#so he takes one sip of the coffee in his hand and immediately dies

[thelostconsultant]

Coffee addict

pairing: Max Verstappen x reader

summary: The coffee machine dies late at night. Max (and Daniel) comes to your rescue.

“No, please, don’t do this to me.”

Max looked up when he heard your voice from the kitchen, and as he moved there to see what was happening, he heard your quiet pleads for something to start working. He couldn’t remember ever hearing you sound like this, so defeated and sad, and it made him wonder what was happening. And when his eyes fell on you as you wept next to the coffee machine, he had a bad feeling that it was related to your favorite item in that kitchen. 

Before he could ask you, though, you noticed him and immediately rushed over to where he was standing to wrap your arms around him, seeking comfort by burying your face into his chest. “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked while his hand rubbed your back. 

“It doesn’t work. The screen went dark and I can’t make it work again. I tried everything,” you sobbed. 

Now, here’s the issue. You loved coffee. You were addicted to it. While he chose to drink a Red Bull to stay awake, you made yourself a nice, steaming cup of espresso from your favorite type of coffee beans several times a day. It wasn’t healthy, he knew that, but you were so happy as you sipped your favorite drink that he didn’t have the heart to stop you. Sometimes he managed to convince you to cheat, to drink a decaf coffee, and on days like this, you stuck to normal coffee in the morning and in the evening. 

He gently peeled you off of himself to take a look at the machine, but no matter what button he pressed, it didn’t do anything. With a sigh, he looked over at you. “I’m sorry for your loss.” You nodded as you wiped your tears with the sleeve of your hoodie. “Okay, it’s late, I’m sure I won’t reach a store to buy a new one, but how about going to that coffee shop around the corner? They must be open.”

You glance down at your phone that lies on the kitchen counter. “No, they closed half an hour ago,” you reply sadly. 

“Oh.” Max thought for a second, then raised a finger with a wide smile. “I have an idea. You stay here, I’ll be right back,” he said quickly before pressing a soft kiss on her lips. 

Once he’s sitting in his car with the engine running, he presses a few buttons on the touch screen to start a call. It rings a few times, then a familiar voice cheerfully greets him. “What do I owe the pleasure of getting a phone call so late?” he asked with a laugh. 

“Daniel, I need your coffee machine, I’m on my way to your place,” he states without hesitation. 

“My coffee machine? You know I use that, right?” 

“Not that one, the backup you kept after switching to the newer model. It’s an emergency, I’ll return it tomorrow once I buy a new one. Please?” he tried. There was a long sigh on the other end of the line, and this made him worry. “What is it?”

“I gave it away since then,” he replied. Max cursed under his breath, fighting the overwhelming need to hit the steering wheel. This was the best idea he had, and even this didn’t work out as planned. His friend let out a thoughtful hum that broke the silence, making him listen once again. “I have a big thermo mug, though. I can fill that for you,” he offered. 

Thanking both the universe and Daniel that there was a solution to the problem, he managed to calm down by the time he parked the car in front of the building the Aussie lived in. When he entered his apartment, he was welcomed with a sympathetic look. “The love of your life is suffering from withdrawal symptoms?” he asked, a barely noticeable smile visible on his lips. 

Nodding, Max followed him to the kitchen, then leaned against a counter with his arms folded over his chest. “She’s quite literally grieving right now. She was crying when it didn’t turn on,” he explained. 

Daniel poured each cup into the mug, but he listened to the story of the broken machine, sometimes coming up with suggestions. He even questioned if it was even plugged in, an idea that made the Dutchman groan. “Yes, I did check if it was plugged in. It was, yet it doesn’t work. I’ll go and buy a new one tomorrow, and I’m genuinely thinking about buying a simpler backup machine.”

Fifteen minutes later he entered his apartment, calling out for you immediately. You padded over to him with a questioning look, and when your eyes fell on the mug, your gaze full of hope and happiness moved over to his face. He nodded with a smile and handed it to you, but you chose to hug him instead. 

“You’re my hero. I love you so much,” you mumbled into his chest. 

He kissed your head, then moved back to once again offer you the mug. “I love you too. Now, drink before it turns cold. And tomorrow morning I’ll go to that coffee shop to get you a cup, okay?”

As you took the precious item from him, you let out a thoughtful hum. “We could have breakfast there,” you suggested. 

“Anything you want. Now, I’m getting into the sim rig for that race. Don’t stay up too late,” he warned you kindly before giving you another kiss.

[nburkhardt]

Part 1

Wayne Munson can read a person within a few minutes when being in the same room together

So when he comes home from work one evening, he immediately clocks an upset Steve. It’s not even surprising to see the boy in his living room nowadays. What is surprising is that his nephew is no where to be found. Neither of them speak as he takes his work boots off and jacket, then makes a quick cup of coffee and settles in the recliner.

“So, why’re you upset? My nephew forget a date?” He sips at his coffee and watches Steve tense up, he can tell the boy is holding himself back from looking towards him. It makes Wayne pause, clearly something is actually wrong. “This serious, boy?”

It doesn’t take a genius to see how much whatever it is, is really effecting Steve. It’s the way he holds himself back, even with being hunched over. How tense his shoulders are, that his hair is a mess and how he’s clutching his hands. Truthfully, Wayne can tell the boy is trying hard not to cry.

The day he officially met Steve Harrington within five minutes of talking, he grew a soft spot for the boy. It wasn’t with the way he talked about how much he liked Eddie or the way he held himself. It was because of the longing in his eyes when he thought no one was looking.

They were in a hospital waiting room, Eddie was still in surgery and Wayne had shown up to a room full of kids. The reporter girl had pulled him aside to explain what was happening and he was listening to her but glancing around the room when his eyes caught sight of a young man sitting on the floor with his back against the wall and his eyes were trained on the sight of a kid with curly hair in the arms of a woman. To anyone else, it would just be a friend watching someone else.

But to Wayne? He knew what longing looks like. Has seen it many times in his life. Especially in Eddie. The biggest difference between Steve and Eddie? His nephew learnt to hide that look, figured out how vulnerable it can be.  With Steve it’s noticeable, and, it seems he wears his emotions like a jacket. It’s there and open for all to see. With all that, he immediately knew that he’ll be there to care for Steve in anyway he’d want.

He also knew, as soon as Eddie was able, that he’d be right there with him. Fast forward a few months, Wayne was correct when Eddie told him about his first date with Steve.

“I, uh. I asked him” Steve mumbles out without looking at him, “it- didn’t go as I planned”

Nodding, he places the cup down and leans forward. It’s a serious type of talk, it seems. “What happened?”

Steve shakes his head and he catches a quick sight of red teary eyes, “I told him about a gift and he panicked, thought he missed an anniversary or something. Then when I tried to ask him, it was someone’s birthday and the waiters were singing loudy. Then, then, I lost my plan and just said if he wanted to share his last name.”

He chuckles at that, but it dies down when Steve finally looks up at him. He looks just absolutely heartbroken and close to breaking completely. Schooling his face, he leans forward to grip Steve’s shoulder. It snaps his attention and Wayne’s thankful for it.

“Steve, why don’t you relax? Try again another-“

“He thought I was asking if you’d adopt me!”

Once it’s said, it’s silent. Steve’s tears have broken the invisible barrier and falling down now, it’s breaking Wayne’s old heart. Makes him want to smack Eddie upside the head for being an oblivious idiot.

“Look, how about ya go take it easy and I’ll wait up for Ed. Love that boy but he can be a bit oblivious.” Wayne shakes his head before nudging Steve’s shoulder again, “that ring of yours will get on his finger, son. Just let me talk to him”

Steve just nods, wipes at his eyes and makes his way towards Eddie’s room. Glancing at the clock, he knows Eddie won’t be back for another hour or two. Depending on if he starts on a rant, so in the meantime, he drinks his coffee and waits.

He hears the sounds of Eddie’s van nearly an hour later. He’s on his second cup, ate a quick sandwich and made sure to check if Steve followed his advice, which to his relief he did. With Steve asleep in Eddie’s room, he decided his best bet to talk with Eddie was driving. It eased his mind and with his boots back on he waits for his nephew to walk in.

“Honey, I’m hom- oh. It’s just you” Eddie looks disappointed and it makes a beeline to go to his room. Right before he’s able, he grabs hold of Eddie’s arm stopping him. “Wayne, come on. I know Stevie’s here and I’d like to join-“

He shakes his head and stands up, pull Eddie with him back towards the door, “Your boy is asleep, come with me for a drive. We gotta have a chat, alright?”

Eddie pouts but doesn’t move away, moves with him with a whine of, “but Waaaaayne! I wanna go cuddle my boyfriend!”

Rolling his eyes, he opens the door and waves a pouring Eddie out. “You’ll survive a short drive, Ed.”

Eddie dramatically groans but stomps out towards his truck and crossed his arms waiting. With another eye roll, he closes the door and joins Eddie before unlocking the doors. They both climb in silently and continue this as he drives away. It’s not until he’s on the road that Eddie finally says, “Why am I in trouble now?”

Chuckling, he shakes his head and instantly flashes back to when Eddie was fifteen and gotten in trouble in school for the first time while living with him. Wayne decided the easiest way to get anything out of the near panicking Eddie at the time was to talk while driving aimlessly around.

They’ve done this a few times since then. Eddie hasn’t caught on that it was a benefit to both of them. Emotional talks aren’t his thing. But he’ll be damned before he admits that out loud.

“Nah, ya ain’t in trouble, boy.” He finally tells him while stopping and glancing at Eddie, he’s bouncing his leg and tapping his fingers against the other leg. “Ed, serious, you ain’t in trouble. We’re just havin’ a late night drive and chat”

“About what? You only do this when I’m in trouble or, or when I came out to you” Eddie doesn’t stop his tapping but he does bring up the leg that was bouncing to lean against.

Wayne shakes his head, moving back to watch the road. Thinking over his next words, Eddie doesn’t bother with the radio and is still watching him. He knows and doesn’t call his nephew out for the staring.

“Look, I came home and your boy was upset,” He started off, glancing over quickly to see Eddie tense up. “We chatted, he’s been asking me things about ya. See if I’d know where your head is at.”

“Why- uh. Why would-“

“We both know your boy has a lot of insecurities, doubts and all that.” He came to another stop and looked over at his nephew, meeting his eyes before Eddie quickly looks away. “Don’t get lost in your insecurities right now, Ed”

Eddie shakes his head and pulls his other leg up to hug them, “why didn’t he come to me about whatever the problem is?”

He has to quickly smoother the smirk that wants to work it’s way on his face, doesn’t want to give away that Eddie’s worried over the wrong thing, “Wasn’t a major problem, mostly he wanted to know my opinion on a gift”

Eddie’s face is mostly hidden but his whole body tenses up. He look up at him with wide eyes, “You- you know what it is?”

He nods, looking away to drive again. “Ya, it’s gorgeous. Your boy sure knows how to pick things out. Asked if you’d like it, told him it just screamed you. It’ll go nicely with everything you own.”

Eddie doesn’t say a word and Wayne just silently drives back towards their home, it’s nearly too late.

“So- you knew he was gonna give me something?”

“More like, ask ya something. But we can go with that too, if you’d want”

Wayne pulls up to their home shortly after saying that, turning the truck off to turn and watch Eddie. Watches as Eddie thinks about it, slowly his cheeks turn pink and into full blown red as the realization hits him. If he didn’t love this boy so much, he’d be laughing his ass off.

“Oh fuck, I- I’m an idiot”

Shaking his head, he settled a hand on Eddie’s knee, “nah, you ain’t an idiot. Just a little slow, Ed. Now come on, go inside sleep and tomorrow you and your boy can talk. Yeah?”

Eddie only nods before getting out and making his way inside and Wayne just watches before following suit. As he walks past Eddie’s door he hears a soft conversation happening.

“I’m sorry, my beloved.”

“Why’re you sorry?”

“I’m an idiot, that’s why”

“Baby, Eds- no. Don’t say that, you really ar-“

“But I am! You, you were asking me to marry you and I stupidity thought you wanted Wayne to adopt you!”

