#tempted to scoot my desk near my bed so I can play more easily

[depvotee]

Got the double whammy

[bonjour-rainycity]

Imagine: Being friends with Alice and asking Carlisle for help on your chemistry homework

Characters: Cullen family, female reader

Rating: G

Word count: 2120

Warnings: None

Request by anon: Wait, omg I’m so happy I found a blog that’s updated recently and I’m definitely gonna ✨stalk✨ your blog and read all your writing after hw but if you’re still doing requests, I thought of something that I would just love to see written. And this could be short or something, y’know? It can be whatever you want it to be, but what if the reader is somewhat friends with the Cullens? Reader (maybe like 20 years old?) is invited to their house one weekend after bumping into Alice and becoming friends and from passing conversation, reader knows that Carlisle is a doctor so she asks him if he could help her with her organic chemistry hw cause she’s studying to be a med student? 

A/n Wow I’m so sorry this took me so long! It’s such a cute request and I loved writing it! Thanks for sending it in and for being patient with me :)

Shoot.

Mentally, I groan, stopping my progress towards my car.

I still have chem homework.

I fiddle with the keys in my hand, contemplating. You could go home…lay in bed…maybe with a pint of ice cream…and pass out in a stress and sugar-induced coma.

Oh, how tempting.

But then I remind myself of why I’m putting myself through the hell that is a STEM degree, and turn on my heel, heading back to campus. I know I won’t get any work done if I go home, so the library it is! Thank goodness it’s open twenty-four hours, because it’s creeping up to eleven and I don’t have the heart to return to one of the academic buildings.

Seeing as it’s Friday night, the library isn’t crowded. Still, I push past all the tables on the first floor and head up to my favorite spot on the second. Settling in at my favorite partially secluded table, I pull out my organic chemistry textbook, pop in my earbuds, and get to work.

{***}

A small, pale hand skims over the table near my book, and I look up with a start.

Alice Cullen stands by my desk, clutching a set of books that look too heavy for her thin arms, but she seems to be managing fine. She and I met during the first week of classes, and have been tentative friends ever since. We don’t see much of each other, given our varying degree programs, but she always greets me with a friendly smile and an offer to join her to study. I pull out my headphones, and give her a tired smile. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Good!” She smiles excitedly, somehow keeping her energy levels at—I check the time on my phone—1:12 am! “Have you been here for long?”

I shrug, feeling the weight of the late hour on my shoulders. “Since around eleven. I was going home but then I forgot I have o-chem homework. I don’t think it should be taking me this long, but I’m struggling. Thankfully only half of it is due in the morning. The rest isn’t due until after the weekend.”

Alice peers over to look at my book and the problems I work through in my notebook. “Oh, those do look hard. But you know, my dad is a doctor, and he probably knows this stuff like the back of his hand. He’d be more than happy to help you.”

I blanch. An invitation to the Cullen’s house? And free help on o-chem homework?

But then I remember my manners. “Oh, thank you, but I couldn’t—”

“Please,” she squeaks, balancing her books in one arm and using the other to retrieve her phone. “We’d be happy to have you over! I’ll let my family know. Does tomorrow around lunchtime work?”

“Uh,” I swallow, not sure I’m believing my ears. “That works great, thank you! I can bring the food?”

She shakes her head, waving off the offer. “Don’t worry about it—Mom loves to cook and will be excited to really use the kitchen. Oh! And there’s this new series my sisters and I have been dying to watch. It’s called Broadchurch. Have you heard of it? Maybe we can start it and see if it’s any good!”

I nod dumbly, too tired and relieved for the help to refuse again. “That sounds fun! Thank you.”

“Of course,” she smiles, shrugging like it’s nothing. “What are friends for?”

My smile softens. She considers us friends. “Do you want to walk out together? It’s pretty late.”

She beams and waits while I collect my stuff.

{***}

I pull up to the front of the massive house.

Alice is waiting for me on the porch. She waves excitedly, and I notice her fiancé standing near the door, looking uncomfortable. I stifle a chuckle. It’s well-known that Jasper, introvert in every sense of the word, fell hard for Alice who is the embodiment of an extravert. I wave, grabbing my backpack and stepping out of the car.

“Welcome,” Alice practically shouts. Jasper gives me a polite nod.

I smile at the two of them, calling out my hello’s and climbing the stairs to the porch. The second Jasper opens the door, I’m greeted by the warm smile of Esme Cullen.

“Hello, Y/n, welcome to our home! We are so happy to have you here.” She extends a warm smile, one I can’t help but return immediately.

Alice leads us straight to the living room, where two of her adoptive siblings, Emmett and Rosalie, lounge. Rosalie sketches something I can’t see, and Emmett yells loudly at the TV, losing at a video game.

“Beat it, Emmett,” Alice chirps, dancing over and taking the controller from his hands. “We’re going to watch Broadchurch.”

Putting his frustration at the game aside, Emmett grins, standing and ruffling Alice’s hair. “Alright, I was getting my ass kicked anyway. Hey, Y/n, good to see you again.”

I return his greeting, familiar with Emmett from an intro to theatre class we had together last semester. The image of his interpretation of Juliet for our final project comes to mind, and I have to stifle a laugh. Emmett goes to leave the room, pulling Jasper with him.

“Send Bella down, would you,” Alice calls after them, already settling on the couch. “Rose, you know Y/n, right?”

Rosalie looks up from her sketching. She smiles briefly at me, then returns to her task. I sit awkwardly next to Alice, waiting for Bella so we can start the show.

“There aren’t many women in STEM.”

My head shoots up, wide eyes turning in Rosalie’s direction. She doesn’t look up from her work, but I know she’s addressing me—Alice is studying fashion merchandising and design.

