#small fry tryna talk

[zee-aka-pretty]

So I started watching Pluto the Series, and my twin sister peeped, got intrigued by the plot, and joined me in binging this lovely series. Then, we got to this scene.

and we both went "I'm so glad that we're not like them, even if we fight, it's not this bad"

but you know what hurts more in this case? because I was unemployed and sick for a whole year too, while my twin was working at a "great place" with a "big salary." I was pressured by my parents to get a job, but I was simply unwell.

No one believed me when I told them I was NOT Okay. Except for her.

She took me to many doctors, and she spent on them, literally spent half her savings on me, because I had spent all of my own savings for my medical/traveling expenses as well.

Not a word of complaint about how I was draining her expenses was made, nor any comments about how I was faking it for my own benefit, or how I should suck it up because it's all in my head. Not a word.

It was the rest of my family who did it, and still do, but right now, I'm not talking about them.

Yes, she and I did have the worst relationship back when we were schooling, but I'm so, so, glad that we cleared all misunderstandings and made up.

Because what's scary was, we were almost ended up like Ai and Oom, bitter and jealous of the other half to the end.

But we didn't.

We talked it out, like adults, poured it all out, and cleared everything.

People who knew us during school days are now surprised by how close we are. But it is what it is. People change, and relationships? Evolve and grow with them.

The point of this whole rant is, just, if Ai and Oom had a heart-to-heart, maybe, maybe there would've been a tiny chance that this whole thing wouldn't have happened.

But then we wouldn't have this story, would we?

[zee-aka-pretty]

@myheadgoesaround do I look like this when I show my first drafts to you?

Me getting a new fic idea:

[makethemhoesmad]

first sight

dancing with our hands tied part one!

paige bueckers x reader

—

brooke’s pov

“holy shit brooke,” taniya shouts from her room. 

“what,” i yell back. it’s a questionable method of communication, but it works for us. i hear her footsteps clambering towards my room, then my door bursts open and taniya, my five-foot-barely anything roomate flings herself onto my bed.

“paige FUCKING bueckers commented on your post and all you did was like it? i thought i taught you better than this, bee,” taniya says, shaking her head at me.

“well, it’s not like-“

“HOLD ON,” taniya cuts me off, “she liked this comment saying ‘the spine tattoo…my god’ brooklyn mae johns she’s fucking in love with you.”

i roll my eyes at taniya’s wild predictions, which aren’t new to our friendship. “first of all, my name isn’t even brooklyn, second of all, wait, check my phone, who’s that message from?”

taniya picks up my phone, reads something, then screams at the top of her lungs and chucks my phone at me.

Paige💕

Hey was just wondering what college you went to?

i stare blankly at the screen, starstruck. taniya nudges me, motioning at the phone to respond.

Brookee🐝

Uconn, like you.��

Paige💕

Oh shit really? I didn’t know you knew so much about me😏

“is she really tryna flirt with me IN MY DMS right now?” i say out loud. taniya giggles.

“no shit sherlock, that’s why she slid into your dms. tell her you like basketball or something!”

Brookee🐝

i mean, i like basketball and my dorm isn’t that far from gampel. the mcdonald’s like twenty minutes away is like ten times cooler tho.

“you sneaky shit,” taniya snickers.

Paige💕

Fr you should meet me there in like 30.

Brookee🐝 

No shit?

Paige💕

Yeah i’ll see ya then

i swipe out of instagram and start pacing around my room, opening drawers and holding things up to my body.

“bee, cool it. paige is about to show up in team travel gear, so your sweatpants and cute ass tank top are fine. put on some mascara or something if it’ll help you chill, but you’ll look great.” taniya is a little psychotic most of the time, but she’s calm as fuck in these situations.

i twist my hair up into a clip and climb into my car, palms sweaty. i don’t know why i agreed, this is so creepy and random.

Paige💕

i’m otw, u almost there?

Brookee🐝

yeah almost, ps don’t text and drive

Paige💕

hypocrite

Brookee🐝

😔

~

“hey brooke!” i hear a voice from behind the booth im sitting in, nursing a sprite and a small fry.

“hi paige,” i say, grinning. she smiles back, and slides into the other side of the booth, then reaches over and takes one of my fries.

“get your own,” i chide, while sliding the fries closer to her. “besides that, why’d you randomly want to know what college i go to?”

she shifts in her seat. as she opens her mouth, a waitress comes by with a happy meal. paige opens it up and dumps her fries into the other end of the nugget box. before she eats, i quickly snap a picture.

“you don’t mind if i post this? it’s kinda how im paying for my guilty pleasures.”

she nods, “yeah, tag me. anyway, i asked you about what college you went to because i thought i knew you from somewhere, but i just could not figure out what. also, you’re like, really pretty so i wanted to talk to you.”

she blushes at the last part, which makes my cheeks go a bit pink. 

“well, you’re not exactly bad looking yourself. when can i see you again, because it’s getting late and i want to see my bed,” i say. taniya would be proud of my straightforwardness.

“Well, i’ve got tickets to a Sun & Fever game for monday, and the person i was going with just bailed on me, so do you wanna come?” 

i blink at paige in shock. i’ve literally known her in person for maybe twenty five minutes and she’s already offering me things?

“i mean, im not doing anything, and the Sun’s arena isn’t that far, is it?” i ask, hoping to get any more information on whatever she’s proposing.

“yeah, it’s probably only like an hour with traffic, but i can pick you up and drive you home if you want? or we can get a hotel? i have a hotel, but i can cancel it if you wanna you home, i just didn’t want to drive again after the game because leaving would be hell.”

i nod, hoping it looks cool and confident and not utterly confused.

“yeah, we can keep the hotel, it’s okay.”

“aight, i’ll get you on monday around three.” 

paige walks me out to my car, and as i climb in, she grabs my hand and squeezes it. once i see that she’s gone, i call taniya.

“Bitch do i have so much to tell you.”

[stillalittlelostngl]

MHA Boys w/ 5ft Tall S/O (Reader)

This was a request I had from a while back that I'm reposting

Katsuki (5’8)

-his initial instinct wasn’t to recognize them as any sort of threat due to their height - he knows logically it's a bit of an assumption so he *should* still keep an eye on them (they're in the hero course after all)

-until of course they quickly went on to prove they could pack a punch even with such a small frame and he hated to admit it but he was pretty impressed 

-cue constant teasing about their height - Bakugou generally likes to get under people's skin partly because he's just a confrontational dick like that and partly because he can further assess them that way - their reactions, emotional disposition, how confrontational they are etc. he makes a mental note of it all. He tells himself it's because it's useful info to have that'll translate well to how they are during a fight or stressful situation. Definitely not at all because it's the only way he knows how to get their attention on him - nuh uh couldn't possibly be that

-short stack/short stuff, smalls, small fry, half pint, pipsqueak, ankle biter - honestly it seems like he has a new name every day for them. He gets a kick out of their reactions since they do have a bit of a temper of course that also means they tend to retaliate which left the rest of the class having to defuse the situation 

-(honestly liked that they weren’t scared to stand up to him or talk back so that and their general strength are what he respected about em from the jump +drew him to them)

-overtime he develops his crush and he wants to hit himself in the face for thinking that them being short is something endearing - honestly it probably stems from the ego boost he’d get anytime he had to help them get something off a shelf or help them up during training. Sure he'd give them shit for it the whole time but he was always the first to rush to help them when they asked for it.

-when they started dating the names didn’t stop of course but some more appropriate pet name ones occasionally got thrown into the mix too (firecracker, mini, lil bit, etc.)

-he likes that they’re able to fit under his arm perfectly when he puts his arm around them when they walk and that he can pick them up like it’s nothing - the laughter he’s able to get out of them when he does it is cute as hell. Of course his favorite thing is that they have to get on their tip toes a bit when they want to kiss him and he’ll often tease them by not leaning down for them

-(what then ensues is them climbing him and tryna wrestle him down to their height or if they’re annoyed enough to the ground - how successful they are varies day to day) 

-(if he’s irritated with them he’ll hid their shit in the top cabinets and on top of the fridge - after several instances of him yelling at his classmates they’ve learned to not interfere and help his s/o) 

-(his s/o buys a stepstool) 

Todoroki (5’9)

-honestly doesn’t think much of it, has no strong feelings about it either way as he’s kinda oblivious to these sorts of things unless they’re in relation to a fighting situation or efficiency - it’s just how he’s been taught to process things tbh 

-so, he things its kinda a disadvantage to not be able to reach things or to have to work harder to keep up with him when he’s walking - but they’re also able to hide better and could probably do infiltration missions better, so that’s cool 

-of course he makes sure to tell his s/o this anytime they ask him to help them get something down - he thinks their reactions are pretty funny tbh 

-he does like being big spoon tho and watching how comfortable they are all wrapped up in him, that’s pretty cute 

-one time they mentioned how it was kind of a pain to always have to strain to kiss him so he lifted them up a step so that they were a equal height before asking them to kiss try kissing him then (kinda becomes their thing after that - if his s/o wants to initiate a kiss they’ll look for something to climb or sit on before doing so) 

-idk it’s not really something he thinks about - he likes his s/o because they’re them and so he’ll find anything about them physically appealing. It’s not more complicated for him than that. 

Midoriya (5’5)

-he’s not really used to being *that* much taller than folks so it secretly pleases him that you’re short. He treats it as if it’s some guilty pleasure or something because he doesn’t want it to seem like he’s demeaning you for something you can’t control, he just think it’s so adorable that you have to look up at him or stand on your tip toes to kiss him or ask for his help to reach things! 

-(midoriya loves to feel needed and it just really reiterates a feeling of being a hero because he’s able to help you with stuff - even if it is just small tasks) 

-how small your hands are in his is what does it for him tho babyyy - makes him feel better to have your hand engulfed in his so that he can keep you safe 

Shinsou (5’9 ) 

-he’s used to towering over classmates so it’s not something he pays too much attention to but he does find it pretty cute 

-he teases you about it from time to time (not to the extent Bakugou does - normally just using you as an arm rest or some “if you want me to reach that or help you up you have to pay the toll” (changes from being one kiss, saying he’s the best and is better than you at everything, etc. - the things you do to get to the top shelf smh) 

-the first time he tried to kiss you he was so nervous that when he leaned down he missed completely and ended up just kissing your forehead - tried to play it off as intentional but it was pretty obvious it wasn’t lmao 

-forehead kisses do become a thing for y’all though 

[fizzysugarwater]

Uhhh no title for this one

This is just the product of my brain when I ask “What if Cole had had Enough of Jay skirting around his actual attempts at flirting and passing them off as him trying to get with Nya, and got fed up with him and at the ToE duel just kissed him on the moUTH-” Enjoy!

A/N: I use fessin’ as a ninjagan version of frickin bc I physically cannot imagine jay saying frick, but he doesn’t swear in this so. also fessin sounds like someone tryna pronounce FSM phonetically (which is a thing I’ll talk about in my ninjagan expletives hc post in the near future)

Out on the hexagon tiles of Chen’s arena, Jay felt a strange kind of aching in his chest. A tugging, sinking feeling. Like somewhere in his heart he didn’t want to be fighting Cole.

And he didn’t! Not like this. Sure, he was still mad about seeming to have lost Nya to him, but there seemed to be more to it than that. He had… small inklings, that his and Nya’s breaking up was due to grief, the toll Zane’s death had on all of them. The longer he thought about it, the more he figured it was mostly grief, the rest being dysfunction on his part. Losing Nya was his fault, Cole had nothing to do with it. But Jay wasn’t ready to face that, so he kept blaming Cole. 

But… he didn’t want to do this. He didn’t wanna fight him for the right to keep his powers, he didn’t wanna fight him to settle a score, he didn’t wanna fight him at all! Fessin’ hell, it was easier to hate him from a distance. Now, here? His heart kept aching for him. For… Cole.

Jay didn’t recall much of how the fight played out in the early beats. Just throwing earth and lightning around, and yelling at each other. Even when he was fighting with all he had, Cole seemed to have this hesitance about him. Nothing like when they were sparring, or when Jay watched him kick ass against a common enemy. Against him, Cole hesitated. And seemed to grow more agitated with every word out of Jay’s mouth.

Eventually he reached a breaking point. Cole looked mad, like right pissed, and he managed to get close enough to pull a stunt Jay never expected. This part he remembered vividly.

“Okay, fine. Fine!! You wanna know why I’m mad about this still, sparkmouth??? You REALLY wanna know?!” Cole shouted at Jay, having him backed practically against the wall with stalagmites on either side. Jay kept his fists up, not sure what Cole was about to do. Of course, there wasn’t much he could do when Cole outclassed him on a purely physical level. The earth ninja grabbed the front of his shirt and lifted Jay off his feet, slamming him into the wall. Jay yelped in surprise and pain, and for a second he caught sight of Cole’s glaring face, filled with a kind of meaning Jay wasn’t expecting. His breath would’ve hitched, if something else hadn’t happened not a moment later.

Cole kissed him. 

He fessin’ kissed him, and the kiss filled Jay’s senses all at once. Maybe it was the exertion they had both been doing but it was… warm, in a good way. Soft, too. Cole’s eyes were shut tight, while Jay’s were wide open, too shocked not to. A loop of WHAT WHAT WHAT kept playing in his brain, and he felt his whole face go red, all the way to his ears. The most jarring part of this was his desire to return it, to kiss back. I mean, sure, Jay may have had ridiculously strong feelings for Cole back during those couple of weeks when it was just them at the monastery! Sure, those feelings may have never actually subsided and he had to catch himself months later to stop staring at Cole when he was training in the courtyard and just looking - yknow. Hot. Sure, this moment being as confusing and fantastic as it was may have sprung those feelings back full force, and Jay really, really wanted to make out with this dumbass for like, another five minutes. Maybe so.

What was happening again? Oh yeah. Jay was being kissed, hard, by the guy he never got over. In the middle of an arena. Oh yeah, we’re supposed to be fighting. And people are seeing this. Oh hell, Kai and Lloyd are seeing this too!

Finally, Cole pulled back, still pinning Jay to the wall, and Jay sucked in a breath, realizing that he wasn’t even trying to breathe there. He glanced up at Cole after a second, absolutely bewildered, and was met with a red-faced gaze from a normally-stoic, suddenly embarrassed master of earth, staring back at him with so much meaning.

“That is why, Jay. That is why I’m still mad,” Cole said breathlessly. And despite the thousands of thoughts running through Jay’s head, one managed to slip out.

“Huh??? That doesn’t explain a thing!” Jay blurted out. Cole’s eyebrows shot up and he looked something like a deer in headlights, blinking at Jay and turning even redder.

“Uh-“ Cole choked out, like he was a little surprised that his kissing skills didn’t convey the meaning he wanted. He didn’t get the chance to say anything else, because a frustrated groan sounded from above them in the stands. Chen was clearly very upset with this turn of events, and Jay was subconsciously offended. Excuse you, we’re having a moment here!

“Ughhhhhhhh, you’re supposed to be fighting each other!!!!!” Chen smacked his chair buttons a bit and glared down at the pair of them. “Send in the Condrai Crushers! That will get them fighting again!”

A door opened up in the wall of the arena, and Cole promptly dropped Jay and whirled around, cursing under his breath. Jay landed on his feet, and was looking to where Cole was as two large vehicles rolled out into the pit, both outfitted with extremely sharp implements. Jay’s breath caught, and before he had a chance to react Cole grabbed him by the wrist and dashed away from them.

“Wh- Hey!” Jay protested, wrenching his arm out of Cole’s grip and running to keep pace with him. “This conversation isn’t over, boulderbrain! What the hell was that supposed to mean?!” Cole glanced at him, then groaned slightly, skidding to a stop and whirling around to face the crushers again, stamping hard on the tiles and kicking up a large rock at one of them. Then he turned and looked at Jay, brow half-furrowed.

“The reason I’m still mad with you is because you still think I’m trying to take Nya from you or some bullshit like that. Even after every master-damned hint I keep shoving in your face!” Despite the situation he let out a dry laugh and pushed hair out of his face. “It is honestly baffling how you can be so ridiculously, beautifully smart and also so stupid at the same time!”

“Huh???” Jay squeaked. “I- wha- beautifully smart???” Wow, way to go that THAT’S what we latch onto. He shook his head out to clear his ears, then heard the thrum of the motor of the other crusher, behind them and dove sideways into Cole, knocking them both to the center. Once there, he stood up and kept talking. “So you’re not...?”

“OF COURSE NOT!! Fuckin hell, Jay, I never had any interest in Nya like that! She’s my workout buddy, but that’s it!” Cole pushed his hair off his face again, and shook his head. Jay couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“B-but I thought- th-the soulmate machine-“

“Was a prototype, and a tourist trap kind of attraction and I don’t know why you trusted it! Seriously, I still don’t get how you trusted that thing over me.” Cole chucked another boulder at one of the crushers, flipping it over. He turned back to Jay with just this nervous smile that made Jay’s heart flutter. The lightning master stuttered, trying to figure it all out.

