#uhm i forgot to tag them in my excitement uh

[dizzybizz]

day 4 is reach and naturally my brain reached for an arkco moment...

[bonny-kookoo]

Jungkook

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 🍒

Sometimes love doesn't make sense.

Tags/Warnings: Tattoo artist/Piercer Jungkook, Pastel!Reader, opposites attract, Strangers to lovers, Fluff, suggestive flirting, adult themes but no smut, consensual hand holding

Length: ~4k

There is no taglist for this fic.

Masterlist

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"Uhm-" you wonder, stepping inside the store to be greeted by the guy you know as Jimin.

"Hi, my friend has an appointment?" you say, and the artist stands up and walks closer. Your friend stays close to you, buzzing with the excitement of getting her first tattoo ever- too shy to say anything.

When it comes to that, you're a little ahead of her. As long as the person isn't intimidating, you're fine talking to them, asking for help or anything alike.

"Yeah, it was the dragon on her back, right?" and your friend nods. "I've got it all prepared already. Wanna come downstairs with me, I'll explain the rest of it there?" Jimin kindly says, taking her coat and leading her downstairs where you assume everyone works. "Oh, you can just wait in the back there, or stroll around town. It'll take a while." he says, and you nod, a bit unsure now after being left alone.

"Hm?" a voice chimes up, before he speaks again. "Oh, Thought I heard something." the guy comes into view, and suddenly you can't talk.

This is what you can't talk to.

Intimidating? Heavy boots and black clothes, silver chains and piercings and a fully inked sleeve including his hand present themselves to you, muscles free since he's only wearing a black sleeveless top that should be illegal for him to wear. His smile is the friendliest you've ever seen, reaching his eyes and his slightly wild hair just makes him look even better, sides buzzed down to mere millimeters left- you want to disappear from the earth and his memory forever.

Fuck. He's looking like every goth-girl's wet dream while you're dressed in a pastel colored dress and thick knee high socks to keep your feet warm in this cold weather. Great.

"You can sit here in the back with me, otherwise you'll catch a cold from all the cold air blowing in every time the door opens." he recommends, pointing to a couch in a corner that you assume is where they all spend their breaks. Awesome, he's a gentleman as well it seems, making it all even worse for you. "You want something to drink? I've got tea or coffee." he wonders, and you meekly press out a 'tea, please.', making him chuckle.

He probably thinks you're nothing more than a child, with the way you look so out of place.

You envy your friend in that department. She's got piercings, she knows cool friends, she has exciting stories to tell. Meanwhile you sit at home and knit sweaters and blankets, help out at the local animal shelter because you get to pet the cats and dogs all day, or work at the library where you aid tourists find the town's guide.

"Your friend was the tall girl, right?" he asks, coming in with two cups, one of which he sets down on front of you. "I'm Jungkook by the way." he introduces himself, smiling before he leans back in his seat. Of course he's interested in her, you think. She's exactly his type, though he looks quite a few years older than her.

Well- the least you can do is help her find a date.

"Ah, yeah, she's my friend. Best friend." you say, pulling the cup of tea closer. "Thank you, for the tea." you say politely, and he grins in front of you.

"No problem." he waves off.

"She's uh.. She works at a car-uh.. She does those paint jobs. Like, those complicated one's that look realistic and all that." you try and explain. "I.. Forgot what it's called though. But uhm.. You can ask her later maybe?" you say, and he shrugs, setting down his cup before he smirks impishly, tongue playing with his lip ring in a manner that you can only describe as illegal.

"I probably could do that-" he starts, before he tilts his head a little to the side, body leaning forward. "-but I'd rather get to know you a little more." he wonders, and you almost choke on your tea- but you're composing yourself. "Maybe I could start by asking if you've got a boyfriend?"

Well, so much for composing yourself.

Your wide eyes look at him scandalized, and he giggles at the sight of it. "I- uh, no, I mean no I don't have one, to be honest-" you laugh a bit nervously. "-guys don't.. I- most guys don't really look my way, you know. So I thought, you know, considering-" you motion up and down towards him, "-you'd be more interested in my friend." you ramble, and he just shakes his head, smiling.

"I mean, she seems nice- but, I don't know either." he shrugs. "Something about you- it's hard to explain."

You shift a little on the spot now, unsure what to do in a situation like this. Typically, you shut down guys quickly, scared of what's to come. But you also don't want to keep doing exactly that- not when you've got the chance of something right in front of you like that. For the first time, someone's actively interested in you. Someone who seems nice, that is.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, by the way." Jungkook suddenly rips out of your thoughts. He leans back again, giving you space, and it makes you feel a little deflated. Did you blow it already? Oh god you screwed it over, didn't you?

"No, you're not, don't worry." you say, looking down. "I just.. I'm not used to this. I'm usually always the wingman instead- or.. Wing-woman?" you think, and he laughs.

"Hard to believe, but I'll take your word for it." he says, still friendly. "So, I'm wondering- any tattoos? Piercings?" he wonders, and you nod- instantly making his eyes sparkle in interest. "Oh- can I ask what it is, or do you want to let me find out later?" he says, and you instantly turn red, making him laugh. "Sorry, sorry- I'll stop, promise." he waves off. "..for now."

You laugh at his antics, unable to keep a straight face by now. "You seem like you know your way around with girls." you say without thinking, before you hurriedly correct yourself. "I-I mean I don't mean that your like, a fuckboy or something or- maybe you are that's fine too! I don't judge but- oh god.." you put your head in your hand. "You know what? I'll just wait here for her, I'm so sorry." you mumble more or less.

But much to your surprise, he simply laughs, head thrown back for a second before he grins at you, front teeth slightly protruding, giving him a bunny smile.

"You're so cute, I swear." he says, shaking his head. "I- is it okay if I ask for your number?" he wonders, and you look at him for a good moment, squinting your eyes as if you test to see if he's serious.

"I.. Sure..?" you say, pulling out your phone with all the different charms attached. He grins and shakes his head amused, though clearly excited as you type in your number into his phone before calling yourself to make sure it's correct.

"So!" he grins. "Since your friend is gonna still be out of order for a good four hours downstairs," Jungkook stands up to hold out his hand. "You up for some boba for our first date?" he asks, looking down at you even though you're standing as well by now.

And you nod, walking next to him through the slight October fog outside in town, his hand warming up yours.

You don't even realize how.. easy it feels, right away. His hand holding yours is not demanding, giving you the option to let go at any point, but you don't mind holding it. It's warm, comfortable, and it also makes you wonder if that's something he enjoys. Did he date a lot already? He certainly looks like he got the choice, girls probably falling for him fairly easily.

Well.. you're already trusting him too. How ironic.

"Just tell me which one you want, I'll go order." he says later, holding out a hand in case you lose balance as you clean off the rain from your boots as to not bring it all into the small store. "I'll pay too by the way, no but's!" he grins, while you look up at him with a pleading look.

"No, I'll give you the money back for mine." you say.

"But then it's not a date!" he argues back, a whine in his voice as if to mock the way you just spoke to him. "then it's just- two people getting a drink at the same time."

"what's so bad about that?" you laugh, crossing your arms without thinking- an action he playfully copies, pushing out his chest, fabric of his jacket stretching over his biceps.

"That it's not a date!" he says, before laughing as he relaxes, talking more quietly now with a lower, more serious tone. "Alright, in all seriousness though, I'd still like to pay even if there's no date." he tells you.

"I- no, a date is fine, it can be a date.." you say. "I just don't want to.. Come off as a leech for taking your money if you end up not liking me-" you ramble, and he smiles warmly, holding your shoulders before his warm palms touch your cheeks for a second.

"You're overthinking too much." he giggles, before letting go of you. "right now, I like you very much. And even if we don't end up working out, I'm not that kind of guy to go around and talk shit about people." he shrugs.

You sigh at that, before pointing towards an item on the menu. "..can you- I don't like that much ice in mine.?" you say, and he nods, before walking towards the worker to order.

He's oddly okay with you, you've noticed.

Normally, people and especially guys get frustrated easily due to the fact that you've got trouble deciding things, or that you don't like ordering, or that you quickly feel bad because your brain thinks the worst about every single word that's said to you. But he seems nice enough, doesn't come off as annoyed or anything. Despite his way of talking and his outer appearance, Jungkook feels nice to have around.

You wonder how a guy like him can be single.

Or maybe he isnt? Maybe he's into the BDSM scene, a swinger, or in an open relationship, and he just want to offer you a threesome? He looks like he might be into that stuff, like a dominant guy that enjoys taking control over his partner in the bedroom. Does he tie people up? You've seen stuff like that before, and it's not something you'd be opposed to if he'd be the one to-

Wow, alright, exit was three miles ago.

"Everything alright?" he chuckles, snapping you out of your thoughts, amusing him as he notices the way you turn red. "Been staring at my ass? Can't blame you, honestly." he jokes, making you hit his shoulder playfully before you take your plastic cup from him. "Hey, this might sound super shady and you don't have to say yes-" he starts, stepping out the small store with you where it had started to snow again. "-but I've got my apartment a few minutes from here, and it's freezing cold, so-" he takes your hand and looks down at you. "-you wanna go to my place?"

You're nervous now, more than ever. Thoughts are entertaining, they're safe and most of all yours and not real, but the prospect of potentially going into an apartment you don't know, with a guy you don't know, is scary. What if he's actually a serial killer, or really into BDSM and you'll get involved in some shady fifty shades stuff-

"-you really don't have to say yes. We can just go back to the Tattoo shop and talk there, I don't mind." he reassures, and you still don't answer. "What's worrying you? Maybe I can help."

"I-" you start, unsure, and fingers already hurting from the cold cup as you both walk outside the small store, walking side by side. You enjoy this a bit more- without holding his hand, you feel safer having a discussion like that. "-you know, guys only take girls to their place for.. Stuff, and I'm not like that, but I also kind of want to be but at the same time it's scary-"

"Hey, no, I'm not out for blood if you mean that." he chuckles, holding out his arm to make sure you wait until a car has passed the road you're both trying to cross. "Like, I'm not gonna lie and say I've never had one-night-stands or quickies or whatever, but right now I'm interested in you, first and foremost." he explains, his rather blunt words causing an elderly lady to turn her head scandalized as she walks past. "Also, I'm into begging. I'll only fuck you if you ask nicely." he smirks down at you next to him, before laughing out loud at your wide eyes and red ears.

"I-" you struggle to form words. But you're also horribly cold. "Alright then. I mean not the fucking part, at least not right now maybe sometime in the fut- where was your apartment again?" you stutter, and he grins so hard his eyes almost close.

"You're so fucking cute, my god." he shakes his head, before taking your hand again. "It's right down this road." he simply tells you, before you both find yourself in front of an apartment building where he takes you upstairs to his door. "Ah, I didn't clean up, by the way. It's a bit chaotic." he sheepishly offers, before the door opens.

It's warm, inviting. Doesn't smell bad, and it's not as chaotic as he told you it would be, Jungkook walking inside before you walk around, inspecting the apartment.

"I've put your boots in my shower, in case you're wondering where they are." he says after emerging from his bathroom, opening a window a little to air out the apartment. "make yourself at home, don't be so stiff." he chuckles, smiling when you visibly relax.

He sits close to you on the couch, but keeps a respectful distance between the two of you. He watches as you inspect a hole in a blanket he's got on the couch, shrugging. "My friend has a dog. Small little shit tore a hole in there, but it's still good so I keep the blanket."

"It's an easy fix." you say. "If you take those two parts of the yarn and then those, you can just tie them together so it doesn't rip open any further." you explain, and he tilts his head a little.

"Oh? Do you knit?" he wonders, and you nod.

"I.. My hobbies are kind of lame. I knit, and I help at the shelter a little away from the town. Other than that, I just.. Kind of exist in my apartment." you tell him. "I work at a library near the main train station. So, I'm not really interesting." you say, while he shakes his head.

"Don't say that. I think that's all pretty cool." he reassures. "Sounds like you've made a cozy life for yourself. That's pretty impressive considering today's times." he says. "I've always been.. Unsatisfied. With almost everything." he shrugs, leaning back, socked feet resting on the edge of his couch you're both sitting on.

"How so?" you wonder, taking a sip from your drink, before putting it back onto the small table.

"I don't know." he explains vaguely. "I guess I always had way too big dreams and aspirations. And now that I'm at that age I back then wanted to be, I feel like I wasted all my time with nothing but short-lived successes and people who only wanted me for the moment."

"Kind of.. Reminds me of myself." you giggle. "I.. When I was young, even a teenager, I always said I won't have kids. But these days, I kind of think, in the future I want them. Not right now, but one day. I wanna have a family and stuff, live in a house and have a dog and a cat and a husband and all that." you giggle. "like I said, not right now- but in the future."

"Hmhm. I never wanted to marry either. Thought that's just bullshit." he says. "But now, after seeing some of my friends have that, I'm envious. I want that too. A partner for life, I mean. A boring life." he says.

You hum a reply, nodding to yourself, a bit of quietness falling over the both of you, before he moves again, sitting down more comfortably turned towards you.

"I.. Would really like to get to know you. Seriously, I mean." he starts explaining. "Like I said, I.. Don't know what it is exactly, but you're.. Fuck you make me all weird." he laughs. "I wanna stay in contact with you, if you'd like. We could watch a movie? Only Netflix, no deep-throating during commercial breaks, promise!" he jokes, before adding, "..except if you're up for it." he giggles when you hide your face for a good second, laughing.

"I don't even know how to do that!" you laugh, making him raise his eyebrows while playing with his lip ring.

"Oh I can teach you, don't worry about that." he teases.

"I'm sure you can.." you mumble more or less, sipping on your drink. But your sentence seems to make him curious, eyes gaining a challenging glimmer as he leans forward.

"No no no, let's rewind a bit there." he says. "Just so I know where I'm at. You a virgin?" he wonders, and you pull your legs closer to yourself.

"..no." you shrug. "But.. I highly doubt I'm as adventurous as you." you tell him, making Jungkook smirk a little, as if challenged.

"Are you? What do you think I'm into then?" he wonders. "I've got a feeling you've made up your mind about me more than I thought."

"I mean, I don't know?" you say. "You.. It's not that hard to have more experience than me. I only had sex like.. Twice, and it's honestly not really for me." you shrug. "it's weird to.. Ugh I don't know."

"No, you do know, you just don't want to say it out loud." he clears up for you, making you nod. "Did you ever have an orgasm?"

"Jungkook!" you bark out scandalized, making him raise his hands in playful defense.

"What? You gotta ask these days, men are shit in bed most of the time, I have to admit that!" he laughs, shamelessly talking about this as if it's nothing but the weather outside. "So? Did you?" he wonders, and you shrug. "So you didn't?"

"I- don't know!" you say, a little glad you can finally talk to someone about it, hesitation finally breaking as you get the chance to make your frustration some room. "It's different when I do it myself. Like, then I'm pretty sure I have one? But when I had sex it was different, like I was almost kind of there but also not.." you lean your head on the backrest of his couch.

"Sounds like you didn't then." he tells you. "See, there's women out there who can't cum from penetration at all. The key ingredient is being fucking attentive." he explains. "I got more than just my dick, is what I'm trying to tell." he says, wiggling his fingers in front of his face, several rings adoring some of them- and you laugh.

"You sound like you're trying to get me to have sex with you right now." you joke, but he just shrugs his shoulders, tongue poking against his cheek for a moment.

"I'd fuck you any day you'd let me." he simply answers, eyes on yours. "After all, I gotta check out those tattoos you said you have." he flirts, and you move around a little, air between you both getting thicker. At this point, you can't deny the attraction. And with the way he talks and treats you, you're sure you'd let him prove his point as well. Right now. No regrets.

He notices the way your eyes fall to his lips, getting attached at the silver piercings there for a good moment, before you find his warm eyes again. And even though he really did not intent to be so forward so fast, he still scoots closer, tests the waters, places his arms on either side of you before the tip of his nose almost touches yours.

"Been wondering for a while now.." he starts, licking his lips before he looks down to yours, face tilting a bit as he looks at you. "..what flavor that lipgloss might be." he jokes, before he can't help himself.

You've not been kissed often in your life, not even in relationships. But you know for a fact that there's no experience comparable to the way he kisses you- not only his lips, but also his hands craving you it seems, making you feel completely under his spell. He's not just kissing you with his lips. He's using his hands, his tongue, knows clearly how to create a moment.

Your phone rings.

His rings soon after.

He laughs- and so do you.

It's a little awkward for a second, before he sends a message informing his coworker that you're on your way back, his grin still evident, never vanishing it seems. "so..?" you wonder having stood up to go grab your coat.

"So?" he parrots back, standing up as well to walk closer to you.

"What flavor is it?" you shyly try and flirt, and he laughs, leaning down to kiss you again, just a peck, and another, and just one last one before he parts with laughter.

"I'd say cherry-" he grins, watching you tie your boots in his hallway before he cages you in at his front door again the second you stand back up, unable to resist you now that you gave him the chance to taste you.

"But let me make sure I got it right."

[toad-bread]

Reader gets hurt

Paring- Enhypen Hyung line x Female Reader

Summary: You get hurt

Warnings ⚠️: Mentions of reader getting hurt, teasing, getting burn, falling down

Wc: 719

 Heeseung

You were getting something from the closet okay?

You didn’t know that it was gonna be hard for you-

Anyway you were climbing boxes and stuff cause this particular closet is just a dump site 🤩

Grabbing the thing you need, unfortunately you fell down. I mean the sturdy box filled with hard items wouldn’t stable you or hurt you in the process, right?

Haha, you are wrong! You slipped apparently when going out of the closet and ended up stabbing your knee into the boxes when falling down 🤕

That must HURT! 

But your hero came to save the day! Heeseung came up stairs and immediately carried you to the bedroom where he grabs all the medical items for your knee

He scolded you slightly and hugged you after he finished bandaging you up <3

Cuddles and kisses after HAHAH

Jay

You wanted to cook something for Jay! Because he always makes delicious meals for you!

You decided to make soup 👍

Getting excited you decided to rush because he texted you that he is headed home.

The soup you made tasted wonderful 🤩

Turing the stove off you grabbed bowls for you and Jay

AND right when you turned around to scoop up the soup you took forever on, you knocked it right off the stove…

Which of course burned you during the process 

I swear, you screamed so loud that your neighbors might hear, which they did 😀

Wincing due to the pain from your arm and hand you had to clean up the mess.

Man, you haven't even put the soup in the bowls yet 😭 

Right when you were cleaning the soup, Jay walked in on you crouching down with your arm as red as blood.

Jay immediately put the picture together and pulled you away from the mess to help you with your burn 

He didn’t lightly scold you like Heeseung, no no, he scolded and lectured you while tending you.

Of course you felt even more bad, but Jay apologized and helped you and made a quick meal before spending time with each other after 👏

Jake

You and Jake went to the park and you decided to climb the playground because deep inside you are a child ☠️

It’s ok because Jake is one too!!!! 

You two were playing tag until both of you went to rough, which basically means that you both where running like a cheetah ���

But he was faster and pushed you which ended you to tumble through a bush-

Jake screamed from your sudden fall to the bush and helped you up.

Pouting at him you held your elbow which now has scratches and dirt on it

He insisted on calling the hospital 

You refused and you just said you wanted to go home and wash up

He nodded like a puppy and he gave you a piggyback for some reason 🧍

Jake???? Hello? It’s the elbow-

You both were laughing on the way home which totally made you forgot that you were in pain 😀

Sunghoon

You and Sunghoon both went to the mall for fun and you both were laughing like maniacs-

I swear, people were looking when you both were laughing at a tree-

ANYWAY, It was a funny day and you decided it was time to head home after a long day

Both of you encountered stairs to get out of the mall (uh oh)

You couldn’t stop laughing at Sunghoon’s jokes to the point you were crying- until you actually felt like crying when you slipped and fell down some flights of stairs. 

Groaning from the pain from your bottom, you heard a familiar voice

Sunghoon was teasing and mocking you playful when you fell down the stairs 

UHM SUNGHOON, NOT THE TIME RN

Of course you felt upset and hurt soooo you pouted at him while wiping your tears

Hoonie stopped and apologized for hurting your feelings and embraced you while whispering encouraging words to you and only you 

Smiling at his words you hugged him while he picked you up while carrying you down the rest of the stairs

Thanking him, you pecked his lips and held his hand while walking to the convenience store to get ice cream and snacks

And Sunghoon will buy them 🎉 

I havent even realized from my other posts that I spelled Heeseung wrong 🤡💀😭 I’ve only now noticed it, I’m so stupid-

[spittingbloodandscreaming]

Sorry!! I forgot to tag the original post and. EUGH. Anyway!! I cannot tell you how much I love this ask!! Such a nice break from the absolute depravity in my asks right now. I really hope you like it <3

New Bro(mance) (Ray Toro x Mikey Way)

No warnings!! Just strange little gay men!!

Ray is invited to Frank’s house to have dinner and meet some long time friends of his, and he’s excited! Well, mostly. His nerves were beginning to get the best of him on the way over. What if he messes up the first impression? What if they can read minds and he thinks something embarrassing in front of them? These were all genuine, albeit very irrational thoughts going through Ray’s head as he knocked on the front door. Normally, he’d just walk in, but he didn’t want to seem weird. Of Course, frank greets him at the door and telling him how glad he is that he could make it.

As he walks into the living room Ray's unsurprised to see Frank's two friends, who he'd been previously told were Gerard and Mikey Way. Gerard stands near the armchair in the corner, particularly focused on the commercial on the giant box TV Frank has in the livingroom.

Mikey, though, is sat on one side of the couch, mildly zoned out and staring at the carpet. Ray clears his throat,trying to find the words to introduce himself, but Gerard beats him to it.

“Oh, Ray, right?” Gerard smiles. His voice is very distinctive, it suits his face.

“Yeah,” Ray smiles in return, looking over to the younger of the two, who now seemed to be paying extra attention to Ray, who in return awkwardly waved before moving to sit down on the opposite side of the couch. Ray moves his hands up and down his jeans, unsure of what to do until Frank pops into the entryway.

“Glad to see everyone’s getting along! I’m just gonna be in the kitchen for a bit, y’know, in case you need anything.” Frank doesn’t seem to pick up on Ray’s discomfort as he stays in place for an extra few seconds, before turning back into the kitchen. Gerard excitedly invites himself along, leaving Ray and Mikey to sit in silence next to each other. Absolutely epic hangout.

The room stays quite aside from the murmuring on TV and the slight sound of dishes that can be heard from the kitchen. Ray sighs, looking around the living room and trying to think of ways to start a conversation, but again, he’s beaten to it. “Play any instruments?” Mikey says plainly, looking at Ray, but not making eye contact. Ray, on the other hand, is looking intensely at Mikey, almost studying his facial features. He’s.. really cute, Ray thinks. He only realizes he was asked a question when Mikey looks up at him weird.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah I play guitar.” Ray looks away, face flushing just a bit as he puts a hand on the back of his neck briefly before deciding that that’s a weird thing to do.

Mikey smiles just a bit, picking lightly at the seams in the couch upholstery as he speaks. “Cool. I uhm, I play bass.” Ray just nods, going back to looking anywhere but at Mikey. Not at all because he didn’t like him, is the thing. Ray thought he might like Mikey a little more than socially appropriate for new-potential-bros.

Ray turns his head almost entirely to the side before stuttering into a sentence. “I think you seem really cool, by the way,” Ray says in a voice that’s Almost timid. He doesn’t notice the hand creeping closer to his on the couch cushion next to him.

Mikey inches his hand closer to Ray’s, eventually ending up on top of it. It’s… kind of like hand holding. Hand holding adjacent, if you will. “Oh, thanks. You too.” Ray’s eyes widen as he glances over to Mikey’s hand on his. He really, really likes that.

“Is this okay?” Mikey doesn’t look at Ray as he speaks. Ray doesn’t look at Mikey.

“Yeah.”

[primofate]

Genshin x fem!reader [Volleyball Team AU - Inspired by Haikyuu!] He introduces S/O to the team

Before you read this, might be a good idea to read the introduction first. To give you the whole low-down of the team and their dynamicsssss.

Other works in the Volleyball Team AU Series: Click Here

Scenario: You and him have been dating for a while now. Why does the team not know and what’s their reaction in finding out/when he introduces you?

Warnings: AU if that’s not your thing then don’t read, not proofread...as usual.

#1 Zhongli (Captain/Wing Spiker/Ace)

You’ve been dating for nearly 5 months at this point. Beforehand the two of you were close friends. So the team kind of already knew you guys were close, but you’d never met the team properly.

It’s not that he was HIDING your relationship, its that he didn’t want to pressure you into meeting his team. They could really be an overwhelming bunch of high schoolers sometimes.

As it happens he walks to the gym hand in hand with you one day, his other hand on his duffel sports bag, thinking that he’d be the earliest one there as always. 

But when he slides the gym doors open his WHOLE TEAM greets him “CAPTAIN!” and then there’s an awkward silence that descends as they all catch him with his hand intertwined with yours.

KAEYA AND TARTAGLIA LOSES IT. “C-Captain, you had a girlfriend and didn’t tell us?!” “You finally made a move on her?!” “S’about time!”

Needless to say they both get knocked on the head by Zhongli’s fist. 

Zhongli sighs and turns to you apologetically but you say that you don’t mind meeting them. He perks up and claps his hands to ask his team to line up.

They do so diligently. Kaeya, Tartaglia and Thoma are giddy while looking at you. Xiao and Kazuha have their mouth slightly agape as if you’re some kind of rare species. Diluc and Albedo stare you down. 

You introduce yourself as Zhongli’s gilrfriend and as you do so Tartaglia’s eyes dart towards Zhongli who has a slightly shy expression on his face. 

“Oh, oh question time!” Thoma raises his hand “Does the captain secretly eat sweets behind our back?” You haven’t even answered when Kaeya asks “Does the captain ever glare at you (he mimics Zhongli’s face) and say 10 Push ups NOW!” Surprisingly Diluc raises his hand too “...Is the captain strict with you too?”

Zhongli gets irked the more questions are asked and he finally steps in with an ominous presence. “10 laps around the gym...NOW!” 

He apologizes to you again but you reassure him it’s totally fine and they all seem like such fun. 

#2 Diluc (Vice Captain/Wing Spiker/Defense Specialist)

The vice captain is a very secretive guy.

Not even his brother knew.

It’s not that he was ashamed of you, he just liked his privacy and you already knew that. 

But there was this one time where he forgot his textbooks under his desk and you had to go and give it to him while he was at practice.

Shyly looking into the door the first one that spots you is Albedo.

“...Do you need something?” you tense up at Albedo’s question and shakily hand him the textbooks.

“U-Uhm... D-Diluc’s...”

Albedo tilts his head and turns to shout at the team. “Someone’s looking for the vice captain,”

Everyone stops what they’re doing and snaps there head towards you.

Diluc jogs over, sweat still fresh on his forehead. Without thinking he takes the books from you, small smile on his face and thanks you.

The rest of his team freezes up all thinking: “Hold on, is he...SMILING?”

You’re oblivious to them staring and give him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving. When Diluc turns back his team is glaring daggers at him, he stares back at them. Doesn’t say anything, and continues practice.

No one is brave enough to ask him about it.

Tartaglia whispers to Kaeya “You didn’t know about it either huh?”

#3 Kaeya (Middle Blocker)

This MF would talk about you whenever he had the chance.

Y/N this, Y/N that, Y/N is so cute. 

Frankly the team is kinda tired of it. 

But when you finally visit one of their practices the team levels their gaze at you and think “Oh shit, he wasn’t lying, she is actually cute,”

Sees his teammates expression and brags even more. “I know what y’all are thinking. You’re thinking, OH! She’s actually really cute! Hm?”

Slings an arm around you shamelessly with a grin. “Back off boys, I’ll block all your attempts,”

Diluc is the one that walks up to you and you blink at him. Kaeya blinks at him, confused as well.

Diluc suddenly bows, “I feel sorry for you but please take care of him,”

The rest of the team either bursts out laughing or snickers behind their hand.

Their vice captain is low key savage

#4 Albedo (Setter)

The team finds out about you cause when they finish practice they find you waiting outside the gym.