“Y-yeah,” I stammer. Alice’s older sister is just so intimidating. Well-spoken, obviously intelligent, tall, prettier than anyone I’ve ever met, and top of her law class. She’s not exactly warm either, like her mother or sister—even now, there’s a cold bite to her tone. But the edges of her lips quirk up, and I can tell she’s being nice.

“Don’t let the guys push you around. What you’re doing is important, and you’re probably smarter than them. What do you want to do with your degree?”

The answer, always on my heart and mind, is automatic. “I want to be a doctor. So, med school is next.”

She nods once. “Good.”

And apparently that’s the end of our conversation.

I try to hide my smile by rummaging around in my backpack for my water bottle. It’s nice to feel supported.

Bella comes gliding down the stairs and twists into the living room, folding herself easily onto the love seat. She greets me, and then tosses me the throw over the back of her couch. Alice nods as if forgetting something, then reaches into a basket hidden between our couch and Rosalie’s chair and produces three more blankets, throwing two to her sisters and keeping one for herself. She shoots me a grin as each of us, even the serious Rosalie, snuggles up.

Alice stands, turning off the lights and then wraps back in her blanket and scoots near me on the couch. “I hope this is good!” With a grin, she opens Netflix and plays the first episode.

{***}

Broadchurch does not disappoint. Before I know it, we’re halfway through the second episode, eyes glued to the screen. Bella, who was definitely reading a book under her blanket at the start, has put it to the side, leaning forward and watching the show intently.

The front door creaks, then clicks closed, and Alice smiles, pressing pause on the remote. “Dad’s home.”

Before long, the famed local doctor comes in to say hi to the girls and to greet me. He’s just as welcoming as his wife!

“Alice told me you are having trouble with some organic chemistry homework?”

I nod, hoping it’s not too much to ask for his help. “I got a good start on some of the problems last night, but I keep messing up. I’m not really sure where I’m going wrong—there’s no answer key so I can’t work backwards through the problems.”

He nods, casually resting his hands in the pocket of his slacks. “I remember o-chem homework quite well.” He grins conspiratorially. “It is the bane of many a med student’s existence. Why don’t you girls finish up your episode and then join Esme and me in the kitchen for lunch? I can take a look at your homework if you like.”

Relief washes over me. “That would be great, thank you so much.”

He smiles warmly. “Of course. Now, if you all will excuse me….” With a twinkle in his eye, he leaves us to rejoin his wife.

This family is so nice! I wonder why they get so much flack at school?

Alice resumes the episode, and soon my musings are washed away as I try to piece together the mystery of the murder before the detectives can.

{***}

Esme is a wonderful cook. Carlisle sings her praises but doesn’t fix a plate for himself, saying he ate plenty as she was cooking. We all sit down at the table, though I’m the only one who eats in earnest — Bella claims to be filled up on snacks, Rose says she’s on a diet, and Alice takes a small helping for herself, every now and then poking the chicken in mild disgust. I don’t see what the problem is, the food is fantastic!

Carlisle sits down next to me, and I slide my textbook and notebook in his direction. He smiles, looking almost nostalgic. “I remember these. The good news is, as a doctor, you won’t be doing much of this in day-to-day life, if at all. But it is important for some courses you will take in medical school, so it’s best to master the concepts now. See, on number nineteen, you start the problem correctly, but get lost once you have to balance the equation to continue. Instead of waiting until the middle to balance, I would do that first, that way, you have a solid base before moving on to solve the rest of the problem.”

I nod, peering over at the paper intently. I hadn’t tried that strategy before.

Carlisle takes out a pen, and begins scratching out an equation. Then, he grins, shaking his head, and crosses it out, starting again in much neater handwriting. “Forgive my penmanship. Though, if you decide to continue and become a practicing doctor, your handwriting will soon be indecipherable, too.”

From across the table, Rosalie snorts, and I can’t help but laugh along. It seems almost a rite of passage for a doctor to have horrendous handwriting.

In clearer script, Carlisle continues working out the problem, then slides the paper over for me to see. He explains what he did at each step, and I nod along, trying to commit as much of it to memory as possible. He works out another problem in the same way, then asks me to try on my own. I smile tentatively as I go, hesitant to accept that I actually know how to do the problem now.

But I do.

It takes concentration to work through the steps, but I can, which is a far cry from where I was last night. Carlisle waves off my thanks, saying I just needed to try a different approach, but I had it within me all along. I bring up another section I had issues with—structures of the elements—and Carlisle teaches me a better strategy for memorizing a few and then figuring out the rest. By the time Esme and Bella have put the food away, my homework is done—in a fourth of the time it would have taken me struggling through it on my own.

“Seriously, Dr. Cullen, thank you so much.”

He smiles pleasantly, handing me back my textbook. “Of course. If you need help again, just come on over. I know the girls love having the company, and my wife and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet you as well.”

Esme appears behind her husband, laying her hands affectionately on his shoulders. “Absolutely, Y/n. Please come over any time.”

I pack up my homework and thank them once again for lunch and for the help. Alice darts to my side, grinning. “Ready to finish the episode?”

I feel so much lighter now that my homework is done, and I don’t feel guilty at all for spending time with my new friends. In fact, I may even indulge in that ice cream when I get home.

“Absolutely.”

A/n Thanks for reading! If you have a moment, here’s the link to my masterlist :)

[honey-dewey]

Target Practice

Pairing: Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels/Reader

Word Count: 2,085

Warnings: Mentions of injury (The reader has a bad knee), drinking, and it gets spicy near the end. 

Permanent Taglist: @phoenixhalliwell

After noticing he’s falling out of touch with the ladies, Ginger sets Jack up with a bit of target practice. He thinks it’s stupid, right up until he sees his target. You very much didn’t want to be here, right up until you figured out who was going to be attempting to woo you. 

