#they stopped exactly at mine before they started their lunch break

[itsjustaclint]

Clint talks about food n stuff: fast food? good fast food. or just fast food?

andoks here at my place is basically what fast food should be. food served quickly, is cheap and affordable, and lastly the quality is good enough for consumption. this entire meal is roughly: 193 pesos/ $3.3 comes with sponsored company drink which is pepsico which is mtn dew.

im not sure what jollibee is doing but.. this meal is entirely ₱310 pesos/$5.10 and i had to wait for this meal. it's a bit pricier. had a coupon for the free ice cream sundae tho just for context. this is just fried chicken and fries with a drink.

mang inasal is in the pricier than but it's actually filling side. ₱270 pesos/$4.6 for this platter comes with the unli rice thing also drink black gulaman which not in photo. i do love the free soup as well problem is you have to refill the bowls yourself and they're very hot. like McDonald's coffee scalding hot. which brings to the next fast food. this is the fiesta platter comes with grilled chicken, java rice, shrimp palabok, and lumpiang shanghai

McDonald's. i actually went crazy with the promos and the coupons here. ₱248/$4.27 for the entire thing got their chicken nugs with the promo chili sauce which i really liked ngl. been a while to eat chicken nugs without feeling as if eating leather.

Chowking tho makes me think something else. they do have some additionals i could get for my buck yet they're still in the Jollibee thing but portion sizes depend on location (or time or employee feeling) like eating here is like a Russian roulette whether you get everything you want or get less. ₱210/$3.6 for this entire meal. im still asking myself why thats still the case because the portion sizes and the amount of stuff you get on you is questionable

pizzados. kinda in the side of cheese pizza and meal. im not sure if i can recommend this the ₱310/$5.3 price for this entire meal is enticing. please eat it while it's hot. the pizzas they serve are just equal to eating cardboard or paper their chicken is harder than a hard tack and the only reason i even eat here is to make me think that it's better to eat at greenwich. which is the next.

greenwich bang for your buck pizzas? meal sets that are actually a bit expensive but worth the price? yeah that's it. ₱310/5.3 (because additional potato wedges it's actually ₱270/$4.6). i still feel sad whenever i remembered the had buko pandan shakes and crinkle fries which were my memorable stuff here. regardless of which it's still better fast food pizza

in conclusion...

eating fast food isnt even worth it. like holy shit the prices man. it's more than ₱100/$1.7 price ranges and you could get a lot of that food better somewhere else. im a bit of a glutton and ordering these amounts of food and getting charged that amount kinda sucks. mang inasal tho is S tier fast food. but regardless that's me talking about fast food.

[devildomditzy]

Pity Party

In which you pretend to forget Mammon’s birthday and Mammon pretends he’s not upset

no warning or tags, a quick birthday drabble for the birthday boy <3

——————————————————————————

He’s been practically bouncing off the walls all week. Even if he didn’t explicitly say, it was obvious what had him worked up.

It was his birthday tomorrow, something you knew very well in fact. You had planned down to the minute exactly how you and him were going to spend the day (or more so where you were allowing him to drag you throughout the town) already telling his brothers he’s off limits for the upcoming 24 hours.

He’s been dropping hints like mad and, you get it. He’s the Avatar of Greed. He loves presents, he loves parties, he loves attention, especially your attention. But c’mon, did he really believe you’d actually forget his birthday?

Well, you’re kinda hoping he does.

You’ve been planning this surprise for the second born for months now, pulling out all the stops and not sparing any expense. You love that look in his eye he gets when his greed starts up, and you intend to keep that look there all day. But, in order to really make this as special as you planned, it had to be a surprise.

“Yo, MC”, Mammon calls as he sits down next to you in the RAD courtyard during lunch a little too fast, his tray clattering to the table. “Whaddya got planned for us tomorrow?”

You don’t look up for the book you’re pretending to read, instead opting for a look of nonchalance.

“Uh, am I supposed to have something planned for us to do tomorrow?”

He looks taken aback for a moment, but presses onward.

“Aw, c’mon you gotta have somethin’ planned for tomorrow. Tomorrow’s so important, it might as well be a realm-wide holiday!”

You try to hide your smile as your lips upturn as he mutters something about asking Diavolo if it could be added to the calendar.

“What’s tomorrow?”

“Wha- What’s tomorrow?? MC, ya gotta be kidding me right now.”

“Is it some kind of weird Devildom holiday? I don’t have all of them memorized yet, you know.”

“You really don’t know?”, his voice breaks a little and you find it so hard to keep composed. But, you have to stay strong! Stick to the plan!

His face falls completely at the shake of your head. He clicks his tongue before mumbling, “Forget it then. Guess it wasn’t that important to begin with.” You watch as he abruptly stands up, trudging away from you in an upset haze.

You sigh heavily looking down at the book Satan loaned you to pretend to read to pretend to look too busy to remember your first man’s birthday. This sucked. The hurt on his features was evident and to know that you caused that? It’s a huge punch to the gut.

But the look on his face tomorrow will be so, so worth it.

You hope.

The next few hours after classes are filled with exactly what you expected: Mammon avoiding you at all costs and making every effort not to talk to you.

You weren’t too surprised to find Beel and Belphie waiting in the spot by RAD’s gate where Mammon usually met you to walk you back to the HOL.

Beel speaks first, “Mammon asked us to walk you home today”. He nods, so resolute.

Belphie, of course, adds the unneeded commentary. “How’s that plan working out? Mammon looked like a sad, wet puppy. More than normal, I mean.”

You groan in annoyance. “I knew he’d take it hard, but I didn’t know he was gonna take it THIS hard. I mean, c’mon, not even walking me home? That’s like his whole thing! That he’s supposed to do! Or Lucifer will kill him!”

“I think I would be upset too, if it were me”, Beel starts as the three of you begin your walk. “Imagine it was your birthday, and you thought no one would get you a cake? That’s so sad,” he sighs, laying his hand over his stomach, looking remorseful.

“No one could forget your birthday Beel, or they’d be forgetting mine too”, Belphie laughs. which seems to brighten Beel’s mood a little bit.

“Right, you always get me a cake, Belphie”, Beel smiles.

“Do you think I should talk to him? Just tell him what I’m planning?”

“And ruin your surprise? You’ve been working hard on that”, frowns Beel.

His twin continues where he left off, “And we’ve been working hard to keep it a secret. Don’t worry, I give it an hour, maybe two before he’s talking to you again. He’s like, physically incapable of not hovering around you like some parasite.”

“But he’s my favorite parasite”, you muse, “and don’t call him that.”

“Well, whatever you do, better make up your mind quick”, Belphie says, opening the gates to the House of Lamentation. “Mammon can be sensitive, but trust me, he’ll survive a couple hours thinking you forgot.”

“Yeah, I guess he can.”

He could not.

Mammon laid on his bed, furious and yet, finding himself unable to be mad at you. Of course you forgot his birthday. Why would you remember?

When you’re getting lunch and shopping in town with Asmo. When you’re having tea and chatting with Lucifer. When your gaming with Levi and reading with Satan. When your napping or stargazing with the twins? When you’re baking with Luke and Simeon and Barbatos and have the future king of the Devildom gunning for your attention as well. Why would you remember him? The selfish prick of the family. Why would you deem him or his birthday important?

And yet, you look at him like he hung the stars and the moon. You touch him like he’s made of fragile glass. You care for him as if he was the most special thing in your life. Did he even have the right to be upset? When someone as important as you forgets someone as insignificant as him?

He can’t fault you. And honestly not talking to you hurts worse than anything you could ever do to him. Forcing himself to not walk you home was easily one of the hardest things he had to do within the last millennia. A birthday without you sounds much worse than just telling you why he’s upset.

But he’s stubborn, dammit. Goddamn Lucifer and the goddamn pride he instilled in him.

So, he does what he does best when he’s upset. He broods. And he does not text you. Oh no, don’t even think that he typed a million messages and erased them, words never coming out right. Cause he didn’t. Of course he didn’t. He would never.

He stares at his ceiling, arms crossed, D.D.D tossed aside. He really can’t believe it. It’s already almost midnight. You really forgot his birthday, didn’t you? It’s not that you HAD to get him anything, or you HAD to have something planned, he just… really wished you did.

He thought he was more important to you than that.

As of right on cue, a light rasp comes from the other side of his door. A familiar one. None of his brothers knocked that quietly.

But did he wanna answer you? No. He didn’t want to talk to you and see your beautiful face and spend his day with the most important person in his life, his human. Cause he didn’t. Of course not. He would never.

“Mammon, are you in there?”, your voice rings out and his heart lurches. He wants to be mad at you, dammit he wants to be mad at you. But…

He’s up before he even knows what he’s doing, turning the handle, sighing before he starts, “Look, MC, I didn’t mean to…what’s that?”

He stops mid sentence, pointing down to the box in your hands, wrapped up nicely in gold foil wrapping.

“It’s a present for the birthday boy,” you take out your own D.D.D. looking at the time. And since it’s officially midnight, it’s officially your birthday.”

“W-wha, I-I…Y-you…”

“Happy Birthday Mammon”, you smile sweetly at him, shoving the box in his hands.

He looks down at it and then back at you… then down and it and back at you again, disbelief written on his face.

“Don’t cha ever scare me like that again, got it!?”

“Scare you?”, you question him with a light chuckle.

“Yeah, scare me! I though you forgot all about me!”

“You? How could anyone forget about The Great Mammon! And how could I forget about my first man?”

He watches as a blush rises on your cheeks, a matching one quickly finding its way onto his.

“Well”, you say, shoving the box into his hands, “Open it!”

He pauses for a minute before careful undoing the ribbon tying it together, unraveling the gaudy paper from around the box.

He lets out a soft gasp as he removes the lid. “Is this… MC these cost a fortune, how did you…”

You cut him off, taking the gold chain bracelet out and cuffing it around his wrist.

“Well, you kinda haven’t shut up about it since you saw it, so I saved up as much as I could from my Hell’s Kitchen shifts.”

He stares at it in awe before smiling widely and wrapping his arms around you tightly, rocking you back and forth. “Thank you, Treasure.”

The nickname pulls a giddy laugh from your chest, pulling back from the hug to look him in the eyes. “Anytime, Mammoney. But you gotta get ready”, you reply, poking a finger into his chest to drive the point home.

“Ready? For what?”

“Well, there’s your party at The Fall that starts in about an hour… and then we have to check in at the private suite…then maybe we’ll sleep a little? maybe? Then there’s the breakfast reservations…. and the lunch reservations…and the dinner reservations…and then the Casino downtown is already expecting you…” you list lost in thought, thinking hard to remember everything you had planned out in advance.

Mammon can’t help but look at you with the fondest eyes. Like you had hung the stars and the moon. He puts his hand on your shoulder to grab your attention, touching you like the most fragile glass.

“What, did you really think I forgot?”, you tease him in that tone you know he loves.

And he once again takes you into his arms. He can’t believe he doubted you for a second. Not only are you a bad liar but,

You are the most important thing in his life.

[blckbarbiedoll]

I beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker (Patrick Zweig x f!black!reader)

Based on this post by @luvmoonie

(Let's pretend that Patrick and Art didn't know Tashi yet and that Patrick actually went to college😭This takes place in the college era. I'm so sorry if this is ooc or badly written btw I literally went through 4 drafts for this.)

I know I have good judgement I know I have good taste It's funny and it's ironic That only I feel that way Let's face it, you didn't exactly have the best track record for good boyfriends. Although you'd never admit to it. It just seemed like each guy you saw was worse than the last. You had decided to stop focusing on guys and start focusing on school and gymnastics. Until you met him. Patrick Zweig.

Against your better judgment, you and your roommate, Tashi, had decided to take a well deserved study break and go to a party being held at frat house. Everything was going fine until she left you to make out with some random guy. You walked over to the drink table and poured an unknown alcohol into a red cup. You quickly turned around and collided with someone.

"Shit!" You cursed, spilling the drink on your dress. "Watch where you're going!"

"You bumped into me, sweetheart." The tall brunette man replied. He took a puff of his cigarette before blowing the smoke to the side.

"Asshole." You scoffed before going into a bathroom to clean yourself up.

"Let me help." He followed you into the bathroom and grabbed a hand towel before wetting it.

"I can do it." You took the towel and patted it on your dress.

"Sorry about your dress." He took another puff and blew the smoke forward.

"Can you not?" You waved the smoke away.

"Sorry." He put it out on the sink and tossed it into the toilet.

You rolled your eyes and groaned with disgust. "You're fucking gross."

"I'm Patrick."

"Good for you."

He chuckled and smirked down at you. "Ya know, this is the part where you tell me your name."

"And why would I do that?"

"I told you mine."

"Which I didn't ask for."

"Oh, you're that kinda girl?"

"What?"

"The girl who acts like she's too good for everyone."

"Not everyone. Just you."

"Is that so?"

"Yep."

"Tell me your name."

"Why?"

"Because, when I meet a beautiful girl, I wanna put a name to the pretty face."

He was annoying as shit, but he was good with his words. And so fucking hot.

"How many girls have you said that to tonight?"

"Just one."

"Should I be flattered?"

"Oh, I'm sure you're flattered all the time."

He leaned one arm against the doorframe, trapping you in between him and the door. His towering figure was scaring you and turning you on at the same time. He took the towel from your hand and set it on the sink.

"y/n." You softy spoke.

You looked down, trying to hide your grin. He placed his hand under your chin and lifted your head to meet his gaze. You melted at his touch.

"See? Was that so hard?"

"If you kiss me, I swear to god I'll kick you in the balls."

"Sure you will." He smirked, slowly leaning in to press his lips to yours.

❤︎

A few weeks later, Tashi came into you room and sat on your bed. Her grin was a mile wide as she waited for you to say something.

"Can I help you?"

"You know that guy I've been seeing?"

"The blonde?"

"Mhm."

"What about him?"

"We're going out Friday night, and he suggested a double date."

"Oh, god."

"He asked if I had a friend for his friend."

"No."

"Please?" Tashi begged you.

"No! I don't even know the guy!"

"It's just mini golf. You'll barely have to talk to him."

You sighed and thought about it for a second. How bad could it be? "Fine. But you're buying me lunch for a week."

"Deal."

Whatever devil's inside you, don't let him out tonight

You pulled up to the mini golf place and waited outside for your dates.

"You excited?" She asked you.

"Oh, yeah. I can't wait."

She rolled her eyes and smiled when she saw the guys.

"That's them!" She led you over to the two men. The blonde who you saw her with at the party, and a familiar brunette. "Art, this is y/n."

"Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too."

"This is my friend, Patrick."

"We've met." You both said in unison.

"See?" She smiled. "And you were worried about not knowing the guy."

"So, should we head over there?" Art asked.

"Yeah." Patrick smirked. "Let's head over there."

You all got the clubs and balls before heading to the course. Art and Tashi were caught up with each other, leaving you and Patrick alone. Hit pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it before taking a puff.

"You can't smoke in here."

"In where? We're outside."

"We're on a golf course."

"It's mini golf."

"You're gonna get in trouble."

"Who's gonna say something? The plastic hippopotamus over there?"

"Whatever."

You rolled your eyes and got ready to hit the ball.

"You're doing it wrong." He smirked.

"No I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"Shut up." You swung the club and hit the ball into the small pond across the course. "Shit."

"Nice job. You should go pro." He chucked.

"Fuck you."

"What'd I do to you?"

"What?"

"I thought we were getting along really well at the party. But two weeks later, you act like I killed your fucking puppy."

You rolled your eyes at his analogy. "I was drunk that night. We weren't getting along, I was just horny."

"Yeah right. You telling me you haven't thought about me at all?"

"That's exactly what I'm telling you."

"I don't believe that."

"You're such an arrogant little shit."

"Wow. I can't believe I let you kiss me with that mouth." You raised the golf club and whacked it against his shin. "Ah! Motherfucker!" He groaned.

After completing the course and getting dinner, Art and Tashi went in her car back to campus, while you were stuck with Patrick.

"We'll meet you there!" She smiled as she drove away.

You sighed and got into the passenger seat. Patrick hit the gas and drove down the road.

"Why didn't you call me?" He asked.

"I didn't have your number, dumbass."

"If you did, would you have called."

"Probably not."

He sighed and pulled into an empty lot before putting the car in park. He took his seatbelt off and turned to you. "Can we start over?"

"What're you doing?"

"We're probably gonna be spening a lot of time together, and I don't wanna feel like you hate me."

"I don't hate you, I just don't like you."

"Why not?"

"You're annoying, presumtuous, skeezy, and you think everyone wants to fuck you, which they don't."

"You did."

"I was drunk."

"You're not drunk now."

"Well, I don't wanna fuck you now."

"Yes, you do." He leaned over the center console and kissed you softly. You had every oppritunity to push him away. But you didn't. Instead, you encouraged it.

All I'm asking, baby Please, please, please don't prove 'em right Please, please, please don't bring me to tears when I just did my makeup so nice

It had been a month since that night in the parking lot. Tashi and Art were happy together, and you and Patrick were...keeping each other company. The two of you had been getting pretty close, literally and figuratively. After actually getting to know him, you started to really like him.

"Are you and Patrick dating?" Tashi asked as you walked in from the gym.

"Uh..." You thought for a second. It was never something that you had actually discussed. "I don't know."

"You don't know."

"No."

"No, you don't know? Or, no, you're not dating?"

"We're not dating." I think.

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yeah." She slipped her shoes on. "It was fine for a few double dates, but not for anything more. He just isn't your vibe."

"So, you think we'd be a bad couple?"

"Not necessarily. I just think you'd regret it. He'll probably just end up embarrassing you."

"Embarrass me how?"

"Let's just say, if I was gonna go pro and try to go to the olympics, Patrick Zweig is not the guy I'd want my name being attached to."

She gave you a smile before heading out the door. You sat on your bed and processed what she had just told you. Would Patrick really embarrass you?

Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another I beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker, oh Please, please, please Over the past few weeks, you had been thinking about what you really wanted. Patrick was rough around the edges, sure. But he was sweet, funny, and a really good lay. Plus, you really, really liked him. Then you thought about what Tashi said. Was Patrick Zweig really the guy you wanted to be seen with while trying to be taken seriously?

"Did you hear what I said?" He asked, putting the car in park.

"Huh? Oh, sorry. I zoned out."

"I said we should do dinner after this."

"Yeah, sure. Where?"

"That new Italian place down the street?"

"That's pretty fancy for Patrick Zweig." You chuckled. "What's the special occasion?"

"y/n, I wanna take things seriously with you."

"Wow. I never expected that from you."

"Why not?"

"You just don't seem like the kind of guy to want something serious."

"I wasn't. But I am now."

"So, are we dating now?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"You. What do you want?"

That was the question you had been asking yourself. What did you want?

"I..." You hesitated. "I want you, Patrick."

He smirked and grabbed your hand before softly kissing it.

"I want you too."

"But you have to promise me something."

"Yeah. Anything."

"Please, please, please, don't embarrass me."

"Embarrass you?"

"I know what kinda guy you are. Or at least the kinda guy you used to be. I'm getting a lot of attention and the last thing I need is some news story saying that my boyfriend is a sleazy douchebag."

"Sleazy and a douchebag? Wow." He chucked.

"I'm serious. I beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker."

"Hey, I'm not like that anymore. I really think you could make an honest man outta me."

"Woah. Let's slow down." You giggled. "I like you just as my boyfriend for right now."

"I like that too."

Well, I have a fun idea, babe Maybe just stay inside I know you're craving some fresh air But the ceiling fan is so nice (It's so nice, right) And we could live so happily If no one knows that you're with me I'm just kidding, but really (Kinda), really, really You were packing up your gym bag when your coach came up behind you.

"y/n! Great job today!"

"Thanks!"

"Listen, you've been getting a lot more publicity since your meet last week."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"It's a great thing. But, you need to be careful. With the U.S. Classic coming up, you're being watched more than ever now. I would hate for you to get some bad press and ruin your career so soon."

"Yeah. I totally agree."

"Just steer clear of doing anything or hanging out with anyone negative. Publicly, at least."

She gave you a smile before walking out of the gym. You sat on the bench and held your head in your hands. How was this gonna work?

❤︎

You laid with your head on Patrick's chest as he stroked your hair. His other hand was on your bare hip while his thumb rubbed slow circles on your skin.

"What time is Tashi coming back?"

"Five. We've got a few hours."

"You wanna grab lunch?"

"Yeah." You slowly sat up. "I'll run down to the cafeteria."

"Or, we could go out to lunch."

"Maybe another time. My coach said I should steer clear of negative publicity right now."

"I thought I was doing a pretty good job of not embarrassing you." He said, clearly irritated.

"I just don't wanna give anyone a reason to say something."

"Yeah." He nodded. You could tell he was slightly hurt despite his soft smile. "Whatever you want."

You gave him a sympathetic kiss on the cheek before sitting up to grab your clothes.

"I'll bring up some food."

Please, please, please don't prove 'em right Please, please, please don't bring me to tears when I just did my makeup so nice

Since Tashi started dating him, you and Art actually became pretty good friends. The two of you were eating dinner in the cafeteria while your partners were each finishing up some work.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked, picking up some broccoli with his fork.

"Yeah. Shoot."

"What do you see in Patrick?"

"Uh, well.." You leaned back in your chair and thought for a moment. "He's handsome, funny, really sweet-"

"Patrick Zweig is not sweet. He's an asshole."

"Yeah, but he's a sweet asshole." You chuckled. "Why're you asking anyway?"

"Just wondering."

"Art."

"What?"

"Why're you asking about Patrick?"

"Nothing. I was just curious why you'd choose someone like him."

"Someone like him?"

"y/n, you're kind, smart, motivated, I could go on and on. Patrick is crude, uncommitted, and unserious. I love the guy, but he's a hot mess."

"He's my mess, Art."

"You need someone more put together. Someone more like you."

"Right. More like me."

"I'm serious. He'd only embarrass you."

You huffed and leaned back in your chair. He was right. You hated to admit it, but he was right. Patrick was a mess. But did you like him enough to stay with him?

Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another (Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another) I beg you don't embarrass me, motherfucker, oh Please, please, please The past three and a half months had felt like a fever dream. Between getting together with Patrick, the end of the semester, and the U.S. Classic, you felt like you were on top of the world. Patrick had flown out to Michigan with you to support you. Once the meet was over, and you had won gold, he insisted on taking you out to dinner.

"You really didn't have to." You told him as the two of you stood outside the restaurant. "I would've been fine sitting in the hotel room eating room service."

"I know you would've. But you deserve a five star meal."

