#so i spent all my time preparing to apologize for whatever wrong i did

[isekyaaa]

While Rozemyne is a dense doofus, I do get the concept of doing something you perceive to be very logical and reasonable with someone else and then having literally everyone assume it's romantic.

[jrueships]

im going into my new work tomorrow, first time ever😐

[hiitsm]

Beneath the Surface: The Fifth Piece

Beneath the Surface is for 18+ only.

Angst, Hurt, Fluff & Smut is included in this Fifth Piece.

-

Beneath the Surface: The Broken Heart Pieces

-

As the clock neared 8 PM, you found yourself nervously pacing in your living room, glancing at the door every few seconds. The air was thick with anticipation, and your mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. You had spent the entire afternoon trying to keep busy, tidying up your apartment and preparing yourself for the conversation you never thought you’d have.

When the doorbell finally rang, you took a deep breath, steeling yourself for what was to come. You opened the door to find Alexia standing there, looking as nervous and unsure as you felt. She wore a simple outfit, jeans and a sweater, but there was a vulnerability in her eyes that made her seem almost fragile.

"Hi," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"Hi," you replied, stepping aside to let her in. The silence that followed was heavy, but you both knew that there was no turning back now.

You led her to the living room, where you both took a seat on the couch. The tension in the air was palpable, but you forced yourself to speak.

"Do you want something to drink? Water, tea, coffee?" you offered, trying to break the ice.

"Water would be nice, thank you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

You stood up and quickly fetched a glass of water, handing it to her before sitting back down. You took a deep breath, deciding to address the elephant in the room.

"Alexia, why did you come here tonight?" you asked, your voice tinged with both curiosity and pain.

She looked down at her hands, fiddling with the glass. "I came because I owe you an explanation. And an apology," she began, her voice wavering. "I know I hurt you deeply, and I know that I can never undo the pain I caused. But I need you to understand why I did what I did."

You nodded, urging her to continue.

"When we were together, everything felt perfect. But as time went on, I started to feel like I was losing myself. The pressure of my career, the expectations, the constant travel – it all became too much. And instead of talking to you about it, I pulled away. I thought that if I distanced myself, it would somehow make things easier. But it only made things worse."

She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I wrote that letter because I was scared. Scared of facing you, scared of admitting my own vulnerabilities. I thought that by leaving, I was doing the right thing for both of us. But I was wrong. I see that now."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you listened to her words. The pain of the past weeks and months came rushing back, but there was also a sense of relief. Finally, you were getting the answers you had been seeking.

"Alexia, you hurt me more than I can put into words. But I also understand that you were struggling," you said softly, your voice cracking with emotion. "I just wish you had talked to me instead of running away."

"I know," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I know I should have. And I'm so, so sorry for everything."

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The weight of her apology hung in the air, a fragile bridge between the past and the possibility of healing.

"Is there any chance we can start over? Even if it's just as friends?" she asked tentatively, her eyes pleading with yours.

You took a deep breath, considering her words. "I don't know, Alexia. It's going to take time for me to process everything. But I think we can try," you replied honestly. "I still care about you, and I think we both need to take this one step at a time."

She nodded, a small smile of hope appearing on her face. "Thank you. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

As the evening wore on, you found yourselves talking about everything: your past, your present, and the possibility of a future. It was a long and difficult conversation, but it was also a necessary one.

By the time Alexia left, there was a sense of tentative hope in the air. The road to healing would be long and arduous, but for the first time in a long time, you felt like it was possible.

As you closed the door behind her, you couldn't help but feel a glimmer of optimism. The past would always be a part of you, but perhaps, just perhaps, there was a chance for a new beginning.

Hours passed, and as the clock struck midnight, you found yourself lying in bed, wide awake. The events of the evening replayed in your mind, and with it came the memory of how it all began.

It had been a busy Friday night at the restaurant where you worked. You were rushing from table to table, balancing trays and taking orders, trying to keep up with the bustling crowd. That was when you noticed her , Alexia, sitting alone at a corner table. She looked slightly out of place, her casual attire contrasting with the more formal setting of the restaurant. But what caught your attention was the way she was watching you, her eyes following your every move.

When you finally had a moment to catch your breath, you approached her table. "Good evening. Can I get you something to start with?" you asked, trying to keep your voice steady despite the fluttering in your chest.

She smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made your heart skip a beat. "Just a glass of water for now, please," she said, her voice soft and melodic.

You nodded, hurrying to get her order. As the evening went on, you found yourself glancing in her direction more often than you intended. Each time, she was still watching you, her gaze never wavering. When your shift finally ended, you were surprised to see her still there, nursing a glass of water and watching you with an intensity that made your cheeks flush.

As you were about to leave, she stood up and approached you. "Hi, I'm Alexia," she said, extending her hand.

You took it, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact. "Hi, I'm y/n," you replied, your voice barely above a whisper.

"I know this might sound strange, but would you like to come to my place? I know it's late, but I just feel this connection, and I'd love to get to know you better," she said, her eyes pleading with yours.

Something about her sincerity and the vulnerability in her eyes made you say yes. You followed her to her car, and before you knew it, you were at her apartment. The evening that followed was a blur of emotions and sensations. You talked for hours, sharing stories and dreams, discovering a deep and instant connection that felt almost magical.

As the night wore on, things began to heat up. One moment you were sitting on the couch, laughing at a shared joke, and the next, you were in each other's arms, lips locked in a passionate kiss. The intensity of the moment swept you both away, and you found yourselves in her bedroom, shedding clothes and inhibitions.

The next morning, you woke up wrapped in her arms, feeling a warmth and contentment you hadn't felt in a long time. Alexia was still asleep, her face relaxed and peaceful. You took a moment to just watch her, marveling at the beauty and serenity she exuded.

When she finally stirred and opened her eyes, she smiled at you, pulling you closer. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning," you replied, your heart swelling with affection.

She held you for a long time, letting you cuddle up to her, her fingers gently stroking your hair. Eventually, she got up and made breakfast for you, the simple gesture filling you with a warmth that words couldn't describe.

As you sat at her kitchen table, eating the delicious meal she had prepared, she looked at you shyly. "Would you like to stay the day? We could go for a walk, maybe watch a movie later. I just don't want this to end," she said, her eyes hopeful.

You smiled, feeling the same way. "I'd love to," you replied, and the rest of the day passed in a blissful haze of companionship and growing affection.

Lying in bed, memories of Alexia flood your mind like a bittersweet movie. Despite the ache of her absence, you can't help but smile at the warmth those moments still bring you. The way she looked at you that first night at the restaurant, the instant connection you felt, it all feels so vivid, so real.

Emotions surge through you: longing, sadness, but also a flicker of hope. Maybe there's a chance for you both to start over, to heal together. The thought lingers as sleep slowly creeps in, but just as you're about to drift off, an overwhelming urge grips you.

You reach for your phone, hesitating only briefly before dialing her number. The phone rings, and then she picks up, her voice groggy with sleep. "Hello?"

"Alexia," you say softly, your voice betraying the emotions swirling inside you. "I miss you. I miss us."

There's a pause on the other end, and then you hear her exhale softly. "I miss you too, y/n," she replies quietly.

"I want to try again," you blurt out, your heart racing. "I want to see if we can make this work."

Another pause follows, pregnant with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. "I want that too," she finally says, her voice filled with a mix of relief and hesitation.

"Can we meet tomorrow?" you ask, hope bubbling up despite your nerves.

"Si," she answers without hesitation. "Si, let's meet tomorrow."

As you hang up the phone, a sense of peace settles over you. The road ahead won't be easy, and there are still many conversations to be had. But for the first time in a long while, you feel hopeful about the future, about the possibility of healing and starting anew with Alexia.

With that hope in your heart, you finally allow sleep to claim you, knowing that tomorrow will mark the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter filled with hope, forgiveness, and the promise of a love worth fighting for.

A chapter filled with picking up the final pieces of your broken heart.

[purpleberiii]

Alright more angst then

I wanna feel sad right now so here

It's a Langley x reader where Langley is too busy with her work to the point that she basically ignores her wife, reader continued to visit even if she is being ignored to the point that Langley had enough and snap at her wife, scared reader left and did not return for days, Langley then came home one night to apologize only to find no one home

Can be fluff ending, so up to you

-💜anon

"Cold Nights"

☆Prompt: What anon said

☆Warnings: Angst, fluff at the end.

On nights like these, you would have been wrapped up in the arms of your wife but you had to endure the cold night all by yourself for the last week. Langley was a busy woman, and that meant that she would not come home for days and when that happens, you'd visit her in her office. The visit would not take long as you didn't want to disturb her but it gets too overbearing not conversing with your wife nor not even having intimacy with her.

Today wasn't any different. Langley didn't come home last night so you prepared lunch for her. Cutting the fruits into small cute shapes, even going as far as to leave a little note of encouragement for her. Once that was set, you made your way to the headquarters and went straight to her office.

Langley was too engrossed in her paperwork and she didn't even bother to greet you. "Leave the lunch there." Her tone came out rather harsher than usual.

"Is... something wrong my love?"

No answer.

"Will you be ho-y/n can't you see I'm busy?! Please stop with the annoying questions when you know the answer! I won't be coming home for now so just stop!" Langley's face contorted into disbelief as she realised what she did.

Your eyes started watering, hands trembling. You were scared; afraid of what she might do if you stay any longer. "Y/n wai-" you didn't wait for her to finish as you ran out, sobbing uncontrollably. Langley wanted to run behind you but she was pulled back by the large amount of paper work.

She sadly took the dish and opened it, wanting to cry as she saw the cutely shaped fruits and she little note. Once she read it, she rubbed her hands over her face in frustration. "Oh my love.... I'll be home tonight I promise..." Langley made sure to finish out all the paperwork so she could spend time with you when she gets home and make up for her behaviour.

But to her surprise, when she got home that night, there was no one there. She searched all over the house and realised you were gone. When she tried calling you, you didn't pick up and that made her leave hundreds of calls, even texts and voice notes, telling you to come home.

Langley was stressed, she stayed up all night, wanting you to come home but you didn't; not until the next morning. Your eyes were bloodshot from crying and when you saw Langley in the living room, your heart pounded in your chest.

"Oh dear god..." she immediately embraced you and you sighed, missing the feeling of her warm embrace. You reciprocated the hug and it lasted for a few minutes, neither of you said anything. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I've been so caught up in my work I've failed to pay attention to you. Please forgive me."

You nodded your head and snuggled more into her. "Make it up to me with cuddles."

"Whatever you want my dear. I've cleared my schedule so I won't be going to work for the next two days."

You nodded your head and spent the next two days with your wife. Langley pampered you and spoiled you alot and even though you forgave her, she still felt guilt from yelling at you as she swore to never do it again.

[toreii]

Lost in the Book with Stitch part 5

Disclaimer: This is a fan translation. I apologize for any mistakes. I’m by no means fluent in Japanese, but I try my best. Please, support the official translation when it comes out.

Uninhabited Island - Beach

Azul: “Everyone.”

Azul: “How about making a deal to help us out of here?”

Riddle: “What do you mean?”

Floyd: “So dense. Why do you believe Azul and I would be in trouble if we came to an uninhabited island?”

Ace: “Ah!? They’re both mermaids…!”

Floyd: “Right. It’s not a big deal to dive into the ocean, and swim to other land.”

Floyd: “That’s why we don’t have any troubles.”

Floyd: “But, what about you guys? If you can’t leave the uninhabited island like this…it’d be a real problem, right?”

Ace: “Greedy~~~! This is extortion!”

Jack: “You’re threatening us even during such an emergency!”

Azul: “You threaten me. I’m just asking ‘What can I do to help?’.”

Azul: “Well, depending on that response, it might be too late to call for help…”

Floyd: “We’re saving your life, so we have to get a reasonable price. Are you going to be our servants for the rest of your life?”

Azul: “No, I’m not a demon, either. Taking into account the situation…”

Azul: “I’ll make a deal with you, ‘When you return to school, you’ll do whatever I say for a week’.”

Floyd: “Wow, Azul is super generous~. That’s such a great deal.”

Jack: “YOU’RE NOT GENEROUS AT ALL!”

Ace: “But, there’s no other choice… If all we have to do is whatever he says for a week, it’s certainly an exceptional condition…”

Riddle: “Ugh…we’re completely in the palm of their hands. It’s frustrating…..I don’t want to nod!”

Lilia: “I don’t mind either way. What will you do, Yuu?”

Yuu:

“I want to go back to school.”

Grim: “Certainly…if I really can’t leave this uninhabited island, I won’t be able to eat tuna cans anymore!”

“I can manage on my own…”

Ace: “…Hey, hey, you’re warming up? Are you planning on swimming to find land!?”

Jack: “Think about it, you can’t do it! Even Grim knows it’s impossible!”

Grim: “Did you just make a fool of me!?”

Grim: “Guh……Alright! I promise to listen to you! So, hurry up and call for help!”

Floyd: “Aha. Everyone is so honest and good children.”

Floyd: “Then, I’ll revert back to a mermaid and swim. For the coconut crabs who can barely swim♡.”

Riddle: “Who’s a coconut crab? Stop looking so smug!”

Lilia: “Still, the power of mermaids is certainly reliable in the sea. They’ll find land in no time, and come back.”

Azul: “Right. I’ll bring help, so please relax.”

Floyd: “Then, we’re going.”

*SPLASH*

Lilia: “Now then. Those two dived into the sea, and we’re a glowing beach flag…” (T/N: I’m going to assume that Lilia means they’re all wearing bright colors, and can be easily seen. I spent like five minutes staring at the words “beach flag” unsure of what he meant.)

*Splash*

Lilia: “Hm?”

Grim: “Huh, Azul and Floyd are back.”

Ace: “Eh, isn’t it too soon to find land…wait, you two haven’t turned into mermaids.”

Jack: “What happened? You have scary faces.”

Azul: “…I can’t go back.”

Ace: “Huh? Go back? What do you mean?”

Azul: “I’M SAYING I CAN’T GO BACK INTO A MERMAID!”

Everyone: “HUH!?”

Floyd: “Something’s wrong with this outfit…it sticks to my body, and I can’t take it off.”

Floyd: “I thought these were just cool clothes, but maybe they have magic.”

Floyd: “Because of that, I can’t turn into a mermaid. Ahahaha, what a strange thing~.”

Floyd: “It's refreshing to swim in human form. I thought a uninhabited island would be easy and boring, but it might be interesting!”

Lilia: “Right, right! An uninhabited island in extreme conditions is fun. There’s no time to be bored.”

Lilia: “That’s right……should we prepare a campfire first?”

Floyd: “I like it~. Seems interesting.”

Azul: “THIS ISN’T FUNNY AT ALL!”

Azul: “The phones have no signal. The sky is no good, the sea is no good. This is an uninhabited island with no people. So then……”

Riddle: “…Do you mean that we’ve completely lost any form to seek help from the outside world?”

Everyone: “…………”

Ace: “Huh? No, no, that……eh?”

Ace: “We really can’t leave this island?”

Ace: “………You’re kidding, right?”

Jack: “T-There could be other ways!”

Jack: “It’s useless to fly high, but maybe low at sea level, we might be able to escape.”

Riddle: “Of course. We shouldn’t give up so easily. Okay, let’s keep on trying.”

Azul: “T-That’s right.”

Azul: “This is no problem at all. I’m sure we’ll find a way to escape this island soon.”

Grim: “I’ll also look for a way to escape!”

To be continued…

[scratchyemporium]

what this post is about is a rant/vent. if you don't want to read it, move on.

i'm posting this here because i fear that if i drop it in my group chat, everything's going to go to shit. i know my friends will read this either way, but i don't care. i feel that they need to read this more than you guys, but again, i'm too scared to drop it when there's a whole lot of shit going on in my friends lives, especially my 2-boyfriend and best best friend. i do not need any pity for myself. do not like, reply, or reblog this post, for the love of god. just read it.

tl/dr: i need to learn that i can't help all the time / i can't take any more shit from crybabies.

i wish to be a good enough friend to people. i really do, even if i come off as arrogant or selfish or stupid or whatever. i've probably spent about a quarter of a time comforting people, mostly my 1-boyfriend and ex. sometimes it doesn't work out, and it blows up way out of proportion, a thing that i fear because i know that i have to be the cross-bridge for everyone to be okay. for fucks sake, my 1-boyfriend doesn't talk to my 2-boyfriend directly when drama is directly between those two. i have to channel words between the two of them.

