#we wanted to go to a fancy sandwich place yesterday but they said they were closed

[holliano]

19.01.2025

[footballfanfictions]

The thrill of the chase - Chapter Five

Pairings: Mason Mount/OC, Ben Chilwell/OC

Warnings: Smut (18+)

 —————————————————————————————

Mason

 I had watched Katie and Ben leave hand in hand, absolutely seething. I had this awful sickening feeling in my stomach that I couldn’t quite understand. All i knew for sure was that I didn’t trust Ben. I had known him before he arrived at Chelsea and we had played together for England./ He had always seem like quite a sound lad, but there was just something about him that I didn’t like.

Christina had whined at me all night about dancing with her and when I refused had gone off in a huff to dance with a group of other guys on the dancefloor, grinding against them provocatively, as if that would ever make me mad. I had been going off her for a long time now, only clinging on to the relationship because I was scared of being on my own. 

My mind kept going back to Katie kissing Ben on the dancefloor. How he had held onto her, how she had run her hand through his hair. If I was honest with myself I knew why I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it because I wished that it were my hands on her. 

I had quietly admired her from afar for the entire previous season since returning from my loan at Derby County. In that entire time she had barely even said a word to me and that only made the longing feeling worse if anything. I’ve always enjoyed the thrill of the chase. 

I felt bad for silently celebrating the end of her long term relationship, which I found out about from one of the physios one day when casually asking why Katie looked so sad that day. She had always been quite a serious person fully invested in her job, but that day changed her and she had gone cold.

Now I was seeing her fire returning, and she was burning for Ben.

I thought all of these thoughts while Christina was on top of me, half heartedly grinding against me. She hated going on top, hated having sex with me in general really these days. I usually did all the work, taking all of my frustration out on her. But tonight she was drunk enough to do all the work, while I lay back against the pillows.

The only reason I was able to get hard and stay hard was because I was thinking about Katie. 

Christina started to move her hips a little faster against me then and I momentarily snapped out of my day dream, grabbing her hips firmly. Then I put the situation out of my head and concentrated on the fantasy of Katie on top of me.

A few moments later I felt her tighten around me and started to thrust up to meet her hips,cursing quietly under my breath “f-fuck.. Katie…”

It took a second for me to realise what I had said, my eyes snapping open to meet Christina’s but she was already rolling off of me and getting out of the bed to shower like she did after every time we had sex, wanting to wash the memory of me off of her. She was entirely oblivious.

 _______________________________________________________________

Katie

I woke up momentarily confused, the curtains still wide open from the day before allowed the sun to come streaming in and blinded me for a second.

My mouth felt uncomfortably dry and my head was slightly pounding. 

Rolling over I knocked into the side of Ben’s sleeping body and the memory of the previous night came back to me. 

I had slept with Ben, and we had barely even had a date. I scolded myself silently, wondering how I could be stupid enough to let a footballer sleep with me on the first night. I was probably one in a hundred girls that he had slept with early on and then never talked to again. 

He stirred and slung his arm across my stomach, pulling me in close against his chest, he nuzzled his head against my neck. I tried really hard not to smile at the fact that he was laying here cuddling me rather than getting up and running away straight away. 

“Stop fretting.” he mumbled quietly. His voice all low, sleepy and raspy sounding even more attractive than usual. “I’m not going anywhere…” he continued, now in a whisper, his lips moving to kiss my collarbone while his hand swept my hair out of the way. 

I breathed out a deep sigh of relief and relaxed into his arms. 

“Didn’t scare you away then?” I joked.

Disregarding the sex, this was the most intimate I had been with anyone since Rory. I tried not to show Ben how insecure I felt about being completely bare before him. 

“No way” he smirked. 

We were both silent for a minute, Ben was still holding me against him, his fingertips now trailing down my back. I was struggling to figure out what I should say to him now. Should I offer him some breakfast? Ask him to hang out with me today? It had been so long since I had brought someone home with me outside of a relationship that I had no idea what the post sex etiquette was. 

“What time is it?” Ben asked, lifting his head to look at the display on my alarm clock sat on the bedside table. 

I looked at it too, having to squint to read the display clearly due to the sunshine. “8.30”

He jolted slightly against me and then sat up. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry but there is somewhere that I need to be.” he pressed a quick kiss to my cheek but then offered no further explanation as he silently dressed.

I waited until his back was turned while he was putting his shoes and socks back on before I slipped out of the bed covers myself and threw a pair of shorts and a t shirt on to look half way to presentable to see him out. 

Once we were both dressed he grabbed my hand and pulled me against him to give me a brief kiss. 

“See you later then.” I said casually.

He smiled at me and squeezed my hand, letting me lead him to the front door. 

“I’ll text you.” he said.

 _________________________________________________________

Monday morning had rolled around and admittedly I had been disappointed not to hear from Ben, but presumed that he was probably just busy. 

As usual I was busy following the weekend. Chelsea had played yesterday lunchtime and I had a folder full of matchday pictures to go through and edit to occupy my time. 

By lunchtime I had barely made a dent in my work and decided that I would just eat lunch sat at my desk to try to get through a little bit more of it but Bri had other ideas, coming bounding into my office like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh with a massive grin on her face. She was so happy that it lifted my sour mood almost instantly.

“Katie! So sorry that I didn’t text you back on Friday. I knew you were out with the boys and didn’t want to disturb you, and well… me and Billy went on our date and ended up spending the whole weekend together!” she was still bouncing as she sat down on the spare office chair which nearly rolled away from the desk from the force.

“Woah slow down, all weekend?” I asked her, puzzled as I looked down at the team sheet on the desk in front of me. “Wasn’t he in the squad yesterday?”

“Oh yeah but he got me a ticket and I sat just behind the bench so that we could talk to each other. He didn’t get to play unfortunately but it was still nice to be there to support him.” she said, beaming before continuing “then he took me to the megastore and bought me a shirt with his name on the back for me to wear next time. Isn’t that just the cutest thing?”

“The cutest…” I said quietly, trying my absolute best not to sound bitter or jealous seeing as Ben had run off suddenly on Saturday morning and couldn’t even be bothered to send me a text, compared to Billy who couldn’t get enough of being with Bri. I tried to tell myself that Billy had been into her for years so was of course going to be putting in a lot of effort, where Ben and I had only just met. It would have been nice to have felt a bit more wanted though. 

“Sooo… Billy told me that Ben was asking you out. Did you go?” she looked at me intently while asking the question and I knew then that she could tell that there was something wrong.

I told her everything, including what I knew about Ben’s ex and Jorginho and going to the nightclub with the boys, kissing Ben, Mason and his horrible girlfriend being weird, and then about sleeping with Ben and what had happened after.

“Oh…” she mumbled. “I thought that he was really into you. Billy said he’#s always talking about you and looking over at your office window when they’re training.”

I shook my head, trying not to feel pessimistic about the situation. It had only been two days and he could have genuinely been busy. 

“I’m sure he will text or call, or even pop in here to see you.” she leant over the desk then and gave me a hug in the best way that she could with a desk in the way. 

“Bri, you really like Billy now right? Not just to make you-know-who jealous?” I asked.

She laughed “Why would I want to make Voldermort jealous?”

I rolled my eyes at her and grinned “You know exactly who I meant.”

“He’s already forgotten.” she shrugged.

“Listen, I don’t think I can face going down for lunch could you bring me back a sandwich or something? I don’t really fancy being stared at. He has probably already told all of them how easy I was.”

Reluctantly she agrede to go without me but not without scolding me for thinking the way that I had, telling me that Ben wasn’t like that. 

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Mason

“So, what happened with you and that girl?” Kai was asking Ben the question as we sat in a circle doing some stretches. We were right outside of Katie’s window and I had been trying really hard not to think about her with some success before Kai had brought her up. 

Ben stayed quiet for a minute as the group pushed him for an answer. Tammy finally bluntly asking if Ben had slept with her.

I looked for any sign of embarrassment on his face but there was none as he smirked “It was even her idea, she took me back to her place and then she was all over me.”

I grit my teeth together, biting me tongue so as not to say anything I might later regret or that might make playing with him awkward. I didn’t like the way that he was talking about her. He shouldn’t be showing off for the rest of the lads like that, not if he really liked her. He could have just said that he had a good night and wouldn’t kiss and tell.

My only solace was that he wasn’t going into intimate detail. He wouldn’t ruin my fantasies about her that way. 

“How did you leave things? You leaving the door open to hit that again?” Tammy was asking.

I looked up at her window then and could see her there, stood at the coffee machine. She looked tired and stressed, more so than she usually did on a Monday morning and my dislike of Ben grew that little bit stronger. 

“The door is ajar. Just letting her cool off a bit before I go back to her. Don’t need her getting all clingy on me.”

I was only half listening to Ben, finding that not looking at him made it easier to pretend that I was fine and egging him on like all of the others. 

Our coach Frank blew his whistle then and told us all to head inside for lunch and I hung back behind the rest of them as they all walked towards the doors to inside the complex.

I was last in line for food as a consequence of hanging back behind the others and realised that Katie’s friend was just ahead of me with Billy but no Katie.

“I need to take this back to Kate but I don’t want to miss out on time with you.” I heard her cooing to Billy who had the biggest grin on his face. It was nice to see him finally happy but a bit too sweet for me.

Interrupting them I offered to take the sandwich to Katie, saying that the table I was going to sit on was full anyway and I was planning on just grabbing one myself and heading for some physio. 

Katie’s friend was slightly hesitant at first but her desire to be with Billy overruled that in the end and she handed the sandwich over to me.

I stood at her office door nervously for a minute before I even knocked.

She opened the door expecting her friend and was surprised to see me there.

“I uh- brought your sandwich…” I mumbled, passing it to her.

“Are you ok Mase? It’s not like you to be so quiet.” 

I full on blushed at her calling me Mase and felt like a right idiot for doing so. It was a nickname that people called me affectionately and she had never been affectionate towards me. 

“It’s just…” I started to speak but had no idea what excuse I was going to give. I couldn’t exactly tell her that I was jealous of Ben.

“Is it your girlfriend? She was um, nice?” she giggled, and I couldn’t think if I had ever heard her laugh before. It was infectious.

“If I’m honest I haven’t been invested in that relationship for a long time but I can’t bring myself to end it. I’ve always been in relationships. I’m not...I’m not sure I know how to be on my own you know?” 

She gestured for me to sit down on one of the chairs and she perched on the end of her desk, taking a bite of her sandwich while she thought about what I said.

“I can understand that. I was in a long term relationship that ended last year and I thought we were going to be together forever so when it ended I had no idea how to be on my own again. I’m still not sure that I have it figured out now if I’m honest.” she shrugged. She was trying to seem casual about it but I saw straight through her. She was still hurting from that break up. 

“You’re not on your own anymore though, you have Ben.” I said quietly. Although I didn’t really want to think about them together I wanted to see how she reacted to me asking about it. If her face lit up with happiness at just the mention of his name, I would know that any chance of me changing her mind about him and about me was absolutely dead. 

She looked down at her feet and didn’t say anything.

“He’s not the best at communicating. Don’t give up on him yet.” Thinking back to what she had said to me not long ago about how privileged and big headed I had become, I decided in a split second that maybe I wouldn’t be good for her even if we could somehow date. Would I continue to get too big for my boots and end up pushing her away? By that time I would have burnt a lot of bridges and ruined a lot of professional and personal relationships and it didn’t feel worth the risk.

“You’ve changed your tune.” she said, obviously referring to me telling her that he wasn’t good for her.

I shrugged, standing up to leave. “He’s growing on me I guess.”

“Thanks for chatting Mase. Maybe you’re growing on me.” she smiled. 

I had turned to the door, so she couldn’t tell how hard I was smiling at what she had said. 

“See you later Katie.” I replied, trying to sound as casual as possible as my stomach did somersaults.

[boldlyvoid]

Amoreena | Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

main summary: Heaven is a real place and it's located exactly 14.6 miles away from the FBI, Quantico Headquarters. Off behind a small park, under a fantastical willow tree surrounded by wildflowers, in every colour young minds can imagine.

Don't forget, heaven also comes with angels.

Chapter Warnings: fluffiest fluff ever, jealous amoreena, jealous spencer, the LaMontagne family is in this too !!

word count: 3.8K

from the beginning <3

He went to work with Y/N on Tuesday to fill out all the paperwork and officially become an employee at the D.C Public Library. He signed a contract, he was switched over to a different government healthcare, answering a million calls and emails all morning, he was officially not an FBI agent.

They had lunch together in the park, buying some sandwiches and walking across the street to a picnic table to talk about their days while they ate. He liked her co-workers, they all were shocked to find out she was “married” to him after being single the whole time she’s worked there.

They had plans to go get Amoreena from school a few minutes early, before heading to meet his mother, not telling her about the plans unless Diana had a bad day last minute and couldn’t see them. So far, according to the nurses, she was lucid and having a great day waiting for them.

“So about yesterday morning,” Y/N changed the subject, biting her lip like she was avoiding this.

“What about it?”

“Amoreena really wants us to have a wedding, I was thinking we could go up to New York for fathers day and have another fake wedding?” Y/N hypothesized her plan, hoping for Spencer’s approval.

He couldn’t help but smile, about to answer when he got an email on his phone. “I’d love to do that, it would be nice to go on a vacation with just as the three of us.”

“You can check that,” she said, noticing he looked at his phone as it buzzed.

It was an email. Not from anyone he knew, it wasn’t about work or healthcare, it wasn’t his mom or Penelope sending him funny things from the internet…

No, it was from Taylor Swift. He tried his best to calm his facial reactions and micro-expressions so she’d think it was just something work-related. An emailed contract, updated health forms, nothing too serious.

To: Spencer Reid From: Taylor Swift Subject: Amoreena

Hey Spencer!

Portia reached out and said that your wife and daughter are huge fans and you were interested in some summer tickets in Virginia… I was thinking if you guys ever found yourself in Rhode Island you’d all want to come to my place, my doors always open for friends 💛 Love Taylor xx

“What?” Y/n asked, trying to read over his shoulder as he turned the phone away.

“It’s a surprise,” he said, locking his phone and putting it in his pocket to reply to her later. “Have you ever thought about a beach wedding? Rhode Island is pretty nice in June.”

She tilted her head as she bit back a smile, wondering what he was planning, “Amoreena will have us reenact the little mermaid 2 instead of Enchanted then, just fyi, but yeah that sounds fun, we should get a beach house on Airbnb for the weekend.”

“Okay, let me handle it all, you don’t need to plan a single thing, just show up with a dress?” Spencer offered, knowing how scared weddings made her now.

She kissed his cheek softly, resting her chin on his shoulder as she leaned over on him, “nothing fancy or crazy okay?”

“Define crazy?” He teased her… she really had no idea what was coming.

To: Taylor Swift From: Spencer Reid Subject: RE: Amoreena

Thank you so much for the quick response and generous offer, we were thinking of having a small elopement in Rhode Island with just the three of us over Father’s Day weekend if that works for you? Seven is the song we danced to at our intimate personal wedding, however, Amoreena’s pretty sad she didn’t get to witness it, that’s why we’re having another one with her. (And hopefully you!) Thank you for making my girls so happy over all the years that I didn’t know them yet, you’re probably their favourite person in the world, even more so than me! It would mean everything to them to meet you or see you in any way, you’re incredibly kind for this.

Thanks again, Spencer Reid x

He tried his best to be as calm and nice as possible in his response, still managing to rant a little even in text format. It was just how he communicated, either not at all or all at once. He was so excited for Y/N and Amoreena.

“So you said your mom has a scrapbook,” Y/N changed the subject after Spencer spent 5 minutes in silence, turned away from her as he answered an email.

“She does, she’s going to show you a lot of photos of me today,” he smiled at the fact she remembered.

“I know you want to tell her about Amoreena alone before we come in, so I made her something for her scrapbook, it’s back on my desk drying,” Y/N was so precious as she got excited, that same giddiness he see’s in Amoreena bursting through her.

“Okay, let’s go see it,” he put his phone in his pocket and followed her back across the street towards the library.

On some beautiful floral scrapbook paper, Y/N glued an array of photos of Amoreena from the beginning all the way to the museum trip last week.

A photo of her first round of IVF, dated February 19th, 2013. Exactly 1 month after he donated, she must have chosen his sample as soon as it entered the system, even a photo of the sample jar reading “sample 2319”, A photo of her crying in the garden with her grandma when she found it she was pregnant, wrapped in a big coat and surrounded by snow. Her pregnancy announcement being a baby sock on a stuffed toy Sully from Monsters Inc, "new door opening November 2013!" Amoreena has been surrounded by references to books and movies since the beginning.

There was a photo from the moment Amoreena was born, crying and brand-new, resting on Y/N’s chest as she sobbed, more beautiful than he’s ever seen her before, completely in love with the child she made.

Amoreena Margery Y/L/N - November 13th, 2013, 9:53 pm 7lbs 12oz, 21 inches of perfection

“Her middle name is Margery?”

“Yeah,” she smiled back at his ever glowing face, wondering why it was so important to him. “Like Margery Kempe, my grandma’s favourite.”

“She’s my mom’s favourite too,” Spencer couldn’t help but laugh, it was such a strange turn of events. He saw so much of his mother in Amoreena just for her to have a middle name related to her.

Y/N couldn’t believe it, “I’m so excited to meet her!”

“I just hope she’s okay today, truly,” Spencer worried. “She is my best friend and a great mother, don’t get me wrong. But some of the things she did to me on her bad days were scary, and I never want Amoreena to experience that.”

Y/N pulled him into a hug, “it’s hereditary isn’t it?” He nodded against her shoulder as she tried to soothe all the impending anxiety out of his body. “I’m not going anywhere, she won't have to raise herself and care for you, that’ll never happen to her.”

She guessed, and she was right. Reading his mind like she’s already been in there and watched all his trauma, she knew all the right words and how exactly to push his feelings away. She was sunshine clearing his grey skies once more, about to cause a drought so he’d no longer rain on his own parade. Marching beside him, hand in hand into the future.

—

They waited at the gate of Amoreena’s school, none of the other parents were waiting yet, giving Y/N a chance to show Spencer around the yard and tell him about her school. “She’s in senior kindergarten, she has a November birthday so I opted to send her in when she was 6 instead of 5, giving me an extra year of home pre-school.”

“That’s why she’s so smart, not my genes,” Spencer smiled, walking around the edge of the gate with her hand still in his.

“They want her to jump right into grade 5 next year, I said no, she deserves a childhood with children she doesn’t have to compete with or see her as a threat,” Y/N voice was stern even in the recounting like she knew from experience. “Because she’ll be 8 in November she’s going into grade 2 instead, then she’ll be in the same age range and mental level, but all her friends she knows in grade 1 will be in the same recess yard as her.”

“I went from kindergarten to grade 4, then I jumped to grade 6 when I was 9 and I graduated high school at 13, it was terrible,” Spencer agreed, not knowing if he had a place in the decision but wanting her to know he agreed with it.

“Let’s go inside and get her,” Y/N smiled at him, understanding his meaning perfectly and dragging him into the school.

“Hello miss Ludlough,” Y/N beamed as she entered the main office with her arm tucked under Spencers, showing him off slightly.

“Y/N, good afternoon! Do you need me to call that little angel down early?” The secretary was a lovely older woman, wrinkled and happy as she smiled back.

“No, I just need to get some paperwork to put her dad in the files?” Y/N surprised Spencer with that and he almost stopped breathing.

“Really?” He whispered, capturing her attention as her eyes twinkled up at him.

“I’d like you on her emergency contacts, if they can’t get ahold of me I’d like you to be with her,” Y/N confirmed, patting his shoulder softly as Miss Ludlough handed her a few forms.

Spencer signed everywhere he needed to, handing them his licence to be photocopied into her file for proof when he picked her up in the future. He was glad to see there was a system, that they cared for his little girl and she wasn’t going to be going home with anyone who wasn’t in that file. And if she did he had no problem hunting them down and getting her back in whatever way he had to…

He shook the thought out of his head as it arises, reminding himself that that isn’t who he is now and she would be fine. They lived in a happy world where bad things didn’t happen.

Y/N’s hand rubbing his lower back helped, he stood straight again and pushed the papers over the desk, smiling as he officially became her father on 3 different sheets of paper. That was as real as it could get.

“Spence?” He heard an all to familiar voice from behind him.

Turning to see JJ and Will smiling with wide arms, waiting for his embrace. “What are you doing here?” She asked him, voice high as she was clearly shocked.

He walked into her arms and held her quickly, “I’m here with my wife,” breaking the news to her in the most casual way possible. “Picking up our kid.”

“Y/N?” Will noticed her then, “holy shit, you’re the wife?”

She nodded with a smile, hugging will quickly like she has known him for years, “how are you, cowboy?”

Spencer and JJ looked at each other incredibly confused, JJ clearly didn’t know her so how did Will?

“Will and I have been on what, 6 school trips together? Michael and Amoreena are buddies,” Y/N explained with a soft smile, “I knew Henry and Michaels's names sounded familiar…”

“Nini thinks I’m a cowboy,” Will laughed lightly, smiling at Y/N the way he did at JJ and something in Spencer almost snapped thinking about Will being the one person between him and the girl he liked, once again.

Only this time she was his wife and not the cute media liaison who had no interest in him until he came out of prison.

“She was very upset when she found out that Will was already married, she wanted us to be Woody and Jessie from toy story,” Y/N had no problem ranting about how their kids got along and how good of friends they had become over the last 2 years of school trips.

Y/N noticed the anxiety in Spencer’s eyes as he pulled away from JJ and made sure no one was touching him, “luckily, our little girl’s got the best daddy in the whole world now and all her dreams came true.”

“She sure does,” JJ agreed, “Hey, I gave your mom all those books you gave me for the boys, when you were away, so she had something to keep remembering you with, you should give them to Amoreena.”

“I will, we’re going to see her tonight,” he was able to push past the feelings and enjoy the moment of his friends meeting his wife, even if the title was just pretend.

“I’m so excited,” Y/N shook her hands the same way Amoreena did, stepping into Spencer's space and wrapping her arm around him. “Can we pick her up from the room Miss Ludlough?”

“Sure thing, do you want me to call down and say Mikey’s parents are here too?”

“Yes, please,” JJ smiled over the counter.

With the four of them walking down the hall together to get their kids, Spencer felt like he was sleepwalking. Too many emotions were running through his veins to feel real, but then Y/N took his hand in hers and rested her cheek against his arm as they walked and he was fine.

She tugged on his arm and waited in the hallway while JJ and Will entered the classroom first, “what’s wrong, she’ll know you’re upset?”

He sighs, shaking the stupidity out of his mind. “I had a huge crush on JJ before they got pregnant with Henry, and when I came back from prison she told me she had always loved me and it got weird for a bit and I’m still kinda mad when I see Will bond with the people I love.”

“I was wondering when you’d get possessive,” she teased him, “I’m yours and I wouldn’t have your ring on if I wasn’t, no matter how another man looks at me, I only love you.”

“I’m sorry, I know.”

“It’s okay, you’re not used to this are you?” She saw right through it. “Am I your first real girlfriend?”

“Kinda, Maeve and I never even really met until she was kidnapped,” he admits and it sounds so childish in his mind.

“Okay we’ll talk about this later cause that sounds like a good story I should know,” she tried to smile, standing on her tiptoes to peck his lips softly before smiling more. “Let’s go get your kid?”

“Let's,” his smile returned.

They turned the corner into the vibrant room, Amoreena was talking to Will when she noticed Spencer at the door, running towards him and almost pushing Will over to do so, “Dad!”

He picked her up and snuggled right into the crook of her little neck, giving her the biggest hug he’s ever given and not realizing just how much he missed her until she was back in his arms again. His baby, the littlest life he’s ever held this close to his heart.

When he put her down he noticed all the women’s eyes were on him, hands over their hearts at the pure display of affection between father and daughter. They all saw him as her dad, they had no reason not to, giving him all the attention he’s never received before.

“What are you doing here?” Her tiny voice asked as she beamed at him with wonder.

He kneeled in front of her to get on her eye level when Michael came running over, “Hi uncle Spencer!” He tackled him into a hug.

“Uncle Spencer?” Amoreena’s brow furrowed as she scowled at the boy taking her dad’s attention, she pulled Michael back by his shirt. “That’s my dad!”

“Amoreena, honey,” Spencer tried not to laugh, she was definitely his kid, “Michels mom, JJ, is my best friend from work and I’m his older brother Henry’s godfather, they’re your cousins.”

She looked at him like he was insane, “what’s a godfather?”

“If anything bad happens to his mommy or daddy and they can’t take care of them, they’ll come live with us,” it was the simplest answer, “I’m not their father, I’m yours.”

She nodded and hugged him again, sticking her tongue out at Michael in the process, “why are you here?” She repeated the question.

Y/N was standing over him with a hand on his shoulder then, “we’re taking you to meet your other grandma.”

Amoreena started to shake with excitement, moving her hands and grinding her teeth as she smiles, shrieking with excitement, “I have another grandma!?”

JJ was watching from the corner of the room, secretly filming it on her phone for the rest of the team to see Spencer with his baby. A sight many of them never thought they’d ever see as he slowly lost hope, losing himself somewhere along the way and no longer wanting to accept their help. This was a big moment for the team too, their little brother was finally happy.

—

In the car, Spencer sat with Amoreena in the back seat so he could tell her everything about her new grandma. Or as Amoreena wanted to call her, Princess Diana, “I can’t believe you’re actually royalty!”

They all laugh at how her fantastic little brain works, “you can’t tell anyone that Princess Diana is in DC okay? It’s a government secret!” Y/N teased from the driver's seat.

“I’m like Princess Mia!” She screamed at the top of her lungs and Spencer was astounded she could be that loud.

“Okay, okay, not that loud! we can't scare any of the people who live here. They like it to be calm and quiet so the patients can be happy,” Y/N settled her down, “Dad is going to go in and tell grandma all about us for a little while and then we’ll go meet her okay? He wants to make sure she’s happy today before we go in.”

With that, they were pulling into his mother's care facility and he felt like he was going to be sick with excitement. He used to visit his mother with the fear of rage and disappointment in her eyes, he was too proud to let his anxiety take that from him today.

He kissed her forehead before getting out, Y/N handed him the scrapbook pages through the window and he leaned inside to give her a kiss too. Receiving a disgusted groan from Amoreena, he pulled away and walked into the building while they found a place to park.

She was waiting for him in the garden, sitting at a picnic table with her scrapbook and gifts for Amoreena. “Spencer!”

“Hey mom,” he smiled as he hugged her, “how are you feeling?”

“Fantastic, where is this family you made?” She was so ready to meet them, truly there inside her mind and willing to learn more about this life he was making.

“Sit down first,” he said softly, taking a seat beside her at the table and placing the scrapbook page on the table. “This is my Amoreena.”

Her fingers glided over the words, “Margery,” she repeated her middle name with a smile. “She has a sperm donor for a father?”

“I’m a sperm donor, mom,” he smiled softly as he broke the news.

She turned to him with shock, “she’s yours?”

“We think so, so that’s what we’re telling people, she’s mine regardless.”

Diana wrapped him up in another hug, “I’m so happy for you Spencer. You always deserved a perfect family, I’m sorry I couldn’t do that for you. I hope your dreams come true with her.”

Just like that Amoreena and Y/N were rounding the corner and walking over towards their table. She had a huge smile on her face and a card in her hand, walking right up to Diana and handing it to her.

“Hi, grandma, I’m Amoreena,” she introduced herself politely before stretching her arms out for a hug.

Diana wrapped her up in the softest little hug, trying not to cry in front of her brand new granddaughter, which was fine because Spencer was the one crying. Turning away from them so Amoreena wouldn’t see as Y/N patted his arm with a smile.

They were fast friends, Y/N and Diana bonding over Margery Kempe and while Amoreena opened the two gifts Diana got for her, a simple colouring book and Spencer's original copy of Matilda from when he was a child. She sat down in the grass and read it while they all caught up, lost in her own little world.

It was the most perfect afternoon, just him and his family, happier than he’s ever dreamed he could be.

—

He checked his phone one last time before bed, Y/N was sitting against the headboard reading a book and so deep in the story, he knew she wouldn’t be able to read over his shoulder.

Scrolling through everything from the day to see that yes, there was a response from Taylor Swift. It felt insane, but he opened it and started to read her plans.

Spencer!! You’re so sweet, I’m sure you make them incredibly happy! I’d love to have you stay in the guest house here, and I’m ordained if you need someone to make it real and official ♥︎ let me know what I can do, I’d love to help in any way to make some fairytale dreams come true! Taylor xx

Smiling like an idiot, he closed his phone. He’d reply tomorrow, till then he was going to snuggle into his wife and appreciate their time together.

She lifted an arm to let him lay against her chest, “today she woke up and decided to be an explorer, the little girl with the wildest imagination stormed out of her home and towards the unknown part of her land. It was her destiny to travel across the bridge and unite the people beyond the field, towards the pond that was swallowed by willow trees,” Y/N read the grandmother's thoughts from the page.

“With her wooden sword, she sliced and diced on the ivy that surrounded the gate. Freeing the hinges and allowing the entrance to swing open, unlocking a new area of the world for her mind to wander.

“For what the regular human eye saw, Amoreena saw it times a million. Every colour and then some, new colours appearing in the morning glow as she stared at the dew on the leaves she just chopped through. She saw the world in a way that made everything exciting, there was never a bad thing, only good things with interesting quirks.

“She passed every mushroom and toadstool, every strange-looking tree and human-shaped moss ball, greeting them with a good morning as she strolled through the once-forbidden forest. Her adventure only beginning, the objective not yet known.”

“Your grandma could see the future,” Spencer whispered as she turned the page, “that’s our wonderful little girl’s mind in words.”

Y/N kissed the top of his head, “our wonderful little girl.” She repeated the words, loving the way they sounded on his tongue as much as he loved how she said it.

Taglist: @shemarmooresfedora @spookyspence @spencers-dria @reidsfish @manuosorioh @mochionly @samuel-de-champagne-problems @jswessie187

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

Californian Dream (Pt. 11 of 11)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 2.3 K

Summary: Being part of one of the richest families of California doesn't mean you're happy. Your life is boring, and you're surrounded by meaningless people and their meaningless talk. Even during Summer, with the break you have from college, there's nothing good going on. Nothing but the new pool guy, Billy, the most handsome man you ever saw. You were successfully avoiding him, not wanting to act like an idiot in front of the guy until Billy accepts to be your date for a fancy gala you're forced to attend. The night was going well, even better when he sneaked you out to go to the beach. But a gang of criminals breaks into the party, kidnapping the heirs to the wealthiest families, which includes you. So, for your safety, your parents want you to stay with Billy, living in his apartment until the criminals are caught. And that could take weeks, maybe even months.

Warnings: Light violence

<- Previous part (10)

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

{Dacre Montgomery Masterlist}

×

California Never Felt Like Home

Even though he's not going anywhere any time soon, you hook one leg around his waist, just to pull him a little closer. “You're my prisoner now.” You mutter, sleep still clouding your voice.