“Just give it a try!” Ginger insisted. “It’ll do you good to have some practice, I promise.” 

Jack scoffed. “I don’t need practice to bed someone,” he said. “I can use my Tennessee charm.” 

Ginger crossed her arms. “Your charm won’t last forever!” She said strongly. “Your latest mission lasted half an hour longer than it should have because you couldn’t seduce one woman! And you almost didn’t succeed at all!” 

“And?” Jack countered. “That was a screw up. I’m not everyone’s type. I don’t need target practice or whatever you’re insisting on.” 

Ginger raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to take this all the way to Champ, because I will.” 

Jack sighed, leaning over his desk. “Fine. Fuck it, fine. Do whatever.” 

Half an hour later, Ginger was calling Jack down to the saloon. You stood by her side, absently waiting. 

“I doubt he’ll show up,” you said once she’d hung up. “Worked with him once, and once may have been enough.” 

Ginger snorted. “That sounds like Jack,” she said. “You know what you have to do?” 

You nodded, heading over to the bar. Leaning over, you ordered a drink, just a small one, so you wouldn’t be too drunk for this, despite how tempting it was. Your last mission with Whiskey had ended up with you in the hospital with a bullet through your knee, and you hadn’t exactly been keen on working with him again after that. So he’d been dropped as your mission partner, and you two hadn’t talked since. You didn’t hate him, you just had unresolved and highly complicated feelings about him. Mostly the very well-buried crush that persisted even after you two had stopped talking, but you could hide that, right?

Meanwhile, at the saloon’s entrance, Jack was talking to Ginger. 

“And I just go in there and flirt?” 

Ginger nodded. “Try to bed them. For this mission, we need a tracker. You don’t actually have to fuck, but get them into bed and willing.” 

Jack looked towards the doors. “And just who is my lovely victim?” 

Ginger pushed open the saloon doors. “Your old partner, Agent Bourbon.” 

You smiled and took a sip of your drink, ignoring Jack, as per Ginger’s instructions. 

“You have your mission,” you heard her say softly. “Go.” 

Jack walked up to the bar, sliding into the barstool next to you. “Hey there pretty thing,” he said, looking at you. “What’s your name?” 

You turned. “Bourbon.” 

Jack’s damned smirk bloomed on his face. “Name yourself after your favorite drink?” 

You decided to play hard to get, but not impossible, smiling back at him and swirling around your drink. “Yes, actually. And let me guess, you’re a whiskey kind of man?” 

���How’d you possibly know?” Jack said, ordering a whiskey for himself. 

“Oh I don’t know,” you said sweetly. “Maybe the arrogance? The boldness? Whatever you call it. You’re cocky.” 

“And you’re feisty,” Jack countered. “Let me buy you a drink, and you can see just how cocky I can get.” 

You stood. “No thanks cowboy. See you around.” 

Jack immediately followed you, grabbing your arm. He wasn’t too firm, and you absolutely could’ve slipped out if you wanted to. “C’mon Bourbon. No drink, okay? You just seem like the kind of person I shouldn’t let go of.” 

You sighed, staring into his wide puppy eyes. “One drink,” you offered. “It’s on you.” 

Jack lit up, tugging you to a table where you could sit facing him. You smiled, the small grin coming out involuntarily at his eagerness. 

“So,” Jack said once you two were sat back down. “Who are you? Under that hat and that attitude, what’s the real Bourbon like?” 

You laughed slightly. “I am many things,” you said, tangling your feet with his. “I think you said I was feisty?”

“Oh definitely,” Jack drawled. “But I believe I saw a limp in your step. Surely an injury of that caliber has a very unique story.” 

“Oh? An injury of that caliber? Very fancy.” You swung your injured leg around, feeling the deep ache in your knee. “It’s a story. Not a kind one.” 

Jack smiled. “Well. A story, even a bad one, shows character.” 

“Hm.” You pretended to consider. “Well, years ago, I had this work partner. Kind of a dick, but he was nice, and we got along. However, he got distracted and I got shot on a work mission. Bullet shattered my kneecap, but my work was able to patch me up well enough. Now, I’ve got a limp.” 

Jack was quiet. “Wow. Your partner sounds like a jerk.” 

“Not really,” you hummed, swirling your glass around and watching the last few sips of bourbon sparkle in the light. “He’s just a bit distracted, that’s all.” 

You and Jack talked for a while, you genuinely enjoying the time you spent together. The mission slipped your mind entirely, until Ginger stepped in of course. 

“Are we focusing?” She asked, standing by your table. 

Jack rolled his eyes. “Yes,” he said, knocking back the last of his drink. “Entirely focused. Bourbon’s just playing really hard to get.” 

You laughed. “Whiskey’s completely forgotten this entire exercise,” you admitted. “But so have I.” 

“Okay,” Ginger said slowly, looking at her clipboard. “Good enough. You’re both dismissed from this.” 

“Thanks,” you said, not bothering to move. “Jack? Wanna stay? Finish our drinks?” 

Jack smiled. “Of course Darlin’.” 

You and Jack continued to drink, light banter flowing as easily as the drinks. You were comfortable, injured leg propped up on Jack’s thigh. He didn’t mind, actually encouraging it when you grumbled that the damn thing was bothering you. 

“I truly am sorry about it,” he said at some point, absently rubbing away the worst of the pain in your leg. “Shouldn’t’ve ever happened.” 

“Builds character,” you pointed out. “How many times have you been fatally injured?” 

“Seven.” 

You nodded. “Must be why you’re such a character. Horrible injuries are good for forming a personality.” 

Jack chuckled. “C’mon Bourbon, let’s go somewhere more comfortable.” 

You and him ended up in his office, sprawled on his couch. You refused another drink, and giggled when Jack made himself a Shirley Temple. 

