#then she also went to the kitchen and shes walking around just monologuing and crying loud and like

[citrusitonit]

am i the asshole for just being uncomfy when my older sibling just has a whole sobfest and breakdown and walks around while doing it and i just i just wanna leave

[stardustbarbarians]

I am BEGGING u for more dad!sanny content. I need slow burn with a baby pls pls pls

Hehehe who's ready for an origin story?

+++

"I'll be back in about an hour or so," Daniel remarked before heading out the door. The three Kiszka's bid him farewell before he left, all three of them sucked into watching a movie together. It wasn't unusual for all four of them to congregate in one spot. It just seemed natural.

They had planned on making dinner at some point, but that would be after Danny got back. Sam couldn't really remember where exactly he said he was going, just something along the lines of catching up with someone. Sam glanced back at his kitchen, wondering briefly if he had enough food to make something for all of them. Eh, if worse came to worse, they could order something out.

Sam had turned his attention back to the movie. It seemed like Josh barely even launched into one of his monologues about the logistics of the movie before the front door opened. All three of the brothers turned their heads to the entrance in unison, which was probably creepy in retrospect. Daniel was standing in the vestibule with something that looked like a purse hanging from his arm. He was dimly lit, yet Sam could see a haunted look in his eye.

"Daniel? You're back early..." Josh pointed out, his hands planted against the floor as if he was frozen in the middle of standing up.

There was a loaded silence in the air as all of them waited with baited breath for Daniel to say anything. To do anything. That's when a small cry permeated the air. It made the blood in Sam's veins turn to ice. That... That was...

"Is that a baby??" Jake was leaning forward in his chair.

Danny, at the question, seemed to finally snap out of his trance. He glanced down at the thing hanging from his arm that Sam now realized was a baby carrier, and glanced back at Jake. Josh had paused the movie so the only noise was that of the baby's whimpering.

"I..." Daniel looked back down at the carrier, looking as if a feather or a small puff of air could knock him over. He swallowed thickly before looking Sam directly in the eyes with pure desperation written all over his face. He was begging Sam for help, for any sort of comfort and normalcy.

Sam quickly got up from his spot on the couch and walked over to Daniel. He gently placed a hand on Danny's shoulder and back before tenderly guiding him to the couch. Danny allowed himself to be guided, a blank expression in his eyes as all the color drained from his face. He set the carrier in his lap as he sat down, looking through the floor rather than at it. Sam took the spot next to him, tenderly rubbing Danny on the arm. He couldn't help it. He peered into the baby carrier. Looking back at him was an infant with one green eye and one brown eye and short, black hair that fell in tightly coiled locks. The baby was bigger, probably around a year old. When she noticed Sam, she clapped her hands together and smiled, a giggle escaping her lips. Sam couldn't help but smile back at her, finding the whole thing cute.

"Daniel, what's going on?" Jake asked as he stood up to also take a look into the carrier.

"I..." Danny began, taking a breath to center himself, "do you guys remember Madison?"

Sam remembered her. He also remembered the cold hatred he felt for her each time she was around. Well, hatred wasn't the right word. Whatever it was, Sam just knew he didn't like her.

"Yeah." His response sounded clipped and icy to Sam's own ears.

"Well, that's who I went to go see."

"And she just gave you a baby??" Josh exclaimed, peering in at the baby. She started crying at the sight of him, and loudly. Josh startled at the sudden wailing, all of them did, actually. Sam shot Josh a look before picking the baby up from the carrier, making sure to support the head. Once in Sam's arms, the infant seemed to calm down.

Danny nodded at Josh. "She told me she was in trouble with the law. Tax fraud or something. She needed me to take care of her baby."

"But, why you? There had to be someone else she could've relied on that had a more baby-friendly career," Jake pointed out.

"I..." Danny glanced over at Sam of all people before answering. "I'm her father."

Sam immediately froze.

"You mean..."

Daniel looked Sam directly in the eyes and nodded. For some reason, Sammy got the impression that Danny was trying to apologize to him. For having a baby?

"Why are you learning all of this now?? Why didn't she tell you before??" Jake seemed the most miffed out of the bunch.

"I don't know, Jake. I didn't really get the chance to ask her any questions before she handed me a baby and sped off!"

It fell silent once again. Daniel hardly ever yelled.

Taking a deep breath, Danny apologized while rubbing at his forehead. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be lashing out at you."

"Daniel, it's ok. You just got the insurmountable responsibility of taking care of a human life sprung onto you. I think you earned yourself a pass," Josh comforted, placing a hand on Danny's shoulder.

Danny sent Josh a smile, a small one. He then turned his attention to the fussing baby in Sammy's arms. She looked about ready to cry again, however Josh couldn't be blamed time around. Right on cue, she began wailing. All four men were suddenly at a loss. They had never taken care of an infant before.

"Oh no," Daniel lamented, his voice cracking from stress. He looked down at his alleged daughter, his eyes glittering with unshed tears. All of the sudden, Sam had the fervent impulse to fix the situation.

"It's alright, Daniel. I think she just needs to have her diaper changed," Sam softly speculated. He wasn't aware of the puppy eyes he was shooting at his best friend, however they did serve as a comforting sight for Daniel.

Danny nodded his head slowly. He knew that. He knew that about babies.

"Did Madison happen to hand you a diaper bag?" Sam inquired, getting up with the baby still in his arms. The way he stood was so careful, cradling her little head even though Sam was about 75% sure she was old enough to hold it up herself. She was just the tiniest little thing Sam had ever seen or held... He didn't want to risk hurting her at all due to his ignorance.

"It's in my car-"

"We'll get it. You stay here with Sammy and figure out where we're gonna change her," Jake insisted, grabbing his twin by the shirt and pulling him towards the door. Jake held up his hands for the keys, Danny obliging and tossing them over as he sat back down in his seat.

It got quiet again, with just the three of them. There was so much to talk about yet there was nothing. The two adults ended up just kinda watching the little girl move around in Sam's arms.

"She's got your curls, Dan," Sam pointed out, his tone fond to match his smile.

Daniel couldn't help the smile the spread on his face. "She got he mother's nose, it seems. Though that's probably for the best." He absently brushed his nose with his fingers, a self-deprecating smile on his lips.

"You've got a gorgeous nose, Daniel. I'm in love with it." Sam hadn't meant to say that out loud. It just... slipped out. He felt his cheeks heat up as he realized what he just said. Not really knowing what to do, Sam busied himself with looking around for a good changing station for the baby.

"T-Thank you, Sam," Daniel stuttered, a hand rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. If the lighting had been better, Sam would've been able to see the blush burning prominently across Danny's cheeks and nose.

Neither of them really knew how to continue after that, so they both decided to ignore it for now. Sam cleared his throat, holding Danny's daughter closer to his chest.

"So where should we make this little tyke's temporary changing station?"

"Annalise."

"What?"

"The baby, that's her name," Daniel explained, walking over to his best friend and taking the child from his hands. Sam watched as he rested her bottom on his forearm and rubbed her little back with his hand. Her yellow gingham dress complimented her father's tan skin tone very well.

"Annalise," Sam repeated slowly, "that's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

"I thought you didn't like kids, Sam," Danny pointed out as he subtly bounced up and down to soothe the baby. She was getting fussy again and it seemed almost instinctual for him to do as such.

Just when he was about to explain himself, the twin returned with the diaper bag. The four of them struggled to change her diaper, looking up articles online as well as youtube tutorials. Eventually, Annalise was put in a new diaper and was happier for it.

Once she had been changed, she became very sleepy. Daniel held her in his arms as she soundly slept. His chest started to ache as he looked at her little face, looking like an angel. She'd only been in his life at most a few hours, but he knew he'd do anything in the world to protect her from all of the horrors of the world.

"Alright, gentlemen. I think it's time I head home." Danny motioned towards the baby, her thumb in her mouth as her dark curls mixed in with those of her father's, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Are you gonna be ok doing taking care of her alone?" Sam's brow was furrowed. He'd never had a good poker face, so the concern was written clear as day all over his face.

Daniel, knowing that he damn well couldn't, shook his head. This was his burden to bear, he couldn't ask Sam - or anyone for that matter - to do this for him.

"I'll be alright," he reassured, flashing Sam his best smile. He gently brought a hand up to Annaliese's head, nuzzling her deeper into his nest of curls.

Sam was far from convinced, but he let Daniel go. He couldn't force Danny to accept his help.

Daniel waving goodbye from the front door was the last Sam would hear from those two for nearly a week. After worrying himself sick over the possibilities, Sam finally caved and decided to drive to Daniel's house.

He knocked on the door for a solid minute despite having a key to the door; he didn't want to be rude. When no one came to the door - even though his car was in the driveway - Sam said to hell with niceties and used his key.

"Daniel!" he called out, his voice echoing in the front room against the walls and down the hallway that led to the living room. He kicked his sandals off, noticing the stark contrast of the dark hardwood floors and his beige shoes.

Walking further into the house, he tried calling out again. It was oddly quiet. There was always music playing around all four of them; he was expecting Elton John or some baby music playing off the speakers of Danny's stereo, but there was nothing. The silence did nothing to soothe his nerves.

"Daniel?" It was more frantic this time, his head swiveling wildly for any sign of his best friend. He finally got some relief when he spotted Daniel sitting on the floor, his back resting on the couch with a spaced out look on his face while multiple toys were scattered on the ground around him. Annalise was curled up in his lap in nothing but a diaper, her father absently stroking her back.

".....Daniel?"

Danny finally seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in, his head slowly gliding over to look at Sam. There was a note of surprise in his eyes, but that's not what Sam first noticed. instead, it was the tears that had yet to dry on his cheeks and the redness they caused his eyes.

"Sam? What are you doing here?" His voice was rough, cracking as he spoke. He used his free hand to scrub the tears form his face, but it was too late. Sam had already seen them.

"We haven't heard from you in days, we were worried!" Sam exclaimed, cringing at his loud voice after remembering the sleeping child in Danny's lap.

Danny looked away from Sam, a knit in his brow. "Right."

Sighing, Sam walked over and took the spot next to his best friend. He looked down at the little girl sleeping, her little curls all frizzy and disheveled with a pink barrette in the shape of a bow nearly falling out of her hair. She had a green binky in her mouth, the thing moving back and forth periodically.

"So, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm..." A fresh set of tears cascaded down Daniel's cheeks again. He hung his head, his curls falling off his shoulders and swinging in front of his face as his shoulders shook.

Sam felt his blood go cold as he watched Danny silently sob next to him. He was paralyzed momentarily as he scrambled to find a way to comfort his best friend, settling for putting a hand on his shoulder.

"She ran out of clean clothes. She spilled chocolate milk all over herself earlier and wouldn't stop crying. I tried to changer her and clean her off as best I could, but she just ran out of clothes. I finally got her to calm down and take her nap, but I just..." Daniel looked over at Sammy, his red eyes brimmed with tears that steadily flowed down his face. There was a desperate look in his eye that Sam had never seen before. "I... I can't do this, Sam. I thought I could handle this on my own...."

Without any warning, he threw his arms around Sam and began sobbing into his shoulder. Sam simply looped his arms around Daniel and let him cry, smoothing his hand up and down Danny's back. Annalise didn't even stir as her father cried, too caught up in whatever sweet dreams were filling her head. Sam was thankful. Danny couldn't handle her waking up and potentially crying.

"Daniel, it's ok," Sam repeated in his ear as he comforted him.

Eventually, Danny pulled away. He wiped at his tears, a hand gently coming to rest on his daughter's back again. "I'm sorry," he kept muttering.

"Don't be. You're under a lot of stress. Keeping yourself alive is stressful enough, let alone being responsible for another person's." Daniel shot him a look like he didn't believe Sam for whatever reason. "You didn't ask for any of this, and the fact that you took on Annalise without even knowing if she's yours; you're incredible, Daniel."

He hadn't really meant to say that last part, but that's not to say he didn't mean it.

This time when the drummer looked over at Samuel, there was a soft smile on his face. "Thank you."

"Of course. I just wish you had reached out to one of us instead of letting yourself get consumed by your stress."

"I thought I could handle it..."

Rather than harp on that, Sam just let it go. Now wasn't the time. Instead, Sam looked around at the clutter the past week of having a baby in the house had accumulated.

"So. Tell me what I need to do."

"Oh, Sam. I couldn't ask you-"

"Good thing I'm not asking, then."

All of the sudden, a huge, relieved smile spread across Danny's lips. There was a twinkle of something close to admiration in his eye that Sam couldn't quite place. Abruptly, Sam felt a set of lips against his as well as a pair of strong arms wrap around him. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it would change the course of Sammy's life.

"I'm-I'm sorry, Sammy. I-I don't know what came over me, I-"

"Don't worry about it, Dan," Sammy squeaked out quickly, his face burning with the intensity of an August mid-day sun. Truly, he thought steam was wafting off his cheeks.

Getting up from his spot, he slipped on one of Annalise's toys and was so smooth about it. He totally didn't almost face plant and was only saved by grabbing onto the arm of the couch. Righting himself quickly, Sam tucked a strand of his hair that fell out of his bun behind his ear.

"I'm gonna go..." Sam cleared his throat and pointed int the direction of the laundry room, "....yeah." Keeping his gaze diverted from Danny, he briskly walked towards the laundry room. He leaned against one of the walls and clutched at his thundering heart, trying to catch his breath.

"We're in it now, aren't we, Lise-y?" Sam overhead Daniel whisper. Sam didn't know what they were "in", but he couldn't deny it. There was no going back from what just happened, and Sam didn't know if that was for better or for worse.

+++

"Have you seen her binky, Daniel?" Sammy called over the wailing child, bouncing her in his arms in an attempt to soothe her.

The drummer came around the corner a moment later, one of the girl's binkies in his hand. "Don't you mean 'pacifier'?"

Sam, rolling his eyes, snatched the binky from his hand and gave it to Annalise. Instantly, as if a button was pressed, when she grabbed onto the binky her crying stopped. She put it into her own mouth, happily sucking on it. She then settled into the crook of Sam's neck, her little arms loosely hanging around his neck. They had been trying to wean her off for it for about a month now. But as you could probably tell, it wasn't working all that great.

"She really is just like her dad, huh?" Daniel observed, a soft smile written all over his face as he leaned against the wall.

"What's that supposed to mean??" Sam coolly responded. He wasn't exactly sure when he became "dad", but he thinks it was just around month two when Lise-y pointed at him and said "dad". His heart never melted faster.

"Throws a fit until she gets what she wants? Sound like anyone we know?" Daniel continued, pushing off the wall to get closer to Sam and their daughter.

"Sounds like Josh to me," Sam answered.

"Hmm, guess again," the drummer hummed, his soft smile turning flirtatious.

"Jake?"

"Strike two." Daniel held up two fingers, leaning in closer to Sam.

"If you say me-"

"And we have a winner, folks!"

Sam just scoffed, unable to help the smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. "I have no idea what you mean."

Daniel's eyebrow quirked up.

"You're insufferable."

The two kept leaning in closer and closer to one another, now just atoms apart.

"Aren't I," Sam said flatly before being the one to close the distance between one another. It never got old, kissing Daniel. Each time felt exactly like the first; leaving him flustered and starstruck.

Despite coming into their lives so abruptly, Annalise was the best thing to ever happen to either of them. Touring the world, winning Grammy's... it could never compare to the thrill of watching Annalise take her first steps unaided as Sam celebrated right beside him.

Daniel had never been more thankful for anything in his life.

+++

Happy Father's Day to these two specifically

[songficsbyrissi]

You’re Mines Still (Erik X Reader)

“They say time heals She can't see her life without me, she's so blind still Fuck that nigga, you can tell him that you're mines still” - Yung Bleu feat. Drake

A/N: heyyyy y’all! Back from the dead again! 🤣 here to drop my shit and dip as always. I’m trying to stop that, I swear. Hennyways, I wanna put a disclaimer here: I have nothing against MBJ. I couldn’t care less about the nigga but I thought it’ll be interesting to have this nigga as the boyfriend, instead of making a character up in contrast to Erik. I think it’s perfect because I’m pretty sure they’re two completely different niggas. And I know “mines” isn’t proper English but I’m going with the title of the song so don’t start with me 😂😂😂 Aight imma let y’all read lol. Hope you enjoy it!

**************

You were doing it again.

You found yourself observing your boyfriend Michael, and comparing him to your ex, Erik. Right now, Michael came into the kitchen and gave you a swift kiss on the cheek to say good morning. It was sweet and nice but Erik would’ve grabbed you by the waist, pulled you in for a long, juicy kiss, followed by a smack on the ass. You found yourself low-key missing that, but you moved on so you had to let that go.

“Michael?”

“Yes, cookie?”

You held yourself back from rolling your eyes. It was a cute nickname, but ever since you told him your favorite dessert was chocolate chip cookies, here this nigga go, making it your nickname.

You shook your head. “Never mind.”

“You seem so distant, babe. What’s on your mind?” He asked from his seat at the table.

You avoided eye contact with him. “Nothing. I’ve just been tired.”

He snorted at this. “It’s because you work too much. I told you to chill.” He got up from the table and kissed you on the cheek. “Alright, I’ll see you later. I gotta go to the office.”

“Bye.” You said faintly as he walked out of the door. That was another thing. Erik could tell when something was bothering you and knew you avoided eye contact when you were lying. Michael just let anything you tell him slide. At this point, you could have a gunshot wound in your stomach and tell him you were fine and he’ll believe it.

You sighed deeply and got your things together so you could go back to your place. Michael asked you to move in with him, but you knew you weren’t ready for that. Not with him.

On your way to your apartment, you remembered you needed to do some grocery shopping, so you pulled up to the supermarket and pulled out your list of essentials on your notes app. The supermarket wasn’t too busy, thank God. You were able to weave back and forth through the aisles with ease. You got to the soup aisle and the broth you needed was all the way on the top shelf. You looked to the side to make sure no one would see you embarrass yourself. Before you could climb, a man’s arm reached up, grabbed the carton of broth, and handed it to you.

You smiled softly. “Thank you so much. I was about to embarrass myself climbing this shelf.”

“I could see that.” The man replied in a familiar voice that caused you to break your neck to look at him.

“Erik....” you breathed nervously once your eyes fell on him. He was still fine as always. The day you run into him, he would be wearing a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. An outfit that gets any girl’s faucet running. You wanted to sneak a glance, but you stopped yourself because you knew he would catch it.

He licked his bottom lip and looked you up and down. Damn him.

“Hey ma...it’s been a while.”

You nodded, looking down at your shopping cart. “Yeah, it has....”

“You still fine as hell.” Erik cracked a smirk and you were getting more and more nervous under his gaze. What the fuck is wrong with you?

You decided to breathe and ignore his statement. “How have you been, Erik?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, which something he always did when he was nervous. Holy shit, he was nervous around you. Why did that bring a pang of joy into your heart?

“I’ve been chilling. I'm still an architect. Still designing houses and getting people to buy them. It’s been aight. I’ve been successful.”

You gave him a genuine smile. “That’s good. I’m glad everything is going good in your career.”

“Yeah, it is. If only you were with me to see it all.”

You sighed deeply, shaking your head. “Erik-“

“I should’ve never let you go, Y/N. You were a good ass woman and you motivated me. I know I messed up but-“

“Erik, I’m kinda seeing someone else right now.” You spat out, preventing him from continuing the monologue he had going. He seemed taken aback by your outburst. Then came denial, anger, sadness, and acceptance all on his face.

“I’m sorry, Erik but I have a new boyfriend now. His name is Michael and he’s great. I figured you should know that.”

Erik let out a dry laugh in response and held his hands up in defense. “Yeah, you know what? I should’ve. A woman like you, of course, a nigga gonna snatch you up. That’s my fault. I hope he treats you well.”

“He does.” You swallowed hard and pushed your cart forward. “You take care of yourself, Erik. I’ll see you around.”

You didn’t wait for a reply. You just continued pushing until you heard his voice.

“You too, Princess.”

You stopped in your tracks for a bit, hearing that nickname for the first time in forever but you continued on your journey, refusing to look back at your ex.

You wrapped up your grocery store trip and went home. Even while you were cooking for your new man, Erik was still on your mind. You couldn’t help but think about all the times you had with him. One memory came back to you and you cringed. The night you two broke up.

“All you can think about are these damn houses! What about our house, Erik?!?!” You screamed coming closer to him, with your fists clenched. “What about all the shit you promised me?!”

“You’re still getting it, Princess! I promise!” He tried to pull you in a hug, but you pushed him away. All you saw was red. You didn’t want him touching you. You stuck a finger in his face.

“Bullshit! I’m tired of your empty-ass promises! I’m better than this! I’m better just being your damn girlfriend for all these years! It’s either you’re wanna be with me forever or you don’t! It’s that simple!”

Erik gathered up all the anger building to yell back. “No! It ain’t that simple! You just don’t get it.” Your angry demeanor softened at his words and you took a seat on the leather sofa. You wanted to cry because this shit was so fucking frustrating. You looked up at him with all the sincerity you could muster.

“Help me get it, Erik. Please. Because I just don’t.”

Erik took your trembling hands into his larger hands. “I just...I just don’t see myself as your husband right now. I got a lot of shit to work out before I can make that type of commitment to you, ma. I just need you to understand that and stick with me. I’m not saying it’s never going to happen. I’m just saying now’s not the right time.”

As much as you tried to prevent it, it happened. Tears were rolling down your cheeks. Erik began wiping them off, but you backed away.

“You keep saying that. When is the right time, huh? When?” You asked then sneered once you saw that once again, he couldn’t supply you an answer. “Just admit it, Erik. You don’t want to marry me. You don’t want to get a house with me, you don’t want to have kids with me. You don’t...” you swallowed hard, trying to find the strength to say this. “You don’t want forever with me. Now I get it.”

Erik shook his head vigorously as you rose from the sofa and he grabbed your hand. “No, baby girl! You’re not getting it! I love you! I love you so much! Please!”

You used your free hand to wipe some more of your tears. “You don’t love me the way I love you, Erik. I’ve been dying to be your wife, but you don’t want to be my husband. So I’m not gonna waste time with you when I can find someone who will.”

You released yourself from the grip he had on you, both figuratively and literally, and packed all your shit up. Despite the protests and guilt-tripping coming from Erik, you still made it your mission to get the fuck out of his apartment and get the fuck out of his life.

After mourning and healing from the loss of your long-term relationship, you met Michael. He was a nice man who looked similar to Erik but was completely different, personality-wise. Your friends noticed how much Michael looked like Erik, but they decided not to bring it up because they knew you would deny it. You were in denial, convinced it was all a coincidence. Deep down, you knew damn well he looked like Erik.

However, he was nothing like him and you thought that would work out in your favor. It didn’t.

You laid wide awake in Michael’s bed. He fell asleep after one round of sex and you were not satisfied. The sex was good, but one round??? Erik used to go at least 3 a night. Erik also would spoon, but Michael was turned away from you, snoring away. Your phone buzzed on your nightstand and you picked it up to see a text from your ex. You sat up in shock and opened it.

Erik:

Ik I shouldn’t b but I can’t stop thinkin bout u. I never stopped.

You took a deep breath and fixed your thumbs to respond.

You:

I’m with someone else, Erik. U gotta respect that.

Erik:

I do I just don’t like it. Can we at least be friends?

You contemplated your answer, then constructed a text back.

You:

Fine. We’ll be friends.

Erik:

With benefits? 👀

This caused you to stifle a laugh that would’ve been loud enough to wake up your boyfriend.

You:

Lmao no! Just friends, Erik.

Erik:

Lol I’ll take what I can get. Good night, Princess ❤️

After that last text, you were smiling yourself to sleep. It didn’t take long for Erik to invite you to group outings with mutual friends to eventually just you and him. It felt wrong but felt so right at the same time. You were alone in Michael’s apartment once again when Erik hit you up asking if you would like to see a house he built that was being pulled off the market. You agreed since you had nothing else to do. It’s just a house.

Needless to say, The house was gorgeous.

“Shittttt look at this fucking closet!” You cooed, entering the large walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and turned around to look at Erik with an enormous smile on your face. “Erik! You did that shit! This is my dream house! If I had the money, I would buy it right now!”

Erik chuckled with his arms folded. “It’s already bought, Princess.”

You scrunched up your face in disappointment as you stood against the marble island table in the middle of the room. “Ughh for real? I bet they don’t even like it like that!”

“Nah...I do.” He walked up to you slowly.

It didn’t click for your slow ass what he just said. “Of course you like it. You designed it.”

“Nah, we designed it.”

A record scratch went off in your head and you turned to see Erik right next to you. You gazed into his eyes to see an emotion you couldn’t describe. He saw confusion in yours.

“You ain’t noticed how this house is exactly your dream house? Everything you wanted in a house is right here. Baby girl, after you left me, all I could think about you and us and how I fucked us up. I was designing other houses and buildings, but there’s one that was most important to me that I never focused on and that was ours. I remembered our discussions and you didn’t know it, but I took notes of everything we wanted in a house. I finally had the motivation to get it designed, built, and bought.”

Erik built a house for you. He actually listened to you. Even when you thought he wasn’t, he was listening to every detail of what you wanted. You had so many questions to ask, but you were speechless. What were you supposed to say to this?

“I don’t want you to think I was on some creepy nigga shit because I wasn’t. It’s just that this design was gonna go to waste and I was going to let them sell it to the highest bidder, but I just couldn’t. This house was the last piece of you I had left. If I sold it, it was like me officially giving up on the possibility of us. I still had that hope. I’m a stupid ass nigga, I know.”

Your right hand grasped his left hand and he finally spared you a glance to see unshed tears in your eyes.

“I wanted this....from you....for so long. For so long! Why are you giving it to me now?! When I have someone else?!” You threw his hand out of frustration and exited the closet. You didn’t make it far. You just went into the master bedroom and cried your eyes out. You waited so long for this and he’s giving it to you now? When Michael was in the picture? Well, It’s too damn late.

Erik got on his knees and grasped your knees. You stared at him through the tears in your eyes.

“I know you’re building a life with this nigga, but stop. Stop that shit. You know he ain’t the one for you. Fuck that nigga. You’re mines still.” Erik was pleading with you. He began to shed a tear. Holy shit, he meant every word. “Baby, I’m on my knees. Take me back.”

Your ex began planting tender kisses on your knees and traveled up to your thighs, still holding you. Your heart raced at his actions, but you didn’t want him to stop. You missed him. You missed him so damn much. As much as you tried to lie to yourself, you still loved him.

“Erik, get up.”

He obeyed and you took his face in your hands, caressing the sides.

“You’re such a fucking manipulative motherfucker and I hate that I love you so fucking much.”

Erik took your hands into his and kissed the insides. “I ain’t trying to manipulate you, baby. I swear I’m not. I love you and I just wanted you to know that I heard you. You just wanted a nigga to show you that he was serious about you. I get it. While you were gone, I focused on myself and fixed myself because I admit I was dragging my ass with doing that while we were together. It was because I thought you were here to stay so I had all the time in the world to get my shit together. When you left, I saw that I was wrong. I was wrong as fuck.”

You didn’t say anything. You just let him keep talking.

“I love you, baby. All I’m asking for is a second chance to make this right, but if you say no, I’ll sell this house and leave you alone for good. I swear on my Pops’ grave, I’ll leave you the fuck alone, Y/N.” His words were so heartfelt. “I don’t wanna go unless you make me.”