Kazuha asks politely while the others look on “Are you lost?”

You straighten up and stutter a little, “Ah, uh, no, I’m...” You’re at a loss for words. 

Then Albedo suddenly appears from the gym doors and sees you. “Ah, were you waiting long? Sorry,”

Thoma tilts his head in question. “Albedo...Your sister?”

Albedo at this point was standing next to you already. “...No, my girlfriend,” like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Everyone is stunned into statues.

“H-How did you get one before me?” Tartaglia looks as if his soul had been sucked out of his body.

“Next time you can just come inside and wait inside the gym, it’s dark out here,” their responsible captain suggests and you’re amazed at his kindness and bow at him with a thank you.

Albedo doesn’t see what’s the big deal and just grabs your hand and starts walking away.

#5 Tartaglia (Middle Blocker/Wing Spiker)

The team already knew since the first date. It’s because he.would.not.shut.up.about.it

That particular day at practice his spikes were a tad bit stronger than usual.

“Oi... you’re getting too excited...” Xiao mumbles at him. Tartaglia just grins and scratches the back of his head. “Aaaahhhh... I can’t help it, I’m so nervous for my date with Y/N!”

A few more dates later he starts showing off his phone wallpaper to the others. It’s a picture of you and him.

Kaeya tries to piss him off by saying, “Huh, we’ve never actually seen her in person. Maybe it’s photoshopped,” The others snicker.

Is so pissed, asks you to come immediately.

You thought it was an emergency so you come into the gym with a worried look on your face only to be hugged tight into his chest. “See? See? She’s totally real and totally cute!”

Albedo crosses his arms and blinks, then looks at Kaeya “...You totally baited him, he’s such a simpleton.”

Kaeya responds with a smirk “Right?”

#6 Kazuha (Decoy/Middle Blocker/Wing Spiker)

The most formal out of all of them and even tells them seriously that he had an announcement to make.

Next day he comes into practice with you in tow.

Properly introduces you as his girlfriend. 

Everyone is wide-eyed at how official it feels. Then you suddenly take out a big container of fruits and tell everyone it’s for them (The captain doesn’t allow sweets, he thinks it’ll fatten them up or some crap.)

EVERYONE IS BLESSED BY YOUR PRESENCE and Kazuha is just enjoying you getting along with them.

Kaeya and Tartaglia try to whisper and bribe you into making cookies for them. 

Albedo and Xiao stares at Kazuha thinking ‘If someone like you can get a girlfriend, we can get one too, right?’

You offer to come back next time with more fruits and some secret cookies.

#7 Xiao (Libero)

Tried to keep it a secret because he knows his team will make a fuss about it.

The team finds out when his phone suddenly starts ringing in the middle of practice and he asks for a timeout to pick it up.

“Mm... Yeah... I’ll pick you up when I finish,” Everyone starts nudging each other when they hear him talk to you in an unusually calm and soft tone. So different from when he plays volleyball and gets angry at them.

By this point everyone tries to keep quiet and enlarge their ears to eavesdrop.

“Idiot... I won’t be late. I promised to take you out didn’t I?” 

Hearing their tsundere libero say something so sweet makes everyone combust.

When he turns back everyone is staring at him with smirks on their faces. “Hey, why not just ask her to come here?” Kaeya sneakily suggests.

Xiao blushes “A-As if I’d let her near you bumbling fools!”

He was worried it would scare you away, actually.

#8 Tohma (Pinch Server/Middle Blocker)

Literally no one is surprised he has a girlfriend.

It would be MORE of a surprise if he DIDN’T have one.

But they find out cause he left his phone out on the bench one day and there’d been a text message while Xiao was conveniently sitting on the bench.

“...Tohma, someone me--” Xiao looks at the screen where the message ‘I love you!’ is clearly written.

Xiao is so curious but is not gunna admit it so he nudges Kaeya or Tartaglia who might be sitting next to him and secretly motions over to the phone.

They read it and ask in a real loud voice “Oi Tohma! Who’s Y/N? They said I love you!” 

Tohma laughs nervously and since it’s already out he might as well introduce you. 

“This is my princess,” he says when you enter the gym to walk home with him that afternoon. You bow and introduce yourself and everyone looks at you thinking... “Ah, they look like the perfect domestic couple,”

Low-key everyone is jealous of how you dote on him.

Hello Hello! Technically this could be counted as fluff, but I understand that not everyone is fond of AUs, so, if you don’t mind being tagged to something like this, please fill in the survey again (I’ve added AU as an option, just click that one if you’ve signed up for the others before!)

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[guardianofthepeanutwrites]

Skirts and dresses Part 4

Part1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 5

Tag list: @purplefreakwolffish  @mayucerise​

This chapter is for @sarcastich​​ and @starkeraddictbaby​

Thanks to Gypsywoman13 for beta-reading!

CW: genderfluid Loki, Kinda asshole Thor

PeterParkerBingo2021: square Pet Names (card below)

Thor & Loki

Because Peter had been fairly young when he moved inside the compound, they had put his room next to Tony’s quarters since he was the one in charge of their youngest member. Then one day a door appeared in the middle of his room, connecting it to the Stark’s private quarters. They had a long discussion about boundaries: “Ask before putting doors in my bedroom” and “don’t threaten people because they hurt me” etc. Tony had argued it was easier (it was, but that was not the question) because they spend more and more time together. Which was true. 

Tony and Pepper had started to teach Peter some things about business practice. They took him to smaller meetings and introduced him as Tony’s intern; it suited Peter very much. That, plus his patrols, as well as other Avenger business, like training, and his new business classes...Peter was now even busier than he already was.

Except on Sundays. Sundays were days Peter could rest, sleep, visit his aunt May, hang with Ned and MJ, and watch movies with Bucky the other Avengers.

Every Sunday morning, before leaving their quarters, Peter and Tony would eat the most decadent brunch that Peter would let Tony buy him. From all the changes that happened in his life since he got adopted by Tony Stark, Sunday brunches were certainly Peter’s favorites. He loved those calm moments with the man that he admired so much. He also loved that he could put on whatever clothes he wanted because FRIDAY would only let people in the know enter.

That Sunday, they were finishing their meal when Steve entered. He briefly stopped at the soft pink hoodie, gray and pink plaid skirt, and long white socks Peter was wearing before dismissing it and greeting the two men.

“So, Steve, what can we do for you?” Tony asked, forgoing the pleasantries. Peter knew Tony hated being interrupted during Sunday brunches, and saw that Steve started to move from one leg to the other, a bit nervous. Peter frowned.

“Oh, I-I mean, I wanted to apologize for-” Peter tried to interrupt Steve, he had told him many times that Steve was forgiven, but the man was stubborn and didn’t let him talk. “I know, you already told me, but I- I made this for you.” Steve gave Peter a piece of paper. 

On the paper was a beautiful drawing of Peter in the purple dress that he had been wearing when Steve had discovered his secret. Peter was startled out of his stunned silence when his dad gently took the paper from his hands.

Tony simply whistled when he saw the drawing. “Aunt Peggy had told me you could draw, Rogers, but this is something else.” Steve looked at Tony, in shock.

“Au-Aunt Peggy? But you-you weren’t-” 

Tony snorted, irked. “I went to her grave later, Rogers, because there was an emergency, and if there was something Aunt Peggy could understand, it was emergencies. She was Howard’s friend, and my godmother.” Peter, who had been told the story, silently stroked his dad’s back in support as he continued. “We also fought a lot when you came back.” Steve opened his mouth to speak, but Tony didn’t let him. “Not that it’s any of your business, Capsicle, but who do you think covered the truth about Howard’s death? Who do you think had enough power for that? Peggy Carter. She let me think my father killed my mom because he was a fucking alcoholic.”

Steve looked as if he had swallowed a lemon, grimacing. “I didn’t know. I am sorry, Tony.”

Tony lifted his hand. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” He lifted the paper with Steve’s drawing on it, looking at it pensively. “You’re very talented. We should make you an art studio. There is an empty room with great lighting.” Tony turned to Peter to watch him. “What d’you think kid? Wanna design it?” 

Peter felt excited to be offered this opportunity; he nodded with way too much enthusiasm. It made Tony smile, proud.

“You’re gonna make some blueprints, and we will see with the Captain what he needs and likes. No, Cap, don’t argue, it will be good training for the kid. Now, Steve, if you don’t mind, I was having brunch with my kid.”

Peter only had 30 seconds to thank Steve for the drawing and promise him he would make the best art studio there was before Steve left. After Brunch, Peter framed the drawing and put it on his shelf with the piece of his first skirt and the picture of his dad in a dress.

--

Later that day, while Peter and Tony were looking at a movie, before heading out for a diner with Aunt May, someone crashed into their quarters through the window.

Tony was ready to fight in seconds; his watch changed into a piece of armor around his right fist, while his left arm pushed Peter behind him, only to find that it was Thor, son of Odin, that had crashed on the ground. Peter couldn’t help but find it kind of cute that his dad would try to protect Peter with his body when Peter could take the most damage.

“For fuck’s sake, Point Break, what the ever-loving fuck?” Tony let the gauntlet recede back into his watch and put his hand on his heart. “I have a heart condition, you know? And we have doors. FRI, baby, tell everyone in the compound there is no immediate emergency. Put the compound in code orange until further notice,” Tony turned to look at Peter, seeing the pink skirt, the hoodie, and the panicked glances his kid was giving, then added, “Tell them there is no need to come and lock the quarters immediately.” 

Peter relaxed some and started to play with the hem of his skirt. 

“I apologize, Man of Iron. It seems like I missed the door.” Thor stood up from where he had crashed, and he opened his arms to hug Tony. “It has been too long my friend. How are you doing?” Tony frowned, but he let the god hug him. 

After they separated, Tony started to give instructions to FRIDAY for the reparations while Thor turned to look at Peter. There were a few seconds where Thor paused to take in how Peter was dressed before he widened his eyes.

Before Peter could react, Thor bowed deeply before speaking. “Good day, Lady Peter.” 

Peter winced. Why would he be a lady? Just because he was wearing a skirt?

“I-I, no, Thor. I-I am a man.” Peter hated how his voice shivered. 

Thor righted himself, beaming at Peter as if nothing had just happened. “Good, how are you doing Man of Spiders?” 

Peter looked at the god, completely lost by what had just happened. “I-I am fine? Thank you, mister Thor,” Peter said with a small voice. 

The god nodded happily. “I am happy to hear that.” Thor promptly turned to Tony. “Man of Iron, I am in great need of a favor.” 

Tony scowled looking at the damage. “Is it more important than repairing the hole in my wall?” 

Thor’s face became serious in a blink, making Peter shiver. “I am afraid it is really important, my friend,” Thor said in a deep voice. 

--

The meeting had been going on for hours, and Peter was exhausted. 

Thor wanted their help to get some information out of his brother Loki. The Asgardians had a reason to think that Loki hadn’t been the one behind the invasion and could even have been a victim of the scepter like Barton and the others, but Loki wouldn’t talk. Thor hoped that maybe someone on Earth could help them because they had tried everything.

The news was welcomed by an uproar, led by Hawkeye and Fury, and had calmed down after Thor had explained that if his fears were correct, there was something worse coming to Earth. He also promised that they wouldn’t need to bring Loki for them to interrogate him and that there was a magic mirror they could use to talk to him.

It was decided the mirror would be locked in Tony’s lab, the most secure room at the compound.

However, they all forgot Peter had unlimited access to the room.

--

The first time Peter saw Loki, Peter was walking along the glass walls of the main lab. He could see Natasha and Maria Hill looking frustrated at a mirror. In the mirror, there was a gorgeous woman with long, raven black hair; she had piercing green eyes, green lipstick, and she was wearing a stunning, black leather dress. 

If Peter hadn’t been gay, and stupidly in love attracted to Bucky, he knew that he could have fallen for this beautiful lady.

Then his brain started to work again and realization clicked: The woman was Loki. Loki was wearing (and rocking) a dress. He looked like a woman, but how? When she/he/the God of Mischief saw Peter, they winked. Peter startled and simply walked faster to the B-Lab where Bruce was waiting for him.

--

Peter couldn’t get Loki out of his mind. The God didn’t look uncomfortable wearing a dress or looking like a woman in front of his enemies. 

After some days, Peter decided to go to the main source of information about Loki: Thor.

“Oh, yes, Loki sometimes, uhm, switches? Mother always said to respect the gender he looks like, but you know that Loki is my brother, so it was difficult at first.” Thor massaged his neck, uneasy. “But then, Loki started to play vicious pranks on the people who would call him a man when he was dressed like a woman. So, I learned to, uh, call Loki a lady when he wears a dress.”

And then Peter understood. “That's why you called me a lady the other day!” 

Thor nodded. “But luckily you don’t ask me to call you a woman.” 

Peter frowned. “Why do you say luckily? I mean, I don’t think there is anything wrong with asking someone to call you a woman if… you feel like a woman?” Thor, confused, looked at Peter and was about to reply, but Tony (since when had he been in the room?) answered first, making Peter and Thor startle.

“No, there is nothing wrong, Peter. Loki is genderfluid, which means that they don’t identify themself as having a fixed gender.” Tony, who was at the door, walked into the room and up to Peter. “We asked Loki and he said you could use the pronouns depending on what he looks like. It’s easier because Loki is a shifter, and can change depending on his moods. But if you ever meet another genderfluid person, you can just ask them what gender they identify with at that moment.” 

Peter nodded. It made sense. 

Thor looked a bit crushed when he started to speak again. “So, it’s not only Loki?” Tony simply shook his head. “Oh. I think I need to talk to my br-Loki.” With those words, the god left the room.

--

Peter did some research about genders - Tony helped - and he concluded that he was a man that liked to cross-dress and that there was nothing wrong with that. Peter had felt very loved that his dad, who was always so busy, had taken the time to explain all of those terms to Peter until they found the ones that felt right.

But Peter was a curious person, and it was what led him to be bitten by a radioactive spider in the first place... Peter wanted to talk to Loki. He wanted to talk about the dress, and about being genderfluid. He knew that the god was not a good being, but Loki was already in prison. What could go wrong?

--

“The mighty Avengers are sending me a child, now? Interesting.” Loki’s bitter words made Peter flinch. Peter silently closed the door behind him, before he entered the lab.

“No. I- I mean, I am an Avenger, but they didn’t send me.” Peter nervously played with the plaid shirt he was wearing that day.

“Then why are you here?” 

Peter lifted his head and looked directly at Loki for the first time. He noted that Loki was in a male form. 

“I learned that you are genderfluid. I- I just wanted to talk.” 

Loki’s face softened a little bit. “Oh, yes. People of Midgard have been strangely open-minded about it.” His face then hardened again. “What do you want? Do you want to see the shift? Do you want me to become a female?” 

Peter winced. 

“What? No! Only if it’s what you want. But, no, who would want you to do that? You’re not some kind of animal.” Peter was horrified, just thinking about it. Loki huffed but said nothing, watching Peter with piercing eyes. Peter took a deep breath and gathered his courage. “I-I like to wear dresses. It is called cross-dressing here.” 

Loki looked at Peter like he was analyzing Peter’s very soul. “Why are you telling me this, human?” he seemed perplexed.

“I saw you in that dress the last time, and you were gorgeous. I mean, that dress, it looked like it had been made just for you.” Peter couldn’t contain the excitement in his voice. Loki raised an eyebrow, but Peter could see that he was fighting a smile.

“That would be because it was crafted for me. I am a prince of Asgard, little one.” The reply was unexpected, and Peter felt his eyes open with shock that was rapidly replaced by glee.

“Oh yes, my da- Mr. Stark let a tailor come to the tower, and he wanted to tailor some things, but I wasn't ready yet. Mr. Stark said that the man could come back later. ” 

Loki didn’t fight his smile this time.

“And why weren’t you ready, yet, dear?”

--

Peter and Loki talked a big part of the night until Peter started to yawn too much, then Loki sent him to his room. As days went on, after his patrol and doing some homework, Peter visited every night to talk about stuff with Loki.

--

“By the Norns! Dear Spider, why would you not simply tell the man that you want him?” Loki asked, sitting against the wall of his prison.

“What? No! He doesn’t feel that way about me,” Peter answered stubbornly while painting his nails with a green nail polish that had been approved by Loki.

“You won’t know until you try, dear.” Peter shrugged and changed the subject.

--

Of course, after a visit one night, they were discovered. While Tony and Natasha (and Bucky) hadn’t been really happy about it, there was nothing they could do or say to change Peter’s mind.

--

“You what?” Peter asked, dumbfounded.

“I stabbed the mongrel,” Loki answered, way too smugly if you asked Peter.

“Because he slapped your ass? Isn’t that a bit extreme?”

“Oh my sweet, sweet, little Spider. If you let men get away with unwanted touching, they will think it is alright to do it again and again. No one should dare touch a lady like that without consequences.” Loki played with the knife that had been in his hand since they started to talk that day.

“Yes, but still, Thor is your brother.” Peter never had had a sibling, but if he had, he wouldn’t have stabbed them, for sure.

“After that, neither Thor, nor any of the savages he called ‘friends’, ever touched me without my consent.” The smile Loki sent his way made Peter shiver.

“Yeah, ok, fair.” The god did heal fast, so Peter guessed that it was okay-ish.

--

Peter had been surprised when a raven had given Peter two identical letters one morning after breakfast. He was even more surprised when the letters ended up being Loki’s complete confession. One had been addressed to ‘The Mighty Avengers’ and the other to ‘Sweet Spider’. 

Loki explained how he had fallen into Thanos’ lap after the destruction of the rainbow bridge; he mentioned the torture, the scepter, and how the beating that the Hulk gave him had helped him evade his conditioning. He also laid out Thanos' strengths and weaknesses, including how and when to beat him.

At the end, Loki wrote that he would never have written his confession if it weren’t for Peter. 

Peter then took the last page, where Loki had drawn them both and had it framed to be placed on his beloved shelf.

[flowerwrites06]

crying petals — pjm

Plot: Jimins’ roommate confesses to him. 

Pairing(s): Jimin x OC (Name: Gaia)

Rating: G | PG | M | R 18+

Type: Drabble | Oneshot | Two Parter | Series

Word Count: 7k+

Genre: Roommate AU

Tags & Warnings: angst, suppressing feelings, explicit smut 

Authors Note: forgot to repost this lol 

Letting herself drown into a pool, throat suffocating with flowers and her mind swirling with uncontrollable jolts of need was never healthy. Even his scent as it lingered in the air, a strange mixture of cotton and vanilla began to haunt her in dreams as well in real life. It wasn’t healthy in the slightest.

Gaia tried to focus on her paintings, long hours spent staining her fingers and filling up canvas. All of them sketches of stupid plump lips and striking eyes that sucked you in. Lured you like a sailor to a siren. So she stopped painting people but then she made cotton plants, vanilla flowers and warm rays of sunshine gleaming down on them. A defeated sigh passed her lips, a curly tress escaping from her loose ponytail and hanging over her head.

“Pretty.” The raspy voice startled her for a moment but Gaia became far too good at hiding the way her heart jumped whenever he was near.

Jimin raked his fingers through his raven black hair and relaxed onto the couch next to her. “I like cotton flowers.” He leaned forward to take a closer look at the work.

“I know.” Gaia smiled faintly. Even as a metaphor, the painting looked so damn obvious.

“Is this my secret gift?”

She scoffed in a mocking tone. “Excuse me, this is for sale.”

Jimin parted his lips, feigning shock. “You’d make me pay for your artwork?”

Gaia hummed in response, a small cheeky glint in her eye. “Every cent.”

“That’s mean.”

“Tough luck, I need money.”

Jimin scoffed throwing his head back against the back of the couch with a wide grin unable to wipe off his face.

This was the most relaxed they ever were. In the rush of Gaia going to the gallery or Jimin rushing off to the agency, hardly any time saved up for them to just sit here in comfortable silence. Maybe this was a good time to tell him. Or the worst time ever if things went southward.

When was it ever a good time?

“Hey, Jimin?”

“Yeah?”

“I need to tell you something.”

Jimin turned his head a little but could only see half of her face so he simply admired the gorgeous curls tied in a ribbon behind her. “What is it?”

“Do—do you want to know the meaning of this painting?” Her stomach twisted, a confusing mix of excitement and anxiousness bubbling up inside her. Gaia wanted to turn back somehow. Change the meaning to make it lighthearted. But it was out now, her body and mind knew it. There was no turning back.

He sat up now keeping his eyes on the girl’s expression. “What’s the meaning?”

Her fingers hovered over the drying artwork, heart racing against her ribcages as she mulled over her words. “It’s us.”

“The flowers?”

“You like cotton flowers…I like vanilla flowers. It’s—us together under the sun.”

“That’s cute.” Jimin smiled down at the painting with a new found admiration.

Gaia stammered a little before attempting to give him a smile. God, why was this so hard?

“What’s wrong?” He tilted his head.

“I don’t know how to tell you.” She chuckled nervously. How was it still so nerve-wracking speaking to the man when he already knew so many of her other secrets? “The—the vanilla flower likes having cotton flower with it.”

“Right…”

Gaia sighed in defeat knowing the metaphors would stop making sense if she continued. “I like you, Jimin.”

Jimins’ expression softened, the smile fading into one more faint but true. “I like you too.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Her breathing grew ragged and shallow at this point, fingers trembling on her lap while her knees melted into jelly. Gaia wondered how much worse her body would react if she was looking right at him.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” Her heart pounded so hard, she worried her ribs might crack.

“Uh—” Jimin scratched the back of his head. “How—how long?”

“I don’t know…” Gaia raised her shoulders a little, glancing at the painting again. “…a couple of years.”

“Coup­l—” Jimin’s voice almost raised but he silenced himself quickly, resting back on the couch now. “…okay.” He lets out a deep breath. “Uhm…”

Silence drawled between them longer than Gaia could truly take. She shifted on the couch, desperately wanting to look over at the male and see what his reaction was but—she couldn’t move. It was like one of her dreams again. She just sat there and felt the cotton reach up to her neck, suffocating her until the girl smiled before drowning. But this felt different. Gaia didn’t feel like smiling, this was terrifying and her body kept burning.

Gaia finally looked over her shoulder and searched his expression. As she feared, it was so damn unreadable, she wanted to look back again but she stayed. And then she spoke. “Jimin?”

“Yeah…” Jimin whispered harshly, shaking his head. “No, yeah—I uh—…” He cleared his throat as he shifted to the edge of the couch. “I need to go for a minute, okay?”

Before Gaia took a breath to speak, he pushed himself off the couch and walked away to his bedroom. “O-okay.” She nodded mostly to herself.

-

Gaia expected a lot of things out of their last conversation. In a perfect world, maybe some acceptance but realistically she at least thought Jimin might just reject her gently. So what did she get in the next two weeks?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Jimin stopped talking to her. Every morning he would drape on his denim jacket and rush out of the apartment without giving her a sideways glance. At night, Gaia would hear him come in without calling her name out to ensure it was him and not a burglar. Sometimes she heard other voices trailing all the way into the bedroom, giggling and moaning.

A tight ball squeezed in the middle of her ribcages as she slept. Deep into her dreams again, body lying in a bed of cotton flowers as they travel down and choke her. A part of Gaia wanted to scream for help, lash out for some kind of help but in the end, she just happily drowned in the cotton flowers like it was a warm blanket.

It was no way to live but she did it anyway.

Another morning, Gaia woke up scratching her eyes lightly to keep herself awake. She noticed from the corner of her eye Jimin saying his goodbye to someone he had the night before. The middle of her ribcages ached again as he gave her one small glance before walking back to the bedroom.

She wasn’t a bad person for telling him, right? Did she make it sound terrifying by using her paintings? Did Jimin think she was some kind of psychotic artist desperately wanting his love?

The thoughts both scared and angered her.

Jimin had no right treating her in this manner when Gaia hadn’t demanded him to do anything. She just spewed her feelings to man she thought she could trust.

How long did he expect them to live in silence?

Another night fell and much to Gaia’s relief, Jimin walked into the apartment without anyone under his arm. She stood at the kitchen counter drinking some lavender tea to aid in some better dreams tonight.

“Jimin?”

He hummed briefly, pushing his shoes off without looking over at her.

“Can we talk…please?” Gaia attempted to keep her voice calm but there was a part of her that felt his behavior was uncalled for. Except she felt too selfish to say it out loud.

Jimin let out a deep almost exasperated sigh before walking to the kitchen island, still in his denim jacket, trying his best to look like he wasn’t in the mood to talk to her. “What did you want to talk about?”

Gaia let out a light scoff at the blank look in his eyes when he met her gaze. “Why’re you acting like this?”

“Acting like what?”

“Distant and…” Her eyes flickered up and down his body as if trying to find some kind of shift that indicated this was a farce. “…cold. I—I don’t know what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, I just need some space.” Jimin answered plainly, barely even opening his mouth to speak as he shrugged off his jacket.

“I understand that but—could you at least say something about it?”

“About what?”

“Is there nothing you have to say after that day?” She shook her head.

“You said you had feelings for a couple of years.” Jimin shrugged, looking down at the cotton plants in a vase. “What do you want me to say to that?”

“It’s not what I want but how you feel about it.”

He scoffed immediately, bitter smile plastered on his face. “How I feel? Now you’re thinking about how I feel?”

“What—”

“Maybe you should’ve thought about that before spewing all that crap about flowers, hm?” Jimin walked away from the kitchen island towards her.

“I-I didn’t know how else to explain it, I’m sorry.” Gaia placed the teacup on the counter behind her. It wasn’t going to do much good with how much her hands were shaking.

“No I’m sorry because it’s clear I’m the bad guy for not giving you some kind consolation because you like me.” His usual sweet demeanor twisted when he seethed right at her.

“Jimin, you don’t have—”

“No no you want me to say something, I am now.” Jimin stomped closer until he towered over her. “How’d you imagine it, huh? I’d get all soft and tell you I feel the same way? I’d hold you and tell you I’ve always felt that way? Hm?” Hands wrapped around her arms, squeezing a little.

Faces stood inches closer to one another, the smell of cotton thick in her nostrils almost making it hard to breathe as her eyes watered. “Jimin, let go…”

“No this is what you wanted, right?” He muttered, moving his hands and cupping both her cheeks to make her meet his gaze.

Before she tried to take another dry breath, she felt his lips press against her. The cotton scent stuck in her throat, suffocating her as it always does. But she wasn’t happy. His lips were unmoving, just pressing like a robot. Light sobs shook out of her as she pushed him away until he almost stumbled against the kitchen island with a small grunt.

“I just wanted you to reassure me! That we were still going to be friends!” Gaias’ shakily shrieked before a light cough passed through her. “That maybe it was normal for me to feel like this and I wasn’t insane but—” She closed her eyes, averting her gaze feeling a light ache on her lips. “You don’t even care as a friend, do you?” Gaia quickly wrapped her arms around herself, gripping onto her own skin to stop her hands from shaking. “I’m so stupid.”

Jimin felt his mind numbing as his actions rushed back to him like a slap on the face. A soft tinge under his palm and on his lips, fingers gripping at the edge of the kitchen island. This was all wrong. He made it all wrong. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he spoke. “Gaia…I’m—I’m sorry I shouldn’t have—”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Something squeezed painfully inside his chest. “It does matter.”

“Stop—pretending to care.” She whispered. “I’m sorry I even brought it up.” Gaia rushed back to her bedroom leaving her lavender tea cold and forgotten.

For the first time, she dreamt of a burning cotton field.

-

A couple of mornings past and Gaia began to drown herself into coffee, drowning in the scent of beans to somehow mask the cotton. She sat at the dining table as the sun reflected brightly through the open curtains. One knee to her chest while she scrolled through apartment listings. Part of her thought it was far too dramatic to be leaving the house she grew so comfortable in but she also didn’t want have a thick sense of tension around her every time she was inside here.

Some of them looked decent, colours similar to this one which helped make it seem more homely. However the prices on the other hand did not speak the same welcoming tone. The rent for this apartment was high enough, having to split it with Jimin. The very reason why they opted to get a good one together.

In a way, it burned her with anger even more seeing that Gaia had to be slightly dependent on the man who she thought was her friend. She heard footsteps coming up behind her but immediately ignored putting the cup of coffee near her taking a sip.