“There’s no alcohol in that,” you pointed out. “Make me one?” 

Jack snorted, fixing you a drink and putting multiple cherries in the bottom. “No, but it’s damn good.” He handed you your drink, and you smiled. 

The night passed in a blur of cherries and laughter, and before you knew it, you were standing up to leave. 

“I’m sure we’ll see each other tomorrow,” Jack said, walking you to the parking lot. 

You nodded. “I’m sure we will.” 

The next day, Ginger called you and Jack down to the bar again, as you expected. This time, you actually had to try, according to her, to resist Jack’s advances. Deciding that wouldn’t be too hard as long as you kept your composure, you sat at the bar and waited. 

Jack came up to you with a cheesy pick up line and that beautiful, irresistible grin again. This time, you simply scooted away from him. 

“Aw, c’mon doll, don’t play like that,” he drawled. “I promise I don’t bite.” 

“No, but I do.” You turned in your seat, glaring Jack down. “So you best be leaving now, Cowboy. Find someone who actually likes that stupid charade you’ve got going on before I hurt you.” 

Jack whistled as you stood and left the bar, joining two other agents, Mojito and Margarita. Both knew the job and the character you were playing, and Mojito gave you a sympathy pat on the back. 

“Look, he’s a dick!” Margarita said, gesturing with her drink. “Tryin’ to pick you up like that. It’s uncultured and downright rude. Least a man can do is have some manners when he tries to take you to bed.” 

“How big do you think he is?” Mojito asked eagerly, clearly committing to the part of your slightly drunk best friend. 

Margarita snorted. “With an attitude like that? Damn honey, he’s probably tiny! Compensation is real.” 

“Okay!” You said, waving your hands. Act or not, Jack was a dear friend, and talking about his dick made you uncomfortable. “How about one more drink and then we can go?” 

Both agreed, and you ordered another round of drinks for the table. Jack was still at the bar, occasionally looking over. 

“Manners be damned,” Mojito said after a minute. “He’s cute.” 

“‘Jito!” You said. “He’s almost forty five!” 

“Doesn’t mean he can’t be cute,” Mojito pointed out, taking a sip of her drink. 

Margarita laughed, then perked up as ‘Take me Home, Country Roads’ started to play. “Oh my goodness! It’s our song!” 

“No,” you corrected, seeing Margarita make to stand. “It’s your song.” 

Truthfully, the song was a staple at Statesman. You knew every word, and damn if it didn’t make you want to get up and dance. 

“You said one drink!” Margarita pointed out. “Well I want one dance, then yes, we can go home.” 

You sighed. “Fine. Gives me a chance to stretch my fucking knee anyway.” 

Standing and following Mojito and Margarita to the dance floor, you swayed to the music. Other agents, mostly on their breaks, filtered around you, singing and dancing. Margarita was almost immediately swept away by her boyfriend, Amaretto, waving to you as she disappeared. Mojito stayed and held your hands, swaying with you. She laughed when you stumbled over your own two feet, cursing violently. “Very mature!” 

“Oh hush!” You said back, a grin filling your features. “Like you’re any better.” 

Mojito giggled her agreement, talking above the music that she has to use the bathroom before you go. She left you alone on the dance floor, still swaying. You lost yourself in the music, allowing it to wash over you. You got so absorbed that you didn’t realize your knee was giving out until it buckled, sending you toppling to the floor. 

At least, that’s what should’ve happened. Instead, a strong set of arms caught you, holding you above the ground. Looking up, you saw a familiar black cowboy hat haloed by light. “My savior,” you said, gripping Jack’s shirt in an effort to right yourself. “Do you do this often?” 

“Often?” Jack asked, helping you upright. “No, I wouldn’t say I save the prettiest thing at the bar from falling flat on their ass often.” 

You snorted, checking yourself over for wet spots caused by your drink. “Mhm. My knight in shining armor.” 

Jack smirked. “Song’s not over,” he said. “Dance with me?” 

Sighing, you reluctantly agreed. “Only because you saved me.” 

His confident smirk fell away into a genuinely happy grin. “Perfect.” He took your hands, swaying side to side. You copied him, your false exterior falling away as you danced. 

“How do you think we’re doing?” He asked, leaning closer so you could hear him over the music. 

“Ginger definitely won’t be mad this time,” you decided, hearing the music finish out. “Okay cowboy,” you said, putting the act back on. “One dance, that was the agreement.” 

Jack pouted, his slightly goofy smile remaining. “But darlin’, we were having so much fun.” 

You spotted Mojito across the bar, nodding and giving you a thumbs up. “And just what do you suggest we do, Cowboy?” 

“Call me Jack, please,” Jack said. “And I am suggesting that we take our little two man dance party to a more private locale. What do you say?” 

Giggling at his words, you nodded. “Fine. But only because you asked so nicely.”

Jack led you upstairs, where the bar did, in fact, have bedrooms. He opened one and locked the door behind him, grabbing your hips and leading you to the bed. “You sure you’re up for this?” 

“Kiss me,” you growled into his lips, the act lost. You gripped his shirt, pulling him flush to your body. “Dammit Jack, it’s been years. Just kiss me.” 

He did much more than kiss you, his touch white hot against your skin. He left a very noticeable mark on the side of your neck, along with more private ones in other areas. When he was finally done wrecking you, he lay back against the sheets, pulling you close. “Bourbon? How’s your knee?” 

“Shh,” you mumbled, eyes closed. “Knee’s fine. Think Ginger’ll be pleased?” 

Jack grinned, kissing your forehead. “If she ain’t, I am more than happy to do it again.” 

You laughed slightly, turning over in Jack’s arms so you were more comfortable. “Me too.”

