#skipping a million steps in between and getting mad that she can’t do it right away

[harmonizewithechoes]

We are once again at the stage of babyhood where if you turn your back they immediately try and off themselves and I am once again wondering why the hell they all come with this instinct

It doesn’t make sense and it’s exhausting!

Also baby #3 is a bit more adventurous in this way than the other two were and she’s finding new and interesting ways to terrify me which I appreciate. Wouldn’t want fearing for her well-being to get boring.

[vidalinav]

Stu(died)-Chapter 3

Summary: Cassian takes care of a sick Nesta

Nessian Modern AU-university setting. 

Masterlist, Stu(died) Chapter List 

(Rolls eyes hardcore) I am continuing this fic for literally five people. Smh. 

~

Nesta comes to their tutoring session late and that’s the first thing that tips him off. Already his phone is in his hand ready to call 911. He has Nesta’s number in his phone saved. The first person listed in his text log under Nerd. He can always text or call her. He belongs to The Rat Pack in Nesta’s Snap Chat group, and he knows he can always contact Emerie or Gwyn if something is truly wrong. Yet he dials in 911 and his thumb hovers over the call button.   

If she doesn’t show up in fifteen minutes, Cassian swears he’ll call.  

Nesta’s never late. In fact, she’s annoyingly early. She practically has a stop watch in her hand at all times, counting every minute she waits. When Cassian comes running in five minutes later, as he so often does, panting with some excuse, Nesta doesn’t even bother looking up from her textbook. She merely gestures to the seat, a heavy sigh on her lips, like she’s running out of time to bore him death even as she fascinates him to pieces. 

Her books should already be splayed onto the table, her pencils straight and neatly lined up. Today, the table is empty. 

He’ll give it fifteen minutes and then he’s calling.  

But Nesta shows up before another minute ticks by. She steps out of the elevator wearing that grey polo he’s seen on her a million times. She lugs her way to him, dragging her feet with the weight of those textbooks he’s sure are in her bag. 

She’s wearing a mask, today, and that’s another thing that sends his brain screeching somethings not right here! It covers half of her face, and her eyes look tired from where they peak above the fabric. Cassian doesn’t even bother waiting for her to settle. Already he’s crossing his arms, his brows crinkling with concern and something like irritation. 

How dare she think studying is more important than her health.  

“Go home,” he says as she nears. Nesta only blinks as if as not understanding his words. The fact that she doesn’t immediately argue is enough for him to start gathering his things.  

“What are you doing?” She says as he stuffs his notebook in his bag, “You have an exam in two weeks.” Nesta sets down her own, it slaps at the table with a heavy thump. Cassian can hear the zipper unzipping but not as well as the cough that roars out of her mouth.  

It’s loud and wet, and Nesta pauses as if to get her bearings, covering her mouth with her arm. She coughs and coughs and Cassian lays a hand to his own chest. He can almost feel how much it hurts, how she gasps. 

Cassian shakes his head, “No, I’m taking you home.”  

Nesta’s brows furrow and she gets that look in her eyes. He just knows she’s going to fight him on this. “I--”  

Cassian cuts her off, “please, save your breath. You’re going to make everyone sick.”  

“I’m wearing a mask!” Nesta argues.  

“It’s almost midterms.” Cassian gestures to the other occupants in the library. He sees one person with their hoodie pulled up over their head, clearly sleeping... and moves on to someone else. A group in the corner who’s standing by a whiteboard. “You want to take your chances with sleep deprived students?” 

Nesta seems to think about that. While she does, Cassian zips up her bag and throws it over his shoulder. It’s as heavy as he thought it might be. Briefly, he thinks of making a joke about how she must have stuffed a body in here, but he doesn’t think she’d appreciate it, given how quiet she is.   

Mentally, he starts making a list of everything she needs. Medicine? He’ll get the pills and the syrup, never mind if she scrunches her nose at the taste. He’ll get her soup. Not the canned. Cassian will buy the ingredients. He’s sure he can make something appeasing. Vaguely, he can remember his mom’s recipe. Beef broth and cabbage and squash. Hopefully she can stomach it. Never mind, the salt will be good for her.  

“Hey,” she whines, blinking up at him slowly, “give me my bag.”  

“Have you not heard me? You need to be home lying down. Not here, helping me study. Why on earth did you think this was a good idea? I’m taking you home.”  

Nesta crosses her arms and the intimidation tactic seems ridiculous with her face half covered and her endless sniffling. “You can try, but I’ll just refuse to tell you my apartment number.”  

Cassian scoffs, “I know where you live. I can see your room from the house when you study at night.”   

“Who says that out loud?” Nesta shouts. 

She must be terribly ill if she’s yelling in a library. That’s all he can think as he gestures to the elevator, bags in hand. 

“Never mind that. Let’s go,” Cassian says, walking ahead without her. 

He can’t hear her shuffling though, so he turns back to find Nesta leaning on a chair, holding her stomach. He can already feel himself sighing.   

Cassian rushes back just in time for Nesta to rip off her mask, and move to the closest trashcan. It’s situated under one of the bulletin boards and as Cassian sidles up to her, rubbing at her back and pulling her hair away, he looks to the papers tacked to the board.  

Join the rowing team. Looking for tutors. Research participants wanted.  

He can hear the retching and Cassian reads on. 

Babysitter wanted for professor, transportation needed.

“I haven’t thrown up since middle school,” Nesta says pathetically. She frowns as he hands her his bottle of water. Her nose and cheeks are red and for some reason he thinks of Rudolph, lighting the way for Santa through the storm. 

He feels bad for little Rudolph...

“Now will you let me take you home,” Cassian sighs. He hopes it doesn’t sound like an ‘I told you so’ but she should really be lying down. He lays a hand to her forehead, but she brushes him off, moving towards the bathrooms.  

“I’ll wait right here,” he says, but Nesta moves ahead as if she doesn’t hear him at all. Cassian can’t find it in himself to mind. A sick Nesta is guaranteed to be a stubborn Nesta, he just knows.  

When she gets out, she looks surprised to see him and that’s another look that just proves how sick she must be. It’s a fairly obvious prediction that he’s going to wait next to the girl's bathroom, counting ceiling tiles. It’s a perfectly ‘Cassian with Nesta’ thing to do.  

“You’re skipping class?”   

Nesta coughs again, and she looks perfectly pitiful as she blinks her tired eyes. Cassian can feel his lips frown, and he shifts her bag more securely on his shoulder if only to keep himself from reaching out for her. Already he can feel his hands bunch into fists because he wants to grab her own and squeeze it until she's reassured. He wants to hug her until she feels better.  

But he can’t.  

Cassian lists every action he wants to do. Kiss her forehead where Nesta rubs her hand, because she must have a headache from how sick she is. Put on her favorite movie, so she can fall asleep to its sound. Run to every store, raiding every Walgreens and CVS until he comes back with a pharmacy.  

What might she allow now that she’s sick? Will she let him fuss like he wants to?  

But Nesta rolls her eyes in that haughty way of hers. “You can’t do that.”   

“I can’t do what?” Cassian asks and he wonders if she can read his thoughts. If she studies him so well, reads him like one of her textbooks, memorizing facts and facial features.  

“You can’t skip class,” she argues. “Why am I tutoring you if you’re going to skip class?”  

At the words, all Cassian wants to do is sigh. She’s thinking about attendance at a time like this...   

“Nesta, there is no class more important than you.” 

Her brows crinkle at the center like she’s going to start arguing, but Cassian allows himself one touch. He places his thumb there, between her brows, smoothing out the lines. Nesta rips away, blinking up dazed and all too confused. Cassian would laugh at the look, if he didn’t need the distraction.   

He juts his head to the elevator quickly. “Let’s go. We can walk slow, so don’t overexert yourself.”   

Nesta scrunches up her nose, so cute and red, but she follows him anyway albeit a little petulantly. She holds her hand out for her bag, but Cassian turns toward the doors, pretending not to see.   

“How does me being sick make you bossy?”   

Cassian doesn’t dare to respond. He doesn’t know whether he’ll admit that he wants to take care of her, that’s he’s so worried a knot twists in his stomach, or if he’ll make some joke, he knows will make her mad. Maybe that’s the better option, he thinks. He can handle a mad Nesta. He likes a mad Nesta, but a Nesta who so easily rejects him?   

Cassian doesn’t know about that.   

“You don’t have any classes left this week, right?”   

Nesta coughs into her sleeve before answering. Though she means to sound queenly, she only sounds sick, “you know where I live, and you also know my class schedule... seems suspicious if you ask me.”   

“I’ve known you for two years.” 

“And murder victims are three times more likely to be killed by someone they know." 

Cassian huffs out a laugh, shaking his head, “Do you still go to sleep watching SVU? Or have you switched to Lifetime movies where the babysitters always try to kill the wife?”   

“People should be wary about the people they know,” Nesta shrugs as if that’s answer enough.   

Cassian snorts, “well you don’t have to be wary of me.”   

As the elevator doors open, Cassian gestures for her to go first and Nesta does, but not before crossing her arms.   

“That’s just what a murderer would want me to think.” She squints as if dissecting him, limb by limb. “You kill me, and I’ll haunt you. You won’t be able to sleep at night without thinking of me.” 

Too late, Cassian thinks.  

It’s much too late for that.  

~

Rudolph has the patience of a five-year-old when she’s sick. Cassian learns this fairly quickly when he runs inside a Walgreens on their way to Nesta’s apartment.  

There’s a bench that she can sit on, where she can wait if she feels tired, but no. Nesta decides she needs to run errands. She has an entire basket filled by the time he finds her again. She’s by the greeting cards, holding three open at a time. Cassian huffs with a receipt and medicine in hand.  

“Here,” he says, giving her the cough medicine. “Take some of this.”  

Nesta doesn’t even bother with pouring. He watches as she rips the cap away, taking a swig right out of the bottle, gulping it down.  

“That’s way more than the suggested amount,” he cries, “you can get drunk on this stuff!”  

“Good, maybe I’ll forget this day ever happened.”

Cassian sighs... it seems all he does is sigh when she’s like this. A sick Nesta is a petulant, irritated Nesta with a permanent furrow between her brows. 

“I know you feel sick,” he tries to placate, “but I bet you’d feel a whole lot better if we get you home as soon as we can... so you can lie down and sleep.”  

Nesta only picks up another Halloween card. She ignores his suggestion, laughing under her breath as she reads whatever inane joke is written there. Soon, she’s coughing though, and Cassian reaches for the basket just to stop himself from rubbing a hand down her back, combing his fingers through her hair.  

Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn, his thoughts scream.  

Cassian looks to the contents to distract himself from her watery eyes, and that’s when he notices what she’s grabbed. It seems that while he was in the cold and flu aisle, Nesta was raiding the snacks. 

“What is this?” He gestures to the basket. Two boxes of cereal. Caramel corn. Baked Lay’s and cans of Arizona tea. Cassian takes one and holds it up. “Really Nesta?”  

“What it’s green tea!” she argues, shoving another card back in its slot.   

“This is all... junk,” he tries to explain, but Nesta’s already glowering. 

“Look I don’t question your decisions. You don’t question mine.”  

Cassian gives her a bland look. “You question my decisions all the time. Before we came in here, you literally said ‘why are we going in here, Cassian? Weren’t you supposed to take me home.’ You said that.”

Nesta simply raises her chin, pulling out another card. “I recall no such thing.” 

“Fine,” Cassian grumbles, “if you want to eat yourself to an early grave and ignore everything that could potentially make you feel better than that’s just fine with me.”  

“Good,” she says, putting back the other cards. Nesta settles for a pop-up that sings Monster Mash when she opens it. She sets it in the basket he holds, walking ahead without even looking back. “I’m ready to check out.”  

“Really?” Cassian jokes, mockingly. “Are you sure you raided the candy aisle?” 

Nesta stops in her tracks, peering through the section with printer ink and paper as if she can see the other side. He swears he’d facepalm if he wasn’t carrying all this stuff. 

“You’re right,” she says, nodding. 

“Wait!” Cassian calls. “Where are you going? Nesta!”  

Too late. He can already hear crunching bags. 

The variety packs.  

Cassian sighs, lugging their things to the aisle next door. 

~

“Can I use these vegetables?” Cassian asks, as Nesta shoves open the door to her room. He’s surprised she’s not still by the freezer. When they first get back to her place, she sticks her head in there and he wonders if he should suggest taking her temperature, or if she’s doing it just to show him she’s annoyed.  

Perhaps her ears bleed from the sound of his voice.  

That seems like something Nesta would say.  

“They’re Emerie’s. Why?”

“To make soup,” Cassian explains, rifling through the contents. There’s zucchini and summer squash. Onion, fresh parsley and carrots. Cabbage and lettuce. Fresh fruit. He can make a nice stew out of this.  

Nesta scoffs, “I don’t need soup.”  

She enters her room, shoving the door back behind her until it leaves only a crack.  

“You can leave now,” she yells. “I’m home like you wanted.”  

“Are you lying down?” He asks, crossing his arms sternly though she can’t see him.  

Nesta sighs loudly, “you’re annoying!”  

“Maybe if you got some rest, I’d be less annoying,” Cassian sings brightly.  

He can hear the soft sound of her voice. “Doubt.”  

Cassian shakes his head with a smirk. He opens his snapchat where The Rat Pack is the first on the list, but the group name has changed... to People I Tolerate.

That’s got to be Nesta.  

Cassian laughs under his breath and types. Can I use your vegetables? Making Nesta soup.

Emerie’s bitmoji pops up at the bottom, but the person who texts back first is not Emerie, but Gwyn.  

You’re at our house?

Cassian can almost hear her voice. Stern and cautious. He’s almost certain she doesn’t like him. Gwyn looks at him with even more disdain than Nesta when he's around. That stay away from my friend look.  

He sighs. Yes, Nesta’s sick.  

Gwyn’s quick to respond. I can come home early. I need to drop off a paper, but I can be there in 30.  

Cassian rolls his eyes and types, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of her.  

Nesta’s face pops up. I can take care of myself.  

“No, you can’t!” Cassian yells.  

“Yes, I can!” Nesta yells back, but then she starts coughing again and he can hear her groan in the other room. Cassian raises a brow at her door.  

I’m going to make soup. I’ll make enough for all of you, but can I use stuff from the fridge? I’ll replace it all.  

Emerie’s face pops up and then disappears quickly. He’s about ready to go to the store himself or at least next door to the House, but Emerie’s text appears.  

I have no objections to this.

Cassian smiles in relief, and he’s about to set down his phone when another notification appears. It’s Emerie again.  

And if you make good soup, you can stay indefinitely.  

Cassian sends a winking emoji. Nesta sends back the emoji with the straight mouth and eyes. Before he can frown at what that means, Cassian sees that the group name has changed... to Three’s Company.  

That’s got to be Gwyn.  

Stone cold, Emerie texts back.  

Cassian decides he’s going to ignore that for the moment and focus on the objective at hand.  

Soup.  

Cassian pulls out the vegetables and looks through the cupboards. Emerie, it seems, has all the good spices. He finds the broth packets stored in the back, and he pulls out some beef from the freezer. It’ll need to defrost but he can start the broth now, get the vegetables soft, and brown the beef later. It’ll take a couple of hours anyway.  

Occasionally, he hears a cough as he works. Then a sweet laugh... followed by a cough and a groan. Cassian feels bad for her he does, but he can’t help but find the whole situation amusing. She should be resting and yet she seems to be wide awake.  

Nesta doesn’t come out of her room though. It’s as if he’s not even there, and he takes that time to look over her shared apartment. There are three doors, each with a letter at the front. The N is blue, the E, green, and the G, pink. He doesn’t know how it’s possible to have a living room that looks like all three, but somehow it works. It’s studious and bright. Colorful, but subdued. There are way too many throw pillows and books scattered everywhere, but there’s also a TV with a fireplace under it. He can just imagine Nesta laughing at scary movies. Some slasher fic she’ll watch like she’s taking notes.  

He can imagine Nesta everywhere, in fact.  

This is where she eats. Where she sits. Where she studies. This is where she trips over shoes if they’re not neatly lined up and where she complains about dirty dishes. This is where she cooks... if she does cook. Cassian doesn’t know.  

Maybe he’ll get to find out one day.  

Once the water starts boiling and the meat is in the microwave to defrost, Cassian goes to check how Rudolph is doing.  

He knocks on her door lightly, pushing it open. “Nesta?”  

Cassian’s never seen her room before, say for when she sits by the window with her curtains wide open, and just like then, it seems like an invasion of privacy to do so now. But Nesta’s plopped on top of her bed, tucked beneath her blue comforter, and she sets down her phone when he appears at the door.  

Her whole room is filled with blues and creams, and it looks exactly what he imagines Nesta’s room to look like. The large calendar, an agenda on the desk, bookshelf after bookshelf lining her walls. There are also things he doesn’t know of her yet. Pictures and posters and a.... stuffed lobster? Cassian holds it up.

“Would you stop looking around?” Nesta groans. She has her arm resting over her eyes, and he wonders if it’s because she doesn’t want to see him looking or if she feels that bad that the light is bothering her.

She should be getting some rest, he thinks.  

“Where did you get a stuffed lobster?”

Nesta coughs out her response.

The sound makes Cassian grimace, his chest ache with need, but he doesn’t rush over like he wants to. This is her house, her room... and this is Nesta who doesn’t like to be coddled by anyone.

“It’s a heat pack,” she says at last, after she catches her breath.

“A heat pack?” Cassian looks to the soft red claws that dangle. He’s never seen anything so soft be a heat pack.

“For cramps,” she says as if it’s obvious. Nesta must take his silence to mean ignorance for she lifts onto her elbows, raising a judgmental brow. “Please tell me you know what periods are or am I am going to have to go back to teaching you biology?”

“No,” Cassian draws out, “I know what periods are.”

Nesta mumbles a thank god and Cassian watches as she shifts under the covers, pulling them up until they hover just beneath her mouth.

“Are you cold?” Cassian asks, looking around her room. He spots his burgundy hoodie neatly folded and nearly yanks it from her desk. “Here. Wear my sweatshirt.”

“I just washed it,” Nesta whines, “I was going to give it back to you.”  

Cassian’s confused by the words, but he merely gestures for her to budge up. He’s thankful when she doesn’t argue. He rolls the sweatshirt over her head and Nesta fits her arms through the sleeves.  

“You didn’t have to wash it,” he says, watching as she pats down her hair. If only he could pull it up for her, comb his fingers through it. She could use his scrunchie too, if she wanted.

Nesta rolls her eyes, and he can only imagine what she thinks. He can practically hear the words. Of course, you wouldn’t care about clean clothes.

Her expressions practically give her away--everything she feels and thinks. Cassian wonders if he knows how open she is to the rest of the world. He wonders if she’d hate him if he told her this.

“It was going to smell like me,” she frowns.

Cassian wants to huff out a laugh. That is perfectly fine by him.  

“Stop laughing,” she whines, “I’m being serious.”  

“Yes, you’re being very serious.” He can’t help his smirk as he gazes up at her. He doesn’t even realize he’s on her bed, sitting to the side of her all bunched up in red. Her nose to the fabric. He almost wants to say she looks cute in his hoodie, all sick like that, but he knows she’ll only bite at him, remarking about how he has some weird fetish for sick girls. 

Cassian holds back a laugh as he hears the microwave ding. He needs to turn the meat around, so it doesn’t cook through, but Nesta grips his arm. His head whips towards her and... Nesta’s gazing up at him. Her eyes are a soft blue. Just like her room.  

“You’re warm,” she says. To explain herself, he thinks, and why she holds him as if she doesn't want him to move.   

Cassian’s lips raise lightly, and he places the back of his hand on her forehead. “You must be worse than you’re letting on if you're okay with me being in your bed.”  

Nesta scoffs, “you’re on it. Not in it. I’ll make that distinction very clear.”  

“You can’t be that sick then,” Cassian shrugs, smiling. “If you’re making everything sound like a tutoring session.”  

Her cheeks flush a bright pink and Cassian thinks she must have a fever. He wonders if he should search for an ice pack or make one, so she doesn’t get too hot.  

“Are you tired?” He asks, noting how slowly she blinks. “You did drink a lot of cough syrup.”

“I also took a NyQuil,” she says, closing her eyes.  

Cassian huffs, “remind me to teach you how read warning labels when your fully coherent.”  

He can hear the microwave ding again, and it reminds him of an alarm. Wake up! It seems to say. Being in Nesta’s room does feels like falling asleep. Rather dream-like and hazy. The microwave dings incessantly, but Cassian doesn’t want to wake up just yet. 

Her hand is still on his arm. It’s so much smaller than his and he wants to trace the skin there and see if it’s as soft as it looks. Cassian doesn’t dare look at her, in case she doesn’t just bang together two loud cymbals and tell him to get up and out and away. 

Cassian looks ahead instead, fixing his gaze on the stuffed lobster on her desk.  

“Nesta,” he starts and then swallows. He feels nervous, his hands clammy. “Nesta, I really think you and I... we’d be good together.”  

Cassian takes a breath, and he stares at the lobster as if it’s her face. “We’ve known each other for a long time now and I... I haven’t hid how I feel about you.” His heart is beating way too fast, and he doesn’t feel any freer from speaking the words, but Cassian decides it’s time to rip the Band-Aid off. “I thought maybe... we could try it out. See if you might be comfortable with it. If you might like me... too?”  

He doesn’t know why he words that like a question, but Nesta doesn’t say a word. Cassian looks back, hoping there’s no disgust in baby blue. He doesn’t know what he’d do if she just outright says he’s trash and she’ll never like him. 

But Nesta’s fast asleep.  

Cassian doesn’t bother sighing as he grips her limp hand, setting it on the blanket. He doesn’t bother being disappointed when he tucks the comforter around her. Her cheeks are a lobster-red and he rubs a thumb lightly there, wondering what it would be like to hold her face in his palm and kiss at her nose. Would she complain as he pecked her lips? You’ll get sick Cassian.  

Then we can stay in bed together, Nesta.  

No. Cassian’s not disappointed at all. 

He’ll tuck away his dreams where tomorrow lives. 

Today, he’ll stick to what he’s good at, so Cassian heads to the kitchen to make soup.

~

~ ~

~

~

Mwahahahaahah

~

In case you missed, here’s the stuffed lobster in the flesh.

~

Tagged: 

@arinbelle @my-fan-side @sophilightwood @nestaarcher0n @duskandstarlight @soitsgorgeous @swankii-art-teacher @lordof-bloodshed @thewhelk @daisy-in-danger @highqueenevankhell @lovelynesta @sirendeepity @champanheandluxxury @ladynestaarcheron @moodymelanist @teagoddess99 @spoilersteph @angelic-voice-1997 @bo0kmaster69 @drielecarla @generalnesta @cozycomfyliving08 @confusedfandomslut @dread3r @sv0430​

~

"Why am I still writing this fic?" I say angrily, as I angrily type it in my angry word document.

[unknownwriting]

Hiiiii, can I request of Ace survived b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ f̶u̶c̶k̶ A̶k̶a̶i̶n̶u̶ and his s/o was pregnant with his child then after 2 years of time skip (they don't know Ace survived) can please Luffy & Sabo reunited with Ace, to his s/o and child and having family moments 🥺🥺🥺 👉👈

ｓｕｍｍａｒｙ- requested ^^

ｗｏｒｄ ｃｏｕｎｔ - 2.9 k, i honeslty could write a whole book 

ｓｏｎｇ ｉｎｓｐｏ- i love you - billie eilish

ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ - Portgas D. Ace, Sabo, Monkey D. Luffy

ｗａｒｎｉｎｇｓ - None :)

ａ/ｎ- my sense of time is fucked. I could’ve swore it was Tuesday...but i still had a lot of fun writing this. I cried half the time but Ace 🥺🥺 so I hope you enjoy

(unedited)

“The weeds!! The weeds Luffy!! Not the flowers!” (Y/n) shouted as she leaned out the kitchen window. Even then Luffy still began to yank out the barely budding roses. For as much as he wanted to do the garden, Luffy sucks at it. (Y/n) eyes trailed over to the small pile of weeds and roses, where Luffy continued to toss the roses in. Let out a heavy sigh, (Y/n) called out to him again, “Luffy! Not the roses!”

“Huh?” Luffy hummed as he looked up and around before finally making eye contact with (Y/n). She scoffed at her absent-minded brother-in-law as she stated again,

“Your weeding the weeds, not the roses.”

“Eh? But they all look the same?” Luffy hummed as he looked back to the pile of weeds and roses then back to the rosebuds in his hands.

“See the little green ball on top of that the stem, those are roses that have yet to bloom. Those need to stay in the ground so they can bloom, what your getting is the other green plants.” (Y/n) explained as she pointed down the weeds that surrounded the roses. Luffy’s eyes followed as he began to finally see the difference between the 2. And with a chuckle, Luffy had gone back to work pulling out only the weeds this time. (Y/n) scoffed once again as she leaned back from the window and turned around on her heel and looked back at her blonde brother-in-law. She was so grateful for Sabo and Luffy. They sat through everything with her and supported her throughout it too.  Keeping her safe and healthy when she found out about Ace’s death, being there to help her through her pregnancy even sitting with her through her labor, and even now they still come and visit her regularly, checking up on her and her family. The trio of brothers are the best people she has ever met. Brightening her smile, she shook her head and began to walk past them.

“Ya’know for as much as Luffy wanted to do the garden, you’d think he’s at least how to do it.” (Y/n) sighed as she made her way next to Sabo at the table. She had taken a spot right next to him and picked up the pair of pants she was stitching back together. Sabo continued to shuffle through some paper as he glanced over at (Y/n) and chuckled.

“Well, you pretty much banned him from doing anything else. The garden is the only thing Luffy can do now.” Sabo pointed out, taking the pile of papers in his hands and setting them to the side, then began working on the other pile.

“...It’s his fault for being so reckless. If he’s your brother you should’ve raised him better.” (Y/n) huffed, cutting the string off the pants and tying them up. (Y/n) was currently fixing a pair of Estelle’s pants that were destroyed when he and Luffy were playing. It wouldn’t be a big of a problem if it wasn’t one of Estelle’s good pants. It was one of the best days Estelle had though, so it was easy for (Y/n) not to get too mad.

“Ace was the one who was the closest to him. I lost my memories although that time.” Sabo answered, as his gaze shifted down to the paperwork

“Looks like Imma have to call Ace out on that then-”

“Mama!!” A loud voice had shouted as the door to the small house swung open and a small (h/c) colored child had rushed in. (Y/n) was quick to drop the pants and open her arms to greet home her child.

“Estelle! Welcome back, baby.” (Y/n) smiled brightly as she gave a huge hug to her child. Estelle giggled and happily hugged back. Estelle wasn’t gone for long, only about 3 hours but it was easy to tell that he missed his mom. He definitely takes after his dad, being a very family-orientated person. Standing up from her chair, she pulled away from Estelle yet keeping him on her hip, she smiled, “We’re you nice to Doctor Cherry?”

“Yeah, she even gave me a candy.” Estelle proudly shouted as he stuck out his tongue and showed (Y/n) its blue color.

“Wow, You must’ve been such a good boy. I bet Dcotor Cherry was happy to spend the day with you.” (Y/n) smiled, as she set Estelle back on the floor and looked up at the red-haired lady that stood at the door.

“Of course, Estelle’s one of my best patients.” Cherry smiled as she looked down at Estelle. Estelle giggled loudly as grinned up from his mother's side. Cherry was another person who stood by (Y/n) when she was going through such a hard time, helping (Y/n) nurse back to health and helped a lot with the pregnancy. She was another that was close like family. As Cherry took a step into the house, she had opened her mouth to speak again but Sabo and Luffy were quick to interrupt.

“You’re not even gonna say hi to your uncles. Estelle, you make us so sad.” Sabo teased as he and Luffy walked up to join (Y/n). Quickly turning around to the sound of the voices, Estelle smiled brightly again.

“Uncle Sabo, Uncle Luffy!!” Estelle shouted as he jumped into their arms. The boys were quick to hug back and spoil Estelle in all types of affections. (Y/n) smiled at the view, that's one of the many things that she wants Estelle to learn that no matter what family is always important. With Estelle already being a very family-oriented person, it seemed that (Y/n) didn’t have much of a lesson to teach. Giggling to herself, (Y/n) turned back to Cherry to see what she was gonna say early. Once Cherry had seen that (Y/n) was back on her, she began again,

“Someone was asking around for you early today. I’m not sure who, but he seemed almost desperate.” Cherry explained as she watched (Y/n) face twist into shock and just for a moment, there was a huge flash of hope in her eyes that seemed to cloud her judgment for a moment. It was for a brief moment, but even with that flash of hope Cherry could tell that (Y/n) wants, more like needs, to see who it is.

“Asking for (Y/- Ow!!” Sabo hisses as he quickly pulled his arm towards him and began to rub the red spot that Estelle pinched, “He’s still in his pinching phase? I thought we were over that.”

“With Estelle? Of course not, he still goes around pinching everything and everyone. I’ve been trying to get him to stop but he doesn’t want to. I’m surprised that you thought he grew ou-”

“Ow, ow, ow, ow!! My nipples!!” Luffy cried as he pushed Estelle away from him. With the pain still written over his face, Luffy cupped his nipples and hissed. (Y/n) laughed as she watched Luffy sit there trying to soothe the pain running through him.

“Yeah no, he’s still pinching.” (Y/n) laughed before her, and Sabo, both turned back to Cherry and continued to question her.

“Who’s looking for (Y/n)?” Sabo questioned. It was easy to tell that his overprotectiveness was kicking him. The only response that Sabo got from Cherry was a shrug and then slowly walking out of the house as if to lead the others. Sabo then turned to look at (Y/n) asking the same question to which (Y/n) only ended up shrugging too.

“I’m not sure. Sail with Ace and Whitebeard-san I’ve met a lot of people, so I don’t know.”

Sabo hummed in response as he began to follow Cherry outside. Something inside of (Y/n) made her so anxious, but something has her heart racing, palms sweating, and her legs aching. Something about this guest just had her body aching, as if she couldn’t sit still. In the back of her mind, a small voice continued to echo, but there was no way it could be true. He’s dead, he passed away 2 years ago. Last time (Y/n) you can’t raise the dead either. So with one last shaky sigh, (Y/n) began to make her way out the door and towards Sabo and Cherry. Trying to push back her feelings, it’s like this every time, always getting her hopes up only for them to come crashing down. She tries to keep her cool.

“So, does it look like anyone we know?” (Y/n) questioned, as she took a spot next to Sabo’s side. Sabo let out a small grunt as he squinted his eyes to see the figure. (Y/n) had followed suit. Just at the bottom of the hill stood a man with broad shoulders. He looked around confused as he stumbled around the bottom of the hill. A soft laugh left her lips as she watched him, he looks so out of place.

“I-I-I….I don’t wanna jump to conclusions here, (Y/n), but doesn’t that look like-“

It didn’t take long for the man to make eye contact with the 2 at the top of the hill. He starred for a moment as if he was taking in the view before he smiles brightly and slowly began to make his way up. As if the world has stopped around (Y/n). That smile. That was the same smile that started this whole adventure, that made her happy even on the saddest days, that was the same smile that she fell in love with.  It was hard to believe. As if time itself has stopped, (Y/n) stood there speechless. She couldn’t even muster a sound or a reaction. Something like this never happens, maybe one in a million but last time she checked the skeleton on Luffy’s crew was the one. This was impossible, it had to be a prank or something. This couldn’t be happening and just as (Y/n) had open her mouth and rat at the person standing below them a laugh echoed through the field. It was real, this is all real. That laugh was one she couldn’t and wouldn’t forget. That laugh belongs to her later lover,

“Ace.” Breathlessly and barely above a whisper was all she could do. She was scared if she said it any loud she would have started to cry right there. (Y/n) began to inch forwards slowly trying to wake her body up and tell it to move. God, if only she could wake it up faster. Soon enough those baby steps turn into bigger ones then fast ones, then finally she was running. She was running as fast as her feet could carry her down the hill. Tears swiftly fell from her eyes as she made her way to her lover. Maybe dreams do come true. After all these days, weeks, months of wishing, her wish came true. And even now it’s better than what she wished for.

