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rieamena · 2 days ago

Text

two plus two equals six

nerd!takuma ino & popular-ish!fem!reader

contains... both of you being absolute losers and incredibly embarrassing. that's about it.

word count: 9.4k (its been a while since i've written something this long...)

riea's comments: it's been a terrible couple of days but this idea really stayed in my head and i really had to act on it. idk if its one of my best works but i still like it! i will prove my spot as the mayor of takuma city!!!

technically, you weren't supposed to bother him. something about threatening a restraining order but a threat is really just empty words, amiright?

"hey…," you called out towards the man just two feet in front of you, as a result of you sneakily sliding into the seat across from him at the cafe table he sat at. your lips hung on that final syllable, really stretching out that "eyyy". "you're in my gen chem right?" the harmonic clink of your bangles rang through the space you occupied as you focused on making your voice sound as sweet and sultry as possible

the man in question, y'know, the ones your friends call p.f.b.b.. the p.f.b.b. thing was all credits to you of course. every time you talked about that day's writing or chemistry lecture, he was always mentioned as just that: pretty face black beanie, even though "pretty face black beanie" never looked your way once. it was several continuous moments of pure delusion, your pure delusion

p.f.b.b. glanced up at you and gave a small head nod before turning back to his laptop. it had a clear case with a bunch of stickers from bands you didn't recognize amongst other things you assumed he liked. "of course you are! the chemistry between us is just so genuine maybe its cause you're such a gentleman!"

a giggle escaped you as you continued talking. "see what i did there? the gen from genuine and the gen from gentleman both correspond to the gen from gen chem. which i know means general by the way, i'm not—"

"are you okay?"

p.f.b.b.'s eyes were now trained on your form, looking with an expression you couldn't discern as anything but pure concern. but of course, for you, that meant something completely different. under his gaze, you felt your cheeks heat up and you began to fidget. "p.f.b.b., stop looking at me like that! you're making me shy…"

it was silent for a few seconds before he spoke. "why do you keep calling me that?"

"i'm sorry?" you tilted your head a bit

"this is maybe the third or fourth time you've called me p.f.b.b.," he takes a sip from his coffee cup before continuing to type away on his laptop

i've spoken to you before??? is what you thought

and its also what you said.

"well yes," he started, gaze never leaving the blue light of his device, "like that time i answered professor's question and you said 'wow p.f.b.b. you're so smart!'. or that other time when i picked up your pencil case for you as i was leaving the lecture hall. or when—"

"okay i get it! i seriously don't remember that happening at all though… maybe i should start taking memory pills…" you muttered

"i know you're popular and stuff but we're in university now. the bullying thing is outdated and super uncool."

you had to take a couple of moments to fully grasp what he was saying. he thought you were bullying him. he thought you were a bully. and worst of all, he thought you were uncool. your body shivered at that thought and a pit formed in your stomach

"wait—!" you exclaimed, even though he wasn't going anywhere, "first off, i'm not bullying you! the p.f.b.b. thing is an inside joke—"

"am i in on the joke?"

you froze in place. he got you there. "well no—"

"exactly. move to the second thing please." he bluntly stated as he took another swig of coffee

"okay um, i'm not uncool! i'm actually really cool. and i wouldn't consider myself to be popular either!" you scrambled to find your words and for each syllable that you said, you felt that pit in your stomach growing bigger

"everyone in the school knows you. you're popular." he said as he reached into his messenger bag, pulling out glasses and putting them on

you usually would be entranced, but you had way bigger fish to fry. "i—i can't be popular! what if someone asks me for the best date spots, or amazing places to eat, or secret secluded areas for a bit of privacy!? i'm not from here! i wouldn't know! and—and then i'll look like a failure! i'll look like a loser! p.f.b.b. i can't!—wait."

it was only when you stopped talking that he looked up from his laptop, "what…?"

you'd never noticed it before but his voice was really nice, almost to the point where even you would shut up just to hear him talk about any topic that came to his mind

"are you from here?"

"uh, yeah? i was born and raised in this area. why?" p.f.b.b raised his eyebrow at your sudden question to which you sighed in response. "oh nothing…," you cupped your hands on your jaw and looked out a nearby window. "i just wish a local, y'know, someone who's lived here all their life and was born and raised here, knows all the ins and outs of the city…, yeah just wish someone like that would show me around. i'm still new here…"

"well, i hope you find that person."

your eyes snapped open to see him all packed up, headphones on, and that suspiciously never-ending coffee cup in hand. "bye for now."

sitting in shock was all you could do. and sit you did. a calm five or so minutes had passed before you noticed something shiny in your peripheral. a card, but not just any card, a pokémon card, but not just any pokémon card, an ultra rare pokémon card at the back of a phone, but not just any phone, p.f.b.b.'s phone

you struck gold. pretty face black beanie will certainly be looking for this soon enough, and then you'll be there to swoop in and save the day. and it'll go something like this…

"ugh, where is that thing!" p.f.b.b. mutters frustratingly

"what thing?" you say sweetly, batting your eyelashes

"my phone. i must've misplaced it."

"oh perhaps…" you walk over to where he's standing, his phone in hand, "is this your phone?" you look up at him cutely

"yes! this is my phone! you found it! how can i ever repay you?"

"oh… you don't have to. i was just looking out for you…"

"i know! let's get married!"

"well if you insist…"

"of course! i love you!"

cue flowers and glitter and sparkles

you giggled from how creative and vivid the scene was but unfortunately that sound broke you from your delusion and brought you right back to the real world

"i have p.f.b.b.'s phone." you said flatly, opening the door to your shared apartment. shouts of "what?!" and "huh??!" filled the space as you set down your things and laid on the couch. your best friends quickly flooded the living room, throwing questions at you

"ladies, ladies, please. one at a time."

nobara hit your thigh, "stop acting so high and mighty! how did you get his phone?"

mimiko massaged the area as she listened to you, "so long story short, we were talking at a cafe and then he left but forgot his phone so i just picked it up!"

"so… you stole his phone." nanako stated

"no. he left it and i picked it up."

"wait— don't you know his schedule?" nobara mentioned, resting her head on the plush couch, "shouldn't you have been able to give it back to him?"

"well no… i'm not a stalker! i just have general knowledge of when and where his classes will be during the week."

"so why didn't you give it back to him, instead of stealing it?" mimiko teased, now kneading at your calves

"not you too, mimi!" you whined, "like i said, i didn't steal his phone! he left it on the cafe table and i picked it up!"

their voices mixed together to try and get the same two words through that thick skull of yours

"that's theft!"

the arguing of you and your roommates concerning your concerning ethics filled your ears, preventing you from hearing anything else. especially that banging on the front door

nanako shushed you all, bringing her voice to a barely audible whisper, "do you guys… hear that?"

thump. thump. thump.

"its probably one of your packages," nobara mentioned, earning an enlightened nod, "you seriously have a shopping addiction."

the shopaholic stood up and walked over to the door, still whispering, "you're one to talk!" you, nobara, and mimiko watched on as nanako's hand slipped over the door handle and turned it open. you swore that the door wasn't even open for a full five seconds before it was slammed shut. "it's a man."

the four of you exchanged confused looks. "yeah… maybe it's the delivery man…? check for a package," you said reassuringly. the door opens and it closes. nanako's voice right after. "no package."

"well… uh… what does he look like? maybe he's returning something one of us misplaced?" mimiko stammered, feeling the tension in the air rise at the unexpected stranger. the door opens again and it closes again. "brown hair. brown eyes. he's kinda emo looking…"

"spencer's emo or hot topic emo?"

"spencer's."

"wait!" you realized, practically falling over yourself as you ran to the door and pulled it open, "its–!"

"uh, hi..." you said, voice suddenly small compared to your usual playful demeanor. he was standing right outside your apartment door, looking more tired than annoyed, though the crease in his brow said he was definitely annoyed

"hey," he replied, with little emotion. his eyes briefly flicked to your roommates huddled behind you, who had all gone suspiciously silent. "you have my phone."

you unfortunately understood his intentions of finding where you live. it wasn't to ask you on a date, or to take you up on that offer you made earlier, it was to get his phone. you could've lied and said you didn't have it but…

"i do!" you held it up triumphantly like some kind of trophy, though the look on his face immediately made you regret it. "...but i swear, i wasn't trying to steal it or anything!"

his eyebrow raised slightly, and for a second, you thought he might actually laugh. instead, he sighed and reached out his hand. "can i have it back?"

"of course," you said quickly, but just as you extended it toward him, you froze. "wait! how do i know this is really your phone?"

"i'm sorry?" he blinked, looking somewhere between incredulous and exhausted. "you know it's my phone. you picked it up."

"yeah, but..." you stepped back slightly, holding it just out of reach. "what if it's not your phone, and you're just some random guy who also happens to wear a black beanie and drink coffee in moody cafes?"

your roommates groaned audibly from behind you, and you heard nobara mutter something like she's impossible under her breath

p.f.b.b., stared at you for a long moment before pinching the bridge of his nose. "okay. fine." he held out his hand again, palm up. "ask me something only i'd know if it's my phone."

you paused, scrambling for a question. "uh... what's on the back of your phone case?"

"a meowscarada pokémon card. holo, rare," he said without missing a beat. "which you clearly already saw, since you're holding it."

damn. he had you there.

"okay, okay," you relented, placing the phone in his outstretched hand. "i believe you. say no more."

he chuckled softly—barely audible, but enough to make your heart do a little somersault. "thanks. i appreciate you picking it up. i was worried i'd have to replace the card."

before you could stop yourself, you blurted, "you must really like pokémon, huh?"

"it's nostalgic," he admitted, remembering his childhood. "my brother and i used to play together when we were kids."

your lips curved into a grin. "that's cute. guess you're not as emo as you look."

his head tilted slightly at that, but you caught the faintest twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips. "guess not. anyway..." he glanced past you at your still-curious roommates. "thanks again. i should go."

"wait!" you called after him as he started to turn. he stopped, looking at you expectantly. "how do you know where i live? do you live around here or something?"

"i… uh… live just over there," his thumb pointed behind him and you followed that direction to…

the unit right across from yours.

703.

"what?!" you gasped, "how come you never said anything? plus, i never see you in the mornings? how is this possible?!"

"one, we don't know each other well enough yet to know where the other lives," p.f.b.b. scrolled through his missed messages while he continued, "and two, i make sure to leave early and come back late every day just so i can avoid you."

grumbling, you wanted to slam the door in his face again but remembered that you had to choose peace. "that's great! i hope you're happy!" aaaand you slammed the door anyway

yet. we don't know each other well enough yet.

"oh p.f.b.b~!" nanako swooned

"oh [name]~!" nobara giggled

"insert kissing sounds and the actors are running their hands over the other's body."

"stop that!!"

music was blasting and your spirits were up. you were practically skipping to your next class. that was… until you caught sight of a familiar head of blonde behind the granite fountain

"uncle ken!" you called out, rounding the fountain's corner

"hello, [name]. what brings you here?" the well-composed man paused his previous conversation, giving his research assistant a silent apology while he focused on you

you nodded to p.f.b.b. before answering kento, "nothing much! just walking to my next class,"

"uncle…?" p.f.b.b questioned under his breath

unfortunately for him, his mentor picked up on it. "my apologies, i should introduce you two," kento turned towards the other man who seemed to regret his decision of speaking his thoughts, "ino, this is [name]. her parents and i are close so, naturally, she calls me her uncle. and—"

kento spun back to you, using his hand to motion towards "ino". you noticed a bracelet adorning his right hand. kento doesn't like wearing anything that's not a watch and it looks handmade and those colors… yellow, blue, black and brown??? how odd… "[name], this is takuma ino. he's been my research assistant for two years."

it was kind of weird to realize that p.f.b.b.'s name wasn't… well— p.f.b.b. like, he has a whole name: takuma ino. it hung on your lips and your tongue savored the taste. "hi," you spoke, giving ino a small wave. "hey," he responded, parroting your motions

"was that what you were working on at the cafe yesterday? some data stuff?"

"uh…, yeah. yeah i was."

kento silently watched this happen and even he was uncomfortable. there was a slight tension in the air. it was missable but apparent enough if you looked for it. he cleared his throat softly, bringing your attention back to him. "how are your parents?" he asked.

"they're good," you replied, smiling, though your voice carried a slight hesitation. "they always ask about you, by the way. mom wanted me to tell you that you're still her favorite."

kento allowed a rare chuckle, shaking his head. "i'm flattered, but i imagine that makes your dad roll his eyes."

"it does." you laughed

"speaking of family," you continued, "my brother is getting discharged from the military soon! and we're planning to have a little get together or something. nothing too crazy, but it'll be our first one together since he left and i know how much he loves you so…" your voice trailed off, hoping that the silence was strong enough to carry your unspoken words

"i understand. of course i'll be there."

kento smiled when he saw you beaming, on the verge of jumping up and down from happiness, and from the corner of your eye, you swear that you saw the corner of a lip curl up from that "ino"

"great—oh shoot—!" you checked the time on your phone and realized that… if you didn't go now, you'd be late. and that professor does not play. you showed up three minutes late to one of his lectures and he basically publicly humiliated you. "i gotta go but text mom and dad about it, okay uncle? bye now! bye ino!"

as you speed walked away, you felt ino's eyes lingering on you. a soft chuckle escaped your lips. takuma ino—you liked the way it sounded

the campus library was unusually quiet for a wednesday night, the usual hum of late-night chatter replaced by the occasional sound of a book being flipped or the muffled footsteps of a librarian making their rounds. you had no plans to be productive tonight; in fact, you'd come here specifically to procrastinate. or, more accurately, to bother someone

your target was easy to spot, tucked away in the far corner of the library like a hermit hiding from civilization. p.f.b.b was hunched over his notebook, one earbud in, one out, the faint sound of rock music drifting in the air around him

you made a beeline for him, sliding into the seat across the table before he could even process what was happening. "fancy seeing you here," you whispered conspiratorially, even though this was his obvious habitat

he didn't even look up, just sighed. "you're aware this is a library, right?"

"and you're aware you're in my study spot, right?" you countered, setting your bag down with an exaggerated thud

finally, his eyes flicked up to meet yours, unimpressed as always. "you… study?" before you could fight back, he continued, "anyways… pretty sure i've been coming here since the semester started, so if anything, this is my study spot."

"well that's too bad for you because i've been coming here since the first day i set foot on this campus," you shot back with a grin, leaning forward on your elbows. "but i'm willing to negotiate. how about we share?"

p.f.b.b. stared at you before shaking his head and returning to his notes. "as long as you don't talk too much."

"me? never."

silence settled between you for a few moments, a fragile truce held together by his focus and your determination not to annoy him too much. but that didn't stop you from sneaking glances at his notes

"why are you studying organic chem?" you asked after a while, squinting at the complicated diagrams on his page. "i thought we were suffering through general chem together."

"because i'm actually trying to graduate," he replied flatly

"well, me too," you said with a dramatic sigh, leaning back in your chair

he glanced at you out of the corner of his eye, finally setting his pen down. "if you're not here to study, what are you here for?"

you grinned, pulling a pack of gummy bears out of your bag and sliding them across the table toward him. "to make sure you don't pass out from starvation, obviously."

he looked at the gummy bears, then at you, his expression unreadable. after a beat, he shook his head, a small, reluctant smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "you're weird, you know that?"

"compliments will get you everywhere," you said, plucking a gummy bear from the pack and popping it into your mouth

for the rest of the night, you sat across from him, not saying much but somehow managing to get under his skin with every little comment or movement. oddly enough, seeing him work made you itch to do some studying of your own. and when he finally packed up to leave, muttering something about having an early class, he didn't tell you to leave him alone or call you annoying

instead, he paused just before he walked away, turning back to you with a bemused look

"thanks for the gummy bears."

"anytime— wait! aren't we going the same way…? wait for me!" you scrambled to pack up your pencils and books, stuffing them in your bag, not realizing that p.f.b.b—i mean— ino, was kinda, sorta, maybe, if you had asked him he'd say "no", but from what i saw, he was… waiting for you…

"then move faster, idiot."

you walked through the halls, passing numerous rooms, a small skip in your step. your body froze as you recalled a certain room's number, kento's research lab. walking back to where it was and peeping through the windowed door, you saw that it was… organized chaos. papers and binders were stacked, whiteboards covered in dense equations, and the faint scent of coffee could be smelled from outside the door. looking closer, you could see someone hunched over a desk, scribbling something on a notepad. ino.

you twisted the handle of the door, opening it with a push, "tough work?"

ino looked up from his desk, blinking at you in mild surprise. his hair was slightly disheveled and rid of that beanie, and there was a smudge of something that looked suspiciously like marker on his cheek

"i'm fine," he said, though the dark circles under his eyes told a different story. "really. i've got it handled."

you raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down. "you're drowning in… whatever this is. don't worry about it, i'll just provide extra assistance."

he groaned, leaning back in his chair. "seriously, you don't have to. it's not a lot of work."

the phrase held so much irony considering there were sheets upon sheets of paper, and towers of that. you guessed he realized his small lie once he glanced around the room

ino sighed but didn't argue further, instead gesturing to the mountain of work in front of him. "fine. if you're so eager to help, you can start with that pile over there."

you pulled up a chair beside him, scanning the papers and the spreadsheet open on his laptop. "okay, let's see what we're working with."

as you both settled into the task, the room grew quieter, save for the sound of typing or the rustle of papers

"you're surprisingly good at this," ino said after a while, glancing at you out of the corner of his eye

"surprisingly?"

he winced. "i didn't mean it like that. just… i didn't expect you to pick it up so quickly."

"thanks for the backhanded compliment," you said dryly, but there was a hint of a smile on your lips

he chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "sorry. i meant it as a real compliment. you're making this way easier."

"you're welcome," you said, turning back to the spreadsheet. "but seriously, how have you two been doing this without losing your minds?"

"coffee," he said immediately

you snorted. "yeah, i can tell. your bloodstream is probably ninety percent caffeine at this point."

he smirked, but the teasing in his expression softened into something more genuine. "it's been… a lot. nanami keeps me grounded, though. he's really good at this kind of thing."

"yeah, he is," you said, pausing for a moment before adding, "but so are you."

ino blinked, caught off guard. "me?"

"yes, you," you said, glancing at him. "you're smart, ino. you don't give yourself enough credit."

he looked at you for a moment, his usual demeanor towards you faltering. "thanks," he said softly

the moment lingered longer than either of you expected, the air between you feeling just a bit heavier

the hours passed in a steady rhythm of work and banter sprinkled in, and by the time the sun began to set, the two of you had cleared more than half of the tasks kento had left behind

"see?" you said as you leaned back in your chair. "teamwork makes the dream work."

ino laughed, shaking his head. "alright, fine. you win. maybe having you here wasn't the worst thing."

"don't get too used to it," you teased, grabbing your bag. "next time, i might just let you suffer alone."

he playfully shot you a look while stretching in his chair, "hey, how about i show you around."

"what? are—are you joking?"

he got up and packed his bag with never before seen speed, "yeah. i am."

"you—!"

"follow me."

ino led the way out of the building, his energy contagious despite the long day you both had. the evening air was cool and refreshing, the city humming quietly as the golden glow of the setting sun bathed everything in a warm light

"i know this great spot," he said with a grin as he walked slightly ahead, hands casually stuffed in his jacket pockets. "you've been here for a while, but have you actually seen the good stuff?"

you raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite yourself. "define 'good stuff.'"

he smirked over his shoulder. "you'll see."

as you followed ino down the bustling streets, the city seemed to transform as it got darker. neon lights flickered to life, illuminating the shop windows and casting colorful reflections on the wet pavement from an earlier drizzle. the aroma of street food mingled with the faint scent of rain, creating a vivid tapestry of sights and smells

"so," you began, dodging a biker weaving through the crowd, "what's the first stop on this magical mystery tour of yours? please tell me it's food. i'm starving."

ino grinned, gesturing dramatically toward a food cart that had a line of eager customers. "you, my friend, are about to experience the best takoyaki this city has to offer."

"oh, come on," you teased, falling in step beside him. "isn't that what everyone says about their favorite food cart?"

"don't disrespect taro-san like that," ino shot back, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense. "this man has been perfecting his craft since before i could hold chopsticks."

moments later, you stood together, balancing plates of piping hot takoyaki drizzled with sauce and topped with dancing bonito flakes. ino took a bite, his expression almost reverent. "see? what did i tell you? food of the gods."

you took a bite, and your eyes widened. the crisp shell gave way with a soft crunch, revealing the molten, creamy filling inside. it was so warm it nearly melted on your tongue, a perfect blend of savory depth and a subtle sweetness that made your mouth water instantly. the octopus at the center was tender, just the right amount of chewy, and so fresh it almost seemed to bring a whisper of the ocean with it. the sauce on top was like a burst of fireworks—sweet and tangy, with a smoky undertone that paired flawlessly with the creamy mayo drizzled alongside it

you had to pause for a second after swallowing, just to appreciate it. the warmth lingered in your mouth, and you already knew one bite wouldn't be enough. within seconds the entire thing was gone, but you couldn't give ino the satisfaction of being right

"it was alright i guess." you shrugged, "i suppose you're not as full of it as i thought."

"right…," ino said with a suspicious grin, nudging you lightly with his elbow. "stick with me and i'll make you a connoisseur."

he didn't waste any time bringing you to the next point of interest, grabbing your hand with his and dragging you to a small, secluded alley lined with string lights and small artisan shops. it was beautiful, to say the least

"it's… quieter here."

"yeah," ino agreed, his voice softer now. "this is one of my favorite spots. it's like the city pauses for a second."

you glanced at him, noticing the way his eyes softened as he looked around. "you come here often?"

"used to, back when i needed to think. or when i was avoiding studying," he admitted with a sheepish grin

"you? avoid studying? how unlikely…" you sneakily caught a glance at your still interlocked hands, noticing a small, oddly colored, handmade bracelet around ino's wrist. but it seems you were staring at it for far too long

"oh! sorry!" he stuttered, pulling his hand from yours, and bringing it to his chest. you immediately felt the slight chill of the night but still flashed a bittersweet smile that conveyed something of a don't worry about it. out of the corner of your eye, you saw one of the shops practically twinkling. getting a closer look, your wallet itched once you saw the array of jewelry and hair accessories. it was sorted by color and then by type, gold earrings on the far left and silver necklaces on the far right. but you were inexplicably drawn to one item: a hair clip with four small, white seashells on it

"that one?"

ino's voice next to you made you jump slightly. giving him a small hit on his shoulder, you followed his finger to the item you were just admiring. "yeah, that one. it's really pretty, isn't it?" ino hummed in response, surprised to see you turn away from it and walk down the alley instead

"but…, maybe i'll get it another time."

after a minute or so of window shopping the rest of the stores, ino caught up to you. "next up is the park. you can't say you've really seen the city until you've walked through it at night."

once you got closer, ino pointed at the beautifully lit area in the distance. lanterns illuminated the paths, and the sound of a bubbling fountain echoed softly. children chased each other, their laughter carrying through the crisp air, while couples strolled hand in hand. ino brought you to a bench overlooking a pond, the moonlight reflecting off its surface like a scene from a painting

"alright, i'll give it to you," you said, leaning back and stretching, stomach craving that takoyaki from earlier. "you weren't kidding. this is incredible."

