#sorry this was so long i hope it makes sense it’s 12:00AM

[rueclfer]

everything is embarrassing // izuku midoriya

when he doesn't know how to take control of his life

a/n: 6k+ words lmao i feel crazzzzzy ok bye

19-year-old izuku doesn't have the privilege of hopping around college parties on the weekends or enjoy the “college experience” like his friends do.

he can barely catch a break to breathe.

monday through friday he's in classes from 8:00am to 4:00pm, and for more than half of the week from 6:00pm to 12:00am, he's working at the campus library- simultaneously shelving returns, organizing files, and scrambling to finish his homework. on the weekends, he'll be at his part time job at the local cafe just down the street from his dorm building.

it hasn't been an easy semester for izuku. he's a year behind his friends and he wants nothing more than to be able to walk across that stage with them by the end of their fourth year, but nothing comes easy when you’ve been out of school for a year, no money, have a scholarship on the line, and a single mother at home to make proud.

he's watching the time go by. his eyes darting back and forth between the ticking needle on the analog clock and you sitting at your usual table with your headphones on, attention glued to your textbook, and the tapping of your pencil growing louder by the second.

occasionally, he'd let himself clock out and lock up about 5-10 minutes early if there was no one lingering around on his floor, and all of the day's work had been completed. no one stays as late in the library as you do. it annoys him. 

5-10 minutes is crucial to izuku.

he could get a head-start on his commute back to his dorm. if he walks quickly enough, he'd be back before 12:15am, be ready for bed by 12:35am, and he'd be able to get at least 6 hours of sleep.

if he's lucky.

but you. you were always there until the very last minute- sometimes even past closing.

it's 12:05am. how could anyone be so careless to not keep an eye on the time? can’t you see that it’s only you two left on this floor? did you not hear the 10 minute closing warning on the intercom?

if he wasn't running on a couple hour of sleep, a poor excuse for dinner, and 6 hours worth of brain numbing work, he wouldn't have the nerves to approach you so casually. he'd be replaying what he wanted to say in his head, stumbling over his words, and hope you wouldn't take offense to it.

"the library's closed." he bluntly says, still maintaining a few feet of distance.

you don't hear him or notice his presence at all. you're lost in that textbook and your mind is fumbling through these terms and definitions staring back at you.

izuku blinks once. then twice.

"hey." he starts again, taking a step closer and setting a hand down on the table right above your textbook.

you look up and catch the library worker’s tired eyes. your gaze immediately flickers to the analog clock hung on the wall past his shoulder.

12:12am

“oh shit!” you exclaim, ripping off your headphones. “i’m sorry. i’m so sorry, i lost track of time.”

you slam your textbook shut, rubbing your eyes against the back of your hand. how long had you been at it like this? studying the hours away in your own corner of the library?

“yeah.” izuku breathily chuckles, a sense of relief washing over him as he watches you haphazardly shove your books and papers in your bag. “sorry, i hate to interrupt a good study session, but i’m kinda tired, and if i stay here for another minute, the shelves might start talking to me.”

“god, don’t be sorry. i get it.” you laugh, slinging your bag over your shoulder. “i’m here, like, everyday. i’m sure everyone who works here is sick of me by now.”.

“yeah, me too.” he sheepishly rubs the back of his neck as you two make your way towards the exit. “here everyday, that is.” he quips, nervously running a hand through his tousled hair.

“look at us, so scholarly.” your voice dripping in sarcasm. you turn your head over your shoulder to meet his eye. “paying so much money for this university to drain us of all joy in life.”

“well, i’m on a scholarship.” izuku mutters. “so i guess i still have some joy left?

“yeah? well that’s actually even worse.” 

“is it?” he cocks an eyebrow.

“you have much more to lose.”

-

the next time you two see each other, he’s knelt over an open filing cabinet, digging through dividers for some sort of paperwork. 

since that night you’ve met, university life has felt a bit less lonely- something about taking a 20 minute walk to your dorm buildings, which happens to be right next to each other, complaining about how terrible of time you’re having adjusting to university life really brings people together.

“hey.” you cough.

izuku looks up to see you sporting a coffee cup in each hand.

“oh. it’s you. hey.”

you hold one out to him, waiting for him to take it, but all he does is give you a blank stare as his eyes flicker between your own and the cup outreached towards him.

“take it.” you chuckle. “i brought it for you. you looked like shit last time i saw you, so...”

the corners of his mouth quirks up into a smile, gingerly accepting the hot cup of coffee.

“...so this is your apology for staying past closing the other night?” he teases.

“oh definitely not.” you scoff. “i’ll be doing it again tonight too, don’t you worry.”

he nods his head, taking a deep swig of the bittersweet coffee. “see you at midnight, then.”

“see you at midnight.” you confirm, sending him a smile as you pull your headphones over your ear and head towards the back of the library where your designated table was waiting for you.

-

at 21-years-old, izuku goes to his first house party. it takes you about a week to convince him to give you one of his saturday nights that he’d usually reserve for studying or catching up on sleep.

“please.” you beg once more. “what are you going to say to your future students? how are you going to say you had the college experience without going to a single party?”

“with a degree?” he chuckles, slinging a rag over his shoulder. “you’re also distracting me. i’m on the clock, and my boss can come back anytime, you know.”

“oh, please.” you roll your eyes. “if toshinori was here, he’d be telling you to put your big boy pants on and get drunk with his favorite customer tonight. and if you agreed the first time i asked, i wouldn’t have to follow you to your second place of employment.”

“i’m sorry, i can’t. maybe next time?”

“please, izuku, just one party. i’ll help you get ready after your shift. we’ll leave anytime you want, but i can guarantee you’ll have so much fun. i promise i’ll never ask you again if you really do end up hating it.”

he can imagine it now- if someone asked him about his college experience, he wouldn’t mention the parties, the professors, or the time spent away from home. he’d talk about you.

izuku has a hard time balancing his life between keeping up with the workload and trying to not let his days blend into a muddy gray, but you had perfectly fit somewhere in between all of the chaos like a fresh breath of air.

izuku was tired, and you were a shot of espresso. how can he say no to you?

“fine.” he sighs in defeat, sliding a cup of coffee across the counter towards you. “but i can’t be out that late, okay? i have to be back here in the morning.”

-

“what the fuck happened?” you slam the door shut behind you, muffling out chatter of the crowd and heavy bass shaking through the walls. 

you twist a wad of toilet paper into a cone before plugging the stream of blood gushing from his nose.

“sorry, sorry, sorry!” he repeats, holding the toilet paper in place with a bewildered look in his eyes. 

“i don’t know what happened,” he starts in a nasally tone “maybe it’s all the smoke in the air or something. i heard that second hand smoke can be really drying for your nasal passages, especially if there’s not a lot of ventilation like in this apartment, i also haven’t been drinking a lot of water today and-”

“aht!” you interrupt, nudging him over with your elbow to rinse your hands off from the bloody residue. “my theory is that your body is shutting down on itself from the lack of proper sleep and nutrition. thoughts?”

izuku pouts. “stop it. i had a protein shake before we came, remember?”

“of course, how could i forget about the most rancid concoction you managed to blend together?” you mutter, wetting a wad of toilet paper and dabbing away the dried blood that had fallen onto his chin and t-shirt.

he cocks an eyebrow at you, holding up the red solo cup containing a questionable blue liquid that you shoved in his hands to hold when his nose started dripping blood. 

“wow, since when were you a chem major? since you know so much about ‘rancid concoctions,’ huh?” he deadpans.

“izuku midoriya, are you getting sassy with me?” you scoff, grabbing the cup back from his hands.

“maybe i am.” he presses his lips together to suppress a smirk. “or maybe i’m just making an observation.”

izuku had finally started learning how to bite back. somewhere within the last year, the skittish library worker who you enjoyed pestering had grown the confidence to return your relentless teasing.

you weren’t sure how to take it- how giddy it made you feel and how much more of it you wanted to draw out of him.

to him, it was all a front. he perfected the line delivery with ease, but at the cost of his chest tightening and stomach turning over the sight of your amused smile and lit up eyes. this made him anxious.

you have much more to lose

everytime he sees you, he’s reminded of your very first conversation together when you were first years. he’s acutely aware of how much he has to lose, but if there’s one thing izuku could not bear to risk losing during the worst few years of his life, it was you.

“uh, why are you looking at me like that?” he nervously chuckles, his ears growing hot from trailing your eyes as they glaze over his face.

“i love you.” you smile, the alcohol finally making its way to your head. “a lot.”

izuku’s breathing stops for a moment. his eyes widen, and the nervous giggles continue pouring out as his facade from minutes earlier crumbles completely.

“why are you laughing?” you chuckle, taking a sip from your cup, choking back a grimace.

“i…i don’t know.” he bites his bottom lip, suddenly aware of his nervous habit. “you’re just being a silly drunk right now."

“what? because i said i love you?” you cock your head with a lazy smile “the L-word got your panties in a twist?”

“don’t know what you mean.” he turns his attention back to the mirror, subtly swiping his sweaty palms on his thighs before unplugging the tissue from his nose. 

for the first time in his life, he’s simultaneously grateful and regretful for alcohol. grateful for the red sheen over his face to mask his blush. regretful for the carelessness it caused you with your words. 

he doesn’t have the time or energy to entertain it. that is the one thing he’s certain of. he wouldn’t be good for you- wouldn’t give you the time and attention you deserved. he loves you too. he loves you enough to not say it back.

“it stopped bleeding. i think i’ll have to leave soon, so let’s get back out there, yeah? i’ll make you a better drink, too.”

he shoots you a forced grin before grabbing you by the shoulders and ushering you two back to the party where you reunite with your roommates and mutual friends. you leave your drink in the bathroom.

-

on the day izuku turns 22-years-old, he finds out that he’s on track to graduate with you and his friends. after stepping out for a quick phone call with his academic advisor, he drunkenly cries into your shoulder mid-birthday party (that his boss at the cafe forced him to take the time off to have).

all of the hard work and courses he packed on during his first two years at university finally paid off. though, that doesn't mean he’s gotten any easier on himself.

he quits his job at the library and starts student teaching part time at the local middle school for college credit.

you barely see him now-a-days. more often than not, your texts go unanswered.

izuku is a busy guy.

you miss him. you didn't realize how lonely it felt to walk back to your dorm from the library at midnight by yourself- you haven't felt this way for a while, not since you met izuku. 

you wished he made it easier for you. your feelings for him never subsides, but instead grows into a longing ache. it’ll be like this until graduation. the occasional text message, running into each other in the halls with quick hello and goodbye, coming into his weekend job just to see him for a few reassuring moments- you know you both needed it.

he talks about you to his students a lot- “my best friend,” “someone important to me,” “my support system,” and etc. he’s always referring to you.

he missed seeing you all the time, but it’s all been so hectic for him he hates to admit that you barely cross his mind when he’s in the midst of a busy day. on top of his regular grueling school work, he has to lesson-plan for the days he’s teaching, grade papers, as well as check in with his professors and mentors.

he doesn’t know how he does it.

working in that library was excruciating, but he missed nothing more than the last half hour of his shifts where it’d just be you two, sending shy glances at one another until it hit midnight. he doesn’t even mind the rest of the 6 hour shift where you’re just sitting in the same spot that you always gravitate towards, head in the textbook for him to look up at every now and then.

you tell him you love him for the second time at the end of your graduation party when all of the guests have cleared out of your half empty apartment.

“what?” his eyes go wide, exactly like they did a year ago.

“i love you, izuku.” you ball the sides of your graduation gown, wrinkling the fabric in your hands.

you’re sober this time, which makes it infinitely more painful to say out loud.

his mouth gapes open as if he’s a fish gasping for water. he doesn’t know what to say.

“i have for years.” you fill in the silence, fidgeting with the silky material. “ever since you kicked me out of that fucking library, i think. i don’t know. maybe i’m being stupid, but i can’t help it. i love you, and i need you to know before… you know.”

it’s been three years, and you’ve waited until this night to pour it all out because you knew that in less than 24 hours, you’d be going your separate ways.

in a perfect situation, izuku would tell you that he feels the same. he’d run through an airport to stop you from leaving and beg you to stay with him. you wouldn’t have to go back home. you’d share an apartment. live in the city. start your entry jobs. you’d have time together.

“i’m sorry.” is all he says. “i’m sorry.” he repeats.

tears well in his eyes, and he grabs you by the shoulders to pull you into his chest.

“sheesh, you’re such a crybaby.” you choke out a half chuckle, your eyes running hot now. “don’t be sorry, okay? i get it. i know.”

your arms tightly wrap around izuku’s waist as you two silently sob into one another. his hand runs through your hair, stopping at the nape of your neck to pull you closer.

there’s something much more painful behind this confession to cry about. you’re leaving the city, and you have no reason to stay. for the first time in three years, izuku won’t be within arm’s reach and you’re left with the cold reality of navigating your future without your best friend by your side.

“you know, i..” he begins, pulling you back to look at your face, searching for the right words, or an answer. “it’s not that i don’t feel the same, okay?” 

his cheeks lightly dust over pink. it’s the first time he’s admitted that out loud.

“i know.” you sadly smile, your hand reaching up to wipe away the stray tears left on his cheeks. “we’ll be okay. we worked hard for this, izuku.”

izuku felt like throwing up. he had spent the last three years working himself into the ground with endless all-nighters, black coffees, and missed events to get everything he’s ever wanted for his future, so why does it feel like his world is slipping from between his fingers?

yes, he worked hard, but he wondered if it was all enough?

“i’m going to miss you.” he mutters, connecting your foreheads together. “i already do. you’re everything to me.”

“me more. i’ll miss you more.”

after that night, you don’t see izuku again for a long time. 

izuku jumps into his new position at the local high school in the same school district as the middle school he worked at during his last year of university. he feels a sense of relief everytime he walks into his school building- something that he couldn’t ever say during his years as a student.

you move back home and land an entry job at a startup tech company. it’s boring work, but at least it’s remote and your days don’t mesh into one- you made sure you would never have to go through that again.

you try to stay connected, but work is busy, and you’re both trying to figure out what life is supposed to look like post-grad. occasionally, you’ll send each other a meaningless “thinking of you” message, but you eventually lose contact after a couple of years of trying to plan visits and meet ups- there is just no time. there never was.

-

at 27-years-old, izuku is spending his late afternoon sitting in his empty classroom with one of his students. it’s half an hour past their scheduled parent-teacher conference time, and he’s wondering if he should just reschedule.

“are you sure your mom is coming? did you tell her the right time and date?” izuku sighs, resting his head on a propped elbow.

“duh. what kind of student do you think i am?” they scoff, glancing up at him from their phone.

“judging by your grades, i know exactly the kind of student you are.” he mumbles.

izuku’s trying to not panic, the kid clearly isn’t, but he’s wondering how far back this sets his schedule. he should be starting on the stack of papers to grade by now. he still needs to write out a lesson plan for tomorrow. maybe the kids deserve a movie day? maybe he deserves a movie day.

“don’t freak out.” izuku hears from outside of his door “you’re fine. it’s okay. seriously, chill the fuck out you weren’t interrupting anything, i needed a break anyways. i’m walking in right now. yeah, i’ll let you know how it goes.”

finally.

izuku straightens up, and tightens his tie. he whips open his laptop and pulls up the tabs of grades and assignments to discuss.

“i’m so sorry-” the voice falters at the end as it enters the classroom.

“don’t be, i was just-” izuku glances up from his screen and his throat suddenly closes shut.

5 years later, and the universe leads you back to one another. here. in his classroom.

“izuku midoriya?” you cough out.

for the first time in his life, he doesn’t like the way his name sounds coming out of your mouth. it’s hesitant. it sounds foreign. it makes him question himself for a moment. 

yes? that’s me, right? it’s me, izuku. your izuku.

“what are…uh.. you…here?” he stammers, unable to get the words out.

you take a step forward into the classroom. you could pass out at the sight of him. he still seemed as boyish as ever. maybe a bit broader, and taller, but his hair is still just as wild as it was in university. you can’t help but feel a twinge of insecurity as you wonder if you looked any different as well.

“uh…where’s mom?” your nephew glances back and forth between you two starstrucked at the sight of one another. “we have to look over my grades and stuff, you know.”

“right!” you exclaim. “your mom got caught up at work, so she asked me to come in.” you awkwardly shift in your position, your eyes never leaving izuku’s.

izuku’s face flares up in heat, snapping back into the present as his eyes flicker back towards his student.

“you know what? let’s reschedule that. you can go and i’ll see you tomorrow?” he quickly stands up, knocking over his chair and hitting his knee against his desk in the process.

“really?” they cock an eyebrow at the shift in behavior from the two adults in the room.

“yup! we’re running late and i have a meeting right now, so i’ll just email your mom to reschedule.” he forces a reassuring grin, making his way around his desk. “don’t forget to read over the syllabus to see what’s due, alright?”

“alright, i guess. see you tomorrow then, sensei” they shoot you a questioning side glance as they sling their backpack over their shoulder. “are you taking me home?”

“no.” you say, almost a bit too quickly. “uh, i have some errands to run before your mom gets back home, so you go on ahead i’ll see you at home.”

once your nephew leaves, unsuspecting of the thick line of tension running between his aunt and teacher, izuku quickly rushes over and shuts his door.

“whatareyoudoinghere?” the sentence leaves his mouth in an incoherent string of words. he grabs you by the shoulders and lets his eyes take in your face. every curve, every mark, every wrinkle, old and new.

you feel 19 again. you guess the urge to kiss izuku midoroya never leaves you, after all. 

“my sister just got a new job, so i’m living with her and helping her out with the kids while she adjusts.” you breathlessly stare at him. “i didn’t know you were still in the city.”

of course he’s still here- exactly where you left him after all these years. his grip on your shoulders tightens as a response. he’s scared that if he lets go, you’ll be gone for good, or at least for another 5 years.

“we should catch up.” you smile, grabbing onto his forearms as a warmth crawls up your next “when are you free? i mean, you’re probably really busy, but even a phone call-”

“tonight? how about tonight?” he blurts out. “we can go somewhere?”

izuku reassures himself that it’s fine. the kids can have a movie day, and he’ll spend that time grading papers and catching up on work. the only thing he needs is right in front of him.

seeing your face light up makes him feel nothing but nostalgic euphoria. he never wants to lose this feeling again.

“i’ll text you, then? you still have my number?”

he almost laughs in your face. your text conversation has been pinned to the top since the day you exchanged phone numbers.

“by heart.”

-

“tech? like you work in IT?” izuku’s face scrunches in disgust. he almost spits his drink out. “why the hell would you do that to yourself?”

“shut up!” you rub your face in your hands, snorting out a laugh. “it’s easy, i’m in a senior position, it pays well, and it’s remote. that’s all i care about for now.”

you two meet at a nearby bar. outside of his suit and tie, he looked much younger. he looks like the izuku you knew half a decade ago with his perpetual pink cheeks, slightly too large graphic tee, and red sneakers.

“so you’re now living with your sister… in the city.” he begins, looking into your eyes with a hopeful gleam. “for how long?”

“i’m not sure.” you shrug. “i’m still figuring it out, but my lease back home is up at the end of next month, so either way, i have to see what i want to do by then.”

“you should stay in the city.” the words slipped out of his mouth before he could process them.

“i mean- it’s just, you know, your sister is here, and her kids, and there’s more opportunities and stuff, and your work is remote anyways, and uh-” he stammers, words flowing out in an unstoppable stream.

“-and you’re here?” you tease.

his face flushes red.

“it is a possibility.” you sigh, shooting him a subtle smirk and saving him the embarrassment of coming up with a response. “i don’t know though. my sister wants me to stay too, but it’s a lot to think about.”

“i get it. my mom moved to the city to be near. it was hard for her.” he takes a sip of his drink. “not with me, though! she’s got a townhouse in the outskirts.” he quips.

you laugh. he definitely hasn't changed.

“speaking of, do you want to come back to my apartment? right now?” he shyly asks, avoiding your gaze for a moment.

“right now?” you look down and check the time displayed on your phone.

11:00pm.

“it’s a school night isn’t it?” you cock your head to the side. "i'm surprised you even wanted to meet up this late. thought i'd have to book office hours with you weeks in advance to catch up." you tease

izuku mentally curses at himself for being so forgetful, and so predictable. he doesn’t want this night with you to end, but that 7:00am alarm set for tomorrow morning is inching closer and closer.

“you’re right.” his confidence deflates. “i guess we should get going.”

you two pay your tab and make your way to the exit. you stand facing each other at the corner of the street, taking in each other’s presence once more.

there’s a faint buzzing in your ear from the lamppost hanging above you and your breaths come out in shallow puffs. you don’t know why you’re so nervous all of the sudden. you wish you didn’t have to leave again.

“so, can we do this again? can i see you again?” he asks, shoving his hands into his pockets. 

“you think i’d get to see izuku midoriya from beyond the grave and let you get away? for the second time?”

he feels like he could cry right now, so he pulls you in for a hug instead. you haven’t changed at all- not in the ways that matter anyways. his hand falls against the nape of your neck as he presses his cheek against your forehead.

“i missed you.” he mutters into your hair.

“me more.”

before you go your separate ways, i love you sits at the tip of his tongue. he wants to tell you. to finally say back after all of these years, but it somehow doesn’t feel right- not yet at least.

-

a few weeks later, you find yourself sitting in one of izuku’s classroom desks. the top button of his shirt is undone, his sleeves rolled up, and the soft late afternoon sunlight streaming through his window bathes him in gold.

from over your laptop screen, you see izuku mumbling to himself as he reads through essays while twirling a red pen between his fingers. the look of concentration had been plastered to his face since you were students- dark furrowed brows, unblinking eyes, a twinge of anxiety, and tightly pressed lips.

“you’re staring.” he mutters in between his incoherent mumbles.

his eyes snap up to meet yours.

“no i’m not.” you shrug, suppressing a satisfied smile as your eyes return to your own screen.

“I think i’ve gotten pretty good at noticing after spending all those years with you in that library.” he returns the smile, leaning back in his seat. “you don’t stare often, but when you do, you stare loud.”

“says you.” you roll your eyes. “you don’t think i ever noticed the thousand glances every hour?”

his face scrunches in embarrassment. 

“not like i could help myself.” he mutters, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck. 

“ditto.” you halfway close your laptop and rest your head on a propped elbow. “but you knew that.”

the air in the room thickens between you two. you’ve been itching to have a conversation with izuku about your last moments before you left the city 5 years ago, but there hasn’t been a good time to bring it up. you weren’t even sure if you should at all.

“i don’t think i ever noticed.”

“noticed what?”

“that you liked me.” he pressed his lips together, nervous to bring up the past. “like that at least. i didn’t have a clue before you took me to that party.”

“how could you?” you breathe out a chuckle. “you were drowning in your work and studies, there was no time to even sleep let alone have anything romantic.”

a beat of silence passes.

“sorry.” he mutters.

“don’t be.” you shrug. "i loved you enough for the both of us. you were my best friend, and i wouldn’t change anything. maybe i would’ve forced you to take more naps, though.” you chuckle.

he doesn’t like the past tense termage of this conversation. it makes him feel a bit nauseous thinking that he really did lose it all, even with you here in front of him.

“i told you i felt the same, didn’t i?”

“mmm.. i guess so.” you mutter. “but it’s different. it was a goodbye.”

“i’m sorry.” he says again, with a pout this time.

“stop that.” you launch your pen in his direction, bouncing off of the chalk board behind him. “i’m here now. you’re here. you’re still my best friend. everything’s the same, except we’re a little bit older and have 5 years to catch up on. isn’t that enough?”

you two danced around the conversation for a few more minutes before returning to your work in silence. there was no clear answer as to where your feelings for each other stand now, but he feels just as sick as he did the day of the grad party.

but isn’t that enough? to just have you here now?

on a saturday night in his apartment, just days before you have to go home and sort out your living situation, izuku tells you he loves you for the first time.

you’re staring at him, unsure if maybe you heard him wrong or if it was the television in the background.

“huh?” your mouth gapes open. “what’d you say?”

“i..i love you.” his voice shakes as the words leave his mouth. “i love you, okay?”

for a split second, there’s a sequence of images that flash through his mind. his body would learn to wake up at 6:55am every morning despite his alarm being set for 7:00am. he sees you peacefully sleeping next to him, and he can’t bring himself to let that alarm go off and disturb you.

he’d start the coffee pot- enough for two, obviously. maybe he’d leave a nice note for you to start your day off with. maybe a grocery list if you’re up for the trip, but you’d insist that you go to the market together on the weekend. you’re very distracting, and he knows this, but you’d somehow always meet at the dining room table or his classroom to do work together. 

he’d come home to you softly singing in the kitchen while making dinner. every now and then, he’d surprise you with flowers when he comes home from work, but he’ll brush it off and say it’s “for the apartment” just out of pure nerves. movie nights. falling asleep on the couch together. waking up in the afternoon with a split second of panic- but it’s the weekend and he doesn’t have a class to get to. he’d see the sunlight pool against your face as you slowly wake up from your slumber with fluttering eyelashes. he’d kiss you in that unsuspecting moment. he’d say he loves you with every breath leaving his lungs. he’d always have time for you.

“izuku.” you sadly smile, turning over to the stove and extinguishing the flame. “you don’t have to do this, you know?”

his heart sinks to his stomach.

“i know- no it’s not like that.” he stammers. “it’s because.. i’m saying it because…”

he makes his way around the kitchen island to you, firmly gripping your shoulders. he wants to make sure you hear this from him properly. after all of these years.

“because i love you, and i think i alway have.” he bites his bottom lip. “and i think i always will, and you’re here, and i’m here, and i know it’s hard because i kind of really messed things up in university, but to be honest, i regret everything because yeah i love my job and i’m doing okay now, but i lost you for 5 years and thought i’d never get to see you again and i should've-”

he stops himself when he sees his reflection in your eyes. he’s doing it again- the rambling.

“sorry.” he mutters. “but do you…do you understand?” he almost pleads.

“i understand.” you nod your head, a long exhale following your reply.

for a moment, you’re 22 again, and the tears in his eyes threatening to spill over are no longer apologetic, but now hopeful.

you can’t help but pull him into a hug, running your hand up and down his back as he sniffs back his tears.

“always such a crybaby, izuku.” you muffle into his shoulder. “i love you, too. you know that.”

“i feel so stupid.” he chokes out. “5 years is so long, and i feel like i blacked out for the entirety of that time and now that you’re back, i’m alive and can't do it without you again.”

he pulls away, looking back at you with furrowed brows and tear stained cheeks.

“please stay in the city. please.” 

your eyes widen at the request- the same request you wished left his lips all those years ago.

“you want me to stay?”

“selfishly, yes.” he bites down on his bottom lip. “here. with me.”

you take a moment and let your eyes wander around the apartment. you eye the half cooked dinner on the stove, the pile of unopened mail sitting on the counter, the row of dead plants lining the living room window.

izuku follows your eyes. he knows you’d settle in nicely, almost like the final piece in a puzzle. he feels it in his gut. he also feels the panic bubbling in his stomach the longer your gaze lingers at the chaos behind him.

“is that too fast?” he breaks the silence. “sorry. i don’t mean to jump from ‘i love you’ to ‘move in with me’ in the same night.” he awkwardly laughs, releasing you from his grip. “uh, maybe we’ll talk more about that after dinner.”

his face burns into a bright red- snapping out of his love dazed state and back into the reality where he just confessed to his best friend on a random night in.

“maybe after dinner, you can give me a proper tour of the place?” 

for the first time in izuku's life, he feels content knowing that time passes and the world continues to turn.

with you, it feels a bit gentler.

with you, it's worth it.

-

bonus ssrryy i have to be indulgent lmao:

the first time izuku kisses you, you're on your way back from a late night outing from the bars with his coworkers where he introduces you as his partner for the first time.

"you sure you're okay?" he laughs as you rub your hand against the back of his neck from the passenger seat.

"super peachy, zuku." you hiccup, twirling a green curl between your fingers. "a few drinks got nothing on me."

izuku presses his lip into a wobbly smile.

from his peripheral, he feels your stare burning into his side profile, only making him more nervous by the second. he thinks about teasing you and calling it out for a moment, but he remains silent for the rest of the drive back home.

izuku parks the car, shutting off the engine and letting the overhead light dimly illuminated the space between you two.

he leans over to meet your eyes and rests his elbow over the center console, taking a second to silently debrief from the night's social outing.

"thanks for coming out with me." he whispers, reaching down and shyly interlocking his index finger with yours.