1-boyfriend needs to grow up. i know that. i've been trying to tell him over and over and over again but he just won't do it. he always makes up excuses and i'm getting tired of it. i'm at a point of preparing to dump him, even though our relationship has lasted for more than two years and i swore he said he'd commit sewerslide if we broke up or something like that. he has too many red flags but i just can't leave because i put my friend's emotions above mine, and that's the damn problem.

i worry too much about other's emotions more than mine. yeah, i'd bend backwards for my friends and family, of course, but i need to grow some damn backbone. a few days ago, i got into this joke argument with a tumblr user, but i guess one of us took it too far and they blocked me. i still feel like shit because i don't know what i did wrong, and i apologized to them many times over and over when they hadn't blocked me. but they're a stranger. i shouldn't feel shitty for strangers that had an argument with me, and yet i do. i feel shitty for everyone, and i try to fix everyone's emotions/make everyone feel better. i can't fix everyone. i need to learn that. i made my most terrifying character softer in order to not scare or disgust people. i keep my darkest plots hidden away in direct messages or drawings or something along those lines of out of public sight. i'm as flimsy as a damn prawn. even then, i keep getting dragged into deep, deep shit with my friends and family. i'm tired of sacrificing myself for others when i'm already as hollow as a empty pringle's can.

i'm tired of hiding from 1-boyfriend. i'm tired of cleaning up after him. i'm tired of crying and complaining to 2-boyfriend and best best friend. 2-boyfriend and best best friend is tired of 1-boyfriend. i can't leave 1-boyfriend behind. i can't leave 2-boyfriend and best best friend behind. i need freedom. the only freedom i have is the real world, but my dad makes it so much fucking miserable and i don't to be an adult just yet, even though i'm already an unnatural adult from all the shit i've been through. who knows, maybe to my friends and my boyfriends, i'm just a few words on a screen that they read and talk to. maybe i'm ai to them.

i'm tired of holding up everything.

i'm tired.

[prince-rebelle]

Reverie

Okay so this is toooootally not based of off real life.... I did noooot have a meltdown in the shower at the beginning of this month

Something was wrong. Dream could feel it. He was out, he was free, but something wasn’t right. He’d dragged himself from the shattered remains of his glass cage, feeling faint, weak, lost and so… So hungry. He’d tried to raise himself up on his arms but had failed. He lay there, naked and cold, and something slipped form him, draining him slowly. He ground his teeth together, summoning all his strength and felt the cold floor fall away beneath him.

Then he landed hard on another floor. He was somewhere new. It was warmer here.

“Bloody he- You?” Hob sprang up from his seat in the chair near the fire. “What happ- Why are you here? How?” He seemed to snap out of the stupor Dream’s sudden appearance had sent him into and moved to grab the blanket from the couch on the opposite wall. The blanket was wrapped around Dream, and he shuddered against the warmth of it. His body was overcome by the shudders, and they wracked through his aching body.

 When Dream woke again, he was warm and safe in a bed he did not recognize. Had he slept? No, he must have passed out somehow. That seemed more plausible. His thoughts far away, pondering this predicament, he didn’t notice Hob opening the door.

“Oh, you’re awake,” he said mildly. There it was again… awake.

“Have- Have I… Slept?” Hob seemed to garner from his expression that he wasn’t going to like the answer. Hob quickly set down the tray he was carrying at the foot of the bed near Dream’s feet.

He scratched the back of his neck and looked apologetically at Dream, “Yeah, it seems like it. You passed out after ehh… Crashing on my floor??” Hob seemed as confused concerning the particular situation they found themselves in as Dream was.

Dream stared blankly around the room he was placed in. It was sparsely decorated but luckily it didn’t have the cold feeling of the basement he spent the last hundred years in. This room indeed seemed to have heating and the warm soft blanket that covered his body lend comfort to him in a way he hadn’t felt – or perhaps needed – before. He looked down and realized that he was also clothed, if again sparsely in a large t-shirt, certainly belonging to Hob judging by the size of it, that said Metallica… Dream was sure he’d heard that somewhere before, but he couldn’t place it now. On his bottom half was a pair of boxers, again somewhat too large, at least they kind of stayed on his hips. He should change into something more… appropriate. When his power didn’t come to him immediately, he closed his eyes and concentrated. Still nothing. Maybe he was still too weak from his confinement to conjure something.

“Uhmm…” A sound from Hob brought him back from his reverie.

“My apologies, I was trying to see if I could find some clothes that were less…” Dream gestured vaguely towards himself.

“Oh, of course!” Hob exclaimed and left the room quickly to find some more clothes for Dream.

 Three days later and Dreams powers hadn’t yet returned to him. He’d spent his time mostly in the extra bedroom that Hob had appointed him at his arrival. He slept, ate the food Hob prepared for him and looked out the window in his room, thinking. He thought a lot these days. Often times he felt his thoughts… Run along, leaving him behind somehow. Those times he would get out of bed and pace around the small room. Hob would be summoned by his pacing and stand in the doorway, asking him questions, hoping to alleviate his thoughts. Dream would barely notice him, but Hob tried anyway.

This time, Hob had spent ten minutes just looking at Dream, hoping he’d break himself out of whatever he was going through. When he didn’t Hob moved slowly into the room until he was in front of Dream. Dream abruptly stopped his pacing when he found a body blocking his path.

“Hey you…” Hob muttered to him, lifting his hand to put somewhere on Dream’s body – reassuringly of course – but when Dream visibly tensed he let it fall to his side.

“Maybe… It would be a good idea for you to take a bath? It always helps cheer me up, even with the modern-day standard of bathing.” Hob chuckled. Dream had been staring at some point on his chest, not meeting his eyes. Now he looked up and met his eyes as if he saw him for the first time that day.

“You did have… quite the odor back then.” The corners of his mouth moved slightly upwards. Hob groaned.

“Yeah, yeah, we can’t all have…” He gestured to Dream and immediately froze. He hadn’t meant to mention his powers, or lack thereof. Dream’s eyes widened a fraction and then fell back to whatever spot on Hob’s chest he’d been staring at. Hob sighed.

“Come on, let’s get you bathed,” Hob led Dream out into the hallway and opened the door to the bathroom. “Here it is, towels are here and you can just use whatever-“ Hob glanced at Dream and saw his empty look and decided to explain the finer details on modern bathing another day.

“Okay, I’ll leave you now, just… Yell if you need anything,” Hob tried desperately to sound encouraging, but he doubted it reached Dream at all.

Dream was now alone in the bathroom. He stared around the small room and found the towels he’d been pointed to. He set it aside and pulled the Metallica t-shirt over his head, discarding it on the floor along with the pants Hob had found for him. Joggers, Dream believed he’d called them. He couldn’t really recall now.

He moved to the shower and turned on the spray, putting himself under it immediately. Usually, it wouldn’t be a problem for him to endure too cold or too warm water, but now… Well, he also usually wouldn’t have a need for showering. Even at the too cold temperature of the water, Dream let it wash over him, waiting for it to warm up.

Usually… The word echoed around in his brain. Usually… Normally… He wouldn’t have to deign to do something like this… Bathing… Putting on clothes… Eathing… Sleeping… It was all beneath him. If he still had his powers, he wouldn’t have to do these… Human things.

Human things. The realization hit him hard. He hadn’t allowed himself to really finish the thought before. He was human…

Dream hadn’t noticed that he was hunched over in the shower, he’d curled up so much so that his head was full outside of the water. He lifted his hands in front of his face and water kept falling on them. He put his hands on his face and they came away wetter than before. Of course, he’d been under the water but… He shut the water off and wiped his face. It was still wet. He kept wiping at his face, but the water kept coming. It wasn’t water, it was tears, he was crying.

A loud sob left him and his body shook with it. Now that he’d started, he couldn’t stop, and the sobs came one after another until he slid to the floor of the shower and buried his face in his knees. He had no idea how long he stayed there, but at some point, he felt a fluffy warm towel wrap around him and Hob guiding him back to his room.

[sweetleaf-cafe]

Floyd Crush/Relationship Headcanons

First off, if you've attracted this chaotic eel, good luck.

Once he's decided he's into you, or even before he realizes it, he's going to be extremely obvious.

Floyd will straight up attach himself to you.

Say goodbye to your personal space!

(Though if you were really uncomfortable, he would back off, a bit.)

He can and will squeeze you whenever you're in the vicinity, and if you're not, he'll probably just chase you down and do it anyways.

And if he surprises you or manages to get some sort of rise out of you while doing it?

Then it'll be extra fun in his book!... And you can expect it to become even more of an occurrence.

"Found you, Shrimpy! Lemme squeeze you~!"

When he squeezes you, he's still very firm in his grip, but usually not bone-crushing.

(It wouldn't be any fun if he broke his favorite Shrimpy.)

Well, unless he were very excited or if his mood was at some sort of extreme.

If so, you'll have to be quick to remind him that he's not trying to kill you, and if you don't, R.I.P. you.

Also, he doesn't particularly care where he squeezes you.

You could be giving a presentation in front of the entire school, and that wouldn't stop him.

He would just run up, pick you up, and run right off the stage or wherever you are with you in tow.

(Que Jade chasing after Floyd while Azul tries to get the chaos at the assembly under control.)

If Floyd wants his squeezes, he's getting his squeezes.

Overall though, as long as he isn't murdering you or you aren't super shy or easily embarrassed, hugs from Floyd are very fluffy!

Physical affection from Floyd is certainly not limited to squeezes though.

He loves draping himself on you like a freaking coat.

Only he's very heavy and chances are, you will topple under his weight.

If you do, will he bother to move from this position?

Nah

He's comfortable enough as is, as for you?

Pray you aren't in some sort of public space or a hallway.

Hope you can get comfy quick, because who knows how long you're going to be there?

And that's not the end of it, not by a long shot.

He'll also rest his head, arms, or whatever's most comfortable on your head.

If you're somehow taller than Floyd, then DOESN'T MATTER.

He'll just have you sit down first.

Or he'll even just straight up grab a box, stand on it, and rest himself on top of your head.

But if he can't do that, then your shoulders are pretty comfy too, right? :D

"Shrimpy! I'm tired.... lemme use you as a pillow!"

Overall, even before an official relationship starts, Floyd is already very physically affectionate with you.

And he will want your attention, like, all the time.

Whenever he can, he'll be looking for his favorite shrimpy.

Time spent together is spent doing all sorts of stuff, but Floyd is always going to looking to make it FUN.

He wants to play with Shrimpy!

Which somehow always ends with him chasing you around.

If he doesn't find whatever it is that you're doing interesting, he has absolutely no issue trying to find some way of distracting you from it.

What he'll do will certainly vary, but he'll often poke and prod you while complaining till he has your attention.

Or if he's really wanting your immediate attention, he'll just pick you up and carry you off to do whatever it is he wants to do.

At that point, good luck trying to get anything done.

And he'll also get rather possessive.

Does not like it at all if your friends get too close or they flirt with you.

Well, he doesn't like it if anyone pulls something like that if it's not him.

If someone gets a bit too close for comfort, Floyd will squeeze you, all the while sending a death glare towards the offender.

From there, he would be even clingier for the rest of the day, or even longer, depending on how you interacted with them.

And hid mood would also be rather foul.

If you were to ask him about it, he would be honest with you.

"They got too close to my Shrimpy."

If you ask him about since when you've been his Shrimpy, he'll shrug it off.

"Since I decided it."

He'll want a lot of cuddles from you, and somewhere along the line, he'll probably just trap you in his arms and stay like that until his mood shifts.

"I just wanna stay like this."

Floyd is also one to be very vocal about his love for you.

When he's not ranting to Azul and Jade about how adorable he thinks you are, he'll be telling it to your face.

He has absolutely no shame when it comes to this.

What he says will also differ.

Sometimes, it's remarks about how cute he thinks you are.

"Shrimpy is the cutest when they're jumping around like that~"

To other more upfront remarks.

"Because I wuv my Shrimpy~!"

Either way, he's very good about letting you know just the way he feels about you.

It's honestly endearing.

While many of these aren't said in super serious situations, he certainly means every word.

And if you're easily flustered, then he'll definitely notice that.

Once he does, prepare yourself, because you're in for one heck of a ride.

He'll be even more vocal about it, because he thinks that it's adorable when your face turns all red like that~

Throughout all this, eventually, Floyd will just decide he wants to make it official.

He's already aware that you two are essentially in a relationship, and the idea of being able to take it up a notch makes him feel all happy inside.

(The idea likely first being presented by Jade and Azul.)

If you think he's going to wait to tell you, YOU'RE WRONG.

The moment he decides this, he'll just barrel through to find you.

Once he does, he'll pick you up and twirl you around, seemingly happier than ever.

"Shrimpy! I was looking for you all over the place~! So I like you, I want you to stay with me, and I want to date you."

He'll be very upfront with it, not really leaving any room for interpretation.

And from there, he'll also tell you about all the little and big things he loves about you, already in a really great mood.

Should you accept, he'll legit start beaming.

That mood will certainly last awhile, so you can expect most people nearby to be breathing a sigh of relief.

They did not want to be around if things went awry.

Now that you're officially in a romantic relationship, somehow, he'll be even more affectionate.

He'll want kisses from you all the time.

And is not afraid to bug you for them.

"Shrimpy, I wanna kiss~!"

He loves it when you pepper his face with kisses, and any sort of affection you give him, he'll return it three-fold.

Whenever you kiss him, depending on his mood, it can go many different ways.

Still, a lot of the time, he'll be hungry for more.

So it's best to not kiss him a whole lot unless you're looking for a full-on make out session.

As for his erratic mood swings, you'll have to deal with that.

Sometimes, when his mood is sour, you'll be able to brighten it up with a kiss or something cute like that.

However, much of the time, he'll likely just get annoyed with you and will just want to be left alone.

Should you persist, it likely wouldn't really end well. When it comes to this, it's really best to just give him space when asks for it.

Once he's feeling better, he'll be sure to find you and hang out with you more, and will give you an apology if things didn't go so well.

Overall, things with Floyd are always a rollercoaster of emotions and will bring more than enough chaos in your life.

So once again, good luck with our eel boi!

[egcdeath]

ways to say i love you without saying “i love you”

pairing: steve rogers x reader

summary: you and steve explore love languages

word count: 5.1k

warnings: fluff, a little angst because of miscommunications, reader & steve being idiots, good intentions but terrible delivery, mentions of other characters

author’s note: this fic has been sitting unfinished in my drafts for so long. this fic is like, ancient. this fic was almost destroyed because it was briefly in the library of alexandria. when i reopened the document with this fic, there were mold spores growing on it. (p.s. steve’s love langauge is acts of service, and the reader’s is quality time)

you can find my masterlist and taglist here

Prologue

Steve was a multitasker. You knew this well. Perhaps too well.

That never seemed to bother you before, but if the man who was supposed to be taking a serene nature walk with you checked his goddamn flip phone one more time, you were completely sure that you’d lose it. 

You paused your story about your obnoxious coworkers for a moment, stopping in the middle of the gravelly trail you two were making your way down. 

“Steve, seriously, are you even listening?” you griped, ushering him towards the side of the pavement as a man on a bike flew by. 

He guffawed a bit at this, “of course I am. You just said something about…” he paused, and you gestured with your hands for him to continue. “Okay, sorry,” the blush on his face was becoming more and more apparent.

You involuntarily scoffed, rolling your eyes as you did so, “I’m glad to know that whatever you’re waiting for on there,” you gestured to his pocket, “is more important than spending quality time with your girlfriend, who, must I remind you, took time off to be here with you.”

“Nothing is more important to me than you, I’m just on call. I’m probably going to get called to go on a mission any moment now.”

“Steve!” you huffed, “you literally just got back, like, two hours ago. Can’t someone else go? Tony? Vision? Anyone?”

“I might’ve volunteered myself-“

“You’re unbelievable, Steve. Are you getting tired of me or something? You’ve been avoiding me like the plague ever since I moved in with you. If I upset you, or you’re gonna propose to me or something, can you just tell me?”

“I promise you it’s not personal at all,” he reached for your hand and gently held it. “Everything’s just been crazy. I mean, these Hydra bases have been popping up left and right. Just give me a little grace, okay? I don’t get upset with you when SHIELD starts making you work those ungodly hours.”

You opened your mouth to debate him, but surely enough, the canny and familiar ringtone of Steve’s work phone interrupted you before you could even begin. 

“Okay… Yeah. I’ll be there in thirty.”

You frowned at Steve as he spoke on the phone and shook your head disapprovingly, “unbelievable,” you muttered, storming in the direction of your home. 

——

Steve was no fool, he knew when he messed up, and he was more than willing to take responsibility for such. Now was one of those times. He knew that he should’ve been making more time for you. He was well aware that he shouldn’t have gotten defensive when you pointed this out. 

He just had no idea how to apologize.

You weren’t exactly making it easy for him either, taking much longer hours in an attempt to avoid him. While he could understand your frustrations, it became a little more difficult everyday for him to properly apologize to you in a way he felt was meaningful.