Not being able to stop herself and not even trying to, (Y/n) jumped straight into Ace’s warm embrace for the first time in years. Automatically (Y/n) inhales deeply taking in Ace’s smell of burnt ambers and sunk deeper into his strong and warm embrace. By now she couldn’t help the waterworks from coming. Neither could Ace, the 2 of them held each other close, taking in each other scent and loving embrace. As if this moment latest forever, the 2 of them didn’t let go for as long as they could. However, (Y/n) can only cry so much into his shoulder before taking a deep breath. So barely pulling away and with a red-eyed and snot-filled face, (Y/n) smiled as she tried to speak up the loudest and clearest she could.

“Y-y-y-your… you’re alive!! Ace is alive. Your alive!!” (Y/n) cried as she tried to call out to the others however your attention was all on Ace. She was scared that if she looked away he would disappear, so she kept her around him and locked her eyes with his.

“I’m alive. I’m really alive.” Ace sobbed back keeping his eyes locked with (Y/n)’s. She didn’t even care if his voice has reached them, she doesn’t want it to reach them. All she wants is to be with Ace now. Smiling through her tears, she pulled her hand up to Ace’s cheeks and began to rub her thumb against his freckled cheeks feeling his rough skin against hers. Ace, still through his tears, smiled and hummed as he leads into her hand, enjoying the softness and warmth her hands had provided. This moment should last forever, they both wished. Just as (Y/n) has dropped her hand to his chest and was able to lean in to kiss his lips that she wanted to feel and taste once again, 2 pairs of very loud footsteps came behind them. Before the 2 of them could even react, 2 bodies came crashing down onto them.

“Ace!!” The 2 of them sobbed as all of the 4 bodies fell over in the grass. Both Luffy’s and Sabo’s sobs could be heard for miles, like (Y/n) and Ace, they couldn’t hold back their tears. So all 4 of them laid on the ground and just sobbed, they couldn’t do anything else. Each one of them held onto the other with such an iron grip, it was hard to breathe but nobody wanted to move. The only time they moved was when Ace pulled back and started at Sabo for a while trying to figure out who it was.

“S-s...sabo. Y-you’re alive too?!!” Ace gasped as he could feel more tears falling. Sabo looked up and smile at him, nodding. And Just with that simple nod both of the boys began to cry even harder and the hug got tighter. This whole hug was a mess, they were all crying loudly. People in the village soon came to even check on them but none of them cared. After 2 years each of their dreams had come true and nothing else mattered.

“Welcome home, Ace.”

~~

“Luffy don’t-!” (Y/n) tried to protest all she wanted, but as soon as she had put down the food, Luffy was all over it. And taking after his uncle, Estelle was right there digging into the food with Luffy. Let a heavy sigh past her lips as she walked back into the kitchen to get the rest of the food.

“Oi! Luffy save some for us!!” Ace’s voice rang through the house as a loud thump followed along with Luffy groaning in pain. Like music to her ears, hearing Ace’s voice once again causes (Y/n) so much happiness and relief. Having her black-haired lover back is the best feeling in the world.

After all 4 of them had somehow managed to stop the tears, they didn’t spend a moment from each other. Where ever one went the others always followed because they were all scared that if they left then Ace would disappear. Although, out of the whole reunion, being able to reunite Estelle with his father was the best part. Luckily he’s only 2 so things weren’t awkward and he was able to quickly adapt to Ace. Being again to finally introduce Ace to his son and Estelle to his father was by far the best part. It only made (Y/n) cry even more.

“Hey, Daddy you can’t hit Uncle Luffy. Mama will get mad at you.” Estelle laughed as he waved around the bone. Even the word was foreign to Ace, it still took him a while to get used to even being a dad. But after staring at Estelle for a moment, just taking in the fact that Estelle’s actually his kid. Ace chuckled and smiled.

“Oh, will she now? Last time I check, I think I can handle your mother when she’s angry.” Ace chuckled as he leads back in his chair and crossed his arms. She could cry just looking at him. After all these years he hasn’t changed a bit. Messy black hair, freckled skin, a huge smile that could light up the room. The only thing that had changed, was the giant burn mark on his stomach. It was huge and very upsetting but it’s not like Ace didn’t have scars from before. With one last shaky breath, (Y/n) pushed back any sadness she had and quickly replaced it with joy. There is no way (Y/n) was gonna be sad.

“You better think again fire boy.” (Y/n) had stated as she hit the back of his head while she took a seat next to him at the table. Ace hissed at the pain while Estelle laughed in response. Sabo and Luffy were quick to follow in suit. All their laughter sounded like music to her ear. There really wasn’t anything else she could wish for. Ace was back, she’s having dinner with her family, and she was happy. It was all too perfect, it was almost like this whole thing was a dream. God, (Y/n) was terrified that it was all just a dream. The thought of having them go back to a time where Ace was gone and that-

“Ouch.” (Y/n) hissed as she grabbed her arm. Looking over next to her, she saw Estelle gigging up at her. Estelle and his pinches are gonna be the death of her.

“You so deserve that for early. Good job, Estelle, you’re learning quickly.” Ace laughed out loud as he looked over at his son. Estelle smiled bright and laughed along with him. (Y/n) couldn’t even be mad, but she wasn’t about to let Ace get away with it.

“Oh, you watch it, because last time I checked Estelle was still a mommy’s boy just like his father.”

[purpleyellow]

Hide & Seek

NCT 24th member / Dream 8th member

Bee’s Masterlist

“The two times Bee avoided Mark and the one she didn’t”

a/n: Feel free to share your thoughts with me. Requests are open!💛

Growing up, in general, is a pain in the ass, and Bee isn't the happiest about having to deal with it. She doesn't know if it's because of how she was raised, or if it's just her personality, but the girl cannot see herself as an adult.

You see, adults are supposed to manage five different tasks, have most things thought out, and try to handle everything that comes their way. Bee, however, wants to lay in bed at every minor inconvenience and wishes she could freeze time so she can digest what's happening.

She can see herself as those five-year-olds who pout, cross their arms and look away when you tell them they can't have ice cream for dinner. Just like she can see Jeno as those parents who bribe their kids to eat vegetables with a false promise of going to the ice cream parlor on the next day.

"Why don't you want to talk to him?" Jeno whispers to Bee midst the chaos in the van. The first time she successfully avoids Mark is when the members are leaving SM after a long day of figuring out stuff for the comeback. Things were only starting to come together, and the boy knows that if Mark and the girl don't figure out everything soon it's not going to be a fun process.

"I don't have anything to say" She mumbles looking out of the window. Jeno turns her head back to him before continuing.

"Maybe Mark has something. Or maybe he has questions"

"Good for him" She simply states. "I already said everything, so I'm not helpful to talk to"

"And you stand by everything you said almost six months ago?" He asks while trying not to laugh "You didn't think about it anymore? There, you said it and moved on"

"Yes, I stand by everything" She lies. Bee has relived every single conversation she has had with or about Mark especially lately, cringing at some stuff she said, making up better answers, and overanalyzing every little word even if they don't mean a thing. Jeno probably knows she does that, yet she's not going to admit that easily, because admitting means confronting the situation.

"Just maybe think things are exponentially worst when you're trying to avoid the topic instead of solving it once and for all" The boy mumbles and she rolls her eyes. Mentally thanking the manager who happened to pull up next to their building

Trying to escape that conversation as fast as possible, Bee holds onto the back of the seat in front of her, accidentally hitting Jaemin in the head, and jumps past Jeno, who frows as he watches her bolt out of the vehicle.

The girl only stops as she reaches the elevator because of the light feeling on her hoodie pocket. She had left her phone behind, throwing away all the work she just put into getting to her room without speaking with anyone else.

Walking back to the van, Bee keeps her head down to avoid making eye contact and waves off Renjun after he shared a proverb about people skipping a step only to return two. Honestly, he might have said something different because the meaning flew right above her head.

The manager, who had also left the vehicle to check on something at their apartment, throws his keys for her to catch and tells her to be quick.

Bee goes straight to the seat she had occupied and starts searching through the openings where the phone might have fallen from, ultimately deciding it was somewhere on the floor. Patting away underneath hers and Jeno's seat, she finally moves on to the row in front of them, getting scared by a light and the muffled sound of her phone ringing.

Almost like a miracle, she was getting a call from someone who might have saved her a couple of seconds of searching. Reaching out for the device, her smug grin turns to a frown as the name "Minhyung from Canada" shines on her screen. A confused noise leaves her mouth while Bee gets up from the floor, though her debating over either answering or not doesn't go very far due to said Canadian standing at the door of the van.

"I thought if I helped out find it, you would finally listen to me," Mark says, ending the call. Though, it seems like that was the only line he had rehearsed because after it they both stay in awkward silence, making Bee look down at the device in her hands before raising an eyebrow.

"Well, my hand touched it before the call got connected?" She, not as confidently, lies again.

Mark shakes his head adamantly "No it didn't"

"Do you have eyes on the floor?" The girl frowns trying to make that topic last longer but he doesn't fall for it.

"Yunhee," He says in a disappointed tone which Bee copies by saying "Mark"

Mark raises one eyebrow feeling rather playfully. "Mark Oppa?" and she rolls her eyes while planing an escape route.

The boy seems to remember what he was there for and scratches his head, suddenly bringing back the awkward mood.

"We should clear everything up, you know" His tone is back to uncertain surprising her by the sudden change and Bee feels her hands clamming up. She knows he's waiting for her to show any kind of reaction but for some reason, she cannot have any.

"Guys, I have to get the car back to the building. You can keep the conversation going at either of your dorms" The manager pops his head through the driver’s seat before climbing it. Bee hands him the keys and both idols slowly step out of the vehicle. Her mind is still blankly looking for a way to avoid listening to whatever the older had to say when the man magically says something that fixes all of her problems. "Actually, Mark come here, it's about 127's schedule tomorrow, something came up"

And she doesn't stay to listen as she bolts to the elevator that's taking her to her safe and Mark-free bedroom.

☆☆☆

The second time Bee avoids him, or gets saved by another person, happened a few days after the van accident when she rapidly types on her phone while running to the end of the hallway where the SM elevators are.

The sound indicating the doors opening on her floor catches her attention and Bee doesn't have to fully look inside the place to see Mark standing on the edge, ready to walk out of it. Almost without thinking, her feet make her turn left into another hallway and she instinctively makes her way to the room she had visited many times before.

Bee knows for a fact Mark is supposed to go to the studio she had just left, so the fact she can hear him doing the same route she is, makes adrenaline pump inside of her and the girl starts sprinting as fast as she can.

She finds it stupid how her brain suddenly read that moment as her being chased by something dangerous, but there's not enough time to let her process the situation. Instead, Bee barges through the door of Kun's studio and throws herself onto the space between the empty couch and the wall.

Crouching so she's hidden by the armrest, Bee simply says "I'm not here" before staring at the floor in front of her, making the WayV leader question why he's even surprised at that point.

A series of three knocks on the door makes Kun get up and go greet whoever had the decency to announce themselves before interrupting his work like half of his groupmates usually do. Keeping the door half-opened, he's half surprised by Mark standing a little distance away while seemingly sorry to be in that position.

"Hyung, my bad for coming here. But I was wondering if I could talk to Bee" The boy says scratching his eyebrow.

"I mean, of course, you can" Kun starts making the girl's heart drop "I'm not sure why you're asking me, though. And next time you see her, let her know I also need to speak with her"

"Oh, yeah. Sure?" Mark says uncertainly tilting his head and closing his eyes. He stares inside the room through the small space Kun allowed and sighs defeated "Sorry about it, I'll just go"

Waving to the boy, Kun waits for him to walk a little before closing the door and turning to the hidden girl. "You know we could see the top of your head, right?"

"Wait, he saw me?" Bee asks with wide eyes, supporting her head on the armrest and the boy rolls his eyes "Probably yes. The kid is just too polite to say anything about it"

Standing up from the ground, the girl sits on the couch to wait for a little before leaving the room. Kun takes the opportunity to throw himself back on his chair and interrogates her.

"Why are you avoiding Mark?"

"I stole his charger so now he's mad" She pouts looking at the ground making the older scoff.

"I'm not buying anything that simple. Don't think I haven't noticed you've been almost daily in our dorm instead of hanging out with your unit. We like when you visit but it became a little weird when we're not even there yet you still go hide inside our apartment"

"It's too complicated" She sighs craning her neck to check the clock "And I'm actually late for something, so you'll have to deal with my stupid high school problems sometime later"

"They're only stupid because you thought over them a million times and began downplaying whatever they are. You can't do that forever and you know it"

"Confrontation makes me cry, so I'll try my best to keep pushing it away" Bee smiles like something uplifting was said and stands up "See you later"

"Sure, good luck with your date" Kun smirks turning back to the table and checking on his work. Noticing she hadn't actually left the door he lets out a chuckle "Chenle told me about it"

"It's not a date. Chenle was literally invited to tag along" Bee rolls her eyes and he shrugs despite not looking back at her.

"Sure, have fun"

☆☆☆

Ever since Mark first showed his confusion over how things were going, Bee tried really hard not to make the situation awkward for everyone. She didn't want them to be extra careful around her, nor feel like this big dramatic thing was going on between the group. And to lessen her worries, the dreamies seemed to act the same they had always been.

There is the fact she isn't talking to Mark, but much to her surprise, the girl realized she never really relied a lot on speaking to him. Pretending everything was fine became part of her routine for that two weeks.

But just like Kun caught onto her distancing herself, a bunch of staff members also did. The choreographer who first introduced them to the routine asked her a couple of times if everything was okay, and the producer noticed the idol was out of the room the time she was finished, not really mingling like the rest of the boys.

Those two didn't really say anything about it, since she was still getting work done. That isn't the same for the management team, who not only saw her change in behavior but feared how much of that would be noticeable in videos and the overall dynamic of what they had waiting for the comeback.

"Bee, can I talk to you for a second" One particular manager called for her as she was resting on the corner of the dance studio.

Bee gathered her things in a pile on the floor and got up to follow him out of the room. The man had worked with NCT for a really long time, but he wasn't the closest manager to her, nor had ever taken care of her individual schedules. She knew whatever he had to tell her wasn't going to be very good.

"We don't want to intrude on whatever is going on in your life. But the moment it affects the group I'm afraid somebody needs to step in" The man sighs walking slowly next to her "If you're not feeling well, or something happened to make you not want to be around the members you need to act on it, or tell somebody so no one gets suspicious of it"

"I'll make sure no one notices it" She mumbles playing with her ring and rolls her shoulders "It's not something to be worried about though. Nothing really happened"

"We'll some people started to point out on Jisung's graduation video that you're often really quiet. Considering your personality it's nothing out of the ordinary, but you can't afford it pilling up and fans talking about it. We're aware of what that saesang said last year and don't think the company forgets easily if more fans start thinking you don't want to be in the group or doesn't belong in it, it's going to be a big problem"

"More people are talking about it?" Bee glances once again to the ring Renjun made her wear.

"It's a small number so far, but there are those who think that by Mark coming back and you being a little quieter, your place might be in another unit," He notices her gaze turning down and places a hand on her shoulder"Don't stress over it right now, just dedicate yourself a little more to the group and show you have a place in it. It should pass after some time"

Patting her, he reminds her to 'go back to normal before heading back to his work. Bee feels a slight headache creeping in and sneaks into a smaller room dedicated to vocal training, where she drops her body on a chair and closes her eyes to either sleep or try to gather some courage and face everything she has avoided so far.

The girl ends up doing neither because a few seconds pass and Mark pushes his head inside the room.

"Can we talk now?" He asks and without any energy left, Bee nods to the chair next to her for him to sit.

[gaitwae]

Wildest Dreams [|] Loki x Reader

Sequel to Mr. Perfectly Fine

Warnings: 

Summary: Loki remembers what he’s done to you. You work through the hurt, deciding not to rush whatever’s really going on.

Tags: @make-me-imagine @thorfanficwriter @bwemph @myraiswack @rorybutnotgilmore @loki-snape-our-hero @wolfish-trickster @lucywrites02 @mostly-marvel-musings @winterfrostsarmy @superheroesandstardust @castiels-majestic-wings @geekns @natandersonnla @cozy-the-overlord @megthemewlingquim @frostedgiant @whatafuckingdumbass @thebookbakery @delightfulheartdream @twhiddlestonsstuff @lokistan @the-emo-asgardian @amwolowicz @itscomplicatedx @sophlubbwriting​ @darkacademicfrom2021 @lilyofthesword 

It was absolutely safe to say that when your eyes opened, you were scared out of your mind. Loki was sleeping on your couch, his fingers laced with yours. Vaguely, all too quickly, you realized that accepting his dashing-yet-blunt proposal wasn’t a fantasy.

Hurt bubbled up in your chest. Your eyes stung dully as you removed your hand from his. You checked his temperature: it was low. He was drunk. He was sitting on your couch with your smudged lip color on his. He did think you were engaged now, despite the fact that you were quickly realizing how bad that was.

Loki hurt you.

Loki hurt you real bad.

You couldn’t marry this man, no matter how much you might have wanted to those years ago. You never would have said yes! Loki just... he seemed so sad. He had never cried in front of you, not if you didn’t count Frigga’s funeral, and even then, that wasn’t anything like... well... that display. His tears were like salt in the wound, laughing right at you. You put some distance between the two of you. You cleaned his mouth off with your sleeve, wondering how on Earth you were going to explain this to Bucky.

Oh, no.

Bucky.

Bucky was going to have to hear Loki’s hungover insistance that you were now his fiancée. He was also going to have to hear about how you kissed Loki back. You had to be honest. You had to call your boyfriend. There was no skipping over the truth when you were dating a lawyer, no matter how much you wanted to avoid it.

It was better that he heard it from you rather than the ex boyfriend laying on your couch.

You dialed Bucky’s number. He picked up quickly. “Baby, are you okay?”

“Bucky, Loki came over,” you said quickly, “and he was drunk... he, uh, kissed me, and he proposed to me because apparently you were planning on asking me to marry you?” You swallowed, trying to think of how to redeem yourself. “I got so swept up with emotion from the past, I said yes, I didn’t mean to, but Loki was already crying and I needed him to calm down — he’s — he’s asleep, but if he starts getting protective by the time you come home, I’m so sorry—!”

“Wait,” Bucky said, cutting you off. “Baby, explain this again. Calmly, okay?” He didn’t sound too worried. Then again, this might be the quiet before the storm.

“Loki came by our house, drunk. He was crying, and I got nervous. He kissed me, proposed, and then asked me to marry him. I didn’t know what to do, so I said yes. I’m so, so sorry....”

“Well, you’re not going to marry him, are you?” he asked, sad humor slipping in. Your heart sank.

“I don’t know,” you mumbled. You didn’t mean to say it out loud, but hey? What could you do? You held the phone to your ear gingerly, keeping an eye on Loki’s sleeping form. “I-I mean, no. No.”

The anger slowly started to build. You understood it. You hoped he would be mad at you instead of Loki. “You don’t know? Or ‘no’? What is it?”

“James, it isn’t like that,” you protested. You bit your tongue and your cheek. If the world was perfect, you would have married Loki like you were set on. You would have had children with him, by now. As you spoke, you found you weren’t faced with the possibility of losing Bucky, but the possibility of throwing away your decade-old dreams. “I swear. I don’t want to marry anybody, right now. I don’t. I couldn’t.”

“Why couldn’t you? What if I did propose, Y/N?” Defensive. Protective. Angry. Hurt. Why? Had Loki been right? 

You hadn’t ever talked about marrying Bucky. You couldn’t imagine that life. “Bucky, can we save this for later?” you begged through the phone. “Please, I’m worried about Loki; he’s never drunk himself stupid before.” You scratched your neck. In your wildest dreams, you had never imagined falling back into Loki’s temptation.

You had finally woken up clean, and he had to try to bring you back down.

“Y/N?” he asked after a moment. Barnes sounded hollow. Hollow, but understanding. There was a shuffle over the phone and you couldn’t tell what it was. Was he leaving? Was he moving around? Would he forgive you?

“Yeah?” you managed. 

“You still love him. Don’t you?” 

Your tongue was glued to the roof of your mouth. Your tears welled up. No wonder you were able to be friends with Loki. No wonder you weren’t able to just forget about him. With an ocean of regret in your voice, you admitted, “I don’t want to.”

James sighed. “Okay. Well, we can talk things through at home... I know you didn’t mean for anything to happen, I know you’ve been as faithful as you can be. You wouldn’t be calling and crying otherwise.” He sniffed. “I shouldn’t have planned a proposal without clearing it with you. We haven’t talked about marriage.”

“Bucky, if I do ever marry, I don’t want you to worry if it’s you or Loki. I don’t even know if I want to marry anyone. Loki clearly has feelings for me, I can’t just pretend that I don’t have remaining feelings when he could very well keep coming by... Gosh.” You sat down in a chair. You looked at your left hand, which had no ring on it. It was bare. 

“I’ll head home,” Bucky said. “Sit tight. Bye.”

“Bye.” You hung up the phone. You held your head in your hands, silently cursing yourself for being the world’s biggest pushover. Your ex waltzed in, gave off a teary show, and then pleaded for your heart like he was on death row, and you listened. Were you an idiot? What kind of mistake were you making? Could you up and leave Bucky for some tool who could change his mind as quickly as he had four years ago?

You sat there for what seemed like hours; it was probably only one or two, considering how long Bucky’s firm was from your home. Your boyfriend eventually stepped through the door and pulled you into his arms, millions of apologies being swapped between the two of you. 

You sat at the table and talked for almost three hours. Every now and then, it was bordering an argument, but you both kept your cool. Bucky knew how hard you were trying to be there for him, to be his, but when it came down to it, you were always Loki’s. You had a raw wound. You knew how much Bucky wanted to be yours, but as it turned out, he was proposing because it seemed like what was expected of him. Through the conversation, you learned that maybe it was smarter to take a break, maybe stay roommates, and try to exist as friends again.

“If Loki makes you happy,” Bucky whispered, “then I think you should try again. He’s changed; he’s made changes for you. He’s been good to you. We’ve been barely getting by these past months.”

“I know,” you replied. “But I’m not going to turn around and just run after him. That’s not smart. You’re still in my life, Buck.”

“All I see is you,” he murmured.

“I know,” you said again.

Bucky stood up. “I’m going to stay at Steve’s tonight, doll. Um... make sure Loki has water when he wakes up. Give him a good tongue-thrashing for me.” He offered a weak smile.

You sniffled. “Take whatever you need. I’ll be up playing nurse — don’t worry about anything.”

Bucky nodded. “Got it.” He scratched his nose. “I’ll drop by in the morning and see if there’s anything I can help with.”

+-+--

When Loki woke up, the headache was the first thing he complained of. “Y/N?” he groaned. You were sitting next to him, hands tucked under your arms. You were gazing down at him, watching his face as his expression changed from pained to embarrassed. “Please tell me what happened was just a fever dream...”

You shook your head. “You proposed to me.”

“You said ‘yes’,” he breathed, slapping a hand to his forehead. “Oh, my Norns. I’m so sorry; you don’t have to marry me. I was an idiot. I shouldn’t have even come by — I walked from the bar, in the rain, with only the thought of taking you back...”

“I figured,” you chuckled lightly. You didn’t meet his eyes. You played with the hem of your shirt. “Bucky and I might break up, though. You told on him. His planned proposal, I mean.” 

“You aren’t breaking up because of me, are you?”

“No; not entirely. I’m still... You’re trouble, you know that? I’m going to get a reputation.”

“You need one,” Loki joked. “People will be less likely to take advantage of you, then. Odinson’s Wife — the Terrifying Maiden.”

“I’m no maiden,” you said, rolling your eyes. “I’m still upset from our breakup. That’s why Bucky and I are thinking about calling it quits. I wasn’t over you when I thought I was, so just shut up and drink some water.” You handed him a glass. “You can’t hold your liquor, you know.”

Loki took it gingerly. “Oh, I hate how well you know me,” he sighed, taking a long sip. “Do I get some aspirin?”

“No.” You crossed your arms. “You said you’ve been carrying Frigga’s ring in your pocket since she died?”

“I did?” He furrowed his brows. “That’s right, I did... I’ve been keeping it for you, I must admit.”

“You said.”

Loki sat up, taking your hand. “I have your picture in my wallet.”

“You what?” You blinked. “You didn’t say that.” You scooted a little closer. 

“Well, no, I didn’t; I didn’t need you to drop my glass heart, now, did I?” Loki smirked a little. “You know it always has been you, lover.”

“I’m not your lover,” you said exasperatedly. 

Loki kissed your cheek. Although you pushed him off once or twice, he managed to snake his arms around your waist and hang on you. “Not yet. I will marry you, whatever it takes.”

+-+--

Sidewalk chalk was an odd Christmas tradition with Thor’s kids. It was another three years after Loki’s drunken proposal, and you and Bucky eventually sorted it out and found you were both much, much happier. Bucky married Sarah Wilson, taking her two boys as his own stepchildren. You were still in the grey area with Loki, but you wouldn’t deny that you were about ready to scream if he didn’t at least try to pop the question.

“Y/N, darling, I brought you something!” Loki’s voice came from upstairs. Thor’s house was large, and the wife he had picked opted to be a stay-at-home mother while the toddlers were toddling. He poked his head out from the upstairs balcony and grinned at you like a madman. 

“What did you bring me?” you asked, arching your brow at your boyfriend-but-not-really. He stomped down the stairs, thrusting a little blue bag in your hands.

“I’ve brought glad tidings. I’ve come to free you~” he teased, poking your sides. “My undying affection. My most-ardent love for you—”

“—Can it, tell me what it is,” you said, cutting him off. Loki pulled you flush against his chest, peppering your cheek with kisses.

“I want you to imagine us... you, standing in a nice dress, me, staring at you staring at the sunset,” he whispered, lacing your fingers. “Happy Christmas, darling.”

“What is it?” you pressed, looking in the bag. It was a little picture of a house. “What?”

“That’s our home, sweetheart,” Loki said, resting his head on top of yours. “We’ll live there after the wedding, raise our children...”

“You’re still trying to get me to marry you?” you asked.

“We’ve been engaged for three years!” he scolded playfully. “Not even in your wildest dreams, I would not be trying to make you my wife.”

“What if I am your wife?”

“I’ll try to marry you again!” he laughed, kissing you sweetly. 

[negasonicimagines]

Closer (NSFW)

synopsis: Ellie’s a beta. You’re...not.

notes & warnings: this is a/b/o smut with an alpha!reader, that means you have a retractable dick. don’t like = don’t read. also: genital repulsion is 100% valid, but genitals ≠ gender, and Ellie was using dick/penis/etc in place of the word boys/men/etc which is addressed and corrected! overstimulation kink aplenty! and, for the first time on negasonicteenageimagines, wing kink! implied babypool!reader, which I will probably address in a part 2 one day! I'm sorry I've been gone so long, had a really demanding job that sucked the life out of me and I'm just living on savings while I try to recuperate.

Ellie loves the feeling of your hands on her; running down her sides, nervously feeling her chest or ass through her clothes, but she hates when you grab onto her hips and stop her.

“Y/N…” She sighs, stroking your flushed face. She’s straddling your lap, you’ve been trading kisses and teasing touches for the past little while.

“I just- Just need a sec, to cool down,” you tell her. Like it’s wrong that you want her; that she wants you.

“Why?” Ellie asks, and you look up at her with a bit of a hurt expression. She knows why. You don’t think she can handle you. You haven’t said it, but it’s pretty clear. “W- Wait, I’m sorry. You don’t owe me an explanation. If you don’t want to, then I don’t want to, okay?”

“I mean, I do, you’re so…” Your hands tighten around her hips and she throbs, she wishes she could just melt into the touch. “I do. But…”

“I know,” Ellie sighs again.

“Can I hold you?” you request.

“Let me. You don’t have to be all-alpha, all the time. You should let me take care of you, y’know?”

“Mmkay,” you agree, letting her guide you so that you’re on top of her. You sink into her— not in the way that either of you would prefer —and let her tend to you, petting your hair and humming some old emo song. She strokes your wings next, and you shudder when she gets closer to the downy feathers between them. “E- El, we’re stopping, remember?”

“Right, sorry. Those softer feathers just feel so nice.”

“Thanks…” you mumble sleepily, and she smiles, though you can’t see it. You’ve always been self-conscious about your wings, but Ellie’s seen the beauty in them from the moment she first saw you. She’s seen the beauty in you since then, too.

Being with you is a dream, even if you’re not ready to take the next step. She just wishes she could reassure you; make everything better. It’s what you deserve.

“Dinner soon,” she softly warns, and you whine, closing your eyes tighter. “Babe, seriously, it’s too late for a nap.”

“Then what are you doing being such a good pillow, hm?” you argue.

She stammers before scoffing.

“Mhm, that’s what I thought,” you murmur.

“You’re lucky I like you,” Ellie teases.

“I know,” you hum, nuzzling. She’s probably covered in your scent at this point.

“You know, I get a lot of glares from your fan club when you do that,” Ellie grumbles, but she doesn’t really mind. She’s proud that everyone knows that she’s yours, and the other way around.

“My huh-what-now?”

“You know, that little group of omegas that…” Ellie trails off. She’s not sure whether she’s annoyed or grateful that you haven’t noticed. “They just really like you, that’s all.”

You’re not sure what it is. Betas have scents so light that emotion isn’t detectable, but maybe you can subconsciously smell the variation. Maybe it’s her tone, the way it slips from genuine nonchalance to something… Tense.

Whatever you’ve picked up on, it snaps you to attention. You sit up.

“What’s wrong?”

Ellie blinks at you. Out of respect to her, you do your best to suppress your overprotective tendencies. Clearly, you’re not making an exception for her this time. Your wings are all puffed up.

“Eleanor.” You only say her full first name when you’re serious. Usually it’s anger. “What’s wrong? Did they say something to you? Did they do something?”

“I- They just think you deserve a proper mate, or whatever. It’s not like you disagree, there’s a reason we haven’t done that.”

“Yeah, there is, but it isn’t something as superficial as that. You’re joking, right?”

“What? No, they really-“

“Fuck them, I don’t care what they think. I care what you think. Do you really think I’ve been holding back because you’re not an omega?”

“Well… Yeah.”

“Wow, um… Wow. Thanks for that, El. Didn’t know you thought that little of me, but… Cool.”

“Then what is it? Because I can’t think of any other reason!” Ellie snaps.

“Are you fucking serious?! Are you that fucking idiotic?!” You snap harder, you get up from the bed, and Ellie blinks in shock again.

“What?!”

“Ellie, you have said about a million times that you don’t like dick.”

Ellie’s furious expression immediately drops into one of regret, thinking of all the times she’s expressed utter repulsion towards your genitalia without even thinking.

“Yeah, I am that fucking idiotic,” she realizes. ”Oh, fuck, I really should’ve adjusted my language. I don’t like men! Fake dicks and ones otherwise attached to girls are fine,” Ellie explains. “Oh, jeez, Y/N, I’m so sorry. Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Hugs okay?”

You nod tearfully, she gets up, and she wraps her arms around your waist. You hug her neck, pressing her into your chest while your wings also wrap around her.