"And who's paying?"

"My dad."

"What?"

"I told him I needed money for next year's books."

You laughed and kissed him softly. He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it.

"Can you not?"

"I'll blow it away from you."

"Smoking is a bad habit that I don't want you being caught doing." You took it from in between his lips and stomped on it.

"What the fuck?"

"You already got in trouble for racket abuse, twice might I add. All these little things are gonna add up."

"What, are you grading me on being an upstanding citizen?"

"Yes, actually. You should be lucky there's no cameras here like there was at the hotel."

"You care way too much about publicity. As long as you're good at your sport, who gives a shit what you do in your personal life?"

"You don't get it. When you do something unsavory, it's always, 'Wow. Patrick Zweig is a mess. What's wrong with y/n l/n? Why did she choose him?' It affects me too."

"Hey." He grabbed your hands. "Relax. Let's just go inside and we'll talk about this later."

"Excuse me?" A young girl came up to you. "Sorry to bother you. I saw your meet earlier, and I just wanted to say that you were amazing."

"Thank you." You gave her a smile.

"Could I get your autograph?" She handed you a pen and paper.

"Sure." You signed the paper and waved as she walked away. "I'm going back to the hotel."

"What about dinner? I made reservations."

"You stay. I'll catch up with you later."

If you wanna go and be stupid, don't Do it in front of me

The sound of squeaking bars and feet hitting the mats filled your ears. You were standing in front of the mat, taking deep breaths before you went into a roundoff on the springboard. As you were going into a back handspring, you slipped and fell on the mat. Again.

"What's going on, y/n?" Your coached asked. "You've been out of it all week."

"I'm just distracted. I'm sorry."

"You still thinking about that boy?"

"He's my boyfriend."

"He's a distraction. If you wanna get to the olympics next year, you can't afford any distractions."

"I know. I just-"

"I don't tell you what to do when you're off the mats, but don't let a guy ruin your chance at success. At happiness."

You sighed and got up to take a sip of your water.

❤︎

'Knock, knock.'

"Hey." Art said as he opened the door. "Pat's not here."

"Yes, he is. I can hear his music."

He sighed before letting you in. "I'm gonna give you guys some space." He gave you an awkward smile before leaving the room.

"Hey." You smiled.

"Hey."

"Can we talk?"

"If you're gonna give me another lecture about not embarrassing you, you can save it."

You sat on the foot of the bed.

"Pat-" You huffed. "I am so sorry."

"You are?"

"I was wrong. I should never have asked you to not be yourself. I spent so much time caring about what other people thought of me, and I didn't even think about the most important opinion. Yours."

"It's okay."

"My coach said I shouldn't let you get in the way of my happiness, but I'm happiest when I'm with you. Even when I'm out on the mat, I miss you." You grabbed his hands. "You make me happy, Patrick."

"You make me so fucking happy." He grinned. "I never thought a girl like you would give me a chance. I know I can be a little rough sometimes."

"I love you exactly the way you are." You moved closer to him and placed your hand on his cheek. "And you shouldn't change for anyone. Including me."

"You love me?"

"I..." You thought for a second. "I do. I love you, Patrick."

He smirked before leaning in to press your lips together.

"I love you too."

Please, please, please (Please) Please, please, please (Please) Please, please, please (Please) Please, please, please (Please, please)

@swetearss

[vioartemis]

Failed relationship

(Wednesday Addams x fem! reader)

Summary: You meet Wednesday Addams, and quickly develop feelings for her, which leads to the two of you to start a romantic relationship. But things don't always go as expected... Warnings: angst, Wednesday has a phone a/n: this is very personal (by that I mean it’s what happened with my ex lol), sorry if you don't relate to r like you usually would (English isn't my first language, I'm sorry if there are mistakes or if something doesn't make sense TvT)

The beginning of the semester had been marked with the arrival of a new student at Nevermore; Wednesday Addams. The second she stepped into the classroom, she caught your attention.

You didn't exactly knew why, but you felt like you could get along well.

The only thing was you had no idea how to start a conversation with her. It was not easy to catch her before she left the class after the bell had rung; she was really quick to walk away, you barely had time to close your pencil case that she was already gone.

But a few weeks after the semester had begun, the perfect opportunity came to you.

Yoko had been sent to the infirmary for a 'garlic incident', and Wednesday would replace her as the Black Cats' co-captain.

"You should put some gloves on" you told her as she walked past you

"Excuse me?"

"I said you should put some gloves on"

"Why is that?"

"There's no rules in the Poe cup, who knows what your opponents could have put on the oars"

Wednesday stared at you, seemingly thinking about what you just said. Then, she nodded slightly, showing that your remark was valid.

"I'll ask Enid for gloves then."

She turned around, ready to leave.

"I don't think she has an extra pair. But I can lend you mine if you want" you offered kindly

There's a little silence before she faced you again and spoke.

"Why would you do that? You owe me nothing."

"I know, I just- I just want to help"

You handed her the gloves with a gentle smile, waiting for her to stop looking at you suspiciously. Eventually, she took the gloves. Her fingers brushed over yours in the process.

She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Enid shouted at her to come in the boat as the race was about to start.

"You should go, if you really want to humiliate Bianca" you smiled

She nodded and made her way to the Black Cats' boat, putting the gloves on.

As expected with Wednesday on the team, Ophelia Hall won the Poe cup, for Bianca's greatest misfortune. After the race, when Weems was busy congratulating the team, the ravenette came to you.

"You were right; there was indeed something on the oars. How did you know?"

"I saw Bianca going out of Miss Thornhill's class with a jar last night, and thought it had something to do with the Poe cup"

"So it was just an assumption. It could have been for more innocent purposes." she paused "What is it exactly that she took from Miss Thornhill's greenhouse?"

"I have no idea, I couldn't see" you sighed, shrugging

There was a little silence before she started talking again.

"Would you mind if I kept your gloves for some time? I would like to study this mysterious substance."

"No, of course, you can keep them! You'll tell me how your investigation go?"

She frowned, wondering why you would be interested in that, looking at you, then at the ground, then back at you, and nodded slightly, before walking away.

You smiled to yourself as you watched her made her way into the school; now you had an excuse to talk to her.

As expected, approaching her was way easier. You talked quite a lot the next weeks, first about what Bianca could have put on the oars, but little by little, the conversation drifted to more personal things; you got to know each other a bit more during this week.

You didn't want to go too fast, but you were pretty sure she saw you as a good friend.

This thought was confirmed on Friday, right after you learnt one of your teachers wouldn't be here that day, which would give you a 4 hour long lunch break.

You were internally celebrating, already thinking about what you would do, when you noticed a little paper on your desk. You frowned, wondering from where it was from, before taking it and unfolding it.

On the paper, there was only a phone number and two words 'Weathervane, 3pm.' written in perfect cursive, with what seemed to be a black fountain pen.

You looked up to Wednesday, who was sitting in front of you in class. She was facing away from you, but you were sure the note was from her.

You didn't really know how to react; you didn't expect her to have a phone, let alone passing you a note with her number written on it.

During lunch break you thought about texting her but didn't know what to say. Her note was pretty clear, there was no questions to be asked. Why did she give you her number then?

You decided not to question it for now; you were really excited to see her this afternoon, and a bit nervous too.

You didn't exactly know what your feelings were when it came to her, but you were the only thing you were sure of was that you would definitely not mind if your friendship evolved into something else.

You arrived at the Weathervane 5 minutes early and took out your phone. Now this was the perfect occasion to text her.

'Hey Wednesday, it's Y/n. Just to let you know that I'm here :)'

Why did I put an emoji...? you asked yourself, staring at your phone, questioning your life choices.

Her reply was quick: 'I'm already inside.'

You looked up from your phone and turned to face the café. She was, indeed, inside, waiting for you at a table. Great, you thought, now I look like an idiot.

You entered the café, already embarrassed, and walked to the ravenette, sitting in front of her.

"Hi, sorry, did you wait a long time?"

"I got here five minutes ago. I prefer being early. Do you want to drink something? A coffee, perhaps?"

"I- I have to confess... I've never been here before, so I have no idea what they sell... What do you advise me to order?"

"That's quite surprising, I thought all the students always came here. Don't you think it's a bit risky that I choose your order for you? You will probably not like it."

"It's okay, I trust you. I'm sure I will like it" you replied with a smile

She took a moment to look at you, considering your request, before pointing a drink on the menu.

You smiled, and then ordered what she had advice you to try.

"Is it what you expected?" she asked after you took a sip of your drink

"I don't know what I expected, but it's really good! I knew I could trust you"

You gave her a joyful smile as you took another sip. It definitely was really good; you were sure to come again and order that from now on.

"What do you want to talk about now that we have our drinks?" Wednesday asked

"Oh uh... I don't know, I didn't think about that... I'm not really good at that; socializing"

"I can't say I'm the best at it either." she paused "Perhaps we could start by talking about our day?"

You nodded at her words.

"I think it would be a good start"

The rest of the hour you spent together went well, you enjoyed your time with her. And you started to think she did too.; the next day, you spent most of the day texting each other.

Wednesday happened to be a bit more talkative than you imagined, especially when you were debating on books. But that was not what you were talking about right now.

Wednesday: I'm going to kill them.

You: Whoever you want to kill, please don't! I wouldn't want you to go in jail

Wednesday: If I had to kill anyone, nobody would know. I'm too good at it.

You: Oh, sure. If you need help to hide a body, I'm here

Wednesday: Be careful, I could call.

You: I don't mind helping, especially if it's you

The conversation continued on that theme for a moment, before it drifted onto something else. You had mentioned your ex at one point in the conversation, and added that you missed having someone to love.

Wednesday: It will come back. Soon, perhaps.

You: Yeah, maybe sooner than expected (even tho I don't expect much)

Wednesday: Unexpected always happen.

You starred at your phone for a solid 5 minutes after this, trying to figure out whether her text had a hidden meaning or not. Especially since you just agreed on seeing each other on Monday, meaning in two days.

That could mean she knows I like her, and maybe she likes me too! Or I'm just overthinking again... you thought.

The conversation you had the next day only confirmed that thought, to your greatest happiness.

Wednesday had just paid you a compliment, which was getting less unusual as time went by, and you told her you were not used to be talked to like that.

Wednesday: I can imagine that, considering how your ex was. Are you sure you don't want to give away her name?

You: You're not wrong. And yeah, I don't want to "snitch"

Wednesday: You really are too kind. I already had the knife ready.

You: Oh, please don't. She's not worth it

Wednesday: I won't. But I do love dark humor. And if she ever tries to be near you again, I will put that knife to good use.

You: I appreciate it, but why would you do that?

Wednesday: First, because I'm jealous. Second, she only deserves it.

You smiled behind your screen. She was jealous, hm? Maybe she did like you after all.

You: I didn't think you would be jealous! But you're right, she kinda deserves it

Wednesday: I can be. But I've always been told it was not something good, so I don't show it often.

You: Personally, I think it's cute! As long as it's not extreme jealousy of course

Wednesday: I'm never extreme, you should know that.

You: Yeah, that's why you totally don't spend your night trying to analyse what substance is on my gloves since the Poe cup. Don't forget to take some time to rest, okay?

Wednesday: I know, I will. I'm... really looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.

You stayed frozen for a second, not expecting her to say that. You had to double check to be sure you weren't hallucinating. The text was still here, so it was really real.

You: That's one of the only reasons why I'm excited about tomorrow, this little moment with you

Wednesday: Are you sure? Because it looks like you want me dead. My heart is beating incredibly fast, I think I may have a heart attack.

You: I clearly get what you're feeling right now... I feel it too. But it's okay, it's a good heart attack

Wednesday: If we're going down that path all the time, by the end of the week I'm writing you dozen of poems.

You could feel your face burn now. You didn't expect things to escalate so quickly in one night. Because this was flirting, right? It looked like it, at least.

You: Is that- are we... flirting right now...? Sorry I'm really dumb but I want to make sure we're on the same page... Cause I'd like to flirt with you, if it's okay...

Wednesday: I wouldn't mind if you were to flirt with me.

You put your phone away, covering your face with your hands to stop the burning of your cheeks, and rolled on the floor of your room. That means she likes me, ljkhgjhkjhljgfkh!!

You took a minute to compose yourself and grabbed your phone again. Your hands were shaking a bit.

You: So... can we consider tomorrow's meeting as... a date?

Wednesday: If you want to call it that way, I don't mind calling it a date.

You: I'd be more than happy to call it a date with you

Wednesday: A date it is, then. It sounds... great.

You were so excited you could barely contain yourself. You were kicking your feet, smiling uncontrollably. You had a date with Wednesday Addams. You never thought it would be possible.

You talked a bit more that night, before eventually going to sleep. Or at least trying to. You were so excited for your date; you didn't know if you would be able to sleep.

A few weeks after that night, you started to question things. Wednesday and you went on more dates, but your relationship was still undefined.

You didn't think you could be called friends, at this point. But you didn't know if you could be called girlfriends either, or if she wanted you to be girlfriends.

You had already asked her what you two were, and she replied that she didn't know, that you would figure it out together, which did not really help. So you decided it was time to make a move.

You took a deep breath, grabbed your phone, and started typing: 'Hypothetically, if I asked you to be my girlfriend... what would you say?'

She took a moment to reply, during which you started overthinking the whole thing. But out of all the different scenarios that had popped in your head, her answer was none of them.

In her text, she said that you had ruined her plan, that she had planned a more... romantic way to ask you out. So you suggested to erase this conversation from your memory so she could do what she had planned on.

Her romantic side always surprised you, but you weren't complaining. You really liked it, and whatever she wanted to do to ask you out, you were sure you would like it too.

Maybe two weeks later, Wednesday suggested you go on a date, at night. Of course, you agreed; you were always happy to spend more time with her.

She took you somewhere in the forest surrounding Nevermore. You walked for a little while, until you finally saw a blanket on the ground, with all that is necessary for a picnic.

You had a good time with her, laying on the blanket under the stars after you finished eating. It was very romantic, especially since at one point, she played some music on a Bluetooth speaker.

'Lover', by Taylor Swift. Totally not her style of music.

You looked over to her with a questioning look.

"There is something I want to tell you, Y/n."

"What is it?" you said gently, smiling

"... I find it really pleasant to go on dates with you. I would like you to be my girlfriend."

You blushed at her words, not expecting her to ask you out at this moment. She must have seen it, because her lips curl up a bit.

"Is it a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes!"

Your now official couple statut didn't change a lot of things between the two of you. Except that now you could call her your girlfriend, and vice versa.

Oh, yes. There was one little change; she showed her care for you a little more.

One day during winter, you both went ice skating. You were not really good at it, but it was fun anyways. Wednesday even offered you took her hand so you didn't fall too much, as she was really good at ice skating.

Offer that you accepted, of course.

But at one point, you decided to try and go by yourself, which resulted in you falling miserably after you took too much confidence.

Wednesday came to rescue you with a slight smirk.

"I look so dumb..." you mumbled, blushing in embarrassment

"I would rather say you looked cute."

"If I may... I'd prefer you call me yours rather than cute" you said quietly, almost as a joke, as she helped you get up

"Oh, you're mine, don't doubt it, cara mia."

<><><><> ♡ <><><><>

Wednesday and you hadn't really talked in weeks. It was limited to 'hello' when you saw each other in the hallways between classes. You tried to discuss it with her, but never knew how to bring that up.

You suggested you both go out to spend a bit of time together, but she was always busy. 'Another time' that's what she said. But said time never seem to come.

You talked about it with Yoko, your best friend. She told you to do exactly what you already did, that it was nothing, that you just needed to talk about that.

But deep down, you knew.

You could feel it wasn't just 'nothing'. It was more than that.

Yet you still had hope.

"Y/n."

You turned around, hearing her calling you. You finally managed to find a moment to discuss the problem.

"Wednesday, I-"

"We should talk."

You felt your heart sink at her words. It was never good when it started that way.

"Yeah, I was thinking that too..."

"Is there a particular thing you would want to talk about?"

"Maybe the fact that we don't talk anymore, that we almost never see each other anymore...?"

"Indeed. I think it's a must, instead of talking about it with our friends."

You nodded.

"What can we say about that? Is it because... we're falling apart? Or just because neither of us really has time?"

"We surely don't have the time. But we don't try to have it either. Or at least, I don't anymore." she paused "And I'm not 'falling apart'. Rather that I made it clear with myself about the fact I was not going to fall."

Your heart ached at her words.

"So uh..." you gulped, throat tight "What does this mean, for us...?"

She doesn't answer just yet, taking the time to consider your question.

"Don't you think we should just break up?" she finally said "What is your point of view? I don't want to do it without expressing yourself about the last two months."

It took every ounce of strength you had to hold back your tears.

"I- honestly... I'm not really doing okay not seeing you, or talking to you... I... I miss you, Wednesday..."

The ravenette nodded slightly.

"It's simply that... I don't get the spark. Or whatever it's supposed to be. I don't feel it."

"Oh..." you said quietly "Maybe we should just break up then... I- trust me, I don't want to; I'd like to give us a chance... but if you don't feel like it, it's okay..."

"We don't work well, but not to the point to break up. We just don't try."

What do you mean we don't try? I- I feel like I'm doing everything I can to make it work... you thought.

"And I know, I'm often busy, so not really caring. But I warned you. As for in class... It's rather uncomfortable for me to be next to you. I have no clue on how to act." she continued

"You don't have to force yourself in anything- if it really makes you uncomfortable, we don't have to sit next to each other... And if it's really not working..."

"I don't know if it's working. Don't get me wrong; you don't make me feel bad. But you don't make me feel incredibly good either. Nobody does."

"So we just... stop here...?"

You tried your best not to make it too obvious your voice was shaking.

"... I think we should."

The aftermath of the breakup was... a bit weird.

That very night after it ended, you cried yourself to sleep. The next day, you had to hold back your tears while in class, and almost broke down when your friend asked you if you were okay.

But the next week, the one before your school trip, was okay. You didn't think about that, you were too busy preparing your things for the trip.

It was the same during the 10 days that lasted the trip. You were too busy to think about it, and too tired at night not to fall asleep almost instantly.

When it really became hard, was a few days after you went back home; one night, you broke into tears. You cried for more than an hour. As if it was only now that you realized things were really over between the two of you.

You felt so dumb. You should have known it was too good to last. You should have seen it coming. By the way she kept cancelling your plans, or be late to the ones she didn't cancel; by the way you barely had a real conversation at one point; by the way she never said she loved you, or liked you, or nothing like that -which didn't bother you at first, knowing her, but after all that happened, it seemed obvious.

And the fact that Wednesday and you were in the same class did not help. Especially since she seemingly had no problems talking to you after all that, like nothing happened.

It only hurt you more. She seemed to have moved on quickly, almost like she didn't care.

4 months after the breakup, you were doing better. At least that's what you tried to convince yourself of.

You had almost no problem talking to her now and were not thinking about your relationship anymore.

But one night, as you were slipping under the covers, you kicked a plushie. You frowned and grabbed it.

It was the bat stuffed animal she had bought you for your birthday.

You couldn't throw it away. You were attached to it now.

You looked at it for a little while and brought it to your nose. It didn't smell like her anymore.

A new wave of sadness washed over you, and tears began to fall.

You couldn't do it anymore. You had to find a solution to stop having breakdown because of this failed relationship.

Only one thing came to your mind. Writing.

And that's what lead you to sit in front of your computer, 40 screenshots of your conversations with her on your phone, ready to flaunt your feelings on paper.

[nighthunter241]

He is Mine-Chapter 1 (Henry Cavill x male reader)

Masterlist

NOT MY GIF, GIF USED FROM TUMBLR OPTION 18+ DNI if  you are lower the age of 18

Rival #1 Amy Adams

Monday

You wake up to the alarm and start getting ready for school. The weekend left you with an aneurysm having to decide how you're going to break up the friendship of Henry and Amy. Maybe you can just see what they do and hopefully something comes to mind. While heading downstairs you see your brothers just starting to eat breakfast. A part of you wants to tell them about your chat with Robert and your feelings for Henry but would that even help. “Morning” you said to your brothers, they say morning back while eating their breakfast and while eating you notice your parents aren’t up yet. “Hey and what about Mom and Dad, why aren’t they awake yet?” you asked and brother Sebastian responded “Not sure, I think I heard them last night talking about taking the day off for something important, something about someone named Saldana, or maybe they just wanted to sleep in”. You shrug it off and leave home with your brothers. You manage to make it to the corner that you usually meet up with Henry, you stay back and your brothers continue the walk to school. After a long time Henry finally shows up later than usual. “Hey what happened, you overslept or something” you asked. “I forgot to set my alarm so I quickly showered and ran,” Henry responded. We start speed walking to school and Henry starts talking about how Amy is going to give him shit again for making her wait at the entrance of school. “Why don’t you just tell her to fuck off” by the time you realized what Iyou just said you couldn’t take it back. Henry looked at you funny and said “I think I’ll say that in a sweeter way, you alright you’re acting kinda weird”. You tell him you are fine and you just woke up on the wrong side of  the bed and he shrugs it off. By the time you two make it to school Henry tells you he will meet up in the homeroom and runs off to meet up with Amy.

While Henry is out of sight you follow him to the spot where he meets up with Amy to hear their conversation and hopefully find something out. M/R manage to find a bush at a safe distance where they can’t see him and where he can still hear them. Amy: Ugh really again, you can’t keep me waiting like this, does this look like we are middle school.

Henry: I’m sorry Amy I forgot to set my alarm.

Amy: Well if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t even wake up, I can’t be your clock 24/7 it gets annoying especially when waiting for you.

Henry: I’m sorry, if it bothers you that much then we can just stop meeting up here before class so then you don’t have to worry about being late.

Amy: That's not what I meant…..forget alright just forget it. Since we only got a couple of minutes I need you to meet me at the fountain during lunch period.

Henry: Ummmm, Why exactly?

Amy: Just meet me there alright, don’t keep waiting like you did today, got it!

Henry: Ok, Ok, relax I’ll meet you at the fountain during lunch period.

Amy: Good.

They finish talking and they start heading to the inside of the building, Henry goes one direction while Amy goes to the homeroom. You follow her and end up seeing her set down a container, and hear her mutter “I did my best, he is going to like it, just give it to him and that's it and he will enjoy it”. She walks away and when you get closer to the container and notice it was a lunch box, she actually made Henry lunch. She is taking “ a way to a man's heart is through his stomach” a little too seriously. THAT'S IT, you thought to yourself all you need to do is get rid of this lunch, wait no you should make her food taste bad so Henry could think she is a terrible cook. So you quickly leave and try to think of a way to make her food taste nasty. You pass by the nurses office and notice the medicine cabinet and quickly think of a plan.

