#with those thoughts in mind he switched from Will to El and decide to give the wrong person those flowers

[viviennehoang]

Guys. Since the birthday gate has now been confirmed by the Duffers, should we think of the flowers that Mike gave to El as a present in the airport scene when he reunited her in season 4??? What if those flowers weren’t something that Mike supposedly gave to El as a reunion gift? But it was something that Mike intended to give Will as a birthday gift at first, then completely forget about the idea later so he decided to give it to El instead (for the flowers were mostly yellow - the Will’s color)???? Don’t you guys feel strange about that???? Why gave El yellow flowers when she obviously had no history of liking this color before???

[sarcasticassian]

Robin, Chrissy, Vickie and Nancy are in a rock band, Robin sings, Chrissy and Vickie on guitar and bass and Nancy drums, Steve is their manager and Dustin, Steve’s little brother is their number one fan and tags along to gigs all the time, Mike is more reluctant but even he can admit his sister is kinda cool for being in an all girl rock band that slaps, Lucas is their best friend and so he comes along for the ride, holding back Dustin when he gets too enthusiastic and underfoot until he also gets too excited and they cause a small amount of chaos and Erica is an admirer of the band so she squeezes her way into events as well

Corroded Coffin are currently the world’s biggest new metal band, Jonathan is their actual manager but Max, Eddie’s little sister, likes to follow him around and tell him what she’d do instead, Will and El encourage her much to Jonathan’s dismay and Eddie’s delight, they’ve just dropped a killer album (Satanic Panic) and they’re organising a tour, Max suggests the rock band she’s always listening to and after checking out the discography Corroded Coffin agree it would be a good fit

Steve switches off his hearing aid before he tells the girls about CC reaching out because they’re all big fans and CC is a small influence on their work, Robin and Eddie share the same raspy vocal quality, and he was thankful he did because they all scream, he snarks that he’s assuming they’re up to be CC’s opener and he’ll get back to Jonathan

Max and Dustin connect on social media before the band’s get together and it’s the meeting of two of the most chaotic minds and they’re already causing trouble, I just want them to cause shenanigans and that leads to them deciding to parent trap several members of the bands and teams because then they’re forever intertwined and Dustin and Max can keep going to both of their concerts for free, Lucas thinks its a little manipulative, Mike and Will think it’s genius and El would just like to go to concerts and learn about girl power and fucking the patriarchy and Erica knows a lot about that

the adults don’t know they’re being moved around like chess pieces until it’s too late and then one day Steve sits up in bed, accidentally elbowing Eddie on his way up from where they were spooning, and he’s like those little shits they did this on purpose, it’s 3AM but he’s calling Dustin and making Eddie call Max so he has them both on the phone because he knows they did this only for the two fuckers to laugh and say they really only meant to get Vickie and Jeff together because the two of them had openly stated that they thought the other was cute, everybody else just fell into place after that so they can’t be punished but they’ll take the credit

Gareth and Argyle, who are both still happily single, neither ready to settle down, will take it to the grave that they helped the kids by passing on info about any crushes or hook ups with in the adult group, they just sip on their drinks that the kids money bought them because the information came at a price as well as their silence and enjoy the peace and quiet now that nobody is moaning about being in unrequited love or never getting laid

it went something like Vickie and Jeff started to date which made Chrissy realise Robin wasn’t in a secret relationship or pining after Vickie and Robin realised Chrissy was interested so they make a move on each other, Steve gives Robin some space to date Chrissy without him hanging around and ends up ferrying his brother to hangouts with Max who just happens to be getting dropped off by Eddie despite the fact that both of them can drive but Steve and Eddie make plans to hang out and they make it complicated because it’s them but eventually they get together properly and while all this was happening Nancy and Jonathan were slotting into place quietly but sweetly and it works and now the kids have four couples for the price of one and their favourite bends are gonna be able to collab forever

[sunflowerharrington]

I’m finally sending you my request!

I would probably want a fluffy to smutty Eddie x plus size reader fic. Based on “Do I wanna know?” By Arctic Monkeys.

Like her and Eddie are bffs and she has had a crush on him for what feels like forever, they tease each other and stuff but he never picks up the hints. The whole gang goes to the lake for a day and the reader is super nervous to show up in her swimsuit because she’s bigger and doesn’t want Eddie to think she’s gross. When he sees her he realizes the feelings he’s had for a very long time. They eventually go back to his place to change and they both end up confessing to each other. That’s just my idea but you can change it however you want to fit the song better if you like. 💕

Do I Wanna Know If This Feeling Flows Both Ways? - EM X PlusSize!GN!Reader

pairing: eddie munson x plus-size!gn!reader.

warnings: male masturbation, perv!eddie, friends to lovers, p in v sex, eddie’s wild thoughts, eddie’s pov, obsessions, borderline yandere!eddie, jealousy, anger, low self esteem, body issues, lack of self love, fluff and smut, mention of heather holloway and billy hargrove’s deaths, reader is wearing a bathing suit but this can be read as swim shorts too if you like, slight breeding kink (i think that’s it).

notes: i tried my best, babes, i really did. i don’t feel as though this is the best representation because i myself am not plus sized, so if this is bad i’m sorry, i just wanted to write this for you. poc friendly also :) enjoy! if you want you can listen to ‘do i wanna know’ by arctic monkeys!

side note: not proofread or edited, sorry if there’s spelling or grammar mistakes :( also, i couldn’t help myself from switching the pov and the crush to eddie, i hope you still like it baby!

word count: 1541

taglist: @jonathansonlysweetheart @steveslittlesunflower @thisishellfire @friendly-neighborhood-ghoul @hellfirehaley @fxllfaiiry @fleurfairie @liviawritesthings @myobmaya @thefreakofhawkins86 @lxvecakes @creneal @corrodedhawkins @wzrlds @sympathyforher @quickiesgirl @eddiebillysteve @taecube @eddies-bat (i hope i got everyone!) dm comment or ask me to be added or taken off for future updates! 🖤

There’s this story that brings you on the journey of young love. It’s like stepping out from a dark place and into the sun on a hot summer’s day, where the light is so bright and hot that your eyes ache and you’re blinded, where you panic, afraid you’ll never see the sun again. That’s what it was like when Eddie Munson fell in love. And he would always see the sun, as you were his sun, and he’d never let you go as long as you both lived.

He wanted you forever, he wanted to be yours forever. Whether that was as a friend, a best friend, or something more, he didn’t really mind. He just wanted you to stay in his life. Which was why on the day before you left for your vacation to California that you were going on with Chrissy, Robin, Nancy, Max, Erica and El, Eddie decided to ask the gang to meet him down by Lover’s Lake for a cool off from the hot sun. And everyone showed up, with Dustin complaining the entire time about the heat, with Steve telling him to stop whining.

Eddie loved their brotherly relationship, and he also loved the way Steve took in Max as one of his own without any questions, filling the big brother spot she never had. Eddie aspired to have that kind of relationship with someone, which is why he jumped at his first chance, taking Will under his wing, showing him the ins and outs of D&D and highschool romances—even though Eddie was never in a relationship before. But he swore by the fact that single people give better relationship advice than those in relationships… And he also helped Will figure out his feelings for Mike, so it was heartwarming to see that after Will confessed, Mike didn’t run away, he didn’t pull away. In fact, they got even closer.

Eddie wanted to be that close with you. And this “pool party” was the perfect way to do so. He even thought about fake-drowning so you’d save him, knowing you worked as a lifeguard at the swimming pool after Heather Holloway and Billy Hargrove went missing… Or so he thought. But Dustin and the others hadn’t told him the ins and outs of the Starcourt Tragedy just yet. They didn’t need to ruin his summer even more than you already had. You’d ruined him. You’d ruined Edward Wayne Munson, and you didn’t even know it. Standing on the wooden pathway around the edge of the lake next to Chrissy, ready to jump in, in your red lifeguard bathing suit—his favorite color, the reason why he hung out at the pool, just to see you in it, with your black bathing suit cover-up and your black and white flip flops—that he loved a lot.

But not as much as he loved you. Oh, he loved you so much. He’d do anything for you, including things from moving mountains to human sacrifice. You were his goddess, sent down from heaven to guide him through his highschool years, helping him to finally graduate in the summer of ‘86, and now helping him to finish his mechanics apprenticeship so he could get a job at the local garage. He hoped your car would break down a lot so he could fix it for you and impress you with his skilled fingers—while fixing your car, obviously, get your mind out of the gutter—instead of his swimming skills, or lack thereof.

He lay on his stomach next to Lucas, who’d been writing something down in a notebook, humming a Kate Bush song to himself. It sounded like Babooshka, and he had Max’s headphones on, so it must have been. Lucas was drawing a love heart with his and Max’s initials inside, and there was a poem beneath. As Eddie read the poem, his thoughts drifted back to you, the sound of your giggles filling his ears as Nancy splashed water at you and Steve playfully pulled you under the water with his arms… around… your… waist…

Fuck. No, this could not be happening. Eddie needed to be the one doing that. He needed to be the one with his hands around your waist, with his legs tangled with yours, with his hands around your— Woah, slow down there buddy.

Eddie rolled his eyes, he’d have to somehow slip away to sort out his growing erection somehow. Do you see what you do to him? He excused himself to the bathroom, stalking away from the group, into Reefer Rick’s cabin and into one of the rooms furthest away from where the group were situated. He sighed contentedly, working his balled fist over the shaft of his throbbing cock, the sensations of his hand squeezing over the sensitive nerves in his tip sending shivers of pleasure up his spine.

From where he was standing he had a clear view of you outside the window, the bathing suit hugging your full hips and your thick thighs he’d love to have his face between. He’d do anything for it. A small whimper left his throat as he fucked his fist faster, cursing your name under his breath, spreading his precum over the length of his dick.

“Fuck,” he mumbled under his breath, his hips bucking against his hand, whining and moaning as he kept his wide eyes full of undeniable lust on you. “Love fucking this pretty pussy, baby. My pretty pussy—fuck, baby, you’re so fucking tight, oh my God! Wanna have sex with you for real, sweetheart. Gonna cum in you again and again until you’re so full and round you look pregnant, baby—shit, fucking shit, oh shit— gonna- gonna make you mine.”

Eddie’s labored breathing turned into lewd gasps as his wrist flicking sped up, fucking himself through his high, his eyes squeezing shut, though the image of you bent over to pick up a bottle of sunscreen was still plastered in his mind. He wanted that image tatted on the inside of his eyelids.

His mouth dropped open and his thighs tensed, his chest rising and falling rapidly at the same time as his heavy breathing. One, two, three strokes until he let out a loud cry of your name, alerting you unbeknownst to him. He didn’t hear the door flinging open behind him as he came, thick ropes of cum dripping down his hand.

“Fuck, princess,” he chuckled. “Look at what your pretty ass made me do.”

He barely felt the arms wrapping around his waist until somebody rested their head against his back, against the area between his shoulder blades. His breath hitched in his chest when he recognized the color of nail polish you were wearing outside. You knew he only called you his princess, his sweetheart, his.

“Hi, Eds,” you murmured, your voice muffled against his skin, running your fingertips up and down his stomach, not realizing what had just happened, or just choosing to ignore it. “Had to come in for some shade, it’s too hot outside.”

“That’s because you were outside sweetheart. You’re gonna cause global warming,” he said, turning around after he’d shoved his softened dick back into his swim shorts, knowing that you hadn’t seen it because if you had, he knew his sweetheart would be freaking out. And he didn’t want that.

He wrapped his arms around your shoulders and pulled you close, discreetly sniffing your hair as he kissed the top of your forehead by your hairline. One thing Eddie didn’t know was how long it took Chrissy and Robin to convince you to go to the lake, practically dragging you out of your house and into Steve’s car. They promised nobody would think anything different of you, but that was so easy for them to say. Itty bitty bodies and tiny waists, but that’s not what Eddie liked. No, no. He loved your body the most.

He wanted to worship you as if you were a Goddess. Which you were, especially to him. He wanted to squeeze and kiss every inch of your body, and he wanted to suck hickeys into those deliciously curvy hips of yours and your neck. Oh, he wanted to cover your neck in hickeys, a few in the shape of an ‘E’ on the right side of your neck, and an ‘M’ on the left side of your neck. He wanted to mark you as his. And he wanted to do it now.

So that’s how he found himself on top of you as you whined beneath him, his shirt covering your body as he made sweet love to you, whispering words of affection to you as he chased both of your highs. He confessed he loved you as he came, seeing stars and angels dancing and fluttering around in his mind as thick ropes of cum landed on your breasts and stomach, seeping into his Black Sabbath shirt, joking that he’d never wash his sheets again after your cum began seeping into the sheets and the mattress.

You thought he was kidding, but he wasn’t, as you saw when you landed on the mattress after jumping back into the overworld after defeating Vecna in the Upside Down with your Eddie by your side.

feedback, likes, comments and reblogs are always appreciated! they let me know that you want me to keep writing!

[kylie-writes-stuff]

“wife”

pairing: corpse husband x reader (female)

words: 1,714

requested?: no (send some in tho pls :) )

plot/summary: felix invites his friend, y/n, to play among us when they need an extra player. her and corpse get along well

authors note: so this isnt that good and i know a lot of corpse fics use a similar plot. i just wanted to try to write for corpse. hopefully things i write for him in the future are better. let me know what you think tho! also i really wanted reader to be best friends with karl bc i love him sm. uh every swiggly line is like a small time skip. this was written late at night btw and i didnt take much time to go over it

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

You sat up from laying down when you heard your phone ring. You looked at the caller ID.

Felix.

"What's up Felix?" You ask with a small yawn.

"Aww, how sweet," You hear in the background.

You giggle and ask, "Is that Sean? Hi Sean!"

"Yeah, we're playing Among Us and need an extra player. You down?" Felix explained.

"Sure, just give me a few minutes. See you soon, whore"

"Bitc-" You hang up before he can finish.

You got up and turned off your TV, going to get ready. 

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You quickly tweet out that you're going live and say something on your insta story as well. You start your stream and slowly watch people flood in.

"Hey everyone! How are you guys doing?" You wave and smile, reading the chat.

"Everyone doing good, awesome! And i'm sorry to anyone having a bad day. I hope i can brighten it a bit!"

"Okay, sorry i didn't give you a further notice. I didn't even know i was gonna stream. Felix invited me to play Among Us so... here we are!"

You quickly join the discord and pull up the game, putting a cover over where the code goes.

"Hello?" You ask as you join the call. A chorus of greetings came your way.

"(Y/n)?"

"Karl!" You smile brightly.

Karl Jacobs was a good friend of yours. You would play on the Dream SMP sometimes. When you would, it would mostly be you being stupid with Karl and Alex, also known as Quackity. You were even a well know citizen of El Rapids.

"LET'S GOOOOO!" He yelled, making you laugh.

"Hey (Y/n), do you know everyone here?" Sean asks you.

"Um," You quickly scan through the names, "no, i don't think so."

You recognized names but you only personally knew Felix, Sean, Karl, and Ethan.

"Oh my god! Your voice is so cute!" Pokimane exclaims.

You giggle softly, "Thank you Poki!"

You're voice wasn't high pitched or anything like that, you just always spoke very softly and calmly. You were also a bit quiet.

Felix introduces you to those that you didn't know.

"There's one more person we're waiting for," He says.

While everyone waits, you and Karl run around each other's little characters and make jokes between yourselves. You mute yourself to read donations every once in a while.

You hear the discord chime, signaling that someone joined the call.

"WAIT CORPSE! DON'T SPEAK YET!" Felix yelled. "We have a new player. This is my friend (Y/n), say hi to her"

"Hello (Y/n)," Corpse said. You were taken aback by how deep his voice was but you didn't show it.

"Hi Corpse! Nice to meet you!" You said happily.

"Okay, how is she not freaking out?" Bretman said, making everyone laugh.

"Uh, (Y/n), do you mind letting me have black? It's cool if not.." Corpse asked gently.

"O-oh sure, no problem." You were usually black with the pink flamingo hat, but you ran over to the little computer and changed your color.

"Simp," Ethan mumbled, knowing you never switch from black.

"Thank you," He said, then the game started.

The word “Imposter” appeared on your screen in red, yours and Corpse's characters underneath.

As the game started, you thought no one could hear you so you spoke to your chat. "His voice was so deep, what the fuck? Holy shit that was hot, i'm gonna-"

"(Y/n)," Rae laughed, "You know we're playing proximity chat, right."

You blushed as you realized and said "Ha, anyways..." and ran to start faking tasks.

You ended up in electrical with Karl. "(Y/n)! My good friend, my buddy, you would never kill me right? Haha..." He said.

"Of course not, Karl! My good friend, my buddy. Why, I'm not even imposter," I said as i quickly dipped into the vent and back out, making him laugh.

I decided to show him because I knew Karl wouldn't say anything, and it's funny.

"Oh that's good then. Are you sure you're not imposter?"

"Mhm, pretty sure," You said, going back in. As you came out, Sykkuno walked in and froze.

"Uh, (Y/n)?"

"Fuck... Karl run! Go!" You said, Karl starting to leave. You walked closer and quickly killed Sykkuno then vented to security.

"That was close..." You told your chat.

You saw Corpse as you made your way around the map and walked into navigation.

"Hey, Corpse, how ya doing?"

"Ah you know, good. Just being crewmate and all."

You stifled a laugh, "Oh yeah I feel that, buddy."

"Yeah because there's no way that i'm imposter. No way i could be faking tasks and there's no possible way you could be the other imposter" He said quickly.

"For sure. Hypothetically speaking, though, if you were imposter, how many people would you have killed by now?"

"I would say probably around two."

"Interesting," You said right before a body was reported. It was Sykkuno's. Felix and Rae were also dead.

"WHAT!" Corpse yelled.

"Where was the body at?" Sean laughed.

"Uh I found it in electrical," Bretman said.

"I'm pretty sure Karl was in there earlier."

You calmly said, "It's not Karl, I was with him for most of the round."

"How do we know the two of you aren't imposters?" Sean asked.

"I was alone with him, he would have taken the chance to kill me."

"No, he's your best friend."

"He's also ruthless,"

"TRUE! SO TRUE!" Karl yelled.

"So skip?" Corpse asked.

Everyone agreed and the voting was skipped.

The next round, I spent with Ethan. He was pretending to be mad at me because Sean said Karl was my best friend.

"What happened to Blue Boi Buddies, huh?!" He exclaimed.

"Neither of our hair is even blue anymore!" You argued back.

You were in reactor with him when Corpse and Poki walked in. He hit the lights and you took it as a sign to double kill. He killed Poki, you killed Ethan, and the two of you made your way to electrical to help fix lights.

You and Corpse went the opposite direction of reactor after the lights were fixed, Karl going with you.

Poki's body was reported. That double kill only left you, Corpse, Sean, Karl and Bretman. You only needed two more kills.

"I still think it's Karl and (Y/n)," Sean said quickly.

"I was with (Y/n) the whole time," Corpse said, "In fact, I think it's you."

"That does make sense. Why so quick to accuse others, Sean?" You ask.

"It's not me!" He yelled.

"I actually agree with Corpse and (Y/n)," Bretman said.

"I was with you!"

We all voted for Sean, him voting for Karl. Sean was ejected.

When you load into spawn, you wait for the kill cool down and kill Bretman, saving Karl.

"Victory" appeared on your screen.

"God damn it!" Sean yelled.

"Good job, (Y/n)," Corpse said lowly.