“I’m really sorry,” Ellie apologizes a third time. “I can’t believe I was such a freaking jerk. Those omegas are right, I really don’t deserve you.”

“El, it’s okay. We’re all learning. I should’ve told you what you were saying was bothering me.”

“But, I mean, what I was saying wasn’t just insensitive to alpha women, it was transphobic. I mean, it’d be one thing if I was genuinely repulsed, but... I’m definitely not. I was so thoughtless,” she insists.

“Like I said, we’re all learning. You acknowledged what you were saying was wrong, and how, and now you're growing from it. That’s all anyone can expect,” you reassure her.

“I love you,” she says.

“I love you too,” you reply, holding her tighter. “I’m really sorry for getting mad at you. I should’ve known you’d feel self-conscious, and that other people would see a problem with us. I just… I guess I’m so happy to finally be with you, that… I don’t know. I forget that everything else still sucks.”

“Babe…” Ellie coos, looking up at you. You look into her eyes, and your frown is turned upside down. She grins back. “You’re so beautiful.”

Instead of embracing her, you now cup her cheeks with your hands, pulling her in for a kiss that gets deeper and deeper until Ellie’s under you with one of your thighs between her legs.

You two have never gone as far as to stimulate those areas, but it’s about time. You continue to devour each other, you fondle her chest before literally starting to tear her shirt off, not wanting to part from the kiss but wanting her to be wearing way less clothing.

She gives a surprised gasp, lips leaving yours.

You whine.

“You were literally ripping my shirt off.”

“It’s a plain black one. You have, like, five,” you grumble, bitter that you’re having to take a pause. She looks at you with frustration, but notices just how clenched your jaw is, the way your hands shake.

You’re starving for her. For anything, probably, hardwired to spend at least a week straight every month fucking. How long have you two been together now? Loyalty may be the bare minimum, but she feels the need to reward you for it somehow. You had plenty of opportunity to fulfill your needs elsewhere.

Ellie takes her shirt off, chuckling to herself at the realization that it’s now a v-neck instead of the ring-neck it was. She unbuttons your shirt, helping your slip your wings out of the window in the back.

Your eyes rake over her body, but you don’t touch, not without permission. Ellie’s always loved observing you, photography has made her a bit of a voyeur. Watching someone as beautiful as you hold back such primal urges is downright delicious.

She can’t help but resume kissing you, lips and teeth and tongue mashing together. It’s animalistic.

“Can I please touch-“ Ellie’s cut off with a moan, the seam of her skinny jeans and the pressure of your thigh hitting just right. “Mm, wings?”

You hesitate.

“I’ll be gentle,” Ellie pleads.

“Okay,” you consent, resuming your kissing.

You’ll never forget the first time she touched your wings like this.

You two hadn’t just started dating, but you hadn’t been together for long. You were snuggling on the couch watching some movie or show on Netflix.

At first, she was just stroking your back, right above where you’re most sensitive, if it wouldn’t mat your feathers, you’d cover it up completely.

You’d tensed up a little at how close she was to the soft, more tender feathers, but she hadn’t noticed. She danced her fingertips further down and continued to stroke.

You choked on air, scrambling away from her quickly and blushing like crazy.

“What?” Ellie asked incredulously.

“I- Um- How do I put this?” You were still panting. “It’s gradual, like, um, for the most part it’s not very sensitive, but when you get closer to, um, the center of my wings, um…”

“Oh, fuck, I’m sorry, I didn’t know it hurt,” Ellie apologized, and though her tone didn’t betray it, you could see in her eyes that she felt awful.

You quickly shook your head.

“Wait, then… Oh. Oh!” Now she was blushing. “Sorry.”

This time, she’s skipped over the less sensitive parts again, not even building up to where she’s touching now, right in the center. You moan into her neck, clinging to her as she toys with the raven feathers between your shoulder blades.

She chuckles, and you growl.

“That’s cute,” Ellie murmurs, and you start to rut against her thigh again, feeling your member start to harden, and therefore extend from your body. “Big bad alpha, but I bet if I asked you’d let me put a collar on you, wouldn’t you?”

“Holy fuck, yes,” you moan. No girl has ever made you feel this way before. Of course, you’ve had sex before, but... It’s always been about the other person. Knot me, choke me, tie me up, Alpha, please, you remember the whines of past partners, whether they were omegas or simply curious alphas, and you appreciate Ellie’s independence, her borderline dominance. Maybe this time will be a little more vanilla, but the thought of...

“Kiss me again.”

You obey, and this continues for a bit longer, her mumbling sweet, disgusting nothings while you get bigger and harder and closer.

“El, I- I’m so-“

“Huge?” Ellie attempts to fill in the blank, intimidated by your size. It’s bigger than her strap by a long shot.

You just whine.

“Can I- Can I see?” she requests. Your cock is straining against your bottoms, so you’re happy to take them off as she removes her own. She urges you to prop yourself against some pillows and allow her to be on top. Her already doe-like eyes are even wider. “I- Uh- May I?” She has a hand outstretched.

You stutter before settling on nodding. Her hand carefully wraps around you, she slides her fist up and down so slowly. You give a trembling sigh.

“This okay?” you ask, still nervous.

“Mhm,” Ellie quickly responds, cheeks turning redder. She runs her thumb over the head— well, more like a face, since it’s your clitoris and some of the skin that surrounds it —and you squeal. “Alright, I think I kind of get it,” she mumbles.

“You think?” you choke out as she continues to stimulate the bundle of nerves; she bites her lip to hold back a smirk. You’re careful not to buck your hips, wanting her to go at her own pace. You instead roll your shoulders, wings feeling cramped with the way you’re sitting.

She notices.

“Here.” Ellie takes a pillow from beside you and has you lean forward. When you recline again, it’s thick enough to keep you off the headboard and it’s right between your wings, so every time you move…

“C-Clever,” you stammer, and she reaches out to stroke your cheek. You don’t know why, but you flinch.

“Shh… It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you, babe.”

You nod. You know.

“You alright?” she asks.

You nod again.

“Can you use your words?”

“Yeah, I’m okay,” you reassure her, letting go of a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

“Do you wanna keep going?” She’s so beautiful; so perfect. She likes to pretend she doesn’t care, about anything, but she lets you have the truth. She does, often too much. And she loves you.

“Please.”

Your enthusiasm hasn’t waned even a bit, Ellie notices, and she starts to stimulate you with both hands now, thumb sweeping over your clit while she strokes up and down your cock.

Your knot starts to swell, just a little.

“Hng, El, wait,” you tell her, and she tears her hands away immediately, looking concerned again. “Nothing bad, I just… Can I please finish you off at least once, before I do?”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

“Really?” She sounded… Hesitant.

“Yeah,” she says with a relieved smile. “You just surprised me, that’s all.”

You’re trying not to give into your instincts, to not throw her down onto the bed and just take, but it must be obvious with the way you hesitate to even touch her as you try to readjust your positions.

“Babe, you know I want this, right? You don’t have to be careful.”

You look down at your dick, and then skeptically at her. She follows your gaze.

“You’re as small as an omega but with none of the evolutionary traits to keep me from breaking you.”

Ellie’s cheeks flush. You always know when she wants to tell you something— or if she has some sort of request —but she’s too embarrassed or nervous, her lips curl inwards, pressed into a thin line. Her eyebrows pop up, just a little, and the puppy eyes just barely start to form, though they avoid yours.

You look to her expectantly.

“What if I want to be broken?”

“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” you argue, and it’s shaky. You want her, you want to do this for her, you want to give her everything.

“I’m asking for you. All of you,” she insists. “Please.”

You nod, before taking her face in your hands once more and pressing your lips to hers. The gentle kissing devolves into practically devouring her lips with yours.

You mouth at her neck, at all of her, nibbling and licking and sucking until you reach what you’ve been aching for and tug her boxers off, burying your face in her and finally getting to eat.

“H-holy fucking…” Ellie’s grateful that you’re too focused on the task at hand to look up at her.

You slide one finger in, then another, curling as you use the tip of your tongue to stimulate her clit. You continue to prep her, she realizes with a smile, as she gets closer and closer.

“Could I…?” Her fingers tangle in your hair, but she doesn’t dare to pull. You growl. She’ll take that as a no.

She doesn’t tighten her grip, instead moving her hands to the sheets, but she still rocks against your mouth, begging for more, for release. This certainly isn’t what she’s used to.

“I- Ah- Y/N, fuck, don’t stop, please,” she pants, Eventually, despite her impatience, her moans turn into nonsense until she’s finally over the edge. You work her through it, or, at least, that’s what she assumes you’re doing, until she’s clearly overstimulated and you don’t stop.

She did just ask for all of you, including the sex drive, the insatiable urge to please your partner, and everything else that comes with being an alpha.

The feeling just keeps building and she continues to twitch under you, whimpering and clutching the sheets until a gasp is torn from her lungs and she’s finished once more.

You don’t stop.

The third one comes out of nowhere, she doesn’t feel close at all until suddenly it’s there and she’s crashing over like a waterfall, drowning in pleasure.

“I- That’s- That’s enough, please,” Ellie insists. You lick a slow, wide stripe from her entrance to her clit before sitting up. “Could I, um… Return the favor?”

“You want to?” Your head tilts in confusion. You’re still self-conscious, she realizes.

“I do.” She gets out of the way so that you can lay back down, pillow between your wings and cock still hard and exposed between your spread legs. She tentatively starts to give you a handy again, still unsure of where to start. “I, uh… I don’t think I can fit all that. Is that okay?”

“Of course. You really don’t have to do it at all, I don’t mind.”

“I want to,” she insists, before starting to suckle on the tip, smoothing her tongue over your clit again and again. You sink your teeth into your bottom lip, hard, toes curling. She slowly inches down before gagging and pulling off with a rather cliche pop.

She looks gorgeous with tears in her eyes. She tries again, now knowing her limits but still pushing them every now and then. She uses her hands to make up for what she can’t fit in her mouth, rather skillfully.

“Wait, I- Hng, Ellie, stop,” you moan.

She pulls off, looking worried.

“I- I don’t wanna finish until I’m inside you,” you quietly explain, now you’re avoiding her eyes. She smiles softly, before opening the drawer on her bedside table and grabbing a box of alpha condoms.

“Will these work?”

You nod.

“And would you like to fuck me now?”

“Don’t say it like that!” you protest, before clamping a hand over your mouth, surprised at how bratty you sound.

“Rather whiny for an alpha,” she taunts. “How would you like for me to say it, then?”

Her eyebrow arches and you swear you could finish if she just kept looking at you like that, with that challenge in her eyes that no one else would dare to look at you with. You start leaking precum, and she bites back a smirk once again, waiting for your answer.

“I- Uh… I don’t know. Just, not so vulgar. You’re- You’re special. This is special. Not just…”

It clicks. You’re not sure how it does for her, but it almost always does. She’s intuitive, at least, when it comes to you. Her expression softens. This time, at least, she knows when to stop.

“I get it. Please, I’m ready for you to- I mean, I’ve practiced with my strap, but other than that, no one’s ever- No one's ever done that for me. I want you to.”

You rearrange yourselves once more, letting her rest on the bed and putting a spare pillow under her hips.

You kiss her lips like you’re starting all over, slowly kissing every inch of her. She’s delicious, soft and smooth and tender. You want to sink your teeth in.

You don’t, instead opting to rise up and sink a couple fingers into her, adding a third once you think she can take it.

Ellie tightens around your curling fingers, desperate for more. She rocks downwards, she wants to be filled.

“Okay, love, I get it,” you reassure her in a near whisper.

You take one of the alpha condoms and roll it on before carefully lining up with her entrance.

“Ha, don’t tease,” she whines. This is a little closer to what you’re used to. You slide right in, well, as much of you as you can actually fit, which is just over half your length. You’re not quite sure if you’ve bottomed out or if she’s not relaxed enough.

“Is it okay to move?” you wonder.

“Please,” she says, and so you do, starting with a slow, gentle pace before taking it up a notch. You’re fucking her wide open, but you’re still being careful as she turns into a mess of moans under you.

Eventually, though, you just can’t help yourself. You’re practically drilling into her, and now you know you’ve bottomed out because she’s taking all of you, flawlessly.

“Oh, fuck, I-“ Ellie continues to pant, calves propped on your shoulders. “You’re so- I- Y/N, fuck- You- I-“

“Sh-sh-sh, it’s okay. I know. I know.” You can barely string together words yourself, you two fit like you’re made for each other, she squeezes around you so perfectly while you abuse that spot deep inside of her that makes her eyes roll back and her flushed, swollen lips fall wide open. “You’re so perfect.”

“You, too, I- I love you,” she manages, and it’s the best thing she could’ve said. It always is. You kiss her forehead and her knees are now hooked over your shoulders, bringing you even closer. You keep taking her, eventually it’s just too much and she reaches between the two of you, stroking her clit so she can come undone again.

And when she does, her walls flutter around you, getting you right back on the edge. She reaches behind you, running her fingertips over that sensitive spot between your wings so teasingly, so fleetingly, and yet it finishes you; whimpering and moaning and groaning into the pillow, right next to her head.

You knot her without even thinking as you unravel together, and the two of you soak in your euphoria for a few moments before speaking.

“Thank you,” you quietly say.

“I think I should be thanking you,” she scoffs. “What do you have to thank me for?”

“For letting me have you like this. For trusting me. For loving me and understanding me. Everything, I have everything to thank you for,” you explain.

“You’re gonna make me cry,” Ellie grumbles. But she holds your hands in hers like she did almost the entire time you were fucking her into the mattress. “I… I wanna be on top.”

“Um… With proper prep that could definitely work, but we’re a bit stuck at the moment,” you explain.

“Good to know, but... I meant that I want to ride you,” Ellie reiterates.

“Oh. Uh, sure.” You two carefully readjust yourselves.

“I’ve always wondered what it felt like to be knotted,” she admits.

“Is it alright? I- I didn’t consciously do it, I’m sorry for not asking.”

“It’s not a big deal, you’re wearing an alpha condom, plus I’m on birth control so…” She looks at you for a few beats of silence before smiling. “It feels great. It’s… It’s nice, being connected like this.”

It’s a bit awkward, all of it, but it’s... New. Different. Perfect. It’s her.

Ellie rocks back and forth a little, figuring out what works best for her and confirming that it’s comfortable for you before continuing.

Lower, drawn-out moans drip from her lips like syrup as she unintentionally edges you, working up to that perfect peak over and over before switching up the pace or pressure or angle and sending you right back to the start.

You grab Ellie’s hips and snarl. She did say she wanted to be broken, maybe she’s trying to urge you to do so.

She pauses, now fully noticing your flushed cheeks, your heaving chest, the need in your eyes. She nods.

You fuck up into her like she’s just your human fleshlight, hands grasping her hips bruisingly.

“So tight,” you groan through gritted teeth, thrusting up into her faster and harder until her needy whimpers, the way she moans your name, and the new, unique sensation of being inside a beta destroys and remakes you once again.

She’s shuddering too, you realize.

“Are you alright?”

She nods, looking spooked, and winded, of course.

“Are you sure?” you confirm.

She nods again.

“Just… I, um… I finished. Without touching my, um… My clit. Never had that happen before,” she reassures you, also stroking your ego.

“Glad to be of service,” you say with a smile, but your stomach growls. “I say I go get dinner after the knot deflates, ‘kay?”

“What about me?” Ellie wonders.

“I’m not just gonna let you walk after that, even if you could,” you argue. “I’ll bring it back here, to the d- To the ne- Here.”

“It can be our den. Our nest. Is that what you want?” Ellie offers. You nod, looking fretful.

“Just- Just right now, okay? I promise.”

“Babe, you know I want to be with you, right? I don’t just tolerate your instincts, they’re a part of you, I love them as much as I do the rest of you,” she insists, readjusting herself so that she’s laying on top of you instead of straddling you, knot still locked in.

“But you-“ She always teases you about them. Not just every now and then, every time you slip up like that until now, she’s made some remark.

“But what?” Ellie reaches up, stroking your cheek again. You don’t flinch this time, too blissed out.

“I just- Most jokes have a hint of truth to them… So when it feels like you constantly tease me for being an alpha, especially the inconvenience of it…”

“Oh, jeez, I’m- I’m sorry, I... I really am a fucking idiot.”

“You’re not. I shouldn’t have said that,” you disagree.

“I shouldn’t have been making you feel so bad about yourself,” she insists, giving you a kiss, and then another. You deepen it, your nails digging into her back. “Fuck, babe…”

“Thank you…” you drawl, giggling with pride shortly after. You sigh. “I think, uh, I think we can probably part ways now. If you want.”

“Not yet,” Ellie quickly says, pleasantly surprising you. You hold her tighter. “Hey, uh… So… I- Could we- I mean, you- I- We’ve been together a while, and I was just wondering, is it customary for… Ugh, never mind.”

“Sweetness?” you question, concerned.

There’s a decent bit of silence. You can’t see her face, but you can guess the expression: pressed lips, slightly raised eyebrows, the works.

“Would you ever… Want to bite me?”

“I just did, like, a lot,” you say.

“No, I mean-! I mean, like bite me,” she clarifies.

“Oh. Well, I mean, I guess. It wouldn’t have much use, ‘cause the only benefits are scent-related, and I already crave your scent when I’m stressed, and you don’t know what I smell like. We would just be… Clingier to each other than we already are,” you explain.

Her face falls.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind you being a little needier… And it sure would piss off those stupid omegas you were telling me about. Obviously, I want to claim you, you’re mine, but… I just want you to be aware of what it means, how it’ll affect you,” you add to what she probably received as rejection of the idea. “Do you still want this?”

“I do,” Ellie consents. You cradle the back of her head in one hand, tilting it to the side to better access her neck—and therefore her scent gland. You gently kiss the skin first, building up to the bite like you’re trying to create another hickey.

Eventually, though, you sink your teeth in. Ellie tenses up, clinging to you and giving a soft whine of pain before relaxing and just letting it happen. You lick up the blood just a little before realizing you’re just going to have to give up and let it bleed for a bit. You can tend to it later.

“Thank you,” she says, so quietly. “For everything.”

“You’re gonna make me cry,” you echo what she said earlier. You slip her off of you, letting your arousal fade and carefully tucking your member back in after tying off the condom and throwing it away.

“You know, I hadn’t really thought about what that might look like,” Ellie confesses, looking bewildered. You just laugh, and while she blushes, she laughs with you.

“You’re so beautiful,” you tell her. You truly feel like you have to touch her to prove that she’s real. She’s so perfect, you’re so perfect together.

The need for dinner feels a lot more…primal. Like an instinct to care for your mate, especially now that you can feel her hunger simmering in the edges of your mind. You don’t want to leave her, but you also desperately need to take care of her.

She can tell that you’re torn.

“What is it?”

“Food. I-“ You sigh, frustrated. “I wanna stay with you, but I need to get you some food.”

Her expression was already softened, at least compared to the expressions she makes outside of this room you share… This den, you think with glee. But, now it’s even gentler.

“Well, I am pretty hungry… So, why don’t you get us some food, and then we can eat it in here. I think they had pizza for dinner, just get me a couple slices of-“

“The vegan thin crust, I know,” you cut her off. You now have a mission. You give her a long smooch on the forehead before getting up and getting dressed, reapplying your deodorant and some perfume or cologne, if you desire. “Love you.”

“You too,” Ellie calls as you close the door, making your way to the kitchen.

The pizza’s been put up for a while, so you decide you’ll reheat it in the oven, instead of the microwave. You get two pans out, if your pizza choice isn’t vegan, and you go ahead and spray them with cooking spray while you wait for the oven to preheat. You carefully place the slices on each baking sheet.

You don’t want to leave the oven unattended, so you instead reflect on everything that just happened, pride bubbling up in your chest.

You love her so much it hurts.

The oven heats up quickly, so you set the pans inside and put a timer on your phone so can go check on Ellie. You make your way to the stairs, but when you get to the foyer, you realize Ellie’s there, along with a red-suited man.

You resist the urge to approach, knowing it’ll only embarrass and irritate her if you go all cuckoo alpha mode on her in front of someone. She gets a little closer to him, and he hands her a present that’s wrapped… Exquisitely, at least in comparison to your present-wrapping skills.

But his entire posture changes the second he sees you observing.

You decide then to waltz on over, curious about the strange character.

“Who’s this, babe?” you wonder, wrapping an arm around her.

“Oh, this is Deadpool. Just bringing by a horrifically late Hanukkah present.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Deadpool.”

“We’ve met before,” he says softly.

“We have? Shit, sorry, I’m better with faces than names, and yours is covered up, so…”

“It was a long time ago,” he nearly mumbles.

“Okay,” you chirp, not sure how else to respond. “You hungry? I’m reheating some leftover pizza. In case you couldn’t tell, we kind of missed dinner.”

“Y/N!” Ellie protests, turning completely red.

“You know he can smell it on you, right?” you chuckle, before whispering to her: “And I bet you’re walking funny.”

Ellie stammers. Apparently, she didn’t know.

“You two make an adorable couple,” he says, but he sounds sad. Maybe he’s missing his own lover, his scent radiates loss. “I, uh… I don’t think you’d be offering me pizza if you realized who I was.”

“Oh, please, murder isn’t a big deal, even if Ellie and the other hall monitors have a problem with it.”

“You’re gonna have to take Remedial Ethics again if anybody hears you say that,” Ellie chides you.

“They can’t make me, I’ve already graduated. Besides, taking that class so many times gave me a shit ton of extra credits and a sexy little 4.2 GPA,” you snicker. “Yo, DP, if they ever try and get you to take it, just pick the answers that seem like the least amount of fun. Easy peasy.”

“Wow,” Deadpool scoffs, before turning somber once more. “It was nice meeting you again, Y/N.”

“You, too,” you reply, and he’s on his not-so-merry way. “What’s up with him? Isn’t he supposed to be all goofy and vulgar?”

“I don’t know, he’s a pretty moody guy.”

“Huh.” The alarm on your phone goes off, and you help Ellie hobble along to the kitchen.

After letting it cool, you two decide to eat right there, rinsing off the pans before putting them in the empty dishwasher.

Despite her protests, you carry her up the stairs, plopping her in bed before ditching your pants and joining her. She loses her own.

“Round two?” you tease.

“My vagina hurts,” she grumbles.

“Really? I’m sorry, I tried to be careful.“

“No, not like that, you were good. Too good, gave me the pounding of my life,” she reiterates.

“Oh… Thanks.”

“Don’t pretend you’re surprised, those omegas don’t just like you for your wit. You have a reputation.”

“So, they do like me for my wit,” you remark.

“Shut up,” she scoffs at the double entendres. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. You were perfect. I mean, even if you weren’t, you would be, but… That was amazing.”

“You’re too much,” Ellie mumbles, blushing. You kiss her, but she’s the one to intensify it. “...Okay, maybe round two.”

“You gotta teach me how to do that.”

“Do what?” Ellie asks, and she does it again.

“That!” you emphasize.

“What?!”

“Raise one eyebrow!”

“Oh. I don’t do it consciously,” she says. Of course she doesn’t. She’s just perfect.

“Fuck you,” you tell her instead.

“Fuck you.” But she laughs.

“Like, now?” you retort.

“Shut up.” She snuggles you closer. “Can I hold you, now?”

“I guess…” you pretend to complain, and you quickly find your face buried in Ellie’s chest, one arm curled between your bodies and the other around her.

“Ah, my best friends,” you joke, nuzzling.

“You fucking bastard,” she chuckles.

“Just because it’s true, doesn’t mean you should say it,” you sing-song. But the word doesn’t sting when she says it. It’s a term of endearment, now.

“We should probably go to sleep,” Ellie says, upon glancing at her phone.

“Probably,” you admit. “I love you so much.”

“You’re so fucking gay,” she huffs, grinning.

“Really? What clued you in? Is it the way I dress? Or maybe it’s the way I fucked you into the mattress an hour ago…” You play at pensivity, and Ellie, Ellie giggles, rolling her eyes.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[taeyohonic]

stolen dances | chap. 9

summary: sometimes supporting the person you love is the hardest challenge you’ll ever face.

pairing: jeon jungkook x fem!reader

rating: m

warning: alcohol consumption

additional tags: f2l, ceo!jungkook, bestfriend!jungkook, shrink!yoongi, my best friend’s wedding meets 27 dresses (if the boss/secretary couple had happened), angst-y

words: 2400

links: prev. |  next  [masterlist]

note: lower case letters intended

chapter summary: first the lasagne, now the chicken

“i’m really uncomfortable right now, _____”, yoongi says as the both of you get into the elevator. he’s carrying one bottle of scotch – the pricy one – while you’re balancing a cheesecake in your hands. the doors close – trapped in the small space, you turn to your therapist.

“i value your feelings”, you answer him, to which he just snorts.

“but i still have to meet your friends, who do not care for me.”

“you’re my friend – i’m just merging friend groups”, you try to protest but yoongi’s raised eyebrow chastise you wordlessly.

okay, maybe taeyhung’s written song ‘plus tae(one)’ about why he should be your plus one instead of yoongi, was a bit over the top. still, it was too funny not to play in front of your therapist und your barista.

namjoon has gladly stayed silent about the whole debacle with jungkook, so convincing yoongi to join the movie night has been easier than anticipated. the both of them do idolize the hosts a bit too much, making music themselves.

the doors open and before you can step closer to jungkook’s penthouse, yoongi pulls you back. you nearly drop the cheesecake while you watch in shock as the elevator doors close again.

“yoongs”, you start flabbergasted, “uhm… i don’t wanne… you know… sound condescending… but … normally, one leaves the elevator when arriving at the desired floor.”

the man snorts again right in your face, but takes a moment to respond.

“_____, i just wanted to make clear that i won’t be your therapist for the next two and a half hours”, he explains in a soft voice and looks at you with sincerity.

“i’m not here to analyze your relationships or judge your behavior”, yoongi continues and squeezes your hand in a silent promise.

“this is highly unprofessional – but… you are my friend. so… just, let me be your friend tonight.”

if you weren’t madly in love with the person living in this apartment building, you’d marry yoongi in the elevator.

“understood”, you nod and gift him a smile in thanks. but a question remains.

“why did you say two and a half hours?”, you question and press the button to open the doors, again.

“because that’s the average length of a movie. it’s a movie night”, he explains to you like you’re the dumb one. oh, sweet, sweet yoongi.

“we’re not watching movies, yoongs”, you snort while you pull out of the elevator. jungkook has rented out the whole floor, connecting the two penthouses. still, you have to ring a doorbell.

“but it’s called a movie night”, he repeats. “i brought my computer glasses, ____.”

is that a whine leaving his lips?

“that’s just semantics, yoongs”, you answer and maneuver the dessert to one hand only to pat his shoulder softly.

“semantics are important, ____”, he argues and points to your cheesecake.

“that’s dessert because society decided it shall be eaten after dinner. imagine if people just started to eat it as a main course!”

“that would be upsetting – good for us that we’ll have the cake as an entrée”, a voice beats you to your comeback and you flinch, not having noticed the open door nor the man starring at you with interest.

“jimin”, you breathe and feel yoongi’s back straighten at the sight of the former idol. he smiles bright as he takes the cake from your hand.

“____, lovely to see you again!” jimin doesn’t say anything to yoongi and dances more than walks into the apartment.

“uhm – you are real, right?”, you ask yoongi in a whisper and your guest just shakes his head.

“like i said, they do not care for me”, he explains and pushes you softly into the penthouse.

“but i do care for you”, you respond as you remove your shoes and take your pair of slippers as well as one for guests out of the cabinet.

before yoongi can point out how your support won’t be enough to make his night comfortable, jungkook interrupts.

“and when ____ cares, i care.”

the CEO looks as cozy as possible, wearing an oversized dark green hoodie and some worn dark jeans. his socks scream at you – they are customized pictures of you and the guys making funny faces. it was seokjin’s prank gift to all of you for last year’s christmas. they look adorable and ridiculous and you love them way too much to be mad at your grimace on his foot.

“you must be min yoongi – it’s a pleasure to meet you”, jungkook says and bows for a millisecond, like he wants to say ‘see? i’m polite!’.

yoongi looks at him knowingly and bows a bit lower than necessary.  

“thank you for extending the invitation”, your plus one answers.

the hallway isn’t big enough for their combined egos and you’re happy to see taehyung skipping to you.

“HONEY!”, he yells excited and pushes past jungkook and yoongi to hug you.

“and YOONGI”, the former idol continues, leaving you whiplashed as he crushes a dumbfounded yoongi to his chest.

“so glad someone can save me from jungkook’s winning streak!”, he says gleefully and takes yoongi’s scotch while ushering the group further into the living area.

“i can’t beat jungkookie at mario kart”, you state as you see the big flatscreen connected to the playstation flashing the famous nintendo game.

“well, duh”, taehyung agrees, “but i won’t be last place anymore. think about my ego, ____. it’s as fragile as a butterfly.”

yoongi just looks between the group, not sure whom to address first.

“yoongi, hon, are you any good in the kitchen?” seokjin joins the group, wearing a pinkish apron. you guess it’s not jungkook’s.

“uhm” the man next to you is clearly overwhelmed while jimin already opens his gifted scotch to fill it into plastic cups. the group has collectively decided to forego jungkook’s expensive glasses. too many have been broken. they even make taehyung use a sippy cup when playing the playstation.

“my sauce just won’t lose the weird aftertaste. i don’t get it; i’ve done everything right… come on!”, seokjin tries again, not even introducing himself. as a famous singer he rarely has to.

a silent yoongi gets dragged to the kitchen by a still talking seokjin.

“hey! i can help as well!” you want to follow them only to see the remaining three guys look at you, unimpressed.

“what? just because of one over easy steak?”, you ask.

“jiminie got food poisoning, honey”, taehyung answers and jimin pushes a glass of scotch into your hand.

“let’s toast to meeting your uhm – friend!”, he exclaims and clings your glasses together.

“shouldn’t we wait for them to come back?”, you say – already seeing jimin ex-ing the liquid while taehyung grimaces at the taste. jungkook moves closer to you.

“jin-hyung’s recipe calls for whiskey. he’s been stealing shots for an hour. yoongi will be better off than you. my whiskey is really expensive”, your best friend explains and squeezes your shoulder in comfort. you want to argue that yoongi’s scotch is just as good, but it’ll look like you’re looking for a fight. so, you swallow down the comment as well as the shot and feel the warmth traveling down your body.

“how was your advanced training, ___?”, he asks and leads you to the sofa taehyung is already occupying.

you groan, remembering the day you just had.

“they made us do a first aid course as well, it was… so much talking, talking, talking, saving lives, talking and talking”, you explain and fall down next to taehyung.

“it must suck to work”, he acknowledges and you snort at his wording.

“hey, i work as well!”, jungkook interrupts, sulking from beside you. you coo at him and pinch his cheek.

“she saved lives – you design sport shoes.” now even you have to laugh at his betrayed expression.

“she just learned how to. she hasn’t saved anyone in the six years of teaching”, jungkook huffs.

“one could argue that i saved them by giving them education – the greatest help one can receive”, you voice only to feel a harsh push from jungkook, which makes you topple over taehyung.

“i employ over half a million people. i give them more than education, i give them money”, he sulks. with an afterthought he adds: “and i gave them music, lots and lots of amazing music. some fans even said i saved them.”

taehyung and jimin are still laughing and you feel taehyung’s shaking shoulders while pressed against him. jungkook grips your tight in mocked warning.

“you can’t win this, jungkook. honey’s job is the epiphany of honorable”, jimin states and before jungkook can list off his charity work, seokjin and yoongi enter the living room.