Wayne shakes his head at that before making his way to his room, his job is done.

~~~~

The ring doesn’t make an appearance until nearly a week later.

Wayne can tell the boys are even closer now, that their communication skills have grown just a little bit better. His nephew is still a little slow sometimes but now they’re more clear in what they’re talking about and hardly interrupt each other during more serious conversations. Makes him proud to see it.

It’s during a family dinner when he spots the ring on his nephew’s finger. He smirks into his drink but doesn’t mention it, he also doesn’t mention anything when he spots Eddie’s ring on Steve’s ring finger.

He’s happy for his boys, and he can’t wait for the day they can actually get married. Because it will happen, they deserve it.

Annnnd that’s it!! I decided half way into writing the ending to end it within Wayne’s pov. It seemed fitting to me. I’d like to thank @i-less-than-three-you for the help with parts of this!! If it wasn’t for her, this fic actually wouldn’t be a thing lol.

[outerbankspov]

. Requested by- @giannadrichardson-blog <3

y/n was the princess of obx. So when she bumped into Rafe, Rafe immediately tried to win her heart, by buying her flowers and little things. But when he sees her taking walks around figure 8 with her dog, he decided to make his move and ask her out

- warning: fluff. Rafe pining after the reader.

First attempt

The sun was out and the heat was very exhausting, walking out the cool grocery store you run into Rafe Cameron and drops your coffee on the floor making you frown, you were really looking forward to it. “WOW, I’m so sorry…” he leads on. “Y/n” you look up and your face softens. “Rafe Cameron-” you chuckle. “I’m sorry, let me buy you another. Come” he doesn’t even let you finish. You nodded and walked into the shop ordering another drink. “Rafe, I thought you just said coffee” he hands you a bouquet of roses and you giggle. He opens the front door of your car and you get it. “Thank you…” you pause and smile up at him. “My fullest pleasure” he smirks. Your breath hitches and you smile before you can let ANY noise slip out your mouth. “Bye Rafe Cameron” you smile tightly. “Bye y/n L/n”

Second attempt.

You have always been very serious when it comes to tennis, your mother made you join a team at a young age and singe you’ve been playing non stop. “That’s a win for Y/N, let’s take a break” coach said. You smile in victory cheering with your friends. “Rafe Cameron is behind you” one whispers. You nodded and bites your lips. “See you later girls” they walk away and you turn to face his direction. He looked good, REALLY GOOD. “I got you something” he whispers into your ear. Pushing some hair behind your ear. It was a tiny charm bracelet tennis racket and ball connected to the racket. It was beautiful you think. “Rafe Cameron! What is this? it’s so beautiful!” You smiled so wildly but confused on the gift giving. “You won this game! Well deserved. Don’t you think you deserve something pretty?” He said it coolly, hands in both front pockets. “Well it is very pretty thank you.” He smile up at him. “Of course, anything for you” he smirks. “Well I’m gonna go, you be careful” you wave goodbye to him.

Third attempt.

“Rafe stop harassing my friend and go please!” She pleads to her brother as he keeps tying to talk to you and ask all types of questions, some as your favorite color or things that interest you.. he definitely has something up his sleeve. “Sarah it’s fine, brothers can be ruff” you say as you take a sip of your wine. “Not Rafe Cameron ruff, that’s for sure. Now leave!” She tells him again. He chuckles and shakes his head. “Later y/n/n” he mumbles And you turn your heads fast. He hasn’t called you that since the 3rd grade. “God he’s so annoying! So tell me more about this boy.” Sarah begins. Rafe can’t help but think about who this boy is and why they have their hands on what’s his… soon to be his. Then he remembers the little information you told him when he was asking questions. And how bad you wanted an original copy of “perks to being a wildflower” so… that’s what he will get.

A few hours later you decided it was well past your curfew even if your home is two houses down. “Bye Sarah!” You cheer and you leave her room. Closing it you see Rafe at the top of the stairs with a package. “Ooo what’s that!” You skip over to him, dress flowing and hair bouncing with a radiant smile. He might even be in love. “Earth to Rafe, I’m nosey” you whispered the last part as you tippy toe to see if there’s any hint. Any hint other than the box saying “AMAZON”. “Opening it in my room, come!” He walks pass you making you follow him. “Oh my gosh!” You gush. “Rafe Cameron you never told me you love this book” you hit his arm with your hand bag. “It’s actually for you.” He hands you the book and you stair dead at him. “Really. That’s really sweet of you”. Getting to distracted in the reading and texture of the book you sat at the edge of the bed, gliding your hand through the pages and if this didn’t prove anything then he might die. He looks at her in awe, he needs her. “Why’re you looking at me like that?” You whisper as you stare up at him. “Just beautiful, s’all”

Last attempt. <3

The sun was ready to set so you decided to Throw on a quick but cute flimsy dress and took your dog for a walk. Deciding it was better for her to walk then just be in the backyard. “Go ahead Maci” you cheer and she waggles her tail at you. At the same time you stoped in front of the Cameron’s estate Rafe walks out with a smile. “Good to see you y/n” he shouts as he walks your way. “I could say the same but I wouldn’t want to lie” you smile up at him. “Smart mouth” he whispers. “Hey let me ask you a question.” You nod. “Shoot” he swallows roughly. “How about I take you out for a sunset ride and we can grab a bite. Maybe like a date” he was so nervous he couldn’t believe he had the balls to ask her out. “Rafe Cameron are you asking me out on a date” you smile. “Yes sweetheart. I am. So please say yes.” You can’t believe it! You feel like you can fly. “Yes I would love to!” You jump into his arms and kiss him sweetly.

(Later)

His hands were in your hair as you both make out measly with a beautiful view of the sunset. Rafe finally got was he wanted. The girl of his dreams who felt the exact same way he does. He feels whole now. <3

[two-white-butterflies]

wanting was enough | a. targaryen

Description: Aegon Targaryen falls for his father's caretaker. Loosely based on Knives Out. Rating: 16+

Aegon couldn't understand why his father loved everyone except his own children. He couldn't understand why Viserys' eyes would soften around his adopted children (namely Rhaenyra), but never around his trueborn ones. It was frustrating, but he knew that trying to fight against it was impossible. It was a losing game.

"How's dad?" Helaena inquires, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Everyone could hear Viserys' complaints of pain last night. Old age was a bitch. Aegon could only pray that his father dies soon - at least they'd be left with money - but alas, bad grass die slow.

"Don't know. Wasn't allowed inside." he answered, taking the mug out of the counter - stealing his sister's coffee before she could take a sip. "I'll ask (your name) then," Helaena replies - rolling her eyes as he takes a sip of her sweetened cup of joe.

His eyebrows bumped into each other.

"Who?" he inquires - unfamiliar with the name. "Dad's nurse, apparently he's paying for her uni. She wants to be a doctor." Aemond barges into the room, pushing his siblings away as he boils water for their mother's tea.

Aegon snorts.

"I wasn't aware that our father ran a fucking foundation." he complains. Why was Viserys paying for another person's education when he didn't want to pay for his?

"I don't give a fuck about it - but the nurse is kinda hot." Aemond ponders - a pout was on his lips, contemplating on whether or not he'd 'tap' that. "I'll see where it goes." he smirks, already imagining your lips around him.

"Disgusting," Helaena shakes her head - pouring herself another cup of coffee, making sure to add a lot of creamer in order to avoid the bitter taste. "Hel, everyone knows that you swing both ways - I'm pretty sure she's hot in a female gaze too." Aemond nods his head - like they were talking about a celebrity and not a fucking girl that was sharing the same room as them.

"I'll be the judge of that," her eyes narrowed, and the kettle began to boil. Aemond lets out a sarcastic chuckle, holding the pot in his left hand and stealing his sister's coffee with the other. "Thanks, Hel." he grinned, walking out of the kitchen before Helaena could hit his head.

Aegon clenches his jaw at the sight of you. Beautiful - that he almost forgot what his name was.

"Viserys is alright. He had a bit of a back pain last night." you smiled at his mother - eyes dazzling and joyous.

What did it feel like to be happy all the time?

Your eyes trail towards him - scanning his shirtless body with hidden intention. He didn't have abs or anything - his stomach was round and perfect. Enough to leave a lot to imagination. Aegon's eyes widen, realizing that he was just wearing his towel.

Alicent turns to look behind her.

"Umm mom, where did you put my clothes?" he scratched the back of his head. This wasn't a pleasant first meeting.

"They're in the laundry room, (your name). Can you get them?" Alicent tilted her head. You reply with a nod - immediately walking and retrieving his clothes.

He paces back and forth in his room, feeling the water drip down his body. He felt embarrassed that you saw him that way - but also slightly happy because he could see that he was your type.

A knock on the door breaks him from his thoughts.

He opens the door quickly, peaking his head through and meeting your eyes. "Here are your clothes! I ironed them, I'm sorry it took so long." you smile at him and his hand reaches to touch his shirt.

It was warm, that means that you weren't lying.

"That's okay," he kept staring at your eyes - finding himself drawn in by their beautiful hues. "Is there anything else you need help with?" you raise both of your eyebrows and he shakes his head.

"T-thank you," he stuttered - not used to saying that word.

It was the evening of Helaena's birthday. The young guests were drunk - and the old guests were either sleeping upstairs or home. Aegon couldn't find himself drinking alcohol - it was too familiar to his father - too familiar to feel safe.

His eyes drift towards the dance floor - where you were joyfully dancing with one of his ex-classmates.

He knows who that man is - Cregan Stark. A younger boy who was accelerated into his section. He hates him. Cregan was cocky, arrogant, and too sure of himself - basically a copy of Aegon.

His jaw clenches - seeing you grind against him like a whore in heat. He wanted that for him - he wanted you to do that to him.

"Close your mouth. You're inviting flies," Alys sits beside him - a small glass of champagne was on her hand. His eyes glance towards her - he was unaware that she was invited. After her messy breakup with Aemond - she was basically excommunicated from the entire family.

"New girl huh? Aemond told me that she's a nurse," Alys ran her finger around the rim of the glass.

Ah, they got back together.

"What about it?" he answered bitterly - keeping that wall high and unreachable. "According to my experience, nurses are good fucks. They're a little bratty though - since they were mean girls in high school." she teased, searching for emotions in his stoic face.

"She's from a foreign country. She doesn't look like the type to be mean." he replied and a small chuckle exits the woman's mouth. "Good, you know something about her." she slumped on the chair - looking at you while you stop dancing.

"You're welcome," she whispers in his ear - standing up as you began marching towards him. His eyebrows merged into each other for a moment, totally clueless of what Alys did for him.

"Who was that?" you ask cautiously - hands on your hips and staring at him with an accusatory glare. "Alys, and why do you care?" he tried his best to be hard to get. "I don't care, I was just asking." you reasoned - looking away from him.

There was a weird feeling inside your chest - like you wanted to stab someone and hide their body in the mountains.

"People typically don't ask unless they care," he pointed out, smiling to himself as you walk away.

Thank you, Alys.

You ignored him the following day. Cleaning around his room while ignoring his words of complaint. "Get that thirty bro," he yelled into the mic - prepared to render his cousin deaf with the screaming.

"Baela, I swear to fucking god - if that was a snake it would've bit you already." he cursed again - killing the enemy with ease. "Don't scream at me. I saw it but you KS'ed me." the girl replied in an angry tone.

"I didn't KS you. You were lagging - tell Uncle Daemon to buy better internet." he trashtalked. Staring at you while he belittled his cousin.

Was that a turn off?

Was he being icky?

"Bitch please, tell your ugly ass dad to stop subscribing to satellite network." Baela rolled her eyes, stealing her uncle's kill.

"You're the one stealing my kills, fucking hypocrite buy yourself a new personality." he groaned and his cousin turns her camera on - flashing him two middle fingers.

He rolls his eyes, seeing that Baela disconnected again.

"I swear to god," he mumbled - turning his gaming chair around, and his eyes meet with yours. You were holding a basket filled with his clothes. "Can I help you?" he frowns, still frustrated with the game.

A small laugh exits your mouth.

"Is something funny?" he takes the headphones off. "It's amusing to see you frustrated over Fortnight." you snort - still fighting off a round of laughter. "You wouldn't understand," he rolls his eyes.

"Oh simpletons will never understand fortnight. It is deeply profound and must be studied by scientists." you exaggerated.

He couldn't fight the smile on his lips.

@pearlstiare @sweethoneyblossom1@tinykryptonitewerewolf @cheri-ladyy @watercolorskyy @bellastwd @nyctophilicvitnir @fan-goddess

[lucky-bucky-boy]

omg local baker who Mike has baking abbys bday cake but he has a crush on her ????

Oh my God this is so cute to me. I wanna run a coffee shop/mini bakery and this is just perfect and beautiful omg

I'm writing this with the idea that fnaf happened but didn't *happen* like no one died lmao

~~

Mike wasn't sure what to expect. At all.

It had been an incredibly tough year, each day somehow becoming more rough than the previous. From mom passing, to job hopping, to Aunt Jane trying to get the courts even more involved. Despite all that, he did his damndest to not let it affect Abby.

He knew in some aspects it was inevitable. A young child losing a parent was never easy; she heard his grumbling and arguments with Aunt Jane, the comments about not being able to pay Max, found papers he should have hidden a little better

But birthdays and holidays were sacred. That he made sure of.

So, against his pride and better judgement, he had asked Aunt Jane for a little help throwing Abby a birthday party. She was more than happy to, surprisingly, with the agreement they come up for Thanksgiving this year. And begrudgingly, he agreed.

That's how he ended up at the doorstep of a brick townhouse closer to the city, a paper in his hand with an address scrawled in his Aunt's too neat handwriting. She'd given him a list of stores and things and places and people to get everything from in order to throw a "proper birthday party."

He did a double take on the numbers and street address, making sure they matched and still slightly confused as to why he was at a person's house and not a store. With a shrug and a tired sigh, he knocked on the door, the scurrying of animals evident inside almost immediately followed by a "shush" as he heard another door shut before the one in front of him went to open.

He didn't know what to expect, and sure as hell didn't expect to have a girl a little younger than him open the door, an apron on and covered in flour. She looked almost frazzled for a moment before shutting the door behind her, eyes moving from the curious furry creatures to the man now in front of her.

"Hi, sorry," she sounded almost as tired and exasperated as he did, "been a busy day, and my lovely little fur-babies have been noisy."

She wiped her hands on her apron, "I - I don't think we've met before." Her eyebrows were scrunched, confusion etching into her features.

"Uh, yeah, sorry. I'm Mike. My uh- my Aunt Jane suggested you to me. Told me you make the best cakes and cupcakes and gave me your address to place an order."

He could see the cogs working in her brain as she tried to pin poin who he was talking about, "Oh! That's right, she gave me a call the other day to make sure I'd have the time. You need the order for next Saturday, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, next Saturday at noon."

"Perfect, yes. Come in, we'll fill out the forms and get everything set. My pets are actually in the front room so you don't have to worry about them."

A cup of coffee, a curious conversation, and too many forms later, Mike felt like he was in a dream. The girl sitting across the table from him was captivating, a sense of excitement and passion he longed to have and admired. There was a sweetness to her, something he was sure he'd be able to taste in more ways than just her baking skills.

"Okay," her voice cut through his thoughts, "So, we're doing 24 cupcakes, half chocolate and half vanilla, then a 9 inch rounch cake with mint chocolate. And it's rainbow, fairy, unicorn, princess themed. Does that all sound right?"

He chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, sorry I couldn't give you more specifics. She's sort of all over the place and it's a surprise party."

"Oh no, don't worry. I'm going to have fun with this. Does she like glitter?"

He nodded again before taking a quick sip of his coffee. "Yeah, yeah. She loves glitter. Her favorite thing to do is draw as well."

"Perfect. Well, Mike, you're definitely more pleasant than your Aunt," she laughed softly, standing up and placing the form in a little file holder, "But don't tell her I said that. I'll send her the bill tomorrow. I hope Abby loves the cake."

Mike stood up, a tinge of disappointment that their interaction was coming to an end so soon. "I'm sure she will. She loves sweet." He sat his coffee cup in the sink. "So uh, when should I pick up the cake?"

"Oh! Don't worry about it. Jane invited me to the party so I'll just bring it all with me, I could use the networking with other parents so it works out."

His eyes widen some, lips twitching up into a small smile. "Okay, cool. I'll uh, I'll see you next week." He hesitated for a moment before grabbing a rogue napkin and the pen he was using to fill out the forms, quickly scribbling something onto it.

"Here," he handed her the napkin, "My number in case uh, in case you wanna talk more." He paused for a moment, watching her eyes scan the numbers, "For the uh. The cake. The party."

She giggled softly, looking at him as his features began to blush. "Yeah. For the cake and the party."

He chuckled anxiously, "Thanks again. I'll see you later." Mike let himself out before he could make himself even more embarrassed, standing on the porch for a moment after he closed the door behind him, unaware that the sweet baker was inside quietly squealing over the poorly written number.

[nihilo-sensei]

Atsushi and Akutagawa Talking For the First Time Since the Vampirism Incident After Running Into Each Other at a 24-Hour Izakaya (Platonic or Pre-Slash SSKK)

[Akutagawa flicks a zoned-out Atsushi in the nose after their coffee arrives]

Atsushi: "Ah! What was that for!?!"

Akutagawa: "Wherever your mind was heading was unbecoming of you, weretiger. I invited you to sit with me so we could conveniently debrief each other about our last joint mission, not so I could watch you stare out into nothingness."

Atsushi: "You could've just said something."

Akutagawa: "You're right."

Atsushi: "… But you flicked me in the nose instead?"

[Akutagawa gives a deadpan look to Atsushi; Atsushi sighs and sips his coffee]

Atsushi: "Fine. But I don't know why you want to. I'm sure you've already read your organization's reports on it… and probably the Agency's, too."

Akutagawa: "Of course I did, but there was something that wasn't in any of the reports that I wanted to ask about. Specifically, I want to know why you spent valuable energy trying to reach me while I was a vampire rather than engage me in combat."

Atsushi: "You remember that?"

Akutagawa: "I remember only that. I wasn't really conscious for the rest. But I do know what happened immediately after that. So why did you leave yourself vulnerable like that instead of fighting? Even you should've been able to put up a stronger defense than you did."

[Atsushi runs a hand through his hair in irritation]

Atsushi: "God, you're such an idiot."

Akutagawa: "What was that, weretiger!?!"

Atsushi: "I said you're an idiot. Are you really asking me why I tried to save you!?!"

Akutagawa: "No, I'm asking why you stupidly risked everything to do it!"

Atsushi: "How did I risk 'everything'!?!"

