#t mobile lost phone replacement

[eleni-cherie]

a thief's origin✨ || bts • kth - chapter 0.8

"you're afraid I won't wait." "I'm afraid you will."

a criminal and a doctor should be as different as the sun and the moon - but unexpected things happened every day. like him finding his safe haven in her.

© 2024 | eleni_cherie

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masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, sexual tensiON, slowburn, mutual pining, strangers to friends to lovers s2f2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

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22nd February

Hanoi, Vietnam

"I might've found us a new job."

Curiously they looked at Jimin who had just entered and waved an envelope in his hands with a mischievious grin.

"Hard pass," Yoongi only countered, going back to grinding his sword, "Forgot I'll be gone for the next month?"

Jimin's smile faded, replaced by a musing expression. "Ah, right.. there was something.. So you really just gonna leave to meditate for a whole month? That wasn't a joke?"

Shaking his head, the older one offered him a small apologetic fold of his lips.

With a deep sigh, Jimin's hopeful glance was directed now at Taehyung, who only blinked back, with a lost expression in his brown eyes wide as he hadn't paid attention. Too occupied by the game he was playing on his phone. "Huh?"

Rolling his eyes, Jimin walked over to him. Holding the envelope right in front of his eyes and blocking his view on the display. It seemed like he had to spell it out for him. "Are-you-in-for-the-job?"

Annoyed, Taehyung shoved his hand away. "Depends," he shrugged then, going back to his mobile game, "What, where and when?"

"This." 

He opened the envelope, sliding a photo out to wiggle in front of him. It showed a dragon made of jade. "Location: Montreal. The 'when' depends on how fast we'll work out a plan. Now that we're only gonna be à deux." Jimin couldn't miss side-eyeing Yoongi who only ignored him, pretending being oblivious to his scowl. He turned to Taehyung again, facing him with an innocent smirk then. "Unless of course we'd find a third person."

"And who would t-" before he could even finish his own question, Taehyung cut himself off when recalling Jimin could only head into one specific derection. Arabella. So he immediately shook his head. "No."

"Aw, c'mon."

"Jimin, no. Absolutely not."

Jimin began whining, scooting to him and falling to his knee, begging. "C'mon, Tae. Why not? She could -" 

"Nope."

Yoongi's sudden burst of laughter startled them and they looked at him confused. He only shot them a gummy grin. "Seriously, Jimin, you expect us to trust her for a job again after Cairo?" Taehyung nodded vigoriously, obviously agreeing with his older friend. And Jimin had to realise reaching a dead-end. Disappointedly, he got up and brushed off dust from his pants. 

"Fine, then I won't ask Bella for help and it's only gonna be the two of us. But I better not hear any complains about difficulties."

Taehyung folded his arms, his videogame laying forgotten on his lap. "Who says she'd even help us anyway?"

"She surely would have if I asked her nicely." And if he promised her shiny diamonds. 

However, seeing the steadfast glare in Taehyung's eyes, he admitted defeat.

Feeling the urgent need for a whiff of fresh ear and also annoyed with his friends, he stepped out into the balcony. The mild evening atmosphere greeting him.

He propped his hands on the railing and stared out when soon sensing Taehyung beside him.

They both remained silent for awhile, just staring over the sea of cement with specks of green in between.

It had rained not too long ago, evident by the puddles on the shiny asphalt and the smell of humidity in the air. It was almost March, but spring was still far away.

"Why.. why are you so into Arabella?"

Jimin dragged out a breath, getting slowly fed up with the same sarcastic comments and rhetoric questions about his, admittedly, weakness for the female spy and thief.

With a small groan, he threw his head back. "I get it, you guys don't like her and I understand why. I really do. But it's seriously getti-"

"No," Taehyung interrupted his rant with a quick shake of his head, "I mean it. How.. how are you so sure.. it's her? I get that she's all 'dangerous and hot' or whatever your reasons were but.. There has to be more, right? You're not constantly making a fool of yourself only 'cause she's hot." At least he hoped so.

Not having expected his friend to be genuinely curious about the relationship between him and Arabella, his lips parted taken aback. "Well.." Jimin slowly began then, glancing at him cautiously as his random, yet genuine sounding question triggered suspicion in him. 

His glance returned to the city then, trying to comprise in sentences the complicated emotions he felt for the mischievous woman. "She's more than just a gorgeous and intriguing woman who keeps me busy, you know." Taehyung noticed the fond smile in Jimin's eyes. Making him almost gag, but he successfully contained it and allowed him to continue. "Me and her.. we got history you don't know of. She's more than her habit of outwitting us."

"Oh, is she?" It was kind of hard to believe. Then again, he tried spending as little time as possible with her and only if absolutely necessary. Simply not trusting her an inch.

Jimin chucked at his disbelief and nodded. "Yeah. I know, hard to believe."

"A little bit."

Again, he understood where his friends' mistrust came from. He paused for dramatic effect as he glanced at Taehyung who was mindlessly resting his chin on the palm of his hand. Only to get impetiend and arch an inquiring brow at him.

"It's true though. Because at the end of the day, she's the only woman I trust and I can be myself with. She takes me for who I am. And when it's only the two of us, I can see the real Bella. The one no one but me knows. And that's why I love her."

"Even after Cairo?"

He grinned. "Maybe I don't trust her with the loot, but with my life. And isn't that more important? That's why I forgive her and let her get away with her stunts. It's nothing but a game between us. Don't forget, I'm also often the one tricking her."

He winked and Taehyung knew what he was referring to. 

It was true. There were times Jimin was the one fooling her, leaving Arabella handling interpol or without the jewels. It was indeed just a game between the two. A game only Jimin and Arabella understood and enjoyed and perhaps that was the secret to it all. Perhaps outsiders like Taehyung and Yoongi weren't supposed to understand it in the first place.

Taehyung only hummed and went silently back to staring out. Unable to contain his inner turmoil as his gaze became dull. Blankly staring into the cold grey.

If put like that, he understood it. He couldn't even nearly fathom how this was possible or applied to a person like Arabella Valentine, but he could at least comprehend a little more how his partner could be so in love with her.

"Say," Jimin said then, leaning at the railing with an intrigued smile, "How comes you're suddenly so invested in my love life? It doesn't happen to have anything to do with you and your doctor friend, does it?" He wiggled his brows and nudged his shoulder, interrupting Taehyung's train of thoughts.

The taller guy swallowed, avoiding his smug, knowing glance. He'd seen right through him, like he always did. Perhaps this time hadn't been so hard to do and yet, it bothered him how in front of Jimin, he'd be an open book just like everyone else.

"Perhaps."

"Ah!" Jimin felt like a lightbulb appearing above him, finally putting one and one together. And he fashed a lopsided smirk to his childhood friend. "So that's why you've been moping around for two months now."

The only response those accusations earned was a click from Taehyung's tongue and a scowl. Causing Jimin to dramatically sigh, averting his eyes from him since he knew very well he wouldn't get Taehyung to talk if he didn't want to. So he pushed himself off the railing instead.

"Perhaps it's hard to look past Bella's imperfections," he began than with a musing glance as he let his gaze wander over the concrete, "But at the end of the day, we all just want someone who knocks our breath away, don't we? Someone who understands and takes us for who we are. Someone we'd fight for. So if you ever find someone like this, consider yourself lucky. These people are rare." With a bright smile, he patted his sulky friend's shoulder and Taehyung coughed out by the sudden hit. 

He went back to observing the glistering streets then.

Jimin had a point, he supposed. People like these were indeed rare. At least he hadn't crossed paths with any or perhaps he'd never bothered paying much attention to any contrary to his friend who'd never say no to a pretty woman.

Until now, it seemed.

Because his guilt-ridden dreams and thoughts revolved around one person and one person only the past two months. And the kind of smile of hers he thought only he ever received and no one else. A withering look full of the sort of subtext someone could only get from a lot of conversations whispered after dark. Like the ones they always shared.

Sirens erupted suddenly and interrupted his wandering thoughts. Several black cars coming into view and parking in front of the building then, blocking the exit, Shortly after a familiar figure exiting one of them.

"Yah, Park Jimin! Long time no see!" Seokjin was waving at them with a triumphant grin when spotting them up there at the balcony of the third floor. His open palm closing then, with a pointing index finger directed at them. "Don't you dare move from there!"

Jimin laughed under his breath. "Of course, who else," he muttered before leaning over the railing then to yell back with more energy, "Never! You know how much I missed your handsome face!"

Taehyung couldn't help but stifle a laugh before glancing over his shoulder to see Yoongi having joined them to check out what all the ruckus was about.

"Pack your sword, Yoongs, pops is here. "

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4th April

Barcelona, Spain

Cassandra was uncertain whether she liked birthdays or not. At this point, they were overrated anyway. She couldn't remember the last one she'd got to properly celebrate. It was probably in high school but her memory fadedthe more she tried to go back to the past.

It was the dawn of her 27th birthday and she didn't know how to feel or what to expect, besides calls and messages from relatives and friends. She was glad her parents couldn't visit her this time as they were currently somewhere in Central America, so she at least could save herself from another round of staged photos in front of a birthday cake for her mother's sake.

Once someone told her that birthdays and weddings were rather for the family than the actual celebrated person and there was some truth to it. You did it more for the people you loved, to make them happy by letting them celebrate you. This year, however, she wouldn't have been able to bring herself from going through this. Not even for her mother who she loved dearly.

"Stella, where are you? I brought the glucometer you requested for the patient," she called out at her colleague and friend. Frowning at the unusual darkness in the staffroom, she flipped on the light switch. Only to be greeted with loud cheers and applause. "What-"

"Happy birthday!"

Utterly perplexed, she took a step back and blinked. She never expected anyone to care enough to organise a small surprise party and even holding a cake with candles which they were now hurriedly lighting up so she could blow them.

Cassandra wasn't particularly close friends with most people there. She got along with everyone though - save for Pavlo the jerk - and was friends with Stella and maybe three other assistant doctors. She also joked with some of the nurses. This was her circle of friends there. A small but good one. So seeing those very same people now beaming at her while holding the cake close to her face and singing the birthday-song, was quite unexpected. And moving.

With an uncertain smile, she clapped along with them. Appreciating the gesture. It meant that perhaps she did belong somewhere after all. Or that her presence mattered in some way. Taking a deep breath then, she finally blew out the melting candles.

"Did you make a wish?" Stella, the one she'd describe as the closest one of her work-buddies, asked then as the rest hurried to cut the cake.

"Sure," she lied. Her artificial smile fading as soon as her colleague's attention turned to the cake.

What point was there to make a wish if she couldn't have the one thing she truly wanted.

Him.

Her night-shift ended a few hours later at 6am. Besides the small birthday gathering thankfully nothing else unexpected happened. Especially not with any of her patients.

Tired, both physically and mentally, she returned home. Trying her hardest to prevent her eyes from going to the space on the wall where the numerous postcards from around the world were hanging on strings. Mockingly staring at her while depicting far-away places she'd never see herself. With the latest addition grazing a new string on the bottom. A postcard from Montreal with a Renaissance-style domed basilica on it - the kind of old-fashioned buildings she liked.

What irritated her the most, however, were the two sentences written in the back.

"some films shot here:

the score, catch me if you can, lucky number slevin, red 2, john wick 2

-T"

That was all. 

Now, that was their usual thing. This inside joke between them. Him teasing her love for heist-films by writing some famous works shot or playing in the place he was sending the postcard from. And usually that would lighten her mood.

But considering the way they had parted ways on New Year's and the fact he'd stopped calling or texting her, she somehow expected more. Maybe even an apology for just disappearing after stealing a kiss from her like that.

Hah, she laughed bitterly, be glad he even sent a postcard again.

The past three months and four days had been a blur. Or at least that was what she tried to remember them as. Her thoughts did not revolve around that particular man, wondering where he was and what he was doing and if he'd ever have the courage to show himself in front of her again or if he'd just avoid her for the rest of their lives.

And they surely did not revolve around that heart-pulling, breath-taking, mind-dazzling, dream-like, passionate kiss they'd shared that night. A kiss so incomparable and mind-altering that she sometimes doubted it had ever really happened or if it had simply originated from a wild fever dream. From a straight up delirium state she had seen patients with 39°C fever or more in.

Then again, the fact she had never experienced something like this before, let her doubt her mind would've had the source material to create a moment like this on its own.

No, surely she wasn't wasting a single thought about that.

Tears blurred her vision for a second, heartache along with her overall exhaustion cumulating along with the crushing expectations of that very day. Her birthday.

Everything rising to the surface for a split second before she got a hold of herself again and swallowed everything but one single tear down.

It'd have been easier getting over such a disappointment if it was some random guy online she'd merely wasted a week talking to. But this wasn't a random guy from the internet. This was Taehyung.

Deciding not to dwell into self-pity, she blanked out all these negative emotions.

After eating the left-over cake she'd brought home, she decided to head for her bed when the doorbell rang. Something blue on the door mat catching her attention then. She squatted down and picked up the object, pushing the blue fancy paper aside. Only to reveal a flower pot of blue hydrangeas.

Her eyes widened. She always wanted blue hydrangeas but missed their season. Did her mother send her this?

She stood up and heaved it higher, turning it around to see if she could spot any clue about the sender when a small white card fell down and landed in front of her feet. 

"Happy birthday, Cas.

I know I was an idiot to you. I'm not the type to talk directly about my feelings. But it occurred to me that I could still talk about them through my actions."

Her heart dared to skip a beat at the handwriting and words. It was the same handwriting as on the countless postcards before. Taehyung's. With furrowed brows she flipped the card, seeing a another text written there.

Her eyes widened, intrigued by its arcane nature.

"Font Mágica de Montjuic - four columns / 5:55pm / ? "

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It was late afternoon when Taehyung set foot in front of the four tall columns above the so-called 'magical' fountain. Having a perfect view over it. He pushed his sunglasses, which soon would become pointless, up the bridge of his nose and stifled a yawn as he leaned against the white marble. 

Their last job had ended over two days ago but after multiple layovers - not able taking the easy route as some angry millionairs were on their tails - he still hadn't adjusted to the time-difference.

He stretched his arm then, revealing the watch under the sleeve of the hoodie. Due to a delay he'd feared not making it, but thankfully he was on time. Five more minutes till the show began.

The threaneningly red evening sun would soon disappear behind the buildings but the temperature remained pleasant. It was nice to finally feel spring on his skin after being in the north for so long. 

His brown irises where fixated on the enormous fountain in front of him, although seemingly unspectacular right now due to the water jets currently kept low. For now.

Cassandra liked this place. The fountain with the view of the cascades and the art museum on the top in the background being one of her favourite places in the city, he remembered that. Of couse he did. He remembered everything she had ever told him. Every little insigificant detail because the sum of it made up her. 

He had to admit, however, he also liked that place a lot. It looked like straight from a fairytale, especially at night with all the lights illuminating it.

Now in the evening, the warm colours of the sunset sparkled on the water surface, adding an even bigger mystical almost eery atmosphere to it. It looked quite different from the last time he'd been there, with her. Fond memories creeping up his mind when remembering that day. The first day he'd waited outside of the hospital for her.

His gaze wandered over the greenery, wondering if Cassandra would even follow his invitation and appear. He couldn't blame her if she didn't, he knew he didn't treat her particularly fairly. This was why he wanted to redeem himself after all.

Taehyung felt guilty for disappearing on her for over three months. Sure, they'd got caught by Seokjin and his men, however, their custody stay only lasted a couple of days like it always did before they escaped. No, this hadn't been the reason, neither was it them having to lay low for some weeks or their time-consuming next coup. Or at least, these hadn't been his sole reasons for not visiting but also not contacting her.

Truth was, he was scared - terrified even - to face her again. Not only because of her reaction, but also because all those months he tried figuring out what he actually wanted and if he should even cave into it considering the life he lived. It hadn't been easy and he still wasn't sure if he made the right decision, but he knew he couldn't keep her waiting anymore - in case she even bothered to still waste a single thought on him and hadn't already completely crossed him out of her life. Again, he couldn't blame her if she had.

However, even if so, Cassandra wasn't just anybody to him and he owed her an explanation at least. Whether she despised him now or not.

There was a significantly lower amount of people at this time of the day. Now with the dim afternoon light lesser people strolling around the square.

From the corners of his eyes he caught someone nearing the colums then. Familiar long curls swaying over a plaid coat coming to a halt in front of the railing. And Taehyung's muscles instantly relaxed, only now realising how strained his whole body had been with nervousness and worry.

Of course he couldn't be sure it was her as the figure was standing further afar, and yet his heart had recognised her and pulsed faster.

With a deep inhale to calm his nerves, he pushed himself off the column and neared her with quick steps. Afraid she might change her mind after all and walk away at any second. 

"Hey."

He sensed Cassandra tense up when pausing beside her, not daring to move her head and meet his gaze. Her usual warm eyes rested instead on the illuminated blueish green water in the distance. She blinked once, twice. And Taehyung began getting nervous all over again as the seconds passed without her saying anything. Only staring blankly ahead. 

"Happy.. happy birthday."

Finally, her expression softened with a sigh. "Thank you."

"Uhm, I assume you got the flowers then."

"Y-yeah, I liked them." Of course she liked them. He'd even remembered that she preffered pots over cut flowers. "Thank you." Her voice was paper-thin, distant and almost sorrowful and it caused his own gaze to fall.

"I'm glad you did."

Cassandra nodded quietly. "Blue's my favourite colour.."

"I know. That's why I chose them." His lips curving into a weak smile. And it annoyed her, how well he knew her despite all the time apart. "Thank you for coming here," he began then with cautious, his voice almost a timid whisper not to scare her away in any way. It didn't take a genius to see that this time was different from the previous ones. Especially since Cassandra was always wearing her heart on her sleeve, no matter how hard she tried to conceal it. "Wasn't sure if you would or not."

"Got the night shift. Have to leave in a bit."

"Ah." 

They grew quiet, gaze falling to the solemn water surface. Taehyung scratched his neck, uncertain how to proceed.

"You're probably wondering what I'm doing here," he eventually spoke up then, only seeing her shaking her head. Much to his surprise.

"Not really," she deadpanned and he wanted to laugh at this.

"No?"

With a shrug she averted her eyes from the water jets to finally spare him a brief glance. "It's not the first time you disappear for months only to randomly show up again. I'm kinda used to it. It was just the first time you disappeared without any trace since the beginning." She would've cracked a sarcastic smile if she hadn't felt a rush of anger when recalling the past months.

It was so irrational. This was what she'd waited and hoped for all that time, for him to show up again. Then why did she feel so incredibly mad at him the second she saw his usually charming face? 

"Oh," was all he could muster up to say. He could clearly see that it was burdening her, just like he'd feared. "It's good that I came to put some things straight then," his voice gainining firmness, "I know last time we saw each other I left with.." He paused, carefully choosing his words. "I must've left you with lots of questions."

"You did," she plainly stated and he almost shuddered. 

So that was how it felt when Cassandra was mad. She was cold and distant, nothing like her kind and sweet self. It was probably what he deserved anyway.

He was about to speak up when the alarm on his watch went off and he remembered why he'd called her there in the first place. 

Her lips parted, but he stopped her from saying anything else with a bright smile. "Please wait a few more minues before telling me off, okay? Because the second part of your birthday gift starts now!"

She frowned, puzzled at his sudden excitement. "S-second?"

"Of course!" He sounded offended. "Did you think flowers were all you'd get?" The corners of his lips curled up in that adorably boyish manner that distinguished his grins from anyone else. Grabbing her by the shoulders and turning her to face the fountain again. 

And Cassandra saw what Taehyung meant, her eyes widening in awe.

The water jets began attaining height in different distances of time, first the big ones in the centre followed by the small ones all around, creating a beautiful choreography of lowering, highening and arching water streaks along with different coloured lights. Blue and pink specifically.

She knew of the fountain show once or twice a day, depending on the season. However, 6pm was not its usual time. At least not in early April when it was still too chilly and not a touristic season. 

She couldn't take her gaze from the performance against the darkening sky and pastel-coloured clouds. She was so stunned by it that she didn't pay attention to the music playing. Taking her a moment longer to recognise the melody over the noise of the dancing water. And when she did, her head immediatelly turned to search for his eyes, only to catch them already fondly staring at her. He'd anticipated her mesmerised expression, observing her this whole time without paying attention to the water show. 

"That's -"

He nodded. "You like it?"

She did. Of course she did. It was her absolut favourite movie soundtrack after all.

Her breathing got irregular, her head was spinning and she had to avert her gaze from his affectionte look. Returning to the impressive fountains.

No, she couldn't start misinterpreting things yet again. She'd already done that enough times in the past, she couldn't be fooled yet again. He had disappeared for months, clearly regretting the kiss and feeling guilty now for leading her on. She knew it, she knew it and it broke her heart and set anew tears in her heart. The only reason he made her such a wonderful gift was because he pitied her and felt sorry. And yet it also made all these locked away feelings resurface and it wasn't fair, how he gave her heart arrhythmia and her lungs dyspnoea all over again for all the wrong reasons.

He didn't have feelings for her. At least not any romantic ones. She had to finally accept that and she had. She really had until now, when her delusional hope and irrational expectations took over her senses as she watched water dancing to the 'Love Theme' from'The Godfather'. 

- What an irony, out of all songs.