Eventually figuring to use your avoidance as a tool, Steve devised a plot to make an apology for you so considerate, so superb, that you could never be angry with him again. A plot that included a several course meal, all concocted by himself. 

He could imagine the look on your face as you came home from work, shocked, but the good kind of shock. Pleasantly surprised that your sweet boyfriend had put in such a huge amount of effort to say sorry. 

He couldn’t help but imagine the scenario: you would relax into your seat at the table after Steve pulled out the chair for you, hum in content as he poured your favorite wine. Moan happily at the taste of a homemade and rarely prepared salad dressing, before complimenting the melt-in-your-mouth entree he had spent an unknown amount of time laboring over. Finally, you’d gush over the dessert that Steve hadn’t had the chance to cook in years, tell him that he worked far too hard putting everything together, especially for a little argument. Steve would scoff, tell you you’re being too kind, and you would pull him in for a red wine and dark chocolate flavored kiss. 

The thought of you, your genuine and warm smile after a long day at work, and an even longer week worth of unspoken tension between you both, was enough to keep Steve motivated through the hours he spent preparing your meal.

He greeted you at the door like an excited puppy as soon as he heard your keys jingle. Sure, work had kept you a bit longer than he’d expected, and your food was likely a little cool by now, but he was excited to make amends. 

However, you did not seem to share the same enthusiasm as Steve. 

“Welcome home, gorgeous. Come sit,” Steve nudged you into the dining area, and you sluggishly followed, exhausted from a tiring day of training new agents.

“What’s wrong?” he inquired, pulling out a chair that you didn’t even attempt to sit down on. 

“I had a really long day. I kinda just wanna get to bed,” you shrugged before rubbing your creased temple.

Steve internally cringed at the thought of all of his hard work going to waste. For some reason, he’d not envisioned this less pleasant outcome before. “Sweetheart,” he began in a nearly whiny tone, but you weren’t in much of a mood to be persuaded.

“I’m sorry. Weird things were happening at work that I don’t care to get into now, and honestly, I’m not even that hungry,” you reached out and gave Steve’s hand a little squeeze. “But it all looks and smells so good! I Promise I’ll warm some up tomorrow for lunch.”

“I-,” he paused, “please. Maybe you could just take a few bites of everything. It took me a really long time to get everything prepped and ready.”

You frowned at the plea, feeling a bit guilty but almost… satisfied at the same time. Steve struggled to make time for you because of his work, and now he was getting a little taste of his own medicine. 

“I really am sorry. But hey, now we’re even?” you offered with a playful wink, slipping away before you gave your partner a chance to respond. You truly didn’t have the energy for a four course meal that night, let alone another argument. 

——

Wanda was silent for a moment as she sipped from a mug of coffee, watching you with a suspiciously focused look on her face. 

“Wanda?” you prompted, seemingly snapping her out of whatever trance she had found herself in. 

“Oh my God, I know exactly what you guys need,” she just about blurted, reaching across the café table to grab your hand. 

“Were you reading my mind?”

Your friend didn’t respond, but the devious smirk on her face was enough of an answer. 

“What happened to telling me before reading me?”

“You just looked like there was a lot on your mind. And absolutely no way that you’d tell me,” she shrugged nonchalantly.

“Of course I was gonna tell you! Why else would I ask my friend in a cute relationship to meet me for coffee?”

“Because you like me?”

“No, never that. I just needed advice,” the two of you shared a laugh for a moment.

“Well don’t waste your breath. When Vis and I had a rough patch, we just had to learn each other’s love languages. You’d be surprised just how much that synthezoid values those acts of services.”

“And you?”

“I’m a words of affirmation girl myself,” she shrugged. “You should find out yours, and try to figure out Steve’s. I guarantee it’ll be helpful in the long run. I can send you guys a test, if you want?”

“Oh god no, please don’t tell him that I told you about us. Actually, I didn’t even tell you! You were digging around in my brain, and I don’t appreciate that. Just do me a favor, and don’t share this with anyone, okay?” You paused dramatically, then leaned in to speak to your friend in a whisper, “but send me that test when you get the chance.”

Gift Giving

“A little reality-warping birdie told me you’ve been having some relationship problems,” Tony said teasingly once Bruce left the conference room, leaving him and Steve alone. 

Steve paused for a moment, trying to decide whether he should lie or fess up to the allegation. “How did she know?” Steve finally responded, standing up and pushing the chair he was sitting on behind him. 

Tony shrugged dismissively, “I don’t ask these kinds of things. I just hear in passing that the geriatric is having a hard time and tune in.”

Steve shook his head slightly, rolling his eyes to mask his clear embarrassment. 

“Well, is it true?”

“We’ve just been having the occasional… rift. A little more than occasionally.”

Tony nodded, fake pondering the situation, “well, I always know what I do for Pep, at least after I tell her I’m getting rid of the suit. Go buy her something nice. Really nice, like jewelry, or a purse if she’s into that kind of thing. I would say a car, but I know that Social Security check isn’t getting you too far. You know what? Put it on the company card. My treat.”

Steve wanted to scoff, turn his nose up at the offer like it was a terrible idea, but it really wasn’t. Maybe a material surprise was the way to win you back. He made a soft ‘hmph,’ noise as he mulled it over. “That’s definitely not your worst idea. Thanks,” he gave his teammate a soft smile before collecting himself and heading out of the conference room. 

His first stop after work was some local jeweler. Steve threw on a (not very) inconspicuous outfit before entering the building, where he browsed for a good hour, searching for something that he believed you’d like. After looking at more jewelry than he had ever cared to see in his life, he decided on a necklace with a thin golden chain with a decent sized diamond hanging off of it. It was a little pricier, and you’d be able to tell— but he hoped it would help the gift mean more to you. 

——

When you arrived home late that night, Steve was sitting in the living room waiting for you. It was almost daunting, the sight of him sitting alone on the couch mostly in the dark, only the television illuminating his face. He kind of reminded you of a parent waiting to confront their child who just snuck out, or a concerned friend seconds away from staging an intervention with you. 

Walking past the room, you peeked your head through the doorway, and observed the flat, small box in front of him on the coffee table. 

“Hey, Sweetheart,” he greeted, standing up so he could greet you with a hug and grabbing the little box as he did so.

“Is everything okay?” you probed, speaking into Steve’s shoulder.

“Of course. I just wanted you to know how much I love you, and that I’m sorry for not having as much time for you as I should,” he pulled away before holding the box out for you. 

You hesitantly took the box and opened it, letting out a gasp when you viewed the delicate looking gold necklace. 

You were having mixed emotions, because it was clearly beautiful and you were grateful to the gesture. But you knew that this must’ve been expensive, and that it was so unlike Steve to have done something like this. Your frugal, Great Depression era guy wasn’t exactly the most material. 

“I love it,” you gushed, admiring the jewelry. 

“Can I put it on you?” Steve asked, and received a nod in return.

Steve set the box down on the table and lifted up the necklace, bringing it up to your neck and focusing on clasping it in the back.

“Babe, how much was this?” you blurted, not even being able to filter the words before they left your mouth. 

“Hmm? That doesn’t matter,” he dismissed, then stepped away from you to admire your clavicle. 

“It just feels weird letting you spend so much on me.”

“It’s a gift, though. You’re not supposed to think about those things,” he hummed, pressing a chaste peck to your nose. 

“Steve, I got you a Nespresso for Christmas and you wouldn’t stop complaining about how expensive it was. I love it, I really do. It’s beautiful and I’ll always think of you when I wear it. I just think that maybe we should have the same standards for each other,” you stood up from your seat and sidestepped him. “I need a shower.”

Steve watched you walk off, letting your words simmer in his thoughts.

That was the last time he would take relationship advice from Tony. 

Words of Affirmation

This conclusion probably shouldn’t have taken you this long, but you were almost completely sure that this would be the love language to win Steve back over. You felt bad for some of the occurrences between the two of you lately, with sour exchanges and sweet moments that turned bitter on a whim.

In all honesty, you were concerned that Steve doubted your love for him. And if his love language really was words of affirmation, this would certainly convince him otherwise. 

You sat at your desk the night before Steve departed for a two-week mission, trying to write a nice message for him. You tapped your pen on the stock paper in deep thought as you tried to figure out the best thing to say. 

I’m sorry for arguing so much with you lately. You and everything that you do mean the world to me, even when you get on my nerves. I love you more than anything and that will never change. 

The words looked cramped and unkempt on the little note. Your handwriting got messier as you went. You groaned at it, crumpled the paper, and tossed it in your trash bin. Time to start over again.

I’m sorry for arguing with you. I love you a lot. Can you stop picking up your phone when we’re spending time together?

You groaned at the passive aggressive tone of your message. That certainly wasn’t going to get you anywhere. Straight to the bin it goes.

I love you so much so don’t die on your mission or I’ll be pretty upset. Be safe out there xx.

The tone was even more off now. You needed to think of something that would really make Steve remember you while he was gone. For a second, you considered snapping a nude with a polaroid and attaching it to the letter.

I’m sorry that things have been so bad nasty for us lately. I promise that I love you, despite our ups and downs. Nothing will ever change that. I’ll miss you more than you know while you’re gone. Make sure you call me every day, my love. 

A little cheesy, but you signed off with your name regardless, and contentedly looked at your work. The spacing looked correct, the tone wasn’t harsh, and you knew for a fact that Steve would appreciate it.

You stayed up a little later than normal, waiting for Steve to get home and change out of his ‘work clothes’ so that you could slip the note into his utility belt. 

You folded the note to a small little square and set it beside an granola bar in a pocket you’d assumed he frequently used. Content with your work, you laid back in bed until your partner slipped in bed beside you, and sleepily cuddled into you until you were both unconscious. 

—

Around two weeks had passed since Steve had seen you last, and he had decided to stop by the office and finish up paperwork before coming to see you. It had been radio silence on his end, despite the note in his clothing that clearly requested daily contact. Part of you wondered if Steve had seen it at all.

Steve had just finished signing the documents when he finally noticed it, reaching into a sparsely used part of his belt to have a quick snack. His hand landed on a folded piece of paper, and he cringed as he unfolded it, the letter becoming clearer and clearer as he did so. He wondered just how long the message had been waiting for him. 

He read your sweet words with a frown on his face, the guilt from not opening it sooner overriding the sweet feelings that he would otherwise have. He grabbed his phone and considered texting you, but abandoned that thought altogether. 

“FRIDAY, any idea where Y/N is right now?”

“I was told not to share any information about Ms. L/N, Captain Rogers.”

“Whose orders?” Steve pressed.

“Hers,” the bot quipped back. 

Steve groaned aloud. He was really in for it tonight.

Physical Touch

“Have you tried touching her more?” Thor casually queried. The water that Steve had just consumed nearly flew out of his nose, and his cheeks reddened instantly. 

“Pardon?” he asked, looking away from his friend instantly. 

“I understand that you and Y/N have been having troubles lately. Perhaps she does not feel held by you. Maybe she wants you to show her off in public, to hold her hand, hug her,” he suggested. 

Could Steve even be blamed for going there? He was having a chat with a god of fertility. Who wouldn’t think the same? 

“Stark’s gala tonight. Show the world that she’s yours, and I guarantee that she’ll love every moment of it.”

——

You were confused. Really confused.

The night began with some simple touches, hand holding as you entered the building, a casual arm around your waist as you chatted with donors and politicians you hadn’t seen in months, a playful match of footsie under the table while waiting for food. But it came to a head when Steve had decided to rest his hand on your ass and grope you in the midst of a conversation.

Now, in any other situation, you would welcome this affection. But both you and Steve had never been a fan of PDA, and this was a bit too far. 

As subtle as you could manage, you pushed his hand away, offering him a sour look as you did so. 

“Excuse us,” you told some rich old man in an artificially sweet tone before ushering Steve off to his office for a bit more privacy.

“What was that about?” you questioned, sitting down in the padded chair behind Steve’s desk, and running your fingers over your necklace in a bit of a nervous tick. 

“What do you mean?” he retorted, standing across from you at the desk and setting his hands on top of the clear table.

“Why were you groping me in front of people? That’s really... unlike you. And it made me uncomfortable.”

Steve frowned genuinely, looking down at the table in embarrassment. “I’m really sorry. For making you uncomfortable. It sounds ridiculous but I was just trying something new.”

“Apology accepted, but are you sure? You weren’t like, jealous of those guys or something? You know you’re the only hundred year old I have eyes for,” you set your hands atop of his and squeezed.

Steve chuckled at this, the flush of his cheeks only highlighted more by the laughter, “it’s just that, uh, Thor told me I should try showing you off more. Or something like that.”

“So you groped me in front of our guests? That’s silly. And a little unprofessional,” you glanced over at the cork board on his desk sitting next to his desktop, and amongst the neatly arranged scratched out to-do lists and random reminders, you couldn’t help but notice the creased paper of the note you’d left for his mission. Your chest warmed when your eyes fell upon it. 

“When did you find this thing?” you asked, pointing to the note. 

“I meant to say something, but when I found it, FRIDAY said you didn’t want to talk to me. SO I was going to bring it up when I got home, but you were still working. After that, I kinda… you know-”

“Forgot?” you finished with a hearty laugh, “It’s fine. You’re such a dork. C’mere so I can get my own groping in,” you chided, grinning to yourself when Steve wrapped his arms around you in a tight embrace. 

Acts of Service

Steve was quietly folding your laundry in your bedroom when it finally occurred to you, but when it did, it hit like a ton of bricks.

Steve’s love language was acts of service!

Things suddenly began to make sense to you, the way that he initially attempted to apologize by spending hours cooking one meal, how he consistently worked to make your life as comfortable as possible, and his great insistence to do house chores, despite you being more than capable.

Steve set down a stack of folded sweatshirts by your calf, snapping you away from your brief retrospective daze. If that really was the case, and Steve’s love language truly was acts of kindness, you had to come up with some sort of plan to communicate to him just how much you cared about him in a way that he really appreciated.

Luckily for you, you were a quick thinker. Before you even knew it, a week filled with random acts of kindness before he was off on yet another mission was quickly hatched.

——

You were up at the ass-crack of dawn. Really. Steve liked to get up earlier than the sun in order to run, or train, or whatever the hell it was that superheroes did. You were seriously regretting your decision to wake up around the same time as him in order to do some favors for him in the morning. 

By the time Steve was back from his run, his favorite coffee was brewed and cooling, and you were in the laundry room at the dryer, preparing to give Steve a warm towel after his shower.

Despite the three mugs of coffee you’d just downed, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep your eyes open. It didn’t help that your eyelids felt like they weighed fifty pounds each, and the warmth of the dryer next to you was providing you with just enough comfort to drift off.

And drift you did. In fact, half an hour later, you’d missed the frantic calling out for you from your boyfriend as he searched for you around the apartment. 

You finally awoke when he shook your shoulders, his amused voice bringing you back to consciousness. 

“What’s going on here?” Steve grinned, pushing some hair out of your face. 

“Mmm,” you began, “Iwantedtogetawarmtowel,” you slurred sleepily and incoherently.

“Even with super hearing I couldn’t decipher that. Let’s get you a mattress, okay?” Steve hoisted you up like you were nothing, and carried your half asleep body all the way up to your bedroom. 

The next thing you knew, you were buried under your favorite comforter and propped against a mountain of feathery pillows. A gentle forehead kiss and an incomprehensible sentence about calling off of work for you later, you were back in a deep sleep. 

So much for warm towels.

—

You were going to do better this time. That’s what you told yourself as you strolled through the grocery store, the same store that you hadn’t shopped in since moving in with Steve, as he preferred to do the shopping himself.

Equipped with a short paper list and sheer determination to make the trip as short and accurate as possible, you gathered all of the groceries that you believed were necessary— just enough to restock the fridge, and fill some gaps left in the cupboard. 

Your time at the store was indeed brief, as you found yourself in the checkout lane after just twenty minutes (you definitely weren’t going to brag about that to Steve later. Definitely not), and back home with just enough time to unload the groceries, and further prep yourself to go to work. 

You’d honestly forgotten about your trip to the store by the time that you arrived home, up until you found your boyfriend arm deep in your pantry, hellbent on finding… something.

“Can I help you?” you poked with a laugh, coming up beside Steve and peeking over his shoulder.

“I’m just… Did you happen to grab any protein bars while you were at the store?” he asked, pausing his search to look back at you.

“I don’t think so. Why? It’s not like you need any more protein,” you teased, squeezing a bicep to demonstrate your words.

“They’re pretty convenient when I’m out in the field. Don’t worry about it, though. I’ll just swing by the store and grab some before my mission tomorrow. Actually, I should probably go now. Y’know, before I forget,” Steve was already grabbing his car keys from the counter by the time his sentence was finished, leaving you to fight off your disappointment at your minor grocery store failure.

You looked at what you now knew was an insufficiently filled pantry and pinched the bridge of your nose. You had seriously underestimated the ins and outs of shopping for a super soldier. 