“dinner is ready – thanks to yoongi!”, the oldest announces and you notice the pink blush on both their faces. they have been sipping on the whiskey; good, yoongi will need some liquid courage to survive dinner.

taehyung’s body leaves you in an instance as he rushes to the table, making you crush into the soft sofa.

jungkook just strokes up your calf and you hum against the cushion.

“come on, honey!”, seokjin orders and you reluctantly pull away from jungkook’s touch.

your host moves to the table to take his seat at the head, while the others shuffle to their usual places. yoongi is giving the former idols time to sit, before deciding to take a seat next to seokjin. you really want to sit next to him, but your usual place at jungkook’s right is the only empty one.

“taehyung, move!”, you order and evade your eyes from the surprised stares of your friends. but you don’t have to look to feel the heat of jungkook’s emotions.

“huh?”, the man stalls, waiting for his friend’s approval. after a tensed silence, he gets up, leaving an empty seat across form yoongi. you don’t miss a beat and sit down, a victorious smile on your lips.

“i present to you a cheesecake with fresh-ish strawberries!”, you say way too happy. all men look at their dessert in front of them. your cake looks good, you know it.

“thanks, ____”, seokjin praises softly and begins to eat. soon, the others follow. only yoongi looks at you all like you’ve grown testicle on your foreheads.

“why are we eating the dessert first?”, he asks with caution as if he’s trying not to upset a child. while taehyung just chuckles around a spoonful of calories, jungkook answers.

“____ loves dessert too much, so we decided to start with it, making us all more sober and appreciative.”

“decided sounds like we had a choice”, jimin comments with a snort.

“like we really had an option after listening to honey’s one-hour powerpoint presentation”, seokjin agrees with his mouth full.

“the vote was secret!”, you defend yourself and see yoongi starting to dig into your cake.

“like any of us could say no to you”, taehyung snorts and cleans the plate with his tongue. it’s been only minutes. your therapist does look impressed.

“did she use her gif-making skills as well?”, yoongi chuckles, “that’s always my breaking point.”

jungkook’s eyes don’t look friendly as he answers.

“nah, that was way before i brought her a photoshop license.”

“jungkookie mentioned that you know the DJ, yoongi?”, seokjin chimes in and changes the subject rather abrupt. but your friend doesn’t seem to mind and answers with an honest smile.

“yeah, namjoon and i have been friends for over a decade. he’s really good.” yoongi doesn’t praise people often. it’s nice to see.

“his mixing is decent”, seokjin agrees and you look at him in shock. he researched namjoon? even yoongi can’t hide his surprise.

“jungkookie forwarded us your spotify profiles”, jimin explains and makes the first direct/indirect comment addressed to yoongi. but that’s not the part making you jitterish.

“profiles?”, you ask jungkook and push the empty plate away from you. your best friend isn’t used to have you this far away from him and he does not care for it. it’s difficult to read your emotions from the distance.

“of course, _____”, he admits, “that’s the only information you shared about your plus one. i’d be a terrible best friend if i hadn’t at least researched his work.” the accusation is thick, and you can feel it hanging between the both of you. before you can defend yourself, the oldest gets up.

“let’s get the chicken, jungkookie!”, seokjin exclaimes enthusiastically, while you still look at your best friend who doesn’t let you out of his sight as well.

“come on, let’s get it!”, he repeats and pushes against jungkook’s shoulder. reluctantly, the host moves from his seat.

the two of them collect your plates and disappear into the kitchen.

“your mixtape is better than namjoon’s”, taehyung says softer to yoongi, who still looks uncomfortable with the situation and jungkook’s unspoken accusation. at the compliment though, the rapper blushes.

“really?”, yoongi breathes and tries to hide his reacting behind the nearly empty wine glass. you want to coo at him.

“if you ever need someone decent for the ‘so far away’ refrain, i bet jungkookie or jiminie will be more than happy to re-record it with you!”, taehyung nods and makes jimin choke on his spit. looking at the short man next to taehyung, you can’t help but notice his silence. he’s not disagreeing.

“you don’t like the collab?”, yoongi asks curiously and you try to kick him under the table.

now jimin is the one who answers, while jungkook and seokjin arrive with the citrus chicken: “nah, her voice is way too untrained. it sounds half-baked.”

silently, jungkook moves closer to you to put down the main course as the oldest hands out the homemade pasta. your best friend smells way too edible with the chicken in his hands, carefully placing it in front of you. his chest brushes against your back and you feel him inhale deeply. he must really like the smell as well, you think, and get so distracted by your friend and food, that you are not aware of yoongi’s smirk.

“so, jimin, you think _____’s voice sounds half-baked?”, the rapper teases.

__

there’ll be a part two of the dinner date! thank you so much for the feedback! i love hearing from you! there are two of bangtan’s running gags and two song titles in this chapter – who found them?

i’m really liking taehyung more and more…

stay healthy and happy and feel yourself hugged from, dana

taglist:   @livewittykid  @thequeen-kat @kagami-s-void @goldenclosethobi @youwannabelostandnotbefound @jinsalpaca @bishuthot @laabellaavitaa21 @baekstans @jalexad​ @kimluvwoo​ @jinsearthh​ 

[andyet-here-we-are]

I Would Get Into Millions of Accidents Just to See You, Chapter 4 (aka Nurse Geralt AU)

(Check the pinned post for the first three chapters please~)

"Wow. Either we're going to host a pasta eating contest this evening, or they have spread some news about an incoming pasta shortage in the country," Ciri teases as she looks at the mass of pasta boxes on the counter. "Or in the world," she corrects when she realizes he is still not done taking the pasta boxes out of the grocery bags. "Which one is it?"

"Neither."

"Then why?"

"Can't a guy buy pasta as much as he wants simply because he wanted to? Does there need to be a reason for that?"

"So, you're telling me that I cannot buy as much as candy I want, but you can buy a ridiculous amount of pasta. And you can do that because?"

"Because I'm an adult, and you're not. End of the discussion."

"But that's not fair!" Ciri huffs, folding her arms over her chest. "I can't wait to be an adult so I can get whatever I want and be unstoppable."

Geralt reaches over and ruffles her hair before he asks: "What kind of pasta do you think we should make?"

"Can I ask something, too, before I answer to that?" When Geralt nods, she continues, "You've said that you met someone special, but you didn't let me know anything more than that. Is... Is this special person going to join us for dinner today?"

"Yeah, someone's going to join us for dinner, but it's not someone you don't know. Just Mrs. April."

"Oh. Okay. Nothing came out of it, I guess."

Ciri looks so disappointed that Geralt feels like telling her the truth. But no, he won't ruin the surprise and let it go to waste after keeping his mouth shut this whole time.

She picks up the penne one and shakes the box to make her point.

"With chicken, heavy cream, and—"

"And sundried tomatoes."

Geralt doesn't know why he couldn't think of that. It's both his and Ciri's favorite pasta recipe after all. For a second, he feels extremely stupid for buying every kind of pasta he could find. But then he thinks: "This won't be the last time Jaskier comes here," and finds himself imagining them trying to choose what kind of pasta to make together, and shakes his head a little. No need to feel stupid, he will have to deal with not only one, but two pasta monsters soon if he is lucky.

He smiles at the thought.

***

After setting up the table, Geralt takes a shower and starts to get ready. He nearly asks Ciri which button-up shirt he should wear, but then decides against it since he knows that she would put two and two together and ask something like:

"Since when you use your most expensive perfume at home just because our old, lovely neighbour will come over for dinner?"

Nope, he'll pass, thank you very much. He takes a look at his gray and white windowpane shirt, then at the other shirt he is holding in his hands as if making the hardest decision in his whole life. He doesn't want to look like he is trying too hard, but doesn't want to look like he's not trying at all either. It has been so long since the last time he was on a date that he—

"That's a... date," he whispers to himself because it only occurs to him now.

And suddenly he can understand why Jaskier sounded anxious about meeting Ciri.

This is technically their first date, and Geralt simply invited him over like that's something they have been doing for years. Most people don't even mention their kids on the first date— let alone introducing them.

But it's not the same thing, right? Jaskier already knows about Ciri, and the musician loves kids.

Jaskier didn't back away when Geralt talked to him about his daughter for the first time.

No, he didn't back away and didn't give him this "Oh no, he has a kid, that's such a deal-breaker”  look like most people do. What he did was listening to him with interest instead, a warm smile on his face.

Maybe that's why it felt only natural to invite him over for their first date.

Still, even though he knows that everything will go perfectly fine, maybe it wasn't fair to put such pressure on him just yet.

Well, too late for thinking stuff like that now. Geralt doesn't think he will regret this though. He is somehow sure that he won't.

Smiling, he decides that the basic black button-up shirt and beige trousers will do just fine.

A few minutes later he gets a text from Jaskier:

[I'll be there in a few. Don't forget to leave the door open~]

***

Ciri is busy lying on the couch and watching Jaskier's cover again when he finally arrives.

He closes the door behind himself, being careful so as not to make any sound even though he doesn't have to do that since Ciri's watching the video at full volume and wouldn't hear even if he just hit the door shut anyway.

When he sees that Geralt is standing only a few feet away from him in the hallway, his whole face lights up like he has just seen a million fireflies hovering above them.

For a while, they don't even move.

They don't blink or utter anything.

They just simply stare at each other like they cannot believe this is really happening.

Jaskier looks so perfect with his dark jeans and a white button-up shirt with blue small anchors pattern that Geralt swallows—as always, he seems like he doesn't even accept the existence of the first four buttons.

One second later Jaskier mirrors him and swallows, then takes small, silent steps towards him until they're barely one step away from each other.

"It's good to finally see you, Mr. Handsome Nurse," whispers the musician, never taking his eyes off Geralt even for a millisecond.

"You call me 'Mr. Handsome Nurse' so much that I'm this close to thinking that you only talk to me because you have a nurse kink or something," Geralt whispers back, and Jaskier's lips slowly curve into a lopsided, mischievous grin as he slowly tilts his head to the side—the space between them closing.

He isn't sure which one of them is responsible for that, but he nearly feels the man's warm breath against his skin—they are so close that he can see his pupils react, and his heart skips a beat.  

"I mean, I don't not have it," Jaskier lifts one shoulder in a half shrug "You're the one to blame. Oh wait, do I hear my own cover?"

Just like that, they are not standing too close to each other anymore, and it's probably for the best, considering they aren't alone and he doesn't want to give his daughter a heart attack.

"The very same. She watches your video again and again. I stopped counting after the fifth time."

"And yet she doesn't even know that she lives with the 'jabroni' she is mad at. Poor thing." The musician clicks his tongue before he grins again. "Or poor you. We shall see. Anyway, my time has come."

After hanging his paper bag on the hall stand, Jaskier silently steps into the living room and makes a beeline for the back of the couch Ciri is lying on.

"Gosh, what a handsome man," he comments as he leans over the back of the couch. "Eh," he says, scrunching his nose, "his nose doesn't look that great in the left bottom box from this angle, but well, what done is done."

Ciri practically jumps out of her skin when she turns her head to the source of the familiar voice. She screams, yeah, actually screams, and falls from the couch to the floor with a loud thump.

"Well, my fans usually prefer to hug me instead, but that's an option as well."

Ciri doesn't look like she is going to say something anytime soon. She just stares at Jaskier with owl-like wide eyes, and Geralt tries his best not to laugh as he leans against the door frame and watches them. The keyword is "tries" though because he is clearly failing.

"...why Jaskier is standing in our living room?" his daughter asks, eyes still on the musician.

"You can thank my hacker friend for that," looking pretty amused, Jaskier answers before he could and holds out a hand to help her to her feet, "he gave me access to all of my fans' addresses so I could surprise them one by one."

"Did I fall asleep? I'm quite sure that I'm dreaming." Ciri blinks twice like trying to come out of a dream, then frowns as she gets up, "Also, that's the worst idea I've ever heard, what if one of your fans turns out to be a psycho and traps you in their house for the rest of your life? Never lets you leave?"

"Well, I wouldn't have any objection to being trapped in here. Feel free to try. Let me know though if you guys are planning to keep me here forever, so I can grab a few essentials from my home."

"You mean your lute?"

Jaskier turns his head to Geralt before sitting on the couch and saying: "She is really a smart one, Geralt. Just like her dad."

"Even smarter than me, believe me."

If someone would tell Geralt that he would have to say "Ciri, please stop poking our guest,"  to his daughter ever, he wouldn't believe them, but he finds himself warning Ciri with the exact words since she sits next to Jaskier and disbelievingly pokes the man's cheek with her index finger with a determined and curious expression as if she is examining E.T. The musician doesn't seem like he minds it, though.

"You're real. And you're really here," she eventually decides.

"Yeah, as real as that delicious smell coming from the kitchen."

"This doesn't make any sense. I just can't understand why— I mean how is that even— Can someone please explain to me what's really happening here?"

"Why don't we do that while having dinner before it gets cold?" Geralt offers, and Jaskier must be really hungry because he immediately stands up from the couch and pulls Ciri with him before she can resist.

***

"So, basically, my dad was your nurse for nearly a month and I learn about this just now?" Ciri has this 'How could you do this to me?' expression on her face, so Geralt turns to link eyes with Jaskier and mouths the word, 'help' in his direction. Yes, he can deal with even villain-looking, probably dangerous criminal patients without any hesitation, but he can't deal with the way his daughter stares at him right now.

"It's not your dad's fault, Ciri. I told him not to tell you anything about it so we could surprise you."

Geralt loves how he says "we could" like they are a team, to be honest.

Jaskier keeps talking about how Geralt would let her know if it wasn't for him, and Ciri doesn't look that mad anymore until Jaskier adds: "It's not my fault that he is a handsome jabroni who didn't even send me a text and kept me waiting for too long though," while casually stabbing his salad with his fork a few times. "If he didn't call me today, my next cover was going to be 'Call Me Maybe' probably."

Geralt almost chokes on his water. He was so wrong about this whole "team" thing apparently. He knows that some people say "A first date is chaotic by nature", but he wouldn't think it would be this chaotic.

"This salad is pretty good, Geralt." Jaskier completely ignores his reaction, "And the pasta makes me feel like there's a festival in my mouth. It's fantastic. You weren't kidding when you said you could show me how a proper dinner looked like, I see. Kudos to you, gorgeous."

Geralt feels the heat rushing to his whole face, wishing the ground would swallow him up right now and here.

Seriously, someone please bury him.

If someone was told to look mad, surprised, and happy at the same time at an audition they would exactly look like Ciri—or Harrison Ford since he's excellent at that as well—because that's exactly how she looks right now.

"...this song was for my dad? He's the one who kept you waiting? He's the him in 'It Must be Him' ?"

"Uh-huh. That's correct, dear," Jaskier confirms before shoving some pasta into his mouth. "I think he's worth waiting for, though. Still, it was a bit mean of him to do so, don't you think so?"

"Any sane person would agree with you, Jask. Of course, it's mean and inconsiderate."

Jask? Did Ciri just call him Jask?

They are already teaming up against him, oh God.

"Right?! Thank you!" The musician exclaims, flinging his hands in a wild gesture. "I mean, he could just send me a simple text at least, it would take him only a few seconds."

"Don't even mention it. So... Since he finally called you and you're here now, does this mean that you're this special person he—"

"Do you want some more pasta, Jaskier?" Hoping to change the subject, Geralt cuts in, but it's in vain since Jaskier just replies with a quick "Sure, please," and apologizes on behalf of Geralt because he interrupted her, signaling her to continue. The nurse can't help but think that he looks like a fox digging beneath the snow for voles with these curious, hopeful, and focused blue eyes.

"It's okay," thank God his daughter doesn't continue with her question because Geralt really doesn't need to feel more ashamed, "I forgot what I was going to ask anyway."

Ciri gives Geralt her "This isn't over yet," look and asks the man something about one of his original songs instead.

Jaskier looks a bit disappointed at not being able to hear the rest of the question at first, but he answers Ciri's question wholeheartedly all the same.

***

They take their time eating as they have no reason to hurry, talking about whatever Ciri and Jaskier bring up. Geralt is proud of himself that he didn't actually choke in dinner, because with the amount of flirting Jaskier is doing in front of Ciri, he wouldn't be surprised if he did.

Ciri's eyes sparkle whenever Jaskier says something flattering about Geralt and flirts with him, and she looks extremely happy—like she is living in a dream.

As much as Geralt says: "Sit down, you're our guest," Jaskier doesn't listen to him and insists that he helps clear the table after they are done with dinner, because: "We can be done with it faster if I help, I'm a guest with working hands, aren't I?"

So he helps with clearing the table, and also with drying the dishes Geralt washes by hand because they aren't supposed to be washed in the dishwasher. He answers Ciri's questions meanwhile and asks her some questions about her as well— her favorite color, her favorite animals, favorite subject in school. Geralt can feel that he is not asking just for the sake of asking, he asks because he wants to know. Because he actually wonders.

Even though Jaskier is here for the first time, it feels domestic in a way that isn't unwelcome.

When they go back to the living room, Jaskier disappears for a while and returns with that paper bag he had hung on the hall stand.

"Thought I'd surprised my biggest fan not only with my presence but also with a little gift," he explains, handing the big bag to Ciri with a smile. "I hope you like it."

"You shouldn't have," Ciri returns the smile, astonished.

"I wanted to," Jaskier says as he sits on the armrest of the couch, watching her carefully opening the gift. "I think you should just tear off the wrap, dear," he suggests after a while, clearly excited to see her reaction.

"Not gonna lie, I also thought about getting flowers for your dad, but then I thought: 'Nah! Why would I do that after I suffered because of him for fifteen days?' You know?"

Geralt lets out a long sigh, running a hand over his face. Jaskier will never let him live this down, will he? Geralt can picture him going "Remember that time you didn't call me for fifteen days five years ago? When you kept me waiting after I left the hospital? I still think of that time sometimes and it makes my heart bleed," five years later, simply because he refused something Jaskier wanted him to do.

"You did the right thing. He should be grateful that you're even here right now," Ciri agrees. Well, fuck Geralt I guess. It's not like he is Ciri's father who loves her more than anything and who needs her to defend him currently or anything after all.

She immediately goes for a hug as soon as she finally opens the gift, cheerfully declaring how much she likes it and thanking the musician.

"Geralt has mentioned that you love drawing," Jaskier hugs her back gently, happy with her reaction. He had bought her a huge, professional art set. It looks so beautiful that even the nurse feels like taking a shot at drawing again despite knowing too well that he sucks at it.

"I don't get gifts or flowers, okay, no problem, but can't I get a damn hug, too, at least?" Geralt feels like asking, because they look adorable and he wants in, dammit.

As if he is reading his mind, Jaskier motions for him to join them and says: "C'mere you emotional cactus—don't stand up over there like a sad spare tyre."

"I'm not a sad spare tyre," he grumbles a little but joins them in seconds, one arm hugging his daughter, the other hugging the musician.

"Yeah, now you're not," is what Jaskier says as he hugs them tighter.

***

About two hours later Geralt offers to watch a movie together and Ciri is busy setting up a movie—ninety percent "I, Robot" because she is crazy about that movie—before Jaskier can refuse.

Ciri talks about how mad she was when she first watched the movie with Geralt because she thought the movie would be about the short stories in the book, but in reality, the movie had very little to do with the book.

"It's okay though," she adds, "because this movie rocks anyway."

That's how they find themselves watching "I, Robot" with Ciri sitting between them with a big bowl of popcorn in her lap.

"Geralt, can I ask you something?" Jaskier asks before he shoves a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

"You look like a squirrel stuffing his little cheeks with walnuts," Geralt can't help but tease, "sure, ask if you don't get choked before you can."

"That's how you enjoy popcorn, you peasant."

"I don't know much about that since I don't like popcorn."

Jaskier gasps at that as if he said: "I bathe in the blood of the innocent every single day to maintain my health."

"How come someone doesn't like popcorn is behind my comprehension," he huffs like he is personally offended by that. Ciri warns them to keep it quiet with a loud "shhh," since she is fully focused on the movie.

"God, it's the same reaction every time I tell someone this," Geralt complains, "it doesn't even taste good, what there's to like?"

"You can always add some salt so it tastes good."

"It makes me feel thirsty then."

"Everyone loves popcorn! Everyone!"

"Well, not my dad," Ciri rolls her eyes as she pauses the movie. "If you weren't here he wouldn't even let me have popcorn even if I begged. 'It's not healthy, Ciri. And it doesn't even taste good. Let me peel some apples for you, instead.' " she imitates him, causing Jaskier to look at him in horror.

"Can you please stop looking at me like I'm a circle freak? I just don't like popcorn. Even that one pizza with peanut butter and gumball Crazy Eyes orders in 'Mr. Deeds' sounds more delicious than popcorn."

"...ew, just ew. I'm concerned for you if you actually think that. How about caramel popcorn?"

"I feel the same about caramel popcorn."

"You're impossible, Geralt. Totally impossible. Well, what can I say? Your loss, our gain. Right, dear?"

"Right!"

"Give me a high-five then!" The musician says with a grin, raising his hand. They share a high-five proudly as if they have just saved the world together from earth-threatening asteroids.

"What were you going to ask?" Geralt asks curiously, but Jaskier just blankly looks at him instead of answering.

"Let me guess. You forgot? See, you wouldn't forget it if it wasn't for all that popcorn questions of yours."

"Don't talk like that in front of our popcorn, Geralt. Ciri, can you please keep playing the movie?"

"Gladly."

***

"I think she fell asleep," Jaskier informs him with a whisper when there are about twenty minutes left of the movie.

Geralt pauses the movie and smiles when he sees that Ciri had fallen asleep on the musician's shoulder—the sight warming up his heart especially when Jaskier looks at her fondly.

"Figured out so. Usually, this is where she announces her dislike for V.I.K.I and rants about Sonny's wink."

"Can't blame her, V.I.K.I is so diabolic."

"We're all on the same page about that," he agrees. "Hey, it doesn't seem like you made her go 'meh' like you were afraid that you would, huh? I told you that she already adores you. I think she likes you even more now."

"Well, I was afraid that I couldn't prove that I was worthy of her gorgeous dad. And I hope her dad shares his daughter's feelings," Jaskier pokes Geralt's arm with his elbow teasingly.

"Oh, please. If anything, it was me who should have been afraid. You two teamed up against me, 'Jask'."

"It's because she's a defender of truth, not because she was playing favorites or anything."

"I better tuck in this defender of truth," Geralt says as he stands up, and if his eyes aren't fooling him, Jaskier watches him affectionately when he picks up Ciri so he can carry her to her room.

He gently carries her to her room and tucks her in. "Sweet dreams, pumpkin," the nurse plants a soft, small kiss on his daughter's head before heading back to the living room, feeling happy that he has seen her smile and laugh a lot today. And truth be told, he feels a bit excited that he can be alone with Jaskier for a while.

"Wanna finish the movie?" he asks after settling on the couch and plays the movie again when Jaskier nods.

"I've forgotten how cool this scene was." Jaskier says when Spooner screams "Save her! Save the girl!" and Sonny listens to him, trusts Spooner to apply the nanites. "Gosh, I've got goosebumps. Seriously. It's not even just a figure of speech."

When Jaskier holds his arm up to show it, Geralt gently strokes the other man's arm by instinct, feeling goosebumps along his skin. As soon as he does that, he feels that he gets goosebumps himself, but it has nothing to do with the movie, and everything to do with the beautiful man sitting next to him right now—even though, yeah, Jaskier is right, this scene is so cool that no one can claim otherwise.

Without Ciri between them, they sit close to each other now, their thighs touching.

Geralt looks at Jaskier's surprised face; his incredibly blue eyes look so luminous in the reflected light from the TV. So luminous, and intriguing.

A moment later, Jaskier makes himself more comfortable on the couch. He then points at Geralt's right arm: "Is it okay if I— you know."

It amazes Geralt how he shamelessly flirts with him in front of his daughter but gets shy over this. He holds back a chuckle, gladly wrapping his arm around Jaskier.

He wonders if Jaskier can hear his heartbeats quickening when the musician leans his head on his chest.

"You make a comfy pillow."

"Thank you, I guess?"

"No, Geralt. Thank you."

And with that, they focus on what's left of the movie. Or more like Jaskier focuses on it while Geralt is busy focusing on him.

He knows that Jaskier is really focused on the movie because he hears him sniffing lightly when Sonny asks "Does this make us friends?" to Spooner five minutes later.

"Are you seriously crying over a robot right now?" he chuckles.

"He has a name, you heartless man," Jaskier argues, getting rid of Geralt's arm and wiping his tears away. "You don't understand," he holds a hand up in defense, "he made a friend. Sonny made a friend, Geralt. For the first time in his life."

"...so?"

"So? What do you mean 'so'? It's an emotional scene." The musician lets out a frustrated sigh, "You're unbelievable."

"I'll let you know that even Ciri doesn't cry at this part."

Instead of making a comment, Jaskier turns to look at the TV again, so Geralt does the same, but he soon finds himself looking at him again because of his lack of comment when the movie is about to end. And that's how he realizes that the other man is busy trying to blink away the tears that have started to well up in his eyes once more.

As he watches Jaskier wrapping his arms around himself as if he's trying to hold himself together, he feels like this isn't really about Sonny anymore—maybe it never was.

"Jaskier..?" he calls his name, but the musician doesn't reply, looking lost in his thoughts. So Geralt puts his hand on Jaskier's shoulder and calls his name again, concerned.

"Are you okay?" he asks when Jaskier finally snaps out of his own head and confusedly looks at him.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm just— I don't know what came over me."

Not buying Jaskier's answer, Geralt presses his lips together and just stares at him in a way that screams: "We both know that this is not true and I'm gonna keep staring at you until you tell me what's the matter."

"Seriously, it's nothing important," Jaskier gives a dismissive wave of his hand and tries to smile.

It isn't his usual, warmer than the sun on a summer day type of smile. It isn't his spectacular smile that makes Geralt think of everything beautiful in the world; makes him think of the most beautiful, colorful flowers, makes him think of a sweet wind that gently caresses your face just when you need it, making you feel at peace.

No, it isn't Jaskier's kind of smile that makes Geralt feel like watching the waves while listening to calming melodies, and he hates this heartbreakingly apologetic and tight smile the other man gives him.

"Doesn't seem like it," Geralt says softly as he squeezes his shoulder in what he hopes is a reassuring manner, "Why don't you tell me what it is? I've been told I'm a good listener."

"It just—" Jaskier takes a deep breath and keeps his head low as he avoids looking at Geralt, his shoulders slumping as if in defeat. Geralt's mind is already racing with possible things that the musician could say.

"It reminded me of someone I used to know. Of my first real friend," he explains. "She had asked me the exact same question when I saved her ass from his so-called foster parents. 'Does this makes us friends?' I can still remember the look in her eyes when she asked that. I was the first friend she ever had, as well. We didn't get along when we first met, truth be told. But after that, we were simply inseparable.  

"We weren't liked by most adults—and also by the other kids actually, because well," Jaskier chuckles dryly, "we were both pretty handful kids. It didn't really matter though, we could handle everything together. At least we felt like we could, and did so for nearly fourteen years, and then turned out we—"

Jaskier swallows the tight lump that has formed in his throat. He can hardly utter the next words, and when he does, his voice is thick with emotion.

"Turned out we can't handle too well with muggers with knives."

Feeling his own eyes brimming with tears, Geralt can't even react at first as he watches Jaskier crying openly.

After a while, "I'm so sorry," is all he can say before he wraps his arms around Jaskier's slightly shaking frame and pulls him into a hug. The other man welcomes the hug and snuggles up to him as Geralt repeats the same words again: "I'm so sorry, Jaskier."

"She was my best friend, Geralt," he whispers brokenly, burying his face in the nurse's chest. "She was like the sister I never had."

Geralt doesn't know how long they stay like this; with Jaskier quietly crying and holds on to him like he is his lifeline and Geralt resting his chin on top of the musician's head, caressing his soft hair with his left hand, and rubbing small, soothing circles on wherever his right hand can reach—on his arm, his back. It can be half an hour, it can be only fifteen minutes. He doesn't really care.

He just wants him to give Geralt his usual, heart-warming Jaskier Smile; wants Jaskier to feel better. Better and not lonely anymore.

He highly doubts that Jaskier has let anyone in after he lost his friend—let them really know him and get close to him. Anyone besides Geralt. And he can't help but wonder if that was why no one visited Jaskier at the hospital; if that was why he most likely didn't even let anyone know about the accident.

" 'm sorry for ruining our first date," Jaskier eventually mumbles. "I shouldn't have brought this up."

Geralt gently grabs Jaskier's chin and lifts it up a little so their eyes meet. Jaskier has a guilty, ashamed expression on his face, his eyes are red from crying.

"You're not ruining anything, you don't need to apologize," Geralt looks into his eyes and assures him, wiping the tears away from the musician's face.

Frowning, the other man mirrors his action and reaches for Geralt's face to wipe the tears away with his thump. "Making you cry is pretty much considered as ruining our date in my book. And to think that I just broke down because of something a bloody robot said—"

" 'A bloody robot'? He has a name, you know. It's Sonny. You heartless, beautiful musician. Shame on you."

Surprised by Geralt's comeback, Jaskier laughs and hides his face in the nurse's chest once again—but in embarrassment this time— as he complains: "Oh lord. You're the worst."

"Well, you probably shouldn't have dedicated that impressive, amazing video to me if I'm that bad. Seemed like you really spent so much time on it."

That makes him look at Geralt and give him a smile. And Geralt finds himself smiling back, too, thinking: "Here it is. His Jaskier Smile."

"I think you meant to say 'bearable musician', before" Jaskier teases. "That's the second time you've mentioned it, you really like it then I guess."

"That was one of the nicest things someone ever has done for me. And the same thing goes for your drawing, speaking of which," Geralt admits as Jaskier pulls himself away from him a bit. He finds himself missing his warmth already. "I didn't think you would do something like singing a song for me though, so imagine my surprise when I got home and saw that video."

"Wait, for real? Don't tell me that I'm the first patient who tried to serenade you. I mean— you're just so..." he vaguely gestures to him, "So you."

"You're not the first patient who tried to flirt with me, but you're the first one who took it that far. And the first one who went full 'here's my number, so call me, definitely,' on me."

"No regrets. Well, actually, I take that back. One regret. I regret that I didn't ask for your number that day. Uh, Geralt?"

"Yeah?"

"I feel terrible about before. I mean it, I shouldn't have brought it up and I'm really—

"If you say 'sorry' again I'll lock you in a room filled with popcorn without any salt and let you rot there."

"That's your idea of torture?"

"That's my idea of hell."

"I must say that your idea of hell is pretty sweet then, if only it—" Jaskier's eyes suddenly widen when Geralt lets out a tired yawn, "Oh shit, what time is it?" he asks, frantically searching for his phone on the couch, then looking at the coffee table to see if it's on there.

"I think you left your phone in the kitchen," the nurse replies, not understanding why he is panicking. “Maybe he was supposed to call someone, but he forgot about it,” his mind suggests, but then Jaskier asks the same question again with a bonus, "When are you gonna go to work tomorrow?" question.

"You're gonna wake up early tomorrow, right? I'm sorry that I kept you this— I mean, please accept my apologies that I kept you up this late. And please don't let me rot in the Popcorn Room just because I said 'sorry'. It's late, isn't it? It's probably already past 1 a.m, and yet here I am. Good God," the musician shakes his head and stands up, clearly frustrated with himself, "how inconsiderate of me."

Finding his reaction to the situation adorable, Geralt chuckles and reaches out to the other man to pull him back on the couch, but Jaskier resists.

"It's okay, calm down. I'm on the night shift tomorrow," Geralt lets him know. "Also, I thought you had no problem with the Popcorn Room since you love popcorn."