And she felt the tears welling up at the corners of her eyes. She was touched by the thoughtful gift. Goosebumps spreading over her skin at the melancholic melody playing over the elaborate water show in the middle of the grand fountain. But she also choked up from her unrequited feelings and the false hope his lovely gesture gave her.

The song finished, the water jets lowered and everything fell silent.

There were some people gathered around the fountain now, spectators of the show. Cassandra closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Taehyung -" 

"Wait, it's not over yet. Now my favourite movie soundtrack follows."

Her eyes fluttered open and before she could even ask, another melody began playing and water was being splashed up again. And she saw him smile softly while looking ahead.

She'd missed his voice. She'd missed his gentle yet stern eyes. She'd missed the curve of his nose and his smile. She'd missed the way his parted hair flowing over his forehead and eyes whenever he moved or got windblown.

Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she faced the fountain again. Standing there beside him and preoccupying herself by trying remembering the title of the familiar melody.

Of course, she eventually thought then when recalling the famous song and one of her favourite soundtracks, too. It was 'Strangers in the Night'.

However, Taehyung hadn't only picked it because it was his favouite soundtrack, the main reason was because it reminded him of Cassandra. He had never paid much attention to the lyrics before but for the first time, he could relate to them. And perhaps that's why it was his favouite one after all.

"You know Sinatra disliked that song," he stated then, making her perk up. She hummed, gaze returning to the performance. 

"He was an idiot then."

And Taehyung laughed, it was a genuine laugh. Causing Cassandra to purse her lips to prevent herself from laughing as well.

Instead she saw the colours of the lights intensifying the darker the sky became. And she couldn't help but think of the night she and Taehyung had first met when recalling the lyrics herself. The lump returning.

The song ended soon after. Now even more people having gathered down at the fountain and even up there at the platform. It was fairly crowded by now. And Taehyung realised this was probably not the best place to discuss. So he held his hand out for her, meeting her arched brow.

He exhaled frustrated, retriving it instantly. "Come, let's go somewhere quieter."

She seemingly contemplated it, looking over her shoulder then back at the beautiful fountain. With a deep sigh, she eventually stepped back and nodded. Following him up the stairs of the cascades and reaching the top in front of the palace-like building. With the broad panorama view of the glistening city and the four columns, the magical fountain visible behind them. Up there, there was little to no one at this time and day.

"So, why did you make me climb up all these stairs?" Cassandra whined in between of panting. Propping herself at the stone-railing when seeing Taehyung beside her, casually leaning against it. Both of them standing there with a respectable distance.

"It's quieter here, don't you think?"

"I suppose.."

Neither one knew what to say or where to begin. And Taehyung felt his cheeks blushing when seeing her there in the light of the illuminated water basin behind them. The soft and curious eyes, the dark curls that got longer over the months, swaying in the light breeze against her cuddly cheeks. He just wanted to hug her and hold her in his arms again. 

Cassandra straightened herself then, her sudden movement interrupting his silent gaping.

"Thank you for.. for this. The fountain show, I mean. How did you do it?"

He only gave her an ambigious smile. "Don't worry about that."

She hmphed at this but didn't persist as something else was more imprtant to her. "You asked me to let you explain yourself.. so go on. Explain why you kissed me in a way that knocked my breath away - something medically impossible by the way - only to disappear for months with nothing but a postcard as a sign of life."

He should've been astonished by her sudden straightforwardness, but he figured she was simply too fed up with him at this point. Still, he couldn't keep himself from biting back an unappropiate smirk that threatened to break onto his lips when hearing her description of the kiss. It flattered his ego as he agreed with her. "I didn't want to discuss it on the phone."

"Fair enough, then do it now."

His lips parted but his throat, however, felt dry and itchy. His mind an endless void, absent of all the words he wanted to say to her. All of the sudden, he felt like a deer caught in the headlights. And nothing came out. Lips pressing together again as he awkwardly looked away.

Cassandra's jaw clenched and she abrubtly checked the time on her phone. "If that's all, you've got to excuse me but I gotta head to work now and don't have time for this game."

He knew her night shift started at 10pm and they still had almost four hours to go, but he understood the cue and pushed himself off the railing.

"Didn't expect any less of someone as smart as you."

She only huffed at this. Her eyes wandered up to meet his. Something in the atmosphere shifting in that moment. She swallowed.

"You do realise songs and pretty flowers aren't enough, right?"

He nodded, taking a few steps closer to her. The light from the building's spotlights illuminating her face, bathing her in a warm almost etheral glow. "Of course I know."

She exhaled, looking away as she was unable to remain upset because at the end of the day, this was Taehyung. The only man that ever moved her.  And with a much gentler voice, she almost pleaded, "Just say it then. Say why you kissed me only to dip and disappear before.. before giving me the chance to properly react to it. Just cut the games and tell me."

"Cas.."

"Why can't you admit it?" Her voice raised now and she almost stomped her foot out of frustration. Why couldn't he just admit he was regretting it? "Whatever it is, I deserve a proper explanation. Don't I?"

He breathed. "Of course you do." He could tell she was trying her best to keep herself together but the angry tears brimming in her eyes, threatening to roll down her cheeks, gave her away. Along with her cracking voice.

"Why are you such a coward then? I thought a thief would be much braver."

He softly grabbed her arms, causing her to look him in the eyes. "It's easier to break into a safe or hunt down a treasure than putting into words.. I simply can't express myself properly. But for you I'll try." His steady voice held certainty and a promise she wanted to believe. "You're far more stubborn than anyone I've ever encountered before, you know that?" he smiled then and a faint, tiny grin finally crossed her face. Finally managing to steal a small giggle from her.

Cassandra sniffed then, wiping under her eyes. "That's like the pot calling the kettle black." Her expression clouded then. "What do you want from me, Tae?" she whispered, a low thread of anguish flickering below the surface.

With a sigh, Taehyung took her cold hands in his warm ones and lowered his head, resting his forehead against hers. One of his hands heaved then, slender fingers brushing away a strand from her blushing cheek before tenderly touching her jaw. Cupping it with a pained expression on his features as his brows furrowed.

He didn't know what he was doing. That was not what he'd settled on. He knew he should stay away from her, he had decided on confessing his feelings but explain that it simply couldn't be. However, he didn't have the heart to do it anymore because, frankly, he didn't want to. His heart was betraying his mind in that moment and as much as he had argued with himself and chosen the rightful, the logical path, being there with her, getting lost in her fierce irises and holding her so close to him, made him weak.

And suddenly his lips were on hers, causing every synapse in her brain to short out for a moment before going to overdrive. Her whole body melted only to rebuild and float into the air.

The sensation of his lips gently pressing onto hers taking her back to the cold winter night months ago. And her lips instinctively moved against his.

Dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin.

She remembered them well, the chemical cocktail designed to make humans feel good and crave more. And indeed, it did. It did make her crave more. Just like that New Year's night back then. 

The first time she hadn't realised as it had been rushed and unexpected, but it was a terrifying thing, to let a thief kiss you like that. There was always the danger of him stealing more than just a kiss after all. And she feared that had already happened.

Taehyung held her closer. Trying telling her all the things he wasn't even sure what exactly they were with the press of his mouth on hers. Lips fueled by unknown desire. Not that it mattered, really. There was no way to hide it anymore. It was too overwhelming by now. He had never wanted anyone like this before. He'd had brief, sporadic flicker of interest here and there over the years, but nothing came even close to the way he felt when he was with her. And in that, he was certain.

She understood him, calmed him, laughed with him, saw what was underneath. The realest version of himself was the one he saw in her beautiful round eyes when being with her. He knew he could visit every country in the world, steal every treasure there was, but nothing would ever compare to that single moment when he kissed Cassandra.

Their lips parted. Dark eyes flickering over her smooth features then. He didn't know what angel he owed this chance to, he was simply going to make it count. And eventually he breathed out the only right answer.

"You, Cassandra. I only want you."

»»»

next chapter: 0.9 here

Don't forget to like, comment & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

taglist: @lilanyxta @naoolammao345 @memna234 @tetehion @myblacklilame

[sttcblog-blog]

The Benefits of Mobile Truck Tire Repair Services: Why You Need One on Call

For truck drivers and fleet operators, tire problems on the road are not just a nuisance—they can lead to significant delays, lost revenue, and even safety hazards. In these situations, finding a reliable mobile truck tire repair near me can make all the difference between being stranded for hours or getting back on the road quickly and safely. But what exactly are the benefits of mobile tire repair services, and how can they help keep your operations running smoothly? In this article, we’ll explore the key advantages of mobile tire repair for trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as tips for choosing the right service provider.

What is Mobile Truck Tire Repair?

Mobile truck tire repair services are designed to assist truckers, fleet operators, and heavy equipment operators with on-the-spot tire repairs. These services are provided by certified technicians who come directly to your location—whether it’s on the highway, at a construction site, or in a remote area like a farm or quarry. Instead of towing your vehicle to a shop, mobile tire repair services bring the expertise and equipment to you, saving you time and minimizing downtime.

This service is especially important for large commercial trucks, which can’t always be easily moved when they experience tire issues. With the right mobile truck tire repair near me, you can resolve tire problems quickly and get back to business without lengthy delays.

Why You Should Consider Mobile Tire Repair for Your Truck

There are several advantages to opting for mobile tire repair services when you experience issues on the road. Here are some of the most important reasons why truckers and fleet managers should have a mobile repair service on speed dial.

24/7 Availability for Emergency Situations One of the most significant benefits of mobile tire repair services is their 24/7 availability. Truck tire mishaps rarely happen at convenient times, and waiting until the next business day for assistance isn’t always an option. With a mobile truck tire repair near me service, help is just a phone call away—no matter the time of day, night, or even holidays. This ensures that your truck spends less time off the road, reducing the financial impact of delays.

Quick Response Times Time is money in the trucking industry. Every hour your truck is sidelined due to tire issues can mean lost revenue. That’s why many mobile tire repair services, like STTC’s Road Assist™, prioritize fast response times. In most cases, a technician will be at your location within two hours of your call, helping to minimize the time your vehicle is out of commission.

On-Site Repairs and Replacements Mobile tire repair services are fully equipped to handle a wide range of tire issues, from patching a simple puncture to replacing a blown-out tire. Technicians bring all the necessary tools, replacement tires, and expertise to perform repairs on-site, so you don’t have to worry about towing the vehicle to a shop. This convenience is especially valuable when dealing with oversized or industrial vehicles, which can be difficult and expensive to move.

Cost-Effective Solutions, Including Retreaded Tires In some cases, you may not need to replace a damaged tire with a brand new one. Mobile tire repair services often carry retreaded tires, which are a cost-effective option for truckers. Retreaded tires can save you 50% or more compared to the cost of new tires, without sacrificing quality or durability. They can also be retreaded several times, extending their lifespan and reducing overall tire expenses for fleet managers.

Comprehensive Tire Care The best mobile truck tire repair near me services offer more than just emergency repairs. They also provide preventative maintenance services, such as tire inspections, PSI checks, and rotations, to help you avoid future tire failures. Regular maintenance is crucial for extending the life of your tires and ensuring they are in optimal condition for long hauls or heavy-duty work.

How to Choose a Mobile Truck Tire Repair Service

When selecting a mobile truck tire repair near me provider, there are several factors to consider to ensure you’re getting the best possible service. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a mobile tire repair service:

Look for 24/7 Availability Tire issues can happen at any time, so it’s important to choose a service that operates around the clock. Make sure the company you select has technicians available 24/7 to respond to emergency calls, no matter where you are located.

Verify Technician Certifications Tire repair for commercial trucks and heavy-duty vehicles requires specialized knowledge. Ensure that the technicians employed by the mobile tire repair service are certified by reputable organizations like the Tire Industry Association (TIA). This ensures they are well-trained and experienced in handling complex tire repairs and replacements.

Check Response Times Time is of the essence when it comes to mobile tire repair, so it’s important to select a service with fast response times. Many providers will guarantee arrival within a certain timeframe, often two hours or less. Look for services that have a reputation for promptness, as this will help minimize your downtime.

Consider Availability of Retreaded Tires Retreaded tires can offer significant cost savings for truckers and fleet managers, so it’s worth asking whether the mobile tire repair service offers them. A service that provides retreads as an option can help reduce the overall cost of tire repairs and replacements, especially if you experience frequent tire issues.

Check for Fleet Services If you manage a fleet of vehicles, look for a mobile truck tire repair near me service that offers comprehensive fleet maintenance and inspection services. Regular fleet inspections can help identify tire problems before they become emergencies, saving you time and money in the long run.

Conclusion

Mobile truck tire repair services provide an invaluable resource for truckers and fleet operators who need quick, reliable solutions to tire issues on the road. With 24/7 availability, fast response times, and the ability to handle a wide range of repairs on-site, these services are essential for minimizing downtime and keeping your business running smoothly. Additionally, options like retreaded tires can help reduce costs without sacrificing quality. By choosing a trusted mobile truck tire repair near me service, you can ensure that your vehicles stay safe, efficient, and ready to tackle any road conditions.

[isolutionkarachicity]

iS0lution Karachi: Your Reliable Device Repair Partner

iS0lution Karachi is a reputable repair service provider based in Karachi, Pakistan. They specialize in offering high-quality repair services for a variety of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. With a team of skilled technicians, iS0lution Karachi is known for its expertise, efficient repairs, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

iS0lution Karachi provides a wide range of repair services, including:

Mobile Phone and Tablet Repair: They offer comprehensive repair solutions for various mobile phone brands and tablet devices. Services include screen replacement, battery replacement, water damage repair, software troubleshooting, and more.

Laptop Repair: iS0lution Karachi specializes in laptop repair, catering to hardware and software issues. Their technicians are skilled in handling different laptop brands, offering services such as hardware troubleshooting, keyboard replacement, software optimization, and data recovery.

iPhone Repair: With expertise in iPhone repairs, iS0lution Karachi offers specialized services for iPhone models. This includes screen replacement, battery replacement, camera repair, charging port fixes, and software troubleshooting. They ensure the use of genuine parts and adhere to Apple's quality standards.

iPad Repair: iS0lution Karachi provides specialized repair solutions for iPads, addressing issues related to screen damage, battery performance, charging ports, speakers, and other hardware or software malfunctions. Their technicians are experienced in handling different iPad models and generations, utilizing genuine parts for lasting repairs.

MacBook Repair: iS0lution Karachi caters to the repair needs of MacBook users, offering a wide range of services. This includes logic board repair, keyboard replacement, display repairs, data recovery, software optimization, and more. Genuine Apple parts are used to ensure the highest quality repairs.

Overall, iS0lution Karachi covers mobile phone and tablet repair, laptop repair, iPhone repair, iPad repair, and MacBook repair, providing comprehensive solutions for various devices.

Services Offered by iS0lution Karachi

Mobile Phone and Tablet Repair

iS0lution Karachi provides repair services for various types of devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Common repair services offered include:

Screen replacement for cracked or damaged screens

Battery replacement for devices with poor battery performance

Water damage repair to fix devices affected by liquid spills or immersion

Software troubleshooting and repairs for system issues and software glitches

Charging port repairs for devices with charging-related problems

Camera repairs for front or rear camera malfunctions

Speaker and microphone repairs for audio-related issues

Data recovery services to retrieve lost or deleted data from devices

iS0lution Karachi's technicians have expertise in repairing various brands and models, such as iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Google, OnePlus, and more. They are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle different device specifications and ensure effective repairs.

Laptop Repair

iS0lution Karachi offers comprehensive repair services for laptops, addressing both hardware and software issues.

Their laptop repair services include

Hardware troubleshooting and repairs for issues like malfunctioning keyboards, faulty motherboards, or broken hinges

Software optimization, virus removal, and operating system installations

Screen replacements for cracked or damaged laptop screens

Data recovery services to retrieve lost or corrupted data

Keyboard replacements for malfunctioning or non-responsive keys

Battery replacements for laptops with poor battery life

Upgrades for RAM, storage, or other components to enhance performance

iS0lution Karachi's technicians are experienced in handling laptops from various brands, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Apple, and more. They have the necessary skills and knowledge to diagnose and repair laptops efficiently.

iPhone Repair

iS0lution Karachi specializes in providing repair services exclusively for iPhones.

Their iPhone repair services include

Screen repairs or replacements for cracked or shattered screens

Battery replacements to restore optimal battery performance

Camera repairs for front or rear camera malfunctions

Charging port repairs for charging-related issues

Home button or power button repairs

Speaker or microphone repairs for audio-related problems

Software troubleshooting and repairs for system issues

iS0lution Karachi ensures the use of genuine parts and components for iPhone repairs to maintain the quality and functionality of the devices. They follow Apple's standards and guidelines to deliver reliable repairs.

iPad Repair

iS0lution Karachi offers specialized repair services for iPads, catering to various models and generations.

Their iPad repair services include:

Screen repairs or replacements for cracked or damaged screens

Battery replacements for iPads with poor battery life

Charging port repairs for charging issues

Speaker or microphone repairs for audio-related problems

Camera repairs for front or rear camera malfunctions

Home button or power button repairs

Software troubleshooting and repairs for system issues

iS0lution Karachi's technicians have expertise in dealing with different iPad models and generations, ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective repairs. They utilize genuine parts to maintain the integrity of the devices.

MacBook Repair

iS0lution Karachi provides a wide range of repair services for MacBooks, catering to various models and configurations.

Their MacBook repair services include:

Logic board repairs or replacements for hardware issues

Keyboard replacements for malfunctioning or non-responsive keys

Screen repairs or replacements for cracked or damaged displays

Battery replacements for MacBooks with degraded battery performance

Data recovery services for lost or corrupted data

Software troubleshooting and repairs for system issues

iS0lution Karachi ensures the use of genuine Apple parts and components for MacBook repairs, guaranteeing the quality and compatibility of the repairs. Their technicians are trained to handle MacBooks with precision and expertise.

Why Choose iS0lution Karachi

Experienced and Certified Technicians: iS0lution Karachi boasts a team of highly experienced and certified technicians. With their extensive knowledge and expertise in device repair, they are well-equipped to handle a wide range of repair tasks. These technicians have undergone rigorous training and hold certifications in various areas of device repair. They stay updated with the latest industry trends and techniques, ensuring that customers receive the highest quality of service. Customers can trust iS0lution Karachi's technicians to provide reliable and efficient repairs for their devices.

Quality Assurance: At iS0lution Karachi, quality assurance is a top priority. They ensure that every repair service is performed to the highest standards. They achieve this by using genuine parts and components during repairs to guarantee optimal device performance and longevity. The technicians pay great attention to detail, conducting repairs meticulously and with precision. They follow industry-standard procedures and adhere to strict quality control measures to ensure that customers receive reliable and durable repairs. iS0lution Karachi's commitment to quality assurance ensures that customers can trust their devices will be repaired to the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Timely Service and Quick Turnaround: iS0lution Karachi understands the importance of providing timely repairs to minimize device downtime for their customers. They strive to offer efficient and prompt services, aiming for quick turnaround times. With streamlined repair processes and well-organized workflows, iS0lution Karachi ensures that repairs are completed in a timely manner. They also provide same-day or expedited repair options whenever possible to meet urgent repair needs. Customers can rely on iS0lution Karachi to deliver their repaired devices quickly and efficiently, allowing them to get back to using their devices as soon as possible.

How to Avail Services

Availing services from iS0lution Karachi is convenient and straightforward. Customers have two main options to access their repair services.

Walk-in Repairs: Customers can visit the iS0lution Karachi service center in person with their damaged device. The knowledgeable staff will assess the device, provide a diagnosis, and offer repair solutions on the spot. Walk-in repairs allow for direct interaction with the technicians and offer a quick and efficient way to get devices repaired.

Online Booking: iS0lution Karachi also offers the convenience of online booking for repair services. Customers can visit their website, choose the desired service, provide details about the device and the issue, and schedule an appointment. This option eliminates the need to visit the service center physically and allows customers to book repairs at their convenience.

To initiate the repair process, customers can contact iS0lution Karachi through their provided contact information, such as phone number, email, or website. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide customers through the necessary steps and answer any questions they may have.

Conclusion

iS0lution Karachi is a reliable service provider for mobile phone and tablet repair, laptop repair, iPhone repair, iPad repair, and MacBook repair. With experienced and certified technicians, a commitment to quality assurance, timely service and quick turnaround times, iS0lution Karachi ensures that customers receive reliable and efficient repair solutions. Whether through walk-in repairs or online booking, customers can easily avail their services. By choosing iS0lution Karachi, customers can trust that their devices will be repaired to the highest standards, ensuring optimal functionality and customer satisfaction.To learn more details visit our website https://is0lution.com

[top-electronics]

Ulanzi J12 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System Unboxing, Review

Ulanzi J12 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System Audio Video Voice Recording Mic for iPhone Or Android Mobile Phone Laptop PC Live.

Unboxing From Aliexpress

Ulanzi J12 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System  

Discount Price Here https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dn5PM9b

Parameters

Brand：Ulanzi

Model: J12

Product weight: 69g

Product material: ABS

Transmission distance: 20m/65ft

Sound delay: ≤25ms

Headphone monitoring: support

Endurance: 6h

Transmitter battery capacity: 80mAh

Rechargeable case battery capacity: 800mAh

Adapter: 5V/1A

Connection mode: automatically connected when the power on

Package List:

Box * 1

Mic transmitter *2

Receiver *1

Charging cable *1

How to use ?