Well, third time’s the charm?

—

After this week, you would never complain about waking up early again. You were now up at an absolutely ungodly hour, scrambling eggs, flipping pancakes, and spreading jam on toast for a sleeping, unsuspecting Steve.

You placed the plate on a sturdy wooden tray, poured orange juice and an extra glass of water, and set a nicely folded napkin, along with utensils, next to the items.

You hoped that the scent of bacon wafting up to your bedroom would eventually pull him out of his slumber, and seeing how bacon was the only thing left to finish cooking, you took a little break. 

A round of Candy Crush turned into two, then three, and goddamnit, why can’t you beat this fourth level! You got so wrapped up in your mobile game that you didn’t even notice when the scent from your kitchen became slightly rancid, and when you rushed over to the oven to check on your now extremely burnt bacon, the smoke detector wailed.

You grabbed a kitchen towel and waved your arms like a madwoman near the smoke detector, the shrieking eventually stopping, but not before Steve was halfway down the stairs.

“Y/N, where are you? Is everything okay?” he nearly shouted, racing down the stairs and barreling through the smoky kitchen to find you. When he reached you, he wrapped his arms around your waist and began to pull you out of the kitchen. 

“Steve, relax. Everything is okay. Except those pieces of bacon,” you rubbed your now sweaty palms on your pajama pants before breaking away from him to crack open the kitchen window. 

“Christ, what happened? And why are you up so early?”

“I was trying to make you breakfast in bed,” you admitted, rather embarrassed by the dramatic scene you’d accidentally created. “Sorry,” you muttered.

Steve wrapped his arms around you once more, this time in a reassuring bear hug that left your cheeks pressed to his chest. “Don’t be. I really appreciate this, and everything else you’ve done this week. It’s the thought that counts, right?”

“I guess,” you mumbled into his shirt. 

“Besides, everything else looks delicious. And you tried your best for me while trying something new. I think that’s really sweet of you.”

“Really?” you pried, looking up at him.

“Really,” Steve confirmed.

“Well, I think it would be really sweet of you if you went back to bed and got all cozy so I can take care of you.”

Steve chuckled softly, pressed a little kiss to your nose, then nodded, “yes ma’am.”

Quality Time

Steve had been in a bubbly mood since getting back from his mission, and for no particular reason. It wasn’t like you weren’t happy that your partner was happy, but feeling like you were out of the loop was slightly concerning.

Before you could let your thoughts run too wild, you decided to pop the question during one of your evening walks. 

“Okay Steve, what is going on with you?” you asked, veering to the side of the trail when a biker rode past you. 

“Nothing big. Nothing too important. I’m just out of service for the next three months,” Steve said casually, playing it cool. 

“What?!” you paused, your brows raising and eyes widening in surprise as you searched his face for sincerity. “You’re serious?”

“Serious as a heart attack.”

“Steve!” you gasped happily, nearly roaring out his name in excitement. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I was going to tell you before wining and dining you, but you beat me to it. So…?”

“…So I’m happy to have you back. I may need you to negotiate some time away from work for me in the next few months, then. I don’t wanna miss this preview of stay-at-home-dad-Steve.”

“Hey, don’t push it.”

“Oh, I’m planning on pushing it.” 

Epilogue

The sun was beating down on you, but the soothing breeze that flowed past your checked blanket every so often provided a pleasant antidote to the summer heat.

You’d truly picked the best day for a picnic.

Despite spending a good amount of time with your partner, the last month and a half had truly felt like a whirlwind. You casually started looking for a forever home, found yourselves making plans for an early retirement, and you had a new, sneaking suspicion that a proposal was on the horizon.

In the midst of it all, Steve had suggested that the two of you take a midday tryst at your local park and throw yourselves a little picnic. Of course you obliged, because when your greek god of a boyfriend suggests going on a spur of the moment date, you agree.

You now watched the nearly cloudless sky with pure, unadulterated feelings of content and joy while Steve set a slice of cheese on a cracker, leaning over your body to feed you. As you opened your mouth, Steve paused abruptly at the soft vibration coming from his pocket. 

Steve resumed as if nothing had changed, popping the cracker into your open mouth and letting his phone continue to ring.

“Don’t you wanna get that?” you questioned.

“It can wait,” Steve stated nonchalantly, slipping his phone out of his pocket and pressing decline with absolutely no hesitation before tossing the device to the edge of your blanket.

You didn’t realize how long you’d been waiting to hear those three words.

-------

a/n: this could’ve been solved in like 20 minutes by sitting down and taking a love language quiz together

[alreadyblondenow]

One apartment for two

“I know, I know. But I’m talking about the feeling. It feels like I’m here with you for the first time again and I still think that you’re very beautiful”

Pairing: Jaehyun x female!reader, fubu to lovers

Genre: SMUT, FLUFF, angst?

WC: 3,599

Warnings: protected sex, accidental unprotected sex, pregnancy, mentions of sickness during pregnancy, slight somnophilia, swearing, mentions of other idols

A/N: NOT PROOFREAD. I’ll fix it once I have time. Sorry I didn’t include the promt from my terms haha forgot to but I hope the person who requested this is satisfied

—————————-

It started with a kiss. A very special kiss that’s only held during new year’s eve. He was the one who grabbed you and placed his hand perfectly at the top of your jaw to make you calm. And you swear your world stopped during that meaningless kiss.

“Happy new year,” he said, and smiled oh so handsomely. Placing a friendly kiss on your cheek and pulling you in a hug. He smelled good, he feels warm, and you will never forget that damn cream sweater because it really looked good on him.

The second kiss happened three hours after the first one. It was in your apartment and you and Jaehyun spent the whole night kissing in your bed. Although you’re both all dressed up, your bodies felt like you just had sex because of the intensity from the kissing.

Then after a week you find Jaehyun in between your legs, kissing your inner thighs and wet panties. Making you feel good after you both had a long day at work.

“Mmm. Jae-“ you whine and tried getting away from his soft kitten licks. But he was strong and you can’t do anything about him removing your panties while his lips are on your navel, making you calm and telling you to keep quiet in the most softest tone with the softest kisses.

“Sorry I’ve been too loud,” you apologized but Jaehyun is having none of it.

“No need to say sorry for. I just don’t want our neighbors to get the wrong idea, you know?”

And at that moment, you can only nod. Accept that what you have with Jaehyun is not a relationship but a fucked up sex life. No more, no less. Good thing he never disappoints in bed, that way you forget all the fucked up things and the consequences.

“Can you lay on your stomach? Pretty please?” he said, kissing your neck and bringing you back to reality. You gave him what he asked for and earn a light smack on your ass, followed by a soft kiss that takes away the sting. You giggled at what he did, and stick up your ass so he could fuck you finally.

“Wait- Don’t forget the condom, not on the pill”

You did not see it, but Jaehyun rolled his eyes playfully while putting a condom, good thing the ones you have are thin ones so it feels kinda raw. He reached for your hand and let you stroke his hard cock not only to make him harder but to let you know that he’s not fooling you about the condom.

As you lie on your stomach with your ass up, you feel secured and excited as Jaehyun licks your entrance a few times and put a few finger in your cunt to prepare you. He holds you by the waist and caress whatever skin he can reach. Removing your thin shirt and throwing it away so you’re now both naked in bed.

“How come you never let me fuck you raw?” he asked and placed soft kisses on your shoulders and back while he slowly pushes in. Making you weak and part your lips.

“W-well, do you want to be a dad?” You struggles to tease him as you feel him starts thrusting slow and deep. “Fuck Jaehyun not so deep- still not used to your size baby, please”

“I love it when it when you call me ‘baby’,” he lowly grunted near your ears and started kneading your boobs. He didn’t go any deeper as requested, he didn’t even fucked you hard because he knew you’re not ready, he just had sex with you... a plain, boring sex. But he loves every second of it because it was you. In fact, he loved it so much that he always cums first.

“You always leave me Jae,” you said with ragged breaths and facing the man behind you while he discards the condom. “It’s not fair, you always cum first,” you teased him and switched places with him. You love enjoying the warmth of Jaehyun’s body after sex. Always. He’s like a handsome heater which warms your body and does the job perfectly.

“I’ll buy you a heater next Christmas,” he wraps his arms around you and places kissed on top of your head. You didn’t cum but who cares, he never forgets to care for you and that’s ten times better than cumming.

As the seasons change and so is your apartment, you and Jaehyun never thought that being fuck buddies would be so easy to manage. No strings, no commitments, just condoms and sex.

“Jaehyun, you have your own apartment. You literally live five floors away. Hi,” you kissed him and placed your hand on his shoulders to give him a massage. You just got home from work and you found him working on your study table.

“I know but I like yours better,” he answered and invited you to sit on his lap. Still, you’re not satisfied with what he said and waited for more explanation. He has the biggest apartment in this building, how come he likes this shoe box?

“Okay. I’m prone to get lonely. Listen, I’ll buy the groceries from now and I’ll take care of you... in bed” he said with a smirk and kissed you on the lips. “Have I ever told you how much your kisses affect me?”

“No” you continue kissing him.

“Just a few minutes ago, I’m so stressed at this conference that I needed to attend to this coming weekend. Then here you are, making everything better with your kisses,”

“In that case let me treat you right tonight,”

“That sounds fantastic. You’re the best,” he said and kissed you deeper.

With half a year of being ‘together’ Jaehyun have finally controlled himself in bed and promised himself that he will never cum unless you cum first. So night after night, Jaehyun would fuck you and you try your best not to scream his name so loud for every orgasm that he gives you because Jaehyun... knows how to fuck and is the only man whose dick is so addicting that you want it inside you every night. May it be in you cunt, or in your mouth. You don’t care anymore.

So tonight, it’s your first time trying such thing. You know, being in command and in control the whole night. “Baby, you don’t need to this. Really, I’m fine-“ but his breath was taken away when your lips touched the tip of his cock. Slowly you take him and allow your tongue to do the magic. Well, you guess the magic is effective because Jaehyun can’t stop moaning and asking for more. His face was so fucked up, lidded sexy eyes that can’t look away from you, and on top of this, his lips were all pink and parted the whole time.

“Really Jaehyun? That good?” you rested your jaw and allow him to enjoy his first orgasm, letting him cum while your hand continuously strokes him. You asked for a kiss which he gladly gave you. Moaning and grunting deliciously while you touch him.

But just as he thought that you’re done for the night, you spread those creamy thighs of his and caress it gently. Earning a small laugh from him, a sign that he can’t believe that you have more plans for him. He looked you straight in the eye with a handsome smile, thinking how beautiful you are... and also how he loves the way you match his craziness in bed as if you’re soulmates.

“Never had a girl spread my legs before,” he comments while you make sure he’s comfortable.

“Do you want me to fuck you like how you do to me? Or do you want me to ride you? Choose wisely Jung,” he teased him while licking and sucking his nipples.

“You can fuck me hard another day, ride me slow tonight?” He answered.

“Good choice,” you answered back and proceed to put condom on his cock, before you put it inside slowly. You watch Jaehyun went crazy while you put his cock inside you, his grip on your waist was incredibly tight like you’re going away any minute. And when you started moving, he was completely lost and speechless that all he did was moan, shut his eyes close and hold on to your waist.

“Fuck- go slower please, I don’t want to cum yet” And so you did, moving your hips slower to his request. “Do I feel good?” he asked and put two fingers in your mouth. You can only nod and swirl your tongue around his fingers, you wonder what was that for.

“Too much Jaehyun don’t do that,” and just like that you question was answered when he removed his fingers from your mouth and put it on your clit to draw circles that makes your legs shake in an instant.

“Or else what? Cum with me,” He said with smirk.

And so the night ended with you and Jaehyun cumming together and enjoyed quality time in bed after a good orgasm. Who would need a label if it already feels like you’re in love with each other. Right?

Before he leaves to go to Japan for a couple of weeks, you decided to go grocery shopping together which is one of your favourite things to do with Jaehyun because sometimes when you’re out in public, he holds your hand unconsciously while walking, or place a soft kiss on top of your head whenever you’re close to him. Some habits of his that never stayed in bed, and you love it.

And at the end of a beautiful day, he made you a very delicious dinner that he made with love.

“I’ll cook for you more when I get back, I promise”

“Wow my private chef is so amazing,” you praise him and his cooking. Tasting the first dish he hands you and wow, it’s very delicious.

“Is that what you think of me Y/n? Your private chef?” he asked out of nowhere. Accidentally ruining your mood and making you nervous for nothing. “Baby, don’t get me wrong” he reached for a kiss on your temple to take away your nervousness. “For sure, I’m more than just a guy you fuck. I just want to know what goes through that sexy brain of yours,”

This is it, Jaehyun thought. If you say that you have feelings for him even the slightest bit, he will kiss you and make it official from now on. He’s just so scared to be rejected if he’s the one to tell his feelings out loud.

“Well, uhm. A good friend that knows how to cook and knows how to fuck. Seriously, Jae why are you single?”

Clueless and unaware, Jaehyun sat there like a stone while he listens to you eat and enjoy your food. Heartbroken and speechless, all this time he can’t believe that he’s just a friend to you. He was so vocal and pretty obvious with his motive, but still you can’t see his point.

Little did he know, you love every inch of him. And you wish that what you have now is real instead of just fucking and being sweet to each other without any reason.

Surprisingly that night, Jaehyun didn’t want to have sex. “I just want to hug you all night until we fall asleep,” he says. And so you did. Hands intertwined, bodies closer than ever, listening to the sound of the air conditioning and each other’s heartbeats.

Something is wrong and you both know that but too shy to fix it.

While Jaehyun is gone for his business trip, you were so busy with work and almost every night you go home exhausted and really tired. So this is life if Jaehyun is to leave you. Cold, lonely and tiring. Funny how you just realize now how that peach can brighten up a small room with only his presence alone.

You: My apartment misses you 😞

Jaehyun: I miss you. I will be home soon 😘

Meanwhile, in Japan with nine of Jaehyun’s workmates in a night club, he was downing a couple of strong drinks while watching his friends be entertained by a few girls.

“Not getting some tonight?” Johnny asked when he noticed Jaehyun has been staring and fidgeting on his phone the whole night. Not the usual Jaehyun.

“Nah I would rather release mine when I get home” Jaehyun answered while waiting for your reply.

Anyone who’s close with Jaehyun for a long period of time would straight up recognize that he’s serious now and he’s willing to give love a chance.

After a couple of days, he finally got home in the middle of the night, and found you sleeping soundly in your room. Wearing a thin shirt and panties. He shook his head on disbelief with a small smile, and quietly joined you in bed.

“I’m home, wake up. For me? Please? I missed you so much” he said in between kissing every exposed skin of yours but you just won’t wake up. Maybe you’re tired? Exhausted? Okay he’ll give up. But before he even stops, he found himself hard and horny and did not realized that his hand is hook on your panties ready to remove it.

And so he did.

“Jae it’s the middle of the night. Welcome back,” and you finally woke up when you felt your thighs being kissed softly. “Missed me that much?” you see that he already removed your panties and his pants.

“So much. Are you tired?” he asked before he proceeds.

“Just sleepy. Want to fuck?”

“Haven’t had sex for weeks. Are you really asking me that?” He laughed quietly while placing lustful kisses on your neck. Hands started to slowly lift you shirt to expose you to him, he did the same thing. He removed his underwear and placed himself in between your legs. “Remember our first night making out this bed?”

“How could I forget? That night was beautiful”

“Well it kinda feels like this-“

“I completely remember that we were wearing clothes that night while were making out,” you giggled.

“I know, I know. But I’m talking about the feeling. It feels like I’m here with you for the first time again and I still think that you’re very beautiful” he admitted, kissing your lips oh so softly like that night during New Year’s Eve.

“That’s sweet Jaehyun-“

“I love you Y/n. And I hope you can love me back,” he rested his head on your chest. Feeling weak and hopeless. He somehow thought that this night will be your last night together, and he was ready to say goodbye.

But

He felt your embrace that made him look at you. “Baby, what took you so long?” you smiled and kissed him deeply pressing his body on yours, chest to chest, lips to lips, soul to soul.

For the first time in your lives, it was not about just for the sake of having sex then cumming afterwards. Tonight is all about love and you and Jaehyun made love for the first time in your bed.

He was whispering how much he loves you the whole nigh while he fucks you slow and deep. Hard for a few seconds but it never stayed like that for too long.

“Jaehyun, baby, more” you asked while you feel yourself on the verge of cumming. Moaning how much he feels good, moaning how much you love every inch of him that’s inside you. He fucks you how you wanted it while he sucks and licks your nipples. This is how he knows everything inch of your body.

Of course he came first, then you. And it was the first time he watch you cum like this. So satisfied, so happy and contented.