[zinniapetals]

What about Confessions Yatori? I know it's cheesy but I'd like to see it in your writing :3

I swear to god i didn’t forget about this prompt, i’ve just been so busy with uni so i’ve been writing it between classes and free time which is why some parts are weird and angsty while others are carefree-ish.

 Also, this is my first time writing for this ship, so be gentle. AND FINALLY, I hope this is what u were looking for, if not I’m so sorry and I’m willing to write another better piece! just 4 u!!! lol but yeah, enjoy!! 

(AO3 link)

1.

Hiyori balancedher self as she stood on the electrical pole near Tenjin’s shrine, smilingsoftly at the colorful scene that awaited her. She hopped down, thankful thather ayakashi state was able to handle such extreme heights, and skipped intothe shrine, acknowledging one of the shinki that was sweeping in front of thearches.

“You’refinally here!” Yukine shouted, running towards her and quickly hid, using herskirt as a makeshift shield from Mayu and the others who were giggling andtrying to goad him back to join them. “They keep playing with my hair andone of them asked if they could get my autograph.”

“Butthat’s a good thing right?” Hiyori asked, patting his blonde hair,snorting at the tiny pigtails he wore. “Where’s Yato?“  

“Idunno,” Yukine shrugged, stepping away from her and tried to pull theplastic rubber bands from his hair. “I think he was talking with Tenjin somewhereover there." 

Thanking himquietly, she patted Yukine’s head one more time as she set off to find Yato in thegeneral direction he pointed at. She spotted Yato sitting down on a bench, the fullmoon illuminating the delicate profile of his face as he stared looking intothe night sky that was speckled with stars. She tightened her grip on the conveniencebag store she held, took a deep breath and called out to him. 

"Lookwhat I got,” she crooned, holding the bag higher when she came into hisfield of vision. “Ah! You can’t eat it until you go back home.” Shescolded when Yato snatched it from her, nearly tearing the knot she made at thetop. 

“Yesmom,” Yato complied, playfully rolling his eyes at her strict tone,fingers itching to open the bag and see what she got him. “What are youdoing here?" 

"Icouldn’t sleep.”

Yato hummedand made space for her on the bench, waving off her thanks as she sat down. Hewent back to staring off in space, hands stuffed in his sweater and a frozensmile placed on his lips, as if to assure Hiyori nothing was wrong.

“I heardyou were talking to Tenjin,” she started, unsure of how to properly touchthe subject. “Was it…about your father?" 

"Yup." 

Hiyori shiftedat the blunt answer, sighing when Yato offered nothing else. She fixed thewrinkles on her skirt as she bit her lip at the untouchable aura around Yato. 

"The…,”Hiyori paused and took a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever Yato had tosay afterwards. “The moon looks beautiful tonight.”

Yato facedher, one eyebrow lifted up inquisitively as he looked back up towards the sky,eyeing the full moon. 

“Yeah, Iguess so.”

Hiyori blinkedrapidly and crossed her legs tightly, laughing at her own silliness and pointedtowards his shinki that was surrounded by females.

“Shouldn’tyou go save him?”

Yato followedher line of vision, gasping loudly as his hand clenched over his heart.“How dare they do that to my hafuri,” he shouted, lips turning into adevilish smirk. “Without me there to take pictures and commemorate the daymy precious Yukine was playing with his friends.”

With thatcringe worthy declaration, Yato sprinted off towards the circle of girls thatwere giggling and a grouchy Yukine that didn’t seem to be that upset at all.

“NatsumeSōseki right?" 

She yelped atthe sudden question, her body finally giving in to her embarrassment as sheflushed pink, stammering her response towards Tenjin’s question.

"I’msurprised he didn’t get the reference,” Tenjin remarked, tapping his fanon his chin as he watched Yato bounce around Yukine, phone in hand and rapidlytaking photos. He chuckled softly, shaking his head at Hiyori and turned away,Tsuyu closely followed pausing as she turned around.

“Betterluck next time.”

“Ah…yes,thank you,” Hiyori stammered, forcing a smile towards the plum spirit whogave her a secretive one in return. 

2.

“Hiyori!Psst! Hi-yo-riiiii!”

Hiyori cougheda little, sighing as she flung her hair off her shoulder, effectively whippingYato with it. 

“Justleave her be,” Yukine scolded, sitting on the window ledge as Hiyorifuriously took notes. “Don’t do that! Yato!”

He groanedloudly as Yato went towards the front of the classroom, mocking the teacher andthen falling down as the man almost ran into him. 

“Sorry‘bout this Hiyori,” Yukine apologized, scowling as Yato jumped from deskto desk, the students questioning as the why their desk suddenly wobbled.“He was getting annoying and I told him we could go see you if he behaved,but you know how he is.”

She acceptedhis apology; eyes still focused on the board, and wrote down on the edge of hernotes. 

Tell Yato,if he doesn’t stop, I won’t see you guys for a week.

Yukineblanched and shouted at Yato, relaying her threat across the room. The godpaused mid jump, hopping back towards Hiyori’s desk and stood near her side.

It was quietfor about three minutes when Yato opened his mouth again. 

“That’swrong.”

Hiyori inhaleddeeply, setting her pencil on the table and stood up, excusing herself to thebathroom.

“You!”She hissed as soon as they were alone in the corridor. “Why are youhere?!" 

"I neededto check up on something,” Yato answered, shrugging, his eyes searchingthe school grounds outside the window. “Plus I missed you. I haven’t seenyou in three days!”

“You’renot a child Yato,” Hiyori said, rolling her eyes. “We can go a coupleof days without seeing each other." 

"Yeahbut,” Yato trailed off, face hardening and suddenly his tone became aloof.“Fine I understand. Yukine come out, we’re going on a job.”

Hiyoriinternally groaned at the blank stare he gave her and felt bad because she alsomissed him, but it’s not like she could just say that.

