﾟ⁠〃⁠)

Honestly we can't get enough of these three, they are trending everywhere! Got subreddits to script leaks of their films. Their relationship keeps us on edge yet excited us simultaneously!

Now ending our this edition's gossip with few humourous comments from the fan online(⁠๑⁠╹⁠◡⁠╹⁠๑⁠). See ya in next volume with more choas!

[USERWTF] "I am sorry but (name) looked at Dante like he hung the moon. This isn't even fan bias this is OBSERVATION."

[IKUSER] "Did you saw the way (name) glances at Vergil during any social events? It's like (name) just wants to be with him only!

[THELOVEYWRITERESS] "Plot twist: (name) is not interested in anyone and they’re both just down bad. Like, embarrassingly bad. And we’re the fools doing unpaid detective work."

[BAN-FOR-A-REASON] (name) is definitely secretly dating both, and the reason neither Dante nor Vergil is mad about it is because... THEY’RE MAD ABOUT EACH OTHER─

So yeah since ya'll like the first one, decided to reward you guys with another edition -⁠ᄒ⁠ᴥ⁠ᄒ⁠- khihihi! I don't know it is and honestly I even haven't beta read or edit it so if you find any error, just tell me in comments─I will be more than happy ฅ⁠^⁠•⁠ﻌ⁠•⁠^⁠ฅ

Hope ya all enjoy the this choas volume with messy romance, if they still don't settle the love triangle you might see us (me) sson!

#dmc dante #dmc x reader #dante devil may cry #dante sparda x reader #dante sparda x you #dmc vergil #vergil x you #vergil x reader #dmc x you #devil may cry x you #devil may cry x reader #vergil devil may cry #reader x character #character x reader #reader insert

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caorann8 · 1 year ago

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Grief in Dawntrail

Alrighty, here are my thoughts as a funeral director having finished Dawntrail. Obviously spoilers under the cut.

When someone says a game feels like work, that’s normally a bad thing. In this case it’s not. Two of Dawntrail’s themes are community/their different cultures and grief and while they’re explored more separately in the two halves of the story they are intrinsically linked. Funerals at their core are about remembering the person who’s died and coming together to support each other and remember the person. Even with the decline of “traditional” funerals, people who are just having a cremation and nothing else from the funeral home often say they’ll have something at home with their friends and family.

This is why Sphene pissed me off from the start. With the Yok Huy we see a beautiful funeral tradition. The body may return to the mountains but their legacy will always remain for their community to read and remember over and over again, even for future generations. Meanwhile Sphene echo’s the same message, “You will never die so long as you’re remembered” but then removes the memories as a misguided attempt to protect her people. They aren’t remembered, they’re actively forgotten by their entire community until those people die too.

Death and grief are complicated things. Something we learn in school is there are no stages as most people think. It’s a roller coaster that goes forward and back, has good days and bad days, and will sometimes crop up years later. What lessens it is allowing yourself to process it, and support from friends/family/community helps immensely. By denying them these memories, Sphene denies them growth and stronger bonds. A friend of mine said the people of Alexandria wouldn’t survive the Final Days and I agree. We even see this in the WoL! How many times are we able to quote Haurchefant or other characters who have died but made an impact on our journey? Even Emet-Selch asks us to remember them. The ancient’s love, their follies, the good and bad. While grief hurts in so many different ways, we often come out on the other side better, whether that be with new tools, new outlooks, or even just relief that the person isn’t suffering.

And this doesn’t just apply to people we care for. Look at the death of Zoraal Ja. Wuk Lamat hated him and he’d abandoned Gulool Ja. Regret or joy that it’s over are valid feelings . Both grieved in their own ways and had support to work through it. The fact that they were actively told to take a break to process everything, both after his death and after the attack on Tullioyal, was a beautiful touch. Grief is exhausting after all.

Finally, I want to talk about my experience going through Living Memory. That’s the part that truly felt like my work. Just sitting and listening to people say their final goodbyes to their loved ones. Some crying, some laughing at good memories, some angry, but all taking that moment. I didn’t cry really (except Cahcuia, that one got me), I got choked up and there was a heaviness for a lot of it, but there’s a joy in knowing nothing’s left unsaid. Even deleting the areas didn’t affect me much. They each got their last hurrah, like a eulogy at a service or stories shared over a meal. Plus the knowledge that reincarnation exists in FFXIV means they’ll be able to enjoy life again.

At the end of the day grief, in all its forms from the end of relationships, to what could’ve been, to death of a loved one, shouldn’t be swept under a rug. When people find out I’m a funeral director I often get asked if it’s “depressing with all the crying” and I always reply that I hear laughter coming from visitation rooms more often than tears.

