#so she ALWAYS assumed N was being friendly with her even when he was challenging her.

[truenoire]

It should be noted that Lettie is not very good at recognizing when people don't like her.

[racinggirl]

first of all, congrats on graduating!! i was thinking about a childhood best friends to lovers charles x reader blurb where they both (finally) find out they have a crush on each other …

y/n likes charles, it’s obvious to everyone on the grid except him. he likes her too (but y/n’s oblivious as well), and he always fights for her attention (though he doesn’t need to, it’s always on him anyway). the timing’s just unfortunate, every time charles looks at her it seems like she’s laughing and smiling and generally being affectionate with someone that isn’t him!! what he doesn’t know is that a majority of the time she’s being teased for her crush and laughing bashfully while telling the other driver to stop - “he’s right over there! he could hear you!” - but he’s never close enough to hear :( it all comes to a peak when he finally does hear them!! “so, when will you tell him that you’ve been in love for years and years and-?” daniel says, obviously being dramatic, but charles hears and masks his broken heart with curiosity. “oh? y/n has a crush?” he questions, y/n denies it (absolutely mortified that he overheard), and daniel finallly screws them both over: “you both like each other! y/n likes you, and charles likes you!” he points to each of them, walking away once he’s done, leaving a blushing charles and a blushing y/n <3 you can decide who confesses first!!

this was a whole bunch of word vomit and turned out way longer than expected, feel no pressure to get it out quickly if you decide to pick it up!! have a good day or night <3

❤️ If only they knew...

Having a crush on someone close to you is often a challenge, especially when you do not want them to find out before knowing if the feelings were mutual. Having a crush on your best friend is even worse because there’s a lot at stake.

Monaco, the place to be for both you and Charles. However, this time it was the place to be for a lot more people than just the two of you. It was race week here in this beautiful country, meaning that the usual 40 thousand people that were present here had now drastically increased just for the weekend. Just to see them race.

Them, and him. Charles Leclerc. He had been your friend for as long as you could remember. People would often assume you and him were a couple, referring to you as a WAG. You weren’t, though, even when you wished you were.

‘’Y/N!’’ You heard Lando’s voice in your right ear. Ever since he moved to Monaco a few years ago, you and he became good friends as well. Aside from spending time together, you knew he would be able to keep a secret you couldn’t hold to yourself anymore.

You glanced over at the Brit dressed in his papaya team polo and shot him a smile. ‘’Norris.’’ You felt his arm wrapping around your shoulder as the two of you made your way towards the exit of the paddock.

Another good thing about Monaco is the fact that you’ll be able to sleep at home instead of a hotel, just like many other drivers. ‘’Charles was looking at you earlier today.’’ He smirked, slowly removing his hand from your shoulder and he shoved it in the pocket of his jeans. ‘’He’s always looking at you, you know.’’ He teased and you felt your cheeks becoming nearly as red as the new SF-24.

‘’Stop it! He’s right over there! He could hear you, idiot!’’ You murmured, your hand on his chest to give him a gentle push.

Charles was standing a few meters away from where you were. He was waiting near his car, knowing he’d take you back to your place as you also arrived with him here this morning. He saw your interactions with the McLaren driver, and he could immediately feel this burning sensation in his stomach. Most call it jealousy.

Lando looked over at the Ferrari driver and raised his hand, giving him a friendly wave before he patted your back slightly. ‘’See you tomorrow, Y/N.’’ He smirked before walking off to his scooter.

‘’Hey.’’ Charles smiled at you, opening the door for you so you could easily enter his Ferrari. ‘’Thank you.’’ You blushed, taking a seat once he let you. He always did these small things, being the gentleman he is. Opening doors for you, ordering food whenever you were too busy with school, delivering flowers for your birthday, asking you about your schoolwork, even walking with you to get groceries since he knew you hated going on your own. He was perfect in every way possible, if only you could see he was trying to be perfect for you.

‘’So, when will you tell him that you have a crush on him?’’ Daniel had been teasing you about your crush on Charles. Lando never told him, at least that’s what he swore.

Earlier that day

‘’I didn’t tell him!’’ Lando exclaimed, his hands defensively up in the air as he looked at you. ‘’I know you wanted to keep it a secret, I’m not one to break that promise.’’ He explained.

Daniel was looking at your interactions with a smile on his face. He asked you how Charles and you were doing, commenting on the fact you were wearing matching shoes – the ones Charles got you for your birthday – and asking you when your first date would be.

‘’He didn’t tell me, Y/N.’’ He chuckled. ‘’It’s obvious, the way you look at him, the way you laugh at his jokes, when most of the time they aren’t even that funny. Come on, everybody can see!’’ He laughs, watching your cheeks turn to a bright shade of red. ‘’Even just talking about him turns you into a tomato.’’ He smiled and wrapped his arm around you. You had always been good friends with most of the grid, especially since you lived in Monaco, and most of Charles’ co-workers moved here as well.

Present

‘’So, when will you tell him that you’ve been in love for years and years and-?’’

‘’Oh? Y/N has a crush?’’

Fuck.

Charles.

He had been watching you for a few seconds, mostly the seconds that Daniel wrapped his arm around you, the same way Lando did yesterday. He just wanted to be that person to you, he wanted to be the guy that made you smile the way his friends did to you, or make you giggle. If only he knew…

‘’No, I don’t.’’ You quickly exclaimed, nudging Daniel’s side which caused him to let go of you. ‘’I don’t have a crush. They are just trolling.’’ You smiled, trying your hardest to hide the blush on your cheeks when you saw Charles looking directly into your eyes.

Monza, the crowd was filled with Tifosi, the sky was red because of all the flares people light up, especially after Charles crossed the finish line first. He won, he won in Monza, and the people were going crazy.

‘’You won!’’ You laughed; your arms wrapped around his neck as you gave him the biggest hug possible. ‘’You’re incredible!’’ You smiled, kissing his cheek which gave the both of you intense butterflies, but neither of you were aware. You both thought you were the only one feeling that way.

‘’Great race, mate!’’ Daniel patted Charles’ back after he watched the two of you talk for a while. ‘’Thanks, you weren’t bad yourself.’’ Your best friend replied, receiving a chuckle from the Australian driver.

‘’Why don’t you two just kiss?’’ He then bluntly spoke, causing your eyes to widen, your cheeks to burn extremely hot, Charles to be confused and his eyes following Daniel’s who had been looking at you with a smirk.

‘’Come on guys, you’re not telling me you aren’t aware of the fact you’re both madly in love with each other. Charles, you like Y/N, Y/N, you like Charles, seal the deal and kiss already!’’ He laughed and with that he walked away, leaving the two of you stunned at what just happened.

‘’I…’’ ‘’Ehm…’’ The both of you tried to say something that would make sense, but with your cheeks as red as the sky, and your lips glued together, you were unable to.

His PR manager soon stepped in, watching his phone before looking at the driver. ‘’Charles, interviews, come on, let’s go.’’

‘’You like me?’’ You carefully asked the moment you were seated in his car. The interviews had finished, as well as the post-race press conference. You had decided to wait for him even though the two of you decided you’d go to the hotel with his team as the interviews would take a long time here in Monza.

He chuckled, grabbing the steering wheel and rubbing his thumbs on the leather of it. ‘’I thought it was obvious.’’ He smiled softly, picking on some threads of the wheel.

‘’I mean, I guess it was, but not to me.’’ You replied, not keeping your eyes away from him. You were still in the parking lot of the hotel. Neither of you spoke on your way back to the hotel. He didn’t even question why you waited for him instead of going back with his team.

‘’Who knew?’’ He asked. ‘’Who knew you had feelings for, me.’’ He whispered the last word almost inaudible, probably because it felt weird to him that he could finally say it out aloud. ‘’Almost everyone, I guess.’’ You blushed, playing with the fabric of your shirt.

‘’Everyone but me.’’ He smiled, now turning to face you. His hand gently moved to take a hold of yours, and this time it felt different. It was even worse than it used to be. Your heart was beating out of your chest because you knew the truth now. You knew the two of you had feelings for one another, and when two people like each other, it won’t take long before the next step would have been made.

You closed your eyes when you felt his breath on your lips, his warm, minty breath tickled your lips gently. ‘’May I?’’ He whispered, his left hand leaning up to cup your cheek. You didn’t nod but replied by pressing your lips on his.

Fireworks exploded in your stomach, and for the first time, you knew the same happened to him. Because he kissed you back, somehow you could feel all those years of unspoken feelings into this one single kiss. It was magical, your stomach couldn’t stop with creating more and more butterflies, and you never wanted this to end.

‘’You have no idea how long I’ve waited to be able to do that.’’ He whispers against your lips, causing the corners of your mouth to point upwards into a smile.

‘’My god… if only we knew.’’

a/n: thank you soooo much for this request! I've suddenly had some inspiration and went straight to writing it. I believe I've written it down in less than an hour ^^ Anyways, I hope you like it, I've tried to incorporate most of the things you requested, however I slightly changed the ending a little to make it more spicy. Don't forget to keep sending in requests for my graduation reqs! You were the only request that came through, so I'll probably keep this going for let's say a week or so. I'll close the reqs for this somewhere next week. So if you have some ideas and want me to write them this week, send them in :)

[eitaababe]

JEALOUSY, JEALOUSY !

a/n — part two of 'stars in your eyes' @fluloa convinced me 🕺

part 3

—

Oddly enough, the next few days of your life weren't complete torture. You were starting to get your breathing techniques down, and able to dive for longer periods. And with that, you were able to really admire the wonders that lay underneath the crashing waves.

Having the time of your life underwater, you swam with so many different creatures, creatures completely different from those in Pandora. Some as small as your hand, others double your size. And the colorful coral reefs were a sight for sore eyes.

You as well had finally gotten the hang of how to ride your own ilu. The ability to go somewhere on your own, hunting, and still being able to have night rides with your best friend.

And the icing on the cake, Ao'nung started to lay off. You're not sure what (or who) happened, but after your meltdown at the beach that one night, you had the chief's son mumbling an apology a couple of days later, saying how he didn't really mean any of his insults. You'd developed an interesting friendship with the boy, awkward albeit, but you'd take it over being bullied any day.

Speak of the devil.

"Hey, y/n!" Ao'nung shouted, jogging over towards you on your ilu. "What do you say, wanna race? Bet you won't come close to beating me," he flashed a smile, gesturing his head over to some rocks. "There and back. Winner gets whatever they want."

"Sure ocean boy." You were never one to back down from a challenge. Plus, you were feeling pretty confident in your riding skills now. "Quite ambitious now, aren't we?

Don't be crying when I wipe the floor with your ass. By the way, when I win, be prepared to find all the shells I need for my new necklace.

Shaking his head, the young male readied himself. "So lame, you want shells? That's even if you can beat me."

He gloated, clearly expecting to win this race.

"Fine then, what would you want if you won?"

"You'll just have to wait and see."

From afar, Neteyam watched, his hands balled into fists.

Ao'nung sure had some balls, he'll give him that. He gave a firm talking to the kid, (which quickly escalated into a brawl between the two) so he would stop bullying you, not flirt with you! He huffed in jealousy, tearing his eyes away from you two, and making his way back to his siblings.

"Back so soon, lover boy? I thought you'd be out with y/n all day." Lo'ak questioned, tilting his head at his brother.

From what he assumed, you two would be out all day, whether it be diving, riding your ilus together, or even hunting. Whatever you two did, it was almost always together.

"Seems she's got a new riding buddy," he grumbled out in disappointment. It's almost embarrassing, really, how all of a sudden Neteyam was five again and whining because you didn't want to play with him. Did you grow tired of him? Or did you like Ao'nung now? Even after all he put you through? "She's with Ao'nung." he then sighed, plopping down onto the sand.

Laughing at his older brother's misery, Lo'ak shook him by his shoulders. "What, she get tired of your ass?" When Neteyam didn't retaliate, the younger brother grew more concerned by the second, sharing a look with Kiri. "Oh, you're serious. Look bro, I'm sure she's just being friendly with Ao'nung. He literally hated her two days ago."

'I guess you're right."

Meanwhile, you had just barely lost to Ao'nung. In your defense, you weren't expecting him to be so fast. And he caught you by surprise when you guys started, trying to leave you in the dust from the start. "Alright ocean boy, what do you want?"

"A date."

Not knowing what to say, you say there, jaw slacked and out of breath. A date? In all honesty, you hadn't considered that to be an option, especially for Ao'nung.

He was literally just torturing you two days prior! Of course, you had no say in this as he left, leaving you bewildered. A date. With Ao'nung.

Trying to ignore the previous events of today, you quickly hurried back to shore, trying to find Neteyam. You see him laying (on his stomach?) with Kiri and Loak, Kiri admiring the sand and Lo'ak doing... what it looks like giving a pep talk. You laughed under your breath at the thought, calling out their names and running over. You plopped yourself on top of the older sully brother's back, smiling giddily. "Hey blue boy," you greeted.

"Oi y/n! You're crushing me!" Neteyam wailed dramatically, making no attempt to move you.

"No, I'm not, you big baby. Now get off your lazy ass and let's go diving! I need to collect some shells for a new necklace Tsireya's helping me make." You got up, using all your strength to try and lift Neteyam. Geez, how much muscle mass did this kid have?

As it seemed forever, you two finally got up and walked along the beach, an awkward silence falling upon you two. You're not sure why, but you couldn't help but feel as if Neteyam was mad at you, but were too scared to break the quiet barrier between you two. It wasn't normal, having a tense atmosphere with Neteyam.

Eventually, he stopped walking, looking deep in thought.

"What were you doing with Ao'nung this morning?" He finally breathed out, impatient eyes awaiting an answer.

"We-" you paused, debating on telling him the whole truth. The two boys didn't clash well, and you didn't want Neteyam getting upset, especially since this was the same boy who made you cry prior. "We just went racing on our ilus, nothing more. He beat me and my pride is hurt, so let's drop the subject okay?" You joked, trying to avoid the subject.

"So nothings going on between you two? It was just a friendly race?" The young na'vi continued, eyes desperate.

"We're just friends, Neteyam." You confirmed, and you two continued your stroll along the beach, getting ready to take a break from the sun and dip yourselves into the ocean. But Neteyam stayed silent the whole time, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Afraid that he was mad at you, you stopped, taking his hands in yours.

"Neteyam, I don't like Ao'nung."

"I know," he quipped, his gaze lingering on your intertwined hands, a smile sneaking up on him. "I mean, even if you did, good for you. He's the chief's son and if he likes you then you won't be bullied anymore. And then you can go on even more rides together, and hey, maybe he can even help you collect shells! He's a better diver than me, no? Maybe you should go find him right now." He rambled on, dropping your hands and starting off.

You gaped, quick to chase after him. "Neteyam! Wait!" You shouted, grabbing ahold of his arm. "What're you talking about? I don't like Ao'nung! And I wanted to hang out with you, not him. You're my best friend. I want to spend time with you." You reassured, looking him in the eye.

Best friend. The words echoed inside his head. That's all you'll ever be. Ever since he was a child, Neteyam dreamed of being your mate. To him, it seemed like it was clear Ewya picked you two to be together since the moment you met.

"Neteyam?" you called out, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Snapping his head up, he nodded. "You're right. Sorry, I know you wouldn't ditch me for Ao'nung. I just tried to find you this morning and saw you riding with him, and I guess I got a little.." he trailed off, scared of what he might say next.

"Jealous?" you teased, poking his side. "I would never replace you with him as my best friend. He smells like fish anyways," you giggled, taking his hand once more and dragging him closer to the ocean. "Now can we do what we walked all this way for, please?"

You two spent hours on the beach, because after you dove and found all your needed shells, you forced Neteyam to stay and help you make your necklaces. (One of them was for him, anyway.)

As it got darker, Neteyam, being the goody two-shoes boy he is, grew concerned and you two started walking back toward your new home. And of course, fate just wasn't on your side as Ao'nung saw you two walking and decided it was a good idea to invite himself over.

"Hey forest girl, don't forget about later tonight, alright?" Ao'nung winked, nodding over to Neteyam to greet him.

"What's tonight?" Neteyam inquired, quickly glancing over towards you at his side.

"Well me and y/n's date, of course!"

—

a/n — ig this is turning into a three part series LMFAO

[bebo-schmebo]

SPOILERS AHEAD KINDA

I made a list of HCs that start up after my fic Hermanito on ao3 (It's a Hurt/Comfort one shot, go ahead n check it out if you'd like!)

Practically all of the HCs are centered around mainly Bruno due to the fic, and how the family interacts with him

I'll be updating this list whenever I think of new ones so don't be afraid to revisit this list from time to time :>

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

__________________________________________

-Antonio's leopard stuffy definitely ends up becoming Bruno's, much to the kid's amusement- and Bruno doesn't even realize it. He goes to bed and always wakes up with it in his arms (Antonio's animal friends always help him sneak the stuffy into Bruno's room, Dolores chips in by always letting Antonio know when Bruno needs the stuffed leopard to help him sleep better)

- After the courtyard incedent the entire family becomes a bit clingy, almost overbearingly so- even Casita. Though the quiter kids like Dolores and Louisa usually know when Bruno wants company without conversation, which they're cool with.

- Mira and Julieta bake Bruno's favorite sweets and pass "emergency" packs of them out to everyone in the family each morning before they start their busy days so if anyone notices his mood slipping they can stop what they're doing to give him a snack n lift his day a bit

- The first time a villager badmouths Bruno its on his and his sisters' birthday, and it happens in front of the entire family. Unexpectedly, out of literally anyone it could have been, its the normally easy-going brother-in-law duo Felix and Augustin that get in the villagers face n threaten to make their kneecaps work backwards for daring to threaten their Hermanito (They have never in all the time theyve known him ever called him that before and Bruno nearly cries because holy shit he has brothers now-)

- Julieta nearly joined her husband and brother in law but decided it was a far better view to watch her love get so riled up and protective (One of the many reasons she loves him) She instead makes sure no one else joins and interrupts the brother-in-laws absolutely verbally destroying the villager who upset Bruno

- Isa learns what his favorite plants are and one day while the other members of the family are dragging him around town to socialize she sneaks into his room (the old guest room) and that night when he goes in his room hes greeting with the sight of the plain looking room being covered in all his favorite plants in pots and flowing out his window, Casita using the wooden window covers to wave at him. (He cries. A lot. Who wouldnt?)

- He follows Louisa around sometimes when shes running errands and tries to help- (and she lets him sometimes- passing him the smallest ((and sometimes, empty-)) bags when she hauls large carts of grain bags, passing him the reigns of the sweetest most gentle n loving donkey among the large group that has managed to escape the pen again, passing him stones the size of about a football when shes moving large boulders, etc). Despite what one would normally assume he doesn't miss the fact that she's sort of babying him, but he never says anything because he knows it's a big step for her to let anyone help at all- so he simply pays her back by making sure she drinks plenty of water and fussing over any scraps or bruises she gets from overworking herself

- Bruno becomes a sort of secondary Doctor due to the fact he's started to constantly carry around a pack full of water and some of Julieta's cooking whenever he heads to town with anyone in the family

- Augustin and Felix discover in the most amusing way possible that Bruno has the lowest alcohol tolerance known to man (it was during a celebration of some kind, they cheerfuly challenged him to a friendly drinking match- he made it maybe 5 sips in and was immediatly done for. Everyone at the party silently vowed to protect him with their lives when they witnessed him talking to someone about his incredible nieces & nephews n he immediatly started to cry over how amazing and adorable they all were and theyd all grown up so strong "You don't understand Julian, theyre the best, my god I'm so proud of them-")

- Him n Alma sit down to have tea together on Wednesdays and Sundays, quietly chatting about anything that comes to mind. Sometimes other members of the family join them, but on days where its just them they get to slowly heal their broken bond. Alma works on her patience n fear, Bruno works on his communication and anxiety

- Camilo plays pranks on anyone who insults Bruno behind his back- his pranks can sometimes dance the line between fun and cruelty though when it comes to the folks that dare insult Bruno to the mans own face (The first time he witnessed such an event, the crestfallen look on his tio's face made the weight of his own words hit him even harder, guilt over the comments he'd made about him during the song sung to Mira clouding his heart until he decides to go after the villager he'd seen insult the ex-wall hermit. He felt a lot better after and hasnt stopped since)

- The family have daily cuddle nights where they gather up a bunch of blankets n pillows n they just talk to eachother, helping eachother understand n communicate better.

One night when the younger kids are asleep, Bruno quietly opens up about how everyone's past behavior and his isolation has effected him- and once he starts, he cant stop, spilling every feeling of hurt thats ever hit his heart until all any of them can do is simply hold him and listen closely, giving him the aknowledgment and support he needs

- Sometimes when he's overwhelmed Bruno crawls back into his hole in the wall, though he usually warns someone before he does so there isn't panic over his disappearance. Over time he gradually works out of the habit, learning to talk to anyone in his family when he's struggling with things, though it takes years

- As Bruno starts to adjust to being around people again, his dry jokes become even dryer- Puns, dad jokes (tio jokes?), You name it-

He managed to get Pepa to snort over one of his oddly timed jokes once and nothing could take the smile off of his face for days afterwards

- Bruno sat Mariano down one day for a private conversation. The poor lad left the room paler than a sheet of paper, muttering about the color green and rats for a few days after, never explaining just what happened in that room ("Mi amor, your tio Bruno loves you, and if I ever piss him off just know I love you-")

Once he'd gotten over Bruno's terrifying hurt-her-theyll-never-find-you speech (Bruno eventually apologized, though when he shook Mariano's hand his grip was surprisingly strong) the two of them bonded surprisingly well over a joint love for writing poetry

[auspicious-manner]

I really liked ur last story! More medical dodge please!

thank you so much! i’m glad to know my stories are being liked. based off of when this was sent, i’m going to assume this means my story “guiding light” where the reader gets injured and dodge takes care of her. that one was fun for me to write, i’m excited to do something similar to it! i hope it didn’t turn out too similar though.

female reader x dodge mason

warnings: injuries

Friends, Maybe?

•

dodge and Y/N were friends. they weren’t strangers, but they were nowhere near good friends. Y/N always referred to their relationship as “borderline acquaintances”. dodge found that not many people in carp were welcoming except for her, and Y/N was just desperate enough to take anyone as her friend. luckily for her, dodge was an okay choice.

she didn’t think there was anything more than a friendship. hell, she could barely even call it a friendship. but she never had many friends growing up, let alone guy friends, and she was never completely sure if dodge was being friendly or flirty. the line separating the two was a bit hazy for Y/N.

dodge managed to convince Y/N to do panic with him. at first, she wasn’t on board. when he offered to split the cash prize with her 60:40, she took the offer. that was all that was needed to convince her. dodge claimed it was because she was smart, and they would make a great team. but as time went on, Y/N began to think there could have been an ulterior motive.

going into tonight’s challenge, Y/N was nervous. she was a chronic rule follower, and before every challenge she would be overthinking and worrying about the cops possibly busting them. she found it to be a miracle dodge even convinced her to join the game.

Y/N arrived at the location of the challenge, and she looked around, noticing that the challenge was a crossing. the contestants had to walk across a thin metal plank high above the ground in ninety seconds.

luckily for her, she wasn’t afraid of heights. this was going to be a piece of cake for her.

she tucked herself into an empty area away from the rest of the audience so she could watch in peace. she watched as each contestant made it over safely.

when they called dodge’s name to go next, her body tensed up a bit. Y/N knew dodge was going to be just fine; he was strong in pretty much any challenge the game could throw at him.

she watched as he walked across. everything was going as planned until she noticed a small laser beam hit dodge’s head, and he stumbled. she glanced over at ray hall who pointed the laser at him.

before Y/N knew it, she was walking closer to the action, but she stopped when she realized it would be too obvious if she kept walking closer to him.

after some time trying to regain his balance, he pulled himself up, and the crowd cheered. Y/N didn’t realize it, but she was holding her breath the entire time dodge was dangling over the side of the beam.

when he came down, he immediately went over to ray, and a fight broke out. as soon as the onlookers tried to pull the two apart, all hell broke loose.

red and blue lights filled her eyesight, and everyone began running every which way. she froze, realizing one of her worst fears was coming to life. Y/N was caught up in the storm of people running, and as she turned her head, the ring from a random girl’s finger sliced part of her cheek open. trying to move with the crowd, she followed them, but it wasn’t fast enough. Y/N ended up getting pushed over, and she caught herself on the ground on the entirety of her left wrist.

she knew something was wrong as soon as she landed. she heard a crack, and upon looking down, she noticed her wrist was now ever so slightly curved. she let out a shriek, and she was prepared for her body to be trampled by the stampede of teens that was still coming.

Y/N felt an arm wrap around her waist, helping her stand. she didn’t have time to look at who her savior was, she just ran with them and tried not to start crying because of the extreme pain in her wrist.

when they finally arrived at an area of brush on the outskirts of the granary, Y/N sat down on a log and held her bruised wrist. looking back on her night and feeling the dull throbbing in her wrist along with the cool night breeze hit the open cut on her cheek, she finally let her tears fall.

when dodge heard, he turned around and bent down so he was eye level with her. “don’t cry, okay? i can get you all patched up, don’t worry.”

he took off his sock and held out his hand. “can i see it?”

Y/N wiped away tears and gave him a confused stare. she held out her injured arm, and dodge gently held her forearm in his hand. he took the sock and wrapped it around the injured area.

“that should be tight enough to hold everything together until we get back to my place. just try not to move too much.” dodge told her, standing up.

“y-your place?” Y/N asked, standing up with him.

“i’ve got a lot of medical equipment at my house. it could come in handy.”

Y/N thought about it, and against her better judgement, she reluctantly agreed. she really only agreed because she didn’t want to be alone.

the ride to dodge’s was quiet, besides for Y/N’s occasional sniffle from trying to stifle her tears.

they got to dodge’s, and he immediately led her to the kitchen.

“i’m going to go get my things, stay here.” he told her.

after he left, she looked around her area and admired his belongings. it was a simple house, but it was cute. it wasn’t what she would have expected from him.

dodge came back with a box, and when he opened it, it was full of medical supplies. “what do you want me to do first? your cut, or your wrist?”

“my wrist, definitely. it hurts the worst.”

dodge slowly unraveled the sock on her arm, and her wrist fell limp. she winced and supported it so it wouldn’t happen again.

“let me see here,” dodge started, examining he wrist. he laid her hand on one of his and used his other hand to feel the area. “well, you’ve broken it, congrats!”

Y/N sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

“but, luckily for you, it’s not a bad break. the bone is just slightly misaligned, and i think i’m going to have to set it back in place again.”

she looked away and pressed her eyes closed. “just do it, get it over with.”

dodge gave her a worrisome glare, and he prepared the tape he would use after he set it.

“ready?” dodge asked, almost apprehensive. she nodded, closing her eyes tight. “don’t forget to breathe, Y/N. it will be over soon.”

dodge maneuvered the bones back together as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Y/N let out a loud cry, and she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth to suppress another yell.

finally, dodge had gotten the bones aligned again and he held the spot together with two of his fingers, and started the tape with his other hand. dodge tightly wrapped the tape around her hand and forearm until she had restricted movement in her wrist.

“it’s all done, i finished up the hard part.” dodge said, reassuring her. Y/N wrist pain had decreased significantly.

dodge had a section in his box specifically for certain support braces, and dodge found a wrist brace that he was able to slide over her wrist. when he had secured it, she wasn’t able to move her wrist at all.

“wow, that actually worked.” Y/N asked, face puffy from crying.

“never doubt my abilities,” dodge said, playfully. “since it’s broken, you’re going to want to keep that on until you see a real doctor. i’d wait until the heat dies down though to get it checked out, maybe a few days.” dodge suggested, getting the alcohol and bandaging supplies for her cut.

Y/N sat down on the counter, and dodge met her at eye level. he got close to her. “can i look at it?”

she immediately felt butterflies in her stomach, and it took a moment for dodge’s question to register in her mind. when she finally understood, she nodded.

dodge turned her face to get a better look at the cut, and he softly held her chin to stabilize her head.

“it’s not too bad. it will probably scar, though.” dodge said quietly. with the hand that wasn’t still holding her chin steady, he took a wet rag and cleaned up the area around the cut that had dried blood on it.

Y/N mentally noted how careful dodge was being with her. he madd sure to make her comfortable throughout all of this.

still holding her chin, he took a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and he dabbed it on the cut.

Y/N flinched away, feeling a burning sensation run throug her face.

“sorry about that.” dodge said apologetically.

“it’s not your fault.” Y/N said back, waiting patiently for the burning to stop.

when it finally did, she let dodge know and he took a bandage and pressed it on over the cut.

dodge sighed. “all better?”

Y/N nodded. “yeah. thank you, so much. where did you learn how to do all of this?”

“a cut is a cut, that part is easy. but as for the broken bones, i’m used to it. i ride horses and bulls, and i’m no stranger to falling off and getting hurt. it’s just a way of life for me.”

Y/N was facing the same problem she always faced with dodge. she couldn’t tell if he was flirty, or just nice. she couldn’t help but wonder which one it was.

“we’re friends, right?” she asked.

“if that’s what you want to call it.”

