#the lady who saw me looking at it just looked at me and said 'it reminds me of the jar do you remember the jar'

[my-darling-boy]

I was at a bookstore looking through the art section and I saw a spine that said The Camden Town Nudes which was interesting because this didn’t seem like the bookstore where I would ever find something like that and I wanted to have a casual look but like. This also wasn’t exactly the bookstore where you felt like you could look at naked pictures let alone just suggestive paintings of them, it’s a really small shop as well, so I was like right I’ll just take a quick peek, I’m an art student, I love history, maybe I’ll buy it. I looked both ways and saw the shopkeep had left momentarily and no one was about, so I opened it and found it was an entire book featuring nude Edwardian women all painted by Walter Sickert between 1905-1912 and it was actually quite a revolutionary set of paintings for its time given that it featured very raw depictions of working class nude women in dark London instead of the elegant, white bedsheet clad, Demure middle and upper class women usually depicted.

And of course RIGHT as I flip to this lady’s boobs practically taking up an entire double page spread, every customer in a 5 mile radius appeared from around the corners of the shelf including the shopkeep and immediately regressing to a wet, pathetic Edwardian man from 1908, startled, I dropped the large book which caused a giant SLAP on the floor in this already silent store thus causing all patrons to look down at me scrambling on my knees to close a giant book of Edwardian boobs and let me tell you it would not have been nearly as funny had I not immediately felt like some Edwardian local pervert who just tried to sneak a cheeky peek at the erotic book in the bookstore only to drop it dramatically causing a scene, red up to his ears trying to shove it back on the shelf. Like such a casual and normal thing in modern day but looking at Edwardian women suddenly turned it into this egregious act as I apparently became possessed by the spirit of a moustached man in a bowler hat and morning coat going Good Heavens I mustn’t gaze upon these images in public lest the constable haul me away!

[dsybouquet]

cant stop thinking about art atelier owner! ellie who recently moved the atelier to a bigger and prettier place.

the former flower shop has stood empty for years since the old lady running it has turned too old. when ellie bought the place from her, she saw the sadness behind the woman’s eyes who spent decades of her life in the building and now had to leave it behind. therefore ellie made the promise to keep the place im a good shape.

that being said, ellie stood by her word. couple of months have passed and the atelier is almost finished. she was missing some things here and there, but the time will bring them in - or rather, her local delivery girl will.

it was a cold november day and you regretted showing up at work. since christmas was approaching, the amount of packages was nearly unbearable. you stopped the mail-vehicle and put your head on the steering wheel. “think about the money, ______.”, you reminded yourself before grabbing the letters from the box next to you.

“williams?”, you whispered to yourself, clearly remembering that the shop belonged to a elderly woman named sophie thomson.

looking at your handscanner, you saw that you also had three packages to deliver at the adress.

thinking nothing of it, you got out of the vehicle. the cold air was immediately piercing your fingers and you wrapped your scarf closer around your neck. the side door slid open and you took the four packages all adress to ‘ellie williams - williams’ atelier’

odd, you thought, but you scanned them in and made your way inside. it was completely renovated. the walls, that used to have a flowery wallpaper, are now painted in a dark green tone, that made the atmosphere super mysterious. brown armchairs and a retro looking glass table, that was littered with art magazines, stood next to the entrance. it felt like a lobby.

“hello? im here to deliver a package.”, you called out, placing the packages on the nearby counter.

“coming!”, you heard a woman reply.

rushing from the backdoor was a woman, approximately around the age of 25. her hair was half up in a messy bun, possibly to keep it out of her face. she wore a beat down overall that was covered in paint stains.

“sorry, didn’t hear ya coming in.”, she then said, looking at you with her piercing eyes. for a second you were just staring at her tattoos, her face and her eyes.

“y-yeah don’t worry! i just need a signature for one of these.”, you fumbled on the handscanner. “can i ask your name, so i can type it in?”

“ellie williams.”, she responded, leaning against the counter, eyeing you.

“alright, miss williams, i need you to sign right on the display and then we’re done.”, you smiled, holding the scanner out to her.

she signed with a smile on her face, and placed the packages on the backdoor.

“hey! i have a few more orders coming in in the next weeks. also some furniture. if anything is too heavy just come in and yell. i will make sure to help you.”, she said, walking back to you.

this wasn’t the last time you had to go to the atelier. actually, mrs. williams was ordering a lot. you always wanted to roll your eyes when you’re collages commented how many packages the adress had, but you couldn’t.

after some time passed, she would eventually start to offer you a cup of coffee or some sweets. eventually you would drop calling her mrs. williams and call her ellie or els.

“what are your opening hours between christmas and new year?”, you asked as you placed her packages on the counter and clicked the ‘recipient’ button to confirm the package delivery.

“we’re closed, but just ring the door bell as i will be here sometimes. maybe you can catch me.”, she smiled and grabbed your to go coffee cup to refill it for you - something that she started to do last week.

“______, wait here for a second.”, she then said, turning her back to you and jogging towards the backdoor. “i got you a little something.”

she handed you a dark green, christmas themed giftbag filled with some chocolate and a little canvas. “thank you for your hard work and for carrying my heavy furniture in here”

“thank you, els.”, you smiled.

back in your car, you looked at the little envelope in the bag. there was a card inside, littered with christmas wishes and..

ellies number at the bottom of it. ‘text me if you see this xx’

[spahhzy]

Neo danced with some friends as Jaune just watched with a smile, happy to see his wife well happy and enjoying herself .

Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder.

Woman: Well, aren't you just a tall drink of water?

The first thing that hit Jaune's nose was the alcohol, and from the looks of it... this lady drank a lot.

Jaune just looked at her.

Jaune: What are you doing?

Woman: What?

Jaune: I'm married, darling.

Meanwhile, Neo was now looking at the woman talking to her husband, and she was no longer dancing, and the smile now gone, replaced with an ever growing frown.

Woman: Me too~

Jaune: Yeah? Where's your husband out there?

Woman: He's in vacuo~

The woman just gave a drunken giggle.

Woman: Where's your wife?

Jaune: My wife is standing right over there, staring at you. *points to Neo*

The woman looked at Neo, who downed a shot glass while glaring daggers at her.

Woman: I'll handle this~

And the drunken soul walked towards the enraged wife.

Jaune: Don't do that...

Woman: I got this~

Jaune: Oh boy...psst Nora! Ren!

The power couple were engaging in a sloppy makeout but stopped as they saw Jaune walk up to them.

Jaune: Time to go, guys.

Nora: But it ain't midnight?

Jaune: It's midnight enough.

As soon as he said that, the shattering of glass was heard as the drunken woman collapsed to the floor as Neo just looked at the woman before grabbing her hair and proceed to slap the now bleeding woman in the face.

Jaune just sighed with a smile, as he looked back at his wife as she started fighting all the bouncers.

Never a dull moment.

-

Roman: So...

In front of him were his two closest allies and friends, beaten and bruised but smiling like they just won the lottery.

Jaune: In her defense-

Neo: That will teach any whore to even look at my tall glass of water.

[mctartney]

Okay I feel like so much of it was a blur but let me try and write what I remember and share some of my highlights!

- Before the show we heard screaming and everyone rushing the other side of the arena and were like who the FUCK has turned up??? Well now we know lol

- He is such a genius starting the show with AHDN because that first chord??? Instant Beatlemania 

- Let Me Roll It ok ok ok listen. Not usually an old Paul fucker. Him taking his jacket off before and everyone cheering was funny. BUT then him slowly rolling up his sleeves and undoing his top button during the verses?? oooOOH let me at him 🥴

- He didn't tell the "Jimi asked me to tune his guitar" story like usual, was just like "he was a lovely guy, very humble" 🥺

- I don't know why but I found My Valentine so emotional?? I don't know, it's just Paul has lost so many people but I'm so glad that throughout his life he has always found people to love and who love him

- I've Just Seen A Face in front of the Cavern backdrop made me UNWELL

- Paul get everyone to do the little "oh-oh-oh-oh"s in In Spite Of All The Danger and then the crowd kept doing it when the the song was over and he looked so happy and it made him laugh so he did the last verse again AW

- Blackbird -  I've heard him tell the story about seeing the kids going to school in Little Rock before, but he told a story about how he got a text from a lady in Jacksonville who saw The Beatles there when they refused to play a segregated show and she said it was the first time she had ever stood next to a white person. Glad he makes a point to tell these stories because it makes it very clear - this was not long ago in the slightest.

- Here Today, okay I've never seen him have an emotional wobble in person, he's got through it okay. Every time I've seen him have a wobble in a video it's been on the "I love you" line. But this time he kind of had a moment on the "I really loved you and was glad you came along" and oh man. It's just so sad, isn't it? It's so sad.

- Now and Then, he had a little moment to admire the heart cards the crowd held up and it was very cute!!

- He started telling the story of the lost bass and then brought it out to play it and it was SO surreal to be in the same room in that guitar. He was like "I'm going to play it for the first time in 50 years" and then twanged the strings and was like "Well, it sounds like a bass!" djskf

- Get Back with the lost bass and Ronnie Wood was just so fun and they all looked like they were having so much fun!

- Let It Be was really beautiful, everyone lit up the arena with their phone torches. It was so special. Afterwards, he looked out to the audience and says, completely serious, like your dad giving his best advice "Let it be. There will be an answer. Let it be." I love him so much.

- Live And Let Die, one of the loud fireworks accidentally went off in the middle of a verse and scared the LIFE out of me. I jumped a mile and then looked back over to Paul who was just laughing djkdg. Him covering his ears for the last explosion at the end is so cuuute too he's the funny uncle at the party it's true.

- I've Got A Feeling. Ohhh. Sweet boy. Seeing him sing with John. Hearing John's voice ring through the arena so clearly. It's a lot.

