#the flower that blooms for the sake of illuminating you.......

[lunarcry]

i didnt realize its this niigo album that has so many of my fav songs??!?!? irony, even if you call that your happiness, bloom in mud, meryuu............

[xokohaneazusawa]

Alexis Ness and Reo Mikage x Reader: "You Remembered?"

Alexis Ness

- It was already dark outside when you had walked over to close the curtain of the window that was right next to the couch you had been sitting on, as you were waiting for Ness to get back from practice. As you were about to close the curtain you noticed some of the stars starting to peek out from behind the shadows of the night. You stayed there, hands still lingering on the curtains as you watched as more started appearing in the sky, illuminating the darkness that was once there. You didn’t even notice the squeaking of the door hinges as your boyfriend, Ness, made his way into your shared apartment. He looked over at you, softly closing the door behind him, placing his bag down just as quietly and making his way over towards you, careful to not step on any of the squeaky floorboards. Within a few seconds he was standing behind you, gently placing his hands on the sides of your hips, startling you as you turned around to face him. Luckily, you had realized it was him before you accidentally punched him thinking he was an intruder. He could only smile at the scared look you had on your face before letting out a sigh of relief knowing today wasn’t gonna be the day you got murdered. Ness turned his attention out towards the window, watching the stars you had just been looking at.

“Oh the stars, hmm? I remember you saying something about when the weather was nicer you wanted to go over to that field we found the other day and stargaze."

You looked at him shocked for a couple seconds, he actually remembered? You only mentioned that in passing when you two were getting ready for bed, and he didn’t even seem like he was paying all that much attention. With a smile you nodded.

“Yeah, that would be nice…”

Reo Mikage

- The ceiling was more boring than it normally was, or so it seemed; or maybe it was just the fact that you were stuck in class and instead of actually paying attention you had averted your gaze towards the plain white ceiling instead. Finally the bell rang signaling that school was out for the day and you couldn’t pack up any faster. Heading out to meet up with Reo to head back to his house to hang out or study for a couple hours before you had to head home. It wasn’t long until you spotted the purple headed man from across the front of the school, even with all the people. It only took a couple minutes before you started walking back to his house, even if he normally had somebody pick him up it wasn’t too bad to take a walk every now and then. On the way you had passed by this really pretty park, it had just been in the spring season and all the flowers were starting to bloom again, to which over the winter you had been talking to Reo about how you had seen this really pretty flower last spring when you came over to his house and you hadn’t been able to find it since, which you had figured he’d forgotten all about. I mean with school, and soccer, I mean for heaven’s sake you didn’t even remember it until you saw a picture of it on your recommended feed the other day! The conversation had been switching between topic and topic, until he stopped and handed you his bag, heading into the park. Coming back a couple minutes later holding the same flower that you had just remembered about. He came back with a smile and him holding it out towards you, a couple leaves weeded in his hair. You could only laugh and accept it, placing his bag down as you tried to get some of the leaves that were sticking out of his hair in all different directions. As you were busy with that he slowly took it out of your hand and placed it behind your ear and placed a kiss on your cheek, grabbing his bag as you grabbed the last leaf.

“It’s not that bad! A couple of leaves in my hair is so worth seeing you smile like that”

You could see it out of the corner of your eye if you tried looking up towards it.

“What? Did you think I’d forget? You seemed so excited talking about it, I even had to research it for a while to see where it grew around here. Why do you think we always walk when you come with me? I’ve been trying to find it everytime we come this way.”

A/N: Small Drabble for today just because I'm so burnt out when it comes to writing! (Had to write about 4/5 paragraphs and a thesis for a research paper in less then 30 minutes, and that's including the reading... We love AP Seminar.)

[zombiotical]

the flower that blooms for the sake of illuminating you

[sashi-ya]

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧: 𝐋𝐚𝐰, 𝐙𝐨𝐫𝐨, 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢 & 𝐀𝐜𝐞. mini scenarios of the last day of summer.~ gn!reader. sfw

✴ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐰. By total chance, or maybe destiny working in your favour, that exact night the Polar Tang docked at a certain island. It was, in their case, the end of summer. Some islands only have one season, others the fourth of them, but for this one they only had a few weeks of summer and the rest it was all winter and snow. It was logical that they wanted to celebrate the last night of warm breeze kissing their cheeks. Yet, you didn’t know. But Law, did…. However, he didn’t say anything until late at night. He asked you to stay, while the rest of the crew were given the right to wonder the island. You felt a little sad… “why, captain, if you are staying I have to stay too?” you asked yourself while waiting for time pass inside your room. A sudden knock on the metallic door, however, changed it all. “(Name)-ya, I need you over the deck in 10 minutes”- “Aye Aye, Captain!” As you crawl the ladder to emerge on the top deck of the submarine, you watched Law standing  with his hands on his back and his nose pointing towards the sky. You walked right next to him, and the first explosion illuminated both of your cheeks… even if Law’s were a little red…

✴ 𝐑𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐚 𝐙𝐨𝐫𝐨. At first he didn’t quite care, yet the promise of good sake and equally good food convinced him to watch the fireworks together. Is not that Zoro didn’t love you, it was that he didn’t think it would be important to you. It was not until the first blooming flower of fire lighted up the sky and you took his hand, that his metallic eyes shone. He really didn’t cared about the colours nor the scent of gunpowder in the atmosphere, he only cared about the the rainbow lights tinting your smile. A gasp that stopped him from breathing for some seconds, what a beautiful, delicate human he had next to him, he swore right there that the edge of his sword would always protected his most valuable treasure…

✴ 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐃. 𝐀𝐜𝐞. Late, both were late to the fireworks. Why? Well… let’s say you two were having a little “fun” before the end of summer matsuri. But, if there was something Ace didn’t want you to miss was all the things that make you happy. He knew that going back in time wasn’t possible, however he also knew that the most beautiful things can be created if there is a flame inside your heart… “It’s ok, Ace! Is not your fault we should go back” you murmured, a little disappointed yet satisfied as loving him would only make you forget about the time.“(Naa-me…) look at me… hanabi!~” he playfully sang and casted, conducting countless brilliant orbs playing around you and flying up in the sky. Those were tinted in greenish glow, and every shiny dot reminded you of fireflies coming from the tips of his warm fingers. You covered your mouth with your hands and some tears of love blurred your vision; Ace didn’t need to create fireworks either way… because he is enough fire to light up your skies.

✴ 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢. This man prepared absolutely everything. One of his -cliché- dreams has always been to have a romantic picnic at the park under the beautiful sparkles that mark the deathbed of summer. All types of snacks, yukatas on, even the perfect spot under a cherry blossom tree. All of that and more he planned for his beloved person. Carrying a basket on one of his arms and offering the other one to escort you towards the perfect location. He felt at peace, not nervous, no nose bleeding, only calm and pure happiness pumping through his veins. And exactly, when the moment the fireworks reached its peak, he couldn’t care a less… because there was something a lot more brilliant resting right by his shoulder, and it was you… and in that moment he knew exactly what words to pronounce… “(Name)-chan, would you marry me?”

[riveriki]

02. Eternal vows - Conversations and Camaraderie ------------------------------------------------------------------------

synopsis: The story revolves around two individuals, a vampire prince, Lee felix and princess _, who have been bound together in an arranged marriage since birth. As they navigate the challenges of their unique union in the modern world, they discover unexpected feelings and form a connection that transcends their initial obligations.

Pairing: Lee Felix

Genre: Angst/fluff

Word count : 1.6k

previous - next

I take a deep breath, attempting to steady my nerves. My heart pounds in my chest as I glance at Felix, who wears a stoic expression. I can feel the weight of our responsibilities and the intensity of this moment. With a slight nod, I gesture towards the exit, no longer feeling hungry. I silently suggest that we should leave the dining hall and find a quieter place to talk.

We step outside into the castle gardens, where the moon's soft glow casts a gentle light over the blooming flowers and the fountains that sprinkle water into the night air. The rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets provide a soothing background to our charged encounter.

The garden takes on a completely different persona in the darkness, transforming from a vibrant tapestry of colours to a place of enchantment and intrigue. The flowers, once bright and vivid, now appear ethereal and otherworldly, their petals reflecting the moonlight like pale ghosts. The scent of blossoms intensifies under the cool night air, a delicate dance of perfumes that seems to weave a lullaby for the senses.

As I walk along the cobblestone path, the nocturnal denizens of the garden come alive. Fireflies flit and dance, their luminescent bodies illuminating the darkness, adding a touch of magic to the scene. I follow their glowing trails, like tiny beacons guiding me deeper into the heart of this nocturnal wonderland.

The sound of water reaches my ears as I approach a moonlit pond. Felix follows closely behind, even though I despise the boy behind me I find myself showing him things that are special to me. Almost as if I wanted him to understand me. The water surface glimmers, reflecting the moon's silver radiance, and the lily pads seem to float like miniature boats adorned with fairy lanterns. Frogs croak in symphony, and their chorus adds a whimsical melody to the quietude of the night.

Under the canopy of ancient willow trees, I find a stone bench, nestled beneath the outstretched branches. The leaves overhead rustle gently in the breeze, creating a soothing, hushed whisper that seems to share secrets only the night knows. I sit, feeling the coolness of the stone beneath me, and lean back to look up at the stars, each one a tiny spark in the vastness of the universe. My eyes meet felix’s for the hundredth time tonight and I pat the spot next to me, motioning for him to take a seat next to me.

"I suppose we should start somewhere," Felix says, breaking the silence. "I am Lee Felix, Prince of Sunsuhan.”

"Y/n," I reply in a formal tone, though his eyes soften slightly. "I am well aware of your name, Felix."

He chuckles nervously. "I suppose it's only fair, considering I knew yours for the longest time."