“So then- it was- wait, it was me? You’re in love with me?” Jay finally put the pieces together. Cole just lit up once Jay admitted he figured that out, a bright grin plastering onto his face, and then they jumped apart into spinjitzu to dodge before joining up again. Cole grabbed both of Jay’s shoulders and kept grinning, a frankly adorable look.

“YES! Jay, you stupid gorgeous bastard, yes it was you! It was you the whole time! Still is, actually!” Cole looked almost like he was gonna cry, cry happy tears at least. Jay looked rather flabbergasted.

 Admittedly, Jay was still figuring this out, because what???

The whole time? The whole time, when Jay thought Cole was interested in Nya, Cole was in love with… him? With Jay? It felt like something out of a cheesy rom-com. Or one of his daydreams. The fact that he had to make this realization while dodging out of the way of a very sharp vehicle did not help matters.

Jay was suddenly wrenched out of his thoughts when he realized the remaining crusher was coming right at them. He had to act fast, so he dashed at the wall, ran up and sprang off of it, landing behind the driver of that one. He then proceeded to fry the living daylights out of the driver, until he was incapacitated and the thing came to a stop, just in front of Cole.

Jay hopped off again and came right up to Cole, mind spinning. He may not have had everything together, but he did have something he needed to do, to at least tell him without telling him.

“Are you serious with this? Are you genuinely, actually serious about this, Cole?” About me? Jay didn’t add. He looked up into Cole’s eyes, trying to convey about the same meaning to him as he was earlier. Cole froze, for a second all deer-in-headlights again, but then nodded.

“Yes I mean it. I am seriously in love with you,” he said, with all the conviction in the world. Jay looked up at him, took a small breath, then popped up on his tiptoes and kissed him.

In all honesty, this kiss was far shorter than the earlier one. It was small, and sweet, and soft (fessin’ hell his lips were soft) but it got the point Jay wanted to make across, clear as day. He cupped Cole’s face for a short moment, then dropped back down to his feet and was met with a rather starstruck look from Cole, to which Jay couldn’t help but smile. He almost didn’t register the audience they were still before, offering an “awww”, before he heard it drowned out by the whining of Chen.

“... okay, good, glad we got that squared aWAY-“ Jay started to say, before the floor tile he was standing on suddenly dropped out from under him. He yelped, but was very quickly grabbed in a bear-hug by Cole, keeping him from plummeting. With a start, Jay realized the arena floor tiles were disappearing into a pit at a rapid rate. “Crap, Cole!! The Jade Blade!” He pointed up at the knife stuck into the top of the central pillar.

Cole seemed to be on the same wavelength as Jay again, and holy crap was that a feeling Jay missed. “Cmon!” Cole barked, grabbing Jay by the hand and starting to dash forward to the center pole again, hopping from tile to tile as they dropped. Jay tried for a second to ignore his heart fluttering again when Cole gripped his hand - jeez I’ve really got it bad - and instead yelped in fear when he let go for a fleeting moment and got cut off by the ever-increasing pit. Separated now.

Cole whipped around for a second, eyes full of worry. Jay frantically shook his head. “Go, go!” He yelled, and Cole hesitated another beat before turning back around and sprinting for the pillar, then climbing it, then-

Once the blade was pulled the tiles stopped falling. For a very short moment it went quiet. Then Jay caught sight of something hurtling to him and he caught it on instinct. And then he looked down at it in his hands and-

What?

The Jade Blade. It was the Jade Blade, and he was holding it. Jay’s eyes darted back up to see Cole at the top of the pillar, looking down at him with a look of determination.

“WINNER!” Chen’s voice rang out over the announcement but Jay wasn’t processing it, still looking at Cole. Cole gave me the win. Why? He knows what happens when he loses, and I lost! What is he-

“Jay it’s gonna be okay, you hear me? We’ll figure it out. I want you to keep going,” Cole spoke up, landing back on the arena floor several feet away. He looked pained, but he was smiling all the way through it. There was an ache in Jay’s chest again, for Cole. “You keep going, zaptrap, and you win this thing for both of us, okay?”

“Cole, I- wh- we can’t just leave it like this!” Jay found himself blurting, frantic and scared. This CANNOT be how this goes, I barely even got time to get into it! The whys, the since-whens, all of it!

“You’re gonna be alright, Jay! I’ll see you. I’ll see you on the other siIDE!” Cole’s last word was cut off, as he was suddenly dropped into the pit below the arena. 

Jay could’ve screamed because it wasn’t fair, it wasn’t fair that they didn’t have any time to talk about this. He wanted to talk, he wanted to tell him all these reasons why he was so hopelessly in love with him and for a brief moment he was scared he’d never get the chance, now.

Instead, he just found himself reaching for the spot where Cole fell, feeling tears pricking at his eyes as the door in the wall opened again and Chen’s men ushered him back through to the others.

It shouldn’t be ending like this.

[emrysaf]

Never Enough Pt. 16

So, uhm. Shit’s about to go down. @peggycarter-steverogers​ @dottirose​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been away, a little while, sometimes I just can't help myself

When my mind's running wild, I seem to lose grip on reality

And I try to disregard the crazy things the voices tell me to do, but it's no use

I tried to own it, write songs about it

Believe me I tried, in the end I needed to breathe

Find inspiration, some kind of purpose

To take a second to face the shit that makes me, me

All I needed was the last thing I wanted

To sit alone in a room and say it all out loud

Every moment, every second, every trespass

Every awful thing, every broken dream

A couple years back and forth with myself in a cage

Banging my head against the wall tryna put words on a page

All I needed was the last thing I wanted

To be alone in a room, alone in a room

I saw the world a couple times, tried to cure the ache with absence

But that hole was still a hole and my mind kept playing tricks on me

Feeling older every day, took everything I had to not crash and burn

But I'm starting to learn

Sometimes I'll fall down, sometimes I'll lose hope

But those days will be few if I keep my feet on the ground

I might be lonely, but I ain't alone here

So I keep pushing the limits of what makes me

♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫

Bucky and Steve had many talks about the future back before the war; when things were simpler. James Buchanan Barnes was a flirt and no one would deny it, but he had always said he wanted to settle down after the war. He wanted to be someone that somebody wanted for the rest of their lives, even if he thought the best route was to move from dame to dame until he felt that ‘thing’.

When he was in Wakanda, the White Wolf saw many happy families, couples and admittedly strange groupings. He saw young men and women wooing other men and women in various combinations that would have been kept quiet in his time. But he felt a sense of pride for them. To love who they loved and receive that love back in return. However, he thought he would never be something for him to hope for again; who could love a monster? Want a family with a monster?

Then, he was back with his old pal. Steve, and everyone were so kind and welcoming; especially Steve’s new trainee Y/N. And old dreams came back.

Once they were together, and the happiness and love seemed like it would bloom and re-bloom over and over forever, he sat in the kitchen and talked to Steve about all the cliches. Settling down. Stopping the hero gig. Getting married, white picket fence and children to share in the love he felt overflowing him.

It wouldn’t feel like too long before everything went downhill. And fast.

He had always felt like, maybe, he had overwhelmed her. She was always wanting him to be happy. But maybe Y/N hadn’t wanted to have his kids. Maybe, despite everything, she still didn’t want to chance having a life with a monster? 

These were concerns he eventually talked to Steve about, and now Steve was passing this to Wanda. Just because she could didn’t mean she was always around prying into others’ minds for information that wasn’t her business.

Bucky’s road to recovery had been rough after the Winter Soldier conditioning. Then everything with Y/N, and he had done well again. But after the news of her time in medbay and her subsequent stay at the mental health facility; Bucky hadn’t been doing well, and Steve could tell when he stopped him in the hall on his way out last night.

--------------------------------------------------

“I’d been worried his progress was relapsing because of Y/N. His self-doubt and self/hatred was smothering him,” Steve explained to Wanda as they both paced the kitchen; unsure of their roles and responsibilities in this. “He told me- He said he thought she was scared to have a kid with him after they talked about maybe trying. He thinks that fear of some monster baby is what had her wanting out of their relationship, but the fear also kept her from just breaking it off, and that’s why she did what she did.”

“For someone so self deprecating, he sure thinks way too much is about him,” Wanda said in a flat tone. “I want you to give me permission to see her Steve. You are her proxy, and you already made decisions for testing. You can say I can visit. These two are spiraling into themselves, and I am going to get to the bottom of it.”

-----------------------------------------------------

Steve had begrudgingly agreed with Wanda’s demand, and called the hospital while she was already on her way there. The doctor’s were a bit shocked he would pull this as a proxy, but he assured them it was for the best. Y/N wasn’t going to talk, and they couldn’t let her keep pulling this shit she was doing.

-------------------------------------------------

BEEP. BEEP.

Wanda walked through the electric-locked doors with her hands twisting in her visitor's pass that hung around her neck. A female nurse with graying hair, and kind eyes led her to Y/N’s door and swiped a card to let her in.

“We will have to lock it after you go in, but I’ve seen you on the news and I think you can handle yourself young lady,” explained the woman with a light smile. “Just press this button right here when you want let out.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After the door shut behind her and locked with a “beep” Wanda faced her friend who’s back was to her, staring at the wall. They had lowered her dose, but she was still on the edge; everything was just a bit off and her brain a bit fuzzy.

Knowing Y/N wasn’t going to face her, or speak, Wanda made her way across the room to sit at her side on the small bed. She placed a hand on her back and gently rubbed circles as she began to lay everything out for her.

“I made Steve let me come see you, so don’t be to angry with him. He- We all want what is best for you,” she started. “The doctor talked to Steve about your medical things to see why you weren’t talking, and your file had something none of knew anything about Y/N. . .”

Y/N startled a bit at this, her eyes got wide and she opened her mouth as if to argue. But no sound came out. So, Wanda went on.

“I figured it out Y/N. Why you didn’t want the team to visit you when Steve brought you to the compound, and after.” Wanda took a deep inhale to center herself as she could feel herself becoming frustrated. “I know you didn’t want me to read you. To know about something. Was it about having a child? I don’t get why you wouldn’t let us know. Let us help. We are your friends and family. But I am going to find out.”

This shattered Y/N false neutrality, and the tears began.

“You know I usually wouldn’t do this without permission, but you are hurting yourself. Inside and out. And you are taking everyone with you,” as she finished her piece she reached out with twisting hands glowing red. “Don’t make it harder on yourself, on me. Let me in”

Everything flashed past so quickly. Like a flood. Like Y/N had wanted to give in and tell someone all this time. With another pulse of power Wanda slowed the frantic thoughts to start at the beginning.

Childhood sickness.

Y/N’s parents whispering about what this medicine would mean for their daughter’s future and possibilities of a family.

Being taken by Hydra and tortured. Tested on. Pain.

Her enhancement taking out the whole chamber and frying the electroshock machine they had been using.

Meeting Steve when his mission team came to the base she was held at.

Being taken to meet the team under Steve’s wing.

Training, learning becoming friends.

The Winter Soldier returning from Wakanda.

Y/N being so nervous around him, but wanting him to feel just as welcomed as she had felt.

The team dinners. Becoming a family.

Everyone convincing Y/N Bucky liked her back.

Bucky and Y/N confessing.

Dates. Love. So much love.

The images seemed to take on a darker look. Like they were warped or being seen through darkness. But one thing was bathed in light. One person. Bucky. Like a spotlight, he was covered in brighter glow.

Listening in on Steve and Bucky’s conversation. Family. Marriage. Children.

Deciding to try.

Doctor visit.

Doctor visit.

Doctor visit.

The doctor visit. There was something wrong with her. She couldn’t give him what he needed; deserved.

The whole team going on a mission. Steve telling Y/N it was for the best she didn’t come. Just in case. In case she hurt someone.

Spiralling. Sadness. Confusion. Anger. Questioning.

A decision made. A lie told.

Y/N looking out the back window of the town car waving at Steve and Wanda. Turning in her seat and getting brief glance at a heartbroken Bucky.

“Little pain now, but you will be better without me. I want you to be happier.”

Wanda was shoved out of Y/N’s mind by sheer will-power. 

“She saw what she came for. I don’t want her to see the rest. What I did. All that blood,” Y/N thought to herself.

Both women had tears spilling over as Wanda looked at Y/N in a look of awestruck horror. But Y/N seemed. . . Relieved. Healing was already starting, inside.

“You got what you came for.” whispered Y/N, voice rough with disuse. “Please go.” Wanda looked like she was going to argue so Y/N assured her. “I feel. . . Better. I will try for everyone. For you. For me. Promise.”

At this, Wanda nodded. “Okay. I will see you in a couple weeks.” and Y/N faintly smiled and tilted her head in affirmative. “And Y/N? I love you. We- We all love you, and miss you so much.”

“Me too.”

-----------------------------------------

Regardless of the hows or whys, Y/N still needed to heal and the best place was here at the hospital. Wanda told the nurse on her way out that she thinks they should try again with Y/N; assuring her that Y/N was going to try this time and walking out the door.

Quickly, Wanda pulled out her phone and texted Steve :

      Y/N didn’t cheat. Lied. 

      Thought she was freeing Buck

      Because of the baby thing.

----------------------------------------------

When he felt his phone buzz Steve took it from his jacket sleeve as he glanced at Bucky; slouching with his head on one hand and his other stirring the tiny straw in his drink. As super soldiers they couldn’t get drunk, but it was the thought that counted. Steve had brought his pal to the bar to, hopefully, dissuade him from a meltdown when they discussed Y/N and the real cause of her issues, cheating and all.

His brows were furrowed as he re-read the text from Wanda when he heard Bucky.

“So, Steve, why are we here? We can’t even get drunk, and you obviously have something to tell-”

The sudden cut in Bucky’s sentence whipped Steve’s gaze from his phone to see what caught his friend’s attention. Captain America himself was not prepared for what he saw, nor was he quick enough to stop his enraged friend from leaping up. Murder in his eyes directed at one bar patron.

A dark haired man sat near the bar with a couple friends shoulders shaking and tattooed hands gripping his beer hard. Green eyes watering in laughter at something his friend must have said.

To the Winter Soldier, this man was laughing at him. At what he’d done. What he’d taken.

To the Winter Soldier, this green-eyed, dark-haired, tattooed bastard was a dead man.

                      Too bad this guy had no idea what was going on.

[bumblesimagines]

I Just Wanna Know

Request: Yes or No

Yeah

Only time you ever call me

Is when you feelin' like

"Don't nobody else wanna listen"

When's the last time you saw me?

You probably don't remember that

'Cause that was back then, you were different

I don't wanna hear the sorries

I'm tired of all the talkin'

To be honest, I would rather see a difference

(Y/N) worked on his math homework, bumping his head to the music. He felt his phone vibrate and lowered the sound, picking it up and answering it.

"What's up?"

"Hey." (Y/N) frowned, looking at the contact name. Sweet Pea.

"What do you want?"

"I just... I'm sor-" (Y/N) put his phone down after hanging up. Sweet Pea only ever called to complain or try to get a booty call.

Yeah, you pass me in the hallway

But you ain't say a word to me

Lately, all I ever feel is distant

You don't care that you lost me

What's wrong with ya?

Had a picture of you sittin' on the dash in the car with me

Now it's in my closet with the other ones

Sittin' in a box I don't wanna open up

(Y/N) headed down the hall, passing his old group of friends. He glanced at them, making eye contact with his ex. Neither said a word to each other. (Y/N) continued down the hall, leaving the school and walking over to his car. He opened it and got in, shuffling through it as he looked for a paper. (Y/N) blinked when a picture fell into his view. He picked it up. It was of him and Sweet Pea as kids. (Y/N) sighed and put it away, making a mental note to take it out when he got home.

"(Y/N)!" The male flinched when Reggie suddenly appeared at his passenger window.

"Fuck me, dude..." He whispered, glaring at him playfully. Reggie had nothing against (Y/N), even if he was a Serpent. Maybe because Reggie hated Sweet Pea. (Y/N) unlocked the doors, raising his brows as Reggie got into the car.

"What?" Reggie grinned.

"Give me a ride home, please." (Y/N) scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Ten dollars." Reggie groaned softly.

"But I need them!"

"Pay up, Reg."

You took it all from me

Told me you would die for me

Yeah, all you ever do is lie to me

Wish that I could say that this has come as surprise to me

Told me that I never took the time

And now you ain't got the time for me, yeah

"Hey, (Y/N)?" The male looked up from his phone, mentally screaming.

"Yeah?" He tilted his head. Sweet Pea crossed his arms.

"What were you doing with that Bulldog?" He asked. (Y/N) shrugged.

"Giving him a ride." He replied, yawning afterward. Sweet Pea shook his head.

