#soccer mommy had a slow pretty one

[thegirlwiththemooglehat]

Hiya! In the tags of that John Darnielle/Laura Jane Grace post you mentioned she covered This Year. That's one of my favorite songs and I can't find her cover anywhere! Any chance you could point me in the right direction?

!!! Yes absolutely! It was done as part of a keep-Stereogum-afloat-during-lockdown campaign, if I cannot find it on youtube I can possibly post it myself that said! you can purchase the album here

there's like fifty tracks, highly recommend if you like indie bands and unusual covers

[rickgrimeswifey]

Jack's dad - Aaron Hotchner

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A/n: First Hotch fic, please leave a comment below! NOT PROOFREAD

Category: Kinda slow burn, smut and fluff (threw in a little angst in the end)

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x single mom!fem!reader

Season: some events in this take place in the end of season 6

Warnings: Rough unprotected pinv sex, other than that the smut is pretty vanilla, swearing, smut with plot, little dirty talk, pet names used: sweetheart

Word count: 10.4k (2.5k of those words are pure smut)

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Getting up at six every saturday wasn’t in any lists of my favorite things to do. But when you have a seven year old son who loves playing soccer, you don’t really have a choice. I was down in the kitchen packing food for him to eat after his match and water that he would need while playing. These soccer games were the only thing that made my son, Peyton, get out of bed early. When he came into the kitchen strutting in the clothes he’d wear for his match I couldn’t help but smile. Being a divorced single mom with a father that doesn’t want to see his own son is very challenging at times, moments like these made it all worth it. My son is my best friend, as corny as it might sound, it’s true. There’s no one in this entire world I love to talk to or hang out with more than him. 

“You already up and running?” I asked him with a grin.

“Mhm,” he nodded happily. “I’m gonna kill it today out on the field!” Peyton exclaimed excitedly, making me giggle at his silliness.

“I’m sure you will, now tell me what you want to eat before we have to leave. Game���s starting at seven!” 

The toast I made for him went down fast and then he went to the bathroom to get ready. After Peyton was done he ran to the front door where his sneakers were waiting for him. I had his soccer shoes in my bag along with his food that I had put in a lunchbox. Faster than I could grab my shoes, Peyton stood rocking back and forth on his feet waiting impatiently.

“Mommy! We’re gonna be late!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m moving as quickly as I can.” I said while tying my shoelaces. 

As soon as the front door opened Peyton ran to the car. I knew we’d arrive a little early but that was okay, he usually took his time getting pumped up and ready for his games. I know this might be a little selfish to say as a parent but I think he really was the best player on the team. He was definitely special, full of talent. When I started the car I needed to remind myself why I voluntarily was out driving this early in the morning. The only reason I went to these games is because of the huge amount of love I have for Peyton. I’d do anything for him. 

When we arrived it was around 7AM, which meant that the game started in fifteen minutes or so. I was relieved to see that I wasn’t the first one there. Still, my breath got caught in my throat when I realized who it was out on the field that me and my son were walking towards. 

I might’ve lied when I said the only reason why I come to these soccer games is because of how much I love my son. The other teeny tiny reason is because of one of the dads, Aaron Hotchner. He seemed to be a single parent since it was only him who showed at these soccer games and when he didn’t show it was Jack's aunt Jessica that came instead. 

I never worked up the courage to talk to the man since he was fairly intimidating. He had this rough exterior to him, that told you he was serious about everything he does. Aaron seemed to only ever smile when he was with his son from what I’d seen. In my head that’s fair although I didn’t understand why. I figured it would make sense if I ever got to know him but I was way too afraid to talk to him. Since he was intensely serious I was afraid he’d think less of me or even just scoff at what I said. I felt that I was about to find out what he was like as soon as we made eye contact. By now me and Peyton were by the field that they were going to play on. 

My son saw Jack and immediately left my side. I cursed at myself when I realized I had no choice but to make conversation with Aaron as he left the goal he was finishing setting up and walked towards me. 

“Hey, I know who you are and so forth, but I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced.” He started with that usual look on his face that sent a shiver down my spine. “I’m Aaron Hotchner.”

I know this man was tall, now that he was standing right in front of me I realized just how tall he is. This man had to be over 6 feet tall. I felt how my size shrunk for every step he had taken towards me. I finally took my hand in his that I had left hanging for a couple seconds longer than necessary. 

“(Y/N) (L/N).” I said, shaking his hand.

His handshake was firm just as you’d expect. He offered me a small nod before he continued talking. 

“I wanted you to know that your little boy has some serious talent.” Aaron complimented, crossing his arms against his chests. I couldn’t help but notice how this man's muscles flexed as he did. 

“Thank you, Aaron. Don’t tell that to him though, his ego could not handle it.” I joked, surprised when my joke earned a light chuckle from the man in front of me. 

I had never expected such a serious individual to laugh at such a bad joke. Maybe he was all bark no bite? We continued on making conversation until the other parents started flooding in. Before I knew it the game had passed and the whole time I had only been gawking at Aaron. I’m pretty sure he didn’t feel the way I looked at him as he was way too focused on the soccer game to see anything else that was happening. Once the kids had celebrated the goals they scored Peyton came rushing towards me. He practically jumped up into my lap before his energy vanished. 

“You tired, Pey?” I hummed into his hair as I kissed his head. 

The only thing I heard from him was a big yawn, I pulled out the lunch box and water from my bag. Handing him the water while I opened and got half a sandwich for him. He happily took it from me while still clinging onto me. 

“You did really well out there today,” I praised him while watching over the other parents getting ready to leave. “Did you have fun?” I pulled back to look at him.

He nodded while taking another big bite of his sandwich. I stood up once he finished his sandwich. I knew he’d probably fall asleep in the car and then proceed to take a nap when we got home. I closed the water bottle and lunchbox and packed it away then took my son’s hand in mine. We started walking to the car and as we were almost off the field Aaron said goodbye to us. I smiled and said my goodbyes while Peyton waved at him and Jack.

A week went by until another Saturday soccer game. This time I arrived at the same time as the rest of the parents. I had brought my own camping chair to sit on and the usual stuff for Peyton. I set up my chair and put down my bag before walking over to Aaron with Peyton beside me. He had brought a friend with him and it seemed like he was coaching by the way the kids were starting to gather around the two adults. 

“Got a promotion?” I asked, making Aaron turn around to look at me. 

“Is it that obvious?” He questioned with a smirk. 

“To the parents who don’t just look at their phones, yes. You brought a friend?”

“Uh, yeah. (Y/N), this is David Rossi. My help with the coaching.” Aaron introduced his co-worker. 

“Think of it as a package deal.” Rossi joked playfully, earning a giggle from me. 

“Good luck with the kids, guys.” I smiled brightly at them before turning to my son. “Do good out there now Pey!” 

“I will mommy!” He exclaimed encouragingly before I gave him a high five. 

Peyton did awfully good in this soccer game too, it always warmed my heart so much to see how happy this sport made him. It also warmed my heart to see how engaged Aaron was in coaching, how he yelled out to the kids what to do and how he did it was just perfect. The man was perfect at doing anything. My son and Jack's team had won again (even though they didn’t keep score, I did). Aaron and Rossi cheered them on and told them how good they’ve played. They then called out for them to do the ‘tunnel’.  Usually I stood up and did it but as Aaron was standing facing me with his hands in the hair against Rossi’s, I felt how it began to tingle in my lower stomach as the wind made his t-shirt blow up a bit so that I could see his lower abdomen. This man did things to me by just laughing along with the kids while unintentionally flashing some skin due to the windy weather. 

After the tunnel was over my son came rushing over to me with the biggest grin on his face. I could see by miles that there was something he wanted to ask me, it was obvious by the wave he smiled uncontrollably. 

“Mommy…” he began, putting on his best puppy dog eyes.

“Yes, Peyton?” I smiled at him. 

“Can we go with Jack to get some ice cream?” he asked, it took me a second to process just who was coming alongside Jack. “Pleaseeeee!” 

“Yeah, sure buddy…” I huffed, hoping that Rossi also was coming along. 

It’s not that I didn’t want to hangout with Aaron, it’s just the way that he looked at me made me both aroused and nervous. I didn’t know for how much longer I could behave around him, but as long as the kids were around I wasn’t worried. When you have a seven year old, you need to always keep an eye out for them and then you don’t have time to drool over some guy. 

I took Peyton’s hand in mine and began walking towards Aaron once I had packed up my stuff. He gave me a small nod before we walked to the parking lot together. Once we got to our cars, Rossi said his goodbyes and I immediately questioned;

“You’re not coming?” 

He shook his head and smiled. “No, I have errands to run unfortunately… next time though.” 

I nodded and got into my car, completely missing out on the look Aaron shot Rossi’s way. He knew that Rossi was lying, he had already told him that there wasn’t anything going on between him and (Y/N). But Rossi called bullshit on that and decided to try and do a little match making of his own.  

While we were on the way to the ice cream shop, I was following Aaron’s car. He was such a gentleman in that way, showing me the way. It was like when a man in an old romance movie took a lady’s hand and led her somewhere. I took this advantage of mine and called out for my son;

“Peyton?” 

“Yes, mommy?” he asked from the back, his small voice barely heard over the engine and other cars passing by. 

“Do you like Jack? It seems like you guys are becoming good friends.” I smiled at him in the rearviewmirror.

“Yeah, he’s really nice! I like him a lot, he’s almost my best friend.” Peyton informed me, feeding me all the information I wanted to hear. 

“Who’s your best friend if he’s not?” I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

“You, mommy.” 

“Aww,” I looked lovingly at him. “Well you should invite Jack over sometime honey.” I offered to him softly, watching as his face lit up.

“Really?” He asked excitedly. 

I nodded and smiled earning an even bigger smile from the little boy in the back. We had arrived at the shop and went inside, the boys were looking at all the different flavors and debating with each other on which one was the best to get while standing in line. Aaron and I stood behind watching the kids in awe, to every other person in the room we seemed like a regular family. 

“You didn’t do the tunnel today.” He suddenly spoke up beside me.

“Pardon?” I asked with a confused smile. 

“You always join in when we do the tunnel, but you didn’t today.” Aaron clarified and I wondered how he had noticed such a small detail. 

“Oh, I was just so caught up in watching Peyton having fun that I kinda missed it, I guess…” I explained while shrugging. 

It wasn’t all a lie, I couldn’t tell him that the main reason why was because I had been too busy gawking at the man I was currently making conversation with. 

“You did a really good job today coaching. All of the kids absolutely adore you.” I complimented him, earning a small smile. 

“I’m glad to hear that, so you think I’m improving the team?” He smirked playfully. 

If I didn’t know any better I’d say he was trying to flirt with me. But I was convinced I was just making something up in my head.

“Oh, absolutely.” I agreed. “If they were keeping scores your team definitely would’ve won, coach.” I joked back at him, fist bumping his shoulder at the last word making him chuckle. 

His smile was dangerous from how alluring it was. When he wasn’t wearing the facial expression that made you think he was gonna rip you apart, (he looked like that during parent meetings) he actually seemed so sweet and harmless. My best guess is that he is just a big teddy bear. I couldn’t help but wanting to get closer to him, he was so beautiful and understanding. Everything Peyton’s biological dad wasn’t. Although, I didn’t want to ruin this friendship for Peyton, so I kept my hands to myself. Promising myself that I wouldn’t ever act on this for my son’s sake. 

While we ate the ice cream, Peyton had asked Aaron if Jack could come over sometime. The two boys immediately started begging Aaron to let him come over, before answering he looked over at me and searched for my approval. I offered a small smile and nodded that it was okay. That’s how we scheduled the first of many play dates between Jack and Peyton. It was set up for friday afternoon after school and I was going to pick both of them up when their day was over. 

It was wednesday and Aaron was out on a case with the team, investigating a serial killer that went after local (Y/H/C) haired women. Since these women all had the same hair colors as the woman who’s recently been getting in contact with his son, Aaron saw it as the perfect opportunity to find out if he wanted Jack to go over to her house. He picked up his phone, even though he knew it was wrong, and dialed the one person he knew couldn’t catch him in a lie. 

“Garcia?” 

“Yes, sir?” 

“I need you to check a potential victim for me, her name is (Y/N) (L/N).” Aaron lied to Penelope, but he needed to know who he was letting his son get close to. 

“Uh, there’s nothing here that sticks out really… except that she wasn’t born in the area that you’re in.” Penelope said. 

“Criminal records?” He couldn’t help himself from asking even though he knew it was highly unlikely. 

“None, sir.” 

“Alright, thank you Garcia.” 

Once he hung up and turned around he closed his eyes and cursed himself mentally. Rossi stood behind him with his arms crossed and a disappointed look plastered over his features.

“Really, Aaron?” he asked. “That woman is harmless. I’ve met her, besides, you know it yourself, she’s a total sweetheart.”

Aaron sighed and nodded to signalize that he knew that but both men knew exactly why he couldn’t help himself. He walked past Rossi and back to the rest of the team who were discussing the new clues they’d gotten. 

I pulled up to the school on friday, smiling as I saw the two small boys running towards my car in excitement. They got inside of a side each on the car and I waited until they had buckled up their seatbelts. I had gotten an extra booster seat for Jack so that they’d be riding in the car securely. The two were so caught up in discussing what they were gonna do when they got to our house that they forgot to greet me. I was fine with that though, as long as I got to watch them be so happy. 

The several hours that passed before Aaron came to pick up Jack around 6PM felt like ten minutes. The boys’ laughter had been heard throughout the house every single minute they’d spent inside it. Now here I stood face to face with Aaron who had his suit on him. I’d never seen him in his work clothes before but he was sexier than usual. The boys were cleaning up in Peyton’s room, therefore I had invited Aaron inside. So here we were inside of the house in front of the front door, the staircase beside us. 

“Has Jack been good?” he asked, raising an eyebrow which I laughed at lightly.

“Yes, of course. He’s a total sweetheart.” I smiled at him while putting my hand to my chest. “They’ve been giggling like crazy ever since I picked them up at school.” 

Aaron smiled at me. “I’m glad to hear that… Jack is more confident around Peyton, he isn’t much of a talker normally.” 

“I guess they really enjoy each other’s company then… Peyton talks a lot, it’s kinda a bad habit of his.” I confessed making Aaron nod a bit at me with a soft smile.

Just then the boys came rushing down the stairs, they practically flew down as they ran.

“No running on the stairs!” Both me and Aaron scolded at the same time making both the children stop like a deer caught in headlights. 

“Sorry,” was heard from both of them. 

A month had passed since Jack had been over at my house, since then he’d slept over once on the weekend after that week. Then Peyton went over to Aaron's place also and spent the night there. But they were mostly at my house since Aaron worked quite a lot. 

It was now another friday afternoon and around 5PM my doorbell rang. I walked towards the front door with Peyton following me like a tail. He and I knew exactly who were on the other side of that door. Me and Aaron had scheduled another sleepover for the boys because of how much time they liked to spend together. I had heard from two teachers at the elementary school they went to that Peyton and Jack had hung out a lot more. The boys were basically inseparable. 

I opened the door to find Aaron standing there in a typical dad sweater and jeans with his hand on Jack's shoulder. The minute the two children made eye contact their energy went from zero to a hundred. 

“Hi!” I smiled brightly at Jack then looked over at Aaron. “Nice to see you again.”

“Hi Miss (L/N).” Jack smiled widely, filled with excitement. 

“Come on in guys, Peyton’s been impatiently waiting ever since we left school.” I chuckled softly, earning a death stare from my son. 

Aaron also stepped through the door and handed his son the bag he had currently been carrying. “Be good now, Jack.” 

Jack nodded rapidly with a huge grin on his face when all of a sudden his father’s phone began ringing. He looked down at who was calling then quickly excused himself and went outside onto the front porch again. By the way he closed the front door behind him and the slight frown on his face, I could tell that whatever he was going to be told wasn’t good. 

“Oh no,” Jack said while frowning.

“What is it honey?” I asked concerned.

“He probably has to work.” The little boy said with a pair of puppy dog eyes as if he thought I could do something about it. 

“What?” Peyton questioned sadly. “That’s not fair!” 

“Boys, calm down. We don’t know anything for sure. Let’s not speculate…” I convinced them, but by the way Jack reacted to his father’s body language convinced me that he actually would have to leave for work.

When he came back inside we all stood waiting for him. Aaron bent down and looked Jack in the eyes sympathetically. 

“Jack, buddy. I’m sorry but I got called in on a case. You’ll have to stay over some other time… now we gotta get you to aunt Jessica.” He explained and frowned at the huff of disappointment Jack left out. 

“No! I wanna stay here!” he argued.

“You know that you can’t do that Jack… I will probably be gone the whole weekend and even on monday.” Aaron continued on frowning at his son, seeing how unhappy this made him. 

My mom-heart hurt for the two boys knowing how unhappy it would make them to have this sleepover that had been planned for two weeks taken away from them. I couldn’t help myself before I had proposed;

“He could stay here the whole weekend and until monday… I wouldn’t mind and I don’t think Peyton would either. Besides, he has already brought clothes and a toothbrush.” 

Aaron looked up at me and it felt like he was inspecting my whole body from the way he looked at me. I could tell he didn’t exactly like the thing I’d proposed and he stood up straight again as the boys began pleading him to let Jack stay over. Before saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ he turned to me.

“Could I talk with you for a minute privately, (Y/N)?” He asked, his tone laced with something that I didn’t know what it was. It sounded serious, aggressive, soft, concerning and seductive all at once.

“Yeah, of course.” I agreed and by the way he looked at me it felt as if I had the scolding of the year waiting for me. “You boys stay here, alright?” 

“Okay…” they both sighed before plopping down onto the second step of the stairs. 

As we entered the kitchen I slightly leaned onto the kitchen island behind me while Aaron stood with his arms crossed in front of me. The next things to come out of his mouth weren’t at all what I thought he would say. I’d been imagining on my way in here that he would begin to scold me but that wasn’t the case. Instead he told me;

“Look, I couldn’t possibly ask you to have Jack for an entire weekend, and possibly on Monday or even longer. He’s not your responsibility and it costs money to take care of an additional child… him and Peyton are usually pretty loud while playing and it might be hard to get them in bed by bedtime… I don’t know... I don’t want to put that much responsibility on you.” 

“Aaron, listen. It’s not a month he’s going to be staying here. Besides, I am financially independent enough to care for two children for half a week. I really like having Jack here, he’s an extremely nice kid. It’ll be fine and I’ll take good care of him, I promise.” I reasoned with him watching how he chewed his bottom lip in thought.

He wasn’t doubting his trust for you, it was just that so many things could go wrong for example if Jack fell and scraped his knee. Then you’d think that he was mad at you when he wouldn’t be. He just didn’t want anything to possibly mess up this friendship of yours. 

After a minute of silence Aaron agreed on letting Jack stay over. “Just call me if anything goes wrong or you need anything. Okay?”

“Yeah, I will. Now go to work Aaron.” I ushered him out of the kitchen back to the kids who were sitting on the stairs, Jack showing up a new toy he’d brought along. 

“Okay guys, good news… you can stay over until your father comes back, Jack.” I informed and in a heartbeat the two boys jumped up and down in excitement before hurrying up to Peytons room, shouting thank you’s from the top of the stairs.

“Promise me to call if there’s any problem and don’t be afraid to ask me if you want money for Jack’s food-” Aaron began rambling but cut himself off when he felt my hand on his bicep. 

He glanced quickly at my hand then into my eyes. The words I was going to say were long gone as his gaze made me melt on the spot. With my knees weak I gathered up enough sense for me to form words. 

“Relax, Aaron…” I mumbled, looking into his eyes then slowly sliding my hand further down his arm until it completely left his body.

He took a small step forward and I felt myself shrink in size as his gaze got more intense. 

“Promise me…” he whispered, his eyes shamelessly glancing over all of my features. 

“I promise.” I answered in the same low tone, I wasn’t quite sure exactly what it was I was promising anymore as this felt way beyond his son. 

Aaron pressed his lips into a thin line for a second when he realized what was happening and stepped back. Even though how close he was standing wasn’t enough for (Y/N) to feel his breath fanning onto her skin, it was enough for the tension to build between them. Like he had said before he didn’t want anything to screw up your friendship so he said goodbye as he usually did then took his leave. 

The weekend went by fast and Aaron had texted me on Saturday night to tell me that he was hoping to get done with work tomorrow. Then, on Sunday afternoon I got a text that said that he was going to have to work Monday too, I told him that it was okay and I understood. Although, I could feel his guilt through the phone. Monday rolled by fast and he texted around five that they were done with the case and they would board the jet in an hour or so. The flight was long though since he was all the way across the country. Therefore I wasn’t surprised by the sharp knocks that were heard from the front door around eleven while I was sitting in the living room. Aaron knocked softer than usual because he knew the kids were asleep and didn’t want to wake them even though they were all the way upstairs. I tied my kimono over my nightgown and walked towards the front door.

When I opened my front door, I found Aaron standing outside with his suit on. His tie was a mess indicating that he’d undone sometime on his way back from the case. It occurred that every time I saw this man in a new type of clothing or just his tie untied he’d become sexier than usual. And he was extremely sexy. I cursed myself again for being so easily affected, feeling how my breath got caught in my throat. 

“Hey…” Aaron sighed tiredly. “How are you doing?”

“Hi Aaron,” I smiled softly at him. “I’m doing good, how are you?” I asked him concerned. The poor man looked as if he hadn’t slept for days.

“I’m fine (Y/N).” He reassured me just as if he could see that I was worried about him.

Come to think about it, he could probably tell because of what he does for a living. He’d told me he was a fbi-agent but not much of what he does. I guess cops are good at body language and such things.

“Are you sure? You look exhausted Aaron, come on in by the way.” I moved aside watching him carefully while he stepped inside.

“I’m fine, I promise.” This time he was the one placing his hand onto my arm. “How has it gone with the boys?” 

“Oh, they’ve been great. Such sweethearts are what they are… when you have them for longer than a day they actually get quieter and quieter. We watched a movie together and I read for them. We’ve done all kinds of stuff actually.” I started smiling while babbling through the memories I'd made with them this past weekend.

“I’m glad to hear that you’ve had fun together.” Aaron smiled genuinely, removing his hand from me. “I’m just going to go and get Jack then we’ll be out of your hair. Thank you for taking such good care of him (Y/N).” 

He turned to his side and began walking to the stairs when I once again couldn’t keep my mouth shut and just had to continue on inviting people to stay over at my house.

“Aaron! Hold on.” I grabbed onto his arm making him immediately stop and his turn to look at me wonderingly. “Why don’t you just stay over this night? It’s a shame to wake the boys up, they’ve been asleep since eight o’clock and you can stay over in the guest room.” 

He looked taken back by my suggestion, he was probably wondering why I kept on being so good to him and offering kind gestures. 

“I really don’t want to be a burden (Y/N), I mean Jack’s already been here until monday night.”

“You’re not! Aaron, I really enjoy having you and Jack here.” I smiled, rubbing my thumb against his bare skin where the arm of his suit jacket ended. This action made him look deeper into my eyes than before, the look he was giving me made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. “Have you brought along any clothes from your work trip?” I gulped nervously, his ways of just staring at me making me want to giggle as a school girl. 

He nodded shortly before excusing himself to go get them. In a matter of thirty seconds he was back inside my house again. I nodded with my head for him to follow along to the guest bedroom. He walked closely behind me on our way up the stairs, this action making me feel both nervous and secure. Nervous because he was so close to me and secure because I felt like if someone were to try and attack me in my own home tonight, Aaron would be there to protect me with his life. 

I entered the room alongside Aaron and told him that he could wash up in the guest bathroom and I’d go get sheets to make the bed with. To be fully honest I hadn’t had anyone sleeping in here for a long time therefore the bed wasn’t made. I came back inside the room a minute later and Aaron was still in the bathroom getting ready for bed. Making beds was always a struggle for me, having to crawl over the whole thing while trying to put on the sheets. Bed making is one of those tasks that I’d rather leave to someone else. Just when I had crawled off the double bed Aaron exited the bathroom. He was wearing a pair of dark blue checkered pajama pants along with a white t-shirt, and shit… he looked even sexier like this. I mumbled that I had finished setting up before heading towards the door.

“Thanks again, for everything.” Aaron suddenly thanked me with a soft voice.

I looked over my shoulder and offered him a smile. “Sleep well, Hotchner.” 

The next morning I woke up early and had already gotten ready around six. I stood in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone, waffles to be exact. I had learned that waffles is a favorite starter of the day with the two little boys. The clock was almost seven when Aaron came into the kitchen, fully dressed and fixed in his suit and he looked like he’d slept well. He seemed to be an early bird just like me, I knew it was more of a parenting thing instead of something you’d do voluntarily. 

“Morning.” I smiled at him while stirring the batter. 

He nodded at me briefly. “Anything I can help with?” 

“Oh, uh, yes actually! You can get the orange juice ready, it’s one of those that needs to be blended with water.” I instructed him, pointing towards the refrigerator. 

He got the package from the fridge then looked completely lost. I now understood he needed a jug.

“Oh sorry, let me get a jug out for you.” I apologized quietly before opening the kitchen cabinet, which was way out of my reach. 

I stood on my toes, grunting as I tried to reach it. Aaron watched me struggle for a moment and when he realized I wouldn’t be able to get it down he stepped in. 

“Let me get that for you.” He said before walking up close behind me. 