“I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.” He answers, placing kisses all over your face.

“The good part is that we'll have all the afternoon to ourselves.” You giggle, moving to lay on your back with Billy hovering over you.

“I'll take you to see the sunset on that beach you like. Completely desert.” He says in a low voice. “If we survive your parents.”

“We already did.” Kissing him, you move to lie on top of him. “It'll be at this super expensive, fancy restaurant, so it means they won't yell at me or put on a show.”

“Sometimes I think you should consider what you're giving up.” He gets sad suddenly, sighing. You know what he's thinking about, and it will take time for Billy to see and understand this is what you really want.

“I'm giving up a huge house I never felt like it was mine. Lots of money that never brought me happiness.” In between the words, you place kisses all over his face. “But what I'm getting...? God, it's amazing.” Sitting up, you straddle his hips. “I got real friends now, and a home. And an awesome boyfriend who doesn't compare to the assholes on my parents' list.”

“I'm so happy I'm around to see the good daughter rebelling.” He sits up too, strong arms encircling your waist. “You look so good, little rebel.”

“You're just saying that because I'm wearing your shirt.” Wrapping your arms around his neck, you raise an eyebrow. Yesterday, you decided to pick one of his shirts to put on instead of your regular pajamas.

“Babe, you look good on everything. But I gotta admit seeing you wearing my clothes is very hot.”

Smiling, you can't help but blush. “We still have a few hours, so I think we can maybe make out for a while?” Biting your lip at his smirk, you giggle.

“Starting the day off with good ideas already.” He mutters, holding you up and throwing you back on the mattress. “This is the first day of the rest of your lives, you know that, right? Because I'm never letting you go. Unless you get tired of me.”

“I don't think I'll ever get tired of you, so yes...” Caressing his cheek, you take a deep breath, the sunlight illuminating his face. “The very first day of the rest of our lives.”

•••

The morning bliss had to be interrupted. But, as you sit across from your mother at the restaurant, you don't feel scared, or nervous. You feel perfectly fine. You're not dressed for this place, you can see it in your mother's eyes, but you don't care. You like the clothes you're wearing, and your mother's disgusting stare makes you chuckle under your breath. Making yourself comfortable, you ignore the silence. Nobody is saying anything, and your father has been staring at Billy as if he could kill him with his stare.

“So... I believe you want an explanation.” You start, cupping your hands together above the table. “Billy and I are dating. And I'll be living with him.”

“Is it some kind of joke?” Your mother interrupts, leaning closer. “You can't possibly think I'll believe you'll do that.” You're about to say something when she raises a hand, and you shut your mouth. “I get it, (Y/N). Billy is good looking, he has this appeal, he's different from the guys you're used to, rougher around the edges, I get all that. But this? This is insane.”

It's only a matter of time for the insults to begin, you're aware of that. “That's not all, mother.” You add, not even considering giving her a proper answer. “I'm not going to course Law anymore. I'll look for something I actually like. And go to the public University.”

“What the–”

“I have a good job now, at a store of diving equipment and I love it.” Cutting your father short, you raise your voice just a little. “That's my life now. I'm not going back to the house, but I want you both to know that I'll visit, of course, and you can visit me whenever you want and–”

“I'm not going to let you throw your entire life on the trash because of the freaking pool guy.” Your father's voice storms out, making a few people look your way. He does seem a little embarrassed, but definitely angry. “This man–” He points at Billy, and you hold his hand under the table. “–he can give you nothing. Nothing. What do you have in life, Hargrove? I shitty job, a tiny apartment. Do you think you can provide to someone like my daughter?” There it is. The insults. And, knowing exactly what Neil told Billy, you won't let your father treat him this way.

“You wanna know what Billy gave me, father?” Smiling, you begin. “He gave me a life. I never felt truly happy, never. Not in our mansion, or those fancy galas, or wearing fashionable clothes. Never. But with the pool guy, as you call him, in his tiny apartment with his lowlife friends? I finally felt something. I finally felt life was worth living.”

“Alright.” He slams his fist on the table, glancing at your mother, a mean smile on his face. “If you insist on doing this, I'll disown you.” He giggles, a hand half covering his mouth. “You won't see any cents from me anymore. Is that what you want?”

He looks like he got everything figured out. Exchanging a stare with Billy, you can tell he's worried. Does he think you'll fall for this? Squeezing his hand a little and smiling, you try to reassure him. He must feel awful, seated here, and listening to all this shit. “I–”

The waiter comes and you're cut short, waiting for your parents to order whatever they want to eat. “Oh, finally. We'll want Muffin Pan Shrimp Ragoon. Thought I'll give my kid one last decent lunch at a decent restaurant. What do you think?”

Seriously? “I can't eat that.” You think it's so obvious, but by the look on your father's face, he doesn't get it.

“What? Do you want to order something more expensive as a goodbye to your good life?”

“She's allergic to shrimp,” Billy speaks for the first time, his voice strong and deep. Both your parents look a little surprised, but soon enough recognition comes to their faces.

They completely forgot, but it doesn't bother you. You're happy Billy actually remembered it. You only mentioned it once, at the gala. “It's alright, though. We'll have lunch by the beach.” You tell them, smiling at Billy.

“Let me guess...” He dismisses the waiter with a gesture of his hand. “Sandwiches and soda?”

“Actually, yes.” Exclaiming, you stand up, and Billy does the same. It's over. You told them what's gonna happen now, and they have to make peace with that. And if your father wants to change his will and cut you out of it, so be it. “I made them myself and they're delicious.”

“For goodness sake.” Your mother mutters, running a hand through her hair. “Honey, please think this through, alright? Your house will be opened whenever you want to come back.”

“Thanks, mom. I will visit, I promise.” That said, you smile at them before turning away, hand in hand with Billy, walking away from the table.

“You better wipe off your bank account, (Y/N), because you'll never get a penny from me again!” Your father yells, and you simply wave at him, not even bothering to look back.

When you're outside, you feel light-headed, relieved. “This wasn't as bad as it could be.” You breathe out, walking to where Billy parked his car, a block away.

“Did he mean it? About disowning you?” He sounds serious, despite the smile that's on your face.

Turning around without letting go of his hand, you start walking backward. “I don't give a damn.” Speaking slowly, you wink at him, stopping suddenly and letting him come closer by himself before grabbing the collar of his shirt and tiptoeing to kiss him, sweet and slow.

“What the– (Y/N)?” Someone calls and since you do know who it is, you keep kissing Billy for a while longer. “Holy shit.”

It makes you giggle when he pulls your closer, deepening the kiss. But eventually, you have to breathe, so you break apart, a smile on your lips.

“Care to explain why the hell you're making out with the pool guy? In public?” Daniel says as you turn to face him. He has a girl with him, but you don't know who she is. He seems better, given the time he spent held hostage. “Have you lost your mind, girl?”

Sighing, you roll your eyes at him. You have a lunch date on the beach, and you don't wanna waste any more time with meaningless people. “Yeah. I'm dating the pool guy.” You tell him, shrugging your shoulders. “Actually, I'm in love with the pool guy. And now I work at a scuba diving store, so you can come up with some kind of name for me too, but you wanna know what? I don't give a damn.” Pulling Billy harder, you start walking again. “I'd love to say that we'll be seeing each other soon, but we won't. So... Goodbye, Daniel.” Turning on your heels, you leave the couple behind.

The drive to the beach is short, and instead of sitting on the sand, you chose to seat on the hood of his car. Which he now calls Lily, and you peacefully eat the sandwiches and drink the soda. You wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. The ocean, the sunlight, the fresh wind messing with your hair. The simple food, the hood of his car... And him. Billy is certainly the best part. Having him here is indescribable, and knowing you'll go back home with him is even better.

“So... Will you help me chose something to major in?” You ask as he helps you climb off of the hood, taking your hand and starting to walk down the beach.

“Actually, I have some fresh news coming straight from Jason.” He says, a bright smile on his lips.

Furrowing your eyebrows, you stop to look at him. “What news...?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Heeler, from the store.” Billy starts, putting a strand of hair behind your ear. “They want to retire and they're thinking about passing the store over to you and Jason since they don't have any relatives. If you both agree on being associates.”

“Oh my God!” You exclaim, tiptoeing to crash your lips on his. “This is amazing.”

“Please act surprised when Jason tells you.” In a sudden motion, Billy reaches for your thighs, pulling you up and wrapping your legs around his waist. Using his shoulder for balance, you giggle. “He didn't want me to tell you but I couldn't resist.”

“This is just awesome. This is...” Taking a deep breath, you take a look at the ocean. The sound of the waves crashing is low and calming, and the way the sunlight reflects on the water shines like liquid silver. Then, you look at Billy again, his smile warming up your heart. “I love you.” You haven't said it yet, but it feels like the right time. And this is how you feel. You've never been in love before, but you know how this is how it feels. Like someone owns your whole heart. “I'm not sure if you feel the same but I just need you to know that–”

“I'm completely in love with you.” Billy cuts you off, bouncing you up a little and making the way back to his car. “I have been for a while and that scared the hell out of me.” When you reach Lily, he puts you down on the hood, remaining in between your legs. “But now... I'm sure of it. I want a life with you. A future.”

Blushing, you smile, your forehead touching Billy's. “So that thing you said about me getting to pick the kid's names...” You tease, placing a kiss on the corner of his lips.

“I mean it, if...” Pulling away from a little, he locks eyes with you. “If you don't pick something silly like the name you insisted on giving my car.”

“It's not silly!” Playfully, you try to push him away, giggling when he grabs your sides, tickling you. “Alright! Alright!” After a while you manage to stop him, his hands going back to your hips. “We'll pick names we both like. How does it sound?”

“It sounds like we're talking about kids even before getting married.”

“What?” Furrowing your eyebrows, you try to process what the hell he just said. “Sorry, I thought you heard you talking about...”

“I never felt like the type for marriage but, God, I want to marry you,” Billy exclaims, connecting his lips to yours.

You have a lot to say, a lot of things to ask, but you surrender to the kiss instead. This is all the answers you need. His lips on yours, on this paradise on Earth.

California never felt like home because home isn't a place, but a person. Billy is your home. Wherever you are, if he's with you, it's the right place. Nothing else needs to be said. The life you had before vanished like smoke in the air, and this is even better than everything you could ever dream of. Not all the money in the world can buy this moment, and you don't regret a thing. Love is far more important, and now that you found it, nothing will make you let it go.

×

@multific @dontxfearxthereaper @nope-thanks @nikkixostan @shinydixon @clockworkballerina @infinitelycharmed23 @lilred91 @moatsnow

[carryonmywaywardcaptain]

Miles of Memories- 1

We’ve Got Tonight- Bob Seger

Miles of Memories Masterlist CarryOnCap’s Masterlist

Dean x reader Best Friends to Lovers AU

Summary: Feeling anxious about heading off to college, you make the most of your last night in town with the help of your best friend, Dean.

Warnings: fluffy, adorable Dean and fun banter. Slight angst (goodbyes are hard). Minor mentions of childhood trauma

WC: 2,900

A/N: This part is like a “prelude” to give you a glimpse of Y/N and Dean’s relationship (5 years before the main storyline). I hope you stay tuned for the slowest of Dean x fem!reader slowburns. I’m so excited to share this story, so please let me know what you think! MASSIVE thanks to my spectacular and badass beta crew—@christopher-evxns @deanwinchesterswitch @ezilyamuzed & @wonder-cole—for all of their help and input!! I edited even after their feedback, so all mistakes are my own.  Credit to Bob Seger for the song :) 

Zipping your suitcase closed with a heavy sigh, you worked through your mental checklist for the hundredth time to make sure you hadn’t forgotten to pack anything.

“Jeez, you act like it’s the last time you’ll ever see this place or something.” With a smile and a roll of your eyes, you turned to see Dean leaning casually against your doorframe. “Y’know, I figured I’d talk to Bobby about renting this space out anyway. Save you the stress of missing it while you’re gone because it’ll look completely different the next time you come back.”

“I’m not too worried. I think you’re the last person Bobby would trust with anything—let alone a space in his house.”

Dean grinned, pushing off the doorframe to mosey into your room. “See, normally I’d agree with you. But it just so happens that he gave me my very own key to the garage, so I think he’s coming around. This ready?” He pointed at the suitcase on your bed, and you nodded. 

“Riiight. I’m supposed to believe that Bobby would actually give you a key to come and go at the shop anytime you want.”

Dean shrugged, spinning on his heel with your bag in hand. “Guess he’s looking for a new favorite since you’re skipping town to go be successful out in the real world.”

You snorted and shook your head, silently following him to the door. He stepped out of the way, placing his free hand on the doorknob as you scanned the bedroom one last time. Gnawing your bottom lip, you sucked in a deep breath and tried to alleviate some of the tightness in your chest.

This room had been a safe haven for most of your life, and it was hard to remember the days before you called it “home.” Your mother had passed away when you were a toddler, and your father was a drunk, in and out of jail and your life until one day he didn’t come back. Bobby had often been the one who took care of you when your father needed to pass you off onto someone else. 

You didn’t remember much about the “Travelin’ Man” (as Bobby not-so-lovingly referred to him on the rare occasions he was mentioned), but you could easily recall the night Bobby told you this would be your room for good. The relief and excitement you’d felt upon learning you’d have a space of your own were still vivid. Knowing you had a place you could always return to provided a sense of stability and consistency you’d never known.

Bobby may not have been your father by blood, but he was your dad in every sense of the word. Sure, he was a little rough around the edges and tended to be a hermit, but he also had a heart of gold, and not once had he ever made you question whether he cared about you.

A few weeks after settling into your new home, you had met Jessica and Sam during recess at your new elementary school. Although they were a grade younger, you’d instantly hit it off with them. Jess and Sam had always been there for you over the years, too, willing to lend an ear or make time for movie nights and spontaneous trips to the diner. Eventually, Sam had introduced you to Dean, and the two of you had been inseparable ever since. Each and every memory you had growing up involved at least one (if not all three) of them. But while it was difficult saying goodbye to everyone in general...you still hadn’t been able to grasp the idea of saying goodbye to Dean.

Dean was the one who had been by your side through everything. From heartfelt life chats and your deepest moments of self-doubt to car ride sing-alongs and your loudest belly laughs. He was always there to comfort you, remind you not to take things so seriously, and even drag you into trouble once in a while. 

The thought of leaving him and your safe, familiar home brought yet another wave of apprehension and doubt. What if you were making a huge mistake?

“Y/N...” Dean’s gentle voice coaxed you back to reality. “We’ve still got a lot to pack into our night, so don’t go checking out on me yet.”

Without looking back, you slipped past Dean and heard him shut the door as you made your way downstairs. 

“You know, this wouldn’t be so hard if you would’ve just applied like I told you to. Then we could both be going off to college together, and you’d find out what an honor it would be to have me as a roomie.”

“Okay, well, let me remind you that you’re the one who decided to go ‘see what’s out there’ and get a fancy college degree under her belt. And, even if we did survive being roommates without making the other want to pull their hair out, there’s no way in hell that town would be able to handle both of us.”

“That’s fair.”

“Besides, I won’t have much of a chance to miss you. You’ll probably flunk out and be back here by the end of the semester anyway.”

“Also fair,” you laughed. “Taking a year off to work at The Roadhouse and pretend to get my life together seemed like a good idea at the time, but I’m a little worried about getting into the groove of studying and all that crap again.”

“You know, if you need help, all you gotta do is pick up the phone. I mean, Sammy’s a real bookworm, and he’s only a phone call away.” Dean winked as he held the front door open and motioned for you to lead the way. 

Sticking your tongue in your cheek, you fought to hide your amusement at the way he threw his brother under the bus. Before you made it through the door, you whirled around toward the stairs again. “Dang it. I forgot my bathroom bag. Do you mind tossing that one in the car? I’ll be right back!”

“Another bag? Where are you gonna put all this crap?” he muttered.

After retrieving the pouch from the bathroom upstairs and making sure you hadn’t left any necessary items in the drawers and cabinets, you hurried outside to find Dean patiently waiting beside your car. You tossed the small bag and he caught it with ease, pitching it in the backseat before closing the door.

“And done. Any last-minute stops to make along the way?” he asked.

“Nope. I caught Ellen, Jo, and Jody at the end of my shift yesterday, and Charlie was over for a bit this morning. And, you know, Sam and Jess ditched us for California last weekend. That means you and Bobby are the only two left to put up with me until I leave in the morning.”

When your voice cracked unexpectedly, you cleared your throat and surveyed the scrapyard until the faint prick in the corners of your eyes faded. As your departure drew near and you considered everything you were leaving behind, venturing out into the world was quickly beginning to feel more daunting than exciting. 

“Hey…” Dean gripped the tops of your arms, stirring you from your thoughts. “We’ve got tonight. Who needs tomorrow? We’ve got tonight...babe. Why don’t you staaaaaaaayy—”

You had thought he was going to say something sweet and comforting, but you playfully shoved him in the chest when you realized he was speaking in Bob Seger lyrics. He stumbled back a step, laughing as he walked around the front of the impala and climbed inside.

***

There was an old park on the outskirts of town where Bobby and John would occasionally drop you both off when they had errands to run. As the years passed, you began riding your bikes the few miles across town, taking turns balancing Sam on your handlebars until Dean was old enough to drive. Eventually, Sam stopped tagging along, but somewhere along the way the park became a place you and Dean cherished. 

A large pond stretched across most of the area, and there was a stately willow tree near the water’s edge that served as your designated “spot.” It was a hideaway often overlooked by others, but it was the perfect escape when the two of you needed a place that was all your own. 

“Alright.” Dean plopped down beside you on the blanket. “You’ve got your grub, an amazing view, and the best company you could ever ask for. What else could you possibly want?”

“You’re right. Baby’s good company and all, but she’s not much of a conversationalist.”

Dean grimaced. “Just for that, I might eat your food.”

“Depending on what it is, I might let you.”

He smirked and unrolled the brown paper sack in his hand. “PB&J’s, just like Mom used to make! I asked if she could whip up a few before she flew out to make sure Sam got all settled at Stanford. She said to tell you she’s sorry she couldn’t catch you and to wish you good luck. This seemed like a, uh, better idea at the time...now that it’s been a couple of days, these might taste like shit.”

You couldn’t help but laugh as you took the sandwich Dean offered. “We’ve probably eaten worse, but I appreciate the sentimental twist. Seeing as how you’re in your 20’s and you had your mom make us sandwiches.”

“Hey, I was going for authenticity! Trying to help you feel like a kid again before you start adulting or whatever and—you know what? Just shut up and eat your food.”

The two of you unwrapped your sandwiches and continued bantering back and forth between bites. Even though the bread was soggy from marinating in jelly for a few days, and it certainly wasn’t the best thing you’d ever eaten, it brought back a flood of nostalgia. 

When a comfortable silence fell over the two of you, your thoughts began to drift to dozens of adventures you and Dean had had here. You gazed out over the water, watching the willow branches graze the surface as they gently swayed in the breeze. You tried to commit every detail to memory as you soaked in the peaceful atmosphere, not knowing how long it would be until you returned.

After a while, Dean chuckled under his breath, and you looked at him curiously.

“You remember that day we were pretending to be pirates, and Dad ended up coming to pick us up early?”

“Of course.”

“Man, he was so pissed when he saw us standing on top of that picnic table we managed to drag out and ‘sail’ into the middle of the pond. Sure made an awesome ship, though.”

You smiled at the memory, though it was anything but funny at the time. “I think he was a little more pissed at the fact that we left Sam playing alone in the gazebo. And obviously what made the ‘ship’ great was the pirate flag I made.”

“Uh-huh,” Dean snorted. “You mean the crappy skull you drew on our lunch bag and stuck on the end of a stick? Pretty sure we were having a blast with the ship because it was my brilliant idea in the first place.”

“I was like 8, and it was still better than anything you could’ve drawn.” You crumpled up your trash and threw it at him. “And I was having fun--right up until you pushed me off anyway. I nearly choked to death on all that nasty water I sucked in.”

“Okay, well, you shouldn’t have been trying to be Captain when I’m the oldest, and it was clearly my title to begin with. There was no plank to walk, but obviously, you had to go overboard.” 

He grinned, keeping his gaze fixed on the water. As you studied his face and noticed the faraway look in his eye, his smile faded. You figured his thoughts had drifted back to his dad, who had passed away a couple of years later. 

“I felt so damn bad, though. I really was afraid you were gonna drown. And Bobby was ready to kill me when he found out.”

“Lucky for you, you can’t get rid of me that easily.”

The two of you joked and reminisced for several more hours, eventually watching the sun set over the water until it sank below the horizon. When it was time to head back to Bobby’s, Dean took the long way home so you could crank the radio and sing along with your hand hanging lazily out the open window. Back at the house, you sat on the kitchen counter and talked with both men until Bobby finally bid you goodnight--but you still weren’t ready to call it a night, knowing morning would come soon and it would be time for you to leave. 

After convincing Dean to stay a little longer, you grabbed a couple of old blankets and spread them in the bed of one of the pickup trucks near the house. With your head on his chest and your body tucked comfortably against his side, you chatted beneath the stars until you drifted off to sleep.

***

“Got everything all packed up?” Bobby asked.

“I think so,” you answered.

“Better double-check because I’m not driving a few hours just to bring you a lost shoe or something.” 

“Is that a challenge?” you teased, seeing right through his gruff quip. “Because I bet I could talk you into it. We both know you’re not gonna know what to do without me.”

He frowned a little before smiling fondly, and you could’ve sworn there was a misty glaze in his eyes.

“Yeah. I s’pose you’re right.”

“Oh, don’t get all sentimental on me now. You could probably use a little break. Besides, I’ll be back so often you’ll just get sick of me all over again.”

“C’mere, kid.” 

Bobby reached out and pulled you into a hug. Much too soon, he let go and stepped aside so you could say goodbye to Dean. His soft green eyes had been fixed on you, but he glanced away and clenched his jaw when you took a step toward him. 

“So, uh...don’t forget about us when you make it big out there in the real world—catch a break as an artist or an author or some music critic.”

“Yeah, okay,” you scoffed. “I haven’t even picked out a major yet, but I think I have an advisor who can help me figure out a good fit...eventually. Maybe I’ll be a doctor—or follow in Sam’s footsteps and be a lawyer!”

“There you go. Why not just do it all while you’re at it? Jack of all trades, master of none. Whatever you end up doing, you better come back to visit soon.”

“You got it. Try not to turn into a grumpy old man while I’m gone.”

He shook his head, cracking a smile as he met your eyes. “Only a couple years older than you, brat. Anyway, I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night, so I made you a playlist for the drive. Figured I might as well do something useful while I was awake. I sent it to you while you were getting ready.”

Pulling out your phone, you found a message already waiting with a link to the playlist. 

“This is awesome, Dean, thank you. But if it ends up being six hours of nothing but Zeppelin, I’m gonna be pissed.”

He tossed his head back and laughed, making the knot in your throat grow once again at the thought of not seeing him almost every day. You couldn’t help but wonder if he’d miss you as much as you were going to miss him.

“Don’t worry; I think it ended up being a decent mix. Not too many classics and not too much of the more modern crap. There was, uh... a certain thought process behind each song, let’s just say that.”

“We all know some of that modern crap is a guilty pleasure of yours. I mean, Taylor Swift?”

“Yeah…” His gaze lingered until his grin faded to a sad smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Pressing your lips into a thin line, you leaned forward and threw an arm around each man. Squeezing your eyes closed, you hugged them tight.

“All joking aside...you got nothing to worry about. You’re gonna kick this college thing in the ass,” Dean murmured.

“Thank you.”

Clearing your throat, you slipped out of their embrace and quickly made your way to the car. 

“Drive safe--and call when you get there!” Bobby hollered.

Stealing one last glimpse over your shoulder, you waved and slid behind the wheel. You hit shuffle on the playlist, letting the music fill the vehicle while you fasten your seatbelt.

I know it’s late

I know you’re weary

I know your plans don’t include me...

You shook your head and smiled, blinking back tears at the irony of the song—the lyrics perfectly encapsulating your night with Dean.

Look at the stars so far away

We’ve got tonight

Who needs tomorrow?

We’ve got tonight, babe

Why don’t you stay?

As you started the car and drove away, seeing him and Bobby grow smaller in the rearview mirror, you finally began to cry.

Part 2

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Also tagging those of you who seemed interested when I posted the masterlist. I don’t want to pester you, so I probably won’t tag you in future parts unless you let me know that you’d like to be tagged!

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[sevlgi]

don’t want to see you

requested: yes

group: blackpink

pairing: jennie x fem!reader

genre: angst, questionable fluff

contents: fashion designer!au, rough breakup

warnings: none

synopsis: After your terrible breakup 4 years ago, you’re the last person Jennie wants to see at her dream job.

a/n: I accidentally did 4 years instead of two but eh... I’m glad you enjoy my writing!

word count: 2.4k

“This is it, huh?”

Jennie laughs as Jisoo wipes a fake tear away, pouting as she opened her arms for a hug. “Stop pretending to be sad, unnie, you know you’re glad to be rid of me.”

“Never!” the older girl protests, arms wrapping around Jennie. Under the cold winter sky, Jisoo is a source of familiarity and warmth that’s all too hard to let go of. “But I am glad you got this position. It’s been your dream for such a long time, and you gave up your first opportunity for… her.”

As soon as the mention of you slipped out of her mouth, Jisoo winces; she knows that over 4 years after your breakup, Jennie’s still not over you, not in the slightest. The younger girl forces a smile, hitching her designer bag up her shoulder a bit as she detaches herself from her friend. “Yeah. Thanks for sending me off, I’m off to be a successful adult now.”

“Rude!” Jisoo calls out, hands on her hips but a smile beaming across her face. She hopes that Jennie isn’t too affected by her words, and that nothing spoils the day her friend has been looking forward to for years. “I’ll have you know I’m a perfectly successful actress!” She continues waving until she’s just a tiny dot, her younger friend passing through the building’s gate.

Even the air smells fancy, Jennie notes as she steps through the revolving doors. She’s glad she wore an expensive outfit, no matter how cold the skirt is-- name brands are practically glued onto every person in the building. Filtered sunlight shines off of silk scarves and glimmers over fine dresses, heels clicking on the glossy marble floors. Various colognes and perfumes mix in the air, and Jennie inhales with a grin. This is her new life, the one that she’s wanted and worked for ever since she was a child.

The elevator ride up is lonely, of course, but she recognizes the frosted glass door she passes through to reach the office of the man who interviewed her for the position in the first place. “Ms. Kim,” Taehyung greets her, his voice deep and gentle. “Good to see you.”

“You too, Mr. Kim,” Jennie bows politely. Despite the fact that she’s only a year younger than him, he’s interestingly intimidating. “Ah, I thought you said my partner would greet me today?”

Taehyung nods, hands fidgeting with the Gucci blazer he wears. “Yes, we decided your new partner yesterday. Y/N’s just a bit busy, though, so she sent me to greet you first. Come with me to the elevator, your studio’s on another floor.”

Y/N. Jennie’s blood runs cold at your name even as she scurries to keep up with the man’s long legs, memories of screaming and slamming doors suddenly fading into her mind. She does her best to shake it off, though; it’s not like you’re the only person ever with that name. The world doesn’t revolve around her, never mind her shitty relationship from years before. “Oh. I see.”

Professional chatter about work fills the elevator ride; Taehyung’s already a senior at the company and a prodigy with fashion. Honestly, he could be a model as well as a designer, Jennie thinks as he smiles politely, opening her new office door for her. “Please.”

To no surprise, the studio is gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling windows and sparkling modern furniture. Gorgeous swaths of fabric are displayed on benches all over the room, golden mannequins draped with clothing. Jennie doesn’t stop an exhilarated gasp from escaping her lips as she reaches to touch one of the designs splayed out on the table, and she also doesn’t stop the horrified one when she recognizes the signature on the paper.

Just in time, Taehyung’s deep voice sounds behind her. “Y/N, glad you could make it.”

Jennie turns quickly to face the doorway, and her heart leaps up into her throat as a far too familiar face greets her.

You look a hundred times better than the last time Jennie saw you, she has to admit that. The fancy outfit, probably something you made yourself by the looks of it, suits you perfectly, and your makeup is probably professionally done.

At the sight of her, your jaw drops, though you recover quick enough that your shared supervising officer doesn’t have a reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary. “Hi. Y/N Y/L/N,” you introduce yourself as you stick a hand out to shake. “You must be Jennie Kim.”

“That’s me,” she breathes, still a bit horrorstruck at the sight of you. It’s so difficult to pretend not to know you when Jennie still remembers every inch of you; she almost shudders when she remembers the way your skin felt under her fingertips. “You’re my new partner?”

“Yep,” you nod, biting down on your lip. Jennie remembers that habit of yours; it got annoying sometimes, when you tasted of blood. “I am.”

Taehyung smiles, “Y/N, I expect you to take care of Ms. Kim. I think the two of you will get on well. For now, I’ll leave the two of you to become acquainted, and Jennie, take all the time you need to become comfortable. Please, ask me if you need anything.”

As soon as the elevator door closes again, Jennie relaxes and you go rigid. Her eyes widen as she hisses, “What’re you doing here? Since when are you a fashion designer, Y/N?”

“Oh, good to see you too,” you scoff, turning away and plopping into your desk chair. To her annoyance, you’ve already occupied the side of the room with the better lighting. “I see you’re just as rude as when we broke up, Jennie Kim. No tact or professionalism at all; how did you even get hired?”

“For my talent,” Jennie scowls, crossing her arms defensively. “And you really expect a hello after that disaster? Remember when you got me evicted from my apartment, and we fought for days in a row?”

You sigh and pinch the area between your eyebrows. “I told you time and time again, that wasn’t my fault. It’s just like you to blame me for your own failures, no wonder I got your dream position years before you did.”

An incredulous gasp escapes Jennie’s lips as she tosses her bag down on her desk. From the start, it was an insecurity of hers that you were more accomplished, more successful than her, and she still never expected you to throw it back in her face. “Real mature, Y/N. Did you really usurp my position just to spite me? How childish.”

“I didn’t usurp anything, Jennie.” Standing suddenly, you’re eye-to-eye with Jennie, and she can smell the familiar perfume you’ve always worn. Your eyes are narrowed in anger, nose scrunching in anger. “I have my own dreams too, aside of you, but you’ve never seen that. You’ve always seen me as an object, without my own capability of thought.”

“That-- that’s not true.” She curses herself for stuttering, drawing her chin up. You’re barely inches away from her face, nails digging into your biceps with your arms crossed. “You know what, Y/N? I hoped you changed in these past 4 years, and I hoped that we could stay civil, but you obviously have remained just as much of an asshole as you always were.”

Rounding her desk and sitting down in her chair with a huff, Jennie pulls her computer closer to her. It’s just her luck to see the person she never wanted to see again on her so-called perfect day.