Yukine poppedup from behind the corner, looking at both of them with a worried gaze. Hewalked up next to Yato, chewing on his bottom lip softly as his eyes pleadedwith Hiyori to make things right. 

“I’m notgoing to forget about you ok?” Hiyori murmured, grabbing Yato by the armto prevent him from walking away. She figured his attitude had to do withsomething like that, but they’ve been going longer and longer without seeingeach other and she would be lying if she wasn’t scared she’d wake up one dayand forget everything. “It happened once and I won’t let it happenagain." 

"Okay,”Yato said, shrugging and tried to pull his arm back.

“No,listen,” Hiyori demanded, getting closer to him, staring him down. “Ipromise that I won’t forget you. I won’t do that ever again. I won’t leave you,ever." 

Yato knittedhis eyebrows together, looking down as he avoided her gaze. 

"Youcan’t-” he hesitated, changing his mind halfway. He sighed deeply, puttingon a complacent smile as he pointed behind her. "You’re out of yourbody again.“

Hiyorishrieked at her sleeping body’s skirt that revealed her underwear, checking ifYukine saw, and if by the pink tinted cheeks and obvious interest in the spiderwebs on the ceiling, he did.

3.  

Yukine’s futonwas carefully put away, he sheets folded nicely, and the lamp off to the side.Yato on the other hand, was still in bed. His sheets tangled up by his feet,mouth opened as he drooled, and shirt rising past his belly button, bodycompletely relaxed.

Hiyori carefullystepped over the sleeping body as she made her way to the window, opening it upto let out the stale air. The cool breeze felt nice as she looked around theattic. She was tempted to wake up Yato, it was one in the afternoon for godsake, hands busying themselves by picking up Yukine’s clothes when Yato groanedas sunlight shined on his face and moved to face away from the window.

“Did I wakeyou up?” She asked, placing the clothes in the wastebasket as she squatted nearYato’s back. “Are you still sleeping?”

She receivedno answer except for rhythmic breathing. She reached out to tap his shoulder,her hand freezing halfway, pulling it back to her side. She inhaled deeply, thescent of Yato especially strong early in the morning. 

I like you.

She mouthedthe words again, giggling at her self-indulgent antics as she sat down on theedge of Yato’s futon.

“I like you.”The words easily rolled of her tongue. “I’m sorry. I like you. I really hope itdoesn’t rain today. I like you. I’m thinking of buying pizza for dinner. I likeyou. I’m actually pretty embarrassed right now. I like you. Oh god, what ifyou’re actually awake this whole time?” 

“Hey…” She stopped;wiping her palms on her shorts, waiting for a response, nothing. “I love you.”

4. 

Hiyori pushedback Yukine’s sweaty bangs as he dozed off on the floor of Kofuku’s livingroom, snickering at the way he scrunched his nose at the contact. 

"Leave himalone,” Yato said, sitting against the wall, the fan only on him. “Hehasn’t been sleeping well this past week.”

“I wasn’tgoing to wake him.” She huffed, begrudgingly scooting further away fromYukine. “Do you want me to do it to you too?”

“Touch myhair?” Yato asked, laughing at the absurdity of it. “No thanks. I’msweating and smelly and it’s too hot for human contact." 

"Howabout ayakashi contact?” She questioned, flicking her tail as she crawledtowards Yato. “And I won’t touch your hair…" 

She giggleddeviously as she leaped forward her fingers expertly going up and down hissides as she tickled him. 

"Godsdon’t get ticklish,” he huffed, squirming away from her fingers, lipstwitching as she became more serious. He grabbed her hands and held them,“didn’t I say it was too hot for human contact?”

Hiyori frownedand reluctantly withdrawal her hands, eyes widening when Yato attacked. Hisfingers subtly touched every ticklish spot she knew she had and tears sprungfrom her eyes as she held in her laughter.

“Wait,”she gasped, words barely forming through her peaks of laughter “Yukinewill wake up!”

“Oh?Calling quits are we?” Yato asked, waggling his brows as he increased hisrange of motion, poking at Hiyori’s sides with expert precision. 

“Yesyes!” She shouted out, her stomach aching from laughing too much and herarms tired from trying to pull Yato’s hands away. After a couple of seconds toregain her composure, she pouted at him, eyes still holding their previousplayful demeanor. “I thought it was too hot for human contact?" 

"But thatwas a god’s touch,” Yato replied, lips curling upwards at Hiyori’s tinyscowl. “Now that’ll be 5 yen for curing you of your boredom." 

"What?”She sputtered, looking back towards to Yukine and made sure that he didn’t wakeup. “I didn’t make any sort of wish and speaking of wishes you stillhaven’t complied to my very first one and-”

“Who doyou think I am? I know everyone’s wishes, even the ones they don’t say.”

Hiyori pausedat that, knowing that was complete bullshit but still, this was a primeopportunity and she couldn’t let it go to waste. She checked on Yukine one lasttime to make sure he was still sleeping and leaned further into Yato’s personalspace.

“Oh? Sowhat kind of thing am I wishing for now?” She asked in a sultry voice,well she hoped it was sultry because all those nights staying up late watchingromance dramas with her friends had better pay off. She batted her eyes,praying that she didn’t look as silly as she felt. 

Yato placedone hand on her shoulder, stopping her from coming any closer and her heartbeatloudly pulsing in her ears. Did he know? Was he aware of what she was doing?

He exhaledsoftly, giving Hiyori a fond smile, one that squeezed her heart and made herstomach flop.

“What areyou doing?” He wondered, his eyes sparking with curiosity but that affectionatesmile still painted on his lips. As his hand tightened on her shoulder, histhumb briefly touched the skin near her skirt’s neckline.

Hiyori heldher breath in anticipation, scared that if she said anything it’ll cause Yatoto revert to his overly dramatic self. 