Step 1:

  Android Phone need Download third-party app,Like opencamera cinema-FV and other apps you like.In addition, some Android phones need to set up to use the external microphone input and open the mic permission after downloading the APP (such as Xiaomi, Huawei and other mobile phones), because the default input is the system microphone, it will not call J12

Step 2: Plug the receiver into the phone

Step 3: Turn on the mic transmitter

Step4:wait for connect then use it .

* Note: OPPO/VIVO/IQOO/Realme and other brands of cell phones need to go to the settings to search "OTG"and open it, then can be used normally

if you want to use it on pc and laptop,pls use USB-A to USB-C adapter(not included )

Discount Price Here https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dn5PM9b

Q1 :Does this USB-C Port item work with GoPro,DJI,insta360 and other USB-C Camera Devices?

A: Sorry,this item can only use for phone and Laptop,it can not use for Camera Devices

Q2: Does this item work on PC and Laptop?

A: yes,but you need buy a USB-A to USB-C adapter(not in the package)

Q3:What should I do if there is noise when I turn on the microphone?

A;Firstly,Test that two T devices can be automatically connected to the R device.Double-click to mute, triple-click to reverberate mode, click once for first-level noise reduction, click for second-level noise reduction, and click for third-level noise reduction. Click the fourth time to turn off noise reduction; in addition, when the noise reaches 60 decibels, it cannot be reduced. If it is too large, it will be recognized as the main sound (same as our voice, when the sound is very small, it will be regarded as noise)

Q4:I bought the wrong port by mistake? what can i do ?

A: If the parcel still not ship ,pls apply cancel it right now ,otherwise it will been shipped directly by system ;if the parcel already on the way ,you can contact me sell the receiver to you at the cost price

Q5:My Product Not working, what should i do?

A:Firstly, i recommend you can check with the use steps in our link,Secondly,if still not work,pls tell me your phone model and send a video,i will helo solve it.

Q5:How long is the warranty period?

A：1 year warranty . and the quality problem can replace new item

Q6：I do not receive the parcel, how to solve it ?

A:Hello, firstly, i recommend you check the track information , if delivery failed , you can contact local post office get it, if lost ,please open a dispute

[disease-danger-darkness-silence]

Content warning: homelessness, disability, poverty, the usual from your friendly neighborhood screw-up: PART THE THIRD

So I'm starting over from scratch because things have changed drastically. This is an update to this post.

Total raised between all of us: Just about $900! I fixed the car, although there's a few things I still need to take care of in that regard. I got some totes to pack in. I paid bills. I got gasoline.

Links ahead of time:

Ko-Fi | PayPal.Me | Needs Wishlist | Car Wishlist | New Place Wishlist

As always, PayPal and cashapp are both tashabot. If it says Nova, Cat-Thulu, or has a delivery address where my name starts with an N and the zip code is 89701, that's all me.

Explanations below the cut.

Total raised as of today, starting over from the beginning because new month, new fuckup! -

$0/$2,044

Dammit, I thought I'd managed to trim a bunch off.

Anyway the things I need most right now are $48 to pay an EFT that's gonna come out of my bank on Monday for filling up my gas tank yesterday, and $70 I owe my brother. That's this weekend's needs. Next week is a whole new hell cycle.

So we were supposed to be out of here on the 1st. That was yesterday. We are not out of here. Why? Because there are no "pet friendly" units. Luckily the roommate is being somewhat flexible but I have GOT to get out of here. I have three case managers, one property manager, and both myself and Raven working on this. We're also Dashing like crazy, but gas is so fucking expensive here right now! $5+ per gallon! And my gas efficiency has gone up since I fixed the engine but not THAT much.

It's gotten so bad around here, rent-wise, that Raven and I are legitimately considering just fucking fleeing the country. So we are going to be downsizing more than I originally thought, but I do need a scale (for weighing packages we're selling on eBay) and I still need to get a footlocker for my tools (they sell them at Wal-Mart, not that expensive). These together run ~ $50. I can't find a good foot locker to add to my wish list on Amazon, but I do have scales up there.

So rehoming Kono didn't work. She went with my brother and hid for three days and then fought with his cat. She lost a lot of weight. She's back with me for the moment. Need to do something about that. I don't know what to do.

We still have SNAP for the meantime. I need to go renew it soon. We are also on the waitlist for HUD-VASH and are gonna be in transitional housing until that comes through (hopefully within six months, but who knows).

SOMEONE GRACIOUSLY SENT ME THEIR OLD LAPTOP! And it's such a nice laptop, too! It needs a new charger eventually (there's one listed on the Needs wishlist), but it's what' I'm typing on now. I can write again! I can do freelance work and not have to struggle with making room for a huge-ass desktop! I'm so happy!

Some of this is copy-pasted from the old post. Some of it is not. As usual, if you have any unused or half-used gift cards to like auto parts places or whatever, I'm super willing to take them off your hands as I need to do a LOT of car work.

Money I owe my brother: $70, needed ASAP! He has a pre-order for a game that needs to be paid or he'll lose the deluxe edition (yes, it's Lego Star Wars. Shhhhh).

Car stuff: $80ish. I need an oil pan gasket, oil to replace the oil currently in there, a serpentine belt, an oil filter, engine coils, and a trim/door tool set to fix the door handles on the front doors. I imagine that at some point I'll need new tires and a new fuel pump/filter/strainer assembly, but that's a problem for future Nova. All that stuff is listed on the Car Stuff wishlist.

Car insurance: $73. I still haven't removed the Toyota and I can't until Monday, but this is the past-due balance.

Phone Bill: I have a payment arrangement set up with T-Mobile in the amount of $196 on both the 12th and the 26th. Obviously I'm hoping I'll just be able to doordash most of that! Total: $392.

Title Loan: I now only have the one title loan to worry about. It's a much more reasonable amount. The next payment is $129 and it's due on April 4th. It's $395 to pay off in full. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED I HAVE NOT PAID THE APRIL PAYMENT.

Storage: TLDR: Need a foot locker for tools ($26 at Walmart), some weatherproof totes ($71 on amazon for a four-pack), and some basic plastic totes (8-pack on Amazon for $71). Total: roughly $250 with tax.

U-haul: (And dump runs on the days leading up to move -we’re getting rid of a lot of stuff too. Also gas. I’m probably underestimating, fuck.) $300, including deposit.

Cat food: $25.

Allergy meds: $9. Still need these. They are also on the needs wishlist.

Gas: Recently shot up in price to $5 a gallon so probably $200ish. Hasn't changed.

Sundries: ~$100. Raven and I both desperately need underwear and we are running out of toiletries. Our shoes are falling apart too. We got some TP but will need more.

Cigarettes: $100. Please, we know we should quit. It's on the list of shit to do after this move is accomplished.

[emwritesstuff]

as the world caves in | ch. 5 | bucky barnes x reader

synopsis: You are a ghost story. A former Air Force pilot who had her plane shot down by Germany in 1945, but here you were in 2023, alive and frozen in your 25-year-old body.

You haven’t seen Bucky since the 1940’s, before his fall, before you went on a suicide mission only to come back alive. You aren’t sure reliving those memories – and being a living memory of everything the man has lost – is the best for him.

But you and Bucky won’t be apart for long.  

This will loosely follow the plot of TFATWS - so spoilers ahead, specially regarding episode four. Thread carefully!

masterlist | AO3

notes: I was going to make it only one chapter with the plot of episode four but it ended up HUGE, so I'm splitting this one in two. I’m posting the next one very very soon (probably tomorrow), just need to finish reviewing it sksksk

(warnings: mentions of death, gunshots, blood) (word count: 4K)

five: funeral

Ayo considered you for a moment, then turned to Bucky. “Eight hours. Do not forget.”

You exhaled slowly after she was gone, allowing yourself to return to a more relaxed state.

“You know Ayo?” Bucky said, after he made sure the door was well closed.

Sam mused from behind you.

“And you speak Xhosa!”

“When King T’Challa opened Wakanda to the world, I ended up leading the relations between our countries from our side. Learning the language was the least I could do.” You shrugged, smiling fondly when you remember the awkward phase where you still mispronounced everything, and how astoundingly lenient the King had been during it.

“Accomplished. It was sweet of you to defend me, at least.”

You raised an eyebrow at the glass of water you’re drinking, grateful that Zemo didn’t speak the language. If only he knew.

Well, you had a feeling he would. Eight hours. T-minus-fifteen.

“Hey, you shut it. No one is defending you. You killed Nagel.” Sam bit at Zemo, and you put down your water and took your phone.

It had been blowing up since the signal returned after your flight to Latvia, every single person who ever had your contact was looking for you. Understandably. It was your first “vacation” in a long time.

You swiped the notifications away, and your eyes met Bucky’s while Sam and Zemo squabbled.

“You shouldn’t be good at that. It’s not fair.”

“It’s just a phone, Buck.” You smirk up at him, and a corner of his lip tugs upwards in response. “And I’ve been around long enough to know how to deal with the ever-changing technology.”

“Does that mean you’re the older one now? I’ve been frozen.”

“Do I get older privilege?” You asked, not looking up from the screen. The news feed caught your attention, and you were quick to scroll past the one talking about The Winter Soldier’s appearance in Madripoor.

“…No.” Bucky pushed his bottom lip forward, shaking his head. You bit your lip to refrain yourself from telling him just how much of a child he was, but couldn’t hide your grin.

The next headline made the grin fall out of your mouth, it being replaced by a frown. You slid the phone to Bucky, you two sharing a concerned look as soon as he read it too.

“Sam. Karli bombed a GRC supply depot.”

You rubbed your temples and started pacing as Bucky explained to the other two men the situation. Three dead. Eleven wounded. Your heart wrenched, and you pressed a fist to your chest when you imagine how dire the things have to be for that to had become the latest desperate measure.

Wars have civilian casualties. People are bound to be caught in the crossfire. You knew this. You’d seen it. This was a deliberate attack, and it was a different time and conjecture, but you felt almost the same as you did when you walked through the rubble made of Europe, 80 years ago.

Seeds for a new war. You’d hoped you wouldn’t get to see it sprout again.

You finally looked up as Zemo questioned the three of you about having the will to complete the mission.

“She’s just a kid.”

You moved to rest a hand on Sam’s shoulder, but in the end, you might have been more looking to ground yourself than anything. He nodded at you either way, and you could see Bucky’s eyes on you from your peripheral.

“You’re seeing something in her that isn’t there. You’re clouded by it. She’s a supremacist. The very concept of Super Soldier will always trouble people.” Zemo spoke with certainty, as if he was a professor and the three of you his pupils.

“I doubt she sees things that way.” You raised your finger as soon as he opened his mouth to retort. “Not everyone has the chance to be studying politics and understand how revolutionary movements can become extremism. Most people are just fighting to get to see another day.”

You wondered if Baron Helmut Zemo would ever understand that, the struggle. The uncertainty that wakes up with you and goes to sleep when you do, only to pose itself the next morning.

“It’s that warped aspiration that led to Nazis, to Ultron, to the Avengers.” His next line seemed to be enough of an answer. You let your hand slide off Sam’s shoulder, realizing you had it in a tight grip the whole time, and resumed your pacing.

You doubted Karli Morgenthau had much chance to reflect on the long-term consequences of her mobilization. She was helping people, people who needed things right away; she was providing immediate relief. The world only had given violence in return.

“She will not stop. She will escalate until you kill her. Or she kills you.”

“Maybe you’re wrong, Zemo. The Serum never corrupted Steve.” Bucky retorted, but that obviously wasn’t enough to shake Zemo’s convictions.

The ache in our chest grew just a tad stronger, and you sank on the large sectional couch; Bucky seemed to have sensed your wariness, because soon enough he was bumping knees with you on the empty seat to your left. He radiated irritation, squared shoulders and head thrown back.

You laced your arm with his, nodding along with Sam as he talked about his aunt, understanding his plan when he reasoned that they might be doing a funeral ceremony for Donya. Bucky seemed to have loosened it up a little, and you agreed with him. It was worth a shot.

“You doin’ okay?” Bucky whispered, adjusting his arm so yours could have more room.

You raised your eyes at Zemo, stopping for a few seconds to observe the golden embroidery of the couch behind Bucky’s head before looking at him.

You squeezed his bicep. You mustered a small, strained smile.

Bucky’s eyes did not leave yours the entire time, two pools of blue and warmth and comfort that made you ache with how much you’d missed them all of these years.

“Jus’ fine.”

Bucky nodded.

“Liar.”

You flicked his ear with your free hand, which made him grunt. You giggled as Bucky shook his head and muttered something about you being such a child, and you could feel your nervousness easing up.

“Don’t be so grumpy, old man.”

---

You parted ways as Sam, Bucky and Zemo went to the displacement camp, and you went to the GRC office in Riga in search of information. You hadn’t been seen with them yet, so you took the chance of still being considered just a diplomat on a trip, seeking to maybe be of assistance in trying times.

It hadn’t been the most productive of mornings. The people at the office knew as little as you did of Donya Madani, or any of the other displaced people, which was appalling at the least. All they had was some half-assed records of when the camp had been formed, and that was months ago. Who knew how many people had joined by then. No wonder the Flag Smashers were at large, with more people joining and supporting the cause every day.

John Walker and Lemar Hoskins walked through the building’s doors, just as you were ready to leave. Hoskins recognized you immediately, whispering something to the new Captain America before both men approached you.

You shook their hands graciously, but your eyes remained on the door, you not wanting to waste precious time with the two. Especially Walker, who seemed to wear the shield on his back like it was a badge of honor, or even a safe-conduct to back up his moves.

It didn’t sit right with you, and not just because the man who wielded the shield before him was unreplaceable to you, and the man who stood before you seemed to have been handpicked to step inside Steve’s shoes, same size and all. His height, his built, his set jaw, the blue eyes, the blonde hair; as far as looks went, the perfect impersonator. It was the way he carried himself that set you off though, proud of himself and his own privilege. And you had barely any interaction with him aside from watching him perform in front of cameras, and, well, now.

“I’m very sorry gentlemen – but I should get going. This detour of my vacation is already on borrowed time.”

Hoskins nodded solemnly, but Walker took another step towards you. “I know about your previous work with Steve, it would be nice to have you on your side too.”

“Like I said, I’m off duty. Try not to make a mess out of it.” The lie slips off your lips easily, and you offer them an apologetic smile before turning to leave.

“There’s some Avengers on the hunt for the Flag Smashers too.”

Hoskins’ voice stopped you in your tracks, and you studied the two, wondering just how much they actually knew.

“Just think about it, okay? If you’re gonna help someone, make sure you’re helping the right people.”

That’s exactly what you were doing, but you weren’t about to tell him that.

“Hoskins. Cap. Have a nice day.” You nodded at them, not looking behind you as you take off to the cobblestone streets.

---

Sam and Bucky turned to watch you when arrived back at Zemo’s condo, closing the door gently behind you.

“Nothing.” You answered before they could ask, shaking your head slightly. From the defeated way they were sank on that couch, you assumed they were met with dead ends as well. “And Walker’s here, so expect things to get complicated.”

“You met with Walker?” Bucky asked, his jaw tensing up as he looked up at you.

“More like he met me. Offered me a job.” You chuckled humorlessly at the irony of it. Apparently you were now known for getting Steve out of trouble, and not for getting into it with him. How the tables turn. “He’s lacking intel as much as we are though.”

You threw your coat on the coffee table, and watched it slip down to the floor unimpressed. Bucky dipped to pick it up, draping it over the back of the couch while shaking his head and grumbling under his breath. Sam giggled, earning himself a glare.

Zemo approached your group with a tray of steaming tea. Bucky focused his glare on him.

“That little girl. What’d she tell you?” Bucky narrowed his eyes, a taunting tone to his voice.

Zemo paused, and his eyes jumped from Bucky, to Sam, to you, and the ground. The mood is restless, charged with tension, ready to spark like an open wire at the edge of water.

The Sokovian visibly relaxes his posture when he bends down to serve himself tea. “The funeral is this afternoon.”

It wasn’t not surprising to you that he was withholding information, though it was bold. His confidence was baffling, if anything.

“You’re on thin ice, Zemo.” You narrow your eyes at him, and he offers you a small, lofty smile.

Bucky looked at you and nodded before reminding Zemo of the Dora Milaje and demanding he kept talking.

“Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli.” He retorts to Bucky and hums, shaking his head. “There’s still much I want to know, including why an American diplomat is tagging along for an altercation against a group of Super Soldiers.”

Zemo looked at you, inspecting your form as you leaned over a tiled column. He lingers on, but you know you have the higher ground. You don’t look the part of super soldier, in the way like the Flag Smashers don’t also. It’s advantageous, it gets you to blend in with the rest of world. You were aware that Zemo has been suspicious ever since you walked through the heavy wooden doors the first time, though, and he was trying to carve information out of you through veiled threats.

“I prefer to keep my leverage.”

This seemed to spur Bucky on. He got up from the couch, stalking towards Zemo in a casual gait, only to grab the teacup from the other man’s grasp and throw it violently at another column.

Your breath hitched.

“You wanna see what someone can do with leverage?”

It sounded almost alien to you, the venom that dripped from Bucky’s words. You definitely hadn’t kept that in your memories of him, and you remind yourself that Bucky was no longer just that gallant boy from Brooklyn, he had more wars and baggage than anyone should carry.

So did you.

Sam got to Bucky before you could get your legs to move. “Take it easy. Don’t engage him. He’s just gonna extort you and do that stupid head tilt thing.”

As if on cue, Zemo tilted his head upright.

Sam retreats to make a call, whacking Bucky on the shoulder as he left the room. The sound makes you shift, and you walked forward to put yourself between him and Zemo.

“Thin fuckin’ ice.” You snarl. Bucky disengaged by leaning on his heels.

“Want some cherry blossom tea?”

You huffed and nudged Bucky’s waist to prompt him to follow you, wanting nothing more to get him – and yourself – away from Zemo before disaster ensued. He still held the information you needed, though his bargaining chips were running out.

You had the distinct feeling that he knew that too.

“No, you go ahead.”

The room you found yourselves next is small, but just as luxurious as the rest of the apartment, with thick embroidered cushions littering a daybed and stained glass on the windows, casting colorful rays of light over the floor.

“You won’t go home if I ask you to, will you?” Bucky asked, and you chuckled.

“Absolutely not.”

A pained little sound left Bucky’s throat, and you sat down on the daybed to face him. He was leaning against the wall, eyebrows knitted.

“It’s like you don’t know me at all, Buck.”

“I do. That’s why I’m worried.” You rolled your eyes at him, making him look away from you, jaw clenched.

You sighed. “Bucky. I’m a highly trained super soldier.” Retired, too, and probably rusty, but you decided to not put that thought on his head. “I have more field experience than you, I bet. Don’t trouble yourself too much.”

His shoulders sagged, and you raised your hand to smooth the collar of his jacket, like you’ve done a million times before, back when you were still only a girl, and he was only a boy. The familiarity in those acts of intimacy covered you like a warm blanket, and you caught yourself wondering if Bucky felt the same.

“I worry about you too, you know. Why I’m here.”

Bucky turned his head to look at you, eyes roaming over your face. “How much did Sam tell you about Madripoor?”

“All of it, I think.”

There was torment in his eyes, that he tried concealing by looking at the floor. He nodded curtly, and the gesture propels you to leap forward and hold his face in your hands.

“Not worried like that.” You knit your eyebrows together, speaking firmly at him. “Worried about you throwing yourself into another fight. And losing you to it, again. So here I am, James, and stop trying to get rid of me.”

He either crashed into you or you into him, you’re not sure, but it barely mattered. Bucky had his arms firmly around you, his forehead resting on your shoulder. A hug that came eight decades too late, making you have to blink tears away.

“Don’t wanna lose you again too.” Bucky mumbled into your hair, and you squeezed him just a little bit tighter.

“You won’t. M’ here.”

I’m here. I’m here. You believed it, because you knew yourself. Keeping away this long, because you knew that once you were with him, you wouldn’t be leaving.

You hoped Bucky believed it, too. You’d tell him over and over, just in case.

The moment was short lived, though, coming to an end the when Sam knocks on the door. You pry yourself apart from him like a band-aid, and the door opens, leaving you and Bucky to compartmentalize and get ready for the next steps in your mission with your backs turned to each other.

“You guys good?” Sam asked, looking from you to Bucky, and you groaned internally at the sight of the slight curl at the corner of his mouth.

It’s not like that, Sam.

“Yeah. Are you?”

He quirks his brow. You quirk yours. His smirk is more out in the open, now.

“C’mon, old guard, we have a funeral to attend.”

You and Bucky shoot him a double glare and follow him back to the living room, then out to the cobblestone streets. Sam specifically said no weapons, no doubt intending to keep things civil, but you strapped a knife to your boot anyway.

Bucky smirked at you when he caught you red handed and showed you the handle of his own knife secured at his hip. It’s funny, how among so many things that haven’t changed at all, remaining intact as if eternized in marble, so many other things did.

It’s the caution. Having a plan B, C, D, up to plan Z. It’s knowing every possible exit points when you enter a room, and it’s strapping a knife to your body even if you’re going on a mission of peace.

You wanted to think that the years made to fade most of your scars, but the smallest things reminded you that faded didn’t mean gone. The weight of the blade on your left foot was doing that, as you walked through the streets of Riga beside Bucky, Sam and Zemo.

