#she should’ve dumped him so much sooner

[thelunarbar]

I dare you to tell that in 2x16 dean wasn’t seconds away from getting physical when they’re arguing in the kitchen about the fact that Jess had been there. He screams at her about how she lied to him and why was Jess there and how her excuses are crap and you can see how afraid Rory is by how mad dean is.

And then Paris and you can’t tell it’s not bc she can see how things are escalating and she’s afraid of Rory getting hurt.

After awhile Deans habit of flying off the handle over everything and his overwhelming insecurity become his only personality traits.

Not to mention that as soon as Jess comes into the show it becomes abundantly clear that Dean and Rory have nothing in common. And we all know Dean wants a Donna Reed and Rory was never going to be that so frankly the whole thing was doomed from the beginning.

Rory held on bc Dean was a safe choice. Dean held on bc he felt like she was meant to be his forever. Frankly considering they’re sixteen their relationship way too much like fucking dysfunctional marriage.

Jess and Rory had a much more believable teenage relationship than dean and Rory ever had.

[patito-oward]

Always Been You

masterlist

Prompt: And the other is about how Pato falls in love with the reader, just how he says "oh yeah she's THE ONE"

since this prompt was pretty vague I took a lot of liberties with it, but I still hope you like it :)

Summary: After being dumped by his long term girlfriend, Pato realizes everything he’s ever wanted in a relationship has been right in front of him

WC: 4.1k

It happened very suddenly. Here’s the thing, Pato didn’t mean for it to happen at all. On the list of things he had planned for the year, this was definitely not on it. A 500 win? Definitely. A championship? Yep. Extending his contract with Mclaren? Right again. But starting the off season by being dumped by his long term girlfriend and realizing he’s in love with his best friend was not anywhere in his mind.

It all started at the last race of the season, Pato was leading the championship, and granted he got a podium on this race he would finally have his championship victory. To celebrate and support, almost everyone he knew came to Nashville. Pato rented out a block of rooms at a hotel, and one of the many people who showed up for him was his childhood best friend, YN.

So maybe it all started in 2008, when YN and Pato were in second grade and met on the playground at recess. YN was sitting on the swings reading a book when Pato approached her, he was new to San Antonio and didn’t have any friends, and wanted to know if they could be friends. From then on the two were inseparable. Pato was a daredevil at heart, and would often hurt himself, and YN would take the delicate time of walking him to the school nurse and kissing his injuries better. Pato always made YN laugh, and made sure she was never sad, no matter what happened in YN’s life, Pato was there everyday to make her smile.

As they got older their relationship changed, it lost a little bit of their childish innocence, but they grew so much closer. YN was at Pato’s first win in karting, and she was more excited than he was. When YN’s childhood dog died, Pato was at her house at 6:00 AM and spent the whole day with her, trying to cheer her up. They’d even started their own holiday traditions, every year on Christmas Eve, the two of them spent the day making cookies together and exchanged presents. YN had practically become family, she didn’t have the best home life, and the entire O’Ward family was so loving that she ended up spending more time with them than her actual family.

The two dated for a few months in eighth grade, and were each other’s first kiss, but when Pato began racing for F4 and was in France every weekend the two agreed it was best they just stayed friends. Since then that is all they had been, things in YN’s home got significantly worse as they went through high school and despite whatever Pato may have felt, he knew she needed his friendship and wasn’t willing to risk their relationship.

With Pato coming up through Indycar and YN being a full time student and having a job, it was easy to assume the two would drift after high school, that was never the case. They still saw each other everytime Pato was in Texas and Pato made sure YN made a couple of races every year. She remained his biggest supporter as he went from her hometown best friend to the most popular driver in Indycar.

Fast forward to now, things were going pretty perfect for Pato. He finally won the 500, he’s about to win the championship, and he’s got a great girlfriend, Maria. He figures he’ll marry her, he does love her, she’s supportive and nice and insanely hot. They’ve been dating for over a year and things have been going really well. The only time they’ve ever really fought is over YN, when she found out there was a “history” between them, and in hindsight Pato realizes maybe he should’ve told her sooner, but he never really thought about it. Yeah they’d dated for a few months a lifetime ago, but she’s always just been his YN, he doesn’t even think of her like that anymore. YN was one of the most sure things in his life, and sure for awhile he always thought what if?, but that was in the past.

All that being said, he didn’t think twice about inviting her to Nashville to watch him possibly win the championship. YN wasn’t able to make it to the 500, or any other race this year, and he wished she was there. She knew more than anyone how much this had meant to him, coming up after losses she was always the person he went to, and he wanted her to see him now that it had all been worth it. YN was reluctant to come, but after a lot of begging from Pato she agreed.

Thursday night he made sure everyone he invited out came to dinner with him at a steakhouse. There were 20 people at the restaurant, but Pato ended up with Maria sitting next to him and YN sitting across next to Elba. Maybe Pato should’ve realized it, the tension in her shoulders and how Maria’s smile tightened as he laughed at YN’s jokes, but he didn’t. So Maria sat there all night, and she really tried to be understanding, but she felt as if she was third-wheeling her own relationship. She had to listen to a million inside jokes she didn’t understand, and watch as his family fawned over YN.

It was at that dinner she realized that she’d spent a year dating a taken man. Pato was too good of a man, she knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose, but it became undeniable. As she watched him, she realized everything she felt for him, he felt for the woman across the table. At first she felt possessive, the need to prove that he was her partner, and that no matter what he’d chosen her over YN, but as time passed she felt less possessive and realized that there was no way to continue the relationship. It wasn’t fair to her, she deserved a man who loved her and only her, and Pato deserved to be with the person he loves.

After the dinner, they headed back to the hotel where Pato, who was utterly clueless of her realization, continued to be the perfect man, only making it so much harder for Maria to leave. She didn’t know how long she should let it go on for, if she broke things off now would she be getting in his head and ruining the weekend for him? Would continuing a relationship she’s already checking out of be just as cruel? Could she stand the rest of the weekend watching her boyfriend making heart eyes at another woman?

After sleeping on it, or rather not sleeping very much at all, she’d come to the conclusion that a clean break was best for everyone. They ordered breakfast to the room and as they sat at the small dinette she knew she had to bring it up.

Pato was halfway done with his breakfast, but she hadn’t eaten much at all, mostly just pushing her food around with her fork. “Pato, I think we need to talk.”

It’s rare that she’s this serious, and Pato knows that can’t be good, his silverware clatters as he sets it down and looks up at her. “Uh oh, what’s wrong?”

She hesitates for a moment, not knowing the best way to start the conversation. “It’s YN.”

Pato’s shocked, he doesn’t know what he expected but it wasn’t that, “What about YN?”

She figures there’s no reason to beat around the bush, “You’re in love with her.”

Pato’s a lot of things, surprised for sure, but also shockingly defensive and angry. “What? Babe, that’s ridiculous. I know you were upset about us in middle school, but I swear there’s nothing going on! I would never even think about cheating on you!”

She rested her hand on top of his, “I know you would never cheat on me, and I know you said there’s nothing and I believe you, but I saw the way you looked at her, and how she fit into your life, and it makes so much sense because you love her.”

Pato doesn’t really know what to say to that, “I love you.”

“But you are in love with her. Listen I love you, Pato, and you’re such a good man, but it’s not fair to either of us to continue this relationship. Not when your heart clearly isn’t in it.” Maria struggles over her words, voice cracking and eyes watering, but a soft smile is on her face as she says them.

“Are you saying what I think you are? You’re just giving up?”

“Pato, I’m letting you free, tell her how you feel, you deserve that kind of love.”

And maybe what she’s saying finally resonates with him because the best thing he says is, “I never meant to hurt you.”

She lets out a broken laugh at that, a single tear rolling down her face, “Oh, Pato, you never could, we aren’t meant for each other, but we still had a lot of fun, right?” He nods at her.

After that she’s on a plane and back to her home before he knows it. Pato’s sad, he feels a little empty, someone who had been such a big part in his life just walked out leaving the biggest mess in her wake. He thought about her words, but shook them off. He loved YN, of course he did, but it wasn’t like that, she was like a sister to him.

Although it’s not his sister he messages asking if she wants to come over. YN is at his hotel room within a minute of him sending the “you busy?” text. YN asks where Maria is, but all he has to say is “gone.” and YN knows to drop it.

YN knows him better than anyone, knows that he has an irrational fear of being destined to fail at every relationship. She knows he has never actually broken up with a girl, only ever been broken up with, and she knows he spent over two years single because he was afraid of being hurt. But she also knows that there’s no way anyone could spend more than an hour with him and not be in love with him, God knows she is.

It’s the way he knows her, inside and out, but it’s also the way he makes everyone around him laugh, and spends hours interacting with his fans to make them all happy, and how caring he is with animals and babies. YN is only human, how is she supposed to feel when her insanely attractive best friend is doting over her niece?

YN puts it all aside because she’s his best friend first, she’d made that promise to herself a long time ago and she’s always kept it. She sits with him and watches Friends reruns with him, he’ll talk when he wants to, but until then she’ll be by his side.

They don’t end up talking, the one good channel the hotel room has switches from Friends to Modern Family, and then Pato has to go practice. A quick google search helps her find the best tacos in Nashville, so while he’s gone she runs out to get them dinner. They had dinner plans with his parents and Elba, but YN texted Elba long ago to let her know that plans were changing. He’s a superstar, so of course he doesn’t let his life affect him and it still the fastest person in the first practice, YN thinks that’s a good sign.

When he returns he seems to be a little better, talking to YN about track conditions over their dinner. YN has had enough of waiting for Pato to bring it up, and she can tell he’s feeling better, so she has to work up the courage to ask him what happened.

“Are you going to tell me what happened with Maria or am I supposed to guess?”

His smile drops, turning into one that’s much smaller and forced. “She just left.”

“No explanation? She just woke up and was gone?”

“Oh, she had an explanation but it was bullshit. She probably just got tired of me, it's no big deal.”

YN furrows her brows at that. “Pato stop it, you’re so great anyone would be so lucky to be with you. Maybe there was some merit behind what she said.”

“Well she said I was in love with you, but I told her so many times we’re just friends and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

YN’s stomach sinks at that, it’s not like she expected him to confess his love, but he didn’t need to friendzone her that hard. “Oh.” Is all she can think to say.

“I mean you’re great, but you’re like a sister to me!”

YN forces out a laugh, “Right.” She also can’t help but feel like maybe it’s her fault this all happened, was her pining really that obvious? “Well then, she’s stupid for leaving because she’s not going to find anyone better.”

Pato’s smile is genuine for the first time since the conversation started, “Thank you, you’re the best friend I could’ve asked for.”

“Right, and don’t forget that when you’re trying to figure out what to do with all your championship earnings.”

He lets out a real laugh at that, a stark contrast to how mopey he’d been the rest of the day. “One, greedy, and two, I’m not buying you anything else. I'm tired of you getting mad when I spend money on you.”

“Pato, a graduation gift is fifty bucks, not a two thousand dollar tennis bracelet.”

He leans back in his seat and shrugs, smirking as he says, “Yet I’ve never seen you not wearing the bracelet.”

YN’s eyes go to her wrist where, sure enough, the bracelet was, just like everyday for the past three years. When Pato gave her the bracelet she refused to take it, saying it was too much and he needed to return it. After arguing for ten minutes she thought he’d finally agreed to take the bracelet back, but found it later sitting on her dresser. “What can I say? You have good taste.”

The rest of the night mirrored the morning, but had a much different tone, the two of them sat sprawled out on the couch quoting the episodes of Friends that were on, having seen them so many times they were known by heart.

When YN went to her own hotel room Pato realized how empty the place felt again, something he hadn’t noticed all day. He chose not to think too hard about how effortlessly YN took up space in his life.

The next morning, Pato had already scheduled to have everyone meet in the lobby so he could take them to the track for the day. YN had clearly told everyone about Maria because despite some odd looks no one asked about her and he was grateful for that. He didn’t think twice when everyone began to split into different cars and he pulled YN along with him, or when they arrived at the track and Pato sent most people up into a suite, but brought YN and his immediate family to the pits. Maybe that’s how it’s always been, and how it’s supposed to be.

Pato gets swept up in work for the rest of the day and YN gets to spend some real time with her second family. As soon as they’re alone, Elba doesn’t hesitate to start interrogating her.

“What happened with Maria?”

“Apparently she told Pato he’s in love with me and just left.” YN shrugs as she says it, still a little puzzled by the whole thing.

“Huh.”

“What? No ‘huh’ I know what that means just tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I just thought Maria knew by now and didn’t care, maybe she’s not as smart as I gave her credit for.”

“What do you mean? Knew what?”

“Come on, YN, Pato’s been in love with you since you were nine, I wouldn’t want to be dating him.”

YN is struggling to process what she’s hearing, and automatically turns to deflection. “He is not.”

“Oh my god.” Elba starts giggling maniacally.

YN has no clue what could be funny, “What!?”

“You’re in love with him too!”

“I am not!” Despite her refusal, YN can feel and Elba can see the heat rising up her neck.

“You totally are! All this time I thought you had to know it’s so obvious, I mean, he follows you around like a puppy, but you had no idea!”

“Ok, keep your voice down.” YN puts her hand over Elba’s mouth really not wanting anyone else to hear their conversation. “Even if I did like him, and I’m not saying I do, he does not feel the same. I mean you should’ve heard how hard he friendzoned me yesterday.”

Elba looks sympathetic then, “Babe, I think my brother has spent so long denying himself what he wants he doesn’t even know what that is anymore. I love him dearly, but relationships are not his strong suit.”

“Then I guess we’re at a stalemate because I am certainly not going to be the one to ruin our friendship.”

Elba’s exasperated, “Oh my god, you two are exhausting!”

By the time Elba finished her intervention, qualifying finished resulting in Pato getting the pole. Mclaren has been dominant the last few weekends, and this weekend is no different with all three cars in the fast six. Pato is in the driver’s lot, getting ready to head back to the hotel, everyone else had dispersed from the track, and Felix has tracked down Pato and is calling after him.

“Hey, Felix! What’s up?”

“Bro, you’re about to win this fucking thing.” There’s nothing but excitement from Felix for his best friend.

“I know, I just hope tomorrow is a clean race and we can bring this thing home.”

“You’ve got this, I know it. Hey, where’s Maria been all day?” Felix says it like he’s just realizing she’s not around.

“Who knows. Yesterday morning she woke up determined that I’m secretly in love with YN and got on the next plane out.”

“So you guys are done?”

“Yeah about as done as you can be.”

“And YN?”

“YN is my best friend.”

“No, I'm your best friend.”

“Sorry, Fro, even you lose to YN.”

“I don’t want to win what YN is winning.”

Pato rolls his eyes and stomps his foot, huffing, “And what exactly is YN winning?”

Felix puts his hands up in self-defense, “Listen, all I’m saying is if you looked at me like you do YN, I think Emille would feel threatened.”

“Very funny.” Pato kicks the ground, staring at his shoe, he thinks about his relationship with Felix versus his with YN, sure it’s different, but him and YN have so much history. “Look, I don’t know what I feel for YN, but I don’t care either because she’s too important as a friend for me to lose her.”

“Mate you’ve been practically dating for years, I don’t think making it official will ruin anything.”

With that last piece of advice Felix takes off, leaving Pato alone with his thoughts. The whole drive back to the hotel and the rest of the night he spent thinking about YN. If everyone closest to him is saying one thing, how could they all be wrong? He thinks about everything they’ve been through together.

His first win in karting when she was the first person he ran to when he got out of the car; how she comes to every family reunion and often traveled to Mexico to spend time with his family; their senior prom when she was sad about not having a date, but she was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen that night; except for Christmas mornings when she’s in her pajamas and he gets to watch her eyes light up as they answer presents together. Maybe it’s been in front of him all along. What’s been missing from all of his other relationships has been right there.

It’s a lot to take in, but it doesn’t really matter because, like he told Felix, he wouldn’t risk their friendship if she doesn’t feel the same. He can handle a trail of failed relationships, but he could never handle losing YN. He went to bed that night knowing he had to just focus on the race and on bringing home the championship.

The next morning he’s awoken by a knock on the door. “Patricio! Open up, room service!”

He knows who’s behind the door before he opens it, there’s only one person who cares enough to bring him breakfast. When he lets YN in he sees the bag full of takeout food from a nearby diner. “Breakfast of champions, for the champion.”

Of course she’s already decided he’s a champion before the race. No one has ever believed in him as much as her. “Calm down, I don't want you to jinx me.”

“Au contraire my friend, a jinx would mean you’re winning by luck, and you are winning by sheer talent.”

It always amazes him how smart she is in the morning, he knows no more than 5 words for a solid hour after waking up, and she’s always speaking a million words a minute. “7AM is too early to be speaking another language.”

“Aw, pobrecito, ¿estás cansado?” She knew very minimal spanish, but had picked some up from time spent with his family, and used it pretty exclusively to tease him.

“You’re so not funny my brain hurts.” He is slouched over the table with his head resting on his arms.

She begins to unpack the food in front of him, “Alright, come on, time to wake up you’ve got a big day.”

The smell of eggs and bacon is what gets him to lift his head and start eating. He tries not to focus on the fact that she got him exactly what he eats every race day because that’s a can of worms he doesn’t want to touch. Regardless he eats the meal, and is sad when she pulls out her pancakes and begins to eat with him. She offers him a bite which he takes, but they both know he won’t eat any more than that because he doesn’t like big meals before a race.