"see?" ino said with a smirk, leaning back beside you. "i'm full of surprises. and speaking of that… here." ino reached into his left pocket, pulling a small item out, and pushing it into your hands

staring down at it, you realized it was the seashell hair pin you were eyeing from earlier. overrun with happiness, you flung your arms around ino, showering him in thank you's. pulling away and on the edge of bouncing in your seat, you slipped it into your hair, looking at ino for validation

"how does it look?"

oh. oh.

she's… beautiful. though, i've always known that…

thanking the cashier and gathering your bags, you made a beeline for the exit. you see, you were trying to make it home as quickly as possible because it was friday and you and your roommates always watched a specific show on friday nights. you guys ordered in and it was just amazing, until nanako said that she was craving your cooking, everyone agreed, and then you somehow lost the four way rock, paper, scissors on who goes to the store to get the ingredients. so here you were, standing under the awning of the nearby grocery store, bags in hand, watching the wall of rain as it drenched the street. the rain that wasn't in the forecast and the kind of downpour that left everyone scrambling for cover

great. just great.

your phone buzzed in your pocket, and you pulled it out to see a text from kento

kento: the rain was unexpected. are you alright?

you sighed and quickly typed back

you: yeah, just stuck waiting for it to stop. don't worry, i'll figure it out

after a couple minutes of you standing and contemplating your next move, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and the passenger window rolled down, revealing p.f.b.b.'s grin that even though you've seen about three times, you'd never get used to

"need a ride?" he called out, leaning casually over the center console

you blinked at him, caught off guard. "what are you doing here?"

"i was with nanami when he mentioned you," he said, shrugging. "said you were stranded. figured i'd play the hero."

you tried to cross your arms but the weight of the bags were kind of weighing them down, "play the hero driving kento's car? do you even have your license?"

"hey—," he explained, raising his voice just a bit, "it may be nanami's car but he said i could take it! and yes, i do have my license!"

you rolled your eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at your lips. "alright, fine. but what about these?" you gestured to your grocery bags

"pop the trunk," he said, pressing a button on the dash. the trunk lid opened smoothly. "problem solved."

with a sigh, you stepped into the rain long enough to stow your bags before climbing into the passenger seat, shaking droplets off your jacket as you settled in. the interior was warm, the faint scent of leather and air freshener filling the space

"comfy?" he teased as you buckled up

"more than i'd be waiting in that rain," you shot back

he laughed, the sound light and easy, as he pulled back onto the road. the rain drummed steadily against the car, but inside, it was quiet, almost peaceful

"alright, then…, let's go home."

home, huh?

the blue light of your laptop pierced your eyes as you typed the final words of your assignment, and submitted it, chemistry work abandoned at the edge of your desk. as you were looking at it ashamedly, a ping came through your phone

xxx-xxx-xxxx: have you done the writing assignment yet?

you: wrong number

xxx-xxx-xxxx: no. it's p.f.b.b.

you: oh! how did you get my number?

p.f.b.b.: don't worry about that. did you do the assignment?

you: yeah i just finished. why?

p.f.b.b.: can you come over? i need some help with it. in exchange, i'll help you with your chem work that i know you didn't start

you: well since you're offering…

"do you still even like him?" nobara questioned, "before you'd be jumping up for joy."

"yeah, i do," you put your laptop and chemistry work and textbook in your tote, grabbing some snacks from the pantry too, "i'm just not as upfront about it anymore. maybe it's cause we're friends now, but i don't know!"

you slung your tote bag over your shoulder, opening the door to your apartment and saying a quick "i'll be back" to your girls. walking just across the hall and knocking on his door, you barely had time to exhale before it swung open to reveal ino in a hoodie and sweats, his hair slightly tousled like he'd just slipped off that beanie

"right on time," he said with a grin, stepping aside to let you in

"you texted me like two minutes ago—"

"make yourself at home," he interrupted, already moving to clear space for you

his apartment mirrored yours in layout but had its own chaotic charm—textbooks and notes spread across the coffee table, an empty coffee mug sitting precariously on the edge

you dropped your bag and slid onto the couch, pulling out your laptop. "let's see what you've got so far."

ino groaned, flopping down beside you with an exaggerated sigh. "barely anything. writing isn't my thing."

you rolled your eyes, smiling despite yourself. "that's what i'm here for."

the second session, where you both stumbled through the assignment, bickering over comma placement and syntax while munching on the snacks you brought. you teased him for his messy handwriting, and he fired back with jokes about your overuse of sticky notes

the fourth session, where ino finally made good on his promise to help you with chemistry. he sat cross-legged on the floor, explaining concepts in a way that actually made sense while you leaned over his shoulder to read his notes

the sixth session, where the stress of exams had both of you yawning into your notebooks. he brewed coffee—terrible coffee—but the gesture made you smile. you fell asleep on his couch that night, waking up to a blanket draped over you

or that one time he showed up at your door, unannounced, holding a coffee cup in one hand and a thick textbook in the other for an "emergency study session,"

today was no different. you walked over to ino's apartment that he graciously started leaving unlocked around this time—just for you. walking in and greeting him briefly, you sat on his couch, your knees brushing against his as you both hovered over the same textbook as you reviewed chemical equations. the proximity made it hard to focus; you were acutely aware of the way his shoulder brushed yours every time he shifted, and you wondered if he was too

"see?" you said, pointing to a diagram. "like what does that even mean? what does this show me?"

"okay so, this shows esterification. ethanoic acid and ethanol produces ethyl ethanoate and water in the presence of an acid catalyst like sulfuric acid. the reaction begins with the acid protonation of the carbonyl oxygen of the carboxylic acid, making the carbon more electrophilic." he replied, the words falling off his tongue with ease

you glanced up at him, finding his eyes already on you. though the usual playful spark was there, his words went in one ear and out the other, and you felt embarrassed that you didn't understand a word except acid, produces, reaction, and catalyst

neither of you spoke for a long moment. the tension was palpable, the world outside his apartment fading away until it was just the two of you in this bubble of uncertainty and longing

"ino, repeat that for—" you started, but your words were cut off as he leaned in, his lips brushing yours in a kiss so tentative it felt like a question

your breath caught, your mind racing even as your heart leapt. what is happening right now? it was almost an immediate reaction that you kissed him back, the touch lingering just long enough to send your thoughts spiraling before you pulled away

"i—" he started, his expression a mix of surprise and hesitation. "i didn't mean to—"

you shook your head, rising from the couch as you scrambled to gather your things. "i should go."

"wait," he said, standing as if to follow, but you held up a hand to stop him

"i'll… see you later," you murmured, avoiding his gaze as you slipped out the door

the walk across the hall to your apartment felt endless, your heart pounding in your chest. once inside, you leaned against the door, your fingers brushing your lips as you replayed the moment over and over

what the fuck?

the party was in full swing, a cheerful celebration of your brother's long-awaited return. laughter and chatter filled the room, plates of food were passed around, and glasses clinked in endless toasts. you were busy setting a tray of drinks on the counter when you spotted takuma ino standing near the door, looking a little out of place but still managing to charm a small group of your family members and friends with his easygoing smile

your steps faltered, your chest tightening. he hadn't mentioned he'd be here. not that you blamed him—why would he? last night's kiss wasn't a topic either of you seemed ready to breach today. but still, the sight of him caught you completely off guard

turning on your heel, you found kento by the kitchen, nursing a glass of wine. marching up to him, you jabbed a finger in his direction

"why is he here?" you hissed, keeping your voice low

kento raised an eyebrow at you, calm as ever. "he's here because i invited him. your brother wanted to know more about my project. what better way to tell him about it than to bring my research assistant? why?"

you rubbed your temple, biting back a groan. "look, i'm not saying that he can't be here, but… you could've given me a heads-up."

kento's gaze turned suspicious, and his lips twitched into a slight frown. "why would you need a heads-up? haven't i introduced you two?"

you felt heat rising to your cheeks, the embarrassment seeping into your voice as you fumbled for an explanation. "well, yeah, formally, but he and i—we—we're—he and i—NO!"

kento stared at you, unblinking, while you buried your face in your hands, muttering curses under your breath. his frown deepened, and you could practically feel his uncle intuition kicking in

"wait," he said slowly, his tone sharpening. "what do you mean, 'he and i'?"

"nothing!" you snapped, dropping your hands, "i meant nothing. just—just forget i said anything."

kento's expression didn't waver. he studied you for a moment longer before sighing and shaking his head. "whatever you're freaking out about will pass. ino's a good guy."

"yeah, i know," you muttered under your breath, glancing back toward ino, who was now engaged in a conversation with your brother. his laugh echoed across the room, and you couldn't help the flutter of nervous energy it sent through you

as the party continued in full swing, you moved around the room, trying to keep busy—refilling snacks, grabbing empty plates, and avoiding ino's gaze whenever your paths seemed to almost cross

you weren't sure how long you could keep this up. every time his laughter reached your ears or you caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of your eye, your heart seemed to skip a beat. the kiss from last night lingered in the back of your mind, a constant, unspoken weight

you had just finished setting down a fresh tray of drinks when you heard a voice behind you

"hey."

you froze, recognizing it immediately. slowly turning around, you found ino standing there, his hands holding a can of soda; they were shaking. his usual smile was softer now, almost nervous

"can we talk?" he asked, his voice low enough that no one else could hear over the party noise

your heart sank and leaped at the same time, "uh, sure. now?"

he nodded. "yeah. just for a minute. outside?"

you hesitated, glancing around the room. kento was chatting with your brother near the couch, and the rest of the guests were engrossed in their own conversations. no one would miss you for a few minutes

"okay," you said finally, your voice quieter than you intended

ino led the way to the front door, holding it open for you before stepping out into the cool night air. the silence stretched as you stood there, arms crossed against the slight chill. ino rubbed the back of his neck, clearly searching for the right words

"so," he started, his tone careful, "i uh… figured it was probably a bad idea to bring this up inside. with, you know, everyone around."

you nodded, unsure of where he was going with this. "probably."

he let out a small breath, finally meeting your eyes. "about last night…"

your stomach flipped. of course, he'd bring it up. you'd been bracing for this moment all day, but now that it was here, you didn't know what to say

"look," he continued, "i don't want to make things weird between us. especially not with nanami, or your family, or—"

"it's not weird," you interrupted, surprising even yourself. "at least, it doesn't have to be."

his brows lifted slightly, a flicker of hope in his expression. "really? because i was worried i'd screwed things up."

"you didn't," you said quickly. "it's just… unexpected."

ino nodded, stepping closer. his voice softened, almost hesitant. "i don't regret it, you know. the kiss. but if you're not okay with it, i'll back off. no questions asked."

the sincerity in his tone made your chest ache. you looked up at him, taking in the way his usually confident demeanor seemed so tentative now

"i didn't say i wasn't okay with it," you murmured, barely louder than a whisper. "believe it or not, but i've been flirting with you for a while now."

ino blinked at you, his brows knitting together in confusion. "wait… what?"

you tilted your head, giving him a look that said seriously? "flirting, ino. you know, dropping hints, teasing, trying to get you to notice me?"

he stared at you, his lips parting slightly as if the realization was slowly dawning on him. "you're kidding."

you let out a soft laugh, part amused and part exasperated. "no, i'm not kidding. you're telling me you didn't pick up on any of it? not even when i started making excuses to see you more?"

ino's hand went to the back of his neck, rubbing it in that familiar sheepish way. "i thought you were just being nice! like, nanami-level nice."

you raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms. "nanami-level nice? ino, i bought you coffee with your weirdly specific order three times in one week. kento would never do that."

he opened his mouth, then closed it, a look of genuine shock crossing his face. "wait… that was flirting?"

"yes," you said with a small laugh. "and the time i told you your new haircut made you look good? or when i made sure there was always a snack for you at kento's? flirting, ino."

ino's jaw dropped slightly, his hands falling to his sides as he processed your words. "oh, my god. i'm the dumbest guy alive."

"well… maybe," you said, trying not to laugh at his adorably stunned expression

"i am," he insisted, his voice rising slightly in disbelief. "you've been into me this whole time, and i've been walking around like an idiot, completely missing it."

you couldn't help but laugh now, the sound easing the tension between you. "well, now you know."

he took off his beanie and ran a hand through his hair, still looking flustered but with a hint of something softer in his eyes. "yeah. now i know."

for a moment, neither of you spoke, the quiet night stretching around you. then, almost shyly, ino glanced at you again. "so… does this mean i can kiss you again? like, now that i'm finally catching up and all."

you smiled, warmth blooming in your chest. "i think that depends. are you going to keep being oblivious, or are you going to start paying attention?"

he grinned, his usual confidence flickering back. "oh, i'm paying attention now. promise."

before you could respond, he stepped closer, his hand brushing against yours as his gaze met yours. slowly, he leaned in, his lips expecting to meet yours in a kiss that was as sweet as it was certain, but… instead they met your pointer finger

"do you hear that? i think someones calling for me." you walked back into the house, leaving ino to wallow in his self-inflicted embarrassment for a while

the convenience store's fluorescent lights buzzed softly above the aisles, casting a harsh glow on shelves stocked with instant noodles, snacks, and cheap energy drinks. you and ino—or, as he let you call him in private, takuma—had wandered in after a long evening of hanging out at his apartment, the kind of night where laughter and teasing filled the silence

takuma leaned against the refrigerator door, his black beanie pushed back enough to reveal a few strands of his messy hair. he squinted at the drink selection like it held the answers to life's greatest mysteries

"you've been staring at that for a full minute," you teased, sliding up beside him. "it's not that deep. just grab the green tea like you always do."

he smirked without looking at you. "and miss out on your expert critique of my choices? never."

you reached past him to grab a bottle of sparkling water, your shoulder brushing his arm. it wasn't much, just a small touch, but it was enough to make the air between you shift. for a second, it felt like the buzzing of the fluorescent lights got louder, the hum filling the space where words should be

he cleared his throat, stepping back just slightly. "you always drink that fizzy stuff. isn't it just soda pretending to be fancy?"

"it's called having taste," you corrected, placing it in your basket

"right. taste," he said, rolling his eyes but smiling anyway

as the two of you wandered through the aisles, the quiet of the late hour settled over you, broken only by the occasional sound of a cashier scanning items. you found yourself in front of the snack section, takuma trailing behind you with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets

"you want anything?" you asked, holding up a bag of chips

"nah, i'm good," he said, but his eyes lingered on the pack of pocky in your hand

you smirked, tossing it into your basket. "liar. i'll grab it for you. consider it a thank you for giving back that hoodie you stole last week."

"i didn't steal it," he argued, though his tone was more defensive than adamant

"oh, so it just walked out of my closet on its own? how did you even get in?"

he scratched the back of his neck, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, "mimiko let me in… and… it's comfortable."

you grinned, but decided to let it go. instead, you nudged him lightly with your elbow as you headed toward the counter. "next time, just ask. i might even let you keep it."

he followed you in silence, but when you glanced at him out of the corner of your eye, you caught the faintest hint of pink on his ears

after paying for your haul, you stepped outside into the crisp night air. the streets were quiet, the kind of stillness that felt rare in the city. takuma walked beside you, the pocky in his hand already opened

"you're eating that now?" you asked, digging through the bag for that sparkling water of yours

"why not?" he said around the stick in his mouth, offering you the box

you took one, the chocolate coating melting slightly against your lips. for a moment, the two of you just walked in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier still lingering but softer now, like a thread pulling you closer without snapping

"thanks," he said suddenly, his voice quiet

"for what?" you asked, glancing at him

he shrugged, not meeting your eyes. "i don't know."

"he knew. he definitely knew," you insisted, gesturing wildly as you paced the living room

mimiko tilted her head thoughtfully. "but if he knew, why wouldn't he just say something?"

nanako smirked. "maybe he's waiting for you to say something first. or maybe he's just an idiot who can't read the room."

nobara clicked her tongue. "i mean, the guy's not exactly subtle. pretending he needs help with writing assignments? clearing his schedule to go grocery shopping with you so that you never have to carry the bags in by yourself? and don't even get me started on how he looks at you when you're not paying attention."

you threw up your hands, exasperated. "what am i supposed to do, just march up to him and demand he explain himself?"

"yes," they chorused

"ugh!" you groaned, grabbing your bag and stomping toward your room. "i don't wanna do this anymore!"

their laughter followed you down the hall, but your irritation evaporated the moment you stepped inside. on your desk, there was a letter

your name was scrawled across the front in unmistakable handwriting. your breath caught as you picked it up, hands trembling slightly as you unfolded the paper. the words inside were written with care, each line pulling at your heart:

to you, the one who's always on my mind,

i've started and restarted this letter more times than i can count, and even now, i'm not sure if i've found the right words. how do you tell someone that they've completely changed the way you see the world? that their laugh is the best sound you've ever heard, or that their smile makes even the worst days feel a little brighter?

i've never been good at this—putting my feelings into words—but for you, i'll try. because you deserve to know how incredible you are, even if i can't say it as smoothly as i'd like.

you have this way of making everything feel easier, lighter, just by being yourself. and it's not just the big things, like how you help me with work or how you always know exactly what to say when i'm frustrated. it's the little things too. like how you hum under your breath when you're focused, how you tilt your head when you're confused, how you always manage to start an argument over the stupidest of topics, how you light up when you talk about something you love. it's those little things that make me fall harder for you every day.

i don't know when it started—maybe it was the late nights we spent working together, or maybe it was how you didn't let me quit when things felt impossible. but now i don't think i want to stop. you make me want to be better, just so i can be someone worthy of being by your side. and maybe i'm not saying this the right way, but i hope you understand what i mean.

i don't know what you'll do with this letter, and maybe i'm an idiot for writing it (and asking mimiko to put it on your desk for me), but if nothing else, i just needed you to know.

yours (if you want me to be),

p.f.b.b.

your chest tightened, emotions flooding through you as you reread the letter. before you could realize it, you were across the hall, in front of takuma's door

you knocked on it and pushed it open without waiting for a response. "takuma—"

he was standing in the kitchen, and your eyes immediately caught the bouquet of your favorite flowers on the counter. the vibrant blooms were arranged with care, their familiar scent wafting through the room

takuma turned, his face a mix of surprise and panic. "oh. uh… hey."

"you're unbelievable," you said, holding up the letter, trying to fight back your smile

his ears turned red as he scratched the back of his neck. "so, you found that."

"takuma, what is this?" you gestured to the flowers and the letter, your voice a mix of exasperation and something softer

he hesitated, looking uncharacteristically shy. "i… i wanted to tell you how i feel, but every time i try, i just… i mess it up. so, i thought maybe this would be easier."

you stared at him, your heart pounding. "and the flowers?"

"i thought they'd make you smile," he said simply, stepping closer. "do they?"

you felt your lips twitch despite yourself. "they do."

his shoulders relaxed slightly, but the tension between you only seemed to grow. his voice dropped, softer now. "i meant every word in that letter. i did."

your breath hitched, and before you could stop yourself, you blurted, "why didn't you tell me sooner? i've been…" you trailed off, shaking your head

"been what?" he pressed, his eyes searching yours.

"waiting," you admitted. "i've been waiting for you to say something since the party. anything."

takuma stepped closer, his hand brushing against yours. "i'm saying it now," he murmured. "i care about you. a lot. more than i probably should. and if i'm being honest, you terrify me a little because of how much i feel when i'm around you."

your heart twisted at his words, and before your mind could find a reason to say no, you leaned up, capturing his lips in a kiss. it was hesitant at first, soft and searching, but when his arms wrapped around you, pulling you closer, the world seemed to melt away

when you pulled back, both of you were breathless, his forehead resting against yours

"i think we should date," he said, a small smile playing on his lips

you laughed softly, your nerves giving way to warmth. "i think we should too."

his grin widened, but before the moment could get too serious, he quipped, "does this mean i get to steal your clothes now?"

you smacked his arm playfully. "i'm pretty sure it's supposed to be the other way around."

"hey…, what does p.f.b.b. stand for?"

"mmm," you hummed, looking at your… boyfriend. "don't worry about it."

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bapeach · 2 days ago

Text

Stolen kisses

A shorter story as I try to get back into the writing mood. Let me know what you guys think! Constructive criticism is always welcome :D Find my masterlist here :)

Pairing(s): Nika Mühl x female!reader Word count: 3k+ Warnings: Timeline doesn’t make sense/underage drinking?, make out sessions, hickeys, no smut but suggestive scenes Summary: You break your "no dating teammates" rule for a certain Croatian. Stolen moments between Nika and you just make life that much sweeter. ------------

When you first joined UConn, you had one rule. Never date your teammates. That rule quickly went out the window, however, when you met Nika Mühl.

You two immediately clicked when you first met. You shared the same humor, loved teasing each other, weren’t afraid to speak your mind, and had each other’s backs. You’d only known each other for a few weeks when you two kissed for the first time. It was on the empty UConn court when everyone had already left. Nika had challenged you to a 1v1 to determine, once and for all, who the better player is.

While you loved seeing her smile and tease you about being better, you weren’t about to let her win. You played your heart out that day. It paid off too, you won by 2 points. Once the game was over, the both of you were panting as you walked up to her. You gave her a smirk as you took her hand and shook it. “Not bad, Mühl, just not good enough,” you said with a wink. She looked up at you as she rolled her eyes, but you could see her eyes twinkle in amusement. You were standing close enough to feel the heat radiate off of each other. You were glad no one else was around to feel the tension between you two.

That’s when your resolve snapped, and you kissed her. You’d grabbed her hips and pulled her in, kissing her hard and full of emotion. She’d gasped against your mouth before bringing her hands to your face, kissing you back just as hard. As you pulled away to breathe, you’d stayed close enough that your forehead was touching hers.

That was the first of many kisses. Secret, stolen kisses behind closed doors.

The team was great, and you both trusted them with your life, but you wanted to keep your relationship just between the two of you for a little longer. Now, it was a few months later, and you were still sneaking around, stealing quiet moments with the brunette, away from the team. You were ready to tell them, knowing they’d be happy for you, but Nika was still hesitant. You were okay with that, though. You only cared about her, it didn’t matter who knew. You only wished the girls could know so you two could have more time together. Not wanting to push the Croatian girl, you didn’t bring it up a lot, but you still tried every so often.