You smiled, a slight blush on your cheeks, "You too Corpse."

"Their voices go together and they're a fuckin dream team? What have i done...," Felix sighed.

⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒

A few more games went by. Most of them you and Corpse spent together, whether you were both crewmates or if one of you was imposter.

You really enjoyed his company and you actually got along with him pretty well.

⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒

"(Y/n), before we get serious, I have one question to ask you." Corpse said as both of your characters stopped.

"What's that?" You giggled.

"Do you know Bingus?"

"Bingus? As in, our lord and savior, Bingus?"

You could hear the smile in his voice, "It's settled, you're my wife now."

This made both of you laugh and your chat go crazy.

⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒

Eventually, people had to start leaving. You said your goodbyes to everyone and left the discord call and the game.

You set stream to where it was just your face cam.

"Guys, what should we do now?"

You saw some people asking what time it was for you.

"It's 3 AM right now... I’m not tired though.” You had been streaming for a few hours; You never even noticed how late it got.

People in chat were yelling at you to go to sleep, making you chuckle.

“How about we do a quick QnA, then at 3:30 I go to bed. Deal?”

You watched as the chat filled with questions. They obviously seemed to like the idea.

“‘Who is your best friend? Karl or Ethan?’ Neither, Alex Quackity. Next question.” You answered quickly.

You laughed, “I’d like to clarify that that’s a joke, i love all my friends equally.”

You answered more questions. Some were from new viewers asking basic questions, some were about future streams and videos. 

“‘How do you feel about people shipping you and Corpse?’“ People are already shipping us?” You laughed, “I’ve said before that I’m okay with shipping, as long as the other person is too. I think it’s funny.”

You continued to read chat. “Wait, we’re trending?”

You checked Twitter and “#(your and corpse’s ship name)” was trending in the US.

You laughed as you scrolled through the tag, “Oh this is so funny.”

“Fanart already?! You guys are so talented!”

You read chat, looking for more questions. You saw people telling you that it’s 3:30.

“Okay fine, a deal’s a deal. I hope you all have, or had, a great day and I’ll see you guys later. Depending on what time it is for you, you should also get some sleep. Stay hydrated, love you!” You ended stream.

⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒⌒

You scrolled through Twitter as you laid in bed, liking fanart and dumb memes. Also replying to a few of your friends’ tweets.

karl :) @/KarlJacobs_

@/(your username) what the honk ?

*clip of you saying Quackity was your best friend*           

You liked the tweet and replied, “karl no,,, look away,,,”

You continued scrolling, feeling your eyes get droopy. Your eyes fell closed but quickly opened when your phone vibrated. It was a DM. 

From Corpse.

You two had followed each other earlier.

Corpse: hey (y/n), just wanted to say you’re really cool and i’d love to play again with you soon 

You smiled, a light blush spreading across your cheeks, and replied.

You: i’d love to, corpse

Corpse: ok, see you soon ‘wife’

You: back at ya, ‘husband”

Corpse: :)

You: :)

[ldyinblckmsk]

Always the extra, never the lead

Pairing: Bakugou Katsuki x F! Reader

Genre: Angst

Words: 1.8k

A/N: Hey, guys! I'm back hoho serving another angst (if you squint your eyes lol). I hope I broke your heart or makes you feel pain or sad coz that's what i wanna make you feel while you read my piece oftrash. This plot is plaguing mah mind. Also, the title sucks lolololol I can't think of anything argh!

Enjoy :)

It's funny how people cheer themselves up by thinking that they are the main character of their own story. You think that it's  ridiculous to give themselves a fake hope while the fact that the cycle of their story doesn't change anything. They'll never be the protagonist, no matter how hard they try to be one.

That's why you gave up, right. You settle yourself to be just a bystander, watching the main roles act their piece under the big spotlight. Watching the man you love entranced by the stare of the girl he likes. See, it's not you. Because, after all, as much as you wanted to be the Cinderella or Snow White or any other damnsel in distress, he'll never be the prince that will save you. You're just an extra.

Confess your profounding love to him? You already thought of it and considering the consequences of it, you're just a coward who didn't want to jeopardize the only relationship you had with him. You're fine with being his bestfriend. At least, you still have an excuse to be at his house until midnight just hanging out with him. You can still wear his hoodies  and imagine yourself acting like how the other girls did to their significant other.

That until she came.

He spent less time hanging out with you. He rarely even talks to you and ask if you're still breathing. As if all of a sudden, every memories you spent with him vanished like a bubble when the narrator introduced his leading lady. Of course, you were jealous, infuriating to be honest, she stole your man, the ash blond you were crushing since you laid your eyes on him. And the thing that makes you go insane is the fact that you don't have the right to be angry because he's not yours to claim.

The only thing you can do is sit there and let yourself drown in pain. Pretend that you're fine with the set-up and act normal. You didn't want to mess up the play, don't you?

Fine, my ass. You're not a masochist.

They're still not together, that means she's not his either.  They're still at the phase of knowing each other, so you still have a chance to confess. There's no way that they already fall in love with each other that fast.

Here you are in his room, laying comfortably on the silky sheets of his bed, staring at the ceiling. You just invite yourself to his house.

"Hey, dumbass! Are you even listening to me?" His voice snapped you out of trance. "I'm sorry. I got a lil dizzy for a sec. What were you saying?"

"You alright?" The hint of concern on his voice didn't go unnoticed by you and you just cherish this moment that way you always do. Your breath hitched when you felt his cold hands touch your forehead, his other hand on his comparing your temperature. The small act of friendship makes your blood rush to your cheeks.

"Geez. I'm fine, Katsu." You rolled your eyes at him, swatting his hand away. As much as you want to prolong the skinship, you didn't want to make yourself become a flustered mess. "Now, what were you saying?" You propped your head with both hands under your chin, as you roll on his bed now laying flat on your stomach.

"I said are you coming with me this Friday night. We're just going to eat." You looked at him suspiciously. For a second, your heart triumphs.

"Wow, you already want to see me again."

"Tch. Just say yes or no, idiot." You chuckled at his scowling face. "Just admit that you missed me, grumpy-chan."

"You're a pain in the ass."

And just like that, you didn't have any decent to sleep as you were so excited for Friday to roll. Whatever plan he has, you can't help but to think that it's like he's asking you to go out with him. Ignoring the second line he said, you let yourself dive in fantasy.

It's Thursday and you're still conflicted on what to wear, you asked for help of your friends. Surprisingly, they agreed to help you right away without raising their brows and questioning you about the date with the 'mystery man'. 'Cause they already know who it was, just from how eager you look.

Your love for the blond isn't news to them. Being classmates and friends for almost three years, they already knew how your mind works though they didn't really know how frenzy and complicated the wires in it. They just know the surface of it.

"How about this?" Mina showed you the haltered red dress that ends just above your knee. You decided on it right away which makes your friend shakes their head at your eagerness. After that, you're just casually having fun, giving you advices and tips on your so-called date from their experience.

You saw him leaning on his car, permanent scowl on his face while constantly checking his phone. You eyed him from your position, awe struck at the ravishing aura he oozes. The white dress shirt he's wearing highlights the muscle he workrd so hard to built. He looks so clean and sinful at the same time.

"There you are, grumpy-chan!" You walked towards him slowly, smacking his back as your usual greeting, smile plastered on your face with the hint of blush spreading on your cheeks. You watched him stunned for a while, eyes roaming to your body. "About fucking time. Let's go."

You were surprised when he opened the door for you but you just shake it off. He's gentle, seems like his careful with his actions.

He glanced at you for a moment before he went inside the car. His heart went wild when he saw you. He thought you looked prettier when you dressed up. He always saw you wearing baggy shirts that's why when you showed up with that tight dress he malfunctioned for a bit. You looked bold and sexy like a predator hunting its prey, quite opposite from the girl he's pining. He shakes the thoughts of you away as he began to drive.

Akiya is full of sunshine and rainbows. She's sweet and looks vulnerable like an antique dishware that needs to be taken care of. And he has the great urge to protect the quirkless girl. Funny, how he was so bully to Deku being quirkless and  here he was falling for one.

He was so upset to himself when he found out his stupid affection to the girl. Their constant talking amd bubbly personality made it possible to like her. But everytime he's with her, his mind straying away to your well-being. He knew that you have feelings for him but he didn't dig further because you're not vocal about it. With how much his time was spent with you, he cared deeply for you. He loves you, of course, but it isn't like kind of love you felt for him.

After sorting out those endless thoughts, still, his adoration for Akira weighs more than your friendship.

That's why he's inviting you to dinner with him.

The anxiety is bubbling up inside you. The look on his face screams that there's something going on inside his head that you're not ready to unravel. Call it instinct but something feels odd. The ambience around you doesn't suit your guts. You're beyond happy that you're having a good time with him but there's this unsettling feeling that's eating your inside.

Is this what you think it is?

He's the one who initiates the conversation first, sensing the awkwardness in your table. Feeling blue, you just answered him with nods and short words. Clenching your jaw as you forced yourself to smile naturally. It's not really that difficult for you to do it since you are good at hiding.

The dinner was served and you just sat there, eating in silence. You don't dare move your eyes from your plate. You felt him checking on you for the nth time of the night then followed by a sigh.

You fucking knew it. Your grip on the knife was tight while slicing the tender beef. You're silently praying that you'll have the control of your emotions tonight. The night is still young but the 'date' is nearing to end. 

"Y/n, just don't fucking talk and listen to me." His hand combing his spiky hair in frustration. He didn't know how to break it to you without hurting you. "What's with the serious talk, grumpy-chan? It's not like you, ya know." You laughed.

"I said I'll do the talking, idiot." You rolled your eyes at his remark."You know Akiya, right?"

"Uh, yeah, she's the girl you like, right." You said with an obvious tone in your voice, smiling, almost seemed like you're teasing him. Almost. Because the bitterness you felt left a hint on your voice.

Silence. No one dared to speak. Not because of your last statement. It seems like gods are not in the mood to heed your prayer as you desperately trying to stop the tears that you didn't know were already falling. You inhaled deeply, calming yourself down, slowly accepting your defeat.

You were the one that breaks the eerie silence. "So, you two are already together. Is that what were you going to say to me? Or is there anything el–" 

Oh.

Realization strucks your chords. How can you be so fucking simpleton? A small laugh leaves your mouth while nodding your head crazily, new batch of tears forming in your eyes. He only watched you, confused.

"Oh my god! You fucking knew it. Am I right?"

"Y/n–"

"I'm a clown. You knew I love you yet–" You laughed again. People gaze at your direction, feeling pity at your state. You are mess right now.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Yes, I knew it. I knew your feelings but your my bestfriend for fuck's sake!" He raised his voice, bloodshot eyes lingering at your form.

As if like you flipped your switch, you looked at him with blank eyes, no emotions were found as you speak to him. "Is it entertaining? Is it funny to watch me make a fool of myself? Am I stroking your ego when I looked at you with fucking heart eyes huh, Bakugou? Tell me."

"That's why I'm fucking talking to you right now. I want you to stop it. I need you to stop loving me because I can't reciprocate it...I love Akiya."

"I know! Don't fucking rub it on my face. I know it. I already knew it! Okay? And yet here I am still fucking hoping that there's still a chance." You're desperately trying to sound fine, wishing for your voice not to crack. "I-I'm still fucking praying that I wish it's me. Why the hell it can't be me? Why, Katsuki?"

No, you're not going to break down in front of him. That will be last tears you'll shed. You shut your eyes tightly, regaining your control over your emotions. You didn't spare a glance at him, looking yourself at your mirror while retouching your make-up. You grabbed your phone, texting Mina to pick you up while you're talk to him. "Just so you know, I'm not going to cut ties with you. If that's what you're worried about. I'm still your friend, dropping the 'best'."

You looked up at him, eyes meeting his for the last time. You saw his pained expression, clenching his jaw when he looked away.  You get up, ready to leave. "Another thing, next time when you reject someone don't do it over a fancy dinner. That just gives them a false hope and that's fucking painful." You chuckled.

Bitter smile plastered on your face,  you prepare yourself for the conclusion of the story. Walking to his side, you bend to him while placing a kiss on his cheek, whispering your final dialogue as the side character.

"Goodbye, grumpy-chan."

[spidernerdsblog]

I Forgot That You Existed : Chapter Ten

A/N: Chapter ten is here. Everybody likes a happy ending right? So here it is. Hope you like this chapter. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

Pairing : Tom Holland × Singer reader

Summary : It’s been more than five years since you and Tom have gone their own ways after a heartbreaking breakup which had left both of you shattered. Both of you thought that you were finally over with each other and were happy in your respective lives until you meet again at a reunion trip planned by your best friend and you realize you are still not done with each other.

Warnings : 18+, SMUT, mature content

Mini Playlist : This love by Taylor Swift

“Tomorrow is the last day I’ll get to see her and that’s it. She will leave for LA.”

“You did talk to her right?”

“I tried Haz, I tried to talk to her but she isn’t ready to put her walls down.”

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know Haz, but I know this for sure I’m not giving up on her. Every day, every minute, every second I’ll try.”

“But for how long Tom?”

“It took me six years to realize that she is the one. I’m ready to wait 60 more years trying to make her realize the same.”

“Mate I think you should calm down a bit and have something to eat for now.”

“No Harrison I don’t think I will be able to eat anything I’ll just go to my room and take some rest.” Tom retreated to his room.

Everyone was sitting silently on the couch as you came in panting.

“Where’s he?” you said catching your breath.

“In his room.”

“Oh! I was so worried he didn’t say anything to anyone before leaving.” You said letting out a sigh of relief.

“Yeah he was feeling a little down that’s why he skipped dinner too.”

“What! He barely had anything today. I just saw him running around all day. Now who is acting like a child huh!” you scoffed.

“This man will always be a pain in my ass. I’ll go and see what’s the matter, don’t worry.” You went to the kitchen as you arranged a plate for his dinner simultaneously munching on some blueberries as you were hungry yourself. As you were about to go upstairs Harry stopped you.

“Y/N we need to talk to you about something.”

“Okay go on, I’m listening.”

“It’s about you and Tom.”

“And?”

“We think you should reconsider your decision and sort out whatever is going on between you.”

“There’s nothing to decide over here we are just friends and that is what it will always be.” You said nonchalantly.

“C'mon Y/N can’t you just see how devastated he is. He is trying so hard to bring you back and you are turning a blind eye to him.”

“I can see okay! What do you think I’m having fun refusing him? I’m dying on the inside. But this is what is best for us.” You said agitatedly.

“You are just being stubborn Y/N. You need to come out from the state of denial.”

“Call it what you want that will not change anything.” You shrugged.

“So the plan turned out to be an epic fail?” Paddy blurted out. Harry smacked him at the back of his head.

“Shut up paddy! ”

“Wait! what?? What plan failed?” you asked suspiciously, setting aside the plate on the table.

“Ah it’s nothing Y/N” Harrison stuttered.

“What other motives did you guys have?” you narrowed your eyes.

Everybody looked at different directions awkwardly trying to avoid your stern gaze.

“Harrison??” you asked him sceptically, raising an eyebrow.

“See Y/N it was my idea.Tom is my brother and he went through hell after you guys broke up. We all have seen how miserable he was without you. Though he made us believe that he finally moved on but drunken confessions are never a lie. I couldn’t take it anymore so we thought before it’s too late why not try for the one last time?” Harry explained. You were stunned to hear that. You looked at Zendaya and Harrison as everything was clear to you for why they were so adamant in bringing you here.

“You guys were in this?” Zendaya and Harrison winced, unable to make eye contact with you.

“Unbelievable!” you threw your arms in the air in disbelief.

“I…. I really don’t know what to say.” You pinched the bridge of your nose shaking your head.

“See we thought if you guys spend some time together you would realize your mistakes and patch up.”

“Harry you can’t force two people to be in a relationship.”

“Well you guys have made progress as per I’m told you guys kissed and almost ended up boning.” Harrison pointed out.

“Seriously??” You looked at Zendaya bewildered.

“Hey I didn’t say a word.” Zendaya retorted.

“Tom told me.”

“Yeah of course he did.” You half laughed.

“You didn’t even think about Eleanor for once, that poor girl didn’t deserve any of this.”

“Yes she doesn’t deserve any of this she would have been a mere casualty of the war that is going on between you two that is why we wanted to stop this before things got out of our hands” Sam interrupted.

“I’m so done with you guys. You know what? I’m gonna go and tell all of this to your brother. Let’s see what he thinks about this stupid plan of yours.”

“Can’t believe you guys would stoop so low.” You gritted your teeth stomping off upstairs.

“Tom?” You knocked at his door. Not getting any response you knocked again. There was radio silence you sighed and twisted the door knob.

“Tom I’m coming in if you’re jerking off better stop.” You chuckled. The room was dark as you entered. You switched on the lights to see Tom curled up on the bed, his back facing you.

“I know you are awake” You walked to the other side of the bed, putting down the plate on the bedside table you climbed up sitting next to him resting your back against the headboard.

“You know there is no scientific proof that starving yourself helps you cope with your grief. At least learn from the master.” You snickered looking down at him.

He got up abruptly and snuggled his face in your lap wrapping his arms around your waist. You raise your hands a little as you were a little taken aback at his childish behavior.

“What has gotten into you?” You laughed as you gently stroked his hair with your hand.

“Just don’t go Y/N please.”

“Tom we talked about this.” You said softly.

“No we didn’t everytime I try to talk about it you try to avoid having that conversation.”

“Because there is nothing to talk about. You know this.. We.. This cannot happen.”

“I’m not leaving you unless you talk.” he tightened his grip around you.

“Tomm… Okay let’s talk but first you need to eat something.”

“C'mon get up. Just look at you, go wash your face.” you nudged him a little as he finally got up and went to the bathroom. After he came back he sat beside you.

You took a spoonful of risotto and held it in front of him to feed him.

“Wait. Did you have dinner?” Tom asked.

“No thanks to you I had to rush out from the party. But I had some blueberries though.”

“Oh I’m so sorry Y/N. I didn’t mean to ruin your night”

“Its ok nothing can be better than spending time with you.”

“But you need to have something”

“Okay let’s share then like we did in school” you suggested

 You exhaled deeply after you finished.

“You know those little devil’s pawns down there planned this all out as a last resort to reunite us.” You scowled.

“I’m glad they did.”

“Okay I wasn’t expecting that as an answer.”

“Y/N I don’t know how to prove to you that I’m really sorry. You have all the right to stay angry with me but can you give me another chance to make everything right.”

“Hey I’m not at all angry with you.”

“Then why do you want to leave me again? Y/N I can’t live without you anymore. All these years each day without you felt like a punishment.”

“What do you think it was all so easy for me to stay without you?”

“Then why are you running from it?”

“I don’t know Tom but I’m scared what if I mess up again. I feel this is just a nice dream and once I wake up everything will be as it was.This all seems too good to be true.”

“I know baby. But we can always start over right? Every relationship has its ups and downs. We can’t change the past but the future is in our hands.”

“Nobody is perfect Y/N. Let’s take it slow shall we? It’s just you and me we can make it work. Baby steps.”

“But what about El Tom? I ruined her life” His hand went to cup your face.

“Hey look at me, You. Have. Nothing. to do with what happened between El and me stop blaming yourself. We mutually agreed upon ending our relationship and she’s totally fine with that.”

The air felt heavy in the room, his hot breath fanning your face. Your bodies leaning close as you kissed softly and pressed your foreheads against each other closing your eyes, smiling. You pulled away and sat silently beside each other.