“Karli Morgenthau is too dangerous for you guys to be pulling this shit.”

John Walker and Lemar Hoskins jogged down the steps in your direction. Bucky opened his arms in irritation.

“Ah! How’d you find us now?”

It wasn’t really a question.

“Come on. You think two Avengers can walk around Latvia without drawing attention?” Hoskins questioned rhetorically back, and his eyes land on you. You raised your eyebrows at him. ��Y/L/N.” He didn’t sound terribly surprised.

“No more keeping us in the dark. You can start by telling us why you broke him out of prison.” Walker’s voice nearly overlapped Hoskins’, and his eyes traveled from Zemo to you.

“He did that himself, technically.” Bucky quipped, and shifted to your side slightly.

“I thought you were on vacation.” Walker sneered, making you shrug. You waved idly at the buildings.

“What? I’m sightseeing.”

“Oh, this better have an unbelievable explanation—” He raised his arms, taking a couple steps in your direction, but you didn’t budge.

You were resigned to simply rest your hands at your hips and wait for his temper tantrum to be over, but Sam clapped him on the chest and commanded him to not make things weird. Walker simmered down enough, which makes you beam proudly at Sam.

“I know where Karli is.”

You’d never be caught dead saying that out loud, but thank heavens for Zemo.

The new Captain America insisted on leading the action and turning it into a hostile one. You couldn’t stop staring at the shield on his back while he strutted ahead and turned, arguing with Sam about whether or not attempting to reason with Morgenthau was a good idea. She was indeed dangerous, but the echo of Sam saying that she was only a child earlier filled your ears.

It was risky, but Sam wasn’t reckless. You believed in him wholly.

“Is that why you roped a diplomat into this? There’s still time to change sides and save your job, Y/L/N.”

You didn’t doubt John Walker could and would get you to lose your job position, but you were aware of that possible outcome the minute you flew yourself to Latvia. That was the kind of inconvenience your future self would have to deal with. Sam looked at you for a brief second, forehead creasing with worry.

“Don’t threaten her, Walker.” Bucky warned him, and it was like you were fighting off a gang of bullies in an alleyway back home again.

“You’ll let him do this? Are you gonna let your partner walk into a room with a Super Soldier, alone?” Walker pressed on, holding Bucky’s stare.

“He’s dealt with worse. And he’s not my partner.”

You highly doubted that. These men were as hard-headed as you were, but you didn’t buy into the whole we-aren’t-friends thing. It was evident, in the way they checked on each other from time to time, and had each other’s backs.

“I used to counsel soldiers dealing with trauma, okay? This is right in my wheelhouse.” Sam stepped forward, and Walker was quick to resume the argument. He was desperate for a win, any win, and you caught yourself wondering if he was truly ready for the role he was given.

Hoskins seemed to be the voice of reason he lacked. Walker gave in, reluctantly, and motioned at Zemo.

“We’ll deal with you later.”

You tapped your feet impatiently.

“Boys, there’s no time for this.”

“I’m sure it will all come to an agreeable conclusion. My associate is just up ahead.”

There was a small girl waiting by the building in front of you. She guided the group to an abandoned factory of some sort, and Zemo announced that Karli was inside, and not long after he was being handcuffed to an iron vault door.

Sam stopped himself in his tracks while Walker manhandles the man, and you and him shared a look.

“You wanna come with?”

“No. It’s two against one, might set her off.” You shook your head, turning to look at Walker as he paced around. “You got this, Sam.”

Sam nodded at you and went in.

Ten minutes. You listened attentively for any signs of struggle, hoping things would go smoothly. Your knife felt heavy inside your shoe. Bucky seemed to be focused on the same task next to you.

John Walker grew more anxious by the minute, and you stopped listening to watch him pace around.

“It hasn’t been ten minutes, John. Just sit tight.” Bucky sighed.

“Don’t do that. Don’t patronize me.”

Rich, coming from him, who seemed keen on doing just that to everyone else. Walker squared his shoulders and marched on, Bucky having to stand on his way to stop him. You got off your post on the stairs and blocked the rest of the way. Walker glared at you, then at him.

“This is all really easy for you, isn’t it? All that serum runnin’ through your veins.”

Of course, he would consider the serum more of a blessing than the true curse it was. You exhaled sharply, struggling to keep your emotions in check, watching Bucky’s back as Walker continued.

“Barnes, your partner needs backup in there. Do you really want his blood on your hands?”

You could almost see Bucky’s resolve wavering.

“Bucky, don’t.”

“You really want a casualty that big, Ambassador?”

“You need to cool down, Walker. Sam is—”

You didn’t get to finish, because Walker is barreling his way through you and towards Karli Morgenthau. Hoskins is pushing you and Bucky back as you try to get to Sam and the girl before things blew up even further.

“Walker you can’t—”

“Karli Morgenthau, you’re under arrest.”

Karli knocks Walker down, and Bucky managed to shove Hoskins away to run after her.

“Y/N, ten minutes!” Sam said as the both of you ran off to join the pursuit.

“I know, Sam! There’s no reasoning with this guy!” You groaned. “I’ll go this way, cover more ground.”

Sam nodded, his concerned expression mirroring yours.

You split up as you take off to your right, passing through archways and enclosed cubbyholes, finding nothing but old industrial machinery and junk.

Gunshots.

You counted four, at least.

You managed to pick up the source of the sound after the third discharge, somewhere at the lower level of the building. It would take you forever to find your way down the traditional way.

You landed on the ground floor with a soft thud, and couldn’t help but grin as you look up at the window you had just jumped from. Not bad, though the impact was unexpected and almost knocked the wind out of you.

The sound of smashed glass prompted you to snap back to reality and run into the basement of the factory, the place holding massive iron pipes and boilers. Zemo had his back to you, gun in hand.

A flash of red curly hair poked from behind the last pipe. You tiptoed your way to Karli, crouching next to her. She was clutching her side, blood seeping through her fingers. The receiving end of the shots.

Karli looked at you with terrified eyes, then up, and your gaze followed hers to a man you didn’t recognize, but one of her friends without doubt.

“Get out of here, kid. Go.”

She wasted no time, clambering up the stairs and disappearing through a metal door.

Faster than you and Zemo could acknowledge each other’s actions, he was hit on the heat with flying metal, sending him unconscious to the floor. John Walker stepped into the light.

“Morgenthau?”

“Gone. I was too late.”

Walker appeared to believe you, or he didn’t care, eyeing with interest the shards of fine glass littered on the floor. Zemo had smashed every single vial of serum before being hit with the shield. You kneel next to him and check his pulse.

“Is he…?”

“No. Just out.” You breathed. Walker let out a disappointed hum, leaving you to attempt to waken Zemo by yourself.

Bucky and Sam entered through the door that Karli had escaped through, and Hoskins through the doorway you came in before.

“What did we miss?”

[justthehiddleswrites]

Ocean Eyes | Tom Hiddleston x Reader

Pairing: Tom Hiddleston x Reader

Summary:  You have been spying a guy in the coffee shop. Fate should bring you together. Little to you realize the guy with the ocean eyes is the one and only Tom Hiddleston.

Warnings: implied smut

-

7:30 every morning on the dot. Every morning, those dangerously blue eyes come in, order a large coffee and pastry before settling into a small table in the corner. He would leisurely sip the coffee while pulling apart the pastry with his fingers. He would lick the tips of fingers, capturing every crumb.

You spied at him over the top of your laptop. His ginger curls tucked under a ball cap. His workout clothes are high quality but well worn. But most of all, you remember those brilliant blue eyes.

“Pardon me, is this seat taken?” a voice asked you one morning. You pushed your glasses back up on the bridge of your nose to see those eyes you dream about staring at you.

“Huh?” you mumbled, your brain deciding words were not important.

A kind smile spread across his face, the skin crinkling around his eyes in a way that made your stomach flip. “The seat?” he gestured to the chair in front of you. “Is it taken?”

“No!” you responded a bit too eager, earning you a small chuckle from the man. You cleared your throat. “No. Please go right ahead.”

“Thank you. I have never seen this place so crowded.” He commented as he unwrapped his sweet pastry.

You glanced around to see the usually quiet coffee shop bustling with activity.

“Hmm. Weird.” You chewed on your lip as the man popped his thumb into his mouth. Your mind wandered to other places you wanted that mouth to be.

“Excuse my manners,” he wiped his hand on a napkin. “The name’s Tom.” He extended his hand which you shook as you introduced yourself.

You returned your attention to your screen, not wanting to disturb Tom’s schedule.

He tipped his head to spy on your screen. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is this masterpiece you are writing?”

You glanced up to see Tom smiling in anticipation. You laughed at his expression.

“My thesis for my degree.”

“Which is?”

“English literature.”

His blue eyes sparkled at your words.

“I graduated from Cambridge in Classics. What’s the topic?” He leaned in close, scooting his chair around the table to sit next to you. His leg pressed against yours.

“Dickens.” you choked out.

“I adore Dickens. I happen to have read quite a bit of his through my work.”

You narrowed your eyes. “What exactly is your work?”

“I’m an actor. So… Dickens?”

“Yeah. The title is "You Can Be Useful to Us in a Hundred Different Ways”: A Study of Stage and Screen Adaptations of Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby.”

Tom slapped his leg. “This is fate. I was in a production of Nicholas Nickleby.”

“What company?”

“BBC One.” Tom’s head dropped to his chest.

“Are you shitting me?” Your coffee cup dropped to the floor, spilling the dredges of tea onto the floor and Tom’s leg. “Fuck!”

You grabbed spare napkins and dabbed at the splotches of coffee on Tom’s calf.

“Don’t worry yourself. I have to shower anyway.” Tom snatched the cup off the floor. “Let me buy you a replacement.”

“That’s really…” Tom was already up and in line. “… not necessary.” your voice trailed off at the end.

Tom gave you a smile and wave from the line. Your cheeks heated, and you returned your attention to your screen. A coffee appeared next to you.

“Thank you, T—” You looked up to see a young male employee staring down at you.

“He asked me to give this to you. He apologizes, but he had to leave on a pressing matter.”

Your heart sunk. You had hoped to talk to Tom more. And perhaps learn what other roles he had performed. Maybe even more.

You lifted the cup to your lips, and caught something scrawled on the side. It was too long to be your name. You raised the cup to eye level to read.

Call me to talk about Dickens and more.

Tom

Below was what you could only assume was his mobile number. The smile grew on your face as you entered the number into your phone.

-

Your confidence from that morning faded by lunchtime. The number now haunted you, taunting you on the screen.

“Pull yourself together.” you muttered as you hit the dial button.

“Hello?” Tom’s voice echoed on the other side.

“Hi!” your voice high pitched with nerves. “You probably don’t recognize my voice—”

Tom called out your name with excitement. “Of course, I recognize your voice. I was worried you wouldn’t get my message. I’m glad you called.”

Your cheeks heated at his voice. “You wanted to talk Dickens?” you stammered out, your voice ended at a half an octave higher than it started.

“Right!” Tom exclaimed. “I am unfortunately tied up for the rest of the day, but how about dinner tomorrow?”

“Yes!” you responded a little too eager. Tom stifled a chuckle. “I mean. Yes, that would be nice.”

The two of you settled on a restaurant within walking distance from your home before Tom had to get off the phone. You hung up the phone and spent the rest of the day with a smile on your face.

-

“So exactly what do you know about him?” your best friend, Caroline questioned.

“He’s an actor and prefers coffee over tea.”

Caroline raised an eyebrow.

“And he has these amazing blue eyes.” Your eyes glazed over.

“There it is.” she leaned back in her chair. “This is more than just academic. You have feelings for this man.”

You sighed. “You would too if you saw those eyes. They are like the ocean.”

“You get lost in them.” Caroline bantered back.

“And the rest of the package is nice as well.” Your cheeks heated as your mind wandered to the thought of Tom is those running shorts.

Caroline watched as you lose in your thoughts for a moment or two before clearing her throat.

“Did you say something?” you asked as you snapped back to reality.

Caroline giggled into her hand. “No, but now that I have your attention away from Ocean Eyes’s assets. What has he acted in?”

“He was in some BBC One production of Nicholas Nickleby.” You held up a low-cut top. “Too much?”

“Not if you don’t want to make it to the restaurant. Did you look him up on IMDb?”

“What is that?”

Caroline scoffed as she whipped her phone out. “And you call yourself an academic. What’s his last name?”

Your chin dropped. “I didn’t ask.” you mumbled.

“Cripes on a cracker.” Caroline typed furiously on her screen. “Lucky you’re alive is what you are. Tall or short?”

“Hmm? Oh, tall.”

Caroline scrolled and then stopped as her eyes widened. “You have got to be fucking kidding me?!?” she whispered.

“What?”

“You are FUCKING KIDDING ME!” she bellowed. “How do…” Caroline gestured at you “… Gah!”

“Who is he? Someone I should know?” you asked as you attempted to spy her screen.

“You are going on a date… with Tom Hiddleston!” Caroline flipped her screen around and your mouth dropped open.

-

“It’s not a date, Luke. We are just going to talk Dickens.” Tom explained over the phone.

“Bollocks. Are you or are you not paying for the meal?”

“Of course. I pay for your meal. Does that mean we are dating?” Tom said with a grin.

“You’re not my type and you know it, Thomas. Did you shave?”

“Not yet.”

“But you plan to. The last time you shave for me I believe it was because you lost a bet with Ben.”

“I was robbed.”

“You are such a sore loser. When is this non-date date?”

“Later today.”

“I need to stop by and drop off the contracts.”

“Sounds good, Luke. Just let yourself in.”

-

Tom had expected Luke to come straight over, but the minutes ticked by and he needed to get ready for tonight. He realized he lied to Luke earlier, but he didn’t care.

Tom had noticed you over the past month in the coffee shop. He spied when you stole glances at him. And he wanted to talk to you for so long but couldn’t find a natural way to start a conversation until that day.

Tom stepped out of the shower and stood in front of the mirror examining the healthy amount of stubble on his jaw.

“A little mood music.” Tom popped on an 80s playlist.

-

Right as Luke was ready to head out to Tom’s, he received a phone call he had to take. Several hours later, he headed out to the door, contracts in hand.

“What started out as friendship has grown stronger..” flitted through the air to the sound of an 80s power ballad.

Luke headed upstairs and beelined to the bedroom. He put the contracts on the dresser.

“And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight.” Tom sang from behind the bathroom door.

Luke couldn’t resist sneaking a peek. Tom stood in front of the mirror, brush in hand, music blaring.

“And I can't fight this feeling anymore.

I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

It's time to bring this ship into the shore.” Tom belted the song with the brush. His hips shook underneath the towel wrapped around his waist.

Luke suppressed a chuckle before yelling out. “Shake it, mate!”

Tom threw the brush into the air as he jumped.

“Not bloody funny, Luke!” Tom gripped the towel in place.

“Didn’t realize I was representing a teenage girl?” Luke laughed.

“Out.” Tom jabbed a finger to the door.

“Did you learn those moves from your sisters? Is this how you get pumped for a big date?” Luke continued.

Tom stomped towards Luke. Luke stumbled backwards.

“Not another word.” Tom flicked his finger in front of Luke’s face.

Luke pressed his lips together and decided, “fuck it.”

“Must be some girl to get the full REO Speedwagon treatment.” Luke ducked as Tom grabbed the contracts and hurled them at his head.

“You’re lucky I like you.” Tom growled.

“Read those tomorrow, mate. Have fun.” Luke ran from Tom’s sight.

-

Tom’s mood perked up when he stepped into the restaurant and spied you sitting at the bar. And it only got better from there.

Conversation flowed as easily as the wine did at dinner. Before long the waiter came by.

“Last call. We are closing in ten minutes.”

“Oh shit!” you cursed as you shuffled to standing. “I didn’t mean to keep you out this late.”

Tom rose as well and grabbed your hand as you pushed your purse onto your shoulder to leave. His blue eyes sparkled and your heart skipped a beat.

“I didn’t mind the company.” Tom smiled that eye crinkling smile. “If it is not too forward, can I walk you home?” He did not let go of your hand. The connection sent electricity through your arm.

“I would like that very much.” You gave his hand a brief squeeze.

The brisk evening air chilled you. You took full advantage to press close to Tom’s side, who threw his arms around your shoulder. Soon the two of you reached your front door.

“This is me.” you commented, trying to hide the sadness in your voice.

Tom’s eyes dropped for a moment. “I guess this is goodnight.”

“But not goodbye?” you asked, hope in your voice.

“Not on my part. I would very much like to see you again.” Tom turned to face you.

“I would very much like to see you too.”

Tom smiled, and he fidgeted, rocking back on his heels.

“Can I ask you a question?” you muttered.

“I’m not sure…” Tom chuckled. “… can you?”

Your brows furrowed. “Not funny. Why didn’t you tell me you were a famous movie star?”

Tom’s eyes widened. “Honestly, I thought you knew. You kept sneaking glances at me in the shop. I just assume…” his voice trailed off as your face twisted up in confusion. “… was a mistake. You really didn’t know?!”

You shook your head. “My friend looked you up on IMDb.”

“Then why the stares?”

“Your eyes.” Your head dropped to your chest.

“What about my eyes?” Tom stepped closer, his hand reached up to pull your head up.

In the dark evening, Tom’s eyes were dark blue, the streetlights sparkled against them. You bit your lip.

“They remind me of the ocean. Deep and wide. Someone could get lost at sea.”

“Then let me be your anchor.” Tom closed his eyes as he leaned down to press his lips against yours. And you were lost.

You sighed against him, and he pulled you tight against him. Jolts shot through your body and when the two of you parted, you both were breathing heavy.

“Um…” you muttered, biting your lip. “… wow.”

“Yeah.” Tom joined in. “Can I meet you for coffee tomorrow? Our usual place?” He continued to hold you tight.

You tugged on his jacket lapels. “That is one idea or…” you raised an eyebrow. “… we could walk there together from my place.”

Tom’s mouth dropped open before curling into a devilish smile. “What kind of guy do you take me for?”

You tugged him down close to your face by the lapels. You leaned into close. “The kind of guy that does what he wants.”

“Then you are absolutely right.” Tom pulled you into a passionate kiss again.

[whatisthiswritingthing]

Observation Skills - Part Three - Lindsey Horan x Reader

Note, sorry not sorry it is a little long. I’m not wild about my ending, so let me know what you think 

Lindsey gets to know the trainer some more, and feels like a teenager again. 

“Just so you know, I mean this in the most loving way, I currently hate you,” is the first thing Emily says when Lindsey phones her back in the car.

“Yes, Sonnett, the work out went great. How is your day going?” Lindsey replied sarcastically.

“How could you leave out the fact that she is a firefighter?” Sonnett asked incredulously, “Lindsey, you forgot to mention a lot of stuff! And you seriously downplayed how hot she is.”

“What? I didn’t know she was a firefighter, I thought she just worked at the gym,” Lindsey trailed off, thinking how she wanted to get to know more about the blonde trainer, “wait, how do you know that? How do you know what she looks like?”

“Well, you were so skimpy on the deets, so I had to find some out on my own, did a solid deep dive on your girl. Had to make sure she would be good enough for the Great Horan,” the goofy blonde replied with a chuckle. “Want to know what else I found?”

Lindsey could picture the mischievous expression on her best friend’s face. With a smile of her own and a small sigh Lindsey confirmed she wanted to know what else Emily had found.

“First, I hate you and if you don’t do something with her number, I am stealing it and using it for myself. You chose a good one for your first girl Linds,” the defender began, earning a blush from the younger blonde.

“What can I say, I have a good taste. Now get on with it.”

“I’m serious Linessi! I just started my deep dive, checked the usual, got her whole name from the gym website, creeped her Gram and Facebook. Dude, she is like super smart, degrees and certificates like crazy on her gym profile. But Linds, the gram is where it is at, I can’t even do it justice, you need to see it for yourself.”

Lindsey could feel her blush deepening, but feeling her anxiety beginning to creep back in. Was she good enough for the trainer? Sonnett didn’t even meet Sara and here she is gushing about her.

“And she has cutest dog! Weird name though, I can’t remember it.”

“Blaze,” Lindsey prompts, brought out of her thoughts, “He was at the gym with her today. Really well trained, he followed us around the gym. And you’re one to talk, Bagel Bongo.”

“She brings the dog?” Emily exclaims, ignoring the dig back, “I need to come to this gym. Alright, now tell me about the workout? Do the biceps look as good in person as they do in her pictures?

“Really, that’s all the information you got? I already knew she was educated and hot! The only thing you told me I didn’t know was that she was a firefighter too.”

Pulling into her spot, Lindsey grabbed her stuff and made her way inside, immediately squatting down to pet Fergie at the door.

“Guess you just need to use that number and find out for yourself then,” Sonnett countered smugly.

At this, Lindsey hesitated, should she use the number? The blonde trainer encouraged her to. That meant she wanted to talk Lindsey as much as Lindsey wanted to talk to her. Right?

“Linds?” Emily prompted softly, sensing the shift in Lindsey, “You still there?”

“What would I even say? How do I know she wants me to text her? Does she mean she wants to talk about training? Or like, talk talk?” Lindsey began to ramble, flopping on the couch.

“You lost me there Linds.”