In just one more week, Nika and you will have been dating for 6 months. And honestly, these have been the best months of your life.

You were currently on your way to the nearest café, having agreed to meet your team there for breakfast. You haven’t even made it outside of your dorm building when you see Nika, Paige, and Azzi walking in the hallway. You speed up a bit, trying not to make a sound as you get closer. When they’re about to turn a corner, you grip Nika’s wrist and pull her back, your other hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. She gasps against your hand before seeing it's you. Her wide eyes now squinting as she slaps you softly for scaring her. You send her a wink before leaning around the corner to see Paige and Azzi still walking, oblivious to the fact that Nika was no longer with them.

You push her against the wall and take your hand off her mouth. You regret it almost immediately. “You’re such an asshole! You scared the shit out of me!” She says in a hushed voice as she slaps your arm again. You chuckle as you try to avoid her hand. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” You laugh, holding your hands up in surrender. She just rolls her eyes at you before asking, “What’s up?”

“I just wanted a moment alone with you… Needed to tell you something,” you hum as you grip her hips and push her against the wall a little harder as you lean in closer. Her breathing stutters for a moment. “Hmm, and what’s that?” She says, looking up at you, her pupils wide. “This,” you mutter before kissing her passionately. You pull back a little, “And this.” You kiss her again, one hand letting go of her hips as you bring it to her cheek. “And also this,” you pant slightly, bringing your lips together one last time as you kiss her deep and lovingly.

When you pull back, her pupils are so wide, you can barely still see her irises. Her cheeks are a beautiful rose, while her lips are a bright red from kissing you. You smile softly at her, still not believing that the prettiest girl in the world is yours. She finally breaks eye contact, looking down as she shakes her head a bit to get rid of the haze she’s in.

“We should get going, P and Azz are gonna send out a search party for me,” she mumbles. “Y’know, we could just tell them… Tell the whole team about us… Y’know they would be happy for us, and we wouldn’t have to sneak around so much,” you mumble, your thumb tracing circles on her hip. “We can’t. I… I’m not ready yet,” Nika says as her eyebrows furrow and her eyes become sad.

Your chest becomes a little heavier. You’re not sure if it’s from the fact that Nika doesn’t want to tell the team or if it’s because she looks so upset. You shake your head softly, sending her a tiny smile. “It’s okay, we don’t have to. We’ll wait until you’re ready, there’s no rush,” you whisper. You give her one last kiss on the corner of her mouth before you let her go.

“C’mon then,” you grin, trying to cheer her up as you pull her off of the wall and sling an arm around her shoulders. She lets you keep your arm there until you reach the lobby of the building. Azzi and Paige are already there waiting for her. “Where the hell did you go?” Paige asks the Croatian as she daps you up. “Bumped into Y/N, so we started walking together, but she had to tie her shoelace,” the brunette replies, lying with ease. Her cheeks become a little flushed again at the memory, but Paige and Azzi don’t notice, already walking towards the exit. You just send her a flirty wink and a grin before following your teammates.

Once you reach the café and greet everyone, you sit down and order some breakfast. You’re seated between KK and Azzi, Nika sitting right in front of you. You send her a smirk, chuckling as she rolls her eyes. When your food and drink arrive, you enjoy your meal as you laugh with the team. “We should go out tonight!” Paige exclaims loudly. “Practices start again tomorrow, and you wanna go and get drunk?” Azzi says, raising an eyebrow at the blonde. “Exactly! Our last free day! C’monnnn, you know you wanna,” Paige replies, sending puppy eyes at the whole team.

Everyone looks at each other hesitantly, trying to decide if it’s a good idea. “C’mon Y/N, back me up!” The star player begs, her eyes wide as she pouts slightly. You knew this wouldn’t be a good idea. Practice was going to be rough even without being hungover, so the right thing to do was to say no. But let’s be real, there was no way you were going to pass up the opportunity to see your girl all pretty and dressed up. Nika also was a flirty drunk, so you knew you were going to have fun.

A smirk forms on your face as you look at Paige. “Why the hell not?” You say. Your team starts nodding their heads in agreement, some of them mumbling about being screwed. Paige raises her arms as she cheers, only quieting down when getting a slap to the back of the head from Nika. She huffs as she crosses her arms and frowns dramatically, making everyone laugh. “Are you sure you’re old enough to go to a bar, you big baby?” Azzi teases as the blonde’s mouth drops open in offense. Nika slaps her hand to her mouth as she snorts from laughter. You look at her lovingly before starting a conversation with KK, not wanting anyone to catch your staring.

Once breakfast is over, everyone splits up to go do their own thing. Some girls invite you over to play Fortnite, but you decline. If you’re going out tonight, you should probably finish some of the schoolwork you had been shoving aside. You wave everyone goodbye, sending Nika one last wink before you leave. You walk with a pep in your step, excited about going out and seeing your girl all dolled up.

The rest of the day goes by pretty fast, and before you know it, it’s time to get ready. You hop in the shower after sending Nika a flirty invitation to join you, laughing as she sends you smirk faces back. Once you’re done, you quickly dry your hair before walking over to your closet. You pick out your favorite outfit, the one you know drives your girlfriend crazy, and put on your nicest perfume. You finish your look with a few rings and a necklace, giving yourself a once-over in the mirror. You grab your phone, keys, and wallet as you walk over to the door, texting the group chat to ask who were going to be the designated drivers and who’d be driving with whom.

To your dismay, Nika won’t be in the same car as you, so you won’t get to see her until you’re at the bar. You walk towards the dorm where you knew your group was meeting up, sending your girl a quick text to let her know you were leaving soon and would meet her there. She doesn’t reply immediately, letting you know she’s probably still getting ready. You’re the last to arrive to your group, so you all leave once you get there.

Reaching the bar, you find a table to sit at as you wait for the others. You’re laughing at KK doing a dramatic reenactment of something that happened in class when you hear the other girls greet each other. You look over, and for a moment your heart stops. There she is. Nika.

She’s wearing a black dress that fits her just right. Her hair is wavy, while her makeup somehow makes her look even more attractive. A dainty necklace is glistening on her chest, catching the dim bar light.

“Are you even listening?” KK whines in your ear before following your gaze. Thankfully, she gets distracted by the other girls arriving and doesn’t realize the heart eyes you were making at the Croatian. You swallow harshly as you catch her eye. She sends you a smug smirk, seeing the way she’s affecting you.

You get up to greet everyone before walking over to her and leaning closer. You mutter, “You look beautiful, baby,” in her ear, grinning as a shiver goes through her body.

You step back, announcing you’re going to get everyone some shots. You give Nika’s arm a soft squeeze as you walk past her, talking to Azzi as she follows you to help you out. You’re glad you’re not the designated driver today, knowing it would be pure torture to have to stay sober the whole evening and not be able to touch Nika.

It’s not long before most girls are tipsy, laughing at the stupidest things and blabbing about God knows what. You’re sipping your drink and laughing at Paige’s weird dream when you feel someone tug your arm. You look up from your seat to see a flushed Nika in front of you. “Come dance with me,” she demands. You get up, giving the blonde next to you a sheepish grin and a shrug.

The Croatian leads you to the middle of the dance floor before she starts dancing with you. Her moves are sensual but still innocent enough to make it look like two good friends just having fun. You grab onto her, pulling her closer between the sea of bodies. You twist her around, breathing into her neck as she leans her back against you. She smells like her signature perfume mixed with the drinks she’s had tonight and a bit of sweat from all the dancing. You dance for a few songs until you can’t take it anymore. You grab her hand and pull her towards the bathroom. Once you’re in there and have made sure you’re alone, you push her against the wall and kiss her hungrily.

“So pretty for me,” you pant against her mouth. She responds by grabbing your face and pulling you into another breathtaking kiss. She leans back a little, trying to catch her breath as you start trailing kisses down her neck. You know you two had agreed to not leave marks, but you couldn’t help it. Not when she looked like an actual goddess and was eyeing you with those beautiful wide eyes. You leave a few red marks across her skin before you get interrupted by knocking on the door.

You pull back, breathing heavily and giving her a questioning look. “Let’s go home,” she breathes out, desperation clear in her voice. You let her pull you out of the bathroom and out of the bar as you order an Uber to take you back. You can hardly keep your hands off of her, but you know you can’t risk the team seeing you. You text Azzi that you’re leaving, while Nika texts Aaliyah, making sure it’s not too obvious that you’re leaving together.

Once you make it to your dorm, you barely have time to close the door before the brunette is kissing you again. You lead her to your bedroom, not letting her get farther than a few inches. You don’t go much further than making out that night, knowing you both have had quite a few drinks, and don’t want to do anything while intoxicated. You don’t mind, though. Having her here in your arms as she dozes off, slightly snoring, is more than enough.

The next day, you wake up to your head pounding. You stay in bed a few extra minutes, enjoying the brunette’s soft breathing against your chest, before you get up and get ready for the day. Once you feel more presentable, you take some painkillers with a glass of water. You grab some extra pills and water for Nika, placing them on her nightstand as you go to make breakfast.

15 minutes later, you’re almost done with the food. Hearing the soft patter of footsteps behind you, you turn around and smile softly. The brunette’s hair is a mess, she has a bit of drool dried in the corner of her mouth, and she has panda eyes from her leftover makeup. Yet she still manages to look gorgeous and make your heart skip a beat.

You hold your arms open as she falls into your hug. You kiss her forehead, muttering a good morning. You wish you could wake up like this every day. The love of your life tightly in your arms as you prepare to face the rest of the day. Once she pulls back, you rub your thumb gently against her mouth, wiping away the drool before giving her a soft kiss. You enjoy breakfast together before she goes to get ready, and you both split up to meet again at practice.

When you reach the locker room, the whole team is already there. Some girls are holding their heads and frowning in regret, while others are grinning widely and teasing the others. You’re glad your headache is gone as Paige and KK sing loudly, trying to annoy the other girls as much as possible. You make eye contact with Nika across the room as you send her a playful wink. Her face becomes a soft pink color as she smiles back.

Everything is normal when you start changing into your basketball uniform until you hear KK gasp loudly. You’re in the middle of pulling on your shirt when you hear Paige yell, “What’s that!” When you finally get your shirt on, you see KK pointing at Nika as both she and Paige stare at the Croatian with wide eyes. You try to hide your smile as you see the purple marks littered across the other girl’s neck.

“OOOHH, SOMEONE GOT LAIDDDDD!” KK cheers. Nika becomes a bright red as all the girls are now looking at her with smirks. “Oh my God, shut up,” she mumbles back as she puts her face in her hands. “C’mon twin, tell us, who was itttt?” Paige grins as she wiggles her eyebrows and shimmies her shoulders. Having realized that her team is going to bug her anyway, Nika sits up straighter, no longer being so embarrassed. “I don’t kiss and tell,” she smirks.

“Boooo,” Paige groans as she throws her head back. You chuckle at her dramatics. You look back at Nika, who’s already eyeing you. Your staring gets interrupted as Paige loudly complains, “This is almost as bad as the time Y/N wouldn’t tell us who gave her those scratches on her back.” You smirk as you send everyone a shrug, not ashamed in the slightest. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Nika look away, her face blazing at the memory.

Your chest feels warm. Sure, you’d love to have everyone know that you managed to have the Nika Mühl go out with you. But in moments like this, you didn’t really care. You loved hearing the team tease your girl, not knowing it was you who she was going out with. Loved the thrill of sneaking her looks without getting caught. So yeah, stolen kisses weren’t so bad when they brought you heaven on earth with the girl you were sure you’d marry some day.

#Nika Mühl x reader #nika muhl x reader #nika x reader #nika muhl oneshot #azzi fudd #nika muhl #paige bueckers #kk arnold #oneshot #imagine #uconn huskies #uconn wbb #nika muhl x you #wlw fanfic #BaPeach writes

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coff33notforme · 2 days ago

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Healing!Re2 Leon

A/n: So so sorry I haven't posted anything in so long, I genuinely lost my love for writing for I think its been officially been a year since I last wrote something for fun. Don't fact check me on that, but I'm back! I'm trying to let myself just have fun with writing and not take myself so seriously so please be patient with me! Expect a lot of Resident Evil content from me! And don't be afraid to request! I'll be sure to update my request chart!

Summary: Takes place between re2 and re4! Basically just what happened to him after Raccoon city.

Notes: Headcannons, fluff mostly, themes of depression, alcoholism, body issues, gender neutral reader as usual!

Nothing could've prepared you for the look on his face when he arrived home. Opening your door for him at 11:00 at night, his face silhouetted by the gentle light of your porch lamp. His pale eyes seemed to be looking through you, his face tight with the unconscious clenching of his jaw, his adams apple bobbing faintly. The hum of your porch light filling your head.

Well, that was before you were cupping his face, you couldn't even remember the movement forward, all you could take in was the impact of his embrace. His arms wrapped tightly around you, and if it wasn't for the fact it was twenty degrees out, you'd say he was shaking.

Safe to say he'd move in with you after everything that happened, he needed that sense of security, that familiarity that he'd swear was almost entirely lost on him. He was wordlessly welcomed back into your life.

Though it wasn't all the same, he'd hope it would be, God he really wished. It was weird, having him back around, he was quiet, not in an awkward kind of way, he just didn't feel the need to make his presence known. This isn't to say he doesn't engage in conversation with you, he'll just need more of an obvious cue that you'd like to spark a conversation with him.

Leon won't exactly know what to do with himself, he tried giving himself a week to adjust, then back to the drawing board, that's what he told you. You assured him there was no pressure to jump right back into employment, he'd been through something truly life changing, I mean, it took you two whole months to just get over your dog running away highshcool.

He'd brush it off of course, he wasn't devastated, at least, not in the way you described, it wouldn't even be anything hard, just something simple. Like retail.

That lasted about two weeks, the first week itself just being job searching, but once he got into the flow and rhythm of stacking supplies in the back of some chain line grocery store, he'd have to quit. That kind of meaningless repetitive work only fed into his existential crisis that had been put on the back burner for far too long.

He'd call you crying during his shift, you'd have to pick him up, parking somewhere close so you could calm him down, he'd spill everything out to you. Rambling on and on about not wanting to spend the prime of his life stacking cans and rearranging produce.

Well at least that's how far he got before embarrassment came crawling up his back, digging its nails into his throat until it felt so tight he couldn't speak.

The drive home would be quiet, not the comfortable kind.

He'd spend a lot of time at home, long enough to where you not its not a phase, and that he's not not getting out of bed without an intervention of some kind.

He admits after weeks of obvious reluctance that he's not ready to work again, he just needs time. You assure him that its completely fine, though you're not entirely sure how much that statement holds true you don't mind picking up some extra shifts if it means comfortably supporting you both.

But that isn't to say he doesn't contribute at all, he's the one preparing all the meals every week. He's the one taking trips to the store, jotting down meal ideas on the pen pad you'd gotten him after the silent acceptance that he'd taken to doing all the cooking.

This goes for chores too, though he wouldn't take to that immediately, he's not used to viewing the house as more then somewhere he eats and sleeps, its only after a comment from you about the disarray of the living room would spark him into action.

After that you haven't seen a speck of dust grace your living room floors since. It's the least he could do since you're funding his identity crisis, well that's what he thinks.

Leon struggles with healthy attachment, he's still not used to the idea that he won't wake up and you'll be gone. Though this doesn't mean he's completely distant.

He does little things to show how much he cares. Like waking up early to prepare your breakfast with a warm cup of coffee, or how he always asks you first what you'd like for dinner.

Though he won't admit it, most days are a struggle. Not every day, but those are the ones where he gets to spend some quality time with you, or he washes it off with a can of beer or two.

He'd hate himself to admit it to you, but he's developed a bit of a drinking problem with all that time at home.

Though once you notice the amount of cans piling up in the recycling he'd guiltily admit that he's been using it to cope, though he doesn't say exactly with what.

You'd encourage him to take up therapy, though he'd hastily deny, you offered him to at least think about it, though the very idea of opening up to a stranger about his problems seemed absolutely absurd.

After a bit of time though, especially when you express your concern with his drinking, he yields.

Of course with the excessive eating of comfort foods and now only occasional drinking, he’d developed a bit of a dad bod. He didn’t seem to notice at first, but one morning it seems to hit him all at once when he inspects himself in the mirror.

He’ll fiddle and prod at the soft pudge dripping from his sides, like the melted wax of a candle. His doughy thighs pressed together. He’s not really sure how to react, all he feels is this sort of disconnection from himself, like the person in the mirror isn’t really him.

He’ll avoid it for months, but the changes are clear to you whether he knows or not. But it doesn’t fail to hit you that he hasn’t walked around without a shirt in weeks, not just a shirt, but the kind that completely engulfs his figure, until he’s practically swimming in material.

You’ll have to intervene at some point, he’ll feel the weight of guilt pressing down onto his shoulders until he humbly admits, yeah, he doesn’t like the way his body looks anymore. You’ll need to have a conversation with him, assure him that it’s okay to gain weight, you don’t love him less just because he’s a little more soft around the middle.

He’ll need you to gently coax him into being more comfortable with showing his body around you. Gently holding his hips when he's making his coffee in the morning, leaning into him when he hugs you, telling him when you think he looks nice. Just little things that really do boost his confidence.

After months of unwavering support from you, he’ll notice the lack of disdain he feels when glancing at his reflection on passing surfaces. He'll be comfortable enough to let his belly breathe from time to time when walking around the house, maybe even offering to shower with you when given the chance.

Of course, progress isn’t linear, he’ll have his days where he wishes more than anything the fat clinging to his frame would melt, like snow dripping from a rooftop against the breath of the morning sun.

But at least now he feels comfortable admitting to you he isn’t always happy being in his own skin, and he knows you won’t try to correct his thoughts, rather then simply reassure him. He’s far from perfect, but more then anything you’re just glad he’s here.

©️ coff33notforme 2025 please don’t feed into any ai chatbot, or repost my content.

#resident evil x reader #resident evil x you #leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon kennedy smut #rookie leon kennedy #headcanons #resident evil headcanons

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letmereedusyou · 2 days ago

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i'm not yours - part 7

summary: Daryl and you are (were?) friends. He's dating Leah. You told him you loved him and things fell apart. Will it ever go back to normal?

words: 3.2k

warnings: rough language, I have no idea what else so please do let me know! <3

A/N: Hello, my lovelies! It took me so long to write this because I was ill and then it was my birthday, so I spent it away from electronics and with my family. It was partly proofread, so sorry in advance for any errors. Hope you enjoy it!

Read previous part: part 6

~ 11 MONTHS AGO ~

The sun shone brightly through the tree canopies, shimmering in the nearby buckets of water and reflecting in the cars’ windows. Shadows danced gently on the ground, as the breeze swayed the branches. The air was warm, filled with the scent of the lavender bush that was growing by the road and the distant hum of the bees. You could hear the generator noises coming from a shed, and some birdsong in the woods. You sat on the soft grass, feeling the dappled sunlight kiss your skin. You could see Carol and Lori doing the laundry. You could still see Dale sitting in a foldable chair on top of his trailer, wearing his bucket hat and Hawaiian shirt, even though he wasn’t with you anymore. You missed him dearly, and your heart ached whenever you thought of him. He most definitely didn’t deserve to die. Not like that. Not yet. Andrea and Shane was nowhere to be seen, and Daryl and Rick were on a supply run for some medicine. Glenn and Maggie were chopping wood in the shade not that far away from the camp. Carl was playing in the sun with some sticks and stones.

To your right stood a big, white farmhouse that belonged to Hershel and his family. It was a modest, two-story building with a traditional American farmhouse style. Sitting on a large plot of rural land, it was surrounded by rolling fields and patches of woodland. The front porch, with its white railings and steps, offered a welcoming, rustic charm.

You met Hershel’s family a while ago, in an unfortunate situation of Carl being shot by Otis. Hershel helped nurse Carl back to health afterwards. Even though he was a veterinarian before the outbreak, he have done a great job saving the boy. Slowly, Carl came back to being himself and soon enough was bragging about being like his father - having a shot wound and having survived it.

Maggie and Beth, Hershel’s daughters, were the ones who convinced Hershel to let us stay around his farm for a while. Maggie had a good point in saying that there is strength in numbers, and Beth was adamant that they indeed needed more people around to help out, because Hershel was getting older and couldn’t do much much than he was already doing. He eventually agreed with reluctance.

You were really grateful for it, especially considering that some of you were not in the greatest health. Like you, who suffered a nasty cut on your ankle during the evacuation from the CDC. You have cut it on some rusty metal bars sticking out of one of the cars around the building. You were really lucky to find Hershel when you did, not just because of Carl’s shot wound, but because you were suffering from some type of infection, that not even Merle’s bag of magical drugs could cure. It turned out that a piece of metal was stuck in your ankle all this time, causing your body to try and fight it off, but it never could as the infection was happening over and over, no matter how many drugs you took. Hershel have taken out the smallest piece of metal and gave you some antibiotics, saying that a couple more days and the infection would’ve kiledl you. Soon enough, the fever and the shivers subsided. The wound looked less infected and swollen, but you still weren’t able to walk on your leg properly. It made you feel like a burden to everybody who was helping you move around.

While sitting under the tree, you were chatting away with Lori and Carol, who you made friends with along the road. I guess you could say you made friends with everyone in the group to some extent, and it felt like home with all of them. They all made the world a little bit better by being in it - some more than others. Especially Daryl, who you had been close with since he rescued you, but his confession at the CDC made you grow even closer. He worked tirelessly, helping out the group as much as he could. He usually wasn’t staying at the camp, with everybody - he preferred to stay away, alone in the field. But, because you weren’t able to do anything on your own, he took it upon himself to help you out. So, he moved closer to the camp, right next to your tent.

Daryl showed up with Rick after driving to the town for some supplies. He took the bag of medicine to Hershel and left some for our group. Walking towards you, he put his crossbow down on the ground.

“You alright?” he asked, sitting next to you. He pulled his knee up and rested his arm on top of it, as he looked at you with his blue eyes, his hair covering his face in a ragged fashion.

“Yeah,” you nodded to him and smiled lightly. “Feeling like I’m absolutely useless right now, though.”

“You’re not useless. You’re healing,” he gruffed out, shaking his head. “Being hurt doesn’t make you useless.”

“It sure as hell feels like it.”

“Let’s go for a little walk,” he said suddenly, standing up. He stretched his hand towards you.

“No.”

“That wasn’t a suggestion.”

“You’re giving orders now?” you looked at him amused.