"Bulldogs can't be trusted-"

"What are they? Liers?" (Y/N) asked. That hit a nerve for both of them.

"At least they won't lie about who they're with and if they've been seeing someone behind your back." (Y/N) mumbled, looking back down at his phone as he heard Sweet Pea sigh deeply.

I just wanna know oh, oh, oh, oh

When did you get so cold? Oh, oh, oh

What happened to your soul? Oh, oh, oh

Don't you see me? (See me, see me)

"I do wanna know something though." (Y/N) called out as Sweet Pea started walking away. Sweet Pea turned around, looking at him.

"What happened? What made you do that?" (Y/N) asked. Sweet Pea stayed motionless and stotic for a while, deep in thought.

"I don't know. I... Grew out of it." Out of what? (Y/N)? Love? (Y/N) hummed, nodding.

"Right."

Yeah

We used to talk like best friends

I remember that

I guess I don't know what happened to us

Now you got me questionin' what trust is

You told me you would be there for me

Yeah, but you ain't really mean it, did ya?

Now you wanna jump ship

Leave me here alone

Well, I'm used to it

Everybody else did

(Y/N) had known that Sweet Pea had been cheating on him before he even had any evidence. The glances at Josie, accusations, constantly returning stinking of perfume. What came as a shocker after their breakup was the silence. Toni, Fangs, Jug, and even Betty quit talking with him. Made him wonder if they were even his friends to begin with. The only one who took pity on him was Cheryl, shockingly enough. After the whole breakup and multiple endings to his friendships, (Y/N) got a couple of trust issues. He wondered if Cheryl and Reggie liked him at all.

"Earth to (Y/N)!" Reggie snapped his fingers in his face. (Y/N) blinked, smacking his fingers away. Reggie chuckled.

"Welcome back, astronaut, how was your trip?" Reggie asked. (Y/N) sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes.

"You're so annoying." He mumbled. Reggie grinned.

"You still love my abs though." He reminded, raising his shirt a bit and earning a kick. (Y/N) laughed softly, picking up a fry and eating it.

Who you havin' fun with?

Don't tell me, I don't wanna know

Every time I ask, I just feel sick

You're the one that jumped in

Told me you had feelings

Now you tryna tell me that is not true

I ain't gotta clue who I'm lookin' at right now

But I know the person that I'm lookin' at is not you

(Y/N) looked out the window, smile faltering when he saw Sweet Pea. Reggie followed his gaze.

"Wanna get out of here? Shoot some hoops?" Reggie asked. (Y/N) nodded, watching Reggie pay before they left Pop's. (Y/N) felt someone gently shove him. He turned around, facing the Bulldog who was already backing up with a playful smile. He laughed softly, shooting his arm out and grabbing Reggie and tickling him. Reggie laughed, wiggling free and jogging towards the car. (Y/N) heard a snort and looked at Sweet Pea. The male shook his head in disappointment.

Yeah, they say that you are who you hang with

Maybe that's the reason you been changin'

Maybe that's the reason why I'm feelin' like you're dangerous

And every time we talk it's like I'm talkin' to a stranger, ah

Reggie huffed, having enough.

"What the fuck is your problem?" He asked. Sweet Pea accepted the challenge.

"You, mutt." He sneered, getting in Reggie's face. (Y/N) swallowed, already knowing a fight would break up if they continued.

"Come on, Reg." He said. Reggie glanced back towards him. Sweet Pea took the opportunity and shoved Reggie, punching him. Reggie recovered and swung back at him.

"Hey! Hey!" Everyone quickly broke the two up, (Y/N) dragging Reggie back to the car and checking his bruised lip.

"He-"

"Hit you first, I have eyes, Reg." (Y/N) said, getting the med kit he had in his car. Sweet Pea was aggressive and short tempered but he usually never actually fought without being hit first or provoked. (Y/N) was glad he had broken up with him.

I just wanna know, oh, oh, oh

When did you get so cold? Oh, oh, oh

What happened to your soul? Oh, oh, oh

Don't you see me? (See me, see me)

I thought that we were close, oh, oh

But now that door is closed, oh, oh

(Y/N) looked back at Sweet Pea, seeing him holding his nose. He turned back to Reggie, tending to his lip.

"Kiss it to make it better?" (Y/N) looked at Reggie, not sure if he heard him correctly.

"Reg, it'll probably make it worse." (Y/N) pointed out, shaking his head with a small smile. Reggie pouted, wincing afterward. (Y/N) sighed heavily.

"So childish." He mumbled, pecking Reggie's lip. Reggie perked up.

"One more."

"No."

"Make it feel better!"

"I did!"

"No, that wasn't even a proper kiss!"

"Fine! Fine!"

When did we lose control? Oh, oh, oh

Guess you don't need me (Need me, need me)

I just wanna know, oh, oh, oh

When did you get so cold? Oh, oh, oh

What happened to your soul? Oh, oh, oh

Don't you see me? (See me, see me)

I thought that we were close, oh, oh

But now that door is closed, oh, oh

When did we lose control? Oh, oh, oh

Guess you don't need me (Need me, need me)

[nishaapologist]

Double Triple Bossy Deluxe (Fallout 3, First Sentinel AU)

“Wait. Wait, wait… the fry cook thing isn’t a joke?!”

About a month (and a bit) after Sarah’s moved into Rookie’s house and home in Megaton, her arrival marked by her just about dragging her own body through the gates to throw herself at their doorstep, Rookie’s pleased to be able to say that it’s been working out pretty well! Or, at least, as well as could be expected when none of this was planned in advance. Sarah’s still struggling to adapt to the otherwise mundane, small-town life that’s been summarily thrust upon her after… well, after the whole nearly died like seven times thing that Rookie doesn’t like to think about, and she’s not used to living in such a small space. Seriously, she nearly knocks herself blind every time she forgets she has to duck her head as she goes down the staircase. Still, they’re making do, figuring it out together… and since they’re, like, dating now, or whatever, Rookie’s happy that it’s all falling into place, even if it’s a little on the haphazard side.

But there’s still surprises to be had, and when Rookie manages to trade for some fresh meat and announces they’re gonna make Sarah one of their famous Vault burgers, she laughs right up until Rookie reveals they were a fry cook. No, for real.

“Yeah?” Rookie answers, bemused, as Sarah squints over to them like she’s suddenly turned very shortsighted.  “I told you! That's what I did!”

Sarah’s nose scrunches up, all the scars on her face pulling taut. “Yeah, but… I thought it was just a really long-winded joke. Like, making up a dumb fact about yourself because we surface-dwellers don’t know any better, y’know?”

Rookie’s not sure how it ever seemed that way, but they did (and do) say a lot of stupid shit when they thought they could get away with it — like saying that they got meat in the Vault by grinding up an unwilling sacrifice every week, or that drinking one’s own piss was a delicacy, or that some Vaulties were so obsessed with the artificial lights that they became like moth people, lured in the direction of a bright torch or flash of a gun’s muzzle. It was fun to make a spectacle of it, if only because the truth was so much more boring, only ever turning interesting to talk about when Rookie’s own life was on the line.

And the fact their GOAT-mandated job was as a fry cook in an old diner nobody ever used any more? Well, that was something that landed right in the boring category, so Rookie had never joked about it... but clearly it’s just about as believable as the rest of the stories.

“Well, bad news; it’s very real,” Rookie replies with a shrug, standing over the shabby kitchen counter shunted in one corner as they shape a series of patties. They don’t need as many as they’re making between them, but that’s ‘cause everything extra is going to get sold to The Brass Lantern, since Jenny’s always asking for them to spice up the menu somehow. She’d believed Rookie was a fry cook from the moment they’d told her, if only because Rookie had gone around to help fix their fryers one time and showed an absolutely stoic response to scalding-hot splatters of oil. “And even though the Overseer was a prick about hating me, everyone liked my burgers, so everyone liked me.” 

Rookie pauses for a moment, hands slowing as they roll out a ball of minced meat. “Or, maybe they liked that I remembered all their orders by heart. Even Mr. Brotch— uh, my teacher in the Vault, he made a joke about remembering his order when I got my results. Hold the mustard, extra pickles.”

Sarah’s got an expression on her face that says she doesn’t believe any of this, which Rookie supposes makes sense when you consider the sort of life she’d had — a career soldier in the rough-and-tumble wasteland, coming to age with laser fire over her head and earning battle scars. She wasn’t taking weird tests in the safety of a hole in the ground, or complaining when she had to wake up early for an apprenticeship to her new career that she’d be the sole caretaker of at the age of eighteen; Sarah had been clambering up the precarious Brotherhood ranks, fighting off an unholy amount of enemies whilst learning how to command her own squad and accidentally get a Med-X addiction and maintaining suits of Power Armor and laser rifles and— well, Rookie could go on. Sarah’s not anything like them, which is good, because that’s why they like Sarah.

And all the while they’ve been stood there, thinking, Sarah’s gotten up from one of the (several) ratty old sofas that Rookie’s dragged into their house over the months, dusting herself off before stepping up right behind them to loom over their shoulder, looking at their mess of a kitchen counter. God, even when they live together, Rookie somehow manages to forget that Sarah’s built like a shit brickhouse.

“Bizarre,” she finally says, dryly, her smile wry. “And you weren’t coaching the baseball team… how, again?”

Rookie scowls down at that. Truth be told, it was a bit of a sore spot back when sore spots were just emotional and not the sort that left very real scars behind, but honestly? They’re still kinda mad about it! “Apparently, my mediocre throwing arm was very damning. Didn’t matter that I could basically deflect bullets with my bat, noooooo; I needed to also be able to throw a baseball at a one-centimeter-square target across the atrium blindfolded, backwards, and shitfaced.”

There’s a brief snort before Sarah dissolves into laughter, rumbling right through the height of her, and the little sting of resentment Rookie still felt — to the Overseer, no doubt, who’d probably pulled strings to make sure Rookie never got to do the thing they were actually good at — melts away in favour of something awed, staring up at how Sarah’s green eyes sparkle. Rookie’s not seen many trees in their life, since DC’s still too much of a bomb-churned wasteland to facilitate many of them, but they like to think they must all look a lot like Sarah’s eyes, shifting between light and dark in the brightness of the sun.

“You—” they start, and then stumble, because their mind really isn’t in the right gear at present. “Can, uh... can we kiss?”

The words fall right out of their mouth before they have the sense to plug the hole, and they blush furiously when they realise that wasn't really the sentence they’d planned to ask. Actually, Rookie’s not sure what they were going to say, because Sarah’s very distracting. All the time.

But Sarah doesn’t even look very surprised — instead, she just smiles a little wider, brows knitting in curiosity. “I mean, you don’t have to ask. You can kiss me whenever.”

“Yeah, but—” Rookie has to stop for a moment, because their gaze is currently darting around wildly, looking at anything that isn’t Sarah’s pretty eyes and her handsome face. “I kinda gotta? Your mouth is, like, miles away from me.”

Sarah huffs out another breath of laughter at that, but Rookie doesn’t even have time to be offended by their own observation before she leans down to press a kiss to their lips, having to stoop under the brim of their cap to reach. It’s never as electric as books and films say it is, but instead it fills Rookie with a tingling sort of warmth that wipes away just about every thought they’ve ever had, and they nearly drop their handful of mince on the floor as Sarah pulls back, looking down at them with a thoughtful look.

“You’re right,” she concludes after a second. “You are miles away. It’s like trying to give a molerat a kiss.”

Rookie just glares as she starts to laugh again, and boy would she be regretting saying that if she wasn’t wearing steel-toed boots around the house! “Oh yeah? Well, trying to kiss you is like tryna kiss a super mutant. Maybe even a behemoth, if they had hair.”

At that, Sarah’s eyes go wide, and for the fraction of a second, Rookie actually worries they’ve offended her. Well, that is, until she opens her mouth again. “Wow, you’ve tried? Know thy enemy, I guess.”

Two days later, when Sarah’s complaining about the bruise that’s bloomed across her shin, Rookie doesn’t apologise even once. But that’s okay. It got her closer for kisses for a whole minute, at least.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Wet Sugar” [Part 17 of 30]

Summary: Erik considers a different life...

NSFW. Mature Audience. Smut.

"Twistin', kissin', lifted off of your vision Got me on my knees, you're my religion Speakin' tongues all on your body, no one's listenin' Tap out on you, that's a submission, know you give in? Can't let no time go wasted This moment, can't replace it Sittin' around so lazy Comfortably, we'll fade away…"

Lucky Daye- "Roll Some Mo"

He saw her come home.

With Zachary.

The tension in his face and the accusatory tone in his voice upset her. The high she was on from having him back, having him in her arms again crashed down around her as she saw a glint of anger in his eyes.

"Don't be vex."

"I'm not. I’m asking a simple question."

"You saw he gave me a ride home. I was upset about you being gone. He probably wanted to make sure I was—"

"Nah, he was tryna take advantage of the situation."

Sydette toddled around them both, swinging her doll baby and grabbing for Erik's leg then Yani's. She tossed the doll into the air.

"Mama..Baba…look!"

Yani watched her daughter move around them. She felt the binding of small knots forming in her stomach. The same type of knots she would get when Chez used to accuse her of cheating or flirting or doing anything he deemed inappropriate.

The more niggas changed the more they stayed the same.

She normally checked the security feeds first thing in the morning, and totally forgot about it once she was in Erik's arms again. Zachary meant no harm. She was sure of that. But she also got the feeling that Zachary had grown a pair since their last encounter because he didn't act intimidated by Erik.

"I thought you were dead."

"I know I was gone long. But you just jumped to me being dead so quick?"

He inched closer to her. Sydette's hand held onto his leg.

"I didn't know what to think. Klaue…I've heard him talk of his men being killed after they leave here. You told me bad things happen."

His eyes softened.

"Zachary listened to me. I told him how I was feeling…he listened to me. That's all. I was in a bad way and he listened to me express my fears. I didn't ask him to come back here."

"He should've called you. I don't want him coming up here like that. Shit ain't cool. Why you shaking your head?"

"Mi no child. You talkin' to me like mi Sweet Pea or Bam…like I'm not a grown-ass woman. Acting like you scared of him. Like him come up here and steal mi away—"

Yani tilted her neck.

"Yuh think that, Killmonger?"

Her voice went up an octave and Erik's eyes shifted away from hers and his lips formed a serious pout.

"Serious?"

Yani sucked her teeth and reached out to stroke his cheek. He pulled back from her and glanced down at Sydette who kept patting his leg to get his attention.

For true.

He was worried.

"I ever give you cause for concern?"

His eyes finally settled back on her face.

"Nah. But you didn't have to kiss him."

"It was nothing. A simple thank you. For listenin'. For gettin' mi home safe."

She stepped closer to him and lifted her head up. Her lips touched his, light as a feather.

"That's all it was."

His eyes were closed when she pulled back.

"But mi kiss you like this."

Yani touched his cheek again, then ran her fingers through his hair before she pulled his face down close to hers.

Searing. Wet. Open-mouthed. Tongues dancing.

Yani felt her daughter's hand touch her knee. She pulled back from Erik and his body leaned forward to follow her when she did. His hands cradled her face as he dove back into her mouth.

Shit.

He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Dragging her nails softly along the nape of his neck, Erik's lips enchanted her. Enticed her. Made her push back on the red flags she was feeling when he questioned her at the front gate.

She leaned back from his face and his eyes were still closed.

"Mama, up!"

Yani glanced down at her baby and Sydette had her arms reaching for the sky.

"I got you baby girl," Erik said.

He let Yani drop back down to her bare feet and he leaned down to raise Sydette up.

"Hungry?" he asked Sydette.

"Yes!"

"C'mon, let's make your Mama breakfast and then we can go swim. Okay?"

Head nodding vigorously, Sydette pointed to the floor.

"Bring baby," she said.

"You want your baby to cook with us?"

"Yes!"

Yani picked it up from the floor and handed it to Sydette. She watched Erik waltz away with her daughter and for a moment she thought of joining them. But she wanted to get to her phone first.

Slipping into the master bedroom, Yani snatched her phone from the nightstand. Swiped quickly.

"Yani—"

"What were you doing back here?"

She could hear Zachary still driving in his car.

"Checking on you. That man staying there with you?"

"He works for my boss."

"That's the dude from that night. The one you drove home with—"

"Yeah—"

"He's your man?"

Silence.

"He's the one you were cryin' about? The one who ghosted you?"

"He came home last night."

"Came home?"

Yani rubbed her forehead.

"You moved on fast then. I didn't have a chance."

"You left me, Zachary. I wanted to be with you."

"I was stupid. I should've had you stay."

"You can't come over here again."

"He tell you that?"

Yani couldn't answer. She stared at her reflection in the wall mirror.

"If it don't work out, I want another chance."

"Zachary—"

"I'll wait for you, Yani."

