#then mum and dad went and stayed in a hotel in the city because mum had a very early doctor's appointment

[toomanypeas]

When I was eight, my dad lost his apartment and was homeless for a month or so. My siblings and I typically stayed with him two nights a week, and it would have been reasonable - maybe even preferable - for us to stay at our mum's full-time until he found a place to move into.

That didn't happen. I'm not sure where he stayed the rest of the time, but each Thursday he came like usual to pick us up from school and daycare, and drove us an hour across the city in bad traffic to a spiritual retreat/hotel/convention centre run by an order of nuns. This was also the building where I did my violin lessons each week. It was pretty weird for me.

The building itself was heritage listed, so dark and freezing cold inside, with musty carpets and cream walls. The nuns were intimidating. I felt small and more awkward than usual, in my blue school uniform and schoolbag, hugging my violin case to my chest and hoping very much that I wouldn't run into my violin teacher.

I can't remember much about the room, except that the furniture had ugly old fashioned upholstery, and sitting on the couch you had an easy view into the kitchen. The lights and lamps were warm yellow; the blankets were those scratchy brown ones they have in caravan parks and motels. My brother went to the bedroom and played with the toy dinosaurs he'd packed in our suitcase. My sister stole my school hat and chewed on the strings while she watched the kids channel on TV. I sat on the couch with a book, but I wasn't really reading it.

I was watching my dad, who was clattering about, making spaghetti bolognese in the tiny kitchen. He seemed happy. He played this song through his portable speaker:

Something about the song, and my dad cooking, and the way the warm lights washed the room gold made me feel safer than I ever had before, and have since.

It might have been the contrast with the chaos outside that moment, like being inside during a thunderstorm. I think a lot of it was because of the music.

The order of nuns has since relocated. The building was sold and redeveloped, and these days I rarely speak to my dad. But this song is important to me, and so is everything attached to it. I love that music can hold memories, in all their complexity, so tenderly.

[nightcall99]

Dream from 2.9.24

I remembered that there was some trail walk in my suburb and I went on my phone to try and search it up. I knew it was called something like 'suburb name aboriginal walk' or 'suburb name heritage walk' . I went there. I saw what looked like the beginning of a small stream or brook. It was tucked away, you could easily miss it. There was something different about the rushing water. There was a special energy vibrating from it. I knew that this brook signified the start of the trail. There was a small group of people who were waiting to start it, and it was a slow start since the pathway was so narrow. I saw a bunch of kids in school uniforms. My sister was there with me. I noticed that these kids had on the uniform of the primary school that we went to, which was a mere kilometre away. I remarked to my sister, Wow our uniform hasn't changed at all in like 20 years or whatever it is. From the look of these uniforms it was like no time had passed, they had that retro feel to them, but on closer inspection I noticed that it wasn't kids wearing them, but adults. Then we started on our hike.

But then my mum changed her mind or something (she was there I suppose?) and instead we drove somewhere else. My whole family was in the car. I thought my dad was in the front seat but I couldn't see him, the seat looked empty. I said, Where's dad? My mum said, He's here. I looked again and realised he had blended into the blind spot or there was a trick of the light or something because he was there I guess although I couldn't see him clearly. We kept driving. We got into the city and my mum wanted to by some fresh fish to bring home and cook. We stopped at some fancy restaurant and went inside, it was empty of patrons. She spoke to the waitstaff, asking about the fish. They asked her where in Italy she was from (she obviously ain't from there irl) they even guessed a well-known town but she said she is from a lesser known place. They chatted and I followed.

Then we found a room to stay in, in the city. It looked like a hotel, reminds me of the casino we have here but I didn't want to stay here overnight. I didn't feel comfortable. I wanted to go home now. Why were we here? My siblings, mum and I had to share the room and I didn't want that. The mattresses were on the floor. My family seemed to be getting comfortable in the room but I kept thinking we should just drive back. Right now. That's where all my stuff is and I know my dad is there.

[onlysimpledreams]

Things I want to say (TW for Abuse)

Part 2 of 3

J2.

You ruined my life. You have made me TERRIFIED of men & so many things, I still get triggers caused by you.

You were manipulative. A liar. A cheater. A gas lighter. A sexual, physical and mental abuser. I wish I believed your ex when she tried to warn me. But at the beginning you were so nice and I never believed someone like you could hurt even a fly.

You hated me. Or maybe you just hated yourself and your life, and took it out on the people around you who you let trust you. Remember that one time we went into town, I was feeling pretty rough that day in regards to my chronic pain. You had one goal that day, and that was to find the toy store to buy Star Wars figures for your collection. As we were walking, my pain got so bad, I started to black out. I couldn't see properly, I was hyperventilating, I asked if we could go to a cafe to sit down and have a drink. You said no. You kept walking, infront of me, refusing to even acknowledge my pain or to help me. We got to the store, which was across from a cafe. I begged you to sit down with me. I asked if we could stop before going into the store. You said "No, I need to get my figures. Go and stand over there if you don't wanna come in with me" - you wanted me to stand, by myself, in a city I've never been in before, while I was half blacking out, ready to fall over. You were going to leave me alone. But, because I knew of your anger issues, I did what YOU wanted. I forced myself to follow you. We finally got to the cafe afterwards, you sat on your phone the entire time and I was left to look after myself. You didn't care that I was crying. Remember the time you cheated infront of my face multiple times and told me to mind my own business? Remember when you were sitting beside me on the bus, and you were sending/receiving nudes from your friend and passed it off as "helping her with body confidence", and got angry at me for questioning it? Remember you got mad at me and called your "side piece" in America to flirt with her and piss me off more? Remember every time you forced me into sex to get through your anger from silly things like video games, tv shows, work. My body was your stress reliever. Saying no wasn't an option for me. I tried, and when I did, you would choke me to shut me up. You would get upset with me and tell me I didn't love you. Remember you r*d me and forced me to pay for the morning after pill, and got angry at me when I asked to split the price, and also got angry when I asked you to walk me to the shop to buy it when I didn't know where I was going? Do you remember when you slammed doors, threw things around your room, smashed things and screamed like a child because something in your life didn't go right and blamed it on me when it had nothing to do with me? You lost in video games and took it out on me. You didn't get enough likes on Instagram and took it out on me. You kept me secret from your best friend, who you had feelings for, you told me every little detail about her but kept me secret and hidden, then got mad at me for befriending her and finding out. You forced me to stay in our hotel room during my first convention because you didn't want me hanging out with new friends I had made, because they were guys. They were people YOU KNEW. Yet you kept me hidden, you stopped me leaving. You guilt tripped me into staying hauled up in a room. Remember when you blamed your dad's cancer diagnosis on me? Remember when you took your anger out on me? Remember when you blamed your selfishness on your dad for getting sick? I was terrified. You scared me. Any step I took, every sentence I ever spoke, had the possibility of triggering you. The day you smashed up your entire room because I finally called you out on your bullshit was my final straw. You threw everything at me, you smashed a set of drawers, you yelled so loudly, and somehow your mum told me to "give you a chance" ?????????? You ruined me. You broke me. You made me feel like every single thing was my fault, you didn't let me breathe, you gaslit me and manipulated me into thinking all of these things were normal and should happen in relationships. I wanted to be the one to help you and bring you happiness. I apologised way too many times for way too many things that were not my fault. You broke your ex's wrist, you pushed your other ex down the stairs, women are NOT SAFE AROUND YOU. YOU HAVE TRAUMATISED ME.

[harrison-abbott]

Paula and the Pool

I was with my kid sister in the swimming pool out the back of the hotel. It was thirty degrees. I splashed my sister with the water and she kept giggling so I kept doing it. Her name was Paula. She was about half the size of me. And hadn’t quite learned to swim yet. This was late in the afternoon and the other holidaymakers around the hotel had gone off into town to do other things. I needed a pee, so I got out of the pool to go back to the hotel room. Then I looked down at Paula. She was standing looking up at me with her face just above the water, at the shallow end. I said to her, “Paula, just stay at this end, okay? Don’t go over to the deep end. Right?” She laughed at me. And I blushed. I think because I’d never tried to be authoritative with her before. I smiled, and left.

And I went up through the airy hotel to my room. Our room – mine and Paula’s. Mum and Dad had their room next to mine but they weren’t in it; they were out exploring in the city as well. I peed. And then something distracted me in the room. I still can’t remember what it was. Maybe it was that I wanted some of the food out of the fridge and I ate a snack or something. But I often wonder that if I’d not delayed and stayed in the room for five minutes then things might’ve been different.

After that I went back down stairs and I came out into the atrium of the pool. Came out into the sun again. And, do you know when you’re in a sunny place for ages and the sheer light makes your vision blue when you go indoors: and then when you go back outdoors your eyes re-attach to the blazing light? It was like that.

And I looked around and Paula wasn’t in the pool.

That’s what I thought at first. I looked around the deckchairs and she wasn’t on any of them. So I edged around the perimeter of the shallow end – I thought maybe she had gone back to the canteen, which was on the other side of the pool.

When I got to the far side I noticed this dark shape under the water … at the deep end.

I pulled her body out of the water and got her on to the side of the pool. And I shoved my fingers down her throat to try and make her puke up. But her face was stony and wouldn’t move; her eyes weren’t moving. I was crying, and then I started to yell “HELP! HELP!” And eventually this woman who worked in the canteen swung around the corner and she yelled “Eeeeeiiiiii!” when she saw what was happening and then she vanished. I thought she had run away for good: but she reappeared a minute later with her other colleagues. … None of them could speak English too well. They spoke in their own tongues and I kept yammering at them in English – all of us stooped over Paula’s body – and they couldn’t respond to what I was saying.

Then one of them took his phone out and called the ambulance. I knew it was the ambulance because he said “Ambulance,” to me. At that point I thought that Paula might wake up and that she would be okay.

The hotel manager was alerted and he came over to the scene with a grave expression. And he and the chap that had called the ambulance helped lift Paula out of the atrium and they carried her out to the front of the building to wait for the vehicle to take her away.

I remember being embarrassed because I was crying too much in front of other people – a thing I didn’t normally do.

My mother and father still knew nothing about what had happened. They wouldn’t know for another ten minutes. I was afraid to call my mother so I called father instead. … When I called him there was a merry festive sound in the background, jangly music. “Paula’s in trouble, Dad,” I said, over and over. He found it hard to hear me.

I think my mother always preferred Paula to me. That was part of the reason why I called Dad that day instead of her because I figured she would think it was my fault.

When I was in my late teens I moved out of home. Mother hated me and it was too difficult to live with her.

I’ve been to grief counsellors and I’ve read books about how to try and cope with shame. And for a while I was on medication. The drugs were no use. I do drink way too much alcohol and that helps sometimes. When I go to a new job and meet new people I can never tell them about what happened with Paula.

Every day since it happened I’ve thought that I should have taken Paula up stairs with me when I went to pee. She was far too young to be in the pool by herself. But then I remembered when she laughed at me when I tried to be stern with her … so maybe that made me think she was confident with being there alone. Or, I will wish that somebody else had been in the pool area and would have been there to help. One of the worst bits is not knowing exactly what happened. I imagine that she might have tried to swim to the deep end: to play a trick on me and disobey me because I’d told her not to do that. So perhaps she was wanting to show me that she could swim to the deep end – and she tried that – but got into trouble along the way; she swallowed the water and her limbs were too thin and she went under and swallowed more water … Oh. I’ve been over these thoughts so many times. It was my fault and I deserve to feel ashamed. Boo hoo if I drink to much. Or that my mother no longer speaks to me. I shouldn’t have left her there alone in the pool.

I still remember her upper bar of white teeth when I splashed water on her in the pool. And how I didn’t appreciate her so much when she was still alive.

[mctreeleth]

A couple of years ago for my birthday my parents decided they would pay for us to go on The Overland, which is the train between Adelaide and Melbourne - they had gotten to do part of it for practical, "needing to get somewhere without a car" reasons, but I had missed out, which is deeply unfair because I love trains. Just, so much. 

Trains delight me in the same way that an old mechanical sewing machine does, but I also love them in a more romanticised sense as well - as someone whose brain is always going every which way, with no real ultimate destination, who struggles with follow-through and maintaining momentum, trains are, frankly, aspirational. To me a train is like a cool older cousin who has their shit together, a wild animal you are sometimes lucky enough to spot out in nature, an amazing piece of engineering, and a monument to the amazing power of a society working together to make infrastructure, all rolled into one big machine that even non-sentimental people are sometimes willing to concede might just be the kind of technology to have a soul. I love trains.

So naturally I was pretty bummed when shortly after, covid hit and the borders closed, stopping the passenger train from running. Then came a brief period when the service looked like it would never restart, before the state governments stepped in with additional funding to keep the service going. Finally, the borders were open, we were all triple vaxxed, and me, Mum, Dad and my other train-loving sister were free at the same time to do Adelaide-Melbourne on the Sunday and Melbourne-Adelaide on the Monday.

Then the service got cancelled and replaced with a bus route. Then that happened again the following week. We still don't know if it was a case of not enough seats being occupied to make the trip economically viable for the company, or if something else was going on, but finally, we had confirmation; the train was going to be doing that trip, we were going to be on it.

We got to the station at the ungodly time of 6.45am for a 7.45 departure, and the lady at the counter made the usual casual conversation of "what are you travelling for?" type questions as she checked us in, and when Mum told her that she (pointing to me, basically vibrating with excitement) just really loves trains so we paid for the trip for her birthday, we’re coming back again tomorrow, the lady was like, oh yes, we get families doing that, and looked over at another family; mum, dad, visibly excited assumedly-also-autistic adult son seated in the terminal. They also went out to watch the locomotive being attached to the carriages, but they had booked in the premium carriages so we didn't see them except for again the next morning, as they also boarded back to Adelaide, the actual destination little more than a dull, 12 hour gap in the joyous experience that is getting to be on a train. 

I wonder if he was also the only one of his group not to have a nap on the journey. Being on a train is too interesting to sleep through, even if the majority of the journey is just wheat paddocks. Still, that is enough for my family to invent a wild conspiracy in the central highlands of Victoria regarding stolen windmill blades, which I am sure absolutely baffled the other people sitting nearby.

Travelling through the Adelaide Hills was definitely my favourite part, but there was also a few hours travelling alongside the highway that I drive to go back home, a drive I always spend hoping to see a train. I never do it at the same time as The Overland, but about a third of my drives I get to see the cargo train at some point. I hope all the drivers we passed were as excited to see us as I would have been.

We pointed out broken down classic car bodies and old boats in back yards that my sister and dad could buy and restore as we passed through tiny towns, even going so far as to drop some pins on google maps at ones they were thinking about maybe making a roadtrip to go and make an offer on. 

And we arrived in Melbourne, checked into our hotel, went to the casino for dinner, Mum and Dad played the pokies for half an hour while my sister and I found a bar and skulled two beers each, and then spent another half an hour battling fierce indigestion as we tried to all find each other to go back to the hotel. And then we got up very early the next morning, sat on the other side of the train, and went the other way. 

My family napped for a bit, Dad spent an hour eagle-eyed back on the other side looking for a boat in a paddock that Mum and I had spotted the day before, it rained a bit as we went through the hills again, we absolutely smoked a metro train that was going boring metro-train speeds though Lynton, and arrived 5 minutes early, which would have been a bummer for me but for the fact that I was still rising high on the thrill of going so much faster than that other train.

Dad thinks we should just do the whole of the east coast little by little, taking cheap flights when they come up to do the Melbourne-Sydney, Sydney-Brisbane, and Brisbane-Far North Queensland journeys over the next couple of years. I am very keen.

[itsjustmyfantasyroom]

Broken flowers.

The lovely @ben-c-group-therapy who asked for this: 

<Hello, me again. I’d love to request some angst with a fluffy end. Miguel or Nick where reader is due to marry another man. The man and reader are at the alter and he just says he can’t marry her and leaves her there. He hadn’t given any clue he would do this. No cold feet. You stand shocked before leaving quickly. So Miguel or Nick was in the audience and they come to find you. Fluff. Comfort. Eventual sparks?? Idk. I can’t get the idea out of my head lol. Thanks so much!>

I decided to do Miguel for you this time. I really hope this is what you were looking for, I really enjoyed writing this. I love Miguel’s soft side when it comes out to play so I tapped into that and slight Sex and City movie vibes.

Warnings: Being left at the aisle angst with a fluffy happy ending. Very very light swearing.

WC: 2227 

Enjoy x

You had never been this excited in your life as you were when your dad walked you down the aisle to Alex. You had both picked the Santo Padre country club for your wedding and reception. Everything looked better than what you had imagined it to be. Your eyes were set on Alex from the moment the doors opened stepping through them, but he didn’t look happy so you just put it down to him being nervous. As you got to the front seats you stopped waiting for your mum to stand up taking your other arm to walk you to the alter. Your eyes caught your best friends over your mum’s head, who was sitting next to her, a tear running down his cheek, Miguel mouthed “You look beautiful” and you gave him a wink back.  

The ceremony had run smoothly up until the vows when the priest asked Alex to take your hands and to repeat after him, when you heard him mutter “I can’t”. You looked at the priest who was shocked at his reaction and you squeezed Alex’s arm with your free hand stepping a little closer,

“Babe it’s ok, you’re nervous”

“Y/N, I can’t. I’ am sorry. I can’t”

Your heart shattered when he pulled away from you and he walked out of the chapel leaving you standing there alone, your flowers dropped out of your hand landing on the floor breaking off the stems scattering around the bottom of your dress. No one knew what to do or what to say to you, but you heard the whispering that was getting louder and louder.

Tears welled in your eyes and you just ran. You felt Miguel grab your arm, but you pulled away from his grip and ran straight out the side door. You ran and ran till you got to the edge of the grounds to a man-made lake with a fountain in the middle, you dropped down under a tree in the grass and you sobbed till your whole body was shaking, letting out a loud scream.

Miguel had rage bolting through him at what had just happened to you. You guys had been best friends since high school. You had grown closer and closer over the years, being close with Emily when he got married and you had been there for him when he got divorced. You were one of the only people that never shied away from him, even when he took over the family business, knowing what he was, what he had become and what he did. Other than his mother, you were the most important woman in his life.

You were both brutally honest with each other telling each other everything, other than talking about the Galindo business dealings that you wanted to know nothing about and he knew what you thought about him taking over the business because he was so much better than a Cartel Boss, which weirdly made you closer. His family business never changed your friendship with him and you had inside joke’s when he went over the border and about his yellow rain coat that you had heard rumours about. If either of you were unbalanced or needed someone to tell you to get your shit together, you went to each other.

If you hadn’t felt the way you did about how Miguel delt with things, he would have had Alex in his church pew and would have been in his yellow rain coat making him pay for what he had done to you. Miguel got Marcus to take your parent’s home and stay with them in case they needed anything, Nestor got everyone out and on their way, Paco went to grab all your things from the hotel room you were meant to be staying in that night and then went to get your luggage from your apartment to take it all to his place and he sorted out the reception.

After he spoke to the manger coming to an agreement, he grabbed a chilled bottle of wine that was sitting on one of the tables and started to walk around the grounds looking for you. It wasn’t long before he saw you and his heart broke at you sitting there alone with your dress fanned around you and your shoulders slouched over.

You were looking out over the lake, the sun setting slowly and you tried to work everything out in your head. You didn’t know what happened or why Alex did what he did. As far as you knew everything was fine, he was excited to marry you and start a family. You had both decided that you would stay in your own apartment the week leading to the wedding and move the rest of your things over to his house once you were back from your four-week honeymoon, split between Cabo and Cancun. You had heard from him every night that week so, you were confused at what had happened not being able to put a finger on why.

You were pulled out of your chain of thought when you heard footsteps in the grass, but you didn’t turn around till you heard his voice and he sat down right next to you,

“Mi alma”

You looked over at him, a soft sweet smile on his face and he handed you the bottle of wine after opening it for you. You looked into his eyes for a moment, tears running out of yours and his filled with tears. Miguel put his hand on the back of your head pulling you towards him kissing your forehead. You both sat there, passing the wine bottle between each other watching the sun disappear, the warm wind hitting both of your skins,

“Didn’t see that coming” you muttered taking a sip from the bottle.

“He showed no sign he was going to call it off?”

“No. He told me last night he couldn’t wait to marry me. What a fucking joke” you took another sip of wine.

“Want the rain coat?” Miguel looked down at you with a grin. It was the first time since what happened that you had smiled and had a little giggle. You lent into him, Miguel’s arm going around you, rubbing his big warm hand up and down your arm and you rested your head on his shoulder “Today shouldn’t have happened Y/N, he’s an asshole. You deserve to be treated like a queen” he lent his head on top of  yours and you sighed into him.

“I have to cancel the honeymoon and the flights. Can I use your phone?”

“No” Miguel sat up away from you and you frowned your brows at him “You’re going on that trip; you have been looking forward to it. I’ll change his ticket into my name. We’re going and we’ll have a great time”

“What would I do without you?” you lent over kissing his cheek “Can I have your jacket?”

“Of course”

Miguel shrugged it off handing it to you. You reached behind yourself tugging down the zipper of your dress. Miguel reached over pulling it down the rest of the way, his breathing hitching slightly when your dress fell open to your smooth skin. You pushed the top of your dress to your chest and took one arm out of the straps at a time. You put Miguel’s jacket on and you stood up, the dress fell off you pooling at your feet. You pulled his jacket around yourself and done up the buttons stepping out of the dress, his jacket on you like a short dress,

“You better get home and pack. Flights at 7 am” you smiled down at Miguel before you started to walk away.

“You’re going to leave your dress here? You loved that dress”

Miguel jumped up catching up to you, putting his arm around your neck,

“I don’t want the reminder Miguel, of what was meant to be. I’ am absolutely heart broken, but it’s done, we need to move on”

Eight weeks later

Miguel was surprised and proud at how well you handled the situation, he not handling his marriage break down anywhere near as coolly as you and when you found out the real reason why Alex did what he did, you went for run instead of breaking down. He never pushed you to talk about anything, he waited till you came to him to talk and he held you while you cried. Some night’s you walked into his room crying, he held you while you feel asleep, sleeping in his bed and other nights you were fine. He talked you into moving in with him so you weren’t by yourself and you had organised movers so that everything would be at Miguel’s when you got back.

It was the third week of the trip that you noticed a shift in Miguel and how he treated you, but you didn’t want to pay attention to it so you pushed it away trying not to think about it, but your feelings changed towards him as well. Since you had been back from the trip and getting on with life as best you could, it was getting to the point that you didn’t know if you should step over that line, if you said something and it was all in your head that would be years and years of trust and friendship broken, but you couldn’t live under the same roof with someone that you had feelings for, them not knowing.

When you had been getting messages from him during your day, you smiled at your screen and your tummy filled with butterflies. Miguel was excited to be coming home to you every day and his mind drifted to you most of his day, but the day he knew he had to say something was the day he came home and you were in the kitchen. He had seen you cook and bake too many times over the years to count and the apron you wore, he had bought it for you one Christmas.

When he walked in and the music hit his ear drums, he smiled to himself and walked around till you were in his eye sight. He saw the oven on, by the scent flowing through the house you were cooking your chicken pasta bake and you were leaning over a tray of cupcakes with a piping bag icing them. He smiled to himself and knew at that point he was falling in love with you. He watched on for a while, grinning at how natural it looked for you to be in his kitchen. You sensed that someone was watching you, looking up after you iced the last cupcake. You met Miguel’s eyes and you both grinned at each other, you both stood there starring till heat swept over you.

You reached behind yourself undoing the apron and sitting it on the counter. You started to walk towards him, Miguel matching your steps your eyes not leaving each other’s. You were just about to him when you stopped, he copying you and you were both breathing heavy,

“You feel it too” Miguel whispered, more a statement than a question.

“Yes. I have for a while”

“That night in Cabo?”

“Yeah”

You couldn’t take your eyes off each other, almost like a test to see who would crack first. It wasn’t  long till you had your answer and it was both of you, it was like a magnet pulled you both together. Your arms went around his neck and his went down to wrap around just under your behind, lifting you up off the floor. Your lips met, meeting together like a puzzle, you felt like lightening had struck you and you knew he felt it too moaning into your mouth.

You both titled your heads and allowed the kiss to deepen. Miguel walked you both to the counter, sitting you on it not breaking the kiss. You spread your legs for him and he moved between them, your arms loosened around his neck and your hands went to his bearded cheeks. Your lungs started to burn and you broke the kiss, Miguel smiling up at you,

“We’ve been friends for a long time” your hands ran down from his cheeks and stopped on his chest “You know there is no going back now”

“I don’t want to go back anywhere. Y/N, you’re my best friend. You are the only one that knows me amor, takes me for me, holds me accountable for my actions and you keep me grounded. You are the only one that has ever loved me no matter what”

“As always, you always know what I’ am thinking and say first” you both laughed and you tapped his chest with your hands “I want this, so much. But can we take it slow? It’s a big step for us and it’s the first relationship we have both been in since-“

Miguel curled his pointer finger under your chin and tipped your head back, his other hand going to rest on top of your other one,

“As slow as you want, as fast as you want. We are still the same people, the same friends, we are just falling in love” Miguel peaked your lips.

“And it feels absolutely amazing.”

Tags: @beccabarba​ @alwaysachorusgirl​ @lovebishoplosamiguelgalindo​ @ben-c-group-therapy​

[sazc94]

The Three Times James "Bucky" Barnes Broke your heart.

This was inspired by @msmarvelwrites 2k Writing Challenge because I'm a sucker for Taylor Swift especially sad Taylor Vibes. I chose the all too well lyrics.

Apparently, I can't do anything small so it's in two parts. Pairs Bucky x Reader and Pietro x Reader. (Not at the same time)

Part 1 Here

No smut but mentions of sex so 18+ Themes: highschool, cheating, college/uni. Friendship

Words 3368 it's Suburban AU.

2015 You finished up Uni staring in the school's production of Rock of Ages, Playing Sherry opposite Loki’s drew. Loki also moved to New York staying with his half brother Thor Oddinson. You stayed in touch with Loki and Pietro. The thing that took you by surprise however was six months after moving to Detroit, whilst working for Bruce Banner's start-up you received a DM on Instagram from Bucky. He heard from Sam and Jane that you were now living in Detroit and he was moving to the area after being scouted by the Detroit Lions. Hey Y/N, I hope you’re good. I know this is random and please feel free to tell me where to go, but I was wondering if you wanted to get a drink sometime? It would be great to see you again and catch up. Let me know. So you replied feeling like maybe after all this time it might be good to finally hear Bucky’s apology. Pietro and you had stayed in touch but you knew he was dating someone else. Her name was Sue Storm, she seemed like a nice girl, very smart and could easily give Pietro a run for his money. After hearing Bucky’s apology, you two started to become friends again, he invited you along to his games always offering to secure you two tickets if you wanted to bring someone. He was a machine on the football field, earning the strange nickname The Winter Soldier.

2016

Everything changed in the summer of 2016 though when Bucky’s mother passed away suddenly in June. She had practically helped raise you, so you attended the funeral with Bucky. You stayed with him in the guest room in his childhood house, helping him sort through belongings and paperwork. Bucky’s dad had died when you were 8 and Bucky like you was an only child. You took in food from neighbours wanting to pay their respects. You held his hand squeezing it in comfort during the funeral, assuring him you were there for him. Two days after the funeral you and Bucky had finished packing up the final boxes, you were upstairs, and he was downstairs being awfully quiet. You went looking for him only to find him sat on the living room floor. He was crying holding a picture of you and him one Halloween when you were 9, Bucky had gone as Superman and you as Supergirl. Your mums stood behind you, both of them chuckling whilst you and bucky tried to out pose one another. Your heart swelled. Your Grandad had died in November and god how your heart had ached, but to lose your mum, you couldn’t even begin to imagine. “Hey, hey. It's alright I’m here Buck”, you said cradling his head to your chest whilst he sobbed. You stayed like that for an unidentifiable amount of time before Bucky’s crying eased. He looked up at you blinking away the stray tears, the familiar blue in his eyes pulling you in. Your not sure who kissed who first but that was how you and Bucky ended up sleeping together.

You and Bucky officially got back together in July. Your Grandma passed away in September, the start of football season. Bucky was unable to attend the funeral, he tried god he tried. Pietro made it though. He and Sue had broken up not that he told you. By the time November rolled around things were good between you and Bucky. Wanda’s fashion label Scarlett Witch was taking off and she invited you and Bucky out to join the rest of the old gang at the official launch in December of 2016. You accepted and for the pair of you assuring Bucky, there would be no awkwardness. Pietro was casually dating and was bringing a date called Crystal.

You arrived at the party in NYC completely blown away. Wanda had asked you to wear a piece from the evening wear collection, a Black strapless dress, the top if form-fitting made from chiffon fabric, the skirt cut out the front made of black tulle sparkled with the touches of glitter. It felt like you were wearing the Milky Way. After stopping to pose for photos for the press you made your way inside. The party was being held inside a beautiful gothic building. “Y/n! You look absolutely amazing, thank you so much for wearing this and of course for coming” Wanda practically pounced on you the minute she spotted you. “Bunny! I agree absolutely amazing. Bucky, you don’t look too bad yourself” Pietro said kissing you on the cheek. Pietro was wearing a deep blue suit, it made his hair and ice-blue eyes pop. Bucky had opted for the simple black tux to match you and your dress. He almost looked good enough to eat. After grabbing a glass of champagne, Wanda and Pietro took you to the rest of the gang who had made it. Jane was here with a date, Thor Oddinson you recognised him from the few times he had been to see you and Loki in shows. Carol was here too. Peter Parker was working the event as a photographer he had brought a date a lovely young lady called Mary Jane Watson. After about 45 minutes of schmoozing and catching up, you went to the ladies room. When you exited you were a little taken aback by the sight that confronted you, a redhead was hanging of Bucky’s arm chuckling away with Thor and Jane. You could only see the back of her from where you were standing. You decided to walk over and introduce yourself. However, when you got closer to the group the woman started to look vaguely familiar.

“Hey babe,” Bucky said as you approached quickly removing his arm from the redhead. Babe. That was weird he never called you babe. His blue eyes looked like they were hiding something. “Lady Y/N. This is Lady Natasha” Thor said introducing you. The redhead turned to shake your hand smiling at you with a knowing look. “Lovely to finally meet the infamous Y/N,” she said. “I told Bucky how disappointed I was not to meet you when I was in the City in September. I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. Bucky kept me company whilst I was around on some Business” her voice sounded harmless, sweet and pleasant. Genuine. Her eyes and knowing smirk told a different story. Bucky looked at you, the familiar betrayal in his eyes, pleading with you. “I was just telling Bucky, I’ve been offered this amazing opportunity in Detroit so Ill be moving there in February, isn’t that wonderful?” she asked. You smiled taking a swig of your champagne. Jane looked at you, then Bucky. You shook your head.

That was the second time Bucky Barnes broke your heart. He assured you that they hadn’t slept together, however had admitted that he had kept her visit from you and that she had kissed him. “Did you kiss her back?” you asked pacing around your hotel room. “Doll, please what does it matter,” he asked reaching out for you. His calloused hands once again burning your skin with his betrayal. The fact he had chosen not to answer was all the confirmation you needed. You had left him in the hotel room. Loki had been unable to make the event due to being in a small play off-Broadway, but you had texted him asking if he wanted to get a drink. You had told him everything and he had walked you back to your hotel room. You were drunk and distressed. Bucky had opened the door his blue eyes flashing with jealousy when the handsome black-haired gentleman had his arms around you. “Easy James, if anything was going to have happened between us, it would have happened in freshman year of college,” Loki said helping you into your room. After you and Bucky returned to Detroit you guys took a break for a few months.

2017

Natasha’s job conveniently happened to be working as a fitness instructor at the Detroit Lions. After 4 months you and Bucky got back together in March of 2017. Things were going great, Natasha seemed to have released whatever hold she had on Bucky. Bucky was performing well with the Lions, his new teammate, Steve Rogers nicknamed Captain America seemed to have caught the eye of many ladies including Natasha. He however didn’t seem that interested in her and had his sights set on a girl from his home in Brooklyn her name was Peggy. Steve and you hit off due to your mutual disinterest in Miss Romanoff, he had come up with a nickname for her, he called her Black Widow because she seemed to devour the men in her life. Banners start-up tech company had taken off with thanks to your ad campaigns. You were also performing in the local summer show of Mamma Mia playing Sophie. In the summer of 17, Peggy Carter came to visit Steve, turned out she was from Britain originally. You liked Peggy and her no-nonsense approach. During July, the four of you went on lots of double dates like you were high schoolers again. For Steve’s birthday which happened to be the fourth of July, the four of you attended an event being put on by the Detroit lions. You had a great evening mixing with various teammates and their families. You even warmed to Natasha a bit that afternoon.

As the evening rolled around a giant cake was brought out to celebrate Steve’s birthday. Followed by a firework show. Everyone made their way to various blankets and cushions set out at the opposite end of the stadium. Somewhere along the way you and Bucky got separated. You didn’t worry too much, to begin with as you’d both drifted off to interact with various people throughout the event, however by the time the fireworks started Bucky was nowhere to be seen. You started to think the worst until you spotted Natasha’s red hair on the other side of the stadium flirting with a gaggle of players from various other teams who were invited. Confident Bucky would return shortly you turned your attention to the sky watching with a goofy grin, things were finally settled between you and Bucky. As the fireworks went on you decided to snap a few shots on your phone loving the way the sky lit up with bright colours. The Detroit Lions didn’t do things in small doses, so the firework display ended up going on for about an hour and a half. After about 45 minutes Bucky returned from wherever he had been slipping down behind you pulling your back flush to his chest. He stroked small circles on your arms. His rough calloused skin making you shiver from the contact.

In September you were approached by Tony Stark’s PA Pepper Potts, they had seen your campaigns for Bruce Banner and Tony was interested in headhunting you. Your contract with Bruce was up in October. You initially shot the idea down. Why would you want to leave Michigan? Your family home was a short 20-minute drive away, Bucky was doing well with the Lions. Peggy Carter was moving here after Steve had proposed at the end of Summer. It seemed ludicrous. After initially shooting down the offer. Pepper contacted you, doubling their initial offer. The offer was tempting, so you told Miss Potts you would think it over the weekend. There was no harm in bringing it up with Bucky, maybe a move would do you both good, Natasha seemed to have gotten under Bucky’s skin again. You left the office early that day. You didn’t bother to text Bucky figuring you could surprise him when he got home from training with a home-cooked meal. You stopped off to get some supplies to make Lasagne before heading over to his apartment figuring you could just let yourself in. You had called Wanda on the drive over through your cars Bluetooth. She and Vision were engaged, and she wanted you to be one of her bridesmaids. Partway through the call, Pietro had walked into Wanda’s office so you had told them both about the job offer. When you got to Bucky’s you immediately recognised the Black Widows black Mercedes. “huh, that’s weird, I wonder what she’s doing here,” you said out loud “who’s where?” asked Wanda. “oh um nothing, look I got to go I just got to Buck’s and I’m cooking dinner, going to talk to him about Tony’s offer,” you said before hanging up. You were so blind-sighted by Natasha’s car you didn’t clock Bucky’s Motorcycle parked in the corner of the small parking lot. You grabbed your bags walking up to Bucky’s figuring that you could invite Natasha in if need be whilst you waited for Buck to come home.