Before you knew it, he hooked his arm around your waist and stood you up, holding you tight. You fly up and you have to hold onto his arms to steady yourself. As you put both of your feet down on the ground fully, you feel some pain in your ankle and you wince. You knew that part of the recovery was making sure you move the ankle and put weight on it to regain some strength and balance, but it didn’t change the fact you hated moving when you were in pain.

Daryl held you close as you walked, or should we say hobbled, on the gravelly path around Hershel’s house. With each step, you felt your foot going a bit more numb, but you kept on going. The sweat drops showed on your forehead. You squeezed Daryl’s side harder to make sure you were not gonna fall. Daryl stopped in his tracks for a minute.

“I got you,” he said and looked over to you. “We can stop and have a breather if you want.”

“No,” you breathed out. “I can get to that bench over there.”

You pointed to a small bench under the big oak tree, and Daryl nodded once, turning slightly before you walked further. The bench was on a slight downward hill, which made it harder for your ankle. You struggled for a couple of minutes, trying not to grunt in pain. You took slow, small steps towards it, your hands clutching Daryl’s top so hard, that your knuckles were turning white. He wasn’t stupid. He could see it on your face, how much you struggled, so he scooped you up in one swift motion and carried you, princess style, for the remaining distance to the bench. Once you were seated, you sighed deeply and smiled at him.

“You didn’t have to do that,” you said, taking a deep breath. You wiped your forehead with your forearm and licked your dry lips. “I could’ve done this.”

“Oh, really?” he said, looking me up and down with some type of amused look. “That is a brave comment to make when I could clearly see your face was contorted in pain.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t in pain, I said I could’ve done this.”

“And hurt yourself even more in the process? Yeah, I don’t think so.”

You rolled your eyes, but your smile never left your lips. It wasn’t like Daryl, to care so much about people, but once you make a family out of strangers, it changes. And he cared about you the most out of everybody. You were so dear to him, the closest friend he’s ever had.

You stayed on a bench for a little while, talking about Daryl’s day of supply runs and stupid jokes Rick made before Daryl took you to your tent and gave you a worn-out book from Dale’s trailer. You thanked him, seeing how the book can be a great distraction from the fact you were stuck with a hurt ankle and couldn’t help out with anything. You settled on your cot bed and you read that book pretty much in one evening.

The next day, everything was going smoothly, until the evening. You and the group were sitting in Hershel’s house, talking about future crops to plant, water and medical supplies, when you heard a gunshot. It was close, ringing through the walls of the house. You all got up abruptly from your seats and ran towards the doors. Getting out on the porch, you saw Rick running, shouting something about walkers. Seconds later, you all saw a large group of walkers, appearing from the darkness, and all of you started to scramble around, trying to get guns and weapons to fight them off.

You hobbled towards the house, and grabbed your knives, putting them in a holster. Then, you reached towards your machete. It was clean, so clean that you could see your reflection in it. Your face was calm but your eyes panicked. You quickly avert your gaze from it, and you step out onto the porch again. You tried your hardest to ignore the pain in your ankle. Your people needed you, so nothing was more important.

Looking around, you tried to find Daryl, but he was already out there, firing the arrows at the crowd of walkers. He was a good shot, all his arrows landed in walkers heads.

You quickly made your way down the steps and started killing the walkers with blows to the head, your machete bloody and bits of skin and brains all over it. Soon enough, the group got broken up, and everyone flew in different directions.

You find yourself in a situation where you were sure you couldn’t escape from. Your breathing quickened when multiple walkers cornered you off against the side of Hershel’s house. The chaos of the situation was getting to you and you frantically searched with your eyes for anyone from your group, but no one was around. You swung your machete, killing some of the walkers, but there were more and more of them pooling around you, and there was no way you could outrun them with your ankle. Your eyes started to water, thinking that this was definitely your end. How could this possibly get better? - you thought to yourself.

Suddenly, Andrea popped up in the corner of your eye and shouted something intelligible to your ears. Most of the walkers turned to her, and began walking towards her. She broke into a run and it gave you enough time to hobble out of the situation. You turned left and you grunt slightly, trying to weave around the walkers as well as you could.

One of them grabbed your shoulder and yanked you towards them. You took out your knife and stuck it inside his eye socket, some blood spilling on your face and your clothes. You closed your mouth just in time for the blood to stain your lips but not get inside of them. Before you could turn and kill the other one, that was lunging towards you with their bare teeth and eyes rotten and green, an arrow flew through the air and killed it with a pop. You could’ve sworn you heard the skull breaking and the flesh ripping.

“Come on!” Daryl yelled at you.

You broke into a run, ignoring the shooting pain in your ankle. As soon as you got to him, he wrapped his arm around your waist. Swinging his bow to his back, he took out a knife from his belt. You moved quickly through the horde, killing any walkers in your vicinity, until you reached Daryl’s bike. He put you on it, swinging your leg effortlessly around the seat, before swinging his own leg around, sitting down and kicking the starter pedal. The bike roared to life. He told you to wrap your hands around him and you have done so. He accelerated forward, taking you both out of Hershel’s farm.

“You came back for me?” you asked once you were on the road, away from the walkers.

“I couldn’t let ya die now, could I?” he said. “I knew you were in no condition to make it by yourself.”

“I thought I, for sure, was a goner.”

“Not gonna let ya die, as long as I live,” he said looking through his shoulder and at you. His smile was barely visible, but not to a trained and knowing eye like yours.

~ PRESENT DAY ~

You woke up with a headache the next morning. Your head felt like it’s been bashed in multiple times, leaving your brains scrambled and confused. The light coming from the window was almost too bright to look at and the sound of people outside the house was as loud as someone putting an air horn to your ears and pressing a button. All you dreamt about was some painkillers but you knew that hangover wasn’t the greatest reason to use up the already small medicine stash Alexandria had. So you settled for a shower.

As soon as the cold water hit your body, you shivered and your eyes widened, like someone injected you with adrenaline. You wash your hair while at it and then get out of the shower, feeling a bit better, although the headache persisted just a tiny bit. You were for your lookout tower duty, so you jolted around your bedroom, trying to find a clean pair of socks and combat boots. When you finally got dressed, you walked out of your home and jogged all the way down to the lookout tower by the gates of Alexandria. Rosita, who had an entire night shift, looked at you, impatiently tapping her leg. Her arms were crossed on her torso and her mouth was contorted in a slight annoyance.

“You’re late,” she says, observing as you're climbing the ladder. “I hope you have a good reason for it.”

“I got drunk last night.”

“Good enough for me.”

You laughed when Rosita said that and hugged her. She began to tell you about a date she has with Abraham later and shared some explicit details of what they’re going to do. That was all Rosita. Always really honest and straightforward. You didn’t mind at all, and you secretly put all the things she described to you in a little vault in your mind titled ‚shit to do with my next partner.

The day was long and quite boring. Nothing crazy happened. You thoroughly took notes on everything - every walker outside the gates, every opening and closing of the entrance, what ammo you used and if you used any. That was basically the job of a person that was on a watch tower. And it was probably the most boring thing you could do around Alexandria. You knew that you'd rather be out and about, collecting supplies or hunting, but everyone had their duties shared fairly.

Spending an entire day on the lookout tower, you were happy to go home, when Sasha came and switched with you. You gave her a rundown of what happened during the day and then made your way down the ladder and down the street.

It just so happened that you had to walk past Daryl's house to get to yours. As you were walking, you heard some noises coming from the inside of the building. You didn’t think much of it, you just thought it was loud music as Daryl liked to listen to some music pretty loudly at times. But as you were about to pass the house, you heard a loud crash and then a boom.

You turn around at the speed of lightning and you look at Daryl’s house. The living room window was broken, the glass and wooden frame were in pieces, and the yelling emerged from the inside of it. Almost at your feet, there was an old vinyl player, also in pieces. You could see the few plastic bits that broke off of it and rolled in many different directions. Your eyes widen at the sight, and you turn your head towards the house, your body freezes in place. You couldn't see anything but you definitely heard every single word.

„Leah, please, don’t be ridiculous!” you hear Daryl’s raised voice. He sounded frustrated and confused.

„Ridiculous? RIDICULOUS?! You’re the one who’s being ridiculous!” Leah’s voice sounded like screeching, and you could tell she was crying.

„Where the hell is this all coming from?! You didn’t care about it last night or any other fucking day! Why now?!”

The smell of cigarettes gets to your nostrils and you knew almost immediately that Daryl was stressed out and angry. He only ever smokes when his emotions are a bit too much for him and he’s looking for something that will help him relax. Usually, he had a few packs hidden around the house for easy access.

„How comes I don’t know shit about you? Not one thing?” Leah’s scream sounded desperate. „How come she knows more than I do?!”

"She doesn't know more!" Daryl's voice resounds in the air, a roar that could only come from a man who is slipping into a rage mode.

"Oh, don't fucking bullshit me! I could see it in her eyes! She knows you! She knows things about you! Why aren't you telling me shit?! I want to know you, too!"

Your heart stops in your chest realising that they’re arguing about you. Oh, God.

There is a deafening silence after Leah’s last words and you chose not to stick around for more. This wasn't meant for your ears. This wasn't something you should listen to. Shaking your head, you looked at the vinyl player on the ground. It was completely broken. That bitch, you thought to yourself, feeling a bit frustrated at Leah yourself. You picked up the pieces, threw them into your pockets and lodged the music device under your arm. You decided on taking it with you before someone helps themselves. You started walking away, but you could clearly hear the next words Leah said to him.

„This whole relationship is fucking bullshit! You’re not worth it, you’re not worth me or my love! You are nothing! Just a stupid, little man that is too broken to care about someone as much as they care about him!”

You almost stopped and turned on your heels. You wanted to storm inside and let her hear a piece of your mind, but you didn't. It made your blood boil. The way she spoke to him. The way she assumed he didn’t have feelings, because he didn’t share some past experiences with her. The way she thought that he didn’t love her, because he didn’t tell her things about himself. And the way she said he was nothing and worthless. That there made you thirsty for blood. It was the farthest from the truth. He was worth it. More than anyone. He deserved the world. And more.

You quickly made your way home, not wanting to hear anything else, the vinyl player under your arm. The words echoed in your head like some kind of mantra.

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon imagine #daryl dixon x reader #daryl x female reader #the walking dead #the walking dead daryl #twd daryl #daryl fanfiction #twd daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction

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fairytaleendingss · 2 days ago

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I really like the way you write James ❤️ no specific request but would love to see a fluffy James x reader

Love-Struck

Summary: You and James can’t keep your hands off each other after a few too many drinks with your friends at a party.

CW: Alcohol consumption, reader having hair long enough to tie up.

Pairing: James Potter x fem!reader

Sorry that this one is kind of short. Tbh fluff isn’t my strong suit. I’m more used to writing angst or hurt/comfort. But hopefully this satisfies your need for soft!James (I love him too). Also sorry that it took so long to get to. Enjoy!

—

You couldn’t contain your giggling as you stumbled through the doorway of your apartment, James having missed the keyhole three times while trying to unlock the door.

You eventually made it in, tripping over yourselves as you clung to his arm and refused to separate, as though the two of you had been glued together.

It was a cool night out and James’ cheeks were flushed from the cold wind. His glasses sat askew on his nose and a few dark curls had fallen loose around his forehead.

He looked so precious, you just wanted to throw your arms around him. And so you did.

With a heave, you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him down towards you in a sloppy kiss. His large hands came to rest across your waist, pulling you impossibly closer. He tasted like tequila and you were sure you probably did too.

He pulled away after a moment, smiling goofily as his eyes traced over you face, as if he was trying to make note of every single one of your features so as not to forget them.

You grinned back, brushing a strand of hair that had escaped from your ponytail, behind your ear.

“What was that for?” He questioned. His voice was raspy and the scent of alcohol clung to his breath.

“I just love you,” you told him, your slurred words laced with an intense affection. You couldn’t express it enough. Even after 2 years of dating and six months living together, you heart still raced every time you looked at him, your stomach filling with butterflies and your entire being swam with a feeling of elation you couldn’t quite put words to. He just had a profound effect on you, like you shared two halves of the same soul or something equally sappy.

You used to roll your eyes at people who said things like that. At couples who were so obsessed with each other they couldn’t bear to be apart for even a moment. But now, looking up at James, you understood.

He grinned even wider if that was possible, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on your forehead.

“I love you too.”

There was a pause.

“I’m going to marry you, you know?”

Your heart swelled.

“Really?”

“Yeah! I knew it from our first date, actually. You’re the love of my life.”

You pulled him forward once more, your lips connecting like two pieces of a puzzle. You didn’t care that you were both still tipsy from Sirius’ party or that it was well past midnight or that you were standing in the open doorway of your apartment, exposed for the world to see. Right then and there, you were the only two people in the entire world. You and your love for each other was all that existed, all that mattered.

You were pulled apart by the sound of a throat clearing from behind you.

You turned to see Mrs Riley, your elderly neighbour, standing in the hallway dressed in a pale pink bath robe.

“Excuse me loves, this is very sweet and all but it’s two in the morning and you’re being rather loud.”

You turned to look at her wide eyed.

“Sorry,” you muttered bashfully. “We’ll go inside now.”

“Thank you. That would be much appreciated.”

With that, she turned and hobbled back into her apartment, muttering something under her breath about “silly love-struck kids.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle as you turned back towards James. You could tell that he was trying hard to suppress laughter of his own.

Love-struck, you thought, was the perfect way to describe it.

He pulled you in once more, this time only for a soft peck.

“On that note, I think it’s time for bed.”

You nodded. “I think so too.”

And with that, you pulled the door closed, taking hold of your boyfriend’s hand and letting him guide you towards the bedroom.

You smiled to yourself. If this was what it was going to be like for the rest of your life, you’d gladly be love-struck forever.

#marauders #james potter #james potter x reader #marauders modern au #james potter fanfiction #james potter headcanon #james potter fluff

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babyy-blossom · 3 days ago

Text

Someday, just you and I

Nanami Kento x fem!reader could also be read as gn for no pronouns or feminine characteristics were described

I don’t know wether this is fluff or angst haha

★⚬∘◦⚪︎☆⚪︎◦∘⚪︎⚬★ ★⚬∘◦⚪︎☆⚪︎◦∘⚪︎⚬★

It’s not like you hated seeing Nanami come back home from another one of his work missions. You actually loved having him back. However, even though he’d walk through the front door worn ragged and tired, Nanami would make his way to his desk and continue to work. Mumbling something about how he has to write a mission report.

Even if he began to slump and nod off, he’d shake away the prying hands of sleep and continue to work.

“Nanami, please come to bed. It’s late, too late to be working.” He’d mutter out a response. Secretly he’d watch has you hung your head down and slowly turn back to go to your shared room.

Guilt would slowly eat away at him. With a groan and his head in his hands to wipe away the sleep, Nanami stood up from him desk and made his way to bed.

“I don’t care if have to fill out papers, I don’t even care if you have to work 16 hours out of the day. All I ask is you come to bed. You don’t even have to be there for supper. But please come to bed. It’s the only place work and the outside world hasn’t corrupted for us yet.”

At that moment Nanami felt his heart drop. The bed dipped beside you as he got under the blanket.

“You are right. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” You felt a muscular arm snake around your waist and another pry its way through the space between your neck and pillow, “how can I make it up to you?”

Warmth engulfed you. That’s all you’ve been craving since he got home. Sleep hit you all at once.

“Just be with me is all I ask…. ’feel like you avoid me- after a mission.” Each word escaped your lips in a murmured hashed tone.

Nanami felt your body lax and droop. Sleep over took your body.

What you didn’t know was that Nanami wasn’t quite done with this conversation.

“Someday sweetheart, we’ll be able to spend every day together. But for now, I promise I will try to spend what time I have left after work with you. Breakfast in bed sounds quite nice tomorrow. Followed with a lunch from (your favorite restaurant), then perhaps dinner at that new restaurant downtown.” A soft smile graced his lips as he thought about spending time with you tomorrow.

With one last kiss to your forehead, Nanami was finally able to dream.

#nanami kento #jjk #nanami x reader #nanami kento x reader

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sugarplumkneecaps · 18 hours ago

Note

Good day! I was thinking like the pocky stick game thing that partners do?? Could you write an oneshot on that with Shadow x Reader? Thank you have a good day!

A/N: I think this is such a cute idea! I took a bit of inspiration from my love of state/county fairs to set the scene hehe. Hope that’s alright! So sorry for the long wait on this, I hope you like it <3

Pocky

Pairing: Shadow x Reader C/W: none Genre: Wholesome, first kiss, fluff

The lights around the amusement park started to flicker on, a telltale sign that night was quickly approaching. You and Shadow had been looking forward to the fair for quite sometime, something you had gushed to him about from your childhood. You had lived close to the state fairgrounds, their tall rides and attractions towering over the highways surrounding it. You had explained that each year, you were granted a ticket from your school and your family made a day trip out of the affair. The only real experience he had with anything similar was Eggmanland, so you couldn’t blame him for being skeptical.

Regardless, he put his trust in your retellings that bordered the realm of magic with how fond of them you were. He surprised you with tickets on the opening weekend and you decided to make a day of it just as you once had long ago. Unsurprising to you, Shadow found a great deal of enjoyment in playing the carnival games. His competitive nature aided him in being awarded many prizes, of which he subsequently dropped into your arms with a smile. By the end of it, you had to make a bit of a deal with the staff about trading in prizes as it was too much to carry all at once.

The rides were your favorite as you got to experience a small taste of how you imagined it felt when Shadow raced through town with his air shoes. Shadow was more nervous than you had expected, the machinery making him wary.

“And this is... safe?” he grumbled, his hands gripping the edge of each car like a vice grip as the metal moaned and creaked. The first time or two, you reassured him that yes. It was safe. And even if something happened, you were certain he would protect you. After that though, each anxious query was met with a laugh as the ride would set off on its track.

Hours of this had made you feel a bit worn out and Shadow took immediate notice. “Let’s go get something to eat,” he offered, taking your hand in his. The food stalls were packed as the fair goers had grown exponentially in numbers since you both had arrived. It wasn’t until Shadow had mentioned food that you realized just how hungry you were. Your stomach growled as you looked about at each food stall sign, hoping that one would sound appealing enough (and have a small enough line) for you to stand in.

Just a short distance from the main strip, a lone ramen stand called to you. “There,” you pointed, pulling on Shadow’s hand to move through the crowd. It didn’t seem busy in the slightest as it was a bit hidden, which you were thankful for. You brushed aside the cloth covering leading inside the small bar counter eating area and plopped onto one of the seats. Shadow followed suit, looking about and nodding his head in silent approval.

The cook came around and looked at both of you expectantly before motioning to the menu before you. Looking it over, you could feel your mouth begin to salivate. “Let’s do... one large miso ramen, an order of mochi and... some pocky!” Shadow chuckled a bit before adding, “an order of shoyu ramen for me, thanks.” With that, the cook went off, leaving you two alone.

“Something tells me we should’ve taken a break a long while ago,” Shadow commented, gazing over at you fondly as he rested his chin in his hand. Your cheeks began to shift to a bright shade of red before you turned your attention away from him.

Not too long after, food was placed in front of you both, a welcome distraction from Shadow’s peering eyes. As you dug in, he took note of the bright red box placed between the two of you.

“Pocky? What’s that?”

You looked over at him and then down at the box. Slurping up the last bit of noodles in your bowl, you wiped your mouth clean and cleared your throat, “it’s just a small treat for us to take with us. Would you like to try one?”

He nodded pensively, watching you open the packaging and pull out the long Pocky stick. Shadow grabbed it from you gingerly, slowly nibbling at one end. The display was almost too cute for you to bear.

“You know, there’s a game you could play with these,” you comment, remembering your friends telling you about it long ago. Shadow looked up at you intrigued. A smile played at your lips as you brought a stick between your teeth, leaning forward to encourage Shadow to do the same. He looked at the Pocky and then back at you before mirroring you. Slowly, you bit down, keeping your lips on the treat. Shadow mirrored your small bite but pulled back, chewing slowly. You shot your hands above your head, finishing the stick in two bites, “I won that round!”

Perplexed, Shadow slammed his fist onto the bar counter. “What is the point of this game? I let you have the Pocky!”

You waved a playful finger near his round nose, “ah, ah! Whoever lets go first loses.”

He scowled at you for a moment before placing a stick in his mouth as you had before. You joined him on the other end, waiting for him to make the first move. He did, a blush reaching his muzzle as you dared a bigger bite than before. Shadow took another small nibble before pulling away again. Somewhat less triumphant now, you nudged his arm, “oh c’mon. You practically handed me that win!”

“What happens if neither of us pull away?”

You stopped for a moment, the reason for his shy reaction finally kicking in. Neither of you had kissed before, which meant that if neither of you backed off...

“We would.. uh- kiss?” Embarrassment crept up your spine, causing your entire face to burn.

An awkward moment of silence fell between you two before Shadow let out a determined sigh. Lifting another bit of Pocky into his mouth, he leaned forward slowly. You grabbed the other end between your teeth, your heart thumping loudly in your ears.

Inch by inch, Shadow’s breath tickled your nose as you both worked slowly to close the gap between you. Before you knew it, a singular move stood between you and Shadow’s lips meeting for the first time. It was his turn. You closed your eyes, prepared to feel the weight between your teeth disappear as you figured he would inevitably pull away, too shy to make the last move.

Your eyes shot open once more as you felt his tender lips press against yours, the shock causing you to clamp down with your teeth and break the stick between you. Looking into your eyes for a moment, Shadow sat back with a small bit of Pocky poking out from his lips. You were stunned.

In one swift motion, his tongue moved to place the remainder of the treat between his molars. He shot a sly smile your way before returning to his ramen once more.

“Looks like I won.”

#shadow the hedgehog #shadow the hedgehog x reader #shadow x reader #sth #fanfic #writing requests #anon ask #✧*̥˚ requests *̥˚✧#fluff

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crescenthistory · 2 days ago

Note

Omg Carina hi!!! Congrats on 2k!!! It’s 🧸 anon here (she/her) and you’re so cool for doing this event for us🫶🏻

Like you I’m also studying, last year of nursing if it matters lol, so I completely forgot to check if you answered my request and I just now saw that you did so I’m gonna go read it now! I’m so excited to get my Carina fix🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

I’ll add to the celebration - comment on “You occupy my every thought”? Don’t have anything specific I’m just such a sucker for sunshine/grumpy tropes hehe

Also if you’d like maybe comment on the 14k Remus fic? I forgot its name I’m so sorry but the way you wrote Remus made my heart swoon and it was the first ever fic I read of yours so it’s kind of sentimental too🙃

Side note thank you for sharing so much of your personal life with us it makes me personally feel really connected to the writer and it makes sense why your writing really is poetry🥰 again thank you!!

hi my darling! no, thank YOU for participating in my event<33 and for actually enjoying my yapping lmao, i appreciate you sm! last year of nursing is roughhhh, so feel free to just drop by whenever you're free. my blog will always be here for when you need it 🫂 now, i have already more or less commented on "you occupy my every thought" with these headcanons, but i would love to do the remus one!