After they finish, YN starts picking up their trash and Pato thanks her, “You take such good care of me, can’t believe you brought me breakfast I’m not worthy.” She’s glad for her back being turned to him because she can feel how much she’s blushing.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur, leave it to YN to be the eye in his hurricane, bringing calm before the storm. The race was close, a shitty pit stop meant Pato had to make some big passes to make up position, but Pato ended up pulling away with the final race win of the season and the championship.

YN and Elba leave the suite a few laps early so they can be on pit lane when he gets the win. After his victory lap and celebratory donuts he pulls into pit lane. Immediately his crew is flooding around him as he struggles to get out. Once he does there’s a giant group hug around Pato. Rossi and Fro also both make their way to his pits to congratulate him.

When Felix pulls Pato into a hug he whispers into his ear, “Why haven’t you gone to your girl yet, she’s waiting for you.”

Felix’s words had weight to them, all these people were surrounding him, but none of them had been on this journey with him as long as her. She waited for him for the last 15 years while he chased a career and different women, and now he’s at the peak of his career, having everything he ever wanted, and she’s not the one by his side. It hits him like a ton of bricks how bad he wants her to be the one celebrating this win with him, and every win for the rest of his life. Walking over to YN he pulls her into a hug, hoping that everything he’s feeling can be conveyed through the touch.

YN is in his ear, “I’m so proud of you, I always knew you could do it.”

He can’t find the right words, so all he says is, “I’m so glad you’re here.” he’ll explain later.

Holding her in front of thousands of people, Pato isn’t scared of losing their friendship anymore. He’s not sure of a lot, but he knows they’ll be ok, and that he’s loved her since before he knew what love was.

[fetchen]

hey guys . thinking about fetchen first kiss

in my mind, it happens during junior spring fling. karen and gretchen sat together on the steps outside the gymnasium because gretchen just needed a break from it all.

they ramble together about jason- how big of an asshole he was and how glad they both are that gretchen dumped him. and all of a sudden, it hits gretchen. she realises what her heart knew and that her brain should’ve caught up to all along- that what she’s been looking for is the girl right in front of her.

so, gretchen kisses karen and karen is happy for her to do so.

they pull away and all karen wants is to do it all over again, so eager and happier than she’s ever been. all she can think of is how beautiful gretchen looks under the moonlight.

gretchen thinks that she should’ve seen this coming. she thinks that if she’d just done this sooner she could’ve saved herself so, so much heartbreak. but she also thinks that it doesn’t matter. she’s happy. after all this time, she’s happy.

sigh They are so. :C

[wc-confessions]

i’ve been reading tbc and it really bothers me how often both squirrelflight and leafpool are dragged by all the clans, especially in regards to squirrel and imposter bramble.

multiple times throughout the books, she is publicly shamed by all the clans for not realising sooner that ashfur was taking over brambles body. how could she have not noticed sooner? she’s his mate, she should’ve known! she’s known him her whole life, yadda yadda. even lionblaze criticised her which irked me! and squilf already felt so guilty, she’s already suffered so much, and you’re shaming her?? die pls??

maybe she didn’t notice because she was actually receiving affection from her mate for once?? bramble was a terrible mate and a bad person (as reflected by the sisters) and maybe, just maybe, she was enjoying reciprocated love and displays of affection?? ash is a terrible guy, don’t get me wrong. squilf deserves A MILLION times better than the both of them (and his obsession with squilf really grosses me out, with how controlling he was with her and obsessive tendencies)

anyway squilf deserves the world and should dump stinky bramble

.

[offside-the-lines]

tell me who i run to (if not you) | anthony beauvillier | Ep 3. Pal-entine's Day

This is a completed series! Read Full Fic | 🧸 Series Cover Page/Masterlist 🧁 | 🎵 Playlist 🎶 << Previous Episode || Ep 3 || Next Epissode>>

Episode synopsis:Tito returns her kindness by being a shoulder Evie can lean on when she is having a hard time after all-star break. She tells him it’s anxiety about work. He brings her a box of pastries and they cuddle on the couch all day; he doesn’t realize it’s Valentine’s Day. Later, a hook-up goes very wrong.

A/N: You can refer to cover page for the series summary, author's notes, tropes, general warnings and other fun tidbits. This series contains mature themes. Minors DNI. Warnings: This episode contains mentions of a past toxic relationship and sex that occurs off screen. Disclaimer: This series is set in Chicago but does not mention the name of the team.

Word count: 4.8k // 44.5k

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Pal-entine’s Day

Evie — February 10

It’s late when Evie finishes work for the day. She rubs her eyes and finishes her cup of tea, which is now less than lukewarm. She sighs. This was kind of her own doing. She didn’t work as much as she should’ve in January, especially in the week that Tito stayed over, which means she’s feeling more behind than she would like them to be. Not to mention, this latest work she was editing was full of so many glaring issues that the document has more comments than text at this point.

She puts her phone down and rests her head on the table. 

She doesn’t regret it. Tito had been clearly so down in the dumps after his wrist injury. She had taken him to the different museums, touristy sights, and fun restaurants around town that she had been meaning to get to; she had thought that she would catch up on her work when he was in Florida with his brother’s family during Bye Week. 

She doesn’t regret it because their adventures brightened his mood every time, his glowing smile seared on the inside of her eyelids. She thinks about the time she had taken him to the Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park on a particularly bad day. 

He had come back from the rink dejected after being told he couldn’t join no-contact practice yet. He had been cleared to skate, though. So, the joy on his face when he stepped onto the ice again, even if it was a park and not an NHL arena, made them both feel a hundred pounds lighter.

She doesn’t regret it. It’s just that— Unfortunately, her plan to catch up on work during Bye Week didn't happen. The day after Tito left for Florida, her apartment felt startlingly empty. 

It reminded her of when she had first moved to Chicago. She had just a couple of boxes and suitcases. She left behind all the remnants of her life with Pierre. Those plates, pillows, and knickknacks didn’t feel like they belonged in her life anymore. That’s why she moved, right? To get a clean start at age 28. 

It wasn’t just stuff she had left behind. It was her whole life, a life that had looked increasingly foreign in those final months anyway. All of their friends, all of their stuff, all of their memories. He could keep them. She just wanted out.

Those first months in Chicago had felt so lonely, living without anyone else for the first time ever. It was hard to make friends in a new city, so she spent a lot of time just in her apartment. The thought kept creeping into her head that she would probably be alone forever and regret leaving her seemingly perfect relationship behind in Toronto. 

She downloaded and deleted Bumble probably ten times in the first few months.

Eventually, she met Kelsey, Leanne, and the others at a work-sponsored holiday party. They were unhappy that she hadn’t reached out sooner. So, with them dragging her out of her house a few times a week to whatever restaurant, bar, or event, she eventually settled into life in Chicago. Looking back, she’s not quite sure when her one-bedroom apartment started to feel like home.

That's why she’s so shocked to find herself once again feeling unsettled. Her sleep hasn’t been great either, making her sluggish and heavy. In the week or so since Tito left for Florida, she has only left her house twice. Both of them were to see him play when he returned to the lineup after the All-Star break. 

When she looks around her apartment, she can see the small pile of his clothes that sits at the far end of the couch. She had washed them while he was away and folded them so they would be clean when he came back. 

That was a week ago. 

She’s happy that he’s back at training and back in the line-up. She appreciates the rigorous schedule that he's sticking to to get back to the top of his game. 

She understands that means she takes a back seat. It’s just that she wishes a little part of her didn’t resent it or herself for missing his company that she didn’t know she had gotten so used to.

She doesn’t pester him, though, not when he was on vacation and not now that he’s been back training. He still texts her every day, and she tries not to get too excited when he does, being mindful to not be too suffocating and demanding of his time and attention.

She figures it’s probably not a bad idea to realign her priorities: to focus on her work and on the book that she wants to finally finish soon.

Tito — February 14

Tito watches as the sky begins to lighten and decides to just give up on going back to sleep. He reaches over and checks his phone. 

5:48 am. 

Great. 

He unlocks his phone, which opens to the text thread with Evie he had been staring at after the game last night.

Monday, 4:46 pm evie 🧁: sorry, i don’t think i’ll be coming to the game tomorrow. i’m just totally under water with work right now. To evie 🧁: damn, that sucks. i’m sorry. do you want me to come over with some dinner tonight? To evie 🧁: or after the game tomorrow?

He didn’t receive a reply until past midnight that night.

Yesterday, 1:18 am evie 🧁: nah, it’s okay To evie 🧁: good morning to you too. how're you doing? work hasn’t killed you right? i can bring over some lunch. i bet you havent been eating much. Read

He quickly swipes out of his messages and locks his phone again. 

He stares out the window. They have only known each other for less than two months, but not hearing from Evie for so long throws him off-kilter.

This is so unusual, given their typical rhythm, that even if work has been busy, he’s worried, and underneath the worry, he’s confused. It seemed unlike Evie to not be open with him about whatever was bothering her— at least, he thought she was.

A little while later, he finds himself sitting in front of her favorite bakery on his way to her apartment. He waits for the clock to hit 9 a.m. before he heads in and picks up breakfast for them both: a selection of pastries and two coffees. It’s busier than he expects, but there are still plenty of their favorites left. 

He’s been to Evie’s building enough times now that the doorman recognizes him and buzzes him up the elevator straight away with a nod. It’s only when he's standing outside her door that he realizes he should've probably texted beforehand to make sure she was free.

Too late now. Tito rings her doorbell, his heart in his throat as he listens for any sound inside.

Somewhere between 30 seconds and 10 minutes later, he hears some shuffling, and the door opens slowly. Standing in the entryway is Evie rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of his Canucks hoodie, sleep shorts barely peaking out under the hem. He rips his eyes away from the soft skin of her legs. 

She startles when she sees him, her eyes wide. Her messy hair and fuzzy slippers only intensify the warm fondness buzzing in his chest.

“Um, hi,” she says, stepping aside to wave him in. “What’s all this?”

“Nice hoodie,” he beams at her, a crooked smile tugging on the corner of his lips.

“What?” She looks down and immediately covers her face with her hands. “Oh shit, this is yours. I was just grabbing the first hoodie I saw, and it was sitting on my— I’m sorry, do you want it back? I can go change.”

“Hey,” he says gently, setting the food down on the kitchen counter. “No, keep it on. I can’t really wear it out anymore, and it looks good on you.”

She cracks a smile for the first time this morning.

“Here, I brought you some breakfast and coffee— peppermint mocha, half sweet, with oat milk. I figured you might need something stronger with all the late nights you’ve been working.”

She stares at him silently for a long time before reaching for the coffee and whispering a quiet, “Thanks.”

He smiles at her and pulls her in for a quick hug, feeling some of the tightness in his chest melt away as he breathes in her scent. As he pulls back, he waves her to the couch.

“Go, sit.” He pushes her gently. “I’ll bring over the food.”

As if on cue, her stomach grumbles. “What did you get? Oh! Oooh! Good Ambler. My favorite,” she says excitedly, finally looking more like herself.

He smiles to himself as he puts the food down on the coffee table. “Yeah, I know! I got us the quiche and a bunch of their pastries.” He opens the box and watches as her eyes light up.

She laughs, “Wow, you really went all out.” 

“I guess I did,” he shrugs.

They eat in a comfortable silence for a while, both deep in thought. It’s been a few days since Tito has set foot in her apartment. He feels more at home here than in his own place. There are touches of Evie everywhere. 

She has shelves next to the TV console that are covered in books. There are at least five more books spread around the room. Her fuzzy blanket is draped across the back of the couch. There are candles on her coffee table, sitting next to colorful coasters with bad book puns on them. Unhung art and posters are leaning against the bottom of the walls. The space is so clearly lived in and loved.

Although, as he looks around, he can see the signs that things might be a bit off. There are dirty dishes piled up in the sink when there usually wouldn’t be any. There are stacks of papers spread across various surfaces. A box next to the bin for the overflowing trash. He counts at least seven mugs of mostly drunk tea around the space.

He frowns.

“So,” he starts cautiously, “how've you been?” He winces at how awkward that sounds.

“Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Busy? I guess mainly.” She stares at the muffin in her hands, pointedly avoiding his skeptical expression.

He sighs and reaches over, his broad hand lightly covering her wrist. “Hey, I feel like something has been off recently, and I want to know what’s going on. Is it just work that’s been crazy? Or is there something else?”

Evie looks up at him finally; their eyes meet, both assessing the other. He can see the dark circles that dull her tired eyes, her expression pained.

“Yeah, I’ve just been having trouble getting stuff done. But it’s not a big deal. It’s fine, though. I can handle it.” She frowns and picks at the remaining half of the muffin. 

“Hey,” Tito says gently. He reaches out, takes the muffin, and puts it down before taking her hands in his. The movement makes them turn to each other. “It’s okay if you’re struggling. Just tell me how I can help. I won’t judge you, okay?”

She shakes her head, tugging her hands back and hugging them to her body. “Yeah, I know, but I’m okay. I don’t want to be a pain—”

“Evie,” he says gently, “Asking for help doesn’t make you a pain. Look, we’re friends, right? You were there for me last month when I was having a really bad time. And now I want to be here for you. You should let me help where I can. Or at least tell me what’s wrong. I can’t guarantee I’ll always say or do the right thing, but I’ll listen, and I’ll try to help where I can, okay?”

She looks at him, searching his face for a lie and not finding one in his open and caring expression. “Okay,” she whispers with a small smile.

“Okay.”

He hands her back her muffin, and they finish up their breakfast. He takes their trash to the kitchen, and despite her complaints, he does the dishes as he makes them both a cup of tea.

When he sits back down on the couch, he finally speaks again, “So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Or at least, if there’s anything I can do to help?”

She heaves a big sigh but does smile at him warmly before settling into the couch. “I guess I just had a kinda bad week last week? I'm kinda behind on stuff, and I got really in my head about it. Remember how I told you I moved here after a bad breakup? Well…” She shrugs.

“You don’t need to explain if you don’t want to. I know it sucks. I mean, I haven’t dated anyone seriously since before the pandemic. But we actually broke up like January 2020, so those first few months in lockdown were really rough. Just bad feelings and a whole lot of time.” 

She looks up at him, “Oh. I had no idea.”

“It’s not a big deal. That was quite a few years ago at this point, anyway. I’m over it now, but— I’m just saying that I know it can be hard.”

“Yeah,” she nods, fiddling with her mug before finally saying, “Honestly, I’m not that bummed about the breakup. It wasn’t bad or anything. Or at least nothing bad happened. Things just sort of just… I don’t know. I was just feeling like shit all the time.

“By the time I left, I had already been mentally checked out for a while, so I wasn’t really sad at all anymore. It was mainly hard because our lives were so entwined. 

“We had gone to grad school together, and we were working at the same company. We had all the same friends, and everyone loved him, you know? So, it was hard to leave that behind.”

He reaches out and squeezes her knee, encouraging her to keep talking.

“It’s just… I hate it, feeling like I’m falling behind.”

“Like on work?”

She nods weakly.

“Well, if it’s anything I’ve had to learn in my career, you’re more than your productivity. You don’t need to be perfectly productive all the time to be contributing something.”

“Yeah… it’s just that—” Evie sighs.

“What?”

She swallows heavily and looks out the window. “It’s just that… I hate feeling behind at work because it makes me feel like I’m behind on my career. And that’s really all I have right now. After— Like, I’m 28 years old, and what do I have to show for it.”

He studies her face and squeezes her knee again, drawing her gaze back to him. “Who told you that?”

“What?”

“Who told you that you’re behind on life?”

“Well… Pierre? I guess. My ex. He used to talk about success milestones—”

“Success what?” he interrupts.

She powers on. “Just, like, things I should accomplish by a certain age. And when I left, you know? I set back my life? Single again. Starting over. And when I left, Pierre kinda pointed that out. And all I have left is my career— a struggling career.”

“Okay, honestly?” He says, fuming, “Fuck Pierre. Like, what the fuck is that?”

“No,” she shakes her head, chewing on her bottom lip, “No. I don’t— He’s right.”

“He isn't right.” He's sitting up now, fully facing her. “He's not— Firstly, your career isn't struggling. You have a job you enjoy, and from everything I’ve heard from Kelsey and Leanne, you’re fucking good at it. You’re making progress with finishing your book every week, which is awesome. I see you working your ass off all the time. And on top of all that, you're a great fucking friend. And a great fucking person.”

He shakes his head and sighs loudly. “Evie, you don’t have to complete some stupid made-up checklist to be successful. Only you get to decide what counts as success in your life. That's the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. Honestly, Evie, I'm saying this as your friend, fuck Pierre for making you feel lesser and smaller with this bullshit.”

She looks at him, her face betraying her surprise at his outburst. His cheeks are warm and probably a little flushed, but he doesn’t care. He can feel the anger in his veins, opening and closing his fists to dispel some of the energy.

“I guess?” she says finally. “Pierre’s really not a bad guy. He’s a good person. We just— He just wasn’t a good fit for me.”

“Okay,” he concedes, silently disagreeing with her assessment.

“Thanks, though. For saying that. It means a lot.” She reaches out and squeezes his clenched fists. “Thank you. I'm okay, really. Overall, in the grand scheme of things, anyway. I’m sorry I didn’t come to your game yesterday.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to come to every game. It’s just an offer.” He smiles softly. “I mean, I’d love to have you there, obviously, but I’ll understand if you don't.”

“Okay,” she smiles back.

“So, do you think you can take today off? I think you might be a little burnt out.”

She sighs and looks at her phone, the emails trickling in. She knows she has the time; she always makes herself finish far earlier than whatever deadline her director gives her. She fires off a quick message to the group, telling them she’s taking a mental health day, before putting her phone face down on the coffee table.

“Yeah,” she smiles, “I can take today off.”