Him so sweet. Still.

Had he been that way on that night, taken his lumps and let her nurse him back, maybe they would've been a real couple.

She could smell frying meat and the rich aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. Her stomach growled. Famished.

"I gotta go."

"Call me sometime. Just to talk or whatever. No pressure."

"Okay."

She hung up.

The walk into the kitchen had her feeling antsy, but when she saw Sydette sitting on the kitchen island watching Erik make the waffle batter, her little doll baby cradled in her chunky arm, Yani felt like the choice had been made for her as to who she was supposed to be with.

"What is this?" Erik asked Sydette.

"Ah egg."

"Where do we put it?"

Sydette pointed to her belly and Erik laughed.

"How we gonna make the waffles without the egg, Sweet Pea?"

Erik cracked several eggs against the mixing bowl and quickly stirred in milk and cinnamon with a touch of vanilla extract. Sydette watched him whip up the batter and he let her stick her finger in and taste the concoction.

"Good?" he asked.

She wiggled her hips.

"Good," she answered.

"Alright, we are ready to pour this on the griddle…hey, baby."

His eyes took Yani in.

"Hey. Smells good in here."

"Bacon and sausage…do me a favor, take that coffee off for me…hold on Sweet Pea, you'll be eating soon."

"Ova there," Sydette said reaching for him.

Yani picked up Sydette and carried her over to the griddle so she could watch Erik pour in the batter and close the waffle maker lid. Her daughter's eyes were fascinated with the liquid pouring over the deep squares, and there was a look of delight when Erik lifted it back up to reveal thick fluffy waffles and not wet batter.

Erik heard Yani's stomach grumble. He grinned.

"Almost done."

"I'm not rushing you."

Yani put Sydette on the floor and handed her a few napkins to carry.

"Take that to the table outside."

Yani grabbed the plates and silverware Erik had on the island and followed her daughter out onto the porch.

She set the small table that they used to eat on and helped Sydette put the napkins next to each plate.

"Get you in your chair, c'mon…"

Erik brought out a serving tray for the meat and a platter of waffles. Yani retrieved butter and syrup.

Their breakfast was pleasant and she couldn't stop staring at Erik. His eyes were bright and playful and he carried on a full conversation with Sydette who kept trying to out-talk him. He was so focused on Sweet Pea that she was able to take in his dangerous beauty. His smiles made her tingle all over, especially when his dimples popped in and out. He had trimmed his beard and mustache giving his face a polished look. When he looked at her there was a sense of peace in his eyes. He was home. With them. She could breathe again.

Yani reached out and touched his hair.

"Lemme, do this for you later," she said. He nodded.

They cleaned up breakfast, changed into swimwear, and walked down to the cove together. Yani carried a book bag, blankets and some coverage for Sydette.

"Bustin' outta that shit girl."

He caressed her breasts inside her bikini top and she slapped at his hands.

Sydette walked in front of them, stopping every few feet to pick up rocks and then broken shells.

"Take that out of your mouth. Not candy," Yani said pushing away a tiny corkscrew shell that Sydette held up to her mouth.

Water in sight, Sydette took off running with Erik right behind her. She fell in the water and Erik helped her back up, while Yani smoothed out two big blankets and the small pop up tent on the sand in a shaded spot.

"Hold on," Erik said.

"'kay," Sydette responded.

Erik held Sydette and waded out to his chest before he let her go. Yani felt proud at how well her daughter could tread before she was dog-paddling to hold onto Erik's neck again. She joined them and they frolicked in the water a long time until Sydette grew weary.

Back on land she and Erik watched the baby play in the sand until it got too warm and she grew sleepy. Yani placed Sydette inside the pop-up tent in the shade and zipped it shut to keep mosquitoes away from her.

Sprawled out next to Erik, Yani stared up at the sky with him, the sun hot but not scorching yet. His hand reached over and held hers.

"I'm sorry."

Erik's voice was small.

"Sorry for what?"

"Sorry I couldn't contact you. Sorry for questioning you about Zachary. I wish I could tell you everything about my life, but it isn't safe. At least not now. I wish we could stay like this forever—"

"But we could. Leave Klaue."

"I can't. Not yet…"

Yani watched a slow cloud drift in a lazy swirl across the sky before she closed her eyes. She wished he could stay with them forever. He was there with them for a little longer. That would have to be enough.

###

Erik turned his head on the blanket to stare at Yani. Her eyes were closed and her face was relaxed. Her skin was sun-bronzed to a rich hue.

This could be his life.

Erik imagined them getting their own little house on another hill somewhere. He could work on the island while she became a nurse. They could raise Sydette together. He could bring them to Oakland to meet his grandpop, or take them to D.C. to see his play Uncle Bakari and Aunt Shavonne. There was London and his play Aunt Serah and Uncle Addae. He could take them to Brazil, teach Sydette capoeira with his play cousin Marisol…

He could live a life. A real one. He could have what his parents never had.

He shocked his own mind with his other thoughts.

A child.

He could have a child with her. His very own. He could give Sydette a sibling.

His eyes trailed up and down Yani's body.

The idea sprouted.

Yani carrying his child.

Their lovemaking was already intense and often beyond wild, but what would it feel like to intentionally want to place his seed in her womb to take root?

Blood rushed to his manhood.

What would she look like with a swollen belly that he caused?

He could taste his own baby's milk first.

He could cook for her and his child.

He could make Sydette his.

A family.

He could have it.

"Whew..getting hot now. I'm going in the water…what?" she said.

Yani sat up rubbing her arm, her skin darker. She moved to get off of the blanket but he pulled her arm toward him.

He sought out her mouth and when they connected, he pushed her back onto the blanket. His lips burned with the need to keep her close, and when he heard her groaning, his tongue went deeper. He shifted above her and her legs opened allowing him to rest his erection on her mound. He held his weight up with his hands as he continued ravishing her mouth, his full lips overpowering her into submission.

His fingers slid to untie her bikini bottom. He wasted little time plucking off her top and letting her heavy breasts go free.

Releasing her lips, he sat back on his knees and looked down at her vulva.

So fat. So juicy. Her inner labia wings plump and wide open for him.

He pulled off his trunks and her eyes flicked over to the baby's beach tent.

"She's fine," he said.

Pushing her thighs wide open he felt his mouth water. Her eyes gazed down at his thick shaft and he stroked it for her. Her lips quirked.

"Killmonger."

His eyes blinked hard, her voice bending him. He prayed to God that she would never say his name like that when she begged him to quit his life with Klaue. All his years of preparation and sacrifice could go up in smoke. It almost happened once, but he forged ahead, never thinking another woman could ever put him in that position again.

He squeezed the tip of his dick, let her see how hard he was for her. His body was on fire and it took little time for his pre-cum to spill out. He slid it up and down his rigid cock, and when he had it fat and glistening, he tapped it gently on her clit.

"Oh!"

Her gasp made his balls jump.

He sank down and pressed his lips into her folds, her legs reaching up to the blue sky. Smacking his lips, he spit on her clit and traced an infinity sign with his tongue up and down her wet pussy. Moaning her name while he drank from her center, he felt the growing need to enter her. He raised above her again and nibbled on her earlobes, running the tip of his tongue along the shell. "Yani," he whispered.

Her moans of pleasure tickled his ears and made his dick bob with desperate anticipation.

"Still love me?" he asked.

Yani's fingers reached up and gripped his erection and they both watched the pooling of pre-sum seep from his slit. Her touch was electric and Erik lined himself up with her throbbing opening and rested his glans there. All her juicy pink flowered open with sticky abandon.

A life with her.

Putting life in her.

"Ooohh…." she moaned.

Yani's hips buckled when he pressed into her, stretching her opening, his girth pushing in slow inch by inch. His hands caressed her breasts and when his dick bottomed out, he gave slow deep thrusts.

Big thighs slick with sweat, breasts pliant in his hands, her hips winding and her pussy surrounding his shaft tight, Erik couldn't help but moan and groan as he pumped into her with a purpose.

"Damn, Yani…fuck me baby…fuck me…"

His eyes felt like liquid as his strokes were hitting their mark, Yani's head whipping back and forth from the sensations he gave her. Rich gushy sounds came from their joining, and when his fingers pinched her nipples, thoughts of impregnating her ran wild in his head again.

"Oh shit!" he cried out when she lifted her legs higher and held them with her hands.

They could hear his balls smacking her cheeks and her pussy was creaming on his dick. Looking down he could see her juices coating his long shaft, the glossy slickness making him slip and hit the side of her walls. He was working her pussy hard and her back was jammed down onto the blanket and on the sand underneath. Her fingernails raked at a few keloids on his arms, and the sensation was both pleasurable and a little painful.

Her eyes held his in a powerful gaze when he locked her legs around him. He wanted to flood her womb. Swiveling his hips, he hit another side of her tight walls and she yelped with surprise when he sank further in. He was hitting her cervix and he pressed deeper to get his spongy tip right against it.

"Killmonger…God…my pussy," she whimpered.

Her arms wrapped around his neck and his eyes traced the horizon of the sea before him.

How was this possible?

To be here like that with her and wanting to make a baby?

Him.

A baby.

His fucked up life and past. His brutal work and destruction across the globe. His burning rage for revenge and putting King T'Chaka and Prince T'Challa deep in the dirt of his father's homeland. He was going to be a King one day soon. He was going to shake up the world.

Now was not the time to make a child. It was time for plotting. A time for taking. Not making.

But her eyes were on him, those eyes that made him weak every time he looked at her damn face. Fucking Yani.

Why the fuck did she have to be swimming naked in the sea that day? Why did she have to be here? She twisted up everything, spun him out of control. Made him question his whole life trajectory.

"Shit!" he yelled.

He pumped harder into her, a tinge of anger heating his thrusts. She was fucking up his mental state. She was fucking up his legacy. He had gotten past it with Disa, but this beautiful bitch taking his thick dick right under him was dragging him back into uncertainty.

"You take this fucking dick, baby…look at you taking this big dick!" he shouted.

He lifted up and pinned his fists onto the blanket and slammed his erection into her. Her breasts bounced wildly and her thick cheeks smacked so loud against him. She was uttering sounds that had him on edge and ready to spill his cum so deep inside of her.

"Yeah…yeah…I know you missed Daddy's dick…I see how you acting wit it. Pussy swallowing my shit…"

He wanted to create something precious with her.

For once give life instead of snatching it away.

Yani's arms clutched him tight, her body submitting to his desire for her.

"Baby…got my balls soaked!"

Blood thundered in his ears and face. He felt his nuts tighten, along with the cords in his neck.

"I missed you so much Killmonger…"

Her face was angelic, her plump lips parted and so ready for more sloppy wet kisses.

"I'ma nut so deep in your pussy, Yani…so fucking deep."

His groin was soaked with her fluid and more sticky juices flowed out from her pussy. He couldn't keep his eyes from watching his shaft sink in and out of her with wet sounds erupting with each pump. How was this girl getting wetter? His throat grew tight and his moans were more drawn out until he sounded like a child whining for more candy. It made Yani squeeze her eyes shut and her pussy tightened around him more.

"Oh, fucking take it…take it…oh yeah…take this fucking dick…give it to me baby. Give me that pussy…fuck…you so good…open those fucking legs wider for me…just like that…I want you to cum on this dick. Cum on your dick, baby."

Yani's eyes were open and staring at his cock ramming into her. Three goddamn weeks away from her. He made her cry and think he was dead. He opened up a door that Zachary thought he could slip into.

Zachary.

Erik rested his eyes on Yani's face.

What if he had been gone longer? Would she have let Zachary back into her life? Moved on and he'd be left to mourn another failed love?

The look in Zachary's eyes let Erik know that he would be on the sidelines waiting for his chance to be with Yani. He was bold enough to tell Yani to call him in front of Erik's face.

The thought of that young pup being on top of Yani irked the shit out of him. He'd been that way once himself-wanting a girl who was with someone—and letting her know he was there when she got tired of the bullshit.

"This my pussy, right?"

He flexed his back muscles and shifted his weight to bear down on her. Her soft sighs made the hair on his neck raise.

"Tell me," he pleaded.

"It's yours…"

The arch in his back dipped more as he plunged to the root of his dick and held her hands down against her sides with his own. His thighs held her legs wide open. He was ready to cum. But he wanted her to climax first so he could witness her pleasure before his own.

"Erik…"

Fuck.

She said his name like it was a supplication, an entreaty to his soul. The lump in his throat made him bite his lip as he felt the small prick of tears form in his eyes. The weight of his dick tugged on her clit and he saw it pulling the hood down. She was so swollen around him. His woman.

A wave crashed on the beach and Erik watched a wide swathe of water snake its way closer to their blankets. The mid-day tide moved in fast around the cove.

He moved slow but pressed hard inside of her.

Lips touched and he slathered her mouth with slow wet kisses that punctuated the slow deep thrusts he gave her engorged folds. He vacillated between kissing and plunging balls deep into her until Yani's heated body catapulted him beyond what he could handle.

"Shit…oh shit…girl…"

The first hot spurts of his semen released and he gasped along with her as he felt her walls spasm along his brick-hard length. It felt like a tight rippling of several soft wet lips sucking him off in an even rhythm along his shaft.

"Yani!"

He clutched her hands tight and pushed his glans deeper so he could get against her cervix…wanting to drench her womb with all of his seed.

Have my child.

Yani's breasts heaved against his hot sweaty chest and a splash of seawater hit the back of her head. She lifted up by clinging to his shoulders, the drops of water trickling down from her scalp, and for a single moment of time, Erik thought she knew what he was trying to do. Her legs squeezed around his ass and her sweet shouts of his name made him release even more semen.

Panting and holding her against him, so deep down in her pussy, Erik watched the sea once more.

He thought of his father.

His mother.

Was this what it was like for them when they made him?

Did they just decide to create him even if they knew that things might not be the way they wanted it to be?

Did they even suspect the ending that befell them was a possibility?

Erik wiped the tears from his eyes before Yani saw them.

To want something and know you couldn't have it was killing him.

He rested easy inside of her body until he felt his penis become flaccid and he pulled out from her. Yani laid back onto the damp blanket, not caring about water rushing around her head.

His Black mermaid.

Sated.

Her pussy full of his hot essence.

Her thighs fell open and he could see how much he put in her. Thick pearly white cum sat in the entrance of her wet pink slit. When he thumbed her opening, she took her fingers and held it open for him to see.

"Fuck, girl."

Dipping two fingers into her, he felt how much he put in Yani. She was full of him. He bent over her and kissed every inch of her, stopping at her soft round belly, his lips hesitant to release her.

She played with her breasts for him until the water got to be too much. She jumped up and peed near a shrub, then moved over to Sydette's tent.

Erik slipped on his trunks and folded up the soaked blankets. Sydette fretted from being woken up.

"Hold her for me," Yani said.

He watched her pack up the tent and her bookbag, and he handed her the baby in exchange for the bag and blankets. He felt his dick thicken again as he watched her walk back up to the main house naked, big hips swaying, cheeks jiggling, tits bouncing…

Sydette fell back to sleep, her head rested on Yani's shoulder.

His throat grew tight again following them.

His beautiful woman. His precious little girl.

Mine.

###

Four times.

He fucked her four times that day.

His return and his encounter with Zachary changed Erik.

Yani felt it on the beach when he made love to her. The sex was way different. Like he had something to prove. As the tide rolled in for the afternoon, his release triggered an intense climax from her. Cumming together was always a special treat, but the way he growled her name in her ear after his loud shouts made her heart skip.

She read a new book while he surfed the net, and after they ate a late lunch and Yani fed the baby, they showered together and she dropped to her knees to suck him off before he had her up against the glass shower door taking her hard and fast from behind. She washed his hair with her cherry herbal shampoo and they sat out on the porch with him sitting between her legs as she palm rolled his locs.

Sydette came running out with her doll baby and sat down in front of him watching Yani separate new growth and conjoined locs.

Fingers dipping into the homemade loc butter she made, Yani was gentle with Erik's scalp.

"Hold this Sweat Pea," Yani said allowing her daughter to hold the container of loc butter.

Erik's hair was soft at the root and course at the tips. She gently pushed his head down and dipped a finger into the jar Sydette held. When she separated some new growth, she noticed a patch of hair that was lighter in color. A coppery reddish-brown. Almost auburn.

"Did you dye your hair before?"

"Nah."

"You have a patch of red hair."

"Birthmark. From my Mom. She had red hair. Black ginger."

Yani coated the hair with loc butter and let her soft palms roll over the strands until the new growth was twisted in neat against his scalp. The muscles in his back flexed as he held his head down for her. Sydette stuck her fingers in the hair cream and stood to wipe it on Erik's hair.

"Not too much," Yani said.

She took the jar from her daughter and placed it on the table near them and cornrowed the hair she had already tended to.