You were hyperventilating through your tears, then a smile formed across your face. “Erik, I love you. I love you so much, baby.”

Erik tackled you with frequent kisses on your lips and it turned into a whole passionate make-out session. He planted kisses all over your neck while he unbuttoned your blouse and you could feel his hard dick through his pants.

“Fuck. I missed this. I missed us.” You breathed when his lips met yours, once again.

“I missed us too, baby.” Erik rested his forehead against yours and stared into your eyes with so much love. “Be my wife.”

You backed away from him and furrowed your eyebrows. “What?”

“You heard me. Marry me, baby. I don’t wanna waste any more time.” He saw the look on your face and his joyful expression turned somber. “You don’t want to marry me?”

You shook your head. “It’s not that, Erik. I always wanted to but just because we getting back together doesn’t mean I wanna rush into a marriage. We gotta fix us first. We can’t even fix us right now because I still have to break up with Michael.”

Erik put a hand through his hands and blew air out of his mouth. “You right.”

“And the way you asked sucked.” You deadpanned but found yourself laughing afterward and he face palmed himself. “Seriously? After all this time, I deserve a better proposal than that.”

Erik chuckled and placed a soft kiss on your lips. “You right. Once again. Imma do better.”

And when he said he would do better, you knew he wasn’t just talking about the proposal.

“You better. I ain’t giving you a third chance. This ain’t baseball!”

This caused him to guffaw, pull you into a tight, loving embrace, and kissed you once again. He had a grin on his face that rivaled the Cheshire cat.

“You’re mines still,” Erik said as a statement and a question.

“Yep. I never stopped being yours, baby boy.”

TAGS:  @lifelover4u @dessianna1 @brattywriters-anonymous @marvelmaree​ @purple-apricots​ @blackpinup22 @ljstraightnochaser @slimmiyagi @cancerianprincess @iamrheaspeaks @blowmymbackout @vibranium-chakra @nerd-lovely @chaneajoyyy​ @ohliyaxoxo @chefjessypooh @yourfavoritefavorite @airis-paris14 @ljstraightnochaser @quietstorm-73 @msincognito67 @sociallyawkward18 @mychemicalimagines @nerd-lovely @marvelpotterlove   @destinio1 @madamslayyy @thehomierobbstark @fd-writes​ @semianta​ @raysunshine78​  @lifelover4u @dessianna1 @brattywriters-anonymous @marvelpotterlove @guccixcucci​ @blackpinup22 @ljstraightnochaser @slimmiyagi @cancerianprincess @iamrheaspeaks @blowmymbackout @vibranium-chakra @nerd-lovely @chaneajoyyy​ @ohliyaxoxo @chefjessypooh @yourfavoritefavorite @airis-paris14 @ljstraightnochaser @quietstorm-73 @msincognito67 @sociallyawkward18 @mychemicalimagines @nerd-lovely @marvelpotterlove   @destinio1 @madamslayyy @thehomierobbstark @fd-writes​ @semianta​ @raysunshine78​ @fd-writes​ @rbhp @fandom-fangirl22​ @bigchoose​

(Sorry if you got double tagged or I missed you. I need to get my tags together I know )

[thezebrawlw]

Donna Beneviento x Maiden.

I'M A BIT ANGRY 'CUZ WHEN I FINISHED, MY COMPUTER DID SOMETHING WEIRD AND RESTARTED AND WHEN I LOGGED IN AGAIN EVERYTHING WAS ERASED AND AAAAAAAALSKDFGKJDFKA

Warning: Mild suicidal content // Mentions of sexual abuse.

(A/N): (I'm still studying English, so if I have a mistake, I apologize)

Summary: A maiden arrives at the Beneviento mansion. What will happen when Donna begins to live with her?

(I'll do a part two, because I don't want this to be too long.)

- - -

The day the maiden arrived at the Beneviento mansion, it was raining. The door opened effortlessly. Not even the toxic pollen from the plants would drive someone crazy enough to come close to the house, so there was no need to have locks.

A chorus of high-pitched voices scared the young woman "what are you doing here" "how did you get in?" "You shouldn't be here" "Let's play with her, let's play with her"

The young woman felt scratches on her arms and on her legs, someone bit her arm and pulled her hair hard enough to almost rip it out.

"Please, I just want to hide," the woman yelled.

"You shouldn't have come in, stupid girl" "Now you belong to us"

Suddenly the dolls fell to the ground and crawled back to their places.

The young woman saw a shadow materialize in front of her. It was a slim figure, covered entirely in black, opaque cloth. The figure was carrying a doll in wedding clothes in their arms. It was from that doll that a hollow voice came out.

"You shouldn't have come in, stupid girl. Now you're never going to be able to come out."

"I don't care," said the maiden, "if you want to kill me, just kill me. I'd rather perish under the hand of a noblewoman than die from those hunters."

"You're not worth Donna's time" the doll spoke again.

"If you don't want to murder me, then let me serve you" implored the maiden "your house will always be clean, the fire will always be lit, there will be no dust shavings on your beautiful dolls, just please, let me stay here, Lady Beneviento"

Donna didn't move. Beneath her veil she had an arched brow, confused by her request. The pollen must have made her hallucinate enough to make her say those things.

"Change those old rags that you have as clothes and find something to clean", say the doll.

"Yes My Lady"

"The name’s Angie and the only Lady here is Donna. Got it, muddy face?"

"Yes, Miss Angie"

From that day on, the young woman became the servant of Lady Beneviento.

Working there would be easy if it weren't for the mischief the dolls played on her. If she swept, the dolls would run around the little mountain of dust. When the floor was freshly waxed, the dolls dragged their knives on the wood. At night, the dolls would not stop laughing or making sounds of babies crying. They also watched her sleep, sometimes sitting around her bed.

But the maid never complained, she just looked at the mess they made with a tired smile, as if she was watching little children do mischief. Even if they watched her sleep, the only thing she could hope for was to be killed, but that never happened.

During the first weeks Donna tried to induce the maiden some hallucinations, but it seemed not to work, she assumed that her new servant had some kind of immunity to cadou and by extension to the pollen of the flowers that grew around the mansion.

Donna watched her and evaded her in equal moments. The leader of the Beneviento was locked in her room or her workshop for most of the day, so te only way to keep an eye on the maiden was through her dolls.

It was for that reason that the maiden always walked with a small retinue of dolls behind her, like a mother duck with her chicks. She was used to it by now.

That's how Donna realised that the maid was a very good singer, but a distracted cook. She was thankful that she didn't need to eat, just a drink now and then, because she didn't think she would be able to eat coal with sugar in it.

She also noticed that the maid was an active conversationalist. She talked a lot and about everything. The dolls listened to her and little by little they began to join in the monologue.

The young girl listened attentively and that was how she learned the dolls's names, where they were located in the mansion and what they liked to play with.

Watching her, Donna also noticed that the maiden looked out the windows, a melancholic smile kept on her face when it snowed or when the sun made an appearance.

One particularly snowy day, the dolls pulled the maid to the front door, asking her to come out and play for a while.

"I don't know, I don't think Lady Beneviento will give me permission"

"It will only be a while, it will only be a while", said the dolls.

The maid had never asked Donna for anything since she arrived. Donna hadn't spoken to her either, if she needed something, Angie would be the one to speak in her place.

Then, a dark figure appeared on the stairs. It was Donna accompanied by Angie. The doll spoke for her.

"You can come out"

"I... Am I allowed, My lady?"

Donna nodded. Angie spoke.

"If you promise to stay in the garden"

"Yes, yes, thank you very much, My lady, Miss Angie"

Donna allowed Angie to join the others and then went to her room. From her bedroom window, she watched her servant and her dolls play in the snow. The young woman made small snowballs and distributed them to those who only asked one, becoming the person in charge of making ammunition for the doll's games.

Angie began to converse with the young woman. Thanks to her connection, Donna could hear her.

"Why did you come to Beneviento mansion, mudy face?"

"They were chasing me"

"Who?"

"Hunters. They know that my mother was a witch and that her blood runs through my veins. They are afraid that I'll curse people."

"Would you do it?"

The maiden laughed, a wicked, sing-song laugh.

"I already did it" under her clothes, she showed an exquisite necklace made with rose petals. "The petals of this rose are tongues of the people who tried to abuse me."

In her room, Donna froze. This young woman could be dangerous if offended enough. Would her witchy nature be of any benefit to Mother Miranda? She decided to keep her longer and also to ask the dolls to stop their pranks.

One night, the maiden slept peacefully, too peacefully, so peacefully that she awoke in the middle of the night. It was not normal to sleep like this as the dolls were still making noises. When she lit her room with a candle, she realised that she was alone.

She went out into the hallway and heard sobbing and banging upstairs. She ran to Donna's room and found the dolls by the door.

"My lady?"

Angie's voice answered.

"Go away."

"Do you need anything?"

"Go away."

"I can get you something to drink if you--"

"GET OUT!"

Then a group of dolls armed with knives followed the young woman to her room. She locked herself in and felt lucky to be alone.

Donna's anxiety attack ended around three in the morning, so it was to be expected that she would wake up after midday. She also knew that her attack had caused some dolls to break, so she grabbed Angie and left her room.

She noticed that there was no one in the corridor. Donna looked for her dolls and found them in their respective places, they were broken, but there wasn't a speck of dust on their bodies.

Donna asked if they had returned on their own, but the dolls replied that it was all thanks to the maid. Donna busied herself with her dolls upstairs and when she came down to the living room, she found the maid carefully cleaning the face of one of her dolls.

"You are ready, I will now place you on the table so that... ¡My lady!"

Donna smiled under her veil.

"What are you doing?" Angie, as always, spoke instead.

"I figured you wouldn't be feeling well, so I decided to accommodate the dolls instead. Is... it okay?"

Again, Donna did not answer. Instead, she turned her attention to repairing the broken arms and legs of the dolls, apologising quietly to each one for hurting them.

The maid continued her work on the cleaning and that was the first time the two had been in a room together for more than two minutes.

In the night, some of the dolls still in need of repair talked to Donna, all of them telling her about the maid and how pleasant her company was. They told her that the young woman was a good listener and that although they could not feel warmth, they were sure that her touch was warm because she was almost always in the kitchen.

The dolls also tell Donna that the young woman (they all referred to her as "mudface" thanks to Angie), was very good at playing hide and seek and sometimes helped play tricks on other dolls.

Donna realised how fond they had become of the young lady, so she decided to thank her in her own way.

In the morning, the maid found a small box wrapped in a ribbon. Inside was a pair of woollen gloves to protect her from the cold and a note in elegant handwriting that said "thank you".

Donna looked out of the window at the maid. She was hiding behind a fountain so that Angie would not find her. The day was snowy and somewhat cold, but it was no problem for the maid because her hands and neck were protected by gloves and a scarf.

Both items were Donna's creation. The leader of the Beneviento continued to make small gifts for the maid as a way of saying thank you for the care she took of her dolls.

When the game was over, and thankfully spring was in the air, Angie and the young lady sat down to enjoy the sunshine and make a couple of wreaths.

She finished making one for Angie and placed it on her head, then made a larger one and told her to give it to Donna.

She looked up and found Donna watching her, the maid smiled and waved, though Donna remained still.

The gift was well received by Donna and in gratitude she knitted another pair of gloves.

The end of winter was all about giving small gifts. It was no longer about gratitude, the two women liked to see each other wear or use the gifts they each made.

A flower necklace dipped in amber, a hood for the cold, a jar of biscuits, a flavouring made from pleasant-smelling herbs...

Donna left her room more often, sharing space with the maid. The evenings were quiet, but not uncomfortable. She still didn't speak directly to the young woman, so Angie always had to step in to make small talk.

The young woman, despite her nature, tried to speak little so as not to make her mistress uncomfortable, for which Donna was grateful.

On one occasion they were both in the library, each reading her own book. They were not sitting close together, but within sight of each other. They were silent, until Donna let out a little giggle. The maid couldn't help but glance in her direction, eyebrows arched and a half smile on her face. She had never heard Donna laugh before.

"Are you having a pleasant reading, my lady?"

Beneath her veil, Donna stood still. Angie was playing somewhere and couldn't answer to explain the reason for her laughter, so she just nodded.

From that day on, the maid tried to make Donna laugh more often. Sometimes just making funny comments or other times telling jokes to the dolls, making sure Donna was close enough to listen.

Donna laughed more often and was in a better mood. You could see it in the way she walked and in the new dolls she created. Even in the laughter that could be heard from her room when she was talking to Angie.

But one day, her progress in confidence slipped back.

This is the end of part one.

Part two is here

[aereres]

For You, I'd Become Hercules | 2 | - Auston Matthews

Summary: A happy life with Tyson. That was what you and Auston had been expecting ever since you had moved in. The universe, though, had other plans.

A/N: Here it is! Oh-my-God I couldn’t wait to finally post part two!

Word Count: 5,3k

Warnings: smut, lots of panic and crying, stalking, creepy people, court and lawsuits lmao I think that’s all

“Daddy,” Tyson whined when Emily, his kindergarten teacher, told the parents it was time to leave. “I don’t want you to go,”

“Tys, c’mon, be a good boy,” Auston kneeled near his little boy, gently caressing his back. “You’ll have fun with all the other kids,”

“I’ll pick you up in only a couple of hours, baby,” you whispered, wiping the tear that slipped past Tyson’s eye before kissing his cheek. Your own eyes were glossy, it was hard for you to actually see.

When Auston looked up at you to find some sort of help, you saw just how much everything was affecting him too. Tyson was slowly growing up, already headed off to Kindergarten, and it was especially hard for your lover to let him go. Auston had been his father for years, but he had never thought seeing him start school was going to be that hard, never.

If you hadn’t paid attention to your surroundings, you would have thought it was an angel calling for Tyson; instead, it was a little girl dressed in yellow, her red hair in a high ponytail. “Do you wanna color with me?”

Tyson’s teary eyes left Auston to settle on the little girl, who was pushing a blank paper his way, a bag full of crayons in her other hand. The little boy nodded his head, wiping the remaining tears on his cheeks quickly before sitting down next to her, leaving you and Auston on your own.

“Do we really have to leave?” Auston whispered, watching over his kid, who was smiling like crazy already.

“I think we should,” you mumbled with a strangled giggle, noticing the glances the teacher was giving the two of you, the only parents left inside the classroom. You left the overly decorated room after saying goodbye to Tyson and his new friend, Tiffany.

Your hand slipped into Auston’s when the door was shut behind you, heading towards the car to get back home. The drive was silent, Auston’s hand still linked with yours over the console as he kept his eyes on the packed road.

He missed the turn to reach your condo, instead driving straight away from the city until he reached the top of a hill. He turned the car off just then, finally letting you take in the landscape, the CN Tower seeming so distant from your spot.

The silence inside the car was enough to activate the crowd of thoughts that had been sitting inside your head for what felt like months, your thumb mindlessly caressing the back of Auston’s hand.

After the family trip to Cabo, everything had seemed to move so fast. You had been busy with work, but tried to spend as much time as possible with your boys, which then led to Auston asking you to move in.

It had been a big step, if you had to admit it. Your life after officially living with him and Tyson, though, had become the best life somebody could ask for. You didn’t mind waking up in the middle of the night to Tyson’s crying because of a bad dream, or you didn’t mind packing lunches for three one bit. Secretly, it was the life you had wished for ever since you had been Tyson’s age.

Auston sniffled from your side, catching your attention and finally snapping you out of your thoughts. You looked at him, noticing his red, swollen eyes and his still wet cheeks.

“Aus-”

“He’s just- he’s growing so fast,” he whispered, biting on his lip as he squeezed your hand. “I’m really happy, you know, just kind of shocked he’s leaving us already,”

“It’s just kindergarten, baby,” you reassured him, wiping his cheeks with your palms before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“He’ll be in college before we know it, Y/N,”

You laughed at that, making a smile appear on his own lips as he turned the car back on. “Let’s just focus on the moment,” you whispered, smiling his way before leaning in to kiss him again. “And he’s already made a friend, there’s nothing to worry about,”

“What’s her name, again?”

“Tiffany,” the glare you gave him was enough to make him laugh. “Auston, you’ll have to start remembering his friends’ names, from now on,”

“I will, I will!”

-

Tyson was running to you with a wide smile the moment you hopped off the car, tackling your legs in a hug. “Mommy!”

“Hey, little man!” You said excitedly, ruffling his hair before sending a quick wave to the teacher. As you propped him into your arms, he started talking about his day, he showed you his drawings when you were strapping him into his seat, and you weren’t shocked to see him fast asleep in the backseat just a few minutes later.

The ride back to your condo was short, with the radio playing lightly in the background as Tyson’s slow breathing filled the car. He didn’t wake up when you propped him back in your arms when you parked the car in the building’s garage, but snapped his eyes open excitedly when he heard the sound of his father’s and godfather’s voice.

“Mitchy!”

You let him to the ground, watching him run towards Mitch and hug his legs in less than a second. “Little man!”

You walked towards the kitchen, reaching the three of them and leaning against Auston’s side. Tyson had already been lifted on top of the island, his shoes barely off as he gained the attention of everyone before he started his monologue about his first school day.

Mitch was listening closely, giving Tyson every ounce of his attention as Auston smiled tenderly. “And I also made a friend! Her name is Tiffany!”

“Tyson is already finding girlfriends, I see,” Mitch teased, tickling his tummy as the two of them laughed. “‘Atta boy!”

Tyson laughed, finally able to skim away from Mitch’s hands and finish his story about the day. By the end, his eyes were droopy, barely staying awake as he tried to focus on what his godfather was saying.

“Let’s go take a nap, Tys,” you whispered, lifting him into your arms before you walked to his room, gently helping him inside his bed. You let your eyes stay on his sleeping form for a little while, gently carding a hand through his hair as you zoned out.

You didn’t hear the front door close, but you were snapped out of your thoughts by a gentle hand on your shoulder, your head snapping around to meet Auston’s eyes.

“Thank you for picking him up,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around your frame and holding you close to his chest.

“Of course,” you breathed out as you leaned on the tip of your toes, meeting his lips in a soft kiss. His hands sneaked down to your waist, holding you tightly as you wrapped your arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

“Oh my God,” he chuckled between kisses. “Not here,”

You giggled, remembering just then you were still in Tyson’s room. He picked you up in less than a second, expertly leading the two of you to his bedroom right after shutting Tyson’s door.

Everything seemed to move so quickly as he sat on your shared bed, your legs straddling his waist as the two of you made out. Your shirt came off pretty quickly, followed soon by his, and you let your hands wander around the newfound skin of his chest.

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, his breathing uneven as he let his forehead rest against yours. You nodded your head, grabbing his hands and putting them on your body, giving him your consent. His eyes darkened, positioning you on your back, his body sliding back on top of yours in less than a second.

What had happened after that became history, just two bodies moving against each other in their own first, love-filled dance. You found yourself lying in Auston’s arms a few hours later, your eyes still groggy from the nap and your body feeling pleasantly sore.

“Hey,” Auston whispered, his fingers running through your hair as he smiled at you.

“What time is it?”

“Just a little after five,”

You mindlessly drew shapes on his chest as you relaxed against him, never letting your eyes leave his.

“I love you,” he whispered, everything he had been thinking about spilling from his mouth before he could have even stopped himself. “And it’s fine if you still don’t, you know? I just felt like you should have known,”

Your heart stopped beating for a quick second at his words, a big smile forming on your lips right after his declaration. “Auston?”

He didn’t respond, just hummed your way as his eyes stayed on your intertwined hands. “I love you, too,”

-----

Tyson ran towards you after another day of school, his entire body excited for what was about to come right after the two of you would get inside the car: his first-ever ice hockey practice.

The small duffle bag was already waiting for him in the backseat, with the tiny skates and the hockey stick they wouldn’t be using for a while, since everyone in the course still wasn’t able to skate.

“Mommy!” He squealed excitedly, jumping in your arms before having you buckle him inside his seat.

“Ready for practice, big boy?” You asked, kissing the top of his head quickly. “We’re picking up auntie Steph on the way,”

He smiled excitedly, looking out of the window as you stepped around the car, closing his door behind yourself. You felt like you were being watched again, the same feeling you had felt that morning when you had dropped Tyson off.

The front of the school was still packed with mothers, fathers, grandparents picking up their little ones, but it didn’t take much for you to figure out who was looking - rather, glaring - at you.

She stood to the side, sketchily smoking a cigarette as her black hair flowed over her shoulders because of the breeze, showing off a big tattoo near her neck. Her eyes never left yours as you stepped inside the car, giving her one last look through the rearview mirror before speeding off towards the rink.

Tyson talked your ears off about his day, but it was hard for you to follow through with his monologue as your mind went back to the woman in the parking lot. You picked Steph up quickly before heading towards the rink, keeping quiet the entire car ride until you unbuckled Tyson from his seat.

“You okay?” Steph whispered, her hand placed carefully on your back as you grabbed Tyson’s bag for him. “You seem kind of shocked,”

“I’ll tell you later,” you mumbled, letting your eyes scan the rink’s parking lot to reassure yourself Tyson was safe. Entering the doors, you were greeted by the coach: a patient-looking man in his fifties whose face lightened up as soon as he saw Tyson.

“Tyson Matthews?” He asked, kneeling down to your boy’s height to shake his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,”

He later pointed you and Steph to the stands, where a couple more moms and dads were sitting, looking at their kids on the ice.

“You’re worrying me, Y/N,” Steph admitted when the two of you sat down, your leg bouncing anxiously as you looked around the rink for any sign of the woman. “What’s happening?”

“This morning I brought Tyson to kindergarten,” you started, your eyes finally meeting hers as you explained your side of the story. “I felt like I was being watched, you know, as if someone was looking at me,

“I picked Tys up earlier and this woman was watching us, it was creepy,” you admitted, taking a quick look at your phone before letting your eyes find Tyson in the middle of the rink, laughing with another kid. “I’ve never seen her, no idea on who she is,”

“Maybe you should tell Auston,”

“But what if it’s just a coincidence?” You whispered, rubbing your temples with a sigh. “I’ll just- I’ll wait a little and see what happens. He’s already so busy with practice and all,”

“I just want you and Tys to be safe, alright?”

“Yeah,” you muttered under your breath. You tried to relax, letting the sound of skates on ice and kids’ laughter lull you into a state of calmness until almost all the anxiety left your body for the night.

Tyson quickly waved your way, smiling up at you as he showed you he had already learned how to skate. With a proud smile on your lips, you took a video for Auston, and decided to let the entire matter about the woman leave your mind.

Your kid was on the ice for the first time, it was a moment you just couldn’t forget.

-----

You were sure nothing would ever make you as happy as seeing Tyson on the ice did. He seemed to love hockey just like his father did, spending hours on hours on the iced surface just to have some fun.

He had been able to go to one of the team’s practices, he had skated next to his dad, shot pucks as best as he could, and played around with the coaches and the rest of the team. It looked like the kid and the ice were made for one another, and you and Auston couldn’t help but be extremely proud of your boy.

Standing by the glass of the rink, you watched Tyson with his teammates and coach, running after their respective pucks with mini sticks. Aaliyah was on the phone with you, ranting about what her current boyfriend had done during the previous days, her voice annoyed.

“And guess what! He was at the bar with his friends all that time!”

“No way,” you muttered in shock, stifling a laugh when you heard your best friend pouring herself what you could only guess was wine.

“Yeah, and when I went up to talk to him he became super bitchy,” Aaliyah sighed, probably shaking her head. “I’m proud to call him my ex, now,”

“It was time you dropped that asshole,” you admitted, letting your eyes scan the rink, finding Tyson in the middle of the ice, handling his puck with a smile on his lips. When you looked up, though, you realized there was more to the picture.

Behind him, right on the opposite side of where you were standing, stood the woman. The one with the black hair, with the tattoo on her neck. Seeing her there made it clear: it wasn't just a coincidence anymore.

"Man, that guy was truly a douche. He couldn't even make me cum," Aaliyah mumbled in your ear, but you barely even registered her words.

You stared the woman down, deciding what your next move would have been. "Y/N? Are you there?"

"A, I'll call you later," you muttered quickly before ending the call, making your way around the rink to confront the woman. She had been at your neck for days, following you and Tyson around. You were done with it.

She was quick to run away from you, but it didn't stop you from chasing her. You had made it to the exit of the rink, but when your eyes scanned the parking lot, she was nowhere to be seen. No trace of her around you.

Breathless and angry, you went back to your previous place on the stands. Nothing was holding you back anymore, at that point.

You needed to find that woman.

-----

“No, I don’t think we should advertise it like that, honestly-” your co-worker Martha began speaking, the loud sound of your ringtone interrupting the conversation. Looking down at the screen, you realized Tyson’s kindergarten was calling.

“I’m so sorry, I have to take this one,” you muttered, heart beating out of your chest as you left the meeting room. “Hello?”

“Mrs. Y/L/N? I’m Emily, Tyson’s teacher,” the woman on the other side spoke. “I called to inform you that someone has been trying to pick Tyson up the entire morning,”

You stopped in your tracks, your eyes bulging out of your head as Emily kept explaining. “She was consistent, didn’t want to leave after we explained to her she wasn’t authorized to pick Tyson up,”

“Can you- can you give me a brief description of her?”

“Uh- dark, long hair, tall, in her twenties,”

It was her. The woman that had been following you all that time. And she had tried to pick Tyson up.

“You didn’t let her take Tyson, right?” You asked, tears springing to your eyes as you panicked.

“Obviously, we didn’t,” she reassured you. “Are you okay, Mrs. Y/L/N?”

“I- uh, I’ve been feeling worried about Tyson’s safety. That woman has been following us for quite a while, now,”

“We can ban her, if it would make you feel safer,” Emily gently said. “I’d also recommend talking to the authorities about it, ma’am,”

“I’ll be there to pick Tyson up in ten,” you shakily said, ending the conversation with the teacher with a quick ‘goodbye’ before leaving your workplace. You had never felt that scared in your entire life, barely holding on as you pulled up to the kindergarten, your heart beating out of your chest.

Before entering the school, you grabbed your phone, dialing Auston’s number. Just as you thought you were going to be sent to his voicemail, his voice snapped you out of your trance.

“Babe?”

“Auston, we- we have a problem,” you sniffled, running a hand through your hair as you looked out of the car window.

“What’s happening, baby?” He asked, sounding worried, too. “Please, talk to me,”

“I’m picking Tyson up right now,” you whispered, brushing a stray tear from your cheek with the back of your hand. “Can you come home as soon as possible? We’ll talk there,”

“Sure,” he stuttered out. “Y/N?”

“Yes?”

“I love you, I’ll see you later,”

-

When you had finally reached home, Tyson speeded off to his room, obviously after greeting his father. You were sure you had never seen Auston that worried in your entire life, a frown masking his face when he saw your teary gaze.

Without even saying a word, he wrapped his arms around you, embracing you in a warm hug as you finally let the tears fall. You felt extremely anxious; your worries for Tyson, for Auston, for your own self, were overwhelming.

“Whenever you’re ready, baby,” Auston whispered in your hair, swaying your bodies to lull you.

“This- this woman,” you sobbed, your tears staining his hoodie. “She’s been following Tyson and me for months,”

Auston’s shock was evident when he quickly cupped your cheeks, attentively making eye contact with you. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just- I thought it was just a coincidence. She was always at the kindergarten, I thought she was just there to pick up her kid,” you admitted. “But then I also started seeing her at the rink, and today Emily called me to tell me that woman had attempted to pick Tyson up multiple times,”

“Fuck,” Auston muttered, running a hand through his hair as he looked down at you. “We should probably call the police,” He sat on the couch, wrapping his arms around you when you settled next to him. “Can you maybe describe her for me?”