“Okay then goodnight see you in the morning.” You chirped breaking the silence.

“Yeah goodnight.” Tom smiled. You got up to leave as you were about to open the door.

“Y/N wait!” Tom grabbed your hand. You turned your body towards him. He stepped a little closer pushing you back against the door. He placed his hands on both of your sides caging you.

“What’s on your mind Thomas?”

“Nothing, jus.. just you know I was thinking since we decided to go slow I want to make it up to you little by little from this very moment, only if you allow.”

“And how are you planning to do that?” you asked with a glint of mischief in your eyes.

He took both of your hands and kissed your knuckles.He bent down, his lips against your cheek, brushing it lightly and still that light touch sent shivers down your spine, shivers that made your whole body tremble.

“If you want me to stop, tell me now,” he whispered. You didn’t say anything, he brushed his mouth against the hollow of your temple. ‘Or now.’ He traced the line of your cheekbone. ‘Or now.’ His lips were against yours.

‘Or… ’

Heat rose from your stomach to your chest and your heart definitely skipped a beat as Tom’s lips were closing in. The smell of his cologne filled your nostrils to the point of near brain death. He was so close. That was it - at that very moment his lips brushed over yours like a wave of warmth and all your body reacted to him instinctively. Your hand reached his neck and pulled him towards you crashing your lips into his, and the rest of his words were lost against your mouth. You melted in the kiss closing your eyes as you felt his warm mouth against yours. He kissed you gently, carefully, but it wasn’t gentleness you wanted, not now, not after all this time. 

You kissed frantically all the built up sexual tension and mutual pining finally channeling out. Your fingers knotted with his hair as you tugged on to it. He groaned softly, low in his throat,he poked his tongue as you parted your lips. His tongue slipped inside your mouth. He sucked on your bottom lip earning a little moan from you. He smiled in the kiss. His hands were roaming around your back as he fumbled with the zipper of your dress. You pulled away gasping for air.

“Is this okay?” he asked with a raspy voice eyes blown out with lust. You nodded in approval breathlessly. He slowly unzipped your dress and slid down your straps as the dress fell and pooled on your feet revealing your black lacy bra and matching underwear. Tom felt air knocked out of his lungs as he soaked in your image.

“So beautiful” he murmured against your swollen lips. You blushed under his chaste gaze.

And then he was kissing you again. The deep kind of kisses that left little room for thought. There was only feeling and wanting.

He dragged his lips down your chin to your bare neck and brushed his lips over your shoulder leaving a trail of wet kisses along the way.

His hands were on your hips, and he lifted you up as if you were made of air. Your legs wrapped around his waist, as he carried you towards the bed. Your lips remained sealed. It was like you couldn’t get enough of each other. You were devouring one another, drowning in each other.

He gently placed you on the bed and climbed above you whilst taking off his t-shirt revealing his perfect torso. Tom caught you staring.

“Like the view?” He said with a cheeky grin.

“Not that I’m complaining” you said with a sultry look in your eyes.

You ran your hands on his toned abs wrapping your hands around his neck and pulling him down to you locking your lips, legs and hands moving, exploring each other. You whispered his name, and his arms tightened around you, crushing you against his chest and his hands slipped between your legs. You were swimming in raw sensations.It was like you were getting to know each other all over again.

You could feel his obvious bulge on your bare thigh. Tom rubbed his nose on the crook of your neck sucking at your sweet spot.

His hand went to your back unclasping your bra as you slid it through your arms and threw it away. He placed kitten licks on the curve of your breasts eliciting soft moans from your mouth. He licked your buds as they hardened under his touch. He sucked on to your breast, massaging the other with his hand. You were breathless and dazed as he nibbled on them softly, your body ached for more than just kisses and touching—for more of him. And you knew he did, too. His powerful body trembled like yours. It was easy to get lost in him, lost in this connection between you. You wrapped your legs around his hips, pulling him closer, telling him what you wanted with your soft moans.

You felt a tingling sensation between your legs as you bucked your hips to get some sort of friction.

“Don’t worry princess I got you. Tonight is all about you.” he said brushing away your hair from your face.

He placed soft kisses all the way down your midriff. Hooking his fingers to the waistband of your panties he looked at you for permission, you nodded. He pulled them down. He ran a finger through your folds.

“Always so wet for me.” He kissed your inner thighs teasing you as you squirmed. He smirked, hooking his arms on your thighs, spreading your legs. He placed a kiss on your aching core and then licked a long stripe as you took a sharp breath, your body trembling at his touch. He dipped a finger slowly pumping it in and out of you. He sucked on to your clit adding another finger inside you.

“Oh God! This feels good” you moaned.

Your hand gripped on to his hair as he slid a third finger inside you. He groaned face buried in your heat devouring you as if you were his last meal. He increased his speed curling his fingers inside you, your body arched as you felt a coil building up in your stomach, his strong hand keeping you in place. Your body spasmed as your orgasm hit you.

“Tomm…” you whined.

“Yes baby girl what do you need?”

“I need you inside me please.” You extended your arms towards him.

“As you wish darling.” he shimmied out of his shorts and boxers and took out a condom from the night stand and rolled it down. He crawled over you propping himself on his forearms. Tom placed a soft kiss on your forehead. He pumped himself a few times before sliding inside you slowly stretching your walls. You gasped.

“Fuck!! So tight.” He hissed as he bottomed out. He started moving slowly, long drawn thrusts as he laced his fingers with yours. You brushed away his sweaty curls sticking to his forehead as you gazed into his eyes instantly calming you down. Your hips were molded together as you moved against one another. Tom watched you with half hooded eyes at how your mouth slacked open and eyes fluttering shut in pleasure. The room was filled with low grunts and moans.

He picked up his pace hitting your spot, you arched your back in pleasure. Your hands clutched onto his back trying to keep him as much close as possible he groaned as you drew your nails on his back.You writhed beneath him, his name falling from your lips like a prayer. You were both so lost in each other, Tom continuously checking in with you, peppering kisses all over your neck and whispering sweet nothings in your ears.

You body tensed up as you clenched around him.

“Tom I’m close” you said breathlessly.

“Yeah that’s it let go darling” he moved his hand to your clit drawing tight circles around which tipped you off the edge. It didn’t take long as you came with a loud moan of his name. His thrusts went sloppier as he reached his own high burying his head in the crook of your neck.

 …………………..

Curtains flying in the gentle sea breeze as the sunlight peeked in through the windows. You were snuggled into Tom’s arms. The sunlight hit your face as you squinted, fluttering your eyes open to see Tom already staring at you with his soft brown eyes. You thought he looked ethereal with his bed hair as the soft sunlight was falling on his face.

“Good morning Princess”

“Morning heartbreak prince.” you chuckled softly.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Like an hour ago.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” Tom brushed away your messy hair away from your face.

“Didn’t want to miss watching this angelic face sleeping peacefully. I never thought that I would be able to wake up to this face again in my life.”

“Oh stop it” you lightly slapped his chest. He exhaled.

“Last night…”

“Was awesome?”

“Yeah of course..” He chuckled softly.

“But Y/N I really meant everything whatever I said.”

“I know and I’m ready to give it a go. But have you thought about what to say to the other people down there who by now have got the idea.”

“They saw it coming I guess.” Tom rolled over you smothering you with kisses.

“Oh! Tom stop!!” you squeaked giggling.

“I’m starving” you pouted.

“As you wish darling”

You both got up to freshen up and then went down. You were still in Tom’s tshirt and sweatpants. All eyes were on both of you as you walked down the stairs.

“Why am I not surprised?” Zendaya chuckled ironically.

“Did we travel back in time?” Harry joked.

“Someone had a good night’s sleep.The morning glow is evident” Chloe patted Tom’s back. You both blushed profusely.

“I thought you went to talk.” Harrison quipped.

“Yeah we did talk. It was a really deep and passionate conversation.” You said with a sly grin.

“Okay I’m ignoring the double meaning of that phrase.”

For the rest of the day the boys were nowhere to be seen after breakfast; they just disappeared.

You got a text from Tom in the afternoon.

Hey can you go to my room and check if my wallet is there or not? I don’t have it with me.

Yeah sure.

You went to his room to check. Your eyes fell on a bag lying on the bed. You looked into it, a box. You took it out and opened the lid to find a beautiful floral dress. There was a note for you inside.

For my sunshine. Come to the front porch, a surprise awaits.

You couldn’t help but smile. You didn’t waste a moment and quickly dressed up.

You went to the front porch to find Tom waiting for you. He was wearing a white button up shirt with chinnos. He looked handsome as always. You walked up to him.

“Hey,” you said shyly, tucking your hair behind your ear.

“You look gorgeous, love.”

“Thanks for the compliment and the dress it’s beautiful.”

“Guess my taste isn’t that bad huh?”

“Okay now close your eyes.”

“Okay I think I’m having a déjà vu right now.” You close your eyes as Tom blindfolded your eyes. He then guided you to the surprise location.

“Okay now open your eyes.” he untied the blindfold.

The sun was setting in the horizon you were standing on the seashore as the waves washed your bare feet. The cool water laps at your feet, fizzing and bubbling like brine, the wind caresses your face.

“This looks familiar.” You turned your head towards him. He stood in front of you taking both of your hands in his hands looking directly in your eyes.

“You know when you find someone who gives your life meaning then nothing else in the world matters.”

“I know I have made a lot of mistakes and I want to make it up to you the rest of my life Y/N.”

Tom bent down on his knee as he pulled out a ring and slid it in your ring finger.

“Y/N Y/L/N will you marry me?” you didn’t know how to react. So you did what you were best at making snarky comments.

“Okay now I’m your replacement bride?”

“What!? No!” Tom frowned as he got up.

“Tom we talked about taking it slow and by slow I meant really slow. I just turned 27 and I’m not getting married until I turn 30. I know you are sorry, you want to make it up for me. I totally understand that and it’s really sweet of you but I don’t think I’m ready for a married life yet” you rambled.

Tom caught your lips.

“You never shut up do you?”

“I’m not telling you to marry me right away. I just really wanted to do this to commemorate our love, that I want to spend my life with you. And also a subtle reminder to stop you from flirting with other hot guys.”

“I can’t guarantee you with the last one.” You flashed a cheeky grin. Tom embraced you in a tight hug.

“You really had to ruin the moment though?”

“Well you should have given me a heads-up with your plans.” You joked inspecting the ring.

“Is this real?” Tom rolled his eyes. You started pulling out the ring.

“Hey hey why are you taking it off?”

“Honey papz follows us everywhere we go. After your cancelled wedding news breaks out the media will have a field day I don’t want to add fuel to that by sporting an engagement ring while returning from a vacation with you. Moreover Alex will kill me.”

“Yeah but we are going back tomorrow right? You can keep it on for now.

"Are you love birds done already?” Harry yelled from a distance.

The boys had been busy arranging for a bonfire near the seashore the whole day. Everyone sat circling around the fire. In twilight the beach was tinted sepia, the sand more orange, the water darker, skin soft to the eye. Everyone sat there, just taking in the evening and chatting and laughing music playing in background simultaneously. Waves ahead roar and roll down, crashing onto the shore with a soft hiss.

“Tom really drove us mad today first with the dress then with the ring.” Harrison blew out is cheeks as you laughed.

“Typical Tom” Zendaya snarled.

“Don’t laugh Y/N you have no idea how many shops he made us roam.” Harry huffed.

“I’ll see what you guys do when you have to propose to your girls oh sorry first get a girl” Tom cackled.

“I wasn’t even this picky when I proposed to Elysia, you were just being extra” Sam quipped.

“Because she deserves the best.” Tom pecked your cheek.

“We are really happy for you guys” Chloe chirped.

Tom’s hands were wrapped around you as you smiled at each other.

This Love playing …….

“Shall we?” Tom stood in front of you and extended his arm

“Sure.” You held his hand and got up.

Clear blue water

High tide, came and brought you in

And I could go on and on, on and on

And I will, skies grow darker, currents swept you out again

And you were just gone and gone, gone and gone

He placed his hand on your waist holding your hand on another, you held on to his  shoulder with your hand as you swayed to the music gazing into each other’s eyes. A warmth spreading inside you.

“Thanks for this and everything” you said softly.

“Oh it’s nothing just trying to be a good boyfriend you see.” he shrugged.

“You’re indeed much better than my Ex.”

“Ex? ”

“Oh I had once a fling with this guy with  curly brown hair, honey brown eyes with a wild brow and crooked nose used to be an asshole sometimes but was the sweetest person on earth. But you.. You are far more responsible and mature than that guy and cute too.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah” you shrugged.

In silent screams, and wildest dreams

I never dreamed of this

This love is good

This love is bad

This love is a life back from the dead, oh

These hands had to let it go free

And this love came back to me, oh

Oh, oh

“Thank God you dumped him. That guy was an asshole to let you go. And I’m glad he did or else how would I find you.”

“Lucky you then huh?” you winked.

You slipped your hands to his back, pulled him closer, hugging him and rested your head on his shoulder as you smiled, closing your eyes. His hands rested on your waist as you both swayed to the music. You finally found your safe haven in his arms.

Tossing, turning, struggle through the night for someone new

And I could go on and on, on and on

Lanterns burning, flickered in the mind only you

But you were still gone, gone, gone

Been losing grip, on sinking ships

You showed up, just in time

Tom held your hand and twirled you a couple of times before he pulled you close to him again.

This love is good

This love is bad

This love is a life back from the dead, oh

These hands had to let it go free

And this love came back to me, oh

This love left a permanent mark

This love is glowing in the dark, oh

These hands had to let it go free

And this love came back to me, oh

This love, this love, this love, this love (Oh)

This love, this love, this love, this love (Oh)

This love, this love, this love, this love (Oh)

This love, this love, this love, this love

The boys lit some sky lanterns. Tom took two in his hands and smiled at you. You all flew the lanterns in the sky. You looked up in the sky as the lanterns flew higher and higher.

Your kiss, my cheek

I watched you leave

Your smile, my ghost

I fell to my knees

When you’re young, just to run

But you come back to what you need

Tom was standing behind you as he slipped his hands around your waist. You held on to his hands. He knelt down and kissed you on your cheek.

This love is good

This love is bad

This love is a life back from the dead, oh

These hands had to let it go free

And, this love came back to me, oh

This love that’s a permanent mark

(This love) This love is glowing in the dark, oh

(This love) These hands had to let it go free

(This love) And this love came back to me, oh

This love, this love, this love, this love (Oh)

This love, this love, this love, this love (Oh)

This love, this love, this love, this love (Oh)

This love, this love, this love, this love (This love came back to me, oh)

You turned towards him. Your hands went on to cup his face.

“I love you Tom” Tom was craving to hear those words from you again. His eyes swelled up after finally hearing it from you.

“I love you Y/N” he said pressing his forehead on yours.

You closed the distance kissing him softly.

 ………………………………………

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[writingjoycebyers]

Hi, would you please write an imagine of Joyce and El having a little fight . El is blaming herself for Hop's death and Joyce is trying to convince her it's not her fault but they end up kinda fighting. Also, could you please include this quote in your imagine "you're not my real mother!" . I'd like if it ends in a hug or something fluffy lol thank you

The fight - Joyce x El

"You don't like the soup?", Joyce asked with concern as she caught El staring at her plate instead of eating.

Will was shoveling bread into his mouth peacefully, nose stuck in a book right beside his plate. Another growth spurt had caught him lately, and he had grown much taller than Joyce and El now, equalled by him eating twice as much as the women in his household.

"She's angry at that boy from school.", he whispered as El didn't give an answer.

"But, baby, what boy?", Joyce inquired walking around the kitchen. She had seen it coming, sooner or later, new life, new school, new boy.

El gave her an angry stare.

"There's this popular boy at our school. He asked her out on a date. She said... yes. He then went to his friends to laugh about her, it was a bet who'd get the new girl out on a date first.

Joyce's face dropped. She didn't want El to get hurt by a guy, not ever - but she was a woman too, had been a girl and she knew she couldn't be fully protected from this. She thought of Lonnie for a second.

"El...", Joyce said softly as she approached the girl sitting at her kitchen table. Her brown hair ended around her shoulder and she was wearing a brand new sweater Joyce had gotten her for the start of the school year.

"No, Joyce. Leave me alone.", El snapped as Joyce's hand touched her shoulder. Joyce flinched at the sound of her name. El had just recently started calling her Mum. Will looked up from his book for the first time

"And I didn't know this was your story to tell.", she beamed at him with anger and then rushed off to her room. The door slammed shut - powerful, even without the use of powers.

"Should I...?", Will tried, but Joyce shook her head. "Nah, I'll go."

Joyce went back to the kitchen to grab her smokes and went outside. She slowly puffed away on a Camel, which always reminded her of Hop, and tried to give herself and El some time to calm down.

She went back inside, grabbed a pack of chocolates and started to enter the dangerous territory, knocking on the teenager's door, slowly entering it.

El was on the bed, face to the wall, quickly wiping away some tears as Joyce sat down at the foot end.

"It's okay to be sad.", she softly said, gently stroking El's leg next to her. "And upset. Boys can be pigs, you know."

"I know."

"What about Mike anyways? Why did you even want to go on that date?"

"Just because. This Tom guy.. He's... he looks good and he's cool. He's got a leather jacket and friends.", El explained. "And Max said that if Mike stands me up for our phone calls because he's out with Dustin and Lucas, then I should show him what he'd lose.", El added in a sound of clear rationality, as if she was reading a handbook to something aloud.

Joyce chuckled. She knew those feelings oh so well, she had been that girl and she knew it was dangerous... jealousy, coolness, those bad boys... but she understood it was tempting too. She didn't want to judge her.

"Oh, I know just how you feel. I've been like you once. Been 15 and had crushes.", she added, munching a chocolate and handing one to El.

"How would you know? You've only been with that Ronnie guy, at least that's what Hop said, and he said that guy was mean anyway."

Joyce looked shocked. She had never thought that Hop had told El anything about her former love life. She decided not to correct her or tell anything more about... Lonnie, for now. She had been older and much less innocent with everything that had happened with him. She'd have to find out what Hop had told her some other time.

"Yeah, but still I know how you feel. We're girls, connected, you know.", she just tried, pinching her leg slightly to make her laugh, or at least smile.

"You're not even my real mom, you wouldn't know my feelings.", El blurted out without thinking.

Joyce stopped all movements. Her pulse was racing out of a sudden and tears were welling up behind her eyes. She had tried so hard, so hard to be a mum for her, had tried to convey that everything, every feeling was real and honest and motherly. She had failed. Failed marriage, failed love, failed to save Hopper, failed to make El feel at home.

"I'm sorry.", Joyce said, voice husky as she tried to get up from the bed. El sat up too.

"If Hopper wasn't dead we wouldn't be here, and I wouldn't be dumped by some... leather jacket wearing guy at school. And why is Hopper dead? Cause I'm some girl with powers who comes from a lab experimenting with the upside down, and that's how I have no mother, no father, and the only person that was kind of my dad got killed in... Because of me. If I were normal Hop would be alive... And you could be with him and not that... Could forget that Ronnie guy and I could be in Hawkins with... Mike.", El was yelling now, yelling and crying and not making any sense, but to her all seemed fully logical.

"But...", Joyce said in shock. "You've got a mother... if you want one... me.", she added, nearly shy even in front of a teenager. A teenager that meant the world to her.