“Ithought you could sense one’s inner wish?” She cringed internally at theobvious avoidance of his question but continued on. “The God of Fortunecan’t even decipher a single girl’s wish?”

She smirked athim, giving him a challenging look, hoping that’d cause the competitive naturein him to arise.

Instead,Yato’s eyes widened fractionally before looking behind her, the tips of hisfingers digging into her shoulder. His smile tapered off, coming back in fullto present a wide, false grin, however she could see full the self-contempt andfaux confidence.

“Hiyori,”he chided, tsking softly as he completely backed away. “If that’s what youwanted, you could have told me.”

Blinkingrapidly at the tone of his voice, Hiyori knew that there was amisunderstanding. She opened her mouth to get them back on track, Yato quicklytalking over her, voice tinged with such finality, she froze.

“Youwanted the fan right? Of course you could have it.”

He laughedslightly, shaking his head and muttering something about silly high schoolgirls as he pushed up off the floor and walked over to Yukine. He tapped himsoftly with his foot, reminding him of a job they had to do later and walkedout of Kofuku’s living room. 

Hiyoriswallowed the words that were threatening to spill out, fixing her bangs andclothing as she peeked behind her. Yukine gave her a piercing state, lookingaway when they made eye contact and slowly got up.

As he exitedthe room, his apology on the behalf of Yato echoed. 

5. 

Hiyori wipedat the sweat that bundled above her upper lip, chest heaving as she quicklyavoided another ayakashi. 

“Behindyou!” Yato warned her as she quickly twisted her tail away from the limegreen creature. “Get out of here!" 

"I’mtrying!” She yelled back, suddenly back into her old body. She quickly gotaway from the swarm of ayakashi, turning corners, unable to lose themcompletely. She jumped over a couple of trash cans, her human body aching forher to take a break, her foot catching on the corner of a wall, handsgrabbing the edge of it to stabilize herself and getting cuts from the sharp,uneven bricks.

Hissingloudly, she regained her footing, getting out of the alleyway and into a mainstreet, ignoring the way random pedestrians looked at her gasping self.

She turnedback and saw Yato slice the crowd that surrounded him, lime green andfluorescent blue creatures dissipating into oblivion. 

“Goodwork there,” Yato complimented as he caught up with her, eyeing the wayher flushed cheeks were beginning to cool down. “Don’t forget to disinfectyour hands when you get home.”

“You,” Yukine reminded him, comfortablewith walking two steps behind the pair. "Don’t forget we have that jobthat Tenjin gave to us. Also your shirt is incredibly dirty Hiyori. Are yousure your parents won’t ask questions?”

“They’recoming home later than usual today,” she answered, looking back to seeYukine eyeballing some pastries from a window shop. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes-”

“Nope,”Yato interrupted, grabbing Yukine by the collar. “We gotta hurry up andfinish this job. But we’ll definitely take you up on the offer later.”

Hiyorifurrowed her brows in confusion because it was not like Yato to refuse food,free food at that. She waved goodbye at Yukine who was complaining as he wasdragged away.

She awokelater that night to a tapping noise on her window. She lay in her bed, staringat her wall, when the tapping began again.  

Rolling aroundto face the nightstand, Hiyori reached out for her phone, no text messages ormissed calls, and saw that it was 3:42. She sniffed slightly, rubbing her feettogether as the tapping came to a stop.

“Hiyori,I know you can hear me,” Yato whispered loudly, tapping on her windowagain, but faster this time. “You’re awake! I just saw you check yourphone! Don’t ignore me!" 

Hiyoriscoffed, rolling her eyes as she swung her legs over her bed, grabbing thecomforter as she wrapped it tightly against herself, stumbling to her window. 

"What?"  

"Is thathow you treat people who traveled such a long way to see you?" 

Hiyori pursedher lips at Yato’s question as she unlocked the window and pushed it open, thecold breeze made her cheeks and tips of her ears sting.

"Where’s Yukine?”She asked, not finding the blond behind him nor next to him on the tree. Shescooted away from the window as he came over the sill and into her room.“And you didn’t answer my previous question. Why are you here?” 

“But you didn’tasked that?” 

Hiyori groanedin annoyance, going back to her bed, sitting on it as Yato leaned against herwall.

“We need totalk.” 

She squinted hereyes through the darkness, trying to gauge what kind of expression he wasmaking, before nodding to his request. 

“You,” hestarted, sucking air trough his teeth and exhaling noisily. “Sorry if I’m beingpresumptuous, I really don’t mean to be, honestly but…”

He trailed offand Hiyori felt sick to her stomach. She could feel herself breaking out incold sweat as the taste of stomach acid settled in the base of her throat.

“Do you havefeelings for me?”

His question cutthrough the night air as sharp and swift as Yukine’s blade cuts throughayakashi, which Hiyori found to be quite the ironic simile. 

“Hmm, I wonder,”she faintly said, trying to play it off, but assuming from the way Yato’s eyesgleamed in the darkness, he wasn’t buying it. “Are you mad?”

“Why would Ibe?” 

“You seem mad.”

“I’m not.”

“I’m sorry.” 

“For what?”

Hiyori didn’tsay anything, looking down at her hands as she fiddled with her thumbs. Wellnow he knew but it was going to come out eventually right? 

“Okay, well,”Yato drawled, tilting his head towards Hiyori after she didn’t respond for acouple of minutes. “That’s pretty much what I wanted to know. I’ll see youlater then. Goodnight Hiyori.”

She was notpouting, ok? Her lips just happened to jut out in disappointment that nothingbig happened. She sighed loudly and kicked the air, relieved that her secretwas finally out in the open and from what she took in from analyzing of Yato’s previousactions, it seemed like the feeling was mutual. 