“You do realize that from now we have to fight sometimes?” you smiled and teased him while he’s busy pulling out.

“Yeah, I would rather fight with you so I can love you harder afterwards,” he smiled and intertwined his hands with yours. Kissing your knuckles and eventually sleeping together.

On the next day, a sleeping tired and handsome naked Jaehyun is the first thing you see the moment you opened your eyes. “Good morning,” you greeted softly, raking his hair away from his face. Attempting to wake him up but he wouldn’t so you let him to rest.

When you came to the bathroom for your morning routine, you happily remember every second that happened last night in bed and caught yourself smiling alone. You brushed your teeth and washed your face, then you saw the box of condoms unopened....

That shit ruined your morning.

You didn’t tell Jaehyun. You wouldn’t dare because you knew it would freak him out just like how it freaked you out. Or maybe you’re just scared that he’ll leave you. Nonetheless Jaehyun found out about your situation because things aren’t normal anymore.

Whenever he invites you to have sex, you will politely refuse and tell him you’re not in the mood or you feel sick. Which is something he highly respects of course, and ended up taking care of you the whole night.

And speaking of being sick, he noticed that you’ve been having morning sickness and have been vomiting without even a warning.

“Shit Y/n, so when are you going to tell me?” He said while soothing your back while you vomit on the sink and eventually wash your mouth.

You were silent. Because honestly you don’t know if he wanted to continue being a father or he’s disappointed of whats happening right now.

The early months of your pregnancy was hell. It feels like you were alone the whole time even if you’re in the same room as Jaehyun. You were just a starting couple and you didn’t have the time to enjoy it because of your pregnancy. The once sweet and caring Jaehyun you fell in love with changed. Though he’s still here, but things were never the same again.

Until one day, the saddest thing that could happen in your life right now happened on a cold night.

He was standing by the door with his stuff the moment you woke up from your nap. Weak and shocked as fuck with whats happening, Jaehyun kissed you on your temple and apologized.

“I’m sorry. I’m not ready. I’ll support you and the baby financially. That’s all I can do-“

“Asshole. Get out I never want to see you again,” you said weakly and went back to bed. You heard the door closed and your apartment was lonelier than ever.

The next day, you found out that Jaehyun went back to the US to his family because the landlord was so clueless to what happened between you and Jaehyun, that he even gave you Jaehyun’s plant.

You and Jaehyun were both devastated and, lonely the moment you two broke up. He knew that it was stupid to leave you, you knew that you needed to at least listen to what he feels about the baby. Both have faults but clearly, you still love each other deeply.

And just as you thought that it’s already too late for you and Jaehyun, after a few months and your belly is all big and you can watch the baby kick... Jaehyun came back and you welcomed him with tears and open arms.

You loved each other more, fought more and forgive each other because it’s how a relationship supposed to be. Things have been hard with adjusting and starting a life together, but this is better living a lonely life from his family.

As you and Jaehyun wait for the baby to come out, surprisingly he is doing such a great job as the father and provider of his now small family. He bought a small house where you can finally call home and because he told you that your apartment was too small for the three of you.

When the baby finally came out Jaehyun was the one who’s so excited to touch the baby’s hand and introduced himself as his dad. Yes, it’s a boy. And when the three of you are now complete in the house that he bought, he has never been so happy in his life now that he gets to carry his son.

Your life has become extraordinary when the baby came into your lives. It was tiring, yes, especially now that you’re back to working and Jaehyun has been very busy with his work lately, but being in the presence of you baby can take every tiredness away.

“You go sleep, I got this”

Jaehyun said when he heard the baby cry the moment he came home from work. And when he stepped into the nursery, the baby stopped crying and started playing with the pillow. “Oh you want play? Okay big guy, let’s play” he carries the baby out from his crib and let him crawl on the matted floor with toy pillows and Jaehyun started playing with his son even though he’s tired to the bone from work. And when the baby decided to sleep again, Jaehyun went back to your shared room and... well, played with you too.

“I missed you” he said while spreading kisses on your exposed leg until he reaches your neck and give you a few tickles. Finally he can call it a day.

On New Year’s Eve, and while waiting for the clock to strike 12, you received more than a kiss from him this time because finally, he asked you to marry him.

[shotos-angelic-whore]

When I Needed You Most (8) k. bakugo

warnings: author included in story, past toxic relationship, swearing, death of a minor character

note: i just thought i’d mention that what Nicole said in the previous chapter, was all made up. meaning: i didn’t actually go through all of that. i just made it up for the story.

It’s been an odd couple weeks for Bakugo; after having apologized to Nicole, the two have spent an odd amount of time together—at least it’s odd to him.

“Hey, Aika!” Bakugo exclaims as he prepares dinner for himself in the kitchen.

“I’ll be right back, Mina.” She gets up from her spot on the couch and approaches the kitchen. “Yes, Katsuki?”

“I need to talk to you,” he says.

“OK … then talk,” she gestures for him to continue.

“Alone, after dinner,” he says, continuing to make his meal.

“Ohhh! We gettin’ all serious,” she mocks.

“Don’t mock me, dumbass,” he growls.

“Whatever you say, Bakuhoe,” she waves as she heads back to Mina.

“Girl, what’s going on between you two?” Mina questions Nicole.

“Me and Katsuki?” Nicole questions in return. “Nothing is going on between us!” she shakes her head with a chuckle.

“Are you sure?” Asks Jiro.

“Yeah, you guys have been hanging out a lot. Ribbit,” says Tsu.

“OK?” Nicole had no idea what her friends were getting at.

“Do you like him?”

“Way to be blunt, Uraraka,” Sero rolls his eyes.

“What?! No! Of course not!” Nicole whisper exclaims, looking back out to the kitchen to make sure Bakugo can’t hear her. When she sees that he’s no longer there—or anywhere in the common area—she looks back to see her friends staring at her. “Even if I did like him, he’d never like me back,” she chuckles.

“He made you breakfast this morning,” Kaminari remarks.

“So?” Nicole shrugs.

“He’s only ever done that for [Y/n],” says Kirishima.

Nicole’s heart drops. She’s become so close with [y/n] that being with Bakugo would feel weird—wrong even.

But she can’t help but feel a bit giddy at the thought of him liking her. She sighs, getting ready to speak, when her phone goes off; signaling a text. She picks it up and unlocks it.

meet me in my dorm. we need to talk

The text from Bakugo read.

“I’ve got to go,” she says. “I’ll see you all in the morning!” She stands up, heading towards the elevator.

Making her way to Bakugo’s dorm, she begins to wonder what he wants to talk about.

As she approaches his door, she begins to panic a little. She takes a deep breath before knocking, jumping when he opens the door on the second knock. “God damn, Katsuki! You fucking scared me!” She exclaims.

“Tch, whatever. Come in,” he steps aside so she can enter the room, closing the door behind her.

“Damn, Bakuhoe,” she gasps, looking around his room. “Your room is nice!”

“Shut up,” he sits down at his desk, crossing his arms.

“You wanted to talk?” She sits down on his bed, placing her hands on her knees.

“Yea. I’m just gunna cut to the chase. I-” he’s cut off by Nicole’s phone ringing.

“One sec,” she pulls her phone out of her pocket and looks at the caller ID. “I gotta take this,” she puts up her pointer finger, signaling he wait and slides the answer button. “Hey, Grandma! What’s up?” no answer, just sniffles. “Are you all right?”

“No,” her grandmother says.

“What’s wrong?” She questions. Bakugo notices Nicole’s demeanor changing, and begins to become worrisome.

“Your dad’s dead,” her grandma says bluntly.

Nicole’s face goes pale, her eyes beginning to water. “What?”

“Your dad’s-”

“No, I heard you. What do you mean, he’s dead?” when her grandma doesn’t answer, her breath hitches. “Did he have anything to do with it?”

“No. But I wish he did,” says Grandma.

“What do you mean you wish he did?” Nicole exasperates.

“Your father … took his own life.”

Nicole breaks down at that sentence. “NO!” she screams. Bakugo is quickly by her side, placing her phone on the table and pulling her shaking body into his chest.

“I know you’re still processing that news, but there’s something else you need to know,” her grandmother says.

“What?” Nicole manages to get out.

“He is at your school.”

“First you tell me that my dad is dead, and now you’re telling me that Adriex is attending UA?!”

“Honey-”

“I’m not moving again. I’m staying here. I’m just going to stand up to him, like I should have before.” Nicole says. “What course and class?”

“Hero, B. I’m gunna let you process this, call me when you can.” she hangs up.

Nicole begins to sob into Bakugo’s chest, him holding her close and allowing her to cry her eyes out.

Once she’s calmed down, she begins to explain her situation and why she moved to Musutafu in the first place.

“So you have a daughter?” he questions softly, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear.

“Yeah. She lives with my parents—well, my mom.” she hiccups. “The only person who knows is [y/n], and I told her that I put my daughter up for adoption.”

“So she doesn’t know the whole story,” Bakugo nods.

The sudden knock on the door causes them both to jump. “Yo, Kacchan!” Kaminari says through the door. “Have you seen Nicole?! Class B is over for dinner! So is Shinso!”

Nicole looks at Bakugo in horror. “He is in that class,” she mutters. “Yeah! I’m in here! I’ll be down in a sec!” she manages to hide her fear and sadness pretty well.

“Oh. Alright!” Kaminari leaves.

“This outa be fun,” Bakugo chuckles as Nicole stands up and wipes under her eyes, exiting the room not long later.

© nic berns

🏷Tags: @jazzylove @roseycottage @chixkadee @power-house-fan12 @hyruleiscalling @yukihime-mikeys-girl @ike-bana @lunamoonbby @black-bhabie-2000

[wlwmarvelenthusiast]

Can we get sequel to goose’s best friend??? That was fantastic

I'll have you all know I had this saved under the working title "Goose's Mom Has Got It Going On"

Goose's Best Friend, Part 2

Part 1

Summary: After finding out your flirty pen-pal was Carol Danvers, you have to see if you can look past your shared past and make it work.

Pairings: Carol Danvers x Reader

Warnings: Language

Word Count: 2,897

A date with Carol Danvers was dangerous. There were about a million things that could go horribly wrong, all of which you ran over in your head as you walked to the cafe down the street, the blonde in question at your side. Neither of you had spoken a single word since you’d agreed to a coffee date after she’d shown up at your apartment and admitted that she had been the girl you’d been flirting with over the little notes on Goose’s collar.

When she’d first showed up at your door, you’d refused her.

You hated Carol Danvers, right? She was arrogant, self-centred, and an all-around pain in the ass. She was not a joy to be around and that had never, not once, been debatable. Not until that moment when, for some unknown reason, your heart skipped a beat when that too-familiar grin crossed her lips. You’d managed to ignore the feeling, tightening your grip on the doorknob to ready yourself to shut the passage that was open between you.

“Danvers,” you’d said, suppressing the shake in your voice. “Sorry I wasted your time.”

“Wasted my time? What do you mean?”

“We’ve never gotten along much, have we? Who’s to say that should start now?”

You’d tried to shut the door, then, but she’d put her foot in the way. “Coffee. Tomorrow morning.”

Uncertainty was something you thought you’d never see in the eyes of the army pilot. Yet, there she’d stood, gaze cast just past your head at the golden numbers nailed to your apartment door. It was something that made you momentarily forget just who it was. That show of uncertainty was comforting to you. It showed she’d changed. If she could change her attitude for just a moment then, who was to say she couldn’t change her attitude just a little more? You wanted to meet the Carol who had sent you all those notes.

“Tomorrow morning,” you’d agreed. Then you’d shut the door.

Now, here you were, walking into the small cafe at her side. She held the door open for you, an awkward smile tugging at her lips as she did. Your smile was just as forced, and the quiet thank you just as uncomfortable. Neither of you fit into the atmosphere one bit. It was calm, peaceful, and comfortable inside. You were wringing your hands together because you weren’t sure what to do with them, and your gaze was locked to the ground, unsure if you should be looking at Carol or not.

You finally stepped up to the front of the line, eyes travelling over the board quickly. Carol ordered a black coffee, and then her eyes turned to you. You cleared your throat hard before you ordered yourself a drink. When the barista asked suddenly, if it was together or separate, you and Carol both tensed up impossibly more. Her mouth opened and then shut once as she tried to find words. After forty-five seconds of tense silence, you whipped your wallet out.

“Together. Credit.”

You paid for both drinks and then moved to wait for them to be prepared. The entire time you waited, neither you nor Carol spoke a word. Instead, you bathed in the most uncomfortable silence you’d ever felt before in your entire life. Finally, the drinks arrived. You handed Carol hers, and she led you to a table in the corner. You both sat down, the silence reigning until you finally decided to clear your throat and be the first to speak.

“So, you have a cat.”

“Yeah. He’s a good cat. I got him from a friend,” Carol said, before sipping her drink. “Long story.”

You decided not to prod about that. You didn’t know her well enough to. Instead, you only nodded in response. You took to glancing around the room, something that gave you a reason to look away from Carol whilst not seeming awkward about it. There weren’t many other people in the cafe, and you didn’t stare too long at any one of them, lest they think you were being rude. Eventually, your gaze moved back to the blonde across from you.

“So, I guess this was unexpected,” Carol laughed tightly. “Me, I mean.”

“I was surprised. It was… unexpected,” you repeated.

“You don’t sound overly pleased.”

You had to stop and think about that. You’d been avoiding pondering just how you felt about this. When you’d worked up the confidence to ask your anonymous pen-pal to a coffee date, you’d been quite excited. Once you’d found out just who you’d asked on a date, though, your feelings had changed. You were still open to it, even if you were a little more hesitant. It made you nervous. Carol Danvers had never liked you and you’d never liked her. She’d spent every moment you’d ever spent with her teasing and taunting you and you’d never enjoyed it.

“Surprised,” you repeated. “We’ve never much gotten along.”

Carol shrugged. “Well, I wasn’t ecstatic either, you know.”

That was starting to sound a little more like the Carol you knew. Of course she would say something like that. For a second you had to stop and remind yourself of who you were talking to. You took a deep breath, focused on the warm drink in your hands, and then looked back up at the army pilot. She wasn’t looking at you, the comment she’d made obviously not having meant anything to her. That fact almost made you even angrier.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Carol only let her gaze flicker to you once before turning it back to whatever she was looking at behind you. “I mean it’s you,” she said nonchalantly. She looked back at you. “But I came anyway. After those notes, how couldn’t I?”

“You came anyway,” you repeated with a scoff. “And that was right after you overlooked the fact that it was me, right?”

Your voice had risen just enough that the table next to you was able to hear your conversation. They may have been trying to be discreet about it, but you know the young couple sitting across each other, hands clasped under the table, were listening in. Every once in a while their eyes would wander to your table, their conversation had dropped, and they were leaning a little closer than necessary. You wanted to give them a rude gesture with your hands, but then again, you wanted to give that same gesture to your date.

Carol rolled her eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then tell me what you did mean.”

“You’re not exactly my type, you know.”

“And what’s that mean, Danvers? I'm not exciting enough for you? Pardon me for enjoying peace and quiet.” You stood up. “You’re welcome, by the way, for the coffee.”

You stood up and left your half-empty drink on the table, making for the exit. Carol didn’t stop you.

*

You were half tempted to hang up on the woman that was on and on in your ear. You lay back against the arm of the sofa, tucking the cordless phone between your ear and your shoulder. You grabbed the TV remote off the end table beside you and turned the TV on. It was the time of day for your favourite TV show. The sound of the theme song caught the attention of your best friend. She gave a very loud shout of protest, making you scramble for the phone to pull it away from your ear.

“You are not seriously watching TV right now!”

“I am seriously watching TV. Miami Vice is on.”

“You need to go knock on Carol’s door, and-”

You snarled. After the whole incident with the notes on Goose’s collar, you’d been unable to not think about the sweet side of Carol. When you saw her or saw Goose, it’d been all you thought about. But you’d gotten over it. Once more Carol no longer elicited any feelings other than rage. That was how you liked it. There was no want for anything else. In fact, you made sure that Carol no longer took up more than five minutes of your thoughts. You didn’t need to let her rule your life like that.

“I won’t do any such thing. I’d rather date the Wicked Witch of the fucking West.”

“Well, pretty soon that’s going to be your only option left.”

“You should see me right now. I've practically fallen off my seat with laughter,” you said, sarcasm coating your words.

There was a knock at your door before she could answer. You didn’t even tell her as you put the phone down on the coffee table, turned the volume down on the TV, and headed for the front door. You opened it up without checking who it was, and your eyebrows furrowed momentarily when no one was there. When Goose strode into your apartment with confidence, though, you couldn’t help but smile. You shut the door behind him and picked up the phone once more.

“Sorry. I had to get the door,” you muttered, jamming the phone between your ear and your shoulder as you reached for the cat treats.