If you had noticed Bucky’s bike, then just maybe you would have been more prepared for the following events you unlocked Bucky’s apartment and you found clothes strewn everywhere, his jeans. A white Blouse. His boxer trunks. A Black lacy bra, that definitely didn’t belong to you. At first, you were so shocked by what you saw that you didn’t hear the moans coming from the bedroom. It was like you were possessed you carried your bag of groceries as you walked in a daze to the bedroom, you opened the door and found Bucky once again cheating on you. He and Natasha were in the throws of fucking each other, you found Natasha with her back to you, wrapped around Bucky’s waist. Bucky sat upright facing you however his eyes closed whilst he drank in the pleasure. You felt your heartbreak as you dropped your bag of groceries. The bag made a thud as it hit the ground, alerting Bucky to your presence. His eyes flew open connecting with yours. Natasha however didn’t stop riding your boyfriend’s cock. Bucky tried to push her off him, but you were already storming out the door. You grabbed your bag and left Bucky’s spare key in the door. Bucky grabbed a pair of joggers and slippers before chasing after you. Bucky’s apartment was on the second floor. All the apartments on the second floor opened outside to a walkway.

“Really James?!?” you turned round to face him before he could even say your name. “Was once not enough? Did you not hurt me enough the first time?” You asked. You could feel the anger threatening to burst in the way of tears. Bucky went to speak, his blue eyes once again filled with guilt. “How long?!” you asked quietly. Bucky moved towards you tugging on your wrist. “Come on Y/N, come back inside it’s starting to rain, we can discuss this inside,” he said, his eyes pleading with you. At that moment Natasha appeared in Bucky’s open doorway. She looked pleased with herself, wearing Buck’s shirt. The site made you want to vomit. “How. Long?!” you asked again through gritted teeth. Bucky faltered. “Since July. Since the 4th of July event,” he admitted rubbing his hand over his face. At that moment you felt completely and utterly broken. “I’m done, James. Do you hear me? I am done. We are through. You two.” You pointed to Natasha. “You two are welcome to one another”. That was the third time Bucky broke your heart.

You took the job working for Stark Industries. Your contract had ended with Bruce but your lease on your apartment was up until January so you stayed working for him until December of 2017 You said your goodbyes to Steve and Peggy in January and moved across the country to your new life in the big apple.

December 2018

The unknown number flashed up on your phone for the third time that day. You sighed before answering it. “Hello, Y/N Speaking how can I help?” you asked fiddling with your jumper. “Hey Doll, it's me. Don’t hang up.” Your breath caught in your throat. James Buchanan Barnes. You hadn’t spoken to him in over a year. He hadn’t even attempted to reach out to you after you split up mailing your things back to you, well all but a scarf. In January shortly before you’d moved to NYC you’d seen a magazine article saying the Winter Soldier was dating Natasha Romanoff. It confirmed what you already knew deep down, which was that you might be okay but you were not fine at all.

You’d worked so hard to forget about him long enough to forget why you needed to. He had better have a damn good reason for calling you. “You have 5 minutes,” You said getting up from the sofa you were sat on. “look, I know I fucked up with you. In more than one way on more than one occasion. I think it was the pressure to be the perfect couple, you know lifelong friends to more. And well I guess I just freaked out, and then I fell for her, but she didn’t want me, and when you gave us another shot, I thought I could convince myself to love you the way I did her, the way you had loved me. But truth be told, it was always Natasha after that summer. I know you deserve better, and I truly am sorry for hurting your doll. But I wanted you to hear it from me before you read about it in the news. She’s pregnant and also, we’re getting married.” Bucky said. You stood in the middle of the apartment stunned. “So, you call me up again, just to break me like a promise. So casually cruel in the name of being honest?” you whispered. Squeezing back the tears. “Well fuck you, James.” With that, you hung up. Of course, Bucky tried to ring right back, you declined the call, falling to your knees in pain. You had never asked for any of this, you had been quite happy being Bucky’s best girl as his friend. He was the one who kissed you at that prom.

You weren’t still in love with Bucky, you had moved on, forgetting about him and the pain he caused you. He hadn’t needed to call you, he could have given you a heads up through one of your mutual friends, but no. he had to go and stick the knife in. After lying there like a crumpled-up piece of paper and letting the tears fall. You picked yourself up. You washed your face and made yourself a mug of hot chocolate grabbing a Christmas cookie from the tin before making your way over to the bay window. You sat down taking in the view. The traffic had eased off a bit as things wound down for the evening. The snow had been falling pretty much all day. After about 15 minutes of sitting peacefully the key in the lock turned. You didn’t move you were incredibly content where you were, even if you could use a refill in the hot chocolate department.

“Hey handsome how was your day?” you asked not taking your eyes away from the street below. A group of kids were throwing snowballs at one another. You smiled to yourself enjoying their innocence. “It was good, busy” he replied taking off his coat and walking over to join you at the window seat. Wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close. “How about you Bunny? I saw a news alert. I’m guessing you know about the engagement?” he asked. You hummed a response. Before shuffling yourself around to face him. His floppy silver-blonde hair covering those beautiful ice blue eyes, they looked at you with such love and endearment, they also spoke a silent promise that he would never hurt you the way that Bucky had. You kissed him gently on the lips before standing up. “Come on Quicksilver let's shower before the Stark Christmas Gala,” you said pulling your boyfriend along behind you shooting him a knowing grin. His nickname may be Quicksilver for athletic reasons but there were some things he liked to take his time with.

A/N If you stuck with me through all this, I am truly sorry. I'm gonna go cry

Tagging the bestie @lannycleave

[harrypotter-imaginess]

Part 1 Here! / Part 2 Here!

A/N: maybe two more parts after this

Commission info for a Love Letter from your favorite HP character here - close 3/10/21!

You sigh as you lean your head back on the arm rest of Draco’s couch

You can see him extending a glass of wine towards you, and you take it gingerly into your hand

“I think I want to quit my job”

He doesn’t say anything, just raises an eyebrow and takes a seat in the arm chair next to the sofa you’re sprawled over like you’re at the therapists office

“Planning to coast along on your good looks?” He finally says, trying to keep his face as stern as possible.

Despite himself a smile arch’s onto the corner of his mouth

“I’m being serious!” You say, sitting up.

Draco openly laughs now, and he doesn’t stop until you throw a pillow at him.

“Well what do you expect when you say somethin’ like that out of nowhere.” He manages to say between bursts of laughter

You both have been dating for a while now, almost a year- you even brought him to a company holiday party

Life has been good

Having to hide his wizardry from you isn’t all that hard, he just had to completely reprogram the way he operates as a human being and now he’s fine

...

It’s been a little challenging

You sigh, a hand threading through your hair, eyebrows threaded together

Well now he’s a little worried, he figured you were just joking around but-

“Did something happen at work?”

Did someone say something to you- or maybe someone did something to you

Draco’s already running a list of curses in his mind by the time you sigh and shake your head

“Nothing that hasn’t been happening- not really.”

The cruciatus curse seems a little to far, maybe boils? No that’s too obvious

“It’s a nice place to work, I have it really good, it’s just-“ your eyes flicker from your glass of wine to Draco

“I always figured once I had a steady income life would be exciting yknow? And I would travel and be making memories but-“

You should be grateful, you have a good life. A comfortable job, a cozy house and-

Your eyes flicker to him, taking his impeccably handsome face, that ash blonde hair, and vibrant grey eyes

And you’ve got Draco

But even though you have all these things, you can’t help but feel like life is just passing you by, and before you know it you’ll be 80 on your death bed having done nothing at all

Draco’s quiet for a moment, picking up on the unspoken sentiment

Maybe you shouldn’t have unpacked on him like that- he’s got his own problems too after all

“Let’s go on Holiday”

Huh?

Draco picks up on your confusion and elaborates on his reasoning

“You’re just a little burned out, you need a break.”

It happened to his Dad all the time when he was a kid, he’d get caught up in all of his dark magic council meetings and his board positions and wonder if this is just life was- an endless power struggle

And that’s when his Mum would swoop in with an elegant family trip to some exotic location, and they would all come back like new people.

Right now you need someone to show you the joy in life. That it’s not just going to work for fifty years and dying

There’s a long stretch of silence between the two of you

And Draco starts to wonder if maybe his Mum had it all wrong

Maybe he should have just offered to make you his spouse, he makes enough money for the both of you- you don’t have to work if you don’t want to when you’re his

He’s internally rehearsing his proposal speech, picking out which moments he should highlight

Which is pretty hard because every moment with you feels like a highlight

“Where would we go?”

Your voice is soft, almost hesitant, but Draco doesn’t overlook the twinkle in your eye

He grins

“Anywhere you want”

You find out pretty fast that Draco is a meticulous planner- everything is carefully decided

“Alright we’ll get off the flight, and we’ll get one of those mu- I mean we’ll get a car from there so we don’t have to worry about transportation-“

Literally everything is reserved, the hotel you’re staying in the city at for the first few nights, the car you’ll be using while you’re in France, the bed and breakfast Draco found out about in a small village in the French country side, even all the restaurants you’ll be eating at

Which is totally fine, some structure isn’t a bad thing

It’s just Draco’s never struck you as someone who plans everything out

“Is everything alright darling? Is this a personality trait of yours I’m just going to have to grow to love?”

You wrap your arms around his torso from the back, your chin resting on his shoulder to glance at the travel documents he’s reviewing

“Oh I never do this when I’m traveling alone- I don’t even take a travel bag most of the time, I can just buy whatever I need when I land- one time I didn’t even take my wallet because your phone is a wallet these days.”

You raise an eyebrow, what a little rich boy

You can’t think of all the times your family packed everything they could possibly need when going on vacation so they wouldn’t have to pay for anything when they got there

“So what’s the difference this time?” You ask, has hitting the quarter of life struck him with a lightening bolt that’s transformed him into a dad now?

“Because I’m going with you”

So everything has to be perfect. You’re taking a whole two weeks off of work, he’s got to make sure you don’t regret it, and give you the best time possible

“Don’t tell me you’re planning on proposing”

You’re only joking, but the disgusted look that crosses Draco’s features makes you flinch

You know it’s probably a little early to mention marriage, it’s only been a year after all, but you would be lying if you said that didn’t hurt

“I would never propose in France (Y/N), I have taste”

That whole country is just overhyped, and Paris is way too dirty - like most cities.

But it’s where you want to go- you like art museums and fresh baked bread so here he is

Going to god damn France

But he’ll be hexed before he proposes to you in that god forsaken country

“Oh so there’s going to be a proposal?”

“Of course there is” he says off handedly, verifying that both of your passports are up to date

And then he realizes what he just admitted and feels a ruby red blush creep onto his face from his neck

“W-wait-“

He turns around to face you, face bright red, only to see you smiling like you’ve just won the lottery

And he should be hopelessly embarrassed,

he’s been trying to play it cool for the last year, to play at your pace in terms of relationship development

Only to let it slip through his fingers in a single moment

But you look so happy to know he see’s a future with you

“Alright, sounds good. Just give me a heads up a few weeks before so I can get a spa appointment to look pretty for all our pictures”

You’re joking.... kind of

You don’t put it past Draco to have a photographer follow you both around and take pictures of the whole engagement thing

Draco’s actually taking your joke quite seriously though, a dopey grin on his mouth

“I’ll give you a hint the weekend before”

That should be enough time to get all your affairs in order

It’ll also give him enough time on how to break to you that he’s a wizard and well- his parents probably hate you

You’re smiling, an embarrassed expression crossing your features as you change the topic to which places you’ll be visiting

But there’s a shadow on Draco’s face

He sighs when you leave, saying you have to go back to your house to pack-

It’s always so lonely when you’re gone

He collapses on his arm chair, twirling his wand so that there’s a glass of fire whisky in his hand

He’s going to have to tell you soon- not just about his wizardry, but also about his family

His Mum’s already got half a guess there’s something going on here - but he bets the worst she believes is that he’s dating someone beneath him, maybe a muggle born at worst

Certainly not an actual muggle

His father’s clueless as always - too busy with his council positions and appearances

His mother will be fine , she would be upset of course, but she would come around eventually

His Father would disown him

He’s fairly confident about that

The second he says he’s in love with a muggle- it’s over for him

His dad might actually curse him when he finds out he’s marrying a muggle- bringing dirty blood into their bloodline

And Draco might curse him back

Because they can say whatever they want about him, but not about you-

Nothing about you is dirty

You’re the purest, kindest, loveliest person he’s ever seen

And he still can’t believe you’re his

You shouldn’t be surprised when you find out Draco booked you both first class seats

Or when you get to the airport and see a Mercedes convertible waiting for you

Or even when you get to the hotel - which turns out to be The Ritz

The tipping point is when you find out the “room” Draco booked is actually the penthouse

“Well that was exhausting, should we take a nap before going to the Louvre?”

You’re sitting on the sofa in the living area, your head in your hands

Draco doesn’t seem to notice. He’s too busy pouring Perrier into two crystal glasses.

“Draco, love, do you remember before we went on this trip, that I insisted paying my portion- even though you said there was no need?”

Draco looks up from the Perrier. But you’re still staring at the ground

“And then when I asked why my portion was so low- you said you got a really great economy deal from a travel package.”

That was the excuse he used wasn’t it

“Well there was a discount travel package, I just didn’t book it.”

Honestly he’s not sure what his end game was here- honestly he was just hoping you would believe this was all included in the package

Your palms are pressed together, your head resting against them

Draco extends a glass of Perrier towards you

You look at it for several long seconds,

he probably got it out of the mini fridge that charges 10x mark up

“I’m paying for our next trip” you say, accepting the glass with a sigh

Draco only grins

“So there’s going to be a next trip?”

You almost snort laughing

“Are you seriously asking me that after you basically proposed to me last week?”

Ah, you’ve got him there

You smile as you tug his towards you, pressing a kiss to his mouth

“Of course there will be you dork”

He smiles as he holds you close, kissing you again

Being in Paris is really cool

You go on a tour of the catacombs

“Watch your step” Draco says, offering his arm for support

“Thanks” you hold his hand as you make your way through the dark space

And the Louvre

“Am I supposed to be feeling something right now?” He asks

You’re both looking at the Mona Lisa, and you’ve got tears in your eyes, feeling very small

You’re almost humbled being in her presence, the painting that has withstood centuries

“Yes” you sniffle, taking the handkerchief Draco’s extended towards you

“You’re a rich kid, aren’t you supposed to be super invested in art and stuff?”

He gives you a mischievous grin

“I look at you everyday don’t I”

You manage a laugh, lightly smacking him in the arm

Things are going really well, you’re both having a really good time, and then something happens-

It’s your last day in the city before you head out to the french countryside,

you and Draco decided you would spend the morning souvenir shopping before heading there in the afternoon

You’ve put in an order for some macrons for your friends and the people at work

“Do you think they’ll still be good by the time we get back home?”

It will be at least a week until you head back, and longer until you see any of your friends

“I think as long as we freeze them” Draco assures

He’ll put a charm on them for good measure

“Malfoy?”

The second Draco hears that voice he goes rigid

You see, being with you for a year has been utter bliss.

Draco’s had a good year, the best year of his entire life-

The thing is though, he got so caught up in who he was becoming-

that he completely forgot who he used to be-

Until this moment

“Weasley. Granger”

Weasley looks the same as ever, flaming red hair and a splatter of freckles across his nose and spilling onto his face

Still that tall, lean, but muscular build he had when he last saw him.

Granger looks great though, she’s got her curls framing her face, smooth dark skin glistening against a clean cut pant suit

“Lovely to see you both”

Draco seems composed

But on the inside he’s on the verge of having a panic attack

Maybe they’ll just give a wave and be on their way

Yes that’s entirely pos-

Nope. They’re walking over to you two

F*ck

“Are you going to introduce us?” You ask with a teasing smile

Oh crap, he forgot the social protocols a situation like this calls for in his panic

“R-right, (Y/N) this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger-“

“Actually we’re both Weasley now” Ron says with a proud grin

“- well she was Granger now she’s Weasley too, we um-“

Were sworn rivals. Mortal enemies. Fought on opposite sides of a great and tragic war.

“Went to school together”

He can honestly say that isn’t a lie.

They all did go to school together

A magic school in the mountains of Scotland, where they rode brooms and befriended magical creatures

Somehow he gets the feeling that’s not the type of experience you’re picturing though

To his surprise things are going pretty well, the conversation is mostly revolving around Paris, you and Granger seem to share a similar love for Mona Lisa

“And when you stand in front of her-“ Granger starts

“It’s like she’s judging you!” You finish

The two of you are only a moment away from embracing

Weasley looks like he couldn’t care less about Mona Lisa

And for once Draco thinks they’re in agreement

Maybe it’s because they’re from pureblood families

Because something surviving 500 years isn’t all that big of a deal to wizards

Not when the average wizard can live a few hundred years, his great grandfather even lived until the ripe old age of 652

“So are you two on Holiday?” You ask and Granger shakes her head

“No, we’re actually here for work on behalf of the Au-“

“On behalf of their museum I’m sure” Draco cuts in quickly

He was so comfortable in the fantasy  where his previously sworn enemies might become causal aquantinces that he completely forgot there were three wizards and one muggle in this conversation

“”They um-“ Draco clears his throat giving a meaningful look to Granger and Weasley before lowering his voice “they actually work for a rival museum. Managed to get an exhibit from right under me”

The lies just seem to stack on one another.

Draco’s not sure what’s worse- that he’s getting better with coming up with these lies-

“Is that why they aren’t invited to your hangouts with Blaise, Theo and Pansy”

Or that you trust him so much you wholeheartedly  believe each and every lie

“That is exactly why they’re not invited”

Some force in the universe must like him, because luckily enough that’s when your order number is called.

“Oh looks like it’s ready, I’ll see you in a bit darling” you press a kiss to his cheek before making your way towards the counter

And Draco’s so caught up in the subtle affection you’ve just shown him he’s completely forgotten all about the situation at hand until Granger clears her throat.

Ah yes, the mountain of lies he’s haphazardly built.

How could he forget

Granger looks like she’s got the gist of the situation,

Weasley on the other hand looks just as dumb as Draco remembers from school

His mouth agape

“Are they a muggle??”

Draco flinches at how loud Weasley says the word Muggle

“Yes, they are could you please keep your voice down”

He looks in your direction

Oh good it looks like you didn’t hear

He turns back to his old enemies

They both look like their mind is broken

“But your family they hate-“

“That’s my parents, that’s not me” Draco snaps quickly

But it was him, wasn’t it

All those times he tormented muggle borns at school, the dark magic artifacts he toyed with-

He looks at Granger

All the times he called her mud blood

He’s not as bad as his parents

-but he’s still not good

“Since I was there I got yours too-“

The second you’re back you can tell something is off

The tension hangs in the air like fog

Draco looks like he’s just seen a ghost, face pale and thin pink lips trembling

“What’s wrong?” You ask

Draco was a monster, that’s what’s wrong

“Nothing,” he puts on his most believable smile “we should get going or it will get dark before we get to the manse”

You nod, taking his hand in yours

It’s trembling

“It was lovely meeting you, maybe we’ll see each other again soon”

Granger who’s been awfully quiet for this whole ordeal smiles

“Yes, I hope we do”

The look Granger gives you is genuine and warm

- like she already considers you a friend

and it makes Draco feel twice as bad

It’s not like anything has really changed as you two drive through the countryside

You’re still joking like you always do,

Draco’s driving and he stops in several places on the way there so you can take polaroids in the French country scenery

But something feels...off

Like he’s just pretending to be happy

You really shouldn’t be surprised when you roll up to a large iron gate,

Draco types in the code into a keypad and they creak as they open revealing a rather impressive winding drive

At the end of which is an absolute unit of a mansion

“This isn’t a bed and breakfast is it?”

For one there’s not even a parking lot, Draco gives you a fleeting look before taking your bags out of the car.

“This is my family’s manse, we would come up here during the summer for vacation”

He was on the fence about bringing you here, but his Mum always had a rule that all dark magic artifacts would be kept away from their vacation home

His father could have free reign over the manse near London, but not here when they were on vacation

“You grew up here?” You say, taking in the fountain, the thirty windows you see in the front face alone, and the massive rose garden to the side

“Not really, we would just come here to vacation, it was really for my parents. I spent most of my time climbing up trees-“

And playing with the house elves, which his mother would later reprimand him for

It was always worse for them though

At least Father pays them a wage now, however meager it may be

“There’s no servants right now though, so it will be just us”

He says it as he leads you through the manse, passing the drawing room, a rather impressive parlor, up a long pair of winding steps into the east wing into a rather lavish room

“I hope you don’t mind staying in my old room, my parents used to use the master and that just seems... icky”

you laugh And he gives you another smile, and this time you know somethings wrong.

“We can go to the village nearby and grab dinner, or we can stay here but I doubt the pantry has-“

“Draco,” you stop him mid speech about getting dinner “What’s wrong?”

Draco does his best to smile for you

“Nothings wrong-“

“No, something is wrong” you cut him off quickly, taking his hand in both of yours

“You’ve been...sad”

that’s what it is, the emotion he’s been trying to cover up

He thought he was covering up his internal turmoil pretty well

Draco won’t lie, the fact that he’s more transparent then he thinks hurts

“Ever since we saw your old classmates at the bakery”

The way he flinches when you mention it tells you all you need to know

You feel a protective flare swell inside you

“Did something happen? Did they do something to you?“

you’re already thinking about how you need to protect you Draco from them, they work in the same industry so they’re bound to cross paths. Maybe-

“I’m the one who did something to them.”

Draco breaks you away from your thoughts

“What?”

“I-“

Draco looks into your puzzled face, and his heart squeezes

He didn’t want you to find out, not like this

Pretty soon you’ll be thrust into his history headfirst-

His hand is held in both of yours,

your eyes are so warm as they look up at him.

And all he can think is that he doesn’t deserve any of this

The truth is he didn’t want you to ever know

“I wasn’t a good person” he croaks

He knows he’s just as much a victim as the others, he’s got the scars and the death eater mark to prove it- both things he didn’t really want

It was coercion, they told him.

He grew up in an environment where he was punished for showing any original thought, his therapist had said

He’s a victim too

But that doesn’t mean it was okay for him to treat people like that- for him to call people that word-

“I was a bully, a monster, I was-”

Draco’s cut off when you pull him into a hug

Draco stumbles back when you throw yourself at him,  wrapping your arms around him

“Stop. Don’t talk about yourself like that.” You say

He doesn’t understand why until he see’s  the tears drop onto your hair

Oh, he’s crying

“Shh, it’s okay” you hum, holding him close as he sobs into your shoulder

And you two stay just like that for a long time

“I just don’t want you to think less of me” Draco murmurs, you’re both on his bed now, you’re both sitting cross legged across from each other

He looks so ashamed, it’s like he’s admitting he killed someone

In all honestly, you figured something like this might be the case.

Draco’s a rich boy, he doesn’t seem like someone who’s experienced financial struggle,

He’s  someone who experienced life with a sense of entitlement

You look at him, rim of his eyes tinged pink and swelling. The almost pitiful sniffle he lets out

But the Draco in front of you isn’t like that, not anymore at least.

His kindness is still a little rough...but it’s there

You know that, you see it every time he picks up on your mood, every time he comforts you when you have a bad day

You’ve seen it during this trip, where he catered everything so you would have a good time

You just have to make him see that now

“All of that, it’s in the past now Draco” you squeeze his hand, and he finally stops looking down and up at you

“You have a past, I do too” you give him a warm smile. “but that’s all behind us now, all that matter is where we’re going from here”

Your reassuring expression and tender words make him feel like he might cry again, but this time for a different reason

“We don’t have to talk about it, not until you’re ready” you tell him

he feels his eyes sting

“I don’t deserve your kindness”

And from another man you would think it’s a plot to earn your sympathy, but looking at Draco you know he means every word

He looks like a broken man

Like he’s haunted, worn down to the bone

So you do the only thing you can think to do, knees pressing into the mattress you hover over him. Your hands cup each side of his face, tilting it up so those brilliant grey eyes are looking at you

“You deserve every part of me my love” you murmur, peppering his face with kisses

Scattering them across his cheeks, his hairline, down his thin nose, and across his jaw

Before finally catching his lips, your mouth gently caressing his

“(Y/N)-“ your name leaves him in a breathless voice- half in want and half concerned

His hand caresses your face, stopping you as you kiss down his neck

He wants to tell you that You don’t have to do any of this just because he’s feeling emotional

But he doesn’t have to say anything, because you understand immediately, giving him a kind smile

“I’m doing it because I want you-“ you take his hand , pressing kisses to the end of his fingertips

“Do you trust me?”

And Draco, who doesn’t trust his voice, can only manage a nod

“I’m going to be good for you” you murmur against his hand, and you feel him shiver underneath you.

Draco’s made love to you countless times, felt your burning skin against his hands so many times he’s lost count.

But it’s never been like this

It’s so....

He looks at you underneath him, your eyes are warm as you look up at him, and full of so much love

It’s.....Comforting.

This time making love to you is comforting.

Your hand presses against his lower abdomen, right above the place you both are connected, and it earns an involuntary shiver from him

But you don’t stop there, your hand trails up his stomach, across his chest, fingers lightly brushing against the nape of his neck before resting on his face

The action, mixed with that warm look in your eyes, feels so tender

“You’re so pretty” You murmur, your thumb rubbing tenderly across his cheek.

Caressing his face.

“My pretty boy Draco”

And he feels emotion well up within him once more.

A tear slipping down his face as he leans down to kiss you

He doesn’t deserve this, he doesn’t deserve your love

But he’s so grateful that he has it

That he has you

“Being good for him” extends past the bedroom it seems, because the next morning he wakes up to an empty bed, his body littered with kiss marks, a hot bath drawn for him with flower petals scattered across the surface, and a note

‘Took the car to the village, will be back soon. P.S take a bath and relax until I get back, I have your favorite tea in the kettle for when you’re done.’

Draco can’t help the goofy grin that spreads across his face

“I really don’t deserve you”

You come back only fifteen minutes later, while he’s still soaking in the tub.

You walk over to him wordlessly, rubbing his shoulders as you lean against the rim of the tub.

“How are you feeling today darling?” You murmur, kissing his temple.

“Better now that you’re here.” And he means it, he loves what you’ve done for him, but it’s always so lonely when you’re gone

He takes your hand in his, looking up at you with shining grey eyes.

“Will you join me?”

You laugh, your other hand caressing his face

“I have to go get things ready for our picnic- I thought it might be nice, there’s a place the locals told me about- a hill a few kilometers away from here.”

“That can wait can’t it?” He asks, and when you make no move to undress he adds -

“please?”

He looks like a little boy, and you find yourself relenting, pulling off your sweater with a sigh

The tub is massive, probably half the size of your bedroom, so you give Draco some room, sitting on the other side of the tub

Last night was intense, for you and for him, you don’t want to overwhelm him with too much stimulation

But Draco doesn’t let you stay far away, beckoning you to him. Only satisfied when your back is pressed against his chest, his arms wrapped around your chest and stomach

“I’m sorry-“ he starts, but you silence him with a simple squeeze of his hand

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for”

And it’s true. How many times has Draco comforted you- bringing you dinner when you pulled late nights at work, or kissed your tears away?

“It’s nice. Seeing another part of the person I love” you reassure

There’s a moment of silence before Draco opens his mouth again

“When I was in school, I-I -“

“ you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to” you reassure,

the two have the rest of your lives to talk about these things, there’s no rush

But Draco shake his head, and offers you a small smile

“I want to talk about it, I want you to know”

And so Draco tells you as much as he can without giving away his secret

He tells you his family comes from old money, and he internalized certain messages from that

“It’s not an excuse,” he clarifies, “but it’s part of the story too”

He tells you how he was a bully all through this childhood and into adolescence.

Even early adulthood.

How he basically tormented the people he bullied-

“Granger... I was terrible to her.” He admits, you’ve since moved away from the bath tub, and you’re sitting in the garden, drinking tea and eating scones. “I called her terrible things”

He means he called her a mudblood, the greatest insult a person can get

You’re thinking he probably called her a b*tch or a c*nt.

Honestly I’m not sure which version is worse

“Did you have a crush on her?” You ask, and Draco sputters. His cheeks blooming red

He remembers being jealous of Granger, she was always at the top of their class, and he always came in second to her.

He remembers getting lectures for it everytime he came home for the holidays

His Father always fuming how Draco  was so inept that even a ‘mudblood’ could surpass him.

And some of that did transfer to his dislike for the person

He does remember thinking she looked awfully beautiful at the Yule Ball though, in that pink dress

“She’d look better in green” he had thought and then realizing what he just thought blushed and looked towards his date.

“Maybe I did.” He admits to you, almost a decade later.

And you laugh

“I bet you were a cutie” Draco only blushes even more

What you wouldn’t give to see a teenage Draco, you wonder what it would have been like if you met him when you were younger

How different would things be?

You watch Draco flush bright red, trying to cover his embarrassment with a sip of his tea

Well, the way things turned out isn’t so bad either

You spend the rest of the trip at Draco’s family’s manor, in domestic bliss

You stand on your tip toes, trying to reach a pair of mugs on the top shelf

“Here let me get that” Draco says reaching them with ease while standing behind you

You drink tea in the garden

“Draco darling, will you pass me the preserves?”

You’re both dressed like something out a a historical drama, he’s in a suit and you’ve got on a tilted sun hat and white gloves

Playing like you’re nobility vacationing in the Parisian countryside

Which... Draco sort of actually is

.... let’s not think of that

And go on picnics on the nearby hill

“Oh no” you mumble

“What’s wrong?” Draco asks while setting down the picnic blanket

“I forgot to bring glasses for the wine” you sigh

Draco shrugs

“We’ll just drink from the bottle”

You make a face and he laughs

“What does the thought of an indirect kiss make you nervous?”

You lightly shove him with a laugh

And late nights spent in their family library

“Your family sure has a strange book collection” you say holding up a book titled ‘witchcraft in the mid-1800’s’

Draco scrambles towards you

“Y-yeah that’s probably my dad, he’s kind of interested in that occult stuff...for fun, not like, because he’s apart of a cult or anything”

Not anymore at least

“I wasn’t thinking that he was apart of a cult... but I am now” you joke

You’ve moved on, scanning the rest of  their collection, but Draco’s looking at you-

This last week has been like something out of a dream

He can’t imagine how happy he would be to have this everyday

He watches your hand brush against the spine of a book

He extends a hand over your own, stroking your ring finger

“Make sure this finger is empty for me, okay?”

[oddsnendsfanfics]

Unraveling in the Sheets

Genre: Fan Fiction

Pairing: Henry Cavill/OFC

Warnings: Language, Sexual Content, NSFW

Rating: M

Length: Short Story

Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.

A/N: Spoiler Alert, there is smut. Be warned. It's there.

Also, I am no longer doing tags on posts. Since my list exceeds the tag limit. Please feel free to join the chat in place of the tag list.

Henry Cavill Master List

“How did you do it though?” Gliding the car into a free parking space, Henry glanced at Nell in the passenger's seat.

“How did I do what?” Eyeing him curiously, she tried to hide her gloating smile. She could be a terrible winner, even if she wasn't the winner, she had came ahead of Henry.

“You know what I mean, Nelly.”

He looked so silly, his new mustache curling when he laughed or smiled. Nell had to admit, if any man could wear the 'stache Henry did it well.

“Oh, you mean how did I suddenly leave your ass behind and finish nearly 50 positions ahead?” She laughed, crinkling her nose. “I told you, I've been working hard for this. Besides, you're too big. You move slower than I do. It's that simple. Maybe next year, you will finish ahead of me.”

“You're impossible.” Unbuckling his seat belt, Henry hurried to get out of the car and around to the other side, before Nell could open her own door. Nearly there, he frowned when she opened the door, stepping out of the Aston Martin. “You were supposed to let me open that.”

“I am supposed to do a lot of things that I do not.” Nell grabbed her hand bag. “I'll let you open the door, next time. You big dork.”

Henry was always the gentleman, even when Nell would rather rip his eyes out than speak to him in a civil manner. Not that she ever felt the former much, but on the rare occasion. Sometimes that's how things went for ex-lovers. The mid May air was growing cool, leaving a few goosebumps on Nell's exposed arms. She had expected to be back before now, which is why she'd left her sweater in the hotel.

“Well, happy late birthday. It was nice having dinner with your family. I've missed them.”

“They've missed you, too. I could tell that dad was happy you came along. He hasn't talked that much during a dinner since the last time you came over.” Henry smiled fondly. "I'm glad that you came, Nelly." Hands in his pockets, Henry sauntered along beside Nell. Approaching the main entrance, he held the door allowing her to enter. 

When he'd invited her for the weekend, he wasn't confident that she would come. Wrapped up in work, Nell didn't take too much time away from Dublin these days.

"It was a nice break from work." Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Nell bit her bottom lip. "I know that you are busy, but do you have a few minutes to talk?"

"I always have time to talk with you." Scanning the hotel lobby, Henry tried to find a spot for them to sit and chat privately. "Should we have a seat at the bar?"

"We could, but I would really like to change. Do you mind coming up with me? We can just talk in the room. It's probably more comfortable anyway."

"Is this about the wild boy?"

"Isn't it always?" 

Laughing, Henry pushed the call button for the elevator. Their son was truly something else. One day he would surely take over the world; Henry could see that coming from the day he was born.  To say Ivan was Henry's pride and joy would be a massive understatement. He lived for their son. This weekend having Ivan, and Nell, in Jersey had been fantastic. A short glimpse of what life could have been. The ding of the elevator brought Henry back from his brief fantasy.

He and Nell had split up several years ago, there wasn't much chance she would feel the same as he did. Lost in the thoughts of happy little family. Allowing Nell to step onto the elevator first, Henry stood silently with his hands clasped in front of him.

“So, Ivan has been doing well in school?” He may as well get this under way.

“Define doing well,” Nell snickered. “I get a call nearly every day from his teacher. The woman is impossible, but knowing our son, he isn't making it easy for her.”

“I was like that in school. Right up until the day I left.” Henry shrugged. The elevator gently bumping to a stop, he stepped forward to hold the door for Nell.

Muttering a thank you, Nell dug for her key card, leading the way down the hall. She loved this hotel, it was the only one she stayed in, if she could help it, while visiting the Island. A great view of the water on one side, the other dazzling with a fantastic look out into the city. The first time she'd ever been to Jersey, she had stayed in the hotel and fell in love with the charm. There were days when that felt like a life time ago.

Opening the door, Nell paused to allow Henry in. “Have a seat. Anywhere you'd like. Sorry it's kind of a mess. I'm going to change.”

The hotel room was anything but a mess, minus the few sketch books that Nell had dropped on the bed. Always working. Henry took a seat on the edge of the king sized bed, casually glancing at the colour coded notes and designs that Nell had in one of the open sketch books. Costumes. A few notes detailed leather armor and Viking era clothing. She'd done well for herself, since he'd met her. The same shy costume apprentice hiding out on set of The Tudors, was now helping drive forward the details of Vikings.

In the bathroom, Nell pulled off her dress. The fabric had became clingy after a while and she needed to be more relaxed. Running shorts and a tshirt would do the trick. Sighing at her reflection, she bit her bottom lip glancing down at her top. The worn coral Nike tshirt was her favourite, it was showing the love and wear in a few spots. Perhaps she should have picked something less frumpy? She was a busy, single mom she didn't have to look the part. Ah fuck, who cared. Henry certainly wouldn't.

He was here to discuss their son, not flirt with her until she gave in to that smile. Or got lost in his eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes – the left with the flecks of brown. His charm alone was enough to make anyone weak in the knees. Damn it, she needed to get over it. He had moved on. She needed to do the same.