"Look at this girl," Yani said, still holding onto a loc.

She watched Erik lift his head up and look to his side.

Sydette had pulled aside her bikini top and was sucking on her nipple.

"Sweet Pea, let your Mama finish my hair first," he said.

Yani continued rolling the strands of Erik's hair as her daughter ignored her work and fed from her.

"What was your Mom like?"

Yani finished the last two locs on his scalp and Erik tilted his head back up. She lifted Sydette onto her lap and tucked her bikini top back over her breast.

Erik never said much about his family. Just that his parents were dead. He shared one picture of his mother with him when he was about three and that was it. He looked like her.

His eyes focused out on the water.

"She was…hmmm…my whole world. Had my Pops wrapped around her finger. Me too. She was powerful…loving. Funny. She used to make me and my father laugh so hard. She liked to cuss. She was a dancer in college. She taught me to fight and to dance. She was beautiful. Really beautiful. She had this big ass 'fro that looked like…fire. I wanted to be her so bad. We used to dance together a lot—"

"Oh yeah?"

"My father loved to watch my mother dance. I guess it was an aphrodisiac for him, but she always had music on in the house and once she got to rocking her hips…it was on. She was larger than life. Sharp tongue. Independent. You remind me of her sometimes."

His eyes glanced at her.

"I miss her. But that little patch of red in my hair, it's like she's with me, y'know? For always."

His eyes darted back to the sea.

She stroked the small patch of red in his hair and he took her fingers and kissed them.

"They would've loved this…my parents. This view is amazing."

He said no more about his mother. Or father. And Yani felt like she had pried open something too tender for him to talk about much further.

She rocked Sydette and watched the sea with him.

###

The two weeks after his return were the best times of Yani's life. They had a routine once more. She did whatever she wanted while he worked on whatever new project Klaue had him on. They spent time with her family, and even her parents came around to tolerating him.

Zachary still checked on her through social media and an occasional text message. She said nothing to Erik about it. He was happy. She was happy. Sydette blossomed with them both together.

All was well until her period didn't come on time.

Two days after her due date, Yani panicked.

Erik became so caught up in his work that he didn't really notice her falling apart.

She snuck away from the compound and bought a pregnancy kit, the most expensive kind on the market. She hid it in her purse and once she arrived at the compound, she stashed it in the middle house bathroom.

This couldn't be happening.

Again.

###

Chp. 18 Here

Tag List:

@fd-writes​ @soufcakmistress  @cherrystainedlipsbaby @tclaybon  @thadelightfulone

@allhailqueennel @bartierbakarimobisson @cpwtwot @shookmcgookqueen @yoyolovesbucky

@raysunshine78 @the-illllest @terrablaze514  @l-auteuse @amirra88 @jimizwidow @janelledarling

@chaneajoyyy @sweetestdream92 @purple-apricots @blackpinup22 @hennessystevens-udaku

@scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @bugngiz @stariamrry  @honeytoffee @meilintheempressofdreams

@tyees @eye-raq @writerbee-ffs

[zee-aka-pretty]

Hey now. I'm not the biggest Ben 10 fan out there, but those who grew up with that series would probably understand when I say;

Not having an omnitrix emoji on the official Android Keyboard is a crime.

[logancreatesworlds]

Black Folks Don’t Do That Shit (Pt. 2)

Author’s Note:  Hello everyone!  I know it’s been a while since I’ve published anything new.  But here is part 2!  Hope y’all like it!

Warnings:  All the vampirisms - creepiness, blood-drinking, etc.

Disclaimer:  None of the images used are mine.

You breathed peacefully as the smell of frying chicken wafted through the kitchen.

The closer it got to Halloween, the more it rained.

And yet, despite the chill in the air, your spirits were high and your heart was full.

Yet, a question - the question, weighed down on your mind.

“Smells good,” A familiar voice said.

You turned around to see Nakia walk into the kitchen.

“Really?  Thanks.  It’s my grandma’s recipe.”

“Your grandmother?  Interesting.  I wonder what other delicious things your family has created.”

“Well, grandma made a lot of recipes.  She had bananas foster, sweet potato pie...”

You turn to her.

“Oh, and pineapple upsidedown cake!”

Nakia looked at you with predatory eyes as his mouth twisted into a puckered smirk.

“What?”

“I wasn’t referring to food.”

Before you could reply, Ayo came in.

“Mr. Udaku has awoken, my lady.”

“Thank you,” Nakia said, dismissing her as quickly as she came.

“Mr. Udaku’s sleeping awfully late,” you commented, turning back to your cooking, “Is he okay?”

“He is fine.  Merely a small cold.”

“Explains why I haven’t met him yet.  But at least he likes my fried chicken.  I could fire up some soup if you like.”

“Would you?”

“Of course!”

“Thank you,” Nakia said gratefully.

Unbeknownst to you, as you fired up another stovetop, Nakia was looking at your ass.

_

Later that Evening

You quietly padded up to the stairs, a silver tray in your hands.

On it lied a bowl of crab soup, which steamed with spices, and a glass of orange juice.

Once you got to the top of the stairs, you walked down the hall up to the large red door.

Ayo, who had been standing at the door, gave you a slight nod and went to open it.

Yet, Nakia beat her to it.

“Ah (Y/N),” she greeted with a thousand-watt smile, “Come on in.  There is someone I’d like you to meet.”

You walked in, deliberately trying to miss her skimpy pink robe.  But to your surprise, Mr. Udaku was not in his bed.

“Where is he?”

Just then, a tall figure ghosted out of the large walk-in closet.

“Here,” he said, “You must be (Y/N).”

You almost gasped at how handsome he was.

6′0 tall, black, muscled and with eyes as deep as a panther in a nighttime jungle.

No wonder Nakia’s wearing that tiny ass robe.

Wait, you thought anxiously, Were he and Nakia fucking?!  Oh, shit shit shiiiit.  I need to go.

“Yes well,” you said, “It’s nice to finally meet you.  I um...got your soup.”

“How kind of you,” he replied, gliding past you and returning to bed, “You are...everything Nakia said you were.”

Damn, his accent is nice.

“Is that a good thing?”

“Is it, my love?”  Nakia asked, laying beside him.

T’Challa’s cat-like eyes looked you up and down with a dark approval and bit his lip, “Yes.  Very much so.”

“Isn’t she lovely?  Okoye found her at the farmer’s market.”

“The one always full of people.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Mhmm...”

She kissed that spot between his cheek and neck.

“(Y/N),” T’Challa said, “Would you mind turning around for me and giving me a little...spin?”

You furrowed your brow but nevertheless did as he asked.

“Mmmm perfect,” he purred.

“Glad I’m making a good impression,” you said wryly, “Where should I put your food?”

“On the table is fine.  That will be all.”

“Thank you,” Nakia called as you left.

You quietly padded out of the room.

God those two are weird.  Oh well.  At least they pay well.

_

The Day Before Halloween

“Yes mom I’m safe,” you assured as you held your cellphone closer, “Stop worrying so much.”

“I know I just...,” she sighed, “Are you sure you trust this couple you’re workin’ for?”

“Yeah!  They pay me 17$ an hour even when I’m cooking, free room and board with all the fixings and when I do cook I get to wear my PJs.  What more could a girl want?”

“Exactly.  They’re being awfully generous.  This just rubs me the wrong way.  They could be tryna do something to you.  They could be tryna keep you as some sorta sex slave.”

You busted out laughing, “Mom, please.  You’re overreacting.  Black folks don’t do that shit.  Plus I like it.  They’re a little weird but...they’re nice.  I feel...like I’m at home.”

“You have a home,” she said, a little hurt, “With me and Sunny, remember?”

“Yeah...of course,” you lied, “Listen I uh...gotta go.  I’ll call you later okay?”

“Alright.  I love you.”

“Love you too.”

You hung up and quietly sat on your bed, shivering as you caved into yourself.

You would never have a home, not with that man.

Then, a couple minutes later...

KNOCK.  KNOCK.

“(Y/N)?  (Y/N) are you in there?”  Nakia asked.

“Yeah.  Yeah, I am,” you said, sitting up and trying to look presentable, “Come on in.”

“Forgive me for the intrusion,” she said as she came in, melodious and beautiful as ever, “I just wanted to see if you were alright?”

“Yeah.  Of course, I am!”  You chirped, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“No particular reason.  It’s just that sometimes we spend so much of our lives caring for others, we forget that we need people to care about us.  So I ask you...”

She sits down beside you.

“Are you okay?”

You breathe real rough, “Actually...no, no I’m not.”

“What’s wrong?”  She asked, cascading an arm over you.

Your head fit perfectly into her neck.

“It’s...it’s hard to talk about.”

“Well, you don’t have to hide things from me.  And it is unhealthy to keep things bottled up.  Besides,” she said, tipping your chin up so you could meet her eyes, “You can tell me anything.”

Her breath smelled like mint and something else metallic that you couldn’t place.

Yet, she was so...hypnotizing.

“I um...,” your mind was getting clouded, “I’ll tell you later tonight.  During dinner?”

“Sure.”

“And I’m sure Mr. Udaku wants to join us.  We could have dinner - just the three of us?”

“Of course,” Nakia said with a smile, “It’s like you read my mind.”

_

You hummed softly to Lizzo’s BET performance of Truth Hurts as you skimmed down the sauces aisle looking for Auntie Mae’s Barbecue Sauce.

You needed it for the ribs.

You bit your lit and nodded as her flute screeched in your ears.

You didn’t know why everything seemed to be falling into place.

Maybe it was the weather, the season?

You smiled.

No, you thought, This new job is good for me.

“Miss,” a voice said, “Can I help you find something?”

You turned around to see a store attendant eyeing you.

“No thanks,” you replied, “I’m good.”

“Are you sure?  Because I can help you find anything you need-”

“She said she was fine,” a familiar voice growled.

You looked over your shoulder and there they were.

“Uh s-sorry sir,” the attendant said nervously as T’Challa glared him down.

“Perhaps you should listen better,” Nakia hissed, her brown eyes narrowing.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Get out of our sight,” T’Challa snarled.

He stalked toward the man slowly, as if he was ready to pounce.

“Yes, sir.  R-right away sir.”

As soon as the man was gone, the pair sunk back to normal and began chuckling.

“You two are wrong for that,” you said with an amused smile.

“Oh come on,” Nakia laughed, clutching her pink trench coat collar, “That was too funny.”

“Yes,” T’Challa agreed, “And he was asking for it anyway.”

“What are you two doing out anyway?”

“Well T’Challa needed some air and we wanted to surprise you.”

“How did you even know where I was?”  You asked, plucking your desired bottle of sauce from the aisle.

“This store carries the finest ingredients in town.  We figured you’d be here.  Now, come.  Let us live this day to the fullest and return home.  I am famished.”

_

The three of you laughed as you walked in through the front door, caramel apples and grocery bags in hand.

“And she told me she tried to twerk,” Nakia said, busting out laughing, “Can you believe it, a Nordic woman trying to twerk?  My goodness.”

“I’m upset you didn’t get it on camera,” T’Challa guffawed.

“Y’all are crazyyyyyy,” you giggle, “Now go relax.  I gotta cook dinner.”

The two relax as you unpack the food, wash it and turn it into a culinary masterpiece over the span of a few hours.

“Dinner’s ready!”  You called once everything was done.

_

“My dear this is so delicious,” T’Challa commented as the three of you dined on ribs, mac and cheese, yams and collard greens.

“I agree,” Nakia purred, “The ribs are not too tough and the greens don’t have all that damned ham stuffed into it.”

“Yeah my mom always used to do that when I was younger,” you said, “I hated it.  So I promised myself I’d learn how to make my own greens.”

“Thank Bast for promises,” T’Challa said, sipping his wine.

“Bast?”

“Mhmm.  Bast is the goddess of all things good.  She is a being of protection, love, and comfort.”

“I thought she was the goddess of cats.”

He chuckles, “Yes.  Cats too.”

“That’s cool!  Have you studied Egyptian mythology before?”

T’Challa smiled, “Let’s just say I know a lot.”

You furrowed your brow but soon forgot your confusion when Nakia ran to the fridge.

“I am so glad you came to us (Y/N),” she chirped, “You do not know how long we’ve been waiting for someone like you.”

“Someone like me?”

“Mhmm,” Nakia answered, returning with a glass of wine, “Someone who would make us whole again - make this family whole again.”

“I thought I was just your chef,” you said as Nakia popped the cork and filled your glass.

“Oh no my dear,” she said, “You are much more than that.”

“But...aren’t you two happy together?”

“Of course!”  T’Challa confirmed.

“But you weren’t whole?”

“No,” Nakia answered.

Your brow furrowed again, “I’m confused.”

A peaceful looked crossed her face, and the dark-skinned woman then grabbed your hand in a warm grip.

“Love does not always just happen between two people.  It is eternal and in a thousand different directions,” she explained, “What is between T’Challa and me is only a third of the relationship the three of us share.”

“This,” she gestures between the two of you, “Is unique and priceless, and it has made T’Challa and I better people.”

“Wow,” you thoughtfully as you took a sip of wine, “I never thought a friendship could be so important.”

“Not a friendship, darling,” T’Challa corrected.

“Then what?”

Then, it hit you - a wave of dizziness.

“Oh,” you moaned, clutching your head, “Shit.”

“Are you alright, (Y/N)?”  T’Challa asked, his eyes turning red, “You look a bit dizzy, my love.”

“Oh don’t tease her T’Challa,” Nakia chastised, “She’s already been through enough.”

The second wave hit.  It was enough to make you knock your glass over.

A scream tried to make its way out of your mouth, but even that took too much energy.  As a result, you said two small words.

“Help...somebody...”

“Shh,” Nakia soothed, “Go to sleep now.  Everything is alright.  Rest.”

The last thing you saw before the darkness came was the crimson shine in her eyes.

_

And that is all for now everyone!  I’m so glad I finally updated.  It’s been forever since I’ve written.  Enjoy!

@macfizzle  @wakanda-inspired  @bribrisback  @kumkaniudaku  @black-is-beautiful18  @weasleyginerva @kissesbooboo @supersizemeplz @chaneajoyyy @dreamingoftchalla  @lavitabella87  @pastelpanda19  @chocolatemonkeyrainbows @blackreaders-assemble @blackmissfrizzle  @laketaj24 @eerythingisshaka @blackgirloneshots  @sisterwifeudaku  @destinio1  @pocmarvelworks  @black-mcu-imagines  @black-is-beautiful18  @inlovewithmakeupcomicsanimelove  @wakandalivesforever  @iwrite4poc  @siriuslycollins  @wakandas-vibranium  @100kindsofblake  @muse-of-mbaku  @naturally-bri  @helperofthenight  @dumbchick  @sweettea-and-honeybutter  @drsunshine97  @pastelastronomy24  @plussizeappreciationfics  @royallyprincesslilly  @afro-royalty  @tenaciousarcadeexpert  @shinyanchorface  @scarlettlullaby16 @hennessystevens-udaku @stark-red19 @marvelheaux @valynsia

[buckysmetallicstump]

Side to Side

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Word Count: 1293

Summary: With your loud music playing, you wake Bucky up in the middle of the day but the song seems to grow on him.

Warnings: Implied Smut, bad writing

A/N – As you can tell, I haven’t been as active on this blog so I’m still getting into the rhythm of writing Bucky again. I apologise again.

A/N 2 – This is my entry for my girl @caplansteverogers #caplansongficchallenge – and to use the prompt Side to Side – Ariana Grande – I hope you like it even though I think it’s a pile of crap.

I'm talkin' to ya

See you standing over there with your body

Feeling like I wanna rock with your body

And we don't gotta think 'bout nothin' ('bout nothin')

I'm comin' at ya

'Cause I know you got a bad reputation

Doesn't matter, 'cause you give me temptation

And we don't gotta think 'bout nothin' ('bout nothin')

Dancing around your kitchen, the music was blasting out as loud as you could get it. You forgot that you didn’t live alone, causing a grouchy, grumpy Bucky to stumble out of the bedroom that the two of you had shared.

I've been here all night

I've been here all day

And boy, got me walkin' side to side

I've been here all night

I've been here all day

And boy, got me walkin' side to side (side to side)

You pulled open the pancake mix and tossed it into a bowl, wiggling your hips at the same time Ariana Grande sang the chorus of Side to Side. When the milk and the rest of the wet ingredients were mixed in properly, you grabbed a ladle and set the frying pan on the heated stove.

‘Urgh, would ya turn it down!’ Bucky shouted over the noise. ‘It’s the freaking morning!’

Glancing at the watch on your wrist, you confirmed your suspicions when you saw that it was 1:37 in the afternoon.

‘It’s PM not AM, you ass.’ You hollered over the vibrating speaker system, walking over and turning it down so he would quit whining about the noise in the kitchen.