I felt his strong and tall figure reaching over me, consuming my shadow with his own in a second. I felt the warmth of his body against mine when our bodies collided for a second or two. I looked down onto the ground and felt my cheeks heat up. 

“Thank you…” I mumbled awkwardly after he stepped back from me again. 

We continued on making breakfast normally after that except that we didn’t say another word. I guess what I had felt he had too, it had always been there, it was just more intense now. It took everything for me not to let him absolutely ravish me on my kitchen counter like a slut, right here, right now. 

By now the boys had woken up by themselves. Both Aaron and I heard them rushing down the stairs, guessing they’d smelled the waffles. When they stepped into the kitchen Jack's eyes immediately lit up. 

“Daddy!” he exclaimed happily before rushing towards his father.

Aaron happily scooped Jack up and gave him a kiss on the forehead before holding him close telling him how much he’d missed him.

“I hope you boys are hungry.” I singsang from where I was standing, making Peyton jump onto his seat at the table. 

Aaron had set the table nicely, the two boys sitting on a side together leaving him and I to sit beside each other. The three boys sat down and waited for me to serve the food. I walked up with waffles stacked on a plate, handing out one each to the boys before taking a seat. I poured the juice into their cups while Aaron helped open the maple syrup. Once they had begun eating and we could dig in, I missed how he looked over at me. Watching me with love in his eyes, this had been a feeling Aaron had missed. The feeling of family, the feeling of belonging together. He soon realized that he might have some feelings for you, although he’d been in denial about it since he first felt it. Everything about you was perfect, you were kind, responsible, funny and the way you acted around the kids is so wholesome and domestic. You were the perfect wife material in his eyes.  

As I cleaned up in the kitchen the kids were brushing their teeth before they would be driven to school by Aaron, he had offered so kindly to drive them since I’ve had them the entire weekend. He also kept telling me that he would ‘make it up to me’, I wasn’t completely sure what he meant by that but all I knew was that he was in fact a man of his word. 

What Aaron had meant by making it up to me occurred to be that he hosted sleepovers for the boys on the weekends for the three months that had gone by. I asked him to let me host the sleepover after the first two he’d had but he refused, now he’d had Peyton over at his house five weekends in three months. It seemed that he wanted to continue on this way until I got a call from him on this particular Friday morning. Peyton and Jack had a sleepover scheduled for tonight and the dilemma was that Aaron had been called in on a case. This time instead of not being completely onboard with Jack staying over for a few days, he was the one proposing the question. 

It had become a routine for the one sleeping over on a friday to bring along his bag to school. It took away the pleasure for me to be able to see Aaron but I’d still see him when he came to pick his son up. It felt okay to only see him then because they still had the soccer games he was coaching at and it had become a regular thing for you to bring him and Rossi coffee every saturday. Rossi saw the way you two looked at each other and tried to talk Aaron into making a move on you but he only dismissed his colleagues suspicions. 

Over the time that had passed, I realized that I’d become worried for Aaron everytime I knew he was out on a case. You see, he’d opened up more to me about what he exactly does. It only then occurred to me just how dangerous his job was, although I knew he could handle it. I mean… look at the man! 

It felt to me as if Jack was becoming my second son. Not because of the amount he had spent over at my house, it was also due to the fact of how much time I spent with him, Peyton and Aaron. We’d go out and eat at restaurants together, we even celebrated Peytons birthday together. I mean it felt a lot as if we were a family, the only issue was that I’d never confess my undying love for Aaron Hotchner. 

The weekend Jack spent over passed by fast, the three of us played games. I taught them how to play jenga, but it wasn't anywhere near a favorite with them. They thought it was pretty boring and instead ran off to play outside. It was now Sunday afternoon when Aaron rang the doorbell he’d installed for me, turns out he was quite handy too. There wasn’t one thing about him I disliked. 

When you opened the door you smiled at Aaron with that exact smile that always caused his heart to melt. You weren’t like any woman he had ever met before and he loved every part of you. You stepped forward to bring him into a quick embrace, from how close you’d grown it wasn’t a weird thing. The only weird thing about it was that none of you wanted to let go, the hug was a few seconds long for just having friendly intentions. 

I rubbed my palms against the fabrics of my jeans and nodded at him once we’d pulled away from each other. Aaron stepped inside the house and closed the door gently behind him, as he always did even if he was in a hurry. I’d never once witnessed him slam a door. 

“Jack, honey! Your father’s here!” I shouted up the stairs hearing the faint footsteps starting to walk around the room.

Both Aaron and I knew that meant the boys were cleaning up the toys they’d been playing with. It is constantly something new every single week, last week they were pirates, now they are firefighters. But the all-time favorite was being cops, both of the two looked up to Aaron. They thought he was a superhero, Jack had influenced Peyton to believe so at first and then when he heard Aarons stories about work, he was convinced that Jack’s dad was in fact, a superhero. 

The next week went by as regular, I worked and worked and worked. Then the week after that I had gained a day off on Thursday. Everything passed by as usual until that Thursday when I had my day off. It was a windy and gray day outside, no rain had erupted from the sky yet but by the looks of it it was about to happen any second. The clock was somewhere around the middle of the day meaning that Peyton was in school. I had just finished up some laundry when the doorbell rang, my eyebrows furrowed in thought. I had no idea who could show up at my house at this time of day.

As I opened the door I was met by Aaron, he had a troubled look on his face and was dressed in his normal work clothes. Something had clearly happened from the way he was looking at me. 

“Hey (Y/N), I’m sorry for coming over without a warning…” Aaron sighed heavily. “Can I talk to you inside for a minute? Please?” 

He had known she’d be home because he knew everything about her. Everything and every side of herself she’d shown or taught him, he remembered. Last week when she was picking up Peyton from a play date at his place she’d mentioned her day off and said that she looked forward to it, since her job was killing her at the moment. Her boss had been stressing the life out of her, he wanted to help her but there wasn’t anything he could possibly do. 

“Yeah, of course. Are you alright?” I asked out of concern, I couldn’t even help it by now the question just slipped out naturally. “Can I offer you anything to drink?” I wondered while he stepped through the door. 

“No, I’m good, thank you.” 

“Aaron, you’re clearly upset, let me at least get you something to drink…” I plead wanting to do anything to make him feel better. 

He nodded and mumbled an ‘okay’ before following me into the kitchen. I had previously made coffee, so I grabbed a mug and poured it up for him. Making it exactly the way he enjoys it the most. Aaron scratched at the handle of the mug while staring down at the kitchen island, he knew he had to say something but didn’t know where to start. There were so many things he wanted, no need to say before he left your house today.

Aaron had one hand placed flat against the marble worktop and the other with his fingers rubbing his temple. He had started saying anything until you placed your hand on top of his, grabbing onto it. He looked deep into your eyes, seeing your worry for him. You’d never once witnessed him like this and it made you nervous to say the least. 

“I’m going away…” he sighed and my eyes widened. 

A million questions began running through my head at the same time but only one managed to slip past my lips;

“What?” 

“It’s work…” he sighed, taking a hold of your hand as well. “I’ve been assigned to temporary duty with an investigative task force in Pakistan.” Only now Aaron dares to look up into your eyes and he can see that a dozen questions are running through your brain. 

“Why are you telling me this? Aren’t you supposed to be working right now?” I questioned him.

“I left as soon as I could to tell you…” he confessed and it surprised me. He’d left work just to be able to tell me that he was going away. “I don’t know why (Y/N), it felt right.” 

“Well, how long are you going to be gone for? Who’s going to take care of Jack?” I hadn’t noticed myself that I had started tearing up, I had no idea why this was so emotional.

As soon as Aaron saw the tears threatening to spill from my eyes he stood up and hovered over me. I backed further up against the kitchen island until he was standing over me. His body was merely a couple of centimeters away from him. I felt his hands cup my cheeks and he continued on looking into my eyes intensely. 

“It could be anything from two weeks to a couple of months, I was hoping maybe you and Jessica could have Jack for a week each… I know you’re not his mother or anything, it's just that he likes you so much and feels safe with you that I wouldn't rather have him anywhere else.” Aaron explained in a soft tone, wiping the tear that fell from my eye with his thumb. 

“Yeah, of course I can have Jack here… it’s just… Do you have to leave?” My voice broke asking the question.

He nodded, bringing me into a tight hug, soothingly rubbing my back with his hand. He told me that he was going to be fine and I didn’t doubt that it’s just that I didn’t want to be away from him that long. I felt pathetic because I felt that way. Why? It was the fact that he and I weren’t even together or anything and I still cared this much that he was going away for weeks. I had no idea if the thing he was going to do was dangerous or not, in case it was… I had to get out everything I was feeling for him. I couldn’t risk him dying and never knowing what I’ve been feeling for him all because I am afraid. 

“I- I think I love you, Aaron…” I whispered into his chest carefully. 

I didn’t want to pull away from this secure embrace, we were holding onto each other as if it was the last time we ever could. He still had his arms wrapped around me as he pulled back a bit in surprise. 

“What did you say…?” Aaron questioned, wondering if he had just imagined the words that had left her lips in a whisper. 

“I said, I think I love you, Aaron.” I looked up at him while speaking softly. 

My hands around his waist were loosening up for each second passing, his arms left around my shoulder then cupped my cheeks once again. “I love you too, (Y/N).” 

Those were the last words I heard before my hearing went numb and I felt my legs give out. I thought my heart would explode from how fast it was beating when I saw Aaron lean in slowly. He stopped right in front of my lips, just barely brushing them with his own. I felt his breath on my face, both of us breathing heavily just hoping for that kiss to happen. We shut our eyes and that’s when it happened, the first kiss. It felt like I was in a movie, I felt my entire body melt into his touch as the first kiss was soft. 

I brought my hands up to his neck when we broke apart after the first kiss. We opened our eyes to look at each other and our gazes had changed drastically. Now we only saw lust and desire. Aaron’s hands quickly found my thighs and helped me up onto the kitchen island meanwhile he connected our lips into a rough kiss. He stood in between my legs and pulled me towards him as our kisses grew sloppy and hot. 

Aaron soon enough moved down onto my neck and began nipping, sucking and biting. My hips rolled against him in search for friction and he pressed me against his growing erection. I moaned when he found my sweet spot and began placing kisses there, his rough stubble tickling my sensitive skin. After a while he began kissing his way up to my lips again. My hands roamed his clothed chest as he groped my ass and continued on pressing me against him. 

“I need you.” I whispered in between sloppy kisses. “Take me upstairs Aaron.” 

His wish was my command, he put his hand under my thighs and grabbed me off the counter. Not breaking our kiss once he began walking towards the stairs. When Aaron accidentally bumped me against the railing I couldn’t help but to throw my head back slightly while I giggled. he immediately latched his lips onto my throat, once again finding my sweet spot as he made his way up the stairs. 

After he swung my bedroom door open there was no going back. Aaron threw me down onto the bed and then crawled onto the bed himself. He separated my legs to then place his hand against my cloth covered core while he got on top of me. I moaned into his ear when he applied pressure to my clit with his thumb through my pants. I bucked my hips against his hand wanting more friction, Aaron had his mouth kissing all the exposed parts of my chest listening to every sound I made. 

He then slowly pulled my shirt off before kissing at all the new flesh he could come into contact with. Although, he waited with taking off my bra. I could tell extra much now that Aaron was a man with a lot of patience and if he wanted to he could easily turn me into a begging mess. I started tugging onto his hair to make him go somewhere more useful, either up or down it didn’t matter. He easily noticed how fast I was growing impatience and looked up at me with mischief in his eyes. 

“You haven’t had a man taken care of you for a while, have you?” Aaron smirked, teasing me. 

“Please…” I started to beg, trying to thrust down onto his hand. “Please, Aaron.” 

“Please what?” His hand trailed from between my legs to my face, caressing my skin along the way. 

“I need you… right now.” 

From those words I saw the look in his eyes darken even more than before. He then without another word tugged my pants off of me and then snapped my bra open. I shivered feeling his fingertips dance against my soft skin while he slid my bra off me. Immediately, Aaron gripped onto my breast with one hand, mouth getting to work on the other. His other hand caressed my stomach slowly going further and further down, his actions taking my breath away and letting butterflies erupt in my stomach in a way I'd never felt before. 

He ran his finger along the edge of my underwear before slipping his hand inside. Aaron licked in between my tits before kissing upwards towards my mouth. Once our lips had connected he slid one of his digits inside of me, his hand that had previously been groping my breast was now on my hip pressing me further down onto the bed. The kiss we shared silenced the gasp that left me, he started fucking me with his finger slowly, getting me ready for another one. I had my hands on his back, pressing him closer and closer against me. 

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful.” Aaron mumbled against my lips and I could hear the moan that left my mouth at his words. 

While he continued on slowly pumping in and out of me with his finger I took off his suit jacket. He let me easily slide it off while he continued on kissing me roughly, I then began unbuttoning his shirt after undoing his tie. Aaron removed his hand from my hip and quickly slid out of me to remove the remaining clothing on his upper body. He wasted no time once they were off to get back inside me, this time two fingers at the same time. I gripped onto the sheets and arched my back feeling the stretch from just his fingers. Aaron smirked at me while he watched me moan and cry out for him to finger me faster. 

Truth to be told was that I hadn’t been touched from what I could remember since Peyton was born, I never found time too. And I didn’t have his dad around to love me either since he took off the moment he found out I was pregnant. 

This time when Aaron leaned down to my level he started leaving marks across my chest, biting down onto the sensitive skin around my nipple. His other hand had found its old place on my hip, holding my body in place. I grinded down onto his fingers, wanting more and more by each second that passed. 

I audibly whimpered when I felt Aaron starting to thrust his fingers into me harder with the same steady pace as before. He had sped up a tiny bit but was going harder on me. I took my hand and caressed his cheek making him look at me. 

“Come on…” I moaned, feeling how he didn’t stop curling his fingers instead of me for a second. “Up here…”

He obeyed and positioned himself with his head hovering over mine, still with his fingers buried deep inside of me. I dug my nails into the back of his neck and pressed my lips rough against his. Aaron sped up his pace with his fingers making me moan even louder. He was getting me ready for him, I knew that he knew I hadn’t been with a man for a long time. Mostly because I had confirmed it about ten minutes ago but also because he had studied me before and my body language around him. I was insecure of what the right move was as if I'd forgotten how to behave around a man, he knew that he made you nervous and he’d be lying if he didn’t confess that it turned him on quite a bit. 

“Aaron…” I begged within a long and loud moan. “I’m ready for you.” I began fiddling with his belt, trying to get it open with my shaking hand.

My whole body had become putty from his touches, I wanted to finish with him not from his fingers. I wanted to be one with him, he was leaving after all. I had no idea when but he was, all that mattered right now though was to be able to spend a night (or day) with him. 

I felt how his fingers slowly slipped out of me and he freed his belt from his trousers. His hard-on painfully obvious through his slacks. I bit down on my lip while I watched him undo his pants. He slid them off along with his boxers revealing his size to me. I almost gulped nervously at the size of it. For a man that size he sure is humble about it, most men would be bragging but Aaron was different. More mature and grown. 

He then slipped his fingers under the fabric of my panties on each side before gently and sensually sliding them off my body. My thighs smacked together once my legs were free from his hands, searching for any kind of friction and release they could get. Aaron then put a hand each on my thighs and pressed them apart, getting a look at my cunt. He bit down on his lower lip as he pumped his erection twice. 

For a final time he got on top of me, this time lining himself up at my entrance. I immediately wrapped my legs around him, allowing more access to let him do whatever he wants to me. My arms were wrapped around his back, hands resting at his shoulder blades. Aaron looked into my eyes and placed his hands on my hips, once again holding me down against the mattress. I threw my head back against the pillow feeling his tips entering me, then another inch and another. He kept going until his whole length was inside of me. My whole body shook and I breathed heavily while digging deep into his back with my fingernails. He gave me some time to adjust before almost completely sliding out of me. 

Aarons breath was also shaking as he thrusted into me again. He pulled back and did it again, I moaned as he fucked me slow, at first, into the mattress. I didn’t think about the marks I left on his back by scratching down as hard as I did. While my nails dug into his back, his dug into my hips. We both just breathed shakily into each other's mouths, none having the power or self control to lean into a kiss. 

“Please, faster…” I begged, looking straight into his eyes. 

He almost moaned at the sight of me, begging for him. Aaron had been dreaming of this for such a long time and now he wanted nothing more than to please you better than you could ever dream of. He gripped on harder to your hips and steadied himself better on the bed by sitting up more, so any chance you had of kissing him was now gone. Aaron then began pounding away in and out of you. The pace he now had was at least four times quicker than the last one. For a man his age he was extremely well kept and physically fit. I gripped onto the sheets for dear life feeling how my entire body was on fire. My legs jerked as they were resting helplessly on the mattress. 

I couldn’t help but to feel my eyes roll back into the place furthest back in my head from the insane amount of pleasure Aaron was providing for me. He had the capability to hold a steady rhythm like no other man I’d ever been with before. It was as if he’d known my body all his life, he also listened to what I wanted precisely and gave me exactly that. 

“Harder! Aaron!” I arched my back feeling how he filled me up just perfectly. 

He then took a hold of my legs and threw them over his shoulders, allowing him to go deeper into me. Aaron was losing his self control, he began pounding animalistically and his thrusts were brutal. He showed no mercy now and my thighs weren’t there to stop his hips from slamming into my skin anymore. I could feel how his entire length disappeared into me then came back out to even more brutally slam back in. 

“Oh my gosh!” I cried out, my hands trying to find something to desperately hold onto as my body now flew into the mattress with every thrust that I received from Aaron. 

I bit down on my lip harshly to contain the moans trying to force their way out of my mouth. I looked at Aaron, watching how his strong hands had my hips in a tight grip. My tits moved up and down with each thrust and each thrust getting me closer to my release. This felt way better than what I’d thought, Aaron pounding away on me like I belonged to him felt so much better than what I’d ever imagined. And I had imagined it a lot. 

I heard Aaron moan for the first time when my walls squeezed him. His head dropped backwards and I had to whimper at the sight of him. How was it possible for someone to be so attractive?

“Shit sweetheart, do that again.” He groaned, feeling my walls clench around him again.

My legs shook while I felt a knot in my stomach, I knew I was close and by the looks of it he was too. Aaron’s hands traveled from my hips to my legs, where he could feel how they shook violently. He couldn’t help the smirk appearing on his face when he realized how good he was fucking you. 

Aarons hands caressed my body while continuing to thrust into me violently, I couldn’t help but to cry out loudly feeling how I was almost over the edge now. He had complete control over me while I laid there being a helpless moaning mess. 

I knew it was over for me the second Aaron pushed my legs forward and began angling his thrusts, fucking me even deeper. I felt the stretch on the underside of my legs and groaned at the feeling of it. I didn’t expect to be this flexible at this age and I don’t think Aaron did either from the deep rough moan that was heard from him. I could now reach for his arms that were holding onto the bed for support, one on the headboard and one beside my head. The whole bed was moving from how hard Aaron was going, slamming into the wall every now and then. 

“Aaron!” I screamed, clawing at his arms leaving long, red stretch marks. 

The next minute my head was literal mashed potatoes. I felt how the knot in my stomach untied and the intense feeling of pleasure spreading throughout my whole body. Witnessing me finish did it for Aaron, he thrusted roughly a few more times, riding out my orgasm before burying himself in me as deep as he could. I was so caught up in my own euphoria that the warm feeling of his seed filling me up almost went unnoticed. 

After he finished and his dick softened and slowly slipped out of me, he released my legs from his devilish position. They shook aggressively as they hit the mattress, I laid there trying to catch my breath and think through what the hell just happened. My chest and neck had flushed from the intense orgasm. Aaron stroked his fingers against my outer thigh before moving towards the bathroom. He came back out a minute later and began cleaning me up, after he was done cleaning us both up he leaned down to kiss me softly.

“Sorry if I got a little carried away, did I hurt you in any way?” He moved strands of hair out of my face while asking gently.

“No, I’m fine.” I whispered, patting on the bed beside me.

Aaron got the message and laid down behind me, spooning with me. He kissed me behind my ear and after that we began having a more serious conversation about him going away and how to tell the children that we were now officially dating. And I was probably the future Mrs. Hotchner.

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// @red-red-rogue // @dm_410842 // @dm410842 // @andrea9 // @lokispet-buckyswhore // @sebastianstanwhore // @alexa-33 //

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[moon-catto]

Hey could I request a story of Y/n and Gojo being divorced but they have a kid together whos 6, y/n used to have a childhood friend who’s actually pretty attractive, he’s a really famous soccer and he comes to Japan for awhile but they get close again and gojo can’t seem to stand that, the boy is really flirty but also really respectful and nice

Satoru's Little Helper

I wanna make this a pure angst but my weak heart can't stand it hehe.

Summary: The reunion with your childhood friend doesn't sit well with your ex-husband.

Warning: Hurt with comfort.

Masterlist

Satoru couldn’t be more happier when he’s finally able to meet his precious daughter again. His lips curved into a gentle smile as he found her running towards him ninja style— a habit she begins to develop after he and her binge watching season one of Naruto months ago.

Satoru kneeled with both arms open to welcome the toddler who is giggling happily in her father’s hug.

“Whoops—slow down, baby. You’re going to knock me down with that speed.” Satoru lets go of her to have a closer look to his little angel who now is giving him a wide grin as bright as the sun. His heart melted at the sight of her because it’s overflowing with unlimited affection and love to his sole star.

“I miss you daddy!” she snuggled closer to him and he couldn’t resist the temptation to not hold her up as he began walking from the school.

“I miss you too, sweetheart.” He kissed her chubby cheek and earned a precious giggle from the young girl. “To be honest, I think I might die if I spend another day without you.”

“You’re overreacting!”

“Where did you learn that word, huh?”

“From mommy!”

“Figures.” Satoru hummed. The bittersweet feeling inside his heart made the smile on his face faltered a bit. He thought after months not seeing you, the pain will be numbed a bit but it’s just the opposite. The yearnings he had for you just grow stronger in each passing day— leaving him wondering and imagining the happy days he had with you before.

If he weren’t so selfish back then, is he still able to come home to you and his daughter?

He knows it’s useless to think about the impossible, but the thought stayed in the depth of his mind like a plague. Regret rotting inside his heart, knowing he lost the most important things of his life, one he couldn’t retrieve back however hard he tried.

“You’re sad again.” He doesn’t know since when he’s zoning out after his daughter talked to him again. “You’re thinking about mommy again, aren’t you?” His daughter, Shion puts her temple on his shoulder so she can see the expression on her dad’s face.

Solemn, he have so many expressions on his face that she couldn’t comprehend fully due to her young age but she knows that he’s genuinely feel sad.

“How do you know, honey?” he said with a gentle smile on his face.

“You always have that look on your eyes when You see mommy.”

A sharp pang appeared at his daughter words. She haven’t had any training yet but she’s just as observant like her dad. Should he be happy to see his daughter having his trait like this?

He lets out a soft chuckle, then he sat on the nearby bench with the young child on his lap.

“I am thinking of your mother.” He admitted. Despite her young age, she’s good at keeping secrets unlike Satoru. Maybe she got that from you instead of him.

“Do you think about her a lot?”

“... I do.” He said, softer this time.

“Then doesn’t that mean you still love her?” she tilted her head curiously, how can she be this cute when she’s asking a serious question like this?

“I am still in love with her.” He kissed her forehead. “But don’t tell your mother this.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t stop her from being happy.”

The trip to your house is short as he spent the time answering the questions of his curious daughter. She’s wondering why he doesn’t chase after you when he’s clearly in love.

“You’re still young so you don’t know about it.” He parked near your house and turn off the car.

“About what?”

“Love story doesn’t always end in a happy way, my daughter.”

“That’s really depressing...”

“Huh, I guess i spent too much time with Nanami.” Satoru shrugged casually and hold Shion's hand to walk to your house.

He used to feel happy when he’s in front of your doorstep because you would be waiting for him there, but now after he knocked on this door he needs to leave his daughter and you, then goes on with his life.

He will need to wait for next week to be here again.

He feels the small hand of his daughter grabbed onto him tighter.

“Cheer up, daddy.”

Sometimes he wondered how can someone so stupid like him could have a mature daughter like her. His heart swelled with so much joy at her encouragement.

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

The girl replied him with a sweet smile before go and pushing the door open.

“Mom, I’m home!”

“Hello, love!”

His heart throbbed at your voice. The pet name, you used to call him just like that.

You appeared from the corner, running slightly to greet your princess with a warm hug. Your smile is just as bright as hers, the crinkle on your eyes as they fluttered shut made his heart clenched in both pain and endearment.

“You’re hungry?” you asked Shion.

She nodded.

“Go and have lunch in the kitchen.”

“Aye, aye!” the toddler then ran to the kitchen still with the ninja style.

“You’re teaching her that?”

Noticing that you’re talking to him, he couldn’t hold back his smile. “No, not really.”

“Just don’t teach her something dangerous.” You reminded him and he just nodded in silent.

“So, uh, are you well?” you asked, the awkwardness in your voice is strange and it just harshly reminded him that he’s just a stranger to you now. The bond you shared with him already severed, you don’t have any obligations to ask about his well being but here you are now.

If I told you that I’m not okay, would you comfort me?

He wanted to ask that, yet he knows better than to give you another pain.

“I’m good, you?”

“Ah, I see... well i'm—”

“Y/N?”

“Oh, Shinji-san!”

You turned to see your friend coming to you and missed how Satoru froze in his place. Shock painted all over his face and his skin goes colder at the thought that maybe... You found a replacement for him.