“Good,” he beams. He puts his arm around Evie’s waist and pulls her into his side. He reaches for the remote. “That’s good because I haven’t seen any Brooklyn Nine-Nine in like two weeks, and I know the next episode is a Halloween heist episode, and it’s been killing me.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, dummy. That’s our show. I can’t watch it without you.”

She laughs, “Okay.”

He puts on the show, smiling as it plays the cold open. He turns to her and tugs her in closer.

“Hey, Evie?”

“Yeah?”

“Please just tell me what’s bothering you next time, okay?”

“Yeah, okay. I will. I promise.” She smiles up at him from his side, and he feels his chest tighten.

A few episodes later, they've slid down on the couch so that she’s almost lying on top of him. He looks down at her head on his chest to see her sound asleep. He pauses the show and pulls out his phone.

To jason dickinson: yo, do you have any more restaurant recs? evie’s been having a rough week, i’m thinking maybe taking her out for dinner today might cheer her up jason dickinson: eyyyyyyy get it!!!!!! To jason dickinson: ????? get what??? jason dickinson: uh? is this a trick question?  To jason dickinson: no? jason dickinson: a date? laid? idk To jason dickinson: WHAT?!!!! jason dickinson: you’re asking for a date spot right? To jason dickinson: wtf jason, no. we’ve been through this. we’re just friends. jason dickinson: riiiiiiight. just friends who ask for a date spot on valentine’s day

Tito’s eyes widen as he glances at the calendar app on his phone.

February 14.

Valentine’s Day.

Fuck.

Next to him, Evie stirs, yawning.

“Hey,” she says, her voice muffled, “You paused the show?”

“Yeah, you fell asleep.”

She chuckles. “I guess I did.” She looks up at him and frowns. “What’s up, Tito? You got a weird look on your face.”

“Oh, um. I just realized what day it was.”

“What day is it?” she looks at her phone.

“Yeah, it’s Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh!” she laughs, shaking her head. She pulls away, sitting up, and runs her fingers through her hair. “Okay? Did you have plans? I’m good here if you want to go.”

“What? No? What plans would I have?”

“I don’t know, Anthony. Maybe you’re an international man of mystery,” she laughs, lightly shoving his knee.

“Sure I am,” he says, rolling his eyes, “That’s not what I meant, though.”

“What did you mean then?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you have plans.” She gives him an unimpressed look. “Okay, well, maybe you don’t have plans. But I didn’t get you anything.”

“Do friends get friends Valentine’s Day gifts?”

He sucks in a breath. “I mean, no? I don’t know.”

“You did get me a whole box of pastries. I feel like that’s pretty good. I mean it’s not like I’ve ever celebrated Valentine’s Day before.”

He freezes, brows furrowed.

“What? You never celebrated with Pierre?”

“Nope,” she shakes her head.

“Weren’t you together for like five years?”

“Yep!” she shrugs. “He just wasn’t into that sort of stuff. He thought it was stupid and a waste of money.”

“Come on, what the fuck?” he says, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, we never did anniversaries either. It’s not a big deal.”

“Please tell me he at least did birthdays.”

“I guess. I mean, he always got me birthday and Christmas presents, but usually nothing major. I always planned a dinner and stuff with our group of friends for my birthday.”

He studies her face, his brows furrowed.

She sits up. “What?” 

“Seriously?”

She nods.

“I bet he always got you to plan his birthday parties too.” He rolls his eyes and sighs. “I don’t mean to be rude, but like. Fuck Pierre, man.”

She’s quiet for a second before saying softly, “It’s really not a big deal.”

He shakes his head. “I mean, sure, Valentine’s Day is kinda stupid and cheesy. But that’s the point. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it as an excuse to show someone you love them.”

“Wow, Anthony. I didn’t know you were such a romantic,” she grins, bumping his shoulder.

“I’m not. He just sounds like he was being lazy and didn’t really care to try.”

“It’s really not that big of a deal, Tito. Guys're just like that.”

His eyes follow the sad smile she gives him, and he pauses. Her eyes are a little glassy, and her cheeks redder. He knows when to leave something be.

“Guys are absolutely not ‘just like that,’” he says, making air quotes. “But I’ll drop it.”

He lays back down, tugging on her arm. He mutters, “I just think that he should've cared enough to try, like, even a little bit.”

“God, you're such a sap. Imagine your teammates hearing about this.”

“I wouldn't be embarrassed, Evie. Like, at all,” he looks at her flatly.

She rolls her eyes and lays back down against him.

A few minutes later, she speaks up again. “So, you want to hit up some clubs tonight? Things always get hot and heavy on Valentine’s Day. Good night to pick-up.”

“It’s Wednesday, and I’ve got a game tomorrow,” he says, his voice hollow as he forces his eyes to stay on the screen.

“Lame,” she says, a relieved smile on her lips that he doesn't see.

Evie — March 2

When Evie comes to, she’s lying on her bed with her arm covering her eyes, panting. Her body still feels tingly, in the way it does after good, wild sex. It always leaves her a little dizzy and disoriented. She can hear the sound of heavy breathing next to her. She hums, pleased.

Her other outstretched hand is buried in soft hair. She tugs on a curl and smiles. She loves his curly hair. Evie has always had thick, straight hair, a blessing and a curse; it has never felt as soft as curly hair does. Her fingers twirl around the curl, playing with the springy coil.

She thinks maybe Tito will let his hair grow even longer. He looks so good with longer hair that forms actual curls. The way it falls in front of his eyes a bit makes him look so soft. She thinks about how he lays on the couch lazily, his hair splayed out on the cushion, and how his shirt rides up to show the sliver of skin above his low-slung sweats when he gets comfortable.

The urge to ask him if he’s going to cut his hair soon overtakes her exhaustion, and she moves her arm to look over.

“So—” Evie starts before she furrows her brows.

At that moment, she notices that instead of Tito’s baby blues, she's met with a pair of wide-eyed browns. Her entire body freezes as the night slams back into her consciousness. 

The dancing, the flirting, the meaningful looks, the cab ride home, the sex. God, the sex was fucking good. Her limbs hum in agreement as her chest tightens.

Well, these eyes gaze at her lazily, warm and soft. Evie’s hand is still in her curly mess of hair. The first thing she thinks is that it's actually longer than Tito’s hair is now before she immediately banishes his name from her mind completely. 

Evie can’t seem to relax her body enough to free her voice, which is caught in her throat.

Shit, what is her name?

Natalie? Natalia? Natasha? Nat for sure—

“Don’t worry,” Nat states, smirking, “I’m not staying. Just trying to catch my breath before leaving.”

Evie can’t help but feel unsettled and disoriented, but she forces her mind to quieten. Nat is really hot, and they did have a really good night. Slowly, Evie puts a coy smile back on her face and blinks slowly at her. 

“You don’t have to leave? If you don’t want to. I didn’t mean to kick you out.”

Evie has absolutely no idea why she just said that. She has never asked a hook-up if they want to stay. It must show on her face because Nat laughs. She shakes her head and presses another heated kiss to Evie’s lips, reminding her why she feels like she’s still floating outside of her body.

“I’ll get going.” Nat shakes her head and stands up, looking for her clothes in the mess on the floor. Evie probably should've cleaned up a little before going out.

She leans up on her elbows and lets her eyes trail down Nat’s body. Her mind finally focuses, and she whistles. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

Nat laughs. 

“Yes, baby girl. I’ve got to go to work tomorrow. This was very good, though,” Nat says while putting on her clothes. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to ask for your number or when we’ll see each other again. So you don’t need to give me the spiel. I knew— know what this was.”

Evie laughs at the exaggerated wink Nat gives her. She feels a little lighter with relief at that.

“Can I use your bathroom, though? Before I go.”

“Yeah, it’s right through there.”

“Thanks.” Nat sends her a warm smile before slipping into the bathroom.

Evie lays back down and rubs her eyes. That was fucking weird, what the—

Her bathroom door flies open.

“What the fuck?” Natalie says, holding up Tito’s bread trimmer.

“What?” 

“Do you have a boyfriend or something? Did you just fucking use me to cheat on someone?”

“No?” Evie sits up, confused.

“Don’t fucking lie to me. I was willing to overlook the men’s shoes and coat in your entryway; maybe they’re a friend’s. I was willing to overlook the sweatshirts and sweatpants strewn around your room. I figured maybe you just like being comfortable.” 

“What?” she squeaks through the lump in her throat.

Nat powers through her interruption. “But there’s a fucking beard trimmer in there. Two toothbrushes. Two towels. A curly-defining gel that you definitely don’t use. And the—”

“No, you’re—”

“Are you honestly going to tell me you live here alone? What stupid fucking excuse are you going to give me, huh? This is a one-bedroom apartment, dude. Whoever’s shit this is, he's definitely not your roommate.”

Evie stares at her, stunned, mouth opening and closing.

“God, you know what. Save it. I don’t want to fucking know,” she says before storming out of the bedroom. 

Evie hugs her knees in stunned silence, watching from her bed as Nat grabs her coat and shoes. She pleads with her brain for something to say and comes up empty. 

Nat throws her one last dirty look, her face twisting in a scowl at her continued silence. “Seriously, fuck you, Gigi.” 

The sound of the front door slamming makes Evie jump. She just sits there, staring into empty space for so long that she feels her butt go numb.

She flops back onto her bed, pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes.

“What the fuck just happened?” she says to her empty room.

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[shrinkthisviolet]

idk if you still do the ☕ opinions but i was thinking about season 1 and how Iris found out Barry was Flash. and i really think it would have been so much better to have Iris investigate Mason Bridge's death, knowing he was asking so many questions about Star Labs, and her not buying Eddie's "explanation" until she finds it all out by herself. and all of it, Mason's death, Wells being sketchy and a murderer, and Barry's Flash business of course.

it would have felt much more earned and would have been an amazing way to push her fully into the investigative side of her career, as a serious and good reporter, rather than have her get info dumped in one episode.

There is no time limit on the ask games I reblog, you can ask about any of them whenever! Especially this one 💞 I am notorious for never shutting up about this show.

and YES!! I’ve always been of the mind that Iris should’ve either been told or figured it out herself (in my AU, I sorta go with a mix of both, and have it happen much sooner, because Iris deserved to be told, but she’s also definitely smart enough to figure it out).

And you’re so right—she was already investigating things with Mason Bridge, this plotline was already about her learning to love journalism for its investigative nature! So take it all the way! Having her find out by accident and then be told everything is just. It’s strange. She should’ve found all this out—or at least most of it—herself, and then used that! Maybe even throw it in Barry’s and Joe’s faces, say “protect me, huh? I know some things that even you don’t. Who’s protecting whom exactly?”

I remember when I first watched s1, I was fully convinced this was how she’d find out. She’d dig up details, get deeper into the mystery, find out more and more…and in the process, she’d discover Barry was the Flash and then go confront him. Imagine my disappointment when 1x20 played out and she found out because of a lightning touch 💀

(I love the parallels, truly I do, but it was a cop out, and I stand by that.)

send me “☕️” and a topic, and I’ll talk about it!

[rowrowronnie]

ok. dumping my scout’s mom is a rival spy au/headcanon storyline here.

scout’s mom (for the sake of this au her name is jenny) gets hired real young as a spy by blutarch administration because $$$ (get that bag jenny). she meets red spy (francois, also similarly young) and they have a friendly rivalry. this all takes place sometime during the 1920s-40s can’t decide yet.

sooner or later that friendship turns into romance and jenny wants to start a family and run away with francois. eventually francois comes around to the idea, but before they can go through with it, the administrator finds out and threatens to kill jenny if she leaves (she knows too much).

francois tries to reason with the administrator and suddenly, a lightbulb goes off in his head. he rushes to the engineer, wondering if he could make a lesser form of respawn where the user, instead of being reanimated, has their memories erased. engineer goes through with it and boom jenny has her memories erased and works 9-5 at a diner in boston.

a good amount of years pass, jenny now has six kids, and out of the blue, a french tom jones appears in her diner and asks her out. she of course agrees, and has never felt so in love before. it’s so familiar and strange at the same time, and she’s so taken by him in ways she never was with the other men (and women) she’s been with.

they have a kid and for some reason, their kid looks nothing like him. her baby reminds her of someone she saw in a dream, someone she can’t quite recall. and suddenly this outpouring feeling rushes out of her, overwhelmingly loud and soft. and she cradles her crying boy to her, tears streaking down her face. she doesn’t know why she’s so overcome with joy, with sadness, with love.

french tom jones (francois) looks at their kid and he is scared. because her baby looks so much like her and he knows, he just knows he’ll mess up again. just like he did before, when he erased her memories. he could’ve done more for her. he could’ve helped her, he should’ve done better. and now, here he is; in a face that isn’t his, hiding behind a mask crafted out of his own fear and self hatred. he carries that burden just like he carries everything else, and he can’t mess this kid up, he just can’t. he’s done enough already.

so he leaves without a word.

skip to twenty years later and francois has mastered the art of distance. lonely and hardened, he sneaks up behind a new enemy scout hired by blutarch. the boy turns around (and he is only just a boy. so similar and so strange and so familiar and so incredibly her) and he is stricken with silence.

and he tries his best to hate him, he tries his best to keep himself away, but the boy keeps finding his way back to him and he can’t do anything about it. he wonders why he finds her trailing behind him and thinks of how cruel fate is.

and jenny keeps waiting, and waiting, and waiting for her love to come back. for something that will never return, some part of her that was lost and will forever be lost until the end of time. for some reason, she still holds out hope. it’s instinctual, almost, and she knows it in her heart that he will come back.

so she sits and thinks of him while he tries to get rid of her, and he fails and fails and fails and he is a sad pitiful man who loves so very deeply. and he tries not to show it for he is a coward, and he is weak, but he can’t help his love for her. for their son. and he hates himself for it, because love is what washed her away from him in the first place.

tldr: don’t fall in love with a workplace rival

[canyonkingdom]

you're all going to hell

prologue: everyone's suspecting

tw: swearing (excessive, excessive, swearing)

They weren’t the rescue team anymore.

They’re completely different.

Their eyes glowed red, cunning smiles on their metal frames. They were ready for absolute destruction.

“You will all pay.”

Nighttime fell in Broomstown. A once joyous, lively town now on the brink of collapsing. The Broomstown Rescue Team had been saving lives left and right, never getting even the slightest bit of time for themselves. The stupidity of the citizens began to rub off of them. 

She was annoyed, to say the least. But the important thing is, they liked her inventions. The citizens would clammer in happiness to the sight of the rescue team, nothing but good things came out of their mouths.

She didn’t understand why she had to be the one stuck in the drama.

The outskirts of town were beautiful. Houses and shops strewn on the streets legibly, the right amount of grass pinned to the decoration sides. People were laughing,

they were happy.

She could feel the glow in their eyes disappear when they set eyes on her. Now glowing with disdain, a unaffectionate red glistening over their pupils. She could see that red everywhere she went. Even buying bread could get her cold remarks from the baker. 

She hated it.

What did she do to deserve the cold treatment from her town? Where she grew up, grew to love, grew to create life changing robocars that has potentially changed the town forever. Appreciation was all she wanted. A little “thank you” would satisfy her so much, but she only got panned, hated, villainized.

She denied everything. You can’t be guilty for something you haven’t done. Yet, they didn’t even consider her opinion, they didn’t even listen. They still stuck to the lies. No matter how many times she assured them that it was a fake newspaper clipping, they were all unwilling to hear her side. 

Idiots.

She didn’t need them in her life. Her robocars have been building their foundation, but they don’t even acknowledge her. She didn’t steal them, those lying freaks. Her original creations were what kept the town afloat, and they have the nerve to say that she stole them? 

They really were idiots.

“Murderer.”

A person inside a blue mailvan murmured, quickly driving away as soon as his eyes set on her.

You’re not scared, are you?

"I came across THE murderer."

Posty's words made everyone in the post office lock eyes with him.

"R- really?" Cleany stammered. His eyes were beaming, hungry for gossip.

"Yes, really! I never lie about this shit, y'know?" Posty clinked, sorting out his hands through the new mail.

"You're an idiot. She's not a murderer, you fuck!" Cap corrected aggressively, sighing at the end. "She's a thief. Learn your gossip, man."

"I'm not wrong, Cap!" Posty jotted back, turning around to face Cap's overly cocky face. "You've seen that old newspaper. She was eight! She's a fucking menace! She is capable of killing us all-"

"No! Don't mention that!" Cleany shouted, his voice quivering. "I'm not taking a- any chances to be scared of the outside. I- I literally clean for a living."

"Yeah, we also work on the outside too." Posty said blatantly. “If she hadn’t created Poli and the gang, our mayor would’ve locked her up real quick.”

“She didn’t create the rescue team, for fuck’s sake! They were from another town!” Cap chided, standing up and looking at Posty’s soulless eyes. 

“Can you two just s- shut up?” Cleany spoke up, polishing a long unused flask from the far corner of the post office. “Whatever she i- is, we should probably avoid her. She m- might, y’know…”

“That’s what i’m trying to say! The mayor should’ve put her to jail sooner!” 

The construction site wasn’t free from gossip either.

“What?!” The team shouted in unison, completely shocked.

“Posty told me she’s the daughter of a war criminal!” Bruner’s gleeful voice plagued the site. “The genes run through the family!”

“Come on, dude,” Dump griped, rolling his eyes. “You actually believe Posty? He’s trying to get attention-”

Bruner shoved a newspaper clipping in Dump’s face. “Eat shit, big guy.” 

Everyone else hovered over Dump’s shoulder, in utter bewilderment of the news. “Leader of a famed war clan is blessed with a beautiful daughter- oh, shit. They have the exact same name!” Mickey’s voice chirped, hovering over Bruner’s overly joyous face and the article. 