“What’re you looking at?” Jimin asked in a somewhat friendly voice.

She hated it. Not even a week ago, he almost scared her with how bitter and angry he was now he wanted to be gentle. “Apartment listings.” Gaia replied simply.

He left a small silence between them before speaking again. “Why?”

“It’s getting stuffy in here.”

“Then open a window.”

Gaia glared over her shoulder. “Did you need something?”

“I was just making conversation.” Jimin mumbled, playing with his fingers a little.

“Make it with someone else.”

“Come on, Gaia…”

“What?”

Jimin finally moved closer and sat on the chair near her, trying to search her expression but he was only reminded the hard way of how Gaia used to lock herself in the bedroom for days on end whenever she had a bad fight with a past boyfriend or a family member. This time he was the direct source. “How long are you planning on being mad at me?”

“For making me feel like an idiot and kissing me out of spite?” Gaia smiled with a bitter glint in her eye. “I don’t know, Jimin, you tell me. You like assuming what I think.”

Jimin pressed his lips together, averting his gaze. “I said I was sorry.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

“And getting another apartment will?” His brows furrowed.

Gaia traced her finger on the brim of the coffee cup. “Unfortunately for you, I don’t have enough money to buy an apartment so you’re stuck with me until I manage to save up.” Her phone lit up for a moment to show a name. A name that made her lips twitch for some reason when she glanced at it.

He knew it was wrong. Very wrong. But Jimin still peeked a little at the name and managed to see ‘Seokjin Chur..’ before it faded into black again. He felt a squeeze under his ribs again causing him to sigh. “I—I don’t want you to leave.”

“That’s not your decision to make.” She brought the cup to her lips taking a full sip. The cotton was too strong when he was close, seeping through even the strong scent of coffee. It shouldn’t be this strong.

“You love this apartment, Gaia.” Jimin glanced around them. He remembered how much her face lit up when they first started decorating everything to make it look like home. Their home.

Gaia swallowed down the growing lump in her throat, trying to get more of the coffee scent into her nostrils. “I don’t love it that much anymore.”

“Why not?”

“It smells like you.” She suppressed the wince attempting to twist her features.

“Wh—”

“It smells like you and it—it makes me sad.” Sucking in her bottom lip, she forced herself not to look over at him. Why was it so easy to be vulnerable around him? To crack and tell him everything that’s bothering her. Even when he was causing this. Gaia huffed out a harsh breath, closing her laptop and walking back to her bedroom with her coffee in hand.

Jimin took a breath to call out her name again but the words hitched in his blocked throat. ‘It makes me sad.’ He rubbed over his exhausted face, letting out a shaking breath. The usually light squeeze in his chest now clenching so tight, it was agonizing. How helpless it felt not being able to reach inside him and soothe the ache. There was nothing he could do but breathe and tolerate it.

The table buzzed again and Jimin properly looked down at the lit up phone.

Seokjin Church

Hope you liked the flowers. I’ll see you tonight!

Jimin realized that night how sweet vanilla smelled when his heart was in excruciating pain.

-

The world was cruel in many forms but the worst form of all was waking up in the morning and still feeling her lips linger on his own. Jimin found himself touching his twin flesh from time to time, some confused part of his mind wanting to hold onto the memory. Despite the flooding texts on his phone, he opted to stop bringing any new visitors to the apartment.

Every time he sat alone in the living room, he tried to take the remnants of vanilla lingering in the air. Jimin watched Gaia come in and out of the apartment quietly. She started painting in her bedroom more which he knew she hated. Their bedrooms were too closed off and small to jog much inspiration.

She would leave for events Jimin hadn’t even heard about. He always assumed it was with that Seokjin popping up on her phone. He remembered a time he would always know what events Gaia went to months beforehand.

This was wrong. This was so wrong.

He couldn’t. If he even mentioned the idea that he started liking vanilla flowers a little too much, Gaia would have his head.

So Jimin stayed silent and just watched her, relished in the fading tingle on his lips and tried to take in the scent of vanilla radiating from her to calm him. He would even stop using the cotton scent on himself. It smells like you and it makes me sad.

Jimin took angry, disappointed, even downright hysterical but this? How do you soothe sadness when it’s already so mellow and delicate?

One night, vanilla flowers burst throughout the apartment. He selfishly took in the thick scent wafting from her bedroom, letting it stain his lungs somehow.

Eyes flickered over to her room, the door opened completely with Gaia looking into her vanity mirror, back facing him. Body adorning a pink fur coat up to her waist with a light denim skirt. Her long curls reaching below the coat. If Jimin looked a little closer, he noticed tiny sparkles on her tresses.

“Where’re you going?” Jimin asked, breaking the comfortable silence with a soft tone.

“Out.”

“When will you be back?”

“I don’t know.” Gaia mumbled keeping her gaze on the mirror instead of the male as she fixed up her hair.

That annoying squeeze in between his chest came back again.

Jimin walked a bit further inside, peaking at her reflection. Her skin glowed in the lights around the frame of the mirror, eyes shimmering like her hair but not a smile in sight. A layer of beauty to hide what was crumbling inside. “You could at least tell me where you’re going…just in case.”

She sighed. “Just in case what?”

“Something happens.”

“I’m not going alone.” Gaia muttered simply grabbing her purse, turning on her heel before walking past him.

As soon as she passed, a strong waft of vanilla touched him forcing him to breathe it in until he lost all the air in his lungs. All of it replaced with the beautiful flower lingering around her aura. Jimin closed his eyes for a moment. “Gaia…”

“What?” Gaia asked in such a gentle tone, stopping at the door as she turned to meet his gaze.

He noticed how glazed they became, the way she gripped onto her clutch. Jimin let out a sigh of defeat. She didn’t want to talk to him. ‘It makes me sad’. “Be safe, okay?” He attempted to smile.

Gaia nodded. “Good night.” She whispered before finally leaving the room while Jimin helplessly drowned in her lingering scent.

-

Sleep didn’t come easy that night, tossing and turning on the soft surface. Vanilla thick in his nostrils overwhelming him with thoughts. That stupid squeeze in between his ribcages. Every nerve in his body desperately wanted to turn back time. Maybe if he closed his eyes really tight, he would wake up from a dream and they were on good terms again. Nothing happened. Jimin still lay here in the darkness feeling heat curdle in his belly.

His heart jumped when the door opened to a man laughing lightly and a light shush followed afterwards.

Huffing, Jimin pushed himself off the bed and walked out of his room. The rushing cool air from the living room hitting his bare torso. Exhausted eyes flickered over to kitchen where he saw Gaia without her fur coat on, a thin strip pink crop top showing while she filled up a glass of water from the sink.

“It’s really cold here.” The man in a suit, white shirt unbuttoned, the skin on his ears and neck reddened while his stretched pillowy lips extremely flushed.

“It’ll help.” Gaia had a calm voice, giving the male tired smile as she handed him the glass of water.

“Ooh is that from me?” Raspy words echoed against the glass as the man reached out brushing away her hair to show off the small reddened marks on her neck. “Sorry…”

She let out a light sigh before giving him another faint smile. “It’s okay.”

Jimin tightened his jaw, fingers curling into his palm. “Have fun?” He almost seethed.

Gaia looked over her shoulder, smile immediately disappearing when she saw the man shooting daggers at Seokjin .

“Oh…” The man attempted get back to his feet.

“Seokjin —” She muttered but he was already walking over to Jimin with a grin, holding his hand out.

“Seokjin Chur—” Hiccup. “—urch. Nice to meet you.”

Jimin glanced down at his hand. All the places he could have traced with those fingers in a drunken frenzy, relished in her soft skin and marking the most sensitive spots. He tried to push down the grimace forming on his face. “Nice to meet you.”

“Forgive me, I don’t—I don’t always drink like this.” Seokjin chuckled nervously.

“He won his biggest case today.” Gaia spoke up, a small smile returning on her lips.

“So you two—know each other?” He wanted to pretend they were a one-time thing on a night of mistakes but Jimin noticed how much she tried not to smile at her phone.

“We met, what?” Seokjin whips around to Gaia for a few moments. “Two weeks ago? She was painting this gorgeous forest while I was on lunch break.” He slurred every word with such dedication, Jimin had to dig his nails into his palms further.

So that’s what she was doing all this time. Painting and spending time with an almost complete stranger. “Wonderful.” Jimin smiled sarcastically knowing Seokjin wouldn’t remember his behavior in the slightest. “I’m afraid we do have rules not to bring in visitors.”

“You’ve brought in enough visitors for me to know that rule is breakable.” Gaia folded her arms over her chest.

It was anger now burning in her beautiful eyes and Jimin couldn’t help but relish in it a little. Despite the little clench in his chest. He did bring a lot of visitors. Some of them didn’t even bother holding their noise. Now he knew she heard them all night, noticed them leave every morning.

“Besides…” Gaia walked forward and kept a gentle hand on the mans’ back to keep him from stumbling. “…we’re not dating.”

“Right—” Seokjin hummed.

“You give all your female friends hickeys?”

“Jimin.” Gaia warned but Seokjin merely chuckled waving the comment off.

“It’s alright. I’m sure two consenting adults are allowed to have a little fun, yes?”

Jimin hummed, the grimace a little too obvious on his face now.

“We should go to bed. I’m tired.” Gaia grabbed her coat and gently guided Seokjin into her bedroom not without giving a quick glare towards Jimin.

Jimin didn’t care though. He would take burning under her fiery gaze. Fire was harsh and wild. Easier to soothe.

-

Somewhere deep in the night, Gaia walked out of the bedroom, running her fingers through her messy hair while holding onto the plastic bag.

Jimin opted not to sleep much and just leaned back on the kitchen counter drinking some water. It was difficult trying to lull himself back when he could hear Seokjin humming and kissing on the other side.

He wondered how Gaia tolerated it when it was the other way around. When he would have girls making all kinds of noises unaware of another person in the apartment. She never complained for so long. Only once tonight when she officially had enough.

With a light grimace, Gaia opened the cupboard next to Jimin and threw the filled plastic bag inside with a soft metal clang.

“So you haven’t fucked?”

Gaia let out a loud sigh, clearly showing her annoyance.

“Didn’t hear much noise.”

“He’s drunk.”

“That didn’t exactly stop him leeching on your neck.” Jimin seethed taking a generous sip as he glared into Gaia’s closed bedroom door.

“Please stop.” She muttered under her breath.

He shrugged nonchalantly despite the heat in his belly bubbling up to a boil watching that door. “I’m just wondering why you didn’t go all out if you were getting back at me.”

Gaia scoffed. “You think that’s what this is?”

“What else can it be?”

“He’s a friend. I—like spending time with him.” She tried to keep her voice low, opening the tap to wash her hands. “I needed to see some people that didn’t make me feel like an idiot.”

“I never wanted to make you feel like an idiot.”

“Well you did. So stop judging someone who actually likes me.”

“So you are mad at me still.”

“Yes I’m mad!” It was a whisper but harsh and cut through the tension like a knife. “And not because you didn’t like me back…” She shook her head. “…because the one time I needed you as a friend at least, you walked away from me.” Gaia winced, tightly pressing her trembling lips together. “You ignored me and brought in girls, you knew—you knew I could hear them.” She closed her eyes.

Jimins’ expression softened as he took a few steps forward, inhaling another fresh waft of vanilla into his lungs.

“I always thought I could tell you everything but the moment I become vulnerable to you…you shut me out.”

“Then tell me you hate me.”

Her brows furrowed, glazed and reddened eyes flickering up to look at him. “What?”

“Tell me…” Jimin padded closer causing Gaia’s breath to lightly hitch in her throat. Their toes brushing against each other, noses just a breath apart. “…you hate me.”

Gaia shook her head lowering her gaze. “No.” It came out in a whisper with how close they stood.

“Tell me you hate me.” His head felt heavy, lungs flooding in vanilla flowers but he kept breathing in more. Selfish to take what soothed him.

“I won’t.” She fixated her eyes on his chest rising and falling deeply. The cotton smell was so subtle, so light but Gaia could still sense remnants of it on his skin.

Jimin closed his eyes forcing the scent to overwhelm him completely as he felt his nose brush against her forehead lightly. “Please…”

“I said I won’t!” Another harsh whisper almost crackling into a shout and booming across the room. But her soft sobbing broke the sound immediately back to its meek tone, tears burning in her eyes and flooding to the brim.

“Why not?!” Jimin couldn’t hold his trembling hands back when he held onto her neck, gently. Fingers caressed her curls, feeling the soft textures under his palms. More selfish actions.

Gaia raised her head this time, droplets trickling down the corner of her eyes as their noses brushed. The heat from his palms radiating onto her skin making her head spin. “Why do you want me to?” She whispered.

“Because—because if you hate me…it’s easier.” How absolutely selfish. “Maybe this—this thing in my chest would hurt less if you despised me.” Every words, Jimins’ anger melted into something of desperation as the pain in chest pulsed, aching and yearning to touch her more. “Maybe if you fucking ruin me, I’d stop thinking about you.”

Her eyes stung but she still opened to watch his twisted features. “I don’t hate you.”

Jimin winced, fingers digging into the skin of her neck. “Don’t do that.” It felt too good. It’s selfish. It’s so damn selfish.

“I don’t.”

“Just lie to me.” He whispered, pressing his burning forehead against hers. “Make the hurt stop.”

“I’m not going to lie to you.” She shook her head.

Jimin took in a sharp inhale, the vanilla choking him right at his throat, staining him inside and out. “Do you like seeing me get hurt?”

“I c—I can’t hate you.” Gaia’s expression finally contorted, sobs shaking out of her. “It’s—I’ve tried…” She gripped onto his forearm when his grasp on her skin tightened. So much of this felt like a dream in the haze of tears and chest pain. But when she felt the warmth of his skin under her palm, it was real. She knew this was real. “It’s so hard, Jimin…” Gaia sniffled. “Y-You make me—too h-happy…”

For a moment, the squeeze snapped and burst. Fluttering like butterflies happily flying around flowers after being stuck in their cocoon for so long. All it took were those simple words. Uttering in the moment of pure weakness and vulnerability. It felt liberating. “I—I make you happy?”

She now knew what the burning cotton fields meant. The cotton was almost revived like a phoenix in the fire into something more alive, more invigorating. Gaia felt it as she placed a palm over his chest, feeling how joyfully rapid his heartbeat was.

The corners of her lips curled up faintly. “So happy.” She nodded.

As the butterflies soared across his chest to his belly, Jimin moved his hands down her hips and moved her to lean against the counter. Their noses barely brushing against each other. All he had to do was take one more whiff of vanilla before he leaned and devoured her soft lips.

A whimper drowned in the kiss, hands coming up and pulling at his hair. Gaia’s knees melted back into its jelly form forcing her to pressed on the counter edge to keep herself from stumbling. As if sensing her movements, Jimins’ grip on her hips tightened as he lifted her off the floor and placed her gently on the counter. Slip dress riding up her thighs, bare skin forming a layer of goosebumps against the cool surface.

Tongue pushed through her teeth desperate to explore more of her mouth as if this was a dream and he might wake up at any moment. Jimin wanted to take. Every inch as his fingers moved up from her hips to the curve of her breasts. He needed memories of her skin to stain his palm for as long as possible. Fingers rubbed down her arms before reaching those soft fingers, interlocking them together.

Gaia breathed through her nose, unable to pull away from the kiss. She wanted his warmth to fill her lungs as they gave themselves away to each other. A tingle formed in her belly as their fingers twined so perfectly they were almost meant to be one. For the first time, Gaia didn’t feel like drowning. She was flying. Soaring across the skies while the sun beamed down on her. So warm.

Jimin pushed their joined hands above her head, pressing them against the overhead cupboard before taking her other hand and gripping both her wrists on the wood. He broke the kiss softly, still planting small pecks on her flushed lips. Hand wrapped firmly on both of hers, his free fingers traced down her body again, sneaking under her slip dress and palming over her heated panties.

A light gasp stopped in her throat forcing her to close her eyes, relishing in how slow and featherlight Jimin brushed his hand across her core. “Jimin…” Chest rose and fell letting her body loosen under his touch. Still so softly rubbing the thin clothing feeling her arousal soak through and her growing nub poke out in yearning.

He could watch her all night just moving like this. Achingly slow, admiring how Gaia squirmed and tried not to moan too loud but the heat radiated so strongly from her. Jimin could feel the slight burn hitting his palm. Nudging his nose against her cheek, he took another whiff, humming in delight when he caught the mixture of vanilla and arousal. “You smell so good.” Jimin mumbled, intoxicated in the thick scent as he dipped down to nuzzle against her neck. “Always smell so good.”

Gaia wanted to speak. She took a few breaths to form words but they always died on her tongue, instead spewing meek noises of desperation. So many she wanted. So many things she wanted him to do to her but they never formed. “J-Ji-I-I want..” She whined a little. Everything burned to the point where her core ached and clenched around nothing. It was so hot. Too hot. She wanted more.

“What do you want?” Jimin whispered, tongue darting out to lick across her jawline before kissing each spot again. His fingers still in the same drawling pace rubbing up and down her sodden clothing.

Another whimper choked out of her, spreading her legs further as she pushed her hips forward to catch more friction. “Y-You…I w-I want you...”

The corners of his lips curled up lazily, sweat thinly layering on his skin leaving in more of a drunken state as he relished in the beauty’s pleads. “You have me.”

Gaia whined again causing Jimin to smirk wider. Beautiful features contorted again feeling his fingers press a little harder against the erect nub, her lower belly burning with need. “I-I want m-more of you..”

Jimins’ breathing raced as much as his heart through his ribcages. His fingers paused for a moment enjoying Gaia squirm a little more while her hips reached for his hand again. Releasing both her arms, he sneaked under her slip dress again further until he hooked at the hem of her panties. Pulling down the ruined clothing he made sure to be slow, watching how it stuck to her juices before reluctantly detaching as it he pushed down to her ankles. Carefully he brought her legs up so they rested a little over his shoulders.

She gripped her hands at the edge of the counter watching him pull off her panties from her ankle and trace down her leg. Jimin held it over her core before rubbing the loose clothing up and down her core. Body jerked, gasps leaving her without her control as her walls clenched painfully around nothing.

Jimin felt his member stir angrily in his sweatpants, the mixture of vanilla and her sweet arousal swirling in the heated air almost making him moan. Dropping the panties on the floor, he turned his head, placing soft kisses on her ankle, across her leg to the delicate skin of her inner thigh. He couldn’t resist biting down gently with a light growl under his breath.

Gaia giggled softly bringing one of her hands out to bury in his hair. Darkening eyes watched him move closer until his reddened lips hovered over her core making him gulp. His sharp gaze flickered up to meet hers, almost unblinking as he leaned down and took her throbbing bundle between his lips. Features contorted, trembling breaths leaving her every second. She tried her best to keep her voice down, the coiling heat in her lower belly melting into more leaking arousal.

Her scent overwhelmed him completely, arms hooked under her thighs. Darting out his tongue, Jimin licked up her slit drinking in every drop of her, moaning in delight when it was the only thing he could taste now. Lips wrapped around her clit again suckling and shaking his head with a groan vibrating against her core.

Throwing her head back Gaia bit down her bottom lip to suppress a louder moan curdling in her throat. Light whines still managed to escape as her hips grinded against his mouth. He didn’t stop her though. He merely moaned in response, tongue lapping on her clit causing the coil to tighten.

One arm away from her thigh, Jimin swirled his fingers to drench the skin with her juices before teasing at her entrance. Two digits slowly pushing into her, walls so snug and warm. Lust blown eyes watched his skin glisten brightly as they slowly moved in and out before looking up at the beauty. Her hand pressed over her mouth, brows furrowed and choked moans emitting under her breath. He wished they were in a more comfortable place but the walls were too thin. And Jimin had no intentions of being disturbed while he gave Gaia everything she needed and deserved.

Standing back up with his fingers still knuckle deep inside her, he felt a slight ache between his legs feeling the front of his pants a little drenched. Jimin leaned in and absentmindedly rubbed his crotch against her thigh, nose nudging her cheek again. “I want you…” He whispered in her ear, nibbling on her earlobe gently.

His movements were still so careful, taking his time to search for that rough spot inside her before moving at a steady pace. The heat was overwhelming, coil ready to loosen at any moment as Jimin kept jabbing at that same spot over and over again. “Take me.” Gaia breathed out, peering at him through hooded lids. “Take me, please.” She reached out to caress his cheek, the skin so warm to the touch.

Jimin let out a pleased sigh feeling his member twitch in his pants. He released his fingers and messily pushed down his sweatpants along with his boxers so they dropped down to his ankles. Kicking them to the side, he canceled out any distance between them feeling a sense of comfort when Gaia placed on his cheek again. Her touch was so soft he could melt right there then. Fingers wrapped around the base of his length before prodding at her sodden entrance. He turned his head and kissed the inside of her palm, raising his drenched hand and placing it at her lips.

Gaia didn’t even blink before opening her mouth and taking his warm, wet fingers, suckling on her arousal. Then she felt him sinking into her ever so slowly making sure she could feel every second of her walls stretching, hugging him tight around his sensitive shaft. His fingers helped in concealing the loud moan almost flowing out of her.

“So good..” Jimin whispered watching her suckle on his skin with such dedication. “You’re doing so well, baby.” He pushed in further until their bellies pressed against each other, member completely swallowed by her heat.

She replied with a faint whimper under her breath, body succumbed to him as his entire length filled her up. Gaia gently pressed a heel against his back as a way to tell him it was okay to move. Only mere seconds had to pass for Jimin to start thrusting into her.

Pulling his fingers away he yanked at the sleeves of her slip dress letting her breasts go free before swirling around her nipple. Jimin moved deep, thrusting in until she was completely filled and moving out until only his tip was inside.

Gaia gripped onto the edges of the counter again, shivering a little wet touch against her nipples erecting them instantly. She threw her head back with a shaky breath. “Feels s-so good..” Hair matted to her temples as her mind lost all form of control, nothing but the pleasure coiling in her belly and the tingles under her skin from his touch swirled.

“Yeah?” He smirked against her lips before pressing a kiss, lips moved so sloppily against each other in their maddening rush of ecstasy. Jimin placed both hands on the counter to steady himself, jolting his thrusts faster until they could hear light skin slapping.

The force of his hips snapping into hers almost forced a choked scream but Gaia quickly nuzzled her lips into his shoulder. She trailed up his neck, moaning lightly in his ear. “H-harder—” It didn’t take even a few seconds wait before Jimin grew vicious with his thrusts, deep inside her, brushing against the sweet spot that made her head spin.

Jimin quickly bit down his bottom lip to stop his groan from echoing across the room. Hips snapping so hard, he felt more of her arousal trickle down his length making it so easy to just take more and more. The tightness in his lower belly grew stubborn and thick, rushing up to his tip.

Gaia whimpered staring down at how deep he was, only sliding out the tiniest bit before snapping in again. Over and over again, relentless but so giving. “Jimin I’m—” The coil sprung, her thighs shaking and almost shutting but interrupted by his moving hips while she leaned her head against his chest, letting out the smallest whimpers.

Just feeling how much her walls pulsed and clenched so tight around him, her release so incredibly sodden and warm caused a burst. Shaky breathing faded into light, tense moans as he wrapped his arms around her waists, hips jerking as he filled her up.

She let out a light, shaky moan feeling beautifully full of his warm release. Gaia pulled away a little to capture his lips again into bliss infused kiss. She could feel his fingers take through her slightly damp hair, tongue exploring her mouth again still with such enthusiasm despite their loss of breath and energy.

“Don’t ever leave me.” Jimin muttered into the kiss. “Please.”

“I won’t.” Gaia nudged her nose against his, eyes completely glossy but a smile clear on her face. “Never, I promise.”

-

“So Namjoon just called…” Seokjin raised his phone briefly with a faint, exhausted smile on his face as he came into the kitchen. “He’s waiting outside to pick me up.” The man was really good at looking the least hungover as possible since he seemed like he was fresh and ready to go to work. Despite his suit being the one he wore last night.

Gaia grinned before nodding, her mood so much brighter despite the slight tiredness she felt on her legs. A comfortable blue oversized sweater with some leggings to work at home for the rest of the day. Now that the apartment had a more than happy atmosphere, she could work in the living room like she always loved. “Do you want me to walk you?”

Jimin peered from his coffee cup standing on the other side of the counter facing Gaia.

“No it’s okay.” Seokjin shook his head holding his hand up. “I’ve troubled you enough.”

“Oh it was no trouble.”

“We love having guests over.” Jimin spoke up this time with a smirk plastered on his face.

Gaia sucked in her bottom lip for a moment to prevent the wide grin trying to stretch across her lips. “I had a good time, seriously. It wouldn’t have been safe to leave you alone that drunk anyway.”

Seokjin let out a light chuckle. “Thank you.”

The girl led him towards the door giving their final goodbyes until Seokjin took a breath to speak again much in a much lower tone.

“Sorry to ask but—did we—” He pointed at himself then her.

Her brows furrowed for a moment before her eyes widened a little in recognition. “Oh—” Gaia giggled lightly. “No, you—you kinda just threw up in my trash bag and fell asleep.” She noticed the older males’ ears turn a little red at the information. “It’s alright though, drunk men can be worse than that.”

Seokjin hummed before nodding profusely. It almost looked kind of adorable. “Just I could’ve sworn I heard you moaning…” He shrugged. “Must’ve been a dream.”

“Yeah, must’ve…” Gaia gulped unable to control how much her cheeks burned.

“I’ll see you later then, okay?”

Gaia chuckled a little nervously. “See you.” She slowly closed the door, giving one last smile to the older male before shutting it completely.

“I told you. You’re louder.” Jimins’ musing voice broke the momentary silence.

“Shut up.” She pouted walking back over to the counter and taking another quick sip of her lavender tea.

Jimin leaned forward, elbows resting against the counter. “So…no more guests over from now on, right?”

Gaia smiled, dipping down and pressing a quick kiss on his lips. “No more guests.” She traced her fingers across his cheek. “And you promise me one thing.”

“Anything.” He leaned into her touch.

“Start wearing that cotton scent again.”

Jimin chuckled. “Every day, I promise.”

Cotton fields and vanilla flowers bloomed under the sunlight again.

[uswntxfootball]

all smiles here (jackie groenen x photographer!reader)

focusing on your new job turns out to be a hundred times harder after seeing the smiley dutch midfielder..

word count: 2343 ish

——

today was the day.

here you were, 22, fresh out of college and about to step foot onto the dutch training pitch for the first time and start your new job.

last night you had spent hours fretting over tiny details, making sure your cameras were charged and ready, your lenses were wiped clean, and that everything was nice and tidy.

you had planned to wake up extra early, making sure you had time to get everything situated and set before practice began.

that was the plan.

that’s.. unfortunately not what happened.

in your excitement, you had forgotten to set an alarm, which led to your current predicament, biking as fast as you can, racing through the dutch streets.

you glance down at your watch, narrowly missing a parked car as you do so.

you arrive at 7:58, just in the nick of time.

seeing that the team was already out stretching, you throw your bike down with a crash and run onto the field.

the crash of your bike hitting the pavement caused a few heads to turn your way, with a certain number 14 taking particular interest in your entrance.

blind to the commotion you caused, you laid your camera bag gently down along the side of the field (amongst the other photographers), then bend over unceremoniously, trying hard to catch your breath.

considering you had biked 5 miles in 10 minutes, you were spent, forgetting all your excitement in the process.

when your heart rate had somewhat slowed, you began setting up your equipment, and quickly the nerves and excitement arose once again.

you picked up your camera and took a photo of the closest player to test lighting (that player being sari van veenendaal), all the while internally screaming that that was the fifa 2019 best goalkeeper while doing so.

disregarding how much of a mess your morning was, the next hour went splendidly.

you managed to get a few shots of miedema with gorgeous lighting, photos that your manager undoubtedly would want to publish later on.

few photos were “unusable” (you were pretty damn good at your craft), and your camera roll was soon flooded with a wide variety of individual and group pictures.

at this point you had almost gotten all the players individually, your task being to get each of them by the end of practice, which was coming up shortly.

you snapped a few pictures of wilms, grinning widely when you see how well they turned out.

scanning quickly through the list of players, you sigh with relief when you realize you only have one more player to take photos of, #14.

you scan the field with your camera quickly and your breath promptly catches in your throat.

jackie was laughing at something daan was saying, her smile gorgeously on display.

you couldn’t help but stare, your hand lowering the camera as you forget the task at hand.

but how could anyone blame you?

she was, without a doubt one of the most gorgeous people you had ever seen.

her gaze meets yours suddenly, you let out a squeak of surprise in response and fumble your camera, breaking eye contact as you lunge forward to catch it.

you let out a sigh of relief when you grasp it, cheeks blood red at your actions, the older photographer next to you letting out a chuckle as he shook his head.