‘What is she even talking about? Rocking from side to side? Is that a sex joke that I’m not comprehending? I don’t-’ Bucky’s confusion made you laugh.

‘It has many interpretations but yeah sex could be one of them.’

Been tryna hide it

Baby, what's it gonna hurt if they don't know?

Makin' everybody think that we solo

Just as long as you know you got me (you got me)

And boy I got ya

Cause tonight I'm making deals with the devil

And I know it's gonna get me in trouble

Just as long as you know you got me

‘We should have sex to this song. It’s got a good rhythm.’ He simply said, not looking at you in your eyes and walking past you to make himself some coffee, the strong kind.

Rolling your eyes at his bluntness, you set yourself back to work on the pancake mixture, the pan slowly heating enough for you to ladle on the mix into the pan and instantly the aroma wafted through the kitchen and into your nose. It wasn’t often that you had a normal day where you didn’t have any assignments or missions to take care of. You could be in a place that was just you and Bucky, a place where the two of you could relax until the world needed saving from another alien invasion, probably tomorrow or later on today but for now you were going to domesticate your lives and pray that you could just eat your pancakes in peace with your man by your side. Well as much peace as you could when you thought about how loud Bucky could get when he eats sometimes.

Bucky moaned at the taste of the coffee on his taste buds. Your jaw dropped when he sighed, signaling that he was finished, he never ceased to amaze you that he could drink a scolding hot cup of coffee and not be affected but then you thought that it could have something to do with the super soldier serum that was running through his body. He moved onto making himself a second cup and proceeding to make you your third one of the day.

The music – still playing – seemed to have an affect on your body. You dipped and rotated your hips, Ariana taking over your body and making you move to her beat.

Bucky, this time, took a sip of his hot beverage and set it on the countertop where he had left yours. Taking a spatula, you checked the underside of the pancake to see its golden brown colour that had been left behind. With a nod of your head, you deemed that side of the pancake done and flipped so that the other side could cook.

Thankfully, the pancakes stacked up pretty quickly and you and Bucky could munch of the syrup drenched goodness.

Walking over to the docking station, you hit the replay button before the song could end. Finishing your small stack, you danced over to Bucky, tearing off a piece of his pancake and popping it into your mouth with a groan. He whined at your fast actions, you stealing some food off of his plate was normal but when it was the first thing that happened after Bucky had awoken.

It’s a dangerous thing; to mess with Bucky’s food but you would take that chance.

As you were about to head on back to the kitchen to clean up but Bucky had grabbed your arm to stop you from moving any further away from him.

‘What did you just do?’ Bucky’s voice held a sternness but a teasing measure to it too.

Disgustingly, you opened your mouth and showed him the remnants of the pancake that you hadn’t swallowed, ‘I ate some of your pancake, you want it back?’ With a full mouth, your words came in a jibberish jumble. You didn’t give him anytime to answer before you were chewing the last of it and swallowing it down with your coffee. Grabbing onto his hand, you slowly walked backwards, dragging him along with you.

Linking your fingers together, you brought his to your hips and wiggled them. The words holding a meaning of the formation of yours and Bucky’s relationship.

These friends keep talkin' way too much

Say I should give you up

‘I’m glad I didn’t.’ You whispered so quietly you thought you had to repeat it just in case he missed it as the song faded out of your ears, Bucky’s breath fanning over your neck as your feet slowed.

He hummed, low in his throat, the lack of words exchanged between you taking a toll on him. ‘And what's that, Y/N/N?’

Pulling away from him, you drug your fingertips over his growing stubble, sweetly smiling at him and his furrowed brows. ‘Not listening to the rest of them, not giving up on you.’

‘Me too. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without you.’ He says sincerely, with love hinted in his eyes.

You can’t help but ruin the moment.

‘You’d probably be with Steve talking about how cool your new arm is.’

‘Shut up, ya little shit. In all seriousness, although I didn’t like the way we met,’ he gives you a glare with a squint in his eyes, still feeling your heel in his neck. ‘I’m glad you listened to Steve when he told you not to murder me.’

‘Eh, you were cute. And you were struggling to breathe, kinda made me a little happy, a little tingly on the inside.’ You winked at him, licking your lips and pulling your bottom lip between your teeth.

‘Gee, thanks, Y/N.’

‘No problem.’ You smiled again, one that was toothy and cheeky.

Bucky shook his head and rolled his eyes, wrapping his arm around your waist and hoisting you up in his arms. He ambled over to where your phone and speaker were, holding them in one hand as the other held you up. Bucky was a man on a mission and you had a feeling you were going to live out his recently configured fantasy of having sex to the song that had woken him up past one PM.

Lemme know what you think…

 @thorne93  @winterboobaer @becaamm @you-know-whodoesthat-crazypeople @jotink78  @shifutheshihtzu @hymnofthevalkyrie @capsheadquaters  @kurosaki224-new-blog @emilyevanston @themcuhasruinedme  @goody2shoessmut @vibranium-arm @feelmyroarrrr @redlipstickandplaid  @sometimes-iwrite-blog  @caplansteverogers @mizzezm @brandybucky @howlingbarnes  @winter-in-wakanda @jesspfly @skybinx-blog @capnbbarnes  @buckyappreciationsociety @aubzylynn @notsoprettykitty @lilasiannerd @muliermalefici @melconnor2007 @emoryhemsworth @cojootromuelle  @thing-you-do-with-that-thing

[animegirl266]

Learn to Let Go|| Corbyn Besson||Daniel Seavey|| Why Don’t We Imagine

When Corbyn and Christina break up, he turns to you for support.

“Can we, we keep, keep each other company? Oooh company.” You sing as you dance around the kitchen, making dinner. The Why Don’t We house’s kitchen is so much bigger than your apartment’s, it’s surreal to you. You turn towards the stove, frying the beef for the tacos you’re making, still singing and dancing to your favorite Justin Bieber song. When you turn around, you find your boyfriend, Daniel recording you on his phone, smiling ear to ear. 

“Daniel! I swear, that better not be Instagram.” you growl, extremely embarrassed. 

“No, no. It’s actually Snapchat. Much worse.” He laughs. You launch yourself at him trying to snag his phone, but he holds it up above his head, far out of your reach. You even try reaching it by jumping, which makes Daniel laugh even harder. 

“Stop laughing at me! Give it!” You groan, blushing intensely.

“Babe, I think you’re burning the beef.” You spin around to the stove where a small plume of smoke is swirling the pan. 

“Crap!” You rush over and turn down the heat, finding that only the bottom was burnt. Daniel comes up behind you and wraps his arms around your waist, hugging you tightly. Just then the front door opens and slams, making the walls shake. 

Corbyn appears from around the corner, making a beeline for the stairs. “You okay, bro?” Daniel asks, but is completely ignored. He looks at you and all you can do is shrug. For all the years that Corbyn has been your best friend, you’ve never seen him act like that. 

You serve up fulling stuffed tacos to four out of five of the band, all of them making some kind of noise to convey their gratitude. “Tastes great!” Zach shouts, stuffing the taco into his mouth. 

“Of course it tastes great. It was made by my beautiful girlfriend.” Daniel winks at you and plants a kiss on your cheek. Jack and Zach make a series of barfing noises in disgust. 

“Get a room!” Jack shrieks, making Jonah laugh. 

“Hey, where’s Corbyn?” You ask, looking at the stairs.

“In his room. He hasn’t come out since he got home from his date with Christina. Hasn’t talked to anyone either.” Jonah says while chewing. 

You leave the boys in search of Corbyn. You find it weird that he would act like this. He usually loves my tacos! 

You burst into Corbyn’s room without knocking, wearing sunglasses and one of Daniel’s baseball caps backwards. “Yo, yo, yo! I made tacooosss…” You scan the room, Corbyn not being on his bed like usual. You find him lying on the floor staring up at you with red eyes and a framed picture of him and Christina in his hand. There are several used tissues littering the floor, as well. 

“Uuhhh,” You take off the sunglasses, hanging them on your shirt. Corbyn sniffles, interrupting your thoughts. He sits up, leaning his back against his bed. “Do I even wanna know what’s happening right now?” You ask, closing the door and taking a seat next to your best friend. 

“Christina broke up with me.” He says, making your eyes widen immensely. 

“Wha… what happened? Why?” You ask, turning your body so you’re completely facing him. 

He goes on, explaining how being on tour a lot wedged a gap between them, how the distance made it hard for him to be there for her when she needed him. You sat there patiently as he explained everything. By the end of it, you could see more tears pricking at his eyes. 

“You’re gonna be okay, man. You have me and the guys when you need us. For now, you just gotta take it one step at a time and learn to let go.” Corbyn nods along with what you’re saying, giving you a weak smile.

“Come here.” You open your arms to him, giving him a big hug which he happily accepts. He snuggles his head on to your shoulder and you hear another sniffle. “I love you, but I swear Corbyn, if you get your snot in my hair or on my shirt, you’re a dead man.” 

He laughs, pulling away. “You’re unbelievable. You ruined the moment.” Corbyn glares at you as he reaches for another tissue. You throw the entire Kleenex box into his lap.

“Blow your nose. You sound like Karen from Will & Grace.” You tease. “Wash your face and come downstairs. If you don’t hurry, all of my world famous tacos will be gone.” You get up and open the door. 

“Aye!” Corbyn shouts. You turn around, looking back at him. “Thanks. And I love you too, Y/N.” He finishes by sticking his tongue out at you.

“Tryna’ steal my girl, bro?” Daniel teases, appearing out of no where and slinging his arm around your shoulders. 

“Never.” Corbyn laughs.

“Not surprised. Have you seen how she dances?” You smack Daniel’s arm, giving him a death stare. “I was just kidding, geez.” He laughs and kisses your cheek. Corbyn laughs too, the red in his eyes finally starting to disappear. You smile.  I’ll never get tired of this.

[hopeishappinessff]

Chapter 37

I was on the verge of jumping head first from Destani’s moving vehicle as she drove toward the school. I’d never heard a single person gripe and complain so much about something as petty as not having a valentine. She’d been complaining nonstop from the start of the day and there didn’t seem to be an end to her crankiness in sight. “Dammit Sy, are you listening?” She shrieked, slamming a hand down against the steering wheel. “Yes Destani… I’m listening to you.” I said, glancing quickly in her direction and snickering at the distressed expression on her face. “I swear Sy, I don’t see what the hell is funny. I’m sitting here tryna tell you how much I hate this damn day and all you do is laugh. I don’t know how I’ve managed to be your friend for this long… you’re heartless.”

I laughed harder at her confession and eventually she found humor in the situation herself as she soon began to giggle at her own antics. She pulled into the parking lot of the school minutes later and after swiftly whipping into a parking space, we both climbed out and began our trek up to the building. “Seriously?” She blurted and I turned my attention to her and became instantly amused as I watched her gawk at a young couple who walked hand in hand a little further ahead of us. The girl was beaming as she clutched onto a teddy bear and a small box of chocolates, but Destani didn’t seem to find an ounce of joy in the sight.

“Come on Dez,” I laughed, placing a hand against her back and gently pushing her forward, "It's okay.” We finally entered the building, with her grumbling and mumbling along the way. Once we began to venture off to our respective lockers, I let Destani know that I would see her at lunch and if I happened to stumble across any candy, I’d be sure to share it with her. She bid me adieu by raising a middle finger to me and she then turned and marched off to her locker.

Once I reached my locker and entered my combination, I reached to pull it open and immediately jumped out of the way as a sea of pink and red rose petals flooded out all over the place. I stood there, stunned by the sight and well beyond confused. After glancing around the hallway just to see if there may be a culprit lingering anywhere near, I took a step closer to the locker and searched for a card, a piece of paper, or any indication of who could be responsible for the spectacle.

--

By the time lunch had arrived, I was beyond confused… throughout the day, in each of my classes, there were red stemmed roses placed strategically on my seat. In my first period class it started with only one rose, in second period there were two and by the time I entered the cafeteria, I was carrying a total of ten roses. There were several stares as I approached my lunch table, but I disregarded them and held my head high with every stride. Once I reached the table and placed my belongings down, I headed straight for the lunch line. I retrieved my food and arrived back at the table to see that nearly everyone had already taken their seats and gawked openly at the bouquet of flowers. I giggled as Rashad picked them up and stuck them in his face to get a whiff of them.

“The hell are you doing bro?” Dontay asked. “Smelling the got damn flowers nigga, what it look like,” Rashad held the bouquet up, displaying them for the entire table “Whose are these? These hoes smell good as hell.” “They’re mine.” I smiled. “Damn… where you get ‘em from?” He asked. With a shrug of my shoulders, I plucked a french fry from my tray and stuck it in my mouth “I honestly don’t know. They were all just sitting in my classes earlier with no note or anything.” “Get it girl… got your ass a secret admirer.” Tameka joked as she clutched onto the teddy bear she’d gotten from Dontay in her seat beside me.

As everyone sat consumed in their own conversations, I stared at my flowers and began to toy with the thought of where they could have come from. The only thing that I did know for sure is that whoever they were from, they had to know my exact schedule, down to where I sat in class and all. My first thought was Chris, but I quickly dismissed that thought the moment I picked up on his complete lack of interest in me or my flowers. And based on the argument we’d just had the previous night and the way he walked out on me, I was more confident than ever that he had nothing to do with the flowers.

I flinched suddenly the moment a hand connected with my shoulder and swung my head around, coming face to face with an oversized teddy bear. I gazed up to see Destani grinning ear to ear as she clutched onto the stuffed animal nearly doubling her in size. “What is this Dez?” I asked with a smirk. “It’s my Valentine's Day present.” She beamed as she sat down beside me. “From who?” I asked as I stared down at the bear, searching for a card or a nametag. “I don’t know,” She giggled, “As soon as I walked into my last class, my teacher gave it to me and was like ‘I think someone has a secret admirer’.”

I smiled at her and rubbed a hand across the bears head “Awwww, Dezzy has a secret admirer!” Plucking another fry from my basket, I glanced up just in time to spot Rashad looking from Destani to the bear in her lap with a gratified look on his face and a noticeably prideful gleam in his eye. I eyed him closely with a raised brow and once he locked eyes with me, he smiled and lowered his gaze bashfully. It didn’t take a genius to figure out exactly who Destani’s secret admirer was and I shook my head and snickered discreetly at the thought.

Taking note of the flowers resting in my lap, Destani fingered one of the petals then leaned over and nudged me with her elbow “Where you get those flowers from?” “They were sitting in my chair in each of my classes this morning… I have no clue where they came from though.” I replied. “Damn, you got a fucking serious admirer. Would this by chance be the same person who had all the rose petals in your locker this morning?” She asked, reaching over and taking the bouquet completely from my lap. “That was your locker with all the rose petals all over this morning huh Sy? I was wondering why the hell there were petals all on the floor when I walked in.” Tameka said.

“Yeah it was,” I giggled then turned back to face Destani, “I don’t know though Dez… I have no clue if it was the same person.” “Who in this school could have a crush on you with the initials MB?” She asked randomly. “What are you talking about… where did you get MB from?” I asked as I peered down at the flowers. “Right here.” She said, holding up a small tag on a stem of one of the flowers. There, as clear as day in tiny cursive script were the letters MB that I’d failed to notice earlier. With furrowed brows of confusion, I stared at the writing, trying to figure out who’s it could be.

--

By the end of the school day, I was left with a grand total of twenty-eight red roses. Before exiting the building for the day, I made a trip to my locker just to retrieve the homework items I’d need for the evening and I was in a world of surprise the moment I cracked it open. Stuffed into the tiny limited space was a large light brown teddy bear and the largest heart shaped box of chocolates I’d ever seen. I could only giggle and shake my head as I pulled the bear from the confines of the locker. Scooping up the box of chocolates and my English book and binder, I shut the door and just barely managed to hold onto every item as I made my way out to the student parking lot.

“What the hell Sy… where you getting all this shit from?” Destani wailed the moment she spotted me. She rushed forward to relieve me, snatching the bear from my arms just as it began to slip from my grasp. “I really don’t know… all of it just says MB and I have no clue who that could be.” I responded as I stuffed all of my belongings into her backseat then made my way to the passenger seat. “Hey, what if it’s that Malcolm Brooks dude? Remember when he used to crush on you back in like eighth grade?” She asked as she pulled out of the student parking lot. I shook my head at her suggestion and frowned “No, that was so long ago… I’m pretty sure that guy isn’t even thinking about me anymore.” “Well damn, I’m tryna help you figure out who this nigga or bitch could be.” “That’s not funny.” I said, cutting my eyes at her. She giggled and shrugged her shoulders as she pulled up to a red light “Well, you never know.”