Blowing out a breath, Nell reached for the door, pausing when she heard Henry talking. His tone told her that he was speaking to Ivan. Quietly slipping out of the bathroom, she smiled.

“Hold on, just a sec.” He pushed the screen of his phone, allowing the speaker to connect. “Alright, wild boy. Say goodnight to your mum.”

“Mum, momma, mum.” Ivan's voice filled the room. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Ivan. Are you being a good boy?”

“Uh huh. I love you. Good night.”

“Good night, wild boy. I love you.”

“Night dad.”

“Good night, I love you. I'm going to be back soon, you go to bed and I will see you first thing in the morning.”

“Okay. Oh, dad, can Kal sleep in my room tonight?” Ivan was fond of the large black and white American Akita. Henry laughed.

“Of course he can. You and Kal go to bed, now.”

“Okay, bye.” A little too quickly, Ivan hung up the phone. Henry laughed at the eagerness, he would talk to his mother when he got back to the house. Making sure that Ivan and his dog had gone to bed as they were told, with no fuss.

"Can you believe he is growing this fast? My god where has that time gone?" Henry rubbed his hands against his face. His mustache and subtle stubble scratching his palms. 

"Time is a cruel mistress." Rubbing her hands on her shorts, Nell stood. "Drink? I have a bottle of Johnnie Walker." 

"Of course you do." Smirking, Henry shifted on the side of the bed. “I had a look at some of these designs, by the way. They're magnificent. My god, Nell, you are so talented.”

“You're saying that to be nice,”

Shaking his head, Henry accepted the glass, resting it on his knee. “No, I am saying it because its true. You are one of the most talented costumers that I had ever met. Are you enjoying the job?”

“I love it.” Nell smiled, leaning against the large wooden desk in the corner. “The work is great, the people are amazing, and Ivan is really enjoying it. I'm glad we went.”

“Good, that's good. He talks about it, a lot. He really seems to love being there. I'm glad. Once things settle, I am going to try and come visit. I kind of miss it, Dublin.”

“You should.” She smiled fighting the urge to scoff and roll her eyes. Henry was always busy. He'd make it to Dublin, when Hell froze over. “So, how is work coming on this new character.”

“I can't say much, but I can say that I will be happy when I can shave.” He rubbed the mustache expertly. “It's not as bad as some of the beards that I've had to grow, but it's not my favourite look.”

“You look good with a beard. I know you hate them, but you do.”

Leaning forward to set his glass on the bedside table, Henry licked the whiskey off of his lips. “I'm glad to have that compliment.”

“Sure.” Nell nodded, tipping her glass to finish the drink. “Another?”

“Uh, I'm good.” Henry motioned to his glass. Rubbing his hands across his jeans, he furrowed his brow. “I've been thinking, since I am fairly busy the next few months, what if I keep Ivan for a few extra days? Once you leave, I will take him back to London with me, until I have to go.”

Shifting on the bed, her face warm from the second glass of whiskey, Nell sniffled and cleared her throat. “What about school?”

“What about it? He isn't going to miss much, is he? They're nearly finished up and I don't know how long it will be, until I see him. Possibly not until Christmas.”

All he wanted was to spend a little time with his son, was that so hard? His next move would have to be calculated, Nell had been known to stat arguments over less. If Henry wanted to avoid a shouting match, he would have to go about this carefully. Reaching for his glass, he downed the remaining contents in one large gulp. Sighing.

“I want to hang out with him a little. It wouldn't be more than three days extra. Then you get some time alone, as well. Nell, I know that you need a bit of a break. You work so hard and take care of Ivan, please.”

“If you want to, then I suppose I can't really say no. What kind of mother would I be, if I didn't let you see him?”

“Don't say things like that, please.” Henry reached out, his hand taking hers. Gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. “You are a wonderful mum. You know that.”

“Sometimes, I feel like I could do better. I really do.” Nell shrugged, allowing Henry to continue holding her hand.

“All parents feel that way, I am sure. I know that I feel like that, all the time. I guess it's natural, always wanting to do better, to be better, for our children.”

There he went again. There were times when Nell could not stand to be near him, other times she wanted to be as close as possible. Damn it. Watching him talk about Ivan and the few extras days they would be together, Henry's eyes lit up. His smile broad and the enthusiasm in his voice was one that dictated proud father. Nell nodded, only because she felt it was appropriate to the conversation.

Henry continued to chatter about how he wanted to take Ivan to a new exhibit at the Natural History Museum, in London. Leave it to the father and son, finding a day at the museum to be high on the list of fun. Nell sighed, continuing to half listen, half gaze at Henry in awe. One thing she loved – well love could be a strong word – adored? Enjoyed? About Henry was how much he loved Ivan.

Mid sentence about some Sir David Attenborough documentary that he'd watched with Ivan; Nell couldn't help it any longer. Leaning in, without warning, she grabbed Henry's face turning it to her and kissing him. Lips connecting, she stopped and jumped back as if hit by an electric shock.

Clearing his throat, Henry rubbed the back of his neck, but not pulling back. “I didn't know that the National Geographic was that exciting.”

“I'm sorry.” Hiding her face in her hands, Nell shook her head. Oh that had been a mistake. She had absolutely no right. None. Henry was crazy, if he didn't get up right now and walk out. If he was angry, then she deserved that.

Blushing, Nell shook her head. “Henry, I shouldn't have.”

“I'm certainly not going to complain.” He shrugged, leaning in his arm sliding around her shoulder. Nell glanced up, getting the nerves to look at him. Oh she had fucked up. “Next time, I would like some warning though.”

“Warning? Next time?”

“Hmm, yes. Kind of like this, close your eyes.” Henry instructed pulling her closer and kissing her. Nell sighed her body melting against him. She loved the way his lips felt on hers. Soft, with a slight force.

Straddling his waist, her arms wrapped around his neck, Nell's fingers laced together. Her lips leaving his, tracing along his jaw, nearing the sweet spot below his ear. A slight nip and he was an unraveling mess. Henry nuzzled his face into her hair, she smelled amazing. Comforting and warm. A groan erupted from deep in his throat, as predicted she had gone straight for that spot.

“Nell, Nell,” Henry cleared his throat, holding her at arm's length, “Janelle, stop.” Looking for any sort of sign that she truly felt that this wasn't a good idea, he sucked in a breath. “Are you sure about this? Because if we continue, I won't stop until...”

“I am.” She nodded firmly, “I don't want you to stop. I don't want to stop. Oh god, Henry. Please.”

“I need to know that you truly, absolutely want to do this.”

“If you don't stop talking and bend me over, I am going to kick you out and do this myself. Please, stop talking. If I didn't want this, I wouldn't have started it.”

A deep rumbling laugh followed, Henry rolled his eyes. God, she was something else. Who was he to deny a gorgeous woman what she wanted? Would this come back to haunt him? Probably. Did he care? Not much. Come morning they would once again go their separate ways, but that didn't matter right now. Right now, he could pretend that he had everything he wanted. And what he wanted was her.

Pulling her to him, Henry kissed her hard. Nell moaned, the force of the kiss was nearly dizzying. Arms around his neck, she rubbed her body against his, trying to grasp the friction that was created when she started to grind herself against his thighs.

“Henry,”

“Hold on, you need patience.” He brushed a bit of hair out of her face, “all in good time.”

Nell squealed when he stood, her legs desperately scrambling to hold onto him. In a futile attempt she huffed, when he let her go, standing in front of him pouting. Unbuttoning his shirt, Henry smirked giving her a heated stare. “Well, are you going to get on the bed or make me do all the work? Shorts off.”

Sliding the mesh shorts down her ass and along her legs, Nell made a bit of a show letting them pool at her feet. Stepping out, as slowly as possible, while lifting the old tshirt from her body. Allowing it to go where it would, as she dropped it. Sitting back on the bed, she could feel her heart in her throat and her stomach where her heart should be.

“Lie back.” Henry instructed, kneeling at the edge of the bed. Arms around her thighs, guiding her to him, he studied her for a moment. She was trembling as his fingers slid across her thighs, positioning her in just the right way.

“Oh god, Hen-Henry.” Nell's mouth was suddenly dry and her voice hoarse. His hot breath between her legs was tormenting her, in unimaginable ways. In anticipation she bucked her hips forward, trying to clench her thighs. Holding her knees with his shoulders, Henry chuckled.

“Eager.”

“Please.”

“You are...” He lingered, kissing the inside of her leg. “Gorgeous. Look at you.” He brushed his thumb against her. Nell whimpered trying to push further. “Hold on, hold on.”

“Why are you teasing me?”

“Because I want to enjoy the view, for a moment.” He shrugged, her legs lifting gently. A hand on her lower abdomen, as if holding her in place, he used the other to gently tease and trace along her calf. Without warning, his lips attached to the most sensitive part of her body with his mustache adding an extra sensation, Nell bucked her hips hard, shoving his face further between her thighs.

Nell's head was swimming, it had been a while since she'd felt this good from such an act. Sure, she'd had the odd date here and there, semi-serious relationships, but nobody could do this the way Henry could. He was a fucking magician, she was certain of it. Humming against her mound, Henry couldn't hide the laughter in his eyes, when she began to squirm and wiggle against his face. She was desperate and he was going to prolong this as much as he could.

Sucking her clit, his tongue generously lapping at her, he thoroughly enjoyed the show. Pushing his head as far down as she could, Nell was nearly in tears each time he leaned in, his mustache tickling in just the right way. Oh god, she gasped trying hard to find release. Henry was cunning, backing off at the right moments.

“Henry,” She whined, threading her fingers through his hair. “Don't tease me, I really need you to finish.”

“Stop being so impatient.” He was teasingly stern. Pushing her hands away, he locked his fingers with hers, holding them at her side. Lifting his head, he smirked, kissing up her body ending with another dizzying kiss. Nell sucked on his tongue, freeing her hands from his, she tugged him closer, pulling at fistfuls of hair.

Cleaning herself from his tongue and lips, she sighed. “I'm going to need more than that.”

“You're sure?” Henry paused, holding his weight on his forearms, resting above her. His jeans still on, he could feel the strain against the denim.

“Jeans, off.” She demanded, sitting up to watch. Shivering against the slight chill, her breasts on display giving him the perfect view of her erect nipples. Nell blushed under his gaze. She was not the tight, toned, and perky body she once was. She wasn't out of shape, by any means, but compared to Henry...

“You are gorgeous.” Henry complimented, his jeans on the floor, boxers being pushed down to join them. Stepping out of his pants, he stood at the side of the bed, in all his glory.

Nell licked her lips, reaching out to take him in her hand. Hissing under her touch, Henry involuntarily bucked his hips forward into her hand. Rubbing the head, Nell intently watched Henry while she leaned in taking him fully in her mouth.

“Fuck, Nelly.”

“Hmm,” She hummed, sliding her head back along his length. Hand wrapped around him, stroking in place of her mouth. Bobbing her head back down, she swirled her tongue around the base. He nearly choked her the first time she'd ever gone down on him. Oh how long ago that felt.

Dragging her tongue against his length, she felt her core tighten, with each moan Henry gave. His slight salty taste mixed with the aftertaste of the Johnnie Walker, Nell inhaled deeply through her nose, hollowing her cheeks around him. Gripping the back of her head, Henry tried to not force her too hard, as he began to guide her movement.

Happy to go along with what he needed to feel good, Nell allowed him control over her guidance. Her finger nails grazing the back of his thighs, she mentally checked the small victory when he threw his hips forward at the sensation of her wrapped around him and her nails on his skin.

“Good girl,” Henry mumbled, his head lulling back, his chest rising rapidly. “Keep it up, just like that. Oh shit,”

Nell's chest swelled a little, she could still make him feel good, even after all of this time apart. That was not something she would take lightly, even if this shouldn't be happening. Oh fuck, who cared? They were two consenting adults. Henry's legs quivered, his hands unsteady stroking the back of her head.

“Nell,”

“Hmm?” She glanced up at him. His face soft and his jaw slack, she could feel him tightening. The perfect time to stop her actions. “Not yet,” She smirked, wiping her hand across her chin, drool gone. “Fair is fair.”

“Jesus,” Henry grumbled. He had been so fucking close, the knot in the pit of his stomach clenched Slowing his breathing, he took a moment to think of anything else. Laundry? Running? How much longer until he had to renew his passport?

“Henry?”

“Yeah?” He snapped his head to look at Nell.

“Are we going to stand here all night, or...” She shrugged, a devious smirk on her face. Laying back on the bed, she curled her finger beckoning him to her.

“You're still sure about this?” Henry asked. His eyes on her, waiting to see if she had any hint of doubt or hesitation.

“I don't have a condom, but I'm clean. It's not like I'm getting pregnant, so....” If she were to get pregnant, there was going to be on hell of a hefty lawsuit against that surgeon.

“You're sure? I know that I'm...but I don't have.”

“if you don't want to, then I understand.”

“I do, though, but...”

Nell shook her head. “No buts. If you want me, then I'm yours.”

“Fuck, you're making this hard.”

Giggling, Nell glance down. “I think we're beyond things being hard.”

His body betraying him, Henry cleared his throat, she certainly had a point. Fuck it. What did they have to lose? Unless this, some how, came back to bite them. No, no he had to stop that. Give in, enjoy what was happening. It had been too long since he'd been able to watch her in such bliss. Bliss that he was responsible for.

“You're sure?”

Nell nodded siting up, opening her arms, “Come here.”

On the edge of the bed, Henry sighed, his large frame leaning into her. Nell held him for a moment, stroking his hair, the feel of his warmth against her sent shivers through her spine. Pushing him back on the bed, she bit her bottom lip, waiting for the go ahead. Henry gave her a slight nod, adjusting himself on the bed to get comfortable. Straddling his hips, Nell lifted herself to slowly take him.

Sheathing him inch by inch, Nell groaned at the fullness. This was her favourite part, taking him to the end, feeling him stretch her. Rocking her hips forward, she countered the motion sliding them back in the same tantalizing pace. Henry held her hips, pushing his up to meet her. Nell squeaked and giggled. She loved the way he hit all the right spots.

“You can touch me, don't be shy.” Nell winked, lifting her arms and crossing them above her head, allowing him a full view of her breasts. “Go on.” She encouraged.

His large hands cupping her breasts, Henry softly rolled her hardening nipples between his fingers, giving on a slight flick when she moved herself up on his length. Close to letting him slide out, she moved back down, her ass grinding against him.

The way her body moved against his was mesmerizing. Massaging her supple skin, from her breasts down her sides, one hand settling on her ass and the other on her hip. Henry loved the shape, even if she had changed a little since having Ivan. God she was stunning.

Hastening her pace, Nell rocked back and forth, up and down. Henry closed his eyes feeling every bit of movement, each clench. Taking in the sounds of her breathing, mixed with his, her small moans not going unnoticed.

“Henry,” She whispered, biting her bottom lip, leaning forward to touch her lips against his. “Please,”

Without having to be asked twice, he moved swiftly, turning them over to pin her beneath him. Nell sighed and stretched her arms over her head, the pull of her muscles caused another shiver. Her head now against the pillow, she reached, tracing the lines of his face with her fingertip.

“I don't know that I can be as slow as you were.” Henry nipped her finger. Holding back on his desire to pound her into the bed.

“Then don't.” Nell batted her eye lashes at him.

Somehow that was all he needed, that tiny bit of permission. Picking up the pace, Henry grunted. Nell moaned drawing her knees upward, allowing him an even better vantage to this position. As if the pent up emotions from the last few years, hours, minutes had been released the couple were lost in the sensation of skin on skin. The feeling of sparks and electricity coursing through them. Connecting them.

“Fuck, Janelle.” Henry hissed, his arm locked into position on either side of her head, keeping him from tumbling on top of her.

“Henry,” She squealed splaying her hands against his chest, tugging at the soft hairs. “Oh god. Please, don't stop. My god, oh fuck.”

“You are fucking amazing. Fuck, look at you.” Kissing her roughly, he sighed, steadying his pace. His hips slapping hers, Nell shook slightly her soft sobs of pleasure were enough to send him to an end.

Shaking with pleasure, Nell gasped trying to bring herself down from the high. Henry moaned, his head back and chest heaving. It had been a while since he had felt that good. Nell laid with her legs hooked around his thighs, no desire to move. Collapsing with his head on her chest, Henry allowed his body to rest. Sweaty and sticky, they laid tangled together. Neither one wanting to break the feeling.

Dosing in and out, Nell was the first to move. Her body growing heavy with Henry still on top of her. She needed to move, before seizing up. Pushing his head to the side, she giggled and kissed the tip of her nose when he lazily looked up.

“I need to pee,”

“Hmph.” Henry nodded, slowly rolling over. Allowing her to escape. Laying flat on the bed, while she scurried off to the bathroom, Henry pushed himself up off of the bed. He should be getting back to his parents, back to Ivan.

All thoughts of moving were squashed, when Nell came back, climbing in beside him. Her clothes still on the floor. Her body was comforting against his. “Hi,” she whispered, sliding in under his arm.

“Nell?” Henry laid with his arm around her shoulder.

“Huh?” Nell grunted, her face buried in his chest.

“I should head back.”

“If you want to. You can stay, I don't mind.” Nell yawned. Her eyes closing.

“Okay, but only for a little while.” Henry agreed, closing his eyes. In a few minutes, he would get up, shower, and head back.

With a start, Henry woke, a loud banging noise rattling him. Looking around the dark room, he squinted to find the source of the noise. Hearing someone whispering at a distance, Henry laid in bed, listening. Against him, Nell stirred, but didn't wake. Someone in the hall was talking, no doubt they had been the source of the banging. He had fell asleep, Nell wrapped against him.

Looking at his watch, Henry frowned. 4am. If he left right now, he could be back before anybody woke. If he left now, he risked Kal barking and waking the house. If he waited, he would risk walking in and having to explain himself to one or more person. Of course he could tell them that he'd ran into some old friends, had some drinks and stayed on a sofa somewhere. Too drunk to drive.

Shifting in bed, Nell sighed, her arm around his waist she snuggled in closer. She was content, who was Henry to try and disturb her sleep? He would wait an hour or two, before he made his departure. So what if he waltzed in, being faced by one of his brothers, or even his mother. He was an adult, if he wanted to stay out all night enjoying the company of a fantastic woman, then he would do just that.

Kissing the top of Nell's head, Henry smiled, sinking down further into the covers, closing his eyes.

Tag List Chat

[atlafan]

Office Neighbors - Part Six

a/n: here we are, and it certainly won’t be over after this! didn’t have time to proof read sorry, hope you enjoy! (reblogs and feedback are super helpful!)

warnings: fluff, smut, minor character death

words: 15K

masterpost

The semester was in full swing, and you were counting down the days until Thanksgiving break. It was time you could dedicate to grading, and your brother always cooked this gourmet meal for your family, so all in all, you were just ready to for the little time away. You just needed to get through another two weeks.

It was also time off for Harry. Andy always spent his Thanksgiving break with Paige since Harry got him for Christmas in London. Typically, you ate at Harry’s house for dinner twice a week, and then when Andy was at Paige’s for a weekend, Harry would either sleep at your place, or you would sleep at his. Sometimes you would go to the library together to work. He really helped you find a work-life balance. Now, Harry usually went to Lisa’s for Thanksgiving, but he wasn’t sure if those plans were set to change. He was sort of hoping to go to Boston with you, but he didn’t want to invite himself.

“I think you should just ask her.” Andy says as he helps Harry set the table.

“I don’t want to impose, it’s rude.”

“But you’re her boyfriend, she should want you to spend Thanksgiving with her.”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that.”

“You say that all the time.” He rolls his eyes.

“It is! It’s not just her and I having dinner, I’d be meeting her whole family, that’s a big deal.”

“Why?”

“Because…well…it’s one thing for her to like me, but I’d want her family to like me too.”

“Dad, literally who has ever met you ever likes you. Even Noah’s parents like you.”

“Thanks.” Harry chuckles. The doorbell rings and he smiles. “Go open that for her, will you?”

Andy races over to the door, and opens it for you.

“Hi, Y/N.” He smiles.

“Hi, Andy, how was school?” You smile as you come in and kick your boots off. “Getting cold out there.” You shiver as you take your jacket off.

“School was good.” He shrugs. “My health class just started and it’s really awkward.”

“Oh, I bet.” You walk in with him and the dessert your brought. “I brought cookies, couldn’t help myself.” You say to Harry, kissing his cheek.

“Thank you.” He smiles and takes it to put on the counter. “We’re having chili tonight, thought it would be nice for a cold evening.”

“Definitely, it smells amazing.”

Everyone makes a bowl, and adds what they want. After chatting about something funny one of Harry’s students says, Andy jumps into the conversation.

“Man, I cannot wait for Thanksgiving break. I know it’s only a few days, but I can’t wait.”

Harry slowly turns his head to look at his son, knowing exactly what he was doing.

“Yeah? You go to your mom’s right?” You say.

“Mhm, my grandparents and aunt come, and so does Noah’s family. It’s actually pretty fun. My mum and aunt cook everything together. What do you usually do for Thanksgiving, Y/N?”

“Well, when I was growing up we always hosted at my parent’s house, but my brother tends to host now since he’s the one that does that cooking.”

“He’s a chef, right?”

“A sous chef, but yeah.” You smile. “Although, he doesn’t cook everything. I tend to make the more Jewish dishes, and then he makes the more traditional Thanksgiving things.”

“Noah’s mum makes a brisket, do you guys have that too?”

“Mhm! My brother makes it, although I don’t eat it anymore.” You shrug and take another bite of the chili.

“Dad goes to Auntie Lisa’s.”

“Oh, you do?”

“Yeah…”

“That must be so much fun! Her husband is such a good cook. At the last game night there he made this spinach puff things, and I think I ate the whole tray.” You laugh.

“It’s usually a good time, yeah.”

“I’m surprised you don’t do Thanksgiving at Paige’s.”

“Nah, we tend to keep holidays separate. Her family doesn’t really understand the co-parenting.”

“Gram and Gramp are kind of snooty.” Andy says. “I love them, but I usually cap the convo at five minutes, and then I find an excuse to walk away.”

You burst out laughing and so does Harry, and Andy ends up laughing too. After dinner, and the cookies, Andy goes off to start his homework, which leaves you and Harry to clean up in the kitchen.

“He’s a lot like you, you know? He’s very smooth.”

“What do you mean?”

“Bringing up what we all do for Thanksgiving, almost seemed like he was hinting at something.” You smirk. “It’s cute you talk to him about me, honestly.”

“What…I wasn’t-“

“Did you really think I wasn’t going to invite you?”

“I…well, it’s a couple of weeks away and you haven’t mentioned it, so I just figured you weren’t ready for me to meet your family.” He runs a hand through his hair.

“I was going to run it by you tomorrow…I took me a minute to work up the courage to tell my family I was going to invite you, I’m sorry.”

“No! It’s okay, so, you want me to come?”

“I do, would you?”

“Yes.” He puts his hands on your hips and kisses you. “I’d love to.”

“Great!” You wrap your arms around his neck. “I was thinking we could drive down Thursday, and then spend the night at a hotel in the city, and then Friday we could, like, do a ton of touristy Boston things before driving back up.”

“That sounds amazing. Um, let me pay for the hotel though.”

“Oh, please.” You scoff.  

“Come on, it’s gonna be really expensive because of the holiday.”

“Julian, Phil’s partner, manages a hotel in the city, he said he could cut me a deal. It’s really no problem.”

“Oh…well, alright then.” He smiles. “I’m excited.”

“Me too.”

“Do you think they’ll like me?”

“I think so, yeah, but I have to warn you…when I first told you about them they had a lot of concern that I was getting involved with someone who has a kid, so they may ask a lot of personal questions. I told them not to, but they tend not to listen to me.”

“Guess it sort of comes with the territory. Nothing I can’t handle.”

You kiss goodbye before you leave, and Harry nearly squeals. He goes down to Andy’s room.

“Guess who got invited to Thanksgiving?”

“Are you serious?!” Andy stands up and gives Harry a high five. “That’s great! You should bake a pumpkin pie, you make the best pumpkin pie.”

“I do, don’t I?” He smirks. “I’ll ask her what I can bring. We’re gonna be going over night together, wow.”

“Is it that big of a deal? You have sleepovers all the time.”

“Andy…”

“I’m not stupid, Dad, she leaves…girly things here.”

“Okay, so we have sleepovers a lot, but going away with someone overnight is, like, next level.”

“You went camping together before you were even together, and then you went to that conference.”

“We didn’t share a room at the conference. It’s…it’s just different, okay? A good different. It’s gonna be great.”

“How come she doesn’t stay over when I’m here?”

“We haven’t really been together long enough for that. I don’t think she really feels comfortable just yet.”

“Why? You’re just sleeping.”

“Right…”

Andy gives Harry a weird look, and then his eyes widen.

“Oh, Jesus, Dad, don’t be gross!”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“You’re so annoying, get out!”

Harry puts his hands up in defense and walks away. He really didn’t mean anything by his response, but Andy was smart, and sex was still an awkward topic. He wouldn’t even watch a movie with Harry now if there was a kissing scene in it. Things were okay with Brandon, and that was all Harry cared about. He was sort of hoping health class would help.

//

Andy had a half day at school on Wednesday, so Harry had to pick him up and bring him back to the university. When he was picking him up he noticed him saying goodbye to Brandon. They were hugging…for a while.

“See you Monday, have fun at your mom’s.” Brandon smiles as he lets go of Andy.

“Thanks, have a good time in Connecticut.”

“Text me if you need me…I know it’s a lot for you over there for so long.”

“I will, I’ll probably need to call you Thursday night.”

“Works for me, it’ll give me an excuse to get away from cousins. I really don’t feel like staying up to play Barbie’s with them.” He rolls his eyes.

“You’re the best.” He looks over and sees Harry’s car. “My dad’s here…bye.”

“Bye.”

They hug one more time and then Andy walks over to Harry’s car, getting in the back seat.

“Hey, how was the half day.”

“Good.” Andy shrugs. “We just ate food and watched a movie.”

“Are you still hungry? I brought some extra snacks to my office this morning.”

“Yeah, I’m hungry. Did you bring anything good?”

“Cheese sticks and grapes.”

“Guess that’s fine.”

“You’re gonna eat a lot of junk this weekend, couldn’t letcha eat a bad snack with me before Mum comes to get you.”

When Harry gets back to his office with Andy, he sees you laughing with Andre. Now, Harry knew he had nothing to worry about with Andre, but he was definitely curious to see what was so funny.

“Hi, Y/N!” Andy says, hugging you.

“Oh! Hi, Andy.” You smile and hug him back.

“What’s so funny?” Harry asks coolly.

“Oh, Y/N was just pointing out how students just skip class all week to beat the traffic, but we don’t have that luxury.”

“I mean, I know all classes after three are cancelled, so we can sort of leave early, but come on. At least let me know you’re not gonna be there.” You say. “Whatever, just need to teach one more class.”

“Can I go?” Andy asks.

“Andy…Y/N’s teaching a class about rhetoric, it’s a little high level for you.”

“I don’t have any homework or anything to do, and I don’t feel like just sitting around.”

“He can come if he wants.” You shrug. “Gotta go now though.”

“Okay!” Andy runs into Harry’s office to grab his snack and then joins you.

“He really likes her, huh?” Andre says to Harry.

“Yeah, he does.”

//

What you were talking about in class was way over Andy’s head, but what he did understand was when you put an episode of The Office. You wanted to show different persuasion tactics used while making a sale, and you thought it would be relatable for the students. Andy thought you were the coolest person in the world for showing it.

“Alright, I hope you all have a great few days off, I’ll see you Monday.” You say at the end of class. Andy gets up from the back of the class and comes towards you. “So, what did you think?”

“I liked the part where you put on The Office.” He giggles.

“I thought so.”

“I didn’t understand a word you said, but I sort of got some of it when you put the show on. It’s sort of cool how, like, a sow you could watch just for fun could have a deeper meaning.”

“It’s very cool.” You smile and walk with him back down to Harry’s office.

You stop short when you see Paige sitting on the edge of his desk.

“Mum?”

“Hi, honey! I came to surprise you. I had a half day today too.” She smiles and hugs him. “Hi, Y/N.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“I’m good, thanks. Dad already helped me put your things in my car, so we’re good to go.”

“Oh…alright.” Andy gives Harry a hug goodbye. “Have in Boston.”

“Thanks, buddy.” Harry stands up and puts his hands in his pockets.

“Boston?” Paige raises an eyebrow with a smile.

“He’s coming home with me.” You say.

“That’s great! Well, safe travels.”

“Bye, Y/N.” Andy hugs you and out the door they go.

“Did you know she was coming here to get him?”

“No, she texted me, like, two seconds after you went to class, sorry.”

“No, it’s fine, I just wasn’t expecting to see her.”

“You know, she mentioned a while back that she’d like to get together with you sometime…I think it might be a good idea for you to get to know her better.”

“Harry, no offense, but I don’t need to be best friends with your ex.”

“I’m not asking you to be, but you’re in Andy’s life, she wants to get to know you better.”

“Just a one on one thing?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll think about it.” You say and leave his office. He follows you into yours and you sigh.

“Do you have a problem with Paige?”

“No, of course not. I just don’t feel super comfortable getting together with her so she can grill me.”

“That’s not why she wants to meet up with you.”

“So, it wouldn’t be a couple of hours of her asking me a bunch of questions?”

“Well, you’d ask her questions too. I did the same with Noah, and I get along great with him.”

“I get along just fine with her.”

“You’ve been around her, like, four times.”

“And it’s been great every time, why rock the boat?” You shrug.

“Y/N…she’s the mother of my kid, she’s not going anywhere, and it would mean a lot to me if you got to know her better, alright?”

“Alright…maybe once the semester is over she and I could get together for lunch or something.”

He smiles at you and kisses your cheek.

“You’re the best.”

“Someone has to be.” You sigh and it makes him laugh. “Did you want to just stay at my place tonight so we can leave from there tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sounds good. What time do you want me over?”

“Seven?”

“I’ll be there.”

//

Harry: what should I pack for clothes, how fancy is dinner?

You: I’ll just be in jeans a blouse, wear what makes you comfortable

You thought it was sweet that Harry was a little nervous to meet your family. They weren’t scary people, but you were the baby, and you knew that came with a lot of questions. Harry comes over a little after seven in some joggers and a long sleeve shirt, and a couple of bags.

“Mm, smells good in here.” He says, kissing your cheek.

“I just finished baking what I need to bring.”

“I made a pumpkin pie to bring, could I stick it in the fridge?”

“That’s so sweet! Of course, go right ahead.”

You take his bags and bring them into your disaster of a room. You hadn’t been very good at putting your laundry away once it was folded, nor were you good about getting your dirty laundry in the hamper. You sigh and start running around to tidy it up.

“I thought you did chores once a week?” Harry chuckles as he stands in the doorway.

“I…haven’t been making much time for it with all the work I need to do. And then I come in here and it’s just too overwhelming. Everywhere else is fine though.”

“You know, having a messy room can cause just as much anxiety before you go to bed because you get reminded of the stress-“

“Har?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t need a lecture from you on my messy bedroom, okay?”

“Wasn’t giving you one.” He raises his hands in defense. “Don’t feel like you need to clean it just because I’m here either.”

“No, I don’t wanna come back to a mess, just…go watch TV until I’m done in here, it’s mostly just laundry.”

“I can help if you want.” You make a face at him. “What? I could throw a load in for you, or help you put things away.”

“You can help by just giving me a minute. I’ve been trying to reconfigure things, I may buy a larger dresser soon.”

“Why? You could just go through get rid of what you don’t need. Perfect time of year to do it.”

“I did that already…” You bite your bottom lip. “I was thinking…well…you come over a lot, and I’ve been trying to clean out a couple of drawers for you so you could just leave some weekend clothes here if you wanted.”

“R-really?” He looks at you like a wide eyed puppy.

“Yeah, we’ve been together five months, I think it makes sense to give you a drawer, I even made room in my bathroom for you, come look.” You tug him into the bathroom “I put up this rack so you could leave some shaving stuff or whatever you usually bring. If you’re comfortable with it.”

“You won’t mind my stuff crowding you?”

“No, if anything it’ll be like you’re here when you’re not here.” You say quietly and look at him. “I leave things at your place, I want you to leave things here.”

Harry tilts your chin up to look at him and he kisses you. He never had a relationship like this before. Well, he sort of did this with Paige, but it was different. He thought it was so sweet that you wanted these pieces of him around, and he knows he should do the same for you.

“Next time you’re at my place, there will be a drawer and some closet space for you.” He smiles. “I’ll go watch some TV while you do your thing.”

“Thanks.”

Around forty-five minutes later you plop down onto the couch next to Harry, and sigh. He throws an arm around you and kisses your temple.

“What are you watching?”

“SNL’s Thanksgiving clip show.”

“Oh fun!”

“What time do we need to be on the road tomorrow?”

“Not terribly early. Today’s the big travel day, I didn’t hit any traffic last year. We can leave around eleven.”

“Amazing. I don’t mind getting up early, but it’s nice to not have to sleep in on our days off.”

“I agree.”

You both shift so you can lay on top of him. He rubs your back, and you both giggle over the funny sketches. You pull a blanket over the two of you, and just get really cozy.

“I’m excited to be going overnight with you in the city. Where are we going Friday?”

“I thought we could take the T to Faneuil Hall and do some shopping, and then we could go to the North End for food.”

“Sounds good to me. Is there anything specific I need to know about your family before I meet them?”

“Not really…my parents can be sort of abrasive, but they mean well. Phil and Julian are pretty chill.”

“How long have they been together for?”

“God, like…six years I think.”

“That’s nice.”

“They’re a great couple. I think everyone will like you, Harry, nothing to worry about.” You lean up and kiss his forehead.

He cups your cheeks and pulls you closer to kiss your lips. You skootch up his body, and his hands slide down to your ass. You bite down on his bottom lip briefly before pulling away.

“Can we be lame and just go get really cozy in bed?” You say.

“Not lame at all, I’m pretty tired from all the grading I did this afternoon.”

You get off him and you both do your nightly routines before getting into bed.

“Y/N?”

“Yeah?”

“Why is your bed so warm already?”

“Oh! I turned my heated blanket on before I came out to watch TV with you. Nice and toasty, right?”

“Very.” He chuckles. “Now turn over so I can have that booty.”

“Harry.” You laugh, but do as he says, and adjust right into him. His leg goes right over your hip like always, and he holds you nice and close.

“I’m so glad you like sleeping like this, I don’t know what I’d do.” He chuckles into the back of your head.

“I know, could you imagine if I wasn’t to feel crushed while I’m sleeping?”

“Y/N.” He laughs.

“For real, I sleep so well with you.”

“Me too.” He nuzzles in closer. “Maybe when I get back from London you could try sleeping over on school nights.” You turn over to face him immediately.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah…wouldn’t be so weird, would it?”

“How would Andy feel about it?”

“He asks all the time why you don’t just spend the night when you have dinner with us. We could try it out and see how it goes.”

“With you in London for a few weeks, what does he do for school?”

“Oh, Paige just drives him back and forth.”

“That’s not annoying?”

“She really doesn’t mind it, it’s just extra time to spend together. It’s only two weeks for him to deal with it.”

“I could…help with rides if need be…or if he misses the house at all I could always stay over there with him.”

“Oh, so you’ll have sleepover with him without me?”

“I’m just saying, I can be helpful.”

“I appreciate that.” He kisses you. “So, will you try sleeping over some night when I get back?”