I nods, he attempts to smile comfortingly but it's evident that conversation doesn't come easily to him. He seems guarded, as if years of living in solitude have turned him into a person of few words.

"I understand that this isn't the life you chose, nor is it one I expected," Felix admit, his voice barely above a whisper. "But we have to find a way to make the best of this situation."

"Make the best of it?" I repeat with shock, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "How can I pretend that being bound to a prince, a vampire for god sakes, is anything but a curse? Everyone knows you guys are pure evil. That you kill others."

HE flinch at the harsh words spilling out of my mouth, but I have a right to feel so resentful.. In the vampire world, binding oneself to a human is an extraordinary step and one not taken lightly. I wonder if he sees me as a mere pawn, a bargaining chip used by my father to secure an alliance and is trying to comfort me in a manner that could turn into control.

A sniffle escapes my lips causing Felix to turn his head a face me, “ The worst part of this is that I’m going to live with you forever. We are stuck we eachother till the end of time…”

Felix's gaze softens, and for the first time, I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes. "I never asked for this life. I never wanted to be a vampire. But fate had other plans, and now I am bound to you."

His words carry a mixture of resignation and sorrow, and I can't help but empathise with him. While our situations are vastly different, we both face the weight of expectations and traditions beyond our control.

"We might not have chosen this path, but we can still shape our destinies," I say, taking a step closer to him.” I would prefer if we could keep our distance, even though you are with me at all times, you, Felix, are just a promise, just a bound, not a friend, not an accomplice, not even a lover, you are nothing to me.”

Felix looks at me, seemingly taken aback by words. It's clear that he hasn't had anyone extend such an olive branch to him before and that I am just pushing him back. 

“ I understand how you feel princess…”, He pauses and glances at the pond in front of us, “ It is getting rather late, I believe we should head back and get some rest.” He holds his hand out at me with a blank expression. What is up with this guy?! Does he not  have emotions? Do vampires even feel things? As I continue to ponder on such thoughts, I grab Felix’s hand to pull myself up and head through the halls of the castle.

My heart sinks as I realise the impact of my words on Felix. I didn't intend to hurt him further, but his attempt to connect seemed to have only driven us apart. The weight of my emotions makes each step feel heavier as we walk back through the halls of the castle in silence.

As we approach our respective chambers, I pause, not wanting to part on such a bitter note. "Felix, I didn't mean to dismiss you like that. It's just that... this situation is so overwhelming, and I'm struggling to come to terms with it all."

He glances at me, his expression still guarded, but I sense a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "Princess, I've lived a long time, and my existence has been filled with solitude and duty. I've learned to distance myself from emotions and attachments. But that doesn't mean I don't feel."

It’s almost as if he read me instantly. I nod, appreciating his honesty. "I know you didn't choose this life, just as I didn't choose to be thrust into this arrangement. Maybe we can try to find some common ground, a way to coexist without resentment."

Felix seems to contemplate my words for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Perhaps... but we should proceed with caution. Our worlds are vastly different, and it won't be easy to bridge the gap between us."

We both enter my -now our- bedroom and go our separate ways. Felix sits on my chair next to my vanity and reflects, while I head into my closet and change into my nightgown. Crafted from soft cotton, my nightgown boasts a delightful hue of dreamy lavender. It holds a special place in my heart, as my father lovingly gifted it to me during the early days of his marriage to my mother. You see, it was foretold in a prophecy that they would have a daughter, and he had an intuition about my arrival.

As I step into the bathroom, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I can't help but wonder if everyone around me was aware of the prophecy, if that was the reason for their overwhelming care and concern. Did they see me as a potential vampire, a creature capable of causing harm? The fear of my true nature possibly hurting those I love weighs heavily on my heart.

A gentle knock from behind the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I gently commanded Felix to enter. “Is everything Alright princess? You’ve been in here for half a glass and I was starting to get…” he paused in between his words, he thought them out carefully, “concerned.” “Sorry, I was just pondering…” I say as I exit the bathroom and get into bed. As I lie there in the dimly lit chamber, the minutes seem to stretch on as I wait for Felix to join me. The soft glow of the flickering candles casts dancing shadows on the walls, and the rustling of the silk curtains adds to the quiet ambiance. The thought of sharing my bed with someone, especially someone I barely know, feels strange and unfamiliar, but I understand that this is part of the new reality I must embrace.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Felix emerges from the adjoining dressing room, now clad in a simple nightshirt. The moonlight filtering through the window catches the brown strands of his hair, giving him an otherworldly aura. He moves with the grace and ease of a predator, and for a moment, I'm reminded of the legends about vampires—creatures of the night with mysterious powers and alluring charm.

As he settles into the bed beside me, I can't help but feel a mix of trepidation and curiosity. We lie there in silence for a moment, each absorbed in our thoughts. The air between us feels charged with unspoken words, a palpable tension that neither of us knows how to break.

Taglist : @alextheweeb7

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[ineffably-poetic]

an angel and a demon (poetry)

i. an angel and a demon stand on top of a wall. they are enemies yet each is reaching for the other before they know it, black and white feathers mixing as the sky eclipses into rain. the garden of eden is dark for the first time.

ii. they have not met again since the first rain, but have each watched innocence and purity fall upon the blunt sword of rock until the red blood paints the sky the color of hell. this time the rain comes heavy and thrumming as humanity wages guerrilla warfare with heaven. 

iii. this time blood is painting the wooden oak of trees upon barren ground that has seen no life for years. hammers sound through the air, disordered and the people are rancorous. the angel finds no comfort now in the feathers of the demon.

iv. palatial temples march along the streets, horse-driven dust and heavy liquor air guide the angel to a popina of worn ivory stone. there is the demon, smug like a daylily’s bloom, glowing in an angelic light that shouldn’t have reached him. he is the original sin, the vice that the angel can’t seem to hate, the center of his gravity. a temptation that never truly fades. 

v. fog and hazy forest bark enclose them, the black knight and the angel, the demon and the angel, the friend and the friend, swords never drawn, defenses never up. the angel knows this is a direct defiance, he is stepping into a pentagram, he is dancing so close to the line yet never crossing it, and perhaps he never will until it’s too late for him to walk. 

vi. they are romeo and juliet, always push-and-pull, like the moon over tidewaters that it can’t control. coiffed hair and collars meet. temptations too convincing to resist, and yet the angel knows it was no temptation it was himself and his own tempting. 

vii. a falling out, a falling demon, a falling piece of paper in St. James’ Park, too far to reach out and touch but burning nonetheless. a final game of poker before things go pear-shaped perhaps, but the angel still storms away, a thundercloud of erratic anger. The water shaped suicide pill hangs heavy in his pocket.

vii. bombs like fireworks in the night erupt, volcanoes forming deep within the angel’s stomach, and the consecrated ground burns the demon’s feet as he laughs away fear for the sake of his angel. thinking he’d rather not think, thinking he would like to rip off the wallpaper in his brain that shows that angel’s face, waltzing in the ashes. demons don't feel like this, he tells himself. yet it stays the same, yet it is not true. yet, his imagination is not enough this time. 

ix. a crossing of hands, brushing but not finding purchase, and a familiar fire that the angel can’t quite smother. you go too fast for me. 

x. a lift home that becomes dinner at the ritz that fades into wine at the austere bookshop where each corner has a dusty memory that the angel can’t bring himself to relive because they all include the demon who has planted himself so firmly in his heart, twisting roots that are too tight for the angel to let go. that fire burns again, so deep the angel has to drown it out with wine. 

xi. alpha centauri, or andromeda. it doesn’t matter to the demon. the stars are his roadmap, his path home. the angel doesn’t understand that all the demon wants is for him to be safe. 

xii. the bookshop is burning, each book a meteor hurling itself into the demon’s heart. he screams and curses god, or satan, or someone who is listening to anyone on this forsaken planet. his words feel like heat, like living fire, and it joins the burning torch he stands inside of, feeding the dying sparks of hope still left. he cannot laugh. he is a withered flower, black petals drooping. he needs some wine.

xiii. the airbase is breaking cement and asphalt, fire in the sky and in the earth and everywhere. their hands meet. 

xiv. the ritz once again, chandeliers illuminating the room as if in a dream. champagne bubbles rise up in the angel’s throat. to the world. 

xv. and the demon, in that daylily way of his, smiles. to the world. 

[idsmiile]

°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀° But you too are human,You just hate being one, that's all. But you can't hate it, because you're a kind person, You're that someone who would pray for just about anyone.

❀ sana/mimi ❀ 23 years old ❀ autistic/adhd ❀ latino: black + east asian

°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀° If a single one of those were missing, nothing would be born: Not me, not you, and neither that person. “It’s nothing” - I say as I burden you with my past.

°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀°❀•°✮°•❀° Let us draw a line inside the maze That obstructs the path of the world now. This line will be the overlapping map, That flower that blooms for the sake of illuminating you. dni: proship/pro ship neutral i don't follow anyone under 18

[akehoshimystar]

Riku SSR

The Coincidence of Cherry Blossom

Part 1

Takeru: Ugh… I can't find them anywhere. Ito: I've already finished my work, so I'll help. You dropped a pair of cherry blossom-shaped earrings, right?

Riku: Coming in. Ito: Riku-san. Riku: I just picked up lost items. If my assumption wasn’t wrong, could this be what you're looking for?

Riku-san approached Mika-san and gently opened his hand.

Ito: (Ah….)

Pieces of broken pink earrings. I couldn't help but look at Mika-san’s reaction.