"i love a good excuse to drink." you laugh, leaning in and letting your foreheads connect.

izuku only had a single drink several hours ago, but he suddenly blacks out. with his other hands, he reaches up and tips your chin up and lock his lips with yours.

it takes you off guard, but you don't hesitate to reach up and rest your hand on the side of his neck.

when izuku pulls away, his breathing is heavy and face grows red. your finger remains interlocked.

"um. i love you." he coughs, briefly meeting your gaze before darting away. "uh, sorry i should have asked" he sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.

"i love you, izuku midoriya." you say in a teasing tone, leaning further over the center console and into the driver's seat.

izuku leans away until his back hits the soft interior of the car door.

"uh, we should.. we should go in? right?" he starts, eyes widening as you inch closer.

you reach over and grab the collar of his shirt, pulling him into you.

"yeah, we should." you say before crashing your lips into his, feeling him accept the defeat with a nervous laugh as he lets his hands find the soft skin of your cheek and warmth of your neck.

[sydneydoesstuff]

cobblestone to stone is a stupid metaphor anyways, pop your local boy into a preheated oven and watch as all his scars vanish I guess, philza you fucking donkey thats not how trauma works in the slightest

Thank you so much for the ask and YES!

For real. How is Phil burning Tommy’s stuff teaching him anything? If anything, it’s more likely to traumatize him, because Phil burning his stuff was awfully reminiscent of Dream.

Phil was actively telling Tommy to destroy things that keep him safe—the walls around his house and his fucking god apple (not to mention said apple was from his dead friend). Next he’s gonna tell him he doesn’t need his armor because he relies on it too much, smh.

The metaphor that “the stone is replaceable and so are your sentimental items” holds zero weight. If I threw away my (hypothetically) deceased grandmother’s watch away and told my mom “oh, well you can always just buy a new watch” I’d get my ass handed to me, because that’s not the fucking point. The reason we [humans] feel attached to items is because they represent memories and feelings we cannot get back. There’s no way to relive our past, but items can take us there. They can take us back to happier times and they can promise a future. They comfort us in times of uncertainty, because while people may be unreliable, items and the memories they hold are not.

Tommy is not a bad person for wanting to keep the discs, because they’re not just discs. They’re a symbol of what he won. They’re a symbol of L’Manburg (y’know, the place Phil blew sky-fucking- high). But moreso, they’re a symbol of who Tubbo and Tommy used to be—when it was Tubbo and Tommy against the world. Yes, Tubbo is alive, but it’s not wrong to miss a time when it was just Tommy and his best friend, because those were simpler times. Those were times when Tommy wasn’t so scared.

Things like wedding bands are also material items, but do we fault people for caring for them? No, because they represent love and the vows people made to their loved ones. They represent the past you shared and the future you’ll have together. It’s nice to have physical representations of your feelings, because it makes them more real and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Phil focuses on the wrong details. Tommy was faced with the choice of Tubbo or the discs, but the takeaway shouldn’t be that he hesitated for a couple seconds, it should be that when faced with the choice of Dream’s continued torment over Tommy (and subsequently the rest of the server) or saving Tubbo’s life, Tommy chose Tubbo.

That’s a helluva lot more than Phil can say, because when he was faced with a difficult choice, he hesitated and then killed his son.

Phil tries so hard to take the moral high ground but it falls so flat when you realize what kind of person he really is: a hypocrite and an ignorant character.

[tsukkiseasalt]

Eyes That Won’t Wonder

2

“What, what!?” You shriek.

Another low laugh erupts from him as he leans against the door, his large frame blocking any potential view of the inside.

“I believe that is a compliment.” He mumbles his lips curling up into a sly smile. 

“Y-yeah, it was.” You stammer, words barely making themselves out of you as your stomach begins to do cartwheels.  

“As much as I'd love to stay right here and chat, you’d probably find it to be much more comfortable inside.” He says, smile fully present now, and you take a moment to admire the sight-storing it in your mind. He moves enough for you to slip right past him and pause the moment your feet touch the dark hardwood floors. 

The aroma is the first thing that invades your senses. It smells of pine and a rich tobacco, with slight hints of something sweet- maybe vanilla, you can’t really tell. The home is just as beautiful on the inside as it appeared from the outside. The dark hardwood floors complimented the ivory walls and dark rust colored trim. The living room was sparsely decorated though, it had only one couch, a chestnut loveseat and a matching recliner. He obviously doesn’t get many visitors. 

“Your home is beautiful.” You say breathlessly, eyes roaming the space in awe. 

“Thank you.” He exclaims, a large hand grazing the small of your back as he slips behind you and towards the kitchen. His touch makes your knees go weak and you steady yourself by placing a shaky hand on the door.

“Would you like something to drink?” You hear him call from the kitchen.

“Ah, water please.” You answer, taking a few deep breaths before you saunter over to the counter placing your folder in front of you. He slides the glass in front of you and you nod as a thank you before you begin to sip.

“I don’t think I ever caught your name.” He says leaning back onto the fridge, arms folded over his massive chest.

“Oh, uh, my name is y/n y/ln.” You mumble your index finger rubbing the rim of the glass. 

“Lovely, it fits you.” He says, eyes catching your own. You can't help the blush that arises on your cheeks. 

“T-thank you.” You manage to stammer out, silently cursing yourself for getting so flustered so quickly. He was a patient not some guy at a bar, you needed to get a grip and you needed to get it fast. “Uhm, you’re a bit younger than most of the other patients i have worked for. Is there actually anything wrong with you?” You quiz, but the words come out a bit harsher than you intended. “Oh goodness, I did not mean that in a bad way at all sir- Mr. Wakatoshi, oh my goodness. I am so sorry.” You exhale letting your head fall into your hands. Your words are all becoming a jumbled mess and you can't help the shame that creeps up your throat. Great, now he probably thinks I'm some kind of asshole.

“No, it's okay. I understand what you were trying to say. Two years ago I had to get a disc in my back replaced and it took a lot out of me. Though I can still get around pretty well, there are still certain tasks that I need help with. I am also set to have another surgery on my knee two months from now, so I thought it would be better to have someone get accustomed to me and my habits beforehands.” He says voice monotone. Is he angry?

“Mr. Wakatoshi, I am so sorry if I came off as rude earlier- I didn’t mean to offend.” You say feeling guilty. 

He shakes his head. “You’re fine sweetheart, I’m actually quite flattered that you think that.” Before you have a chance to relish his words he starts again, “I’m going to go put some clothes on, but here. I made a list- well a schedule really- of how my day usually functions. You can look over it and if there is anything that seems to be a bit much for you let me know and we will make alterations to it.” He says walking out of the kitchen and returning with a piece of paper. “Here, I will return shortly.” He says handing you the paper. Your eyes skim the page as you read the text.

7:30am- Arrive & make coffee ( I prefer mine black)

7:45am- Read the newspaper

8:00am- Feed Randy & Lyle 

8:15am- Pour second cup of coffee & wash dishes

8:30-9:30am- 2nd Workout (If you could have a bowl of fruits waiting that would be lovely)

10:00am- Post shower stretch (Help isn’t required but appreciated)

10:30-12:00pm- Take Lyle to the park (You are more than welcomed to join us) 

12:30pm- Lunch / with Aone* (*Mon. & Thurs. only)

1:00pm- Stop at farmers market

1:30pm- Arrive home & check on Randy

1:35-4:00pm- Varies (You may leave at this time or you may stay for dinner.)

4:00-6:00pm- Prepare dinner

6:05- 6:45pm- Eat then wash dishes

All that is required of you is bolded, the italicized text is completely voluntary, though I would enjoy your company.

“Goodness.” You mumble, placing the paper down. “This is even less than I did with Washijō.” You thought you had it easy then just checking his oxygen, helping him up, and taking him wherever, but you were basically an in-home barista.

“I hope it isn't too much.” The voice startles you as he appears beside you now fully clothed- well not really. He had on a pair of dark sweatpants and a gray sleeveless shirt putting biceps on display for all to see.

“Uh, no, not at all sir. I was expecting much more actually.” You admit eyes darting between the paper and his arms. 

“Oh, well I'm sorry to disappoint you.” He says voice low as he bends down to tie his shoes. “I’m sure that there will be more for you to do after my knee surgery.”

“Yes, and I'm not disappointed sir, I'm honestly kind of relieved. I haven't worked with anyone in quite a while, so this is a good refresher to allow me to get back into the routine of things.” You say words falling from your lips before you realize it.

“Is that so?” He asks standing back up to his full height, face full of curiosity.

“Yes, my previous patient passed away and I took some time off. He and I were close, friends even, and the death really hit me hard even though I knew it was coming. It still hurts ya know.” You exclaim as feelings of sadness wash over you at the thought of your friend. 

You didn't know what you were expecting when you told him that, maybe an ‘i'm sorry for your loss’ or nothing at all but it is safe to say a hug was not one of those things. His body was warm and his chest was solid- it felt good. You wrapped your own arms around his waist and closed your eyes. 

“I hope that one day you and I could be friends as well.” He says quietly pulling away. 

You don't fight the smile that graces your face, “Yeah, I feel like we will.”

The words seem to liven him because a large smile spreads across his face again. “Well I’m gonna go lift now, feel free to look around. There's food in the fridge and snacks in the pantry. Make yourself at home.” He says walking to the back of his home.

“Oh, Mr. Wakatoshi!”

“Yes love?” He asks, turning back around, a smile still lingering on his lips.

“Who are Lyle and Randy?” You ask looking back down at the paper, partly to hide the blush that you are now sporting. “Are they your children?” 

“Yes, they are my children. I’ll introduce you when I return.” He laughs before turning back around and disappearing into a hallway.

You sigh as soon as he is out of eyesight dropping your head onto the cool marble countertop, raising your head just enough to read the time on the clock that sits unwavering by stairs. 8:37. You had just under an hour to get somewhat acquainted with the home you would now be in for ten hours a day for six days a week. You decide to begin with the kitchen, opening and closing drawers & cabinets identifying the contents within them, occasionally rubbing a light hand over them. Next is the living room. The wide open space is mostly vacant and you take a seat on the loveseat sinking back into the cushions. “Nice.” You mumble.  

Pushing yourself up you wonder to every room opening the door just enough for you to peek in and see what it is. You hesitate though when you get to the room at the end of the hallway. It’s his. You could sense it, nonetheless you slowly push the knob down and peek inside. It’s clean just like the rest of his home. You don't linger and decide its best to close the door & move onto the next. 

By 9:15  you’d looked throughout his entire home, and it was more beautiful than you could have imagined. The ceilings in the bathrooms were high and had beautiful artworks painted atop of them, they looked as though they belonged in a museum rather than someone's guest bathroom. The spare bedrooms were just as lovely. Each had a shelf that was littered with books and knick-knacks that looked foreign. All of this just fueled your curiosity- what did he do & how long did he do it?

You shrugged as you went back into the kitchen jumping when you saw his large frame in the fridge. He was shirtless, again, but this time his hair was wet and clung to his head. The small gray stripes were clear as day against his dark olive locks.

“Oh, hi. I didn’t think you’d be done yet.” You say awkwardly scratching the back of your neck.

“Yes, I finished early and decided to shower & grab a snack.” He says waving the bowl of strawberries.

“I was about to prepare one for you.” You said.

“Oh, thank you. You don't really have to do anything today, just get accustomed to things.” He says popping the small red fruit into his mouth. 

“Would you like me to stretch you out?” You ask, remembering the list. 

His eyes shoot up to yours as soon as the question escapes your lips and you realize how wrong it sounded and before you had a chance to correct yourself he spoke. “You stretch me out, I mean i’ll try anything once but i’d prefer the opposite..”

His words startled you to say the least, and almost instinctively the words flowed from your lips, “I’d like to see you try.” 

His eyes widened at your remark and at that you began to spew apologies. “Shit, fuck, DAMMIT. God, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to say that, the stretching part I mean. Well I meant that, but not what I said afterwards. Ok, let me start over. What I meant to say is do you need help stretching considering you just got done working out. There, that's what I meant.” 

Your eyes are frantic as they lock with his. God, it's the first day and I'm already gonna lose my damn job. Just great. His lips are pressed in a straight line for a moment before he finally lets the edge of them glide up into a small smirk. 

“I’ve already stretched, but I suppose I could go a little deeper, maybe a little harder this time.” He says emphasizing the two words as he pops another strawberry between his lips smirk still evident.

“The stretches of course.?” You ask for clarification.

He hums and pops another strawberry between his lips setting the bowl down onto the counter stalking towards you, his large figure quickly engulfing your much smaller one almost instantly. “That’s not quite what I had in mind.” 

You can feel his warm breath on your lips as he leans down, “But if that is what you insist.” 

A loud bark bellowed throughout the kitchen causing you to jump. He smiled and wrapped a protective arm around your waist. “No need to fret, he was probably just getting anxious to meet you.”

“He?”

“Yes, my son, or at least one of them. Come on so I can introduce you.” He says guiding you down the hallway, to his room you assumed. You were correct, you realized as he pushed the door open revealing a large dog. 

“Don’t worry sweetheart he doesn’t bite. Daddy made him promise to be on his best behavior.” He whispers lowly into your ear. 

Fuck, this may be harder than I thought.

hiiiiii, this is the second chapter & you can just check the tag eyesthatwontwonder to read the first. anywaysssss i hope you enjoyed! likes and reblogs are always appreciated <33

[please-buckme]

Are you open to writing a threesome for Hayden and Ewan and the reader? The reader meets Hayden and Ewan at a hotel bar. They are in town for a SW con and are looking to “unwind” 😜

You, Me and Ewan Makes Three. Hayden Christensen x Ewan McGregor x reader

Warnings⚠️: SMUT. Threesome, dick sucking, puss eating, ball fondling, ✨smut✨

4361 words

Authors note: I’m sorry.

After a long day of walking around and seeing thousands of people dressed up as their favorite Star Wars characters, you finally pulled yourself away to go back to your hotel. The Star Wars Convention was like a home away from home to you and you can’t believe it’s over. You’ve been going to this convention every year for the past 4 years. You’d met quite a few stars along the way but the only ones you care to meet are; Obi-Wan and Anakin. You would’ve met them by now but everytime you go to buy tickets they are the ones that are always sold out.

For this trip it was the same thing, so you came up with a plan. Through someone on one of your social media pages you found out that Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen would be staying at the same hotel. The hotel was of course beautiful and very expensive. It didn’t matter though. You’d waited basically your whole life to meet them and you seized this opportunity. You didn’t want to be intrusive and look up their room numbers or anything so you had to think of a way for them to be in the same place as you and it not be weird, the bar. The hotel had a beautiful bar connected to the lobby and it was for hotel guests only. This means it would be more private for them so why wouldn’t they eventually come down? You’d gotten yourself all dolled up every night for them to never show up, unfortunately. But tonight was the last night of your stay and you were certain that tonight was the night.

Once you got back to your hotel room you rushed to the shower to wash off the day. You did everything routinely as you’d done this for 3 days now. The only thing you did differently every time was your hair and outfit. Tonight you were going all out. After you showered you blow dried your hair, then curled it. You penned one side of it back with a barrette that had burgundy jewels on it. To match the barrette you wear a skin tight burgundy, velvet dress. Around your neck was a black, velvet choker to match with your matte balck Stilettos. For your makeup you put on very little. You did some mascara followed by a little bit of eyeliner and dark lipstick to finish it off.

When you finished getting ready you headed down to the bar, elegantly. Some employees started to recognize you, saying hello and asking how your day had been. Even when you got to the bar the bartender had your drink ready before you even sat down. “You look lovely tonight, Miss.” The bartender complimented. You give him a weak smile in response. You were truly very shy, if you weren’t so determined to meet them you’d be up in your hotel room eating pizza while binge watching The Office for the millionth time. Just for them though you put on a tight dress instead of loose pants.

You’d been down at the bar for almost an hour and half, only having two drinks. You didn’t want to be drunk the first time you met them or else you’d truly be a huge, sloppy mess.

The time on your phone said 12:00am. Everyone who’d been there when you showed up had left, leaving you and a few other people including the bartender. He asked if you’d like another drink and you decline his offer but tell him thank you anyway. You sat there slouched over the bar, one hand stirring your drink with a tini cocktail straw and the other held up your head. You were disappointed, not necessary at them, but in yourself. Had you really wasted hours of your night sitting here alone at a bar full of strangers? It had gotten to the point where you almost left until, “Is this seat taken?” It was Ewan.

“Uh,uh no. Please sit.” You say straightening your posture from the very sloppy slutch, to now a more confident, upright position, you hoped. You did your best not to fiddle with anything. To Ewan you were just another person and that’s how you wanted to treat him. You sit staring straight ahead wishing you’d said yes to that drink now.

“Are you waiting for someone?” He asked politely. Not trusting your voice at the moment you just shook your head no in response. You did look at him now, however, you were surprised by his ensemble. Ewan wore a white, skinny suit with a beautifully, patterned undershirt. He must have been waiting for someone you thought. You took this time to ask a very delayed question.

“Are you waiting for someone?” He laughed softly, you’re guessing at your clear shyness.

“Yes, just a buddy of mine. If i’m bothering you I can-” You cut him off.

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off so impolite.” you out your head down looking at your lap. You definitely screwed this up, you thought. How is it that you waited for this man for three nights now and never thought of what to say? You see him, out of the corner of your eye, duck his head down to look at you.

“You haven’t been impolite at all, Darling.” You lift your head up a bit to look at him. He had a friendly kind of smirk spread across his face. “Shall I buy you a drink?” He asked. You of course said yes, now in dire need of alcohol. He waves the bartender over and orders your drinks. You make small talk before your drinks come out, mostly him talking though. He’d ask you simple questions like; are you from, were you a guest at the hotel, and what brought you to town. You didn’t lie to him on the last question. You simply just told him that you came in for the convention. You did not tell him it was to finally have a chance to meet him, that wasn’t information you thought he needed.

A few minutes had gone by. You’d become a little more comfortable talking to him, he just had that way about him. You were so focused on him though that you hadn’t realized someone had sat down on the other side of you. “Ah, Hayden, meet my new friend.” Ewan gestured behind you. You froze briefly but then turned around as calm as possible, trying to blow your cover.

“It’s nice to meet you.” You said in almost a whisper. Being sandwiched between Obi-Wan and Anakin is more than you ever could have asked for. After greeting Hayden you stared straight again not knowing what to do with yourself. They started talking over you to each other. You just waited till one of them said something before looking at either one of them.

“So, what brought you to the convention?” Hayden asked.

“What?” You asked him just snapping out of your staring-intently-at-a-wall trance.

“Ewan was just telling me you were in town for the convention. What brought you here?” He reiterated. He’d ordered a drink at some point. You watched as he took a sip. Hayden was beautiful. His outfit wasn’t as fancy as Ewan but it was him. Hayden decided to wear a nice grey fitted suit, one you’d seen before. Recognizing the outfit made you smile, relaxing your nerves a little.

“It’s just something I do every year.” You’re still not lying.

“You a fan?” Hayden asked bluntly.

“Well, yeah. Why would I go if I weren’t?” You asked sarcastically. He hummed at your response.

“You’re very calm for a fan or calmer than most.” If only he knew just how much you were losing your shit on the inside. You were much more relaxed with both of them now. You listened as they talked and told jokes to one another. Ewan bought you many more drinks than you’d anticipated on drinking, making you nice and drunk. That helped you join in on conservations with them, letting them really get to know you. They really seemed like they were enjoying your company.

“So what brought you guys down to the bar tonight?” You asked in an involuntary, drunken laugh. All of a sudden that went silent. They looked at each other almost anxiously. “What?” You asked again.

“There’s just a tradition we uphold every year at this event.” Ewan started to explain. He leaned down closer to you, moving the hair from off your shoulder and tucking it behind your ear. You could feel his breathe on your neck as he whispered, “We like to find a beautiful woman like yourself, take her to our room and fuck her till morning. Would you be interested in getting fucked, Darling.” With that he takes your earlobe between his teeth. You gasp at the sensation. Hayden just sits watching you, palming himself.

“O-okay. Both of you together, though?” Hayden nodes yes. “Whose room?” Ewan removes himself from your earlobe and grabs your hand leading you out of the bar with Hayden right behind you.

Once you got to the elevators you could feel Hayden towering over you as he unexpectedly grabbed your ass. You moan at his touch turning around to look into his lust filled eyes. When the elevator doors opened Ewan pulled you in. Hayden took no time in slamming you up against the back wall, crashing your lips together. The kiss was rough, immediately making your lips swell. He pulled away a moment sticking his middle finger down your throat before pulling it out and replacing his lips to yours. He didn’t leave you wondering for a second when you felt his finger go under your dress. He groaned when he noticed you weren’t wearing any underwear. He toyed with your clit making you moan into his mouth uncontrollably. They didn’t seem to care how loud you’d get which you loved, it made the night's events even more intriguing.

The elevator doors opened once you reached the 24th floor. You felt Ewan pull you from Hayden’s grasp on you. By Hayden’s reaction you could tell that pissed him off. You smirked at him in response, egging him on. He practically ran after you and Ewan. You reached your other hand out for him and he took it. You could still feel your slick still on your fingers, making you bite your lip. The thought of you on Hayden Christensen’s fingers had always been a fantasy of yours. Knowing your fantasies were becoming reality overwhelmed your senses with excitement. Ewan let go of your hand to get the key out to open his hotel room door. Hayden ground his hard member into your backside as you waited to go in. You took this moment to thank yourself for booking this hotel and coming up with such a dumb idea that somehoe worked.

When Ewan finally got the door open they let you walk in yourself. Sauntering through the door you took your time making your way to the bed. When you did get to the bed you bent down to take your heels off when Ewan stopped you, “Leave those on, yes?” You smirked at him and nodded in agreement. “I can help you out of this though.” He says gesturing to your dress. You stand up and turn around for him to unzip it for you. He takes the zipper down slowly, chancing with his other hand that trailed down the newly exposed skin.

Once the dress was off, you sat back down on the bed. You were now face-to-face with Ewans belt. Hayden was sat across from you in a chair waiting for his turn with you. You grabbed at Ewan’s belt, undoing it slowly. With your other hand you palmed at the bulge that was outlined by his tight, white pants. He groaned at the feel of your palm pressing harder into his member, so you did it again. Ewan was holding back the urge to shove you down and take you right then and you could tell, so you undid his zipper a little faster than you had with the belt.

You watched as Ewan through his shoes off and pulled his legs completely out of his pants. He still had on his boxer which frustrated you. When he made his way back to face you you wasted no time in freeing him. His member sprung out, hitting you in the face, this made you giggle for a moment. Immediately you took Ewan into your mouth, massaging the veins of his cock with your tongue. “That’s it, Darling. Nice and steady.” You bobbed your at a steady pace, savoring every inch of him in your mouth, while your hands started to undo his beautifully designed under shirt. When his shirt came off he was now as bare as you, making you feel more at ease.

You’d been going your steady pace on Ewan until he decided to fuck your mouth rigorously. You gagged as tears began to form at your eyelash. He took you all the way down his shaft holding you there. He groaned thunderously at the feeling of your throat closing in around him. When he released you, he pulled all the way out. You gasped for air as tears and saliva soaked your face. You watched him massage himself as Hayden, now only in his boxers, came up to you. Hayden liked being more personal with you. He took his time kissing at your neck, softly at that. He then looked over your face planting gentle kisses to your cheeks and forehead before crashing his lips to yours. It was a welcomed needy kiss, like he’d been waiting all day to kiss you. You bright one of your hands up to his hair, fisting at it softly. He moaned into your mouth as you pulled at his hair, making you smirk against his lips.

You could feel Hayden’s hands exploring your body, mostly your thighs. He detached from your lips and started his trail of love bites down your body. You gasped at every sensation his bites sent through your body. He definitely knew what he was doing to you as you felt him grin against your skin. He traveled all the way down between your legs biting harder as he got closer to your cunt. “Hayden!” You screamed but you couldn’t figure out if it were from pleasure or pain or both. He smiled up at you, smoothing his thumb over the lost spot he had bitten. He placed an apologetic kiss just beneath your belly button as he ascended down once again.

You could feel breath as he reached your folds. You grabbed at your inner thighs, pushing them down slowly while still kissing at the skin just above your clit. You were breathing heavily with anticipation. “Are you ready?” He asked in a low rasp. You looked down between your legs to see he positioned right over your warmth. You can’t even think of how many times you’d imagined Hayden between your legs, so you looked at him for a second or two, bringing your hand down to play with his hair before saying yes and lowering him down to you. He starts off by placing a kiss to your clit. You didn’t even have time to react when he started his tongues assault on your pussy. He groaned against you as he played with your clit, licking and sucking while adding his middle and ring fingers to your entrance. You still had your hand in his hair tugging him deeper into you. He pumped his fingers rapidly into you making you squirm beneath him.

“Oh god, Hayden. You’re gonna make me cum.” After saying that Hayden switched his fingers to your clit and his tongue to your entrance. You were definitely screaming as he brought you closer to your climax.

All of a sudden, though, he was off you completely. You look down to see that had pushed him out of the way. “Let me show you how a Master does it.” He said to Hayden, making you giggle. Ewan spread your legs to look at your now dripping pussy. “Hello there.” He says directly to your pussy, leaning himself down into it. He takes you as Hayden had, soft, gentle kiss before the spine tingling sensation of your clit being totally worked work his tongue and lips. They felt almost the same besides Ewans facial hair adding that little extra amount of pleasure. Every time you moaned Ewans name he increased the pace of his tongue. You came very quickly, already being close with Hayden had made your orgasm ten minutes more intense. You tried to pull Ewan off as your orgasm made your sensitive clit even more sensitive. Your legs were shaking and your body was jolting as you begged Ewan to stop, he wouldn’t though. Being in such a sensitive state made you cum on his tongue again. You couldn’t believe how amazing this orgasm had felt. You blacked out momentarily as your body went limp around his face.

When you finally came down from your high, you looked between your legs to see Ewan massaging your thighs gently. “So sorry, my dear. I guess I couldn’t help myself. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” He asked. You don’t know if you were still a little delirious or just felt like having fun when you made your request. When you did though Ewan stopped rubbing your legs and glanced at you in shock. You look over to Hayden with a grin on your face as he also seemed to be in a bit of shock. “As you wish.” Ewan said.

You say up from your lying position and say crisscross. Hayden released his thick member from the boxer he’d been wearing, making you almost drool at the sight. Ewan and Hayden then joined you on the bed asking again if this was what you wanted. You nodded, still grinning. Ewan propped himself on his knees to be level with Hayden. He put both hands on Hayden’s shoulders before leaning in to kiss him. Your request had simply been to watch them with each other. The second their lips met you could feel a throb between your legs. They deepened the kiss as Hayden laid back. You hear Hayden moan as Ewan plays with his balls, gently. They continue on like this for several minutes before you can’t stand it anymore.

You tap on Ewan’s shoulder. He looks up at you from Hayden and you plead with your face to join them, they accept. Ewan lifts himself up as you snake in between them, now facing Hayden. “Hi.” You say giggling.

“Hello.” He responds before you lower your face down to kiss him. You taste so much in this kiss; alcohol, your juice and, you’re guessing, the taste of Ewan’s lips along with Hayden’s. You smile into the kiss while playing with his hair again. You feel him smile back at you and bring his hand down to your clit. “Are you ready?” He asked again. You weren’t sure what for this time but you said yes anyway. You still felt Ewan above you but now you felt his member begging for entry at your cunt. You look up at him with a nod before he slides into painfully slow. You inhale sharply as he fills you up. Hayden, still under you, plays with your hair while soothing you. “Does it hurt?” Hayden asks. You nod yes. “Wait till I fuck you then.” You moan at both the pleasurable pain in your core and the filthy things Hayden whispers in your ear. “Are you going to be a good girl and cum all over his cock?” You answer him incoherently as Ewan slams into you vigorously. “And when he’s done I’m going to wreck you myself, would you like that?” He hums.

“Yes, oh god yes. I-I want to come all over your cock.” You hear you groan above you as he pulls your hair making you join him in an upright position. The new angle makes you moan out almost into a scream. Hayden repositions himself under you as he aliens his cock perfectly were your face would come down to meet him.

Ewan grunts in your, “Does my cockiness feel good, love?” You moan in response. He slams into you harder. “Answer me, love.” He demands.

“Yes so good, so fucking good, Ewan.”

“Good, now be a good girl and suck his cock.” Ewan says shoving you back down onto Hayden’s member this time. Having already had Ewan in your mouth, your throat was nice and ready to slide Hayden in the way down gagging around him slightly. Hayden bucked his hips at the feeling of your warm mouth around him. He could tell this didn’t bother you so he took your hair into his fist as he fucked your mouth. No other men would ever make you this full and this happy again in your life. You heard you shout from above ‘I HAVE THE HIGHER GROUND’ which actually made you choke around Hayden. Hayden lifted you up from him thinking he’d hurt you but you were a gasping, laughing mess. You loved them. Before now you didn’t think you could love them anymore but every second you’d spent with them just increased your love for them.