"If you wouldn't have been that girl from the lab, than it would have been some other kid, you weren't involved in the situation. If it's anybody's fault.. then... not yours. Maybe mine, maybe the Russians. But not yours.", Joyce closed and left the room. She needed a moment, and a smoke.

Later that night, El's door was closed, music playing from her record player and Joyce decided not to press her with the subject any more. Tomorrow would be a new day, the world would look different and maybe El would see another boy, or call Mike and be a happy girl again. She hoped so. This was a simple problem compared to anything supernatural.

Joyce retreated to her room for the night, switched off the lights and tried to sleep. She lay in the dark for about half an hour and her mind wandered off to Hopper, to what could have been, them — together as a family of four?

Suddenly she heard a knock on her door, and she could hear someone open it softly.

"Will? What's wrong?", Joyce asked immediately.

"No, it's me.", El whispered.

"Oh. You okay?" Joyce asked the kid she'd like to call hers.

"Mum, I can't sleep.", she replied. Joyce smiled to herself. Mum. With those words she knew they were back to good, back to family mode, back to love.

"Com'ere.", Joyce patted the empty side of her bed and opened her arm for El to cuddle up to her in a hug. "Let's gossip about boys."

_____________

Thanks for the ask 😊

I'd defo like to write more mother daughter stuff for Joyce and El so yeah, feel free to ask!

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

Gonna make full use of my ‘comic rant’ tag and roast Future State: Superwoman.

Spoilers! And yelling! Of the disgruntled kind!

So a few things at the start here: 1.) I wanted to love this book. I wanted it to be great. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt, in spite of some iffy stuff in the solicit text. So this rant is not coming from a place of having decided this was going to be awful ahead of time. 2.) My tolerance for bad Supergirl comics is pretty high! Takes a lot for me to actually come out and say that a particular issue is trash. Reader: This story is trash.

It’s not ‘middle-aged white guys writing/drawing a story about sending a minor to a potentially hostile planet fully nude’ trash, mind you. It’s the compost bin, rather than the landfill. Slightly nicer trash, but it still stinks to high heaven. Allow me to expand!

PROLOGUE - SUMMARY: ...I actually can’t summarize this comic b/c it would devolve into a lot of senseless yelling. We’ll just have to tease out this terrible plot as we go along. 

PART I - DEAD DOGS TELL BAD TALES: The comic opens with Kara standing at Krypto’s grave. That’s not why this comic is trash, but it bears mentioning. Because why. Why would you do this. 

PART II - IN WHICH IT ONLY GETS WORSE: So, Kara has a running inner monologue, and the main thing we gather from Kara’s thoughts is that it was Krypto who taught her to be a hero. On paper, that sounds very sweet! In practice, it reads as Kara having no moral center whatsoever—whatever good qualities she might possess, she did not learn from her parents, or her foster parents, or friends, or fellow heroes. Nor do they come from within Kara herself. Nope, t’was Krypto who taught Kara not to be a jealous rage monster. That is not hyperbole--Kara’s walking around angry about her cousin all the time and she’s like, ‘It was you, Krypto, who taught me not to judge, and to let go of anger.’ Listen, I love Krypto, but this? This is, as the youth would say, a bad look.

PART III - THOSE CERTAINLY ARE...SOME THEMES: The set-up here is that Kara is on the moon, and has established a sanctuary for alien refugees. That’s a dynamite idea! I love that! Buuuuut Kara didn’t look at the plight of alien refugees and say, ‘I want to help!’ Really, she didn’t even look at herself and say, ‘I don’t want others to feel like I’ve felt.’ No, she said, ‘Earth won’t accept me as a hero, and Clark didn’t name me protector of Earth, so. I’m out!’ (Honestly, if your moral compass is so whack that you need a dog to walk you back from Hulk-Smashing...can’t say I blame Clark for not picking you, Kara!) But apparently, the people on the moon don’t really like her either. And it is literally never explained why. There’s a whole montage of Kara fixing stuff and saving lives and all the moon folk just glare at her. This makes both the moon people AND Kara look like a**holes, because they come across as ungrateful, and she comes across as a glory hound. Thanks! I hate it! So the ‘peace’ Kara’s found on the moon isn’t really peaceful at all, cause she still resents her cousin, and people still don’t like her, in spite of the fact that she’s constantly performing acts of service for them. 

Also, side note, I’m just now realizing this is an entire population of alien refugees...and Kara is somehow still the odd one out. Like, Earth I get, because everyone else is a human and maybe freaked out by the super powers. But a bunch of aliens? WHY. Why did you do this. Why did this need to be set on the moon with alien refugees if you’re not going to interrogate Kara’s identity as an alien refugee herself AND all of the aliens are inexplicably humanoid in appearance and utterly ordinary in terms of power levels.  

Like. This is not the CW show, where they have a budget, and a huge ensemble cast to serve. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE. AAARRRRRGHHHH.

PART III CONT’D: There’s also this weird ‘birthright’ element introduced...like, Clark and Jon stole Kara’s ‘right’ to be earth’s defender which is...a terrible reading of Kara’s modern origin. It brings in the idea that Kara is a ‘chosen one’ and because she didn’t get to be that chosen one, all of her hero work is for nothing. Never mind the whole central conceit of what makes Clark and Kara heroic...that they have this incredible power, and choose to do good with it. Nah...it’s all about her ‘right’ to protect the people of Earth! And mean ol’ Clark took that away! THANKS. I HATE IT. 

PART IV - A POOR USE OF SPACE: So, all of the Future State books kind of struggle with the issue of too much exposition, which is understandable. They have to introduce an entirely new status quo in a very limited amount of literal page space, so you *really* have to have a handle on how you allocate your time and focus.  

Introducing a brand new, lore-heavy heroic character who gets all of the development and dynamic art and pulls focus away from the character you’re meant to be writing is a bad use of a two issue limited series.

Like, this is a crappy Supergirl comic but it’s a great backdoor pilot for a Lynari ongoing, I guess. 

Imagine if in the Jon Superman book, they introduced a random, brand new best friend for Jon, and he got the big character arc instead of Jon. That’s something you save for an arc in an ongoing title, NOT A TWO ISSUE EVENT COMIC.  

Back to said new character, there’s a lot of forced attempts to parallel Kara and Lynari, but Lynari’s backstory is so confusing, rushed, and poorly explained that it’s like: okay, they’re both...angry? And the moon jerks hate them? ...uh. Okay.

(I’m gonna bring back my ‘why is this set on the moon, even’ question so that my ‘poor use of space’ header becomes a better joke.) 

PART V - I'M HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO...B/C THERE SURE AIN’T ONE HERE: I’ve already mentioned that Krypto was apparently Kara’s conscience so when Lynari’s aunt arrives to...kill them? (again, everything about Lynari’s backstory is rushed and poorly explained) Kara gets real mad and basically pulls a Gothel: ‘You want me to be the bad guy? Fine! Now I’m the bad guy.’ But thank goodness Lynari is there to tell Kara no! Don’t murder the giant aunt eel! Lynari then steals Kara’s powers and gives up the swamp jewel that’s been hidden inside their body and now their aunt is less murder-y!

WOW. Couldn’t even give the big damn hero moment to Kara in her own book, huh?

So the day is saved. It takes Kara a while to regain her powers, and it’s only then, when she’s no longer ‘above’ the moon jerks, that they’re like, ‘oh, we like her!’ There is a bit of narration about how that attitude is awful. But that narration is provided by Lynari. See, the inner monologue is no longer Kara’s thoughts, but rather it has switched to Lynari’s point of view. They’re telling us this story. And do you know why?

PART VI - WHY THIS COMIC *SUCKS*: KARA DIES. SHE’S THE FRIGGIN’ ‘SECOND GRAVE’ OF THE TITULAR ‘TWO GRAVES’

Fudge this comic to heck.

See, Kara dies on the moon, presumably of old age. She’s buried next to Krypto. And this random character who we’re suddenly supposed to care about tells us her story. Not Clark. Not the Danvers. Not Brainy. Not even one of the supporting cast members from her solo title. No one from Kara’s life is mentioned at all, save for Jon and Clark, and they’re pretty much relegated to flashbacks of Kara punching them. 

PART VII - TIME TO COMPARE DEATHS, I GUESS: First and foremost can I just say that I hate that’s a sentence that I’m typing about Kara in the year of our lord, 2021. But okay: Kara’s big famous death in Crisis stopped the entire DC universe cold. Everyone paused in the middle of the destruction of the multiverse to mourn her loss and honor her (GENUINELY HEROIC) sacrifice. Clark and Barbara--two established characters with a strong connection/relationship to Kara--offered lovely eulogies. 

This one: Kara gets to die of old age in obscurity after a lifetime of striving to be recognized and only achieving it by de-powering and serving a population of jerks. 

Not the warm and fuzzy ending you think it is!

(Meanwhile, Clark lives for millennia and spawns an entire dynasty of Els, all of ‘em out there, protecting the cosmos. I was looking forward to House of El in the hopes of maybe seeing some Kara stuff but NOPE. Thanks to Superwoman, we’re probably not gonna see any future Kara stuff beyond this! G R E A T)

And like, the argument could be made that this ending makes Kara happy. This is the life she chooses! She wants to be alone and garden on the moon! Except, we get zero insight from Kara regarding the remainder of her life. We only have Lynari’s narration and some montage shots...nearly all of which focus on other characters. But honestly, even if we did get Kara’s side of things, I doubt it would shed much light on her feelings, bEEECAUSE...

PART VIII - SUPER BLAND: This Kara really has no personality outside of ‘detached and vaguely bitter.’ I like Sauvage, I think she’s an incredibly talented artist, but here, Kara is stiff and her expression often reads as aloof. She’s very pretty, but it comes at the expense of being expressive. (And I know Sauvage can do expressive stuff...because Lyanari gets to be expressive.) Like...I love that shojo manga vibe but this is a Kara devoid of spark and warmth. 

...Like...Melissa Benoist’s portrayal of Kara is right there... 

I’ve already sort of touched on this but her inner monologue doesn’t have much personality either. She’s just parroting the same, ‘I need to do as Krypto taught me!’ nonsense for both issues. Until, of course, we shift to Lynari’s narration, and lose Kara’s thread entirely. 

PART IX - LET’S WRAP THIS UP: This book frustrates me to no end because it had a lot of stuff going for it. It’s got a female writer and artist--still a rarity for the Supergirl book--it’s a limited series mostly free of continuity and character baggage, and it’s not tied down to the grimdark cyberpunk stuff happening in the Gotham books. YOU COULD’VE DONE ANYTHING. And, once again, DC goes with a pitch that’s: Kara is angry, Kara resents Clark...and Kara dies.

It’s also happening...right as Kara has no dedicated ongoing title, the movie’s been shelved, the TV show is entering its sixth and final season, and all promotion has shifted to new CW and HBO shows. 

*screams into the void* 

MAAAAAAN I hate this book. I hate that it retroactively makes me hate the Andreyko run a little bit--a run that I took to be about a traumatized young woman forced to confront her grief, and who leans on a beloved animal companion for comfort. Here, Krypto is L I T E R A L L Y the reason Kara’s not constantly frying folks with her heat vision. 

I hate that this book has made me use the word ‘literally’ so much in this rant.

I hate that this could possibly be more in continuity than Millennium.

Remember Millennium? Where Kara was in like...five pages? And she was warm, and kind, and promised to help Rose because it was the right thing to do, and oh yes, WAS PRESIDENT OF EARTH?!??! AND A CLASSY OLD LADY!?!?!?!?! WHO WAS STILL ALIVE AND KICKIN’ IN THE FAR FLUNG FUTURE!?!?!?!?!

I hate that I’m using my lunch hour to rant about how much I hate this comic.  

I hate that DC editorial seems hell-bent on erasing the interesting aspects of Kara’s character to sand her down to ‘the angry one’ or ‘Batman 2.0′

PART X - LET’S END ON SOME (?) POSITIVES: Don’t read this book! Don’t do it! Don’t waste your time and money!

Instead, check out ANYTHING ELSE. If you want mom!Kara, read Tom Taylor’s ‘Last Daughters of Krypton’ in the DC Nuclear Winter special. If you want heroic oldlady!Kara, read Millennium. Honestly? Pick up anything by Bendis that has Supergirl in it. It is miles away better than this. You want angry Kara working through her grief? Andreyko, Red Lantern, even Infected. ANYTHING BUT THIS. HECK, grab Superman of Metropolis instead! That has bad Kara characterization but at least she doesn’t end up dead. 

Anyways. This comic is bad. I wish it wasn’t! And this is now the SECOND TIME IN A ROW that Kara’s book ends on a terrible note before the character disappears from monthly comics for an unknown period of time.  

*screams into the void again*

[aerynwrites]

The Devil You Know - Part 3

Complications

(Gif by @pedroispunk​)

Author’s Note: Finally! Here is chapter 3 of TDYK. I had so much fun writing this, and so far it’s my favorite chapter, so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! All Spanish translations are located at the bottom of the post

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: Brief mentions of torture/rough interrogation, cursing, angst, fluff?

Previous part | Next Part | Masterlist

////

It had been a couple days since your run in with Javier at the bar, your last words to him nagging at the front of your mind ever since. You had that stupid piece of paper with his phone number on it tucked away in your jacket pocket since you got home that night, having every intention to call him when you had a spare moment. Unfortunately, the past few days had been spent interrogating the Sicario smuggler Carrillo’s men had managed to capture, a task you were less than enthused about due to the methods required to get any kind of answer out of him. Then, when you did have a free moment alone, you would pull out the slightly crumpled piece of paper and pick the phone up from the receiver. But every time as you sat there, listening to the dial tone with your fingers hovering over the buttons, you would let out a sigh and set the phone back down in the cradle. You felt like a nervous teenager in high school, and you couldn’t even figure out why this felt like such a momentous task. It was just a phone call, right? Why were you making such a big deal out of it?

“Hello!” A familiar voice called, “Earth to (y/n),” Steve said teasingly, waving his hand in front of your face, finally pulling you from your thoughts.

You shake your head slightly and look over to your partner sitting in the driver’s seat of his jeep, an amused look on his face, “Did you hear anything I just said?” he asked, an entertained look on his face.

You felt yourself flush slightly as you stumbled to come up with an answer, “uh-“ you wracked your brain to try and remember what Steve was saying, “something about the cartel?”

Steve chuckles and shakes his head, “you’re not wrong but not right either. I said that Carrillo needs our help with Santiago, thinks that maybe we can help get some more information out of him,” he repeats, opening his door and exiting the vehicle. You all must have arrived at your destination while you were stuck in your head.

You cringe slightly at the thought of being in the room while Carrillo interrogates Santiago. Even though you had been in Colombia for quite some time, you still had standards - personal ideals that you upheld. And the things that Carrillo and some of the other locals did, while necessary, made your stomach churn. Nevertheless, you follow Steve’s lead and exit the car and walk with him into the building. The minute you enter, one of Carrillo’s men leads you and Steve into a side room that’s been converted into a makeshift office for the DEA and the Search Bloc’s combined task force to take down the Los Carnales cartel. Just as you approached the whiteboard, eyes scanning the new pictures of possible cartel members and quick scrawls of writing, Carrillo strode into the room, wiping at his knuckles with a bloody towel.

“You’re late,” he said, voice clipped.

You turned to face him, crossing your arms, “We came as fast as we could Colonel. We were following another lead,” you informed coolly.

The man chuckled, shaking his head and tossing the towel onto a nearby table, flexing his fingers slightly, “You Americans…” he sighs, “you’re so busy chasing every single bone tossed your way you don’t bother focusing on the one right in front of you,” he bites, frustration lacing his words as he approaches you and Steve.

Steve doesn’t take too kindly to the accusation, “Listen man, we have orders - legal orders. So, we can’t just sit on our asses and wait for this bastard to finally decide to talk to-“

Steve was cut off by Carrillo shoving an accusing finger into his chest, “I don’t need a gringo questioning my methods. I do what I have to do in order to make this city a safer place for my people – my family. If you don’t like the way I do things, then I will happily withdrawal my men and you can chase your tails on your own” He threatens.

You saw Steve take in a breath, surely getting ready to rip the Colonel a new one but you stepped between the two men pushing them apart slightly, “No need for that Colonel, I’m sure what Steve meant to say-“ you give your partner a pointed look, “is that we have orders from higher up, we have to follow them or else we’ll get further behind. Now, you said you needed our help?” you asked, hoping to deescalate the situation. The last thing you needed was the entire Search Bloc team fighting against you instead of with you.

Carrillo glances from you back to Steve before letting out a defeated huff and back away a few steps, “Well, I thought I needed your help, but right after I called you both here, I got him talking. He gave me all the information that he claimed to have, and with him being a lower level player to the cartel, I believe him,” he explained, a slight hopefulness to his tone.

Your eyes widened slightly, and you couldn’t keep the excitement from your voice, “Well what did he tell you? anything useful?”

“He claimed to not know much about the head of the operation,” he began, “But the information I did get from him should help us all in moving forward with the investigation.”

***

You and Steve practically ran back into the embassy, eager to get a jump start on the next leg of the investigation, the information Carrillo managed to extract from Santiago being some of the best and most helpful intel you had gotten since you began. It laid out the basic make-up of the cartel, and that the cartel itself was split into three main operations: production, smuggling, and security. Each operation had its own leader, someone in charge of making sure that specific section ran smoothly and efficiently. Santiago knew the names of almost half of those higher ups, having to work directly with them in order to complete his job as a drug mule. If you took these key players down, it brought you that much closer to taking down the man at the top - your unknown cartel leader - and the ring leader behind the Los Carnales, the cartel that has remained in the shadows.

Until now.

This cartel may have managed to hide a successful drug trafficking operation in Colombia up until now, but as you stood staring at the operations board you and Steve had pieced together, you felt hopeful. Hopeful that you could catch these people, hopeful that you could bring an end to the violence and most of all, you felt hopeful that you could bring Carlos and his family some justice. Your eyes drift from the board in front of you over to your desk, immediately drawn to the small green matchbox car sitting next to the phone, and you felt your resolve harden. You would do what ever it took to finish this, you had too.

“Hey,” Steve’s voice caught your attention and you moved away from the board and over to your conjoined desks taking a seat across from him.

He pushes away from the desk as you sit down and jabs his thumb towards the exit of the office, “I was going to take a late lunch and go grab some tamales, from that corner market down the road, you want to come with me?” he asks.

You can’t help but chuckle at his total mispronunciation of the word tamales and shake your head as he pipes up once more, “What’s so funny?”

“You,” you say, still giggling, “You really need to work on your Spanish agent Murphy because that was terrible,” you tease.

He just rolls his eyes, and stands from his seat, “you know what, I retract my invitation, I don’t need any negative Nancy’s ruining my celebratory lunch.”

You just let out a laugh as he pulls his jacket on, “Yeah well, I was going to stay here and get some work done anyway-“ you watch as Steve just nods and starts to walk away, “But I wouldn’t mind if you brought me two tamales when you come back!” you call after him.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you want your highness,” he tosses back as he exits the office.