That soon?

“Ah, yeah, I forgot to tell you that uh—” you paused to find a perfect word to describe your relationship with Satoru without making the atmosphere weird.

“I’m her ex-husband.” He smiled and shook Shinji’s hand with a tight grip. “Gojo Satoru.”

“Oh, y-yeah. I’ve heard a lot about you, Gojo-san.” He’s stuttering over his words at the strong handshake. “The strongest sorcerer in Japan, right?”

“Oh, you’re a sorcerer?” Satoru asked with a fake surprise. He already figured it out, This useless conversation bored the hell out of him however he had to play nice because you’re here. “I don’t reckon seeing your face.”

“Ah, that’s because I worked overseas. I came back to Japan once in a while.”

“I see...” he looked at Shinji and then you. “So you’re her...?”

“Childhood friend.” You cut in and explained. Shinji may not noticed it, but you know well that Satoru is silently expressing his dislike towards your friend.

“So why is he here.” He doesn’t bother to ask him and turned to see you. For a moment you think you saw his blue eyes flickered, is he scared?

“Why do you need to know.” You bit back and watched him frowning at your cold reply.

“I’m just dropping by to say hi since I heard Y/N-san is divorced recently.” Shinji said after a few minutes of intense silence. “Just wanna make sure she’s okay.” He smiled to you.

Ah, would you look at that?

That smile on his face made his blood boil. He wants to punch his face and exterminate him for good, but he can’t .

Since he lost the privilege of doing so.

“I told you I’m doing okay.” You rolled your eyes. “You’re such a worrywart.”

He feels like he shouldn’t be here. He’s not a part of this conversation, however his heart is on fire right now. He doesn’t know what to do, he’s sure you don’t want to see him here when you’re trying to have fun... Without him.

He’s about to excuse himself when the proud daughter of you both came and pulled Satoru by his sleeve.

“Don’t go yet, Dad!”

“Why? Your dad is a busy person —”

“I can give you some time, honey.” Satoru cuts you off gently, and kneeled to see his daughter with a rice sticking on her left cheek. “What is it?”

“I-uh, uhmm...” she hummed, totally panicking under the gazes of the adults. “Oh, yeah! History homework!”

“Do you even learn history at your age?” you questioned her and she goes pale in the next moment.

“Y-y-yeah, we do!” she stomped her feet to solidify her words but you don’t buy it.

“Honey...”

“How about I take a quick look on your history homework first?” Shion gazed at her dad with wide eyes. Satoru winked at her, signalling that he’s going to help her with whatever she’s planning.

“But we’re going out now.” You told her and Shion sulked. “With uncle Shinji, remember?”

“No! I need to submit it tomorrow morning!”

“Shion, your school starts at 10 am.”

“That’s not the point!” she insisted and you soon gave up, because Shinji needs to take a flight this afternoon.

Then you leave Satoru with Shion. Looking at your attire, it seems like you’re going for a date with your supposed to be friend.

“You’re even sadder now.” Shion clipped another colourful hairpin on Satoru’s hair. He’s currently laying flat on his stomach, his head buried deep in the baby blue blanket of his daughter.

“... I don’t know anymore.” Satoru groaned, his voice muffled by the soft blanket.

“Why don’t you tell her?” Shion brushed his hair gently. The little palm of hers did wonders to soothe the pain a bit in his heart.

“About what?”

“That you still love her and want to be with her.”

“... I don’t think she’ll like that idea, honey.”

“Why not?”

“You see, she’s seeing someone now. I shouldn’t mess that up.” Satoru turned his body and smiled to see the confused face of his daughter. “I want her to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”

“How do you know?”

“Hmmm?”

“How do you know that she’s going to be happy with someone else?” Shion asked, she followed her father and lay beside him. His arms wrapped around her tiny body and pulled her to his chest.

“I... I’ve hurted her before.” He says, hesitantly. He’s not going to tell his problems with you to his young child, but the attentive stare that she gave him prickled his heart and spilled everything he has stored inside. She may have his six eyes, but she have your warm gaze. One that would melt his ice cold heart with just a simple glance. “I don’t deserve her, angel.” He admitted, and she pulled his head to her chest in an attempt to comfort him.

He’s not planning to cry, not in front of his own child. But the quick pats from Shion just made his tears fell. The image of you leaving the house with another man, he never feel this helpless before. He wants the earth to crack open and swallow him whole so he would never see that kind of sight anymore.

“You wouldn’t know if you haven’t tried, daddy.“ Shion kissed his forehead. “You’ll have to try, I’ll root for you daddy!”

Satoru chuckled. He patted her back gently and now hugging his little baby. “You don’t want another daddy?”

“No!”

“What about Shinji? He’s a nice guy.”

“Just you. You’re the one that I love, daddy.” She snuggled closer to him and he feels his heart bloomed at the cute gesture.

“I love you too, my child.”

Shion woke up mid sleep, she noticed that his father is in deep slumber. The skin under his eyes are slightly red because he cried earlier.

"Poor dad..." She muttered to herself. Her dad may appeared normal on the outside, but Shion often found him unable to sleep whenever she's having sleepover at his house. He would look at the old album when he's still with you and smiled fondly at the images.

On the other side, she noticed that you often look at your wedding ring at night. You've been in countless date before, but not even one man interest you because you would come home sighing, while glancing at the Teddy bear he bought for you— hidden in your wardrobe.

You treasured it, even after you separated ways with him.

You both clearly still in love.

Love story doesn’t always end in a happy way, my daughter.

"Bullshit." She muttered and took the phone you bought for her to contact you if anything happened. "I'll prove you're wrong, dad." Shion smiled mischievously and tapped on your contact's name.

The clock dings when it’s finally midnight. Satoru waited in the darkness of Shion’s room, wondering what took you so long to come home. Or are you planning not to come home after all and spend the night at that man’s house?

He shook his head.

No, you’re not the type to abandon Shion for something like that. He believes that you’ll come home and decided to wait.

Besides, he can’t let Shion alone here the entire night.

Not long after, A car stopped in front of the house and Satoru immediately get up from the bed.

He walked to the window to find you’re getting out from a cab with some paper bags in hand. You hurriedly went inside the house and Satoru prepared to greet you once again. His heart beating faster.

He’s walking down the stairs when you run towards him, surprising him by holding both of his cheeks with worried expression on your pale face.

“Satoru!”

“Uh, yeah?” He doesn’t know how to act when you’re this close to him, your cold hands cupping his hot skin and made his heart jumped.

“Are you okay?” You examined his face, not caring about his flabbergasted look. His eyes are slightly red, he must've been crying earlier.

“Huh? What? I’m okay.” He studied your face to see the reason why you’re acting this way. “Wait, hold on. Why are you like this? Did somebody threaten you?” he noticed your anxious expression and hold your wrist with his big hands. “Why are you shaking so much?”

“N-no, i-it’s just that i—” you finally realized just how close you are with him and it flustered you. You attempt to move to make some space between you two but he doesn’t let you.

“Y/N.” He calls you, he sounds stern but there’s a gentle undertone behind it.

“It’s Shion.” You groaned and he frowned. “She texted me an hour ago and told me that you have been crying ever since we left. I thought something happened to you.”

Satoru blinked. An hour ago? He recalled falling asleep at some moments... That little devil.

“Nothing happened to me.” He said and your shoulders slumped down due to intense anxiety earlier.

“Thank God.”

“You’re that relieved?” He guides you to the couch before walking to the kitchen to fetch you a glass of fresh water, you looked like you’re going to pass out any second.

“You never cried. That’s why I...” you gulped down your words, not daring to continue further. You would spilled the reason why you cut your date short with Shinji and came home hurriedly.

Because you still have lingering feelings towards the man who was your husband for five years.

Satoru smiled unknowingly. You haven't changed much, you're still a faint hearted woman because you're just too kind to others, even if they hurted you.

“Is that so?” He told you when he offered you the glass. “I do cry... But never in front of someone.”

“Because you hate being weak?”

“Yeah.” He admitted.

Silence once again filled the air before he opened his mouth to ask.

“... So do you like him?” he asked, he took a seat beside you still leaving some space between you both.

“Huh?”

“Your childhood friend.”

“... Why do you keep asking about him.” You sighed. “Aren’t you busy with your woman?”

“I don’t have a lover let alone a wife.” He says, the solemnity in his voice is raw, you doubt he’s lying now.

“Why?” you ask. You thought he Already moved on from you, he’s doing so well unlike you. You struggle to fight the wants to go back to his embrace, his shadows haunting you in your own house.

“The same reason why I ask if you like that guy.” He admitted quietly. “It’s pathetic, I know.” He rubbed his face, you can see his cheeks slightly red due to embarrassment. “But I can’t do anything about it, I feel like a sore loser seeing you going out with him.”

“I’m not a competition prize, Satoru.”

“I know. You are worth more than that.”

“Then?”

“I’m a loser for losing someone so precious like you.” He finally looks at you. His eyes glows softly like a jewel in the dimness of your living room.

“What are you up to?” you asked, the suspicion in your tone effectively broke his heart. You’re being wary of him, that’s expected however the pain that comes after feel twice as painful.

“Nothing.” He answered honestly. “I don’t even know what I’m talking about. Just... Forget it.” He rubbed his face again, clearly frustrated with the building emotions inside him just with a sight of you, sitting so near but still unreachable nonetheless.

“Are you going to leave?”

“If you ask me to.” He says in a small voice as if he’s wishing that you’d never heard his answer so he can be with you a bit more longer.

Even if all he feel is pain, he found comfort being near you. The one who keeps him sane while standing in the brink of insanity. He never told you how much power you hold over him, he’ll give you the world if you want.

“Then leave.”

Your words pierced straight to his core. For a moment, he thought his heart stopped beating.

He feels like he’s a step closer to death.

His legs feel too heavy to move when he’s walking towards the door. Wearing his shoes with so many thoughts roaming in his head, do you hate him? Do you not want to see him again? Should he never visit your house again?

As he stood and grabbed the door handle, he can feel your presence behind him.

“Tell Shion to meet me next week.”

“Okay.”

There’s no hesitance in your voice. This is it. This is the real end.

He opened the door and took a step out.

You were going to close the door, but the. He spun his body and grabbed the door just before it finally closed.

“Wait!”

Surprise washed over your face at the urgency in his voice.

“Wait! Just... Hold on...” he breathe heavily, his eyes are frantic when they met yours.

“What do you want, Satoru?” You scowled.

“I—” he gulped.

You wouldn’t know if you haven’t tried, daddy.

“Do you hate me?”

“W-what?”

He pushed the door open and took a step closer to you. His tall figure overshadowed you and made you took small steps behind while he’s inching closer and closer.

“Do you hate me, Y/N?”

“Why do you ask—”

“Please,” he sobbed softly. “I want to be with you again.”

“What?”

“I know. I’m months late.” He paused before continuing. “Truth to be told, I was afraid to see you. I’m scared that you would reject me again, so I’m running away from you. But I can’t do it anymore. I’m tired of hiding from you, Y/N.”

“Is it because of Shinji? You really don’t like it if I’m with another guy?”

“No!” he quickly shook his head. “If you think you can be happy with him, then I will never disturb you again.”

You don’t reply him and instead pulled his chin so you can see his face better. Tears are starting to fill his waterline while he tried his best to hold them back.

“...You’re lying.”

“Of course I’m lying!” he sobbed and everything broke loose. He decided to fuck everything now and just spilled everything to you. “How can I be fine when the only woman I love is in another man’s arms?!” he hits the wall beside you and you flinched.

“I can’t live without you.” He put his forehead on yours. “You’re my everything. My world and my greatest weakness. You can stab me with a knife and I will be grateful for it.” He cupped your cheeks with trembling hands. “Just stay with me.”

“Then why did you leave me?” you asked. The hidden feelings you’ve hurried slowly emerged with his gentle touch on you. “You’re the one who left.”

“I’m sorry.” He quickly hugged you. “I’m sorry, my love.”

“Do you know how much pain I felt when you slammed your door in front of my face?!” you hit his arms in a futile attempt to release your anger. “Do you know how long it took for me to be fine again, Gojo Satoru?!” a batch of tears streamed down from your eyes and wet his shirt, his skin seethes underneath as the guilt starts to burn his heart. Your painful cry amplified the fire inside him.

“I don’t know, I’m sorry honey.” He choked on his tears. “I’m sorry for being so selfish.”

“And you have the nerve to ask for my heart after you broke it.” You tried to pushed him, he’s trying to grab onto your arms desperately. “Let me go!”

“It was my mistake, Y/N. I swear I won’t do it again, even if the higher-ups threatened me again.” He fell on his knees and became a sobbing mess, his pieces shattered on the floor.

“You... What?”

“They’re planning to kill you and Shion.” He sobbed. “Just because you are my family.” You watched him slowly breaking while telling you the truth he kept all this time. It’s not the usual Gojo Satoru or your ex-husband who is kneeling right now. But a broken man who lost so many things just because he simply exists.

“I know I’m supposed to ask you first whether you want to stay or not.” He looked at you, all in his vulnerability and affection towards you. “But the fear of putting you and Shion in danger is so much bigger so I—"

You don’t wait for him to finish his sentence. You hurled towards him and hugged his frame with everything you got.

“OF COURSE YOU SHOULD’VE ASKED ME, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!” You began to wail, crying so loud and he’s unable to react immediately.

“If I had asked you... Will you stay with me?”

“Of course! Do you think I would leave you just like that?!” you pinched his arm annoyance and he couldn’t believe his ears.

“Do you really?” He pulled you so he can be more certain by looking at your expression.

“If I were afraid because of that, then why the hell would I marry you in the first place?!” You’re beyond angry, you feel like you want to kick his face for being such a fool for keeping it all and hurting alone— but you couldn’t, since his lips shut yours in a gentle kiss that had your heart skipped a beat.

“Satoru...” you whispered his name and he whispered yours back softly.

“I love you.” He kissed your cheek lovingly. “I just love you so much, it’s hurting me being away from you.”

You wiped his tears from his face. He leaned into your warm hand like a stray kitten.

“I’m still afraid...” you said and he looked you with such gentle gaze, urging you to continue. “That you might leave me again.”

He bit his lips. “I know. I won’t be having your heart back this easy, I’ll fight for you so you won’t be afraid of me anymore.”

In his tender gaze, you let yourself bask in his warmth again. Like a puzzle, your body fits perfectly into his as he wrapped his arms around you protectively. He kissed every skin available with silent promises to not let you go this time.

Hiding behind the wall, Shion peeked onto the living room. Watching gleefully at her parents currently hugging each other on the floor. Both looked peaceful and also tired from arguing and crying.

She smiled widely before walking quietly to her room. “My plan worked hehe.”

Masterlist

[denotday]

Maybel Rhodes: Protectress

Itchy arms. My armbumps bumps take over life and chew my head off like a black mother. Even the sleeves of this sweater craddle these potholes as an english muffin craddles butter. But I'm more than my bumps and I'd make a quip on Fergie, but I'm no Joan Rivers. I'm small, meager. At eighteen, trying to find myself, live my own life. Typical teen drama, boring narrative, sob story. bored already. But know what isn't boring? I like strawberry shortcake and cheeseless pizzas. I have hopes of becoming a journalist and actually leading a career as moreof a Clark Kent than a Mary Jane or whatever the fuck that bitch's name is. Mary Anne? That used to be the name of one of my teachers. Going off; just thinking these thoughts while skateboarding to highschool.

Stay on the sides, away from cars, on the sidewalk, not too close to the white kids. White kids mean white mess, white messes mean cops who sweep the streets and take all the black kids with them in the process. I'm not a racist, just a black kid trying to stay alive in white america. Thank god I'm a weak bitch, one who cries for black men, one who doesn't face real issues like projected aggression. I'm a butterfly, something that men swat away and don't care about until MeToo movements. Gotta be careful but not too careful, kind but not too kind, firm but not a bitch, bitch but not a faggot. faggots suck.

No one thinks to ask these questions, here this thoughts. They see a black woman, better yet, a black female child. Worse thing to live in a ghetto. Sike; I say that I'm black and in a ghetto and get sob points. Fucking racist. I'm skating to one of those Fresh Prince schools. Didn't move on up, I'm simply moving; parents are mid class well grounded and guess what? My parents are still together. Probably breaking up soon but still breaking barriors of broke baby daddies and black slutty whore mothers who don't believe in abortion.

That's humor in of itself. A black kid skates into a white neighborhood with white sidewalks and doesn't have a nigger daddy and nigger mommy. What can be said by those PTA suburban soccer moms who want to demonise me and my own? Or am I palatable and a token black?

Making good grades, going to class on time. Only thing is, I don't have any friends to call. Even if I had one of those top quality iPhone 411s, I still wouldn't want to burden myself with filling up those high-techy contact lists. It's all bullshit after all, just capitalistic bilge. Something to fill the void without actually trying to let the public know that the void they're filling chalks up to capitalism. But again, those little tangents? "What does this have to do with having friends?" Everything. I don't give a shit, I accept shit. I tell things like it is, speak with lisps or change it up by sounding like an oxford professor.Not going to just abandon stream of consciousness 'cause class just started. This aint sims 4 and life ain't something that can be controlled; sped up or slowed down for the sake of an other's pleasure. I'm learning about shit that I'll never use like economics. That's shit that the government gives the state to teach, a little but not enough for highschoolers to overwhelm the system and decide "fuck student loans".

Not too bad here, though. Not all just "fuck hyschool" and teenaged angst. I go to the library, read books, go on my computer, listening to some Biggie and MFDoom and Tribe. Guess I am a nigger. Nigger-me and my nigger music. Even tththough it's they inspiration for they cracker music. Hate on us enough to keep us down but keep us up enough to steal from us. Today I'm reading some teen dystopian fantasy novel that I don't feel inclined to share with you guys. And no, it's not Hunger Games. It's Gunger Hames, the cousin of the franchise. Whoops just gave ya'll the name sorry. Either way I'm into that. Idea of a not-so-distant-future; humans making mistakes that fuck up the planet---disregarding that fact long enough so that the white main character can get it on with someone from the other side. Modern day Romeo and Juliett.

End of lunch, going back to class. It's back to back all day; boring teen shit that nobody cares about. Raising hands, answering questions, not understanding anything by the end of the day. Getting by is my motto. Long enough to get an A in the class and be on those ivy league watchlists. Even if I have to bust my ass to pay for student loans. Leaving highschool after all that non-work---no friends to lie to, no one to walk with, just me and my skateboard. These white paths not dirtied by brown except for my dirt body moving at the speed that a skateboard will go. Shift right here and there. Move away from rocks so that I don't fall headfirst. It's good shit. Here and there there are stone pebbles, blunts from---ironically enough--- the white kids and sharp object that I can't identify. FUCK. I don't have time to move around it and I can't just run offf. My leg'll get cut by it. Gotta just build up enough speed to roll over. Rolling...rolling...here it comes. Crouch down, focus, focus, pump speed anddddd....it stops my speed and loosens one of my bearings. Now I gotta walk the rest of the way back to my white little house with a white picket fence. Man screw--haha pun---this object. I have to use my 20/20 vision to find some small silver bolt that'll practically blend in with this bright ass sidewalk. Fuck white America.

In a little patch of weeds growing like black fists raising in the air I see the bolt and the responsible party for tossing me off the board. I raise my foot to crush this sonnofabiscuit like a bug so that some white kid's bike tire doesn't get licked---mind you this should be considered community service---and I figure that I won't ruin my rubber soles on the glass, so I'll just pick it up and toss it into the sewer. I put the bolt in my sweatpants pocket to keep it safe. I bend over again to peer at the crack in the sidewalk that I'll punt to the other side of the street where the other half of the street lives. It has tribal markings on it and must be, gasp, an ancient arcane ruin that'll give me superpowers. Kidding, you dumb bitch. "Why am I talking to myself this way? Jeez, some self-improvement classes would be nice". It's a bracelet made of some sort of beads. Kindof pretty but caked up with dirt and sand like no-one's business. I'm no Rocket Racoon so I just leave it. Even if I felt that it was interesting enough, I'd have to clean it off and disinfect it. It would just ruin the material underneath. Hm. Hm. Hm. Hm. Hm. Hm. Lemme stop; for real, in this white bread neighborhood, I might be able to get it appraised and pawn it off for some money or at the very least, see if it's worth keeping. I know; "this is the start of every horror movie", every tv show. I get it, but I'll cleanse the jewelry before wearing it. It's fine. It's fine. Hope it's fine. Jeez.

I put the bracelet in my other pocket away from the bolt and walk back home. The soles of my feet hit the white pavement and my feet move in the fashion of jubillee ferris wheels. Slowly rise in a circle, fall in perfect arch. Walking is divine poetry in of itself. Not too long now. A little further. Feels like the day is stretching. Still light outside and the summer-brink of fall--air is warming my rectum. "Oh god, what's with gays and their rectums". You know your g-spot is in your ass, men. It feels good for us too you know. Nice coolness for the butthole----rectum is for men, butthole is for women. I think. See? Not a Cliff Huxtable type; don't know everything. Not an Urkle. Conversations with myself like this are truly golden (ponyboy).

Fondle the silver piece, twist it in lock, get somewhere new. Novel design, simple concept. My rubber soles give me cat-walking abilities and I edge up the stairs. Hear shuffling downstairs in the kitchen. But the smell of musky forest wood with a hint of olive tells me that it's just my father. I'd announce my presence but this isn't a sitcom and I have a phone that I can use to text. Who talks nowadays?

On the table near the keyrack, I scoop into my pockets in search of the goods. The warm cotton touches the cool silver bolt. Set it aside to attach it to the skateboard later. "Why not now?" That'll be a problem for me to solve tomorrow. "Procrastination isn't good" Yeah I know. I've read the same 1990's health pamphlet that the health teachers give out. I hug my side to reach around for the other pocket. Same warmth, same feeling of comfort except...it's a new sensation. Hollow and porous. It's either bone carved into beads or plastic. Hope to...Well, not God, maybe I hope to goodness? Goodness? What am I? A preacher? Maybe that's why I like 16 year old boys. Anyway. It's too white over here for it to be bone. Unless it's some cracker who brought over some hoodoo shit and dropped it somewere. Great. Gonna burn some incense to cleanse it. Then gonna toss it somewhere so that it can't hurt anyone. Wait. It doesn't FEEL menacing. No darkness, no coldness, there's a comfort to be had. I don't see any visible engravings, no bite marks no arcane symbols. It may be safe. Just to be sure, I'm keeping it downstairs for it to curse someone else in the house. I rise up the stairs into the wide landing. Step, rise, step, rise, step, rise. Before I get to the top, I feel funny. Not sick funny or CURSED funny, but someone-is-in-my-presence funny. Strech my neck to look over my shoulder. Not too far to show interest but far enough to see what's going on---it's my dad handling the bracelet.

I whip my body around and I suppose this gives him a start.

"Hey, just got back from school. I'm pretty tired which is why I didn't want to talk. Found that bracelet in the sidewalk cracks before my skateboard broke. I wouldn't touch it if I were you. Don't know if it's cursed or not."

"Cursed? Bee, this is a genuine Sudanese artifact."

"Huh? When'd you turn into a archeologist? Or are you just nerding out about a 'special interest'"

"Har har. Nothing like that. This area used to be an auction town for slaves shipped from Sudan. Martinsville, Pennsylvania wasn't necessarily known for it's 'clean hands' you know. Gentrification made the area look nicer but its history is still pretty shit-covered."

"Ah, I remember now. I heard about this in history class" No I haven't. I don't even have history. Just want to stop talking to him about some dumb bracelet. "Can it sell for big bucks at a pawnshop?"

"I mean, sure if you'd like to get rid of it. Better to give it to the local museum though! It looks to me like it's made out of elephant tusks. Pretty well preserved too! The wearer must've been some warrior. They only wear these types of jewelry if they're the village's protectors. That's what I've read online anyway. You know how the interweb is though. Could be false."

"Oh wow. Ivory? That's a pretty dirty trade. Don't want to give something like that up to white people who continue to promote the trade. This'll just make the ivory market worse. I may keep it; I just wonder if it's cursed or something. I'll ask a local witchcraft practitioner to check it out tomorrow. Can I have thirty bucks for an appraisal along with an after-school snack?"

"Thirty? What're you going to buy? A salmon dinner with asparagus and steak? I'm not giving you Carabbas money. I can do 18. Enough for some street food."

"Not enough for the appraisal!"

"I'm sure the person will be able to work something out for you. You look twelve. You can play the 'Uwu I'm a baby who has no money, please help me out adult!' card. Or, how about this: pretend to be doing a research project for school on Sudanese slaves in the area. Just act like the school lent you the bracelet for the project"

"So lie?"

"I call it embellishment."

"I see"

I reached into his calloused palm and stole its contents, As a thief, I ran upstairs away from the site of the crime, away from the demons that lurked beneath the stairs. That's customary practice when going up stairs, right? To haul ass like there's no tomorrow like we're that black chick from Scary Movie? Sounds about right. I heaved and ho'd swinging my body back and forth up the stairs. Snaking my way into my room where I burrow for my after-school nap. That's what I tell my parents anyway. What I really do is blaze up in my room and turn on the fan. Gotta keep the smoke minimal. "Such a typical teen". Yeah, whatever. Like your generation wasn't popping ass and drinking bathtub wine when ya'll were young, Get outta here.