Ewan had tired out behind you after a while and switched with Hayden, this time though you weren’t lying down. Hayden propped you up on your hands and knees. He began again, as he did on your front, by kissing down your spine, while fondling your breasts. “Can I keep you?” You whispered up at him. He smiled against your skin, making you giggle.

You became impatient waiting for him to fill you up, so you reached for his cock and massaged the tip ever so slightly as he hummed against you. Taking the hint he backed away from you just enough to position himself at your entrance. “This is where the fun begins.” He whispered in your ear, a hint of laughter in his voice. You nod again laughing briefly as he slowly takes you with his cock. He stretched you out like no one ever had. Ewan was big, of course, but Hayden’s was.. different. Hayden’s fit you like a tight glove he was almost too big for. He couldn’t fill you up at first, because you begged him not to. He got just passed the tip before pulling back out. “It’s okay. Take your time.” He told you as he pushed back in. This time felt a little better as he brought himself a little deeper inside you. You both groaned in unison once he’d filled you completely.

Your legs were shaking as he held you up. You’d honestly never felt so weak before now, but you didn’t care. Hayden felt so good gliding in and out of you slowly, letting you adjust to his size, still. You watched Ewan saunter up to you while pumping himself. You lick your lips as he brings his cock right up to your face. You lick the underneath of his cock, lacking up your own juice from him. You kiss the tip before taking him fully into your mouth. He groaned at the contact. You bobbed you’re head in sync with Hayden’s thrusts making Ewan twitch in your mouth. “Cum in my mouth please.” You beg him. He groans again as you holo out your cheeks around him. He takes your head inbetween his hands and fucks your mouth in sloppy thrusts. You feel him twitch just before releasing his seed into your mouth. You hum around him as he comes down from his high. He pets your head before releasing himself from your mouth with a pop.

Hayden lifts you up by your hair as Ewan had. You cry out his name, feeling him slide even deeper into. “Are you gonna cum around my cock?” He asked now bring a hand down to toy with your clit.

“Yes, oh fuck. Yes I’m gonna cum.” He increased his rhythm on your clit as he smashed into your g spot like it was there just for him. He thrust into you a couple more times before sending you over the edge. As your pussy tightened around him with your climax, he followed in his shortly after yours. You could feel him release into, both of your excitement mixing together inside you.

Hayden kisses at the top of your spine before exiting you. Your whole body collapsed when he went you go. All three of you sat for a moment, breathing heavily on top of each other’s sweaty bodies. You broke the silence by saying, “Um, I don’t think I can move.” The room filled with their laughter.

“Then I guess we did our jobs right, huh lad?” Ewan said, hitting Hayden on the shoulder. Hayden laughed before getting up. You watched as he dressed himself before picking up your dress and walking over to you.

He slipped the dress out to your hips. “Can you lift your hips for me.” He asked, trying to pull your dress up your body. You managed to do so. He flipped you over on your side to zip up the back.

Ewan leaned over to look at you, “That was great fun, love. Till next year!” He said planting a kiss to your cheek. You blush before you feel Hayden’s arms pick you up from the bed to carry you out of the room. You giggle as your legs still shook in Hayden’s arms. He smiled back down at you, also planting a kiss to your cheek.

“What time do you leave tomorrow?” He asked. Exiting Ewan’s room.

“Not till 3. Why?” You asked out of curiosity.

“I’m not quite done with you.” Hayden smirks as he carries you back to his room.

xMasterlist.x

[queenmiranda-01]

The Royal Couple                                              Chapter 9 - Spreading The News

Liam x Miranda (MC)

Hi and thanks for reading my story. I know this chapter has been a long time coming but with the pandemic, working from home, and home schooling it took me forever to find the time to write this chapter but thankfully I was FINALLY able to finish it so I hope everyone enjoys it.

I started working on Chapter 10 and I pray it does not take long to finish it.

Please know that I am not a professional writer so I apologize for any misspellings or improper grammar structure. As always I welcome all feedback both positive and negative. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters as they belong to Pixleberry Studios. I’m just using them for fictional entertainment purposes

(It’s Saturday morning, the day of the party where Liam and Miranda plan to announce to their close friends that they are expecting a baby. Miranda awakes to the aroma of the grill and the smoker filling her bedroom. She lets out a yawn and looks at her phone and sees that it’s 8:30am. She then turns to Liam’s side of the bed and sees that he is not there which means that he is already downstairs which also explains why the smell of barbecue is coming in through the open windows and balcony doors. Miranda gets out of bed and heads into her bathroom to wash herself and brush her teeth. She then goes into her closest and puts on a cute casual sun dress and heads downstairs. She walks out to the patio and sees Liam who is wearing a short sleeve button down shirt and cargo shorts. He is at the grilling station marinating and putting a rub on two large racks of ribs. As Miranda approaches the grilling station Liam looks up and gives her a big smile.)

Liam: Good morning Sweetie!

(Miranda walks over to Liam and gives him a kiss)

Miranda: Good morning Pitt Master!

(Liam chuckles at Miranda’s comment and gives her another kiss. Miranda watches over Liam’s shoulder as he finishes putting a rub on the ribs.)

Miranda: What time did you get up?

Liam: Uh…around 6:00am I think

Miranda: How come you were up so early?

Liam: I had to start the brisket early if we want to eat by this afternoon? How come you’re up so early?

Miranda: (Playfully) Oh I smelled the barbecue from upstairs so I thought I would come down and taste your meat.

(Liam has finished his rub of the ribs and is now washing his hands at the grilling station’s sink with his back to Miranda)

Liam: Sorry Love but the brisket is still in the smoker and it won’t be ready for a few more hours.

Miranda: (Playfully & Seductively) Well that’s not the ‘Meat’ I wanted to taste.

(Liam looks over his shoulder and gives Miranda a sly grin. He dries his hands off and walks over to her, wraps his arms around her waist, and pulls her close to his chest.).

Liam: (Softly and seductively) I thought you got enough of my ‘Meat’ last night.

Miranda: (Softly and seductively) You know I can’t get enough of your ‘Meat’ Sweetheart.

(Liam giggles and gives Miranda a kiss. When he releases her lips, she rests her head against his chest and closes her eyes as Liam rubs her back)

Miranda: Mmmm! … I’m so excited about today.

Liam: I know I have been looking forward to telling our friends about the baby. They are going to be so happy for us.

(Miranda looks up at Liam)

Miranda: They are going to be more than just happy. I know Maxwell and Hana are going to explode with excitement when we tell them.

Liam: Wait to you see the reaction when we release the statement to the press, the whole country will be overjoyed. I believe everyone has been waiting for us to announce that we are having a baby since the moment we returned from our honeymoon.

Miranda: Oh you know everyone has been on the edge of their seat waiting for that announcement. Every time we do an interview or face the paparazzi the first question they ask is “When are you guys having a baby?”

(Liam looks down at Miranda, lifts her chin up with his two fingers, and gazes lovingly into her eyes)

Liam: Well they won’t have to wait much longer because very soon we will tell the world that you are pregnant, and it will be one of the happiest days of my life.

Miranda: It will be one of mine too

Liam: I love you!

Miranda: I love you!

(Liam lowers his lips to Miranda and gives her a kiss. He then lets out a little sigh)

Liam: We better get moving. We got a lot to do around here before everyone arrives.

(Liam gives Miranda a kiss on her forehead and goes to break from her embrace)

Miranda: Um wait a minute! (Miranda pulls Liam back into her embrace) Where do you think you’re going?

(Liam smiles at Miranda as he wraps his arms around her)

Liam: (Grinning) Yes my love? What can I do for you?

Miranda: I wasn’t kidding when I said that I wanted to ‘Taste’ your meat

(Miranda moves her hand down to Liam’s crouch, unzips his shorts, pulls his dick out, and starts to play with it. Liam smiles as he moves his hand to her breast and caresses them.)

Liam: (Apologetically) I’m sorry Baby I didn’t realize you were serious about that.

(Liam and Miranda move their lips closer to each other’s)

Miranda: (Softly) When have I ever joked about such a thing?

Liam: (Softly and slightly shaking his head) Never! I should’ve known better

Miranda: (Softly) Yes, you should’ve.

(Liam and Miranda close the gap between their lips and share a deep kiss that quickly becomes heated as Miranda jerks Liam and causes him to become erect. After a few moments they release each other’s lips and are slightly out of breath)

Liam: Do you mind if I check on my brisket first before you ‘Taste’ my meat?

(Liam and Miranda playfully smile at each other)

Miranda:  I would never dream of keeping a Pitt Master from his grill

(Liam grins as Miranda releases her hold on his dick, he turns toward the smoker where the brisket is cooking. Liam opens the smoker as Miranda stands behind him and watches. The strong aroma of smoke and the smell of the brisket overpower Miranda’s senses and she immediately becomes nauseous and realizes that she is going to be sick.)

Miranda: Oh My God!

(Miranda quickly turns to the nearby trash bin, leans over it, and gets sick twice. Liam hearing Miranda’s cry quickly turns around and sees her getting sick over the trash bin. Liam immediately grabs a clean towel from the grilling station and puts his hand on Miranda’s back. After Miranda finishes getting sick, she remains leaning over the trash bin for a moment. Liam hands her the towel and she wipes her mouth)

Liam: (Compassionately) Are you alright?

(Miranda takes a deep breath through her nose and slowly breaths out of her mouth)

Miranda: Yeah, I’m fine

(Miranda straightens herself up as Liam wraps his arms around her and she rest her head on his chest)

Miranda: Wow that came over me so fast

Liam: I’m sorry Sweetie I shouldn’t have opened the smoker so close to you.

Miranda: It’s not your fault! I didn’t think the smell would affect me like that.

Liam: Well I guess any strong smells or odors can set off your morning sickness.

(Miranda smirks as she pulls apart from Liam)

Miranda: Maybe I need to stay away from the grill and smoker for a little while just to be safe (Liam nods I’m agreement) besides I need to start preparing some of the other food in the kitchen.

Liam: I think that’s a good idea. Come on let’s get you inside.

(Liam moves to escort Miranda back inside)

Miranda: (Chuckles) I’m ok to walk back inside by myself.

Liam: Yes, but a Lady, not to mention a Queen, should always have a proper escort.

(Miranda slightly rolls her eyes and giggles as Liam puts his arm around her and walks her off the patio and back into the family room. Once they are inside Liam turns to Miranda and lightly caresses her arms)

Liam: Are you sure you’re ok now?

(Miranda sighs at Liam)

Miranda: (A little sarcastic) Yes I’m fine, stop worrying about me so much.

Liam: (Slightly shakes his head with a playful grin) Never! I told you, I am your husband and it’s my job to worry about you, because I love you (he leans in a gives Miranda a little kiss and places his hand on her  belly) both of you!

(Liam then warps his arms around Miranda and pulls her close as she looks up and smiles at him)

Miranda: And WE love you.

(Liam grins as Miranda gives him a sweet little kiss)

Miranda: Why are you always so good to me?

Liam: Because you’re my girl!

Miranda: I’ll always be your girl and you’ll always be my guy.

(Liam and Miranda share another sweet little kiss)

Liam: Do you want me to get you anything?

Miranda: No! Stop fussing over me! I’m not a china doll that can easily break.

Liam: Of course not, you are far more valuable to me.

(Miranda grins at Liam and slightly shakes her head at him)

Miranda: (A little sarcastic) Yeah ok, I’m good now so get out of here before all your ‘fussing over me’ starts to annoy the hell out of me.

Liam: Very well I’ll head back outside. (Liam gives Miranda a quick kiss) Try not to miss me too much!

Miranda: (Giggles and gets a little sarcastic) Ok I’ll try my best.

(Liam smiles and gives Miranda a kiss on her forehead and then turns to head out the patio door but before he leaves Miranda calls out to him)

Miranda: Um Liam!

(Liam turns around and faces Miranda)

Liam: Yes?

Miranda: (Gesturing to his crouch) You..uh...might want to ‘fix yourself’ before you go outside.

(Liam looks confused until Miranda points to his crouch. He quickly looks down and his eyes widen as he sees that his dick (which is now gone soft) is still hanging out)

Liam: (Embarrassed) Oh!  My apologizes, I completely forgot that I was exposing myself.

(Liam puts his dick back in and zips up his shorts as Miranda giggles at him)

Liam: Thank you Baby!

Miranda: You’re welcome Sweetie!

(Liam heads out to the grill as Miranda who is still giggling at Liam shakes her head and goes into the kitchen. Around 12:00pm Miranda and Liam are waiting for their guest to arrive. Miranda is in the kitchen baking and making up the side dishes and salads. Liam is on the patio at the grilling station keeping an eye on the brisket and ribs that are cooking while preparing the chicken that he is also going to put on the grill. Back in the kitchen Miranda hears Drake’s voice calling out from the hallway)

Drake: YO! …Where is everybody?

Miranda: (Calling out to Drake) In the kitchen!

(Drake appears in the kitchen doorway wearing an old ratty t-shirt, wrinkled cargo shirts and holding a bag in his hand.)

Drake: Hey Carrington

(Miranda smiles at Drake and walks over to him and gives him a hug as Drake hugs her back with his free arm)

Miranda: Hey yourself stranger! How have you been?

Drake: Eh same as always

(As Miranda hugs Drake she recognizes his normal scent of Old Spice cologne, stale cigarette smoke, and whiskey. She releases him from her hug and looks at the bag he is holding)

Miranda: What’s in the bag?

Drake: It’s for Liam. (Drake glances around the kitchen & family room) Where is he?

Miranda: He’s out at the grill.

(Drake looks out toward the patio in the direction of the grilling station and chuckles)

Drake: Really? He still thinks he knows how to barbecue.

Miranda: Hey give him a break, he is getting much better at it.

Drake: Yeah but he still has a lot to learn.

Miranda: (Sarcastically) Well no one can ever be the great Pitt Master that you are Walker!

Drake: Nah I guess not

(Miranda giggles and shakes her head at Drake)

Miranda: So where have you been? I hardly see you around here anymore.

Drake: I’ve been in Lythikos

Miranda: Again? Why do you keep going there?

Drake: (Shrugging his shoulders) I’m part of the Royal Guard now. I go where they tell me to.

Miranda: I get that but you seem to be there an awful lot lately. Is everything ok in Lythikos?

Drake: Yeah everything’s fine, just beefing up security.

Miranda: (Suspiciously) Really? So you’re only going out there for security purposes?

(Drake knits his brow and cocks his head slightly as he knows Miranda is getting at something)

Drake: (Sarcastically) Yeah just for security purposes.

(Miranda nods her head and looks at Drake questionably)

Miranda: Oh..ok then!

(Drake rolls his eyes at Miranda and sighs)

Drake: Alright Carrington what are you getting at?

Miranda: Nothing! I…. I just find it interesting that you have been spending so much time in Lythikos and every time that you’re there we don’t see or hear from Olivia.

Drake: Maybe she’s busy. Did you ever think that might be the reason?

Miranda: (Being coy) Busy doing what?

Drake: I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her yourself?

Miranda: Oh I plan to ask her because she IS coming today (Miranda gets a playful suspicious grin on her face) but you already knew that. Didn’t you?

(Drake with a cocky look on his face leans in closer to Miranda)

Drake: Yeah, I did because she responded to your group text that she was coming.

Miranda: I bet you knew she was coming before she responded.

(Drake narrows his eyes at Miranda and takes a deep breath through his nose)

Drake: OK! I think I’ve had enough of this conversation. I’m going to go hang out with Liam by the grill.

(Drake leaves the kitchen and is heading toward the patio door)

Miranda: (Playfully) Bye Drake! Do you want me to let you know when Olivia arrives?

(Drake stops at the patio door and gives Miranda a stern look before he walks out onto the patio, Miranda laughs at Drake and goes back to fixing the food. Drake walks over to Liam at the grilling station and sees him putting barbecue sauce on the racks of ribs. Liam looks up at Drake as he approaches)

Drake: Those ribs need more sauce, you don’t want them to be too dry.

(Liam smirks at Drake)

Liam: I prefer my ribs to be a little dry Thank You! I find they tend not to cook as well if they are too wet.

Drake: (Sarcastically) Oh really? So you’re an expert on ribs now?

Liam: (Sarcastically) More like the King of ribs actually?

(Liam and Drake chuckle)

Drake: (Slightly shaking his head) Whatever.  Here you go.

(Drake takes a carton of cigarettes out of the bag he is holding and places them on the counter of the grilling station in front of Liam)

Liam: Oh ..uh ..thanks but it wasn’t necessary to get me a carton.

Drake: Yeah well, I’m not sure when I’ll see you next so I figured I would stock you up. I’ll just take my payment.

(Drake opens the carton and takes out three packs of cigarettes and puts two of them in the side pocket of his cargo shorts)

Liam: Why don’t you just keep the carton, I don’t need that many.

(Drake looks at Liam sternly and rolls his eyes)

Drake: Ah for Christ’s sakes don’t tell me you’re trying to quit, AGAIN!

Liam: Maybe I am and it’s something that you should consider doing Mr. Two Packs A Day!

(As Liam is saying this Drake lights up a cigarette and blows smoke in Liam’s face. Liam bats the smoke away and playfully shoves Drake)

Drake: Three packs actually and I’ll have you know at my last checkup the doc said I was as healthy as a horse

(Just as Drake finishes his sentence, he begins hacking which sounds like a smoker’s cough)

Liam: (Chuckles) Right? A horse with a bad smoker’s cough.

Drake: Ah shut the hell up! Here.

(Drake takes a pack of cigarettes out of the carton and puts it down in front of Liam. Liam looks down at the cigarettes and then back at Drake like he is contemplating whether he should smoke a cigarette since he is trying to quit now that Miranda is pregnant. Drake rolls his eyes at Liam in annoyance)

Drake: Will you stop being such a pussy and have a fucking cigarette…. You know you want one.

(Liam releases a small sigh, picks up the cigarettes, pulls one out of the pack and puts it in his mouth. He then takes his lighter out of his pocket and lights his cigarette. As he inhales, he savors the flavor and slowly blows the smoke out of his mouth with a satisfied look on his face)

Drake: (With a cocky smirk on his face) Your welcome!

Liam: (Sarcastically) Yeah thanks for always being such a bad influence on me

Drake: Fuck You!

(Liam and Drake chuckle and playfully shove each other)

Liam: Would you like a whiskey?

Drake: Do you seriously have to ask me that question?

(Liam chuckles)

Liam: What was I thinking?

Drake: You know on second thought I’ll have a beer right now. I’ll save the whiskey for later.

Liam: Ok let’s go over to the bar, I just put a new keg in this morning.

(Liam walks behind the bar where the tap is as Drake sits down at the bar. Liam puts his cigarette in his mouth, grabs two-pint glasses, and pours two beers for himself and Drake.  He walks around from behind the bar with the beers in his hands, puts them down on the bar and then takes a seat next to Drake. Liam takes his cigarette out of his mouth and holds his glass up to Drake’s)

Liam: Cheers

Drake: Cheers

(They both clink their glasses and start drinking their beers)

Liam: Were you in Lythikos again?

Drake: Yeah I just got back last night.

Liam: How’s the situation there?

Drake: It’s good. We’ve finished establishing all the new security protocols and provided training to the local guards. We shouldn’t have any more threats.

Liam: That’s excellent! Great job! I guess you’re happy that you don’t have to freeze your ass off in Lythikos anymore?

Drake: I’m heading back there next week

Liam: (Surprised) You are? Why? If you finished with all the security protocols, then I don’t see the need for you to return.

Drake: (Shrugging his shoulders) I just want to make sure everything is running smoothly, that’s all

Liam: (Looks at Drake suspiciously) Really? That’s the only reason you’re going back there?

(Drake narrows his eyes and gives Liam a stern look because he thinks Liam, like Miranda, is getting at something)

Drake: (A little annoyed) Yeah, that’s it. Why are you asking me this?

Liam: I’m just curious that’s all.

Drake: Curious about what?

Liam: Why you are going back to Lythikos again especially now that the project is completed, and I know how much you hate it there.

Drake: I go where the Royal Guard assigns me, you know that.

Liam: That’s not entirely accurate, and you know it. Bastien told me he never assigned you to Lythikos and that you originally volunteered to go, and you keep volunteering to go back. The question is why do you keep volunteering?

(Drake has now become frustrated with Liam and lightly bangs his fist on the bar)

Drake: What the hell Li! Am I going to have to do this shit with you too?

Liam: (A little confused) What are you talking about? Do what shit?

Drake: Carrington was just drilling me the same way you are when I saw her in the kitchen. (Drake becomes agitated) If you want to know so badly then just ask me for Christ’s sake!

Liam: Ask you what?

Drake: (Angrily raising his voice) IF I’M FUCKING OLIVIA?

Liam: (A little taken back) Alright then! Are you ..fucking Olivia?

Drake: (With a sarcastic tone) YES! I AM! Ok! …Are you happy now?

(Liam is completely shocked by Drakes answer. He slightly opens his mouth as his eyes go wide)

Liam: You are? Seriously?

Drake: Yeah, I’m serious.

Liam: How long has this been going on?

Drake: I don’t know about…. (Drake thinks to himself for a moment) …. three months maybe

Liam: Really? …Wow! I…I can’t believe you and Olivia. I never thought you two would end up being a couple.

(Drake is drinking his beer when he hears Liam refer to him and Olivia as a couple. Drakes eyes go wide and he almost chokes on his beer)

Drake: Whoa! Whoa!  Back Up! We are NOT a couple! Neither one of us wants any of that couples bullshit! This is just about sex, nothing more so DON’T go spreading any false rumors.

(Liam slightly rolls his eyes at Drake)

Liam: You know I of all people would never do such a thing.

Drake: (Sarcastically) Good! Then you don’t have to worry about me kicking your ass.

(Liam gives Drake a doubtful look)

Liam: So let me get this straight, your relationship with Olivia is completely sexual?

Drake: Yep

Liam: You’re have no romantic feelings for her at all?

Drake: Nope! NONE at all!

Liam: Then I don’t understand.

Drake: (Sarcastically) What the hell don’t you understand?

(Liam takes one last inhale on his cigarette and then puts it out in the ashtray on the bar)

Liam: Why continue to let the affair go on for so long if there is no possibility of you two forming a relationship.

(Drake finishes his cigarette and puts it out in the ashtray on the bar)

Drake: That’s easy there are three reasons. (Drake holds up a finger as he makes each point) 1, Olivia has a smoking hotter than balls body. 2, She gives an AMAZING blowjob. And 3, (Drakes pauses for a second) She is without a doubt THE FUCK of the millennium! It’s the BEST goddamn sex I have ever had in my life. (Drake chuckles as he lights up another cigarette) but you should know, you’ve fucked her before. (Drake give Liam a small smirk) Haven’t you?

(Liam is also lighting up another cigarette as Drake is speaking. He inhales on his cigarette when Drake mentions that Liam has fucked Olivia which causes Liam to lightly choke as he blows the cigarette smoke out of his mouth.)

Liam (lightly coughing with a surprised look on his face) Excuse me? What are you talking about?

Drake: (Annoyed) Don’t play that dumb act with me! I know you’ve fucked Olivia before so don’t even try to deny it.

Liam: I can assure you that Olivia and I have NEVER had sex together.

Drake: (Gives Liam a doubtful look) BULLSHIT!

Liam: (A little annoyed) I’m NOT bullshitting you at all, I’m telling the truth!

Drake: (with a doubtful tone to his voice) Really? Then what about that New Year’s Eve party?

Liam: (Liam knits his brow and slightly shakes his head in confusion) What New Year’s Eve party?

Drake: That one at the Beaumont’s a few years back! You two were making out most of the night and then I saw you guys sneak upstairs to one of the bedrooms.

Liam (Rolling his eyes and shaking his head) She and I were so drunk that night by the time we got to the bedroom we just passed out on the bed. Nothing happened, trust me!

Drake:  Ok then how about during the last Social Season? (Again Liam knits his brow and looks at Drake with confusion). When we were in Lythikos? The night of the ball? I saw Olivia leaving your room that night and her dress was…unzipped halfway.

(Liam now realizing what Drake is referring to has an almost regretful look on his face)

Liam: Oh…that

Drake: (Sarcastically) Yeah that! So you did fuck her?

(Liam looks down for a moment, and shakes his head in disagreement)

Liam: No, I did NOT…. (he sighs) but to be honest with you a part of me wanted to that night and I…. almost did.

Drake: Huh? What do you mean you ‘almost’ did?

Liam: Er….it was complicated

Drake: Complicated? How the hell was it complicated?

Liam: Er…it’s a long story

Drake: Well we got nothing else to do except to sit here and smoke, drink, and wait for the food to get done so you might as well just tell me to kill some time.

(Liam takes a sip of his beer and inhales on his cigarette)

Liam: Very well…(Liam sighs) Earlier that evening Miranda had been in my quarters, I had….

(Drake cuts Liam off with a sarcastic comment)

Drake: Oh there’s a shock! Another story that starts off with Carrington being in your room!

(Liam narrows his eyes and gives Drake a stern glare)

Liam: (Getting annoyed and slightly raising his voice) Do you want to hear this story or not!

(Drake has a playfully apologetic look on his face)

Drake: (Smirks) Ok, ok calm down! Continue

Liam: As I was saying, I had asked Miranda to join me in my quarters after the ball that evening. She arrived and we ended up in the hot tub and things got VERY heated as they usually do between us and we… made love. I hadn’t planned on that happening (Liam pauses for a second and inhales on his cigarette. As he blows the smoke out of his mouth, he has small grin on his face and a little gleam in his eye) but I wasn’t sorry that it did. Anyhow Olivia must have seen Miranda leaving my quarters and I assume wanted to know what she had been doing there so she knocked on my door. I thought it was Miranda returning, so I answered the door wearing nothing but a towel and was shocked when I saw Olivia standing there. She forcefully invited herself in and upon entering my quarters figured out that Miranda and I had made love and she was…well let’s just say that she less than pleased about it.

Drake: (Chuckles) Yeah I bet she was. Wait, how did she figure out that you and Carrington had sex?

Liam: She er…saw the condom that I had used discarded in the waste basket.

(Drake rolls his eyes and shakes his head in disbelief at Liam)

Drake: You dumb fuck, don’t know you know anything? You’re supposed to wrap it in a tissue before you throw it away. (Liam gives a small smirk and shrugs his shoulders) So what did Olivia do after she figured it out?

Liam: She gave me a speech about how I wasn’t being fair to her and that I was only paying attention to Miranda and then proceeded to profess her love for me and tell me how she was the only woman who could truly make me happy. (Liam sighs and inhales on his cigarette) The next thing I know she takes off her dress and is standing naked in front of me. She then removes my towel and we were then in each other’s arms passionately kissing on the bed.

Drake: So what the HELL stopped you from fucking her?

Liam: Well like I said a part of me want to have sex with her and as you so colorfully pointed out Olivia is a very attractive woman with a gorgeous body.

Drake:(Sarcastically) Buuuttt?

(Liam looks down and then meets Drakes eyes)

Liam: But…I couldn’t help thinking about Miranda and how hurt she would have been when she found out, so I told Olivia that we had to stop and that it wasn’t right for us to have sex at that moment. She got angry with me, put her dress on and stormed out of my quarters.

Drake: How would’ve Carrington ever found out?

Liam: Come on Drake you know Olivia. She would have taken the first opportunity she had to gloat to Miranda and the other women that she had sex with me and that would have devastated Miranda

Drake: I guess she would have been a little upset, but it wasn’t like you two were engaged or anything. Carrington knew that other women were pursuing you at that time.

Liam: True but I knew how much it bothered Miranda when Olivia kissed me at the ball during the waltz. I could only imagine how upset she would have been had she learned that Olivia and I had sex only a short time after she and I had made love that same evening. (Liam inhales on his cigarette and slightly shakes his head as he looks a little remorseful). I can’t explain it but for some reason the thought of having sex with Olivia made me feel as if I was cheating on Miranda and couldn’t bare to hurt her like that…I loved her too much.

(Drake slightly turns his head away from Liam and mumbles under his breath)

Drake: You weren’t the only one.

(Liam not catching what Drake said looks at him questionably)

Liam: Sorry? What did you say?

(Drake quickly faces Liam and tries to change the subject)

Drake: Um you better go check on that brisket you don’t want it to overcook and dry out

(Liam looks over his shoulder at the smoker)

Liam: Oh you’re right! Thanks!