#ffxiv #ffxiv dawntrail #ffxiv spoilers

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toadettely · 3 months ago

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I want to thank all of you for your lovely support on Skill & Spill and I wanna hug all of you. It means so much to me to read how much you seem to adore this AU and my (silly) ideas! <3

... So I tried to explain Eevee's job in this AU :3 Please let me know what you think about it and if you have questions or more ideas? ^-^

Short summary here and a lil yap yap under the cut (how he started his job)

Eevee is a freelancer that is known as “Sophist” by his clients. He is a game designer and creative director in some sorts. Game developers and (indie) studios reach out to him for his ideas because he is known for his unusual yet fascination gameplay gimmicks. Sophist adds playful and experimental ideas to games, making them stand out more than “usual/typical” games by a lot.

Some developers respect him and others almost fear him. To the point that a term started to form amongst game developers called "Sophist-proof your game" - as if someone could match Eevee's chaotic and mischievous mind and soul. He laughs at obvious bad copies of his ideas and even sometimes reaches out to developers, asking if they want his help to improve their game. (Sometimes they accept kindly and it's another win for Eevee. But other times they get furious at him - which results in Eevee laughing tears at their responses sometimes)

He makes enough money to cover his bills but he is not living a luxury life at all. Eevee struggles to survive some months but always manages.

He started his career as some sort of lighthearted joke: he was asked to test a game, rate it and give constructive advice by a small indie studio that had developed a 2D rpg jump and run with a lot of noticeable love and thought behind it.

Eevee told the developers something along the lines of “Wouldn’t it be funny if you must play through the entire Story of the game to unlock the settings? Because the sound of hitting an enemy is annoying and tiring ngl. I still played through it with the SFX turned on. [...] And the inventory is a mess, I had no clue what the hell I had to do there honestly. And it doesn’t even open nor look like an inventory. You guys could have added a quiz the player has to answer to be able to pick the item they want, and it wouldn’t have changed how messy the inventory feels before figuring it out after like six levels. I still remember dropping my weapon instead of healing myself for an unholy amount of tries.” And the developers of the game were amazed by his ‘ideas’, adding them to the game even though many people in the company were skeptical towards it.

They asked Sophist to explain his ideas further and expand them in any way he wanted, genuinely interested and invested in the almost too ridiculous ideas, which seemed so random and chaotic that they appeared to be a fun gimmick, all at the same time.

Eevee had laughed his ass off and almost fell from his chair as he read their reply. But he obliged happily and added all the ideas and thoughts he could think of into his reply. He felt kind of proud reading through it and pressing the send button afterwards.

And oh Fellas, he had every right to be proud of his chaotic ideas.

The game ended up being their best selling one with unexpectedly amazing ratings. Many people pointed out how random the quiz questions in the inventory were and how surprisingly big the range of the questions were (which Eevee provided himself, too) and how unexpected the options after the finished story were - making some people play the game again in only one color and with increased speed (again, Eevee’s ideas.)

This is how Eevee, or rather Sophist, became more and more known in the scene and got more and more people to seek out to him for his unsual gameplay designs and ideas.

---

Nick knows about Eevee's job and tried some of the games Eevee had added his gimmicks to, but quickly found them annoying and "too sophisticatedly frustrating" (he didn't say that but Eevee knows it is how Nick felt while playing the games.)

Brent played some games that Eevee had helped develop when he felt bored in his rare free time. Buying them because they were cheap and looked promising and appealing in a way they really shouldn't.

But Brent never heard or read the name "Sophist" anywhere while doing so. The only occurrence he ever saw the name and acknowledged it was in marvel rivals, but as "Sofist" - the person that would become his favourite stranger to play games with online.

(I don't know guys but I love the idea so... Just take it...)

#Skill & Spill #does anyone fw this /gen /srs #i'm serious i'm scared to write his part of the AU because maybe it sounds stupid?#anyways i love him sm #OBLIVIOUS BRENT IS THE BEST BRENT #coffee shop au #rpf #pc rpf #king of soph #eldette's writing

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finleycannotdraw · 2 years ago

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Goldenheart question. Who do you think proposes? Ballister or Ambrosius?

Bonus on how they would do it? ✌️🌈

OKAY SO. I thought about this for like five minutes. decided something. and then I changed my mind like five times. and then I was like “hmm. fic time”

I know you just asked for my thoughts but I hope you enjoy this!!

Ballister had a plan.

He loved Ambrosius. Of course he did. He’d loved him when they were classmates at the Institute, loved him when they snuck onto the roof at night to talk, loved him when they became knights, and loved him when the wall came down. He’d loved him for as long as he could remember, so of course he loved him when he looked up from his crossword puzzle and saw Ambrosius dancing in the kitchen, wearing a pair of Ballister’s pajama pants, holding a pancake batter-covered spatula and looking more carefree than he’d looked in months.