“Black hair, skinny, tall,” you mumbled. “I don’t know if it’s helpful, but she always wears red lipstick,”

Something clicked inside Auston’s mind, you could have told. Pictures of her crowded his mind as he tried comparing her and the woman you had described. Scrambling for something he remembered her for, he could only come up with one of the most obvious things about her. Tattoos.

“Does she have a neck tattoo? Close to the shoulder area,”

With your eyebrows scrunched, you nodded your head, remembering quite easily about the inked skin you had noticed. His head dropped in his hands, making your heart beat against your ribcage heavily. “What are you thinking, Aus?”

“That’s Jessica,”

Tyson’s mother.

-----

Auston had never thought she would have come back. She had made it clear that night: she wasn’t going to come back; and yet, there she was. She had been following his son and his girlfriend around, creeping around them like a stalker, scaring them to death.

They didn’t deserve it, at all, was all he thought. He had never seen Y/N that shocked in his entire life, tears of fear and worry streaming down her face. It made his blood boil, it made him angry to see her like that. Jessica was going to pay.

With a sigh, he looked at himself in the foggy mirror: the dark bags under his eyes - the first thing you could notice about his appearance - were the result of a couple sleepless nights spent to figure out what he was going to do, how he was going to help you. His unshaven stubble peeked out, reminding him of all the mornings spent in front of papers, trying to solve the big knot that was child custody, something he had been so clueless about for his entire life.

And then came his eyes. They were filled with anger, with frustration.

He had been the happiest man on Earth ever since Y/N had come back in his life, stealing his heart all over again; Jessica wasn’t going to ruin his life just when he was at his happiest.

-----

“So we should settle for a restraining order?” Auston asked, mindlessly stepping around your room as he talked to his lawyer. “I’m afraid this might need more than just a restraining order,”

You sighed when you heard the doorbell, stepping out of your room and finding Tyson playing with Ema, who had been kind enough to help you and Auston during the complicated situation you had been going through. You had kept Tyson away from kindergarten for his safety, what had previously happened with Jessica was enough to scare you to death.

“I’ll take the door,” you whispered to Ema, who was silently looking at her grandson, a worried look on her features.

The doorbell rang again, this time snapping the toddler out of his thoughts. He latched onto your side, a clueless smile planting itself onto his lips as he waited for you to open the door.

It shocked you to see that familiar tattoo so closely, every detail imprinting itself in your memory. Jessica stood in front of you with all her pride, her eyes gingerly falling on your face before flying down to Tyson.

“Look at my baby,” she whispered under her breath, kneeling down to the kid’s height to take a good look at him. Putting all the shock aside, your protectiveness took over, pushing Tyson away from her.

“Don’t even look at him,” you hissed, eyes cold as they found hers.

“Baby, the lawyer is asking-”

Auston stopped in his tracks when he saw who was at the door, quickly stepping towards the two of you to stand by your side. Ema also joined the scene, picking Tyson up and sending the mother of her grandchild a glare before leaving the room.

“Jessica, what do you want?” Auston was quick to ask, his voice filled with venom.

“Auston,” Jessica greeted him, smirking your way. “I want my kid back,”

“After everything you’ve done to us?!” Auston raised his voice. “You left him on my doormat, Jessica. You left us alone with no help and now you come back?! You’ll never be able to see my son again,”

“Our son,” she specified, looking at you as she reminded you who really was the mother of the kid you loved so much, a pang of pain hitting your heart.

“Don’t even try to consider him yours,” you hissed, clenching your jaw. You had had enough. “Tyson doesn’t have a mother because you abandoned him and never came back,”

“You will never be his mother, no matter how hard you try,”

“At least I try to be present in his life, Jessica,” you said, your fists clenched into balls as you stared her down. “At least I show him love, I treat him as my own son. You won’t take him away from us, no matter how hard you try,”

“We’ll see you in court,” Auston said sharply from your side, wrapping his arm around your waist to stabilize you, to support you.

“Oh, is that how things are going to go?” Jessica huffed, rolling her eyes. “Just let me see my kid,”

“You don’t even call him by his name, do you expect us to let you meet him?” you snapped. “We will see you in court, and you should leave the building before I call the police,”

“You won’t forget about me, girl,” she hissed before walking away, leaving you to stare at her back as she left. Your heart was still beating against your ribcage, so fast from all the adrenaline when Auston pulled you back inside your house, wrapping his arms around you in a firm hug.

“Auston, I-” you cried, sniffling against his chest as you finally let yourself relax in his hold. “I’m so scared,”

“She’s never going to take Tyson from us, baby,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “I promise,”

“Mommy?” Tyson’s voice was small, you barely even heard it. “Mommy, don’t cry,”

Even more tears left your eyes at his words, and he was quick to find himself in your arms, hugging you tightly.

“Oh, Tys, I love you so much,” you sobbed, tightening your grip around his smaller body as you enjoyed the moment. “I will always love you, no matter what. Okay, Tys?”

The toddler nodded your way, his eyes soft as he let his face hide in the crook of your neck. Auston joined the two of you, kissing the top of your heads before swaying all of your bodies from side to side.

“We’ll be alright,” he whispered in your ear. “We’ll be alright,”

-----

You hadn’t expected to ever find yourself in court for something as serious as child custody, ever. You were nervous, to say the least. You, Auston, and Tyson were in the hands of one of the best lawyers specialized in child custody; you had been reassured you’d win the case at least twenty times already, but it didn’t help to calm your nerves.

In the short time that had divided your first real encounter with Jessica and the day of the sentence, you had truly started appreciating every single moment you had with Tyson. God only knew what was going to happen in that room.

Auston held your hand during the entire sentence, squeezing your palm every time he’d feel you getting nervous. As the matters were discussed via your respective lawyers, you let your eyes peek in Jessica’s direction.

She was dressed in black, her usual signatures - the bright red lipstick painting her lips, and her neck tattoo - shining under the lights of the room. ‘How could such a beautiful person live without kindness, or love, for her own son?’ You asked yourself. ‘How could she heartlessly leave Tyson and Auston alone, and come back years later to try and snatch him away from the loving hands of his father?’

You spaced out, blocking the sound of people talking, focusing on the ground. In your head, you replayed every single moment you had been able to spend with Tyson, the little boy that had stolen your heart.

You focused on every important moment: the time in the hospital, the lazy Sundays spent with your boys and Felix on the couch, the gala where Tyson first called you ‘mommy’, his first practice.

‘We do not remember days, we remember moments’, was what Cesare Pavese had once said, and finding Tyson and Auston finally made you really understand what he meant, with that quote.

“The sole custody of Tyson James Matthews will be given to the father, Auston Taylour Matthews,” the judge, a middle-aged woman, spoke. “Have a good day,”

It felt as if your heart started beating again, when she spoke those words. Tears of happiness welled up in your eyes as you looked at Auston, who was equally as happy as you were.

Even if not appropriate, he pulled you in a hug, burying his face in the crook of your neck as the two of you created another moment together. Ema, who had been sitting behind you all that time, joined the two of you with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“We did it, baby,” Auston whispered, sniffling slightly as he wiped a fresh set of tears from your cheeks. “We finally did it,”

-

You spent the afternoon trying to explain the situation to Tyson as best as you could, his curious questions bringing you even more happiness. As much as you wanted to spend the entire night with your boys, Auston was determined to bring you out to dinner.

The entire deal about Tyson’s custody had made both of you extremely busy, you barely even were able to see each other. Mrs. Blake had been more than happy to keep Tyson for the night, and maybe you really needed to spend a night with your lover.

“You look beautiful,” Auston said from behind you, nervously fidgeting as he looked at you putting on your favorite set of earrings.

“And you look nervous,” you giggled, turning around to press a kiss to his lips. “Do I still make you nervous, Matthews?”

“How could you not?” He smirked sweetly down at you, kissing you another time before grabbing your clutch for you. “Let’s go, baby. This is our night,”

You laughed, spinning in his arms before slipping in a pair of heels, ready to leave your condo and get to the restaurant. The look of shock you had given Auston the moment he parked in front of the CN Tower was enough to make him laugh as he helped you out of the car like the gentleman he was.

He spoiled you with a wonderful dinner, talking about everything in front of a glass of wine and the beautiful view of Toronto. Your dessert was brought to you after a while: two nice bowls of ice cream, just what you always used to order when you were kids.

“You know, I was thinking about it,” Auston mumbled, clearing his throat as he pushed the spoon with the last few remnants of ice cream into his mouth. “And we’ve been together for almost a year,”

“Damn, you’re right,” you chuckled in amazement. Time had gone past so quickly you had barely even noticed it.

“This has been the best year of my life,” he admitted, pressing a quick kiss to the back of your hand, his palm sweaty. “And I wish the next ones could be as perfect as this one year we spent together,”

You smiled at him, biting on your lip as the butterflies in your stomach kept dancing to the music that was his love.

“I know it’s probably too soon, but I just can’t help myself, Y/N,”

A hand cupped your mouth as you finally realized what he actually had meant, and when he let himself sink on one knee, opening a velvet box with the most beautiful ring you had ever seen inside, tears started to spill from your eyes.

“We’ve been through hell and back to be where we are now, and you’ve loved me unconditionally no matter what I did or what I said. You’re the only one I want, you’re the only one I need. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

It was a no-brainer. You didn’t even have to think about your answer, it was clear.

“Yes!”

Taglist: @thirstyybitch @bellaguarneri @brokeninsidebutnobodyknows @trashforbarzal @roopehinttz @callllumhood​ @sunsetholland​

[n0wornever]

One Chance - Luke Patterson x Reader

Can you do a Luke x reader fic where Julie, Alex and Reggie all convince y/n to go on a date with Luke and maybe it’s to the beach or stargazing?

Circa 1995

Y/N sat at her desk, tapping her pencil against the hard wood. She peered over at the clock, seeing 2 p.m. in bright red blinking back at her. Another afternoon wasted on homework. Her disgruntled monologue was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Come in!” She shouted.

Her eyes landed on a talk blonde and beaming brunette entering her room. Their eyes fell toward the flowers on her desk, and back to her face. She sighed, knowing exactly what they came here to talk to her about.

“Y/N, he’s been pacing in the garage for the past few hours...you could at least give him an answer.” Alex said quietly, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked closer toward her.

She bit down on her bottom lip. It had been hours ago but her brain had been racing so much since he showed up on her porch with daisies, it felt like she hadn’t had a second to properly process his request.

Luke had never been shy about his feelings toward her, but she had always thought that he would never act upon them. “He’s a flirt” she said to her friends when they questioned why the two weren’t an item yet, “he rarely means it.”

However, that August afternoon, it appears that she had been wrong. Luke rang her doorbell and she opened the door to his bright smile. Her eyes fell to his shaking hand that held a bouquet of flowers. She met his eyes again with a raised eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe.

“What gives, Patterson. What are you apologizing for this time?”

He rolled his eyes, pushing the flowers out to in her direction. She grabbed them carefully, keeping her eyes narrowed at him as she clutched the stems in her hands.

“No apologies, I’m here to....formally...” He took a deep breath, biting down on his lower lip “Ask you out on a date?”

Both of her eyebrows were raised at this point, eyes gaping at the soft red that fell on the boy’s cheeks. Luke’s flirting always seemed harmless, but the way his green eyes softened as he spoke today brought a pinch to her chest that she was unfamiliar with. He seemed honestly nervous as he let his eyes fall to his feet in her silence.

“Luke, I-. Can I think about it for a bit? I’m just... a little confused I just.”

Luke met her eyes again as he started to talk again.

“Take all the time you need,”  He said, taking a step back. “But know that this isn’t a joke, prank, dare or whatever you think it may be. I- I’m laying it all out here, Y/N.” His hands stretched out in distress. “Just...let me know.”

She watched as he turned his back toward her and walked toward his beat-up truck. She stayed on the porch as he drove away, clutching the white flowers to her chest as her gaze followed the blue truck down her street.

She was at a loss in that moment. Confused, nervous and anxious all bottled up into a frustrating cocktail of emotions. She finally closed the door and leaned against it, sighing. Luke was sweet, funny and attractive, she couldn’t lie about any of that. But ever since she had her heart broken over a year ago by her first boyfriend, she hadn’t had the heart to move forward.

Luke felt like danger and passion and romance, all wrapped up in a beautiful bow, but Jake felt like that too at the beginning of their relationship. She walked over to the kitchen, opening a cabinet and grabbing an empty vase. She placed the flowers inside, walking over to the sink to fill the pitcher with water. As she walked up to her room, she thought about what a date with Luke would be like. Would she be at ease with him? Would she immediately destroy any chance they had on previous fears bubbling to the surface? The possibility made her want to stay at arm’s length from the boy forever.

Y/N shook her head at her friends who stared at her with wide eyes. Her teeth found her lip, nipping away at the skin. Their eyes grilled her with the only question she refused to answer. Her eyes moved toward the floor as she clasped her hands in her lap. Shortly, a hand fell on her shoulder and she looked up to Alex’s blue eyes.

“Y/N, it’s okay to put yourself out there.”

Reggie appeared on the other side of her, placing his hand opposite Alex’s. He gave her a warm smile, nodding along to his bandmate’s sentiment.

“He’s right, you deserve to be happy...and I’ve seen how you are around Luke. I haven’t seen you smile like that in awhile...”

Y/N squinted her eyes, trying to ignore the oncoming tears. She knew that she had to move past heartbreak and let herself feel again, but that process seemed so much easier left in her head, not actively acted upon.

“Guys, I....I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“You’ve been hurt, Y/N. It’s okay to be anxious about dating again,” Alex replied, squeezing her shoulder. “But I know as soon as you get yourself back out there, that anxiety will melt away in time.”

“You also have to remember who was there through your breakup...” Reggie reminded her.

Luke sat up with her all night as she cried and spiraled through the same three confusing trains of thought the night that Jake broke up with her. The two had only been friends for a few weeks at the time, but Luke was the first to offer a box of tissues and an unlimited amount of time on his shoulder to cry. A small smile ghosted across her face at the memory of his hand wiping away her tears from her cheek.

“Yeah, I know.”

She released her hands, letting them sit on her thighs. Alex winked at her, patting her back before walking toward her door.

“Just... put him out of his misery so we can stop hearing about how you ‘haven’t called’ or ‘hate him forever’ please?” The blonde joked, overexaggerating the air quotes.

She giggled, nodding at them both as they disappeared out the door. She fell back onto her chair, chewing on her pencil as she stared at her yellow phone on the edge of her desk. She studied it for a moment before picking up the receiver. She started to type a number, before pressing her finger down on the base to end the call. She sighed, typing the full number out this time and moving the speaker to her ear.

The phone rang a few times before it picked up. She heard a soft panting before his voice rang through the phone.

“Patterson household, Luke speaking.”

Her grin grew with his formality. “Mr. Patterson, it’s Y/N, have time to chat?”

His giggle was picked up by the speaker before he spoke again “Of course, always have time for you.”

She was happy he couldn’t see how red he made her cheeks at that moment. She let the chord wind around her finger as she started to speak again.

“I wanted to follow up on a request you had earlier today...”

He stayed silent on his end, causing her heart rate to spike. Had he already forgotten? Alex and Reggie said he’d been waiting for her response, but maybe they had overexaggerated his actual interest?

“Thank god.” He finally said, she could hear his dimpled smile through the phone.

“I was wondering...” She started, swallowing the lump in her throat. “If the offer still stands?”

He went quiet again and Y/N was left listening to the thumping in her chest. She wasn’t used to this anymore, the anxiety and nerves that came with firsts. She focused on the corner of her room as she waited for his response.

“...Are you saying that it’s a yes? Because if so, definitely.” Luke said in a rush. “But if you’re going to say no again, I’m going to say no, the offer never even existed.”

She giggled, hearing a relaxed breath on his end from her response. She leaned forward, placing her elbow on the desk and pressing her face onto her hand.

“I wanted to say... “ She blinked back the nerves a few times. “I’d love to go on a date with you, Luke.”

“Nothing has ever sounded so beautiful in my entire life,” He said cooly. Except for maybe your voice in general.”

“You’re a cheeseball, Patterson.”

“Yeah, a cheeseball who has a date with a beautiful girl secured, I’m okay with that.”

The laughter that fell from of her lips was out of her control at this point, her face hurting from smiling so much.

“Pick you up at 7?”

“Sounds great.”

She set the phone back down on it face and ran a hand through her hair. She stared at her closet in dismay. What the heck was she going to wear for this first date?

She stood up, opening the doors to her racks of clothing. She pulled out flannels, dresses and t-shirts, but nothing felt right. Her eyes landed on a familiar logo and she grabbed the shirt immediately. It was an old Sunset Curve shirt that Luke had made for her to wear to their show. She squeezed the soft fabric between her fingers before setting it down on her bed. She pulled out a pair of ripped skinny jeans and smiling down at her creation.

She sat in the mirror, applying lipstick as the doorbell rang. She blotted her lips quickly before rushing down the stairs. She opened the door to a waiting Luke, hands tied behind his back and a smug grin on his lips. He looked down at her shirt and back up to her eyes.

“Nice choice, but it won’t earn you brownie points,” He shot a wink in her direction.

“Like I need them?”

He suppressed a giggle as he nodded at her response. She stepped outside and closed the door behind her. He led her to his truck, grabbing her hand in his. As the approached the vehicle, Luke opened the passenger side door, letting go of her hand as she slid in. As he moved into the driver’s side, she eyed the basket beneath her.

“So, where are we going?”

He smiled, keeping his eyes fixed on her garage in front of his truck. His hand came up to rest behind her head as he pulled back onto the street, zooming forward. As they passed streetlights and stop signs, she tried to take in any clues she could, but she came up empty. Her mind was left wandering until a specific exit sign came into view.

“Are we going to the beach?”

He didn’t respond, but the small smile that played at his lips gave her everything that she needed to know. She grinned, watching the cars go by out the window as the drove down the highway.

As the pulled into their parking spot, Y/N eyed the mostly empty sand. It was dusk and most families had headed home for the night. She had never seen this place so silent. She opened her door to double-check the view she took in. No screaming, just the sound of waves crashing onto the shore. Luke unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out of the car. He walked over to her side, holding out his hands to guide her out.  She let go of his hands to shut the door behind her.

He clutched her hand again as he led her down to the shoreline. He grabbed the blanket from inside the basket and spread it out in front of them. He sat down first, patting a open spot next to him. She fell down next to him, taking a deep breath of the salty air as she settled in. He grabbed two glasses out of the wicker basket and a bottle of wine.

“Your mom is going to kill you,” She said nervously, but a smile was plastered on her face.

“She has so many, she won’t miss it.”

He opened the bottle and poured a glass, handing it over to her. He poured one for himself before placing the cap on and setting the bottle aside. He rose his glass in her direction, and hers met his in the middle, clinking them together. She let her gaze fall on the water as she took a sip, the liquid immediately warming her insides.

“So, why the beach?” She asked, guiding her eyes back to his face.

That wide smile placed itself on his face again as he took a large sip from his glass before responding.

“You remember that night I brought you here?”

She sighed, remembering that Luke had sped to her house the night of the breakup. He wouldn’t let her sit in her room anymore, practically forcing her out of her bed and into his car. He drove straight to this spot that night, holding her under the full moon.

“Yeah, not my brightest shining moment,” She admitted, taking another gulp of the red wine.

He shook his head “You were just fine. I just remembered how upset you were that night,” His voice faltered at the end of the sentence. “I-I just wanted to bring you back here so you could have happier memories of this place.”

She couldn’t even hide the blush that ran across her face in that moment. Her heart raced as Luke’s gaze zeroed in on hers. She had no words to describe how the scene around her fell away as she looked into his green eyes. She bit down on her bottom lip as she smiled at him.

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” She said quietly, watching as his cheeks turned pink in the lowlight.

She set her glass down carefully before moving over to his side of the blanket. She hovered over him for a moment, hearing a slight gasp fall from his lips. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Thank you,” She whispered.

He nodded, eyes falling across her face. Before she knew it, Luke was lifting himself up to meet her, pressing his lips onto hers softly. It lasted not even a second, but the moment his lips left hers, she immediately missed them. She let her eyes flutter open before falling back to her spot on the sand.

The two sat a quiet, bashful mess as they watched each other in silence, the water wrapping around them.

.

.

.

Tag list: @xplrreylo @lovesanimals , @anythingandeverythingfandom , @crybabyddl , @oswin05 , @themaddies-obx , @lukeys-giggle , @bumbleberry-pie @kiss-themoongoodbye  @marinettepotterandplagg , @lolychu , @bathtimejish , @dasexydevitt13 @musicconversedance , @txrii  @bestdressedandstressed @daisiesforlacey  @epikskool  @bookfrog247 @carleywhittaker @princessvader15 @rudysbay @spooky-season-bitch  @kcd15  @meangirlsx @itz-jas @parkeret @writerinlearning @calamitykaty ​ @dani27297 @whatever-happens-imma-stand-tall​

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS MORE, MORE BLOOD Vol. 12: Mukami Ruki [Another Story]

Original title: アナザーストーリー

Source: Diabolik Lovers More, More Blood Vol. 12 Mukami Ruki [Deluxe Edition]

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Takahiro Sakurai

Translator’s note: I feel very much conflicted about this CD still. While I do kind of like how they took a different approach with the Another Story track and the way it ends, I still think Ruki went way too far in the main CD. It was interesting to see everything from his perspective too, although this means there’s a bunch of inner monologues in this and it’s Ruki so they’re quite long. I try to break up the paragraphs by describing what happens based on background sounds and such but this one just has a bunch of rambling lol. 

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

“Lately, she has been formidable. Even though she was always the type of girl to make the most foolish mistakes, to the point where one would wonder if she did it on purpose. She has not been getting scolded by me either. That does not bother me. Or at least, it shouldn’t bother me. So why do I feel so...restless?”

*Ding・dongー Ding・dong*

Ruki walks up to you in the inner courtyard.

( So that’s where she’s been...Look at her just casually watering the plants... No wonder she did not show up in the library. I assume she has completely forgotten about our meeting. )

“So this is where you’ve been.”

You flinch.

( Huh? What’s wrong? Why would she be so surprised just because I called out for her? Also...Under normal circumstances, I’d assume she would panic and spray water all over me with that hose she just so conveniently happens to be holding. Yet, she made the wise decision and turned off the water. )

“Oh well. I shall praise you for ceasing your actions as soon as you saw your Master approach. However, there should be something you have forgotten.”

You bring up the promise.

“Oh? So you do remember. Then you should have just hurried to the library.”

( Now this is new. I didn’t think a scatterbrain such as herself would have remembered our plan to meet up. No, if she remembered, she should have come to me straight away. Did she only just now remember? Even so, her behavior is off. Or am I simply overthinking things? )

*TIMESKIP*

( Once it starts boiling, the dressing will be complete. Which leaves just plating the salad. )

You enter the kitchen.

“...Hm? You’re already here? You almost resemble a dog or a cat rather than livestock, lured in by the scent like that. Let me tell you just in case, it is not feeding time just yet. Wait until I’m done preparing it.“

You nod and leave.

( Oh? She left without offering to help? I’m glad to see her so obedient, but then what did she come for in the first place? Usually she would insist on helping even if it’s more of a bother and either cut her finger or break one of the plates. Those are the kind of things she does. )

He turns off the stove.

“What is this feeling as if something is...off? Something about the way she’s been acting trips me up. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her make a blunder even once as of late. That isn’t something which should bother me, but I just can’t seem to get rid of this unsettling feeling in my chest. What has gotten into her...?”

*TIMESKIP*

Ruki enters the room

“We finally made it back. That was quite the disaster. ...Honestly, why do I have to wear the clothes she picked out for me? Well, I suppose she did not make a bad choice for once. I’ll add it to my collection of casual wear. That being said...Nothing happened today either.”

He takes a seat on the bed.

“How many days has it been since she stopped making mistakes? She won’t even show dangerous behavior. What kind of miracle is this? No, I do not mind that. I shouldn’t mind it. It basically means a huge pressure has been lifted off my shoulders. Then why do I feel so conflicted? Her suspicious behavior piques my interest, but even beyond that...”

( I felt as if something was lacking. Oh, I get it now. It all makes sense now. I have not gotten to taste her blood as of late, so I must feel unsatisfied. I am not the type of guy who easily becomes thirsty for blood, nor would I indulge in her without a good reason. However, with less opportunities to punish her, our time together automatically decreased as well. To be upset because of that, I must seem like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum because his mother does not pay enough attention to him. It is obvious since when I have become so obsessed with her

...Since the moment I decided to betray the whole word and chose her, I must have already been enraptured by her. Harshly sucking her blood while restraining her movements was something which fulfilled my desire for dominance. It most definitely made me feel good. However, somewhere deep inside, I felt relieved when she accepted me without fighting back against it. At some point, I even began to cherish those moments where I would pierce my fangs through her skin. I must be quite the easy man as well. I always thought I was in charge, but I may have actually been the one wrapped around her little finger instead. (1) I cannot show myself to that man like this. No, I assume he is already well aware. )

Ruki suddeny raises his head.

“Hm...? That man? Speaking of which, that hourglass I gave her...I considered the possibility but could it be...? Even if she were to make some sort of mistake, if she rewinds time, she could do the same scenario over again. If she makes it so only she remembers, it would be easy to keep it hidden from me. I wanted to believe I was simply overthinking things, but now that I think about it with a clear mind, it really is suspicious...I’m sure that even someone as slow as herself would eventually get things right after two of three tries. If she has been using that hourglass to cover up her own mess-ups, then I have no other choice but to punish her for such a foolish act.”

( It became clear to me that I would have to set up a trap to find out the truth. ーー And if her actions were to be exposed, I would make sure to compensate for the lack of disciplining these past few days. I can already imagine her crying out. I probably should not feel proud for having such thoughts. However, this is not a bad situation. It may be somewhat shameless, but it seems like I am enjoying it quite a bit. To get to use her own blunders as an excuse to suck her blood, or knowing that no matter what I do, she will not get away from me. )

“I suppose I shall enjoy our time together for the first time in a while...Which may just turn out to be a hellish period for her.”

*TIMESKIP*

*Ding・dongー Ding・dong*

Ruki pulls back after sucking your blood.

“...Hah. Your blood tastes even sweeter than usual. By sucking it repeatedly, the flavor ripens, becoming richer, almost like wine. Or in other words, like a stew you kept on the stove for too long. If it simmers any longer, it might just burn. I suppose we could put it to the test. After all, no matter what happens to you, all we have to do is turn back time.”

You keep quiet.

“You can hear me, right? Why not give some sort of reaction? I would not mind seeing you miserably struggle in vain.”

You still fail to give a response.

“Guess she really did lose consciousness. Judging by the looks of it, I doubt she will wake up even if I were to rewind time. I guess you could consider us even now. Perhaps I went a little too easy on her, but I shall forgive her now.”

He takes a step back.

“Such an innocent sleeping face. Almost as if the obscene expressions you showed me earlier were nothing but a lie. Your sheer white complexion and screams were not bad. As well as how you would cling onto my clothes, remaining by my side despite your obvious fear.”