“i was just, uh-making sure.” Y/N said, looking down.

dodge approached her again, and she looked up to find him a few inches away from her. “i wouldn’t have done all of this if i didn’t at least kind of like you.”

when dodge saw the blush creep up on her cheeks, he smiled, and walked away. Y/N sat there wondering what the future was going to hold for her and her friend/possible admirer dodge. she figured time will work out the kinks of their relationship. in the meantime, she was going to work out her own feelings for dodge. she hadn’t even begun to sort through all of that. one day, she was going to. she felt like she needed to.

[rwprincess]

OK!! HI- I’m the person who wondered if you did make fics because fred :}} I was wondering if you could try fred and a male reader that is sorta his enemy but like a enemy to lovers sorta thing!!! (if you can’t do male go for gn we love gn reader appreciation <3)

Masterlist

Word Count: 2.7K

Request: Anon- ”OK!! HI- I’m the person who wondered if you did make fics because fred :}} I was wondering if you could try fred and a male reader that is sorta his enemy but like a enemy to lovers sorta thing!!! (if you can’t do male go for gn we love gn reader appreciation <3) “

A/N: I really appreciate your request, anon. And I liked the challenge, but I’m not sure I served you well. I really struggled with this piece. :/

Synopsis: You and Fred used to be best friends, but you drifted apart. When he has to interview you after a heroic basketball win, he learns that it wasn’t just a friendly falling out.

CW:  Homophobia cuz it’s the 80s (internalized homophobia, worry/concern about acceptance); unresolved-ish ending?; angry, angsty (angstry?) Fred;  I’m assuming inaccuracies because I don’t actually know sports/basketball

It was impossible to pinpoint the exact moment of the falling out between you and Fred. Maybe it was a gradual series of events that widened the chasm of your friendship, a cliff that he fell off headfirst into and one you never looked back from. If he had to guess, he'd say it was the end of freshman year that really clenched it, but you'd been distant for awhile. You no longer needed the security of an old friend and reinvented yourself, fitting into a new crowd that didn't include him. 

He watched with passive, but seething irritation as you sank another shot into the basket. He loathed newspaper assignments that led him here to report on you and the teammates you had left him for. What he hated more was that you were actually good at it. You'd found your niche and he'd found his, so he shouldn't be bitter. But he was. The two of you used to share everything and he could always count on you. And now you were here with the other neanderthals and sports maniacs, people you used to make fun of together. Sometimes people change, he thought, and lamented the fact.

Another netted swish, another victorious roar from his replacements on your behalf. Fred swallowed thickly, drowning his anxious nausea down into the pit of his stomach, pushing it down, down, until it was something he could walk on and hopefully ignore. He always protested these assignments, but he could never reveal the real reason why: he missed you. It was an ever-present gnawing loss and it was impossible to mourn because you weren't actually gone. He saw you every day, thriving without him. 

Fred turned away from looking at you, that betrayed feeling bubbling up, and turned to say something to Nancy, who was accompanying him on this venture. However, she was no longer standing close enough to hear one of his snarky remarks. His eyes panned the gym for her, and spotted her leaning against the bleacher railing’s outside, looking positively green. Oh, shit.

“Hey, uh…Nancy? Are you okay?” He approached her and could see the sweat beading on her face, which she shook quickly in response.

“No…I. I think I’m going to be sick. I’m sorry, Fred. But you’re going to have to do this.” She shoved her notebook clumsily into his hands and bolted out the doors with a heavy clang, too quick to hear his desperate pleas to the contrary. Fred thought he had lucked out in asking Nancy to come and do the interview for him. At first, he tried to be aloof and acted as though he just didn’t want to do another sports interview, but when she started to refuse and put the work back on him, he desperately explained that he specifically couldn’t talk to you.

“Please, Nancy. We were friends a long time ago and I don’t even know why we stopped being friends, but I don’t think he wants to talk to me. And I sure as hell don’t want to interview him.” He’d left out the part where you left him specifically to join the team, which added another layer of insult to the injury of abandonment in the first place. At the time, Nancy had taken pity on him and agreed to do the interview, as long as Fred did the bulk of the play-by-plays. But now, she was clearly out of commission and he’d have to do it himself. 

As the final buzzer rang and your team celebrated, Fred gave himself his own sort of pep-talk. “It’s your duty as a reporter. They trust you to get the story. Whether you like the assignment or not, you have to get the story.” He continued muttering to himself in a near-chant as he paced the gym, patrons spilling out the doors and back into the real world. 

“Fred?” Your voice shattered his concentration and completely obliterated his goal. He stopped mid-stride and turned towards you. Freshly showered, the loose and sleeveless uniform tank ditched for a clean hooded sweatshirt under a denim jacket. You felt hot and flushed, and doubted it was from the multiple layers or the exhilaration of the game.

“Hi. I’m your interviewer.” He replied, curtly, cutting to the chase.

“I thought---”

“Nancy got sick. I’m taking over for her, but I have her questions.” He cut you off, waving a notebook, tension already palpable.

“Okay…” you started, hesitantly, setting down your duffle bag. “I guess we should start then?” This was already the longest conversation the two of you had had in over a year.

“Yeah, we’ll get it over with. I’m sure you have some victorious partying to do with your,” you swallowed hard as he paused, then spit the last word out with a healthy dose of venom, “friends.” You shuffled, at a loss for words or how to combat his thinly-veiled hostility. He flipped open the small notebook.

“So, first off is about strategy. What did your team do to prepare for tonight’s game and what did you do, specifically?” Fred narrated Nancy’s scrawl from the book and didn’t look up to meet your eye. When he finished his sentence, you began, carefully and professionally.

“Well, we have our typical top-secret playbook that we study. We prepare different formations and try to predict what the other team might try, and how to counteract it. We also sometimes study tapes of the other teams and look for patterns and moves they like to try. As for myself, I really try to focus on my role and how to help my team. Each person working in tandem is what makes the difference.” 

Fred was scribbling as you spoke, but you saw him pause. He had forgotten the way you spoke: the words were always the ones you meant and drove the point home efficiently and intelligently. He was glad to see that much hadn’t changed. But, as you spoke about your desire to help your team, he snorted derisively. You ignored it and moved on, “We also have pretty strict workout regimens. We have practice most weekdays, but we’re also scheduled time in the gym or with a trainer, or we’re encouraged to meet up and play against each other as well.”

“Okay, next question: how does it feel to…oh my God, Nancy, really? I took you for a more serious journalist than this.” Fred sputtered and frowned. You started to lean a little forward to see what was written but then realized who you were leaning towards and snapped backwards.

“What? What does it say?”

“‘How does it feel to be regarded as a ‘star,’ when you’re still an underclassman’? Which, if you ask me, is fawning garbage.” He looked at your shocked expression with your eyes screwed up. “No offense, I just mean…that’s such a ridiculous question. Like one an average fan would ask. Not someone writing an article.”

“Right…” you hesitated, uncertain he didn’t mean to offend you. You had gathered how incensed Fred was towards you, long before this conversation. You understood it, and it was partially what you wanted. You had done the leaving and had been determined to drive a wedge between you two. Of course…you had your reasons.

“So, I guess, ‘how does it feel to be a star’?” Fred asked mockingly, and you sort of chuckled, then shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. Even without the contention, Fred had always made you nervous.

“Honestly? I don’t know. I don’t really feel like I am. I know it’s a corny answer to say we’re a team and we’re evenly matched or something. But that’s not it…I mean, some of us are clearly better than others--”

“You sure you want me to quote you on that?” Fred scoffed, cutting you off.

“Fine. We all have different strengths. But I don’t think I’m the star. I’ve had some lucky turnouts and I enjoy it, but I don’t feel like I’m that important. We all play as a team and that’s what makes the difference.”

“Oh, come on. You don’t like them cheering your name? Picking you up on their shoulders? People wanting to write articles about your stardom?”

“I don’t really notice it, no. I mean, in the moment, yeah sure. It’s nice to be recognized. But it’s not that noticeable in the day-to-day.”

“In the day-to-day?” Fred followed up, incredulously, “you mean you don’t notice people clapping you on the back with congratulations or the girls falling all over themselves for you? Because I sure do.” You swallowed thickly. You had thought that if you left, if you pushed him away before you got too close, that he would eventually forget about you. But, apparently he had not.

“You--you notice me?” You asked softly and shyly, looking down to your sneakers.

“Of course! How could I not? You’re the talk of the town, hotshot!” He started quickly with anger, but devolved into something else. “And you…you used to be my friend. Of course I’m still looking for you. At you. Whatever. I mean, I still notice your existence, if that’s what you’re asking.”

You sat in stunned silence. About a year ago, it had all become too much and you realized that you felt something more for Fred, and for guys in general, than you ‘should.’ It was something that could get you driven out of town, at best. To protect yourself, and more importantly, Fred, you decided it was best to not stay friends. You pulled away and joined the basketball team to focus on something else, to make the loss sting less, not that it truly worked, but it provided a comfortable numbing most days. And now your former best friend admitted that he wasn’t over you, either. 

“I didn’t know…I didn’t think---”

“That I wouldn’t ‘notice’ you choosing a different life? Starting over and becoming a jock? You may have completely forgotten about me, but I didn’t forget about you.” He drew closer and your breath hitched. Of course, Fred was in no physical condition to fight you and you both knew that. No, your breathing stopped because of the surge of familiar feelings. The butterflies hit you all at once like they used to. But instead of enjoying his fiery passion or feeling queasy at the sweetness of his smile, you felt an ache; he really disliked you. You couldn’t fault him for that, but it hurt. You felt the rejection you always assumed you’d receive and tried to head off by separating from him in the first place.

“It’s not like that, Fred. I--I wasn’t trying to become someone new. I just kind of found basketball and---”

“Oh, so you’re going to claim it wasn’t intentional to completely drop me? Scrape me out of your life like gum on your shoe?”

“I--I--!” You stammered, but came up short. There wasn’t much of a defense here. You clearly had hurt him more than you had meant to and that irreparable damage had festered into, well, this. You had avoided conversation for so long and hoped he’d just forget you and move on, find new friends like you had. Ones that deserved him and his trust. Instead, you had left him bruised and scarred. The realization cut into you like a white-hot knife, but you tried to hide the emotions bubbling up.

"Then what was all this for? You dropped off the face of the earth and stopped being my friend! It isn't because you wanted to be popular? A basketball god?" Fred interrogated, heaping on questions in angry rapid-fire blows.

"No! I did it to get away from you!" Your exasperated words hit him hard, devastating blows. "Shit, Fred, that's not what I mean." But he was already storming out, you looked cautiously over your shoulder making sure you were alone and started to jog towards him. "Fred!" You called out. He was surprisingly fast and was walking too quickly away from you to catch up to, so you blurted out the truth, "it was because I had feelings for you!" He stilled along the court side, just long enough for you to approach. 

“What? What was that?” He asked, voice low and eyes darting from you to the various exits and empty spaces in the gym, which seemed to grow larger by the second, its looming maw threatening to swallow you whole in your embarrassment.

“Fff-” You bit back the swear on your tongue and bounced on the balls of your feet. To hell with it, may as well risk it all. You’ve come this far. “Listen, Fred. I---We were close, right? And I felt like maybe we were getting too close; I liked you as maybe more than a friend. And I didn’t know what to do about it, so I ran. I pushed you away so you couldn’t hurt me, so I didn’t have to deal with it, and so…so we wouldn’t both get our asses kicked, okay? You know how Hawkins is. I couldn’t---I can’t let something like that happen to you, to be the cause of it, you know?”

Normally Fred was whip-smart and miles ahead in any conversation, but his brain still snagged on the part where you had said that you liked him as maybe more than a friend. “What do you mean, ‘maybe?’” he figured he’d address that first. You blinked at him, not comprehending. “You said you ‘maybe’ liked me as more than a friend. Well, did you or didn’t you?”

“I did. I still do. I didn’t realize---” you swallowed thickly, “I didn’t think you still cared, that it hurt you that I broke things off and moved away. But I still think about you. All the time.” You felt jittery on the inside with this admission, your flight-or-fight instincts kicking in and you felt like you should bolt, but Fred surprisingly took your hand in his. Long, deft fingers gently holding your own, grounding you.

“I never stopped thinking about you. Or worrying about you. But…why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I was so scared. I still am, Freddie.” You choked his name out, strained, but he smiled gently at the term of endearment he hadn’t heard in so long, “Afraid that you’d reject me, that I’d be alone. I tried to fill that void with other friends. Hell, I joined this team just to try to put the past behind me. But I couldn’t. I’d still see you every day and…and I’d wonder what could have been, how things would have been different.”

“Me too,” he confessed and you realized that your hand was still gripped tightly in yours. “I miss you,” he admitted and you could feel your entire being crumble. They may as well bury you here under the worn wooden floor.

“I miss you too.” You leaned your head forward against his, a risky move and you were filled with dejected regret as he let go of your hand, sure that he was going to turn away and leave you standing there; that all of your worst fears would be instantly realized. But instead he threw his arms around your middle and gave you a long-overdue hug. You placed your arms around his shoulders in kind and let the embrace consume you.

[marwritesgood]

Only You | S. Basset

Pairing: Simon x WOC!Reader

Timeframe: Season One

Summary: While Y/n prepares to leave London, Simon is confronted by Philippa.

PART ONE

masterlist

A/N: One more part after this :)

Y/n sat with the eldest of her cousins in the drawing-room. Despite the number of workers present and eligible, young Elizabeth begged her older cousin to braid her hair before she left. Y/n could not resist her sweet smile. She also knew she would miss Philippa’s children terribly, just as she would Philippa.

“There you are!”

Y/n and Elizabeth jumped at Philippa’s abrupt call. 

“I’ve called for a carriage as you requested, my dear,” Philippa began as she sat with her niece and daughter. She could no longer bring herself to hide her concern and sorrow. “Though I hope you know there is still plenty of time to reconsider your decision.”

Even if it were at the very last moment, if Y/n were to say she wanted to stay, Philippa would be ready to call it off in a moment’s notice. 

“My mind is decided, aunt Philippa,” Y/n responded monotonously. She intentionally averted her eyes from her aunt. Philippa knew her niece far too well. Y/n’s best chance at concealing her genuine emotions was to avoid looking her aunt in the eye.

Truthfully, she was terrified. Y/n had become accustomed to floating through seasons with no intention of marrying anytime soon. The prospect of finally accepting a marriage proposal, to a man she had no sincere desire to marry, was frightening. She could not let Philippa know for fear that she would convince her to do otherwise. 

“Lizzie,” Philippa whispered to her daughter. “Dear, please join your siblings in the other room.”

Y/n sighed defeatedly. She should have known better than to think she could keep anything from her aunt. Her cousin exited the room in a half-done braid, leaving Y/n to stare at her hands while her aunt studied her intently.

“You must understand the magnitude of what you plan to do,” Philippa said worriedly. That is what she feared most of the situation. She could not bear the thought of Y/n being miserable because of a decision she made in the heat of the moment. “I know you are hurt, dear, but you do not have to leave so soon.”

Y/n sniffled, taking her aunt by surprise. She could no longer hold back her tears. Not after the exhaustingly painful week, she had endured. 

“I do, aunt Philippa,” Y/n cried, laughing bitterly. Philippa’s brows knitted together in both confusion and concern. “I cannot bear to stay in London another day... The longer I stay here, the harder it will be to leave.”

Philippa frowned, lifting her hands to wipe Y/n’s tears away. She had not yet found out what happened between her niece and Simon. All she could conclude was that Y/n’s heart was broken finally again.

“He admitted to courting Miss Bridgerton,” Y/n explained. It pained her to recount what Simon said the night before, but she felt it was the only way to put rest to Philippa’s attempts to keep her in London. “- and he admitted he intends to marry her.”

Philippa inhaled sharply, closing her eyes tightly as she did so. Though she did not have an incredibly close relationship with Simon, she always believed him to be a good man. A man who cared deeply for her niece. 

Glancing back to her niece, Philippa pursed her lips and pulled Y/n into her arms, hugging her closely. As she cried softly into her shoulder, anger began to erupt within Philippa. Y/n was the last person she deemed worthy of such heartbreak.

“The carriage will be here before evening,” Philippa informed Y/n, who was grateful that she would no longer keep her from leaving. “I have one matter to attend to, but I will be home before you to leave.”

Y/n nodded before returning to her younger cousins. Once she left, Philippa called for a carriage to take her to the Danbury estate. She had more than a few unkind words to offer the Duke of Hastings.

***

Simon found himself, yet again, standing idle in the maze’s centre outside the Danbury estate. He had barely any rest the night before, so he headed straight to the maze once there was sunlight.

Before he could leave, however, of Daphne being introduced to Prince Friedrich reached him. Thus there ruse was no longer necessary, subsequently leaving Simon in dire need of a moment alone with his frustration.

If he had only told Y/n the truth the night before. If he had only kept her from leaving. If he had not rejected her in the first place. Perhaps he would not be in the situation he was in. 

“Your grace.”

Simon’s train of thought was abruptly broken when a worker approached him. He turned to face the man, eyebrows raised. The worker held his hands behind his back.

“You have a visitor waiting for you in the sitting room,” he explained. When Simon remained silent, the worker specified who it was. “... Lady Bennet.”

Simon’s heart began to pound. He nodded and returned inside with haste. Philippa Bennet, though kind and friendly by nature, could scare him half to death. Simon remembered watching how she would fearlessly berate and humiliate any man who so much as treated Y/n less than kindly. 

He never imagined he would be one.

Once he was inside, he halted outside the entrance to the sitting room. There was no telling how Philippa would treat him, especially after the way he had treated her niece before. Simon took several deep breaths before he cautiously entered the room.

“Lady Bennet,” he greeted as he walked in, his head bowed partially in shame and partly in fear.

“Your grace,” she responded, her tone sharp and piercing. 

She stood from her seat and glared at the duke as he made his way in. She spoke previously to Lady Danbury, who left just moments before Simon entered. It wasn’t until the worker exited the room, closing the door behind him, that she began to raise her voice. 

“You can be of no loss to understand why I am here.”

Simon remained silence, which provided Philippa with as much of a response as she needed.

“My niece just informed me today of your revelation to her at the gala,” she stated, referencing to him admitting to courting Daphne with the intention of marrying, which was not the truth. “I assume you have an explanation, your grace... Otherwise, you truly are the deceitful, heartless man I never imagined you would become.”

Simon winced at the description. It resembled too much of his father, which was the last kind of man he ever intended to become. Philippa raised her brow and remained silent, waiting for the explanation she knew would eventually be provided.

“I was dishonest,” he confessed, his expression overcome by the shame and guilt he been burdened by for the past week. Philippa remained puzzled, though relieved that there was more to the story than what her niece was led to believe. “My courtship of Miss Bridgerton was all an act... To help attract more suitors for her, and to improve my image in the public eye.”

Philippa folded her arms. While she was glad to hear that he was not actually courting another woman after Y/n, she was still angered by what he had done. Not to mention the immense pain it inflicted upon her niece.

“I assume you lied to my niece as a means of upholding your ruse?” 

He was taken by surprise, having expected her to scold him for his stupidity, just as he believed he deserved. His expectations were not necessarily misguided. Philippa intended to do just that. However, she first sought clarification.

“Yes,” Simon admitted sheepishly.

“I heard from Lady Danbury that Miss Bridgerton will soon be courted by Prince Friedrich... Does this mean your lie will no longer continue?”

Simon nodded, causing Philippa to sigh. Her line of questioning made incredibly clear to him how unnecessarily reckless he had been with Y/n’s heart. She was astonished by his foolishness. He could tell.

“I am deeply sorry, Lady Bennet-”

“I do not care for your apologies,” Philippa hissed, causing Simon to sink back. “You are to explain this to my niece yourself... She must hear the truth from you.”

Though Philippa was desperate to race home and tell Y/n the truth, she knew there would still be heartache on her behalf. Only Simon could indeed amend the issue.

“I cannot,” Simon cried, before inhaling sharply as he went to complete his sentence. “-I cannot bear to face her... I imagine I am the last person she wishes to speak to.”

“You are mistaken, your grace,” Philippa said flatly. He could not have been further from the truth. “I have often, particularly now, struggled to understand why... but she cares for you. Very much so. Even despite all the pain, you seemingly continue to cause her.”

“That, I struggle to believe,” Simon mumbled.

Philippa scoffed. It was a wonder Y/n was in so much pain. He seemed to consistently underestimate just how much she cared for him. She pondered for a moment, thinking of the best way to clarify to Simon the extent to which Y/n loved him.

“This is her second season,” Philippa stated, slowing her speech just to make absolute sure Simon could understand her point. “-and she has yet to be married... why do you think that is?”  

He stared blankly at Philippa, which only infuriated her more, though she continued, despite it.

“I was incredibly confused when I received a distraught letter from my sister at the end of last season,” Philippa began. “-She informed that Y/n had received 3 proposals... all from, what she described as, honourable men.” 

Philippa studied Simon’s reaction closely, hoping he would catch on soon. He was taken back. During Y/n’s first season, he feared the day she accepted a marriage proposal. 

“My confusion was then, of course, put to rest when I remembered Y/n confiding in me about her affections for you.”

Simon furrowed his eyebrows in disbelief. It was not possible, he believed. After he turned Y/n away following her confession, he assumed her feelings would fade. 

He deemed his love for Y/n inevitable because loving her was easy to do and difficult to avoid. But he believed loving him was a challenge; a chore. He saw himself as broken. Haunted by the trauma inflicted upon him by his father. His vow to never marry was, truthfully, not the only reason he rejected Y/n.

Simon did not believe Y/n truly loved him. He struggled to imagine anyone could.

“You cannot possibly insinuate that I-”

“You idiotic fool!” Philippa blurted, interrupting Simon from, yet again, downplaying just how much Y/n cared for him. “Forgive me, your grace, but she confessed her feelings to you, did she not? Thus surely you must know how much she cares for you... you must know, Simon.”

He was dumbfounded. Overwhelmed by the prospect that Y/n’s love for him was true, tears stung the corners of his eyes. Philippa could not believe it. She knew of Simon’s past, but she was shocked to see how much of an effect it had on the poor duke. How unwilling he was to accept that he was loved. 

Sincerely and unconditionally.

“She intends to leave London this evening,” Philippa sighed sadly. Before she spoke again, she moved closer to Simon, looking him in the eye intently. She felt sympathy having understood why he acted the way he did, but she would not let him continue to do so. “If you truly care for my niece, you will not allow her to leave today without knowing the truth... She deserves as much after all she has done for you.”

Philippa exited the room briefly afterwards, leaving Simon to contemplate how on earth he would earn Y/n’s forgiveness and her trust.

***

Lady Danbury was puzzled as she watched Philippa Bennet rush out of her estate hastily. They had shared a brief conversation before she left, just as Simon arrived in from outside. Philippa had informed Danbury of Y/n’s plans to leave London and accept Mr Graham’s marriage proposal. 

While she knew the situation was tense, Lady Danbury sat with ease, on the outside seating area towards the left side. Of the many roles she played in her life and society, the matchmaker was one she most enjoyed. 

She hummed to herself as she took a sip of her earl grey tea, amused by the thrill of the current situation. Once Philippa’s carriage was out of sight, Lady Danbury began to count backwards from twenty. As she reached one, the sound of Simon’s quick-paced footsteps became increasingly loud.

“What seems to be troubling you, your grace.”

Most would have been startled by how Lady Danbury spoke with her back to Simon, but he had grown used to her being a step ahead of him. In fact, that was the very reason he found himself turning to her.

“I presume you already know,” he answered as he sat in the chair beside her.

Danbury chuckled, placing her cup back on the table before turning to her pseudo-nephew. He loved him as her own son, but she was far from oblivious to his flaws. 

“I expected you to be eager to follow Lady Bennet.”

“Quite the opposite, my lady,” he frowned, glancing down at his hands that could not seem to stop trembling. For most of his life, he carefully considered every decision he made to ensure perfection. This was unchartered territory.

Simon half-expected Lady Danbury to laugh, or to smile warmly at him before offering her advice. She had done just that for as long as he knew her. 

However, Lady Danbury did not respond in such a manner. She scoffed loudly before gripping her cane and turning to Simon with a disappointed glare. 

“Well then you are a fool,” she spoke harshly. 

Simon’s eyes widened. If he were not already sitting, he likely would have stumbled back. Despite his apparent shock, Lady Danbury was not fazed. Instead, her glare grew more intense. 

Similar to Philippa, Danbury was subject to Simon’s countless confidences regarding his feelings for Y/n. She was past waiting excitedly in anticipation for the two to finally be united. Now, she was irritated at how long it was taking Simon to act on his affections. Mostly after Y/n had already made clear hers.

“You care for her, do you not?”

“I do,” Simon answered, not a moment after Lady Danbury spoke. 

Silence fell amongst them. Danbury’s eyes narrowed in both confusion and frustration. Was it not clear to Simon what he needed to do? She held her cane with both hands. Simon sighed.

“That is precisely why I cannot go to her,” he explained. Lady Danbury groaned audibly, prompting Simon to further clarify his defence. “After all the pain I have put her through, do I not owe it to her to give her peace?”

“She will not have true peace until she knows.”

Simon averted his head slightly, his posture slumping down significantly. Lady Danbury began to realise that there was more to it than he was admitting to. 

Simon looked out towards the maze’s direction, and all he could think of was her, and the night before. All he could see was her expression when he lied about the nature of his relationship with Daphne. Not to mention how she walked away from him crying, and the way he let her go.

“I... am terrified,” Simon whispered, his voice shaky. Danbury inhaled sharply, before looking at him intently, remaining silent all the while so that he could continue. 

After a moment, Simon turned to face her. His eyes were glassy, and the wrinkle on his temple deepened as he furrowed his brows. He was no longer trying to defend himself. No longer trying to uphold a ruse or a confident demeanour. 

He was exhausted from doing so. All he wanted was to fix what he had broken.

“Every attempt I have made at explaining myself only seems to hurt her more,” he frowned. “She is leaving today because she seeks to be away from me... and I will honour her wishes, so as to not subject her to any more pain than I already have.”

It made sense to him. He had no luck when it came to making amends with Y/n. He felt incapable of fixing anything. It was clear that, as well as happiness, he was also incapable of giving her peace. And she deserved that, at the very least. 

“And then what will you do?” Lady Danbury questioned, curious to know the extent to which he believed what he was doing would fix anything.

“I... will wait,” he replied, confident in his response, leading Danbury to worry. He did not have the luxury of time, and it seemed she was the only one out of the two of them who knew this. “When she is ready to speak to me, I will explain the truth to her... and hopefully by then I will be able to do so in a way that does not hurt her.”

“Simon,” Lady Danbury said gently. She knew she was right to have called him foolish. However, Danbury realised that he was foolish out of his love for Y/n and lack of trust that he could love her. “She is not leaving London because she seeks to be away from you... She is leaving to accept a marriage proposal.”

Simon’s blood ran cold. He felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. Before, he sat content in the comfort of knowing he had time to wait. Now all he could sit with was the terror of uncertainty.

“Your life decisions have been largely based on fear and on vengeance, but you do not have to continue to live this way,” Lady Danbury said, reaching out for his hand and taking hold of it firmly. “However, you cannot do so if you continue to deprive yourself of what brings you joy.”

She had held onto these words for a very long time after Simon announced he would not marry or have children. Danbury had always hoped that Simon would have a heart change eventually, but it was clear that they were running very short on time.

“You deserve an abundance of happiness and of love, just as anyone else in this world does, your grace,” Lady Danbury said with conviction. She was ashamed; it took her so long to realise how badly Simon needed to know this. “But you will only receive as much as you pursue. So allow me to ask again; what will you do?”

Simon lifted Lady Danbury’s hand and kissed it affectionately- his way of thanking her for, yet again, talking sense into him. Without waiting another moment, he raced towards the stables in search of his horse. 

***

Philippa stood sadly as she watched Y/n say goodbye to her cousins. Significant time had passed since she arrived home and Simon still had not arrived. However, despite the dire circumstances, she refused to give up hope.

As Y/n pulled away from her cousin, Elizabeth, she turned to Philippa, who stood between her and the carriage. Her bags had already been taken into the carriage. Everything was in line for her departure. All she had to do was say goodbye to her aunt, yet somehow that seemed to be the most challenging step.

“Aunt Philippa,” Y/n said cautiously, after noticing her sorrowful expression.

“You do not have to go,” Philippa cried, reaching her arms out and placing her hands gently on her niece’s shoulders. She did not care if she sounded like a broken record. “Please, my dear, if you possess even an ounce of doubt, you mustn’t go.”

“I have already made my decision,” Y/n replied, trying to comfort her aunt, who she knew was only concerned for her well-being. She wanted desperately to put Philippa’s mind at ease. “He is a good man... I will have a good future with him.”

“But you do not love him,” Philippa argued. Y/n quickly realised just how much her aunt had rubbed off on her. She could not yet figure out whether that was a good or bad thing.

“I cannot be so naïve as to base my choosing on love,” Y/n criticised.

“Yes you can,” Philippa insisted.