Akutagawa: "I tore your limbs off!"

[Atsushi stares at Akutagawa as though staring at a puzzle that's just starting to make sense]

Atsushi: "Akutagawa, is this really about the mission or is this just about what happened to me?"

Akutagawa: "I don't know what you mean."

Atsushi: "You died for me. I think you do know."

[Atsushi exhales; Akutagawa stares in silence]

Atsushi: "I tried to save you because I think you're worth saving, alright? After everything that's happened between us — us talking about our pasts, you telling Kyouka you were happy for her, the deal, fighting people together — I can't just pretend like you mean nothing to me. You're my partner, Akutagawa. When Dazai threw us together, I was resistant to being a team because of the bad blood between us and because I didn't really know you or understand you. But I do know you now and you've grown a lot. I'm ready to take your advice and move on from the past and embrace being a team now, if you're willing."

[Akutagawa stares at Atsushi, completely stunned; he drops his gaze to the table as he silently grabs his coffee to give himself time to process everything; he sips before looking back up at Atsushi with a soft smirk]

Akutagawa: "Sappiness isn't going to get you out of our duel, weretiger, but nice try."

Atsushi: "Are you-!?! You're seriously gonna make fun of me after all that!?!"

Akutagawa: "Yes. Making fun of you is part of my job. You're my partner, after all."

[Atsushi gives Akutagawa a surprised look before giving a smile of his own]

Atsushi: "I guess I'll just have to get used to it, then. Lucky me."

[Atsushi's expression turns more serious]

Atsushi: "I have some questions of my own, but I'd rather ask them later. I want to just enjoy tonight. It's the first time in while I've gotten to just relax. I do have one question that I want to ask now, though, if you don't mind."

Akutagawa: "You may ask."

Atsushi: "Your lungs are okay now, right?"

Akutagawa: "How did you know?"

Atsushi: "You haven't coughed once the entire time you've been here."

Akutagawa: "I don't know how, but yes, my brief time as a vampire seems to have healed them. It's… strange — living on borrowed time, actually dying, then coming back with time to spare. I'm not really sure what to do with myself sometimes. Before, I just threw myself into my work and rarely stopped because I felt like I couldn't."

Atsushi: "We'll figure it out."

Akutagawa: "'We'?"

Atsushi: "Yeah. I mean, if you want. We're already a team, but… we could be friends too. You don't have to be alone just because you're off the clock."

Akutagawa: "I'm not alone. I have my sister."

Atsushi: "You know what I meant."

Akutagawa: "Very well. Since your inexhaustible supplies of sentimentality and stubbornness have backed me into a corner, I accept your offer of friendship."

Atsushi: "… Did you just blame you having a friend on me?"

Akutagawa: "We can just call it 'giving you credit' if that makes you feel better."

[Atsushi rolls his eyes fondly]

Atsushi: "How generous you are, Akutagawa."

Akutagawa: "You're welcome, Atsushi."

[renx01]

Out of Sight - Part 2

General idea: Moriarty is your boss. After he helped you out of a precarious situation when you were still a minor, you started working for him. Now, he has a new job for you. Get close to the Holmes brothers to keep an eye on them for him. Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Mycroft Holmes/Reader  & Jim Moriarty/Reader Fandom: BBC Sherlock Word count: 1264

Masterlist

The following morning you woke up early and got the tube to Scotland Yard, where you were introduced to Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade and his team. ‘This is Charlie Moore, they’ve been transferred from our department in Manchester to assist us with the rise in murders that seem to be connected.’ He looks at you and urges you to introduce yourself. ‘Ah yes of course. I’m Charlie, as DI Lestrade just said. I’m originally from Sussex but moved to Manchester for university and work. I look forward to working with all of you here in London.’ You flash them a small smile and stand up a little straighter.

Anderson immediately approaches you, Donnovan following closely behind. ‘Nice to meet you Charlie. I hope you’ll help us solve more of our own cases.’ The woman laughs at the man’s comment. ‘That’s why I’m here, yes.’ You’re already annoyed, there really wasn’t much going on in their heads. It is also clear that their affair is very much still going on. ‘Just a warning, Sherlock Holmes likes to come to our crime scenes and interrupt or take the case for himself. I recommend you stay away from him, he’s a bit of a freak.’ You take a sip of your coffee. ‘I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.’ The urge to make a snarky comment or deduce them on the spot was strong, yet you know you have to be nice, for now. You’re quiet as they start talking to each other and eventually you turn to leave and sit at your desk. Since it’s your first day, most of it is spent making sure all the ICT works, having your work phone and laptop set up and ready for you. About halfway through, you see Sherlock barging into Lestrade’s office. Of course, John follows behind. There’s some hand waving and what looks like a passionate speech from Sherlock about a case. Strategically, you decide it’s time for another cup of coffee. You straighten your shirt but leave your suit jacket draped over your chair. When Sherlock and John leave the office after a good few minutes of the DI and sociopath arguing, the doctor notices you. ‘Hi Charlie, how’s it going?’ Scanning over his form, you notice he’ll be going on a date tonight. ‘I’m well, thanks. How’s the case getting along?’ Sherlock interjects himself and answers before his friend can. ‘It’s going well. From the evidence it is quite easy to dissect that the uncle is the one that killed his nephew. Probably something to do with the inheritance of a relative. He tried to make it look like an accident though.’ You nod. It had been clear to you that that was the case when you first saw the pictures of the crime scene. ‘Quite a boring case for you then, is it not?’ John looks at you confused while Sherlock takes the opportunity to go on a tangent about which cases are interesting and which aren’t. To be fair, it is quite amusing seeing him talk so passionately. ‘Yes quite. These sort of cases are soooooooo normal nowadays, it’s almost expected to be some sort of familial issue when there’s a singular murder that doesn’t seem to be related to anything.’ John looks uncomfortable. ‘I suppose it’s only normal for that to be the case, Sherlock. Looking at the statistics most murders involve a family member or friend, they’re rarely ever random.’ You comment. ‘I know.’ He groans. ‘Well, it was nice talking to you two, I have to get back to work though.’ You see Donnovan and Anderson look at you weirdly from the corner of your eye. ‘I’ll see you two later.’ John offers you an understanding smile while Sherlock just continues talking to the other man without saying goodbye to you. It’s what you had expected, you will have to slowly have him get accustomed to your presence in his life for him to properly acknowledge you, but you know that he has noticed you and finds you somewhat interesting. From your desk, you see John eventually drags Sherlock outside and into a cab. Probably so the detective finally goes and has some food.  Quickly you get back to work.

You decided it’d be best if you stayed for a bit of overtime so you could actually make a start at your job. Due to having to wait for clearance for some things and for all the computer systems to work, you hadn’t been able to do much early in the day. Around half past seven you decide it’s time to leave. Putting on your black trenchcoat, you walk out with your briefcase in hand. As you start walking to the tube station, you see a sleek black car pull up next to you. ‘Charlie Moore.’ The window at the front seat has been opened a little bit. ‘There’s someone that wishes to talk to you, would you please get into the car?’ You nod, turn on your heel and enter the car. While you had predicted for Mycroft to approach you, this was sooner than you had expected. It excites you, but you don’t show it. You’re driven to an empty shipyard, where you’re instructed to get out of the car. A few metres from the car, you see a man holding an umbrella at his side. ‘Good evening sir.’ You greet him as you approach. ‘Good evening.’ He holds out his hand for you to shake it, and you do. His grip is firm, but not too firm. ‘Charlie Moore. But you already knew that of course.’ A faint smile creeps onto his face. ‘Now, how can I help you?’ Your inquiry seems to surprise him a bit as you retract your hand from his. ‘I noticed you moved in below the famed Sherlock Holmes.’ The way the man pronounced famed sounded quite sarcastic. ‘I barely know him, I only moved in yesterday.’ His eyes meet yours. They have a light bluish hue to them. He holds your gaze for longer than you’d predicted. Good, I’ve got his attention. ‘Yet you can still help me.’ He pauses momentarily. ‘See, I’m an interested party,’ everything seems to be going according to plan, ‘that is willing to pay a considerable sum of money on a regular basis in exchange of information.’ Running your hand through your hair, you act as if you’re thinking about it carefully. ‘And why, if I may ask, are you so interested in mister Holmes?’ Your demeanour stays professional and calculated as the conversation continues. He’s already met John and the possibility of him seeing you in or around Baker street is quite significant, so you’re hoping he reveals his own identity. Things will be easier that way. ‘I may be more inclined to help you if I know who I’m dealing with.’ He looks to be thinking, but you know he’s already made up his mind. ‘I’m Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s brother.’ His voice holds some disdain. You arch an eyebrow, clearly he doesn’t tend to deal with emotions. ‘Alright, I’ll keep an eye on him, here’s my card.’ You grab one of the cards Jim had Seb make for you and your new persona. ‘How often do you suppose would be optimal for us to meet?’ He glances at his assistant. ‘I think biweekly will suffice.’ You nod and shake his hand. ‘I shall keep that in mind. Feel free to phone or text me about our next appointment.’  As you walk back to the car you only think one thing:

The game is on.

[camels-pen]

If you’re still taking writing prompts how about zoro being overprotective of usopp and trying and failing to be subtle about it lol. Love your writing btw it’s always so good💕

:D I'm glad you like my writing! And thanks for the prompt!

warning: choking

—

“You’re gonna choke.”

“Shut up, I’ve got this,” Usopp said. At least, that’s what it sounded like muffled by the 20-odd octopus weiners shoved in his mouth. Zoro was sitting beside him, chin resting in his palm and eating his breakfast at a much more leisurely pace. He was also sitting a reasonable distance away to avoid getting hit with any stray weiners that might slip out. On Usopp’s other side, Robin was doing the same.

Usopp followed up with something about beating Luffy and Zoro lazily dragged his gaze across the table. Their captain was also stuffing his mouth, but with whole pancakes rather than weiners. He was also glaring at Usopp between stuffing more food in his large rubbery cheeks.

Zoro rolled his eye. “You’re both gonna choke.”

Usopp smacked his shoulder and made a noise of disagreement. Zoro took a sip of his coffee and went back to his breakfast. 

A moment later, Usopp slapped him again.

“Yeah yeah, I get it, you’re the Great Usopp and you’ve never lost a food stuffing contest.” His lips quirked as a thought occurred to him. “Or should I call you God Usopp now?” Usopp made a noise of disagreement and slapped him again. Zoro laughed.

He watched Usopp carefully add another weiner, his hand as steady as ever, out of the corner of his eye before taking another sip. Usopp made a noise of success. Next to Luffy, Franky laughed at something or other—maybe Usopp himself with how ridiculous he looked—and slapped the table. The little picnic table shook and Usopp made a noise like he was being strangled. 

With his free hand, Zoro gave him a good slap on the back—maybe too good with the way Usopp nearly faceplanted into the table, but it got the job done. Usopp turned to hunch over the side and made some truly pitiable sounds as he spit out his food. 

As soon as Usopp’s coughing had started to subside, he said, “Don’t say it.”

Zoro smirked. “Say what?”

Usopp swatted his side before bending over again. He was practically lying on the bench, his head pressed against Robin’s thigh and forearms hanging over the seat. Robin gave him two pats on his hair before saying something vaguely morbid. Usopp shivered just as Franky laughed again.

Zoro picked up his mug again. Usopp looked comfy down there. He wanted to lay down and nap with him. Unfortuantely, the seat was far too small and Robin wouldn’t tolerate two people on her leg, so he settled for rubbing circles in Usopp’s calf.

A tiger mink, one of the ones that had brought their breakfast, was passing behind them. She had an empty tray in one hand. Zoro watched with a curious eye before stiffening at her other hand reaching for Usopp. 

In one swift movement, he was dangling the mink by her shirt collar and glaring into her startled eyes. The tray fell with a clatter.

“Don’t touch him.”

The surrounding chatter from his crew—and, he supposed, the other minks—died down. He could feel stares at the back of his head. Something—someone familiar tugged at the hem of his shirt.

He glared at the mink until she nodded frantically, then dropped her. She landed gracefully on her feet, though she immediately stumbled when backing away. Huh, he supposed those old sayings about cats had some merit.

“Zoro,” came a tired, irritated voice. There was a slap to the back of his head and he hissed out of reflex. The hand returned, running through his hair lightly and he had to fight back a content sigh. Then his head was jerked down into a bow.

“Amazing,” Brook said quietly. “You’d think he wouldn’t fall for that by now.”

Zoro made a mental note to kill Brook later.

“I am very deeply sorry for this idiot,” Usopp started, the routine speech making Zoro grind his teeth. He half paid attention as Usopp said the same shtick as usual, a distant feeling of something wet on his hand.

“Ah,” he said, staring at the little white splinters in his hand. He forgot about the coffee.

“Don’t interrupt—Zoro.” Somehow Usopp’s voice was more irritated. He turned back to the tiger mink—who was rather calm for someone Zoro had just threatened—and wrapped up the apology speech before excusing himself to look at Zoro’s hand. 

By the end of it, the tiger mink looked bewildered by whatever Usopp had made up about him and grabbed their tray before leaving. Their crewmates went back to their breakfast, talking as if nothing had happened. Usopp tugged Zoro back down to his seat and Zoro kept his eye averted. 

Usopp sighed, digging around in his bag. “You’re something else, you know that?”

“It’s not that bad,” he said.

“I’m not talking about your hand.”

Zoro didn’t say anything for a long moment. Usopp pulled out a pair of tweezers and held his hand gently. The other minks and pirates started talking again, although quieter than their crewmates. Zoro stubbornly waited until Usopp pulled the last splinter. 

“...I’m not overprotective,” he eventually grumbled. “I’m keeping an eye out.”

“Uh huh.” He frowned harder. “Aww c’mon don’t pout.” His frowned eased and loosened as Usopp leaned forward to peck him on the lips. “I appreciate you looking out for me, okay? Just please learn to lighten up.”

His frown returned. “You shouldn’t be so trusting.”

Usopp huffed. “You should be more trusting.”

He narrowed his eye. “Whiskey Peak.”

Usopp threw his head back with a groan. “That was one time! And the others fell for it too!”

“Uh huh,” Zoro said, mimicking Usopp’s voice.

Usopp swatted him with a mumbled, “Shut up.” His brows were furrowed, a harsh frown on his face as he stared intently at the small cuts on Zoro’s hand.

Zoro slid his fingers into Usopp’s, intertwining their hands. He tugged them up to his lips and pressed a kiss to Usopp’s wrist, to his pulse point. His gaze stayed on Usopp, steady and imploring.

Usopp sighed, the sound resigned. Fond. “I know,” he said softly, a smile curling his lips. “I love you too.”

[gaysindistress]

I love u like I’ll get on my knees 😍😍😍😍 CAN U PLEASEEEE PLEASEEEE do TFAWS!Bucky x Latina reader?? maybe more specifically Brazilian?? we need some rep 🥺🥺 HAHA actually though like reader is good friends with Sam and Sam introduces them? Please, and thank u the dead love of my life

AHAHHAAHWH MY FIRST REQUEST!!!! thank you so much love!!

Okay okay so here’s a little Drabble for ya! I feel like this could be a full one shot?? Maybe after my follower celebration that starts on Friday! Also I wrote this on my phone so I apologize if there are any spelling/grammar errors.

Anjo -Portuguese for “angel”

mãe - Portuguese for “mom”

Warnings: cursing

Word count: 1.2k (this was only meant to be 500ish words…)

disclaimer: credits to original creator/poster of image/gif. found on google/Pinterest

“Please tell me that you didn’t text him,” My coworker asks with an edge of dread and disgust in her voice. For the last two hours of our shift, Lilly has been on me about the guy who left me his number yesterday.

It had been a slow day with only regulars really coming in so a decent looking young guy walking in felt like Christmas. Lils was on it and immediately put on her best flirt, fluttering her big eyes and matching lashes at him when he ordered. I wanted to laugh at the scene but that died when he flashed a smile my way and handed me his number. It was quickly followed by some passing comment about how he hates it when girls throw themselves at him. I had half a mind to throw his coffee on him but I knew my boss would have my head. I settled for plastering a fake smile on my face and saying “Vai pro caralho.” Of course the ignorant asshole thought I was being nice and winked at me. It took all of my strength to not shutter in disgust.

“You should know me better than that,” I throw back at her, “from that 2 minute interaction alone, I can already tell that he would talk about himself the entire date before saying something borderline foul like how Latinas girls are his favorite and he can’t stand white girls .”

Lils snorts as she takes a sip of her coffee, nearly choking and sending the hot liquid flying over the freshly cleaned counter. I arch a dark brow at her which makes her laugh even harder.

“What? Am I wrong? You can’t tell me that he wouldn’t have pulled out that high school Spanish to impress me.”

“No, no,” she stutters, wiping the coffee up, “it just caught me off guard is all. Wait, didn’t you say something to him in Spanish before he left? What did you say?”

I narrow my eyes at her, “Vai pro caralho? Babes you should know better.”

She looks at me in horror, “oh my god it was Portuguese, wasn’t it?”

I nod as she profusely apologizes, “I am so sorry, Y/N. Oh my god I’m not better than that asshat. Ugh, what does that mean though?”

The front door opens before I have the chance to speak and the little bells above alerts us to the one regular that never fails to put a smile on my face. Sam had been coming in since before I started working at Brewed Awakenings but after that first interaction, he came pretty much daily. He even got Sarah his sister to start coming in and within a matter of a few weeks, I was invited over for Sunday dinner.

“It means Go fuck yourself,” I tell Lils as I round the counter with a bright smile and wide arms. Sam matches me and wraps me into a tight hug.

“Good morn, Anjo. How are you?” He asks as he squeezes me into this chest.

I pull back and give him my best angry mãe look we I demand to know where he’s been for the last few weeks.

He holds his hands up in defense as he says, “put those eyes away, Anjo. Im sorry okay? I was on official business and I didn’t have time to swing by to let you know but I’m back.”

I don’t let up my expression at first and lecture him some more, “You better be. You were gone for like…”

I pause for dramatic effect to pretend to count the time while walking back around the counter, “6 weeks. I was about to send out a search and rescue team to find you. Ridiculous.”

Sam chuckles while shaking his head at me. He steps to the side to reveal a man that’s been standing behind him and one that I hadn’t noticed before.

A damn attractive man.

Albeit a bit judgmental given the looks he’s throwing at the both of us.

“I wasn’t gone that long,” Sam tries but stops when I shot him another mãe look. He quickly changes the subject, clapping his hand on his companion’s shoulder and introducing him, “well this is Bucky. He’s the reason I was gone so if you’re going to be mad at anyone, be mad at him.”

Bucky.

He looks familiar but I can’t quite figure out why. The massive resting bitch face forced me I stop the search before offering him a bright smile as I repeat his name.

This seems to…irritate him? I honestly can’t tell with the stone wall of moodiness and brooding that lives on his drop dead gorgeous face.