You see your brother and run to Anthony and pull him aside from his friends and to ask him something.

Anthony: Alright, what do you want?

M/N: I need you to distract the nurse.

Anthony: Um, no, why would I do that?

M/N: I need to grab something from her cabinet while she isn’t looking.

Anthony: Why don’t you just ask her for it?

M/N: What I need to grab is something she would usually give out for emergencies.

Anthony: That just makes this weirder, what do you need from her cabinet that she won’t be able to give to you if you ask?

M/N: None of your business just help me.

Anthony: Tell me what it is and why and I’ll help.

M/N: Um…..no way

Anthony: Well, no help from me.

M/N: Quit being such a jackass and help your brother out.

Anthony: Fine, but you owe me one day you are going to tell me why you needed me to do this.

Anthony goes to the nurse pretending he has a headache and asks for something for it. You see the nurse walk up to the cabinet, unlock it and pass him the medicine with a glass of water. While she was doing that you got to the cabinet and took a bottle while she wasn’t looking. You leave and go back to her homeroom, while on your way I run into a student council member who gives a questioning look and stares while you are slowly walking away from them. “The student council members are a bunch of weirdos,” you whisper to myself. Now at Amy's homeroom and to her desk and open up the lunch box. It looks like she made some homemade soup with chunks of meat in it. Henry did always love meat, and can't live without it. You take out the bottle from the pocket that says Emetic on the label and you pour it into the lunch box. “If I am correct, Emetic medicine should make someone throw up and give out a strong taste, hopefully this will be enough”. You turn around to leave and see your brother Sebastian standing there looking at you, crap you ended up forgetting this was his homeroom also.

Sebastian: What the hell are you doing?

M/R: Nothing just looking around, stretching my legs.

Sebastian: So are you going to act like you just didn’t pour something into that lunch box

M/R: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Before you could react Sebastian quickly yanks the bottle of Emetic medicine from your hand.

Sebastian: How the hell did you get this and why did you pour this into Amy’s food?

 M/R: None of your business just shut up.

The bell rings and people start heading to their homeroom.

Sebastian: When we get home we are talking about this and I’m letting mom and dad know

M/R: You’re so mature aren’t you, snitch.

He punches your arm while you walk out of his homeroom and make it to your own homeroom and sit next to Henry who seems quieter than usual. Hours pass of usual classes and the lunch bell rings. You run to the fountain area and pretend to eat your lunch there and see Henry waiting for Amy until she shows up with the same lunch box in hand.

Henry: Alright, I am here. What is the reason you needed to meet me here?

Amy: Well here it's because of this.

Henry: A box?

Amy: It's a lunch box STUPID!

Henry: Wait, you made me lunch?

Amy: NO!!, just made some food for my sister and she forgot it and I didn’t want to waste it so I thought I should bring it to you.

Henry: Wow thank you, I’ll gladly eat it.

Amy: Yeah whatever, enjoy.

You cross your fingers while seeing Henry start tasting the soup. After a couple of spoonfuls his face of gratitude turned to a face of disgust.

Henry: Amy, what did you put in this?

Amy: I don’t know, I made it last night so I don’t remember the ingredients.

Henry: It tastes weird, I’m sorry I…..can’t finish this.

Amy: HENRY WAIT!

Henry runs off to the bathroom and Amy is left with a sad expression, You follow him to the bathroom and end up hearing him throwing up. After he finishes he sees you and gets startled.

Henry: M/R you scared me, what are you doing here?

M/R:I saw you run into the bathroom in a hurry, I got worried.

Henry: I’m fine just Amy gave me some food and it didn’t sit right 

He goes towards the sink to wash his hands and mouth

M/R: Is she usually a bad cook?

Henry: She doesn’t cook much but the times she had it didn’t taste good but not bad to the point where I’m throwing up.

M/R: Maybe she did it on purpose.

Henry: Why would you think that M/R

M/R: Well you would say she always gives you shit for being late to meet up, maybe as a way to get back at you she made you sick.

Henry: That's a stretch mate

M/R: Maybe, but you never know, her thinking since you are best friends she thinks she could do it and knows you will easily forgive her.

Henry: I don’t easily forgive her.

M/R: Henry, you tell me she yells at you and sometimes insults you for small things, and you still talk to her

Henry: That's because we are best friends.

M/R: Are best friends really like that, I’m not like that with you and we are close.

Henry stares at me as if he is about to say something but seems to hold it in.

Henry: Can we just drop it, I need to possibly lay down at the nurses office.

M/R: Yeah, not a problem see you later.

Henry and M/R leave the bathroom and later meet each other in their last class of the day, Henry not bringing up what happened during lunch or what was discussed in the bathroom. You grab your bag and head towards the gate of the school and walk home. When you make it home your brothers are there earlier before you for some reason. You say hello to them and they pass you a note they found on the table.

Dear kids,

Your father and I had to leave town for a bit for a quick emergency, don’t worry it is nothing serious and hopefully we will see each other soon. Now we added money to all of your bank accounts and hopefully it is enough to last until we come back. If you need more just call us and we will send more, but we will be looking at the bank statements to make sure you aren’t spending it for the wrong things. Now you know the rules when you are home alone and most importantly DON’T GO INTO THE BASEMENT, REMEMBER THAT. Love you and hopefully see you soon.Love,Mom and Dad

“What the hell” you said after reading the note, my brothers looked at you with the same expression. “All I see is home alone to do whatever I want without mom and dad here” Anthony said. “Definitely going to invite Sarah over,” said Sebastion. “Yeah no, you know the rules, you really want to wait and find out if mom knows you broke the rules” you reminded them. They looked at each other and understood, moms wrath can be the scariest thing in the world. After ordering pizza and getting ready for bed, you get a text from Henry.

Henry: Hey sorry about the way I was acting today didn’t mean to make you feel weird.

M/R: Hey it’s fine no need to apologize to me Henry.

Henry: Just wanted to do it anyway you know I don’t like when things are weird between us. Besides Amy you're the only person I can truly talk to and be comfortable with.

M/R: I feel the same way Henry.

You see the three dots pop up on the message but after awhile it disappears and then appears again

Henry: Well see you tomorrow have a good night.

M/R: Good night

You are about to turn off your phone until you receive another message but this time from Amy, “Did Sebastian tell her what I did?” you asked yourself.

Amy: Hey M/R I need to ask you about something.

M/R: Yeah what's up.

Amy: How was Henry today?

M/R: He seemed alright, a bit spaced out but that's it.

Amy: Oh god, I messed up today, I made him lunch and I guess the ingredients I used went bad cause he ended up throwing it up.

M/R: Wow thats crazy, food does spoil and random times

Amy: We talked on the phone and he accepted my apology but said that I shouldn’t cook for him for a while.

M/R:  I mean you probably gave him PTSD 😂

Amy: Not funny

M/R: Sorry just trying the lighten the mood

Amy: Well thanks for letting me know how he was, but I think I found a way to make things up

M/R: ???

Amy: I bought him a present and I am going to give it him in the morning and have him open it during lunch time tomorrow, hope he loves it

M/R: That sounds great I’m sure he will

Amy: Thanks M/R for the confidence, well good night and see you in AP CALC tomorrow

M/R: Night

You send the last text and turn off the phone, before you could get to bed your nosey brothers walk in without knocking. 

Sebastian: So we are going to talk about today

Anthony: Sebastian told what you did with the Emetic medicine, I can’t believe I helped you steal that just to poison some food

M/R: I didn’t poison anyone, just gave someone a little stomach ache.

Sebastian: What is going on with you cause a week ago you were acting mad weird.

M/R: Nothing is going on.

Sebastian: Liar

Anthony: M/R talk to us come on you know you can count on us

M/R: UGH FINE, but you can’t judge me, I did it to mess with Amy and Henry

Sebastian: Why, aren’t you friends with Henry?

Anthony: Let him finish.

M/R: Amy likes Henry and I like Henry and she is planning to confess to him this friday and I have to stop it but I’m still to much of a wuss to confess my own feelings first, so I’m…….sabotaging their…..friendship to make sure he says no to her confession.

Sebastian: ????

Anthony: ????

M/R: *You look nervous while staring at them*

Sebastian: That's it?

M/R: What do you mean that's it.

Anthony: So you have a crush on Henry and you are just stopping someone from becoming their possible girlfriend. 

M/R: Um….yes, I know it sounds crazy

Anthony: That's not crazy.

M/R: Wait what?

Sebastian:  Yeah bro, we have done that already, how do you think I got Sarah, I didn’t get lucky.

Anthony: And my past relationships you think they were just magically single.

M/R: Wait, you guys have done stuff to get your crushes.

Sebastian: Yeah mom taught us, don’t you remember.

M/R: I mean I barely remember what she taught us.

Anthony: Relax it's nothing really important but don’t worry you're not crazy for doing this.

M/R: I still can’t believe you guys have done this before.

Sebastian: Relax, if you need any more suggestions just ask us, we would love to help.

Anthony: Yeah, you and Henry seem cute together anyway

You blush at your brother's comment and they end up leaving your room, you finally get to lay down alone with your thoughts. What are mom and dad doing, what can you do to sabotage that gift, you can just steal it or you can just replace it with something more offensive to get Henry disgusted at her. That sounds better just need to figure out what, you fall asleep thinking of a possible gift replacement that would shock Henry

Tuesday

The sound of the annoying alarm wakes you up and you get ready for the shower. Of course both showers are being hogged by your brothers. After an eternity you manage to shower and get ready for school, you go downstairs expecting your parents but remember the letter from yesterday. You sit down and also remember the chat with your brothers and decide to ask them for help.

M/N: Hey I need help with something.

Anthony: Yeah, what is it?

M/N: Amy is going to give Henry a gift as way to make amends from yesterday's incident

Sebastian: That you caused.

M/N: Shut up, any way I my idea was to replace the gift with something offensive that would disgust Henry, got any ideas

Sebastian: Why not just steal it?

M/N: Stealing it would just not do anything, no feelings are hurt just a lost gift and he would just move on

Anthony: Got any ideas on what you want to replace it with.

Sebastian:  Of course he doesn’t, that is why he is asking.

Anthony: Is Henry sexually active?

Sebastian: Dude really?

M/N: That I know of, no he isn’t, not the type to hit and go.

Anthony: Well there's your solution.

Anthony leaves and goes upstairs to his room and comes back down stairs and passes you an item.

M/N: A CONDOM!!!

Anthony: Yeah, as the gift.

M/N: Why would I do that?

Anthony: Well it will make him uncomfortable with what he receives and feel awkward about it with Amy.

Sebastian: What if he likes it and takes it as a suggestion from Amy?

M/N: Doubt that, if your best friend gave a condom as a gift you would be confused or uncomfortable.

Anthony: Well, that's the end of it just swap the gift with the condom and see Henry's reaction

Sebastian: Weird way to sabotage something but whatever not my crush.

You hide the condom in your wallet and leave the house with your brothers, while walking you receive a text from Henry saying he won’t be able to meet up before homeroom so you keep walking with your brothers. When you make it to school you say goodbye to your brothers and run off the same bush that you hid in yesterday. Of course you see Henry waiting for Amy and when she shows up they start chatting.

Henry: Well I’m here early

Amy: About tim….I mean thank you.

Henry: You said you wanted to discuss something

Amy: Well actually I wanted to give you this.

She takes out her bag a box with a blue ribbon on it.

Henry: A gift for me?

Amy: Yes, I want you to open it during lunch time and you can tell me how much you like it and at the end of the day.

Henry: Alright, thank you so much Amy.

Amy: Your….welcome hopefully you like it

You could swear that you see Amy blushing which starts making your blood boil for a moment but you quickly calm down. After they leave you head to your homeroom and thankfully Henry sets the present down on his desk and leaves to go do something. You notice the classroom is empty so you take advantage of the moment and head towards the present and you open it. The present reveals a video game specifically World of Warcraft, she got Henry the game he was saving up for. A present like this would definitely cause him to fully forgive Amy, you take out the game and stuff it into your bag and you take out the condom from your wallet and put it in the present and manage to make it look like it hasn’t been touched. After swapping, M/N leaves the class and pretends to be walking around school and acting casual. You see your brothers who end up asking if you did the deed and you tell them you did and they just smirk but before they can say anything else the bell rings. You run to your homeroom and sit next to Henry who seems to be staring at the present in excitement. Class begins and before you know it the lunch bell goes off and you go to find Henry. You see him with his lunch and the present in hand, you walk up to him to start a conversation.

M/N: Hey Henry, what did you bring for lunch?

Henry: A classic burger, my mother made it for me so I'm going to enjoy it, and what about you?

M/N: Just a sandwich, can’t really bring takeout to school.

Henry: Why would you bring takeout to school, doesn’t your mum usually make lunch for you and your brothers.

M/N: Well, yeah it's just that my parents are currently….on a trip or something.

Henry: What do you mean?

M/N: We got this note saying they needed to leave for some emergency but to not worry about it, and since I am the only one that can cook I need to provide food for my siblings but don’t really want to cook for them so we are just planning to order takeout till our parents return.

Henry: They are missing out, your cooking is amazing.

M/N: Thanks Henry, by the way what's up with the gift, been meaning to ask you that during homeroom?

Henry: Oh, Amy gave it to me as a gift for getting me sick yesterday.

M/N: Really, I wonder what she got you?

Henry: I don’t know, hey open it for me while I eat.

M/N: Um, sure I’ll open it for you.

You open up the gift and pretend to be confused and shocked

Henry:  What is it?

M/N: Well, it’s very……well…….

Henry: Just give it.

Henry sets his burger down and grabs the gift and looks inside, and his face changes from anticipation to confusion and disgust.

M/N: Henry?

Henry: I…..what……what the hell is this?

M/N: Looks like a condom.

Henry: I KNOW what it is, but why the hell is this as a gift.

M/N: Maybe as a joke.

Henry: Well I’m not laughing, I can’t believe she would get me excited about a gift and do this.

M/N: What are you going to do?

Henry: I’m just going to let her know that I didn’t like the gift and leave it at that.

You guys finish your lunch in an awkward silence and end up leaving each other to go to your last few classes. But before you enter your classroom you see Henry having a chat with Amy and clearly you have to go listen.

Amy: So, how was the gift?

Henry: Amy, don't ever bother giving me a gift like that ever again.

Amy: Wait, you didn't like it?

Henry: No, of course not, just leave the gift giving for christmas and birthdays.

With that Henry leaves Amy and heads to his classroom leaving Amy with a confused expression. You decide to enter your classroom and a couple minutes later you see Amy walk in clearly sad as you see her sit down. The weird part is you sadly feel bad but the moment you remember about her crush on Henry those feelings go away instantly, then you think of a way to make yourself the hero of the day.  After class you notice Henry is going to walk home alone, so you go up to and ask him if you guys could walk together and he quickly says yes. After reaching the corner that causes you two to walk in the opposite direction you two stand for a bit and chat and decide now is the perfect opportunity.

M/N: Henry how are you feeling after you know?

Henry: A bit ok but really just a bit bother that Amy would give me that as a present.

M/N: Well, I was actually going to wait till graduation but since these two days have been unlucky I might as well give it to you now.

Henry: Give me what exactly?

You take out your bag the World of Warcraft game that you took out of Amy's present and pass it to him.

M/N: For you, early graduation present, from me.

Henry: M/N…..I….thank you this is amazing I've been saving up for a bit for this game. This means a lot to me M/N thank you again.

M/N: No need to thank me.

Henry: Wait, if it was going to be a graduation present why did you already have it in your bag.

M/N: Well….. I was going to wrap it in the sewing club but they didn’t really have wrapping paper so I was planning to just buy wrapping paper but now I don’t need to.

Henry: Ah, alright that makes sense but thank you so much this means a lot from you.

Henry hugs you tight and you hug him back and notice that your hug lasts a little longer than usual but he eventually lets go. You say our goodbyes and you see Henry walking with a smile on his face, the same smile that attracted you to him. You walk the rest home and see your brothers at the front waiting and straight to point start throwing questions at you.

Anthony: So lover boy did it work?

M/N: Yes it did work, thank you for the help.

Anthony: Well you are welcome

Sebastian: So are you still going to sabotage them or you think Henry is going to still say yes to the confession?

M/N: Not really sure, better be safe than sorry so might as well still keep an eye out

Anthony: Let's order some burgers as a celebration for a good job on sabotage I guess

Sebastian: Lets get like five each with large fries each.

After having a fulfilling dinner you and your brothers spend the rest of the night playing video games and getting homework done. By time you are ready to go to bed you receive a text message, expecting it to be Henry you see it is from Robert.

Robert: Looks like someone has been busy these last two days, funny how a friendship can start crumbling so easily.

M/N: Is it really that interesting?

Robert: Yes it is, seeing the events unfold is quite entertaining to say the least.

M/N: Do you have things for girls about to get their heart broken or something.

Robert: Not really, think of me as your cupid.

M/N: Yeah hell no.

Robert: Fine, just here to help remember that. 

M/N:  Thanks but for now I think I’m good.

Robert: Alright whatever you say just remember let me know when you need help cause I can be a good ally.

Wednesday

After waking up and eating breakfast you meet up with Henry usually and walk to school then leaves to meet up with Amy to chat. You still don’t know how he is able to still talk to her but you called it, they are still friends. This time it looks like Amy was waiting for a while and she seems excited.

Amy: Finally you’re here

Henry: Yeah I’m here you texted me saying you wanted to meet.

Amy: I have reservations at a restaurant after school, so you're coming along with me.

Henry: Wait, like a date or something??

Amy: WHAT NO, I was going to go with some of my classmates but they canceled so I don’t want the reservation to go to waste.

Henry: Well sure, I would love to go.

Amy: Alright meet me after school and don’t be late.

You see them walk away and you start there is no way you can sabotage that date without getting caught in the restaurant. Nothing comes to mind, maybe you can try to get the reservation canceled, no it wouldn’t work cause most likely sent her an alert that it got canceled. Maybe just hang around Amy today and hopefully you can think of something. After finding Amy sitting in her homeroom alone you decide to walk in and say hello.

M/N: Hey Amy

Amy: Hey M/N how are you doing?

M/N: Great, excited for that AP CALC test today.

Amy: Yeah I…am

As she says this she lets out a big yawn which startles you at first.

M/N: Everything alright?

Amy: Yeah just that I didn’t get much sleep last night since I was studying and I have a date later at this restaurant and now that I am thinking about it could be a bad idea I might fall asleep.

M/N: You have a date, with who?

Amy: Can’t say keeping a secret for now M/N don’t worry one day you will find out.

M/N: Alright why don’t just cancel and let this date know that you are tired.

Amy: Took a while to get this reservation and I really wanted this date for a while.

M/N: Wow, he must be a great guy.

Amy: Yeah, he is.

M/N: Well I don’t know, go take a nap or something or drink coffee.

Amy: Wait, that is a good idea

M/N: What the coffee?

Amy: No, the nap I’ll take a 30 minute nap at the rooftop before I meet with Hen….my date.

M/N: I….yeah go with that I’m sure that will help you stay awake.

Amy: I don’t know why M/N but lately you have been really helpful with giving me solutions.

M/N: Well miracle worker here I guess

Amy giggles a bit and you say your goodbyes, she is going to take a nap after school at the rooftop alone, with no one around. You start having solutions but dark ones and you instantly ignore them and try to think of another solution. Hours pass with you struggling trying to figure out how to stop Amy and Henry from meeting after school. Until the time comes for Amy to take her nap you quickly find a place behind the wall and see her get to bench on the roof. She takes out her phone and starts talking to herself. “I’ll just set an alarm for 30 minutes and that should do it”, she lays down and you can tell she fell asleep due to her snoring. You see her phone without thinking, you tiptoe to her and grab her phone. You try to turn off the alarm but she has a pin, but you manage to fully turn off the phone and you place it back next to her. You tiptoe away and head to your locker. After 50 minutes Henry is still standing outside waiting for Amy until you hear him start muttering. “Where the hell is she, and I’m the late one screw this restaurant I’m going home”. 

You see him start walking away and you call this a success but you wait for a couple more minutes then you start walking towards home. When you get home your brothers are setting their shoes and going upstairs you are about to do the same until you get a phone call, you check and it's from your mom.

M/N: Mom?

Mom: Hey M/N just calling in to check in on you guys

M/N: We are fine, just that Anthony for some reason is running out of money already and is about to start using my card.

Mom: I’m sure that is because you've been ordering take out and other junk.

M/N: Maybe??

Mom: I’ll send more money from our cards but that is it,if you guys need money you need to get yourself a part-time job

M/N: Why a job, and why include me. I'm busy.

Mom: Really, busy doing what exactly.

M/N: I mean AP CALC can be a pain

Mom: Mhm yeah right, you've been getting straight A’s since middle school so I don’t buy it. The recommendation isn’t a punishment, it can do you guys some good especially for you, it can keep you from doing something ... .extreme.

M/N: What do you….fine I’ll think about it.

Mom: Good

M/N: Anyway Mom why did you and dad leave us here, what's going on

Mom: I’m sorry, just that something came up, something in our way and your father and I need to take care of it.

M/N: Is it that Saldana person, my brother said he heard you guys talking about someone with that name.

Mom: DON’T get involved M/N, it is a story too complicated

M/N: Someday you have to tell us about it.

Mom: One day I will, and don’t worry it isn’t boring like your fathers stories.

Thursday

The alarm sounds from your clock and you realize again that today is Thursday, if everything keeps going your way, hopefully tomorrow Henry will reject Amy's confession. You shower, dry yourself off and put your school uniform on. While going downstairs your brother Anthony throws you his phone, you grab it and take a look at it. It was a post made by Amy and it was a photo of her at home and she had a bowl of ice cream with her, and based on her face it looks like she has been crying. While looking at this phone your brothers start smirking, “Alright thanks for the update but I’m sure she probably called Henry and he probably forgave her like always”. You grab your things and leave without letting your brothers say anything else. At the corner where you meet you wait for him but he doesn’t show up, a second later your phone dings and you check it and it is a text from Henry saying he won’t meet up today saying he is currently not feeling well. You had a gut feeling that you should run to school so once you got to your usual hiding spot you barely made it on time to listen to Henry and Amy discussion and based on Henry's face he did not want to be there.

Amy: Hey Henry, you wanted to meet up earlier than usual why?

Henry: Do you still have the book I lent you a couple of days ago?