Weeks pass without you and Jennie holding a real, full conversation; to be honest, she knows that any single word out of your mouth would sound rude and conniving, even if you didn’t mean it that way. You fight over the stupidest things- did Jennie take your stapler? Did you take hers? What about that nice sweater you left in the office overnight?

Suffice to say, it’s nothing less than miserable.

Jennie finds solace in Joohyun, who was the one to recommend her for the job. The older woman knows plenty about the disastrous breakup years ago, and is a perfect source of good advice.

“Are you sure you’re not still harboring feelings for her?”

Okay, maybe not-so-good advice.

Spluttering, Jennie coughs on the sandwich she was eating for lunch, Joohyun’s gentle taps on her shoulder not really helping. A few other coworkers stare as they pass by in the cafeteria. “What?”

The other woman shrugs, delicately sipping at a cup of coffee. “You’re obviously not over her, and she you, if you’re still fighting over stupid things. If you didn’t like her anymore and simply hated her, you’d just ignore her existence.”

Jennie scowls, patting at her lips. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. We were miserable in our relationship, Joohyun unnie, and she broke my heart.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t still love her.” The brunette sounds sage, as wise as the demure blue silk blazer she wears. “You need to have a good talk with her, without shouting or arguing. Get your feelings out in the open, no matter what they may be.”

The younger girl pouts, chewing contemplatively. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever agree to a talk with her, as hostile as you are. Maybe Jennie’ll just have to survive like this, arguing with her partner.

She can survive anything for her dream job.

Jennie stares in shock at the huge pieces of fabric missing from every single one of the 5 dresses she was working on, skirts and bodices alike ripped to shreds. “What. In the hell?”

She slams her coffee down on one of the desks, not caring of the brown liquid splatters all over the papers that just happen to be yours. Her eyes sweep the room, narrowing in rage when she finds all of your projects completely untouched.

“Holy shit,” she hears behind her, and swirls to find you standing in the doorway, mouth agape in shock. “Um, that’s an… innovative design?”

Lunging forward, Jennie’s hands connect with your chest, pushing you into the wall. “Did you do it?” she shouts, barely noticing that you flinch when she raises her voice. “I thought you were better than this!”

“I…” You’re lost for words, seeing the sheer anger in your ex-girlfriend’s eyes. “I didn’t! I swear! You have to believe me, Jennie, I wouldn’t stoop so low.”

Her forearm slams into your chest again; you wince, not at the pain, but just at how evil of a person you must be in her eyes. “I don’t.” Her voice is flat and cold as she seethes, “I get it if you hate me, but don’t sabotage me like this. You know better than anyone how important this job is to me.”

She lets go, stumbling back a bit as she stares at her hands. Your sound raw when you ask, “Is that what kind of a person you think I am? Jennie, I may have hurt you, but I’m not evil.”

The other girl bites her lip; some part of her wants to apologize, and another part of her- damn. Maybe Joohyun was right after all. “I don’t care. Stay away from me, Y/N. It doesn’t matter if we’re partners, I don’t want to see your face.”

“Ms. Kim?”

Taehyung knocks on the open door of the studio, stepping inside. His eyes widen at the sight of the fabric shreds that Jennie sweeps into a dustpan. “Ah.”

“Please, call me Jennie.” The girl bows and attempts at a professional smile, though she’s sure that anger still twitches in her eyebrow. “What can I do for you, Mr. Kim?”

“Taehyung, then,” he says kindly. “Someone reported that your designs were destroyed? I came to take a look and evaluate what should be done. This is much more serious than I thought it would be.”

Jennie frowns; she doesn’t believe that it wasn’t you, but she also isn’t the kind of person to be so petty as to ruin your career. “Yes. I’m not sure who did it, and I’d like to know who.”

Holding a shred of fabric between his forefinger and thumb, Taehyung raises an eyebrow. “You don’t have any suspicions at all? Not… your partner, perhaps?”

“Why would you say that?” Jennie lowers her dustpan, schooling herself to look expressionless as she says, “Y/N is just my partner. I have no history with her whatsoever.”

Sighing, the tall man turns with his hands in her pockets. “Jennie, Y/N came clean as soon as Joohyun suggested you for the position. She told me that you two have… a past, and that she feels terrible about it. She requested you to become her new partner, actually.”

Silence falls between the two designers, Jennie stepping back as if to shield herself from information she doesn’t want to know. “What? You must be mistaken. If Y/N told you that she’s my ex, you must know that she hates me.”

Taehyung walks a bit closer, a soft smile on his face when. “Look, Jennie, I know her. She regrets hurting you, I promise, and she’d never want to sabotage you like this. You need to talk with her.”

His shoulder just barely brushes up against Jennie’s as he walks out, pausing at the door to reassure her, “We are reviewing security footage, though, and I promise we’ll have an answer for you soon.”

Once he’s gone, Jennie’s left alone, staring at the shredded remnants of her projects on her desk.

Can it really be that you don’t hate her?

Jennie stares at the bowing employee, Taehyung smiling cheerfully at his desk. You avoid her eyes, counting ceiling tiles where you sit. “This is him, Jennie. He sabotage you. Would you like to tell why?”

The employee looks almost scared as Jennie crosses her arms, eyes flicking to yours and Taehyung’s. “I… was jealous. I wanted to be Y/N’s new partner. I should’ve been the first choice, not someone random that a senior recommended!”

Even as he explains himself, Jennie can only find herself staring at you; when your eyes meet, Jennie’s struck by just how much she’s missed you in the past 4 years. A soft smile from you elicits a feeling she hasn’t known since you left her, a feeling other than heartbreak or anger.

Taehyung fires the employee on the spot, and Jennie feels like she’s in a daze the entire time. After being kicked out of the office so that Taehyung can work, she avoids meeting your eyes in the hallway. “So…”

“I hope you don’t still believe that it was me,” you interrupt, stepping a bit closer to Jennie. “I know I hurt you, Joohyun told me how heartbroken you were. I’ve changed since then, Jen.”

The nickname’s nostalgic, and Jennie is startled when she feels a tear pricking at her eye. “I… I know. I’m sorry for thinking it was you in the first place, I should’ve known.”

Your hand brushes under her chin, tilting Jennie’s face up so that she can meet your eyes. Your expression is soft, no longer guarded, and emotion pulls at the corner of your lips. “I don’t blame you. Breaking up with you was the worst decision of my life, Jen. If you’d let me, I’d like to make it right.”

“What, you want to be together again? It doesn’t work like that, Y/N.” The other girl wipes furiously at her eyes with her hand, not caring if her makeup smears. “You might regret it, but you really did hurt me.”

“Yeah. I did. And I’m not asking to be together again.” You inhale, the corners of your own eyes a little bit wet. “I’m asking for you to forgive me, with time. Give me a second chance, just let me become your friend again. That’s all I want.”

A second chance. Do you even deserve a second chance? Jennie wonders. After everything you did to her, do you deserve to be let in her heart again?

But as you search her eyes for an answer, suddenly so much older and wiser than she remembered you, Jennie knows.

Her hand reaches for yours, soft fingers curling around yours as she smiles, “I’ll try.”

[refinedbuffoonery]

Looking Through A Window (3)

macriley married undercover au

masterlist.

Fun fact: the final scene of this chapter is part of my original brainstorm for this fic. The rest of the scenes I initially dreamt up won’t come until much later, so I’m thrilled to have at least one of them come early on in the story. 

To Carrie and Anna, the lights of my life: I named the neighbor after you two. She’s annoying as shit and nothing like either of you, but I needed a name and decided if anyone deserves to have their name as an Easter egg, it’s the two of you. 

*****

Despite the storm, Matty has the shipment of borrowed guns delivered to the Port of Houston in the middle of the night. While they eat breakfast, Mac and Riley study Matty’s excruciatingly detailed directions for navigating the port and finding their shipping crate. She certainly didn’t make it easy on them. 

Riley leans back in her chair, looking around until her eyes land on Harley. “Time for you to earn your keep,” she says between mouthfuls of toast. 

Supposedly, this is what Harley specializes in—sniffing out weapons. The dog should be able to confirm which shipping container the guns are stashed in without Mac or Riley having to check themselves. Theoretically. 

Mac finishes his own plate of eggs and toast in a few ravenous bites. “Thanks for making breakfast.” He gets up to clear the plates and start rinsing dishes. After living with her for more than a year, Riley making breakfast is routine, but Mac still thanks her for it every day. 

Living in the apartment together, they fall right back into their old habits. Mac wakes up early and goes for a run. By the time he returns, Riley is awake and making breakfast. After they eat, Mac showers while Riley goes on her own run. And so on and so forth. 

While Mac was out this morning, he wove through the whole neighborhood, making sure it’s safe for Riley to go out alone. She can handle herself, but Mac has no delusions about the overall quality of men on the streets, and even though he can’t fix that, at least he can help minimize her chances of encountering creepy dudes. 

Before they leave for the Port, Mac and Riley scour their car for a bug or any other surveillance equipment the organization might’ve hidden while they were inside the warehouse talking to Conrad yesterday. They find none. Thankfully. 

Once again, they’re going in armed, and the weight of Mac’s gun feels just as foreign and unwelcome as it did yesterday. He tries not to fidget with it while Riley drives, but she notices his discomfort anyway. “You’ve got to relax,” she says. “All your squirming is stressing me out.” 

“Sorry.” Mac stills, even though his whole body screams to put the gun somewhere else. 

Anywhere else. 

Once they arrive at the Port, Mac guides Riley through the maze of cranes and crates and warehouses until they find the one Matty had the guns stashed in—dark green and otherwise nondescript. 

Unfortunately, there are multiple shipping containers that fit that description at the location Matty provided. As they get out of the SUV, Riley glances between the boxes nervously. “Uhh, which one is it?” 

Mac doesn’t have a clue. “I guess that’s for Harley to tell us.” He looks down at the dog standing obediently beside him. “Find it.” 

He releases the leash as Harley takes off like a rocket, sniffing each container and the surrounding area. She inspects more than half of them before sitting and looking back at Mac. He waits for her to bark, but she doesn’t. Whoever trained her clearly did so with stealth in mind. 

“Do we open it to double check?” Riley asks. 

Mac opens his mouth to say yes, but he doesn’t get a chance to answer before a muddy, dark-blue diesel truck parks beside their SUV. Conrad jumps out of the driver’s seat, accompanied by two younger men, wearing matching scowls and Carhartt jackets. He walks with that same entitled swagger, and a cheap smile spreads across his face. 

“Mr. Turner!” Conrad exclaims, shaking Mac’s hand. His grip is too firm to be friendly. Stepping back, he sneers at Riley, acknowledging her just long enough to impatiently say, “Genevieve.” Mac doesn’t miss the way Conrad’s eyes drop to Riley’s chest, nor the way Riley bristles beside him, wrapping her jacket more tightly around her and crossing her arms to hold it in place. Mac clears his throat. “Sorry,” Conrad says, not sounding sorry at all, “but your wife is very attractive.” 

Riley rolls her eyes so hard they nearly fall out of her head. 

“Your order is this way,” Mac says, cutting off Conrad before he could make another gross statement, “Follow me.” Mac puts a hand on Conrad’s shoulder, squeezing hard as he steers the man toward the shipping container. Harley is still sitting beside it, waiting patiently, and Mac scratches her head with his free hand. 

Riley whistles, a single sharp note that sends Harley running back to her side. Mac buries his relief that she’s not alone, although he’d still much rather the hulking bodyguards were closer to him than Riley. 

Focus, Mac reminds himself. Riley can hold her own. Just get this over with. 

Mac opens the container, revealing two nondescript wooden crates. Still sneering—at this point, Mac’s starting to think that’s the only expression Conrad is capable of—Conrad waves over his bodyguards, gesturing for them to open the crates. 

For just a second, Conrad’s sneer edges toward a smile. Inside the crates lie exactly what he ordered: military-grade, semi-automatic rifles and enough ammo to kickstart the apocalypse. Mac’s gut churns. He hates this. He hates everything about this. He hates that he’s arming terrorists. He hates how these men look at Riley like dogs drooling over a steak. He hates that he can’t do anything about any of it, that he has no choice but to play along. 

Mac wishes he could bury his feelings the way Riley does, locking them behind a carefully controlled mask. Instead, his linger just beneath the surface, waiting to make themselves known at the first available opportunity. 

Counting backward from five, he steels himself to finish the game. Just as Conrad brushes a reverent finger down the barrel of a rifle, Mac chides, “We followed through on our end of the bargain. Did you?” 

“Of course.” 

One of the bodyguards pulls out his phone. In a deeper voice than Mac expects, he says, “We can wire the payment to your bank account right now.” 

“Good. My wife will help you set that up.” Mac gestures to Riley, and the bodyguard walks over to her. 

Conrad extends his hand, and Mac takes it, trying not to wince when his arm brushes his concealed gun. “Pleasure doing business with you, James,” Conrad says. 

“I hope this is the beginning of a long and prosperous partnership.” Long and prosper? Who was he, Spock? 

“Indeed. Welcome to the Patriots.” Conrad gestures for his men to start loading the guns into their truck. “Expect another order within the week.” 

Mac doesn’t know how to respond to that. Thankfully he doesn’t have to, because Riley waves him over, apparently having finished her conversation with Conrad’s lackey. “I’ll leave you to it,” Mac says, then turns his back on the terrorists and rejoins Riley. On instinct, he reaches for her arm as he murmurs, “Are you okay?” 

Riley tenses under his touch, but doesn’t pull away. “Yeah, I’m fine.” 

“Good.” He said the same thing to Conrad just a minute ago. Good. But the word is light years different from before—soft and caring, not curt and vaguely challenging. Bozer pointed it out to him once, how he talks to Riley differently than he does anyone else. 

Mac shakes off the thought. He can’t get distracted, no matter how much his mind only wants to think about Riley. Releasing her arm, he says, “Let’s get out of here.”

*****

Back at the apartment, Riley settles in on the couch to dig into the Patriots' bank records. By wire-transferring the money instead of paying them in cash, Conrad practically offered up the organization's entire digital footprint on a silver platter, at least to someone like Riley. She doesn't speak as she works, so Mac listens to the melody of keyboard clicks while he makes them each a grilled cheese. 

Contrary to popular belief, he's not completely incompetent, although Bozer has nearly everyone convinced otherwise. Mac will never be able to cook something fancy, but he does make a mean sandwich. 

He even spreads mayo on the bread, the way Bozer does, because Riley prefers it that way. 

The sizzle of the sandwiches hitting the hot pan joins the keyboard clicks right as Riley announces, "I hacked into their bank records." 

"What've you got?" 

"From the look of it, the shell corp they used to pay us has only been around for four months. Before that, they must've either paid in cash or used personal accounts." 

"That makes sense though, since the Patriots haven't been around all that long." 

"That's what I thought at first, but come look." Mac does, leaning over the back of the couch so his head is right beside hers. Riley points at the screen. "The first three transactions were all big deposits, each one two weeks apart." 

Frowning, Mac squints at the tiny numbers on the screen. "One hundred thousand dollars?" 

"Times three deposits," Riley adds. 

"Where the hell did they get that kind of money?"

"I don't know. The deposits were cash." 

“Damn. Did you at least figure out who their previous arms dealer was?” 

“Yeah.” Riley shifts, causing her hair to tickle Mac’s nose, and he brushes her hair to the opposite side of her neck without another thought. “Turns out their previous dealer has Mexican cartel connections, which explains why the Patriots only paid them twice. I’m guessing they found out about the cartel part and broke it off before they made a long-term deal.” 

“At least they’re not complete idiots,” Mac mumbles. Tired of squinting, he leans closer to better see the screen. 

Except now they’re cheek to cheek, and Mac suddenly can’t focus on the screen at all. 

Riley twists to look at him, and it takes every ounce of Mac’s willpower not to glance at her lips. "Are you burning my grilled cheese?" 

"No." He straightens, simultaneously disappointed and relieved by the space now between them. Mac shakes off the thought. He can’t keep getting distracted like this. 

"Uh huh. Sure." 

Retreating to the kitchen, Mac calls, "That was one time!"

*****

As expected, they don’t hear anything from Conrad or the Patriots the following day. Mac doesn’t know what to do with all the downtime on this op. There are plenty of books in the apartment, but he’s too restless to sit and read. He opens the fridge, more out of boredom than actual hunger. 

They’re on day five of the undercover op, and it’s starting to feel an awful lot like quarantine. With nothing to do but hurry up and wait, hanging out in the apartment and doing nothing is starting to make Mac go a little stir crazy. 

When Riley emerges from the bedroom wearing workout clothes, it’s clear she feels the same way. “I’m going for a run,” she announces. 

“Want company?” He hopes she says yes. Anything to get out of the apartment for a while. 

Riley unplugs her phone from the charger and slides it into her pocket. “No offense, but no.” 

Dammit. Mac shoves down his disappointment. “None taken.” He closes the fridge. Nothing in there looks good. 

“Tell you what,” she says. “After I get back we can go to the space museum, okay?” 

His heart skips a beat at her offer. “Is it that obvious I’m bored?” 

“Yes.” Riley gives him a pitying smile. “So do you want to go?” 

Mac smiles. It feels like she just asked him out on a date. It’s not, but it feels like one anyway. Be cool. “What kind of question is that? Of course I do.” 

“Okay then.” Popping in her earbuds, she walks out the door. 

“Enjoy your run, muffin!” Mac calls, stealing Bozer’s go-to pet name for when he’s undercover with Riley. She reaches back inside to flip him off before slamming the door shut, and Mac chuckles. Riley really hates that nickname.

Now it’s just him, Harley, and this tiny apartment. 

Resuming his search for food he’s not even hungry for, Mac opens the pantry, and Harley comes running into the kitchen. She must’ve learned the sound of the door opening since they keep the dog food in there. Harley looks up at Mac expectantly. 

“Don’t look at me like that.” She whines, and her pleading expression reminds Mac of the wide-eyed look Bozer mastered as a kid while begging his parents for something. Neither are very effective. “You just had breakfast an hour ago,” he insists.  

Harley glances at the open pantry, then back at him. 

Mac doesn’t give in, but he does kneel to pet her instead, scratching Harley’s neck and ending up with a handful of hair. Frowning, Mac digs through every drawer in the kitchen in search of a dog brush. No luck. He checks the bedroom and bathroom, coming up empty once again. Who even organized this house? It makes no sense. His gaze lands on the laundry room door. 

Ah. 

Sure enough, there’s a dog brush on the shelf above the washing machine. 

Leash and brush in-hand, Mac calls out, “Alright, girl. Let’s go de-floof you.” 

Harley takes one look at the brush and sprints in the other direction. 

Well this is going to be harder than Mac anticipated. 

He ends up chasing Harley throughout the apartment, zig-zagging from one room to the next. Every time Mac gets close, Harley slips by, just out of reach. After the fourth time she sends Mac stumbling into the furniture after lunging for her and missing, he realizes what she’s doing. 

Harley is playing him. This is a game to her. And, so far, she’s winning. 

Mac stares the dog down, and she seems to narrow her eyes in response. “Challenge accepted,” he tells her. 

This time, he knows exactly where to find what he’s looking for—peanut butter. He smears an unnecessarily large glob into Harley’s dog bowl, making sure she sees exactly what he’s doing. Harley’s stubborn, and does a good job of appearing not to care, but Mac has a hard time believing any dog would turn down peanut butter. 

Harley, it turns out, is no exception. 

She follows him to the door, and Mac rewards her with a few licks of peanut butter while he clips on the leash, careful not to let her eat so much that there’s not enough to last while brushing her. Despite Harley’s obvious enjoyment of the peanut butter, Mac is no fool. She let him win this round, no doubt about it. 

He leads Harley down the stairs to the small lawn in front of the apartment building, where it wouldn’t matter if he left dog hair everywhere. The brush pulls away thick chunks of her undercoat with each pass, and it doesn’t take long for the lawn to look like something died there. 

The peanut butter, unfortunately, doesn’t last nearly as long as Mac hopes. 

Mac figures out pretty quickly that Harley does not like her tail being brushed; she turns away and tucks her tail and generally makes it impossible for Mac to reach it. He sits back on his heels, formulating a new strategy. “If I don’t brush your tail,” he says, “you’re going to look like a squirrel, and neither of us wants that.” 

Harley’s ears prick at the word squirrel. 

Mac tries again, and this time Harley lets him…sort of. It’s not perfect, but at least she won’t be leaving hair all over the apartment anymore—hair that he needs to vacuum, because Riley asked him to last night and he’d completely forgotten until now. Tucking the brush into his back pocket, Mac scratches Harley’s ears the way he learned she likes, and when she leans into his touch, Mac’s heart swells. 

“Good girl.” He kisses her head, and Harley licks his chin in return. “See? We’re not so bad.” Mac sighs. “I know we’re not who you wanted, but we’re going to take good care of you.” 

Riley made the same promise in the war room. Even if she doesn’t stay with them after the op, Mac will make sure Harley ends up with people who will love her for the rest of her life. 

“I promise,” he murmurs into her fur, kissing her head again.

Mac startles when a feminine voice calls, “You could make a whole other dog from all that hair.” A middle-aged woman stands in the walkway, oversized blue purse on her shoulder and car keys in hand. She smiles at Mac. “I haven’t seen you before. Did you just move in?” 

“Yeah,” Mac says, standing up. “My wife and I moved in this week.” 

“Well, welcome. My name is Carrie Ann, and my husband and I live in apartment 317. Feel free to stop by anytime. I think you’ll like living here, though I must warn you that it gets pretty loud during football season.” 

Mac nods. “Nice to meet you. I’m James.” He expects Carrie Ann to keep walking—presumably to her car—but she doesn’t, and Mac suddenly gets the feeling this conversation is about to be much longer than he wants. 

“And who is this cutie?” she asks, directing her attention to the dog. 

“This is Harley.” 

Carrie Ann sounds like a squeaker toy, greeting Harley in a voice so high-pitched it’s almost inhuman and petting her without bothering to ask for permission. Harley eyes the woman warily but surprisingly sits still. “I love dogs,” she says at a mercifully normal decibel. “Sadly my husband is allergic.” 

“That is unfortunate.” Mac shifts from foot to foot, eager to escape the small talk. He’s never really had the patience for it. 

Carrie Ann, it seems, is completely oblivious to his discomfort. She prattles on, asking asinine questions about what he does for work, if he’s been to the coffee place down the street, and when she can meet his wife. 

Mac doesn’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse when Riley appears in his peripheral vision, as if on cue. “Actually,” he says to Carrie Ann, “you can meet her right now.” Mac flashes Riley a wide, bright smile that she returns half-heartedly, chest still heaving after her run. Sweat glistens on her body, and a few wispy curls that escaped her ponytail are now plastered to her face. “This is my wife, Genevieve.” 

Giving Harley a quick scratch, Riley stands beside him, close enough that Mac can feel the heat radiating off her body. Instinctively, he starts to put a hand on her back, but he quickly pulls away. She’s not wearing a shirt—only a sports bra and those stupidly tight leggings—and the intimacy of putting his hand on her bare skin is too much to handle. “Hi,” she says, completely oblivious to Mac’s internal panic. 

Carrie Ann introduces herself again, and Mac is only half-listening while she and Riley chat. Riley’s so much better at small talk anyway. 

He’s much too focused on how Riley grabs his shoulder to use him for balance while she stretches. She’s so casual about it, like she’s done it a million times before. His skin burns under her touch. 

Mac wants to feel more of her, wants his whole body to feel like that. 

Stop it, he chastises himself. Stop thinking about her like that. 

He can’t. 

Even after Riley lets go, the feeling lingers, and Mac can’t stop thinking about that too. She’s standing slightly in front of him now, almost as if she’s protecting him from their nosey neighbor.

“When are you having kids?” Carrie Ann coos. “An attractive couple such as yourselves would make such beautiful children.” 

Shit. He and Riley never talked about that. 

Before Mac can come up with an answer, Riley pulls his arms around her, a smile blooming on her face. She guides his hands to rest low on her abdomen. “We’re actually trying right now.” 

Mac’s brain short-circuits. 

He blushes, both at the casual intimacy of Riley wrapping herself in him and at the implications of what she just said. Pressing her body fully into Mac’s, Riley looks up at him, smiling like he’s her whole world, and Mac’s heart stops. He’s not breathing. 

His whole body burns, and the feeling is so much more intense than he imagined just seconds ago. 

Alight with mischief, Riley’s dark brown eyes draw him in, and suddenly Mac is picturing Riley with that exact same expression while wearing far less clothing. 

Mac thinks he might die from spontaneous combustion. 

You are so beautiful, he barely stops himself from saying. His blush deepens as he’s snared in the mental image of him and Riley doing said “trying.” 

Their neighbor has the audacity to laugh. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it, Genevieve. Your husband looks like he’s ready for another round.” 

That makes it worse. So much worse. If he doesn’t spontaneously combust, then he’ll definitely die of embarrassment. It’s not how he wants to die, but it’s better than explaining his reaction to Riley. Because she’s going to ask him about it. Mac knows this—knows this like he knows grass is green and gravity is what keeps his feet on the ground.

As soon as Carrie Ann leaves, Riley does exactly that. She extricates herself from his grasp, putting her hands on her hips and furrowing her brow the way she always does when she knows something’s up. “Are you okay?” she asks. 

Mac’s voice is strained as he replies, “Yeah. I’m good.” 

He is not good. He is definitely not good. 

And Riley knows it. 

This op feels like all Mac’s worst nightmares coming to fruition. Simultaneously. 

Riley can’t know. Her knowing would ruin everything—their friendship, their work, their trust. Mac can hardly look her in the eye. How is Riley supposed to trust him when he’s secretly thinking about her like that? He’s her friend; he’s supposed to protect her from guys who want her like that, not become one of them. 

But god does Mac want to be one of them. Not one of them, he corrects himself. The only one. 

He’s screwed.

.

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9. I Wanna Hold Your Hand

((Phew! It's been... A long time. I won't hold you up, just enjoy. No promises on not taking this long with the final chapter, but I suppose it'll come as good news that it's mostly finished anyway.))

_____________________

Look Alive, Sunshine

[ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Chapter 9 | 10 ]

9. I Wanna Hold Your Hand

"Ahhh, gotta love the smell of mall food," Ankyr sighed. "Udon noodles, fish sandwiches, pizza slices half the size of your body... What's the verdict from yesterday, Ghoul?"

"Let's see, we've got..." Ecto scrolled up on her document for a moment. "Carry Lucky, Space Pirates, Aviators, Mad Tea Party, Gutterflower, Anchors Away, Cadillac Phunque, Perfect Apples, Rockets, Mushroom Queendom, Aliens, Launch Hearts, Fancy Tea Party, Lionhearts, Elite 4, and Rescue Girls. They'll all be moving on to the next bottom round, where they'll face the losing teams from today and tomorrow"

"Ah, a drop-down bracket," Rory said. "Nice."

"You know what that is?" Rocky asked.

"I'm not stupid!"

It was day four of the tournament - this time the battles would take place at Arowana Mall. This morning, the Fabulous Killjoys would start things off by battling against the Sharks. Pyxis and Rory were taking a break from their training so that the former could participate in the battle if needed. Their assorted friends from other squads were out having breakfast or preparing for their own matches in their own ways, so their crowd would be much smaller for the time being.

"I've got news," Pyxis said. "My friends were planning to visit next week, but it looks like they're able to come by today. Ankyr and I already vote yes. What's everyone else's vote?"

"Of course," Caurel smiled. "We'd love to meet your friends from across the water, honey!"

"I've got no problems with it," Rocky shrugged.

"We've been making new friends left and right anyway," Abbey giggled. "The more, the merrier!"

"Awesome, I'll let them know," Pyxis said, the chromatophores on their face shifting to faint traces of the same violet in their tentacles.

"I'm excited," Ankyr said, jumping up and down.

"You really like them?"

"Yeah! I mean..."

"What?"

"Let's be honest, Cygnus is kind of a jerk."

"You don't have to mince words, Pretty Harmless. He's a lot of a jerk," Pyxis laughed. "But I think he'll be glad to see you."

"Me?"

"H..." a new voice chimed in.

"H...?" Penny echoed, confused, as they all turned to face a newcomer.

"Hello!" an Inkling finally said, far too loudly. "I'm sorry, but..."

"Hey, Tiger," Rocky said, taking the young woman's hand and pulling her into their circle. "What's up? Oh, guys, this is Tiger, the leader of the squad we're fighting today! And one of our biggest fans!"

Tiger's face quickly matched the turquoise of her tentacles. She habitually gripped the bill of her Streetstyle Cap, which had Rocky and Pyxis' signatures scrawled onto it.

"Hey, we were on a team in my first Ranked Battle," Pyxis said, extending their hand to Tiger, who slowly shook it. "How have you been?"

"W... Well..."

"Ah, you're in shy mode because everyone's here," Pyxis said, giving her a pat on the shoulder. "Relax, we're just regular people."

"Are you 'T!grSHARK4'?" Ecto asked. Tiger did everything she could to hide her face, which was still burning hot.

"That's me..."

"I thought so, you've liked pretty much every post on our page."

"Why haven't you come to party with us these past few days?" Rocky asked. "I was waiting for you guys."

"You were?! I mean... I didn't think..." She lowered her head and finished her sentence under her breath. "...I was worthy..."

"You're always welcome to hang. So feel free to round up the squad and come party in the audience with us after this."

"Rocky... You're the best!"

"Hehe, thank you, thank you."

"But... I'm not going to hold back! Even if it's you guys! So... Don't go easy on me, either!"

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Rocky grinned. "Well, there's the announcer; we should get to our places."

"Right! Good luck, guys!"

"Ankyr, are you ready?" Pyxis turned to their best friend.

"Yep," he said, patting his Heavy Splatling Remix. "Good to go."

"I'll cheer you on," they nodded.

"I'll look forward to it," he grinned. "Let's go, guys."

For this battle, it would be Rocky, Caurel, Ecto, and Ankyr against Tiger and her squad . Abbey and Moises would be using Ecto's tablet until she returned to the viewing area. Not that she had much need for the tablet, other than marking who won each battle - the preliminary round had not only given her plenty of information, it had also burned her out, and she swore she'd try to be a regular spectator from now on.

The battlers turned pink and made their way to their spawn pool, diving in until they heard the announcer telling everyone to prepare. Back in solid form, they waited...

KA-POW!

Rocky rolled left. Ecto fired a long streak diagonally to the right. Caurel used this free path to swim ahead while Ankyr stayed back to spray the entire home base area with his splatling. Everyone pressed onward, and Ankyr dropped down to cover their valley section. Meanwhile, Tiger's crew stormed the center right away, leaving their base practically untouched. Once the series of ramps in the center of the stage was covered with turquoise, two of their players Super Jumped back to ink their base, while Tiger and a defender-type player, Bonnet, remained to serve up furious resistance to the Killjoys moving in.

Tiger sent a Seeker down the ramp toward the Killjoys' side before inking the narrow wall that led up to their alleyway and climbing as fast as she could. She sent another Seeker down the alley before focusing her attention on firing at anyone who climbed up the center ramps. Bonnet launched an Inkstrike at the Killjoys' valley section that barely missed Ankyr, who quickly turned his attention to cleaning up the mess. Once that was done, he swam back up the entrance ramp and along the right-hand passage, throwing a Sprinkler down to the lower area.