He’d marry Ambrosius in a heartbeat. He’d get on a train right then and elope with him if he asked, but he thought his partner deserved something bigger, something romantic, something grand and joyful after all of the stress and responsibility he’d been shouldering since the Director’s demise.

Hence, The Plan.

Nimona had been… mostly helpful. Ballister approached her one afternoon, after Ambrosius had left for work, and sat down across from her. Since the three of them had moved into an apartment together, Nimona had gotten much more comfortable relaxing, which warmed Ballister’s heart.

“What’s up, boss?”

“I want to ask Ambrosius—” he began, and Nimona sat up straight, immediately invested.

“To marry you?” she exclaimed. “Yes. Do it. Why haven’t you done it already.”

Ballister blinked. “I thought you’d be more hesitant about this,” he said slowly. “You used to hate him.”

Nimona waved her hand dismissively. “Ehhh. The past is the past, and all that jazz. Speaking of jazz—”

“No.”

“Ugh, whatever. You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“I didn’t need to.”

“You’re horrible. Anyway, I hated him when all I knew about him was that he cut off your arm. That was before I’d lived with you guys for a year. And it would be pretty hypocritical of me not to be open to changing my opinions about somebody. He makes you happy. You should totally marry him.”

Ballister smiled. “Thank you, Nimona.”

She scoffed affectionately. “Sure, boss.”

And a plan—namely, The Plan, which was the whole point—formed.

Nimona and Ballister flew all over the city looking for parks and possible activities, such as restaurants or shows. Most people had gotten fairly used to the pair of them flying around, Nimona sprouting wings and carrying Ballister above the streets, so they didn’t worry about staying out of sight.

If Ambrosius noticed or thought it was suspicious that Nimona and Ballister constantly went out together and didn’t talk to him about any of it, he didn’t comment. The three of them still had their movie nights and game nights, and Nimona and Ambrosius still had their terrifyingly intense card games (War, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and several games Ballister had never heard of) that Ballister was forbidden from joining, so altogether not much had changed.

One thing that did change, though, was how often he paused, watched Ambrosius do something completely ordinary, and thought ‘I want to marry this man.’ It happened more and more with each passing day, until Ballister very nearly proposed to him when he walked into the apartment and found Ambrosius standing with his feet on two separate chairs, about three feet apart, holding a collection of colorful paper streamers above his head while Nimona, in the form of a small monkey, perched on the top of his head and put them in place on the wall.

Ballister stared at them for a long moment before he said, very confusedly: “There wasn’t a more efficient way to do this?”

Ambrosius and Nimona turned at the same time, both looking quite delighted despite their precarious position atop the chairs.

“We’re just mixing it up!” they both replied. Ballister looked around. The living room was covered in party decorations and newspaper, and Ballister thought he’d never seen more glitter in his life. He pictured Ambrosius buying a basket full of glitter for whatever party Nimona was planning on throwing, and wouldn’t have been surprised if his heart actually melted.

“What’s the occasion?” he asked.

“I asked Nimona when her birthday was,” Ambrosius explained. “She said she didn’t have one.”

“And if I do, I don’t remember when it is,” Nimona added. Ambrosius threw his hands out to the sides in an emphasizing gesture.

“Which means she’s never had a birthday party,” he continued. “So we decided that today’s her birthday and we’re having a party.”

“Which is just going to be like a normal night except with decorations,” Nimona said. “The glitter was Goldilocks’ idea.”

Ballister raised his eyebrows, and Ambrosius shrugged unabashedly, then turned back to finish putting up the streamers.

Marry me, Ballister thought.

Within the next week, he had everything figured out. He’d looked at the weather for the next few days, planned where they’d go and when, and had even bought a ring, which he’d hidden in his extra pair of running shoes and shoved under the bed. If Ambrosius noticed that Ballister seemed extra nervous or more likely to become agitated if he spent too long in the bedroom by himself, he didn’t comment.

So yes. Ballister had a plan, and it was much more concrete than ‘something something something, we win’. He didn’t have a script, but he had just about everything else. Nothing could possibly get in his way now.

Or so he thought.

One night—there was nothing particularly special about it; they’d had dinner with Nimona, danced and laughed while cleaning the kitchen, and kissed while getting ready for bed—Ballister and Ambrosius were snuggled up together under their blankets. Ballister’s prosthetic arm was hanging from its charger on the wall, so he couldn’t hold Ambrosius as close as he would’ve liked, but the blond knight was lying with his head on Ballister’s shoulder, which gave him room to wrap his left arm around his partner’s back.

Ambrosius moved to tangle his legs with Ballister’s and gave his middle a squeeze, causing Ballister to smile up at the dark ceiling. If he paid attention, he could hear quiet music through the walls from Nimona’s room, and the moon was shining brightly through the window. Ballister carded his fingers through Ambrosius’ hair and breathed deeply.