“Yeah, as long as he’s okay with it, we can give it a try. I wouldn’t mind carpooling.”

You kiss again, and you turn back over so he can spoon you. Five months together, and things were going so well.

//

The next morning your alarm goes off at 8:30. You turn it off quickly, and when you try to get up Harry clings to you tighter.

“Harry.” You giggle. “I need to shower.”

“But you’re so cozy.” He groans.

“You know how long it takes me to blow dry and curl my hair, please let me get up.”

“Alright.” He sighs. “But I’m going in there with you.”

“Oh, you are?” You raise an eyebrow at him.

“Mhm, gonna fuck you in there.” He grins at you. “If you want.”

“Hmmm.” You pretend to mull it over, but you grin back at him and nod.

Now, typically, you wouldn’t just let a guy stick it in, and trust his pullout game, but condoms in the shower never felt good, so you and Harry may have agreed that shower sex was the one time he didn’t need a condom. The first time you did it like this, not too long ago, you nearly cried from how good it felt it really feel him inside you.

“Oh, fuck, right there, Harry!” You moan out as he thrusts into you from behind, his skin slapping against yours. You reach back to squeeze at his arm as you come undone, and he pulls out shortly after to come on your ass. You both sigh with relief.

“Feel like horny teenager with you sometimes.” He chuckles as he starts to lather up his body.

“Me too.” You start washing your hair.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“I know you said you got off the pill because it didn’t make you feel good, but…are there other birth controls out there that don’t fuck with you?”

“Yeah, they’re called condoms.” You say as you put some conditioner in.

“Y/N.” He rolls his eyes and steps into the water once you’re done rinsing your hair.

“I mean…I know there’s an IUD that doesn’t mess with your hormones, but the procedure is a tad invasive, and it probably wouldn’t even be in there that long.”

“Why’s that?” He scrubs his own head so he doesn’t see your face flush.

“I just mean, like, I don’t know, what’s wrong with what we’re doing?”

“Nothing…I guess selfishly it would be nice to do it like this all the time, and not have to worry.” He looks at you. “You done?” He asks as he reaches to turn the water off.

“Yeah.” You pull the curtain and get toweled up, and hand him his. “I get where you’re coming from with that…I just…selfishly I don’t wanna compromise on it. If you’re worried about pulling out, then we don’t need to fuck in the shower like this. We can just go back to what we were before.”

“But I like fucking you in the shower like this.” He pouts and puts his hands on your hips. “You won’t even think about going on something?”

“I’m sorry, Harry…I don’t want to.”

“Alright.” He sighs. “I get it, I suppose. Condoms it is.” He kisses your forehead and leaves you to do your hair.

When you finish with your hair, you don’t see Harry in your bedroom. You go into the kitchen and see him fully dressed, getting some peanut butter on toast.

“Here, a light breakfast.” He smiles.

“Thank you.” You kiss his cheek, and take a bite of the toast. “You look handsome.” You smile at him and he smiles back.

“I’m gonna go call Andy while you’re finishing up. Do you mind if I use your office?”

“Not at all! Go right ahead.”

You finish up the toast and then go back into your room to finish getting ready. You put on a pair of black jeans, and a blue long sleeve blouse, and then go into the bathroom to put a little makeup on.

“Y/N?” Harry pops his head into the bathroom.

“Yeah?” You giggle.

“Andy wants to wish you a happy Thanksgiving.”

“Oh!” You reach out for the phone. “Hello?”

“Hi, Y/N!”

“Hi, Andy, happy turkey day.” You smile.

“You too! You and Dad are going to Boston for a couple of days, huh?”

“That’s right! Want us to bring you back anything special?”

“That depends…where are you going?”

“We’re going to be where a ton of Italian restaurants are, which means Italian bakeries. Would you like a fresh cannoli brought back to you?”

“I think I’d like you forever if you did that.” He laughs and so do you.

“Then I think that can be arranged.”

“Okay! Sorry, Mum wants to talk to Dad…”

“Oh! That’s fine, it was nice talking to you.” You hand the phone back to Harry. He was smiling ear to ear.

“Hey, yeah, he is polite isn’t he?” Harry chuckles and steps out of the bathroom. When you come out to the living room he’s sitting on the couch reading.

“All set?”

“Yeah, was just waiting for you. You’re good to go?”

“Mhm, would you carry the food down to the car for me?” You say, putting your jacket on.

“Yup, I’ll grab our bags too.”

“Thank you.” You give him a quick kiss and out the door you go.

You didn’t have an automatic start on your car and you wanted to warm it up a bit. Harry brings everything down to the car, and off you go towards the highway. He keeps a hand on your thigh as his other hand’s fingers drum along to whatever music you’ve put on. You liked that even when you were the one driving he still had a hand on you.

“I can drive us back tomorrow if you’d like.” He speaks up.

“That’s okay, it’s really not that long of a drive. Hour and twenty, max.”

“Takes me two hours to get to Boston…”

“You, my darling, drive like a grandma, that’s why.” You smirk.

“I do not!” He laughs. “I’m careful.”

“You don’t go over seventy…”

“That’s the speed limit! And you know as well as I do the state police up here pull everyone over.”

“You know what’s funny? I got pulled over before I got my NH plates, now I never get pulled over. I do eighty on the highway up here, and that’s perfect.”

“It’s too fast.”

“No, going ninety would be too fast. Just wait until we’re really driving in the city, you’ll be amazed at my swiftness.”

“You mean at your aggressiveness.”

“It’s called being a defensive driver. Maybe when Andy gets older I should be the one to teach him how to drive, or else we’ll have two grannies on our hands.” You throw him a cheeky grin and he just rolls his eyes at you.

“He’s never going driving with you unless I’m there too.”

Harry would never admit it, but he really liked it when you’d drop little hints that you were in this for the long haul. It would be years until Andy would be able to get his permit, and yet, here you are, thinking ahead about it. It was something you did once in a while, even this morning, Harry picked up on it when you mentioned how pointless an IUD would be. It was too soon to talk about kids and stuff, but he knew that was where your head was at, and it made him feel really good.

“You teach him how to park a car, you’re way better at that. I’m such a nervous parker.” You laugh. “One time I had to drive my boss to a conference we were both going to, and I had to park in a garage, and you know how narrow those spots can be. I told him I was nervous at parking, and he covered his eyes so I could park the car. He was such a sweet man, had kids my age at the time.”

“Would you like for me to do that from now on? Cover my eyes so you can park your car?” He chuckles.

“I wouldn’t hate it.”

“Why do you get so nervous?”

“I have my dad to thank for that. He’d watch me back out of the driveway just to make sure I didn’t run over the grass, it was so annoying.”

“Ah, a very dad thing to do. Grass is really important to us, you know? If you’ve got a shitty lawn it reflects poorly on you.” He smirks.

“Oh, shut up.” You roll your eyes. “You both can bond about going to Lowe’s on the weekends and looking at planks of wood.”

Harry bursts out laughing because that is definitely something he’s done before.

“I don’t just look at planks of wood, I also often go and look at the different types of mulch.”

“Do you ever bring a tape measure with you?”

“Keep one in my trunk, actually. Never know when you’ll need to take measurements for something.”

“Jesus.” You laugh and shake your head. “When you become a dad is there like an initiation ceremony where you get a bunch of that stuff?”

“Oh, sure, but it’s top secret. I’ve said too much already.”

You giggle at him. You were happy long car rides were never awkward with Harry. You could joke around, and then also sit in a comfortable silence. Today was going to be a good day.

//

Phil lived in a really nice condominium in the newly renovated areas of Southie. Harry was impressed that a sous chef could afford such a nice neighborhood.

“It’s kind of sad because this used to be where more of the affordable housing was, and then it got really gentrified. In their spare time, Phil and Julian try to help out and volunteer their time to help the people that got pushed out.”

“Wow, good for them.”

Harry helps carry the food as you key into the building, and lead him towards the elevator. You knock on the door before going in.

“Hello!” You say brightly as you both walk in.

“Hey!” Julian says, giving you a hug and kiss. “Come on in, Phil’s just basting the turkey. Hello.” He smiles at Harry.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” They shake hands, and Julian takes the food from him.

“Oh! A pumpkin pie, just what we needed, thank you.”

“No problem.” Harry smiles. You hook your arm around his waist as you walk further into the home.

“Hey!” Phil says coming over to the two of you. He gives you a hug and shakes Harry’s hand.

“This is Harry.” You say.

“Nice to meet you, man. Heard a lot of good things.” Phil smiles.

“Nice to meet you too. This is a great place.”

“Thanks! Been here for, like, what…three years?” He asks Julian.

“Yup! Almost three and a half. Got for a steal at the time.”

“Are Mum and Dad here?” You ask.

“Yeah, in the living room. Go and get comfortable, everything’s still cooking. They’re watching the parade.”

You nod and lead Harry into the living room.

“Mum, Dad, we’re here.” You say and they both get up to say hello. “Harry, this is my mum, Rebecca, and my dad, Richard.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you both.” He shakes both of their hands.

“Finally!” Your mom nearly squeals and throws her arms around Harry, and gives him a nice, wet kiss on the cheek. “It’s so good to meet you, Harry. We were starting to think you were made up!”

“Mum…I’ve shown you pictures.”

“You’re awfully good at that photoshop nonsense, could have just been edited.” She scoffs. “You’re very handsome.”

“Um…thank you.” His cheeks were incredibly red.

“Where’s your son today?” Your dad asks and you want to smack him for diving right in.

“Oh, he’s with his mum and her family today. She’s not from the U.K. like I am, so she actually celebrates Thanksgiving, I just observe.” He jokes, but it doesn’t land, so he clears his throat. “It’s just part of our custody agreement, I get him for Christmas.”

Your parents share a look, and then both smile at Harry.

“Your brother put out some munchies until dinner’s ready.” Your mom says. “Come, sit, I know the drive was long.”

“It wasn’t too bad, not much traffic to complain about.” You say as you stick a carrot into some dip. “Can I get you a drink, Har? Phil’s got beer and wine.”

“Just a beer would be great, thank you.”

You smile and go into the kitchen. He almost wishes he followed you because your parents stay looking at him. He was wearing a nice button up, so his tattoos weren’t overly exposed, so it couldn’t be that.

“So, how old is your son?” Your mom asks.

“Eleven, he’ll be twelve in May. His name is Andy.”

“Is it short for Andrew, or is it just Andy?” Your dad asks.

“It’s short for Andrew.” Harry smiled. “Andrew Jacob Styles.”

“What a lovely name.” You mom smiles. “Is he named after anyone?”

“Um, Jacob is a family name on his mum’s side, and Andrew was just a name with both really liked.” He shrugs. “Nothing more to it than that.”

“You’re still close with her, his mum…” Your dad notes.

“Sort of. We do the co-parenting to the best of our ability. Living close by helps with that.”

“I think it’s nice you can get along so well. We have some friends who have divorced, and they can’t stand each other. I feel terrible for the kids, they get caught in the middle, unfortunately.”

“Well, my ex and I were never ma-“

“Here were are.” You say, handing Harry a beer, a glass of red in your other hand. “How’s the parade?” You ask sitting down next to Harry.

“Y/N, you interrupted our conversation.” Your dad says. “Harry was just explaining to us how his co-parenting works.”

“Dad…I don’t think Harry really wants to talk about that right now, okay?”

“It’s alright.” Harry says. “I know it must be a tad odd for your daughter to be dating someone with so much baggage, I get it.” He takes a sip of his beer. “I was young, accidents happen, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” He puts his arm around you and sits a little more comfortably.

“Well, we hope to meet little Andy at some point.” Your mom says. “Maybe this summer we can come up for a little visit, Y/N.”

“Yeah, maybe.” You smile and lean into Harry. “He’s so sweet, and funny. He’s a really talented painter too. He’s decorated some things in my office for me.”

“Wow, that’s a big deal. You wouldn’t even let me help decorate.” Your mom chuckles.

“Because your taste is terrible, Mum, no offense.” You grimace.

“She’s right, Becky.” Your dad laughs.

“Oh, what do you two know?” She stands up. “I’m going to see if Phil needs help.”

You and your dad laugh a little.

“Good, now I can switch it to football. I actually don’t give a fuck about the parade.” Richard says. “Pardon my French.”

“No worries.” Harry says. “I don’t give a fuck either.” He grins and it makes your dad laugh.

Okay, despite the bit of awkwardness at the beginning, this was actually going pretty well. You knew your parents had their reservations with Harry, but they didn’t seem too put off. After an hour or so of watching football, everyone is called to the dining area for dinner. The spread looked incredible, your brother outdid himself. He and Julian sit at the heads of the table, and then you and Harry sit across from your parents.

“Before we dig in, I just want to say how thankful I am that we could all be together today.” Phil says. “This is the first year I didn’t have to work, so we were able to do this at a normal hour like other families. It’s nice having to wait until nearly eight o’clock.” He smiles. “Two is much better. Enjoy!”

Everyone hums in agreement, and take what they want. Phil made plenty of veggies and other meatless options for you and Harry.

“Harry, how long have you been a professor for?” Julian asks once everyone has what they want.

“Um, like, ten years I’d say. I taught while I was getting my master’s, so I count that. Got my PhD a little over four years ago, though.”

“Very cool, and did you know you always wanted to be a teacher or…?”

“Honestly, no.” He chuckles. “But I really liked what I was studying and researching, and I knew I wanted to keep doing that, and so when I was getting my master’s and became a TA, I fell in love with teaching. I don’t think I could do it at a K-12 level, but I really like teaching at a collegiate level.”

“That’s exactly what Y/N always says.” Phil says.

“It’s true! I don’t think I could teach young kids, but I really like the college kids. Especially the upperclassmen, they’re a tad more mature.”

“Harry, how did you end up over here in the states?” Your mom asks.

“Ah, well, I was looking to study abroad. I went to a school in London my freshman year, and I liked it, but I really wanted to branch out, so I ended up in New York for school. I loved it.”

“And…now you live in New Hampshire?” Your dad asks.

“Yeah, so, when I was looking for master’s programs I was looking for schools in that area because, um, my ex’s grandparents lived in the lakes region, and we needed a bit of help. Her parents live in Connecticut, and there weren’t any schools I wanted to go to out there, so I ended up at UNH for that. The drive to Manchester every day wasn’t fun, but it made things easier to have her family closer by. It was a decent compromise. I almost moved to that area full time, but her grandparents passed away, and she had to take their home over, so I ended up at our university for my doctoral program so I could stay close to my son.” He takes a sip of his drink. “I fell in love with area. I got into hiking and some of the other outdoorsy stuff there is to do. It’s home now.”

“And your family, they’re in the U.K.?” Phil asks.

“Yeah, my mum and sister both live in London. Mum’s retired and lives with my sister. She’s married with a couple of kids, so she may as well be a live in nanny.” He chuckles. “I bring Andy home to see them for Christmas, and sometimes they come to visit in the summer.”

“So, do you have dual citizenship or just a work visa?” Julian asks.

“He wouldn’t need that since he married a U.S. citizen.” Your dad says.

“See, I was trying to explain earlier, we never got married.” Harry explains. “Um…so, yeah, I have dual citizenship. I was here on a school visa for a bit, and then I got the work visa, but I knew I was stayed so I went through the citizenship process. It was a real bitch, I have to say.”

The table laughs and agrees. The conversation turns to politics, only briefly, and then goes back to light chatter. Once dessert is out and eaten, everyone is stuffed. You and Harry help clean up, and then your parents leave shortly after. Everyone feels like they can take a deep breath now.

“So you two are staying at Julian’s hotel, yeah?” Phil asks.

“Yup, why?” You raise an eyebrow.

“How about we meet you guys in the city, and we go to that bar we all like?”

“That sounds great! Meet us there around eight?”

“Works for me.”

“That work for you?” You ask Harry.

“Yeah, sounds like fun.” He smiles.

//

Once you’re checking into the hotel, you head to the elevator, and go up to your room. Harry notes how nice the hotel is, and you agree. Julian was a really good manager, and did well to make sure that the place ran smoothly. You key into the room, and you both plop down on the bed with a big sigh.

“I’m stuffed.” Harry says with a slight chuckle.

“Same here.” You look over to your bag and tug it towards you, rummaging through it and pulling out a small purple bottle. “Um…so…usually we each have two different bathrooms to use when we have sleepovers, or maybe…we don’t tend to use the bathroom in a certain way, but that’ll be different tonight so I brought this.” You show him the small bottle. “So…we can just use the bathroom and not feel embarrassed.”

Harry smirks and takes the small bottle to read it.

“Poo-perize…” He looks at you.

“You just spray it before you go, and it’s like you never went at all.”  

“Ah, well, good thinking. I wouldn’t want you knowing that I took a shit.”

“Harry.” You groan and snatch the bottle from him.

“Are you telling me you’ve never shit at my house in the five months we’ve been together?”

“I…have…just not a lot. I don’t know, I’m not good with other people’s bathrooms. I’m just gonna go stick this in there.”

You get up while he shakes his head and laughs at you. You come back out and lay down next to him on the bed.

“I’m gonna tell you something I told Andy when he was about two years old.” He says to you.

“What’s that?”

“Everybody poops.”

“Gah!” You exasperate. “I know that, obviously, I just don’t want you thinking about me doing it…”

“It’s not like my ear’s gonna be pressed up against the door!” He laughs. “Lighten up.” He pulls you to rest your head on his chest and he kisses you on the top of your head.

“Did you have fun earlier? I hope my parents weren’t too invasive.”

“They were fine, I totally understood why they were asking what they were asking. I know it’s odd for someone my age to have a kid in middle school.”

“I just don’t want you to think they were judging. I actually think they really liked you.”

“I’m glad to hear it. It’ll be nice for them to come visit in the summer. Maybe we could all go to the cabin.”

“God, they would love that, babe.” You snuggle further into him.

After resting for a while, and using the bathroom, you both head down to meet Phil and Julian at a bar down the street. You all grab a booth and start a tab for drinks.

“So, this is where you all go when you visit?” Harry asks you once the drinks are on the table.

“Sort of, this is where I come with them.”

“Y/N has probably been to every bar in this city.” Phil laughs.

“You’re gonna make me sound like an alcoholic!” You laugh. “When you go to school in the city, you gotta find the good places to go. All trial and error.”

“You also had a really good fake ID.” Julian smirks. “Remember when we took her out for her twenty-first, and the bartender practically scolded her?” He laughs.

“Oh my god, he was so mad at me.” You take a sip of your drink. “There was this one place I had been sneaking into for years, and I wanted my twenty-first birthday party to be there, and I had been pretty friendly with the bartender, right? So I had him my new ID, and he, oh my god, I thought he was gonna flip his shit.”

“He gave you free shots though, so he couldn’t have been too mad.” Phil winks at you and you just shake your head.

“Yeah.” You roll your eyes.

The reason the bartender had not flipped out, thrown you out was because you promised a very a good blow job in the bathroom on his break. You had delivered, and then he gave you free shots all night, and you ended up going home with him to further explore after said blow job, but you weren’t about to expose yourself to Harry like that. You didn’t want him to think you were immature, even if it was something that happened years ago.

“Must be nice to have grown up in a place where the legal drinking age is eighteen.” Julian says to Harry.

“Yeah, it was pretty sweet that last year before going to uni. My friends and I would go to the clubs, get in a bit of trouble.” He chuckles after taking a sip of his drink. “I’m kind of glad I came to America for the rest of school, I think it helped me settle down a bit.”

“I studied abroad for culinary school,” Phil starts, “mostly in France, but when I would go out with my friends it would definitely get wild. It was a culture shock to start the evenings so late! We wouldn’t leave until midnight sometimes.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly how it is, and we’d stay out until after four in the morning most times.”

“That was the first time I saw hard drugs being used so casually. People just doing lines in the bathroom and stuff. It happens here too, but it was way less taboo over there.”

“Phil, did you ever…?” You ask him.

“God no, I mean, I smoked share of weed, but I never did anything more than that. I was too afraid of being fucked up while chopping something in the kitchen.”

“Did you?” You ask Harry. You were more curious than anything.

“Yeah.” He says casually with a shrug. “Like I said, I’m glad I came here to finish school.”

“Holy shit, what did it feel like?” You gaze up at him. “I’ve never done anything like that, I’ve never even gotten high…”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He gives your hand a squeeze. “It was so long ago, I don’t really remember, honestly. You just sort of feel happy and out of it.”

“Y/N, you never smoked or did an edible or anything?” Phil asks, almost shocked.

“I mean, I’ve been hot boxed before, but that’s it. I just stuck to drinking.” You laugh. “I was too scared, I didn’t know if I would be one of those people that would freak out or have a bad trip or something.” You finish your drink and so does everyone else.

“Does everyone want the same thing? I can go up and get the next round.” Harry offers.

“That’d be great.” Julian says, and you and Phil nod. Harry gives you a quick kiss before getting up to go to the bar. “He’s dreamy, Y/N, I don’t know how you get any work done.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what type of guy I was expecting, but I’d let him leave marks on me too.”

“Phil!” You giggle. “I’m glad you both like him so far. He’s amazing.”

“And things are still good between you and his kid?”

“Yeah! Andy really likes me. I think it helps that he had time to get used to me a little when Harry and I were just friends. Something tells me Harry had mentioned he had a little crush on me to him though because there was this one time Andy texted me from Harry’s phone to ask me to come get ice cream with them.” You giggle again. “It was so cute.”

“Little wing man, that’s sweet.” Phil nods.

“Sometimes I feel bad because you can tell he prefers to be with me and Harry, as opposed to his mum and soon to be step-dad…I don’t really get it.”

“He’s eleven, right?” Julian asks and you nod. “I get it. I was a total momma’s boy, and then when I started middle school, I wanted nothing to do with my mom, and it killed her. We fought all the time, and I found myself wanting to be with my dad more. Not even to talk, just being in his presence, you know? I think it’s puberty. I have a great relationship with my mom now. It’s just a phase.”

“Yeah, plus, it must be weird to have two father figures in your life. One’s telling you what to do, but you also wanna respect your actual father. Must be confusing.”

“Alright.” Harry says as he sits down with the four drinks. “What I miss?”

“Nothing, babe.” You smile and kiss his cheek. “These two were just swooning over you, that’s all.” You grin at your brother and his partner.

“Really? Well, I’m flattered.” Harry jokes.

“I have to know, do students, like, throw themselves at you?” Phil asks.

“Um, not so much anymore, when I was younger they did. A lot of them also know I’m spoken for now, so that helps.”

“It’s so awkward! Some of the senior boys I advise have tried flirting with me in our meetings, and I’m like…you’re kidding right? Keep your shrimp dick to yourself.” You take a large sip of your drink and sway your head to the music in the bar.

“I’d love to know what some kid could possibly even say to you in that setting.” Phil chuckles.

“They think they’re so adult, you know? It’s all in the body language. They adjust themselves, trying to get me to look down, and they’ll bite their bottom lips to be sexy, it’s repulsive really. But my problem is I bite my lip when I feel nervous so then they think it’s working, and then they’re shocked when I’m like actually you deserved a D on this.”

Phil and Julian laugh, but Harry doesn’t really like the sound of anyone flirting with you.

“You know, you can report that if it gets aggressive.” He says.

“Oh, it’s fine. They realize when I don’t give in that it doesn’t work, and they should just put the work in.” You see the concern on his face. “Don’t worry, if it was that aggressive I’d call H.R. right away.” You put your hand on his thigh and give it a squeeze.

“You know what I think we should after this? Go to an actual club. I feel like dancing and working off all that food.” Julian says.

“Ugh, I knew you were going to say that.” Phil groans. “I’m exhausted.”

“Can’t help it.” He shrugs and looks at you. “Y/N?”

“Fuck yeah.” You look up at Harry. “What do you say? You’ve never really seen me dance before.”

“That’s true, I could be up for that, although, I probably won’t do much dancing.”

“Good, I’ll have someone to hang back with while these two pop their asses.” Phil says and it makes everyone laugh.

//

Phil and Julian order an uber to take you and Harry to one of the lgbtq+ friendly clubs they knew of in a different part of the city. You had been there with them before so you were excited. You were also excited that Harry was being such a good sport.

You get into the club easily since the bouncer knew Phil and Julian well, and you all go up to the bar to get drinks. You decide on something fun and fruity while Harry opts for a gin and tonic. Wannabe by the Spice Girls comes on and Julian yanks you onto the dance floor.

“It’ll be hours before we see them again.” Phil chuckles and takes a sip of drink.

“You never dance?”

“Sometimes I do, but it’s not my favorite. I’m not very coordinated.”

“Neither am I! I look like an idiot whenever I dance.” Harry laughs. “But I suppose that’s half the fun.”

Harry peers into the crowd and smiles when he sees you and Julian shouting the words to the song to each other, and giggling. He watches as the two of you dance together and it makes him smile more.

“You two have been together a long time then?” Harry asks. “If you both took her out for her twenty-first?”

“Yeah! That was around the time we made things official. We met right before I went to Italy to do some more studying, and then when I came back we decided to really be together. He’s amazing, an incredible partner. He’s brilliant, honestly.”

“Are you two married, or…?”

“We’re in a civil union.” Phil shrugs. “We’ve talked openly about it, and neither of us really feel the need to get married, you know? We know we wanna be together, we don’t need a court or a piece of paper to lock it in. We each wear these rings.” Phil holds up his left hand. “See the one on my middle finger? That’s a promise ring he gave to me, and I gave one to him. That’s enough.”

“That’s really sweet.” Harry smiles.

“You have a lot of cool rings.” Phil takes one of Harry’s hands to look them over.

“Thanks! Started collecting them basically when I was nineteen. I’ve always really liked rings and bracelets.”

“And perfectly manicured nails?” Phil raises an eyebrow at him.

“Started doing that in uni. The crowd I hung out with was into black nail polish, I got into it too. It’s actually what helped me snag my ex.” He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand.

“Really?”

“Yeah, we were friends for a bit, and one night she got really drunk and she started crying because her nail ripped and she just wanted to take all the polish off and start over, and I told her I had stuff back at my room to do that, so I took her back with me and basically did her nails. I let her sleep in my bed and I slept on the floor, and then the next morning before I could even say anything she kissed me.”

“Oh my god, that’s like out of a movie.” Phil swoons, letting go of Harry’s hand. “But I think I like the story of the camping trip with my sister better.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Actually, I think I like that you casually brought her to a family party, and then brought her back to your place to watch the sunset.”

“Told her I liked her that night too, but I back peddled.” Harry chuckles.

“She picked up on that, but I think she chose to ignore it at the time. I’m glad she came to her senses.”

“Me too.” Harry smiles.

After a few songs, you come back to Harry, throwing your arms around his neck. Your fruity drink hitting you much faster than your others.

“Maybe just one more.” You slur.

“Or, and here me out, you could start drinking some water.” He tucks some hair behind your hair to keep it from your sweaty forehead.

“But-“

He dips his mouth to your ear to whisper.

“I’d like to have a little fun when we get back, and we can’t do that if you’re sloshed, babe.” He moves back to look at you with raises eyebrows and you nod. “Great, I’ll go get you some ice water.”

He returns shortly and you guzzle it down. Once you’re all set you make your way back to Julian. Harry taps his foot along with the beat of the song.

“Hey, handsome, can I buy you a drink?” A guy slightly shorter than Harry says to him brightly.

“Um, I’m so sorry, I’m here with someone.” He points over to you.

“Why aren’t you dancing with her then?!”

“He’s got a point, Harry.” Phil teases him.

“You’re not dancing with Julian!”

“Fair enough.” Phil finishes the rest of his drink and strolls over to join you and Julian. You both hoot and holler with excitement.

“Go on, pretty boy, go show your girl a good time.” The man winks and then walks away.

Harry sighs and makes his way over to you. Your eyes light up and your smile says it all. You’re absolutely delighted that he’s come over to you. You wrap your arms around his torso and press your cheek to his chest, swaying back and forth with him. His arms go around you and he rests his chin on the top of your head. It didn’t matter that the song was fast paced, you were happy to just be pressed up against him the way you were. You look up at him, smiling.

“What?” He smiles down at you.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

//

It was a wonderful night out with Phil and Julian, but it had to end sometime, so you and Harry uber back to the hotel around one in the morning. You didn’t want to be too tired for whatever fun he wanted have with you.

“That was fun.” He says to you in the back of the car. “I like them, they were really welcoming.”

“I’m so glad! I figured you’d get along well since you’re around the same age.” You shrug.

“That club was fun too, got hit on by a guy.”

“You did?!”

“Yup.” He says proudly. “Called me handsome and asked me if I wanted a drink, but don’t worry, I told him I was there with someone.”

“Well, thank god, otherwise you’d be in an uber with someone else right now.” You say facetiously and he laughs.

“Should I be offended that you think I could so easily be swayed to leave with someone else?” He nudges you playfully.

“Nah, I’m just teasing. I know you wouldn’t do that.”

“Besides,” he leans in closer to your ear so the driver won’t hear, “the only tight, little hole I wanna fuck is yours.”

Your eyes grow wide and you feel a shiver go down your spine. You know that he’s referring to your other hole. His mouth had been on it enough times now for you to know he definitely wanted to have anal with you, but you weren’t sure of how you felt about it exactly. You could see him maybe using a finger or something, but his entire prick? Your thoughts are broken when you feel his lips on your temple.

You get to the hotel and head up to your room, hand in hand.

“Oh!” You say as you get inside the room. “I brought something to wear to bed, and I really wanna put it on for you.”

“You never wear anything to bed, though.�� He chuckles.

“I know! I brought it special for the trip. I didn’t think we’d be out as late as we were. Please? It’s really cute.” You pout.

“It’s just gonna come off a minute after you put it on, but sure.” He smiles and sits on the edge of the bed. “I’ll humor you.”

You grab your bag and bring it into the bathroom with you. This also gives you a chance to just freshen up since you were sweating on the dance floor. You touch up your makeup, apply some fresh deodorant, and spritz a little bit of perfume onto your wrists, and dab a bit behind your neck. Next you take out the garments you wanted to wear for him. It wasn’t incredibly special, but cute nonetheless. It was a pastel purple set of silk pajamas. The top was tank top style with a little bit of lace where you cleavage would sit, and the bottoms were shorts that just show your under-bum. Class, but sexy. You brush your hair out so it looks less frizzy, and then peak your head out of the bathroom door.

“Ready for me?”

“Ready, babe.”

“Close your eyes.”

Harry sighs and closes his eyes. He had already taken his glasses off and put them away. His palms are pressed behind him on the mattress. You tip toe out of the bathroom and come to stand in front of him.

“Okay, open.”

His eyes flutter closed and then they widen when he looks you up and down. You twirl around for him and giggle.

“What do you think?”

“You look…lovely, Y/N.” His hands come up to rest on your hips. “When did you get these?”

“Not too long ago. I’ve been saving it for a night away where I’d maybe have excuse to change into something else.”

“S’very pretty. I love the color on you.”

You smile down at him and get yourself situated so that you’re straddling him. His hands slide down to your ass and he squeezes you. His hands then move up under the back of the top and then he drags his nails down your soft skin and your head rolls back. He takes the opportunity to sponge wet kisses up your jugular, and around to the crook of your neck. He licks up to just under your earlobe, and sinks his teeth into your skin. You gasp from the sensation, loving the way it feels. Your hands move to clutch at his shoulders as he creates a nice, purple mark on your neck.

“Fuck, Harry.” You breathe after he detaches himself from you.

“To match your pj’s.” He smirks.

A slight whimper leaves your lips, and then you start unbuttoning his shirt furiously. He helps you get it off him, and then you run your hands up and down his torso, making scratch marks of your own. You loved the way his stomach would tighten from the feeling of your nails. Your fingers work next to undo his belt and button on his jeans.

“Need you naked.” You kiss him. “Now.”

He nods quickly and you stand up to help him get his pants off. He kicks them to the floor as he works to get his boxers off as well. Once they’re throw somewhere you kiss him again, and work your way down his body. He opens his legs up more you and you plant kisses up and down his hard dick. You move to tease him a little, nipping at his inner thigh the way he would do to you. He cards his fingers through your hair, and makes a makeshift ponytail for you with his fist. You lick up his shaft with the flat of your tongue and the moan his lets out just eggs you on further. You kiss his tip before taking it into your mouth and you sink down on him, taking him as deep as you can before popping back off him.

Not that he ever thought of her while he was with you, but times like this Harry couldn’t help but compare you to Paige. She never did things like this for him. He always had to ask her to do it, and she’d only do it for a couple of minutes. She’d give him a hand job no problem, but she rarely would put her mouth on him, which made him sad because he had no problem doing it for her. You, on the other hand, would often initiate with him, and he loved that about you. Sometimes you’d be lounging on the couch or even just reading in bed together, and you’d look at him. He knew the look very well now, and he would just nod, and all of a sudden your mouth would be on him. Times like this it was just more confirmation that he was with the right person.

Blow jobs were things you didn’t particularly enjoy unless you really liked a guy, which is exactly what you told him when you first gave him one. If you were going to make a guy feel good, you wanted to make sure that guy was going to make you feel just as good, and Harry passed that test. Now, you loved pleasuring him like this no problem. Even when you were on your period, you didn’t care that you couldn’t have much in return unless you got in the shower.

You lick over his slit and moan from the taste, which you didn’t particularly love, but just the fact that he was already leaking for you was enough for you to make the noise. You smear your bottom lip along his tip because you know he likes it sloppy, and you know his precome his bound to dribble down your chin. You look up at him and see he’s already watching you, chest heaving. You bring your face away, a string of spit keeping you attached to him before you lick over your lip and smirk.

“What?”

“Well…it’s just…I’m a little tired.” You look away and then back up to him, your grin growing. “So, what if I just put my mouth over you and you do the work?”

“Are you asking me to fuck your mouth?” He was being very serious.

“Yes, Harry.”

“Are you comfortable on the floor or do you want to get on the bed?”

“Maybe just hand me a pillow for my knees?”

He nods and quickly grabs a pillow from the head of for you. You get it situated to get yourself more comfortable, and you nod. He tightens his grip on your hair as you lower your mouth back around him. He starts by just easing you on and off, up and down. Your eyes flutter closed so you can focus on breathing through your nose. He bucks his hips up carefully to get a little further down your throat, and to help you adjust. You widen your throat as much as you can. You keep one hand on his thigh, and the other you keep in a fist, squeezing your thumb. An old trick you learned in college to help suppress your gag reflex. A placebo at best, but it worked.

“Oh my god, baby.” He groans as he really gets a rhythm going, bobbing your head up and down for you as he moves his hips. “You’re so fucking perfect.”

Your eyes flutter open and you do your best to look at him through your lashes, but all you can see are the ferns on his hips and love handles. You had drool and precome dripping down your chin, and you knew he had to be loving it. He was panting as he looks down at you, biting furiously into his bottom lip as to not disturb whatever neighbors were on either sides of the walls.

He was being extremely careful of you, which just turned you on more. It showed how much self-control he truly had to not just be ramming and thrusting his dick down your throat. Your nails are digging into his thigh, and you do choke on him at one point, but you’re okay. Eventually he has you come fully off of him.

“Don’t wanna come in my mouth?” You ask as you catch your breath and wipe your chin with the back of your hand.

“Not if you want me to fuck your cunt later.”

“Oh.” You blush. “Yeah, I want that.”

“Alright then.” He chuckles and helps you up. “Felt so good, baby.” He kisses your now swollen lips.

He lays you down on the bed, your head comfy on the pillows. He reaches between your legs and groans when he feels how wet you are through the silk shorts.

“Christ.” He breathes. “Taking this all off now.”