Meanwhile, Ecto's Kelp Splat Charger was making it hard for Tiger and Bonnet to hold the center, so the former backed down the alley, and the latter retreated toward her own side of the map. She was soon backed up by Zebra and Thresher, who rushed in with their brush and roller to take back the center. The latter noticed Ankyr moving into the alleyway above, and devised a nefarious plot right away.

"Ink me up," they said, nodding toward the alley passage. Zebra nodded, throwing a Sprinkler before falling back a bit, knowing just what to do. Once Thresher got close enough, Zebra launched an Inkstrike at the center area, driving the enemy away and giving their teammate a chance to swim up into the alley unseen.

"Oh, you're here, too?" Thresher asked with a wild cackle, when they saw Tiger launching a Seeker toward Ankyr. They pushed their roller forward, following the Seeker, then swinging it wildly at the male Inkling, who dropped down to the lower level to avoid being splatted.

"That was great," Tiger cheered before chasing after Ankyr.

"Yahaha! I claim this land in the name of me!" Thresher planted a Squid Beakon near the drop-down point, before swimming back to plant one next to the exit at the center area. Rocky and Caurel had long covered it and split for other areas, so they set to flinging ink from above - until Ecto popped out of nowhere and - KAPOW! - they were splatted.

"Uuurgh!" Thresher's frustrated ghost growled. "Why wasn't I expecting that? That was such an obvious Ecto trap! I've watched her do that a million times! Whatever, don't worry, don't worry, pull it together. I WILL impress these guys!"

Ankyr was chased by Tiger all the way back to the center, where Ecto almost splatted her - before Ecto herself was splatted by an Inkstrike from Bonnet. Ankyr narrowly avoided the Inkstrike and went about inking the center, but was splatted when a freshly respawned Thresher dropped down in Kraken mode, annihilating Rocky along with him.

Tiger used one of Thresher's Beakons to Super Jump back into the fray, destroying a Sprinkler Ecto had set up on their side and cleaning up before charging onto the center valley, unleashing fast-moving ink twisters with her Inkzooka. This kept Caurel busy long enough for the full Shark squad to move forward as one into the Killjoys' side. Zebra was taken out by one of Caurel's Ink Mines, and chaotic battle ensued once more when Ecto and Rocky dropped down to the bottom level with surprise attacks. Ankyr, taking the alleyways yet again, poured plenty of ink down from above to reclaim the center area, and Caurel... had suddenly disappeared from the action.

"Oh, I've got twenty-five coins for the sea show clanking in the backseat, whoa-oh. I've got thirty-two seashells lined up in a row..." Caurel happily sang as she covered the turqoise side in pink, pausing and hiding in a corner when she noticed Zebra rising out of the spawn pool. The younger Inkling, hesitant, flung their brush wildly to cover the pink ink and swam forward, repeating the process every few feet. When they dropped down to the valley, they triggered another Ink Mine, this time getting away just quickly enough.

"Not falling for that again," Zebra sighed... right before Caurel popped out of her corner and slashed her brush at them, sending them floating right back to the spawn point. Unable to keep from giggling, Caurel re-inked the entrance ramp and climbed up to the higher level, brushing quickly down the alley as Zebra respawned again.

"And I'll swim, swim, swim, to my darling Martha... And let her lay me down in the bay where the warm winds blow~"

"Are you singing 'Martha's Bay' by the Seagulls?" Penny shouted from the audience, loud enough to be heard over the stage music.

"'There's no way you could hear me over the sound of Squid Squad" Caurel shouted back.

"I read your beautiful lips!" This sent Caurel into a giggle fit.

"I love you."

"Boooo!" Rocky shouted as he took out Thresher. "Get a room!"

"But their love for each other is like our love," Ankyr said with a wink.

"You really are a sea turtle."

"Hey, only Pyxis can call me-" SPLASH! Ankyr fell prey to Bonnet's Heavy Splatling.

"FOR ANKYR!" Rocky jumped up and flung his roller down before rolling toward Bonnet - and getting caught in a freshly thrown Splash Wall.

"I love it when he does that," Tiger squeaked. She and her team moved on to ink as much as possible before the whistle blew... But the winners were the Fabulous Killjoys.

"SO CLOSE!" Thresher fell face-forward, letting out a small "ow" when they hit the ground.

"That was awesome," Ankyr said, letting out a sigh of relief and dropping to a sitting position. "I vote me out of the next match though."

"I was so sure we had you," Tiger chuckled, shaking hands with Rocky as the two teams gathered. "Congrazzles. You get to keep going."

"So do you guys," Ecto said, pulling Thresher up off the ground and wiping ink from their face. "In the bottom bracket. You could still win this tournament if you don't get beaten again."

"You really believe we could do that?" Zebra asked.

"Anything can happen," Caurel said. "Expecially with your brush skills. Don't give up."

"We're still hanging out in the audience, right?" Rocky asked Tiger, pushing up the brim of her cap, unable to resist smiling at his own signature.

"Y... yeah! Um... Rocky... Can I...? Can you teach me..."

"How to battle like a champ?" he asked with a wink.

"...How to be like you."

"Aw... Honey..." He patted her on the head and tilted her chin up. "No."

"What? But... I can handle it! Whatever you throw at me, I'll face it! You saw me rock today's battle, didn't you?"

"Look, Tiger... Being me is pretty great." His sister rolled her eyes at this. "Like, for me. But only for me. I don't want you to be me. I want you to be you."

"But I'm... I'm just..."

"Funny? Super cool? A great leader who knows her team like the back of her hand because they're also her best friends?"

"Not as cool as you, though."

"I mean, hard to argue with that," he laughed. "But I feel that way about someone too, you know."

"What?"

"Yeah, the guy sitting over there gasping for breath."

"I'm not gasping! My breathing has returned to normal!"

"We call him 'Sunshine' because he does his best to cheer everyone on, and let them know how much they matter, even when he's feeling terrible inside. I mean, we really call him that because Tia used to sing 'You Are My Sunshine' to him in about three different languages when she rocked him as a baby-"

"Dude! Soy sauce!"

"What? Everyone knows!"

"I'm telling the fan club right now," Zebra said, tapping away at their phone.

"Sure, he has a breaking point," Rocky continued, "just like everyone else, but until he hits it, he'll do everything he can to clear away everyone else's storm clouds. He always tries to say the right thing, he never tries to push anyone's buttons unless they need pushing, and you'll never hear him put anyone down. He's the most comfortable person to be around. I'll never be like that, and I wish I could be. I'm supportive, yes, but I'm just the aggressive meathead."

"There is so much more to you than that," Tiger said, frantically shaking her head. "So, so, so much more!"

"And more to you," Rocky nodded.

"...Right..."

"I have tons of people I look up to. My parents. My uncles. My teammates. But just like them, there's something I've got, that someone else doesn't. It's true, sometimes it seems like... I'm a speck of dust compared to them. I know what it's like to want to be someone else... But I'll never stop being myself. And I hope you never stop being you, either. I like you just the way you are."

"You guys coming or what?" Caasi shouted from the rooftops.

"Yeah, yeah," Ecto replied, as the gang moved out of the battlefield.

"He... likes me just the way I am," Tiger said, her face burning turquoise as she locked arms with her team.

"You're so lucky," Zebra sighed, shaking their head.

"I can't believe Ecto touched me," Thresher exhaled, still in a daze. They pressed their fingers gingerly against their face. "On my... f... f... face..."

"You're SO LUCKY!"

"I guess you two do have some things in common," Ankyr said, throwing one arm each over the shoulders of Rocky and Caurel.

"What? We have loads of similarities," Caurel said. "Like... Uh..."

"Whatever," Rocky sighed.

"I couldn't live without both of you. There's one thing."

"'Without either of you'," Caurel corrected.

"Nope. Couldn't live without both."

\/\/\/\/\/

"And Big Blue takes the win! Looks like Tidal Wave is dropping down to battle Launch Hearts in the bottom bracket's second round! That'll be... the day after tomorrow."

"You could be a commentator," Thresher said. "A great one, at that."

"Really?" Ecto chuckled. "Thanks!" The younger Inkling's cheeks turned turquoise, and they stared at their shoes as they tried to utter a response.

"D... Don't mention it... Thanks for... letting me sit here, by the way."

"What do you mean?"

"...Never mind."

"That was a boring match," Rocky yawned. "Big Blue had control the whole time. Felt like the other guys didn't exactly know what they were doing."

"Everyone has bad battles," Caurel pointed out.

"Whatever, now it's time for the match we've all been waiting for," Corvis said. She and Vega had joined up with the crew only a few matches ago, eager to watch the day's battles while Taurus and Sandro spent their time shopping.

"Thanks a lot," Noodle said. "We were here too, y'know."

"We cheered you on plenty," Penny said. "Hush."

"Why aren't Pyxis and Ankyr back yet?" Tandy asked. "I don't want them to miss this."

"They'd probably care more if we were battling today," Ty said, folding his fingers behind his head. His sister let out a loud laugh at this. Frostbite simply grunted.

"So, Moby," Noodle said, turning to the short-haired Inkling. "You've been doin' great. Having fun with us?"

"You guys rock," Moby nodded. "But I think I know where this is going."

"Wha-?"

"And... Battling with a squad is fun. But I'm a solo act. I can't be your permanent fourth player."

"Ahh..." Noodle fell backwards, caught gracefully by Stuart and Russel.

"I... wouldn't mind coming on every now and then as a guest artist, though!"

"Glad to hears it," Stu smiled. Noodle made no answer, simply lay there in her friends' arms, mumbling to herself.

"Was... so sure... found the one... Auuaaaauuuugghhh..."

"Bring her over here, boys," Penny called. Stu and Rus sat Noodle down in front of Penny, who took out a comb and started playing with her friend's tentacles.

"Uuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhghghghhggh" was Noodle's only response.

"I know, honey, I know," Penny said, undoing Noodle's hairties and combing through the blue mess atop her head. "Lean your head back... Now... You'll find another fourth member someday. And they'll be a hundred times better than-"

"Don't speak that creature's name in my presence," Stu shuddered. At this, Russel gave him a great bear hug.

"You're a fantastic squad leader. Your mates love you. You've been together through thick and thin. And when you find the right one, you'll all know. You'll feel it. It'll just hit you-"

"LOOK OUT!"

SMACK!

An inflatable beach ball collided with Noodle's face before falling and bouncing along the rooftop.

"Oohhh... I am so sorry, miss..." A tall Octoling with long green tentacles walked slowly up to the group, scratching the back of his head. "It was my brother's bad serve. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Noodle growled. "It's just life kicking me when I'm down, that's all." The young man gave her a puzzled look, before catching the ball when Bonnet threw it back to him.

"Alright... Um... Hope you feel better... Sorry again!"

"THERE you are," Rocky shouted. The stranger had jogged back to his companions just as Pyxis returned with their own friends in tow. "What took you so long? Why did you trade Ankyr for these randos?"

"Rocky," Caurel sighed. "They're the friends we were supposed to meet today, remember?"

"Oh..."

"Guys, this is Rocky, our squad's leader," Pyxis laughed.

"Nice to meet you," Carina said, stepping forward to shake Rocky's hand. "Don't worry, my 'boyfriend' will be back soon."

"'BOYFRIEND'?" The entire crowd turned their attention to the charismatic newcomer.

"It's just an inside joke," Pyxis hastily assured them. "You'd just have to be there."

"Yeah, he kind of saved me a lot of hassle," Carina shrugged.

"My Sunshine has inside jokes with people I don't know," Moises thought out loud. "Not sure how I feel about this..."

"Well, you know us now," Hans piped up. "She's Carina, I'm Hans, this here is Shera, and the rude guy is Cygnus."

"I haven't said anything rude yet!"

"We all know you will," Shera said as she scooched over to Abbey. "Soooo, what's your name, gorgeous?"

"I'm aromantic," Abbey said between sips of coffee.

"Aw, that's too bad... Are you... asexual, too?"

"They're not sex-repulsed, if that's what you mean," Pyxis jumped in. "That's not what asexual means, though."

"Sweet little Pyxis," Cygnus chuckled, patting his friend on the head. "Always here to educate her friends."

"...You mean their friends," Rocky corrected.

"What? No. You too? Are all Squids okay with the whole fluid-gender thing?"

"You didn't even last five minutes," Hans sighed, covering his face with his palm.

"Look, she was born with lady-parts, am I wrong or am I right?"

"Here's what I know," Rocky began slowly, stepping closer to the Octoling and staring him in the eye. "This particular group of friends respects what people choose to call themselves. When you're with us, you refer to Pyxis as they/them. If you can't handle that, you can swim back home."

"ROCKY!" Caurel grabbed her brother's arm and yanked him down to sit beside her. "They're our guests!"

"And Pyxis is family," he bit back. "Which is more important to you?"

"Wow, they really worship you around here," Cygnus laughed, turning to leave. "Do they even really know you? Your history? What have you been telling them?"

"Cygnus, get back here and act your age," Carina commanded.

"No thanks, Your Majesty."

The group was hushed for some time, the noises of the audience around them and the battle down below, permeating their silent space.

"Sorry about that," Carina finally spoke up. "I told him to behave himself. But he's... how do you say... stuck in his ways."

"He's only twenty-two," Shera rolled her eyes. "He's not 'set in his ways', he's just a stubborn jerk."

"You okay, honey?" Hans asked Pyxis, who was too busy processing their own thoughts to realize they should answer.

"...I'm family?" Pyxis asked, turning toward where Rocky was pouting beside Caurel.

"I'd say so, yeah," Caurel smiled. Ecto nodded her agreement.

"Most definitely, my pet," Penny said, still playing with Noodle's hair.

"You... We haven't even known each other a whole year."

"I like to measure love in quality instead of quantity," Moises said.

"That's the sappiest thing I've ever heard," Hans said. "And I love it. Who are you?"

"Oh yeah, we never got through introductions," Ecto said. "That's Moises, I'm Ecto, the one beside Rocky is his sister Caurel, the one in the seats above us playing with her friend's hair is Penny - the friend is Noodle, by the way..."

"Leader of Feel Good Ink!" Noodle piped up, jumping up from her seat. "Pleased to meetcha! If you're looking for a squad, we've got an empty slot to fill!"

"You have no idea what's going on, do you?" Jamie asked, peeking up from his sketchbook.

"Not at all! Who are the new people?"

\/\/\/\/\/

By the time they finished introductions, the Runaways' battle had already started. Most of the gang was cheering them on, while Caurel and Moises entertained Carina and Hans with conversation about how they had met Pyxis and what they all liked to do together, and what they planned to do once the day's matches were over. Shera, on the other hand, was fascinated by this new sport, and sat by Ecto and Thresher and asked the two to explain all sorts of things. Rocky and Tiger stood closeby in case either of them wanted to jump into the conversation, but kept their attention on the battle.

"So... you call arms, 'shooters'."

"The thing Pyxis is carrying, yeah," Ecto nodded, gesturing to their mutual friend, who was seated with Tandy, Tyrone, Rory, and Frostbite, eyes glued to the battle below.

"But that thing that woman's using... isn't designated a 'shooter'?"

"Jubilee uses a Luna Blaster Neo," Ecto said, pulling up a picture on her tablet so she could show Shera a close-up view. "It's a blaster. We consider it a different type because it performs much differently."

"Ah... we just call blasters arms too. Never seen one like that, though."

"Lunas are a newer type of blaster, they've only been around the past couple years, I think."

"Yeah, they were invented in 2212," Thresher nodded.

"Oh, that's right!"

"And you also use... buckets," Shera pointed out. "Weird."

"Oh yeah, Sloshers. Trust me, they're a lot more fun than they look. Bruiser, the brawn of the outfit, uses the vanilla Slosher, it has Burst Bombs and the Inkstrike. And Delphyne uses the Tri-Slosher Nouveau, with the Seekers and the Echolocator."

"Vanilla? Is that a brand, or...?"

"Oh no, I just mean, the original one."

"So... Vanilla means original?"

"The basic form of something, yes. Regular. It's just slang."

"Who's the person with the gatling?"

"Ah, that's Pixie with the Zink Mini Splatling. Disruptor and Bubbler."

"Pixie..." Shera turned to where Pyxis was seated. "PIXIE!"

"Yes?"

"I can never call you Pixie again! That's the name of my new future wife!" Ecto and Thresher couldn't help but laugh.

"...Glad to hear it?"

"She's actually dating Ty right now," Tandy pointed out. "Sorry, you'll have to look elsewhere."

"Darn."

"Great Overseer," Carina sighed. "Why are you so thirsty today?"

"I dunno, Queenie," Shera shrugged and shook her head. "Look. I had no idea Squidlings could be so attractive, okay?"

"I mean, she's not wrong," Hans laughed. "The first time I saw Ankyr..."

"YOU CAN DO IT, GUYS!" Pyxis suddenly stood up and cheered as loud as they could.

"We believe in you," Caurel joined in. "Let's go, Runaways, let's go!" She clapped her hands in rhythm and repeated her chant. "Nobody? Come on, join in!"

"You've got this, Jubes," Frostbite shouted. "Let's go, Jubilee, let's go!"

"You guys a couple?" Caurel asked with a smile.

"Y... Yeah... Almost a year now," the older Inkling grunted.

"Aw. I'll bet it feels great to cheer on someone you like."

"You'd know all about that, right?" Rocky asked, keeping his eyes on the battle. "Then again, you're usually playing-OOF!"

Caurel had jumped from her seat and walked toward the stairs, pushing Rocky down to the cold roof as she passed.

"Sorry."

"Caurel, what the Pluto?" Moises asked, as he and Tiger helped Rocky back up to his feet.

"He was in my way."

"Are you okay, Rocky?" Tiger asked. The male Inkling shook off both her and Moises and ran toward his sister, jumping into the air and landing a kick at the small of her back.

"Whoops. My foot slipped."

"Um... What's going on here?" Pyxis asked, panic evident in their voice. "These two..."

"They get like this every once in a while," Ecto sighed. "Best to ignore it until they calm down."

"Don't you feel like you should do something?" Penny asked, staring at Ecto's back until the tinkerer turned to face her.

"What? Why?"

"I got it," Pyxis sighed, jumping to their feet and approaching their friends. "Come on, guys, let's chill-"

Caurel had got back up on her feet, and rammed into her brother with her shoulder, knocking him backward into Pyxis. They were definitely not paying attention to their surroundings.

"Yeesh!"

"I told you," Ecto said, as the twins grappled with each other, falling onto the floor and rolling. "This is just something they do once in a Blue Moon. The only thing that can stop this is..."

Ankyr stepped into the crowd and grabbed Rocky and Caurel under their elbows, lifting them back up - though they had done most of the work for him as soon as they felt his touch. He patted dust and dirt off of their clothes, and straightened their hair. He then pressed his lips against the side of Rocky's head for a few seconds, then did the same to Caurel.

"Now... We good?"

"...You kissed Rocky first," Caurel pouted.

"I see," he chuckled, before kissing the two again, this time Caurel, then Rocky. "Now are we good?"

"Fine," Rocky said, patting Ankyr on the back and shaking him off. "I'm out. All this repressed desire is making me wanna puke." He gave Caurel one last glare before walking away.

"Man, I always thought Kobra was the glue that holds the Killjoys together," Zebra spoke up.

"Oh, she is," Ankyr nodded, as Caurel threw her arms around him, sobbing. He returned the embrace and ran his hand gently down her back. "I'm just the water in the glue."

"There's water in glue?" Hans asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah, it's what keeps it from drying," Pyxis said. "We learned this in like second grade, Hans."

"Well, excuuuse me, Princess."

\/\/\/\/\/

"Well, that was a day," Ecto said, standing up and stretching as the announcers declared Lovesick Electric's victory over the Z Squad. "Who's hungry?"

"Wait, that's it?" Shera asked, following suit.

"There were only eight matches today. There'll be eight tomorrow. For some reason, they split the second top round into two days. The day after, it'll be the second bottom round all in one. You should stop by then!"

"What should we do in the meantime?" Bonnet asked.

"Like the woman said, let's grab lunch," Carina chuckled, as the group more or less stood up and made for the exits. "I'm starving. What do you say, lover? Wanna treat us to your finest local eats?"

"Stop that," Ankyr laughed, giving her a light push. "It feels weird."

"Fine, fine."

"Thanks for understanding."

"Hey, if we're going to be friends, we need at least a teaspoon of understanding. Maybe an ounce or so of consideration."

"I am in love with the way you talk," Corvis said, moving closer to the Octoling. "Are you taken?"

"Everybody wishes," Carina said with a wink.

"Do you... date girls?"

"When my mom laid my egg, it was rainbow-colored."

"I'm Corvis."

"I'm yours."

"That was smoother than a dorodango," Vega suddenly spoke up.

"Well, now that that's taken care of," Ankyr laughed, "let's get out of here."

"To the Submarine?" Caasi asked.

"TO THE SUBMARINE!"

"Whatever that means," Carina laughed.

As they neared the stairs, and fell behind the rest of the group, Pyxis grabbed Ankyr's hand, then immediately let go.

"Sorry."

"What?" Ankyr raised an eyebrow. "Hey, no apologizing, remember?"

"Well... I... Don't need the medicine. I'm just..."

"Do you need a reason?" He smiled, holding on to their hand this time. "See? It feels nice, anyway, so just hold on if you want to hold on." Pyxis' face turned violet red, and they stared away from him, though they didn't let go of his hand.

"Are you saying that... because...?"

"Because...?"

"Do you pity me?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"Do you feel sorry for me, because of... all the stuff we've talked about?"

"I... I don't know what you're trying to ask, hon. I did... I've felt all kinds of ways about all that. Angry. Sad. There's been a lot of sympathy, yeah. Is that all I see in you? Of course not. You should know that by now. I admire you, Pyxis. I seek comfort in you. I treasure you."

"Treasure?"

"Of course! What's up? Did somebody say something to you? I will have a talk-"

"No, I just... I treasure you, too."

"I'd hope so!" The two laughed.

"Ugh. Booooo! I'm gonna lose my lunch, and I didn't even eat yet."

"Rocky?"

The male Inkling threw one arm each over Pyxis and Ankyr.

"Yeah, I didn't go far. What's all this feelings-talk for this early in the morning?"

"It's four in the afternoon," Ankyr pointed out, ruffling up his best friend's tentacles.

"Pretty Reckless called me family," Pyxis recalled, tightening their grip on Rocky.

"I agree with that," Ankyr nodded. "I've felt like you were family to me since way back when it was just us, when I'd sneak away to visit you and we'd talk for hours about everything I felt I couldn't talk about. Like I said... treasure. And I felt a bit greedy when I first introduced you, but... treasure should be shared."

"Ankyr..."

"Called me Ankyr again," he laughed. They simply shrugged, having no other reply.

"You know," Rocky started slowly, "there's a place about two blocks from here where youngsters go to artfully give sound to the voices of their sensitive inside-parts."

"Their what?" Ankyr asked, giving him a puzzled expression.

"Never mind," he sighed. "Don't pay any attention to me. I don't have any right, anyway." He let go of the two, patted them on the back, and hurried to the front of the crowd. "I just don't have the right."

"Rocky confuses me sometimes," Pyxis eventually spoke up.

"Welcome to my world."

"So, where are we going?" Rocky asked.

"Rocky!" Tiger rushed up to meet him, but stopped in her tracks and cleared her throat. "I was gonna follow you, but I, uh..."

"I'm glad you didn't," he said, tapping lightly on the brim of her cap. "Everybody needs time alone sometime."

"Oh! Yeah! I mean, psshh, yeah, totally, me too."

"So, Yellow Submarine?"

"That's the plan," Caasi said. "Welcome back, roller-boy."

"Bleh." The Crayfish poked Caurel.

"Is your brother alright? He usually has something aggressive or sarcastic to say to me."

"He's just mad at his own feelings. And everyone else's."

"Oh, so the usual."

"You sure we can fit this many people?" she asked, trying to change the subject. "The Submarine isn't that big."

"It'll be fine," Penny said with a dismissive wave.

"Wait," Rocky said, as they made for the train station, "Penny's not working... And Abbey's not working... Who's working?"

"Jude and Eleanor," Abbey replied.

"I actually... don't work there anymore," Penny said. Her friends, minus Caasi and Abbey, turned toward her with looks of shock, and everyone else stopped to wait for them.

"You ditched Sarge?" Caurel asked. "After everything he's done-"

"He told her to go," Caasi cut in. "She's got two gigs now. A new movie and a set of commercials."

"What about your apartment?" Caurel asked, clasping hands with Penny. One by one, the group slowly started walking again. "Where will you stay?"

"My place," the Crayfish assured her. "For now."

"Does your dad know about this?"

"I..." Penny paused. "...Am writing him a letter right now."

"Call him."

"I willll!"

"On the train."

"Yes, sir!"

"Don't feel bad, Penny," Carina said. "My dad's a deadbeat, too."

"Whoa, that is not what's going on here," Caasi said, shaking her head. "The Professor is a good parent. He's not the one who hurt her."

"Ah, got it. Seen that too. Sorry."

"Don't you think he wants to celebrate your happiness, too?" Caurel asked, continuing the subject at hand. "He's proud of you. Let him be proud."

"I get it!" Penny took a few deep breaths and rubbed her face with her open palms. "I just forget... I have a good parent... After all the..."

"I know."

"I do appreciate him."

"I know."

"I'll call him. I promise. On the way to the Submarine."

"Actually, guys," Ecto spoke up, "Dad's breaking out the cookware literally right this second and is wondering if there are any hungry young adults around?"

"He's got a trainload of 'em headed his way," Caasi said. "Change of plans, guys. No Submarine tonight!"

"To Ecto's," Rocky cheered.

"TO ECTO'S!"

\/\/\/\/\/

"Hey... Professor?"

"Penny! Good evening, dear." A middle-aged Inkling's voice sounded from the phone.

"I, um... How've you been?"

"Mostly the same. All's well. When are we watching this movie of yours, hm?"

"Oh yeah! Let's do that tonight."

"Are you sure, honey?"

"Yes... Tomorrow night's a no-go, and I wanna hang out before I..."

'Before I run away again,' she thought to herself.

"I'm always here, dear heart."

"I know... I'm sorry."

"I love you."

"I know," she laughed, wiping tears away. "I just... Can I say something brutally honest?"

"I'm sure I can take it."

"It's... been hard to get used to... Having a parent who cares about me, I guess. And... I don't think you've made it easier. But I know you've tried! I know... I can tell. I just..."

"What are you trying to say, Penny?"

"I... I spent a long time thinking I was worthless, and would never get anywhere. I was wrong... THEY were wrong. When I look back over the past few years, it seems like paradise compared to the nightmare I was born into... But it wasn't easy. I used to think I was the unluckiest person in the world. But I got through it. I was more stubborn than all the things life threw at me." She scoffed as she cleaned sweat from the face of her phone. "I guess if I had just been a good girl and stayed with you, everything would've been easier. But... I couldn't trust you. I couldn't let myself trust anyone. Except Cricket. And even her, I kinda tried to shake off."

"I remember," he said. There was a break in his voice.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."

"I'm just glad you told me. It's not easy being a child. I remember. Everyone expects something of you, and no one considers what kind of pressures they're putting on you. And you feel like you have no control over your own life." Penny couldn't think of anything to say after that; she simply wiped away more tears, sobbing. "Are you okay?"

"Fine, I'm... Fine. I just... It's just the thing I was talking about. Some... part of my brain keeps expecting you to guilt-trip me, or turn the conversation around on me, or call me crazy, or..." He waited for her to continue. "But you never do! You never do, and... I'm grateful, so grateful, but my brain..." More silence. "Is it ever gonna heal?" He thought a moment before responding.

"I've got two answers."

"I'll take number two."

"I try not to act like an expert on people, but... I believe it's healing right now. That it has been for quite a while. You've built yourself an amazing family, my dear. You've got the Waters. You've got healthy friends. You've got your fantastic girlfriend. And you've got me. Whenever you need me. A healthy family is a powerful thing. I think you'll find that, in five years' time, you'll be surprised at yourself."

"Sounds great," she nodded, knowing he couldn't see her. "Can't wait for five years. What... was answer number one?"

"Yes." They both laughed loudly.

"So, how about six o'clock?"

"I'll look forward to it."

"Thanks, Professor. I'll see you then... Bye."

"See you then."

She let out a loud sigh after hanging up, and turned to face Caurel and Caasi, who were sitting with her on the train ride to Ecto's house. The rest of the group was waiting in the next car.

"Feel better?" Caurel asked.

"I need hugs."

\/\/\/\/\/

"I see the party's here!" An adult Inkling with lime green tentacles, garbed in a dress suit and a tie-dye tie answered the door and let all the young adults in. "How was it, honeycomb?"

"There were some pretty fun matches," Ecto said, giving her father a hug and moving into the house. "I'm gonna go grab some blankets."

"Sure, sure! Yell if you need help! GASP! Coral Reef! How are you doing, beebee?"

"Fine, Pop," Caurel said, accepting the sweeping hug from the tall man. "Is that... Pokémon I hear in the living room? Maybe something... multiplayer?"

"You know it," he chuckled. "I was waiting for you. Let's get it! Oh, but first, introduce me to the new family members."

"So we've got... Tandy and Ty, the ones you've heard of but not met."

"Ohh, it's a pleasure to meet you two!"

"Same," Tandy said. She offered a handshake and her brother offered a hug.

"Hey Pop, is Dad in the kitchen?" Rocky asked, pushing through the crowd.

"Is that my apprentice chef?" a voice called from their left. "We're making vegetable soup tonight!"

"Good, I need to chop things," the young Inkling said as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Aww, what's wrong, honey?"

"I'll tell you about it if you let me close the kitchen door."

"Only for you, my dear." The light shining from the kitchen closed off, abandoning the dim glow of an overhead light and the brightness of the television.

"I guess they'll just have to miss out on the party for the time being," Pop shrugged. "So, I know Noodle and the gang. Hey, kids!"

"'Sup, Mister P," Noodle said, high-fiving the older Inkling as she and her gang walked into the living room.

"This is Jubilee," Caurel said, continuing with introductions. "She leads the Runaways, Ty and Tandy's group. There's also Pixie and Frostbite, but the rest didn't feel like staying out. You might meet them later! These guys are the Sharks. Tiger, Thresher, Zebra, and Bonnet."

"Some of my favorite sharks," Dad shouted from beyond the kitchen screen.

"You can't hear us and we can't hear you," Pop reminded him. "That's how it works when one of our babies needs to talk, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah..."

The battlers all waved, raised their hands, or nodded as they were introduced and welcomed into the house. Ecto had returned with blankets and cushions by then, and began the process of laying out the temporary sleeping quarters while Caurel and her uploaded Pokémon challenged Pop to a battle.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Dad was allowing Rocky the culinary therapy he craved so much. Though the young Inkling had a lot on his mind, his fruits and vegetables were chopped and sliced to perfection. Mostly.