"Oh. Glad to hear that you don't need to wake up that early tomorrow then," Jaskier says, looking like he feels suddenly stupid. "Still though, I'm sure you had a tiring day at work today, so I better get going already. And for the record; I don't have any problem with being locked in a room filled with popcorn, I have a problem with not having you there with me. Anyway, thank you for having me today, Geralt. I'm so happy that I could finally see you again and finally met Ciri. She is such a sweetheart."

Geralt pats the empty space next to him, but Jaskier taps his wrist twice like he's wearing a watch, trying to emphasize the time.

"Wow, you're trying to get rid of me already, I see," the nurse jokes, hoping it would make Jaskier convince to sit down again. "I thought it would take three days at least. Is it because I'm not wearing my work clothes? Am I not attractive enough without them?"

Jaskier rolls his eyes at that before saying: "You could wear a rubbish bag and still look attractive, Geralt."

"Then can you please sit down?" Geralt insists, "For a minute at least?"

The other man finally gives in and sits down next to him with a sigh.

"You're aware of the fact that Ciri will tear me to pieces tomorrow because I didn't wake her up when she fell asleep, right?" Geralt wonders, facing Jaskier and propping his elbow on the back of the couch so he can prop his hand against his cheek as he talks. "Besides, yeah, it's late. Why don't you just stay here tonight?"

Jaskier opens his mouth—probably to kindly refuse, but Geralt doesn't let him speak and continues: "If you're thinking about replying with 'I don't want to bother you,' or something like that, you better get ready to say hi to the hell because it's nonsense."

"Hmm." The other man copies his sitting position on the couch, "By 'hell' you mean the Popcorn Room again, of course."

"Damn right."

"Well, I think I'd like to stay away from hell tonight," Jaskier shrugs one shoulder lazily. "Only if you promise to go to sleep soon, though. Otherwise, lead the way to the hell, Mr. Handsome Nurse."

"I think you missed the part where I said I don't have to wake up that early tomorrow," Geralt snorts. "How about we go to the kitchen now so I can make us hot chocolate?"

"No, I heard it loud and clear," Jaskier stares at him with a neutral expression, "but you still need to rest, love."

Geralt hopes Jaskier cannot see he is blushing because of the way the musician chose to finish his sentence.

He is about the resist when Jaskier holds up a finger in warning, "I mean it. I'm outta here if you decide to argue with me on that."

The nurse can't help but sigh in disbelief and disappointment. It makes his heart flutter in his chest though, because he is sure that Jaskier would love to stay up for another hour at least and just keep talking, too, and yet, he puts Geralt first.

As much as he wants to argue, he knows Jaskier is right—he needs to rest, and if he stays up for another hour he won't feel well-rested tomorrow.

"No wonder why Ciri gets annoyed whenever I tell her to go to sleep," he thinks aloud, causing the other man to grin at him.

"So, what do you say? Have you carefully listened and agreed to the terms and conditions? Shake my hand to check the box," Jaskier holds out his hand.

Geralt picks up Jaskier's hand with grace and lightly kisses the back of it without any hesitation. Not expecting this, the musician gapes at him—looking adorable as ever.

"Yes, Jaskier," the nurse smiles, "I have carefully listened and agreed to the terms and conditions."

They finally met! Yasss! A coin for your thoughts? I seriously wonder what you think about this chapter, dear Witchlings.💛 What part did you like the most? Did any part make you laugh or smile? I'd be SO grateful if you let me know 😅

I had so much fun while writing this chapter, by the way—well except for that one particular part. And the thing is even I had no idea. Jaskier just got emotional suddenly and here I was, wondering what the hell was happening. And it didn't feel natural to cut that part out, because it just happened.

And another thing is, I didn't think this chapter would be this long. I was just thinking "They will meet and have dinner together, then Jaskier will leave. That's it."

And I'm not gonna lie, I kinda wrote most of these two chapters in the same week instead of humaning and at one point I seriously started to wonder if Jaskier was planning to leave Geralt's home at all. I was planning to end the chapter when he leaves, so it was like:

-Okay, you met them, you had dinner, time to leave. Ciri, out of nowhere: Time to watch "I, Robot!" Me: No no no, that wasn't my plan, Jaskier is supposed to le— Jaskier, already eating popcorn and watching the movie: I'm going nowhere yet. *** Jaskier: *finally says he better get going* Geralt: Hell no! Me: 

 Joking aside, it's not up to me what he does and I love my precious, silly Dandelion. He can live there forever for all I care, I'm done with trying 😂

(Oh, if any of you have any ideas, feel free to let me know because I'm not sure what's gonna happen in the next chapter for now ><)

Thank you so much for reading 💛  

[backtothestart02]

Just Best Friends - 8/? | westallen fanfiction

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Hope you enjoy!

This full chap is dedicated to the lovely Nora on twitter. Hope you enjoy this, girl!

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Chapter 8 -

The next afternoon when the clock hit 12 o’clock, Iris found herself drumming her fingers on her desk, debating what she was going to do during her lunch hour. Mason had gone out. Linda was eating her little home-packed lunch at her desk, but that wasn’t exactly an invitation for her to go over and attempt a chit-chat either. She could go visit her dad at CCPD or she could visit…

Pulling out her phone from her purse, she immediately texted the person most present on her mind. It was a few minutes before he responded back, not by texting back but by strolling through the front door of CCPN and heading straight for her desk.

“Hey, Iris!” he said cheerfully.

“Hey,” she said, unable to keep the smile from spreading across her face.

“So, you wanted to do lunch?” he asked, hopefully.

She bit her bottom lip as she stood up to approach him.

“Actually, I was hoping for something else that hit a little closer to home.”

His brows furrowed. “Oh?”

She grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him back outside, so they could be a little more private.

“STAR Labs,” she said, as soon as they were out of earshot of passersby.

Barry blinked. “You want me to…give you a tour?”

“No, no, no.” She shook her head, stifling a laugh. “I want to be there when you do your…. you know,” she lowered her voice. “Flash stuff.”

“Oh!” His eyes widened. “I see.”

She frowned. “Unless you don’t…want me there?”

“No, no, no!” he reassured. “It’s not that. Not that at all. I’ve dreamed of the day you’d be on the coms, helping me in the field.”

She got giddy hearing that spill from his mouth.

“’Kay, good.”

“It’s just…unexpected.” He cleared his throat. “But come on.” He held out his hand. “I’ll get you there in a Flash.” He winked.

Taking a deep breath, she forced her butterflies to get them under control. She gave Barry her hand, and within seconds they were inside STAR Labs with Cisco, Caitlin, and Dr. Wells staring at them.

“Hello, Barry…and, and Iris.” Cisco blinked, then turned to glare at Barry. “I didn’t know we were bringing in visitors.”

“Iris isn’t a visitor,” Barry declared. “Not anymore.” He spared a glance at her twinkling eyes. “She’s going to be part of team Flash.”

She practically bounced up onto her toes.

“When I can be,” she clarified. “I do have a job, obviously.”

“As a reporter,” Caitlin stated.

“Right, yes.”

But Barry saw right through Caitlin’s mask.

“She can be trusted, Cait. I wouldn’t bring her in here if she couldn’t.”

“Oh, does that mean Linda can’t be trusted?” Cisco asked, amused.

Iris, for one, was dumbfounded. What did Linda have to do with any of this? She turned to look at Barry.

“What is he talking about, Barry?”

“Nothing! Nothing. He’s talking about nothing.”

Before she could question him further, Dr. Wells wheeled himself towards her and held out his hand to shake hers. Reluctantly, she shook it.

“Hello, Ms. West. I’m happy you’ll be joining us. We were all waiting for the day Barry would finally let you in on his little secret.”

After shaking his hand, Iris looked over at Barry who was avoiding her gaze.

“Yes, so was I.”

“Cisco!” Barry declared, walking over to him. “Any crime activity? Anything that the Flash can help out with?”

“No, not at the-” An alarm suddenly went off. “Then again…”

Caitlin was closer, so she went over to the monitor to see what was the matter.

“Bank robbery on 5th and Oak. Better run, Ba-”

But he was gone before she could finish her sentence. Excitement running through Iris’ veins, she circled around the desk to see what Cisco and Caitlin were looking at.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“Right there,” Caitlin said, pointing to a moving dot on the monitor.

“Oh, my God, this is so exciting.” She bounced again. “Get him, Barry.”

“Working on it, Iris,” Barry said back, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Cisco and Caitlin shared an amused look.

“There’s a microphone right there,” Cisco pointed out. “He can hear whatever you’re saying.”

“Oh.”

She felt chills race up her spine. Anything?

A million dirty phrases filtered through her mind, and she had to fight to squash each and every one of them. They were in the presence of others after all, and he was not her boyfriend.

“Got ‘em,” Barry said before she could think of anything else. “I’m just going to wait for the police to show up, and then I’ll be back.”

“A job well done. Nice work, Mr. Allen,” Dr. Wells said into his own pair of coms. Then he wheeled himself out of the room.

It was about 10 minutes before Barry returned, but it sent all their hair and papers flying when he did. He was smiling from ear to ear. His eyes were bright and happy. It was contagious, at least for Iris.

Cisco high-fived him on his way in.

“Nice job, Barry,” Caitlin said, and he smiled at her.

Iris was rounding the desk already, and she jumped into his arms, making him hug her tightly. Cisco and Caitlin shared another look but said nothing.

“That was amazing, Barry.” Slowly he set her down, but she still clung to his arms, and he held her close. “So, so cool. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Of course.” He could not stop smiling.

Eventually, he took a step back and changed his clothes in a flash. Before Iris knew it, his Flash suit was hanging up on display on the other side of the room, and Barry was back in the clothes he’d worn when they first arrived.

“Now you want to grab lunch?” he asked, hopeful. “I can flash us to Big Belly Burger, so it won’t take so long.”

Iris giggled infectiously.

“Okay. I mean, if you’re not needed here?”

Barry glanced over at Cisco.

“Go ahead,” he said. “Flash is off-duty…for now.”

“Great!” Barry said cheerfully. “Come on, let’s go.”

He held out his arm for her to loop hers through, which she did, and they practically skipped out of the cortex down the hall.

“Bring us back some food!” Cisco called out, and Caitlin leaned towards him.

“It’ll probably be a while.”

Cisco sighed.

“Yeah, yeah, I know…”

…

The next afternoon, just as Iris was shutting down her computer and turning to leave, she came face to face with Barry smiling ear to ear, a beautiful long stem rose between his fingers that displayed a vibrant reddish orange. As soon as her eyes met his, he extended it out to her. Gingerly, she took it and sniffed at its fragrance, feeling happiness rushing through her at the beautiful scent.

“For me?” she asked, tipping her head up after a moment.

He nodded. “For you.”

She stood up, everything inside of her urging her to tip her head up again, but this time so he could kiss her.

Her only problem was the thought likely hadn’t even occurred to him. He was just being a sweet friend. Because she had a boyfriend, and they had just really become friends again.

She pushed the thought aside and gave him a quirky smile instead.

“You know, it took guts for you to give me this.”

His brows furrowed.

“It did?”

“Uh-huh.” She closed the distance between them, and she swore she could hear him catch his breath. “I mean, after how I reacted to the last bunch.”

“Oh.” He chuckled nervously. “Right. Well, we’re good now, so I thought I’d give it another go.” He paused. “We are good, right?”

She rolled her eyes and bit her bottom lip, suppressing the flirtatious giggle that was demanding to get out.

“Oh, yeah, we’re good.”

“Can I walk you home?”

Her heart flipped inside her chest. Then a thought occurred to her.

“Actually…” He frowned. “I mean, yes, of course.” He smiled, relieved.

“But?”

“No buts,” she assured. “I just had an idea that I thought I might pass by you.”

He took a step back so she could work her way around her desk, and they walked toward the exit.

“Shoot,” he said, as they passed through the doors.

“Well…” She looped her arm through his. “I was thinking…movie night.”

Barry’s eyes lit up, his insides unbelievably excited.

“That’s a great idea. Should we have it at Joe’s or-”

“How about my place,” she suggested. “Well, mine and Eddie’s,” she amended.

He frowned.

“Is that a good idea? I mean, with Eddie gone? Won’t he feel…”

She rolled her eyes.

“Eddie’s not coming back till tomorrow, and we’ve talked about entertaining guests in the past, so.”

“Wait, guests? As in plural?” Barry asked, his spirits plummeting.

“Yeah.” She bounced a little as they walked down the block. “I was thinking you could invite Cisco and Caitlin over, even Dr. Wells if he wants to come.”

“Oh, I see.”

He tried his best not to sound disappointed. After all, a whole night alone with just him and Iris was probably not a good idea. It was how she’d ended up cheating in the first place.

He wanted to avoid her giving in to temptation again.

Right?

She seemed to have caught onto his tone anyway though.

“Oh, you didn’t think…”

“No, no, of course not.” He forced a smile. “I’ll text them right away. I’m sure they’ll say yes. They’re always up for a movie. Well, except for Dr. Wells. He doesn’t seem to go anywhere besides STAR Labs and his house.” He frowned. “He seems to like it that way for some reason.”

“Oh, that’s alright. And hey, you and I can have a movie night just us next weekend. How does that sound? At my dad’s place that time, so we’re not overly bothersome to Eddie.”

She giggled profusely, but Barry knew her idea was for the best. Eddie would probably feel like a third wheel again and get mad again. Then again, maybe he should make sure Joe was home for that event, if they ended up going through with it. It would be good to have a third party…just in case.

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

He pulled out his phone and texted Cisco, Caitlin, and Wells the idea. Within a couple minutes he got the expected responses. Yes from Cisco and Caitlin, and a ‘not this time’ from Dr. Wells.

“Wells says thanks but he can’t,” he told Iris.

“As you suspected.” She rolled her eyes. “And the other two?” she asked hopeful. “I reeeally want them to like me.”

Barry frowned and looked at her.

“They like you. Why would you think they don’t like you?”

She shrugged.

“It’s just a feeling I got, like they didn’t want me around or wished I wasn’t there, or something.”

“Nah, they’re just not used to anyone else being around. It’s been just the four of us for so long, and Joe of course. But I wouldn’t worry about it. Cisco will like you as soon as you say the word ‘snacks’ tonight, and Caitlin…well, admittedly she’s a harder nut to crack, but if Cisco likes you, so will she. I really wouldn’t worry about it.”

“Does that mean they said yes?” she asked, spinning on her feet slightly as she walked.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, they said yes.” He chuckled. She was so damn cute when she was excited.

“Awesome! So then, maybe you can flash us there? So we can get ready quicker? I want to be ready in ti-”

Before she could finish her sentence, they were there in front of her apartment door, and she had to fight to catch her breath.

“I will never get used to that.” She laughed.

“Sorry.” He blushed slightly. “Maybe I should have-”

“No, no, don’t apologize.” She pulled her key out of her purse. “I liked it.” She winked.

Barry felt his face get warm but followed her into the apartment. He’d never been there before, so he let his eyes trace the surroundings. The living room was a good size, and so was the kitchen. He decided not to think about the bedroom, given what likely went on there when Iris and Eddie were in the mood, but the place was nice. He could see why Iris said yes to living there when Eddie asked.

“It’s nice, your place.”

“Hmm?” She looked up at him after setting her purse down. “Oh, thanks. The décor left must to be desired when I first moved in, so all those homey touches are all me.”

Barry smiled when he looked at her.

“That’s very you.”

She laughed and tucked a curl behind her ear.

“I’m gonna go get changed, then we can get stuff arranged, find some snacks, pick the movie. Sound good?”

“Oh, yeah, of course. Take your time.”

“Great.”

She turned then, looking back over her shoulder a few times to smile at him before opening the half-closed door to her bedroom and stepping inside. Barry could hear her digging through her drawers, searching for a comfortable yet cute outfit for when the others arrived. He heard the clothes land on the bed and whoosh of her shrugging out of her sweater. Then there was silence, and he knew she was really undressing. As in, taking her dress off, maybe switching into a more comfortable bra…

He shook himself out of the images that conjured up and walked across the room. He had to get her out of his head. No matter how much he wanted her to break up with Eddie and be with him, right now it just wasn’t on her agenda. He had to accept that and not…fantasize about her every waking second.

But, without her there before him, he struggled to find something to do. He tossed a pillow from one side of the couch to another and adjusted a folded blanket on one of the chairs before proceeding to pop his mouth and lick his lips. He just barely held back from starting to hum.

Breaking through his thoughts was Iris’ labored breathing that he couldn’t help but hear. Then came some huffing, a groan of frustration and an actual foot stomp. It concerned and amused him almost simultaneously.

He leaned his body in the direction of the door even though it was only open a crack and offered his help.

“Everything okay in there?”

The complaining noises ceased.

“Uh, yeah, I just…the zipper is stuck.”

A million scenarios suddenly poured out into his consciousness. He had to fight to breathe at the image of her half-dressed, her hair draped over her shoulder as she looked up at him with those deep brown eyes of hers and asked him to undress her.

Help unzip her rather.

He tried to squash the image, but he couldn’t. Despite himself he caved to the desire, convincing himself he was just being a good friend by even offering.

“Need any help?”

The silence that followed made him regret everything, but he walked toward the door anyway, pausing briefly to smooth down his shirt, and gingerly opened the door. She turned her head over her shoulder, just as he’d imagined she would, and he swallowed at the sight of her. He forced himself to squash every compliment in the book that was suddenly at the forefront of his mind.

After all, she was struggling.

“I mean, if you wouldn’t mind?” she asked pathetically.

He breathed a sigh of relief and approached her easily.

“No, of course not.”

Licking his lips, he came to a stop and moved her long locks over her left shoulder. He saw her visibly shiver as his fingertips brushed her bare skin and stilled.

“Is this weird?” she asked, just as he was about to ask her the logical question – if she was cold.

He shook himself free of the spell she always put him under when they were this close.

“Why would it be weird?” he asked, focusing intently on the state of the jeopardized zipper. “We’re just best friends,” he continued. “You’re with Eddie. I know that.”

“No, I know, but uh…you’re still in love with me, right?”

His breath was stolen from his again. Suddenly his fingers wouldn’t move.

How did she keep doing this to him?

“Right,” he forced himself to say. “But I don’t see how tha-”

“And I’m intensely attracted to you now, remember?”

He felt his pants starts to tighten. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.

“Right.”

She took a tiny step forward, and his hands fell to his sides.

“You probably shouldn’t be touching me. Or…at least not skin to skin.”

She turned to face him, and the view from the front was even more devastating to the state of his heart. And pants.

“Got it.” A thought occurred to him. “But uh…how will you get your dress off then?”

That particular problem clearly hadn’t dawned on her. She sighed, and her shoulders slumped.

“I guess I’ll just wear it forever.”

A sudden grin turned into a chuckle, and Barry approached her again.

“I have an idea.”

“What?” Her nose scrunched up.

“I’ll use my super speed,” he said, warming to the idea immediately. “It’ll be really fast! Are those the clothes you want to wear?”

He gestured to what was spread out on the bed, and she turned to look before looking back at him.

“Well, yeah, bu-”

“It’s okay. It’ll be great! I did it with Caitlin once. She didn’t feel a thing. I didn’t see a thing. It was great!”

He was so excited now, Iris couldn’t help but feel some of his energy pour onto her. She also couldn’t deny the little green monster that was cropping up inside her.

“You did it with Caitlin?” she asked, hoping none of that green would spill out of her.

Barry didn’t seem to notice.

“Yeah,” he said. “She got drunk, so I took her home. She needed help undressing, and-” He stopped suddenly, flushing a bright red. “Wow, this sounds way more inappropriate than it was.”

But Iris wasn’t listening. Barry and Caitlin were already making out in her head, their clothes falling to the wayside, and she couldn’t stand it. Barry’s worried tone was the only thing that freed her from the horrifying vision.

Her eyes widened, and she stepped forward.

“No, it’s okay. I get it. You were just being a good friend. It’s fine. Go ahead.” She nodded.

“Yeah?” he asked, hopeful.

“Yeah. I’m ready.”

He took a breath, and gestured for her to turn back around, which she did with a smile. Then using his super speed, he successfully, freed and realigned the zipper, after which he undressed her and redressed her into the clothes she had laid out.

“There you go! All done.”

Iris peeked beneath her shirt and looked over at him.

“You changed my bra. I didn’t lay out a new one.”

He froze.

“I didn’t see anything, I swear!” He held his hands open in surrender.

Is he hyperventilating? She wondered.

“I just…I thought you might want something a little more comfortable for movie night.” He laughed nervously.

She smiled suddenly and placed her hand on his arm.

“It’s okay, Barry.”

“Yeah?”

She giggled.

“Yeah. Come on, let’s get everything set up.”

She tipped her head toward the doorway, and he followed her into the living room, breathing a sigh of relief after closing the bedroom door behind them.

…

As predicted, minus some brief awkwardness when Cisco and Caitlin arrived together, as soon as Iris displayed an array of snacks to Cisco on the countertop, Cisco dove in full force and gathered as much as he could put on the plates Iris had set out. His behavior made Caitlin actually laugh, and she smiled at Iris as she moved to grab her own plate.

“Thanks for inviting us, Iris. This was a great idea.”

She met Barry’s eyes at the compliment. He sent her a wink, which sent chills spreading through her body again.

“Thanks, Caitlin. I thought it would be fun.”

“Although, you know…” Barry started, a teasing lilt to his voice. “It was actually me that invited you both.”

Cisco rolled his eyes and plopped down in one of the comfy chairs.

“I’m sorry,” Caitlin said sarcastically. “Thank you, Barry.”

She took the other chair and popped some popcorn into her mouth, while Barry grinned.

“You’re forgiven,” he said, and took a seat on the couch.

“So, what are we watching?” Cisco asked, pointing out the blank screen.

“Well…” Iris approached it. “I thought… - and I hope you don’t mind Caitlin, but uh… I grabbed Star Wars?” She held up A New Hope to show them all.

Cisco’s jaw dropped. He immediately looked at Barry.

“Did you put her up to this?”

Barry held up his hands in defense.

“I had nothing to do with it. I’m as surprised as you are.”

Caitlin laughed.

“What made you choose that one, Iris?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It’s technically the original.”

“It is the original,” Cisco deadpanned.

“It’s true.” Barry grabbed his snack plate.

Iris laughed.

“Barry’s always making references I don’t understand. I thought it’d be cool to see where it all comes from.”

“You know, Cisco is always making references too,” Caitlin pointed out. “I’ve always shot down his attempts to get me to watch though.”

“Yes. Yes, you have.” Cisco narrowed his eyes.

“Oh, I hope you don’t mi-” Iris started, worried.

“No, no, don’t even worry about it. It was inevitable.” Caitlin chuckled. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”

Iris smiled, relieved.

“Great.”

She turned on the TV, pushed in the DVD, and pressed play, immediately plopping on the couch next to Barry, snuggling close and laying her head on his chest as the movie began. Caitlin took notice at first and looked over at Cisco, but he was already absorbed into the movie, so she abandoned her observations to watch the movie too.

As the movie continued, Barry unconsciously wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She started to eat off his plate about half an hour into the movie, and his jaw dropped when he reached for something himself and found all his snacks had been consumed and she’d been chewing the last one. His chest rumbled due to his quiet chuckle, and she looked up at him.

She mouthed ‘what’, and he shrugged slightly then glanced down at his empty plate before looking back up at her. She appeared to be embarrassed, so to hide that, she swung her legs down and snatched the plate out of his hand to go refill it in the kitchen with more snacks. He checked her out the whole way there, watching her hips sway of their own volition and the perfect round cheeks of her ass in those snug sweatpants. He shifted in his seat slightly when she turned around and headed back over to him.

“There,” she whispered, handing him the plate. “Happy?”

“Always,” he whispered back before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She was the first to grab some finger food from his plate. He just made sure to get a few in before he started watching the movie again.

With just half an hour left of the movie to go, Iris had shifted to practically on top of Barry with how tense she’d gotten as the action started to really pick up in the back half of the movie. Barry seemed completely unaware, his grip on her only tightening when he thought she might actually fall off of him. There was no chance of that though, not with her pressing herself so much into him and ducking her head into his sweater when she thought she couldn’t take what might happen next.

In the midst of it all, neither of them, and not Cisco or Caitlin either, heard the key in the lock turn again or a certain someone walk through the door before he spoke himself into existence and had Iris turning her head.

“Iris.”

“Eddie.”

Horror zipped through her until she talked herself down with the pep talk that what she was doing was completely innocent and fine. She untangled her hand from Barry’s and walked over to Eddie, placing a quick peck on his surprised lips.

“You’re home early.”

“An earlier flight came in, so I thought I’d take it.”

“Oh.” She licked her lips before turning on the charm. “Well, that’s great.” She rubbed her hand down his arm. “I’m so glad your home.”

He looked at her strangely.

“We’re having a movie night. I hope you don’t mind?” She bit her lip.

“No,” he said instantly. “No, of course not. You…you have fun.”

“You should join us!” she encouraged, but his immediate sigh told her that was not on the menu.

“Uh…I’m actually kind of tired. I was thinking a shower and then bed, if you don’t mind.”

She frowned but accepted it.

“Okay, yeah. You must be exhausted. I’m sure jet lag is setting in.”

“Right.”

He pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“You’ll come in later, yeah?”

“Of course.”

His smile was forced, even she could sense it.

“Enjoy your movie then.” He shifted his gaze to their guests. “Good seeing you all.” He waved before heading towards the bedroom with his suitcase in hand.

“You too!” they all sang out in a chorus before looking back at the TV screen.

Iris frowned, wondering if she should do something, but Barry calling out to her shifted her focus entirely.

“You okay?” he asked when she didn’t immediately move.

She shook off her girlfriend duties before climbing back onto the couch beside him.

“Yeah, totally. Let’s see how this thing ends.”

She smiled and looped her arm through his, tucking her legs under her again and focusing entirely on the movie and her guests until they all left.

…

With Eddie presumably asleep, Barry had flashed all the snacks away after Caitlin and Cisco left, thanking Iris for her hospitality on their way out. Caitlin admitted to still not understanding all the references to which Cisco just encouraged them to have another movie night to watch the next one. It made the girls laugh and Barry shrug helplessly when Cisco looked to him for support.

Barry lingered a little while, even after he had everything put away. It took him a while to say goodbye to Iris, mostly because he wasn’t sure how things would proceed with them now that Eddie was back. He didn’t say it, but Iris caught on with how he kept coming up with reasons to stay. She didn’t know how to reassure him that everything would be okay though, so eventually she just pointed out the time and how she should probably go and he took note of it, hugging her close before eventually leaving.

The apartment was silent once more. One by one, Iris turned off the lights, sighing to herself as she finally approached the bedroom. To her surprise, when she opened it, the light on Eddie’s side of the bed was on and he was propped up against his pillow, looking at his phone.

“You’re awake,” she said, coming to a stop.

He set his phone on the bedside table and looked up at her.

“I thought I’d wait up for you.”

She crossed the room to pull her pajamas out of a drawer.

“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taken so long,” she said by way of apology.

Eddie shook it off with ease.

“Don’t worry about it. You were having fun with your friends, and I said I was going to bed.”

“Maybe next time you’ll join us,” she suggested as she changed clothes, facing away from him.

“Maybe,” he said, watching her and trying not to wonder too hard why she was seeking privacy.

Once dressed, she walked over to the bed and pulled back the blanket on her side. She tucked herself in, but before she could think to lay down and get herself comfortable, Eddie broached the subject she’d hoped he’d forgotten about. At least for tonight.

“So, have you thought about us?”

She opted for confusion.

“What do you mean?”

He turned toward her.

“Well, I was gone for a week, Iris. And I didn’t call you or text at all during that time.”

“I know that.” She frowned. “I figured you wanted space.”

“I did,” he said, and her chest tightened. “But I also wanted to give you the time and space you needed to sort things out.”

She nodded, accepting that.

“So…” he continued. “Did you sort things out?”

“I made up with Barry,” she said.

“Obviously.”

“Obviously.” She forced a laugh.

“And your dad?” He tilted his head.

She sighed. “Not yet. One step at a time though, right?”

“Right.” He pursed his lips. “And us?”

“What about us?” She hedged cautiously.

“Are we good?” he asked. “Or do you think we should start going to therapy? Or break up?”

Her breath was stolen from her.

This was the moment.

She could end it all right here. She could tell him she’d cheated, that she’d realized she was in love with Barry, that she wanted to be with Barry. She could tell him she was so, so sorry, and that she’d understand completely if he never wanted to talk to or see her again.

Because she did want to be with Barry. And tonight she’d gotten confirmation that he was still in love with her. He’d probably take her in a heartbeat if she went to his door tonight.

Maybe. Maybe. If he wasn’t too wounded by how she’d rejected him time and time again. She deserved to be rejected by him if he felt like it, to have to fight for him the way he’d repeatedly fought for her, to be alone, with nobody for a while, because of how she’d crushed his fragile, beautiful heart.

She gulped.

“Iris?”

She fixed her eyes on Eddie’s and knew she wasn’t going to do it. Not tonight at any rate. She couldn’t face what was bound to be a blow up if she told Eddie everything. She couldn’t take the uncertainty of whether or not Barry would take her should she confess how she was feeling to him. She couldn’t break yet another heart with Eddie looking at her now, so vulnerable and so hopeful for what she had to say. She did still care about him, and she loved him. Even if from the way she’d felt when he walked in the door told her loud and clear that she was no longer in love with him.

So, she softened her features and cupped his face, taking the easy way out. For now.

“I think we’re okay, Eddie.”

He sighed in relief and wrapped his fingers around hers.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She smiled. “I think you were right about it being about Barry. Once we made things right, everything seemed to fall into place.” Literally. “I don’t think we need therapy either. I think moving forward we’ll be okay.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that. I was so worried.” He laughed a little nervously.

“No need to be.” She hesitated before saying, “I love you.”

A small smile spread across her lips, and she leaned forward, kissing just the corner of his lips before turning away and getting settled on her side of the bed. He frowned, somewhat surprised by her actions and the direction in which she was choosing to sleep.

“Good night, Eddie. I’m glad you’re home.”

He told himself it was nothing. That he was overthinking things.

He turned off his light and adjusted his pillow. He debated curling his body around hers, but something about that didn’t feel right suddenly. He turned the other way and got himself comfortable, as the thought that something wasn’t right continued to gnaw at him.

“Good night, Iris,” he lifted his head up to say. “I love you.”

She didn’t say anything in return, and he heard a gentle snore coming from her side of the bed a few seconds later.

He laid his head back down onto his pillow and pushed the nagging thought away.

It’s probably nothing.

But it nagged at him still.

[imonthinice]

The Criminal Psychology Majors, Jason Todd x Fem!Reader Part 19/?

Word Count: 4.1k

Author’s Note:

Warnings: Mentions of the court system, fighting, swearing, no beta bitch we die like Jason Todd

 Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13) (Part 14) (Part 15) (Part 16) (Part 17) (Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20)

Time Skip lol, February, next year. Finals.

She and Jason had been together for 6 months around February. When finals started coming up. The distance and tension between the two was fucking palpable. They hadn't fought or anything, but the stress between them had caused a slight riff. They just had space to focus on their studies.

They would see each other at work. She was his secretary. Everyone, all their friends, even their families, swore they just needed to bone. Which, considering they both heard about this from Bruce first, didn't mean they wanted to do it.

If you had asked Y/N, she would have said she wasn't dressing for Jason. But that was a lie. She was tempted to go with the advice everyone was giving them, especially before they went into their first finals exam. She walked into his office.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Well, I'm your secretary. Seeing if you need anything."

"I don't."

She turned to walk out.