- Paul: "We've got another special guest for you" Me: 🧐🙏 The Crew: *start dragging a drumkit on* Me: 😨 Paul: "Ringo Starr!" Me: 🥴😵

- IT WAS UNREAL!! THEYRE SO CUTE. Ringo truly is so little aww and they had a cuddle and Paul kissed him on the forehead. Honestly the affection between them was palpable, I dunno how to describe it. Just really fond.

- Lowkey Sgt Peppers and Helter Skelter were a blur bc my brain was just going PAUL AND RINGO SAME ROOM 50% BEATLES

- Then Abbey Road Medley went way too quickly and was all over so soon sighh

- He kissed the camera on the way out 😘😘 Love him to bits forever & always

[harryspurpleloofah]

Elevator

(Picture is from my policeman premiere from hshq.in)

Summary: Harry’s staying at a hotel and he meets a woman who’s there for a gala in the reception. They get stuck in an elevator together and things escalate

Warnings: swearing, fingering, p in v sex, no condom but the reader specifies she’s on birth control, smut

The sound of her friends’ laughter echoed faintly behind her as she stepped into the hotel elevator. The soft click of her heels against the polished floor was the only sound in the otherwise silent space. The party had been a whirlwind—champagne, music, and a lot of noise—and now, the quiet of the hotel felt like a welcome reprieve.

She hit the button for the eleventh floor and leaned back against the mirrored wall, adjusting the strap of her shimmering dress. The elevator doors began to close, but just before they could seal shut, a deep voice called out, “Hold it!”

She quickly presses the open button to let the man in. He was tall, lean but broad-shouldered, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, revealing just a hint of his collarbone. His messy hair fell over green eyes, and there was something effortless about the way he carried himself like he hadn’t been in a hurry at all.

“Thanks,” he said, stepping inside, his voice low and smooth. He flashed her a quick smile, one dimple deepening.

“No problem.” She replied, stepping back a bit from the panel so he could pick which floor he was heading to.

He reached over, letting her inhale his Tom Ford fragrance which she recognised from a colleague who worked with her. He pressed the button for the 7th floor and smiled at her again.

“Long night?” he asked, glancing at her reflection in the mirrored wall.

“You could say that,” she replied, catching his gaze in the reflection. “How about you?”

“Just got here,” he said, leaning casually against the side of the elevator. “Checking in for the weekend.”

“Are you on holiday here or..?”

“No more like a business trip kinda thing. I’m Harry by the way.”

“Y/n.”

Before either of them could say more, the elevator jolted throwing both of them off balance. Harry reached out steadying himself against the wall, while she grabbed the railing. The elevator came to an abrupt halt, the lights flickering once before switching to a dim emergency glow.

“For fucks sake you have to be joking.” She muttered under her breath. The floor indicator was stuck on five and none of the buttons responded to her touch.

Harry straightened, furrowing his brows. “That’s… not supposed to happen, is it?”

“No,” she replied, pressing the emergency button. A tiny voice crackled over the speaker. “Please remain calm. The elevator is experiencing technical difficulties. A technician has been dispatched.”

Harry glanced at her. “Well, that’s reassuring.”

She sighs loudly after ten minutes. “What is this?”.

Harry chuckles, “this is not ideal is it now?”

“Far from.”

“There’s worse people to be stuck in an elevator with aren’t there?”

She smiles slightly, “I have no problem with you. I’m just really tired. And my feet are killing me.”

Harry’s gaze flickered down to her heels and he made an empathetic face, “Jesus those look like they’d hurt in minutes let alone the entire night.”

“Exactly. But they look nice in the moment so it’s kinda worth it.”

They both went quiet for a second when Harry saw her head looking around the elevator, “looking for a way out?” He questioned.

“No I’m looking for a camera.”

“Why what are you planning on doing?” He teases. She chuckles.

“Nothing like what you’re thinking. I just wanted to know if we’d die in here alone or maybe they’d find us.”

“The lady on the button said they’ll be here in a bit don’t worry.”

“She said that twenty minutes ago.”

“So they should be coming any minute now.”

As if on cue the lights flickered and the elevator jolted again. “What the fuck?” She exclaimed. Harry sighed as he shrugged off his blazer.

“It’s getting awfully warm in here.”

“What if we suffocate?” She asks in panic.

Harry looks like he’s considering it for a second before shaking his head, “no elevators aren’t sealed. We won’t suffocate.”

She calms down a bit, “but we might starve.” He points out.

“You’re not helping!”

He raises his hands in surrender while laughing, “sorry sorry. I couldn’t resist. Don’t worry we’re gonna be fine.”

She sighs and sinks down in the corner, holding her knees to her chest. Harry looks over, “sweetheart if it makes you feel better I’d be trying to get us out right now but my engineering skills are non existent.” He says.

She smiles slightly at his attempt of a joke as he sits down next to her. “You ok?” He asks gently.

“I’m fine. I just got a bit panicked sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it love. It’s normal this isn’t a regular situation.”

They wait for another five minutes and nobody’s still there.

“I have to admit,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, “this is starting to feel like one of those scenes in your romance novels.”

Her breath catches, and she couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. “What makes you think I read romance novels?”

He gestured to the book peeking out of her bag, his smile teasing. “Just a hunch.”

She chuckles, “okay I enjoy one from time to time. They’re not as bad as some people say yknow.”

“Yeah. But there are some real gems..that are honestly painful to read”

She laughs and nods, completely agreeing. She looked back at him. He had the prettiest eyes she’d ever seen. Fuck it he was the prettiest guy she’d ever seen. His curls fell around his face like he was strategically painted to look that way. His lips were a shade of pink that she couldn’t believe was natural. She realised she was staring and looked back.

“I suppose this wasn’t how I was planning on ending my night but I don’t mind entirely,” he smiled, nudging her shoulder slightly.

“Me too. You’re right there are worse people I could be stuck with right now,” she continued.

“Much worse.”

Another ten minutes pass and they’re both just waiting it out now. “If we were to pry the door open..”

“Nah. Wouldn’t work. We’d just end up getting stuck because the elevator might start moving while you’re trying to get out.”

He sighs and jabs his ringed finger into the emergency button again to which they hear the same voice reassuring them it won’t be too long now. He sits back down.

“I like your rings.” She said quietly, what she meant was that she’d take all five fingers if she could. She didn’t know if it was the elevator air or if she was just going a bit crazy but her attraction to him was just growing. And the fact that there was no visible camera in the elevator wasn’t helping things.

As if Harry was thinking the same thing, he pointed out, “we sure there’s no camera?”

“I don’t know but I can’t see one.”

He shifted a bit, looking straight ahead instead of at her now. “You dating anyone?” He casually asked.

“Not at the moment no.”

“Oh.”

“Well there was a guy.”

“And?”

She sighs, “his name is Josh, I dated him for a bit but he was just always looking at other girls and..comparing me so it was bad for me..”

“God what a loser.”

“Yeah…” She laughs. “Completely unrelated but he wasn’t very good at sex,”

“Well…you could still have a good personality.”

“Yeah but he didn’t so he was lacking in everything.”

After a bit more gossiping about some of the ickiest men on earth who had somehow just all managed to squeeze into her love life, Harry laughed.

“Ok you’ve told me the worst, have you ever actually had good sex?”

“Honestly? I haven’t. All my time alone has been better than any time with someone else. It’s like men who are good at sex barely even exist anymore.”

The elevator jolts again. Harry sighs, “you ok?”

“I’m good don’t worry.”

Harry starts looking at her again. She’s so pretty and the bad experiences with sex are just turning him on even more. Just making him feel like he could give her so much more than anything she’s ever had. He tries to distract himself as much as he can but it’s just not working. His trousers start becoming tighter and tighter. It’s getting noticeable.

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t drenched in her own thong as well. She was equally as turned on as him if not more, it just wasn’t as visible. She looked in the mirror and realised her lip gloss had come off again. She sighed and reached into her purse to get the tube.

As she put it on she could feel his warm green eyes on her. It made her want to absolutely melt but now she was trying to get a reaction out of him. Did she want it? A hookup? In an elevator, with the risk of being caught in the middle of it by a maintenance team? Fuck yes.

But she needed to make sure Harry was in too. As she spread the liquid over her lips her gaze flicked over to try to gauge his reaction. He was looking at her with interest, his blazer resting around his crotch area. Was he trying to hide an erection?

He wasn’t giving her any distinct signs and he seemed really nice, she didn’t want to ruin what she’d already made with him by being weird and asking him, a total stranger for a hookup in an elevator that was stuck on the fifth floor.

She froze when his ringed fingers brushed his arm, not closely enough to be sexual but not far enough to be platonic. “You’re gorgeous. You know that?” His voice gently says.

“Thanks..”

“Do you want this?” He asked

“I-I think I do yes.”

“I don’t want I think love, I want I know. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

He licks over his lips before moving over her to capture her newly coated lips in a kiss. It was soft, both their lips slowly falling in love with each other. His tongue came in later, nudging a gap in her mouth to enter and when it did it was like it would never leave, exploring her mouth with so much confidence like he owned it already she just didn’t know.

He lifted her up and pinned her against the mirror before turning her around, making her face herself, “look at how pretty you look for me baby. I’ve had to sit here and just watch you and not do anything about it for the last hour.”

He kisses her neck gently, savoring each bit of her skin like he has to ration it, sucking gently on bits then soothing them with his tongue just as quickly before she’s in any real pain. He starts sliding off his rings, throwing them on the floor to land on top of his discarded blazer, “don’t want these to hurt you pet.”

He unzips her dress and helps her get it off. He takes her thong, sliding it down her legs and checks if she’s wet enough, which she is, soaking. “You don’t need lube baby yeah?”