You nod and lift your arms up. He gets you fully naked and spreads your legs open. Just as you did with him, he kisses down your body, nipping where he pleases, and starts leaving more love bites on your inner thighs, causing you to squirm.

“Stay still for me, baby.”

“M’trying, sorry.”

You give him a soft smile and he gives you one back before he licks around your folds. You feel yourself almost go cross-eyed from the sensation. His teeth nip at your clit before he sucks on it, and he has to use one of his arms to hold you down because you’re just extremely sensitive tonight for whatever reason. His thumb replaces his mouth on your clit so he lick into you.

“Oh, god.” You moan. Your hands fly to his hair to tug on. “Harry.” You whimper and it’s music to his ears. It just makes him fuck you harder with his tongue. His thumb rubs perfect circles into where you need it most, and you feel your legs shaking around him. “Fucking, Christ!” You cry out as you start panting. You could feel your orgasm already approaching. He just knew exactly what to do, and it was incredible.

He pops up briefly to get some air, and then he looks at you, furrowing your brows.

“Wh-what is it?” You ask innocently.

“Would you…” He holds up his index and middle finger.

“Oh! Mhm.” You smile and open your mouth for him. He smiles back at you and brings his fingers to your mouth to suck on. You make eye contact as you lap and suck around him.

“Thank you, darling.”

Your heart flutters as he works his way back down between your legs. His fingers slide inside you while his mouth finds your clit again. His fingers curl up inside you, and you grip at the comforter on the bed. They pump and twist and pet you, and it’s all too much along with his tongue flicking at your clit.

“Ah! Fuck, Harry!” Your back arches off the bed, and your eyes roll into the back of your head. When he retracts his finger from you, you look at him, your eyes growing dark with lust. “Get the condoms.”

He nods and rummages through his bag for them, tearing one of them open, and sliding it onto his hard, throbbing dick. You put your hands onto his shoulders to brace yourself as he thrusts inside you. He buries his face into the crook of your neck as he rocks in and out. You get a fist full of his hair and rock your hips along with his.

“Fuck, Y/N.” He groans and looks at you, peaking his tongue out. You take the signal and let your mouth fall open so he can kiss you. It’s a searing kiss, needy, like he hadn’t kissed you in weeks. That was the thing with Harry, he always kissed you like he hadn’t seen you in ages, like he hadn’t touched you in ages. It was fucking fantastic.

“Harry, I’m gonna come again.” You whine. It was from the way you were grinding against him, otherwise you don’t think you would have had one again so quickly, not that you were complaining. He keeps everything the same so you can get there, and boy do you get there. He puts his hand over your mouth so you can cry out how you need to. You catch your breath and then you look up at him. “Let me ride you.”

He nods and pulls out, flipping on his back. You grip him to line yourself up once you’ve swung your leg over his lap. You sigh with relief once he’s inside you again. His hands work their way up your body to knead your breasts as move around on him in large circles. He looks up at you and starts chuckling.

“What could possibly be funny?” You ask, giggling.

“Nothing, I just like you a lot.” You pout at that. Since you said your I love yous, neither of you had made your like you a lot statement, and it filled your heart.

“I like you a lot too, Harry.” You lean down to kiss him, sucking on his bottom lip before returning up right.

“Gonna fuck me, baby?”

“Mhm, gonna fuck you so good.”

You start to raise and lower on him, his hands coming down to squeeze at your hips. Usually he would even up taking over, but he wanted to let you do it. He knew you wanted to do it, and you were so kind as to let him fuck your mouth earlier the least he could do was let you control the pace just this once. It also inflated his ego immensely to look up and watch your face like this. The joy you were getting from riding him was so delicious to him.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous like this, Y/N.” he squeezes harder at your hips, sure to leave bruises later, but you don’t care.

Your hands plant onto his thighs behind you as you continue to bounce up and down on him.

“Rub my clit, Harry, please.” You nearly whine.

He does so without question and you let out a loud moan. He could feel you squeezing around him and it was bringing him nearly over the edge. He could feel the ecstasy bubbling at the base of his spine.

“Baby, I’m not gonna last much longer.” He groans.

“Good, want you to come, let go, Harry.”

You feel his warm come fill up the condom, and the sensation along with his fingers rubbing on you guide you to your third release, causing you to collapse onto his heaving chest. He tilts your chin up and he smears his lips over yours.

//

After the long day and night you both had, neither of you were upset to have woke up at 10:15. You shower together, without any funny business, and get ready for the day. Harry furrows his brows at the booties you put on.

“What?” You ask him. “Don’t like ‘em?”

“No, they’re cute, it’s just…won’t your feet hurt walking around in them all day? I know you lived here and everything, but-“

“I promise, Daddy, if my feet hurt I won’t complain and if I do, you can say I told you so.”

“Y/N.” He sighs. “I hate it when you call me that so condescendingly, my express of concern isn’t me being fatherly, it’s me being your boyfriend who would feel terrible if your feet got all blistered.”

Your features soften, you didn’t realize how much your little joked bothered him.

“Oh…I’m sorry, um, these are actually pretty good for walking in. I wouldn’t wear them if I knew they’d hurt, but I appreciate you looking out for me.”

You give him a kiss on the cheek, and he grabs the bags. You check out, and grab a coffee from the complimentary section of the breakfast area, and put everything in the car.

“Julian said we could park here for the day no problem. We just need to talk to the green line stop, and we’ll be good to go.” You explain after locking the car back up.

You make your way to the green line station, and you just use your Charlie Card to get the both of you through, and onto the train that would get you Government Center. You were happy to be traveling with Harry. Sometimes when you were in town with people who didn’t understand the hustle and bustle of the T it could be frustrating, but Harry had the tube back in London, so this was second nature to him.

You almost feel giddy after coming off the train, and see The Quincy Market sign come into view. You tug at Harry’s hand to get him to walk faster towards the shops.

“There’s a Ray-Bans store here I wanna go to. They’re bound to have a sale right now. Oh! And there’s this store that sells really hot sauces I think you’ll like. Does Andy like graphic T’s? There’s a Newbury Comics here and I’d like to get him a gift from there.”

“For what? Thought you only promised a cannoli?”

“I did, but it would be for Christmas. Is that alright if I wanna-mph!” His lips were on yours, his hands cupping your cheeks. He was just overwhelmed with how much you cared about his son.

“Yeah, he likes graphic T’s.” He says it like he didn’t just shove his tongue down your throat, gently intertwining your fingers as you continue to walk.

You clear your throat and nod, giving his hand a squeeze. You go in and out of the shops. You note the sunglasses that Harry pays special attention to so you know which ones to get him for the holidays. You go into Sephora for a bit to look at the expensive makeup on one end of the store, and he looks at the foundation and concealer he would typically use. So much was on sale, you end up buying a ton of new brushes and sponges, and he gets the remover wipes he likes using. You go into spicy sauce store, and pick out a couple of bottles of things you’d each like to try, and then off to Newbury Comics.

“Do you shop at any of these clothing stores?” He asks subtly.

“Not really, I do StitchFix, why?”

“No reason.” He shrugs. Damn. He literally had no idea what to get you for the holidays. You bought yourself a new pair of sunglasses, and pretty much whatever else you needed. He was at a loss.

“So, what shows does he watch? I’d like to get him a shirt that’s relevant.” You say as you both make your way to the clothing section of the store.

“He’s really into Spongebob reruns at the moment, it’s been driving me nuts.”

“Seriously? That show is over twenty years old…”

“I know! He discovered it a few months ago, and he thinks it’s hilarious.” Harry sighs. “He also likes The Simpons, The Office, oh! He’s really into Malcom in the Middle right now.”

“How does even know about that show?”

“He found it on Hulu one night and he asked if he could watch it and I said okay. He loves it.”

“Hmm.” You tap your chin for a second. “I may need to go on Etsy then. I think I know of a shirt he would like, but I doubt they have it here.”

“You don’t have to go to so much trouble, Y/N. He’ll like whatever you give him.”

“That’s just it, I don’t want him to like it, I want him to love it.”

Harry thought his heart was going to burst as you looked around. You come to the section of the store with all of the different card games.

“Is he too young for Cards Against Humanity? Could be fun for him and Brandon.”

“Wee bit.”

“Alright…oh, what about What Do You Meme? That’s age appropriate, no?”

“Oh, he’s actually been asking for something like that. It’s a good stocking stuffer.”

“Perfect!” You snatch a pack. “This will also be from me.” You wink at him and keep looking around.

“What do you usually do for the holidays, anyways?”

“Well, whenever Hanukkah falls, I usually do something with my family, and then I lay low on Christmas.”

“Maybe during one of the nights of Hanukkah you could come over and the three of us could do something traditional with you.”

“I’d love that, Har.” You smile at him. “I could show you how to make homemade potato pancakes.”

“That would be a lot of fun.” He kisses your cheek.

Eventually you both walk over to the North End to get some Italian food for a late lunch/early dinner. You each enjoy raviolis and lots of bread. You make sure to stop off at one of the bakeries to grab some cannolis.

“You can just put these in your freezer, they should still be good when he gets home.”

“Sounds good, he’s gonna be so excited.”

You make your way back to the hotel garage and get into the car.

“Babe, let me drive, you’re tired.”

“No, I can do it.”

“Y/N.”

“Let me just get us through the city, and then I’ll pull over at the rest stop in Londonderry.”

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes.

You end up doing just that. You zip through the city, staying in the left lane the whole time, and then you pull over at the rest area. You let Harry drive the rest of the way, and he drives back to your place.

“Did you wanna stay over tonight? I could come to yours tomorrow, or if you’re sick of me we can-“

“Why do you always say that?” He chuckles. “I could never be sick of you.”

You beam at him, and you both get up inside your apartment. After you unpack your things, you both get into bed, and fall asleep quickly. It was the perfect Thanksgiving.

//

“Dad, these are so good.” Andy says, mouth full of cannoli Sunday night. “Y/N is the best.”

“I’ll pass the message on to her.” Harry smiles. “Listen, uh, how would you feel if she started staying over sometimes when you’re here?”

“I’d be okay with that, I don’t really care.”

“I just wanna make sure you feel comfortable with it. It’s okay if you don’t.”

“Dad, I really don’t care. I’d like it if she stayed here. I feel bad that she thinks she can’t. Then we could all have breakfast together in the mornings, that would be fun.”

“Yeah, it would. I’ll let her know you’re cool with it, thanks.”

“Thanks for asking first.”

“It’s your house too, not gonna make any big changes without consulting you.”

Later that night, as he’s crawling into bed, Harry texts you.

Harry: got the okay from the head of the house, you’re good to spend the night any time you feel comfortable doing so…he loved the cannolis btw

You: oh well, glad I was able to butter him up with those, lol why don’t we give it a try tomorrow?

Harry: are you just saying that because you know Mondays are baked ziti night????

You: what?! I’m offended! I want to come spend the night with you, it in no way has anything to do with your delicious, amazing, incredible, mouth watering baked ziti

Harry: god, you know what complimenting my food does to me 😈 😈 😈

You: goodnight, Harry

Harry: no!

You: yes

Harry: don’t do this

You: I’m so tired! You barely let me leave your bed this morning…need to catch up on sleep

Harry: everything we did today you wanted. I know because I asked and you said yes

You: very true! And now I’m telling you I’m going to sleep, I love you, I’ll see you tomorrow

Harry: alright, I love you too, sweet dreams, baby

//

The next morning, Harry gets up at 5AM to do his yoga in his bedroom, and then goes into the kitchen to get zome ziti boiled. It wasn’t a difficult dish to make, especially since there wasn’t meat in it, but Harry did use three types of shredded cheese, and he had a homemade marinara sauce. Once the ziti is cooked, he layers it all in a glass dish and sticks it in the fridge. It’ll go in the over to bake when he gets home later.

His next task is to shower, and get dressed before waking Andy up.

“Buddy, time to get up.” Harry comes in and sits on the edge of Andy’s bed. “Come on, sun’s up and everything.”

Andy groans like he does most mornings.

“Don’t gimme that. What do you want for breakfast?”

“Scrambled eggs, please.” He mumbles.

“Can do, now get up.” He takes the top blanket away and Andy groans louder, but it wakes him up enough to get out of bed.

Harry whips up some eggs for Andy and some peanut butter toast for himself, and sets it on the table. Andy comes out in jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt.

“Basketball’s gonna be starting in a bit, you must be excited.”

“Yup.” Andy smiles. “And winter program starts this Friday, I’m really excited for that. Do you think you’ll chaperone?”

“Probably. I’ll find a Friday to come out and help.”

“Y/N should come too.”

“I don’t know if she skiis…”

“How could she not in this area?”

“It’s not for everyone.” He shrugs. “I’ll ask her if she wants to come up to the cabin some weekend or something before having her help out with a bunch of kids.”

“Okay, fair point. Oh! You could teach her to ski, you’re a good teacher.”

“I’d have her take a professional lesson, Andy. It’s not as easy for adults to learn this kind of stuff as it is for kids.”

“You could still show her the basics.”

“Eat your eggs.” Harry rolls his eyes. “By the way, she’s coming for dinner tonight.”

“Of course she is.” Andy giggles. “It’s baked ziti night.”

“That’s what I said! Anyways, she’s gonna try staying over with us. Want you on your best behavior.”

“When am I not?” Andy scoffs.

“Hmm, let’s see…” Harry holds his hand up to start counting on his fingers.

“Okay, okay, I promise I’ll be good.”

“Thank you.”

//

It was a busy work day since it was the Monday after a short holiday break. You barely saw Harry, but you decide to leave him a little love note on his desk while he was teaching. You notice he left his phone on his desk. Something he rarely does, but it happens once in a while. You see it light up with a news notification, and you do a double take. His lock screen was a picture of the two of you. You pick it up and hold it closer.

“When did he…?” You trail off as you smile. It was a picture of you from one of your hikes. You’re looking up at him, smiling and sweaty, but smiling nonetheless.

“Y/N?” Harry says coming into his office. “What are you doing with my phone?”

“I…I was just leaving you a note, and it lit up…and…I didn’t realize I was your lock screen…” You hand him his phone.

“Of course you’re my lock screen, you have been for a while…”

“I guess I never noticed.” You look away. “I have a picture of the two of us as mine, see.” You show him your phone. “It’s from when we made that mess making waffles from scratch. Makes me smile every time I look at it.”

“Can’t believe I never noticed either…” He looks at the screen and then to you. He steps towards you. “You were leaving me a note?”

“Yeah, I…we barely saw each other today, and I know you need to get home soon, so I was just leaving you a little love note.”

“Oh.” He sets his things down on his desk and comes even closer to you. He tucks some hair behind your ear, his tell for wanting a kiss.

You lean up and he leans down and your lips press against each other. It doesn’t last long, you’re at work after all.

“Okay, well, I have some work to do.” You blush. “Um, I’ll be over by 6:30, does that work?”

“Works great.”

He watches you leave and he sighs dreamily as he gathers his things. He zips home and helps Andy with his homework before getting the ziti in the oven. You get over there around 6:30, with your overnight bag slung over your shoulder.

“Hi, boys.” You say as come inside after Andy answers the door.

“Y/N, those cannolis you got were so good. Thanks again.”

“Oh! I’m so glad you liked them, Andy.” You ruffle the hair on the top of his head and go to put your things down in Harry’s room before coming into the kitchen to give him a kiss. “It smells so good in here.”

“Just took it out of the oven, sit.” He smiles.

After dinner you’re itching to change into come comfier clothes, so you do. You put on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, one Harry gave to you, and you come out with your laptop to the living room.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Nope, Andy?”

“Do your thing.” He shrugs as he flips the TV to Hulu to put Malcom in the Middle.

“Remember, two episodes and then you can go read before bed.” Harry reminds him.

“I’m fully aware, thanks.” He rolls his eyes.

“When I was your age, my bed time was 9:30, but CSI, the Las Vegas one, was on at nine, and I used to watch TV with my mom in bed every night, and CSI was on Thursdays, and so every Thursday we’d have the same fight because I had to see how the episode ended, you know? And then my mom would get so tired that she’d just let me stay up and finish it.”

The boys both look at you with wide eyes. You had a tendency to talk really fast when you had a story to tell.

“Dad says I can’t watch TV right before bed because then I won’t sleep well.”

“He’s right about that! I could never sleep after watching TV with my mom. She’d watch Date Line and scary shows like that.”

“If you were scared, then why would watch with her?” Andy asks.

“Well, my mom worked until eight most nights and I just wanted to spend time with her, so getting into bed and watching TV with her was my way of doing that.”

“That’s sweet.” Harry says, putting his arm around you.

After Andy goes to bed around nine, making sure to give you and Harry a hug, you both decide to get ready for bed as well. You do your routine, and chew on your bottom lip.

“What is it?” He asks he slides into bed with his book.

“Can I still sleep naked? Does he ever come in here?”

“Hmm, how about just a t-shirt? Grab any one of mine from my dresser.”

“Okay, fair enough compromise.”

You change quickly, and get into bed with a book of your own.

“This is nice.” He says, smiling at you. “Having you here on a Monday night.”

“Yeah, feels right.” You kiss his cheek and open your book to the page you dog-eared.

Even though Harry just wanted to ravage you, he knew that would probably have to wait until you showered in the morning. You did look awfully cute when you passed out with your book still in your hand. Harry takes it, saved your place, and sets it on the night table closest to you. He takes his glasses off and turns off the lights, then kisses your forehead before wrapping himself around you. You adjust into him and drift off fully.

You’re woken up abruptly around midnight by Harry’s phone buzzing. It goes off a few times so he finally turns over and grabs it.

“Oh, shit.” He says.

“What?” You mumble.

“Paige called three times, hold on.” He swipes his phone to call her back.

“Harry?!”

“Hey, what’s going on, is everything alright?”

“No…everything’s not alright.” She sobs.

“What happened?” Harry sits up fully. “What’s wrong, darling?” When he says that it makes you sit up. He was clearly trying to calm her down, but you didn’t like him using the term of endearment.

“My…my father died.”

[fakecrfan]

Since you very nicely offered to write me a fic:

Your prompt is: A story about a background character or characters dealing with life after the TMA apocalypse.

It can be set in the OG TMA universe in the post-post-apocalypse, or it can also be set in a different universe that was affected by the events of MAG 200.

Both OCs and characters established in-show are allowed.

This one aligned so well with my interests that I am actually tempted to open my inbox, briefly, in case anyone else has questions like “what is X bavjground character doing after the apocalypse?” so I can make a series out of it and expand on my post-post-apocalypse headcanons.

For now, you can read your fic here, on over here on AO3

---

Sarah doesn't know where she is.

England, she has to still be in England, she thinks. But it's not an England she recognizes. Not the cobblestone streets of London, and not the moors she used to visit on her vacations. The ground is barren, as though all blades of grass but a few have shriveled up and died. There are no trees, houses, or landmarks for miles--just scorched remnants of where they might have been before.

For a moment, the emptiness of it all is a relief after the hotel. But everything is the same on all sides, and she doesn't know where she is or where to go. She's starting to get hungry, too. She never got hungry in the hotel, nightmarish as it was.

She has to sit down for a moment, take a few deep breaths, and think.

Get food. Find shelter. Survive.

Find Alex.

(God, why had she left her child in a hotel room? Little twelve year old Alex who was still afraid to sleep without a night light. He'd begged her to stay, she should have--)

With that in mind she gets up. Doesn't know what direction to walk in, so she doesn't concern herself with trying to pick one. There's nothing to do but walk, keep her eyes open, and hope.

So she hopes.

---

None of our old maps match the landscape, anymore.

The world these days it's... not like in the before times, as I suppose we're calling it. Despite our hopes, ending the apocalypse wasn’t like everyone waking up from a nightmare. The land is...

It's scrambled, I guess. There are patches of the world that--well. They're not the same, but still have infrastructure intact. Electricity, running water, air conditioning. No scorched earth or rubble in these areas. Just a bunch of traumatized people living in an intact town, or city.

When I talk to them, they tell me it's not the city they remember, though. Everything has been switched around, houses and stores not where they remember them. Their neighbors aren't the neighbors their remember.

Those are the lucky ones. And then there's, well... the outside.

Some places have rubble everywhere, jagged steel ripped apart and waiting for someone to cut themselves on it. Some are frozen over, still waiting for the ice they were frozen over with in the apocalypse to melt. Some are scorched to dust. No phones out there, or anything that lets you connect back with home base.

I'm going out there. We need to map it out. We need to figure out our new world, understand it--and we need to get as many people out of the wastes as possible.

Melanie, Georgie--I’ll see you soon.

---

Sarah does find water. That's something. She's hungry still, so hungry, but she knows that the water is more important.

She wonders if she should stay there. She doesn't know if there will be more watering holes in the future, after all, and she has no way to carry it with her. She decides to keep moving on, and hope for the best.

She starts to see blades of grass poking up, along with some sort of metal crap strewn about the landscape. She looks at them a moment--it seems to be bits of an old carousel? Eventually, a giant sit in their shade, for a while. There she takes a moment to look at the horizon, and goes cold.

She recognizes the tower on the horizon.

A  scaffolded tower with two legs beneath it. A sight she'd last seen on a postcard from her brother. The Eiffel Tower.

Is she in Paris? No, that can't be it. It's just the tower out here in the wastes. There are none of the buildings that would normally surround it. It's almost as though its been ripped out of the city and transported here.

Does Paris even exist anymore? Does London?

If she even finds Alex, will there be a home for them to go back to?

---

I have a theory, Melanie. I think lots of people got transported to different places in the world based on what fear they belonged to. Like, a bunch of lonely people were put in the same place, a bunch of claustrophobic people were put in the same place, and so on. All away from the people they knew.

I’m in one of the suburban safe areas now. No one here knows each other. I talked to them all, and all of them remember living in the same house before, but none of them recognized the houses near them or the people in them. When I went from house to house, everyone had a different native language. I talked to a German guy and a French guy who spoke English, but a lot of them… couldn’t talk to me at all.

There was a woman who--she saw me and she lit up. She grabbed me and started talking a mile a minute in Arabic, I think. But I couldn’t understand her, and she--when I tried to talk back to her in English, her face just. Fell. And then she started to cry.

My dad refused to speak it at home, you know. He-- Actually, never mind. It’s not important. 

She ended up shoving me away.

---

Sarah makes it to the ruins of a forest. 

There’s nothing but stumps left of it, along with litter everywhere. She finds water again, filthy brackish water, and she drinks it anyway because she’s so thirsty. She starts sifting through all of the garbage strewn about for something edible. She finds stale bread crusts crawling with ant and eats them anyway. 

She finds a can of beans, and almost cries. When she can’t find a can opener, she screams instead.

---

The death count has gotten to me, honestly.

I’ve found dead bodies even in the towns and cities. Some looked like heart attacks. Some suicides. People who woke up but couldn’t bear the agony they’d just gone through. That’s still not… the worst of it.

I passed a whole field of dead bodies today.

Hundreds of people, I think, all of them lying dead in the soil. But there were... trails. They had been walking, before they collapsed. All walking in the same direction, to where you can still see London on the horizon.

They were alive. They were trying to get help. And they just... starved, it looks like. The walk was just too long.

How many people are going to die from it all, Melanie? How many already have, out where we can't see them?

I left as many jugs of clean water and rations along the roads as I could. I put up signs pointing to London, saying how many miles out they were, where I had stashed food. I gave them your number, so they know who to call to get to the shelter.

I hope it means the next group that passes by won't die.

I hope there is a next group.

---

Sarah can see what looks like a city in the distance before she collapses. 

She tries to get up, but can’t. She’s been walking for days now, it feels like, only sporadically drinking and almost never eating.  There just isn’t enough energy left in her to stand.

She tries to think about little Alex again, running around in his Batman cape, hoping some kind of love or maternal instinct will kick in and give her the last burst of adrenaline she needs to get up. It doesn’t work. Maybe she doesn’t love her own son anymore, really. Maybe it’s just been fear and guilt driving her this far, and that source has already been wrung dry. 

She manages to crawl a few feet, before she can’t even do that. With nothing else left to do, she starts to cry out. “Help! Water, please!” 

She doesn’t think anyone will hear, or show up. But against all odds, in her dimming vision she sees a figure come into view. Backpacked, clutching a water bottle. 

“Help,” she croaks out again. 

The figure gets closer, and she starts to be able to make out the details of his face. He’s her age, or older, with worry lines carved into his forehead and wide eyes. His nose looks eerily like her brother’s nose, and the shape of his jaw reminds her of her old boyfriend, the one who left her with--

She blinks. Maybe she’s hallucinating, or maybe she’s somehow run into a long lost cousin. But then, the man’s eye’s widen and his mouth opens.

“Mum?”

No, no it can’t…

“A-alex?”

No, Alex was a little round cheeked boy. This is a thirty year old man, at least, taller than her. It hasn’t been that long. It can’t be, it’s not--

“Mum?” He’s doing a frown that looks so, so familiar. This has to be a dream. “Mum, it’s--no.”

He sniffles. He steps forward, and steps back. He paces, uncertain.

“No, no,” she hears him mutter. “It’s all fake, all fake. It’s a trap. That’s what they want, the monsters and the face stealers. No one is real. Don’t give them what they want--’’

“Please.” she begs. 

But she hears him walk away, sniffling, and shortly thereafter everything goes dark. 

---

I have a confession to make, Melanie. I was going to side with Jon, back then. I could have lived with keeping everyone here suffering to prevent more of it. But when he said he was going to kill the whole world, not just leave it--that’s what made me snap. 

I couldn’t let the whole world die. Genocide of the entire human species? Anything but that. Surely passing along the suffering would be better, as long as it didn’t lead to the extinction of whole worlds. But… 

I keep finding more dead bodies.

I went back to that suburb I talked about, to restock on all my food. It was a lonely domain before, I think. I’d thought everyone there would be fine, you know. They didn’t have any deadly sicknesses, or twisted flesh injuries. They had food and water and shelter. But when I went back… more of them had died. 

Lots of suicides. Some of them snapped, and started to self injure.

The German guy I talked to had started to starve. He had a pantry full of food and he just wouldn’t eat it. I tried to get him to eat, to move in with someone else, but he said talking to people “made him sick.” 

I gave up, and left. I had to. There were too many people, and too much to do, so I left him. He’s probably dead now, or going to die soon. Because he can’t find the will to live, and I don’t know how to help someone with that.

The Lonely is probably one of the least directly harmful entities, right? This domain was just a suburb, probably the most comfortable you could get during the apocalypse. And yet the victims are still all dying. 

How much worse is it in places without food and water? In the corruption domains that still probably have deadly diseases spreading? In war zones, in flesh factories?

I think about that nursing home we found. All of the patients who'd died of heart attacks a few minutes after they'd woken up. The ones left alive screaming for help where no one could hear them, for days after the fact. All of the ones that died in their beds before we found them. 

I think about that field of bodies I found the other day. I think about the ruins of that Circus I found, people refusing to talk to me or each other--refusing to help because they didn’t believe it was over and thought everyone else was a mannequin. 

I think… I think it doesn’t matter that we saved the world. If people can’t find the will to live, ro rebuild, to trust and help each other again… I think we’re going through a mass extinction event anyway. 

---

Sarah’s in a car, she thinks. Not a moving one. She’s propped up against a seat,There’s something plastic pressed to her lips.

“Come on,” says a woman’s deep, level voice. “Come on. I got you. We’re getting to London. All you have to do is drink.”

Sarah opens her eyes. She sees a dark-skinned woman trying to coax her to drink, holding up a water bottle. 

“Just a sip,” the woman says. “Just enough to make it.”

Sarah closes her eyes, and takes a long moment to consider whether she wants to.

[roserozu22]

Rogercop

Author’s note: It’s me with a new update and you didn’t have to wait long. A massive thank you to my beta Nina of fairy tail!

My Social Media accounts:

Twitter: RoseRozu1

Tumblr: Roserozu22

Discord: RoseRozu#2428

Morning had sprung and Nathalie was getting Gabriel ready for a very important event -  careers day at Collège Françoise Dupont. 

 

“Sir, are you sure this is a good idea?” Nathalie asked worriedly. 

 

“Yes, this is a good opportunity for me to see this Nathaniel boy’s parents,” Gabriel smirked. 

 

Suddenly, the door opened and there stood Adrien fiddling with his necklace nervously. “Ready, papa?” 

 

Gabriel looked at his youngest child and smiled reassuringly at him. “You didn’t force me to come with you, and to be fair, I haven’t seen much of your teachers, only your principal. So no need to be nervous mon petit.” 

 

Adrien smiled at Gabriel and then took hold of his father’s hands and Felix’s once he entered the foyer. They got into the car to travel to the school. 

=^._.^= ∫

When the Agreste family arrived at the school (a little late, due to some idiots on the road), they met one Mr. Tom Dupain. 

 

“My day begins at 4 a.m. every morning because the bakery opens at 7. You would think that the life of a baker is pretty routine, making the same pastries, rolls, cakes... but actually, it's different every day. One day someone might order a cake in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, and another day you might-” Tom explained to Gabriel and Felix’s boredom and Adrien’s interest.

“Marinette will come around and pass out some croissants baked fresh this morning,” Tom said as he pointed at his daughter. 

 

“Thank you, Mr Dupain. Now, let's meet Alya's mom, who is head chef at the Grand Paris hotel, owned by our mayor, Mr Bourgeois.” Miss Bustier. 

 

On Marinette’s rounds, she smiled happily at Adrien. She was excited as she knew that his model career would end later than most, giving him more time to model. However, she smiled sadly at Felix as he looked disinterested. As Marinette was making the rounds, Chloé opened a case with a bracelet inside.

 

Sabrina looked at the bracelet and immediately grabbed it, “It's beautiful!”

 

Chloé then promptly slapped Sabrina’s hand. “Don't touch it!” 

 

Whilst this was happening, Gabriel whispered in Felix’s ear, “Remind me why I sent you two to this school?”

 

“Because you wanted me to learn the ‘commoner’ life, and also Adrien wanted to go to school just like his big brother,” Felix whispered back.

 

Gabriel hummed in thought. 

 

“Put it away, Chloé! It could get in the wrong hands!” Mr  Bourgeois attempted to scold his daughter

 

“I wonder how many croissants your dad would have to sell to buy you one of these? What am I saying? He'd have to sell the whole store!” Chloé taunted Marinette as she noticed her passing out the croissants.

 

“Well, if you're so rich, obviously you don't need free croissants!” Marinette said as she left the table but not without smirking as she could hear a poor comeback from Chloé. 

 

Meanwhile, Plagg was having a slight conundrum himself. “Is that Camembert?” Plagg asked himself as flew from Felix’s bag to Chloé's. “Huh? Oh, that's not Camembert... but it is very shiny. I like shiny, hmm!”

 

In the world outside of kwamis… “Unfortunately, I have no dishes to share. But maybe Mr Bourgeois will invite you all to the hotel and treat you to lunch!” Alya’s mum said while looking at her boss, with a glare that could rival Gabriel’s

 

The said boss nodded while sweating nervously at his employee’s glare and sighed in relief when the glare melted away. While the students were applauding, a policeman named Roger started laughing.

Unfortunately, Plagg caused Marinette to slip (as he landed on his head after continuing playing with the bracelet) 

 

“Marinette, are you okay?” Adrien asked as he left his chair while helping the girl up, not knowing that Gabriel was staring at her intently. 

 

Before Marinette could answer, however, Gabriel swiftly put Adrien back in his chair and stood in front of said chair protectively. 

 

“Next on the list is Sabrina's father, a policeman. Please welcome Officer Roger!” Miss Bustier said quickly to diffuse the attention and stop Gabriel from glaring at the students and herself.

 

The students started applauding, although with more confusion than anything else. With a quick glare from his brother and father, Adrien didn’t even bother clapping. 

 

“I've been a police officer for 15 years, and I firmly believe that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty.” As soon Officer Roger said this, the drama queen of the class exclaimed. “My bracelet! It's gone! I had it a second ago.” She then looks at Marinette “You! You stole it!”

 

“What? What are you talking about?!” Marinette asked confusedly.

 

“You purposely tripped over my bag so you could steal my bracelet!” Chloé then looks at Roger “You're a policeman! Arrest her!”

 

“My daughter is not a thief!” Tom defended Marinette and glared at the other girl.

 

Gabriel could only look at the students and parents and without warning, got a massive headache and thought of removing Adrien (and Felix) from the stupidity of the whole thing. 

 

Roger then blew his whistle without warning which caused Gabriel’s headache to worsen. “Hold on a minute, Miss Bourgeois, we don't accuse without proof! Now, everyone, calm down, please. Maybe you simply misplaced your bracelet.”

 

“You're calling me a liar?! Daddy!” Chloé said in surprise and anger.

 

“Roger, I demand you search for this girl’s bracelet immediately!”

 

“Ha!”

 

“Please, everybody!” Miss Bustier pleaded although she was not heard at all. 

 

“Need I remind you that as mayor of this city, I am your superior!” Mr Bourgeois said unkindly towards the policeman.

 

Before Roger could say anymore, Gabriel decided to speak up.

 

“I’ve had enough of this. My children don’t need to see this debacle. They came to school for their education, not some soap opera that is poorly made!” Gabriel then noticed that Felix’s friend was recording the whole thing. “This boy hasn’t stopped recording since I’ve entered the classroom, maybe there is something on there." Gabriel then gently moved Adrien from his seat and said. “I’m going back home with Adrien and until this issue is resolved he will no longer be attending school."  Gabriel suddenly looked at Felix. “If you like you can go home with me or stay for the whole day.” 

 

Felix looked at the drama gleefully and then looked at his father and replied. “I’ll stay here and see the drama unfold.” Gabriel nodded and left the classroom with a very reluctant Adrien, but not without giving his secretary’s number to Nathaniel’s parents. 

=^._.^= ∫

As soon as Adrien and Gabriel arrived at the mansion, Adrien was instantly sent to his room (as according to Gabriel he had had too much excitement and needed rest) and went down to his lair and transformed into his evil alter-ego Hawkmoth.

=^._.^= ∫

At the exact moment, Mr Bourgeois and Tom were seen shouting at each other while the students were looking at the two adults in interest (mostly Felix).

 

Nathaniel then looked at the adults and said, “Let’s do what my Mr Agreste said and look through Nino’s video. Maybe we can find something because I for one would like to see my significant other outside of the mansion or photo shoots.” 

 

The adults looked at the upcoming artist in shock (while Felix smiled at the artist with pride until he felt something hit his ankle and swiftly noticed that it was the missing bracelet on top of his kwami’s head and rapidly left the room quietly) not noticing that a new drama was going down. 

 

=^._.^= ∫

Ms Mendeleiev threw a piece of litter into the bin but missed so the litter landed on the floor which caused Rogercop to grab the litter. He then flew to where Ms Mendeleiev was.

 

“You're under arrest!” Rogercop shouted at the poor science teacher. 

 

“What? What for?” Ms Mendeleiev asked in confusion and horror. 

 

“You threw litter on a public sidewalk, jaywalked and crossed the red light,” Rogercop said robotically. The police whistle was still around his neck. His skin was quite pale, and a hollow, light blue triangle pointing downwards was at the centre of his chest. His helmet sported a light blue line above a light blue shield in front of his eyes. His left shoulder and right shoulder wore blinking red and blue police lights, respectively.

 

“Well, I suppose I did. But you can't arrest me! Who are you anyway? You don't look like a policeman!”

Rogercop then threw cuffs at the science teacher “I sentence you to trash duty.” He then blew his whistle which controlled the handcuffs and made Ms Mendeleiev robotically throw the litter in the trash can.