It's a good high. Kind where you'd listen to lofi and eat peanuts just for the fun of it. Another bong hit. Satisfying. I'm just leaning back on my sofa; it's firm and uncomfy but when I'm blazed, don't none of it matter. I could lose all of my words...give up....let....go.....

"...."

"What is this energy I'm feeling? So warm and electric. Is this love? Am I so sexually frustrated that I'm in love with a bong? Shit, I fuck with that. That's pretty words. 'I'm in love with my bong'. Such nice love. haha."

I'm hungry and it's four am. The weed has worn off. So tired man. Gotta go downstairs for some chips or something. Hungry to the max. Munchies munchies munchies for the weed monster. What a drug.

I creep down the stairs and up once more. My bare footpads cling to the hardwood and leave sweat prints in the shape of my stompers. During my ascent I leave crumbs. Have the house feeling like a Brother's Grimm story. I satisfy my snack desires as I prepare for school in the next hour.

Running water on my arms. Three passes of lotion on arms and legs. Can't be the ashy black kid that look like they an African living in a dirt house. Ain't able to help the rough patches that coat my body but I can help keep my skin moisturized.

A'ight. Got my fit got my board. Just have to screw the bolt back on and find the bracelet. Shit. Left it upstairs. I'm already late as hell. Rushing up the stairs. Search for the bracelet, find it, get out house. Objectives objectives. I spot it from afar and gravitating toward it, put it gingerly in my pocket. Kindof like someone would with a used tissue. Aren't humans gross? I mean, snot? Bacteria-filled snot? Nasty. Thoughts gone, make brain go from thinking to doing. descending now. Board in arm, door opens with the flick of the wrist and just like that, I'm outty. Deck on ground I put my best foot forward and ram it onto the hard cement to push myself forward. Sorry foot, betrayals sure do suck.

School begins, in class siting in a chair. All day, several hours. Ah, the beloved system at work. Great to know that there are adults who "work" all day by keeping kids seated in a chair. Very progressive, America. Library break? I think so. On my laptop, I pull out webpages on the pocketed---the word reminds me of 'closeted---bracelet. NOW I'm imagining a gay bracelet. hilarious. Great. Typing 'Gay Bracelet' into the search bar and am getting rainbow plastic bands. Ya know, the ones that they sell at Hot Topic during pride month.

"Damn, I'm getting sidetracked" She mutters to herself. Imagine if life were a story being told by some omnipotent force? omnipresent? Think that's the word.

With a bit of typing and a bit of focus. Swift movement of hunched fingers. All is complete, then some. Ogdle: "common of the Azande warriors were pieces to signify their status such as septum tusks, mouth disks, necklaces and other adornments. Bones and tusks were common materials of such articles."

Crazy how this history is hidden. Power was taken from us and buried so deep. We're the originals but every piece of history buried underground. Hidden, secretive Big Bad America. Tale fit for young people all over. Democracy, boo yah.

Train whistle blowing through the air. No train nearby, just the sound of a change in the block. I put it all away, sweep it into my bag. Everything is so messy, so fast. On schooldays like this, it feels hard to even take time to breathe. But I get by since the system wants me to. Think I'm going to skip. Not that the next two classes even matter in the long run. "Such a poor black baby, representing her race so poorly". Yeah yeah. Not the black chick that highschools would put on a recruiting card.

Just another push....door after door falling at my fingertips. The same once that touch the coarse sandpaper of my board. Foot on, foot off. kick once, twice, thrice, now we surf the cement. Now it's time to visit good the kind old black woman who practices witchcraft on dolls. That's what you'd think right? No, they're native and keep old customs within the community. Everyone calls them---agender--- Sage. Nonbinary native americans are actually more common than people think.

Before selling the bracelet to some old rich white drudge of society, I wanna be sure that the bracelet can be cleansed first. I mean. To give away black history to the white man? Hellll no with multiple "l's". It is a pretty long ride there, even on a board. Rumbly road. Pebbles everywhere. Thousands of little rocks acting as smaller wheels vying to fling me off. It's too much.

Mumbling of my own. "Where's gentrification when you need it?" Alright, yes I get it. It's a bad joke. Of course gentrification is bad. Blah blah. Time to pick up my skateboard I guess. Walking on this ground feels just as bad as suicide. Feaful of getting my ass flung into the afterlife. Few yards left....or at least fifty feet. Forty eight, forty five, forty-however-long.

Ended up reaching it after twenty minutes. This trip better be worth it.

"Hi there, Miss Sage. Mind checking out this bracelet for me? I need to check it for a curse or evil energy. My cheap father didn't give me enough for a full appraisal but what can you do with nine dollars?"

"For nine? Not much, doll? What was your name again? You look young, do you have an adult's approval for this?"

"Oh, right. You've got me. It's for a school project. School each student a historical object to research. I figured you'd be able to help me get an 'A' on the project, you know?"

"Your manners are lacking but you seem young, so I'll let you pass. Allow me to take a look at it, if you please?"

God. Full-fledged adults really are something else. I'm only eighteen, not eight. Guess I look younger than I am----

Sage starts burning this wood that's tied with string. Incense maybe?

"That incense?"

"It's a closed practice really, so I don't want to expose anything. But it is a form of incense that I prefer to use to cleanse the spirit of objects and areas."

"Ah, didn't mean to intrude. I'm glad that there are still practices that you keep to yourself. Nothing like the White Man stripping us of our culture."

I got a soft chuckle out of them. Glad that they're able to lighten up a bit.

"..."

"OK, so here's what I've found. There's immense energy here; the power coming off of this thing is tremendous. There's nothing negative about this piece. How'd you ever come across it, again? School, you said? Shame that you'll have to give it back. Something like this would provide a large power surge to spirituals. I'd pay a pretty penny for this."

"Mhm"

"Wonder how the school even came across this. I tell you what. Ask your school where I can find something like this and perhaps I'll give you a little something for your intel, huh?"

"Oh. Sure. I'll just--uh---"

"Right, right, right. The bracelet, I'm sorry. Really, it's more an anklet truly, but--ya know what? I'm sorry. Here ya go"

"...take it from ya. Thanks."

"No problem. Come back with more info on the anklet. That'll be your payment for my time"

Got 'caught in a lie it seems. Don't know how I'll snake my way out of this one.

"Brrrrrzzzzz"

Shit, it's five. My dad's probably looking for me.

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

Chapter two:

" You skipped class? Bee, I know that you're better than this."

God moms bitch too much. Must be the nursing job coupled with her daily acting gigs that make her so aggro.

"I hear ya, mom. I just had some research to conduct after school..."

"Research? Which kind---?"

"The school kind. I don't know what else you want me to say. I'm sorry for skipping lasses. I got too overzealous and went in over my head. It won't happen again."

"Tskk. Better not. I know that I'm gone almost every hour of the day, but please give me a break, baby. Please just listen to your father and follow the rules. All I ask."

"Mhm, even though he-----you know what, nevermind. Am I dismissed? I have to write up today's school report to type"

Phew. Gonna hit the bong now to calm down from this encounter.

Fuck homework. .... ..... Mhm.

Five minutes passs. Fifteen, twenty. Maybe not minutes. hours? seconds? Time is too funny. With LEDs on, the vibe is fatallll. Still have to open a window to let out the smoke but gosh is this magical.

Mhm magic. Does it even exist? Doubt it. It's all science, right? ....

.....

Right. Like, this anklet. Not real power. Not real magic. Just something people believe in. Like God. It's all faith.

"So, theoretically, I could even put it on my person and nothing would even happen"

"And, so it begins"

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT VOICE" and why am I screaming?

Get off, get off, get off! Something's dripping on me.

"Tears, they're tears"

Oh god, I fucked up. I knew that I shouldn't have smoked that much. Knew it'd bite me in the ass one day. Now I'm fear-crying. I NEVER FEAR CRY.

It's all a dream maybe. Go to sleep, Bee. Just take a weed nap.

"Ba ba bang"

A booming voice raspy from coffee withdrawal.

"Everything OK in there Bee? You're about to be late for school."

Shit!

No time for conversation. Move it move it move it.

"'Cmon Bee. I'll drop you off at school on my way to the college".

Bookbag? Check. Board? Check.

I feel the rush of air against my cheeks as I fly out the door and jump into the getaway car. Fast, but atleast I'm not Furious. Dad and I chat it up all the way until the tires cross the smooth pavement of school grounds. Departing words are exchanged along with "I love you's" and "knock 'em deads".

That familiar sound. Principal as the school conductor. "Chooo". Just as it drones, my body moves to the steps of teens dragging their feet toward their dreaded first classes of the day. The light of morning cradles the marble arches of the school entrance until the sun starts to suck in the morning cold to blow out midday warmth.

"So, who are you, voice? What's your angle? Typing ensues. The screen watches my fleeting pupils; left, right, side, side. Wouldn't be surprised if the computer got whiplash from me. One scroll, two, three. Read a page. Nothing. Another website. Up and down; my fingers are cramped now. Nada. New Oogdle search: "Can I hear voices with weed smoking." Now I have a hit; "yes weed can have you seeing voices. Many aren't even your own. Maybe lay off the TV for a while."

"Thanks 'BouncyNina29'. Quora is one hell of a place." Guess it must've just been the drugs then. Hilarious, me hearing some voice. "Gotta lay off the bong smoking".

"Shhh!!" Some nerd in a striped beanie raised a finger to pursed lips.

Sorry, sorry....Jeez. "My bad" You know what? Maybe I can visit----

the train whistle interrupts my 11pm "ball" with myself. "Dammit". OK. Maybe I can bribe one of the delinquents behind the school to take my place in English. Teacher's not there anyway; the sub won't know the difference. Time to go pay someone off.

"..."

"Here ya go, five dollars."

"A'ight and you said what room that English class in?"

"301 B man. It's at the end of the third floor, right wing. Hard to miss and---remember---my name is Maybel Rhodes. Just fake like you're doing some work and no one will even notice that you're not me. I'm a loner, so, that'll work."

"Mhm hmm. I hear ya Maple"

"MayBEL"

"Yeah, that's what I said"

Scoff. In a smooth curvular motion, I plant my feet on the board and race to Sage's before their store closes.

As I approach, they're putting a silver key in a lock. Gah! The store closed.

"Miss Sage---"

"Gah! Don't do that!! Scaring me and sh--I mean, 'crap'. Scaring me and crap. Look kid, I'm closed right now but we open tomorrow. By then, I'll have the energy to discuss your school's anklet with you. Actually, about that. Do you have intel on where the-----"

"Yes, yes. About that, see...I lied. I didn't really get it from the school. I found it on the ground somewhere."

"'Found it on the ground somewhere' is code for 'I don't have money to pay nor do I have anything else to provide'? Am I getting warmer?"

"Look Miss Sage, I'm really sorry. Hey---look at it this way. I'm in debt to you. If you'll just help me with one teensy little thing, I'll ask my dad for some food money and will give you every cent he gives, alright?"

"Kid, that's not how an adult runs a business. Call what I gave you yesterday a 'freebie'. You're banned from the store. Good night."

Wait. "Wait" Their stride is aimed toward their silver camry. Yeah, I know a camry. Did you expect them to be riding a horse? Racist. Sage acts as though they don't hear and gets into their seat, key in ignition. One twist away before exiting the rocky parking area.

"IT SPOKE TO ME" Yup. That is how I yelled it. All caps, woke some birds up even. Just like in those Loony Toon cartoons. Is that why they're called "Loony Toons" 'cause they're loony cart----

Now they exit their car, slamming the heavy metal door. "What did you say? It...SPOKE...to you? What do you mean 'it'?"

Mhm Mhm. Just prepping my throat. "I wore it on my ankle and I heard a voice that has never existed before in the chasms----"

"Stop the theatrics"

"....Chasms of my mind. It was a male. Around your age in old-timey-ness."

"Har har."

"But it's the truth!" Why won't they believe a magical voice but insist that sage, a random plant, purifies the air?

Their chest contracts and expands in a sigh. Sage closes their eyes for a second. I could practically smell the gears turning. Need some WD-40, really. "Fine. Come by the store Saturday. That way, no one will be in to eavesdrop."

"Deal!"

"And bring actual MULA this time or else we won't have our little discussion". Crud.

"...."

"What are you thinking Sage?" No response. I paid one hundred fifty dollars for this after BEGGING both my folks (who think I'm using it to enroll in some after school sport) to slide me some cash so that I can 'better myself as an individual and actually do something with my time as well'. Lies are no good.

"Shh! Let me think, please!" Sage subverts their attention from me back onto the tarot cards laid in front of them----exactly where the bone anklet (bonklet) lay in silence

Ten minutes pass before Sage gives me the break down. "So, as I've said before. The anklet carries some heavy energy, something similar to passion and justice. Very potent stuff. That's what the spirit realm is saying, anyway. When you were---ahem--- HIGH----"

At this point I look away

"...You honed into that energy and that's why you heard the voice"

"Hm. So, how do I hone in on that energy now? Is it something I can control conscious?"

"Look, I dunno kid. Just, be safe. Meditate beforehand so that you are actually able to chime into the anklet's power source. Don't want to darken the talisman's power or anything."

"Sure, sure" I am literally out the door before Sage utters the second part of their sentence. I buzz with excitement at the opportunity and the best part is? I'm basically a super! Hoo ho. This is awesome.

There's an empty industrial facility near by Hawesome Li Cosmetics. It went bankrupt several decads ago. I'm pretty much the only one who knows about the place. Excellent ground to skate on---smooth as butter. Either way, it's empty and no harm will come to anything or anyone nearby. Any damage that I do will be to the building nearby, which no one cares about anyway. "So, it's just me and you buddy." Blunt in hand, I blaze it up. "Time for the magic to happen."

It's a slow high. The high takes as long as a flame reaching the wooden stick of an incense rod for the high to hit. Upwards of thirty minutes. So I wait. It feels like time warps. So I meditate. So I clear my thinking and reach out to the anklet.

"Mhm, Anklet, tell me who you are?"

"What?? You can hear me?"

"Yeah man. Who are you, why you speaking to me?"

"Why would I tell you? I don't even know yer name"

Tiring. It's like talking to a wall.

"Hey, I heard that!"

"Maybel. My name's Maybel. What's yours? Let's start there."

"Nat."

"Like Nat Turner? The rebel slave?"

"Don't know who that is, this 'Nat Turner'. Just knew my master gave me the name." How progressive. "So...I suspect that I'm dead."

It's not easy news. I get it. But hey, the north won. That's something, right?

"Well, I guess it is....you know, I had a name before all of this...."

"......"

"......??"

"......."

So, are you going to tell me?

"You may call me 'Asim'."

"I'll call you Ase."

Don't call me 'Ase'. Too late, Ase. Hey, how old are you anyway? 12? 11? My name is ASIM, nothing else. Fine, grumpy. ASIM. I'll call you Asim, Asim. Where'd that name come from anyway? What does it mean?

"Let's find out, shall we?"

"...It feels electric! (Boogy woogy woogy). Such power, this wade in...glory."

Are you a God?

"Blasphemy!" Then what are you? How are you able to lay such energy unto me?

Look, I don't know either, alright? But what I do know is...we're both negr---

Black. We don't say that word anymore.

"Black, then... Perhaps I'm connected with you due to our shared skin?" We stopped being related millenia ago. Millenia? Not familar with that word.

"Long, long ago. We don't share any common ancestors. It was all a lie." A lie? You don't believe in a God? I'm moreso spiritual; creation is a possibility not something I'm invested in. I believe in forces of the universe. "But not a God? So, this can't be some spiritual connection. We're too different." So perhaps a soul connection? A link between our spirits.... What else do we have in common? A slave and a black kid?

"Hatred of the white man? Wanting justice against them?"

"War. Destruction"

"Yes."

"No, I don't want that. I'd prefer peace." There may be no PEACE without WAR.

"A lie. Violence is not the answer. Kindness is."

"'Kindness' doesn't resolve problems. 'Kindness' doesn't end racism. 'KINDNESS' was the one that slept at my feet while I was lashed! "

"..."

Asim?

"..."

Andddd you're gone. Great. Well, I'm going to head back home, then. We can hang out again tomorrow. "Head back" means leave. All right, see you.

[trouvelle]

Red-Hearted Tragedy

For @tanteigisachi, thank you for pulling me out of my hole and back out here <3 You’re the kindest! I hope you can visualize the chirping birds and colorful butterflies and glittering rainbow that I’m presenting you this with (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ*

Fandom: Detective Conan/DCMK Pairing: Shinichi/Ran, (side Heiji/Kazuha and Kaito/Aoko) Rating: G Genre/Tags: Fluff, Domestic Warning: None

•

Shinichi has a theory about parenthood.

He used to think it’s not possible that once one becomes a parent, one also stops being anything else. Like the status he has right now. He was always known as a Great Detective of the East, the badass son of the famous writer Kudo Yusaku and a soccer enthusiast. Now he's barely himself, the state of parenting having sucked his body dry of anything remotely cool he had going on. Shinichi wonders if Ran feels the same. When Conan first arrived, they were extremely thrilled about finally being a family and so for a long while, Conan was pretty much everything in their minds. Ran started refusing to go to work at Teitan and Shinichi missed more cases than he can account for—all in favor of watching their baby grow healthy and in a strong household.

They succeeded. Conan is now a kind, obedient, smart and very lovely four year old and there is still nothing more important than him in his parents’ lives.

However.

It will be Valentine's Day soon and Shinichi would love for this to be their first Valentine’s Day without Conan's presence jumping and screaming for them to watch Pororo instead of opening a bottle of wine. Don't get him wrong, he loves his son. He just misses being romantic with his wife. That’s just tragic.

That's why he calls Heiji.

"Forget it," the guy says. "Kazuha and I had a hard time booking a nanny for Valentine's. She's pretty expensive and the only one who hasn’t been threatened by the twins so far."

Shinichi traps the phone between his ear and his shoulder while typing the report to finish up his latest murder case. It's the second case he’d taken this week. He's tired and grumpy and wants to end his week early to spend the whole Valentine weekend, but people seem to be exploding with their grudges, stalking ex-girlfriends here and murdering ex-husbands there.

"You should get them checked," Shinichi jokes half-hardheartedly.

The other gasps. Shinichi can practically hear Heiji’s Giant Head of Doom growing in size. "Don't insult my beautiful children!"

"You could at least ask your nanny to look after Conan as well. He's quiet, and you know he won't make any mess."

"Get your own nanny." Heiji scoffs. "Where ya’ at?"

Shinichi exhales. "Working."

"How many cases ya’ got this week?"

"Three. People really need to chill. It’s the holiday of love, not hatred. ” Shinichi answers with such exasperation and Heiji laughs. “I take it you’re just as busy as I am?”

"Nah, I got a murder and a robbery earlier this week but now I’m chillin’ and ready for the weekend." Shinichi just knows that his best friend is grinning ear to ear at this moment.

And so he decides he's had enough of him. He hangs up with a scowl, but not before sending one last grumble in Heiji’s way.

•

Ran places a cup of coffee in front of Shinichi, Conan's orange juice in one hand and this morning’s newspaper under her arm.

"He won't do it," Shinichi says.

Ran squints, sitting across from him at the dining table. "Kazuha-chan told me they’ve gone through a lot of trouble to find a good babysitter. I think that means they do not want to babysit this weekend."

"Well they just found one and he says he won't share." Shinichi sips at his coffee.

Ran chuckles, standing up and calling for Conan, who walks out from his bedroom already perfectly dressed (hair a mess, though). The four year old tiptoes to reach his juice box, jumping on the couch once the box is secure between his hands. Shinichi gulps his coffee before walking toward Conan and sitting himself next to his son on the couch.

"Hey," he says.

Conan blinks dazedly, clearly bored out of his mind and undoubtedly thinking about the comfort of his bed. It's barely even eight and the kid is already tired.

"So... today is a special day," he continues. Conan stares at him. "A special day for... daddies and mommies."

"Valentine's Day?" Conan asks. Shinichi frowns.

"Yes, how do you know about Valentine's Day?"

"Everyone knows about Valentine's Day, Dad."

"But you're too young to..." he shakes his head. "Never mind. Are you ready for school?"

Conan stands up as if doing so is such a burden, and Shinichi thinks about talking to Ran about ways to make kindergarten seem more interesting for their toddler. 

•

There is no nanny available. All nannies were already booked by smarter couples that probably have been planning their Valentine's night for days. Shinichi and Ran are easily 'the rest'.

"Kuroba, please? Can you watch Conan just for one night?"

"It's Valentine's Day, Kudo."

"You told me that you don’t have any plans with Aoko anyway. You could use some company. Conan is nice company, he likes your magic tricks and he's an amazing listener. You can dump all your dissatisfaction with life and your father-in-law and the world on him, he won't even mind."

Kaito is beyond outraged. "First of all, I DO have plans with Aoko! It’s just that her father wants to have a Valentine's dinner with her that she can’t say no to.” Shinichi has to drag the phone away from his ear. “Second of all, ALL kids love my magic tricks and. And I am definitely NOT dissatisfied."

Shinichi wisely chooses not to point out the extreme dissatisfaction in the magician’s voice. "Please? Ran and I really need this moment. It's been ages since we went on a romantic dinner. We haven’t even had the chance to spend any alone time outside lately."

"And you blame that on your son." Kaito's tone is accusing and reprimanding.

"No. Yes, somehow, but, not in a bad way. It's just... Being a parent is hard. We focus all our time and energy on Conan and end up with nothing left for ourselves. I miss having a day for us, you know?"

There's silence. Shinichi hopes Kaito is trying to picture how hard it is to have a child and eventually consents, because he's Shinichi's last option. But to be honest, maybe it’s not the best idea to put in the magician’s head. He doesn’t want an angry Aoko coming for him.

"Ok, fine." Kaito answers and Shinichi punches the air in celebration. "Remember that you owe me another one and that I expect free food."

"You got it, Kuroba!"

•

If all kids are as calm as Conan, Kaito muses, then he can’t wait until Aoko and his bundle of joy arrives. He only prays that his child wouldn’t turn out to be as hyper as the Hattori twins. Conan doesn't seem affected by Kaito's presence, but then again, everything the kid needs is his pillow and a television. Preferably some cartoons.

•

Shinichi averts his gaze from the two just as his wife walks into the living room. Ran looks good. So good. And Shinichi's hands are sweating with anticipation. It's been so long since the last time they've gone out, just the two of them where clowns and kiddy toys aren't involved.

He approaches her, who is now leaning against the wall with arms folded on his chest and a fond expression on his face. She's watching Conan staring at the TV while clutching his pillow, the boy's eyes already drooping with drowsiness. Kaito sits next to him and occasionally attempts to chat, but Conan isn't exactly a conversationalist. He's one of the quiet ones. And definitely Shinichi’s son.

"He's so big," Ran mentions in that tone she only uses when talking about Conan. "Did four years really go by that fast?"

Shinichi sighs as Conan perches his head up to watch Kaito perform some tricks. "Why? Do you still think about him as a baby?"

"He's still a child. He still needs care." Ran bites her lips, worry washing over her features. "Maybe we should cancel Valentine's Dinner."

Before Shinichi can muster up an angry answer about several months without a couple's moment and the survival of their relationship while being parents, Kaito walks towards them.

"You guys should go or you'll miss the reservation," he says, that annoying complacent smile on.

"Do you have the list of things he's allowed to eat and do you have the list of numbers to call if something happens?" Ran fidgets with her fingers. Shinichi promptly holds her hands.

Kaito smiles. "Yep, I've got it covered, Ran-san. Just go and have a good time and come back early if you can."

They probably wouldn’t.

•

Shinichi also has a theory about having a good time on Valentine's Day.

For them, it's not possible anymore.

They make it to the reservation in peace and the lobster Ran ordered is on its way when Shinichi's phone rings. It's their home number, so it has to be Kaito. He takes a deep breath to mentally prepare himself for a disaster, but instead of destruction he gets his son's voice.

"Heiji jichan?" Conan says.

Shinichi pulls the phone away and glares at the screen. Why would his own son call Hattori, not him? Shinichi did set Hattori’s number on their speed dial after his and Ran’s, but nevertheless he is gravely disappointed.

"Conan?" he asks, Ran frowning.

"Oh Dad? Sorry, I want to call Heiji jichan. Goodb—”

Shinichi narrows his eyes and interrupts before his son can hang up. “Hey buddy, is everything ok?”

“Um, It's Kaito jichan, dad. He's dying."

Shinichi's brain processes the fact that his toddler is nowhere near harm, and he exhales very loudly in relief. And once he processes what his son actually said, he chokes on his own saliva. Ran leans towards him, eyebrows knitted together. 'What's wrong?' she mouths. Shinichi can't even bring himself to say it.

"What—” he coughs into the phone. "What do you mean, Conan? You didn't make someone stick a fork up the socket again, did you? Conan, I told you that is dangerous."

Ran gasps, horror freezing her face. Both her hands fly to her mouth as she stands up, dropping to the floor next to Shinichi's chair. He runs a hand through his hair and slowly shakes his head, reassuring her that their son is ok. Although there is someone dying and they should be on their way home already.

"He ate something from the fridge, Dad. Now he's moving funny and he sounds weird."

If he tunes everything out, he can indeed listen to faint noises in the background. That's probably Kaito having a hard time.

"What is it?" Ran asks, squeezing Shinichi's thigh.

"Kuroba ate something and is now dying."

"DYING?" She pulls herself up and paces around in panic. "He didn't eat the stew did he? Because Sonoko sent us that and she said it’s something called Bouillabaisse which is—”

“— fish... stew." Shinichi finishes lamely.