Amy: Yeah I do, I’m almost done with can you let me have it for the rest of the day,I was planning to read the rest at the fountain after that I’ll give it to you at the end of the day.

Henry: Fine, just make sure to not damage it, it was a gift from M/N.

Amy: Alright don’t worry.

Henry leaves without saying another word and Amy follows until they separate for their classes. You didn’t even need to think twice, you instantly knew what you had to do, steal that book or destroy it. You head to class and decide to talk to Henry and possibly see if your sabotage is actually working. Henry sees you walk in and waves and starts talking to you.

Henry: M/N sorry about this morning, I needed to meet with Amy cause I asked her to give something she borrowed back to me.

M/N: Did she give it back?

Henry: No, she said she will give it to me after school, just hope she keeps her word.

M/N: Everything alright?

Henry: Just lately Amy has just not been good lately, I don’t know but seems like she really is showing her true colors and I am not liking it.

M/N: That is too bad, but hey you have that new game to distract you.

Henry: Yeah, you’re right just hope everything returns back to normal.

When the lunch bell rings you go to the school fountain and sit down on a random bench until finally you see Amy show up with the book. You see her reading it and what feels like forever you see another student go up to her and ask her for something. She gets up and stupidly leaves the book on the fountain. You slowly walk to the fountain and double check to see if anyone can see you, after you check that no one will see, you drop the book into the fountain then leave. After another minute you see Amy come back and when she notices the book fell in the fountain she freaked out and started panicking and she quickly ran. You don’t bother following her and just eat your lunch and not care. The day goes by quickly and when after school comes around you are pretending to be packing and from a earshot you hear Henry and Amy.

Henry: Do you have the book with you?

Amy: Henry, I’m sorry the book fell in the fountain somehow and I couldn’t fix it.

Henry yanks the book away from Amy's hand

Henry: But, how did this happen!?

Amy: I don’t know, I set it down left for a bit and it must of fell in when I got up.

Henry: HOW COULD YOU!, M/N gave this to me. It was special to me.

Amy: Henry I’m sorry

Henry: Amy just, I’ll see you tomorrow bye.

Amy: Henry, wait.

Henry walks not even bothering to listen anymore he seemed more sad than mad, you walk home feeling accomplished and proud and when you settle at home you end up going to bed feeling nothing but joy.

Friday

Today is the day, if your hard work paid off Henry will say no to Amy's confession hopefully. After getting dressed you walk downstairs and see a well cooked  breakfast served on the dinner table.

Anthony: Morning M/N, as a way to celebrate you succeeding in breaking up that friendship, enjoy having a full breakfast meal.

M/N: First, I’m not even sure if it's going to work and….

Anthony: Don’t even think like that, it is clearly working since even we can feel the tension between Henry and Amy and not the good type

Sebastian: You kidding, the tension couldn’t even be cut with a knife, that's how intense it is. Trust me whatever you are doing is working.

M/N: Does that mean should I even bother trying to do something today to mess it up also.

Anthony: I say still do something, just to overall seal the deal for today.

You eat the breakfast your brothers made you and head out to school with them, they leave you at the usual corner and you wait for Henry until he shows up. When Henry finally makes it you both start chatting for a bit.

M/N: Wait Amy damaged what?

Henry: She damaged the book you gave me as a gift, I can’t believe she would be so careless.

M/N: What makes you think she was careless?

Henry: I don’t know, I always had a feeling that she was jealous of our friendship, which I don’t understand because she is my childhood friend not you. You're my good friend but she just…GAHHH.

M/N: She really has been getting on your nerves lately,

Henry: She has been, I’m running out of patience with her. M/N she just…..

M/N: She just what?

Henry: She isn’t like you, I feel like you're more of a childhood friend to me than she is to me.

You stay looking at each other for a moment in silence but that silence is broken when Henry's phone dings, he checks it and receives a message from Amy asking help on a homework assignment.

M/N: So you're going to help her?

Henry: I don’t feel like sitting down and chatting with her so I’m just going to let her copy it.

M/N: Really?

Henry: Yeah, at least I won’t be chatting with her because right now I need a little break from her.

M/N: Alright, do what you think is best.

Henry sends her a message saying that he will leave it on top of her desk and to give it to him later. Henry and you head to your lockers and Henry leaves to go give Amy the assignment. You follow behind and once you see him give Amy the assignment you thought of a plan. Amy before she starts copying heads to what seems like the bathroom and leaves Henry homework in her bag. After she leaves you see the classroom is empty so you walk in and dig in her bag and find Henry's homework. Once you found it you stuffed it in your bag and left the room not bothering to see her reaction. You head to class like usual and wait out the time then hours later around after school Henry walks up to you.

Henry: SHE LOST IT!

M/N: Henry calm down, what's wrong?

Henry: Amy lost my homework assignment I let her borrow, so I got freaking zero on that assignment and my grade dropped a whole letter.

M/N: Henry calm down, breathe in.

Henry: That was the last graded assignment for that class, everything else would be quizzes and exams so now I am going to have to study my butt off to bring my grade up if I want to possibly earn full rides to universities.

M/N: I know Henry, just relax everything will be alright it's Friday so use this weekend to just forget about this horrible day.

Henry: More like a horrible week, but thank you’re right I need to relax and just deal with the reality on Monday.

M/N: Where is Amy?

Henry: Don’t know haven’t seen her since class time I think I may just walk home without her, going to try to use this weekend to just not remember anything bad that happen this week so don’t feel if I ignore your calls

M/N: You can use the weekend to play that game all day and night.

Henry chuckles and asks you to meet him by the gate so you do, from a distance you see Henry at his locker but notice he takes out a note. You run up to him and ask him what the letter is about, apparently it is from Amy asking him to meet him at the rose garden, Henry looks at you and just ends up going. You give Henry some time to give some distance then you decide to follow and go to the rose garden. Once you make it to the rose garden you hide behind another bush and you see Amy come out from behind a tree and step in front of Henry and she starts talking.

Henry: Amy?

Amy: I’m….glad you came.

Henry: What is this about?

Amy: Just needed to have you meet me here, because I feel some sort of confidence.

Henry: Confidence about what?

Amy: Well, the reason why my relationships never worked was because I felt like it was never with the right person.

Henry: What made you think that?

Amy: Every time I was with someone I kept thinking about another person.

Henry: Who?

Amy: Just listen alright, I…..LIKE YOU, I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU AND I BELIEVE YOU AND ME CAN BE SOMETHING SPECIAL.

Henry: Amy honestly, I’m sorry but I don’t think we can be something special.

Amy: What…..is it because of what has been happening this week, it was just one shitty week that's all just….

Henry: Amy don’t, it's not just that it is way more than that.

Amy: I can be nicer, neater, believe me I can……..

Henry: Just stop, it just won’t work, this won’t happen, goodbye.

Amy: Henry please wait.

Amy starts crying while Henry turns his back around and leaves her alone in the rose garden, while you in a distance start feeling joyful and start laughing a bit knowing you had succeeded. You leave school and run home to tell your brother the good news.

Saturday

Henry's POV

Henry goes into a park to clear his mind after yesterday and sits on a bench feeling sad, until someone passes by

??: Oh, hi is everything alright?

Henry: Um, I’m sorry, Gal right?

Gal Gadot: Yeah, we are assigned to that school project

Henry: Oh I remembered

Gal Gadot: Is everything alright, what has got you feeling down.

Henry: I don’t want to trouble you.

Gal Gadot: It is no trouble at all.

Henry: Well, I have a childhood friend named Amy, recently we just have not been getting along and I believed I may have feelings for her but this week our friendship kept getting tested and it was struggling. So, when she confessed her feelings I couldn’t say yes because it felt like her true colors were showing. I feel bad for rejecting her and ruining our friendship but I didn’t want to accept her feelings out of pity and now I don’t know if I did the right thing.

Gal Gadot: Don’t you know what's his name, M/N haven’t you discussed it with me.

Henry: I was going to, but can’t bring myself to throw my problems on top of him. He is someone I can count on but I don't want him to worry about me about something so dumb.

Gal Gadot: I’m sorry to hear that, maybe a walk in the park will help clear your head instead of just sitting and feeling sorry.

Henry: Maybe you’re right, a walk can do some good.

Gal Gadot: I’ll join you.

While Henry and Gal walk around the park they don’t notice someone taking photos of them and following them.

Sunday

M/N POV

You are getting ready for bed and you suddenly get a text message from Robert.

Robert: Well I will say I didn’t expect you to get rid of Amy that way but it works

M/N: Why do you seem disappointed, expecting me to go crazy?

Robert: Mostly surprised but not really sending you a message for just a normal chat

M/N: Why did you text me?

Robert: *Attached images of Henry and Gal walking in the park standing real close*

M/N: WHO IS she?

Robert: Her name is Gal Gadot, she is Henry's partner in a school project, seems to be catching his attention and Henry seems to be catching her attention.

M/N: Why warn me about this again, what is your game?

Robert: No game just like I said good karma.

M/N: Good karma?

Robert: Doesn’t matter, it looks like she is planning to confess on Friday also, so I will think of something fast or you may lose Henry to another girl.

M/N: I can’t lose him when he is mine already.

[hodari-pavels-good-boy]

Espresso Chapter 2:

Heat Stroke

Ch1 Ch2 Ch3

Pairing: Hodari Pavel x Reader Word Count: 5.6k Chapter: 2/? Rating: E

Tags: Angst, Angst with a happy ending, miscommunication, fluff, eventual smut

A/N: This is a multi chapter Hodari x y/n story! Gender is not specified so everyone can enjoy it (though I did originally start writing it with the intention of it being a male reader lol). Tags will be updated as the fic goes. Cross-posted Here on Ao3. Fic below the cut! Enjoy :)

Hodari POV

The sun beats heavily off the stones, heat rising from the ground and into his boots as Hodari makes his way down the well-traveled path that connects the bay to the village. Raising his hand to his brow to shield his eyes from the brutal light, he debates going to the inn first before ultimately deciding to finish his work as quickly as possible to get it done and over with. 

His first stop is, as always, to the town's resident blacksmith. “Hodari!” she calls from inside, raising her hand in greeting when she sees him approach. She lays her hammer down and wipes the sweat from her face as he enters the forge with her order of iron in tow. “It’s a scorcher out here today isn’t it?” she laughs as she takes the metal from him and he hums his assent. He watches as she takes it to her backroom and out of the way before turning back to him. “Oh! I’m not going to be needing my order tomorrow, so don’t worry about making the trip into town for me.” 

He nods in acknowledgement, ‘saves me a trip tomorrow then’ he thinks before Sifuu starts speaking again. “That human that's decided to stick around, y/n, brought me some extra this morning and I won’t be able to fit anymore back there between their drop off and your delivery today. I’m all full up!” She laughs, reaching for her hammer to continue working. 

“It’s no problem then. Frees up a mornin’ for me. Maybe I’ll sleep in for once.” and they both share a chuckle at how unlikely they both know that to be before Hodari says his good-byes. 

Just as he’s about to head out Sifuu calls from behind her anvil, “You still coming to the inn this weekend? We are all planning on grabbing some lunch and taking a much needed break. It’s supposed to be even hotter, but that ain’t nothing a little ale and some good company can’t beat!” She laughs. “You can bring your girl to the tailor’s. Word down the vine is Jel’s been working on something for her as a little surprise since the last time she came into town to visit him and Tish, it’ll be good for the two of you to get out and socialize a bit. The mine’s can stay empty for half a day.” She says the last half just a little more serious and Hodari wonders how long she’s been holding it in as she’s not exactly known for her subtlety. 

Hodari thinks about it seriously for a moment before nodding his head. She’s right, it’ll be good for Najuma to get away from the shop and have some actual social interaction every once in a while. “I’ll be there, don’t worry. It’ll be good catchin’ up while we all complain about how old we’re gettin’.” he chuckles before finally taking his leave to the sound of Sifuu’s booming laughter behind him. 

His next stop is the Daiya’s farm to drop off a bit of iron Badruu had requested from him for some ‘repairs I can’t put off any more.’ Heading over the bridge and down the path a ways, he waves as the farmer comes into sight. 

“Well howdy!” Badruu greets him as he walks up to the gate. “Got something for little ol’ me there?” He asks as he removes his hat to fan himself with it. 

“Hot out here today, huh?” he comments, taking the metal Hodari hands over to him. 

“That seems to be the general consensus.” Hodari agrees. “Crops are lookin’ good. See ya got some new ones sewn out the back there. Zeki finally lower his prices?” the miner huffs.

“Oh no,” the farmer rolls his eyes, “sky high as ever. But y/n brought some late last week as a thank you for the jam Delaila sent them home with. Awfully nice of ‘em don’t you think? They seem to be settling in here quite well. Have you had a chance to really talk with them yet?”

Hodari just hums but shakes his head, he hasn’t spoken to you at all since that night in the mines. You never stop to talk while he’s in town so he’s a little surprised at this new information. “Nah. ‘m not one for chattin’ much anyways. See 'em comin’ and goin’ from the mines at all kinds of unholy hours though. Sometimes they're still down there when I get there the next mornin’”  ‘At least they’re making an effort to fit in’ he thinks as he remembers your little conversation about feeling out of place before he decides to change the topic. “How is Delaila doin’ anyways? Haven’t seen her or your boys recently, we’ve all been so busy.”

The famer laughs, “Tell me about it.” Before launching into what his family has been up to. He’s a family man at heart and Hodari has always respected that about him, it’s no secret the man gave up his dream path to settle down here to create what he has now. While he always knew he was going to be a miner, he understands the hard choices and sometimes sacrifices one makes for their loved ones. Looking at the farmer beam as he talks about how proud he is of his boys though, Hodari finds it hard to believe the man would have it any other way if given another chance. It makes his chest ache a bit as his friend talks about how he plans to surprise his wife with a nice date he’s been setting money aside for. She’ll love it he's sure, Delaila’s a hardworking woman and a spitfire in her own right, always keeping them on their toes. She deserves something nice. 

After a few more minutes of catching up, the two men say their good-byes as they head off to continue their respective work, Hodari is sure to pass on that he’ll be at the inn this weekend so they can catch up a bit later before he starts heading back into the village. With no more orders to make, he heads straight for the inn for some lunch and to get out of the heat. He almost crashes into Auni as the kid rushes past, giant backpack too big for his small frame bouncing behind him, eager to get to his daily game of cards with Hassian behind the building. “Sorry Mr. Pavel!” he calls over his shoulder, not slowing down in the slightest and Hodari huffs out an amused breath. Najuma always seems to be in a rush too, no time to slow down for these kids. 

Entering the inn has Hodari internally sighing as he gets out of the searing heat. Reth is behind the kitchen counter, already prepping his usual. He gives the kid a nod in greeting before walking over to greet Ashura who seems to be engrossed by something behind his own counter. As he gets closer, he can see the slice of pie the innkeeper is holding. 

“Got yourself somethin’ sweet there?” Hodari asks as he watches the larger man go to take a bite. Ashura turns around laughing to greet the man as he sets the plate down. 

“Can’t say no to a good slice of pie.” the older man rumbled. “Y/n baked it and dropped a fresh slice in for me and Reth. They really seem to be finding their place here after all these months. Can’t say I’m too upset with all the baked goods they’ve been dropping off in various attempts at cooking, especially recently. They’ve been catching on to how things work around here pretty quick.”

“So I've heard. Both Sifuu and Badruu were singing their praise when I stopped by. I’m-” Hodari stops when he hears Reth set his food out on the counter. He grabs his food and both men go take a seat, conversation about the new local human set aside. 

Hodari starts eating his lunch and after awhile of enjoying one another's company in silence, Ashura asks how Najuma is doing. He sighs as he sets his fork down, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t know. She seems madder’n not these days and I don’t know what to do.” Ashura nods sympathetically as he talks. “It’s been harder to talk to her lately and you know I ain't exactly a beacon of open conversation myself. Just tryin’ to figure it out as I go along, I guess.” 

Ashura shares in his worries over lunch and offers some advice from one father to another about angry teengers and the frustrations of parenting in general. By the time he’s leaving to head home, he feels a little lighter. He stayed longer than usual to avoid the sun's brutal attack at the peak of the day but as he faces the long trek home, he realizes that just means another long night in the mines and he has to bite back a groan. At least he doest have to make the trip out here for Sifuu tomorrow. 

As he walks through town, he plays the conversations he’s had today over in his mind. So many things have changed since he first moved here, young and leaving behind his family to start his own. He passes the Daiya’s eldest son and raises his hand in greeting, ‘That kid has grown up so fast.’ he thinks. ‘They all have.’ When he moved out here with Leta all those years ago, he never quite pictured this would be his life now and wonders how she would feel about all the changes that have happened, especially recently with humans appearing out of thin air. Probably handle it a whole lot better than him, he’s never been one for change if he can help it. He wonders how she’d feel about the human that’s stuck around, everyone else seems to enjoy your company. She’d probably tell him to be nice and welcome you like everyone else has and he smiles at the thought of her standing there arms crossed calling him a grump and telling him to get over himself. A bit of a reminder that even as the world changes, some things would absolutely stay the same.

Soon enough, his wandering thoughts have led him to the gate that connects to the bay. The sun still shines bright and he figures he should probably make sure his daughter is staying cool and drinking water. He makes his way towards the pond, getting ready to call her over but stops when he realizes she isn’t there. A look up the hill shows that she’s not in the workshop either. Taking a sigh, he turns and heads towards the house. ‘She better not be in those damn mines again’ he thinks as he's pushing open the door to grab what he’ll need to go after her. 

As soon as he opens the door though, he spots his daughter sitting on the couch with a whole blueberry pie in hand, getting ready to dig into it. 

“Najuma, just what in the hell are you doing?” He asks, fumbling in his thoughts. He was sure she was causing trouble and trying to put him in an early grave with worry. Now he’s just confused where she got a pie. He knows he didn't pick one up and she hasn't shown any interest in baking, much less ventured all the way into town to get any of what she’d need for it.

Najuma freezes, caught red handed as she holds the forkfull of pie halfway to her mouth. “I wasn't gonna eat it all at once!” She immediately tries to defend herself. 

“No. I-” He stops, collecting his thoughts, “One, where’d you get that? And two, why did you not put it on a plate?” He says grabbing the pie from her and walking into the kitchen to cut it. She follows behind him, eager for the treat before she gets back to work and she answers him as he reaches into the cupboard for a plate. 

“Oh y/n brought it by! They said that I’ve been working so hard I deserve a snack!” She smiles as she takes the plate from him and sits down at the table this time, already taking a bite.

He shakes his head, leaning against the counter as he watches how she devours the slice of pie in front of him and feels a little pang as he realizes how much bigger she's gotten. Despite her small size, she's growing up so fast and he wishes he could freeze time for just a little bit. She’s already in her teens now and his back aches more at the thought. Soon she’ll be all grown up. For now, they're just a bit of a mess as they try to figure it out. He finds himself wishing again that Leta were here to help him and resigns himself to the fact it’s just going to be one of those days full of wanting and nostalgia. ‘Want in one hand’ and all that..

Pushing off from the counter he walks over and ruffles his daughter's hair, giving her a quick kiss on the top of her fiery head as he goes. “Daaaad.” She complains as he walks towards the door, chuckling. He reminds her only the one piece before dinner so she doesn't spoil her appetite before he’s out the door and heading towards the mines. During his walk he thinks about Najuma telling him you had been the one to bring the pie by. He’s confused why you would be coming all the way out here to talk to his daughter when he hardly sees you himself, much less have any sort of regular conversation with you. It makes a flare of protectiveness rise in his gut, he’s not sure he wants Najuma around a stranger. He decides he should think it over a bit more before deciding anything right now, you seem nice enough and while your only real conversation had been a bit awkward, no harm was done. Wanting to clear his mind of it for now, he heads into the mines, determined to make up for the bit of lost time today.

The next morning while making breakfast, he realizes he forgot to stop by the general store yesterday before coming home. ‘So much for not headin’ into town.’ he thinks bitterly as he sets the food between him and his daughter, letting her know he forgot some things yesterday and asking if she needed anything while he was there. He writes down what she needs and lets her know he won’t be staying in town today. After they finish breakfast he heads right out, itching to get there and get home.

Wasting no time, he heads straight to Zeki’s as soon as he enters the village. He grabs the things he needs for the house and Najuma before he heads over to the register, greeting the owner of the shop. After a bit of small talk, Hodari decides he should ask the other man what he thinks about the human. 

“Ain’t too close to them, to be honest but they seem decent enough.” he shrugs. “Rest of the town seems to like them, even Eshe seems to be warming up to them, albeit begrudgingly” he laughs. Hodari nods along as he is given the information to process. “You know me though,” the other continues, “I don’t make it a habit of trustin’ people, especially people I don’t know. It’s a crazy world out there. Their gold spends as good as anyone else’s though!” he finishes with a wink and Hodari just shakes his head as he pays for his goods. They say their good-byes and Hodari promises to pass along a hello to Najuma for him before he takes his leave. 

As he’s walking out of the store he spots you leaving the inn and waving a good-bye to the cook from the doorway. He watches for a moment as you smile and greet the youngest Daiya boy and Elouisa on your way back to your home plot. He wonders briefly what it looks like now since he’s last seen it the first day you appeared here. As you round the corner and out of his sight, he starts on his own way home.

He takes the opportunity on the walk back to mull over the things Zeki told him while the conversation is still fresh in his mind. He thinks the grimilkin may be right, you’re basically a stranger and he doesn't know you very well. You seem nice enough, and clearly your presence is enjoyed and welcomed by many in the village, but he's gotta keep his family in mind and Najuma’s wellbeing takes precedence. It doesn’t help that he’s still uncomfortable with the idea that a human has been around his daughter alone and presumably in his house and he’s been none the wiser to it. Friendly or not, the two of you haven’t even spoken since the night he stayed late in the mines so it would probably be best if he put a stop to whatever is going on, at least while he’s not around. Just for now. It wouldn’t hurt Najuma to socialize more, but he’s not sure this is how he wants that to happen. 

After getting home he puts away the items and goes to hunt Najuma down in the workshop, letting her know the things she wanted were waiting for her on the kitchen table whenever she needed them.

“It’s gonna be a late night for me t’night. Don’t wait for me for dinner, there’s leftovers in the icebox for ya. Don’t forget to eat, ya hear me?” He calls from outside the shop. Once he hears a quiet muttering of ‘yeah yeah’ in acknowledgement he turns and starts his walk to the mines. He figures tonight is as good a night as any to talk to you when you make your way down. ‘Doesn’t need to be a big deal’, he reasons with himself, ‘place a few boundaries. No harm no foul.’  