She laid in bed,smiling softly before squealing loudly, rolling around multiple times until shefell off, coming face to face with her human body looking absolutely pleaseddespite being passed out. 

6.

Yato played witha bouncy ball he found underneath the kotatsu, throwing it against the livingroom wall despite Daikoku’s warnings. There was a loud commotion outside,sounded like some inhumane screeching from Kofuku and oh, was that Hiyori’svoice? 

Yato bit hislips as he thought of all the reasons he shouldn’t be happy to see her, afterall, he was rejected.

“You!” Shehissed, her scarf wrapped haphazardly around her neck, her long strands tangledin it. Her cheeks were flushed and her teeth were showing as she scowled at thelazy god. “You are the worst!”

She threw herschool bag at Yato who expertly dogged it, confusion and fear written all overhis face. 

“Whateverhappened, I didn’t do it! Wait no,” Yato backtracked, “I actually didn’t doanything recently, so why are you mad?”

“You’re thereason why!” 

“Me?” Hescreeched incredulously, and if it were possible, there would be a mile longquestion marks and exclamation points following that word. “Put down thattable!”

Hiyori inhaleddeeply, setting the small coffee table to the side, and exhaled quietly. 

“You haven’tseen me for a week and a two days.” 

“I was busy withsome stuff in the heavens,” Yato told her, mapping our an escape plan in hismind if this got too serious. “And you had tests coming up so I thought you’dwant time alone.”

“But you didn’teven contact me.” 

“Because…” Yatoblinked slowly trying to come up with a good excuse.

“I thought youwere ignoring me!” 

Yato laughedsheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck avoiding Hiyori’s gaze.

“You were! Thisis just like when we first met! I can’t believe you!” Hiyori huffed and crossedher arms, her eyes sending death glares that pierced Yato’s soul. “I justthought it was bad timing but did this have to do with our talk?”

“Uhh…” Yato sideglanced at the nosey trio that was peeking from behind the screen door, eyeshungry for more gossip. “Yeah.”

“But why?”Hiyori continued mumbling so soft that even the group near her was giving offsigns that they didn’t hear. “I..you…this was supposed to be the first step!”

“To what?” Yatoasked, aware of Hiyori’s rising voice.

“Us dating!” 

Yato slowlyclosed his eyes and opened them, looked around a bit, looked to the trio whohad various expressions, pinched himself and finally shouted. 

“Dating?!” 

Hiyori lookedshocked at the outburst, her eyebrows scrunching together in confusion. “Well…yeah…”Her voice seemed less confident then before, her shoulders that were rigid nowclosing in to make herself seem smaller. “I mean, my feelings reached youright?” 

“That was socheesy Hiyori,” Kofuku said, her giggling being covered by Yukine’s hand. 

“I mean, ugh,”she groaned loudly, her hand musing through her already messy hair. “You likeme right?”

“Yeah,” Yatomurmured, cheeks flushing with hot embarrassment as Kofuku leered at him andDaikoku choked on air. He didn’t dare to look at the judging stare that Yukinewas probably giving him.

“And I likeyou!”

“What?”

“What do youmean what? You asked me that in my room!” 

“What?” It wasthe first time Yukine spoke, and Yato cringed at the interrogation that wassure to come. 

“But you didn’tsay yes…” Yato grumbled, thinking back to that night. “You were so…aloof!”

“Because Ithought you knew,” Hiyori yelled exasperatedly, throwing her hands in the air.“Clearly I thought too highly off your deduction skills!”

“That hurts!”Yato said, pouting at Hiyori’s insult, fighting the edges of his lips fromcurling up. “Don’t try to get me distracted. You just said you liked me.” 

She groanedloudly, turning to the trio who were staring at them with wide eyes and varioussmirks. “Can someone explain it, if not you’re gonna lose a table hereDaikoku.”

“She wants youto fuc-”

“Ahhh! She lovesya you idiot!” Daikoku interrupted, covering his goddess’s mouth and draggedher away form the scene. 

“You know,” Yatoslowly said, letting his smile spread out on his face, Hiyori giving him anapprehensive look. “You could have just told me how you felt.”

Hiyori gave hima blank stare, her lips curling in contempt at the offhand comment. She tskedloudly and passed Yukine, patting him on the head as she left. 

“Wait Hiyori!What did I do wrong? You can’t walk out! We just started dating!” He yelled,holding in the peals of laughter as Hiyori spun around her face bright red.

“Said who?!”

“Me!” Yatoignored the scoff coming from Yukine, and stuck his tongue at him, the hafurirolling his eyes playfully as he looked between the two with amusement.

“Well…I’mbreaking up with you!”

Yato gaspedloudly at that, scrambling up to his feet as he chased Hiyori through the yard.She dodged his sweaty hand as he tried to grab and hug her, pleading for hernot to break up with him through snorts of laughter at Hiyori’s affronted face.

When Hiyori leftto go get something to drink, Yato sat on the patio, watching as she panicked atsomething Kofuku said.

He closed hiseyes and bit his trembling lip. He was reminded of a quote someone told himlong ago, that everyone deserves happiness but he never truly believed it. 

Yukine came upto the two girls, scowling at what they were saying trying to leave when Kofukugrabbed his collar, dragging him into their conversation. 

He covered hisface, his fingers tips touching the ecstatic smile displayed on it.

He was happy. Hewas so fucking happy. Even after everything he did, even after meeting Yukineand Hiyori and doing everything he could to atone for his past sins, there wasstill a part of his that doubted he deserved happiness.

But the way Hiyori laughed at something Yukine said, the way she pouted at Kofuku’s comment, the way she bowed and thanked Daikoku when he told her something, the way she turned and radiantly smiled at him, that washappiness, and for all his hard work, for all the repenting he’d done, hedeserved every last bit of it.