“I told her Sean gave me her number and she told me not to be afraid to use it.”

“That definitely means she wants you to text her! What makes you think she doesn’t want you to use?”

“I don’t know, maybe she was just being polite.”

“Alright dummy, start from the beginning, tell me all about the workout.”

Lindsey proceeded to tell Emily about the morning. Describing how easily the conversation moved and flowed from banter to serious and back to banter. How naturally comfortable Lindsey felt around the blonde trainer, but also how the trainer made sure she was comfortable. But also that the trainer always checked with Lindsey before assisting her or touching her. The lack of effort it took for Sara to move the weights and the confidence she carried herself with the whole time.

The midfielder felt like she could go on and on describing an hour-long workout. Seriously, when had Lindsey turned back into a thirteen-year-old girl?

Feeling her phone vibrate, Lindsey pulled her phone away to see Emily switching to FaceTime.

“She really does sound great Lindsey,” Emily said softly with a smile, all joking gone, “and you should definitely use that number.”

“You think so?”

“Definitely! Worst that happens she did just mean for you to use it for training, no harm no foul.”

“I guess you’re right,” the blonde started unsure, “what should I say?”

“Just keep it light, thank her for the workout. Conversation flowed easy in person, it will on text too. Don’t over think it.”

Before she could second guess her decision, Lindsey pulled up the number Sean had sent her the day before, typing out a message.

“How about, ‘Hey! It’s Lindsey. Thanks for training with me today. If Blaze comes with you, I may need to consider switching trainers.’ Does that sound good? Or too cheesy?”

“Its perfect! Send it before you talk yourself out of it.”

Pushing send, Lindsey resisted the urge to throw her phone down.

With a sigh, she looked made eye contact with Sonnett on screen.

“Talk to me, distract me so I don’t totally regret this decision.”

The two blondes continued to Facetime for a few minutes, the defender telling her all about Orlando and Bagel, keeping it light. Moving to discuss camp coming up in a couple weeks in her new city. The Lindsey froze.

“She replied! She actually replied!”

“Open it,” the blonde encouraged with an eye roll.

Lindsey opened the message to a picture of the giant husky sprawled out on the large bed in the corner of the trainer’s office and two messages underneath

                       This guy? Unfortunately, I come with. But I will let Sean know Blaze gets more girls than he does.

                       Thank you for training with me! We still on for tomorrow? I promise Blaze will be there.

“Alright, based off the face, my work here is done.”

Lindsey switched screens back to see Sonnett grinning at her, then noticed her own large smile.

“Thank you Disani.”

“Just let me know how it goes. Or share that number if it doesn’t work out,” with that and a wink, Sonnett ended the call.

           Lindsey: As long as Blaze is there, you can count me in.

           Hot Trainer: I’m changing my bio on the website, “comes with dog”, and a picture of him.

Lindsey giggled to herself as she updated Sara’s contact information in her phone. Her grin growing when she saw the blonde’s response, appreciating the easiness and lack of awkwardness with starting to text. She took Sonnetts earlier suggestion, pulling up Sara on Instagram, she immediately understood was Sonnett meant. She needed to see all the photos for herself. If she hadn’t been interested before, she was now.

The rest of the day Lindsey had a smile on her face. Her and Sara texting back and forth all day, the conversation never slowing, always picking right back up when the other was busy. All nervousness of seeing the trainer were gone and replaced with excitement.

Lindsey woke up earlier than usual the next morning, excited to get to the gym and see Sara. Having a quick breakfast for herself and Fergie, Lindsey was out the door and on her way to the gym.

Pulling up to the gym, Lindsey noted the only other vehicle in the parking lot, a spotless red Range Rover. Could this woman get any more attractive?

Walking into the gym, Lindsey had expected to be met with the site of the blonde trainer working out, but only saw the large garage style door partially open and the cool morning breeze coming in. She proceeded to make her way to the change room and get ready.

As she made her way back to the gym area she watched Sara and Blaze come through the open garage door, both panting.

Lindsey took them both in before being noticed.

Blaze had on a vest with both a Canadian and United States Flag Velcro patch, along with a Portland Fire Department patch. He looked happy, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

Sara had runners, tights and loose shorts over top on her lower half, with a thick compression shirt and weighted vest on her upper half. She looked good, cheeks flushed from her run. Lindsey could see the definition to her muscles through the shirt and tights. Then Sara took off her vest, leaned over and removed Blazes vest as well. The dog giving a quick, full body shake. Lindsey could the definitely along her back and side.

Standing up Sara noticed Lindsey who now stood frozen.

“Hey! I’m not late am I? I thought I timed my run right,” Sara said while pulling her wrist up to look at her watch.

“No, I’m pretty early today. So that’s on me.”

“Ahh good, I was worried! I’d hate to get fired on my second day,” the trainer rebutted with a wink, “give me a couple minutes feed this guy, change, and we can get started. Cool?”

Waiting for confirmation, the blonde raced up the stairs to her office at Lindsey’s nod, Blaze right behind her.  

Lindsey made her way to the stationary bikes to wait.

A few minutes later, the midfielder watched the trainer make her way down the stairs, Blaze trailing behind with a ball in his mouth. Both making their way to her. Lindsey again took this opportunity to take the trainer in. She had changed into new shoes, recovery tights with shorts, and t-shirt.

How does she look so good after a run?

“So, since we are just doing some recovery and mobility stuff, I figured I would work through with you. If that’s cool with you?” Sara asked, bringing Lindsey out of her thoughts.

“Oh for sure, i’m cool with that,” Lindsey stuttered. She was struggling keeping her focus, already very distracted by seeing the blonde in workout clothes. How the hell was she going to workout with her now?

Sara began to describe what all they would do and got them started.

Lindsey did better than she expected during the workout, the conversation and banter flowed so easily, she didn’t have a chance to get too distracted. But she definitely still did. It was hard for her not to, everything Sara did caused her muscles to flex and shirt to tighten. Lindsey didn’t think there wasn’t a part of Sara’s body that wasn’t strong and tight. Her body flowing through the movements effortlessly.

“So totally creeped your bio on the website after you mentioned it yesterday,” Lindsey started, “I don’t think you need Blaze to help you get clients.”

At hearing his name, he trotted over with his ball, dropping it into Lindseys lap then backing away and waiting for her to throw it. With a chuckle, she threw it the length of the turf.

“He is going to be your best friend now, add some belly rubs, and he’ll probably just get in your car with you,” Sara chuckled as Blaze dropped his ball in her lap again.

“I’ll leave him here for you, just incase that impressive bio doesn’t work,” Lindsey tried again, “seriously, you’re certified in everything and you work as a firefighter. How does that even work?”

Lindsey watched as Sara blushed and ducked her head.

“I like to learn?” Sara attempted humbly, “I work in a rotation with PFD, then on my days off when I’m on nights I’m here during the day.”

“And you work with the university Sean said?” Lindsey asked, impressed at how much this woman could do.

“I mostly just write the team and induvial training programs; some I work with in person here or at the university. I do their nutrition programs too.”

“Why not get on with a pro team of some kind?”

“Your athletic therapist, Bailey, keeps trying to get me with you guys full time, but just contract works for me. I can stay here and PFD,” Sara says with a shrug.

Lindsey looked at her with her eyes wide.

“You’re on contract with the Thorns?”

“I thought you guys knew,” Sara started awkwardly, “I’ve written your programs for the past two seasons. I just don’t have time to be there.”

Lindsey didn’t know what to say, she just stared at the blonder trainer. She needed to talk to Bailey.

“I’m really sorry, I thought you guys knew. The strength and conditioning coach you guys have Bailey and your other athletic therapists didn’t like, so she reached out to me. I offered to do contract and the programs and it just stuck I guess,” Sara apologized genuinely, standing up and offering her a hand. “My next client just got here, so I’ve got to go, but I’ll text you later?”

“Yea for sure.”

And with that the blonde was off, meeting her next client. Leaving Lindsey stunned with the new information. She could have met this woman anytime over the last two years.  

[lynnsaundersfanfic]

Grounded, Chapter 10: Dreams

A Coffee House Fic inspired by a prompt from awesomegreentie.

We started off with a T rating, but who are we kidding here? It’s me. So, the rating has been moved up to M at Chapter 5.

Chapters in Order:  Introductions - Invitation - Stroll - Alchemy - Dayspring - Distraction - Lost - Firelight - Monday - Dreams

Or, read it on fanfiction.net here.

Grounded  |  Chapter Ten: Dreams  |  by Lynn Saunders

The Tuesday before Christmas dawns cold and grey, and John watches the sunrise as he sits before the shop’s hearth with his morning tea, struggling a bit to meet the day. William looks surprised to find him there quite so early after closing so late the evening before, but he doesn’t comment on the matter. They really must hire someone else on, and soon.

Anna’s over a week gone, and John has scarcely slept since she’s been away. He trudges home late in the evenings, tie askew, and sinks onto the couch in his sparsely furnished flat to doze for a few hours before rising early to do it all over again. His split with Vera did not leave him with much in the way of quality furnishings, and what little he did take with him has mostly been used to lend a personal touch to the tasteful rusticity of the coffee house. The little shop is the first thing he’s truly been able to make all his own. But his apartment feels cold, the freshly painted walls stark and bare, and it’s not yet truly a home for him. It’s pale and blank, a new slate that he hasn't yet gotten around to writing on - not like Anna’s flat, which is warm and cheerful and utterly her.

He’s a bit surprised to find that it’s difficult to sleep without Anna snugged in safely against him. He craves her scent and the warm press of her body in the dark. He tosses and turns in the night, restless and brooding. But when sleep does finally find him, he dreams of a faerie with golden hair, her eyes blue as the sea. She awaits him eagerly in a small hothouse in mid-winter, dressed all in white. In the dream, their meetings are secret, and her love for him is certain. This morning, the taste of the dream maiden’s lips had lingered on his even after he awoke feverish and shaky, lost between worlds for a moment and struggling to remember which was real.

The church bell down the street chimes out the hour, and John rises and stretches. He retrieves his mobile from the mantle and sends Anna a photo of the blazing fire, then tucks the phone into his pocket with a small smile. He doesn’t expect her home for a few days yet, but it’s safe to say she hasn’t forgotten him. Two evenings ago, their goodnight phone call had ended with her breathlessly sighing his name.

I was thinking of the other night, he’d said. Of having you against the door.

He’s never been brave enough to give voice to such delicious thoughts before, never had someone so eager to listen. Her response to his secret whispers in the dark was the definition of unforgettable.

He finishes his tea with a smirk, then readies for the day, tying on an apron and washing his hands. He surveys the stock of pastries and resolves to make more fresh cinnamon buns, but it will have to wait until the morning rush dies down. For the next two hours, the bells on the front door jangle consistently.

Business is good. More than good. He feels utterly blessed to have this place, but beyond that he feels a sense of deep pride in his work. Is this what it’s like to love what you do? He realizes with a start that this is the first path he’s truly chosen for himself, rather than one he pursued out of habit, pressure, or obligation. In his old life, he might be tempted to focus on all the work that still looms ahead, or to wait for the other shoe to drop. He would’ve been too hesitant to venture into business ownership, too pessimistic. But more than anything else, being wounded showed him just how fleeting life is. That’s what made him put down the bottle and start living life again. And Anna? He certainly would’ve never imagined that he deserved the company of someone this lovely or, for that matter, someone this kind. Finally, he’s starting to believe.

Anna dreams of John in a different time. They sit at a long table in a bustling room she doesn’t quite recognize, yet she somehow knows it all the same. The room smells of coffee and warm, brown bread. Breakfast china rattles over bits of conversation. Beside her, John is clean-shaven and polished and proper. This image of him stands in stark contrast to what she knows he is capable of in the dark. He gives her a furtive glance, and she attempts to hide her flush behind her teacup. Her delicate wedding band is hidden safely away beneath her frock, nestled against her breastbone on a simple gold chain. Her cup clinks into its saucer, and she brings a hand up to absently trace the outline of the ring through the fabric of her dress. No one can know, not yet. John’s leg presses against hers beneath the table, out of view of the others.

The others?

But the room is gone now, replaced with the glow of a fire and the slip of fine linens against her bare skin. John’s thick fingers glide along her back as she rests, snugged against his chest. She’s long been sated, and now sleep calls. As her eyes drift shut, her mind flashes on the rustling of willow fronds and the taste of fresh cider, of mistletoe on the arch of an old oak door, of the earthy smell of a conservatory in midwinter and the sound of pottery shattering in the dark.

The company car rocks gently as it pulls onto Anna’s street, and her eyes blink open. Her mind fumbles for the thread of that intriguing dream, but the more she reaches for those memories, the further they slip away. John in an old-fashioned waistcoat and sleeves, she thinks with a grin. Something about a greenhouse… and then a feeling - one of bittersweet, quiet, and steadfast love. It is safe and warm, and… familiar? Anna shakes her head with a confused sigh.

The homes on Anna’s street are cheerful, dotted with wreaths and holiday lights. In the west, the sky is painted purple and crimson in the waning daylight. The car pulls to a stop at her door, and she draws the edges of her coat closed before stepping out into the nipping winter air. She’s so looking forward to being in her own flat and her own bed, to seeing her grumpy old three-legged cat… and her hot barista.

She checks her mobile - still no service. Ah, well. When she’d spoken briefly with John last evening, her plans called for staying in London at least another day or two. However, this morning’s presentation had gone surprisingly well, and when Mary spoke of sending Anna home ahead of schedule, she’d jumped at the chance.

The driver hurries around to help her with her bags, and she tips him generously before climbing the short flight of stairs to her apartment. Even with both bags in hand, Anna unlocks the door to her flat with practiced ease. Castle comes running and leaps onto the kitchen counter with a delighted chirp. She scritches him and shakes some crunchies into his bowl.

Tacked to the fridge is a note from Gwen.

I continue to be Castle’s favorite person to torment. The beggar knocked the treat bag off of the counter and ate half. He then vomited in the hall and stared haughtily as I cleaned it up.

XO, G

Castle blinks innocently from the kitchen counter, and Anna gives him a disapproving look. She makes a mental note to take her friend for drinks ASAP to make up for it.

Gwen has left the week’s mail on the countertop, and Anna sorts the contents quickly while she waits for the shower to run hot. She happily sheds her travel clothes and steps under the spray with a relieved sigh, washing the muck of the day away. Oh, but there’s so much to do. She needs to go for groceries and work on the laundry, to put the finishing touches on a project before the firm closes for the holidays. But as she lingers in the steam of the shower, allowing the heat to sink into the delicate muscles of her neck and shoulders, she finds it impossible to care about those mundane tasks. Her mind drifts instead.

She thinks of last week, of John’s long fingers moving between her thighs, patiently coaxing her pleasure. She had melted into his embrace, her slick back pressed to his front, her head lolled against his chest. He had turned her then, lifting her solidly against the chilly shower tile and marking her neck with his lips as he pushed into her. His strong arms held her fast while she sighed his name and dug her fingernails into his shoulders. His teeth had trailed behind her ear just so. She reaches lazily up to press her fingertips to the spot, daydreaming until the water begins to cool.

Yes, all the trappings of everyday life can wait. She has a very particular craving that only one thing can satisfy.

John rushes to open the shop’s door ahead of William, who is carefully balancing three full pastry boxes, their largest order of the day. He steps out to meet the chill of the December evening, and William follows, passing gingerly through the doorway. They work together to arrange the pastry boxes safely in the floorboards of the waiting car.

The customer is Beatrice, one of John’s mother’s friends from church, and she reaches up to pat his arm affectionately. “Thank you, Dear.”

He smiles down at her. “I hope you enjoy them.”

“Oh, the kids will love them!”

She waves to William as he ducks back through the shop’s front door. The neon ‘open’ sign blinks out shortly afterward, and they watch for a moment as William goes about closing duties without having to be asked.

“He’s a hard worker,” John says. “Thank you for sending him my way.”

“Oh, yes, I’ve known his family for ages, and of course with his mother’s passing he needed something closer to home for a while. He’s all his dad has left now.” She shakes her head sadly. “But, I’m so happy you two get on so well. I hear there was a less pleasant fellow working here who has recently moved on.”

John laughs. “Yes, but that’s fine by me. Better the two of us work harder than have a third who rocks the boat. But if you know of anyone else who needs steady work, please send them my way.”

She thinks for a moment. “I may have just the young lady in mind. She’s young and a bit new to church, but she seems reliable. She was such a help with the bake sale.”

He draws a card from the breast pocket of his button-front shirt. “Please have her come by. William and I are managing, but barely. As it is, he needs a large bonus… and a holiday.”

She chuckles, then takes a conspiratorial step closer. “Now, let me hear all about this Anna. Margaret tells me you two are quite the item.”

John gives a somewhat embarrassed chuckle. His mother definitely cannot be prevailed upon to keep any secrets. “Yes, I suppose we are.”

“You suppose?” She tsks with mock disapproval. “Well don’t you be shy. Bring her ‘round to see us for tea soon.”

He gives a vague promise, and John waves as Beatrice pulls away from the curb. As the taillights fade in the distance, he takes a moment to stand still, to close his eyes and simply breathe in the icy air. There’s been no new snow today, but there’s still a satisfying icy crunch underfoot, and he remembers his first stroll home with Anna, the first brush of her lips against his cheek. That was only two weeks ago, yet somehow this thing between them feels both ancient and new.

It’s a bit odd that he hasn’t heard from her today, and it dawns on him that he’s not been the least bit concerned about what that uncharacteristic lack of contact means for their burgeoning relationship. In the past, he’s had what Vera would have called a jealous streak. But underneath that superficial explanation was truly only worry, a deep-seated fear that he won’t measure up, that he’s undeserving. But he feels none of that with Anna. Everything between them has come so naturally.

He takes one more moment to enjoy the quiet solitude of the winter evening, then turns to help William close up for the night. But he doesn’t quite reach the door. His breath is caught in his throat, and for a moment he stops and stares, blinking in delighted disbelief. Anna. The streetlamps catch her golden hair even through the frozen haze of the December evening. She’s supposed to be miles away, yet here she is on his street instead, making her way toward him with a very particular look in her eye. He sees warmth reflected there, mischief, and an intoxicating, velvety undercurrent of desire. He catches her up in an embrace, and she giggles as he lifts her off of her feet. God, he wants so badly to be the one who inspires that sound from now on. He breathes her in, feels the thrill of it deep in his chest, then remembers himself and returns her gently to the ground.

“Why didn’t you say you were coming?” he asks with a grin.

“I didn’t know until today.” Her eyes dance as she reaches up to straighten his tie. “That, and my mobile has been out of service all afternoon. But… I’ve brought you something that may make up for it.”

At his quizzical look, she reaches into her coat pocket and brings out a sprig of mistletoe, twirling it in her fingers for a moment, raising an eyebrow. He tugs her close in response, kissing her gently in the arch of the shop doorway until she begins to shiver in his arms. Later, as he sifts his fingers through her hair in her bedroom in the dark, she’ll tell him she wasn’t cold, not exactly. It’s the intensity of his touch that’s making her tremble. But he doesn’t know that now, and he ushers her quickly into the cheerful warmth of the coffee house. Muted sounds from the kitchen radio filter down the hall, and he can hear the clinking of silverware as William washes the dishes. He presses another soft kiss to her lips before locking the door and pulling the shades in turn.

“I need to-” he begins, but she places a gentle hand on his chest with a nod.

“Finish your work.” She smiles up at him. “I’ll still be here.”

He brings the back of her hand to his lips for a moment, then turns to join William in the kitchen. Together, the men make quick work of the evening chores. Soon the dishes are dried and the countertops gleam once more. William finishes the mopping while John reviews the checklist for tomorrow, smiling at the sheer volume of holiday orders.

As he pulls on his coat to leave, William glances down the hall toward Anna, then gives John a nod of decided approval. “It’s good to see you happy, Mr. Bates.”

John clears his throat a bit self-consciously, but he’s touched. “I think I am, truly… for the first time in a long while.” He pauses just a moment before adding, “now, run on home. We’ve another early day tomorrow.”

“You two don’t stay up too late,” William says with a wink as he pulls his cap down snug over his brow and disappears through the shop’s rear door.

John only laughs and shakes his head in response.

When he returns to the front room with a cup of cocoa to share, Anna is warming herself by the waning coals of the banked fire. The shop lights are low, and the sight of her silhouetted in the amber glow of the stone fireplace tugs at a quiet, yearning place deep within him. Anna just feels so… familiar, his mind echoes. It’s as if they’ve spent countless evenings sharing a hearth and a bed, perhaps across times and places he will never know or understand, but always - always - with the same indescribable current arcing between them.

She smiles up at him as he passes her the mug, and he eases onto the sofa, drawing her near. She takes a sip and gives a satisfied hum that makes the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. They watch the embers pop and spark for a moment as the kitchen radio plays on in the distance.

“How was London?” He presses a kiss to her temple.

“Good, actually.” She takes another sip of cocoa and passes him the mug. “Well, more than good, I think. It might mean a promotion.”

“Well done!” He squeezes her hand with genuine affection and pride, then adds cheekily, “Will you have a corner office, then?”

“No…” She grins up at him. “And nothing’s decided yet, but… on that topic, there is a favor I need to ask you.”

“Oh yes?”

“You see, there’s this company holiday party. Fancy dress and all that, and I’ll be needing a date…”

“Dancing and cocktails and a suit?”