You roll your eyes at his snarky response and lean back into your chair, letting out a soft sigh. Today had been good, it was a win in your book, and it gave you a small sense of victory. In your momentary bliss, your eyes fell to the phone sitting in the corner of your desk, and you felt a brief flicker of bravery shoot through you. You sat up, hand digging in the pocket of your blazer and pulling out the slightly crumpled piece of paper. You give a quick glance around the office, making sure no one else was around before unfolding the piece of paper and picking up the phone. You fingers hover over the digits on the receiver for a moment, a split second of hesitation keeping you from proceeding before you squashed it down, quickly punching in the numbers and replacing the haunting dial tone with a familiar ringing. You held your breath as you listened to the continuous sound, slowly deflating the longer it went on.

Maybe it was stupid to call him, you thought, he probably just left his number behind so he wouldn’t seem like an asshole.

You were just about to abandon all hope, your small bubble of courage dashed out as the phone continued to ring, when a small click sounded on the other end, followed by a familiar voice,

“Buenos,” it greets simply, waiting for you to respond.

Your brain seems to stutter to a stop, you aren’t exactly sure why , but you’re suddenly over come with a rush of nervousness and your mouth opens and closes in an effort to string a sentence together.

“¿Hola? ¿Hay alguien ahí?” he asks, confusion clear in his tone.

You finally managed to catch up with yourself and splutter out a response, “¿Javier? Este es (y/n), ¿es este el número correcto?” you ask, switching to Spanish out of habit since he was speaking it as well.

You hear a small chuckle on the other end and can’t help the butterflies that erupt in your stomach because of it, “I see you took my suggestion on speaking more Spanish…I could get used to that,” he says suggestively, his low baritone seeping through the phones speaker.

You feel yourself blush slightly at his words, and he takes the silence as a cue to continue, “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call. Thought I had scared you off,” he teases.

You bite your lip trying to hold back the smile threatening to creep onto your lips and shake your head, “No you didn’t scare me off,” you begin, “work has just been really busy is all,” you explain, leaving out the part about how many times you had tried and failed to call him.

He hums quietly, the low frequency causing the speaker to crackle slightly before he speaks up, “so work has been busy?” he follows up.

You nod even though he can’t see you and you relax back in your chair, swiveling side to side slowly, “Yeah, we just got a huge lead on our case, so I’ve had a lot on my plate. I’m…exhausted honestly,” you admit, your tough-agent exterior slowly fading as you talked to him.

It’s silent for a moment before Javier responds, “Are you free tonight?”

Your heart speeds up at this question. Why did he want to know? Did he want to meet at the bar again? Or did he want to arrange some other activities?

Your thoughts were racing so fast that you didn’t respond immediately, prompting Javier to clear his throat, “You still there?”

You startle slightly, “yeah, uh – yeah I’m still here,” you say quickly, “and yes I’m free tonight…why do you ask?” you question cautiously.

“Well,” he begins, “I wanted to know if you’d let me take you to dinner.” He says, his words shocking you.

Your grip on the phone becomes tighter as your palms become slightly clammy, “like-“ you pause, stumbling over your words, “like a date?” you ask, voice coming out in a higher pitch than intended.

Javier lets out a laugh on the other end of the phone and you feel an embarrassed flush creep up your neck, completely sure you had made an utter fool of yourself. But Javier spoke up after his laughter died down and you felt your heart flutter in your chest at his words.

“Yes, like a date,” he confirms, amusement clear in his voice.

A smile creeps onto your face and you lean forward, fingers playing with the chord of the phone, and you let out a small sigh, “That would be…nice,” you admit, “I would love to go to dinner with you Javier.”

“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at 6. Does that time work okay?”

“I get off at 5, so that works great. I’ll see you then Javi,” you say gently, afraid If you speak any louder it will somehow ruin the happy moment you’re having.

“I’ll see you at 6,” he confirms, then you hear a soft click, indicating the call was over.

You set the phone back in its cradle before taking the small piece of paper with his number on it and tucking it away in your jacket. A large smile adorning your face the entire time, even as you glanced at the clock.

Three more hours.

Your heart sped up slightly at the thought of your plans once more and you tried to look less excited, lest anyone walks back into the office. But you couldn’t hide the smile even as you returned to your work.

You had a date with Javier Peña.

***

You stood in front of your bathroom mirror, picking at your hair and running your hands down the front of the dress you had on. It was five minutes till six and your nerves had reached an all time high as you fussed with your outfit while waiting for Javier to arrive. He hadn’t specified where he was taking you tonight, and you had been too caught up in the fact that he had asked you on a date to even think about inquiring about the destination. So now you were stuck here, in front of your mirror, deciding whether you dressed appropriately or not. You didn’t want to stay in your work clothes for obvious reasons, but you also didn’t want to be overdressed. So, you ended up settling on a simple yellow sundress, something suitable for the warm Colombian weather, and also a bit nicer than what you usually wear.

A sudden and firm knocking at your door made your heart race, and you glanced at your reflection in the mirror one last time before you darted from the bathroom and out to the living room grabbing your purse from the couch as you went.

“I’m coming!” you call as you approached the door.

Your hand fell to the doorknob and you close your eyes, taking one final steadying breath, trying to remind yourself that it was just a date and that you had done this a million times. Why are you freaking out? You open your eyes again before finally turning the knob and opening the door. You smiled at the sight that greeted you – it was Javier, obviously, but he was a little more dressed up than usual. Dark jeans paired with a dark red button up shirt that complimented him very well with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. You watched as his mouth fell open slightly and his eyes traveled from your face down to your feet then back up again, and you felt yourself flush under his gaze, suddenly self-conscious.

“Is this okay?” you ask, fingers fiddling with the hem of your dress, “You didn’t say where we were going so I just-“

Javier cut you off, “No, no – nothing’s wrong I just,” he stumbles over his words, resting one hand on his hip while gesturing to you with the other, “Te ves hermosa,” he says.

You feel your face heat up even more at his compliment, “Thank you Javi,” you say quietly, “you look really handsome yourself,” you state, stepping from the apartment and locking the door behind you before turning to him again, giving him a wide smile.

“Ready?” you ask.

Javier returns the gesture, casting you his signature smile before offering you his hand, “of course, my car is parked out front.” He says, threading his finger with yours as you place your hand in his

Neither of you say anything until you reach his car. He opens the door for you, waiting until you get inside before shutting it and walking around to his side. the minuet the door is shut you are hit with the faintly familiar smell of whiskey, cigarettes, and just a very faint hint of cologne - a smell that you can only describe as Javi. You watch as he walks around the front of the car to the driver’s side and opens the door, sliding in and starting the ignition. He pulls out of the parking lot of your apartment and onto the road before you finally speak.

“Where are we going anyway?” you ask.

Javier glances from the road to you momentarily before shrugging his shoulder slightly and returning his gaze to the road, “it’s just this mom and pop place on the other side of town. I’m friends with the owners so I go there a lot, it’s probably one of the best restaurants in Bogotá. They have the best enmolada’s in town,” he says confidently.

You nod, “That sounds good. I’m excited to try something other than the places on my street,” you admit.

“Well, after you eat here, you won’t want to eat anywhere else,” he insists.

You chuckle, “we’ll see about that.”

The conversation continues on like that, both of you talking about little things until you pull into the parking lot of the restaurant and Javier kills the engine. He quickly hops out of the driver’s seat and jogs over to your side, opening your door before you could and offering you his hand to help you out.

Ever the gentleman it seems.

You give him a small smile and don’t fail to notice that he keeps his hand in yours all the way into the restaurant. He calls a short greeting to a man in the back of the restaurant, someone who you assume to be the owner he claimed to know, before you were both seated in a booth towards the middle of the room. Javier doesn’t even let you look at the menu that had been sat in front of you, stating that you were going to try the enmolada’s just so he could prove to you he was right. You just rolled your eyes teasingly, swatting his arm but relenting to his request, nonetheless. As you two waited on your meal, and even throughout the meal, conversation flowed nonstop. You talked about anything and everything. Whether it was work, family, telling him about the antics you and Steve got into at work, or Javier telling you stories about his Dad and the trouble they would get into when he was younger. It was…refreshing. You can’t remember the last time you had laughed or smiled this much in years, not to mention the near constant butterflies in your stomach anytime Javier smiled or winked at you. You found yourself hoping that there would be more dates in the future. More Javier in your future. Both of you stayed late into the night, your dishes mostly finished and taken away by the waiter hours before, yet you two stayed talked until you brought up the one question you had been curious about all night but kept forgetting to ask.

“So, what do you do?” you ask, “You know what I do for work, but you haven’t told me what kind of work you do.” You observe innocently.

Javier takes a sip of his drink and shrugs, “my family runs a coffee plantation on the outskirts of Bogotá,” he begins, “It’s gotten pretty big in the past few years so I help manage it and deal with exports,” he states.

You feel your eyes brows raise, “I didn’t take you for a coffee bean farmer,” you joke.

Javier rolls his eyes, “I’m not,” he defends, “I handle the managerial side of it. I’m better with logistics and running the business,” he explains, “but I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty if I have too,” he says plainly.

You nod your head, completely unaware of the double meaning behind Javier’s words. While he wasn’t telling you the whole truth, he wasn’t necessarily lying to you. He did handle the business side of things, he was good at logistics and planning and strategizing, just not for a coffee plantation. But you didn’t know that, and Javier intended to keep it that way.

He was about to turn the conversation back on you when he heard his name being called. He stopped in his tracks and looked up to see the owner, Mateo, walking up to the booth you both occupied.He stopped when he was next to the table and leaned down to whisper in Javier’s ear.

You looked between them confusedly, watching as the smile fell from Javier’s face before he patted the man’s arm, “Está bien, ya voy” Javier says, sighing as the man walks away and he looks to you, a slightly regretful look in his eyes.

“I’ll be right back, okay?” he says, as he stands from the booth.

You cast him a confused glance, “What? Where – “

He cuts you off, “I promise it will only take a minute,” he says, eyes pleading with you.

You swallow your questions and just nod, “Okay, I’ll be here,” you say quietly, eyes not leaving him as he nods before walking to the back of the restaurant.

He was true to his word however, because not even five minutes later you saw Javier stalk back into the dinning room. But the minute he arrived back at your table you could tell something was off, his lips were set into a frown and his shoulders were tense. But mostly you could tell when he spoke, his words harsh and clipped.

“We have to go,” he said curtly, standing beside the table and looking down at you.

It feels like you have whiplash from how different his demeanor is, but you don’t really think to question him as you stand from your seat and struggle to keep up with this fast pace as you exit the building.

“Is everything okay?” you ask when you get to the car, not failing to notice how he doesn’t open the door for you this time.

He let’s out a small huff as you both climb into the car, and he puts the key into the ignition, bringing the car to life and pulling out of the parking lot, “it’s nothing,” he snaps, ushering you both into an anxious silence.

You don’t dare say a word as Javier drives you back to your apartment, the tension in the air suffocating. You keep your eyes on the scenery passing by outside the window, afraid that if you even look at him, you’ll set something off. Only when you pull up to your apartment is there a slight shift in the atmosphere. He parks the car and kills the engine, exiting his side and walking over to greet you as you exit yours. He doesn’t take your hand, but he does walk with you up to your apartment, his hand laying gently on the small of your back until you reach your door. Once you arrive, you turn to face him, swallowing past the anxious lump in your throat in order to speak, a small effort to try and lessen the tension.

“I had a really good time tonight,” you say quietly, not meeting his eyes.

Your voice is small, as if your afraid you’ll upset him if you speak any louder, and Javier lets outs a sigh, rubbing a hand down his face.

The night had started out great for Javier. He had the perfect plan to get just that much closer to you, and it all started with this date. Had to put on an act. It went perfectly in the beginning, he oversold his chivalrous nature, silently celebrating when you fell for it immediately. He took you to his favorite restaurant, something else he knew you would like since it showed you more of him personally. Then, you both started talking, and as the evening drew on longer and longer, Javier started to notice a small problem.

He wasn’t acting anymore.

His laughs became less forced, his smiles came naturally, and he even felt an unfamiliar stirring in his chest when you would let out a laugh or blush at something he said. As the minutes turned into hours, Javier was completely and utterly surprised to come to the conclusion that he genuinely enjoyed your company. He enjoyed hearing about your everyday life, even the mundane things – and this was not part of the plan.

Neither was the phone call.

What turned out to be a surprisingly good night on Javier’s part, was turned sour when Mateo had approached Javier, informing him that there was a call for him on the establishments phone, apparently one of his men searching for him. If that wasn’t disconcerting enough, the information he was given completely ruined his mood. His closest confidant and partner in the cartel, Arlo, was on the other end, and he had nothing good to say. He had information that several of the lower level cartel members had gone AWOL, deciding that they no longer wanted to follow the rules Javier had set in place, claiming that his discrete nature was preventing the cartel from moving further ahead. So, they left, leaving mass destruction in their wake as well as stealing several hundred kilos of his cocaine supply on the way out. Javier had slammed the phone back on the receiver, mind clouded with frustration not only about his stolen drugs and betrayal, but about his feelings for you as well. His anger had gotten the best of him and given him the title of ‘worst date ever’. He only realized this as he stood in front of you at your apartment, taking in the way your arms wrapped around yourself and how you refused to look at him as you told him you had a good time despite acting the exact opposite.

“No,” he sighs, “you didn’t. And it’s my fault,” he admits, regret lacing his words.

You finally met his eyes as the words left his lips and you shook your head, reaching out to take one of his hands on your own, squeezing gently, “No, Javi – I really did have a good time,” you reassured, “the ending was a little…tense,” you admit, shrugging your shoulders slightly before continuing, “but I really did have a great time. I promise.”

Javier looked to you now, eyes searching yours and finding nothing but sincerity. And in that moment, Javier knew he was in a lot deeper than he had anticipated. Yet, he couldn’t find it in him to care all that much, not as he saw the innocent look in your eyes and the small smile tugging at your lips. You genuinely had a good night, and seemed to care about him in some way, something Javier hasn’t experience in a long time. So, before he can stop himself, his free hand is gently cupping your cheek, as he leans down slightly, smiling just a little when your lips meet his. You let go of his hand in favor of bringing both of yours to rest on his chest, while his other hand wraps around your waist, pulling you closer to him.

Your heart stutters as your lips move in sync, and even though you had done a lot more than just kiss him the first time you met, this was different. You couldn’t explain how, but you just knew there was something more behind this small act of affection than anything else. When Javier finally pulls away, you both are slightly breathless and you take a small step back, pulling your keys from your purse and gesturing to your apartment - a silent plea for him to stay.

Javier pauses for a moment. His initial reaction is to jump on the opportunity, say yes and stay with you all night long, but his more rational thoughts are telling him no. He’s already starting to feel things he shouldn’t, this wasn’t meant to be real,  He just needs to get close to you to protect his cartel - his life. He can’t let his foolish feelings get in the way of protecting everything he’s built. So, he shakes his head, trying to ignore the pang in his chest at your slightly crestfallen expression.

He reaches forward, taking your hand in his lightly, “I would love too,” he admits, “but there’s an issue at work that have to deal with…that’s what happened back at the restaurant,” he explains.

Though you’re still disappointed, you nod, “I get it,” you turn and unlock your apartment door, one of your hands still held in Javier’s as you take a small step inside the apartment, “I think I understand more than anyone really,” you say earnestly.

Javier casts you a small, albeit regretful, smile before bringing the back of your hand up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to your knuckles, “thank you,” he says quietly, dropping your hand and taking a step back, “buenas noches preciosa,” he says lowly, before turning and retreating down the hallway.

“Buenas noches, Javi,” you whisper.

But by the time you reply, he’s already out of sight - leaving you with a warm feeling in your chest but completely unaware of the storm raging inside of him.

////

¿Hola? ¿Hay alguien ahí? – hello? Is anyone there?

¿Javier? este es (y/n), ¿es este el número correcto? – Javier? This is (y/n), is this the right number?

Te ves hermosa – you look beautiful.

Está bien, ya voy. – okay, I’ll be right there.

buenas noches preciosa – Good night beautiful.

Buenas noches – Good night.

///

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[atlafan]

Take it Slow - Part Seventy-Two

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: Fluff, smut, and angst if you squint. 

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

You and Eleanor sat out on the balcony for a bit while so Harry and Louis could go hang out up in the loft and talk pictures and cameras and stuff.

“You look great, El.”

“Thanks, just wish I felt great.” She laughs. “I was hopin’ I’d be one of those pregnant women that only gain weight in the belly. Feel like everythin’ else is growin’ with it.” She sighs. “Although, I’ll say I’m startin’ to feel less gross now. At least you can tell I’m pregnant and not just fat.” You both laugh.

“You know Harry talks about wanting a baby all the time. He’s cooled it a bit now that we have Buster. I feel like he thinks the whole process is going to be a breeze.”

“Well of course he does, he’s a man. His hormones don’t get thrown out of wack, his body gets to stay the way it is, oh and after the only thing he gets to have happen to him as that he’ll be tired. I know I shouldn’t, but I’ve read so many disgusting stories about after havin’ the baby. The things they don’t really tell you. Like rippin’ all the way open to your arse, and what’s it’s like to really go to the bathroom for the first time. Your body is tryin’ to recover, meanwhile you’re expected to take of this new thing that just came outta yeh. Fuck’n terrifyin’.”

“Can I ask…I mean, was this planned, did you two have a slip up?”

“A mix of both actually. I had gotten off the pill because I knew we’d be wantin’ t’try in the next year or so and I just wanted to give my body some time to adjust. So naturally we switched to condoms.” She takes a sip of her water. “Lou, god love ‘em, didn’t notice that one of ‘em broke while we were usin’ it, I didn’t either. Next thing we knew I was throwin’ up most mornings and when we took the test sure enough it said I was pregnant. Broke his heart to move the date back for the wedding, but I refuse to either still be pregnant or have this nasty baby weight on me.”

“I don’t blame you at all. Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the best days of your life, you don’t wanna look back on the photos and be unhappy.”

“Exactly! I know I’ve been snippy with him lately, and he’s been so patient and understanding. With his ex he was the same way, probably more so, so she wouldn’t snatch Freddie away. Not that she would, but it was always in the back of his head.”

“Harry told me he talks to the baby every night.”

“Oh, he does.” She chuckles. “It’s actually really cute. He’ll help me rub some cocoa butter on, it’s to help with the stretch marks, and then he’ll hum and chat with it.”

“Are you going to wait to see what you’re having?”

“Yeah, we really wanna be surprised. No one does that anymore. Everyone’s doin’ these gender reveal parties now, and I really don’t like ‘em. You’re already determining the kid’s life and personality before it gets here.”

“I agree, they’re way over done.”

“Love?” Louis steps outside with Harry. “We should probably get goin’, wanna beat the traffic and all that.”

“Alright.” He comes over to help her up, not that she needed it. “You boys have fun lookin’ at your cameras?”

“Yup.” He smiles at her. “Thanks again for havin’ us.”

“You’ll stay with us again for the studio opening?” Harry asks. Louis freezes and looks at you.

“Um, I think Niall called dibs on us for that. Gotta take turns y’know?” He laughs.

“Oh…alright then.”

The two leave. You and Harry flop on the sofa with Buster.

“Poor thing, she’s not having an easy time.”

“Yeah, Lou was tellin’ me a bit this morning…they haven’t had sex in nearly two months.”

“Can you blame her? She feels disgusting. God, I’d probably feel the same way. Having literally no control over the way your body changes every day. Not to mention the bump getting in the way all of a sudden. I’d feel like I was crushing you.” Harry swallows hard, his anxiety returning. “Not to mention the resentment.” You laugh.

“Resentment?”

“Yeah, you know the cliché, you did this to me?” You laugh again, but his face stays solid.