Takeru: …Where did you find them? Riku: The front door outside. I knew it. These are yours after all. Takeru: Yeah. I even looked for them outside but still couldn't find them. Thank you. Riku: I'm sorry I brought them in this state. Takeru: Don’t be. Riku did nothing wrong. Besides, it already made me feel better to know that they have been found. Riku: ……… Takeru: Don't make that face! It's not like I only have one pair of earrings. Ito: (Mika-san…)

Ever since I met him today, Mika-san had been frantically searching for the earrings. I’m quite certain they’re something important. My heart tightened when I imagined what he must be feeling right now.

Takeru: Alright, it's almost time for my shift. Gotta go now. Thanks for your help too, Ito. Talk to you later.

Riku: Well then…. Sorry for a sudden request, Ito. Do you have time after work today? Ito: I don't really have any plans today. Riku: Would you mind spending time with me for a bit?

Part 2

A few days after the earring incident. Right after I finished my work…. Riku-san took us down a road decorated with illuminations.

Takeru: Gorgeous….. Even though it’s autumn, it feels like the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Riku: It leaves you in awe, right? This road seems to have been created with the image of beautifully blooming Japanese flowers as part of the department store's concept for this season. Ito: Is that so? That explains why it's all cherry-blossom pink here… Takeru: I'm actually surprised a place like this exists around here. Riku: You like it? Takeru: Obviously. But seeing you try to cheer me up like this is a bit ticklish, though. Riku: Guess you’re not so fond of my showing off. Takeru: I can at least say with confidence that I like it here. This place is really beautiful… Riku: I'm glad you liked it. But there's actually more to it than just this view. Takeru: Eh? Riku: Here.

Riku-san handed Mika-san a small box. Inside it were beautiful earrings in the shape of cosmos.

Takeru: …..! So pretty…. Ito: (Thank goodness, he seems pleased.)

Seeing Mika-san with a big smile on his face, I recalled what happened at the office after Mika-san had left.

Ito: New earrings for Mika-san, you say? Riku: Yeah. I know Mika’s personality. He was pretty good at hiding it, though. He must have really liked those earrings. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to carry them around. Ito: I see what you mean… Riku: But it's not easy to find cherry blossom earrings this time of year. I want to find new earrings and give them to him as a present. Can you lend me a hand? Ito: Me? Riku: Yes. It would be more reassuring if I could hear Ito's opinion. I want you to help me pick out the earrings that Mika will like. I’m sure Mika will be beyond delighted that way. Ito: Then, I would love to accompany you. I’m not sure if I can be of any help, but I'll do my best.

Riku: What are you talking about? With Ito, it’s like having 100-people worth of strengths. Ito: I see…? Riku: Yup. Well, only if you had time, though. I just want to do it for my own sake, feel free to decline if you're busy. Ito: I have no problem, so please let me join you. Riku: Thank you.

Part 3

Afterwards, Riku-san and I picked out these earrings. Seeing that they made Mika-san smile this much, my heart was filled with warmth.

Takeru: Now what’s going on here? Riku: As you can see, it’s a present for Mika. It's nice to receive autumn flowers under the cherry blossoms, isn't it? Takeru: Indeed. Not to mention, the design and color are really nice… Riku: That’s all thanks to Ito. She was the one who suggested this color. Takeru: Ito? Ito: Yes. I'm glad you like them. Takeru: You two really went out of your way to do this for me… Even though it was my mistake that I dropped them… Thank you so much. Receiving such a wonderful gift in such a wonderful place will be a memory that will last a lifetime for sure.

Mika-san smiled as his long hair fluttered in the swaying cherry blossoms. The way he held the cosmos earrings close to his chest was so beautiful that I couldn’t help but fix my gaze at him.

Ito: (What a relief…)

Riku: Also, this is for you, Ito. Ito: Eh? Riku: It's my thanks for helping me. A box set of baked pastries. If you like, please accept it. Ito: Since when….? Riku: After I say goodbye to you, I sneaked out to buy some. Takeru: That’s the kind of man Riku is. He's shrewd through and through. Riku: Some people might find that unpleasant to hear, you know? Takeru: Must be your imagination. Ito: I mean…. All I did was pick out the earrings with you, so I don’t think I deserve such a thing. Riku: I'm doing it because I want to, there’s no need to hold back. Ito: ……If you insist. Thank you very much…

Riku: ……… Ito. You’re really kind, you know that? Ito: …….Eh? Riku: Not only did you try to find Mika's earrings, when something happened, you were kind enough to help me. I find that part of yours really lovely. It's a beautiful virtue you should be proud of. Ito: Is that so? Riku: Yes. When we're together, I couldn’t stop myself from being captivated by yo-….

Takeru: Pause. That’s enough flirting today. Riku: Oh yeah? It was merely a compliment. Takeru: Don’t even think about going any further and getting carried away if you don’t want her to see your bad habits. Just stop for now. Riku: Fine. If Mika says so. Ito: (They really get along well…)

They're probably more friendly than I thought. Both of them seemed to be having fun as they exchanged silly jokes. Watching the laughter occurred under the cherry blossom trees, I realized that my mouth was also slightly breaking into a smile.

[yourmomxx]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐕: 𝐈𝐓’𝐬 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃

warnings: bit of language

word count: 5.3k

Katie Otto walked up the stairs leading to the Nolan Residence with confidence, groove, and a plan. Much more she didn’t really have to offer.

She had to admit, as she looked around, against her better judgement and maybe morals, that the house was really nice. The stone path that led up after the fence gates to the entrance door had more flowers blooming and planted than her family did in their entire garden.

She wondered, quietly, how much they paid their gardener for all of this paradise.

The hollow sound of the door knocker reverberated through the walls. Katie looked down at herself and straightened out her button-up shirt. She realized she did that more often now since they came to this town.

The white gate swung open, and she was presented with the sight of an – in her objective opinion – incredibly handsome man. His dark blond hair was tousled on his head, and he had freckles like small, peppered sprinkles on his nose. A brown Henley was hugging his arms and shoulders in just all the right places, and Katie forbid herself from smirking. If only all of the other rich people’s housekeepers were this hot.

He smiled at her. Of course, he also had a beautiful smile. “Hello. How can I help you?” Or this nice.

Katie smiled back. “Hello, my name is Katie Otto,” she introduced herself. “I was looking for Mr Nolan? Is he home, by any chance?”

The man chuckled. “Well, that depends on which one of them you want to see. But one you’re already talking to.”

Katie raised her eyebrows. “Say what now?”

Mr illegally-Hot smirked and held out a hand for her to shake. “Dylan Nolan, it’s very nice to meet you.”

Baffled, Katie grabbed his hand and shook it in a firm grip. “You look surprised,” Dylan remarked, still with that perfect smile.

“Well, I-“ Katie stuttered, “Excuse me, but I am used to Housekeepers opening the door for me whenever I visit someone in this town, so.”

Dylan dipped his head. “Yeah, that’s probably right. We were told that we sort of –“ He gestured around, “Don’t do all of this right. You know, being rich.”

“But where are my manners, please, come in. Could I interest you in some coffee?”

Dylan Nolan closed the door behind her, and Katie’s jaw almost fell to the floor when she took in the interior that was the Nolan Mansion. After the cream-white outside and the garden, and the high black metal fence surrounding the entire property, she figured she knew what she was in for.

But this? Overpowered her wildest imaginations.

In the middle of the entrance lobby – these people had a lobby in their house, for Christ’s sake! – was a tall plant pot, and even the stone it was carved out of looked expensive. Pendant lights graced the ceiling and threw perfect illumination all around. On the right and left side, two open stairways led upwards, met in a bridge, and connected to one open threshold on each side, which probably led to the upper floor.

Dylan walked past her and under the bridge, Katie followed him. Hidden by the prominent staircases, the lobby stretched further, bringing them to the kitchen on one, and the living room on the other side.

Katie could see that a hallway stretched even further than this and made out another set of stairs in the dim light. Remembering the two hallways that also led in different directions right when one entered the house, she knew that she was only witnessing a fraction of the wealth that the Nolan family bathed in. That little, nagging monster of jealousy settled itself in her chest again.

Dylan snapped her out of her thoughts. “Here you go,” he said, placing a glass of water in her hands. Great, she thought, even their dishes felt expensive. Nevertheless, she smiled thankfully at him and took a sip. The water tasted the same as hers at home. She didn’t know why she was expecting any different.

“So,” Dylan started, and poured himself a glass. “You said you wanted to talk to Mr Nolan? Any specifics on what about?”

Katie cleared her throat and put her glass down on the kitchen counter. Grey marble. Bold, but impressive.

“It’s about your son, Cooper,” she started, “I-“

“Oh, no no, wait, you have the wrong guy,” Dylan interrupted her with an unsure chuckle, “Cooper is not my son. I’m just his godfather.”

“But the school gave me your contact information when I asked for his parents?”

“I- they did what now?”

Katie tilted her head. Now she wasn’t really following. “Is there something wrong?”

Dylan sighed. “Look, when Cooper was born, it was already pretty clear that his father would have to work just a little bit more if they wanted to keep their wealth as it was. When his mother, Lauren, also decided she would be going back to work, Cooper was primarily thrusted into the arms of nannies, chefs, and chauffeurs – everyone that did or did not know how to take care of a child.”

He poured himself another glass. “But, as his Godfather, and best friend of his actual dad, I felt the sort of responsibility to take care of him. So now, Cooper has his own bedroom here, and he comes over whenever he feels like it. The school must have written me and my husband down because we are more easily accessible than the Bradfords, and we are almost as close to him as them.”

Katie nodded in understanding. Then, “You have a husband?”

Dylan raised his eyebrows just as he was about to take a sip out of his glass. “Yes.” A pause. “Is that going to be a problem?”

Katie quickly shook her head. “No, oh God, no, that’s not what I … I have a husband, too!”

Dylan grinned. A beaming grin that was. “Congratulations, Mrs Otto.”