"That doesn't mean you can walk out."

She smiled to herself, "Alright." She sat on the chair in front of his desk, "I won't walk out."

"Mhm."

She frowned, he didn't even look up from his computer. "What do you want me here for, Jay?"

"Close the blinds on all my windows, baby."

"It'll become dark."

"Good."

"Your eyes will fry from the light of your computer."

"Trust me, they won't."

"Uh-huh," she doubted as she closed the blinds.

Jason walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head in the crook of her shoulder. She smiled and leaned her head on his.

"Exams fucking suck," Jason said.

"Couldn't have guessed from the riff in our relationship, really? You don't say?" she sarcastically retorted.

"It's not like we had it easy this entire time, either."

"Fuck you don't say? At least my attacker was admitted to Arkham and my friends got out."

"Can't catch a break," he paused because his buzzer went, "Can't catch a fucking break!" he exclaimed, exasperated. He went and answered it, "Jason Todd, who's using Y/N (Last Name)'s buzzer," he said, sounding annoyed.

"Hey, it's Dick. You two aren't fucking right, B will be pissed."

"Shut up. We aren't. What do you want."

"Someone's pissed. I need paperwork."

"Come and get it."

She crossed her arms and laughed when Dick entered the room. She slightly waved. He slightly waved back.

"You know, you two should bone. But not here," Dick joked. He walked over to one of the many, many filing cabinets to search for the paperwork he needed.

"You're really just riding the wave into Jason running you down, aren't you?" Y/N said.

"Well, we're always up for sparring."

"It probably won't be sparring, Dick. You know your brother. He's staring daggers into the back of your head."

"For Valentine's, I'll be giving Barbara the stress of taking care of me after Jason beats me to a pulp."

"At least you'll get one last Gala?" she joked.

"Will you be coming?"

"She will," Jason said.

"Amazing. Don't fuck on the dance floor," Dick joked.

"Fuck you."

"Love you too, Jase," he turned to walk out, "Love you too, Y/N."

"I'll be sure to tell you I love you at your funeral, Dick," she joked as he walked out. She paused before turning to Jason, "Gala?"

"Come, please," he said before going to hug her. "I miss you."

"You see me every day, Love."

"But we haven't been," he paused, "Well, a couple. In weeks. I miss you. The fun one who got me to run down the streets of Gotham on a skateboard."

"Dress code?"

"White tie."

"Dammnit. Guess I'm shopping."

"I'll give you my debit card?"

"I don't need it, baby. However," she joked, "I sure will take it."

He laughed and forked it over to her, "Don't spend my Ph.D. funds."

"I will gladly spend your Ph.D. funds."

"No," he laughed, "Please, I need those."

"I mean if you insist I spend it all," she said, laughing.

"The Gala's later tonight, you can take the rest of the day off."

"Kind of you to do."

"I know, I'm a gentleman."

"Truly," she kissed him. "I'll see you tonight."

"Can I come to get you?"

"Feel free too."

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you," she said before she left the office.

Getting into her car, she fumbled with the mirror a bit. She looked like a mom. The bags under her eyes and the formal get-up for an office job did her in.

They had said "I love you" for the first time around Christmas. She wished she caught the moment where they were fucking around and she just said it.

The Christmas lights surrounded them, hung in the trees. They had gone to see the New York City tree in Times Square. He was setting up a photo to take of the two of them and she just said it.

She could have sworn his fucking eyes lit up with green. Like they glowed.

Reminiscing on those small moments with Jason was something that would make her smile without fail. That man somehow unlocked a new set of feelings, stronger feelings. She was in touch with herself.

She went to her house first, to see how A/N was doing. To see her on the steps. She pulled into the driveway.

"Hey, you good?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah, of course. Why?"

"I have to go get a dress for a Wayne Gala trademark, do you want to come to help me?"

"Of course I do!"

---------------------

"I guess you could say we didn't narrow shit down about a dress," Y/N joked as she came out in the 16th dress she had tried on.

"Okay, well, that one is the best so far," A/N said, seeming like they finally made progress.

"Wow, this is news, we've narrowed it down."

"Honestly consider it a miracle. Thank God Jason let you go from work early. Are you getting a full day's pay?" A/N asked.

"Probably. I told Bruce I didn't want a full day's pay if I wasn't there, but Bruce said it was in my contract. I think he's just being generous," Y/N said with a sigh.

"Did you not read your contract?"

"I did! That's why I think he's being generous. I don't think I'd forget something like that."

"Watch you did forget those words. You should ask him to see your contract, if he's disobeying it then the board members are probably at his ass about it," A/N explained.

"God, please no. I would hate being a contention point for the board members."

"They probably want you fired. And they're probably mad that you won't be fired because you're with Jason."

"Well, I'm also just a great secretary"

"See, each time you say that I assume it's because you give him a little something-something under his desk every day."

"I'll have you know we've never had sex in that office."

"Did you have sex in another office?" A/N questioned.

"I'm pleading the 5th to any further questioning."

"Wait, oh my god."

"Nope! Going to go try on another dress and ignore you now!" Y/N exclaimed with a joking tone.

"This one's the best," A/N said.

"We're making progress! I'm thinking if I go with this one, I add gloves."

"God, are you trying to give Jason a hard-on?"A/N joked.

"I would like to plead the 5th to any further questioning on the matter," Y/N retorted.

"You're evil. If you're going to be evil, you might as well wear a suit."

"I wish. After all the shit I've been through, I want to stick it to the fucks who keep judging me. I'm already so jeopardized, though. Jason goes through a lot of shit dating me. I'll wear the dress."

"Old white people are old white people."

"Well, Bruce is nice at least. If he's judgemental, at least I don't hear about it on the news," Y/N said and twirled. "Yeah, this one. I like this one."

"I also like that one. There's something about silk. Always gets someone to look like 50 million dollars. Probably worth that too."

Y/N fumbled with the tag, "It's not pure silk, so it's less. Only 1000$."

"Only 1000$? God, that's like our rent."

"Rent is more."

"Well if we weren't in a house it would be the same. That's insane. That's like 3-4 months of groceries."

"I know it's a lot to us commonfolk, but Jason is rich. He wouldn't mind. We might, but he wouldn't."

"Yeah, but do you feel okay with spending that much of his money?"

"I have no idea. We'll see. I'll go try another dress on."

"This is cute," Y/N said.

"Well of course it is, it's probably worth your college scholarship, though."

"God, don't remind me of prices."

"It's hard to forget prices when we're given a lot of money to spend."

"We can't spend all of it!"

"What's he using it for?" A/N asked in a half-joke.

"He's getting a Ph.D. in Criminal Psychology when we graduate."

"Okay, okay. So he needs it."

"Yeah, he doesn't let Bruce pay his bills, remember. He's making his own money, minus the working-for-his-dad part."

"Yeah, the working for Bruce part seems a bit counterintuitive."

"If he's getting paid, it doesn't matter to him."

"What's it even like working with his family? Especially with the tension between you and Jason?"

"It sucks. Jason and I haven't fought, yet. We have to act like we aren't fighting. Which makes everyone think we are fighting. Which makes both of us mad. Because apparently," she paused, "The way to fix fighting is having sex, apparently."

"So have sex?"

"Shut up."

"Family on your nerves?" A/N asked.

"They're so involved, but I love them all. I just wish we had a moment alone, I know it's hard to do in a fucking office, but still."

"Go try on another dress. Show up looking like a million bucks."

"You are simply so right."

"I feel like this is the mature version of the black sparkly spaghetti straps one," A/N said.

"It's like you mashed a bunch of words together and suddenly I have to sell you my first-born son."

"Well, it's true!" She laughed, "It's a grown-up version, what someone, old white people, would expect of you."

"Old white people expect a lot."

"Jason's going to be one, one day," A/N joked.

"He's got not-white features," Y/N said, trying to picture his face. There was something about him. Something not-white. She had always picked up on it, but she could never tell what it was.

"Well, it's not like you can ask his mom her ethnicity."

"Jeez, that would be so rude of me to do. Let's just say it's... it's not my place."

"He's got secrets?" A/N questioned.

"Tall, handsome, mysterious. That's my Jason."

"A little bit of everything, all of the time," A/N said in a sing-song tune, specifically the "Welcome to the Internet" tune.

"Don't quote Bo Burnham to me, that album broke me," Y/N joked

"Who didn't it break? Oh, wait, probably Jason."

"He probably sobbed like a baby at it, I don't know where you got the "Emotionless" trope from, A/N."

"Can you blame me? He's a Wayne."

"Those are some of the most emotionally connected people I know? Like, genuinely, they're probably more in touch with themselves than you and I."

"Well, they don't exactly have the reputation for being able to discern their emotions, you know."

"You need to stop interacting with tabloids and their articles," Y/N said, seeming exasperated with the tabloids and the line of conversation. But that was nothing new. She hated the press, the articles, the paparazzi. She hated them all.

"Yeah, probably. You hate them for a reason."

"Do you not know about that time they made it so we couldn't get into our car?" Y/N asked.

"You did, you did."

"Fuckin' tabloids."

"Go try on another dress before you explode from rage."

"Valid," Y/N said, laughing.

"God, if only this wasn't a white tie event," Y/N said and sighed.

"I mean, you could just wear it."

"I will get my ass handed to me, however," she said, taking a picture, "Maybe Jason will just let me get it if I pay him back?"

"You don't have the money right now?" A/N asked.

"I need to get paid and I'll have enough," Y/N explained.

"Don't tell me this is worth more than our rent."

"I will just simply not tell you."

"Girl, you can't."

"Money is dumb and I hate it."

A/N laughed, "Which one do you want to go with?"

"Uh, probably the silk one."

"Temptress."

"I will literally buy and wear a corset to make Jason's life hard to get you off my back," Y/N laughed.

"I implore you to do so for the joke."

"Shut up," Y/N joked.

She still sent the picture of the last dress to Jason off-handedly. Asked him how he felt about it since she knew she loved it.

Why don't you just get it? He had sent back.

Can't afford it.

I can.

Please let me pay you back for this.

Just take me on a date.

I can do that.

You should.

I'll see you soon.

She laughed and grabbed both dresses.

"Jason's buying both?" A/N asked.

"Mhm! I have to take him on a fun date in return."

"You were probably going to do it both ways, honestly."

"You just know me so well."

-----------------------

They had gone and gotten the gloves before heading back to their house. Laughing and blasting rock songs the entire time. There was something about the bass running through the car and having the windows rolled down while screaming the songs. It was insane.

One of the songs they blasted was "I Think I'm OKAY" by Machine Gun Kelly and YUNGBLUD, switching out the vocals. It was fun to take breaks like that and, just enjoy each other's presence. Especially during finals season, where both of them were stressed because of their respective finals.

Everyone was stressed. Finals did that to everyone. Whether someone was in school or not, they felt the teenagers and college students lose their minds about it.

They got out of the car at their home and took the dresses inside. A/N went to go study in her room while Y/N went to go hang up her dresses. She entered her room and instantly remembered why she hated her laptop.

The laptop fan was deafening, it's why she barely had Jason over at her house anymore. She cleaned it constantly but, it kept going and going.

She brought it to the Wayne Manor over the Winter Break because she had work to do but wanted to see Jason, and everyone, everyone, commented on the thing.

They compared it to a screaming goat, an electronic mess, a horse-powered fan, anything they could put together with electronic, goat and fan, they called the laptop that.

Bruce even offered to buy her a new one, but she declined. She didn't think it was broken, so it didn't need to be replaced or fixed. If it was still in working condition, she was going to use it until it bluescreened on her.

Much to everyone's dismay.

She hated the fucking thing. So if she could drown it out with music, you bet your ass she did. She was grateful that her parents had sent it to her, but she assumed it was because they hated it too. She was right. No one liked that laptop.

She went to go shower. She figured if she fucked with her appearance and hair a bit, then the press would get off her back. She hadn't exactly tried to impress them thus far. But she wanted to just live her life.

She figured doing her hair, makeup, wearing the right clothes, she'd get harassed less. There was a lot of pressure dating a Wayne, she had realized.

She was constantly in the media, somehow she became an idol for little girls in the span of months. It was a lot for someone to take on. She embraced it normally. With open arms normally.

But A/N had told her that she started sleep-talking. Screaming about the eyes, the people watching her. She knew it was probably connected to the stress she was under dating Jason, but she really didn't want to deal with it.

If she ignored it, no one could tell her to deal with it. If she hid it, no one had to see it. She was looking into soundproofing her room so that A/N didn't have to see it.

Was it healthy to do that? Probably not. Probably far from the concept of healthy coping mechanisms.

She got out of the shower and started playing with her appearance. If she ended up with loud makeup and hair after this, she was going to just accept it.

She did end up with pretty loud eyeshadow. But her hair was fine, as acceptable as it could get for everyone judging her. Only nude lipstick that was just two, maybe three shades darker than her skin was what she needed. She kind of overdid the eyeshadow, so it had to be balanced.

Nerves by Icon for Hire was playing in her room. And in a way, that was how she felt. There was a lot of feeling in her, that she wasn't made for the life she was starting to lead. That being an idol was how she was going, but she couldn't do it.

She sighed and put on heels. White heels. It would be easier to put them on before the dress and gloves. The corset came on next. IT wasn't anything special, and she was capable of putting it on without help.

But then the dress.

"She loved that dress, but it wasn't the other one. The other one sparked a little bit of joy in her, while this one just conformed to everyone's opinions of her.

She wanted to wear the other one, so, so, fucking badly.

And finally the gloves. It was an outfit she thought was cute but would be torn to shreds in the media. She knew that.

The media liked to eat her alive.

Part of her wanted a break from it all. The other part wanted to do an interview with the press, to shit-talk all of them and make them weep. She wanted to be the one to destroy them.

Revenge was best served cold though, and the rage was far too hot in her head to even begin a proper essay on why they sucked.

She turned off the music in her room and was greeted with the lovely sounds of her computer fan. Comforting, but hatred.

Jason was going to be there any minute. Was she even ready for a Gala?

They had been through so much.

---------------------------------

She walked to his car. He brought one of the fancy ones.

"You couldn't just like, own a not expensive car?" she joked.

"Why would I do that?"

She laughed and handed him his debit card, "I don't know, to keep the press off your ass?"

"I think they'd find us no matter what," he said as he backed out of her driveway, "You look beautiful by the way."

"Thank you, Love. You're as handsome as always."

"Simp."

"Alas, I admit it," she joked as she turned on the radio. "I swear the media is going to have a field day today."

"When do they not?"

"That's fair."

"I'm sorry this school year's been fucking our relationship," he sighed, "We deserve better and a better chance than what we've been dealt."

"Unfortunately that's how school works."

"Fuck school sometimes. Not everyone gets as hit as badly as us."

"It's the psychology teachers. If any teachers are strict, they are."

"We still deserve a break."

"Well, there's always when finals are over."

"I swear we're doing something nice when finals end."

"That's not that hard to do."

The tension in that car was palpable. Truly, you could cut that with a knife. A diamond's edge.

They got to the Gala before anyone, except the Waynes.

"Hey lot," Y/N said.

"Y/N! Glad you could make it!" Stephanie said and pulled her into a hug, "The guys suck, so I like you the most today."

She laughed, "What did they do?"

"They won't play rooftop tag with me."

"Why do you even play that game?" Y/N asked.

"Agility! I'm a track star, duh. I drag them with me."

"Ah, how could I be so foolish," she laughed as Stephanie pulled her towards the other girls. Y/N waved at the boys while laughing. "You do know I have a boyfriend who wants to see me, right?"

"It's Jason."

"Good observation."

"Shut up. I claim you."

"You can't claim me!" she jokingly exclaimed, loud enough for the boys to hear.

"Steph, that's my girlfriend!" Jason yelled back.

"Not anymore!" She yelled as she pulled Y/N into the building.

"Explanation?" Y/N asked, "Do you have an issue or something?"

"I don't. Babs does."

"Go on?"

"Ask her."

Y/N sighed and walked up to Barbara and Cassandra, "I heard you have an issue or something?"

"Yes! You! Okay so," Barbara said, "We're all worried about you and Jason."

"Oh, Jeez," Y/N sighed.

"No no, listen. We can feel the tension. Have you been fighting?"

"I told you before, we aren't."

"Then what is it? 'Cause I'm known for being a detective, hello, I'm Jim Gordon's daughter. And even I can't figure it out."

"Probably exams. Exams suck."

"Oh! It's because you're not used to the fame," Cassandra said.

"Okay, Cassie. Listen, it's-"

"It is isn't it!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"Ugh. Yes. Are you happy now?"

"C'mon, it isn't that bad is it?" Barbara asked.

"It is. They've been at my throat with daggers ever since I met Jason."

"Who's been at your throat with daggers?" Jason asked.

"Don't worry about it," Y/N said before anyone could open their mouths and say to the contrary.

"Well, then. Everyone should be here soon," Bruce said. "Wish we had entertainment this time."

"Can't Y/N sing?" Tim asked.

"Uh, yeah?" Y/N said.

"So sing," Tim said.

"Tim. C'mon. Don't do me like this, man."

"Think about it," Bruce said and put a hand on her shoulder, "It could be fun."

She laughed and everyone scattered except her and Jason.

"So, the daggers comment?" he asked.

"Media reference."

He sighed, "You can always step out of the spotlight, my love. Step down, walk away from their eyes but still be in mine."

"I'll think about it."

He took her hands, "You should think quicker," he joked.

She laughed and he pulled her into the ballroom she knew all-too-well at this point. The first time she was there ran through her mind like no one was watching, the beauty in her memory for capturing it like that.

She knew once the pictures were released she'd probably attempt to paint it.

Galas were stuffy and full of people. She didn't like the people aspect. When strangers would come up to her and start talking, she'd get freaked out. They knew her, but she didn't know them.

She wasn't involved in getting to know people high-up in the world. She was a simple secretary who was dating one of the CEOs.

She'd get twirled around by people's sons. Stuck in dances and conversations. She almost always found herself with one of the Waynes after she ran from someone she didn't know.

She did figure if she sang she'd get away from everyone. So, in a fit of trying to get away, she found her way to Selina.

"Hey!" she said.

"Y/N! Are you running again?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Do you want to sing or something, Bruce said he asked you to."

"He did, and I figured, "Fuck it" so here I am."

Jason came up just as she said that, "Duet?" he asked.

"Now that's an idea and a half."

"You kids, always doing crazy stuff," Selina joked, "Le me see what I can do for 'ya."

"We're really doing this?" Jason asked as Selina slinked off.

"I guess so!" she exclaimed and he pulled her in for a kiss.

"Really saying "Fuck you" to the press today, huh?"

"Well, they're always saying "Fuck you" to me."

[anna-justice]

too Close for Comfort - Upstead

Summary: Throwback to the aftermath of “Lines,” in season seven. This is the conversation between Jay, Voight and Hailey that we didn’t get to see.

Warnings: swearing, PTSD?, angst

Requested: Yes! #75, “What did you need to tell me?”

…

“Shut the door.”

Hailey slammed the door of her car shut, falling breathlessly into the driver's seat. It was freezing, the air inside being even colder than the frigid wind outside. Hailey threw her head back against the seat, numb to the frosty touch, she shook ever so slightly, having left her coat on her chair in the haste to get out of the district. 

“So this is something we’re doing now?” 

Soon, the temperature began to set in and Hailey broke her trance long enough to turn her keys in her ignition, suddenly being blasted with air as cold as Chicago winter wind. She didn’t bother to turn it down, it would warm up eventually and hopefully her with it. With no feeling in her ears or her hands, she hit the steering wheel, a single tear escaping her eye. She was surprised it didn’t freeze against her cheek. She had no idea what she was doing. 

“Do you understand, you crossed the line?”

She did, she knew what she did was wrong, but she just wanted to feel something. The cold air circulated throughout her car, making it borderline inhabitable. If her fingers were moving against the dash, she didn’t know, she felt nothing. She wanted to feel something: guilt, fear, remorse, even. But she didn’t. All she knew is that she had crossed the threshold of something she couldn’t even see, and all she felt was void. Part of her thought she would be happy, or maybe prideful. She had helped put away a violent criminal and saved another man ten years of life wasted, but the Hailey that had done that wasn’t recognizable to her anymore.

“The lines, they are real clear.”

And she wished they were, in Chicago at least. She knew that at the FBI there was almost a marked path of steps on the floor to take, you couldn’t miss it. But she wished it were that easy at home. She wished that she was afraid of them, like she always was before. But everything seemed different now, ever since Jay was shot her world had been upside down. She watched him cross the line with Marcus, and then with Angela. He was just trying to do the right thing and it almost got him killed, it was so clear to Hailey. 100%, without a doubt, get Jay out of this. He was crazy, supporting the family of the man he got killed, he was too close. But then, she was too close to see that he was never going to move on, not without doing everything he possibly could to help them.

God, it was so normal. It felt like everyone around her got the benefit of the doubt but her. Letting Angela walk to keep Jay’s secret was wrong, an oversight that the old Hailey never would have made. But the old Hailey didn’t watch her partner bleed out on a basement floor, the old Hailey didn’t plant evidence in peoples cars, the old Hailey didn’t dare take a step out of line.

“I don’t want you to be me.” 

She didn’t want to be him, but she didn’t see any other way. There was no going back now. Not after Cameron’s death, not after Darius. She wasn’t the same person who walked in and spilled coffee on Platt all those years ago. She felt like a fraud, and the only person that could really see her may never forgive her. Why would he? Hailey put on her seatbelt, willing herself to drive out of the parking lot, she had a lot of packing to do. 

“Hailey, I’m starting to wonder if you can do it.” 

She did too, she wondered what happened to her. Maybe it was the job: maybe she was hardening, losing her morality or just getting bored. But it felt like so much more than that. She had a family now, a real one, and she would do anything to protect them. She loved Vanessa, and she hated seeing her hurting. Of course she had to help Luis, she couldn’t watch Vanessa spiral. She was attached, something she had never let herself be before. 

Hailey’s phone buzzed in her cup holder, bringing her back to reality. Her car had finally decided to warm up, and now she felt on the verge of overheating.

Jay Halstead: I’m at Backdoor, text me when you get here. I’ll wait to go in.

Hailey groaned, feeling her eyes well up again. She forgot that she had plans to meet Jay at their bar, it had been a rough case, a rough day. It was their thing. She was dreading it, but she had to tell him. She couldn’t leave without saying goodbye. 

…

Jay’s phone buzzed in his hand showing Hailey’s caller ID. He picked it up immediately. “Hey.” He said, a smile gracing his face.

“Hi.” She said, her voice coming through quiet and cut off.

Jay sat forward in his seat, “What’s wrong?” Worry laced thick. 

“Jay,” She said, almost like she was bracing herself. “I’m going to New York.” 

“What?” The words just kind of fell out of his mouth.

He heard Hailey take a deep breath on the line, “Voight is loaning me out to the FBI, the field office in New York. I leave tomorrow.” 

“I don’t understand…” Jay trailed off, “Why?”

“I-I messed up Jay.” She said, her voice breaking. “I did something really stupid and I guess this is my punishment.” 

Jay was seething and he wasn’t exactly sure why, “He can’t do this, he can’t just ship you off-”

“He can and he did.” Hailey cut him off. They were quiet for a moment. “I should go, I need to pack and my flight is early. I just wanted to tell you.” 

“Uh, yeah, of course.” Jay stumbled over his words. “Thank you, for letting me know.” 

Hailey breathed out a little laugh, “You think I would just disappear in the middle of the night?”

Jay froze for a second, she didn’t understand the weight of her own words. “You? No. Just, still, I appreciate it.” He had a million questions, but it seemed like she wasn’t really up for answers. 

“You’re my partner,” She said without hesitation, “And you will still be my partner when I’m there and you will still be my partner when I get back.”

Those words were his anchor, she was coming back. “Damn right.” He paused, “Get some sleep and text me before you take off, so I know you got through security okay.”

“Of course. Goodnight Jay.”

“Goodnight Hailey, have a safe trip.” And with that the line went dead.

Jay could feel his blood boiling, he smoothly threw the truck back into gear and high tailed it out of the parking lot. There was someone he needed to talk to.

…

10 minutes later Jay burst into Voight’s office. “You’re sending Hailey to New York?”  

Voight put down his pen and leaned back in his chair, he should have seen this coming. “The FBI needs a loan out officer, I thought it would be a good opportunity.” He said, calmly. 

Jay paced around the small office, his hands resting on his hips. He was so mad he couldn’t form a sentence. “How could you do this to me? Again?” 

“This isn’t about you Jay…” Voight said, his voice getting a little louder. 

Jay scoffed, “Like hell it is.” They stared each other down for a moment. “Kevin would have loved this chance, Adam too, and you’re telling me that Kim didn’t need an escape right now?” He didn’t understand why it had to be Hailey, punishment or not. “Why Hailey?”

“Upton knows why.” Voight said shortly.

“Then tell me!” Jay exclaimed, exasperated. “I’m her partner.” 

Voight stood, throwing the file he was reading down on his desk. “She needs this.”

“Well, I need her.” Jay snapped, gripping the back of the chair in front of him. 

Voight scoffed, “Jay, I told you a long time ago that if you want to be in my unit, you keep it in your pants.” 

“Oh, believe me,” Jay spat. “It’s in.” He sighed. “Hank, I can’t lose another partner to the feds. I can’t start over again.”

Voight took a breath, looking at the hurting young man in front of him. “Erin leaving was hard on me too, but ultimately it was her choice. She chose to leave and not come back. I gave Upton a temporary assignment, she is welcome back wherever she is ready.”

She is coming back, she is coming back, she is coming back. He almost felt like he was manifesting it. “What is she doesn’t?”

“Then that’s her choice.” Hank said, “Either way, you are yelling at the wrong person right now. Go home Jay.” 

Jay nodded, “Yeah, okay.” 

“See you tomorrow.”

Jay gave him a short nod before quickly leaving the office. He was feeling so many things he could barely stand it. He was embarrassed for blowing up on Voight and basically admitting his feelings for his partner to his boss. He was dreading the next few weeks without Hailey, he was dreading the constant stress of her deciding to stay. He was sad, all this New York talk was dredging up old memories, ones he wished he could just erase. He was angry, but he wasn’t sure who he was even mad at. And now he was scared, because somehow his truck ended up outside of Hailey’s house. 

He wasn’t sure why he was there or what he was going to say, but he just needed to see her. Jay made his way to the front door, knocking. The door swung open to reveal Vanessa, looking a bit more disheveled than normal. “Hey.” Jay said, he had forgotten about the roommate situation. 

“She’s upstairs.” The young officer said, skipping all niceties. 

Jay nodded, “Thanks.” He looked up the staircase, debating just calling her downstairs. This felt like a line they have never crossed, one he wasn’t sure either of them were ready for, but tonight wasn’t the night for playing it safe. He made his way up the carpeted stairs, the pictures hanging along the wall catching his eye. He was surprised to see that he was in most of them. 

There was on at the very top of just the two of them, he remembered the day it was taken like it was yesterday. They had just made a big bust, Voight and Antonio had taken the suspect in while the rest of the unit stayed behind to work with patrol. They were all so excited to finally get the guy off the street, it was one of those really good days on the job. He was pretty sure Kim took the picture, but they were both leaning against a squad car. You can’t see it, but Jay had his arm resting on Hailey’s back while hers and his other one held their vests. She was leaning against his, grinning like she normally was. 

When he willed himself to leave memory lane, he made his way to the top of the stairs, wandering for a moment down the hall to what he assumed was Hailey’s room. He met the threshold and was taken aback. Hailey had his back to him, an open suitcase on her bed. There were clothes everywhere in different folded piles and strewn across the floor. He knocked on the door frame and Hailey turned around immediately. “Hey,” He said quietly.

“Uh, hi.” She said, running a hand through her hair. She had on leggings and an oversized t-shirt, something that Jay had never seen her in. “What are you doing here?” 

Jay shrugged, “I just wanted to see you before you left. Make sure you were okay.” 

Hailey shook her head, going back to throwing things in the suitcase. “I’m fine, Jay.” 

Jay took a step into the room and then a few more, crossing yet another line. He made his way to Hailey, trying not to get distracted by the fact that he was standing less than two feet from her bed. “Hailey, talk to me.” 

Hailey sighed, “This is a really good opportunity, but I’m not sure I’m ready, and I don’t think I even want it. Is that ungrateful? This whole thing just feels tainted.” 

“Hailey you are a good cop, if anyone deserves this, it’s you.” Jay said softly.

“Jay, you don’t know what I did-”

“It doesn’t matter Hailey.” Jay said, cutting her off. “No matter what you did, you are going to kick ass in New York.” He was being completely serious, even if it was the last thing he wanted, he knew she was going to thrive there. “You’ve got this.” He stood up to leave, he couldn’t lay all his fears and worry on her now, he had to be supportive. 

“Jay-”

“Have a good trip Hailey, call or text whenever you want.” His chest felt tight as he reached the doorway, debating not looking back at her. Every part of him knows he needs to walk out that door, but he can’t forget all the times this has happened before. “What were you going to tell me?”

“Jay, I don’t want to leave.” Hailey calls across the room. 

There are a million things he wants to say, but not now. Not right before she flies 800 miles away. “I don’t want you to leave either.” 

Hailey gives him a soft smile, it’s enough confirmation for them both. She’s leaving, but she will be back. And for then,that was enough.

…

A/N: I really enjoyed writing this fic, I haven’t done one like it in a long time. I got the inspiration for this while listening to Meet us at Molly’s @meetusatmollys (check out this podcast on Podbean, you won’t regret it!). Thank you for reading! <3

P.S. comment/reblog to be added to my one-shot tag list

[jaedore]

BINDING BONDS | 5

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parings: jung jaehyun x reader

genre: ceo!au, arranged marriage!au, consumption of alcohol, asshole/player Jaehyun, swearing

[ ☾ smut | ◇ angst ]

note: BB deals with themes of mental and physical abuse, which can be upsetting for some readers. If you feel uncomfortable reading these types of plots, you are advised to not continue. MINORS, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK, but I advice you to skip the sexual parts.

[ 6.6 k ]

You ignored his pleading remark, you just wanted to be alone. You begged for peace and quiet so you could calm down. Jaehyun’s hand lingered on the knob, he wanted to stay and to explain, but you abruptly shut the door before he could even speak. You leaned your forehead against the door, not being able to stand the expression of longing and pleading sketched all over his face, but you couldn’t help what you were feeling. Anger, frustration, misplaced, and mentally and emotionally exhausted. You let gravity pull you to the chair and freed a long-awaited breath you never knew you held. It truly is his problem, and you knew you shouldn’t fret about it but why were you? You knew it was too early to forgive and develop feelings, so why were you so worked up? No, I’m not, you massaged your forehead.

Jaehyun also dropped into his seat, his palms supporting the weight of his head, more so his thoughts. The sight of Chaeyoung broke him, she looked so shattered, so defeated, he never intended to hurt her and that devastated him. She’s the first person he’s ever loved, he even waited for her, and he broke her right on the spot. Then there was you, the glance of disappointment made him tousle his hair, all he wanted was to make things right, and instead, he made it worse. He was in the right place but at the wrong time. Jaehyun wanted so bad to check up on Chaeyoung, but he pulled himself from it knowing he shouldn’t. He should be checking up on you, but when he texted, you didn’t answer. Jaehyun tossed his phone to the side, disappointed things were under this kind of circumstance.

Cases didn’t always go Jaehyun’s way, like tonight, he ended up working until midnight. His father had compiled paperwork that needed to be finished by tomorrow’s meeting. Jaehyun despised his father for his inconsideration, but what could Jaehyun do? He wants the CEO position, so he has to work for it, even if his father doesn’t believe he has the capability to obtain it.