(Liam takes once last inhale on his cigarette and then puts it out in the ashtray that is next to him. He gets up from the bar and hurries over to the smoker where the brisket is cooking. Drake slowly gets up from the bar and walks over to the smoker and watches as Liam checks on the brisket. Liam glances up as Drake approaches)

Drake: Mmh! Brisket looks pretty good there (Drake gets a sarcastic tone) Maybe you do know what you are doing after all.

Liam: Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence.

(Liam and Drake giggle)

Liam: May I ask a favor of you?

Drake: What?

(Liam closes the smoker and then looks at Drake with a serious expression on his face)

Liam: Will you not mention to Miranda about what happened between Olivia and I at Lythikos?

Drake: Ok sure but why the big secret? You know Carrington isn’t the jealous type and nothing really happened between you two. Plus, it was well before you guys were engaged.

Liam. I realize that but I don’t want to risk upsetting her especially in her current condition.

Drake: (Looking concerned) What? What are you talking about? What condition?

(Liam goes silent and looks down like he shouldn’t have said anything. Drake is now worried that something is wrong with Miranda)

Drake: (Shouts) LI!!! (Liam is slightly startled and looks at Drake) What’s wrong with Miranda? Is she ok???

Liam: Yes she is fine! Nothing is wrong with her. I just meant that Miranda is stressed right now because she has a lot on her plate with the Children’s Hospital, the new charity foundation, and the education initiative that she has been working on. I don’t want to see her stress anymore then she already is.

Drake: Oh…um ok fine. I won’t mention it to her.

Liam: Thank you. (There is a brief awkward silence between them) I uh better get theses chickens on the grill.

(Liam takes the plate of chicken parts and starts putting them on the grill. Drake watches and wonders if Liam is being honest with him about what is really going on with Miranda.

Back in the kitchen Miranda is at the island cutting up fruits & vegetables when she hears a loud familiar voice from the hall and immediately gets a big smile on her face)

Maxwell: THE BEAUMONT PAAARRRRTY TRAIN IS IN THE……. (Maxwell appears in the kitchen doorway with his arms open) HOOOOUUSSEEE!!!!!!

Miranda: (Excitedly) MAX!!!

(Miranda rushes over to Maxwell and the two of them embrace in a bug hug)

Miranda: It’s so good to see you!

Maxwell: I’ve missed you so much little blossom!

Miranda: I’ve missed you too. (Miranda breaks from her hug and pulls Maxwell over to the chairs at the island.) Come here sit down, I want to hear all about the book tour! How was it?

(Miranda and Maxwell sit down on the island chairs and Maxwell beams with joy as he tells Miranda all about his recent book tour for his novel The Royal Romance, which is about her and Liam’s romance)

Maxwell: Ah Randy! (Maxwell’s nickname for Miranda is “Randa” or “Randy”) It was incredible! It was fantastic! The best tour of my life! The Royal Romance is going to be the GREATEST Romance novel in the world.

(Miranda puts her hands to her mouth and has an overjoyed look on her face)

Miranda: Oh Max that’s awesome to hear! I’m so happy for you! So the reception has been good from both the fans and the critics?

Maxwell: The reception has been unbelievable! Everybody LOVES the book! No matter where we went, Lythikos, Portavera, Fydelia, Paris, London, New York, Chicago, LA we got the same response from people saying how great the book is and how much they LOVE you, especially in New York! Your hometown is extremely proud of you.

Miranda: Well you’re the one they should be proud of not me. This is your creation and I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.

Maxwell: Ah come on now you know it’s your story. You’re the main character that everyone loves! I’m just the guy that decided to write it down and share it with the world.

Miranda: No, you’re the guy that made all of this happen. You took a chance on an out of work Broadway actress who was bartending and waiting tables and decided to bring me here. All of this is because of you and I can’t thank you enough. (Miranda gets off her chair and gives Maxwell a big hug) I love you Maxwell!

(Maxwell gets a big smile on his face and hugs Miranda back tightly)

Maxwell: Aww I love you too Miranda! Thanks! (Miranda and Maxwell pull apart and Maxwell puts his arm around her shoulder as the two friends smile at each other) You’re my best friend in the whole world, not to mention a GREAT money marker for me.

(Miranda smirks at Maxwell and playfully slaps his shoulder)

Miranda: You better remember to share those royalties with your friends!

Maxwell: Don’t worry everybody will get their share, just like I promised.

(Miranda releases herself from Maxwell’s arm and walks over to the other side of the island and continues with the salad that she was chopping up when he came in)

Miranda: I guess you’re looking forward to being back at Beaumont Manor. It’s been awhile since you were home.

Maxwell: Yeah I can’t wait to get back to the Estate, but I’m not going to be there long. I’m headed to LA in two weeks.

Miranda: Really? What do you have to go to LA for?

Maxwell: (Reluctantly) Well…It’s…kind of…. private

(Miranda slightly cocks her head and raises her eyebrow as she gives Maxwell a curious look)

Miranda: Maaxxweelll! (Maxwell flashes a playful grin) What’s going on?

Maxwell:  I’m not supposed to say anything.

Miranda: Well you look like you are about to burst. SPILL! NOW!

(Maxwell beams with excitement and gets giddy)

Maxwell: (Giggling) You’re right I am about to burst. I gotta tell someone!

(Maxwell gets off the chair at the island and rushes over to Miranda’s side. He quickly glances around to make sure they are alone and then lowers his voice)

Maxwell: I’m going back to LA to meet with a movie producer (Miranda’s eyes light up) He wants to talk to me about making The Royal Romance into a feature film.

Miranda: (Excitedly) OH MY GOD MAX!! (Miranda gives Maxwell a hug and they both laugh) That’s fantastic! Congratulations!

(Miranda and Maxwell release each other from their hug)

Maxwell: Thanks! Can you believe it? It’s going to be so COOL seeing yours and Liam’s love story play out on the big screen.

Miranda: That love story also includes you and the rest of our amazing friends so it will be cool seeing all of us represented on the big screen

Maxwell: Yeah but you and Liam are the stars of the movie, everyone knows that!

Miranda: Well just like in your book the so-called “stars” need a great supporting cast of friends in order to make the story successful. Let’s hope the movie stays true to the essence of the book.

Maxwell: It will be interesting to see how the meeting goes but, in the meantime, promise me you won’t say a WORD to anyone until it’s all official.

Miranda: I won’t say a WORD to anyone, I promise.

(Maxwell and Miranda share hug)

Maxwell: Thanks Randy! I knew I could trust you.

Miranda: Always!

(Maxwell gives Miranda another big hug)

Maxwell: Hey so where’s the Big Guy?

Miranda: He’s out at the grill with Drake

(Maxwell’s eyes light up with excitement)

Maxwell: Oh cool Drake’s here! I’m going to go out and say “Hi” to my boys.

Miranda: Ok have fun but stay out of trouble!

Maxwell: Can’t make any promises when I’m with my boys. Bye!

(Maxwell runs out through the patio doors as Miranda laughs at him. A few minutes later Miranda hears little feet running down the hallway. As the sound approaches the kitchen Miranda looks up and smiles as a little boy appears in the doorway)

Bartie: Ant Mawranda!

(Miranda quickly rushes over to Bartie and scoops him up in her arms and gives him a big hug)

Miranda: (Excitedly) Hello my little guy! I missed you so much! Look how big you got!

(Just then Savannah and Bertrand appear in the kitchen. Savannah smiles at the sight of Miranda and Bartie hugging but Bertrand has a shocked expression on his face)

Bertrand: Bartie! That is not the proper way to address her Majesty the Queen!

(Both Savannah and Miranda roll their eyes at Bertrand’s comment)

Savannah: Oh Bertrand! He’s too young to understand that.

Miranda: Exactly and besides (She holds little Bartie sideways in her arms and speaks in a cute playful voice) he’s not addressing the Queen, he’s hugging his Aunt Miranda (Miranda tickles Bartie and he laughs in her arms)

Bertrand: Never the less one is never too young to begin learning proper Courtly manners. Observe.

(Miranda puts Bartie down and looks at Bertrand)

Bertrand: Now Bartie (Bartie looks at his Father) Watch me. (Bertrand clears his throat and bows to Miranda) Good afternoon you Majesty! We are most honored and grateful to be in your presence today Ma’am.

(Bartie just smiles at Bertrand as Miranda and Savannah exchange a side glance and shake their heads)

Miranda: (Takes a deep sigh) Bertrand I am NOT the Queen today I am your friend so drop the formalities and give me a hug.

(Miranda walks over to Bertrand and gives him a big hug)

Miranda: It’s good to see you, I’ve missed you

(Bertrand returns Miranda’s hug and has a warm smile on his face)

Bertrand: It’s good to see you too Miranda, it’s been far too long.

(Miranda and Bertrand release each other from their hug, just then Bartie runs into the Family Room as Bertrand chases after him)

Bertrand: Bartie DO NOT touch anything!

(Miranda laughs at Bertrand and Bartie and moves toward Savannah and the two of them give each other a hug)

Miranda: Hi Savannah!

Savannah: Hi Miranda!

Miranda: It’s good to see you, I’m so glad you guys could make it.

Savannah: It’s good to see you too. We wouldn’t have missed this. Thanks for having us.

Miranda: Of course!

(Miranda and Savannah release each other form their hug and walk into the family room where Bertrand and Bartie are. When they reach the Family Room Savannah looks at Miranda and gives her a curious smirk because she notices that there is something different about Miranda, but she can’t put her finger on what it is)

Savannah: You really look great Miranda!

Miranda: Aww thanks!  You look beautiful as always.

Bertrand: (To Miranda) Has Maxwell arrived?

Miranda: Yeah he’s out at the grill or most likely the bar by now with Liam and Drake.

Savannah: (Surprised) Drake’s here already?

Miranda: Yep he just got back from Lythikos

Savannah: He was in Lythikos again?

(Miranda nods her head “Yes” to Savannah just then Bartie runs over to Savannah and she kneels down to speak to her son)

Savannah: Sweetie do you want to go out to the patio and see Uncle Drake, Uncle Maxwell, and Uncle Liam?

Bartie: YAAAAAYYYY!

(Bartie darts out the patio door with Bertrand quickly following him)

Bertrand: BARTIE! Wait for me!

(Miranda and Savannah laugh at Bertrand and Bartie as Savannah stands back up and looks around the Family Room)

Savannah: Wow! The suite looks amazing, it turned out beautifully.

Miranda: Thanks! I forgot that this is the first time you are seeing it. I’ll have to give you a tour later but first I need to finish getting the food ready.

Savannah: Oh, do you need any help?

Miranda: Yeah sure. Can you make up the salad for me?

Savannah: No problem

(As Miranda and Savannah head toward the Kitchen Miranda notices Savannah smiling at her again with a pondering look on her face)

Miranda (Giggling) What are you smiling at me like that for?

Savannah: I don’t know…It’s just…You… You really look great, that’s all.

Miranda: Well thanks!

Savannah: There is something different about you.

Miranda: Different? What do you mean?

(Savannah slightly tilts her head to the side and looks over Miranda with a curious smile as she tries to figure out what is different about her)

Savannah: I don’t know I can’t put my finger on it but there is something different. It’s almost like you’re   glowing.

(Miranda panics a little and wonders if Savannah is able to notice a difference and fears that she will guess that she is pregnant. In order to keep the surprise Miranda decides to try and change the subject.)

Miranda: It’s probably because I’m just so happy and excited that everyone is coming today. It’s been so long since we were all able to get together.

Savannah: I know I think the last time we all saw each other was the day you and Liam left for your honeymoon and that was almost six months ago.

Miranda: Yeah I think you’re right.

Savannah: This was a great idea getting everyone together.

(Miranda smiles at Savannah and they two of them then concentrate of preparing the food)

Miranda: How are the wedding plans coming?

(Savannah releases a little sigh and gives a small shrug of her shoulders. Miranda stares at Savannah as she was expecting her to be a little more enthusiastic about her wedding plans)

Savannah: Um…they’re …. coming along.

Miranda: Is everything ok?

Savannah: Yeah everything is fine. Bertrand and I are disagreeing on where to have the wedding?

Miranda: I thought you guys were having the wedding at Beaumont Manor?

Savannah: Well that’s where Bertrand would like to have it.

Miranda: But you don’t?

Savannah: I did until my Mother called and said that she would like us to have the wedding take place at her Ranch in Texas.

Miranda: That sounds nice but I’m guessing Bertrand doesn’t want the wedding to take place in TX.

Savanah: (Shaking her head “No”) Not particularly. He wants a traditional Cordonia wedding and feels that it would be best to have the ceremony at Beaumont Manor.

Miranda: He can have a traditional Cordonia wedding anywhere, it’s doesn’t necessarily have to take place in Cordonia.

Savannah: That’s what I told him which he seemed ok with so I might be able to get him to come around. The other issue was that he wanted to invite the Royal Court to the wedding and he thinks that none of them will attend if we have the wedding in TX, which is probably true so I told him that we can have a reception back here in Cordonia sometime in mid-July after the Social Season.

(Miranda stops what she is doing and gives Savannah a surprised look because she realizes that Savannah and Bertrand having their reception in mid-July could possibly conflict with the baby’s due date.)

Miranda: Oh..um..You would have the reception in mid-July, really?

(Miranda has an uneasy look on her face which Savannah picks up on and thinks that Miranda and Liam won’t be able to attend the reception.)

Savannah: Would you and Liam be able to attend the reception if we had it in mid-July or do you guys already have something planned around that time?

(Miranda not wanting to raise suspicion with Savannah or have to reveal to her (at least not at this moment) about her being pregnant decides to play it off and puts a big smile on her face.)

Miranda: Of course we would be able to attend, that date should be fine. Liam and I wouldn’t miss your’s and Bertrand’s reception for the world.

Savannah: Are you sure? (Miranda smirks at Savannah and nods her head “Yes”) Ok then.

(Miranda looks down to avoid eye contact with Savannah and finishes with the food tray she is working on. Savannah gives Miranda a puzzling look as she thinks Miranda is not being completely honest with her. The two are silent for a few moments).

Miranda: (To Savannah) So um have you been talking to your brother much lately?

Savannah: Just a few texts here and there to check-in and see how he is doing.

Miranda: Has he mentioned why he has been in Lythikos so much these past few months?

Savannah: Not really, he said that he had some new security protocols that he and the other guards were working on.

Miranda: That’s all he told you?

Savannah: Pretty much, yeah. Why are you asking?

Miranda: I don’t know I just find it strange that he has been spending so much time in Lythikos when I know how much he hates it there.

Savannah: Well if that’s where the Royal Guard is assigning him then he doesn’t have much of a choice.

Miranda: (Doubtful) Yeah but I think there is more to it than him just being assigned there.

Savannah: What more could there be?

(Miranda seems a little frazzled and lets out a sigh as she knows that what she is about to imply couldn’t possibly be true.)

Miranda: I know how crazy this is going to sound but…. every time Drake has been in Lythikos we haven’t seen or heard from Olivia…so it just makes me wonder if something might be…going on between them?

(Savannah stares at Miranda with a serious doubtful look as she cannot believe what Miranda is indicating)

Savannah: Wait a minute! Are you saying that you think Drake and Olivia are……? (Savannah gets a disgusted look on her face) Oh My God NO! You CAN’T be serious! This is Drake and Olivia we are talking about! I mean they can barely stand to be in the same room with each other so there is just NO way my brother would……er I …. I mean it can’t be….it just CAN’T be!

Miranda: I KNOW! It’s Crazy!! Everytime I think about it and say it out loud it sounds even crazier but…. I just have this strange feeling that something is going on between them…I don’t know why I just do.

(Savannah is still in disbelief and shock over what Miranda is suggestion about Olivia and Drake)

Savannah: Have you confronted Drake or Olivia about…. your suspicions?

(Miranda sighs and gives a little shrug of her shoulders)

Miranda: Well I tired asking Drake if there was anything going on between him and Olivia when he first arrived today, but you know your brother when he doesn’t want to talk about something he clams up and walks away.

Savannah: Yeah that’s Drake for you, rather than confront something that makes him uncomfortable his solution is to just shut down and ignore it and hope it will go away.

Miranda: I guess I could always ask Olivia when she arrives

Olivia: (With a loud suspicious tone to her voice) Ask Olivia what?

(Miranda and Savannah are completed startled by Olivia’s voice. They both look over to the doorway of the kitchen and see Olivia leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded across her chest and glaring at the two of them with a smirk on her face)

Miranda: (To Olivia) JESUS CHRIST! You scared the hell out of me! …How long have you been standing there?

Olivia: I just got here

Savannah: (To Olivia) Why didn’t you say “Hello”?

Olivia: I always prefer to catch people off guard, it makes for a much more dramatic entrance.

Miranda: Yeah well spare us the drama and don’t sneak up on your friends like that.

(Miranda walks toward Olivia with her arms open to hug her. Olivia not wanting to hug Miranda gives her an uncomfortable look)

Olivia: Eh! Must you always do this?

(Miranda stops before she reaches Olivia and is annoyed by her reaction to wanting to hug her)

Miranda: Yes! I must! Now get over here.

(Olivia rolls her eyes and walks over to Miranda)

Olivia: (Displeased) Very well

(Miranda gives Olivia a hug and Olivia uncomfortably pats Miranda on the back but allows a small smile to escape her lips)

Miranda: It’s good to see you! I’ve missed you!

Olivia (Still with a little smirk on her face) Yes well, I’m sure I have missed your company on occasion over the last few months

(Miranda lightly giggles and shakes her head at Olivia because she knows that is Olivia’s way of saying that she really missed Miranda)

Olivia: Savannah, you’re looking well

Savannah: Thanks, you look good too.

Olivia: (Cocky) Yes, I know I do

(Savannah rolls her eyes at Olivia)

Olivia: (To Savannah) How are the wedding plans coming along?

Savannah: Great, thanks. I was actually just telling Miranda…….

(Olivia sharply cuts Savannah off in mid-sentence)

Olivia: Oh how wonderful, I’m so happy for you (Olivia turns her attention to Miranda as Savannah shakes her head at Olivia because she really isn’t surprised by her behavior) Now Miranda what is this ‘question’ that you wanted to ask me?

Miranda: (Trying to brush it off) Oh, it’s nothing important

Olivia: Really? From what I overheard It seemed rather important, like you really wanted to ask me

(Miranda and Savannah glance at each other which Olivia picks up on. She rolls her eyes in annoyance at them and takes an angry deep breath)

Olivia: For the love of Lythikos! Will you two stop acting like teenage girls and just ask me your damn question!

Miranda: Ok, FINE!...... It’s about you and Drake

(Olivia folds her arms across her chest and glares at Miranda curiously)

Olivia: What about Drake and I?

Miranda: (Hesitantly) Well I noticed that Drake has been spending a lot of time in Lythokis these past few months.

Olivia: Yes I know. He and the Royal Guard have been initiating new security protocols. (Olivia’s huff’s and rolls her eyes in annoyance) Not that its necessary! My guards are perfectly capable of creating their own protocols but thanks to that scumbag Anton the crown feels that Lythokis could use new security procedures so who am I to argue with the King’s Guard.

Miranda: Oh ok. So he is just working on security protocols when he is in Lythokis?

Olivia: I assume so. (Olivia knits her brow and looks at Miranda with curiosity) Why are you asking me this?  Shouldn’t you be asking Drake what he is doing when he is in Lythokis?

Miranda: I did, and he said he was beefy up the security there.

Olivia: Then you have your answer. (Annoyed) What does any of this have to do with me?

Miranda: I don’t know… it’s just that we haven’t seen or heard from you in the last few months

Olivia: (Sarcastically) Well I AM the Duchess of Lythokis! I do get busy from time to time. I don’t just sit around all day counting my daggers. I have lands to govern.

Miranda: I know that but..it..ah seems that you are only busy when Drake is in Lythokis!

(Olivia again folds her arms across her chest and narrows her eyes at Miranda)

Olivia: What are you getting at Miranda?

Miranda: (Hesitantly) Nothing…. I just thought that…. (Miranda glances at Savannah as she struggles to finish her sentence)

(Olivia finally loses her cool and release her annoyance at Miranda)

Olivia: FOR CHRIST’S  SAKE MIRANDA!!! Well you just ask me your goddamn questions already! I HAVE better things to do then to just stand here all day!

Miranda: Ok! Ok!....(Miranda pauses for a second) Are you and Drake seeing each other?

Olivia: (Looking confused) Seeing each other? You mean as in a relationship?

Miranda: Yes! Are you two in a relationship together?

(The expression on Olivia’s face quickly changes from confusion to amusement and she begins to laugh hysterically)

Olivia: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You actually thought that Drake and I? Oh my god!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

(Miranda and Savannah are not laughing and stare at Olivia as they don’t see why she sees this as being so hysterically funny. Olivia continues to laugh)

Miranda: (To Olivia) I didn’t realize the thought of you and Drake together would be that comical of an idea to you.

(Olivia begins to compose herself but still releases a few little giggles)

Olivia: Of course its comical! I’m the Duchess of Lythikos! I have extremely high standards when it comes to the men I wish to pursue, and I can’t be seen with just anyone. Frankly I don’t’ understand how any person of nobility could fall in love with a lowly commoner

(Miranda and Savannah hearing Olivia’s remark glare at her with annoyance)

Miranda & Savannah: (In Unison) HEY!!

Miranda: May I remind you that we (motioning to herself and Savannah) are commoners and I can fully understand why the men we love want to be with us.

Savannah: And there is NOTHING lowly about either us or my brother Thank You! He is a great guy!

Miranda: Yes, HE IS Savannah!

Olivia: (Slightly stammering) Well …I…I wasn’t referring to either of you of course and I suppose Drake is a good guy ….but

(Olivia shrugs her shoulders and goes silent. Miranda glares at Olivia expecting her to finish her sentence)

Miranda: But what?

Olivia: He’s….(Olivia pauses as she thinks of a polite way to say Drake isn’t good enough for her) Just not someone I could see myself having feelings for.

Miranda: (A little annoyed) Because you don’t think he is good enough for you. Right?

(Olivia does not respond. Savannah shakes her head in disbelief at Olivia. Miranda slightly nods her head, but you can tell that she is disappointed in Olivia response)

Miranda: Well I guess that answers my question then. You and Drake are NOT in a relationship together.

(Miranda walks back over the counter and continues to prepare the food and Savannah finishes making up the salad.

Olivia: No! We are not in a relationship! (Miranda puts a small piece of fruit in her mouth and Savannah takes a drink of water.) …..But we are fucking each other.

(Olivia’s comment shocks Miranda & Savannah. Savannah practically spits the water out of her mouth and Miranda begins to lightly choke on the piece of fruit she is eating. Miranda swallows the piece of fruit and clears her throat. Both Miranda and Savannah look at Olivia with wide eyes and their mouths open as they are both stunned by what she has revealed)

Miranda: WHAT???

Savannah: WHAT???

(Olivia can’t understand why Miranda & Savannah are so shocked and stares at them curiously)

Olivia: Drake and I are fucking each other.

Savannah: (Looking surprised and grossed out) Oh My GOD!

Miranda: What do you mean “you’re fucking each other” You just said that you two weren’t in a relationship together and could never possibly be in one.

Olivia: (Lightly chuckles) You think you have to be in relationship with someone in order to fuck them? Seriously Miranda? What are you a schoolgirl?

Miranda: (Rolling her eyes with a sarcastic tone) Well most people are in a relationship with the person they have repeated sex with.

Olivia: Maybe but thankfully Drake & I aren’t like most people.

Miranda: Clearly!.. So if you two aren’t seeing each other what exactly is your relationship then?

Olivia: We’re fuck buddies of course

(Savannah gets a disgusted look on her face)

Savannah: I’m think I’m going to be sick!

Miranda: (To Olivia) FUCK BUDDIES! You’ve GOT to be kidding me?

Olivia: (Shrugs her shoulders) What?

Miranda: Why the HELL are you two fuck buddies?

Olivia: (Sarcastically) Because we like to fuck each other! Why is this so difficult for you to understand?

Miranda: Because I don’t get why you are continuing to have sex with Drake if you don’t ever see a relationship happening between you two?

Olivia: (Lightly chuckles) Oh that’s easy, it’s because the sex is incredible! It might be the best sex I have ever had in my life

(Savannah is even more grossed out by Olivia’s comment and looks like she just might puke)

Savannah: Alight I’m seriously think I’m going to be sick now.

Olivia: The other reason is because Drake has the BIGGEST Di………….

(Savannah sharply cuts Olivia off in mid-sentence as she can no longer stomach Olivia going on about having sex with Drake)

Savannah: OK STOP!!!!!!!!! THAT’S IT!!! I’m done, I can’t listen to this anymore so I’m going out to the patio before I throw-up and pass out.  Goodbye Ladies!

(Miranda and Olivia watch as Savannah walks out the door that leads to the patio. They then turn their attention back to one another but stand in an awkward silence for a moment)

Miranda: I’m sorry Olivia I don’t’ mean to drill you like this. I’m just shocked that’s all. I mean I suspected that you two were in a relationship, but I never thought it would be THAT of kind of relationship.

Olivia: Well not everyone can end up with the perfect fairytale that you and Liam have.

Miranda: You sure about that?

Olivia: What do you mean?

Miranda: Drake is a wonderful man. Underneath that gruff exterior is a kind, caring, sensitive, and loving guy with a heart as big as the world. He could make you happy if you let him and you deserve to be happy Olivia.

(As Olivia listens to Miranda’s words her face becomes sad and she looks down with her eyes)

Olivia: I know Drake is all those things and I have no doubt that he could make me happy but there is just one problem and NO! it has nothing to do with him being a commoner.

Miranda: Then what is it?

Olivia: (Olivia looks down with her eyes) The real reason I don’t have romantic feelings for Drake is because he’s …. (Olivia sighs) …. He’s….

(Miranda realizes what Olivia is trying to say so she finishes her sentences for her)

Miranda: He’s not Liam…Right?

(Olivia brings her eyes up and meets Miranda’s gaze. Miranda gives a small smirk as Olivia gives Miranda an apologetic look)

Miranda: You’re (Miranda pauses for a second) …You’re still in love with him? …Aren’t you?

Olivia: (Apologetically) I’m sorry Miranda but I can’t help the way I feel.

Miranda: I know and its ok you don’t have to apologize. I had just hoped you would have gotten over him by now.

Olivia: A man like Liam isn’t easy to get over.

Miranda: (Chuckles) No I guess not

(An awkward silence falls between them for a moment)

Miranda: Olivia I’m not going to tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel but I will say this. One lost love shouldn’t deny you your chance to find happiness. I know you feel you have to project a certain image to protect yourself and that’s fine but I’ve seen the loving, caring, and compassionate person that you are and It would be a real shame for you to not share that part of yourself with someone special. (Miranda takes Oliva’s hand) Don’t give up on love Olivia.

(Oliva’s face softens as she lets her guard down and gives Miranda a heartfelt smile)

Olivia: Thank you Miranda! You have no idea how much that means to me, I really appreciate it.

Miranda: Anytime!

(Miranda and Olivia warmly smile at each other until they see Hana, Kiara, & Penelope walk into the kitchen. Olivia quickly let’s go of Miranda’s hand and puts her normal cocky, stern expression on her face.)

Olivia (To Hana, Kiara, & Penelope) Well, well look at what the cat dragged in

Penelope: (To Miranda) Oh my goodness! Do you a cat now? You should have told me! I wouldn’t have brought Merlin & Morgana

(Miranda awkwardly smiles at Penelope as Olivia rolls her eyes and gets annoyed)

Oliva: Honestly Penelope! There is NO goddamn cat here! It was just an expression

Penelope: Ooooh right, thanks for clearing that up

(Oliva shakes her head in disbelief as Hana tries to change the subject)

Hana: So where is everyone?

Miranda: Oh they are all out on the patio. Everyone is probably getting hungry so I should start putting the food out. Can you girls help me take this stuff outside?

Penelope: Oh sure

Kiara: Absolutely

Hana: Of course, we would love to help you

Olivia (To Hana) Well I sure as hell wouldn’t

(Miranda and Hana both raise their eyebrows and stare at Olivia)

Olivia: Oh don’t look at me like that! You know perfectly well that I am much better at being served than serving, so I’ll be out at the bar. Ta!

(With that Olivia turns on her heel and walks out to the patio. Hana, Kiara, & Penelope help Miranda finish up with the side dishes and salads and a few minutes later the four of them take everything out to the dining table on the patio.