“Well welcome in Bucky, I’m Lilly but everyone calls me Lils and this is y/n,” Lils jumps in with an equally wide smile. His dark eyes flicker between us but hover half a second longer on me. He utters a low “thank you” and looks up to the menu.

Sam rolls his eyes at his short answer but his ever present smile never fades as he orders his usual, a large hot mocha with soy milk. I’ve tried to get him to switch to coconut or even hemp milk but he refuses. He always gives me the whole speech about how “soy is the closest to real milk and if I’m going to drink alternative milk, it has to be close to the real thing.”

“And for you?” I turn my attention to Bucky while Lils starts on Sam’s order. He looks me with slightly wide eyes, a little startled it seems that I’m still talking to and looking at him.

He freezes for a moment, “uh…um a large house coffee.”

“Of course,” Lils jumps in once again and slides a cup across the counter to him. The loud volume of her voice causes him to flinch and Sam instinctively steps in front of him. He takes the cup without another word and fills it while Sam pays and throws a shamelessly flirty smile to Lils. She mocks faintly in a fit of giggles and winks at him.

Sam turns his attention to him and subtlety jerks his chin towards the door, wordlessly asking me if I’ll walk them out. Lils caught it too and rolls her eyes before shooing us out the door.

“She means no harm. She’s just…cheery,” I tell Bucky when the door closes behind us and we step onto the side walk, “I can tell her to tone it back for when you come in next.”

Sam chuckles under his breath and tries to hide a smile behind his cup but fails miserably. Bucky shots him another one of those bored looks and rolls his beautiful eyes at him.

“You don’t have to do that,” he finally says to me and actually makes eye contact with me, “Y/N.”

I offer him another wide smile and stick my hand for him to shake. He glances down at my watch and rings before taking my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Bucky. Don’t let Sam fill your head with too many tales and I hope to see you soon.”

The man in question basically squawks in protests as I hug him goodbye and disappear back into the coffee shop.

About an hour after I get home, I get a text from Sam saying something along the lines of “Robo cop liked you and asked for your number.”

Moments later a D.C. number sends me a text and I quickly save it under “Bucky (aka Robo Cop according to Sam)”

That’s when it clicks who he is; Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Solider and the most attractive man I’ve ever met.

[aesthetic-gamersnail]

A Nightmare (Trolls, Broppy fanfic, oneshot)

I have been thinking about and cooking up my Brozone therapy fanfiction, but I also wanted to write and think about something else for a change. (They have quite occupied my mind) So, I present to you an angsty Broppy fanfic with a happy ending. It takes place somewhen after TWT, but it is not really relevant to the plot (except that Poppy and Branch are already dating). And it is all written in Poppy's POV. I have only written two fanfics before this one (and I'm not even sure these count as fanfics), so please don't be too harsh on me. But I still would love to hear your constructive criticism and personal opinions, therefore feedback is very welcome (I want to grow as a writer and in my creativity in general) With all the things said, I hope you have fun and you like it :) ----------------------------------------------------

It was a nice sunny day. Poppy was in her pod sitting on a couch. With both of her feet up and her scrapbook material in her lap, she hummed to herself satisfied while doing her most favorite activity: scrapbooking. Right beside her sitting was Branch who was occupied with reading a book. The book was called 'Effi Briest'. She asked Branch once what the book was about and he said it was about a girl who at a young age married a baron. They have a child together but because she was unhappy with her marriage, did not feel respected by the baron and was generally not happy with their current situation, she had an affair with the major, one of the baron's friends, but immediately regretted it and stopped seeing him when they moved to a different place. Years later, with their marriage actually already improved over the years, the baron finds out about the affair and kills the major in a duel. Effi is divorced, loses the custody to her child and is exiled from society. At the end she dies at the age of 29 in her childhood home. She asked him why he would read something so sad. At that he pouted and said that first of all it is classic and a 'poetic realism novel' (whatever that is supposed to mean) and second of all it is a book that reaches deep within what the construct of society really is and how it influences our morals and understandings of the world. She nodded at that but still did not quite understand why he would specifically want to read that story. She would rather read something at least with a happy ending. But when she sees how at peace with himself he seems when reading this book, she can't really complain. He is truly one of a kind.

Before them was a coffee table, with two mugs and a tea pot. They both decided on peppermint tea, because he thought that berry tea was too sweet and she thought green tea was too bitter. She put her scissors down for a while and took one of the mugs into her hand. She took a sip of the warm, minty beverage and took her surroundings in. She looked at her pink walls, the sunny world outside her window and her boyfriend besides her on the couch. Wow, boyfriend. To her this thing was still pretty new - and terrifying. She never has had a serious relationship before, and she did not think about having one in her future because she almost always only thought about her responsibilities as queen. But now, it was impossible to think about a future and Branch not being there. He was her other part that complimented her and she hoped she was that to him too. You may say, he was her ying to her yang - or the butter to her cookies- well, of course you could make cookies without the butter, there are substitutes out there - getting off track here, Poppy. The point is: he slipped into her life and without her noticing he became the most important part of it. With his stupid cute ears, that were moving to the slightest sounds, but also sometimes exposing his true feelings. His giggling that was the softest she has ever heard. His ramblings about various topics that she would listen too, even though she did not always understand all of the things he talked about, she was curious to know what he was interested in. And he would do the same for her. And the way he would sometimes hold her hand while brushing his thumb over it, made her ecstatic. And she knew she could always be honest with him and she could trust and depend on him, because he was always honest to her.

Before that it was sometimes pretty lonely. It is not like she did not trust her friends and didn't enjoy their company, but people do not always feel inquired to be honest to someone who will be or is a queen, even if that said person is in the wrong. But Branch was never that way. Whenever he thought she was in the wrong, he would always tell her. She may have not appreciated that many times before and may also not have listened to him which she is not very proud of. But now she really, really appreciates it. She needed that. And it took some stress off her shoulders, because there was now always a person who really got her back. Who would tell her if she is going way out of her head or making the wrong decision. She could really trust him. And she felt understood.

And besides that she really loved him. And that scared her. Because by now he was just - Branch. He was irreplaceable. And she didn't know how she would deal with it if something were to happen to him. She shook her head. Nope, noooo, happy thoughts, happy thoughts. What is she getting all sad about? Everything is fine. He is here with his kinda sad book and he is fine. Why is she thinking about such negative things? At that she sighed. Branch turned his head to her and asked: "Hey, everything's alright?" She smiled at him: "Yes, everything is fine. Just-" she looked at the book in his hand "How many times have you already read this book? I mean you summarized the whole plot to me in a few seconds." "Oh. Well, I guess like, augh, the sixth time by now?" "WHAT? Are you obsessed with this book? Because that is honestly some excessive reading." "I guess it is one of my favorites, but to be honest, I have a lot of books I have read more that a few times. If you have a lot of time alone, you find various ways to spend it. But, actually, what I have been wondering about, what is your favorite book?" "My favorite book?" She had to think about it. And contemplate if she should actually tell him.

"....Promise you won't laugh?" "Sure, cross my heart and hope to die." "...Ok, I don't want you to die, so you better keep the promise. I know it is actually a children's book but I always quite enjoyed 'Alice in Wonderland'." He looked at her, thought about it and nodded. "Literary nonsense, huh.", he said, "...Yeah, that suits you." "Um", she was a little offended, "excuse me, but what exactly are you calling literary nonsense?" "What? Oh! No, no", he waved his hand, while shaking his head and laughing, " 'Literary nonsense' is a genre. It breaks common rules, violates proven things and norms of language. It is largely absurd and a game with language. Nevertheless, the genre is not pointless and cannot be dismissed as simple nonsense or jokes. Because nonsense is not only funny or satirical, but also follows certain rules or sequences. And I thought to my self, that it makes sense that you would enjoy this type of literature."

"....Wow", she smirked at him, "You are one big literature nerd." "At least, I'm not a scrapbooking nerd.", he put his hands to one his cheeks, while closing his eyes and speaking in a way too high pitched voice,"Braaanch, do you know which glue is the best fit to put a scrapbook together? Braaanch, do you know which materials are the coziest to put into a scrapbook? Here are the top five." She had to giggle. "I do not sound like that." "Are you suuuree?", he said while instensely blinking at her. "Hey! Stop that!", she scooched closer to him and took one of his hands into her own. "You", she pointed a finger at him while smiling," are such a dork. I sometimes can't believe that you are the most serious guy I know." He smirked at her. "Well, I just find the middle ground. Guess I am the perfect man after all." "Yeah, yeah, sure. Throw narcissism in there too, if you're at it." "Poppy, you are, augh," he put his free hand over his heart, "too cruel. How can you do that to the person you love?" "Well, honesty is the best policy." He chuckled and said: "Can't argue with that." Poppy looked him in the face and had to keep herself under control. Why, for the love of god, was he so cute? And have the bluest eyes in the world? Argh! It was making her mad for no reason. "By the way,", said Branch while smiling at her, "your dad invited us to go fishing later." "Oh, that sounds very nice." " I do have to ask though." "What is it?", she said it while smiling back at him and squeezing his hand. "Is the sky bleeding?"

Suddenly everything went red. The sky was not baby blue anymore, it was a dark red and the clouds were moving at an indescribable pace. The warmth in her hand was gone too and she looked at the couch. Branch was gone. She stood up franticly and looked around but he was nowhere to be found. "Branch? Branchifer? Sweetie? Where are you?!" Her heartbeat was increasing rapidly and her breathing became irregular. Her sight was getting foggier and foggier and it became harder to breath by the minute. Her thoughts were scrambled, she couldn't form a single sentence in her head. Her whole body was filled with a sense of dread and she was ready to collapse any minute. Breathing pained and with the last shaky breath she took, she woke up.

She had to blink a few times to understand, that the whole thing was just dream. She looked outside her window and saw that the sun was already coming down. She was on her couch with Branch resting on one of her shoulders, cuddled up to her and holding her hand while slightly snoring. She remembered now that they were talking about literature before and were just giggling and messing around but it seems at some point, they have both fallen asleep. Her mind must have taken that and mixed reality with her dream world to create the nightmare she just had. She sighed relieved and cuddled her cheek into Branch's soft hair and melted into his warmth. Thank god, it was only a dream. And that Branch was right here by her side too, so that she was reassured that he was ok. Guess she was more scared of losing him than she thought. But, it would be alright. Because she would always be there for him and be by his side. No matter what.

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So, we have come to the end. My head canon that Branch is a literary nerd brought me the pain to think for an hour which book I should give for him to read, so there is also that hahaha But I hope you enjoyed it :)

[eydi-andrius]

ENDING GREEN

PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIC SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE YET.

author's note: I guess you were my girlies who cannot accept that Nanami died....because SAME. I have blocked every spoiler but saved his beautiful photos walking and enjoying that beach in Malaysia.

Enjoy! And don't forget to let me know what you think! 💚

divider by @cafekitsune

💖

When Yuji was the one you saw at your parent’s front door, you almost lost it. You were breathing fast, panicking and dizzy from worry. 

Yuji, who saw how your face turned pale instantly at the sight of him, panicked at first but then, he immediately tried to calm you down when he realized that his presence made you think of something you don't even want to mention. 

“Are you okay? I’m sorry I invited myself in.” He looked very sorry and even bowed in apology. You sipped the cold water he provided and closed your eyes to calm your racing heart. Thankfully, your parents went out temporarily or else, your breakdown will pass through them and poor Yuji will probably have a hard time taking care of everyone in the household. 

“I’m fine. Why are you here, Yuji? Where is Nanami?” With a frown, you put the glass on the table and tried not to fidget in worry. 

“Nanamin is fine. No, not totally fine. But alive and recovering.” He tried his best to explain but you noted how he looked away whenever your eyes met. Wait? What does he mean by recovering? 

“Recovering?” You asked, and stood up in surprise. Your heart is racing back again in worry.

“He’s okay! I swear, he is okay! Shoko-sensei already healed him. He can’t just go to meet you yet. But he told me to tell you he is okay and cannot fulfill his promise of following you here.” He explained immediately and waved his hand to tell you to sit back down and relax, afraid that this time you will totally faint from shock. 

“Healed from what?” You asked with a frown. 

“I- I was told by Nanamin not to tell you. He said he will explain.” Yuji looked like someone who was caught red handed. A boy who was caught, like a deer in the headlights. 

There is no point in worrying any further and pushing poor Yuji in the corner for more questions about Nanami when he was told not to mention anything from you. With a sigh of relief, from that dreadful week of waiting, especially, when you lost contact with him. You finally felt better, still worried, but better. 

“Have you eaten yet? How about lunch?” You offered and laughed when Yuji’s stomach growled at the mention of food. 

💚

The sterile smell of the white colored space made you nauseous. Although you were told he is well, you still do not know what he was recovering from. You have this fear on the way here that you tried so hard to swallow and hide on the back of your head. 

Shoko was the first one to greet you by the door. She gave you a curt smile, but her eyes told you how tired she was. You cannot imagine the amount of sleepless nights she has to endure after that bloodbath. Even Yuji, who used to be so bubbly, was all quiet on your way here. Like an old person who is contemplating life. It breaks your heart to see him like that when he was just a child. He doesn't deserve to see and experience those things by himself. You understand clearly now how Nanami feels if he chooses to be a normal salary man, and leave these kids in the hands of those heartless elders. They will not care if they are exposed to danger and die. The same way they treated Nanami when he was young. With a nod, Shoko opened the door and you were greeted by a bed hidden by a white curtain. 

“Just call me if you need anything.” Yuji, who was following you diligently up until that moment, had decided to give you space to meet Nanami alone. You nodded at him with thanks and he gave you a smile in return.

The walk towards the bed feels endless, the image you tried so hard to not think about keeps flashing in your brain. Each step is filled with a prayer that whatever injury he got is not as bad as you think it was. The more you move forward, the smell of antiseptic grows stronger, and the air tastes bitter, the smell is like an artificial soap. You stopped to take a deep breath before you took one last step and stood at the end of his bed. Mouth agape, you tried your best not to shed tears when you see how he looks. His head was covered with bandages, alongside his left face, all throughout his left arm. Some of his blood seeped out of the white cloth and stained the used to be pristine cover. The constant beeping of his life monitor is loud as it echoes to the quiet room and into your head. Your eyes continue to scan the damage he endured and left a silent gasp when you realized he is missing an arm.

Quietly, you move closer to him and plop down at the nearby metal chair beside his bed. With shaky hands, you took his remaining arm and clasped it like it was fragile. Your hand lost its strength from shock and you shook your head trying to decipher the pain Nanami must be in. You did your best not to shed tears, you truly do, but seeing the love of your life, half alive, pale and bloody is something you would never have thought you would see this sooner. You always thought that Nanami is the type of guy who will be able to leave the Jujutsu world with no injury, and healthy as a horse. You’ve guessed that you spoke sooner or maybe you were just naive. 

His hand is just too cold and the fear you were trying so hard not to think about came crashing down like an avalanche. You did your best not to squeeze his hands too much as you whimpered and cried on his side. You prayed to all the gods and whatever creatures who can provide you a miracle that day. You begged them to give Nanami a chance. To bring him back to you.  

You cannot remember how long you were in that position, but all you were interrupted by a hand squeezing your hand back weakly. You slowly looked up from where your head was placed on the bed, to silent your cries, and watched Nanami’s face for any sign movements. You did not know if you were just imagining that or not, however, your eyes were intensely trained on his face. Waiting for anything at that point. He did not open his eyes, but his mouth moved and you heard an inaudible sound coming from it. 

Carefully, you move closer to his face and move your ears closer to his mouth. You waited for him to say whatever he had said again and when he did, your knees almost buckled from relief. You nodded in agreement and softly placed your forehead on his uninjured face. Thanking all the gods you had prayed for at that moment for granting you another chance with him.

“Yes, we will move to Malaysia once you recover. I will come with you and I will be yours forever.” And it was at that time you realized that at your lowest moment, a person who never knew faith, will only have faith to get through their toughest battle. 

[totally-bogus-timelady]

Make do and Mend

Fwb!Steve Harrington x Fem Reader

Chapter one : The Same Situation

Screams.

You hear the screams of your best friend. The man that you've come to love, who you'd confessed to loving straight to his face just a few days ago.

Eddie Munson was out there. His screams loud enough to be heard over the wild screeching of Demobats even from this distance. Determination overtakes both you and Dustin and eventually you both make it through the gate to the upside down, each gaining injuries as you do.

As you both finally reach Eddie you realize that you're already too late. Demobats gone, Eddie's screams have now quietened to whimpers and he lays there, small and broken on the ground.

He tells Dustin to look after the others, that it's up to him now to carry on his legacy. He says how much he loves you both and turns his head towards your tearstained face. You manage a watery smile for him as he barely gains the strength to grab your hand.

"You are so beautiful," he rasps, spluttering a little. "I wish I'd told you sooner... I... I love you."