“Well, probably not dancing… but the rest of it, yes.”

“No dancing? Pity, that.”

“I expect you’ll be relieved.” She taps his chest playfully with the back of her hand, and he realizes she thinks he’s joking.

He imagines Anna in a low-cut gown, his fingers gliding along the curve of her back as they savor the anonymity of a darkened dance floor. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that.”

John smiles conspiratorially and moves their shared mug to the safety of the little coffee table. He rises carefully, then pulls Anna gently to her feet. She smiles shyly at him as he takes her hand and leads her down the shop’s hallway in the dark. The familiar rooms are bathed in shadows, and she clings to his hand like a lifeline. In the kitchen, he pauses to adjust the volume on the little radio, filling the room with the mellow, rolling notes of a jazz piano.

“Come here,” he says, his voice rough and low.

She giggles as he pulls her easily into his embrace, and they sway together in the dark, his right hand perfectly fitted to the small of her back. Thank goodness for heels, she thinks dreamily. Moving together this way, she’s just tall enough to rest her forehead against his broad chest. He tucks her hair behind her ear and tips her chin up to meet him, stooping to graze her lips with his. His large hands slide beneath the hem of her sweater, blazing a path up the curve of her spine. She hums happily, and she feels his answering smile against her temple.

She finds the quiet confidence in his touch intoxicating. She’s enamored with the pleasing stoutness of his body, the thickness of his chest and shoulders, the way he gazes at her so intently as they move together. She’s never been this easily turned on, this revved up. She’s fallen hard and fast, no question, but this thought doesn’t alarm her. Instead, she feels emboldened by her desire. When she rises on tiptoe to kiss him, he tastes not just of cinnamon and chocolate, but of something deeper and richer, a comforting memory she cannot place. And as the song begins to fade, they hold fast to one another, lighting a fire between them as they dance together in the dark.

Author’s notes:

I’ve not written in a long while. I worry it shows. Thank you for being patient while I knock the rust off.

Anna and Bates dance to Turn Me On by Nora Jones.

Thanks to @awesomegreentie and @gelana78 for quick-beta!

[squeeneyart]

Breathe in the Salt - Chapter 18

AO3

Beta reader is @thesnadger!

Communication is established.

Martin has a job to do.

After months of near constant solitude and a week of above-average social interaction, Martin had to deal with an unhappy middle: Peter, with no warning or pattern, would appear at the lighthouse at whatever time seemed to suit his fancy. Bright and early one day, late lunch the next, twice already on Thursday, all for reasons Martin couldn’t wonder aloud at for fear of seeming too curious.

No alone time meant no poking his nose around. Not that he was supposed to, keeping his head down and all that, but sitting around wasn’t doing his nerves any favors.

It was easy to imagine Peter hiring someone to tail him home, so Martin never dared to take a new path or turn for that whole week. When he got home he stayed home. When he got to work he stayed at work. And when he walked in either direction he most certainly never took the sharp turn toward the Fairchild home, no matter how intensely curious he got.

So, once the group text was actually formed early in the next week (Tim: it was a promise not a threat!), Martin had taken part in the first of many nearly identical conversations. They boiled down to:

Martin: peters been weird, cant predict when he’ll be around

Sasha: we’re still pretty locked up, will let you know if things change

Jon: Elias has been elusive but I’m working on it.

Tim: can’t keep us busy forever

Besides some scattered thoughts and jokes primarily from Tim that got Martin through the more tedious aspects of the work day, the messages were all vague statements telling him “soon, we promise” and random tidbits from him of Peter being weird. The whirlwind of progress from the week prior was over. Waiting and sitting on his hands was all Martin had left.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true.

Jon had a lot more to say over phone calls than text. That much was clear by Tuesday night as Jon called to elaborate on his frustrations with Elias and continue other topics they’d discussed the conversion prior. The burden of starting the call and coming up with a topic was blessedly off Martin's shoulders, and it made the idea of regular conversations seem more possible.

While it was a relief to still talk to someone at length, Martin knew he would run out of things to say before long. He had no stories from the university he never attended, and Jon had been witness to Martin’s strangest place of work. The more he could deflect personal questions and get Jon to talk about himself, the longer it would take for Martin to be revealed as... well. Dull.

Still, he hoped that Jon would call again soon. If Martin was around for it.

It was Thursday. Peter had been around twice already with no warning. It was getting to be mid-afternoon and he still had a duty to perform. That part of his contract hadn’t changed.

Martin groaned into his desk. It wasn’t fair to have his most mindless and daydream-conducive task twisted into something horrifying. Some little part of him hoped that Sasha’s reasoning from the week before would hold some water, that his knowledge of what was coming would somehow keep him aware of his surroundings.

There was one way to find out, as much as it made his stomach squirm, and the thought of doing so with Peter around was enough to propel Martin out of his chair and toward the cleaning closet.

He began to mop the main floor with a fervor. If Sasha was right and he managed to avoid getting sucked into a wall, Peter absolutely could not witness it. He would have to move fast, even if it scared the shit out of him. And really, was it so scary? It wasn’t something he remembered, and it never hurt him. Probably. He would at least feel pain if something had happened, right?

He had always been fine. A bit sore from lugging things up the stairs, but otherwise nothing had harmed him as far as he knew. What was he afraid of? A person that could watch him as he went about his work in a haze? Or the wall refusing to release him after he entered, trapping him without ever releasing his mind from-

Oh, no, his heart was racing, his hands shaking more by the second. Swallowing had become more difficult, dry throat and a tongue that felt three times too big. Martin walked toward the stairs, trying to keep water level in the mop bucket. The water level was the only evidence that he’d lost time, and he wasn’t going to do this without something to show for it.

Letting out a breath that sent shivers down his arms, Martin placed the mop down and took out his phone.

Martin: so im going upstairs now? to do the mop thing?

Martin: gonna try and use an old analog tape recorder like you all said. any final thoughts would be appreciated

He waited, growing more concerned by the second that he would get no answer, but finally someone responded.

Jon: Sounds like you’re all set. Be sure to send a message here once you’ve gotten back out again, or if you don’t go in at all.

Tim: yeah any situation where your feet are on solid ground really

Jon: You said before that Peter was around. Is it safe to assume he’s left?

Martin: ok will do. he’s not here now so im getting it over with so he wont see anything weird

Jon: Okay, good luck and let us know when you’re out.

Martin: thanks

Sasha: if things start to seem off, retreat back downstairs and call us immediately

Tim: ^^^

Martin: okay, talk to you all soon

Before Martin pocketed his phone, he saw Tim leaving a string of thumbs-up and broom emojis, and as he began up the stairs the occasional vibration in his pocket revealed that something was happening past his goodbye. It wouldn’t be good for the recording if he kept it on like that, but he had no intention of silencing the phone or the people on the other end. He clicked on the tape recorder, placed it in his pocket, and began his climb.

The bucket and mop were as unwieldy as ever, and for not the first time he thought about how nice an elevator would be for his knees before shaking his head. This was a time for focus. Drifting thoughts were a one-way ticket to lost time in a much more literal sense than usual.

He was walking up a rather repetitive staircase, but every once in a while there would be an imperfection that reminded him of where he was in space. A crack here, some chipped paint there. Looking around there were plenty of place markers. His feet were on stairs that were the same as they always were.

About a quarter of the way up, this method began to make his stomach flip. Once, he looked too far ahead, too much up. So he kept his eyes down. He’d been keeping to the inside of the stairs, but his gaze drifted too far and oh, no, another spiral leading down which was worse.

This building, he thought, didn’t appreciate him looking too hard. Fine. He could stay present without a visual anchor. There was still buzzing coming from his pocket, thought less often than before. At least they were still around. If anything happened, they would know quickly and be able to do something. Sure, he hadn’t seen them solve any problems yet, but there was enough confidence between the three of them that they had to have some level of competence.

Martin looked down at the bucket in his hand and held back a scream.

Instead, he hissed at the thing, “When?! We aren’t even halfway up! I let myself think for two seconds and- oh, dammit!” He dug into his pocket for the tape recorder, but it was nowhere to be found.

Martin turned toward the wall, any fear being quickly replaced by petty indignation. “Hey! I paid for that! You can’t just- as if you even need to pick my pockets when you’re a big, stupid voice recorder all on your own!”

Besides the echo of his own voice bouncing up and away from him (mocking him, probably) nothing bothered to respond. He had half a mind to toss the bucket and mop down the stairs for the sake of his aching arms, but he resumed his walk with a quickened pace. If Peter hadn’t come back yet, and it didn’t sound like he had, Martin would do something while he had the time.

At the top of the stairs, Martin opened up the group chat just long enough to type one message.

Martin: lighthouse stole my tape recorder

Then he stuffed the mobile away and made a beeline for the horrible machine he’d been faced with every day that week. His phone buzzed with incoming messages, the motion in his pocket slowly becoming more of a reassurance.

First, he took the time to look at it as a whole. The back couldn’t be reached with it pressed up against the inner wall. Did it make sense for it to be put there? Unsurprisingly, when he’d finally looked up how lighthouses were supposed to work, the panel itself was nowhere to be found as part of the process. What a surprise!

When he’d started the new order of button pushing that past Friday, he’d tried to listen for the mechanisms behind it, but he didn’t know enough about normal mechanics let alone whatever this was to make any judgments. He’d cursed himself then for not paying attention and asking more questions at the start, but there was no helping it.

Really, the fact that he’d been hired at all should’ve been a dead giveaway.

The dial that had once allowed Evan to speak was entirely cut out from the process, a disconnected thing that gave no feedback after being twisted. Did that mean the entire cause was lost? Or had its function been moved to another piece, or a series of pieces-

“Ah, Martin, thought I might find you up here.”

Martin was going to die.

It was a thought that came unbidden, the only clear thing in his head as he turned to find Peter Lukas climbing the last stair without a sound coming from his less than newly polished leather shoes. The soles should’ve made a clicking sound.

Peter looked at him and smiled. “Scared you, didn’t I? Always been told I have quiet feet.”

“Yeah, you did. Wasn’t very nice.” He couldn’t keep the slight shake out of his voice. His hand reached out and grasped the mop’s hand.

“Not for you maybe, but the look on your face is very funny.” The smile grew just a little more cheerful.

“Sure. Well, I’m-”

“Cleaning, right,” Peter said, pressing a hand to his forehead as if remembering something. “Glad to see the last smudges from them wiped away, if I’m honest. More people, more mess for you to clean up later.”

“I suppose, yeah. Need to clean anyway, though.” To emphasize his point, Martin began to clean the floor around and away from the panel. “Did you…”

“Oh, no, nothing really. Just wanted to check in a bit more after all the... disruption from before. And to make you jump a little. Need to make my own fun, sometimes. The week has been dreadful, Martin.”

And you’re spreading the feeling around. “Hm,” Martin replied, as dismissive and uninterested as he could muster.

Martin could hear the smile in Peter’s voice and knew he’d failed to dampen the man’s strange energy. “Yes, well, I’ll be off. When-” And then Peter was interrupted by a prolonged buzzing in Martin’s pocket. “Need to answer that?”

Shrugging, Martin continued to mop and kept his eyes to the ground. “Weird spam call, probably. Mum wouldn’t call my mobile.”

“Mm, good answer. Company time and all that.” With an odd stretching motion, Peter glanced out the window. “Oh, and what were you doing when I came up?”

“Stretches,” Martin replied abruptly. He coughed and evened out his voice. “The walk up is terrible.”

“And that’s why I have you do it for me!” Peter’s laugh came out rough and strangely quiet, a noise that settled under Martin’s skin. The old man’s face twisted into an unreadable smile, something that underneath the mirth felt like a taunt. “But enough of that. Don’t know if I’ll be back again today. And keep that thing quiet if you’re not expecting work calls. Nothing worse than being contacted from anywhere in the world at any time, truly.” The smile seemed to sink into a genuine, almost childlike frown, and Peter slinked back down the stairs without another sound.

After about five minutes of mopping, Martin released the hand and collapsed on the couch. Stupid, stupid, of course he would come right as he was about to fiddle with things.

The prolonged vibrations had ceased some minutes ago, and Martin finally opened the group chat to see what he’d missed. There were several messages from earlier in which Tim and the others had continued to chat. Then his message and general confusion and concern which Martin had expected. Finally, a missed call from Sasha, followed by a text.

Sasha: do we need to get over there?

Blinking, Martin considered the message. Was that an option?

Martin: no everything is over

Martin: peter came in, had to lie about it being a spam call

Jon: of course he did

Sasha: well, call when you think it’s safe

Tim: and maybe check your pockets

Immediately, Martin patted himself down, though nothing seemed amiss. His phone was of course still on him, and there was nothing new.

Martin: everything else is the same. the lighthouse wasnt nice enough to trade something for my tape recorder

Tim: :(

Jon: Sasha is right. We’ll do better if we talk over the phone later when you’re sure to be out of Lukas’ sight. Keep inventory of your things and call us when you can.

Hesitating for a moment, Martin looked down at the winding stairs.

Martin: if you had to get here how long would it take

Sasha: about two hours if i’m driving

Martin: right

Martin: okay. ill call you soon

--

The same conclusion was made as before, only moreso. Martin would keep his head down with exactly zero poking around. The lockscreen of his mobile would show no notifications to mitigate the risk of eavesdropping (what if his phone was stolen by his evil workplace?), and unless there was some sort of emergency no messages or calls were to be made during his work hours.

Peter certainly knew something was going on. There was no point in pretending otherwise. Martin would have to hope they were both committed to playacting their routine for as long as the others needed to get back and do something.

The thought dug a pit in his stomach. Pretending that everything was exactly the way it had been was just... being alone for most of the day. He’d enjoyed receiving random messages at work and the sudden movement in his pocket that meant someone was around. It was a normal thing for people, texting when they’re supposed to be working. Pity he’d mucked it up so fast.

Long after he’d prepared for sleep, Martin sat on his bed with mobile in hand. His contact list was so short that he didn’t even need to scroll to find Jon’s name. It was right under an old manager he’d never deleted from his contacts.

His thumb twitched over the call button. He wasn’t going to do it, but it was a nice thought. They’d already spoken at length today, with everyone showing enough concern that Martin had needed the alone time afterwards to breath.

That being said, enough time had passed for him to be itching for any conversation he could get, and he wanted to talk to Jon because he still didn’t quite get Sasha, and conversation with Tim tended to run short because Martin didn’t know how to keep things going after he’d dumped all of his grievances on the guy the week prior.

And he liked talking to Jon. And maybe it was because Martin understood a topic Jon cared deeply about, but Jon seemed to like talking to Martin, too.

There was no call that night, and he was out 20 pounds for that tape recorder from the resale shop.

[evolsinner]

⊱┊7

with the moment past {definitely not mentally}, i make my way to the lounge.

“hey, rosé?”

i see him seated on a 3 seat sofa.

a, i hope he didn’t see the way i shaved my hair down there into a love heart... b, he def saw my boobies!!

“y~yes, mr killian?”

“you hungry or something? i can order you some pizza.”

hell, i’m famished, can’t remember the last time i ate.

“no, aha…”

“you sure?”

“actually, yeah, i am, a little... sorry if that’s an inconvenience.”

“no, not at all! don’t be silly. i’m starving.”

i restrict a smile.

“here,” he shifts to the side, patting the middle seat, “make yourself comfortable. i’ll order some now.”

i place his hoody on the armrest and sit on the other end instead; don’t have it in me to sit right next to him. we would be like idk touching and whatnot. amongst the remote and his wallet, he grabs his phone from the middle seat, dialling a number.

“pineapple on pizza?” he faces me, holding the phone to his ear.

i fucking love pineapple on pizza.

“100%,” i reply confidently.

he grins.

i have just found my soulmate.

i admire how laid back he looks: his white untucked dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal thick veins and a dark tan, tie tossed on the table. is this how every male teacher looks after work?

‘cause, yummy!

“takeaway. one large vegetarian and one large hawaiian...with extra pineapple, please,” sir glances at me adorably. “cheers, sweetheart,” he hangs up after giving his number and address for the order. “should be here in 40 mins,” he informs me, “catch,” and tosses the remote at me. “pick a movie. make it a good one. i’m gonna go freshen up quickly.”

can i come?

-ˋˏ ༻🍷༺ ˎˊ-

i struggle to find a goddamn movie!

sir’s phone vibrates and i look across at it. why does that thing be buzzing and ringing all the time? i mean... hmm… i lean all the way back, peeping down the hallway. i listen to see if the shower is still on.

🚿pshhshhshhshhshhshh

oh good, it’s still on. i sneakily pick up his orange google pixel 4 xl mobile phone. okay, let’s see, what’s his passcode? says his pin contains at least four digits. hmm...

1 2 3 4

incorrect pin entered

4 3 2 1

incorrect pin entered

6 9 6 9

incorrect pin entered

his birth year, maybe?

1 9 8 1

incorrect pin entered

it’s definitely mine, then.

2 0 0 0

try again in 30 seconds

fuck, what is it?!

now i’m adamant.

a while later, i listen for the shower again. no sound. fuck me! i also haven’t even picked a movie yet! i grasp the remote and quickly flip through the movies. in ‘newly added’ a film that goes by the name ‘barefoot’ {2014} appears. this’ll do. i haphazardly click on it, put his phone back in the middle seat and swiftly bring my knees up on the sofa.

bathroom door opens and mr killian returns, setting himself down.

and ohhhh boy, oh jesus h. christ, he is wearing grey sweatpants. grey. sweatpants. oh my goddddddd!!!!

🎵dun da daaaaa! dunda dunda da dun dadada oo oo oooooo dun da da

i cringe, really should have skipped the first 10 mins or something.

sir looks at me with an amused expression, “just started?”

i nod, embarrassed.

then he cracks up a little, “how long did it take for you to pick a film?”

“i paused it, was waiting for you.”

“yeah?”

“yeah.”

“alrighty then,” he slumps down, letting me get away with the white lie. “this better be good or else you’re held accountable.”

the professional teacher’s vibe is disappearing and transforming into a perky one.

he’s wearing a loose t~shirt with long sleeves and it’s even rolled up. his hair is damp and floppy, making him so much more attractive. he runs his hands through it, flipping it back as the stray droplets of water roll down his neck. i would gladly lick them off for him if he doesn’t mind...

“why’s my phone locked for 60 minutes?”

“huh?” i snap out of my daydream.

“my phone, why’s it locked?”

*ding dong.*

“maybe...you put the wrong password in?”

“pretty sure i didn’t, and you’re the only other person in this house, no?”

*ding dong!*

“aha..ha,” i giggle nervously.

“does it look like i’m laughing?” he asks me condescendingly.

my smile disappears.

*ding dong! ding dong! ding dong! ding dong!*

“ight, i’m coming!!” sir shouts, grabbing his wallet. “..jesus christ, break my damn doorbell, will you..” he mutters under his breath angrily.

bit hot...

-ˋˏ ༻🍷༺ ˎˊ-

i only ate 2 slices of pizza so i wouldn’t look like a fat bitch in front of sir. he, however, didn’t even eat any. so much for being ‘starving’. he was just casually watching me eat. i could feel his eyes on me each time i took a bite and the odd olive or pineapple went rolling down into my lap. it was so awkward!

we’re halfway through the movie and i felt the need to say something because jay, the character, was such a jerk.

“i mean, it’s actually rather heartbreaking. daisy was locked away for most of, if not, her whole life. and now she is finally free, finally able to experience the pleasures of the real world. she put all of her trust in him and he abandoned her. that’s so not cool.”

as i’m analysing the film, i feel his eyes analysing me.

“well, you can’t blame him,” sir counterattacks. “jay had his own life, his own problems to deal with. she was just another added problem to that.”

“then he should’ve led her back to the hospital again instead of taking her on this joyride purely for his own greed.”

“remember, she chose to take part.”

“he was being selfish.”

“he was lending her a hand.”

“which is what ultimately made her fall in love with him in the first place,” i state like a full stop.

sir’s whole face just speaks wow. “so why didn’t you do my analysis homework then, huh?”

“because it’s boring,” i look him boldly in the eyes, his slicked back hair has me feelin’ oozy and woozy.

“oh, it’s boring?” he emphasises, raising his eyebrows. “is that so?”

“yup,” i purse my lips.

“what was it again?” he grabs my arm, pulling me into his lap. “‘boring’, did you say?”

i’m trying to escape and he’s trying to hold me still. gradually, our laughter dies out and we become aware, so much more aware.

“got some on your mouth,” he says in the heat of the moment, running his thumb over my bottom lip.

there was definitely no pizza sauce or whatever on my mouth, but i play my part. somehow, his thumb finds its way inside my mouth and i instinctively wrap my tongue around it. his green eyes glimmer like shiny marbles as he watches me

suck

on his

thumb.

i feel pressure underneath me, something building up in stiffness. i shift his hand away, glancing down and then back up again. his marble eyes, they just look at me. look through me.

no way in hell did i imagine this moment to actually happen. i mean, most of us girls had these insane crushes on teachers, but never did i think it’d unravel like this.

he firmly places his hand on my lower backside and pushes me closer to himself. “what, you scared now?” he whispers, dominance combined with confidence, topped off with lust.

i gulp, trying to sound brave, “and why would i be scared?”