“How can you be so certain?” Y/n inquired, trying her best to refrain from scoffing at the irony in her aunt’s argument. “You are married to a Lord. You will never need to worry about bearing financial burdens, and it is because you accepted the proposal of a man mama matched you with.”

Y/n expected this would end her aunt’s argument against her marrying Mr Graham. 

“Your mama did not match me with Lord Bennet,” Philippa confessed, taking Y/n by great surprise. “Your mother asked me not to tell you at the time, but... Lord Bennet and I met during one of our visits to London. We remained in contact for the better half of my first season, and we eventually married because I fell pregnant... with Elizabeth.”

Y/n’s internal conflict increased significantly in intensity. She always admired the love shared between her aunt and her husband. She always admired the life they had together. However, she also accredited this to her mother’s strong-willed matchmaking and stubbornness.  

Her aunt noticed her reaction and sighed. She reached out and took hold of her niece’s hands, gripping firmly. Philippa had been saving that revelation for when her niece was grown enough. It frightened her how quickly that moment arrived.

“I know that the odds have always been stacked against women like us... but that does not mean we settle for men who do not care for us,” Philippa posited, challenging what Y/n previously believed to be true when it came to love and marriage. “You are allowed to prioritise what you want in a husband as well as what you need.”

Y/n’s heart began to pound. She had craved to hear those exact words ever since she prepared for her first season. If only she had heard them before she found herself in the situation she was in.

“You deserve to be with a man who you love and who makes you happy,” Philippa added, causing Y/n to flinch. She knew where her argument was headed. “A man like-”

“-Like Simon?” Y/n questioned in annoyance.

Philippa sighed, answering her niece’s question. 

“I know that you hoped it would be his proposal I would be accepting... I hoped for the same,” Y/n sighed. Having her aunt as her confidante meant their hopes for her future coincided—all except this time. “But I have waited for too long. I cannot keep putting my life on hold out of hope that he will have a change of heart... and that he will show up at the last minute on a white horse. I cannot do it.”

“Then disregard Simon for a moment,” Philippa said. “- and answer me this, will Mr Graham make you happy?”

Y/n scoffed. She could not keep relaying the same message to her aunt.

“I have told you, marrying him will guarantee me a good life-”

“I have no doubt that he will provide you financial stability,” Philippa interrupted.

Y/n was startled. Until then, all she was focused on was securing a promising future for herself. Until then, all she equated that it was a future free of any financial burden.

“But will he make you happy?” Philippa asked, narrowing her eyes. “When you are forced to endure his arrogance, his ignorance and his temper daily. When you are inevitably made to bear his children, thereafter reduced exclusively to their mother and his wife, and are no longer your own individual person. When it dawns on you that you will be stuck in this position for the rest of your life... Do you truly believe you will be happy?”

Y/n could not answer her aunt. Philippa knew her answer. They stared at one another, each with an expression far different from the other. While Y/n was started and frightened, Philippa remained concerned yet hopeful that her niece would finally change her mind.

Before either of them could speak, a worker approached Philippa and beat them both to it. 

“My lady, the carriage is ready for Miss Y/L/n’s departure.”

Y/n was quick to turn away from her aunt. She glanced at the other worker who stood by the carriage, holding the door open for Y/n to enter. She turned back to her aunt, who visibly feared what she was about to do next.

“Goodbye, aunt Philippa,” 

Y/n pulled Philippa into her arms and hugged her tightly. She knew her aunt was still very much worried and concerned for her. However, she hoped that Philippa would cast them aside for just a moment, and let her see this through.

When Philippa hugged her back and smiled wearily at her as she walked away, Y/n knew she was doing just that. And for that, she was extremely grateful.

As the doors to Y/n’s carriage closed, she closed her eyes and braced herself for the future she was going to commit to the day after. In an attempt to forget what her aunt had said to her, Y/n waved goodbye once before looking away. 

She glued her sight to the road ahead, refusing to look back to the street behind her, or the gates to her aunt’s home.

The very gates Simon would ride through moments after, only to realise that Y/n had already left. That he had spent so much time hesitating and waiting for the right moment, he missed his opportunity to see her before she left.

That he was too late.

NEXT PART

@deakesthegreatest @smol-grandpa

[ashthelightmare]

Empathy

A/N:This is a Dead by Daylight crossover with Life is Strange: True Colors. @artlovingbre challenged me to do this crossover, which I found super exciting bc who doesn’t love someone with abilities :D. Anyways, Bre also challenged me to write a Dead by Daylight crossover with Zelda: Skyward Sword. I may not remember much about Zelda, but I’m willing to write about it :D My inbox should be open, so if you have any requests, be sure to ask and not be shy.

Pairing: Leon Kennedy X Fem!Reader

When Y/N first came into the Entity’s realm, she was overwhelmed by all the emotions the survivors were feelings. With as much as the survivors were feeling and Y/N being scared of lashing out in her first trial, stayed away from everyone. All the survivors assumed she was just a lone wolf, kinda like Jake, but even he knew when he needed to help or be helped. Y/N wouldn’t let people get near her.

In trails, she tended to do the generators alone, unhook people if absolutely necessary, and when she was unhooked, she would get away from her savior as fast as possible. Outside of trials, Y/N tends to walk down the river to where it meets the lake. That’s where she’s able to see the killers when they too visit the lake. 

When Y/N first came into the Entity’s realm, all the feelings of killers and survivors overwhelmed her so much that she passed out. Both killer and survivors were confused to see her flop over when she passed out.

The Entity realized her condition and decided it was best to wait so she could meet everyone. The Entity decided it was best to take everyone out of the match and give them their respective rewards.

Eventually, Y/N met Danny, he was the only person who didn’t have much of a aura and he was friendly to her. He was the first to find out about her powers, finding out through her eyes. They reflected the rage David was feeling before he was sacrificed to the Entity.

Outside of trials, Y/N always made her way to the boarder where Danny waited for her. Rin was the next person to find out when she went to the lake to get away from her great great great grandfather. She noticed Danny was talking with the survivor, and when Y/N noticed the Rin, and her aura, suddenly rushed away from Danny. Danny was confused why she suddenly ran off, and when called for her countless times, Y/N lashed out at him. Spirit asked what was up with her, and Danny explained that she’s able to see peoples feelings and feel it herself, so with so much rage the Spirit had, must’ve triggered in her.

From then on, the Rin made sure to limit her feelings when around Y/N, hoping to find friendship that way. Taking the friendship, Danny and Rin accepted the empathetic as their best friend.

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

Y/N was in another trial, along with Leon, Nea, and David. Danny was wondering around, stalking and searching for survivors to kill. They so happen to get Eyrie of Crows, the Artists map, which was easy for Y/N to spot where her teammates were.

Choosing a direction, Y/N found the last generator, untouched. Smiling slightly, happy to not be around anyone. Getting to work, Y/N glanced around to see if Danny was around. She was on death hook, and Danny warned her that he brought a mori. He didn’t specify which type of mori, but with her being death hook, and even though they are friends, he won’t turn down a kill.

Halfway done with the generator, Y/N glanced around and saw that David was headed her way, with Danny hot on his tail. Y/N’s eyes grew wide in disbelief, not sure if David knew she was there or not.

Not taking the chance, Y/N swiftly got off the generator and crawled away from David. However, Danny saw her trying to leave, and switched from the injured David to her. Screaming out a “Fuck you David” in frustration, her own feelings, Danny stalked her to exposed. Y/N saw Leon running towards her, probably trying to take a hit for her, but Danny got her anyways. Letting out a shout of pain, Y/N was instantly on the ground, lying, awaiting for what Danny had planned.

“Sorry Y/N, it’s just business,” Danny said genuinely as he stabbed her back, dragging it down to her tailbone, and brought it back up, repeatedly stabbing her. Once he was done, Danny took a picture with his flash photography camera. Getting off her back, Danny then searched for another survivor. 

While looking around an exit, Danny heard Nea and David whispering. Leaning against the wall, Danny heard them talking about his best friend.

“She deserved to be mori’d. Her and Ghostface’s friendship shouldn’t be accepted. And she always want to be by herself, she never helps us, and we probably would get generators done faster if she worked with us,” Danny heard David complaining. Not liking how he, of all people, is talking about his best friend behind her back, without knowing why she hides away.

Quietly stalking, Danny waited till David was fully healed and from then, planned his attack. Smacking David, Nea screamed in fright, while David shouted out in pain.

Chasing Nea away, Danny quit the chase and went back for David. Before doing the same mori he did on his best friend, Danny started talking.

“Before you go judging people on why they don’t want to be around you, and taking shit about my best friend, maybe you should get to know who she was. Maybe talk to the Observer on why she stays away from everyone,” Danny growled as his started his mori and attacked David with all his might. Taking his rage out on David.

❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦

Y/N decided to sit with the Observer while she waited for her best friends to get out of their matches.

“Is that why she keeps her skate board with her?” Y/N asked why Nea always keeps her skate board. They weren’t laughing, Y/N knew it wasn’t ok to laugh about Nea’s personal, she just wanted to know more about her fellow survivors.

Continuing to talk, Rin walked into the small hut Y/N and the Observer were in. Smiling as best she could, Rin greeted the Observer and motioned for Y/N to follow her. Saying goodbye to the Observer, Y/N and Rin met up with Danny as the trio walked down to the lake. 

“Sorry about the trial, gotta please the Entity somehow,” Danny explained as all three of them sat down. Y/N just nodded before glancing at the water. Watching as it slightly wrinkled from the wind, and the crows diving in to clean themselves. Y/N noticed the moon shone on the water brightly, indicating that the Entity is having a happy night.

Thinking about her childhood, she remembers her and her parents and brother went out during the summers to camp at their states lake. “Why don’t we go for a swim? The Entity’s having a good night, her moons shinning bright, it’s enough light to play around,” Y/N thought aloud her idea to her two friends.

“Skinny dipping?” Danny asked smugly, fulling knowing Y/N doesn’t have a bathing suit. 

Rolling her eyes, Y/N laughed lightly, while standing up and taking her shirt off. “No, Danny, I’m swimming in my underwear,” Y/N laughed at his red face. Danny pouted before taking his robe off. Rin joined Y/N in the water, and the three started a splash war.

❦❦❦❦❦

After drying off, with the help from the Entity, Y/N, Danny and Rin walked back to their logs. “I’m glad you were able to cool off a bit from that match. I heard David complaining about how you never help them, but I fully know that you are just protecting them,” Danny apologized while looking at the moon. Y/N glanced at him and for once, didn’t see any aura around him, or even Rin. Glad she didn’t have to deal with any major emotions, Y/N accepted his apology.

Sitting in silence, Y/N noticed a red aura approaching them. She couldn’t tell who it was, killer or survivor, so taking her chances, Y/N scooted closer to Rin.

Sensing the other killer, Danny stood up, calling out, “Who’s that?”

“Calm down, simp, it’s just me,” Frank called out, calmly strutting to them. “I just came to ask the newbie couple of questions.”

“That would be?” Y/N bravely asked, curious what a killer had to ask a survivor.

“If you’re able to see the aura’s of our feelings, do you have feelings of your own?” Frank asked with a smug look on his face.

“Yes, I can, but if extreme emotions come out from someone else, then it affects me,” Y/N stated matter of factually.

“So can you see the look that young cop’s emotions?”

Quirking an eyebrow, Y/N asked, “You mean Leon?”

Frank only nodded his head, glancing behind her, looking at the survivors hanging around at their respective campfire. “Yeah, I can, but why does that matter to you?”

“Have you seen the look he gives you, or have you seen what he’s like while you’re gone?” Frank laughed. Y/N looked back at Danny and Rin, and noticed their aura’s. Franks was red along with Rin’s. Their emotions weren’t making her angry like them, but if Frank continued his teasing, it for should would start to.

“I think I should get going, I need to get ready for the next trail,” Y/N explained while getting up. Frank rose his hands in a mock surrender, before saying, “All I’m saying is, if you really can see people’s feeling by their aura’s, you aren’t very smart at it.”

“Why don’t you go back to your group before I drown you,” Rin growled, emitting a dark maroon hue. Backing away, Y/N decided that it was best she left back to her safe place away from killers and survivors.

However, when she got to the camp fire, hoping to pass by without any hassle, David spotted her and called her name. Not wanting to deal with his nagging, Y/N quietly muttered “Not now David.”

“No wait, I’m sure Ghostface already told you what happened in the trail, but I want to say I’m sorry.”

Stopping in her tracks, she looked at David like he grew another head. Looking around, she caught a glance at Leon, who was emitting a new color she didn’t know of. “Why-why would you be sorry?” Y/N finally asked.

“I visited the Observer, since no one at the camp knows about your past or you overall, and know that we know, I wanted to say sorry. For misjudging you.”

Now that she noticed, David didn’t emit a big aura. It was small, like he was feeling it less when he’s around her. Looking past him, he saw Kate come up to them too.

“It’s true, David explained about your abilities, and we understand why you wanted to be away from us since the beginning.”

After that, Y/N started to accept the other survivors, and their games almost went smoothly.

Leon, after finding out about Y/N’s ability, was embarrassed, because his small crush for her grew into a huge crush, which he was pretty sure was giving off an aura to her.

So, instead of being a pussy, and hiding away his embarrassment and crush, decided to confess to her. So, catching her while she was going to meet up with Danny and Rin, he stopped her.

“Look, Y/N, I’m pretty sure you’ve been seeing my aura, and I just wanted to let you know, that I really like you,” Leon quickly spurred out, quickly hiding his face with his hands. He felt like a middle schooler telling his crush he likes her.

Y/N was stunned for a second, before explaining that she isn’t sure how she truly feels, since she’s always feelings the extreme emotions others feels, she doesn’t know how she feels.

“I don’t know if its you causing me these emotions or not, and just in case you are causing me these emotions, I don’t want to use you,” Y/N explained urgently, and expressed she was scared. Leon, ever being the gentle man, shushed her ranting by placing a kiss on her cheek. Too stunned to say anything more, Leon went back to his rightful spot next to Jill and Chris.

❦❦❦

"I didn’t think he would actually love me!” Y/N shouted while her and her 2 best friends were swimming. She was floating on her back, while Danny and Rin sat in the shallower part of the lake. “And then, when I was rambling, he kissed me cheek!”

“Sounds to me like you also like him back,” Danny said as he glanced at her face. It was still red from when Leon expressed his feelings to her, and when he kissed her cheek.

“How do I know? I mean, he’s feeling these emotions for me, so he’s only rubbing it onto me!” Y/N shouted again, hitting the water in frustration.

“You’re far enough away from him and you’re still blushing!” Rin shouted back, noticing her best friend dunked her head under water. Y/N stayed under the water for a little bit, thinking about what Rin just said. There’s no way I like the guy, it’s just him and his emotions rubbing off onto me. Y/N thought to herself while coming back up to the surface.

“No, Rin, I’m sure its just him and his emotions rubbing off onto me.” Swimming to the shore, Y/N grabbed the towel she brought and started drying herself off. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore so I’m going to head back to my tent and change clothes, I’ll see you guys either in a trail or later tonight. Cya,” Y/N explained and was already heading back to her tent before Danny or Rin could make another comment.

“She definitely likes him,” Rin said sadly.

“Why’re you getting sad over it? We could literally convince one of the survivors to flirt with him, and when she gets jealous, Leon’ll have his answer!” Danny explained his plan to Rin.

Smiling deviously at each other, they decided to talk with their survivor of their choice.

◭◭◭◭◭◭◭◭◭◭

“You want me to do what now?” the pod-caster asked the two killers.

“All we want is for you to flirt with Leon, so then Y/N can finally admit her feelings for him, that’s all we’re asking,” Rin begged the tall woman.

“And what would I get in return?” she asked.

The two killers thought for a second before Danny spoke up, “We confirm you get into matches with one of us every time you go into a trail, and we let you go free for one whole night.”

“Ok, I like that. All you want me to do is flirt with him in front of Y/N?”

“Yes, then us three get her and him alone, so she can confess her feelings.”

“I’m in, Leon needs someone like her.”

“We start tonight, after trials.”

◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎

“Leon? I want to talk to you about something,” Y/N shouted out in the dark forest. She wanted to apologize to him for how she acted when he confessed to her, but she hasn’t seen him since trials ended.

Shouting his name again, she saw him and Jane talking quietly next to the river. Staring at the two, she felt something within her that she hasn’t felt before.

Deciding to ignore it, she went to talk with them, but she saw Jane touch his shoulder, and his body lit up in bright pink. Did he already move on from me? Y/N asked herself. Deciding to let them talk it out, Y/N moved back to her tent, waiting for Rin or Danny to get her.

When she heard Leon and Jane come back to the camp, laughing, Y/N felt a pang of sadness. Why am I even feeling this way? He’s the one who was giving me the feelings of love when he confessed to me. He’s ok with talking to anyone he wants to. Y/N told herself as she looked at the top of her tent. Sighing out, she heard Leon open her tent and say “Knock, Knock,” to let her know he was there.

For some reason, she decided to ignore him and continue to stare at the tents ceiling. “Y/N?” Leon asked, confused why she isn’t responding to him, even though she’s fully aware he’s there.

Clearing his throat, Leon continued what he was going to say, “Feng explained that you were calling and asking around for me, and when I asked where you were, they said you were in your tent.”

Ignoring his comment, Y/N closed her eyes, pretending to go to sleep. Getting frustrated at her stubbornness, Leon continues to talk with her. “If you don’t want to talk with anyone at the moment, let me know and I’ll tell the others to leave you alone but stop ignoring me!” Leon shouted, frustrated.

“Why don’t you go talk with Jane! She kept enough company to you when I went looking for you,” Y/N shouted back at him, feeling his and her own frustration. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone? Y/N asked herself. 

“What are you talking about! Jane and I were talking about the next trial, I was teacher her Bite the Bullet!” Leon shouted, moving around and grabbing at his hair. “Why do you care so much that I talk with Jane anyways? You were the one who didn’t want to date me because you weren’t sure about your feelings towards me.”

“Well maybe I lied! Maybe I do like you and seeing you with Jane, so far away, I was also lying to myself!” Y/N shouted while also getting up, facing Leon.

Leon was stunned for a second too long and Y/N took this chance to continue to talk. “And so what if I did love you like you loved me! It seemed like Jane was getting really comfortable with you when you two talked. Touching you’re arm, touching your shoulder! Teaching her an ability doesn’t require physical touch!”

“Are you jealous?” Leon finally asked.

“No!” Y/N shouted, blushing like she got caught doing something she wasn’t suppose to do.

“Yeah, you are,” Leon said, smirking. He walked closer to her while she threw her hands around, saying something he couldn’t understand. Y/N continued to rant but Leon wasn’t listening.

Grabbing her arm, Y/N stopped talking and looked up at Leon just as he shoved his lips onto hers. Staring wide eyes at him, Y/N searched his face for anything that could affect her, and instead, closed her eyes.

Around them, the two let off a bright pink aura, lighting up the room.

When they pulled away, Leon noticed something. He saw her eyes were pink, and he was in a pink bubble. 

Y/N opened her eyes and she too saw they were in a pink bubble.

“Is this what you see?” Leon asked as he looked around and at her eyes.

“Yeah.”

“Wow, I’m terrible at hiding my feelings,” Leon laughed.

Y/N laughed just as Leon kissed her again. Instead of hesitating, kissed back immediately.

There was whooping outside, which Y/N knew as her 2 best friends. Leon heard it too and saw the anger on Y/N’s face. Grabbing her waist before Y/N could run off and attack them, Leon whispered, “Let them have it, they helped you find out your true feelings.”

“I guess so,” Y/N laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him in her tent again.

[kung-laos-hat]

Kiss Me

Kung Lao x Fem!Reader

AN: Kung Lao, my beloved. Wrote this while listening to Kiss Me More by Doja Cat ft. SZA, banger song. Not proof read yet‼️

Summary: Who doesn’t like when a little friendly rivalry turns into something more?

“You ready to meet your match this time?” Kung Lao chuckled, adjusting his footing and placing a hand on the tip of his hat.

“Course’ I am Lao,” (Y/n) huffed, getting into position, “When they get here make sure to let me know, yeah?”

This had become a daily occurrence. After dinner time, when lessons and training were done for the evening, the three of them would return to the court and cash in on a little sparring. It was their odd way of spending time together outside of missions, plus with the grand tournament coming up, they could use the extra practice.

Usually they had a rotation system that went Liu versus (Y/n), then (Y/n) versus Lao, then Liu versus Lao. They would rest a little after each match, then continue on per usual. However today’s session was going a little different.

Yesterday, (Y/n) had won against Lao and was so proud of her achievement she couldn’t help but rub it in, and Lao, being the prideful young man he was, demanded a rematch. He claimed the mission he’d gone on earlier that day had screwed him over physically. (Y/n) agreed to it, and now here they were.

“3...2...1... fight!” Liu Kang called out from the top on the stairs leading into the main hallway. As the pair lunged at each other, causing reddish brown puffs of dirt to fly off of the ground, he calmly sat and observed.

Minutes passed, and neither party seemed to have even made a scratch on the other. However, an impressive amount of blocking was being done by Kung Lao currently, so Liu assumed the victory would go to (Y/n). The girl had a giddy smile plastered across her face, and it seemed like she, too, expected the victory to be hers.

Liu turned to the side and reached for his water, but noticed he hadn’t brought any with him. He sighed and stood up.

“I’m going to fetch some water from the kitchen. Continue on, but please don’t wreck anything or kill each other. Master will have a fit and then I’ll receive part of the blame for not monitoring you two properly.” Liu said.

“Expect to come back to my—,” (Y/n) began before dodging a kick, “Another one of my victories!”

“Fat chance!”

Previous to all of this, the two friends already had some sort of tension between them. It started off as a friendly rivalry, competing for trifling things such as the last egg roll or using the bathroom first in the morning. But as the years passed, the competitons began to become more... personal. And so did the bickering. Somehow (Y/n) and Lao shifted from “if you don’t shut up I’m gonna kick your ass” to “if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna make you.”

Nevertheless, the three of them quite enjoyed their dynamic (despite Liu Kang shooting knowing looks at the two individually).

Now (Y/n) had Kung Lao backed into a corner with her (weapon/power) held against his neck. Lao strained his neck upwards, his left arm holding his hat behind his back.

“That was the saddest block I’ve seen all day, Lao. Do you yield yet?” (Y/n) smirked triumphantly.

He glanced down at her and huffed. “Watch your tongue, (Y/n).”

He swiftly slid his foot under her, knocking her off her feet, and brought his hat back up to his head before disappearing into the ground. He reappeared behind her and attempted to pin her to the ground, but she jumped up and tackled the boy, landing with her legs straddling Lao’s right one and her hand on his chest.

“You’re so predictable these days,” (Y/n) laughed.

Lao propped himself up on his elbows, “You’re only saying that because you’ve gotten used to my moves.”

“Maybe you should take some time away from me,” (Y/n) jeered, “Y’know, and learn some better ones.”

Lao furrowed his eyebrows, “God, if you don’t stop flapping your mouth—,”

“You’re trapped under me, what are you gonna do? Kiss me?” She laughed.

Lao brought his leg up and forcefully kicked her off, sending her tumbling across the court. (Y/n) jumped onto her feet, narrowly avoiding hitting the wall.

“If you keep that up I just might.” Lao teased.

“You wouldn’t have the nerve,” (Y/n) lunged at him again.

Lao used his hat to block her attack and landed a solid kick to her side. “Is that a challenge?”

God, every word that came out of the girl’s mouth was beginning to get him fired up. He could feel his chest begin to tingle with a mix of excitement and anxiety. What if (Y/n) genuinely wanted to kiss him? If he tried, would she pull away? Kung Lao had always been the bolder of the two, but still.

Kung Lao charged at her and grabbing her hands, holding them behind her back with one hand before she could fully regain her footing. With his other hand he grasped the collar of her top and pulling her closer to his body. (Y/n) was paralyzed by this sudden action and her breath hitched. She looked up at Lao with uncertainty, the color of her cheeks turning redder than the fabric Liu Kang tied around his head.

Lao’s hand trailed up to her face, holding the side of her jaw with his pointer and middle finger while his thumb traced circles over her lower lip. Lao was looking directly into her eyes now.

“Just say the word and I will, (Y/n).” His tone was quieter and more serious than ever before.

(Y/n)’s mouth quivered. It felt like her brain had entirely blanked and she couldn’t find anything clever to respond with.

“I— I... I yield!” She cried, quickly pulling away in embarrassment.

(Y/n) ran up the stairs just as Liu Kang returned. She nodded to him in acknowledgment, but continued to rush off to her room.

Liu stopped and glanced from her retreating figure to his cousin who stood along in the court.

“So... who won?” He cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Kung Lao buried his face in his hands.

———

The next couple of days seemed incredibly off to everyone. (Y/n) went out of her way to avoid interacting with Kung Lao, and vice versa. Lao’s thoughts were just too jumbled for him to approach her, no matter how much he wanted a confirmation on whether she felt the same or not, and (Y/n) was having a difficult time making sense of Lao’s actions.

What would happen if they did like each other? Although at this point, neither of them were sure if “like” was the correct term to use. (Y/n) was certain up until then that Kung Lao had meant everything was a joke and simply took this one a little too far. The insults, the flirting, all of it had been a joke, right? That was their silent agreement. Lao would never do anything with the intention of... well... getting to (Y/n), per say. Their intentions with eachother had always been purely platonic.

But was that really the truth in (Y/n)’s case? Or had she been ignorant to her own feelings towards the boy all along? Is that why she couldn’t stand to look him in the eye now? What if she really was in—

“(Y/n)! Master wants me to accompany him somewhere, so I can’t make it tonight.” Liu called out as he jogged to catch up with the girl.

She blinked, “Oh, it’s alright Liu, we can reschedule for another night then.”

He stretched his arms over his head. “Why don’t you use the time to catch up with Kung Lao? It seems like you two hardly got to spend time together this week.”

(Y/n) blushed and began to shift her feet uncomformably, “Lao and I— we’re- I haven’t...” She sighed, “I’m not exactly in the mood to talk to him any time soon.”

Liu frowned, “It isn’t my place to speak in the matter, and I’m not sure what went down between you two, but If Lao said something I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”

The girl groaned and leaned her head back. “That’s what I’m afraid of...” She mumbled.

Liu placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair, then placed both of his hands on her shoulders.

“You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you two will be back on track eventually. Remember: a little communication goes a long way.”

She nodded, “You’re right, I know. I’ll try to sort it out.”

___

Now, Kung Lao was completely crumbling over why (Y/n) had pushed him away. He believed that (Y/n) felt something for him, he was sure of it, and he’d been searching for an opportunity to pursue her for months. So when she jokingly asked if he would kiss her, how could he have resisted?

It was an impulsive decision, he admitted, but he was so sure she felt the same that he thought it didn’t matter. Maybe he should have been more forward and confessed his feelings for her in a different setting.

Buuuuut it was too late now. He blew it. And now she was avoiding him. He was a fool to assume such things about her.

Lao signed and threw himself done on his bed, sprawling his arms and legs out dramatically.

“Cousin? I’m heading out soon, I came to say goodbye—,” Liu’s voice faltered when he saw the state of his friend. He stifled a laugh. “Y’know, if you if this is effecting you so badly, why not just apologize and talk to her?”

Lao’s head shot up in alarm. “Oh no, how much did she tell you!?”

Liu laughed, “Little to nothing, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed the strange energy between you two lately.”

Lao groaned and sat up.

“Heed my advice, and stop moping around, Lao.” Liu patted the other young man’s shoulder before setting off to find their master.

___

A few hours passed and Kung Lao finally felt like he had the right words to explain how he felt to (Y/n). Yes, he’d spent hours cooped up in his room, scribbling his thoughts down on paper until he ultimately decided it was best to be direct. The poor girl was probably confused enough as it was.

It was settled then. He’d talk to her tomorrow after training and lessons, but right now it was probably best to focus on dinner.

He silently walked down the main hall and towards the kitchen. He was sheet he staff had already cleaned up dinner, and seeing as he wasn’t present to eat with the others, it was likely they didn’t bother to prepare him a plate.

Lao opened the door but froze in his tracks at the sight of (Y/n) standing in front of the counter, her shirt stained with the remnants of assorted ingredients. She staggered back at the sight of him in the door way. Lao’s eyes strayed to a small tray of egg rolls and a few other dishes.

“Kung Lao,” She breathed out.

He cleared his throat. “That seems a little excessive for a late night snack.”

“Oh this—,” (Y/n) glanced to the tray and back at him, “You weren’t at dinner, and I didn’t expect you to come to the kitchen... it was supposed to be a secret.”

“I see.” Kung Lao was silent for a moment. “Oh. OH— this is,” He gestured to the tray awkwardly, “for me...”

(Y/n) pursed her lips and nodded, glancing down at the floor. The two of them stood without a word for a moment, anxiety building up in their stomachs. Neither of them wanted to be the first to break the silence, and yet both of them had so much to say.

“I’m sorry.” (Y/n) mumbled at last. “I took our usual teasing too far last time, and I shouldn’t have avoided you—,”

“I wanted to kiss you.” Kung Lao blurted out. “I still do. And wanted you to want me to kiss you.”