Your words are thick with tears and sadness as you reply, "I guess we were both pretty stupid on that one huh?"

You can still hear Dustin crying next to you but all you see right now is Eddie, soaking him up for however long he has left.

You lean forward and kiss him for the second and last time. His bloodied lips struggle against yours as he tries to find the strength to reciprocate.

"I love you Eddie," You choke out. And as you pull back, you see that he's gone, his eyes staring but not seeing. You and Dustin sit with him a while longer, you still cradling the body of your best friend, the man you loved.

================================================

You gasp and wake suddenly, startled by your reoccurring dream of Eddie's last moments. You lift a hand to your cheek and feel a dampness where the tears in your dream had bled through to reality.

You reach for the glass of water on your bedside table and take a sip to steady your nerves.

It was rare in the last two months that you had a full nights sleep. Not since you had all been in the upside down and Eddie had died.

Nancy, Steve and Robin had all succeeded in killing Vecna, El had managed to close the gates, Max was in a coma and everyone in Hawkins had gone back to normal, or as normal as Hawkins could get.

And then there was you, who was also expected to go back to normal. But how could you when the one person that made everything seem better, the one person who despite being dressed so darkly made each day brighter, was no longer here.

You get up and decide to stop dwelling on your nightmares for now, though they're still there in the back of your mind.

Looking over at your bedside table you find that you have just under an hour to get ready for work at the video store.

================================================

Your car pulls up in the parking lot outside Family Video. You look down at your watch and see that there's still ten minutes before your shift starts and decide to get a well needed coffee from the café next door, picking one up for Steve and Robin too.

Five minutes of queueing and two minutes of frothing later you were entering the doors of Family video to a very grumpy looking Steve standing behind the front desk and a few loud banging noises coming from the stock room that you could only assume was Robin.

His elbow was leaning on the desk whilst his head was resting in his palm, frown plastered on his face.

"You know, I don't think you're gonna sell many copies of Top Gun looking like that," you remark as you walk up to him.

He huffs and lifts his eyes to meet yours.

When you started working here, it'd taken you a while to warm up to Steve. You got on with Robin immediately, like a house on fire. You'd had a preconceived opinion of Steve from all the stories about how much of a jerk he was in high school. But after a couple of weeks working with him and a day where Robin had called in sick, leaving you to work alone together, you'd found that he was very different to the Steve you'd heard about and was in fact, a decent guy.

"Is that coffee?" He asks hopefully.

You scoff, "Help yourself Dingus, I got you the lowest fat option available. I know how you are."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Says Robin, finally appearing from the stock room. "That despite you working in an ice cream shop for a whole summer -meaning you get all the free ice cream you want - the only thing you would help yourself to was the bananas. You, Steve Harrington, are a health Dingus."

Steve rolls his eyes at Robins words.

"Oh! Coffee! Thanks," Says Robin, already downing too much for a steaming hot cup, hence why you requested the barista put more cold in hers.

Steve takes a swig out of his cup, still quiet but he nods his head at you in thanks.

"Well, I'm gonna go hang up my jacket. I'll be back in a sec," You head towards the back to slip your denim jacket onto your hook, a sticky label with your name on above it. Next to yours is one that says Robin and next to hers is a sticky label with Steve scratched out and Dingus written above it instead, courtesy of Robin.

You check yourself in the small, square staff mirror next to the coat hooks. You look tired as you observe your reflection, now twiddling with the pick necklace around your throat.

Wayne had given it to you, saying that after some serious thought that he was sure Eddie would've wanted you to have it. You lift it to your lips, kissing the pick quickly before leaving.

You head back onto the shopfloor, still tugging your dark green Family Video vest over your shirt.

"I swear these things get itchier each day. You know, I don't think Keith ever washes them..." You say as you clock yourself in on the computer behind Steve. He still remains silent. Just you and him behind the counter - Robin having left to help a customer pick out a movie - you move to stand beside him so you can see his face better.

He has a soft frown on his face like he's deep in thought, brow creased and his eyes wide and sad.

"You okay?" You ask him softly. He looks up suddenly and turns his head towards you, as if just realizing that you must be talking to him.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, no I'm... I'm fine," You give him a somewhat disbelieving look.

"You sure? You're kinda quiet..."

Steve opens his mouth to reply but at that moment the bell rings. a tall, beautiful, dark haired woman walks in - one of your regulars who always gets served by Steve. Her eyes light up as soon as she sees him behind the front desk and she heads over.

"Hey Steve! I was wondering if you'd be able to help me with some recommendations?" Steve barely lifts his gaze, clearly disinterested.

"What kinda movie you after?" He drawls in a bored tone.

Not quite catching onto Steve's mood, she continues in a light, hopeful and somewhat nervous voice.

"Well I was," The woman clears her throat. "I was hoping you could recommend something good for a date?"

Steve reaches into the trolley of movies waiting to be reshelved, grabs the first one at the top of the pile and hands it to her.

"Try this one."

She looks down at the copy of 'My Little Pony : The Movie' that Steve had handed her and frowns but decides to continue with what must've been a carefully constructed plan.

"The erm... The only problem is that I have no one to watch it on a date with... Any er, any ideas on how to fix that," She sets up his opportunity to suggest he go on said date with her. Her eyes are hopeful as she gazes at him.

Steve, already ringing her up at the till simply says, "You want a bag for that?"

Your mouth drops open in shock.

"Oh... No, thanks," She takes the video from his hand looking quite deflated, turns on her heel and leaves.

Steve's already standing back in his spot looking mopey when you turn to him.

"What the hell was that? She was totally asking you out on a date!"

"What?" He frowns at you again, looking confused.

"Oh my god Steve! What's up with you?"

"Look, it's nothing okay. I'm just not in the mood for flirting with random girls today. Just let it go."

He's avoiding your eyes, something that in the past you had found to be a telltale sign that he was lying to you.

"Hey," Your tone of voice softens and you put a hand on his shoulder making him look at you as you ask, "What's really going on with you? You can talk to me you know."

A look of defeat crosses his features.

"I just... I," He huffs, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue, "I went grocery shopping before work this morning 'cause I was out of milk, then I realized I was out of eggs and laundry detergent as well so- uh, anyway. I got all my shopping and I was waiting in the checkout que and I heard this beautiful laugh that I'd recognize anywhere, so I look a few tills over and there's... Nancy and Jonathan."

Steve's eye's go big and sad again as his frown returns.

"I know its stupid and they've been together for a couple of years now but... I guess just after everything with Vecna and how we were together it just, it just really seemed like I could get her back for a while there." Steve pauses, running his hand through his hair. "I mean, I wasn't the only one that thought it. I had Dustin nagging me about it in one ear and Robin in the other, even Eddie said-"

He seems to realize his mistake a second too late and pinches his nose between his finger and thumb. You reach up and twiddle your necklace at the mention of Eddie's name, a sharp stabbing pain going right through your heart. Steve, now feeling like an idiot, looks at your fallen expression and your watery eyes.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking... Here I am whining because Nancy doesn't love me when you're going through all this."

Steve continues apologizing, his hand waving around. You grab his shoulder again, this time to stop his apologetic spiel.

"Steve, Steve, it's okay! No I- It's okay Steve!" He stops waving his hands around and finally stops apologizing. "I mean, we're both kinda in the same situation really."

Steve narrows his eyes in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Well, we're both in love with someone we can't have, we're both trying to move on and we're both hurting right now. I mean it's different but kinda the same," You lean back on the counter.

"I guess so, when you put it like that,"

"I've not had much experience in the dating world but, you have... How would you normally get over someone?"

Steve's eyebrows raise in thought and his toned arm reaches towards his neck to scratch it awkwardly.

"Well, uh... Normally... Normally I'd just have a fling," Steve clears his throat awkwardly.

"A fling?"

"Yeah, I'd go on a date with some random girl and just have some meaningless sex. You know, just get it out of my system."

Steve looks over at the sci-fi section where Robin can be heard trying to explain to her customer why Star Trek and Star Wars are not the same and that his date wont be happy if he whips out Star Trek as a substitute.

He sighs and looks back at you, who is currently eyeing him curiously.

"Honestly," He starts, "I don't wanna go on a date with anybody right now. I just got my heart broken again, by the same girl. The last thing I feel like doing is buying flowers and going on a date with some girl I don't wanna be with 'cause she's not Nancy... I don't wanna waste my time or theirs, so I don't know what to do..."

He sighs again and slumps back into what seems to be his new favorite position on the counter. You decide to join him and press your jaw into your palm, your other hand starts to play with the slinky between you on the desk.

"I know what you mean. To be honest with you I don't want to go on a date with anyone unless it's Eddie, not at the minute at least."

Steve turns his attention from your hand toying with the slinky to your face again.

"You're right, we are in the same situation."

You turn to look at him, you mimic the gentle smile lifting his his lips. Your eyebrows furrow as briefly, a thought enters your mind. You and Steve are in the same situation. Maybe you and Steve could-

Robin suddenly appears in front of you both.

"Honestly, I just spent the last thirty minutes serving that guy and he said he'll come back tomorrow... I don't wanna serve that guy tomorrow or today, couldn't he have at least wrapped it up in one visit!"

She looks between the two of you, "Have either of you done any work since I went over there or do I have to do everything?" She says grabbing hold of the trolley of tapes waiting to be reshelved. You snap out of whatever crazy thought you were about to have.

"Oh god, Robin I'm sorry, I'll do that, You go and head off on your break," You say rounding the desk and taking the trolley from her hands.

"You sure you can handle Mr Grumpy while I'm gone?" she asks cheekily.

"Ha ha," Comes as a sarcastic reply from Steve.

"He'll be fine, go enjoy your lunch."

Robin thanks you and skips happily off to eat her tuna sandwich.

"Hey, you good?" You ask Steve.

"Yeah, thanks. I'm gonna head to the stock room and do some inventory. Give me a call if we suddenly get a load of customers."

With one last huff, Steve turns and heads towards the stock room. You watch him as he goes, one thought replaying in your head.

You and Steve are in the same situation...

================================================

A/N Hope you all enjoyed! chapter 2 should be up soon if I can get my arse in gear as It's very nearly done.

I don't know how many parts this will end up being but it is linked to my Fwb!Steve oneshot as well, so give that a read if you're thirsty for more as that will be making an appearance in the fic eventually.

Thanks for reading! xx

[curtsbigspoon]

So I already sent one in- But I had to delete my account because something went absolutely hay-wire with it, It's under the same name- But I'm not sure if it'll translate back- But I asked about Crosby anything. I'd bite at the bar of my fucking cage for it. I'm obsessed with Crosby, I'm not sure if you do write anything about him. If you don't, that's completely fine. Just ignore this if that's the case. I've just been dying for any crumbs of Crosby content-

My ask box is otherwise empty so I'm assuming it got deleted with your account. But fear not sweet creature, ask and ye shall recieve!

I did ask my pookie @johnslittlespoon a little about this one, just because as much as I do love cros and do intend on writing him and stuff, I haven't had a lot of chances yet, other than my most recent post where I spoke about him x bubbles as well as him x rosie. But i wanted to deliver still, so I can give you some more headcanons.

Feel free to ask for like more thought out stuff, or snippet things because I will attempt, I just never know what to provide unless someone is specific so forgive me 😭SPOILERS AHEAD BOYS!!!

crosby has always drank black coffee, ever since he got the taste of it, can't stick anything else. the first time bubbles offers to make him a cup he doesn't think to specify, is just grateful enough that they offered. it takes a lot for him to swallow his first sip, tries not to make it obvious, offering a smile and a nod. he's so used to taking sips whilst he's deep in his work that he inevitably winds up finishing the cup. gets up to go and make himself another, desperate for his preferred taste, only for bubbles to spawn out of nowhere offering to get him another one. he tries to politely decline but "i was gonna make myself one anyhow" and now he can't refuse or he'll look rude.

this bit's a tiny bit angsty but after bubbles dies, crosby can't drink the sweet stuff again. he tries to for the very first time after hearing, thinks it'll be something to to keep the memory. but it gets too hard, he winds up being sick, goes back to drinking black coffee because he can't stand the reminder of losing his best friend. well, up until he's deep in work and rosie comes along to see how he's doing, brings him a cup, and it's sweet and he probably drops his face into his hands and gets worked up but- (GUNSHOTS)

this one's especially based on the newest episode but, crosby's used to being seen as more timid right? will immediately stand up to admit when he's done something wrong but before it even gets to that point you can see it eating away at him. he might be able to handle a few comments here and there about himself, never quite willing to turn hostile because it's war, there's worse things happening and it's not worth getting worked up over. but the minute you say a single bad thing about his friends? oh it's over. he'll use his authority, put the fear of god into you, suddenly snap out of nowhere, no a soul can sense it's coming. he means business.

once again talked about in my last post but this man does not sleep, whether it's because of work or anxiety. he probably gets up and paces about, maybe goes to sit outside, goes somewhere, anywhere to clear his head. (angst) but he probably goes somewhere he knows he'll be alone, will talk to bubbles as if he's sitting beside him, laugh about good stuff that's happened, spill his guts about the things eating away at him, referring to fond memories they used to share.

[star-my]

Vixen ~ Chapter One

➼ Pairing: Park Jimin x OFC (Shin Ara)

➼ Length: 5.7k

➼ Rating: pg-15

➼ Content: Arranged Marriage AU, CEO AU, Mafia AU | TW: Medical Issues (resolved), Mentions/Discussion of Human Trafficking (not by BTS or SKZ members) | JK is Ara's BFF and bodyguard and Best Boy; Bangtan and Stray Kids are mafia; think Kitty Gang Jimin; flirting and fluff; multiple ARMY and STAY easter eggs sprinkled throughout (I welcome comments detailing which ones you caught); author does her best to beat the Wattpad allegations and fails miserably, which is funny because she went straight to ao3 and skipped the orange app phase

➼ Many thanks to @kookthief @moonleeai & @yoongiobsessed for betaing this chapter&lt;3

➼ Taglist (Open): @bangtan-famiglia-net @kookthief @otome-wandering

➼ Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and in no way represents any member of BTS, SKZ, or any other K-pop group mentioned in any way beyond the face and name claims the author made for this work.

➼ Chapter Two (14/10/23) ➼ Chapter Three (15/10/23) ➼ Masterlist ➼Ao3

The door to the opulent room swung open soundlessly, allowing the tall, muscular man to enter unnoticed. He cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the young woman seated at the vanity.

“Your father has requested your presence ASAP. When will you be ready?”

The woman glanced up from her careful application of sparkly gold eyeliner.

“Give me five minutes, Kookie! Is he home?” She moved towards the walk-in closet across the spacious bedroom.

“He’s at the office. I’ll bring the car around, then.” The woman’s bodyguard –but first and foremost her friend– left, and she began the process of accessorizing.

Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled up to the tall office building in downtown Seoul, the headquarters of ShinCorp.

As the heiress of ShinCorp, Shin Ara was immediately escorted to the CEO’s office and served tea by the secretary.

“Appa?”

Secretary Kim set the tray on the coffee table, leaving father and daughter to their meeting.

Ara glided gracefully over  to warmly hug her father. “Jungkook told me you wanted to speak with me about an urgent matter. Is something wrong?”

Shin Jungok sighed, lowering himself onto the sofa across from his only child. “No, nothing is wrong. What has my beautiful daughter been accomplishing lately?”

Ara crossed her legs, smoothing her ruffled swiss-dot skirt over her knees. “I’ve been looking at property for my gallery. Other than that, I’ve been rather quiet. You’ve been busy with work, so I haven’t wanted to disturb you, Appa.”

Jungok smiled. “You are such a respectful child, Ara. Yes, I’ve been occupied with work. I just finished a meeting with the new CEO of Park Group.”

“Oh, their former CEO died recently, didn’t he? His son took over, I suppose? Awfully young to be CEO,” she mused.

“Yes, he’s only twenty seven, but he has a good head for business. We’ve never partnered with the Park Group before, though a contract was once drawn up between us. I guess he’s trying to show the board he’s capable despite his youth.” 

“Maybe he’s capable because of his youth,” Ara arched her brow at her father.

Jungok took a long sip of his tea. “Ara, are you seeing anyone?”

She blinked at the non sequitur. “Uh…no? I’ve been busy planning my gallery. I haven’t had time to date.”

“Park Jimin asked for your hand in marriage,” Jungok stated simply.

Ara stared. “What?”

“Will you at least think about it? I’m sure he’ll take good care of you and be a good husband to you, and if we make this partnership, he’ll be more solidly accepted as a businessman. You know I’m getting older, and ShinCorp will stay in our family when I retire. I am proud of you for following your own path, and a little pleased that you do not want to take over ShinCorp, but I want to make sure you are taken care of.”

“May I see the contract?”

Jungok handed her the portfolio, and she read through it carefully. “Will ShinCorp go to Mr. Park or to our children?”

“Mr. Park will have a share and your children will receive the rest. Until they come of age, you and he will have joint control over the company,” Jungok explained. “I know you don’t want to be CEO, but we must take caution in this day and age. I know you will make sure ShinCorp is run according to our mission statement.”

Ara hummed an acknowledgment and flipped over a page.

“Do you have Mr. Park’s number?”

Her father looked up in surprise. “Are you sure? I’m not pressuring you, Ara!”

“I know, Appa. I accept his proposal.”

“Well, I believe he left his card…” Jungok moved to his desk and shuffled through some papers. “...here!” He handed it to Ara.

“Er…the marriage is best announced and signed on sooner rather than later.”

Ara barely glanced up from creating a new contact in her phone.

“I’m aware, Appa,” she said briskly. “Will next Saturday work? I saw the perfect dress when I was out shopping with Unnie last week. I’ve been planning my wedding since I was a little girl, Appa.”

It was Jungok’s turn to stare at her. “In just over a week?”

She smirked. “Money is king, is it not? I’ll get everything done in time.” She patted his shoulder on her way to the door. “Leave it to me.”