“you should be,” he replies.

i am lost for words. this kind of intimidation is seductive. all i wanna do is kiss him! though i won’t make the same mistake of glancing at his lips twice.

he speaks in a soft tone, “has anyone ever told you how captivating your~”

“my eyes are?” i finish his cliché line off for him.

“...your lips,” he corrects, casting his gaze down at them.

i bite my bottom lip, flustered for acting like a smartass.

“you know, on some occasions, i’ve noticed that you bite your lip when you’re nervous. it’s cute,” he grins, “i like it more than i should,” and waits patiently for me to fall into his devilish trap.

believe me when i say i’m trying goddamn hard to not sink my teeth into my flesh! which is why i replace it with a mere innocent gulp.

“but on most occasions, you gulp,” he says as i’m gulping.

he removes the hair from my neck.

i get hella anxious, hella aroused so i..

“nuh~uh,” he shakes his head and pulls my bottom lip down with the pad of his thumb. “‘nough biting from you, sweetheart. those are mine to bite now.”

am i dreaming right now?

i try to reposition myself by moving a little back so that i’m not directly on him. as i do this, his erection rubs further into me and i slightly moan kinda too evidently. my eyes open super wide and i instantly shut my mouth. it surprises me that it doesn’t faze him one bit.

“your t~t~thing is p~poking me..” i gesture with my eyes to his manhood.

his orbs shine like someone has stabbed an apocalyptic emerald sunset multiple times. it’s glorifying. magical. the stuff dreams are made from. and instead, he pushes me further down onto his sculpture. he leans his head in, his mouth millimetres away from mine.

“and do you like it?” he questions seriously.

our noses touch, our lips brush...

“answer the question.”

“yes,” i squeak. “i like it.”

i try to remain as calm as possible, but it’s impossible due to the nerves causing havoc inside me, particularly the nerves between my thighs. i don’t know what to focus on. that mouth? his eyes? or down below...

“may i let something be known, luv?” sir requests politely.

i nod.

“i can see your tits...through that shirt...” he whispers sexily.

my breath hitches up.

kiss me! why won’t he kiss me? just fucking kiss me! shit, it’s impossible not to look. i give in and look at his lips. the corners curve slightly into a wayward grin. i see... he wants me to initiate it.

welp, sorry, no can do, mister.

he literally places my bottom lip between his teeth and lightly tugs at it, his breaths hitting my mouth like rose petals. this act is enormously enticing, but i know he’s teasing me.

my turn.

i purposely grind in his lap and he suppresses a hoarse groan. then he scoffs. very conceited. he’s so gonna lose. i keep my lips impossibly close to his for when he forfeits which should be right about...now.

he shakes his head smugly.

i frown, pouting.

he half~smiles adorably.

fine, i have a better idea. one he doesn’t see cumming coming.

i lift away the waistband of my borrowed sweatpants and grip his hand. his body automatically tenses up. i can feel him getting harder from just the thoughts i’m giving him. i bring his hand closer to me. he’s losing and it’s hella entertaining to watch.

unexpectedly, a phone goes off and i jump in fright. i rapidly get off him and he returns to his usual, rigid ways. he aggressively clears his throat before answering that stupid device.

whilst pacing up and down and holding his forehead, he stares at me intently like i’m that fucking maths problem again!

[god7072therescue]

Mysme Fluff Week 2020 Day 3/ Household Chores

Hello everyone!! I know its been a loooong while, but I am wanting to dip my toes back into writing and reviving this blog! I thought the perfect way to do this is to contribute to the amazing fluff of @mmfluffweek. We all need this right now, right? So here is one of my contributions to this hella cool project! 

The fic is about Zen cleaning his apartment when MC is about to move in. Hope You guys like it! 

You can find my master list here! 

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Zen wore a large grin on his face as he stared at the time on his cell phone. It was almost midnight, early in the evening for him. A picture of MC and himself holding one another in a playful embrace let out a bright light among the dark space around him. He watched a minute pass before he turned his phone off and leaned back into his chair with a content sigh. 

Tomorrow was finally the day MC would be moving into his apartment. Not just staying the night, nor staying for a weekend, but actually living with him. She would never have to pry herself away from his too tight hugs when she would have to return home again. The thought made Zen feel giddy, almost like he was back in high school reading through theater scripts for the first time. 

His eyes scanned over the apartment, trying to imagine the little touches she would add as she made herself at home. How many of her paintings would she hang on the walls? How much of his and her stuff would have to be put in storage so the two could live in a harmonious space? Whatever the answer was, he knew it would be the best because MC would finally be living with him. This would become their home. 

However, the longer Zen inspected the apartment, he began to notice some aspects that would need to change when MC arrived. Has his place always been this messy? There were empty beer cans laying on the ground along with sheet mask wrappers from the nights before. Were those crumbs on the carpet always there when MC stayed over? Dust was on almost every surface, especially on his dinosaur of a computer. Would he finally be able to get rid of his outdated computer? MC had jokingly mentioned that she would be bringing her PC with her to replace Zen’s relic of a computer. He pouted playfully at the time but was secretly relieved because damn the thing was terribly slow. 

A rising feeling of urgency began to rush through him. Did he expect his jagiya to come live in this? This environment was no place for MC! MC deserved to arrive to a spotless apartment to create her new home with him. He called her his princess on a daily basis, but this new palace is definitely not worthy of her. As he pondered the thought longer, he came to wonder how in the hell MC dealt with this constantly cluttered space. He could use his busy lifestyle as an excuse, but MC was just as busy as he was and still managed to keep her apartment decent at least. 

Zen sprung to his feet in a slight panic as he realized just how little time he had to clean the apartment before her early morning arrival. If he worked efficiently and effectively, he could manage to make the apartment bearable. This meant Zen could not afford to find items he thought were lost and stand around to reminisce about them. He threw his ivory hair into a ponytail as he began to make a mental list of what to focus on first.

Thus, began the long evening of Zen’s cleaning journey. His journey consisted of and is not limited to: 

Making a valiant effort to avoid nostalgia but failing miserably every time he would find a lost photo or ticket stub 

Wondering how one man could consume so much beer in a short amount of time

Quickly throwing out cigarette boxes found in mysterious places

Being amazed at how much of his and MC’s hair was found lying around 

Throwing out all of his sauces because they were expired

Hastily washing, drying, and folding laundry 

Putting the dinosaur computer out of its misery 

Creating a coin jar for all of the loose change he found

Cursing Yoosung for the amount of potato chip bags and crumbs under the cushion of the couch

Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming in a near sprint

Tripping over the vacuum cord multiple times 

The bathroom

By the time Zen considered his cleaning activities dealt with, he collapsed into clean bedsheets at 5:00 AM. He was startled awake by a loud knock on his apartment door. The sudden, loud noise caused him to jolt out of bed with a loud curse. “Hyun? Are you awake?” The familiar voice soothed the panic in Zen’s chest. It was his MC at the door, waiting to be let in one last time before she had a key of her very own. Just the thought of it brought a lopsided smile to Zen’s face. “Give me a moment, jagiya!” He had his teeth brushed, deodorant on, and a baseball cap on his head in record time before he greeted his jagiya. He laughed lightly when he heard the light pings of a mobile rhythm game MC had played around him a good bit. When he opened the door, he reveled in the sight of her angelic face scrunched up in determination. “Now you give me a moment, “She muttered in sheer concentration, “I’m about to beat this level.” He leaned against the doorway as he watched her. She looked ready to put in some work based on the outfit she chose for the day. Her hair was thrown under a baseball cap, an old paint stained T-shirt he’d seen her take naps in, and a pair of his old grey sweatpants she took from him early in their relationship had never looked so beautiful on her. MC let out a soft “yes” in victory then quickly put her phone in her pocket. Her eyes looked joyous when she lifted her head to speak with him, but they quickly turned concerned when she saw the dark circles under Zen’s eyes. “Zenny, did you get any sleep last night?” She brought her hand up to softly cup his cheek, “You look exhausted.” Zen was caught up peering deeply into the depths of her warm eyes before giving MC a sheepish smile, “I was too excited to sleep.” That was not a lie. He just didn’t want to tell her he spent the entire night frantically cleaning. Her face was slightly flushed in worry, but all of the cleaning he had done the night before was all worth it. Her being happy and comfortable was what mattered most to him. Losing a few hours of sleep was a small price to pay.

His eyes roamed over her face to memorize exactly how she looked before him. This was an important milestone for the two of them, he wanted to make sure he captured the moment. Maybe they could take a picture as a memento if she was not too tired after this.

Over the course of their relationship, Zen wondered if she could get anymore beautiful with each passing day. Today was not an exception. Her face was bare, probably because she knew she would be sweating during the day. She had always been self-conscious without make up, but he could not understand why. She was stunning regardless. He had always told her he would find his jagiya gorgeous whether she wore makeup or not. She looked at him with a glowering expression before standing on her tiptoes to give him a quick peck on the lips. The feeling of her soft lips caused him to lose his train of thought for a moment, so much so, he missed the bill of her baseball cap forcing his own to fall off of his head. She giggled as she leaned back to see his bed head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.” The timbre of her voice was playful as she picked up his hat for him. She handed it back with a content sigh. The look on her face was one he recognized from their time together. This relaxed expression was what she wore when she was curled up on the couch reading her favorite book with a lit candle on the nightstand beside her. This expression meant she felt comfortable. At home. 

He took the hat from her gently and placed it back on his head. A newfound energy was flowing through him as he looked down at her serene, beautiful face. He was ready to experience the scenarios he had imagined of her making a place in his home and it looked like she was too. “You ready to start our little adventure, jagiya?” He held out his hand to her as he pushed himself from the doorframe. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it lightly, almost in an unspoken promise. “I’ve been looking forward to this for months, Hyun.” 

Hearing his name from her lips filled his chest with pride as he began to lead them down the hallway. “Then let’s make it happen, jagiya.” 

With the combined determination of the couple, they were able to move all of her belongings into the apartment by late afternoon. Zen made a point to carry as many boxes as he could to show MC how strong her prince is. He also didn’t want her to overexert herself; his princess deserved to be taken care of. 

Now thoroughly exhausted, Zen sat on the couch as he watched MC unpack her belongings while humming to herself. Little trinkets she had collected over the years were piling up on Zen’s coffee table as she organized them by which room they would be in. She looked as if she was already at home. The domestic aura was enough for him to let his mind wander towards the future. Is this what having a family meant?

MC had always had this effect on him, no matter where they were or what they were doing. He didn’t feel the constant need to defend and fight for the right to be loved as he did when he lived with his parents. Since the beginning, MC had always supported Zen and made him feel valued. Hell, after one week she had made him feel more loved than he had ever felt in his life.

This milestone felt like a second chance at finding and building his own family with her. 

He was pulled from his thoughts when MC plopped on the couch beside him, pulled her legs underneath her, and leaned into his side. She rested her head on his shoulder as he immediately placed his arm around her. 

“Did you clean the apartment for me, Hyun?” Her voice was laced with appreciation as she lifted her head slightly so she could study his face. 

His cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment as he pulled her closer to him. “Well of course, jagiya, my princess deserves the absolute best.” She kissed his cheek before nestling her head back on his shoulder. “It looks wonderful, Hyun. Thank you.” He felt her relax into his side as she looked around the apartment herself. There were still many boxes that needed to be unpacked and almost all of the rooms needed to be rearranged, but they both knew it would all be worth it in the end. 

She took his hand in hers and began to idly stroke the inside of his palm. The feeling of her fingers grazing against his skin brought him a sense of peace. He made a soft noise of approval and placed a small kiss on the top of her head. This was exactly what Zen imagined every day since the two had started dating. Just the two of them enjoying each other’s presence, not thinking of when one would have to leave the other. 

“Let’s have a relaxing night tonight, Hyun,” MC said in a tranquil voice, “The boxes will be here tomorrow.” Zen’s heart melted at her suggestion. “That sounds absolutely perfect, MC.” The evening consisted of face masks, take out, massages, and a movie marathon before the two dozed off in the each other’s arms on the couch. Just as Zen was dozing off, thoughts of MC feeling like home drifted through his mind.

[foxfever241]

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[kwrittink]

Hidden Third Party 2.2

Pairing: (on this) Park Jimin x Jeon Jungkook x F!Reader

Genre: Smut 

Warnings: sexting, language, explicit descriptions of preliminars, m/m, voyeur, phone sex

<2.1                                                        mmlist

Your mouth was watering at the sight in front of you. When your boyfriend called you earlier that afternoon, you've never thought that he had that going on. And here I have something I wanted to show him... Well, I don't think Jungkook will mind so much either so...

"Aw babe, Jungkook looks hot, why don't you make him more comfortable? He's in his own house after all," you grinned at the younger's flushed face, while Jimin only hummed in agreement, a small smile on his lips as he glanced to the boy, asking for permission while fingertips played with the hemp of his shirt. "Right, Kookie?"

"Y-yeah, I feel a little... Stuffy." His stammering voice made your grin widen and having the consent for doing so, Jimin slowly rose the white over-sized tee and you eagerly took in the sight revealed to your eyes.

His skin looked soft, but at the same time, the muscles were noticeable on his lean form, making you envy your boyfriend for being able to get his hands on that first. You knew for a fact that Jungkook hit the gym pretty often, and the light tan of his skin denounced he also spent some time on Busan's beach, from where he - and Jimin for that matter - came from.

"Lift your arms for me, baby," Jimin asked in a low voice and if you weren't paying attention you'd miss the shudder it coaxed from the other as he obliged to the request. You watched the satisfaction in Jimin's face to see the younger's reaction and how pliant he was and bit your lip to suppress a snicker. Mirroring his actions, you also eased yourself out of your top, exposing your cute black bralette to their eager eyes.

"Hm, what's with that look you guys have there?" You asked as the men from the other side of the screen stared at your less clothed figure with hungry and eager eyes. It was so damn good for your ego you had to admit, it made your skin buzz as if they were really touching you.

"That one's new... She looks good right?" Jimin retorted, teeth going to nip at Jungkook's neck, eyes not leaving your form. The brunet gasped, eyes hooded as he nodded discreetly, fingers tightening their hold on the other's thighs and a very noticeable twitch from his clothed bulge.

"Wait till you see the other new stuff I bought for you then," you winked at both and saw your boyfriend's eyebrow quirk up. "But please go on, I'm enjoying this."

At the urging Jimin bit his lip and smiled, probably noticing how eager you really were about that action that was, unfortunately, happening so far from your fingertips. He turned his head to look at the slightly heaving Jungkook, hands resting on his shoulders. "Can I keep going?"

Jungkook nodded and breathed out shakily at the feeling of Jimin's palms running down his sides and you followed the movements till they reached his thighs then up, fingertips skimming their way up. "Shi- Too sensitive," he was quick to warn the blond as his fingers took hold of both nipples and softly tugged at them hard enough to knock out the air of his lungs. "I might cum, don't pl-" you watched the boy heave, face reddening with eyes pressed shut strongly and hips buckling up. The glint on Jimin's eyes as he halted his movements told you his ego was really well-fed. You on the other hand almost felt the boy's desperation, hands going to grab at your still clothed breasts. He's really a treat, isn't he?

"Tell me what you want me to do then," your boyfriend's voice dropped an octave, even the satori accent he avoided so much getting the best of him and in your honest opinion, making everything even sexier. At that, Jungkook's gaped mouth trembled, unable to convey what he wanted but you realized that his eyes were trained to Jimin's lips and grinned.

"Kiss him, babe. His lips seem a little dry..." voice low, you tilted your head at them and saw how alarmed the younger looked after the suggestion. "Don't worry Kook, I know how you feel. Once you have a taste..." You trailed off, smiling reassuringly at him.

"You're spoiling him already baby?" A wink was thrown your way as your lover slid from the boy's back and sat by his side, but before you could retort anything Jungkook was grabbed by the nape and their lips crashed, a low hum leaving Jimin and Jungkook held onto the other's shoulders. You gasped softly, fingers touching your lips while watching their movements.

Jimin seemed a little impatient and hot, getting rid of his own shirt quickly then hands grabbing at the boy's thighs and yanking him closer, one of his palms caressing softly over the straining bulge. Jungkook groaned against plump lips, going as far as to bite at your boyfriend's lower lip. It was incredible to see them lost in themselves like that.

Fired up by that Jimin grasped the waistband of the boy's sweatpants harshly, pulling them down with the underwear in a swift movement. Jungkook's cock sprung free and bobbed slightly under your eager gazes, him throwing his head back and breathing relieved at being finally freed from the constraining clothes, and both of you hummed in awe at his glistening tip, causing a blush to paint his cheeks at the given attention.

"Please don't just look at it," Jungkook practically whimpered, arm going to cover his face as he leaned back into the couch. "T-touch me please..." The muttered beg behind the arm was barely heard and caused you and your partner to smile at his desperation.

Jimin went to pull his arm away, a soft look on his face. "Won't you cum soon then?" He asked, hand caressing the side of the other's face with care. The shifting of his pace was almost disorientating, the sudden harshness replaced by sweetness, his main asset, only seducing one further. That was one of the things you loved the most about him.

"But Kookie can keep going after that, don't you?" You piped in, his eyes immediately flickering to you looking a little helpless but nodding nonetheless "I remember you did that night."

"You like torturing yourself huh?" Jimin scoffed, palm pressing to the younger's chest and running up tantalizingly to his neck. Unconsciously your fingers inched closer to your throat too, breath hitching.

Jungkook's adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed audibly at the sight, glance going back to Jimin which smile grew by the second. "Yeah, I guess..."

"Yoongi would love to have you then." The blond chuckled softly making Jungkook shudder harshly, mind racing with possibilities. He probably had no idea to what extent that could go, but surely the sole idea of watching Yoongi take care of him made you whimper softly. "Lucky for you, I'm not that mean."

With that, Jimin took hold of his angry cock, and the moan that left Jungkook's lips went straight to your core, which you unconsciously cupped, writhing on your knees with eyes trained at the sight. But because your boyfriend was very good at what he did, his ears picked up the little noise you made almost instantly, eyes shooting towards you and a smirk growing on his lips.

"Have a look Kookie, she's getting wet from watching us getting off, such a dirty girl... All flustered from seeing her boyfriend playing with their little neighbor," he started teasing, wrist flicking slowly up and down the boy's shaft and him peeking over to you, eyes glossy and breath hitched.

"I'm just really bummed I can't be with you guys in person... We'd be having lots of fun..." You made a point to then slide your shorts off, sitting on the bed and spreading your legs, clothed core on display. The lace of your panties felt damp and was starting to feel sticky, but you waited to take them off, help tease Jungkook a little more even if you knew he wasn't far from cumming.

"Yeah? Bet you'd have him inside already, right?" At the same time, you were glad that there was a huge distance between you and them, or else he'd drive you to desperation with the need to be filled. Not that I don't want it, but maybe the fact that they're not at immediate reach keeps my head more leveled.

Fingers moving to your mouth you hummed, a sly smile playing on your lips. "I'd like to put him in my mouth first thought, suck till he's writhing under me," then licking the tip of your middle and ring finger, you were met with Jimin's predatory stare, grip getting slightly tighter and strokes quicker on Jungkook's dick.

"Fuck," Hips bucking against Jimin's palm, you watched as a bead of arousal leaked from his tip, being squeezed slightly as fingers got closer to the head. "C-close sto-" Jungkook's hand shot to grab your boyfriend's wrist, halting his movements urgently.

"You don't wanna cum?" Your boyfriend inquired with a little surprise, eyebrows shooting up and hand hovering the throbbing shaft.

Jungkook breathed out slowly, calming himself down, fingers running through his hair and messing it up. "Wanna cum but not now," explained, cheeks flaring. Jimin hummed thoughtfully. You noticed how his jeans seemed that much tighter on the crotch area, and wondered if he wasn't dying to be freed. But the thing with Jimin was that his self-control was legendary.

"Should we edge you then?"

The proposal made you gasp silently and the youngest' mouth gaped open, some seconds of pause before he was able to answer. "Y-yeah. Please." You smiled at the mix of shame and need his eyes held, all the while the taste for being pushed. Yeah, Yoongi would really like him.

The blond seemed to be thinking the same, since his eyes glanced to your figure with a sly smile, before getting up almost abruptly and picking the mobile from the table.

"Well then maybe we should take this to the bedroom, where we can be more... Comfortable hm?" Jimin proposed, and you could see his face as a grin spread on his lips, the silent instruction pointed out with a quirk to the brow.

Quickly, Jungkook scrambled to the hallway as Jimin started moving, and your boyfriend was kind enough to turn the camera towards the boy, that desperately tucked himself back to the pants, hair mussed and shirt bunched in one hand as he padded hurriedly back to the bedroom.

"Don't even know why you bothered Kookie," Jimin sighed, walking inside the boy's quarters and searching for the perfect place to set the phone, so you could have a good view. "I want those off anyway." He smiled at you, setting the phone on the nightstand. Jungkook froze by the edge of the bed, probably unsure if that was an order or not. Your boyfriend turned to him confidently pulling his shirt off, a sign that he really did mean what he said.

Swallowing dryly Jungkook only mimicked the man in front of him and you bit your lip when his torso was once again revealed to your thirsty eyes, muscles tense with nerves. Seeming to be pleased, Jimin got on the bed and set himself with open legs, back against the headboard, and patted at the space between his thighs.