“Kung Lao, the jokes we made were fun and all—,”

“Well, I’m not playing around anymore, (Y/n). This time it isn’t a joke.” The serious look he had on the other day had returned.

“So...,” (Y/n) began, barely a whisper, “what are you saying?”

Kung Lao exhaled heavily and furrowed his brows. “How can I be any more transparent right now!?” He growled, “I’m in love with you, (Y/n).”

It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted off of both of their chests in that moment.

(Y/n) smiled and wasted no time to wrap her arms around Kung Lao’s neck and press her lips against his. He kissed back without hesitation and wrapped his arms around her body shamelessly. Kung Lao deepened the kiss, and their lips moved together feverently, as if this was something they’d both been yearing for for a while.

When they finally separated, (Y/n) rested her head in the crook of Lao’s neck, sighing happily.

“You know what? I think I just might be in love with you too, Lao.”

[nationalharryleague]

The Busy Bean

Pairing: Harry Styles x Reader

Genre: Coworkers to lovers AU

Word count: 5.6K

A/N: Hi all! This is my entry for Sadie’s (@meetmeinfleetwood) To Lovers Fic Challenge!! As always, many thanks to Mia (@hardcandy-harry) and Lu (@meetmymouth​ even tho shes taking a little break lol) for being wonderful betas!! I really love it and I hope you enjoy it too! You can find more of my writing in my masterlist and I would love to hear what you think (or anything else lol) in my ask! 

***

The first day at a new job is a universally terrifying experience.

You can’t sleep the night before, head full of nightmare scenarios of evil customers and mean bosses, and a swirl of anxiety continues to bubble in the pit of your stomach, refusing to slow or calm. There's a part of you that prays they will call and tell you that they don’t need your help anymore, despite how bad you need the money. But the call never comes, and the next day you stand in front of the building, desperately trying to take deep breaths and slow your heart rate, bracing yourself for whatever is to come whenever you enter.

This is where Y/N was today, in a mess of shaky palms with slight blue bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep that wouldn’t disappear no matter how hard her concealer tried. She stood in front of the large plate glass window of the cafe, sneaking glimpses and trying to prepare herself for whatever awaited before she actually reached to take the door handle. With a glance at her watch that signaled it was time for her to arrive, she took one last deep breath and entered the small but cozy space.

The cafe itself wasn’t open yet, devoid of customers with only a few lights behind the counter on, but it was full of the delightful and familiar smell of coffee that swirled around her head. The wall to her left was an exposed brick that had been painted white with a long table running along it with stools tucked underneath and a long cafe counter ran the length of the shop to her right. The far back wall of the shop was a giant book shelf with books stacked from the bottom of the top, arranged in a rainbow pattern along each shelf. The store was unbearably charming.

“Hello?” she felt herself call out softly into the empty space. Her voice came out slightly timid, her anxious mind not giving her lips full permission to speak.

She listened to a shuffling and a distant voice muttering “shit,” that seemed to be coming from a door that sat behind the counter where the few lights had been turned on. Before long, a man with curly hair popped his head out from the back hallway, giving her a wide dimpled smile. “Just give me a minute!” he said, holding up his pointer finger for a second, before disappearing back into the hall. After a few more moments of shuffling and muffled cursing, he reappeared. His face held the same dimpled grin as before.

“You must be Y/N,” he said, reaching out a hand for her to shake across the counter. “Boss man said you would be starting today.”

“That’s me,” she spoke gently, still apprehensive in the new surroundings. She placed her hand in his and he shook it with a friendliness she hadn’t expected from her first couple minutes in a new work space. His hand was warm and his nails were painted a bright and sunshiny yellow.

“I’m Harry. It’s great to meet you!” His voice was deep, but light and enthusiastic, far too excited for the early morning calm that she had been reveling in on her walk to the shop.

She decided quickly that he looked like a ‘Harry’ and that his name matched his cheerful disposition. His green eyes shined, even in the relatively dim early morning light that illuminated the room through the front window, and they held a disarming and calming quality that slowed her heart rate for the first time since she had woken up.

“You too.” She forced a smile onto her lips, hoping to conceal the first day jitters that ran through her system.

“Don’t worry about your first day,” he read her like a book. “Everyone here is very nice and you have the best trainer in the world.”

“I’m assuming that’s you?” she questioned, letting out a light chuckle.

“Well, of course it is.”

She was slightly taken aback by the peculiar, yet undeniably charming, man that stood across the counter from her. He was dressed in a loose fitting black sweater that looked cozy and soft, paired with wide-legged tan slacks, all covered with a dark green apron that had the cafe’s logo on the chest. The Busy Bean was embroidered in a light yellow sitting above a mug with a bumble bee on it; it was charming and cute, fitting in well with the plethora of plants and flowers that filled the cafe.

He must have noticed her staring at the logo. “You like the name?” he asked her, pointing at the logo that sat on his chest. She nodded softly, a smile finding its way on to her lips. “We’re going to be very busy beans in about,” he paused to check his watch, “thirty minutes when we open. So put this on,” he slid her very own apron across the counter, “and let's get ready.”

Harry wasn’t lying when he said they were going to be busy.

While the shop had intentionally started her on a Saturday morning when it was usually a bit slower, the morning rush came in and threw her for a tizzy. She took orders and ran them to tables for what seemed like hours, kept far away from the coffee bar as she was unsure of how to make all of the drinks yet. But thankfully, she wasn’t alone.

Soon after opening, another woman arrived, wearing the same dark green apron that matched Y/N and Harry’s. She had long dark hair that fell to the small of her back and in gentle waves and glowing mocha skin with golden eyes. She introduced herself as Isla, with a warm and friendly smile, and stationed herself behind the counter, making drink after drink that smelled intoxicatingly delicious. Y/N thanked god, or whatever was out there, that she and Harry had someone else to help them out while customers flowed in and out of the shop.

Harry hung by her side for the entirety of the morning rush, carefully watching her every move, and gently redirecting her when she seemed to make a mistake. He was kind and she could tell that he genuinely wanted her to learn, not just to do a job well for efficiency’s sake. There was never a trace of frustration on his features, just patience and good will.

Around noon, the flood of patrons looking for their morning coffee began to slow, finally giving Y/N an opportunity to rest. She flopped herself down on a stool that sat behind the counter and released a long sigh, stretching her neck and slumping her shoulders. She was met by sympathetic giggles coming from her two new co-workers.

“Honey,” Isla began with a hint of pity in her voice, “that was nothing.”

“What did I get myself into?” Y/N chuckled through a groan, putting her face in her hands out of exhaustion.

“I promise it gets easier,” Harry chimed in, always one to calm someone’s anxieties. “You just need to get into the swing of things.”

“What I need to do is learn how to make all the fancy coffees that people keep asking me for,” she said, peeking through her fingers at her still amused coworkers.

A look was passed between the two of them, Isla eventually moving out of the way and motioning for Harry to take over the coffee bar. “Come on Baby Barista, lets teach you some of the basics.”

His nickname for her made her release a loud laugh, immediately stifling it to a few giggles when she realized she had caused a few patrons to look up and over at her. Her cheeks warmed instantly, embarrassed for disturbing them, and she added another item to the list of things she was learning never to do again with customers in the store.

He guided her over to the counter full of machinery including pots of coffee, hot water, an espresso machine, and more equipment she couldn’t even identify. He spoke to her gently and gave her all his attention, carefully talking her through how to make a few of the most ordered drinks. Other than almost burning herself a couple times, she was starting to get the hang of it. She had a very hard time wiping the smile off of her face after Harry taste tested each one and gave his seal of approval.

“Not bad, Baby Barista,” he complimented with a dimpled smile and a slight nod after she handed him what she believed was a caramel latte. She reveled in his praise, wanting to do her job well, but also loving his approval and the nickname he had now assigned to her.

They did this coffee lesson for a few more hours, as the shop slowed to almost a complete stop as they got closer to closing time. Isla had headed home and there were only a few stragglers left that had spent their days working or reading in the cafe as the sun began to set around 5pm, with closing at 6. Harry diligently continued to teach her as much as he could in one day as they began to close up the shop and get ready for the next day. He was easy to talk to and their conversation seemed to flow effortlessly as they swept and did dishes.

“So, what brought you to London?” he asked after a short lul, looking at her with an inquisitive look, the ever present dimple on his cheek and grin on his lips disarming her easily.

“Oh, you know,” she stumbled over her words slightly, “I just needed a fresh start.”

“No mysterious or heartbreaking backstory I need to know about?” he quipped, a questioning eyebrow perched on his forehead. She let out another loud laugh, deciding not to quiet herself this time as there was only one customer left in the store.

“No,” she chuckled, shaking her head as she swept. “I got dumped in a small town and needed to get away from them. It was like they were around every corner.” She wasn’t sure why she was telling him this, but he just had a way of pulling the truth from her. “I always dreamed of living here and the breakup was the kick in the ass I needed to actually do it.”

“I’m glad you made it here, but I’m sorry about the breakup.”

“Don’t be,” she smiled. “Definitely for the best.”

“Okay, then I won’t be.” His eyes had a mischievous glint behind them, but she couldn’t exactly place what he was getting at.

They worked together in a comfortable silence after that, making sure everything was ready for the morning to come and clean from the day that was leaving. Y/N covered a yawn as Harry told her that she was done for the day.

As she clocked out and gathered her things, she heard Harry’s voice as she moved towards the exit. “Do you live close by? I can give you a ride if you need. Don’t want you having to walk too far in the dark.” His offer was sweet and made her smile.

“I’m pretty close and I like the walk.” She grabbed onto the handle of the front door but couldn’t make herself leave just yet. “Thank you for being so patient with me today, Harry,” she said looking back towards him and connecting their eyes. She tried to convey her emotions to him on her face, something she wasn’t always very good at.

“No problem. We’re happy to have you here, Baby Barista.”

With a final nod and a light flush to her cheeks, she set off down the street towards her new flat. It wasn’t a long walk, just long enough to get a little chill in her bones from the cold winter air and to turn her nose into a small icicle.

She reflected on her first day as she walked. She liked Isla, and really liked Harry. And while she was very busy, it was good busy, not the type of busy that depletes your energy and makes you want to fall over at the end of the day. It was a kind of busy that kept her on her toes, ready to learn, and develop a skill.

Her thoughts were broken through when she noticed the old beat up red car that seemed to be following her down the road. It drove slowly, as if it didn’t want it to see her, and took extra long at intersections like it was hoping to stay behind her. She took a turn she didn’t need to at the next block, and another after that, and when the car continued to follow, her heart began to race.

She thought about running, or going up to a pedestrian and asking for help; she even considered calling her mum just to stay on the phone with her until she got home. It wasn’t until she recognized the green eyes and dimples behind the wheel that her heart began to slow. She turned around fully then, making eye contact with the man who had been following her, and crossing her arms in front of her and shooting a questioning eyebrow up at him.

He wore a look of shame as his car slowed to a stop in the street next to her.

“Excuse me sir,” she said sarcastically, bending over to look in the window and get a better look at his embarrassed rosey cheeks. “Why were you following me?”

“I wasn’t being a creep, I promise,” he quickly defended. “This neighborhood gets a little dangerous at night and I just wanted to make sure you got home safe.” He looked panicked and frazzled, clearly not planning on being caught. It was the first time she had seen him without a smile on his face all day.

“Harry, you were the thing that was making me feel unsafe,” she said, playfully scolding him through giggles. She watched as his face fell in a flood of relief that she wasn’t angry with him. “If you told me that you were going to follow me home anyway, I would have taken the ride.”

“I’m sorry.” He hung his head and ran a stressed hand through his curls.

“It’s okay, Harry,” she smiled softly. “I appreciate you caring enough to make sure I got home.” She rested a hand on the passenger side door handle. “And now you’re going to drive me the rest of the way home to make up for making me get off my normal route,” she laughed as she pulled on the handle and settled herself into the passenger seat.

The car was old, but clean and it smelled like the cologne he wore that she had picked up on a few times throughout the day. He was quiet, hanging his head like a child who had been caught with his hands in the cookie jar, as she directed him towards her flat. “I’m sorry, again,” was all he said when he pulled up in front of the building.

“Don’t be,” she smirked, using the same words she had earlier in the day when discussing her breakup. She exited the car, giving him a wave, and a call of “I’ll see you tomorrow,” before entering the building and shutting the door behind her.

***

Over the next few weeks, Harry and Y/N became fast friends.

After about a week of begging, she finally broke down and allowed him to pick her up and drive her home from work every day. Their morning rides consisted of the perpetually peppy and excitable morning person in the driver's seat blabbering on about something he saw on the news while he was getting ready or going on about a new book he was reading, while she would settle her still sleepy head on the window and rest her eyes for just a few more minutes before their day was forced to begin. At the end of the day, Harry was the quiet one, letting her recount the day (usually complaining about unruly customers or people that would sit and steal their wifi all day without ordering anything), while he drove her at a painfully slow pace to her flat. He always waited until she got inside the building, even asking her to text him when she got inside her tiny flat.

“I just want to make sure you got inside safe,” he would argue when she teased him about it.

“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” she would rebut.

“Then I’m not coming to help you anymore when you can’t figure out the milk steamer, Baby Barista.”

“Don’t threaten me with that stupid milk steamer. It has so many buttons you need to work for NASA to understand it,” she would groan, only to be met with a teasing glare from the curly man next to her. “Fine, I take it back,” she would always concede.

His protectiveness was not unwelcome to her. If she was being honest with herself, Harry was the only real friend she had made since she made the move to London and she was quickly becoming heart crushingly lonely. She took any care that anyone in the new and scary city was willing to give her with open arms.  

He was her only friend. They got on so well, she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed the extra few minutes she spent with him every morning and evening in the car. Maybe even a little too much.

At work, there was usually a chorus of laughter and giggles coming from their direction as Harry had taken her under his wing while she learned the ropes. There were days they would stay late after they had been off the clock making drinks over and over again; him patiently teaching, and her desperately trying to learn. There were definitely a few failures along the way, but they were always met with a teasing joke and then careful step-by-step directions on how she could fix it.

Technically Harry was her boss, store manager to be specific, but they worked alongside each other seamlessly, him never barking orders at her or using a harsh or authoritative tone.

Until today.

Y/N had been talking to one of their regulars, Robby, after she delivered an Americano to his table in the corner while it was particularly slow. Robby came in often, always shooting Y/N a bright smile and peppering compliments into their quick conversations. He was gorgeous, she couldn’t deny that; he had deep brown skin and an athletic build that she was sure was muscular under the thick sweater he was wearing to protect him from the cold. But he wasn’t her type, a little too arrogant and self-obsessed for her liking, always figuring out a way to turn their quick conversations back to himself. While it was fun to flirt with him, she knew it would never go any further than that.

“When do you get off?” Robby had asked suddenly, derailing their conversation away from the drink she had just delivered him. “I would love to take you out and see you in something other than that god awful apron.”

“Hey! I quite like my apron,” she playfully feigned offense, reaching to lightly swat him on the arm. “And while I appreciate your offer, I just got out of something pretty long term and I’m really not looking for anything right now. I’m sorry, Robby.” She forced a friendly pout onto her face, pretending like she was actually sorry for denying him.

Before he could respond, she heard an annoyed voice call her name from behind the counter. Whipping her head around to see who it was, she found Harry wearing an annoyed and frustrated face she had never seen him make before, especially not directed towards her. “We need some help back here. You have a job to do, remember?” he scolded, eyebrows furrowed and jaw steeled.

Her cheeks flushed white hot, embarrassed to be reprimanded like that in front of the whole shop. She hung her head in shame as she quickly walked back behind the counter. She was beyond embarrassed, suddenly uncomfortable in a place she had finally begun to come into her own in. She was learning and doing a good job, at least that was what she had been told, by both Isla and Harry; but the uneasy feeling in her stomach kept her from feeling comfortable for the rest of the day.

She carefully and quietly navigated behind the counter for the rest of her shift, sheepishly doing her best to stay out of her coworkers’ way and just do her job.

For the first time, she was slapped in the face with the reality that Harry wasn’t just her friend; he was her boss. He had an authority over her, and could probably get her in trouble with the owner, or even fired if he really wanted to. Navigating a business-like relationship was awkward and abnormal for them both, but Y/N decided she needed to learn how to quickly.

There was another reason his silent treatment seemed to hurt, one that Y/N had been trying her best to ignore. An undeniable crush had begun to build in her for the bright and bubbly man, despite however hard she had tried to fight it.

Harry made her feel safe, always keeping an eye out for her and trying to make sure she was alright. He made her laugh more than anyone she had ever known and their chemistry together felt electric. But what warmed her heart, and what now hurt the most, was that it felt like he cared about her just as much as she cared for him.

But now, it all felt like a fairytale she had built up in her head.

Their usual banter and giggles fell quiet for the rest of their day, reducing to curt directions from Harry and understanding hums from Y/N, following his orders without question or comment. Even Isla was quiet, not daring to breach the tension the pair had created between themselves.

The car ride home was quiet and strained that day.

But she still texted him when she was safe inside her flat.

***

While she had prayed that the next day would be like any other, their morning ride to work was filled with much of the same silence.

Harry fiddled with the heat and the radio in an effort to avoid her eyes or having to make conversation, eventually settling on a station that was playing old classic rock she didn’t recognize. He drove like she wasn’t even in the car, staring silently ahead at the road. She sat stiffly in the passenger seat fiddling with her fingers, not daring to get comfortable in a space that was all his.  

At work, they both held tight to the tension, only muttering at each other when absolutely necessary. She kept her head down and just did what she was told to do.

She was at the counter when a woman approached the coffee bar, seeming to bark her order for an extra hot cappuccino with extra foam at Y/N. Her face was twisted into an angry pout, like she had just smelled something bad, and spat her words out her words. Y/N just nodded and breathed a “yes, maam,” unable to fight with any nasty customers today while her head was so occupied with Harry. She was off her game.

The woman hovered at the counter, watching intensely and tapping her foot impatiently as Y/N fought with the dreaded milk steamer attachment to one of their large industrial machines. She would have sworn that she pressed the extra hot setting.

Passing the full mug to the woman at the register, Y/N watched as she took a long sip of the drink before paying, something that wasn’t really allowed, but Y/N just didn’t have the fight in her today to reprimand her.

“That will be £2,” Y/N spoke softly with as much sweetness as she could muster, afraid of what could come out of the woman’s mouth. She watched as her face turned even more sour than before after she finished the long drag from the cup.

“I’m not paying for this,” she declared, nose stuck high in the air.

“I’m sorry?” Y/N asked with confusion clear in her voice. “Is there something wrong with it?”

“It’s not extra hot and there is no extra foam.”

“Okay, I’m very sorry about that,” she said apologetically, even though she knew for a fact the drink had both of those things, and released an exhausted sigh. “I will make you another.”

The woman’s eyes flicked down the counter in Harry’s direction, rudely snapping her fingers at him to catch his attention. He was hunched over the back counter, somehow worsening his already terrible posture, trying to eat a sandwich as fast as he could before his break was over. “Are you her boss?” she shouted at him, even though he could have heard her without raising her voice at him.

Y/N’s eyes were already filled with anxiety when Harry connected his with her’s, seeming to wordlessly ask what was going on and Isla watched on in terror. She felt her body try to shrink away from the woman before her and Harry as he came closer.

“I’m the store manager. Is there something going on that I could help with?” His eyes kept flashing back and forth between Y/N and the woman, trying to decipher the situation without words.

“I want you to remake my drink.”

“I’m actually on a break-”

“No,” she cut him off mid-sentence. “If she makes my drink again, she is just going to fuck it up all over again. She’s obviously incompetent.”

Y/N eyes flew open at her words, a mix of shock and hurt running through her. With her heart beginning to race, never one for confrontation, she wanted to melt into the floor and disappear all together.

Harry’s face hardened at the woman as she hurled insults towards Y/N. Stepping in front of her, as if putting his body between her and the woman could protect her from her harsh words, he took a deep breath before he began to speak again. “First of all, you will not speak to anyone who works here like that,” he defended her. “Second, I’m sure she’s completely capable of making your drink again if you give her a moment.”

“I don’t want her to make it and I have places to be,” she continued to fight. “I don’t have time for some pathetic newbie to give it another try.”

Her comments hit Y/N hard in her existing feelings of inadequacy and before she knew it, her vision was beginning to blur. She felt like this woman was repeatedly kicking her while she was already down.

“You have to leave.”

Harry’s voice was angry. It wasn’t the frustration or annoyance she had heard the day before, and it was a far departure from the kind and patient tone she had grown to love since she began working at the shop. It was full of anger, something she had never heard from him and an emotion she hadn’t even been sure he could feel before this point.

“I’m not leaving until I get another drink that’s correct and free.”

“I will call the cops if you don’t leave right now.”

Y/N couldn’t stand to watch this unfold before her any longer. An anxious weight had settled on her chest and she had felt the tears begin to roll. She was gone from the counter, running towards the soundproof walk-in fridge in the back hall. She planned on shutting herself inside and sobbing until she froze.

She stood in the freezing chill, holding her arms tight to her frame, desperate to keep herself warm and shield herself from the wrath that was playing out in the cafe. The cold seemed to ground her and the distance she had put between herself and the woman eased her stress, but the tears continued to flow as her eyes ran over the stock of the fridge in an attempt to distract herself.

A knock came from outside the heavy metal door that startled her, a soft and patient voice that she knew so well called through. “Y/N, are you okay? Can I come in?”

After doing her best to wipe the tears off her raw and cold cheeks, she choked out a small “yes.”

The door carefully opened and she was met with a soft and empathetic gaze from the only person she wanted to comfort her. He breathed a soft “come here,” before he opened his arms wide. She bolted into them, letting his giant frame envelop her whole in the warmth that always radiated from him. Y/N let herself weep softly into his chest as the dizzying scent of his cologne took over her senses.

He held her close to him for a few moments, letting her get all her emotions out, before releasing her body and taking her face into his somehow still warm hands, using his thumbs to swipe away a few more tears that had managed to escape.

“I don’t think that I even messed her drink up,”she broke the silence, feeling pathetic as he held her in his hands.

“I know you didn’t. She won’t be coming back.”

“Thank you for defending me,” she said, hiccuping as she stared into his comforting eyes. “I feel so stupid. I’m sorry.” She went to pull away, but he continued to hold her close.

“No, this is all my fault,” he shook his head slightly, eyebrows drawn together in concern. “If I hadn’t been such a dick yesterday then none of this would have happened. I’m so sorry.” His eyes held honesty, determined to be granted absolution by the girl before him.

“I don’t like it when we don’t get along,” she squeaked. “I really don’t like it when you yell at me and make me feel like I’m not doing my job well.”

He sighed hard, his face looking like his brain was going a mile a minute. “I have to be honest with you,” he confessed. “I wasn’t acting like an asshole yesterday because you weren't doing your job; you were just doing fine. I was upset you were flirting with that guy.”

She felt her lips fall into a small ‘oh.’ While she hadn’t meant anything by what she thought was harmless flirting, Harry hadn’t known that. The frustration and annoyance she had heard was in actuality all jealousy.

“You were jealous?” she asked softly, bringing a hand up to hold over one of his own that were still holding her face.

“Well, yeah,” he said with an awkward shrug. “I just thought that there might be something between us.”

He looked so adorable like this, slightly uncomfortable and shy. She looked at him intensely as an excited bubble began to form in her stomach at the idea that this massive crush had been mutual the whole time.

“There is.”

She couldn’t hold back her smile any longer, a grin breaking out onto her face as she nodded at him. The cold of the fridge was no longer nipping at her skin, her whole body radiating a flattered and excited blush of heat. The screaming she had just endured felt long behind her although it had only been a few minutes.

He mirrored her giddy expression. She watched as all the tension in his face began to melt away in relief and it reminded her of the look on his face when she teased him after he followed her home that first day.

“Oh, thank god,” he breathed. “I was so worried that you were going to friendzone me forever.”

“I thought you were going to employee-zone me,” she chuckled.

“Are you going to kiss me or keep staring?”

A wide cheeky smile stretched across his lips, before she reached up and connected hers to his. The kiss was caring and sweet, but it felt like it sealed something she had been feeling since the first day they had met.

Their lips moved smoothly against each other, interrupted occasionally by a smile one of them couldn’t contain or a giggle that slipped from one of their mouths. She wasn’t nervous or overwhelmed by his proximity. She was so comfortable in his embrace. He was her best friend, after all.

They broke apart after a few moments, giant grins plastered on their faces that neither of them could manage to wipe away. “I liked that a lot,” Harry beamed, a boyish flush to his cheeks.

“Me too,” she mirrored him.

They spent a few more minutes in the fridge, swirling in a daze of infatuation and affection. “Do you think anyone heard us?” he asked softly, looking over towards the large metal door that had been left open a crack, before it flung open and they were met with a thrilled Isla.

“Yes, I heard you!” she exclaimed. “It’s about time!”

Thank you so much for reading! Feedback/Reblogs mean the world!! 

[tobiosmilktea]

love; defined — iwaizumi hajime

1.5k words | genre/s: fluff | warning/s: — | pairing: iwaizumi x gn!reader

↪︎ in which iwaizumi hajime is head over heels in love with you, but the only problem is that he can’t seem to get it out.

a/n: a bit anticlimatic and overall a very boring oneshot but my braincells are literally fried from school so take it easy on me :p this was also supposed to be a whole 8k words as promised months ago but i couldn’t seem to finish it for the life of me so here is the snippet that made the cut :)

falling in love with one of his best friends was something iwaizumi hajime wasn’t expecting to happen in the eighteen years that he lived in his life. then again, expectations are fickle—nothing more than a figment of imaginative serendipities that always fail to come true.

he watches as you fiddle with the foil wrapper of the chocolate he bought you this morning. he always passes by a local cafe on the way to school and you never fail to appear in his mind whenever he sees those godforsaken chocolates on the display window. usually, he wouldn’t give in to such pleasures of spending money on something that will disappear in two minutes, but the thought of seeing your excited smile receive them ultimately won him over.

and to what he assumed was just a friendly little gesture, was nothing more than his feelings in disguise. feelings of which weren’t even a thing he realized he had until oikawa pointed it out to him in the midst of his whining.

oikawa would always scoff with offense that iwaizumi didn’t know was false or not written all over his face. he would name all the incidences in which iwaizumi would always favor you a bit more over him, buying you useless little knick-knacks cause it reminded iwaizumi of you to remembering such intricate details about you that were so specific that even oikawa himself (who was confident he knew a lot about you) didn’t.

it was more or less evident to both you and oikawa that iwaizumi was not someone at all experienced in love. besides, whenever someone in the friend group had a little flair for romance, everyone would pitch in to help win the person’s heart over, but in this case, it was different. the boys couldn’t possibly let you in on the little secret of iwaizumi’s feelings for you.

it would ruin the entire surprise!

so without you—the mastermind behind most of your matchmaking endeavors—left oikawa to do all his biddings. and god forbid that he was in charge of how his best friend could possibly win you over. iwaizumi knew it was a recipe for disaster, but it’s not like he would be any better dealing with his feelings alone.

iwaizumi rubbed his perspiring hands against the cotton of his uniform trousers, feeling the burning heat of nerves from his hands through the fabric. body restless, his knee was jumping up and down beneath your desk, to which he was sitting across from you.

it was only ten minutes into your lunch break, and yet it felt like an eternity. he wasn’t sure if it was because his heart was beating as if he was running a marathon or if it was because of the odd silence in the air, whatever it was, iwaizumi just hoped it would die out soon. it wasn’t like he could make any small talk with you either. hell, you two have been friends since you were children, so not only would it not make sense, but he was also well aware of your mild distaste at the idea of small talk.

the idea that having to have less than meaningful conversation about the weather just to ease awkward tension was something you would always criticize in movies and tv shows. iwaizumi remembered your words that sometimes being in silence, especially with those you are most comfortable with, was so much better than small talk.

and iwaizumi was following that, sure, but he still couldn’t help but feel the urge to remedy that silence.

“iwaizumi-kun,” a voice calls out to him, breaking him out of his thoughts. that’s when he noticed that he was staring at you the whole time as you flicked a look at him before the girl towering over your sitting figures.

he clears his throat, sitting up a bit taller as he turns his attention to the girl next to him, “yeah, what’s up?”

she hands him a pile of stapled sheets, “sensei asked me to give this to you. he said he wanted the paperwork done by next week.”

iwaizumi nods, taking the thick stack within his hands with a smile. a small thank you leaves his lips before she walks away and back to her own friend group. pursing his lips together, he feigns a sigh when he realizes it’s going to take him ages to go through all of this, yet that wasn’t his main concern at that moment. the main thing he was worried about was the fact that you noticed him staring that entire time.

knowing you, you’d probably ask him something stupid like whether you had something on your face or if you looked weird.

you never did. you were so infinitely perfect to iwaizumi that he couldn’t even look you in the eye as his calloused fingers fiddled with the corners of the papers in his hand.

“you like shinohara-san, huh?” you asked out of the blue, a smirk melted upon your lips as your cheek rested against your palm. iwaizumi looks up at you at an instant with confusion wringing over him. you laughed, “i can tell, you know–by the way you looked at her then. you should probably ask her out before the year ends.”

his confusion doubles, “why would i do that?”