Once Destani dropped me off at home, I made my way straight upstairs to my room and immediately got to work on my homework. Tonight was one of the biggest basketball games of the year and I was looking forward to being there right on time. Within a few hours I’d completed my work and after getting a text from Destani telling me to hurry up and get ready, I quickly made my way into my closet to find an outfit for the night. After slipping on every article of the clothing I pulled out, I decided to leave my hair out in my favorite wild and curly style. Grabbing my fringe cross-body purse, I draped it over one shoulder and whipped out my phone to text Destani and let her know that I was all dressed and ready to go. I made my way downstairs to grab a quick snack from the kitchen while I waited for her and I barely had time to plant my bottom down on a couch in the den before I heard the blaring of her horn from outside. With a shake of my head, I made my way out the front door and over to her car.

“Took your ass long enough to come out.” She muttered as she reversed out of the driveway. I giggled at her sarcasm as I got buckled in and adjusted myself in the passenger seat. “So… did Trey call you?” She asked after reaching over and turning down the volume of the radio. I shook my head and sighed as I watched the scenery zip by outside the windshield “No and at this point I doubt that he will at all.” “Why? That nigga is feeling you too much to not call.” She countered. “Yeah, but I think he’s really upset at me about what happened yesterday.” I sighed once more in utter frustration. I knew not to get my hopes up for a call from him and I couldn’t even blame him for that.

We arrived at the gym with barely enough time to get a good parking space… the lot was filling quickly and a line of traffic was aggressively growing in the street just to park. We walked into the main entrance of the gym and showed our student ID’s to gain entry before making our way to the bleachers to save seats for Nalay and Tameka. There were only a few minutes left on the clock in the Girls Varsity basketball game and though I was thrilled to see them winning, I was more anxious than ever to see the boys Varsity team hit the court next.

The game finally ended, with the girls coming out in a 57 – 32 victory and the bleachers continued to rapidly fill. With only twenty minutes before the boys hit the court, everyone in the crowd wasted no time claiming their seats. Eventually, Nalay and Tameka made their way to us and their timing was perfect… the lights in the gymnasium were beginning to dim and B.o.B’s ‘We Still in This’ began to blare through the sound system. A deafening ovation from the crowd immediately overwhelmed the gym as the Varsity Boys basketball team ran out of the locker room through a thick cloud of fog and they all situated themselves at an angle that created a wide entryway for the starting lineup.

The announcer tuned in and soon began to announce the first of the few starters and as the intro began to wind down, the girls and I rose to our feet and prepared to cheer on our boys. “At an even six feet tall, our Senior Shooting-Guard, Dontay “Don the Man” Hennings.” The applause erupted and Dontay bolted forward from the locker room with the widest and most gratified grin on his face as he skipped through the man-made walkway and slapped hands with all of his teammates.

“Five foot eight, Senior Small-Forward, Rashad “Big Shad” Moss.” The applause continued and grew louder as Rashad made his way from the locker room with a beaming smile that matched Dontay’s and slapped hands with his teammates then skipped to the end of line behind Dontay. My gaze roved quickly over the span of the dimmed gym and I stared through squinted eyes as every single spectator in the stands stood to their feet for the last and final introduction…

“And now, without further ado, your six foot two Senior Point-Guard and Captain… Christopher “Breezy” Brown.” I watched amusedly as Chris leisurely stepped out of the locker room and slowly ambled on down the walkway with his hands on his hips as if he had all the time in the world. He stopped about midway and raised his hands cockily in the air and with the widest grin of them all, he peered from one side of the gymnasium to the other as the entire crowd roared in his presence. I didn’t even bother to contain my smile as I watched him bask in all of his glory… my frustration with him was quickly forgotten and I too applauded along with the crowd.

With a shake of his head, Coach Wesler eventually took off to move him from his makeshift throne, but Chris was quick in his retreat and he hopped out of the way before he could be reached and danced the remainder of the way down. The refs laughed as he stopped to bump knuckles with them and I could only imagine just how many girls in the building swooned from his charm...

--

Though the game was close, the boys brought home an anticipated victory. They ended up going into overtime against their rivals, The Bulldogs, yet they were triumphant in their 102 – 98 defeat. Once the game was over, I walked with Destani, Nalay, and Tameka, toward the exit of the gym along with the hundreds of other fans swarming the doors making it nearly impossible to exit. “If ya’ll don’t fucking move!” Tameka exclaimed, quickly becoming more and more aggravated with the mass of people blocking the doorway in front of us. “Meka, will you please calm down?” Nalay scolded as she unsuccessfully led us to the exit. “Hell nah I won’t calm the fuck down. These got damn people moving like this ain’t a damn fire hazard. And all these bodies and odors surrounding me is pissing me off… move please!” She demanded once more.

She attracted a few onlookers as she yelled and I couldn’t do a thing but shake my head and apologize to the people standing closest to me for her rudeness. After nearly ten minutes of forcing our way through the door, we finally made it out into the cool and brisk night air. “Are we trying to wait for the boys or what?” Nalay asked as we walked toward the parking lot. "Nay for real? Can you not feel this bitter ass cold air?” Destani asked as she rolled her eyes and glared at Nalay, “Hell nah we ain’t waiting on them niggas.” “Chill Dez, I was just asking.” Nalay retorted. “I am chill… chilling my got damn ass off and you sitting over there talking about ‘are we gonna wait for the boys?’” She fussed as she sped up her pace and pulled the flaps of her jacket shut.

We laughed at her exaggeration and continued on toward the cars. Once Destani and I reached her car, we sat in it long enough for it to warm up then fought yet another traffic jam before we could exit the parking lot and head home. A short while later, Destani pulled up along the front curb of my house and once we bid our adieus for the night, I climbed out and quickly walked to the front door. I made my way directly to my room to relieve myself of the clothes from the game and bee lined for the rest room for a quick shower. After hopping out and drying off, I slipped into my cozy pajamas and pulled my hair up into a sleek top knot. As I made my way to my bed, I could hear my phone vibrating against the surface of my nightstand and I moved toward it, but almost didn’t answer after seeing the name flashing across the screen.

“Hey.” His deep baritone surged through the device and I couldn’t help but smile at the sound of it. “Hey Trey.” I greeted softly, hesitantly “How was your day?” He asked quietly. “It was good… how was yours?” “It was alright, I guess,” He paused for a moment, then sighed and continued on “So uh… did you like your gifts” I frowned with confusion and let his words replay in my mind before responding “The ones from yesterday? Yeah, I did and Trey, the card and the ring…” “No, not the ones from yesterday ma.” He blurted.

“What gifts are you talking about?” I asked. “The stuff from today. Did you not get it or something?” “Wait a minute… you’re the one behind the flower petals, the giant bear, and the chocolates in my locker and all the roses in my classes?” I asked, beyond astounded. “Yes ma’am,” He chuckled, “That would be me.” “How did you… when did you…” I was at a loss for words and struggled to form a complete thought.

“Well I had some business to take care of out of town today and I knew I wouldn't be able to see you, so yesterday after I left your house I just decided to stop by the store on a whim. Before I headed out this morning, I dropped by your school with everything and I was gonna just drop it all off and have somebody deliver it all to you, but when I got in the secretaries weren’t in… it was just some young office aide dude. He was actually the one who suggested that I have the flowers delivered separately to all your classes.” “But if all of that stuff was from you, why were the initials MB on everything?”

“I was gonna put my initials on everything, but again the guy in the office suggested that I put something different to throw you off. So, I asked him what his name was and he said Malcolm… Malcolm something, so I was like yeah just put your initials on everything and she’ll have no clue it’s me.” “Malcolm Brooks… he put his name on all my gifts?” I blurted. “Yeah, Brooks… that was his last name. So, did we get you or did you already have it all figured out?” He chuckled. “I was far from figuring it out. My friend and I thought it was either Malcolm or…” My words trialed off at that moment and I clamped my lips shut before I said too much and made the moment anymore awkward, “… someone else. I can’t even believe you pulled that off though.”

He continued to laugh and I giggled before silence quickly overwhelmed the conversation. For a moment I thought he’d hung up the phone, but he eventually he released a sigh to let me know he was still there “I don’t wanna give you any wrong ideas with the gifts though.” “What do you mean?” I asked quietly. “Look, I realized the moment I peeped that little scene with you and your dude in his truck yesterday that I could possibly be coming between something that I have no business in. Although I don’t know much about the guy, I don’t wanna step in between whatever it is that he’s got going with you. I just wish you would have told me upfront that ya’ll were involved like that.”

“But it’s not like that at all with us. He’s not my boyfriend or anything… he does things like that because he’s territorial, but we’re only friends… I wouldn’t hide something like that from you Trey.” I confessed. “But it’s just pretty clear that ya’ll, you know… ya’ll got some crazy chemistry and it’s obvious that it’s more than just friendship with ya’ll. I’ve never been the type to come between someone’s relationship for my own selfish reasons and as much as I really like you, care about you, and love spending time with you… I don’t wanna end up investing all my feelings into something that’s probably never gonna happen.”

I was left speechless by his proclamation. In that moment, I realized that Trey was by far one of the sweetest and sincerest guys I’d ever met. What man would set his own pride aside for a girl that he had feelings for, for the sake of the chemistry between her and another guy? I knew Chris would never in a million years do such a thing… he was selfish, territorial, demanding, and at times I felt like he cared more about his own feelings than mine. How could I fall for his type and not someone who seemed to genuinely care about my happiness? They were completely different people with totally different souls, but the connection that I shared with Chris was something that I could never explain and truly never even understand. There was no comparison between him and Trey. They were both amazing in their own right, but I couldn’t deny that the heart wants what it wants… and my heart knew exactly what it wanted...

“Well, um… I just wanted to call and wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day,” He spoke up, breaking me from my intimate thoughts, “And I uh… sleep tight alright ma.” I could sense that there was more lingering on the tip of his tongue, but I wasn’t going to pressure him to speak to me anymore. More than anything, I could also sense that he was ready to end the conversation and after bidding him a goodnight, I ended the call and tossed my phone down on the bed with a heavy heart.

I got myself all tucked away beneath my blankets then rolled over onto my side and recounted the entire conversation in my mind. I didn’t know exactly how to feel after hearing Trey’s confession. I’d basically forced him into corner that left him with raw emotions for me, but with no way to act on them. I felt ashamed that I had even allowed things to get so far between us, but what was done was done and the only thing I was left to do was focus on what my heart truly desired…

[akamorktuna-blog]

got7 making a meal for their S/O | imagine

yugyeom: - a microwaveable TV dinner for two - “bone apple titties!” (Bon appetit) - opens up a bottle of exclusive, pure tree-grown grape juice - is not getting the succ - s/o ends up cooking - yugyeom decides to eat the two meals anyway - “So what it’s a kids meal!” - throws a fit since his S/O is disappointed every time he ‘cooks’ - doesn’t know how to operate a stove - makes his S/O suffer by making them reach for their food

jackson: - mr. organic - actually can cook but is too afraid - screams while frying the food since the oil starts popping - burns his organic & non-GMO chicken dish - “is the smoke in the air supposed to be black?” - has no shirt on while he cooks - loud because he’s Jackson - requests for his S/O to call him ‘Chef Daddy’ - pours red wine in a glass out on the patio of Paris - forces S/O to taste the food just in case to see who it might poison first - tries to be sexy while he brings out the food but falls over

mark: - “I’m not cooking wtf.” - actually ends up cooking - looks online at some random recipe and throws everything together - is afraid of high heat and yells “Oh my goodness!” Every time the grease pops - has on an oversized hoodie as he cooks with his S/O admiring him - probably made burgers or something simple - “Say ahh.” he would say trying to feed them - feeds his S/O because it’s cute - has a conversation over random things while he laughs loudly

bambam: - the smell of burnt casserole can be smelled everywhere - almost burns the house down - forces his S/O to dab with him or they get no food - takes out wine so he can seem more adult - does failed aegyo - ends up ordering fast food since he can’t cook anything but convenience store ramen - “So I’m sitting here with barbecue sauce on my titties..” he would say at the table reminiscing what he and Yugyeom were doing yesterday while he eats his food - shoves food down his S/O’s throat while attempting to do a 'couples thing’

youngjae: - “this is youngjae dinner!” - makes breakfast for dinner - the setup of the breakfast is in a smiley face - is very adorable unintentionally - says 'tada!’ when he finishes it which warms his S/O’s heart - gives them orange juice and a side of fruit - feeds them while barely eating - constantly giving small innocent pecks on their face which makes them blush - makes their S/O seem like the luckiest person ever - food is bomb as heck

jaebum: - “So like…what chu tryna eat?” - ends up making fried chicken (who would’ve knew?) - has no shirt on revealing his broad muscular shoulders and body - always makes his S/O blush and feel 'needy’ - makes his S/O make room for Nora, Kunta, Odd and 12 other stray cats he found on the road last week - takes glances at them here and there while smirking - talks about mountains and gives really intense life lessons while they eat - a true old grandpa cat man - doesn’t feed his S/O or has time for aegyo since it’s stupid to him

jinyoung: - steak and potatoes with wine - his S/O and him are most likely in another country - lights are dimmed in the fancy dining room - makes sure his S/O eats before him - food is cooked to perfection - admires them as he eats his food - a true babe - discusses why his S/O should read books more often - ends up being savage - “You know, you can cook sometimes too, right? I’m not about to do every damn thing!”

This text post is not limited to just the members only being with females since I see mainly the members having their S/O as a woman. They are entitled to whatever it is they prefer. 🏳️‍🌈

[getitoverwith-ff]

ACT 1: part time lover x 1

yo yo yo. this is split into acts, so to speak. this is the beginning of the story, and the first arc of several. enjoy.

1 | part time lover | demetri

“So, who’s this trying to Facetime you and interrupting our last day together?” Lita’s holding my phone in her hand while I’m stirring spaghetti sauce, and it’s honestly nothing I’m too worried about.

I don’t mind her going through my phone. I’m more worried about possibly burning this sauce, since we both opted out of anything more than two Oreo McFlurries and a large fry to share earlier, before we got back from ripping and running in the streets of Downtown LA.

I look over my shoulder again and watch her put the passcode in, and shrug my shoulder. She’s not going to find shit that I haven’t gotten her hip to, or that doesn’t concern her if she goes looking around. I could have swore that I put my phone on do not disturb, though.

I heard it go off and just assumed it was hers, but now that I know that it wasn’t, I’m still not in a rush to see who it was. I wasn’t really in the mood to entertain anyone else, especially not someone with the generic, default tone anyway.

But, she’s quiet as hell, so now, I am curious though.

“Who is it? Let me see.” I ask, but she doesn’t approach me.

I suck my teeth softly before moving away from the stove and trying to see what she’s into. From the way she said it, it wasn’t out of annoyance, but yet surprise. Is it bad that I don’t really care too much about it, though?

This time is about her. Not about whoever the fuck managed to get through do not disturb. If I set it, that is. If I didn’t, I will when I get my phone back from her. We’re spending our last few hours of the small break before finals together being domestic, and an interruption from anyone is something I’m not really feeling right now. I know she doesn’t give a fuck about who’s trying to get in the middle of us, but since she asked, I figured it’s gotta be somewhat important.

Maybe.

I take only a few seconds to look up at the open iMessage with the image of a frowning girl looking back at me, and smack my lips together. She tried to Facetime me and I missed it, and she won’t really keep calling, but she wants me to know how she feels about me not picking her up. I look at Lita’s face, and her eyebrows raised with knowing, but she wants to hear me say the other girl’s name.

“Monica.” Who, admittedly, is saved in my phone as the facepalm and side-eye emoji.

“What, she can’t sleep in your bed without you or some bullshit like that now, huh?” She asks real teasingly with her eyebrow still up as I watch her start to cut tomatoes for a salad.

My face goes blank and I slide the phone to do not disturb and sit it back on the table. I turn around to continue cooking, and slide herbs into the sauce and then turn it down to simmer, and lean against the counter once I’m done.

“So you’re gonna ignore me, Meech?”

“‘Cause, you always tryna annoy me when it comes to her. She doesn’t sleep in my fucking bed, Li. You have to remember, this is the same person that plotted on, and trapped me for a hot second, Li.” I add, and she rolls her eyes at me.

“That girl ain’t trap you.” She insists like she just fucking knows everything, and I tilt my head sideways at her certainty.

“She did,” I move around the counter island to get closer to her, and steal a tomato from the board. She licks her bottom lip and furrows her brow again as she thinks about it.

“How?”

I don’t know how to answer that without being at fault too, but I do anyway.

“Because,” I start, realizing that she hasn’t brought Monica up in a while.

The school year kept both of us busy, and as much as I wanted to tell her about everything, Facetime had to suffice when I couldn’t meet up with her in her sister’s rental property in Vegas, or make it out to her Grandparents Family Ranch in New Mexico.

When we were talking, I wasn’t thinking about Monica then, and neither was she. I’d bring her up on occasion, but she’s never been the topic of discussion for too long. Me and Lita have so many other things to discuss that are way more important than a part time, wannabe lover.