“Yeah-yeah I’m fine,” she replies breathlessly.

He inserts a finger, she lets out a moan. He adds another and begins to thrust them both in and out stretching her out for himself, “I’m quite big baby will you be able to take me?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Sure?”

“Sure.”

“Of course you will. Good girl.”

She moans again, gripping onto the hand railing with on hand and Harry’s arm with the other to balance herself because her legs are a lost cause now, completely turned to jelly. He unclips her hair and lets it fall down, “beautiful,” he mutters, putting it to once side and going back down on her neck as his fingers worked her.

“That’s it baby come on my fingers f’me.”

She doesn’t need to be told twice, letting go instantly with a sigh of relief as she feels like climax taking over her body. “Now tell me what you need honey?” He urges.

“You-your cock please.”

“Again?”

“Your cock Harry.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Hold still for me ok?”

She obliges and looks up at herself in the mirror while she waits, all her efforts to get dolled up tonight down the drain, her mascara is messy, her gloss smeared, her hair not in the updo anymore, one of her earrings missing, she looked completely ruined.

He teases her with just the tip, “love I’m asking you again,” his tone is gentle, like it was before when he was talking to her normally “are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Are you on birth control? I don’t have a condom.”

“Yes! Harry fuck please yes.”

He can’t do it anymore either, he pushes in completely earning a deep moan from her, she feels like she’s being split in half on his cock and he’s gently raising her chin everytime it falls for her to get eyefuls of the pleasure on her face as he pounded into her from behind.

“Oh god baby you’re so tight..”

She groans, her hand going back to pull him closer by the neck to which he obeys, finding her lips in a loving reassuring kiss, praising her for being able to take his cock so well.

His thrusting becomes faster but less deep as he also chases his high, he waits for her though, making sure she’s completely satisfied before worrying about himself.

“I’m so close Harry,” she reassured him, egging him on to go a bit deeper to carry her there. She comes hard with a plethora of guttural moans that push him over the edge too, shooting a hot load in her. She feels so..full. Even after he pulls out she’s just in that mania of orgasm.

He smiles at her while still breathing heavily, zipping himself back up, still supporting her around the waist making sure she won’t fall. He crouches over to get a pack of tissues from her bag which he uses to clean her up and then another to clear her gloss and mascara. Most of her makeup came off but he doesn’t mind. She’s just as gorgeous if not more.

He scans the elevator floor for her missing earring and wipes it down before giving it to her and watching as she slips it in the hole in her earlobe. Then he helps her put her dress back on and gives her some time to catch her breath.

When she’s conscious enough to know what’s happening, he’s crouched over her bag, writing something on her notepad, the maintenance team standing by the open door gesturing them to come out.

She gets outside and the warm light of the lobby hits her, a stark contrast to the cold one in the elevator. She’s about to look around for Harry but he’s standing right next to her. “Do you wanna come back to my hotel?” He gently asks.

She smiles, “thanks but my house isn’t far, I’d love to keep in touch though.”

He grins and hands her the slip of paper, with his number on it. “Whenever you want Angel. Just give me a ring.”

He leans in a bit closer, “honestly disappointed I didn’t even properly take off my shirt for you love. We’ll do that all next time kay?”

He winks at her and starts walking back up to the stairs, deliberately avoiding the elevator this time. What a man. She looked down at the number. She knew this was gonna be on speed dial from now on.

[it-happened-one-fic]

Dancing With Visions - Without Any Hesitation - Kinich - Lambada

Author Notes: This was actually my first time writing Kinich, but the fic came together pretty quickly and I'm pretty satisfied with it. The tidbit about Lambada being known as a 'Forbidden Dance' is actually something I picked up from my research. Ditto with the short skirts that used to be worn by performers which led to being called the 'Forbidden Dance.' The dance in this fic was highly inspired by the lambada performance by Leo Bruno & Romina Hidalgo to “Unforgettable” by French Montana ft. Swae Lee. This fic was also written to the instrumental version of the same song. I hope you enjoy

If you would like to read more of this series, the fics can be found here: Dancing with Visions Masterlist

Type: Female reader/ fluff/ sfw/ feelings sort of implied but can be platonic/ featuring Mualani and Xilonen/

Word count: 1795

I walked through the Children of Echoes tribe with Kinich, glancing around at all of the people around us. 

Some were dancing on stages while others grooved off to the side to the music and clapped along to the beat.

It was a common scene here and was simply the culture of this tribe. Always lively, filled with complicated beats, and dancing people everywhere.

But right now all I could really wonder about was whether the dance competition would use a stage like one of these and if it would be as crowded there.

Because for me, unlike so many of these other dancers, performing was going to be a new thing. 

I’d only ever really danced for my own enjoyment, where others weren’t really around. 

Well, except for Kinich, of course. But he was different. He was my partner, and I knew there was going to be very little, if any, judgment from him.

Sure, Ajaw might be mouthy at times, but half the time Kinich put him in time out anyway.

I felt myself relax slightly as I spotted the form of Xilonen just up ahead. Because if she was here, competing in a dance-off, then absolutely no one was going to be looking at me.

It was true that I’d never seen her dance much, but I had seen her on her roller skates and just moving around in general, and there was always an easy, if lazy, sort of elegance to her motions.

And she wasn’t alone. Mualani was also there and quite obviously raring to go as well as excited as she visibly brightened as soon as she saw me and Kinich, “Kinich! Y/n!! Over here!” 

Mualani wasted no time in beckoning us over as the taller woman turned to glance our way, blinking slightly before turning to face us fully with a slight smile on her face, “I didn’t know you two were going to be competing.” 

I lifted my shoulder in a half-shrug, offering an awkward smile as we walked over, “Neither did we until just a little bit ago. Wayna said we ought to come though, so that the Scions of the Canopy would have some competitors.”

Mualani leaned over, winking at me before she bumped Kinich with her shoulder playfully, “If I’d known you were competing, I would’ve asked to partner up with you rather than taking a random partner.”

I smiled as I watched the two of them. And as always, Mualani was far more exuberant than the characteristically stoic Kinich, who crossed his arms before glancing her way, “I went and got Y/n as soon as Wayna asked me to compete.”

Xilonen’s eyebrows lifted, and she glanced my way while Mualani cooed out a far-too-teasing, “Oh,” before the taller lady glanced back over towards Kinich with a slight tilt to her head, “He asked you to compete?”

Kinich merely nodded, apparently unmoved by Mualani’s teasing or Xilonen’s question, and I felt myself sigh before I answered the blacksmith as I gestured over towards Kinich vaguely, “More like he got commissioned.”

Xilonen snorted at my words, but both women nodded. Neither of them in the slightest surprised that Kinich was definitely going to be getting paid for this. But then Mualani glanced my way, a playful glint in her eye that let me know her teasing was far from over, “You must be pretty good at dancing, though, if Kinich asked you to be his partner.”

She was all smiles as I laughed slightly, shrugging slightly only for Kinich to answer for me in his usual nonchalant fashion, “I’ve danced with her before.”

Mualani blinked at his words, her eyes widening briefly in surprise before she bobbed her head with an overly pleased smile as Xilonen eyed us. Her head tilting slightly before she turned to face the cleared-out area with a hum, “Looks like we’re getting started.”

And in mere moments the first two dancers' names were getting called, and I felt my eyes widen in mild alarm. 

“Y/n and Kinich dancing the lambada!”

Mualani gave a little cheer and applauded as Kinich started forward and I hurried after him. Faltering only slightly before I matched his stride and walked into the cleared-out area, feeling myself exhale slightly as he glanced my way.

Because this was what I’d been bracing myself for the entire time and the reason I’d been distracted the entire time we’d been chatting with Mualani and Xilonen.

Performing. Especially when lambada had the reputation of being a ‘forbidden’ dance, of all things. 

Just because the lyrics to the songs used for lambada often had rather naughty lyrics and many of the female dancers wore incredibly short skirts in the past didn’t mean it had to be a particularly dirty dance.

There were plenty of other styles that involved close contact between the dancers, after all. But the lambada’s reputation had always left me feeling antsy about ever performing.

And that was why I’d been surprised when Kinich had shown up at my house, out of nowhere, and asked me to be his partner for a competition that I hadn’t even known was taking place until today.

He knew about my mixed feelings in regards to performing and, even if he didn’t share them himself, had always respected them.

But I’d agreed quickly, and I knew it had nothing to do with his offer to split his commission reward with me.

Rather, I agreed because Kinich was always the person I danced with. Whether it was at home or while we were just messing around some place else. He was my dance partner and had been since early on. And I genuinely enjoyed dancing with him.

There was something so easy about it all that made me relax while we were together, whether we were dancing or just sitting together.

All of those reasons, as well as my honest fondness for him, were probably why the mere act of standing here with Kinich made this far easier than it would have been with anyone else.

And I couldn’t deny that, even though Mualani had just been teasing, it had been heartwarming to hear him assert that I’d been his first choice without any hesitation whatsoever.

I lightly rested my hand on his shoulder, stepping closer to him until there was minimal space between us as his arm wrapped around my upper back until his hand rested against my side.

And, as naturally as could be, our free hands raised until they connected as the beat hit, and we both began to move to the rhythm.  

We shifted along, our motions matching the rolling beat even as we shifted and spun out so that we were only connected by our interlocked hands until we looked towards one another.

My other hand reached out for his, and we bent at the knees together, sashaying our way down, and I felt a smile flicker across my face as we straightened once more and he let go of my hand. Moving forwards with his arm wrapping around behind him so that my hand could catch his as we passed by one another.

Our motions continued to roll along. One into the other as we constantly shifted. First in front of one another, then back to back, then side by side, and then facing one another yet again.