After Miranda and the girls finishing setting up the food on the patio Miranda looks around to see where everyone is. She notices that Maxwell is playing with Bartie over in the grass, Bertrand, Savannah, & Drake are having a conversation by the pool, and Olivia and Liam are drinking over at the bar. Miranda’s attention focuses on Liam as she watches him light a cigarette and realizes how incredibly hot and sexy he looks to her. She can’t explain it but at that moment everything about Liam is making her horny and turning her on, like the way he inhales on his cigarette and blows the smoke out of his mouth. The sexy way his upper lip slightly curls when he smiles. The way he runs his fingers through his hair, and the way his muscles flex underneath his shirt.  Miranda wants Liam, she wants him SO BAD she almost can’t stand it and has to fight the growing urge she has to rip his clothes off and make mad passionate love to him right there on the bar.  Miranda can feel herself getting hot as her loins burn with passion for her husband and her desire for him grows like a forest fire. She has forgotten that anyone else is there besides her and Liam until she hears someone call her name)

Hana: Miranda!

(Miranda is slightly startled and quickly snaps back to reality like she is coming out of a trance)

Miranda: What! What?

Hana: I asked you if you think Liam has the barbeque ready

Miranda: Oh..um…I’ll a…I’ll go ask him

Hana: Ok. Are you alright?

Miranda: Yeah fine, just fine.

(Miranda compose herself and walks over to the bar and she notices that Maxwell has now joined Liam and Olivia’s conversation. Liam spots Miranda approaching the bar and quickly puts his cigarette out in the ashtray and bats the smoke way that he is blowing out of his mouth. Olivia sees Liam doing this and looks at him suspiciously)

Miranda: So what are you three up to.

Maxwell: Nothing we’re being good, I swear

Miranda: (Sarcastically) Yeah sure

(Miranda walks behind the bar where Liam is standing and gives him a flirtatious smile as Liam smiles back at her. She wraps her arms around his neck and Liam warps his arms around her waist and holds her close to him. Miranda gives Liam a sweet kiss)

Liam: (To Miranda) Hi!

Miranda: Hi

Liam: Are you enjoying yourself?

Miranda: Of course I am

(Miranda gives Liam another kiss and it starts to last a little long. Maxwell smirks at them as Olivia rolls her eyes)

Olivia: Will you two stop it! May I remind you that you have patio full of guest, some of which don’t enjoy watching your CONSTANT public displays of affection.

Maxwell: (Teasingly) Yeah get a room guys or at least wait until we all leave.

(Liam and Miranda stop kissing and grin at Maxwell and Olivia but continue to embrace each other)

Miranda: (To Liam) I just put all the side dishes and salads out. Is the barbeque ready?

Liam: Yeah, I just took the brisket and ribs out, so we are all set.

Miranda: Ok then I’ll go tell everybody that we are ready to eat.

(Miranda and Liam seductively smile at each other and once again start to sweetly kiss each other)

Maxwell: Alright you two cut it out before I lose my appetite. Come on Randy lets go tell everyone we’re ready to eat.

(Miranda gives Liam one last kiss and then she releases herself from Liam’s embrace and walks with Maxwell back toward the dining table. Once they leave Olivia looks at Liam suspiciously again as Liam starts to clean up the bar area)

Olivia: So what was that all about?

Liam: What was what all about?

Olivia: When Miranda first came over you quickly put your cigarette out like you were trying to hide from her that you were smoking.

Liam: Oh that…Well I promised Miranda that I was going to try to quit smoking, so I didn’t want her to see me having a cigarette.

Olivia: (Lightly chuckles) Oh Liam you have been saying that you are going to quit since you started smoking but everyone, including Miranda, knows that you never do.

Liam: Well this time I’m going to do my best to try and quit for good.

(Olivia starts to grow suspicious)

Olivia: Really? How come you are so determined to quit this time?

(Liam glances at Olivia and realizes that she is getting suspicious, so he tries to throw her off and not ruin the surprise about the baby)

Liam: Because it’s not good for me and I also don’t want to get lung cancer like my father

(Olivia doesn’t buy Liam’s excuse, but she decides not to pursue it and lets it go)

Olivia: Oh..ok then

Liam: Olivia why don’t you go an make yourself comfortable at the table, I’m going to bring the food over soon.

Olivia: Sure

(As Olivia walks over to the dining table she starts to wonder if something is going on with Liam and Miranda)

(A few minutes later everyone is seated at the dining table on the patio as Liam brings over the barbeque brisket, ribs, and chickens. The food looks fantastica and everyone complements Liam on how good a job he did. As Liam is at the grill getting the last of the chicken to bring to the table Miranda walks over to him and whispers in his ear)

Miranda (Whispering) So should we tell them about the baby before we eat?

Liam: (Whispering) Let’s wait until after we’re done eating and then we will make the announcement together.

Miranda: Ok that sounds good

(Miranda gives Liam a kiss that starts to get heated until Maxwell yells over to them)

Maxwell: Hey you two come on! Food’s getting cold!

(Liam and Miranda smile at Maxwell and walk over to the table. Liam takes his seat at the head of the table and Miranda takes her seat at Liam’s left side. Everyone starts to enjoy their meal and give praise to Liam and Miranda on how incredible everything taste.

Miranda and Liam are cutely flirting with each other throughout the meal by feeding one another off their forks and wiping each other’s mouths with their napkins. The others start to notice their behavior and realize that Liam & Miranda are acting more cutesy than usual and begin to wonder what is going on with them)

Hana: (To Miranda & Liam) What’s going with you two?

Miranda: What do you mean?

Maxwell: You guys are being even more disgustingly cute today then you normally are. What gives?

(Miranda takes Liam’s hand and the two of them smile at each other)

Miranda: (To Liam) Do you think we are being disgustingly cute Sweetheart?

Liam: Not at all Baby

(Miranda and Liam giggle and share a sweet little kiss as Drake stares down the table at them)

Drake: (Sarcastically to Liam & Miranda) Baby?? ..Sweetheart??

Miranda: (To Drake) Yeah? So what?

Drake: When did that start?

Miranda: (Confused) Why does it matter?

Drake: I’ve never heard you guys calling each other by “those” names before?

Miranda: (A little sarcastic) Well we’ve always called each other by those names

Liam: (To Drake) We’re just usually alone when we do.

Drake: (A little Sarcastic)  Oh, didn’t know that.

(Drake looks at Miranda & Liam like he is annoyed by their nicknames for each other. He then glances at Olivia who is sitting directly across from him and the two of them share a strange look which Miranda picks up on.

After everyone finishes their meal, they all sit around the table relaxing and having conversation with each other. Liam thinks to himself that this is now a good time to make the announcement about the baby)

Miranda: Who’s ready for dessert?

(Everyone responds that they want dessert)

Drake: Well I’m ready for my dessert (Drake gets up from the table and reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cigarettes and looks at Liam) You wanna go grab a cigarette Liam?

Liam: No thanks Drake but could you hold on a moment (Liam stands up from his seat) Miranda and I would like to say a few words first. (Liam smiles at Miranda and offers his hand to her.) Sweetheart?

(Drake sits back down at the table. Miranda smiles at Liam, takes his hand and gets up from her seat. Miranda stands next to Liam and the two of them wrap and arm around one another.)

Liam: We wanted to thank all of you all for joining us here today.

Miranda: You guys are so much more than just friends to us. You’re our family and we love all of you and are so blessed and thankful to have each of you in our lives.

Hana: Aww thank you Miranda, that’s so sweet. We love you guys too.

Maxwell: Yeah we are the best group of family anyone could ever ask for.

Bertrand: (Smiles at Maxwell) For once Maxwell I completely agree with you.

Penelope: Yay! Friends forever!

(Miranda and Liam smile at each other and they know that the time has come to share their news)

Liam: And it because that we consider you all our family that we would like to share some wonderful news with you.

(Liam and Miranda look lovingly into each other’s eyes as Liam places his hand on Miranda’s belly. Hana notices Liam’s hand on Miranda’s belly and immediately figures out what the wonderful news is. Her eyes go wide as she covers her mouth and gasps with excitement!

Hana: (Excitedly with tears in her eyes) OH MY GOD!!! …Miranda are you….

(Before Hana can finish her sentences Miranda happily responds to her best friend)

Miranda: YES!!! I’M GONNA HAVE A BABY!!!!!

Hana: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

Maxwell: AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

(Hana & Maxwell leap from their seats and rush up to Liam & Miranda followed by everyone else except for Drake & Olivia who remain seated at the table. They are both silent and glance at one another from across the table. Hana reaches Miranda first and throws her arms around her)

Hana: (Excitedly to Miranda) OH MY GOD!! I knew it! I knew it! The other day when you were nauseous, I knew you were pregnant, but you said it couldn’t be that, but I KNEW IT!!!

Miranda: Yep you were right! I should have listened to you.

Hana: Oh sweetie I’m so happy for you!

Miranda: Thanks Hana!

(As Hana & Miranda hug, Maxwell is hugging Liam and congratulating him)

Maxwell: (Excitedly to Liam) Congrats big guy! You’re gonna be the best dad ever!

(Liam laughs at Maxwell)

Liam: Thank you Maxwell!

(Maxwell walks over to Miranda as Kiara, Penelop, Bertrand, & Savannah give their congratulations to Liam.  Maxwell gives Miranda a huge hug.)

Maxwell: I can’t believe it! Our little blossom is going to have a baby blossom! Congrats Randa! I love you!

Miranda: I love you too Max! Thank you!

(Miranda and Maxwell release each other from their hug and smile at each other)

Miranda: You know this baby will be so lucky to have an uncle like you but let’s save your champagne bottle opening trick until he or she is older.

Maxwell: Ok I’ll save that trick for when he or she turns 5.

(Miranda playfully slaps Maxwell on the arm and the two of them laugh)

Savannah: (To Maxwell) Hey it’s my turn to congratulate the new Mommy-To-Be!

(Maxwell moves out of the way and Savannah gives Miranda a hug)

Savannah: Oh Miranda! Congratulations I’m so happy for you

Miranda: Thanks Savannah! I’m so nervous and I have so many questions for you.

Savannah: Everyone is nervous with their first baby but you’ll be fine don’t worry and I’ll be happy to help you with anything you need. (Savannah releases Miranda from their hug) You know I knew there was something different about you when I first saw you today, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Miranda: Oh my god I thought for sure that you were going to guess that I was pregnant that’s why I tried to change the subject.

(Bertrand then approaches Savannah & Miranda as he holds Bartie in his arms.

Bertrand: May we give our congratulations to the Mother-to-be.

(Savannah takes Bartie from Bertrand as Bertrand gives Miranda a hug)

Bertrand: Congratulations Miranda! This is a joyous occasion for Cordonia but more importantly for you and Liam. I couldn’t be happier for you.

Miranda: Thank you Bertrand! (She breaks from her hug) You know how much it means to me and Liam to have your support.

(Bertrand smiles warmly at Miranda)

Savannah: (To Bartie) Guess what Sweetie Aunt Miranda & Uncle Liam are going to have baby!

(Bartie smiles and points to Miranda)

Bartie: Baby? …Baby?

(Miranda smiles, takes Bartie from Savannah and holds him in her arms)

Miranda: That’s right my little guy I’m going to have a baby, so you’re going to have a little cousin to play with soon.

Bartie: Yay!... Cousin! Cousin!

(Miranda, Savannah, & Bertrand laugh at Bartie. With everyone up at the head of the table offering their congratulations to Liam and Miranda both Oliva and Drake (who are still sitting) decided to getup and make their way over to Liam and Miranda and offer their congratulations. Olivia approaches Liam)

Olivia: (To Liam) May I offer my congratulations to the new Father.

(Liam smiles warmly at Olivia)

Liam: Of course you may

(Olivia gives Liam a hug and holds him a little tightly. Liam notices but doesn’t say anything as Olivia releases him from her hug)

Olivia: So I guess this is the real reason you are trying to quit smoking?

(Liam smiles and nods in agreement)

Liam: Yes it is. I want to be around to enjoy my son or daughter for a long time and not have to deal with the effects of long-term smoking like my Father did.

Olivia: Well that just proves that you are going to be a better Father than Constantine was to you.

Liam: That’s my hope

(Olivia starts to get a little emotional as once again the harsh reality of Liam not being married to her and now not having a baby with her is a little too overwhelming. She gives Liam another hug)

Olivia: (Emotionally with her voice slightly shaky) This baby is so lucky to have a Daddy like you Liam.

(Liam is a little taken back by Olivia’s behavior and the emotional tone of her voice).

Liam: Um…Thank you Olivia! I really appreciate that.

(As Olivia release Liam from her hug Liam notices the slight look of sadness on Olivia’s face and becomes concerned)

Liam: Are you alright?

(Olivia quickly composes herself)

Olivia: Yes I’m fine. Congratulations again Liam

(Olivia smiles at Liam and then turns to walk over to Miranda. Liam smiles back at Olivia but wonders if she really is fine. As Olivia was offering her congratulations to Liam, Drake slowly makes his way over to Miranda.)

Miranda: (Smiles as she sees Drake approaching) Hey!

Drake Hey

(Drake gives Miranda a hug, when he releases her he looks at Miranda like he doesn’t know what to say to her)

Drake: Um…. Congratulations

Miranda: Thanks Drake!

(Drake stares at Miranda and an awkward silence falls between them. Drake looks uneasy like he wants to say something to Miranda, but he can’t find the words. Miranda is not sure what is going on with Drake and gives him a curious look)

Miranda: Are you ok?

Drake: Yeah um...I’m fine.. I just ….(Drake stops in midsentence. He desperately wants to tell Miranda how he feels but can’t bring himself to do it and gives her a troubled look. Miranda realizes that something isn’t right with Drake and becomes concerned.)

Miranda: Drake? Are you sure you’re ok?

(Miranda can see from the look on Drake’s face that he wants to tell her something but Drake can’t  bring himself to tell Miranda what he is feeling at this moment so he flasher her a nervous smile and acts like everything is ok)

Drake: Yeah I’m fine. I…just can’t believe that you’re going to be a Mom?

Miranda: Well I can’t believe it either and I’m the one having the baby

(Miranda and Drake share a small giggle then Drake looks at Miranda with a serious expression)

Drake: You’re going to be an amazing Mom Miranda. This baby is lucky to have you.

Miranda: Well thanks, that’s really sweet of you

Drake: Yeah…Well congratulations again.

(Drake turns and starts to walk over toward Liam. Miranda can’t figure out why Drake was acting so strange toward her)

Miranda: (Thinking to herself) (What was that all about. He’s acting really weird, I need to find out what’s going on with him)

(Drake walks over to Liam and claps him on the shoulder, Liam turns and smiles at Drake as Drake gives Liam a hug.

Drake: Congrats brother! You’re going to be an awesome Dad

Liam: Thanks Drake!

(Olivia makes her way over to Miranda)

Olivia: Well congratulations on fulfilling your Royal duty of producing an heir. Job well done Miranda.

(Miranda rolls her eyes at Olivia)

Miranda: (A little sarcastic) Thank you Olivia but this isn’t just about producing an heir it’s also about Liam and I starting our family.

(Olivia gets a serious expression on her face)

Olivia: I know, and I think you and Liam will make great parents. I’m really happy for the both of you.

(Olivia warmly smiles at Miranda)

Miranda: Thanks Olivia! That means a lot coming from you.

(After everyone gives their congratulations to Miranda and Liam they all gather around them and start to ask questions about the baby. Just then Madeleine walks onto the patio but no one notices that she has arrived since everyone is gathered around Miranda and Liam. Madeleine rolls her eyes at the crowd and makes her way over to all of them.)

Madeleine: Well I’m glad I arrived after you broke the news to everyone. (Everyone turns and looks at Madeleine) I don’t have to be bothered with watching certain people (She looks at Maxwell) make fools out of themselves with excitement.

(Maxwell looks at Madeleine confused)

Maxwell: Wait a minute you already know about the baby?

Madeleine: (Sarcastically) Of course I know

(Hana looks at Miranda with a surprised expression)

Hana: (To Miranda) You told Madeleine you were pregnant before you told me?

(Miranda looks at Hana apologetically but before she can respond to Hana Madeleine interjects)

Madeleine: She had to tell me.

Maxwell: Why?

Madeleine: (Annoyed) Because I’m her Executive Private Secretary! I must know things like this, its part of my job.

(Maxwell and Hana look at Miranda with slightly hurt feelings)

Miranda: (To Hana & Maxwell, feeling guilty) Guys you know I would have told you first if I could have, but I had to follow Royal protocol.

(Hana walks over to Miranda, smiles, and hugs her)

Hana: It’s ok we understand.

Maxwell: Yeah no hard feelings

Miranda: Thanks guys!

Maxwell: Well this definitely calls for real celebration! I’ll go get the champagne.

Miranda: How do you know we have champagne on hand?

Maxwell: Please! In this place. That’s like asking if you have water. I’ll be right back!

(Everyone laughs at Maxwell as he disappears into the house. Maxwell quickly returns with a bottle of champagne and a bottle of sparkling cider. Everyone has made their way over to bar by the time Maxwell returns. Maxwell sets both bottles down on the bar and opens them. He pours a glass of champagne for everyone except Miranda and starts to pass them out. Maxwell approaches Drake, who is standing in the back of the group, with a glass of champagne)

Maxwell: Here you go Pal!

(Maxwell goes to hand the champagne to Drake, but Drake forcefully bats the glass away which almost causes Maxwell to spill the glass. Maxwell is surprised and gives Drake a shocked look.)

Drake: (Angry) Get that away from me! You know I don’t drink that shit!

Maxwell: Ok jeez! Calm down!

(Drake turns away from Maxwell and walks behind the bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey. Maxwell finishes handing out the champagne as Liam and Miranda stand in the center of everyone with an arm wrapped around each other. Maxwell approaches them with a glass of champagne and a glass of sparkling cider.)

Maxwell: (To Liam & Miranda) Champagne for the new Daddy and sparkling cider for the new Mommy

(Miranda and Liam smile at Maxwell)

Miranda & Liam: Thanks Maxwell!

Maxwell: A toast!

(Maxwell raises his glass, and everyone raises their glasses)

Maxwell: To Cordonia’s future King or Queen, may he or she be a strong ruler and live a long prosperous life and to Liam and Miranda. You two are the best friends a person could ask for so I know you guys are going to be the best parents a baby could hope for. Cheers!

Everyone: Cheers!

(Everyone takes a drink and Miranda & Liam share a sweet kiss! As everyone gathers around Miranda & Liam to once again wish them congratulations and express their happiness about the baby Miranda notices Drake in the background. He has a stern look on his face as he forcefully gulps his whiskey down. He puts his glass on the bar and then walks off in the direction of the small garden that is down a short path a few feet off the patio. As everyone is engaged in conversation Miranda feels now is good time to go after Drake to find out what is going on with him. She quietly slips away from the crowd and heads toward the small garden. When she walks down the steps to the small garden she spots Drake over by the fountain smoking a cigarette. She approaches Drake who has his back to her)

Miranda: So this is where you ran off to

Drake: (Turns around a little startled) Oh..um…Hey Carrington. What are you doing down here?

Miranda: I was looking for you.

Drake: Well you found me. (He inhales on his cigarette and then looks at it in his hand) I guess I can’t be smoking around you anymore.

(Drake blows the smoke out of his mouth and bats it away as he drops his cigarette to the ground and stomps on it)

Miranda: Its ok, we’re outside

Drake: Yeah but its not good for you.

(Drake shifts around uneasy as he tries not to make eye contact with Miranda, which she picks up on)

Miranda: What’s going on with you?

Drake: I don’t know what you’re talking about?

Miranda: You’ve been acting strange since Liam & I told everyone about the baby.

(Drake starts to fidget with the leaves of a nearby bush. When he speak he doesn’t look at Miranda)

Drake: I was…just surprised to hear that you’re pregnant…I thought you guys wanted to wait a little while before you had kids.

Miranda: Well that was originally our plan but things don’t always go according to plan.

(Drake’s eyes meet Miranda’s and he stares at her with a blank expression)

Drake: (Sternly) Yeah I know all about things not going as planned.

Miranda: (Annoyed) What is that supposed to mean?

(Drake looks down and doesn’t respond. Miranda  has had enough of Drake’s games and gets angry with him as she wants to know what his problem is)

Miranda: Drake will you stop playing around and just tell me what your problem is?

Drake: I DON’T have a problem!

Miranda: Like hell you don’t! (Miranda sighs with frustration) I know your upset about something so just cut the bullshit and talk to me.

Drake: There is nothing to talk about Carrington so just drop it ok! You don’t need to worry about me, I’m FINE!

Miranda: No you’re not fine and I do worry about you.

Drake: Why?

Miranda: Because I care about you, you’re important to me. (Miranda and Drake stare at each other for a moment) I know you’re mad at something…. or someone?

(Drake looks at Miranda and then turns away)

Miranda: Are you mad at me?

(Drake quickly turns around to face Miranda and looks a little surprised that she would think that he could be mad at her)

Drake: Of course not.  I could never be mad at you.

(Miranda thinks to herself if he is not mad at her is it possible that Drake is mad at Liam)

Miranda: Are you mad at Liam?

(Drake glances at Miranda and then quickly looks away which confirms for Miranda that Liam is the one who Drake is upset with)

Miranda: It is Liam, isn’t it?

(Drake sighs and doesn’t say a word but has a conflicted look on his face)

Miranda: Why are you mad at Liam?

Drake: I’m not mad at Liam. He’s my best friend, he’s like a brother to me. (Drake runs his fingers through his hair) Carrington,  you just don’t understand.

Miranda: Understand what?

Drake: How hard it is for me.

Miranda: What do you mean?

(Drake has hurt look on his face)

Drake: Ever since we were kids Liam has always gotten everything he ever wanted and I was ok with it because it was something that I just got used to over the years and it didn’t bother me…until now.. (Drakes makes a big sigh) I just can’t do it anymore.

(Drake is scaring Miranda a little as she has never seen him like this and she is almost afraid to ask him what he “can’t do anymore”)

Miranda: What can’t you do?

Drake: I can’t be around Liam and pretend that it doesn’t bother me.

Miranda: Pretend ‘what’ doesn’t bother you? 

(Drake walks over to Miranda and looks deep into her eyes)…

Drake: That he married and is having a baby….(Drake swallows and takes a deep breath) with the woman I love.

(Miranda goes into to shock when she hears Drake tell her that she is the woman he loves. Her body is numb and her head feels like it’s spinning as she can’t believe what is happening. She looks bewildered and fumbles to try and form a sentence)

Miranda: Wha…Wha..What? …I..I.. Er…Er…No…You… You…

(Drake looks at Miranda with soft pleading eyes)

Drake: (Softly) Miranda

(Drake moves closer to Miranda and reaches out to touch her  but she steps back and puts her hand to her mouth)

Miranda: (Voice shaky) Oh God! …Drake!.....OH GOD!

[aurora--rising]

Sick

Pairing: Kaliis Gilwraeth x Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley

Warnings: Nothing

A/N: I hope you guys like this fan fiction. I spent a lot of time on writing and editing this so I hope this will keep you busy until book 2!

Word Count: 1,300

•••

Aurora laid in her bed, breathing through her mouth. Her nose was stuffed and her eyes were swollen and irritated. When she had woken up the crew had apparently let her sleep in because she was the only one in her bed and she had heard them quietly talking in the kitchen. She coughed sporadically and sniffed dramatically just when Kal opened the door.

“Kal,” she groaned feeling her sore throat ache with effort just to say his name.

His eyes immediately widened as he moved with inhuman speed to her, the Pull mostly dragging him. He bent over and enclosed his cold calloused hands around hers.

“Be’shmai, what is the matter,” he asks his perfect silver eyebrows brawn together, with his eyes matching the same concern.

“I’m sick,” she all but struggles to get out.

His alluring violet eyes expand in realization. “Zila,” he calls with his deep voice, bouncing off the walls stopping the light kitchen conversation.

“Do not worry Be’shmai you will feel better soon.”

•••

"What do you mean you can not help her, she is dying,” Kal yells with intense anger in his voice.

Auri groaned that moment due to the loudness of his voice. Her senses were more sensitive than ever. He sent a apologetic glance towards her, even though she had her eyes sealed shut in concentration.

“She’s not dying, she simply has a fever, but this ship does not have the medicine I need to cure the disease," Zila explains.

“There’s absolutely nothing you can do,” Tyler asks running a hand through his hair. There were dark circles under his eyes and his skin was ghost white.

Ever since Cat had been left on Octavia he hadn’t been the same. Staying up later, not eating as much, he still tried to put on a good face for his crew, but they could all see the changes. Scarlett was no different.

Zila thought for a moment. She was wearing big silver hoops twice the size of her hand.

“I could make homemade medicine. I believe we have the ingredients, but it takes six hours to prepare.”

They all gave each other sideways looks. It was already 12:00am, so she have to get it at the end of the day. Auri sits up and hacks multiple times into her elbow. Kals there in a millisecond by her side gently pushing her down and tucking white strands out of her face.

“Whatever it takes,” he says.

•••

Kal couldn’t get the sight of Auri out of his brain. He had been suppressing the Pull since the moment he saw her when he had entered the room, but now all he wanted to do was threaten Zila to hurry up or else he would shoot a bullet through her humungous brain. He would never actually do that, but he was getting to the point of antsy to angry and if Zila didn’t make the medicine Auri would just get worse.

He was aloud to go see her as long as her fever didn’t get to high to where it was contagious, but he didn’t feel like he could hold off the Pull.

“Kal!”

He turned his head toward Scarlett so fast he was surprised he didn’t get a whiplash. Her hand was on her hip giving him a pointed look. He hadn’t noticed how long he had been staring blank at a wall just pondering.

“Here,” she holds out a glass of crystal clear water. “I need you to give this to Auri.”

Scarlett knew Auri didn’t ask for water, or drank anything for that matter, but she knew Kal wanted to see her and needed an excuse.

His mind was going crazy but he nodded and took it anyway. How could he see her again when he barley managed to hold it together the first time. Standing outside the door he breathes outward and opens it.

There sitting up on her bed sat Auri wrapped and huddled in two blankets. Her skin was as white as Tyler’s now and her red and puffy eyelids made her irises look smaller than what they actually were. There were greasy white and black strands everywhere mixed in and out of the blanket.

Even when she was sick she was beautiful, Kal thought.

Aurora catches sight of the bright light illuminating from the opened door turning her head, hissing. Only then does Kal realize its completely dim in the room.

“Sorry,” he mumbles shutting it.

“Kal,” she questions looking up at him, her eyes shining.

“Um, I-um brought your water.”

Her heart swells with admiration, even though she couldn’t drink anything. He walks over and sets the glass on her bedside table next to her uniglass, Magellan. But when he turns to leave she stops him.

“Wait!”

He stops in his tracks, slowly turning around, and looks at her.

“I was just wondering if maybe you could stay,” she says blushing. “Being sick doesn’t mean I want to be lonely.”

He openly gapes at her, the pull stronger than ever. He would love to lay with her while she sleeps. Listening to the sound of her soft breathing while he plays with her hair in total content. That would be heaven on earth. I guess he was staring to long because she looks down with a disappointed look on her face.

“Never mind it was a stupid idea. Thank you for the water anyways.”

She was about to lay back down, but Kal was already walking toward her bed and sitting criss-cross on top of the covers with his hands folded in his lap.

She sits next to him in the same position. After an awkward moment of silence Kal blows out a strip of air before lifting the arm that’s on her side. Instantly she snuggles into his chest. They relax there for the rest of the time being.

•••

Auri fell asleep a long time ago, but Kal never left her side. The only time she woke up was when Zila had finished the concoction and spoon fed it to her. Even after that, she fell unconscious straight afterwards due to the drowsiness inside the liquid.

The next morning she felt a lot better. No more sore throat or stuffy nose, heck even her eyes felt normal. A knock had startled her. Kal peeked around the corner, his eyes brightening at the sight of her wellbeing.

“Be’shmai,” he grins striding over to her and wrapping his arms around her petite body.

She instantly wraps her arms around him in response enjoy the warmth radiating from him body. He lets go too early for her comfort, but he puts his rough warrior hands on her cheeks, his plum colored eyes franticly checking every inch of her face.

She just blinks up at him knowing the Pull must have been very hard on him during her illness. She could smell his fresh minty breath blowing out of his perfectly shaped nostrils. She moved her face forward to his until their foreheads were touching. She would stare at him all day if she could, with his structured jaw line and pronounce cheek bones.

He slowly leans forward inching closer and closer. Her eyes flutter closed in anticipation. She could feel both their wanting mixing together, growing, and then-

The door slams open. They both snap their heads toward where the sound came from. Finian’s eyes were frenetic until he realized the scene he had walked upon.

“Sorry to disturb,” he smirks. “But we have a problem.”