✶・•・✦・•・✶・✶・•・✦・•・✶

i will COMMENT on "It's Nice To Have A Friend" with remus lupin

carina's 2k celebration

✶・•・✦・•・✶・✶・•・✦・•・✶

In this fic, you're Remus' childhood best friend, his favourite person on the planet, and your romance reads very much like two people who are perfectly intertwined and destined for each other

So, after the fic fades to black, I can't really see anything but an endgame fairytale ending

Remus writing home to Hope and Lyall, who have known you since you were a kid and befriended Remus despite his obvious differences:

Dear Mam and Tad,

This may not come as a surprise to you – as it seems it has not been for anyone but me – but if it does, I sincerely hope it is a pleasant one.

I am writing to let you know that Y/N and I's friendship has officially become something more and I am happy to call her my partner.

You remained attached at each other's side for the precious few months you had left at Hogwarts – this time without a spec of anxiety or guilt

I will say, it took a while for you to school all guilt out of Remus though, as his former guilt for daring fall in love with you occasionally transformed into guilt for "letting you love a halfbreed"

But you did what you did best – you kissed it away

You were far from above cradling Remus in your arms until he melted into you, whispering sweet nothings into his hairline

There was a lot of:

"I have loved you unequivocally more or less my whole life, cariad. I am not about to change that now."

"Would you love me any less if I changed? If I became a lycanthrope or a vampire or sick or poor?" "You know I wouldn't."

"Shhh, none of that. None of that, my sweet boy."

"You're just Remus to me."

Because of his particular situation, Remus had to become closer with certain members of Hogwarts staff than most other students would – particularly Pomfrey, Dumbledore and McGonagall

And I believe all of them would often share looks at how obvious the love blooming between these young students was

I have always had a particular moment in mind for when Pomfrey first noticed your connection in second year

It was the first time Remus got injured enough during a full moon to stay at the infirmary overnight, at a time where none of his dormmates knew

You, on the other hand...

Pomfrey opened the door to her office chambers right by the entrance to the infirmary at the frantic knocking. A sigh was already brewing on her lips at whatever piece of work must be waiting for her outside the wooden door this early.

She flung it open only to nearly hit your reddened, almost teary face.

"Madam Pomfrey," you squeaked in that youngin voice it seems all students spouted at that age. "Is Remus here?"

The concern was evident on your face, etched into your every furrow that were much deeper than a child should have. "I'm afraid I cannot answer that, Miss L/N," she said, not without sympathy. Patient confidentiality and all.

"Please," you whispered. "I know he's here, it was a full moon. Please can I go see him."

Unable to do anything else in the face of such youthful misery, and having heard in passing from Dumbledore before that "the Ravenclaw girl knows", she merely gestured in the direction of Remus' overnight bed.

A "thank you!" had barely made it past your lips before you walked away so quickly it could rival someone running – a loophole you had already found to the "no running in the halls" rule, surely.

Pomfrey followed to see you fling yourself to the floor beside Remus' bed, not even sparing the time to drag one of the nearby chairs closer to sit more comfortably. Your knees were on the cold floor, your hands scrambling to find his laying limp and bandaged on the white linen, but when you did, your touch turned almost painfully gentle.

"Rem? Remmy, cariad, it's me. Hi, hi, it's me." Your voice was soft, a gentle waking of the boy who should technically still be sleeping. It was clear you couldn't help yourself.

Remus' heavy eyelids fluttered open and the look in them once they found you, soft and at home, a stark contrast to how she found him the night before, struck Pomfrey right in the chest.

Oh, she had thought. This is going to be one of the lovestories I remember.

Thus, when she saw you two walking hand in hand as you passed the infirmary one of the last month of your 7th year, smiling widely and waving at her, she felt nothing short of contentment and warmth

Finally

Similarly with McGonagall and Dumbledore:

At the end of breakfast, there was nothing left to do but discreetly watch the students as they began preparing for the rest of their days, gaining an overview of what the dynamics were like at the moment and if they were all alright.

McGonagall's eyes were gliding over the Gryffindor table, not at all deterred by the splotch of blue that represented you in the midst of Potter and Co. She had grown more than used to you as an honorary member.

What did catch her attention, though, was when you got up and out of your seat, hoisting your bag over your shoulder to head off to a class you didn't share with the rest of them – right before you left, Remus caught your hand and pulled you down to him for a sweet kiss.

Not the forehead kisses she had seen before, not to the hand. No, he was smiling against your lips.

She arched an amused brow at the scene, glancing sideways to look at Dumbledore who was smiling into his plate.

"Yes," he said simply. "I saw."

She had to hide her smile behind her glass as she brought it up to drink. A silent toast.

All three of them would be invited to the wedding – which I don't think would be too far off after graduation

I imagine you got married the same year as Marlene and Dorcas; a big year of love for your friendgroup

Make no mistake, Sirius would be officiating it

This moment is definitely referenced in Remus' vows to you during the wedding:

“Should I ask you formally to be my girlfriend, or are we just skipping straight to marriage?” he whispered against your lips.

Remus felt almost wolfish when you barked a loud laugh, throwing your head back and tightening your hold on him instinctively. “I think girlfriend’s enough for now, yeah cariad?”

“If you insist.” He kissed you through his grin, realising that this was all he wanted to do now.

"I suggested it already the first day we became official, and even that was too late – I have always been yours and it is my utmost honour to have you always be mine."

Not a single dry eye in the room

James would specifically be crying into Hope's arms

Which Sirius would laugh at until he was a few more drinks in, at which point he would do the same with Effie

(Lily took pictures of both instances with her muggle camera, and they were some of the first in the wedding album)

Should there be an Order of the Phoenix (with a happy ending for all), you and Remus would act as the parental couple beside James, Sirius and Lily

And if you eventually make Remus secure enough in himself and his lycanthropy that he would dare have some puppies? Well, the more the merrier with this lot

The cheesiest, loveliest happily ever after you could desire 🤍

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emdure · 1 day ago

Note

Could you write Gelphie saying I love you for the first time? ❤️

truly?

pairing ,, galinda x elphaba

word count ,, 1.8k

trigger warnings ,, none

a/n ,, hi hi! so sorry this has taken me a bit, i’ve been quite busy. if you’ve sent me a request i’ve most likely storyboarded it, and you’ll see it shortly! (hopefully)

i loved writing this, feel free to send in more requests <3

read on ao3

Darkness swept over the dorm room, its looming presence something foreign.

No teasing hue of pink was there to seep into her closed eyelids. It was a reminder of the blonde’s absence. The silent atmosphere weighed heavily on Elphaba, leaving her with furrowed brows.

If it were a few months ago, the girl would relish in the stillness. She would often pray Galinda would inhabit the dining hall longer than necessary. That the blonde would hang back to discuss whatever she dubbed as necessary, and Elphaba would slink away to their shared dorm.

During this relished occurrence, she would often curl her legs close to herself with a book clutched tightly. She adored the smell of the older books here. It was comforting.

Elphaba scrunched her eyes as if scolding her own mind for wandering. Oh, how she needed to silence her persistent thoughts. Madam Morrible had lightly commented on the dark circles shying their way underneath her eyes.

Well, Elphaba had bigger worries and concerns. Often she wondered if there was much of a point to put effort in her appearance. There was a clear bigger issue, a green one — but there were moments where the missing Galinda would share her concerns, leaving Elphaba wanting to care for the girl’s sake.

She huffed, roughly interrupting her wordless tangent. Sleep. Sleep. She knew she needed it. She repeatedly felt the tinge of exhaustion prickling at her eyes, usually in classes that were quieter than others. Ironically, especially when Galinda was by her. Maybe Elphaba felt safe with their proximity. Often the blonde would settle herself close, their legs pressed together.

Galinda was rarely able to sit still, she took notice of that quickly. Her leg would bounce next to hers without fail. Though she was thankful for the insistent fidgeting at times, it aided her in her quest to remain alert.

Elphaba would never let herself fall asleep in classes. But some assistance from drifting off did help.

But she just couldn’t drift off.

A bothered sigh came from her nostrils. She would read only for a little. Yes, that was all. It would tire her out anyway.

She finally allowed herself to open her eyes, now fumbling for her glasses. She blinked a few times after slipping them on out of habit. There was no point, really. She could barely make out her silhouette in the dim lighting.

Perhaps it would have been sort of nice if the pink lamp were switched on.

Elphaba raised her arms above her head, stretching briefly before turning her own lamp on. She reached for her book, the cover worn from years of use. Another book ridden with the history of Oz.

Something was so intriguing about learning of what once was. She found her bookmark, turning to where she left off. Oh, constellations. How Ozians came about naming repeating patterns. Elphaba always wondered what it would be like to touch a star —

The twin doors were thrown open with no warning, slamming against the wall in protest. Elphaba flinched at the abrupt noise, while the offender shrieked at her own creation. Clearly, the blonde had not anticipated any consequences of her tantrum

Elphaba stifled her amusement.

Galinda regularly dubbed it needed to form a dramatic entrance. Now was no different, it appeared. The other stomped her foot like some frustrated rabbit, Elphaba compared.

No matter how much she wanted to probe and identify what Galinda was grumbling about now, she was determined to actually get rest. It was easy for Elphaba to lose herself in a conversation with the other after lacking it for so long.

Another whine. Relentless mumbling. Grumpily tossing her heels only to gently pat them and place them where they belonged. A start of a grin poked Elphaba’s lips.

"Sorry, sorry.” Elphaba heard Galinda quietly mutter to her inanimate objects, only to instantly resume her heavy sighs.

She should know better. Ought to be aware of how these fits would not cease until Elphaba at least acknowledged her.

Elphaba let a few more moments pass. She peeked from her book, watching as Galinda bundled up her pink nightgown, not as neat as she normally would. Her curiosity was admittedly piqued.

Yet she let out no queries, and Galinda stomped behind the folding screen.

Back to her book. She had time. Galinda would ensure her hair was well maintained even before heading to bed.

Mumbling could be heard from the other side of the divider. Okay, maybe it was serious this time. Even if the tantrum was oddly endearing, Elphaba knew there were no other ways to stop it until she pried. That was presumably what Galinda wanted.

“Galinda?” She finally sat the book down on her lap. Silence.

No response, but she knew Galinda had heard her with the halt in shifting fabrics. She wanted Elphaba to persist. Of course.

The darker-haired girl sighed, this time the quirk to her lips was not suppressible. “What is wrong?”

Another moment passed with no reply. Elphaba let it play out.

Eventually, Galinda waddled out, her shoulders slumped dramatically. Elphaba knew the other would never let herself slouch. Maybe it really was serious. This time.

“Elphie. I’m sad.” She stated obviously, a droopiness to her normally perky voice.

“Mhmmm?” Elphaba hummed, encouraging her to continue.

“Well.. you see.” Here it goes. “Pfannee was.. you know — okay, maybe he didn’t mean to — he wouldn’t. Yes, what’s the word?” Galinda snapped her fingers, desperately looking at Elphaba for assistance. “When you do something without trying to?”

“Accident?” Elphaba finished, thrumming her nails on the book’s rim.

“Yes, yes! Oh, you are such a smarticle. Okay, okay.” She waved her hands as if erasing her previous rambling. Galinda inhaled deeply, scrunching up her face as if even admitting it aloud was a chore. “He stepped on my skirt.”

“Oh.” It was a small thing. Something of such little concern. It would have been easy to gloss over it with a few reassuring words… but Elphaba supposed Galinda’s clothes were like her books. She did not quite comprehend why attire was something of such value, but she despised the uncomfortable ache in her chest at the blonde’s distress.

“Can I see?” Elphaba delicately placed the book down on the edge of her bed, now sliding her legs off the mattress to stand.

Galinda crossed her arms, huffing. “Well, there is no point. It is ripped forever. Cannot be fixed.” Despite her complaints, she slumped off to her side of the room to retrieve said dress. “Let me…” She floundered, trying to find where the rip was located. “Riiight here. See?”

It was such a small tear. Elphaba had to fight back an amused scoff. She should have known. But either way, she carefully reached up to examine the ripped lace. “I can sew it.” She recalled Dulcibear attempting to teach her. Her claws were too big, instead creating more imperfections in the fabric. Elphaba remembered giggling, calling her nanny silly — but looking back at it just made her sad. She missed her. Would Dulcibear be proud of her now?

Galinda blinked at her. The room was silent. Elphaba wondered what reaction she would receive. It was nerve-wracking. Had she upset Galinda? Did the suggestion mock her in some way? Did Galinda just not want that —

“Elphie! You would do that? For me?” Galinda chirped, dropping the dress to clap her hands as if nothing had happened in the first place.

Elphaba’s chest swelled with pride. It was only a suggestion, but oh she couldn’t help it! She made Galinda happy. She was the cause of the very smile on her face. There was no better feeling, Elphaba was convinced. “I would. It’s been awhile, but —“

Galinda did not even let her finish her sentence. She interrupted the other by jumping at her. Elphaba nearly tumbled over, skittering back while Galinda all too happily giggled in her ear and wrapped her arms around her neck. “Has anyone ever told you you’re the best?”

Elphaba finally regained her balance, huffing. “No —“

Interrupted again. “Let me be the one to tell you. You are! The bestest of them all! Oh, I love you!” She squealed, kicking her feet.

She couldn’t halt the tensing of her muscles at the admission. She didn’t mean that. Galinda is just excited, that was all. Just a spur of the moment. Elphaba did her best to stifle the stirring sensation in her stomach, but to no avail.

“But! Hey!” Galinda lowered herself, pointing an accusing finger at Elphaba. “You’re supposed to say it back.”

Oh. Okay. Maybe she was more aware than originally believed. Elphaba felt nervous, a timidness creeping in the back of her throat. “You already know I love you too.”

Galinda squealed again, grabbing Elphaba’s hands to pull her close. “I just wanted to make sure you knew what to do.” She hummed all too happily. “Oh, you always make the worst days into the most amazifying days.”

Elphaba knew the blonde didn’t intend that comment to be perceived as something harsh. Because of that, she couldn’t prevent the shy smile gracing her features. “Do I?” She liked that. She liked Galinda throwing praises her way. It made her happy. Made her stomach stir.

“Well, yes! You’re.. you! I do not need to go on.” She tapped her feet, this time cheerily.

Elphaba didn’t know how to respond. She simply laughed, rolling her eyes fondly. She did not want Galinda to see how this whole exchange was making her feel, oddly so. “Well, thank you Galinda.”

“But of course!” Galinda squeezed her hands before realization struck. She scrambled to pick up the dress she had discarded, now backing up to hang it carefully. “You know, I do love you more than my dresses.”

Elphaba let out an abrupt laugh. She was ridiculous. But she believed her. She felt foolish, childish — but the sensation was elating. “Oh? Really?” She turned from her, making her way back towards her bed.

“Why are you laughing? I am filled with truthfulness.” Galinda’s brows furrowed, dismissing her dress and walking towards Elphaba.

It was still weird at times seeing the blonde willingly settle on her side of the room. “It’s nothing. It is a good laugh.” Elphaba smiled, this time initiating the hand holding herself.

“Good laugh? I do not understand. Most laughs are.” Galinda thinned out her lips, sending her a curious look.

Elphaba lowered her gaze to their hands. “It’s nothing, really.” She repeated. “Hmm. I love you more than my books.” She changed topics, knowing well that Galinda would go along.

Galinda gasped, her spare hand flying to her mouth. “Truly?”

Elphaba laughed again, that bright feeling returning with a warmness that migrated about her. “Indeed.”

“Gah! That’s so much! I won’t tell anyone of our secret. Oh, but I want to...” She huffed, silence now engulfing the pair.

“…So when will you fix my dress?”

#wicked #wicked 2024 #wicked broadway #gelphie #gelphie fic #glinda x elphaba #elphaba x glinda #galinda x elphaba #elphaba x galinda #fanfiction #fluff #ao3

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batboyblog · 2 days ago

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i live in the south, and i used to follow someone on here who lives in the same state as me, who i thought would've understood how difficult things are for marginalized people who live in red states and why we needed harris to win. but they kept reblogging posts about how both parties are the same and anyone who votes for harris is voting for genocide (as if letting trump win was going to be any better?? he's just started talking about wanting to "clean out the whole thing" and forcibly displace all remaining palestinians by making them move to jordan and egypt, an idea which every group who would be affected hates 🙄). i kept hoping they'd finally realize the very obvious fact that contributing to trump's win wasn't going to make things better for any decent person in the world but the last straw for me was when they posted something like "well i was going to go vote for [fictional character] but the line was too long so i just went home haha!!" i blocked them right after that, and now of course trump is in office and things are going to get so much worse for me and for them as those of us in red states have so much less of a chance to push back against our local governments and all of the bigots who voted for trump will feel more emboldened by his win. so yeah, i share your small fantasy that people like that will wake up and realize they were wrong for spreading these ideas. sorry for venting in your inbox though lol, you don't have to reply to this if you don't want to!

One of my best friends in politics is from Louisiana. He's gay and when he came out his parents sent him to a pray the gay away camp where... really horrible shit happened. And I think about that skinny kid coming out of just the most horrible shit imaginable and being a Freshman in college working his ass off for a Red State Democratic Senator, Mary Landrieu, Mary didn't win, but he worked SO hard for her. And we met working on Hillary's campaign together, boy has bad luck with Democratic women running for office.

Any ways the point is, I love red state Dems, I really do. My friend really loved John Bel Edwards, now I don't think either of us really fully agreed with Edwards, I know my friend was as feminist as a gay boy can be and believed in the right to an abortion totally, Edwards was/is one of the rare pro-life Democrats. But my friend understood, a Democratic governor would protect more people's rights, do more for the poor and the disadvantaged. Edwards' signed an order day one in office banning LGBT discrimination in the state government, when a Republican took over 8 years later, day one, threw that order out, a lot like Trump undoing all the pro-LGBT orders Biden did and rolling back trans rights/access to federal documents that came about under President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

I think thats the thing, in Red States and in America at large we share this big country with a lot of people most of whom are more conservative than I am, so how do I get as much of what I want as I can? Do I vote Mickey Mouse for President? no I vote for the candidate that will do the most good, I won't always agree with them, I don't agree with myself most of the time.

idk it's not... theoretical to me? I'm likely not writing my best work here but when it comes to voting I think about all the people in my life who needed help, if they got it or not, and the ways they were left behind or would have been life behind and all the kids out there, queer kids trans kids, the poor always the poor kids, you know and the loss they'll suffer because of 4 years of a Republican President. And yes Trump is a VERY bad Republican President but if we ever get to some future after him there will come a time where maybe a bland centrist Democrat will run against a business focused Republican, Bush V Gore? and people will say "oh there's no difference" and there is.

oh also I want to say, the little old ladies, the normie "cringe lib" wine moms and grandmas (and yes dads and granddads, but more women then men tbh) who struggle with a grand-nephews pronouns did more for trans rights by going out knocking doors for Harris one weekend, then shitty leftist posters (trans and not) who endlessly attacked Dems and voting.

any ways I'm sorry all this is happening, idk what state you're in or how bad it is or will be. I don't have easy answers for living through this long night of the soul. As Thomas Paine put it all those years ago "These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." it is trying my soul, but I will endure as we all must endure, we can not give up we cannot fail, we cannot allow ourselves to be ground down by fascists, and by their handmaids who act as if they're on our side, I hope everyone is looking to what they can do, and what the next chance they have to fight back and take back political power is.

#politics #political #rambling #ask #answer

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httpsdana · 4 hours ago

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Hey could you write something where reader have to meets pau cubarsi's friends since they are together but she's shy and she's anxious they'll find her not enough for him but it ends well

(I love your stories theyre so cool<3)

First Impressions~Pau Cubarsi

・❥・prompt list

・❥・masterlist -> part 2

・❥・who I write for

“Isn't it gonna be weird that I know basically everything about them and they have no idea who I am?” y/n asked, nervously tapping her fingers on Pau’s thigh.

Pau sighed while Irene chuckled from the driver's seat.

“They know who you are, bebé,” he said, grabbing her hand to stop her from fidgeting.

“They probably know the color of your socks too,” Irene said, making y/n look at Pau with wide eyes.

“What?” she asked, waiting for Pau to explain.

A red blush crept onto his cheeks as he rolled his eyes at his sister's words.

“Just shut up and drive, Irene,” he grumbled as his sister burst into laughter, while his girlfriend looked at him cluelessly.

“I need to get my license as soon as possible,” he mumbled more to himself, but y/n heard him, which made her chuckle.

Still, it didn't help ease the nerves she was feeling. Pau noticed she was quieter than usual and knew she was nervous about meeting his friends, though she wouldn't admit it.

“You okay, guapa ?” he asked, his eyes studying her features.

She only hummed in response, looking out of the window to avoid the topic. But as soon as she pulled her lips between her teeth, Pau knew something else was on her mind.

He gently grabbed her chin, turning her head to meet her gaze.

“What's wrong?” he asked softly, his thumb brushing her chin.

“It's just...” She sighed, trying to look anywhere but at him. “What if they think you deserve better?"

Pau raised his eyebrows, surprised by her confession.

“Better?” he repeated, his thumb moving to her cheekbone. She nodded slowly, meeting his pretty eyes again.

“There’s no better for me, cariño. You’re the best for me,” he said softly, his thumb continuing its gentle motion against her cheek.

“We're here!” Irene cheered, turning back to look at the couple.

“You okay?” she asked y/n when she noticed her pale face.

y/n gave her a small smile and nodded before Pau got out of the car, offering her his hand.

She took it immediately, not letting go when she stepped out of the car.

“I’ll call you when we’re done,” Pau told his sister, who shook her head in response.

“No way. I’m going to see my boyfriend and spending the night at his. Let one of your friends drop you two off or something,” she shrugged. Before Pau had the chance to reply, she had already driven off.

Pau turned to his girlfriend, who was holding his hand tightly.

“They’re gonna love you. I promise,” he whispered, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. She gave him her best smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Pau smiled softly, leaning down to kiss the corner of her mouth, careful not to smudge her lipstick.

“Come on, princesa.”

The two of them stepped into the fancy restaurant. While Pau asked about their table, y/n looked around nervously, only to meet the eyes of the one and only Lamine Yamal.

She tightened her grip on Pau’s arm, trying to hide behind him. His eyes followed her gaze, and he smiled when he spotted his friends.