Without Hodari realizing it, hours have passed since he’s been down here and he picks up his things to head closer to the entrance of the mines to wait for you. A brief look outside tells him that the sun has long since finished its march across the sky, Luna and Ignis have risen, and he can hear the crickets begin their nightly songs. As he watches the lantern bugs flit about amongst the grass and trees he starts to worry you won’t actually show tonight and he’s stayed out this late for no reason. But like clockwork, the tell tale sound of the crunching gravel beneath shoes moves towards the mine entrance and he knows it can’t possibly be anyone else but you coming down here so late.

You wave to him, offering a quick ‘hello!’ as soon as you see him standing at the entrance. He raises his hand in greeting back, taking a deep breath. You’re already smiling in front of him and he finds himself inexplicably worried he might hurt your feelings. You don’t look like you mean any harm but he can’t trust you, not yet. 

“Another late night? You’re not usually down here still at this time, shouldn’t you be home having dinner with Najuma?” You ask, curious. He watches as you pull your pack off to get your own supplies out.

“Yeah about that. Got something I wanna talk t’ya about.”  He begins. You hum in acknowledgement of the statement while you continue to sort through your pack.

“Yeah? What’s up?” You ask and Hodari finds himself fumbling a bit at the relaxed ease in your tone, talking to him as though you were friends or at the very least friendly acquaintances and not practically strangers. 

“It’s about Najuma. I-” 

“Is she okay?” you cut him off, sounding concerned and he feels a flare of annoyance. It’s not your job to be concerned. 

“Well if ya let me finish,” he starts again a bit more gruff, “She’s fine. What I want to talk about is how much you’ve been hangin’ around her. I know ya don’t mean any harm, but I don’t see much of a reason for you to be headin’ all the way out here just to talk to her. Especially when I’m not around, it just don’t sit right with me.” He watches as the words sink in, and your face changes from concerned to confused, and finally to hurt. 

“I-” you begin but he holds out his hand to stop you. 

“It’s nothing personal. But we- I don’t know you and if anything happened to her… well it doesn't bear thinkin’ about. I just can’t take that chance, ya understand?” He waits until you nod in agreement before continuing, “Good. Glad we’re on the same page then.” He reaches down and grabs his pick off the ground before resting his hand on your shoulder. “Okay then, you have a good rest of your night.” 

He hears a quiet ‘you too’ as he starts to walk away, a lighter step in his gait. That went surprisingly well all things considered. He faltered at the thought of the hurt in your eyes but you’ll get over it, it's for the best to leave things as they are for now. As he walks away he doesn’t notice the sounds of mining dont carry up the hills as they normally do.  

A few days have passed and the weekend draws near. At breakfast Najuma is quietly picking at her food and Hodari lets her know they'll both be going into town tomorrow. Instead of the incoming complaints he was expecting she seemed to perk up at the news. 

“Do you think we’ll see y/n in town?” she rushes out, her eyes wide as she looks at him. It takes him aback at her intensity. 

“I.. don’t know.” he answers slowly. “Why?” 

She sits back in her chair a little dejected. “I haven’t seen them around lately. It’s been a few days and..” her voice drops down to almost a whisper. “..I miss them.” She looks back up at him, “Have you seen them around?”

“No, I haven't.” He answers honestly, but carefully. He doesn’t plan on telling her he spoke to you about not coming around if he’s not here too. But truth be told, he hasn’t seen you at all. Not in town this week or down by the mines.

Najuma resumes poking at her breakfast and Hodari has to bite back the comment of not playing with her food, recognizing that if he says anything now it would most likely spawn another argument and he’d much rather have a tension free day when he can help it. Not looking up from her plate she mumbles “What if they left too? Like all the other humans? What if they didn't say goodbye?” his daughter looks almost on the verge of tears at the thought and his chest tightens. He hadn't realized she felt so attached to the human already. 

He thinks for a moment wondering if that may have happened but no, you couldn’t have moved on. He had just heard both Sifuu and Reth talking about how helpful you’ve been just yesterday while he was in town. He tells Najuma as such and it seems like some of the weight has been lifted from her tiny shoulders. “I hope so.. Y/n is the only one who talks to me like an actual person! They even started to bring me iron from the mine for my projects after they found out you won't let me in there!” She huffs a tad indignant at the self reminder that he won’t let her in the mines with him. 

Hodari feels a bit of guilt listening to Najuma talk about missing you. He hadn’t realized that his daughter had apparently grown so fond of you so quickly. Taking an appeasing route, “Maybe they’re just busy. Remember y/n had to start everythin’ from scratch and that takes time.” Najuma just hums, unsatisfied in the answer. “When did you two start becomin’ close anyway Juma? I didn’t even know they were visiting until a few days ago.” He says finally taking a bite of his own food hoping to encourage his daughter to do the same.

His daughter looks at him like he just sprouted another head. Not raising to the bait, he raises an eyebrow waiting for her to answer. Still looking at him confused she begins, “A few months ago, Dad. Y/n got lost looking for Hassian’s grove and ended up here. They saw me and asked for directions, remember? You were in the workshop.” Hodari sets his fork down to focus on what his daughter is saying because, in fact, he doesn’t remember that. She continues without missing a beat, speaking a mile a minute now as she recounts the day she first met you. “I gave them the directions so they wouldn’t bother you and went back to working on my sketch as I waited for them to leave but they didn’t. They asked me what I was working on and said it looked cool! None of the humans had said that to me before!” She was smiling and excited now as she talks. “Then they told me I must be ‘One hell of an inventor’ because I ‘sure have a knack for it’ because they couldn't understand any of it but said it looked ‘awesome’! I told them I couldn't finish it because you wouldn’t let me in the mines and-”

“I would have brought you some iron if you had just asked me Juma..” Hodari interrupts her, already tired from knowing where this road could lead.

“It’s not the same! Anyway you were really busy with that huge order for Bahari City so I couldn’t ask you even if I wanted to, I knew you didn’t have the time. But you’ll never believe it! They said you were right! And that the mines are dangerous and I shouldn’t go in them!” She throws her hands up dramatically and Hodari has to fight down the smile at the action. “Then later in the afternoon when we were both in the workshop they dropped off some iron for both of us, remember? Y/n told me they couldn’t wait to see it all finished and were happy to be a “patron of the arts” whatever that means.”

Najuma is looking at him expectantly and he wracks his brain trying to remember any of that. He remembers the Bahari City order, took him days to complete. Honestly he doesn’t remember much else, he wasn't sleepin’ too much during it. Eventually he nods his head, “yeah yeah I kinda remember that.” Najuma looks at him skeptically, like she doesn't believe a word of it but he ignores it as he takes another bite of his food.

“Yeah well, that’s pretty much it. Y/n would come into the bay to forage and mine and when they started home they would ask me if you or I needed anything they had picked up. Which was a little awkward at first, and kinda overwhelming but they were just trying to be nice! Eventually y/n just started stopping by the house to ask what we needed and would go out and get it while they got the things they needed, it was super helpful!”

Hodari sits there and listens as Najuma goes on to tell him how cool it was to have an adult think that she was cool and smart. He wanted to interrupt her and tell her he thinks she's cool and smart but the words catch in his throat as she continues filling him in on all he’s missed. How annoying it was that you had agreed with him but then told her she was so smart that she’ll invent a way to make mining safer in no time and that you believed in her. He feels his stomach drop the longer she talks, you had been keeping his daughter safe and giving her all the confidence in herself he’d been trying so hard to instill in her. He’s still a little concerned he didn’t know it was happening and tries to find a way to say it without coming across as the bad guy. ‘A little late for that’ his mind unhelpfully supplies.

But Najuma always has been smart as a whip and catches on quick. “I’m not surprised you didn’t notice, Dad. You’re always so busy you don’t notice a lot of things even when they’re happening right in front of you. We didn't want to bug you so we just tried to stay out of your way when we were all in the shop.” Hodari almost wants to feel insulted as goes to say he isn’t that oblivious while he’s working when she suddenly goes very serious across the table from him.

“Wait.. If you didn’t notice how often y/n was here, even when you were in the same room with us, have you not thanked them for all the gifts they’ve been bringing us since the beginning? Not even the ones they’ve brought just for you?” She asks, horrified. The sinking feeling in his stomach turns to solid lead at the question. “Really Dad? None of the extra ores? Or all the fresh meat? Not even the ugly antlers you’d been wanting? I didn’t even mean to tell them about those but as soon as I mentioned them, they brought them with the meat that evening!” She says exasperated. 

Truth be told he didn't notice the extra ores were a gift, he thought he was the one who placed them there and forgot or assumed Najuma had been messing with them late at night and really hadn't thought too much of it past that. The meat and antlers though.. “I thought Sifuu’s boy had been bringing them by.” He answered honestly, a little rattled.

Najuma shakes her head unaware of her father's internal struggle, finally shoveling another bite in her mouth and opens her mouth to start talking again. This time Hodari did interrupt her to tell her to not speak with her mouth full. She swallows before starting again. “Nope!” She says popping the ‘P’ at the end. “Y/n has been dropping off fresh meat and even whole meals for us sometimes. They said something about how they know you're always busy in the mines and I'm a growing girl. They also told me they always make too much and have extra and giving it to us is a win-win for all of us because it won't go bad and that it's one less thing we have to worry about too.” She says it very matter of factly but Hodari knows that's not how it works. You don't just make “extra” enough to feed 3 people a whole meal. You had been going out of your way to cook for them so Najuma had lunch he didn’t have to make for her and he never even noticed.

“But dad, don't tell them I said this” she whispers conspiratorially, grabbing his attention again. “I think they go hunting just to bring us fresh meat when they're out here.” She stops to eat her breakfast before it gets completely cold while Hodari thinks about just how bad he’s just fucked up. 

She shovels the last of her food in her mouth before turning her gaze to her dad, “Y/n’s really nice, you should probably thank them when you see them next so they don't get the wrong idea and think we don’t want them here.” And wasn't that just salt in a wound that’s already festering. Meanwhile Najuma carries on, no idea what her father had told you a few days ago. “Maybe that's why they stopped coming by, it's really rude to not say thank you and they'd been doing it for months.”  She looks out the window and sighs, “I don't want them to think we don't like them and not come back, Dad. I want to show them my new ideas!” 

She turns back to her father, “I know you haven’t seen them but if you do when we are in town tomorrow can you tell them I want to show them my newest idea if they have time to come by. Oh! And you can ask if they want to have dinner with us! They haven't tasted your cooking yet, we can have corn! Please?”

His throat is dry as he tells her “Sure, Juma.” before sending her to go wash up before she inevitably finds her way outside to dirty herself up all over again. As soon as she’s out of sight he puts his head in his hands. He didn’t know any of that was happening and that his daughter had grown so close to you. Much less that you had been going so far out of your way to be so kind to his little family. The look of hurt in your eyes flashes through his mind as he called you a stranger and said he couldn't trust you around Najuma and he drags a hand down his face in hopes to wipe the image out of his mind’s eye. 

How in the hell was he gonna fix this?

[Dividers by the-aesthetic-shop]

[oreo-oro-orero]

Bad Ending Prelude

A bed ending excerpt for @redrum-alice dating sim au

"A Predator Lurks"

Ekko laughed, a sweet sound that you've grown attached to ever since you started to hang out with him. You couldn't help but notice that when he was around everything seemed to get so much brighter.

Ekko: "You know, I'm happy you were able to make it. usually it's just me and Jinx at these god awful pep rallies but it's nice to have another friend to share our misery with."

You chuckle and agree but a small part of you lingers on that "Friend" word. It's odd really, you didn't even realize you were falling for him that's how he gets you. Just like a sweet dessert, you take one bite and then you're hooked.

"Well..you know what they say...misery loves company"

You say as your hand slowly but surely makes its way onto his thigh. He gives you a quick smile and soon focuses his attention back on the rally.

Just then a shiver ran down your spine and you instantly recognized the feeling. It's exactly the same as when she walked you home, the darkness in her eyes, the uncaring gaze that somehow pierced your soul, the hint of pink that mixed with cold blue. She didn't say much when she was staring at you. Her hand gripping your wrist almost threatening to break it. She only said two words.

"He's Mine."

You quickly excuse yourself and make your way to the bathroom, your breath fast and nerves on edge.

You lock the stall door and calm yourself as best you can. What were you thinking? Of course she would be watching, for God sake you knew she would be. She said she wanted to go up the second level of the gym to get a better look at the rally but she....Then it hit you...this was a test...a test to see if you would take her advice. That you would stay away but you didn't. You took a bite of that dessert and now you wanted more. It was a test and you failed it with flying colors.

You steady your nerves enough to leave the stall and exit the bathroom. You'll just go home, yeah that's it. Sneak out the back of the school and run home as fast as you can. You can text Ekko and tell him you had a stomach ache an-

Jinx: "You know...I told you that you should've packed your own lunch, damn near everybody knows to bring food from home on casserole day."

Your heart stopped and that familiar feeling of dread coated your spine. There she was, standing right in front of you, leaning on the wall. Her ocean blue braids scraped the floor as she fiddled with her candy colored nails.

Jinx: "I have to say, you were getting pretty handsy with my Tuff-Tuff." Jinx said not even looking up from her nails.

"Jinx I...you know that I would never-"

Jinx: "tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk, even after we had our little talk and even after you promised that you wouldn't try any more shit, you still test your luck. I expected better from you."

Her words were cold and blunt, this was a far cry from the energy filled ball of chaos that you've grown to know

"Jinx I know I messed up but it wasn't anything like that, I swear....I...I"

You try to find your voice again but your throat has gone dry.

Jinx: "Ekko really seems to like you, so we'll just call this strike two, I'll tell him you got a bloody nose and went home."

You look at her in shock, she's...she's letting you go?

"O...okay...but my nose isn't bleeding, what am I gonna tell the teachers"

And just like that you find yourself on the ground, Jinx standing over you. You smell metal and soon a sharp pain rings throughout your face. You instinctively hold your nose as blood gushes from it and as you do you see through tears stained eyes that your blood is on Jinx's knuckles. How did she get over to you so fast? It felt like you just blinked and-.

Before you could finish your thought you felt a cold hand grab your busted nose and squeeze but before you could let out a scream, your mouth was covered by another hand. Soon you find yourself staring at eye level with those Azure eyes and that cold stare.

Jinx: "You tell them you have a broken nose silly."

Jinx says a hint of glee peaking out from the ever present coldness she's meeting you with up until now.

Jinx: "I don't like repeating myself but I'll do it anyway. I'm not going to let you take him away from me. We've already been split up before and I'll be damned if I'm going to let some wannabe street trash split us up again, he's mine mine mine mine. Do I make myself clear.

You nod your head and Jinx lets go of your broken nose and uncovers your mouth

Jinx: "Good, run along now and oh!"

Jinx goes into the bathroom and emerges with a clump of paper towels in her hand, she dumps them on you ask she walks past you to the rejoin the rally and Ekko

Jinx: "For the road. That's pretty nasty break, you should really be careful next time. Those bathroom floors are always so wet."

She says that hint of glee peaking out again. Blue braids disappear up the steps and you slowly get up and cover your nose with tissues.

"strike two...how many...how many do I have left"

[dirtbra1n]

well since you obviously said it isn't a trap! what are your thoughts on hirano and sasaki :)

so it was a trap in the end. surprise! it’s just that it was supposed to be like a pit trap and it still is one just stupid deep. I’ve been in this pit for so long. sorry for leaving you waiting. it’s been ruminating for this long now and my thoughts aren’t organized to begin with so we Might as well just get on with it

tldr Tfw you and your best friend are queer at the same time and are sort of constantly orbiting around one another about it in weird liminal space where you’re simultaneously telling each other everything but never saying something

so I don’t know if you’ve gotten the chance to read the sasamiya first years novel yet highly recommend it Sound of the summer. but there was. like. an unprecedented amount of stuff in there that gutted me. like the last chapter. here’s the chapter image by the way

psychological warfare on me specifically. just Look I’ll bold the highlights:

He wants to pull himself up, I thought. He just hasn’t found anything to give him that push.

Not that it was any business of mine.

“Sun’s pretty high in the sky by now. There shouldn’t be any direct sunlight on your desk this time of day,” I said. “You came all the way to school. As long as you have the chance to make the effort, why not make it?”

With that encouragement, Sasaki got to his feet, swaying slightly. As I watched him brush the dust off his uniform, I decided to suggest to the Disciplinary Committee that we should make sure this area got swept periodically. We wouldn’t want any part of the school, even one off-limits to students, to look grimy.

“Mmm… Well, I guess I could handle one worksheet. If you’ll help me, Hirano.” The way he still seemed completely harmless was almost funny.

“Yeah, I’ll help you. If you really have it with you. If you don’t, then go talk to the teacher and get another copy before lunch is over.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I almost cracked a smile at the sense of friendliness he exuded. “You should only say ‘yeah’ once. Break’s over in five minutes, you know. You could stand to look like you’re sweating it a little.”

This time, Sasaki drew it out into a single “yeeeah.” He started down the stairs, and I fell into step beside him. “Hey, give me your phone number,” I said softly, rushing it out.

“You?” he said, apparently not expecting that at all.

I was surprised to discover I felt a rush of embarrassment. I kept my eyes determinedly forward. “It’s a pain in the ass not being able to get ahold of you.” It felt funny, looking after a guy my own age like this, but I couldn’t stop myself. I figured getting Sasaki’s contact info now would make it easier if I needed something with him in the future.

Sasaki Shuumei.

My first impression was that he did things by the seat of his pants. My second—that he was a lot of trouble.

for my own peace of mind. will largely copy-paste what I’ve already said

like. how else do I say that this feels like. pre-romance. you’d think it’s WEIRD for these two. but there’s still that feeling. that hirano feels drawn to look after sasaki in like EXACTLY the same way he felt drawn to look after kagi. the like. “Hey, give me your phone number,” I said softly, rushing it out. sasaki sweeping dust off himself and hirano getting the idea to suggest the disciplinary committee sweep EVERYWHERE. with that underlying feeling of I don’t want you to get dirty. seeing where sasaki is, not wanting to move forward, and wanting (quietly, subconsciously) to help him with it. Maybe we were supposed to be having this conversation.

like what’s WITH that. why does it FEEL LIKE THAT

like part of it totally is the whole I have feelings for you I have feelings for you too (the feeling they’re both feeling is friendship) but it’s ALSO. ITS SOMETHING ELSE TOO. and it’s SO interesting to bite into because this novel like. very suddenly threw at us this different angle at which to view the relationships we’re already familiar with. and without even knowing it hirano and sasaki’s friendship—which was ALREADY liable to tear me asunder—was actually EVEN MORE LOADED with things to blow my dick clean off No don’t leave that in.

like we knew already that hirano’s this diligent kind of guy, but he gets this task that he feels is absolutely not his fucking job (tell sasaki to turn in a worksheet) and then he, like. gets pissy about it Yeah but also takes it exactly as seriously as you’d EXPECT him to. he complains about not feeling full at lunch even on a regular gym day, but he ate fast to have more time. to look for sasaki. he looked in every typical playing-hooky kind of space in the school, physically moving up the school, floor by floor, as he searched. and then he’s out of places. except for the school roof, which is locked, but he gets suspicious and goes to check anyway.

Ogasawara said Sasaki hates the heat. From that perspective, the stairway looked like a cozy hole in the ground.

I pushed aside the whiteboard proclaiming that the roof was for “authorized personnel only” and took a hesitant step onto the stairs. I worked my way up to the landing, doing my damnedest not to make a sound. I turned and saw someone.

“There you are!” I sighed.

Sasaki was at the uppermost part of the staircase. The door to the roof was indeed locked, and the only window that let any light in was far away. Sasaki was sitting in a shadowy spot, leaning against the cool wall, listening to music.

“Oh,” he said, his eyes drifting open. His ya-caught-me expression seemed out of place on the dusty staircase. It was the disinterested reaction of a guy who just didn’t care about school.

“The hell are you doing here?” I said. Had he really been sitting there all day? Didn’t his butt get sore?

Sasaki slid off his headphones and gave me a questioning look. “Er, Hirano, right? Whatcha need?”

He remembers my name? That surprised me. Maybe my golden hair gave it away.

“What do I need? To tell you that you have to turn in a worksheet for Modern Literature today. You’re the only one who hasn’t.”

Only then did it occur to me that it would have been far more efficient just to have Ogasawara send him a text. I’d been asked to tell him to turn in the worksheet, but I wasn’t ordered to collect it from him. Still, it was true that I was concerned about his “flying by the seat of his pants” approach to life. Maybe we were supposed to be having this conversation.

and really when you read the entire chapter with this understanding of its Weirdness you’ll notice all these various ways hirano has noticed things about sasaki (“No wonder he always seemed to be eating bread at lunch.”) and it’s just like. Where do we go from here.

and then you look at early hirakagi and sasaki’s subtitle is “The Classmate” and it’s BEWILDERINGLY FUNNY

like this is hysterical to me. you share this strangely intimate moment with this guy you feel drawn to look after despite everything and then after that he’s not even your friend yet.

we see what the beginning of their friendship looks like, we see how invested hirano is in sasaki’s just. everything! we see how much he sees sasaki (apathetic, placid, a couple steps from delinquency, though he’s not moving towards it) and we see how much he WANTS sasaki to get past it!!! and then they aren’t even friends yet. because hirano is unbeatably weird about his relationships with all people. what the hell is wrong with you hirano taiga. I love you.