When the sky that was once painted yellow and orange was smeared with darkness, the twinkling lights that lit far from Earth had their moment to shine. As Jaehyun stepped out of the building, it was inevitable for him to cherish the sight above him. After everything that he’s been through, put you through, he inhaled a large breath and relaxed, feeling as if the weight had been lifted his shoulders. Everything’s going to be okay, he thought. And he truly believed that as he pulled his gaze from the strong sky that held the galaxy.

When Jaehyun came in, he figured there’d be no way you were awake until he saw your bedroom door opened with the lights on, did she wait up for me? He wanted to talk to you about today, but when he got to your room, you were asleep on your desk. The side of your head rested on your folded arms, on top of the files you had brought from work. Jaehyun thought that even if you looked exhausted, you still looked so amicable.

Jaehyun quietly set his briefcase down before walking over to your desk. He combed your escaped hairs behind your ear, then rested his hand on your cheek, you slightly moved from the soft touch. He lifted your limbs until you gripped him like a koala as he carried you to your bed, gently setting you down. Jaehyun wrapped you into your sheets, careful to not wake you, and crouched down beside your bed. He admires how naturally beautiful you are, your professionalism, how you present yourself, and how patient you’ve been with him. The recognizable feeling returned to him and he began to feel upset at himself again, the way he treated you, yelled at you and belittled you. Jaehyun was never going to get over it, he couldn’t help but feel guilty for hurting such a beautiful person.

With sad eyes, Jaehyun left your room, softly shutting the door behind him, and that night Jaehyun didn’t sleep at all. In fact, he heard you get up, get ready, and leave for work, but he didn’t bother to come out of his shell because he didn’t want to face you, he couldn’t. Jaehyun shoved down his feelings for wanting to pursue you when he looked at you that night. He couldn’t help but think, what if it’s too late and she doesn’t even want me anymore? What if it’s too late and she doesn’t even want to try? At the same time, his heart couldn’t let go of Chaeyoung. With his mind and heart in battle, he was the one withdrawing from you this time.

You hadn’t noticed he was ignoring you through the past couple of days because you were bustling at work. When you finally had time to sit for lunch, that was the moment you wondered what was going on because Jaehyun hadn’t sent a text, called you, or even asked to join you for lunch, you haven’t even seen him at home that often either. Not that you were bothered by it, but it made you slightly doubt him. He’s been acting different ever since he came by for lunch, was it the way I reacted? Was it because he saw Chaeyoung that time? You dropped the files in irritation, you couldn’t help but feel upset that he was avoiding you all week, you knew he was because you’ve already done it to him before. You just wanted him to say something to you, anything.

As soon as you finished eating, you picked up the files you abandoned and sent them to their dedicated department. You needed to get out and let loose, you needed to cool down and you knew who the right person was. As soon as you got back to your office, you pulled out your phone to call Haewon, but fate always had a good way of interrupting your mood because Jaehyun’s name popped up on your screen before you could even unlock it.

You stared at his name that appeared on your phone. Your eyes went back and forth between the green ‘answer’ icon and the red ‘decline answer’ icon. You wanted to refuse it because of the way he’s been avoiding you, but even though you hated to admit it, there was a sliver of a second where you wanted to hear his voice. 

“Yes?”

“Hey, um what are you doing this Friday?” Jaehyun timidly asked, it felt like it’s been forever since you heard his voice. A voice that's saturated with honey.

You checked your calendar in front of your screen, it’s only Wednesday and your Friday evening held vacancy. “Nothing,” you hesitated, “why?”

“Oh,” Jaehyun paused, “well, my parents want us to come over for dinner.”

You pondered for a bit because you could sense the tension between you two, but you decided that maybe it was for the best to go for the sake of you two, “Sure, what time?”

“We’ll probably leave around 5:30,” Jaehyun added.

“Okay sounds good, I’ll talk to you later,” you hung up the phone, not waiting to hear his goodbye.

When you hang up on him, Jaehyun feels like he could cut the tension between you two like a knife, he knows that you’re mad because he’s avoiding you. Throwing his head back, he rubbed his eyes with stress stacking. Everything at work is piling up on him, Chaeyoung is heartbroken, he’s going through his own heartbreak, and you’re mad at him.

“Mr. Jung, your father is here,” his secretary barged in, making Jaehyun jolt from his seat out of a trance.

Jaehyun’s father stormed in, his face contorted in anger as his hand gripped his briefcase. Before he could speak up, his father slammed the briefcase on Jaehyun’s desk, “you had one job!”

Jaehyun looked confused at his father, he’s done everything right and he knows it because Jaehyun is always careful when it comes to working. “Father, what are you talking about?”

Before answering Jaehyun, his father raised his hand and gave Jaehyun a callous slap across his face. “The financial statements? Yeah, they’re a fucking mess. When I went to meet up with a potential partner and buyer, all the numbers were wrong, now we don’t have a partnership or branch with them. I taught you better,” his father caterwauled, “we lost thousands because of you.”

“No,” Jaehyun stood his ground, “I did them right! The accountant messed it up, so I had to check it myself!” he defended.

But Jaehyun’s father wouldn’t back down without a fight, it was like he enjoyed it, “I just spoke to the accountant, everything was done correctly until your ego came in and swiped it from him. YOU messed it up!”

“Father, I’m telling you the truth. I triple checked it, you probably saw it wrong!” Jaehyun blurted, immediately regretting his words.

“I’m never wrong,” his father growled, “get these statements fixed or you’re done. I can’t have an incompetence person working under me.” he tightened his tie and left, slamming the door shut loud enough to be heard throughout the entire building.

Jaehyun fingers grazed the ghost of his father’s palm against his cheek, the pain still lingering like a million needles. The last few seconds always hurt more than it did at that moment, the prickling in his cheek wouldn’t leave the sensitive skin so he left to get an ice pack, hoping the pain would surrender. No one knew of Jaehyun’s father’s abuse, for one, it was unseen, and second, even if it was seen or even suspected, they would be given hush money. Jaehyun knows he has the power to reveal it, but he would always be reminded of his mother. He didn’t want her to live her known life of an abusive husband, he wanted her to be known for the wife of a successful father, especially when she didn’t choose this kind of life. No, she didn’t know about her husband’s issues, he kept it well away from her.

Person...Jaehyun scoffed, his father didn’t even consider him as his own son, he hasn’t since Jaehyun could ever remember. Jaehyun never knew why his father held such hatred for him but thought it was better that way because Jaehyun didn’t want to know anyway.

With an ice pack in one hand, holding it against his cheek and the other on his hip, Jaehyun peered down at the citizens that suffused the streets and sidewalks. Everyone had their own life, their own stories, and moments, how come Jaehyun felt like he never had any good ones?

“Who were you talking to earlier on the phone?” Your mother asked, poking at her salad.

“Jaehyun,” you answered, stirring your soup, to be honest, you found it difficult to have an appetite after the phone call.

“Oh? What does he want? Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” you sighed, “his parents just want us to come over for dinner this Friday.”

“That’s exciting!” your mother gasped.

Uneasiness replaced the food in your stomach, you had a sense of the kind of person Jaehyun’s father is and thought of being in the same room with him was unsettling. “Yeah, we’ll see how it goes,” you put the cap on your soup and told your mother you were ready to go back up to your office.

You were almost done with the files for the week, if you keep up the focus and pace, you’d for sure finish them by Friday. Since you were down in the designing department at the beginning of the week, you made regular trips to make sure everything was perfect. To you, Chaeyoung didn’t look even better from before, her eyes still tugged on her dark bags and her lack of sleep showed on her face. She sensed you looking at her so she perked her head up and walked towards you.

“Can we talk?” she timidly asked.

Instead of telling her to make an appointment with her, you pressed your lips together because you knew what she wanted to talk about. “Sure, follow me to my office, my mother’s in a meeting so it’ll just be the two of us,” you lead her to the way of your office.

The tension between you two was stiff, you both stood on either side of the elevator as silence drowned you both until the doors opened. She followed you into our office, shutting the door behind her as you sat in your chair.

“What did you want to discuss?” You clasped your hands on top of your desk.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you and Jaehyun were engaged?”

Taken aback from her informality and hasty question, you hesitated in your thoughts before proceeding. “Because it’s not my business with what Jaehyun had with you,” you began, “that was his issue to figure out with you. I understand that you two were in a relationship, but this is something we can’t do anything about.”

“But you’re my boss, how can I just let this go? I see you just about every day.”

“If it’s that hard working for me, then I recommend you hand in your resignation letter. You were the one that was affiliated with him, I had no intention of interrupting what you had with him. It is Jaehyun’s sole decision to make for himself,” as harsh as you said it, it was the truth and you meant every word of it.

Chaeyoung shook her head, she worked so hard to get a position at one of the most elite fashion brands, she couldn’t afford to lose it just for one guy. Her gaze fell from onto her lap where she picked the skin of her thumb, “No, I want to stay. I get that I’m new here and I’m just an intern, but I hope this doesn’t affect my job.”

“Don’t worry about that, know when to separate your personal and professional life. If it proceeds to affect your job, I won’t have a choice to fire you, Chayeoung.”

“Yes, Ms. Y/l/n.” She nodded, “thank you.” Even though you were straightforward, your words were genuine.

“I know he’s talked to you and has broken things off, so take the rest of the week to make peace with yourself,” you recommended.

“No, that’s okay! I’ll continue to work hard!” Chaeyoung abruptly stood up, bowing to you, and rushing out of your office with determination in her steps. She was thankful that you were considerate enough to think about her.

“Oh, okay then,” you blinked.

You proceeded to focus your work on the files, but every time your phone dinged the little distraction was accompanied with hope, for you to hope that it was Jaehyun. It never was. Why do I even want him to call me? You massage your temples with your elbows propped on your desk.

“Everything okay?” Your mother brisked in.

“Yeah, how was your meeting?”

“It was fine,” she sighed, “Mr. Jung is particularly intense today.”

“Jaehyun was here?” You unintentionally chirped.

“No, no, his father. He seemed angry the entire meeting,” your mother’s brows furrowed.

“Oh,” you sighed. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t contacted me. Maybe something bad happened between them two and maybe it happened because of work.

It was 7 pm when you arrived home, you didn’t notice the lit up apartment, the sounds of another person, or the appetizing aroma filling your nose.

“You’re home.”

Jumping, you released an “oh!” holding onto your chest. In the kitchen, stood Jaehyun by the stove, stirring the pan. You hadn’t seen Jaehyun for a few days so you didn’t expect to see him now, but here you were, mouth agape, “y-yeah.” you slowly shut the door.

“I’m almost done, set your stuff down so we can eat.”

You stood your ground as he turned his back to continue cooking. It’s been a couple of days since you’ve seen him, so you couldn’t help but fixate your gaze on his back. The way his muscles stretched the fiber of the white t-shirt he slipped on, the extensiveness of his shoulders, and his damp hair that sat comfortably on his head. You wanted to run your hands over the strength of his back and tangle your fingers in his soft hair. What the- you quickly flicked the thought off, afraid that he’d catch you checking him out. You convinced yourself that your heart was racing only because he startled you when you came in.

You step towards him, crossing your arms and leaning your back against the counter beside the stove. Jaehyun raised an eyebrow, never seeing you in such a stance because you always stood with poise. You quietly watched him stir the sauteed rice and vegetables that brought color to the dish.

“Hope you like fried rice,” he mumbled.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” You bluntly asked, it surprised both of you because you didn’t intend to be this forward.

Surprised, Jaehyun stuttered, “I-I just had a lot to do for work.”

You paused before speaking in a hushed whisper, “I’m sorry for not being understanding the other day at lunch.”

Jaehyun stopped his stirring to glance at you, your head was lowered while playing with the buttons on your blouse. When you met his eyes, he could see the sincerity it held.

“I’m not sure what came over me,” you scoffed. Truth is, you did, but you bite your tongue instead. Since that day you told him to leave, you’ve been in denial, but you knew exactly that you were jealous and truly falling for him, you just didn’t want to admit it to yourself.  

“It’s okay, I wasn’t the best at expressing it anyways. I wanted to tell you, but just seeing her, I don’t know, something just came over me also,” Jaehyun shook his head, gaze kept at the fried rice.

That’s when it hit you. Chaeyoung was his first love so of course, it wasn’t going to be easy for him to get over her, especially since they’ve dated since high school and he’s been waiting for her to come back. You couldn’t help but feel the sudden pang in your heart because you knew this was going to be harder than you thought. Jaehyun picked up on your expression but interpreted it the wrong way.

“But yeah, I did end things with her,” he emphasized.

“That’s good to hear,” you turned your head to the side. You didn’t want to discuss this anymore so instead of saying more, you turned around to get two plates from the shelf.

As you walked to the table, you could feel Jaehyun’s gaze on your back. He furrowed his brows, beginning to feel worried, was it something I said? Did I do something wrong? But I apologized...he pursed his lips to the side of his mouth in thought.

Your kitchen held an absence of silence, no one talked. You didn’t want to hear what he had to say about Chaeyoung, nor did he want to provoke you with it. Every time he looked at you, your gaze was always down at the plate in front of you, but you didn’t eat, you just stared and poked the vegetables.

“Do you not like it?” Jaehyun carefully asked.

“No, I like it,” you sighed and took a big bite. You filled your mouth so you didn’t have to speak, quickly finishing it, and offering to clean up, you needed the distraction and you didn’t want to be in the same room with Jaehyun.

You threw yourself on your bed, am I mad at him?...Or myself? you whined against the sheets. You tangled your fingers through your hair, wrecking your ponytail. This was one of the reasons you didn’t want to fall for him.

“Can’t she see that I’m trying?” Jaehyun whispered to himself, imitating your position, face down, and the sheets with muffled words. He angrily flopped his body like a fish out of frustration. You two were meeting his parents soon for dinner and he knew you both would have to fake it. As much as Jaehyun wanted to keep trying, he couldn’t help but think that maybe it was too late.

Friday came sooner than you thought, so here you were, peering at yourself and hoping that the Gucci Wool Silk Belted Jumpsuit did its justice. Hopefully, this isn’t too much, you tighten your belt. Grabbing your purse, you walked to the kitchen to see Jaehyun put the cap on the dish of food you made to bring.

“Oh, I could’ve done that,” you set your bag down, the chain creating a sound as it hit the table.

“It’s okay, I didn’t want to rush you in getting ready,” Jaehyun set the dish down, “but it smells good. You ready?” He asked.

“Yes, let’s go.” you put your shoes on, following him out to the car.

In the car, as silence drapes the car you peer out at the sunset, streaks of red, orange, and yellow pigment the sky as the lights of buildings accompany it. Jaehyun’s fingertips, slightly tapping the steering wheel along with the beat of the music and his low voice humming. Everything felt peaceful to you in this moment.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jaehyun chirped beside you, noticing you staring out the window.

“Just thinking about city life,” you expressed, “sometimes it gets so busy, that I have to leave for a bit, but somehow...I always find myself coming back.” you chuckle.

“Me too, I enjoy the country, but I like the pace of the city, it’s exciting,” he commented.

The rest of the ride, you two talked about the small things you two found peace in. He likes the warmth of another’s arms, being able to leave work while it’s still light out, and the small victories throughout the day. He found out that you like going to the pier, embraces that last just a little longer, the moment after the rain stops, and heartfelt laughter. He chuckled when you added that you also like it when someone surprises you with sushi, tucking that information in the back of his head. He didn’t know why he even bothered to try to get to know you anymore, but when he heard you speak, it was like you spoke of poetry of admiration and love.

As Jaehyun gave one of the workers his car keys, he carefully grasped your hand and with hesitation, you accepted it. He could sense your tensity in the hold of your hands.

“Don’t be nervous, they’ve met you before and they adore you,” Jaehyun smiled, deep enough to set dimples into his cheeks.

You hoped that his words were true, that they held good assumptions of you. They didn’t know you personally, but you hoped that they had positive thoughts on you from the last couple of encounters, even if you were stubborn at their decision for your marriage.

“Y/n! Jaehyun!” Mrs. Jung came running to you, her dress flowing after her.

“Hi,” you smiled, hugging her.

“Glad to see you two,” Mr. Jung walked up to you two, “please, we’re about to have dinner soon,” he smiled.

Mrs. Jung took hold of the dish as Jaehyun led you to the dining room. Everything was beautiful. The chandelier alluded the cream-colored walls, the large chairs enveloped your body, and the dark wood table that stretched across the room was filled with delicacies exposing the savory aroma.

“So, y/n, Jaehyun tells us that you’re releasing a new collection,” Mrs. Jung began.

“Yes, it’s our Spring-Summer 2020 collection. We’re in the works of it right now,” you replied.

“How do you think your collection will do?” Mr. Jung asked.

Thrown off by the semi-pressuring question, you cleared your throat, “Our Spring-Summer collections are our most popular. We market and design based on the present trends and patterns, including our swimwear. Even though we are an international brand, with Jung Corporation, I believe that our brand can be recognized more with trading.”

Mr. Jung smiled, you felt like you were on a game show and he was the host. The speculation of it gave you shivers, every question he asked you made you nervous, afraid of saying the wrong answer.

“Wine, Miss?” one of the butlers swift next to you, crouching his body. He leaned the bottle of red liquid near your glass, almost as if he knew that you needed it.

“Oh, yes please,” you sighed, it’s going to be a long night.

“I’m thankful you think that way, Ms. y/l/n. Do you have any other plans for your future collections yet?” Mr. Jung sipped from his wine glass.

“Please, just call me y/n,” you smiled as genuine as you could, “and yes, for the autumn collection, we’re bringing in trench coats, as they’ve been the constant trend every year. Since our brand strives on simplicity and classic styles, we won’t be branching off to too many designs for that. Otherwise, we’re releasing a new collection of shoes, made for the cold weather, and innovative professional wear.” You affirmed.

Mr. Jung nodded in satisfaction. You hadn’t noticed Jaehyun gently holding your hand, squeezing it to help you release some tension you didn’t know you held. It was as if you were the boat floating in the middle of nowhere and he was the anchor that made sure you were still grounded. You blinked and relaxed your neck, not trying to give away that you were stressed at his arduous questions.

“Enough with the business talk, Myungsoo. How are your parents, y/n?” Mrs. Jung smiled.

“They’re well, my father’s back in the states for work, and my mother’s doing fine at Audace,” you replied.

Everyone continued conversing, occasionally Mr. Jung would chirp in, asking more questions about Audace. You didn’t know if he was more interested in your capability of holding the CEO position or your partnership with Jung Corporation, but the thought of it was charred once dinner was served. Unknowingly you were downing glasses of wine and each time you sipped, the smooth fluid never failed to soothe your throat. 

Jaehyun on the other hand wasn’t having any of it. As everyone ate, his parents were embarrassing him about his younger days and he desperately wanted them to stop, he didn’t want you to hear any stories of him accidentally shooting a basket for the other team or that time when he cried for his mother the first night at youth basketball camp. Feeling humiliated, Jaehyun stole the bottle of wine from the butler and poured the remaining into his glass, filling it up to the brim each time. 

By the end of dinner, touches of laughter were exchanged among the table, mumbles were heard from Jaehyun, and you both were both slightly tipsy.

“Honey, why don’t you two just stay the night? It’s not safe for you two drive in this state,” Mrs. Jung said.

“Yes, you two can stay in Jaehyun’s room, we’ll have the maids get everything ready.” Mr. Jung sent the maids off to tend the room.

You struggled to get up from the seat, of course, Jaehyun had a way higher tolerance than you, so he was quick to hold onto you, afraid that you’d knock your head on the table.

Jaehyun sighed, “can you help her on my back?” he asked his mother, nervous that you’d trip yourself up the stairs.

By the time Jaehyun walked up to his room, everything was set and he also realized that everything was almost the way he left it, except his bed. Since Jaehyun brought it to the apartment, his parents replaced it with a smaller one. So Jaehyun was careful when he bent to the side, letting you easily slide off of him. You huffed, massaging your temples and catching your breath before you propped yourself up on your elbows. You watched as Jaehyun walked to his standing mirror, loosening his tie. Your stomach began tingling seeing the sight in front of you, his tall physique hovered the mirror, his hair was gelled back, and his loosened shirt displayed a little patch of skin. 

Fuck. You were sober enough to make decisions, but something about Jaehyun makes your mind go completely blank. You walk over to him as Jaehyun sees you in the reflection and turns around. You grabbed his nape pulling him in for a kiss, he stood tense, gripping onto your shoulders as if he was deciding whether or not to push or pull. You felt him decide when you felt his hands gently push you away.

“W-wait, maybe you shouldn’t do this, we’re both pretty out of it and not in our right minds,” Jaehyun faltered.

“I don’t care, I don’t care,” you repeated, shaking your head, “fuck being in our right minds, we never were.” You pressed your lips against him again and his grip on you softened as you wrapped both arms behind his neck, so you pushed yourself against him harder, hitting the wall. You both grunted from the impact, his steady hands wrapped themselves around your waist to bring you closer. You pulled away kissing his jaw and down his neck. Satisfied with your actions, Jaehyun wrapped his arms under your legs, wanting you to jump. When you did, he walked back to the bed and dropped you on it, you slightly gasped from the sudden impact.

Watching Jaehyun crawl to you and hover above you was definitely a sight, he looked at you with dark eyes before attacking your neck with harsh kisses and little bites, like the dinner wasn’t enough for him. You tangled your hands into his hair, letting out sounds that craved for him to do more. You let out a breathy moan when he found the sweet spot below your ear.

Jaehyun smirks against your neck, “You like that huh? Just wait until I rip this off of you,” he mumbled, unbuttoning your jumpsuit.

Before he could strip you, you quickly reacted by pushing him off and straddling him. Jaehyun was taken aback at your sense of domination as you lowered your gaze at him, “Yes, I loved that,” you smirked, “but I expected more from you,” you dragged your finger along his jaw, his neck, down to his collarbone, and then his chest. Your touch sent flames to Jaehyun’s body, earning an impatient groan from him. 

You lower yourself until you’re kissing his neck again, you nip at his smooth skin, inhaling the cologne, everything turns you on at this rate. Jaehyun’s hands gripped your hips as you rose to take your time to unbutton his shirt until he got too impatient and tore it off himself. You’ve seen how his muscles strain the material of a shirt, but seeing them without it made the temperature in your body rise. You know he’s always been this fit, it just never occurred to you that he was this beautifully sculpted. There was a chain that delicately laid on his chest, you admired it for a while before kissing his bare chest, grazing your fingertips against his robust abdomen, and pecking at the small trail of hair from his belly button. You could feel him getting hard under your touch as his tip brushed against your thigh, you reached your hand down, gently putting pressure on his member. Earning a sudden but quiet groan from him, you continued palming him until he was in a frenzy.

“Stop teasing me angel,” Jaehyun grunted, you simper at the nickname and at how much power you had over him.

“Or what?” You poked your tongue against the inside of your mouth, impatiently waiting for his answer.

“Or else I’ll have to teach yo-” you cut Jaehyun off by smacking your lips against his.

You mumbled between kisses, “you...talk...too much.” You hooked your fingers around the loop of his pants, again, taking your time to unzip it. Jaehyun took over your actions and threw it off of him, him now being the one only in undergarments.

“I wanna fuck you so badly,” Jaehyun bit his lip, his hands clutching onto your hips as you unconsciously roll your clothed core against his member.

You chuckled at his statement of desperation, “fuck me senseless then,” you whispered, chills running down his spine at your sultry voice.

Jaehyun reached his head up to meet your lips, he grazed his tongue against your bottom lip, so you mimicked him as a way of letting him enter your mouth. You want to feel more, you need to feel more so you kept rolling your core against his hardened member. You let out a loud gasp, but Jaehyun quickly hushes you by biting the bottom of your lip, you narrow your eyes at him, wincing at the pain that brought unknown pleasure. His eyes were filled with starvation and lust as he strips you down to your bra and panties. You curse at yourself for not matching them, having no idea this would ever occur. Jaehyun didn't care though, because he was too busy treasuring the sight in front of him.

The tingling feeling that was once forgotten, returned and you needed it to be released from your system. You threw your bra and panties off, Jaehyun widens his eyes at how driven you were in your actions, but he did the same because he needed to feel you too. Soon there was nothing but skin. Jaehyun was hovering above you, his chain dangling in front of you and looked at you with questioning eyes, but you knew what he was wondering.

“Please,” you begged, you brought your hand to your clit, tracing circles.

“Okay, okay,” he tears your hand away, replacing it with his.

Jaehyun has a way with his fingers. The slender and long digits drew the most pleasurable shapes against the lips of your core and your clit, your breath hitched when he gave no warning and slipped two fingers into your pussy. Your back arched at the feeling it brought, especially when he curled those beautiful fingers of his. When he slipped his fingers out, a hasty whine escaped your lips from the empty feeling.

“Look at you-” he smirked from above, “-we’re not even fucking yet and I’ve already got you wrapped around my finger, angel.” he lowered himself near your neck, giving it marks that would stain your neck for the next couple of days.

You shoved him off of you, pushing him aside and straddling him, “I can’t help it when you make me feel so good,” you dragged your response.

You grabbed his hard member that laid on his lower stomach and aligned it against your pussy. You gave him a sly smile before slowly sinking on his length. The both of you let out a relieved moan, Jaehyun quickly flipped you over until you were under him again. He covers your mouth with his hand, looking at you with clouded eyes.

“My parents are home,” he muttered in your ear.

“I don’t care,” you yanked his hand from your mouth, reaching up to devour him again.

You flipped him back over until you were on top of him again. It seemed like you both were fighting for dominance over each other, so stop it, you raised yourself and sunk onto his member again, picking up the pace. The two of you panted as you continued, occasionally stopping to ride him so you could catch your breath, but after a while, you started to feel tired and you faltered your pace. Jaehyun took notice of it so he firmly grasped your hips and took control. You moaned in his mouth from the pleasure you were receiving from him. To make it more pleasurable, Jaehyun flipped onto your stomach and entering in from behind. He drove his cock into you, bustling at an intense pace. Soon, the room was filled with your pants, gasps, and Jaehyun groans and muffled curses. It stenched like sex and sweat but felt like heaven.

Unexpectedly, Jaehyun spanked your ass, gaining whimpers from you, “you like that huh? You like that don’t you, you little slut,” he panted.

You paid no attention to his words, blinded by the pleasuring feeling inside of you, “go faster.” you commanded. 

Jaehyun flipped you back over so he could see you, see how tousled you look, “look at you, you're my bitch...and I...I own you,” he moaned, throwing his head back as his grip on your hips tightened enough to leave little blue patches the next day. 

Jaehyun set the pace as fast as he could and moments later, you found your fingers between his now unstyled hair, gripping it, while his hands wandered your body. The familiar, desired feeling rose in the pit of your stomach, indicating that you were close. You could feel it coming and you sensed Jaehyun was close too by the way his hips messily buckled against your core and how loud and uncontrolled his grunts were. Rapidly, you came, his name slipping from your lips. You held onto your anchor as your body shook and as stars blanketed your vision.

It didn’t take long for him to come after you, he rested his forehead against yours, “look at me,” he commanded, you did as he said. He peered down at you with those dark orbs of his, orbs that sent you pleasure, yet unknowingly, pain at the same time. 

“That was amazing.” he plopped beside you, hand on his stomach.

You laid there beside him, catching your breath too. When he got up to leave the bathroom, he came back with a warm, wet towel and wiped you down. You would flinch whenever he came close to your clit, having it still sensitive to be touched.

You were so tired from the wine and recent physical activity that you didn’t notice you knocked out. Jaehyun asked if you wanted to shower first, but realized you were already asleep, so he tucked you in, kissed your forehead, and made sure you were warm enough before he left. After showering, he joined you in bed, wrapping his arms around your waist. Everything was finally going smoothly, he smiled to himself.

It was 7 AM when you abruptly woke up, you could feel a pair of arms tighten their hold around you, and your stomach dropped. You instantly knew whose arms they belonged to because it was definitely not the first time they’ve been around you. The serene feeling didn’t sit well, you froze in your spot when the memories of last night burst at you. The dinner, the wine, you two...kissing. Oh no, you feel panic setting into your bones, you remember the remarks he said as he fucked you last night, the way he said it and you felt a wash of panic. You were clearly too comfortable in this situation and you desperately needed to get out. You needed to leave.

With closed lids, Jaehyun was on the brink of waking up as his arms searched for your warm body, your touch, but unexpectedly all he got in return was the cold, empty spot coming from the bedsheets. He shot up in bed, alarmed at your absent presence.

“Y/n?” He didn’t hear the shower go off, none of your soft footsteps could be heard, so he called you again, “y/n?” but there was nothing but silence.

Stillness enveloped him when he noticed that all of your belongings were gone, your clothes, your purse, your shoes. He called and texted you but you never answered. Jaehyun chucked a pillow to the floor in frustration and collapsed on the bed, hands rubbing his face and letting out a loud sigh. Jaehyun knew he fucked up.

[kyber-kisses]

Out Cold

Dean Winchester x Reader

Warnings: sick!reader, some cursing, Dean being a big softie

Summary: after a particularly harsh hunt, the reader returns to the bunker worse than when she left. Dean goes into mother hen mode.

A/n: I know there are about a million fics like this already, but I’m a sucker for em, so I wrote one myself. I hope y’all enjoy! (Gif credit goes to owner.)

“Dean, would you please keep your eyes on the road?” Sam sighed, shifting once more in the backseat as he glanced between You and Dean. The younger brother having been generous enough to let you take his normal seat on the way back from the hunt.

“I’m sorry, but don’t you think this whole thing is weird?” Dean motioned with his freehand at the figure next to him.

“That she’s sitting up front?”

“No!” He quickly shook his head, “She’s asleep. Y/n never sleeps in the car. Ever.”

Sam sunk back in his seat, rolling his eyes, “We just finished up a massive hunt. She’s probably tired, Dean.”

“But I’m telling you, she never sleeps during drives. Even when she is tired.” Taking his eyes away from the road once more, he looked back over at you, your head resting against the window. Even in your unconscious state, your eyebrows were furrowed almost like you were in pain, and your skin looked a shade paler than normal. You mumbled in your sleep, shifting to try and find a more comfortable position.

Yes, something was not right.

“When she wakes up, I’ll ask her.” Dean sighed, eyes going back to the road, his concern clear on his face, allowing Sam to see it in the rear view mirror.

Dean was always worrying about you though. There was nothing new about that.

*. *. *. *. *.

You were out cold for the remainder of the drive, which only allowed Deans worry to grow. Sam passed out eventually, leaving Dean in total silence as he drove the final stretch back to the bunker, the clock on the dashboard telling him it was close to one in the morning. The almost orange glow of the passing street lamps illuminating your face as he drove down the empty streets of Lebanon. The only noise coming from the engine and the soft drone of the radio turned down low.

You always said this was your favorite time. The world was quiet and peaceful. It was one of the reasons you always stayed up during drives. You liked watching the chaotic world fizzle out and get replaced with this dark serenity. But for once, you were unconscious and missing it.

Eventually the wheels of the impala rolled into the bunkers garage and the vehicle was put into park and turned off, the normal hum of the engine now gone and replaced with total silence. The change being enough to shake Sam awake.

“She still out?” He yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he sat upright.

“Yeah,” Dean sighed, pocketing his keys as he turned to look at you. In proper lighting, he could now see how pale you really looked, along with the thin layer of sweat coating your skin. “Just go to bed. I’ll take care of her.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

There was a moment of silence before the familiar click of the door opening, Sam sliding out of the backseat with his duffel and lazily making his way into the depths of the bunker. It wasn’t long after that Dean climbed out of his seat, walking around the hood of the car to open your door.