“kid you gotta be more careful.”

you nodded and smiled at him kindly, before shaking your head quickly and resuming to the task at hand.

with the ten minutes before the end of practice, you took, in total, one photo of jackie.

this was a disaster.

you just kept getting lost staring at her, this time through the lens of your camera, so starstruck that you forgot to actually take pictures.

you let out a sigh as you began thinking of an excuse for your boss later.

~~

walking into the locker room, jackie rolled her eyes at jill’s words.

“but did you see her jacks? that new camera girl is..” jill letting out a low whistle to finish her statement.

“i mean i’m taken but i have to agree she is pretty cute” daan said, popping into the conversation.

soon whole the locker room began chatting about this “new camera girl”, and jackie couldn’t help but blush.

she had to agree with everyone, you were absolutely adorable, and watching you almost drop your camera upon seeing her only solidified that.

jackie was brought out of her thoughts by jill who, very loudly, pointed at her and said:

“oh. my. god. you like her.”

jackie swatted jill’s hand away.

“shut up no i don’t.”

“oh my god she’s blushing she totally does,” daan squealed.

the locker room was soon buzzing with excitement over jackie’s new crush, filling the air with:

a lot of “omg jackie!”

and

even more “ask her out!!”

with jackie of course very adamantly denying such a proposition.

even through all of the teasing, jackie couldn’t help but hope that she would see you again tomorrow.

~~

you arrived earlier the following day, much much earlier, so much so that no other photographers had arrived yet.

you set your bike nicely against the rack this time, taking your time to admire the nice day as you lay your bag along the edge of the field.

you take a quick look at your watch, 7:17, and upon seeing that no one was around, picked up a soccer ball you found in the corner of the field.

having played a little bit of high school and college soccer, you juggled the ball around a little bit and then attempted to score from midfield.

you hit the ball right into the corner of the net on your second try, jumping up in excitement, when you hear someone speak behind you.

“for a sports photographer, that wasn’t all that bad.”

you turn around abruptly and let out a small squeak of surprise when you’re greeted by the very girl who had enchanted you the day before.

she lets out a dazzling grin before putting out her hand and saying:

“hi i’m jackie.”

“i- uhm y/n” you mumble, eliciting a giggle from the dutch girl before you.

you wipe your palms against your jeans quickly and take her hand, trying to desperately ignore the sparks that shot up your arm from the contact.

an awkward silence followed for the next few seconds, until jackie spoke.

“so, y/n, do you want to kick a ball around with me before people get here?”

“i’m, uh i’m not that good i mean i played a little in high school and college but like just for rec teams and i mean you’re on the national level so like i’m i don’t know i should probably just stick to photography i hope i didn’t offend you i’m just not that great and i yeah.”

you stop your rambling and blush, hoping she can decipher your message through your jumble of words.

jackie just lets out a laugh and your heart melts a little at the sound.

“i can take a few pictures of you though if you’d like?” you offer, hoping to spend a little bit more time with the midfielder.

“i would love that.” jackie says, letting out an even larger smile if possible.

for the next fifteen minutes you took dozens of photos of jackie, all the while learning about her life in manchester and belgium, how she broke a bike on the way to practice once, her dogs, and other snippets of her life.

you honestly couldn’t believe that this girl, this incredibly attractive and funny and just stupidly gorgeous girl was talking to you.

it was 7:50 when the other players arrived, jill letting out a whistle and yell when she saw who was already on the pitch.

“get it jackie!”

the other players cheered as well, letting out wolf whistles when they saw the two of you.

jackie got up but before she left she turned and gave you a hug then saying:

“sorry about them. they’re quite an obnoxious bunch.”

you let out a laugh and the two of you parted ways as practice was about to begin, your heart beating so fast you were afraid it would burst.

~~

“y/n.”

your boss let out a sigh as he took his glasses off.

“why are there 864 photos of jackie groenen in your camera roll?”

“i- i dont know” you stammer.

“this isn’t what i meant when i said you took too little of her yesterday.”

you flushed a deeper shade of red in utter embarrassment.

if your conversation with your boss was any indicator, practice was a disaster.

it wasn’t the players or practice itself.

it was you. your gay mess of a self.

but you just couldn’t help but trail the midfielder for the entire practice, your lens (and eyes) never leaving her.

it was only at the end of practice when you looked through your camera roll when you’d truly realized just how many photos you had taken of her.

each and every page filled with pictures of the number 14, her smile as bright as the day.

in your defense, you had taken quite a few fantastic photos of her, though there was one that was your favorite in particular, with the sun shining at the midfielder at just the right angle, illuminating her eyes and leaving her smile with its signature glow.

and of course that was the photo that caught your boss’s eye, despite his disappointment of today’s “turnout”.

and of course he wanted to publish it immediately.

and of course jackie saw it. and posted it. and tagged you in it.

where did she even get your handle from?

~~

it was sort of an unspoken agreement between the two of you, with both arriving early each practice to spend time with one another.

each time there’s jackie, always smiling and always gorgeous, and each time there’s you, always bumbling and always blushing and always tripping over your words.

and occasionally your feet.

but jackie only saw it as endearing, and continued to talk to you even when you were making a fool out of yourself.

eventually came the time for the netherland’s first matchup against a team, that team being estonia for the euro qualifiers.

you were brimming with the excitement at attending your first match as a photographer, and you arrived extra early match day to set up and get a good spot on the field.

“well if it isn’t my favorite photographer.”

you spun around quickly to spot jackie in her full kit, a blush promptly forming on your cheeks and your heart skipping a beat upon seeing her.

somehow you managed to reply:

“well if it isn’t my favorite player.”

this was your first time saying something that remotely resembled flirting with her, clearly catching the midfielder in surprise, as her face flushed a bright red a second later.

“i’m offended. i thought i was your favorite player.” daan said, appearing behind jackie, who stood frozen.  

you rolled your eyes.

“hate to break up the love fest though, but we’ve got a game to play.” daan said, tugging on the arm of an even redder jackie groenen.

after they left, you continued setting up your equipment, checking lighting and just making sure everything was all set and ready for the game to start.

and boy was it a game. 

in short,

the netherlands absolutely destroyed estonia.

in a huge 7-0 victory for the netherlands, there were an abundance of great photo opportunities, and you got them all.

goal scoring shots and celebration shots, everything.

you however, did let out two very loud cheers when jackie scored, once in the 26th minute and again when she completed her brace.

you had forgotten how empty the stadium was in your excitement.

each time you shouted the dutch girl, blushed, met your eyes and grinned before being pulled away by a teammate, who said something that sounded a lot like:

“your girlfriend’s here cheering for you.”

but in general,

you had expected the dutch to win.

you had expected daan, jackie, sherida, aniek, and katja to score as much and as well as they did.

you had even expected that you would embarrass yourself in some way during the match.

what you didn’t expect however, was for jackie groenen to come running at you after the match.

you were packing up your equipment when you saw the dutch girl approaching, and you opened your mouth to congratulate her on the brace and win.

but before you could get a word out,

she pulled you in by the camera straps around your neck and kissed you.

you stood, frozen, as if you couldn’t believe what was happening (because you really couldn’t).

jackie had started to realize you weren’t reciprocating and began to pull back when you came to your senses.

you kissed her back, hands moving to her waist to steady the two of you.

it was everything you wanted a first kiss to be, passion fueled and full of sparks, her hands moving from your chest to cup your cheek.

jackie was the one who pulled away first, a smile plastered on her face much like the one that had drawn you to her that very first day at practice.

you pulled her in to kiss her again, forgetting that your camera was still looped in front of your chest, only noticing it when it was in the way of getting her closer to you.

you pull back with an annoyed huff and gently take the camera off, turning to drop it on the bench behind you.

“go out with me sometime” you say when you turn around again.

jackie’s face just splits into a sparkling smile.

“i thought you’d never ask.”

[lovelytarou]

caffeinated love

pairing: nishinoya yuu x reader

genre: fluff, slight angst

tags: coffee shop!au, barista!noya, noya & reader being whipped for each other

a/n: dedicated to my beautiful, loving, sweet and supportive wife @chibishae34 💖💞❤️💕 i hope you liked this surprise and i did your bb noya justice! :c

it was a perfectly sunny day.

it was too perfect, you might add. the scene in front of you could easily fit into a studio ghibli movie, the only thing missing are the animated characters, and the soft piano music that usually accompanied the films.

you don't know what made you look at life with rose-colored lenses today, it might be because you're in a good mood, or you woke up on the right side of the bed, or the wind just brought some positive air to you. whatever it is, you're thankful for it.

you're walking around campus with a skip on your steps, a smile on your face as you grinned at the people you passed and the surroundings. to some people, it might come off as creepy, or even weird, but no one is going to ruin your mood today. not when you're so close to having your coffee.

a bigger smile tugged at your lips, looking up at the café in front you – its bold, intricate sign you're familiar with and the welcoming aura beckoning you in.

Crows' Cabin.

your favorite café that serves the best coffee ever in your campus. you couldn't have asked for more. they got your coffee right, the perfect amount of sweetness, the tinge of bitterness, and the smooth feel of the cream like a warm blanket on a cold day. not to mention, their staff is pretty welcoming and friendly, too.

what you loved most about this place is the fact that you can study in peace and the fast wi-fi that they have. it has the perfect atmosphere to do a little studying while you sip your coffee.

walking inside, you pushed the doors open, letting it emit a small ringing sound as it announces your arrival. the usual silver-haired cheery guy that greets you when you come in isn't standing in his usual post. instead, a short guy with bleached streaks greeted you with a lively energy that almost shocked you to the core.

you can't help but think how cute he looks, and walked closer cautiously to the counter.

“hello! welcome to crows' cabin! what can i getcha, cutie?” he gave you a big grin, leaning on the counter with his arm. you blinked in surprise, taken aback by his ecstatic greeting and chuckling lightly.

“hey, uh...is sugawara not here?” you probably sounded rude, but if there's a new guy on his stead, you could only guess that he's going to get your coffee wrong. at least, that's what you think.

he let out a humming sound, his face scrunching up as he thinks with his index finger and thumb under his chin. your heart skipped a beat. he couldn't get any cuter.

“i heard sugawara changed shifts because of his hectic schedule and all,” he explained, waving his arms about. “but you're lucky you're stuck with me! so, what do you want? coffee, tea, or me?” he gave you a wink after his question.

despite the nag of disappointment at the news of sugawara not being able to take your order anymore, it was quickly replaced by giddiness at the presence of this energetic boy in front of you.

before you could answer, however, the other staff with shaved hair that you quickly recognized as tanaka ryuunosuke, emerged from the kitchen and shook his head at his co-worker's antics.

“oi, stop flirting with the customer and take their order already!” he scolded, slapping the boy with the small towel he's holding on the head, earning a yelp.

“ukai-san won't be happy to know that you're trying to pick up chicks while on the job, you know.” tanaka's quip made your cheeks heat up. although, it seemed like the smaller guy is flirting with you, it was probably how he greets all the customers that comes in the café.

yet, the thought of him asking you out isn't too bad at all.

he's pretty attractive, you'll admit that. he's got mesmerizing, big, brown eyes that looks like it can pierce through your soul the longer you looked at them, and not to mention his fiery personality that greeted you the moment you entered.

“i can't help it, ryuu. they just looked so cute! who am i to deny our pretty customer our special service?” he wiggled his eyebrows at you suggestively. god, you wanted the ground to swallow you whole.

“leave the poor customer alone, idiot. look at them, they're too red already!” it definitely didn't help that tanaka made a comment on how flustered you seem to get over his co-workers flirtatious advances.

“i-i'll get the usual, please...” you managed to croak out despite the embarrassment you felt, immediately sliding the exact amount to the counter.

the boy tilted his head at you in confusion, “the usual...?”

oh, right. he's new.

ignoring your flushed cheeks and rapidly beating heart, you murmured how you liked your coffee all the while his piercing gaze is intently staring at you, giving you his undivided attention while you explain your order passionately.

“uh, no– wait, that's probably too complicated. i'll just get that one instead–” he waved his hand dismissively at your panicked ramblings.

“nah, no need. i already memorized your order, angel face.” with one final wink at you, he went to the back to prepare your coffee.

“why don't you settle in and get comfortable while i prepare your drink?” he called over his shoulder.

tanaka could only watch the commotion with fond, proud gaze as he went back to his own station.

꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎

during the afternoon, the crows' cabin don't have many patrons unlike in the mornings and evenings. usually, they were back in their classes or offices, and sometimes will only grab a quick bite before heading out.

this is the most peaceful moment, in your opinion, in the café. you hummed along to the song playing on the speakers as you typed away for your essay that is due tomorrow. yeah, it might not be healthy to cram when it's due tomorrow, but with how busy you are, can you really blame yourself?

what's important is you're doing it now instead of putting it away and procrastinating like you always do.

your fingers stopped typing as you gazed out the window, thinking of what to write next. amid the staring absently at nothingness, the boy from the counter approached you. he placed the cup from the tray beside you on a coaster.

“thanks, uh...” shoot, you didn't get his name. you don't remember tanaka mentioning it, too.

he seemed to have read your mind as he laughed, eyes crinkling at the sides as he threw his head back. you can't help but stare at him, he's such a ball of sunshine. any moment now and you're sure your heart will burst because of this guy.

“my name's nishinoya yuu, nice to meet you, uhm...” he stretched his hand out, which made you chuckle. you accepted it, shaking his hand as you introduced yourself.

nishinoya rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks flushing, “that's a pretty name.” he murmured, eyes casting off to the side as the thought of how warm and soft your hands are overtaking his mind.

before he could get carried away, he cleared his throat and looked at you expectantly.

“anyway, i'm excited about what you think of the coffee i made!” he bounced on his heels from where he stood, excitement jittering his bones.

rolling your eyes playfully, you cracked a smile at his excited expression and brought the cup to your lips to take a sip.

time seemed to have stopped as nishinoya watched you take another sip of coffee. you, on the other hand, couldn't believe that he made it just how you like it despite the first time making it for you. the slight smirk didn't escape your notice as you let out an appreciative hum upon the taste.

“so?” he leaned a little close to you, anticipation written all over his cute face.

“i gotta hand it to you, nishinoya. you did well, maybe even better than sugawara’s,” his chest seemed to puff up at your praise which you found endearing. so he likes to be complimented.

“of course! who else can make your coffee if not also the best barista in crows' cabin?” he boasted, thumbs pointing at himself. you can't help the laughter that bubbled out of you. he's such a refreshing presence in such a familiar place. and you're here for it.

he felt his heart clench as he smiled at your laughing figure, one thought only occupying his mind: he wanted to see you smile and laugh more.

he glanced at the clock on the wall, noticing that it'd be a few hours left before his shift ends and until then he still has a lot to do. even if it makes him sad, he has to go back to work and part from you. although, he hopes not permanently.

“anyways, enjoy your coffee! don't work too hard! and uh, call me yuu.” he gave you one last smile before he went back behind the counter.

yuu.

his name kept repeating over and over inside your head, a smile on your face as you looked down at your cup of coffee.

you're definitely going to keep coming back here.

꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎

the next time you went back to the café, nishinoya perked up like an overexcited dog. his face immediately lit up at the sight of you. the relief that washed over you was something that you kept thinking about as you made your way to the counter, a grin splitting your face.

why were you so glad to find out that he's here?

“hey, it's you again. how are you doing today?” he greeted, already buzzing to life at the mere sight of you.

“i'm great, actually. and you?”

“it's been a long day, but it's all better now that you're here, cutie.” he chuckled at the way you became flustered in seconds after he called you a pet name.

“you're not too bad yourself, yuu. i'll take–”

“–the usual. i already memorized it, remember?” he replied, seeing the puzzled look on your face.

“right. yeah, sorry.” you facepalmed yourself softly, shaking your head at your forgetfulness. “it's just...i've been working too hard so i probably forgot,”

“i have just the thing, now go get cozy and i'll bring your drink!”

you took that as your cue to find your seat. today was pretty hectic for you, especially since you have to catch up to the nearing deadlines. taking a seat, you immediately opened up your laptop and began to work.

not half an hour later, a cup was placed in front of you, along with nishinoya sitting at the opposite chair which made you quirk an inquisitive eyebrow at the boy.

“what are you doing?”

“it's okay, i have my break at this time.” he then placed a bag beside your laptop, “on the house, a little birdie told me that it's your favorite,” he sheepishly rubbed at his nape, avoiding your gaze.

opening the bag, you find out that it's one of your favorite pastries inside. you can't help the soft gasp leaving your mouth at the kind gesture.

“oh, thank you so much! i've been craving these lately.” you gave him a grateful smile, biting down on your favorite treat. it still tasted just as good, but what really warmed your heart was the thought of nishinoya purposely asking sugawara for your favorite pastry and you can't help but add it to one of the things you like about him.

wait...like?

you couldn't help but choke at your own thoughts to which nishinoya shot you a concerned look. once you calmed down, you noticed that he kept glancing back at the wall clock then back at you then down at his fiddling hands.

“what's wrong?” you asked through a mouthful of food. yuu chuckled at the sight and shook his head.

“can i borrow a pen?” confused, you gave him one anyway. he grabbed the bag that your food was placed in, scribbling on it.

“thanks, i gotta go back now. break's over. bye!” he jogged back to his station and you were left weirded out by his actions. not only when you were preparing to leave the café did you notice the small note at the other side of the paper bag.

nishinoya yuu

xxx-xxx-xxx :)

you exited the café with your stomach and heart feeling full.

꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎

“do you think they liked the treat? will they even text back?” nishinoya paced back and forth in their small staff room.

“what if they didn't read the note?!” he gasped, stopping in his tracks as he bites his nails in anxiety.

sugawara laughed at his junior's predicament, “relax! of course they'd love the treat, i did tell you it was their favorite. as for the number, you should probably be a little more patient with that, noya.” he advised, placing an assuring hand on noya's shoulder.

as if possessed by a spirit, nishinoya perked up and his agitated self was replaced with determination.

“you're right. i shouldn't worry about it too much. they'll come around!” as soon as he said that, his phone's ringtone resonated in the small space.

on his screen was an unknown number and he immediately knew it's you.

without wasting another moment, nishinoya picked up the phone and answered the call.

“h-hello, y/n?” he internally cursed at himself for stuttering.

“–john? is that you? how's your mother–”

dumbstruck, nishinoya abruptly ended the call and placed his phone on the table.

“what happened? what did they say?” sugawara inquired, eager to know what happened between the two.

“it's not them.” nishinoya deflated like a balloon, covering his face with his palms.

was he reading this right? what if you don't see him that way? what if he was just forcing himself on you and in reality you don't really reciprocate the emotions he felt whenever you enter the café?

with a little more positivity from his seniors and tanaka telling him that he shouldn't lose hope, nishinoya decided to go home feeling less energetic than usual.

it was not around midnight that he received a call from an unknown number. he hated that he felt excited, that maybe, just maybe at the other end it was you.

picking it up slowly, he breathed in and out, counting to five before he answered the call.

“hello, yuu? it's y/n. sorry i called at a time like this,”

his eyes lit up at the sound of your familiar voice. even through the phone it sounded as beautiful as ever.

he almost stumbled over the scattered clothes and mess that littered his bedroom floor when it is indeed you that called him, landing on his bed.

“y/n? it's really you! uh, don't worry about it. i'm not sleeping yet...totally not because i was waiting on you or anything!”

your laughter brought butterflies fluttering in his stomach, oh how he'd love to hear that sweet sound everyday. it got him smiling too as he listened to it.

“i'm sorry for making you wait. i was just busy with my studies and all...but, i've decided.”

“decided...on what?”

there was a pregnant pause on the other end, he thought that you might ended the call or something. but then you spoke up again.

“i wanna go on a date with you.”

he must be in heaven because there is no way in hell or earth that you'd want to go on a date with him. you, who looks so pretty, beautiful, elegant and charming that he's having a hard time if you're actually real. you, who never fails to make his days a little better at work whenever you waltzed in and decided to grace him with your presence. you, with your complicated mixture of coffee that he memorized in favor of impressing you and in hopes that you come back again to the café.

he couldn't believe it.

“y-yeah? that's great! so, when are you free?”

“i was thinking maybe saturday? if that's alright with you?”

“that's fine with me! i actually have a day off on saturday. same time? at the cafe?”

he can't help the grin that's practically splitting his face in half but he's just so happy. he immediately caught feelings for you the moment you walked inside crows' cabin and he can't get you out of his mind since.

the same thing can be said about you, which the only reason you're actually studying in the café and keep coming back there was for a whole another reason other than coffee. heck, you even find yourself thinking of him whenever you drink the beverage.

with a lovestruck look on your face, you nodded even though he couldn't see it.

“yeah, that would be great.”

꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎

when saturday came, to say that you were nervous and jittery would be an understatement. you can't stop looking at yourself in the mirror or literally any surface that you have a reflection on to make sure that you looked nice and presentable on your date with noya.

and due to that fact, you didn't notice him walking up to you, all smiles and looking as cute and handsome as ever.

“ready to go?” he asked, offering his elbow to you which you gladly accepted.

“where are we going?”

“it's a surprise,” he teased, flashing you a mischievous smile.

you went along with it. the two of you walked, stopped for some food and talked about what you both liked, disliked, and how he got the job at crows' cabin.

“–so i told ukai-san that i really need the money! i was actually just saving up for the new game i saw down the street but i made it sound like it's a life or death situation if he wouldn't hire me. in the end, i loved working there. i mean,” he gestured to the two of you, “because of it, i finally went on a date with a wonderful person!”

chuckling at him, you playfully pushed his shoulder.

“shut up,” you grumbled.

you can't help but admire him. the way he animatedly tell his stories with his own sound effects and grand gestures that never fails to make you laugh and rope you in with the story. he's fun to hang out with, knows a lot of stuff about the neighborhood and won't run out of tales.

“ah! we're here!” he paused walking to stop in front of your designated place.

he brought you to the movies.

“oh, wow...i didn't expect that,” you laughed sheepishly, trying not to offend him.

“i figured we'd watch a movie. ryuu said that there's this new horror movie that's a blockbuster nowadays,” quickly catching on to his plan, you smirked to yourself slightly.

“is that so? well, i'm pretty sure you'll protect me from the scary things in there, right, yuu?”

he seemed to puff up at that, “of course i will! what kind of man would i be if i can't protect you?”

that earned another laughter from you, shaking your head as you tugged his arm towards the direction of the entrance.

he insisted that he'd pay for the tickets and the food which surprised you a bit, but you couldn't really complain since he was being nice all day to you. you decided to just pay him back later.

as soon as the both of you are inside and the movie is playing halfway, you noticed how he's the one who is more scared of it than you. he's trying to play it off by coughing when he'd accidentally yell in surprise or laugh it off when he'd jolt up from a jumpscare.

how cute.

without saying a word, you grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. the feeling of your soft and warm hands brought him back to reality, looking down at your intertwined hands. his cheeks flared up and he thanked himself for choosing a horror movie or else this moment wouldn't happen.

“ah, i'm glad that movie was over!” he cried out in relief. all throughout the movie, he kept squeezing your hand hard like a woman giving birth or hiding on your shoulder when a jumpscare comes on. you gotta admit that you enjoyed his reactions more than the movie itself.

you were both now walking home – he insisted – and your hands are still holding each other, clearly not wanting to let go. by the time you walked out of the theatre, it's already nighttime.

the skies are clear and there are stars peppering the night sky. it's quiet out with an occassional passing vehicles, or a hoot of an owl but it's a comforting silence.

“this is me,” you mumbled, stopping on your tracks once you saw the familiar street your residence was in.

noya can't help but glance at the street behind you with a sad look and down at your still conjoined hands. he knows he should, but he wanted to spend the night with you longer.

“you sure you can make it home okay?” he gave you a pleading look, hoping that you'd let him at least walk you in front of your house.

“yeah, i'm sure.” with that, he let go of your hands hesitantly, linking your pinkies as he gave you a small, content but genuine smile.

“i really had fun today, yuu.” you avoided his gaze when you saw his smile widen in satisfaction. he laughed heartily at that.

“me too, even if i hid throughout the movie.” he rubbed the back of his head, feeling his face heat up in embarrassment. he kept rambling about how he probably turned you off because of that and why he shouldn't have taken you to the movies but somewhere exciting instead.

goddamnit, you can't take it anymore.

leaning in, you closed the distance between the two of you and slotted your lips in his, closing your eyes. you felt his breath hitch at your actions, his hands coming up to hold your jaw.

just like everything about him, the kiss was breathtaking.

it felt like hours when you pulled away, his eyes was still closed as he savored the blissful moment you shared.

“thank you,” you whispered, as if any louder can ruin the magic.

you pushed his shoulders away gently, giggling as you walked home. nishinoya was left there, awestruck with a dumb smile on his face as he stared at your retreating figure like he just woke up from a beautiful dream.

“huh...? hey, wait! come back here!”

[peaceoutofthepieces]

Sink Or Swim

tag list: @cleocc @feeling-kinda-so-so @hopelessromanticvirgo @dreamy-slytherin @adora8 @lockerfivethreefive @painfully-oblivious @poeticinemaa @jjustonemorething @saraben00 @wedarkacademia @coolguyssyndrome @hischbabe @suckerforsobbe @tayspots @starmansander @theah0lt @zoenneforever @invisibleme @chibibanane @odi-et-amo85

~^~

Tuesday, 10:33

Song: The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather

Jens paces across the doorstep as he tries the call a fourth time, jamming his thumb against the button before raising the phone to his ear. It buzzes, and buzzes, and buzzes, and Jens curses under his breath.

“I’m not giving up, so fucking pick up,” he mumbles.

On the sixth ring, Lucas does.

“What the fuck, Jens? Can’t you take a hint?”

“No, and please don’t hang up, okay? I’m outside.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m at the front door of your building. At least, I hope it’s your building.”

“How do you even know where I live?”

“You told me last week when I was going to come pick you up, but I don’t know the apartment number, so let me in. Please?”

There’s silence on the other end, and after a few seconds Jens is worried the other boy has hung up. But when he checks, the call is still connected.

He injects some extra pleading into his voice. “Just give me a few minutes to explain. C’mon, I’m freezing my balls off for you right now.”

The silence extends, and then Lucas lets out a sigh. “It’s number seven. Three flights up.”

The line disconnects and Jens fumbles not to drop his phone as he hears the door buzz and quickly moves to push it open. He tucks the mobile safely into his pocket before climbing the steps, not wasting any time taking in the building in his rush. At the top of the third set of stairs, Jens casts his gaze around for a door with the number seven and instead finds Lucas at the end of the short hall, leaning in an open doorway.

Jens falters in his steps as he slowly makes his way to him, suddenly unsure. He hasn’t actually come with an apology in mind; he’d simply told himself with Lucas in front of him, he’d know what to say.

Now that Lucas is in front of him, his mind runs blank. He barely looks at Jens, instead rubbing a tired hand over his face. His eyes are droopy and the skin of his cheeks is a light, rosy pink, the same colour as the sweater he has tossed on over black sweatpants. He looks sleep-soft and cuddly. He begs to be greeted with a kiss. Jens barely manages to refrain.

He may have spent the weekend freaking out. He may still be freaking out. The feelings filling his chest, his stomach, are unfamiliar, and he’d taken Lucas’s few days of silent treatment to attempt to sort them out. To ponder. To research.

He’d spent yesterday doing quite an extensive bit of research.

When he realises that Lucas has caught him staring, he clears his throat. “Hey.”