Which Kaito is tragically allergic to.

"We need to go," he jumps from his seat, drawing his wallet and throwing some money on the table. He wishes no one would steal it because they're in a hurry and he always sees people throwing money on tables at movies so he figures it works. Out of luck, the restaurant Shinichi picked is a few minute drive from their house. There's a nice chance they'll get to save Kaito.

•

Shinichi's theories have been proven correct:

1. He's no longer simply Kudo Shinichi, great Detective of the East and husband of Mouri Ran. He's now Kudo Shinichi, Conan's dad. 2. Therefore, it's tragically impossible to enjoy Valentine's Day with only the woman he loves.  3. His son is perfectly okay with conveniently inconveniencing his uncle Heiji at any given circumstance (in this case, he calls Heiji after Shinichi hangs up just to see which one of them would arrive to save Kaito the fastest). 4. Couldn't Kaito have picked another moment to try and die?

Shinichi's Valentine's Day is now being spent at the ER, with his four year old son fast asleep in his wife’s arms while said wife stares glassy-eyed at the television in the waiting room. It turns out that Conan was trying to call Heiji instead of him because he did not want to ruin the “special day for mommies and daddies” for his own mommy and daddy.

Well, it doesn’t really matter now. Everyone’s Valentine’s Day has been ruined beyond repair. It’s something they’d definitely look back and laugh about, but looking around the room, Shinichi’s certain that none of them has enough energy to muster a nice joke. 

Although, he actually chuckles when he hears Kazuha say, “I told you something was gonna happen tonight, Heiji. I told you so.”

There are bags under Ran's eyes and her hair is disheveled, the red sweater she'd carefully picked for their date now draped loosely around their son for his warmth. Shinichi snorts, feeling mocked. All he wanted was a romantic night with his wife. That's all.

He sticks his hand into his pocket, thumb flicking over the pendant of the necklace he was supposed to give to Ran as a surprise. It's a simple necklace. Not that he doesn't have the money—it's just that Ran doesn't care about expensive stuff. 

"Hey," A whisper pulls him from his reveries and Shinichi glances at his wife. Ran looks tired, but so damn beautiful. How could someone as gorgeous as her have ended up with a piece of geeky detective like him? "Don't beat yourself up."

He sighs, blinking as he drags the necklace out of his pocket. "We've changed, haven't we?" He brings his eyes up to Ran's.

“Of course we have. There are three of us now. It doesn't mean we can't have a good time. Look at Aoko-san and Kuroba-kun, I’d say they’re having it worse than us.” Ran smiles knowingly, hand caringly brushing over Conan's hair.  “Also, is that my present?”

Shinichi smiles back at her, lifting his hands. "It is... Yeah, it's supposed to be your present."

"I love it!" Ran laughs.

"I already know you do." Shinichi takes one last look at the necklace and decides that it will look better around Ran’s neck. He would gladly help Ran put the necklace on, but Conan is an effective clinger, both arms locked around his mom’s neck.

"Shinichi… thank you. I didn't have time to get you a present, sorry." She mumbles the last part of the sentence with guilt, eyes still locked with his. He can see the apologetic shine in her eyes, even though he doesn’t understand why she feels the need to apologize to him. He doesn’t want anything else from her. She’s already everything he can ever wish for.

"I don’t need anything else," he says, pushing the necklace into Ran's pocket before leaning over to peck at his wife’s lips.

—

Shinichi has another theory about this night.

It didn't turn out to be what he was expecting it to be: his friend almost accidentally killed himself; his four year old son almost witnessed someone die; his best friend is willing to drop anything just to attend to said son; they nearly ran over an old lady in their haste to go home to save Kaito's life (which was proven futile anyway, because Heiji miraculously appeared first to get them to the hospital) and all of them are now ending their very special night at the hospital as Kaito recovers from his near-death experience. 

It was a tragedy. Everything went wrong except for one thing. Shinichi and Ran went through it all together. 

[jungshookz]

hi cee !! i just thought of how cute coach!jungkook would be where he trains little kids and one day y/n drops off her little brother at practice and sees this cute new coach and is suddenly volunteering to bring snacks for the next game lol

➺ pairing: jeon jungkook x reader

➺ genre: if it isn’t obvious by now this is 110% fLUFF, y/n is an obnoxious older sister but we love her, banana milk and animal crackers for everyone!!!!

➺ wordcount: 3.5k

➺ note: hi i want coach!jungkook to hurl a soccer ball at me thanks 

(gif isn’t mine!)

                                       ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“alright, twerp.” you crank the brakes before punching the unlock button on the dashboard “get outta my car.”

you push your sunglasses up to the top of your head before turning to look at lucas in the back seat and raising a brow

…

why is he not moving

“…mommy always walks me to the field.”

oh dear lord

you have places to be and people to sEE

more specifically you have to pick yoongi up at his apartment because you guys are going to watch that new spiderman movie together and you typically like to get there early so that you have more time to decide what you’re going to do in terms of snacks

“well, mommy didn’t drop you off today. sissy did.”

okay quick note: maybe don’T address yourself as sissy ever again

“-big boys walk themselves to the field.” you point out before glancing over at said field “y’know, lu, the world is a big, scary soccer field that you’re going to have to face alone one day…” you sigh and shake your head playfully as you yank the keys out of the ignition

of course you’re going to walk him to the field

you just like messing with him

“-you might as well get a head start now.” you unbuckle your seatbelt before opening the door

“…maybe next year, when i turn 6.” lucas mutters and kicks his legs against the seat

you can’t help but snort at his comment before shutting the door

your parents insist that lucas was planned but let’s be real

he’s more of a… happy accident!

the boy is sixteen years younger than you

he’s 5!

you’re 21!

a sixteen year age gap is never intentIONAL

nevertheless you still love him more than you love yourself

he’s a sweet boy!!!

he actually never went through the whole terrible twos phase and for that you are grateful because you’re pretty sure 18 year old y/n would’ve willingly flung him out the window in a heartbeat

and you know for a fact that he worships you

well

alright

not reaLLy

but he’s a good little brother and you’re a good older sister and you’re just glad that the two of you get along

you just like acting like he’s a little stiNker all the time because it’s fun seeing him get worked up

>:-)

“by the way, don’t tell mom i didn’t put your car seat in my car.” you help lucas out of the car before reaching in to grab his bag for him

you were going to be a responsible older sibling and put his car seat in for him but there were so many things to click and clack and lock and pop and honEstly you just didn’t have the energy to put it in your car so you just buckled him in and made sure to drive a little less recklessly

also you didn’t see the point in installing it in your car since this is going to be the only time you’re ever going to drop him off at his soccer practice session

your mom usually drops him off because duh

she’s m o m

but she had an emergency meeting at work and your dad is on a business trip for the entire week which means that yoU have to take care of him for the afternoon

which is fine!

except you made plans with yoongi, as mentioned earlier

which means you need to get this show on the road if you’re going to get back on the road to get to the show  

“okay, as long as you don’t tell mom i threw my grapes away.”

“wha- you threw your grapes away?!” you gawk at lucas as you shove your keys into your pocket “are you kidding me? you could’ve given them to me! those grapes were organic, too! they were the goOD juicy grapes!”

lucas smiles sheepishly before shrugging

goD

kids these days

throwing away their damn juicy organic non-gmo grapes

what a waste!

“what time am i supposed to come and pick you up again?”

“6:30” lucas hums in response as he swings his hand with yours

hm

the movie is set to end at 7

…how mad would your mom be with you if you made lucas wait an extra half hour in the dark for you?

u know what

it’s a risk you’re going to have to be willing to take

you are SO brave

not all heroes wear capes

“any preferences for dinner? mom won’t be home til late so it’s just the two of us.” you glance down at him as the two of you approach the field

there are already a bunch of other kids there with their parents

usually the parents just sit on the side and watch

and you would totally stay and watch but like…

spiderman > watching a group of sweaty 5 year olds running around and tripping over themselves

“mcdonalds!” lucas grins excitedly

he likes it when you’re in charge of dinner because it actually means that he’s in charge of dinner and he aLways likes it when he gets to choose what to eat for dinner

one time he asked for spaghetti tacos and you just gave him spaghetti tacos with no complaint

it’s amazing!

you’re a pushover for him and he knoWs it

“alrighty. but i’m getting the apple slices for you instead of the fries because you threw your grapes out.”

lucas immediately deflates

oh

u win some u lose some

“okay, bud. i’ll see you at 7!” you chirp before dropping to your knees to give lucas a goodbye hug  

“6:30” lucas corrects you smartly and you resist the urge to roll your eyes

uRgh

you don’t want to miss the ending of spiderman!!!!!!! what if you miss something mAjor that links to the next spiderman movie?!

whaTEver you’ll just watch it again when it eventually gets on netflix

anyways

back to business

one huGE perk of being an older sibling is the fact that you get to embarrass your younger siblings any time and anywhere

it’s your given right!

you’ve earned it

…and this is one of those times

“oH i’m going to miss my lulu so much-“ you’re practically suffocating lucas considering how tightly you’re squeezing him and you can’t help but giggle as you squish sloppy kisses to his chubby cheek

you don’t want him to ever grow up because you lovE kissing his cheeks

they were exTra chubby when he was younger

he’s starting to lose some baby fat :’(

lucas whines and starts to shove at your chest “stop it, my friends are watching!!!”

“well they’re just jealous because they don’t have an older sister as cool as-“ you immediately cut yourself off because-

holy SHIT

who the friG is thAT

it’s almost as if time itself slows down when you’re suddenly made aware of this very beautiful human being

warm brown eyes that you can already envision yourself drowning in

a bright bunny smile tugging at the corners of his mouth

honey caramel brown hair peeking out from underneath a plain black cap

two small, silver hoops hanging from his ears

he’s wearing a plain black hoodie paired with a pair of plain black shorts but somehow he’s making it look like he just walked straIght off a paris fashion week runway  

he has that boyish quality about him that’s making you weak in your knees

and to top it all off

he’s great with kids

your ovaries are quaking

he laughs and throws his head back before giving one of the boys a fist bump and getting back up on his knees

is it weird that you think his thighs are hot?

…yeah that’s a little weird

get it together

you pull away from lucas before resting back on your heels

you reach out to grasp onto his shoulders to make it seem like you’re having a serious conversation with him because let’s face it this is a very serious conversation

“lu. i’m going to ask you a question, and i want you to answer me honestly.” you look him dead in the eye

“…wha-“

“don’t make it obvious, but… is that your coach?” your eyes flicker over his shoulder and lucas whIPS around to look at where you’re looking

okay

way to make it nOt obvious

“mhm! that’s coach jungkook.”

huh

coach jungkook

that has a nice ring to it

he looks to be around your age which is vEry appealing

working man with a stable job

…you’re into it

lucas is obviously blissfully unaware of the way you’re practically drooling over his coach because the next thing you know- “hi coach!!!!!!” lucas waves wildly and starts bouncing up and down excitedly when coach jungkook glances towards your guys’ general direction

you immediately get up off the ground and reach down to dust your knees off

you should’ve worn something cuter had you known lucas’ coach was going to look like that

“hey, buddy!” jungkook leans down to ruffle lucas’ hair when he rushes over to hug his knees “you ready for a fun session?”

you feel your heart skip a beat when he looks up at you and offers you a friendly smile

o god

“hi! i’m jungkook.” he sticks his hand out for you to shake and oH sweet lord even his hands are pretty

“hi…!” you clear your throat and shake his hand briefly “i’m y/n, i’m… uh, i’m lucas’ sister. older sister.”

okay

you’re not sure why you had to throw in that last detail

you’re obviously his older sister you waLNUT

“ah, that makes sense. usually lucas comes with your guys’ mom, so i was just curious… are you going to stay and watch? there’s plenty of space to sit…” he gestures over to where the parents are and you’re about this close to texting yoongi and cancelling your guys’ plans together

spiderman

“she can’t!” lucas blurts out “-she’s watching spiderman with yoongi!”

uh oh

lucas is blowing your chances with coach jungkook right in front of ur eyES

“yoongi- riGht, yeah, i’m watching spiderman with- lu, why don’t you go and warm up with your friends, hm?” you nudge him a little and he nods before ziPPing right off to join his pals

a beat of silence goes by

“yoongi’s my friend. just my friend.” you clear your throat again before glancing at your watch

“good to know…!” jungkook trails off and purses his lips slightly

okay

this interaction is going downhill vEry fast

“i… should probably go if i’m going to get to the movies on time but thank you for the invitation to stay!” you chuckle lightly and jungkook nods in acknowledgement “i’ll see you later? when i come to pick lucas up? it was nice meeting you…?”

you are a hoT mess

you’re all over the place

why are you phrasing everything as a question?

what’s wrong with you?

you complete moron?  

jungkook can’t help but watch as you jog back to your car

hm

lucas never mentioned an older sister

a very pretty older sister, as a matter of fact

of course, lucas doesn’t really mention anything besides a) soccer, b) snacks, and c) power rangers

interesting

very interesting

“how come you’re driving me to practice again?” lucas’ brows knit together in confusion as he looks at you through the front mirror

needless to say he was very much confused when you came to pick him up from school… again

the act of you picking him up from school isn’t weird but usually you only pick him up maybe once every two months

but this is your sixth time picking him up this month

so yeah

it’s a liiiiiittle weird

“because i wanted to give mom… another day off!” you smile brightly and turn on your signal before smoothly swerving to the right and heading down the familiar path to the field

“oh.” lucas nods and slumps back down in his car seat

about five seconds go by before he speaks up again

“how come you have so many drinks and crackers back here?”

your eyes flicker up to the front mirror again and you see him leaning over to look into the huge tote bag sitting next to him

“you know, lu…” you sigh and shake your head “-as your generous, thoughtful, veRy caring older sister, i just want to make sure you have enough energy for practice which is why i took it upon myself to provide nourishment for you and your little friends!”

“…what’s a noorushmint-”

“-just out of curiosity-“ you veer right into your usual parking spot before cranking the brakes

you turn to look at lucas over your shoulder “has coach jungkook… said anything about me?”

“i- oOH banana milk!!!!!!” lucas grins excitedly and pulls one carton out of your bag

here’s the thing

as mentioned earlier this is your sixth time picking lucas up from school and driving him to practice

that means that this is your sixth time seeing jungkook

and each time, he somehow becomes more and more attractive which mEans that you progressively get more and more nervous and awkward-flirty with him each time you see him

every time he looks at you you get all weak in the knees and your palms get sweaty and you end up regurgitating some lame joke about soccer

every time he laughs at your lame jokes about soccer you feel your heart skip a beAt

and you’re obsessed with how attractive he looks when he’s focused on something

he does this thing where he pokes his tongue into his cheek and it just-

oOh it just gets to you

“hey, twerp-“ lucas glances back at you as the two of you start trekking down the grassy hill to get to the field “don’t tell your friends that you already drank a banana milk in the car otherwise they’re going think that i’m playing favourites which i guess i kinda am buT-“

“y/n!” you immediately freeze when you hear jungkook call your name and you neaRly trip over your feet in surprise “-let me help you with that!”

you swallow thickly before offering jungkook a bright smile “hey! oh, that’s so nice of you…” he takes the two tote bags from you eaSily

what the heck

you were out of breath just picking them up and he’s acting as if they’re as light as feathers

you feel your mouth go dry when you catch a glimpse of his biceps flexing

the lord is testing you toDay

“hi coach!” lucas greets enthusiastically

jungkook grins down at lucas before wiggling his brows “someone’s certainly very energetic today-“

“y/n gave me an extra banana milk and i drank it all in thirty seconds!!!!!”

well

he totally just blew your cover

“you said you wouldn’t tell!” you scold playfully and lucas giggles before dropping his bag to the floor and spRinting over to his friends

“banana milk, huh?” jungkook peeks into one of them before looking over at you

he loves banana milk!!!!!!!!

“banana milk and animal crackers.” you correct and jungkook raises a hand in defence

oh fRick

he loves animal crackers too!!!!!!

you are the girl of his dreams!!!!!!

,.,.,.but like.,,., in a super casual way

because he hasn’t known you for very long

but it’s safe to say that he’s already become veRy fond of you and your company

you’re super friendly

and you’re super funny

and you’re super pretty

it’s also super cute when you’re cheering on for lucas on the sidelines

whenever he scores a goal you jump up and down on your feet and clap suPer excitedly and basically scREAM for him

jungkook loves how supportive you are even though this is a kiddie soccer game and the stakes are so unbelievably low

and his heart melted into a warm puddle that time lucas tripped and scraped his knee and you imMEdiately rushed to his aid

you patched him up and even kissed his boo-boo!!!!!! (lucas was a little embarrassed by that) ((he wouldn’t have minded if u did that at home but u did it in front of all of his bROS and he’s like the resident Cool Guy))

it doesn’t get any cuTEr than that!!!!!!

and jungkook knows that he’s here to coach but he’s finding it vEry hard to do his job whenever you’re around

because you smell like warm vanilla and your laugh is contagious and your smile makes his stomach do flip-flops

and the fact that you brought snacks and drinks for the kids is honestly just the icing on the cakE

“wanna split a banana milk?” jungkook jumps in surprise when he feels a gentle tap on his shoulder

“wh- sorry, what was that? i was, uh, thinking about… stuff.” he clears his throat

wow

talk about s m o o t h

“i put the bag down for five seconds and the kids went wild but i managed to snag one carton without losing an arm.” you snort and poke the straw through the top “you wanna split one with me?”

he knows you’re not a mindreader but it’s taking every single one of his brain cells to try to noT think about how kissable your lips look right now

you turn slightly before holding the carton up for him to take a sip and you just have the cutest smile on your face right now and before he knows it he-

“do you wanna grab dinner sometime?” jungkook blurts out and his eyes widen in surprise when he realises that he just asked you out on a date

cuRse him and his complete lack of fiLTER

your own eyes widen in surprise and you blink owlishly

where did thAt come from

you’re not complaining or anything because yes of couRse you want to go out on a date with jungkook but heLLo where did that come from!!!!!!

“um, i-“

“oh, god. sorry! i’m sorry, that was totally- ah, jeez-“ jungkook groans quietly and reaches up to adjust his hat

“-jungkook-“

“-i’m sorry, you’re just really nice and pretty so i thought-“ he can feel his face burning hotter than the damn sun “-i just feeL like we get along really well even though we don’t really know each other buT we can always get to know each other on a date-“

“-yeah, you’re right about that-“

“-i don’t know what i’m thinking!!! i haven’t gone out on a date in a long time so maybe it’s not a-“

“-jungkook!” you slap a hand over his mouth and he stumbles backwards a little from the impact

“…myeah?” his voice is muffled and you give him a warning look so he shuts up quickly

you pull your hand away before adjusting your cardigan a little “i would… i would love to grab dinner with you sometime.”

“oh!” jungkook’s voice is slightly pitchy and he clears his throat quickly “cool. sick.” he says with a lower voice before sniffing and looking back over at the boys

it’s totally whatever

he’s cool

it’s casual

dinner is casual

he’s like… suuuuper chill about it, bro

“mm. sick, indeed.” you tease lightly before nudging his side “…you still wanna split the banana milk with me or not? because i’m going to inhale this entire thing if you don’t want any.”

(the entire time you and jungkook are taking turns taking sips of the banana milk he can’t help but feel like he’s indirectly kissing u)

((but whatever))

(((he’s like…. suuuuuuper chill about it, brO)))

help me help you make your wishes come tru (aka send me a request)

drabble masterlist // main masterlist

[thanksforthedinosaur]

international year of plant health

hi. i made a playlist of a snapshot of the stuff i’ve listened to this year if you’re looking for some recommendations! xoxo mae

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0VkfnggwpC1TEj2wsaHyZr?si=4JJd6Z-kRoCHuHypRtWK3g