 

“Next mission: Seeking justice on Mayor Bourgeois.”

=^._.^= ∫

Meanwhile back at the school, Felix was seen lecturing Plagg (who was still wearing the bracelet). “Never do that again! Do you know the troubles you caused!” 

 

“I thought it was Camembert,” Plagg said. “And besides I think the bracelet suits my rock-hard abs.”

 

“Well, clearly it isn’t Camembert” Felix groaned and swiftly thought of something else, “and Plagg you do not have abs.” Felix then stopped as he heard footsteps and looked down and saw it was Rogercop. 

 

“Great, great, just great, thanks to you Plagg, we have now to fight against an akumatized policeman. You’ve made another one of your dumb decisions.”

 

“Sorry, Felix,” Plagg said, remorsefully. 

 

“I know, now let’s try and get this bracelet off you, and fix everything.” 

 

Plagg nodded while Felix began looking through his locker for anything that could help. Meanwhile, Rogercop had caused one of the parents to run laps around the gymnasium. 

=^._.^= ∫

Simultaneously, back at the mansion, Adrien was seen lying down on his bed with a look of boredom on his face. He was texting Nathaniel who was giving him updates regarding the situation of the missing bracelet. 

 

=^._.^= ∫

“See, Chloé? I tripped on the bag, but Sabrina held the bracelet, we are all suspects!” Marinette said (while trying and failing to be diplomatic).

 

“But, what about Mr Agreste, isn’t he like in most of the video?” One of the students asked.

 

“To be fair, I wanted to film Adrien and Felix, but I think Mr Agreste knew what I was doing or that he wanted Adrien to not see. You can never know with that dude.” Nino said in Mr Agreste's defence.

 

“And let’s remember Mr Agreste is a fashion designer. If he wants to he can design any jewellery that he or the twins need or want,” Alya said. 

 

And once again, Marinette opened her big mouth and caused the situation to be five times worse than it was until Rogercop entered the classroom uninvited. He asked the students, parents and teacher where the mayor was. They all denied that they knew where he was until a voice spoke up. Recognising the voice, everyone groaned. 

 

“Mr Principal, “I demand that you find who stole my daughter's bracelet ASAP! Or your job is on the line, sir…!”

 

Marinette then quietly left the room and jokingly said to Tikki “Who knew that our mayor could shout like that.”

 

Tikki then glared at her holder and sternly said. “No time for jokes, we’re going to make things right. Now transform!”

 

Marinette smiled nervously at Tikki and shouted “Tikki, spots on!”

 

At the same time in the locker room, Felix had managed to get Plagg out of the bracelet with some help from pepper and Camembert cheese. Knowing he had no time to waste, he quickly transformed into Chat Noir.

=^._.^= ∫

It wasn’t until late at night that everything went back to normal with a slight hiccup from the usual lucky charm item, Chat Noir’s antics and Rogercop firing his handcuffs all over the place. 

=^._.^= ∫

The next day, the twins were seen together and with happy smiles on their faces as Adrien was allowed to go back to school after Gabriel received a call from the mayor telling him about where the bracelet was all along. All’s well that ends well as Roger got promoted to lieutenant and Nathaniel’s parents were coming over for dinner over the weekend. 

[let-this-ship-sink-already]

Tearing down the Tomdaya timeline, created by "Spidermaninlove" - Part 3 (2018)

I am not using evidence or "proof", which is OUT THERE, to show that this timeline is only based on the emotions/opinions of its creator and is therefore falsely claimed as a fact.

(Warning: Editing is off in this one.)

January 9, 2018

Dom, Tom’s dad, blogs he is flying with Tom to LA today. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 10, 2018

Tom photographed by a fan in LA wearing what appears to be Z’s leather jacket. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 11, 2018

Dom blogs Tom is in LA for voice recordings. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 12, 2018

Dom blogs Tom is in LA for Spies in Disguise.  Tom departs LAX for AZ for the ACE Comic Con. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 13, 2018

Tom at ACE Comic Con.  When asked if he would do a musical with Z, he replied, 110%.  She’s great.  She can sing way better than I can, but I’d give it a try. -> IRRELEVANT.

Z followed and then immediately unfollowed a Tom Holland Instagram fan account. -> IRRELEVANT. Everyone goes down a rabbit hole on social media sometime and accidentally follows someone.

January 14, 2018

Tom arrived in LA. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 18, 2018

Tom returns to London. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 19, 2018

Tom retweets Z’s tweet:  "First of all", “bottom line” and “end of story” are all phrases you should avoid when arguing with me cause that means war. -> IRRELEVANT.

January 25, 2018

On January 25, 2018,  Z’s interior designer posts a photo of Z’s coffee table with a copy of the November 9, 2016 edition of The Hollywood Reporter (THR) magazine on it.  This is the edition in which Tom and Z appear together.  THR’s annual Next Gen assessment of Hollywood’s best and brightest, 35 and under.-> IRRELEVANT.

February 15, 2018

Z spotted at Heathrow airport.

It appears Tom foregoes the BAFTA pre-dinner party that Haz attended to, dare I say, spend that time with his very very good “freind”, Z? -> ASSUMPTION.

February 16, 2018 – Tom and Z photographed together at Harrods and the Tower of London. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

February 17, 2018

Z and Tom attend Burberry fashion event together in London. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

February 18, 2018

Tom and Z photographed together with a fan in Kingston (Tom and his parents live in Kingston). -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Z filled in for Sam (”Samdaya”) on Tom’s IG live story for the Brothers Trust drawing.  Z attempts a British accent, and Tom and Z exchanged smiles, laughter, and heart eyes during the live. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. ”heart eyes” is an INTERPRETATION.

Z appears in first known photograph with the Hollands, including Nikki, Tom, Dom, Paddy, Harry, and Tessa. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. Also, isn’t it the only picture out there?

Z and Tom attend the Vogue and Tiffany & Co BAFTA after party in London.  Both Tom and Z were styled by Law.  Tom was photographed with Z and Darnell while at the party. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

February 19, 2018

Both Tom and Z depart London and arrive in LA on what appears to be separate flights. -> ASSUMPTION/IRRELEVANT.

February 21, 2018

Tom spotted at a gym in Northridge, CA – the area in which Z lives. -> Tom is staying at Zendaya‘s place when in LA. If your friend stayed in town, would you host them as well or let them stay at a hotel?

February 22, 2018

Tom and Z spotted at In-N-Out Burger.  They were also photographed and filmed by the paparazzi while out for lunch and denied they’re a couple. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. So much for “never denied” dating.

Damage control:  Tom in Z’s Snapchat story about the paps.  Z tweeted:  “When you realize you ain’t really got the juice cause paparazzi only find you when @TomHolland1996 is in town…” -> Knowing what “damage control” means for Zendaya is an ASSUMPTION.

Z and Tom reportedly spotted by a fan at The Grove. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

February 25, 2018

In Z’s stylist, Law’s IG story, he says “tuxedos for Tom.” -> IRRELEVANT.

February 26, 2018

Tom and Z spotted together at a fan’s workplace. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

March 1, 2018

Tom spotted at the gym in Northridge again.

Analysis:  Is Tom driving all the way from a hotel to Northridge to use a gym there?  Hotels have gyms.  Z lives in Northridge.  Conclusion:  He’s not staying in a hotel! -> It is known he was staying with Zendaya in LA which is what friends do. Doesn’t confirm they are dating.

March 3, 2018

Tom and Z photographed with a fan in Beverly Hills.  Another fan tweeted he spotted them on Rodeo Drive today.  Z, Tom, Darnell, and Law photographed by the paparazzi while shopping in Beverly Hills.  Tom and Z were also spotted having lunch together at a restaurant. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

March 4, 2018

Z and Tom sat next to one another at the Oscars and they left the venue together.  Both attended the Vanity Fair after party, left the Vanity Fair party together, and arrived together at the Governor’s Ball.  Law Roach styled both “him” and “her”. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

March 6, 2018

Tom and Z spotted together and photographed at Target. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

March 8, 2018

Z and Tom spotted together by fan in Beverly Hills. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

March 10, 2018

Tom departs LA for London. -> IRRELEVANT.

March 17, 2018

When asked on Twitter, “When is @Zendaya going to date someone publicly I’m ready for it,” Z replied, “Never”.  -> IRRELEVANT.

March 19, 2018

Law Roach, Z’s stylist, stated on an IG live story that he is Tom’s stylist as well. -> IRRELEVANT. Merely explains why they hang out so much.

March 25, 2018

Per Dom, Tom is on his way to LA. -> IRRELEVANT.

March 28, 2018

Tom sighting at a Chipotle in Northridge (Z’s neighborhood). -> It is known he was staying with Zendaya in LA.

March 29, 2018

Tom and Z spotted by several fans at Crossroads Kitchen, a vegan restaurant.  According to a fan, Tom photographed Z with the fan at the restaurant. 

Note:  Tom met Jake Gyllenhaal at Crossroads Kitchen. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

They were also spotted shopping together (shoes, comic books, etc.).  They were photographed posing together with a Spider-man statue outside the Golden Apple comic book store. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. Also looks like a pap walk. Two actors from the Spiderman movies going out to buy comics and posing with a Spiderman statue. 🤡

It appears Tom was wearing Z’s t-shirt, and they were wearing matching shoes. -> ASSUMPTION.

March 30 - 31, 2018

Tom photographed by paparazzi leaving Z’s house with his luggage on March 30. -> Tom is staying with Zendaya while in LA.

Tom departs LA and arrives in London. -> IRRELEVANT.

April 19, 2018

Tom departs China for LA. Z spotted at a gym in her area.  We all know Z rarely, if ever, goes to the gym, and Tom has been spotted in the past at a gym near where Z lives. -> IRRELEVANT.

April 27-30, 2018

Tom and Z spotted together by fans at a theater in Northridge seeing Infinity War (IW) on April 27. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Tom and Z attend City Year LA Spring Break: Destination Education at Sony Studios on April 28. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Z and Tom spotted by employees at the In N Out Burger drive-thru in Northridge on April 28. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Tom and Z spotted at a theater seeing IW again on April 29. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Tom and Z photographed by a fan at Home Depot.  Note: Tom went to carpentry school. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

May 1, 2018

Tom photographed by the paparazzi leaving Zendaya’s house with his luggage, and was spotted by a fan at LAX. -> Instead of staying at a hotel, Tom stayed at Zendaya’s place again.

May 2, 2018

Tom in London.  Z attends College Signing Day event in Philadelphia. -> IRRELEVANT.

May 8, 2018

Tom posts a photo of Z at the Met Gala on his Instagram account. -> Co-workers/friends supporting one another.

June 1, 2018

Z wishes Tom a happy birthday on Instagram. -> Co-workers/friends supporting one another.

June 23, 2018

Jack, @tomdejaa, Instagram, asked Tom at the Seattle Comic Con if he was okay with Tomdaya shippers, and Tom said, it’s fine. -> What was he going to say? “Fuck off”?

Zendaya in London for Spider-man Far From Home

-> I could sum the entire weeks up as “co-workers-friends hanging out together because at the time, they were filming together. 🤡

June 24, 2018

Zendaya arrives in London. -> IRRELEVANT.

June 25, 2018

Tom returns to London from Comic Con in Seattle. -> IRRELEVANT.

July 11, 2018

The content drought is finally over.  Tom and Z were together today watching the soccer game.  It appears they may have had lunch together too. -> The drought” is over because they are literally working together. They have no choice but to spend time together.

July 14, 2018

Tom, Z, Jacob Batalon and Tony Revolori attend Lovebox 2018 in Gunnersbury Park, London. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

July 21, 2018

Tom and Zendaya were spotted together by fans.  According to one fan, they saw Incredibles 2 with cast members. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

July 29, 2018

Tom and Z sighting on the Tube in London along with Jacob and Tuwaine. They visited the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London.  Tom’s Mum and Dad visited as well.  Afterward, they dined at a nearby restaurant with Tom’s family. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Tom is wearing a Daulton jersey.  Darren Daulton, nicknamed Dutch, was an American professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies…

Note:  Tom’s nickname is Dutch.  He stated this in an interview with Z. 

@currentlyinterested asked me if I think Z got Tom the Phillies jersey when she went to Philadelphia for the College Signing Day event with Michelle Obama.  Yes! Yes, I do. -> All 3 are ASSUMPTIONS/INTERPRETATIONS.

August 3, 2018

Tom and Z along with Jacob, Tony, Remy, Darnell, and Zach bowled and played arcade games tonight at the Hollywood Bowl in Watford.  Z and Tom played air hockey together and sat next to one another. -> They sat next to one another :O - On a ”serious” note: co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Someone commented on an Instagram post of a fan photo with Tom that Tom and Z are at the cinema in Kingston all the time. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

August 4, 2018

Tom was with friends and family at the Shoreditch House tonight and Z tweeted:  When people don’t directly ask you to go somewhere you didn’t wanna go and they also know you didn’t wanna go, but you still feel a way.

Shoreditch House is a mostly private members’ club with a rooftop pool, restaurant, bar, and hotel. -> IRRELEVANT.

August 11, 2018

Tom and Z were spotted at the Secret Cinema in London along with FFH cast and Haz. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

August 13, 2018

Z and Tom were spotted with Tuwaine, Harry, and Haz at the cinema in Watford this evening. -> Co-worker/friends hanging out together.

August 19, 2018

Tom, Z, and Spidey cast spotted by fan in Hertfordshire. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

August 22, 2018

Tom was at Z’s hotel. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. How do people know Zendaya’s hotel though? 👀

August 27, 2018

Z & Tom had dinner in St Albans with Z’s mom and Kamil.

Z & Tom sat together.  Z left the restaurant as the fan who saw them took a photo with Tom.

Tom was wearing an AllSaints t-shirt that looks exactly like the one Z was wearing last week.-> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

September 1, 2018

Z’s birthday

Tom posted this on Instagram:  “Me, myself and the birthday girl. Happy birthday mate - keep killing it and paving the way for the rest of us ♥️”  -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Tom, Z’s fam, friends, and some Spidey cast and crew had a dinner party in the Silver Room at Annabel’s, a private Members’ Club, in London.  Tom has a membership to this club.-> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Z posted a story showing the paparazzi following her vehicle after she left Annabel’s. -> They wanted to catch Zendaya leaving with Tom, which would make the “relationship“ more believable. They didn’t leave together.

September 2, 2018

Skai Jackson’s mom, @kiyacole, who follows and is followed by Law, responded to an anti on a post about Z’s “real-life boyfriend Tom Holland” on the justjared Instagram account:

@kiyacole:  “Yes.  It’s true.  They been on the low for a while.”

Law responded but later deleted:  “@kiyacole  Really?  And how would you know.”

And how would you know.”

-> THIS IS A BIGGGG ONE FOR TOMDAYA STANS. They believe it’s evidence and outs them as a couple. What it actually is? A person, who absolutely knows nothing but pretends she does for attention.

September 3, 2018

Claire, Z’s mom, posted on Instagram, “A Wise Woman Once Said Nothing!” and “#truth #butiwanttobepetty”.  Was this in reference to @kiyacole’s comment? -> ASSUMPTION. TO ME, it’s meant in a “Don’t talk when you don’t know anything.” way, not a ”You just outed my daughter’s relationship” way. But this can be interpreted anyway you want.

September 4, 2018

@kiyacole, Instagram, posted on her account that she had been hacked.  Commentators on the post called her out on it stating she had posted stories of herself around the time of the alleged hacking. -> She wasn’t hacked, she just stuck her nose into other people’s business. She said later on: ”I don’t know who is dating who nor do I care.” She didn‘t know though she cared enough to comment. She did it for attention.

Czech Republic

September 10, 2018

Tom & Z spotted on a flight to Prague.  Z photographed Tom with fans at the airport in Prague.  Z and Tom left the airport together. -> Co-workers/friends catching a flight together to the next filming location.

September 11, 2018

Tom and Z photographed separately with fans in Prague. -> Two actors spotted at a new filming location.

September 12, 2018

Tom & Z spotted together in Prague today getting into a taxi together. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together, traveling due to work together.

September 16, 2018

Z’s cousin, Whitney, liked several Tomdaya posts on Instagram. -> IRRELEVANT.

September 17 - 19, 2018

Z and Tom filmed night shoots on the Charles Bridge in Prague.  They shared a sweet moment hugging during a break. -> Co-workers/friends working together.

September 24 - 25, 2018

Tom and Z were photographed in a hotel in Prague.  Z was wearing the same dress she wore while filming with Tom on the Charles Bridge last week.

A fan spotted both Tom and Z alone at 1:00 a.m. on the 25th near the Prague castle where FFH was filming that night.  They were wearing their coats so they were not filming at the time the fan stopped them to get Tom’s autograph. -> Co-worker/friends working/hanging out together.

Venice

According to a longtime Italian fan who delivered gifts to their hotel, Tom and Z shared a room at Hotel Danieli where they were staying in Venice. -> A fan wouldn’t have that knowledge. Sharing a room, while working, is highly unprofessional. Hanging out in one room together/sharing a room - there is a difference.

September 26, 2018

Tom and Zendaya arrived together in Venice with Darnell in tow.  The rest of the cast took a separate flight and boat to this destination. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

September 27, 2018

Tom and Zendaya were spotted and photographed by the paparazzi and fans in Venice along with Martin Starr, Darnell, Jacob, and Tony.  Tom was wearing the Tomdaya flannel shirt today. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. There is no such as a “Tomdaya” flannel shirt, it’s a shirt that both Tom and Zendaya were wearing. Does sharing clothes proof that you are dating? No.

September 29, 2018

Tom’s grandparents arrived at his hotel around 4 pm.

Several videos were posted by fans of Z sitting with Tom and his grandparents at a restaurant/bar at the hotel where they’re staying.

According to a fan, “So as far as I can tell from the two hours they spent in the hotel, they sat next to each other for a really short time. They even had two different tables. Z was at the table with Jacob and two other guys, while Tom was w/ his grandparents, Harry and another guy. While they were together, they didn’t do anything that could make you think they’re dating.“ -> Maybe, because they are not dating?

Z, Tom, and Jacob were photographed with a fan while at this restaurant/bar.

Z and Jacob departed the hotel via boat to an unknown destination.

Tom changed clothes and returned to the restaurant with his grandparents and Harry.

Tom and Harry departed from the hotel on another boat to an unknown destination.

Z posted two stories of herself sitting with Jacob at what appears to be a lounge.  One story was muted.  The other story included Remy.  Darnell posted a story at the same location one hour later which showed Tony and his family there.  Crew member, Danni, posted a story at the same location three hours later.  Harry was in Danni’s story.  Analysis:  Tom was also there. -> All of the above: Co-worker/friends hanging out together.

September 30, 2018

Tomdaya Fam Day

Tom and Z toured Murano, an island near Venice, with Tom’s grandparents and Harry. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together. Zendaya was tagging along as a friend.

Tom and Z were photographed with a fan at their hotel.  Both Z and Tom had obviously just showered. -> They are spotted together because they are staying in the same hotel. Implying that they showered together is clownery at this point.

That night, Tom, Z, Tom’s grandparents, and Harry depart the hotel via a boat. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 1, 2018

Tom and Z were spotted having dinner together by a fan’s mom. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 2, 2018

Tom and Z were photographed at a restaurant in Venice.  Martin Starr and Jacob were also there. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 3, 2018

Spider-man Far From Home wrapped filming in Venice.

Tom and Z were spotted at the Skyline Hilton (rooftop) Bar in Venice.

In a video taken of Tom and Z at the Dandolo Bar at the Danieli Hotel in Venice, it appears they are sitting next to one another in a settee. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 4, 2018

Zendaya spotted at Newark Liberty International Airport.  She later posted a story from her home in LA. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 5, 2018

Z confirmed she is in LA for a couple days and will soon be in NY. -> IRRELEVANT.

Tom was spotted by several fans en route from Atlanta to La Guardia. -> IRRELEVANT.

New York

Z and Tom at a restaurant in Brooklyn, NY (exact date unknown). -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 6, 2018

Z and Noon departed for NY, and were spotted at JFK. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 9-10, 2018

Tom was spotted on another flight from Atlanta to New York. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 12, 2018

Tom and Z filmed Spideychelle scenes in NYC.  Their chemistry was insane even with Tom in full Spider-man costume.

Z and Tom were filmed sparring together and were also spotted hugging in between scenes on set.  This was in preparation for a scene. -> Them having „insane“ chemistry is an INTERPRETATION.

After they wrapped for the day, Tom waited in his vehicle while Z greeted fans and then departed the set after Z had left in her vehicle. -> This is what a fan said and making it look like Tom waited for Zendaya is an INTERPRETATION.

An accounting of one fan, @parkerxdaya, Twitter, who was on set that day:

There are a lot of pictures of Zendaya smiling while filming the scene with Tom as Spider-man. I hope you all know that if she is smiling in the picture, that is ZENDAYA not MJ. MJ is frightened during the scene, then a little uncomfortable, then concerned. Her expressions during the scene were serious. But in between takes, her and Tom laughed, joked around, danced, made fun of us, waved to other fans, talked to Jon, Harry etc. It was very windy, so yes Tom helped fix her hair at points. It became a problem during the scene because her hair would cover her face. They would cut, laugh about it, and would go again. However, that video of them play fighting and running in place, then hugging, was just them tiring themselves out and picking up where they left off from the other scene. That does not take away from the fact that it was super cute. Zendaya looked so genuinely happy, and it made ME happy to see her so happy. I couldn’t see Tom’s face with the mask on, but I just know he had a dorky smile on his face the whole time. They both were so comfortable with each other. -> INTERPRETATION.

October 13 and 14, 2018

Tom and Z filmed on a closed set.  Leaked videos from the set on the 14th revealed an additional Spidey and MJ scene that was filmed outdoors in front of a blue screen. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 15, 2018

Z and Tom were photographed with young fans during a break while filming at the Newark NJ airport. -> Co-workers working together. 🤡

October 16, 2018

Remy, Jacob, Zach, and Tony have all wrapped.  It’s Tom’s last day filming.  Z is still in NY.

Tom posted a pic of himself with Z as Spider-man and MJ on Instagram when he wrapped filming Spider-man Far From Home in NY.  -> WORK RELATED.

October 18, 2018

Tom appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Brooklyn show. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 19, 2018

Tom and Z were spotted together at the play American Son on Broadway. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 20, 2018

Tom and Z photographed sitting together at Peaches Restaurant in Brooklyn.  Z and Tom spotted and photographed shopping in SoHo.  They were also photographed outdoors in SoHo with Noon and company. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

October 22, 2018

Z was spotted by fans in NY. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 23, 2018

Z’s Instagram story:  “Always working…”  She appears to be doing a photoshoot.  No sign of Tom. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 26, 2018

Tom posted on Instagram:  “Went to do some work on chaos walking with @dougliman.” -> IRRELEVANT.

October 28, 2018

Z spotted at JFK and LAX. -> IRRELEVANT.

October 29, 2018

Tom spotted in London. -> IRRELEVANT.

November 12 - 19, 2018

On November 12 and 13, Tom participated in the Cooking with the Avengers event at the Russo brothers’ restaurant and bar.

Tom and Z were spotted having dinner. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

Tom was on the set of Euphoria visiting Z. -> Co-workers/friends supporting one another.

On November 17, Tom and Z were spotted at the Arclight theater at the Sherman Oaks Galleria mall near Northridge. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together if truly happened.

On November 19, Tom was spotted in Beverly Hills. -> IRRELEVANT.

November 24, 2018

Tom at Z’s after Thanksgiving party. -> Co-workers/friends hanging out together.

November 25, 2018

Tom returned to London.

Tom and Zendaya obviously spend a lot of time together but there is not even a little bit of „evidence“ that they are dating. People who see chemistry between them, who get couple vibes from them or are convinced they are dating? It’s their perception, their interpretation of events but absolutely nothing in this timeline “exposes“ them as a couple. They are spending time together because Spiderman 2 is in pre-production and then the filming process has started. Would they spend AS much time together if it wasn’t for work? I personally doubt it.

TO ME, they are definitely friends. They do PLAY IT UP for promotional purposes though. This is how Hollywood works.

What doesn‘t confirm a relationship:

- spending time together

- sharing clothes

- staying over at someone‘s house

(And that’s basically all we get from Tom and Zendaya. Plus, them denying dating rumors.)

[pitubea1910]

Venice

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

Words: 7k

Warnings: -

Tags: -

Request: -

Notes: I didn’t review this so I apologise for any mistake! I hope you like it and, please, leave some feedback so I know if you do :)

MASTERLIST

Venice.

Paris.

Summer.

Friends.

Peter.

That was going to be the first weeks of your holidays. A summer school trip around Europe. What else could you ask for? It was the perfect plan for what it promised to be the perfect summer.

Excited?, Peter’s text said the night before your departure.

You smiled at the screen while you brushed your teeth. Holding the toothbrush with your mouth, you texted him back:

Very! Its gonna be awesome.

You put your phone down and finished washing your teeth before going to your room where you still had some more packing to do. Your mum had been obsessed with this trip and had made like three to-do lists. She was driving you crazy. But you knew she was just worried. It was your first time out of the country and out of New York, so she was kind of losing it.

But you couldn’t be more excited. And you were a bit shy to admit that a big part of that excitement was because of the thought of spending some more time with Peter away from everything.

Peter and you weren’t dating, although it really felt that way. You used to spend most of the time out of school together, he would come over your house -or you would to his- almost every weekend for movie night and you could always fall asleep on his chest. It would be his aunt or your mum finding you cuddled up in the middle of the night with an already finished movie playing on TV. He would take every chance he got to touch you in any way possible: a lose strand of hair, something on your cheek, anything. And you loved his contact, you loved hugging him, feeling his arms around you.

You knew you liked him and you were 98% sure he liked you too, but neither of you had had the courage to take that last step that had you on the ‘friends’ stage. Maybe this trip around Europe could fix that.

Next morning, your mum dropped you off at the airport before going to work. She tried to hide it, but you could the tears on the corner of her eyes when she hugged you goodbye.

“Mum, I’m going to be okay”, you chuckled squeezing her hand. “It will be just three weeks.”

“I know, I know”, she nodded. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. “Just be careful, text me as soon as you land and never leave the group alone, alright?”

“Don’t worry, Miss Jones”, Peter’s sudden appearance startled you so much that you were about to hit him, which made him laugh when he caught your wrist just in time. “I’ll keep a close eye on her the whole”, he finished his sentence looking at your mum without letting go of your wrist.

“I trust you, Pete”, your mum said, smiling at him.

“You trust him but you don’t trust myself?” You asked fake offended. You knew how much your mum liked Peter.

“It’s been proved several times that you can’t really be trusted”, Peter teased you with a smile.

“I can’t with you two when you decided to collude against me”, you huffed and looked at your mum. “Aren’t you late for work or something?”

“Yes and now I can go. I know you’re in good hands”, she said with a teasing smile.

Peter let go of your hand so you could hug your mum once again. You took your luggage and looked at Peter with your eyes narrowed, but all he did was smile innocently as you as you made your way into the airport, where you soon saw the rest of your classmates and the teachers that would be coming with you.

“Do you have your passport?” Peter asked.

“Of course I have my passport”, you said, but you checked your bag anyway, making him laugh. “See? Here it is.”

“You didn’t even know if you had it”, he laughed.

“And do you?” You said raising both eyebrows.

“Of course”, he smirked and put his hand into his back pocket, his face suddenly turning white and his eyes widening. “Shit…”, he mumbled.

“Not funny, Peter”, you said crossing your arms.

“I’m not joking”, he said opening his bag pack.

“Peter!”

You both looked to your side to see Aunt May running into the airport holding Peter’s passport in her hand. A huge smirk spread on your lips as she handed it to him.

“You’re a mess”, May said when Peter took it, his eyes burning red. “It fell on the car floor. I told you not to put things into your back pocket.”

“Thanks, May”, he said.

“I gotta go, be careful and call me, alright?” She said giving both of you a quick hug. When she left, you looked at Peter.

“Not a word”, he said, turning to walk towards the class.

“You’re not going to hear the end of this, Parker”, you smiled widely. “Hey, MJ”, you said.

“Hi guys”, she smiled at both of you. “You’re late.”

“Peter forgot his passport”, you were quick to say.

“It was in the car!”, He defended himself.

“Peter forgot his passport in the car”, you said, smiling even more when he glared at you.

“You two are cute”, was all MJ said before turning her attention to the teachers, who were giving the instructions for the boarding of the plane.

You looked at him after MJ said that at the same time he looked at you with a small smile. His hand went to your back where he rubbed small circles like he did so many times. You took a small step closer to him, so your arm was touching his side, and sighed now paying attention to your teachers.

Your dad had warned you about how long the flight was going to be. He was perfectly aware of it since he had to travel to Europe twice a year for his job. But you never thought it would actually be so damn long. And even confusing. By the time you landed in Italy, it was 9 p.m. in New York but it was 3 in the morning in Italy.

The first thing you did was going to your room, which you shared with MJ, to leave your luggage. It was probably the shittiest hotel you had ever seen, but you knew how cheap your school was so you were just glad to have an actual roof over your heads and semi-decent beds.

“How are we supposed to sleep now?” You asked when you took a seat on your bed. “It’s 9 p.m. in New York, I don’t go to sleep for another three hours and we’re supposed to be up in five?”

“Jet lag will hit us hard”, MJ nodded. “I’m not tired either.”

You whined and opened your suitcase to take out your pyjamas. At least you had to give it a try or you would be a mess next morning. You saw MJ doing the same. With a sigh, you got up to take off your jeans when there was a knock on the door.

“Yes?” You asked after seeing that MJ was already without her jeans.

“It’s Peter”, his voice said on the other side of the door.

MJ looked at you and then kept on changing her clothes, but you could see the tiny smirk she had on her face. You pulled your jeans back up and went to the door, opening just a little so MJ wouldn’t be visible.

“What is it?” You asked.

“I can’t sleep”, he shrugged.

“Did you even try?”

“No, actually”, he admitted. “But I’m not tired at all. I thought we could sneak out and go for a walk or something?”

You bite your lip to suppress your smile and looked at MJ for a moment, he nodded eagerly, making you laugh quietly.

“I’m going to grab a jacket”, you said.

“I brought one spare”, he quickly said before you closed the door.

Another thing you loved was wearing his clothes and Peter loved seeing you in them, Plus, your smell would stay afterwards, which he loved even more.

“Okay, give me a second”, you said.

Without even closing the door, you walked back to your bed to take the phone and put it into your back pocket -a small smile appeared on your face when you remembered May scolding Peter for doing just that-.

“Cover for me, please?” You asked MJ, who had taken a book from her suitcase.

“No problem”, she said. “Have fun.”

You winked at her and hurried out of the room, closing the door silently behind you. Peter was waiting for you, leaned against the wall and looking at his phone. When he heard you, he locked the device and put it in his pocket with a smile.

“Where to?” You asked when he handed you his hoodie.

“Given my deep knowledge of Venice”, he said as you two started walking down the stairs, “I suggest we go left.”

“Then we better go right”, you said. “I can’t take any advice from someone who forgets his passport before a trip”, you added.

“I didn’t forget it!” He exclaimed when you walked out of the hostel.

“Shut up”, you laughed covering his mouth with your hand, laughing quietly. “This place has the thinnest walls I’ve ever seen”, you added when he looked at you confused.

Smiling under your hand, he took it and gave it a small kiss that made you blush before pulling it away from his mouth. Yet, he didn’t let go of it. Instead, he entwinned his fingers with yours and started walking to the right of the hostel, leaving the canal to your other side.

“Where are we exactly?” You asked.

“Calle de le Ballote, according to Google Maps”, he said. “If we follow this canal all the way down, we will get to the Grand Canal.”

“I didn’t know we were that close”, you said, getting a bit closer to him when you shivered. “It’s a bit chilly.”

“I know”, he said and let go of your hand to wrap his arm around you, trying to keep you warm.

The street was completely empty, probably because it was almost 4 in the morning of a Tuesday night, but it still was surprising. Since Venice was such a touristic city, you assumed it would be crowded the whole time. Not like you complained. It was really nice to enjoy a walk like that with Peter and tourists coming up and down would only hinder you.

“You know”, Peter said after walking in silent for a few minutes, “I was really excited about this trip.”

“Me too”, you agreed. “It’s the first time I’ve left the States.”

“Me too”, he nodded.

“Liar”, you laughed and he looked at you confused. “You went to Germany a couple of years ago, remember? Stark Internship stuff?”

“Oh, right…”, he nodded. “It was really nice of him to invite me.”

You bite your lip, immediately regretting bringing that up. You knew how much the dead of Stark had affected him. Peter had always looked up to him, even before getting that internship. Now you barely talked about him or anything related to Tony Stark, Iron Man or anything about the last five years. Both of you had been gone, which had made everything so confusing around you. At least, nothing had happened with your relationship. If something, it had only brought you closer.

“Sorry”, you sighed. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No, it’s okay”, he said giving you a little squeeze. “Don’t worry about it.”

But you did worry. You worried about him so much.

“What are you most excited to see?” He asked, changing the topic immediately.

“In Venice?” You asked and he nodded. “San Marco”, you shrugged. “But I’m not going to lie. I would’ve loved to come during the acqua alta.”

“That’s what you told me about the whole place flooded?” You nodded. “It would be a bit annoying, I think.”

“But we would have seen something unique”, you shrugged.

“I guess”, he laughed. “I want to see Il Ponte dei Sospiri. The Bridge of Sighs”, he said.

“What’s that?” You asked.

“Actually, the story is a bit sad”, he said. “The bridge connects an old Inquisition prison with the Ducal Palace, and that bridge was the last walk the prisoners made, sighing, before they died”, he explained.

“Creepy”, you chuckled a little.

“I know”, he nodded. “But the vaulted of the bridge caused the sighs to be heard and the story says that those were the prisoner’s prayers to be reunited with their beloved once they died. Today, couple go under that bridge because the legends says that if you sigh with your beloved, you will be together for eternity.”

“That’s… actually kind of romantic?” You chuckled. “How do you know that? You’ve never too much of a history nerd.”

“I did some research last night to find some place for us to go”, he shrugged.

You couldn’t help but smile and looked up at him, stopping just when you reached the Grand Canal, although you didn’t even pay attention to it.

“What?” He asked looking down at you.

“For us to go?” You repeated. He smiled and took some hair out of your face.

“One of the reasons I was so excited about this trip is because I would get to spend more time with you. And I’m not planning on doing that guided by our teachers.”

“Peter Parker…”, you said, stopping every single impulse that was telling you to kiss him. “Are you willing to break the rules to visit some old creepy romantic bridge with me?”

“Always Jones”, he said, mirroring your smile.

Your eyes went down to his smile and then back to his eyes just to realise that his eyes were doing the same. You have thought about kissing him so many times, but you just couldn’t bring yourself to do it. It was too risky and you were afraid of mis-reading the signals. Maybe he just was really affectionate with you.

However, when he rubbed his cheek and leaned down just a bit, like he was testing you, you really thought it was going to happen. Your hands went to his chest, feeling butterflies not only in your stomach but all over your body. You could feel the warmth of his mouth hovering over yours, just inches away. And suddenly it was over.

His phone started buzzing, startling both of you and making you pull away, your faces completely blushed and your hearts racing faster than ever.

“Sorry”, he mumbled taking out his phone.

“Don’t worry”, you said in the same tone and looked away.