Lucas crosses his arms over his chest. “Hey.”

His voice is raspy and sleep-soft, too, and Jens decides this was probably a really bad idea. He sweeps his gaze over Lucas once more and raises a brow. “Did I wake you up?”

Lucas scoffs. “Three missed calls, Jens. One right after the other. Yeah, you succeeded very well in waking me up.”

Jens winces. “Sorry. But I mean, it’s half ten. I assumed you’d be up.”

“It’s the holidays,” Lucas sniffs, and Jens supposes he can’t argue with that.

Jens nods, drawing his bottom lip between his teeth. “Uhm—can I come in?”

Lucas shrugs and otherwise doesn’t move. “You only need a few minutes, right?”

“Yeah.” Jens tries not to feel disappointed, but it’s difficult. It’s difficult to hold onto any control at all, faced with a Lucas who is so closed-off, a Lucas who’s definitely mad at him. Jens wants to get angry, too. He wants to tell him to stop overreacting. He wants to beg and plead for forgiveness. He wants Lucas to stop shutting him out.

He wants Lucas to at least smile at him again.

“Okay.” Jens blows out a breath. “I’m really sorry. I mentioned that Jana wanted to meet up?”

Lucas nods, drawing his arms around himself tighter.

Jens nods back, and he doesn’t really know where he’s going with this. “And you know I was confused, after Friday. I needed to clear the air. The whole thing stressed me out and I just had a serious brain-glitch, or something. I genuinely forgot. I know excuses can sound like shit, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t mean it, Luc.”

“So your ex-girlfriend—who you don’t wanna get back together with—messaged you, and your brain short-circuited to the point you forgot I existed?”

At this point, Jens understands that Lucas is still thoroughly unimpressed.

“No, I didn’t—that’s not what I’m saying.”

“So what are you saying, Jens? Because to me, it sounds like it’s yourself you’re lying to.”

“What?” Jens furrows his brows. He isn’t lying to anyone.

Lucas softens slightly, but shakes his head. “You’re seriously still saying you don’t feel anything for Jana?”

“She’s leaving.”

That makes Lucas pause. “What?”

“She wanted to talk to me because she’s leaving. At the end of the week. She’s going to New York.”

“New York?”

“She told us about it during the summer, but back then it was just a plan that had fallen through. When she came back to school, I forgot about it. But it’s happening now. That’s why she kissed me.”

Jens didn’t really expect that this is what he’d have to explain, but it’s now that he sees Lucas’s defense begin to slip. The reasons for why—the potential that Lucas is mad not because he was ditched, but because he’s jealous—sets something stirring in Jens’s chest. The something feels a little too much like an excited thread of hope, and he snaps it immediately.

“Why, exactly?” Lucas asks hesitantly.

“She needed to prove to herself that there really was nothing left. And she did. I already knew. Like I told you. It wasn’t about wanting Jana. It wasn’t even really about Jana in the first place. My head was already a mess because my dad was bugging me that morning, and then Jana messaging me just reminded me that we hadn’t spoken, and I blanked. And I’m really fucking sorry. I’d never purposefully miss out on time with you. Seriously.”

It’s more than he usually likes to admit, but he seems to be in the habit, around Lucas, of giving away more than he probably should. He also knows it’s probably the best course of action—and his hope is confirmed when the rest of Lucas’s defense falls away.

“Dads can be a pain in the ass,” he allows.

Jens grins. “Yeah. I knew you’d get me, if you just heard me out. You’re a stubborn fuck, you know that?”

“You deserved it. I froze my balls off for you first, and you didn’t even show up.”

Jens laughs, and permits a shrug. “I deserved it.”

Then there it is—Lucas’s smile.

Bright and easy and beautiful. It begs to be kissed.

Jens resists.

“That’s what I wanted to see,” he says instead, soft, and he’s granted a blush and a roll of eyes in response. Then Lucas finally holds the door open and nods inside.

The change in temperature is immediate, and Jens sighs as the door shuts behind him and he’s wrapped in warmth. He shrugs off his coat and pulls off his beanie, letting Lucas take both from him and hang them on a hook by the door. It’s only when Lucas begins leading him down the hallway that he realises he’s in the boy’s apartment.

His hands grow clammy, and he wipes them discreetly on his sweats as they enter the kitchen.

“Hot chocolate so you don’t lose any body parts?” Lucas teases.

Jens snorts. “Of course you’d offer hot chocolate.”

“What does that mean?”

“Mr Sweet-Tooth, right?”

Lucas side-eyes him. “So you don’t want hot chocolate. Good. More for me.”

Jens makes a small noise of protest. “I never said that.”

“Uh huh,” Lucas smirks at him. “That’s what I thought.”

He moves around the kitchen with ease, taking two cups from one cupboard and the hot chocolate from another. Jens feels warm as he watches him pull up his sleeves to fill the kettle, exposing lightly-tanned forearms, thin but corded.

Jens has to snap his gaze away when Lucas speaks up again. “Stop being awkward. Sit down.”

“I’m not awkward,” Jens mumbles, awkwardly avoiding Lucas’s gaze as he pulls out a chair. Lucas merely turns his head to hide a smile and doesn’t comment.

“Are you here alone all week?” Jens asks, as Lucas busies himself with wiping down the spotless counter.

“Yeah. Apparently offices don’t get the same holidays as schools. Pity.”

“Aren’t you lonely, though?”

Jens regrets the question as soon as it leaves his mouth, and then ten times more when Lucas turns around to look at him. He leans back against the counter, wrapping his hands around the granite top. He shrugs, tilts his head, and asks, “Aren’t you?”

“Most of my time is spent babysitting,” Jens points out.

“Lotte isn’t a baby.”

“I’m talking about Lies.”

Lucas snorts, and the tension dissipates. “She’s the one you didn’t want me to meet?”

Jens rolls his eyes. “You could have met her if you wanted to.”

Lucas hums, unconvinced.

“Really though, Lucas. I’m sorry I fucked up.”

“S’okay,” Lucas shrugs. “Maybe I was being a little harsh.”

“Maybe a little.”

Lucas tilts his head, unimpressed.

Jens says, “Let me make it up to you.”

That seems to be of slightly more interest to Lucas, who raises a brow before moving to pick up the kettle. “How so?”

“Come hang out with me again. This time I’m going to pick you up from right here so you can’t be left waiting in the cold.”

Lucas asks, “Milk or no milk?”

Jens blinks. It takes him a few seconds to realise he’s talking about the hot chocolate. “Whichever way you prefer it.”

Lucas gets some milk.

Then he asks, “When?”

“Anytime you want.”

“We’re hanging out right now.”

“That doesn’t count. Come on. I’m giving you a once-in-a-lifetime, all-access pass here. I’m completely at your mercy.”

Now Lucas appears intrigued. “Really?”

Jens is not one to backtrack. He hums affirmingly.

“Friday?”

Jens nods, and that same feeling is stirring in his chest once more, the thread unwinding into rivulets of apprehension.

Lucas’s gaze is challenging. “But I’m not organising it. Your apology, your work. I expect big things.”

He sets Jens’s hot chocolate in front of him as Jens grins. “I’m sure something will come to mind.”

[phantom-curve]

find the strength, find the melody pt. 6

okay so I wasn’t originally going to include the entire scene in Lessa’s office but, once again, my words ran away from me. now you get this beast of a chapter. it’s the longest one yet, coming in at a whopping 4,383 words so think of it as an apology for letting my other fic take over for a sec and also taking like a million years to post this.

I started working on Luke’s POV because I am nothing if not a fan of jumping the gun, and his writing style is so different and living in his head is such an adorable journey of Julie Molina obsession. really excited for you to see some of the stuff that’s been going on for our sweet lil soft boy. also, if you notice the dialogue style changing a little bit in this/future chapters it’s so I can have the same scenes without a ton of repeated dialogue in Luke’s POV.

writer’s block anecdote of the day: I keep flipping Luke and Alex’s name in Luke’s POV because one of the main OCs in my novel is actually named Alex and has been since I started working on this novel a literal decade ago. oh and there is also an OC named Owen. someday I’ll learn to give my characters unique names, but not today!

taglist: @blue-hat-girl, @lwhoscribbles, @bluefyoto94, @5sosmukefan, @moonlightxnder, @leahthewonder​, @kat-maybe-not​, @lukewearingbeanies, @imastrugglingartist​​

Once they were close enough to risk running into other students, Julie dropped Luke’s hand. She made a point of ignoring the frown he gave her, using her now free hand to reach up and adjust her hat. Only, her hat wasn’t there. Her hands landed on loose, untamed curls instead and she immediately turned to Luke with a small amount of panic already building in her chest. He gave her a funny look, and then seemed to notice her hair and somehow understood completely. His hands reached up to lower hers. He let his grasp linger for just a moment before letting go, leaving her hands to dangle limply at her sides. Only his gaze held her in place.

“I never really liked that hat. Your hair is too pretty to cover up like that.”

He said it like a fact. The sky is blue, the sun is hot, your hair is too pretty to cover up. Julie felt a swell of emotions rise again, threatening to overwhelm her. But then he was off towards the front of the school throwing a very casual, “You coming?” over his shoulder at her. She raced to catch up, emotions beaten back for the time being.

They joined the surge of bodies filtering through the front doors. Alex and Reggie stood off to the side inside the entryway of the school. It was impossible to miss the tall blonde in his light pink sweatshirt standing next to the shorter boy in leather. Luke didn’t hesitate to weave his way over to them, but Julie hung back. She wasn’t really sure what was going on between them, wasn’t sure if she felt comfortable enough to just tag along behind him. She caught sight of Flynn’s hot pink beanie bouncing in the distance and let out a sigh of relief. She could separate from Luke here, talk to Flynn, get some perspective on this whole situation.

Luke glanced back at her then. She saw the question in his eyes, felt her heart race when he gave a little side nod like he was inviting her to join him. She swallowed and gave him a half-hearted smile before jerking her thumb over her shoulder in Flynn’s direction. He frowned, but she was already turning away. She pretended she didn’t hear him call her name, slipping into the crowd of students, letting it swallow her up so she could disappear from his sight. Eyes locked on Flynn’s back she moved farther away from the Sunset Curve boys. Flynn only jumped a little when Julie snuck up behind her.

“Jesus, Jules! You scared the shit out of me!”

Her best friend’s familiar voice washed over her like a comforting blanket. All at once, Julie was word vomiting the entire night.

“Flynn, oh my God. He had Mom’s song and he saved it for like, a whole year, and then he gave it to me yesterday, and holy shit I forgot how beautiful it is. And you’re not gonna believe this but I played, like I actually played the piano and sang, and it was like homecoming, it was like the biggest rush, like my mom was right there in the studio with me. And then, oh my god, now you’re really not gonna believe this, but oh my god, then Luke freaking Patterson showed up out of nowhere and he uh might have stayed on the pull-out couch, and then he uhm he made me breakfast this morning? And we walked here together?? He was like...doing this thing where his eyes were going all starry and soft and he was saying really sweet things and it was...a lot and I really don’t know what’s going on with that but uhm I’m kinda freaking out. Also, hey good morning, how are you?”

If Flynn’s mouth opened any wider Julie thought she might unhinge her jaw. In a sea of bustling students, it felt like they were in a bubble all their own. She anxiously fiddled with the bracelets on her wrists as she watched the gears turn behind her best friend’s eyes. After a full two minutes of silence, Flynn’s hand flew out to latch onto Julie’s bicep. Without a word she dragged her down the hallway and into an empty practice room. Flynn released her grip, Julie rubbing at her arm, jeez Flynn was strong!, while the other girl closed the door and flipped on the light that indicated the room was in use. She whirled around, her eyes drilling into Julie’s.

“You’re gonna start at the beginning of that whole mess of truth bombs and spill every last detail about exactly what happened with Luke ‘freaking’ Patterson. Right now. Starting with the bit about your mom’s song.”

Julie took a deep breath and slowly walked Flynn through the events of the last few days, from the moment she had run into Luke after her meeting with Ms. Harrison to when she ran away from him this morning as he was calling her name. Distantly, she was aware of the bell ringing, but it was only homeroom anyway. What did that matter when she was having an existential crisis? Flynn’s mouth only hung open a little bit by the time she was finished telling the story again. Julie felt her shoulders slump. What an emotional rollercoaster. Flynn was quiet for a long moment. Then, she smirked at Julie with a knowing look in her eyes.

“Hmph. Looks like my girl’s got a crush, and his name is Luke. I cannot believe you’ve been holding out on me like this!”

She was teasing, her tone light with a little bit of a mocking sing-song quality to it. But Julie could hear the undercurrent of worry running through her words. She had become quite adept at detecting that particular vocal quality in the last year. She sighed.

“Whatever. Can we focus on the more important revelation that I played the piano and sang again?”

Flynn, best friend that she was, gracefully allowed the subject change.

“Jules, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you! How did you feel? Alive again?”

Julie laughed, the sound feeling easy and light as it left her chest.

“Yeah, actually, that’s exactly how I felt. It was...honestly, it felt magical. It really did feel like my mom was there with me. There was this sense of peace that just felt...”

She shivered, remembering the sensation of ghostly arms around her shoulders.

“I can’t really describe it. But it was like something just clicked, and I realized that the best way to remember my mom and honor her is through music. The music we made together and the music I’ll make in the future. Rose Molina’s musical legacy will live on in me, and that feels pretty special.”

She couldn’t keep the smile from her face or the happiness from her voice. Peace really had been found out in that studio last night. Julie felt more ready than ever to move out of the darkness she’d kept wrapped around her like a shield for the last year.

“That’s beautiful.”

Flynn pulled Julie into her arms, the two girls sharing a long hug. The bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom, before either girl could say anything more. They left the practice room together, splitting up when they reached their respective classroom doors. Julie swallowed thickly as she settled herself in the back of her Calc class. This was one of the classes she shared with Luke, although she had conveniently forgotten that fact until the moment she sat down at her desk. He appeared in the doorway within seconds, giving her no chance to properly prepare herself. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he started to make a beeline for the desk next to hers before their teacher caught him.

“Patterson! You know the deal.”

Not even Luke’s best pout could win over Ms. May. She simply raised a brow and pointed at the seat he had been assigned at the front of the classroom. Julie let out a small sigh of relief. It was hard not to smile at Luke’s dramatics as he slumped over and slowly shuffled his way to his desk. He dropped into his seat with a loud huff, glancing over his shoulder at Julie with forlorn expression. She rolled her eyes, smothering her smirk behind her hand. The bell rang again, and he turned his attention to the front of the room as Ms. May called the class to order.

He didn’t stop sneaking looks back at her the entire class period though. It made her want to squirm in her seat every time she dared peek at him and caught him watching her in return. He would always give her one of those soft, sweet smiles and then turn back to his work. It was unsettling, especially when she thought of how he hadn’t paid much attention to her in this particular class before today. Although, now that she really thought about it, maybe he had. Julie had basically been living in a fog of grief for the last year. The school could have caught on fire and she probably wouldn’t have noticed it until her clothes were burning.

She was almost grateful when one of the front desk aides appeared in the door to their classroom. Kayla made direct eye contact with her before knocking on the door frame to get Ms. May’s attention.

“Julie Molina is needed in the office.”

A tense silence fell over the classroom. Every single student remembered the last time Julie had been called down to the office in the middle of a class. Even Ms. May’s eyes flickered with pity for a moment before she gave Julie a gentle smile and nod. Julie stood slowly, forcing herself to keep her breath even as she gathered her books and papers into her backpack. 22 pairs of eyes watched her slowly make her way to the front of the room. One pair burned hotter than the others. Julie met Luke’s eyes for the smallest fraction of a second. Just long enough to see the concern rise up in them. Then she was out the door, walking the uncomfortably familiar path to the front office.

“It’s Lessa. And I think your dad.”

Kayla’s quiet voice startled her. She looked to her left, surprised to find the other girl keeping pace with her. Julie had thought she would walk ahead or peel off to deliver other messages. Instead, she got a small but genuine smile.

“Look, I know things are weird because of the Carrie thing, but I just didn’t want you to freak out too much. Frankly, I think Lessa’s kinda a bitch to pull you out of class like that. She’s an idiot if she doesn’t remember...well anyway. It’s something school related, not like a family thing.”

Kayla briefly squeezed her bicep, almost like she wished she could give Julie a hug. Then she was off down a separate hallway, waving the stack of messages in her hand at Julie as a goodbye. Julie watched her go for a second, feeling off balance and surprisingly emotional. Kayla was a Dirty Candy girl. In the battle lines that had been drawn between Julie and Carrie, Kayla’s position was as obvious as Flynn’s. For all intents and purposes, she shouldn’t be looking out for Julie, and yet, she was anyway. Julie wondered how many small protective moments she had missed from her classmates in the last year. Maybe she hadn’t been quite as alone as she had always felt. She took a deep breath and finished the walk to the front office, a little more ready to face what was on the other side.

Knowing it was school related and that her dad had been called down sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine for a different reason. It had to be something about the music program. Not for the first time, Julie regretted keeping it from her dad for this long. She was out of time now. At least she could thank the universe for small favors. If it had been her Tía in this meeting, Julie’s life would be over. Her dad was more understanding. They would be able to get through this. Julie forced herself to square her shoulders and enter the office with more confidence than she felt. Her mom’s words echoed in her mind you can do it. It was all the strength she needed.

At least until the door to Principal Lessa’s office was closing behind her, and she was face-to-face with her heartbroken father.

“Julie. Take a seat, please.”

Lessa’s voice lacked its usual bite. She just sounded tired. Julie felt that down to her bones. She slipped into the seat next to her dad without a word.

“I’m going to get right to the point. Two of us,” her eyes narrowed slightly on Julie who shifted in her seat in response, “knew this meeting was coming. The other one of us has now been informed as to why it was called.”

The weight of her father’s stare was crushing her. Julie didn’t have to look to see the disappointment there. It was rolling off of him in tsunami sized waves. Lessa continued talking despite the uncomfortable tension growing in the air.

“Now. We have several options. As you both know, Los Feliz is at its core an arts academy. We ask that our students participate in at least one of the arts programs. Participate being the key word there. Julie, it’s clear that participation in our music department isn’t something you’re able to do right now. While we were able to offer you a grace period, we have other students applying for the position you aren’t using. It’s only fair to allow them the chance to participate if you won’t.”

Julie was not going to cry. Not here in front of Principal Lessa and her dad, trapped on school grounds where everyone would see her when she left. She bit the inside of her cheek as hard as she could, letting Lessa’s soft but firm voice wash over her without absorbing anything she was saying.  She caught bits and pieces: Lessa offering her a spot in the less desirable subset of illustration in the fine arts department with a chance to reapply for the music department the following semester, her dad requesting information about the new program as well as copies of her transcripts in case they decided to move schools, Lessa’s voice softening as she apologized, her dad’s growing even softer as he thanked her for everything the school had done so far. Then the meeting was wrapping up, and her dad was shaking Lessa’s hand, and Julie was focusing on her backpack so she could get the hell out of there. She barely caught the sad smile Lessa gave her as she said, “Good luck, Julie” in that same goodbye tone Ms. Harrison had used on Monday. Julie had never been so desperate for her old hat to hide behind as she was in that moment.

She shuffled along behind her dad. It was obvious the school day was over for Julie. He was quiet as they made their way out of the office and into the empty hallway. Class had been dismissed while they were with Lessa. Julie was thankful there weren’t any other students around to witness her downfall. Her dad almost made it out of the building before rounding on her. Almost.

“I cannot believe you tried to hide this from me! I thought I raised you better than that, mija. You’re lucky your Aunt had a work meeting she couldn’t miss. Why didn’t you come to me?”

It was the overwhelming disappointment in her dad’s tone that did Julie in. She had never been able to stomach letting her parents down. If Ray’s voice was any indication, she may have reached the rock bottom of let downs.

“I’m sorry.”

She was. She truly was. She didn’t know why she had kept it from her dad except that if she had told him then she would have had to admit it was real. She hadn’t wanted to face that reality just yet.

“I just don’t understand, Julie. You still like music, right? Is it the school? We can find a different music program. You don’t have to stay here just because your mom loved it so much.”

Julie opened her mouth to argue that actually that was exactly why she had to stay here, but a different voice cut her off. An annoyingly familiar voice that had her heart racing and her palms sweating.

“Julie!”

She nearly groaned aloud. Never before in her life had Julie wished to disappear as much as she did right now. Just open a hole in the floor and jump right into it. The absolute last thing she needed right now was Lucas freaking Patterson getting in the middle of this dressing down. Hell, she didn’t even want him witnessing it let alone trying to get involved. She clenched her jaw, ignored her dad’s pointedly raised eyebrow, and turned on her heel to meet the teenage boy that suddenly seemed to be haunting her every step.

“Luke. Hi.”

She kept her voice flat, the go away clear in her tone. His steps faltered for a second, but she could tell by the way his shoulders bounced that he wasn’t going to be so easily deterred. She had run away from him this morning and been saved multiple times in Calc. He wasn’t going to let her avoid him anymore. He approached her and her dad with all the cool confidence a 17-year-old boy in a band could muster. Her mouth almost fell open when he bypassed her completely to stick his hand out towards Ray.

“Luke Patterson. You must be Mr. Molina. It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”

His smile was genuine and charming, his lyrical voice all too polite. Julie wanted to scream as she watched her dad fall for it. Could she not have one single embarrassing moment to herself anymore? Was she doomed to play out the moments she came off looking the worst in front of this cute boy for the rest of her life? Her dad’s eyes lit up as he shook Luke’s hand. Julie wished she could bash her head against something.

“Patterson? Mitch and Emily’s boy?”

“Yes, sir.”

Only Julie caught the way his smile tightened and his shoulders raised defensively at the mention of his parents.

“Wow, you’ve grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you! Good people, your parents.”

Julie rolled her eyes at the dad-ness of it all.

“I forgot you were in the music program with Julie...”

She couldn’t help but cringe as her dad’s words trailed off. That statement had been enough to remind him why he was here in the first place. He turned away from Luke to give her another heartbroken look. She hung her head to escape the censure behind his eyes.

“I am. Actually, that’s why I was trying to find Julie! She was late for rehearsal.”

Julie whipped her head up to glare at the boy still bobbing in front of them. He was trying to cover for her not knowing Lessa had blown that opportunity sky high not even 5 minutes ago. It was sweet in a misguided way, but it was also a painful reminder of all the things Luke had that she didn’t.

“He knows I got kicked out. You don’t have to lie for me.”

Her voice was sharp, and she was fully prepared for the kicked puppy look she was sure he would give her, but instead his smile only grew. His bouncing became impossibly springier, like gravity just didn’t apply to him. And then he winked, actually winked, at her.

“Awh, c’mon, Jules!”

His whine was just the right amount of playful, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Her heart did a weird flip in her chest.

“I know it was supposed to be a surprise, but the poor man is clearly suffering! We should let him in on our little secret.”

Julie’s glare intensified as she ignored the way the words our little secret hit the softest part of her heart. What the hell was he playing at? He winked again, something that should be outlawed given the way it made her stomach drop and knees weaken. Then he held up his hands in a half-hearted I give up gesture.

“Okay, okay. You don’t have to tell him about the plan to get you back into the music program if you don’t want to.”

If this were a cartoon, Julie was sure her eyes would have popped out of her skull completely at those words. As it were, she settled on doing everything she could to keep her jaw from dropping. She had absolutely no clue what he was going on about, but he clearly had some sort of agenda. There was a script to this encounter, she just hadn’t been given her lines. She saw her father shift out of the corner of her eye, arms raising to fold across his chest as he took in the scene unfolding between the two teenagers. Luke was still talking, apparently deciding to capitalize on Julie’s stunned silence.

“I just think it would be helpful if he knew about it. Then we wouldn’t have to sneak around so much. I know you wanted to have it be a big reveal, but we can still surprise your aunt!”

Her dad turned to her with a raised brow, confusion and the smallest seeds of hope growing behind his gaze.

“¿Mija?”

Julie wanted to punch a locker and also vomit. What the actual hell was Luke Patterson doing? She had no frame of reference for whatever game he was playing. No way of knowing if it was serious or some sort of prank. She looked away from her dad to meet Luke’s eyes. He gave her a small, pleading smile, silently begging her to trust him. His eyes became impossibly gentle and she saw that same boy from the studio last night and the kitchen this morning peeking out at her. Ultimately, it was that intimate reminder of his softer side that made her cave.

“It’s nothing, Papí. Just some hair-brained scheme Luke came up with.”

She raised her brow in a challenge, communicating with that one twitch that she wanted to see his endgame here. His face lit up like the 4th of July. She was sure if they had been alone he would have let out a victory whoop. He rocked back on his heels, hands in his pockets, biceps flexing in his best cool kid impersonation.

“Don’t sell yourself short, Molina. We’re getting just as much out of this as you are.”

She didn’t have time to snap back that she wasn’t sure she was getting anything out of whatever ‘this’ was before he was plowing ahead.

“See, my band and I lost our fourth member earlier this year, and we have our Junior Showcase coming up, but man, it’s been a serious struggle to find our sound without Bobby, and we really gotta nail this Showcase. It’s like the one where managers scout out who they really wanna pay attention to as a senior, so we gotta be the best.”

Julie saw where he was going with this before he actually got there, but it was too late to stop him. That was what she got for playing along with his stupid game in the first place.

“And see, I finally figured out that what we really need is someone like Julie to elevate us to that level. Your daughter is a freaking wrecking ball of talent, Mr. Molina. It took a lot of begging, but she finally agreed to play with us. There’s no way Lessa won’t put her back in the music program after we play together.”

His grin was a mile wide, pride shining from his pores. He was 100% sure of this plan, she could see it in the way he looked at her. Absolute blind faith in her. It was as flattering as it was terrifying.

“I see.”

Her dad’s voice was shockingly contemplative. Like he was actually considering supporting this crazy idea. He looked at Luke thoughtfully.

“Do Principal Lessa and Ms. Harrison know about this plan?”

Luke’s hand raised for one quick nervous scratch at the back of his neck. He gave her dad his most charming smile.

“Sometimes you’ve gotta go into ambush mode. Swing that wrecking ball of talent and smash some rules, eh?”

If it were any other parent, that line would have probably been the worst possible thing to say. But this was Ray Molina, whose first date with Rose had involved a small amount of breaking and entering as well as a large amount of running from cop cars and stealing kisses while hiding in alleyways. Rose had never met a rule worth following, and it was part of the reason Ray had fallen in love with her in the first place. Luke had sealed the deal without even really trying. Julie was doomed.

“I like it.”

Ray’s smile was almost as large as Luke’s. It was scary how similar they looked right now, enthusiasm shining in their eyes with an intensity that was borderline maniacal. There would be no getting out of this now.

“Why don’t you boys come over to the house after school? You can practice in our studio.”

Julie didn’t even get a chance to open her mouth before Luke was agreeing. She watched him shake her dad’s hand once again, some weird kind of bonding look passing between the two of them. Her dad wrapped a tight arm around her shoulder, and then turned them both towards the front doors again. Julie cast one final look at Luke over her shoulder, heart skipping a beat as he bit his lip and gave her yet another wink.

“See ya later, boss!”

Had her dad not been holding her up, Julie would have melted right into a puddle of mush. Yup, she was totally and completely doomed.

[tomspancakes]

This Way: Part 3

Pairing: Tom Holland x Actress! reader

Word count: 4251

Warnings: A crazy bih lol

Summary: It’s time for Y/n’s welcome dinner with the Hollands. An uninvited guest joins and Tom is left making a tough decision.

A/N: Here’s part 3 I hope you enjoy! Please lmk if you’re enjoying this/ have any constructive criticism. Don’t hesitate to ask to be a part of the tag list :)

Part 1, Part 2

+++

“Thanks for taking me again, Tom, you’re a lifesaver.” You leaned over the center console and hugged him. Since nobody else was around the embrace lasted a little longer than you anticipated, but Tom enjoyed it. His heart warmed with the smell of your hair and he felt like he was at home in your arms. He was smiling and squeezed you a bit harder. 

“Uh Tom,” You said awkwardly patting his back, taking him out of his daydreaming, “I have to go now.”