"I see... Look, Rocky, if you ever get too stressed, just come over here and vent to us any time. We're here for you. And so is our kitchen."

"Appreciate it, Oji."

"Feel better now, honey?"

"Yeah, I..." Rocky sighed as he got started on a tomato. "I just wish I could deal with feelings the way I cook. One part is over before I even realize. Then on to the next part. And that's easily taken care of... And it's... Something I can do, and see, and manage."

"You can manage your emotions too," Dad said as he gently dropped ingredients into a large pot on the stove. "It's just not that easy."

"But when it's about..." He turned to stare at the folding door that separated the kitchen from the living room. "I just want them all to be happy."

"Of course you do, you love 'em. Love is a wonderful and powerful thing. But you're not responsible for their feelings. You're not responsible for anyone's feelings but your own."

"Pfft... I can't even guarantee my own happiness."

"Happiness is hot soup."

"...Pardon?"

"You can't always have it. It's not a collectible thing you can hang on your wall forever. Sometimes it's in your bowl. Sometimes it's not. But when it is, it eventually gets cold."

"What does happiness become when it's no longer hot soup?"

"Cold soup, weren't you paying attention?" Dad grinned, stirring the masterpiece and adding salt.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Sometimes... Sometimes you get nostalgic for past times, good times you had. Wonderful moments you shared with loved ones. Small victories. Or large. And you think, 'I took this for granted. I miss this. Man, what if I had eaten that soup while it was hot?'. 'What if I had done such-and-such thing, or not done some other thing?'. But you can't go back. There's no going back to the point in time when that exact bowl of soup was still hot."

"So... I should always make my soup exactly the same? So I'm not looking back with regret?"

"What? No! Are you even listening? That's the opposite of what I'm trying to say."

"Well, when you speak in metaphors and stuff..."

"Look. Rocky. Ten, fifteen years or something in the future, you're gonna look back on good times you're having now, and your heart is gonna hurt. That's just how it is. You'll want it. You'll want... something. Something you no longer have, at least not in the same way. What I don't want, what I absolutely do not want, is for you to tear yourself up over it, and try to change your life to get back whatever it is you'll feel you need so badly. It's not worth it. It will never be worth it."

"Oji..."

"The past is only a masterpiece when it's the present. Once it's the past, it's just a memory. And memories are great, but you can't throw your arms around one. Believe me, I tried. Do you understand?"

"Be happy in the moment," Rocky said. "And make new happiness for yourself, regardless of the circumstances. Is that it?"

"There you go! Not a bad metaphor after all, huh?"

"Yeah, but... You can just reheat the soup," he pointed out. The older Inkling shook his head and chuckled.

"Nah. Sometimes it's not that simple. What if your lights are out? Or you're out camping in the wilderness and you've used all your fuel? Besides, have you ever reheated soup? Does it really taste the same?"

"Well, no, it usually tastes better."

"That's because you can look back on the past, apply your knowledge of the present, and cook up a better future for yourself. A new happiness. Again, one that won't last forever. And maybe it's not perfect. Maybe you burn your tongue. Maybe you let it go cold without realizing. But there'll always be more soup."

"You just have an answer for everything, don't you?" Rocky scoffed, throwing more tomatoes into the pot.

"Not quite. There's one thing I've always wondered."

"The secret of life?"

"Nah, figured that out in college."

"What? No. Shut up." The two shared a laugh. Dad reduced the burner's heat and placed a lid on the pot, before turning to Rocky.

"Back when you were in Coral Reef's boat... Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well..." Rocky took a moment to continue. "Figured there wasn't any point, I guess. Can't help it if the person you have a crush on is gay. Like, if Pop was het, you wouldn't have the love of your life."

"Well I'm glad that's not the case," he said with a short laugh, before frowning and patting Rocky on the head. "Sorry, hon."

"It's fine. That's one of those 'just move on' parts in life. So I did."

"Ah..."

"Happened with Ankyr, too. But that was back when we were super tiny. Like.. That's a different kind of love. Baby love, I guess. But then again, we thought Ankyr was a girl back then. That was easier to move on from."

"You just can't catch a break," Dad laughed. "Anyone on your mind these days?" Rocky thought a while before answering.

"I... Not really. I don't know, Oji. Guess I'm kind of giving up for now. I just wanna cook and take care of the ocean. Those are my loves. Well, I'll never get tired of Turf War either. I guess... that's it."

"And that's A-okay," the adult Inkling nodded, before yelling "COME AND GET IT!" There was a multitude of shuffling sounds from the living room as the young adults made their way to the kitchen. "Come see us any time," he said again. "We'll always be here for you."

"I know. I mean... I'm grateful. Hey... So what is the secret of life?"

"Hm? I thought I told you? There'll always be more soup." Rocky scoffed at this.

"Goofy old man."

"I am only forty-five!"

\/\/\/\/\/

"So, what do you need to talk about?" Carina took her time before responding, kicking gently at the porch's siding with her heels. Pyxis waited patiently, as they usually did.

"I've been upsetting you."

"What? Carina, I'm happy you're here."

"I know you are. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about Ankyr."

"Um... What about him?"

"You like him."

"What?! I mean, what makes you think that?"

"Pyxis, I've known you for ages. I can tell... It feels strange to see you falling for someone after all this time. But I'm glad.."

"I'm not falling. At the very most, I'm looking downward."

"Still, there's something there. I haven't seen you like anyone for years. How long has this been going on? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Nothing has been 'going on'," Pyxis huffed, getting up from the porch and pacing around Ecto's backyard. "There's nothing. I just... have a few feelings. It's fine." Carina didn't say anything; she was sure Pyxis had more to say. "Like... Maybe I want to pin him to the ground and..." They shook their head. "Why are you being so nice about this?"

"I... don't know how to take that. I'm your friend. We've known each other since the dawn of time."

"You've never been kind to me when it came to lo..." Carina couldn't help but give them a sly smile. "...Feelings."

"I thought I let you down easily enough."

"You tormented me! You took every chance you got to remind me that I'd never have you, and other people would."

"What? When? I don't remember saying that-"

"No, not directly. Just in small ways. You were cruel to me, Carina. You mocked my feelings and laughed at my pain. Don't pretend that didn't happen." The two spent the next few minutes in silence, Carina staring at her feet, Pyxis pacing slowly.

"I did," the older Octoling started slowly. "I... was a real piece of work. I still am, I guess. But I got joy from your suffering. I wanted to forget about that."

"Sorry I didn't let you." No response to this. "I do love you," Pyxis sighed, finally taking their seat, across the way from their friend. "As a friend. You've been better to me. I wouldn't be here if not for you. You know that's true, you remember the..." They took a deep breath before continuing. "But I can never think of you that way again. And I never wanted to have those kinds of feelings again. For anybody. So..."

"Tell that to Kilin."

"Please leave that boy out of this."

"You've never...?"

"What? No! I could never see him that way. I considered it when we were younger, but only because I was told to. We're... completely incompatible."

"How so?"

"You want me to e-mail you the list?" Carina scoffed at this.

"Fair, fair. So... Ankyr, then."

"...I guess."

"What are you gonna do?"

"What do you mean, 'what am I gonna do'? Who says I need to do anything? I just have feelings! Sweet Overseer!"

"Pretty sure you're not the only one with feelings."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing," Carina shook her head, getting up from her seat and walking toward the back door. "You're not going to do anything about it, so what's the point in discussing it further?"

"Carina... I still hate you sometimes."

"I think some friendships just work that way," their childhood friend said. "I can accept it if you can. Open your heart, Pyxis. It's gonna be alright."

"What is?" Carina simply laughed at this, and walked back into the house, where their friends were all waiting. "What's going to be alright?" Carina approached Corvis and wrapped her arms around the Octoling, ignoring her childhood friend for the moment.

"Don't worry," Moises sang, waving at them, "about a thing." Ankyr and Ecto joined in the song.

"'Cause every little thing, gonna be alright!"

Pyxis smiled. They started singing as well, joined eventually by most of the group. Penny had already left for her family night with the Professor. Vega sipped their kiwi-banana smoothie in silence. The Sharks were strangely absent. Jubilee kept her concentration on her current Pokémon match against Pop.

"You're good at this, intelligent adult figure."

"Thanks, I actually won a championship in my twenties."

"No way!"

"Yeah, I thought I was really great at this game... until I meet Coral Reef."

"She's that good?"

"I'm tenacious," Caurel shrugged. "But I'm only really good with my team. I know them inside-out so working with random mons feels wrong to me."

"Got any tips?"

"I'll message you," she laughed.

\/\/\/\/\/

"He likes me the way I am..."

"Well, that was quite the conversation," Zebra muttered. They were sitting on the edge of the roof - Ecto had guided them up earlier and hung out with them a while before heading back in. The quartet hadn't meant to listen in on Pyxis and Carina, but they also felt far too awkward to stop them amid their conversation once it was clear it was personal. "Guess they've got some history."

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear anything," Thresher shook their head.

"Guys," Tiger began from her seat, farther away from the edge, "do you think he meant it... that way?"

"No," Zebra shook their head.

"Nopers," Thresher said.

"Sorry, hon," Bonnet replied with a pat on the head.

"He probably just thinks I'm a dumb kid," Tiger sighed, burying her face in her palms.

"You're only three years younger," Zebra pointed out. "Besides, I think they all like other people right now."

"Who?"

"Well... Rocky likes Abbey-"

"No!"

"I think Ecto and Moises are together. Or maybe they're just like siblings, it's hard to tell, really."

"Siblings siblings siblings siblings siblings," Thresher chanted under their breath, flailing their limbs desperately.

"And Caurel likes Ankyr."

"What? No way."

"I think she's liked him for a while," Bonnet said.

"Wait," Thresher began, pausing a moment, holding their finger in the air. "Didn't... Pyxis just say that they like him?"

"I smell drama," Zebra said, eyes lighting up. "Shall I post?"

"We don't post anything without confirmation," Bonnet reminded them. "Besides, this is... too personal for the fan club. We've been accepted as friends, and that's a great honor. We can't take advantage of that."

"So, what do we do? I mean, besides forget we heard anything?"

"Be there," Tiger suggested.

"I can do that."

"Me, too," Thresher nodded.

"Then it's decided," Bonnet agreed. None of them spoke for a moment after, not sure of what to say.

"So, who are we facing in the bottom bracket?" Tiger eventually asked.

"Rescue Girls," Thresher said.

"Oof."

"You can say that again."

"OOF."

"Ouch, even," Bonnet added.

"Think we'll make it?" Zebra asked.

"Guess we'll find out in two days."

\/\/\/\/\/

"Everybody! Cheers! To Pyxis!"

"TO PYXIS!"

"I didn't do anything," Pyxis shouted back. The gang was all partying it up on the beach at Bluefin Bay, the night of the eighth tournament day. Eighty 8s had been sent to the bottom bracket on day five, and the Sharks were thrown down there on day six. Today, The Killjoys and the Runaways had both been victorious, while Feel Good Inc - back to using the C in their name - were crushed by the Tropical Mermaids. The very same squad would be facing the Killjoys two days from now, but Rocky didn't seem worried at all; he was dancing atop a wooden stage set up a fair distance from the campfire, yelling gleefully into a microphone.

"AKA Velocity, AKA Fierce Deity, AKA The Unstoppable Juggernaut, AKA King of Urchin Underpass, AKA-"

"Enough already," Pyxis sighed.

"Thanks for taking us to the top! You're on the top of your game, as always!"

"It was a team effort," Pyxis said. "Congratulate Caurel and Penny, too."

"I will! To my sister Caurel, AKA Kobra Kid, AKA Shinobi, AKA Red Lion-"

"Get on with it," Caurel yelled.

"Yes, get on with it!" the crowd agreed.

"And to Penny, AKA Party Poison, AKA Super Star, AKA Ballroom Blitz-"

"Are you done yet?" This came from the singer of the band Tomorrow's Warning - all of the members were waiting at the edge of the stage to be introduced.

"Oh, right, and the rest of my crew as well!" Rocky said hastily, letting out a nervous laugh. "Thank you all for doing this thing with me. And now, Tomorrow's Warning, everybody!" The crowd cheered, none more excited than Ankyr, who stood front and center as the band took the stage. "Remember to throw your trash in the bins! Keep the bay clean!"

"Agua, Dashy, Sogen, I'm so glad you guys could make it!"

"Ankyr, stop acting like we're hot-shot rockstars," said the one named Sogen, a green-spiked Urchin who played the drums. Their vocalist and lead guitarist, Agua, put a finger to her mouth to shush him.

"No, no, don't tell him that. I need the ego boost."

"That's the last thing you need," Dashy said, tuning up her bass. "But I do admit it's nice to have such a big fan."

"A fan who goes to the same school as us," Sogen reminded them. "Does that really count?"

"Of course it counts, I have all your music!"

"All two EPs and one record, eh?" Dashy chuckled. "Wait, I thought your favorite band was ABXY?"

"I mean, yeah, they are, but you guys are my favorite Rock band."

"But we're complete opposites."

"Well... I kinda like everything," Ankyr said, blushing green. "Music, I mean. ABXY just takes the top because I love their sound. It's so gorgeous and complex."

"Oh please," Sogen scoffed, playing an energetic beat on the drums for a moment. "Complex? It's not that hard to play their stuff the traditional way."

"That's the drumline of 'Quick Start'," Ankyr said energetically, jumping up and down.

"Oh, you like that?" Agua shredded for a moment, before playing the notes of the very same song. "I could play this with my eyes closed."

"Will you?!"

"Well... I don't see why not." The full band picked up the tune, and Agua brought her mouth up to the mic.

"Come with me!"

"We're gonna be there for you," Sogen and Dashy sang in the background.

"You and me-ee!"

"It's gonna be alright!"

"Don't you wanna be?"

"We're gonna be together, just wait and see... We're gonna be!"

"HEY!" 1

Ankyr jumped up and down, shouting the second "HEY!" with them and singing along when the second verse started up. A good portion of the crowd who had been sitting jumped up to their feet and joined in the jumping and dancing.

"I love how passionate he is about music," Pyxis smiled, watching him from across the way. They and the rest of the Killjoys were seated on large blankets spread out on the sand, closer to the bonfire, relaxing for the time being.

"It's easy to love lots of things about Ankyr," Caurel said with a grin.

"So, guys," Pyxis began slowly, "it's a nice night. The mood is light. What do you say?"

"You wanna howl at the moon again?" Rocky asked.

"No, I want story time," they laughed. "I was promised a history lesson."

"Oh, right," Caurel nodded, remembering their chat from what felt like so long ago. "Well, the first thing you have to realize is that Penny was a different person back in the day."

"I was a real problem child," Penny sighed. "A hell-raiser. A ruffian. A gadabout."

"Oh, you learned a new word!"

"The point is, I was brought up in a garbage family in a garbage part of town, and didn't have anybody. My blood family didn't care about me, or I guess you could say they cared too much, but in the wrong way. Anyway... they aren't important. The important thing is, I was always causing mayhem. Vandalising, rough-housing, you name it. This was not the same Penny you now know and love, my pet. Then one day I bumped into Cricket, and she invited me to her place for dinner because apparently I looked like I was starving."

"You were! You were pale as a ghost. Well, it was far from dinner, but my dad fixed her something right away. Then we played together for a while, then dinner came, and we ate again."

"Then we were inseparable after that, the end," Penny said hastily.

"Nice try," Caurel scoffed. "We didn't become close until after you stole my mom's statuette."

"You stole something?!" Pyxis gasped.

"Psh, it wasn't the first time," Penny shrugged. "...What?" She felt everyone's stares. "This was old Penny! I gave the disclaimer! Lay off me."

"It was the first time she stole from us, though," Caurel noted. "It didn't take long to find her. She was crying in the street because she had fallen over and the statuette broke."

"I wanted to give it back! It was the first time I felt bad about taking something... well, first time in a while. Caurel and her family were the first people who were ever kind to me, like, in a way I felt was genuine. It touched some part of me, deep down. Stealing from people like them made me feel miserable."

"We took her back to our place, comforted her, and glued the statuette back together. She refused to tell my parents her phone number, which I don't blame her for now, so we let her sleep over. It was a great night!"

"I had never felt so safe and comfortable," Penny nodded. "I finally felt like I had a friend, something I had convinced myself I didn't need, but was so wrong."

"You still tried to convince yourself," Caurel said. "And everyone else."

"She followed me around school all the next day," Penny said, half-whispering to Pyxis. "It was SO annoying."

"And every day after. And gave you tips on school work."

"'If you take clearer notes, it'll help your brain retain the information'," Penny recited in a sickly-sweet tone, to the laughter of her friends. "At some point I turned to her and yelled 'Stop chirping, cricket!' because she wouldn't leave me alone. I got detention for it, but my grades did slowly start to improve eventually. Then for a while any time she tried to talk to me, I refused to call her anything but 'Cricket'. It eventually transitioned from a sign of annoyance to a loving nickname."

"By that point, she was with the professor," Caurel said. "I was the one who reported her parents... Well, I told my mom, at least, and she did something about it."

"Let's not talk about all that," Penny groaned. "I think they've got the gist of it. I wouldn't be who I am today without Cricket chirping in my ear. We've gone through a lot together, and grown a lot. And at some point, she decided that I was a butterfly."

"We love a lot, and live a lot, and give and give and give a lot," Caurel smiled, holding onto her best friend's hand. Penny grabbed back and jumped up to her feet, taking Caurel and Caasi with her.

"Enough talk, let's dance."

"But I still have more questions," Pyxis said, rising to their feet despite their objections.

"Ah-ah-ah," Penny said, wagging a finger. "You've used up your story time voucher for this evening. Thank you for playing, try again later."

"Oh, is that how it works?" The Octoling let out a laugh and extended a hand to Moises, the first person they saw. "May I have this dance?"

"Sure, hon!" Moises spun around in circles with Pyxis, arm-in-tentacle, to the energetic beat. "If it makes you feel any better, you can ask me all the questions you want. I can't think of anything you don't know about me, though. I'm a pretty open book."

"A good read, nonetheless," Pyxis winked.

"Ahhh, I set that one up and you knocked it down! We're a dream team, my friend!"

"There is one thing I'm confused about. You and Ecto didn't meet the rest of the gang until a few years ago, right? But I could've sworn I'd seen photos in Ankyr's house of Tia with him as a kid. And didn't Rocky say something about her singing him to sleep?"

"Oh, Tia's my birth-aunt's wife. Uhh... So long story short, my parents kinda... ditched me."

"Oh my gosh..." Pyxis immediately stopped dancing. "Moises, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something so painful."

"Oh, hush," he said, shaking his head and gesturing for them to keep dancing with him. "It's not that kind of story. It happened when I was a baby, so I never knew them. The person I call 'Mom' - she's away on business stuff right now, but you'll meet her eventually - is my birth-aunt, my uh... birth-mother's sister. She raised me, so she's my mom."

"Of course," they nodded, getting back into the rhythm.

"Well, Tia, my other mom, is actually from around this neck of the woods. She's known Umi since they were kids. And she was one of the few people who stuck around her when her family started to split."

"Wow, I had no idea."

"When me and Ecto met the rest of the gang and became such close friends, naturally our families were invited to get-togethers, y'know, picnics and family game nights and house parties and stuff. Tia met Mom, they hit it off, and she's been with us ever since. They actually didn't get married until last Winter. But I've always loved her. It's like we were meant to be a family."

"That's so beautiful!"

"Hehe, thanks. Oh, by the way, Mom's name is Pearl, and Tia's name is Revanshe. We just call her Tia 'cause that's what Ankyr calls her."

"Mind if we cut in?"

"Umi!" Pyxis cheered when they saw two of their favorite adults. "Crystal! What are you guys doing here?"

"I'll leave you to it," Moises said with a low bow, before running across the beach and diving into a mosh pit.

"Background check came back," Rocky and Caurel's mom announced. "Let me be the first to welcome you to Flounder Heights." She held out a key ring with two keys, and Pyxis took it, slowly, with several low bows.

"Oh my gosh... Thank you thank you thank you! You're the best!"

"Hey, I told you, everyone in town owes me favors. Not that I really needed to call one in. Your credit is astounding for someone your age. Oh, the small key is for your mailbox."

"My mailbox... Ahh I'm so excited!"

"I'm so glad you're going to be living here," Umi cheered, jumping up and down. "We all are."

"You're moving here?" Caurel squeezed out of the crowd to gawk at the keys her friend was holding. "Pyxis, I'm so happy for you!" She threw her arms around them. "Where will you be living?"

"Flounder Heights."

"Whoa, look out, big spender coming through."

"Whatever," they said, blushing.

"Congratulations, dear," Crystal Waters said, patting the Octoling on the shoulder. "I'd stick around, but there's a mosh pit calling my name."

"Try not to hurt anybody. Army Woman," Caurel called after her.

"I've got to get going, too," Umi said, pulling a small gift box from her pocket and handing it to Pyxis. "But I wanted to give you a housewarming gift."

"Umi, you're the best!"

"You say that to all the parents," she joked, winking. "Nah, I know I'm your favorite. Open it, open it, open it!" They tore at the packaging and unwrapped a small box. Inside, they found a compass hooked to a long chain.

"...Very funny. Pyxis, compass, you're a real riot, Umi." Despite their words, they couldn't help but smile, just happy for a gift from someone who loved them so much. They clipped the chain together around their neck immediately, letting the compass hang down to their chest.

"No, no, no, that's not it. I just wanted to remind you that wherever you go, no matter how far away, you can always come to me for anything."

"Oh, Umi!" They hugged the older Inkling, who squeezed them tight in return.

"I'm so happy you've got a new home now. But my house will always be home for you, too."

"And mine," Caurel said. "I'm sure everybody else feels the same."

"You young adults be good," Umi said, giving the two kisses on the tops of their heads. "Don't stay out too late. You're crashing at my place, right?"

"That's the plan," Caurel nodded.

"Alright, whoever arrives first has to stand watch. Spread the word."

"You got it, Mom!"

Pyxis hung back from the dancing crowd for a while, admiring the compass. They turned it this way and that, watching as the needle constantly adjusted to keep pointing North.

"I've always been amazed by compasses," Caurel said with a grin as she cleaned sand and dust from her glasses. "I know there's science behind it, but it still seems so mystical that they always face North. Well, magnetic North, anyway."

"True North is the North Pole, right?" Pyxis asked, glancing between her and the needle.

"Geographic North Pole, yep," Caurel nodded. She took Pyxis' hand in both of hers and guided it a bit to the side, "True North would be abouuut... here."

Pyxis looked up from the compass to see the needle pointing directly at Ankyr, who was still dancing up a storm right in front of the stage. Their cheeks flushed violet again, and they let the compass drop, feeling its extremely light weight hanging on the chain.

"Caurel?! You, too?" All Caurel could do was cackle for the moment. "Don't tease me about this, it's something I'm sensitive about. I swore I'd never fall in love again."

"Well, that's a promise you can't keep."

"Caurel! Soy sauce!"

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," she said, finally calming down. "You know I'd never try to make fun of you."

"Well now I'm not so sure."

"Look... You both love each other. As friends, practically as family, as if you've known each other your whole lives, and then some. And now for the past week you've been doing a whole lot of blushing and panicking around him. So you must've come to a realization that you're attracted to him in some way. And I'm positive he's got similar feelings for you. But he's not going to say it first."

"I mean, you can't be one hundred percent sure that he..."

"Oh, I can. Just trust me on this. I'm... kind of an unofficial expert." She grabbed the compass and placed it in their hands. "At least this way you won't be a nervous wreck around him anymore. Besides, if it doesn't go well, you can just come running back to me. I'll be here."

"I don't know..." Pyxis glanced at the compass again, then shifted their view to Ankyr, who noticed them and paused to wave energetically. They waved back, laughing nervously.

"You know I don't push people without a reason."

"I know that, but..."

"Go on," Caurel nodded, giving them a gentle push. They took one step and...

"How dare you?" It was Rocky, stepping forward and grabbing ahold of Caurel's wrist. "How dare you?"

"Rocky?" Pyxis asked, eyes wide. "What's wrong?"

"Pyxis, excuse me for a second. I need to have words with my sister."

Before anyone could object, he stomped away from the party, dragging Caurel along. She waited until they were a good distance from the bonfire to speak up.

"Rocky, let go, I can walk on my own. Rocky! You're hurting me!"

He finally let go, and took a few more steps on his own. When he finally turned around, his eyes were full of tears.

"How DARE YOU? How can you just tell them to go after Ankyr like that?"

"They deserve to be happy," she shrugged.

"YOU deserve to be happy!"

"That's a completely different-"

"No, don't give me that! It's exactly the same. You refuse to go after your own happiness, but you're completely willing to play matchmaker with someone else. You don't have the right to stick your nose-"

"Oh, look who's talking," she scoffed. "What gives you the right to yell at me for this? You gave up, too!"

"I fell in love with a lesbian! That IS a different situation! I didn't have a choice!"

"Whatever," she shook her head, turning to go back to the party.

"You know what I hate about you?" He shouted at the top of his lungs, running after her. "What I absolutely hate? You can just stand there with a smile on your face, when I know you're crying inside. When I know you wanna scream, and punch at the walls, and it's tearing you up from the inside out! You give everything to everyone else. You give, and give, and give. When is it your turn, Caurel? When do I get to see you be happy? Huh? Answer me!"

"You think I don't want to take that chance?" She turned around to do her fair share of the yelling. "If I knew it could possibly turn out any other way, I would! But it won't!"

"How do you know, if you won't try? You have no reason to make that call. You're just selling yourself short! Again! You have all these friends who constantly tell you how great you are, and you're still putting yourself down!"

"That's enough." The two turned to see Pyxis, who had spoken, and Ankyr, with a rather uncomfortable look on his face.

"Pyxis..." Caurel averted her gaze. "When did you...?"

"I'm not sure what you guys are arguing about, but it's not worth it. I hate it when you get like this. Caurel, come take a walk with me. We can collect seashells." Caurel nodded and started walking when they wrapped an arm around her. Ankyr stepped toward Rocky.

"Rocky..." He didn't know what to say. His best friend scoffed, jerking his head to the side, practically throwing his tears onto the sand.

"Still feeling guilty?"

Ankyr lowered his eyes at the question, not sure how to respond. He eventually lowered his head altogether, staring at the sand beneath his bare feet. Rocky clicked his tongue and kicked up sand before walking back toward the fire.

\/\/\/\/\/

"Thanks for helping us clean up, guys."

"No biggie, Agua," Ankyr shook his head, dumping the last of stray garbage into one of the many receptacles around the stage.

"Yeah, it's not like there was a lot to clean," Pyxis said from where they were placing stones around the bonfire. "Everybody was pretty great about not leaving a mess."

"Are you two heading out soon, too?"

"Yep, I think three AM is late enough. Hey, what do we do about the stage?"

"Ah, don't worry about that," Dashy said. "Squid Squad is coming by in about half an hour to set up for an early morning show."

"Those party animals," Agua laughed.

"You guys know them?" Pyxis asked.

"Eh, we've talked a bit," Sogen said. "Jammed together, too."

"I don't wanna be 'that guy'," Ankyr said, "but could you guys get a backstage pass sometime? For our friend Penny Lane?"

"For the Penny Lane?" Dashy asked.

"Consider it done," Agua said, hoisting her guitar case up. "She got a deal for one of our songs to be added to the soundtrack of her new movie. It's the least we can do. I'll message you the deets."

"Thanks!"

"Well, see you guys around," Sogen said, carrying the last bit of his drum kit away to their van. "I'd wave, but this stuff is heavy."

"Bye, you guys! Thanks for rocking!"

"It's been a real treat," Pyxis shouted after them, waving.

"Thanks for coming out," Agua shouted back.

"Well, should we head out too?" Ankyr asked before chugging the remainder of a water bottle. The only thing left to pick up was a cooler with wheels and a handle, which he had brought from his house.

"Not yet," Pyxis shook their head, dropping to the sand. "I need to sit."

"Good idea!"

"Hey, Pretty Harmless... Not many people know this yet... I mean, I wanted it to be a surprise. But I'm... I don't know how to say this to be impactful..."

"You've never had to try before," Ankyr shrugged. "You just make an impact automatically."

"Thanks," they said, blushing. "I don't know why I'm trying now..." They took in a deep breath, held it, released. "Okay... I'm moving here."

"What?!"

"I mean, not here, but to Flounder Heights."

"Really?!"

"Which isn't very far away from Bluefin at all."

"You're moving to Inkopolis?!"

"Yep," they said, dangling the keys in the air.

Ankyr suddenly used his arms and legs to spring into the air, rushing at his friend, wrapping his arms around them and lifting them off the ground. He spun around a few times before falling down to the sand, cushioning Pyxis' fall. They both burst out laughing despite the mild sense of panic Pyxis had initially felt.

"What was that?" They wiped tears of mirth from their eyes, still laughing.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, next time I'll warn you," he cackled. "I'm just so happy!"

"I can tell!"

"I'll try to warn you next time, I promise."

"Of course, thanks."

"I'm just..." The two finally started to calm down, and he gave them another hug, this time without hoisting them into the air. "...So happy. I get to see you whenever I want. I mean, that's kind of already the case, but now I get to see you more!" He suddenly relinquished his embrace, backing away a bit, blushing blue. "I mean..."

"Ankyr, do you...? Um... Would you mind if...?"

"I'm listening," he nodded, waiting patiently. Pyxis took in another deep breath. Hold. Release. Then shook their head and climbed up on the stage.

"Ankyr Moreta!"

"That's me!"

"The day after tomorrow, we'll be battling against the Tropical Mermaids. I want you to watch that game!"

"Of course, I always do. Want me to record it?"

"No, no, let someone else record. I just want you to watch me. No one else."

"Oh! Uh... Fine with me," he said, blushing once more. "You turn battling into a work of art, hon."

"Then consider our next match my finest piece yet," they said, staring into his eyes. "And a message exclusively to you. I don't want you to look away from me for a single second!"

"I promise," he nodded.

"And now, for dramatic effect, and also because I feel very embarrassed right now, I'll be the first to leave! Please allow a few minutes' head start!" They played the air drums for a moment, complete with sound effects, finishing off by slamming both imaginary sticks down. "THANK YOU, BLUEFIN! GOODNIGHT!"

And then they ran.

_____________________

[ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Chapter 9 | 10 ]

1 - I made up these lyrics to Quick Start, by listening to the Inkling lyrics and just randomly coming up with words or phrases that sounded similar. This is obviously not an official translation, but feel free to sing these lyrics along when you're playing Splatoon if you wish. XD

((Well? How was it? :3 I hope it was entertaining, after all that wait. Sorry again for taking so long, and sorry for that weird sudden four-day time skip near the end there. But I knew if I didn't put the beach scene at the end of this chapter, the final chapter would be BEYOND ridiculously long (this chapter right here is about 13k words, and chapter 10 is looking to be longer).