“Do you really think it’s that bad the entire time?”

“No…I mean, everyone’s different. I know people who have had really easy pregnancies, but it’s not perfect one-hundred percent of the time. I’m sure things will get better, she’s just starting her second trimester, I heard that’s when things sort of level out.”

“Right…” He looks at Buster and pets him. “Glad we have this little guys for now. He’s all we need for the time being.”

“Couldn’t agree with you more.”

“Can I ask an awkward question?”

“Sure.”

“Erica and Kyle…I mean…that was a weird thing to bring up yesterday.”

“Oh god, I know.”

“I mean, not that I expect you guys to talk about your sex lives, but they thought I was chokin’ yeh to hurt yeh…”

“Yeah, they’re idiots.” You sigh. “We also grew up in sort of a strict home…sort of conservative about certain things. We watched movies that had sex and stuff in it, but I never had like a talk with my parents about it. And anytime I wanted to talk with Erica I just felt awkward. And god know Bridget had no experience. I learned most of what I learned from reading shit on the internet. Plus, I was always nervous with boys in high school. That first kiss story? I was fourteen right? Didn’t kiss another boy until I was seventeen, about to graduate from high school. Then, the next person I kissed was the guy I first had sex with nearly two years later. Did everything for the first time all in one night.” Harry nods. “See, I feel like I was the only one that was able to really explore sex because I was the only one to go away to school. Bridget and Kyle commuted. He had a couple girlfriends, but my parents made him sleep on the couch if he wanted one of them to sleepover.”

“Ah, classic.”

“As if my brother would do anything, his room was right next to my parents’.” You laugh. “And Erica’s been with her boyfriend for nearly ten years. I mean she had a few different boyfriends in high school, but she was locked down when she went to college. And then there was me…”

“You know, you’ve never told me your number.”

“And you’ve never told me yours. It’s not something I think we need to share. The guy I first slept with was the only guys I slept with for about four months. It was just a sex thing. He, however, had a few girls on rotation.” You roll your eyes at the memory. “Things ended in a bad way, it was messy. After that I got a Tinder and I started hooking up all the time. Had a few little relationships here and there, but nothing serious. I think my siblings would be shocked if they knew about all the shit I did, who I did it with, and where it was done.” You say blushing. “I basically told Erica she just needs to mind her own business, and that was that.”

“Good, because I don’t need anyone shamin’ us. There’s worse things we could be doin’ anyways.”

“Yeah, cause you know, anal totally isn’t worse than lightly choking someone.” Harry bursts out laughing and pulls you on top of him snuggle.

“Nope, not worse at all.”

//

“Bug spray?”

“Check.”

“Sun screen?”

“Check.”

“Water bottle?”

“Check.”

“Inhaler?”

“Check.”

“Sleeping bag?”

“Check.”

“Deo-“

“Babe, I promise, I got all my toiletries.”

“You’re going to be up in New Hampshire for two nights with probably zero cell service, I need to make sure you’re alright and have everything you need.”

He cups your face in his hands and kisses you.

“You’re gonna miss me a little, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am.” You pout. “I’m just glad Buster’s staying here with me, I’ll have someone to cuddle.”

“What are you and the girls doin’?”

“Well, they’re setting up shop here, in the guest room. We’re gonna do some face masks, nails, watch a ton of movies. It’ll be fun.”

“Good.” Harry looks at his watch. “Nearly eight, I gotta get this shit in the car and head out with Niall.”

“I’ll walk down with you, Buster probably needs to pee again. C’mon baby, let’s go say bye to daddy.” You pus the leash on him and walk down. Sarah was with Niall at Harry’s car.

“You’re never on time for anythin’.” Niall laughs.

“Alright, have a safe trip and a good time. If you have service, let us know when you get there.” Sarah says to Niall. They kiss and he gets in the car.

Harry gives Buster a hug, then looks at you.

“I love you, be good.” He says. You fake gasp.

“I am always on my best behavior.”

“With those two, oh yeah, for sure.”

“Love you too.”

He wraps his arms around you and gives you a deep kiss. You bite his bottom lip before he lets you go.

“Right.” He coughs. “Uh, bye.”

He gets into the car and drives off.

“You two…are disgusting.” Sarah laughs.

“Stop, we are not.” You sigh.

“Did you tell him we’re going out tonight?”

“You know, it slipped my mind.”

“I didn’t tell Niall either.”

“Come on, I’ll make us some breakfast, Rachel will be over later this afternoon.”

//

Harry and Niall mostly listen to music on the drive up. They pick Louis up on the way.

“What’s El up to this weekend?” Niall asks.

“Her mum’s actually visiting this weekend, so this couldn’t have come at a better time.” He laughs. “They’re talkin’ about havin’ her stay with us for a bit once the baby’s born.” He sighs. “Wouldn’t be the end of the world, but still.”

The three have a nice ride up to the campground. All the talk is pretty lighthearted. Harry pays to park, and one of the rangers tells them where they can set up. They find a nice spot that had a fire pit and they set up their tents.

“Harry, m’bunkin’ with yeh, I didn’t have a tent.” Louis says.

“Yeah, mate, no problem.”

The boys have lunch and decide to go for a walk. They knew they’d be sitting around doing a lot of drinking later, so the least they could do was walk around and enjoy the beautiful area there were in.

//

Rachel came over around three in the afternoon. You all decided to make frozen margaritas and sit out on the balcony listening to music.

“So, what’s Mariah up to this weekend?” You ask.

“She’s catching up with some of her own friends.” She says taking a sip of her cool drink. “God, I can’t wait to go to Seth’s tomorrow. Nothing like day drinking on a Sunday.”

“I know! And his apartment is so cool, heated pool and everything. It’s gonna be really hot out tomorrow, I’m definitely bringing my swim suit.”

“Plus, we’re going to that indoor/outdoor place tonight. I’m super excited.” You say.

“Did either of tell Harry and Niall about Seth?”

“You know…” Sarah says sipping her drink. “It didn’t come up.”

“Harry just let go of thinking something was happening between Niall and I, no way was I going to bring up going to a guy friend’s house party. Can we please just be careful with posting pictures?”

“I thought they weren’t going to have service.”

“Well, they could, and they could always see stuff later.” Sarah says.

“How sad that the two of you are afraid of your boyfriends…”

“We’re not afraid of them.” You say.

“Sometimes it’s just easier to leave certain things out.”

//

A little before dusk, Harry and the boys got a fire started. The cracked open their beers and snacked on chips. Louis took a joint out of his bag.

“Lads?”

“Pass it over.” Niall says and takes a hit. “Harry?”

“Sure.” He takes it. “Can’t remember the last time I smoked.” He smirks and takes a hit, then passes it back to Louis.

“Got plenty for the weekend. Haven’t been able to smoke since El got pregnant.”

“Can’t mention this to the girls at all.” Niall says. “I know it’s just weed, but I think Sarah would kill me.”

“Same with Y/N, I don’t think she’s kill me, but it’s just better if it stays between us.”

“What happens in New Hampshire, stays in New Hampshire.” Louis says.

Eventually all the boys themselves laying on the ground, looking up the stars, staying cozy by the fire.

“We hikin’ tomorrow?” Louis asks.

“Definitely, lotta great trails around here.” Niall says.

“Lou, are you scared to be a dad again?” Harry asks out of nowhere. Louis props himself up on his elbows so he can better look at his friend.

“What? Not really, no. It’s a little scary I suppose that I’ll be doin’ it full time. And I’m a little scared that Freddie’s gonna think I’m replacin’ him…but not scared to be a dad again.”

“Does Freddie know he’s gonna be a big brother?” Niall asks.

“Yeah, we told him a few weeks ago. He said he’s excited to have someone to play with.” He smiles. “Bri took it really well too. I think she’s happy he’ll be a big brother too.”

“It’s nice you all have gotten to a point where you all can get along.” Harry says.

“I mean, I walk on eggshells with Bri, but I’d rather do that than fight with her.” He takes a sip of his drink. “How’s havin’ a dog goin’?”

“Oh, it’s great. Think it’s just what we needed. I think it’s added a little more structure to our daily routines. Like we have to get up and take him out, stuff like that.”

“They call each other mummy and daddy.” Niall says laughing.

“A lot of people do that with their pets, don’t make fun of him. So, uh, when else does she call you daddy?” He smirks and Harry nudges him.

“She doesn’t.” He laughs.

“I still can’t believe you’ve made a life with someone. When yeh told me you were seein’ someone and already asked her to be your girlfriend, I was shocked, but really happy for you.”

“I don’t know what it was, I feel like I found my soulmate or some shit.” Harry sits up and starts sniffling. The other two sit up as well.

“Now I remember why you stopped smokin’, yeh always cry when yeh have too much.” Niall says, giving him a pat on the back.

“Shut up.” He sniffles.

“Why are you cryin’?” Louis asks, putting his hand on his knee.

“I’ve just never said that out loud to anyone before.” He wipes his eyes. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, it’s fuckin’ terrifying.”

“Do you think she feels the same way, that you’re her soulmate?” Louis asks.

“She must, right? I know she sees a life with me or she wouldn’t have agreed to gettin’ a dog. I…you know she had a pregnancy scare a couple months ago, well sort of, she just missed one of her pills. And I really didn’t think it was a big deal, like if she got pregnant we would’ve just dealt with it, but now I’m sorta glad she didn’t. The whole thing seems really stressful.”

“It’s very stressful, mate. Worth it, but it’s not a movie. She’s got a nephew right?”

“Yeah.”

“Good, enjoy just bein’ an uncle for a bit. Hell, enjoy bein’ an uncle to my kids. I know you’ve always wanted to be a dad, and you’ll be a great one when the time comes, but there’s really no rush.”

“I’m startin’ to see that…” Harry looks at Niall. “What about you, is Sarah your soulmate?”

“I don’t really believe in the soulmate thing.” He shrugs. “Do I think she’d make a great partner in life? Sure. I mean, I’m grateful every day we went out with the girls that night and we met. I enjoy spendin’ my free time with her, and we’re in love there’s no doubt about that.”

“Do you think you’ll marry her some day?”

“Too soon to tell, to be honest with yeh. You know me, I live in the present. I think once we’ve been together a year I’ll ask her to move in with me.”

“You two really are on opposite ends of the spectrum.”

“Yeah, and you’re right in the middle.” Harry jokes.

“Well, when are you poppin’ the question to Y/N, know you’ve thought about it. Surprised you don’t have the ring with yeh now.”

“It’s been purchased, and it’s in London. I plan to pick it up when I go home later in the summer. I’m waitin’ for us to be together a year before I ask. Her family’s a little conservative, so I figure if we’ve been together a year, then no one can really tell us we’re movin’ too fast. Plus it takes like another year to actually get married with all the planning.”

“God, look at us. We’re so grown up.” Louis says. “It’s fuckin’ disgustin’.” They all laugh. “I mean really, if someone told me six years ago I’d be gettin’ ready to be a father of two, you’d be gettin’ ready to move in with a serious girlfriend, and you’d be just about on your knee ready to propose, I’d of laughed in their face.” They all laugh, but Harry feels tears prick at his eyes again.

“I just don’t want this to change. No matter how much we keep growin’ up, or no matter how busy we get with our own lives, we have to make time for this.” He says through sniffles. “She may be my soulmate, but you two are like…”

The both hug Harry. Nothing else needed to be said on that. The three of them loved each other, and they knew it.

//

The three of you had a great time at the bar. You didn’t stay out too late because you knew you’d be out all day tomorrow. The three of you camp out in the living room, which makes Buster very happy. You all decide to watch a movie and just snuggle up with each other like old times.

“Okay, now that we’re drunk, there’s been something I’ve been dying to ask.” Rachel says just as the movie starts.

“What’s that?” You ask.

“Well, Sarah’s told me all about her butt adventures with Niall…she let him get in there you know?”

“I do know, I also know she didn’t like it very much.”

“It was just incredibly awkward and embarrassing, but it’s shut him about it so we’re good.”

“The last time we talked about it you asked me how a strap worked…” She starts giggling.

“I think…I think that’s something that should remain private.” Rachel and Sarah squeal and giggle.

“That just means you used one!” Rachel says. “How often? Did he like it?”

“Guys…I really don’t think he’d appreciate me talking about it.”

“As if they’re not talking about. That’s what guys do when they’re alone, they share sex notes.” Sarah says. “You can’t possibly think they’re out there, laying under the stars having a deep conversation.”

“No…I suppose you’re right…okay, I’ll tell you a little bit, but please, it’s so personal…”

“We won’t say anything. Everything this weekend stays between us.” Rachel says.

“We’ve…done it a few times…it’s incredible. And he actually likes it, it feels good for him.”

“Obviously, once you get a man’s prostate in the mix, there’s no going back.” Rachel says.

“I was surprised, honestly. He took it so well. I told him he could be the one to ask for it after we first did it because I didn’t want him to feel pressured. He’s so cute, one time was like,” You look down and put your two index finger tips together, “got some more lube today, love.”  They both squeal.

“God, Harry is the shyest, cutest thing sometimes.” Sarah says.

“I wish Mariah was here, she tells the best stories about Harry. He has this really tough exterior, but he’s such a good person.”

“Yeah, he’d take the shirt off his back if someone needed it.” You smile.

“Now that he’s not sitting right here will you please tell us what the fuck was up with your neck last weekend?”

“Oh for the love of god, sometimes we choke each other, lightly, when we’re doing it. He happened to do it to me the night before the party and he didn’t take his rings off so they left bruises. Clearly I didn’t cover them up correctly.”

“Hot damn.” Sarah says. “You know I let Niall choke me sometimes, it’s pretty hot. It’s like just a little bit of pressure.”

“Exactly! And I do it to Harry too sometimes.”

“You choke him, you peg him, damn, he’s a trooper.” Rachel laughs.

“He does things to me too, it’s not all me. We’re just very comfortable with each other. I wouldn’t take Niall as the choking type.”

“The same could be said for you my friend.” Sarah says and you all giggle. “So…you have this apartment, you have a dog, when do you think he’s going to pop the question?”

“I have no idea, not anytime soon. I mean, I know it’ll happen eventually, but there’s no rush. I think we’re both happy with how things are right now.”

“How often do you talk about it?” Rachel asks.

“A little here and there. Like if I say if, he’ll always correct me and say when.” You start to tear up a bit. “I never thought…I never thought I’d ever be someone that someone else would want to marry and have a life with.” You full on start sobbing and the girls hold you. “Like…he’s my everything, you know? He’s truly my person. I never thought I’d get this lucky.”

“You deserve the whole world, Y/N.” Rachel says. “And Harry wants to give it to you, I know he does.” You look at her and smile.

“Yeah! And Niall says all the time that he’s never seen Harry like this with anyone. I think you two really sparked something within each other.”

Buster starts yipping and comes over to you. He licks on of your cheeks.

“Aw, mumma’s okay Buster.” You pull him into your lap.

The three of you talk a bit more, and then settle to watch the rest of the movie.

//

The next morning the boys get up early to go for a hike. Harry and Louis had shared a tent, and Louis’ laughter wakes Harry up.

“What?” He grumbles.

“Let me see, your head’s in my neck, and you’ve got an arm and a leg thrown over me. Someone miss their lady last night?”

“You know I’m a cuddly sleeper, this isn’t news.” He looks up at him. “What are yeh, suddenly not manly enough to have a cuddle with me?”

Louis wraps an arm around Harry and pulls him in closer. Niall unzips their tent and crawls in with them, going to Louis’ other side.

“Really glad this is a secluded area. Someone walkin’ by would think this is an orgy.” Niall jokes.

“Someone would just be jealous they couldn’t snuggle with three fine men such as ourselves. Now, I’ll give it five more minutes and then we need to get up.”

Harry took some pictures along the trail. He wondered if you’d ever go hiking with him. It took them about two hours to get the summit. They sit there for a while just taking in the view.

“Harry?” Louis asks.

“Yeah, mate?” Harry says, just biting into a banana.

“How do you think you’ll propose to Y/N when you do it? I feel like I had the campus thing with El planned for months.”

“I don’t know yet. I want her to feel really special, but I also want it to be a complete surprise, you know? I have a song in mind I’d like to have playin’ in the background, and I’ve thought a bit about what I might say, but I haven’t really thought of where yet.”

“You should recreate your first date.” Niall suggests.

“Can’t, she did that for my birthday. Besides, she’d suspect somethin’ was up.”

“True…you could tell her there’s some fancy party you have to go to so there’s your excuse to dress up. Oh! And you could just have her meet you wherever it is, so she could walk into the scene.”

“Wait, I’ve got it. Tell her you need her help for one of your freelance gigs. Then she won’t suspect a thing.” Louis says.

“That could actually work. I’d want it to be at night, outside I think. Lights strung up in some trees.” The three of them look off into the distance imagining it. “It’d be beautiful.”

//

The three of you head to Seth’s around noon. Your mom came over to watch Buster for the day. He’d be fine on his own, but you felt bad leaving him either way. The three of you looked cute, as always. You were wearing a pair of high waisted jean shorts, tennis shoes and a green crop top. Sarah had a casual sundress on, and Rachel had a pair of black shorts and blue crop top on. You all packed your bathing suits and towels, and headed out.

“Hey!” He says to you as you make your way to the backyard of his apartment. “It’s been forever!” He hugs all of you. “Help yourselves to whatever you want. You should know a few people here. Pool’s open and heated.”

“Seth, I brought some veggie burgers for myself for whenever you start grilling, where should I put them?”

“Toss them in that cooler near the grill.”

“Thanks.”

The truth was, both you and Sarah had slept with Seth in college, multiple times. It wasn’t weird for the three of you. A lot of time had passed, but the little memories still lingered.

The three of you start drinking and mingling with others at the party. Seth gets the grill going and he calls you over.

“Alright, how the fuck do I make these things?” He slings an arm over your shoulders.

“Well, and here’s the amazing part, there’s directions right on the package. Did you forget how to read, Sethy?” He rolls his eyes at you playfully.

“Okay smarty pants, can you read them to me while I get the other shit on here?”

“Sure.”

“Hey, smile you two!” You both turn around and smile at Sarah as she snaps a picture.

“Get in here too, selfie.” He says. Sarah holds up the phone and takes a selfie of the three of you.

“How are things with the two of you anyways?” He asks, throwing a veggie burger on the grill. “You both have jobs and boyfriends?”

“Yup! I’m a third grade teacher, and I’m dating one of Y/N’s best guy friends.”

“Yeah, and I work in marketing and I date my best guy friend’s guy friend.” You laugh. “What about you?”

“In between ladies at the moment, but I’ve got a good job so no complaints.” Rachel calls Sarah over for something, but you stay with Seth. “He treating you alright?”

“Yeah, his name is Harry by the way. Wanna see a picture?”

“Please, show me.” You smile and take out your phone. You show Seth some pictures of Harry and tell him all about him. “Seems like a great guy, Y/N.”

“He’s the best. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Well, I’m happy for you then. And for Sarah.” He smiles. “How about Rachel, how’s she?”

“She’s great. She’s dating Harry’s friend Mariah.”

“Wow, nice that all worked out.”

“Yeah!”

Later on, a ton of you get into the pool. Somehow you end up on Seth’s shoulders and you start playing chicken with some other friends. You were happy you wore your hair up in a bun. Sarah also took a turn on Seth’s shoulders while playing chicken. All in all it was a really great day.