~~~

Twenty minutes later, Ara slipped into her car. She clipped the seatbelt in, and Jungkook took off. 

“You’re looking at the future Mrs. Park Jimin!” she announced cheerfully.

“What?!” Jungkook swerved, then corrected the car.

“I’m marrying Park Jimin next Saturday if that works for him.” Her phone pinged. “Speak of the devil. ‘Yes, Saturday is perfect. Thank you for accepting my proposal. I am sorry it is so short notice and businesslike,’” Ara read aloud. “He sounds decent. Good.”

“He’d better be more than decent,” muttered Jungkook darkly, turning a corner smoothly.

Ara cooed. “Aww, are you worried about me? You’re the one who trained me for my black belt in taekwondo.”

“It’s literally my job, Ara!”

“I know, but still…Anyways, can you drop me off at the Whalien Cafe so I can meet all the girls at once?”

“Sure. Should I come in?”

“If you want. Have you ever tried their special 52 Hertz menu item? It’s sooo good.”

“No, I haven’t. I’ll come to crowd control your friends and try it while I’m there.”

“Wise choice.”

Ara and Jungkook walked into Whalien Cafe and ordered, then joined the five girls at two squished-together tables. Ara’s friends and unnie updated her on their lives since she had seen them last, then Ara dropped her bomb.

“Will you be my bridesmaids next Saturday?”

There was a beat of silence, then complete chaos erupted.Once they calmed down, she explained the situation. They immediately agreed to be her bridesmaids and began planning.

Ara explained her vision, then sat back as the ideas ran wild. By the end of the afternoon, she had a list of her favourite suggestions and a promise from each of her friends to join her the next day for dress shopping.

The friend group had met in college, except for Ara’s unnie, Kim Sihyeon. Sihyeon was the cousin of Jungok’s PA, Seokjin, who Ara viewed as an older brother.

Ara’s mother died in a car accident when Ara was eleven and Jungok immediately hired Ara a bodyguard-chauffeur. Jungok had Jungkook befriend Ara and trained him to become her new bodyguard-chauffeur when he was old enough. The other four members of the friend group were Jennie, Rose, Jisoo, and Lisa. They’d all been dorm mates in college and were quite close.

~~~

After a light supper, Ara spent the evening reserving things and purchasing necessary items for her upcoming nuptials.

Her phone dinged with an alert. Curious, she turned from her laptop and tapped on the message.

PJ: You’re certainly very organized! I was honestly expecting a month at best. I have people working on a story of how we met earlier. Here’s a link to the rough draft. Make whatever changes you want.

Inquisitive, Ara tapped on the link to the document, a professional publicist’s work, of course. It was well-written, if a little sensational, but she frowned at the extra drama sprinkled in, such as their coincidental meeting in Italy in the spring and their secret romance (none of which she recalled).

SA: Why do we need an article? Do you need this for appearances? *I* don’t mind being ‘just a business marriage’. It is a good story, though:)

PJ: I thought you would want it to seem as normal as possible. You are quite intriguing, Miss Shin.

SA: Good;) Let’s just release a formal announcement stating we’ve decided to get married. The media really doesn’t need anything else.

SA: I have the place and time booked for the reception and ceremony. Is there anything you’d like me to add, like family traditions?

PJ: Whatever you like. I will be giving you my halmeoni’s ring, if that’s alright with you.

SA: Of course! One final question…pink?

PJ: It’s a decent colour?

SA: 👍

A light knock echoed from the heavy wooden door, then a man popped his head into Jimin’s private office.

“Hey, Boss, there’s a box from your fiancée.”

“Bring it in,” the man behind the desk ordered. 

He carefully opened the box and lifted out a pastel-pink silk tie. The paper inside read, “I hope this hue of pink is a decent enough colour to wear to our wedding. If this is satisfactory, text me and I’ll send over the rest for your groomsmen. Black suits, please. ~SA”

Jimin smiled a little at the slightly wonky smiley face Ara had drawn beside her name and carefully replaced the tie.

PJ: It’s perfect. Thank you.

A woman all in black walked purposefully into the old warehouse. Several men and a few women were working busily in the large space, barely looking up at the click of her heels.

The door to the private rooms built into the warehouse swung open with the slight squeak of a hinge needing oil.

Gold eyes scanned over its occupants.

“Where’s Hyunjin?”

“He’s restocking the medical room since he got his new supplies,” answered a man with vermilion hair, stretching from his slump over a computer.

“Thanks, Chan.”

A tall man with long black hair popped out of a side room. “You called, Boss?”

The woman nodded shortly, clapping her hands for attention. “You all know that since Park Wonshik died, Bangtan’s been targeted. Well, the head of Bangtan had a brilliant idea to partner with the Grays, business-level and gang-level, through marriage.

“The head of Gray’s daughter is marrying Park Jimin on Saturday. The other mafia will find out tomorrow. With Bangtan and Gray united, the mafia  looking to take over Bangtan may set their sights on smaller game, so we need to be prepared for any backlash against us.

“Minho, you figure out if the others are planning to attack anyone. Hyunjin, find out how much Bangtan has on Stray Kids. Everyone else, get ready for an attack, worst-case scenario.”

“Yes, ma’am!” saluted the eight men in unison. They turned to their tasks, leaving Chan to approach the woman.

“Vix, you sure about this?”

Vixen’s blood-red lips curved in a smile. “Don’t worry, Channie. I have everything under control and I have plans for every variable, just like oppa taught me.”

Chan sighed. “Alright, then. I trust you, Vix.”

“Boss, here’s the file on Shin Ara you wanted.”

“Thanks, Hoseok.”Jimin took the file and flipped through it.

Good grades, though they slipped the year her mother Aeri died; friendly but only had a handful of close friends- four girls she met in college, four of her father’s employees, and one ex-boyfriend, Lee Minho, whom she was still friendly with. Graduated high school and college with honours, has an arts degree in photography, and had recently purchased a building on the edge of downtown Seoul for a gallery.

Who are you, Shin Ara? Why did you so readily agree to marry a stranger?

Jimin mulled over the possibilities, staring at her picture on the screen before him.

Another knock on the door roused him. “Sir, it’s time for your suit fitting.”

~~~

Jimin looked eagerly at the doors, waiting for the first glance of his wife face-to-face.

The audience stood as Ara strutted down the catwalk with a grace only a girl who had been bred in high society could achieve.

She took his hand, her fingers gripping his tightly. Her hand fit perfectly in his. A whiff of her floral perfume wafted through the air. Her very presence seemed familiar, though Jimin figured that could be from the hundreds of texts they had exchanged in the past eleven days.

Kim Seokjin was officiating at Ara’s request; it seemed to Jimin that he spoke slowly on purpose, taunting him with the veiled face of his bride.

Finally they reached the vows, and Ara’s grip on his hand tightened momentarily.

Jimin slipped his grandmother’s ring onto her finger, admiring the sparkle that seemed right. The three red garnets bookmarked by tiny diamonds suited her.

Ara slid the gold band on his finger, a little shock running up his arm from where she touched him.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“...You may kiss the bride,” announced Seokjin.

Jimin carefully lifted the veil over Ara’s reddish-brown hair, careful not to mess up her hairdo, and met her eyes with a smile he hoped wasn’t too eager.

Her eyes locked on his, a hint of a smile in their mahogany depths. He smiled back, placing his hand on her cheek, his thumb cupping her jaw. The steady beat of her heart pounded under his thumb as he dipped her slightly, the crowd cheering in celebration.

With a wink at her surprised glance, he swept his thumb over her lips, pressing his own to his thumb.

Seokjin gave him a minuscule nod that he caught out of the corner of his eye. No one else appeared to have caught the faux-kiss, thankfully.

Jimin really didn’t want to have to explain to his teasing brothers that the big, bad mafia boss didn’t want to scare his new bride away.

Sihyeon straightened the train of Ara’s Alexander Wang dress and handed her the bouquet of pink ranunculus. Jimin extended his arm, Ara looped hers through his, and they swept down the aisle.

Jungok caught his eye on the way by, “Don’t forget your promise,” he mouthed.

The promise, in Jimin’s copy of the contract– Jungok’s only stipulation.

Do not let Ara find out that you or I are in the mafia.

Ara was a total Daddy’s girl, only idolizing him. He didn’t want to break her heart, tell her that her appa wasn’t all she’d thought he was.

Jungok had been secretly overjoyed when she had come to him, saying she wanted to study art, not business to prepare for inheriting ShinCorp. It was much easier to hide the fact that he was the don of the Gray mafia, one of the biggest in Seoul.

Jungok could leave ShinCorp to his Head of Strategy, Kim Namjoon, who would run the Grays as well, and Ara would be none the wiser.

Jungok’s one wish was to never crush his little girl’s world of gold and pink and glitter and peace.

Yes, he had insisted she learn a martial art and have a bodyguard, but many CEOs’ families had more protection. Aeri’s accident may have truly been an accident, but after he failed to protect his wife, he vowed to make sure Ara would always be protected.

After the luxurious reception, the Parks drove to Jimin’s home and base of operations, codenamed Cypher. Jimin drove them himself- Ara had brought Jungkook with her but given him the night off, and he was hitting it off with his new colleagues and Jimin’s friends/groomsmen, Kim Taehyung, Jung Hoseok, Min Yoongi, Choi Soobin, and Choi Beomgyu.

Jimin pulled the bulletproof SUV up to the steps and sighed in relief. None of the other mafia or gangs had attempted anything, and Bangtan was now officially allied with Gray; the gangs pressuring and testing him since his father’s death should relax now.

He leaned his head against the headrest and looked over at Ara. Oh, right.

“So…it didn’t seem quite right discussing it over text, but where should I put your things? I have a suite prepared for you, or you can have the master bedroom, whichever you’d like…”

Ara smiled a little at his awkwardness, masking her own. They hadn’t exactly had the time to discuss the finer points of married life, beyond the ‘getting married’ point.

“I think the suite would be best for now, although I am looking forward to getting to know you better, and I hope we can make this relationship work.”

“I do, too.” Jimin pulled out his phone to text the housekeeper to move the rest of Ara’s things to the prepared suite . “You looked beautiful, I meant to say that earlier.”

“Thank you. Er- did you dye your hair to match the colour scheme? I wasn’t expecting that level of cooperation.”

Jimin chuckled, getting out of the SUV and stretching to relieve the lingering awkwardness. “No, that was a coincidence. I’m glad it didn’t clash with the colour scheme, though. When you asked about suits and colours all I could think of at first was, ‘Oh no, what if she wants one of those ultra-modern black-and-white weddings’ or something.”

Ara’s light laughter floated through the crisp night. “Don’t worry, I like colour. Photographer, y’know?”

“I was really impressed by how quickly you got everything prepared.” He paused, debating on broaching the subject now or later. Curiosity won, and he plowed ahead. “Can I ask why you agreed to marry me so quickly?”

Ara shrugged, bending over to pull off her sparkly pink Louboutins. “You needed a partnership with my father’s group. Appa would have a beneficial business agreement with your company. I would like to be a wife, and in the future, a mother. I’ve never had a long-term boyfriend or anything…all the chaebol heirs are too old, too young, pricks, immature, or just not my type. I confess I did a little stalking of you, and Appa approved of you. Even if this was a business marriage, he would never suggest a man who wouldn’t treat me well. And you saved me the time and stress of introducing my boyfriend to my family and waiting to see if the verdict would fall in your favour or not,” she shrugged again. 

Jimin nodded, fascinated by the peek into Ara’s brain. “I hope that, at the very least, we’ll get along as friends. Would you like to go on a date tomorrow?”