Katie nodded. As far as first impressions in Westport went, this was by far not her worst.

“So, you wanted to talk about Cooper?” Something shifted in Dylan’s face. “He isn’t in any trouble, is he?”

“Oh, no, no, Cooper is …” A plague that has infested my house and just won’t leave, “… a lovely kid. This is just about my son’s birthday party. You know, Oliver Otto?”

Dylan’s gaze drifted off for a brief second, while he searched his memory for any trace of the name she had mentioned.

“Oh yeah, right, Oliver. Cooper’s been talking about him.” Katie tilted her head. “Has he? Really?”

“Yeah. You know, basic school stuff, nothing out of the ordinary. He seems to like your son very much. But, you mentioned a birthday party?”

“Right. Well, Oliver told me how all his friends went totally out for their thirteenth birthday, and I wanted to give him the same experience.”

Dylan scoffed while sipping from his glass. “Tell me about it. When Cooper celebrated his thirteenth birthday, he had his parents book an entire aqua park. My daughter wants Taylor Swift to show up and give a private Reputation Tour concert.”

“Taylor Swift?” Katie exclaimed. “That woman is an icon. Surely your daughter understands that there is no way you can get her to show up.”

Dylan dipped his head. “Oh no, we could totally have her here,” he said, and then he smirked. “But there is just nothing more entertaining than seeing a rich kid not getting what they want.”

Katie nodded her head. “Amen to that.” And Dylan laughed.

“But I’m sorry,” he said, “We are totally drifting off again. You want to throw a birthday party for your son?” Katie swallowed her water and nodded.

“Yes. And since it’s a surprise, and Cooper and Oliver seem to be –“ A pair forged in hell, “-really good friends, I figured I would ask you if you could ask Cooper to come.”

Dylan nodded. “That’s actually a great idea. I honestly really like that him and Oliver are getting along so well.”

Katie smiled. “Me too.” But God, did she hope it did not stay that way.

“It’s going to be a big party,” she explained further. “Oliver wants to show all of his friends how proud he is of his home.”

Dylan let out an impressed noise. “You don’t see that often today.”

An idea sparked in Katie’s head. “Would you maybe like to bring your daughter too?” She made a sweeping gesture with her hands. ”I mean, the more, the merrier, right?“

Dylan nodded. “That’s actually not a bad idea.” He weighed his head, contemplating. “If it’s anywhere in the next week, I’ll probably have my husband drop them off, I need to get some documents sorted. But Cooper and Kendra should be free in that time.” He added.

Kendra was probably his daughter, Katie pieced. “Well, isn’t that nice! Could I just – have your number, maybe? For all the details.” Dylan took her phone and typed something into the keyboard. “Sure thing.”

Katie left, filled with satisfaction, a new number in her phone, and the spark of hope that maybe there was a somewhat grounded, rich person in Westport.

**

Later that day, Cameron Nolan came home after a shorter day of work, holding the door open for his daughter that he’d picked up from school on his way back. For the past hour, Dylan had tried to rock little Jake back to sleep, but to no avail. Not even singing or reading his favorite books had done anything to change that. So now, he was sitting at the kitchen table, an animal fork in hand, feeding their youngest son some cut-up fruits.

“Hi,” Cameron breathed out, and pressed a whispering kiss into his husband’s hair.

“Hey,” Dylan said back. “How was work?”

Cameron visibly suppressed a sigh and shook his head. “Let’s not. Americans are idiots and more I will not elaborate.”

Dylan let out a laugh.

“I’ll be upstairs!” Kendra called. Dylan stopped her. “Nope, you won’t. Come here for a second.” Kendra shot her father a distrusting look, but rounded back anyways. When she gazed at Cameron in question, he just shrugged.

“Oliver Otto’s mom came by today,” Dylan started to explain. He skewered an apple slice and lifted it to Jake’s mouth. “She invited you to his surprise birthday party. Cooper is going, too.”

Kendra nodded. “Alright. I’m not.”

Dylan’s eyebrows shot up.

“Why not?” Cameron asked, head tilted. Kendra shrugged.

“Because,” she said, “I’ve driven past Oliver Otto’s house before. They’re poor. And I mean, like, really poor. They live in a crappy, small house, with crappy, small rooms, and have crappy, little money. And I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be lame.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said-“

“I heard what you said,” Dylan cut her off, “I just really don’t understand where it’s coming from. Why exactly would it bother you where, or how the Ottos live? I remember having raised you with very different morals than that.”

Kendra rolled her eyes slightly, just that much as she thought her parents wouldn’t notice.

“Everybody cares about stuff like that, Dad,” she argued. “And I don’t even like Oliver. He can be Cooper’s boyfriend; doesn’t mean he has to be mine.”

“You are going to that party, young lady, just so we’re clear.” Cameron undermined his husband’s words. “Simply for what you said about the Otto’s lifestyle, I don’t care if you like Oliver. It’ll be good for you to get some perspective. ”

“But I don’t want to!”

“I don’t care! You were invited, you’re going.” Kendra glared at Dylan, then at Cameron, let out a frustrated noise, and stomped towards and up the stairs loudly.

Dylan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “You get now why I’m against letting one of the world’s most famous singer perform at her birthday?” He asked Cameron.

When they had first made the decision to adopt Kendra, they had been aware that raising her – another human being – would not be easy. They’d moved to Westport long before they’d taken Kendra in, and she had never known anything different than the lifestyle of the rich and the famous, or had any sort of idea what it felt like to count your last pennies.

Dylan and Cameron did.

They had known, from the first day on, that they would do their best to shape their child into a decent human being, someone who had it better than they did in their childhoods, but, other than the majority of people in this town, knew about the decent values of humanity.

Dylan didn’t want to make his daughter’s life harder than it had to be, but he wasn’t going to let her personality rot away like a dead fish in an abandoned alleyway, either. In front of Katie Otto, he may have made it seem like it was something he enjoyed, but it was unfortunately something necessary.

As her father, Dylan wanted to give Kendra everything that he could, and that she deserved and more, but as the person responsible for her and the way she turned out, he knew that couldn’t be possible.

“Come here.” Cameron carefully pulled Jake’s fork out of his husband’s hands. He crouched down in front of Dylan’s chair, and rubbed his upper arms. “Let me handle this. You go upstairs and get some rest. Alright?”

Dylan weakly gazed into his husband’s beautiful, beautiful, blue eyes, and sighed. “Thank you.” He kissed him long and deep. “And hi, by the way.”

Cameron grinned, eyes still half-closed from the kiss. “Hi.”

With a sigh, Dylan stood up, formally shook Jake’s hand – the little guy was very specific on greetings and goodbyes since he first learned about them – and made his way up the stairs. He could practically smell the freshly washed scent of their bedsheets already.

Behind him, he vaguely registered Jake babbling “Dada” and Cameron making whooshing plane noises.

Dylan couldn’t help but smile.

**

Katie Otto was on her way to ‘Mother of the Year’-Award, she was sure of it. That was, mostly, because she made sure of it, but honestly, getting caught up in details was for losers.

Her living room was already swarming with more than a dozen kids that she had invited to her son’s – not asked for and, because of that, very much surprise – party.

The doorbell rang with its unmistakable melody, and Katie interrupted herself in draping the presents to open hopefully another guest. Oliver and Greg weren’t supposed to be back until later.

Surely enough, when she opened the door, a tall man came into her view, wearing a beige trenchcoat over a dark suit, and smiling politely at her from the doorsteps. He’d brought two children with him, one of them who Katie recognized to be Cooper Bradford, so the girl next to him, had to be Kendra Nolan, which made the man behind them her second parent, and therefore Dylan Nolan’s husband.

Binge-watching Brooklyn 99 did pay off after all.

The young girl, which Katie assumed to be Kendra, had dark brown her that fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and a mix of green and blue eyes, which united both her father’s eye colors in them. She was tall, almost as tall as Cooper next to her, but from experience Katie knew that it took a while longer for boys to hit puberty than it did girls.

Cameron Nolan was a broad-shouldered man with black hair and piercing blue eyes, that reminded her of guys how they were only described in the romance books she used to read as a teenager and had now inherited to Taylor.

“I apologize for my appearance, but I just got home from work and did not have any time to change.”

This man went to work. And he just apologized to her for showing up not-even-that overdressed for bringing his kids to a birthday party, could that family get any more perfect?

“Oh, it’s all right,” Katie said. “Oliver isn’t home yet, I left my husband in charge with distracting him.” She gestured inside the house for the kids to come in.

Cooper walked up to her and presented her his politest Westport-smile.

“It is so nice to meet you, Mrs Otto.” He shook her hand firmly before entering the house.

“Thank you for the invitation,” Kendra simpered, before she, too, shook Katie Otto’s hand in greeting.

Cameron let out a sigh of relief internally.

Katie watched both of them settle inside the living room before she directed her attention towards Cameron again. “The escape room will take an hour, but cake and presents are gonna be after that. So you can probably get them at around eight, nine at the latest.”

Cameron Nolan nodded. “Sounds great. I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun."

Then, he smiled one of those blinding million-dollar smiles and waved goodbye to his children. Katie closed the door behind him. She threw a look at her watch. About ten minutes until Oliver and Greg returned.

Kendra regarded the simple interior with a skeptical look, all traces of false formality vanished.

“Looks … interesting,” was all that Cooper said. She rolled her eyes. Cooper spotted his friends, and Kendra followed to join them on the sofa. Other than Cooper, who was spilling words like a waterfall, cracking jokes and charming everyone in a two-meter-radius, she rather sat back and observed in silence. Sooner than she expected, the lights went out and they were all yelling “Surprise!” at a not so happy-looking Oliver Otto.