*Thud*

“...Ah!”

*Cling*

“The hourglass...”

Ruki picks up the Hourglass.

“That man might have been testing me after all...Me? Or rather, us? ...Now that I think about it twice, the ability to manipulate time is something which should only ever be given to God. We could have possibly overthrown all logic in this world if we so wished. Yet, we used it to cover up for trivial mistakes. Then this is basically just some child’s toy. However...I am sure that was for the best.”

He turns his head to look at you.

“You might be more of a genius than I thought. However, how many times did you rewind? The magic has almost run dry. The few times I rewinded are basically irrelevant. I wonder just how many times you repeated your own ridiculous mistakes? Oh well, I shall drag that out of her later. I doubt she will easily confess though. ーー No, I suppose there is no point in asking her. I can simply confirm it with my very own eyes.”

*Cling*

“With this amount, we can still turn back time just once. That’s plenty.”

*Thud*

*Tick tock - Tick tock - Tick tock - Tick tock*

ーーー

“Hm…”

You approach Ruki.

“Oh? It’s you. No, it’s nothing serious. I was simply lost in thought.”

You take notice of the hourglass in his hand.

“You seem curious. Are you that interested in this thing? Blood red sand…Its decorations are beautiful as well. It would make for the perfect interior piece.”

You ask if there is a catch.

“No, it’s jsut a regular old hourglass. There is nothing special about it.”

*Thud*

“More importantly, you mentioned you wanted to look for resources for your assignment, right? Meet me at the library during tomorrow’s break time. I shall help you.”

You seem surprised.

“Yes. As your Master, it is my duty to look after you. However, do not be late, okay?”

You nod.

( Well then...I wonder what the next few days will have in store for me? How many mistakes will you make, and how many times will you get punished by me? ...I am looking forward to it. )

ーー THE END ーー

Translation notes

(1) Literally he says that he always intended to be the one ‘holding the reins’, but instead he was actually tied up/restrained this whole time. 

[imnotwolverine]

The Accidental Family - Chapter 5

Henry Cavill x OFC - multi-chapter

< Chap 4 | Chap 5 How to dad | Chap 6 >

Disclaimer: fluff, sadness, memory loss, some strong language

Word count: 2.098

Author’s note: I had a home spa day and I may or may not have made WAY too many bubbles in the bathtub..which then in turn kind of floated out into our adjoining kitchen and...yea...I’m posting this to procrastinate the clean up of ..THAT. Wish me luck. 😂

(Link to my Masterlist)

--

It was not unusual for Henry to be up this early, and yet Phoebe was slightly surprised to find him in the kitchen, the smell of coffee searing into her nose as she was welcomed with the sight of a kitchen island crowded with paper folders and the family whiteboard scribbled full with an enormous, intricately filled out schedule. 

Henry was still working on it as she quietly stepped over the threshold, her arms crossing before her bathrobe as she watched him bend down, ass sticking out as he leaned in to scribble something in the far right bottom corner.

‘Morning.’ She chimed, making Henry jerk up in surprise, his eyes looking at her like she had just caught him with his hand in the cookie jar.

‘Whatcha doin’?’ She leaned into the kitchen island and looked at the papers that were strewn over the smooth light grey marble.

‘Oh, ehm, just ..trying to find some order in this mess.’ He shrugged and clicked the cap back onto the whiteboard marker, his fingers pushing it on the small whiteboard ledge before he fully turned towards his wife, her dazed eyes still blinking at him with mild confusion.

‘You see I found all these things you keep around. School schedules, doctor’s appointments, swimming classes, soccer, eh..you know. I wanted to have an overview.’ He shrugged, making Phoebe cry out laughing.

‘You did what now?!’

‘Wait, don’t tell me you have a schedule just like this laying around..’

‘No, no. Eh..’ Phoebe looked over at the coffee machine, deciding she’d need a cuppa before she’d dive into Henry’s findings.

‘Want some coffee as well?’

‘No, no, I’m good. Gotta keep fit, so I can get back in the saddle as quickly as possible.’ He jabbed into the air, as if ready to beat an invisible opponent.

‘Silly man.’ Phoebe chuckled, pouring some of the hot brew into a mug with a smiling elephant on it - yes suddenly Henry owned a whole arsenal of silly mugs. Squinting his eyes playfully he studied Phoebe:

‘Silly stupid or silly smart?’ Henry asked, but all Phoebe did was shrug, turning a pair of mischievous eyes at him while she sipped on her coffee.

‘Anyways. I think, if the doctor’s okay with it, I can start squeezing in office visits between Sam’s soccer practise and Piper’s speech therapy and..’

‘Hen..’ Phoebe sighed, walking up to him to brush a hand over his arm, his shirt fitting snugly around his large chest, attracting her gaze for a short moment. ‘..one step at a time okay?’

‘Yes-yes, I know. I..’

And then she chuckled, earning an even more confused look from him. ‘What’s so funny?’ His brow furrowed.

‘Oh..it’s just. I never thought I’d get you to..draft school appointment schedules.’

‘Why’s that?’

Phoebe hesitantly licked her lips, her stormy blues meeting his aquamarine, his face betraying that he truly didn’t understand. ‘You were at work..a lot.’

‘Oh.’

Henry slowly turned around, also looking back at the busy schedule; it was indeed quite impossible to fit all this in with the 14-hour workdays he had always been so accustomed to.

‘..fuck.’ He breathed softly, scolding his old-Henry-self for being such a workaholic idiot.

‘That’s okay. We were a pretty good team.’ Phoebe leaned into the kitchen island, her hand lowering the coffee cup to her hip as she quirked her head to the side to study the schedule he had drawn up.  

‘So which of these did I do with the kids?’ He asked hesitantly.

‘Soccer, on Saturday.’

Henry blinked at the 40-something other items that were listed on the meticulously drawn out grid. ‘Oh my.’

‘Yea..’ Phoebe grinned. ‘There’s a good reason why I quit my job as a nurse.’

‘You were a nurse?’

Phoebe turned her head to answer, but decided not to, her lips instead just twitching up in a half-smirk. ‘For a while. But at least now I know exactly what to do when one of the cubs run a fever.’

‘Did you like being a nurse?’

She shrugged and took another sip of her coffee. ‘Wiping shit of a patient’s ass or my kid? I’ll choose my kid any day of the week.’ She winked at him.

‘Sounds wonderful.’ Henry chuckled. ‘And about that; shouldn’t the children move home at some point? Or..you go to them, or..?’ He wished to scratch his head as he did whenever he was unsure, but Phoebe was quick to stop him, her hand catching his wrist before he could move it up higher.

‘Eventually.’ She swallowed harshly and released his wrist. ‘I just don’t know when.’ Her eyes moved back to the board as she continued with slight melancholy. ‘There’s only so much you can plan.’

--

‘Hi Danny.’ Relief flooded Henry’s limbs as the amazonian goddess of a woman stepped into the office he had been left in some fifteen minutes earlier.

It would be just a short visit to the office, the studio having postponed the production of the new Witcher season until things were cleared out; Henry’s doctors were not very eager to give any green lights until Henry himself showed he was able to carry the burdens that came with being a lead actor in such a heavily regarded tv show.

‘Hey there big guy! Lookin’ good!!’

‘Yea,’ Henry smiled happily. ‘Feeling pretty good as well.’

‘Good to hear, good to hear! Oh and sorry if I’m a little slow. Jet lagging pretty hard over here; just got back from LA and had like..the craziest delay. But, here I am! It’s good to see you, Henry.’

‘Likewise.’ Henry cleared his throat as he tried to remember the short script she had sent the day before. A script that he’d have usually learned in between scenes, taking up no more than half an hour. But now he felt a certain nerve crawling up his spine as she plucked out that very same script from her bag.

‘Alright. So. I thought we’d have a little reading first? See how that’s going? I mean, if that’s alright with you, of course.’

‘Eh..yea, sure.’ Henry hesitated as his eye flew over the bag he had brought along, the script in there begging him to be picked up in case he failed to produce the words.

No, he could do this. He had to prove he could…

‘So, starting at the top of the scene. Geralt is sleep deprived and agitated. You know the drill..’ She waved her hand like it was no big deal, only to remember moments later it might be a deal after all, her tongue clicking as she realised her mistake. ‘I mean. IF you know the drill, or don’t know the drill, either way is fine. No question is bad. We have no stupid questions in this room, mkay? I mean, I’m just so glad to see you here! And..-’

‘No, I can do it.’ Henry frowned and tried to focus on the blurry daze that was his memory, the words somehow sticking to the tip of tongue like they were about to spill..but didn’t come. ‘Okay, maybe just eh, keep the script to be sure.’ He quickly grabbed for his bag, unzipping it to retrieve the script, the many marks indicating just how much he had struggled with it the night before; at some point Phoebe had to pull the paper from his stiff fingers, so he’d at least get some sleep.  

Reading the first lines of the paper, he tried to get the voice right, the sentence right, the atmosphere right. Things that usually came like second nature. But now it all just didn’t click, his brain sluggish as he tried to read aloud the words as he tried to give his all - it wasn’t enough.

‘Okay-okay-okay.’ Danny stopped him after a short monologue. ‘Maybe let’s just..read? No crazy stuff?’

Again Henry tried. And this time it went a little better. A little. Not enough. Frustration raged through Henry’s bones as he tried to remain calm, his fists clenching around the paper as his eyes read the words and his mouth spilled them, but it just wasn’t as magical as it had once been.

By the time he said goodbye to Danny he kind of knew what had just happened; he had lost it.

--

‘Hey! How’d it go?’ Phoebe called from the couch, her eyes remaining trained on the laptop perched on her lap, a cup of steaming hot tea next to her on the side table.

Henry grumbled something indiscernible and bid her good night, heavy feet dragging up the stairs way before Phoebe had the chance to ask what happened. Closing her laptop she rushed up after him, knowing full well that he couldn’t be in much of a good mood - her Bear had always been like an open book to her.

She could already see him open Sam’s room to go to sleep in the narrow bed, but she stopped him at that, her hand clutching around his bicep, pulling him back towards the master bed room.

‘Come!’ She exclaimed, tugging at his heavy body which refused to move.

‘I can’t. Not ..now, okay?’ He lowered his head as he leaned his forehead into the door frame. It was more than a little clear that he was heartbroken.

Phoebe frowned, her arms opting to wrap around him instead, fingers accidentally brushing over his cock as she shimmied her hands around him, locking fingers in front of his belly. Did he think she wanted to have sexy time? She could hear his breath choke up. 

‘Not that, silly.’ She whispered, her hot breath fanning over his dark blue shirt.

‘Then what? I can’t even..’ His breath choked again and an ever so quiet sob erupted from his lips. It broke Phoebe’s heart. 

‘Mr. Cavill. You’re too heavy for me to carry, but could you please get to the big bed, so I can cuddle with you? Please?’ Phoebe squeezed her arms a little tighter around his chest, making him sob harder.

‘I just…’ His large paw wiped over the expanse of his cheek, angrily removing a tear that had strayed down to his jaw. ‘Fuck.’ And with that he caved, his head removing from the door frame as he slowly turned in Phoebe’s tight embrace, his head looking down at her pleading eyes. ‘Okay.’

‘Okay.’

It took a good thirty minutes of crying and half muttering what had happened before Henry had calmed a little, Phoebe sitting next to him beneath the sheets, her eyes watching in agony as her Bear totally fell apart, thick tears running down his beautiful cheeks. He was convinced that he could never act again. That this was it. His memory was failing him. He could do simple stuff, but acting? No way, José.

Phoebe scooted a little closer as Henry finally sighed, the last of his tears spent for the moment being. Without question or answer, the both of them curled into a sweet embrace, Henry’s head leaning down onto her chest as she carefully brushed her hands through his curls, finding the scar that now ran evidently over the back of his skull; it was just another piece of Henry she’d learn to love.

Sniffling softly, Henry melted into her touch, his breathing slowly calming to a soft and deep in-and-out.

And then, she sang, her body slightly swaying on a quiet tune.

You’re my Honeybunch,

Sugarplum

Pumpy-umpy-umpkin,

You’re my Sweetie Pie

Henry smiled into the fabric of her night gown, the soft satin like mother’s skin against his glowing cheek. ‘My mom used to sing that.’ He murmured.

You’re my Cuppycake,

Gumdrop

Snoogums-Boogums,

You’re the Apple of my Eye

Henry slightly lifted his head and looked at Phoebe as she gently continued to caress his hair, her lips chanting the sweet little lullaby. Finally she turned her attention to him, warm eyes melting his fragile heart.

‘I know. She actually taught me. With Sam. I mean, he was probably the fussiest baby ever to exist.’

Henry chuckled. ‘And now I am your baby.’

The both of them laughed softly. ‘No, no, no. You’re no baby! Though if you need some smothering with love, I’m glad to offer it.’ She playfully jiggled her momma-licious tits, making Henry swallow quickly.

Any other day of the week he would have jumped at the chance - nothing much had happened yet on that department, but right now, with his body all rosy and exhausted, he could only shake his head no, his cheek moving back to rest on her chest. ‘Another time.’ He sighed, melting back into her loving embrace.

‘Okay then Bear. Sleep well.’ She pressed a kiss on his crown and shimmied a little to get comfortable.

Sometimes, dads also need a little bit of mommy love. 

--

Chap 6 >

--

General Tagsquad: @harrysthiccthighss @tumblnewby @magdelen69 @thereisa8ella @mary-ann84 @darkbooksarwin @summersong69 @madbaddic7ed @luclittlepond @maroonmolly @just-a-normal-fangirl18 @hell1129-blog @agniavateira @tillthelandslide @elinesama

@tryingtoliveonmywishes @ceilingfann @do-youseeme 

[laraplisetski]

Dating Oikawa Tooru.

A/n: So I wrote this because I love Oikawa Tooru. Yes. Also I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. Please send in requests.

Words: 1345

Tags: @imthatchishiyasimp​

(also Oikawa with this hairstyle is immaculate)

Okay first of all pda.

Like have you seen this man, he thrives off of it.

He likes to have his arm around your shoulders or waist

(depends on your height)

He's the jealous type so if anyone stares at you for too long or they give you a compliment he’ll call you by your nickname 

(which is probably something very cheesy and just yk how people call their s/o’s something like pooh bear or sweet pea- I'll stop I'm cringing so much while writing this.)

Continuing on he’ll also pull you in for a kiss to make the person staring uncomfortable.

It'll be like really long and sensual to the point where you'll get embarrassed because 

tOoRu we’Re iN puBliC 

After he's done he'll whisper like a light ‘I love you’ in your ear. Grab your hand casually and walk away like nothing happened.

Three minutes later you recover from that and you're like 

‘Why did you do that’

‘Because your my s/o’

‘It's not like you to randomly kiss me- ohhhh’

‘What’

‘Were you jealous’

And this bitch just straight up says no as if he wasn't being jealous like 5 minutes ago.

Then hell distract you with something like a ice cream shop or a café or something

(I'm sorry Tooru. I love food just a bit more than you.)

This isn't all when ya’ll are at your house.

This boy, he can't keep his hands off of you.

Cuddles are like a big thing

If you start cuddling with Oikawa Tooru there's no getting out of it. 

Like he wants cuddles after school, after practice, after everything

Also back hugs!!!

My love for back hugs is back again but like yes

You would be getting water in the kitchen and he would come up behind you and just give you a back hug

Beware Tooru isn’t letting go after hell just cling to you after that.

Also when he gives you back hugs he just like to smell your hair and like take in your scent 

(it's not creepy I swear)

Also he loves trying out new hairstyles on your hair.

Sorry people with no hair or extremely short hair.

So you guys have movie nights or nights where you both sit down and analyze an opponent's game.

Usually the latter is more serious so for dates you go with movie nights.

Movie nights with Oikawa Tooru are amusing to be honest

He has this habit of adding his own comments to a movie your watching and it can be really annoying at times but sometimes his comments are really funny and they make you laugh

Also you guys invite the team over and put on some live volleyball matches and then bet on whos gonna win 

You side with Iwa cause Tooru’s guesses are wrong most of the time

He gets really pouty after that but Iwa just like slaps the back of his head and then he's fine

Also side note, you both are simps for Iwa.

He takes you on dates which isn't really surprising since yk you're in a relationship but there's a catch.

He drags Iwa with you guys on like 1.5/10 of your dates.

The point five is when Iwa leaves in the middle.

But its not annoying it's actually really fun 

Also did I tell you that you both simp for Iwa because oh ma god.

Anywaysss

Couple outfits!!!!

Like if you refuse to wear couple outfits boi will be sad

But you agree to wear them after he gets very sad ;-;

After you wear them get ready for like a fuck load of selfies cause Oikawas gotta show you off right 

You guys usually go on dates on the weekends or a Monday cause there's no practice if I remember correctly.

I personally think that Tooru loves shopping so you guys will walk around a shopping mall, Tooru buying some trinkets or clothes from here and there and since Tooru paid for the clothes and stuff you pay for the food!

And you certainly don't mind feeding your boyfriend or buying food for him but Tooru please eat less. Imma go bankrupt.

If your dates aren't on the days there's no practice then you usually take a walk around town after club activity ends.

You guys go get ice cream and you have a ritual that you have to pay for ice creams in turns.

If you leave your jacket at home or at school and your feeling cold in one of your walks, he doesn't give you his jacket without getting a kiss or hug 

Also i just thought of something 

He would totally bear hug you when you were feeling cold.

Ps. He would also ask for your jacket if he left his

Tooru would definitely be the type of person to send goodmorning and goodnight texts. 

Beware they contain a fuck load of emojis.

Like Goodmorning _____-chan 😍😘😍❤🥰😘

He would also come pick you up from your house and have a small chat with one of your family members. 

One time he didn't come pick you up cause the club was starting early that day and you didn't mind.

You knew that Tooru doesn't eat breakfast usually when his club starts early so you made something for him to eat and you went on your way.

Now dating Tooru is like the best thing because he's so caring and kind but it also come with his fangirls *sigh*

So you walked into your school and as you were about to turn towards the volleyball club they cornered you

Lucky you there was no one in that hallway as well.

‘Why would Oikawa-senpai choose you? You're pretty ugly aren't you.’

‘I mean I don't really understand why the whole volleyball club would like you as well’

One of them gasps and points a finger at you

‘You dont think shes sleeping with all-’

‘Shut up’ ,a voice comes from behind them.

It's Iwaizumi, Thankgod.

He pushes through them while giving them glares, gestures you towards the volleyball club and walks you there.

He proceeds to tell Tooru about how his fangirls were acting.

After that incident Tooru never let you out of his sight and if his fan club did something that made you uncomfortable he would scold them right there and then.

But enough of story time.

Before going to games he would give you a kiss on the forehead and he would have a whole monologue about how your love will help him win and all that shit but before he can start you give him a kiss on the lips and tell Iwaizumi to drag him away. 

Cheeky bastard would point at you before doing a serve and when you're attending his energy would be 120% and he would be on his a-game.

If Seijoh loses a match the team would all come to your house and have a little sleepover. 

That would be one of the times when you would just lay with Tooru in your bed and you just let him bury his face in your shoulder and let him cry his heart out.

Okay I have to stop I'm making it too angsty.

His team would be so grateful for you like 1. You can deal with Tooru and knock some sense into him 2. You bring them food. 3. You're just a really good person.

First time Tooru introduced you to them they asked you if he had bribed you lol.

You have inside jokes and secret handshakes with the team and someone's jealous.

Bonus points if you play volleyball yourself, you can help them with practice then.

Like set to Kindaichi or toss him a ball and let him try to improve his line shots.

Or block against Kunimi and tell him ways to evade the block 

Maybe you could spike some balls Tooru sets for you as well.

Enough rambling tho 

Honestly Tooru would be too much practice/10

[jaalismyhusband]

Roommates (part 4)

Title: Roommates

Pairings: Bucky x f!reader

Warnings: angst, mentions of stalking (and mentions of rape), explicit language.

Wordcount: 1.4k

Catch up: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Materlist

Part 4

Even though Bucky has been watching her sleep almost every night, this morning was special. He woke up quite a while ago and had been watching her ever since. She looked peaceful like this, exactly where she belonged – in his arms. Careful not to wake her, he caressed her angelic face.

He was so proud of himself for getting in her bed, even after all they’ve been through. And he would make sure, that he stayed in there. Hence the reason, he didn’t want her to wake up. He was afraid, that she would change her mind and they would go back to being just friends. He was aware, that nothing really happened between the two, but this sure wasn’t just a platonic cuddle, right? At least he hoped so.

He would finally make her his. He didn’t care about the third guy she has mentioned, he would make her fall in love with him, if necessary.

Y/N shifted in her sleep and Bucky growled, as her ass grinded against him for a second. Smiling, she woke up. Immediately, she turned around and snuggled into Bucky’s broad chest, until he thought there wasn’t any space between them anymore.

“I could get used to this,” Bucky said, his morning voice low and raspy.

“I know right? You’re so warm!” Y/N pointed out, her over enthusiastic tone of voice already shining through, making Bucky chuckle.

They spent a few minutes just basking in the morning sun, content in each other’s arms. Until Y/N started poking him, repeating that she’s hungry. With a sigh, he got out from under the warm covers and they headed to the kitchen. Some of the other Avengers were in the area as well. They were eating, conversing or just minding their own business.

Bucky started preparing their breakfast, even when Y/N opposed, saying she’s perfectly capable of making her own food. He had none of that as he told her to sit down and let him pamper her for a day. So, she did.

Pulling out her phone, she hopped on the kitchen counter near Bucky. Her eyes went wide at the amount of missed calls from Jason. He has been calling during the whole night. She must have had her phone set on silent mode.

Her phone rang again. It was none other, than Jason. She showed the screen to Bucky. His face turned into frown as he told her not to answer. She leaned in and touched his forearm, pressing a green button on screen.

“Jason?” She put him on a speaker and Bucky listened intently.

“Yes, it’s me! Y/N, please don’t hang up! I want to apologize to you. Let’s meet. I realize it’s crazy of me to ask you to do this, but just know that I am truly sorry and would like to talk to you. So, that’s why I want to invite you for a coffee or tea, doesn’t matter. We’re going to be in a public place, so you feel safer. Oh gosh, I feel like such an idiot. Meet me in our favourite café in an hour. I’ll be waiting.” And with that, he hung up.

She was so confused. This was not how she imagined the phone call would go. Not knowing what to do, she looked at Bucky, who was tightly gripping a knife, he cut vegetables with.

“Don’t even consider meeting him.” His voice dangerously low, as he ordered. Jaw clenched, brows furrowed, knuckles white – he looked intimidating.

“Why? I mean, he obviously wants to apologize.” She pleaded. Why was she defending him? She always believed in second chances, but Bucky couldn’t let her get hurt by Jason again.

“You’re joking, right? Almost had me.” Bucky chuckled, getting back to cutting the vegetables.

“No, I am quite serious actually. You can’t tell me what to do!” She raised her voice, pulling the attention of other Avengers onto them.

“Fine, but don’t come crying to me, when he tries to rape you again!” He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. He looked at her with wide eyes.

“Shit! I’m sorry, princess.” He tried to apologize, but she just stared at him in disbelief, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She couldn’t believe he would say something like that to her.

Any hope she had for them getting together vanished. Just like that. There was no way in hell, he liked her back after what he just said.

“Don’t apologize. At least now I know, how you really feel. Don’t worry, I won’t be a burden anymore.” She retorted, her voice poisoned by the rush of hatred and disgust. Everyone in the room watched her storm out, then they focused their unwanted attention on Bucky.

“Real classy,” said Steve, as he walked up to him. Bucky just gave others in a room a cold stare and went back to cutting his vegetables. He fucked up.

Y/N got successfully to her room, without spilling any more tears. It was difficult to keep them in, but she decided, that no man is worth it. She had a hard time taking in what a jerk Bucky came out to be. She was head over heels for him and now, she felt nothing. Her heart was worn out. This was a final hit. She swore to herself to not fall for anyone ever again. Sure, she was being dramatic, but it hurt so badly. And to think, she wanted to finally confess to Bucky today! Ridiculous, she thought.

If Bucky doesn’t want her, then she doesn’t want him. Simple as that. Stubborn as she was, she agreed to meet up with Jason. Not because she was interested to fix their relationship, but because she wanted to give him a chance to explain himself. Also, she wanted to piss off Bucky. She checked herself out in the mirror, the outfit she picked made her look hot. So what, that she was about to break up with a guy? It wouldn’t hurt to look good while doing so.

Making sure to avoid Bucky at all cost, she made her way through the Stark Tower and to the café. Jason was already waiting, as he said he would be. Right after noticing her, he motioned for her to come and sit in the opposite chair to him.

“Hi, thanks for coming, Y/N. You look great.” He gave her an awkward smile, as she greeted him back.

Jason knew how Y/N liked getting straight into the core of the problems, so he cut the small talk and began apologizing. He explained to her, that he was frustrated. When she gave him a puzzled look, he smiled bitterly.

“When you’re dating a pretty girl like yourself and she doesn’t want to sleep with you for such a long time, you start to get all kinds of insecure.”

“No, Jason, I assure you, there’s nothing wrong with you.” She said sincerely and squeezed his hand in hers.

“Well, I thought you weren’t interested in me anymore. One time, I even thought you were cheating on me with that Bucky guy.” He chuckled playfully. Y/N laughed.

“Oh no, not a chance me and him are getting together. But I have to be honest with you. When we met, I was in love with him. I think in a way, I still am. That night, when you came up to me, it was like a sign. So, I took my chances and here we are. But know, that you weren’t just a rebound. Because there actually wasn’t anything to forget, other than a stupid crush. Nothing ever happened between us, I swear. I’m sorry for hurting both of us.” She finished her monologue. Jason held both of her hands now.

“What a coincidence.” Jason said, as a confused expression plastered on Y/N’s face. “I was in that bar only because I broke up with my ex earlier that day. We both just wanted to forget and we found comfort in each other for a while. But I think it’s clear that we aren’t meant to be. Still, that doesn’t justify the way I treated you last time we saw each other. I am so sorry. I can’t stress this enough.” He squeezed her hands as a proof, that he meant every word.

They sat there, enjoyed their beverages and talked like old friends. Because that’s what they were from now on. Just someone, they used to know.

“Have a nice life, Jason.” She spoke in his ear, as they hugged goodbye.

“You too. Who knows, maybe someday, we’ll bump into each other.” He responded, giving her a kind smile. She gave him last kiss on a cheek and then they parted their ways.

Part 5

@vicmc624 @ok-but-loki​

[bedtimebrain]

EXO Baekhyun: Cry for Love Part 2

Just here to give a warning on the ending before you get started!! (ref to a/n in part 1!)

Part 1

Let’s go!!!

Characters: Baek x you

Baekhyun finds himself falling for you, but feels he cannot be so selfish to put the burdens of dating an idol upon you. In an attempt to control his feelings, he tries to stay away from you

That night they got to go home early. Reaching home close to 11, Baekhyun decided there was time for some computer games before sleeping.

After taking a shower, he quickly turned on his desktop, setting all his gaming gears ready. Realising his phone wasn’t with him, he went out to the living room to search for it.

‘Ah, found you!’

As he was about to head to his room after picking his phone up from the sofa, he caught sight of your gift that was sitting on the coffee table. 

He can’t help but feel really conflicted, taking a long look at it.