You all dry off and change and hang out around the fire Seth started. One of his friends brought stuff to make s’mores. You couldn’t remember the last time you just shot the shit with your friends from college. It was nice.

//

Harry, Niall, and Louis found a bar to go have drinks at not too far from the campground. They were all looking to eat something a little more filling. Because they were at a restaurant, they all had wifi, so naturally they all started checking their phones.

“Who the fuck is Seth Rowan?” Harry asks.

“Who?”

“This guy, with his arms around Y/N and Sarah.” Harry shows Niall his phone. Another person had taken a picture of the three of you and tagged you in it.

“No idea, where’d you find that?”

“Facebook…I feel like I’ve seen his face before…” Harry goes onto your Instagram, and scrolls back deep. “Christ.” He runs his hand over his face and shows them. There was an old picture of you two kissing, on the mouth and the caption said, spin the bottle.

“Yikes…an ex-boyfriend?” Louis asks.

“No.” Niall says. “That’s an old friend from college. I actually think Sarah might’ve dated him.”

“Well, it fuckin’ looks like something happened. And they were all hanging out with him today. Did you know they were going to a party?”

“No, and clearly you didn’t either.”

“Maybe it was a last minute invite.”

“Or maybe they didn’t want us knowing they were…wait Rachel just posted on her story.”

Harry taps the video.

“You have to do it Y/N! You accepted the dare!”

“You all suck, fine!”

You get up and someone turns the music up louder. You turn around and bend over, shaking your ass. Then you pop your ass, twerking. You stand back up and take a bow as everyone cheers. You sit back down, wrapping yourself in a blanket.

“Hope you all enjoyed that. You’re next Rachel, truth or dare?”

The video ends and Harry’s left there, mouth hanging open.

“Oh…my…god.” Is all he can say.

“Oh my god!” Niall shouts. “Look! Look!” He says showing them Sarah’s story that she made so only close friends could see.

“Sarah, I dare you to kiss Rachel.” Someone says.

“Jesus, as if anyone hasn’t see that before.” She shakes her head and looks at Rachel. “It’s up to you.”

“What the hell, why not?”

The two kiss, only for a few seconds, but the crowd cheers and Rachel curtsies as she sits back down.

“I…I…who are these people?! Certainly not our girlfriends.” Niall says.

“Are you seriously complaining that you just got to watch your girlfriend kiss another girl?” Louis asks. “You both need to chill out. They’re all just havin’ fun.”

“They didn’t tell us they were-“

“Do they need your permission to go out while you’re away?”

“No, but-“

“But nothin’. You two are idiots to get mad over this.”

“I don’t appreciate seein’ my girlfriend kiss someone else, another girl that happens to be her best friend doesn’t make it okay.” Niall huffs.

“I agree.”

Louis shakes his head at the two of them.

“Stupid thing to get mad about.”

The three finish up their drinks and dinner, and head back to the campground. They start up the fire and start drinking more.

“Wish we never looked at our phones. Who knows what else they’re doin’.” Niall says.

“Don’t worry about it, mate.” Louis whines. “It’s literally not a big deal.”

//

“Um…guys?” Rachel says in the uber on the way to your apartment. “Harry looked at my story of Y/N earlier…”

“And Niall saw mine…” Sarah says. “What the fuck, I thought they didn’t have service.”

“Maybe they went somewhere that did. Fuck, you know, I told you guys to be careful with what you posted. Now he’s seen me popping my ass for a group of people he doesn’t even know. Bad enough someone tagged us in a picture with Seth on Facebook. He probably saw that too.” You groan. “Great, I’m sure I’ll be in for it tomorrow.”

“Me too…”

The three of you get back to your apartment. Your mom had left Buster good to go and he was very happy to see the three of you. You all decide you’re done with drinking and just curl up to watch a movie.

//

Once again Harry and Louis wake up cuddling. The two laugh as they get up. They clean everything up and load up the car.

“Please don’t let what they did ruin such a great weekend, lads.”

“We’re not.” Niall says. “But they’re gettin’ a stern talkin’ to.”

“Yeah, very stern.”

Harry drops Louis off, hugging goodbye of course. Rachel had left your place, but Sarah stayed behind. You both figured if you were in trouble, then maybe you could be in trouble together. Harry tells Niall to come up with him, figuring that Sarah would still be over.

“So what’s our game plan?” Sarah asks you.

“I’m…going to jump on him and hug him and kiss him.”

“Okay, okay, that’s good. Soften him up a bit.”

“Maybe he’ll just take me right to the bedroom and we’ll fuck, then talk.”

“And what does that mean for me?”

“Take Niall home and fuck him there.”

You both hear the jingle of keys and you stand up. You hear the boys talking and then stop when they see the two of you standing there.

“You’re home! How was the-“ You start waling towards him, but they both cross their arms.

“Who’s Seth Rowan?”

“Why did you think it was a good idea to post a video of you and Rachel kissing?”

You and Sarah look at each other, then back to them. You both move a little closer to them. A scent hits your nose and your face scrunches.

“Why do you both smell like weed?” You ask crossing your arms.

“Answer our questions first.” Harry says. “When I asked you what your plans for this weekend, it didn’t seem like a party was in the mix.”

“Seth is an old friend from college.” Sarah starts.

“Just a friend? Because I’m pretty sure there’s more to it than that.” You gasp.

“What did you do, creep on my Instagram?”

“Maybe.”

You and Sarah both roll your eyes.

“Friend...with benefits.” Sarah says. “To both of us at one point.”

“You both were hookin’ up with the same guy?” Niall asks and you both nod. “Why?”

“I feel like the answer to that wouldn’t really help our case.” You say. “Look, Seth usually has a Memorial Day party, he invited us and we went. Everything that happened was a long time ago, no harm done.”

“So you shakin’ your ass for a group of people is no harm done?”

“I’m going to fucking kill, Rachel.” You groan. “We were playing truth or dare, what was I supposed to do?”

“Tell the truth about sometin’.”

“I couldn’t.”

“What did they ask you?” You look at Sarah. “Don’t look at her, look at me, what did they ask you that was so bad that you decided to do a dare instead?”

“They asked me…god…they asked me if…if I ever…please Harry, don’t make me say it, just know it was really bad.” He sighs.

“Fine…you know you could have told me you were goin’ to a party.”

“No because you would’ve questioned who Seth was and-“

“Of course I would have, and you could’ve just told me he was a friend from school, come on.”

“Sorry.”

“Niall…”

“I’m assuming they asked you a stupid question too?”

“Yes.”

“Can yeh please just not do that again? Friend or not, I really don’t want yeh kissin’ someone else.”

“Of course! I’m so sorry!” She lunges onto him and kisses all over his face.

You look up at Harry and give him your biggest eyes and pout. He sighs and opens his arms and you jump into them. He lifts you up and you wrap your legs around him.

“Love you both, but I’d like to give my man a proper hello now, so please leave.” They both giggle and head out.

“Where’s Buster?”

“Taking a little nappy.”

“Ah.”

Harry walks you down to the bedroom.

“We’re taking a shower, you wreak. Did you smoke?” He sets you down.

“Yes.”

“Harry…”

“Lou brought a joint with him, it’s no bid deal.”

“Alright.” You start taking your clothes off.

“Alright?”

“You’re letting my weekend slide, so I’m doing the same.”

“Okay.”

“So was it fun?”

“It was great, actually. We went for a hike, got to really see the stars at night. It was nice to just catch up and talk.”

“Yeah, same for us.”

Harry strips and turns the water on in the shower. He looks at you and squints.

“Why don’t you ever dance like that for me?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’d love for you to put on a little show for me like that. Maybe a little lap dance sometime.” He grins.

“In your dreams.”

“Come on, it’ll be a new character for role play.”

“Maybe something CEO does for her assistant?”

“Exactly.”

“We’ll see.”

“Fine, then in the meantime, I’m going to fuck you into the tile.”

“Harry!” You squeal as he yanks you into the shower.

His hands are all over you and his fingers are up inside you before you know it. He nips at your neck as he pumps in and out of you.

“Fuck.” You breathe as his thumb works your clit. You reach to grab his cock and you start pumping it. “You know, this is the only cock I want.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, makes me feel so good. Want it all the time.”

He takes his fingers out of you and sucks on them. He grips one of your thighs and raises it over one of his hips. He thrusts into you. Your back arches against the cold tile. You hands sink into his shoulders as he rocks up into you.

“This is the only cunt I want.” Before you can’t bite your bottom lip, he’s already doing it for you, sucking it into his mouth. “This entire body, actually. It’s all mine, isn’t it?”

“All yours.” You smile at him and he smiles back. He pulls out and turns you around, entering from behind. Your entire front was pressed to the tile. Your head rolls back to his shoulder. “I love you, Harry, fuck!”

“I love, ngh, love you too.”

It doesn’t take either of you long to come. Harry throws his laundry right into the washer, and you both get cozy with Buster on the sofa.

“I really hope you know I didn’t intentionally try to make you upset or anything,”

“I know.” He strokes your back as you lay on him. “I don’t want you thinkin’ that I’m gonna blow up at you though.”

“I guess…because of how things were with my dad growing up, I feel like it’s easier or safer to leave pieced of information out. I know you’re not him, I wouldn’t be with you if you were anything like him, but sometimes those little things are there in the back of my head. I’d do anything to avoid a fight with him, so-“

“Babe.” You look up at him. “I know I get jealous sometimes, and that’s not always fair. But please don’t be afraid to tell me what you’re doin’. The most important thing to me is that you feel safe with me, always.” You nuzzle into his chest.

“I do feel safe with you, I promise. Some things are just hard to shake, I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry your dad fucked you up so much.” He sighs and kisses the top of your head.

“Me too…but I can’t blame everything on him. If I did I’d be just like Bridget. I just know I have certain habits. Like, you know how I always line our shoes up so we don’t trip over them when we walk in?”

“Yeah.”

“Well I do that because of my dad. If there was a hair out place when he got home from work it was like World War three would erupt. I do certain things because I feel like he could just come in at any moment, which is stupid, I mean this is our home, not his.”

“S’not stupid…” You look up at him and kiss him.

“I am sorry though, I was wrong.”

“Yeah, you were.” He smirks. “But it’s okay. I had a really nice time with my friends this weekend, and I suppose I’m glad you did too.” You kiss again.

“What did you guys talk about?”

“Oh, you know, just guy stuff.”

[yootaesowlwrites]

Requested by: Izzy_xxx24

Request: Can I have this one with either Carlos or Daniel please

AU Prompt: D16- Mafia AU - I knew you were too perfect, of fucking course you had to be the leader of the mafia. of ALL things, the leader of the mafia?

A/N: So, I was going to take a nap yesterday afternoon, but then I scrolled through my phone looking at my notes, and just got so inspired, I think I might have gone a little overboard.

Warnings: Guns, Blood, Death, Shock, Fear, Horror, Possessive Carlos, Jealous Carlos.

Word Count: 2.4K

【 • Primary Masterlist • Drivers Masterlist • Carlos Sainz Jr Masterlist • Fan Fiction Masterlist • 】

【 • Prompt List • Smut Prompt List • Scenario Prompt List • Alternate Universe Prompt List • 】

【 • List Of Characters & Drivers I Write For • Rules & Request • 】

(Y/n) sat at the bar in the night club that Carlos owned, he was talking to somebody about some sort of business while she waited for him to finish, she had no idea what kind of business and why it had to done at his club, but she was becoming bored while waiting for him, somebody walks up to her with one thing in their mind, everybody at the club knew not to flirt or talk with her, but now and then a new person would find their way into the club and they try their luck and night was no different, a guy new to town decided to visit the popular night club and saw (Y/n) sitting alone by the bar, and just like every other man, he thought she was single and looking for a quick fuck.

“Can I buy you a drink?” He asks, she could hear the confidence in his voice.

“No thanks.” (Y/n) mutters, Carlos had told her that he was the jealous type and she had witnessed it a few times when she was left alone at the bar while he conducted business, she was always told it was promotion business, she had no idea that he was a Mafia boss.

“Oh come on, one drink.” He says, thinking that she was just playing hard to get.

“I said, no thank you.” (Y/n) says as she turns her head to look at the guy, the bartender could see Carlos approaching the bar and knew by morning the man’s body would be found by the side of the road.

“Don’t be such a bi-“ He begins but was quickly cut off by Carlos.

“Finish that sentence and see what happens,” Carlos says, (Y/n) froze in her spot as the man turns around to look at Carlos. “Go on, I dare you to finish it.” The man had no idea who he was dealing with. “What were you about to call the lady?”

“A bitch.” He says and chuckles, Carlos chuckles as well but (Y/n) could hear how fake it was, she glances at the bartender and saw he had turned away.

“A bitch huh?” Carlos asks, his voice sounding calm, (Y/n) turns around in her chair, her eyes silently pleading with Carlos.

“Carlos, please.” (Y/n) whispers.

“No,” Carlos says harshly. “I will not let this man or any other man call my girl a bitch.” The man stood from his seat.

“Look, man, she was sitting here looking lonely, I was just keeping her company.” The man says, thinking he was going to talk his way out of trouble.

“Company?!” Carlos says loudly, the music in the club cuts off and everyone turns to the bar. “Did everyone hear that? This idiota was keeping my girl company!”

“It’s not such a big deal, man.” He says. “If anything, she’s asking to be fucked in her tight little dress.” If wasn’t silent before, it became silent now, nobody moved and nobody said anything, the regulars already knew that Carlos owned the club and if they disrespected him or (Y/n), you were as good as dead, Carlos’s henchmen made their way to the bar and grabbed the man by his arms harshly. “Hey, what the hell? Let me go!” Carlos takes a step closer to the man.

“You dare come into my club, drinking my expensive shit, looking at those women on the pole,” Carlos says, he points to the pole dancers on stage. “Disrespect my girl, disrespecting me in the process.” Carlos’s gripped the man’s jaw, digging his fingers into his cheeks. “You’re going to learn.” Carlos pushes the man back, but due to his henchmen holding him the man’s head snapped back. “If you can’t keep it in your pants, you don’t need it, do you?” The man’s eyes widen in shock. “Llevarlo al sótano.” His henchmen nodded their heads and dragged the man out of the club and down to the basement, not that (Y/n) knew what would happen to the man, or where he was being taken, she always thought they were just getting kicked out of the club and banned. “Darling.” Carlos looks at her, he pushes a few strands of hair out of her face. “He didn’t harm you, did he? Assault you?” (Y/n) shakes her head.

“No.” (Y/n) whispers, his hand caresses her cheek as the music switched back on and the noise slowly came back.

“Do you want me to take you home?” He knew that she didn’t like being at the club, he just hadn’t realized it was because of all the men hitting on her and it ending in a scene with the man being dragged away.

“Yes, please.” (Y/n) says, she stood from the chair at the bar and Carlos removed his blazer and draped it over her shoulders, she pulls it closer to her body as Carlos looked at her dress, it wasn’t as tight as the man had indicated it was, and neither was it short, it fitted her perfectly and ended above her knees, Carlos looks at the bartender.

“Diles que volveré pronto.” Carlos says, the bartender nods his head leaving his post to go tell the henchmen that he would be back later to take care of the man tied in the basement, Carlos wraps an arm around her waist pulling her a little closer to him, they walk out of the club and the night's cold air hits them. “Chilly?”

“A little.” (Y/n) says, they were walking towards his black sports car.

“I’ll turn on the heater when we’re in the car,” Carlos says, (Y/n) nods her head as a drunk man stumbled towards them.

“HEY, BIG MAFIA BOSS!” The drug man yells out, Carlos knew the man, he owed him money after loaning 5.5 million two months back. “I DON’T OWN YOU SHIT!” The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gun, (Y/n) gasps as the man aims it at Carlos.

“You loaned 5.5 million from me, are you here to repay me?” Carlos asks, the man pulls the trigger missing Carlos by a meter as he stumbled trying to stand still, the loud gunshot echo’s in (Y/n)’s ear before a loud pitch sound replaced the sound, Carlos unwraps his arm from around her pulling out his own gun, he aims it at the man and shoots him in the head, (Y/n) couldn’t hear anything around her, but she saw everything, Carlos had just killed a man in front of her, he looks at (Y/n) seeing the horror and shock on her face, his henchmen ran out of the club to see what was going on and saw the drunk man lying dead on the ground. “Take care of that.” Carlos orders as he looks at them, some of his men rush towards the body to take it away while Carlos turned his focus to (Y/n). “(Y/n)? (Y/n)?” Her hearing was slowly returning to her. “(Y/n)?” He placed his hand on her shoulders hoping to gain her attention, as soon as he touched her, she let out a loud scream.

“NO!” (Y/n) screams pushing his hands away from her. “DON’T TOUCH ME!” She gasps for air. “OH MY GO-“

“(Y/n).” Carlos softly says.

“YOU JUST SHOT A MAN!” (Y/n) gasps, her breathing becoming short and fast. “OH GO-“ She stops as she realizes the man had aimed his weapon at Carlos. “He was going to shoot you.” Tears build up in her eyes as fear and horror hit her.

“(Y/n), darling, let me explain,” Carlos says, she was trembling with fear. “Go get her some water!” Carlos orders one of his men, one of them runs into the building to retrieve the water. “Look at me, look at me, darling.” (Y/n) slowly looks up at him, her vision becoming blurred. “Calm down, take in a deep breath.” she continued breathing in and out rapidly. “Come on, take in one nice deep breath.” (Y/n) opens her mouth sucking in the cold night air. “That’s it, now blow it out slowly.” She blew it out but as slow as he was hoping. “Do it again.” She takes in another deep breath and blows it out, the henchman arrives with a bottle of water and gives it to Carlos, Carlos opens the bottle and holds it out for her. “Here, drink some water.” She takes the bottle and brings it closer to her mouth spilling some water as her hands still shook, she takes a sip from the cold water.

(Y/n) looks down at the bottle before taking another sip from it, Carlos turns to look at his men. “Cuida esa cosa en el sótano.” He instructs, Carlos wraps an arm around her and guides her to his car, he opens the door and helps her in, putting on her seatbelt as well, he walks around the car and climbs in as he takes out his keys, he pushes them into the ignition starting the car, he reverses out of the parking area and drives down the road, he could see that she was still in shock and decided that she shouldn’t be alone for the night. “I’m just going to stop at your place, pack an overnight bag for you.” (Y/n) slowly nods her head, her mind still replying the horrifying scene over and over in her head.

Carlos enters her apartment and looks around for a bag, he finds her gym bag and takes out a couple of shirts and pants from her closet and pushes it into the bag along with underwear and bra’s, he enters the bathroom and finds her bathroom bag, he packs her toothbrush and toothpaste into the bathroom bag before pushing it into the gym bag, he looks through the drawers and pushes her hairbrush into the bag before leaving the bathroom, he enters the living area and picks up her phone charges, pushing it into the bag as well, he zips the bag closed and leaves her apartment, locking it behind him, He returns to the car seeing (Y/n) still in the passenger seat slowly falling asleep as the initial shock slowly passed, he climbs in pushing the bag to the back.

“Are you still all right?” Carlos asks, (Y/n) nods her head and Carlos drives away from her apartment building and towards his mansion at the top of the hill.

Carlos parks the car at the front of the entrance seeing his men waited for his arrival outside his mansion, he cuts the engine and climbs out of the car.