“Sure, I’m free. What time?”

~~~

Ara settled into her very comfy bed and pulled out her phone.

SA: 2:00 p.m. tomorrow

KS: Done so soon?

SA: Shut up. 2:00, be there or don’t.

KS: Got it. I’ll be there.🙄

At 1:55 p.m., Ara descended the stairs of her new house, ready for her date. Her peach tunic dress hugged her curves and fell to her knees, complemented by her chunky brown leather heels, gold jewelry, and an oversized burgundy purse.

Jimin had just pulled the car up, and his jaw loosened a little. “You look stunning!”

Ara blushed, pushing a loose curl behind her ear. “Thanks, you look pretty nice yourself.”

Jimin wore his loose white suit well, his plum shirt complementing his peachy-pink hair.

The car ride to downtown Seoul was filled with quiet chatter as the newlyweds got to know each other better.

Jimin pulled up to an art museum and got out, heading quickly to Ara’s side to open the door for her. She took his arm, and he let her tell him all about the art and curation as they toured the museum.

“Abeoji first took me to a museum when I was six, I think? I really liked it and begged Eomma to take me back. I just kept making my parents take me to museums until I’d seen them all, and then repeated it. I tried drawing and painting, but I wasn’t very good at them and didn’t want to put in the hours of practice to attempt to be good.”

They strolled along to the photography section, having gone through the traditional paintings and sketches.“Photography caught my attention when I was ten or eleven…Jungkook had taken up photography as his hobby, and he let me try sometimes. I really loved those times taking pictures and decided that’s what I wanted to do as a job, not run ShinCorp. Appa was surprisingly accepting of my decision, but he’s always spoiled me a bit,” Ara laughed.

“Jungkook, as in, your bodyguard?” Jimin asked curiously. “He couldn’t have been much use when you were ten…he’s only a bit older than you, right?”

“Oh, Kook wasn’t my bodyguard till he was eighteen. We grew up as childhood friends since my eomma’s accident. He’s from Busan, but he was kidnapped and trafficked around the time of my mom’s accident. The police rescued him and some other children when they broke up the ring of gangsters that had been trafficking kids,” explained Ara, pausing in front of a photo of a field of wildflowers.

“Jungkook was an orphan, so one of the policemen who’d rescued them fostered him. He was Appa’s friend, and they thought it would be good for both of us to have a companion.”

Ara turned to see what Jimin thought of this revelation. He was frowning at the floor, one hand in his pocket. Running his other hand through his hair, he exhaled. “That must have been tough.”

Ara nodded. “He doesn’t speak about it much–sensitive, you know? Oh, and you don’t need to worry about…anything between us,” she added hesitantly. “We did have a crush on each other in high school, but we realized we’re better off as friends. There’s no competition.”

He raised his head to smirk at her, pushing his hair back one final time. “So, there’s a chance of winning your heart?”

She smiled back, lifting her lashes flirtatiously. “I’d say there’s a good chance.”

“Shall we go for dinner, then?”

“Sure, I could eat. Could we try this new French restaurant nearby?”

“Whatever you want, milady. What’s its name?”

“L’Domino. Main floor of the Star Lost hotel,” Ara pointed down the street to a tall building several blocks away, visible from the museum parking lot.

“Ah…I’ve heard of that place. Let’s go, then!”

The maitre’d heard their names and immediately showed them to a table. Dim lighting, but not so dim you couldn’t see what you were eating, opulent fabrics and the quiet instrumental soundtrack gave the dining room an atmosphere oozing exclusivity. Jimin pulled out Ara’s chair for her, then sat opposite her.

A black-suited waiter approached, his chubby cheeks lifted in a smile. “Good evening! My name is Jisung; I’ll be your server tonight. Can I start you off with a beverage?”

At D9, Vixen’s HQ, Chan picked up the phone, halting its first ring. “Chan.”

“Christmas, it’s me. Have Park Jimin’s hacker find Jeon Jungkook’s file of his kidnapping. Shin Ara told him about it; he’ll be suspicious.”

“Got it. Did Seungmin make the drop?”

“The goods are in position. I’ll contact you later for news on our plans, I just wanted to give you a head start on the file. Vixen over and out.”

“Thank you for the lovely date, Princess. I enjoyed getting to know you. Perhaps we could make this a regular thing?”

Jimin opened the front door, and Ara stepped into the low-lit foyer. “Thank you. I had a lot of fun, and ditto,” she returned. “Making this regular sounds lovely.”

Jimin inhaled and pushed further. “Would you like to have breakfast together in the mornings if I’m not at the office early?”

“I’d love to. What time do you normally eat?”

“Quarter to eight. Does that work for you?”

“Sounds perfect. See you tomorrow, then?”

“See you then. Sleep well,” he called after her, already halfway up the stairs.

“You as well. Goodnight, Jimin.” Ara entered her suite, all done in pastels with gold accents. It was either a strange coincidence or someone had been talking (she bet it was her appa), but it was very similar to her room at home.

She headed to the ensuite to begin her nighttime routine, replaying the whole date with Jimin.

She had expected maybe dinner or an outing, but not the entire afternoon and evening. It was lovely, but she wondered if Jimin would face any backlash over spending so much time off work. It was crucial he maintained a flawless profile in the first months of being appointed CEO, Ara was enough of a businessman’s daughter  to know that. Their marriage was, in part, to help stabilize his takeover, and she didn’t want to be a hindrance.

He was a perfect gentleman and quite attentive. She’d miss his company, but she’d make sure their next date was a little shorter. By their first anniversary, he should be able to spend more time with her again.

It’s not like she was expecting love and him to wait on her hand and foot, even if she did hope they’d grow to genuinely care about each other. Time flew by, anyway– she’d survive a few months without his constant presence. Resolved to broach the subject at breakfast the next morning, she crawled into her comfy bed and replayed his every action again.

He was too perfect. She’d find his flaw sooner or later.

Jimin tapped his fingers rhythmically on his desk and sighed. Finally, he pushed a button and asked for Jungkook to be fetched.

Minutes later, Ara’s bodyguard stood at attention in front of him.

“You’ve known Ara since you were eleven?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You were adopted by Jeon Jeonghwa, an officer in Seoul’s police department, Organized Crime division?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Ara told me you were kidnapped from Busan and brought here by traffickers, till you were rescued by your adoptive father.”

Jungkook nodded.

“You became her bodyguard at eighteen…you’ve trained in martial arts for twelve years?”

“Yes, sir. Mr. Shin insisted Ara and I take self-defense lessons, and I wanted more.”

“You know who Shin Jungok is? Who I am?” Jimin leaned back in his chair, studying Jungkook.

“Yes, sir. Head of the Gray Gang and the Bangtan Family.”

“Does Ara suspect who we are?” Jimin narrowed his eyes. The million-dollar question…or maybe, billion-dollar, considering the revenue estimated to be brought in by this alliance.

“No, sir. Mr. Shin wants her to know nothing about your other business. He’s made sure she knows nothing.”

“Tell me if she ever mentions anything about it to you, please. Thank you for your time.”

“Yes, sir. Also…there was never really anything between us. We’re like siblings, sir.”

Jungkook left, and Jimin resumed his finger tapping, staring at the spot where the man had stood.

Time went by, and the newlyweds fell into a routine. They would have breakfast together four times a week when Jimin wasn’t ‘at the office early’. When he came home, they would have dinner, either trying out a new restaurant or one of Ara’s home-cooked meals. 

Cooking was her hobby, and she enjoyed experimenting with various cuisines and fusions.

Mrs. Lee, the housekeeper, let her have free reign of the kitchen, a feat not easily achieved.

The long-date problem was solved by the compromise of several shorter dates. Once a week, Jimin would take Ara on a coffee or lunch date, the short distance between Ara’s gallery and Park Group’s buildings coming in handy so they could stretch out their precious minutes together. 

Ara had almost finished setting up her gallery and excitedly shared her plans for the opening and all the organizing she had to do. Jimin was bemused by her enjoyment of organizing things and creating organizational systems, imagining if she knew about his secondary business and how she’d whip everyone into shape. He had no doubt that she would be a force to be reckoned with if someone got into her path. Grinning at the mental image of Ara siccing Jungkook and maybe his own men on someone standing in her way, he realized he was smiling like a loon and quickly smoothed out his expression.

Just in time.

His secretary knocked on the door and poked his head in. “Sir, the dress was delivered. However, Mrs Shin has not opened it yet.”

With a fond smile, he rolled his eyes. She was probably busy focusing on the networking for the ball tonight.

For all her love of order, she could be so scatterbrained and distracted sometimes. Her suite was a disaster when she was getting ready to go out, and she was always leaving something behind somewhere. Maybe it should have annoyed him, but it only endeared her to him more. She wasn’t completely perfect, something that reassured him to no end. Perfect people were too good to be true, something that made him suspicious of Ara and Jungkook in the beginning.

At first, he’d only spent so much time with Ara because he wanted to know what she was hiding behind that girly-girl, society and gilded mask, but as they became closer, he realized she truly was that good-hearted; not shallow at all, but she didn’t shy away from being the cliche chaebol princess.

Her openness drew him to her like a moth to a flame. He had so many secrets. What was it like to just be who you are, unapologetically? Not worry about what people thought of you?

Jungkook was similar to Ara, probably because they’d been practically attached by the hip for over a decade. He’d quickly proven himself to Jimin’s closest circle, and as Mrs Shin’s guy, he was quickly welcomed to the inner ranks. He gave Jimin good advice about how to deal with Ara, which Jimin truly appreciated, and he was always down to join Jimin in a workout or spar.

Even Hoseok, Jimin’s Head of Security, approved of Jungkook, a difficult achievement.

By the second month of the contract marriage, Ara and Jungkook were permanent fixtures in the Bangtan Family’s life, and it seemed unthinkable that anything should happen to them. They were Parks now, and it seemed like they always had been.

Jimin knocked on Ara’s door, fiddling with his garnet cufflinks while he waited. The thick carpeting muffled her footsteps, and the door swung open unexpectedly.

His jaw dropped.

The form-fitting red dress had a sparkling corset bodice, laced up tightly to emphasize his wife’s curves, and a hint of thigh winked at him from the slit in the gauzy skirt.

Diamonds glinted from her ears, between fluffy curls he wanted to wrap around his fingers.

Shin Ara looked every inch the mafia queen she was, even if she didn’t know it. 

Jimin’s gaze slowly slid down to her strappy gold heels, then back up, making Ara blush.

“You look wonderful,” he said, extending his hand.

“Thank you.”

~~~

Jimin proudly escorted his wife into the high society, clandestine mafia ball.

Jungok spotted them arriving and came over to greet them.

Every two weeks, the entire group of Gray and Bangtan’s inner circles came together for dinner. Jungok had been at their mansion two days ago, yet he acted as if it had been two months.

“Hello, my beautiful daughter; Jimin. You look so much like your mother,” Jungok stared wistfully at Ara. “Speaking of, when will I get my own grandchildren?”

Blushing furiously, Ara thwacked her father’s arm. “Appa!”

“What? I’m an old man, I want to see my grandchildren before I die.”

Ara scoffed. “You’re so dramatic, Appa; you’re not that old. Anyways, how’s your new secretary doing? Has he learned anything yet?” she grinned, recalling her father’s exasperated rant on the secretary’s new structuring and organization tactics earlier that week.

“Yes, Seungmin just needed some time to learn the ropes; he’s quite bright. When will you have your opening night?” Jungok switched the topic.

“Next month, the twelfth. I’m so excited!”

Jimin chimed in with a chuckle, “It’s all she’s been focused on for a while now.”

Ara glared playfully at him and swept off for some punch. 

Rejoining the men, she saw her father grip Jimin’s wrist tightly and speak lowly into his ear.

“Appa? Gwaenchana?”

“Just a little thirsty,” Jungok said thickly. Ara quickly passed him her punch and watched in horror as it spilled all over the front of her dress, the cup crashing to the floor moments before Jungok.

“Appa!” Ara stared at the sweat gathering on his forehead, at the light, fast breaths he was taking as he weakly tugged at his tie to loosen it. 

"Call an ambulance!" She demanded of no one in particular, crouching beside him in worry.

Jimin dialed the emergency line quickly and waited for the ambulance to come. Jungkook rushed over, checking Jungok’s pulse and loosening his collar and cuffs, rolling him onto his side.

The EMTs arrived and transported Jungok to the hospital, sirens blaring as they sped through the streets.

Ara nervously twisted her fingers in her lap, her gaze fixed on the flashing lights directly ahead of them as Jimin followed the vehicle carrying her father.

Finger twisting was joined by impatient pacing in front of the row of chairs as she awaited any news.

After what seemed like hours of pacing under the glaring white lights, the doctor who’d taken her father approached.

“Mr. Shin is stable but unconscious right now. He had a heart attack. Do you know if he had any of these symptoms lately?” the doctor rattled off a list of concerning things Ara wished she knew about.

She shook her head helplessly. “I-I don’t know. I just got married recently and moved out- I’ve only seen him briefly…”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Jimin wrapped his arms around her comfortingly, returning from making calls to his secretary, letting her know that he wouldn’t be in the next day. “You didn’t and couldn’t know– that’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault; it’s just a fact. Your dad is stable now. It’ll be okay, yeah?” His hand rubbed soothing strokes up and down her arm. “Ara, you’re cold.” Shrugging his coat off,  he wrapped it around her like a hug.

“We’d like to run some tests on Mr. Shin, just to make sure he’s okay besides this issue,” said the doctor, eyeing her sympathetically. “Could you come to my office to sign some papers?”

Once everything was finally sorted out and she had seen her father, reassured that he was going to be okay and there was nothing for her to do at present, Jimin took her home and sent her straight to bed.

Tucking her in, he smoothed the comforter over her shoulders, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “He’ll be okay, Princess.”

“Thank you for everything, Jimin.” She blinked up at his shadowed profile.

“Of course. Get some sleep.” His finger brushed her cheek, then she heard his light footsteps head toward the door and the quiet snick of the door closing.

Closing her eyes, she did her best to sleep. Its comforting embrace welcomed her swiftly.

[koumeowkami]

🪐 no celestial ; kanallen

— chapter five

"Kanata was a poor little angel that heaven couldn't help. He'd always been a tough one, not trusting anyone but his little brother Nayuta, the only person that ever made him feel love. Growing up by themselves, he did everything in his power to protect his sick brother, things that dirtied his holy hands. "It's for a good cause though", he thought. But it wasn't enough, and Nayuta died soon after.

Kanata's soul was completely spent. He became unable to feel love, and adding to his dirty dealings that soon were found out, he got cast out of heaven. Fallen on Earth with his wings blackened, he felt so lost and empty he thought he could've just died.

But a random encounter with a very annoying, persistent, stupid redhead human boy would've made him discover love again."

3099 words

genre: supernatural, hurt/comfort, angst

warnings: none

previous ✧ next

The faint morning light was passing through the curtains, hitting Kanata's face slightly. He was still sleeping, reveling in that weird warmth that was spreading in his cold body. His mind went immediately back to all the nights spent with Nayuta, but now things were different, right?

Suddenly, an imaginary alarm sounded in Kanata's head, warning him that something was definitely wrong. He slowly, cautiously opened his eyes...

...and then screamed.

"What the fuck are you doing in the bed?! "

The redhead fell out of the bed, landing on his unused sleeping bag and then looked up at a flushed Kanata like a deer in headlights. Kanata thought he looked ridiculously pathetic, but only for a split second. He was too angry to focus on that.

"What's up with you, screaming like that?! I was literally next to you..." the boy said, still half asleep.

"Well, that's the thing! You shouldn't have been next to me, you dumbass!" Kanata argued, massaging his temples. "Who do you think you are, deciding stuff on your own?!"

Seriously, what was wrong with him. He just wanted to be left alone and yet this guy couldn't seem to learn what personal space was. No matter how strong the barrier, he just kept trespassing it as he liked.

"Hey! I had a reason to take your hand" Suzaku stood up, "You were tossing and turning in your sleep. I wanted to help you and it worked!" he looked at Kanata, smiling proudly.

Kanata stopped his hissy fit and looked down. How did he not realize he slept, after so long he couldn't even remember the last time? He remembered nightmares tormenting him last night as always, and then... light shone on his heart, clearing the way. That was probably the very first time he had a good night's sleep after his brother's death.

"You shouldn't have..." he said softly, his head still lowered. "I don't... deserve it..."

He saw the redhead getting closer, his expression worried. "Kanata... are you okay-"

"Good morning, everyone!" Pink Hair chimed in cheerfully, interrupting that very awkward moment. Kanata felt almost relieved. He wasn't ready to tell him anything yet; they were strangers, there was no need for Suzaku to know his past. He kept repeating that in his mind.

"Heard you guys screaming and all, are you alright?" they looked at Kanata first, then the other boy, frowning slightly.

The redhead cleared his throat, "Sure! Don't worry about it" he smiled, "Actually can we go have breakfast? I'm starving and I bet Kanata is also hungry!"

Kanata's stomach growled to confirm his statement and he finally decided to get up, trying to look at Suzaku the least he could. His hand was still burning hot.

"So, did you sleep well?" Mushroom-Head said, sipping on his bitter coffee, "I suppose you did, since you had the energy to make so much noise this early in the morning."

"Erm... I slept well!" Suzaku ignored that comment. "The sleeping bag wasn't really comfortable, though" he lied, letting out an awkward laugh.

"Wait, why didn't you sleep on the sofa?" Pink Hair questioned, confused. That was actually a real good question, considering Kanata wanted to sleep alone, after all. He buried his face in the bowl in front of him and listened silently.

"Well... I didn't want to leave him alone..." the redhead scratched the back of his head, "It was his first night here, anything could've happened."

"...Fucking hell " Kanata muttered, his grip on the chopsticks getting stronger. Something did happen, but the bastard had to stay out of it. It didn't matter how good he felt during that night, he was guilty for enjoying that odd feeling in his heart. He wasn't supposed to feel happy, not when he made that promise. Why couldn't that guy just mind his own business? It made his blood boil, so much he ended up blushing furiously. Thankfully no one noticed.

"You're such an idiot." Mushroom-Head sighed.

Kanata couldn't agree more with him, at least for once.

"Hear me out, guys" Pink Hair started, after everyone had finished their breakfast, "How about we go shopping today? It's been some time since the last time I went..." they pouted, "Also, Kanata needs something to wear! He can't be borrowing Allen's stuff forever, can he?"

While Kanata didn't exactly like the idea to go out and get stuck in the crowd of the city, he agreed. He couldn't stand having that boy's scent on himself any longer, it was making his head spin.

"Then I suppose it's decided!" the redhead said, "But can we stop for a bit at the record shop, too? I wanna show it to Kanata..." he looked at his friends with pleading eyes.

Was this trip to the record shop that important? It's not like Kanata had ever cared about music; he never got a chance to enjoy it, being an hobby of the elites.

"Yes, we can" Mushroom-Head finally spoke, "Although remember that stopping by doesn't mean «staying there the whole day», got it?"

"...Yessir" the boy sighed, grumbling like a kid.

And trying to ignore him was becoming more and more a hard task.

Downtown. As Kanata had figured, that was exactly the last place he wanted to be at that moment. It was noisy, crowded and it had shops that clearly only rich people could enter; he just felt so out of place there. For someone like him, who didn't even want to be perceived, that was straight-up torture.

"I'm tellin' you already, I'm not gonna get anythin' from here" he had been looking around for quite a bit, "This stuff looks classy as hell. I would never wear somethin' like that."

"Oh, really? Who would've imagined that. You usually look so composed and elegant" Mushroom-Head said sarcastically. Honestly, why couldn't he ever shut the fuck up? The redhead surely had weird friends.