I’m more interested in continuing my campaign in getting her to move out here with me for good after she finishes her Associate’s Degree program at the Community College she’s enrolled in right now. I was still trying to convince her to come back to USC with me and everyone else, like we planned years ago, back in High School.

I talk to her damn near every day, and attempt to convince her to make things work out, every day. The longest we’ve ever gone without speaking was two days, once, when her phone was off and I couldn’t wire her any money. Fall semester finals for sophomore year are right around the corner, and it’ll be May in the blink of an eye. I needed things to be squared away so I would be able to move out of the loft when the semester ended, somewhere just for the two of us.

We needed to be on the same page before then, and this weekend was yet another preview of what life could be like if she just got it over with, stopped playing games, and finally made it back to me. I was hoping I could convince her, and if I could, it meant that it would be the end of this all of ripping and running… and the end of Monica’s interference, too.

Having her in Los Angeles for this three day weekend was good, but it wasn’t enough, and that’s probably why I forgot what the fuck she asked me. I’m genuinely too busy worried about trying to get her back here with me than to discuss someone I’m not even fucking with like that.

“You blacking out? Because what? And don’t tell me it’s because ya’ll all live in the same space, either… is it really that easy?” A tomato hits me in the face, and I grimace.

It took a long time between Lita linking up with me out here, and having someone fill the space that came with her absence. Usually, we’d make the drive to Vegas, where her older sister owned a couple of real nice homes that she turned into AirBNBs, or I’d say fuck it and drive all the way to New Mexico for her.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been able to just have Lita to myself though, and I kind of want to, and honestly can, blame Monica for that. At least as a factor in it, anyway.

My living situation was chaotic. With three girls and three guys in one loft space, it was too damned much from the beginning to try and make Lita feel comfortable in, even if four out of six of us weren’t strangers. I knew we would need privacy when we were around each other, and I wasn’t going to get it there. It was just going to be fucking awkward, simply because of the quickly fleshed out history between me and Monica.

Ever since I found out the girl that I picked up at a club and slept with, thinking it was a one night stand kind of situation, was meant to be my future roommate, that’s all it’s really been.

Awkward.

It’s been an awkward adjustment that I hadn’t left Lita out of the loop about, but she hadn’t been face to face with Monica for damned near four months until she came through last month, and that was only briefly. She came and surprised me on a fucking Tuesday, shortly after meeting up with her Dad for lunch for his birthday. I’d already given him his gift earlier in the week - an all expenses paid voucher to a damned good spa, so he could the best massage money could buy.

Monica was with me at the loft, with us just coming back from grocery shopping, when Lita popped up. Everyone else was doing their own thing, so that made it that much more hectic then, with nobody to push Mo off on. It was awkward tension right off the bat, and always is in the few rare times when I’m in the middle of both of them in real time.

I don’t make an effort to bring up them up to each other, and shit, this time, I didn’t even know Lita was going to make the drive to come and visit her dad. Usually, he makes the trip out to New Mexico for the whole week. I was really partially convinced in Mo’s efforts to fool around that day too, so yeah, it was awkward, having the two of them standing in the middle of the kitchen, both eyeballing me, but, naturally, Lita got all of my attention.

She got fucked in my room real quickly too, and, I know Mo heard it. I’d just rather get it off with the one I knew I’d be thinking about when I was fucking her, as opposed to fucking her and thinking about someone else, you know? We just knew better than to bring it up after the fact, though. I didn’t need to tell Lita how pissed off Mo was with me after that, for damned near two weeks.

There’s always other shit we can talk about. It’s not like they really care about each other for real either...

Lita’s mentions of Monica are more teasing than it is questionable, most likely validating something The Twins or Kenny’s shit starting ass has said. She doesn’t follow the girl on social media, but I know Mo’s all over Lita’s shit to the point to where Lita has toyed back and forth with blocking and unblocking her at random. Mo’s just jealous though, and it really makes me only bring Lita up when we’re arguing, just trying to get her to leave me the fuck alone.

It always works, too.

Lita’s still looking at me, and snaps her fingers in front of me, and I roll my eyes at her. She’s done with the salad, and I curl my lip up at her impatient face. She doesn’t really care about the latest development in the “well, isn’t this awkward?” saga between me and Mo…

I don’t think, anyway.

“Damn Meech, you’re just gonna forget about our conversation like that?” Lita asks, pushing me in the chest a little. I exhale and grab her hands, stopping her from hitting my side.

“I didn’t think you cared about whatever bullshit Mo was up to for real, Li,” I kiss her softly, and she bites down on my bottom lip, and shakes her head at me as she pulls back.

“I asked, didn’t I?” She wedges her tongue in her cheek, giving me full attitude.

I shake my head and sit down on one of the stools pulled up to the island. She’s really waiting for me to explain the situation to her too, and I can’t help but smile at the combination of curiosity and overprotection she’s displaying right now.

“It’s been rough, for real. You know it’s been rough since the beginning, while you actin’ like you don’t, too, girl. She still ain’t got over the fact that she’s really just there to kill time until I get you back. ‘Cause, shit, after we got over the whole awkwardness of the one night stand and the fact that she sleeps on the opposite side of the wall from me, she was still trying to get with me then, and she really hasn’t stopped her attempts.” I admitted, loving to drag out the story of how Mo and I came to end up in this fucked up arrangement of sorts anyway, and Lita loves to hear how she’s never going to be fucking replaced, by anyone.

That’s why she’s smirking and not saying anything, because really, I’m in love with an asshole.

“But, you know I was still trying to work shit out with you… if you didn’t curve me with that whole, not yet, just wait, shit. She capitalized on your absence after you left us after midterms last semester, and now she thinks we’re together. We’re not.” I shook my head, and Lita sucked her teeth softly.

“She capitalized on my absence? Who the fuck are you tryna sound like? But...tccch, This bitch…” Her eyes roll dismissively, and she waves off someone who’s not even there.

“Yeah, I mean… I’m not going to lie. We had sex a couple of times and I tried, and still am trying, not to make it anything more than a friends with benefits until you bring your ass back to me kind of thing. I’m not making excuses for it either… Facetiming and driving back and forth to meet up with you is cool, but, it’s not enough. We both know that. I’m trying to get her to understand that too, ‘cause, shit, we’re supposed to talk when I get back, but not on a serious note. She’s probably drunk now, Facetiming me to either be nasty for me or curse me out since I’m here and not in Sacramento with her.”

I shrug, and watch Lita continue to prepare our dinner, and laugh. Her curiosity is sated, and, I feel kind of conflicted about it. I need to do something with my hands, in the meantime…

I start tearing pieces of bacon to go into the salad that we’re meant to share, and relax in the comfort between the two of us. I don’t feel nervous about this discussion, do I?

“She’s coming to your parents house for thanksgiving this year?” I look up and realize she’s scrolling up, in our thread now. I shrug gently. I offered, but all she hit me back with was a fucking emoji.  

“Yeah, I guess.”

I only invited her because she said her parents wouldn’t be in Sacramento this year, but I’m not looking forward to it. I’m really waiting to see if she’ll find some way to talk herself out of it. She has in the past when I’ve invited her back to my parents’ home for long weekends or holidays, especially if Lita’s coming.

“I invited her to eat, since she said she had nowhere to go. Her parents are supposed to be going to visit family in Connecticut and I don’t think she wants to travel if she’ll end up there again after finals.” Until I said it, I never really tripped off of how much attention to detail I paid to the things Monica said to me.

Lita’s eyebrow goes up in surprise as she sits the phone down, and I get up to grab plates for us.

“You love her?” Lita asks, and my face slowly turns into a grimace. There’s not much to think about there, and my response is quick. I quickly try to recall if i’ve said that in the texts, but I know that I haven’t, and it makes me roll my eyes.

“No. It’s not that deep for me. She tries hard to try to make herself into someone that I should and could fall in love with, but… I stop myself short from taking it there. It’s just familiar.” I admit, and she knows this.

“She ain’t you, though. Don’t even fuckin’ joke…” I think she just likes to either hear me remind myself of it, or… She’s fucking with me.

“I’m just checking,” She teases me, and I swat her on the ass as she throws it back to me.  She turns quickly, and I pin her against the island.

“I’m not trying to take advantage of your emotional vulnerability, or nothing like that.” Lita teases again, like I haven’t taken advantage of every chance I could get her alone to get inside of her since she came through to doors of the apartment.

“What makes you think I wouldn’t let you? That’s all we’ve been doing as long as we’re alone anyway...” I insist, and she smacks my arm. My eyebrow raises to challenge her at the same time stomach growls as she pulls me closer to her, wrapping her arms around my back.

“See, I would tempt you, but I know how you get. And I’m hungry. That McFlurry was early dessert. So, shut up and make our plates, Meech. I want you to eat dinner before you try and eat me instead.” She nips my bottom lip softly and I palm her ass, but my stomach is definitely blocking.

I can’t stop myself from kissing her though, even after her stomach growls too. She laughs into my mouth as she pulls back, still laughing, and pushes me away from her. I make her plate and my own, and we sit on the couch, making the most of it.

Outside of my inner circle, no one really understands how important this is to me. I’m really trying to stretch out every little bit of this three day weekend, but I know tomorrow when we wake up, she’ll be going back to Albuquerque, and I’ll just be here, waiting on her to call me at her halfway there, Gas Station stop.

Or, shit…

I might just say fuck it, and drive out with her, and drive back to make it back on campus right before my 10 o’ clock class...

“Stop looking at me like that,” Lita says, snapping me out of being lost in my head.

“I’m just trying to figure out the plan tomorrow. I fucked up big time tonight,” I watch her face twist as I shake my head and fix my wording, not wanting to confuse her.

“Naw, I’m saying, like… I’m too comfortable right now. I know we won’t have long until midterms is over, but we’re about to be busy as fuck before Thanksgiving Break. And for real, I can’t wait for Thanksgiving, you know? Just… it’s going to be a motherfucker.” I say, paying no attention to the shit on TV, or anything else but her, and the spaghetti and meatballs nearby, as she eats off of my plate and I laugh.

“C’mon, chill, you gettin’ out of pocket with this plate sharing shit,” I gently push her fork back onto her plate as she laughs and turns away from me.

My phone goes off again, and I roll my eyes, but only momentarily. We’ve been talking and laughing and kissing so much throughout us making dinner that I totally put the most important thing on the backburner: our daughter.

I think Lita did too, ‘cause I can see the immediate reaction that reads, “oh shit.”

She got tucked in more than an hour ago with her tablet and YouTube Kids set on a timer, to be inactive after thirty minutes. Spending the day with “Uncle Q and Tee-Tee Queenie” should have worn her ass out, especially after she twisted our arm to opt out of dinner just to hit up McDonalds and play at the outdoor PlayPlace until it closed. She should be knocked out, but, this is definitely our kid.

She’s inquisitive and curious, and weary and anxious, a good combination of the two of us. Even though my phone is on do not disturb, she’s on my Emergency Bypass list, but she knows better.

I guess it’s better than her just walking in here, though...

I don’t hesitate to answer the call.  Lita’s face is smashed against mine as I answer the call for ‘MeMe’ with my eyebrow up. It’s past her bedtime, but I know something’s gotta be up for her to Facetime me. Yesterday, it was “Daddy, Uncle Luke said there are monsters out in the streets and I gotta be safe but I gotta make sure there’s no monsters under my bed,” and the night before, “Daddy, I wanna go see Nana and Papa and Papi right now, is it tomorrow yet?”

“Daaaaaaddy,” The tiny voice starts off, and I smile.

“Demetriaaaaaaa. Whatchu want, babygirl?”

“Tell Mama I can’t sleep,” Our four, almost five year old demands, and two seconds later, Lita’s up on her feet, and dragging her hands through her hair as she walks down the hallway and tends to our insomniac toddler.

“Daddy can’t put you back to sleep?” I ask, and she shakes her head no.

“Daddy can’t sing, I want Mama to sing to me, Daddy..” She explains like it’s common sense, and I laugh and shake my head as she hangs up once Lita opens the door to the bedroom.

Knowing she’s in there handling the situation makes me smile, but it also makes my stomach dip. I already feel shitty, holding up in this two bedroom apartment that Luke rarely uses, playing house with Lita and our kid. It’s temporary, and it’s the last thing I want out of my life right now - temporary permanence bothers the fuck out of me.

I didn’t expect her to bring Demetria, only because her niece’s birthday is this weekend too, and I expected Demetria to be a part of that fun instead of being up here with us, which I would have been okay with. But, when Lita told me that Juju had other plans for Monae’s birthday this year, and it wouldn’t be that bad since everyone would be doing their own thing, she didn’t have to say anything else.

I was more excited to see my daughter than I was to see her Mom, for a while. Both my phone, Lita’s phone and Demetria’s instagram page was filled with images and videos of me and her enjoying our time together, and I knew we both had to make the most of it. It’s really hard to be a parent when your child is miles away from you.

It’s like a custody agreement of sorts between me and Lita, that I really wish didn’t have to be. She gets her the majority of the year, which makes sense, considering the circumstances of how she ended up in New Mexico. I can go and see her whenever I want to, which I limit mostly to long weekends, which I’ve crafted my entire undergrad schedule around. But outside of that, I get her by myself for short breaks, like a spring break or a holiday break. We try to switch back and forth for Summer and Winter Break, even though we always end up with the three of us all together.

I had her last summer and she broke my damned heart when it was time for her to go back to Albuquerque. I got so many “first day of school” pictures though, so many “daddy, I wanna come and go to school with you,” facetimes… I know I’m not the only one who’s ready for this separation period to be over, but at least she understands to the best of her ability that it’s necessary for now.

When it comes to Demetria, I’m extremely private about her. She’s the one thing I’m the most proud of, but rarely broadcast on my social media accounts. Shit, to be honest, my roommates who haven’t been my friends since childhood don’t even know about Demetria.

They don’t need to either. My child is a sore subject, or at least, the story of her creation and separation is. Actually, it’s more of one of those, “It’s a long story,” kind of situations, that can’t really be told by me, anyway. Still though, just being here with the two of them for the little bits and pieces that I can get really makes my desire to get Lita back up here that much more important. But, with Demetria being better taken care of by her while she’s in school and in New Mexico with her paternal grandparents, who can help her take way more care of her than the two of us alone up here ever could, it’s just something I have to deal with.

I could have transferred to the University of New Mexico. I could have said fuck school and just took the offered job on the farm that was offered to me when I was still in High School, really. But, Lita talked me out of it. She made me promise to follow my dreams of following in my Daddy’s footsteps and eventually playing for the 49ers, which we all know now, has long gone off course, but I’m still going to make my parents, and everyone else proud of me.

I just want to do right by the both of them, and Lita knows this. That’s why I have to keep convincing her that I need her here, shit, I need both of them here, really, but I know we’re not ready just yet. We’re thankfully in a position to have a strong ass support team on both ends -- my parents are just as supportive as her grandparents and Dad is.

This woman, who, I can hear singing our daughter back to sleep as I sit and steal a meatball from her plate because she has more than I do, means so much more to me than words really can express. Lita is my best friend, my first love. I’ve loved her since I was seven years old. She is my partner, my co-parent, my everything and more, The One I Gave My Heart To and never expected anything in return from…

That’s why Monica is a non-factor, really.

I suck my teeth when I glimpse down at my phone and yeah, she’s drunk. Fourteen texts are waiting, and two of them are from Demetria, who can really only spell a couple of simple phrases and resorts to emojis and bad selfies. She sent “sleep” and “daddy”, with several emojis to follow.

The rest are from Monica, sending me invisible ink nudes, and audio messages I won’t listen to. Her presence only complicates the situation more between not only me and Lita, but everyone else around us. She’s not what I want. We are not together.

I’m not interested in anything long term unless it’s me getting back with Lita. We have history, longevity, a connection -- but we’re not together either. We’re co-parenting and we always attempt to make the long distance situation work, but I can’t call her my woman right now. As much as I want to, and should be able to, it’s just not that easy. She’s not anything I can call mine, but what’s understood doesn’t have to be explained, and I personally feel like now that it’s getting closer and closer to her making a decision about coming to USC for her junior and senior years, and… me and Mo aren’t on…

I mean, yeah.

Eventually, I’ll get her back, full time. Not some part-time type shit, as everything else seems to be that revolves around her. When she comes back, I know she’s having those same thoughts I am about making this more than temporary, and I get it, I really do.

Instead of saying anything though, I go back to eating my food and acting as if she’s not heavy on my mind right now. She plops down on the couch and looks at me, and I think the guilt is all over my face. She stares at my plate, and then hers, and then frowns at me.

“Something is off,” Her eyes narrow, and I look at her. I shrug, and keep eating.

“You took my fucking meatball?”