**

Alright, so, that whole escape room thing the Ottos had set up? Way more fun than she expected it to be. Also, if there should ever be any need for it, probably the perfect test facility for natural selection.

Maybe that’s why her parents didn’t want her watching the Maze Runner movies.

Already about three numbers were sticking to the massive codeboard, and people were actively looking for the remaining ones to open the door.

Kendra found herself standing next to Alice McCarthy, both girls highly concentrated looking at a field of colors, when Cooper pushed past them.

“Hey, Oliver!” They heard him yell. Kendra and Alice shared a look, and quietly decided to abandon their mystery to go see what was going on over there. eyHey, Olikverioödioxvjöois

Cooper was standing in front of Oliver, holding a framed photograph in his hand and talking to Oliver about it.

Alexander was positioned behind him, grinning at everything he said, like a mindless lapdog. God, that guy annoyed her to bits. Kendra couldn’t help but throw a curious look at the picture in Cooper’s hand anyway. It was a framed photograph of the Otto family, all a bit younger than they were now, grinning at the camera next to a town sign that read ‘Colonial Williamsburg’. From the corner, their same old minivan was peeking into the frame.

Interesting.

“So,” Cooper concludes. “You had a custom Bentley, but you still drove that minivan?” He scoffed and threw a look at Alexander, who straightened his shoulders and mimicked his facial expression. “Doesn’t add up, hombre.”

Kendra noticed a short stutter in Oliver’s calm, collected demeanor. “Well …”

That’s when Oliver’s Dad chimed in. Kendra remembered his name to be Greg.

“Oliver, tell them the truth.” Oliver frantically looked around. Greg sighed. “Fine. Then I’ll do it.”

He turned to Cooper and his friends, a hard mask of earnestness on his face. “I had the picture photoshopped,” He admitted. “We had some trouble with the FBI. Those vultures never let go so easily.”

Cooper’s eyes widened. Greg Otto turned to go, but before he left, added, “Oh, and my real name is not Greg Otto. It’s Walker. Captain Randall Jay Walker.”

He curtly bowed his head and left them standing.

Slowly, Cooper turned around to face Oliver again. His eyes darted between the picture in his hands and the boy before him. After processing the freshly gained information, his lips quirked in an impressed frown.

“Alright, Otto, my respect.” He handed the photo, without looking, to Alexander, who, obviously, accepted it like a golden trophy.

“Your family does seem kind of cool.”

Kendra watched a smile grow on Oliver’s face, one that he tried to downplay with a clearing of his throat. “Alright, then,” He said. “Let’s find some clues, right?”

Kendra only caught a glimpse of the boys walking away, Cooper casually throwing an arm around Oliver’s shoulders as they went.

She found the consequent drowned puppy-look on Alexander’s face way more amusing than she probably should.

**

When they, under loud cheers and multiple clapping, were finally able to leave the basement, Kendra allowed herself to pull Oliver aside for a second while the others rushed to the cake-table.

“What-“ Oliver spluttered, before he realized who he was looking at, and his confused frown turned into one of somewhat-annoyance.

“What do you want?” He spat. Kendra didn’t react to his question, but she didn’t take her hand off his upper arm either, as if there was a chance that he would dash and make a run for it any second if she let go.

“This party wasn’t even so bad,” She admitted, and now, Oliver looked caught off guard again. “You know, for the fact that you’re poor.”

Oliver sighed arrogantly, pushing out his chest. “I don’t know if you got the memo, but-“

“Oh, I did,” Kendra interrupted him. “Your Dad’s a money launderer and none of this is actually real? Please.” She scoffed. “Cooper, you can fool. As much as I love him, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. But not me. I see right through you.”

She squinted her eyes at him menacingly.

Oliver swallowed hard. “So what are you gonna do now?” He asked weakly. “Are you going to tell everyone?”

Kendra pretended to think for a second. “No, I don’t think so.” Oliver furrowed his eyebrows.

“I really want to see how you’re going to make an idiot of yourself when you inevitably have to tell them at some point.”

A grin spread across her face, blinding, but oh so fake, and Oliver almost felt himself shudder. Was that-? It couldn’t be.

“Evil smile,” He breathed out. Kendra tilted her head. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.” She gave him a weird look, but then turned, and stepped away to secure herself a piece of cake. Oliver looked after her, heart racing a bit faster than it usually did.

**

A short knock sounded against the door of her room. Kendra put down the book that she’d been reading. It was a Stephen King. The Body had given her a taste for it.

The door was pushed open and Cameron leaned against the threshold, wearing a more comfortable pale shirt, and sweatpants. He smiled softly at her and Kendra sat up on the bed.

“How was the party?” Cameron asked.

She regarded her fingernails. “It was alright.” Cameron raised his eyebrows.

“Actually, it was pretty cool,” she admitted. “They did that whole Escape Room set-up and we had only one hour to get out of it. And then, at the end, we thought we wouldn’t make it, but we did, just at the last second! And there were sirens, and lights, and it was awesome.”

Cameron’s smile grew wider as he listened to her rambling. “I’m glad you liked it,” He said. “And what do we learn from that?”

“That poor people can have cool stuff, too?”

He shook his head. “You know that’s not what I mean.” Kendra looked away from him. “Since when do you care about all of that?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know. Everyone cares about it, I guess.”

Cameron tilted his head. He furrowed his eyebrows. “But that doesn’t mean that you have to. That’s not what your father and I have raised you to be.”

Kendra let out a low groan. “Aren’t you supposed to be the nice parent?” She asked. “You know, cool, laid-back, loosening the reins a bit?”

He chuckled and pushed himself off the threshold. “Maybe,” He said. “But that still leaves me at being a parent, first and foremost.”

The mattress shifted and the sheets rustled as he sat down next to her on the edge of the bed. He let his gaze wander around her room, contemplating.

“Sweetheart, there is something I want you to understand,” He said eventually.

“Your Dad and I, we got extremely lucky in the things we did. And the jobs we got. Some people do not have that luck.”

He gestured around her room, to the frames and decorations, and to the candles that smelt so nice but of which most of them she’d never lit.

“Everything that you have, that is an immense privilege. And I know we told you that a thousand times, so it’s kind of lost its meaning. But our money, the material value of the things we own, does not define our characters in the slightest.”

He lowered his voice. “I mean, have you looked at most of the adults that live here?”

She snorted. “I’ve heard you talk about some of the cases you get,” She said. Cameron nodded. “See? The only thing defining how and who we are, is ourselves. Not the house we live in, or the trips we go on, or the clothes we wear. And we want you to understand that. That was part of the reason we made you go to that party today. I mean, you had fun there, didn’t you?”

She nodded hesitantly.

“Exactly. The way you talked about Oliver’s birthday party, I haven’t heard you talk about any of the others you’ve been to. And those were thrown by rich people.”

Kendra nodded. She looked up and looked Cameron in the eye.

“You’re right,” She mumbled. “I guess I understand what you guys have been trying to teach me.”

A gentle smile grazed her Dad’s lips as he pushed a strand of hair behind her shoulder.

“More I didn’t ask.”

Cameron got up and made his way to the door. Before closing it, he said, “Make sure you go to bed soon. I think Cooper wants to go to the Club tomorrow.” He winked at her. “Just so you can charge up.”

Kendra agreed. “Alright. Thanks, Dad.”

He threw her a small kiss, and walked out the door, closing it behind him.

For a few seconds, Kendra simply basked in the quiet that was left, now that she was alone. Then, she stood up from the edge of her mattress and walked over to her desk.

She pulled a small, pink bag closer to her. It was the swag bag from Oliver’s birthday party. For the first time that night, she reached into it. Her fingers closed around something thin, that felt like a stick, and she pulled it out.

Turning it in her hands, she recognized it to be a breakable glow stick. She’d seen those sometimes on kids, around their wrists or even as necklaces if they had enough, but she had never owned one of those.

She gripped it harder and turned both her hands to kink it in the middle.

When it lit up in a bright, glowing green, a smile spread across her face.

**

“And then, after the lights went out, Christine Gravy poured a champagne fountain that was higher than me!”

“Everyone has champagne fountains these days, Alex. Calm down.”

Kendra rested her hand on Kilian’s across the table. “Kilian, if we both don’t have partners by fourty, let’s get married.”

The brunet boy tilted his head and furrowed his brows at her, but a second later, he just shrugged and said, “Sure.”

Smiling, Kendra pulled her hand back.

“Guys, I have something to say,” Simultaneously, all their heads turned around to look at Cooper, who was standing at the end of the table, back from somewhere that Oliver had pulled him just before they’d started eating.

Cooper threw a look at Oliver next to him, who nodded a bit shakily.

“Oliver has told me that he and his family are not really rich, and that he just made up all this stuff to not look bad in front of us,” Cooper explained.

Kilian’s eyebrows shot up.

Kendra slid to the edge of her seat in anticipation of what was coming next.

Jonas paused mid-bite.

Thomas narrowed his eyes at Oliver.

Alexander leaned back and crossed his arms. The ghost of a smile made his lips twitch.

Cooper continued. “We’ve talked about it, and I’ve decided that he will still stay in our group. Because he’s our friend. No matter how much money he has.”

“Or doesn’t have,” Kilian added in a low voice. Kendra almost snorted.

Seemingly satisfied with his announcement, Cooper sat down at his usual spot on the bench, next to Alexander, fittingly, gesturing for Oliver to do the same.

For a moment, nobody at the table said a thing. Cooper didn’t seem to realize, because he was too focused peacefully cutting and chewing at his hotdogs.

Thomas was the one to finally make the first move and leaned closer into Oliver’s direction. “So, you really don’t have any money, Otto?”

Oliver shook his head.

“Not even a different house?” Jonas asked, joining in.

Another no.