[disasterdeacy]

Too Much Love Will Kill You Chapter One

A/N: Okay, so a few of you seemed to like the prologue, so here is Chapter One! I’m not too sure how I feel about this one, it took me a few days to write, and I am not the best at dialogue. If anyone wants to message me and bounce some ideas for the story with me, I would really appreciate it! I am super excited for this fic, and I hope y’all are too!

Pairing: Brian May x OC Disclaimer: Any mention of Chrissie in this fic is completely fictionalized for plot purposes, I personally love Chrissie, and I will never purposefully write her in a negative way!

Word Count: 4.9k

Warnings: cursing, mentions of alcohol, married man flirting with a younger lady (sorry guys it has to happen for ~plot~)

Time Frame: 1985

 13 July 1985, 9:00am

 Saturday.

A day of recovery, a day of rest, a day when all of humanity intends to stay in bed until their bodies can no longer handle being useless. Charlotte Jones’ Saturday, however, wasn’t going that way at all. Currently the 21 year old was sat in the backseat of her uncle’s Royce, sunglasses slipping down her nose as she stared holes in the blond man beside her. An hour previous, her loving uncle had burst into her flat, sang “God Save the Queen” at the top of his lungs while yanking her tall frame from her incredibly comfortable bed, and into the cold air of her Pimlico flat. David noticed the look of disdain that his niece was giving him over her wayfarers, before chuckling and flicking her exposed knee. “Chin up buttercup, you’re going to have a great time.” Charlotte winced at the sharp pain, before laughing as she shoved her uncle into the door. “I know Dave, I know, some warning just would’ve been nice.” Her uncle laughed, and pulled Charlotte tight against his side, squeezing her much like he had when she was much younger. Charlotte was born when David was only 17, and ever since he held her for the first time, the two were inseparable. Seeing as how her parents weren’t really in the picture, David was mom, dad, brother, uncle, and best friend all rolled into one for the young woman. Had it not been for the curly haired woman flush against his side, David didn’t know where he would be. Lottie was the one who had given him the strength to stay alive and get sober, knowing that if he didn’t straighten himself out, his niece would have nobody to take care of or love her. She was the single most important person in his life, save for his son.

While Charlotte was acting annoyed at her uncle, she knew he meant well with this day. She had always loved music, especially her uncle’s. So, when David had burst into her apartment 3 months earlier, spouting off about this insane concert set up by Bob Geldof, she was unbelievably excited. The chance to see some of her favorite bands in one place, for a good cause above all else, was something that she was definitely interested in. However, with her thesis presentation happening on 12 July, she didn’t know if she would be able to attend, or want to depending on the results. But, the previous day had gone very well for Charlotte, her MA in Astronomy being awarded to her that very afternoon. Once her uncle heard, he immediately burst into her apartment, something she was beginning to realize he did an AWFUL lot, and the two spent the night listening to records and eating take away. This also meant that he was going to drag her to Wembley as early as possible, even though the concert didn’t start until 12. “Why did you drag me out of bed 4 hours before the first band performs? I could’ve gotten at least another hour of sleep out of this hangover.” Charlotte knew he had a reason, but he hadn’t revealed it yet. After all, he had even told her last night that he didn’t have to be at Wembley until close to 11:15. David looked down at his niece, something he wasn’t too used to as she was an inch or so taller than him, and smirked. “That my darling niece is a surprise.”

Charlotte took of her sunglasses, rolled her eyes and pushed herself away from her uncle, staring him down with her light brown eyes. “C’mon Dave, don’t play coy with me, you don’t arrive anywhere early unless you have a reason.” David rolled his mismatched eyes at Charlotte before putting his sunglasses on, his niece was a persistent little thing, but that was probably his own fault. “PLUS, you’ve made me dress like I’m going to be meeting the bloody queen David, we’re going to a concert not a garden party.” Charlotte was right about the way she was dressed. Where she normally would’ve been wearing high waisted jeans paired with a short sleeved printed shirt and a pair of converse, her uncle had forced her into a sleeveless grey and pink horizontal striped dress, with a matching sweater over top; and the shoes, the bloody shoes. Her uncle had managed to somehow force her into a pair of cream kitten heels she didn’t even remember buying, something she absolutely hated. One thing Charlotte was the most self conscious about was her above average height, and anytime that was accentuated, she felt like all eyes were on her. Her uncle knew this, and still insisted on the heels that added an extra inch to her already 5’11 height.

David opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the car stopping and the driver announcing that they had arrived at Wembley. Charlotte groaned at the interruption, and David laughed as he thanked Anthony and exited the car, attempting to pull his niece with him. “I got it I got it!” Charlotte shook her uncle’s hands off of her arms, grinning slightly at his enthusiasm. “Then come on Lottie! We’re holding up traffic” David placed his hands on his thin waist, staring down at the brunette in the car below him. He wasn’t wrong, the car line at the back of Wembley was steadily growing, and the sound of overpriced horns filled the air as Charlotte placed a heeled foot on the sidewalk below her. The blond man had completely abandoned his niece, tired of waiting for her to exit his car, and figuring that a woman smart enough to have a MA in Astronomy could figure out how to inside a building. Charlotte rolled her eyes at the sound, this is why she hated these events, her uncle’s friend’s were tolerable, but most celebrities she had had the misfortune of meeting were overgrown children with god complexes. Still, she knew this would make her uncle happy, so with a deep breath, exited the car fully, shutting the door completely behind her. Anthony playfully honked the horn as he drove away, giving Charlotte a small wave as she attempted to steady herself on the sidewalk. Once she was steady enough on her feet to walk, Charlotte made the short trek to the door where her uncle stood, cigarette hanging lazily from his lips. “Took ya long enough doll. I think you’ve managed to piss off half of U2 and you’ve only been here for 5 minutes.” He was right, of course, as she reached her uncle, Charlotte turned her head to face the car line she had been holding up. Sure enough, Bono and Adam Clayton were huffing and puffing as they exited their car, staring daggers into her. Charlotte rolled her eyes and thumped her uncle in the forehead, pushing past him and heading into the building. “I thought you stopped smoking.” David smirked and threw the butt to the ground, stomping out the remaining embers and following his curly haired niece. “I thought you were going to get a haircut.” Charlotte continued walking, only sticking a single finger up behind her at her uncle’s words. Her hair was something that she had always been self-conscious about growing up, it was dark, thick, and insanely curly. She could vividly remember the hours that she had sat in the floor of David’s various hotel rooms as he attempted to control the mop that sat atop her head, and try as he might he could never do much for the young girl. Even though his own hair was curly, it was nowhere near as thick as his niece’s, and to be honest he had absolutely no idea how to fix his own hair much less a young girl’s, but he was a quick learner. Eventually he had figured out the proper concoction of products to use on Charlotte’s hair, but not before she had been teased for it in school. As if the teasing for not having any parents, or being too tall, or being too smart, or being the niece of Ziggy Stardust wasn’t enough, the girls at her boarding school had to tease her hair and tease her she did. Poodle was a personal favorite insult of the girls in her class, but when she finally grew it out past her shoulders, the weight of the mop finally began to pull the curls down with it; not that it did much good, in fact it only made her curls more unruly. It was only in the past few years that she had grown to appreciate the curls she had, thanks to the sleek styles of the previous decade going out of style, and the very people who had once teased her hair were paying hundreds of dollars on perms to get their hair to look even a fraction like hers. It made her laugh every time she thought of it, there was no way in hell she was doing anything to her hair, it gave her far too much satisfaction

David laughed out loud at Charlotte’s obvious display of love and affection, picking up his pace to catch up with her. Her legs were longer than his own on any normal day, and with the added benefit of her heels, she was fully booking it down a hall in the opposite direction that she needed to be heading, and didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. She turned a corner and was soon out of his sight, causing him to sigh and follow her more.

Charlotte had absolutely no idea where she was going, and the hustle and bustle of the backstage area not helping her sense of direction in the slightest. She could take one look at the night sky in London and tell you exactly how to get to Cairo, but her sense of direction in everyday situations was honestly abysmal. However, there must have been some god above looking down on her in pity, because as she rounded the next corner, a door came into view with the words “ROYAL BOX AUTHORIZED PERSONEL ONLY” printed in large red letters across the surface. Throwing her hands in the air in thanks to whatever god had led her there, Charlotte hobbled to the door, her feet screaming for relief from the confines of their leather prison.

“Fucking heels.” She winced before propping herself on the door, moving to open her purse to pull her backstage pass from inside, knowing whoever was inside would more than likely want some sort of ID. Charlotte had just managed to free the laminated object from her purse when the door she was propped against opened, startling her and knocking her off of her feet. She clenched her eyes shut, partially resigned herself to her fate of completely busting her ass, accepting the fact that her lack of coordination was going to bruise more than just her ego. However, the only thing she felt as she fell backwards was a pair of arms wrapping themselves around her, preventing her from hitting the hard ground. Charlotte immediately dropped everything in her hands, wrapping them tightly around the shoulders of the saint who had managed to prevent her from embarrassing herself any further, her eyes wide and mouth agape in shock at the abruptness of the whole ordeal. The brunette looked from the ground, which had once been approaching her at a fast rate to the person who’s arms were completely wrapped around her waist, stunned to find herself looking into the most gorgeous pair of hazel eyes she’d ever seen, gorgeous eyes that she would know anywhere. “Are you alright love? Almost took a nasty fall right there.” Charlotte was struck dumb at the soft voice above her as she stared up, mouth slightly agape, into the very eyes that has stared back at her from the poster on her bedroom wall for the past 10 years of her life. Brian May hadn’t planned on being early to the royal box that day, in fact he had planned on spending a good 2 hours trying to convince John to join both Roger and himself in the box. However, John had staunchly refused the invitation, saying that if he was going to embarrass himself in front of the Prince and Princess of Wales, he was going to do it on stage in front of the entire world as well. Freddie was chatting with Elton, Roger was napping, Deacy was tuning his bass, and Brian was sipping a cup of tea in a patterned chair which sat on a horrible false grass carpet. He was incredibly bored, and if he didn’t do something soon, nobody would ever poke fun at his hair again, because there would be none left. This boredom left Brian with the choice of either sitting backstage alone for 2 hours, socializing with various celebrities, or finding his way up to the royal box to get settled before the chaos arose. He chose the latter, his legs begging to be used. Which is how he managed to stumble upon the young woman leaning against the door to the royal box. She was very tall, that was the first thing that Brian noticed about her, sure she was in heels, but even without the extra bit of help, she had to be at least as tall as Deacy. Brian stopped at the end of the hall, watching as the woman cursed as she fished though her purse. Her face was obscured from his view by a thick blanket of long curly hair, hair that he was immediately intrigued by. He had never seen a woman with hair that rivaled his own, even in recent years as the perm began to take over, he had yet to come across a woman with hair as gorgeous as the one that stood before him. He hadn’t realized that he had actually been walking towards her at a slower pace until he was only a few feet away from the mysterious woman, his hands in the pockets of his powder blue blazer. He was about to make a cheeky comment, when the door to the royal box suddenly swung open, knocking the young woman off her feet and her purse to the ground.   Brian didn’t even have a few seconds to react, and before he even really knew what was happening, there was a woman in his arms. A very very beautiful woman.

The impact had knocked her hair away from her face, sending the thick curls flowing behind her. This allowed for Brian to get his first good look at the woman, and what a look it was. Her light brown eyes were wide, obviously in shock at the turn of events, her pale skin was flushed, more than likely out of embarrassment, and her red painted lips were parted just slightly, the whole sight caused something to stir deep inside him, something he hadn’t felt in years. “Are you alright love? Almost took a nasty fall right there.” The words came out soft, as if he were afraid he would scare her away, not that she could exactly go anywhere, his arms were still around her preventing her from falling to the ground.

Charlotte’s hands loosened on Brian’s shoulders as she shook herself from her shock, and Brian regretfully loosened his own grip on her waist, slowly placing her back on her feet. “Um, yes. Thank you Mr. May.” While Brian’s own eyes were staring at the woman before him, a smile lighting up his face; Charlotte’s eyes were staring holes in the floor. She had never been this embarrassed in her entire life. Of all the people in the fucking world that could’ve witnessed that abysmal incident, it had to be Brian May. Bran. Fucking. May. The man who she had been head over heels in love with for 10 years. The man who her uncle teased her relentlessly about for years, she still hadn’t forgiven David for the whole “Under Pressure” incident. Charlotte was 100% positive that she was as red as a beet, a combination of her embarrassment at her fall, and the shock that she was meeting her idol, who also happened to be the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her entire life. He was dressed to the nines, a powder blue blazer and pants suit fit his tall frame perfectly, his infamous hair styled to perfection. It was honestly almost too much for her to handle, and when he crouched down on front of her, gathering the contents of her purse, she almost lost her balance again.

“It was absolutely no problem Ms..” Brian trailed off, hoping that the brunette in front of him would get the message and supply him with her name, but a voice from the other end of the hall beat him to it. “Charlotte Margaret Jones! I have been looking bloody near everywhere for you.” David was stood at the end of the hall, hands on his thin hips. The sight in front of him caused the blonde man to choke back a rather rude chuckle, Brian May was on his knees in front of his rather red faced niece, hands full with various pens, tampons, lipsticks, and Charlotte’s wallet, obviously there was a story here that he really couldn’t wait to hear. Brian almost dropped the items in his hands when he heard the unmistakable voice of David Bowie, and before he knew it the thin white duke himself was stood directly in front him and the young woman, Charlotte he now knew. Charlotte sighed, placing her hands on her own hips, ones that were far far wider than her uncle’s, he really had a thing for timing didn’t he. “Well Dave, if you would’ve told me where I needed to go before you abandoned me on the sidewalk, we wouldn’t be in this predicament now would we.” “Well Lottie, if I had done that, I highly doubt that you would have Brian May kneeling at your feet.” Charlotte gaped at her uncle, mouth and eyes wide at his insinuation. “DAVE!” David simply laughed, moving to ruffle his niece’s hair, immediately regretting the action when his rings became stuck in the wild mane that was Charlotte’s hair. Brian couldn’t help but blush at David’s words and laugh as the two struggled, throwing out curses at one another as they struggled to free David’s hand from Charlotte’s hair. He had finally managed to collect all of the belongings which had previously inhabited Charlotte’s purse, so Brian pulled himself off of the ground and decided to offer his services in detangling the rings. “Goddamnit Dave! How many times is it going to take you fucking up like this before you realize that its literally impossible to run hands through this mop, OW fuck! David, Just stop fucking struggling!” Charlotte had both of her hands wrapped around David’s wrist as the two struggled, wincing in pain as her uncle yanked and pulled. “Well sorry Lottie, its just so tempting.” David was chuckling at his niece’s annoyance, watching her curse and be annoyed at him was his favorite pastime.

Charlotte was too caught up in getting her uncle’s hands to notice the lanky man who had come up behind her, so she was rather surprised when she felt a cool pair of nimble fingers join in the fight for her hair’s freedom. “Can’t tell you how many times my little ones have gotten their hands stuck in my hair, its particularly bad when there’s a small car involved.”

Charlotte couldn’t help but laugh at loud, partially at the joke, but even more so at the sheer hilarity of the entire situation. Brian paused his ministrations at the sound that fell from Charlotte’s red mouth, her laugh was one of the most beautiful sounds he had heard in 38 years of life on Earth. “I understand, whenever I used to help Marion watch Zowie, he was so obsessed with my hair. This one time he managed to get an entire jar of peanut butter into it while I napped. Smelled like a bloody primary school lunchroom for a week, no matter how hard I washed.” Charlotte laughed at the memory, she had only been 13 at the time, her younger cousin only 6. The two little Joneses had laughed and laughed once Charlotte had realized what her little cousin had done, and they still laugh about it today, especially when they see a jar of peanut butter. Brian and David both threw their heads back in laughter at the young woman’s story, and the fact that Brian was the only one who was attempting to detangle the duo. Charlotte had long since given up on her quest to free herself, fully resigning the safety and health of her hair to Brian’s expert fingers. Even though she knew that his fingers were only in her hair to remove her uncle, whenever they would softly graze her scalp, or push a rogue curl from his view, her heart would pound like she had just ran the bloody London marathon. He pulled a little too hard, and Charlotte winced, turning her head slightly as Brian whispered a raspy apology into her ear. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck, and before she knew what was happening, Brian’s free hand had come to rest on the small of her back. Charlotte froze, her breath freezing in her throat. He was just trying to steady himself, get a better hold on her uncle’s hand. At least that’s what she told herself.

“That’s just the luck us luscious locked individuals have my dear, as beautiful as our hair is, it might as well be a goddamn hoover with as much as it picks up.” Brian was intently concentrating on the garnet ring that was keeping David tied to the woman, his other hand resting on the small of the young woman’s back. He hadn’t meant for that to happen, but it did, and if he were being honest, he didn’t mind in the slightest. “I know right? I can store bloody digestives in there if I try hard enough.” Charlotte felt a slight tug on her head again as Brian whispered a soft apology, and then suddenly she was free. David breathed an overdramatic sigh of relief, kissing his newly freed hand. “Oh thank you for freeing my favorite hand Brian, how will I ever repay you.?” Brian and Charlotte both rolled their eyes, giving David identical looks of mild annoyance laced with amusement. “Well, you could start by introducing me to this lovely young lady who you seem to have assaulted with your gaudy hand.” Charlotte glanced over at Brian as she attempted to fix her hair to the best of her ability, his words making her face turn red once more.

David gauged his niece’s reaction, and smirked. “Well Brian, if you must know, this lovely young lady is my niece Charlotte.” David threw his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders, pinching her cheek as she winced and attempted to push him off of her. “I was planning on introducing the two of you after we got settled in the box, but someone,” he threw Charlotte an annoyed look, “had to run off and find you herself. Shouldn’t be too surprised by that though, after all she’s had a pos..” David didn’t get a chance to finish his statement before Charlotte had slapped a hand over his mouth to prevent anymore of his overexcited words to come spilling out. “Thank you Dave, I appreciate the introduction, but that’s enough now.” Charlotte slowly removed her hand from her uncle’s mouth, shooting him a glare that had the power of 1,000 suns behind it. Brian May would never find out about that damn poster. Brian laughed at Charlotte’s reaction, sticking his large hand out in front of her. “Well Charlotte, its very nice to officially meet you. I’m Brian.” Charlotte grinned at the curly haired man in front of her, taking his hand in her own, reveling in his cool touch. She genuinely couldn’t believe that this was happening to her. “Oh I’m very well aware of who you are Mr. May, and please call me Charlie, all my friends do.” She sent him a wink, her smile growing as a slight pink flush overtook his face. The young woman’s confidence was obviously rising, and Brian really liked it. “She’s been a fan for as long as you four have been pumping out music, still hasn’t forgiven me for not telling her about Under Pressure.” David had picked Charlotte’s purse up from the ground and began to place her discarded items back inside, completely oblivious to the interaction going on behind him.

If he had had any idea whatsoever of the events that were going to occur in the coming months, he probably would’ve grabbed Charlotte by the collar of her dress and locked her in a dressing room as far from Brian May as humanly possible, but for now he was simply oblivious to the burgeoning relationship that was taking place before his very eyes. Brian’s eyes were still locked on Charlotte’s, hazel boring into brown, an intensity in them that had not been there for quite some time, he knew it was wrong. This young woman was no older than 21, absolutely beautiful, and in just the few moments he had known her, had made him feel more alive than Chrissie had in years. He needed to stop, to walk away, and think about the consequences that the thoughts in his mind could have, but he couldn’t. There was just something about her, something that made his blood boil in the best possible way. He was just about to say something to the young woman when David interrupted yet again, this time to inform the two that they needed to head into the box. Charlotte stood frozen in place at David’s words, she had to meet Diana. Fuck.

“Dave, there is absolutely no way I can meet Princess Diana, no way dude. No fucking way.” She took her purse from David, placing the lanyard with her clearance around her neck. David rolled his eyes, something he always seemed to do whenever his niece was in his presence. “Well tough shit Lottie, you’re going to. Now c’mon, we have seats we need to take before people start crowding.” He lit another cigarette as he sent Charlotte a wink as he brushed past her, heading to the very door which had caused her so much grief. Brian looked over at Charlotte, his eyebrow raised in questioning. She just sighed and reached into her purse to pull out a tic-tac pack, popping it open and shaking as many of those little orange bastards into her mouth as she could. He could only laugh at the actions of the young woman in front of him, surprised by the sheer amount of tic-tacs she had just dropped into her mouth. “Any particular reason why you don’t think you can meet the Princess today love?” The term of endearment slipped from his mouth before he even knew what had happened, and he hoped that Charlotte was much too occupied with her tic-tacs to notice his little slip up. He was in luck. “I’m not cute enough to meet Diana today Brian, not cute enough any day to meet someone as gorgeous as that. I mean, how the hell is someone that pretty?” Charlotte was shoving the case back in her purse as the two made their way to the door of the box, groaning in dread at the thought of embarrassing herself “And, I just KNOW I’m going to do something dumb, like call her the wrong name, or forget to call her your highness, or something stupid like that and then fucking Princess Diana of Wales, future queen of fucking England is going to hate me for the rest of my natural life.” They had reached the door, and by this point Brian was thoroughly entertained by the woman before him, his conflict growing every time she opened her mouth to speak. Before he even knew what he was doing, he opened his mouth and began to speak. “Well dear, I think you look absolutely stunning, the Princess will be in very good company today with someone as beautiful as you near her.” He immediately regretted his words as Charlotte whipped her head over to him, one single perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised as if questioning everything he had just said. It was only when she smiled, her red lips parting to allow a clear view at her beautiful teeth, that Brian knew he hadn’t overstepped any boundaries. “Mr. May, if you keep flattering me like that, I might never let you leave.” She winked again, heading through the door of the box, security checking her lanyard as she went. He didn’t respond, he only swallowed the feeling of elation that overtook his body at her words, and followed her steps, taking a seat beside her.   This was going to be a long day. 

TAGS:  @coveredinpostcards

[therandomfics]

AMA Pt5

“Hey doll, what are you doing out here?” Sonny called out as he approached you. Thirty minutes had passed and everyone was back inside, something about dirty Santa. The knot in your stomach only served to tighten as you tried to look at Sonny without showing him your disappointment. “You’re gonna catch your death. Come inside. We’re about to play Dirty Santa. I don’t wanna get stuck with socks again.” 

“Of course, sorry. My mother texted me. I didn’t want to be rude and on my phone in front of everyone,” you lied, standing up and allowing Sonny to guide you back inside. 

Dirty Santa was a game you had played often in college among your friends. Pick a number, hope you’re the last one, and pray that if you’re first your gift doesn’t suck. One time, you remembered fondly, you went home with three bottles of wine. On the flip side, you’d also gone home with a toilet seat once. It was a fun game to play and you usually enjoyed it, so you tried your best to be enthusiastic especially since you were with his family for the first time. You had chosen number 10, out of 18 options. When it was your turn, you picked a small bag and opened it, revealing a pair of leather driving gloves. They were very beautiful, and though you seldom drove, you knew they’d prove useful. Sonny was number 12, and took your gloves, leaving you to pick again. This time, you picked the largest box left and unwrapped a wine carafe with a bottle of vintage Merlot. 

“This is pretty amazing,” you commented as you sat down next to Sonny. He wrapped his arm around your shoulders and you leaned into his warmth. Surely he had a good explanation, and you wanted to have a good night, so you let it slide. 

Mrs. Carisi was 17, and she took Sonny’s gloves - no, your gloves - and waved them in his face. “Serves you right!” she chirped and sat back down. Sonny, having to pick again, got up and picked a package at random, selecting a Barnes and Noble gift card. Solid choice. 

Finally, at number 18, Nicole stood up and sauntered over to the table. You couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to be dressed for warmer weather - or, her cleavage was at least. She scanned the table and then turned back, walking right up to you and stepping on your toes with her heeled boots. You winced and pulled your feet away as she snatched the box from your lap. “Thanks Amanda,” she said loudly, flashing you a smile that could only be described as ridiculous. The room fell silent, eyes of the guests trained on the trio that somehow had unknown history. 

“Fuck you, Nicole,” Sonny spat, a flash of frustration on his normally pleasant features. 

“Again?” Her sickly sweet voice made your stomach turn. “All you hav’ta do is ask, Dominick.” 

“What?” you whispered, mostly to yourself, though Sonny heard you and turned in his seat to face you. Before he was given a chance to speak, you shook your head and murmured, “Please, don’t.” 

You didn’t know how, but you ended up outside, pulling your hat on and buttoning your pea coat. Sonny, inside arguing with Nicole, didn’t even realize you had slipped away. Several blocks later, your phone vibrated in your pocket. 

“Hello?”

“Y/N, where did you go?” Sonny demanded. 

You sighed and looked around. “This was a terrible idea, Sonny. I’m going to catch the Ferry and go home. Thank you for inviting me, but, I just.. I think it’s best I leave.” 

He stayed silent, though you could hear his heavy breathing. He was angry. At you? Maybe. “No. I’m gonna come get you. Where are you?” he asked again. 

“I think you’ve got your hands full with two women already. You don’t need to worry about me, too,” you chided and hung up the phone. The port was only a few minutes away, and the schedule online said the next boat left in ten minutes. So long, Staten Island, you thought to yourself. Good riddance and may we never meet again. Sadly, you didn’t know if you meant the island, or Sonny. 

When you got home that night, you were exhausted. Mentally and emotionally, not to mention physically. It had been hell to get home from the ferry. Traffic was insane - Christmas shoppers - and you were on the verge of tears the entire time you trekked home. You must have looked like a mess, but it was New York. No one really paid any mind to the crazy people.

As you curled up in your bed, you tried not to let the situation get the best of you. Though you tried, it was pointless. You broke down, shaking and crying into your pillow. It wasn’t just Sonny, or the fact that he’d hidden parts of his life from you. It was how unwanted, unneeded, misplaced, and tossed out you felt. You knew it stemmed from your childhood, and if you knew anything it was how impossible it was to get over childhood trauma. It was hard to feel loved and wanted being passed from home to home, and it was even harder to feel loved and wanted when you became part of a family where only a handful of them appreciated your existence. You didn’t fit their mold of sharp bone structure and dark features. No, you were soft, rosy, nothing like them. And though your mother and father had always done well to provide for all of your needs, it was hard to believe them. That’s why now, it was hard to trust Sonny. Not only was it hard to trust him, it was hard to understand why he’d hide Amanda, why he’d allow himself to be seen so close to Nicole, why he’d bring you to meet his family if he knew she would be there. Nothing made sense, and you had no one to turn to in your time of need. 

For several hours you’d lied in wait, hoping sleep would grace your mind. When the clock finally read 1:00AM, you realized the fight was useless and got up, padding into the kitchen. You struggled in your sad state to pop the cork on a bottle of white wine, but rejoiced quietly and threw the corkscrew and cork into the sink. The bottle didn’t last long, less than thirty minutes, and before you knew it, you were drunk. The wine took over and had a mind of its own, ensuring that you picked your phone up and called Sonny. Two in the morning, but the wine didn’t care. It rang twice. 

“Hello?” Sonny answered. Wherever he was, it was noisy. 

“Where are you?” 

Background noise, shuffling, a door opening and closing, and then silence. “Where are you?” he countered. 

You sighed and fell back onto your bed. “In my fucking bed.” 

“I’m at O’Malleys,” he finally answered. You sat up. That was the bar two blocks from your apartment. A female voice in the background caught your attention, causing your ugly jealousy to peek through. 

“Who’s that?” you demanded. 

You could hear the strain in his voice when he answered, as if he thought answering slowly would prevent you from getting mad. “Amanda.” The line went dead, leaving Sonny standing outside in the cold, with no one on the phone. 

You were three days out from Christmas, and six days past the last time you’d spoken to Sonny. Unfortunately you were no where closer to understanding who Amanda was, or if he’d really had a relationship with Nicole, or if anything he’d ever told you was true. The hardest part, though, wasn’t figuring out the truth from the lies. It was trying to fill time in your schedule that you’d once spent with him. Eating lunch alone, spending evenings alone watching television, falling asleep without having anyone to bid farewell.. it wasn’t easy. It had felt like ages, though it had barely been a week. Your only consolation was that you’d taken three weeks off, starting the day before Christmas and into the second week of January, and had high hopes of finding something to occupy yourself during those weeks. 

A faked illness got you through Christmas - meaning Chinese delivery and all of the Die Hard movies. Your parents were disappointed but wished you well, offering to send over food if you’d wanted it, but you declined. What a depressing way to spend your second favorite holiday, you thought. But, how much worse would it have been to spend it with someone who didn’t care for you the same way you’d cared for them? Sonny hadn’t tried to reach out in a few days, but you didn’t blame him. You didn’t give him a chance to explain himself, and he hadn’t tried after the night you caught him with Amanda at 2AM. It seemed like a big waste of time, time you couldn’t get back, but that you could learn from at the very least. 