He began walking toward their table, y/n trailing behind him, careful not to let go of his hand.

“Pau, hermano, we’ve been waiting for like half an hour now,” Lamine teased, standing to hug him.

Pau chuckled and turned to y/n.

“Sorry, someone took their sweet time getting ready today.”

y/n’s cheeks flushed at his words, still not saying a word.

“I’m Lamine,” he introduced himself, extending his hand.

“y/n,” she replied in a low voice, shaking his hand hesitantly.

Hector, who was still seated, chuckled softly.

Her stomach dropped at the sound, suddenly feeling self-conscious, thinking he might be laughing at her.

“Trust me, we know who you are. Hector,” he said politely, standing to shake her hand.

She exhaled softly, feeling slightly more at ease.

The couple sat down as the three boys dove into their own conversation. y/n enjoyed the quiet, but mostly, she loved seeing Pau so enthusiastic around his friends. His hand rested gently on her thigh, giving it occasional squeezes to check on her.

“So, y/n...” Lamine started, drawing her attention in surprise.

She hadn’t expected them to talk to her, assuming she was just Pau’s quiet plus-one.

“I actually have no idea how to start a conversation with you. Your boyfriend has told us almost everything about you,” he teased, making Pau roll his eyes. The blush creeping up Pau’s neck gave him away.

“Oh, he has?” she asked, her earlier worry melting into a smile as she glanced at her boyfriend.

“Yep,” Hector joined in. “So... have your parents finally agreed to get your little sister a dog?”

y/n couldn’t help but laugh, turning to Pau as he buried his face in his hands.

After that, her nerves eased more and more. Hector and Lamine were incredibly kind and included her in their conversation as much as possible. She no longer felt judged like she feared.

When dinner ended, Pau excused himself to use the bathroom, leaving y/n with Hector and Lamine.

“As much as Pau talks about you, I didn’t imagine you’d be this amazing,” Lamine said, making her smile.

“You deserve to be with Pau, really. I’ve never seen him smile as wide as when he’s talking about you. It’s almost sickening,” Hector added, making her laugh.

“You guys are sweet. I was so nervous to meet you,” she confessed, earning chuckles from the two boys.

“Do we really look that mean?” Lamine joked.

“You? Not much. Hector, definitely,” she teased, making them both laugh again.

Pau watched them from afar, relieved to see his girlfriend finally at ease.

“Ready to go?” he asked as he returned to the table.

The three nodded, but then Pau remembered they didn’t have a ride.

“You’re dropping us off,” he said, pointing at Hector.

“I hate having a car,” Hector muttered, making the others laugh.

As they made their way to his car, Pau held his girlfriend close, kissing the top of her head.

“I hope you enjoyed your night, bebé,” he murmured into her hair.

She looked up at him with a smile, pulling his face down for a quick kiss.

“I did,” she whispered.

Their moment was interrupted by Lamine’s teasing voice.

“Ay, save the kissing for when you’re in the car!”

Pau rolled his eyes playfully as y/n giggled beside him.

“I love you,” he whispered in her ear, kissing the side of her head.

“I love you more, cariño.”

my taglist: @barcapix @paucubarsisimp @spidybaby @mxryxmfooty @n0vazsq @joaosnovia @ilovebarcaaaa @f1lover55 @jajajhaahaha (lmk if you want to be added!!)

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sequinsmile-x · 2 days ago

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Please could you write a one shot of Emily being stood up by a guy and Hotch is there to console her and accidentally tells her he loves her

(This may or may not be motivated by sad me who’s just been stood up and I’m really sad haha)

Love your stuff ❤️❤️

Hi bestie <3

I am so so sorry that this took so long to do. I hope you're okay and that you know the guy who stood you up doesn't deserve you!!

I hope you enjoy this! <3

(I know I promised some Emily whump but the fic wasn't behaving so I wrote this instead haha)

-x-

Everything's Here and Nothing's Lost

As she sits at her desk and looks nothing short of sad, her smile not reaching her eyes anytime anyone speaks to her, it worries him. Makes familiar doubt and concern creep up his neck, his skin burning with it as he tries to work out what is wrong.

AKA - the one where Emily has a bad day, Aaron checks on her and everything changes between them.

-x-

Words: 3.5k

Warnings: they are really, really, stupid in this.

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

There was something wrong with Emily.

Ever since she’d come home from Paris, she’d been different. It was as if she was just about holding herself together, her ability to hide anything from Aaron gone the moment they’d made their deal that she’d tell him when she was having a bad day. Part of him had been surprised when she kept up her end of the bargain, when she’d done as he’d asked, the action itself a sign of how much she was struggling.

Since then, they’d got closer again, their friendship stitched back together until it was where it had been before she’d died to almost everyone but him. Before she’d pulled back from him and Jack in what he now knew was an attempt to keep them safe from Ian Doyle. They’d been getting close to something more than friends at the time, her constant support after his attack and then Haley’s death the bedrock he’d rebuilt his life on. She’d always been there - always bringing him and Jack meals and keeping them company with no expectation of anything in return. Jack had been drawn to her, always glued to her side and seeking her out in a way Aaron was strangely jealous of, envy he wasn’t proud of churning in his gut over the fact his son was able to show his love for Emily in a way he wasn’t able to himself.

Shortly before she got what he now knew was a phone call that changed the trajectory of her life, they’d been working towards something more. Talking around the idea of going on a date as if they were teenagers in love for the first time, not adults who’d both seen more than their fair share of pain and heartbreak. When she suddenly pulled back - cancelling their tentatively planned date with what had felt like a hurried excuse even without the context of what was going on - he assumed she’d decided she didn’t want to date a single father, that she realised it was more than she was willing to take on.

As he’d stood over her grave just a few weeks later, he’d felt guilty for that assumption, that he’d thought so little of her when he should have seen the signs something was wrong. He knew he was in love with her then, and that he had been for a long time. All the what-ifs and should have beens so suffocating he’d be torn from sleep most nights, breathless as if the weight of everything he’d lost and never had was sitting on his chest and the side of the bed she’d never even slept in achingly empty. He visited her in the hospital before she was moved. He held her hand and talked to her even though she wasn’t entirely conscious, and he kissed her cheek, three little words he wished he’d said sooner stamped against her skin. He’d told himself at her funeral, dirt from the soil he’d thrown on top of her casket caught in the cuff of his pants, that he’d make sure when he got her back, he’d be whatever she needed him to be - even if it was just her friend.

Dave had told him more than once that he needed to move on, his smile knowing and kind as he told him everyone knew about him and Emily and how they had felt for each other, but that he needed to consider that it might be something that had simply passed them both by. He’d even encouraged Aaron to go on a date with the woman he’d met in the park when training for his triathlon, but it hadn’t gone anywhere beyond that. Every time she laughed or asked him a question Emily already knew the answer to, he felt as if he was doing something wrong, as if he was cheating on a woman he’d never even kissed.

Emily had been his best friend for a long time, and it was strange for him to think that he once hadn’t trusted her, now she was the person he trusted the most. She’d shown him time and time again that she was the opposite of everything he’d assumed her to be when they first met, and he’d occasionally still feel a flash of guilt if he thought about it too long. She’d make fun of him for it now, smiling as she reminded him how he didn’t like her at first, a sparkle in her eyes that he thought had died with her when it was just the two of them.

Today, as she sits at her desk and looks nothing short of sad, her smile not reaching her eyes anytime anyone speaks to her, it worries him. Makes familiar doubt and concern creep up his neck, his skin burning with it as he tries to work out what is wrong. He watches from his office as she gets up from her desk, her mug in her hand as she walks towards the kitchen. She walks away without offering to make anyone else a cup of coffee, her head down as she slips away unnoticed, and it forces him upwards, his hand reaching for his still mostly full cup of coffee as he heads out of his office, dumping the coffee into a potted plant on his way past.

She smiles at him when he makes it to the kitchen, her eyebrow raised curiously as she looks at his mug, “You’re going through those quickly today.”

“Oh,” he says, furrowing his brow as he tries to think of something to say that doesn’t make it seem like he’s checking up on her, “I didn’t sleep great last night, I need something to keep me awake doing his paperwork.”

The teasing edge to her smile slips away and she looks concerned. It’s so achingly her to worry about him when she was clearly upset herself that he thinks in another world, in a world where she was his and they weren’t in the office that he’d lean forward and kiss her for it.

“Is everything okay?”

He nods and reaches for the coffee pot, watching intently as she drops a tea bag into her mug, “Just one of those nights, you know.”

She hums and nods, “I do.”

He waits her out for a few seconds, waiting to see if she’ll say anything else, but she avoids eye contact as she pours boiling water into her mug as if she’d worried she’ll spill everything the moment their eyes meet.

“Em,” he says, using a nickname that was usually reserved for outside the office, a switch from using her surname that makes her look up at him, “Are you okay?”

She nods before he’s even finished speaking, “I’m fine.”

He sighs, “You know you can talk to me-”

“I said I’m fine,” she replies, snapping in a way she regrets immediately as she sighs, shaking her head at herself and swallowing thickly, “Sorry,” she says, looking around to make sure she hadn’t drawn any attention to them, “I didn’t mean to…” she presses her lips together, forcing a smile he’s seen her give her mother more than once, “I’m fine.”

As she walks away, he’s somehow even more worried than he already was. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and sends Jessica a text, a plan formulating in his head as he walks back to his office.

Can Jack stay with you tonight? There’s something I need to do.

___

She huffs out a breath as she sits down on the couch, a glass of wine in one hand and a menu for her favourite Chinese restaurant in the other. Sergio jumps onto the couch and meows at her, nudging one of her hands until she drops the menu between them and scratches his head.

“What shall we watch tonight, Serg? A movie? Or some reality trash?” She says, smiling when he meows again, “Reality trash it is.” She picks up the menu again and sighs when the doorbell rings, “Who the hell is that?” She grumbles as she stands up, throwing the blanket she’d put over her lap off as she goes. She’s only partly surprised when she looks through the peephole and sees Aaron, and she rolls her eyes as she pulls the door open, “I said I was fine.”

“Hello to you too, Em,” he says, holding up a bag of food from the restaurant she’d been about to order from, “I bought your favourite,” he smiles as he holds up a bag with his other hand, “And candy,” his smile gets slightly wider as she struggles to hide her own smile, “Can I come in?”

She sighs and stands back to let him walk past her, “Since you brought food, I guess I have no choice.”

“I know how to work my way in here,” He chuckles and walks to her kitchen, placing the bags of food down on the counter before he starts unpacking it, “I got your usual order.”

She has to suppress a smile at that, her lips pressed tightly together as it warms something in her chest, something she’d shoved down to the very bottom of it months ago. A vague hope she’d shoved in a box almost set free as the lid slips away at his gentle kindness.

“Thanks,” she replies, walking over as she watches him get out plates and chopsticks - as aware of the layout of her kitchen as he was her own, “I just poured some wine, do you want some?”

“I’ll have a glass,” he says, smiling at her in a way that never failed to make her stomach flip, his eyes sparkling with something that felt like hers even though it never had been. She nods and swallows thickly, desperately trying to push the feelings she’d ignored for months back down to where they belonged. Where she cultivated them, kept them safe and tried to stop them from blooming any further, worried that she was only ever one moment away from blurting them out and letting them shatter her heart on the way past.

She was in love with him. It happened slowly. It crept up on her, kept its pace with her until it was right behind her, its warm hand wrapped around her neck. For a little while, she thought that maybe they could become something, that the shy smiles and the lingering hugs would shift into them being together like she’d wanted for longer than she cared to admit. They came close, and had even arranged a date, but everything changed when Ian escaped from prison. She knew if he found out how close she was to Aaron and Jack, he’d use that knowledge to hurt her, that he’d hurt them, and it was the last thing she wanted. She’d pulled back, made an excuse she couldn’t remember to cancel their date and she stopped spending her spare time with them.

It hurt. It made her feel like she’d ripped her own heart out, the imprints of her misshapen nails puncturing it in a way she’d never recover from when Aaron tried to cover how hurt he was.

He visited her in the hospital before she was moved for her safety. He’d sat next to her, his hand warm around hers when everything else felt so cold, as he whispered that he’d make sure he brought her home. She remembered very little about it other than his promise and the press of his skin against hers. The pain she was in and the meds that were supposed to fight it overrode everything else.

Sometimes, she thought that he might have kissed her cheek. Fuzzy memories of his lips against her pallid skin that she could never quite place properly, unsure if it was real or a dream.

He’d been her rock since she came home, providing the support she hadn’t known she needed or how to ask for. Part of her, a part that felt strangely optimistic, a hangover of who she’d been when she was young and nothing bad had happened to her yet, had hoped that they’d go back to where they were. There were moments when she thought that maybe they were getting there. He’d smile at her or do something like come to her apartment with food when she was sad and she’d think maybe he does still feel that way.

Then she’d remind herself that Penelope had told her he’d gone on a date with someone he’d met in the park, and it would hurt all over again.

“Shall we go sit down?” He asks, handing her the food he’d plated up for her, and she smiles and nods, passing him the glass of wine she had no memory of pouring.

He sits on the end of the couch that she’d long since considered his, and he smiles at Sergio as he sits down, scratching behind the cat’s ears once he’s got a free hand. “Hi, Sergio.”

She smiles as Sergio lays down next to him, his back pressed against Aaron’s thigh, and she chuckles, “And you say he hates you.”

“He pooped in my shoe, Em,” he says dryly, his smile letting her know he wasn’t annoyed and she laughs.

“That’s his way of showing love.”

“Whatever you say.” He laughs, bold and bright and goofy in a way she loves and he takes a bite of his dinner. They eat in companionable silence. It’s the kind of silence she’d missed sharing with someone, comforting and gentle in the air around them as they were happy to just be with each other, neither one of them feeling the need to make small talk as the minutes ticked on. Eventually, once they have finished eating, he puts his plate on the coffee table and takes her’s from her too, “You know you can tell me what’s going on, right?”

She sighs, “Aaron-”

“You can tell me anything,” he says, his expression serious, something that looked too close to regret and guilt shining in his eyes that makes her feel nauseous. She knew it was her fault that he was worried, that he was likely thinking of worst-case scenarios and big secrets, “Even if it is that you were a spy for another government agency,” he smiles when she chokes on a laugh and shakes her head, “I’d be impressed you find the time for it though.”

“It’s nothing like that,” she assures him, shifting so her knees are against her chest and her arms are around her legs, “I…” she sighs, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she continues, “Penelope convinced me to let her set me up on a blind date.”

She’d refused at first, firm and forceful as she said no, but eventually, her friend wore her down after one too many cocktails and a reminder that Aaron was dating someone else.

“Oh,” he says, a flash of what looks like hurt in his eyes that makes her curious and angry all at once, because she never would have done anything if he hadn’t done it first, “That's…how was it?”

She scoffs, “Pretty awful considering the guy never showed up.”

He furrows his brows, “What? He never showed up for a date with you?”

His indignation makes her smile sadly, her lips pressed together as she shrugs, “Either that or he showed up, saw me and decided to leave,” she chuckles dryly, “I think for the sake of my self-worth I need to tell myself he just never showed up at all.”

He squeezes his hands into fists at his side, anger flashing through him at the thought of someone hurting her like that, “Does Garcia know him? I could make sure he-”

“Aaron,” she says, reaching out to touch his arm, “It’s okay. I don’t want to date someone who is clearly a jerk anyway.”

He nods, and swallows thickly, his gaze falling down to her hand on his arm, something about her touch making him feel brave, “I…I didn’t realise you were ready to date.”

She draws her hand back, only realising she is still touching him when he looks at her hand, and she clears her throat, “I wanted to try. And it didn’t exactly work out.”

He looks up at her, “I guess I just thought when you were ready, if you were ready, you’d let me know.”

She frowns at him, “Why?”

He laughs humourlessly, “So we could go on a date?”

She can’t help but laugh at the simple way he says it and she stands up, forced upwards by righteous anger as she starts to pace back and forth, “So you can fit me into your busy schedule?”

Aaron frowns at her, “What do you mean?”

“I know you went on a date with that woman you met in the park,” she says, her fury over the situation finally set free, “I thought we might be able to make things work, that everything with Ian hadn’t changed things for you, but it clearly has. And that’s okay,” she says, the crack in her voice giving away her lie, “I just wish you’d told me.”

He stands too, everything slotting into place as he shakes his head, “Em, no-”

“I think you should go,” she says, swallowing thickly, her eyes burning with tears she refuses to shed in front of him, “I need some time-”

“Em, I need you to listen to me-”

“No, I’ve heard enough, I am done-”

She’s cut off as he surges forward and kisses her, his hands on her cheeks as he holds her in place. She melts into it immediately, her lips slotting against his as she sags against him, as if he was both drawing the life out of her and replacing it with something more powerful than she’d ever known. It was everything she knew it would be and more, and suddenly she knows he kissed her cheek in the hospital, the press of his lips against hers unlocking the memory in its entirety, the declaration of love he’d stamped her skin echoing around in her head. She pulls back, her breath stuttering around her lungs as she rests her forehead against his, unable to pull away even if she wants to, her body frozen in place.

“I went on one date,” he says, his hands drifting from her cheeks down to her waist as he pulls back to look at her, “And that’s only because Dave told me I had to try to move on.”

She sucks in a breath, hope sparking low in her gut again, “Really?”

“Really,” he assures her, “I spent the whole time thinking of you and paid for dinner before I told her I couldn’t see her again. It wouldn’t be fair on any of us, including her, for me to date her when I’m in love with you.”

She’s sure if she wasn’t being held up by him, she’d have fallen over, and she sighs in relief, tears she could no longer hold back falling onto her cheeks. She leans forward and presses her forehead against his.

“I’m in love with you too,” she says, laughing in a way that sounds almost hysterical, “I only agreed to go on the date Pen set up to try and move on.” She adds, and he kisses her again, and she wraps her arms around his neck, not wanting him to go anywhere. She knows it’s the start of something new, of the love she’d always been searching for without knowing it, and she hugs him when the kiss comes to an end, her head against his chest as he holds her close. “We’re idiots.”

He laughs, and it passes from his chest to hers, the rumble of it a gift she can feel ripple out into the room around them, “At least we’re each other’s idiots.”

She smiles as she looks up at him, her teeth sinking into her lower lip, “At least there’s that,” she says, her smile slipping into a frown and she sighs.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, tucking her hair behind her ear, his touch soft and reverent. She leans into it as she replies, huffing out a breath as she shakes her head.

“If Dave and Pen somehow made this happen by setting us up on dates they knew wouldn’t work out, I’m going to kill them.”

He briefly tightens his hold on her, and he chuckles and shakes his head, unsure that Penelope would go as far as setting up Emily on a date that wasn’t to happen, but also aware he wouldn’t put it past either her or Dave.

“Really?” He asks, smiling at her, “Because I think I might buy them a drink.”

#hotchniss fanfic #emily prentiss #aaron hotchner fanfiction #aaron hotchner x emily prentiss #aaron hotchner #emily prentiss fanfiction #aaron x emily #hotchniss #hotchniss fanfiction #hotchniss fan fic

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yassbishimvintage · 1 day ago

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Can you write about Kelvin's character in Waves and his life after prison? Maybe he's out on parole or released for good behavior, trying to rebuild his life with his family. Y/N is an old friend who once loved him, but it was unrequited, so she had to watch him fall in love with that other girl back in high school.

Heeey. I had to do a crash course on this movie. Sorry this took forever.

The fluorescent lights of the corner store buzz faintly, blending with the quiet hum of Tyler’s thoughts. He’s been trying to keep a low profile since coming home, but even a quick trip to pick up a few essentials feels like walking a tightrope. He keeps his head down, his basket half full, when a soft, familiar voice stops him in his tracks.

“It’s nice to see you, Ty.”

He freezes, the words washing over him like a wave he wasn’t ready for. Turning slowly, he sees Jewel standing there, her smile warm and easy, just like he remembered. She’s holding a carton of oat milk in one hand and her phone in the other, her eyes sparkling with genuine surprise.

“Jewel?” His voice cracks slightly, disbelief mingling with something he can’t quite name—relief, maybe? It’s been years, but time hasn’t dulled her features. If anything, she looks more self-assured, like someone who’s grown into her own skin.

“Yeah, it’s me,” she says with a laugh, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “I just moved back. I heard you were back too, but I wasn’t sure if…” She trails off, her gaze softening. “It’s really good to see you again.”

Tyler shifts uncomfortably, caught between the weight of his past and the unexpected comfort of her presence. “Yeah… You too. It’s been a while.”

“It has,” she agrees, stepping a little closer. “How’ve you been?”

The question lingers in the air, loaded but without judgment. Tyler hesitates before offering a small shrug. “Taking things one day at a time.”

Jewel nods, her smile never faltering. “Well, if you’re ever up for catching up properly, let me know. It’s been way too long.” She digs into her bag, scribbles her number on the back of her receipt, and hands it to him.

“Don’t be a stranger, okay?” she says before turning back toward the checkout line, leaving Tyler standing there, holding her number like it’s a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.

This moment deepens the tension Tyler feels, caught between his desire to reconnect with Jewel and the fear of confronting his past. His mom’s excitement contrasts with his internal conflict, adding another layer of complexity to their reunion.

As Tyler heads toward the living room, his mom’s words hang in the air like an unspoken promise. “Maybe you can stop by and say hi sometime,” she said, but it feels more like an expectation than a suggestion.

He sits down on the couch, his mind racing. The idea of Jewel coming back into his life, knowing everything he’s been through, feels like too much right now. His mom clearly hasn’t made the connection between his past and the present—her innocence in the matter only makes the weight on Tyler's chest heavier.

He stares at the TV, the sound of it barely registering. He’s replaying his conversation with Jewel over and over in his mind. He can’t help but wonder if she’d even look at him the same way if she knew the truth. If she knew about his time in jail. About what happened.

Not yet, he thinks. Not now.

For a moment, Tyler just wants to be normal—just a guy trying to pick up where he left off before everything fell apart. The reality of telling his mom feels like a storm on the horizon that he’s not ready to face. Not when he’s still trying to piece himself back together.

He sighs and looks down at the old sneakers he’s wearing—ones he’s had since high school. Something small and familiar, but still a symbol of the life that feels so far away.

“I’ll talk to her. I just… need a little time,” he mutters under his breath, though he’s not sure who he’s trying to convince.

This moment is significant because it shows Tyler’s internal battle—he’s not ready to share the full truth, and the weight of that secret is something he’s not willing to deal with yet. The idea of reconnecting with Jewel could be his first real shot at normalcy, but he’s stuck between wanting to hold on to that hope and being terrified of the consequences of his past being exposed.