Alexander looked terribly full of himself. Kendra noticed how he had seemingly sat up straighter since hearing the news, and his chin was way too high up in the air for her liking.

“That’s just a pity now, isn’t it?” He sneered, lips pulled back in a slimy grin.

And, Oh No.

Kendra groaned.

For God’s sake.

She had been so satisfied with Oliver Otto’s downfall. Or, at least, the idea of it. And now, Alexander Thornton had to come and ruin all of it by agreeing with her, even if he didn’t know it. She squeezed out of her seat, took a step over to where Oliver sat, and grabbed the boy by the arm, pulling him out of his chair.

She stood there for a second, awkwardly, holding Oliver Otto firmly on his arm, the boys on the table all watching her carefully and with confused looks.

“Shut up, Alexander,” she eventually spat, and dragged Oliver away, near to a shadowed wall, where not as many people would be listening in on the conversation they were about to have.

“Ow,” Oliver finally exclaimed his first sound to her, as she roughly maneuvered him to stand in front of her, then let go of his upper arm.

“So, you just told Cooper about you not being rich?” Kendra asked, completely ignoring how Oliver was rubbing his arm where she had seized him.

Oliver threw her a confused look.

“Yeah, I did.”

“And that just worked?” Kendra kept drilling. “He didn’t say anything about it?”

Oliver finally looked up and met her eyes, and the confused look on his face turned into a smug curl of his lips.

“You thought I would crash and burn, didn’t you?” He snickered. “You thought that they’d drop me after hearing I’m not rich.”

Kendra pursed her lips, and refused to look him in the eye.

“Screw you, Otto.”

Oliver was still grinning. “You wanted to get rid of me,” He stated. “But guess what.” His tone got lower now, as he leaned slightly forward, triumphant glint still in his eyes, “Cooper and I are friends now. And I’m gonna be around a whole lot more from now on.”

He walked backwards into the approximate direction of the table, crossed his arms in the air in front of his body, and threw them up in triumph.

“Screw you, Nolan!”

Kendra glared daggers into the side of his head the entire rest of lunch, while Cooper conversed and laughed with him, as if they’d known each other since preschool.

School bell rings, walk me home Sidewalk chalk covered in snow Lost my gloves, you give me one "Wanna hang out?" Yeah, sounds like fun

-It’s Nice to Have a Friend, Taylor Swift

tagged: @ficsnships

[writingprincessblog]

Hey Guys! I am back with another story! Please pardon the grammatical errors and mistakes. Also, do share your opinion and suggest me ways to improve my writing. Thank You! Happy Reading!

The Stories The Sparrow Told

The newspaper that particular morning had ruined my mood. Being a peace lover, the news of war and bloodshed disgusted and depressed me. How can people display such a cruel side, just for the sake of petty materialistic things! I thought to go fishing after breakfast but alas, I suddenly lost interest in that activity. So, instead I went and laid on the flower bed in my Granny’s garden, my favourite haunt, during my visits at her place. The flowers bloomed and swayed and danced in the morning wind. The long trees offered some kind shadow from the scorching heat. The stream, nearby flowed as the waters gleamed like thousand crystals in the morning sun. I inhaled deeply the fragrance of the wild flowers as one thought came into my mind - ‘Spring at last arrived!’

The birds chirped cheerfully as if talking to me. I knew not the language but tried to interpret the cryptic message that they tried to exchange. I knew not what they saw or where they saw but one thing I could do is close my eyes and imagine…….

The little sparrow flew through the open blue sky and rested on a water bath near a modest little cottage. Quenching its thirst, it looked around and found a stout little lady hovering near the flower garden. Her golden locks shone like gold in the sunlight. Her blue dress suited her pale complexion and also brought out the bright blue colour of her eyes. She smiled at the sparrows and glided towards the house when the gate creaked and entered a handsome young man with a charming smile and a mischievous grin. The girl ran into his open arms with glee. They smiled ear to ear and looked to each other with love and adoration. With an exchange of sweet words and loving playful gestures they walked into the house.

The witness of this heartwarming scene chirped happily and flew away to continue wandering and hunting for worms. The humans are content with their relations. Their eyes showed their deep love which illuminated the whole estate. It was better to build a nest on their roof and live there. There will surely be enough worms in the garden and the maiden will surely not reproach a petty boarder. It would indeed be fun to live there.

Indeed, fun it was. But just like every good things, this love story too had to see its end….. One morning, a soft melodious humming reached the sparrow as it was hovering around the garden. Not able to resist, it soon landed near the lady and started to sing along with her, nuzzling its body against her soft palms. A creak of the gate, suddenly, interrupted their song. Maybe, the man again, with his dashing smile. Alas! No some other human with a harden look and white hair. He brought out a letter and handed it to the lady’s outstretched hand. She smiled but the brute did not even glanced at her again and went out. How rude!

She sat on the armchair and opened the letter. The sparrow, annoyed by the interrupting, went beside her and complained and requested to continue the unfinished song. But lo! She was no longer cheerful! Tears filled those pretty eyes as the smile slowly vanished! She ran to the house as tears finally made their way out of her eyes. The letter remained clutched in her hand. The sparrow flew over to the window and saw her throw herself on the bed and sob uncontrollably. Why? Was it that old brute? It KNEW something was wrong with him. Should have poked him with his beak as soon he arrived. Now that, the lady started to cry he would of course do it the next time he saw him.

Days passed by. The young man did not return. Did he get lost in the way? The lady too did not smile like before nor did she come out. The lawn became sad as if it was already winter without any snow. The sparrow knocked the glass but was only shooed away by her. Why? Did she not like him anymore? She used to sit by the fire and bawl her heart out. His tiny heart broke looking at her miserable state. Oh! How he wished the man would come back and console her! How did he miss those moments the beautiful couple spent together!

But neither did the man come nor did the smile. But came the time for the sparrow to move away. He was very sorry! God knows what happened between the couple. The letter!! Yes, something in the letter! Now that he realised, he understood why she cried. Many a house received that gruesome letter which claimed their happiness. The man never returned and the wife and the children cried. The same fate had fallen on this household too. What a lovely environment did the couple live in!! He would surly miss it. May the man come back and may she smile again. 

Suddenly, a rustle of wings woke me up from my slumber. I opened my eyes to find a sparrow perched on my knees. It looked old but what surprised me was the quizzical look it gave me. My brain full of the thoughts of the dainty household interpreted the sparrow’s look as if it was asking - ‘Do you know what happened?’ I played along and said, “My dear sparrow, the war  took many lives and blundered hundreds of happy houses. This one was no different, just their love was too strong to bring out the pity from a symbol of nature like you.” The sparrow nodded (or I may have imagined) and broke out into a melodious song. I again drew a long breath and enjoyed the harmony of its song with the rustling of the leaves and the gurgle of the water. I closed my eyes and continued to listen and interpret these songs. To enjoy the STORIES THAT THE SPARROW TOLD……

-Aurora

[lpmurphy]

Spring in Tchakova Park

Read on AO3

Master List

Chapter Playlist

Summary: Green was the color of the grass where he used to walk in Tchakova Park.

In which John meets a stranger in the park, Violet learns of the care and keeping of Spartans, and Cortana offers dating advice. (Completed 5/7/24)

Chapter One: Lights on the Water

It wasn’t the park itself he enjoyed; the blooming cherry blossom trees sweetening the air over the paved walking paths, the collection of flora from planets both familiar and far away twisting and bowing in the late spring breeze, or the sunset throwing pinky hues across the pond the park centered around. The scenery was nice, he was the first to admit that. Even with Cortana chirping in his ear about the origin, species and genus of every flower or tree he would linger by for too long. He could live with that.

What he had become most fond of though was the noise. He had grown up on battlefields where noise had always been plenty. Thick and heavy and violent. But, the noise he experienced within the park was so different from the noise he knew. It felt lighter somehow. No thunder of gunshots and explosions, no pained shouts or battle cries, nor orders shouted directly through the auditory system of his helmet. That didn’t exist here. It was like a low hum; pleasant and intoxicating. The music of the street performers, the laughter and chatter of passing civilians, the low hum of motorbikes, the heavy breathing of joggers as they passed him on the paths… it didn’t make him feel like a soldier. Like a Spartan. It made him feel human.

He spent most of his time between deployments this way, wandering the footpaths that weaved through the park. Doctor Keyes encouraged them to seek joy outside of the program since she took over; to find themselves after spending so long being told who they were and what to be. The young doctor had been openly horrified when she had asked each of the Spartans what hobbies or interests they had during their get-to-know-you meetings she had required of them after she had been instated as the head of the division. Not a single one of them could provide an answer outside of her single parameter to her question; that it could not be Spartan related. That had become their assignment that week; find something you enjoy.

So he would walk. No orders, no demands, just purposeless walking for the sake of walking.

He would stay out past dusk, drinking in the final sounds of the city until the final group of kids would gather their balls and make their way to the transit stations. The apartments that stood over the park would come alive shortly after, the warm lights that illuminated their windows glittering on the surface of the pond. The signs of families returning home for the night, gathering around tables and exchanging stories about their days. Some nights he would choose a bench; he would sit and count the windows bathed in light until they flickered out one by one like snuffed flames. He’d watch as the city around him drifted off to sleep, the light in the windows diminishing one at a time, before tucking his hands in his pockets and returning to base alone.

He had been confused by it the first time he noticed, observing that the park would fall quiet and the buildings around him brighter at the same time every night over the span of a week. Cortana must have sensed his confusion, as she did everything else.

“Six o’ clock in the evening is the average time in which most residents of New Alexandria return home, according to my findings. The busiest route times on Reach Public Transport are the… ” she had explained calmly, her chipper voice ringing in his ears as she listed off the working hours of the average citizen.