“That’s the point!” Bruner said gleefully, enjoying the fact that he was correct once again. (He was always correct, though). “No wonder she stole from inventors and murdered them all, she got it from her dad.”

Dump shaked his head and slapped the clipping on Poke’s face, earning a terrifying glare from him. “I’m not believing this. How can you guys be so certain?”

“Yeah! It's probably edited or something." Max chimed in, still slightly confused. “Uh, what else is there to this confusing mess?”

Bruner sighed and clicked his tongue. “I don’t know man, but I know we should probably avoid her.

She’s a monster.”

The dock was also splattered with gossip.

“Lifty, I’ve been hearing about this woman for four straight years now, and she’s still the talk of town.” Terry leered, groaning against the cemented walls. 

“It’s not my fault, everyone’s practically keeping it alive!” Lifty chided hesitantly, giving a wry smile. “The whole stealing and murdering thing didn’t sit well for me. I’m just kind of worried she’s still around to-” Lifty took a breather. “-to skedaddle in town with all the drama pinned to her, i’m surprised no one has done an investigation-”

“They already investigated her, you twit.” Terry disparaged the young worker. “I heard she paid the authorities to shut up about that shit.” he added.

“Yeah!” Leky’s voice seeped in the cargo room. “It was like a million, I think?” 

“Can you not join in their gossip session?” Lefy asked nicely, trying very hard not to shout at his brother. "We have work, thank you."

“I would rather listen.” Lety added in, peeking through the room, smiling at the two inside.

“Come back here, you fuck.” a hand, presumably Lefy’s, pulled Lety’s hair, enticing a scream from the youngest Crane triplet. 

She felt rage encapsulate her body.

Whenever she heard their irritating voices spout out her name, her legacy, she felt something snap. She always kept it tied to an extent, but the string is to brittle to continue.

You're all gonna die.

[princeblack]

He wonders what it would be like to be Dean; to forever know you lost Bee Diggory and that you were just someone she settled for. He would feel sorry for him if he didn’t hate him so much for daring to kiss the love of his life. “Don’t feel bad, beautiful. I did the same…I didn’t even like Daphne but I agreed to date her because our families wished it.” He only tolerated her because she was his best friend’s sister and an important family friend, but to have to pretend to want her was the most difficult thing he’d ever done. 

He just doesn’t care about the spoiled girl who is callous about werewolf rights and more interested in lavish parties and status than real connections with other people. Bee is kind and soft where Daphne is cold and proper, a mirror of everything he hated about his life but still somehow strived for out of a need for his family. He’s tired of that need, festering in him like some kind of cancer. “I should probably care about her right now, but I don’t… Maybe I resent her for being the reason why my parents will hate me.” He doesn’t even realize it’s the truth until it leaves his lips, but Daphne has taken the brunt of his frustration with his parents since they started dating. He frowns thoughtfully, looking away as he realizes how many complicated emotions he suppressed about the girl, to the point he’s treating her so poorly he’s even cheating. “With you, it’s different…I think I care about you more than I fear losing them. I couldn’t let you cry like that.” He shrugs, thinking about what they’d just talked about. “And she bullied you, so getting cheated on and dumped is only a warm-up for what’s coming to her.” It makes him irritated again just thinking about it; the two girls bullying Bee when she wouldn’t lift a finger to hurt them or ever speak badly on them. She probably wouldn’t even defend herself, if given the chance. She’s too sweet for this world; too sweet for Regulus, too.

He smirks a little at her words before adding, “Calling them proud is a strange way of saying Dean has a fragile ego and would throw a tantrum if the wind blew the wrong direction.” He doesn’t hate all Gryffindors like most Slytherins do; in fact, he likes quite a few of them. But they still tend to irritate him and Dean is at the top of his list. “Don’t tell Dean you were just settling,” he says teasingly. “He’ll try to get the Daily Prophet to run an article on You-Know-Who’s right-hand man infiltrating Hogwarts and stealing his helpless girlfriend. Because we all know he couldn’t lose her any other way.” Sarcasm is laced in his voice, but his tone is light-hearted.

He hums at her words, allowing his fingers to slowly comb through strands of her soft hair. “Could you blame me for not knowing what the perfect Bee Diggory wanted? I wasn’t sure if she liked bad boys so much…” There’s a hint of irony to his words, since he knows he’s mostly a prep. But he’s also a death eater, which she doesn’t know yet, and that hangs over them, unspoken. 

He’s lucky to be Bee’s friend, as well as Cedric’s now. It’s why he was invited to her party last year, getting to spend time with her without Daphne watching nearby for once. “Your favorite?” It makes him happy to hear it, even if it probably should be obvious by now. “If I’m beating out even Cedric, your obsession must be serious. Having such a beautiful girl worship at my feet… What if I get an ego the size of Dean’s?”

She’s so cute when she tears up that it makes his chest ache, her watery gaze falling as she sniffs a little. It’s hard to believe that no one has told her she’s perfect before and it makes him upset, because how could anyone think Bee needs to prove her worth when she’s already so incredible that she doesn’t feel real? “I’m sorry the people in your life failed you… They should’ve told you how special you are. Don’t apologize, my love— I would’ve given anything to know you wanted me sooner.” Maybe it should’ve been obvious because of that first kiss on the train, but things only became complicated at school, and the youngest Diggory was too skilled at hiding her feelings and making herself smaller.

He shakes his head, when she ponders if Daphne was ever his. Their foreheads are pressed together, Regulus’s lips ghosting over hers. His stomach flutters and it’s a feeling he’s never had with anyone before her, spreading lower and making him feel hot. He never knew it was possible to have so much desire for anyone until he first laid eyes on her, desperately trying to heave her trunk up the stairs on the Hogwarts Express.

She pokes further, asking about the times he shouldn’t have thought about her but did. He presses a soft kiss to her lips, slow and gentle, before responding. “Every time I shouldn’t,” he repeats vaguely, because he’s not quite sure how much she wants to know. “When you were around, when you weren’t… When I was alone.” The words feel heavy because it’s all too obvious what he means by it. “Sometimes it was the only way I could stand Daphne without pushing her off…” He feels a little guilty for how disgusted he is with her, but she isn’t the girl he loves; not even a little bit.

Bee’s fingers make him shiver, trailing from his neck to his cheek as she tells him she could touch him better than Daphne. “Show me,” he urges her as her thumb traces his cheek. He swallows a little nervously, because she’s so sure she sees all of him, but does she see the worst parts too?

“And what if the rumors were true and I was evil? Would you touch me then?” he asks gently, leaning his cheek into her palm. “You’re just such a good girl, Bee…” He says her name carefully, his voice warmer than usual, his lips close to hers. He presses another kiss to her soft mouth, moving slowly to taste her lips. Running his tongue along the inside of her bottom lip, a soft moan leaves him again, his hand moving to gently wrap around her throat. Squeezing his fingers against her neck, he sucks her bottom lip into his mouth, working on it some more.

When he releases it to take a breath, he murmurs, “I wouldn’t call it ‘dealing with’ when I want to do it, but yes, I know I could.” He would do anything for her, his heart practically beating out of his chest just from tasting her sweet lips. “You can’t scare me off.” Maybe she thinks of herself as a handful, but he thinks of her as the best thing to ever happen to him and he would do anything to return the care she’s given him.

She tells him she wants him on perfect terms, which he assumes means how she wants to date. They’re already together right now, in the physical sense. Especially as his hand slides lower down her back, stopping before he goes too far. “We can make it perfect,” he murmurs in response, pondering their future together. How would they do it? What would happen between him and his family, or between him and the Dark Lord? He doesn’t care to figure it out now; he just wants all of her.

It isn’t until she gives him the go ahead and pushes her lips into his that he lets his hand slide down, bunching into the hem of her dress to raise it up a little. Slipping his hand beneath the fabric, he takes one cheek into his palm, feeling the soft fabric of her underwear as he squeezes. Still kissing her, he tilts his head, slipping his tongue into her mouth to push it along her own, tasting her slowly.

It doesn’t feel real, wondering how her body felt for so long and finally having one hand beneath her dress while they make out. He moves to the other cheek, massaging it as well, his fingertips pushing into her crack a little. Moaning quietly into her mouth, he kneads her ass, his other hand still around her neck. “You feel so good, baby,” he murmurs against her soft lips before kissing them again.

she thinks back to all the times dean told her regulus was being cruel to him, making fun of him or just flat out being rude...bee never believed him though, always brushing it off as if dean simply didn't understand regulus because it seemed no one did the way she had. now she knows her ex was telling her the truth and it doesn't really change anything, if anything it's almost flattering in a way. to know regulus was so possessive over her that he was willing to make someone else's life miserable just for touching her, sure it's fucked up and maybe he didn't have a right but it makes her feel wanted in a way that she's not really used to. he hated dean for no other reason then, bee as if she's so special that her sweet boy turned rotten just for her sake.

she giggles at his words, eyes crinkling with her smile. it's mean to laugh at deans expense but regulus isn't exactly wrong either, bee had been bored with her relationship. "you're never going to let him live that down are you." she teases, brushing her fingers against the back of his sweater. "well if it wasn't for him nearly poisoning me I never would've gotten saved by my sweet prince and gotten him to dote on me through the rest of the day so truly dean is actually bringing us closer together, should send him a fruit basket for helping my dreams come true." would that be fucked up when he was already threatened by regulus just to see her fall into the arms of regulus. "maybe but I was unfair to him, I never should've dated him when I knew i wanted to be with you. especially because he's a gryffindor and you know how proud they can be, plus I feel bad for hurting you...if I had known I never would've settled." she smiles warmly, eyes flickering to his lips as she sighs it does weigh on her a little knowing she made such a mistake with dean, it wasn't fair to either him or regulus for her to be so selfish.

bee smiles up at him, his words almost possessive as if he had the right. it makes her heart race a little faster and she's almost worried he can feel it because they're brushed up so closely against one another. "I always wanted to be yours but you sure took your time claiming it." she teases, biting down on her bottom lip again. "and it was no claim, it's just a fact. there wasn't a single moment I didn't think about you, it was almost like an addiction. when cedric invited you to my birthday party last year it was like the best gift anyone ever could've given me, just to spend one moment on my special day with my favorite guy." she was so excited, there he was charming as ever there just for her seventeen birthday, no daphne, no drama, only the two of them as it was supposed to be.

she's glad he doesn't care for daphne, it's a relief even if she should feel bad for the other girl but, she was selfish when it came to regulus and she wanted to be sure she was his one and only the way he was for her.

the girl was used to trying for ever aspect of her life, trying to be the perfect daughter, a good student and friend, having to work a little harder than everyone else because she had problems that not everyone else struggled with. the big highs and lows lows of her life made it difficult on top of the drama with her father and living in the shadow of her brother, she never really felt like she could meet expectations...making regulus the first to tell her that she doesn't have to put that effort in because shes already enough, she tears up a little again but this time its not because shes sad bit from genuine joy, she sniffs it back a litrle however, feeling embarrassed as she drops her gaze for a moment. "sorry, it's just no one has ever said that to me before..." she scrunches her nose a little, pursing her lips before gathering herself to look up at him. "that doesn't mean that I won't try though." she says gently, smiling as his fingers tickle the back of her neck. "caring for someone takes effort and means to try to always be the best you can be for them and for you I would do anything."

she doesn't expect him to pull her in tighter, holding her like this as she tries to fight back the sadness caused to her by his own girlfriend and her best friend. "I used to think she was the luckiest girl in the world to have you..." she sighs. "but now I almost want to feel bad for her because she never really did, did she?" he was always bee's as bee was always his, willing to hurt the feelings of someone he was forced to be committed too just to get back at her for hurting the girl he was forbidden from ever loving. it's not that she wants daphne to suffer, but she likes knowing regulus was willing to do that just because the blonde brought tears to her eyes.

bee looks at him curiously, soft eyes as he speaks being able to relate to every word he says. it all feels like some kind of dream, none of this is real because it's far too good to be true but if she pinches herself now she might just wake up and miss the best part. "and when shouldn't you have thought about me." she asks, tone innocent but the look in her eyes not so much as fingers move up to brush through his curls. "I should be flattered by that but she could never touch you the way I do. forgive me but she doesn't appreciate you enough to know how to touch such a sensitive boy." fingers trail down to the nape of his neck and then to the side of his cheek as she looks him in those beautiful green eyes. "I see you for who you are."

she wishes she could take his pain and worries away, she wishes his parents could be a little kinder and appreciated the son they had rather than who they wanted to shape him to be. she frowns softly, thumb brushing against his cheek. "dean never had me to begin with, I just let him think he did...and I know you love your family, and I know you're scared. I would never ask you to make this choice because it's cruel and unfair that you were ever put into this position. but I'll never leave you."

bee giggles against his lips, nuzzling her nose with his own as she hums. "so spoiled, so rotten." she teases. "so you think you could handle such a big task? dealing with me won't always be easy, I might look small but I can be a handful." she hums, her tone is playful but she also means it. loving her won't be easy all the time...she hopes he knows what he's getting himself into. "forever sounds nice though, I wouldn't mind forever being yours." does this all mean what she thinks it does? she doesn't want to think too far ahead, he was still with daphne after all but it's hard not to be hopeful.

and it's those next words that makes her catch her breath a little, now her heart is pounding and he definitely has to hear it if that's humanly possible, rattling in her chest like a drum when he asks her that question in such a breathy tone, eyes fluttering a little. "then I'm never letting you go." she says, fingers tracing against his pale skin that almost illuminates under the moonlight. "but I want it to be right, no obstacles or stress...no daphne, I want to make you mine and have you be mine." she says gently, it would be perfect under the moon here at their favorite place but she needs to be sure that he's free to truly be hers. however, for now she will enjoy what she can get. the way his tongue slides into her mouth, remembering the way he tastes against her tongue as a soft muffled moan leaves her, it's like all her troubles and worries are melting away with his kiss, something she longed so deeply for for so long and it's almost better than the first. more hungry and desperate, his hands on her body as her hands are on his face moving to run through his hair again as she gives it a gentle tug, as if to beg for more when he's sucking on her lower lip. it's like a fairytale, kissing in the most beautiful spot at hogwarts, her right leg lifting behind her a little like it does in those silly romances. regulus nibbles at her lower lip and she can feel his hands traveling lower down her body sending goosebumps through her skin as he whispers something that makes her blush harder than before, the air feels so tight like she can barely breathe as she nods slowly. "please..." she mumbles before smashing her lips up against his again.

[demxters]

𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑚𝑒

part two to ‘sweet reverie’

college!bucky barnes x reader

summary: in which you try to stay away after breaking your own heart, but bucky won’t leave until you find your way back to him.

wc: 4.4k

warning(s): swearing, mentions of a toxic ex and cheating, mentions of sex, a tiny make out, and all the feels

a/n: part 2 is here!! thank you so much for all the love on ‘sweet reverie,’ you’ve made me love this duo so much that i just can’t stay away! i may or may not end up writing more oneshots or concepts based on this au so please let me know if that’s something any of you are interested in!

It’s the fourth night in a row that he finds himself at the foot of your dorm’s doorstep. The fourth night he has spent dying to get a glimpse of you after he dropped you off Sunday night. The fourth night that you spent avoiding him. 

Steve chastised him because the first time he admitted he was in love with you was while the two of you were in a fake relationship. Sam let Bucky dump all his regrets and feelings on him. All the while, Natasha did everything that she could to keep him from seeing you. 

She’s a wreck, Barnes, she had harshly scolded. If you have something to say, you should’ve said it sooner because now she doesn’t want to speak to you. 

You even went as far as switching seats in the American Lit class the two of you had together, opting to sit next to Peter Parker of all people. There was nothing wrong with the kid; he was a bubbly and incredibly smart freshman who somehow weaseled his way into an upper division literature class. Bucky just couldn’t believe you’d rather do anything else than confront him. 

Bucky only became aware of how long he was sitting on the steps of your dorm when the sun began to set and the streetlights illuminated the frosted sidewalk. Another day was spent with no luck. A heavy sigh escapes his lips as he pulls himself to a stand. He suddenly turns back around, hearing the door creak open

and is met with the sight of a girl he’s seen before in his American Literature class. Looking at her now, Bucky realized she was kinda cute, gorgeous even. 

“Hey, quit staring, will you? She’s gonna think you’re weirder than you already are,” Steve bumps his shoulder. 

Bucky scoffs before nudging him back. “Shut up, you punk.” He averts his gaze back to you, watching as you laugh at something the red-headed girl beside you said. He notes the scrunch of your nose and the crinkle of your eyes. There was something about you that was just so hypnotizing. 

You walk down the steps with a small smile with your arm looped around Natasha’s. Your eyes land on the two boys in front of you, taking in their appearance. The one on the left was a broad blond with bright blue eyes and a confident smile. Whereas the one on the right… 

“Hey! You must be the roommate!” The blond approaches you and Nat with a smile. 

“The roommate?” you eye Natasha. 

She sighs, rolling her eyes at the man. “Steve, I’ve told you her name a hundred times before.” 

“In my defense, I’m not the best at remembering names.” Steve sends you an apologetic smile. 

“It’s Y/N, dumbass.” Nat swats the back of his head. 

“Hey!” He rubs his head and offers you a pained nod. “Nice to finally meet you, Y/N,” he tells you sincerely. 

“And you too! I’ve heard lots of things about you from Natasha,” you reply with a wink. 

“All good things I hope?” 

“I can’t say.” You mouth a quick ‘sorry’ to Steve who sends you a crooked smile before focusing your attention on the brunette behind him. He was a little shorter than Steve was, but still had a good height to him. His features were sharper in contrast to his friend’s and his intense glare held a sense of familiarity in them. 