“Oh shit uhm sorry, love...” When he let go of you he furrowed his brows remembering he has a girlfriend. 

“You ok?” you asked genuinely concerned as you grabbed your bags and stood up to get out. Many thoughts running through his mind about how wrong he’s being. He looked back up at your beautiful innocent face,

“Oh ya thanks,” he cleared his throat and noticed you took your extra clothes, “Oh you don’t have to take your extra bag. I’m picking you up for dinner right?” 

“No no it’s alright Harry said he’d be able to pick me up.”

“Are you sure? I mean it’d be easier if I just took you, this place is out of-”

“Ya, I’m sure. Harry and I haven’t really had time to hang out yet.” You said trying to avoid his offer. It was already hard being alone with Tom for 45 minutes and you didn’t want to wreck his and Allana’s relationship. Tom wasn’t convinced, he just gave you a strange look and bit his lip, “Alright then, love. Didn’t ever mean to make you avoid me.” You blushed because you were now exposed. You shrugged,

“Thanks again. See you later, Tom.” You turned and began to walk feeling Tom’s eyes burn into your backside. He was feeling so conflicted between you and Allana now. He shook his head and drove off to his parents’ house.

-

“Bye, y/n, can’t wait to begin filming with you in a few days!” You smiled and gave your co-star Lana Condor a hug.

“Likewise! I’ve been looking for a project with strong leading women roles and it’s finally happening.” You both smiled and parted ways when you saw Harry pull up at the front of the gate.

“Hey, bestieeeee!” You said, Harry laughed at your enthusiasm,

“Hi, love, get in now. There’s a bit of traffic.” You got in and Harry saw the outfit you were wearing.

“Whoa you own clothes other than sweats and leggings?” Harry asked in a fake shocking voice. You slapped his arm and he laughed, “Just joking. You look gorgeous though, Tom’s gonna have a hard time keeping it in his pants.” Again you slapped his arm and rolled your eyes. 

“That’s your brother, yuh nasty. But thanks.” You giggled and blushed.

You wore a white cropped turtle neck long sleeve, a suede nude high waisted skirt with a small slit on your right leg, and black heeled suede boots that went up just below your knee. The outfit hugged your curves perfectly, but was still very comfortable.

“Ok update time! I have to tell you what happened before the tableread.” He nodded,

“Who ended up taking you?” He asked.

“Tom did and he took me to lunch also.” He nodded his head like ‘ok so what?’, “Tom uhm… He took me to the burger cafe…”

“WHAT?” Harry yelled scaring you a bit, 

“I know it’s crazy, but you didn’t have to yell. It was so awkward that he brought me there.”

“No, y/n you don’t understand. After you guys broke up he refused to go there, even if it was just to pick food up for us. Then after a week of him and Allana dating he said he’d get some for us and he came back 2 hours after with super red puffy eyes. We all tried to talk to him about it, but he refused to and never went back until today I guess.” Your heart dropped hearing how sad Tom was you thought he was fine after everything you two went through. You were also surprised because you thought he hardly ever kept anything from the boys. 

“Then why would he take me there?” you asked softly

“Beats me. He hasn’t even brought Allana there. He always tells us it’s because Allana doesn’t like ‘greasy’ food, but I say that’s bull.” You sat there stunned, but you couldn’t think too much of it or else bad things would ensue.

“Anyway, how was filming?” You asked. Harry smiled widely and let out a dreamy sigh,

“It’s so fun, I’m living my dream and I love it even more.” You smiled seeing your friend so passionate about something.

-

“I can’t wait for you to see the final result, I cried a bit when filming it.” Harry said before pulling into the driveway of his parents’ house. 

“I can’t wait to see what you’ve done, the script was really well written.” You smiled at him before he got out and opened the door for you. You looped your arm in his and walked to the front door. He knocked and you realized you forgot to ask him about whose idea it was to have you stay for the next few months,

“Harry, can I ask you something?”

“Ya what’s up?” Before you could ask him the door swung open and Sam stood there with a wide grin.

“Y/n!” You jumped into his arms and he chuckled, 

“How’ve you been, Sam?” 

“Great! I’m getting better at cooking everyday.” He said proudly, stepping aside to let you and Harry in.

“Oh my god, Paddy?” You stared wide eyed at him, “You got so tall. You’re going to look like the eldest soon.” He laughed and gave you a hug, you were still shorter than him in the heels. 

“Yeah I see you’re still tiny.” He joked and laughed when you put your hand over your heart pretending to be offended. 

“Oh, Paddy, be nice to the girl.” Nikki said wrapping you in a hug and you giggled squeezing her back, “I swear, y/n, you get more gorgeous every time I see you whether it be on instagram or in person!” She said looking at you up and down and you flipped your hair in a joking way. 

“I could say the same to you, Nikki.” And she smiled widely at that. You went over to Dom and gave him a hug.

“Oh y/n it’s so lovely to see you again and not on Harry’s laptop!” You giggled,

“It’s nice to be here! I missed being in such a nice environment. After coming here once I believed American hospitality actually sucked.” He laughed at your comment and you all moved to the living room to catch up a bit more.

The doorbell rang and Harry came back with Tuwaine and Harrison who had cases of beer in their hands. 

“Oh my goodness, you boys better not get too drunk tonight, it’s a weeknight for christ's sake.” Nikki said, scolding them.

“Sorry, Nikki, we won’t I promise.” Harrison said and he winked at Tuwaine. Nikki shook her head as everyone else laughed. 

“Where’s Tom? He was supposed to pick up the drinks with us.” Tuwaine asked.

“Oh he’s in Paddy’s room. He’s been on a call with his girlfriend since y/n and Harry came.” Dom said.

-

You stood with Nikki drinking wine and watching Sam and Dom cook. 

“So, y/n, a little birdy told me you have a new flame in your life.” You laughed wondering if Tom or Harry told her, 

“I’m afraid that flame has already been burnt out,” she looked at you apologetically with a hint of excitement, “No worries though, it was for the best. Now I am focusing on myself and my work.” You said happily.

“I’m glad to hear that. It’s refreshing to hear that you can do well without being in a relationship. If you’re ever looking for one though, I know someone who maybe… I don’t know, never stopped looking your way.” 

You stared at her wide eyed. You knew she was talking about Tom and that she had loved you for him, but you didn’t think she’d put her son out like that especially when he’s currently dating someone. You were about to comment back that you couldn’t, but something warm and fuzzy rubbed against your leg. 

“Oh my goodness! Tessa baby where did you come from?” You cooed and put the wine glass on the counter to pick her up. Nikki smiled and awed. You heard footsteps approaching the kitchen,

“Tessa where’d you go? Mum can you put out another plate, Alla-” Tom stepped into the kitchen and stopped to scan your figure with his eyes. He gulped and brushed his hands through his hair,

“H-hi, y/n. You uh look nice.” Nikki smiled cheekily at how you made her son all flustered.

“What was that, Tom?” Nikki asked, he cleared his throat,

“Oh right, Allana is coming if that’s alright. Can we put out another seat at the table?” 

“Tonight of all nights? This was supposed to be a welcome dinner for y/n. We’ve invited her over so many times and after almost 5 months of you two dating she decides to meet us for the first time now?” You looked back down at Tessa who was cradled in your arms. How has Allana not met Tom’s parents, he introduced you to them before you even dated.

“Mum, you know she’s always been busy. Tonight just happened to be one of her open nights.” Nikki sighed and grabbed another plate from the cupboard. You put Tessa down to help Nikki set up the table.

You and Tom made eye contact and he smiled softly at you. You smiled back and he asked, 

“Wanna go outside? The boys are doing some trick shots.”

“Ya I’ll be out in a bit, let me just finish helping your mom.”

“No no, y/n, you shouldn’t even be helping. Tom you’re being a bad host.” She scolded and he put his hands up in defense before helping the both of you.

When you finished he walked with you to the backyard. You thanked him when he opened the sliding door for you. You sat down and watched as Harry, Paddy, Harrison, and Tuwaine tried to get a ping pong ball into a cup by bouncing it off a wall. Tom sat next to you after closing the sliding door and you shivered a bit, now regretting not bringing a jacket. Tom quickly got back up and went back inside, not even 30 seconds later you felt a fuzzy blanket wrap around your shoulders and cover your legs. You looked up to see that Tom had brought a blanket out for you,

“Just returning the favor, love.” He winked at you referencing to when you put the blanket on him this morning. You smiled and silently thanked him.

“So, when’s Allana coming?” You asked and Tom plopped down next to you again, 

“Oh she just left her friends so she’ll be here in 15 minutes maybe.” You nodded. ‘So she was already occupied before deciding to come to this dinner, interesting.’ you thought. 

Tom scooted a little closer to you, shoulders rubbing making your heart rate speed up. ‘Fuck it I’m gonna ask him’ you thought.

“Tom, did Harry really beg you to let me stay in the house? He told me it was your idea.” You said quickly looking at him.

He cleared his throat with wide eyes before rubbing his face.

“Uhm… no?” You raised your eyebrow at him, 

“Why’d you lie?”

Tom sighed and brushed a hand through his hair before pulling his knees closer to his chest and resting his chin between his knees. He was really nervous for some reason. He bit the skin on his thumb before saying, “Well, I didn’t think it’d be a terrible idea to have you here. We’d be too busy to even really see each other because I’d leave to shoot Uncharted…” He looked at you in the eyes and paused thinking about what he was going to say, “plus I uh kinda missed seeing you and talking to you. I kinda felt like a dick for not talking to you when you reached out to me as a friend after we broke up. I meant to reply, I swear, but I just couldn’t find the right moment I guess.” He sighed and looked back down, “I-I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get you back.” Your eyes widened a bit.

“Oh not like in a relationship way, like uhm…” 

“A friendship?” You asked and giggled at him stumbling with his words. You were relieved, you were definitely not down to have drama in your life right now. 

“Hm, yeah, a friendship.” He said and looked at you with a crooked smile. That didn’t seem very convincing, but you brushed it off.

“Well, Tom, I’m 100% down for a friendship. There has to be some ground rules though, which I can't believe I have to say this, because you have a girlfriend.” You said sternly, “First you can’t compliment me anymore, kinda messes with my feelings…” he smirked at that going back to his cocky self, “Second you absolutely cannot be flirtatious with me,”

“Love, you can’t tell me to not be me.” He said winking, you hit his arm, “I’m joking, I’m joking.”

“Third…” You looked at him seriously completely disregarding what Haz told you, “I uh think we should leave the past behind us. You know, start off this friendship on a new slate.” Tom looked at you upset with furrowed brows like he wanted to say something, but his face relaxed knowing if he did it’d cause problems. 

“Ok then, is that all?” He asked softly, looking away from you.

“Hm… I guess so.” You looked at one another trying to read what the other was thinking. Then you looked away afraid you’d fall deeper staring into his brown orbs.

“Actually while we’re getting stuff out the way… How’d you know Gavin and I were dating?” You asked while fiddling with the hair tie on your wrist. Tom’s thoughts began to race figuring out a way to get out of this situation without sounding like a creepy ex, but he felt that he could only tell you the truth. 

He sighed, “Well actually, I didn’t know. I was-”

“Tommy!” A squeaky voice rang out behind you. You and Tom moved apart from each other quickly. ‘Oh shit’ Tom thought. Again, he was getting caught up with you and forgetting about Allana. Although, he was relieved to be pulled out of saying a very embarrassing confession. 

“Allana, hi, when did you get in?” Tom smiled, only sounding half excited and more nervous. Paddy looked curiously at the new girl that entered while Harry, Tuwaine, and Haz looked displeased to see her. Harry glanced at you raising his eyebrow and you shrugged standing up to leave Allana and Tom alone.

“Baby, I texted and called you so many times when I got here,” She rolled her eyes, “Your mum let me in when she saw me through the security camera.” Then she glared at him, if looks could kill Tom would be 6 feet underground by now.

“Sorry, darling. I left my phone inside.” She scoffed.

“You could’ve knocked or rang the doorbell.” Paddy said, everyone looked at him surprised. Allana snapped her head up in the direction of his voice, but her expression softened a bit when she noticed that Paddy was the one that said that. 

“Hm, I mean, I guess…” She shrugged and subtly rolled her eyes, “Tommy, why don’t you introduce me to your family now?” Oh god. You wanted to try to like her, but she was really making it hard.

“Didn’t she just pass by the kitchen and see Paddy just now? Did she not greet any of them?” you asked Harry in disbelief. He scoffed,

“Yeah, but she probably needed, ‘Tommy’s’ help.” Harry said mimicking the way she says his name. You watched as Tom introduced Allana to Paddy and then brought her in to meet his parents and Sam.

-

“Sam this is absolutely delicious. I hope there’s leftovers because nobody can cook in our house.” Tuwaine said, eating another bite of steak. 

Harrison chuckled, “Haha true, this morning Tom was just frying bacon and burnt his side real bad. Y/n had to nurse him, it was hysterical.” Allana looked at you displeased and you blushed. 

“Harrison, you’re a fucking twat.” Tom said and Nikki glared at him for cursing.

“Oh my goodness. Tom were you cooking with your shirt off again?” Nikki asked, disappointed. Tom looked down at his plate guilty. Nikki looked at Dom,

“Don’t look at me, darling, I no longer claim him as my own.” He said with his hands up in defense and everybody laughed at that. “Anyway, y/n. Whatcha filming now?”

You finished chewing, “I’m filming a new action movie called, “Run”. It’s about a family on the run that is under the protection of two female rookie CIA agents. That’s all I can really say for now, but I’m really excited to work on it because of the wonderful empowering story.” You smiled, you could’ve talked about the project forever, but you legally couldn’t because of the contract you signed.

“That sounds so bad ass!” Paddy said suddenly. Nikki looked at him,

“Oi! No cursing at the table. Tom, see what you’ve taught your brother?”

“Mum, really?” Tom moaned. She gave him  a stern look and he pouted, you giggled at the cute moment and Tom’s heartbeat quickened when hearing it.

“Was it hard getting here, y/n? You know with all the covid-19 news?” Dom asked.

“Oh it was a nightmare! Even though the airports were less crowded people were still freaking out and sanitizing every moment they could. Also as soon as I landed there was a bunch of news that things were beginning to get shut down in my state. I just hope filming doesn’t get cut short.”

“Yeah it’s unbelievable. The producers for Uncharted said to be ready for anything.” Tom added. It was quiet then you decided to ask Allana about what she was currently working on, trying to help her gain brownie points back with the Hollands. 

“Allana, what about you? Aren’t you working on something as well?” She looked up surprised that she was brought into the conversation. Tom put his hand on her back to ease her nerves, your heart dropped at the sight, but you tried not to think about it because he’s your friend now. 

“Well, I actually run a business with my friend and uh...,” she thought hard about what to say next and as if a light bulb went off in her mind, “we’re uh all about empowerment as well.” She looked at you smiling for the first time ever, “We design and sell chique clothing and then  20% of the proceeds are given to charities that stand out to us.” Tom’s parents looked impressed. The boys seemed surprised as well. She smiled at you again looking thankful… and smug?

“That is lovely, Allana. I’d like to see this business of yours sometime.” Nikki said, smiling at her kindly. Everyone carried on with their own conversations. Harry leaned over to your ear,

“Looks like the devil has a soul after all, but I don’t know if I’ve fallen for it yet.” You elbowed his side. 

“You just gotta give her a chance. Looks like you guys have never even asked what she does.” 

“Touche,” He shrugged, “Not gonna lie, I’m surprised you're being so nice to your ex’s girlfriend.” He said as if Tom wasn’t his brother.

“Well, Tom and I talked about it and we’re going to start off on a new slate as friends…” You looked at him, “Just like you suggested.” Harry smiled and hugged you, clearly proud of you. When you parted you caught Tom looking at you. You smiled at one another before carrying on with your conversations.

-

“You lot want to play a quick board game or something before we all call it a night?” You all nodded in agreement and migrated to the living room. Paddy said he was tired and decided to head to sleep for the night since he has school still. ‘What a responsible kid.’ you thought when you all said your good nights to him.

You all decided to play Heads Up. Dom was downloading the game on his tablet and Allana pulled Tom somewhere else.

-

Tom joyfully walked behind Allana into the guest room,

“What’s wrong? My parents seem to like you a lot, darling.” Tom said to Allana. She smiled pleased with what he said, but there was something else bothering her,

“What’s going on between you and y/n?” She asked straightforwardly as her mood switched fast.

“What? Nothing at all why?”

“Hm really? I get here and see you two basically cuddling and I keep catching you looking at her. If I didn’t know any better I’d think you have a crush or something.” She said in a serious tone. Tom sighed,

“Ok I know this isn’t the right time to hear it, but please don’t get mad at me and let me finish explaining.” She gave him a displeased look telling him to go on.

“Well y/n is my ex-”

“What the fu-” she interrupted furiously

“No, please let me finish,” He said with his hands on her shoulders, “I never told you because nobody even knew we ever dated, only our family and cast mates knew… I just didn’t think it would be cool if I broke my promise with y/n and told you too. She wanted only a few people to know.” Nothing he was saying was making Allana feel better. In fact it made something in her snap, her face began to turn red with anger. She pushed his hands off her shoulders,

“What the hell? I’m your girlfriend not y/n. Shouldn’t that promise mean nothing to you by now? Plus can’t you trust me enough?” Tom looked at his feet as he brushed his hands through his hair. Allana let out a stressful sigh and said,

“Look, Tom, I really really like you. We’ve been dating for almost 5 months now and you couldn’t build up the courage to tell me about your ex?”

“Allana, don’t go blaming me for not telling you anything. I had to find out through a friend that your ex actually broke up with you because you cheated on him for christ’s sake, not because you were moving to a different city!” He whisper yelled, getting angrier.

“God I hate when you bring that up, it was one slip up. I barely cheated on the guy.” Tom was about to say something really rude but she beat him to it, “You know what? I will not make a fool of myself. Definitely not in this relationship. I don’t like seeing you and y/n together at all. You can stay with me and we’ll work this shit out or…” she thought for a bit,

“Or what?” Tom asked impatiently, making her a bit more angry.

“Or I swear if I see you close to her or looking at her again I will share with the world what you told me tonight.” 

“What the hell are you fucking crazy?” Tom asked in disbelief.

“No. I’m just a boss lady that gets what she wants.” she said with full confidence crossing her arms over her chest, “just think about it, Tom.” She began to walk toward the door,

“Allana, y/n has been nothing but nice to you. Don’t you think it’d be a decent thing to at least leave her out of this? She’s really serious about her privacy. A-and didn't you just say you believe in women sticking together and empowerment?”

“What and lose all the leverage I have on you? Plus that’s something I tell everyone to promote the business.” She laughed darkly and started walking away again, “Oh and if I hear that anyone finds out about our deal, I’ll share your little secret. And I don’t give a shit that you two live in the same house, get creative, babe.” 

Tom sat feeling defeated at the edge of the bed. 

He thought to himself, ‘What the hell was that? In all the months I’ve dated Allana she has been bossy, but never this evil or mean or fucking psycho. What have I gotten myself into? How did I not see the signs? Well the boys did say something about her being off…’ Tom’s thoughts were cut off when Sam came in,

“We’re starting the game now, come down or else you’ll get put on a shitty team.” He joked, but his smile fell when he saw the upset look on his older brother’s face.

“Wait are you ok, Tom?” Tom looked up, smiled, and nodded. He got up to follow his brother and Sam decided not to press on knowing Tom didn’t want to talk about it.

Tom’s eyebrows furrowed again when he thought, ‘Well this is it. I have to avoid y/n as much as possible, it’s best for the both of us. I never thought things would turn out this way.’

+++

Tag list: @averyfosterthoughts @thollandx @mrsjeffwittek @panicattheeverywherekid @racewife2004 @greatpizzascissorstaco @witchything @wheelertozier @runway-to-my-aid @rafficorn @jessirosebud @peterspideyy 

[crowsnests]

taste of certainty - part three

Fandom: The Arcana  Pairing: Julian Devorak x OC Apprentice (Syran Elkas) Tags: friends to lovers; modern times au; friend group dynamic; slow burn; pining; really just Julian being Julian and Syran being Oblivious Words: 7453 Warnings: mention of anxiety, migraines, insomnia, alcohol

part 1 2 3 4 5

playlist

I see the walls that are torn and bent The tug of war in the now, not yet Holding back what they can contain Can you tell me why I feel this way?

- trust; half-alive

III. sweet hurricane

Wednesdays are chill enough workdays, usually. It’s when Miss Eirsdottir has the least meetings, so Syran gets to calmly sit at her desk, processing new proposals and arranging schedules.

Not this Wednesday, though.

Miss Eirsdottir has Syran basically assist Varya in running all sorts of errands: moving from one side to the building to the other, carrying boxes of products for her to review, making sure the interns get the right coffees for the guests in the meetings, rushing to bring important folders to the PR office, assisting in said meetings. Varya is nice and helps Syran feel more at ease with the amount of workload, but it’s still quite stressful.

Syran forgot the days close to the launch of a new product could get so hectic. Her recurring migraine starts to make itself heard.

In the midst of it all, she gets a moment to catch her breath, during her lunch break. She goes and sits outside, despite the cold, on a bench in the courtyard inside the building. As she unfurls her lunchbox – a chicken sandwich, a carrot, and a bunch of blueberries – Asra and Pasha join her at the bench.

“Well, you look like shit,” Asra says, not even bothering with formalities as he sits down and opens his ricebox. A spiced scent trails out from it.

“Thanks, feel like it, too,” Syran answers, then bites into her carrot. Her head is pounding with pain and the nausea that comes with it doesn’t make her food look all that appealing, but she’s used to it at this point. She vaguely explains the reason for her exhaustion, her two friends nodding in understanding.

“Yeah, this week is tough, huh?” Pasha looks concerned as she takes out her lunch from her bag. A clear box with pasta in it and some orange juice.

“Yeah, pre-release is hell up in management,” Syran sighs.

“Well, at least you get to have fun next weekend! It’s gonna be a blast.” Pasha winks.

Syran looks at her confused, blinks a couple times, her brain slowly moving its gears together.

Asra looks at her pointedly, mouthing something.

Syran can’t decipher it, but a light goes on in her brain nonetheless.

“Oh shit, it’s your birthday! Yeah! Can’t wait for that!”

“You and Nadi always know how to throw a good party, I’m excited,” Asra smiles, bright eyes wrinkled up in joy. He does love partying.

Pasha laughs, then goes on to describe how she’s planned this carefully, how the theme is Vintage Masquerade, or something, and how she can’t wait to see everyone’s costumes. Asra engages with her eagerly, giving advice for decorations and getting excited over the food.

There and then, Syran realises two things.

One: she has no fucking clue what to wear to something like that.

Two: she’s supposed to see Ilya today and get Pasha a present.

As if summoned, her phone goes off. Ilya’s name on the screen makes her insides squirm but she opens the text trying not to arouse suspicion.

dr. hulian - 13:12 Do you think Pasha would like this?

Attached to the message, there’s a picture of a– well, a skull, looking pretty real and being held by what’s clearly Ilya’s hand. Syran finds it a little eerie, but she can’t hold her smile back.

To: dr. hulian - 13:13 Mmmh, maybe if you decorated it a bit?

She starts eating her sandwich, itching to get a reply, but acts as if it’s nothing. She gets back into the conversation with Pasha and Asra, trying to get distracted. Asra is now suggesting he could give tarot readings to the guests for a little bit during the party, Pasha seems elated at the idea.

Then, Syran’s phone vibrates again.

from: dr. hulian - 13:16 - You mean like this? - His name is Ferdinand, by the way

This time, the skull has a thin golden scarf with an intricate flower pattern tied all around, complete with a fancy bow on top. It’s ridiculous and endearing at the same time. Syran tries to stifle a laugh.

To: dr. hulian - 13:18 - hell yeah, ferdinand looks perfect in that, love it - where did he get that, looks extremely fashionable

from: dr. hulian - 13:18 - We stole it from nadia’s bag while she went to the bathroom. I suspect mere seconds before we get punished for our crime. - oh no, she found us

Syran laughs again, this time she can’t hide it as she types a reply.

To: dr. hulian - 13:19 - Just blame it on Ferdinand! i’m sure she’ll understand

“–kay, what’s going on, Syran?”

“Huh?” She blinks up at the two pairs of eyes scrutinising her.

“Who’re you texting?” Asra looks smug, ready to pounce.

“Looks like a pretty nice convo you’re having there.” Pasha adds, leaning forward to rest her chin on her hand.

Syran scrambles for a reply. There’s no way in hell she’s going to be honest with them on this, not today.

Or ever, probably.

“Just– Ran. She was showing me her dogs, back at home,” She smiles at the end, desperately hoping to sell the lie.

Pasha lights up at the word dogs, but Asra doesn’t seem convinced.

“Really? She never mentioned dogs to me,” He narrows his eyes.

“Oh, yeah, she has two mixed breeds and– and a parrot.”

I mean, it’s not as much of a lie as a past truth. Ran used to have two dogs and a parrot in her old home. Now it’s just one of the dogs, who’s gotten pretty old, too.

“That’s cute! Can I see?” Pasha eagerly leans over to glance at Syran’s phone, now sitting face up on the table.

“Uh– I– I guess–” just as Syran tries to make something up, the phone goes off again, this time with a call. Ilya’s name flashes on the display for everyone to see.

Syran just stares at it, startled.

“Well, aren’t you going to answer?” Asra suggests, teasingly.

Syran chuckles nervously, then reaches for the phone.

“Hello?”

From the other side there’s noises and two distinct voices arguing, albeit muffled. None of them talking to her.

“H– hello?” she tries again, this time genuinely confused.

“–ust for a second! Don’t get mad at me, come on–”

“–you should know better than to steal from me, Ilya,”

“Come on, Nadi– ust a joke!”

“–going to have a better excuse– this was a gift!”

Asra and Pasha lean closer to try and hear what’s going on, but Syran swats them away.

“Must be a butt dial or something,” she mutters, just as Ilya keeps talking and exclaims an apology.

Pasha rolls her eyes. “Is it my brother?”

As Nadia seems to reprimand Ilya more, Syran nods, looking confused enough for her friends to frown with her.

“– an excuse to talk!” Ilya’s exclamation gets Syran's attention.

“You’re a lost cause, Devorak,” This time Nadia’s voice is a little more clear.

“I know,” Ilya says.

When they go silent Syran tries again.

“Uhhh, hello?”

More noises. Something scrambling by the mic.

“Oh, shi– goddamn– hello? Syran? That you?”

“Yep,” She deadpans, avoiding Pasha and Asra’s eyes, “In the flesh.”

“Uh– did you– did you call me?”

“I believe you called me, Ilya,” she arches an eyebrow.

On the other side of the table, Pasha is making a kissy face and hugging herself, then mouths the word smooch. Next to her, Asra snickers. Syran rolls her eyes and turns on her seat, her back facing them.

“Ah. Right. Well, that was– not intentional. I was– discussing, with Nadia, you see.” Ilya utters, embarrassed.

“I figured,” Syran laughs, “Pretty important discussion, it seems.”

“Uh– did you hear much of that?”

Syran could barely understand, really. “Nope, mostly that Nadia’s mad about your theft.” She smiles.

“Yes, indeed. But Ferdinand and I will be okay,” He laughs, clearly more relaxed. “We fought hard and we lost our treasure, but we came out of it unscathed.”

“That’s not true–” Nadia chimes in from somewhere next to him.

Syran can’t help but laugh louder at Ilya’s theatrics this time, “Well, I’m glad you’re alive, at least.”

She is also glad that her friends can’t see her face right now, because it would be so, so, incriminating.

“So, uh, well,” Ilya continues, “Since we’re here, I was– I was wondering if you’re still on for later? For the– uh– secret mission?” Syran smirks at the way he whispers it, not subtle at all.

Suddenly aware not only of the pair of devils behind her, but also of the fact her and Ilya’s mission involves a surprise for one of them, Syran tries to not give herself away. She also probably needs to close the call, before she makes things worse for herself.

“Yep, yep, sure.” She says, quickly. “No worries.”

“Oh, great, so I’ll come–” Ilya starts.

“Yeah, work’s definitely busy today!”