“come on, iwa,” you groaned as you rolled your eyes, “she’s been dropping hints all year, haven’t you noticed?”

iwaizumi thinks to himself for a few beats before ultimately shaking his head.

“you’re helpless. at this point, you may never date.”

his eyes track back to the girl a few feet away from him before looking back at you, “she’s pretty, but she’s not my type.”

“oh?” your curiosity was suddenly piqued, “then what is your type?”

iwaizumi presses his lips together as if he was truly thinking hard and deep about his answer when in reality his answer was right in front of him. he didn’t really have the courage to say that to your face though, your eye contact was enough to send his heart ablaze.

“i suppose someone who’s headstrong and a challenge,” he answers. not too vague and not too detailed.

“so…” you trail, brows meeting as the following name slipped off your tongue teasingly. “oikawa?”

iwaizumi practically chokes on nothing, “god, no definitely not him.” then again, if he truly thought about it, you and oikawa were so much more similar than he initially thought.

no wonder you two were his best friends.

“i love him and all, but i’d literally go insane if i did.”

you laughed, “i’m just joking. besides, if it’s not him then who do you like?”

“i wouldn’t say i have a crush exactly, just a... heavy attraction.”

lies, lies, lies.

he did have a crush that was so much more than attraction. you had to cut him some slack, though. he didn’t know what to say, and just like that he was put on the spot by the only one capable of rendering him speechless just by your presence.

“i say go for it,” you say suddenly.

iwaizumi’s eyes flicker to yours, wide and seemingly in shock. “go for what?” he feigns innocence.

“as in asking them out.” you add with a grin, “worst-case scenario they say no and you both move on with your lives.”

“that’s true, but i doubt it would be easy,” he shrugs.

you roll your eyes again, exclaiming, “come on, your iwaizumi hajime for fuck’s sake! you’re literally co-captain of seijoh’s volleyball team, who could possibly reject you?”

“probably this person...”

“lies,” you say, almost like a command. “you just don’t have any confidence in yourself.”

iwaizumi scoffs playfully. there was a look of amusement melting on his expression as he did so, “and how do you suppose the best way of asking a person out then?”

“personally, i like it when people are straight up about it. no beating around the bushing or planning some big extravaganza. but then again, i’ve never been asked out before so i wouldn’t really know.”

you say it so nonchalantly, iwaizumi wasn’t sure if you were bluffing or not.

“you haven’t?”

you pull a face when he says those words. “you say that as if we haven’t been best friends since we’ve been kids.”

iwaizumi lets out a laugh, shaking his head as he thinks of the right words to say. “no, i just find it a bit unbelievable at the number of people who are missing out on the best person in the world.”

heat rushes to your face then as you look away. “i doubt there would be any.”

“you’d be surprised,” iwaizumi says confidently, it warms your heart. he pauses for a second as the thumping of heartbeat drowns out his thoughts.

the words that were laid so carefully on his tongue, all ready to be said yet held back by his own second-guessing, had slipped between his lips before he could catch himself.

“what if i was one of those people?”

the corner of your lips melts into a grin, “as if.”

general taglist: @yongboxerrr @rosepetalhaven @tvwhoresblog @tanakaslastbraincell @kellesvt @kitsunetea @milktyama @anejuuuuoy @rinphobics @watariisbestboy @larkspyrr @miyadarling

[freddie-weaselbee]

The Fickle Finger of Fate//F.W.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Underaged drinking, slight language, one teeny paragraph of sexual content but no details, sexual references(all characters are legally adults in the wizard world), mentions of nudity, mentions of death (minor character), ANGST

Summary: Soulmate AU, but with a twist. How much can someone test fate, and what are the consequences when that happens?

Prompts: "I can't lose you." "You already did." and "Let me go."

Word Count: 4.8k

A/N: @love-peachh's writing challenge!! with above prompts and the soulmates trope, the third fic in Abby's Week of Weasley !

~Abby's Week of Weasley Masterlist~ ~Masterlist~

Message me to be on the taglist!

May 1995

Today was the day. The one you had been waiting for your entire life. The day that would change everything for you. Today was the day you would find your soulmate.

It was your sixth year at Hogwarts, and the last day of school was just around the corner. Which meant it was time for you, and the rest of the Sixth Years at Hogwarts to line up and await for your name to be called. One by one you’d step into Dumbledore’s office and perform some sort of ceremony--what is was you weren’t entirely certain--to determine who your soulmate would be.

You bounced with excitement as you met up with Fred and George Weasley, your best friends since first year. They were much less excited about receiving their soulmates, but they laughed and supported your glee.

Truth be told, you were secretly hoping that Fred would be the one you were spending the rest of your life with. You’d had a crush on him for years but had always been too afraid to say anything. If it was announced that you two were destined to be together, then there would be nothing holding you back anymore.

“Excited, are we?” Fred teased, watching you tap your foot in impatience.

“How could you not be!” you exclaimed. “This is when we find out our soulmate, Fred. The person we’ll love for the rest of our lives! It’s kind of a big deal.”

He only shrugged, not caring in the slightest. “We’re 17. We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us, why do we need to be tied down so early?”

“I second that,” said George. “I’m all for settling down once I’m older, but knowing who it’s gonna be with? It feels kind of weird.”

“Oh, you two just aren’t romantics,” you said, sighing dreamily. “Trust me, after this everything is going to change,”

And it did.

The second you completed the ceremony where Dumbledore cast a spell that read into your soul, the name of your soulmate was hovering in the air above you. Fred Weasley.

You almost cried with joy and you rushed out of the room, telling Fred that he had to go next and see who he got. You were on the edge of your seat waiting for him to reemerge, for him to say that it was you and always had been, for him to sweep you off your feet and pull you into the first of your many sweet kisses.

When Fred finally exited the office he looked at you and smiled. But it wasn’t at all what you were expecting. He didn’t seem enthusiastic at all. In fact, the smile he sent you was the same one he always did, a friendly teasing grin.

You shook your head, telling yourself not to overthink things. You two were meant to be together, it was fate.

“So,” you prodded, “who was your soulmate?”

Fred’s grin faltered and he wrapped an arm around your shoulder. “Can we go somewhere to talk? Somewhere private?”

You agreed after a moment of shock, nerves trembling in your stomach. Why wasn’t he happy? What did he have to talk about?

The both of you ended up in a secluded corner of the castle and you sat down next to him, his hands holding yours. “So, I’m assuming that I’m your soulmate?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yeah,” you said. “And you’re mine?”

He nodded and you felt your insides burst. You knew everything would work out. Fred Weasley was meant to be with you. Slowly, you leaned in toward him, tilting your head to the side and licking your lips slightly.

Fred moved back.

“Freddie?” you asked, wondering why he was hesitating.

He nervously rubbed the back of his neck, giving you a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Look, Y/N, don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad it’s you. I think that some day the two of us would make a great couple! We already know so much about each other and we’re so comfortable with each other that I’d be surprised if my soulmate was someone else. But…”

There it was. The but. Everything was supposed to be perfect today, it was all supposed to come together. What was going on?

“But…” he continued, “ we’re young. And we’re destined to spend our whole lives together, so, why don’t we just...put a pin in it?”

“Put a pin in it?” you asked unbelievingly.

“Sorry,” he said, “wrong choice of words. What I’m saying is, we have plenty of time. Why rush into things? How about you do your thing and I’ll do mine, and then when we’re older we can see how things are going. Sound good?”

Your mouth suddenly went dry, hands becoming clammy and tears welling up in your eyes. He wanted you, but not now. He wanted other girls now. But he was your soulmate. It would all work out in the end. It had to.

“Y-yeah,” you said, desperately holding back your tears. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Great!” Fred said, pulling you into a hug. “I knew I could count on you, you’re the best.”

“Mhmm,” you muttered. “The best.”

Fred kept holding you for a few seconds before getting up and running to find out who his twin got for his soulmate. You stayed sitting on the corridor floor, wondering how in the world the best day of your life had suddenly turned into the worst.

No, you chided yourself. This was Fred, and he and you were meant to be together. You’d find your way back to each other someday. You sighed a breath of relief and stood up, wiping away the few teardrops that managed to make their way out. It was ok. It would all be ok.

September 1995

“Fred! George! How was your summer?” You were sitting in one of the compartments of the Hogwarts Express, waiting for the twins to join you. They arrived looking exceptionally happy and exceptionally good looking. You assumed they must’ve had a very eventful few months.

“Hey!” said George. “It was great. We moved to a house in London for the summer, long story, but Harry and Hermione were there so it kept Ron out of our hair.”

“Yeah, it was fantastic,” said Fred, plopping down in his usual seat next to you and throwing his legs across your lap. “We got to meet so many new people. And so many new girls.”

George and you both stiffened, but Fred was none the wiser.

“There was this one girl,” he continued, “she was so hot. I swear I shagged her on every piece of furniture in that house. What a summer.”

You remained silent, hands folded and your head gazing down at Fred’s feet below you. A part of you thought that maybe he was joking, that maybe he was saying this to get you all worked up and he would ask you out later that day. But one look at George’s guilt-ridden face and you knew exactly what Fred’s summer had consisted of.

Fred looked around as the silence passed, wondering why everyone had suddenly become so quiet. “How about you, Y/N, anything fun happen?”

“Well umm, nothing too exciting,” you said. “Mostly hung out with some old friends, went swimming a lot.” You looked at Fred, wondering if you could get a reaction out of him. “There...there was this one guy.”

That wasn’t a complete lie. There was this one guy, your best friend's cousin, who you had spent a lot of time with in the last three months. You would drive around late at night and get up early to watch the sunset. But one night when he kissed you, you had to pull away. Your heart belonged to Fred, and it felt like cheating to be making out with someone who wasn’t your soulmate. Apparently Fred didn’t have the same sentiment.

“That’s great!” he exclaimed, the complete opposite reaction you were looking for. You had wanted him to get upset, jealous even. But if anything he looked relieved. “See,” he whispered so only you could hear, “I told you this would work out. We each do our own thing and get together in a long while. This is perfect!”

You didn’t say anything, only smiled and leaned back into your seat. George subtly moved forward and put a comforting hand on your knee, letting you know that he understood and he was with you. You gave him a reassuring look. It would be ok. Fred had probably gotten it out of his system over the summer. You could see how things went this year.

February 1996

Gryffindor parties were always the events of the month, rivaled only by Slytherin’s secret and exclusive gatherings. There was everything any teenager needed: food, firewhisky, and sex.

You and Angelina were taking shots in the corner, laughing and stumbling over yourselves. You scanned the crowded common room, eyes focusing on George dancing like a madman in the middle of the room, knocking over a few girls with how wildly he was moving.

You looked at your friend who was gazing lovingly at the ginger boy. “Hey,” you said, “can I ask you something.”

Angelina took her eyes off of George and gave you her full attention. “Of course.”

“When you and George found out you were each other’s soulmates, what happened? I mean, you weren’t dating before but you got together over the summer. Aren’t you worried you’re missing out on other people?”

Your friend knew where this was really coming from. She grabbed you a drink and took you to sit down. “Thing is,” she said, “at first we didn’t want to date. We both kind of thought that we weren’t ready for anything too serious, so we did our own thing for a few months. But we kept writing over the summer and I realized that he’s my best friend and I didn’t want to go any longer without being with him. As much as the both of us hate the concept of settling down, we realized that we don’t have to suddenly turn around and be married. We’re taking it one day at a time, but constantly talking about our relationship and where we think it’s going.”

You nodded, starting to understand. “Are you guys exclusive? Or are you seeing other people as well?”

“We’re exclusive. Like I said we’re nothing serious, but we don’t want to mess up what we have. So far it’s going great, just taking it slow and getting to know each other even more. Is there a reason you’re asking me this?”

You muttered a “no” but Angelina didn’t believe you for a second.

“How are things with Fred?” she asked. “Have you two been talking about your relationship?”

“Not really,” you said. “He likes to ignore the fact that we’re soulmates. Nothing has changed since we found out. But it’s ok though, we’re just waiting until we’re ready.”

Your friend watched you take another shot of firewhisky, face scrunching up in distaste. You had looked so sad the past few months, and Angelina knew the reason. “But you’re ready now, aren’t you?”

You whipped your head around, groaning as the quick motion made you dizzy. “What…” you said, holding your throbbing head, “what do you mean?”

“You love him. You have for forever, Y/N, and this must be killing you.”

“No!” you argued. “It’s fine. Fred will tell me when he’s ready for a relationship and we can settle down then.”

“And wreck yourself in the process?” Angelina asked. “Y/N, love, I know that you two are soulmates, but you can’t let him treat you like this! He goes out and does what he wants and who he wants, knowing that you’ll always be there when he’s bored of all the other girls. You’re his fallback.”

Angry tears fell from your face. “I am not!” you yelled. “He loves me, he just doesn’t want anything serious, and I’m ok with that.”

“No you’re not!” she yelled back. “It’s tearing you apart. You need to talk to him.”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried!”

Angelina went silent at this new information, watching you finally break down.

“Don’t you think I’ve tried talking to him, explaining that if we’re soulmates then maybe we should act like it. It kills me seeing him bring a different girl back to his dorm every night when he’s supposed to be with me.” You hit your head against the wall behind you hard enough that you knew there would be a bruise in the morning, but you didn’t care. “But every time he gets mad at me, saying that he can’t settle down, that he’s too young, that I’m being selfish and impatient.”

Angelina wrapped you up in a warm hug, stroking the back of your head softly. “Then you need to move on Y/N. If he doesn’t care about your feelings, then I’m sorry but you need to find someone else.”

You sniffled, lifting your gaze and seeing a Ravenclaw girl grinding up on Fred. He whispered something in her ear and dragged her out of the common room and up to his dorm. “I can’t,” you said. “He’s my soulmate. It’s destiny. We’re meant to be together, even if that means I have to break a little every time he’s with someone else. It’ll all work out, you’ll see.”

Angelina continued to hold you tightly, praying that one day you would see what was really happening.

April 1996

Cheers erupted from hundreds of students, all of whom were crowded in the courtyard, watching their new heroes fly away from Umbridge’s reign of terror. You stood silently on the outskirts of the group, disbelief coursing through you.

How could he leave you? You thought that he would at least tell you about it, at least sit you down and explain the future of your relationship. Would you stay in touch? Would you visit his shop often and hang out with him and George? Where was your friendship, and more importantly your relationship, going?

You pushed your way through the crowd, wanting more than ever to be alone right now. Angelina stopped you, a wide grin on her face. “Y/N! Did you see that? Oh I’ve been waiting weeks for them to finally make their escape, it was even better than I imagined.”

“You…” you said slowly, “you knew? They told you?”

“Of course! George told me a while ago. Didn’t Fred tell you?”

“I have to go,” you muttered, ignoring her calls and running back into the abandoned castle. You made it back to your dorm and threw yourself onto your bed, curling up into a ball.

You’d given Fred the benefit of the doubt so many times. You understood that he wanted to fool around for a while and you let him. But you thought that maybe once school was over things would change. Apparently you would never know, because he didn’t bother to even have a conversation about your future.

You should try to get over him. Yes, two months of no Fred would be perfect for you! You could see other people, something you hadn’t done in over a year, and it would be the perfect distraction.

But then you remembered his warm brown eyes and soft ginger hair. How happy he could make you with just one touch. You couldn’t give up on him, you were being foolish. Fate was never wrong. You just needed to keep waiting. Everything would be fine in time.

January 1997

Small snowflakes fluttered to the ground, the cold crisp air whipping your face as you made your weekly trip to Diagon Alley to visit Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. After you had graduated the first thing you did was run off the train and make your way to the shop. Fred and George were delighted to see you and they immediately talked about their success so far with their planning. Neither you nor Fred brought up what happened months ago.

After the first encounter, things seemed to go back to normal. You got a job at The Ministry involving Curse Breaking, which you enjoyed very much. You’d get up every day excited to go to work, and every Sunday afternoon you’d enter your friends’ shop for a day of talking and goofing around.

And just as things had remained the same, that included your relationship with Fred. He’d mention his different hookups, sometimes going into extreme detail that you really didn’t want to know. You asked him to stop talking about that and he did, but he didn’t stop his actions.

Today was the day you were going to talk with him. You couldn’t keep putting yourself through this heartbreak if it wasn’t going to end any time soon. It was the last chance you were giving him.

“Hey Freddie,” you said as you walked through the shop doors.

“Hey, love, how’s it going?”

“Pretty good, I was wondering if we could talk, somewhere private maybe?”

“Of course,” he replied, taking you up to the loft. You entered the familiar place and plopped down on the couch, hearing the shower running in the bathroom.

“Is George here,” you asked as he brought you a cup of coffee.

“Umm, not exactly,” Fred replied sheepishly. “The bathroom’s currently occupied by the person who occupied my time last night, if you know what I mean.”

You did. Your face turned red, whether with embarrassment or anger you didn’t know, hearing that the girl Fred hooked up with was just a room away from you. Gathering up all the strength you could, you finally told him everything you’d been holding back.

“That’s what I wanted to talk about, actually.”

“My hookups?” Fred asked quizzically. “I thought you didn’t want to hear about those.”

“No,” you said shaking your head. “I wanted to talk about us. And where we’re going in the future.”

Fred groaned and threw his head back on the couch, rubbing his temple. “Oh not this again, Y/N. I thought we agreed that we’re too young for anything serious.”

“Well when I said that, I thought you meant that we’d finish out school and see where things went after that. We’re bloody adults now, shouldn’t we be talking about where we want this to go?” You were growing angry, not expecting Fred to be so blunt and rude about your feelings.

“I’m still 18, Y/N! I’m not ready for anything yet.”

“And when will you be? You keep saying you’re not ready and I keep staying by your side, waiting for that moment when you finally decide you love me. So when’s it gonna be, huh? Am I wasting my time?”

“I don’t know!” he exclaimed. “You’re being so annoying right now, why can’t we just be friends and figure it out when we get there?”

“Because I’m tired of giving you every part of me when you give me nothing in return! I...I can’t do this anymore.”

“I think that’s for the best.”

“I--excuse me?”

Fred stood up, gesturing for you to follow him. “How about we spend some time away from each other? You can work out whatever feelings you want to, and when I’m ready to settle down I’ll come find you.”

You were speechless, absolutely dumbfounded. Fred couldn’t be serious, could he? He’d come find you, like you were some lost puppy that belonged to him?

Fred grabbed your shoulders and gave you a peck on the forehead. “We’re soulmates, baby. There’s no rush for anything. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

This was it. This was what Angelina had warned you about. He was so comfortable knowing that you'd have to end up together that he didn’t bother to put in the effort. He knew no matter how many times he messed up, you would always be right around the corner ready to jump into his waiting arms. This was the last chance you had given him, and he blew it.

“I’ll just be going then,” you said, grabbing your things.

You stormed out of the room but Fred didn’t seem to notice anything was wrong. Or maybe he did notice and he just didn’t care. You would always come back to him, wouldn’t you?

“Love ya, Y/N,” he called before turning his attention to the wet girl who was exiting his bathroom.

You left the loft in a hurry, not even bothering to say hi to George on the way out of the shop. You used to believe in fate and destiny, and deep down you still did. But you couldn’t keep counting on the universe to provide you with happiness when only one of you was putting in the effort. Almost two years of pining later, you decided it was time to move on.

May 1999

Fred slowly came down from his high, panting heavily and groaning in pleasure. He rolled off of the girl he was with this week, a cute blonde he had met at a bar, and stared up at the ceiling trying to catch his breath.

It was a good ride. It was always good, Fred prided himself in his abilities and the girls he was with were usually just as spectacular. But the past few months he had been growing tired of it.

Sure, he loved going out and meeting hot girls, dancing with them and bringing them back to his place for one night of lust and passion. But even that gets old after a while, and after years of thinking with his body, he was finally ready to think with his head and his heart. He was ready to see you.

The next day, Fred got dressed up, putting on a nice sweater and trousers, buying a bouquet of roses from a nearby flower shop. He hadn’t contacted you to let you know he was coming. He wanted it to be a surprise, and besides, you would definitely be thrilled to see him.

He made his way to your old place, hoping that you still lived there. He hadn’t seen you in over two years, not since the two of you decided to stop seeing each other until Fred was ready. And now, after long last, he was.

He knocked on the door of your apartment, bouncing on his toes in anticipation of seeing you for the first time in so long. He bet you’d gotten even hotter, and were somehow even kinder and funnier than you were before. To his surprise, it wasn’t you who opened the door, but a familiar face from back in his school days.

“Pucey?”

Adrian Pucey, a Slytherin in your year, was standing in the doorway, with ruffled hair and a bear chest with gray sweatpants. He smiled apprehensively at Fred, remembering how the two of them had never gotten along back in school.

“Hey Fred. What’re you doing here?”

“I’m here to see my soulmate,” Fred said, anger and jealousy evident in his tone.

Adrian paused and his smile vanished. He looked as if he wanted to slam the door in Fred’s face and never see him again. Fred then heard a voice calling from inside, and he peaked around to see you sprawled out on the couch wrapped up in a blanket.

“Adrian? Who’s there?” you asked.

“Babe, you might want to come see for yourself.”

Fred grimaced at the nickname. Any suspicions he had that you were dating Adrian were now confirmed, and he hated seeing you with anyone else.

As you reached the door you looked shocked to see Fred there, holding a large bouquet of flowers for you. “Why don’t you head back in, love,” you said to your boyfriend. “I’ll handle this.”

He smiled and pecked you lips, giving Fred one last glare before letting you shut yourself and Fred out in the hallway.

“It’s been a while,” you said. “What’s up?”

“Well,” Fred said, trying to hand you the roses but you refused, “I was thinking last night. About us, and about how I’m ready. To be with you.”

If he thought you were going to be elated about this news and drop everything, including your boyfriend, to be with him, he was completely wrong. You just stood there, looking if anything sad for him. “Oh Freddie.”

“What?” he asked, heart thumping in his chest. “What does that mean? I said I’m ready to settle down! To be with you. Isn’t that what you want?”

You scoffed, putting your hand on your temple like he did to you so any years before. “Look, I’m flattered, and I’m glad you’re finally ready to have something real. But it’s not going to be with me.”

Fred could physically feel his heart shatter into a million pieces at those words. “Not with you? What does that even mean, Y/N? We’re bloody soulmates!”

“Yeah well you didn’t seem to care about us being soulmates the countless times I wanted to talk to you about it!”

“I wasn’t ready then!”

“But I was! And you didn’t even take my feelings into consideration. I was constantly by your side, waiting for you to confess your feelings and ask me to be yours. Every day I broke a little more, because you treated me like absolute shit. So I’m done waiting Fred. I’ve moved on”

Fred couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. You were supposed to be in love with him! The two of you were soulmates for a reason, how could you just settle down with someone else?

“What about Adrian’s soulmate?” he asked, voicing his thoughts. “Aren’t you depriving him of true love?”

You sighed heavily and looked at the closed door behind you, lowering your voice. “Adrian’s soulmate died a few years ago. She got really sick and didn’t make it. I ran into him while he was trying to get over her loss, and we really connected. We’ve been together for about a year now, and we’re both really happy.”

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Fred said, pacing up and down the hall. “We’re soulmates Y/N. The universe destined us to be together.”

Shaking your head you replied, telling Fred the conclusion you had come to after years of pain. “I don’t think it works like that. Soulmates aren’t two people who are going to be together no matter what happens. They’re two souls who, if they both contribute and try in the relationship, would make a perfect pair. But you, Fred, never tried. And I finally got over it. I love Adrian, and I’m happy about my decision.”

“No, no no no,” Fred said, growing panicked. “This can’t be it, Y/N, I can’t lose you.”

“You already did.”

Fred’s lip quivered slightly, eyes searching yours for any telltale sign that this was a joke. Some huge, elaborate prank. But it wasn’t. It took you a lot of time and soul searching, but you were at peace. You were fine without your soulmate, because for so many years he had been fine without you.

“Let me go, Freddie. Because I let you go a long time ago.”

The two of you stood there, all feelings out in the open. Fred had never felt so vulnerable around someone, and he never thought once that he would have to let you go.

The door slowly creaked open and Adrian stepped back out, wrapping his arm around your waist and kissing the top of your head. “You alright, darling?”

You kept looking at Fred, imagining all of the things that could’ve been, that never would be. “Yeah, I’m fine. Fred was just leaving.”

You turned around to your apartment, not even bothering to look back. Before you shut the door, Fred could see a beautiful smile grace your lips at something Adrian had said. You were happy. He was making you happy.

In a perfect world, you and Fred would be an ideal match. If both of you put in the effort and tried for the best, you’d have the best relationship possible. It was fate.

But fate is a fickle thing. You can’t try to trick destiny into doing what you want. Fred had thought that no matter what he did, the universe would give him what he believed he deserved. The universe doesn’t work like that.

Maybe, if he had taken some form of responsibility for his actions and actually cared about what was happening in the moment, it could’ve been him cuddling up next to you, falling asleep with his arms around you and hearing how much you loved him. But he didn’t. He tested fate, and he would forever pay the price for his actions.

Tag List: @famdomhideout

[holylulusworld]

Silent

Summary: People think you talk too much so you fall silent.

Pairing: Bucky x Reader, Avengers x Reader (platonic)

Characters: Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff, Clint Barton, Steve Rogers

Warnings: angst, self-doubts, the reader used to talk too much and now she’s silent, mentions of torture/imprisonment/experiments, comforting, fluff

“Does she always have to talk so much? I can’t believe someone can hold a speech over pancakes. Is she never tired of hearing her own voice?” Standing in the doorframe of the common room you clasp one hand over your mouth.

You believed Bucky enjoyed your conversations. Since he moved in two months ago you tried to be a friend, a companion he can talk to when Steve is not around.

Never in your worst nightmares would you have imagined Bucky could be annoyed by your small talk.

“Listen, Buck. She likes to talk about a things, maybe explains too much but that’s part of her personality.” Clint chuckles at Sam's words.

“You mean she can chew your ear off about her latest shopping trip.”

“Barton, that’s not funny. Y/N tried to explain how credit cards and electronic article surveillance work to him. Last time he went shopping he got lost, didn’t know how to pay.” Sam throws in. “Maybe it was a long conversation, but Y/N meant well.”

“I know, Sam.” Clint sighs. “Sometimes she just won’t stop. I had to fake to go to the restrooms last time.”

“Guys, seriously. Stop talking shit! Y/N is not talking too much. Only as men tend to only grunt or throw ten words per day at each other doesn’t mean a girl talks too much.”

Natasha slams her fist onto the kitchen counter. “She’s kind, nice, and smart. All Y/N tried was to help Barnes.”

“Exactly.” Wanda purses her lips, glaring at Clint. She’s challenging the archer. Daring him to say another word about you. “Now back to breakfast. Who’s on duty?”

No one recognized you entered and left the room after Wanda started to make breakfast for everyone…

“Did you finish the latest report?” Tony’s question brings you out of your thoughts. He’s looking at you, assuming you will tell him every little detail but all you do is nod before you hand him a manila folder. “No explanations?”

“We were all there, I wrote nothing not everyone witnessed. Report ending.” Steve cocks a brow at your short answer. Usually, you mention details but today, you barely spoke twenty words.

Natasha watches you cautiously while Clint leans back, enjoying you didn’t ask questions or explained things he already knew.

“Okay. Great, Y/N. Next point, our yearly charity gala is due in a week. I hope everyone bought a nice dress and for gents, a nice suit.” All eyes land on you.

Normally you describe your new dress, the shoes, even your hairstyle, but again, you simply nod.

“Got a dress. Mission accomplished.” Now Wanda searches your face but you block her powers, giving her a shake of your head. “If that’s all, I got places to be.”

“Don’t we have another report from you and …” Tony trails off when you get up. “Y/N?”

“Everything you need to know is in the folder. If you have questions, ask Jarvis.” Taken aback Tony nods, glancing at the folder you push against his chest.

“Something wrong, darling?” Giving Tony a cracked smile you shake your head.

He doesn’t need to know what you heard. You know, as the person bringing you into the team, Tony sees you as his little sister and would do anything to make you feel comfortable.

“I am great, Tons, don’t worry. I’ll check on a few files at my office if you need anything.” When you walk toward the door you feel eight pairs of eyes follow you. “I won’t make it to the movie night, though. Have fun.”

You are gone before Tony can ask you again if anything is wrong. “What was that? Usually, she won’t go without explaining every detail.” Tony’s eyes meet Steve’s but he’s as clueless as Tony.

“I don’t know. I was on a mission with Bruce and Maria.” Steve looks around the room, tries to make out if anyone knows anything. “Anyone knows what’s wrong with Y/N?”

“I got no clue, Steve. A few days ago, we talked for hours but over the last days Y/N barely said ten words. Her answers are always short, precise.” Natasha looks at Wanda who tries to avoid eye contact.

“Wanda?” Sam’s brows furrow when the redhead tries to sneak out of the room. “What do you know?”

“I know nothing, I swear. I…I recognized Y/N is different for a few days and tried to look into her…head.” Shrugging Wanda tries to explain why she wanted to break her own rule to never read her teammate's minds.