“You’re in my American Lit class, right? I think I’ve seen you sitting in the back of the class a couple of times,” you quirk a curious brow at him. 

“Yup, that’s me,” he awkwardly rocks himself back and forth and rubs a hand at the back of his neck. 

You giggle at his shy demeanor, finding it endearing, as you extend a hand to him. “I’m Y/N Y/L/N.” 

Bucky takes your hand–a little too eagerly– and clasps it in his. The feeling of your skin against his sends warmth through his arm and straight to his chest, that same warmth he felt when he first saw your smile. “I’m James Barnes. But you could call me Bucky.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, Bucky.” 

“Pleasure’s all mine, doll.” 

Wanda emerges from the open door and stands in front of him with her hands in her coat pockets. “You know, you shouldn’t be here.” The accented lilt of her voice breaks through the silence of the cold winter air. “If Nat sees you she’s going to lose it.” 

“I guess I’m lucky that it’s you that was here then, huh?” He laughs weakly. 

“Go home, Bucky. It’s getting late,” Wanda huffs. 

He frowns, bowing his head in shame. “Will you tell her I stopped by again, please?” 

“Sure.” Wanda nods sympathetically at his heartbroken face as he makes his way to leave. “James?” 

He turns to face her once more.

 “She’ll come around eventually. Besides, you always find ways to make it up to her.” 

With a heavy heart, Bucky forces a smile onto his face. “Thanks, Wanda.” 

“You’re really not going to talk to him? At all?” 

“Not a single word, Wilson,” you stubbornly state with your head held high and chin in the air. “Besides, he’s the one who keeps insisting that the Star Wars prequels are better than the original three– which is not true, by the way! How can I be friends with someone like that?” 

Sam laughs at the absurdity of you and Bucky’s little quarrel that happened last night during the group’s weekly movie night. It was your night to choose and you picked “The Empire Strikes Back” sparking a huge debate between you and Bucky over which trilogy is better. “You two are unbelievable.” 

“Think about it like this, Sam.” You squeeze past Sam to make your way further down the row of shelves as you try to find the book you need. “What if Steve said “Die Hard” isn’t a Christmas movie?” 

“What? He said that? I’m gonna give him a piece of my-”

“What if!” you interrupt him with an irritated shake of your head. “I said what if. But see how riled up you got? It’s the same thing that’s going on with Bucky and me.” 

Sam shrugs as he continues to follow you down the aisle. “I mean, I guess. But I doubt you’ll be able to ignore him for long.” 

Your eyes dart towards him. “What do you mean I won’t be able to ignore him for long? I’m absolutely annoyed by him right now. There’s nothing he could say or do that’ll make me want to talk to him.” 

“Alright, but if you talk to him before the day is over, all I have to say is I told you so.” Sam smiles smugly, making you roll your eyes in response. 

“Hey! I didn’t know the two of you would be here.” A familiar Brooklyn drawl catches your attention. 

“Speak of the Devil.” Sam’s smile only widens as he crosses his arms over his chest and raises his brows at you. 

“Sammy,” he greets his friend. Bucky looks at you then, noticing the way your shoulders tensed up and how you kept a keen eye on the summary of the book in your hands. He takes a tentative step forward and when you don’t react he takes another. “Whatcha got there, doll?”

A heavy breath leaves your lips as you turn your back against Bucky’s front to face Sam with a scowl painted on your features. You feel as he takes another step closer to you, his front now pressed flush against your back–his warmth radiating against you. The heat spreads to the back of your neck as you attempt to hide your flustered state. The feeling of his light puffs of breath graces your skin, sending goosebumps up your neck. 

“C’mon, Y/N, talk to me,” he begs. “Please? I miss you.” 

The desperation in his voice has you itching to just face him. In your mind, you could picture the way his lower lip is jutted out with his bright blue eyes pleading for your attention. Your heart is pounding in your chest and it takes all your restraint to keep you from throwing yourself into his arms. “You’ll get over it, Barnes. It’s barely even been a day.” 

He forces himself in front of you now, grasping you by the shoulders. “That’s just it. I won’t. It’s killing me that you won’t talk to me!” Bucky lets out loudly making the other students around him glare in annoyance. 

Sam chortles, clearly enjoying the show in front of him. “You hear that, Y/N? It’s killing him!” 

“Shut up, Sam,” you snap. You’re really trying to stay strong and keep to your word. If you dare to forgive Bucky in front of Sam, he’ll never let you live that down. However, Bucky’s making it a difficult task for you, especially when he gets on his knees in the middle of the book store where everyone could see. 

All eyes are on the two of you and Sam has his phone pointed at the two of you. The back of your neck is burning as you grab Bucky by the elbows and try to pull him on his feet, but he won’t budge. “Bucky, please get up.” 

“Not until you promise that you’ll stop ignoring me,” he bargains. 

A small crowd has gathered now with bystanders looking on with curiosity. Damn Barnes and his ways of knowing how to make you crack. “Alright, alright fine I’ll stop, now can you get up please?” 

The brightest smile you’ve seen from him since last night takes over his once serious features as he leaps up in joy before gathering you into his arms. “She said yes, everybody!” he shouts. 

You could hear Sam wheezing with laughter as you smack Bucky in the chest. “James!” 

A couple of students roll their eyes before getting back to their work while a few of the entertained others playfully clap along to his outburst. 

The crowd disperses and you relax into Bucky’s hold, tucking your face into the crook of his neck. “I can’t believe you did that, James Barnes,” you mumble.

His arms tighten around you as he lets out a soft laugh. “I would do anything for you. Anything.” 

You smile against his skin and playfully roll your eyes when Sam lets out a loud, “I told you so!” 

_____

“And you, young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest…” 

A string of hiccups tumbles from your lips as you blow your nose for the umpteenth time that night. The end credits of The Phantom Menace play in the background of your dimly lit room. In all honesty, you weren’t paying attention to a single second of the movie. Your mind was clearly somewhere else. 

“You’ve seen this movie every day for the last week and a half, aren’t you tired of it already?” Natasha asks as she cautiously makes her way into your room. Her nose scrunches at the state of it: tissues everywhere, half-full water bottles galore, it was obvious you haven’t moved in days. 

“It’s actually a good movie. I mean I still prefer the originals but this one is good too,” You ramble. “Definitely not better than Mark Hamill’s though. But Natalie Portman‘s in it; she kinda looks like Thor’s girlfriend, Jane. Bucky said-“ 

Nat deeply exhales before sitting on the edge of your bed. “Is this what this is about?” She gestures to you and your room. “Y/N, you’re gonna have to face him eventually.” 

Your nose starts to burn. “I thought you were all for keeping him away.” 

“I was until I realized just how miserable you are. I hate to say it, but I was wrong to make him stay away.”

“Why the sudden change of heart?” 

Natasha gnaws on her bottom lip, nervously. She can’t lie to you. If you were anyone else, the lies could come to her easily. But not to you. Never to you. “I’ve been talking to Steve,” she admits. 

“And?” 

“Y/N, Bucky’s just as much of a mess as you are. He’s been standing outside our building for hours after class until I or Wanda beg him to go home. On the weekends, he’s here almost all day. Steve or Sam has to drop by to give him some food otherwise he’ll starve. If you think for one second that that man doesn’t feel the same way you do then you’re an idiot.” She pauses and gauges your reaction, noticing the way your eyes water and how you wipe your nose with your sleeve. “Also, the RA’s are starting to think he’s a creep and are probably going to ban him from this building soon.” 

A faint laugh escapes you. 

“Remember when I told you I don’t know if Bucky won’t throw away your love? I was wrong. I do know. That man would rather go through hell than let you go. I know because he has. I’ve seen it. Every time you got into a fight with Ward-” 

“Don’t,” you rasped, feeling that familiar aching in your chest. Grant Ward, your ex-boyfriend. The man was a charmer. He complimented you as if you were the only one he saw. He courted you for months before finally asking you out on a date. He even went as far as getting to know each and every one of your friends. For the first few months, the two of you were together, things were perfect. Until he started to stand you up on dates and blow up at you every time you wanted to hang out with Bucky. Until he kept you away from everyone you loved. Until you found him in bed with another girl. 

“No, you need to hear this. Every time you got into a fight with Ward, he was always there to comfort you. When he would blow you off for the hundredth time, Bucky was always there to hold you through the night. And when he cheated on you, Bucky was the one who pieced you back together. I’m not supposed to tell you this, Steve and Sam made me swear not to tell you.” 

“Tell me what?” 

Natasha’s eyes flit to the floor, unable to look you properly in the eye. 

“Tell me what, Natasha?” You press on. 

“That night, after you fell asleep, Bucky… he- he went over to Ward’s and, let’s just say things got physical between the two of them. If Sam and Steve weren’t there I don’t even want to think about what might’ve happened.” 

The tears flow nonstop down your cheeks as Nat continues to tell you what happened that night. You couldn’t believe that Bucky, your sweet Bucky who would never hurt a fly, went through all that just to defend your honor. It made your heart swell with so much love. It made your heart ache for the man you missed. 

You collapse into Natasha then, her arms immediately circling you and holding you tight as each sob wracks through your body. Guilt could barely describe how you felt for hurting Bucky the way you did. Not just because you have been avoiding him, but for putting him through so much hurt because you were blind to his love. Shame, because you didn’t give him a chance to speak the day you left him on your doorstep. Regret for all the time wasted and for not being able to see that everything you ever needed was right in front of you. You spent all this time searching for the type of love you’ve read about in books without realizing it was right there this entire time. No matter how many times you tried to find that love in someone else, your heart always led you back to him, back to Bucky. And you had been too blind to see it. 

The cries stop, and your body stills. Nat’s hold on you loosens once she notices you’ve calmed down a bit. Before she could even ask if you were doing ok, you’re jumping out of her arms, shoving on your boots, and sprinting out the door; pajamas, bed hair, and all. 

Pushing the front door open you bound down the steps, careful of the ice when you are met with the sight of who your heart has been longing for all this time. There he was, just as Natasha promised, right where you left him. 

“Stay right there, ok? I’ll be right back. Promise.” A playful grin crosses your face as you run back inside the apartment building without even waiting for Bucky’s response. 

He laughs at your slightly drunk behavior, watching as you weave your way through the crowd of people inside. Bucky waits patiently, staring at the stars to pass the time and trying to identify various constellations he remembers reading about in a Greek mythology book he read in middle school. Just as he identifies Cassiopeia (your favorite, he recalls), you’re loudly making yourself known when you stumble your way back to the balcony. “You alright there, clumsy?” he teases without tearing his gaze away from the sky above. 

“Yup, all good,” you reply, though your speech is slightly slurred. “You’re still here?”

Bucky eyes you in his peripheral vision and he turns to you to see you holding a leather bound book in your hands. “Still right here, where you left me,” he assures you in amusement. “Whatcha got there, doll?” 

Even in your tipsy state, you’re able to recall the memory of the last time he said those words to you and you sweetly smile. Running your hands atop the book one last time, you softly sigh. You open the book to the front page and read it off. “‘There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.’” 

“Maya Angelou,” Bucky finishes knowingly. 

You nod. “Remember that time we went on a road trip to Montauk? We were sitting on the beach right by the lighthouse and as we were sitting there, you told me this incredible story about the lighthouse and its origins. But when you finished, you said…” 

“At least that’s what I imagine the story would go,” he quotes himself with a nostalgic smile. 

“Right!” You hold the book out to him, keeping the first page open. “You have this captivating way with words, Buck. The whole time you were speaking, I was completely hooked and dying to hear what was going to happen next. You made me realize that you’re a great storyteller. So right before we left, I snagged this book from a gift shop and when we got home, I wrote that quote in there. Bucky, you could create a whole new world with just your words. It’s definitely not an easy thing to do. But you, you do it so effortlessly. I’ve never seen anything like it. 

With this book, I want you to continue to build these worlds and create something beautiful just like you did that day on the beach.” 

He takes it from you and smooths down the page. Bucky’s heart skips a beat at the sight of something so personal and completely you, in his possession. “Y/N, I-I don’t know what to say.” He’s starting to get choked up at this point, taken off guard by your gesture but also filled with this strange feeling that he’s never felt before when with you. He couldn’t pinpoint the emotion just yet, but he knew he didn’t want to stop feeling it. 

You look up at him then, beaming. “That’s ok.” 

With the book still in his right hand, he cups your face with his left with the brightest smile you’ve ever seen. Bucky gingerly strokes the apple of your cheek with his thumb as he leans his forehead against yours. The tip of his nose gently brushes the side of yours and you sigh in content. “Thank you,” he says ever so softly. “Thank you.” 

You stay in his hold then, grasping onto this moment for as long as you possibly can, never wanting to let go and wishing to stay in this moment forever. 

_____

“Bucky,” you whisper into the winter air at the sight of him with his back towards you as he sits on the curb. 

He whips around, almost falling backward in surprise at your voice. “Y/N?” Bucky is up and on his feet in an instant but he doesn’t move any further, so you initiate the contact. 

You throw yourself into him with your arms wrapping around his shoulders tightly as you bury yourself into his neck. “I’m so sorry,” you whimper. 

His arms automatically go to your waist and pull you flush against him, despite his initial shock. He notices then that you’re just wearing your pj’s when you shiver. “Hang on, sweetheart, you’re freezing.” 

Barely pulling away, you keep yourself pressed against him. “I don’t care, I don’t care,” you repeat over and over again. “I don’t care that it’s cold or that I’m standing out here in my pajamas looking like an idiot. All I care about is you.” 

“All I care about is you too,” he repeats back to you. 

You keep yourself in his arms but back up just a bit so you could get a clear look at his face. Meeting those blue eyes you missed so much makes you instantly warm up right there, hat, jacket, and scarf be damned. “No, no, you don’t understand, Bucky. All I care about is you.” You loosen your hold from the back of his neck and bring your hands to his face, brushing away the strands of hair that have fallen into his face. “I love you, James Buchanan Barnes. I love you more than words alone could say. I love you more than pancakes and more than my favorite sweater. I love you more than I love the first fall of snow in the winter. I love you more than you love that stupid Mets hat you always wear, and you love that thing a lot.” 

A watery laugh escapes him when you say that. “Oh yeah? What else do you love me more than?” 

Your eyes begin to well up now, not out of the anguish you were feeling before, but from the overwhelming feeling of having him here, in your arms where he belongs. “I love you more than Steve loves sex, and I love you more than Cassiopeia in the clear night sky. But most of all, I love you more than I have loved anyone in my life. I love you more than my heart could possibly handle all at once. I love you, Bucky. That’s what I meant to say before. That’s what I should’ve said.” 

Bucky smiles so wide the tips of his grin are almost at his ears, revealing that dimple on his chin that you love so much. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He almost didn’t believe what he was hearing until his gaze met yours and that’s when he saw it. All the love, adoration, and emotions you felt, he saw it all with one look into your eyes. 

He could barely control himself as he surges forward, pressing his lips desperately against yours. No feeling could ever come close to the absolute bliss you felt while kissing Bucky Barnes. He pulls away and speaks an “I love you,” against your lips before repeating the action again with short kisses and uttering, “I love you’s.” As much as you were enjoying his soft kisses and confessions, you were in dire need of more. You slide your hand behind his neck, pressing him forward and keeping him there. Enveloped in his warmth, his lips moved feverishly against yours as he tightened his hold on your waist. Your mouth opens in surprise and he takes advantage of the moment to tentatively run his tongue across your bottom lip, making you groan. 

“About time, you two!” Someone shouts from above causing the two of you to pull away. 

Bucky looks up at the source of the voice and shakes his head in disbelief. “I cannot believe you guys! I finally got the girl and you ruined the moment.” 

You turn around to see all your friends peering out the opened window of your dorm. Natasha and Wanda stand there with their arms around each other and watery eyes. Sam is smirking on the side, sliding Thor $20. Steve is chanting, “Get some, Barnes!” from beside Pietro who has his face in his hands. Even Tony, who you rarely see, is there with a smug look on his face. 

Laughing at your friends’ antics you turn back to face the man you love. Love. God, you’d never get tired of saying that. “So, does that mean you love me back?” you tease. 

“If that kiss didn’t convince you, sweetheart, then I don’t know what else will.” He nudges your nose with his. “But, if you really must know, yes I do. I love you, Y/N Y/L/N. I love you more than pancakes and more than my favorite sweater…” 

“Ok, ok, we don’t need to do that again!” You tuck yourself under his chin in embarrassment as he keeps you pressed to his chest. 

“Hey, your confession was almost perfect,” he mumbles into your hair. 

“Almost perfect?” 

“Yeah, I didn’t hear you say you love me more than Han Solo.” He cheekily grins. 

“I don’t feel comfortable lying to you, Buck.” 

“Hey!” 

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding.” You assure him. “James Bucky Barnes, I love you more than Han Solo.” 

“That’s more like it.” He lets you go reluctantly only to grab your hand in his and tug you towards the dorm. “I can’t believe you ran out into the cold, in your Mickey Mouse pj’s just to tell me you love me.” 

You look up at the man you finally have the privilege of loving and calling yours. “I would do anything for you. Anything.” 

Bucky’s heart soars in reminiscence of your words and he laughs. He presses one last kiss to your lips before pulling you inside. With you in his arms and your love in his heart, he knew that after everything the two of you had been through, he would do it all over again if it meant leading you back to right where you left him. And he couldn’t ask for anything more perfect.

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[stargazer-balladeer]

S/o’s birthday but locks themselves in their rooms because they don’t feel special [Genshin Impact]

Characters Included: Aether, Childe, Diluc, Kaeya & Venti.