“Uhm, okay, so– does that mean–”

“No, it’s fine!” Syran exclaims, trying her best to act convincingly. “Well, good luck with your– things!”

“Okay, bu–”

Syran hangs up before Ilya can finish.

“Wow,” Asra says from behind her.

Syran breathes in and takes a moment to turn back towards them, then hides her face in her sandwich.

“You two were straight-up flirting,” Pasha says, smile on her face.

Syran talks with a bite of sandwich in her mouth. “Do you even know what flirting entails? Because that was not it. That was a normal conversation. If that was flirting, then I’d be flirting with all of you. All the time. That’s not flirting.”

Cool, now she's talking way too much.

“Ah, the sweet taste of denial,” Asra sighs, dramatic and starry-eyed.

“Seriously, you guys are delusional.” Syran gives one last bite to her sandwich. “That was just an accidental dial, nothing more.”

“Yes, but why, oh, why, I wonder, was it to you? Were you so high up in his recent contacts?” Pasha squints at her, sly.

“You’re reaching. We all have a groupchat together, it could have been for any reason. You know how clumsy Ilya can be.” Syran shrugs, praying that they’ll let her live. Seriously, she does not deserve this torture. “Why are you guys so obsessed with this anyway?”

Pasha and Asra exchange a look, then they both lean back, in sync.

“Okay,” Asra states. He narrows his eyes and crosses his fingers on the table like he's a renowned detective, or something. “Let’s assume you’re right.”

“Which I am–”

“Did you mind, though?”

“What?”

“Did you mind that Ilya butt-dialed you?”

“What sort of question is that?” Syran widens her eyes, taken aback. Really, why are they so stubborn.

“Just answer, perp!” Pasha points a finger at her. Now it really feels like Syran is in an interrogation room.

“I have nothing to answer, because that is a stupid question.” She closes her lunch box with finality, looking straight into Pasha’s eyes.

“Admit it!” Asra slams a hand on the table, “You enjoy talking to him!”

Syran groans, exasperated, “Of course I do, he’s my friend! It would be mean if I didn't!”

Pasha and Asra smile at each other, “We got her, chief.” Pasha says.

“You got nothing,” Syran glares at them, “I’m going back to work.”

She gets up and gathers her things, ignoring the chorus of booos coming from her friends.

God, she loves them to bits, but they can be so annoying at times.

🂱

Somehow, she manages to slither away from the others and get back home safe.

After having sent Ilya a few explanatory texts and having agreed to meet at a cafe nearby, she finally takes a look in the mirror.

She really does look tired. Without distractions around her, the migraine is harder to ignore. She takes a relief pill and washes her ruined makeup, her face feeling cleaner. The heaviness of the day is starting to take a toll on her, she can feel it in her muscles.

When she checks the time, she realises that she’s going to be late if she doesn’t hurry up.

Quickly, she reapplies her makeup as best as she can, then throws on some clean and more comfortable clothes.

Persephone meows at her from the foot of her bed; it’s almost as if she’s smirking at her, knowing more than she lets on.

“Oh, not you too,” Syran pleads.

🂱

When she arrives at the cafe, Ilya is waiting by the entrance, casually leaning on the wall behind him. She takes a moment to look at him while he’s distracted by his phone, all perfectly styled auburn hair and dark clothes. She hates how good he looks.

(She doesn’t hate it, really, but she’ll die before she admits it.)

When he meets her eyes, a big smile sparks on his face.

“Hey,” she waves. “Hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“Hey,” he echoes, “Not at all.”

“Shall we?”

“Ah, yes, uh– should we get some coffee to go, first, since I owe you that?” He smirks, but then his eyes glance down to the side straight away. “That’s if– if you want, of course.”

“Sounds great!” Syran nods, delighted at the thought of a hot beverage in her hands.

The cafe is cozy and warm, most of the tables are filled with people chatting or working on their laptops.

As they wait in line, Ilya and Syran talk a little about their days, how Ilya’s research is driving him insane, how Syran’s boss gave her a hundred errands until late.

“Yikes, that must be tiring,” Ilya says, concerned, as they wait for their drinks.

Ilya has ordered a black coffee with a splash of milk, Syran has opted for a matcha latte. She likes coffee, but on days like this it makes her a little too jittery.

“Yeah, I mean, no more tiring than any other job. Plus, I learn a lot. Miss Eirsdottir is tough, but she’s brilliant.” Syran finds herself fiddling with her hands. “Hopefully one day I get to do more of the parts that I really love, though.”

Ilya smiles down at her, handing her the drink. There’s a glint in his eyes that makes Syran feel light. “I’m sure you will.”

Finding a present for Pasha isn’t as easy as they thought. They scurry through shops, trying things, looking at clothes, bags, books, videogames, jewelry, vinyl records– they contemplate wine at some point but realise Nadia would like that more. Then they go back to books, but nothing seems right.

Syran would lie if she said she isn’t having fun, though. Despite some moments where she really wishes she could hide her blush, she and Ilya fall into a rhythm made of jokes, laughter, chatter, and comfortable silences.

It’s nice. Really nice. It's. You know. Friendship.

Eventually, they walk by a window that’s displaying a various array of scarfs, ranging in colours and materials.

Syran does a double-take and spots a muted orange one that makes her think of Pasha immediately.

“That one!” She exclaims pointing at the glass.

“Huh?” Ilya seems taken aback, interrupted in the middle of his story on how he once got his hand stuck in a vending machine.

“Look at that scarf, isn’t it perfect for Pasha?”

Ilya squints at the glass, trying to figure out what Syran is pointing at. “The orange one?”

“Yep! It looks so pretty!” Syran turns to him, beaming, “We should go see it!”

Ilya nods, smiling back.

The scarf turns out to be even better than they thought. It’s made of soft and light cotton, with a delicate golden pattern woven on the edges. Ilya seems elated, saying that she will love it, right? Will she love it, Syran? I think she will.

Syran smiles at his excitement, glad to see him happy about the choice. The clerk wraps it up in a beautiful gift box, eagerly explaining how the cotton is of a refined but durable quality, it makes for perfect everyday use, but also works really well for more elegant events. Ilya listens intently, as if he’s trying to remember all of it to then tell Pasha.

Ilya has a big smile plastered on his face as they exit the shop, then he turns to Syran and hugs her, all-encompassing. She’s startled, but she gingerly hugs him back.

“Thank you so much, seriously,” He mutters in her hair.

She really really hopes he can’t hear how loud her heart is beating this time.

It’s not a crush.

Is it?

When he pulls back, they’re both a little flustered. “Ehm– I mean, yeah. Thank you.”

Syran is still trying to regain herself from the sudden hug, but something in Ilya’s tone makes her wonder.

“Can I ask you something?”

Ilya seems a little surprised by the question, but nods nonetheless. “Sure.”

“Why were you so worried about this? Besides the regular stuff you told me, like. What are you really worried about?” More than out of curiosity, Syran is asking because she can sense that there’s still something bothering Ilya.

He blinks, eyes wide. Then he looks down, as if caught in the act.

“Well– I– to be honest, it’s been a little tough lately, and the work at the university isn’t helping. So I haven’t been able to be there for Pasha as much as I’d like.” He sighs, but Syran gives him time, sensing that’s not the whole story.

He looks at her, visibly worried now. “And. Well. Pasha and I have– not always been close. Our parents divorced when we were fairly young and we took different paths after I graduated high school. I left, wanting to get away from it all, and she stayed. I made mistakes, resented her for it. We argued a lot, eventually had a big fight, and– didn’t talk for a while after that. It didn’t feel good, but I was reckless and hurt and too prideful.”

He looks so sad Syran can’t help but reach out to hold one of his gloved hands. Then, he smiles, although a little bitterly. Syran thinks she sees tears in her eyes. Her heart drops to her stomach.

Ilya continues, “I mean, we fixed things in the past years and now that we live in the same town it’s great, but– I still feel like there’s an unspoken distance. I fucked up so many times before–” He cuts himself off, like it pains him to go on. “So– yeah, I just want us to get close again– I feel like I need to make it up to her, somehow.”

He blinks the tears away, chuckling nervously. “God, you must think I’m an idiot.”

“What– no!” Syran’s chest is tight. She never imagined Ilya had all of this inside. She knew there was some sort of situation between the two of them, but Pasha never liked talking about it much.

“I–I think you’re very thoughtful. And mature for wanting to own up to things. It’s heartwarming to see how much you care,” She continues under his cautious stare. “Look– I don’t know, maybe it’s not my place, but I don’t think you need to make anything up to her. You’re a wonderful brother and person. Look at how much thought you’re putting into this! Whatever happened, I am– I’m sure she knows how much you love her. I can see how happy she is to have you back in her life, too – well, in between all the bickering.”

Ilya laughs at her last words and she joins, happy to see him smiling again.

Then, her gaze softens. “I think you will be just fine. You are trying really hard, you should give yourself a break.”

Ilya smiles, gentle. Then, he seems more relieved. “Thank you. You’re– uh. Quite good at pep talks.”

She winks, “I know.” She can’t help but squeeze his hand a little. He squeezes back. Syran feels a little dazed and her chest feels a little tight, her and Ilya exchanging a soft gaze.

She’s so fucking gone, it’s no use ignoring it.

It might just be a crush.

Then, Ilya’s eyes widen, and he gasps. “You still need a present!”

“Oh, yeah,” Syran realises, waking up from her thoughts, “We don’t have to get it right now, though, I can always–”

“Nope, you helped me, now it’s your turn! Let’s go!”

He drags her through more streets like he’s a kid on a mission, it makes Syran laugh. They stop at various shops, once again searching for something perfect.

She can’t deny it, though, there’s a newfound feeling between them, maybe one of strengthened trust. They’re both laughing more, feeling more comfortable with each other than before.

Finally, a small antique shop catches Ilya’s eye. Syran walks back to look at the window with him.

It’s filled with various objects, old pocket watches, silver paraphernalia, old vases and pots, ragged dolls. Ilya seems enthralled by an old model ship, perched precariously on a small shelf.

“My grandma used to have one like that in her house,” He smiles, fondly. “I demanded to play with it whenever we visited, but she always told me it was too delicate to even look at, let alone touch.” He laughs. “I’d get all whiny then, but I get it now.” He turns to Syran, almost a little sorrowful.

“Some things are just too delicate to be reckless with.”

Syran blinks at him, ignoring the blood rushing to her ears. She turns to look at the ship again.

“I don’t know,” she says, “It looks pretty sturdy to me. It might not be ruined, but now it’s sitting in a dusty display.” She turns to him and shrugs. “Isn’t it better to enjoy things while they last, instead of holding back? ”

She’s not sure they’re talking about the ship anymore– Ilya’s gaze on her makes her breath hitch in her throat.

She turns to the window again, flustered. As she stares intently, she realises that there is a little jewelry display on the bottom. In the midst of overly ornate rings and delicate pendants, she notices what looks like a brooch.

“Hey, what do you think of that?” She points at it, hoping that Ilya will see it amongst all the things.

He leans over her shoulder– too close to her, it takes all her might not to wince, ignoring the butterflies eating at her stomach. “Which one?”

“The– uh– the little brooch with the flowers?” She looks closer. It seems like real dried flowers encased in resin. They’re small and of a pale yellow, with a few crimson ones, on a white background. A delicate pattern made of golden metal frames it.

Ilya gasps, “That looks wonderful! It might go well with the scarf too!”

Syran agrees, although she hadn’t thought of that. She swallows, then suggests they head into the store.

As she talks to the owner, Ilya looks around the shop, curiously admiring the various displays. The brooch is even more beautiful up close, and the shopkeeper explains to her how this is special and one of a kind. Promises that she will give Syran a good price for it. She thanks the woman, and asks if she can wrap it as a gift.

“No problem, dear,” The lady says, reaching for a little red satin bag. As she fills it with some cotton to shield the brooch, she glances up at Ilya, who’s now looking at a small display of old books.

“Those ones are almost all first editions, you know,” she tells him.

“Oh– really?” Ilya turns, eyes filled with wonder. “They seem well preserved!”

“Of course,” The lady nods, delicately putting the brooch inside the bag, “I only get the best quality things.”

Ilya laughs, then moves onto another window. The lady slowly ties the bag with a textured ribbon, “Your boyfriend’s got a good eye,” she whispers.

Syran’s eyes widen, and she starts to stutter. “Oh– n– he’s not– we’re not together– he’s not my boyfriend.” She matches the shopkeeper’s tone, hoping that Ilya hasn’t heard them. Luckily, he seems too enthralled by the various objects to notice.

The lady throws another look at Ilya, then raises an eyebrow with a sly smile. “Are you sure?”

Syran doesn’t know how to answer for a second. Then she nods, slowly. “Yeah, uh. I am.”

When they leave the shop, Syran sighs in relief. Partly, because she’s got a present she’s really happy with. And also because she’s out of the shopkeeper's enquiring gaze.

“Happy?” Ilya asks her, smiling.

Syran looks up at him, startled. “Ye–yes! Very! I really hope she’ll like it.”

“Oh, she will,” he reassures her.

As they make their way back, Ilya starts wondering about what to wear at the party.

“I mean, I love her, but what sort of theme is Vintage Masquerade? Like, couldn’t she pick something simple? I don’t know, casual party attire?”

Syran laughs, although she agrees. She has no idea what to wear either.

“I mean, you kind of got it easy, you could throw on some slacks, a shirt, and some suspenders or something. Or a vest. Those are vintage.” She shrugs. She doesn’t know much about this stuff, really, but she does like dressing up. That is, when the theme is clear and easy.

“I guess– not even sure I have a vest, though,” Ilya ponders.

“Well, hey, you’re going to have to ditch your bomber jacket anyway.”

He gasps, fake offended. “Excuse me, this is my piece of resistance! Keeps me warm and looks amazing!”

Syran laughs it off, “Sure, but– still doesn’t quite hit the mark, does it?”

Ilya huffs like a pouting child. It’s endearing. “Whatever, I’ll figure something out, I guess.” Then he turns back to Syran.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“What are you gonna wear?”

Oh. With all the business of the day, she had forgotten to look for clothes or even think about it. Again.

“Uhmm–” She thinks back to her wardrobe. Mentally scans through her more formal things.

“Dunno– I guess I have a lilac dress I could wear? It’s kind of vintage? It’s the best I can do, honestly.” She huffs a small laugh, but the more she thinks about it the more she thinks the dress will be fine.

It’s made of a light and flowy material, with a high neck that closes with a few small buttons, leaving a drop–like window on the chest. It’s a delicate dress, but the knee-length skirt and cut are vintage-inspired, at least.

“That sounds nice,” Ilya hums. “Now we just gotta find some masks to go with it,” he sighs.

“Oh, well, we have about a week for that, at least.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Ilya frowns as if he’s trying to think where he could possibly find a mask.

“Although I think Pasha said there will be an array of masks to choose from at the party? Nadia knew a place or something, I think it’s to prevent people from showing up without one,” Syran realises with a smile, thinking of Pasha’s resolve and Nadia’s attention to details.

“Well, one less thing to worry about then,” Ilya sighs. “Although I hope to find one that works with my look. I’m a man of fashion, after all.”

“You could always make one,” Syran cackles, playfully hitting his arm. “And you didn’t know what to wear until I told you!”

He laughs back, teasing. “Hey, doesn’t mean I can’t dress at all!”

Syran’s smile only gets wider. It stays like that even after they’ve parted ways.

🂱

Syran doesn’t know how she got roped into this.

It all started with Asra and Nadia inviting her out for a few drinks– sure, it’s a Friday night, what’s a cocktail going to do?

So she got ready, wore one of her favourite outfits just as an incentive to feel more like going out, and met Asra at their usual place.

Except, when she arrived at the Raven, Asra and Nadia weren’t the only ones sitting at the table. A familiar head filled with auburn hair was sitting next to them, too.

Syran joined them, all smiles and greetings, and then dived immediately for the bar– anything to escape Asra’s knowing smile, Nadia’s attentive eyes, and Ilya’s annoyingly pretty face.

The bar isn’t too crowded, but thankfully still enough for her to blend with the people around her. She leans at the counter, waiting for a familiar face to greet her. Tonight Joon is working, which makes her smile. Since she and Asra have been coming here, he’s quickly become friends with them. She orders and idly chats with Joon as he makes her drink.

“Getting the usual?” A deep voice startles her.

Oh, she really can’t escape this shit.

She looks up at Ilya, who’s smirking at her. She does feel more relaxed around him now, but there are still moments like this, where he sneaks up on her and all of her blood rushes to her cheeks. To add insult to injury, Syran’s eyes can’t help but trail to Ilya’s outfit. He’s wearing a sleek black turtleneck that fits him like a glove. She doesn’t know if she hates this more or the shirts with the unbuttoned tops.

She turns back towards the bar, “Yep. Oaxaca old-fashioned all the way, baby.”

She taps her fingers on the wood and leans a little forward to look behind the counter, where Joon is just about to hand her the glass.

She grabs it with a smile, carefully taking the first sip. “Ah– you’re the best, Joon. Thank you.”

“Anytime, dear,” Joon winks at her. She loves him, honestly, and not only because he’s nice and handsome. He genuinely makes her laugh and has helped her more than a few times when unpleasant patrons have bothered her.

“Well, good, because I’ll definitely be back for another one,” she smirks and winks back.

Joon laughs, then turns to Ilya, “what can I get you?”

When Syran looks up at Ilya as she takes another sip from her glass, she notices the weird expression on his face. He’s almost frowning at Joon, but she brushes it down to his bushy eyebrows. He can unintentionally look like he’s glaring at people, when the light is right.

Then, he turns to Syran with a sly smile, “You know, I’ve never had an Oaxaca old-fashioned.”

She swallows, then puts the glass down, “You should! The ones Joon makes are god-tier.” Syran suggests excitedly.

Ilya seems to ponder on it for a second, “Mhh– but what if I don’t like it?”

Ilya’s never struck Syran for the indecisive type. But then again, maybe he just really wants to get a good drink right now. He seems to come to a realisation, just then.

“Ah– what if I tried yours?” He asks, genuine, but with a weird glint in his eyes. Syran did not expect the question, it leaves her a little dumbfounded.

“S–sure, why not–” She hands him the glass, and he grabs it, eagerly.

“Thank you,” Ilya proceeds to take a small sip from the glass, and Syran can’t help but notice that’s almost where she drank from, his lips dangerously close to the subtle stain of her lipstick.

Syran throws a glance at Joon, who’s patiently waiting for them. He shoots her a questioning look, raising an eyebrow. She just kinda shrugs.

Ilya puts the glass back on the counter, “That’s actually really really good.” He looks at it like he’s surprised.

“Told ya’,” Syran smirks.

When they get back to their table, equal drinks in their hands, Nadia and Asra are animatedly engaged in conversation. They kinda stop when Syran and Ilya arrive, turning to them with coy smiles.

Asra notices the drink in Ilya’s hand and then gasps, “Wow, she convinced you? She’s been trying to get me to drink that since forever.”

Syran rolls her eyes, “I gave up, you clearly only like extremely sweet shit–”

“And happily so,” Asra mocks her, then turns to Ilya again. “You actually like it?”

Ilya nods as if he doesn’t see what the fuss is all about, “Yeah, it’s really good.”

“It’s not as bad as you make it to be, Asra,” Nadia chimes in.

Ilya shrugs, then takes another sip. Syran can’t help but smile proudly at Asra, like she’s won an ongoing battle between the two of them.

“Well, it’s good to see you both have clearly similar tastes,” Asra says, before carefully drinking from the straw in his tall glass, filled with a bright pink cocktail. Both Ilya and Syran widen their eyes.

“Ah– guess so,” Ilya chuckles.

“Yeah,” Syran mutters, glaring at Asra. “Anyway, you guys noticed how they changed the backlight of the sign behind the bar? I actually like it better now,” Syran starts, trying to sway the conversation.

Maybe it’s not as graceful as she’d like, but it works. They all start talking about the bar and its decor, how they’ve always loved this place; time passes by and soon they’re all a little flushed and tipsy, except Nadia, who’s the designated driver for the night.

Then, at one point, Asra’s eyes trail behind Syran, and they widen in shock.

“Oh shit,” He says, crouching down as if to hide behind his drink. Nadia puts a hand on Asra’s back, concerned.

“What?” Both Syran and Ilya turn towards where Asra looked, trying to figure out what happened.

“Don’t look, you idiots!” Asra whispers, angry. “Valerius is here! Shit!”

Syran then realises, “Oh, fuck, really? I thought he didn’t come here anymore!”

“Yeah, well, he’s by the counter. Shit, fuck!”

“Who’s– uh– who’s Valerius?” Ilya asks, clearly confused.

“Asra’s awful ex,” Nadia explains, “he was an asshole and we all hate him, viciously.” She’s got fire in her eyes, and Syran knows she is mirroring it herself.

“He fucking– he cheated on me and then said it was my fault. It was– it was fucking awful.” Asra looks like he’s about to cry. Syran wants to reach for him and hug him. She knows Asra’s wound is still fresh and knows how hard it was for him to move on from the hurt.

Ilya sneers, “That’s disgusting.”

“Damn right,” Nadia adds, glaring towards where Valerius is.

“Hey, it’s okay, we can leave if you want,” Syran reaches out for Asra’s hand, trying to reassure him.

He shakes his head, sneaking another glance, “Then he will have won. Again.”

“No, he will not,” Nadia declares, “If he says anything we’ll beat the shit out of him. Fuck, even Joon will be on our side on this.”

“Nadia’s right,” Ilya adds, “Plus, I’ve dabbled in bar brawling before.”

It makes the table laugh, if a little, but it lightens the mood. It doesn’t last long, though.

“Shit– is that? Is that Lucio? Are you fucking kidding me?” Asra says, now even angrier than before.

“Oh, hell no–” Nadia goes to get up, but Asra holds her down.

“Nadi no, I just– I don’t want to see them.”

“Do you want me to drive you home?” Nadia asks. Asra nods, gingerly.

“That’s cool, Asra, we can go–” Syran starts.

“Not all at once, though–” He says, resolute. “I don’t want to draw attention.”

There’s a joke Syran could make there about how Asra doesn’t exactly blend in the crowd, with his flashy fashion and white hair, but she knows that wouldn’t make him laugh right now– clearly, all he wants to do is disappear.

“How about this,” Nadia says, turning towards Syran and Ilya, hand still on Asra’s back, “I’ll take him home and you guys enjoy the rest of your drinks. You’ve barely started these glasses, while we’re almost done. You call me when you’re finished and I’ll come back to pick you up, okay?”

“Nadi, you don’t have to–” Ilya starts, but she waves a hand to interrupt him.

“It’s no problem, really,” she smiles kindly, “You guys just enjoy the night, yeah?”

Syran looks at Asra, now clearly on the verge of tears. Whether they’re from hurt or anger, she can’t tell. Probably a mix of both. But he knows what she’s about to say nonetheless.

“Don’t worry, S,– I’ll be okay, yeah? I asked you to come out, it’s just fair that you enjoy your time. Seriously.”

Syran nods, resigned, knowing how stubborn Asra can get. “Okay but–”

“I’ll call you later, promise.”

“Promise,” Syran retaliates. A concerned frown doesn’t leave her face, even as Asra and Nadia carefully slip out the table, then towards the end of the counter, well hidden from Valerius’ attention. Syran spots Nadia talking to Joon, probably asking him to let them out through the back.

And just like that, Syran is left at the table alone with Ilya, both of them in awkward silence, staring at their drinks. Finally, Ilya speaks.

“I’ve never– I’ve never seen Asra like that.”

Syran looks at him, notices the worry in his features as he twirls the glass in his hands.

“Yeah, he tries to hide his feelings, when he can, the idiot,” she smiles bitterly; stars know how many times she’s tried to tell Asra that bottling it all up doesn’t help anyone.

“I can understand that,” Ilya looks up at her. “I hate to pry but– who’s–”

“Lucio? The guy Valerius cheated with. Also, Nadia’s ex of like–” She tries to do mental math. “Four? Years ago?”

“Yikes,” Ilya just says, taking a big sip of his drink.

“Yep– it’s– a lot.” Syran sighs, “We thought he was going to be out of our life after Nadia broke up with his ass, but– guess not.”

She inhales, exhausted only at the thought of all that happened in the past. Things were definitely messier than now. She takes another swig of her drink.

“Well–” Ilya smiles, putting his glass down, “what if we did something about that?”

The glint in his eyes is mischievous, and Syran raises an eyebrow from behind her drink.

“What do you have in mind?”

🂱

Pranks have never been something Syran thought about. Never felt the need to fill someone’s shoes with toothpaste, or hide a fake spider in the bathroom, or whatever it is that the kids do these days. She always felt bad for those people in prank videos that get visibly hurt.

But this– she didn’t mind this one bit.

She and Ilya are running out of the bar, lungs filled with laughter, as Lucio and Valerius’ screams fade behind them. They run long enough until their legs give up, and even then, they find it in themselves to keep laughing.

“Jesus– their face– priceless!” Syran heaves out.

“I told you–” Ilya adds, big smile not leaving his face, eyes all crinkled up and blush on his cheeks. “Cranberry juice always works–”

They haven’t done anything that spectacular, really, but Syran will realise this later, when the adrenaline has rushed out of her. Right now, spilling juice on those two idiots’ white clothes and making Lucio trip on his ass was enough to make her night.

“Didn’t expect you to punch Valerius, though,” Ilya grins at her, as if impressed.

Yeah, and that too.

“Me neither– I don’t condone violence, but–” Syran finally feels her breath coming back to her, “–but, god, he deserved it.”

“Sure did–” Ilya laughs with her, adjusting his coat.

They stare at each other for a few seconds, all smiles and excitement, rush of electricity that Syran hadn’t felt in a while. Not like this.

“Well–” Ilya starts, “Maybe we should– uh. Go?”

“Yeah– I could call an uber?” Syran suggests.

“Actually, I was more thinking, like– I can walk you home, maybe?” He seems almost scared to ask for a second, but then his features relax. “Honestly, I feel bad calling Nadia now and it might be good to shake the alcohol off.” He looks up at the clear sky. “It’s a nice night, anyway.”

He’s right. It’s hard to see stars from the city, but the moon is bright and beautiful.

Syran doesn’t quite know what to say, though she agrees with not bothering Nadia. She is probably busy taking care of Asra right now, and that reassures her a lot. But Syran’s house is a good thirty minutes walk away, not to mention that Ilya would have to walk back through the city for more than that.

“I– I don’t know. It’s a long way for you– and it’s late–”

“Syran, I assure you that I’ll be fine, I like walking.” He chuckles, “If anything, I know you will punch whoever gets in our way.”

Syran laughs, although a little flustered under Ilya’s endeared stare. “Yeah, I’m basically a pro wrestler now.”

They end up chatting along the way, although the cold winter wind catches up on them, but they don’t mind that much. They’re too distracted by their conversation to think about that.

Getting to know each other like this, casually, with no pressure, without inhibitions, has become natural to them. They get to talk about things that they never addressed, make jokes that seem so dumb and niche they are surprised when the other laughs.

Ilya was the last one to join their group of friends, so she can imagine he felt a little distant from everyone else at first. But it’s been over a year now, and the group feels really solid, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together with harmony.

Still, Syran always felt like her and Ilya never really got to talk much like this, just the two of them. And maybe it’s the alcohol, maybe it’s the way Ilya makes her feel at ease, but she doesn’t feel as skittish around him anymore.

Sure, her heart still jumps when he laughs, and any little brush of their arms makes her breath hitch, but– but– there’s not much of an excuse for that, other than she’s clearly got feelings for him.

It is a crush. A heavy one at that.

But she can live with it, she can just enjoy their friendship and not act on them.

They are close to her building when they are laughing at a story Syran is telling, of one time where she and Asra got lost in a park and thought a ghost was haunting them.

“I swear, Asra tried to act all brave, but–” in the middle of the phrase, a strong fit of pain hits the side of her head. She had managed to ignore the creeping migraine until then, but suddenly, it feels like her brain is about to explode. She holds a hand to where the pain is, eyes shut and slightly crouching forward.

“Syran? You okay?” Ilya reaches a hand to her shoulder, tone immediately shifting to heavy concern.