1. little simz - might bang, might not 2. jean deaux - recipe! 3. logic - open mic\\aquarius iii 4. spittzwell - the lesson 5. ivy sole - kismet 6. vel the wonder - fine art 7. megan thee stallion - shots fired 8. kari faux - look at that 9. rico nasty - own it 10. flo milli - beef flomix 11. kodie shane - 2 many 12. kali uchis - ¡aquí yo mando! 13. tkay maidza - shook 14. bree runway - atm 15. yung baby tate - i am 16. almondmilkhunni - grapefruit 17. princess nokia - soul food y adobo 18. bosco - attention 19. kiana ledé - movin. 20. diamond white - secondhand 21. queen naija - i’m her 22. danileigh - mistreated 23. parisalexa - 2 optimistic 24. qveen herby - farewell 25. jhené aiko - p*$$y fairy (otw) 26. chloe x halle - forgive me 27. kehlani - water 28. umi - pretty girl hi! 29. rimon - i shine, u shine 30. disclosure - birthday 31. phora - cupid's curse 32. roy ayers - synchronize vibration 33. thundercat - unrequited love 34. thelonious coltrane - perfect timing 35. [ k s r ] - passion 36. alina baraz - more than enough 37. alayna - glowing 38. savannah cristina - self love 39. paloma ford - rain 40. nakala - she interlude ii 41. orion sun - lightning 42. jaz karis - hold you 43. cleo sol - when i'm in your arms 44. keiyaa - do yourself a favor 45. alicia keys - me x 7 46. yazmin lacey - morning matters 47. be steadwell - succulent 48. daniela andrade - k.l.f.g. 49. yung lean - dogboy 50. bladee - sun 51. blackwinterwells - algae 52. sullii - moonlight 53. misogi - heart chained 54. aminé - talk 55. tobi lou - lingo starr: drunken master 56. busta rhymes - look over your shoulder 57. 2 chainz - southside hov 58. atmosphere - the future is disgusting 59. meltycanon - moody blues 60. alfred. - sheeshfred 61. love-sadkid - ephemeral 62. jay squared - vision like you! 63. tuamie - you needed time you said 64. oatmello - blue 65. wun two - a noite 66. kuranes - calm 67. omaure - drama 68. dust and moonlight - sleeping or sinking 69. phlocalyst - image 70. ocha - r33 71. sugi.wa - love u 72. palm - memories of winter 73. goosetaf - tripwire 74. bryzone_ybp - the count 75. orancha - smoky banana 76. evil needle - midnight 77. eevee - romance 78. chief. - can't explain 79. ngyn - aerith 80. fujitsu - move on 81. meitei - nami 82. swum - breezy 83. chris mazuera - perspective 84. jinsang - maybe 85. tesk - cascades 86. saib - nautica 87. mf eistee - uprising 88. kaskade - when you’re dreaming 89. tatsuya maruyama - love you - lo-fi remix 90. towerz - before i gave in 91. baechulgi - abyss 92. underbelly - glitchwater 93. notsure - icecoffee 94. yutaka hirasaka - arise 95. akisai - ecossaise 96. nom tunes - missing piece 97. sweet dove - on the viewless wings 98. park bird - new place, same people 99. city girl - ji-eun's favorite 100. katie dey - loving 101. mary lattimore - sometimes he's in my dreams 102. teen daze - peaceful groove 103. pacific coliseum - turquoise 104. tycho - outer sunset 105. [.que] - glimmer 106. lights & motion - separated hearts 107. roger eno - celeste 108. talsounds - opening 109. alva noto - xerrox voyage 110. 36 - stasis sounds for long-distance space travel (stage 2) 111. stan forebee - bedscape 112. daniel avery - illusion of time 113. arbee - 2sum - charlie dreaming remix 114. okada takuro - waterfront (up-01) 115. gabriel ólafs - lóa - bing & ruth rework 116. warmth - the creek - mixed 117. rhucle - rev 118. com truise - surf 119. sarah davachi - still lives 120. gastón arévalo - sur les traces des explorateurs 121. peter bark - ascension 122. kara-lis coverdale - flutter 123. totally enormous extinct dinosaurs - brockley 124. green-house - peperomia seedling 125. four tet - green 126. morimoto naoki - aru 127. kaitlyn aurelia smith - remembering 128. dj python - te conocí 129. ocoeur - glow 130. christina vantzou - snow white 131. alonefold - strange rainbows 132. savoir adore - dancing temples 133. tengger - water 134. suzanne ciani - a sonic womb pt. 3 135. mogwai - major treat 136. this will destroy you - entrance 137. sleepmakeswaves - time wants a skeleton 138. elsa hewitt - rebird 139. ulla - i think my tears have become good 140. aether - she isn't here 141. zoe polanski - the last frontier 142. lyra pramuk - witness 143. ana roxanne - a study in vastness 144. julianna barwick - nod 145. the leaf library - about minerals 146. gia margaret - barely there 147. lucy gooch - my lights kiss your thoughts every moment 148. briana marela - forgiveness 149. loma - homing 150. mree - open arms 151. ellis - saturn return 152. alexia avina - fit into 153. fenne lily - to be a woman pt. 1 154. noble oak - evaporate 155. mint julep - blinded 156. rush week - best laid plans 157. mini trees - slip away 158. winter - bem no fundo 159. yumi zouma - cool for a second 160. laura veirs - burn too bright 161. terry vs. tori - keepsake box 162. castlebeat - shoulder 163. candace - still phase 164. tiny deaths - if i'm dreaming 165. lydia - heavy 166. caspian - nostalgist 167. nova one - lovable 168. corey flood - heaven or 169. hazel english - off my mind 170. bantug - dizzy 171. tops - colder & closer 172. the hidden shelf - miracles 173. ruru - 99 174. widowspeak - even true love 175. cheerleader - providence 176. wild nothing - blue wings 177. deradoorian - corsican shores 178. strfkr - second hand 179. mint field - contingencia 180. ringo deathstarr - god help the one's you love 181. no joy - dream rats 182. white poppy - orchid child 183. keeps - swiggum 184. flung - firstly zested 185. the bilinda butchers - rie 186. sipper - kid 187. radiator hospital - imposter syndrome 188. addy - equinox 189. boyo - dogma 190. alexandra savior - the archer 191. phoebe bridgers - chinese satellite 192. soccer mommy - circle the drain 193. routine - numb enough 194. quarter-life crisis - comfortable 195. madeline kenney - sucker 196. layne - linnea 197. wilsen - align 198. pynkie - you 199. bandanna - ghost home 200. waxahatchee - can’t do much 201. crisman - portrait 202. liza anne - i wanna be there 203. purr - gates of cool 204. honey cutt - hung up on me 205. the beths - out of sight 206. the ophelias - grand canyon 207. sjowgren - flip phones 208. haim - gasoline 209. thanya iyer - i forget to drink water (balance) 210. sad13 - good grief 211. porridge radio - give/take 212. lannds - not in a good way 213. katie von schleicher - wheel 214. hey cowboy! - detective farmer brown 215. tombo crush - pink 216. eliza moon - tell me / why'd you 217. anna mcclellan - raisin 218. this is the kit - this is what you did 219. snarls - walk in the woods 220. blushh - deal with it 221. long neck - cicada 222. chloe moriondo - ghost adventure spirit orb 223. momma - biohazard 224. varsity - runaway 225. land of talk - footnotes 226. bully - stuck in your head 227. diet cig - stare into the sun 228. expert timing - gravity 229. slow pulp - track 230. maddie jay - shakes 231. beabadoobee - together 232. luna aura - crash dive 233. sorry - perfect 234. torres - good grief 235. partner - honey 236. beauty queen - this time around 237. maggie lindemann - knife under my pillow 238. bryde - paper cups 239. mundy's bay - sleep away the summer 240. squirrel flower - red shoulder 241. mourn - stay there 242. dream wife - so when you gonna... 243. illuminati hotties - superiority complex (big noise) 244. l.a. witch - true believers 245. hinds - burn 246. beach bunny - cuffing season 247. suzie true - idk u 248. bacchae - hammer 249. peach kelli pop - stupid girl 250. oceanator - heartbeat 251. pins - read my lips 252. best coast - different light 253. muncie girls - take steps 254. kailee morgue - this is why i'm hot 255. beach slang - let it ride 256. silverstein - take what you give 257. new found glory - scarier than jason voorhees at a campfire 258. the lawrence arms - quiet storm 259. mikey erg - bon voyage 260. pet symmetry - had a name, don't remember it 261. thank you, i'm sorry - backpack life 262. ratboys - alien with a sleep mask on 263. joyce manor - leather jacket 264. jeff rosenstock - scram! 265. the aquabats! - aliens and monsters! 266. the used - the lighthouse 267. hidden hospitals - how amazing 268. dikembe - all got sick 269. time spent driving - trust no 1 270. the casket lottery - more blood 271. record setter - someplace 272. emma ruth rundle - out of existence 273. gulfer - blurry 274. options - don't mind 275. i love your lifestyle - stupid 276. orchards - stealing your sleep 277. no tongues for quiet people - lake house lake house 278. into it. over it. - hollow halos 279. mountains for clouds - full disclosure 280. joan of arc - destiny revision 281. no thank you - saturn return 282. the front bottoms - camouflage 283. ride your bike - make like a tom and cruise 284. dragon inn 3 - yer brothers 285. the goalie’s anxiety at the penalty kick - jars filled with rain 286. mansions - laser beams 287. waveform* - hello goodbye 288. owen - headphoned 289. cassino - tacoma 290. ajj - normalization blues 291. penelope scott - sweet hibiscus tea 292. angel olsen - (new love) cassette 293. trace mountains - fallin' rain 294. johanna warren - part of it 295. frances quinlan - lean 296. tomberlin - hours 297. samia - triptych 298. field medic - better way 299. adrianne lenker - my angel 300. jack m. senff - another day 301. lomelda - polyurethane 302. rosie carney - high and dry 303. brigid mae power - i had to keep my circle small 304. overcoats - new shoes 305. anna burch - not so bad 306. hop along, queen ansleis - the cactus 307. mandy moore - easy target 308. laura marling - held down 309. lisa loeb - doesn't it feel good 310. trixie mattel - gold 311. lilly hiatt - move 312. molly tuttle - sunflower, vol. 6 313. sarah jarosz - pay it no mind 314. katie heckel - help you mend 315. katie pruitt - my mind’s a ship (that’s going down) 316. in love with a ghost - trans rights 317. snail's house - imaginary express 318. isuka hino - dreamin' adventure!! 319. 4s4ki - nexus 320. lapix - loneliness 321. you - painter 322. aice room - dreary planet - yukiyanagi remix 323. zekk - oxygen 324. lu-i - loved happiness 325. synthion - volt switch 326. sanaas - polestar - junk remix 327. mameyudoufu - fluffy 328. awfuless - redemption 329. rejection - around you 330. toriena - getting into a pose 331. cosmo@bousoup - mow*mow*abduction!!! 332. yunosuke - ziqqurat 333. android52 - lovin', scratchin' 334. サクラsakura-lee - nobody else 335. desired - emotions 336. mikazuki bigwave - sakimashita bloomin'!! 337. skule toyama - smooth 338. adrianwave - goodbye 339. macross 82-99 - melt 340. cape coral - 707 hotline 341. 80kidz - heat 342. night tempo - baby 343. yaffle - lng, before 344. greyl - let me be with you 345. serph - palmtop tiger 346. happy kuru kuru - natsu no hi no labyrinth 347. couple n - earmie 348. airuei - magic sign 349. somunia - non player girl - nyankobrq 2p ver. 350. cosmicosmo - those that we once loved 351. maeshima soshi - the terminal 352. kijibato - 1room 353. yuc'e - ghost town 354. neko hacker - erased 355. jam2go - apotrope 356. mizuki ohkawa - cosmic cleft 357. singto conley - flora 358. 2tonedisco - shoelaces 359. cy8er - もしもしじゃぽん 360. nayuta - connect 361. t+pazolite - himitsu cult 362. milkoi - higher, higher, and then... 363. freezer - caramel rain (sanaas remix) 364. kotonohouse - pitter, patter 365. aika - superstar 366. yukiyanagi - love overdose 367. nanahira - twinkle password 368. ducky - hyper bloxxd 369. porter robinson - something comforting 370. moshimo - シンクロ 371. bish - スーパーヒーローミュージック 372. scenarioart - it's all right 373. base ball bear - ポラリス(c3 mix) 374. majiko - エスカルゴ 375. akaiko-en - ジャンキー 376. the peggies - weekend 377. lovely summer chan - more light 378. polkadot stingray - sp813 379. shishamo - フェイバリットボーイ 380. aimer - run riot 381. österreich - i'll take you everywhere 382. sora tob sakana - 夜間飛行 383. the shes gone - ふためぼれ 384. aimyon - marshmallow 385. cö shu nie - supercell 386. kensei ogata - violin case 387. せだい - yellownola 388. yonige - あかるいみらい 389. bearwear - i think 390. hitsujibungaku - ロックスター 391. cidergirl - 飛行船 392. room97 - faq 393. she's - ugly 394. bbhf - tokenai mahou 395. alisa takigawa - 夢 396. satomoka - glints 397. radwimps - shinsekai 398. pinoko - コリドー街 399. helsinki lambda club - you are my gravity 400. lucky kilimanjaro - 君とつづく 401. dish// - sauna song 402. zombie-chang - snooze 403. mizuki ohira - 無重力 404. みゆな - 歌おうよ 405. iri - come back to my city 406. aya a.k.a panda - i miss u 407. chelmico - disco (bad dance doesn't matter) 408. seiko oomori - 絶対彼女 409. yaeji - my imagination 상상 410. daoko - zukizuki 411. eill - night d 412. cifika - déjà vu 413. yeye - step in time 414. saevom - just like i dreamed then 415. cheeze - today's mood 416. stella jang - reality blue 417. younha - one day of twenty 418. jeong eun ji - whoo 419. fromm - aliens 420. crush - tip toe 421. heize - 1/1440 422. femm - level up 423. awich - poison 424. jessi - nunu nana 425. (g)i-dle - luv u 426. summer soul - tinder 427. taeyeon - worry free love 428. boa - l.o.v.e 429. fromis_9 - feel good (secret code) 430. faky - re:chase me 431. monsta x - night view 432. twice - up no more 433. loona - hide & seek 434. wjsn - pantomime 435. iz*one - fiesta 436. exid - ddd jpn ver. 437. gfriend - crème brûlée 438. april - lalalilala 439. weki meki - 100 facts (cool eng. ver.) 440. momoland - starry night 441. steve aoki - play it cool 442. bts - dynamite 443. sakurako ohara - shine on me 444. sumin - zaza♡ 445. onepixcel - lagrima 446. little glee monster - i feel the light 447. celeina ann - purikura 448. アイラヴミー - そのまんま勇者 449. okkyung lee - here we are (once again) 450. luca - lune 451. hakushi hasegawa - hikari no rock 452. haruka nakamura - your sonnet 453. itoko toma - shade 454. rina katahira - hoshizora* 455. ichiko aoba - easter lily 456. satoko shibata - 変な島 457. 角銅真実 - 6月の窓 458. 熊川みゆ - sixteen 459. 眉村ちあき - 緑のハイヒール 460. 竹内アンナ - striking gold 461. saucy dog - film 462. kaede - -ending- night blue 463. aseul - paradise 464. 박혜진 park hye jin - like this 465. charlotte is mine - road movie 466. plastic plastic - ฮัม - (hum) 467. clams - shiny rider 468. seventeen years old and berlin wall - no paradise 469. nuit - nightbirds 470. fulusu - ghost 471. rammells - sennengo 472. stargaze shelter - emulation (mode:totonee) 473. ヨルシカ - 昼鳶 474. nakamuraemi - 大人の言うことを聞け 475. kenshi yonezu - ひまわり 476. tk from ling tosite sigure - reframe 477. penguinrush - 色彩 478. lee jin ah - candy pianist 479. mei ehara - どちらにピントを 480. jizue - because 481. mouse on the keys - room 482. fox capture plan - stand my heroes - groove version 483. ryutist - girls 484. yeti let you notice - bouquet 485. tricot - 真っ黒 486. madison cunningham - giraffe 487. covet - atreyu 488. floral - maybe not one day 489. envy - eternal memories and reincarnation 490. baths - mikaela corridor 491. sufjan stevens - run away with me 492. fractures - feel 493. the 1975 - frail state of mind 494. dan mason ダン·メイソン - everytime i cry 495. brothertiger - cannonball 496. porches - rangerover - bonus track 497. tame impala - instant destiny 498. washed out - paralyzed 499. pink skies - portland 500. so below - bone 501. purity ring - silkspun 502. llll - breathless 503. slow magic - somewhere 504. kasbo - lune 505. cloudnone - let the music in 506. jody wisternoff - blue space 507. drama - hold on 508. satin jackets - meridian getaway 509. direct - opal 510. lane 8 - road 511. baile - jlm 512. yuni wa - starships 513. nora van elken - sakura 514. geotheory - the day i left you 515. yota - hazy paradise 516. spencer brown - chance on us 517. the avener - conscious shadows 518. kalbells - mothertime 519. bella boo - in love 520. kirara magic - neon 521. mija - digressions 522. cuushe - emergence 523. transviolet - rituals 524. keep shelly in athens - steady to go 525. young ejecta - ah ha 526. annie - in heaven 527. lany - good guys 528. dominic pierce - glad xoxo 529. tender - what you're missing 530. alice jemima - binge love you 531. kitty - baby pink 532. faye meana - like honey 533. lunadira - am i gonna die? 534. loony - white lie 535. justine skye - fav 536. wafia - good things 537. victoria monét - jaguar 538. malia civetz - love thing 539. keiynan lonsdale - i confess my love 540. deaton chris anthony - tuethday 541. kallitechnis - body&soul (ish d remix) 542. talitha. - ineedsomeone 543. keke palmer - thick 544. kesha - birthday suit 545. l.e.j - pas l'time 546. selena gomez - rare 547. the aces - daydream 548. jessie ware - mirage (don’t stop) 549. joan - try again 550. melanie c - blame it on me 551. astrid s - dance dance dance 552. little mix - holiday 553. justin bieber - yummy 554. ariana grande - positions 555. bea miller - feel something different 556. lady gaga - rain on me (with ariana grande) 557. raye - regardless 558. the weeknd - hardest to love 559. andrea valle - lovergirl 560. k/da - the baddest 561. allie x - susie save your love 562. terror jr - dinner plate 563. shawn wasabi - halo halo 564. benee - snail 565. sevdaliza - oh my god 566. gupi - modest 567. six impala - sweetsweetsweetlikebubblegum 568. charli xcx - i finally understand 569. golin - hanakotoba 570. shygirl - freak 571. madge - ethanol 572. arca - afterwards 573. kelly lee owens - re-wild 574. ari mason - pangaea 575. gabrielle aplin - dear happy 576. taylor swift - the 1 577. awfultune - buds 578. sneaks - scorpio on your side 579. izzy camina - kill your local indie softboy 580. mxmtoon - ok on your own 581. wens - giant bat 582. billie eilish - my future 583. tash - when you leave 584. fletcher - the one 585. silver sphere - ghosts! 586. tei shi - ok crazy 587. dounia - sucked all the fun 588. tatiana hazel - carmen sandiego 589. magdalena bay - killshot 590. kllo - insomnia 591. leisure suite - closer 592. morgan saint - i dreamt that i knew you 593. ayelle - got love 594. michi - escondida 595. lyrica anderson - lyfted 596. sasha sloan - lie 597. niki - plot twist 598. sarah reeves - heart first 599. salt cathedral - caviar 600. chelsea cutler - sad tonight 601. rituals of mine - heights 602. e^st - flight path 603. sara diamond - great together 604. phem - stfu 605. carlie hanson - daze inn 606. lauren aquilina - latest ghost 607. caroline rose - command z 608. misterwives - oxygen 609. ella vos - turbulence 610. austra - i am not waiting 611. triathalon - you 612. phoebe ryan - icimy 613. katzù oso - kiss u better 614. luwten - control 615. raveena - heartbeat 616. oohyo - 2020 617. oklou - another night 618. jouska - bring you back 619. fleur east - easy to love 620. soft glas - overbite 621. jaden - muted sunrise 622. snny - better to leave it 623. saint mela - alkaseltzer 624. mia gladstone - ego 625. helena deland - truth nugget 626. oh wonder - oceansize 627. steven padin - sashimi 628. kacey johansing - i try 629. treasureseason - spinning plate 630. landshapes - drama 631. tennis - matrimony ii 632. pomplamoose - morning waterbug 633. soko - being sad is not a crime 634. the big moon - barcelona 635. shamir - diet 636. knox fortune - static 637. carly rae jepsen - let's sort the whole thing out 638. real estate - the main thing 639. hayley williams - roses/lotus/violet/iris 640. nada surf - something i should do 641. bombay bicycle club - is it real 642. the seshen - faster than before 643. thao & the get down stay down - how could i 644. marla hansen - path 645. christine and the queens - la vita nuova 646. half waif - siren 647. malena zavala - ritmo de vida 648. bendik - himmelen 649. hanna järver - kalmar slott 650. frida sundemo - anything 651. kate nv - telefon 652. ambar lucid - questioning my mind 653. coco reilly - mirror 654. ghostly kisses - lydian 655. kacy hill - told me 656. lianne la havas - can't fight 657. donna missal - how does it feel 658. felivand - gone 659. jordana - divine 660. empress of - void 661. banoffee - ripe 662. vanessa carlton - i can't stay the same 663. fiona apple - heavy balloon 664. poppy - concrete 665. rina sawayama - stfu!

[duncvns]

Ok hey but you know the scene in stranger things when billy is walking to the pool and all those moms are just thirsting ok imagine that exact thing but the reader is the lifeguard at a private pool for kids with rich parents and she has her sights on Duncan...

okay, i know this has been sitting in my inbox for literal MONTHS but i had too much fun writing this so... enjoy! also this is a little long and i can’t add a cut so im sorry for junking up your dash lol

-

Your whistle blew, shrill and sharp in your ear as it scolded a child running along the base of the pool. The kid looked up at you, pout so evident on her face as she slowed into a walk.

You've been in this tower since noon today and you were only three hours into your shift. Being a lifeguard had to be one of the most painful experiences you've ever had the misfortune of experiencing. You hated kids - they were annoying, smelly, and... soggy, not to mention the neverending fountain of shit that you almost always had to clean if one of them had an 'accident' in the water.

But, you worked at a country club, a noble, uppity one, to be exact. Soccer moms with their designer totes frequented nearly every day during the summer, and if you were lucky, he would show up, his little girl perched on his hip.

You didn't know his name, you didn't even know how old he was, all you knew was that when he sat out in the sun, shirtless and glistening with sweat, you had to cross your legs to alleviate some pressure.

He made your job somewhat easier to sit through, but he didn't know you existed - you were sure of it. He probably had the picture-perfect family, adorable kids and a soccer mom wife who didn't satisfy him in the bedroom.

But you could...

You caught yourself staring down at him, whistle perched between your teeth weakly. Every time he breathed, excitement would stir within you... God, who was this man?

"Hey, goo goo eyes, your shift is over!" One of your co-workers, Chase shouted up at you, his Hollister sunglasses perched on his nose. He was the run of the mill pretty boy who had been trying to make a move on you for months but kept getting turned down. You didn't like boys your age... they fumbled around too much in the bedroom.

"Thank you, Chad." You grabbed your water bottle, heading down the ladder. Chase huffed from behind you, hating how you would always call him Chad when he irked you even in the slightest bit.

"Its Chase."

"I know." You looked over your shoulder to the man, quickly looking back to Chase when his eyes turned to you.

"You know he's like... 30 years old, right? That dude you're drooling over? Plus, he has a kid. And he's divorced!" Chase spoke in a whisper, scolding you for your 'poor' choice in men. You furrowed your eyebrows, peeking over your shoulder once more to look at the handsome stranger.

"He's divorced? What kind of mindless bimbo would divorce him?" You mumbled, chewing lightly on the tip of your whistle as you saw the man stand, taking his daughter in his arms to dry her off. "God, he has no business looking that good while taking care of a baby."

"Do you need to change your panties? Christ - remind me to hit you up when I'm an old man." Chase pulled the whistle from your teeth before ascending the ladder, getting ready for the evening shift.

The man took a towel, wiping the sweat from his brow as he redressed the child in her bathing suit cover. Once again, you caught yourself staring, only looking away in a panic when he locked eyes with you.

You felt giddy as you turned around to head into the locker room, changing so you could finally go home and shower the stink off of you.

"Hey!" You whipped around quickly at the voice, your forehead knocking straight into someone's nose, someone tall. "Ah, fuck!" The man seethed, a bit of laughter in his voice. "You really got me."

"Oops!" You heard a smaller voice- one of a child's. Then you looked up, hand covering your irritated forehead as you locked eyes with icy blues, ones that were unforgiving as they burned into your iris'.

"Shit, I'm uh- I'm sorry. I didn't mean." You looked over to what seemed to be a smaller, more feminine version of himself.

Fuck. The child.

"Fuck! I'm sorry- oh sh- Jesus Christ..." You facepalmed, telling yourself to shut up.

"It's okay. It's nothing she hasn't heard before. I have quite of a potty mouth at home - purely accidental, though." he chuckles nasally, his free hand still pinching his nose. Blood ran down his hand and your heart dropped.

You made his nose bleed.

"FUCK! I mean- crap! Your nose, holy sh- I mean shoot! Let me get you a tissue. Oh, my God I'm so sorry." You scrambled, digging through your pouch into the first aid kit to fish out a small towel. You handed it to him, watching as he replaced his hand with the tissue.

"Is my daddy going to die?" The little girl tried to reach for the towel, eying her father with worry so prominent in her eyes.

"No. Your daddy isn't going to die. He just got a little boo boo, that's all." You placed your hand on her shoulder comfortingly as the man tried to stop the bleeding in his nose.

"Can you take her while I run to the bathroom and clean up? You seem trustworthy enough."

You nodded, dreamily, still dazed from seeing him so close up. You weren't sure if it was the mild head injury making you dizzy or just the sheer attraction you held for this man, but you were weak. "Sure, yeah. I'll try to watch my mouth from now on."

He smiles under the towel, carefully handing over his daughter. "Allison, this is..." He looked back at you. "I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"My name?"

"Yeah, you're the only person around, aren't you?" You could hear a little laugh that made your heart soar.

"Of course. I'm a dummy..."

"...Your name?" He repeated, causing you to look down in sheer embarrassment.

"Oh! It's Y/N. Sorry." You mumbled, reaching out for the child. "And you're Allison? What a pretty name!"

"Yeah!" She squeaked. "Allison Sh-Shep...ard? Seh-perd? Sea-pard... no. I'm just Allison. Allison S, like a snake!" She giggles, and your heart absolutely melts. She was the cutest little girl - she was her father's reflection.

"Do you know your daddy's name?" You question, hoping to squeeze some information from the child. Allison nodded quickly.

"Mommy calls him Duncan, and when we're alone she calls him a self-cen... centered assho-hole." She rears back, covering her mouth. "Oops! Mommy said not to repeat that to anybody ever! Sorry, red!"

"Red?"

"Yeah, red! Like your pretty bathing suit!" You nod, laughing just a bit before Duncan walks back up to you, his hand landing on your mid-back which caused you to stiffen.

"Sorry about that, I hope Allison wasn't too much of a trouble-maker." He laughs, taking the child in his arm again.

"No, she's adorable. Truly." You cross your hands in front of you, smiling dorkily. "She told me your name is Duncan."

"Oh, right!" He thrusts his hand out to you, for a handshake that you accept. "I'm Duncan Shepherd. Pardon my unprofessionalism."

"Oh, no! It's okay, I promise." His hand wraps around yours, the sheer size of it swallowing yours. He wasn't wearing a wedding ring - good. "You're good..."

Duncan nodded, looking back into your eyes, not speaking. You did the same, just taking in the moment.

"Well, uh. I should probably get home, it's almost her naptime." He looked back down to the ground before he kneeled down to pick something up, your sunglasses. "You dropped these. I was going to give them back to you but instead, I got a bloody nose." He laughed, holding the accessory out to you which you took in your hands.

"Thank you. Once again, I'm so sorry. I can be such a klutz sometimes." You took back the sunglasses, letting your fingers linger over his hand a little longer then what was necessary.

"No problem. I'll see you around?"

"Yeah, I'll see you. Bye Allison! It was so nice to meet you!" The child smiles, before yawning softly.

"Bye, red."

[damnerd]

30 questions ask game!

tagged by @ovenroastedtwerkey​ 

1.       Name – Elijah

2.      Gender – Male

3.      Star Sign – Pisces

4.      Height – 5’10

5.      Time – 3:06 pm

6.      Birthday – March 9

7.      Favorite Bands – Basement, Soccer Mommy, Flor, Stars, Alvvays, this is really tricky I listen to too much music

8.      Favorite Solo Artists – FKA Twigs, Sevdaliza, Rina Sawayama, Phoebe Bridgers and probably some more I’m forgetting

9.      Song Stuck in My Head – Slow by Shallou (feat.RKCB)

10.  Last Movie – It would’ve been Scream 2 from a Scream double feature my sister and I did the other day, but after last night it’s The Karate Kid Part II

11.  Last Show – I was just checking out Selena + Chef and it was really cute

12.  When did I create this blog? – Apparently it was November 2012 coming close to 10 years jesus christ

13.  What do I post? – Funny shit, anti-capitalist memes, pictures of myself, whatever I want lol

14.  Last thing I googled? – Louie Anderson, no I will not give any context

15.  Other blogs – None! Just a lot of hoarded urls from back in high school

16.  Do I get asks? – pretty much never 

17.  Why I chose this url? – I thought of it and was surprised no one had taken it. I used to have a few different ones but I like this one too much not to keep it

18.  Following ��� 431

19.  Followers – 735! I’ve gotten a lot of new followers lately and I love you all

20.  Average hours of sleep – I’m getting about 7 rn

21.  Lucky Number – 9 because my birthday’s on the 9th

22.  Instruments – The recorder from grade 4, I also tried learning the guitar but never stuck with it

23.  What I’m wearing – My navy Roots sweats and a t-shirt with a cactus pattern on it

24.  Dream Job – Anything that allows me to do art, earn a stable living, and not lose my social life 

25.  Dream Trip – I wanna visit my friend in Japan sometime soon, and I also really want to visit Italy, particularly Florence and Venice. I’ve never left Canada so I wanna have my mind blown

26.  Favorite Food – Any sort of Korean food is my Kryptonite tbh

27.  Nationality – Canadian. My heritage is mostly german tho

28.  Favorite Song – Sad Machine by Porter Robinson still holds a special place in my heart

29.  Last Book I Read – Game of Thrones

30.  Top three fictional universes I’d like to live in – Pokemon, ATLA, Legend of Zelda 

IDK who to tag so I tag anyone that wants to do this too 

[asbcblog]

TOP SONGS OF 2020 WRITE UP!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6WDeuRMOV8neAhU2zd193d?si=lZ9gDIp0TsCCEOeCS7_QGw

1. I remember everything - John Prine

I was going to write an incredibly earnest and long review of this song that outlined just how much John Prine meant to me. I can’t really do it and I think this song probably says enough alone. With only a few chords he always manages to express all the little things that make love what it is, all different kinds of love. Long lasting, short moments, love with places, sounds, going places and staying home, endless family ties, and the often fragile but in the end tenable love between all human beings in the face of catastrophe. The pandemic stole a lot of things from a lot of people this year, including John Prine, but he will remain one of the greatest songwriters of all time and his songs will live on forever.