Notes: Ayeeee! Since it’s my birthday today, why not make this? :))) I actually got carried away 🥲 this is around 3.5k words in total. Hope ya’ll like this!

Reader’s Gender: Neutral (tho i think there’s a slight implied female hehe…)

Warning: probably some swear words here and there knowing me- and mild suggestive themes in kaeya’s part 

[albedo, scaramouche, xiao]

Aether remembers your birthday more than he knows his- like srsly, he’s the kind that remembers his s/o’s bday more than his. He’s also the kind that celebrates it privately unless you want to celebrate it with others, which he doesn’t mind. He might have a hard time deciding what kind of gift you want, but sooner or later, he already has one (or multiples bc he can’t decide-). 

Imagine his confusion when your day finally arrives but he can’t find you anywhere, even Paimon, who was excited to celebrate your bday (“oohh~ I can’t wait to eat the cake!” - Paimon), seems confused. Probably the culprit in planting worry in the travellers head as she jumps to conclusion that you might’ve been kidnapped. 

Luckily, he checked your house before he could report it to the knights of Favonius or the Qixing (like any normal person should do really-). When he received no reply, he takes out the spare key you gave him and entered your house, an invasion of privacy he knows but it's an emergency- 

Knowing that you’re in your room when he can’t find you downstairs, he knocks on your bedroom door softly while calling your name. Imagine his (and Paimon’s) relief when the door cracked open. Immediately engulfing you into a hug, he lets out a sigh of relief. He then proceeds to ask you what you were doing inside your room when it’s your birthday. His heart literally broke when you stated your reason. Tightening his hold around your figure, he smiles bitterly, knowing that feeling all too well..

“That’s not true. None of that stuff is true. Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday, most especially you. We’ve brought some food, and cake of course. Also some gifts from other people. If you want, do you want to celebrate it with just the two, or rather three, of us?”

You, who was a literal angel in his eyes deserve the world. He honestly wants to find whoever put that idea in your head but that was reserved for another moment. For now, his main priority is your happiness. Guiding you downstairs where Paimon was (she left when aether hugged you, knowing you two needed privacy. also the cAKE-), he watches as your eyes sparkle at the sight of the cake. 

Grinning softly he made sure you had fun with your birthday. Even though it would be more fun with more people, it feels more special if it’s celebrated with just the two of you. Staring you with pure adoration as you laughed merrily at the sight of Paimon stuffing herself with food. He couldn’t help himself but lean forward to place a kiss on your forehead and then on your lips, leaning back with a smile on his face. 

“Happy birthday, my love. May many more to come. Maybe next time, we can invite other people. Though I don’t mind if we’ll celebrate it with just the two of us only-” And Paimon! Don’t forget about Paimon!” “Yes yes. And Paimon.”

Similar to Aether, he would most definitely remember your birthday. After all, it holds a special place in his heart, alongside his family. And since this boi is rich af, he would most definitely try to spoil you on your birthday. Piles of expensive (or just cheap yet meaningful) gifts, reservation to a high-class restaurant in Liyue Harbor, and all that glamour. 

Actually, he didn’t find it odd that he didn’t see you immediately, thinking that you overslept or just relaxing in your house. But he soon finds it weird when it’s already around 3 in the afternoon and no sign of your face in the crowd, something he raised a brow at but shrugged it off. It isn’t until it’s almost the time of the reservation he made when he finally realized what’s going on. 

When he arrived at your house, dressed in a suit similar to Zhongli except it’s entirely black and white, waiting for you to come out. After a couple of minutes, he soon got concerned and decided to enter your bedroom through the window (pls do not do this at home). Startled at the sudden appearance of your handsome yet cheeky boyfriend, he stares at you with eyes asking the questions he didn’t dare to tell. 

Knowing he will get his answer one way or another, you decided to tell him about your dilemma. After you finished explaining yourself, silence surrounds you, which is quite worrisome since your boyfriend is known for his rather talkative behavior. Blinking in surprise at the sudden embrace of the 11th Harbinger, his hug was rather tight but not too tight that it cuts your oxygen. Speaking in a low, faint voice, a surprising feat for him, you can make out what he said as clear as day. 

“I’m sorry. I should’ve noticed it sooner. I was trying to be a perfect boyfriend for you but I guess I failed in that aspect. You know, if you feel like you aren’t special enough to celebrate your birthday, then what about me? Me who stained his hands with the red blood of his enemies, always engaging in a fight, clashing with other blades. Insecurity is really an asshole huh? Let me make it up to you now. Let’s not anymore go to that stupid high-class restaurant, c’mon, up you go. You better dressed comfortably when I come back or else…”

Leaving you quickly before coming back immediately, this time in more comfortable clothing rather than the stiff suit he wore earlier. This time as well, he entered your house normally through the door. In his arms, he was holding a bunch of stuff and proceeded to dump it on the living room table. It was different kinds of movies in different genres, you spotted some of your favorite movies in them (makes you also wonder where he got these from since you don’t remember seeing these in the room he stays-).

He would suggest making a pillow fort, and while making the pillow fort, he proceeded to smack you with one. Which ensued a pillow fight between you two. It successfully made the both of you a laughing mess by the end, filled with feathers. Childe then carries you bridal style to the incomplete pillow fort and starts the movie you chose. Placing you in his lap and placing his head either on your shoulder or head depending on your height, cuddling you from behind tightly with a contented smile on his face. 

“You know what? This might not be how I envisioned how your birthday would go, but I’m not complaining. Happy birthday, comrade. My most adorable and most cutest and only love. I love you so much that you’ll be the very reason why I die so suddenly. So stop being so cute okay?” 

(You two are living together in this one.)

Diluc has the probability of forgetting your birthday due to his busy schedule, especially if it’s starting to rise when your birthday draws near. He might neglect you for a couple of days, too engrossed in his work. When the day finally arrives, it completely leaves his mind. Like he’ll think of it as a completely ordinary working day. It isn’t until one of your friends told him to send you their birthday greetings that he remembered. And oh boy does he feel guilty, like srsly, he literally froze when he realizes what day it is today. And you know what that means? ✨Panicc✨

Honestly, I can see him buying the whole store XD. In the state of panic, his common sense just leaves him completely that he ends us buying practically the whole store. It would be sent to the Dawn Winery immediately as he buys some flowers from Flora, who also sent you her birthday greetings, which made him more guilty-

When Diluc steps foot inside the manor, he tries to search for you outside the gardens where he usually finds you but when he doesn't, he gets worried. Asking the head maid immediately about your whereabouts, and his concern and worry (and guilt) grew even more when he finds out that you haven’t gone out of your room. He quickly went to your shared room, with the flowers still in his hands, and knocked on your door. Calling your name softly and asking for permission to enter, when granted he entered the room as quickly as possible. But seeing the sight of you bundled up in your blanket made his heart crack.

Placing the flowers at the bedside table, he quickly made his way in front of you and kneeled down to meet your eye level. You can tell he was very worried about you with how frantic his eyes seem and the concern underlying it. With the way he was staring at you, you can’t help but spill your insecurity to him. The reason why you were hiding in his room rather than go out to celebrate your day of birth. Every word you spill made his heart break even more. Seeing tears started to leak from your eyes, he placed his two hands on your face wiping away the tears with his thumbs. Smiling at you gently and placing a kiss on your eyelids and on your nose.

“I completely understand, my love. Even I sometimes feel that way. Also to the point where I don’t want to celebrate my birthday even, but that won’t do my love. You are so special, you deserve your special day to be well special. If you want to simply lay here and sleep, then so be it. If you want to go out and do something, then I’ll happily oblige. Let’s obliterate those awful thoughts, and if those keep persisting, I’ll slice them up for you. I’ll keep picking you up when you fall. So, what is your command, my love?” (i'm so tempted for him to say master-)

Whatever your answer may be, one thing for sure, Diluc is seen smiling adoringly at you. Even the maids noted how soft the master is around you, particularly today. Whether curled up together in the bed, with him embracing you tightly to his chest and placing a kiss on top of your head. And if you listen carefully, you can hear him quietly humming a tune that his father (or mother) sang to him. Or you two outside in the garden, simply admiring the view with his hand around your waist. 

Either way, at the end of the day, he would wake you up or make you go inside for dinner. You haven’t eaten breakfast or lunch yet so you’re probably hungry by now. If you don’t want to leave your room or want to return to your room, he would understand and make the maids bring the food to you. When the maid(s) finally arrives with the food, you notice the cake on the tray. Looking at him as he chuckles, taking the trays from the maids. Humming a light tune, he scoops a spoonful of cake and holds it to your mouth, with a slight smirk on his face, eyes twinkling with mischief. 

“Stop staring at me like that, did you really think I would let the day go by for you to not celebrate your birthday properly? From what I know, birthdays have cakes in them, whether a huge cake or a cupcake. Say ‘ahh’~... Happy birthday my love. May next year be more enjoyable than now.”

Kaeya remembers your birthday like the back of his hand, I think he’s even more excited than you really. Eagerly awaiting your birthday as he counts down the days, dropping hints and stuff to you birthday-related, and probably plans a birthday party for you. The knights immediately agreed on it, including a certain bard, traveler, and wine master (albeit more hesitantly). He made sure that this party would be successful, constantly checking on the plans and such. To the point that everyone was practically fed up with his constant questions. But they understand that he wants this to be a successful and enjoyable party for you. It got to the point where Diluc kicked him out of his Tavern after asking for the umpteenth time. 

When your day finally arrives, he was practically beaming with joy and excitement. To the point where he can’t hide it behind the cool and suave facade he wears. He quickly made his way to you, going along with the plan of distracting you as they started to prepare for the party. In his total excitement, he didn’t notice the rather gloomy atmosphere around the house. But when he arrived at your door, that is when he noticed how quiet your house is.

Now albeit worried, his excited smile slipping from his face and now replaced with a worried frown, he knocked on your door, calling you in his usual teasing voice. When he didn’t hear your response, the bubble of anxiety appeared in his body. Twisting the knob and finding it unlocked, he quietly and carefully opened the door. Seeing your back immediately, seeing your side rise and fall making him sigh in relief that you were still alive. Closing the door gently but made a noise to alert you of his presence. Taking a seat behind you, he ran his cold fingers on your back, watching you arching at the sudden coldness of his fingers. Smiling slightly, he asked what’s wrong. 

Turning around to face him, you buried your face on his chest, inhaling his strong masculine scent. Instinctively wrapping his arms around you, he played with your hair with one of his hands. Tapping on your head slightly, beckoning for you to answer his question. With no way out, you decided to come clean. You explain how you feel like you don’t feel like you deserve to be treated as special on your birthday and all that sort. His face was void of emotion as he stared at the ceiling with his unique pair of blue eyes. Outside he might seem emotionless. But inside, he was on the brink of insanity. Who dares to put such an idea on his s/o’s mind? Why would you think of that? Was this insecurity of yours also his fault?

“That must be the most stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You’re not special? Please. Don’t try to make me laugh with that joke ‘cause it’s not funny. You are a jewel, a star, a constellation. As rare as the gems, or rather visions. You can even rival the very sun with your smile. I know those demons in your head keep saying those words to you, the temptation is so tempting, right? Just succumbing to them to make them quiet. But that’s why I’m here, my dearest snowflake. I’m here for you. You’re so special to everyone, most especially to me. You mean the world to me. Anyway, enough of this tear-jerking stuff, we have a party to celebrate. And we can’t celebrate it without the birthday gal/guy now can we?”

Despite your protests, he lifted you effortlessly and carried you outside and into the dawn winery where the party was held. Placing you on the ground and pushing you forward where people from Mondstadt came and greeted you with happy birthdays. Smiling at the sight of you being overwhelmed at the warm greetings, and then chuckling at how bright your face became. Diluc nudges him to you, beckoning him to help you before returning to what he was previously doing (most likely trying to force a bard to not finish all the wines in the vicinity).

After a while in the party, Kaeya brings you to a secluded place with no people for air. Being in a party filled with people could be suffocating at times, especially if you’re not used to it. He intertwined his hands with yours and bends down to meet your eye level (or leans down if you have the same height as him-). He gives you a cheeky smile and proceeds to place a peck on your lips. Chuckling when you pouted and glared at him, wanting more kisses.

“My my, what a greedy vixen~ But it is indeed your birthday so I guess I have no choice but to oblige to whatever my birthday vixen wants me to do. Would you like me to strip as well? Haha. Kidding kidding. Happy birthday, princess/prince. May many more to come. Oh! I forgot. I heard from a certain birdie that you ordered for a personal performance from me~ would you like to get it now?” 

Since we all know that Venti practically doesn’t do anything like every day, I would safely say that he would remember your birthday. Probably save some mora to buy you a gift for your birthday, even though it’s not as fancy as the people in Liyue (they all rich kids-), it’s still meaningful. He probably made a bracelet all by himself with the beads he either bought or also made by himself. Nevertheless, he was as excited as Kaeya for your birthday. Already prepared songs to sing for you when that day comes. 

Venti immediately searches for you when the day finally arrives, but his excited and bright smile vanishes when he can’t find you in the crowd of people. Raising a brow at your sudden disappearance, he searched for you everywhere, the tavern, the church, the headquarters, everywhere but your house. So when he finally arrives at your house, he was filled with worry and concern. Entering your room through the window like usual, he sees your figure sitting on the floor while reading a book.

He pouted at the sight as he made his presence known by asking you why you were here and reading a book on your birthday. He watches as you jump from where you are and turns to look at him, sighing at the sight of him. He slowly made his way to you and sat next to you, his legs sprawled across the floor. He takes note of the food around you, which was non-birthday festive, it was just ordinary food. Not understanding why you’re sulking in your room, he asked you what’s wrong. 

Venti’s eyes widened at your explanation, feeling the sadness leaking at the words you said. They weave themselves around his heart, squeezing it, making him have a hard time breathing. He shares your pain. He was your soulmate after all. He immediately engulfed you in a hug, stuffing his face on the crook of your neck. You were so vulnerable in his eyes. You were so fragile. He desperately wants to protect you from the pain. But looks like he can’t protect you from your own demons. 

“Even though I promised myself to not say or do anything that’ll make you sad, I just need to get it off my chest. I’m sorry you had to suffer through that, those demons that a simple bard that weaves stories into songs can’t erase. Alright, no more feeling sorry for yourself. It’s time to get out and spend the rest of the day enjoyable, perfect for my precious Cecilia.” 

Without any warnings, he picked you up and jumped out of your window. Shrieking at the sudden fast pace, you instinctively wrapped your hands around him as he landed on the ground. Giving you a smug smile while saying “didn’t think i’d let you fall now?” Please slap him. Anyway, he laughed at your aggression and continued to run. Even if you ask where you’re going, he just says it's a secret. So might as well enjoy being in his arms as he continues to run (you swear you can feel the wind adding to his speed but that was just maybe your imagination-).

After a while, he placed you down and you realized where you are. It was Starsnatch Cliff, surrounding you were Cecilia flowers. Venti jumped on you, making you fall to the ground as he giggles. His hat flown back from the force of his sudden attack, he still has that stupid big smile on his face. Since his laughter is contagious, you couldn’t help but laugh alongside him. His eyes glistened with delight at the sight of your smile finally. Grabbing your hand and placing the bracelet he made, he pressed a kiss on your knuckle.

“This bracelet shall be a promise from me to you, a fellow bard to the fairest queen/king. I shall love you for eternity, this heart will only beat for you, and this body belongs to you. If you’re in dire need of assistance, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll be there, forever and always. Happy birthday, my sweet flower.”

[x] Main Page || [x] Mondstadt Page || [x] Fatui Harbingers Page 

[elisexrueng]

dougie-anderson·:

“Right yeah, you’re not a dumbass. That’s a Dusty thing to do.” he laughs slightly. God, DJ wonders if this is the worst interaction he’s had to date. And it’s not because of Elise, he’s convinced it’s himself. Holding onto resentment but then not actually doing anything with it, trying to force a smile at her when there’s a few choice words rolling around on his tongue. The mention of her father makes him nod, although he’s not sure why Elise can’t wait inside for him… “Right…yeah, I can wait too. I think. I mean, not officially but what’s the point in owning a place if you can’t do what you want?” he laughs, finally lighting the cigarette he’s been holding onto and almost pulled apart from tension. 

“Is it that obvious?” he grins but DJ is the first to know he wasn’t cut out for any of this. He enjoys flipping a few burgers but he always thought that’d be at a drive-thru, not a fucking diner he has to keep ontop of. “I mean…I wanna ask…y’know, it feels weird to not ask.” DJ’s brows furrow, hearing the stagnating words coming from his mouth but not being able to stop it, or hurry them along. Elise’s statement doesn’t do much to ease the pressure either, because it opens up the resentment DJ has carried for years. He laughs, though. Trying to push it away, contain it all again. “I mean, I don’t know what I’m supposed to talk about if I’m honest.” he admits, raking fingers through his messy hair. “Being dumped at an airport isn’t exactly one of those things that makes you wanna be friends with someone.” Shit…harsh? Fuck. “Sorry that er…that came out kinda…intense.”

•

Elise laughs slightly at the mention of his oldest brother. Dusty’s always been a character and she’s glad that despite all odds it seems like both of his brothers are in one piece? “I mean, if you want. It’s okay if you’re busy with,” she gestures broadly, indicating everything. He seems tense but she isn’t exactly relaxing on the beach either, shifting from one foot to the other, feeling like today is colder than April should be. Or maybe it’s just her discomfort with this entire conversation. It’s like she’s exercising a muscle she’s not used in years, joins creaking around it with each slight movement. She watches as he seems to wrestle with himself, eyes bouncing from him to the road and then back when he starts speaking and...well, she hadn’t expected that.  