New Year’s Eve finally arrived. You had no plans, no glittery dress and heels to wear, no one to kiss at midnight. It was no different than the past 29 years, but for some reason it seemed morose this year. For a while you contemplating calling Sonny, but he was probably with Amanda. You were too embarrassed to update your relationship status back to single on Facebook, but not proud enough to stop stalking Amanda’s page, grimacing each time you saw her name. Stop torturing yourself, you thought, you’re not making anything better. As you closed out of the app, your phone vibrated and Sonny’s name appeared at the top of the screen. 

Sonny: I just wanna make sure you’re okay. 

You: How “okay” am I supposed to be? 

Sonny: I know. I want you to let me explain everything. No bullshit. 

You: Let me guess. You slept with Nicole when you were a teenager. It was a passing fancy. Now you just enjoy seeing her, reminding yourself that you fucked a guinea. And as for Amanda, you guys slept together a few times, decided to stop and keep it professional, but the kid’s yours? Now you just spend time together because it’s convenient when you’re lonely at 2AM the same night you get into a massive fight with your girlfriend over the very girl you’re with. Why’d she call me Amanda? 

Three dots in a thought bubble popped up and disappeared off and on for ten minutes. 

You: That’s what I thought. Fuck you, Sonny. 

[itsclydebitches]

Title: Down by the Lake 

Summary: Bakery!AU following Sugar-Coated Everything. Ozpin and Qrow head out on their first date

Fandom: RWBY

Words: 1,956

Warnings: None

Pairings: Ozpin/Qrow

Where to Read it: AO3 or below the cut. 

A/N: It’s 1:00am! So obviously it’s time to post ozqrow shenanigans :D

Ozpin really wasn't an expert on these things. However, even he thought if your date cracked up when they first saw you, that probably wasn't a good sign.

He looked down at his clothes, half-wondering (and hoping) that there was some stain of jam or flour that he could play off, maybe run back inside for a quick change. He was a baker after all. Hardly unusual... but no such luck. Qrow continued to laugh uproariously and Ozpin, as far as he could tell, was immaculate.

Definitely not a good start.

Ozpin looked back up, eyes slightly narrowed. "I'm not sure whether I should be offended or not."

"Oh no, shit, don't go getting offended—" Qrow waved a frantic hand, looking legitimately distressed. He was still chuckling though. "Sorry, Oz. I don't mean to be an asshole about it, but..." Qrow bit down hard on his lip. "A suit? A green suit? I told you we were keeping things casual."

Again Ozpin looked down at his outfit. Ah. He could see now how that might be confusing. In truth though this was casual for him, in a manner of speaking. While it was true that a baker's life didn't lend itself to fine clothes—Ozpin generally stuck to slacks and light, long-sleeved shirts protected by his apron—when given the chance he much preferred to look his best. After all, next to his speech what else did you have to judge a man on but his clothes? Even in college he'd dressed up rather than down, something James gave him nothing but grief for. It was hardly his fault if the athlete couldn't dress himself...

Ozpin smiled. "This is a rather comfortable suit, I assure you. You'll notice that I've forgone the tie."

"Uh huh. It's green."

"I like green."

"I like green," Qrow mimicked, finally closing the distance between them. He hesitated a moment, seemingly unsure, before leaning up to give Ozpin a quick kiss on the cheek. It was such a gentle moment from the normally boisterous man and Ozpin closed his eyes, savoring it. When Qrow pulled back there was a faint cheery color to his cheeks.

"You look good," he said, dispelling that concern. Ozpin was about to tell Qrow the same—dressed in torn jeans and a black t-shirt, an array of jewelry decorating his hands and neck—but before he could Qrow's hand bumped his, pulling back for only a moment before linking together. Ozpin's mind short-circuited and all that got through was that he was far too old for butterflies in his stomach. 

How wonderful.

Qrow began leading them down the street. He was slow about it. Casual. "Where are you taking me?" Ozpin asked. "I recall you were disgustingly close-mouthed over the phone."

Qrow shook his head, grinning. "I told you not to dress up. We're going to feed the ducks, Oz."

"The...?" Ozpin blinked, processing that.

"Yep. Motherfucking ducks. You'll see. They're the punk-rockers of the bird world."

... alright then.

***

Ozpin was ashamed to admit how long it took him to realize that a man named 'Qrow' might well develop a slight fixation on birds. Then again, perhaps he wasn't giving Qrow enough credit. He'd never attempted to hide the tight budget he was working with, especially when there were four mouths for him to feed. Once, while browsing Ozpin's portfolio, Qrow had told him about working as a props designer, specializing in weaponry. It was fascinating but not very lucrative career, especially when he didn't have connections with any of the larger film studios. Tai, meanwhile, apparently excelled as a stay-at-home dad—and Ozpin could easily see raising Ruby and Yang as a full-time job. Qrow had spoken frankly that if he picked the first date (as Ozpin insisted he should) it wouldn't be anything fancy. Perhaps a trip to the park was the most he could afford.

If so, it was an excellent choice.

"Beautiful," Ozpin murmured. Their small town really did have a nice park, large enough and wild enough that it felt like something natural. Their slow walk had led them to the entrance right at dusk and a thin purple sheen shone among the clouds. Ozpin brushed hair out of his face and tilted his head to the sky.

"Sure is," Qrow said and something about his tone made Ozpin think he wasn't talking about the sunset. He ducked his head back down in embarrassment.

"You promised me ducks," Ozpin reminded him, imbuing enough seriousness into the words that Qrow chuckled. The previous mood was broken, but this one was just as comfortable. Qrow nodded and started down the path towards the lake.

"Ever been down here?" he asked.

Ozpin shook his head. "I'm ashamed to say I have not."

"Well all you gotta know is that the little family I’ve acquired is greedy as hell." Qrow shook a baggie he's drawn out of his pocket. "Doesn't matter how late it gets, if there's someone with food nearby then they'll stick around. Claymore will bite your freaking fingers off if you let him, so watch out. Spatha's a little shy. I normally try to create a pile to distract them and then toss the rest her way. Talwar, meanwhile, is just a straight up asshole—"

"Wait." Ozpin drew them to a stop. He ran through his very limited knowledge and... "Did you honestly name a family of ducks after swords?"

Qrow grinned. "'Course I did. Oh, except one. You'll see..."

Ozpin wasn't sure he did see, but dear lord, that was half the fun. Somehow learning of Qrow's odd habit felt more intimate than anything Ozpin had experienced with previous partners and as they reached the lake he found himself swinging their linked hands, feeling like a schoolboy. Heaven help him if Glynda ever saw him like this.

Ah. Hmm. Yes. That must never, ever happen.

"Here we are! Hey there, guys. Mind if Oz and I join you for a while?"

They'd been swarmed as soon as they came into view. The ducks, like squirrels and pigeons, had no fear of humans after generations spent in this place. Ozpin was mindful of their little webbed feet as he and Qrow found a nearby bench, sitting thigh-to-thigh and shoulders brushing. Ozpin was so hyper-focused on the touch that it took him a second to realize Qrow was offering him the bag.

"Just bread," he said, popping a piece into his mouth. Qrow nearly choked as the closest duck (Claymore?) gave what read as an incredibly angry quack.

"Jeez, buddy. Wait a damn second."

Ozpin took the offered handful. He hesitated though, just resting it in his lap. He certainly didn't want to come off as, well, a sanctimonious know-it-all (to quote one of James’ favorite sayings), but...

"You realize this is terrible for them?" Ozpin said, immediately regretting the words.

Qrow cocked his head. "Huh?"

"The bread, it's... I'm so sorry. I realize now how rude this is, but it's essentially a junk food for them, almost no nutritional value. And of course if they fill up on it they won't be eating from their normal habitats and---not that you should have known that. Of course. I just... sorry. I'm sorry, Qrow."

He glanced between Ozpin and the impatient ducks, looking a little thrown. "Well shit. Wait. One crisis at a time. What exactly are you apologizing for?"

Ozpin didn't need a mirror to know that his cheeks had heated. He only sent up a quick thanks that the sun had finally sunk. "I've been told that I… how did Glynda put it? Yes, 'suck the fun out of everything.'"

"You...?" Qrow was staring one moment and then he started snickering, hanging his head—where the ducks started taking the opportunity to peck at his clothes and hair. With a splutter Qrow shooed them off him and sat back up, poking Ozpin in the shoulder.

"Oh man, that is rich considering that I'm definitely having fun. Shit, Oz, we'll just bring something else next time. What do ducks like then?"

Next time. Ozpin swallowed. "Bird seed it always good. Fruits. Chopped lettuce."

"Bird seed it is then," and with a grin Qrow took Ozpin's wrist and helped him throw out the first handful. "They can eat shit for one more night. I ate like 12 cakes just to get you here, you really think a little trivia is going to turn me off?"

Ozpin considered. "Perhaps not."

"Damn straight."

With a lazy silence between them Ozpin settled, tossing out the bread one piece at a time, making sure they lasted as long as possible. Certainly it had nothing to do with the fact that each time he did his arm brushed along the length of Qrow's.

"So," Ozpin said. "Where is this mysterious bird without a sword name?"

"He heard you talking about him." Qrow pointed to a duck that had arrived at the edge of their group. He stood out like a beacon due to his white feathers, as well as the large tuft on his head that looked similar to a Mohawk. "That one is 'Oz.'"

Ozpin froze. The glare he leveled at Qrow had him snickering again. "I am the namesake?"

"I told you, Oz, punk-rockers of the bird world. They gotta have a leader. I've been looking for the right name since we moved here."

"Qrow. There is nothing 'punk-rock' about me."

"Now you say that, but that's exactly what proves you are."

"No sense," Ozpin muttered, but he was secretly pleased. It was a feeling he recognized from other, rare moments. There was just something magical about this time of night. It allowed for possibility... and courage.

He might not have been the first to ask for a date, but Ozpin was the first to offer a real kiss. He took a moment to trace Qrow's shadow with his thumb—making sure he wanted this—before leaning in and discovering just how good humor and contentment tasted on the tongue. Qrow was a little rougher, pulling Ozpin until he had one leg hooked around Qrow's calf, the rest of him nearly up in his lap. Ozpin pushed back into the kiss and Qrow slid his hands through the opening of Ozpin's shirt. Yes, he was thrilled he hadn't worn a tie.

When they came to rest forehead-to-forehead, Ozpin was shaking. It was excitement, arousal, thrill... and just a tiny bit of fear. Because this… this was real.  

"We have an audience," Ozpin murmured, eyes shifting to the disgruntled ducks. He watched Qrow let his eyes slide shut as he smiled.

"Pervy bastards."

Perhaps, but they weren't the only ones.

***

No matter how magical a night, daybreak always arrived. Ozpin was back in his shop long before the sun came up, preparing his wares and opening his door at 8:00am, jue like he had for many, many years.

When Qrow came in late that afternoon—dangling a small bag of birdseed behind Port's back—Ozpin had the absolute pleasure of knowing that their simple time spent together had meant as much to Qrow as it had to him. That was wonderful.

Though not quite as wonderful as Qrow's expression when he saw the new cupcakes available. Each was accompanied by tiny, rice-crispy figurines covered in fondant that sat atop the frosting. In short, each flavor had a corresponding duck.

"There's only one outlier," Ozpin said, completely straight-faced as he showed off the display. "These over here—black forest with a whipped cream topping—are 'crows.'"

Port was no fool. He looked between the two men, noting Qrow's twitchy expression, and slammed a meaty palm down on the counter.

"Fantastic! I'll take five."

[telltheworld-phff]

Chapter 31: Ice, Ice baby

Carol tried to find out where she was going. She read some of her mom’s texts to see if Harry had sent something, she asked everyone about it, she tried to see if she needed a visa to visit the place but no one told her where it was. She was frustrated, being a very curious person was one of her strongest traits and she didn’t like to be kept in the dark. She didn’t know how this trip would work out. Harry had said “see you on the 27th” but he was in London and she was in São Paulo. He asked her to pack for a cold winter, so it was an international trip to the north hemisphere. Hailey had packed her clothes and locked her bag. She said Carol didn’t need to see what was in there, but it surely was heavy. She was growing frustrated with all the secrecy behind her until the morning of the 27th.

She had woken up early and she got ready not really knowing what to do. Her family were asleep when she went downstairs and fixed herself breakfast. Everything was ready to go, she just needed to know when and where. She paced the kitchen for a while and thought about waking her mom up to ask if she was on time but Harry soon texted her. He was making fun of her, of course, saying that she was probably nervous and wanting to kill him. He only said, on the second text, that she needed to open her front door.

She ran there and opened the front door. Nothing was there and she let out a frustrated sigh. She then walked the path and opened the front gate and there he was. Holding a lilies bouquet and with that mischievous smile that was so characteristic of him. She looked from the flowers to him before hugging him tight. She had missed her friend and he was going out of his way to surprise her and ask for her forgiveness. He gave her the flowers when they parted and she invited him inside. This was the first time he went to her new house and when he was inside, he noticed how they had already made it a home. He asked her if she was ready and she said she was.

“Then, let’s go. We’ve got a long road to go.” he said grabbing her luggage and waiting for her while she said goodbye to her family upstairs. She woke them up quickly and said they didn’t need to come down, Harry’d understand. After all he did appeared at their door at 7:00am.

She was surprised to see he had no bodyguards with him.

“I told you it was going to be just the two of us.” he said while driving the rented car to the airport.

“But is it safe for you to be travelling without security?” she asked looking at him concerned.

“To where we’re going, yes. Besides, I’ve fed the press with false but believable tips that I’d be going to Africa for the new years. So all paps might have headed there.” he said with a smile. “I even booked a couple of different hotels in there.”

She laughed at him and then looked at the road.

“You do know you didn’t have to do all of this, don’t you?” she said.

“I know. But I wanted to. I was an ass to you, again. And we do need to talk.”

“We do.” she agreed putting on her sunglasses.

“But not now. We’ll talk, but first, we have a flight to catch.” he said speeding up and following the GPS commands.

(…)

She didn’t expect he’d actually give her ear plugs when they arrived at the airport. He asked her to stay inside a bookstore while he checked them in and sent away their baggage. She waited there only because she found some interesting titles and ended up buying a couple of books. He gave her the earplugs so she didn’t listen when they were called to the gates. She learned now that Harry had a passport issued with his names scrambled around so no one would know it was him. He had booked them executive seats. She was uncomfortable because that was for sure a splurge of money, but before she commented on it, he stopped her. He was using his private money and he would use it the way he thought was best. They were sat side by side on the two seats row in the right side of the plane. They chatted for a while and she didn’t listen when the commander talked to the crew. He let her hold his hands on the take off and discovered she was afraid of flying. He thought his plan had gone wrong because of that, but as soon as the plane had stabilized in the air, she was calm again. He let her take off the earplugs and they stared awkwardly to each other.

“So…” she started. “Where are we going?”

“I won’t tell you.” he said smugly and kissed her knuckles. Her first instinct was to retract her hand from his hold and while she did that, she saw in his eyes how it had hurt him.

“I’m sorry. I acted out of instinct.” she whispered.

“And since when your instincts tell you to retract from me?” he asked staring into her eyes.

“I don’t know, Henry. I really don’t.” she whispered and he shook his head. He wasn’t going to start a fight with her with less than an hour of their 12 hour flight. The steward came and served them breakfast and they ate in silence. Both stealing a few glances of the other.

They did what they could to kill time on the plane. They watched a movie, they talked about non senses, she read a book and he slept. She napped while he was playing on his laptop and when she woke up and knew they still had four more hours to go – after a two hour connection somewhere -, she began to grow impatient. But if she really wanted to know where they were going, she could simply go to the bathroom and ask a steward for the information. But she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. She just wanted to be out of this plane as soon as possible.

“Are we going to China?” she asked when she sat beside him again. He laughed and looked at her before answering.

“No. Not today. Why?”

“This flight is taking forever…” she was annoyed.

“We’re almost there darling.” he said kissing her temple and she side hugged him. He enjoyed the moment by hugging her back and being comforted in the feeling of having her on his arms. He made sure she was comfortable and he ended up in a uncomfortable position. But he didn’t care, he simply held her and made her “cafuné” the way she liked.

They landed in Akureyri, Iceland at 1 am local time. Harry and Carol had put on lots of layers of clothing to be able to face the -4°C/24°F weather. They walked through security and custom fastly enough before getting a taxi that would take them to their hotel. The ride was a short one and both of them were tired. Harry had checked them in while Carol was waiting seated on the lobby’s sofas. She was yawning now and then and she only wanted a shower and a comfortable bed to sleep properly. Harry was the one who carried their luggage to the room, he opened the door and she stayed on the corridor.

“Aren’t you coming in?” he asked after finding their belongings a place.

“Where’s my room?” she asked suspiciously.

“This is your room, Carol. Come on in.” he said opening the door even more for her.

“Harry… I’m not kidding. Where’s my room?” she said crossing her arms.

“This is your room. They hotel’s fully booked so we’re going to share a room. Come on.”

She only raised a eyebrow at him before entering. Their room was actually a suite with a living room and a bedroom. It was comfortable but more importantly, warm. She started taking off the clothing she was wearing and folding them to leave it on the couch.

“I didn’t think you’d be uncomfortable with us sharing a room. But since you are, I’m sleeping on the couch.” he said taking off his scarf.

“I just don’t want you to mix things Harry.” she said tired.

“Let’s not have this conversation right now, ok?” he said looking at her. “Go take a shower while I make my bed and we can finally rest. Tomorrow’s a full day.”

She only nodded and went to grab her luggage, she entered the bedroom and opened it to find her pajamas. Hailey had truly well packed her suitcase, because she saw that there were lots of warm pieces for her to wear for the next 8 days. She got the things she needed and entered the bathroom. She took a quick shower while trying to push away the feelings and the things she had to make clear with Harry. But she didn’t want to dwell on it right now. She wanted to rest and to be comfortable and to sleep.

She put on her pajamas and went to the living room to see Harry sitting on the couch waiting for his turn. She touched his shoulder and he looked up at her.

“I’m all done. You can go now.” he nodded and got up, she waited for him in the living room while snacking on a few biscuits and drinking a cup of tea. He came back wearing his pajamas and the tension between them grew. She knew she had to make things clear for him. She’d hate to be the one breaking his golden heart. Harry was a wonderful man who deserved to be happy and to have the family he always wanted. But at this moment she couldn’t be this woman to him. She didn’t want a relationship, she had gotten quite scared after her relationships. She had this huge block in her mind that commitment was truly and unbreakably linked to heartache and betrayal. And she couldn’t have one more of those. She wouldn’t be able to handle another one. She couldn’t keep crying for the same reasons all the time, so instead she’d have to remind him that he was taking their friendship to a level where she wouldn’t follow him to. She felt that Harry was starting to see her with other eyes and before it grew to something more, she’d have to stop giving him hopes.

“So… goodnight.” he said laying on the make shift bed he made on the couch.

“Good night, Harry. Sweet dreams.” she said entering the bedroom and closing the door. The bed was a king side bed with the most comfortable mattress in the world. She got more blankets and turned on the heater. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Her body was tired but her mind was racing thinking about everything. She kept turning in bed and got up a couple of times to go to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth twice and huffed annoyed when the clock was showing it was already 3 am and she hadn’t slept a bit.

“Damn it.” she cursed when she realized that her own body was taking control of her mind. It was a cold night and the room, even though the heater was on, was a bit cold. But it wasn’t something unbearable. She could sleep in the temperature, but her body was looking for warmth. Her body wanted his arms around her body, she wanted to feel his breath on her neck and the feeling of safety she felt whenever she was near him. She fought those urges for a couple of minutes before getting up and going to the living room. He was sound asleep on the couch and snoring. She laughed a bit by the scene. Harry slept like a baby and looked cute at the moment. He was peacefully sleeping and she watched him for a couple of minutes. She wondered what would it be like to be able to sleep with him every night but soon she took those thoughts out of her mind.

“Harry” she whispered and he didn’t even move. “Harry” she called again she ran her hands through his ginger hair and caressed a bit before calling him a little bit louder.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. He rubbed his eyes.

“What happened Carol?” he whispered sleepy.

“It’s too damn cold and I can’t sleep.” she said looking at him and she bit her lip.

He didn’t say anything. If she wanted something from him, she’d have to ask.

“I was wondering if…” she said and stopped and was considering the pros and cons of her request. “I was wondering if you could sleep with me. Because it’s… it’s cold and I can’t sleep when the room is this cold.” she said looking down and he smiled and got up. He got his pillow and blankets and noticed the room wasn’t as cold as she was saying. They entered the bedroom, that was even more warmer than the living room and he made the bed again. She laid on the left side of the bed and he soon followed.

“So… if you’re cold you have to come closer.” he said looking at her and watched in her eyes while she was fighting herself before she slides on the bed and was closer to him. Her body immediately recognized his and the warmth she wanted, now was coming from within. She turned on her side and he snaked his arms around her waist and she put her hand on his face and caressed it. They stared at each other for a while before he asked: “Better?”

“Yes. Now I’ll be able to sleep. Thanks, Harry” she said snuggling closer while he was making sure she was well covered. He kissed her temple and used his other hand to make her cafuné. He kissed her temple a couple more times before closing his eyes. He noticed her breathing slowing down when he said: “You can sleep tight now, darling. I’ll be here holding you.”

(…)

They woke up next morning at 10 am. Harry was spooning Carol’s body and she was pretty much glued to him. She had slept like a baby in his arms and when she got up the next morning she was between regretting calling him and loving that she had fought her pride to do so. He was looking at her still laying on the bed when she went to the bathroom. He couldn’t deny he was happy she had asked him to sleep with her.

“Morning.” she said smiling when she got out of the bathroom.

“Morning.” he answered sitting on the bed. “You slept well?”

“I did. Thank you.” she said making a bun with her hair. “So, where are we going today?”

“We have to go pick our car and then we’re headed to Iceland’s longest fjord.” he said.

“Well… that’s interesting.”

“I know. I planned this trip and it came out fucking amazing.” he said proud of himself.

“You did this all on your own?” she asked.

“I did.” he got up and went to fetch a change of clothes for him.

“Impress me then.” she said smiling and he only smirked.

(…)

They got out of the hotel and walked around the city center that looked more like a miniature town. It was colorful and they were close to the sea, that was actually part of a fjord. Harry and her walked around with a map on their hands to find the renting car place. The wind was blowing non stop and it was the worse part of being out in the open, even though day time wasn’t much of all day. They knew it’d get dark sooner than in London, but they were having the time of their lives to try to guess what the words on the street signs meant.

While he was getting their car, Carol found a store where she bought things for them to eat on the road trip. She took forever to understand what was what but she was satisfied with her choices. She met him and he opened the car door to her. They were in silence for the first minutes of the ride. She was admiring and taking photos of the landscape the road trip was giving them. Harry was stealing a few glances in her direction while driving.

“So… should we talk about the elephant in the room now?” she asked looking at him and saw his face tense.

“I’m sorry for the way I talked to you. I was in no right to say what I said.” he offered looking at her.

“Apology accepted.” she said. “I just don’t understand why you got so jealous.”

“You’re a smart girl, Carolina. You understand why, you just don’t accept it.” he said and she was silent. “And I know you’re going to say we’ve talked about this when we were in Rio. That we’re friends and friends only. That sometimes we fuck and have a great time at it. But yeah… after my grandfather passed and I came home to see you there waiting for me, I thought something in you had changed. But I was wrong.”

“Did something in you change?” she was studying him.

“Yes.” he simply answered and she was shocked for having him confirm her suspicions so clearly and fearlessly.

“Harry…” she breathed.

“I know. I’m not forcing anything and you aren’t giving me false hopes. I’m a grown man, Carol. I can take a few bumps here and there.” he sighed and sped up a little bit more.

She didn’t know how but she started crying. She was wearing sunglasses and she didn’t want him to see, but locked in a car with him made the task a bit more impossible.

“I’m sorry, Harry. I’m so sorry.” she whispered and he could see the tears in her face.

“I didn’t plan on it, Carol. But it happened. And I don’t regret it. If I have to be in love with someone, might as well be with you. You’re a fucking great woman. You are beautiful, warm, caring, you’re intelligent and independent. You care about your family and you have the ability to overcome the hardships life throws at you.” he said looking at her and saw when she was crying even more with his words. “And I fucking hate that I arrived at your life after that douchebag of your ex-boyfriend. Because unlike him I’d honour and cherish our relationship. I hate that he came before me and made you suffer and cry. He came and messed with you and now it’s not like you’re not giving me a chance because you think we’re not going to work or because you think you wouldn’t feel the same for me. You won’t give me a chance because you’re afraid and I don’t judge you. It’s completely understandable.”

He parked the car once they arrived at the island of Hrisey. He turned off the engine and looked at her. She was fully crying right now and that was the image he was trying to avoid. He didn’t want her crying, he wanted her smiling and being the cheerful and chatty self she was. But he had to be honest with her. He couldn’t lie that he had fallen for this amazing woman. She had to know what he thought and what he felt, because he knew what she thought and felt and he’d be willing to accept whatever she wanted to give him. Either be a new relationship or just a friendship or just fucking whenever she felt like it. He’d have her. As much of herself she’d be willing to give him. He held her hand and kissed it non stop, he didn’t say anything else, he simply waited for her to let it all out.

“I’m.. I’m s-s-o sorry, Henry” she stuttered looking at him and taking off her sunglasses. “I don’t want to make you suff-fer. I jus-s-t can’t gi-ve you what you want.”

“I know, darling.” he leaned his body to be closer to hers, he cupped her face and kissed her tears away. “I’m not asking anything of you. Not anything more than what we already have. If you want to be only friends, then we’ll be only friends. If you want to try, we’ll try. If you want to be friends and have sex whenever, then we’ll do it. I’m not asking anything or imposing anything. I just want you to know how I feel.” he said looking in her eyes and she saw nothing but sincereness in those deep blue ones.

“But whenever we’re together I’ll think I’m giving you hopes and breaking your heart.” she said looking at him.

“No, you’re not. I know what I’m signing up to.” he said looking at her. “I’m not asking anything of you, but let me show that we can work.”

She had a puzzled expression on her face and he kissed her knuckles again.

“I chose to come here because it’s not likely people would recognize me and because we can be just Harry and Carol. I don’t have to have a protection officer and we can be just us. Let’s use this week to run away from our fears and responsibilities. Let me show you how you deserve to be treated and then, when we come back, you’re back in Brazil and I in London, as friends. Best friends.”

“You’re insane.” she laughed and shook her head.

“Come on. It’ll be fun.” he smiled and looked at her with those pleading eyes.

“I don’t see how it’ll help the fact that you just told me you’re in love and the fact that we agreed to be just friends.” she pointed out now that she stopped crying.

“Just because I’m not forcing a relationship doesn’t mean I can’t show you how fucking amazing it’d be if we were together.” he said with a smug smile.

“Ok, Your Royal Smugness. Let’s see this Icelandic fjord before it gets too dark.” she said getting out of the car and waiting for him. She put on her sunglasses again and adjusted her cap and scarf. He walked around the car and put an arm around her shoulder and they followed the signs to walk around the fjord and admiring the small city that was built around it. The landscape was breathtaking and Carol soon started to snap a lot of pictures.

A/N: I'm so very sorry for taking too long to update. But that happened for two reasons. One of them is that my laptop went crazy and I can't even type on it anymore. It gave me hell to proofread this chapter and post it after I tried for days. 

The second one is that I'm facing something every writer does: I'm blocked. I do have a few chapters written that haven't been posted yet, but at the same time I don't want to let go of them because I know I couldn't come up with anything more after that. Does it make any sense??

 If you guys have any ideas to help me I'd very much appreciate. 

A hint: the chapter I've blocked at is when Carol meets Princess Sofia. 

 Let me know what you think of this chapter now that Harry has poured his heart out to Carol. 

 Carol's outfit for the trip. 

 See ya next chapter!

[squky]

MysMes Another Story ー Day 8 Phone Call Choices

Okay, before I do anything, I’m going to say this:

The Outgoing call to V after 1:07pm is very good and I highly suggest you do it.

Okay, moving on,

To avoid spamming yours or other’s dashes, as well as to avoid unwanted spoilers, I will use a read more line. Click to see.

*Note: Due to the HG cost of outgoing calls to Ray and V, and of loading your game, I am only going to go through one call tree for all Ray+V calls and all incoming calls per playthrough of the day. My choices will be marked with a  ✔ in case the conversation choices branches when you make your answer decisions in these calls.

Call times courtesy of Khaleecia’s Call Log, I’ve been printing it out and bring it to work with me for days now~.