Anyway, let me know what your favorite parts were, what you're hoping to see in the final chapter, and all that jazz. And look forward to the grand conclusion! (And eventually, the second book. :3 )

Catch you on the flip side~ ))

[wouldpollyapprove]

You Love Me?

Summary: After Tommy accuses her of trying to take Grace’s place as Charlie’s mother, Y/n leaves the house, trying to forget the words he said to her. Running from her problems, Y/n decided to drink the night away and face her problems in the morning.

Request: 13 angst and 2 humor for Tommy as well please? I like your writing a lot!

Requested by @jenepleurepasbaby

Thomas Shelby x Reader

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: language, alcohol, drugs

A/N: This is probabaly trash and after editing it, I could have done so much more with it but I’m lazy. And I know that I said I was taking a break this week, but I spent all day working on a lab write up and needed to write something I actually enjoy, so this is it. It sucks, but I don’t care. Oh, requests are open and I will be editing my fandoms list so, yeah.

Masterlist

“I think you need to take a break, Tommy.” Y/n stood behind him, looking over at the papers he was hunched over. She ran her hands over his tense shoulders and decided to rub out the knots. “You’ve been at this for hours, how about you come join Charlie and I on our walk?”

A grumble was all she got in response before he through her hands off him. 

“Tommy, please. You deserve a break.” She was met with silence. Y/n huffed and walked in front of his desk. “If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for Charlie. He misses you. You spend all your time in your fucking office and none with him. He needs his father.” Her words finally caused the man to look up, but there was nothing but anger in his eyes.

“It’s a real shame nobody asked for your opinion,” Tommy stated. Leaning back in his chair, daggers for eyes stared back at Y/n. “How would you know what my boy needs, hm? Your not his mother, now are you?” 

The questions stung, causing cracks in her heart. Y/n never tried to be Charlie’s mother. All she ever wanted to be was someone the boy could come to in a time of need. Someone to support him and love him, but never his mother. She could never do that.

“All you are is my fucking whore! Nothing more, nothing less! Now fuck off, will ya?”

He didn’t have to ask her twice as Y/n ran out of the room, tears pooling in her eyes. She wanted to blame it all on stress from work, but how could she believe that when the words cut her so deeply. She had always thought of herself as more than just his whore, accepting the fact that he wasn’t quite ready for marriage. 

But he loved her.

Tommy loved her, that’s what she once knew. Now, dodging furniture and maids, with tears in her eyes, she was uncertain. Finally, upon the room she shared with Tommy, she quickly opened the door and shut it behind her. Sliding down the door, once she hit the floor, tears spilled out like a raging river. Sobs echoes through the room as she pulled her knees to her chest. 

Was she no more than a whore to him? Was she wasting her life on a man who would never want her? Questions as such ran wild through her brain, no answer in sight. How was she to know Tommy’s intentions when he never gave away much. 

“It’s alright,” Y/n whispered to herself, her head resting against her knee. Her eyes roamed the room, trying to grasp onto something, anything that could distract her. Then, out of the corner of her eye, the sun hit glittering fabric from the wardrobe. Wiping her tears, she pushed herself off the door and trudged over to the wardrobe. The door creaked as she pulled out the fabric, a glittering blue dress that Tommy had bought her. It was beautiful in the light, sparkling like a crystal ball, tragic that it had never been worn. 

Upon seeing the dress, an idea popped into her head. She wouldn’t spend all day crying over a fucking man, she would having more fun than that.

*~~*~~*

A smile broke out across her face as the band played a new song. “I fucking love this color,” Y/n ran her finger over the bar.

Her friend, Beth, giggled a reaction from one too many cocktails. “Yeah,” she drawled. “It’s… lovely.”

Y/n let out a sigh and leaned her head on the counter. She was unclear what time it was, vision hazy from the alcohol, but it was getting late, the sun setting outside. “We should go dancing!” she declared, raising her head up a little to fast.

Beth nodded, “We should. We…” Her sentence dropped off as a pair of men walked through the door. A nudge from Y/n brought her attention back to what she was saying. “We haven’t done that… in ages.”

Y/n slide off the barstool after chugging the last of her drink. She then grabbed her friend by the elbow and dragged her out of the pub. They were in the wealthy part of Birmingham, the part that wasn’t covered in dirt and death. People from this part of town didn’t die falling into machinery or from soot coating their lungs. These people usually died from consuming too much alcohol or drugs or in their sleep at the age of 85. Being in that part of town also meant that Y/n could do whatever the fuck she wanted.

No longer in Small Heath, she needn’t worry about the rage of Thomas Shelby. There weren’t Peaky Blinders or members of the Shelby family around every corner. There was no one to tell her to go home or to bite back the tears and leave Tommy alone. She was finally free. Free from the filth, from the looks, from the whispers that came from being with a dangerous man. 

For the first time in what felt like ages, Y/n like the person she used to be. 

The pair ented a club, one Y/n knew would give them the high they were seeking. Drugs were strewn on tables like leftovers and alcohol was soaking everything from the walls to the tables. If you wanted to forget something, it seemed, this was the place to go.

Dodging people too drunk to stand, Y/n made her way to the dance floor, Beth right behind her. Once in the middle of the floor, she couldn’t help but start dancing, grabbing a random person to dance with her. “I fucking love this!”

“Me too!” her friend shouted above the music. 

The danced for a long while, opting to dance with each other rather than the men around them. It was more fun that away, being able to express themselves with no other intentions but enjoying themselves. Both women were tired of being chased after by men to only become sex toys in their eyes. 

“I dumped Jack!” Beth yelled, throwing her arms in the air to the beat of the music. 

Y/n laughed, “About fuckin’ time! You should’ve dumped him ages ago!” The music picked up, much faster than it was before, causing her to let out a squeal as she started jumping around. “I love Tommy!”

Beth stopped dancing and grabbed Y/n’s arm, pulling her close. “You what?” Her friend said something, but even with their proximity to each other, Beth was unable to hear her. She pulled the two over to the edge of the dance floor until she spotted a table for them to sit at. “You what?” she repeated.

A little out of breath, Y/n rested her elbows against the table. “I love him, Beth. I love Tommy.” A waitress came over a collected their orders before she could continue. Once the woman was out of earshot, she said, “But I don’t think… I don’t know if he loves me.”

Beth huffed and leaned back in her chair. “Men are arseholes.”

“Yeah, yeah, they are.”

After a few drinks later and many tears, the two stumbled out of the club. Y/n didn’t want to go home and face Tommy, who she knew would be angry, instead, Beth insisted she stay with her. So, the two stumbled and giggled the whole way to her apartment, going on and on about how the needed to go back to that club. 

“I want a ham sandwich,” Beth muttered from where she laid on the couch. 

“Me too,” Y/n agreed, lying on the floor, before falling asleep.

*~~*~~*

The next morning, Beth and Y/n woke up, heads pounding, and made ham sandwiches before Y/n decided to leave. She didn’t want to impose and found it best to figure out her next moves on her own. 

On the streets of Birmingham, she walked all the way to Small Heath, watching the large shops and fancy restaurants change into dirty brick houses and factories. The closer she was to the Small Heath, the less she knew. All she knew was that her head felt like it had been smashed in and her feet ached from the long walk and all the dancing she had done the night before. There was no way she was ready to face her problems. 

Before she could compose herself, Y/n saw Polly walking down the street. The woman had yet to see her and Y/n wanted to keep it that way. With her head to the ground, she quickened her pace and prayed she wouldn’t be seen. God obviously wasn’t listening as Polly called over to her.

“Y/n.” The woman walked over to her. With a smile, Y/n lifted her eyes from the pavement, ashamed that she had to be seen with makeup running down her face, unruly hair, and yesterday’s clothes. “What happened to you?”

Where was she to start? “Um, it’s a long story…”

“Does this have something to do with Tommy?” A nod confirmed her suspicions causing her to swear under her breath. Her nephews only knew two things: how to run women off and how to chose the wrong ones. “Let’s get you cleaned up,” her voice was gentle as she led Y/n to her house.

Y/n did nothing as Polly helped her clean up, wiping the makeup off her cheeks and comb the rats out of her hair. She sat there, blank face, and let her thoughts run wild. All her worries from the day before had vanished, no longer holding the weight they once did. She was at the point where she believed that what happened, happened. Whether fate was real or not was not up for debate, it didn’t matter. Life played out in odd ways and if things got better than they got better. If they didn’t then she would deal with it when that happened. 

“Polly, why weren’t you at the meeting?” Tommy’s voice boomed through the house. 

“Fuck,” Polly muttered, having forgotten the meeting as soon as she’d seen Y/n. “I was busy,” she replied from the kitchen, where she sat next to Y/n at the table.

“What could be-” His sentence faltered when he entered the kitchen and saw Y/n. She was cleaned up, but it wasn’t hard for him to see she was exhausted. “You’re here.”

“I was going to go back home, but then I remembered that you lived there too,” she said, eyes trained on the cup of tea that sat in front of her. 

A sigh escaped his lips, he knew he fucked up. Even before Y/n had left his office the day before, he knew. The harsh words that left his lips weren’t meant to meet the air. He was stressed and angry with work and should’ve never taken his frustrations out on Y/n. 

Polly excused herself upon seeing the tension between the room but didn’t leave until she made it clear that Tommy had to fix what he’d done. Y/n was one of the only good things in his life and she’d be damned if he messed that up. 

“I’m sorry for what I said.”

Y/n snorted. “Then why’d you say it?”

Closing the distance, Tommy strode over to the table, taking a seat next to her. He grasped her hand, relieved when she didn’t pull it away. “I should have listened to you, love. You and Charlie deserve better. And I know you do your best to respect Grace and I shouldn’t have said otherwise. You love Charlie like he’s your own and you don’t have to. You don’t even have to fucking like him, but you love my boy. And you love me even after knowing what I’ve done.”

Y/n gave him a small smile. “You love me?”

He rolled his eyes, “Is that all you got from that?”

“No.” She grabbed him by the collar, pulling him closer. “That’s just my favorite part.” She pulled him into a kiss.

*~~*~~*

@amirahiddleston @haphazardhufflepuff @woahitslucyylu @mzcrazy2 @lovemissyhoneybee @multi-fandom-iimagines @tarafaithe @jenepleurepasbaby @fernweh-fangirl @the-anxious-youth @theshelbyclan @wtfdanness @chloeforde @futuristicslimemongerbanana @lucillethings @captivatedbycillianmurphy

[misscorn]

Day 5

Favorite Couple

Surprise, surprise my favorite couple is Ritsu and Masamune LMAO so let's keep the nostalgia going @sihjrweek (again if you haven't then read my previous entries for context ❤)

***

"I won't be able to hang out after school tomorrow." Ritsu said, currently dressing and desperately wishing that his Senpai would STOP staring at him. However, Saga was perfectly content to stay naked under his covers and watch Ritsu put on his clothes. Of course, the older teen would've preferred that Ritsu keep them off and spend the night, but it was a school night and Ritsu's mother wouldn't allow it.

"Why not?" Saga asked, sitting up. It had been almost two weeks since White Day, the jar of stars on Saga's nightstand, some of them obviously unfolded and refolded. Although Saga was still understandably irked about his boyfriend having a literal fiancée (even if Ritsu insisted she wasn't one) he spent as much time with Ritsu as he possibly could. That included hanging out in the library after class every day. Maybe Saga was becoming a little clingy or needy, but he didn't care.

"My parents want to spend the day with me tomorrow since it's my birthday." Ritsu shrugged. He had finished dressing and now he had moved on to trying to fix his hair.

"Tomorrow's your birthday? Why didn't you tell me it was coming up?!" Saga asked. He had no time to plan anything! He had no present, no cake, no way to celebrate!

"Honestly, I sort of forgot my birthday was coming up until my mom said something yesterday. It's not really something I ever think about." Ritsu said, not seeing what the big deal was.

Saga huffed. "Well, start thinking about it, moron. I want to do something with you for your birthday." He said. "Let's celebrate over the weekend."

Ritsu blushed, flattered by the unexpected offer. "W-We don't have to do something, Senpai. I'm happy just seeing you." He said.

Crap, why did he have to say such cute shit like that? It made Saga want to yank him right back into bed and kiss him breathless.

"You see me almost everyday. I wanna do something more special than that." Saga said. He didn't like that it wouldn't be on Ritsu's actual birthday, but at least it gave him a little more time to prepare. He watched as Ritsu opened his mouth to protest. "Please?" Saga spoke softly before the brunette even got the chance.

"O-O-Okay." Ritsu agreed, a little caught off guard by the gentle 'please'.

"Come over on Saturday. You can spend the night."

Ritsu nodded. "I'll see you Saturday then." He said, trying not to think too deeply about what 'spending the night' would hold, otherwise he'd become a flustered mess.

"Wait, c'mere." Saga said after Ritsu grabbed his bag, clearly ready to leave.

Ritsu shuffled closer to the bed and Saga grabbed his hand before pulling him down to give him one last kiss. "Love you."

Ritsu predictably turned cherry red. "Y-you can't just sneak attack me like that!"

"What about that was sneaky?"

"Y-You know what I mean!" Ritsu quickly tried to put distance between them, but Saga held his hand tightly.

"Say it back."

"S-S-Stop teasing me!" Ritsu was not at all used to hearing Saga say the L word yet. It also seemed like every day Saga was becoming more affectionate. Not that Ritsu disliked it! Quite the opposite in fact! His poor heart just couldn't take it.

"Not letting you go till you say it." Saga said, leaving a few kisses on Ritsu's hand. Maybe if he embarrassed Ritsu enough he'd get the response he was looking for.

Ritsu's knees almost gave out from such a simple, but intimate action. "I-I can b-barely talk at all when y-you do things like that!"

'Damn it. I really don't want him to leave.' Saga thought. "You're sure you can't spend the night tonight?" He asked.

"My mother would kill me for even thinking about it." Ritsu said.

Saga sighed and flopped on to his back, still holding Ritsu's hand. "Fiiiiine."

"So...you have to let me go..." Ritsu reminded him, half-trying to wiggle his way out of his grip.

"You have to say it back first." Saga said.

"I-I love you too."

Saga, although he didn't want to, released Ritsu's hand. "See you Saturday. Around 12 sound good? We can have lunch together."

Ritsu nodded in confirmation, deciding to be just a little bold and kiss Saga's cheek before running off quickly.

Shit, that brat! Doing something cute like that and running away before Saga could grab him.

'Saturday.' Saga reminded himself before groaning. 'Fuck, what am I even gonna do for Saturday?'

The next day Saga decided to skip the library at the end of classes since Ritsu wouldn't even be there. Plus, he needed to use his free time to try to find a present for him. He felt like a book was a safe bet, but that was also just way too obvious. Still, the bookstore wasn't a bad place to start.

Saga took his time looking through titles, eventually reaching for a book. His hand ended up meeting another and he pulled away, looking over to see who was trying to get the same novel.

Kohinata An.

Saga couldn't help but to frown. Why, why of all people did it have to be her? Ritsu had told Saga that An knew about them, which didn't bother the upperclassman, but he still didn't want to see her.

"Oh, hello, Saga Senpai." An said before giving a knowing smile. "You're here to shop for Richan too, aren't you?" She had been invited to by Youko Onodera to spend the day with them and Ritsu for his birthday, but she had politely declined. She knew it was just a way for Youko to try to set them up.

Saga tried not to look too terribly annoyed at the question. She was Ritsu's friend, of course she knew when his birthday was and of course she'd be getting him a present, but something about it still bothered him.

"Yeah." He answered.

"Richan's sooooo hard to shop for. Every year I try to keep an eye out for something he might like, but I always end up resorting to books." She laughed, but slowly lost her smile when Saga did not react. "Um, Saga Senpai, I..." She trailed off.

"What?" He asked, hoping she'd leave him alone soon.

An hesitated, wanting apologize for what happened on White Day, but instead she smiled and grabbed the book off the shelf. She held it out to him. "You should get Richan this book. He's been reading a lot more fantasy novels lately and I've heard a lot of good things about this one. He'll love it."

Saga slowly took the book out of her hands. "...thanks."

An nodded. "Oh and, one more thing." She said before making herself look as stern as she possibly could. "If you ever hurt Richan, you'll be sorry. So you better treat him right!"

Saga was a little dumbstruck by that, having expected some declaration of rivalry instead, so he only nodded.

Still, that was enough to satisfy An. "Good. Have a nice day, Senpai." She said before taking her leave.

Maybe this An girl wasn't too terrible...

Saga would still keep an eye on her, but he supposed she wasn't the conniving boyfriend stealing witch he suspected her of being.

He looked down at the book he was holding, deciding to get it along with a new horror novel release. Ritsu didn't seem like the type to like that kind of thing, but Saga had been proven wrong by Ritsu's extensive collection of horror books.

'He reads horror but not shoujo...make it make sense.' Saga shook his head at the thought, leaving the store after making his purchases. He stopped in a bakery, getting a small strawberry cake for the two of them to share before heading home to work on his last gift. He needed as much time as he could possibly get for that one.

Once Saturday came, Saga tried to hide how excited he was to celebrate with Ritsu. He felt like such an idiot being so happy over something like this. He hoped Ritsu was just as happy.

"You're sure this is where you wanna go for lunch? We can go anywhere you want, it'll be my treat." Saga said, the two of them entering Pandaway together.

"Y-You don't have to-"

"I want to." Saga interuppted, not letting Ritsu try to talk him out of here.

"I want to eat here." Ritsu assured him. "I like this place, it reminds me of our first d-date." He admitted before he looked at Saga nervously. "That...was a date, right?"

"What else would you call it?" Saga asked as the two of them got in line.

"I just wanted to make sure." Ritsu said, now embarrassed for asking.

Saga just hummed in response. Ritsu was always asking things like that, but Saga hoped he'd be able to quell these insecurities of his.

"Want me to order for you?" Saga asked.

"That's even more embarrassing than stumbling and stuttering over my order." Ritsu said. "Besides, I'm a little more prepared than I was the first time." He added, determined to redeem himself.

Saga held back a laugh and shrugged. "Alright, if you say so."

The two soon got to the front, Saga ordering first. Ritsu ordered afterward, only panicking one or two times when he hadn't heard the employee correctly, but he actually managed to get through the process without wanting to die. Saga paid for them both before Ritsu could even attempt to pay for himself.

The teens sat across from one another with their food, eating and talking casually.

"What did you end up doing with your parents for your birthday?" Saga asked before taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Oh, it was actually really cool! My dad set up for me to meet the author Sumi Ryouichi. When I stopped completely panicking I got to talk to him about his books, including one that's in the works right now." Ritsu said with a bright smile. "After that we went to some fancy dinner, which was nice, but not really my thing." He added with a laugh.

"How the hell did your dad set that up?" Saga asked. He knew Ritsu's parents were wealthy, but what sort of connections did they have?

"My dad's company publishes Sumi Sensei's novels."

"Your dad's what?"

Ritsu frowned and furrowed his eyebrows a little bit. Had they not talked about this before? "My dad's company, Onodera Publishing."

"Onodera?"

"Yeah...like...my name?" Ritsu didn't understand what was confusing about this.

"Onodera...not Oda?"

Ritsu paled. No. Nonononono, this wasn't really happening! "Did I not ever properly introduce myself to you?" Ritsu squeaked out.

"No. I knew your name from the library cards. Are you telling me your name isn't Oda Ritsu?" Saga asked. Well, this was probably the most random and creative way to make Saga feel like the worst boyfriend ever. He hadn't even known Ritsu's actual name!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Ritsu apologized quickly. "I-I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote down that name, I didn't want to seem like a stalker and write my real name, b-but now I realize that doesn't really make any sense." Ritsu put his face in his hands, wanting to hide forever.

"First a fiancée, now a fake name and you're suddenly an heir to a publishing company. You're not gonna tell me you're on the run from the cops next or anything like that, are you?"

"Of course not!" Ritsu hastily denied, not yet realizing that Saga was only teasing him. "I'm sorry, I swear I didn't hide this intentionally, I-"

"I know." Saga assured. He knew his boyfriend flip flopped between laser focused determination and totally scatterbrained, so he wasn't too mad about this. "But it would've been sort of funny if I still didn't know and found out after ten years or something." Saga said. That would've been quite a story.

"That would not be funny, that would be mortifying." Ritsu pouted.

Saga just chuckled and resisted the urge to reach over and ruffle his hair.

Once they finished eating and threw out their trash, Saga spoke up. "I was thinking we could go see the cherry blossom trees. If that's something you'd like."

Ritsu smiled. "I'd love to!" He said. "I love doing anything as long as it's with Senpai."

Saga held back the desire to frown. Why did Ritsu have to say cute things like that when he couldn't kiss him? He settled for reaching out and holding his hand.

"H-Hey!" Ritsu was quick to protest, but Saga held on.

"You can't just say something like that and not expect consequences." Saga said. "Come on, let's go." He walked, still holding Ritsu's hand.

Ritsu attempted to free himself a few more times, but to no avail, especially since him flailing his arm brought more attention than just the two of them holding hands.

Plus, not wanting to lose Ritsu among the other cherry blossom viewers was a good enough excuse to hold on to him. The crowd wasn't incredibly thick, but it was a pretty popular activity and it was a weekend as well, so there was a steady amount of visitors.

The flowers were in full bloom, painting the view a gentle shade of pink.

"I've never been cherry blossom viewing before." Saga admitted.

"Really?" Ritsu looked away from the flora, looking to his Senpai instead in surprise.

"Yeah. I'm glad I'm seeing them for the first time with you."

Ritsu turned as pinker than the petals around them. "W-Why do you always have to tease me?"

"I'm not teasing." Saga frowned a little. "I'm serious."

Ritsu looked away from him, unable to meet his eyes out of embarrassment. "Well...I-I'm glad you're with me too." He said softly, giving Saga's hand a slight squeeze.

Ba dump

Fuck, Saga didn't know if he'd ever be able to admit it out loud, but Ritsu was able to make his heart pound way too easily.

'I want to do this with him every year.' Saga thought. There was so much Saga wanted to do with Ritsu in general. He could only hope that he'd get the opportunity.

"Let's head back." Saga said after the two had been strolling together for a while. "I wanna kiss you and if I try to do that here you'll freak out."

Too late, Ritsu was already freaking out. "Y-Y-You can't just say something like that!"

Saga just shrugged. He was trying to be more open about his feelings, even if those feelings embarrassed the hell out of Ritsu.

"S-Seriously, it's like you're trying to kill me." Ritsu complained with a pout.

"Would love be such a bad way to die?"

Ack! The L word again!

"Yes!" Ritsu huffed.

Saga laughed.

Ritsu felt his entire body heat up. His Senpai...LAUGHED. He couldn't recall a time that he had heard his Senpai laugh before. He wanted to hear it more often, wanted to see him smile like that every day and be the reason for it.

"C-Come on, let's just go." Ritsu said quickly before he became overwhelmed with such thoughts.

Once they arrived back at the older teen's house, Saga took the opportunity to kiss Ritsu, just as he said he would.

"Sit. I'll get the cake and presents." Saga said after he pulled away.

Ritsu went to tell his Senpai that he shouldn't have gone through all that trouble, but he knew Saga would just insist that he had wanted to do this. So, instead Ritsu sat and said hello to Sorata, scratching under his chin. The cat curled up in his lap as Ritsu continued to give him attention.

Saga didn't take long, bringing the cake and presents into the living room. Sorata and Ritsu were definitely a cute sight together, making Saga smile a bit.

"Thank you so much for all this, Senpai." Ritsu said after they had cut the cake and he had opened his gifts. He was admittedly very exciting about his two new reads, even if that made him feel like a nerd. Plus, they were books that Senpai got for him, so that made them even more special.

"There's one more thing." Saga said. "It's in my room." He stood and left, heading up the stairs as Ritsu waited and distracted himself with keeping Sorata from eating the leftover cake.

Saga soon came back down, holding something behind his back. "So, I sort of stole your idea and I didn't have much time to get as good as you with the paper folding, but..." Saga brought a jar full of paper stars forward. They were pink like cherry blossom petals. He sat back down next to Ritsu as he spoke. "I noticed you still look so...shocked whenever I tell you I love you. Even now you're always saying stuff like 'we're dating right?' when I keep telling you how I feel. So, I thought that this might be a nice reminder. If you ever start doubting my feelings for you, you can read as many as it takes for you to stop doubting. This is real, Ritsu. What we have and what I feel for you is real and I don't want you to forget that." Saga said, handing the jar over. "These are only some of the reasons, though." He added, thinking there weren't nearly enough stars.

"Some?" Ritsu stared at the stars. This jar full was only some of the reasons Saga loved him? This couldn't be real.

"Well I couldn't fit all of them. I didn't have enough time." Saga said. "Because someone didn't tell me their birthday was coming up."

Ritsu just smiled. "Thank you." He said, excited to read all the little messages inside the stars, but he'd wait till he was alone so he didn't melt into a puddle right in front of Saga.

"Mm. Happy birthday. I love you."

"I love you too."

[k-llama-llama]

BBQ

Stray Kids AU: 10th member

Tori x Stray Kids

Tori bringing chaos to Chan’s home in Australia (before they were dating obviously)

A/N: Please check out my PATREON (patreon.com/kllamallama) for exclusive posts you can’t get anywhere else, as well as lots of other cool benefits!

Requests are OPEN and your feedback is still greatly appreciated!

Masterlist and other Follow Me links in bio!

“Thank you so much for the food, Mrs. Bang!” Tori smiled at the woman as she piled more food onto her plate.

“You guys deserved a nice meal, you’re working so hard.” Chan’s mother smiled. “And take some more of the ribs.”

Tori shook her head. Her plate was already covered in food, and it was seconds. “I’m technically supposed to be on a diet for the tour, but I’m cheating a little.”

She dropped two ribs on the plate anyways. “You can cheat a little bit more.”

Tori grinned. “Well I can’t argue with that.”

She hurried back to the table. The Australian weather agreed with her, and she was taking full advantage of her summer wardrobe. Though, she had to admit, the shorts and crop top were starting to get a bit chilly as the night settled in. She’d stolen Hyunjin’s flannel to keep out some of the chill.

She plopped herself down next to Jeongin, who had already demolished half of his second plate.

“Enjoying yourself?” She teased.

“So much!” He said with his mouth full. “The meat is so good.”

“I know, right?” Tori laughed, taking a bite of her ssam. “It’s so nice to have real food again.”

“I should get more.” He looked over to the food table. “Aw...there’s no more ribs.”

“Take mine, Jeonginnie.” She moved the two ribs to his plate, licking the sauce off of her fingers.

“But there yours.” He protested, but looked like he was seriously considering eating them.

Tori gestured to her plate. “I still have lots of food, and I’m starting to get full anyways.”

“THANKS!” He grabbed the first rip without hesitation. “You sure you don’t want the other one?”

“Nah, I’m already getting pudgy off of one meal.” She laughed.

Jeongin rolled his eyes, but still poked her stomach. “Pudge, pudge.”

Tori snorted. “Eat up, we have a busy day tomorrow.”

After dinner, they were all lounging around and struggling to accept the massive meal they’d just eaten. Tori decided to take the opportunity to go and get a glass of water. She wandered into the house, wiping her bare feet off on the mat. The kitchen was just down the hall, so she headed towards it.

“I don’t know what you want me to do!”

Chan’s voice carried from the kitchen, sounding a bit heated.

Tori, being a rational and well-adjusted adult, immediately hid around the corner.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” It was his mom, and Tori instantly sunk lower. Debating if she should sneak back out, she decided against it. If they saw her sneaking away, they’d know she’d been listening. And she didn’t want to be involved in any family drama.

“You’re the leader, Christopher, you’re supposed to look after your team!”

“MOM, it was two ribs!” Chan insisted. “She had two plates why are you mad at me because she decided she wasn’t hungry?”

Tori’s eyes widened. Maybe she was already involved in the family drama.

She heard a sigh, the type of sigh that instantly made her fear for Chan. “I told you that you had to be nice to her. She’s outnumbered and she told me she’s on a diet. Why is she on a diet?”

“We’re all on diets, Mom, we aren’t strict about it.” He tried to explain.

“I heard her tell Jeongin that she thought she was pudgy. Are you making her insecure?”

“She likes being pudgy.” Chan groaned. “She says it’s better for cuddling and hiding snacks.”

There was a very long stretch of silence. 

“Christopher.” His mother began. “Make sure she eats something.”

Tori heard footsteps and squeezed herself against the wall as Chan’s mom walked past. She heard rustling in the fridge, and then Chan stormed past.

She peeked into the kitchen, hurrying to get her glass of water before going back outside. Chan’s mom was preoccupied packing up all of the food, and Chan was nowhere to be seen.

“There you are.” 

She jinxed it.

“Hey.” She turned with an awkward smile. “Fancy meeting you here.”

He seemed blind to her awkwardness, and just plopped down on one of the picnic benches. She sat down next to him, taking a tentative sip of water.

“Something bothering you?” She asked, unsuccessful in her goal to sound nonchalant. 

“Urgh,” He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled something out, extending it to her.

She blinked. “A...dinner roll?”

“Technically...” He pulled out another one. “Two.”

Tori tilted her head. “Chan, you live here. I don’t think you need to hoard food.”

“It’s not for me.” He placed it on the table next to her. “Eat.”

“I’m ahh...not hungry, but thanks.” She took another sip of water.

“No choice.”

“But I ate a ton at dinner.” She whined.

“What if I pull the leader card?”

Tori shook her head.

“What if I tell you that if you don’t eat them I’ll be in a fight with my mom on one of the few times I get to see her?” He raised an eyebrow.

Tori sighed in defeat, grabbing one of the rolls of the table. “There’s fluff on it from your sweater.”

He brushed it off with a finger. “There you go.”

She took a bite, chewing on the bread. “I’m not supposed to eat carbs.”

“Don’t care.” He leaned back against the table as she ate. “My mom thinks I’m starving you so I have to prove her wrong.”

“If anything,” Tori squished the bread between her hands. “You overfeed me. You bought me two hot dogs yesterday.”

“Can you please go tell my mom that?” He smiled. “She was freaking out because you were giving food to Jeongin.”

“He’s a growing boy.” She finished the first roll and reached for the second. “And I really couldn’t eat another bite.”

“You seem to be doing okay right now.”

“Well, yeah.” She filled her cheeks with bread. “But I love bread.”

“You love food.” Chan corrected with a laugh. “And you’d better be prepared for a late night snack because she’s sending food back with us.”

“I was hoping we could get burgers.” She teased. 

Chan shook his head. “Pretty sure I have to send my mom a picture of you eating leftovers.”

“Ohh, can I wear my koala pyjamas?”

“You have koala pyjamas?”

“We went to the Australia Zoo today, of course I bought Koala pyjamas.” She wiped the crumbs off her hands. “They have a little hood with ears.”

“Really?” His eyes widened. “Then yes, you can wear your koala pyjamas.”

“Sweet.” Tori chewed on her cheek for a second. “Do you think you could build a house out of bread?”

“What?” Chan looked very confused. “We’re talking about how your diet is about to ruin my relationship with my mom and you want to know if you can make a house out of bread?”