After a good while, he forcefully shook off those feelings and went back in to get started on his game instead.

‘ARGH! what a bad form today’ he took off his headphones and threw it on the table. Ruffling through his hair, he was so frustrated at himself. No matter how he tried, he just couldn’t keep you out of his mind.

Not having the mood to play anymore, he switched off his computer and crashed into bed.

--

In an attempt to push you out of his mind, he busied himself with work every single day for the next few weeks. Every free time he had, he decided to fill it up with more practice, more work instead.

But he had worked so hard (just to forget you) that his immune system gave up on him. He was eventually excused from work so he doesn’t spread the virus to the members.

And the worst thing of it all? It gave him ample time to think about you.

He thought about the way you smile, the way you listened to him when he shared about anything, the way you looked, so attractively, when you made your coffees. Did you think about him? Did another oppa come by?

Sighing, he got up from bed and decided finally to open the gift you gave him from a month back.

The following day, he woke up feeling much better.  But for the whole morning, he felt this annoying nudging inside of him to go see you. No matter what he did, that feeling just wouldn’t budge.

Did y/n put a spell in the tea she gave me or something. 

He was almost going mad from thinking about you. 

Giving up , he told himself 

Just once, I’m going to drive by and look at how she’s doing. That’s all. Then when I see her being all the same, I’ll finally forget all about this, and convince myself I’m just another customer in her daily life.

The journey to your cafe seemed faster than usual today. His heart was beating so rapidly but he kept telling himself over and over 

just once, doesn’t mean anything

and my heart’s just beating fast because im not completely recovered. Yep, sick people get exhausted easily. 

When he had reached , he park his car where he could get a good view of you. 

He was tempted to get out of his car but his mind was in chaos.

they say coffee helps with headache. Maybe I should get one in case I get a headache at home later right?

Then again, his logical self told him

Ya, Byun Baekhyun stop making up lame reasons. Just stay here.

As he was being wishy washy with himself in the car, a customer had arrived at the cafe. Dashing his hopes of having a private time with you.

Perhaps it was fate that he should admire you from his car today instead.

After getting a satisfactory treatment for his love sick heart, he drove away feeling like a small boy being fed with ice cream.

—

After that visit, it only got harder and harder to stay away. He returned again and again.

But he wasn’t the only one. 

There too was another man who kept returning to your cafe, and today was the fifth time he had seen the man, which really annoyed him.

But what position was he to do anything?

I’m telling myself that I cannot have her as my girlfriend but on the other hand im getting irritated she might become someone else’s girlfriend?

He thought of a crude but relatable phrase he heard from somewhere:

I’m really just wanting to ‘hog the toilet bowl without pooping’

His train of thoughts came to an end as he arrived at the company. After getting his car parked , he went to the meeting room where they were supposed to gather.

When all the members had arrived, the staff who was in charge of the album preparation started running through the day’s agenda.

‘Okay guys, we will be doing an additional MV for one of the side tracks. It would be an autumn special MV.

Since it’s an autumn concept, we will be mainly be doing outdoor shoots. There’s only 1 indoor shoot which will be at a cafe. Anyone has any questions ? If not we will start briefing on the storyboard’

Baekhyun wasn’t able to focus on the meeting. What was he supposed to you when he’s so drawn to you but yet wasn’t sacrificial enough either to be okay with seeing you happy with another guy. In fact, it made him scared to lose you when he never had you in the first place.

Baekhyun ah, let her go. It’s good for you and her. Stop visiting her, it only breaks your heart and at the same time make you desire her more. It’s impossible between the both of you..

By the time he was a little more settled with himself, the meeting had already ended.

‘Okay, that’s all we have today. It’s Thursday today... Alright, We will start shooting on Monday since this is quite a spontaneous idea, we might be a bit back on time. We will start with the cafe shoot on Monday at 10am, only Baekhyun and kyungsoo is involved for this as the cafe is too small. We will update the rest on the schedule later.’ --

4 days passed and now he is standing in front of the cafe for his shoot. Reading the signboard ‘Wendy Cafe’.

For the dramatic effect, he even blinked his eyes again to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. What in the world was this sorcery called fate... It felt abit weird for him to be here for work when he was normally here for his romantic pursuit. It got him into a little of a panic and shock when they alighted from the van.  He wasn’t expecting to see you, since they normally made sure the set was cleared completely for set up before the members even arrive. Though his heart felt it would really be nice to see you, he also heaved a sigh of relief that he doesn’t have to think about what to say to you since you wouldn’t be here.

Entering the cafe, kyungsoo and baekhyun greeted everyone politely and got ready for the set with the help of their make up artists. 

‘Annyeonghasayo Baekhyun ssi, Kyungsoo ssi. I am the director for the MV, Lee Taemin’

Quickly getting up, they bowed politely and returned the greetings.

‘Could I just explain the set to the both you right now?

So basically in today’s set one of you would be a barista, and one would just be a customer….’

The director trailed on with the briefing,

But there was something bugging Baekhyun. Baekhyun could swear there was something really familiar about this man; like he had seen him somewhere before. But he just couldn’t recall exactly right now.

‘Ok, We will have kyungsoo ssi as the barista and Baekhyun ssi the latter. A real barista will be coming in later to help you out kyungsoo ssi, don’t worry’

Finishing his brief, the director turned to leave. Then it finally clicked in Baekhyun’s mind.

Oh gawd, he’s the guy that keeps visiting y/n

Thinking it through, it now absolutely make sense.

When he arrived, he was thinking how were they even able to find this cafe for use?

He thought to himself, surely you and Director Taemin must be really close if you were willing to let your shop to him for use. 

ah, but im sure y/n would let me use it too if i had asked.

He can’t help but feel a little salty instinctively. 

Suddenly across the room, the director exclaimed

‘Y/N you’re here!’

At the sound of Director Taemin calling your name, his heart skipped a beat and he immediately turned his head around to find you walking through the door. And was absolutely taken away

You were not in your pony tail or your white button down shirt with a black apron. You were not in the plain make up you normally put on either.

You came through the door wearing a mid length denim skirt and a white v neck with a green khaki coat that ended at the bottom of your skirt. Your long hair sat nicely at the front of your coat.

Though he had seen a fair share of cute, pretty and sexy girls in the entertainment industry, you somehow still took his breath away. 

As you moved across the room with Taemin, his eyes unconsciously followed where you went. Till when Kyungsoo shook him, was he finally able to tear his eyes away from you.

‘Baekhyun ah, I was talking to you , were you listening?’

‘Ye Ye, what did you say?’

They went on discussing about some of the other schedules they were to be having, until a familiar voice caused him to freeze.

‘Hello, I’m y/n, I’m the owner of this shop. I heard Kyungsoo ssi would be the barista actor? I’ll be the one teaching you later’

Kyungsoo looked up and greeted you politely while Baekhyun was still in a daze.

Seeing how he didn’t respond, you greeted him with a bright smile

‘Hello Baekhyun ssi’

Without waiting for Baekhyun to respond, you asked Kyungsoo to follow you to behind the kitchen now as there wasn’t much time to learn.

Watching you and kyungsoo walked away together, he mentally hit himself in the head. 

oh shucks she must think im a real jerk now. Making friends with her, then not coming here for months and the next time we meet i didn’t even greet her. 

Argh kyungsoo, give me my time with Y/N.

Though he was feeling a little lousy about the situation, he knew there was nothing he could do about it. He sat at corner table inside the shop while waiting for his scene set up to be completed.

Looking at you and kyungsoo, he had a monologue with himself 

though i really like her, i should probably let her go. the smile on her face, though i am confident i will be able to give it to her, but what if i bring more sadness than happiness?

The both of you having fun made him so jealous. He started imagining you with another guy, you with Taemin? He hated that feeling so much, but he had to accept this. He told himself, he must.

About 2 hours later , he was done with his shoot and all could break for lunch. Over lunch time, you and kyungsoo stuck together as time was tight. Kyungsoo couldnt practice using the coffee machine earlier when baekhyun was filming. 

Not once did you look over at him or even seem to think about talking with him. It was as if you guys were strangers.

Ah, great, this is how it should be like. She’s better than me at this. While i’m over here suffering about how to forget about her, she seem to be getting along just fine. She’s completely acting like she doesn’t know me.

Not being able to stand being around you anymore, he annoyed his manager hyung to drive him back to the SM building first. Coming up with some crap excuses that were questionable. But his manager hyung still sent him back since there was still time to spare before kyungsoo was done.

On his ride back, he set his resolve to let you go but he told himself 

no matter what, we were once friends that could count on each other. i don’t want to end up hurting her, and making her lose more hope in friendships. 

I’ll go back tonight to find her.

--

At about 5.30 pm, kyungsoo sent a text message in their group chat that the filming has ended. Receiving that intel, he got ready to head off to your café. The production crew would need at least another half an hour to pack up anyway. He had ample time to get there.

As perfect as he had planned, when he arrived, the café was already cleared of the production team, but the lights were still on. He knew you would still be cleaning up after everyone left.

Out of courtesy, he knocked on the glass door, causing you to jump in surprise instead. Smiling at him, you beckoned him in.

‘Why are you back here?’ You asked while sweeping the floor.

‘It’s been a long time, isn’t it nice to see each other again?’ He asked casually, but he could feel his palms sweating already

You looked up at him and smiled without replying as you continued cleaning up.

‘So how are you? I’m sorry I haven’t been here for really long, EXO’s comeback is coming soon we are really busy ….’

Before he could even complete his sentence, you cut him off

‘Yes I know. It’s all on twitter and I watch your group’s vlive too. I know you guys have a lot to prepare and are really busy. Don’t have to apologise’

Though he knew you truly meant what you say, it broke his heart a little. He wasn’t really sure what to say anymore. But he wanted to ask this since the start

‘Why did you rent your place to be an MV set? Did you know it was for EXO?’

‘It’s just a favour I’m returning to Taemin ssi. He only told me it was for EXO when he asked for my help last week. But anyway, it’s really nice to see you being serious at work. Now I know why you have so many fangirls~’

‘Are you my fangirl now then?’ Baekhyun asked and waited expectantly.

‘Why? Are you going to give me your autograph if I said yes?’ You put aside the cleaning cloth and washed your hands while replying him jokingly.

‘Anyway, I’m done, shall we go?’

You grabbed your bag as you asked. As you walked right passed him, he reached out to grab your arm without even thinking.

Hesitantly, he started

‘Hey actually, I came today because I have something to tell you’

Staring right into his eyes, you replied

‘I kinda knew it already. Why would you suddenly come back here after not being here for so long. And the fact that you’re here at this hour… You’re definitely not coming here as a customer right?’

Looking at him with a hard expression, Baekhyun was surprised to see something other than ‘manners’ or indifference on your face after all this while.

‘I’m really sorry. I don’t even know how or where to start. I really liked your company, the friendship we had meant a lot to me. But as we got more comfortable, I don’t even know when... but....to be honest..

I started falling for you. I didn’t know what to do, can you understand this?’

He loosened his grip, letting your arm slowly slip out of his hands.

‘Remember the day you gave me the gift? I went home feeling so conflicted. I want us to be together so bad, but I know I can’t even promise you a regular and peaceful life, much less a stable relationship now. The weight of dating an idol, how could I put that upon you? ‘

‘You’re right, I could never carry that weight’ you reply came through like a stab to his heart.

He broke his eyes away from you momentarily. But you continued,

‘All this while, I thought I had done something wrong when I gave you the gift. I wondered why you didn’t come back, I thought we were friends, that’s why I even mustered up courage to get a present for you. But you never came back after that. I thought could it be that Baekhyun ssi started finding me weird like all my bullies last time? Was I over doing it? I asked myself that every now and then, worried that my desire to want to be friends with you may turn you off instead.

Sometimes when you tell funny stories, inside I thought how cute this guy is. When you were serious, I thought even though you’re so cheeky on the outside, you’re a man inside having to carry so many burdens. I wanted to say more, do something for you all this time, but I was worried about so many things.

Eventually when you stopped coming back for a while, I felt heart broken. 

But I used the time to think it all through. What did I want with you? A friendship? Something more? And I decided it’s best to not desire anything at all. I could never handle it if one day I want something more that neither of us could give each other’ 

Though you tried so hard to control, tears rolled down your cheeks. It hurts him to know he was the reason for your tears. 

He reached out to wipe your tears away, and you let him. 

‘Baekhyun ssi, I… I’m sorry too’ 

Overwhelmed with emotions at all the confession and looking at your beautiful face that leaned against his hand, he couldn’t hold back anymore, He closed the gap between both of you and gave you a kiss on the lips. A kiss so light it barely lasted a few seconds.

Heart beating fast, he pulled away slightly, his face still so close to yours. ‘I’m sorry for being selfish right now. But I want you to know this is how I feel.’

Before he knew it, your lips pressed against him once again. Briefly, then pulling away, you pushed him away, putting some distance between the both of you.

‘Me too. But Baekhyun-ssi...

Sometimes love isn’t about possessing, but giving

So I’ve told myself it’s okay for me as long as I can see you and support you in my own way. Be it your albums, shows, or whatever it may be.

My café doors will always be open for you as long as you need a listening ear or even just coffee....

Don’t be sorry. I understand, I just want to be the safe space you can still go to, rather than your burden.. If we were together.’

He could tell you were trying hard to manage a smile just so he could feel better. He moved closer and pulled you into a hug. 

‘I know you said not to be sorry, but I’m sorry ... And thank you’, his voice akin to a whisper

After a long pause, you returned his hug, and at your touch, he was at the brink of tears. You were possibly his once in a lifetime, but here you both were, giving up on each other, for each other.  He tried so hard to hold back his tears, but they streamed down eventually 

He rarely ever cried, but for you… If he couldn’t have you, at least he should be allowed to cry for you. 

He tightened the hug and could only wish for the night to never end. 

——-

Was hella hard to write this, sorry for this really tragic ending.

But partly writing it this way because I guess as fangirls one of the best things we can give our favs is a safe space to be real with us. Love isn’t about possession. So let’s love them right ok☺️

On a side note, was shook at his fan sign convos. Especially the one he said though he said it’s ok if we leave him for a while because it’s difficult to wait, he didn’t actually mean it.

What a sweetheart!! All the more makes me feel like he might really respond this way if he is faced with this kind of situation (as in this fanfic)?!

Anw hope you guys enjoyed this !

Tag(s): @wooya1224

[mourntheantagonist]

Billy Hargrove’s Exploration of Beauty

| part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 |

| part 7: | one |

Part 7: When Blue Met Pink

chapter two: max

also on ao3

Birthdays at the Hargrove Household were never some extravagant event. Nobody ever had a party where they would get to invite a small number of friends and order a store bought sheet cake from the local grocer. They didn’t play fun party games like pin the tail on the donkey or musical chairs, they only ever had the four of them. Just Neil, Susan, Max, himself, and a lopsided chocolate cake Susan made from a box. It was only ever dinner and dessert, and a short section in the night where they would open gifts. 

Max’s Birthdays did always have a little more effort put into them, but it was still just the basic dinner, gifts, and dessert sequence with just a slight bit more care. Susan made a whole deal out of waking her up in the morning singing ‘happy birthday’ to her and making her favorite breakfast, while Billy was lucky to have Neil toss him a morning beer, but still, there were never any outside guests or fun traditions to make the time pass by. So on the day of Max’s fourteenth birthday, she sat there in her room by herself talking to friends on the phone and reading comics, while Billy sat in his, reading books he has read a thousand times before, both of them just waiting for the time on the clock to strike five.

Because the shitty part about birthdays at the Hargrove Household was that you weren’t allowed to leave unless it was for school or work. They treated birthdays like family days, where no outsiders could enter. They were meant to all be together, that was the idea, except Neil’s idea of togetherness was just being all under the same roof, in separate rooms, wasting away from the complete boredom. 

At five o’clock, they all simultaneously exited the rooms they had all cooped up in and joined Susan in the steam filled kitchen. The smell of chocolate icing and whatever casserole she chose to make occupied the whole house. Max sat down at the table that had one wrapped present sitting on top of it. It was rectangularly shaped with pink paper and a purple bow, a color combination that made Billy laugh. 

“Go ahead and open it up dear,” Susan said, “dinner will be ready in just a moment.”

Billy and Neil followed suit and took their own seats at the dinner table and watched as Max opened up her gift. She tore the paper open without much care, pink scraps flew everywhere. Underneath the pretty mess was a brown cardboard box that was sealed shut with packing tape. Billy watched as she struggled to pull the tape up from the cardboard. He watched as her face tightened as she dug her nails into the cardboard and struggled against the tape’s strength, and eventually slid his keys over to her so she could slice it open and stop the dramatic grunting. She took them with a half smile half smirk and jabbed the key into the space between cardboard flaps like she was mad at it, like she was gutting it for dinner, and dragged the sharp metal the whole length of the box. But, her smile slowly disappeared into just a resting look when she finally saw what was inside.

“What did you get kiddo?” Neil asked after he swallowed a swig of his probably sixth beer of the day. The look on her face was a very recognizable disappointment that seeped through despite the also clear efforts she was giving to conceal it. Her eyes grew soft and her whole face just fell into a dead stare.

“It’s Makeup.” she said. Her voice came out just slightly broken, noticeable only to those who were paying attention to it, noticeable only to Billy. She pulled out a few things from the box at the request of Susan. There was a package full of an entire shade range of sparkly  lip glosses, a face palette with blush and bronzer, some nail polishes of all different types of reds, all the way from the darkest burgundy to the brightest scarlet. Max’s reaction differed widely from Billy’s. Just the drop of the word ‘makeup’ made his heart skip a beat. A wave of fear washed over him as paranoia grew. He sat there wondering whether or not he remembered to take off the mascara he was practicing with earlier, were there black smears around his eyes? He looked down at his hands almost as if it were instinct to make sure the only coat on his nails was clear.

He was always very sure though. He had to be. He would rub the cotton pad over his eyes until the whites of them turned red and bloodshot, possibly even bursting a blood vessel in the process. He would make absolutely sure the area was completely clean before he even dared exit the slight safety he had within the four walls of his bedroom. A safety that in no way compared to the ease and comfort he felt under Steve’s roof wrapped up in his arms, but a safety nonetheless.

Max’s disappointment made Billy feel total envy. Jealousy, hate, resentment… She was completely ungrateful. She was not only able, but encouraged to do all of the things that he would be shamed for, and there she was, with a frown masked behind a fake smile that Billy saw right through, and he was envious. 

And he didn’t like it.

Because he was thinking all of the things people said about people like him, but in the opposite, and about Max. It was a constant battle within himself to fight off the internal monologue telling him how things are supposed to be. Billy was supposed to gag at the idea of sleeping with another man and wearing women’s clothing, Max was supposed to be overjoyed with all of this makeup, but instead she faked a smile and put everything right back in the box. She forced out a ‘thank you’ to Susan, and the rest of the evening continued on as if it was just a blip. At least that was how it appeared to everyone but Billy, who let his eyes wander over to the cardboard box on the counter every several minutes because it was always on his mind how that box would just end up in the back of Max’s closet along with all of the other useless things she’d bought in the past. It would all just sit there to collect dust while Billy was out scrounging for scraps because he didn’t have the guts to buy it himself, and Melvald’s only had so much to offer.

They sang happy birthday before the lopsided cake Susan made would eventually topple over due to gravity. Max’s mood seemed to lift as they broke out the dessert, because you really couldn’t go wrong with chocolate cake, even if it came straight out of a Betty Crocker box. It was a strangely okay night despite Billy’s constant averted attention. They all gathered for a movie and for just the two hour run time, they felt a little bit like a normal family. Passing around a popcorn bowl and curled up under blankets, it almost felt like a trap.

He brought his gift to her after the movie. It was a sock full of about ten dollars worth of quarters. “What’s this?” she asked.

“Money for the arcade? A weapon? That’s up to you. Happy birthday.”

She showed her first genuine smile of the night before he left her room.

“Thank you.”

When Billy went to bed that night, the thoughts of Max and her makeup dissolved into his sleep, and he woke up without a trace of the resentment and subsequent guilt he had felt the night before. He went on with his day without a second thought about the box that had been at that moment sitting in the corner of Max’s bedroom along with all the other makeup products Susan had bought before. 

It really had slipped his mind completely. He had other things to think about, other people to dream about, it was simply a blip on his radar and it wasn’t until several days later when he was gathering Max’s laundry so he could do an extra load, that it all came flooding back to him. Jealousy pumping through his veins at the sight of all the flavored lip glosses and those little duo eyeshadow palettes that were only a dollar at the drugstore piled high and unopened. 

So he made a bad decision. Uncalculated and reckless and would prove to be something he would regret. He dropped the laundry basket to the ground and began stuffing some things into his pocket. Several eyeshadows and glosses and nail polishes. She never touched them. She wouldn’t miss them. 

And there was no way she would know it was him, right?

Wrong. Because luck was not something Billy had. Because of course Max had to enter the house as quiet as a mouse and not make her presence known. Of course she had to walk right into her bedroom while Billy was wrists deep into the cardboard box full of makeup, with no excuse prepared on the tip of his tongue. 

When they both realized what they were doing they both froze and stared at each other, hoping their lack of movement would serve as invisibility. Max stood with her hand still firmly gripping the door knob and Billy’s hands had quickly retracted from the box, a tube of lipstick still in between his fingers and pockets visibly full with other stolen goods.

Neither of them said a word, too scared and too unsure of exactly what to say. Billy’s heart was in his throat and his fists were clenching tight enough that the glass tube could easily break.

So instead of speaking, instead of coming up with some kind of defense, he ran out. Slightly shoulder checked Max on his way through the door, took a straight path directly to his car outside, and drove to the one and only place he knew to go. The one place that he felt truly safe.

Because he didn’t feel safe right then. He felt like his world was getting ready to implode on itself and he just wanted to have those last few moments of comfort before everything inevitably went to complete shit.

He didn’t let himself cry. He was stone cold the whole drive over to the mansion at the edge of town. He didn’t break down until Steve’s arms were wrapped around him where they stood on the front porch. Sobbing into Steve’s jacket sleeve leaving tear stains and gripping the fabric tight enough between his hands he may leave permanent wrinkles.

“Hey hey hey,” Steve whispered into his ear, squeezing him tighter, surely tight enough to feel the fullness of Billy’s jacket pockets. “What happened baby?”

“I fucked up Steve. I fucked up.” Billy just repeated those last three words over and over again until his voice ran out of breath and they faded into nothingness, just complete silence from mouthed words.

“Come inside.” Steve said, taking Billy’s hand into his. “It’s okay, you’re here with me.”

Steve led Billy in through the doors of his house and up the stairs to his bedroom. Steve’s house was generally a safe haven for Billy, but Steve’s room… he felt like nothing could ever get him when he was in there. Those four walls plastered in hideous plaid wallpaper felt like an indestructible barrier, and he loved that every time he entered that room, a little piece of him found its way inside. A little piece of evidence that he existed.

It had started with the first Polaroid they took with each other. A blurry and overexposed shot of them out at the quarry at the ass crack of dawn when Steve thought that waking up early and watching the sunset would be a good idea. It wasn’t. Mosquitoes were everywhere eating at his flesh, it was cold as shit, and they were both starving… But then they saw the sun peek over the horizon and all the desire he had to leave had flipped a switch and suddenly he was glued to his seat in the dirt. Steve’s hand was rested on top of his, completely alone together in total silence getting to witness something beautiful together. It was amazing, but Billy would gladly not do it again, or rather stay in the car at least the next time, pack blankets and food so at the very least he’d be able to feel his fingers when he clicked the shutter on the camera. The photo hung on the cork board above his desk next to various others they had taken over time until they eventually ran out of film.

The next thing was the drawer that Steve had cleared out in his dresser after Billy had needed to borrow clothes just one too many times. The very drawer that began this whole journey that Billy was going on. 

The main point was, Steve’s room was eventually starting to become their room. Little by little, piece by piece… And it was safe. The place where he laid in bed in that little green lace teddy where Steve had told him he was beautiful and that there was nothing wrong with him. The place where Steve fucked him in the pretty baby blue panties he bought for him. The place Steve took him to take off all that makeup he had just put on him the other day. 

Now it was the room Steve took him to, sat him on the bed, and cradled him in his arms as he cried. 

“Just let it out, it’s okay.” Steve cooed in his ear.

And he did. Loud and unrestricted sobs escaped him until he was completely drained and out of tears and Steve’s crushing hold on him had calmed him down just enough to the point that he could finally speak.

“I stole from Max.” He said, reaching into his pocket to pull out one of the glosses he’d taken. His hand was visibly shaking. “She caught me… she’s gonna… she’s gonna tell her mom or my dad, Steve!” His breathing was growing erratic again and Steve immediately responded by grabbing Billy’s face and angling it toward him so that he was forced to look him directly in the eyes.

“Hey Bills, breathe. I’m right here.” he whispered. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. Max doesn’t seem like the kind of person to just tell like that.”

“Really!?” Billy snapped. “She doesn’t?! Do you not remember how I ended up in this shithole in the first place? Max has no idea how to keep her mouth shut.”

“Billy, that was almost a year ago, and trust me. She’s better at keeping secrets than you think.” Steve ran his fingers through Billy’s hair to try and bring him back to his senses before he completely blew up. He pulled Billy in for a lengthy chaste kiss which proved successful at evening out his staggered breathing. “While you’re here, why don’t we try out some of these stolen goods? I wanna see what this tangerine flavor tastes like.”

Billy’s demeanor finally softened and he handed the gloss over to Steve and let him apply it to his lips. Always so gentle in how he let the applicator slide against them, a striking contrast to how he treated his lips when he was kissing him. Billy smacked his lips together and dragged his own tongue against them. “Tastes good.” he said with a shy smile.

“Well save some for me!” Steve said before pulling Billy back in by the nape of his neck and giving a perfect demonstration of that contrast he mentioned. Taking Billy’s lower lip in between his teeth, sucking on his lips like he was consuming his dessert, which wasn’t necessarily untrue. They kissed each other until every last bit of the lipgloss they had just applied was completely licked off and their mouths were red and puffy. They separated and before Billy could go back in for another round, Steve put his hand up to Billy’s chest to stop him. “As much as I love kissing you, you should probably run home before your dad sends out a search party.”

Billy sighed, because he was right. He ditched the stolen makeup in Steve’s bedroom and said his goodbyes, saying several little prayers to himself so that just maybe, when he finally got home, Max would still be in her room, having not said a fucking word about what she saw.

Sure enough, when he got home, Neil was fortunately working on the truck in the garage, a pretty good sign that Max hadn’t told, but still, he entered that front door with extreme caution. Susan was in the kitchen preparing the leftover spaghetti from the night before for dinner, and Max was nowhere to be seen. Rather than poking the bear, he went directly to his room to actually prepare how he wanted to confront her about it. He just wanted to sit down on his bed and try to relax, but instead there was something in the way.

Sitting on his bed was the same cardboard box he’d had his hands rifling through just an hour ago. Still full of all that still sealed makeup she had acquired over the years. There was a small sticky note attached.

“Maybe you’ll be able to get more use out of this shit  than I did. - Max”

He turned around to make sure nobody was there and he was nearly given a heart attack when he saw Max standing in the doorway.

“Jesus you need a fucking bell on you.” he said after trying to recover from the initial shock.

“I covered for you.” Max walked all the way into the room and shut his door behind her. “I’m sorry if I scared you, I won’t tell anyone if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

“How did you know it was for me?” he asked, the reluctance clear in the way his voice cracked.