The week drags on in a blur, but Tyler can’t shake the thought of Jewel. Even though he’s been keeping himself busy—helping around the house, running errands—his mind keeps drifting back to that moment in the store.

Then, out of nowhere, his mom hands him a container wrapped in foil. “This is for Jewel,” she says, her tone casual. “I thought she might appreciate it. I know how busy moving can be. You don’t mind dropping it off, do you?”

Tyler looks at the food—his mom’s homemade casserole, the kind that always seemed to make everything feel like it would be okay. She hands him the container with a smile, expecting him to do this simple favor without a second thought.

“Yeah, sure,” Tyler answers, trying to mask the knot that’s tightening in his stomach. The last thing he wants right now is to face Jewel, not like this. He’s barely figured out how to face himself, let alone deal with his past.

When he pulls up to her house, it’s a nice place—modest but cozy, like something that belongs to someone who values peace and simplicity. He hesitates before getting out of the car, but finally, he grabs the container, walks up to the door, and knocks.

The door opens, and Jewel stands there, dressed in a hoodie and jeans, looking casual, almost like she’s in hiding. She’s different than the confident, outgoing Jewel he remembered. This time, she doesn’t seem eager to be noticed, her smile reserved but warm.

“Tyler,” she says, surprised but not uncomfortable. “Hey.”

“I, uh… my mom sent some food for you. She thought you might need it with the move and everything,” he says, offering the container, his voice awkward.

Jewel takes the food, glancing at him for a moment, then back at the casserole. There’s a softness to her that catches Tyler off guard. She doesn’t seem like the same girl who once wore her heart on her sleeve.

“Tell your mom thank you,” she says, stepping back a bit. “I really appreciate it.”

Tyler stands there for a moment, unsure of what to say next. He wants to stay, but the distance between them feels... thick. It’s like she’s pulling away, or maybe it’s him. There’s a weight to the air—something unspoken but heavy, like they both know they’re standing on the edge of something, but neither knows how to jump in.

“You… doing okay?” he asks, his voice quieter now, almost like he’s afraid of breaking the fragile silence between them.

Jewel looks up at him, her expression unreadable for a second before she nods slowly. “Yeah. Just... taking things slow, you know?” She glances down at the food. “I’ve had a lot on my plate.”

Tyler nods, feeling the familiar tug in his chest—the pull of something left unresolved. The old crush he’d known about is still there, buried under the weight of everything that’s happened, but now it feels different. Something more, something deeper. But it’s like they’re both waiting for the other to make a move, and neither one is ready.

“Alright,” Tyler says, his voice tight. “Well, I’ll, uh… let you get back to it. Take care of yourself, Jewel.”

She smiles, but it’s more of a gentle curve of her lips than the bright grin he remembered. “You too, Ty. Really.”

As he walks back to his car, a sense of confusion settles in. Jewel isn’t trying to be seen this time, and Tyler can’t tell if it’s because she’s changed or because she’s hiding something. What’s different now? Why does she feel like she’s drifting away when everything in him is telling him to reach out?

Tyler’s hand rests on the door handle of his car, but as he hears Jewel’s words, something in his chest tightens. He freezes, then slowly turns back around. She’s standing in the doorway, the casserole still clutched in her hands, her gaze fixed on him as though she’s made up her mind about something.

“I always liked you, Ty,” she says abruptly, her voice firm but laced with vulnerability. There’s no hesitation, no playful teasing, just raw honesty.

The words hang in the air between them like a weight, and for a long moment, Tyler just stands there, caught off guard. He’s never been great with feelings, especially when it comes to her. Not after everything—everything he’s done, everything that’s happened.

Jewel shifts slightly, the silence stretching thin, as if waiting for him to say something—anything.

Tyler blinks, his thoughts racing. He knew about the crush she had on him back in the day, but hearing her say it so plainly, in this quiet moment... it hits differently now. His stomach churns, a mix of old emotions surfacing, the memories of when things were simpler.

“I… I didn’t know,” he mutters, almost to himself, though it’s meant for her. He takes a step back toward her, unsure if he wants to close the distance or run away from it. His chest feels tight, and his mouth is dry. “I never really figured it out. I thought…”

Jewel tilts her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know. I was always the ‘girl next door,’ right? The one you never really saw. But I did. I always liked you, Ty.”

Her words cut through him like a sudden gust of wind, unexpected and sharp. Tyler’s mind flashes back to all the times he’d seen Jewel in the past—her laughter, the way she’d always been there, the way she never made a big deal of her feelings. He never took them seriously. He never saw her as someone who might actually want something more with him, not when his world was so wrapped up in his own mess.

“I… I wasn’t in a place to really see that,” he admits, his voice barely a whisper. The weight of the past is suddenly crashing down on him, and the guilt of never paying attention to her feelings hits him harder than he expected.

Jewel shifts her stance, her fingers tightening around the casserole dish as if it’s grounding her. “I get it. I do. But that’s not why I’m saying it now.” Her voice softens, the vulnerability in her tone unmistakable. “I’m not asking for anything, Ty. I just thought you should know. I think... maybe it’s something you should know.”

Tyler’s chest tightens, a knot forming in his throat. The words feel like a confession, not just from Jewel but from him as well. He’s been carrying his own feelings for her for years, hidden away under layers of guilt and regret. Seeing her now, in this new light, stirs something deep inside him. But he’s not ready. He’s not ready to face what that might mean.

“I’m not who I was, Jewel,” he says quietly, the weight of his past slipping into his words. “I’ve done things… things I’m not proud of. And I don’t think you want to be anywhere near that.”

Jewel holds his gaze, steady and calm. “Ty, I’ve seen a lot of people I care about mess up. I know what happens when you make mistakes. But it doesn’t mean you’re not worth giving another chance, or that you don’t deserve to have a future.”

For a long time, Tyler doesn’t say anything. He stands there, processing her words, the heaviness of everything he’s been carrying weighing on him. He wants to reach out, to say the things that are on the tip of his tongue, but there’s still so much he’s not ready to admit to himself, let alone to her.

Jewel gives him a small, understanding smile. “I’ll leave you to think about it,” she says softly. “But whenever you’re ready… I’m here, Ty. No pressure.”

With that, she turns and steps back inside, closing the door softly behind her.

Tyler stands there, alone on the porch, the cool evening air brushing against his skin. Jewel’s words echo in his mind, and for the first time since he’s come home, he feels something stirring inside him—hope, maybe, but also fear. Fear of not being worthy of a second chance, fear of facing the parts of himself he’s been avoiding.

Tyler stands frozen on the porch for a moment, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Jewel’s words land softly, but they hit him with the weight of someone who’s not asking for grand gestures or promises. She’s not expecting him to be someone he’s not—she just wants to be there for him, even if the journey is slow and uncertain.

“Right now,” Jewel continues, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering, “Let’s just focus on rebuilding us.”

The simplicity of the statement cuts through the tension between them, leaving Tyler standing there, unsure of how to respond, but also strangely relieved. It feels like a lifeline—like maybe there’s room for him to breathe again, and maybe this time, it won’t all come crashing down.

“Rebuilding us?” he asks quietly, almost as if the words are foreign, as if the idea of something so simple is all he’s ever wanted but never knew how to ask for.

Jewel nods, her gaze softening. “Yeah. I don’t need you to have all the answers, Ty. I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you to be real.”

Her honesty feels like a balm to his worn-out soul. It’s clear she’s not interested in rushing things, or forcing him into a box of who he should be. She just wants him to take his time, and for that, Tyler feels a little bit of the weight on his chest lift.

“I… I don’t know how to do that,” Tyler admits, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t even know where to start.”

Jewel gives a small, encouraging smile. “It’s okay. Neither do I. We don’t have to figure it all out right now. We’ll take it slow. We can focus on just… being here for each other. That’s a good place to start.”

Tyler’s heart beats a little faster as he looks at her. There’s no expectation in her eyes, no rush, just a quiet understanding. And for the first time in a long time, Tyler wonders if he’s actually capable of rebuilding—of truly being someone worth standing beside.

For a long moment, they just stand there, neither one saying anything more. It’s enough, for now. The air feels different, the weight of the past less oppressive, and Tyler begins to realize that maybe, just maybe, he’s not as lost as he thought he was. Maybe he doesn’t need to have all the answers. Maybe it’s enough to simply take the first step forward.

“Alright,” he finally says, his voice a little more confident. “One step at a time. No pressure.”

Jewel nods. “Exactly. One step at a time.”

And for the first time, Tyler believes it’s possible. Maybe not everything can be fixed overnight, but maybe, with Jewel by his side—slowly, steadily—they can rebuild what’s been broken.

As he turns to leave, heading back to his car, he feels a shift inside him. The walls that have kept him distant, guarded, seem a little less impenetrable now. Maybe he’s not as alone as he thought.

Maybe rebuilding—both himself and the connection with Jewel—wasn’t as impossible as he believed.

This is the turning point for Tyler. Jewel’s offer to rebuild without rushing and without expectations is exactly what he needs, and it might be the moment he starts to trust in himself again. This gentle approach—allowing space for mistakes and growth—creates a foundation for their relationship to flourish, however that may look.

Tags 🏷️

@nahimjustfeelingit-writes @avoidthings @nayesworld @haechvn @writingsbytee @grlsbstshot @ovohanna24 @skvrpion @megamindsecretlair @kimuzostar @kenshisluvrgirl @planetblaque @pocketsizedpanther @bimbosnbutterflies2026 @chewingmy3xtragum @easybrezzy @blowmymbackout @melaninpov @todorokishoe24 @notapradagurl7

#kelvin harrison jr x black!oc #kelvin harrison jr.#kelvin harrison jr. x reader #kelvin harrison jr. x black reader #aaron pierre x kelvin harrison jr.#kelvin harrison jr fic

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sunny374940 · 2 days ago

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So those of you who read my latest story might have noticed that I mentioned Rook having a sister and here she is, meeting the family. She's fun.

Hello, @lavender-tea-fling, this is what you made me do. This is the beginning of her first encounter with Emmrich (there will quite likely be more to this, but I couldn't wait until I wrote the whole thing)

They were enjoying a quiet morning for once. Rook was trying to teach Ellie to crawl on the floor of the living room, choosing to lead by example. He was rushing around on his hands and knees, pretending to chase her and she was shrieking in delight, though not making much progress in the crawling department. Maybe the morning wasn’t so quiet, Emmrich amended in the privacy of his own head, but it certainly was enjoyable.

The front door opened with a bang and a bellow followed the sound of wood hitting the wall.

“Sol Aldwir, where the fuck are you?”

Rook startled, staring wide eyed in the direction of the noise.

“Oh, fuck,” he whispered and Emmrich was rising from his armchair, magic crackling at his fingertips, but suddenly Rook was handing Ellie to him, making him sit back down.

“It’s fine, I’ll handle it, we’re not in danger.”

He looked up at the sound of footsteps stomping closer.

“Well, you’re not.”

This did nothing to assuage Emmrich’s growing concern. Rook appeared to know the intruder, but he seemed genuinely nervous. Who could-

Before he could finish the thought, a young woman was rounding on Rook and she was the spitting image of him, down to the bright blue eyes and dark curls, and she was poking his chest with an accusing finger.

“How dare you not tell me you have a daughter? Did you forget how to write? I had to find out from Bellara!”

“Hi, Willow,” Rook said with a sideways glance to Emmrich, who stood again with Ellie in his arms, ready to intervene if needed.

She seemed to notice Emmrich for the first time and her demeanor shifted to something more civil, if guarded.

“Sorry, you’d be Emmrich, right? I’d say I’ve heard a lot about you, but my idiot brother-” She slapped at Rook’s arm as she said it. “-is incapable of communicating with his family, so not really.”

Ah. She was everything he’d expected from the stories Rook told him about her.

“Charmed,” he said carefully, shifting Ellie to his side to extend a hand in greeting.

“No you ain’t,” she responded with a chuckle, but took his hand with a firm grip. “I just barged in here shouting, there’s not much to be charmed about.”

Well, now he was charmed. The morning was shaping up to be loud indeed, but quite interesting.

She turned back to Rook with a glare, but there was fondness in her voice as she spoke.

“I will yell at you later, little brother.”

“You are five minutes older, you old witch,” Rook shot back, but Emmrich could see that this exchange had been well rehearsed and there was no real sting to the words. “And it’s just Rook now, not Sol.”

“Hah, about time you got a new name. At least now I’m not the only one.”

#emmrook #emmrich volkarin #dragon age veilguard #veilguard #dragon age the veilguard

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valewright67 · 1 day ago

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YAY!!

So I'm just gonna start writing and hope it's at least like, half coherent. Also, blatant honesty, I am absolutely just copy pasting some bits and pieces from your works, cuz it is LATE, and I do not have the energy to paraphrase EVERYTHING.

Edit: wow, ok, I got very carried away, whoops. Hope you enjoy anyways?

Edit 2: I actually DO have more where this came from, regarding Ximena Talis, the commune, how Viktor is going to shift his focus, how he's going to "disconnect them" while still keeping them healed, but also about the commune react to the fact that The Herald Has A Child??

Some things for context, might be helpful!

Like I mentioned, it's a fusion of "Not Alone Anymore" and "Pull the Blanket Tight Now"

This is what a newborn (ish) baby harbor seal looks like. I believe this one is only a few days old. Quite possibly one of the cutest creatures to exist on the entire planet. (I have a soft spot for seals.)

Here is information on the name I opted for. I almost went with "Ciela" instead, because it's a Spanish name girl's name meaning "Sky" and I thought "Oh hey, Jayce would totally do that to honor Sky, and Viktor would like it too." But then I realized I'd be calling the selkie baby "seal-a" and that was a BIT too heavy handed. So Ilona instead! It's a Czech name!

It doesn't diverge too heavily up until the point baby is born. I opted for daughter, just because, like... Jayce just feels like a Girl Dad, y'know?

It took me a bit to figure out how to get around Mage Viktor realizing that Jayce is a selkie, but I got there eventually! If a selkie gives birth while in human form, their baby will also be in human form. Their Coat is formed instead upon their First Swim, when their parent takes them into the water for the first time, a thick, glowing swath of bubbles (in lieu of seafoam, if not in the ocean) will form around them and sort of compress into a Coat.

And because of Plot Reasons, Mage Viktor isn't looking during this brief moment. Maybe he's checking other realities, maybe he's overwhelmed and having A Moment with his own Jayce, (or what's left of him) who he never got to have a child with.

OK, WE BEGIN:

Jayce clings onto her, dried tear tracks from the hours of pain and fear being quickly overriden by more as he traces dirty fingers over the moles dotted on her cheeks, making a little hiccupping laugh as her tiny hand wraps all the way around his index finger and grips with all her Itty bitty might.

Gods, she's perfect.

He presses a shaky kiss to her forehead, and begins the long, arduous process of hauling himself to the pool at the edge of the cave. The water is uncomfortable chilly, even for him, and he murmurs frantic apologies as her wails begin anew, distressed at the cold. It's a sorry excuse for a First Swim, and he cannot even join her as he should, but it is all he has to offer, and his mother drilled into him the importance of selkie children touching the water within an hour of birth. Otherwise, their Coats will never form, and they'll be left untethered to the world, permanently adrift within their own minds.

The wave of relief he feels when a cradle of bubbles forms around her in iridescent swirls is almost enough to make him pass out, and he only barely manages to hold onto her.

The shimmering condenses into a glowing pelt, then the light fades away. Instinctively, she curls herself up, and he helps, lifting the edges of the tiny pelt to wrap around her tiny body. A moment later, there's a seal pup wiggling half heartedly in his hands, and he chokes on a laugh. She's so very beautiful, a soft gray with white underbelly, and splattered in black spots. She'll look different when she's older, of course. All pups start a bit like this. But he can't help but think she's the best of them all.

She shifts back easily enough soon after, and though he leaves her Coat with her to lie in (it's so cold, he won't take that away from her) he keeps her swaddled against his chest, pelt and all tucked within the torn and retied remains of his coat and hammer that form a sling. Protecting her from the eyes he sees everywhere.

The eyes. Eyes of those lost, those dead. Those angry, who would seek to tear her from him, just to see him hurt. Reality fluxes, and she remains his tether to it, only emerging from the haze of hallucinations to tend to her.

She's hungry, whining for milk constantly. He's hungry too. He eats as much as he can, grateful that against all odds, the amount of lizards (those damned, disgusting lizards) seems to have somehow increased, despite the loud cries of his infant. Still though, resources his body can spare are precious few, and he knows she isn't getting enough. They'll both starve, at this rate.

It's with a new sense of determination he starts trying to find a way out of this cursed hole. She's two weeks old when he finally manages to claw himself over the top ledge, and he collapses with a ragged grunt. She makes a startled, sleepy noise against his chest, and he chuckles softly, stroking over the sling. "Yeah, darling, we made it. Halfway there, right?" She gurgles, tiny fist freeing itself from the fold and waving under his nose, and he presses a kiss to her knuckles before hauling himself upright to continue onwards. UPwards.

Really, he should have known it was Viktor. It's always Viktor. This lonely, regret-plagued man is Viktor. Not his Viktor, but it matters little to Jayce. He cannot bear to see any iteration of his partner suffer.

And... he might know how to help him. His arms tighten ever so slightly around his daughter, and he lifts his chin.

"Do you still have it? My coat?" He interrupts the older man’s speech.

Viktor eyes the ruined tailcoat Jayce is wearing as a sling, confused.

"Your… coat?"

"The blanket, I mean. The one I gave you when you woke up fused to the Hexcore."

This time, Viktor's eyes light up with understanding and sadness.

"…I do, actually. I have never parted from it."

There is a deep longing in his voice, one that makes Jayce’s heart ache, as he slowly opens up his cloak to reveal what’s underneath.

There it is, his pelt, neatly wrapped in a tunic around Viktor’s body. It has become worn and tattered with time, surely due to the derelict state of this world’s Jayce, but the ribbons and little metal accessories Viktor has added to it show that the garment has been deeply loved and cared for.

This constatation leaves Jayce breathless. Years, maybe decades have passed since this Viktor received his coat, and not only has he kept it, but he is clearly treating it like his most prized possession. He can even sense some reluctance in the mage’s movements, as if he is hesitant to disclose what is obviously a mirror to his soul, even to Jayce himself.

And the blanket he is wearing thrums with Selkie magic still. Just like Jayce’s own.

Which means there might be hope.

“Put it over his shoulders. It might not work, but… it’s worth a try.”

Viktor nods, without asking for any further explanation. The absolute trust he puts in him has Jayce’s heart racing once again.

With trembling fingers, Viktor refastens his cloak, then he calls forth his powers to have the blanket materialize into his hand. Jayce cannot help but watch in awe as he bends the Arcane to his will so easily. Although he knows it is not a desirable outcome, the prospect that his Viktor could master such an intricate art has him weak at the knees.

It is with infinite gentleness that Viktor puts the blanket over his petrified companion. For a second, nothing happens, and Jayce fears to have been mistaken, to have only caused Viktor further distress, but then the stone starts cracking as the transformation takes effect. And just like that, the lifeless statue gives place to a shaking, breathing man.

“Now take it off,” Jayce instructs before his counterpart’s selkie nature can be revealed.

Viktor doesn’t have to be told twice. He follows his advice to the letter, then rushes to hug his revived partner. Jayce’s alter ego lets his corrupted hammer fall to the ground to better welcome him in his arms.

Years of complete immobility have shrunken his muscles down and his body has become emaciated with hunger, leaving him in a pitiful state, but whatever strength he has left, he uses to cling to Viktor. Worrying as his condition might be, Jayce has no doubt he will soon flourish again under Viktor’s care.

They stay intertwined for a long while, both of them sobbing quietly in immeasurable relief, and Jayce knows better than to disturb them.

Then Viktor lifts his eyes towards him again.

“How?”

Jayce smiles and shakes his head, then points toward his counterpart with his chin.

“It’s for him to tell, not me. Do you... Do you want to meet her? Hold her?"

There's a sharp intake of breath, wide eyes darting from his face to the bundle on his chest. His counterpart, too, looks up in startled awe.

Slowly, the Mage nods, and Jayce doesn't hesitate to undo the sling, to transfer her over into the waiting arms before him.

The Mage - Viktor - releases a trembling breath as he carefully glides a thumb over her cheek, silvery tears trickling down his own. His Jayce presses the sides of their beards together, trying to wiggle impossibly closer to get a better look. She whines a little as she wakes, scrunching up her whole face and then blinking up at them with brilliant amber eyes. Viktor husks a laugh. "Hello, beautiful one. What- What is her name, Jayce?"

"...She doesn't have one, yet." He murmurs guiltily. "I... I could not THINK well enough to give her one worthy of her. Would... YOU name her. For me?"

Those startled wide eyes are back again, looking up at him in shock even as silvery tears continue to escape. "Wha-? You want me to-?"

Jayce shrugs. "Who better? You are her father, after all."

Viktor looks back down at her, brow scrunched in that way Jayce had always adored, that meant he was trying to think through every possibility of a problem all at once.

"Ilona... For I have never seen a light in the dark as bright as she," He manages at last, and his Jayce runs a shaking hand over her downy soft hair. "That's lovely, V."

"Hm..." He traces the mole on her forehead, "C-Can I-?"

"Go ahead," Jayce whispers, trusting him fully, and the ache in his chest swells when he brushes a lingering kiss to that spot, laughing quietly when those tiny fingers grasp onto his graying beard. A moment later she slips back into sleep, and Viktor almost reluctantly passes her back over.

"She'll sleep through the teleportarion now, and know no pain from it. I'm sorry that I can't offer you the same, but..." his hand sinks down fully, fingers twining with his Jayce's, squeezing apologetically, "there is no world in which I would choose the Glorious Evolution - in which I'd choose my own pride and ambition - over the two of you. Over... over her. You won't need to resort to violence to convince me, not once I see her."

"Really? You mean that's all it would have taken?" His Jayce teases with a raspy voice, "I just needed to let you knock me up? That's it?"

"Wha- Jayce!" Viktor blurts with a sputtered laugh and both Jayce's managed twin snorts at his horrified amusement.

Jayce nodded once, then nodded again as he strapped her securely back to his torso. "Right. Send me back," he declares, tone ringing with determination as he wraps his arms around the bundle on his chest, "I'll get through to him. We both will, won't we, Ilona?"

Then the world flares with pain and color, and reality breaks. When his senses return, he's in the chamber room of the hexgates, groaning as he hauls himself back to his feet. Fucking FUCK, but that hurts, like every cell in his body turned to firey static.

The first thing he registers is... "Salo? What are you doing here?"

"...One could ask the same question." His voice sounds... distorted, almost, and Jayce grits his teeth as he tries to determine if that affect is a hallucination or not.