He had stopped listening, that word sitting heavy in his chest as he watched a man on a balcony over the park hold his child, pointing to the crafts that arrived and departed at FLEETCOM in the distance; home . Cortana had defined it in every way she could possibly conjure, but he still couldn’t make sense of it, nor the feeling in his chest that arose each time she spoke it.

Silver Team had spent the better part of the month in the Monaco System, returning only several hours earlier. It had been a successful mission; high Covenant casualties and no Spartan injuries. Kai, Riz and Vannax had filed into their bunks after debrief, all exhausted and bruised and in desperate need of a shower. But he had found himself walking until he reached the transit station, the noises of battle still banging in his ears; too loud and too violent. He needed to walk, needed to listen, needed a moment of stillness and the gentle melody of humanity at its most peaceful. At its most gentle. At its most calm.

The park was mostly empty, John finding himself alone on the walking trail that twisted around the pond. He had remembered seeing the advertisements for a violinist playing in the amphitheater that night the week prior, his feet taking him down the familiar path he had traveled so many times over the months. He liked attending the shows, he tried to go as many as he could when they were on stand-by. Occasionally Kai would join him, but he preferred going alone. Kai preferred to talk, he preferred to listen.

He pressed on, the late spring breeze ruffling the trees overhead and scattering the pavement with a sprinkling of fat pink blooms. He peeked through the slips between branches, counting the apartment lights that slowly began to illuminate as if beckoning the residents home. He felt that same tug in his chest he always did as he paused, the sun dropping lower and casting his shadow long and dark against the pavement. A dog barked somewhere in the distance, pulling his eyes from the pinprick glows. He shook his head, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his civvies and continuing towards the bend in the path that would take him to the amphitheater.

“My scans show that your body is in need of sleep,” Cortana spoke, her always chipper voice soft, “Perhaps you should return to base? You need to rest.”

“I’m fine,” he grunted out.

The ache in his muscles from nights spent sleeping in his armor proved her right, even though he would never outwardly admit it to her. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep with the ugly, visceral noises of battle still ringing in his ears. He didn’t want that to be what he heard as he fell asleep, for it to be the sound of the dreams he now had since removing the pellet.

He kept a persistent pace, the sun dropping lower in the pinky evening skies. He stopped, watching the waters of the pond shimmer golden in the sunset, still reflecting the few clouds that hung overhead. A pair of geese sat on the surface, gliding steadily towards a small boy at the shore. He couldn’t have been older than six, pant legs rolled to his knees as he waded out into the water, a slice of bread gripped in his small fist. John watched his little face squish with determination as he threw it with all of his might, the slice plopping in the water a few feet from where the geese swam. The twosome honked happily, gliding over and ripping apart the soggy snack. The boy let out a triumphant laugh, turning to where his mother and father stood on shore, a wide grin that lacked a few teeth splitting his face.

“Dad! Dad! Did ya see me?” He called, clumsily running from the water into the man’s outstretched arms.

The man chuckled, tossing the boy up onto his hip, unminding of the wet feet that dripped into his pant leg. “I saw, bud! Nice job!”

“I threw it so far and the gooses got it!”

“I saw!” The man confirmed again, returning his child’s excited smile with one that was nearly identical. John let out a chuckle at the boy’s excitement, that tug growing into a hollow feeling that sat heavy in his belly.

The boy’s mother joined them, the three chatting happily as they departed from the pond. On the waters, one goose bumped into the other, tugging gently at its feathers, the other letting out a honk as they glided away once more. John checked his watch before stepping toward the pond; he had a few minutes to spare before the performance began. He watched the geese slide across the water, one flapping its wings when the other dipped under the surface and exposed its pink feet.

“Would you like to know the species of goose? From the mottled gray and white plumage, I believe it is-.”

“You’re ruining it.” He said curtly, the AI letting out an exasperated sigh at her interrupted fact before silencing once more. Somewhere near, a dog barked again. The geese took to the skies with a chorus of flapping wings and warning honks, the reflection on the water turning from pink to purple as dusk fell on the park. His eyes remained on the disrupted surface of the water, watching the rings where the geese sat ripple across the water.

“John!”

“No, Cortana.”

“John, I must insist-.”

“I said no, Cortana,” he growled.

She let out a disapproving sigh, “Fine, have it your way then. Get hit by the projectile incoming from behind you traveling at a speed of approximately-.”

“Heads up!”

He turned before the woman could shout out her warning, fingers curling around the projectile. A black and white dog bounded up to him, its brown eyes fixed upon his hand. It let out a whine, leaping an impressive height straight up, its tongue lolling out of its mouth. He opened his palm, exposing the bright orange rubber ball slick with saliva that had been moments away from pegging him in the back of his head. The dog followed his movement, letting out another begging whine, the tags on its collar jingling.

“Ooo, a border collie! We haven’t seen one of these before! They are a British breed of herding dog that hail from the Anglo-Saxton border on Earth. They are used mostly as sheep-herding or companion animals.”

The dog leapt up again, eyes still fixed upon the ball and ears twitching. He chuckled when it landed, stretching so that its tail stuck up straight to the dusky skies. It barked at him, a friendly sound, the animal’s whole rear end wiggling as it wagged its tail.

“Sorry!” The same voice called.

John looked up from the dog, finding the owner approaching. The woman’s ponytail swished as she jogged towards him, a red nylon leash clipped neatly across her body. She was dressed in black athletic clothes, save the pair of shockingly bright pink running shoes she wore. The woman slowed as she neared him, offering him a warm, apologetic smile, “Sorry, I guess I got carried away with that last throw. She isn’t bothering you, is she?”

He shook his head, the dog still watching him with a desperate anticipation. “No ma’am,” he said, holding up the ball. He had watched others throw similar balls to their dogs on his walks. He had always wondered what was so enjoyable about the activity. “May I?”

The woman smiled again, freckled nose crinkling. She nodded and gestured to the ball, “Be my guest. You’d be doing my arm a favor.”

He gave the ball a toss in his palm, chuckling as the dog’s eyes leapt to follow it before he gave it a toss. The dog took off in a sprint towards the ball, its tags jingling merrily as it ran. The woman gave out a low whistle, watching the ball sail across the grassy field 40 yards before sinking down with a bounce. “Nice throw.”

“Thanks.”

“That’s Sadie. I’m Violet,” she said, holding out a hand to him. He peered down at it, impossibly small compared to his own. He took it gently, careful not to squeeze too tight. His whole hand closed around hers, warm and soft against his calloused palm, giving it a small shake. Her green eyes darted between his hand and his face, that same warm smile still stretching her lips.

“You’re holding her hand too long, Chief.”

He dropped her hand, crossing his arms across his chest and returning his gaze to the pond.

“John.”

“Sorry we scared your friends away,” the woman said, looking over at him.

John raised an eyebrow, arms still crossed firmly against his chest. “What?”

“The geese,” she said, pointing to the spot in the pond the geese had departed from, the rippled water now smooth and glassy once again. She hugged herself as the cool breeze ruffled the trees again, “I noticed you were watching them before Sadie scared them off. She likes to chase them.”

“Oh,” he said with a nod, “no. That’s fine.”

A silence fell between the two again, Sadie finally reaching where the ball had touched down. The dog scooped it up, bounding back towards where they stood in a tired trot. John shifted, glancing down at the woman again, opening his mouth to speak. He closed it, unsure of what to say to the pretty woman beside him. She tucked a strand of rich brown hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear, whistling and calling the dog. It reminded him of the foil wrapped chocolates Doctor Keyes kept in a dish on her desk. She would push them towards the Spartans each time they would visit the lab for a med eval. Kai would always complain that they were too bitter, but Miranda would slide one to him with a knowing look. He never declined them, chalking it up to politeness until he found himself reaching for one without Keyes’ prompting during a visit to her lab.

“They’re fun to watch. The geese,” she clarified, the dog nearing them, “They’re cool animals really.”

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

“They mate for life, you know. It’s pretty romantic,” she gave a little shrug, flashing that warm smile at him again, “as far as birds go.”

“She’s right! They do! They are of the 3 to 5% of animals that are monogamous.”

“Cortana.”

“Sorry.”

He returned her smile. She still looked up at him with that smile; warm and bright and kind. “I didn’t know that.”

Her face twisted with a pang of embarrassment, her tongue poking out slightly before she let out a laugh, “Sorry. That was super weird and nerdy of me. I don't know why I said that. What a weird thing to say to a stranger.”

He chuckled, her laugh high and clear and musical. “No, it was interesting. I liked it.”

She pressed her hands to her cheeks, a slight pink flush creeping up her neck, freckled shoulder still shaking in laughter. He liked her laugh.

“What I mean is,” she laughed, “It’s my favorite part of the park. The pond.”

“Yeah,” he agreed with a nod, the corners of his mouth still pulled up in amusement, “It’s…quiet.”

She nodded, an agreeing smile splitting her face, “It is.”

Sadie skidded to a halt in front of John, discarding the ball at his feet. The dog panted heavily, rear still wiggling with excitement as she let out an expectant groan. The dog nosed the ball towards him, obviously uncaring of her overly exerted state.

“I should get her home. It’s her dinner time,” Violet explained, lifting the lead over her head and dropping to a knee. Sadie sat beside her obediently, panting heavily while Violet clipped her lead back to her harness.

“Alright.”

“It was nice to meet you, John. Sorry again for nearly hitting you with a ball. And for the weird bird fact,” she finished with another pleasant giggle.

He smiled, Violet straightening up again. Her bangs fell in her eyes and he felt the strange urge to reach out and brush them away. Instead, he kept his arms firmly crossed. “Anytime.”