He led me around the floor easily. Spinning me from place to place without even the slightest hesitation to his motions, even though half the time he was leading with only one hand, which either held my own or rested relaxedly against my waist.

And even though our motions were relatively fast and filled to the brim with movements that rolled directly from one into the next, it was easy to relax as I danced with Kinich. 

I was already finding that I was surprisingly unbothered. Because even despite the crowd of people around us, it was just like dancing at home, in my living room, where no one else would be watching.

Distantly, I realized there were people clapping along as we danced. But I could hardly question it as Kinich twirled me across the floor. Occasionally shifting so that he would be behind me and we would both spin together until he shifted back around so that he’d be directly in front of me. Never with very much space between us.

It was easy to keep up our pacing, though. Almost as if it were second nature to us by now.

We parted, spinning separately, but it wasn't long until I felt his arm wrap back around me. Tugging me back towards him until I was securely in his hold once more.

There were moments where it almost felt like we were all tangled up together. Our arms interweaving and sliding past one another as we shifted constantly around the floor. Maintaining our steady rhythm as more and more people clapped along to the music.

He stepped back, leaning towards me as he gripped one of my hands in his while his other arm wrapped around my waist, and I leaned back. Lightly kicking up one leg as I leaned into the dip with a smile that widened as he pulled me back upright. His gaze briefly meeting mine before he swung us into a rotation where he walked around me lightly before whirling me into a twirl.

Our arms raised together, crossing in the middle as we peered between them at each other before he let go of my hands as I briefly caught my breath.

His hands were light in their touch against my forearms as he pushed them down in a wide arching motion. His eyes locked onto mine as his palms wrapped the rest of the way around my arms to grip them and swing them around him in a loose embrace that barely reached completion before we were in motion again.

We finished before long, though, him spinning me out so that we stood side by side once more. Just like how we’d walked onto the floor together. 

But this time we looked towards one another, his gaze holding mine steadily as I smiled back at him before we bowed as applause rang out. With Mualani in particular cheering loudly and jumping in place.

And even now, I had no doubt that we weren’t actually going to win. But we had still put on a performance we could be proud of. And by the end of it, I’d actually enjoyed myself. Even if I suspected that was largely due to the comfort of having danced with Kinich rather than anyone else. And I could honestly say that at this point, it was possibly one of the best dances we’d ever done.

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[dilf-luvr-4evr]

Marry-Me-Salmon | Joel Miller x F!Reader

The amount of game Joel fics aren’t enough‼️ Taking matters into my own hands. Though I think they somewhat behave the same! I saw these recipes of “marry me salmon” going around and got inspired lol. Just tooth rotting fluff and a bit predictable but I just wanna see this man happy :(🩷

(Set in Jackson and Joel lives forever in MY blog ☝🏼)

Joel had bought a ring.

It was like his body moved on its own. When he laid his eyes on the thing, he thought there could possibly be no ring that could be more you.

That was a week ago. Why he bought it, he still doesn’t know. Well.. He knows exactly why. Just didn’t want to do it. Scared to do it. And this is coming from a man who isn’t scared of much.

You were arguably the best thing to ever walk into his life. Why you chose his hard-ass, he’ll never understand. After three years of you shutting him up and convincing him that you love him (you’d make him repeat it too), by default he’d say that yes, you do love him. But deep down, he still has a hard time believing it. He just knows that he’s very scared of losing you. And that he’s a goddamn lucky bastard.

So he decided, he doesn’t want to scare you off until he’s perfectly sure you wanted to be with him (yes, three whole years and he still isn’t sure). The ugly insecure monster within him thinks the day will never arrive. But in the comfortable silence that you two occasionally shared tangled with each other, he somehow had a feeling. Though fleeting, he did feel from the way you squeezed his hand, that you wanted this forever thing just as much as he did. So maybe — just maybe — your words did pierce through him. And he keeps the ring in his back pocket all the time just in case.

A week ago, you had overheard some ladies in the Square telling a story about how her husband of thirty-six years decided to propose to her because she cooked him the marry-me-salmon. You scoffed at the idea. There was no way it was that simple. Right?

Fast forward to present day, a salmon fillet was laid in front of you. You didn’t know how, you didn’t know why, but you managed to pull the strings. Although.. you know exactly why. Just didn’t wanna admit it. Shy to say it. Hence the salmon. You just wanted to cook Joel something nice. A lie you tell yourself.

The problem is, you don’t really cook. You learned to, yes, and occasionally do because of the situation of the world. But the marry-me-salmon intimidated you, the scribbled recipe mocking you from the counter. Were you too desperate? No use crying over spilled milk. Or in this case, killed salmon.

“What’s this I’m smelling?” You can hear the faint sound of Joel’s teasing as he made his way downstairs. You rolled your eyes, knowing he’d make fun of you attempting to cook. Before you know it, he was already behind you, trying to take a peek at what you’re making.

“Go away, it’s a surprise,” you quickly say, rushing to cover the recipe title. You would rather die than have him see that. He chuckled at your panicked reaction and raised his hands up in defeat.

“Alright, darlin’,” he grinned ear to ear, leaving a kiss on the top of your head before retreating to the dining table. “Just don’t burn down the kitchen,” he teased again. You clicked your tongue in annoyance though you can’t help but smile.

You messed up the recipe a bit. And it didn’t help that Joel kept looking up from the book that Ellie lent him to see what you’re cooking. You shouldn’t have said it was a surprise because you’ve got him awfully curious. At least it’s finally finished. You tried to plate it nicely, earning a few chuckles from Joel from how endearing you looked. It was lost on him why you had to be doing all this.

“And what did I do to deserve this?” He asked, cocking a brow at you when you put down the dish in front of him. He immediately closed his book, taking a whiff of the salmon.

“Just.. Cause I love you,” you smiled, taking a seat across him and propping your cheek on your palm. He chuckled again, warmth spreading in his chest. There was no way you cooked for him without any ulterior motive. If Joel learned anything from those three years with you, it is that you hate cooking unless you really have to.

But when you’re this beautiful, speaking to him so softly with that angelic smile? All for him? Joel chooses to believe you. He was a goddamn lucky bastard indeed.

“Well I love you too darlin’, thank you,” he says genuinely in that baritone voice of his. The sweetness of the moment didn’t last very long as he starts cutting the fish and you anxiously waited for his reaction. You just hope that the little mistake you made wasn’t very crucial to the dish. He eventually puts it in his mouth and started chewing.

“Well?” You ask, not even giving him a second. He hummed, taking a moment to process the taste. It was quite alright. He thought it could use more salt.

“S’good,” he nodded with a little smile. You knew damn well he was lying. And you knew that he would finish the whole thing anyway just because you made it. You wondered if the mistake you made had been that bad or if the lady at the square was full of shit.

“It’s bad, isn’t it?” You pouted, pulling the plate and taking a fork to taste it yourself.

“Darlin’, I said it was good,” he insisted, his brows knitted together. He’d tease you til his death but he’s so sweet when he needed to be. It made you feel really bad. You finally tried it yourself and none of you were exactly right. It was just.. Average. Okay. Edible. Just needed more salt. You felt silly for not giving it a taste test before serving it.

“I’ll fix it,” you say, abruptly standing up to look for the salt above the counter. It wasn’t there. You hurriedly searched the kitchen like a cop scanning for drugs.

“Darlin’,” Joel chuckled, standing with you. “Would you just sit down?” You didn’t listen, suddenly remembering that you ate breakfast in front of the TV and brought the salt with you. You were already running to the couch before Joel could stop you.

As he shakes his head with a loving smile, he sees it. The scribbled recipe on the counter. The marry-me-salmon.

He felt like the wind got knocked out of his lungs. This was it. You wanted to marry him. He quickly reached into his back pocket as if he was trained to do so upon hearing the information. His mind was screaming at him, now! Now! Now! Hell, did he even prepare a question?

You got back to the kitchen to find Joel on one knee. A ring between his thumb and his pointer finger. Funny enough, you thought it really was because of the salmon. In a way, it is kind of true. Are all salmons hexed with a marriage spell no matter how bad they taste? Doesn’t matter. Joel Miller, the love of your life, was finally proposing to you. You shakily exhaled as if you’ve been holding your breath for a while.

“Darlin’..” Joel began, his voice shaking. Though he didn’t really know what to say except for the desperation that he felt. The urgency to just be with you. “Please marry me?”

As tears formed in your eyes, still not believing what’s happening, you can’t help but ask him, “Is it because of the salmon?”

my masterlist

thank you for reading!! 🫶🏼

[autonomousroboticorganism]

Prime and Protector (TF One Sentinel Prime)

Pairing - Sentinel Prime x F!Prime!Reader

summary - you're the smallest Prime, and the nicest to Sentinel. the two of you develop a close bond as the other Primes treat you like any other Cybertronian because of your size, and you fall for the only bot who still puts you on a pedestal

warnings - slight angst but mostly fluff, neglect from the Primes, a bit suggestive?

a/n - sorry not sorry, i am obsessed with this maniac

Primes were known to be massive beings, significantly taller than most Cybertronians. It was a symbol of their power and prestige, as well as their leadership over the citizens of Cybertron.

However, there was one Prime who wasn't quite as big.

You were the same height as Sentinel, who wasn't even a Prime, and you had a very slender frame. So you looked like any other Cybertronian, which is why the other Primes often treated you like such. They often left you out, "forgetting" to call you to meetings and you wouldn't even know about half of them if it hadn't been for Sentinel.

"My lady."

You were in your berthroom prepping your weapon for your next encounter with the Quintessons, when Sentinel appeared at your door. He knocked politely, giving you a smile he reserved only for you.

You couldn't help but smile back, being very fond of the advisor, "Come in, Sentinel. I assume there's another meeting?"