“She blocked me for the first time during our meeting. All I could see or rather feel was hurting and then she pushed me out.”

“Crap, Cap. Any ideas?” Steve sighs when everyone looks at him.

“Not to rhyme badly would be a start, Sam.” Sam glares at Clint who tried to lighten the mood with a joke. “Sorry, go ahead…”

“I will try to talk to Y/N. Something must be wrong as she’s always bubbly and friendly. Today, Y/N was a different person and I do not like it one bit.” Tony exclaims. “Maybe Barnes could talk to her? She seems to like him.”

“Me?” Bucky coughs, tries to not get involved in anything involving conversations. “Why? I am not good at talking to people. Steve is your man.”

“Buck, she talked to you for hours. Y/N tried to make you feel welcome and help you at the same time. I know she sometimes talks a bit too much but…”

Natasha gasps at Steve’s words. Her eyes meet Wanda’s and they suddenly know why you refuse to talk to your friends.

“Fuck…fuck…fuck, Sam!” Now Sam slams his fist onto the table, glaring at Clint.

“She heard what you said that morning! This is your fucking fault, Barnes!” Raising his hands in surrender Clint tries to stay out of the conflict.

“Don’t act innocently, Barton! You said she talks too much!” Wanda grabs Clint’s ear, tugging harshly. “You’ll apologize, both!”

“You said what and she heard…” Steve clears his throat before he gets up to glare at his friend.

“I know you are not much of a talker Buck, but she tries so hard to talk to you. Y/N only offered her friendship and you just messed everything up.”

“Let me talk to her, Capsicle. I don’t think she wants to see Barton or Barnes for a while. At least around me, she can talk as much as she wants to.” Tony sighs deeply. “Do you know why she’s talking so much?”

“No.” Bucky snaps at Tony. “As she likes to do so?”

“I found her, in a cell during a mission years ago. Our fine government wanted to create a super-soldier like Steve and you. They took blood samples, DNA. All this time, she was not allowed to talk or ask questions. If she did, they hurt her.”

Bucky feels like someone just pushed a knife into his guts.

“They electrocuted her, hit her, did awful things. When I found her, she wouldn’t talk. I thought she’s mute. It took months before I heard the first word leave her lips. I nearly got a heart attack when she called my name.”

“I…” Jumping up, nearly breaking his chair Bucky stumbles toward the door. “I got to talk to her. I need to apologize and all…”

“Doll?” Bucky enters your office. Head hung low, eyes not daring to meet yours he sighs deeply. “’m so sorry, darling.”

“Can I help you with anything, Sergeant?” Your eyes are glued to your monitor when Bucky walks toward your desk.

Normally you would jump up, drag him toward the cozy couch in the corner and tell him about your day, or ask him about his.

“I came to apologize for what I said. I…I am so sorry, Y/N.” When you meet his gaze Bucky can see your red eyes. You must’ve cried the whole time you spend in your office. “You can talk as much as you want to, doll.”

“I will shorten my conversations from now on. It’s unnecessary to tell you about my day, clothes, or stupid cat videos on YouTube. I know that.” Bucky grasps for your hand, kissing it repeatedly.

One moment he kisses the back of your hand and the next he picks you up to carry you toward the couch, making you yelp.

“No…no, doll. I like those videos. That one with the cat hunting the hedgehog was hilarious. That furry guy even tried to jump on the hedgehogs back.”

Giggling you look at Bucky. “Tell me about the next thing I should check on YouTube.”

“Dude, there was this guy, taping his eyebrows and then…” Looking at you in his arms Bucky hums while you tell him about the guy ruining his eyebrows.

“So, that poor guy has no eyebrows. Tragic.” You snicker at Bucky’s words before you hide your face in his chest.

“What about new cat videos or, this is even more important, tell me about the dress you’ll wear to the charity event.”

“It’s a black Chanel dress, backless and I like it. Don’t tell anyone, but it’s second-hand.” Whispering the words, you poke your finger into Bucky’s chest. “Swear to not tell anyone.”

“I’ll swear to not tell anyone if you agree to be my plus one. I need someone to save me from anyone asking me how it was to be the winter soldier.” Your hand gently pats his cheek, caress the scruffy skin before you move closer to press a soft kiss to his chin.

“Doll, if you tried to kiss me, mission failed, but points for trying. Let me show you how it’s done.” Stunned you feel Bucky’s lips on yours.

He swipes his tongue over the roof of your mouth, and you giggle again. “No laughing! That was a perfect kiss!”

“It was an eight, Bucky but we can try again.” He smirks before his lips are back on yours. This time he devours your mouth and you need to break the kiss to breathe.

“Better. I would say eight point five this time. We are getting closer, Barnes. How about we practice some more?”

“Will you forgive me for being a douche? I want you to talk as much as you want to. Maybe we can go to my room and talk some more.” There is a cheeky smile on his lips when you wrap your arms around his neck.

“Only talking, Sergeant Barnes. I am a good girl…”

“Yeah?” His breathing quickens when you look up at him in awe. “I will make it up to you. Every stupid word I said, doll.

How about we have our private movie night at my room and you can tell me anything about the movie before we even watched it.”

“Deal…”

“Please, never be silent again, Y/N. I hate silence when it involves you not talking.”

Snuggled into a warm blanket. Your head resting onto Bucky’s chest you snore lightly. You didn’t make it through the movie before you fell asleep.

The room is silent. You are not talking but right now, Bucky’s heart swells as you repeatedly muttered his name in your sleep.

“Love you too, doll…”

All works Tags

@yolobloggers​​

@shikshinkwon​​

@miraclesoflove​​

@mogaruke​​

@shatteredabby​​

@soryuwifeyxx​​

@letsdisneythings​​

@i-love-superhero​​

@psychicforest​​

@thevelvetseries​​

@deanmonandnegansbitch​​

@sabascio​​

@goodgodimaweirdperson​​

@that-place-called-middle-earth​​

@the-broken-angel-13

@trumpettay​​

@zxph-yr​​

@belovedcherry​​

@matsumama​​​

@rynabarnesrogers-reading​​​

@emoryhemsworth​​​

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

Marvel Tags

@stuckys-whore​​​

@notyourtypicalrose​​​

@voltage-my2dlove​​​

@officialmarvelwhore​​​

@randomgirlkensy​​​

@juniorhuntersam​​​

@lumar014​​​

@doctorswife221b​​​

@sister-winchesters99​​​

@sweetkingdomstarlight-blog​​​

@the-soulofdevil​​​

@chonisberonica​​​

@redroomproperty​​​

@natura1phenomenon​​​

@chaoticfiretaconerd​​​

@heartislubbingdubbing​​​

@hhiggs​​​

@sea040561​​​

@midnightsilver16830​​​

@rvgrsbrns​​​

@fandom-princess-forevermore​​​

@amandamdiehl​​​

@grincheveryday​​​

@thelostallycat​​​

@lunaticgurly​​

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

Bucky Barnes/Sebastian Stan Tags

@rynabarnesrogers​​

@marshyrebelcloud​​​​

@buchanan-lover​​​

@rosalynshields​​

[rosesbxrry-main]

Todoroki Shoto with a Quirkless S/O [Female Reader]

Warnings: Contain NSFW content separately from SFW

SFW

He doesn’t really have a natural affinity for meeting new people other than them being affiliated with his school activities (which always includes them having a quirk). So if he were to meet you, it had to be through someone he knew

And that someone was Midoriya

He met you during his last year of UA high school when Midoriya had invited him together with Iida and Ochako to eat together at a restaurant after school

You were quite surprised to see your old classmate from middle school while working part time as a waitress at the restaurant

Midoriya was equally surprised as well when he saw you. You and him were the only quirkless students back in middle school and because of that, you guys were quite close to each other

He introduce you to the other three while you took their order

Todoroki’s first impression of you was friendly. The conversation you had with lida and Ochako flowed nicely despite meeting them for the first time

But your smile was what caught his eye. You seem genuinely happy to hear that Midoriya was fitting well in school and that he had made friends that cared about him

Todoroki listens silently throughout. But when the topic had turn about you, it took him awhile to realize that-

“Your quirkless”

His statement had no menace to it, no hint of mockery or a way to insult you. He had said it with the intention of confirming it with you.

Iida, Ochako and Midoriya seem to be quite shocked at Todoroki’s blunt statement. They stay frozen with mouth a gape, waiting for your reaction

You weren’t sure how to react to the male’s statement

Todoroki Shoto was definitely not a name you haven’t heard before. The son of the current number one hero and has the quirk of both ice and fire. Your first impression of him? Handsome. Quiet. And surely not someone you’ll associate with

But for some reason, his face held no insult, his heterochromia eyes full of curiosity as he stared back at you. For the first time in your life, you had never felt unashamed at those words

You had to leave the table to take their finished order and serve it to them. The unusually tension soon faded and you bid them farewell after their payment

“Did I say something wrong?” Todoroki soon find himself addressing them, brows furrowed  

“Well Todoroki-kun, although I know you mean well but-” Midoriya said, a hand rubbing the back of his head sheepishly “-Quirkless people aren’t really treated well in general”

Todoroki raised his eyebrows at this. He had never met a Quirkless person before so it never crossed his mind that you’ll feel hurt by his words. It made him feel a little restless knowing that he had offended you in any way possible

That was precisely why he finds himself at the entrance of the same restaurant the next day

You were quite surprised to see Todoroki standing there alone. You assumed he came with Midoriya and the others but they were not in sight

“Sorry about yesterday” He bowed slightly at you, he’s apology was curt but you knew he meant about the comment he said about you being Quirkless

You wave your hands at him, “Ah- no no- it’s okay, I didn’t feel offended if that’s what you thought”

You reassure him with a small smile but it seems that it wasn’t enough to him, his lips still curved into a frown

An idea came into mind and you check the time at the watch on your wrist

“Well it makes you feel better…..” Todoroki’s eyes perk at your suggestion “……my shift ends in another 15 minutes, and I know a good bakery that sells some good cakes…”

Todoroki nodded with no hesitation “My treat”

Soon, you guy’s little amendment situation becomes a regular occurrence in your lives. Other than the bakery, there were other places where the two of you would sit (with snacks that Todoroki insisted he paid) and have small talks until it reach curfew time

There were some days where he doesn’t show up at the restaurant after your shift, which you silently knew that he was busy with school stuff

Though you mostly did the talking, Todoroki actually enjoyed hearing about your mundane life. You rant about your grades, friends and sometimes random trivial matters that he found rather interesting

“Sorry” You said, scratching your cheeks with a bashful smile “I’m probably boring you with my stories”

Todoroki shook his head “No, I like hearing your stories”

Taken aback, you felt something churn at the pit of your stomach, something you haven’t felt for a while since the day you had to present in front of the whole class or whenever you see your crush at the hallway back in middle school

The butterflies in your stomach fluttered more aggressively everyday as the weeks and months goes by

Unbeknownst to you, Todoroki felt the same fluttering as well. He liked you but it seems he’s mind couldn’t comprehend the emotion very clearly. So, imagine the shock on Fuyumi’s face when he ask her about the situation

“I like to hear her talk. Everyday, after school, there is always a sense of relief whenever I see her smiling at me and days where I couldn’t see her-“ Todoroki placed a palm on his beating heart “There is a tight feeling in my chest that makes it hard to breath. Is that normal?”

Fuyumi lips were in a tight line “I think your in love Shoto”

“Love….?” Poor boy, he had mixed feelings about this new emotion. With everything he had gone through during his childhood, every emotion was rigid to him. He doesn’t even know if you share the same feelings with him

But, he was no longer the 16 year old boy focusing solely on his goal. He wants to understand. He has to know.

So that was precisely what he did. He confess to you at the entrance of the train station that you both usually part ways the next day

He watch the confused expression on your face, mouth agape to process his words and finally, the tip of your ears turn a dark shade of red, finally digesting his confession

“A-Are you-confessing?- to m-me, like- r-right now?!” You stuttered, brain still processing his words

With palm sweating and heart racing, Todoroki stood firm “You can reject me if that’s what you really want. I-”

“NO! I like you to Todoroki-kun!” You almost shout, before realizing that you guys were still in public. A few bystanders stared and you never felt so embarrassed in your life.

Todoroki’s eyes widen a bit. He expected you to reject him but now that you clearly share the same feelings with him, he honestly doesn’t know what to do next

“Oh” was his only reply

Let’s just say that the both of you came home, face redden and sleep was not an option with minds still fill with each other

Dating Todoroki was definitely a slow burn process and takes a while for the both of you to be comfortable

Affectionate gesture was something that you try to slowly introduce to him but soon the actions came natural to the both you

Hugging? No problem. Hand holding? A natural. Kissing? still needs a bit more work but it’s definitely for special occasions

As the years progress, the relationship between the two of you has progressed deeper. He had met your parents and friends, vice versa he had introduce you to his friends and more importantly, to his mother

It was after the first visit with his mother did he pour out to you the truth about his childhood and his father. You silently listen with eyes watered at the living room of your apartment before engulfing him in a tight hug

“Thank you for trusting me Shoto”

He buried his face at the crook of your neck, inhaling the sweet scent of home from you and at that moment, he never felt so whole in his life

He was quite sure of himself that he would keep you hidden from his father as long as he can. But Endeavor probably has heard about you through Fuyumi and his mother at some point.

So when Todoroki told you about his father inviting you to dinner at the Todoroki minor, you accepted it much to his dismay.

“Are you sure Y/N? I guarantee you his intention is more than wanting to meet you”

“Don’t worry Shoto, I think it’s time he face the fact that his future daughter-in-law is going to be Quirkless”

You don’t know how much pride bloom in him at your words and he can’t help the small smile forming on his face

Fuyumi greeted the both of you with warm and gleeful smiles, ushering the both you to sit at the dining room

Natsuo was already there as Todoroki introduced you to him. You were happy to know that Todoroki maintain a good relationship with his older siblings

Natsuo was as welcoming as Fuyumi was with you, asking you about your studies and making small talks as Fuyumi continue to pile plates of food onto the table

The sound of footsteps reach the living room, causing both Natsuo and Shoto’s face harden as the sliding screen door to the dining room open, revealing the towering figure of Enji Todoroki

“I see. so you must be-” His turquoise colour eyes bored holes into your figure before switching his gaze to his youngest’s son, and back to you

“-Shoto’s girlfriend”

You swallowed a bit. He was much more intimidating than you had expected but you push your nervousness at the back of your mind

“It’s very nice to meet you Todoroki-san” You bowed your head in greeting with a small smile, hoping to ease the tension building up

“Likewise” His tone was definitely not reflecting his words

Dinner was the 2nd most awkward situation you had even been (Todoroki’s confession being the cherry on top). You were glad that Fuyumi was trying to lighten up the mood a bit by asking you about yourself

“Medical school is more challenging than expected, since most of the students have special skills that would benefit them in the field” You explained when she ask about medical school

“I would be more surprised if you had it easy, especially since you lack what others have”  

Ah yes, the calm before the storm

You place a reassuring hand on top Shoto’s fisted ones under the table.

“I reassure you Todoroki-san, our society once lacked the skills we have now. I know it wouldn’t be easy but not entirely impossible for someone like me”

“Do you take pride in being Quirkless?”

Here comes the storm

If Shoto was angry before, now he was livid. How dare he-

“I do actually” You said, you could feel the temperature rising inside you. But you need to stay calm.

“Did your parents tell you that?” He ask, gaze now adverted to his bowl of food, clearly scorning at your comeback “How disappointing”

You push the wrath slowly invading the hollows of your throat, aching to yell at him (and punching him, but that will only trigger your boyfriend to be involved in the brawl and the last thing you need is having the house on fire) but you it swallowed back.

“I believe my parents said that out of respect and love for me to have a happy childhood. And they don’t need to be the strongest hero in order to do that”

Natsuo chokes on his food, a small smirk evident on his face as Fuyumi panickily hands him a drink to help, patting his back. Endeavor’s face slowly comes to realize with what you had meant and boy was he not happy.

Shoto was having a blast honestly

You were light on your feet as Shoto walked you home after the dinner. You skipped merrily and swung your hand that was intertwined with his. He laugh at your clearly satisfied grinned, content with the idea of having to spend the rest of his life with you 

NSFW (warning. contain breeding kink, vaginal penetration, temperature play and other intercourse actions)

Of course, being in a relationship for at least 2 years have allowed the both of you to be more comfortable with intimacy

There were a few situation that causes Todoroki to be more aware of your body and awakening his sexual desire for you

The way he becomes flustered when you hold his hand against your body and how he could feel your soft breast pressing on his upper arm

Or when the both of you would hang out together at your apartment in a very hot summer, with you sporting a tank top and shorts that reveal so much of your skin that it was hard for him to look away

Todoroki decided to book a 2 days trip to a hot spring. Since the both of you had been really busy pursuing your own career, he thought, it might be a good idea for a short break

He waited outside of the changing room for you, having been done soaking in the hot spring

But when he saw you exit, hair tied in a bun, face glowing from the heat of the hot spring, he couldn’t help but stare at how ethereal you look at the moment

“Shoto?” You question him when he didn’t respond, a hand reaching to place itself on his cheek. The skin contact causes him to flinch out of his frozen state

“Huh?”

“I ask you if you wanna go and drink some cold milk?”

He stared at your lips as it moved, how sensual and plump it looked. He wants it against his

He reach out to place a hand on top of yours, standing up to walk closer to you until his forehead rest against yours

You open your mouth to ask him what was wrong but when he kiss you with a bit more force than you were used to, the words died down

A hand was placed at your hip, pulling you flush against him as he deepened the kiss. He took your surprise as an advantage to enter his tongue into you

You could feel the temperature rising at the heated make out session. His tongue caressing every inch of the inside of your mouth, moaning lightly when he made contact with your tongue

Your other hand squeeze the fabric of yukata on his chest, a sign to him that you were at the limit of your breath

Before he broke the kiss, he made sure to nibble and suck on the lower part of your lips, causing you to moan at the pleasure

Flushed and clearly shaking at the intensity of the make out session, there was a thick sexual tension in the air as you watch a string of saliva connecting each other’s lips

“I think we should head back to our room” He breath out, his eyes filled with hunger and thirst to feel you against him

The two of you were virgins and it was the first time the both of you had sex

There was a lot of learning at the beginning of it but it was definitely something when tasted a little bit, the both of you will never stop

The hardest hurdle that Todoroki had to face was the fact that his stamina and intensity was much more than yours, given that he was a hero

So there was a fear that he might hurt you by accident when he was too into it, especially since he was naturally a more dominant type

You had to reassure him several times because of that, telling him how good you felt when he thrust into you hard or when his tongue and lips would never stop sucking and licking your overwhelmingly soak folds

Something he enjoys to do, you notice, is how he likes to leave marks and hickeys on you, decorating every crevasses on your body like your neck, thighs and breast. Sometimes while showering, you would find random bite marks or hickey at hidden places you didn’t know

Temperature play is also something the both you enjoy (especially you). The feeling of his hot tongue licking your left nipple while his cold fingers were tugging on your right. Or when he would do the same while eating your pussy and rubbing your clit at the same time. It always brings you to cloud nine

Riding him is definitely a treat for him. He likes to see your face contract at the pleasure of his dick stroking at the exact spot that pushes you to edge. He likes to watch you moan his name as he grabs your hips, pushing you deeper into him as you bounce harder to meet his pace.  

Todoroki absolutely loves to watch the view of his cum dripping down your pussy after the both of you have climaxed. This was something he would do before he cleans you up, and quite frankly, it’s always the cause of round 2

If the two of you are planning to have kids together, he most likely would develop a breeding kink

“Fuck- you’re gonna look so beautiful all round with my baby” Todoroki thrust harder, his pace quickening as the both you are close to climaxing

He press his chest flush to you back, causing you to choke on your saliva at how good it felt

“Cum inside me Sho- I want you to fill me up with your seed. Make me full with your load” You moan out, gripping the sheets until your knuckles turns white

“You want my cum baby- don’t worry, I’m gonna flood your pretty little pussy and breed you properly”

You’re in one hell of a ride

[heyiwrotesomethings]

Of Debts and Stress

Mary Saotome x She/Her Reader

A/N: Mary is such a great character like wth. I hope I did her some justice. There is a mention of characters from Kakegurui Twin, but the story takes place when Yumeko shows up in the main series. Thanks for reading! Word Count: ~8,929 (Me seeing this number for the first time: HOLY SHIT what have I done?! No wonder this took so long lol)

“Did you see the look on that loser’s face when I laid down that royal flush?” Mary laughed, her lips curled in a triumphant smirk as she descended the stairs with (Y/n) following close behind. “To see the light just drain out of his eyes after he realized that his full house was trash was just priceless,” she paused a moment at the bottom of the stairs, causing (Y/n) to bump into her before the blonde turned to face her. “Well, maybe not priceless, I guess you could say it was worth 5,000,000 yen!”

“Mary,” (Y/n) began, rubbing the back of her neck and shifting her eyes to watch other students climb the stairs, “It’s not like I’m not impressed or anything, but don’t you think you went a little too hard on the guy? I mean, he’s a house pet now.”

Mary’s smirk sunk into a frown as she crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the banister with a huff, looking up at the girl who still stood on the last step of the stairs, with a roll of her eyes, she replied, “He wanted to gamble, it’s not my fault if he didn’t weigh the rewards with the risk. Don’t be such a downer (Y/n), you’re really killing my mood here.”

“Sorry, I guess I just feel bad for him.”

“(Y/n), it’s all a part of how this fucked up school works. If you don’t like it, then why the hell did you even apply?” Mary threw her arms up in aggravation.

“Hey, do you think you two could move? You’re blocking half the staircase.” a student called impatiently from behind (Y/n).

“Can’t you see we’re talking here?” Mary glared at a spot above (Y/n)’s head, “Just go around us, idiot!”

The student grumbled, but clumsily made his way through the students that were walking up the stairwell.

“Maybe we should keep walking,” (Y/n) smiled sheepishly, crooking one of her arms with Mary’s and pulling her away from the stairs and towards the school entrance.

“Hey, let go!” Mary pushed out of the hold, blushing furiously, before clearing her throat and giving (Y/n) a side glance as the other girl laughed good-naturedly. “You haven’t gambled yet today, shouldn’t you have at least one match to make sure you don’t fall behind in the rankings?”

“I don’t feel like gambling today,” (Y/n) shrugged, “Maybe tomorrow.”

“You better get your act together or you’ll end up a mittens,” Mary warned.

“Sorry I’m not into high stakes gambles. I’d rather win a little at a time than blow it all away on one game,” (Y/n) explained.

“Ha, that new poochie should have taken a page out of your book,” Mary grinned, but sobered quickly, “But seriously, don’t fall too far behind or I’ll have to leave you to the dogs, got it?” She punctuated her words with a sharp poke to (Y/n)’s chest.

“Ow! Okay, okay, I get it!” (Y/n) sighed, and rubbed the sore spot.

“And if you need any, you know, help, with your gambles tomorrow I wouldn’t be adverse to it,” Mary added, pretending to look disinterested and aloof.

“Aww Mary, are you saying you’d cheat for me? I’m touched,” (Y/n) smiled.

“I’ve changed my mind. You are on your own,” Mary glared and snarled beneath the blush that dusted her cheeks.

“Damn it.”

“Serves you right.”

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then?” (Y/n) asked as they neared the dorms.

“I suppose,” Mary replied while inspecting her nails. “Meet me in front of my dorm at 7:45 or I’m leaving without you.”

“I’ll be there, have a goodnight Mary!” (Y/n) waved before disappearing into the Tsubaki class dorms.

“‘Night,” Mary called over her shoulder as she made her way to the Hana dorm building.

The girls got ready for the night in there respective dorms and went to sleep, unaware of the major upset that would greet the student body of Hyakkaou Private Academy tomorrow.

***

“Heard you have a new transfer student in your class. Do they seem nice?” (Y/n) asked Mary as they ate their lunches.

“She’s whatever,” Mary shrugged. “Looks like easy money though, I’m gonna ask her to gamble after classes let out. Just wait until you see me wipe the floor with that airhead.”

“Aw, I actually have a few gambles of my own lined up unfortunately.”

“Tsk, whatever, I didn’t want you there anyway,” Mary sulked, picking at her leftovers.

“Hey, you’re the one who told me I needed to watch my ranking. Don’t blame me for simply following through on your advice. If I finish in the gambling den before you finish your game, I’ll be there to cheer you on!”

“You better not, it’s a gamble. You don’t need to act like a mom at a goddamn soccer game,” Mary huffed. “That being said, you better show up if you finish before me.”

“Yes ma’am,” (Y/n) mock saluted then winced and leaned into the table when Mary’s foot knocked painfully into her shin.

“I’ll see you after class, dummy,” Mary smiled smugly, raising from her chair. “Depending on how much money this girl bleeds, we can go do something this weekend, my treat,”

“Sounds like a date!” (Y/n) cheered, narrowly missing Mary’s attempt at a full body tackle. “See you later!” (Y/n) giggled and ran down the hall towards her class while Mary yelled obscenities behind her.

***

(Y/n) was pretty happy with herself, having won six out of seven games of blackjack and earning a modest 50,000 yen. Of course counting the cards had helped her odds, not that her opponents needed to know that. Honestly though, they were probably doing the same thing. It always came back to luck in the end.

(Y/n) hummed to herself as she made her way up the stairs to Mary’s classroom. She looked up when she heard echoing footsteps descending the stairs and was met with the boy Mary had turned into a house pet and a beautiful girl with flowing black hair she had never seen before.

“Oh, hello there!” The girl greeted. Ryota seemed to recognize (Y/n) as a friend of Mary’s though, and grew more nervous, (Y/n) gave him a sheepish wave she hoped conveyed her sympathy or could at least put the poor boy more at ease.

“Hi, you must be the new transfer student,” (Y/n) addressed Yumeko, “I hope no one has been giving you too hard a time,” (Y/n) could think of one prominent figure in her mind that would do such a thing and was ready to do damage control if need be.

“Oh, not at all! I’ve never felt more welcomed!” Yumeko smiled and grasped (Y/n)’s hand in hers. “Jabami, Yumeko,” she introduced herself, the ring on her thumb lightly digging into the skin of (Y/n)’s hand.

“(L/n), (Y/n),” she answered in return, giving Yumeko’s hand a friendly squeeze before withdrawing. “You don’t seem any worse for wear. I guess you survived Mary’s gambling challenge then?”

“Ah, you know Saotome? Yes, I’m looking forward to her paying me back, I hope we can gamble again sometime, she was so feisty!” Yumeko grinned, “You should join us next time as well!”

“Perhaps...” (Y/n) answered distractedly. Why would she need to wait for Mary to pay her back? “So is Mary still up there?”

“I believe so, it was nice meeting you, (Y/n)-san!”

“Yes, nice meeting you too. Uh, see you around Jabami, Suzui,” (Y/n) bowed her head and made her way up the rest of the stairs to the Hana classroom.

The room looked like a mess. Lingering students whispered their gossip but (Y/n) paid them no mind as she scanned the classroom for a familiar head of blonde hair.

“If you’re looking for Saotome you won’t find her here. She ran off, probably went to hide her shame,” one of the lingering students voiced once (Y/n) looked over the whole room.

(Y/n) leveled a soft glare at the student before turning to leave. Okay so she lost, so what? No one’s perfect, get off your high horse. (Y/n) thought as she continued down the hall and peeked into every empty classroom she passed. She was about to text Mary when she heard a huge crash come from the last classroom at the end of the hall.

She yanked the door open and saw a few toppled desks and Mary slouched against the wall with her face hiding in her arms, propped up by her knees that were pulled tightly against her chest.

“Mary, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. What happened?” (Y/n) rushed to Mary’s side and knelt before her, careful to give the girl her space. Mary didn’t care for being coddled.

“Fuck off.” Mary’s voice croaked, muffled by her arms.

“Come on Mary, talk to me. I assume you lost, how bad was it really? 300,000? 400,000?”

“8.8 million,” came the subdued reply.

“Wh... what?” (Y/n) swears she must have heard wrong.

“Don’t make me fucking say it again.”

“Mary! What the hell were you thinking?!” (Y/n) gasped, worry gripping her heart. “8.8 million yen?!”

“Shut up!” Mary cried, “You think I don’t know how fucked I am?!”

“What are we going to do, Mary?”

“We aren’t doing anything. This is my problem,” Mary roared, shoving the closest toppled desk away with her foot.

“You can’t possibly come up with all that yen on your own before the rankings are updated. I can get you like, 1,000,000. It’s not much but it’s a start, and of course I’ll stay after school and-“

“Don’t you get it? I don’t want your pity!” Mary yelled, shooting up from the floor.

“Mary, you’re my friend, you are important to me, let me help you!” (Y/n) flung her hand out to catch Mary’s.

“I’ll get the money somehow. Just stay out of my way,” came Mary’s cold reply and she tugged her arm out of (Y/n)’s grasp.

“Mary, don’t do anything rash! Take a moment to just think about this. Your debt is bad, but if you don’t keep a level head, you’re bound to end up with something even more unmanageable!” (Y/n) warned.