AND THAT ISN’T EVEN GETTING INTO THE WAY SASAKI GETS ABOUT HIRANO.!!!!! because just. god I think the reason I was putting this off is because it makes me want to cry. We all remember this scene right

because I remember. think I could probably get whacked over the head with a fire extinguisher, get amnesia’d, and still remember this scene in blinding detail. have I said already that I’m insane. I went on this big long tangent in sunnnfish’s tags about it one time, and I’m gonna quote myself on that:

the way sasaki who even now at this point in time is generally apathetic and walled off from emotion / who is walking with a friend of his who also generally isn’t much for externalizing how he feels / sees an aspect of that friends life that he hardly sees / and thus sees an aspect of that FRIEND he hardly sees / and that aspect is. it’s so. / like i’m losing my grip on this framing / sasaki knows hirano to be kind of a hardass and stick in the mud / and all of a sudden out of nowhere hirano is like Head back without me and sasaki / who until that moment hadn’t been paying attention. had therefore been observing and feeling nothing / looks up and sees. hirano doing something so (to sasaki) UN-hiranolike / because of kagi. and sasaki has to notice that. because he and hirano are friends. and sasaki is someone who notices things

the much shorter quote that sums up my feelings on this scene just about as well is as follows: LIKE GOD. LOOK AT SASAKI’S EYES. YOU GET WHAT I MEAN / DON’T YOU?

like you. I have to collect myself this is so embarrassing I hate you sasaki shuumei….. <- lie YOU GET THESE PIECES AND START PUTTING THEM TOGETHER. that their friendship started at the top of a stairwell that was kind of like a cozy hole in the ground, and hirano saw the sasaki there that was kind of just. not in a place to care! and he reached out to him in his pissy hardass way and asked shyly for his number and agreed to help with his work and started this process that got sasaki to. HERE!!!! they weren’t friends until somehow someway sometime they were and when hirano tells sasaki to go back without him he placidly agrees until he sees what hirano is doing and he gets this look in his eyes and it’s. I think I subconsciously know to avoid talking about sasaki because I can’t ever help but get unbearably emotional.

they’re just

they’re friends. and they care about each so much and the jump from their first year first-contact fucking. rendezvous in the stairwell leading to the roof, where it’s just them two in a place where neither of them is supposed to be, where hirano still resolves to keep it clean. which could mean nothing. to their second year where you can just look at sasaki’s eyes and glean something beyond words that has permanently ruined my life. to their third year where they’re so easy and comfortable and hirano smiles easily and with affection and sasaki has grown into someone who would be a stranger to first year hirano, but not an unwelcome one. you just. you have to get it! you have to understand!

so hey. we’ve made it this far in. right? we have. so can I please just

hirano sees sasaki, wants to help him despite being the same age -> sasaki, two years later, undeniably friends with this guy who he can be deeply himself with, wants help with something, sees hirano, notices how focused in on his own work he is, probably puzzles together how worn out he’s gotta be, and resolves not to ask for it.

we’ve made it this far in together, right? so I’ll do you the favor of not drawing this comparison to kagi even though I kind of want to, both for your sake but mostly for mine. because it might kill me to put those words together and I need to wipe my eyes AGAIN I HATE YOU SASAKI SHUUMEI!!!!!!!! <- liar

but there’s this thing that is so so evident through hirakagi specifically where you see sasaki seeing something and resolving to hold onto it for hirano’s sake. sasaki sees how worn out hirano is and refuses to put more stress on him. sasaki sees hirano interacting with roommate-kun and makes up his mind to keep as many of those details from miyano as possible.

he just cares. sasaki just cares.

so now this If you thought I was being weird before. man. let me quote myself again

like. it . these two. it almost feels like sasaki is thinking about miyano just to remind you that the weirdness here is totally Not something we should be latching onto. like sasaki SHOULD know already that miyano would NOT want him hunching over. but how else would we get THIS

what is with sasaki and hirano and this FEELING.

sasaki’s own line of ellipses. I mean, it’s not like you’re short or anything. Oh. But then Roommate-kun’s taller than me, isn’t he?

WHAT IS WITH SASAKI AND HIRANO AND THIS FEELING.

@sunnnfish comments here on the liminality, “a special space where time and space feel weird. Almost like it shouldn’t exist”

a couple steps to the left

like sasaki and miyano.. they don’t really get all that many liminal moments. and hirano and kagi get their moments but they’re like. MOMENTS. but sasaki and hirano…… every one of them, it feels like, when they’re alone, just the two of them. every one of them has that liminal feeling where everything’s weird, and you’re speaking around this impossible SOMETHING in your mouth, sat on your tongue, not going anywhere, and your words come out sort of jumbled for it. your brain tunes it out, thoughts about this and that, anything else, but the busyness just serves to emphasize that space on your tongue that is being taken up by….. whatever it is. like an x-ray, what’s being seen through and what isn’t.

…

like this moment where it’s just them and liminality is inescapable, they HAVE to talk about roommate-kun and he HAS to think about miyano. they have to. just a couple steps to the left, but this isn’t that. Oh. But Roommate-kun’s taller than me, isn’t he?

I’m a rotten husk, if you couldn’t tell. going to take one more second on that FUCKING. LINE because there’s something about it to me.

S: You of all people?

H: Huh?

S: Oh, no…

S: ………

S: I mean, it’s not like you’re short or anything. Oh. But then Roommate-kun’s taller than me, isn’t he?

his demeanor, his nine point ellipses, scratching the back of his head. then he thinks about kagi and draws the comparison. I’m gonna be sick I think actually

and then sunnnfish threw a right hook re: recontextualizing hirano’s They really have gotten close… …… Well, I guess there’s nothing wrong with that.

SF: … it’s like. In our canon universe that Not shifted a little to the left Hirano watches Sasaki evolve so much. Because of Miyano. Sasaki rather suddenly became such a close friend of his who he actively wants to see get better and find purpose and he sees him find that. At least a little. Even though he’s still apathetic he has more pep in his step. And there’s something there in all of that too. Just. Watching your best friend fall in love and change. That’s like it’s own kind of fucked up. Especially considering on some level he wanted to be the one to help sasaki. But he’s also happy that sasaki seems happier. I’m getting lost in the sauce I feel

DB: NO YEAH YOURE GETTING ME THERE

so I’ll drag back the tldr. sasaki and hirano have a really queer friendship and it’s a pang through the heart if you’re at all like me. number one secret third thing of my heart, because they’re actually really mundane and their friendship is so liminal and. look when I say. okay I’m gonna say something. their friendship is kind of romantic. just not necessarily in a romantic way. okay? all right.

one last. Let me sort of quote myself one last time I promise

sasaki too this GUY…. like of course I like the sasaki sasaki is with miyano. he’s everything to me even. but I think part of this secret third thing with hirano is like. the clear shot of the sasaki that. well not everyone sees him this way, tashiro thinks he’s scary. and ogasawara is gonna have a different view of him too because they’ve known each other for a few years now. but hirano went looking for him—when he realized HIMSELF that he literally could have just had ogasawara SEND HIM A TEXT—he went looking for him and found him in that stairwell that he was NOT supposed to be in and spoke to him, like he was maybe SUPPOSED to, and he sees this clear shot of the sasaki that is so. quiet friendly lonely and kind, a little timid and reclusive and aimless but not for lack of WANTING to pull himself up. this sasaki. and hirano gets a little short with him but he also wants to help him, wants to help pull him up, or at least help him WANT to pull himself up, wants to look after him

they’re weird and they care about each other so so so so sooooo so much because they’re friends. and sometimes they’re weird about each other. which is super normal. but as much as I’m waving my hands around clarifying this and that I’m standing by my initial statement with the stairwell. that was a really romantic framing. all right? okay.

I’m giving you a ladder out of the pit trap now. thank you very much for asking you’re a real good sport for that

[happyinjection]

♠️♥️High Card Short Story 6 “An Afternoon with Finn and Chris” (2/3)♦️♣️

Finn was in the middle of taking martial arts lesson from Chris. His punches were becoming sharper than ever before~

Original: https://twitter.com/highcard_pj/status/1542342590577537026

Author: https://twitter.com/poipheno

Artist: https://twitter.com/ebimoji3

Over the lunch break, Chris’ martial arts lesson continued.

Thanks to that, my punches had improved by a lot, and as such I was thrilled.

“Amazing, Chris! I knew guys who learned the real thing are on a completely different level!”

“Eh, what are you saying, as expected from your admirable senior Chris? Ahahaha, don’t flatter me like that. Are you going to follow me for the rest of your life? Come on, stop teasing your senior. Ahahaha.”

“I never said, nor had a single thought of anything like that.”

“Jokes aside, I see that Finn has grasped the basics. Alright, let’s wrap it up for today. Back I go to dessert time—”

When Chris turned and reached for his suit jacket, I quickly grabbed on the man’s arm, pulling him back.

“I’ve still got three more puddings sitting in the fridge, though..…”

“But that one-two I did earlier is just a part of boxing, right? Even if it may be impossible to learn MMA here, you can still teach me muay thai, can’t you?”

Chris let out a resigned sigh.

“Muay thai is different in terms of its stances and several other stuff, but if we’re only talking about the punches and kicks, then it is not too far apart from kickboxing.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

Although what he said was for my own benefit, it was unusual for me to be listening to Chris so seriously.

“If I must mention a major difference, in muay thai there are elbow strikes, and then the ultimate difference lies in clinching.”

“Oh, clinching is….. when you use your arms to lock your opponent’s neck and try to overpower them, or hit them using your knee in attempt to knock them down? Something like this.”

While holding both of my arms up to the level of my head as though embracing someone, I lifted my knee and made repeated strikes.

“Yeah, that one.”

“Teach me!”

“It’s not as simple as it sounds.”

“If that’s the case, try that move on me.”

“Eh~”

“We’ve gone through the trouble of taking our suit jackets off, so why not.”

“You’re really one pushy kid, aren’t you. A small demonstration it is then. By the way, I’m taking advance payment for this, okay?”

I ignored him, yet Chris took a step forward nevertheless. Facing each other up close, our height gap became quite noticeable.

“Now, put your arms around my neck.”

“Like this?”

As I circled my hands around the nape of Chris’ neck, I could sense his body heat.

“No smoochies, ‘kay.”

“Fuck off.”

After that, Chris put his arms around my own neck as well. Pressed between mine, Chris’ arms were flexing.

I looked up at him, and our gazes met.

“This is the stance of clinching. From this position, you can hit your opponent using your elbows or knees, or throw them if you’d prefer.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

“Let’s try a little something, hup,”

“Woah—!”

—Before I knew it, I was staring up at the sky.

Rather than getting thrown, it felt more like I was being knocked over. Right before I hit the ground, I was jerked and pulled back up to an upright position. Had Chris let go of his hand, I would have toppled over unceremoniously for sure.

“Amazing! What on earth was that!!”

“The concept isn’t that hard.”

Chris put his arms around my neck once again.

“If I put some strength into my arms, you will brace yourself on them, right? When that happens, since your point of balance shifts and you lose your footing in one leg, I can hit your leg right there to flip and—hup,”

“Woah~!”

Exactly like before, I found myself looking up at the clear sky again.

“Wahaha! This is so sick!”

“It’s giving the feel of playing with a relative’s child.”

Even though I had been more careful compared to last time, I was still getting thrown off so easily that I started to lose my mind. Once again Chris helped pulling me up.

“Abuse of the technique is strictly forbidden. Except maybe when you’re trying to score one with a girl.”

“Seriously though, it’s like magic.”

When one experiences a sophisticated technology without understanding it, it would feel really mystifying.

“Teach me how to do it.”

I said, as I gestured by swinging my hands through thin air.

“It’s alright, you don’t have to. Isn’t it better to develop what you’re already good at?”

“No problem. It’s not like I’ll lose my skills by learning another.”

“The same goes for me, I can’t dodge like Finn does, that aspect of me exists too, so I’ve given up on it.”

“In your case, it doesn’t matter even if your neck is broken or your face is blown off.”

“You guys always speak about me as though I’m a toy that can be replaced, huh.”

This time, I practiced the one-two that I had learned.

“You’re always fooling around, but you’re surprisingly theoretical, ain’t you.”

“Experienced and also actually intelligent at the same time, everyone’s big brother…… yup, it’s this Chris Redgrave.”

He ran his fingers at where his bangs parted, brushing his hair back.

“When you were giving all that crap of an explanation to me, you kind of resemble Vijay.”

“Stop that. Who are you calling a pure-bred plant.”

“Did you call me?”

“Wuoghh!”

I and Chris stepped back in surprise.

In one of the garden chairs surrounding the table, Vijay sat with his legs crossed. He was stroking the leaves of a houseplant (which I believed to be Amanda for today) on the table.

Vijay directed his cool gaze our way, and took a sip of chai from his glass mug.

♠️♥️♦️♣️

TL notes: I’m in no way a professional translator so if you find any mistakes, please do not hesitate to inform me right away. I highly recommend looking up how “clinching” actually looks like for better visualization (it’s worth the effort). As usual, let’s enjoy High Card together~

[translatemunson]

track four — the ex tapes

warnings: not proofread. this is not a fluff series, so be ready for some angst and angry characters.

author's note: thanks for all the love these past few chapters! sorry for taking a little bit longer to post this chapter, i wanted to finish chapter five before posting this one (but i'm taking too long to write it, sorry)

series masterlist

Eddie is right on time. He drives his black car to the spot next to yours — and you wonder if he still has the van. You motion for him to get out and smile.

“We’re taking mine,” you point to your car, “but you’re driving.”

“Good morning to you as well, honey,” at least he’s in a good mood. “Should I get my stuff with us?”

“Yeah, we’re probably driving straight to the studio after this.”

He gets his belongings — electric guitar, notepad, cigarettes and keys — and gets to your car. He looks at you and smiles when he sees two cups of coffee in your hand.

“Steve said you like black coffee, with no sugar,” you extend one to him. “Now it makes sense.”

“I’m sorry, but you have to believe me it was one big huge coincidence that the best coffee in town is from Steve’s cafe.”

“Can you stop saying you’re sorry? It’s kinda annoying.”

Eddie opens his mouth to say “sorry” again, but you shush him. “Don’t make me regret this, Munson.”

“Oh so we’re using last names. Ok, Rogers, where do you wanna go?”

“Let’s drive for a while, towards Malibu. We can stop for lunch, I don’t know, let’s see what's gonna happen.”

“Sure you don’t wanna drive?”

“No, I need to write down some stuff while we are talking, so you drive.”

“‘K, love. Ready to go?”

You hop in your side of the car and Eddie follows. He turns the engine up, says it’s a great car and starts driving. You sip your coffee slowly, watching Eddie’s details. His hands on the wheel like he’s in control of everything, his eyes lost in the road. He’s just like the Eddie you fell in love with. The biggest difference is that you’ve broken each other’s heart, and there’s no way to fix it now.

“So, you’re just gonna watch me?” he asks, getting you back to reality.

“Hm, no, sorry,” you turn the radio on and one of your songs is playing. This one has been out for a few weeks, you’ve written it alone in a studio with a producer and the artist, pouring his feelings into the paper like he’s gonna break apart. It’s a good one. “You’re not the only one good at turning bad relationships into songs.”

“I know, I might have learned a thing or two from you. Your poems were really good, you know,” he faces you and smiles. “So, what are we doing here?”

“We’re driving to focus and clear our minds.”

“So we are discussing our past.”

“Not exactly. I wanna know more about how you’ve been doing, how are you feeling and what do you expect from our song.”

“I understand. Are you recording it?” He signs to the notebook and voice recorder in your lap. “I don’t mind, I just need a heads up.”

“No, not recording. It’s just in case I have a melody in mind. And I’m just writing down enough to guide us through the session. I can give you the papers after it.”

“No, it’s fine. How do you do it? I mean, how did you choose your process?”

“Trial and error, I think. It helps me connect with myself and other people. How do you do it?” You shake your shoulders.

“We ask ourselves what we wanna write about and that’s pretty much it. Someone gives the beat and melody, I’ll play something on the guitar and that’s it. A producer helps us put it all together.”

“Glad it works for you to keep things home,” you bite your lower lip. “What do you wanna write about?”

“I don’t know. Love, hate, losses, dreams, I’ve done all of those things,” Eddie moves his hand around. “I’m out of ideas at this point, they want me to write a ballad but that’s not my thing.”

“You can always create a story,” you suggest, but you can’t remember a song from Corroded Coffin that isn’t based on something real. You know them and their stories.

“Didn’t work. Doesn’t feel true, you know,” he holds the wheel stronger. “Do you create stories?”

“Sometimes. Like sometimes it’s not my story, so I create the character for it and I write through their vision. But most of the time I talk from experience.”

“That one song about revenge?”

“Broke his guitar after I found out he cheated on me.”

“Hm, I think you wrote one about marriage?”

“Oh, that one was based on the singer’s recent divorce. I wanted a new perspective so we wrote about the end of the wedding party as a farewell.”

“That one is really good, very clever,” he turns down the radio. “Why didn't you record it yourself?”

“I don’t like the stage at all. Didn’t my time stepping in for Jeff enough to make this clear?”

“How many times did you throw up after the gig?”

“Three. Definitely not my best moment,” you play with your pen. “I’ve written a few songs about us. Only gave them to artists I trust tho.”

“Which one is your favorite?”

“From my songs?”

“From Corroded Coffin. Choose one.”

“Maybe that one with the sickening drum solo where you sing about changing who you are from the beginning. That’s actually metal.” You’ve heard their songs the day before, getting familiar with their sound.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Munson. But you still didn’t answer me: what do you wanna write about?”

“Dunno. Ever since I found out you’re the almighty Charlie Rogers, I’ve been thinking about our relationship. It was like a part of me was gone and I could never get it back.”

“If you’re talking about your Metallica t-shirt, I’m not giving it back to you,” you try to make the conversation lighter. “I’m serious.”

“It’s not that,” he laughs. “Is it too cliche if I say I left my heart with you?”

“No,” you pause, taking a deep breath before confessing, “because I feel the same.”

“Yeah, that’s what I cannot write about as much as I try. I’ve tried and failed.”

“We can find something else to write about,” you touch his arm. “Songwriters need to be honest, but you don’t need to rip your heart apart just for one song.”

Eddie takes your hand and brings it to his lips. His eyes are on the road, but you see a small teardrop on the corner, ready to touch his skin. Your hand caresses his face gently. That’s what you were afraid of: he would always be the missing word in your lyrics, no matter how hard you tried to avoid it.

The silence sinks in. You don’t move your hand, Eddie doesn’t talk about anything else. You wish you could read his mind to understand what changed during the years. You kept your distance from Corroded Coffin, you knew about their success and that was it. If you had listened to one of their songs it was because someone was playing it. You have your favourites, but you never allowed yourself to have their vinyls at home fearing you might find your way back to the memories.

“Can we make a quick stop? I wanna smoke one,” he asks, unsure if it’s the right time to do it.

“Sure.”

“Promise I won’t take too long.”

Eddie makes a quick turn and stops at the side of the road, the car facing the beach. He leaves his seat and you’re left alone with the confessions. He walks towards the beach in front of you, the cigarette already burning in his lips. 

No, you can’t do it again.

You step out of the car, holding your arms around yourself, and walk away from it. If the tears break, you don’t want him to see it. As much as you hate to admit it, you still love him. You knew it from the moment he promised he’s walking away from your life when this ends. And you just got him back.

“Y/N?” he calls you in the distance.

“Give me a moment,” you wave, still not facing his direction. “2 minutes!”

“Ok.”

You do everything that you can to be back in two minutes. But as soon as the tears break, you don’t think you’re gonna be able to survive this day. Doesn’t matter how many times you remind yourself this is gonna be good for your career, that Eddie is walking away as soon as you finish it, that you’ll never have to worry about money after this song—it’s Corroded Coffin, you’re probably getting royalties for the song for the rest of your life even if it doesn’t make the top of the charts.

“Y/N?” This time, Eddie is closer. “Hey, you ok?”

You try to walk away, but Eddie gently grabs your arm and turns you. You’re face to face, and you watch when his face changes. Eddie holds your face like you’re the most delicate thing in the world, and he doesn’t say a word until you’re sobbing.

“Sweetheart, hey, do you feel sick? Are you ok? Do you wanna go back?”

You nod, lacking the words you want to explain how you’re feeling.

“What’s wrong?” he lowers his face. “Please, don’t leave me in the silence.”

“If- if you didn’t get the deal, do you think we would get back together?” You hold his hands, your mind taking you back to the other night, to the fight, to the night you’ve met all together. “Eddie, please.”

“I loved you, Y/N, I really did. And the moment you walked away, you took a piece of me with you. Like there was no air in my lungs, my heart stopped beating, my future was gone. But I don’t know, the band was also everything that I had, and maybe we could’ve worked out. Why does it matter now?”

“I keep getting back to that night,” you try to take a step back, but this only makes Eddie hold you tighter. “That changed our lives, Eds, and even though we are doing much better now, I’ve felt the worst for years. I’d close my eyes and see us together, the memories coming back and punching me in the face with the news about you. I still feel so guilty and lonely.”

“Maybe that’s how things were supposed to be, you know,” his words make you feel a little better, but not at all. “We can’t change the past, and I know you regret the things we said to each other that night. It’s fine, sweetheart, I swear.”

“I’m so, so sorry, Eds. I shouldn't have said those things to you, you didn’t deserve it,” you’re sobbing, fighting back the urge to give up everything and run away from him. No, not this time. You’re staying and facing all of your fears.

“Can I hug you, Y/N?”

You throw yourself into his arms. The three words are on the tip of your tongue and you wanna spill them out, but you’re too afraid of scaring Eddie. He said he loved you. Past. He doesn’t love you anymore. Maybe he still cares about you, but this isn’t love.

Burying your face deeper in his chest, you try to calm yourself. Eddie’s hands move up and down your back, playing with the fabric of your t-shirt and your hair. He doesn’t say a word until you step back.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better. Thanks, Eds” You intertwine your fingers and a smile takes over your face. “I think I have an idea for your song.”

“Oh, really?” You start walking back to the car. “Tell me more. I’ll drive, you write and by dinner we’ll be done.”

“Actually, we need to go to the studio right now. I’ll show you what I’m planning on our way there.”

“Ending our fun so soon?”

“Do you want the song or nah?”

“I do!”

“So drive us back to the studio. I’m confident this one is gonna be a huge hit.”

Eddie opens the door for you and says “I fully trust you on that.”

You instantly smile and feel your chest getting warmer.

“So what are you waiting for, Munson? Let’s hit the studio” you call him.

“You’re so lucky I booked it for the whole day.”

You laugh and start recording your voice “So, this is how it goes…”

+++

Eddie lays the electric guitar over the coffee table and smiles, still impressed by your skills.

“How did you never tell me you played the drums?” You just finished your part on the demo, filling the drums to help Eddie when he explains to the label what he got. “Seriously, how did I miss this?”

“Once a rebel, always a rebel,” you shake your shoulders. Your parents let you learn anything you wanted after you mastered the piano. “I think that’s done. Like, you can record better vocals and some backing with the boys, but the lyrics are pretty much done.”

“Thank you, really,” he stands up and gets closer to you. “Couldn't have done it without you, Y/N. I’m serious.”

“You’re welcome, Eddie. Don’t forget to add Charlie Rogers in the credits.”

“I won’t.”

You pack your things — the notebook where you wrote the idea for the verse, your voice recorder where you did the melody while you were still in the car — and get ready to leave. It’s been hours since you’ve arrived and exhaustion is getting the best of you. 

“Do you fancy a ride back to my place?” You offer, since he left his car there.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll finish some things here and come get my car tomorrow.”