At the sound, you shifted again, slightly opening your eyes to quickly see where you were. The only thing catching your hazy thoughts was the set of green eyes looking at you with worry.

“Are we home?” You mumbled, still trying to chase the sleep that was settled heavy over you.

“Yeah, we’re home.” Dean smiled, squatting down to your level, “how you feeling?”

“tired.”

The hunter shifted on the balls of his feet, pressing the back of his hand to your forehead, “Jeez, y/n. You’re burning up.”

You let out a yawn, eyes closing as you leaned into his touch, his skin so much cooler than your own. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah, try again.” Dean huffed, bringing his hand back down to his side, “you’re sick.”

“Mmm no I’m not.”

Dean let out another sigh. It was like talking to a brick wall. “Yes you are. Luckily, you have me though.” He smiled, standing up slightly so he could tuck his arm underneath you, hoisting you out of the vehicle and into his arms, earning a groan of protest from you.

He took his time carrying you down the hallway , trying not to jostle you around too much as you did tend to let out a whine every time he did. He could feel the heat from your skin through his shirt, your head resting in the crook of his neck. You felt so fragile in his arms, like one false move would make you crumble.

Pushing his back against your slightly ajar door, he stepped into the dark of your room, using one of his elbows to flip the switch. Luckily the heat had been turned off while you were all away from the bunker, leaving your room much cooler than normal. Hopefully that would somewhat help cool you down.

“You just had to go and get sick, didn’t you?” He sighed, being as gentle as possible as he laid you down on the bed.

“Don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad. It just hurts me to see you like this.” He smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from your eyes, feeling the heat radiating off your skin as he did.

“You should go to bed. You’ve been driving for hours and it’s past one in the morning.” You mumbled.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. We need to get that fever down. Plus, I’m not tired. I’ll get my four hours eventually.”

“If I wasn’t so weak, I would hit you.” You sighed, shifting your head on the pillow as you closed your eyes.

“Oh, I know you would.” Dean chuckled, squeezing your hand, “I’ll be right back.”

With that, he gave you one last look and departed from your room, disappearing down the dimly lit hallway.

Dean Winchester never ceased to amaze you. He usually gives off a tough exterior, but deep down he was just a big softie. You loved that about him. You never asked him to take care of you, but he always did. There weren’t proper words for how thankful you were for him.

It was only a few minutes later that he returned, a bottle of water and container of ibuprofen gripped in his hands, along with a neatly folded washcloth.

“Alright, sit up.” He sighed, the bed dipping under his weight as he sat down, passing over the water before unscrewing the lid and fishing out a couple pills. You gave him a small thank you, swallowing them down with a generous gulp of water. Another wave of dizziness worked over you, making you lean back with a groan.

“I’m dying aren't I?”

“You’re not dying. Now stop being dramatic.” Dean sighed, leaning forward to press the cool cloth to your head.

“You must like being a mother hen a lot.” You groaned, hand going to rest atop Deans, which still held the cloth to your forehead.

“I do not!” He exclaimed, only to pause, shoulders dropping, “fine, it’s like crack to me.”

“I knew it.” You smiled, sending him a small wink.

“Alright, shut it.” Taking the bottle back off your nightstand he handed it over once more, “You need to keep drinking. We gotta keep you hydrated.”

“I don’t wanna.”

Deans head fell back as he let out a groan, “You're a damn child, you know that?”

“Yes.” You smiled, taking the water bottle from his hand and taking a few more sips. Even if Dean had just sent you a small smile, you could see the worry on his features. Lowering the bottle from your lips, you set it back down. “You don’t need to worry, Dean. I’m just a little sick. Happens to the best of us.”

“I can’t help it. I’m always worrying about you.” He admitted slowly, taking your hand and pressing a firm kiss to it.

You felt your heart skip in your chest at his action, and then the added heat growing to your face. He was so gentle. So caring. And no matter how long you had known him, it still amazed you.

When Dean saw the redness creeping up your cheeks, his worry continued to grow. “Woah, are you getting worse?” He questioned, peeling the cloth from you forehead and replacing it with the back of his hand.

You quickly slapped his hand away, instantly regretting it once you saw the hurt expression he was wearing. “I’m sorry. I -“

“No. Don’t apologize. I’ve been bothering you since we got back. Hell, I woke you up.” Dean shook his head, hands falling to his side in defeat. “I was just trying to help.”

“I know, but let me just apologize. I didn’t mean to smack your hand away like that. I just freaked out when I realized you made me blush.”

You watched his expression change, his eyebrows knitting together, “what did I do exactly to make you blush?” He mused, giving you a small grin.

Damn him. Damn him and his big green eyes and childish grin. He was going to be the death of you.

“I’ve said too much already.” You groaned, taking the extra pillow besides you and pressing it over your face, hiding your new found embarrassment. Your plan didn’t last long, because you heard him let out a light chuckle, his fingers wrapping around the pillow and prying it from your face.

“Oh, don’t go hiding from me now. I still gotta take care of my patient.” He smiled, giving you that soft gaze that always made you feel like a pile of goo.

And then the bastard had the audacity to lean down and press a firm yet gentle kiss to your forehead, his lips lingering for a moment before he pulled away, his calloused hand resting on the side of your face making you shiver.

“You cold?”

All you could do was nod, still rendered speechless and scarlet from his gentleness. He pushed off from his seat on the bed, picking up your legs so he could pull your comforter over your now shivering body. You couldn’t help the whine that escaped you as he did. Your muscles still ached and every little bit of movement had you feeling nauseous.

“I know, I know. Just bear with me Sweetheart.” Dean sighed, sitting back down once the comforter was tucked snugly around you.

“You’re a fucking great human being, you know that?” You yawned, nestling deeper into you comforter in hopes of getting warmer.

“I try.” Dean smiled, kicking off his boots and discarding his jacket as you laid down next to you, gently wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close.

“Dean, you’re gonna get sick if you stay.” You mumbled, finding it impossible to not curl into the warmth he was giving you. You didn’t want him to get sick.

But he was so warm. . . And he smelled so good.

“I don’t care. You’re stuck with me.” He sighed, closing his eyes once he was comfortable, “now go to sleep. You need rest.”

“Okay, but if you get sick, both Sam and I are gonna beat your ass.” You yawned again, tucking your head against his chest as sleep quickly found you once more.

*. *. *. *. *.

Sam has to do a double take the next morning as he walked past your open door, which was usually always closed. Shifting the books that were in his hand, he backtracked, tilting his head in confusion as looked into your room.

The lights were still on, but both you and Dean were out cold. His brother was wrapped tightly in your comforter, shivering even in his unconscious state while you were sprawled out next to him, having kicked off the sheets in the middle of the night.

In simple words: you both looked like crap.

The younger Winchester let out a sigh, rubbing his face, “So it looks like I’m gonna have to take care of both of you now, huh?”

He should have known this would happen. When it came down to you and him, Dean couldn’t help but go into full mother hen mode. . . and unfortunately that sometimes resulted in the idiot going and getting himself in the same exact mess.

The End.

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[lilith-sp]

So I received this special request, and although I’m not a huge fan of writing with toxic scenarios, I really felt this person needed this, so hey! I really hope this makes you feel a little bit better! 

Never Alone

Victor x Reader

This was it, you were done for the day… 

"What the hell is this?! Are you really the head of the company?!" You hear your mom yelling at you as you started to leave home. 

"Hey! look at me when I talk to you!" she said once again. You really didn’t want to turn your back to her. Although you loved her and had worked so hard to help her out, although you were about to lose your company’s founding but  managed to convince Victor to give you a second chance, although you’ve revamped your dad’s tv show and had gained popularity again, the only things she could see from you were your flaws.

You can’t remember the last time you had a “normal” conversation, nor the last time you actually had fun together. Ever since dad wasn’t there, she had changed so much and became a complete stranger that had made your life harder and harder each day.

"What else do you want from me mom?!" you asked her desperately, trying to hold back your tears as much as you could.

"I don’t need nothing anymore, you can’t even look at me, you can’t even do that right so, forget it…" She replied with that disappointed voice now you're used to hear from her "If you want to leave, leave then, I don’t need you".

Inside, you felt like a million thorns were stabbing your heart, you felt alone, like there was nothing that could make you feel better. The idea of moving out has crossed your mind but right now, it wasn’t the time, not until your company’s numbers got better and Victor had recovered his investment.

You stood on the door a few seconds holding your phone, thinking about calling him, but you felt so embarrassed about the same situation happening over, and over again... You really didn’t want to run for his help anymore, although he's never told you there's anything wrong with that.

The truth is, you wanted to prove you could overcome anything. If you couldn’t handle your family situation, then, how could you handle your own company?

You squeezed your phone hard on that last thought and left your house once again, walking into the nothingness, waiting for her to calm down so you could go back home and have a rest for another day.

As you walked by the street on your way to Verdant Plaza, your phone suddenly rang. It was Victor. You felt your heart going up to your throat and started feeling anxious as you answered,  trying to stay calm.

"Y-Yes?"

"Are you ok?"

"Uhmmm… yeah, why do you ask?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, totally fine!" You managed to say faking a smile. 

A small awkward silence took place and then you heard Victor sigh heavily.

"Do you think a dummy like you can fool me? You didn't send me the report I asked and it was due an hour ago"

You stood frozen on place. That fight with your mom totally made you forget about your report.  Once again, you started to feel helpless, thinking that maybe, what your mom told you was true. You couldn't even do your work right, you couldn't even speak or come up with something smart to excuse yourself. You were disappointing Victor but most importantly, you were disappointing yourself.

Tears started to flow over your cheeks and you started sobbing trying to hold up, but it was useless. You had so much to be frustrated about, you didn't care what Victor would think about you at that point, you just needed him by your side to have hope again.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the phone, Victor was sitting is his car watching you from afar, silent, with a gaze filled with sorrow and anger but he wasn't mad at you. He knew how your mom was and how she mistreated you at times, so he guessed she was the reason behind your tears once again. Before this day, he decided not to interfere since he had respected every decision you've made so far of staying with your mom,  but that day, he had enough too…

"Turn to your right" you heard him say over the phone. You weren't sure why he asked you that but, as soon as you turned, you could see him walking towards you. 

You hung up and quickly ran right into his arms, finally feeling the warm embrace you were longing for so much, letting all those feelings overflow you completely. Victor was holding you tight with his strong arms while resting his chin over you head, stroking your back gently as you kept crying. 

"It's ok, I'm here now" he said with a tender voice that made your heart melt and feel you were at home. His scent invaded your senses entirely as you started to breath slowly trying to calm down.

"How did you know I was here?" You asked in an almost inaudible voice.

"I was on my way back from Souvenir and I saw a little idiot walking all alone by the street" 

"Why you keep calling me an idiot even in a moment like this?" You asked trying to hide a low chuckle while burying your head on his chest. You were actually glad to be with him.

"Why didn't you call me if you were not ok?" He asked with a slight concern in his voice "Haven't I told you to call me whenever you need me?"

"I thought you would be busy, besides, it was not that important" 

"So why did you start to cry all of a sudden? Am I that scary to you?" He asked with a warm yet sarcastic tone. 

"No it's not that, it's just –" you cut your own thought before finishing the sentence.  

“Dummy, it doesn’t matter what it is, you can always rely on me” he then gave me a sweet kiss on my forehead. The warmth of his breath made you shiver internally and your face started to feel hot, but then, your mind interrupted the moment, bringing back those horrible thoughts about not being good enough.  You weren't sure if it was a good time to ask what was truly on your mind but, you really needed to know his thoughts. 

“Victor, can I ask you something?” He looked at you a bit intrigued, patiently waiting for your question “Do you think... I’m useless?”

His eyes changed, suddenly his warm gaze turned into a much more cold and serious one. “Who told you that?”

“It doesn’t matter I just… need to know how you feel about me” you replied quickly. Your heart started to race a bit once more and your palms started to get a little sweaty. You know he’s no fool so, probably he knew what was going on, yet he never put you on more pressure or asked further about the issue.

“If you believe not sending your work on time is a synonym of being useless, then yes, you are”  you were shocked, did he really meant those words? “But, for me, the only way you could be useless is if you give up… and up to this day, you’ve kept on fighting despite the circumstances. So is not about how I feel about you, but how you feel about yourself” 

His words made a ton lot of sense. You stood quiet not knowing what to say and then he added “Don’t let what others tell you affect who you truly are. Just focus on being you, which is why I decided to give you a second chance.” He then grabbed your palm gently between his hands “It’s why I decided to be with you” 

His kind words resonated on your heart loud and clear. Victor has always managed to make you believe in yourself again. He made every single horrible thing to look tiny and insignificant, and he’s always helped you to become stronger. In that moment though, you remembered your mom’s words about not needing you and that made your heart ache a bit again. So you dared to ask Victor one last question: “Victor… do you… need me?”

Victor looked at you surprised, definitely he wasn’t expecting that. He closed his eyes for a brief moment while making a little smirk and moving slightly his head in disapproval “No, I don’t need you…” He took a step closer, still holding your hand “But I want you, always”. 

His soft lips finished closing the gap between you both. The warmth that you were feeling had dissipated the darkness that was inside, like the rays of the sun welcoming a new day.

“Now, you have two choices” He said after that kiss as he took your hand and started to walk with you “Either I take you home to pack your stuff or you just come with me with what you have right now”

“What?  but, why are you saying this?” you were really confused and weren’t sure what he meant.

“Looks like someone is very slow” He made special emphasis on “very” “From today on, I want you to live with me”

Your heart skipped a beat and your face immediately went red. Was he serious? Did he really wanted that so soon?

“But- I don’t want to be a burden! I mean, I- I…” You were flustered and overwhelmed by everything but also, very excited he asked you that.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got everything planned” 

“But my mom, I mean… I can’t leave her just like that”

“What are you, 13? you can make your own decisions now. Besides, I won’t let you stay with someone that doesn’t want to be with you” That last sentence made everything fall into place. It wasn’t new your mom was an issue, but you weren’t expecting he would take actions on the matter directly.

“Are you doing this only to protect me?” Even if he’d told you he wanted to be with you, the situation made you feel he was doing the whole thing because he felt pity and not because he actually wanted. 

“Weren’t my words and actions enough to show you how important you’re to me?” He said a bit impatient

“Well… maybe I just want you to tell me those things once more, just to make sure” you replied teasing a little

Victor sighed like giving up. He stood right in front of you holding your hands, and looked at you directly into your eyes “MC, I want to protect you from anyone that might hurt you, even if it’s your own family” Then his voice tone changed to a gentler one “But is not the main reason I want you to move in with me, I want this because…” He made a brief pause “I love you”

The final thorn remaining in your heart was finally released as hearing his tender voice saying those words. You couldn’t help feeling your emotions like a tidewave once more and decided to hop into Victor’s arms once again. “I love you too, Victor…”

He hugged you tight once again, like knowing you were accepting his proposal and his feelings too. Suddenly, every sound on the atmosphere got completely silent. There were no voices nor wind or steps to be heard at all.

“Why are you pausing time right now?” 

“I don’t want interruptions”

“Won’t we have the rest of our lives to hold like this too, without interruptions?”

He chuckled over that last sentence as he tightened his arms around your body a bit more. You could feel he was actually happy to hear that. 

“Dummy…”

“You’ll stay with me, forever, right?”

“As long as I live, you will never be alone anymore”

[hetalia-nordic-trash]

The Heart Gambit (Dennor): 3-One-Way Screen

Word count: 1,480

Summary: Mathias and Lukas look for Emil after he ditched them. Will Mathias be able to apologize to Lukas and get to know him better?

Author's Note: Yay next chapter! Sorry, it's a little late...again. I've had a lot of school work so I try to write these whenever I have time. I hope you like this chapter and do leave me some feedback so I can keep getting better!

Warning: Brief mention of Blood

Previous: 2-The Arbiter

---

Mathias followed Lukas out the door, who was still rubbing his elbow from the fall. It took Mathias a bit before he figured that he should go after him and took off out of the bar after paying his tab. Lukas was quickly walking past shops and heading towards a nearby park.

"Hey wait!' Mathias called out, jogging to catch up to him.

Lukas peaked over his shoulder picked up his pace when he spotted Mathias. Mathias easily caught up to him and started following at Luka's side. They walked silently through the park for what seemed to be the world's longest minute before Lukas broke the awkward silence.

"I can't talk right now I'm looking for my brother. Besides, why would I want to talk to you?" Lukas huffed.

Mathias looked away.

"I...yeah... I get that. But I'm looking for him too! Emil totally ditched me back there!"

"What the hell was he doing hanging out with you?" Lukas asked, stopping dead in tracks.

"We were grabbing drinks when he left right before you showed up!"

"Right before...Damn it!" Lukas pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned up against a nearby tree.

"He's always doing this! Trying to set me up with people because he thinks I need to 'socialize' or whatever. Honestly, he's either waiting nearby because he knew I'd figure it out, or he's back at the hotel waiting for me that dumb smug grin-" Lukas paused, and started patting his at his pockets.

"No....no... no no no! Shit!" Lukas cried. "I don't have my hotel key! Now I actually have to... ugh!".

"Look I'm sorry that Emil dragged you into this mess but I really don't feel like dealing with you right now so feel free to go about your business and pretend this never happened. Though, I also wouldn't be surprised if you used this in some kind of insane 'ad campaign' against me or whatever you do for extra cash nowadays."

Mathias took a breath to respond, but couldn't find the right words despite his best efforts. Lukas rolled his eyes and started walking away.

"Wait!" Mathias called, grabbing Lukas by the shoulder. But he must've grabbed Lukas a little too hard because he pulled him so close their chests almost touched.

"Oh sorry...sorry! I wanted to say I'm sorry!" Mathias managed to blurt out.

Lukas was in the middle of shoving Mathias's arm off of him but stopped at the sound of Mathias's admittedly awful apology.

Mathias pulled his hand away and felt a little heat rise to his cheeks.

"I...look I know I come off as an asshole and it's fair of you to think that...I'm an asshole....but I want you to know that a lot of it's because I'm trying to keep up a kinda image thing. I mean... I wasn't at first...but lately, I just don't feel like it's me anymore...ANYWAY! sorry that was loud but I'm sorry for the interview....what I said...I don't actually think you're a no-life nerd or anything like that...they just wanted me to-"

"Alright! Um...it's ok. Don't hurt yourself."

Mathias finally took a look at Lukas's face and saw that he was completely flustered. His face was bright red and he was desperately trying not to make eye contact with him. Mathias felt his heart skip a beat.

"Look, I forgive you...I guess. And if you want to come with me to help me find my dumb brother ... you can... just don't be weird." Lukas said, taking a step back.

Mathias beamed.

"Aw sweet! Let's go then!" Mathias yelled, dragging Norway by the arm further into the park.

"OK, YOU'RE BEING WEIRD!" Lukas cried out as he tried to keep up.

"Emil! Come out come out wherever you are! Lukas and I are the bestest of buddies now!"

"No, we're not!!!"

Mathias dragged Emil all over the park screaming Emil's name. It didn't take long for Lukas to pulls his hand away from Mathias so he could stop and catch his breath.

"We've been at this... forever!... He's clearly not here!..." Lukas said, between breaths.

Mathias raised an eyebrow.

"We've only been looking for 5 minutes."

"5 minutes!?" he cried, kneeling on the ground.

"Dude...I know I said I felt bad for calling you a 'no-life loser', but .... when's the last time you've run?"

"Shut up!"

Lukas stood up and dusted himself off, face flushed from running. If Mathias's heart wasn't going to jump out of his chest before, it certainly was now. Lukas just looked so ... uh... nice... when he was flustered. Not cute or anything! Certainly not that!

"Look if we're going to find him we're doing it at my way! So no more dragging me around! We'll just walk normally!" Lukas said in a bit of a huff.

"Aw! But it was so much fun!" he said with a playful pout.

"God, you're such a child. Just follow me." Lukas said, taking the lead.

"Ok then!"

The two walked silently for a while. Mathias took in the sights of the park. The sun was beginning to set and he watched as the sky was starting to turn pink and orange. The last light of day was showering the whole world in warm golden hues. He looked over at Lukas. The golden hour light made his eyes shine and his skin looked like it was glowing. Mathias felt sick to his stomach. It couldn't be the dreaded "L" word, could it? No...it couldn't. He was just some...guy. AND he just met him. There was no way! But there was just something about Lukas. His bright eyes, his messy blond hair, and... Mathias noticed that Lukas had a little bit of a scowl. His smile. Mathias desperately wanted to see Lukas smile. But even for all of that, he couldn't place why being around him made his heart beat a little more. He huffed. Lukas would never in a million years have any kind of feelings towards him besides "low-level-tolerance". So why couldn't he Lukas out of his head!

He felt his shoe hit a crack in the sidewalk. He stumbled forward and crashed onto the ground hard.

"Ow!"

"How the hell did you miss that crack!? It's huge! Did you lose your last two brain cells earlier or something?" Lukas asked, crossing his arms.

Mathias grinned. He rolled onto his back and placed his hand on his chest.

"Oh god! This is the end for me! I'm dying!" he cried, dramatically.

"God, can you be any louder? You're acting like a child," Lukas reached his hand out to Mathias. "Here. Just get up!"

Denmark stuck his hand out, purposely make it shakey, as if he were an old man. Mathias felt his face heat up again. He couldn't let Lukas see! He grabbed Lukas's hand and attempted to pull him to the ground next to him. This was a bad call, as all Mathais managed to do was pull Lukas right on top of him.

"Ah!"

Lukas's head crashed right into his own, and Mathias felt a sharp pain in his forehead by his hairline. Mathias felt Lukas's chest on his own, the warmth would've made him blush like mad, but the pain in his forehead was getting worse.

"Ow! My teeth! What the hell was that for!?" Lukas said with his hand over his mouth.

Lukas looked up at Mathias and jumped. Mathias pressed his hand to his hand where the pain was.

"What!?" Mathias pulled his hand away. It was covered in bright red blood.

"DUDE DID YOU JUST BITE MY HEAD???"

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO PULLED ME ONTO YOU LIKE A MANIAC!!!"

Lukas pushed himself off of Mathias and got up.

"You seriously need medical attention! We should get you to the hospital!" Lukas cried, helping Mathias to his feet.

"No way!" Mathias yelled. "If I go to the hospital the press will just eat it up! It'll be all over the news that you took a bite out of my head like a zombie!"

Mathias desperately tried to covered his cut with his hands.

"Well, you need some kind of medical help! Come on! I'm pretty sure I have bandages or something back at the hotel room."

"Good because I don't think I have anything like that at mine."

"God, how do you even function?"

"Wait...I....I can't go back to your room!" Mathias said, blushing and turning away. "What if someone sees me there! Then we're right back to square one! Plus that kinda embarrassing!"

"How is that embarrassing? We're both adults. We'll just use the back entrance or something. Look this is the last offer. Let me help you or I'll leave you here to bleed out!"

"Ok geez! Let's hurry tho! It's getting all over my clothes!"

---

Next Chapter: 4-Treat me like a Fool

a/n: I'm so excited to be writing this! Poor Denmark! He got hurt this time! I hope he gets better soon! I’m going to take this time to plug my non-hetalia work “ Intro to Love ” about a college student who struggles to keep her superpowers a secret and while making new friends.  How much of her normal life will she give up to save her friends from a mysterious villain that drains students’ brains and turns them into zombies? The complete Chapter 1 is out NOW! And Chapter 2.1-'The last of the Good Days' will be out soon!

Thanks again for reading! Send some feedback my way! Can’t wait to continue this story!

Quotev link: here

[thechosenburrito]

The Heart Gambit (Dennor): 3-One-Way Screen

Word count: 1,480

Summary: Mathias and Lukas look for Emil after he ditched them. Will Mathias be able to apologize to Lukas and get to know him better? Author's Note: Yay next chapter! Sorry, it's a little late...again. I've had a lot of school work so I try to write these whenever I have time. I hope you like this chapter and do leave me some feedback so I can keep getting better! Warning: Brief mention of Blood Previous: 2-The Arbiter --- Mathias followed Lukas out the door, who was still rubbing his elbow from the fall. It took Mathias a bit before he figured that he should go after him and took off out of the bar after paying his tab. Lukas was quickly walking past shops and heading towards a nearby park. "Hey wait!' Mathias called out, jogging to catch up to him.

Lukas peaked over his shoulder picked up his pace when he spotted Mathias. Mathias easily caught up to him and started following at Luka's side. They walked silently through the park for what seemed to be the world's longest minute before Lukas broke the awkward silence. "I can't talk right now I'm looking for my brother. Besides, why would I want to talk to you?" Lukas huffed. Mathias looked away. "I...yeah... I get that. But I'm looking for him too! Emil totally ditched me back there!" "What the hell was he doing hanging out with you?" Lukas asked, stopping dead in tracks. "We were grabbing drinks when he left right before you showed up!" "Right before...Damn it!" Lukas pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned up against a nearby tree. "He's always doing this! Trying to set me up with people because he thinks I need to 'socialize' or whatever. Honestly, he's either waiting nearby because he knew I'd figure it out, or he's back at the hotel waiting for me that dumb smug grin-" Lukas paused, and started patting his at his pockets. "No....no... no no no! Shit!" Lukas cried. "I don't have my hotel key! Now I actually have to... ugh!". "Look I'm sorry that Emil dragged you into this mess but I really don't feel like dealing with you right now so feel free to go about your business and pretend this never happened. Though, I also wouldn't be surprised if you used this in some kind of insane 'ad campaign' against me or whatever you do for extra cash nowadays." Mathias took a breath to respond, but couldn't find the right words despite his best efforts. Lukas rolled his eyes and started walking away. "Wait!" Mathias called, grabbing Lukas by the shoulder. But he must've grabbed Lukas a little too hard because he pulled him so close their chests almost touched. "Oh sorry...sorry! I wanted to say I'm sorry!" Mathias managed to blurt out. Lukas was in the middle of shoving Mathias's arm off of him but stopped at the sound of Mathias's admittedly awful apology. Mathias pulled his hand away and felt a little heat rise to his cheeks. "I...look I know I come off as an asshole and it's fair of you to think that...I'm an asshole....but I want you to know that a lot of it's because I'm trying to keep up a kinda image thing. I mean... I wasn't at first...but lately, I just don't feel like it's me anymore...ANYWAY! sorry that was loud but I'm sorry for the interview....what I said...I don't actually think you're a no-life nerd or anything like that...they just wanted me to-" "Alright! Um...it's ok. Don't hurt yourself." Mathias finally took a look at Lukas's face and saw that he was completely flustered. His face was bright red and he was desperately trying not to make eye contact with him. Mathias felt his heart skip a beat. "Look, I forgive you...I guess. And if you want to come with me to help me find my dumb brother ... you can... just don't be weird." Lukas said, taking a step back. Mathias beamed. "Aw sweet! Let's go then!" Mathias yelled, dragging Norway by the arm further into the park. "OK, YOU'RE BEING WEIRD!" Lukas cried out as he tried to keep up. "Emil! Come out come out wherever you are! Lukas and I are the bestest of buddies now!" "No, we're not!!!" Mathias dragged Emil all over the park screaming Emil's name. It didn't take long for Lukas to pulls his hand away from Mathias so he could stop and catch his breath. "We've been at this... forever!... He's clearly not here!..." Lukas said, between breaths. Mathias raised an eyebrow. "We've only been looking for 5 minutes." "5 minutes!?" he cried, kneeling on the ground. "Dude...I know I said I felt bad for calling you a 'no-life loser', but .... when's the last time you've run?" "Shut up!" Lukas stood up and dusted himself off, face flushed from running. If Mathias's heart wasn't going to jump out of his chest before, it certainly was now. Lukas just looked so ... uh... nice... when he was flustered. Not cute or anything! Certainly not that! "Look if we're going to find him we're doing it at my way! So no more dragging me

around! We'll just walk normally!" Lukas said in a bit of a huff. "Aw! But it was so much fun!" he said with a playful pout. "God, you're such a child. Just follow me." Lukas said, taking the lead. "Ok then!" The two walked silently for a while. Mathias took in the sights of the park. The sun was beginning to set and he watched as the sky was starting to turn pink and orange. The last light of day was showering the whole world in warm golden hues. He looked over at Lukas. The golden hour light made his eyes shine and his skin looked like it was glowing. Mathias felt sick to his stomach. It couldn't be the dreaded "L" word, could it? No...it couldn't. He was just some...guy. AND he just met him. There was no way! But there was just something about Lukas. His bright eyes, his messy blond hair, and... Mathias noticed that Lukas had a little bit of a scowl. His smile. Mathias desperately wanted to see Lukas smile. But even for all of that, he couldn't place why being around him made his heart beat a little more. He huffed. Lukas would never in a million years have any kind of feelings towards him besides "low-level-tolerance". So why couldn't he Lukas out of his head! He felt his shoe hit a crack in the sidewalk. He stumbled forward and crashed onto the ground hard. "Ow!" "How the hell did you miss that crack!? It's huge! Did you lose your last two brain cells earlier or something?" Lukas asked, crossing his arms. Mathias grinned. He rolled onto his back and placed his hand on his chest. "Oh god! This is the end for me! I'm dying!" he cried, dramatically. "God, can you be any louder? You're acting like a child," Lukas reached his hand out to Mathias. "Here. Just get up!" Denmark stuck his hand out, purposely make it shakey, as if he were an old man. Mathias felt his face heat up again. He couldn't let Lukas see! He grabbed Lukas's hand and attempted to pull him to the ground next to him. This was a bad call, as all Mathais managed to do was pull Lukas right on top of him. "Ah!" Lukas's head crashed right into his own, and Mathias felt a sharp pain in his forehead by his hairline. Mathias felt Lukas's chest on his own, the warmth would've made him blush like mad, but the pain in his forehead was getting worse. "Ow! My teeth! What the hell was that for!?" Lukas said with his hand over his mouth. Lukas looked up at Mathias and jumped. Mathias pressed his hand to his hand where the pain was. "What!?" Mathias pulled his hand away. It was covered in bright red blood. "DUDE DID YOU JUST BITE MY HEAD???" "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO PULLED ME ONTO YOU LIKE A MANIAC!!!" Lukas pushed himself off of Mathias and got up. "You seriously need medical attention! We should get you to the hospital!" Lukas cried, helping Mathias to his feet. "No way!" Mathias yelled. "If I go to the hospital the press will just eat it up! It'll be all over the news that you took a bite out of my head like a zombie!" Mathias desperately tried to covered his cut with his hands. "Well, you need some kind of medical help! Come on! I'm pretty sure I have bandages or something back at the hotel room." "Good because I don't think I have anything like that at mine." "God, how do you even function?" "Wait...I....I can't go back to your room!" Mathias said, blushing and turning away. "What if someone sees me there! Then we're right back to square one! Plus that kinda embarrassing!" "How is that embarrassing? We're both adults. We'll just use the back entrance or something. Look this is the last offer. Let me help you or I'll leave you here to bleed out!" "Ok geez! Let's hurry tho! It's getting all over my clothes!" --- Next Chapter: 4-Treat me like a Fool a/n: I'm so excited to be writing this! Poor Denmark! He got hurt this time! I hope he gets better soon! I’m going to take this time to plug my non-hetalia work “ Intro to Love ” about a college student who struggles to keep her superpowers a secret and while making new friends.  How much of her normal life will she give up to save her friends

from a mysterious villain that drains students’ brains and turns them into zombies? The complete Chapter 1 is out NOW! And Chapter 2.1-'The last of the Good Days' will be out soon! Thanks again for reading! Send some feedback my way! Can’t wait to continue this story! Quotev link: here