“Was it Carol?”

“It was not,” you said, rolling your eyes. “It was my new best friend.”

“New best friend?!” She hesitated a moment. “It’s that cat, isn’t it?”

You decided not to dignify that with an answer. You turned to hand Goose one of the treats, only to find that he’d disappeared. You glanced every which way to find him, but the tabby was nowhere in sight. His presence was announced when you heard the shatter from the living room. The red mug that your grandmother had given you for your birthday was in pieces on the floor. You scowled at the cat, but when he glanced up at you with wide eyes, you found you couldn’t stay mad at him. Instead, you grabbed the dustpan and hung up the phone with a quick apology.

As you swept the red pieces of ceramic off the floor, you glance up at Goose. Casually, he licked one of his front paws where he was sat upon the coffee table. You might have looked away, but you noticed the small piece of paper taped around his collar. There was some unidentifiable feeling swirling around in your stomach. You hadn’t talked to Carol since the incident in the cafe. You had half a mind to just leave the paper where it was, but you found, as you dumped the broken mug in the trash and tried to resume watching your show, you couldn’t get your mind off it. Finally, when Goose made to stride past you, you reached out and took it.

For a few long moments, you held it folded in your hands. There was no way there was any sort of apology on the small note. That was not the style of Carol Danvers. Not that you knew, anyway. You turned it over a few more times in your hands before you finally unfolded it, still hesitating before you read it. Goose was watching you as if he were interested to see what your expression might be. You glanced down at the untidy scrawl that belonged to your least-favourite neighbour.

Can we talk?

You wanted to write out a simple no as a reply. She didn’t deserve that, did she? Not when you’d already given her a chance after she’d been nothing but terrible to you for well over a year. You crumpled the note and threw it across the room, watching it fall on the floor beside the TV. With nothing more than a simple grumble, you reached for the TV remote, turning up the volume, sitting back, and putting all of your attention into the show in front of you.

*

The sun streaming through the window of your bedroom was blinding. You’d been too distracted to remember to close the curtains the night before, so it was unobstructed as it was amplified by the glass pane in your window and shone into your eyes. With a hand raised to protect your eyes, you glanced over at the digital clock that was sat on your nightstand. You’d slept in. That fact didn’t surprise you much. You hadn’t slept much.

Only when you let your head fall back against the pillows once more, eyes squeezed shut to protect them from the bright light, did you realize the second presence you could feel in your room. You couldn’t help but smile to yourself, a little surprised that it was still present. You reached out with your left arm, using it to feel around the bed to find them. It didn’t take long, the other body being well within your reach. Your hand made contact so that you were both awake.

“You’re still here,” you mumbled, stretching as you turned your head to meet open eyes. “I thought you’d be gone by now.”

Of course, Goose didn’t answer.

He’d been your companion the night before when you’d been tossing and turning, unable to get your brain to stop thinking about Carol’s note that was still crumpled into a small ball on the floor in your living room. He’d sat by your side and let you stroke the fur on his head as your mind raced, your own thoughts not letting you get a good night’s sleep. Eventually, he’d even curled up next to you on your bed, a strong sense of comfort coming from the action. You ran a hand over his head.

“Thanks, Buddy.”

He mewed in response.

You decided it was well time to get up, so you rolled off the bed. The first thing you did was jump in the shower, letting the hot water wash away some of the stress from the night before. When you emerged in sweat pants and a t-shirt, Goose was still on the bed. You waved for him to follow you into the kitchen. You started the coffee maker and went to the fridge to grab the creamer. There was none left. You groaned, the noise drowned out by Goose’s loud cry from behind you. He was sitting by the empty bag of treats.

“Yeah, me too,” you grumbled. “Wait here. I’ll go get more.”

So, you grabbed your keys, slid your feet into your shoes, and headed out the front door. You weren’t expected for Carol to be there, hand raised as if she’d been preparing to knock on the door. For a brief moment, she glanced behind you to take a look at Goose on the kitchen counter. Her gaze moved back to you. You were still a little shocked, not having been prepared for the early-morning (or, technically, early-afternoon) encounter outside your door.

“He stayed the night?” She asked.

“Mhm.”

It was a stupid response, and you cursed yourself for it right away. She didn’t seem to think twice of it. Her eyes were searching your face carefully. You didn’t know what she was looking for, but you were forcing yourself from blushing bright red. Judging by the absence of her usual smirk, she didn’t know that. You shut the door behind you, stepping around Carol to remove yourself from the closeness you’d been forced into.

“I was just going to get some coffee creamer. Did you want him back?” You said, shoving the keys into your pocket.

“No,” she said, twisting her fingers together. “I was looking for you.”

“Oh,” was all you said. “Why?”

“I wanted to talk.”

You could’ve slammed your palm into your forehead. Of course that’s why she was looking for you. She’d actually told you that she’d wanted to talk. You shouldn’t have been surprised that she’d sought you out to do just that. You supposed that’s what you got for not giving her a response. You nodded, finally, and leaned against the wall behind you, arms crossed over your chest. It was a posture that made you look closed off, and that was exactly what you wanted.

“I’m sorry for what I said the other day,” she began slowly. “And I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you since I’ve lived here.”

Maybe you’d been mistaken. Maybe she did know how to apologize.

“Thanks,” you said with a nod. “I’m sorry I stormed out.”

“I was just… I was hoping you’d give me another chance. Maybe lunch this time. On me.”

You sighed. “How many chances do you think you deserve, Carol?”

You’d meant to ask the question with anger. It had been intended as something rhetorical. What it came out as, though, was hurt and broken. At some point, it had become a sincere question. With eyes just as sincere, though, Carol took one single step closer.

“I just need one more.”

You hesitated. She’d hurt you. She was dangerous. But she didn’t want much. Just one more chance. You wanted to give it to her. You wanted to let her try and prove herself. That’s what your heart wanted. Your head was powerful, though, and rejected the feelings of your heart. It was screaming something different.

It was only one more chance, but you had to decide if she deserved it.

“Why don’t you start by walking with me to the store?” You offered.

Carol nodded. “I can do that.”

And, just maybe, that was the start of one more chance.

[big-robot-fan]

Second Chance at a First Date (Kris x Berdly)

(TW: unintentional Transphobia/Enbyphobia)

Kris and Berdly had been "together" for a couple weeks. Holding hands, hanging out, etc; but still haven't had a proper date.

It was Berdlys idea, a nice dinner date to make things "real." Kris agreed because Berdly said he would pay.

They both spent the week getting ready for their date. Kris picked out a nice outfit (Which was just their normal outfit but freshly washed and with a bowtie) and Berdly did some research and expanded his vocabulary of gender neutral terms... without asking Kris about any of them.

The date was a cool Sunday evening at the diner where Catti worked.

Things were going fine... until Berdly tried to show off his "enhanced vocabulary."

"I'm glad I get the opportunity to spend this evening with a beautiful gentlethem such as you" the bluebird squawked, just trying to make conversation.

"Don't call me that" mumbled Kris, through a pained expression and a mouthful of fries.

"I've got to be the luckiest bird in town to score a cute yet skilled theymer gf. Don't you agree my beloved?" Continued Berdly, not realizing his mistake(s)

"I'm NOT your GIRLfriend" growled Kris, clearly irritated.

People were starting to look.

"I'm sorry, I know it's rude to talk with my beak full, especially to a pretty theydy"

This was Kris's breaking point. They got up, and stormed out of the restaurant, flipping Berdly off on the way out.

"Where are you going?!? Kris? KRIS?!" shouted Berdly, following his partner out of the restaurant.

"AWAY FROM YOU!" yelled Kris, slamming the door behind them.

Berdly sighed and sat back down at the table. He tried asking Kris' friend Catti what went wrong

"You" was the only thing she said to him, slamming the bill onto the table.

When Kris got home, Toriel asked how it went. Only to get no answer but a slammed door as Kris collapsed onto their bed.

Kris could do nothing but cry into their pillow. Less than an hour ago they were so happy. A dinner date with their boyfriend! What could be better? But now Kris felt nothing but betrayed. Berdly was so nice for all the weeks they were together. Not disrespecting Kris' gender, not trying to ask gross questions like what was in Kris' pants, not calling them theydy or gentlethem.

Once the crying started to settle down, Toriel walked into the room; hoping to comfort her crying child.

"What's wrong Sweetie?"

Kris explained everything, how things were going well until that date, how Berdly kept calling them stupid things like "Theymer gf" and "gentlethem" and how Kris got so upset they couldn't do anything but just leave.

"I'm sure Berdly didn't mean to hurt you like this. Once you've calmed down you can talk with him about how being called these things makes you feel. In the meantime, I'll make some pie since things clearly fell apart before you two got to dessert."

"Thanks" mumbled Kris through a strained throat and tear soaked pillow.

Later that night, after the pie was baked and waiting to cool, Kris got a text. It was Berdly.

"Srry 4 earlier

Idk why youre upset but I didn't mean to hurt your feelings"

Kris didn't want to respond at first, but the way that Berdly "apologized" really rubbed them the wrong way.

"IDC WHAT YOU "MEANT" YOU MADE ME FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY!!!

I THOUGHT YOU RESPECTED ME BUT THE NAMES YOU WERE CALLING ME PROVED OTHERWISE!!!1!"

Several minutes passed with Kris on read and no sign of a response. Kris wasn't sure if they wanted one or not. Then the (•••) appeared and stayed for quite a while. They knew that whatever pops up next would make or break their relationship for good.

"Let me rephrase.

I don't know or understand exactly why you're upset but I understand that the way I was treating you today upset you and I just want you to know it was an accident. I would never dream of hurting you like I did today and I want you're help so that I never make mistakes that stupid again.

*your"

Kris couldn't help but feel relieved. Berdly may be an idiot sometimes but at least he's owning up and asking for help.

"Thanks.

It's late, we will have to talk about tonight tomorrow."

Kris felt so emotionally and physically exhausted they fell asleep right then and there.

Berdly however was stressed beyond belief. He wanted to give Kris a nice surprise, only for it to backfire beyond his worst nightmares. He hardly slept.

That morning they both struggled to get out of bed, neither prepared for the type of conversation they knew were going to have.

Kris actually managed to get to school before Berdly, and decided to apologize to Catti for how awkward it must have made her shift.

"It's fine. Honestly it's the calmest breakup I've seen."

"it wasn't a breakup... I hope... And it's only Monday?"

"Sure seemed like one, and I've seen a guy get stabbed with a spoon after cheating on his girlfriend with her mom, so I KNOW breakups."

By that point Berdly had arrived. Disheveled, tired, and awkwardly looking at Kris. Because he was late they didn't have time to discuss things before class.

After class Kris waited for Berdly by the school doors so they could talk.

Kris spoke first: "I'm sorry about how I acted last night. You were just trying to be nice and I probably just overreacted. I-"

"-You didn't overreact. I wasn't being respectful and you reacted accordingly. I would have left in I was in your situation too." Berdly interrupted.

Kris sighed, "I appreciate that you were trying to give me a cute nickname or whatever, but maybe you could try and ask about me about that kind of stuff first instead of calling me that out loud and in public?"

Berdly nodded, "I really should have done that in the first place. Maybe we can give that whole dating thing another chance tomorrow? I-i-if you're comfortable with that of course"

Kris thought about it, "A second chance at a first date? Tomorrow? I don't want to go back into it so soon. Maybe in a week or two? Just to let things get back to "normal" between us?"

"Yeah. Let's settle down for a bit before trying something like that again hehe"

It took a few weeks, but eventually things went back to how they were. Kris started to feel truly comfortable around Berdly again and Berdly actually asked before giving Kris nicknames. Kris rejected most of them, but it felt much better discussing these things privately as a couple instead of in a crowded diner.

The "2nd First Date" went much smoother than the first, and so did every date after that.

[thornedrose44]

Supercorp prompt-

Lena takes an art class to de-stress and Kara is the nude model. Awkward semi- naked flirting ensues.

(A/N: So, I put my own twist on this (hope that’s okay), I made Lena a teacher just because I liked the idea of Lena having to keep her lack of chill under control and be professional in front of a class funny - though this fic went down just a really light, fluffy route which I hadn’t expected when I started it.)

Read on AO3

It had been going well, the first term had passed with only a few missteps and one trip to the emergency room - though, the Dean had told her that Zach had yet to make it through a single class without some sort of accident and had been preemptively banned from taking Chemistry classes for fear of taking out an entire graduation class. 

Lena had never expected to return to her alma mater as a lecturer but the stars had aligned at just the right time. The youngest Luthor had reached a stage in her career where she had finally proven her adoptive mother wrong about not finding success as an artist and had made enough money that she need never paint another picture in her life again. The lack of necessity and the return to a more Luthor-esque lifestyle - galas, fancy balls and paid talks - had subsequently impacted her inspiration. She needed a change. A return to her roots and some sort of stability without losing her ability to make a personal impact with her work. 

Her mentor - J’onn - was stepping down from the art department and had recommended her as his replacement; National City University had jumped at the chance of the world renowned Lena Luthor taking up a teaching position there. 

She was now a third of the way through the school year, settled comfortably into her new role, and absolutely loving it. Her spark was back, and she was enjoying being in one place surrounded by her old friends. She was reconnecting with skills and techniques she hadn’t touched in years whilst simultaneously giving advice and encouragement to students that reminded her of herself when Lillian had cut her off to force her into attending business school and abandoning her dreams. She was finally able to return the kindness J’onn had given her all those years ago to the next generation of artists. 

It was the second term that Lena experienced her first set of real nerves. 

Lena had an artistic weak spot, an achilles heel that she had been able to keep out of her signature artistic style but she would now be forced to confront. 

Life drawing.

It had been her lowest scoring class by a mile and she had avoided the advanced elective classes like the plague. Lena knew practice made perfect but she’d never had enough interest to develop her skills. Her interest had always lied more in natural landscape beauty - J’onn had said her true inspiration lied with trying to recreate her childhood memories of Ireland: emerald rolling hills, rocky cliffs, dense forests ensconced by a mystical fog that lended her artwork a fantastical element that she was now known for.

The problem lied in Lena’s lack of interest in people. 

She had never really seen the ‘art’ in them.

Kelly, Sam and Andrea had spent hours over evening drinks psycho-analysing just why that might be, their two favourite theories were Lena’s family (the loss of her mother and the general unpleasantness of the Luthors) or Lena’s truly terrible dating history (their favourite topic of conversation due to the sheer number of embarrassing stories it elicited).

Lena refused to acknowledge the accuracy of both theories. 

It was therefore with a sense of dread that Lena prepared for the first Life Model Drawing class that Tuesday afternoon. The one small silver lining was that she didn’t need to arrange a model - she had vague memories of J’onn trying to entice volunteers and grumbling under his breath about some of the less than pleasant eager volunteers. J’onn had a list of regular volunteers that he had accrued over the years that were reliable and just liked to help out - most of them older with an appreciation for the arts and more time on their hands than they knew what to do with. The University admin team had organised everything and simply told her to expect a Kara Danvers at the studio some time before the class.

Lena had finished prepping the studio well in advance, reviewed the relevant techniques for most of the morning and even phoned J’onn for a much needed pep talk over lunch. She had just convinced herself that everything might be okay, that she just might be able to do this, when the most beautiful woman Lena had ever laid eyes on burst into the studio.

A toned body that glinted with a light sheen of sweat barely covered by a white v-neck tucked in at the front of a pair of dark jeans that merely brought all of Lena’s attention to the bronze belt buckle that locked away a thousand dirty thoughts. Glorious golden ringlet curls bounced up and down as the woman stumbled to a sudden stop as the most piercing blue eyes imaginable behind thick glasses locked with Lena’s green ones.

“Hi, I’m Kara!” The goddess announced, swallowing thickly and stumbling forward in her hefty black boots as she extended out a hand for Lena to take.

Lena only reached out due to years of Luthor training that had ingrained politeness into her muscle memory - her brain still not firing on all cylinders at the sight of the woman in front of her. Kara’s warm palm connected with Lena’s, long fingers curling gently yet firmly around the edge of her hand and sending arcs of lightning through Lena’s body and causing her breath to stutter. 

“I hope you haven’t been waiting for me for too long.” Kara continued, a bright apologetic smile lighting up her entire face and grinding whatever gears were still turning Lena’s mind to a dead - permanent - halt. “I try to always get here early to help set-up but the interview I was conducting overran - I’m a journalist, by the way - and then my bike - motorbike that is -” Lena’s mind caught on the motorbike and turned it round over and over and over again, “didn’t start and… I’m rambling. Oh, golly! I mean heck, I mean sorry.” Kara huffed, cheeks filling with air before releasing into an adorable pout. “Sorry.”

It was then that Lena realised two things.

One, it was her turn to say something and there had now been at least ten  prolonged seconds of silence as they stared into each other’s eyes.