“You looked happy.” she said, a slight smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.

Billy waved the little note he had in his hand and matched her slight smile. “Thank you… for this.” 

Max just nodded. At that point Billy expected Max to just leave his room and that would be it, but she just stood there, like she had more to say.

“Is there something else?” he asked.

Max fiddled with her hands and finally found the courage to get the words out. 

“Where did you go?”

“Huh?” Billy asked, pretending not to understand the question.

Max sighed and finally looked up at Billy with serious eyes. “Did you run off to Steve’s after I found you?”

If you had asked Billy how he would have reacted to that question yesterday, he probably would have panicked just like he did when she had caught him in her room. But right then, it was different. He didn’t feel that same panic and fear when he heard Steve’s name pass her lips like that, instead he felt a little proud. He almost felt safe. Just like he did in Steve’s bedroom. He no longer looked at Max and saw the little girl who outed him to his dad or the little brat who ran off when he was supposed to be watching her and later stabbed him in the neck with some needle. Instead, at that moment he saw his sister who not only kept her mouth shut about the makeup, but fucking gave it to him. He felt safe.

“Yeah, I did.” he said, his smile didn’t falter.

Max’s smile widened along with his.

“Good. I’m glad.”

next part

[prayedtoyou]

elevator confessions

Destiel // 1.6k words // general audiences // mentions of past canon MCD

i was inspired by this adorable fanart by @kamicom because it kinda looks like they’re in an elevator and i just had to write something. i know it’s an older fanart, but i just saw it for the first time ever yesterday and i absolutely adore it and i think we could all use a little love confession and some fluff. so, without further adieu ~

“How did you know Amanda Lay?”

The girl—Emily, Dean remembers—hands him and Cas a couple cups of coffee. It’s early morning and smells like the rain they drove through on the ride here the night before. The windows of her high rise Seattle apartment are all open and a soft breeze rustles a magazine on the coffee table, moves the floor-length curtains. The apartment is stunning in a shabby chic sort of way, full of floral designs and soft throw blankets. It’s not really Dean’s taste, but it’s spotless. Dean wonders if she’s been cleaning through her sadness.

“We went to grad school together.” She takes a seat in the white armchair across from the couch Dean and Cas are sat on. Her face is expressionless but her eyes are swollen. Dean’s seen it plenty of times before; people repress their grief around other people in the aftermath of a death so no one can see them falling apart. Dean’s been there himself more times than he’d like to remember. “We met in the food court between classes and clicked right away. We started living together a year after we met.” She looks from Dean to Cas and back to Dean. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think I had to talk to the cops about this, I wasn’t there.”

“The FBI takes things a little more seriously and we have to run our own investigation,” Dean explains. He takes a sip of his coffee and flips open his notepad. “I know this must be very difficult for you, but we appreciate any information you can give us.”

“The FBI is involved in a . . . bear attack?”

“Killers are very creative nowadays, Ms. Maxwell,” Dean continues quickly when he sees Cas’s mouth open up. He told Cas not to talk too much, since he was never really all that great at undercover work. “We have reason to believe that a person may have done this with their own makeshift claws.”

Dean knew there was no delicate way to put that, but he didn’t have to recite the words like they were out of a script. That’s the downside of having so much experience, sometimes you forget that other people care more than you do.

Emily’s stoic expression holds while she processes Dean’s words, but it breaks down slowly, and then, all all at once, she begins to shake under waves of sobbing. Her hands come up to cover her face as the gasping and wailing fill the otherwise composed apartment. Cas looks at Dean, clearly uncomfortable and unsure of what to do.

“Who would do that?” she shrieks, looking between Dean and Cas with tears streaming down her face, hands in fists on her knees. “To another person? To Amanda? Why would they do that to her? She didn’t do anything wrong!”

Dean opens his mouth to offer some sort of rehearsed condolence, but abandons the idea when she wraps her arms around her middle and bows her head over her lap, the crying continuing. She looks like she’s about to be sick.

Cas leans over and whispers, “Dean, what’s happening?”

It takes everything in him not to roll his eyes. “She just lost her friend, Agent Kossoff. She’s sad.”

“She wasn’t just my friend!” Emily blurts around a hiccup, pulling herself up enough to cast her angry red eyes at them. “I was in love with her! She was the love of my life and I never—” hic “—I never—” hic “—told her!”

Understanding floods through Dean. It hits painfully close to home, but he doesn’t have the time to think about it. He pushes the box of tissues on the table closer to her, hoping that’s what she needs right now. He watches as she takes one to mop up her tears and then another to loudly blow her nose. She’s an absolute wreck. A flash of a memory—knuckles against a back door, carrying a body inside, burning his best friend—knocks a little breath out of him. He pushes it away.

“I was going to tell her on her birthday,” she blubbers quietly, sobs subsiding. “I had this big plan with flowers and wine and some rom-coms. She never really liked parties, so I thought it could just be the two of us, and I could talk to her about it. But at the last minute she said she wanted to go hiking with her sister. I told her to be safe and call me if she had signal, but the next time I saw her was on the news.”

Dean pulls a few pages of his notepad back and finds a name. “Her sister, Kelsey, said that it happened while Amanda was out looking for some water, but Kelsey wasn’t attacked. Was there anyone who would have ever wanted to hurt Amanda?”

Emily shakes her head. “Amanda was the kindest person I’ve ever met. She was a veterinarian, for crying out loud, all she wanted to do was take care of animals and volunteer at the soup kitchen and paint. Everyone loved her.”

Dean nods, scratching a few words on his notepad. He glances at Cas who’s already looking at him, but quickly looks away. 

There isn’t much else she could tell them and Dean’s sure that she would rather be alone to cope with her loss than continue to be questioned by strangers, so he stands and Cas follows suit. He hands her a card. “We appreciate your time, Emily. If you think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to call.”

She takes the card with a nod and nothing else. Dean and Cas let themselves out and press the button for the elevator. It’s quiet between them as they wait for the car. Dean worries his lip, thinking about the times he lost Cas and regretted not telling him.

He should tell him. Before it’s really too late. Cas could die tomorrow—hell, he could die today on this case—and he’d never know.

Maybe Amanda knew and she went hiking because she was too afraid to deal with it. Maybe she thought avoiding Emily would make it feel less like breaking her heart. Maybe Cas knows, too. Maybe that’s why he never seems to stick around longer than a week or two at a time.

The elevator doors open for them and they step inside. Cas isn’t looking at Dean, more concerned with wringing his hands together like he’s nervous. Dean’s never seen him do that before; he looks so human doing it.

He should tell him. Cas is human now, so he’s vulnerable. The elevator cords could snap and they could fall 15 floors to their death. Someone could hit them on the drive back to the motel and crush them against the side of a building. Lightning could strike, a 10th story potted plant could fall, a dog could maul one of them and it’d all be over. He should tell him.

Dean Winchester has never been rumored to be a coward, not since he spent decades hunting monsters and staring Death in the face and fighting God himself. But this is different. This is scary—putting it all on the line to risk losing one of the most important people in his life. Still, he should tell him.

It’s just not the right time. Which is a problem, because it’s never the right time. He could have told him when he first started having these feelings, when they were new and confusing, but how could he explain something he didn’t even understand? He could have told him when he was planning on blowing up Amara and himself, but what would be the point in admitting his feelings when he was just about to die? He could have told him when Cas came back from the Empty, all shiny and new and lost, but there was too much else going on to worry about emotions. He could have told him in purgatory, both times, he could have told him in the hushed hours of the night when he knew Cas was watching over him, he could have told him, he should have told him, he should tell him, he—

“Dean?”

Cas’s voice startles him out of his internal argument. Cas is still distressing his hands and his gaze is zeroed in on the floor.

“Hm?” he replies.

Cas doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. He said Dean’s name so quietly he’s starting to wonder if he even said it at all.

“I . . .” Dean hears Cas audibly swallow and take a deep breath. “I love you.”

Dean’s brain short circuits. Cas didn’t really just say he loved him, did he?

“Hmm,” he hums in response. What does one even say to that? Yeah, I love you too and I have for years but I was too much of a pussy to say anything. And maybe also, Did you just have the same internal monologue as me and beat me to the punch? Perhaps with a side of, Was I even going to take that punch or just continue to repress my feelings for another ten years?

None of those things come out. Instead, he does what he does best and Dean Winchesters his way through it. He wraps an arm around Cas’s neck like it’s no big deal and pulls him in close enough to press a long kiss to his cheekbone. Cas is stiff for a moment, then relaxes and worms an arm around Dean’s waist.

“I love you, too,” Dean says against Cas’s skin.

Cas turns to face him and Dean turns at the same time and their mouths find each other without preamble.

When the elevator opens to the lobby, they walk out to the car like that, wrapped around each other, and then they hold hands in Baby, and then they meet up with Sam at the motel with smiles and breakfast sandwiches. Sam doesn’t say anything, but Dean thinks he knows. And that’s enough for now.

tags under the cut!

@joharvell | @good-things-do-happen-dean | @curly-cue-scamp | @queenvee08 | @cottondean | @flowersforcas | @letsgobethegoodguys | @sorrycas | @randomlikes24 | @hallowedbecastiel | @vought | @wanderingcas | ~ pls let me know if you’d like to be added to or removed from the list!

[ererokii]

What Goes Around Comes Around

T. Shouto x Fem! Reader (inspired song fic)

Song: What Goes Around by Justin Timberlake

Warnings: angst, cheating, like one scene of sex (very small scene), characters are 18+

Italics mean flashback

Word Count: 3k

A/N: This is my first fic and my first attempt at writing angst so I’m sorry if this is quite shit and of course it had to be my boy (pls forgive if there are typos). Also big shoutout to @shoutodoki and @shoutosplaything (also thank u for beta reading gabbi) for letting me tag them!

Don’t wanna think about it

Don't wanna talk about it

I’m just so sick about it

I can’t believe it's ending this way

Just so confused about it

Feeling the blues about it

I just can’t do it without ya

Can you tell me is this fair?

14 days

It’s been 14 days since the last time you saw Shouto Todoroki. You refused to acknowledge him as the man that you once loved but deep down inside you knew that you still love him. Everyday your thoughts kept haunting you as if it was a song that kept repeating itself without your permission.

Was I good enough?

Did he not love me anymore?

Could I have known before it happened?

Could it have been fixed?

Maybe I wasn’t putting enough effort?

You thought that your relationship was perfect. Like every other couple, you had your ups and downs. To something as silly as leaving the dirty dishes there or something as serious as miscommunication. Regardless, that was the best relationship you’ve been in for a while. Thought Shouto was the one to be. The one you would spend the rest of your life with. You guys were the It Couple. All your friends would always compliment on your relationship. Soulmates. That’s how everyone described your relationship with Shouto. A bond that could never be broken. The universe bringing two people together to forge the most perfect relationship. That’s what everyone used to say.

Tonight, just like every night you stared up at the ceiling refusing to let sleep take over your body as all you saw was Shouto when you closed your eyes. Laying on the couch, you stared up at the ceiling like you were in a trance, unmoving. The blanket lazily hangs off of the couch as you refused to shield your body from the cold. The unfinished dinner stayed on the granite counter in your kitchen, the half-empty wine bottle laid untouched on your low table. How pathetic you thought to yourself as you let out a weak chuckle and sat up slowly, running a hand through your messy hair. A bang like knock to your door startled you, making you turn your head quickly and could have sworn you almost gave yourself whiplash. “Who in the hell..” you mumbled and stood up, wiping your sweaty palms against your shorts as you made your way to the door, stopping in front of it. You let out a deep sigh and fixed your hair quickly to the best of your ability.

“Who is it?”

“Y/N.”

You let out an indescribable noise as you quickly covered your mouth. Why was he here? What does he need? Is he drunk? Millions of questions raced through your mind. Even with the door separating you two, you could still feel his intense gaze burning holes right through it.

“Y/N please open the door. I just want to talk to you and explain things.”

“There is nothing to talk about Todoroki” you snapped and leaned your forehead against the cool wood. He internally cringed whenever you used his last name. It sounded so foreign to him whenever the word escaped your mouth that he honestly forgot what it sounded like.

“Please all I ask of you is to let me explain”

You let out a low groan and unlocked the door quickly, opening it with force that even Shouto was surprised you would agree to face him.

“Explain?! You’re gonna explain how you oh so magically or you tripped and stuck your dick in another girl’s vagina?! Cause if you have an amazing explanation please be my guess and enlighten me.”

“Y/N come on don’t act like that..”

“No! You have no right to tell me how I should be acting! And don’t you fucking dare call me by my name. We aren’t formal anymore” You snapped and felt tears starting to form. You wouldn’t give him the pleasure to see you cry. Not again.

~~~~

The thought of marrying Shouto has been on your mind for the longest. Being in a relationship for 3 almost 4 years with him was amazing, you were deeply in love with him and you wanted to take the next step.

Recently you noticed a difference in Shouto’s behavior. He lost his loving touch. As time went on you noticed the bridge separating both of you as if it forbade you to meet in the middle once again. It started off small. He would come home later than usual. Yes being a Pro-Hero called for him to be out at unusual times of the night but this didn’t feel right. It wasn’t right.

“Shouto!” You called out from the front of your apartment, slipping on your shoes. “I’m going to be out for a while with Ochako! I shouldn’t be gone too long!”

Silence.

You were met with silence.

A frown formed on your face as you glanced at the man sitting down on the couch, staring down at his phone. ”Shouto?” This time you were met with a grunt. Least it was better than silence. “Did you even listen to what I said?”

“No. What did you say”

Ouch. That hurt.

“I said I was going out. With Ochako” you announced slowly, expecting that he would take notice this time. ”Uh-huh. That's cool.” he mumbled, not looking up from his phone once as a small smile formed on his face. ”Well..okay then I'll see you later then. I love you.”

Once again you were met with silence but this time he lifted his head up to meet your gaze. The look in his eyes looked unrecognized, something you haven't seen since the beginning of your friendship. ”Ok. Stay as long as you want.”

That was some of the red flags you should have taken notice of, but you were so blinded by your love for him that you didn't bring it up.

You told your best friend, Ochako Uraraka about the situation and she simply told you that you were probably overreacting and just needed to speak with the man himself. “Ochako you know he doesn't even acknowledge me anymore. He doesn't say ’I love you’, he's not affectionate anymore and always pushes me away whenever I try to have sex with him. Is it me? Am I doing something wrong?”

The brunette girl sitting beside you swirled the red wine in her glass as she stared down at it. ”I really wish I knew the answer for you Y/N-chan. From what it sounds like you just need to sit down and talk with him. It could possibly just be miscommunication.”

”What if he's cheating on me?”

”I'm going to have to stop you right there. Todoroki may be a bit dense at times but he isn't an idiot. If that were the case I would personally go down there and show him that he doesn't mess with the best girl around. In case you didn't notice, you're the best girl.

A weak chuckle escaped your lips as you took the final sip of your wine, relishing the way it went down your throat and left a tangy aftertaste. “Maybe I’ll buy a little something on the way back. Maybe some strawberry milk and soba noodles from his favorite place.”

“I mean you can do or you could just go straight home and talk to him without any bribery.”

A sigh exited your mouth as you placed your now empty glass on her white table. ”I really appreciate that you let me come over”

A smile tugged on her lips as she wrapped her arms around you, hugging you tightly against her smaller frame. “Of course Y/N-Chan! Let me know how it goes after!”

Then that’s how you found yourself in front of your door, reciting a small monologue on how you would approach the man. You opened the door quietly, staying put when you heard the soft creak of the door. “He should be home..” you whispered to yourself as you shut the door behind you once you entered your shared apartment. “All I have to do is approach and speak my mi-“ Black heels? When did you leave black heels here?

You didn’t. The only pair of shoes that were beside the black heels were your white slippers. You felt as if your heart dropped down in the depths of your body. It was a misunderstanding. It had to be.

You began walking towards your room, taking quiet steps despite feeling that your feet were dragging across the floor. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. He wasn’t capable of doing that. Right?

Turning the corner to enter the hallway you stopped your motion and stared. Across the hallway was your closed bedroom door. It felt like a journey that hasn’t even begun. Before taking a single step towards your destination, you heard it.

“S-Shouto!”

That was it. The moan. The noise of skin slapping against skin and the creaking of your once shared bed where it was him making you feel that good. Him touching you in a way that no one else could feel his touch. It used to be you. Only you.

“No no no” you repeated like a mantra and walked over quickly only to stop in front of the door, hand resting about the door knob. You were hesitating, but why? You already had your answer. Was it because you were in denial? You thought this was a dream?

Taking a deep breath you grasped the knob and turned it, pushing the door open quietly.

There it was. The scene you always hoped you would never see. Your now ex-boyfriend, drilling some woman into your mattress. Your presence seemed to be ignored by them.

“Fuck baby you fuck me so good!”

“You’re so fucking tight” Shouto grunted and threw his head back and closed his eyes before opening them again, tensing up on once he spotted you standing right behind him. His hips stilled as his hands let go of the woman’s ass.

You couldn’t believe it and started shaking your head in denial

“Y/N this isn’t what it looks like”

“Oh? What is it then huh? I know I’m not fucking blind. I can see what is going on with my own two eyes.”

He got off the bed quickly and grabbed a spare sheet, placing it on top to cover himself up. “Please Y/N” he whispered. He sounded desperate as he reached to grab your hand while taking a step towards you.

“How long has this been going on.”

“What?”

“How long have you been doing this behind my back.”

“...6 months.”

The past 6 months seemed like a lie now. Every kiss. Every touch. Every ‘I love you’ was nothing but a lie. Now, you remembered all the red flags that were thrown your way but your denial got the best of you. The constant fighting, blowing you off on dates to go hang out at ‘Midoriya’s place’ or even ‘Bakugo’s place’. Coming home late even when he wasn't called for work. It all made sense now.

”Baby we can talk about this”

“No!” You snapped and pointed a shaky finger at him. “Do not beg me. I gave you everything I possibly could. I put in all my time and my energy for this relationship and for you to just..” you trailed off and covered your mouth with your hand, suppressing a sob from fleeing. ”You know...instead for future purposes. If you want out of a relationship j-just tell them. Don't cheat on them from behind. And don’t you dare call me that fucking name again.” You said as confident as you could but in reality it was the opposite of confident. Your voice was wavering, your once perfect mascara was running down your face mixed with your tears.

Shouto gulped and clenched the sheet in his hand. “I still love you Y/N.. we can talk this out please. Just give me a chance.” He whispered and looked directly into your eyes. Broken. Torn. Guilty. The look in his eyes seemed to stare right through your soul.

“If you really loved me, you would have never cheated on me in the first place. You would have come up to me and spoken to me how you felt instead of doing this behind my back… I’m going to leave. When I come back, I want you out of my apartment. Take everything you own and leave.”

Is this the way it’s really going down?

Is this how we say goodbye?

Shoulda known better when you came around

That you were gonna make me cry

Now it’s breaking my heart to watch you run around

Cause I know that you’re living a lie

But that’s ok baby cause in time you will find

What goes around, comes around

~~~~

You shut your eyes tightly as the memory and clenched your fists right by your side.

“I was drunk. I went to a bar right when you left to go visit Uraraka.” Shouto said as he took a small step towards you. It felt like the world was suffocating you.

“A bar? That’s your excuse for cheating on me? Drunk for 6 months? Please. I’m not stupid. I know plenty of men that get ‘drunk’ and they don’t cheat on their significant other. I didn’t expect that coming from your mouth. You disappointed me. You let me down. You made me feel like it was my fault.”

“That’s because it’s not!” He suddenly yelled and you flinched slightly at the sudden change of his tone. He let out a deep sigh and kept going forward till he had you caged between him and the wall inside your apartment. “It was all me. I was stupid. I’m sorry for hurting you..I should have just came up to you and spoke to you how I was feeling. I’m sorry.” He whispered and placed his finger underneath your chin to make you look up at him.

You gulped and felt his intense gaze stare through you. His bi-colored hair tickling the top of your forehead. His face was close to yours, you could feel his hot breath hitting your face as he cupped your cheek.

“I’m afraid of losing you..I don’t want to lose you Y/LN” he whispered into your ear, smiling faintly when he saw you shiver. Even like this, he still had the same effect on you and you loathed it. “We can just forgive and forget.. I’ll make it up to you I promise just please forgive me”

You wanted to. You wanted time to go back and give you what you wanted. A meaningful relationship. Being with Shouto was on your mind everyday as if it was mocking you. You desperately wanted to be in his loving arms again, feeling his body on yours. Now that you were caged behind him, a low level panic started to arise in your body. Could you ever forgive him? How could you forget? What makes this different? What if he does it again?

“She cheated on you didn’t she”

“I’m sorry?”

“I said, she cheated on you. Didn’t she?”

His quietness was all you needed as your answer. You shook your head and looked up at him, stroking his scar gently with your thumb.

“And you felt if you came back to me thinking I’ll let you back huh? You think that because she cheated on you it’ll make us relate on a different level and make everything better right? How’d it feel? It felt horrible huh? Like your heart was being ripped into two then stomped on.”

Shouto growled faintly and gripped your shoulders a bit tighter, opening his mouth to say something but you interrupted him.

“No. I’m not done fucking talking. I cried. I cried and cried for your sorry ass. You and I are not feeling the same type of pain. I loved you. She didn’t. I..I still love you” you whispered the last part under your breath

Shouto sucked in air as he tensed up. Time seemed to stop as the earth stilled. No one said anything. You missed the silence with him. Under different circumstances you would have enjoyed it. “You..you still love me?”

“Course I still love you!” You cried out and pushed him off of you, walking towards him as he kept backing up with each step you took. “But I can’t be with you. Part of me wants to forgive you and throw myself at you but the other half is telling me you’ll just do it again.”

“You think I would do it again?”

“I mean you did it the first time. So what would make it different from the next? Todoroki you just.. you need to leave.”

He quickly reached for your hands and cupped them, holding them to his chest. “I can’t lose you Y/N..” he whispered

“You already did.” You said coldly and pulled your hands out of his grasp. “What goes around comes around huh? That’s your karma now. Get out. I never want to see you again. I want the guilt to swallow you alive.”

He stood there unmoving, hands grasping around nothing as he looked up at you. He cleared his throat before speaking. “I’m sorry. I hope we can start over again soon. I hope you can forgive me.”

You watched as Todoroki walked down the steps and into the dark night. It felt like a weight was lifted off of your shoulders but the hole in your heart was still wide and open. Closing the door till he was no longer in sight, you let your head fall against the wood, letting out a shaky breath that you didn’t know you were holding in.

“Goodbye Todoroki Shouto.”

Is this the way it’s really going down?

Is this how we say goodbye?

Shoulda known better when you came around

That you were gonna make me cry

Now it’s breaking my heart to watch you run around

Cause I know that you’re living a lie

But that’s ok baby cause in time you will find

What Goes Around, Comes Around

[to-star-lake]

ether [ pt. 1]

pairing | pjm/jjk x reader genre | angst, love triangle word count | 6k rating | M, 18+

“Y/N! Come on!” Taehyung urged, waving his hand up at you from the doors of the bar. 

It was almost 10:30 and the side of the building was lined with people dressed up and ready to have a good time. You ducked under the velvet rope and hustled up towards Taehyung who held the door open for you, while the very tall and imposing bouncers in extra tight black t-shirts were blocking two guys in fancy-looking suits. 

“Look, I got a table, check the list!” One of them swung his arms out in drama and the other one dodged it but in doing so, stepped back and ran right into you. 

You fell back a little, almost rolling over on your heels, but you felt his arm catch you and steady you back on your feet. 

“Shit, my bad, are you alright?” 

“Oh, I’m ok, thanks,” you brushed out your dress, and looked up to see a concerned face under a perfectly styled wave of silver hair that fell slightly over his eyes. 

He smiled shyly, his eyes forming into little crescents from his cheeks pushing up against them. 

“Jin! Jimin!”   

He turned and you followed his gaze and saw two girls in tiny cocktail dresses and stilettos walking up to them, arm in arm, one waving. 

“Y/N, come on,” you felt Taehyung’s hand reach out and grab your wrist, pulling you through the bar entrance, and noticed that that guy’s hand had lingered on your back until you were pulled away. 

“What took you so long? We’ve already been here like an hour,” Taehyung shouted over the music, leading you through an overcrowded dance floor under a haze of neon lights. 

“Sorry, I had a presentation to wrap up at work,” you shouted back as he led you to the back corner to a seating section where your friends sat. 

“Y/N!” Namjoon greeted, throwing both his hands up and cheering when you arrived. “Finally! Were you working late again? On a Friday night too, overachiever!”

Taehyung slid into the booth beside Namjoon and you took a seat beside him. “Ha, I just had a presentation to wrap up for next week,” you leaned in and shouted over the music. “Where are Hoseok and Jungkook?” you asked, looking around. 

“They went to the bar to get more drinks,” Taehyung leaned into your ear and answered, before looking and pointing out past the dance floor to the crowded bar. 

Under the spinning lights and past the crowds you were able to make out Hoseok’s profile and he was leaned onto his elbows against the bar, bobbing his head to the music. But you didn’t see Jungkook beside him. You glanced up and down the bar and finally at the opposite end, saw the messy dark waves that was unmistakably Jungkook’s head. And a girl in a backless dress leaning into him, sliding an arm around his neck and whispering something into his ear. 

You felt your teeth clench together when you saw this. “Hey Tae, who’s that girl talking to Jungkook?” you tapped Taehyung’s knee and gestured over towards the bar, trying to ask the question as inconspicuously as possible. 

Taehyung glanced where you were looking and rolled his eyes. “I don’t know, some rando, she’s been trying to hit on him all night,” he leaned over the table, picking up his glass and taking a sip. 

You nodded at his response, trying your best to control any emotion from surfacing on your face. 

“Y/N, you’re here!” You were brought out of your thoughts by Hoseok, scurrying back to the table, his hands full of glasses. 

“Hey Hoseok,” you smiled, standing and taking a few of the glasses out of his hands and helping set them down on the table. 

He reached an arm out and leaned in to give you a hug. “Long time no see!” he joked, but he’d actually just seen you a few hours ago as he was leaving work. 

You noticed Jungkook walk up in your periphery and you did your best to maintain your composure. Not knowing whether to give him a hug as a greeting, you simply sat down, grateful that Hoseok quickly scooted into the booth beside you. 

Jungkook had both hands in the front pocket of his sweatshirt, and the girl was with him, arm locked in with one of his. 

“Hey!” you smiled, trying to greet him as naturally as possible. 

“Hey,” he said simply, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. The girl took a seat beside him. 

“This is Yuri, we work together,” he gestured towards her, introducing her to the group. “We just ran into each other at the bar.” 

“JK and I met on a project we were paired on last month, he totally saved my life for that final client presentation,” she gushed, slurring a bit and craning her head into his shoulder, her arm still locked around his. 

The way she called him ‘JK’ made you shudder, but you did your best to smile and reached for one of the glasses Hoseok brought over, downing it in three gulps. 

“Hey, guys, check out those assholes over there,” Namjoon said, nodding towards the table a couple down from yours. 

You looked over and saw that it was the two guys that you saw at the front door of the bar. The two of them looked out of place compared to everyone else. Everyone was dressed nicely, but the two of them were a whole other level of nice. The one with the theatrical display outside was tall and thin, with perfectly coiffed dark hair, and had on a designer shirt and coat, and sat in the corner of the booth with both arms on the backs of the seats, tossing his head back in laughter at something the girl next to him said. 