"Yes", he nodded, stepping into your berthroom for the first time.

He considered this progress in his relationship with you. You were the nicest of all the Primes, the one who treated him the best. He liked you the most, and maybe that was transitioning into something more...romantic. So you letting him into your berthroom gave him some hope that you at least liked him, if not felt for him what he felt for you.

Maybe one day.

You ex-vented heavily, "Okay. I'll be there soon."

He noticed your apprehension, "Is something the matter?"

It wasn't any of his business, but recently you'd grown a lot closer to him as you grew distant from your fellow Primes.

"I grow weary of my brethren," you admitted to him. "I am practically invisible to them; they don't ever see me."

He responded with something so bold he would never have thought of uttering it in your presence had it not been for you allowing him into your private space.

"I see you."

You offered him a small smile, "I know you do, my sweet advisor."

His words had a much bigger impact on you than he realised, and this was the start of the road to becoming his sparkmate. This was the point at which you realised you saw him as more than an advisor, more than a friend. And even though you held a higher status, you didn't feel ashamed about it.

"You must be exhausted, my lady."

You returned from another skirmish with the invaders, feeling exactly that, to see Sentinel standing outside your berthroom with a plate of fresh energon.

You smiled, and your faceplates heated up at how attentive he was, "Thank you, Sentinel. But you were there too, you should also get some rest."

None of the other Primes would have thought to suggest that he rest as well. And that only made him want to care for you more.

"I insist," he moved the plate closer to you. "Once you are replenished, I will take my leave to...rest." He said that hesitantly, because you both knew the other Primes would just put him back to work.

You offered him a tired smile and beckoned him into your berthroom once again, "Then at least share the energon with me. That's far too much for me alone."

Sentinel was stunned by the offer, and also flustered. For the first time, it was you making his faceplates heat up rather than the other way around.

"Are you sure, my lady?"

"Mhm," you nodded, then laughed, "Oh and please, stop calling me 'my lady'. You can use my name, you know."

"But that would be-"

"I insist," you settled on your berth. "You've earned it."

The permission to use your name made him buzz with excitement, but also nervousness. That seemed almost too kind of you, but then again he was alone with you...in your berthroom...sharing a plate of energon with you.

"Sentinel," you laughed again, "Relax. Sit down."

He didn't realise how tense he was, but as he sat down across from you he felt himself relax. You being so casual around him was, surprisingly, putting him at ease.

Sentinel admired you a lot. He often found himself unable to look away from you, the most beautiful femme he had ever laid optics on. But now, in the comfort of your berthroom, looking so relaxed, there was a different kind of beauty about you. A beauty that transcended physical appearance, and that was hard to ignore.

He didn't know how to explain it.

Your faceplates burned when you caught sight of him staring. You were speechless for a moment at the look in his optics. Far more than just respect and admiration, there was something deeper in them. Something far more...intimate.

"Power down with me," you found yourself saying, unable to believe those words yourself.

His optics widened, "My lady-"

"(Name)," you corrected, moving closer to him as if possessed.

"My lady," he insisted, struggling to deny your request to call you by name. "I don't think it would be appropriate-"

"Sentinel, please."

And then you were kissing him.

You had surged forward and closed the distance between you two, smashing your dermas against his. Locking you two in a passionate kiss in that awkward position, both of you with your legs hanging over separate sides of the bed but upper bodies turned to face one another.

You kissed him hungrily, like you were starved.

And Sentinel kissed back.

You could have done this forever, it felt so good. But Sentinel seemed to regain his senses midway, and suddenly pulled away from you. Though he found it extremely difficult to do so.

"Sentinel?" You questioned, confused. "Did I misunderstand..?"

"No, Primus no," he vented, "I'll see you tomorrow, my lady."

He got up quickly and left, leaving you confused and slightly hurt. Feeling just a little bit rejected by the one bot you thought wanted you.

The next day you noticed Sentinel doing his best to avoid you. Unlike before, if you didn't need him he wouldn't be with you. And that hurt even more, because you missed his company and you missed his attentiveness.

You closed yourself off, spending your spare time in your berthroom, thinking of various strategies and tactics - distracting yourself the only way you knew how.

"My lady-"

"What do you want, Sentinel?" You grit your dentae, words coming out cold and harsh.

He flinched at your tone, having never heard you speak to him like that before, "I would like to apologise."

"For what? Avoiding me or leading me on?" You laughed coldly.

"I wasn't-" He paused, then, "I just didn't think the other Primes would approve."

"And what do I care for their approval?" You hissed, "All they've ever done is ignore me, so I don't think they would even notice. Even if they did, my choice of sparkmate is my own."

"I apologise," he answered softly. "I didn't realise."

And just like that, you forgave him. Just like that, your anger and hurt disappeared. You looked up at him, standing awkwardly in the doorway and shuffling his weight nervously. He looked so cute, it was just so hard to stay mad.

"Come here."

He followed your gentle command, approaching you slowly. You stood up from your berth, excited at the idea of having him close again.

"Can I..?"

"Please."

His servos ghosted over your hip plating before grabbing your waist and pulling you forward to rest against him.

"You have no idea how long I've waited for this," he admitted, "I want you, (Name) Prime."

"Leave the Prime out," you mumbled bashfully.

He chuckled and stared at you for a moment, "Are you sure?"

You knew he wasn't asking about your name, but you were still certain of your answer, "Yes. I want you too, Sentinel."

That night he spent in your berthroom was intimate, the most intimate and special experience either of you had ever had. Your sparks were laid bare for one another, and you ended up sealing your bond with way more than just a kiss.

[ditzydarci]

BODYGUARD

warnings: use of y/n, alcohol use.

Rafe Cameron wasn’t the kind of man who settled down. Known for his wild streak, his devil-may-care grin, and a reputation that preceded him in Kildare County, he lived his life like a lone wolf—untamed and unbothered. But when his ranch work was done, and the sun dipped low behind the hills, you could always find him at the Last Call Saloon, a whiskey in hand and mischief in his eyes.

Tonight was no different.

Or so he thought.

Rafe had barely taken his usual spot at the bar when the buzz around the room reached him. Whispers of excitement floated through the air, and he noticed the way heads were turning toward the small stage in the corner. That’s when he saw her.

She wasn’t just another pretty face. No, she was the face.

The one that had been plastered on billboards, album covers, and gossip rags all over the South. Y/N, the Texas-born country singer who had taken Nashville by storm. What the hell was she doing in a placelike this?

His question was soon answered.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the bartender called, raising a beer to the room, “we’ve got a real treat for you tonight. Please welcome the one and only Y/N!”

The crowd erupted, and she stepped onto a table instead of the stage, her boots clunking against the wood as she strummed her guitar.

Rafe couldn’t take his eyes off her.

She was younger than him, too young, if you asked anyone with a lick of sense. But something about her captivated him. Her voice was a blend of honey and heartbreak, her lyrics raw and honest, carrying the weight of someone who had lived through more than she let on.

She locked eyes with him mid-song, and it was like the rest of the bar disappeared. For a split second, she faltered, her fingers slipping slightly on the strings, but she recovered quickly, her smile curving into something that could only be described as trouble.

When the set ended, Rafe thought about leaving. He didn’t need the temptation, and he sure as hell didn’t need to get involved with someone like her. But he stayed, and when she made her way to the bar, he was waiting.

“You always put on a show like that?” he asked, tipping his hat as she approached.

She smirked, resting her guitar against the bar. “Only when the mood strikes. You enjoy it?”

“Let’s just say you’ve got my attention,” he said, his tone laced with a playful edge.

“Is that so?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “And here I thought cowboys were supposed to be quiet types.”

“Depends on the cowboy,” he replied, his grin widening.

Their banter was easy, but as the minutes passed, Rafe noticed something. She kept glancing over her shoulder, her fingers drumming nervously against her glass. Finally, he leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“You looking for someone, or trying to avoid them?”

Her smile faltered, just for a second. “Little of both,” she admitted.

Before he could press further, the bar door swung open, and a man stepped inside. He was tall, broad, and carrying an air of authority that made the room quiet down. Rafe noticed the way her shoulders tensed immediately.

“Friend of yours?” he asked, his voice low.

“Not exactly,” she muttered.

The man’s eyes swept the room, landing on her, and a grin spread across his face—one that made Rafe’s blood run cold. He didn’t know what the story was, but he didn’t like the way the guy was looking at her.

Rafe straightened, stepping just slightly in front of her. “You want me to handle this?”

She looked at him, surprised, then smirked. “You offering to be my bodyguard, cowboy?”

He shrugged, his voice calm but firm. “If you need one.”

The man started toward them, and before Rafe could say another word, she grabbed his arm.

“Alright, bodyguard,” she said, her eyes sparkling with a mix of nerves and amusement, “let’s see what you’ve got.”

What Rafe didn’t know was that stepping in tonight would be the start of something he wasn’t prepared for. He’d protected her in that moment, but in the weeks to come, he’d find himself guarding more than just her safety, he’d be guarding his heart, too.

[hunters-vigil]

The Archon's Baby - Chapter 13 - Parents

First Chapter Previous Chapter

Warnings: swearing, a nsfw joke, arguing, mentioned death, everyone's getting stressed at the impending abyssal attacks.

Fic under the cut, don't repost my stuff on other platforms, i have ao3. Reader is not the traveller. Reader's adoptive sisters are Chasca and Chuychu.

"There you are, young lady!"

"Fuck me…" you immediately froze, looking at Mavuika with wide eyes.

"That is how we got into this situation." She remarked quietly, turning her head to acknowledge your parents, who had Chuychu and Chasca trailing behind them. Chuychu gave you a wide-eyed look, while Chasca avoided looking at you entirely, instead looking for a way she could fly away from this family reunion. If only she had seen your begging look, wishing she could take you away with her… but Chasca's soulsniper whatever it was called only had room for her.