"How are you walking?" He demands, arms still wrapped protectively around his chest.

"Who do you think could mend such a broke creature?" Salo replies easily. "Would you want... to speak with him?"

A moment of tense silence passes, and every hair on his neck rises in alarm as Salo's body is- is taken over, somehow.

"Jayce," Viktor's voice rings through Salo, as soothing as it is disturbing, "I feared I wouldn't get the chance to speak with you."

"Viktor?" He breathes, slowly moving forwards, grasp around Ilona loosening ever so slightly.

"I would prefer to converse in person," he starts, raising Salo's hands out between them, "but there is so... so... what is that?" He cuts himself off, staring wide eyed at the bundle against his chest. "Jayce, is that-? Is that a ba-?"

"Stop!" He barks out, talking a couple limping steps backwards, hands shifting to cradle her firmly, to CONCEAL her. "You- I do not want the first time you see our daughter to be through any eyes but your own. I do not want the first time you hear her to be with any other ears. And I demand that the first time you touch her be with your own hands, metal or not, just YOURS!"

Viktor/Salo is still staring with his mouth agape, not having moved a muscle. Jayce breathes heavily. "I... I have to... Fuck!" He snarls, and staggers as another hallucination strikes him, a pained moan slipping out as leg wobbles. "I have to find her milk, I'm- I'm starving, my body won't produce, she's hungry, I have to- I need to make sure she's ok. She's- She's my priority now, Viktor, not you, I need to-"

"We have milk here," Viktor blurts, interrupting him, "There's a couple nursing mothers, I'm sure they'll help. Piltover is- it's dangerous, right now. Please, Jayce, there is a place for you, with me, for-for both of you!"

Jayce couldn't help a weak smirk at the reversal. "Piltover is dangerous, huh? Does that make me scary?"

"A little," Viktor admits in a whisper, "You're scaring me a little. Mostly, I'm scared for you. I don't understand- but you can explain, when you get here? I'll meet you on your way, as soon as I leave Salo, I'll start running. I can run now."

"I need a promise from you first."

"Anything, Jayce."

"Listen to what I say. Believe me. Use your kinda freaky mind powers to see what I saw. Then and only then will I let you hold her."

"Done."

"Then I'll see you soon."

Salo shuddered, and when his eyes rolled back, they too trained onto the bundle. "...Damn, Talis. Get it, I guess."

Jayce snorted inelegantly, and started limping past him towards the exit. "C'mon then. You're my guide, aren't you? I hope so, because I have no idea where I'm going other than 'down.'"

Their pace is slow, but they're still well into Zaun when he hears rapid footsteps coming from ahead of them. Jayce tenses, lips twisting into a snarl as he prepares to defend against whatever is-

"Jayce!!"

Oh.

It's Viktor, a bit of a frazzled mess, and chest rising and falling as he forces his body to regulate to the exertion. His hair is longer, and-

And he's wearing his coat in a manner that's frankly FAR too attractive for his current state of mind. As a matter of fact, he's pretty sure that it's the ONLY thing he's wearing, minus some straps holding it in place. Jayce only barely manages not to collapse to his knees then and there, but he does muster a wobbly smile.

"Hi, Viktor. I missed you."

Viktor has his hands over his mouth as he looks him over and takes in all the little details Salo's eyes didn't know to pick up. "Jayce... You look like you've been dragged backwards through Hell, what's happened?? What, you, baby?? And?? Is that Arcane Scarring??"

He honestly doesn't think he can say he's EVER seen Viktor THIS flustered, and its a bit entertaining. "You're not actually entirely wrong. I'll tell you everything when we've got some more privacy. REAL privacy. Your ears only." He takes another step forward, and Viktor's eyes train down onto the brace that creaks around his crooked leg.

"Is that... your hammer?"

"What's left of it, yes. Vik-"

"Yes?" Viktor almost cuts him off in his urgency to attend his needs, and Jayce firmly resists the urge to laugh.

"I'm- tired. Really really tired. And I haven't had a proper bath in months, nevermind a shower. The sooner we get down to wherever it is we're going, the sooner I can rest. Can we-?"

"Of course, of course, I'm sorry! Here- it'll make it easier to walk," he holds out his staff, which Jayce wraps a roughened hand around shakily, and smiles.

They continue further into the depths of the undercity, which would make him nervous were it not for Viktor's kind of frantic hovering offering a thorough distraction. Normally, it might have annoyed him slightly. But honestly, after all those months with only his own hallucinations and a mysterious swelling bump for company, it's... kind of nice.

He stops in his tracks when the commune comes into view. "Wow," he mutters, and Viktor's worried glance shifts slightly to one of pride.

"There's a forge too! It's useful to have, of course, but well. I mostly made it for you, if you ever joined me."

"Viktor..."

"And a greenhouse! Do you remember that first plant we grew with the hexcore? It thrives down here! And I had a lab made as well, and There's chambers for you already! They're attached to mine- oh! I didn't mean to be presumptuous, I just, I thought- well, if you want ones with some distance, that can be arranged-"

"Vik-"

"There's not a nursery beyond the communal one, I'm afraid. I wasn't... exactly expecting... but no matter! We can design one, however you'd like it!"

"Viktor!"

"Do you like it?" He breathes, and Jayce stares at him, then huffs out a little laugh.

"You've never done things by halves, that's for sure. It's... incredible, Viktor. But first-"

"Oh! Oh yes, of course, thats right, ah, Salo, please show Jayce to his chamber, I'll go grab some things!"

Salo gives him a shallow bow, and Jayce watches as Viktor hurries off, before turning away to follow his guide.

Time passes strangely once he collapses onto the small couch, in an odd, distorted blipping. Vaguely, he registers that his chambers - that Viktor had no guarantee would ever be used - were, frankly, resplendent in comparison to some of the others he'd glimpsed. A large mattress is tucked into a corner, no frame, but it's covered in soft blankets and pillows, and there's a wide desk and chair against another wall, complete with a shelf full of notebooks and tomes. A large, plush rug covers half the floor, and he curls his toes into it curiously, delighting in the soft texture. Plus the couch, which even he can admit is luxurious. Though, even the toughest couch would be achingly soft right now, after months of nothing but stone, so maybe he's biased, but he's hardly complaining about that.

"Sorry I took so long," he hears Viktor murmur, and he lolls his head to look at him as he enters, carrying a small wooden crib under one arm, and holding a bottle in the other. "I had to warm up the milk, I wasn't sure how- one of the nursing mothers stores her extra, I guess she produces a lot. Comes in handy at least. She helped me, and someone else had a spare crib their little one is too big for now-"

"Viktor,"

"Yes?"

"Come sit."

Viktor does, obedient as a dog, wide eyed and eager to please, and Jayce feels a surge of amusement. Who's the puppy now, huh? The reminder of their days before, bantering in the lab, pulls an ache into his chest. He shakes it off as he finally, at last, undoes the sling and settles her into his arms instead, letting the ruined tailcoat fall to the ground with a quiet thump. She's still sleeping, though her fist clenches and unclenches a little as she's moved.

"Oh..." Viktor breathes, eyes trained solely onto her, and Jayce smiles. "Go ahead," he whispers, "She's your daughter too. You can touch her."

Viktor bites down on the inside of his lip, and raises a finger to trace delicately over the moles on her face, unknowingly following the same pattern his post apocalyptic counterpart had. And- "Hello, beautiful one. What- What is her name, Jayce?" -his words, too, uttered in that same whispy reverence.

"Ilona," he tells him, and she scrunches her entire little face in a yawn, blinking her eyes open at last, "her name is Ilona."

A silvery tear coursed a quick track down his cheek, and he pulled his hand back when Jayce readjusted her. "Bottle, please?"

"Oh, yes, right, here! She showed me how to test the temperature, It should be good."

"Dab a little on my wrist then," Jayce requested, one arm still cradling his daughter, "I've seen my mother do it enough times when she used to babysit for extra money."

Viktor did, and Jayce flexed his wrist a little as he gauged it. "That'll do," he took the bottle and held it to her lips. "C'mon, sweetheart, please latch, please- Oh, thank you," he whispers in relief as she tentatively wraps her mouth around it, then starts suckling, "that's good, hm? Sorry darling, I know you've been hungry, I tried my best, but you won't go without anymore, I'll make sure of it." She whines when he takes it away from her, still about half full, and he murmurs apologies as he passes it back to Viktor, shifting her to bounce a little against his shoulder. "Sorry, love, sorry, but we gotta start small, I don't want you to get sick, there, go ahead and burp for me, yeah? Not like this shirt can get more ruined than it already is, that's a good girl."

Out of the corner of his eye, he catches Viktor looking at them with an adoring, dare he say Reverent expression. He's almost impressed that his face doesn't so much as waver when she spits up down his front, beyond reaching down to grab the tattered tail coat and pass it over to be used as a wipe.

Ilona yawns, and then shows off her brilliant gummy smile, and Viktor just melts. "Hi, Ilona," he greets her, sinking down into the couch to be eye level with her. "She's got your eyes, Jayce."

"Oh please, she's you in miniature. Look, the moles, the nose, the shape of her eyes. Even her hair is more your shade of brown, I bet you anything it'll be fluffy like yours too, once it grows out some more." He shifts to address her, nose rubbing against hers gently. "Nine months, nine months you spent inside my womb, and all you inherited was my tan? Outrageous," he declares in good humor, and Viktor shakes with laughter. Jayce let's it go on for an indulgent moment, and then sighs, lowering her gently onto the couch between them, her little Coat plush underneath her. "We have to talk now, Viktor," he says quietly, "and we'll decide what to do from there."

Viktor's smile dropped slowly, and he nodded. "Yes, I... can we start with where you were? You just- vanished, Jayce. Right off the face of Runeterra. No one could find you anywhere, *I* couldn't find you anywhere, no matter how hard I looked. Everyone thought you were dead. You had a funeral!"

"Well. I kinda DID vanish off the face of Runeterra. THIS Runeterra, at least."

"What do you mean."

"I'm sure you've noticed the Arcane anomaly under the hexgates by now?" At Viktor's confirming nod, he continued. "Long story short, I got stuck inside of it. And it took me to a future. A... A really really bad one. It's difficult to explain, but... ah..."

"I can- Look? At your memories? If that's easier."

"Yes, but! But I have a condition."

"Name it."

"As soon as you touch me, you're going to notice the damage to my body. My leg, the Arcane corruption rotting in my wounds, the way... the way I know my mind has fractured from my time there, I can tell it has, and-"

"I can heal all of that! I'll heal you, Jayce, I'll take away your pain-"

"No! No, you will not. That is my condition, Viktor."

"What?"

"Don't heal me. Not even a little bit."

"But- you're in pain, and I can fix it-"

"No, that's final. This will just have to heal the old fashioned way. Do NOTHING but look at my memories. And when you see what I have seen, you'll understand WHY. Am I understood?"

"....."

"I don't like giving ultimatums, Viktor, you know I hate it. But I'm not budging on this, it's agree, or I leave right now, and I take Ilona with me."

"Very well," Viktor finally agreed, albeit reluctantly. "I swear I'll only look."

Jayce smiled a little as he relaxed, and when Viktor's hands raised, he held onto his wrists and pressed them to his cheeks. Their foreheads pressed together, and they fell into his mind.

He's glad now for his foresight in setting down Ilona, because his grip squeezes tightly enough around Viktor's wrists to leave dark bruises, had he been anyone else, as they relive everything.

His arrival into that apocalyptic wasteland, the hollowed remains of the Evolved Ones, the petrified corpses stuck in a permanent state of terror, his fall into the chasm, the sharp, overwhelming pain of his leg being shattered, his descent into madness and his confused paranoia as his belly began to swell with something unknown.

Her birth, his first bit of happiness in months and months, her First Swim, and his climb to the very highest point in Piltover.

Seeing their counterparts in this world gone wrong.

Viktor is breathing raggedly by the end of it, and tears himself away with a sharp gasp, falling off the couch and onto the ground as he shakes with all this new knowledge.

Jayce is panting too, and he knows he's crying. "Do you see now? Do you see why I can't let you continue on the path you're on?" His partner manages a little nod, and then a sob tears from his chest, and he covers his face.

"What have I done? What have I done, Jayce?"

"Nothing we can't fix," he slides a bit clumsily down to the ground with him, and lifts his head between his hands, thumbs wiping away silvered tears. "Partners, right? You don't have to do this alone."

"But I left you alone first-!"

"I forgive you,"

"You should hate me-"

"Well, I don't."

"I caused that apocalypse-"

"So did I."

"Why- Why do you persist? After everything I've done?"

Jayce bumped their foreheads together. "Because I promised you. Because I missed you. Because I don't want our daughter to grow up without you. Because I trust you. Because I know you can do so much good in this world, even without this Glorious Evolution business," he pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of his lips, tasting the salty, metallic tears gathered there, "and because I love you, Viktor."

Viktor's whole face scrunched up, in a way that greatly resembled Ilona's when she was about to start wailing, and Jayce felt a surge of fondness as he realized where she'd gotten that expression from. Then Viktor's arms are around his neck, and he's clinging with everything he has, and Jayce let's them fall back onto the carpet to cling back, fingers twisting into his Coat.

It takes a bit for Viktor to loosen his grip a little, and Jayce starts running a hand up and down his back soothingly.

"...Ilona's a selkie," he whispers at last.

"Yes." Jayce confirms quietly.

"That means... you're a selkie, as well."

"...Yes."

Viktor draws in a shaky breath. "Where's your Coat, Jayce?"

"...I think you already know the answer to that, V."

"Confirm it for me. Please."

Jayce's fingers flexed into the blanket, into his Coat. "You're wearing it."

He let out a wounded noise. "I-I took your Coat away from you-"

"No," He shook his head, rolling them onto their sides so they could be eye to eye, "no, Viktor. I gave it to you, because I wanted you to be safe and warm, more than anything else. And I never went after it, because I knew... I knew it'd be safe with you, and it'd keep you safe in turn. There's a big difference between that and stealing it."

"But-"

"How long are you going to try and argue that you're a monster before you realize that I'm not going to let you?" Jayce asks light heartedly, and Viktor scowls. He snorts. "Alright, come on, help me up again. Please tell me there's a warm bath somewhere in this place? I think I'd murder for one right now."

"There's baths, yes," he assures him, helping him rise back up and settle onto the couch next to Ilona, "Just through that door over there, I'll go run it for you-"

"In chamber bathrooms? Now I know those weren't in most other people's spaces, I saw the communal baths."

"Yes, well," Viktor scowled a little, then sighed, lifting Jayce's hand's to pepper kisses to his splitting knuckles, "you're my partner, Lásko. My other half, my equal. It's only fair you get a bit of extra luxury. Especially- especially after all you've been through. Alone." His eyes drifted down to Ilona, who gurgles at him, and his face softens a little more. "I'll be back."

He vanishes into the side door, and a moment later, Jayce hears the creaking of pipes as water rushes in. He looks at his daughter and smiles, brushing her cheek. "Your father seems determined to spoil us, Mi Vida. I'll have to keep an eye on him as you grow up, won't I? Make sure he doesn't spoil you rotten."

"Do you need help getting to the bathroom?" Viktor asks, poking his head out, and Jayce shakes his head, scooping up Ilona and rising to his feet. "Nah, if I can climb out of a chasm, I can walk across a room. Might need some help getting things off, though."

He does end up needing that help, unfortunately. It takes everything in him not to scream - though he doesn't quite manage to stifle the pained groans completely - as Viktor helps pry the fabric of his clothes off of his festering wounds. Multicolored pus oozes from it, and strings of the same sickly tints connect and snap and drop back against his skin. It's disgusting, frankly, and they have to resort to cutting his clothes off of him and pulling it off piece by piece.

By the time Viktor helps him climb into the tub, he's shaking all over, and barely manages to cling to him as he's lowered carefully into the water. Ilona is laying on her pelt in a basket that had held the vials of soap and shampoo and oils, which are now lined up on the ground by the tub. She seems happy enough to be there, cooing and gurgling and waving her tiny arms.

He blinks as his attention is drawn from her back to Viktor. "What?"

"Where do you want me to start?"

"Oh- Vik, you don't have to, I can-"

"I want to, Jayce. Please, I can't heal you, so please. Let me at least take care of you?"

He sighed, sagging back into the tub. "Yeah, alright. If you want to pamper me so badly, I won't kick up a fuss. My hair? And the beard, gods, It's itches, just shave the damn thing off if you've got a razor."

Viktor almost pouted at that, before quickly schooling his face. Not quick enough for Jayce to have missed it though, and he raises an eyebrow. "What?"

"Well, it's just... can't we try cleaning and trimming it first?"

"What? Why?"

"It-It suits you, that's all."

Jayce stared at him for a long moment, then tossed his head back and laughed. "You think my beard is hot?? YOU??"

"What's that supposed to mean??"

"I once asked you if thought I'd look good with a beard, and you didn't even say WORDS, you just looked so utterly DISGUSTED at the thought! It kinda hurt!"

"Well, clearly I was wrong about some things! Do you have any idea how much I want that beard against my a-"

"Viktor!!"

They both laughing as he sputters out a scolding about Little Ears, and Viktor picks up some shampoo, raising a brow. "So?"

"Fine, fine. We'll give it a chance."

Viktor set to work, and frankly, Jayce lost some time in the haze that settled over his mind. It felt so good to be touched again, to be held, to be cared over. Even when those touches hurt as his wounds were cleaned, it was still blissful. The bath had to be drained and refilled twice before Viktor was satisfied, and drained it a final time, helping him climb back out and support himself against a wall while he patted him down with a fluffy towel.

"I'll clean out the tub real quick, and then we can give Ilona a bath too. She's cleaner than you were, but... that's not a high bar."

"Thanks," he mutters sarcastically, but he doesn't think it quite makes it through that way, not with how fond he looks.

It's only a few minutes of Viktor scrubbing the tub with the rag he'd used to wash his body, rinsing away the grit and infection that lingered against the walls, when there's a knock on the door.

"My Herald? I've brought the supplies you requested."

"Come in!" Viktor calls, and footsteps sound through the chamber before a man opens the door a touch and peaks through, holding up a box with a red plus on it. "Thanks you, Hutch," he smiles, waving to the counter, "just put it there, please."

"Of course." He bows, and leaves again as quickly as he'd arrived. Viktor shoots Jayce a nervous smile. "Bandages and ointments. Sutures, though I don't think we'll need them. For your wounds. I sent out the request after you'd told me not to heal you, but... before I saw what you saw. May I-?"

Jayce nods, and he rinses off his hands, shuffling towards him with the box. He hisses through his teeth as various poultices are spread over his wounds, and ointments rubbed into his stretch marks, then sighs as cool relief blesses the burning skin. By the time Viktor is done wrapping him in clean bandages, he looks half mummy.

"Thank you," Jayce murmurs, eyes half lidded as he sits back against the wall. Viktor combs his fingers through his hair once, and turns back to the tub. Satisfied with it, he fills it up a few inches with clean, lukewarm water. When it's ready, he glances back over his shoulder. "...Do you want to-? Or should I?"

"Go ahead. I'll help if you need it, but... I don't think I can kneel that long right now. I'm barely awake as is."

Viktor nodded and, almost hesitantly, lifts Ilona from the basket. "You can put her Coat in, too. Just wait until after you wash both separately to let her shift." He hummed his understanding, and then... did nothing. Just kneeled by the tub and held her for a long moment.

Oh, right. Right right, that- it's his first time holding her.

"She's-" his voice breaks, and Jayce nods encouragingly, "She's so perfect, Jayce."

"Yes. She is. Go ahead and give her a bath now, Amado. She's not old enough to bite you yet, I promise."

He hiccups a laugh, but obediently lowers her into the warm water. She squirms, startled and fussy, but decides she likes it enough to allow it with minimal whining and settles. Viktor keeps one hand cupped around her head, murmuring sweet things to her as he runs a soft, soapy cloth over the rest of her body, washing away the grime. Jayce loses time again as he fights the urge to sleep, only drifting back into Wakefulness when Viktor comes to pass him his baby, clean and bundled up into a fluffy towel. He takes her, pressing kisses to her face as his partner turns back around to pull her Coat into the water as well, carefully washing it with gentle reverence.

When it's clean, and the worst of the moisture has been wicked from it, leaving it only slightly damp, Jayce starts pulling himself to his feet, leaning heavily on the walk without his brace. Viktor is there a second later, lifting one of his Jayce's arms over his shoulders and sliding his own around his waist. They don't exchange any words as he helps him hobble to the mattress, and Jayce sighs almost dreamily as he sinks into the plush pile of soft things. Even Ilona makes a tiny content sound, and he smiles at her as she drifts back off to sleep against his chest, soothed by the rise and fall of his breath and exhausted from all the excitement.

Finally, he glances up to Viktor, who is still hovering, unsure, and he holds out an arm. "Well? I'm waiting."

Viktor jolts, and crawls in next to him. He's heavier than expected, though Jayce supposes that makes sense with the metal augmentations, but they soon adjust to a position that's comfortable. Ilona doesn't stir once as Viktor pulls blankets up around them and glues himself to his side, one hand resting over his stomach. The metal of his body is cooler than normal skin, yes, but not so cold as to be uncomfortable. Rather, he feels like a wonderful relief, like a cool cloth pressed into a feverish brow. He sighs happily again, and turns his head to nuzzle into his hair.

"...You're really not mad at me? For everything? Anything?"

"Mmm... My mother will be mad enough at you for the both of us, when she finds out," Viktor winces, remembering the glimpses he'd seen of her wrath, and Jayce chuckles, pressing a kiss to his temple. "But no. All I wanted? Was to have my partner back. And now I have you, right?"

"You have me. All of me, however much of me you want," He lifts his hand to brush over Ilona's head briefly, "You both do."

"Then that's all that matters. We can discuss all the rest later, ok?"

"Alright. Jayce?"

"...Hm?" He managed, already starting to drift off, one hand twisted into the Coat that Viktor still wears, the other covering his daughter.

"I love you."

He smiled.

I know I already wrote a whole fic about it, but I am once again having lots of thoughts about selkie Jayce giving his coat to Viktor, unafraid to put his life in his hands because he just trusts him that much.

Or, alternatively, Viktor picking up Jayce's selkie coat along with the rune bracelet when he talks him out of jumping in s1, entirely oblivious to what it means, which results in Jayce internally freaking out over getting accidentally engaged.

#arcane #viktor arcane #mage viktor #jayce arcane #selkie jayce au #selkie au #baby au #jayvik #jayvik baby #jayce x viktor #tumblr fanfic #fanfic #my fanfic writing #fic idea #first draft

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