Ambrosius, after several minutes, pushed himself up onto his elbow so that he could see Ballister’s face. Ballister’s arm slid naturally to rest around his waist, and he wished he had his prosthetic so that he could tap Ambrosius on the nose. Whenever he did so, Ambrosius’ face would scrunch up in the most adorable way possible, and Ballister had no choice but to kiss him.

“Hey,” Ambrosius whispered, as though Ballister hadn’t already been giving him his full attention.

“Hi,” he said in the same quiet tone, and matched Ambrosius’ answering smile. They bumped their noses together and giggled, and Ambrosius flopped to the side, landing on his own pillow. Ballister freed his arm and laced their fingers together, and Ambrosius brought their joined hands to his lips, then rested them on his chest and stroked Ballister’s hand with his thumb.

“Bal?” he said, tilting his head to the side to look into Ballister’s eyes, which he was quite honestly struggling to keep open.

“Hm?”

“Will you marry me?” Ambrosius asked softly, simply, his gaze full of love, exactly the way Ballister had been fighting the urge to ask him for weeks.

“Oh, come on!” he exclaimed, and got out of bed to grab the ring box from his shoe, forgetting that Ambrosius had no idea what he was doing until he sat up, looking worried.

“Bal?” he said again, this time much more guarded. “I’m sorry, what—”

“I was going to propose to you!” Ballister interrupted, opened the box, and shoved it towards his gobsmacked partner, who stared at it in utter shock before looking back to Ballister’s eyes. “I had a plan! And it wasn’t ‘something something something, we win’!”

Ambrosius’ eyes were shiny. “Was it more like, ‘something something something, marry me?’”

Ballister laughed surprisedly and leaned over to plant a kiss on Ambrosius’ lips. “Yes,” he said. “Well, no. I didn’t have a speech.”

“Hence the something-something-something,” Ambrosius teased. “You know, you never answered my—”

“Yes, good Gloreth, yes, I’ll marry you,” Ballister interrupted again. “Though I think you could’ve inferred that from learning that I was going to ask you the same question.”

Ambrosius laughed tearfully, and Ballister kissed him again.

“I’m not taking your last name, though,” he added moments later. “As funny as it is.”

“Nimona would kill you,” Ambrosius agreed. “So would I, probably. I don’t want to keep my last name either. It made for some good jokes, but other than that—”

“Well, Boldheart is nice, but it wasn’t my birth name. You know the Queen gave it to me at the ceremony because somebody—probably the Director—said that Blackheart sounded too dark for a knight?”

“Right,” Ambrosius mused. “What should we do, then?”

“We could combine our last names,” Ballister suggested. “We could be Ambrosius and Ballister—”

“Goldenheart,” Ambrosius finished, and wrapped his arms around Ballister, shaking with laughter, tears, and joy. “I love it.”

“I love you,” Ballister told him, and there was very little talking for the rest of the night.

When morning came, they headed into the kitchen in their pajamas and found Nimona already up, sitting at the table with her headphones on. She appeared to be drawing—likely another action scene with herself as a large animal with Ballister and/or Ambrosius as her murderous accomplice—and didn’t look up as they entered.

“Morning, Nim,” Ambrosius said as he made his way to the coffee machine.

“Goldilocks.” She acknowledged him with a nod, then raised her eyebrows. “Sleep well?”

Ballister held his crossword puzzle up and hid his face behind it while Ambrosius nearly dropped the coffee pot. They both knew that Nimona was over a thousand years old and there was probably very little she hadn’t seen, and even less she wasn’t aware of, but she was so good at acting like a teenager that it was quite easy to forget. She watched their awkward reactions and snickered, but her eyes widened as her attention zeroed in on something on or beside Ambrosius’ hand.

“So, who snapped first?” she asked pleasantly, a wide grin forming on her face.

“Me,” Ambrosius admitted without turning around. “Wait. Who snapped first? You knew he was planning—”

“You knew he was—” Ballister began too, and they both stopped and stared at each other.

Nimona just burst out laughing.

#nimona #nimona movie #nimona netflix #nimona 2023 #ballister boldheart #ambrosius goldenloin #ballister x ambrosius #goldenheart #nimona fanfic #this is. not betaed and barely proofread. enjoy #I HOPE I CHARACTERIZED THEM RIGHT #ALSO IN MY POST CANON UNIVERSE THEY ALL HANG OUT IN THE TOWER/LAIR FOR A WHILE AND THEN GET AN APARTMENT #ITS A WHILE BEFORE NIMONA CALLS EITHER OF THEM DAD #nimona and ambrosius playing hyper-competitive but ridiculous card games without ballister is a hill I will die on #he thinks they’re going to become enemies for real but the card game animosity just makes their friendship stronger everywhere else #ALSO goldenheart is their ship name but it’s a PERFECT combined last name for when they get married <3

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