You hadn’t even realised that you had reached the Grand Canal. How could have you been so focused on him not to realise that? Even if it was a bit more crowded than the street where you came from, it still was pretty empty. And yet, it was one of the most beautiful sights you had ever seen.

“Shall we go back?” Peter asked and you looked at him. He was still all flustered and nervous, but you couldn’t blame him, You felt the same. “It’s 4.15 and we have to be up in a few hours.”

“Yeah, sure”, you nodded. “Let’s go.”

Once again, although a bit hesitantly, he wrapped an arm around your shoulder and kept it that way all the way back to the hostel. This time, you walked in complete silence. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all, but you couldn’t stop thinking about how close his lips had been to yours and how much you had wanted that kiss.

“Who called you, by the way?” You asked when you were at the door of the hostel.

“Unknown number”, he shrugged. “I didn’t pick up.”

“Oh”, you nodded and walked inside.

Silently, he walked you to the door of your room where he stood awkwardly, with his hands in his pockets as he waited for you to get the key.

“Here, your hoodie”, you said in a whisper when you had finally opened the door. It was dark inside so MJ had probably fallen asleep.

“Keep it”, he said before you could take it off. “You can give it back tomorrow, don’t worry”, he smiled.

“Thanks”, you smiled back. You loved wearing his clothes. “Thanks for the…walk.”

“You too”, he nodded. “It was great”, he chuckled.

“I hope the next one can be even better?” You said, feeling your cheeks hotter by the second.

“I really hope so”, he nodded with a shy smile. He took a step closer to you and wrapped his arms around you. “Sleep well”, he said in your ear.

“You too”, you said back before kissing his cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

Peter nodded and waited outside until you closed the door and locked it. Only then, he breathed out slowly, closing his eyes and leaning against the wall in front of your door. He couldn’t believe he almost kissed you. He had been waiting so long to do it that he felt like he could kill Nick Fury. Of course he knew it was him who had called him, just like he had been calling for the last few days. But he wasn’t going to let him ruin his trip. He needed this.

***

Just like you knew when you fell asleep, the next morning you were a sleepy mess. You had slept around four hours or even less, so when you went downstairs already dressed to get some breakfast before you left the place to do some tourism you felt like you could fell asleep while walking.

Fortunately, it looks like everybody felt that way. Most eyes were half closed, the conversation was almost non existent and all you could hear were the cups of coffee being left on the wooden table of the dining room the hostel provided.

“How did you sleep?” Peter asked when you took a seat next to him.

“Good I guess”, you sighed pouring some coffee in your mug. “Although it feels like I haven’t slept at all”, you added.

“Same”, he nodded, giving you one of the toasts he had already covered with butter.

“Thanks”, you said.

Ten minutes later, Harrington got up, way too excited, and told you all that it was time to get going. You had a lot to see and no time to waste. You looked at Peter, who looked at you and smiled before kissing your cheek swiftly.

“Let’s go”, he said getting up.

“Can’t I just go back to bed?” You whined when you walked out of the hostel and the sun hit you in the face.

“We’re in Venice, c’mon! Let me see some excitement”, Peter said taking your hand. You fake smiled at him, which made him laugh.

“Hey, Peter! Check this out!” Ned called him.

Peter gave your hand a squeeze before hurrying over to Ned, who was looking at something at the canal. You took out your sunglasses from the small bag you were carrying and put them on.

“I didn’t hear you coming in last night”, MJ said, appearing by your side, as silently as usual.

“I tried not to wake you”, you said. “But it was late”, you added.

“I imagined. Look at your face”, she shrugged.

“Thanks”, you laughed.

You remembered when you first met MJ. She seemed like a weird girl with no many friends. And you had been right. At first, you didn’t want to get too close to her because she didn’t even look like a nice person, but when you got paired up to do a Geography you realised that you two had more in common that what it seemed. It couldn’t be said that you were close, because MJ didn’t get close to people, but you considered her a friend and you had ended up loving her harsh honesty.

A boat big enough for all of you was waiting next to the hostel and, after the teacher exchanged a few words with the driver, you all started to get in. Just like the hostel, it looked like it was going to break into pieces, but it turned out to be more stable than what it seemed.

“Where are we going?” Flash asked with his phone right into his face. You rolled your eyes at that.

“San Marcos”, Harrington said.

With a smile, you turned to look at Peter, who was with Ned at the end of the boat. He was already looking at you and sent you a little wink when your eyes crossed. It wasn’t long before the boat got to the Grand Canal and then it started to go faster, so you had to hold onto the edges so you wouldn’t fall since you were sitting on the edge.

Just like you had imagined, the famous Pizza was crowded with tourists, but you still couldn’t miss the beauty of it all. When you got off the boat and looked around, you were amazed by the white marble that surrounded everything, including the big famous church. Since it was early, you knew the place wasn’t opened to tourists yet, but it was still breath taking.

“Okay guys!” Harrington said, making you take your attention off the façade. “You have an hour to go around as much as you want and then we will go inside the church, alright? Don’t go to far and we will meet at the door in an hour.”

Immediately, everyone started to scatter. You looked around until you spotted Peter who was already walking away with Ned. So you looked for MJ who was taking a photo of the church. When you noticed you next to her, she turned around and took a photo of you, which took you by surprise.

The hour went by way faster than you would have wanted. MJ and you walked around the Piazza taking photos, feeding the pigeons and enjoying some gelato that a very nice man offered you.

“We should go to the church. It’s almost time”, MJ said checking her watch.

“Let’s go then”, you nodded.

“(Y/N)! Wait!” You spotted Peter running towards. It looked like he was coming from the church itself. “I want to show you something”, he said when you two were closed enough.

“We have to be at the church in five minutes, Pete”, you said and looked at MJ who just shrugged.

“C’mon! What if it’s the only time we get to be alone?”

“Besides last night, you mean?” MJ said. Both of you looked at her with an eyebrow raised. “I’m gonna go.”

You chuckled when she walked away towards the church and looked back at Peter, who had such a hopeful look that it was hard to say no.

“I don’t want to get in trouble”, you sighed.

“Please? Mr. Harrington won’t even notice we’re gone”, he said, giving you those damn puppy eyes that always managed to make you do anything.

“Okay, fine”, you finally said, making him smile widely. “But if we get caught, you’re taking the blame.”

“Absolutely”, he nodded before taking your hand and dragging you to where he had come from.

Since you had to walk near the church, you did it walking behind the marble columns that surrounded the whole place. It wasn’t until you had left behind the door of the church that you allowed yourself to slow down and take a breath.

“So where are we going?” You finally asked when Peter leaded you into a small street.

“You’ll see”, he said with a smile not letting go of the hand he was holding.

As it used to happen in Venice, you ended up getting to one of the many rivers that were around the city. Your first thought, was that Peter had got lost, but soon a gondola approached you. You took a step back thinking the man was just going to stop there, but then Peter started talking to the man in English.

“C’mon”, he said after a few moments.

“We… we’re going up?” You asked surprised.

Peter smiled widely and was the first to get into the gondola. Once he had set down his backpack, he turned around again and offered his hand to help you, which you took. The gondolier immediately took his place at the end of the embarkation and started rowing the moment you two were seated.

“I can’t believe this”, you said when Peter placed an arm around your shoulders. “You really arranged this?”

“Ned helped me a little”, he shrugged.

“I’ll thank Ned, then”, you teased. He laughed and pinched your side softly. “Thank you.”

The smile he sent you brought you right back to last night, to the moment you shared just next to the Grand Canal. You felt your cheeks getting warmer when you remembered the shadow of his lips over yours. The fact that you wanted his kiss so bad was even surprising.

“Look”, he said pointing at some point in front of you.

It wasn’t until then that you realised you had been staring at him, taking in every inch of his face like he was a picture you wanted to remember. Blushing even more, you looked in front of you to see a bridge that connected two buildings. It was the strangest bridge you had ever seen. It didn’t start on the ground, its beginning was on a building and the end was on the other one. Just like every other monument you had seen so far, it was also covered in old white marble.

If it wasn’t because of the story Peter had told you last night, you would have never imagined what was so special about it.

“Ponte dei Sospiri?” You asked.

“Exactly”, he nodded looking at the bridge for a moment and then at you. “I want to go under it with you.”

If you sigh with your beloved, you will be together for all eternity.

You looked at him as you remembered what he had told you the previous night. He was looking down at you with that smile he had only for you and those bright eyes in which you could get lost to every time.

“Do I have to sigh?” You said as you got closer to the bridge.

“If you want to be with your beloved…” he said quietly.

Was he asking if you wanted to be with him? Of course you wanted to. But what if he didn’t sigh? What if you were just confusing everything? You looked away from him to find that you were almost underneath the bridge. It was stupid. It was just a sigh, it didn’t have to mean anything… but what if it did?

You took a deep breath and closed your eyes, letting it go in a small sigh just when the gondola was under the bridge. At first, you thought it had been only you, but then you felt Peter sighing against your head and your heart skipped a beat.

It wasn’t until the bridge was already behind you that you opened your eyes again. Biting your lip, you looked at Peter, who was looking at you with a smile as well. He had sighed. You had heard it.

“It…”, you tried to say something but what were you supposed to say? “I liked it.”

“Yeah, me too”, he nodded, his eyes travelling down your face to your lips.

You turned your body slightly and placed a hand on his cheek. You would literally go crazy if you didn’t kiss him right there, at that moment. Peter’s free hand went to your waist, to pull you a bit closer, and was willing to kiss you once and for all when there was a strange movement of water underneath the gondola that distracted both of you.

“What was that?” You asked looking around.

“Waves?” Peter said, but you could see he was actually concerned.

“There are no waves in the canal, Peter”, you said and looked back at the gondolier, who was looking around with a frown as well.

“I think we should get down”, Peter finally said and you nodded in agreement, internally screaming for the interruption. What was wrong with the universe?

Peter asked the gondolier to stop the gondola a few feet further, just next the Ponte della Paglia, so you could get down. Just like before, he got off it first and helped you later. He stopped for a while to pay the gondolier before he took your hand and started walking towards San Marcos again.

“What’s wrong?” You asked when you felt the urgency in his footsteps.

“Nothing”, he quickly said. “I just want to get to the rest.”

Even if you didn’t believe him, you said nothing and followed him. It looked like you weren’t the one who had a bad feeling about what had just happened in the water. Maybe it had been nothing and you were just being paranoid but you hadn’t liked it. When you reached the Piazza again, you spotted your class walking out of the church.

“Just in time I guess”, you said pointing at them.

“Yeah”, he nodded and started walking towards them.

However, you didn’t make it far. You weren’t even halfway there when a loud noise startled you and screams started around you. You turned around and the sigh made you froze in place. A huge wave of water was coming out of Canal, with such strength it destroyed some of the façade around the Piazza.

“What…”, you tried to say.

“Run!” Peter exclaimed. Holding your hand tighter, he started running towards the class, although they were already running in the opposite direction. “Go and hide!” He exclaimed.

“What? Where are you going?” You asked, stopping, when he let go of your hand.

“I’ll catch up! Go!”

“Peter!”

Before you could say anything else, someone grabbed you by your arm and made you run away. It wasn’t until you forced yourself to take your eyes off Peter that you saw it had been Ned the one making you run from Peter.

“Ned we can’t leave him!” You said.

“He’s coming, just run!” He said not letting go of your hand.

With your heart beating faster than ever, you looked back once again, but you were shocked not to see Peter anywhere. It was like he had vanished and you had no other choice but keep on running and trust he was okay.

But what the hell?

***

It had been hours since it all happened.

Luckily, you all had been able to get to the hotel without any injury or any casualty. Everyone except Peter, who you hadn’t seen since he had disappeared in San Marcos. You had tried calling him over a dozen times but his phone was off the whole time. It was driving you crazy not knowing where he was, if he was okay and, specially, why had he left you alone in such a moment to do who knows what.

“I’m sure he’s okay”, MJ, who was sitting on the stairs next to you, said.

“How do you know?” You asked and she shrugged. Really helpful.

“I’m fine, May, I promise”, you looked at the door the moment you heard Peter’s voice.

The moment he walked into the hotel you got up from your spot, but stopped when you saw him completely soaked from head to toe. Except for that tiny detail, he looked completely fine.

“Yeah, okay, okay”, he said and his eyes met yours, a small smile appearing.

But it was the fact that he was perfectly fine that angered you. It wasn’t like you wanted to get hurt, not at all, but the thought of him abandoning you for no reason and then showing up like nothing had happened, made your blood boil.

A couple of minutes later, he hung up the phone and slide it into his back pocket before walking towards you.

“You okay?” He asked, taking your hand in his and looking you up and down.

“Not thanks to you”, you said.

Peter clenched his jaw and looked up at you, since you were still standing on the stairs. It wasn’t the first time he had been forced to run towards the danger since he was Spiderman, but it was the first time someone was angry at him about it. The worst part was the he didn’t think he could blame you. If you knew he was Spiderman, you would probably understand why he had to leave you, but since you didn’t know… it just looked like he had left you.

“Where were you?” You asked.

Peter looked at Ned and then at MJ, both of them shrugged before leaving the room to give you some space.

“I… I got lost in the crowd. It was crazy out there”, he said.

“I noticed. That’s why we all came together to the hostel. You just let go and ran in the opposite direction”, you said. “And you left me alone.”

“You weren’t alone”, he pointed out.

“Are you really going to start with the technicalities?” You asked, pulling your hands away from his and crossing your arms over your chest.

“C’mon, (Y/N)…” he sighed, trying to take your hand again but you wouldn’t give in.

You huffed and turned around to go upstairs, you weren’t even in the mood to talk to him. You were waiting for him to explain himself or at least to apologise, but you got nothing. You just got a couple of stupid excuses that meant nothing and had covered himself with the fact that you weren’t really alone.

But the truth was that he had left you alone and he hadn’t even hesitated. And you didn’t even know why.

***

Peter wanted to follow you the moment you went upstairs, but he knew you well enough to know that it wasn’t a clever move to do. You were angry and needed time to cool off. So he went upstairs as well, but went to his and Ned’s room instead. Once inside, he found his friend sitting on the bed, probably waiting for him to tell him what had happened.

“And now she’s mad at me and I can’t even explain myself”, Peter said when he had finished telling the Elemental story to Ned.

“Maybe you could tell her”, Ned suggested.

“Tell her what?”

“That you’re Spiderman.”

“No”, Peter said immediately. “I can’t do that. I can’t put her in danger like that.”

“I think she’s in more danger not knowing”, Ned said.

“Ned, I can’t tell her”, Peter said getting to take his toothbrush. It was late and he just wanted to go to bed. He was exhausted. “She will probably get even angrier because-“

A thud noise shut him up. He turned around and his eyes opened widely the moment he saw Ned lying on his bed, with a dart stuck on his neck and his eyes closed.

“He will be fine”, a deep voice said from the door.

Peter turned around and his toothbrush felt from his hand.

Nick Fury was at his door.

***

When Peter was allowed to go back to the hostel, it was almost 2 p.m. He felt bad for rejecting the assignment that Nick Fury had tried to give him, but he didn’t feel like being Spideman. He just wanted to enjoy the trip with his friends and spend more time with you. Although, it order to do that, he first needed your forgiveness.  

But how could he do that?

Maybe Ned was right and the only way to actually get you to forgive him was to come completely clean, but how could he tell you such a secret? Would you even be okay with that? He knew you were a big fan of Spiderman, but maybe it all changed if you found out that he was Spiderman. What if you stopped having feelings for him? What if you never had them and you didn’t even care that he was Spiderman?

“Damn it”, he sighed when he walked into the hostel. His head was spinning from everything that had happened that day.

“Now you’re into night lonely walks around the Canal?”

Your voice startled him. He hadn’t noticed you sitting at the breakfast table. You had your phone on your hand and you were looking straight at him.

The only reason you were there is because your mum had been texting you non-stop ever since you arrived back at the hostel. The first thing you had done was calling her to assure her that you were alright, but it didn’t look like it was enough. She was freaking out. So when MJ said she was going to bed, you decided to go back downstairs to call your mum and try to calm her down. Of course, the last thing you expected was for Peter to walk in the hostel just when you hung up the phone.

“Damn, (Y/N)”, he said, a hand to his chest. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t mean to”, you shrugged and looked back at your phone. There was already another text from your mum. You sighed and typed a quick reply.

“Are you okay?” Peter asked, taking a few steps towards you but he stopped, not knowing if you wanted him close.

“Like you cared”, was all you said. He frowned when your words felt like a stab into his heart.

“That’s not fair”, he said.

“Oh, it’s not?” You asked looking at him with fire in your eyes. “Then what’s fair, Peter? You disappearing today? You obviously keeping secrets from me? That’s fair?”

“No…” he said, knowing you had a big point.

“Don’t come at me with what’s fair, alright? You have no right”, you said getting up. Maybe it was time to go to sleep.

“I’m sorry, okay?” He said when you walked by his side, towards the stairs. “I shouldn’t have left you alone. It was a mistake. I thought…”

“You thought what? That I wouldn’t care? Why did you do it?” You asked, crossing your arms over your chest.

Peter bite his lip, looking at you with worried eyes. There wasn’t much he could say. He could tell you the truth or make up some excuse and lie to you again. But the truth was that there was no valid excuse. He had literally let go of your hand and turned around, it was obvious that he hadn’t got lost, that it hadn’t been an accident.

“I can’t tell you”, he said after a few moments. You scoffed and nodded.

“Goodnight, Peter”, you said.

“No, wait!” He exclaimed when you started to walk towards the stairs again.

He had the feeling that if he let you go, he could risk loosing you and the thought of that was even worse than telling the truth.

“I’ll only stay if you tell me the truth, Peter”, you said.

“The truth is not easy to say”, he said.

“What is it? That you have no feelings for me? And that’s why you left me?” You asked angry, even if the thought of that being true was too painful to handle.

“No, of course not”, he frowned. “It’s the opposite. I had to protect you.”

“To protect me?” You laughed. “Peter, you’re 16, what were you going to do?”

“I’m…” he gulped and looked around. What if someone heard? “Can we go out? I need some air.”

You took a deep breath and nodded before walking out of the hostel. You stopped at the door, but Peter took your hand and walked down the street until you were a bit far from the hostel. He couldn’t risk anyone hearing what he had decided to say.

“Okay…”, he covered his face and then looked up at the sky, thinking of the best way to say this. “This is not easy for me to say, alright? The only people who know about me, found it out on accident.”

“What are you talking about?” You asked frowning, now more confused than angry.

“The reason I left you, all of you, to protect you is because I knew I could protect you somehow”, he tried to explain.

“Peter you did nothing. That random Mysterio guy did”, you said.

“I know”, he nodded. “Okay, remember the Stark Internship?” You nodded, even more confused. “It wasn’t exactly an Internship.”

“Oh, so you lied about that too? What else, Peter?” You asked frowning.

“Listen to me, please”, he sighed. “It’s true that I was somehow allied with Tony but not in the way everyone thinks I was. The truth is…”, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, the words on the tip of his tongue and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Drop it, Peter”, you sighed. When he opened his eyes, he saw you shaking your head. “It’s obvious that you don’t want to tell me whatever big secret you’re keeping and I won’t force it out of you.”

“But-“

“I thought we trusted each other enough to be completely honest with each other, but obviously you didn’t feel the same way. It actually looks like you’ve been lying for a very long time”, you said. “Goodnight, Peter.”

Peter frowned as you started walking away. He couldn’t let you go, not like that, not ever. His feelings for you were too strong to do it or to ruin everything because of a stupid secret. He had already allowed Spiderman to come in-between so many aspects of his life, but he wasn’t going to let it come between you two.

“Stop!” He exclaimed, following you, but you didn’t stop, which frustrated him even more.

With a sigh, he hurried to grab you by your arm and turn you around, surprised to see tears running down your face. You pulled your arm from his grasp and tried to keep on your way, but he wasn’t going to have it. Once again, he made you turn around but this time, he pulled you closer and placed a hand on the back of your head before pressing his lips against yours.

Everything disappeared from your mind the moment his lips touched yours. Your stomach turned around and your heart started beating faster than ever when he let go of your arm and slipped his hand around your waist. Peter was kissing you and you were kissing him back and it was perfect. Like the two missing pieces of a puzzle that finally came together. You could just het lost in that moment forever and you would be perfectly happy with everything. However, reality soon came back when you forced yourself to pull away.

“Peter…”, you mumbled.

“I love you”, he said out of nowhere, leaving you speechless. “I’ve known it for a while, but I had never been able to say it. And it is because I love you that I can’t let this secret break us apart.”

You wanted to say something, ask what he was talking about, but all coherent phrase had left your mind and all you could was look at him, waiting.

“I’m Spiderman”, he finally said after a few seconds.

The new piece of information took a while to get to your brain and, when it did, you took a tiny step back, looking at the guy you had loved for months now in a whole new light.

“What?” You asked.

“I’m Spiderman”, he repeated. “I’ve been for a while now and the Stark Internship was just…that. I was in Germany with the Avengers when the Cap and Tony fought, I was in space when Thanos snapped his fingers and I… and I tried to save you all today because of who I am.”

“You…” you frowned.

You were going to say that it was impossible, that he couldn’t be Spiderman, but then the pieces started to fall together and it all started to make sense. His sudden disappearances, how it looked like he and Spiderman were always in the same place at the same time, how he had never been with you when you had seen the superhero and how he suddenly had some family in Germany you had never heard about. And why he was so extremely upset about Tony Stark’s dead.

“You’re Spiderman”, you said in awe. “How… Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t see me the same way, I guess”, he said with fear in his eyes.

“How could I not?” You asked.

“I don’t know”, he chuckled. “I guess you’re so important to me that I was scared that this thing could ruin everything for us. And it turns out that not telling you was what almost ruined everything.”

“I don’t know what to say”, you chuckled, still a bit confused. “I don’t care that you’re Spiderman. I fell for Peter Parker”, you shrugged. “The fact that he’s also a superhero only makes me love him even more.”

“You love me?” He asked, the hear in his eyes turning into hope.

“Of course I do, you idiot”, you chuckled. “Do you think I have that much interest in the Star Wars saga?”

“Hey! Those are classics!” He frowned, making you laugh this time.

“I love you, Peter”, you said before he could protest anymore. “I’ve loved you for a very long time now.”

“And do you forgive me? For…today and for keeping this from you?” He asked, a bit insecure all over again.

“As long as you promise me that no more lying between us”, you said, taking a step towards him.

Peter’s smile came back to his face slowly, feeling how a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders after so long.

“I promise”, he nodded.

With a smile, you placed your hands on his hips and pressed your lips together once again, this time actually enjoying one of the many kisses that you were planning on sharing with him. His hands cupped your face, kissing you back, relieved and happy that he had come clean, that he could be honest with you and that he had actually managed to get the girl of his dreams after loving her for so long.

[bastillewolf]

Midnight In Sheffield (I)

Pairing: Alex Turner/Reader

Summary: When a soon-to-be-wedded insomniac author heads back home to visit her parents, she comes across the likes of a mysterious musician on her sleepless escapade in the AM.

Notes: Not sure if this is going to work out, but I’ve made the creative decision to write a series of Alex Turner fanfics, going down each album and all most likely lightly based off movies. Like the Grand Tranquility Hotel from the Grand Budapest Hotel, this one is based off Midnight In Paris. No need to have seen either movies to read these fics. It won’t take place around the same time, as Sheffield has been through some stuff in the early 1900s. I will keep it all a bit old-school themed, but just won’t name a specific era, so you can take your own spin on it. I’m not familiar with Sheffield at all, never been there, so I’ll keep locations vague and add the Paris theme a bit in there. Hope you tag along for the ride, and let’s have one for the road.

Let me know if you’d like to be added to the tag list!

Chapter I - AM

“I don’t see how this could be more important to you than meeting my parents,” she grumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow she had planted her face in. The sheets of the bed were soft and had a pristine white colour, much to her dismay. The entire hotel room was much too extravagant to her liking, but it was Mark who insisted on paying extra to make their stay most comfortable.

“Please don’t be difficult now, sweetheart,” her fiancée replied, as he set one of his neatly folded trousers in the dresser on the shelf next to where his ironed shirts hung. “You know how much it means to me to be able to see James and Rachel again after all these years. I’m sure your parents will understand. If not, I’ll beg for their forgiveness.” He dramatically bent down to his knee, as if to gallantly portray his apology, making her roll her eyes.

“That wouldn’t be the first thing you’d have to apologize for. First of all, you’re going to have to tell my dad why you didn’t ask for his permission to marry me-“

“You already said yes!”

She shot him a look. “And secondly, you’re going to have to explain to my mum why you didn’t want to stay at their home. I think she would’ve been very happy to play hostess to the man who’s going to marry her daughter in a few.”

He crawled on top of the bed, his curly brown hair hanging over his face as he hovered above her and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be sure to make up for it. Now, please get changed. We’re having lunch.”

“Please don’t tell me it’s going to be at that ritzy restaurant we went to last time. I’m still not over the way that waiter felt the need to explain everything to me like a five-year-old whilst pointing everything out with his little finger.”

“Well, you can’t speak French, darling. I think he tried his best at explaining the menu to you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Just, please stop drooling on the pillow and put on something nice. For me?”

Seeing the convincing puppy look on his face, she gave in with a sigh and a very loud slurping noise as she lifted her head from the pillow, making Mark huff.

 Meeting with James and Rachel wasn’t the worst thing in the world, because she didn’t see them very often and they were overall nice people. At least, if you didn’t count every time James tried to be the smartass of the group by giving some random fact about anything and everything they came across, or if you ignored the way Rachel was evidently very flirty and touchy with Mark, or if you turned your head away every time the couple made those wretched kissing noises as they shared what should be an intimate moment.

What Mark had with Rachel was something she could never come between, something she also shared with many good friends of her own. They were the type who would always share that bond with you, no matter how long you hadn’t seen each other, and she could only be happy that Mark still had friends like that.

His work as a lawyer didn’t allow for him to make all that many mates, as most try to stab him in the back just to be able to get that promotion they wanted. He’d often come home with his head hung low after days like that, when loneliness took over the pride he had of his usually exhilarating job.

And thus, as she watched Rachel hug him extra tight, she kept her mouth shut. It was for the best, and it was only one afternoon she had to endure.

But she vowed to herself to not let it happen at her wedding. That was her day. Fuck Mark and fuck Rachel. She wasn’t going to be left alone dancing with James, who seemed to be known for having two left feet, by her own husband. But that was something she’d have to worry about in the future.

Her worries now were trying to translate a French menu without asking a waiter, deciding which fork to use, and refraining from telling James to shut up about the painting that hung behind him, of which he was giving an entirely unnecessarily intricate description.

“As you can see, the painter made sure the flag of the boat is standing diagonal to the man in the front, to make the artwork a treat for the eye with this interesting form of composition. It makes the scene all the more dramatic, wouldn’t you agree?”

Mark and Rachel hummed thoughtfully, but both were looking at the painting as if it was some Professor Layton puzzle they had yet to solve.

“What do you think?” James turned to her directly, catching her off guard. James usually wasn’t one to ask others for their opinion, so she could only guess it was an attempt to test her bare knowledge on the subject to make himself look like the smarter one.

“I think you said it all, James,” she decided to answer with, “I’m afraid I haven’t thought about art in that way since my classes in school. As of now, I have more important things to worry about than what the composition in a painting is like.”

It was low of her, she knew that, but someone needed to teach him a lesson.

“Ah,” James said, seemingly unfazed by her subtle insult, “Now that you mention it, how’s your book coming along?”

She sighed. Of course, he was going to play that card. She could’ve seen it coming.

Being a published writer of a few mediocre novels she’d written back in school, she was still in search for her new muse, and things were getting a bit desperate, to say the least. She had absolutely no idea what her next story was going to be about, finding everything in her life to be inexplicably boring and explicitly dull.

Not so much to say she wasn’t happy. No, she liked being with Mark. But she couldn’t say her life was a real adventure with him, or anyone for that matter. They lived in an apartment in the big city, where Mark had his day job and she her comfortable bed. He’d come home and she would’ve cooked – whatever attempt it was each time – and cleaned, and perhaps even written down a page or two only to never look at it again.

“Oh, you know. It’s getting there,” she lied, “Inspiration is lacking a bit these days, unfortunately.”

“I’ve always found inspiration to be a bit of a myth,” James said thoughtfully, “Why is it exactly that one particular thing that’s so inexplicable yet so necessary to create something? It seems a bit… I don’t know, like an excuse for some writers. I’ve heard many talk about it seriously, and many call it pure laziness. But then again, I wouldn’t really know much of the matter.”

There was the comeback.

She smiled tightly. “No, you wouldn’t. I can agree that some writers use it as an excuse to hide their laziness, as I find that a lot of characters write their own stories as soon as you sit down and start typing. However, inspiration is indeed something vague, and could be considered a writer’s virtue or downfall. It’s however you approach the subject, and however you try to deal with it or rationalize it as an artist.”

“You’re right, I shouldn’t have even mentioned it. I wouldn’t know much about it, since I’m only an art consultant, after all.” He threw his hands up degradingly.

Fucker.

“Oh, come on, let’s not be so childish. All of our work is equally as important, as long as we’re happy doing it,” Rachel intervened, before raising her glass, “Here’s a toast to inspiration and art!”

Though she was relieved the argument was over and the attention drawn away from her, she couldn’t help but feel that familiar itch from the downgrading undertone in Rachel’s voice. Call it jealousy if you might, but she wasn’t one to let something like that slip from her mind, however many years may pass.

“So, if I may be so bold to ask,” Rachel continued, and the writer had almost collected her guts to blatantly reply with a ‘no’ when the woman was already speaking again, “What are your plans after the wedding? Are you moving? Already thinking about having kids? No pressure, of course.” She laughed with a pitch so high it nearly shattered the wineglass she was bringing to her lips to pieces.

“Oh, she always gets a bit icky talking about having kids,” Mark chuckled, “But if it were up to her, we’d be moving to some remote village in the outskirts of France, living in a tiny apartment until we grow old and turn to dust.”

She shrugged at her fiancée, “Doesn’t sound all that bad to me.”

“That’s because you came up with it.”

“Don’t you want to be closer to your friends?” Rachel asked, “Why move to the middle of nowhere, when you have everything out here?”

“I don’t know. I guess because of the peace and quiet. A simple life, with the bare necessities.”

“I wouldn’t have protested if it wasn’t for my job,” Mark added, which was a blatant lie. She’d heard him cut off her dream many times over for many different reasons. “Unfortunately, my French isn’t good enough to be a lawyer, and certainly not in the outskirts somewhere.”

“I thought you barely spoke a word of French, anyway?” James asked her.

“I know, but I would learn it there. It would be a part of the adventure.”

He snorted, “I’m sorry darling, but adventure is for children. It’s time to grow out of that. Perhaps you should find something you like in a proper job.”

 She’d prompted to walk back to the hotel, through the rain, as Mark, James and Rachel – mostly Mark – had tried to convince her to share a cab with them. But no way in hell would she spend another unnecessary moment with that couple, and Mark knew better than to follow her out, for she would only be walking too quickly for him, and he would have quietly trailed after her the whole way back.

So, when she finally reached the building, he allowed her to soak in the tub for a few hours before finally approaching her.

“He has a point, you know.”

The look she gave him was an evident warning, yet he still had the guts to continue. “I’m not saying you should stop writing. I know that’s your passion. But, I’m asking you to maybe find something that could come close to that in the meantime, at least until you find something to write about. And perhaps, after we get married-“ he kissed her wrinkly palm, “-we could afford ourselves a nice vacation cot somewhere in the outskirts of France, and we could visit it as often as we’d like.”

She pursed her lips, turning her eyes away from his pensively. “I’m not sure your job would allow that. Your vacation days would be limited, and my desires to go on a holiday always growing.”

He smiled gently. “I’m sure we could work it out after I get that promotion.”

She looked at him, her eyes slightly glossy. “I just don’t want to feel like I’m giving up.”

“You’re not giving up, sweetheart. You’re only taking measures to be able to do the things you like, and when things are going well you can set your priorities straight. It’s the better thing to do.”

Her mind might be relieved to hear this solution, but her gut remained ridden with unease.

 “Mark? Are you coming?” she called out, her hand hovering over the doorknob of their room.

“I’ll be right after you!” she heard him say, “Work is phoning me, you go ahead. I’ll take the next cab.”

“Alright, but don’t be too long!”

 They were supposed to meet with their parents that evening to share the big news, but after hugs were shared and multiple cups of tea were had, Mark still hadn’t shown. She was beginning to grow worried when he didn’t pick up his phone, and even went as far as to step outside to frantically see if the connection was better.

After eight missed calls, she finally reached him.

“Can you believe it?” she heard him slur, “I stepped into the same cab as James! We’re at the pub, you should come join!”

Hearing faint noises of protest from others on the other end of the line, she quickly grew more and more bothered. “Mark, we were supposed to see my parents tonight.”

“Oh, we can see them again tomorrow! I figured you needed some catching up to do.”

“You could’ve joined in on that catching up, as they’ve barely seen you three times over the past four years we’ve been together.”

“Please don’t be like that sweetheart, you know I adore your parents. In fact, I’ll come over right now if that’s what you-“

“No,” she quickly cut him off, not being able to stand the mental sight of her parents having to deal with her drunk fiancée. “You know what, have fun. I’ll stay at my parents’ for the night.”

“Sounds like fun! Call me-“

She’d hung up the phone before he could finish his sentence, and had dropped to her knees as she felt her bottom lip tremble. Not wanting to alert the neighbours, she quickly forced her numb legs to work again and strode in the direction of town, a walking route she usually took whenever she was upset when she was young. She sent a quick text to her mum, telling her she’d meet again with them tomorrow and explain what happened. She really couldn’t be bothered right now.

Tears streamed down her face at the thought that her feet were so unwilling to go back to face her parents, who she’d have to disappoint yet again with a disappearing soon-to-be son-in-law. It wasn’t that she couldn’t tell her parents about her problems, it was the thought of disappointing them once again with a mistake she was making.

A horrible, horrible mistake.

She was no longer aware of which way she’d gone, as all shops around her seemed unfamiliar, yet she could’ve sworn she hadn’t messed up any turns in her route.

Wherever she was though, was a beautifully quaint, with antique streetlights and a cobbled road. Shop windows held curtains made from white lace, and showed off vintage clothes and items for a real bargain.

Must be one of those vintage sales, she figured, as her eyes grazed along cars with brands that were so old she couldn’t remember the names of them. Stores like these must attract the more interesting people with vehicles like those.

It was when she saw a polished and brand-new-looking typewriter in one of the windows, she paused. Above it, she saw her own reflection; a puffy reddened face stained with an ongoing array of tears.

“I really hope you’re not crying because you want that typewriter so awfully bad,” a voice spoke.

She whipped around, coming face to face with a man who was giving her a kind look. His eyes were hazel, matching the brown suit he wore, and his head shaved to a buzzcut. He had sharp features, and still looked awfully British.

“I- Uh… No, I’m not,” she stuttered, trying to wipe the waterworks away with her sleeve.

The man then held out a folded cotton handkerchief to her, along with a smile as an attempt to cheer her up. She gratefully accepted both.

“Not any bloke I’d need to beat up, is there?”

She laughed blubberingly, “I don’t think that would be the solution to my problems, but thank you.”

“Thank god,” he huffed, “Because to be quite honest, I can’t throw a punch for the life of me. I would’ve had to ask one of my mates to do it for me, and cheer him on as he’d won my own fight.”

“I don’t think that would count as your fight,” she chuckled.