And two, they were still holding hands because that’s what it was now, it most definitely could not be considered a handshake.

“Umm… hi…” Lena choked out whilst simultaneously jerking her hand back to her side, hoping the somewhat stifling heat of the studio would hide the red blush perfusing her cheeks.  “Lena. I’m Lena, that is…”

“Hi.” Kara murmured, smiling soft and sweet at her causing Lena’s heart to flip and melt and dance and do a million impossible things all at once.

“Hi.” Lena repeated dumbly - so dumbly.

“I should…” Kara chuckled, hands miming grabbing the edge of her t-shirt and lifting it up, “You know?”

Oh, god the goddess is going to undress, Lena’s brain screamed in gay at herself.

“Yeah, definitely do that.” Lena encouraged with a flap of her hand towards the centre of the studio where a solitary illuminated stool awaited. “Do you need anything? Is the lighting okay? Stool… umm… sturdy?”

Kara grinned at her, blue eyes barely sparing a glance at the studio’s set-up, “Looks perfect.”

“Great.” Lena cheered, jerking her thumb over at her desk in the corner where she had prepped her teaching materials, “I’ll… uh… be over there.”

“And I’ll be right here.” Kara shot back with a cheeky wink as she walked over to the stool, a towel awaiting her to provide suitable covering until the class had settled, shucking her white shirt over her head and revealing back muscles that would star in Lena’s fantasies for the foreseeable future.

“Yep.” Lena popped, taking a deep breath and trying to work out if she should be murmuring a thank you to God or screaming a desperate why me.

***

The class had gone well - except for the long periods where her brain shutdown whenever she studied the play of shadows across Kara’s defined musculature. She managed to cover it quite well by making it seem like she was just assessing her students’ work closely, analysing their line work and shading rather than going through an extended gay crisis that eclipsed seeing boobs for the first time in college.

Kara, on the other hand, was a consummate professional, holding a steady pose throughout and utterly unfazed by the concentrated gazes on her - though, Lena could have sworn that she caught deep blue eyes tracking her movements round the half-circle every now and again. 

“So, you’re experienced doing this?” Lena asked, once the last student had departed and Kara was finishing re-tying her sturdy boots back up.

“Taking my clothes off?” Kara chuckled, shooting the teacher an amused smirk, getting to her feet and strolling easily over to where Lena was examining the product of her class’ efforts. 

Lena faltered, “I meant-”

“I’m just teasing.” Kara reassured, reaching out to squeeze Lena’s forearm in a half-apology that Lena could have sworn burnt Kara’s hand print into her skin, “I’ve done this for a while now. I did an interview with J’onn a few years ago and his model bailed at the last minute and I was here already and…” Kara shrugged casually like stepping in was the obvious thing to do, like kindness was the only option - which Lena didn’t doubt for a second was something Kara genuinely believed. “I like helping out where I can. And I just kept coming back…” Kara explained, clasping her hands behind her back as she took a tentative step closer to Lena, “I was never really sure why until-”

“Hey, babe, you ready to go?” 

Lena’s head snapped round to see Andrea strolling through the doorway, eyes fixed on her phone utterly oblivious to the moment she had just trampled all over. Lena wasn’t sure whether Andrea was naturally such a good cockblock or if she practiced at it - regardless of either option Lena’s sexlife had vanished into thin air since she’d returned to living in the same city as Andrea. (Not that Lena thought that her and Kara were heading that way but Lena had been enjoying the hope of it at least).

“Andrea, you’re early for the first time in.... well, ever…” Lena snarked, rolling her eyes before glancing over to Kara, only to find the blonde had taken a large step away from her and her expression was far more neutral and guarded than it had been only moments before.

“Wait, we weren’t meeting at 4?” Andrea frowned, still not bothering to look up.

“Ah, so you’re not early, you’re over an hour late.” Lena remarked.

“God, you’re such a drama queen…” Andrea sighed, finally lifting her gaze from her phone, her eyes immediately alighting on Kara with undisguised interest. “And who is this?”

“Andrea, this is Kara the model for our life drawing classes.” Lena introduced taking a protective step in front of the blonde, an action that did not go unnoticed by the other two occupants in the room. “Kara, this is my supposed best friend who is regularly trying to lose that title.”

“Oh, best friend?” Kara repeated; the familiar brightness from before returning to her expression as she looked excitedly between the two friends.

“Yes.” Lena answered, smiling shyly at Kara and immediately forgetting Andrea’s existence, let alone presence in the room.

“That’s great.” Kara grinned, blushing a light pink a second later as her hands fidgeted with her keys, “I mean… ummm…. That you have a best friend. My sister is my best friend, though I have other friends. I just mean that… friends are cool.” 

Lena laughed lightly at Kara’s ramble, leaning closer towards the blonde without realising until Andrea appeared at her shoulder looking far too pleased with herself.

“Kara,” Andrea greeted, holding out a hand for the blonde to shake (Lena was comforted to see their handshake was quick, almost professional in comparison to the lingering touch Kara and Lena had shared earlier). “The pleasure is all mine.” Andrea declared, winking surreptitiously at the teacher - Lena instantly dreaded the upcoming girl’s night.

“Nice to meet you.” Kara replied friendly and sincere, before smiling softly at Lena and muttering a hopeful, “I’ll see you next week?” 

“I’ll be here.” Lena reassured, watching as Kara nodded farewell to Andrea and departed, waving on her way out.

“Well…” Andrea murmured mischievously.

“Don’t.” Lena said sharply, holding up a finger to deter whatever torment Andrea had brewing. “Not a word. Not a single word.”

“Ooookay.” Andrea lied.

***

“You okay?” Lena asked tentatively, watching as Kara sluggishly slung her bag over her shoulder the pep to her step nowhere near as present as it had been last week. 

They hadn’t had a chance to talk before the class even though Kara arrived much earlier to help set-up - Lena had been helping a student struggling with deadlines and a sudden crisis of confidence which prevented them from interacting. Despite being occupied, Lena had seen the fatigue weighing heavily on the reporter, saw how her impeccable posture dropped and how her students added weary lines to her expression in their artwork. 

“I think you fell asleep on that stool for ten minutes at some point.” Lena murmured, brow creasing in concern.

“Pfft… what?” Kara reassured with a light-hearted wave of her hand. “Impossible.”

Lena arched an unimpressed eyebrow, “You snore. Quite loudly.”

“Oh…” Kara pouted guiltily, rubbing at the back of her neck, “My sister is going through a rough patch and I stayed up late with her last night.”

Lena’s amusement drained away to be replaced with soft, supportive care, “Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s doing better.” Kara replied, blue eyes twinkling at Lena’s inquiry that had them both ducking their heads coyly and sharing furtive glances. “I should get going.” Kara coughed out, though she made no move to leave.

“Or…” Lena began hesitantly, heart fluttering in her chest, “we could go for coffee? You should probably have a coffee before driving,” Lena rationalised, nervously stepping back from the blatant romantic line she was toeing, “you know for safety…”

“For safety.” Kara repeated carefully, blue eyes glowing with warmth, “That sounds wonderful.”

***

It didn’t take them long at all to settle into a comfortable routine.

Kara came early to the life model classes, helping set-up the room as they talked about the students' progress and what Lena was going to make the focus of the class. During the class itself, Lena no longer needed to flit as regularly between her students, they had learned the basic techniques enough to practise for themselves, now only requiring light guidance which allowed Lena time to either do some marking or her own art. Kara posed perfectly throughout, though Lena was becoming more and more aware of Kara’s still gaze on her as the weeks passed by. 

After class, it was now custom for them to grab a coffee and go for a long walk around the university campus as they talked about everything and nothing. They would have been building towards a strong friendship if it wasn’t for the lingering touches, blatant flirts, blushes and wandering gazes. 

Lena wasn’t overly sure why they hadn’t crossed that line, made that final move, but she found she didn’t particularly mind the wait. She was convinced that they had both decided that the journey was making the destination all the more desirable.

It became abundantly apparent, though, that Kara thought differently if their conversation after the class midway through the term was anything to go by.

“So do you not like my body?” Kara asked, quick and fearful, eyes looking down at the sketch Lena had done during class of a vase of flowers in the corner rather than of the readily available model.

“What?” Lena muttered in disbelief looking up sharply from her desk to see Kara paling considerably having clearly not intended to ask the question that she had blurted out.

“I… uh…” Kara squeaked, mouth opening and closing rapidly, before lifting her bare wrist up with a jerky motion and whistling in exaggerated surprise, “Wow, look at the time. I’m late for… uh… this thing. Work thing. Interview! That’s a work thing.”

And just like that she was gone - Lena wouldn’t have been surprised if there was a Kara shaped hole in the studio wall with how fast she disappeared - leaving Lena with a sinking, twisty feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her she might have lost more than her regular coffee with Kara over that one interaction.

***

Lena had Kara’s phone number and they had taken to texting throughout the day; however, since Kara’s panicked question - which probably revealed some deep vulnerability in the blonde - there had been complete and total radio silence. No memes, no cute animal pics, no sweet check ins… Lena’s phone remained silent when it once vibrated with life. 

Lena wanted to text or call Kara the second she had left the studio but Lena didn’t feel like this was a conversation they could have over text, so she waited impatiently for them to be face to face again, counting down the days until the next class. 

Lena even took to repeatedly checking in with the admin office to confirm that Kara hadn’t pulled out of modelling; reaching the stage where Jess, the most senior admin in the team, had taken to emailing her every couple of hours to reassure her that Kara still hadn’t cancelled. 

When Kara appeared, nervously stepping into the art room, fingers playing with the hem of her shirt, it was like Lena could finally breathe easy again. The fear and loss eeking away in an instant, giving Lena the necessary courage to stride forward and bare herself in a way that Kara had been doing every week without Lena fully realising.  

“I don’t like drawing people.” Lena announced, shoving her hands into her pockets to resist the temptation to reach out to the other woman as the blonde blinked at her in surprise, listening intently. “It’s kind of a thing with me.” Lena winced, pushing down all the reasons for why that is. “When I draw something I… kind of let whatever it is into me, let it consume me and it… stays with me for a long time after that. It’s why I draw what I draw. I draw my home because it's a part of me already. Drawing someone means carrying them with me and… that’s scary for me.” Lena breathed, glancing at the blonde to see soft understanding in blue eyes. “I just wanted you to know it’s not you.”

Kara nodded, shuffling closer and dipping her head so that she could whisper into the still space between them, “Thank you.” 

“Right,” Lena murmured, swallowing thickly before jerking a thumb over her shoulder, “I should-”

“Do you want to get dinner?” Kara inquired earnestly causing Lena to freeze in hopeful surprise. “After class, that is?”

“Um… Yes.” Lena replied, nodding her head eagerly.

“Awesome.” Kara grinned brightly.

***

Kara took her to a tucked away italian restaurant that was one of National City’s hidden gems. The food was outstanding and the company was even better.

It wasn’t a date, but it wasn’t just friends going out for dinner either. 

Lena would call it a test-run but that would imply that Lena wasn't already one hundred percent certain that she wanted an actual date with Kara. It was more of a date-appetiser if Lena was going to call it anything, a taste to build interest before the real thing. 

Once they had finished their food, Kara didn’t hesitate to interlace their fingers as they went for an evening stroll around a nearby park, both wishing to prolong their time together.

“Can I see your art?” Kara requested; they had been sitting on a bench in front of a lit-up fountain for the last twenty minutes or so in comfortable silence. Lena had expressed an interest in sketching the fountain and Kara hadn’t hesitated to find them a seat and encourage Lena’s desire without complaint, occupying herself with people-watching in the meantime. 

“I’m pretty sure the images are all over the internet.” Lena replied drolly.

“Yeah, I know it’s just…” Lena’s pencil froze in it’s movements finally noticing how hard Kara was trying to act casual, “what you said about it being a part of you, I thought-”

“You want me to show it to you…” Lena inferred, setting her pencil down and closing her handy sketchbook in an instant. 

“It’s stupid, I’ll-” Kara laughed awkwardly, shaking her head in an attempt to brush over the request like it wasn’t a big deal

“I don’t have many pieces here in National City,” Lena said thoughtfully, getting to her feet and holding out a hand for Kara, “but I have some works in progress that I can show you… if you want that is?”  

“I would love that.” Kara beamed, jumping to her feet as Lena tugged her back towards her campus studio, already picking out her favourite pieces in her mind that she wanted to share with the blonde.

***

Lena and Kara’s ‘friendship’ continued to blossom into something neither could have anticipated that day Kara sprinted into the studio all those weeks ago. The weekly class they shared was now always followed by dinner, taking it in turns to share their favourite cuisines and restaurants. They had also grown beyond only seeing each other on their allotted class day, sharing lunches and movie nights and spontaneous coffees as they learned each other's schedule and needs. 

Lena read all of Kara’s articles and spent many an evening asking countless questions about the background to each of them. Likewise, Kara would appear for coffee with one of Lena’s artworks saved in her phone, burning with curiosity about what had inspired it.

Time spent with Kara flew by and, before Lena knew it, it was the final class prior to spring break. Her last class with Kara until the next school year and Lena was finally ready.

She had finally figured it out.

Why she had waited.

Why she had yet to seize the numerous opportunities to transition her relationship with Kara into a romantic one.

It was because she knew. 

She knew from the second that she had taken Kara’s hand in hers when they first met that this was it. That Kara was it.

And that was, and still is, terrifying. 

When they had first met, Lena hadn’t been ready for Kara. Hadn’t been ready for everything that Kara represented and would come to mean. She had needed the time, the time to lower her guard, to trust and hope. 

And now, she was ready and she knew exactly how to let Kara know.

The class came to an end with Lena giving her students a quick speech on how proud of their progress she was and wishing them a good spring break. Kara lingered behind as was now custom, helping Lena tidy up the area before they headed out together.  

“Kara?” Lena called out nervously, sweaty palms rubbing against her black denim covered thighs as her heart beat thunderously in her chest. “I was wondering…” Lena began, clearing her throat as Kara stopped what she was doing to give Lena her undivided attention. “Can I… can I draw you?”

Kara’s brow instantly furrowed in confusion, “I thought-”

“Yeah…” Lena laughed shyly, staring into deep blue eyes, practically begging for Kara to understand what she was really saying. “Can I?” Lena repeated.

Kara pursed her lips thoughtfully as she studied Lena’s expression - it was then Lena realised that Kara understood exactly why they had been waiting. Kara wasn’t replying because she wanted to check that Lena was sure, was giving Lena a chance to delay, was saying - without really saying it - that she could wait longer.

Lena didn’t take the escape Kara offered, instead she lifted her head higher and arched an eyebrow at the blonde.

A thousand-watt smile of excitement took up residence on Kara’s face as she nodded eagerly, “Of course.” 

“Clothes on.” Lena clarified - she had promised herself that the first time she truly studied Kara’s body it would be in a setting where touching would not break any professional standards. 

***

Lena had Kara sit opposite her in her private studio, their knees pressed tightly against one another providing a warm point of contact to keep them grounded. Lena’s gaze flickered from her sketchpad to Kara’s features; occasionally, she would reach out to adjust a lock of golden hair so it caught the light. Kara, meanwhile, had an ever constant soft smile that didn’t diminish for the entirety of the session even as she was forced to rein in her boundless curiosity to stop herself from sneaking a peek at Lena’s sketch until it was ready to be revealed.

Lena only drew Kara’s head because, though, she had spent countless hours in the presence of Kara’s naked body over the course of the last few weeks - when Lena thought of Kara (really thought about her in the way that made her heart skip), it wasn’t her abs or her biceps that Lena pictured (though she did think about them regularly when she was in her bed alone at night). 

It was Kara’s eyes that Lena thought about most. 

How they were so bright and hopeful whilst simultaneously melancholic and lost.

There were whole galaxies in those blue eyes and Lena knew that she could spend the rest of her life drawing them and never get bored, nor get them exactly right.

“What do you think?” Lena asked, slowly turning her sketchbook round for Kara to see.

It wasn’t finished. It was mere line work that would require further detailing but it was a good start and she hoped Kara could see its potential like she did with everything else in the world - like she did with Lena.

“It’s…” Kara began, licking her lips as she pulled the sketchbook closer to her chest like it was something treasured and infinitely rare. “It's incredible.” Kara breathed, the sincerity of her words undeniable due to how they were accompanied by a watery film to her blue eyes.

“I like your body.” Lena whispered, shattering the companionable silence they had drifted into as Kara admired Lena’s artistry.

“W-w-what?” Kara stammered, head jerking up at the out-of-the-blue declaration.

Lena reached out for the sketchbook, lifting it out of Kara’s hand and placing it on the nearby table so that she could take Kara’s hands in hers. 