“Yeah.” Tori nodded. “Not gingerbread. Like squishy bread.”

“Why would you want that?”

“Because I could run around and bounce into the walls.”

Chan held a hand up and felt her forehead. “I think you have heatstroke.”

Tori sighed. “My genius is too much for this group.”

Chan snorted. “So our next album is going to feature a song about a bread house?”

“Watch me.” Tori winked. “Also...I snooped through your fridge while your mom was giving a tour and I want one of those ice cream sandwiches.”

Chan gave her a cheeky grin. “Then let’s go.”

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

Californian Dream (Pt. 08 of 11)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 2.9 K

Summary: Being part of one of the richest families of California doesn't mean you're happy. Your life is boring, and you're surrounded by meaningless people and their meaningless talk. Even during Summer, with the break you have from college, there's nothing good going on. Nothing but the new pool guy, Billy, the most handsome man you ever saw. You were successfully avoiding him, not wanting to act like an idiot in front of the guy until Billy accepts to be your date for a fancy gala you're forced to attend. The night was going well, even better when he sneaked you out to go to the beach. But a gang of criminals breaks into the party, kidnapping the heirs to the wealthiest families, which includes you. So, for your safety, your parents want you to stay with Billy, living in his apartment until the criminals are caught. And that could take weeks, maybe even months.

Warnings: Light violence

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{Stranger Things Masterlist}

{Dacre Montgomery Masterlist}

×

Decisions

A low knock on the door wakes you up. Your cheeks are stained by dry tears, and your head hurts. It takes a while for you to even process who's knocking, but you don't want to talk to him. “Go away.”

“(Y/N), I'm sorry, alright? I shouldn't have said those things, I didn't mean any of that.” He sounds defeated, tired, sad. It's hard to hear him through the door, but still, the last thing you want is to look at him right now.

“You made everything crystal clear, Billy.” You mumble, pulling a second blanket over your body. “Don't worry, I'll be leaving tomorrow.”

“(Y/N), please, I...” You hear him sigh, and your heart hurts for him. Hugging your pillow, you stare at the darkness. “These guys, they... They said some things and... It reminded me of my father.”

“Your father?” You ask because Billy never spoke of him. He did mention a stepsister, Maxine, and her mother Susan, but never the father. You knew he had a reason for it, but you never wanted to push him into telling you something he didn't feel comfortable with.

“Yes. He was a damn devil. He was abusive, he hit me, and what those idiots said to me today... It was the same things Neil once did and everything just came back and I...” He makes a pause, and you slowly sit up, looking at the door, the piece of wood separating you from Billy. “I shouldn't have said those things to you, I'm sorry. It won't happen again, I promise. And I understand if you want to leave... But I just need you to know that I didn't mean any of that. You're nothing like those people. You're kind and honest and noble... You're... You're amazing, (Y/N), truly.” After some seconds, you listen as he walks away.

Your heart sinks at what he said. At the pain in his voice. And as much as you're hurt by his outburst, he did had a reason. Memories can be tough, they have the power to drag you back to the very moment they were created, and now, thinking about it, you did see a hint of sadness in Billy's eyes earlier, you just couldn't recognize it. So this is why he fled. He wasn't just running from a small town, he was running from living in hell to the place he felt like home.

Taking a deep breath, you stand up, leaving the blanket behind despite the cold air that makes you shiver. Slowly, you move to the door, trying to open it as quietly as you can. As soon as you're out, the low noise of the TV and a bluish light hits you.

Billy is seated on the couch, elbows on his knees, and his eyes on the floor. It takes a few seconds until he notices your presence, raising his eyes.

“I'm sorry your father was a dick.” You whisper, standing there, eyes locked with Billy. “And whatever those guys said, it isn't true. I don't know what it was, but it isn't true.” Making your way to the couch and sitting beside him, you notice the bruise on the apple of his cheek. “What's that?”

“He punched me and I punched back.” As he speaks, you touch his cheek, delicately. “It got me a warning from the company. If it happens again, I'm fired.”

“It happens again, you give me the name and address and I'll beat them up for you.” Leaning closer, you ignore his chuckle, placing a soft kiss on his bruise, but your lips barely touch his skin since you don't want to hurt him more than he's already hurt. “I mean it.” Then you start kissing him. His cheek, his jaw, the corner of his lips. “Don't you ever believe anything they say.” When you realize what you're doing, you pull away, blushing and looking down. “Well, you should go to sleep now. The bed is yours.”

Nodding, he hesitates a little before standing up. But when he does, he doesn't move. “You know... It's a double bed. We'd both fit there.” Billy reaches out his hand, and you look at it for a while, considering his idea before taking it.

“Yeah, it does.” Standing up, you walk with him back to the bedroom.

It happens silently, as if it had happened many times before. When you lie down, facing away from him, you both move at the same time. You search for his hand, to pull it over your waist, as he moves to do so. “Is it ok?”

“Yes.” You mutter, eyes already closed as you slowly sink into a peaceful sleep.

•

When the morning comes, you only notice because Billy starts moving. Groaning a little, and still very cold, you turn around, snuggling closer to his chest. “Don't go.” You beg, knowing it's still on the week days, which means Billy has to work. “You're so warm.” Taking a deep breath, you hook your leg around his waist, as if it could keep him from getting up.

“I have to go to work, but I'd stay if I had a choice.” He giggles, running a hand through your leg. “Funny, you're...” You feel his hand on your neck as he mutters something you don't understand. “That's not good.”

“What?” You whine, a little upset and embarrassed, since you just realize how your leg was around him, so you move it off.

“You're burning up.” Billy gets up suddenly, fixing the blankets around you. “I'll go get something from the drugstore to lower your fever.”

You didn't notice the fever. Well, you've been feeling cold, but you thought it was the air-conditioning. “No. I don't want you to be late because of me.” Pushing yourself up, you sit straight. “I can get it.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Billy...” Jumping to your feet, you walk fast until you reach him by the door. “It's just a fever. There's no reason for you to worry.” Shyly, you take his hand. “Just do your stuff and I can get some medicine later.”

“No. You've been complaining about being cold for a few days, it's bad enough you'll have to be alone here, I'll–”

“I'll be fine. I can call Stacy. Remember she said she has the week off? I will ask if she can stay with me.” It's not a big deal, and you don't understand why Billy is so worried about it. “Really, I'm alright.”

He takes a deep breath, a hand cupping your face, his thumb softly caressing your skin. Yesterday's fight is long forgotten now, for both of you. “Alright. But I'll be at the Whaylands today. Anything happens you call there, and ask to talk to me. Say it's an emergency or something like that, ok?”

You don't know the Whayland's number, but you just nod. “I'll be fine, don't worry.” Smiling, you tiptoe a little but give up halfway, blushing and looking away.

“You can kiss me if you want.” He smirks, bending a little to capture your lips. It takes no time until you react, but when you remember you have a fever, you push him away. “What?” He sounds confused, eyebrows furrowed.

“I might have a cold or something. I don't want you getting sick so...” Shrugging your shoulders, you feel a little brave. “But when I'm better, I wouldn't mind kissing you.”

“That's good to know.” He smirks. “Now, call Stacy and ask her to stay with you. I'll take a shower and get ready to work.”

“Alright.”

Despite him saying you don't have to, you make him breakfast, and a sandwich he can eat on the road. Stacy comes a couple of hours later and you take the pills she brought you. You like Stacy, and you feel free to be yourself around her, the rules you once followed completely left behind. So you're laughing out loud all day, even taking a walk on the beach after lunch. You can't wait to tell her and the others the truth. Your real name at least. They still call you Lily, and as far as they know, you've been crashing on Billy's until you find a place for yourself. But you do want to tell the truth, and you hope they'll understand why you had to lie. But now, that's a distant thought. Jimmy shows up at the end of the afternoon after Stacy calls him. And, with you both annoying him to death, he starts making dinner, which only makes you and Stacy boss him around with giggles and jokes.

“No, listen up now.” He says after putting the chicken in the oven. “Enough with bugging me, you two. I wanna know something.” Raising an eyebrow, he gestures at you, dramatically slamming his hands on the table, making you roll your eyes. “You and Billy.” He says. “What's going on?”

Feeling your cheeks burning up, you clear your throat, looking at your hands. “Nothing.”

“I didn't take you for a liar," Stacy says, crossing her arms.

“I'm not...” Taking a deep breath, you run a hand through your hair. “I'm not lying. There's nothing between Billy and I. Just... We just kissed a few times but–”

“I knew it!” Stacy exclaims, cutting you off and startling you a little. “Since that day at the party when we met.”

“Really?” Despite being a little shy, you do want to know whatever she thinks she knows.

“Billy had a lot of... Flings. But he never stood up for any of them. He never truly cared. So when he beat up Chad like that... I knew something was off.” She exchanges a glance with Jimmy, smirking.

“And, c'mon, the way he looks at you is so cute.” Jimmy makes a funny voice and you giggle. “He's really into you. And Billy was never into anyone.”

“Of course he was.” You exclaim.

“No, no,” Jimmy speaks up, shaking his head lightly. “He gets a girl he finds attractive when he's bored, that's one thing. Being into someone is completely different.” As the plays with the dishcloth, he takes a seat across from you. “And I did find it weird when he suddenly stopped showing up with a different girl every day, and now I know why.”

“I don't know... I mean, we're good now, but... It's nothing official, so...” Shrugging your shoulders, you look down, taking a deep breath. “But I'm happy the way things are now and who knows what may come next? I'll just take things slow.”

“You know what comes next.” Stacy chuckles. “Trust me, you'll two be dating in no time.”

“I bet,” Jimmy adds.

“Guys, just–” The door opening cuts you off, and you can't help but smile to see Billy. “Hey, you.”

“Hey, you.” He answers, glancing at the other two. “Hi, everyone else who doesn't live here.” Closing the door shut, he makes his way over you. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yup.” Nodding, you blush when he bends over to place a kiss on your lips.

“Good. I'll shower and... Something's burning.”

“Jimmy!” Both you and Stacy shout and the poor guy sets in motion, crouching in front of the oven.

“Please don't let Jimmy burn the kitchen to the ground,” Billy whispers on your ear before heading to the bathroom.

The chicken was burned, but Jimmy had the decency of taking those parts for himself. Other than that, he's quite a good cook. And this dinner is nothing like the formal meals you had back home. It's loud, filled with laughter and stupid jokes, that are no fun at all but make you laugh anyway. An hour later, after Jimmy went to the grocery store to buy chocolate bars for dessert, you're just seating at the table, fighting with Stacy for the last piece.

“Oh, listen up!” Jimmy raises his voice, making both you and Stacy quit arguing. And you decide to let her keep the bar. “I spoke to my grandfather's friend and... He'll give you a chance. So show up on Monday by nine and I'll start filling you up with everything you gotta know.”

“Oh my gosh, for real!?” You exclaim, a bright smile on your lips. “That's absolutely amazing. It'll be so fun working with you.” Standing up, you bend over the table a little to high-five Jimmy. “Great!”

“So... Will I have to ask?” Billy speaks up when you sit down again, staring at you.

“Well, I was waiting for an answer before telling you. Jimmy said something about a diving equipment store so I asked him to speak to the owner to get me a job.” Turning your body towards Billy, you smile. “And it seems like it's happening.”

“Are you sure you want an actual job?” He asks, and you know what he means. You never had a job before, and well, you don't understand much about diving stuff. But you want this. You want to have something to do, and you want to make some money too, despite the untouched bag of money you have.

“Yeah. Jimmy promised to teach me everything I need to know and he'll keep his promise or else nobody will ever hear of him again.” As you speak, you stare at Jimmy, lowering your voice.

“I'm not scared of you, Lily. But I'm scared of Billy so don't worry I'll keep the promise.” He winks at you, and you can tell he's bringing the Chad incident back again.

“You know what...” Stacy says, taking a dramatically deep breath and getting up. “It's a little late and I believe these two want some alone time so we should get going.”

“Agreed.” Jimmy quickly follows her lead. “Well, see you guys around.”

“Bye.” You mutter, already moving to the sink to do the dishes.

Billy joins and helps you, so it's done in only a couple of minutes. Then, you move to the couch, and you couldn't contain your happiness when you found Grease on TV, and somehow you managed to make Billy watch without complaining too much. At the beginning of the movie, you were seated normally, side by side, but as time went by, you started to move, closer and closer, until you're lying down, with Billy's chest pressed against your back in a spoon position. But the awkwardness faded soon enough, and you surrendered to the bliss of being held by him.

When the movie ended, you started singing along to the last song, trying to annoy Billy as much as you could. But up next is a horror movie, and of course, Billy is forcing you to watch it since he threw the remote control somewhere on the floor and won't let you get up to take it. But since it isn't very good, both of you started to lose interest.

“Hey...” He mutters. “Are you sure about this job thing? What if your father calls tomorrow saying this whole thing is over and you can go back home?”

“Uhm...” You weren't thinking about that. Actually, the life you're living now has easily become the only life you have. The rest feels more distant with every passing day. But the decision isn't hard to make. Now, you know what you want, and you will do what makes you happy. “I'd still show up on Monday. I want this job. I want to have a purpose in life, even if it's selling diving stuff.” Shrugging your shoulders, you furrow your eyebrows at a particularly disgusting scene.

“I don't think your parents would allow it,” Billy speaks low, and you feel as he moves the hair away from your neck, starting to run his fingers through the skin, so softly you barely feel it.

“To hell with me what my parents think.” His fingertips burn, but it makes you shiver at the same time. You can't help but close your eyes at the sensation, giggling a little when he touches a ticklish spot. “This feels nice.”

“Does it?”

You're about to answer when you feel his lips replacing his fingers, and breath gets caught in your throat. For a girl who had never truly kissed anyone before, this is a whole new level. “Oh...” You mutter, lightly elbowing him, mostly out of nervousness, when you feel his teeth on your skin. “Didn't take you for a biter, Hargrove.”

“Only if you ask.”

“Alright then...” Moving, you turn around until you're facing him, your lips chasing his as if it's a matter of life and death. And it kinda is. You felt like you were dead, suffocated by all the things you had to participate in, the friends you had to pretend to like, the formal meetings, the family business, the rules, and etiquette. Everything you didn't want to be. But when Billy came along, you felt like you were finally allowed to swim to the surface and breathe. Billy is real, he doesn't fake it. When he's angry, he's angry, and when he's sad, he's sad.

In a way, Billy brought back to life, down to Earth, and pulled you up among the clouds at the same time. Because that's where you are now, kissing him, for far too long maybe, with only a few pauses to catch a breath. It's addictive, inebriating, and you'd stay here forever if you could because nothing else matters. His hands run through your body, respectfully, never pushing you, never going too far. You'd never expect this from the Billy Gisele told you about.

“We should be together.” You let out once you break apart again, catching your breath. But you regret it because you might have ruined the moment... But you can't help but wonder how many girls Billy had, in the exact position you are now, making out, just so it'll all over the next day. And you don't want that. You want him, for more than just a couple of days... And yes, you failed. You are falling in love with Billy. Clearing your throat you shake your head. “I mean... I just thought...”

“Look at me.” With his index finger, he lifts your head so you're staring into his eyes again. “This won't ever be accepted by anyone in your circle. Parents, friends, relatives... You know that right? Nobody will support this relationship.”

“I don't need their support. I've been told what to do my whole life. What clothes to wear, what friends I should grow close to, what to major in... I'm tired of this shit, I want you.” It just comes out, too fast, and you don't even know what to say to cover it up. Because it's the truth. “California never felt like home to me until you came along. This... This place feels more like home than the house I grew up in.”

“I... I wish you could stay here.” Billy's voice it's so low it makes you wonder if you heard him right.

“Stay here as in... Mmm... Living here? Even after the gang is arrested?” Blushing, you decide to be brave and ask him. It's not like you could pretend you didn't hear it. And yes, living here sounds a lot better than going back to the house.

“Yeah.” He nods, taking a deep breath. “I can't give you a big ass garden, a pool or–”

“I'd trade all of that for kisses, so I think we'd be good.” Rolling your eyes, you cut him off, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, really?” In a fake menacing tone, Billy stars to move, trying to stay above you, but there's no enough couch and you start falling off.

“Billy, wait!” Laughing, you try to push him off. “I'm falling!”

“That's too bad.” Even though he doesn't stop and you do miss the couch completely, he manages to hold you by the waist, breaking your fall and instead, laying you softly on the floor before moving to hover above you, his body pressing yours against the cold ground.

Smiling, you wrap your arms around his neck. “You know I can–”

“Be my girlfriend.” Billy cuts you off, his face getting all serious suddenly. He's not joking.

“W-what?” It's not that you didn't get it, it's just that you can't believe. And, by the look on his face, he took that as a doubt. He's beginning to move away, but you grab a handful of his shirt, forcing him to stay where he is. “Yes.” You burst out, biting your lip. “I wanna be your girlfriend.”

The smile that comes to his lips is beautiful, breathtaking. Your favorite view in the world. “Good.” And with that, he leans down to kiss you again.

×

@multific @dontxfearxthereaper @nope-thanks @nikkixostan @shinydixon @clockworkballerina @infinitelycharmed23 @lilred91

[windscattered]

Previously

Delano wanted to vomit. He had a son. From that one night with Lieselotte, he had a son. He had been so careful with everyone else, but the one time… 

“Where’s Fang,” Delano finally ground out, voice scratching his throat like sandpaper.

Lieselotte looked confused. “Fang?”

“My dog. If you went to my apartment to bring my shit here, you brought my dog here too, right?”

Adriano raised his eyebrows and looked at Lieselotte, who was looking uncomfortable. “Oh, that beast… Is it so important to you that you have to have it here?”

Delano stared at her in disbelief. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing irreversible,” Lieselotte said hastily, her palms up. “It- she is just at an animal shelter.”

“You took her to a shelter? Without asking me?” Delano’s expression must have been scary, because Adriano’s eyes widened and Lieselotte looked downright alarmed.

“It’s- like I said, nothing irreversible! If she’s that important to you, I can have her brought here.”

“Then do that,” Delano said, struggling to keep his voice even. “She’s my friend. I need her.”

“Alright, sheesh,” Lieselotte said. “I need to make some phone calls. Make yourself at home, in the meantime, sweetie. Excuse me…” She left deeper into the house, leaving Adriano and Delano by themselves.

As soon as she was gone, Delano’s shoulders dropped and he rubbed his eyes with his good hand. God fucking damn. Fang, all alone, in a strange place…

Adriano cleared his throat, gaining Delano’s attention. “Are you… hungry?” he asked carefully.

After those bombshells? The last thing Delano wanted to do was to eat. With his son, no less. “Sure, whatever,” Delano said out loud, not sure why he had agreed.

Adriano nodded and walked back into the kitchen, followed by Delano. Delano made a beeline to the dining table and sat down with a heavy sigh.

“What breed is she?” Adriano asked as he busied himself at the fridge. “Fang, I mean.”

Delano rested his head on his hand. “Pitbull.”

“Oh?” Adriano brought some sandwich ingredients to the dining table. “No wonder mom took her to the shelter. She’s gonna hate having her here.” He grinned.

“She’s not rowdy or anything,” Delano said tiredly.

“Still,” Adriano said, still grinning. “She doesn’t like big dogs.”

Delano wasn’t sure how to feel about that. He was already taking space here, and with Fang, he’d be taking even more.

“I always wanted a dog,” Adriano said, starting to assemble a sandwich. “She always said that I’d be allowed a small dog.”

Delano finally looked up at him. “What breed did you want?”

Adriano shrugged. “I don’t know. Not a pomeranian or a chihuahua though. Like, maybe a medium size dog, but that was too big for her too.”

Delano nodded slowly. “Nothing wrong with small breeds, though,” he said.

“Of course, yeah,” Adriano said. “But the breeds mom allowed me were so… frou frou.”

“I get it,” Delano said, starting to awkwardly assemble his own sandwich with one hand.

“She’s so anal about the potential of dog hair on the furniture,” Adriano said with a frown. “Our couches are leather. Hair doesn’t stick to leather!” He sighed. “Uh, do you want me to make one for you?” he asked after he saw Delano struggle with butter.

“Please,” Delano said, passing the butterknife over to Adriano.

Adriano started to assemble Delano’s sandwich as a silence fell between them. Adriano drew a breath, as if to say something, but Lieselotte appeared into the kitchen.

“There you are,” she said, making Delano stiffen immediately. “My boys, already getting along.” She walked behind Delano and smoothed her hands on his shoulders. Delano’s throat closed up. “We’ll have Fang back first thing tomorrow.”

Adriano set a plate with a sandwich on it in front of Delano. Delano nodded a thanks to him, although he couldn’t eat. Not when Lieselotte’s hands were on him.

“We’ll need a doghouse for the yard,” Lieselotte mused, running her hands on Delano’s shoulders. “And a chain for her.”

“Is she allowed to be indoors?” Adriano asked, looking disappointed.

Lieselotte was quiet for a moment. Her hands moved to stroke Delano’s hair. Delano forced himself to not shudder. “If she behaves, doesn’t run around and ruin the floors and won’t do her business inside.”

“She knows how to behave,” Delano said, swallowing around a lump in his throat. “She’s housetrained.”

“That’s good,” Lieselotte chirped. “We just might get along after all.” She was quiet for a moment. “Oh, were you two eating? Are you hungry? I could cook up something.”

Delano swallowed involuntarily. “N-no thanks, the sandwich is enough,” he ground out.

Lieselotte hummed. “Alright. We can have a proper dinner later. All together as a family. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

Delano stared at the untouched sandwich in front of him. Nice… Sure.

***

“Do I have a room here?” Delano asked Lieselotte.

For a second Lieselotte looked surprised. “Oh, yes, a room! Of course!”

She lead him to a guest bedroom. “You can sleep here,” she said. “But, you know, you can also join me-”

“This room is fine,” Delano interrupted. “Thank you.”

Lieselotte looked disappointed, but said nothing. “Alright.”

Delano disappeared into the room and closed the door before Lieselotte could invite herself in. The room was… bare. As one might expect. There was a bed, a desk, a chair and a closet and some kind of painting on the wall, but that was about it. Delano didn’t mind. This was already more stuff than he had at his apartment.

There was a knock at the door and Lieselotte stepped in, carrying a big black trash bag. “Sorry about barging in again,” she said. “I just thought you might want to have your clothes here.” She walked to the bed and dropped the bag on it. “Here you go, honey. You should check that everything is in there, just in case.”

“Thanks,” Delano said. He started digging into the bag awkwardly with one hand.

Lieselotte watched him with a hand on her cheek. “Maybe I should help you.”

“Please,” Delano said. Even though he wanted nothing more than Lieselotte to leave him alone.

“Just sit back and relax,” Lieselotte said, letting her hand run down Delano’s back. “I’ll unpack your clothes, honey.”

Delano fought back a shudder and looked around the room. He now realized that the only place to lay down here was the bed. He’d be sleeping in a strange place, without Fang, on a bed. Delano swallowed. His throat felt tight.

“Good grief,” Lieselotte sighed, holding up a t-shirt with a small hole on it. “We need to get you some new clothes.”

Delano hummed as he sat down on the chair at the desk. His stomach twisted as he thought what kind of clothes she’d buy for him. Would she let him choose or would she choose for him, marking him as hers?

As Lieselotte unpacked the garbage bag, it finally sunk in that she really had stuffed all of Delano’s clothes in it. For a split-second, Delano was confused as to why, but then he remembered what Lieselotte had said back at the hospital. The exact word she had used was “move in”, right? Was he here permanently? The thought made Delano’s chest constrict in a nauseating way. He really was trapped here. Like a circus animal.

***

Somehow, Delano managed to sleep during the night. Not through the whole night, though. He slept in short bursts, each interrupted by a nightmare. He was, for once in his life, glad that morning came.

At six in the morning, Delano gave up on sleeping and slinked downstairs to the kitchen. He wondered if he could stomach food. Ever since he came to this house, he’s been inexplicably nauseous. He had to wonder if he was coming down with something.

Even though he still felt slightly sick, his stomach growled, making him remember that he hadn’t eaten since the sandwich Adriano had made him yesterday. He would have breakfast.

Delano got some eggs, cheese and ham from the fridge and brought them to the stove. The stove top gave him a pause. It was… so clean. Delano could see his face on it. Could he really cook on this? He’d drop something on it and make it dirty, he was sure.

After some hesitation, Delano grabbed a pan and turned the stove on. If he spilled something, he’d wipe it off. Simple. Delano cooked himself a thick omelette.

When the omelette was done, Delano started looking for a coffee machine. He did find one, but he was stumped as to how it worked. With some poking, Delano figured out how it worked and made himself a cup of coffee.

Delano sat down at the table and ate. The coffee was delicious. He’s never had coffee like it. Is this what rich people drank? Every day? Damn. 

After eating, Delano put his dishes away, cleaned the stove and stepped out of the kitchen. Now that everyone was asleep, this could be the perfect chance to explore the house.

Delano’s bare feet padded softly on the floor as he walked around in the silent house. During his exploration, he found the bathroom with a bathtub and a shower and some kind of weird room with elevated wooden seats (was that real wood? Damn, so fancy!) and some kind of device topped with decorative rocks in the corner. He found a living room and another room with comfortable couches and a fireplace, what looked like an office and the laundry room and some kind of storage area. Every single room was neatly organized and almost clinically clean. It made Delano wonder why a stray dog like him was even here.

Exploring and mapping the house now done, Delano returned to the living room. Something in there had caught his attention. One of the walls was completely made of glass. Behind the window and glass door, a yard opened. A real yard. With grass.

Delano let himself out to see it closer. Immediately behind the glass doors was a small deck, made from… was that real wood? It either felt like real wood or very convincing imitation wood. Delano hadn’t known that wood had a texture to it. He knelt down and felt it with his hand, the small ridges and the lines and the knots. So luxurious. Just for this area that you walk on. Mindblowing.

Of course there was some furniture on the deck too. A big umbrella, now closed, leant against the wall in a corner. Some of those soft chairs that you can lay back until they’re horizontal. A table and a grill.

But, behind the deck. The grass. Delano moved to the edge of the deck and paused. Didn’t he need shoes to walk on grass? He’d have to get them from the other side of the house though… Fuck it, he’d wipe his feet before he went back in.

Delano stepped onto the grass. It… wasn’t as soft as Delano had assumed. Grass leaves weren’t as soft as lettuce? Huh. Delano dug his toes deeper into it. It was slightly wet… Oh, was this morning dew? It was so clean! The morning dew Delano was used to in the lower levels was usually brown at best and sludge at worst. But this dew? You could drink this!

Delano walked on the grass, feeling his feet get wetter with each step. Fang would love this yard. There was enough space for her to run back and forth comfortably. Delano stepped from under the roofed area and the sky opened above him again.

Delano was struck breathless. The sky! It was orange! How? Wasn’t it supposed to be blue? No, wait. Sunrises and sunsets got different colours. That’s right. Such a shame the yard was opening to… whatever this direction was. Not the one the sun rose from. Maybe Delano would see the sunset, though… 

He ended up standing in the grass, staring up at the sky until it turned from orange to yellow to blue.

...Wait, he had to call his work. His day job, at the casino. And let them know he was on sick leave with a broken arm again.

Delano went back inside.

***

“Lucky Lady’s Casino, Jack Gonzales.”

“Hey, boss, it’s Delano,” Delano said.

“Sup, man,” Jack said. “Is your arm better?”

Delano paused. “How did you know about that?”

“Your girlfriend called me and let me know. She sent me the doctor’s note too.”

Delano’s blood froze. “She’s not my-”

“Whatever, man. Just hurry up and heal so you can get back to work,” Jack interrupted.

Delano deflated. “Okay.”

“Was that all?”

“Yeah,” Delano heard himself say. “I’ll let you know when I’ll be back.”

“Awesome. See you then.” Jack hung up without a bye.

Delano ended the call with a sinking feeling. The walls around him felt suffocating.

***

While waiting for Adriano and Lieselotte to wake up and Fang to arrive, Delano found that he really didn’t have anything to do. What did Delano even do with his life besides work?

Absently, Delano dug around the things that were brought from his apartment. He didn’t have much, but everything was here. Except Fang’s stuff, of course. Delano could only hope that Fang’s bed, leash, toys and bowls would come back with her.

… God, he missed her so fucking much. The second she got here wouldn’t be a goddamn second too soon.

Delano found the textbooks for his evening classes and started doing his homework, for a lack of anything else to do. He would have difficulties filling all the time he’d be trapped in this house…

After some time, there was a knock at the door. Lieselotte stepped in. “Delano?”

“Yeah?” Delano replied, standing up from the chair.

“I just got a call from the shelter,” Lieselotte said. “They’ve just sent someone to bring Fang here. They should arrive in around 45 minutes.”

Thank fucking god. “Okay. Good to know.”

Lieselotte gave him a look. “How long have you been awake?” she asked.

“What time is it?” Delano replied, grabbing his phone from his desk. Seven thirty. “Hour and a half.”

Lieselotte’s eyebrows rose. “You’re a morning person, huh,” she mused.

Delano shrugged. He wasn’t much of a “sleeping person” to begin with.

“Have you had breakfast yet?” Lieselotte asked.

“Yeah,” Delano said.

An expression flickered on Lieselotte’s face, but it disappeared quickly. “Good,” she said. “Good to hear.” She tilted her head. “What have you been doing for the time you were awake?”

“I checked out the yard,” Delano said. “Then I’ve been doing homework.”

Lieselotte looked surprised. “Homework?” she asked, stepping further into the room, curiously looking to the desk.

“Uh, yeah, I-” Delano fell silent. How could he explain to Lieselotte that he missed a lot of education in his teens when it was her fault? “I… I’m taking some evening classes.”

Lieselotte beamed. “Really? That’s great! What kind of classes are you taking?”

Delano brushed hair behind his ear, suddenly flustered. “Y-yeah, it’s nothing special. Just some math.”

“Oh? Are you good at math?” Lieselotte asked, stepping to the desk to take one of Delano’s books. She leafed through it. As she browsed through the book, her smile shrank as she saw that it was just high school level math.

Delano looked away from her. He couldn’t bear seeing the realization sink in.

Delano heard Lieselotte draw a breath. But before she could say anything, the doorbell rang downstairs, as if to save him.

“That must be the shelter people,” Lieselotte said, sounding cheerful again.

Delano’s chest felt warm. Fang. Finally.

The two made their way downstairs. Lieselotte made a beeline to the door, closely followed by Delano. As Lieselotte was just about to open the door, the doorbell rang again.

“Oh, sorry!” the person behind the door laughed. “I got impatient.”

“It’s fine,” Lieselotte laughed. “Thank you for-”

Delano stepped behind her, craning his neck to see if Fang was with the person. He could hear Fang’s nails click on the ground and her whine as she caught his scent.

Fang.

Delano fell to his knees as soon as he saw her straining against the leash the shelter worker had her in.

Fang.

She whined louder and barked, ecstatic to see Delano again. She strained against the leash so much that she rose up to her hind legs.