Jaehee, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 12:44am chat

Recording...? How could you!? I wanted to talk about personal matters.

Yes, it it helps the intelligence unit...

That's possible as my entrance itself was suspicious.

Are you suspecting me?

I think V and Rika are entangled in a very complicated manner.

How is the party preparation going?

Cheer up as we will soon be able to get together safely!

Jumin, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 12:44am chat

Were you worried?

Were you waiting for my call?

No need for the helicopter! Take it easy first.

V isn't in a good condition.

How are the members?

I'll tell not only you, Jumin, but to everyone.

If that happens, I'll elope with V alone.

I understand, I'll do it.

Jumin, you believe in sueperstitions more than I thought.

I believe in you and the members, too.

I'll nurse V as best as I can. Believe in me.

What you said was interesting.

Ray, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 12:44am chat

Why do you ask?

It's a secret.

I trust V. ✔

Stop it. You were using me from the start.

That's what Rika thinks. I don't believe in that.

That's an interesting story. ✔

Zen, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 12:44am chat (He didn't say goodbye at the end of the call, so I didn't get to reset the app in time to go back and hear all the options. My favorite, Zen. OTL)

My heart is on fire...fire towards V...

You sound weak... Is something wrong, Zen?

Zen, you have a dream you're mving towards to. Don''t feel useless because of the current situation.

You're looking after Yoosing. Do you know how hard that is?

I'll prmise to call you!

Zen, you're already helping more than enough. 

 (Ironically, I got >this< right after my disappointment of not being able to hear all of this call.)

Yoosung, (calls you), Day 8, after 12:44am chat

For crying out loud! V's in the hospital right now!

I don't want to believe it, either...

....Everything Seven said is true. ✔

Yoosung, I'm sorry, but I think it's time you let go of Rika...

Yoosung...

Didn't you see what happened to V? It's too dangerous!

Take it easy and be rational, Yoosung....

Yoosung, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 12:44am chat

I'm okay.

Try to calm down and talk slowly.

His life isn't on the line, but he's in a lot of pain. I won't...tell you any moe than that.

He'll be okay as long as I'm beside him. His life isn't on the line.

Rika?!

She was cam...and beautiful.

Yoosung, it's natural for you to think like that...Start acknowledging that and slowly work out how you feel.

Time will take care of everything.

Ray, (calls, you), Day 8, after 1:59am chat

From now on, stop calling me.

I'm sorry, but I'm not playing. ✔

You're gravely mistaken.

I miss you, too. ✔

I'll come back to you. ✔

Ray, please! You should snap out of it!

V, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 7:13am chat

Isn't this...a bit weird? The UI and all...

V, are you okay?

I'll be waiting for that!

Focus on recovering for now!

Don't take a photo of me, but rather draw me.

Rika, (calls you), Day 8, after 9:27am chat

I don't want to hear you!

You sound so beautiful.

What's wrong with your voice? Did you cry? ✔

Rika, you should now regain your senses. ✔

I kind of want to go back.

V, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 9:27am chat

I called to freshen up my mind. ✔

V! it's me, [your MC's name here]!

No, but I do like looking at it.

Yes, it's my job.

I'm not interested.

I'm learning! ✔

V, (calls you), Day 8, after 11:00am chat

Yes. She has. ✔

No, not yet.

Stop blaming yourself! from now on, think of yourself, V!

Rika might have been like that, but I cannot agree with her faith.

I can take care of myself. Don't worry. ✔

Everyone now knows that Rika is a villian.

If you know that, then uou should stop making me worry -

We will win this together. I believe we can. Let's hang in there!

Ray, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 11:00am chat

I'm doing fine.

You're the one who tormented me.

It feels weird without you here... ✔

Ray, that's enough... From now on I'll stay with V. ✔

Rika is the real villain.

Ray...don't you wanna go to the hospital with Rika

There is no such thing as a paradise of dream and happiness. ✔

707, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 11:00am chat 

[No choices] 

 V, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 1:07pm chat. (This is a very good call and I suggest you do it.)

V, It's me! [Your MC's name here]!

Are you okay, V? ✔

I'm going in right now! V, hang on! ✔

V, you're not that kind of person. Trust me, please?

I'm going to you now! I'm almost there.

Because I like you, V! ✔

Because I want to be by your side, V...

Ray, (calls you), Day 8, after 1:07pm chat

In the room that I used to be at? ✔

No idea.

You're weird.

Ray, I hope you won't fall asleep like that. ✔

We shall meet again. ✔

Take care...

I'm not going back.

If I go there, you'll lit to me and feed me that strange med, won't you?

Ray, you look a bit pitful. ✔

Ray, (calls you), Day 8, after 3:21pm chat

What are you going to do to them?

How are you going to make then do that? ✔

Are you going to sike the fountain? ✔

Are you going to spike the drinks with that?

Please don't do that... Mint Eye isn't the right answer for everyone. ✔

I'll make sure they don't drink anything at the party! Not even a single drop of water will be allowed!

Rika, (calls you), Day 8, after 5:52pm chat

Maybe.

V is worried about you.

Are you jealous of me? ✔

This isn't the time for dating.

Don't you miss V's warmth?

Rika...you need treatment! So does Ray. ✔

What do you mean by that? ✔

707, (calls you), Day 8, after 7:02pm chat

Is V doing well? ✔

Seven, how do you feel right now?

He had white hair.

Height 173cm, weight 59kg, snow white skin, good-looking, sexy, and cute. ✔

He looked like my Prince Charming.

It looks like he hates you ✔

He hates V.

Ray, Outgoing call, Day 8, after 8:21pm

Are you sure you're awake now?

Your mother? ✔

Ray, snap out of it! Ray!

Ray...calm down. Easy... ✔

Rika, (calls you), Day 8, after 10:00pm

At least you're far from normal.

People's guideline for normal and abnormal are so random. ✔

Rika, I like you.

Is it because I'm with V? ✔

I'll see you at the hospital if you promise me that you;ll get your treatment. ✔

I'm scared of you.

Ray, (calls you), Day 8, after 11:16pm chat

S...scared? I, I, I'm not scared!

You gotta do more than that to make me scared. ✔

Who are you? ✔

Where is Ray?

You're dangerous. ✔

Are you that infamous destroyer...?

End.

Contributions  to the choices I don’t have listed here are more than welcome!

[adidas-louu]

ignore this

I always complained about wanting to do things. I would literally just lie there and think “I’m so sad because I’m unable to do this one thing”

I used to think that experiencing something that you’ve always wanted to do just once would be a dream come true. I’ve always had the mindset “I wish I could do it at least just once so I can know what it’s like and then I’ll be content if I never do it again”

But I’ve learned that isn’t necessarily the case. Yeah you’re bursting with happiness for the next couple of days but once you get over that high, you’re life goes back to normal and you’ve become even sadder than before because now you got a taste of it and want more.

Now I’m stuck in a state of mind where I keep wanting to relive it, and it’s literally making me so miserable. Heck, it’s literally taking over all my thoughts. Yesterday I made myself nap so I would avoid overthinking about it and when I woke up, I tried my best to distract myself by watching youtube. The whole time, my chest felt heavy and I kept having to stop the video so I could take a moment to breath. I kept pushing the thoughts out of my head but eventually I couldn’t anymore. It was 12:00am and in the middle of a “daily makeup routine video!1!” I burst out sobbing and wouldn’t accept the fact that I was crying. I kept watching the video acting as if nothing was wrong but once it ended, all my thoughts finished pushing through and I just laid there thinking what has my life become. I sat there crying and I still wouldn’t allow myself to think about it. I got up and pretended everything was normal even though there were streaks of tears going down my face. I put my clothes away and turned off my lights and went into bed. I continued acting like everything was fine. “It’s fine, I’m fine, everything’s fine.” I went on my phone, and prolonged me getting off it. I didn’t even want to allow myself to put my phone away because I didn’t even want to know what would happen the instant I wasn’t distracted. Eventually I put my phone away and the moment I was dreading happened, my thoughts began to invade my brain. I crawled into a fetus position and began sobbing. I couldn’t think properly, all my thoughts were jumbled up and I just remember my most prominent thought was “I wish it never happened.” I cried myself to sleep hoping that this was just a one-night thing that I would just end up blaming on my hormones the next day. Well that was a lie.

In the morning I looked myself in the mirror and couldn’t wait for the day to be over. I went on with my day like nothing happened last night, like I didn’t have a total break down. I acted the same I did everyday, and didn’t think much of it. I liked being at school; it’s hard to overthink when you’re constantly being distracted by many things. Yet at the same time, at school I’m reminded of the thing that started it all, and I couldn’t help but wonder, is it all in my head?

I’m not suicidal. I don’t self harm. I’m aware that there are people that love me and care for me. I’m just lost. There wasn’t this one big event that triggered me to be like this but so many small events that piled up. I don’t tell anyone what I’m feeling because I feel like they won’t understand. I know they won’t understand. How could they possible? I don’t even understand. I know I’m doing this to myself, I could easily open up and ask for someone to help me, but I can’t. Opening up is so hard for me and I feel so exposed once if I do it.

None of this makes no sense so I’m sorry if you read this and are confused. I made this vague on purpose incase someone in my life finds this. That’s how paranoid I am. I don’t want to be constantly worried that one of my friends will stumble upon this and confront me about it. But if you happen to be one of my friends, please know that although this sounds like I feel lonely and depressed, I’m actually okay. I’ve been able to suppress it well for the most part for the past year and most of the time, I honestly forget about this whole thing. It’s just that recently something happened that triggered my brain to reach the darkest parts of my thoughts that made me feel so empty this week. But the reason I wrote this whole thing was so I could get over it. Putting what I feel in words takes away so much tension from myself and already I feel better.

I didn’t mean for this to be this long. It started out as a small paragraph but it escalated to this. If you knew what I was talking about all of this would make sense but again, I’m being vague on purpose as a precaution of friends finding this. Please know that my smiles are genuine and that I am happy with my life, it’s just I’m just going over a “rough patch” rn. Now I’m not saying that I don’t fake smiles because as much as I hate admitting it, there are some days where I feel like shit but I don’t want anyone feeling bad for me, so I smile and laugh like everything’s okay.

Sorry for making this so long and incoherent but I just had to put it out there.

[kutee-boutique-fan-blog]

Sometimes I Need To Be Alone Snoopy Sweat Shirt, Hoodie, Sweater, Longsleeve T-Shirt

Do you love it? https://kuteeboutique.com/shop/sometimes-need-alone-snoopy-sweat-shirt/

Sometimes I Need To Be Alone Snoopy Sweat Shirt, Hoodie, Sweater, Longsleeve T-Shirt

Girl could have just said to the boy about the men who were following her… Sometimes I Need To Be Alone Snoopy Sweat Shirt. in first call….and i think that she could have done something so she was killed. That’s why I don’t like men! They always ignore you when they were with their friends. It was feel like both of you are strangers even it was not! Oh gosh! I really men! Grrr. Caring should be from both ends not from one end.. but these days, in intial days there will be lot of caring but in the middle some new person comes and it ia getting transferred to them.. stupid people..don’t know the value of them until something happens.. one day they gonna realise the value.

Sometimes I Need To Be Alone Snoopy Sweat Shirt, Hoodie, Sweater, Ladies T-Shirt

Sometimes Need Alone Snoopy Sweat Hoodie

Omg why is always the male the one who is wrong? When I see things like this I think about why someone wasted his time doing this video, that makes no sense. I know some guy who like to drink and party and let his gf to back to hotel alone. Idk if he have brain or what eh but I was scared to go home late since I don’t get used on it. But fuck my next won’t treat me like how he used to treat me. I swear to my god. Wht she just could not wait until next day to see him.. after 12 you outside bf house after he told you he liming with his friends… calling him instead of the police was to leave him feeling guilty.

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Reva Shaha see this carefully. And think about it. But shayad aapko isse bhi koi effect nhi padega. Bcoz u r getting feeling less day by day.  Who the hell told her to go outside of the house at 12:00Am…..hve she lost her mind……..this Worldis Savage . When will u Idiot Girls…. Understand.  I know someone who is great at ignoring others and is ignorantly proud of it too. She literally puts your messages to the “ignore” status. If the girl make use of her mind and she stays at home then nothing would happen to her. Going out middle of the night just to see his fuckin boyfriend?? What the fuck are you thinking!

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i wont fucken wait for. no one n second i wouldint go out at the time alone n more if he turns the phone off fuck him wants to see me come to my house or wait to meet up next day.  I am 64 years old now & I was 24 years old when my mother died at age 49 of breast & brain cancer. She was a wonderful mom who cherished her 4 children with ALL HEART! I still miss terribly but I thank God she taught me to always think of others & always, do your best! She was a loving,caring & Sometimes I Need To Be Alone Snoopy Sweat Shirt & very thoughtful mother & I hope she is smiling from heaven to see how I try to follow in her footsteps!

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I am sorry but i disagree a little because between 3×10-11 Liz is very cold and act very strangely!!! Red is in love with Liz even when she is with Tom , he always is here! I dont see any kiss between Tom and Liz so for it’s open!  Since he’s been away episodes got way better, even other characters got more screen time , even Liz become more tolerable, still they say they will bring him back to season 5.  I am totally oooooover these 3!! They have spoilt theBlacklist with the Liz,and Tom saga been going on to long i don’t watch it anymore because of it !

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Deema Abu Ghazaleh I know, it’s so disappointing! Why bring back someone that drags the show down?!! Liz is horrible when she’s with Tom.  Sometimes I Need To Be Alone Snoopy Sweat Shirt. Blacklist my good friends much love always and that two thumbs up Happy Mother’s Day to you guys are great actors and actresses and keep up the good work and move strong and your spirit and and that you guys train hard all the time. Next season moving to Wednesdays at 8pm. May up viewership. Less dvr viewers and more live viewers.

[wandamaximoff12-blog]

Chapter 2: The Chituari

Chapter 2: The Chitauri

Mallory’s POV

A sixteen year old girl followed her older brother up the walkway towards their house.

“Daddy said he'd buy me a car if I got straight A’s all semester. And what's this?” The sixteen year old girl with huge hair waved a report card at her brother’s face.

“Hah, yeah right. I had to buy a used car myself years after I got my-” the boy stopped as he opened the door to the house.

Inside, there were men dressed in black holding guns to a man and a woman who were against the wall, both looking frightened.

“Which one is it? WHICH ONE?” One of the men in black shouted at the parents.

Very suddenly, I woke up. Breathing hard, I reached up to my face and felt it was wet. What is wrong with me? I thought. I don't cry. Why were there tears on my face?  I thought back on the dream I had just had. Except it wasn't a dream. It was a memory.

I groaned and put my face in my hands. I wasn't going to think about it, not now. I was up at 4:00am for no reason yet again. I contemplated calling Elliot, but then, remembering the conversation we had last night, decided against it. I didn't feel like getting lectured again. I lay back on my bed, and thought about yesterday. Cap had said that SHIELD would “bring me up to speed”, I wondered when they'd be contacting me. Glancing at my phone, I noticed there were a few text messages.

Elliot 12:03am: I'm going to bed. Sorry about our conversation. Hope you're not mad.

Kanani 11:46pm: hey, Elliott just told me what you did. You alright?

Anya 11:30pm: Ell told me. good job Mal, I'm proud of you :)

Kanani has been my best friend since third grade. It was nice to hear from her, we don't talk very much anymore. But it wasn't so nice that Elliott had told her and Anya that I was joining the Avengers temporarily.

After replying to the texts (not Elliott’s), telling them I was fine, I got up and paced my room wondering what was going to happen to me today. I could die for all I knew. But that wasn't likely. I was too powerful to die so easily. But then again, if it was almost too much for whole Avengers team.... Whatever, that doesn't mean anything. What's the point in worrying, anyway?

I wasn't sure why, but I felt the need to use my powers right here, right now. Maybe just to reassure myself I could still do what I haven't done in a while.

I took a deep breath and reached my right arm out in front of me. Instantly, dark blue energy shot out of my fingers and began covering the room. Soon, my whole room was engulfed in the blue mist. It was amazing. I could feel all around the room and see everything without looking. I felt shielded and protected inside my energy bubble, as if nothing could harm me. But something could, because I couldn't hold the shield long, it broke apart and I felt it slip away. Realizing that I had my eyes closed, I opened them and sighed. I'd have to work on that.

    * * *

“Thor told us what he heard from his brother, Loki. Apparently, he was making a threat and accidently let us know what his next move is. We’ve managed to evacuate most of that part of the city they’re going to attack,” Nick Fury told me.

I was at SHIELD HQ getting “debriefed” on the invasion going down today. It all seemed so fake, like a setup. If the Avengers had known that Loki was going to come back all along, why didn't everyone in the state know? Why didn't they say anything? When I voiced this concern with Fury, he told me some things needed to remain “classified”. But that still didn't make any sense, and even though he’s a good liar, I can tell when people aren't telling the truth, and he was leaving something out.

Fury explained the rest of this whole “invasion” to me, but it still didn't make a lot of sense. Why did the Avengers wait until the last minute to ask for my help?

Apparently, the aliens are called Chitauri, they're mindless creatures that do whatever their leader, in this case Loki, tells them to. Also, I was told who the current members of the Avengers team were. And that I would have to “cooperate with” them in order to defend the city properly. The members of the team are Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Thor, and Bruce Banner. Very few of those people I have ever met, and none of them I was very thrilled to be working with. But I looked past this and realized they probably weren't very thrilled to be working with me. After a lecture about the aliens, the team, and Loki, Fury told me that the Avengers were ready for whatever was coming, and that one of them was right now “scouting” to give the alert when Loki shows up. And I got the feeling again that all of this was fake, like a dream. Gods from other realms and aliens just seemed too weird for my life. And that was saying something. Fury told me it would be best if I joined Natasha Romanoff (AKA Black Widow) at the edge of the city where she was waiting for the chitauri to begin their second attack. I was OK with that. Agent Romanoff was one of the few Avengers I tolerated.

* * *

It seemed crazy that almost twenty four hours ago my biggest problem was my overbearing brother. Now I am standing at the edge of an evacuated city with Black Widow waiting for an army of aliens lead by a god to attack us. What happened?

I saw an opportunity for myself to be more than a little sister that needed protecting and an occasional SHIELD agent when they were truly desperate. And I took it. That's what happened.

“Stark should be here by now, I'm going to go check for him,” Natasha told me.

She hopped on her motorcycle and drove off towards the center of the city. I was sitting cross legged on top of an abandoned cab. I sighed, leaned back on my arms, and squinted up at the sun. I wondered what Elliott was doing right now. He probably was worried sick and getting Anya into the car and driving off towards the airport. I smiled. Despite what Fury told me about things remaining “classified”, it was announced on the news that there was going to be another attack on the city and that everyone should stay safe.

My phone started ringing, it was Elliott.

“Hey,” I answered.

“Where are you?” Elliott demanded.

“On top of a car,”

“Mallory-Rae, if you die, I'm going to kill you,”

“Relax, Ell. I've got this,”

“Every time you say that, something bad happens,” Elliott actually sounded really nervous.

“I'm actually pretty confident. And all I need from you right now is a little trust, not worried comments, those aren't helpful,” I was pretty proud of myself for finally telling him what I was thinking and for sounding so calm.

There was silence. And then,

“I do trust you, Mal. I'm just so worried. You've never been through anything like this before!”

“Yeah, but I've been close. I've gotta go now,” this time I really did have to go, I could hear Natasha’s motorcycle coming back.

“Stay safe,” Elliott said, and he sounded a little less anxious.

I hung up.

“Everyone else is here now. The chitauri should have arrived by now,” Natasha said.

I was about to reply when I noticed something in the sky. My vision was blurred from staring at the sun so long, but I was sure I saw something black. Something big. I narrowed my eyes, trying to make out what it was. Romanoff looked around to see what I was staring at and noticed it too.

“....oh no,” she murmured.

“What is it?” I asked.

“A portal. We didn't prepare for this,” Natasha looked far from frightened, but she did seem concerned. “Stark, are you seeing this?” She spoke into her ear piece.

It was very noticeable now. The sky looked like it was folding in on itself. The inside was terribly dark and full of what looked like the aliens that had attacked last time, only they were bigger, much bigger. And then they started flying out of the hole into the sky. The largest ones were almost forty feet long and snakelike. The others were ten to twenty feet tall and riding on hovercraft. They all started heading towards the ground.

I was proud of myself for not feeling even a flicker of fear. But I was serious, something inside me was ready and desperate to fight. Because how dare they? I watched as one of the largest ones crashed into a building, sending debris everywhere and damaging other buildings and cars. I was done watching, though, I was ready to stop this. I looked at Natasha who seemed to be listening to something someone was saying in her ear piece.

She looked at me, “re grouping over here,” she said.

Almost immediately, the rest of the team, Cap, Hawkeye, Thor, and Stark showed up. Thor and Stark who were flying, landed on the ground. Steve and Hawkeye dismounted their motorcycles. Cap and Thor nodded at me, Hawkeye almost smiled, and Stark smirked as if he had won some game.

“Call it, Cap,” Stark said.

“OK. I know this isn't what we were expecting,” Steve said, looking up at the now enormous amount of chitauri taking over the sky. “So, listen up, until we can close that portal, our priority's containment. Clint, I want you on that roof, eyes on everything, call out patterns and strays. Stark, you got the perimeter. Anything that gets past three blocks out, turn it back or turn it to ash,”

“Give me a lift?” Clint asked Stark.

“Sure, Legolas,” Stark flew off into the sky with Clint who he dropped off on the roof of the nearest building.

Cap looked at Thor, “Thor you gotta try to bottleneck that portal. Slow them down. You got the lightning. Light the bastards up,”

I was very impressed with Steve. He seemed to have everything under control, and everyone was listening to him because he knew what he was doing.

“Mallory, you, me, and Natasha stay on the ground, let's see what you can do. And Hulk,” Cap looked at something behind me.

I had a guess as to what it was.

I slowly turned around and saw the Incredible Hulk was standing behind me all along and I didn't know it. He was huge, green and dangerous looking. The media had described him as a mindless, destructive monster. But right now there seemed to be something the cameras missed. There was something more human. More real. Like he wouldn't just crush you because he felt like it. I thought of something then that I hadn't thought of before, even though Elliott mentioned it, what if the media tries to make me out a monster like they did to the Hulk?

Hulk grunted as if daring Cap to give him an order.

Cap dared.

“Smash,” he pointed at the chautari flying above them.

Hulk gave a sort of evil grin and jumped extremely high, clinging on to a building. I dodged debris from the building and looked around just in time to see one of the smaller chitauri racing at me on his hovercraft, holding his weird gun, ready to shoot. I slid to the side, against a building. The alien flew by me and as it did, I grabbed its gun, flipped it around and shot the energy beam that was meant for me right back at it. The thing sort of squealed and flew back onto the ground.

Here we go.

[aurora--rising]

Sick

Pairing: Kaliis Gilwraeth x Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley

A/N: I hope you guys like this fan fiction. I spent a lot of time on writing and editing this so I hope this will keep you busy until book 2!

Word Count: 1,300

Aurora laid in her bed, breathing through her mouth. Her nose was stuffed and her eyes were swollen and irritated. When she had woken up the crew had apparently let her sleep in because she was the only one in her bed and she had heard them quietly talking in the kitchen. She coughed sporadically and sniffed dramatically just when Kal opened the door.

“Kal,” she groaned feeling her sore throat ache with effort just to say his name.

His eyes immediately widened as he moved with inhuman speed to her, the Pull mostly dragging him. He bent over and enclosed his cold calloused hands around hers.

“Be’shmai, what is the matter,” he asks his perfect silver eyebrows brawn together, with his eyes matching the same concern.

“I’m sick,” she all but struggles to get out.

His alluring violet eyes expand in realization. “Zila,” he calls with his deep voice, bouncing off the walls stopping the light kitchen conversation.

“Do not worry Be’shmai you will feel better soon.”

“What do you mean you can not help her, she is dying,” Kal yells with intense anger in his voice. Auri groaned that moment due to the loudness of his voice. Her senses were more sensitive than ever. He sent a apologetic glance towards her, even though she had her eyes sealed shut in concentration.

“She’s not dying, she simply has a fever, but when we took this ship it only had a first aid kit,” Zila explains.

“There’s absolutely nothing you can do,” Tyler asks running a hand through his hair. There were dark circles under his eyes and his skin was ghost white.

Ever since Cat had turned been left on Octavia he hadn’t been the same. Staying up later, not eating as much, but he still tried to put on a good face for his crew, but they could all see the changes. Scarlett was no different.

Zila thought for a moment. She was wearing big silver hoops twice the size of her hand.

“I could make homemade medicine. I believe we have the ingredients, but it takes six hours to prepare.”

They all gave each other sideways looks. It was already 12:00am, so she have to get it at the end of the day. Auri sits up and hacks multiple times into her elbow. Kals there in a millisecond by her side gently pushing her down and tucking white strands out of her face.

“Whatever it takes,” he says.

Kal couldn’t get the sight of Auri out of his brain. He had been suppressing the Pull since the moment he saw her when he had entered the room, but now all he wanted to do was threaten Zila to hurry up or else he would shoot a bullet through her humungous brain. He would never actually do that, but he was getting to the point of antsy to angry and if Zila didn’t make the medicine Auri would just get worse.

He was a loud to go see her as long as her fever didn’t get to high to where it was contagious, but he didn’t feel like he could hold off the Pull.

“Kal!”

He turned his head toward Scarlett so fast he was surprised he didn’t get a whiplash. Her hand was on her hip giving him a pointed look. He hadn’t noticed how long he had been staring blank at a wall just pondering.

“Here,” she holds out a glass of crystal clear water. “I need you to give this to Auri.”

Scarlett knew Auri didn’t ask for water, or drank anything for that matter, but she knew Kal needed to see her and needed an excuse.

His mind was going crazy but he nodded and took it anyway. How could he see her again when he barley managed to hold it together the first time. Standing outside the door he breathes outward and opens it.

There sitting up on her bed sat Auri wrapped and huddled in two blankets. Her skin was as white as Tyler’s now and her red and puffy eyelids made her irises look smaller than what they actually were. There were greasy white and black strands everywhere mixed in and out of the blanket.

Even when she was sick she was beautiful, Kal thought.

Aurora catches sight of the bright light illuminating from the opened door turning her head, hissing. Only then does Kal realize its completely dim in the room.

“Sorry,” he mumbles shutting it.

“Kal,” she questions looking up at him, her eyes shining.

“Um, yeah. I-um brought your water.”

Her heart swells with admiration, even though she couldn’t drink anything. He walks over and sets the glass on her bedside table next to her uniglass, Magellan. But when he turns to leave she stops him.

“Wait!”

He stops in his tracks, slowly turning around, and looks at her.

“I was just wondering if maybe you could stay,” she says blushing. “Being sick doesn’t mean I want to be lonely.”

He openly gapes at her, the pull stronger than ever. He would love to lay with her while she sleeps. Listening to the sound of her soft breathing while he plays with her hair in total content. I guess he was staring to long because she looks down with a disappointed look on her face.

“Never mind it was a stupid idea. Thank you for the water anyways.”

She was about to lay back down, but Kal was already walking toward her bed and sitting criss-cross on top of the covers with his hands folded in his lap.

She sits next to him in the same position. After an awkward moment of silence Kal blows out a strip of air before lifting the arm that’s on her side. Instantly she snuggles into his chest. They just relax there for the rest of the time being.

Auri fell asleep a long time ago, but Kal never left her side. The only time she woke up was when Zila had finished the concoction and spoon fed it to her. Even after that, she fell unconscious straight afterwards due to the drowsiness inside the liquid.

The next morning she felt a lot better. No more sore throat or stuffy nose, heck even her eyes felt normal. A knock had startled her. Kal peeked around the corner, his eyes brightening at the sight of her wellbeing.

“Be’shmai,” he grins striding over to her and wrapping his arms around her petite body.

She instantly wraps her arms around him in response enjoy the warmth radiating from him body. He lets go too early for her comfort, but he puts his rough warrior hands on his cheeks, his plum colored eyes franticly checking every inch of her face.

She just blinks up at him knowing the Pull must have been very hard on him during her illness. She could smell his fresh minty breath blowing out of his perfectly shaped nostrils. She moved her face forward to his until their foreheads were touching. She would stare at him all day if she could, with his structured jaw line and pronounce cheek bones.

He slowly leans forward inching closer and closer. Her eyes flutter closed in anticipation. She could feel both their wanting mixing together, growing, and then-

The door slams open. They both snap their heads toward where the sound came from. Finian’s eyes were frenetic until he realized the scene he had walked upon.

“Sorry to disturb,” he smirks. “But we have a problem.”