“Oh.” It’s the only sound she makes at first. Maybe it’s naive of her. It’s not like they were a flash in the pan, right? They’d been together more than three years and he’d seen her through the worst of it only to get a... I don’t think we should be together anymore as he dropped her off to start the next chapter of her life. “No...it’s okay,” she shakes her head. “You’re...I mean...that’s fair.” Oh God, what is she supposed to say now? Elise clears her throat, fiddling with the zipper of her jacket and focused on her faded white shoes against the pavement. “That was really unkind of me.” She looks up at him, trying to stave off the desire to bolt in the opposite direction. “I just thought...” Elise sighs, having wrestled with guilt for years. “I thought you’d be better off...” It sounds empty saying it aloud now, but she’d really thought so at the time. “I didn’t want to hold you back with...you know...all my stuff.” She didn’t want to be a burden in their relationship, grief and pain turning her in on herself. It wouldn’t have been fair to him but she knows she should’ve done it better. Sooner. Elise presses her lips together and lifts her shoulders helplessly.

[kkusuka]

NEKOMA GANGBANG PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nekoma<3

Fem! Reader

Gangbang Msterlist!

Honestly, you joined as a manager because you needed an extracurricular to put on your resume

Managing a boy sports team was the perfect thing to do, it was a great idea!

In the moment

Originally your understanding of the volleyball team was that they were a bunch of guys who got together after classes and hit a ball over a net for three hours

And it took you a whole of five minutes to realize that you were wrong

They were passionate about what they were doing, they really loved playing volleyball, poured their all into the game

And eventually, their passion carried over to you, slowly you began to love the game just as much as they did

You really got into it too, making theme lunches, coming early to set everything up so they don't have to, taking them out for food after a loss

And they met your energy tenfold

Little snacks here and there, help with homework, cleaning all of the equipment so you don't have to stay later than you should

But that didn't stop them from going all out sometimes.

You should’ve known what white day had in store for you, gifts upon gifts you had to get more bags just to hold some of the things you got

It was clear how they felt about you; you were theirs and theirs alone

It was obvious in how Kuroo would be the only person who could sit next to you in class, and how Yaku would talk to you the entire lunch period like he’d never speak to you again

Lev and Inuoka’s constant rambling about anything in their line of sight

Yamamoto practically worshiping the ground you walk on

Or how Kenma’s head would find its way into your lap every class break and wouldn't let you go until you were almost late

You were the perfect manager

You made sure they were always doing their best and made sure that they were always feeling their best

So when some of them began to talk about how on edge they were because of blue balls, you really did feel bad

That was such an odd thing to not be performing at their best for

And it sounded kinda painful :(

So you offered your services!

It was your responsibility to make sure they are all doing well and you didn't mind being a cum-dump for them, it was the least you could do for them

Lev and Yaku go first. It is mostly because Lev is the most persistent and no one wants to kill the mood by telling him off, even Kenma. He takes your pussy, no question. Lev may not be thick, but he is by far the longest on the team. He would take a boobjob but he’d rather take a hole and since he’s first, his job is to stretch you out for the people to come. So he leans against something and lets you straddle his waist, taking him into your cunt and normally grinds into you, letting your clit hot his base.

“You look so small on my cock, конфетка (sweetie/candy)”

“You have such a tung little pussy, it feels so nice around me.”

Yaku joins Lev to try and settle him down. He’s a third year so he has to keep the first years form don’t something stupid. Of course, he just gets riled up and ends up trying to overpower him. And it’s in a few ways, either he takes your ass, but mostly he shoves his way into your already stuffed pussy. And thank god Lev isn’t girthy because Yaku specializes in that department. Then when Yaku speeds up, Lev has to go harder and a vicious circle ensues.

“Fucking move Lev, or just let me do it if you can’t.”

“Good little girl, taking two cocks in her cunt like a good whore.”

And that’s where Kai steps in. He's never very drastic with his methods, but when the two idiots are going at it, he politely steps in and grounds them back to earth. He stays for moral support, taking your mouth so he can rub away your tears and remind you how amazing you are. He let you bob all over his dick at whatever pace you want, all as long as he gets to shoot his load in your pretty mouth.

“Atta baby ignore them, you’re doing amazing. Pretty little thing you are.”

Following those three, Inuoka and Shibayama step in. it is not like Lev who just wanted to get it over with, it is more like a last grace before some of the more… rough guys take their turn. They go for a more simple split roast, Shibayama in your mouth where Inuoka inhabits your pussy. Neither of them are rough, they practically treat you like glass, caressing every part of your body, making you comfortable between them. They take their time, much to Yamamoto’s dismay, making sure you cum at least twice with them, they live to please their pretty little manager.

“You’re so good for us”

“We’ll do all the work, you just sit back and feel nice baby.”

The dutiful second years take their palace in record time when their underclassmen have finished. Yamamoto takes the lead, sitting you on his lap while he commands Fukunaga to your ass. They also mark you up the most, the position they have you in gives them great access to your neck and boobs. You're practically left bruised for days. The boys don’t really let you move, Yamamoto holds you up so they can thrust up in your holes. Fukunaga is more silent, he shows how he feels with a mouth on your neck and his hand on your clit. Yamamoto is far more vocal, whether it be praise or reminding you that you’re a hole for him to blow his load into.

“So, so pretty for us, gonna mark you up real nice, right?”

“God, fuck, I wish I could have you bouncing on my dick all the time.”

Then when you’re all fucked out, Kuroo scoops you into his arms like prince charming.  Kenma would lay on his back and ley Kuroo pressed you onto him, snuggling his face into your breasts. They love to share a hole, gotta go out with a bang y’know!

Kuroo slides into you first, Kenma’s busy worshiping your nipples so he takes matters into his own hands for some time. He’ll fuck you a little bit, get you nice, stretched, and ready for when Kenma wants a piece of your cunt too. Honestly, Kuroo does most of the work, you only really need him to anyway. He fucks into you that pushes you along kenma’s cock, pushes you further into his face. Kenma does pay far more attention to your clit than his best friend. One thing is that they never talk to you, only ever speaking to each other while they fuck you with abandon.

“You feel that? Ken, I think kitten’s cumming again! What is that five?”

“We should’ve done this sooner, who knew she would be such a willing slut for us.”

They do buy you hell gifts after this though

tags: @bakugos-cumsock

[suicidalslasher]

𝑛𝑖𝑔𝘩𝑡 𝑐𝘩𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠 ➤  𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑙. & 𝑠𝑡𝑢 𝑚.

In which the reader comes home, completely broken-hearted and her two friends, Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, come in to put a smile on her face and show her how much they love her.

WARNINGS:  This is a smut but not well written, lol. It’s mainly just oral, both receiving and giving. (male and female.)  Also, if you squeeze your eyes really tight, you may get a glimpse of slight foreshadowing in which Billy and Stu killed the guy that broke the reader’s heart but blink and you might miss it. Anyways. Enjoy.  

(Y/N) lied upon a soft feather mattress, cocooning herself in the silk sheets. A sad sigh surpassing her lips as the realization settles in, hitting her like a ton of bricks, like a cold bucket of water was thrown on her. She's alone. The room feels empty. Wait, no, scratch that. 

It is empty.  It's dark and cold and lonesome. As many blankets that surround her and although she has many draped around her body, her skin still somehow prickles with goosebumps and she's shivering.  

Though, she knows it's not because she's cold. She isn't shaking because of that. Not really. Before she could stop herself, her eyes start to glisten with tears, the corner of her eyes pooling with water and slowly but surely, they slide down her skin, wetting her cheeks. Goddammit. God fucking dammit, she thinks, reaching over and grabbing the duvet comforter,  she slides it over her head. Broken, silent sobs then proceed to escape past her lips, although she oh so desperately tries to hold them back. She fails miserably.  Then, out of nowhere, she hears a little knock, followed by another.   Rolling over to lay on her stomach, (Y/N) buries her face into the nearest pillow, causing mascara tears to soak and stain the cushion as she continues to cry and sob. Before she realizes it or even can acknowledge it, the window to her bedroom is being pulled up and her friends, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, step inside her bedroom.   "(Y/N)?" (Y/N) is quick to flip around upon hearing her name, her heart hammering wildly against her chest. 

 "S-Stu? Billy? What the Hell are you guys doing here?"  She relaxes, having  seen her friends standing by her bedroom window rather than the man everybody was fearing lately in Woodsboro.  

A masked man with a dark cloak and a spine-chilling voice. She was lucky she hadn't heard what he sounded like, she had enough nightmares as is. It was hard to say whether or not it was a man behind the mask but regardless, whatever sex the person was, they were crazy, inside and out. End of story. (Y/N) makes a mental note, reminding herself to lock her window next time and to keep track of that before she gets comfortable and goes to bed. Especially with what was happening everywhere in Woodsboro. "We wanted to make sure you were okay."  Billy said, walking over to the girl as he sat down next to her,  the mattress sinking beneath his weight. Stu followed, nodding happily as he shows a few VHS tapes, gesturing them over to (Y/N).

 "We brought movies to watch and snacks, too!" He exclaimed as he then pulled out a small plastic bag, dumping out the items onto her bed. 

There was chips and candy and they were all her favorite flavors and brands, too. (Y/N) felt the tears pooling in the corner of her eyes again at the sweet gesture her friends were sharing with her. "Oh... c'mon, don't be such  a cry baby." Stu snickered but he wrapped his arms around (Y/N) and pulled her into a side hug, Billy following right behind, hugging her from her right. 

 "We love you, we've got your back, always, okay?" "What Stu said. Besides, this world doesn’t deserve an angel like you, (Y/N).” "Mhm." Stu nodded.   "I really liked him, that's all..... I should've known it was a set up to get back with his ex." (Y/N) said with a sniffle, running a hand over her face as she tries to rid herself of any left over makeup, especially getting rid of the mascara, although, if she were positive, that and her eyeliner were most likely now resting on the pillow she had cried into rather than on her face. "Well, he's a fucking idiot." Billy growled.   "He doesn't see how perfect you are, (Y/N)." "Billy and I see that, though." Stu said, taking his hand off from her shoulder as he now rests his hand on her thigh, giving her a reassuring squeeze. It made (Y/N)'s breath hitch in her throat and she bites on her lower lip, nervously. 

What were they doing....? She thinks. “We would do anything for you. Absolutely anything.”  Billy said. "We'd do anything just to see you happy, just to see you smile..." Stu continued. "You deserve nothing but the best, deserve nothing but happiness." "So, please... (Y/N)... let us give you that. Let us show you how beautiful and loved you really are. We love you.... we love you so much-" "We love you so much we'd kill for you." Billy looks over at Stu, giving him a questioning glare and (Y/N) goes to ask what that stare meant but her words are loss and any train of thought she had left the building once she feels both hands of Billy and Stu's on her thighs.

 One on her left, the other on her right. "So.... no movies then?" (Y/N) asked jokingly. Her heart, like earlier, was pounding so loud she swore both boys could hear it against her chest. Her body was trembling as it had done earlier but now, it wasn't from sadness or feeling broken but rather hot and bothered. 

She did always have an attraction to Billy and Stu, she'd be a liar to say she didn't. "We can watch them later. Right now, we want to see those legs of yours sprawled out, give us a view of that pretty pussy." (Y/N) whined softly but she obeyed, and while she did, Billy grunted while Stu spoke softly, "Such a good girl for us. You're our good girl, aren't you, sweetheart?" (Y/N) nodded as she stretched her legs on either side of her. All she was wearing was a thin gown, one that matched her sheets, being the fact both were silk.  

 "Oh.... so pretty, so beautiful." Stu purred, licking his lips, his eyes growing darker while Billy's did the same. "Naughty though.... aren't you, baby? Not wearing any panties." Billy chuckled as he stood up, feet landing on the carpeted floor with a soft thud as he walks over to (Y/N), undoing his jeans and the belt that had been neatly placed in the hoops of the pants.  

"Is it okay if you suck me off, darling? You want to be a good girl, don't you?" (Y/N) says nothing, she's unable to speak. It was as if a cat had captured her tongue and ran off with it, and she couldn't get it back from the creature. She feels paralyzed, too. Everything feels as if it's going by too fast.

 What an odd day.... she thinks. She didn't expect this to happen, not now, not ever. But she wasn't angry at it or the outcome of tonight's misfortune. It was just crazy how fast the night changes. "Baby? I asked you a question... If you know what’s good for you, you better answer me.”   "Y-yes." (Y/N) stammered, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.  "I'd love to suck you off, please, may I?" "Oh!" Stu chirped, giggling as he shook his head from side to side, a wicked grin playing out across his lips. "She's got manners, fuck - we really found the perfect girl, haven't we, Billy?" "Mhm." Billy said, pressing his cock to her lips. "Open up, sweetie. Let's see how pretty you look with a mouth full of cock." While (Y/N) parts her lips open, and as Billy pushes himself in her wet and warm mouth, (Y/N) feels heat against her clit and before she can put two and two together, Stu's devouring her pussy with his tongue and she squeaks, bucking her hips up into his touch.   "Fuck! She tastes incredible. Can't believe I haven't gotten to you sooner." Stu said before pressing his face back in between her thighs, licking and lapping her cunt with his tongue, making her tremble and shake. 

(Also makes her almost choke and gag on Billy's cock as he presses his cock further down her throat.) Above, Billy nodded as he rocked his hips back and forth, eyes half-lidded, not quite shut but not all the way open either, as he grunts out an answer; "She's good with her mouth too, Stu." He said.  

"Not sure I can last long, sweetheart..." He warned and right as the words slip from his lips,  it didn't take less than a second until (Y/N)'s mouth is being filled with Billy's creamy, white load.

 "Oh.... fuck!"  He grunts, pulling back  as he drops down next to her on the bed.

 "Go on, baby. Cum for Stu. You wanna be good for him too, don't you? Go on and cum.... cum all over his tongue, beautiful. I'm sure he'll love the taste of your juices, exploding into his mouth." And fuckfuckfuck.....

FUCK~!!

"O-Oh!"  (Y/N) mewls, bucking her hips into his mouth once more as the sweet release of her orgasm floods out of her and into Stu's mouth. Happily, Stu licks every drop up, pulling back with a very much pleased and satisficed smile.  

 "Both her and her pussy are so sweet." Stu complimented, now crawling up onto the bed and resting beside her, tucking his face into her neck as he presses a few  ghostly kisses on her skin. "Love you."

"I love you, too."

"And what about me?" Billy said with a playful pout.

"I love you too, Billy Loomis." (Y/N) admitted, grinning as she scooted a few inches over, patting the empty spot next to her. "Sleep with us?"  

Billy smiled in reply as he plopped down next to his now lovers, curling up in (Y/N)'s side and kissing the other side of her neck, the way Stu had done previously.  

 "I'll treat you to a good time too,  tomorrow," (Y/N whispered, mainly to Stu but she turned and repeated the sentence to Billy as well. The boys look at each other with a smirk, giving one a knowingly glance before they turned back to (Y/N). 

"Sounds like a plan, baby." The smile she wore across her lips falls into a frown and the boys are quick to sit up, having seen the smile turn upside down. "Baby, are you okay?" "Yeah." "Babe....don't you lie to us." "I'm not." She answers truthfully. "But.... this- I mean, us three, it's real, right?" She gestures in the air with a wave of her hand.  "You won't play with my feelings and hurt me-" "Baby." Billy's voice is rough and cold,  and his grip on her is far from affectionate and soft. "We'd kill for you, remember?" "We love you so much, (Y/N) you have no idea to what limits we'd go to prove that to you.” She didn't understand why the two kept repeating that very first sentence but she didn't question it, didn't think anything of it. She smiled and nodded, rubbing at her eyes now tiredly.

 "I love you both, too. Now... before I get too tired, can we watch those movies you rented?" Billy laughed softly as Stu scrambled up and on his feet, grabbing the candy and the films that had fallen on the bed off of the floor and goes to set the VHS player up, clicking the TV on with a push of a button. 

"You're gonna love these, (Y/N)! It's a new horror movie that came out!" "As long as it's not a slasher with a mask like the one that's hanging around in Woodsboro, I'm fine with anything. Whenever that monster goes away, I'll be fine and more than happy to watch slasher films again... just not now." She says with a laugh. "Don't worry, baby. With us around, you’ll be safe and sound. We’ll protect you.” 

“Promise?”

“Promise.” 

[biconderoga]

Scenario: Itadori never shut up about Y/N, so it was only right Megumi told her what happened. Spoilers for Episode 4⚠️

Word Count: 850

Part 2: Here

“I’m surprised you’ve already moved into the dorms. Don’t you have friends to say goodbye to?”

“Oh my senpais?” Itadori rubbed his chin, “I’ve only known them for a few months, so it wasn’t that heartfelt…I do have a girlfriend.” Itadori laughed as Megumi’s eyes widened, “We were both bummed that we had to go long distance. But she was okay with it.”

Megumi hummed in understanding, “It’s surprising you have a girlfriend. Did you tell her exactly what happened?”

“Nah, she doesn’t need that stress. I just said my inheritance from my gramps let me apply to some fancy private school.”

“Makes sense.”

Itadori threw his head back, “Mannn you would love her! She’s got the prettiest smile. Oh, and! She makes killer food, we should eat at her place sometime. Introduce her to ya!”