“Defending a lady’s honour is always my fight,” he replied. He shook his head, “Apologies for the rudeness, miss. Haven’t even properly introduced myself. I’m Miles.”

She gave him her own name, “and it’s nice to meet you, Miles. May I ask what you’re doing about this late?”

He gave her a strange look, “Why, it’s the perfect hour, why wouldn’t I be about? The night has only just started, and one of my close mates is preforming in the pub nearby. Want to join?”

She only took a moment to hesitate, before wilfully agreeing. “Sure.”

[thetriggeredhappy]

Arranged marriage prompt #3 (sniperscout. Duh)

arin if you weren’t basically my little brother i would be super bitter at the amount of bending over backwards i did to try and make this specific request work and also the fact that i wrote like 7k words for this Bit but as it is just know that i do this because i appreciate you very much

(also at some point I'm gonna cross-post this on ao3 for readability but for now, here ya go)

“—which is why we all need to escape from the planet at once before it is covered entirely by magma!”

The room was mostly silent, the only sound the very quiet voices of the translators speaking to their respective world leaders for a few moments. There was then a moment of full silence, which all at once transformed into laughter.

A few people weren’t laughing at all. One diplomat leaned to his translator and began to speak, and the translator started in as well. “I beg your pardon, Mister—“

“King,” he corrected without a beat.

The translator sighed, then repeated the correction to his dignitary and started again. “King Bill-Bel, would you mind clarifying. Are you being entirely serious with us?”

“Of course! My calculations—“

“So you, the elected leader of the lost country of New Zealand,” the translator continued, speaking very slowly, “decided it was time to break almost forty years of complete silence and isolation, and attend this particular gathering of the UN, because you, both the elected leader and head scientific expert for your entire country, allegedly discovered that the world would be covered by magma in the near future? Am I correct in all of this?”

“Yes!”

More laughter from the room at large, several attempts at questions. The laughter and chatter died down as the man who had been sitting next to the king with the queen, whose head had been in his hands for the large majority of the time that the king was speaking, moved forward and shoved the king aside bodily to instead stand in front of the microphone, needing to tilt it down just a bit to speak into it.

“I’m his son,” he said firmly to the security personnel that tried to step forward. He then looked forward and addressed the larger room. “I’m... I’m the prince. My name is Mun-Dee, and I’m the king’s only son. And this man here—“ he pointed at the king, “—is a liar.”

Gasps across the room, muttering. The king tried to move forward again, but was stopped by his wife.

“He was not elected king, it’s a title he took by force and decided on by himself,” Mun-Dee said, voice firm. “Because ten years after our country went underwater, there was some kind of accident. We three, as far as we’re aware, are the only survivors.”

More alarm from the room at large, several dignitaries rising from their seats.

“I’m revoking the earlier request for a motion to collectively leave the earth and submitting a different one instead,” he said, giving a pointed glare to his father. “I’m requesting humanitarian aid and disaster relief funding to search the ruins for any other survivors and to recover any of the art or cultural treasures we can find.”

“You’re not the king!” Bill-Bel tried to interrupt, only to come across as more than a little bit whiny. “You don’t get to do that!”

Mun-Dee glared at him again. “Good luck getting any other funding now that they all know you’re a liar,” he said.

“Prince Mun-Dee,” called one translator. “Is this a sincere request?”

“Yes,” he replied, turning back to the room again. “It is. We need help. Please.”

The cacophony within the room had risen to the point where there was a larger call for a temporary recess. Mun-Dee found himself being escorted along with his mother and father forcefully from the room.

“Good on you, Mun-Dee,” his mom drawled as they were finally brought to a stop a little while away from the conference area, in one of the many large, ornate hallways of the building the UN conference was being held in. “Telling this idiot what’s what.”

“Well, you weren’t going to,” he replied, a little bitterly.

“Why did you do that?!” his dad all but shouted, shaking Mun-Dee by the shoulders forcefully. “Now the human race is doomed, son, doomed!”

His arms were batted away with no small amount of disgust. “You’re a lunatic,” he snapped. “Why should they believe you, and why would they listen anyways even if you were right, which you aren’t, because you’re a lunatic?”

“What gives you the right to stand up and say anything?” the king snapped right back. “First you didn’t want to wear the robes, next you’re shoving me! Right in front of all the other world leaders!”

“I already told you, I’m not wearing the robes. I’d look like an idiot.”

“Everyone loves the robes! They’re fashionable!” Bill-Bel protested, picking at his own robe to demonstrate and gesturing at his wife’s.

“They’re ridiculous. Do you know how much everyone stared at me when I was wearing a robe in public? They were the second thing I bought once I got topside, right after food and before clean drinking water.”

“What about the sunglasses?”

“We live in a lab underwater, I’m still having trouble adjusting to sunlight and whatnot. Can you please go one day without grilling me over every little thing?”

“I’m the king, you’re the prince. That means I’m in charge, not you! What I say goes!”

“Is that right?” Mun-Dee asked, voice dry. “Until when? Until you die? Because if it’s just you dying, we can go ahead and switch rulers as soon as I find a sharp object. Nobody would be able to put me in prison, what with you being the judge jury and executioner as well as king. Since everyone else in our country is dead.”

Bill-Bel looked appropriately scared of the threat, but blustered anyways. “You—until it—until you get married or engaged!” he blurted. “And have someone to rule with you!”

Mun-Dee narrowed his eyes. “Any world leader in their right mind would marry into the “royal family” if it meant inheriting New Zealand and all the cultural treasures in the ruins,” he said, lowering his voice as several other dignitaries were escorted into the hallway as well. “We haven’t given away our territory yet. Nobody would pass that up.”

“Except it can’t be a world leader!” Bill-Bel said quickly, getting desperate now. “Because it... keeps the bloodline clean!”

Mun-Dee dropped his head into his hands, sighing bodily. “Is that right?”

“And your mother’s the advisor to the king, so she gets to pick who it is!”

“Oh, for the love of—now why that one?!” he snapped.

Bill-Bel fidgeted with his sleeve. “Well, we... we just worry about you!”

“You can’t just make up any rule you want, Dad!”

“Yes I can, I’m the fucking king!”

Mun-Dee kneaded at his temples, sighing again, frustration mounting further. “Fine. Fine! Not that I have a choice anyways!” he muttered, tone sarcastic. “Mum, any ideas? Anyone who you’re just dying to marry me off to?”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “What, off the top of my head? I’ll need a minute, here.”

“Lar-Nah,” the king stage-whispered. “You’re meant to not pick anyone so we get to stay king and queen forever.”

“I’ve been queen for exactly two days and I already hate it, Bill-Bel. It’s either this or double regi-suicide.” She glanced around their immediate vicinity, eyes landing on the bodyguard standing nearby them. “Hey, you. Are you married?”

The guard had clearly been listening to the conversation, because he looked absolutely scandalized. “Uh. Yes, I have a wife and one daughter, your Majesty.”

“Damn.” She looked down the hall at the other people gathered, and her eyes landed on one of the translators, the person stood nearest to them. “Hey! You!”

The translator looked up, a bit surprised and visibly distasteful of them. “Yes? Can I help you?” he asked, voice tinted in a way that was immediately identifiable as French.

“Get over here, I have a question.”


“Mum, you’re not serious,” Mun-Dee said, horror rising in his chest as he realized what was going on.”

“Shut up, I’m a queen.” She turned her attention to the translator, looked him up and down. “Are you married?”

“Yes,” the translator said after a second, frowning at the question.

“Hmm. Do you have kids?”

“...Yes, several.”

“Are any of them married?”

“Mum, you can’t just—“ Mun-Dee tried to cut in, but she raised a hand to stop him, still looking at the translator.

“Most of them,” was the reply. “Might I ask where this is going?”

“No,” she said. “Are any of the single ones...” She glanced at Mun-Dee. “...roughly between the ages of twenty-four and thirty-two?”

“Mum,” Mun-Dee tried to protest again, head in his hands.

“Below the age of thirty, please,” Bill-Bel chimed.

“Yes, one of them is.” The translator seemed to sense where this was going and his eyebrows rose for a moment. “My youngest son.”

“A son? Perfect, that was my next question,” Lar-Nah said, thumping her own son on the back, who looked very much like he was about to commit some form of treason. “Can you bring him here?”

“He and my wife are both in the city as well while I am on call for this conference, yes,” was the answer.

“Perfect. Do that.” She then waved the man off, who walked away, looking both confused and exasperated. “There you go. Found him a husband,” she said calmly. “Are we done? I want to go see what the bar is like.”

“I can’t believe you,” Mun-Dee said.

“Lar-Nah, now he’ll get to be in charge!” Bill-Bel whined, clearly upset.

“And you won’t. He can’t be any worse than you. And maybe he can actually get something done. Not like you’re smart enough or I care enough to do anything.”

Mun-Dee was quiet for a second before he forced himself to take a breath. “You know what? If that’s what this takes, then fine.”

-

“Excuse me,” one of the security guards said, standing at attention and stopping Mun-Dee as he entered the hotel that he and his family were meant to stay at along with many of the other officials. “You’re Prince Mun-Dee?”

“Yeah,” he replied, straightening up a little bit. “Uh... at ease?”

The guard shifted into parade rest. “Your Highness, the civilian you requested a meeting with has been searched and brought to your rooms. The guards who did the search reported finding a standard Swiss Army knife in his back left pocket, but otherwise nothing immediately dangerous.”

“Oh, thank you, that’s—“ He stopped for a minute. “Wait, my room? He’s in my room?”

“Yes, your Highness.”

Mun-Dee blinked a few times in shock, mouth moving soundlessly, and the guard started to look nervous.

“I’m sorry, your Highness, but Queen Lar-Nah gave us orders to take him to—“

“Mum,” Mun-Dee groaned, head in his hands again. “God, okay. How freaked out was he?”


The guard’s confusion was only mounting. “Um. The civilian was relatively calm, your Highness.”

“No, be honest with me,” Mun-Dee said, giving the guard a look.

The guard shifted. “He was apparently extremely nervous and somewhat jumpy, your Highness,” he admitted.

“God. Do you remember what they told him?”

“Apparently his father gave him a briefing on the way to the conference hall itself, your Highness. He was already nervous before he was frisked.”

Mun-Dee pushed his sunglasses up to knead the heels of his hands into his eyes, groaning. “Okay. Okay, I, okay. Thank you.”

“We have a guard on staff ready to escort you to—“

“No, I, I have a room key already. Thank you.”

The guard shifted uneasily. “Of course, your Highness,” he said, voice trailing off as Mun-Dee walked away.

-

He stood outside his room for several long moments, key in hand, taking deep breaths, before he moved to open the door and enter.

“Alright, I’m going to preface by saying I’m really sorry and I absolutely wasn’t the one to suggest you go into my literal room and all,” he started in the moment he was through the threshold, working hard to keep his voice level. “I know this probably seems like some sort of, some sort of extremely creepy thing, but I swear I just meant to meet you in some sort of extremely public area so you wouldn’t be uncomfortable—“

“Woah, woah, it’s okay,” he heard, halfway laughed, and managed to get the courage to look up at whoever the hell his mother had decided he was apparently going to get married to. And he was glad that the man kept talking, because his voice got stuck in his throat for a few moments. “Uh, your Majesty. Or—no, shit, your Highness. That’s what I’m supposed to call you, right? Or, wait, I’m not supposed to swear, fuck—shit—uh, frick.”

The man looking at him was, to put it frankly, very cute. His clothes fit him in a way that suggested some workable amount of muscle but probably not bodybuilding, and his hair was a little tousled on one side, and he had freckles on his face and on the visible parts of his arms, and he had a dimple when he smiled, and most notably he had these big cute front teeth that made him want to smile right back. He was sat on the little couch next to the dining table, cross-legged and vaguely casual while still clearly being some amount of nervous.

“It‘s alright,” he managed to say, waving off his apologizing quickly. “Uh.”

Silence for a second.

“I’m so sorry,” Mun-Dee said again. “This is probably bizarre.”

“I mean, yeah,” the guy shrugged. “But, y’know. It happens. Uh, your Highness.”

“You don’t need to call me that,” he said, waving it off again and instead holding out his hand. “You can just call me Mun-Dee. That’s my name.”

“Cool! You can call me Jeremy,” he said, standing and accepting the handshake, then looking Mun-Dee up and down once in a very obvious way. “Woah. You’re, uh, you’re really tall. Is everyone from New Zealand like that?”

“Yeah, actually, all three of us,” Mun-Dee said, a bit of sarcasm in his voice, and Jeremy frowned.

“Huh?”

Mun-Dee sighed heavily, sitting down on the couch and resting his elbows on his knees. He saw Jeremy sit as well in his periphery. “Well, you might’ve heard. New Zealand sunk itself into the ocean to make itself an isolated little utopia something like forty years ago. But what you probably didn’t hear is that ten years after that, a bit less than thirty years ago, there was some sort of accident. The dome broke, the entire place flooded. Everywhere except for one tiny little water-sealed laboratory. As far as we know now, there were only three survivors. My dad, my mum, and me.”

Jeremy gave a low whistle. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” He took a breath, pulled his sunglasses off to rub at his eye. “That was when I was just a baby, not quite a year old. Learning to crawl and all. Lucky I wasn’t outside of the lab when it happened.” He put his sunglasses on. “Regardless, that’s where I grew up, locked in a laboratory a few miles below the sea. Learned how to talk, learned to read—mostly taught myself with the books we had. Figured out how to access old archives and whatnot with some of the technology we had when I got bored of the old reading material. New Zealand and Australia apparently swapped technology for art back before the dome, before relations turned sour and we got somewhere near a nuclear war, we got some digital archives of old literature on tablets and the like, I ended up reading plenty of those.”

Jeremy was giving him a blank look at some of the terms he used, so he moved on, putting the sunglasses back onto his face.

“Anyways. My dad is an absolute lunatic, every few weeks he’d “discover” some new apocalypse that was about to happen,” he said, doing air quotes for emphasis. “And mum was just a drunkard and barely cared to correct him half the time, so most of my learning was self-taught and from finding videos and movies in the archives to get a grasp of what the world must be like. Then when I was about fourteen I figured out that there was something fishy about what my dad was always ranting about, and I found out that the world hadn’t actually ended up on the surface like he always said it had, and what happened to New Zealand, everything. By the time I was sixteen I was working on getting my dad to try and build a submarine, by the time I was eighteen I figured out that he’s also an idiot and that I’d be better off figuring out how to do it myself so we wouldn’t all die the second we got in the water because he forgot... I dunno, air or something.”

“Woah, you made a submarine?” Jeremy asked, eyes wide now. “On your own?”

“Only took me a few years once I found some blueprints,” he agreed. “And it didn’t need to be much, just enough to get me topside, and to some sort of landmass. Then, when I was about twenty-three, I managed it, and ended up in Australia. There was a bit of an issue for a day or so before they figured out what to do with me. New Zealander shows up from the bottom of the ocean and all on a public beach, it... it caused some problems. Eventually the deal was made that I could stay for a little while as long as it was kept secret where I was from, and didn’t leave the town I was in, and as long as I left once they had a good submarine to send me back with. Spent six months there, then when I went back, spent years pestering my dad into letting us all leave for real. It took that long for my dad to figure out that he could just go ahead and call himself the Crowned King of New Zealand since there wasn’t anyone else alive who could contest him on it.”

Silence for a moment. “That’s it? He just—“

“Yeah.” Mun-Dee ran a hand through his own hair fretfully. “And I guess I just... I just wanted to tell you. So you’d know what you were getting into if you agreed to any of this.”

Silence again. He didn’t dare look up at Jeremy.

“I’m sorry, I should never had tried to bring anyone else into this—“ he hurried to say.

“No, no you’re fine, I just—“ Jeremy laughed, a little nervously. “I just, okay. So that wasn’t some kind of joke.”

He couldn’t help but laugh too, the sound oddly infectious. “What kind of joke would that be?” he asked.

“I dunno, you tell me, what sounds more like a thing that happens to people, right? Either a prince from a goddamn fairytale lost city shows up and asks for your hand in marriage, or your asshole dad is playing a weird fucked up prank on you. Wouldn’t be the first time he tried to mess with me like that, he’s the worst.”

“The, er, translator?” Mun-Dee asked, just for confirmation’s sake.

“He’s not even a translator, that’s not even his job, he just got asked to come work as a translator because he knows a bunch of languages and stuff like that. He does some sorta other... whatever. International somethin’. I dunno. Good excuse to drive up to New York and all, though.”

“You’re American, then? You have an odd accent, don’t quite sound like it,” Mun-Dee said.

“Yeah, Boston, Massachusetts, it’s just sorta east from here. It’s in America, it—there’s a lot of American accents, big country and all. You’ve never heard an East Coast accent?”

“I live at the bottom of the ocean, there’s a lot of things that I don’t know,” Mun-Dee replied, a little bitterly, looking off at one of the decorations in the room. A pause. “Really, though. I… I know this will probably be a series of conversations and all, but… I, the offer is genuine. This—I’m serious. About…”

Silence. “About the whole marriage thing.”

His expression tightened. “Right. That.”

“Y’know, you’re gonna have to say it out loud at some point.”

He ran a hand down his face. “I know.”

“...And you’re gonna have to look at me at some point.”

He squeezed his eyes shut. “I know.”

“Hey,” Jeremy said, and hesitated for a moment before putting a hand on his arm, and Mun-Dee’s eyes instantly were whipping around to look at the point of contact, more incredulous than startled. “Look, I, I’m just as confused as you are, here. Just… let’s talk about this, okay?”

He swallowed hard. “I just, I really am sorry to drag you into all this, and… full disclosure, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. I’ve spent my entire life around exactly two other people and… and watching videos on screens, and reading, and trying to get a handle on what humanity is supposed to be like. First half of my life was spent…” He scratched idly below one ear, searching hard for his words. “...I spent years and years thinking we were the last people alive on the planet, and that meant that humans were absolutely done for, and… I’m no good at this. Any of this.”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Jeremy said, moving to squeeze his shoulder, and it sent a wave of comfort through him unlike anything else. “Look, if anything this is just… real flattering, huh? And, y’know, at least my Ma will like you, you’re… tall, and real polite, and, can read. And this’ll, I dunno, really set me apart from all my brothers, showin’ up back home from a weekend trip with fuckin’... Prince Charming.”

He scoffed, felt himself starting to smile. “Hardly very charming.”

“Nah, you are, just in your own sorta… weird nerd way,” Jeremy assured, and thumped him on the shoulder. “Like, uh, like in movies when there’s… wait, you know movies, right?”

Mun-Dee made a see-saw motion with his hand. “If they came out about fifty years ago, sure,” he said.

“Hey, that can be a start!” Jeremy chimed, thumping him again. “We can go out and see some movies. That’s some classic first date material.”

“That’s real, then? Not… one of those things that gets made up for films and books and the like?” Mun-Dee asked hesitantly.

“Yeah! Movies kick ass. And comics and stuff, I’m big into comics.”

Quiet for a second. “So we’ll go on a date, then?”

“Yeah. What, you think I’m gonna marry a guy without taking him on a date first?” Jeremy joked.

Mun-Dee shifted. “That’s… reasonable,” he acquiesced without fanfare. “Could you, er… is it off the table to… for you to just say we’re engaged?”

Jeremy’s eyebrows rose.

“It’s just—one reason I’m doing this—“ and since when did it become just one reason, not the reason? “—I’m not allowed to take on the power to make official orders and the like until I’m engaged and “have someone to rule with”,” he said, doing air quotes.

Jeremy’s face screwed up as he tried not to laugh. Mun-Dee frowned. “No, no, just… that’s not how you do air quotes,” he said at the look.

Mun-Dee frowned further. “What?”

“You don’t fuckin’ wave your hands all over the place like that. You just sorta,” he said, and demonstrated a much more subdued version of the movement, hands just bobbing in front of him. “Like that.”

“Oh.” He felt his face heating up. “I’ve only ever seen my dad do them. And he does them like,” and he waved his arms around again.

“Yeah, well, he’s also totally batshit,” Jeremy laughed. His expression fell a little. “So I guess it’s probably a good idea for him to sorta… not be king anymore.”

Quiet for a second. “But you’re taking the idea seriously? You really are considering…” Mun-Dee trailed.

“I guess I am.”

“I—“ he started, and had to take a breath to find the right words. “I just wanted to reiterate, you… there’s not much to gain from all this. You’d be marrying into a kingdom of absolutely nothing. This doesn’t come with… with political power, or financial stability, it would mostly just come with a good bit of media attention and… and teaching me how the world works, and traveling, and… talking to all sorts of people.”

“Hey, I like attention and I love to talk,” he shrugged.

“How much do you know about world politics, exactly?” Mun-Dee asked.

“Not a lot,” Jeremy admitted. “But my dad knows all sorts of shit. He could probably tag in, help with some of that stuff.”

A pause. “And I don’t know how much you’ll be seeing of me, I imagine this might have… a lot of work involved, a lot of sleepless nights. Research and the like. And I’m not terribly interesting.”

“You live at the bottom of the ocean,” Jeremy deadpanned.

“That’s not a good thing!” he protested, a little weakly.

“C’mon,” Jeremy laughed, and leaned in, cupped his cheek, and it stole the breath directly out of Mun-Dee’s lungs. “Quit trying to talk me out of this before I’ve even agreed to it all the way. I’m tellin’ you, first date. If we figure out that we hate each other on the date then, hell, I’ll just be on the books as the guy you’re engaged to long enough for your dad to go fuck off, and you can find somebody else.”

“Right,” he said, exhaled. “Right.”

A pause, Jeremy’s hand dropping from his cheek to instead thread their fingers together idly. “Hey, what’s the deal with titles, anyways? If you’re gonna be king, would that just make me… other king? King Two?”

“Technically I wouldn’t be king until my mum and dad both die,” he corrected lightly.

“Prince Two?”

“I think the title would be Consort, Prince Consort then King Consort,” he replied. “You’d probably start going by Prince Jeremy.”

“And, uh, if we figure out like months down the line that… I dunno, you’re like, allergic to all the shit I like and we can’t put up with each other anymore, what’s the plan there?”

Mun-Dee considered the question. “I suppose you’d be the Prince Consort at that point. You could make up whatever rules you please in terms of divorce and the like. I won’t fight you on it, I, I know this is already… a lot to be agreeing to in the first place.”

“Eh,” he shrugged. “I mean, it was this or go out to dinner with my mom and shitty dad for more “family bonding” bullshit,” he said, only using one hand for air quotes to leave the other one tangled with Mun-Dee’s. “Prince Charming sounds like a way better deal to me.”

“You’re,” he started to say, and couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled forth to interrupt him. “I, I suppose that’s fair.”

A pause. “Hey, if stuff goes well, you’re gonna need to actually propose, by the way,” he added. “With a ring and stuff.”

“Right. Also fair.”

“And—“ he started to say, paused, “—and I already sorta promised one of my brothers that he gets to be best man at my wedding eventually, so, we’ll have to figure that out. Whether we both have best men, or what the deal is.”

“As of right now I know exactly two blokes and one of them is you and the other is my dad,” Mun-Dee deadpanned.

“Right. Bottom of the ocean.” A pause. “Y’know, I never thought about the best man thing being an issue until just now.”

“Never thought about weddings much?”

Jeremy laughed, but there wasn’t much humor in it. “More like… the liking guys thing being kinda… new.”

A pause. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Just—only just started figuring that out a few months ago.” Another pause. “So what I’m saying is that I don’t really know what I’m doing here either. We’re both kinda rookies.”

“Well,” he tried to say, but he didn’t exactly have much experience comforting people, so it took a little while to find the right words. He took a moment to squeeze Jeremy’s hand. “Well, first date first.”

Jeremy exhaled, not quite a sigh. “Yeah.”

“Then whatever comes after that… after that.”

“Yeah.”

A pause. “Sorry.”

He laughed. “What are you sorry for?”

“I’m… a mess at this. I’ve… bottom of the ocean, I’ve never… dated. Or had friends. Or talked to anyone besides my mum and dad. This’ll take some getting used to.”

Jeremy leaned his elbow up on the back of the couch, propping his head on his hand. “Man. I, I really just can’t fuckin’ imagine. I think I would’ve just thrown myself out into the ocean. I would’ve lost my mind.”

Mun-Dee shrugged. “Well, I never exactly knew anything else. If anything… this, all this,” he said, gesturing around them, “this was far too much for me for a while. Too bright, too loud, too… the first time I saw the sky, it scared the hell out of me. Something so big. I didn’t have any concept of what big was until I saw the sky that first time.”

Jeremy had an expression on his face that he didn’t really know how to read, but there was an amount of smile there, so he figured it wasn’t something to get worried about.

“I think… assuming I don’t spent the whole rest of my life working on trying to unearth the ruins and fix whatever I can, assuming I have a break,” he immediately self-corrected. “If I ever get the chance, I think I want to travel. Not much variety down under the ocean, I think I want to go different places and… eat different sorts of food and the like. See what forests are like. And animals, I’d like to meet all sorts of animals. Not fish. I’ve decided I hate fish.”

Jeremy laughed. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I—I’ve decided I like dogs a lot. When I went topside the first time, I got to see a dog. It was so friendly. Soft, too.”

“Y’know, I’m, this is a real trip,” Jeremy said, still wearing that odd expression. “Because you go from these big philosophical things and all about like, responsibility, to like… getting really hyped about dogs. It’s, you’re, you know you’re adorable, right? You know you’re the best?”

Mun-Dee felt a smile pulling at his face. “Am I?”

“Yeah. What kind of dog was it?” he asked, going back to the topic at hand.

He frowned. “...Grey? And white?” he said slowly.

Jeremy’s smile widened. “Oh my god. Okay. So, hey, Prince Charming, did you know that there’s different kinds of dogs? Big ones, small ones, fluffy ones…?”

“How big?” Mun-Dee asked, frowning further.

He thought for a second before he held his hands apart. “Like, maybe this big, longways?” he said, as if he wasn’t holding his hands a good meter apart.

“And how small?” he asked next, taken aback.

“Oh, like,” Jeremy said, now holding his hands less than a foot apart. “Like, tiny.”

“So horse-sized to cat-sized?” he tried, entire world shaken by this new information.

Another pause. “How big do you think a horse is?”

He held his hands about a meter apart.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not it,” Jeremy said, visibly trying very hard not to laugh. “Okay. So date number two, I’m taking you to a zoo to see some animals.”

“Already on the second date?” Mun-Dee asked, starting to smile again despite the embarrassment clouding in his chest.

“I get the feeling that the first one’s gonna go well. You’re pretty cute,” he shrugged, smiled.

“How do dates work, exactly?” he asked, already feeling ridiculous for having to ask.

A laugh. “Man, I dunno. You go do somethin’ together, and talk about all sorts of stuff, and hold hands and maybe kiss at the end. And… I mean, maybe more than that, but I’m, y’know. When it comes to real dating, that’s not really a first date sorta deal. I was gonna say I’m classier than that, but… I mean, y’know. Stuff happens.”

Mun-Dee laughed, only a tiny bit nervously. “Right?”

“Hey, look, you’re super new at this,” he was quick to assure, “I’ll try and take stuff slow. Show you the ropes on everything. As slow as you need to. I, I know I’ve got kind of an issue with rushing stuff and fucking things up, so, I’m gonna need you to tell me if I’m being… I dunno, too much? Too quick?”

“Right.”

“If... I’m serious, if you start getting overwhelmed or start feeling weird about stuff, you gotta say somethin’. I’m pretty great and all, but I’m not the brightest sometimes. And, you’ve never done any of this stuff before, and I don’t wanna freak you out.”

He swallowed hard, averting his eyes. “Right, I, I’ll try my best. I… but I also don’t really have… any concept of how fast things are meant to be? I’d hate to be far too slow and bore you to death.”

“Hey, that’s fine. I’d rather you be chill and take things slow than freak yourself out.”

“And if I take things too fast?” he asked slowly.

Jeremy looked at him. He started to grin. “You think that’s gonna be an issue?” he asked.

He shrugged aimlessly, glancing away again. “I just… I can’t be sure,” he said. “Not sure how much of this is meant to be… something I want, but should wait for.”

“What‘ve you got in mind?” he grinned.

He had to really fight to get the words unstuck from his throat. “Well, I guess it’s just that I’ve spent my whole life under the ocean and I’ve been wondering for a long time what kissing must be like,” he murmured to the carpet, “I’d really like to try that, but you just said you don’t feel like rushing things and all—“

He was cut off by a hand on his cheek, turning his face up and over, and then he was being kissed, just like that.

It…

The word he would use to describe kissing when he thought back on it later was “good”. At the time, he didn’t call it much of anything, because his entire brain felt like it was shutting down.

Now, Mun-Dee didn’t exactly have a lot of life experiences. On the way to the UN meeting a car had suddenly honked nearby where he was walking and it had been literally the scariest thing to happen to him in his entire life. The best meal he’d ever had was picked up from a tiny eatery in the town he’d been confined to during the very short amount of time he’d spent topside in Australia. The best joke he’d ever heard was told to him by a particularly brave child in the airport who’d wandered over to talk to him about the strange old people in the robes that he was clearly traveling with. He had practically no real context for anything going on in the world around him, and he was well aware of that. So it wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy kissing Jeremy—or being kissed by Jeremy, more like, because he was scared to death of making any mistakes and let Jeremy take the lead for the most part—it was just that he literally didn’t have the vocabulary to express how much he liked it.

It was overwhelming. He didn’t want it to stop.

“Well, there you go,” Jeremy said simply once he’d pulled back, and when had he closed his eyes? He blinked them open. Jeremy was smiling. “Now you know.”

Quiet for a few moments. “Can you do that again?” Mun-Dee asked, a little weakly.

Jeremy smiled and leaned back in.

He’d read enough books and seen enough films to be aware that this wasn’t even particularly… impassioned kissing. It was rather chaste, overall. Subtle presses of lips, a hand on his cheek, the other on his shoulder for balance. Eventually, between kisses, he tangled the hand on his shoulder with his own, and laid a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder to help keep him steady instead. At some point Jeremy started fiddling with his hair, and that felt very extremely nice. He enjoyed that a lot. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do if he ever had to combine the feeling of kissing with some other second sensory input. He was fairly sure his entire brain would shut down and he would drop dead.

Mun-Dee felt a little disappointed when Jeremy pulled away a bit more, a slight pressure to the push pack just to indicate that he was pulling back for a little while now. “Y’know, for someone so new at this, you’re really not terrible,” he said, a little surprised, but his tone largely humorous.

He took a moment to get the breath back in his chest. “Well… lots of… reading romance stories and the like, watching films,” he managed, brain in a fog.

Jeremy was still playing with his hair.

“One more?” Mun-Dee asked, tone weak.

A little laugh. “Fine, one more,” he said, and leaned back in again.

When he started pulling back, he couldn’t help but murmur it again, “One more?”, as earnest as he could manage with his mind muddled. And that got him quite a few more, easy minutes, world falling into a haze, narrowed down to the feeling of fingers entwined with his own, and carding through his hair, and the fabric of Jeremy’s shirt under his hand, and warmth, and pressure.

“Okay, okay, take it easy there Tiger,” Jeremy laughed finally, and put a hand on his chest to guide him to sit back again. At some point, he’d wound up leaned forward considerably. He wasn’t sure when. “Save it for the date.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but it took a second for words to catch back up with him. “Sorry,” he managed. “I just… like this a lot. Like you a lot.”

A laugh again. He was really starting to like how laughs sounded. Not his dad’s laugh when he was off on some insane tangent, or his mom giggling drunkenly, just this kind. The kind that meant he’d made Jeremy feel happy for a little bit. “Good.”

“Do… I’m sorry, I’m sure you probably have other things to do today,” he said. That was once concept that he’d picked up on pretty quickly, that people generally had things that they needed to do.

“I mean, I’m sure my Ma’s gonna start worrying about me at some point,” he said, leaned to get a look of the clock hanging on the wall. “But I’ve got a little more time.”

“You could… tell me more about yourself,” Mun-Dee offered hopefully. “What sort of things you like.”

“Well… yeah, okay. How much do you know about baseball?”

It would be a good few hours before Jeremy finally ended up leaving. Mun-Dee was fascinated with everything that he had to talk about, with what the world was apparently like, with how sports really worked, with movies, with actors, with music. And, according to Jeremy, it turned out that Mun-Dee was a good person to talk to. A good listener. Mostly he found himself hanging off of every detail he was told, distantly fascinated by the feeling of a hand in his own. At one point Jeremy had an arm up around his shoulder, and that was its own situation for a little while, him just attempting to push down the flurry of emotions that rose in his chest.

He was smart enough not to say anything about it, though. He was aware that it would be extremely sad if he admitted that he couldn’t remember the last time somebody held him, if ever. Surely it had to have happened when he was a small child, but he really, truly couldn’t remember. It was far nicer than he could put into words.

But despite what he wanted deep down in his heart, he knew he couldn’t just trap the man here to use as a teddy-bear, and he didn’t argue the matter when Jeremy eventually glanced at the clock again and realized, shit, he really needed to get going before his Ma started freaking out.

He was walking Jeremy to the door when it occurred to him. “When—when would you like to go on that date?” he asked, almost abruptly.

“Well, there’s a couple more days left in the conference and stuff,” he said, tugging at his own jacket idly as he thought. “But I’m in New York until next weekend. How about, uh, Monday? Then we can figure out the next one at the end of that. Here—“ He leaned over to the table by the door, picked up the pen and pad of paper there, wrote something down. “That’s, uh, that’s the hotel I’m at, and room number. You can call and we’ll figure out what time and stuff, and I’ll find out what movies they’ve got playing.”

“Alright,” he agreed. “I’ll—I’ll call you.”

“Cool,” Jeremy nodded. A pause, then he was kicking up onto his toes and planting a kiss on his cheek. “See ya.”

“Bye.”

And then Jeremy was off down the hallway, and he was closing the door, and he was alone.

He breathed in, breathed out. Walked over to his bed—it was massive, bigger than any bed he’d ever seen in his life, not that that was saying much. He picked up a pillow, and buried his face in it, and yelled.

He could not believe that this was happening.

Did he have to be good-looking? Did he have to have such a nice laugh? Did he have to be funny, and sweet, and concerned about taking things too fast and making him uncomfortable even though they’d literally just met? Mun-Dee had spent a good portion of the time that he was getting baseball explained to him half-preoccupied by thinking about how cute Jeremy’s teeth were. And he had freckles—freckles! He’d half thought that they weren’t real, or were something fake that people put on, like makeup, but they were all over his arms and hadn’t smudged when Mun-Dee had smoothed them under his hand. And he had callouses on his hands, and promised to introduce Mun-Dee to his mum’s cat, whose name was apparently Meatball and who was allegedly bright orange and dumb as all hell. No, his mum just had to randomly pick a very attractive young man with a good sense of humor and opinions on just about everything under the sun.

And he had an argument with himself for a little while, because he was well aware that he probably wasn’t in love with the man already. It was just the first time he’d ever spoken to someone besides his parents for a length of time, and Jeremy just also happened to be attractive and willing to go on a number of dates with him. They’d only just met, he was being ridiculous.

But if this was just a crush, just an infatuation or a fascination, then how was he meant to handle it when he fell in love someday? This was already almost too much for him to handle.

He took a deep breath. It didn’t work very well, so he took the pillow off of his face and tried again. It worked much better.

Just… just try the first date, he told himself. And then whatever happens next, happens.

He couldn’t get the feeling of a hand in his own out of his head.

God, he was a dead man.