"I don't need designer clothes or anythin' of that sort." Kanata ignored him, "I just need somethin' comfortable. And I don't want y'all to spend a lot for me, no matter how filthy rich you are" he added, looking away. That was just how he was: he wanted the least help as possible, even more from the very kind of people who had put him down before. That was surely out of pity and he didn't like it one bit. Maybe he could've found a part-time job or whatever, so he could grow a little independent. But wait, why was he even thinking about it now? He swore not to put any efforts in living any longer and now he was stuck in this situation... something went wrong in the process but Kanata couldn't really pinpoint what, at least not yet.

His train of thoughts got interrupted when he saw a thrift shop at the end of the street. His eyes sparkled for a second, then started rushing towards it, not waiting for the others yelling him to slow down. Reaching the entrance, he looked at the shop window in awe: he had never seen that kind of clothing before in his world, but he wanted to give it a shot.

"A thrift shop? Oh well, looks like the perfect place for him" Mushroom-Head reached him along with the others. "Shut up, Hajun. The boy's got some taste" Pink Hair added, "Maybe he liked Allen's clothes a bit too much~"

"N-No way! I don't like anythin' about him!" Kanata turned around immediately, blushing angrily, "I just wanted... something comfortable... yeah" he said, his voice getting smaller by the second. He just had the time to notice Suzaku blushing a bit as well when Pink Hair went "Yeah yeah, sure" and pushed him inside the shop.

He wandered around for a bit, then saw a nice set of jacket and pants in a flowery pattern. Both of the items were in a purple-blueish color, just like his eyes; he always felt like those colors belonged to him and his brother. That's when he also noticed the snakes on the jacket. Snakes again, huh.

"I want this one."

"You look fabulous!~" Pink Hair clapped their hands in agreement as soon as he stepped out of the changing room: he had paired that set with a black tank top and white high socks. He didn't know why, but he really did feel comfortable in them. His chest got warm again remembering when he used to play dress up with Nayuta back in those dimly lit alleys, using a bunch of clothes that people had thrown away in the trash. He didn't care about those dull white vests but they looked like the prettiest treasure ever in Nayuta's hands.

"I don't understand fashion much, but those colors suit you a lot!" the redhead interrupted his thoughts again, "By the way, why do you like snakes so much?"

"Hah? "

"I mean... I noticed your earring" the boy pointed at Kanata's ear, "It's in the shape of a snake. And there are snakes all over that jacket as well..."

Kanata pondered that same question to himself again. He had always liked snakes for some reason, despite it being a sin in Heaven. Angels had banished snakes long before the twins were even born; those few people associated with the reptile were easily outcast and deemed as demonic. Well, Kanata was aware of all that but still... he was simply drawn to it: he couldn't escape from its spell and now that he had fallen, he liked it even more. It was the expression of his blessing, his curse and everything in between.

"Dunno" he simply replied, "I just feel close to 'em" he added, and immediately turned away, not giving the other boy any time to ask more questions. He wouldn't have understood anyways.

After buying a few other clothes, they were back on the streets again. The sunset was near when they approached the records shop: it was dusty, old and cramped, looking more like a small warehouse than an actual shop.

"Kanata, do you like Hip-hop?" the redhead turned to him excited hoping for a positive response, but the boy had no fucking idea what Hip-hop was. He only knew classical music, that was all that was ever played in Heaven: music to relax the mind and help concentrate. To be honest, he only found it annoying.

"The hell is that?"

That was enough to make the other look like his entire world collapsed. It's not like he cared much about the redhead's feelings, but was music really that important to him?

"You... you don't know what Hip-hop is?" he started, "Like, you've never heard of the legendary duo Buraikan, who sold out albums and shows all over the world? The group that changed Japan's music industry forever, that brought a completely new style, that-"

"No, I don't! I ain't got a clue who these guys are!" Kanata stopped him. He felt like he could've kept going forever if he didn't.

"Ugh... sorry Kanata, Allen gets always so excited over Hip-hop" Pink Hair apologized for the boy, who was still staring at Kanata in disbelief. "He's a real nerd."

"There's nothing we can do when he goes off on the tangent.... truly annoying" Mushroom-Head added.

"Yeah... I noticed" he sighed, "So? What's the deal with this hipu hopu thing or whatever?"

Suzaku suddenly came out of his trance and looked at him with stars in his eyes.

He immediately regretted asking that.

Kanata spent the next hour trying to understand the redhead blabbering stuff about Hip-hop. He kept showing him random records while explaining him how he started producing songs by himself and later founded a Hip-hop group with his roommates, proudly stating that they're gradually becoming popular in the city, winning stage battles and such. Kanata never asked to know all that and definitely didn't care, but he wasn't able to shut that boy up. To be honest, he didn't even try to do that to begin with: Suzaku seemed so invested that he almost felt bad stopping him; apparently it was something really important to him that helped him free himself from the shackles of his parents. Kanata still found him incredibly annoying, but he had to respect that. For a moment he envied the redhead for his burning vitality, since he had nothing in his cold hands anymore. He kept having so many mixed feelings that day and it was driving him insane.

He had spent so much time listening to the boy, he didn't even realize it was closing time. The shopkeeper almost had to threw them out because Suzaku just didn't want to leave, determined to explain everything to Kanata in full detail. When they exited the shop, he promised they would've continued later in his room: "I'm gonna show you how to produce songs" he smiled at him, "I bet you're gonna love it once you see the real thing!"

"Oh my God Allen, give him a break" Pink Hair gave Kanata an apologetic smile. "He's going to get a headache if you keep going like that" Mushroom-Head added, "Oh well, fine by me. For once you're not sticking to us."

The redhead laughed nervously. He looked like he felt a bit sorry for being so loud about music, but the next thing he said threw Kanata off guard.

"I couldn't help it. He had that sparkle in his eyes I just couldn't ignore" the guy turned to him, "I feel like he's the right guy for this!"

A sparkle in his eyes? That was impossible. Nothing could ever stir his broken, dead heart awake again, there was simply no way he could be genuinely interested in something. He kept convincing himself that, but that boy's words were just stuck in his head and he wasn't able to get them out. He just sighed and hurried home, going far ahead the others. He couldn't bear to look at the redhead, again.

Tired after spending a whole day wandering around, Kanata's body hit the mattress, awaiting him for some relax. He couldn't even close his eyes when the other boy busted in their room, making a ton of noise trying to set that weird machine on his desk up.

"C'mon, Kanata! It's time to produce!"

He suddenly remembered what they had to do and the mere thought of it made him exhausted already. He dragged himself to the desk and sat in front of a glowing screen.

"What's this thing?" he pointed at all those devices connected by colored wires. Heaven didn't have this sort of futuristic thing, being a very traditional place: he was confused about how all that could serve them as a musical instrument.

"Oh this? It's a computer, of course" the other replied, as a matter of fact. "I downloaded a very valid program to make music a long time ago. It was a bit expensive but totally worth it!" he said, then started pressing keys and dragging stuff on the screen, while explaining the whole process with weird technical words. Kanata didn't understand any of it, but he followed every move carefully despite being tired: he looked almost entranced, not taking his eyes off of the boy for even a second. It felt slightly embarrassing, but Kanata didn't really care at that moment, since Suzaku wasn't even sparing him a glance.

"... Aaaand this is it!" the redhead moved away from the desk a little as soon as he finished, smiling wide. "Now it's your turn to try and make something" he turned to Kanata, who looked pensive, "Oh don't worry, I won't judge! It's your first time, after all" he specified in a hurry, knowing how easily irritated the other boy could get.

"Move." Kanata said simply, putting his hands on the keyboard. He was a fast learner, mimicking what Suzaku had done before but at the same time adding something new, something different that came from deep inside of him. His hands were moving by themselves, just pouring his all in whatever he was doing, letting his feelings flow freely in that music as the guy had taught him. What he was experiencing in that moment made him unusually excited as he felt a small smile approach his doll-like face.

He was fully concentrated but still saw from the corner of his eyes the redhead looking at him intently. The room was in an unusual silence though, not a single comment yet. Just the pressing of keys. As soon as Kanata was done with it, he just let the music play. His music. His heart. Something that he couldn't express with words yet. He composed himself again, his usual frown back on his face.

"Kanata..." the boy started, struggling to find the words. "I knew it! I knew you were the right guy!" he suddenly raised his voice, startling the angel a bit, "How can you even do this!? This is insane! Your Hip-hop is so cool!"

There he went again. He looked like he had just found some valuable gem, yelling some weird stuff like This is it! This is the real Hip-hop! like a madman.

"Oh my God, I get it!" Kanata spat exasperated, "Stop fuckin' yellin' for a damn second!" he finally locked eyes with the redhead. The other just giggled like a kid, pointing his finger at him, "Don't act all cool, now! I saw that, y'know."

"What?"

"You smiled while making this song! I can perceive every single one of your feelings only in this short bit of music. You must've enjoyed it a lot!"

"You're truly so fuckin' annoyin'..." Kanata turned away, getting up from his seat, "I'm goin' to bed, I'm tired."

"You're right! It's gotten pretty late" Suzaku got up as well, tidying the music machines up and getting his red sleeping bag ready again, "I'm not gonna bother you tonight, I promise!"

"You better not" the angel said quietly, his voice muffled by the sheets covering him. Silence fell once again, but he knew something was going to trouble his sleep tonight despite not feeling uneasy like usual: his heart was beating so loud he thought it would explode in seconds, like a ticking bomb. He couldn't stop thinking about whatever happened with Suzaku before, focusing again and again on how he felt during that moment. It was a weird feeling his heart couldn't bear, being too rusty at this point to work properly. Was that redhead really able to make those old gears in his chest work again? He kept wondering, before eventually falling asleep.

[jerseyshoresy]

Love is Barbed—I Mean Blind

FLUFF

Coach and reader meet on a blind date!

Coach x gn!reader (request from @laserotters , I hope you enjoy!)

Warnings: cussing

Coach was used to stress—coaching hockey teams that rarely make it to championships, dealing with bird brained players like Jonesy and Reilly— his blood pressure was always soaring through the roof. Should Coach be nervous about something as trivial as a blind date? No. Was he? Absolutely. Ever since Barb’s death, he was in no mood to find love again. He felt that his heart died with her, that no one could replace the hole that she left in his chest. However, he had been supremely lonely for a long time now and his friends were starting to worry for him.

“You know Coach, you’ve been on your own for awhile now,” commented Wayne one day when Coach and the hicks were enjoying brunch at MoDean’s. Coach avoided his gaze, toying with his mug of coffee.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I thinks Wayne’s suggesting yous goes on a dates,” said Squirrely Dan, a smile breaking across his face. Coach almost spit out the coffee he finally took a sip of. A date? He couldn’t believe his ears. Yes, having someone around to love him once more would be pleasant but the prospect of finding someone that meant the same to him as Barb did… no, he couldn’t entertain the thought. There’s no way he could ever fall in love like that again (or so he thought)!

“No, I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” he protested, but Daryl countered.

“C’mon Coach, we know someone to set you up with. They’re a really nice person. And really nice to look at, if I might say so myself.”

Coach sighed. The guys were pretty adamant about this. Maybe he could try it? It’s just one date and if it didn’t work out, no harm, no foul.

“Fine,” he said begrudgingly, “one date. But if it doesn’t work out, I don’t want any of you getting into my personal business like this again. Understood?”

The hicks nodded and grunted in agreement. As they turned back to brunch, Coach couldn’t help but notice a feeling creeping up in his stomach. Was it indigestion? Not quite. No, this was a feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time. Coach was looking forward to something!

A week later and the day of reckoning had come. Coach was trying to get ready for his first date with the mystery person, yet all he could focus on was his outfit—and how it was all wrong.

“No, no, no,” he grumbled, taking in his appearance in the mirror, “the tie isn’t right.” He fumbled about, tying the tie in so many various positions that a pretzel would be jealous, until all of a sudden, he threw it on the floor.

“Fucking embarrassing!” he exclaimed. He couldn’t believe it. If he couldn’t do something as simple as getting dressed, how was he ever going to survive the date? He couldn’t ruminate on the situation for long because he heard a knock at the door. Looking at the clock, he realized the time and knew his date was at his door. Sans tie, he opened his front door and immediately felt all the air leave his lungs. There you stood on Coach’s doorstep and he swore he was looking at an angel.

“Hi! I’m y/n, your date for tonight,” you greeted him and put out your hand for a handshake.

“Everybody calls me Coach,” he replied, shaking your hand. You felt the tremors and the sweat on his hand as you shook it, but it was oddly sweet that this man your friends set you up with was as nervous as you were. Not to mention, he was extremely attractive! Already you felt yourself getting lost in his warm brown eyes.

“Please, come in,” he said, and you followed him through the door. “Let me grab my keys and I’ll be ready to go.”

You let your eyes wander around his house, taking in the pictures on the wall. Here and there were photos of him and his hockey team, but mostly the photos were of him and another woman—presumably Barb, his dead wife. The hicks had told you all about Coach and his devotion to her, so you knew coming on this date might be rough for him. However, you had an open mind and no expectations for tonight. Coach came back and you quickly tore your eyes away from the wall of pictures.

“You ready?” he asked, and you shook your head yes. When you got to the car, Coach opened the door for you like a true gentleman and your stomach fluttered at the chivalrous gesture. You then began your drive to a nice restaurant on the outskirts of Letterkenny. Making small talk, the trip was pleasant and not as awkward as you thought it would be. Coach was an accomplished man and you loved hearing about his hockey feats. You, of course, shared things about yourself, and he was just as enamored with you as you were with him. When you reached the restaurant, Coach then opened the door for you to get out, offering his hand to help you. You took it gratefully as you both blushed. The dinner went smoothly. You and Coach swapped funny life stories and, after a few glasses of wine, talked about future goals and ambitions, dreams and wishes. Surprisingly, you two shared many of the same ideas for the future. You tried to not get ahead of yourself, but you were really happy with how this date was going. Coach was all around such a nice guy and it was great knowing you wanted the same things out of life. When dessert was done and the bill was paid (he insisted on covering it), neither of you felt like leaving because you were having such a good time.

“There’s a nice park around the corner if you want to go there. On a walk. With me,” Coach said, getting a bit flustered. Every time he looked at you he couldn’t help but smile. You were so great, very attractive, supremely funny. He felt himself get butterflies in his stomach every time you laughed. He couldn’t get enough of you and never wanted the date to end. After he asked you to the park, he got nervous. Was that weird? What if you were tired? Or didn’t like to walk? What if he just messed this whole thing up—

“Of course. I’d love to walk with you,” you answered, and Coach let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

The park was dark and quiet, just how you hoped it would be. A slight breeze came through as you passed under a tree with rustling leaves and you felt your body shake a bit as well. Coach immediately took off his jacket and put it over your shoulders.

“Oh Coach, I can’t take this, you’ll be cold,” you protested, but he just shook his head.

“It’s the least I can do,” he replied, and you resumed your stroll. You felt him walk closer to you, and your heart rate sped up. You were surprised at the effect this man had on you after such little time knowing him. When Coach softly took hold of your hand, you knew you were in too deep. Stopping at a bench a little while later, Coach put his arm around you as you looked at the moon and stars.

“You know, I was really nervous coming on this date tonight,” Coach confessed, “I know you saw the pictures of me and Barb back at the house. She was my first love and will always have a piece of my heart. But tonight has shown me there’s room in my life for other people, too. I had such a good time with you tonight. Thank you.”

You could tell it was hard for Coach to bare his feelings like this. You were warned that he could be a bit much, filled with passion and fire, but the man you were getting to know seemed to be in a much better place now.

“I had a great time with you too, Coach. Maybe we could do this again sometime?” You waited with baited breath.

“I would like that very much,” he answered, gazing into your eyes. Was he going to kiss you? You really hoped so. You both were scared of making a move, afraid of coming off too strong. All of a sudden you both had a burst of courage and leaned in, feeling your lips meet. It was a short, innocent kiss, but it was filled with romance and desire nonetheless. You pulled apart and let your noses rest against one another’s.

“You really are something else,” said Coach, and you smiled sweetly.

“And you’re such a wonderful guy, Coach. I’d like to see you on our second date so I think I’d better bring you to the car heater before you turn into a popsicle out here.”

After you later said your goodbyes and parted ways, Coach picked up his and Barb’s wedding photo.

“Thanks for looking out for me,” he said, sweeping his thumb over her framed face. In that moment, he could’ve sworn he saw Barb’s smile get bigger.