“Yeah– just– I get migraines– sometimes,” she mutters through the pain.

“That’s not good,” Ilya says. “We’re almost to your place, you think you can make it?”

“Ye–yeah– sorry–”

“Why are you apologising? Had I known, I–”

“Don’t want you to worry,” she utters, finally feeling like she can open her eyes a little, “I’m used to it.”

It does nothing to ease Ilya’s concern though. If anything, he seems to worry more, reaching to fully encase Syran in his arm, supporting her as they walk.

“Really, I’ll be okay,” she says.

“Yeah, I’ll believe that when you’re home and feeling better,” He scoffs, his hand rubbing up and down Syran’s arm. “Don’t forget I’m basically a doctor.”

It makes Syran laugh a little, “Right, Doctor Devorak, ready to help.”

“Is that a mocking tone I’m sensing, Miss Elkas?”

“No–” Syran says, teasing, although through the pain, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Ilya laughs, then seems to hold her tighter. “Almost there.”

They finally reach her building, and she gingerly gets out her keys to open the door.

“Thank you,” she turns to say goodbye to him, “Get home safe.”

But he just stares at her. “Didn’t I say I’ll stop worrying until you’re home?”

Syran chuckles, “But I am–”

“Yeah, I meant home home. I’ll take you up–” then he widens his eyes, catching himself. “That’s if– if you’re okay with that, of course.”

Syran thinks about it for a second, but the pain is too strong to argue right now. She just nods and mutters a okay, and goes to let Ilya through before her.

Sometimes things just don’t go as planned, though.

As she’s about to follow behind him, something hits her shoulder, and hard. She turns just in time to see someone running past her, then she loses her balance and hits the floor.

The last thing Syran sees before passing out is Ilya’s hands reaching for her.

[ahgaseforeternity]

Dangerous Woman—Lucas edition

So, I’ve recently just fallen head over heels for a certain kpop rap boy, so here’s a fic I just could not get out of my head—ENJOY!

Lucas Wong : Part 1

It had been a long day—so dreadfully long that when you got home all you wanted to do was get in your sweatpants and cuddle up on the couch.

But right when you walked through the door your friends greeted you, jumping up and down, raving about this new fancy dance venue that had just opened up downtown. You groaned just thinking about it. Your week had been horrendous, and all you’d been dreaming about is diving back into your current romance novel, but your friends wouldn’t have it.

“You’re coming Y/N, whether you want to or not!”

You didn’t want to, they knew that. You wanted to put up a fight, but the excited glow your two best friends were giving off is what stopped you. They were just trying to get you to go out, go out and get your mind off of your horrible week, and your horrible breakup.

They knew exactly where your mind would go once they left. You’d end up reading a scene that reminded you of him and you’d end up stumbling to the kitchen, eating yourself through a tub of ice cream and drinking the awful tequila your best friends tried to hide from you on the top shelf.

Alcohol and you didn’t mix well.

That was another reason they wanted you to come tonight, they knew you wouldn’t drink so they could.

“Fine, I’ll come, but I get to choose what I wear,” you said, knowing full well your friends would put you in something short and tight. You dragged your feet to your closet, pulling out a cute strapless top and a pair of sleek black flared pants. You wanted to pair it with boots, but thought better of it, pulling on a pair of strappy heels. You pulled on a cute leather jacket that finished the look perfectly. 

Your friends piled into your car, since you weren’t going to drink, you’d figure you would drive. It took a little while to find a parking spot, since the venue seemed to be packed. There was a line out the door that wrapped around the whole building. “Are we seriously going to wait in that, to get inside this club?” You all but groaned. Standing outside in the cold didn’t sound like your idea of a fun Friday night. 

Your friends dragged your annoying self to the back of the line. “I’m sure it won’t take that long, so stop being negative,” one of your friends slapped your arm playfully. You just sneered your lip. Around you, couples cuddled close to keep themselves warm from the freezing wind. You were growing more irritated by the second. It was watching a cute couple give each other Eskimo kisses that sent you over. 

“Okay, that’s it. Come on,” you pulled your friends with you to the front of the line, seeing a security guard working the door. He eyed you instantly and his whole posture grew defensive. “I’m sorry miss, but you will have to wait in the back of the line like the rest,” it was like he already knew what you were going to say, and it frustrated you. 

You lifted your eyes to the sign of the venue and slowly a plan bloomed in your mind. You lifted your lip into a smirk. “Oh, but you see, I know the owner—he told us that we wouldn’t need to stand in line, and to just come straight to the front to meet,” you narrowed your eyes on the man’s name tag, “a guy named Paul. Your Paul right?” He was staring at you like you were crazy, which was completely accurate. 

You were crazy, but not crazy enough to stand out here in the cold all night long. “Alright, miss, I know what your trying to do and I will need you and your friends to leave before--” The man was cut off by one of his fellow guards, who leaned in and whispered into his ear. The man named Paul furrowed his brows in question, and looked at the other guard. “Are you sure?” The man only nodded. 

You and your friends just watched as Paul sighed loudly, motioning for you to enter the doors. You stood there stunned. You hadn’t thought it was going to work. Your friends didn’t question it, as they pulled you inside the warm club. “Thank you!” You yelled back at the guard who only groaned in response. 

You weren’t sure what had just happened, but you were grateful to be out of the freezing cold. The lights were dim as you stepped forward to what looked to be a balcony. Beneath you stretched the dance floor, where people were dancing closely. There was a sort of intimacy in the air that made your stomach tighten. You didn’t want to think about your breakup, you didn’t want to think about anything, but you knew you couldn’t drink. 

Your friends pulled you down the steps, where you suddenly felt a sense that someone was staring at you. Of course someone could be, you were in a club full of people. You were staring too, but the feeling felt different. You shook it off, following your friends to the open bar they had tucked away underneath the balcony. 

Your friends called for endless drinks and you could only watch as your friends got wasted without you. The heat of the club was getting to you, so you shrugged your jacket off, letting the air pierce your bare shoulders.

Somehow both your friends found someone to pull out on the dance floor, leaving you leaning against the bar. You sighed heavily, brushing your hair out of your face, while sipping on your virgin drink. You could hear Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande starting to play in the background. 

You were sure you looked as despressing as you felt.

“So, I heard you know who I am,” a deep sensuous voice filled your ears as you lifted your eyes to the man who just seated himself next to you.You almost choked on your straw. Holy moly. His face; He was ridiculously handsome. You don’t think you’d ever seen someone so blindingly handsome before in your life. You had to swallow the rest of your drink that seemed stuck in your throat before you could utter even a sound. The man’s eyes watched you intently. 

This guy must be the owner. Wow. He seemed startlingly young to own such a fine venue. You grinned slightly, letting out a nervous laugh. “You heard that huh?” Oh gosh, you were in trouble. You prayed that if you were going to get kicked out, your friends wouldn’t as well. You didn’t want to ruin their night. 

The gorgeous man let a bright smile stretch across his face, giving a low laugh that made your insides warm. His smile. You had never seen something so utterly perfect. You knew you were staring and it had to be extremely creepy, but you didn’t care. 

“Oh, I heard it. I was impressed actually,” the guy stood up, and you felt your cheeks flush. Oh gosh. He was so incredibly tall. His shoulders looked dangerous underneath his buttoned up white shirt that was opened at the collar. You could see the man was toned in all the right places. Holy crap—you forgot how to breathe. The guy leaned closer, making it even harder. 

“My name’s Lucas by the way,” his eyes were gleaming as they looked into yours. You knew your mouth was open, hopefully not drooling. You lifted your finger to, thank goodness, feel that it wasn’t. “Y/N,” you said, your eyes glued to Lucas’s large, warm eyes. They were inviting. Everything about this guy was, and you found yourself starting to lean into him too. 

“So, Y/N, what brought you to my venue?” He swirled a glass of what looked to be gin. You could smell it on his breathe as well. It was intoxicating. Everything about this man was. You had to shake your head to get the smell out of her head. “Oh, uhm, my friends. They wanted to check it out.” Lucas just nodded his head at that. His hair looked silky and soft. You found your fingers twitching to touch it. 

Wait, what? You stopped the thought. You didn’t even know this guy, and you already wanted to get extremely intimate with him? Gosh, you needed to stop. Stop looking at him, stop flushing as he smiled, just stop. Because the way your thoughts were going weren’t good in anyway, and you weren’t ready for that. For this. 

“I’m sorry, but I should probably go check on my friends,” you didn’t wait for Lucas to say anything else and pushed yourself away from the bar and the small intimate circle you both had been creating. You let yourself breathe in and out a few times before your eyes traveled over the many bodies on the dance floor. 

There was no way you were going to find them. You groaned. Ariana’s voice echoed throughout the room, the chorus pounding against your chest, as you traveled the edge of the dance floor. No sign of either one of them. You were about to give up and just walk up the stairs to what looked to be a sort of lounge area, when a hand gripped yours, pulling you through the crowd of bodies on the floor. 

Your eyes caught on warm brown eyes and a radiant smile. “Dance with me,” it wasn’t a question, but a statement. Lucas’s smile was all you could look at as you nodded in a daze. You let his warm hand pull you close just as you reached what had to be the center of the dance floor. His eyes were locked on you. You almost gasped at the haziness swirling inside them. They were hooded as he brought you closer. This man, he was dangerous and you knew that. 

You could see that danger in his eyes, feel it on the tip of his fingers as he touched your lower back. The way he towered over you. It was electrifying in the best way. You hadn’t ever felt like this with your last boyfriend. Not even close. 

He led as you swayed to the music, letting the current of that electricity spark. He kept his hands on your waist, as your fingers slowly traced over his chest and up to his shoulders. He was so incredibly warm. Who was allowed to be this perfect? It wasn’t fair. Everyone around you seemed to fade as you let your eyes travel over his face.

“I’m sorry if I came off strong—I tend to do that with beautiful women,” his voice seemed to caress your skin, leaving your mouth parted. “Oh, no—you, uh—you’re fine.” You sounded ridiculous, but this God before you just admitted he found you beautiful. Another smile filled your vision.

You couldn’t breathe again.

His eyes glistened as they took in yours. “This is crazy—I know, but when I heard how you confidently confronted my body guard out front, I had to meet you,”

You felt your cheeks flush in embarrassment and a smile of your own appear on your face. “I love a woman who isn’t afraid to get what she wants.” You had to turn away from his heated stare. You weren’t afraid of that and it was was the reason your last relationship didn’t end well.

Lucas could feel the sudden shift in your demeanor and dropped his hands. The absence of his touch felt cold almost. Your body trembled to have them back on you. The thought alone scared you. Your eyes traveled back to his, who were filled with concern.

He had to be a good guy. He hadn’t tried to do anything to you, but dance and talk. His smile was kind, including his warm eyes. It was you that was a danger to this guy. Because you didn’t want to just talk with him. You realized that, and it startled you. You could feel the need to touch him tingle in your fingers.

Lucas could see the shift in you and almost stiffened as you brought his hands back to your hips. His fingers were still as they skimmed the bottom of your shirt. “Y/N, are you alright—,” you brought your finger up to his lush lips and silenced his question. Your eyes were hazy as the smell of his breathe filled your senses.

“I will be if you just dance with me.” Your words were bold, you knew, but Lucas said he liked a woman who knew what she wanted, and right now, there was nothing else you wanted than Lucas’s hands on your body, dancing with you. You started to move to the music in a way that drew Lucas’s eyes to your hips, and the heat you could see there—it almost stopped you. Yet, you kept going.

You danced against him, letting your fingers roam over his shoulders, bringing your fingers to touch the ends of his hair. It was soft, just as you thought it would be. You could see his beautiful mouth parted, as he took in your body and the way it swayed with his. You fit perfectly against him. He was all hard, muscled angles that left you breathless.

His hands didn’t stay on your hips now. No, they roamed over your sides, your arms, bringing you closer until your lips could almost brush against his shoulder. Gosh—he smelled so good. Your eyes locked on his mouth, and you knew immediately what you wanted. You didn’t hesitate, even though you should’ve.

You let yourself lean in, and before Lucas could even do anything, you collided your lips with his. They were so soft and warm against yours. He didn’t kiss you back for a second, but as you slowly parted your lips against him, he let out a low groan that only you could hear, consuming your lips with his.

Oh gosh. You had never been kissed like this before. Never been touched like this. It was overruling every thought in your mind that was telling you this was wrong. It didn’t feel wrong. It felt real—the first real thing you had felt in such a long time.

You were both still dancing against each other, even with your lips locked. It was the most sensual thing you had ever done before. You didn’t care that people were probably staring, all you cared about was Lucas’s delicious mouth and his dangerous hands.

“Y/N!”

You could hear someone faintly calling your name somewhere, but you wanted to ignore it. You wanted to enjoy this moment if only for a second longer, but all too soon, Lucas released your mouth. He looked breathless, just like you. His lips were swollen and it made your stomach warm in the best way.

“Y/N, where have you been? We’ve been looking for you!” Both your friends gripped your arms. They must’ve not seen what had just happened, and you were grateful for that. You didn’t want to have to explain why you were tangled in this guys arms and his mouth. Lucas’s eyes were glued on you, as he brought his finger up to rub at his bottom lip, where you had just bit him.

His lips lifted into a devilish smile. “I’ll see you around, Y/N.”

You watched with a sort of longing ache as Lucas walked off the dance floor leaving you wanting more and questioning what you had just done.

It might’ve not been your finest moment, but you didn’t regret it. Not one bit.

[artyfartypartyhearty]

Tags:

Tom Holland x actress!reader; Tom Holland(actor); Reader; You; Fluff; Friends to lovers; crying; actress!reader; female!reader; oneshot

Relationships:

F/M

Word count:

1250

Summary:

You are an actress working on an international movie, but because you have to study for finals, some of the scenes are filmed in your own city at your school. You have had a long crush on your co-star, Tom Holland. He has had a crush on you, too, but you don’t know. You have arranged that your classmates can be extras in a cute scene. Everything goes well until Tom suddenly changes the lines.

Notes:

Y/N = your name Y/C = your city Italics = thoughts or emphasis (See end of fic for more notes)

You were the first to arrive in the classroom. You put down your bag and sat down, waiting for the others to settle down. Today was an exciting day, and you were going to tell the class why in a few moments’ time. You’d been waiting for this the entire week. The first part of the day had been nerve-wracking, and you had been barely able to contain your excitement. You had put on your favourite hoodie, a grey one, with dark blue jeans and your favourite heels.

The class settled down, and your teacher spoke up. “Alright everyone, quiet please. Y/N has got something to tell you.” You stood up and went to stand in front of the class. “Yeah, uhm, as some of you might know, I am pursuing a career in acting, and about half a year ago I auditioned for quite a-uh, special role. Uhm. It is an international role, but when I explained that I had to study for finals and such, the director said that we could maybe shoot some of the scenes here, in Y/C. So we decided to film here, at school. Uhm, I figured that maybe, as the movie takes place at a high school, you might like to be extras. Sooo, yeah. That’s kinda what’s going to happen this lesson. If you don’t want to be featured in this, please raise your hand, so I can make sure you won’t be filmed.”

“How much are we gettin’ paid?” the class clown asked. “You? Nothing. Me? Enough,” you shot back. “Oh, one last thing which I forgot to mention, as this is an international picture, there are some pretty big names you’ll meet. Please don’t become crazy fans. We’re just trying to do our work. After shooting the scene you probably will be able to talk and take pictures and such.” “Who are the ‘big names’?” “Right. Uhm.” You were wondering if you should tell them that your co-star was the person most of the girls, and in fact some of the boys, in your class had a celebrity crush on. Including you. “It’s, uhm, Tom Holland.”

Tom Holland. From the moment you had stepped onto set, you had felt comfortable around him. He always made you laugh, and when you were uncertain about something on set, he would always kindly help you. You had had frequent game nights in both of your trailers, as well as movie nights. You had grown closer, and you thought it would be justified to say that you were pretty good friends. But then, one night, as you were playing games and talking about the day, you noticed the way his eyes lit up when he beat you at a game, again. Those beautiful eyes.

You snapped out of your thoughts and looked around the room. Some people were looking excited, some were staring at you in disbelief, some were looking straight up bored. “Alright, I’ll let them know we’re ready here.”

A few minutes later the director walked in, followed by some crew members, and then, at the end of the line, Tom.

Damn. He was wearing a grey turtleneck that made his eyes stand out and his muscles show up. You now noticed that jawline very clearly.

“Hey everyone! How are you all doing? Hi! Good afternoon! Hey Y/N! How are you?”

“Hey Tom! I’m good! You?” As you looked around the class, you could feel him shifting his weight so he stood closer to you. After the class had settled down again, you took a deep breath and said: “Okay, so I’ll briefly explain the scene and what you guys have to do.” You quickly explained the scene. It was really simple. Tom’s character would burst in through the door, pull your character to the front of the class and declare his love for her, simply saying the cheesy but cute line ‘I’m in love with you’. Your character would admit to her feelings and hug him. Cut.

“Got it? Okay, great,” you said, looking over to Tom. “I’m ready, you good?” “Absolutely!”

“Everybody positions. Scene 52, take one. Aaaand... Action!”

You immediately felt the adrenaline flowing through your veins. God you loved acting.

“Amber! I have something to tell you.” “Ellis, I’m in de middle of class, can’t it wait?”“No, it can’t wait. I’m leaving America in an hour, it can’t wait. It cannot wait. Please.” As Tom picked up your hand to guide you to the front of the class, an electrical tingle went through your whole body. “Ellis, what are you doing?” you said softly. “I-,” said Tom. Your knees seemed to turn into jelly when his brown eyes met yours. His voice became low and gravelly as he continued, just like you had practiced. “This is real, isn’t it?” he suddenly asked. When you had practiced the scene, he had never looked into your eyes so intensely. Your eyes widened slightly in disbelief, when you realised he wasn’t in character anymore. He was Tom now.

Shit, was it so obvious?

You darted your eyes across the room, not knowing where to look. Not daring to look at him, you closed them. Slowly, you nodded. “Yeah,” you croaked, your voice suddenly hoarse. You lifted your head and finally looked at him. Fighting back tears, you said: “Yeah, this is real.” “Are you serious?” “I’m sorry. I have ruined our friendship, haven’t I?” you asked, a warm tear rolling down your cheek.

You just ruined your friendship with Tom. Why did you say that? He probably thought you were a freak.

“I- Uhm. I- I-,” he stammered.

Tears now streaming down your face, you turned to your teacher. “Please, sir, may I go to the bathroom?” Your teacher nodded, and you turned back to Tom before leaving the classroom. “I’m so sorry,” you managed to whisper. As you passed him, looking down, you suddenly felt his warm fingers enclosing your wrist. “Wait, please.” “No, I just ruined our friendship,” you said with a shaking voice, tears still rolling down your cheeks. Pulling you close to him, your bodies now a foot or so apart, he said softly: “Please, listen to me.” “But-,” you spluttered. “Shhh,” Tom said, putting a finger to your lips. “You haven’t ruined our friendship,” he whispered with a husky voice.

You looked up at him. He raised his hands, putting them on your cheeks and wiping the tears away. His gaze dropped to your lips. “You’ve only made it better.”

He leant in, closing the little space between the two of you. Your breath hitched as you felt his soft lips brush against yours. You kissed him back, your hands finding their way to his hair. Dropping one hand to your back to pull you closer, he parted his lips slightly. His tongue brushed softly against yours, sending a shiver through your body.

After what felt like forever, you broke the kiss to take a breath. You softly bit your lip while looking him deeply in his eyes.

“Aaand... Cut!” the director shouted. Your classmates and teacher began to clap.

You felt your face blush, and giggled in embarrassment. You looked back at Tom, who in turn was smiling lovingly at you. He pulled you into a hug, and while he wrapped his strong arms around you, you whispered in his ear: “I love you, Tom.” He pulled you even tighter to him. “I love you, too, Y/N. I love you too.”

Notes: This is my very first fanfic so I hope it’s okay. Comment if I missed anything in the tags or if anything can be improved. Please let me know what you think!

[honeysuckle-writings]

DANGANRONPA AUTUMN WEEK 2020

Oct 13th, Day 3: Cold Hands and Autumn

Souda x Sonia

Happy Birthday Sonia!

----------------------------

Just like every Saturday, Hajime, Komaeda, Souda, and Fuyuhiko were passing time hanging out in different places of their city. They enjoyed finding new cool places, exploring, and inevitably getting into trouble. This time, Komaeda had suggested they visit a shopping center up north of the city where more affluent people resided. 

"I don't know man. I think we're going to stick out like a sore thumb." Hajime admitted with an unsure tone as he turned on his blinker and pulled into the parking lot. 

"I don't know what you're talking about Hajime. Look at me. I have wealth and I don't look like anyone here." Komaeda, who sat in the back with Souda, smiled, eyes wide as he took in the architecture of each building. The windows to the shops had mannequins in designer clothing and beautiful fairy lights to catch attention.

"Yeah no shit. You'd look like this if you were dirt poor like us." Hiko looked back from the passenger seat and shot him a look. 

"Aha! You're right. I just want to be comfortable. I'd look like trash no matter what I wore." 

Even though the others were slightly annoyed at the place of hang out, it was Souda who looked the most uncomfortable. Places like this were only in his dreams. He had never even come close to wealth like this before he had met Komaeda. He kept his mouth shut and unbuckled as soon as Hajime found a parking spot. He was glad that everyone would take his scared look to be discomfort from driving because of his motion sickness. He started fiddling with his bare hands to keep them warm in the cold from outside. 

"I swear if they think we are stealing just because of how we look I'm going to make sure they catch these fucking hands." Hiko slammed the door and shoved his hands in his pocket.

"Ah they won't. They'd probably be too scared to even talk to us!"

Hajime nudged Komaeda. "That's not at all reassuring. Now come on let's go." 

The shopping center had textured light poles that lined the sidewalk with signs of the district on each of them that also displayed other events going on. In the middle of the shops were a couple of tents that had large bulbs for lighting inside and out. 

"Let's go in here. It seems a bit more modern? Maybe we can find some cool stuff in here." Komaeda held the door open for the rest of the boys and then followed them in after.

Inside they noticed many different perfume smells and pop music playing over the speakers. On the left side of the store featured more masculine clothing while the right had feminine. Accessories like jewelry, scarves, and shoes were in the middle.

The boys spent a few minutes just going through the racks and looking. Hajime had to keep slapping Komaeda's hands because he kept touching everything. Hiko kept his same grimace with his hands in his pockets. 

Souda shifted uncomfortably and occasionally checked a price tag. He didnt know why he kept checking. They just made him feel worse and worse each time. "Hey guys, I think I'm gunna go and uh, check out some of the shoes."

"Yeah you need more. If you get any more holes in your heels I'm going to glue a flip flop on the bottom." Hiko shot at him.

"Hey!" Souda became defensive. So what if he was right. It doesn't give him the right. "They get well loved okay?" He huffed and walked away from the group towards the middle of the store. He tried his hardest to drown out the music and chattering of customers but it was becoming difficult. 

He reached out and grabbed a pair of bright neon and pink sneakers and eyed them over. These looked like they would feel so much better than basically walking barefoot.

"Souda!" A light, familiar voice called out.

"M-miss Sonia?" His head jerked up and towards the girl that appeared out of nowhere.

"I did not expect to see you here today." She smiled. A genuine smile that squinted her eyes and warmed Souda's chest. 

"Oh! Ah well. The guys are here and were just. You know. Hanging out." He put an arm behind his head nervously. "What about you? Are you here with anyone?"

She pulled her clutch purse up to her chest and shook her head. "Oh! No! I am here alone. I like to try and get Christmas shopping done a bit early to beat out the crowds."

"You're so generous Miss Sonia."

She blushed lightly. "Thank you. Oh! Those shoes would be perfect for you!"

He looked down at his other hand that still held the sneakers. "I! Oh! Yeah haha." He laughed nervously and shoved them back. "I was just looking around and stuff. Nothing major."

"Oh alright. Well I should let you get back to your boys! I look forward to seeing you back at school."

"Of course! Yeah I'll see you at school miss sonia!" He turned around and immediately began to chastise himself for his excited tone. She looked forward to seeing him!

He didn't have to walk too far before he almost ran into the other three boys. 

"So are you going to go and keep her company?" Hajime broke the silence.

"Guys no. She's got business to take care of."

"Yeah, alone. No one wants that shit." Maybe Hiko was right. He wouldn't want to be alone.

"Souda. You should go and at least ask. What's the worst she can say? No?" Komaeda questioned. 

"Yeah and then my dignity is lessened." He sighed, frustrated.

"Just do it asshole before I invite you with her myself."

Souda put his arms out to stop Hiko. "No no no! Fine. I'll do it. Okay? Just. I wanna leave after this and go to a different store okay?" He cautiously walked back over to the shoes but did not see her. Shit. He looked around nervous before seeing her checking out towards the front.

"Miss Sonia!"

This time it was her turn to be surprised. "Oh hello again Souda!" She switched the bags in her hands to be more comfortable. "I thought you had to go back and be with the boys?"

"Well. I just, uhm." He took a moment to muster a fake confidence. "I just wondered if you'd like to have some company while you shopped. A princess shouldn't be alone."

Sonia was shocked at the offer. "You know, I think I would really enjoy that actually."

Souda's brain did a double take. "Wait really?"

"Yes! I think it would be quite fun."

Souda turned back around and saw the boys suspiciously, and badly, hiding behind some racks watching. Of course they were spying. "Alright uhm. Why don't you lead the way Miss Sonia." 

As soon as they walked out, the boys high fived themselves. Souda would just wait for a call from Hajime when they were done.

Souda and Sonia walked down a couple of shops before going into a candle store that did not have many people in it. They sniffed many different scents and giggled as they tried to see if the scents matched the names. They had not had interactions like this before.

They continued on like that for a few more stores and each time they went out into the cold, Souda would flex out his fingers and rub his hands together. He tried to be discreet about it, but as the sun lowered, so did the temperature.

"Souda? Are you cold?"

"What? Oh. I mean it is pretty cold out here." 

Sonia tilted her head to the side and thought for a moment. "Give me your hands." She pushed her bags into her elbows and held out her palms.

Souda blushed brightly but complied. How could he not obey a princess? As soon as his hands touched her warm ones, he almost sighed. They felt amazing.

"Your hands are freezing! Did you not dress properly to be out here?"

"No. I guess I wasn't thinking." He laughed nervously through his lie. 

"Allow me to warm them for you then." She adjusted his hands in hers to provide as much warmth as she could. 

"Thank you Miss Sonia. I really do appreciate it." 

They stayed like that for a moment, just so they could take in each other. Not too far from them, a small clock chimed signaling another hour had passed.

"Thank you for providing me with company this evening."

"For sure! It's my pleasure!"

She squeezed his hands and smiled.

The atmosphere broke as Souda's phone began to ring in his pocket. He quickly drew his hands back and pulled it out to see Hajime calling. 

"Hey dude are you ready? Komaeda got hungry and you know we have to follow what he wants or we are all fucked. He says he will buy us all lunch."

"Uh yeah that sounds great!"

Sonia set her bags down on the bench next to them.

"Alright just come back to the car. We will be waiting." 

Souda sighed and put his phone back into his pocket. "I gotta go for real this time. Sorry about that."

"No trouble at all! I understand. I must get back as well. I do not want anyone getting too worried." 

Souda nodded and looked down at his feet.

In a split decision, Sonia wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. 

He couldn't help the small noise of surprise that escaped when he felt her arms. It took him a moment but he finally hugged her back.

"See you at school. For real this time! Make sure you get some gloves soon alright?" She repeated the words he previously stated and grabbed all her bags but one and started to walk off.

He watched her walk off, but not in any lewd sense. He simply needed a moment to process that she had actually spent some time with him. He finally pulled his eyes away to notice a bag that had been left. 

"Miss Sonia!" He shouted. "You forgot a bag!"

She turned around with a bounce and laughed while shouting back. "No I didn't!"

Confused, Souda grabbed the sack and carefully looked inside of it. His eyes widened as he saw a shoe box. There's no way she would have done that for him, would she?

His question was answered as he lifted the box and saw the brightly colored sneakers that brought them together staring back at him.