The stutter of the subway cart knocked Megumi out of his thoughts. These days he just couldn’t seem to stop reminiscing. Megumi had barely knew him for a month, yet it seemed as if Itadori made a lasting impression on him. If Megumi was this distraught over his death, he could only imagine how his girlfriend would react. God, he couldn’t get used to announcing a loved ones death. It was a rather common occurrence for a jujutsu shaman, yet Megumi could not get used to it. He attempted to act indifferent, but the cries for a lost loved one only made his heart heavier.

With a huff, Megumi grabbed his bouquet of flowers and stepped off of the subway. He hoped Y/N would ask to be alone, his emotionally withdrawn self would hate to have to comfort her.

“Godddd I can’t believe Gojou-sensei dumped this on us!!” Itadori growled, “I was supposed to see Y/N today!”

Megumi rolled his eyes. This wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last time, that Gojou would dump a job onto his ‘precious’ students. If Gojou wasn’t his superior, Megumi would tell him to shove a stick up his ass.

“Oh? Who’s Y/N?” Kugisaki tapped her chin, “A family member?”

Itadori proudly smiled, “Nope she’s my girlfriend! We were supposed to catch a movie.”

“I’m surprised a blockhead like you has a girlfriend.”

Megumi’s eyebrow twitched, now she’s done it.

“What’s that supposed to mean?! We love each other very much!”

Deep breathes in and out. In and out…Megumi continued this mental mantra several more times. He had to at least look calm, a distraught stranger would only scare Y/N more. With a final breath, Megumi knocked on her door.

“Coming!”

“…shit.” Megumi’s hands clammed up as he wondered if it would be bad if he just ran.

“Ah! You must be Fushiguro,” Y/N grabbed Megumi’s hands as they smiled, “Yuuji talks about you a lot! Come in, come in.”

Of course Itadori spoke of him a lot, he was selfless like that. Megumi was ushered into Y/N’s abode, and like a fish out of water his mouth opened and closed. She really was kind, and he knew he already liked her. But…how was he supposed to break the news?

“Please don’t tell me this was Yuuji’s idea. I hope he isn’t trying to enter through my window, I started to lock it after he thought it was okay to sneak in while I was in the shower.”

“He,” Megumi swallowed thickly, “He’s dead.”

The once warm atmosphere of Y/N’s home suddenly froze over. He should’ve been prepared for this, yet Megumi still flinched. What terrified him the most, however, was Y/N’s downcast gaze. An outburst wouldn’t be surprising, it was his fault after all. He would surely be mad if a stranger announced the death of his significant other.

“I-when...?”

“Yesterday. I would’ve came and told you sooner, but I was also injured.”

“N-no it’s fine, thank you.” Y/N took in a haggard breath as she seated herself, “God I should’ve asked him more questions…he’s been a bit secretive since his grandfather passed. I thought it was just him mourning. I’m such an idiot!” Y/N slowly raised her head to face Megumi, “H-how did it happen?”

“I’m not sure if he’d want you to know, but he did die with a smile on his face. He told me he hoped we’d live long lives.”

“Of course he did.” A biter laugh escaped her lips, “That’s my dumbass all right.”

An awkward silence ensnared the duo. It was tense, and Megumi shifted his weight between his legs in hopes of alleviating it. “Here’s some flowers, I wish I could’ve brought you something more personal from his room.”

“No, no…it’s fine.” Y/N gingerly received the flowers, “I just wish I could’ve been with him.”

As this exchange happened, another rather peculiar one occurred in a laboratory.

“H-h-he’s ALIVE?!”

“Yo!” Itadori waved, “Woah full nude.”

“What a shame…” Ieiri pulled her mask down as she witnessed the whole ordeal.

“Woah lady! Only Y/N can see this!” In an awkward attempt, Itadori fumbled to cover his lower regions with his hands, “I’m saving myself for her!”

Ieiri rolled her eyes, “I’ll get you something to cover yourself with.”

[pr1ncessm00n]

for sale or wanted — jean kirstein x fem! reader

series masterlist

prev | next , part two

warnings: cursing, porco being toxic lol. dates are wrong once again sorry !!

[ playlist : love again - dua lipa ]

eight.

Half asleep and ready to go to bed, Y/N fell back into her bed. She picked up her phone, hoping to mindlessly scroll through some TikToks. Instead, she was met with two messages. Audibly gasping as she read Porco’s name, she dropped her phone, hitting herself in the face in the process. “Ow!”

Porco? Y/N thought incredulously. What the hell does he want?

Contemplating asking Ymir and Sasha for advice, Y/N then decided against it. This was her life, she couldn’t expect her friends to guide her though it. But God, was she such a coward when it came to Porco. It wasn’t like he was Prince Charming, but Y/N had an extreme loyalty complex. She couldn’t ever allow herself to let go of people. Porco used to berate her for that constantly.

Why are you so clingy? He would ask.

Who’s the clingy one now? Y/N thought bitterly. She decided to ignore Porco’s text until she could think of a reply that wasn’t along the lines of “No, fuck you.” She slid her thumb over to Jean’s message.

Great. Another text asking to talk. Why couldn’t people just send their question and save a girl the anxiety? Y/N scolded herself for allowing her egotistical ex to ruin her mood. Jean didn’t deserve her snappiness.

Jean sighed in relief. Thank God she replied. He didn’t know if he could handle the mortification if she didn’t.

Y/N pondered for a bit.

Y/N laughed quietly to herself. So Jean could in fact match her sense of humor. She exited out of their chat, mindlessly scrolling through social media. She actively avoided Porco’s message, not wanting to burden herself with the chore of responding to him. What could he possibly have to say? She headed to Twitter, hopefully finding something relatable to retweet. As Y/N scrolled, she saw a familiar face appear on her timeline.

Recommended for you from contacts, the header read. Below it was about 3 profiles of people in her contacts she had not followed yet. Among them, was Jean.

Y/N’s breath caught in her throat.

Should I? She questioned. Would she be overstepping some unspoken boundary? What if she hurt her own feelings by stalking and seeing something she wouldn’t like/had no business seeing? Maybe she should just ignore it. She doubted Jean was some internet creep… but wouldn’t it be good to know if he was? Curiosity getting the better of her, Y/N decided to invade that boundary and look at his account.

He didn’t have much content from what Y/N could see. He just retweeted fancy cars and some funny memes. She spotted Connie, Sasha’s lifelong friend and Jean’s infamous roomie. She mentally hoped Jean didn’t tweet like Connie. That would be the ultimate ick.

Y/N’s thumb stopped scrolling, hovering over a tweet. Her heart beated ten times more rapidly.

well she is pretty lol, Jean’s tweet read. Tweeted just an hour after he met Y/N.

Could it be? Y/N wondered. No way. There’s no way it’s about me. I’m just jumping to conclusions. Why would he say that about me? I’m just being self absorbed.

She brushed off her inquiries, deciding to just stop stalking his account entirely. From what she already saw, there wasn’t anything suspicious or icky enough to make her want to not interact with him. And she was already paranoid, so every tweet she saw she would begin to assume it was about her as well. She was just getting her hopes up.

Rolling over on her side, Y/N placed her phone to charge and went to sleep. It was late, which was probably what was causing her mind to become fuddled.

——

“You should’ve told me Sasha’s third roomie was Y/N,” Reiner had said to Jean in the truck. “I totally blindsided her. Top ten worst encounters of my life.”

“Uh, care to enlighten me? Do you guys have beef or something?” Jean asked, perusing the radio stations.

Reiner sighed. “She’s dating- was dating- my childhood friend, Porco.”

Jean felt his stomach drop. “Oh.”

Reiner glanced at him before stopping at a red light. “I said dating. He dumped her like a week ago. It was pretty trash.”

Jean secretly felt more at peace hearing that. Poor Y/N, but.. she could probably do better than this Porco person.

“So what does that have to do with you?” Jean asked.

Reiner shrugged. “I guess I didn’t really help. She said she felt a little betrayed. Like I agreed with Porco and my friends that she’s the crazy one.”

Jean nodded. “So you were a bystander.”

Reiner sighed again, tilting his head in an I guess motion. “It’s just hard. Porco’s like my brother, and I don’t agree with how he acted… but maybe I should have spoken up sooner.”

Jean patted his shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself, man. That was between them.”

“Yeah. I could have at least told Porco to step it up, though.” Reiner murmured.

I’m glad you didn’t. Jean snickered to himself.

“So, you think she’s cute?” Reiner shot Jean a devilish grin. Jean rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I guess. You goin’ to Historia’s birthday?” He slyly changed the subject.

“Is it open invite?” Reiner’s eyebrows scrunched up.

Jean shrugged. “I have an invite. Maybe you can be my plus one.”

Reiner made a “Hmm” sound in response, weary at Jean’s invite. “What are you dressing as if you go?”

“I was thinking swag era Justin Bieber.” Jean replied, smiling widely.

Reiner gave him a look. “You for real?”

Jean’s smile dropped. “What?”

Reiner laughed. “I’d pay money to see how badly you embarrass yourself with that.”

“It’s a 2000’s party?” Jean was confused.

“Yeah, but everyone does like, early 2000s. Think Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.”

Jean shot him a curious look.

“What? Pop culture is my guilty pleasure.” Reiner explained himself. “And everyone knows Britney Spears.”

Jean hummed in response. “I just think you got a thing for pop girls.” He referenced the earlier Becky G mishap.

“I’m not even gonna deny it anymore.” Reiner agreed, defeated.

——

“Guys,” Y/N said the next morning. Ymir and Sasha were at the breakfast “nook” (a corner of their miniature kitchen designated for a small table that barely fit all three of them), Sasha eating cereal and Ymir chomping on an apple while scrolling on her phone. “Porco texted me last night.”

Ymir continued scrolling, unfazed. Sasha’s eyes widened and she swallowed her food before speaking. “What? Why?” Y/N glared at Ymir.

“Thanks for your interest YMIR, but as i was telling Sasha-“

“I’m Sasha.” Sasha cut in, obviously confused.

Y/N gave Sasha a look.

“Did you say something?” Ymir said, bored. She still hadn’t looked up from her phone.

“Ymir!” Sasha scolded. “Y/N’s telling us Porco texted her!”

“Who’s Porco?” Ymir replied, monotonous.

Y/N sighed in exasperation. “Are you stalking Eren again? I already told you to stop comparing your subscribers-“

“I’m not stalking Eren!” Ymir snapped defensively. “I’m…” She mumbled the next part incoherently.

“Huh?” Sasha and Y/N asked in unison.

“I SAID,” Ymir repeated, annoyed. “I’m looking up Britney Spears outfits. Historia wanted us to go as different eras of her. But I can’t find anything that matches my style.” She grumbled.

Y/N’s heart melted. It was adorable watching Ymir struggle to find a matching costume for Historia. It was like Marilyn Manson wanting to get along with a CareBear.

“Just go as JT,” Sasha said, chewing her cereal.

“One, close your mouth, and two, Historia asked for us to go as Brittney. I can’t just show up like a dude.” Ymir visibly deflated as she scrolled through countless pictures of a younger Spear’s iconic looks.

“Why don’t you try her bandanna phase? That wasn’t so over the top, and she wore mostly jeans.” Y/N suggested as she squeezed into the corner chair.

Ymir sighed. “I don’t want to wear a skirt or some bimbo shit. That’s y’alls look.”

“How do you manage to sound endearing trying to please your girlfriend while simultaneously insulting us?” Y/N wondered aloud.

“It’s a talent.” Ymir waved her off. “What did you guys get her though?”

“A giftcard to Urban Outfitters,” Sasha replied. “I got tired of searchin’. I put $50 on it. I think that should be enough for like, a shirt and a half. She better like it, too. ‘Cus I’m broke.” Sasha pointed her spoon at Ymir accusingly.

“I got her the Taylor Swift vinyl she’s been wanting. And some pink film for her camera.” Y/N added. Ymir nodded approvingly.

“I hope she likes my gift. I don’t know if I’m moving too fast though?” For the first time since Y/N mer Ymir, Y/N hadn’t ever seen her this distraught.

“Calm down,” Y/N reassured her. “You’ve been together for years now. I don’t think you can move any slower.”

Ymir rolled her eyes, leaning back im her chair with arms crossed. “It’s a small trip to Seoul. I know she’s been dying to go. It’s not like it’s anything she hasn’t seen before with her family… but I figure it’d be different with just us.” Y/N’s heart melted.

“That’s so sweet!” Sasha exclaimed, eyes watery. “I want an Ymir!”

“Well, you can’t have me!” Ymir laughed. “It’s not a big deal. The sponsorship I managed to land gave me a decent payout.” Ymir sheepishly replied, her cheeks a faint red

Y/N nudged her. “Look at you, being modest.”

Ymir waved her hand. “Shut up. How does this look?” She turned her phone to Y/N, showing a picture of Britney Spears clad in low waist jeans, a black tank top and sure enough, a yellow bandanna.

“That’s perfect.”

Ymir smirked, smug. “Just like me.”

“Y/N!” Sasha shouted. “Go back to the Porco thing!”

“Oh, yeah. What did Oinky want?” The girls turned to face Y/N, who shrank a bit back in her seat.

“That’s a new one,” Y/N chuckled. “I thought of one last night, too,” She paued for dramatic effect. “Porker!” She gasped out, giggling, hitting the table in a slight fit of laughter. Sasha and Ymir gave Y/N a blank stare, unamused at Y/N’s mediocre roast.

“Not funny, didn’t laugh.” Sasha spat.

“If your career was stand up you’d be living in a box.” Ymir deadpanned.

“Tough crowd,” Y/N sighed, wiping imaginary tears from her eyes. “But if you must know…” She purposely stalled a bit, knowing it would send an impatient, jittery Sasha over the edge and annoy Ymir even more, even if she pretended she was not interested in the relationship drama between Y/N and her disgraced ex.

“Just say it already!” Sasha begged.

“I…don’t know. I haven’t responded.” Y/N finally admitted, putting her head in her hands. “I just-“ Her words were muffled by her hands.

Ymir removed her hands from her face. “Your words, darling.” She scolded, voice oozing sarcasm.

“Ugh,” Y/N groaned. “I’m too pussy to respond. He just asked if we could talk. What could he possibly want? What if he wants the couch? It’s just too much.”

Sasha gave her a sympathetic gaze. “Just leave him on read! If he wants to talk so badly he’ll find a way to say what he needs to.”

“For once, I agree.” Ymir added.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Y/N stretched. “But it did keep me up at night wondering what he wanted.”

“Y/N, forget him! Historia’s party is soon, there’s no time to worry about ugly men!” Sasha stood up, rushing to put her bowl in the sink. “I got a lecture in a few, but you need to find your costume! We’re all going as Britney!” She said before disappearing into her room.

“Um, who’s gonna tell her we’re not all dressing as Britney?” Ymir inquired.

Y/N snorted. “Not I. I’m probably going as Suki from Fast and the Furious.”

“Niiceee,” Ymir fist pumped Y/N. “She was my sexual awakening.” Y/N choked on her muffin.

“Ymir, what’d we say about uncalled for horniness?” Y/N reprimanded. Ymir made her way to the coat rack, searching for her car keys in her leather jacket’s pocket.

“If I was gonna be chewed out for liking women I would’ve lived with my parents!” Ymir called out. “I gotta pick up Historia!”

“Will you be back?” Y/N shouted back.

“Get off my dick!” Ymir shut the door. Laughing to herself, Y/N picked up Ymir’s dish to place in the sink. She was, out of the three, the more tidier one. Ymir did the best cleaning, but she was selectively lazy.

“Bye, Y/N!” Sasha shouted before leaving in a rush. One thing Y/N had grown used to was the fairly chaotic mornings. She secretly hoped they would be like this for a long time.

Since Y/N had transferred, Ymir and Sasha had been the best roommates she could ask for. Yes, Ymir was snappy and Sasha was a bit ditzy, but it was the perfect combination and they were respectful. Y/N had transferred from Sina University purely for academic reasons, but she had not expected to fit in so well with the girls or their group of pre establish friends. She worried she would not fit in since they had already been so tight-knit, but found that wasn’t the case at all. They were open, accepting and loyal. Y/N couldn’t be happier where she was, and even though she wouldn’t admit it, she was grateful for how close they had all gotten in their short time together. Who knew randomly assigned rooming would provide her with friendship to last a lifetime?

Which is why every time she thought about Porco she kicked herself. How could she have let some… meathead ruin her freshmen year of college? She should have been having fun, interacting with Ymir and Sasha’s friends more, lived her own life. But no, she chose to become involved with a self absorbed fraternity guy of all people. Now she was semi-heartbroken, extremely humiliated, and about a year’s worth of time and effort short. She had allowed him to take advantage of her so much, that he felt he could contact her still after basically using her. The thought made her want to rip her hair out and scream.

Almost as if through divine intervention, her phone beeped with a notification.

What the actual hell? Y/N thought.

She froze for a second. What does she do? Respond? Ignore? Block?

After a few seconds of mental deliberation, Y/N finally decided. She was fed up with the lack of bravery she showed and decided to just end it once and for all. Typing out a response, she clicked send and decided to go to the mall for the retail therapy she was sure to need after whatever Porco said what he wanted to say. Turning the shower on, she braced herself for his response. What could Porco want? She couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

This better be good, Y/N thought.

taglist : @tsunderehokage @lagrimasdeglitter @snowyseungs @mukeovernetflix @bakugouswh0r3 @punicorn999 @deadlyaffairs @usernamehere91 @calumsfringe

a/n: woohoo!! long chapter. so to recap: i graduated!! i am finally free from the clutches of high school. i might do a face reveal :) bc i loved my grad dress. anywho, my fever cleared up, i have chapter 9 already completed (just need to revise + edit) and this is NOT proof read!! it’s 2 am guys i’m tired. but i hope you enjoyed this :) sorry for the weird cropping too. peace out