2. Dream Palette - Yves Tumor

I can’t drive but let’s pretend I’m driving, I’m in LA and it’s night time or something, my elbow’s out the window, don’t know why I’m wearing sunglasses, this song comes on the radio, I’m the coolest person alive.

3. Boylife in EU- Yung Lean

Not to repeat my review of Garden but when the chorus comes I feel like I’m on top of a really big hill and its pouring it down with rain and im screaming but this time its because of a no-deal Brexit.

4. Garden- Joseph Futak

My review was already used as part of Joe’s promo campaign and it said: “feel like im on top of a really big hill and its pouring it down with rain and I’m screaming when the drums come in x x”

5. Circle the Drain- Soccer Mommy

I like this song because I too, am often alone in my room, and I have also become obsessed with subtle breakbeats to an extent where people around me have become very bored of the subject.

6. The Brothers William Said- The Innocence Mission

I listened to this song over and over when I was travelling round London in January just after my birthday, it felt like I’d been listening to it for years, like it was in a movie I’d forgotten. It felt at the time like I was saying a lot of goodbyes, recognising that things weren’t really like they used to be.

7. On the Floor- Perfume Genius

Say it with me ladies: I CROSS OUT HIS NAME ON THE PAGE!!!!

8. Shameika- Fiona Apple

She may not believe it but I bet Fiona Apple looked tough with a riding crop.

9. Song for Our Daughter- Laura Marling

Everything about this is fantastic, mellow and bright at the same time. Every part is brought forward individually and no part of this song gets left behind. A stunning vocal from Laura Marling and purposeful lyrics set to a cinematically emotive instrumental. Pure magic as always.

10. Building site outside- Piglet

Not going to lie, I was in a very vulnerable emotional state when I listened to this song for the first time, but I think that makes it no less powerful and just, sad. The lyric ‘she smiled at me so much last time’ is just so simple and devastating that you forget this would’ve been on every indie film soundtrack from 2000-2008 if Piglet was an industry plant.  

11. I wonder- Shamir

One word: EPIC

12. Crimson Tide- Destroyer

Listened to this every time I came on my period this year.

13. In the Dining Room - Joe Pera talks with you

Adam showed me Joe Pera when I really felt incredibly sad at the very beginning of this year. It’s a show that’s made me feel good, no matter the circumstances. This moment in the show made me smile, and I love hearing Gene come in a bit too early.

14. Stupid Love- Lady Gaga

Shakin my little booty in the kitchen to this x

15. Might bang, might not- Little Simz

Livid we didn’t all get to go to End of the Road and see all the hot dad’s loving Little Simz.

16. Fire- Waxahatchee

A truly insane vocal. I listened to this song on my way to work almost every day from September to December and fantasised singing back up at some kind of outdoor gig in the summer and it made everything significantly less bleak.

17. Hannah Sun- Lomelda

This song is too nice and genuine for me to say anything other than, “really lovely song :)”.

18. Scroll of Sorrow- Machine Girl, guayaba

Listened to this a lot this year while sitting on my kitchen floor staring into an empty oven, wondering if I was ever going to go to a party again.

19. Build a nest- Jeff and Ruby Parker

Have put this on in the flat because the guitar solo reminds me of everything my dad listens to at home. A really great piece of music that kicks off a really exciting album.

20. Kiss me thru the phone- That Kid

Ned said yesterday that he thought it was funny how much the original of this song is so foundational to hyper pop and I agree. Also I’ve started saying ‘Bitch’ like That Kid does every time I stub my toe.

21. Cuckoo- Sam Amidon

I am punting down a creek, looking in the branches that hang over the water for the bird that shall lead me to my next clue.

22. Places/ Plans- Skullcrusher

Used this song to comfort myself in moments where I also just don’t understand why I’m not famous.

23. Sweetjoy- Jam City

Finally….. HAIM for dudes.

24. Clean Living- Slow Weather

I saw someone listening to this on the side of my Spotify so I decided to give it a go and it was a fantastic decision. It’s mental that half of this song is an outro.

25. Summer All Over- Blake Mills

Along with the music video visuals and the dampened piano tone, this wins the competition for least summer-y song with the actual word summer in the title.

26. Ready Cheeky Pretty- CHAI

All of my joy this year has been brought to me by CHAI. I have nothing negative to say about CHAI. If you have anything negative to say about CHAI you’re gonna have to go through me.

27. Diaphanous- Land of Talk

This band was recommended to me by a guy I was trying to flirt with at rough trade east but everything closed before I could impress him by saying ‘I think they’re really cool’.

28. Anything - Adrianne Lenker

Anyone who has ever attempted to write a song with me knows how much I simply love rhyming. Seriously though, every thing rhymes, brilliant stuff. (It’s also such a brilliantly full and constant song that still manages to move and remain exciting from start to finish. I imagine this is partially due to Adrianne Lenker’s almost nursery rhyme- esque structure and also due to her beautifully colloquial approach to family dynamics.)

29. Blow- Dj Gigola, Kev Koko

This song makes me wish I was Jason Bourne- just wanna jump really far while something explodes behind me.

30. Money Can’t Buy- Yaeji, Nappy Nina 

‘Well I’ll buy some Yaeji tickets, they’re for NOVEMBER, there’s NO WAY they’re gonna get cancelled’.

31. Only the Truth- Johanna Warren

When I first listened to this song I felt like I was floating in the ocean looking up at the stars as the drums came in on ‘what more can I do’. An incredibly beautiful and careful song.

32. Gasoline- Haim

2020 could probably be summarised with the phrase ‘WHY AM I NO LONGER IN CALIFORNIA? WHY DID I LEAVE CALIFORNIA?’ And this song is the 3 minutes 13 seconds seconds of escapism I needed to not topple into a full spiral.

33. Mapuu - Ic3peak

No one can convince me that Ic3peak are real people. They are a collective made up of child ghosts.

34. Don’t Worry- Bladee

Whenever I have an anxiety attack in the night I wake up and see Bladee’s ghost of the future over my bed, he says ‘Don’t worry’ and mumbles for a bit as I fall back into a peaceful sleep.

35. The biggest tits in history- The magnetic fields

The most relatable magnetic fields song imo.  

36. Sand Castle- nijuu

Yujin is a genius and my answer is yes, I do want to just walk for a while.

37. Curl Up- Darren Hayman

Ned reminded me how much I used to love Darren Hayman, and both of them have been a pretty big part of my year.

38. When Will Death Come- Sarah Mary Chadwick

‘Wow, mental voice’ - Ned, while doing the washing up.

39. Dear Dad - Sylvie Wiley

‘But I didn’t cry, you’d be proud’ Sylvie, I’m weeping forever.

40. 34+35- Ariana Grande

Hehehehehehehehehe

41. Garden Song- Phoebe Bridgers

Phoebe Bridgers is a pretty unparalleled lyricist and this song feels like a disconnected series of thoughts that somehow all make sense together and come to create something that doesn’t build, but all just kind of sits? What I’m trying to say is that I don’t really know what she’s talking about but like, I get it.

42. Ringtone (remix) - 100 gecs, Charli xcx, Kero Kero Bonito, Rico Nasty, 

I love the way it sounds like everyone got just one take and had to improvise all the lyrics but it still bangs.

43. Changer- Andy Shauf

Thank you lord for another album about a smaller than average man overthinking all of his social interactions with lots of lovely clarinet parts.

44. What’s your pleasure - Jessie Ware

My pleasure jessie? Probably just sitting by the fire with a tough crossword and a glass of merlot x

45. Slime- Shygirl

Shygirl’s series of singles this year made me even more livid that I had to take out my eyebrow piercing for my new job this year.

46. Sears Tower- Salem

Perfect halloween release.

47. Title track- happyness

Ned turned to me and said: ‘so is their new thing that they sound like Elliot Smith’ and I said: ‘and that’s a bad thing?’

48. Cross-sound ferry (walk on ticket) - Hamilton Leithauser

Have found unbelievable joy in chopping veg and shouting GREEEEEEEN PORT, NEEEEEEWWWW YOOORK alone in my kitchen.

49. Lowswimmer- Hailaker

I’ve loved hearing Jemima’s voice when I haven’t got to see her much this year. I normally take the piss out of the Hambledon line but I haven’t seen that this year really either. I guess we find sentimentality in strange places.

50. XS - Rina Sawayama

This song made me feel very decadent on those days where I didn’t wash.

51. Emily- Clem Snide

Let’s be more kind and brave in the face of it all.

52. Building a fire- Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy

P.O.V you’re doing bushcraft in the garden with your husband Bonnie Prince Billy and he’s here to protect you.

53. Asexual Wellbeing- Okay Kaya

This song absolutely bangs but I am truly bewildered by the way they singled out the line ‘if they could put a pulse into a spinach leaf, can they turn the two of us into a tree?’ in the production as if that was a true piece of genius. As I say great tune tho.

54. Anthems- Charli xcx

The soundtrack to couch to 5k

55. Never Better- Kitty Fitz

A SE London queen bringing us huge pop tunes in 2020. So so excited to see what 2021 brings us from Kitty, she’s gonna be a real force!

56. Deep in Love- Bonny Light Horsemen

This is such a delightful song which (mainly due to the time I actually got around to listening to the whole record) for me really rang in the spring. A beautifully recorded testament to the feeling of love getting stronger meaning you have a lot more to lose.

57. Malibu- Kim Petras

My song of the summer, made me feel like I was at the beach when really I was in Lewisham.

58. Like I’m Winning it- Girlpool

I’m so delighted that the turn girlpool have made this year is towards dramatic goth music with breakbeats. Their voices both sound amazing and they look simply incredible.

59. Azad- Frazey Ford

I have no idea what she’s saying as always but I love it.

60. Helio- Charlotte Dos Santos

I’m literally so excited for what Charlotte Dos Santos is gonna put out next. The production is fantastic and her aesthetics are flawless.

61. Lost in the Country- Trace Mountains

‘I checked my email twice as I cried’. Safe to say we’ve all been there this year amirite girlies x

62. Unfold You- Rostam

I hated this at first, I thought, what’s this lo-fi beats to study to shit, but it’s now my classic ‘I’m just gonna pop to the shops, anyone want anything? x’ song. Huge.

63. Oh Yeah- A.G cook

One of 2020s realisations is that me and A.G Cook kind of look like we could be cousins.

64. Can’t cool me down- Car Seat Headrest

I would like to personally thank will Toledo for giving me a tune that got me off my ass when I was too warm to do exercise this summer.

65. Take back the radio- Katy J Paerson

In love with Katy J Pearson’s voice and the way this song builds. Just pretty flawless and feel good in my opinion. I think she’s such an exciting new artist who’s gonna be around for a very very long time.

66. Good Woman- The Staves

‘I’m a good woman’… speak for yourselves.

67. A Little Love- Jack Francis

Feel like I’ve been singing this song for about 5 years! It’s amazing and I’m so excited about what Jack’s going to bring out in 2021, he’s a genius and also the nicest man on the planet.

68. Lullaby No.4 - Snailbeach

This song makes me feel like I’m being hypnotised on a haunted carousel in a very relaxing way.

69. Boyfriend in every city- Roma Radz

Sucks that she can’t see any of her boyfriends cos of covid :(

70. Jaja ding dong- Will Ferrell

Get back in there and play Jaja Ding Dong !!!!

71. Highway- Jonatan leandoer96

Man, would be pretty sick to have 20 boys outside the club but alas the clubs are dead and I’ve only regularly texted about 4 people this year.

72. De nadie- Kali Uchis

Felt v sexy listening to this for the first time in a Morley’s in Honor Oak.

73. Weird Fishes- Lianne La Havas

This album was a pretty triumphant return for Lianna La Havas and me teenage self simply couldn’t be happier.

74. Micro Creature- Aya Gloomy

Love that despite everything about this song telling me otherwise, that the artwork for this single looks like Aya Gloomy is just chilling in the fields by my family home in Hampshire.

75. Si Ella Sale- Bad Bunny

Better get on the duolingo now if I’m gonna know what this guy’s saying at Porto next year.

76. Through my sails- Mountain Man

Truly gentle reimagining of an already incredibly beautiful song, mountain man make every word seem new!

77.Christmas Day (get me outta this funk) - Baggio and Blue 5 Years- Bath days

In joint 77th place are two banging Christmas songs that have soundtracked a pretty bleak Christmas period and have made me feel pretty joyous in their ways, despite one literally being called Blue Five Years.

[ships-for-you]

Thank you for requesting again love! Although I regret to inform you that I don’t really write for InuYasha so please do excuse the fact that I won’t be writing for that part of your matchup.

For OHSHC, I ship you with Tamaki!

You’ve mentioned that you aren’t really the type to, “fall in love at first sight” so I thought this scenario I had in my head would be pretty interesting.

You would have met when he transferred, along with Kyoya since he would’ve been the batch governor with you as his vice.

His loud and bubbly nature probably scared you at first and you wouldn’t really know how to properly handle him.

Not to mention the fact that he immediately went for the chivalrous kiss on the back of the hand.

You’d withdraw your hand iMmeDiAteLy from this blonde and distance yourself from him behind Kyoya, who you weren’t so close with but friends nonetheless.

He knows about your predicament, by the way, as he has conducted his routine background check on all the students including you so although he knows, he doesn’t let it affect his behavior around you too much.

You’re trying to be as mature as Kyoya and you apologize for having such an adverse reaction to his advances.

He would probably say something along the lines of, “A fine maiden such as yourself needn’t apologize for being so demure. A man’s touch, especially from someone as beautiful as I, can indeed be frightening, but you dont have to be afraid of me.” Plus a wink.

It’s so over the top that you just sigh at his narcissism and your governor sighs beside you.

I mean, sure he’s very conventionally handsome but is he really all that though?

You bond along with Tamaki and Kyoya for he had this theory that since you’re a female, he’d be more likely to listen to you while he can monitor him as well.

You’re all in the same class anyway so it’s more convenient that way.

From there you notice how your transferee has gained a lot of attention and is mostly popular with the ladies so you really can’t help but think,

Wow, it must be nice to have people that at least seem to care about you.

Then he comes to you and Kyo saying that he wants to host a club. Specifically, a club whose goal is to make women happy, which sounded odd, but you guessed there was no harm in it.

But you needed to recruit other members if he wanted it to work to which he informed you that he had students in mind already.

You’re impressed to see the club once it’s fully functional and although it may seem immoral, you know of Tamaki’s intentions now and know they are mostly pure.

You share the same, “sheltered” home life experience as he never really got to go out much in France before he turned 14. He’s likely to tell you his life story before Kyoya because you’re female.

But also because he, not that he’s aware of it, cares for your opinion more.

He finds himself thinking, “I hope that she looks at me and thinks, ‘damn, he’s so pretty.’” a lot since mommy issues lmao.

But on a more serious note, he listens to your advice whenever you comment about how too superficial his flirting technique is because he believes that,

1, your gender as a girl and knowing the ins and outs of one should definitely help him

and 2, he really wants to know specifically what makes you more at ease.

Tamaki is the type of person to physically show that he is in love with someone but not mentally acknowledge it until something hits him in the head with the cold facts.

And that’s on Kyoya.

Kyoya is very entertained seeing you and Tamaki bond throughout the course of the anime. whoops, way to break the 4th wall.

He is also a bit annoyed that Tamaki just can’t man up and say so because he can’t help his brain function normally.

Kyoya understands that you may avoid commitment due to issues you face privately and his best friend shares them too because he doesn’t want to see women crying because of him.

He’s already seen it from his mother, I don’t think he wants to see it again.

So unless you are willing to take the risk to confess first or Tamaki realizes his feelings sooner, this would end up no where and would fizzle out once Haruhi enter the picture.

For Kiss Him, Not Me, I ship you with Nozumu Nanashima!

I feel like you would meet Nanashima in middle school along with Igarashi.

As we all know, Nanashima can seem fickle or superficial with his interests in girls and I agree but!

It kind of boils down to the fact he hasn't experienced proper dating before and didn't really have the interest to prior to meeting Kae nor you.

I hypothesise that he, much like Tamaki, will probably physically show his interest in you before actually coming to a conclusion that he has feelings for you.

Basically, his body knows more than his brain.

You know, because he’s stupid.

Although I ship you with Nanashima, that doesn't necessarily mean he’s the only one interested in you in the moment.

I mean, who else could it be but Igarashi?

Although he doesn't vocalize it, he feels really inferior to Igarashi as he feels like he is better at the things they bot share a common interest in like soccer.

and you

Nana doesn't really like thinking that way but it’s just something he thinks on autopilot so even if he doesn't like it, he can't really help it.

In the end, he'd surrender to his thoughts, give up soccer, and decide to just be the bad guy to Yusuke’s good guy.

He doesn't give you up as, you know, he doesn't know he likes you. 

Igarashi sees it though but thinks that it gives him the advantage to gain your interest faster.

You would be very oblivious to whatever little banter they're having because it either seems like their flirting with each other

“I’d treat you so much better.” “Oh yeah? Better than who, me?”

Or you just think so negatively of yourself that you’ve perceived you're just unlovable, even with the 2 of your friends with you.

It doesn't help that when Kae suddenly lost weight, they barely hung out with you anymore since they're always with her.

“Ah, sorry (y/n)! I thought I’d hang with Serinuma for today.” Igarashi would say with Nanashima behind him nodding along but not really looking in your direction.

Normally, you would've let it slide if this hasn't been going on for a nearly 2 months and them barely talking to you halfway. Plus, you were really tired of overthinking and loosing sleep from crying.

Since you fear being truly alone, the past 2 moths with them constantly flaking would make you feel like the inevitable was happening.

You’d just shout at them and tell them how you feel, not noticing that you were crying and people in the hallway would definitely stare and observe just to see what happens.

Igarashi would not know to do and stay frozen in place, would apologize and bow, and then leave. Nanashima would've probably left before Igarashi opened his mouth to apologize.

Although that did not seem like it would suffice, you just decided to let go but would likely lose the will to attend school the following days after, on the excuse of being sick.

Igarashi would feel like utter shit but just keep it to himself while Nanashima is deeply bothered but doesn't acknowledge it.

It’s only when Serinuma took care of him when he was sick did he break down and told him how awful he felt, how confused, and just lost.

When she tells him that he's confused because he just doesn't know how to set his priorities straight and that he may have feelings for you, he connects to and to together and is simply devastated.

He’d thank her for doing over and taking care of him but would like it if she were to leave him alone as he thought things through.

Maybe even a dance break with Kirari might lift his spirits.

From then on, he'd make a point to go to your house and try to apologize, especially since he left when he had the chance to before without a word.

He’d explain that he's never experienced something like this before and that his feelings for you are genuine. He'd apologize so much and try to make you feel better by telling you all the things he thinks are true about you.

How patient, non judging, how you probably bottled up your feelings so you wouldn't make them feel bad for constantly blowing you off,

Everything he appreciates about you.

He’d then ask you out but, as it’s his first time and he's already made a bad impression, he'd want to go slow.

It’s a learning process for both of you and although you're wary since you don't want to get hurt again, you accept but do agree that you two should go slow. 

He tries to be more himself around you and you try to be more open about your problems to him. You try to better and grow with each other.

[inkforhumanhands]

2, 4, 10, 12, 15, 20, 21, 23, 27 ;3c

2: (truth) What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you in the past week? (dare) Refresh your dashboard and send an anonymous compliment to the person who posted whatever’s at the top of your dash.

Truth: this was technically like a week and a half ago but it was really embarrassing/awkward so i’m going with this one. i missed several email reminders to turn in my work hours for TAing this month, which i needed a professor to sign, and i finally noticed the emails while i was in a class that ended at 5:00 and i thought the office closed at 5:30. it was also a friday before a long weekend and the form was already late so i couldn’t turn it in any later. i emailed the professor asking if he was still on campus so i could get his stamp of approval (and i was late last month too so this was twice in a row: embarrassing). he said he was, so as soon as class ended i went there and got his stamp, and i booked it to the office.

i get there at 5:25, turns out they closed at 5:15. i knocked on the door just in case they would open it and this lady i’ve never interacted with told me to go away and that the person in charge of the TA stuff (let’s call her OL) had gone somewhere. so as i’m slowing leaving the building with my tail between my legs i get a call on my cellphone from OL and she’s like “wait no come back i need you to turn it in” and i went back and turned it in and apologized a million times.

i was about to leave when i noticed that a Canadian professor i’d had for a class once two years ago was there so i awkwardly said hello and we code-switched to English. this professor is also in charge of the department’s mental health committee. she asked me if i had filled out the survey that she had sent out the previous day and i said “no not yet” and then she started talking about how important it was and blah blah blah and then OL comes over and she says, also in English, “Oh no, Drew is fine he doesn’t need mental health services” (which is like not true lololol but whatever) and then Canadian prof said that she didn’t mean it like that (in Japanese, but her Japanese isn’t very good tbh). So then OL code-switches back to Japanese and tries to finish her joke, that I don’t need mental health services because i have a mame shiba. But Canadian prof. didn’t understand her apparently and started talking over her and i was like “@OL lolol yes my dog heals my soul” and OL was trying to fix the miscommunication with Canadian prof. and it was just. a taxing experience The End.

4: (truth) What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you? (dare) Post the oldest selfie on your camera roll.

Dare: Not a selfie but this is me teaching while looking not at all like a teacher lmao

10: (truth) What was your favorite band five years ago? (dare) Tag a blog that posts very different content from yours, but that you couldn’t imagine not following.

Truth: Let’s see, 2015? I don’t think I had a favorite favorite then but I was very into Envy, うみのて (Uminote), Grimes, and Sorority Noise

12: (truth) What are your five favorite girls’ names and five favorite boys’ names? (dare) Copy and paste the 14th line of text from the last document you worked on in Word or Google Drive.

Dare: I can’t tell if this is like literally LINE and not SENTENCE but if we’re doing line then “dialogue using linguistic resources flexibly. In addition, we discuss the possibilities of“

If it’s supposed to be sentence there is no 14th sentence because it’s only an abstract. (bet you were hoping for fic lmao too bad)

15: (truth) If you could rock any unusual article of clothing/makeup technique/hairstyle, what would it be? (dare) Go to the blog of the last person you reblogged a text post from. Reblog your favorite of their selfies.

Truth: Those fucking eye jewelry things! Like the little gemstone-like things guys stick under their eyes. No idea what they’re called.

20: (truth) What does your bedroom look like? (dare) Take one selfie and post it. You only get one shot! (No old selfies or retrying, even if you think you look bad)

Truth: Notice there is no bed. I store my futon in the closet during the daytime.

21: (truth) What three fictional characters would you most like to meet? (dare) Write your name down on a piece of paper and draw a quick picture of yourself. Take a photo of it and post it.

Dare:

23: (truth) What are your three biggest turn ons, and your three biggest turn offs? (dare) Put your music player on shuffle. Without actually listening to it, write the lyrics to the chorus of the first song.