She half smiled, scooping the ball up. She whistled again, breaking into a jog, Sadie trotting at her side as they started to cross the field towards the street. John watched her hair swish as she jogged, keeping time with each step. She turned after a few steps, smiling at him over her shoulder and giving him a little wave. He returned it, feeling silly as he gave her a small awkward smile back. He turned back to the pond, Cortana’s voice filling his head.

“Chief, during your conversation with her, your body released high levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Your heart rate increased and when you touched her hand, you began to perspire. I believe you are attracted to that woman!”

“Leave it alone, Cortana,” he responded. The street lamps flickered on as the sun ducked under the horizon, the pond reflecting the first glimmer of stars along with the window lights.

“You never let me have any fun. Anyhow, if you would still like to attend the performance, we should be on our way to the amphitheater. It begins in approximately five minutes.”

John pushed the sound of bell-like laughter from his mind, suddenly reminded of his original mission in attending the park. He turned over his shoulder, swallowing the lump in his throat that had formed when he saw her jog across the field towards him, feet carrying back towards the walking paths. He glanced towards the direction in which she and Sadie had trotted off, searching for the bounce of her ponytail on the empty sidewalk. She was already gone, the sidewalk empty of bright pink running shoes and a far too tired dog. For the second time that night, his eyes returned to the illuminated windows. This time, he wondered if one of those lights had beckoned her home as well.

[ntwarrior]

WE'LL NEVER BREAK AGAIN, NEVER NEVER. NEVER LET THE UNBROKEN BELLS OF OUR HEARTS RESOUND, EVERYTHING WILL BE COVERED BY DARK CLOUDS AND SMEARED WITH MUD. LET US DRAW A LINE INSIDE THE MAZE THAT OBSTRUCTS THE PATH OF THE WORLD NOW. THIS LINE WILL BE THE OVERLAPPING MAP, THAT FLOWER THAT BLOOMS FOR THE SAKE OF ILLUMINATING YOU…

[rubywolf0201]

At the end of an endless journey, there must be a “time” where it’s now or never.

“It’s impossible to drown in the rain”, even so, it feels like it’s hard to breathe.

Let us draw a line inside the maze that obstructs the path of the world now.

This line will be the overlapping map: the flower that blooms for the sake of illuminating you.

A saturated gray Boucheron/Louis moodboard with street backgrounds and hydrangeas.

[gctawaygirl]

Octavia was good at knowing what people wanted. It was how she had done so well in court until recently. Although Anders was harder to read than others, it wasn't difficult to tell that he would rather not be around so many people. He still had to be at the ball though, for the act they were playing of their courtship. For a moment, she was confused that his manservant disappeared but smile when he returned with another woman, a female servant. A much better chaperone than his mother. She knew she would need to get along with the Dowager Duchess in future but her threats still loomed over her head right now.

As Anders slowly made his way down the stairs with support, Octavia matched the pace. She didn't rush downstairs but slowly descended step-by-step with him without a word. If he was to be her husband, she had to learn to walk in stride with him, not look like she was constantly waiting for him to catch up. Perhaps she would one day learn to be the one who would help him. Octavia had a nurturing side that often surprised others as it did not come across in normal conversation. While she waited for her fire to return from the scandal, perhaps it would be more obvious.

Octavia smiled gratefully at the man who had helped Anders. He had called him Edmure. A name she would remember given that he always seemed to be around. She gladly took his arm again. Perhaps he had only been briefly kind to her but she felt safe there. He had agreed to marry her and that was protection from eyes looking for the scandal. That was enough for now. She smiled, another genuine smile he had drawn to her lips. She hadn't smiled so much in a long time, "Thank you," she said, the assurance was much needed. She did not want to lose that relationship with her mother. When he talked about her father, Octavia laughed, drawing the attention of a few couples who were out in the gardens, "He cares a lot for his reputation, his name. I don't blame him in many ways but it is harder for a woman and her reputation without the support of her father and husband. He has never understood that," she paused, "It would arouse suspicion if they weren't around at least a little. I think my father would like to wash his hands of me but will be in my life for the sake of duty. If my mother has not forsaken me like you say, I would like to see her," she explained.

It was then that Octavia finally took in the gardens. She was sure they were more beautiful during the day but they were magical at night too. The flowers were in full bloom and lights illuminated them enough for her to see. She wondered if there could be a place for her to tend to her own garden here. Would she be allowed to tend to the existing garden? She imagined others were paid to but her own little patch would do her fine, "Your home is truly exquisite," she said to him quietly, looking around in awe as the lights around her and stars above twinkled in her eyes.

Octavia's suggestion to walk in the gardens immediately captured his interest. Despite only having been at the party briefly, Anders was already weary of the bustling crowd and the ceaseless brown-nosing. Pausing momentarily, he glanced at Edmure, his attentive manservant, who astutely interpreted his unspoken request and hastily vanished, only to reappear a few minutes later in the company of an older female servant from the household. While Edmure could act as a suitable chaperone, tradition dictated that a female presence was more appropriate for such an outing, and the Duke was determined to protect his future wife from the eyes on them.

Listening as she shared her hobbies, he led her to the terrace that offered a breathtaking view of the lush garden. The entire area was adorned with strategically placed lights, casting an enchanting and almost surreal glow around the garden. A gentle breeze danced through the foliage, causing the leaves to rustle softly and carrying a delicate fragrance from the blooming flowers. The ambiance was further enriched by the soft chatter of couples and the soothing music in the background, creating a serene and idyllic atmosphere. As they approached the stairs leading to the garden paths, Anders untangled himself from Octavia's arm so Edmure could assist him, not entirely confident that the petite woman could handle the task. The descent down the stairs was a struggle. Supported by his loyal manservant, the Duke was forced to hop down each step due to his unyielding leg brace - a scene that drew the attention of curious onlookers.

Anders finally reached the base of the stairs, where he paused to take a deep breath and gather his composure. Embarrassed about his inability to walk unaided and the show it took for him to get down the stairs, it took another moment for his confidence to return before thanking Edmure and looking toward Octavia as she descended the last few steps. He offered his gloved hand to help her, then tucked her hand into the crook of his arm before walking down a path, casting a menacing glance as they passed a couple who had been watching them. "You don't have to speak about your mother that way - in the past tense," Anders finally spoke in a gentle but firm tone once the other couple was far behind them. "I don't make it a habit to get involved with women's business, but I met with your parents and listened when our mothers spoke. Even in your father's presence, she seemed genuinely concerned for you. I'm sure she would come if you extended an invitation to her. Your father, on the other hand, is a bastard, acting as though he has never sullied anyone's reputation before. I wouldn't want to break bread with him, but alas, he is your father, and I will unless he continues to disparage my wife. Then I'll have to take matters into my own hands." A few steps passed in silence before he asked, "Do you even want them in your life anymore?"

[upkarma3]

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[comfortscripts]

Let Me Treat You ¬ Bucky B.

Plot - Love wasn't something Bucky had experience in, and as the day of love comes along, you decide to treat him.

Genre - Fluff

Pairing - James Buchanan Barnes x GN!Reader

Notes/Warnings - General fluffiness and that's all. Its a short one to kick us off on the Valentines Countdown

Word Count - 0.6k

“What do you mean you’ve never celebrated?”

A whole-hearted chuckle rang through the kitchen, radiating off the super solider as he poured the final drops of orange juice into the gradient glass. Topless figure highlighted by the soft rays flowing through the open window, making the contortion of his muscles ever prominent with the laughter.

“What do you want me to say, doll? In the 20s, it wasn’t exactly acceptable for an unmarried couple to go out alone, let alone celebration a day such as Valentine’s” One hand tasked with griping your waist as his pearly whites beam down at you, whilst the other cups the glass within, with hope to be resting upon your skin soon.

Shock radiated through your body at the fact of his lack of celebration. Ideas of how to celebrate rattling through your brain as the blue-eyed man admires the wide-eyed gaze splattered across your face, causing him to pause his admiration to continue his explaination. “Not sure I’d like the whole publicity of it. You know I love you everyday, not sure if it’s love if you only express it one day a year”

Eyebrows furrowing to match his words with ideas coming to a halt and changing direction based off the introverted personality of your love. Words escaping your mouth as a respond for the sake of, “Understandable. I want to love you 24/7, not just on Valentine’s day”

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡���♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Stuttered steps rang off the walls as the shadows of the pair encroached closer to the balcony where the delicate radiance of candle-light and star shine fell across the layout. The soothing scent of newly-bloomed flowers danced in the wind, adding a crisp aroma to the subtle waft of stew floating across the air.

Simplicity was key with James, and the layout showed it. A cloth-covered table with a single daring red Camellia centred perfectly between the plates of mouth-watering food from a time gone by. Gentle light illuminating the dinner as the distance bustle of town melted with the soft tones of Artie Shaw.

“And open”

No matter how much he’d experience, or how harden he’d become, the sight of your efforts brought a tear to his crystal eyes. Warmth overflowing within as the super solider analyses every inch of the setup, grin widening with each detail before landing fully on you.

A staggered step towards you, almost cautious as if this was a dream that could flee from his grasp with a small movement, but no, this was reality.

This was his reality, this was his love, this was you.

Arms hanging loosely upon your hips, eyes captured with his adoring orbs and body leaning into his warmth; everything had gone to plan. The love that flowed from the pair of you could have lit up New York with ease, and the admiration Bucky held in his eyes was enough to bring you to your knees.

“This is incredible. How on ea-? Why would you go through all this trouble?”

Hand rising to tenderly cup his stubbled jaw, gentle strokes of your thumb running across his touch-starved skin. “You deserve to experience Valentine’s day in comfort. No crowds, no silly ideas of what day you can love, no fuss; just love and I love you, James Buchanan Barnes.”

As you tip-toe to place a fleeting kiss against the rough of his lips, a quiet whisper falls from your caring lips; “Let me treat you”