“You’re happy to be home, huh?” the shelter worker chuckled. “Can I let her go?”

“Of course,” Lieselotte said.

The shelter worker detached the leash from Fang’s collar and Fang leaped and ran to Delano and crashed into him.

Fang!

Delano hugged her close as she squirmed and whined, licking his face.

“It’s okay now,” Delano murmured. “It’s okay, baby, I got you now.” He was only vaguely aware of Lieselotte and the shelter worker talking to each other.

“Isn’t this lovely?” Lieselotte asked, closing the front door. “We’re back together again.” As if she ever was included in the “us” that was Delano and Fang.

“Yeah,” Delano said, still hugging Fang.

“We got her… uh. Dog stuff too,” Lieselotte said, lifting a small plastic bag. “You should check that everything is in there.”

After rooting through the plastic bag (with Fang’s help, of course), he confirmed that everything was in it. Fang’s bed, leash, her toys… And her bowls. Thank god. After confirming to Lieselotte that everything was in order, Delano took Fang to the yard.

As Delano had expected, Fang loved it. She rubbed her face on the grass and started rolling on it like she’s never experienced grass before. Delano watched her run around like a madman, filled with zest for life.

Delano heard the door open and close behind him. He turned to see Adriano step outside. “Is that Fang?” he asked, looking at Fang.

“Yup,” Delano said. “Fang!” Delano whistled, gaining Fang’s attention. He clapped his thigh and Fang trotted over, tail wagging rapidly.

“Fang, this is Adriano.”

Adriano knelt down to her, petting her head. Fang sniffed at his hand and licked it.

“She’s perfect,” Adriano said as he petted her. His voice broke a little.

Delano chuckled as Fang flopped over for belly rubs. “I’m glad you think so too.” He passed on a squeaky ball to Adriano.

As soon as Fang saw it, she flipped back to her paws, settling with her elbows on the ground. With a smile, Adriano threw the ball, and Fang bounced after it. She brought it back to Adriano, who then threw it again.

Adriano and Fang played fetch until she was so exhausted that she laid at Adriano’s feet, panting with her tongue out.

“I haven’t seen her run like that in a while,” Delano said with a grin.

“How does she regularly get exercise?” Adriano asked.

“On walks on the lower levels,” Delano replied, smile shrinking. “Sometimes I sneak to a dog park on the upper mid-level.”

Adriano hummed, smooshing Fang’s ears. He was quiet for a moment. “How much has mom…” He fell silent again. “What should I call you?”

Delano’s eyebrows rose, before they lowered back down in a frown. Being called “dad”... No. No thanks. “Just my name should be good,” he said.

Adriano nodded, relaxing a little. “Yeah, he said. I can do that.”

Delano frowned. “You don’t want to call me dad?” On one hand, it was a relief to him…

Adriano frowned down at the grass. “I- I don’t know how to say this,” he said.

Delano waited for him to find his words.

Finally, Adriano turned to face him. “Delano, I’m not your child. Mom adopted me when I was five.”

[dudeandduchess]

Cooking with Kyōjurō: Caramel Popcorn (Kyōjurō x F!S/O, Modern AU, SFW Scenario):

Summary: For once, Kyōjurō doesn’t fail at making something sweet— mostly because he didn’t want to disappoint his daughter. However, things didn’t turn out the way he expected; all because he managed to make the most perfect caramel popcorn ever. But then pandemonium happens all because of cat whiskers and permanent marker. Note: I don’t even know where I was going with this. 😂 But hope you bbys like this. Think of it as a premise to the food play smut we’ll have soon. 🍉🍉🍉 Word Count: 2,222

Warning: Mild Sexual Insinuation

***

“Papa, can I have some ice cream?”

Kyōjurō looked up from where he was setting up the popcorn machine on the kitchen counter, taping the last bit of cling film to the side of the hot air popper so that the popcorn wouldn’t spill every which way when he turned it on. “Did your mama make some ice cream?”

Ran nodded at that, not once looking up from where she was coloring a picture of a cartoon tanuki on her coloring book. She was so engrossed in getting the colors inside the lines that it took her a few seconds to answer her father. “Yes. She said that I should ask you to put it in the fancy ice cream machine.”

“Fancy ice cream machine?” His eyebrows furrowed in confusion at that, as he looked around the kitchen to find nothing remotely close to an ice cream machine on the counters.

He looked back at his daughter— whom looked even busier than she was a few seconds before— and looked down at his watch to check the time. And when he saw that it was close to four in the afternoon, he quickly got his phone from his back pocket and called his wife.

After all, it was time for family meal at the restaurant— so he was sure that she was going to answer; unless something urgent came up.

Not even three rings later, (Y/n) immediately picked up. “Hello?”

His wife’s voice sounded so soft and skeptic, as if she was expecting to hear some kind of horrible news from him— which he didn’t fault her for, since he hadn’t exactly been the most perfect of husbands.

The last time he called her during his day off, he had accidentally knocked over the entire bookshelf in his and (Y/n)’s home office. So, he guessed that she had the right to be nervous about his calls.

“Hey baby, how was pre-shift?” He asked, talking about the everyday meeting at three that touched upon the restaurant’s daily dynamics: namely sales, the menu, what parties are happening, and a few other things that had to do with running the business.

(Y/n) paused for a moment at his question, clearly gauging the level of panic in his tone— and answering calmly when she found no hint of fear or panic in his voice. “It was okay. We have a last-minute twenty-top tonight, but it’s nothing too bad. A hundred-thirty on the books for dinner service, and then four parties: a twenty-top at five, fifty-top canapé party at seven, another twenty-top at seven too, and then a thirty-top VIP party at eight.”

It seemed like a lot of people and things going on to the common person, but it was just another day in the life for Kyōjurō and his team. In fact, it was one of the lighter days of the week, which was why he decided to take the day off. Yesterday had been (Y/n)’s day off, since the babysitter called in at the last-minute to tell them that she was sick.

“But that’s not why you called, is it, Kyō?” The young woman asked with a tiny hint of teasing coloring her tone. She was still a bit tense, preparing herself to dash out of the restaurant and drive home at any second, but forced herself to calm down as she got some food from the family meal setup.

“How’d you know?”

“I’m not your wife for nothing, chef.” She answered with a snort, while sitting down next to one of the sous chefs and grinning at everyone at the table. “Why’d you call, though?”

Kyōjurō chuckled at that, mentally taking note to stop asking her how she always knew things before he said them; since there really was no way to explain how his wife knew him so well. “Ran was asking for ice cream and told me to put it in the fancy ice cream machine. Baby, we don’t have an ice cream machine.”

A peal of laughter bubbled free from (Y/n)’s lips at that, as she shook her head. “Oh, Ran-chan, so adorable. She was talking about the Pacojet. I left four quarts of vanilla ice cream in the freezer— the ones in the stainless-steel containers for the Pacojet. You just have to pop those onto the machine and give her two scoops.”

“Just two?” He asked, clearly affronted at the meagre amount that his wife wanted him to feed their little girl. “She deserves at least five.”

“Kyōjurō,” (Y/n) answered with a roll of her eyes. “You’re already making caramel popcorn for her. I don’t want Ran to get cavities because— knowing you— you also made her one of those sugar rush sandwiches of yours.”

She wasn’t wrong in that assumption, so all Kyōjurō could do was look down at his popcorn setup with a sheepishly pouty expression on his face.

“You’re making a pouty expression now, aren’t you? Because I’m right.”

“Well, you’re not wrong…”

“So, just two scoops of ice cream. Ran likes it when I rocher them; she thinks they look fancy.” (Y/n) giggled at that, remembering the time when she tried to teach her husband how to do a one-handed quenelle. It had been hellish on both of them, but had ended with her getting crème fraîche eaten out from between her legs.

The mere memory of it had her closing her legs together, as her toes curled within her Birkenstock clogs. Maybe it really was time for another baby, if that night was making her hotter than usual— after all, it was the night when Ran was made.

And it seemed that Kyōjurō was having the same thoughts too, since he had gone silent, before realizing that he hadn’t even said anything. Mentally, he made a note to discuss second baby plans with his wife. “A rocher, huh? That seems easy enough.”

It really wasn’t. He just didn’t want her to find out that he had gotten rusty over the years; as it had been five years since that night at his apartment.

“Riiiight,” (Y/n) answered with a quiet chuckle, not believing her husband’s too flippant answer one bit. “The kitchen better be spotless when I come back, Kyōjurō. And Ran should be spotless too.”

The young man scoffed at that, casting a furtive glance over at his daughter whom still had cat whiskers on her cheeks from when she’d asked him to draw on her face.

Unfortunately, he had used permanent marker to draw her cat features on; so, it really would be a pain to wash off before (Y/n) got home.

“Right, okay, baby. I love you, bye.” With that, he dropped the call and rubbed the back of his neck— trying to think of any possible solutions to get it off. “Ran, sugar plum, it’s time for a bath.”

“But papa, you said we were making caramel popcorn,” His daughter pouted up at him, seeming even more adorable when she made caramel sound like ‘cow-mall’ with her vocabulary.

“We are, but you have to wash off your whiskers first… before mama gets home.”

***

“No, no, papa. Mama doesn’t do it like this,” were the first words that (Y/n) heard when she entered she house. It was then followed by the silent crunches of something being chewed on, before muffled shuffling echoed within the otherwise silent home.

Kyōjurō was so confused, since he had made the caramel popcorn as how he knew his wife made it in the restaurant. It was perfect, if he could say so himself; more so because of the glucose syrup he’d added than anything else, but he had to give himself a pat on the back for not making a crystallized mess of sugar in the pot.

“But, Ran, this is caramel,” He protested softly, as he stirred the remainder of the caramel in his sauce pot. It was starting to get clumpy, so he turned to burner to the lowest heat setting, before turning back to his daughter.

Ran kept snacking on the warm popcorn that her father had set out to cool on the counter, licking her sticky fingers in the same manner that she’d seen Kyōjurō do one too many times. “Mama makes it different, papa.”

At that, (Y/n) stepped into the kitchen and had to muffle a scream when she saw the remains of marker on her daughter’s cheeks. Immediately, her gaze shot over to her husband, whom had blatantly looked away from her— and out the window— as he pretended to have seen something flit by in the night.

“What did you do?” She breathed out— struggling so hard to keep her voice even, as she cupped Ran’s cheeks in her hands and brushed her thumbs over the mildly faint whiskers on her cheeks.

“Papa made caramel popcorn!” The little girl declared happily, as if the pressing issue of her father having drawn on her face with permanent marker wasn’t a harebrained idea in the first place.

“I… can see that, sweetheart,” She answered as calmly as she could, and mouthed ‘we’ll talk about this later’ when she managed to catch her husband’s gaze.

Kyōjurō could only nod and sigh in defeat as he moved to stir his bubbling caramel. There went his chances of romancing his wife enough to get started on baby number two.

With a kiss to the top of Ran’s head, she walked over to her husband and had to stifle a smile when he turned to her— so he could press a kiss against her temple. When she looked down at the pot, however, she couldn’t help but let out a surprised ‘ooh’ when she saw the perfectly browned, and perfectly smooth caramel that Kyōjurō had made.

She looked at him then, quirking an eyebrow and saying, “This is perfect, baby. Did you really make this?”

The appalled expression that made its way onto the blond’s face was enough to make his distaste at her comment, but it immediately morphed into a pout when his wife wrapped an arm around his waist and laughed as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

“It really is perfect, baby.”

“Ran keeps saying that it’s not how you make it, but it’s how you make it at work,” Kyōjurō stirred the caramel once more, and let it drip down from the spoon in one smooth waterfall, which had (Y/n) suppressing a laugh at how he was mildly showing off to her.

However, she let him have his fun, since it was the first time that he’d managed to perfect something that even most pastry chefs had a hard time making. “Well, it is one of the best caramels I’ve ever seen…”

Kyōjurō noticeably puffed his chest up at that; making both (Y/n) and Ran share a look as well as slight grins.

“But I crystallize the caramel I make for Ran’s popcorn at home.”

“How do you even do that? I already put glucose syrup in it so it won’t do that.”

“Oh, you just have to pour more sugar in it now, and stir it really fast before it crystalizes into a huge clump.” With that, (Y/n) got some leftover sugar in a bowl and dumped it in the pot— motioning her husband to do as she’d told him, and watching the painfilled expression he sported, as his perfect caramel clumped together.

“I know, baby. It only hurts at first, you’ll get used to it the more you do it.” (Y/n) laughed, wrapping an arm around her husband’s waist once more… before letting her hand drift down and squeeze his right butt cheek.

Wide-eyed and clearly surprised, the blond turned to look at his wife to see her reaching over to eat a piece of popcorn from the batch he’d made earlier.

And when she looked up at him, she subtly licked her lips and winked at him; which had him thinking that maybe, just maybe, his attempts for baby number two weren’t put on hold yet.

That was, until Ran spoke up, “Mama, my face feels itchy.”

Both of them looked at their daughter at that, and he frantically raced over to lift her up into his arms— while (Y/n) turned the stove off and grabbed her car key from her pocket. “Kyōjurō, what did you wash her face with?”

“I… uh… the facial wash you use everyday.”

“That has witch hazel in it!”

He had no idea what witch hazel was, and what it did, but that was the last thing on his mind as he boarded the car that (Y/n) had just unlocked. In no more than a minute, (Y/n) had already locked the door to the house and had gotten in the driver’s seat— peeling out of the driveway in a move that would have had her cast as a good stunt double for the Fast and Furious movie franchise.

“Ran’s allergic to witch hazel!”

[velvetthunder1999]

Sweet Collision

1. The Photograph

Summary: When Liz gets a hold of some serious evidence against the infamous druglord, she is afraid and doesn’t know what to do. Will there be anyone, who will be able to help her?

Warnings: Occasional swearing

Word count: 2.7K

Javier Peña x Reader

Episodes

“Shit!” you said as you looked at the clock and realized that you were already late. “Fuck!”

You ran to the bathroom and brushed your teeth with incredible speed. You grabbed your bag, shoved a sandwich and a bottle of water in it, then you searched for a new pair of pants while hastily combing your hair with your shaky fingers. God, you could have killed for a cigarette.

Ignoring the mess in the living room and leaving behind an agressively ringing telephone, you ran out of the house, down the stairs and out to the street. Just then did you remember that your car had been towed away the night before. You grunted in frustration, then started running to the bus stop, checking your watch in every second. You turned right at the corner and made it just in time to be able to catch your breath before stepping on to the arriving vehicle.

Mondays were not your favourite, let’s just put it that way. You had been out the night before, saying - and drinking - goodbye to your sister, visiting from home. You looked up at the sky as though you could see her plane leaving for Seattle. You already missed her. All of a sudden you felt miserably alone.

There was no time to drown yourself in self-pity; you had to hurry to catch the next bus at the intersection of the mall. Trying to ignore your hammering headache, you found a seat and leaned against the window, resting your temple on the cool glass.

“Buenos dias,” you said twenty minutes later, arriving at the park. “Sorry, the bus was late.”

“They are ready for you,” said the director with a heavy accent, pointing at the two women in summer clothing, surrounded by the crew and their artificial lights. You nodded and stepped to the fountain, grabbing your camera from your bag.

Being a photographer was the best decision you had made in your life, and coming to Colombia was the second best. You loved your job and loved the country that you were able to work in. The culture, the people, the food and basically everything just drew you to itself, and you happily let it take you away. Sarah - your sister - didn’t understand. She said you’d have hundreds of places in the U.S. where you could work as a photographer. She said living here was dangerous, especially with everything that was going on all over the country. But you didn’t care. You loved it. You had only been here for a year and a half, but you felt like you never wanted to leave. Not without a good reason, anyway.

You were working in deep concentration, taking a break every now and then to wait for the models to change outfits. Now, as it was close to noon, more and more people started to gather around, just watching what you were doing, or sitting down onto benches, enjoying the sunlight. Children were playing, dogs were barking and you just couldn’t feel happier in that moment.

While the crew made some tidying touches on the models’ make up, you lifted your camera again and started taking pictures of the liveliness. You took a picture of the fountain with some birds drinking from its water, then turned around and took a quick shot of two kids playing swordfight with some sticks. You laughed to yourself and kept taking pictures; an old couple walking hand in hand, two men next to a car shaking hands, a dog sniffing something on the ground then running away, and a bald guy with kind smile handing out ice cream from a foodtruck.

“Take a break Liz, or you’ll exhaust yourself with all that work.”

Hearing the familiar voice, you turned around with a small smile on your lips.

“Danilo!” you laughed at the man. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“I’m not on duty today. I thought I’d take a walk,” he said, and pointed at the camera. “Anything good?”

“Just the usual,” you answered and nodded towards the models, who were almost ready. Danilo took one short look at them and snorted.

“Not the ideal beauty if you ask me.”

You raised and eyebrow.

“Why, what’s the ideal beauty for you?”

As soon as you asked the question, you regretted it. You had met Danilo the day you moved to Bogotá, and it was clear from the first moment that he fancied you. There had been some misunderstanding with your papers, so you had gone to the police station to clear up the case. That’s were you had seen each other for the first time. He had been working there for a time now, and since that day he asked you out several times. It always ended with you saying no. You didn’t know what it was, but you didn’t feel the same way towards him. You liked him, but not romantically. He was a nice friend.

“I’m just saying…” he continued, half jokingly, “…that I know a very nice restaurant around the corner. Maybe we could —”

“I’m sorry,” you said, casting down your eyes. “But I…”

“Don’t have the time?” he guessed. You could see that he was disappointed. You nodded, this time looking into his eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

He locked eyes with you for a moment, then something changed on his face and he was smiling again.

“Well, I guess I just have to wait for my time.”

You swallowed. You knew his time would never come. And you had told him that several times before.

“Yeah… Listen, I’ve got to go back to work,” you said, heading towards the returning models. “See you around, okay?”

Danilo nodded. He squeezed your shoulder, then waved goodbye with a smile.

“See you around, Liz.”

Then he left, his hands in his pockets.

——

At home you went over the negatives first, holding them in front of the window. Then, you put them in a little container and walked to a nearby shop to have them developed. You always liked to see the pictures before sending them in to the magazine; it just gave you certainty that you had done a great job.

After getting back to the house, you talked with Sarah on the phone, then tidied up the house a little bit before making some dinner. Then, you just sat on the couch and ate undercooked pasta while watching some soap opera on the TV. It was in Spanish, naturally. You groaned to yourself. All these months that you had spent here and you still didn’t learn Spanish. You knew basic words, but you just simply didn’t have the time to put more effort into it. You felt ashamed and switched the channel.

It was the evening news, and they were talking about a plane crash that happened not a long time ago. You sat in quiet, glued to the screen. They showed footage; the iron pieces of a plane. Clothes lying on the ground. Bodies. You couldn’t blink. The reporter was saying something else. You could only understand one thing of what she was saying: Pablo Escobar.

Then, the footage changed and two man was talking in a studio. At once, a mugshot-like picture of a young man appeared on the screen, with a text and an amount of money printed under his name. You didn’t need a translation to know that he was associated with the crimes happening in the country. He also seemed oddly familiar to you.

You turned off the TV and tried to get some sleep. Tomorrow you would get the photos and send the really nice ones to your boss. You yawned. You could only hope that he’d like them. Maybe then you’d be able to get a raise and buy a new couch. The old one was a bit lumpy…

You slept and dreamed about planes and models.

——

When you woke up in the morning, you were more tired than ever. You hadn’t slept well, and you couldn’t forget that man in the news, who was so familiar to you. You didn’t know how, and there was a chance that you didn’t even want to know. You just wanted to forget his face and live on.

After lunch you went to get the photographs and the negatives, then getting some snacks and turning on the TV again for some background noise, you started looking over your yesterday’s work. It was pretty good… well, it was actually great. You liked the colors and the background, and you liked the style of the dresses the women wore. After putting the best ones separately and sealing the envelope, you turned to the TV only to see the that mistery man again. You frowned and reached for the remote to turn it off, but something stopped you. They were showing now pictures of hundreds of white packages. Pure cocaine. Then they were showing a map, a certain area marked with red. You recognized the area as the park from yesterday. Then, they showed the same young man as yesterday.

Something hit you and you felt electricity coursing through your body. You jumped back to the table, hastily shuffling the remaining pictures around. Yes! You found it. It was a picture of the two men that you shot yesterday, while randomly taking pictures of your surroundings before Danilo showed up. They were there; two men, standing next to a blue car. The licence plate of the car was perfectly captured, and only now did you relize that what you had thought to be a handshake between the two men carried some deeper meaning. Their face was visible - one of them was the man shown in the news. He was the one that they were looking for.

Sitting in fearful silence, your whole apartment felt uneasy. What should you do? You didn’t know much about policework, but you knew that you have something very valuable in your hands. You quickly turned the picture facing down as if someone could see it from the street outside. You swallowed nervously. What should you do?

——

“I’m here to see Danilo López,” you said to the receptionist at the police station and hoped that you would be able to get things over with quickly. Your hand was shaking nervously and you were craving for cigarettes.

“Liz! What are you doing here?” Danilo’s face darkened as he saw your anxious expression. “Is everything okay?”

“I… I need to talk to you,” you said, quickly glancing around. “Can I talk to you?”

“Of course,” he nodded and luckily didn’t ask any more questions until he stepped into a small room with only one table. “So, what’s happening?”

“This,” you said and took a carefully wrapped envelope from your bag and handed it to him. He opened it and took a look at the picture. For a moment he stared at it, then frowned.

“What am I seeing, exactly?” he asked, eyebrows raised.

“Them. I saw them in the news. I mean, him,” you pointed at the man on the right. “And I’m sure he is the one that they’re looking for.”

“What makes you so certain?” he asked. It made you nervous, him not understanding what you just discovered. You gave out a shaky chuckle.

“Look at him! His face was all over the news. They showed pictures of cocaine and were talking about Escobar!” You fidgeted with the strap of your bag, then continued. “I think this is serious evidence. I think this other man should be investigated.”

You tried to sound determined, but you knew that Danilo could read the nervousness in your voice. He nodded.

“I agree. But why did you bring this to me? Why didn’t you show this to a captain?”

You stared at him, then glanced towards the doorway. You whispered.

“You said once that there are a lot of dirty cops.”

He stared back and you had no idea what was on his mind. Then, his face softened.

“You did right. Hey, Liz…” he gently grabbed your shoulder and made you turn to him again. “You did great. Don’t be afraid. I’ll make sure… I’ll make sure to get this to the right people.”

He looked at the picture again, but you were too scared to let it go out of your hands. You took it back with a sudden move, crinkling it a little in the middle.

“How about I’ll keep it safe? Just… Just until you’ll know exactly what to do with it.”

Danilo looked at you with some sort of caring in his eyes. He was thinking for a long time, then finally nodded.

“That’s also fine with me. But be careful. Don’t show this to anyone else, do you understand? No one.”

“Okay. I won’t.”

“Good,” he said, then took your arm and gently guided you towards the hallway. “I can come over tomorrow if you’d like. I might figure out something by then.”

“Sure,” you answered, but your stomach was in a knot. “Thanks, Danilo.”

“Anytime,” he said, squeezing your shoulder before letting you go.

You left the police station with great relief. When inside, you couldn’t shake the feeling that all eyes were on you. You didn’t like it. Outside was a bit better. You gently touched your bag, making sure that the envelope with the picture was there, then started walking on the street. You didn’t want to go home just yet; you wanted to walk off this tension in your body. And mostly, you wanted to think.

You liked Danilo and he was a good cop, but letting the picture out of your hands was out of the question. You had stached the negatives at home, hiding them under the cupboard in the living room, just in case. You were scared, and intimitated by the amount of power you suddenly had by this tiny photograph.

You were scared to use it. You knew how many were fighting against druglords and smugglers. And you knew that the fight against Escobar was still heavy. You were scared of what that picture might do to you. But you also felt shame when considered doing nothing with it.

And suddenly, you knew exactly what you needed to do.

——

Javier was not having a good day. Ever since the Avianca plane was bombed, the morale of the DEA was in serious decline. Gaviria was in constant danger, fires and vandalism was the daily routine of the country, and now the kidnapping of Colombia’s most famous reporter was the news that everyone was talking about. Javier took one long look at the board filled with names and pictures of Escobar’s suspected associates, then sighed to himself and closed his eyes for a moment. He was in serious need of some sleep. Or some alcohol.

There was a knock on the door and he looked up, the sudden brightness of the vibrant lightbulbs huring his eyes. There was a young man, Acosta standing there, peaking in the room.

“Agent Peña! There’s someone here for you,” he said in Spanish and Javier groaned.

“For me? Who is it?”

Acosta shook his head.

“She said she wants to talk to an agent. She won’t say why. She’s American.”

“Send Murphy.”

“Agent Murphy’s already left, sir.”

That son of a bitch.

“Where is she?”

“Delirio.”

Javier closed his eyes again and massaged the throbbing point in his temple.

“Fine. I’ll be right there.”

Acosta left and Javier was left alone with his board. He did not want to talk to any American. He was not interested in anything other than putting a bullet into each of the heads of the men on the board.

He stood up, grabbed his packet of cigarettes, then stepped out to the hallway. He headed for a tiny room which was kept up for especially cases like this. At the DEA they called it la oficina de delirio. The office of delusion. The name had stuck, because most of the time they would question people there who came in from the streets, claiming to have important information, then proceeding to tell a gossip that was the biggest bullshit the DEA had ever heard.

Javier stopped in front of the office and glanced through the window while placing a cigarette in his mouth. She was a nervous looking young woman, maybe in her late twenties. She was holding on to a small bag, squeezing it while staring at the table she was sitting at. Her right leg was shaking. Javier inhaled the smoke and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

“So…” he started out in English, locking eyes with the woman. “What do we have here?”

[moonstruckholland]

so i'm a sagittarius right, and some fanfic trope came up: coffee shop au. where this time, tom is the barista. and reader is a regular customer. how do you think it would entail? (thank youuuuu, darling💞)

A/N: Ahh! I’ve always wanted to do a coffeeshop au! I’m not super sure if it did this right, I hope you like it, honey! 💕 I kinda went a bit overboard 😅

Despite contrary belief, not every college student liked coffee

Well, at least you didn’t

Maybe you were a total weirdo but something about it just didn’t float your boat, preferring the taste of literally every other drink

Yet, somehow, you found yourself waiting in line at the Starbucks on your campus

Your favorite spot in the library was taken and seemingly so was just about every hang out place around

So, remembering how your friend had raved over a vanilla bean frappuccino, you figured it’d be a good day to try something new

You spent the few minutes waiting going over the weird names for the drink sizes, wondering who the hell decided to refer to a small drink as “tall”

You felt prepared when it was finally time for to order, until you saw the barista taking your order, all coherent thoughts leaving your brain

He had to be the prettiest guy you’d ever seen, brown curls just gently falling over his face, his chocolate colored eyes seemed to shine and gosh, his smile literally lit up the room

“What can I get for you, darling?”

Darling. One sentence and you practically in love with him already

“Um,” you blinked, trying to clear your head, “Could I get a small-I mean, tall? That’s the right one, right? I’m sorry, this is my first time coming here.”

The blood was rushing to your face as you stammered, sure you were making a fool out of yourself

“It’s alright, love, take your time,” he gave you a reassuring smile that brought butterflies to your stomach

“Okay, uh, can I get a tall vanilla bean frappuccino?”

“No problem, darling, and your name?”

“Oh, um, it’s y/n.”

He wrote your name down on the little plastic cup while you paid, handing you the receipt with another heart stopping smile.

When you got your drink about 10 minutes later (it was really crowded on this particular day) you weren’t sure if you liked which you liked more, the liquid vanilla ice cream or the cute boy who made it for you, but you did know you’d be back.

A few weeks later and Starbucks had become a huge part of your routine

What started off as once or twice a week became an almost daily occurrence

You’d get your vanilla bean and if you were lucky, see the pretty barista, who’s name you learned to be Tom, with the voice that made your knees weak

You couldn’t tell if he was just being polite, but as you showed up more and more, the more he talked to you

He would ask you about your day, make little jokes about you ordering the same thing everyday, if he was wiping down the tables around you he would ask about whatever assignment you were doing

You would happily respond and ask him questions back

That’s how you found out he was a theatre major with a soft spot for reading, despite never actually doing it and he had a deep hatred for math, specifically stats and anything related to it

Your conversations with him never went beyond the coffeeshop, you never asked for his social and he never asked for yours, but you didn’t mind, talking to him had become your favorite part of your day

If he ever wasn’t there, you’d be disappointed and in a slightly less cheery mood, though you’d always chalk it up to nothing, pretending Tom didn’t have as much as an effect on he actually did

Today happened to be one of those days

You were already upset after learning you failed the stats test you spent forever studying your ass off for, and all you wanted was to see his soft brown eyes and warm smile

When you didn’t see him there you almost left, considering leaving campus all together and just doing your studying at home

You decided against it and got your usual, hoping the sweet drink could lift your spirits

It did, just barely, a sigh escaping your lips as you sat at your usual table

You pushed away the thought of homework and pulled out the current book you were reading, figuring you deserved to treat yourself today

You were only a couple of pages in when you saw someone approach your table and heard a familiar voice shortly after

“Fancy seeing you here, darling.”

You’d be lying if you said your heart didn’t skip a beat

You looked up from your book, seeing Tom in front of you, his usual Starbucks apron replaced with a white t-shirt and a loose blue flannel on top, a one of the coffeeshop’s sandwich bags in his hand and his bookbag on his shoulder

“Oh, yeah, it’s not like I’m here everyday,” you smiled, feeling giddy.

“Everyday, huh? I don’t recall seeing you yesterday.”

You had to keep yourself from smiling at the fact he noticed you hadn’t come by

“I spent the day at the library with my head stuck in my stats book.”

“I have to admit, I was a little upset, I look forward to your visits.”

The breath was literally knocked out of you for a moment, your blood rushing to your face

“Well, um, you could join me right now if you’d like,” you stammered, motioning towards the chair in front of yours.

Tom smiled, taking a seat, “I’d love to.”

You were worried with it being the first time you could talk for more than 5 minutes, it would be awkward, but you found it easy talking to Tom

You ranted to him about your horrible test and listened to him describe his theatre classes, taking note of the way his eyes seemed to shine as he talked about the topic with such passion

You found out how funny he was, making you laugh probably more than anyone had before

Before you knew it, a little over an hour had passed and Tom checked his phone for the time with a frown

“I have to go, love, got class in 10 minutes.”

You wished more than anything he could stay, loving the extra time with him

You tried not to look sad as you smiled at him, telling him you hoped he had a good class

He stood up, picking up his bag with him, “I was thinking, maybe we could do this again sometime? Maybe on Friday night, around 7?”

If Tom wasn’t standing in front of you, you would’ve pinched yourself to make sure you weren’t dreaming

Tom, the cutest guy in the world, was asking you out

You reached into your bag, pulling out a piece of paper and a pencil, quickly writing your number on it

You handed it to him with a bright smile, practically glowing with excitement, “It’s a date.”