Dare: I’m cheating for this because I literally couldn’t tell you what the chorus is without listening to it... and that goes for pretty much any song lmao

Night Swimming by Soccer Mommy- okay literally this song doesn’t have a chorus so i’m just picking one of the verses

Try to break your walls

But all I ever end up breaking is your bones

Bruises show

Standing in the living room

Talking as you're staring at your phone

It's a cold I've known

skipping 27 because i already did it

[brightskiez]

( taylor russell, cis female, she/her ) ❆ well, well, well, if it isn’t highview u’s own MOST LIKELY TO EVADE HER TAXES winner, DANIELLE "DANI" GARDENER! they are TWENTY-THREE and major in ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. word around campus is that this SENIOR/FIFTH YEAR is INTELLIGENT and DETERMINED, but also PRETENTIOUS and ANXIOUS. they’ve got a big personality for the mix, so watch out for this one in the close quarters this break!

background !

dani was born to a pretty well off family in the big apple. when i say well off, i mean she was rich, but the gardeners were not uber relevant. her mommy was a neurosurgeon and her dad was a wall street ... whatever happens there, dani went to private school. lots of pressure!

dani never really knew if she was smart or just ... trained into being smart. impostor syndrome! she had the most expensive tutors, her parents had her hooked on classical music and baby einstein instead of colorful fun toys. she never watched a single disney movie until she was in high school. 

news flash: she’s actually smart. dani was quick on her feet, but not exactly charming. she wasn’t the most popular kid in school because she was either studying in the library or absolutely ripping into people on debate team. 

she thrived mostly under the pressure. straight A student, a million and one AP classes. no one could say that she wasn’t dedicated either — dani had a <3 serious girlfriend <3 from the time she realised she was bi her freshman year of high school and on.

depression tw / however, that girlfriend broke up with her freshman year of college — when dani was attending columbia. dani spiraled, stopped going to class. her best and only friend, and who she thought was the love of her life was gone, just like that. after nearly flunking out the second semester of her freshman year, dani decided to transfer to her dad’s alma mater, highview. 

at highview, dani did a lot better, after cramming in all the credits she’d lost in her semester of .... flop era. she was back on her A game.

 she made more friends, she had peers that she actually got along with. she was even invited to parties! however, without her intense studying, her senior yr, dani’s grades began to slip ... and by slip, i mean a b+ or an a- on a exam instead of perfect marks.

however, she was so used to success that she was not happy. long story short, she stole an answer key for one of the exams, got caught, and was given a pretty intense academic integrity violation. her parents had to do a lot of fighting and well, donating to keep her at highview, where she’s now having to repeat her last year of college. she’s not happy about it, and it’s pretty well known among any one in the science programs what happened to dani, whispers in class group texts travel fast! 

personality !

dani might be an environmental science major (and public policy minor, she won’t let u forget it!), but her skills are pretty well rounded. she knows classic literature, can do math off the top of her head, and has some practical skills too — she can change a tire, despite not being able to drive a car. 

the fact that she’s been propped up as brilliant her entire life has made dani a little pretentious. she doesn’t like to be corrected, and she has a habit of oversharing the knowledge she knows in effort to prove a point or prove she’s smart 

dani is plenty friendly, but she’s also a fighter! she’s mostly about her success, an if you fall, d she’ll only help you up if she won’t get slowed down. metaphorical fall, btw. if you trip in front of her she’ll help you up bc she’s nice <3 

anxiety tw / she’s a pretty anxious person in general, and often times dani will blow things a little out of proportion when she’s worried. she’s also a little anal retentive about deadlines and being on time to things. 

fun facts !

anxiety tw / dani has a therapy cat fr her anxiety, and it is a fat orange cat named romeo, like romeo and juliet. she’s big into shakespeare

film bro movie taste. what do you mean you haven’t seen ( insert something i haven’t seen because men talk about it here)?

massive sweet tooth, but a terrible baker. survives on vending machine twinkies and regular ice cream shop visits

cannot hold hard liquor at all — sticks to beer and wine coolers because if she has anything hard she will be falling over

weirdly good at vintage games and arcade games — she tries to get the high score on every pacman machine she sees. 

coffee fiend, always has a cup. it could be 10pm, and dani will have a cup of coffee in her hand.

was a soccer player in high school to pad her resume, but was benched for most of the season because she’s not terribly good at it at all. she’s quite unathletic.

has terrible eyesight, and has worn contacts since she abandoned her glasses at age 11 

has a tattoo of her star sign, virgo, on her arm. astrology is the one superstitious thing she wholeheartedly believes

like i said, no driver’s license. she also can’t ride a bike. #selfinsert

[setlist-ud-blog]

Songs We Love This December

The entire Setlist staff is back this month with more songs we’ve been listening to and loving recently! As always, we’ll post this entire playlist on our Spotify, so check it out and see if you can find something new to vibe with. 

Dana Behling - President

Magazine by Vera Blue - Super luxe and laced with gorgeously melodic strings. I’ve shamelessly had this alt-pop hit on repeat for weeks.

Aristocrat (feat. Garibay) by Poppy - Great to put on if you want to be transported to another time. Vaguely reminiscent of the film Marie Antoinette. I would have made this whole album my pick for November if I could.

Grace by Florence + The Machine - This song is a religious experience. I might still be coming down from the high I got seeing her perform this song live in October.

Maddie McVey - Editor/Writer

The Walker by Christine and the Queens - A beautiful melody from the French visionary with a stunning music video to match. One of my favorite tracks from one of the best pop albums of the year.  

It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by The 1975 - A sparking sing-along bop with honest lyrics about frontman Matty Healy’s struggles with drug addiction. Sure to please fans of both the band’s new and old sounds.

Feeling of Falling by Cheat Codes feat. Kim Petras - This brand new dance song featuring the on-the-rise pop star will make you wonder how this isn’t on the radio yet. There’s nothing like guilty pleasure pop!

Maggie Doggett - Assistant Manager

Party Favor by Billie Eilish - A slow bop that is nice to listen to on a calm car ride. The perfect song to listen to once you’ve finally broken up with someone you should have broken up with a while ago.

What You Waiting For? by Lily Allen - A song that will make you dance and cry at the same time.

Waiting for Cars by Soccer Mommy - Beautiful and haunting. Perfect song to listen to when your falling for someone and you need to know if they are falling for you.

Alex Woods - Writer

Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams by Camp Cope - A song for the angry femme females that brings to light the real struggles of being a female.

Talking Straight by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - A great tune to blast in your car and to help forget your problems.

Self Care by Mac Miller - A song by the late multi-instrumental artist. This song highlights the importance of taking care of yourself and the hard truths of mental illness.

Keven D’Arcy - Social Media Manager

3 Nights by Dominic Fike - A song by a new artist emerging from South Florida. The chorus is so damn catchy.

Sunflower by Rex Orange County - It has been so cold lately, and this song just makes the winter a little more bearable.

Summer Days by A R I Z O N A - I really just miss summer. This song will make you want to party on the beach.

Sara Rudick - Treasurer

14 Faces by Lewis Del Mar - A cool indie rock jam I’ve recently discovered.

Torn by Neck Deep - I love when punk rock bands do covers of classic pop songs, and this time is no exception.

Bambi by Hippo Campus - If you’re in the mood for some fun chill vibes, I definitely recommend this song (and band).

Molly Kennedy - Photographer

Alien Boy by Oliver Tree - Recently discovered this soft alternative pop artist and fell in love with this vibey song.

Come Out and Play by Billie Eilish - My favorite artist came out with a soft and calming tune.

Without Me by Halsey - Her recently released song is relatable beyond compare and I love the story behind it, a great bop overall.

Alina Serbina - Editor

Trash Bat by AFI - AFI is finally back with another song and an EP coming out on December 7th! Since The Blood Album, I’ve patiently waited for new content and I was not at all disappointed by this new song!

Criminal by State Champs - I’ve recently gotten into State Champs from a recommendation of a friend. Living Proof was released in the summer of 2018 and I love the overall sound this band has! 

I Couldn’t Be More In Love by The 1975 - I have patiently waited for the release of A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships and I am pretty content overall with this album. As always, Matty put all of his emotions out there with some honest and raw lyrics. This song is one of my favorites of the new record. 

[writing-imagines]

“Protecting You” A Sam Arias imagine

“Any big plans tonight, y/n?” Maggie asked as you two finished up your reports from the day.

“No, just a relaxing night at home with Sam and Ruby. What about you? Any big plans with Alex?”

“No. She has to stay at the DEO tonight. Something about Kara blowing out her powers.”

“When will that girl learn?”

“Little Danvers is strong, she’ll recover in-“ suddenly all of the lights in the police station went off. Just as a few “what the hells?” and “oh my gods” rang out, the tv turned on. Your heart dropped when you saw your former friend, now enemy, on the screen.

“Detective y/l/n, this is your last warning. If you don’t hand over the the weapons by five o’clock on Friday, Sam and Ruby Arias will pay the price. I hope to see you then.” The lights turned on again and all eyes were on you.

“Y/n, we won’t let them hurt Sam and Ruby.” Maggie tried to reassure you.

“We need to end this.” You whispered, your eyes not moving from the tv.

“We could move you guys to Gotham. It would buy us enough time-“

“No he’ll find us. There’s only one way to get his guard down.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Fake my own death. He’ll probably send someone to make sure I’m dead and after that we move in and take him down.” Maggie let out a sigh and looked at everyone.

“You heard y/n. We need to set up a funeral.”

You left as everyone started the planing for your fake death. You went straight home to tell Sam and Ruby your less than subtle plan. As soon as you walked through the front door, Ruby had her arms wrapped around you. You instinctively wrapped your arms around her.

“Y/n! You’re home.”

“Hey kiddo. Where’s your mom?” Ruby pulled away and noticed the sadness in your eyes.

“In the kitchen. Is something wrong? You look sad.”

“I need to talk to you and your mom about something really important, okay?”

“O-okay.”

When you and Ruby entered the kitchen, Sam could tell something was wrong.

“Hey you two, why the long faces?”

“Sam, sweetheart, there’s something I need to tell you and Ruby. It’s pretty serious.”

“What is it?” A million things were racing through your girlfriend’s head. The most prominent and heartbreaking one was the thought of you abandoning them.

“There’s a pretty bad guy guy whose out to get me and won’t stop until I’m dead. I’m going to fake my death so we can take him down.” You examined both of the girl’s faces and noticed the similar looks of confusion and fear.

“That’s insane.” Sam whispered.

“It’s scary.” Ruby added.

“I know it is but it has to be done.” An awkward silence fell over the three of you. It was only broken when Sam’s stomach growled.

“Dinner is going to get cold…” Ruby pointed out making you smile just a little.

“Come on, let’s eat.” You suggested as you walked over to the stove to check on whatever Sam made.

Dinner was a little more talkative. Ruby explained what she learned at school and how soccer practice went. Sam talked about Lena’s empromtue trip to L-Corp in the morning. After dinner you helped Ruby with her homework before going back into the kitchen to help Sam clean up. You barely touched a dish before she grabbed your hands.

“Please tell me you’re going to be safe.”

“I promise, Sam. I also promise to keep you and Ruby safe.”

“You don’t need to worry about us right now. I-I just need you to focus on yourself and come home in one piece. I can’t loose you, y/n.”

“And I can’t loose you. He…he threatened you and Ruby. That’s why we’re going to extremes to take him down.”

“Y/n…” Sam let out a longer sigh and she let go of your hands to cup your face.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll be fine, you’ll be fine, Ruby will be fine. Everyone will be fine.”

“Okay…just please come home in one piece. We can’t lose you.”

“You don’t have to worry, I’ll always come back to you.”

The next day you “died” in a shoot out with a robber. It was all over the news, even CatCo published the story. You sat in the basement at work and talked to Maggie, discussing the police department’s plan to take down your enemy. She explained that during your funeral agents would burst into the abandoned shipping yard where he was hiding and arrest him.

“Hey Maggie, do you think you could check on the girls for me?” You asked before your friend left for the night.

“Yeah sure. Anything you want me to tell them?”

“Goodnight and I love you.”

“You got it, y/n. Get some rest, you’re going to be resurrected soon.” The detective gave you a wink before walking out of the basement m, leaving you alone.

A few days later your funeral took place and your enemy was finally arrested. You were going to interrogate him but first you wanted to go home and see the girls. The second you walked through the door Ruby had her arms wrapped around you.

“I’m glad you’re okay. Y/n.” She mumbled into your chest as you hugged her.

“I told you I’d be safe, kiddo.”

“Mom’s been really nervous since you’ve been gone.”

“Your mom is always nervous.”

“I just worry about you two.” Sam’s voice interrupted you and Ruby. Ruby pulled away, knowing how badly Sam wanted to hug you. Sure enough your girlfriend wrapped you in a tight hug. It was one of those “never let me go” hugs.

“I love you so much.” She whispered in between cheek kisses.

“I love you too, baby.”

“Gross.” Ruby groaned causing both of you two pull away.

“It’s not gross. You’ll kiss a boy some day…when you’re thirty and have a steady job.” Sam explained making you and Ruby laugh.

“Yeah sure, mom.” Ruby walked upstairs, allowing you and Sam to have some alone time.

“I’m sorry I put you guys through this.” You whispered holding your girlfriend’s hand.

“It’s okay, you were just trying to protect us.”

“I still feel bad. I didn’t get to help Ruby with her homework or play video games with her or kiss you goodnight.”

“It’s okay baby, we understood why.”

“You really are the best, Samantha Arias.” You rested your forehead against hers and gently kissed the tip of Sam’s nose.

“I know I am. Y/n, there’s something I need to tell you.” Sam pulled away looking like she was going to cry.

“What is it?”

“I’m pregnant.” Everything stopped in that moment. There was so worry about criminals or work or geometry homework, it was just you and Sam.

“Marry me.” You blurted out causing Sam’s eyes to widen.

“Woah, let’s slow down. One life changing event per day please.” Sam said laughing through happy tears.

“You’re pregnant…we’re having baby.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I’m excited. I’m going to have two kids.” You know how happy it made Sam that you considered Ruby to be your daughter.

“What did I do to deserve you?”

“I ask myself the same thing everyday.” You kissed your girlfriend for a few seconds before kneeling down so you were eye level with her stomach. You carefully lifted her shirt a little so you could kiss her still flat belly.

“I love you,your mommy, and sister so much, little one.” Now Sam was full on happy crying.

“We love you too, y/n.”

[kumkaniudaku]

Micah, meet Noah.

A/N: So, uh, yeah. This is what my brain decided to do a few days ago. It took me a while to get in a groove but, I hope you like this. 

Warnings: None. 

Word Count: 2,754

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The soft and persistent tapping at the door forced your tired eyes open as you looked toward the door. Looking behind you, you found Chadwick pressed into your back and his arm draped lazily over your stomach.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

It wasn’t uncommon for you to be awake at 9 AM but, after caring for a fresh baby for most of the night and squeezing in naps in the down time, now was not the time to follow tradition.

Chadwick groaned at the third round of knocks, removing his face from the crook of your neck and squinting at the door. You made a move to swing your legs over the bed but winced when you went to stand. Noticing your discomfort, Chadwick grabbed your arm before you could go further.

“I got it. Lay back down.” You looked to him for confirmation and received a quick peck to answer your unspoken question. “I’m sure. You’ve done enough already. Relax.”

Removing the heavy duvet covering his half-naked body, Chadwick hobbled over to the door while pulling his t-shirt over his head to crack it and identify the early morning visitor.

“I tried to keep her in the kitchen but she moves so quick and quiet,” Tiana rushed out, looking down at the child in front of her. “I’m sorry if we woke y’all up. She’s really excited.”

“C’mon in, baby girl. We’re awake.” Micah’s snaggle-toothed grin graced her face as she began to sprint toward the bed. Chadwick caught wind of her intentions and grabbed her before she could get too far. “Slow down, Princess. Mama is in some pain so, you can’t jump on the bed like before. You gotta slow down.”

She responded with a respectful ‘yes sir’ and looked to you, “Mommy, can I sit by you?”

“Of course, Boop.” Opening your arms to invite her over, you waited for her to snuggle into the open space.

Her mess of kinks and coils framed her face like a lion’s mane, making you wonder if anyone had thought to put her hair away to protect it before she went to bed.

Fitting into the curves of your body, she locked her arms around your waist and buried her face in your side.

“Good Morning, my love. How was your sleep?”

“I didn’t sleep all night! I’m too excited!” Her long body wiggled around, distorting Jessie’s face on her Toy Story pajamas.

Tiana smiled from the doorway at the scene in front of her, sticking around to satisfy her curiosity as well as Micah’s. No one had gotten a good look at Noah since the delivery besides you and Chadwick. The excitement to meet the newest addition was beginning to boil over for everyone in the house.

With Chadwick’s blessing, Tiana slid into the room and sat on the bench in front of the bed.

“Is he awake Mama? Can I see him?”

“I don’t know baby,” you answered, unsure of how to handle the situation. “He just went back to bed a little while ago. It’s not time for him to wake up.”

The corners of her mouth turned down to form a frown much like her father’s. She spent all night bouncing off the walls and asking questions about her little brother. Now that the moment was close, it seemed to vanish again.

“Actually,” Chadwick started, “I think he heard his big sister and is ready to meet you, too.”

When Chadwick removed Noah from his bassinet to hold him against his chest, you were shocked to find him alert and wondered how long he had been awake. Between feeding at 2 AM, changing at 4 and another feeding at 8, you didn’t expect him to be up.

After kissing his son and cooing a high pitched ‘good morning’, Noah was in your arms and staring at you like the world rested in your irides. Micah’s face lit up in unbridled wonder and excitement.

“Say good morning to your big sister, AJ,” you sang, adjusting his swaddle to free his hands.

His pacifier bobbed in his mouth as his eyes darted from object to object. Naturally, the world around him was introducing his entire being to new sights, smells and feelings. But, when his eyes landed on Micah, they lingered for a moment.

Micah’s fingertips ghosted over the warm cotton of his blanket, traveling slowly until she reached his arm. “Does he know who I am?”

“Not yet but, he will one day,” Chadwick answered.

“Well, how come? I want him to know my name.” The pout resting on her mouth forced her bottom lip out as her eyes shifted from Noah to her parents. “What if he never knows my name?”

“He just got here, Boop. Babies don’t know as much as big girls like you. That’s why you have to teach him.”

“Try this,” Chadwick’s long fingers gingerly grabbed his baby girl’s wrist to lead her to the palm of Noah’s hand. “Touch his hand. He’ll show that he knows who you are.”

“What are you doing,” you questioned in a hushed whisper.

“I don’t know. Just let it happen.”

Anxiety began to course through your body at the speed of light. It would crush you to watch Micah’s face drop in confusion and disappointment if Noah decided he wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. Her emotions were tied up in the fickle nature of a person that had yet to hit the two day mark and you didn’t know if you could explain his reaction away.

Before you could lay out another plan, Micah’s fingers were in the palm of his brother’s hand, hoping for movement. All eyes locked on the newest Boseman, praying that he would respond positively to his older sibling. He was already having a hard time adjusting to Chadwick and he had been by his side from the moment the cool air of the master bathroom blew over his delicate skin.

Initially, he did nothing. Micah’s finger sat in his palm for what felt like hours while she looked on. The fire in her eyes turned to a small flicker and you wondered how her father would fix his mess.

“Daddy,” she whimpered. “He doesn’t-oooh!” The flame in her big brown eyes returned when she felt the grip of Noah’s hand capture her fingers. “Look! He knows me! Hey, Noey!”

The bonding moment brought a smile to your face and tears to your eyes as you looked on. She was already enamored with the idea of being an older sister and now, with her brother giving her his attention the best way he knew how, her wildest dreams were coming to life.

“My name is Micah but, Mommy and Daddy call me Boop and Mikey. You can call me Big Sister. When you get big, you can play fort with me and come to my soccer games and read books with me! Make sure you stay out of Daddy’s office. Don’t play with the shiny tape or put it on his papers because he gets reaaal mad.”

Chadwick chuckled at the watered down version of the night she almost got her first spanking from her father.

“When Mommy and Daddy are in a fun mood, they like to play outside. Maybe you can play outside one day, too! And we can have sleepovers in my room or sneak in here when Mommy and Daddy are sleeping.”

Micah continued to explain the inner workings of the Boseman household even when Noah’s eyes began to flutter closed. Even with sleep making his lids heavy, he held onto her finger throughout her lengthy speech.

“You’re the cutest little brother ever. I know because I saw Alexander’s little brother and he looked all weird and pink.” Micah’s face twisted in animated disgust in the midst of the adult laughter around her.

“Can you guys get any more perfect,” Tiana laughed through the tears sprinkling her face. “May I hold him? Please?”

With your permission, Chadwick carefully transferred his son from your arms to your sister’s. Micah’s attention followed him from one set of arms to the next, determined to maintain physical contact. You watched with a smile as she relayed information to him concerning what his favorite football team would be and how to get what he wants from his grandparents.

“Yeah, Gram loves when you tell her how pretty she looks in her dresses. MiMi and PaPa like hugs and kisses.”

“What about Grandpa, Boop? What does he like,” you asked, referring to your father.

She propped her finger on her chin to think a moment. “Grandpa likes when you pretend to watch the old shows with him. Then he falls asleep so you can watch real TV.”

“Is that what you do to me, Noelle?”

All eyes shifted to greet both sets of grandparents literally jittering with anticipation at the threshold of the bedroom. Behind them stood Yvonne and Tanisha with gift baskets loaded in each hand.

The master bedroom soon filled with excited members of Noah’s extended family donning the available gloves and disposable surgical masks to keep the newborn free from germs.

“You know, it feels weird to sit where your mommy and daddy made you, little man,” Tanisha commented while shifting her weight on the bed.

“We didn’t make him here. This one was made in Jamaica. Or St. Lucia. That whole two weeks is a blur honestly. Plus, you sit in our kitchen all the time. That’s where we made Mikey.”

Tanisha’s exaggerated gag gave sound to the horrified expressions in the room.

“Is that when you put me in Mommy’s oven?”

“Oh God,” you groaned as you blatantly ignored Micah’s comment. “Thanks for sharing, babe. Please, tell our daughter more things about the conception of her and her brother.”

“What’s conception, Mommy?”

“Uh, well...let’s talk about this later, Boop.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she continued to play with her brother’s fingers.

“Oh, look at my handsome grandson,” Carolyn cooed while fixing his swaddling blanket. “This one has your eyes and that’s it, son.”

“I think he looks like me.”

“Sure, if you close both eyes and turn the other way.”

Chadwick’s jaw dropped at his father’s joke, contrasting the out of breath laugh you released. If not for the soreness in your abdomen, your laughter would have lasted far longer.

“I just know that my godson is perfect and deserves the world!” Yvonne’s fingers tugged at his cheeks as she smiled down on Noah. “It also wouldn’t hurt him to have his Mama’s good looks.”

“So, I don’t look good? Micah and Co, y’all gon’ let them talk to me like this?”

Catching your breath, you waved a hand in the air, “Leave my man alone. Who you know rocking a gap like this one right here?”

“Tell ‘em, baby.”

“He been fine! Y’all need to catch up.” His lips latched on to yours before he showed a triumphant smile.

Light-hearted conversation continued, producing speculation on what Noah’s height would be and how long it would take before he is finally made to sleep in his own room. Though you wanted to participate to the fullest capacity, your body had other plans.

Subtle eye rubbing turned into hidden yawns to begin the descent into exhaustion. Chadwick noticed first and slid into the space at the edge of the bed for you to rest your head on his shoulder. After Chadwick came Micah, who took a pause from watching over her brother to pull the covers over your arms. When you began to nod off at random points in the commotion, your husband decided it was time to put an end to the show.

“Hey y’all,” He started, gaining everyone’s attention. “Tasha is sleepy and-”

“Sleepy? No, sis is tired. Look at the way her head is drooping,” Tanisha laughed as she joined Tiana in snapping pictures for future blackmail. Sure enough, your chin was tucked into your chest, rising and falling with each breath.

“Aye, leave my baby alone. Superwoman needs her rest.”

The way Chadwick looked down at your tired form, complete with silk head scarf and thick reading glasses, oozed with love and adoration. Your body had just given him his second gift of fatherhood and he didn’t mind pushing his family and friends out to ensure that you were comfortable.

“We understand, son. How about you let us take care of Noah for a few hours while she gets some sleep? Micah would love to spend some time with her baby brother, right Princess.”

Micah nodded with enthusiasm and began to plead her case to her father.

“Please, please, please, Daddy? Can he please come downstairs with us? Just for like, a thousand minutes?”

“You don’t mind, ma? We can-”

“I insist. I know a thing or two about being tired from birthing a son,” she smirked.

Chadwick returned the gesture and nodded his approval. After setting the grandparents up with the necessary to care for Noah, he made sure to kiss the top of his son’s head before they were out of the bedroom.

“Don’t give them any trouble, son. And, if they give you trouble, tell you big sister.”

“Yeah, I’ll fix ‘em,” she announced, crossing her arms over her chest to give her father the Wakandan salute.

“That’s it, baby girl. Keep him safe, okay?”

“Yes, sir.” Her bright eyes shifted from her father to her sleeping mother. “Can I give Mama a kiss before I go?” Chadwick repeated his nod of approval before lifting her body off the ground and placing her on the bed. She leaned over your body gingerly to place a kiss on your cheek. When you didn’t flinch, she nuzzled her face into your neck to kiss you again. “Have good dreams, Mommy. I love you.”

Satisfied with her well wishes, she climbed off the bed to run out of the room behind her grandparents. Out of all the noises to fill the room, the soft click of the door closing behind Chadwick made you jolt from your sleep.

“W-wha-where is everybody? We were having so much fun.”

“We were,” he laughed while removing his shirt to join you in bed. “You fell asleep about twenty minutes ago.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’m sure TiTi will show you the pictures later?”

You groaned at the thought of your photos making its rounds on the internet as you turned on your side to make room for your husband. Looking over to the open space next to you, your heart responded to Noah’s missing bassinet with rapid thumping.

“Where is AJ? Is he okay?” Your attempt to get up was stopped by Chadwick.

“He’s fine, baby. Our parents have him downstairs so we can get some rest.” You allowed his strong arms to pull you back into bed and flush to his chest as the words began to settle in your head. Your son was okay and you had time to snuggle against your man for some well deserved rest. It didn’t seem logical to you considering how new Noah was to the world but, you trusted Chadwick’s decision making. His chin rested on top of your shoulder to give him room to pepper kisses on your neck and ear. “How’d I get blessed with you? You’re smart, fine and, apparently, a superhero.”

“You paid your tithe and offering,” you laughed.

“Well, hallelujah!” His hands roamed the soft flesh of your stomach where you housed his kids for far longer than he could have. “You’re amazing, baby. I’m proud of you and I owe you my life for everything you do for me and the kids.”

“Thank you, handsome.” Your lips brushed against his for a moment until you had your fill. Getting comfortable, you listened to his breathing slow and let your thoughts lull you to sleep. When you recounted the events leading up to your delivery, one thing stuck out in your mind. “Aaron.”

“Hmm,” He answered, from his sleep.

Slipping a pillow from underneath your head, you flung your arm back to bop him across the head.

“What the hell was keeping you from answering my phone call yesterday. I should kick you outta here, nigga. You had one job and that was to answer the phone. I saw the Instagram tag. You were out here taking selfies with Tom Holland look alikes instead of charging your phone. Wait until I can walk around without being in pain. I’m gon’ kick your ass up and down this hallway!”

                                    _____________

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