“You sure? I don’t mind.”

“I will be here for another hour or two, and I don’t wanna make you wait. I’ll swing by tomorrow, ok?”

“Ok.” You look around one more time, making sure you got your things. “It was nice to work with you, Eddie. Always knew you were talented.”

“You’re the mastermind behind the idea, so I should be the one saying that,” he faces you. “We could be a good writing duo, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” He’s walking away from your life, don’t do it, don’t schedule a second session, you’re gonna regret it, your inner voice was screaming. “Maybe next time you’re recording a new EP.”

“We’ll see if you’re gonna be down for it,” he smiles, teasing the day you left him alone in the studio. Gosh, that feels like a decade ago. “Thank you, Y/N.”

“You’re welcome.” You hold the handle and open the door. “Goodbye, Eddie.” Even though none of you talked about it during the whole day, you know it’s over.

Before you can close the door behind you, Eddie calls your name and you step back.

“I’ll keep my part of the deal, I promise. But before you go, I need one more thing,” he says, already on his feet and walking in your direction.

Your bodies crash into each other. His lips are soft and hungry against yours. You open your mouth and savor the moment for as long as it's gonna last. Because you know the only thing that will survive this day is the song you made.

taglist: @lokiofasgard616 @munsonology @sidthedollface2

(i don't know if the taglist worked the last time, still learning the ropes)

[a-aexotic]

hi, this might be a bummer to request, but could you do katniss or peeta condoling the reader after her father’s death?

—cw: unedited, severe descriptions of grief, sadness, mentions of abandonment of a parent, hugging/crying —a/n: okay i'm going to do peeta!!!! i hope you enjoy it babe<3 this felt a little platonic but you can read it as either, just imagine them kissing after!!!!

IT SEEMED LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD HAD COME CRASHING DOWN. Y/N felt numb. When she had heard the news, she felt many different emotions; denial, anger, disbelief. She couldn't control the screams and sobs echoing from her mouth, the tears rolling down her face onto her shirt, her heart aching to hear her father's voice just one last time.

After about a few days of her finding out, all the pain faded into numbness. All the crying had eventually stopped; she felt as if her eyes couldn’t produce more. Y/N couldn't function like she did before, she couldn't even fake a smile or laugh even if she tried. All her happiness faded away into numbness and it felt like any emotion was impossible to feel.

Even if she did feel anything, it felt muted. Like something was covering the feelings with a piece of fabric and she could barely feel a thing; like drowning, or suffocation. Soon she desired to even feel a bit of anything, even the pain she had experienced.

Peeta felt and saw the difference in Y/N. He wasn't as close with her as he used to be, but she wasn't the same after her father died — that girl died with her father. She had shut everyone out the moment he died. Peeta had a sense of what she was feeling; it sure wasn't grief of death but it was a grief of something more, something arguably worse than death; losing a parent mentally rather than physically. Abandonment.

Y/N sat on the outskirts of District 12, looking out to the beautiful sunset, trying to enjoy it. But unbeknownst to her, a certain blonde had followed her. He didn't exactly mean to, he was just curious where the girl goes after lunch every day.

She goes there to feel the breeze on her face, trying to feel the calm air around this area. It was also her father's favorite place. She heard a twig snap and she whipped her head around. She let out a sigh silently relaxing at the sight of Peeta.

"Hey," he started. Y/N didn't feel like talking, but she didn't want to just shoo him away; maybe it was his spot as well. There aren't many places to get away in District 12.

"Hi."

Peeta started walking towards her, sitting by her. Not to close though, a fair amount away. He didn’t want to overwhelm her: they hadn’t had a full conversation in a while. There was silence for about sixty seconds before Peeta spoke up again. "How is your family doing?"

Y/N felt her heart break a little bit of the thought of her family's situation. It'd only been a few months since her father died but everything was going to absolute shit.

Her mother started picking up more shifts at work and her little brothers started working at the coal mine; it was what they needed to do to keep themselves out of complete poverty. She had became the mother — she made the food, cleaned the house and went hunting because her mother was busy. "Fine."

"I heard your mother's started working at the bakery since she's a great baker, apparently." Peeta tries to make conversation but she didn't really want to talk as of right now. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts.

"Yeah, she is."

Peeta sighs, looking down at the dirt. "Y/N, I-I want you to know that I'm here for you. I know we aren't close as we used to be, but I still am here no matter what. When I said we could always talk, I meant it."

She stayed quiet, averting her eyes to look at Peeta, then back at the sky. "I know," she replies quietly.

"Then talk to me, let it out. Please, Y/N. I want my best friend back. How are you feeling? " The last part hurt her heart a tiny bit. She looked down and sniffled. "I want to help you, so please let me."

"I don't know. Fine."

Peeta scoffed and he put his hand on her shoulder, making her look up at his eyes. "You're not. I know you. I'll ask you again, how are you feeling; answer honestly."

He didn't want to pressure her into speaking but he knew she wanted to. She had no one else to talk to, she was the oldest sister; she had to be strong for her family and for friends, she had none at this point.

"Peeta, I can't. I don't know how I feel. I don't feel anything, after he died I haven't felt anything." She finally speaking out, sighing exasperatedly. "It's like every part of me died with him and now I'm a shell of a person."

Peeta felt heartbroken. He shook his dead, "you're not a shell, Y/N. I know the old you is somewhere, Y/N/N." The nickname slipped out of his mouth so effortlessly; so natural and Y/N's heart warmed a little. "We just have to work on it, we can get you back. And feelings are what make us human, so they also come back. It's just grief."

"But why am I not normal yet, it's going to be four months. My family are all fine now, but I'm not. Is there something wrong with me?" Y/N's voice broke, looking down. This was the closest emotion she's felt to sadness since his death.

"No, no. You're normal, this is fine. It's just how you're reacting to it. And they're fine because they haven't put their emotions away, Y/N. If you bottle everything up to be strong, it's going to come out some other way: an unhealthy way."

"But they need to be strong-"

"You can't be strong if you bottle everything up. Stop thinking about what everyone else needs or feels, focus on what you need." Peeta was frustrated. There was a few seconds of silence before Y/N put his head down, letting out a quiet sob. She put her head on Peeta's shoulder, and her hands on her face.

"Y-You're right." She mumbled and looked up to him, teary-eyed. Peeta felt utterly crushed. She let out a few more sobs into his shoulder.

"It's okay, shh. Let it out, let it all out." He murmured. He slowly put his arm around her shoulder, and let her cry. He wanted this, this was process.

A few hours pass and they still sat there and they both watched the bright stars. They were silent, not saying a word to just enjoy each other's company. She put her arm on his, slowly wrapping her hand into his.

She missed her best friend as well and she was glad he was finally here to help.

[myselftalkingtomyself]

How to start eternity?

this gif is not mine, all the credits to the owner.

Aziraphale x Crowley

summary: The passion that Aziraphale and Crowley had for each other finally breaks between the two, but both don't know how to start this new phase of their relationship.

WordCount: 1025 

The Bentley parked in front of the bookshop. Aziraphale was the first to leave the car and go to the entrance of his shop. Crowley got out of his Bentley to follow the angel inside. His walk was strange, no rush and loose, but tense and careful. Similar to a person walking over a tightrope. The demon was like this since they left the shop. After Metatron came to pick up the angels to discuss the problems Gabriel created up there, Aziraphale suggested they go to the Ritzs for lunch, to celebrate that everything ended alright, even with a happy couple. Aziraphale started to talk about what happened in the morning, Gabriel and Beelzebub and how it happened. It was some kind of way to discover Crowley’s thoughts about it. What is his opinion over Gabriel now? And Beelzebub who gave up the highest positions in Hell to live eternal life with an angel? Only silence or short comments in response. Aziraphale concluded that the love story between an angel and a demon doesn't touch Crowley’s heart like it touches his. And it disturbs the angel. How could he not feel anything about it? 

They are now both inside the bookshop. Aziraphale was standing next to his table, ready to sit down, work or pretend to work while trying the whole time to hide his disappointment until Crowley leaves. He knew Crowley was standing there with the door behind him. The angel felt Crowley’s steps coming slowly in his direction, stopping in the middle of the room. Aziraphale turns around to stare at him. His best friend for so long. Crowley was just there breathing heavily and paralyzed, lifting his head up.

 “Crowley, are you alright?” The demon took his glasses off and threw them on Aziraphale’s armchair. 

“Right. I didn't get a chance to say what I was going to say, I think I’d better say it now”. Crowley said turning and walking agitated through the space.

 “Okay.” Aziraphale responded. “Right, okay yes, so…” Crowley started taking a deep breath again and sighed.

 “We’ve been on this planet for a long time. I mean, you and me. I could always rely on you. You could always rely on me. We’re a team, a group. Group of the two of us. And we’ve spent our existence pretending that we aren't. I mean, the last few years, not really.” The demon looked at the angel expecting some reaction to his words, Aziraphale was the most intelligent being Crowley knew, should be connected to the dots. However, he was just there, frozen.

“And I would like to spend…” Crowley stopped himself and cleaned his throat, as if the end of his sentence was forbidden. If it were in another situation, it could be funny to see a demon avoid saying something forbidden, but what could be so wrong to avoid saying it? 

“I mean, if Gabriel and Beelzebub can do it, go off together, then we can. Just the two of us. We don’t need Heaven, we don’t need Hell, they’re toxic. We need to get away from them, just be an us. We could be…us. You and me, what do you say?”  

“Crowley, you…you are implying what I think you are-, what exactly are you implying?”

Crowley was petrified looking at Aziraphale. First he closed his mouth, gulped and sighed once more. 

“You idiot.” Said the demon before running in Aziraphale’s direction. For a moment, the angel thought Crowley was furious with him, his hands grabbed Aziraphale's shirt collar and it already happened before. This time, their noses aren't the only thing separating them. In fact nothing was between the two, Crowley’s lips collided with Aziraphale’s right away. An impact just like the explosions Crowley used to create his gorgeous nebulae. In that distant past, Aziraphale used to visit Crowley's work in admiration. 

The moment was a massive dark hole now, Aziraphale was held on to Crowley’s shoulders; Crowley let go of his shirt collar and slid his hands to Aziraphale’s face. Time did not pass anymore, the kiss was now forever. After a while, their faces parted.

The angel and the demon stared shocked at each other. Aziraphale’s hands were in Crowley’s arms and Crowley had part of his fingers into Aziraphale's hair while he was holding his face. “Okay then.” “Right.” said both, let go of the other. 

“I will go do something…” Aziraphale pointed to the stairs “Yes, I have something to do too…” Crowley indicated the door. 

.

.

.

The next morning, when Aziraphale opened the shop, the kiss was still playing in his mind. And now what he does? 6000 years and all he wanted to do was to be with Crowley forever, but he doesn't know how it start without seeming weird. He hid his “pash” on Crowley for so long that it seemed impossible it would come true. He sat down in his armchair and felt something touch his low back. It was Crowley’s sunglasses. He never forget his sunglasses. The little bell on the door announced someone had arrived and Aziraphale already knew who could be. Crowley entered and stood in the same place he was in the day before. Aziraphale felt anxious. 

“I…I came here because I forgot my sunglasses.” The angel looked at him and then to the glasses in his hand. “Oh, yes, of course. I just found it. Here.” Aziraphale reached out and Crowley moved closer to take the glasses from his hands. The both were holding it in the air looking at each other while their fingers occasionally brushed. Aziraphale was the first one to break eye contact and let go of the sunglasses. The demon analyzed it, but was thinking about something else. “Actually, I also came here to-” he cleaned his throat “to invite you to a date, a dinner tonight.” Upon hearing the invitation, Aziraphale involuntarily opened the widest smile of his existence. “Sure! I would love to!” “Alright. I, um, I will come pick you up by 7.”

“Right. See you tonight then!” The angel waved at the demon, who contained his smile in a smirk until he left the bookshop. 

[mr-sylvilagus]

Weird emotional night.

Was going through some really old voicemails during my lunch break and stumbled on the last recording I have of my gramma. It's a two-minute, awkward, rambly sort-of apology for hitting me with a "love the sinner, not the sin" thing at Christmas in 2022. I remember calling her back not long after, when it happened. It wasn't a satisfying reconciliation, but she was trying. She died a few months later. She spent several days in the hospital. I was not there at the time of death, but I might have been the last person to hear her say something somewhat-lucidly before she became unresponsive. She kept trying to get out of the bed to--as far as we can tell because she couldn't really more than mumble--try to clean things. (She was a fastidiously tidy person.) She couldn't stand up though--she'd fall--so you had to try to stop her. They only let 1-2 visitors in the ICU at a time for the most part, and I was there with her alone when she had one of these agitated states. I just held her hand and asked her if she would talk to me, and she stopped and did listen. I didn't really know what to say. I just started talking about holidays. My gramma could never really turn off during holidays, even when her adult children (and later grandchildren) were mature enough to help in the kitchen and such. She was always cooking and cleaning, she couldn't help it, I assume trauma from raising six kids and being parentified herself as a child. (She had 18 siblings. Really.) Anyway. Didn't get into that at the time. I just told her how it was to have the holidays. And that we understood that she was trying to take care of us, and that we appreciated that, and loved her. And she made eye contact, and she said quite clearly, "Thank you," and settled back down a while. As far as we know, that was the last clear statement she made. She died about 12 hours later. Well. I had to go back to work so didn't really have time to process all that. That's okay, I'll do it later. Work ends, I get a message not much later--old friend of mine asks if I can take a call. I'm surprised by this. I don't know how to describe this friend to do him justice. We've been friends since 2015; gosh that's almost 10 years, how did that happen. He's incredibly quiet and reserved. He's ex-Catholic in the most painful way. He never asks for help. I think he has an eating disorder. I don't know how to talk to him about it. He has the driest humor you can imagine. He's extremely trustworthy. He does exactly what he says he'll do--down to the letter--like a fae contract, but he's benevolent. He never breaks rules, but is delighted to watch others do so (if no one is getting hurt). The oldest photo I have of him, he is reading the rule board posted by the entrance of the mall. We've been to three weddings together and he helped me tie a necktie before I knew how to do it myself. It took me so long to appreciate him. He is one of my favorite people that I have ever met. I love him so much. Anyway, he's having boyfriend trouble, and has been for about a week, and has just been staying in his room in the dark. We talk a bit on the phone. I tell him, come over for a beer, we weren't planning for guests today but I'll scratch up something if you'll let me. (He didn't let me.) And he came over. And we talked. I tried not to give too much advice and I think I did an okay job. And he sat in my gramma's old rocking chair. And it was good. And then he went home. And I went back to my computer, and played my silly games, and found my face was wet and I was shaking, but I don't feel sad. I'm so glad my friend came over. And I guess. It's hard and confusing. But there's other people. And. And.

[loiswolf]

Day 13 June 9 Whitehorse - Johnson’s Crossing 138kms

Yesterday morning I spent doing some cleaning for Christelle. She seemed very appreciative when she arrived home in the afternoon so I must have done a pretty good job. 😁 In the afternoon I cycled down into Whitehorse to see if Tim Hortons has improved since last year (marginally….at least their wifi worked) then grabbed a couple of things from the supermarket. I’d arranged for Tony to give me another lift back up the hill. It’s almost 8kms and is nearly all uphill.

The plan today was to get as far as I could before the wind increased. The wind yesterday was quite strong and blowing from the south. Fortunately it had eased off this morning because my first 90kms were pretty much cycling south into the wind.

It wasn’t too bad. After the long downhill into Whitehorse the road flattened out. The scenery is not as amazing as it has previously been, but still pleasant enough.

There was a rest stop at 30kms just after this bridge

I stopped for a quick break then moved on. I was hoping that there might be somewhere to get a coffee or something at Marsh Lake at 60kms.

Nup, nothing. I didn’t even see a sealed road leading to this mythical “Marsh Lake “ place. I did see a red fox by the side of the road. We just looked at each other then moved on. As well at the light headwind I’m pretty sure I was pushing up a long very gradual hill for about 15kms.

At 1pm I finally hit my target. It was an abandoned diner called Jakes Corner. ( check the map) I’d managed to push out 90kms and was looking forward to a tail wind because of the sharp bend in the road.

Yes, it worked! I sat on the concrete in front of the closed diner for my lunch break and ate the rest of my Tim Bits ( donut holes) from Tim Hortons.

Most of the hard work done I set off for the final 40+kms.

I was cycling past these huge rocky mountains on my right.

It was mostly downhill and very easy because of the tailwind, but I was quietly stressing about the fact that I had not been able to book a room for tonight. My phone still won’t work here ( I’ve tried everything) and by the time I could borrow Tony’s phone the reception was shut yesterday . I’d try to book on their website and sent them an email requesting a room but had no confirmation back.

This started me worrying that this place was not even open….especially after seeing Jakes Corner.

Then reassurance appeared in the most unlikely form. A blue Ute coming from the other direction passed me, did a u-turn, and pulled up beside me. The gentleman inside said he had something for me. He handed me a bakery box with a pastry and a huge cinnamon bun from Johnsons Crossing!

Not only was I assured of the fact that it was open, I had a feast of goodies!

Only 16kms to go, most of which were downhill.

The next stressful moment was asking if they had a room. Yay! They did! I had to wait 30minutes until it was ready but that’s was absolutely no problem. The nice lady who was baking all the goodies offered me coffee and I already had my afternoon tea. We also exchanged grandchildren photos ( mine are always the cutest) and just bonded in general.

There are only 3 rooms here so I guess someone was looking after me.

This is the bridge which is the crossing

And todays map.

The road ahead is not exactly flush with accommodation so I have managed to organise a short day tomorrow and used the phone here to book the next place. I hate cycling without knowing I’ll have somewhere to stay!!

[bekturan]

“You’ve seen the size of my shower.” And witnessed the bottomless pit that was her appetite firsthand. With a crooked, impish grin, Bek promised, “Of course I would.” 

And she’d probably help herself to a pint of ice cream from the freezer while she was at it. 

The phrase ‘what’s mine is yours’ might’ve started between them over packed lunches and backyard swing sets, but at this point it had extended to just about everything other than boyfriends. 

Bek would give Chess the shirt off her back, and knew her best friend would, too.

Entering the apartment fully she cast a look around, searching for Ahalya with an invitation to join them and coming up empty. She was probably still at the store, no doubt. But, while she’d only been looking for her roommate, she parried with another grin, “What? No Mr. Hot-and-has-handcuffs tonight?”

It’d be a cold day in hell before she stopped encouraging something between her and the Detective turned Chess' personal shadow. 

The little tease was about where her humor ended.

“I really can’t tell if you’re being serious and that alone is mildly alarming.” Though not a complete surprise. "If you asked me to help hide a body I'd be there—" she'd support her and have her back through literally anything— "so if you wanna do it I'll break out the gloves. But..." Why? Chess was a fucking knockout exactly as she was.

"You know the idea that blondes have more fun is only a myth, right?"

"You wouldn't." Both dare and mock gasp color her tone. "But, fine. Come on in." Chess held the door open for her best friend, inviting her in with a roll of her eyes and a lazy hand gesture.

Soon their apartment was filled with the sublime aroma of takeout rather than the hallway. Just as it should be. "For the record, I saw you coming. Felt your bat signal. You're lucky I didn't have a hot date tonight." As if, her conscious screeched from beyond their cobwebbs. Chess had sworn off all men since her attack and as beautiful as many women were, they didn't quite do it for her either.

The truth was - outside of Bek, her apartment and the hospital? - Chess lacked all semblance of a life. Her social presence was as scarce as a rain shower in the Sahara desert. "Glad you're here though because I could use a spa night. I was thinking of box-dying my hair. What are your thoughts on ash blonde? Yay or Nay."

[halsteadlover]

Pure Fear

*Gif not mine credits to the owner*

• Pairing: Jay Halstead x Reader.

• Requested by anon: Hi hun! A little bird read to me that you are accepting requests for our handsome man Jay? 💆🏻‍♀️ Could I request a Jay Halstead x reader (his girlfriend) where she is stuck in a bank with the robbers and he tries to control his emotions while deeply caring for her trying to take her out as soon as he can with the team? Thank you ❤️

• Warnings: mention of blood, gunshot, death.

• Word count: 5860.

• A/N: guess who's back again after more than a month with a this piece of shit? Yeah exactly, me. I'm sorry for this turned out and just know everything it's pure fantasy so if something doesn't make any sense just let it slide 💀 anyway, I hope you'll like this, please like, comment, reblog. Thank you so much for everything and for your support ❤️ If you want, please consider to support me on Ko-Fi too. Love you all xx

Everything seemed normal.

Each person went on with their lives normally, completing the various chores they had to do. There were those who had to buy groceries, those who had to go to work, those who were late for an appointment, those who took their children to play in the park. In short, there seemed to be nothing different from the usual, nothing that could cause concern.

You thought it would be a day like any other. And that’s how it started.

That morning you said goodbye to your boyfriend Jay before he went to work, agreeing you’d meet him – as usual – at lunch. Neither of you imagined what would happen. After all, life was so unpredictable.

Neither of you had certainly foreseen there would be a robbery in the exact same bank you were supposed to go to, neither had foreseen that two hooded men would come in and shoot, ordering everyone to get on their knees and keep their hands behind their heads.

Pure fear. Pure terror. This was what you were feeling at the time, moments when your whole life passed before your eyes as the robbers paced back and forth in the bank. You kept praying with every fiber of your being, you tried to stay positive, and your mind at that moment turned to Jay.

My Jay.

You kept praying and hoping to see him break into that bank but you didn’t even know if he knew about the robbery. You couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen and the very thought of never seeing him again, not seeing your family, your friends, made you feel so sick and in that moment you wished so much you’d told them how much you loved them, how much they were important to you.

It was so true that life was always taken for granted.

“Give us all your phones! Now!” one of the two robbers exclaimed as soon as they forced you to stay on your knees. The silence was broken by the cries and sighs of everyone present, the screams of the robbers and their threats to kill you instantly if someone did something they shouldn’t have.

And like this they confiscated all your phones, taking away the hope of being able to secretly ask for help. They had tied up the manager, asked for all the money they could take with them.

You kept taking deep breaths, thinking and rethinking Jay’s words from a conversation you had few months ago.

He was working on a hostage robbery case and you were sitting next to him on the sofa, watching the way he was focused.

“What should we do in these situations?” you asked, just out of pure curiosity, never imagining finding yourself in a similar situation.