"C'mere Kookie," he instructed, and you saw Jungkook take a second to oblige, suddenly distracted with the sight of that man spread on his bed, and you understood him completely. As the boy climbed the mattress, under the gaze of your smirking boyfriend you knew that the whole thing would be wrecking for Jungkook. Silently, you hoped he survived till the end of that relentless teasing session he was about to experience. "Take those off and kneel on the bed."

The specific order didn't give room for questioning, nor much hesitation, though it didn't have the commanding tone one would think it had. It was almost as if Jimin was choreographing a dance, setting each person to their respective place.

"You too should follow suit love," he turned his gaze to you, snapping you from the observing persona to acting according to his instructions. "We want things to be fair and square right?" Beautiful and synchronized, that's how Park Jimin did things. As he said, it was only fair you mirrored his actions and were certain that your boyfriend already had the whole image in his head, what would happen. You were eager to know what he had in mind.

With a swift motion, you took off the lacy bralette, cupping your breasts and bouncing them playfully. "Satisfied?" You asked, eyebrows quirking up with a coy smile, his pleased hum matching the glint of his eyes gazing at your image from the other side of the phone.

"You're a step late, but I'll excuse that for now," he snickered a second later, turning to the wide-eyed boy beside him, jaw slack and short of breath. "Tell me what you see, Jungkook."

"B-breasts," he blurted, gaze turning to Jimin to confirm that what he was seeing was true, that he was allowed to look at your half-naked body.  Jimin smiled at him with a small nod, inching closer to the boy with the similarity of a predator circling his prey. You watched as Jungkook visibly shuddered, right before your boyfriend's naked chest pressed to his back, lids trembling at the contrast of temperature. "Fuck."

"You'd like to fuck them as well?" Jimin asked, a playful lilt to his tone, knowing quite well that wasn't what he meant, but the mental image would be enticing anyways. You and your beloved had the certainty that Jungkook was someone that could rely solely on external stimulation to cum, physical aid barely necessary to set him off. A diamond on the rough, to put in fewer words. And Jimin would be exploring that aspect for his entertainment extensively, you were sure.

As the younger boy spluttered to answer, you took the opportunity to make your own moves, planned to overall tease Jimin and put a new pace to the whole play, stimulate him to perhaps move fasted with things. Test his self-control, in a way.

"Say it, Kook. It's okay, I also look at Y/N's boobs and think... Fuck," he said, your boyfriend's breath leaving his lungs all at once at the sight in front of him because while he was whispering to Jungkook about the things they could do to your body, the opportunity to pick up a toy from the floor at the side of the bed made you display fully your glistening core to both of them, and the pretty, smooth circle of black plastic that was the base of your newly bought ass plug. You had butterflies in your stomach, showing them the improvement, more so to Jimin, that knew exactly what you meant by that.

"Wow," was what the younger managed, while Jimin could only look at you with the most lustful stare he could muster in a while, hand unconsciously going to palm at his probably throbbing dick. You giggled, sitting back in place, a small vibrating wand in your hands.

"I take those reactions were good?"

"You're so going to get it, Y/N." his tone was heavily laced with lust, and thought you knew the vision he had of you was exciting, Jimin practically growling into his ear and cock probably touching the skin of his back was extremely distracting, You could even see the boy's mind shortcut, dick pulsating and leaking, completely untouched.

"Jungkook can face your wrath this time," you winked, sitting back and casually spreading your legs, wand still off sliding through your skin tantalizingly. "I'll be over here enjoying the view."

Jimin scoffed, startling Jungkook and further, when his free hand cautiously wrapped around his jaw from the back, pulling the boy's head back slightly. Your boyfriend's eyes never left yours as he pressed his full, plump lips to the throat, the sound of a delicious kiss echoing through the tiny speakers of the phone. "You want me to wreck this boy," he affirmed, and not even biting your lip could conceal the smile growing on your face at Jimin's demeanor.

Jungkook cursed under his breath at Jimin's actions, swallowing hard afterward. "I feel like I'm in trouble..." he tried to speak, voice trembling with nervousness, though he couldn't even be more excited at that point.  Your boyfriend chuckled, moving upwards to look him in the eyes, hooded stare that had the younger man practically melting on his fingers.

"Not if you don't want to," he pointed out, a reminder that Jungkook could, at any moment, ask out of the situation. But, even from your side of the screen, you could see that was far from happening, more so when the other man's lips molded over Jungkook's so softly it made him hum, cock twitching in front of the screen.

You could only watch as Jimin deepened the kiss, his tongue clearly slipping between Jungkook's lips and laving at his, the hand once holding the boy's jaw sliding down to his throat and downwards, eager to please and draw more of the little sounds you could barely hear over the phone. It made you salivate, one hand mimicking the gesture on your body, the other bringing the smooth black toy still turned off to your lips.

Parting their lips for a second, they looked over your figure, your boyfriend's dark, lustful stare contrasting with Jungkook's dazed one, making a chill run down your spine.

"Turn it on," Jimin demanded in a low voice, and your fingers trembled before finding the switch, sliding it one level up. The piece hummed low in your grasp, as you looked over to the screen, waiting for another order. Your boyfriend smirked, pressing a small kiss to the corner of Jungkook's lips, eyes never leaving you. "Good. Now, tell me how you like me touching you."

Biting your lower lip, you tilted your head, wondering what he was going to do to the young, eager man in his grasp, his hooded eyes waiting for what was about to come with hidden eagerness.

"I like it when you grab my neck like this," you started, fingers wrapping around your throat softly, tilting your chin upwards, looking to the screen under your lashes and smirking upon seeing Jimin mimick your moves just a beat late, his thumb tucking under Jungkook's chin to prop it up slightly, a quirked eyebrow towards you, mentally nudging you to keep going. "And suck at my earlobe, gets me instantly wet baby." To make your point clear, the toy was dropped on the bed to free your other hand, pinching at your ear, even if it didn't have the same effect of that devil running the tip of his tongue to the shell of your ear, only to capture your lobe with his teeth at first, then suckling at it as if he meant to show you what he wanted to do to other parts of your body.

And upon seeing your cute neighbor's eyes flutter close at the mirrored ministrations, you felt a little jealousy, nothing too bad. Maybe Jimin would have a hard - pun definitely intended - time when you got back. "You know this," he piped, and you watched Jungkook's cock twitch, glued to his navel at his partner's voice, the teasing drawing a bead of precum from the boy's tip. "It's just to get you thinking where else I can do that as well, right?"

"I'm sure our Kookie is thinking the same as well, huh?" you quipped, calling the attention of the man leaning onto Jimin's hold, who looked like he was starting to get trouble breathing, glazed eyes staring back as he softly nodded. You smiled. "Which brings me to the next location,"

And with that you picked up the ignored toy, still vibrating in its lowest setting, bringing it to your chest. "Mine are not as sensitive as little Jungkook, so don't be as rough babe," you warned beforehand, having Jimin mock-pouting at the other side. "But I really miss your lips around my nipples, love."

"Or my tongue, for that matter," he shot back, head leaning to press pecks in a random pattern on the other's chest, the hand at the opposite side of his body sneaking around the torso, fingertips running over a peaked nipple. Jungkook heaved at the stronger stimuli, throwing his head back for a moment before looking down at Jimin, watching as his lips wrapped around the neglected sensitive point with a strong shudder.

You hummed, circling your aureolas with the vibrating toy, pulling and pinching at it while watching your boyfriend play with Jungkook. From the corner of his eye, Jimin observed and copied the moves, and not even biting his lower lip was enough for Jungkook to conceal the sounds that were leaving him.

"Hnng that's so good," gasping, Jungkook swallowed a moan as Jimin ran his teeth over his hard nerve ending, whole body spasming, arms giving up from trying to hold his torso, making him just lean into the headboard behind, back arched and chest puffed to meet the other's lips eagerly.

"He is, isn't he?" You whispered from the other side, your core throbbing at the scene in front of you, nails running down your chest to your navel, hand gripping the toy playing around the inside of your thighs. You felt drenched, even if completely untouched, starved to see what would happen next, even though you had control of their bodies. It was clear you were extremely turned on by seeing your boyfriend with another man, that particular innocent, inexperienced type as well.

Still in the back of your mind, it made you wonder how the whole thing played out at that time with Yoongi...

Jungkook moaned gutturally as Jimin repeated your actions, dull nails trailing down to just above the boy's painful erection, both pair of eyes waiting to know the next move. Smiling, you felt like putting Jungkook out of his misery, but before you could rise the vibrator to your center, your neighbor sat up, alarming the both of you, Jimin's hands leaving his body completely.

"Ah, I-" he started, out of breath, glossy eyes, and you thought the worst, eyes flying to your boyfriend's figure, that seemed to be as panicked as you, eyes wide and paralyzed. "I have a question..."

You swallowed hard, suddenly feeling cold. It was fine if he wanted to give up, though you'd feel bad if he was going to be traumatized by what happened. "Sure, what's the matter?" You asked, your heart beating a mile a minute.

And the way Jungkook hesitated to speak only made you two more nervous, anything that he could possibly say running through your head as he looked down as if looking for the right words.

"Can I touch him too?" Or most of what he could say. At your silence, he turned to Jimin, which words didn't reach him quickly enough, his stupor still visible. "I m-mean, you've been hard for a while as well, so I was just wondering if..." His voice died out as he saw that there was no reaction at first and got shy for the words that left his mouth, or what they entailed.

You snorted, Jimin sighed heavily by the other side, shoulders relaxing. "You might have scared the boner from me by stopping so abruptly, but sure, just give it a minute," he joked, making your attention turn to where his dick was slightly softer, resting over his thigh. The younger looked confused for a minute, wheels on his head working to understand what the older meant by it, face blushing as he figured a little later.

"I-I'm sorry for that, I didn't want to- I just... Yeah no, I'm totally here, onboard for this!" he decided to explain, to which Jimin and you laughed at his reassurance.

"You're just too cute Kookie," you stated, shaking your head a little, finally at ease again. "And just to clear up, don't feel obligated to do anything because we're playing, as Jimin said, you call the shots, baby."

Jimin cleared his throat, signaling that he had something to say. "And on that note, if we're going to do this," the blond smirked mischievously, one hand running through his locks seductively. "By this point, we're going to follow Jungkook's pace. Meaning that we just stop when he stops. Sounds good?" he pointedly looked at both of you, a soft nod on your side, a grin from the eager boy.

There was a moment of silence before Jungkook understood that he was the one that had to move first, and he was about to touch himself before he realized that he himself had previously asked to touch Jimin. You bit your lower lip, watching as he turned to the older man, that had changed to kneeling on the mattress, cock once more at full standing after giving you a once-over.

"As we said, you can do whatev- Ah," Jimin was about to start another reassuring phrase, missing the resolve in Jungkook's eyes as he extended his arm, fingers wrapping around your boyfriend's length firmly. "Dude I could do with a little warning." The older gasped, as the other gave him the experimental rub. Jungkook gave him a sheepish smile, the expression dissolving immediately as Jimin took hold of his cock, still slippery by the amount of precum there drooled from his tip.

As you pressed the toy to your folds, you realized that positioning yourself as your boyfriend did was a mistake, your thighs already trembling from being aroused for so long. Jungkook picked up the little moans, eyes boing into your image, throbbing in Jimin's hand.

"You feel like you're very close already Kook," You pointed out, having the one addressed swallow hard and shake his head, to what you quirked a brow, slightly defiant. To make a point of what he was saying, Jungkook sped up his pace on Jimin's cock, making the other hiss in response, also tightening his hold as speeding on retaliation.

But to your surprise, the younger one wouldn't cum so soon, as you hoped and expected him to. Took him a good ten minutes to give signs of not holding it much longer, and you were relieved to see he was close, Jimin practically eating the pheromones he was giving off, right behind him, even with a foreign touch spurring him on. Maybe even more because of that, Jungkook's touch seeming to be really skilled.

You had fooled both playing with the slower setting the whole time, but even that was hard to hold for long, mainly when everything you wanted was right in front of you, but the real thing was kilometers away. Scooted back, you were supporting yourself with one arm in front of you, hips rocking into the toy secured by your other hand, mouth hanging open and gasping. Jimin looked over you, throwing his head backward right after with a grunt.

"G- Guys, I think I'm going to-"

"Oh, fucking finally-"

"Yes please, cum for me Kook," The two of you spoke at the same time at the boy's announcement, even making hiM smile through a gasp.

But sure enough, he stuttered his final words, after Jimin had half a mind to focus his movements mainly at the head of the younger's cock making his breathing hitch, and even the hand once doing a great job for the other's relief stilled as Jungkook's eyes rolled back, ribbons of cum spilling from his tip and all over your man's hand.

You could barely watch it, foggy eyes as you let yourself cum, squeezing around air and needing to be immediately filled, Jimin's name being quietly moaned as you trembled, enough teasing for your boyfriend to pump himself a couple more times and cum, trying as much as possible to not stain Jungkook with his release.

"Ji-Jimin, can't-" Said boy gasped, hip rolling back to escape the older's touch, eyes starting to get teary as the overstimulation started to play. "Came too hard, I can't- I can't keep going, please!"

After Jungkook finally got out what he wanted to say, Jimin removed his hand from his flushed cock, and you sighed in relief turning the toy off as you noticed him relax into the headboard, hair completely stuck to his forehead, blissed expression in his fucked-out state.

Jimin sighed, throwing you a quick smile before turning to your neighbor and leaning to peck his lips. "Okay baby," he started, having the other peek his eyes open at the pet name. "But next time I won't be so lenient, I know what you can do."

You chuckled upon seeing Jungkook's eyes widen at the half-hearted threat, Jimin giggling as he petted the other's head.

"Now you miss," he then turned to look at you again, a playful squint your way. "We're going to talk about your little surprise once you get here." He pointed, and you grinned.

You couldn't wait.

[act-addict-actors-matchups]

❀ ｡˚ Taichi Nanao x F! Reader┆What The Heck I Gotta Do

1.6K Words ⋯ Sorry, there isn’t any ‘read more’ option. I’m on mobile. 😔

Sighing, Taichi rested his head in the palm of his hand, eyes gazing dreamily at the back of your head.

Wait, was that weird?

Bright blue eyes darted back down to the mindless notes he'd been taking on and off during the lesson. What class was this again? Maybe he should've paid more attention, because his notes didn't give him any hints. The entire paper was basically just one big ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Sighing again, Taichi looked up, trying to pay attention to what the teacher was saying instead of wondering what you were thinking.

'She can probably feel you staring at her, idiot! Don't be weird!' he scolded himself, face reddening just the slightest. Could anyone really blame him for staring though?

Not only were you the one of the regular audiences and pretty much befriended everyone in the company but you just so happened to be a classmate of his as well! The fact that Taichi found you the most beautiful person he had ever met didn't help either.

Needless to say he switched seats so that you sat in front of him, sharing little conversations with you whenever the opportunity presented itself. He even got to eat lunch with you!

Now by no means was Taichi a prideful person, but he had to admit he harbored a faint smugness over being the only member able to interact with you inside and outside of the classroom. Aside from Tenma and Juza, the others could only talk to you through the chatrooms, via phone calls and messages or whenever you decide to visit the dorms, but he was able to see you face-to-face five days a week without a miss and he felt closer to you because of it.

What drew him to you in the first place? True, your personality shared a faint resemblance to his first crush’s, but there was something different about you, something that made his heart swell and flutter like a lovestruck schoolgirl's. You were so mature and kind, diligent in your work, not to mention strong and serious when the situation required it. As time went on and he grew closer and closer to you, he found it wasn't hard to fall in love with you.

There was only one problem. He had no idea if you felt the same.

When the other members of the company flirted with you, you responded in kind, but that was just being playful, right? It didn't really mean anything, right?

Whenever Kazunari in particular openly flirted with you, Taichi couldn't help but feel all tingly and wrong inside, the urge to draw you away from the tall, handsome blonde making his hands clench. He wanted to think you showed a special interest in him, but he had no way to know for sure.

Except...

The beginnings of an idea began to take shape in his mind, an idea that could end in extreme awkwardness or charming success.

Pulling out his phone, Taichi made sure to keep the device safely out of view beneath the desk, hiding it from any prying eyes. His fingers seemed to move on their own, typing out a message he probably should've checked before sending. When his brain finally did catch up and register the words he'd written, his heart dropped into his stomach, a small gasp escaping his lips.

"What the heck I gotta do to be with you?"

Followed by:

"Who do I have to be for you to be with me?"

'What are you thinking?! How cheesy can you be?!' Red haired boy screamed internally, his horror growing as he saw you pull your phone out of your school bag, it's screen illuminated with a new notification.

Gluing his eyes to his notes, he tried to act like nothing happened, hastily scribbling whatever the teacher was saying. A few seconds later his phone vibrated with your reply and he couldn't disguise his fervor as he answered it, dread and excitement making his stomach turn.

Unlocking his phone and tapping on your message he found a neutral smiley face staring up at him.

'Yes!!!'

It wasn't quite an acceptance of the feelings he'd made so obvious for you, but it most certainly wasn't a rejection either!

From that day on you and he texted day and night. He really hadn't met anyone like you before. You listened to all his problems and even let him copy your notes from the lessons he spent daydreaming about you!

The redhead couldn't remember the last time he felt this way, if ever. It was like a ray of sunshine had made its way into his heart, filling it with warmth and light. As cliche as it sounded, you were his angel.

Well! There was only one thing left to do!

Gathering his courage, he called you one night before Omi caught him in action going to sleep, ready to lay everything on the line and confess.

...He went straight to voicemail.

Blinking, he stuttered for a few seconds after the beep went off, leaving a jumbled, "H-Hey, I um...I just wanted to call, but uh...I had something really important to tell you, but I guess you're busy right now, so um...call me back when you can!"

His brow furrowed as he stared at the piece of technology, your number flashing on its screen. You never missed a phone call and it wasn't even that late.

'Did something happen to her? What if there's been an emergency?! What if she's in trouble?!'

Pulling up the messenger, he sent you a quick text, asking if you were okay. The minutes ticked by with still no response from you and Taichi’s worry only grew, leaving him unable to sleep as he stared at the phone lying peacefully on his nightstand. Turning to bury his face in the pillow, he groaned.

Reason told him he was probably overthinking things. Most likely, you were okay, safe in your apartment and he was just being clingy.

His adoring heart told him otherwise. It told him you were kidnapped, lost, alone and scared somewhere he couldn't find you, and that he needed to see you and make sure you were okay.

Unable to decide which to listen to, Taichi didn't get a wink of sleep that night, relying on the magical powers of coffee and Omi’s delicious breakfast the next morning to give him life. When he got to school, his first priority was to find you and make sure you were okay.

He didn't think you would be the one to find him.

"Morning, Taichi!"

The redhead whipped around at the sound of your voice, the contact of your hand on his shoulder. For a moment, all he did was stare, expressionless. Here you were, perfectly fine, nothing wrong.

Your face shifted as he continued to regard you so blankly, confusion replacing your morning happiness. "Are you okay? You look a little t-!"

Before he knew it, your name had already left his mouth as he threw his arms around you and buried his face in your neck, relief making his knees tremble. "I was so worried when you didn't answer me last night! I thought something horrible had happened to you! I thought maybe you had been kidnapped and that I wouldn't be able to find you and then I would never get to confess to you and-!"

"Taichi!" Your hands cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look at you and effectively silencing his rant. "My charger broke yesterday! My phone's dead until I can get a new charger this afternoon! I haven't seen any of your messages!"

He blinked, his confusion present on his face. "Y-You haven't?"

"No! I'm okay, see! There's no need to worry!" The concern on your face softened, affection taking its place. "You said... you were going to confess to me?"

Taichi could feel the blush creeping up his neck. Had he really let that slip? "...Maybe?”

You smiled, eyes bright as you looked up at him, hands still on either side of his red face. "Silly. It was pretty obvious already."

Blue eyes glanced downwards, breaking eye contact. "I know, but...I wanted to make it clear."

Lips brushed his cheek after you let one of your hands drop and his eyes darted back up to yours, wide with surprise. "Then I might as well make it clear that I like you too, Nanao Taichi."

"Y-You do? Really?" he asked, excitement and a kind of happiness he had never felt before replacing his embarrassment.

"Of course! How could I not?" Leaning up, you pressed a kiss to his cheek one more time, smiling against his skin. "You're wonderful, Taichi! You don't have to do anything to make me like you except be you!"

His arms wound around you again with renewed enthusiasm, drawing you against him as he smiled into your hair. “Thank you! Thank you so so much!"

"You don't have to thank me, but Taichi?"

"Hmm?"

"You do realize everyone's watching, right?"

Glancing up, he realized that you were indeed correct. Everyone in the hallway, including the bright orange haired and purple slicked-back haired boys much to his embarrassment, had stopped to watch as he practically broke down sobbing at your feet. Beneath the icy numbness of pre-mortification, he knew he was never going to live this down.

His blue gaze returned to you when he heard you giggle softly, your eyes sympathetic as you took his hand and led him down the hallway to your first class. He still felt horribly self-conscious after his emotional display, but there was warmth there too, requited love giving him all the strength he needed to push through.

As your hand held his beneath the desk, giving him little, affectionate squeezes from time to time- you had switched seats to sit beside him- he couldn't help the tired, longing sigh that left his lips.

Why was falling in love so wonderful and so terrible at the same time?