“Just shut up already! You weren’t there so you don’t get to tell me what I should and shouldn’t do now,” Mary moved stiffly towards the door.

“Mary, stop!” (Y/n) called after the hot headed girl. Unfortunately Mary continued her fast pace down the hall and quickly disappeared around the corner. (Y/n) sighed to herself and rubbed at her irritated eyes. Her heart ached for Mary and the position she found herself in, but she was frustrated as well. Why couldn’t Mary just swallow her pride and accept her help?

(Y/n) rearranged the toppled desks and left the classroom with a heavy feeling in her chest. Hopefully she could sort things out with Mary tomorrow.

***

The next day (Y/n) waited outside of the Hana dorms for Mary like she did everyday, but the girl was not in her usual spot. (Y/n) waited, thinking she was simply running late, but as more time passed it was becoming more evident that Mary was either not coming out, or she was already gone.

(Y/n) couldn’t find her in the school, and Mary wasn’t answering any of her texts either. Meanwhile Jabami was busy making a first year cry. Sure that student council girl was practically begging for it with how obvious her cheating was, but even (Y/n) knew a line had been crossed.

The next morning (Y/n)’s wait for Mary was no better and yielded the same result. (Y/n) fired off another text. She’s at least looking at them.

“Oh! (Y/n)-san, good morning!” An airy voice giggled happily.

(Y/n) shifted her gaze and suppressed a scowl as Yumeko exited the dorm waving excitedly in her direction.

“Waiting for someone?” Yumeko asked, once she was standing within a foot of (Y/n), closer than (Y/n) cared for.

“I was, but I think she already left,” (Y/n) replied, trying very hard to be polite and not snap at the other girl.

“Oh, then we should walk together!” Yumeko clapped her hands together. “If you don’t mind waiting a little longer Ryota will be coming shortly... In fact I see him exiting the boy’s side now! Good morning, Ryota!”

Ryota jolted and swiveled his head up before waving shyly at Yumeko.

“Ryota is going to show me around more this morning, I’d love it if you could join us. It would be nice to have the perspective of someone from a different class as well,” Yumeko spoke excitedly to (Y/n).

“I can’t unfortunately, my first class starts in ten minutes,” (Y/n) informed, surprised at the sudden added weight as Yumeko clamped onto her side and whined loudly in her ear.

“But I really want you to come, (Y/n)-san! Since you aren’t in Hana class we won’t get to see each other often. Can’t you skip your class just this once?”

(Y/n) could easily skip class, but she was not willing to do it for the girl who ruined her best-friend-kinda-maybe-girlfriend’s life. She was about to insist she had to attend class when Ryota swooped in.

“It’s not uncommon for students to skip out on classes here. The teachers don’t really care as long as they’re getting paid. So I’m sure (L/n)-san could join us, right?” He smiled, nervously shifting his eyes from side to side.

Damn you, Suzui, Ryota.

“Well, I suppose just this once I could humor you,” (Y/n) gave a half hearted smile before her eyes went wide and her hands grasped at the arms wound tightly around her neck, shaking her excitedly.

“Yes! Thank you, (Y/n)-san, I’m sure we’ll have a marvelous time!” Yumeko cheered, rocking (Y/n) and throwing her off balance once she finally let go. “Where are we going today, Ryota?”

“I was thinking the path to the Traditional Culture Club would be a good place to visit today. It’s got beautiful scenery, don’t you think, (L/n)-san?” Ryota asked, offering (Y/n) a meek smile.

“I agree, the surrounding vegetation is lovely this time of year. It’s one of my favorite spots on campus actually,” (Y/n) supplied, noticing how Ryota seemed to straighten a bit, looking a tad more confident.

“Sounds wonderful, we’d best be on our way. Maybe I’ll find a gamble to partake in as well!” Yumeko thought dreamily, cupping her blushing cheek with her hand.

Ryota allowed himself an awkward chuckle while (Y/n) subtly pursed her lips, bringing her thoughts back to Mary’s absence as the trio made their way through campus.

“Wow, it certainly is lovely here. I can see why one would like such exquisite scenery,” Yumeko commented once they made it near the end of the path. “Oh, and this must be the club you were referring to?” She asked, pointing to the pleasant building resting below the trees.

“Yes, the Traditional Culture Club,” (Y/n) perked up a bit as a half baked plan formed in her mind. “You know Yumeko, you might actually get the chance to gamble in there.”

“Don’t tell her that!” Ryota blanched before directing his attention back to Yumeko, “I mean, the president of this club is also a part of the student council! You don’t want to make any more enemies than you already have, right Yumeko?”

“Gambling! You promise, (Y/n)?” Yumeko asked, a predatory gleam formed in her eyes that forced a shiver to run up and down (Y/n)’s spine.

“It’s a very real possibility as long as  Nishinotouin-senpai is around. You could always drop by later if she’s not here,” (Y/n) answered candidly. Perhaps she shouldn’t be pushing Yumeko into the arms of danger, but she thought of it as payback for beating Mary so badly without even batting an eye or losing sleep over it.

“Ooo! I just have to go in, can we go in?” Yumeko clutched her hands together and bounced on the soles of her feet, a sight Ryota couldn’t seem to say no to. Not that (Y/n) could blame him as she also found the behavior rather adorable herself.

“Welcome to the Traditional Culture Club!” A member greeted the trio as they approached the door, “We have a match in progress already, but it should end shorty, if you don’t mind you can wait inside.”

“Certainly, we don’t mind at all!” Yumeko spoke.

The club member ushered them inside and (Y/n)’s mouth fell open in shock once she perceived the poor soul sitting across from Nishinotouin, Yuriko was none other than her dear friend Saotome, Mary.

“No, Mary,” (Y/n) couldn’t help but whisper to herself, “What are you doing?”

“She appears to be gambling, (Y/n)! She looks quite tense, wouldn’t you say?” Yumeko stage whispered back.

(Y/n)’s hands curled into fists as she stood by helplessly, watching Mary bet the remaining thirty-two chips she owned. Why would Mary do this after she told her not to do anything rash? (Y/n) waited, her breath stuck in her lungs as the dealer counted down until the reveal of the swords under the cup. When the obtrusion was lifted, (Y/n)’s eyes quickly scanned the board. There! A sword was stuck in slot twenty-two and Mary had bet six chips on it!

“But wait, that’s—!” (Y/n)’s hands flew to her mouth, unable to speak further.

“Twenty-two was a hit. Congratulations, Saotome,” Yuriko praised before her lips quirked further upward, “However, unfortunately for you, the judgement is death.”

Mary hunched over, looking desperately at the board while the dealer explained the penalty.

“Saotome bet six chips on twenty-two with a judgement of death. This requires the punishment of a loss thirty times greater then the chips placed, turning six chips to one hundred eighty chips. When factoring the wins on Yuriko-sama’s slots, the grand total for Saotome is a loss of 49.6 million yen!” The dealer calculated.

(Y/n)’s knees nearly gave out when she heard the final calculation and her heart hammered painfully against her chest.

“See her out, I’m done with her,” Yuriko smiled sinisterly, earning a pained roar from Mary as she was pulled back by standby club members.

“Perhaps you should go after her,” (Y/n) jumped when Yumeko came in close and whispered in her ear. “Ryota and I can catch up with you later, go take care of your friend,” Yumeko smiled and gave (Y/n)’s shoulder a squeeze.

(Y/n) barely spared Yumeko a second glance before running out after the club members escorting Mary off of the premises.

“Let her go, I’ve got her,” (Y/n) commanded sternly, pulling Mary away from the Culture Club members. She shot them one last glare before she turned on her heel and began dragging Mary away from the building. She only stopped once they were off the trail in one of the more secluded areas near the edge of the school forest.

(Y/n) tentatively let go of Mary and leaned back against the nearest tree, her chest heaving with shuddering breaths. What the hell now?

“Why?” She finally choked out, Mary’s fists curled at the single word and she had the audacity to scoff before trying to leave the forest. (Y/n) wasn’t having it however, and took hold of Mary’s bicep.

“Let go!”

“Why? So you can disappear on me again and rack up a 100 million yen debt?” (Y/n) spat, her grip tightening. “I told you not to act recklessly and you thought it was a good idea to go up against Nishinotouin?!”

“There was nothing else to do!” Mary yelled back, turning back to fully face (Y/n) and fisting her hand in the front of (Y/n)’s uniform blazer and pulling her closer to her angry golden eyes. “This was my only chance to get out of being a house pet, it was a risk I had to take!”

“I wish you would have talked to me! You know I only want to help you!” (Y/n) fought the stinging sensation building in her eyes and stood her ground.

“Oh really, how do you expect me to believe that? Don’t think I didn’t see you being all chummy with Jabami and the dog in there. You know it’s because of her that I even had to instigate this match!”

“They roped me into coming along, it’s not like I had anything better to do since my best friend seemingly went missing yesterday, but it’s a good thing I came with them because it lead me straight to you.”

“Now what are you going to do, huh?” Mary’s grip tightened on the blazer, “Mock me like everyone else? Make me your own personal mittens and laugh with everyone while you tell me to do degrading things?”

“I’d never do that! You know I’ve never condoned that behavior, how could you think so lowly of me?” (Y/n) cursed herself as she felt a rebel tear escape and streak down her cheek. She moved her free hand to wipe it away, but Mary released her death grip on (Y/n)’s now thoroughly wrinkled blazer and beat her to it, wiping away the tear with the edge of her sleeve with a tenderness that (Y/n) almost never witnessed from the girl.

Mary’s touch lingered for a few moments, her golden eyes searched (Y/n)’s own, still glossy with unshed tears that threatened to join their fallen comrade.

“Fuck, stop that,” Mary admonished quietly, turning her gaze away.

“Stop what?” (Y/n) asked breathlessly, feeling exasperated and unbelievably exhausted.

“Stop looking like you’re going to cry, damnit!” Mary exhaled sharply and pushed her bangs back, “I’m the one with the 50 million yen debt for fuck’s sake!”

“Yes, but you’re my closest friend Mary! You mean more to me then you’ll probably ever know and I’m so scared for you!” (Y/n) couldn’t hold the floodgates any longer, finally she allowed the the tears of stress fall in earnest. She released her hold on Mary’s bicep and rubbed her face roughly with her sleeve while trying to force the tears to stop.

“Quit that,” Mary ordered awkwardly, pulling (Y/n)’s arm away from her face, “You’ll just further irritate your skin.”

“So what, I’m just supposed to look like a hot mess?” (Y/n) sniffed.

“Just come here you idiot,” Mary groaned, her tone lacking any of its usual bite as she pulled (Y/n) to the ground and held her with her back against the trunk of the nearest tree and (Y/n) somewhat nestled between Mary’s legs and sitting at a side angle.

Mary released an annoyed sigh and (Y/n) squeaked as Mary roughly pushed the other girl’s head into her chest and persisted with her hold, an awkward hug which (Y/n) eagerly reciprocated seeing as Mary rarely was the first to engage any physical contact. “If you get any snot on my uniform, I’ll kill you,” she mumbled, nevertheless tightening her hold.

They stayed like that even after (Y/n) had managed to calm down. They sat quietly together under the glowing leaves of the tree. The only other sounds being the rustle of the wind and the occasional bird song mixed with the mingled breaths of the two Hyakkaou students.

“What time is it?”

(Y/n) had almost dozed off when Mary finally spoke. She reached into her blazer’s pocket and fumbled with her phone, wincing at the late afternoon hour.

“School let out twenty minutes ago. Hope you didn’t have anything important due today,” (Y/n) sighed, showing Mary the time displayed on her lock screen.

“Please, that’s the least of my worries right now,” Mary rolled her eyes.

“Right...”

“Hey, don’t you start that again. It was bad enough the first time,” Mary scolded.

“Sorry,” (Y/n) sniffed and collected herself again, shifting away from Mary a bit so they were face to face. “How about I make it up to you with late lunch/ early dinner, my treat?”

“No way,” Mary tisked, “I can pay for myself.”

“I know for a fact you can’t, you broke ass bitch,” (Y/n) attempted humor, her lips forming the faintest of smiles.

“Way to kick a girl while she’s down,” Mary turned her head away in an attempt to hide the self deprecating smirk that had manifested over her lips.

“I’ll let you pick what we eat and we’ll call it even,” (Y/n) replied as she got up on wobbly legs. She immediately missed the warmth that had accumulated between her and Mary over the last several hours. She offered Mary her hand and her heart leapt when Mary accepted the help without a second thought.

“Fine, whatever I pick, it’s going to be delivery.” Mary said, patting the dirt off of her skirt. “We look like we’ve been lost in the wilderness for five days.” She added, approaching (Y/n) to remove a leaf that had settled in her hair.

Like before, Mary’s hand lingered, slowly dropping lower until it cupped (Y/n)’s cheek. Mary didn’t even seem to register that she had done that, given the far away look in her eye.

(Y/n) could feel her skin catch fire under the brush of Mary’s thumb and cleared her throat, causing Mary to jolt her hand away embarrassed and internally fuming at herself.

“S-so let’s head back to my room, yeah? We can get cleaned up and watch some movies, just forget everything and everyone else for tonight. We can continue worrying tomorrow.” (Y/n) proposed.

“Yeah, sounds good. I know I don’t want to go back to the Hana dorms right now if I can help it,” Mary shrugged, her attempt at appearing disinterested thwarted by her reddened cheeks.

On their way back to the Tsubaki class dorms, Mary grumbled something about not getting there fast enough and grabbed (Y/n)’s hand, lacing their fingers together as they walked. Mary picked up the speed a bit, but really made no difference that would cut down the time it would take to get back. (Y/n) didn’t comment on it though, instead opting to hum and gently swing their connected hands as they went.

When they got within view of the dorms, and all of the students milling about, Mary tugged her hand away and crossed her arms tightly over her chest, but continued to move alongside (Y/n) with a cute pout over her lips.

(Y/n) held her student ID against the panel near the door of the lobby and opened the door, ushering  Mary inside. They took the elevator to the second floor, which housed the second year students of the Tsubaki class, and from there they headed to the girl’s wing.

When (Y/n) unlocked the door to her room, Mary pushed past her and flopped onto (Y/n) bed with a groan.

“Hey, You’re going to get dirt all over my comforter!” (Y/n) scolded half heartedly.

“Don’t care, I’m tired.” Mary smirked and took out her phone to scroll over dinner options. When she settled on one she tossed the phone at (Y/n) who fumbled with it before gaining a secure grasp over it. “You know what I like. You order while I take a shower.” Mary demanded as she walked away.  “This stupidly rich school did one thing right when it fitted each room with its own bathroom.”

“Yeah, feel free to use whatever you need in there,” (Y/n) said distractedly as she scanned the menu. “Oh, and you can borrow some clothes to change into. The comfy stuff is in the two middle drawers.”

“Thanks.” Mary redirected her path to stop at the dresser and took a crewneck sweatshirt and a pair of shorts before disappearing behind the bathroom door.

(Y/n) placed an order for the food. When she was sure everything was in order, she closed the app and her breath caught in her throat.

Mary’s home screen was a picture that they took last year that included Mary, herself, Tsuzura, and Yukimi-senpai in their maid outfits. She smiled fondly at the memory, a bittersweet feeling forming in her heart as she made a mental note to talk to Tsuzura again soon. Though she missed her friend dearly, she knew she was much happier at her new school. It certainly was a less stressful environment to say the least.

(Y/n) locked the phone and placed it on her desk before plopping down into the desk chair and reaching for the tv remote to open her streaming service of choice.

“Showers’ free.” Mary sighed when she emerged from the bathroom, a wave of steam in her wake.

“Wow, just how hot was the water you were using?” (Y/n) asked with a chuckle.

“I’m sure there is still plenty of hot water left if that’s what you’re implying,” Mary said with a roll of her eyes. “Anyway, go get cleaned up, you’re a mess.”

“Ouch, okay,” (Y/n)’s hand flew to her chest in mock hurt briefly, “Expect a text in the next ten minutes or so for when the food gets here.”

“Got it,” Mary waved her hand dismissively and (Y/n) walked into the bathroom with an armful of fresh clothes.

By the time she was finished, Mary had the food set up in front of the tv and was lying along the full length of the couch scrolling through movie titles.

“Find anything you want to watch?”

“Meh, this one seems alright,” Mary scrolled back up and highlighted one.

“The Gamble Hole?” (Y/n) quirked a brow.

“What, you got a problem with it?” Mary grumped.

“No!” (Y/n) objected, holding her hands up defensively, “A fine choice, I just thought with- never mind. Just move your legs so I don’t break them when I sit on the couch.”

Mary scoffed and raised her legs, allowing (Y/n) just enough time to sit on the cushion before flopping her feet into (Y/n)’s lap. Mary then handed (Y/n) her food and started the movie.

They sat in comfortable silence, only broken occasionally by Mary dunking on the movie. Somewhere in the middle of the film, Mary got up to toss away their garbage and when she came back she had traded her feet’s previous positioning on (Y/n)’s lap with her head’s previous position on the arm of the couch.

Mary’s eyes dared (Y/n) to comment on the change in position, but (Y/n) let Mary have her peace and simply carded her fingers through Mary’s loose hair while turning her attention back to the movie.

One movie became two, two became three, and somewhere in the middle of that they had curled up on the couch and fell asleep tangled in each other’s arms.

Mary was the first to wake early the next morning. She had heard the faint tone of her phone’s alarm from (Y/n)’s bedroom where she had left it to charge and she groaned quietly to herself before untangling from (Y/n) to go turn it off.

“Hey, (Y/n), it’s time to get up.” Mary spoke gruffly, coming back into the main room to shake the other girl awake.

“Noooo,” (Y/n) groaned, curling into herself.

“C’mon, get ready or I’m leaving without you.” Mary warned. (Y/n) appeared to have dozed off again and Mary crossed her arms tightly over her chest and scoffed. “Fine, don’t get up. I’ll just go to school by myself and try another official match. I wonder if Yumemite is back from her tour yet.”

(Y/n) shot up from the couch and grabbed the hem of the crewneck Mary had borrowed. “Please don’t do that for the love of god!”

“Then get up and get ready to go, dumb ass. I still have to go back to my dorm for a clean uniform so I’ll meet you outside of the Hana building, got it?”

“You promise?” (Y/n) asked shyly, thinking back to the last two days when Mary hadn’t waited for her, avoided her.

Mary rolled her eyes and ruffled (Y/n)’s hair, “I promise, dummy.” Mary gathered her belongings and made her way to the door, “If you take too long I can’t say I’ll be able to keep that promise though.”

“I’ll be there!” (Y/n) called out just before Mary closed the door behind her. (Y/n) stood up from the couch and quickly began her morning routine and got dressed in a clean uniform. She grabbed her school bag and made sure she had her phone and ID before heading out.

(Y/n) hummed happily, swaying on her heels as she waited for Mary to come outside.

“You look very happy this morning, (Y/n)! It’s very sweet!”

(Y/n) was knocked out of her own little world when Yumeko seemingly appeared out of nowhere and linked arms with her.

“Ah Yumeko! You scared me.” (Y/n) exhaled, a hand over her heart.

“I apologize, (Y/n). Did you have a good night with Saotome?” Yumeko asked.

“How do you know about that?”

“I saw her walking back earlier. When I asked her if she was with you, she told me to keep my mouth shut and mind my own damn business. She’s so expressive!” Yumeko giggled.

“Uh huh,” (Y/n) smiled sheepishly. “So, um, how did your gamble with Nishinotouin-senpai go?”

“Oh, I lost unfortunately!”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” (Y/n) felt a bit of guilt grip her heart. “I hope it wasn’t too bad, was it?”

“I’m 310 million yen in the hole!” Yumeko replied seemingly unbothered. In fact, she looked... happy?

“Three... three...” (Y/n) couldn’t even get the number out of her mouth, instead she kept opening and closing her mouth like a fish, occasionally mumbling a three while Yumeko smiled at her.

“Why the hell are you still standing out here?” Mary asked, irritation evident as she tugged (Y/n) out of Yumeko’s grasp.

“I was waiting for (Y/n) and Ryota! You as well Saotome, I’d love for us to be friends!” Yumeko answered.

“I’d rather die.” Mary sneered and made to tug (Y/n) towards the school but the girl was still dumbstruck and mumbling to herself. Mary snapped her fingers and waved in her face before turning back to Yumeko. “What the hell did you do to her?” She glared.

“Hmm? I don’t think I did anything.” Yumeko held a finger to her chin as she thought back.

“Whatever, just stay away from us! Got it?” Mary pushed passed Yumeko, pulling (Y/n) along and causing her to stumble behind her.

“See you later!” Yumeko waved.

***

Mary dragged (Y/n) into her classroom so she could get her stuff ready for class before going to get breakfast in the cafeteria. Her desk was still covered in marker but it hadn’t gotten worse since yesterday at least.

“I can help you clean it if you want.” (Y/n) asked, apparently she had finally sobered after the shock Yumeko had given her.

“Don’t bother, it would just encourage them to do it again and would make the effort a waste.” Mary shook her head and opened her desk, surprised to see an unfamiliar, thin journal sat neatly in the middle of her books and papers. “What the hell is this?” She muttered, turning it in her hands. The words ‘life plan’ shimmered in the light along with Mary’s name stenciled neatly below.

“Isn’t that the student council seal?” (Y/n) wondered, pointing to the golden insignia on the back.

Mary opened the thin journal and scanned the pages, becoming more agitated as she read. What’s this about an arranged marriage? Children? What kind of sick joke-

Mary slammed her fist on her desk, making (Y/n) jump. “This is bullshit! They can’t do this!”

“Mary-“ (Y/n) reached a hand out as the blonde strode away from her desk, the life plan held tightly in her hand. (Y/n)’s hand just missed Mary’s sleeve and Mary turned once she stood at the classroom door.

“I need to pay the student council a visit. I’ll see you after class.” Mary spoke before turning back and began walking briskly down the hallway.

“Be careful!” (Y/n) called back to her, rushing to the door to watch Mary stalk away.

With Mary gone, (Y/n) had no other choice but to move on to the cafeteria herself. She grabbed something she could eat quickly before heading to her classroom.

(Y/n) groaned inwardly once she reached the door, Kiwatari was already there raising hell as always.

“Kiwatari, isn’t it a little early to be an asshole?” (Y/n) asked, placing her bag on her desk hook.

“What’s it to you, (L/n)? ‘m just playing with my pets.”

“Class is about to start and as class rep, I must ask that you refrain from harassing people getting ready for class. House pets included.” (Y/n) spoke resolutely, using what she called her, ‘Igarashi, Sayaka voice’ and gave a sympathetic once over to Tsubomi who stood with her head held low.

“Tsk, uptight bitch” Kiwatari muttered, giving Tsubomi one last shove as he made his way to his seat.

(Y/n) frowned deeply but did not intervene again. She would rather not be stuck on that pig’s radar by getting overly involved in his business. So, she held her tongue and waited for the teacher to enter in the next few minutes. However, just before roll call, the intercom system crackled to life and the voice of the student council secretary greeted the student body.

Igarashi had made an announcement explaining that an opportunity had arose for those who had debts to pay and those interested were to come to the assembly room for more information.

(Y/n) had no debts to participate in such an event, but she left with the small group in her class because she was almost certain Mary would attend the meeting, and right she was.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Mary muttered quietly when (Y/n) came up to her.

“Well, I figured you’d be here when I heard the announcement. How did your talk with the student council go?”

“Shitty. Now be quiet so I can focus on what she’s saying.” Mary gestured towards the front of the room where Igarashi had just stepped up to the podium.

“Welcome students,” Igarashi smiled politely, “Our president has brought to fruition an opportunity that could very well change your lives as you know them. A gamble that could free you from your chains of servitude, or send you plummeting further into despair. Should you choose to compete, the game of choice will be ten rounds of Indian Poker. You will be divided into groups of four. Each person’s chip’s worth will depend on their accumulated debt. You may place whatever amount of debt you wish to wager with on your provided card. We look forward to your participation in the Great Debt Swapping Game.”

“Ooo, this should be a lot of fun!”

Mary and (Y/n) jumped as a head popped between them and an arm wrapped around each of their shoulders.

“Get the hell off me!” Mary growled, pushing Yumeko off. “What are you even doing here anyway?”

“Oh, did (Y/n) not tell you? I’m over 300 million yen in debt!” Yumeko cheered.

“As if I care, you know-“ Mary paused and did a double take at Yumeko, “Did you just say— Fuck you!” Mary turned back towards to front absolutely seething.

“Awww why is Saotome mad at me, (Y/n)?” Yumeko pouted and hung off the other girl while (Y/n) struggled to escape her grasp.

“My best guess would be she’s pissed that you beat her and put her in debt and then not even three days later you lost, and lost badly at that. Mary is probably taking that as a severe insult to not only her gambling skill, but also her pride.” (Y/n) said thoughtfully.

“I could do without the analysis, (Y/n)!”

“I found that quite helpful and I feel closer to Saotome for it, thank you (Y/n)!” Yumeko smiled sweetly at (Y/n) before directing her attention back to Mary. “Don’t feel bad Saotome, had an outside party not gotten involved in my gamble, Nishinotouin-senpai would have found herself in my position I’m sure!”

“Do you not know what personal space is?” Mary griped, stepping away from Yumeko once again.

“The groups have been randomly set,” Igarashi’s voice rolled over the assembly hall once more and she began listing off the groups, “...Next we have Saotome Mary, Jabami Yumeko, Kiwatari Jun, and Tsubomi Nanami. The following group consists of...”

“Did you hear that Saotome? We’re in the same group! How lucky!” Yumeko invaded Mary’s space once more, smiling even more brilliantly.

“Of course we are. Why am I not surprised.” Mary moved to the other side of (Y/n) to put some distance between herself and Yumeko. By doing so she noticed the thoughtful, far away look (Y/n) currently held. “Hey, what’s up?” her voice was a little gruff but held an undertone of affection.

“The other people in your group are in my class. I can understand why Tsubomi would be here, as she’s a house pet, but Kiwatari has no outstanding reason to compete that I’m aware of.” (Y/n) shifted her weight and looked at the two Hana class students, her expression serious. “I may not know his plan, but I can almost guarantee you that he will be using Tsubomi as an accomplice of sorts to achieve his goal.”

“Oh my, are you sure about this (Y/n)?” Yumeko tilted her head.

“Kiwatari has been making Tsubomi’s life hell for a long time now. Her will has been severely damaged if not completely destroyed by him. She’ll probably do what he says because she finds it easier then fighting back. Which is why I think...” (Y/n) drifted off, her eyes moving to look exclusively at Mary who immediately let out a strangled, agitated noise.

“Alright, I see where this is going and I don’t like it but...” Mary sighed “You aren’t going to let me continue on unless I do this, aren’t you?”

“That would be correct.” (Y/n) nodded.

Yumeko kept looking between the two, her expression one of mild confusion.

“Jabami,” Mary finally spat.

“Yes?”

“Will you work with me for this gamble.” Mary gritted out.

“Oh Saotome! I’d be honored to be your partner!” Yumeko clapped, “Was this your plan (Y/n)? Thank you for making this gamble so much more interesting!”

“Uh, you’re welcome?” Students began filling out the assembly hall to fill out their debt cards and (Y/n) looked over the two girls nervously. “They aren’t going to let outside parties watch these matches and I should really get back to class. You two should hurry so you can get your cards and come up with a strategy.”

“What do you look so worried for?” Mary scoffed, messing up (Y/n)’s hair, “You already gave me an edge over the competition, if you think I’m still going to lose after that you’re really pissing me off.”

“Don’t worry (Y/n), I’ll take good care of Mary-san!” Yumeko butted in.

“Shut up, Jabami.”

“I hate that you’re taking this risk, but I believe you can win. So I’ll try not to stress over it too much. You’ll come find me when it’s over, right?” (Y/n) asked.

“Where else would I go, dummy?” Mary rolled her eyes and turned away, Yumeko hot on her heels. “I’ll see you later.” She added, her words sounding much less harsh. Yumeko waved excitedly then turned to catch up with Mary’s strides.

***

(Y/n) was surprised when at her break, Ryota had come to her class looking for her with another student.

“You (L/n), (Y/n)?” The other student asked.

“Yes, and what may I ask is this about?”

“I’ve got a check for Suzui here. However it was also requested that you be present as a witness to the transaction. Since you’re here,” he pulled an envelope from his blazer and handed it to Ryota, “I can give Suzui the check. Have a good day.” The student nodded before exiting the classroom.

“What’s this about, Suzui?” (Y/n) asked.

“I wish I knew.” Ryota scratched his head. “I’m just as confused as you are.”

“Well, I guess you should open it.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Ryota tore open the seal and pulled the check out. It took a moment but once the amount registered in their minds, Ryota and (Y/n) both screamed.

“How the hell did you get all that money, Suzui!? Did you kill someone? Several someones!?” (Y/n) asked nonplussed.

“I- I didn’t do anything! ...I think!? This must be a joke, right? Is this a prank, (Y/n)? Did Saotome-san put you up to this?”

“No, of course not!”

“This can’t be real. I should really just throw it out.” Ryota sighed tiredly.