“Do whatever the robbers say, don’t try to be a hero. The key is to negotiate, establish a relationship, make them believe you want to help them and you’re on their side. The main goal is always to save as many hostages as possible so you have to get them to trust you, that to get what they want they must also offer something in return. We always try to start with women and children and finally men, but in the meantime we still try to find an intervention strategy, we study the place well, all the available entrances, possible break-in plans, for example whether to do it silently or take them by surprise,” he explained, turning to you and giggling when he noticed your expression between shock and surprise. “These situations require calm and coolness, let’s say these are moments of very high tension”.

“Wow, that’s pretty bad, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be in this situation, I hope I’ll never have to find out.”

Jay set the case file down on the coffee table and pulled you close, stamping a kiss on your temple. “I don’t even want to imagine this, I don’t know what I could do, I’d probably die”.

And that was exactly how Jay felt when he found out about the robbery. He felt he was dying.

As for you, the morning was going on normally for him too. For some strange reason no murder case had come up and he truly believed that for a very rare time he’d even be able to get home soon. But when he saw Sergeant Platt walking up the Intelligence stairs with an expression on her face that was anything but happy, he knew that state of peace was about to end.

He had no idea what was actually going on.

“There’s a robbery taking place in the Chase Bank, there are at least two attackers with about fifteen hostages” Platt had announced but Jay’s mind had stopped only at the opening words.

Chase Bank.

It couldn’t be true, it couldn’t be happening.

It was the bank you were supposed to go to that morning.

Jay immediately took his cell phone from his pocket and typed your number with fury. His heart was pounding as he prayed you’d answer your phone, he’d hear your voice saying you were still at home, that you were fine. But as your number directed him directly to the voice mail, a sign your cell phone was probably turned off, Jay could no longer maintain control and the more seconds passed the more he felt being swallowed more and more in a chasm.

“Please answer baby… Please, please, please, pick up the phone…” he kept muttering to himself as he kept calling your number over and over, but without receiving any kind of response.

“Jay what’s going on?” Kim asked, noticing the way Jay was worried but he didn’t even seem to hear her. Without waiting for the rest of the team, he immediately rushed down the stairs, aiming to make his way to the bank as soon as possible.

Jay felt like he was dying and never before he felt so disoriented and disoriented, so out of control. He continually tried to call you, to no avail as the call was always going out.

Surrounding the bank were Intelligence, the negotiating team, SWAT, and nearly the entire Chicago police department. The situation was difficult, the tension almost cut with a knife as each agent present tried to work out a strategy to get the hostages out safely and arrest the criminals.

But Jay wasn’t focused, he kept thinking about the possibility you were in there and the thought of not knowing was eating him alive. The thought of knowing you were at the mercy of the robbers, frightened and disoriented, that he was so few meters away from you and couldn’t help you was making him so sick, so helpless. It might have been a selfish thought, but right now he didn’t want to do anything but save you, get you out of that damn bank and hug you.

“We managed to get into the bank’s surveillance system, we have live images of what’s going on inside,” announced one of the IT experts and as Jay looked at the PC screen, his heart was pounding, continuing to hope with every fiber of his being that, by some miracle, you weren’t in the bank that morning. But as soon as he saw you with the other hostages, on your knees with your back turned to the entrance, every bit of hope vanished in the blink of an eye and every worst nightmare turned out to be the harsh reality.

“Fuck!” he exclaimed aloud, kicking a chair that was next to him, seized by despair and anger. He ran his hands over his face, frustrated, enraged and in a throes of emotions. He even decided to go into the bank, wanting to get you out of there at all costs.

“Halstead!” Voight exclaimed when he saw him walking towards the bank, rushing to him and, with Kevin, taking him by his arms in an attempt to calm him down.

“Jay calm down man!” Kevin kept repeating to him but without any success and although he and Voight were both holding him back, doing so turned out to be quite difficult.

“Leave me fucking alone! My girlfriend is in there for fuck’s sake!” Jay kept struggling, trying to escape from Voight and Kevin’s grasp.

“I know kid but that’s not how you’re going to help her! You need to calm down!” Voight spoke.

“Calm down? How can you even tell me to calm down?! My fucking girlfriend is in there with those two crazy sons of a bitch! I need to get in there!”

“Jay! Listen to me! You know how these things work, we need to make contact with those robbers. Breaking in now could only result in mass killing! You know this” Kevin continued immediately after “I know it’s hard to stay here, but this is the only chance we have to get everyone out without injuries, we have to work as if it were any other case.”

Those words, instead of trying to calm Jay down, on the contrary, infuriated him even more. “Don’t fucking tell me to work like this was any other damn case! This is my fucking girlfriend we’re talking about, it will never be any other case!”

Jay walked away from them, not even waiting for an answer. He was aware of it, he knew the only way to get you out of that bank safe and sound was to be patient, to have faith in the work of all the agents present, but at that moment he couldn’t, he couldn’t think of anything other than you.

When Voight approached Jay after some time, he saw him leaning against a police car not far from everyone. He had his back to the rest of the crowd and Voight knew this was just Jay’s way of trying to calm down.

“Jay”.

“What do you want? Isn’t it enough for you to waste my time while my girlfriend is locked in there?!” Jay snapped, not even looking at Voight .

“I know how you feel, god knows how I would’ve reacted if someone so important to me was in this situation,” Voight spoke “But we need you for this but, above all, she needs you right now. I know her, I know she is a strong woman and she’ll be able to keep it cool even in these difficult times, but she’ll need you when she comes out of there, she needs to know you’re lucid enough to help her. Do you think you can do it kid?”

Jay sighed, running his hands over his face as he pondered Voight’s words. He knew he was right, he knew he had to try to be as impartial as possible so he could do his job and save you but he didn’t know how, he didn’t know how to be impartial when it came to you.

-

The sound of one of the bank telephones ringing broke the silence, making you jump. You turned your head slightly, watching the robbers pacing back and forth out of the corner of your eyes, as if they didn’t know what to do.

“Don’t answer that damn phone!” shouted one of the two robbers, the one a little more lucid and controlled.

“You should answer instead,” you intervened fearfully, turning your head slightly to look at the two men.

“Did I say you can fucking talk?!” the robber yelled, rushing towards you and pointing his gun at you. You almost had a heart attack and you wished you’d never opened your mouth as you turned back to the wall.

“No, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it’s just that… It will be the police and there will definitely be the negotiation team and this is your chance to ask whatever you want, no one will say no” you murmured, dry lips and throat, staring down.

“What makes you think they will help us?” asked the second robber, the most intimidated one, and you knew it was him you had to focus on trying to get him to do the right thing.

“Because they don’t want anyone to get hurt,” you replied, trying to turn back to them but returning to your original position when the first yelled at you again. “Well… What I mean is that you have the opportunity to ask for what you want, a car, plane tickets, fake passports, you can escape and nobody will try to catch you, nobody has to get hurt, I’m sure this is not what you want”.

There was a moment of silence when you prayed to God that neither of them would shoot you and you wished you had never spoken.

“She might be right,” the second robber replied in a low voice, looking at his partner “We have no chance to escape, we are completely surrounded.”

“Fuck!” exclaimed the other, the one who must have been the leader of the duo, frustrated. “Fine, but if anyone tries to make a single fucking move, I’ll kill all of you am I clear?!”

Jay was watching - along with the rest of the team - everything that was going on inside the bank, how the robbers were panicking, how you tried to get them to answer the phone, how that son of a bitch had pointed the gun at you, how you visibly trembled when you felt the gun pointed at your head but nevertheless you tried to convince them to do the right thing.

He kept yelling internally to shut up, to just say nothing. He thought about how brave you were, how much he loved you for it, but at the same time how stupid you were for risking your life like that. He knew, however, you’d try everything before giving up.

His heart stopped a thousand times when he saw the robber point the gun at your head. What would he have given to find himself in your place, how much he would’ve wanted to hold and hug you after seeing you so visibly trembling and afraid, how much he would’ve wanted to tell you he was so proud of you for your courage.

When one of the bank phones started ringing, your heart leapt in your chest, your stomach twisted with anxiety as you hoped one of the robbers would answer. As you might have guessed, they had applied for a vehicle and fake passports to escape with, obviously without omitting the threat they would blow someone’s head if there was something wrong that didn’t go according to plan.

“We will try to do everything we can to provide what you have asked but we also need proof of your willingness to cooperate, that you want to do the right thing” a gruff voice spoke that you acknowledged belonged to Sergeant Voight.

My Jay had to be there too.

Baby, please let us all get out of here, you continued to pray internally, trying to repress the instinct to cry and to be hopeful and positive about the success of the operation.

The two robbers looked at each other, as if they were consulting each other about what to do.

“We can get someone out,” muttered one of them, clearly the submissive one.

“I’m not letting anyone out of here until we have the car and passports!” the other robber exclaimed, not giving the slightest consideration of his partner, and making everyone jump with fear.

“Listen to me carefully,” Voight replied “Unfortunately this is not up to me, these requests follow chains that I cannot outclass and especially for false passports you have to wait a bit, but my bosses could do something to speed up the process if they saw your willingness to let someone go. At least let the women go.”

Jay’s heart was pounding in his chest as he watched the surveillance camera videos from the monitors and he didn’t care how selfish and horrible it might sound but in those moments he hardly even cared what was going on, the robbers would do. They could even run away, never reappear again and he’d let them go just to get you back safe and sound in front, he just wanted to see you walk through the doors of that damned bank, he just wanted to hold you like he had never done.

There were moments of pause, of silence, in which no one in the bank spoke or dared to breathe. Jay kept gazing at the way the robber looked at the hostages, a sign he was pondering Voight’s words and deciding who to possibly let out.

“Ladies, stand up,” the robber ordered. “Turn to us with your hands up. Slowly, and don’t you even think do something stupid or I’ll blow your brains out, am I understood?” he continued, his gun pointed at them as the ladies stood shaking.

If Jay could've described what he was feeling right now in one word, he would’ve used fear. Pure, paralyzing and devastating fear.

You were visibly trembling, your breathing quickened and your heart beating wildly. It was about to end, it soon would be over, you were about to come out of there.

“Take the ladies to the exit,” the leader of the duo ordered. You all started walking but the following words of that man made your blood run cold in your veins “Not you. You’ll stay here sweetie.”

What?

You prayed with every cell in your body he didn’t refer to you but when you looked up and saw his eyes aimed directly at yours, his gun pointed at you, you understood it was you whom he spoke to.

“Why?” you almost whispered.

“Because I say so and now sit back with the others before I’ll kill you!” he exclaimed aloud making you jump with fright.

God, this will never end.

“Fuck!” Jay screamed and in anger kicked again a chair right next to him. He couldn’t believe it, he was just one step away from finally have you back again.

What did they have in mind? Why had the robber held you back?

“Jay calm down man, she’ll be alright” Adam tried to calm him down, but failed miserably.

“Don’t fucking tell me to calm down! What the fuck are we gonna do now? Huh? And don’t tell me to sit back and wait because like hell I’m gonna leave my girlfriend in there with those bastards!”

The robbers had given an ultimatum. They had said if their requests were not granted, they’d kill a hostage every hour.

You kept praying they were just bluffing, that it was just a gimmick of theirs to lure the cops and everyone out there to speed up the operation, but fuck it wasn’t.

They really did.

There was blood everywhere.

Splatters on everyone, even on your face, on your clothes.

You touched your face with trembling fingers and felt dying to see them stained with blood.

They really did it.

They had killed a man.

And now he lay there helpless in front of you, his lifeless body with a gunshot to his forehead in full execution style.

And like this they had taken the life of a man, without remorse, without any pity or second thoughts.

The ‘submissive’ accomplice was almost as shocked as the rest of you, not expecting his partner would actually have the guts to pull the trigger. He understood it was over for the two of them, they were doomed and, since they were now also responsible for a cold-blooded murder, they’d never see the light again.

You knew everything was coming to an end and the more time passed – praying with every cell of your body to see Jay break into that bank sooner or later – and the more the hope of getting out of there alive became smaller and smaller.

Jay was on the verge of losing his mind and trying to hold him back became more and more difficult every second that passed. He just couldn’t sit while you were still hostage to those robbers and now, given the ultimatum they had set, Voight literally had to hold him back by force to prevent him from further worsening the situation.

And Jay, rationally, knew it. He knew if he had intervened he would’ve done nothing but endanger your life and all the others present, that this would’ve ended in nothing but a bloodbath, beyond the blood of the poor man already dead.

“Halstead I need to know for sure you can do your job now because we’re running out of time,” Voight was stating to Jay, a hand on his shoulder as he looked at him in the eye. Jay took a deep breath, but initially remained silent.

Could he really do his job? Could he risk hurting you, even if unintentionally?

“Halstead?”

“Yes, I can do it”.

Voight nodded with a satisfied and proud expression. “Go get ready then, I want you on the roof in 5 minutes.”

Cold sweat dripped from Jay’s forehead, his hand steady on his trigger, ready to fire, his reflexes alarmed, his eyes on the sights.

He tried not to think about the rest, not to think about you crying incessantly, desperate. He tried not to think about how by now this horrible event would’ve traumatized you, how it had been for you to see a man coldly killed in front of your eyes, how afraid you were and how much he would’ve wanted to let you know he was there, that he’d save you, that soon you’d be safe in his arms.

“I’m waiting for orders,” Jay had spoken into the transceiver.

“As soon as you have a clear shot, no other hostage will have to die today,” Voight replied and Jay got the message.

Shoot to kill.

The hour was up and the robber was choosing the next person inevitably destined to die.

You almost had a heart attack and you felt your stomach tighten as you saw his glassy, empty, soulless eyes staring into yours. You cried even more, seeing for an instant your life pass you before his eyes.

God Jay please, where are you?

“You know I haven’t been a real gentleman before, usually I’m always the knight and let the ladies pass first, I hope you’ll forgive my rude gesture,” the robber said in a sinister tone of voice, a smirk on his lips, as if all this amused him “To redeem me the next one to die will be you, sweetness.”

Your survival instincts got the better of you and, even if foolishly and in vain, you tried to escape.

But, of course, this was a complete fiasco.

The robber – now also a murderer – had grabbed you by your hair before you could even try to run away and the kicks and punches you tried to throw at him were not enough, his grip was so strong and firm that it was useless.

“Halstead are you there?” Voight asked through the transceiver, aware that Jay was seeing the same scenes they were seeing too.

Jay didn’t answer right away.

He was furious, so damn angry and so fucking scared. He had never been so scared, not even when he was being bombed overseas while he was at war.

“Jay”.

He was shaking, couldn’t keep his hand steady enough to make a clean shot. He didn’t have a good view as the robber was holding you in his arms and Jay couldn’t possibly risk hurting you.

“I can’t shoot goddamn it,” Jay swore.

“Time is running out sergeant,” the man grinned while on the phone with Voight, still holding the gun to your temple “And still none of the things we requested are here, you know what that means.”

“You know that this is not how you’ll get what you want right?”

“I don’t care, you haven’t listened to me, maybe a little reminder can be useful to you”.

Taking advantage of that exchange of words between Voight and the criminal, you took the opportunity to elbow him in the stomach with all the strength you had in your body. The blow was such that he loosened his arm around your neck and you took the opportunity to escape him and try to hide.

It all happened in a second.

A shot echoed throughout the bank, leaving everyone stuck and petrified in their places, breathless. For a thousandth of a second you thought you were dying, that you’d been shot and your thoughts immediately went to Jay, to the love of your life, to the fact you’d never see him again.

For a moment everything around you stopped, your ears were ringing, your vision blurred, everything seemed to go in slow motion.

Am I dying?

But you didn’t realize it.

You didn’t realize it wasn’t you who was shot but the robber who threatened to take your life away. Not even when you saw his lifeless body slumped on the floor and with a hole in his head you realized it.

Not a single muscle in your body was spared from the twitching and shaking, and as you saw all the police officers enter the bank, immediately arrest the accomplice and rescue the other hostages, you could hardly believe that it was all over, that you survived.

“Y/N, hey” you heard Adam’s voice bring you back to reality but it sounded so low and distant at that moment. You looked around while your eyes tried to study what was going on, as if to make sure it was just reality and not an nightmare.

“Let me help you, come on,” he continued, approaching you and helping you to stand up. Your legs felt like they were made of jelly, so much you could hardly even stand up and if it wasn’t for Adam, you’d probably fall on the ground again.

“Can you walk?”

You nodded. “I want Jay,” you whispered faintly. Damn it, even your voice was still shaking.

“He’s here, he’s coming to you.”

And that was exactly what Jay was doing. His heart nearly stopped beating after he shot the robber but before he knew it, he had already got up and ran off the roof at lightning speed, leaving even the rifle he had used there.

He lost the number with how many people he collided with trying to run to the bank but he didn’t even care, he just wanted to hug you. He looked around immediately when he walked in and when he finally saw you next to Adam, he almost started to cry.

You were fine. You were alive and well.

“Y/N!”

Your head immediately turned to that voice, a voice you would’ve recognized even in the midst of a million. Never before it brought you so much joy and happiness to hear his voice and it was at the precise moment when your eyes met his, so green and bright, you finally felt really safe.

He held you like he had never done before, squeezing you so hard you almost felt your bones break. But you didn’t care, as he hugged you, you could hardly believe it was really happening, that you had another chance. Your arms encircled his neck as you inhaled his scent deeply, his arms instead encircled your hips with so much force they’d most likely leave a mark.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked frenziedly in his voice, pulling away from you for a moment and glancing at your body to see if there were any obvious injuries.

“I’m fine… I’m fine…” you replied even if your trembling said something else. Jay hugged you again and at that moment you didn’t even notice that Adam had walked away, leaving you two alone.

“Oh baby,” he whispered “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s all over now, I’m here with you.”

You started crying again, nonstop, as if those words from Jay had flipped a switch inside you.

“Cry as long as you want my love I won’t leave you, I’m here with you and it’s all over, you’re safe with me,” he tried to calm you down, stroking your back with his hand as he squeezed you tightly to his chest. The truth was that Jay had no idea how he was still standing, the truth was that if you weren’t so shaken, you probably would've felt how shaky he was too. He couldn’t believe he had you there, that you were safe and sound and soon he even couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.

But he didn’t want to be seen weak, crying with joy, with fear, not in that moment, especially because you needed him then more then ever, he had to be strong for you.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner my love, I’ll never forgive myself.”

You kept sobbing, sniffling from time to time because of the desperate crying that had taken over you. You wanted to talk so badly, tell him it wasn’t his fault, that he didn’t have to feel guilty but you just couldn’t.

“Let’s get out of here, can you walk baby?” Jay asked you in a sweet, gentle tone after an indefinite time. He pulled away from you slightly and took your face in his hands. His thumbs caressed the skin of your cheeks, wiping away the tears so sweetly, if you hadn’t already cried all the tears in your body, you’d most likely have burst into tears again.

You sniffed and nodded, wanting nothing more than to get as far away from that damn bank as possible. “Yes, please”.

“You’re still shaking baby,” his heart bleeding out “It’ll be okay love I promise, I’ll always be next to you and we’ll get through this together, you are not alone okay?”

You nodded again and you believed him, you knew you could count on him and this was perhaps the only thing that could cheer you up during a time when you were afraid of the whole world.

For the rest of the day Jay didn’t leave you for even a second, constantly asking you how were you feeling, if you needed something. You were still very upset but thanks to him you had at least stopped shaking as if you were convulsing.

That event was not something you would’ve easily overcome, quite the opposite. The fear of dying, seeing that man die in front of you, the kidnapper, all that blood, god, these were things you’d never be able to forget.

You and Jay were in your bedroom, lying under the covers as he hugged and cuddled you, in an effort to help you close your eyes and sleep, at least for a little while.

But of course it was in vain. You couldn’t sleep, not after all that had happened.

Absolute silence reigned in the room, neither of yp spoke, there was no need. It was an almost deafening silence and never like then you hated it because you felt like you were about to drown in your own thoughts but, at the same time, you couldn’t even say a word, you didn’t know what to say and in the same way Jay.

He found himself in a phase in which perhaps only then he began to fully realize what had happened, that he had really risked losing you, never seeing you again, not staying on your bed like you were doing, hugging each other.

Jay held you tighter in his arms, as if that thought had physically hurt him and as if he was trying to push it away.

“I love you to death, you know that right?” it was Jay who broke the silence “You are my life, the most important to me baby”.

His words warmed your heart, making your lips rise to the first spontaneous little smile of that damned day. “I love you too baby, so damn much”.

“I’m serious Y/N,” Jay let you go for a few seconds and then immediately put his hand on your chin, causing you to look at him “I want you to know that, I love you so fucking much. I’m not joking and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I couldn’t live without you” he continued, then gently stroking your cheek as he looked you in the eye with so much devotion and love you almost fainted.

“You know, ever since we’ve been together I’ve always had the fucking fear of losing you, given the work I do, I’ve always been afraid you might leave me but today it was something devastating. I swear baby I can’t even explain how I felt when I heard about the robbery, knowing you were there, I think I died and rose a thousand times within a minute,” he talked, literally heart in his throat as he remembered those horrible moments “I was so afraid, the terror of losing you… It’s a feeling I never want to relive again and I know it sounds selfish of me to say these things now since you were in there and you first experienced this horror, but really baby, it felt like a fucking knife was cutting me in pieces. And I’m also so sorry I didn’t came earlier, I swear I would’ve broken down the door by myself just to come get you but they literally had to hold me back with force”.

You giggled through your tears, only then realizing you started crying again. “I know you would baby and that was the only thought that made me resist honestly, I knew you would walk in that door and save us all,” you said “I was so afraid I’d never see you again baby…” you weren’t able to finish the sentence since you broke is sobs again. Jay hugged you against his chest again, whispering soft words as his hand caressed your hair.

“I hate so much it was you who went through all this, I’ll never be able to forgive myself, it wasn’t supposed to be you.”

“But it wasn’t your fault…”

Jay was silent.

You looked up at him and noticed how his eyes were fixed, aimed at the ceiling. Only then you noticed the tear that slipped from his eye and you realized he was avoiding your gaze because he was crying.

“Oh baby…” you muttered under your breath, lifting your hand and wiping his tears with your fingers, exactly as he had done with you all day.

“I’m sorry love, you shouldn’t be the one comforting me now” He chuckled, trying to ease the tension a little, finally looking into your eyes.

Jay rested his forehead on yours as his fingers gently stroked your cheeks. You brought your face close to his, kissing him on the lips but before you could even break away from him, Jay placed his hand behind your head, pressing his mouth to yours again, kissing you this time with much more intensity, with so much love and passion it felt like years had passed since your last kiss and just like this you finally felt at home, safe in his arms like never before.

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