"What exactly did you think you were doing avoiding the tribe, your family for so long? Come over here so we can ground you without shouting across the stadium!"

"Ground me? I don't even live with you anymore!" you retorted, raising your voice much to Chuychu's horror, as she mouthed 'calm down' at you.

"Yet we agreed when you asked to move out, that you would visit. You three have been acting strange since the family dinner over a month ago." Your father reminded you, watching as you winced.

That last family dinner was the day you found out you were pregnant.

"It's a long story. I can't come back to the tribe, it's just safer if I stay at the stadium, stay near the Sacred Flame." Your eyes remained on the floor, your hands shaking until Mavuika's hand brushed yours, your fingers tangling with hers.

"Archon? I apologise but this is family business-" Your father was cut off by your mother, much to the lack of shock of their three daughters, "why do you need to be near the Flame? You weren't contaminated by the abyss, were you? Chuychu specialises in the abyss, she could have helped you in seconds-"

"I'm not sick, I'm just…" you let out a sigh, cutting off your parents before they assumed the complete wrong thing.

"Just what? What's wrong, little one?" you could feel their concern as your father began to fawn over you, your stomach twisting as your heartbeat beginning to thud loudly in your ears.

"I'm pregnant."

The silence was loud, even your sisters didn't dare speak. At least nobody had asked you to repeat what you said. Instead you waited, Mavuika feeling more and more awkward by the second as she felt your hand trembling in hers.

"Can someone please say something?" you hissed through gritted teeth, fighting back tears as you heard footsteps.

"Go lay down. Doctor's orders, this stress isn't good for you. Chasca and I will handle mama and papa." Chuychu gently rubbed your back, coaxing you away.

"Chuychu-" your father began, but he fell silent at the look on your face. The same vulnerable look he saw when the patrol found you all those years ago…

"She's not a kid anymore, papa. None of us are." Chasca cut in, trying to keep the peace as Mavuika went to follow you.

"Archon? You never answered my question." Your father spotted her about to leave, while your mother continued to observe you, spotting the signs immediately as she just muttered to herself. How did she miss the signs?

"The baby is mine, Cusco. I'm dating your daughter." Mavuika would have stayed longer, but you hurried back over, taking her hand and all but dragging her away, in turn saving her from the aftermath of that reveal.

"And now we're both screwed…" you led Mavuika back to the Speaker's Chamber, heading through to the personal chambers.

"That could have gone better…" Mavuika confessed, bringing you into her arms as you hands ran over the top of your shirt, lingering over your belly.

"I'm eleven weeks. They'll either be mad I didn't tell them earlier, or mad in general- I can't even finish my spiralling because I have to pee! And you need to organise the defences of the nation for fighting against the abyss-" you rambled as you headed to the toilet.

"It is in progress, my love." Mavuika explained through the bathroom door.

"What about-"

"The Traveller is currently helping out the Children of the Echoes, but I've heard from Amina and Wayna that those two have been all over Natlan, to the People of the Springs and the Scions of the Canopy too." Mavuika already knew what you wanted to ask, observing you as you returned, covering your face with your hand to hide a yawn.

"Good, that's good… Mualani said something about exploring with them."

"You should rest, we can deal with everyone when they've calmed down…" Mavuika cooed, coaxing you into bed, where you snuggled your face into her shoulder.

"A nap sounds nice…" you whispered as your eyes began to flutter, and sleep took its hold on you. Mavuika rested her face onto the crown of your head, listening to your breaths as she held you close. If she could stay in a moment like this forever, she would…

///

Atea passed away not a few days later, may the Wayob grant her peace, for her story will be remembered.

You watched her vision extinguish from the glowing red of pyro, to a cold grey-ish silver. A masterless vision, now in your hands, at her request.

Mavuika had become ensnared in preparations for abyss attacks, especially with Mualani's awakening as the next Ancient Name bearer. Only two were yet to awaken, and the abyss would do anything to stop the plan coming to fruition.

Xilonen had greeted you after her meeting with your lover, looking over you tenderly as you two pretended like the geo vision bearer didn't know you were pregnant. Or that you knew that she had just chewed your lover out for breaking Kinich's claymore and her sunglasses, oh and the entire debacle of the Traveller's ancient name. Instead, she petted your head, informing you that if you needed anything, you just had to ask her.

Meanwhile, with your sisters… Chasca was patrolling more and avoiding going home, while Chuychu was all over the place helping with anyone who had been injured. An agreement had been made however, the three of you would return to the tribe soon. Even your mother was reducing her workload to keep an eye on you and your sisters. Despite your anxieties, Mavuika was attempting to hide her fears too.

You were fast asleep, laying on your side with pillows to support you, while Mavuika was behind you, holding you as you slept. Her fingers gently ran over your growing belly, yet to be showing but you were entering the second trimester, so at least she hoped she'd get to see it. The news that you and your sisters would be returning home to your parents made her heart skip a beat. The abyss would have sensed your pregnancy early on, but being away from Mavuika gave it the perfect attempt to strike.

Isolating you from your family, no matter how many secrets your parents kept from you, was not an option. Maybe if Xilonen had her motorbike, Flamestrider, fixed up in time, she could get to you quickly? Although Chuychu may decide to join Chasca in the previous plans of killing their Archon if they saw their baby sister on the back of Mavuika's motorcycle. She had a helmet made for you ages ago, but it probably wasn't a good idea. Pregnant or not.

It didn't help that Mavuika now knew the fate of your birth parents, but was it her place to tell you? Would you want to know that your birth parents were killed by the Fatui on Natlan soil?

The theory was that your parents had been fleeing the organisation, but your birth may have taken them by surprise, leaving them to try settle in the outskirts. The Fatui hunted your parents down and killed them, getting interrupted by the incoming patrol of the Flower-Feather Clan's flying squad before they could kill you.

Cusco and his wife took you in, they already had Chuychu, but you'd never talked about when they took in Chasca, or how old you had all been when all of that happened. If Mavuika wanted to learn more about your childhood, she'd have to talk to you or Cusco, although that may be off the table after what she told him.

Atea and Mualani had mentioned how as children, Chasca would get into fights and Chuychu would drag her around after to apologise. She wasn't sure how you fitted into all of it.

"What's got you thinking so hard?" you croaked, keeping your eyes closed as your hands rested over Mavuika's, on your belly.

Mavuika only hummed, pressing a kiss to your cheek as you let out what could be described as a purr, before you began to shuffle around, but she resisted it.

"Nothing that should disturb your sleep, my love. Just some things Atea said to me."

"I miss her." she barely heard you speak, but she couldn't help but agree, closing her eyes and burying her face in your back.

"I miss her too."

///

From your knowledge and presence in the Speaker's Chamber over the last few days, you knew that the Scions of the Canopy and the Adventurer's Guild in Natlan were working together to spread communications while Mavuika assembled and stationed her forces to defend against the Abyss.

Mavuika had mentioned giving Xilonen the task of making an Ancient Name for the Traveller, with a smirk on her face that soon shrank when you gave her a stern look.

"Making an Ancient Name for an outlander… I swear if that ends up killing her, I'll ressurect you both, and make you change all the nappies." Mavuika held back from flinching, fully aware that she would most likely not live to see your baby be born, let alone be around to help you post-partum.

"I don't think Xilonen's nose could handle that. Even if she did know-"

" She knows… we're both pretending she doesn't. You get the nappies. Xilonen… I wanted to ask her to help with a nursery, or just a crib? I don't think I'll be able to stay here after… you know." You stared at the map of Natlan, your eyes lingering on the Flower-Feather Clan. Archons, you missed the taste of volcano cake.

"Are you sure you want to go back? If there is an invasion, I will be unable to drop everything to save you and our baby. I know Chasca is strong, and Chuychu is smart, and you…" Mavuika let out a sigh, "are stubborn and passionate beyond belief. You will do anything you can to preserve the legacy of your people."

"No." You frowned, blinking back tears of frustration as you heard Mavuika's breath hitch.

"No?"

"I am preserving your legacy, our baby is part of your legacy. I may not be able to save you, but this baby is what matters to me too. I need my sisters alive, I need my parents alive, so this baby has more than just stories as they grow up…" you hands played with the hem of your shirt, looking Mavuika in the eyes as her sternness melted like ice cream in the sun.

"Besides, we're not going yet. Chasca and Chuychu can't decide when to go back, they both have so much work going on," you paused for a moment, "plus, they agreed that it would only happen after my next appointment with Mayahuel."

"Chuychu was not available?" Mavuika straightened her posture as you avoided looking at her.

"Conflict of interest. It's the twelve week scan, to check if everything is progressing, my health, the baby's health… We went over a lot of the details last time I had an appointment with her. Medical history was a little tricky but I just said everything I knew from when they found me. up until now." You explained, fiddling with the hem of your shirt again until Mavuika's hands rested on your hips. Warm…

"Tell me when, and I will be there. I refuse to miss out on more than I already will." Mavuika leaned forwards, nuzzling her nose against yours as you both closed your eyes, enjoying the close proximity.

"Of course… Just focus on locating Ororon and The Captain, and your usual of saving the nation in the meantime."

"You focus on yourself and the life growing inside of you." Your archon whispered, pressing her lips to your forehead before embracing you warmly.

[lillaydee]

In Time Part 12

Rancher Joel Miller / Reader

You lost your dear Uncle. Your TV Star boyfriend dumped you. You needed a job. You got one at a ranch in Wyoming. Where you met Joel. A very grumpy man. Grumpy man has issues.