“Wait,” (Y/n) stopped him from crinkling up the paper, “Don’t do anything just yet. Keep it until the end of the day at least. Meet me back here and then we can decide what to do with it if no new info comes up. Just keep it safe until then.”

“Alright, I can do that.” Ryota appeared to be sweating. “Nothing stressful about carrying an obscene amount of mysterious money that may or may not be real.”

“If it really bothers you that much I can hold onto it until then.” (Y/n) offered.

“Please!” Ryota quickly shoved the paper into (Y/n)’s hand without a second thought.

“Alright, I’ll see you here after school, okay?” (Y/n) asked as she tucked the paper into the front of her blazer.

“Right!” Ryota answered, his shoulders slumped as the tension holding the check had brought left.

***

The rest of (Y/n)’s classes slugged by, the weight of the check against her chest becoming heavier with each hour dragging by and thoughts of Mary plagued her mind. Was she doing okay?

Finally the last class had wrapped up for the day and (Y/n) rubbed her palms roughly over her eyes. She felt exhausted.

A few minutes later, Ryota arrived and sat in the desk next to hers looking just as tired.

“So, what now?” He asked.

(Y/n) released a joyless hum as she removed the check from her blazer and looked over it again. “I don’t know. I did some research about counterfeit checks and it appears to be legitimate. I’m just worried about what this money could mean. You don’t just have this kind of cash fall into your lap for free.”

“Aha! They’re in here Mary-san!” Yumeko suddenly appeared in the doorway, a little out of breath.

“Yumeko!” Ryota greeted her happily.

“Yumeko! How did the gamble go? Where’s Mary?” (Y/n) asked.

“I’m right here, dummy.” Mary appeared in the doorway looking a little out of breath herself, “If you two didn’t make us need to run around the school, we could have met up sooner.”

Mary stalked over to Ryota and (Y/n) and she practically dropped to the floor in relief. “Thank god you have it!” Mary took the check from (Y/n)’s hand and kissed (Y/n)’s cheek without even having it register in her mind as she looked over the check before pressing it to her chest like a precious artefact. “I told Yumeko to just have it sent to you, but she insisted Suzui hold onto it for god only knows why.”

(Y/n) just stared at Mary absolutely dumbfounded, her hand that once held the check now pressed to her warm and tingling cheek.

“What? What’s with the face?” Mary asked with a quirk of her brow.

“I I I- You, um,” (Y/n) stuttered, unable to find her words.

“Oh, you saw the money did you?” Mary smirked, “Impressive, isn’t it?”

“You mean the money is yours?” Ryota asked, “That makes more sense now I guess, but how’d you get all that?”

“The Debt Swapping Game, of course!” Mary scoffed, “Honestly Jabami, did you tell him anything about what we were doing?”

“I saw no need to. It all worked out in the end, didn’t it?” Yumeko smiled brightly.

“Wait wait, you won?” (Y/n) stared up at Mary with cautious awe. “That check is what you won in the gamble?”

Mary stared back, smug and looking oh so happy with herself. “Yeah, it’s the last time you’ll see me wearing one of these eye sores.” Mary tugged the house pet tag off of her neck and tossed it into the garbage.

“You won! You won!” (Y/n) cheered and shot up out of her desk. She wrapped her arms around Mary and bounced her around while laughing joyously.

“Hey! Calm down!” Mary blushed, and pushed (Y/n) by the shoulders to try to stop her jostling movements.

“This is fun!” Yumeko joined in from behind Mary, wrapping her arms around her neck and bouncing in time with (Y/n) who was still vigorously celebrating.

“Alright that’s enough, get off!” Mary elbowed Yumeko in the stomach and pushed (Y/n) half an arm’s length away. “A little space would be-“

(Y/n) cupped half of Mary’s face with her hand and landed a quick kiss on Mary’s cheek before pulling away completely. She continued to dance around the classroom, feeling heat run through her face and a rush of giddiness. Her smiling lips still tingling from the brief contact. Yumeko skipped with (Y/n) around the classroom, still happy to revel in the celebration that was dangerously close to becoming excessive.

“Hu... Hey!” Mary finally regained her bearings, her shoulders stiff and face red, watching (Y/n) and Yumeko make their way across the front of the room.

Mary’s voice forced (Y/n) to a sudden halt, causing Yumeko to bump into her, but she too stopped to look curiously at Mary.

“What the hell was that?” Mary glared at (Y/n), her arms crossed tightly over her blazer.

(Y/n) didn’t even try to act dumb, it would have been unwise based on how intently Mary was staring at her. “I, um, I was just returning the favor.”

“What favor?” Mary stared incredulously.

“Mary-san, don’t say you forgot already! That would just be cruel.” Yumeko pouted and pulled (Y/n) into her arms and pat her head affectionately. “If I were to kiss (Y/n), I certainly wouldn’t forget.” Her words causing (Y/n) to duck out of her reach to try to cover her bashfulness.

“I think I’m gonna go home?” Ryota looked over the three girls, his face plainly showed how weird he found the whole scene to be. “Uh, yeah, see you guys tomorrow.” He waved awkwardly before darting out the door.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Mary continued, not even acknowledging Ryota’s exit.

“Mary, you kissed me when you took the check from me...” (Y/n) shyly pointed to her cheek, her eyes focusing in the opposite corner of the room from Mary. Yumeko hummed and nodded affirmingly.

“I did not I-“ Mary’s skin gained a few darker shades of red and she stood statue still and just as stiff, her eyes lit up as if recalling a distant memory. (Y/n) and Yumeko watched from the front of the classroom, waiting to see what would become of the blonde who seemed to be trapped in her own mind.

“I wonder if we broke her.” Yumeko mused, a finger tapping lightly over her lips.

After a few more moments, Mary’s head shot up, her eyes immediately connecting with (Y/n)’s startled ones. “Get over here.” Mary commanded, her voice tight and low.

(Y/n) gulped and quickly made her way to stand in front of her friend, not wanting to risk an impatient reprimand for stalling. “Y...Yes, Mary?” she asked, meekly.

“Closer.”

(Y/n) took another tentative step forward. Mary sighed and pulled (Y/n) in by the blazer until their noses grazed, eliciting a surprised squeak from the other girl. Mary tilted her head and kissed (Y/n)’s cheek again, lingering a bit longer than she had with the first one.

“Can I have one, Mary-san?” Yumeko called from her spot against the front wall.

“No! Why are you even still here, read the room and go home already!” Mary blushed, nevertheless keeping her hold on (Y/n)’s blazer.

“Oh my, are you planning to be more intimate right now? I suppose it is a little early in our relationship for me to bare witness to such displays. I’ll see you two tomorrow!” Yumeko hummed happily as she exited the classroom, pulling the door close behind her.

“Why did you have to word it like that, you fucking weirdo!” Mary yelled after Yumeko, but she was already gone.

Mary turned back to (Y/n) and released another sigh. “Do that thing again.”

(Y/n) stared at Mary inquisitively for a moment before realization dawned over her. She smiled and gently pressed another kiss over Mary’s cheek.

Mary took a moment to clear her throat after (Y/n) pulled away before speaking, “Thanks. Thanks for that and uh, not leaving me behind as a house pet.” She mumbled.

“Anytime.” (Y/n)’s features grew soft. “Thanks for letting me back in.”

“So listen,” Mary began, her tone made room for no nonsense, “First thing tomorrow I’m paying back the student council and then I’ve got to give Jabami some fair compensation for teaming up in the debt game, but after classes do you want to go somewhere, just us? Like we were supposed to do before Jabami ruined everything.”

“Isn’t it usually just us when we go do stuff?” (Y/n) chuckled and smiled innocently at Mary’s warning look.

“Hey, with Jabami and the dog- ugh, Suzui, always popping up these days, they’d probably invite themselves along. I’m just trying to cover all my bases.”

“So, it’s a date then?” (Y/n) asked, trying to keep her emotions under the surface as to not get her hopes too high, to not show her disappointment should Mary deny it.

“Are you really going to make me say it?”

(Y/n) nodded.

“Yeah, it’s a date. Officially I guess.” Mary shrugged.

(Y/n) hugged Mary so hard, she nearly suffocated her, but Mary didn’t complain. Instead, she hugged back just as hard and hid her smile in (Y/n)’s hair.

[jamilelucato]

Period Romances [F. W.]

Request: Could you maybe do a imagine where Fred thinks the reader!potter likes George. So he asks angelina to the ball. But the whole time George was helping the reader ask Fred to The dance. So she ends up crying in George and Harry’s arms. she’s crying and maybe saying how much she loved Fred and Fred overheard and feels so bad. Cute ending tho. Maybe there kissing.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Potter!reader (you can pick your house)

A/N: tried to stick to the request as much as I could. But now I’m doomed because I really wished to have this Fred to myself.

Hogwarts Mastelist

GIF NOT MINE

——

Fred wished she'd stop messing with his hair. Not that she was making it look terrible — he wouldn't even care if he looked hideous — but it was starting to bother him because he really wanted to pay attention and he just couldn't anymore. 

Any other day that would've been excellent, welcomed, amazing, delightful — he could go on. Today, however, Fred really needed to learn something in class because he was sure that studying later wouldn't be enough to improve his grades as much as he needed.

He looked at George, avoiding y/N — he couldn't risk she noticing he was conflicted — and hoped his twin would understand the situation and perhaps change places with him tomorrow for the exam.

It took George a while to meet his twin's eyes, and once he noticed, he almost cracked up laughing in the middle of the class. 

Fred's eyes supplicated mercy, but George brushed it off. "Just pay attention, dimwitted," he mouthed to his brother, trying to make no sound. Fred's brows went up and down — his attempt to point out what was distracting him, in this case, y/N's hand — and George mouthed again: "Ask her to stop."

Fred rolled his eyes. As of he could ask you to stop playing with his hair and risk you never do it again. No, Fred couldn't risk the only touch y/N reserved for him; the touch that probably didn't mean anything to her, but so much to him.

George almost laughed again, and before facing back Professor Binns, he whispered to his twin: "Not my problem then."

Oh, Fred was screwed. He could already visualize his mother's howler coming in a week after getting his grades.

Y/N, on the other hand, was miles away with her mind, lost between thoughts; mostly imagining herself amongst the witches and wizards of the eighteenth-century — the theme of today's class — accompanied by Fred Weasley. Right now, she was sure Fred was about to ask her hand in marriage to her father.

Messing with Fred's hair was something she loved to do even more during Professor Binns' lessons since they were the ones she'd get distracted easily. She had no idea how it all started, but it was already a big thing for her that she didn't want to lose. She knew one day Fred would've a girlfriend that wouldn't like it, so she was enjoying it as much as she could.

"So let's wrap it up here for today," Professor Binns' voice interrupted y/N's daydreaming. "I think we've got enough material for tomorrow's test."

Y/N finally stopped playing with Fred's hair, stretching her own arms before gathering her book that she hadn't read a single page yet. Still, she knew tomorrow's test would go great — she was a natural when it came to things related to history.

Fred seemed bumped, though.

"What's wrong, Freddie?" the nickname gets him by surprise every time she uses it because she says it softer and he loves it. He wonders if she notices how much he likes it when she calls him that.

"The test tomorrow..." Fred sighed. "I'm not sure I'm prepared."

She immediately saw an opportunity and lost no time to say: "MaybeIcanhelpyouwiththat."

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Fred asked, holding his book closer to his chest while George came closer.

"Maybe I can..." she gulped, nervously, feeling her cheeks turning red. "Maybe I can help you study. I'm great at History of Magic."

Fred almost screamed, gladly. "Really? You'd help me?"

"Of course, it'd be no problem at all!" 

George tried to hide his smile, an attempt of not ruining the moment for his twin and his best friend. He knew about their crushes on each other even though only y/N mentioned it. She asked for his help just after the Yule Ball was announced — something about she wanted Fred to take her, and y/N had no idea of how to make it happen; she was desperate.

The younger twin didn't feel brave enough to mess with y/N about her crush on Fred — besides, he was trying to be a gentleman and help her ask Fred out —, but he had no problem messing with his twin, who didn't take things friendly most of the time.

"So... Now, are you asking her out?" George asked Fred once y/N was gone.

"No, don't be ridiculous, she doesn't like me like that," Fred said, in a sharp tone. "And I don't like her either," he added quickly.

George rolled his eyes.

"You wouldn't mind if I turned up at the Library to study with you two then?" George asked provokingly. He anticipated his brother to beg him not to come.

Fred, however, was still pretending not to care. "Fine by me."

"Well..." George was not expecting that answer. "Guess I'll see you later then." And he left, not sure if he was doing the right thing.

***

The study session was boredom. It was nobody's fault, though. Well, maybe Fred's, but he wasn't going to assume it. He shouldn't have let George come.

Y/N was a great teacher, but Fred couldn't pay real attention because he'd always get lost at how excited she sounded when explaining costumes and battles of centuries before theirs.

She had stopped talking now, asking Fred to reread his books and do some exercises, to see if he really absorbed anything. It also gave her time to stare at him with more consideration. He was so beautiful, she could stare at him all day long. She couldn't understand, however, what George was doing there.

George wasn't the best student, but he usually managed better grades than his twin, so y/N rapidly assumed he was here for her. To help her out with the crush and everything. But George never tried interrupting the study session to make a smart comment about how great his twin and y/n looked together. Weird, she thought before dropping it.

Her eyes were wandering the Library when her younger brother walked in, a nervous look in his face.

"Oi, Harry!" she shouted, raising her hand and shaking it in the air to call his attention. Harry walked towards them. "Why the worried face"?

Not Voldemort again, she thought.

"The Yule Ball. I'm obligated to have a pair," he informed, sighing and looking around, finally noticing his favourite pair of twins. "Hi, Fred; hi, George."

Harry was used to having the twins around because everywhere his sister was, the two followed. Besides, he really liked the two.

"Hi, Harry!" both of them greeted at the same time.

Y/N called her brother's attention back to the Ball.

"Harry, I'm sure any girl would be glad to have you as their date," she said, smiling politely.

Harry didn't seem convinced.

"You are a champion after all," Fred added, looking form Harry to y/N, trying to be helpful.

"Easy for you to say," Harry countered. "You think I just have to go there and ask a girl, huh?"

Y/N looked away. Yeah, sounded simple, only it wasn't. She knew it very well.

George took the cue.

"Show him how it's done, Fred," George suggested, elbowing his brother. "You haven't asked any girl to the Yule Ball yet. Just do it, and Harry will learn."

Fred could feel the sweat running down his forehead. He faced y/N for half a second, sure he could do it. After his brother's challenge and Harry's expectation, Fred couldn't let them down. But he couldn't do it either.

His eyes met Angelina's two tables away. He jumped up, which startled George, who didn't think it was necessary to get up to invite y/N since she was right next to him.

And then, Fred started walking. He went to Angelina's table, and George already knew that his twin was about to make the biggest dumb mistake of his life.

Y/N couldn't face it; she didn't want to see what was about to happen, but she couldn't look away either. She even turned her body completely to see better and could already deduce what was being said:

"Angelina, do you wanna go to the Ball with me?"

"Oh my God, yes, yes!"

Everything would be flowers, except for her.

She and George facepalmed almost at the same second. Harry couldn't understand why the table presented that reaction; he could only smile at Fred and raise his thumbs. Fred walked back to the table, but before he could sit down, y/N got up.

"That was wicked, Fred," Harry seemed in a better mood already.

"Well, you should try before it's too late, my friend," Fred said, but he wasn't facing Harry — he couldn't take his eyes off y/N.

"Now that's hm... settled," y/N said, holding tight her books without raising her eyes to meet Fred's as she loved to do. "I've got to go."

Fred was confused, but his twin was quicker to understand.

"Gotta go too, Freddie, see you soon?" Fred didn't like when his brother used y/N's nickname, but he felt that he wasn't going to hear her calling him that for a while.

"Bye," Fred said, looking at everyone ditching him. Harry, however, seemed comfortable where he was. "Leaving too, Potter?"

Harry looked at Fred. He wasn't used with Fred calling him that — he used to call y/N Potter and it was only when they pretended to be angry at each other.

"Well, we can stay. Any new pranks you'd like to share?"

***

Y/N was rather quiet, and George wasn't expecting that. They were sitting in a far back set of stairs that y/N had found on her first day — yeah, she was very lost when she did — and it kind of became her place to be when sad or lonely. Or just when she needed to think.

"I'm sorry about that. My twin is as dumb as they can be," he said, clearly trying to make her laugh. It didn't work.

"I was just... waiting for the right moment," she sighed. "You knew I was gonna do it tomorrow, right?"

Yeah, George knew. He promised to make his twin ask her first, but if it didn't work out, at the end of the week, y/N would have to do it herself. That was their agreement.

"Perhaps it's better I didn't," she said, "he would have said no."

"Of course, he wouldn't!" George shouted.

"He'd try to be a gentleman, sure, but at the end of the day, it was Angelina he wanted to ask," y/N couldn't hold it anymore. "It's always gonna be her, isn't it? Perfect Angelina, best chaser Gryffindor ever had. Perfect Angelina knows how to make him laugh. Perfect Angelina can go to Hogsmeade since we were allowed to..."

Y/N couldn't stop now that she had started; she pointed out everything she thought Angelina was better than her at. Most of them, deep down, y/N knew wasn't accurate, but she was so frustrated.

And the Hogsmeade trip couldn't be blamed at y/N, after all, it was her godfather Remus Lupin — kept away from her by Dumbledore until she was fifteen — who hadn't signed the paper that allowed her to go. Of course, the Dursleys wouldn't do it.

Anyway, Fred and George eventually found a way to take her to there "illegally", but it was already too late — Fred and Angelina had already spent three trips together drinking butterbeer.

George let her talk, but he wasn't really listening anymore. In his mind, he was thinking of how dumb his brother could be to miss out the perfect opportunity to ask the girl he wanted out.

"Hey, y/N, listen," George said, finally interrupting her rambling. She wasn't crying though, which he considered a good thing. "I know I'm not who you expected, but I could go with you if you'd like."

"Really, George?" she was surprised. "Even knowing I'd rather be with your twin?"

"Ouch," George pretended to be hurt. "But even so."

"Then, sure, George; I'd love to go with you."

They hugged out, and y/N disappeared to the owlery — the Ball was in a couple of days, and she hadn't bought a dress yet.

***

Fred ignored his twin. It was easy at first — he had the excuse of needing to study — but then the test was over, and he had to figure out new ways of missing out George.

He didn't like it; he loved George. But it was running away or endure the lecture that he knew he'd hear.

Fred was a dumbass, and he knew it. But what could he do now? Y/N always felt intimidating to him, like she was inapproachable. Besides, Lee told Fred that she had asked George to the Ball and he confirmed the fact a dark corner of his mind aways thought — y/N fancied George.

Perhaps that was what George wanted to talk about — how he avoided his feeling for y/N but since Fred asked somebody else to be his date, George felt like he could say yes to y/N.

It was typical — it wouldn't have been the first time Fred and George fancied the same girl.

Fred wouldn't be in their way then. He kept avoiding his twin, though. He was scared George'd be too confident around him and start spilling everything y/N made him feel.

Because there was, sure, something between them. They were always together, and y/N started avoiding Fred. It was only three days, but Fred felt like it had been a month of being ignored. 

The day of the Yule Ball arrived. Fred was a bit nervous; Angelina wasn't y/N, but she was still a hot date he could've fun with.

Y/N and George spent the whole day together, which annoyed Fred. He felt prepared to confront his twin about y/N, but if he wasn't going to leave y/N's side, Fred wasn't going to beg.

Y/N, however, was a mix of anxiousness and sadness. Every time she noticed Fred and Angelina close, she'd find a place to hide and cry. She wasn't much of a crybaby, but she was feeling like she had lost everything. And she probably had.

"Ready to go?" George and y/N had been a minute looking at the Great Hall's door, stopped there because y/N needed to remember herself how to breathe.

It's this stupid dress that's too tight, she told herself, but the truth was she didn't want to find Fred and Angelina snogging in the middle of the dance floor.

"Ready," she finally agreed, and George offered his arm that she gladly took.

The Hall was beautifully decorated, and the music was incredibly enjoyable. Y/N thought that, if she doesn't see Fred snogging Angelina, she might appreciate the Yule Ball and she deserved that more than anyone.

George promised to keep her away from his twin, and he was so good at that that y/N only met Fred after a couple of hours when she had sat down and let George have some fun with a girl that would be there for him.

Fred was astonishing. His suit was pretty much the same George was wearing, but somehow it looked better on Fred. He seemed to be giggling at some funny thing Angelina was saying.

She could handle that. Fred was laughing, so what? She had seen him having fun with her before, it was no big deal, right?

She had no time to finish that concept.

Fred stopped laughing, and Angelina leaned in. They were in one of the darkest corners of the Great Hall — you knew what was about to happen. Yet, just like when he asked her, y/N couldn't look away.

Their lips touched, and Fred reached for her waist, pulling her close. Angelina's lips parted just so she could smile before fully giving in to the kiss.

Oh, God, y/N was going to throw up.

George was focused on the pretty girl from Ravenclaw dancing with him, but it was almost like y/N's heartbreaking could be heard out loud even though she didn't let out a single sound. He apologized to the girl dancing with him and rushed to y/N's side, helping her get up and taking her away from here. He knew exactly where.

They disappeared in the crowd, and y/N sat down at her favourite stairs spot, letting the tears fall, something she never thought of doing in front of George, but she knew he wouldn't judge.

Fred leaned away from Angelina, slowly letting hands fall from her waist to his side. What was he doing? That wasn't right! Kissing a girl thinking about another.

He apologized to Angelina and lied he was going to get a drink while his eyes wandered the place, hoping to find y/N alone, without George around.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, Georgie," Fred heard y/N's voice. He was sure now that she was at her spot in the hidden stairs of the castle.

He let himself merge with the darkness, to listen if he was going to interrupt something.

"You never bother me, y/N" George replied.

Fred frowned, almost pretending to vomit. That was a terrible love scenario, but if that was the case, Fred was leaving. A girl was waiting for him on the dance floor, who he knew prefered him over his twin, differently from y/N.

He was about to turn around when her voice became louder and — sadder?

"I just thought it could be different tonight. Maybe I still had a chance! Perhaps Fred would see me in a pretty dress and finally understand I could be a girl he could fancy," she sobbed. "Clearly not the case! I probably look like a dragon in this stupid iridescent modern dress!"

Fred stopped at his tracks.

"All for him! I spent hours looking at myself today for the perfect look, and he didn't even notice me! I'm tired of waiting for Fred, George," she complained, and Fred could sense George tried to comfort her, although he couldn't hear his twin's words.

Fred didn't know what to do. He found the closest hide-out place he remembered from the memorized Marauder's Map and hid, letting the tears fall. He knew he should've asked her! But then she seemed so happy around George... How dumb could Fred have been??

George was probably helping her all along, and Fred treated his twin like garbage for that. How could he fix that?

Think, Fred, think! He rushed back to his dorm when the idea popped out, and he started planning right away. He needed to apologize soon before he'd lose her forever. And if that happened, he'd lose everything.

***

The Ball was over, and y/N was probably the only student happy with that.

Harry noticed something was wrong with his sister, but he didn't know why, and he didn't know what to do. He decided to go to Fred, who was her best friend and would probably have an answer.

"Don't worry, Harry. I think I can fix that," Fred said. Harry didn't think he looked much better than his sister.

"Are you sure?"

"Well, you can help me," Fred thought about it for a moment. "Actually, you're the perfect person to help me!"

"What do you need?" Harry asked, thinking Fred would ask for the Marauder's Map back or the Invisibility Cloak.

"I need y/N's measurements," Fred smiled diabolically. Harry raised a brow, confused. "You heard me, Harry, I need to know y/N's exact size."

***

Harry didn't know why, but after stealing one of y/N's uniforms, he was able to inform Fred of what was asked. 

"Thank you, Harry," Fred said, and he rushed to his pockets, counting his Galleons.

"Are you going to buy her something? You could have said if that was the case — I'd have bought it!" harry argued disoriented.

"No, dear Harry, this involves me and only me," Fred answered. "Well, I'll need my twin as well. Can you get him for me, Harry?"

"George? Aren't you with him, like, all the time?"

"Not lately, I'm afraid," Fred frowned. "I owe him an apology."

***

Fred and George didn't need to exchange more than one word, and they were best friends again. They hugged it out, and both felt like they could cry, but neither did. Harry absorbed everything suspiciously from a corner of the room.

How would that help to make his sister cheerful again?

***

"Are you sure it's gonna work?" George asked his brother after helping him with the costume.

"It's the only plan I have," Fred sighed.

"I think it'll work," Harry said, walking in the room. "She just got the dress, and she can't be happier. When I left, she was putting it on."

"Then it's time," Fred took a deep breath. What will be her reaction when she finds out Fred's plan?

Y/N couldn't stop staring at herself. She couldn't care if she looked ridiculous. It was a beautiful copy of an eighteenth-century dress apparently hand embroidered, with several ruffles in light tones of the colour of her Hogwarts house.

She took the magic photographic camera — a gift the twins gave her two years ago — and ran out into the garden of Hogwarts, eager to take several pictures. Not that there was anyone who would be interested in that, but she wanted to keep a photo of her young self with the dress — even if she'd keep the anonymous gift forever.

A few curious looks followed her, but she didn't care. She ignored the laughter — nothing could ruin her moment. Soon, she'd reached the gardens. What she didn't know was that she was being followed.

She was trying to find a place to position the camera when a voice startled her.

"Y/N? Can I talk to you?"

As if she was still at Professor Binns' class, Fred Weasley stared at her, wearing a full-skirted knee-length coat, knee breeches and a vest, as he had just stepped out of the eighteenth-century too.

"It was you," she said, looking him down and up. She wasn't mad, just surprised.

He took a few more steps to be closer to her.

"I would like to be completely formal with the mademoiselle if it is possible," he attempted an old English accent, but he looked stupid.

He noticed you didn't like it.

He sighed. "I'm sorry, y/N."

"For the accent?"

"For not asking you to the Yule Ball," he corrected her.

Oh, she thought.

"It was not your job," she took a step away from him, embarrassed. George must have talked to his twin, and that put you in a horrible position. Not that you'd been a good position lately.

"I wanted to ask you, but I panicked," he said.

"I did too," she smiled, politely. She wasn't comfortable yet, and Fred knew it.

"I'm sorry, I'm not gonna bother you much more, young lady," he smiled. "I just need you to hear the truth, and then I'll walk away, I promise."

Y/N gulped but said nothing.

"I love you, y/N. I don't know when it happened, but when I noticed I was already terrible in love with you," he breathed out loudly while she waited, listening. She felt like she could cry. "I never said a thing because it didn't feel like you saw me that way, and I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I could endure you kissing other guys, but I could not take you no longer laughing at my jokes."

She smiled.

"You don't need to say how you feel. Bullocks, you don't even have to feel the same," he sighed and avoided her eyes. "I just wanted you to know."

"Any reason for the 18th-century outfit?" she asked, unable to say anything else while she burst in happiness.

"I thought it'd bring out the experience of a period romance," Fred pressed his lips together, staring for the last time at your eyes. "Make you more susceptible to listen."

"It worked," she smiled but said no more.

Fred shook his head and turned away, convinced that it was it. He started walking away, thinking why did he submit himself into that horrible outfit, he was glad men started wearing full-size pants years later.

"Fred!" y/N ran towards Fred, finding it terribly difficult to do when wearing that period dress. It was beautiful but rather uncomfortable.

Her hand held his arm, and he stopped walking away. He only had time to look back and her face collided with his — a desperate kiss.

Fred was surprised, but since he waited for that for a long time, it didn't take him more than four seconds to realize what it meant. His hands rushed to her waist, an attempt of pulling her close, which proved difficult with all the cloth.

But y/N was trying to pull him close as well, and he deepened the kiss, happy to be reciprocated.

Hary and George finally arrived at the garden but tried to be as quiet as they could, to not disturb the newest couple. Harry saw the camera lying around the ground and, silently, rushed to get it. George smiled when he understood Harry's goal.

Y/N's younger brother found a perfect angle and took as many pictures as he could. He knew you'd like it.

George noticed something maybe not to appropriate to Harry — they were deepening the kiss too much for the outdoor place — so he grabbed Harry's arm and took him away from there, not holding his laughs along the way.

Fred and y/N relaxed for an instant, catching their breaths. Y/N was so happy that she could pretend not to need air just to keep the kiss going, but she knew she shouldn't. She looked down at her gown — it was a complete mess, with the corset way up then it should be. 

Her hand left Fred's hair, and he roared unhappily.

She smiled. 

"I am not going anywhere, gentleman," she tried to sound like the girls from the period romances but failed. "I simply think we should take this... conversation to a more reserved place, wouldn't you agree?"

Fred stared at her, with a dead face before laughing as loud as she had ever heard him laugh.

"And without these gowns," Fred complained. "I'm never buying you something so hard to take off ever again," he smirked, and she felt her cheeks turn red. She had loved the dress, but she also agreed with Fred.

"I love you too, you know," she said, and he chained her back to him.

"I know, mademoiselle."