“You asked if I liked your body a while ago,” Lena reminded the blonde, “and I just thought you should know that I do. I really, really do. I mean really.” Lena emphasised, glancing appreciatively down at Kara’s body prompting the blonde to blush a pleased pink. “But it's more than just that. It’s become more than that. Talking after class, getting coffee, going for dinner… it's the best part of my week. You’re the best part of my week.”

“Lena-” Kara began, her mouth suddenly snapping shut as her jaw clenched and her chin lifted in determination. Blue eyes studied Lena for a long moment and all Lena could do was hold her breath and wait. 

Lena made Kara wait weeks, she could therefore wait the stretched seconds that Kara needed in return without complaint

Kara got confidently to her feet, tugging Lena up with her, squeezing their hands once before releasing her so that she could reach up to tenderly cup Lena’s face. “I’m going to kiss you now.” Kara declared, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Thank fu-” Lena sighed gratefully, cut off from offering up her thanks by Kara’s perfect lips sliding over hers.

[poguestvff]

CALL ME BACK P. 2 — JJ MAYBANK

in which, JJ and Y/n finally reconcile whilst sat on the bathroom floor

taglist | masterlist | 1.8k words

warning(s): very small descriptions of wounds, angst if you squint, fluff, for the most part, and nothing else i dont think. she/her pronouns part one !!!

The ringing of the phone beside her hadn't made y/n budge instantly. She wasn't expecting a call, her parents knew where she was and who she was with, her friends knew where she was and who she was with. she didn't exactly think there was a reason for a phone call so she let it ring. When a soft ding followed it, the boy beside her let out a sigh.

She raised from the bed, sitting up as she stretched her arms above her head. Y/n picked up her phone from the small table as she noticed the photo she had tried posting finally went through, the tagging of Topper's account making his phone go off as well. She swiped down to the notification center, finding a voicemail from JJ. Her heart seemed to sink within her chest momentarily. She hadn't seen that name in a couple of days, hadn't come in contact with him in a couple of weeks.

It wasn't something she wanted, it was something she needed. Something they needed; Space from one another. She should've seen it coming, hurdling at her at a rapid pace since the time they'd began dating, but she ignored just about every sign until it was right in front of her. She never blamed him, she never would blame him. Y/n understood he had a troubled time showing affection, he was her best friend after all, she knew him in and out, there was no reason to not hold a candle to his name.

Seeing his name made a mountain of things run through her head. Questions upon questions on whether she should listen but a gut feeling made her decision final as she lifted the device to her ear. "Uh, hey. Hey, Y/n/n." She could hear the shakiness, the sound of hesitance that wavered within his voice. "I don't know why I called... Yes, I do. I just really need someone right now and—and everyone's gone. I didn't know who to call except you. Just... just if you get a minute call me back." Then the line went silent.

She looked over to Topper, the boy sleeping sound beside her on his stomach previously though now he lay, staring right back at her. "Was that maybank?" He asked in a groggy tone, a yawn following as he rubbed at his eyes. She hummed, pushing her legs over the side of the bed. "Why did he call?"

"I uh... he didn't say." she said in a low, confused tone, holding the phone in her lap. She couldve called him back, she probably should've. But she didn't know how she'd react if she heard his voice and have to listened to his pained tone again. She typed out several different messages, all in preparation to send but she couldn't decide on which one immediately.

"It's too early, just go back to sleep." Topper said, pulling lightly at the back of her shirt. She looked over her shoulder to him, seeing a tired smile on his face that she didn't reciprocate. "What?"

"I really have to go, Top." She told him as he let out a sigh, turning over on to his back to stare at the ceiling. "He needs me—"

"Just like how Pope needed you to come to dinner the other day or like how Kiara needed your help to chose an outfit."

She clicked her teeth, shaking her head as she stood, setting the phone on the bed. "Don't be an ass." She muttered, grabbing her hoodie from the floor as she threw it over her head. "This is different."

"Tell me how it's different."

"It's JJ! That's how it's different." She exclaimed, hands tossing up before settling at her hips. "If he needs someone and I'm the person he calls, it's not for a dinner date and it's not fashion advice. it's because he genuinely needs someone."

She wasn't quite sure why Topper was so upset over this. they weren't dating, they were just close friends. Friends who spent the night together, watching comedy movies until they cried of laughter. Nothing more, she didn't doubt that for a second. Especially when she knew even when she did these things with JJ, there was always the happy, bubbly feeling within her that didn't feel the same with Topper.

And so the boy rolled his head over to her, fingers thumping against his chest. She couldn't tell what was going on in his head. He hadn't looked angry and there wasn't a frown on his face. It almost looked like he was expecting this, expecting her to defend JJ, tooth and nail. "Then go, y/n."

He looked like he had more to say, like he was biting his tongue, but if he had, he kept those thoughts to himself. "I will." She said, grabbing her phone and her keys, placing them in her back pocket to leave the thornton house.

She sat in the drivers side, pulling her phone from her pocket as the second she'd opened it, JJ's contact was still there. She still hadn't decided on what to send and so she finalized her messaging that she was on the way, sending that she was on her way and a heart. Which, ironically, was the same heart, once again, that they had sent weeks ago before for the last time in their last and final text conversation.

Driving the direct route that she'd known to the chateau had made her stomach feel unnerved. She’d recognized every turn, every stop sign, and the dirt road leading up to the plot. Finding that the front door was not properly closed, clearly slammed as she remembered that the screen was missing a screw causing it to need to be closed slow. The creaky door made someone in the house move as Y/n entered. "JJ?" She asked, making her way further into the home. "Jay, it's just me."

Another noise came from the bathroom as she moved around the corner, seeing JJ sat on the floor. The back of his head was against the wall and his eyes were closed though soft tear streaks shined across his cheeks from the way the light hit them. He opened his eyes finally, only side eyeing Y/n as she stood at the doorway. "i'm sorry."

"Don’t even think about apologizing." She said, pushing his feet back lightly to open the bottom cabinet, finding the medicinal items she needed. She sat in front of him, her knees digging into the hard wood floor below them. She could feel his eyes on her every move while she poured the alcohol onto a small hand towel. "This is gonna sting."

"I know." He replied, a sad smile coming on her face as she began to clean up the small cuts on his cheeks and the split lip. Her opposite hand held his chin lightly, dragging the towel lightly over his skin. She avoided all eye contact, he knew that for a fact as his eyes darted around her face.

She sat back on her ankles as she pointed at his shirt. He nodded, arms raising though wincing in the process as she rushed to his aid, helping him pull the dirty tee from over his head. The bruises that had become more prominent in the time of him waiting on the floor had caused for a heavy feeling to settle in her chest but she didn't say a thing, continuing to work in silence to help ease his pain just enough, leaving at one point to grab a cold beer from the fridge to place against his abdomen since there wasn't a single thing in the freezer other than the quarter filled ice tray.

"So...you and Topper." He said as she tilted his head to the side to clean the blood from the side of his jaw. She gave him a rather chagrined glare. "Sorry, just looking out."

"You don't have to look out anymore." She mumbled as he frowned. "And no... Topper and i— never." she cut herself off.

He went silent for a second, feeling the way her short nails scratched at the side of his cheek lightly. "You’re wrong." he said, suddenly, in Y/n's opinion as she gave him a confused look. "i always have to look out for you. like... like how you're doing right now."

"That’s different." She said for the second time that day.

"You wanna tell me how?"

She sighed, placing her hands in her lap as she sat back. "It just is, JJ. I’m sitting here cleaning your stupid... wounds like old times. This is nothing new."

"And because you and topper's friendship is new, it's different?" he asked. She placed her hands over her face, letting out a low groan against them. "It it's different because we're exes? Because you and Topper dating shouldn't be any of my concern now? News flash, you and Topper even remotely being friends was one of my concerns when we were friends."

She moved her hands from her face, staring at him. "No. what? No, what are you talking about? I didn't even come here to argue about topper, I don't get why it's even a topic right now." she said, her voice faltering near the end before she began leaning forward again to place a bandaid over his cheek.

"Because you know..." he trailed as she didn't even bother stopping. "You’re not... his."

"So what? I’m yours, is that what you're insinuating?" she asked, collecting the trash into her hand.

He didn't answer immediately, fiddling with his fingers in his lap instead. "Yeah." He mumbled. it was clear to him that she had not expected that answer. She stopped, pulling back again, so they could look directly at one another. "I didnt just call you because I could, I called you cause I needed you. I couldve called anyone but I called you because you know me best and i know you best. I know you well enough that you'd drop whatever you were doing for me. That's selfish, yes, but I needed you. Not want, need. A want would be that i want you back."

He was right because that's exactly what she did. And she knew him well enough to see the way he suck his shoulders just slightly in fear of what she'd say next. What she did next. Y/n's hands moved to rest on both of his cheeks, leaning forward to press a light kiss to his forehead before hugging him to her chest. "It didn't work out the first time." She told him in a lower tone.

"That was a trial run, i know what not to do." It was a joke, she knew. He had terrible timing. She heard the emphasis on the ‘I’, implying that he was the only one who made mistakes with the relationship. She let out a very minimal laugh at this, shaking her head at his antics.

She pulled back, running her thumb over the bandaid on his cheek. "We know what not to do." She correct him, placing a gentle kiss to his lips that he returned.

And within that moment, They both knew they were neither a want or need for one another. They were both.

[mca-attack21]

Damsel in Distress part I

This is a two part Arthur Pendragon x Reader based on the season two episode four of the show. Enjoy! Also you can find more of my writing here: Masterlist

Merlin woke up to a feeling of foreboding. There was something in the air that made his stomach turn with dread. As he prepared to go wake his clotpole of a master, he tried to push this feeling out of the forefront of his mind. But even as he made it down to the kitchen there was this sense of apprehension in the air. He hoped that he would run into you somewhere in the halls and that you would be able to set his mind at ease. He however was not so fortunate.

Instead, he trudged onward, setting Arthur’s food down and opening his curtains before declaring a half-hearted, “Rise and Shine” before quickly gathering some of his clothes to be washed. Arthur didn’t even have time to come up with a jest before Merlin was out of the door. Merlin busied himself, quickly polishing Arthur’s armor and completing other daily chores. He mentally prepared himself to deal with the prince as returned to his door.

“Ah, there you are, I was beginning to think you were avoiding your duties. And what’s this?” he asked, watching as Merlin laid everything out, “You’re actually doing your job for once? Are you feeling alright?” Arthur joked.

His smile soon turned to a frown as Merlin ignored his comments. He shrugged it off and allowed Merlin to help him dress and put on his armor. While Arthur was looking over some papers on his table he noticed that Merlin had already made his bed and was starting to take the dishes from the table.

“Merlin, clearly something is upsetting you,” Arthur pointed out.

“It’s nothing sire, do you need anything else?” Merlin asked with his back against the door.

“No, that will be all,” Arthur dismissed, sending a concerned glance towards his friend as he exited.

Merlin took leave and went back to his chambers to help Gaius. He tried to occupy his mind, but nothing he did seemed to ease that burning pit in his stomach. Something had happened, was happening, or was about to happen, he could feel it.

Somewhat abruptly, he decided that he needed to see you. He went to seek out Morgana, as you were filling in for Gwen while she was taking care of her brother. He knew that wherever Morgana was, you wouldn’t be far away.

It was in his search that he saw a few of the knights rushing for an audience with the king. Something had happened. Merlin followed at a close distance and listened in.

“As you know Sire Morgana, her maid, and a few knights rode for a pilgrimage to her father’s grave early this morning. They were meant to be back by now, but there is no word or sign of them. That was until one of the patrols came across one of the knight’s horses. I am afraid something went wrong..”

“Send men out immediately. Arthur, you will lead the search, do whatever you must to bring her home,” the King ordered concerned for his young ward.

“Of course father,” Arthur answered before hastily making an exit. Merlin was right on his heels, and left to prepare their horses.

---

The mercenaries had both you and Morgana in a tent with a guard posted right outside the doors. The two of you had come up with a plan, it was risky at best. However you were both aware of the fact that the further away from Camelot you traveled, the less likely you were to ever see it again.

“Are you ready for this?” Morgana asked, preparing herself.

“As ready as I’ll ever be”

She was about to step forward when you grabbed her arm, “No matter what happens, I want you to take any opportunity you get. Don’t worry about me. Promise.”

“There is no way I’m leaving without you.”

“Morgana, you have to promise me. I cannot bear the risk otherwise.”

“I promise, but only as long as you promise me the same. We take any opportunity we get.”

With that, the plan was in motion. Morgana demanded that she be allowed to bathe and you both were escorted to the river by two of the men. You took the distraction of her undressing to manage to disarm one of the men and tossed Morgana the sword just in time for her to take out the other. The two of you started running back towards the castle, but there was another mercenary that intercepted you. Being as you were the one with the sword you opted to fight him, thankful for the many hours you had spent training with Arthur when you were younger. Morgana turned back to help you.

“Go, I will be right behind you!” you shouted, watching her hesitate, “Morgana go! Now!”

She turned and ran only looking back when she heard your scream in the distance. She quickly picked up her pace again and ran without looking back. She pushed through the aching in her muscles until she was faced with a crossbow aimed at her face. Relief filling her features as soon as she saw its holder.

“Where’s Y/n?” Arthur asked immediately.

Morgana merely shook her head and Arthur turned before his face could give him away. Merlin pushed down his own feelings and went to Morgana to make sure she was okay and offer her water and food. They set off immediately for the castle and soon came the reunion between Uther and Morgana. She begged him to send out another search party for you, after all you had saved her life.

“I am not going to waste the time and resources on a servant girl who has most likely already been executed as she provides no worth to the mercenaries without you,” he explained to Morgana. The words cut Arthur deeper than any sword ever had.

“Please, there is still a chance. Arthur?” she turned towards him hoping he would take her side.

“I’m sorry Morgana, father is right” Arthur managed before turning and exiting a very angry Merlin on his heels.

“How could you say that? How could you possibly agree with him after everything that you and Y/n have been through? I knew you were a clotpole, but this, this is unforgivable!” Merlin all but shouted.

“Merlin Shut Up!” Arthur raised his volume before regaining his composure as he entered his chambers, “Of course I don’t agree with father, but there was no point in making a scene about it. We will pack and leave at first light. We will find her, one way or another.”

Merlin was speechless for a moment, before uttering an apology for overreacting before. He was then quick to leave and make the preparations for the next day as it was already early night.

The next morning he was surprised to see that Arthur had managed to not only wake himself up, but dress himself. He was looking over maps as Merlin entered. Soon the two of them were off on their quest to save the damsel in distress. The rode for the better part of the day before coming to a caves that were inhabited by wilddeoren. As they made it through the other side Arthur let out a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding, “I can’t believe the Gaia berries actually worked.”

“Hold up, you mean to tell me that you didn’t know that they would work before you lead us in a cave with giant flesh eating rats!”

“I mean not for sure, I heard stories, but I figured we’d find out one way or another.”

“Now you tell me?! Oh! Oh, what's that wilddeoren eating? It's all right. It's just Merlin. You trying to get us both killed?”

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't've risked your life like that,” Arthur said a new hint of seriousness in his voice.

“I didn’t realize that even the great Arthur Pendragon could fall victim to the blindness of love,” Merlin joked.

“What in the world are you going on about?

“Your feelings for Y/n. Why can’t you admit that you like her? I mean you are risking your life and even your father’s wrath just for a one in a hundred chance of rescuing her.

Arthur scoffed rolling his eyes, “She is just a friend, I’d do the same for you. In fact I seem to remember disobeying my father before in order to get you an antidote when you decided to get a few days off my drinking out of a poisoned chalice.”

“That was different and you know it. Besides, anyone who has ever seen the two of you together can pick up on it. Why is it so hard to admit you like her? It’s only me, just say it,” Merlin encouraged.

“I can't! How can I admit that I think about her all the time. Or that...I care about her more than anyone. How can I admit that...I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?” Arthur confessed struggling to keep his emotion in check.

“Why can't you?”

“Because nothing can ever happen between us! To admit my feelings knowing that...hurts too much.”

“Who's to say nothing can happen?”

“My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?”

“You want to marry Y/n?”

“No! I mean maybe someday...I...I don't know...Regardless, it's all talk, and that's all it can ever be.”

“When you're King, you can change that. If she feels the same way, she would wait for you.”

“I can't expect her to do that, it’s not fair to her. Besides, we don’t even know if she’s alive,” he said regretting the words even as they left his mouth because they caused his stomach to drop.

“I’m sure she’s fine Arthur. She knows that you’ll come for her and that hope will keep her alive.”

The words seemed to offer Arthur some comfort, “Come on. We've got a long trek ahead. Oh, and Merlin...if you dare tell anyone about this, I promise I will make your life a living hell.”

“You mean more than you do now?” Merlin joked, earning a playful smack from his friend.