The other, the one that ran into you outside, looked much less ostentatious, but anyone could tell that the silver strands of his hair were professionally groomed, and his clothes probably cost as much as your rent. He was seated to the end of the booth, and seemed to be having a pleasant conversation with the girl beside him. 

“Man, do you think those girls are models?” Hoseok asked, jaw dropped looking over at them. 

“Dude, actually, I think I recognize one of those girls from Instagram,” Namjoon said, pulling out his phone from his pocket. 

You turned back to the group and across the table you saw Yuri leaning over and whispering in Jungkook’s ear, her hands tugging on his arm and his thigh, as though she and him were in their own world. You could see he was politely trying to keep his distance, but he was not outrightly refusing her, and this made a knot form in your stomach. 

“I’m gonna go get another drink,” you stood up fast, startling Hoseok beside you. 

“I’ll come with,” Jungkook said from across the table, unhooking his arm from Yuri’s. 

“No, it’s fine,” you said and immediately regretted because your tone came out much more scathing than you intended. You quickly brought it down, “I need to go to the bathroom too.” And turned and walked off before he could respond. 

“Fuck,” you whispered to yourself, pushing through the doors to the bathroom hastily and leaning your head back against the wall. 

You wished that seeing other girls flirting with Jungkook wouldn’t get to you like this. It’s not as though he actually likes any of them, you thought. But then why doesn’t he just tell them to stop? It’s not like he actually likes you either, or at least he’s given no confirmation of it, your inner monologue continued, so why are you even letting yourself get worked up over this?

You weren’t exactly sure when you started developing feelings for him. Maybe it was first semester junior year when all of you were at a party after you had just broken up with your ex and you drank a little too much and he walked you home. You remember his arm around your waist, holding you close to make sure you didn’t fall over. The way he draped his jacket over your shoulders and you had refused, saying you felt hot, but he insisted. “It’s November, Y/N, you’ll catch your death.” 

The way he helped you out of your dress and pulled a t-shirt down over your head and when you crawled into bed, tucked the covers in around you. When you began crying, asking “why didn’t he want me, why’d he leave me,” thinking about your ex, that he sat at the edge of the bed with you, holding your hand, and brushing your hair from your eyes. He pulled you close, and you remember the way his cologne smelled on the skin of the nape of his neck, and how he kissed you, saying, “Stop thinking about that idiot. Who’s he to not want you?”

You remember he fell asleep beside you that night, but when you woke up the next morning, he was gone. You remember texting him to thank him for taking care of you, and getting no response from him until the next time you saw him at Taehyung’s almost two weeks later. He said nothing to you about that night. It was as though it never happened. 

The next few years went something like this. There were days when he would call, ask where you were, and would meet you at the library, bringing you food or coffee. Or would sometimes randomly show up at your apartment at 2 in the morning with a pack of beer, ramen, and a bad movie. He would stand in your kitchen, chastising you about the lack of organization, rolling up his sleeves and neatly putting away all the dishes from the dishwasher and organizing your spice cabinet before cooking. 

But on other days, you might text him asking what he’s up to and you just wouldn’t get a response. And you’d run into him with the guys or he would show up where you were hanging out, and carry on totally normal, as though your texts had just gotten lost in the nethersphere and he never saw them. Sometimes you’d go a couple of weeks without hearing back from him or seeing him.

You never knew where you were with him, and that somehow added to the appeal. He would be so sweet and kind to you, and other times he was completely distant, constantly running hot and cold. 

It also didn’t help that Jungkook is incredibly handsome, and had a reputation for being ‘the last of the good ones,’ a gentleman, and all girls chased after him. And he, being such a nice guy, never outrightly refused or was mean to any of them. He always indulged their flirtatious conversation, though never anything beyond that. 

You sighed, deciding it was stupid to continue thinking on this and walking over to the sink, ran your hands under cold water, patting your face a little to cool down your flushed cheeks. You pulled a paper towel from the dispenser, drying your hands, and tossed the crumbled ball into the trash before pulling the bathroom door open and upon walking out, bumped directly into someone. 

“Oops, excuse me-” you looked up, and saw a familiar smiling face. 

“It’s just going to become uncanny if this keeps happening,” he laughed, eyes bending into those little crescents again. 

In the revolving neon lights of the bar, you were able to tell that you bumping into him had caused him to spill almost the entire drink he had in his hand, though thankfully not on himself or you, it just splashed onto the floor. 

“Oh I’m sorry about that,” you said, your hands held out apologetically. 

“Hah, no it’s all good,” he smiled. “This wasn’t that great anyway, I was actually headed to the bar to get something else.” He paused and looked at you for a moment and continued, “Can I get you something? I fear if we just walk away, the universe will keep making us bump into each other and next time this might be more disastrous than just a spilt drink,” he chuckled. 

“Um,” you looked back at your friends, and upon seeing that Yuri was still snuggled up next to Jungkook, decided, “Sure, why not? Wouldn’t want to upset the universe,” you mustered a smile. 

He smiled back. “I’m Jimin,” he reached a hand out to you. 

“Y/N,” you responded, shaking his hand. 

“Y/N,” he repeated, smiling as he turned to move through the crowds back to the bar. 

You followed him over and he reached a hand up, getting the attention of one of the girl bartenders immediately who strutted over, a gleaming smile on her face. 

“How was it?” she asked, leaning forwards on her elbows and placing her chin on her hands, blinking through false eyelashes at him. 

“Better, but let’s do this,” he set the glass down on the counter, his index finger tapping the base. “Colder, less vermouth, and let’s go with that Blue Sapphire,” he turned and looked at you. “Y/N, what would you like?” he asked. 

“Um, I’ll have a gin martini too, please,” you replied. 

She smiled and tapped her hand down on the counter, “Alright, two colder, less vermouth, Blue Sapphire gin martinis comin’ up.” 

“You know your drinks,” Jimin mused, turning to look at you as he took a seat on one of the open stools beside the bar. 

“You want yours with olives or with a twist, babe?” the bartender asked, a shaker in her hand. 

“Olives, please,” you replied, and she nodded in response. 

You turned to see Jimin clutching his chest in drama, “A girl after my own heart,” he smiled. 

You watched as the bartender set two glasses on the counter before filling them both, gently brushing a lemon peel along the rim, and dropping a strand of olives in each, sliding the glasses to the two of you across the counter. 

Jimin picked up his glass, taking a sip and the bartender watched for his reaction intently. 

“Much better,” he smiled, setting the glass down on the counter. 

“Very well, let me know if you need anything else, babe,” she winked, turning to take another order. 

You held the glass to your lips and took a sip too. 

“Well?” Jimin asked, eyes focused on you. “What do you think?”

“Mm,” you made a face upon tasting the drink that made him laugh. 

“What, what is it?” 

You set the glass down. “She had ice in that shaker, you can taste the water,” you said, turning to look at him, brows furrowed. “Frozen liquor, frozen glass, no ice, never ice.”

You watched the smile on his face grow. 

“Vodka or gin?” he asked. 

“In a martini? Gin, always gin,” you replied, brows knitted together taking another sip, seeing him staring back at you with a giant grin on his face. “What?” you set the glass down, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious under his unrelenting gaze. 

“I love you.”

You coughed, almost choking on a sip of your watery martini. “Hah, um, martini’s are fairly straightforward, I think most people know how to make one..” you said, laughing nervously. 

He chuckled lightly, “No, I don’t think they do.” 

“Jimin! What the hell man, I’ve been looking for you.” A bombastic voice approached and you looked up to see the skinnier guy with dark hair throw his hand forward, smacking Jimin’s back, to which Jimin responded with a whiney ‘ow’ and a feigned hurt expression. 

“Come on, let’s go, the girls are bored, we’re gonna leave and get our usual table at Hyacinth,” he continued. 

You watched Jimin sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Jin, this is Y/N,” he said, resting his hand gently at your shoulder to introduce you. “Y/N, this neanderthal is my friend Jin.” 

“Ne-neanderthal?! Really! What-well that’s just-”

“Don’t worry, he may look big and dumb...that’s cus he is big and dumb, totally harmless,” Jimin leaned over and whispered as Jin continued his rant. This made you laugh. 

“I’m not gonna go to Hyacinth man, you guys go,” he said, looking up at Jin. 

“Dude! Come on, you were supposed to be my wingman! You know how I got Yena to come out tonight? It was cus her friend Miya was coming out with us. You know why Miya came out? Do you? Cus I told her you were gonna be here, come on man, help me out here,” Jin whined, throwing his arms out. 

“You’re gonna have to find some other way to get Yena to like you,” Jimin laughed at Jin’s childish displays. “I’m staying here man, I found better company,” he turned to you, smiling. 

“Fine! Be like that! You stay here and drink your shitty martinis, we’re gonna go to Hyacinth and don’t even think about coming to join us, I’m gonna tell the guys at the door not to let you in!” Jin huffed, turning and stomping off. 

“Sorry about him,” Jimin turned back to you, laughing softly. 

“It’s okay, you guys must be pretty close, huh,” you said, watching as he ran his hand through his hair again.

“Yeah, like an annoying sibling,” He dropped his arm down on the counter, looking at you and grinning. “He is right about these martinis though,” he said, pushing his half empty glass away. “How about we go somewhere that knows how to make a proper drink,” he smiled. 

“I was always told not to wander off with strangers,” you said, pushing your glass away too, and considering his proposition. 

He stood up from the stool, moving a bit closer, and leaned onto his arm on the counter beside you. “We all start off as strangers,” he said, lowering his voice.

You felt your cheeks become instantly flushed and looked away quickly, but you could feel his eyes were still focused on you. Past his shoulder, you saw that your friends were still hanging out and Yuri was still seated beside an indifferent Jungkook, putting in her best effort. 

What the heck, you thought, how could going somewhere with a handsome stranger be any worse than staring at Yuri trying to vie for Jungkook’s attention all night. 

“Where are we going?” 

He smiled, and reached down, taking your hand in his to lead you toward the exit. 

“Hey! Hey Y/N! Where’re you going!” You heard Hoseok’s voice call out as you made your way past the tables beside the dance floor. 

You turned and waved, still following behind Jimin, who was oblivious to your entire table of friends now staring wide-eyed with their jaws dropped at your walking out with him. You couldn’t be sure but you thought you saw a flash of panic across Jungkook’s face before you turned and followed Jimin out the exit. 

Outside, you stepped off the sidewalk onto the busy street and held an arm out for a taxi, but Jimin grabbed your wrist to stop you. 

“Are we going somewhere within walking distance?” you asked. 

“Not quite,” he smiled, and you turned to look in the direction of the loud rumbling sound of a car engine. 

The sound came from a red McLaren P1 pulling up to the curb. 

Everyone that stood outside the club or were walking by on the sidewalk seemed to pause and gasp at the sight of the car. The driver’s side door slid up and you saw a valet step out and hand the keys to Jimin.

“Thanks man,” you watched Jimin slip a hundred dollar bill from his wallet and hand it to the valet. “What?” he grinned, seeing you gawking at him and the car. 

“I, uh,-” you didn’t even know where to begin. “You sure you’re okay to drive?” you asked meekly. 

“For sure, we basically just drank water in there remember?” He grinned, pulling the passenger side door up for you, gesturing for you to get in. 

You gulped, stepping into the car and took a seat, watching as Jimin closed the passenger side door and walked around to the driver’s side and sat, shutting his door. 

The car looked and smelled brand new, and as the ignition roared to life, you saw the lining of the dashboard light up in a low, red LED light. You watched as Jimin held the steering wheel with one hand and looked over his shoulder into the street before pulling away from the curb. 

About 20 blocks uptown, Jimin pulled the car up to the entrance of a stone building and handed the key to a valet failing to hide his giddiness that he would get to drive a McLaren. 

He led you down a few steps to the side of the building into a bar unlike anything you’d ever seen. Stepping through the entrance, you saw a room dimly lit with crystal chandeliers overhead, leather benches all across the room’s periphery with antique mahogany tables and chairs filled with people. The walls were lined with a beautiful wallpaper with painted caricatures that look like they could be found in a children’s book and the entire ceiling was covered with gold leaf. 

You followed him to the bar, where the two of you were greeted by a smiling bartender in a three piece suit. “The usual?” he asked. 

To which Jimin replied, “You know it,” smiling. 

“And for you, miss?”

“Oh, uh, I’ll have the same, thank you,” you looked around at the bar, unable to tear your eyes away from the beautiful paintings on the walls, lost in the dark atmosphere and ambience, the sounds of electric guitar riffs, bass drum, and a sultry, melancholy voice played overhead. 

“You like it?” Jimin’s voice brought you back. 

“The wallpaper..” your eyes locked in on one particular drawing of what looked like a man handing a balloon to a child. “It looks like these books I used to read as a little girl, Madeline.” 

His smile grew. “This is Bemelmans bar,” he said. “The walls were actually painted by Ludwig Bemelmans himself.” 

“You’re lying,” you stared at him in disbelief as the bartender slid your drinks across the bar to you. 

Jimin smiled at your incredulity. “It’s true,” the bartender verified. “We’ve been able to keep the walls in pristine condition over the years.” 

“Holy shit, that’s incredible,” you continued staring at the paintings on the walls around you, and heard a soft chuckle from Jimin as he sipped his drink. 

You picked up your glass and took a sip too. “Oh, wow, that’s so much better,” you commented, taking a few larger gulps of the drink. 

“I know,” he smiled. 

“So, um, can I ask you a question?” you couldn’t hold in your curiosity any longer. 

“Of course,” he replied, taking another sip from his glass, turning sideways on the barstool, facing you. 

“What do you do?” you blurted out, gulping down the rest of your drink. 

The question seemed to catch Jimin off guard, because he laughed, almost choking mid-drink and had to set his glass down, motioning the bartender to bring two new ones over. 

“What do you mean?” 

You furrowed your brows and shot him a look. “I meeaan, the McLaren? The hundred dollar tip to the valet? I just saw the bartender punching our drinks into the tablet over there and I could probably make 30 martinis at home for the price of one of these. And, the clothes?” you gestured your hands over his body. “I mean, what do you do? Who are you?” you paused for a moment, seeing that the cheery expression he’s held all night dropped slightly. 

The bartender slid two new drinks across the bar to you and removed the old glasses. 

“Does it matter to you?” he asked, tone suddenly serious, taking a larger sip from his glass. 

No, of course it doesn’t actually matter, you thought to yourself, self conscious that you might’ve offended him by asking in the first place. It was just that it’s not often you see someone your age having this kind of lifestyle. 

“No, it doesn’t really,” you answered, quietly taking a sip of your drink. 

“I’ll let you guess.” You looked up to see the smile had returned to his face. 

You sat up, thinking hard, staring into his eyes. 

“Are you….” you lowered your voice, “Are you a drug dealer?” you asked, mostly joking. 

He laughed softly at this, “No, I am not a drug dealer.” 

“Are you...an arms dealer?” 

“No, Y/N, I’m not an arms dealer,” he laughed more. 

“A mob boss?” 

He sputtered his drink, setting his glass down on the counter and reaching out to take both your hands in his, swinging back and forth on the stool cheekily and pouted, “Why are all your guesses implying I’m some kind of bad guy?”

You looked into his eyes, at this display of innocence, unsure of whether he’s trying to deflect or if he’s really being sincere. 

Because everything so far just points to ‘bad guy,’ you thought. 

“Oh, this song,” you sat up, hearing the sharp intro bass notes to Tiebreaker come on. 

Jimin stood up, smiling, still holding your hands in his. “Come dance with me,” he said, nodding towards the dance floor to the center of the room. 

You pushed yourself off the seat, standing to follow him and the martinis started hitting you. He held onto your hand as he led you past the bodies tightly packed together til the two of you reached the center of the dance floor, and you felt your limbs relaxing, vision starting to blur under a filter of the smoky, hazy, golden lights from the chandeliers overhead. 

He reached down and took both your hands in his and slid them up around his neck, pulling you in close. He gazed down into your eyes sweetly and dragged his fingertips gently down your back, stopping at your waist to tug your body flush against his. Through the silk material of your dress, you could feel the heat from his palms as he guided your hips gently, slowly moving to the music. You felt your body growing hot and the air around you grew thin, the smell of his cologne falling over you as he leaned his head down to your neck and slid his hands further down your back, pushing your body closer into him, the metal buckle of his belt pressed against skin made your mind drift. 

“Um,” you pulled away quickly, reaching a hand up and brushing your hair back, feeling your heartbeat quickened in your chest. “I’m just gonna go outside and get some air,” he gave you a perplexed look as you backed away. “I’ll just be a minute, I’ll be right back.” 

You pushed clumsily through the crowded dance floor til you found the front doors and burst through them, taking a deep breath and pushing your hair back with both hands, glad for the cold autumn air hitting your skin, the breeze unsticking the thin material of your dress from your stomach. 

What is happening, you thought to yourself as you tried to regain your composure but found it increasingly difficult as your legs felt like jello beneath you, recalling in detail the way he moved his hands and hips against you. Recalling how for a moment back there in your drunken haze, you almost called him Jungkook. 

You felt a rush of blood to your cheeks, your eyes burning as a thin layer of liquid formed in your tear ducts. 

Fuck. 

“Everything ok?” 

You turned to see Jimin step out onto the little stone veranda beside the front entrance where you were pacing. 

You blinked rapidly, trying to make the tears go away. “Oh yeah, I’m fine, it just was a little hot in there, needed to catch my breath,” you stumbled through those words. 

“Are you ok?” He walked up to you, tilting his head and seeing your watery eyes. He reached one hand out, tugging onto your waist and lifted the other to your face, pushing your jaw upward so he could look into your eyes. “Did I do something?” he asked softly. 

You shook your head, “No, no it’s not you, I just-” you sniffled softly, looking away. “It’s nothing.” 

“Hey,” he tilted your face up to look at him. “I can make you feel better,” he smiled. “Wanna hear why I like you?” 

You let out a soft laugh at this. “Um, you like me?” 

“Of course!” he said, a surprised look on his face, as though he was saying how could you question this. 

“But you don’t know anything about me.”

“On the contrary, I know quite a bit,” he smiled wide. “I know that you have good manners, you’re always thanking others, whether it’s the bartender, or me just holding the door open for you, you’re very polite, believe it or not that says a lot about a person.” He slipped both of his hands around your waist and pulled you in close. 

“I know you like your gin martinis the way I do - just a little dirty,” he grinned, and you laughed. “I know you know your cars, and you may think I’m a bad guy, which makes me want to prove to you just how wrong you are about that.” 

His smile grew, “Good, I’ve made you feel better haven’t I?” he quipped, seeing the smile on your face. “Now, your turn, tell me all the things you like about me,” he grinned widely. 

 “Um,” you laughed quietly, tilting your head back slightly to look at him - at his eyes, glittering in under the lights, at how sweet they looked. “I like...your hands,” you said, slightly embarrassed. He looked at you, waiting on an explanation. “Most guys have no idea what to do with their hands, but you use them well,” you continued and saw a smirk grow on his face. 

“Yes, I am very good with my hands,” you felt them slide down to the curve of your hips, fingers digging slightly into your skin. 

“Oh my god, Jimin, not like that,” you laughed, hitting his chest softly with your fist, though you couldn’t deny that actually was exactly how you meant it. “I like...I like dancing with you. I like the way you move,” you continued. 

“Yes, I do move very well too,” his smile grew, and you watched as the tip of his tongue grazed his corner of his mouth, causing your gaze to be completely fixated on his lips. “Anything else?” he asked, voice low, leaning closer. 

“Um...I-” you felt his hands grip into your hips tighter. “I like your lips,” you said in a whisper, your voice shaky. “They look like they might be really soft-”

“I’m happy to let you test that theory.” 

“What-” your words were cut off by him leaning down, pressing his lips against yours. You took a long inhale, feeling your body relax against his, your mind going blank as he pushed your mouth open with his, tilting his face against yours. Gently, he slid his tongue into your mouth and you heard a soft moan escape your throat, feeling his hand sliding down your hip, his fingers grazing your skin under the hem of your dress. 

His other hand reached up behind your neck, craning your head as his lips traveled to the corner of your mouth, your jaw, your ear.

“Well?” he whispered, his breath hot against your skin. “What’s the verdict?” biting gently into the skin of your neck. 

“Mm, um..” it required a concerted effort to get air to your lungs. His lips traveled across your cheeks and once again covered your mouth, his tongue rolling over yours made your knees feel weak, leaning your full weight into him for support. “Jimin,” you pulled away from him slightly. “Will you take me home?” you asked, looking up at him through sleepy eyes, unable to keep from thinking about what he could do to you once you had some privacy. 

“Of course,” he replied simply, taking your hand and leading you out to his car. 

He drove swiftly, following your directions, his hand grasping onto your thigh. You rolled the window down on the passenger side in an attempt to calm yourself. The car came to a stop outside your apartment complex, and he got out behind you, following you across the dim, open courtyard towards the elevators. 

“Are you busy tomorrow, Y/N?” he asked as you reached the elevators. 

You thought for a moment, surprised at the sudden question, turning and seeing him waiting for your answer expectantly, his hands in his pockets of his pants. 

“Um, I don’t think I have any plans, no,” you replied. 

“Great, you’ll spend the day with me then,” he beamed. “I’ll come back in the morning, I’ll pick you up at 10.” 

You chuckled softly at this. “Wait, you’re serious?” you looked at him, slightly incredulous at his words. 

“Very serious,” he answered, taking a few steps toward you, and you felt your back hit the brick wall beside the elevator. He took you in his arms, leaned down and pressed his lips to yours. “Spend the day with me.” 

“Ok,” you couldn’t say no as his lips molded into you, his tongue gliding over yours and he pressed his body to you, pushing you back into the wall. “Um, Jimin, would you..would you want to come upstairs?” you managed through huffed breaths. 

He pulled away from you, looking you directly in your eyes. 

“Do you want me to?” he asked, leaning over you, grinning as he pushed his thigh between your legs, making you gasp. 

“Y-yes,” you muttered, feeling Jimin’s hand slide under the hem of your skirt, dragging his palm up the inside of your thigh, closer and closer to the little puddle that’s been pooling in your panties since you danced with him at the bar. 

“Hmm, if I come upstairs,” he brushed his mouth against your throat, planting feather-light kisses on your skin, making goosebumps rise on your arms. “What would you want me to do?” You felt his finger loop around the dampened material of your underwear, pulling it aside and dipping a finger between your lips, chuckling softly as he touched you. “Is this all for me?” he whispered, gently pressing his finger at your entrance, and you could feel yourself dripping around him. 

“Fuck..Jimin..” 

“What do you want me to do, Y/N?” he bit down softly at your ear. “Use your words, love.” 

“I..um-” 

He retracted his hand from you, kissing at your lips gently before pulling away. You were leaned against the wall, breathless and wanting to pull him back against you but you had no control over your faculties. 

He leaned over, pressing the up button on the elevator, and the doors opened with a ding. 

Taking your hand, he guided you into the elevator and gave you a soft kiss. 

“You think on what you want me to do, Y/N. And we can work on that tomorrow,” he grinned, stepping out of the elevator. 

In disbelief that he was really going to leave you like this, you blurted out, “Tease!” and as the elevator doors closed you saw him tilt his head back slightly, looking at you as he slid his hand over the raised ridges of the tight material of his pants below his belt. 

You bit into your lip and when the doors closed, you felt like you were going to collapse on the floor, your legs felt so weak. 

You hit the button to your floor and managed to drag yourself into your apartment, falling onto your bed immediately as you walked in. The breeze coming in through the open window helped cool your body, and you could still feel all the places his hands touched you, as though his fingerprints were imprinted into your skin. 

You lifted your arms over your face, resting your hands on your eyes, closing them and taking a few deep breaths, wondering if he was actually serious about coming to see you tomorrow. Opening your purse, you took out your phone, tapping the screen and as it lit up, you saw multiple banners flash up - (5) Missed calls: Jungkook. 

[timetoresurface]

secrets (1) / BBH

Y/N x CEO BAEKHYUN

First part 7k words

Will be more

PART 1 // PART 2 // PART 3 // PART 4 // PART 5

Hopping from one job to another, you really wanted to keep your position at Banking and Finance. If you would have to describe your perfect work environment, it definitely wouldn’t be at that stupid finance magazine that had the worst coffee machine in history. But hey, it did pay the bills, and that’s what everyone does, right? A perfect job doesn’t exist, right? A perfect life doesn’t exist, right? Only in cheap romantic comedies was life perfect, and you certainly weren’t in any. At least the last time you checked.

Of course, you have secrets. Everyone has secrets. It’s completely normal to have a few secrets. They’re not even that big, to begin with. For example, you haven’t told your roommate it was you who lost her favourite sweater. You could have sworn you had last seen it hanging at your office, but it wasn’t there anymore. So now she thinks she misplaced it herself, and you were in the clear of her wrath. You also hadn’t told your parents you didn’t get the promotion because you were never even considered for a promotion. You simply told your family you were just too young for such a big responsibility. Still, your company would favour you when another spot opened up. Sometimes you just like to hide a few details in your favour. You were sure you would get the next promotion if you just worked a bit harder and read less horoscopes during the day.

“Hello Y/N, would you like the usual?” Your favourite barista asked you when you entered your local coffee shop. Ever since you started working at your company, you would get the same order every morning. It didn’t go unnoticed. 

“Yes, please.” You quickly send him a grateful smile which made his ears turn a little red. Of course, you also liked the fact that said barista had a little crush on you. You’re flattered, to say the least, he was a handsome young man named Jungkook, but he was too young for you. He’s still in college for crying out loud. His mother still does his laundry. 

“Coming right up.” And of he went making you a cup of coffee with the right amount of soy milk. Just how you liked it.

“Thank you so much.” You took your drink from his hand, and your fingers brushed for just a second, but you felt nothing. He was handsome, indeed, and if you were younger, your heart would have sped up, but there was just nothing there. 

You walked the familiar route toward your office building. You worked for one of the top banking magazines, well they didn’t really call it a magazine, more like a weekly newspaper or something. You didn’t exactly know to be honest, but the most crucial part is that you have a job at a top company. You only lied about one or two things on your resume, it’s not like they check everything. It wasn’t even lying, you just added a couple of things you might not necessarily do every week, but sometimes plan on doing. You would most definitely like to invest, you just didn’t have the money or knowledge.

“Good morning, Miss Y/L/N.” The old security guy greeted you with a beaming smile. You have always been his favourite, and that’s only because you tell him to have a beautiful day from time to time. People who work in banking are most definitely not considered friendly or social or even human for that matter.

“Good morning, any wild plans for this weekend?” You asked him while you badged yourself in. 

“My grand daughter’s first ballet recital is this Saturday.” His timid smile told you everything you needed to know, he was nervous.

“How lovely, wish her luck.” You told him while giving him a thumbs-up, he gladly reciprocated. He’s kind of your best friend in this building. Sometimes you even snuck out of the office to drink a cup of coffee with the older security guard, and he would tell you all kind of stories about his family.