WARNINGS:

Grumpy Joel, Hurt Joel, Grieving Joel, Joel is Bad at Feelings (The Last of Us), Joel Needs a Hug (The Last of Us), Joel Has PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (The Last of Us), Mentions of Hostage Situation and Shooting, Alternate Universe - No Cordyceps Outbreak (The Last of Us), Mutual Pining, Fluff and Angst

SERIES MASTER LIST

Part 11

---

Joel was at a loss; he was shocked by what was happening. One second, he was comforting his inconsolable ex, the next, her tongue was invading his throat, and she was aggressively grinding on his lap in the middle of the chow hall. He was torn between biting her tongue off, or just throwing her on the floor, risking deliberately harming a woman for the first time in his life.

But his thoughts were all moot.

Because the next thing he knew, she was pulled off him and thrown onto the floor by a very angry pair of hands.  

Cleo slid on the floor for a good few yards, shock written all over her face, magically no longer devastated at all, looking around for the powerful source that literally yanked her by the hair and waistband off of Joel before she found herself sliding on her ass. For a moment, she thought she should be looking for a big burly man. But no one fitting that description was anywhere near her, save for Joel who was still in shock on the chair she had pushed him into.

The only person standing near her was you.

The soft spoken, lady-like, would-never-harm-a-fly you.

You, who didn’t do anything when you found her naked at your boyfriend’s house.

She opened her mouth to shout at you, but the look in your eyes actually threw ice-cold daggers all over her insides.

You stood over her, advancing on her as you spoke, forcing her to shuffle backwards to get away from you. All the frustrations you had ever felt for this woman came pouring out of you like a faucet.

“I’ve had it with you trying to get your slutty paws all over my men. You already stole one man from me, and you want to steal another? You think you had it bad right now? You think you’re ashamed right now? You think you’re at your lowest now? You forget yourself, Cleo. I lived in Hollywood for over twenty years. I had top notch producers and directors and A-listers as neighbours and babysitters. I walked their dogs, I babysat their children, I made a living chopping their dogs’ balls off and curing their pets of cancer. One phone call to the right person, and you will know what being cancelled really means, Cleo. Get your ass off our floor and get the fuck out of here. If I so much as catch you breathing anywhere near my man, let alone put your filthy hands on him ever again, I will draw and quarter you myself. You understand me?”

She scrambled to her feet, opened the front door and ran off, not looking back.

It was like you floated out of your body and got snapped back into it.

You were standing in front of the main door.

How the fuck did you get there?

You turned around and walked back into the chow hall, your stomach rumbling.

You were met with many pairs of eyes staring at you.

“Well,” Mrs Adler said, “looks like we don’t need a guard dog after all.”

“Damn, Doc,” Tommy said. “The hell did you find the energy to pull her off like that?”

“She pulls calves and foals off of cows and horses. One malnourished D-lister? No problem!” Frank chimed in, eating his lunch as if nothing just happened.

You picked up a plate and began piling food in. Suddenly famished. Joel joined you, an amazed look on his face.

“Well, that was… something. You okay darling?”

“Yeah. Course. I’m just hungry,” you said, suddenly horrified that this man just saw you hulk out.

You sat down, and began eating, doing your best to avoid eye contact with him. He placed a glass of water next to your plate and sat next to you.

“So, your man, huh?”

Oh God, he heard that.

You couldn’t look him in the eye. The She-Hulk had been unleashed, and she was more than content to go dormant again for a long, long time.

He chuckled and leaned in to kiss you on the cheek. You got up to your feet and put your hand out in front of him.

“Nope. You are not getting those lips anywhere near me until you have brushed your teeth at least ten times and gargled an entire bottle of mouthwash. Perhaps sanitize your mouth with alcohol too. I am not kissing you right after that.”

You shuddered at the thought.

He laughed and put his hands up in surrender.

“Okay, She-Hulk,” he said, winking at you, retreating to his house to do just that.

You sat back down and continued eating. Tess and Maria joined you. Tess eyed you, impressed at what she just saw.

“You know, when I first met you, I thought, shit. She’s not going to last for long on a ranch. Too soft, too polite. Damn, I am proud to say I stand corrected.”

“Joel better watch it. Fierce, and chops balls for a living. Love it, sister,” Maria said with a grin.

You couldn’t help it. You laughed. You honestly couldn’t believe you just did that.

Would it be wrong to be proud of yourself a little bit?

---

Not a week later, Maria called you to the office, a lawyer representing David and Cleo with her. The entire family was there. The lawyer brought in an NDA, trying to ensure that you and the family wouldn’t be exposing his clients’ unfortunate past mistakes, ailments, misbehaviours and misfortunes to anyone. In exchange, they will keep all your identities secret and never bother you again, and Cleo would not be pressing charges on you for ‘attacking’ her, twice. He had even located ‘the source’ of the leak, and they had agreed to sign a document stating that they will not make any more statements regarding Sarah or her family, for a little incentive, of course, paid for by Mr Landon himself.

Maria, ever the lawyer, made sure the documents were iron clad, the family’s privacy must be protected at all costs. She advised you that if you declined to sign, the whole family will back you up, and she will personally make sure any lawsuits Cleo threw at you will be thrown out, but the document was legit now, and she and David will have no choice but to leave you and the entire family alone. Only once everything was to her satisfaction did everyone, yourself included, sign the document.

---

Of course, the world was not always fair. Cleo and David got back together, putting on a strong front, although you suspected they were only doing it for show. They never announced their supposed split, so pictures of them holding hands were everywhere, looking all loved up and happy. Cleo appeared on some talk show, talking about PPD, and her ‘experiences’ being affected by it, a supposed ‘expert’ supporting her claims. And then, of course, she put on the waterworks about how much she had been punished, her child taken way too early, and how she had found God, and hoped to see her in the Pearly Gates. Her fans ate it all up, loving her bravery for coming forward amidst all the criticism thrown at her.

No one showed those clips to Joel, naturally.

David suddenly was an inspiration to younger men with ED everywhere, talking about his problems on national TV before endorsing little blue pills for men like him. The couple appeared together promoting their show, claiming that they had married in an intimate ceremony, just close family and friends, which you suspect was a lie too. Their strategy seemed to work. People seemed to love them still.

Although, their show was cancelled pretty much immediately. Funny, that.

You didn’t hear of see much of them after. Last you heard from your friends in LA, Cleo was seen walking dogs and working at the pet saloon now. David had taken up teaching acting to aspiring actors. They were definitely no longer together though, never seen together again after that interview. Apparently, the offers dried up. Shame. Such a fickle industry.

---

The day after the lawyer came in, Tommy drove you and Joel to town to pick up your new secondhand car. You were very excited. Tommy dropped you two at the dealership, before leaving to run his errands. Joel stood in front of your new car, an incredulous look on his face.

“This is what you bought?”

You nodded excitedly, and unlocked your new car, only a few years old, practically brand new. You got in and watched as Joel struggled to get his huge frame into the passenger seat of the Mini Cooper you just bought. His grumpy face was back on as you drove the little car back to the ranch, his head bumping on the roof several times as the car bounced off the gravelly road to his house.

When you’d arrived, you gave him an excited look, and asked him what he thought of your new car. He responded by pulling you onto his lap, which ended with you bumping your head on the roof. Okay, maybe this was a bad idea, frowning a little, upset that making out in this car was near impossible with your hunk of a boyfriend. He kissed you on your nose with a small laugh, telling you he loved your car, but maybe let’s go inside?

After a bit of a struggle (for him) getting out, he dragged you into his house, and carried you straight upstairs. He began to pull your clothes off before you even got up the stairs, his lips on your body, never leaving it for a second as your bodies get all tangled up together in his bed, filthy moans and whimpers filling the room, before the two of you lay sated in each other’s arms.

“You really don’t like my car?” you asked him.

“I love it, but maybe we’ll take my truck if we go out okay? I think I’m in great danger of a concussion if I ride in that car too often.”

You smacked him on his bare chest playfully.

“It’s not for long. It’s already June. My contract runs out in November.”

He stilled.

“Do you really want to leave?”

You didn’t know how to answer that. How do you tell him that you wanted to stay more than anything, but it was up to him? This was his territory. His life. His family. He hadn’t dated anyone since Cleo, and that, to you, meant that you had no right to set the rules of this relationship. You couldn’t just decide to stay, even if you could afford to without the job. You two had been seeing each other for what? A month? Bit too soon to be making life altering decisions, no? Sure, you were crazy in love with him, but technically, you were still in the getting to know each other stage.

“It’s not up to me, Joel.”

“Where would you go if you leave?”

“I dunno. Back to England? Travel? I really don’t know.”

“Then stay, please.”

“Joel…”

“No, I’m serious. Stay.”

“When Peter comes back, what would be the point of staying? I can’t stay and take up his business, his livelihood. But I can’t stay just being your… whatever this is. We haven’t even decided what we are, it’s been a month!”

“I want to be with you. If you decide to leave, I will leave with you. Whatever you want. But please, think about it. Stay, stay here, with me. Please…”

Your lips involuntarily curled into a smile, happy to know he wanted you to stay.

“I’ll think about it.”

He kissed you; muttering thank you over and over.

“But we will still take my truck when we go out.”

“Okay.”

He stopped kissing you.

“Okay? Okay you’ll stay or okay we’ll take the truck if we go out?”

You didn’t answer, just pulled him back down for another kiss, one that didn’t stop for hours.

---

He picked you up at home, dressed in his best flannel and jeans. You asked him, yet again, if he was sure he wanted to do this? He was, he said. He needed to.

The drive over was silent. He had insisted that you sit right next to him rather than across the bench seat, he needed to feel you pressed up to him. You kept your head on his shoulder as he drove, your hand on his leg, occasionally stroking his arms as he let go of the steering wheel to take your hand in his. He was nervous, you could tell. And you couldn’t blame him, you would be too.