Your company was located on the top three floors of the building. The other levels were some other magazines you had never heard of in your life. You just needed to remember you worked for Banking and Finance, a well-respected weekly newspaper. You had only started working here a couple months ago, well almost a year now. Before that, you didn’t really do anything with money, except for spending it on useless stuff like new boots. Boots you could never wear at your office because there is a strict dress code. Men should wear suits, and women should wear knee-length skirts and a perfectly fitted blazer in neutral colours like black, blue, grey,… you know: boring clothes.

“Y/N can you please look through this research about the acceleration…” your co-worker Mina started the moment you entered the workspace. She kept on going about acceleration, and you had no clue what the hell she was talking about. You have worked here for almost a year, and you still didn’t have a clue about banking and their accessions and analysis. You quickly learned to simply nod, remember a word and browse google with said word. You weren’t caught yet, so you must be doing something right.

“… also, can you please get me some coffee?” She ended her monologue while throwing some papers on your desk. You silently nodded, and she finally left you so you could take off your coat. This was a new record, you thought, you were in five minutes early, and you still couldn’t take a breather. The moment you entered was the moment hell began. With a soft sigh, you made your way over to the kitchen area to make you co-worker some coffee she could have easily made herself. News quickly spread that you were making coffee, so everyone wanted a cup. Lazy bastards. The coffee ain't even good.

“Y/N can you please come in?” Your floor manager asked you when you gave everyone their cups of coffee. With a quick nod, you made your way over to the manager’s own desk. You were all seated in cubicles, it was to monitor and motivate or whatever, while your manager requested a private office with a glass door, which he never really closed. What’s the point of a closed office if you never close the god damn door?

“How can I help you today, sir?” You asked him while he offered you a seat. He tried not to glance at your bare legs while you seated yourself and your skirt rode up a bit. It wasn’t exactly proven, but you thought he only hired you because of your looks. Not to say you thought of yourself to be the prettiest girl out there, but you were most certainly the only women under thirty that had applied for this job. It most definitely worked in your favour.

“I want to offer you a chance to grow.” He quickly started, trying to keep his eyes on your face and not your white blouse that might have been a little see-through if you looked really hard. Which he tried not to do.

“One of our top advertisers is hosting an event this weekend, and I would like for you to be there. To represent our brand and gain a few connections.” He began, and you were delighted he didn’t use complicated banking terms you had no clue about. This you understood.

“This weekend?” You asked him uncertainly. You had made plans with your roommate to binge desperate housewives while stuffing yourself with bad food you were not allowed to eat during the week. Or at least you told your roommate you never went to McDonald’s during the week. She didn’t need to know you liked your chicken nuggets every Wednesday. It is no crime to hide your bad habits from the people you loved. 

“Yes, this Saturday afternoon. I booked you a flight for tonight, so you have maximal prepare time. Your flight back is Sunday morning. I hope you didn’t make any important plans this weekend?” He asked you suspiciously, as if he knew you had no intentions of doing anything this weekend. Well, not important plans, but they were fun plans, and you had to cancel them.

“No, not at all sir. I’ll be there at the event.” You fake smiled up at him before shaking his hand in fake enthusiasm. You really wanted to earn more money and get a promotion, but you really hated this job.

“That’s great Y/N.” He shouted after you when you exited his office, his gaze lingering on your ass. Pencil skirts were only designed to please men, and make women feel uncomfortable. 

“What was that all about?” Your colleague next to you whispered. His name is Oh Sehun, and he might be as clueless as you are. He was really hired because of his good looks, and he knew it. He knew he was handsome, and he tried to get everything out of his good looks. He got a promotion after only three months at the company without actually doing any work. 

“I’m going to an advertisers event this weekend.” You whispered back, barely hiding your proudness of the fact that you had been chosen.

“Oh, yeah I was wondering who he was going to ask to replace me. Good luck Y/N.” Sehun told you while returning his focus on his screen where he was playing some dumb cards game. It did hurt your pride that you hadn’t been chosen to do this particular task, but you could prove to  be better than Sehun. You could prove to your manager that you were ready for more and that you’re more competent than Sehun. At least you tried to remember some of the banking vocabulary unlike Sehun.

“Thanks.” You ended the conversation that had already ended for him. Looking over your desk, you noticed the research about the acceleration or something Mina had talked about only an hour ago, and you sighed. A deep and heavy sigh of someone who was lost in the woods and couldn’t find the highway even though they heard cars passing. That’s how it feels to be stuck at something you understand shit about. That’s life, my dad would say, just make sure that you can pay the bills. He should be a life coach, he’s very inspiring. Really.

—

“What should I wear? What kind of event is it going to be? Garden party? Cocktail party? High-class reception where everyone wears black party? Why didn’t they tell me?” You were sat in the middle of your room with all your clothes thrown around. Your best friend Jennie stood in your doorway with a shocked expression on her face. How could she be when she found you in this position every other weekend. 

“Calm down, we can do this.” She took your arm and made you stand up. You were both standing there and staring at the mess you made in under five minutes. Never underestimate the power of a woman under stress. They can fly high and crash all at once. It’s beautiful.

“Why didn’t they tell me?” You screamed in despair while covering your face with your shaking hands. You wanted to drop down on your knees, but Jennie held you in place.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be so melodramatic. Just pack one of your work suits, a stylish black dress and maybe the cute new green skirt with white flowers if there is a garden party involved.” How did she always sound so logical? Why was she so put together? Why weren’t you like her?

“Don’t look at me like that, go and find the clothes I told you about and I will look for some shoes.” You quickly started looking for the clothes she told you about while she did her thing, organizing while in search of something. She’s a teacher, so she’s used to dramatic kids who can’t find their favourite pencil or something, so you were like a calm walk in the park compared to these kids. Well, maybe not a quiet walk, maybe more of a rushed morning jog through the park. Still better than fifteen screaming kids.

“I have a dark green suit. My perfect black dress that’s not work-appropriate but could be advertisers event approved. And I’ve got a blue summer dress if it is an outside event with fancy cocktails.” You proudly checked your mental list. This wasn’t so difficult after all.

“You also have a comfortable pyjama with you and enough underwear to be gone for two weeks. You’re good to go.” Jennie finished off your list while closing your black carry-on. 

“Are you going to get changed into something more comfortable or are you supposed to wear a pencil skirt to travel?” She asked you eying you creased skirt and half open white blouse showing of your pink bra.

“I’m just going to change into some jeans and shirt, I’m not working while I’m on the plane, right? Work only starts tomorrow at the event.” You told her while looking for your favourite pair of jeans. You could have sworn you just saw them somewhere in here.

“Get changed. I’ll drive you to the airport to make sure you’re there on time. I don’t think I could stand you without a job again.” She jokingly replied before leaving your room.

“I did do all the laundry back then.” You yelled at her.

“Yes, and my white underwear is still pink because of it.” She yelled back at you, and the both of you laughed at the memory. Why isn’t there a class to be a good housewife? You know, some cleaning and cooking classes put together? 

“I told you before, the machine did that, I didn’t do anything.” You said while walking through the apartment looking for your pants.

“Keep telling that to yourself.” She giggled while pouring a glass of water.

“I will.” 

“Please put on some pants. I don’t need to see these extremely white legs of yours.” She commanded when she saw you shamelessly running through your shared place in pink underwear. 

“I don’t know where they are.” You sighed defeated while plopping down on the orange sofa that took up whole your shared living space.

“They’re on your bed Y/N.” She sighed, and you quickly went looking for your best pair trying to avoid the stare Jennie gave you. Like you were some lost child who was in desperate need of some guidance. 

“Are you ready? Do you have everything with you?” She asked you after she drove you to the airport. You nodded your head, trying to hide the sick feeling in your stomach.

“You’re going to be fine.” She finally said while giving you a hug. 

“Of course, I’ll be fine, I’m Y/N, a fierce young woman.”

“That’s the spirit.” And with these words, she left you in the large departures hall of the airport. A place you hated. Let’s hope this is not going to be like the first episode of lost? Or worse, the Grey’s Anatomy crash in the woods episode. Lexie was your favourite. Rest in peace.

—

“Everything has been taken care of. Please enjoy your stay.” The receptionist handed you a card with a number on it, and you returned her smile. 

“Thank you so much for your assistance.” You grabbed your things and made your way over to the elevator.

“Oh, miss Y/L/N, there will be a car ready at eleven AM to get you to your destination. Please be ready.” You simply nodded your head and pressed the elevator button. Room 303. That must mean you’re on the third floor. A ping sound awakened your internal struggles to stay awake after the short flight you just had. You were never really a big fan of flying, and most definitely not alone, but you’re still alive. That’s good enough for now. 

“Hold the elevator, please.” A young man shouted before throwing his whole body into the small space. He hurriedly pressed a random button and regained his posture. His jacked had fallen off, but he didn’t do anything to fix it which weirdly irritated you. Usually you weren’t the nitpicking type.

“I’m sorry about that. I’m in a bit of a rush.” He finally noticed his blazer to be in a compromising position and fixed his appearance. He glanced into the mirror and was carelessly checking himself out. He did look good, but boy did he know it. His hands run through his hair as if it didn’t already look perfect.

“That’s okay, glad you made it safely into the elevator without losing a piece of yourself.” You deadpanned. 

“That would’ve been a disaster.” He answered you with a big smile that would make most ladies faint, but somehow only irritated you. Luckily for the both of you this is a short elevator ride, and not a three hour car ride. He wouldn’t have survived. 

“Slightly inconvenient as I’m in a rush to get to bed.” The elevator made another noise signalling your floor, and you gladly stepped out of the small space to get away from the self-centred man. 

“I’m Baekhyun by the way.” You simply stared at him before the elevator doors close themselves. Why would he even introduce himself to you? You would hopefully never see him again, so an introduction seemed a bit unnecessary to you. Never mind the guy, there are more important things to worry about.

There had been a folder with information about the event and the advertiser. Apparently, it was an essential online banking thing, and the event would be something like a walking dinner, but at brunch time. So a walking brunch. In other words, the perfect occasion to wear your flowy blue dress as it didn’t seem too uptight of an event. 

The phone in your hotel room rang, signalling your car would be ready in five. You quickly put on your shoes and grabbed your bag, making your way downstairs. You weren’t going to be late on your first solo event, you were going to be politely on time, so your company would look good.

“Hi there, going anywhere?” You turned around and looked questionably at the stranger. It was the man from last night. The man who introduced himself without reason. The man who knew how good-looking he was. You couldn’t disagree with him at this moment. He wore a light blue suit that would look ridiculous on anyone else, but somehow he made it work. He brushed the blazer behind is back and put his hand inside of his pockets. Underneath his fitted blazer was an even more fitted white shirt that left little to the imagination. You had to gather all your self-respect to not stare.

“I just like standing at the entrance of a hotel without having a reason whatsoever.” You told him while looking away from him. If someone saw the two of you now, they would think you matched outfits to go to a wedding. They couldn’t be more wrong, but you were annoyed by his perfectness. Why did he have to look so good? And why didn’t he leave you alone?

“What a coincidence, me too.” He said while he took place next to you. Not a word was exchanged, but there was something else. Awkwardness. 

“So, where are you going?” He tried to ask you again.

“Something for work. I don’t exactly know where, but I know that a car was arranged to take me to my destination. “

“I’m not lying, but I’m in the exact same situation.” He tried to connect with your eyes, but you simply kept staring down at your dress. Maybe it might be a bit too short for a work event. You were quickly interrupted when a car stopped right before you and Baekhyun. The driver quickly got out and started to bow before us. Not a simple greeting bow, but an aggressive ‘I” m sorry” bow.

“Miss Y/L/N and mister Byun. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but is there a possibility if you two could share this ride? It’s the same destination, and we’re understaffed at the moment.” The driver seemed hesitant and scared of our reaction, and you immediately felt terrible for the guy.

“If it is the same final destination, I don’t see a problem with it.” Baekhyun told the guy right before opening the door. He looked over at you and motioned for you to get in. 

“I can open my own doors.” You told him while entering the luxurious car. You hadn’t expected this from your company who always seems to be in saving mode. They could better spend the money from this car into a better coffee machine. 

“A simple thank you would have been enough.” He whispered under his breath, but loud enough for you to hear. He quickly closed your door and made his way over to the other side of the car. You couldn’t help yourself to look at him. Even when he was simply sat in a vehicle while tapping on his phone, he had this presence that couldn’t be ignored, but you tried to.

The drive was short and comfortable, but your nerves kept you wide awake. This would be your first event, and not only your first it’s also your first solo event for a company you knew shit about. How do you represent a company when you don’t know what they stand for?

“Are you nervous?” The strange man next to you asked. There was genuine concern in his eyes, but you looked away. If he was going to the same event probably meant he worked in the sector. If he worked in the same industry, he would probably be a competitor. If he was a competitor, it would be best to hide all your weaknesses, or he could take down your company in a matter of seconds. Or worse, he could make you jobless again, and you weren’t ready for that. 

“I’m excellent, but thanks for asking.” You kept your gaze focused forward, and your hands fidgeted with your short dress.

“You look great by the way. You’ll do great.” You felt his eyes burning your skin, but you tried to ignore the tension he had created with his statement.

“Thank you, but I will be great because of what I can, and not because of my looks.” 

“I didn’t mean to…-“ but he was interrupted by the driver opening your door. You quickly made your way out of the car and tried to contain your surprise. The event was huge, and by huge, you mean it to be very claustrophobic. There were people everywhere in all shapes and sizes mingling and giggling. 

“You might want to close your mouth.” Baekhyun told you while standing casually next to you. He didn’t seem to care about his surroundings. He’s probably used to these kinds of events. 

“Let’s get our name badges.” He took hostage of your hand and guided you toward the entrance of the building. It was a modern building with glass walls and plants everywhere. Some people were smoking outside with a mimosa in hand. Others were inside enjoying the view while nipping on a fancy looking sandwich. 

The event was too grand for you, and the worst part was that you felt underdressed. You have never been the type to underdress, but you’ve gotten so used to your boring office life, you made a mistake. Men were dressed in colourless suits, and women were dressed in fancy dresses in neutral colours. You checked your outfit in the mirror and cringed at yourself. You weren’t covered in a neutral colour, no you were clothed in a light blue dress that was on the shorter side with a girly floral pattern. The only design you spotted at the event were polka dots. 

“You can go first.” Baekhyun whispered into your ear right before shoving you toward the table with badges. You tried to find your name, but couldn’t.

“Can I help you miss?” A nice lady dressed in a black pantsuit asked you. She glanced at you, and you knew what she was thinking. She doesn’t belong here, let’s help her.

“Are you here with mister Byun?” She eyed you up and down, and her eyes suddenly turned venomous. 

“No, I’m with Banking and Finance. I’m replacing Oh Sehun for this event.” You ignored her glare.

“What’s your name?” You could almost hear the annoyance laced in her tone, but she really tried to hide it. What had you done wrong? 

“Y/L/N. Y/N Y/L/N.” You told here with a bright smile she ignored. 

“I see.” Was all that she said.

“Banking and Finance?” Baekhyun asked you while the woman was looking for your badge. 

“Yes.” You answered his question.

“You don’t care where I work?” He turned his back toward the table with badges so he could look at you.

“I would like to see your badge first, so I know you’re not lying when I ask you.” You simply told him, and a chuckle escaped him. He looked like someone who got everything handed to him. He looked like trouble, and you couldn’t afford trouble.

“I don’t need a badge at these events. They all know who I am.” He stated with a smirk.

“Well, I don’t care then.” His mouth twitched, and you were pretty sure he was fighting a smile.

“Here you are.” The woman gave you your badge, and you thankfully accepted. You turned back to Baekhyun.

“It was nice to meet you, mister Byun.” You said, hoping he would understand that you wanted to leave.

“Pleasure was all mine miss Y/L/N.” He said before grabbing your hand and giving it a quick peck. You thanked him one final time and made your way inside the event. 

People looked your way as if they knew it was your first time. Some people whispered to each other with a fake smile plastered on their faces. You tried to ignore the unwanted attention, but it was hard. Maybe a good mimosa would help you. 

“So, who are you?” A man in a dark green suit asked you when you returned from the mimosa stand. He was tall, incredibly tall. The man was perfection in neutral hues; his hair and eyes were the colour of dark roasted beans, but his skin was all tanned. He was skinny, but the way his clothes hung gave away the muscle beneath, and in his wake were heads turning to watch him go. You quickly glanced at his badge and noticed the name of the investor. He must be important.

“I’m Y/N from Banking and Finance.” He seemed a little impressed.

“I’m Chanyeol, and this is my event.” He held out his hand, and you gladly shook his hand. 

“You don’t look like someone who works in finance.” He simply stated, eying you suspiciously as if you had crashed his party.

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m a real employee of Banking and Finance.” You tried to lighten the mood, but this was the second person judging you from your looks.

“You must definitely do not disappoint.” You grew slightly uncomfortable, but as it was his party, you simply smiled. 

“The event most definitely doesn’t disappoint.” You tried to change the subject.

“Thank you. I’ve recently discovered the true meaning of brunch, and I might say I’m obsessed with it at the moment.” He told you truthfully before taking a big sip from his mimosa.

“How come?” You said after nipping from your drink. You weren’t here to get drunk even though you needed the liquid luck.

“My mum does brunches, I thought it was something older people did, but I was wrong.”

“You couldn’t have been more wrong. The secret to a happy life is a good brunch paired with a delicious mimosa.”

“Ah, I like you already, but I have to leave. There is someone aggressively signalling me to get to the kitchen. I apologize.”

“No problem. If there’s an emergency in the kitchen, it is more important than anything and anyone in this room.”

“I’ll catch you later.”

Chanyeol had been the opening for many men to strike up a conversation with you. They never tried to talk to you about anything finance related. Some didn’t even ask you where you worked. Some couldn’t even keep their gaze on your face for longer than a minute, and you grew more uncomfortable as the hours passed. 

“If you could, please excuse me.” You told the people around you. They simply nodded and kept their conversation going about something sports-related. 

You quickly made your way over to an empty room. You were done with these people pretending to enjoy each others company. You were just fed up with people commenting you didn’t look like someone who could work in finance. You wanted to go home, but you promised your boss you would represent your company well. You couldn’t leave before dessert was eaten.

“You can do this Y/N. Just ignore these bastards.” You repeated to yourself in the dark room like a mantra.

“Everything okay?” Baekhyun asked you, standing awkwardly in the doorframe. You quickly tried to compose yourself, but nearly knocked something down. He came to your rescue and grabbed the expensive-looking clock before it hit the ground. 

“I’m fine, thank you.” You grabbed the clock from his hands and put it back in place before returning to the party. You heard him say something, but ignored it and kept on walking. Chanyeol grabbed your attention and mentioned you to come over to him. He seemed to be speaking to some other young men in expensive suits. 

“Miss Y/L/N, let me introduce you to some important people. Everyone this is Y/N from Banking and Finance…” and that’s how he introduced you to some influential people in the business. They asked you some questions about your function, but only out of politeness as they didn’t care about what you did. They conversed with each other leaving you out of the conversation unless it was something about the event. 

You couldn’t have been happier the moment dessert came, and some people already started to leave. Chanyeol tied to convince you to stay longer, but you lied to him and told him you had to get straight to the airport as you were already late. He personally helped you book a car that would take you to your hotel in no time. 

You needed a drink. You needed a massive drink that could calm your nerves. Luckily for you, your company had booked you a room in a hotel with a big fancy bar. You know that kind of bar where they serve every drink imaginable. Their menu had four pages dedicated to cocktails only, and you couldn’t have been happier. Well, you would have been happier if the event would’ve gone better. No one would remember the presence of Banking and Finance at this event, and that was all on you. 

“What can I get you?” The bartender asked you nicely, and you simply told him the first cocktail that had caught your eye. Something with passion fruit. “Coming right up.” He said you before starting your drink.

Why were you such a mess? Why couldn’t you be smart like the others? Why couldn’t you just lock yourself up for a week and study everything you needed to know about banking. You don’t write any articles, you don’t get invited to big meetings because you’re known as research girl who makes coffee. The bartender gave you your drink, and you almost drank the whole thing in one go. He looked at you strangely, but you simply nodded your head. His hands immediately started to make you another, and you couldn’t care if he made you the same drink or something else. You needed the sweetness of the drink to remind you of good summer times with your friends during college. You needed the alcohol to burn your throat to tell you of the times when you were too drunk to function. Too drunk to be reminded of the fact that life sucks, and you really thought life would be better at this age. 

You continued your drinking speed for a good hour, and four cocktails were already swimming in your stomach. You felt the light buzz, and your eyes started to wander. A man is drowning his sorrow in the elixir at one end of the bar, and a young couple flirts shamelessly at the other end with the nectar in hand. The drug seems to have very different effects, depending on the situation of its consumption. There’s a slightly larger woman in the corner table. She holds in hand a large beer, and there is a plate in front of her that seems to hold the remains of what was a serving of nachos.

“Miss Y/N!” Someone called out your name from behind you, and you immediately recognized the low voice of mister Byun Baekhyun, the devil himself. “I thought you were headed straight back home. Didn’t you have a flight to catch?” He asked you while seating himself beside you at the bar. He signed the bartender for a whiskey, and in under a minute he was drinking next to you. Uninvited.

“Aren’t you going to answer my questions?”

“Do I have to?” You took another nip from your drink. You really needed to drink more to ignore the annoyance you felt when Baekhyun was near.

“You can also tell me something about yourself.” He told you. The left side of his lip tugged upwards creating a sinister smirk on his god-like face; casting a spell of lust to eyes that dare look his way. You looked away.

“Please annoy someone else while I’m still asking nicely.”

“Bad day?” He asked you, all cockiness aside. Again he surprised you with a genuine interest in your wellbeing.

“You were there.” You finally gave in and turned yourself toward him almost falling from your chair. 

“You were always surrounded by people. Isn’t that what these events are meant for?” He asked you with confusion in his eyes.

“If these people were interested in my work and my company it would have been fine. It could’ve been great actually.” You tried to explain to him, but he still didn’t understand your troubled mind. He thought you did well.

“They were interested in you.” He tried to reason with you. Boy, has he even spoken to a tipsy girl? You don’t just reason with them, you listen and silently nod.

“Yes exactly. In me, and not my company.” You started to grow more frustrated. Every sip you took from your drink got you more fired up. 

“Do you like your company that much that you would let it steal your spotlight?” He asked you bewildered. He didn’t seem to understand why you would hide in the background.

“I don’t actually, but I would like for once to be appreciated for what I do and not for how I look like.” This got him to be more understanding.

“Well, tell me something about what you do.” His question caught you off guard. You ignored his stare while ordering a new round for the two of you. 

“I don’t want to bore you.” You finally told him after a moment of silence.

“We work in the same field. I don’t think you can bore me that easily.”

“You’re doing it again.” You sighed, resting your head in your hands in defeat. Men just didn’t understand. They were always looked at with respect.

“What?” The liquor made his cheeks turn red, and you almost wanted to touch them. Almost.

“I want to bore you with my knowledge. I want people to look up certain words after they had a conversation with me. I want to bore people.” Your voice grew louder, but Baekhyun didn’t say anything about it. He seemed to be rooted in thought.

“Are you confident that you can bore me?” His voice sounded calm and collected, but his eyes showed an intense passion. 

“Of course not.” You sunk lower in your seat while taking a sip from your new cocktail. That was your fifth in under two hours. New record.

“That’s your first mistake.” He firmly stated. He straightened his back when he realized you were intently looking up at him.

“What?” You asked him when he didn’t continue his inspiring monologue. 

“You need to be more confident. You need to believe you can bore me with your knowledge. You need to be convinced that I will look up words on google after our conversation.”

“Look, thank you for listening and helping, but you can’t help me with being reasonable.” You turned away from him, hoping this would end the tiring conversation.

“What do you need me to do?” His gaze lingered on you, but it didn’t feel awkward.

“Don’t be reasonable.” You simply stated with your fingers wrapped around your drink like it was the only thing keeping you grounded.

“Is there anything else bothering you?” 

“I hate my job Baekhyun. Everything is bothering me.” You spit out, and you immediately regretted your tone. You might not have been the nicest to the young man, but he didn’t deserve the attitude you were serving right now. He didn’t seem fazed by your rudeness.

“Why don’t you just quit your job?” The question was so damn simple but was so much more complicated to answer.

“It’s not that easy.” You finally said.

“How come?” His eyes tried to find yours, but you were deliberately avoiding his gaze. You didn’t want to see his pity. 

“Because that would be my third failed career.”

“Some people need time to find out what they want to do in life. That’s okay.”

“It’s not. I’m almost in my thirties, and I’ve accomplished nothing.”

“I hardly believe that. What is troubling you?”

“I check other people’s research. I bring them coffee, and let me tell you something: the coffee isn’t even that good. It’s terrible. I refuse to drink that tasteless brown liquid. They spend money on a fancy car to drive me to an event, but they can’t even spend money on a better coffee machine…”

“… I’ve lied to get this job. I told them I spoke French and that I had experience in investing. Like what the hell would I invest in? A shoe? My bank account never reaches anything above 100…” You were on a roll. Baekhyun had opened the gates of your personal hell: the inside of your brain.

“…And don’t get me started on Oh Sehun. He barely puts in any effort, and I’m not saying that I’m an angel in that department, but I at least try to understand the shit people are saying. All he does is play card games all day long, and try to suck up to people…”

“…My parents are also so proud of my new job, and they tell me that everyday. I can not just leave something when it makes my parents proud. I’m glad they forgot about the time I wanted to start my own catering business. I’m still paying off all the debt that stupid thing caused…” You continued with the word waterfall that came out of your mouth unwillingly. Why didn’t you just stop? Baekhyun didn’t care, but he kept listening to your rambling.

“…How was I supposed to know that family got bankrupt right after the wedding I catered? How was I supposed to know?…”

“…I never told my roommate I slept with her boyfriend the day after they broke up. What kind of person am I? Who does something like that?…” His eyes stayed on your face, never scanning your body, and you felt oddly comforted. 

“… Maybe I should give the coffeeshop guy a chance. He’s the only one willing to have sex with me when I wear these hideous and most importantly, boring outfits for work. He deserves an award for that, so I should just give to him right?…” He kept sipping from his drink while you had your meltdown, but he wasn’t judging. His eyes were unreadably, but there was no judgment in them. Of that, you were sure. 

“… My ex is engaged! Can you imagine? That’s my second ex-boyfriend who got engaged with the girl that came after me. I did all the hard work of training him to be better, and she just got it for free. Without fights or dirty stuff in the bathroom. How does that make me feel? Well, let me tell you, I feel like shit that everyone I date seems to find the one after we break up. I had to explain to him that cumin in me doesn’t equal me having an orgasm for crying out loud. I did that for the other girl …”

“… My colleague Mina is the biggest bitch in the office. Everyone likes her and adores her, but she’d walk all over them to get what she wants. She knows I don’t know anything about banking, so she always gives me the most difficult tasks. I think she wants to break me, but I wont. I water her plant with coffee sometimes. I want the plant to die…”

“… Why does the coffee suck at work? Why don’t they give us something better? Coffee is a basic thing, you know. I deserve some good coffee…” You looked into his eyes and realized you had just blurted out all your secrets to a stranger. 

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to burden you with my problems.”

“I did ask what was troubling you.”

“I feel dizzy. I’m heading up. Until hopefully never.” You quickly got up and made your way to the elevator, ignoring Baekhyun’s calls. You were too embarrassed and too drunk to deal with him. You need sleep, and maybe a good cry. He tried to catch up to you in the elevator, but you pressed the button to close the doors.