He parked in the lot designated for family for the day. The family was already there, he hadn’t decided to go until the last minute. You had called Tess when he decided to take the leap, and they had waited for the two of you in the parking lot.

All of you walked hand in hand towards the store. A tent had been erected right out front, the pictures of those who lost their lives three years ago stood at the front, their families sat in the front row.

It was a beautiful service. Representatives of the families spoke about the people they’d lost, spoke of grief, of hope, of courage. Anita spoke on behalf of the family for Sarah, and Ellie spoke for Annie, Joel’s hand on yours the entire time.

After, he and Ellie went up front, placing flowers underneath the pictures of their lost loves, holding hands, followed by a long hug. It warmed your heart to see them like that; they had come a long way, even in your short time there. You couldn’t imagine them any other way. Their evenings spent riding together, Ellie joking around with Joel, endlessly teasing him for being old. He acted annoyed, but it was clear to anyone who saw them together how much he loved her.

The entire family visited the cemetery next, Ellie officially introducing you to her mom, telling her what a kick-ass vet you were. She had been disappointed to miss the throwdown with Cleo, claiming she would have paid good money to have seen that.

When you got back in the truck after, you asked him if he was okay.

“Surprisingly, yeah. I thought I was going to cry, completely lose my mind, but I guess, talking to her every night made it feel as if she was still around, you know? It felt like she’s gone, but still with me.”

You could only nod. You could relate to that. Talking to your parents and Benny had kept you sane, so to speak. It felt good to know that it had done the same for him.

Everyone stopped at the Bison for dinner that evening, you a bit apprehensive to see Angela again. But she was nowhere to be seen. Andy told you that she had quit a couple of months ago, no idea where she disappeared to. Tess might have suggested that maybe she was making full use of a windfall she may have gotten. People in the village knew it was her to leaked the entire David-Cleo thing. Rumour was, she got away with more than a million dollars to her name.

“Well, at least I can come work here when Peter comes back. I’d go crazy sitting at home waiting for this one to come home from being fawned on by tourists and the mysterious surge of ladies who had signed up for horse riding lessons if I don’t have a job,” you said, laying your head on Joel’s shoulder.

“You’re staying? Even if Pete comes back?” Ellie squealed.

You shrugged. “Where else am I gonna go?”

Joel turned to look at you, asking you if you were sure. When you nodded, he pulled you in for a kiss, which earned an “Eww… get a room old man… I don’t know how you could let him kiss you like that Doc…” from Ellie.

Joel got up and pulled you with him, tossing some cash on the table before taking you outside and into his truck. You pressed yourself up to him, ready for the drive home, but he turned and pushed you onto your back, devouring your mouth as if he would starve without kissing you, his hands roaming all over your body, his mouth travelling to your ears, your neck, your chest, before ripping your panties off and unbuckling his belt. He searched in the console for a bit, tore open the packet he found, and the next thing you knew, the top of your dress was pushed down, you were screaming his name, your legs locked around his waist, his mouth on your nipples as he rocked himself into you over and over until the both of you stilled, mouths opened in silent screams before shuddering uncontrollably, breaths quivering, hands holding each other tight, not wanting to separate, ever.

“You’re really staying?”

“Mm hmm… I’m really staying.”

The grin he gave made him look sixteen again. He kissed you long and sweet, happy that he would get to do this for the rest of his life.

A knock on the passenger door jolted the both of you out of your rendezvous, Tommy stood with his back to the truck, warning the two of you to leave before everyone else comes out. Tess will have your heads if Ellie saw you two like that.

Joel thanked him, the two of you got dressed quickly and drove home. Joel reminded you that THAT was a good reason to use his truck whenever you two go out. You smacked him on his chest before cuddling up to him, sighing contentedly.

Joel made love to you again and again that night, his heart too full of you, wanting to show you over and over how appreciative he was that you’d decided to stay. As you were starting to doze off in his arms, he told you he loved you.

Sleep became the last thing on your mind after that.

---

You were sitting in Maria’s hospital room, her brand-new baby boy in your arms, Ellie cooing at him, her head on your shoulder. Oh, you were so in love with him already. Thank God you decided to stay. When you thought about it, saying goodbye to Joel wasn’t the only thing making leaving difficult. You couldn’t imagine not seeing these people every day anymore. And now, this dashing young thing arrived, and completely stole your heart.

“You are so cute, yes you are, yes you are, you are so cute I’m gonna kidnap you every day and put you in my little pocket!” you cooed at him, while Ellie giggled in your ear.

Joel sat at the other end of the room with his brother, watching you coo over his nephew. Oh shit. You’re a natural. Something about you holding a baby stirred something in him. You pregnant with his child. Him, talking to your belly at night.  Now, that’s an image he couldn’t get out of his head, no matter how many times he shook it clear. God, Joel. It’s only been a couple of months. Chill. Take it slow.

He came over and took his nephew from you, much to your chagrin. He started speaking to him in his low, low voice, telling him he would spoil the living shit out of him, that he would want for nothing. Come to Uncle Joel if your daddy gives you grief, huh?

You sat in your chair, watching him coo over his nephew. Oh shit. He’s a natural. Something about him holding a baby stirred something in you. You, pregnant with his child. Him, talking to your belly at night. Now, that’s an image you couldn’t get out of your head, no matter how many times you shook it clear. God, Amelia. It’s only been a couple of months. Chill. Take it slow.

---

When August came, Peter called. He had reconnected with his childhood sweetheart while back home. He was giving his three months’ notice. Looked like you were really staying now, and Joel’s hidden worry that you would be working with Andy every day dissolved.

You were happy to keep working, your only problem being the many, many swarms of buzzing ladies who kept fawning over Joel during those touristy things. Shameless women crooning at him, telling him to teach them how to ride properly, calling him the BDE rancher, asking you to give them his number, wondering out loud how you could stand to work with someone that hot every day.

Joel shut them up, though, going out of his way to get close to you any chance he got, kissing you sweetly, telling them in not so many words that he was happily taken. And apparently, there was a new rule now, there was strictly no separating from your group if you were on one of those tours. Word was, an email the resident vet had received from a certain Italian vet asking for advice on force birthing a cow had the owner in a tizzy, convinced that ‘ciao’ had a hidden meaning somewhere.

No matter, when all was said and done, when the tourists had gone home, the two of you came home to each other, and the next morning, kissed each other goodbye, matching thermoses in your hands, filled with drinks made by each other, for the other.

---

“Come on, I want to show you something.”

You took his hand, and he led you at a leisurely pace towards the Benny place. It’s still your favourite place to go on the ranch. As you got nearer, he stopped you, and covered your eyes with his hand. He carefully guided you to where he wanted you to stand for the big reveal.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.”

He took his hand off, and you blinked several times, before seeing a brand-new giant hammock tied between the two oak trees.

You squealed, hugged him so tight, whispered thank you over and over, kissing him all over his face, getting lipstick everywhere.

You ran to the hammock, calling for him to join you. You made him stand on the other side and told him how important it was to get this right. You cannot afford to topple over today. He nodded, putting on his focused face.

You asked him to follow your movements, exactly. With some difficulty on your part, the two of you managed to climb on, before the hammock tilted dangerously towards his side, him being a lot heavier than you. He quickly adjusted, going towards the middle, and caught you before you could fly off it. You fell half on his body, laughing hysterically, remembering all the times you fell off it at Benny’s. He wrapped his arm around your body, his other hand behind his head. You wrapped your leg over his, your head on his chest.

“Do you remember the first time I brought you here?”

Hmm… you replied. Remembering the first Christmas you spent with him.

“That was the night you healed me.”

You looked up at him, confusion on your face.

“I talked to Sarah for the first time that night. And everything just… fell off my shoulders. Woke up feeling lighter, happier, like I could move on. Like I would be okay. And it was all because of what you said to me, that night, here.”

You couldn’t speak, remembering what he was like back then. Hidden in his shell.

“I was so angry at everything, everyone. And now, look at me.”

He kissed you on your temple, long and deliberate.

“It just takes time to heal, that’s all. I’m glad I’m here to enjoy this wonderful man you have become.”

He turned towards you, placing his fingers under your chin, making sure your eyes were on his.

“It wasn’t time that did it, darling.”

And he kissed you, like it was the first time, like it was the last time. This man you fell in love with, the love of your life.

“Oh, my God, I knew it! I found them, guys! Really? Again?”

The family came rushing towards the Benny place, Ellie leading, having found you after the two of you disappeared, yet again. Tommy arrived in Joel’s ratty old truck, freshly washed for the occasion.

Joel groaned at the interruption but conceded that you should probably get going. He gently helped you off the hammock. The two of you quickly said your goodbyes, hugging and kissing everyone, Joel escorting you to the passenger door and made to open it for you. You held up a hand at him and did the jiggle-push-pull combo with ease, and the door opened with a creak. Joel laughed out loud, and lifted you up, placing you in the cab, making sure your skirt and train were all in before closing the door for you.

He got in, kissed you, hard and true, and began driving.

The red, rusty, ratty, old beater of a truck with ‘Just Married’ sprayed across the bumper and cowbells tied across the back rattled onwards, flower petals and rice, along with joyous laughter and cheers from loved ones following in its wake.

---

Epilogue

[running-in-the-dark]

ooooh. we got an apartment!!!

the house isn't completely finished yet so we can't move in until April. we'll have to figure that out. but that's fine. it's in the town where my husband works! which is amazing.

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

[passionpluto]

you think you're past your mlp phase until you see a sunset shimmer glitter keychain at the walmart claire's and you feel a certain need

[houseofwolvess]

i am once again overwhelmed by love for humans as a whole

[avvocarlo]

god I hate asshole 4wd owners