“Get the bag.” Carlos orders as he walks around the car, he opens the passenger side door and undoes the seatbelt and carefully takes her out of the car, he enters the mansion and walks up the stairs to his bedroom, he lays her down on his bed and picks up the blanket that was draped over the bench at the end of his bed and throws it over her, her bag was left outside the bedroom door by the henchmen knowing that they weren’t allowed to enter his room, Carlos walks towards the door and picks up the bag bringing it into the room, he puts it on the bench and looks at her, she had fallen asleep during the ride to his house, he admired her for a moment before turning away to leave, he knew that he would have a lot to explain when she woke up, he was about to leave when he heard her mumble something, he turns back to the bed and saw her looking at him. “Could you repeat that?”

“I said, I knew you were too perfect to just be a night club owner.” (Y/n) says, Carlos chuckles as he pushes his hands into his pockets. “I mean seriously.”

“What part was too perfect?” Carlos asks.

“Everything.” (Y/n) says. “I should have realized it sooner.” She pushes herself into a sitting position and runs her hand through her hair, pushing them back only for more hair to fall into her face, Carlos smiles watching her, he wanted to push them back but knew it might be better if he stayed where he was, he had no idea how she would react if he would take a step closer to the bed, she brings one of her legs to her chest as she pulled the blanket closer to her, she looks up at him, for a second he could see conflict in her eyes. “Of fucking course, you had to be the leader of the Mafia!”

“I should have told you sooner.” Carlos begins, but she quickly cuts him off.

“No, no, you should have told me when we met!” (Y/n) says louder. “I mean, of ALL things, Carlos, The leader of the Mafia?” She had no idea if she was being brave or digging her own grave, but she would have to find out.

“Do you want anything to drink? Or eat?” Carlos asks, (Y/n) didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry or do both.

“I saw you kill a man, I found out you’re a Mafia boss, and you offer to get me food and something to drink?” (Y/n) asks in disbelief.

“We have much to talk about, I thought you’d like to have something to eat and drink while we do,” Carlos says, (Y/n) brings both her hands to her face, covering it, she gnawed on her bottom lip as she thought for a moment, she uncovers her face to look at him.

“I’m not getting out of here anytime soon, am I?” (Y/n) asks.

“You’re free to leave, but I’d prefer if you stay the night,” Carlos says. “You experienced a lot tonight.” (Y/n) nods her head.

“Then I guess food would be nice, and a warm drink as well.” (Y/n) says, Carlos nods head and turns to leave. “And then we can talk, if you really feel like you need to explain yourself, you can…” she trails off, he turns to look at her. “But you’re the leader of the Mafia, me? I’m an ordinary person.”

“I assume you want to end our relationship?” Carlos asks, he knew how this could end, she could walk away and live her life normally, or she could stay and possibly get killed by his enemies.

“I should.” (Y/n) states. “I really should, but you’re the first person that has ever made me feel safe, even though I’m probably in more danger than ever.” Carlos nods his head. “We’ll um, discuss it later.” She runs her hand through her hair again. “After you bring me some food and hot chocolate.” A faint smile appeared on his lips, there was still a chance.

[ithinkimblue]

Can I have a dance ?

100 ways to say I love you:

Number 14 - “Can I have a dance?”

Rating: K

Relationship: Tim Drake x Conner Kent/Kon-El

Fluff, Romance

1 chapter / 1k words

Link Ao3

Summary: Today was prom day and Conner was kind of stress cause i still didn't have a plus one. He wanted to invite his best friend/date-if-Tim-wanted-to but men! It was hard to confess his love. 

Hello everyone! English is not my first language, so I apologize in advance for the spelling mistakes that you might see. This fic pop in my mind because of one post on @blondetins’ tumblr named “100 ways to say I love you” Recently, my love for the Batfamily reached the high of the Wayne Tower, and I think about them and their different love stories all the time. I was time to write something about it! Happy reading!

If you asked him, this night was the most stressful moment in Conner’s short life. Even going on mission and facing the end of the world seems less stressful.

But this night was also one of the most beautiful that in ever lived.

The day before begun quite casually. As usual, Kon woke up late and was force to use his super speed to prepare his stuffs so he wouldn’t be late.

He flew to his high school, landed behind an empty building nearby and ran at normal speed the few meters’ left.

As soon as his feet touch the ground, his ears were overwhelmed by all the chatters filling the school.

Of course! With his super busy schedule, Kon had totally forgotten that prom was tonight… And he didn’t have a date yet.

Well, that wasn’t exactly right. He could have found one month ago, but he declined every request. Not that he wanted to go alone. In fact, he knew exactly who he wanted to invite but the situation was way more complicated than it sounded. Cause he lived in a small town in the depths of Kansas and he wanted to invite a boy and not a just a friend and not any boy: Tim Drake-Wayne himself. And if this wasn’t complicated enough, Tim didn’t know what Conner felt about him. They were just supposed to be best friends and Kon still hadn’t got the guts to tell him. But if he didn’t want to go to prom alone, he knew exactly what he had to do.

With that idea in mind, Conner spent his entire morning thinking about what he’ll say, what he’ll do, so much that at the end of his last class of the day, before midday, he didn’t even remember a thing his teachers said. But… clearly, he didn’t give a fuck. He had other things to do.

Soon as the last bell rang, he left his school and fly as fast as possible to the Kent’s farm. There, he sent a simple text to Tim, asking to meet him if he wasn’t not too busy.

As usual, his best friend was more than ready to sacrifice a few of his working hours to spend time with him and said yes almost instantly.

Full of stress, Conner put his Superboy outfit, his earrings and some make-up on before living for Gotham. Usually, he avoided wear make-up at Smallville. It was a small town and people already looked at him weirdly since he began living with Pa’ and Ma’ at the farm.

But he wanted to be as handsome as he could be before seeing Tim and he also felt more like himself as Superboy than as Conner, the farm boy, copy of Clark Kent. He liked too much his piercings and leather jacket.

Finally ready, he took one minute to warn Pa’ and Ma’ that he was going out before taking off.

Direction Gotham, and more precisely Wayne Enterprise’s roof top.

The fly was actually really helpful for his stress. Kon always loved flying. It made him calmer and helped him think more clearly.

So, when he arrived in Gotham, he was relaxed and super happy to see his best friend/maybe-boyfriend-if-Tim-loved-him-back.

As soon as he entered the city, he immediately spotted Tim’s heartbeat, harmonious as usual. This was always reassuring knowing, even miles away, he could hear that nothing was wrong and that Rob’ was okay.

Arriving near WE, it took him two seconds to see Tim, sat down on the edge of the roof, watching the horizon. And he took him the exact same time to join him with a cheerful “Hello.”

Tim responded with a smile before offering Kon some M&M’s© that he probably stole from the vending machine he installed next to his office (he could totally pay for it, but it was more funny to steel it since Jason told him how). Being the CEO offered so advantages.

“So. What’s up?” Tim started talking. He’s always the one who start when he saw that Kon wanted to but could find the words.

“Oh. Nothing out of the ordinary. Kansas is boring, so is school and I just wanted to spend some quality time with my best friend.”

“Not wrong. School is boring. But are you sure everything is alright? Not like I dislike seeing you more often but it’s rare that you offer a meeting in the middle of the week and in the middle of a day without reasons. I mean, we’re going to see each other in less than two days at the Tower so… I was just wondering.”

Deciding that that was never be a right moment and that Tim made it easy for him by insisting, Kon had tried.

“Actually… You’re right! I wanted to see you cause I’ve got something to ask. But… It’s kinda hard to say so… please don’t interrupt me…” Kon’s tone sounded like begging but he didn’t care.

“As you wish.”

“So… since I’ve officially start high school, I began to learn all the things that teenagers are supposed to do. Things that aren’t saving the world every Tuesday.” Tim laughed at his joke and Kon relaxed. “One of those things is… prom. And especially the tradition to invite a plus one. But… like the idiot I am, I totally forgot about that and… It’s not like I don’t know who inviting. In fact, I know exactly who I want to spend my night with but… it’s complicated.”

“All of our lives are complicated anyway.”

“I said no interruption!” Kon pretended to be mad and apparently, his fake angry face was like by Tim who let a small grin slip on his face. “I was saying. It’s complicated… See… you’re my best friend. I’ve known who since forever, and I don’t want to ruin or friendship or anything but… I want to ask you something.”

“Hey!” Tim stopped him and gentle stroke his hand on Kon’s cheek. “Nothing can ruin our friendship. You hear me? Nothing! You can tell me anything, and I’ll always be her for you, no matter what."

Kon blushed a little. Tim’s eyes stared at his. There were so beautiful, so full of… everything… Quietly, Conner pressed his hand against Tim’s, still on his cheek.

“I…” He took a long breathing and finally asked. “Do you want to go to prom with me? As a more than friend plus one!” That’s it! He said it.

For a few seconds (to long if you asked Kon), Tim seemed surprise. But a tender smile quickly replaced his startled expression.

“If you mean in a boyfriend kind of way, then I’ll be happy to go with you.”

It was now Conner’s time to be surprised.

“You… you… what does that mean?”

“It means that I like you too dummy!”

“Oh” Kon was incapable of saying anything else, in choc to see his feelings returned.

~o~

That’s how Kon ended up, in an old Clark’s suit, in the ball room/gymnasium of his high school, waiting for his date (who was late).

He was happily speaking to his friends about gossips, classes and unimportant stuffs trying to kill time.

But he couldn’t hide that he was a little bit worried. It took balls to invite a guy to dance in one of the most homophobic state in USA.

So Kon wasn’t hiding that he was kind of scared of the reactions of his friends, of the reputation he was going to give the Kent.

However, at the second he heard known and really specific footsteps, he turned his eyes to the entrance just in time to see Tim waking in. And just like that, Conner forgot every fear that he had. Tim was… radiant.

Knowing him, he certainly randomly picked one of his suit. It was simple, like every other boy in the room. But he wore it like he was born in it and Conner couldn’t detach his eyes of him.

His friends tried to understand what was happening to him but he ignored them.

Rapidly, he hurried in Tim’s direction, a big smile stuck on his face.

“Hello beautiful, you’ve got wonderful eyes you know that?” Kon was sure his stupid line will please Tim, or at least made him blush.

“You dork.” Ah! Tim was discreetly laughing! And blushing! Objectives completed. “Show me the bar instead of playing the idiot. I’m thirsty and everyone is starring.”

“Oh… Yeah. You’re right. This way.” Rao… He already started babbling. And Tim was right, everyone was starring and some in the crowd even recognize Tim. It must be said: Tim was known by the tabloid and even in a modest town as Smallville, people known him.

During a hot minute, Conner started regretting ask him to come.

But a hand on his made him forgot all the bad thoughts he had. Tim put a worried look on him and Kon smile at him, silently saying “Nothing’s wrong, don’t worry.”

Smiling back, Tim put down his drink on the table nearby and pulled Kon toward the dance floor.

 “Can I have this dance?”

Kon laugh at the question and switch roles. He was now pulling Tim towards the other dancers.

They quickly faced each other et started dance like nobody was watching them. And he didn’t take long for them to bring each other closer.

At the end of the dance, they ended up chest against chest, breathless. Looking at each other, the logical choice for Kon was to lean toward Tim’s face. Tim’s eyes couldn’t leave his. And the young CEO’s face seemed saying one thing “Kiss me”.

So Kon obeyed and kiss him.

[twentiethcenturymoviesandtv]

12 Angry Men: The Story

At first, the story of 12 Angry Men seems straightforward, to-the-point, and pretty darn boring.

A jury consisting of twelve men (most of them middle class, middle age, and white) are locked into a jury room on a stiflingly hot day to determine the fate of a boy (lower class, young, and Puerto Rican) who allegedly stabbed his father to death with a switchblade knife.  Once locked into the room, eleven out of twelve decide instantly that the boy is guilty, but one, Juror #8, (Henry Fonda) isn’t so certain.  The film then follows Juror #8’s attempts to go through the information presented in court in order to figure out what really happened.

Like I said, it could be considered boring, if that’s all you consider.   But as it turns out, just like the case in the film there’s a bit more to it than what appears on the surface.  Let’s take a look.

12 Angry Men opens with one of two sequences that do not take place within the jury room.  A camera pans over the outside of the Manhattan’s Court of General Sessions, meandering through corridors and staircases, before making its way to our destination: room 228.  There, a tired sounding judge orders the beginning of the jury deliberation process after a six-day-long trial, “a long and complex case of murder in the first degree”.  He sends our jury off with these final, sobering words:

“If there’s a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused, a reasonable doubt, then you must bring me a verdict of not guilty. If however, there is no reasonable doubt, then you must in good conscience find the accused guilty. However you decide, your verdict must be unanimous. In the event that you find the accused guilty, the bench will not entertain a recommendation for mercy. The death sentence is mandatory in this case. You are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you, gentlemen.”

It is now that the audience, for the first and only time, gets a look at the defendant: a wide-eyed, terrified looking Puerto Rican boy from the slums, who helplessly watches the jury march off to decide his fate.

The jury (and camera) moves to the jury room, where we will spend almost the entire rest of the film.  It is the hottest day of the year, and the men are clearly already agitated, removing jackets, lighting cigarettes, and complaining.  The door behind them is locked, and the twelve men talk amongst themselves for a few moments.  Notably, Juror #3 remarks that this is an open-and-shut case, Juror #7 is anxious to leave to get to a baseball game he has tickets for, and Juror #10 has this to say:

“It’s pretty tough to figure, isn’t it? A kid kills his father. Bing! Just like that…It’s the element…I’m telling ya, they let those kids run wild up there. Well, maybe it serves ‘em right.”

Meanwhile, Juror #8 stands at the window, saying nothing.

Juror #1 calls for a preliminary vote, and the men take their seats (arranged by number) around the table.  Juror #1 calls for those who vote not guilty, and, some (Jurors #1, 3, 4, 7, and 12) quickly raise their hands, while Jurors #2, 5, 6, 11 and 9 do so more slowly.  One lone man raises his hand for not-guilty: Juror #8.  

Interestingly, Juror #8 is not fully convinced that the boy on trial is innocent, unlike many instances of the Rogue Juror used afterwards.  What he is convinced of is that this is a serious case, with a serious charge, with a grim penalty.  He calls for a discussion, going over the evidence.  Juror #3 disagrees:

“The kid’s a dangerous killer, you could see it…He stabbed his own father, four inches into the chest. They proved it a dozen different ways in court, would you like me to list them for ya?”

Juror #8 is not dissuaded, and calmly replies:

“It’s not easy to raise my hand and send a boy off to die without talking about it first…We’re talking about somebody’s life here. We can’t decide in five minutes. Supposin’ we’re wrong.”

Juror #7 is unmoved, claiming his opinion won’t change, no matter how long they talk.  Despite the resistance, Juror #8 moves on with his discussion, pointing out the defendant’s upbringing and background.

“Look, this kid’s been kicked around all of his life. You know, born in a slum. Mother dead since he was nine. He lived for a year and a half in an orphanage when his father was serving a jail term for forgery. That’s not a very happy beginning. He’s a wild, angry kid, and that’s all he’s ever been. And you know why, because he’s been hit on the head by somebody once a day, every day. He’s had a pretty miserable eighteen years. I just think we owe him a few words, that’s all.”

Juror #10 argues:

“I don’t mind telling you this, mister. We don’t owe him a thing. He got a fair trial, didn’t he? What do you think that trial cost? He’s lucky he got it. You know what I mean? Now look, we’re all grown-ups in here. We heard the facts, didn’t we? You’re not gonna tell me that we’re supposed to believe this kid, knowing what he is. Listen, I’ve lived among them all my life. You can’t believe a word they say. You know that. I mean, they’re born liars.”

Another voice enters the scene, Juror #9, with a biting reply:

“Only an ignorant man can believe that…Do you think you were born with a monopoly on the truth?”

Within only a few moments, already we’ve established quite a lot.  The belligerence of Jurors #3 and #10, as well as their bias, Juror #8’s thoughtful, honest nature, and Juror #9’s reasonableness and willingness to stand up for people.  Add to that Juror #7’s impatience to leave, and you’ve already got a bit of character to go on to understand what’s going on.  As the film progresses, the case unfolds, and we learn more about it, as well as learning more about the characters within, making the plot, although it never leaves the jury room, feel like it is moving.

Juror #12 suggests that they go around the table, giving each juror a chance to explain his standpoint in an effort to convince #8 of the defendant’s guilt.  One by one, the jurors bring up their evidence, and to each, Juror #8 has questions that render the arguments a little more doubtful than they would seem to be on the surface.

Juror #2 doesn’t really have any evidence to bring, meekly stating that he thought he was guilty, it seemed obvious.  No one can prove that he didn’t do it, after all.  Juror #3, however, has more to say on the subject, citing an eyewitness testimony of an old man who lived in the apartment below where the killing took place.  According to the witness, he heard a fight, and the voice of the boy crying out: “I’m gonna kill you!” and the sound of a body hitting the floor.  The old man ran to the door in time to see the boy run down the stairs.  Furthermore, the boy’s alibi (being at the movies) seems flimsy, as he was not able to remember the names of the films he saw, or any of the actors in them.  On top of that, there is another eyewitness testimony: a woman in the building across from them saw it happen through the passing cars of an el-train that ran between the buildings.  These, Juror #3 declares, are facts.

Other jurors give their reasons, or lack thereof:  Juror 5 doesn’t comment, Juror #6 thinks the motive is evidence, and Juror #7 brings up the boy’s violent history, including knife-fighting.

This sparks something for Juror #3, who cites his history with his own son, explaining that kids these days don’t have any respect.  He tells a story about how, when his son was nine years old, he ran away from a fight, humiliating Juror #3.  He resolved to ‘make a man’ out of his son, and according to him, he did.  When his son was 15, he punched Juror #3 in the jaw.  It has been three years since the two have seen each other.

Other jurors add their reasons, including the boy’s background in the slums.  This line of reasoning upsets Juror #5, who, he explains, was also raised in the slums.  Okay, fine, so his background isn’t enough, his upbringing flimsy evidence at best….what about the knife?

The knife (wiped of fingerprints) found in the body of the father was a very unique switchblade.  The boy bought a knife matching its description on the night of the murder, and claimed it fell through a hole in his pocket on the way to the movies.  A knife that unique surely must be evidence-

Juror #8 pulls out a knife of his own, an exact match to the one found in the body, and sticks it in the table for all to see (which is not legal in a real legal scenario, but this is a movie).  Someone, he explains, could have bought an identical knife, and killed the father with it while the boy was at the movies.  

“It’s possible,” he says.

“But not very probable!” Juror #4 counters.

Seeing that this is going nowhere fast, Juror #8 says this:

“I’m gonna call for another vote. I want you eleven men to vote by secret written ballot. I’ll abstain. If there are eleven votes for guilty, I won’t stand alone. We’ll take in a guilty verdict to the judge right now. But if anyone votes not guilty, we stay here and talk it out.”

They count up the eleven votes.  Ten guilty, one not-guilty.  Juror #9 has switched sides.

Looking again at the eyewitness accounts, Juror #8 theorizes that, with the train passing by the exact time of the murder, it would be impossible to hear voices and a body hitting the floor upstairs.  Furthermore, he determines that it would be equally impossible for an old man with a limp to make it to the door to see the boy go down the stairs in the amount of time that he said it did.  (Again, not legal in a jury, but it’s a movie.)  Juror #9 speculates that it is possible that the old man did not lie, rather convinced himself that he saw it in excitement about having 15 Minutes of Fame in his old age.

Juror #5, swayed, switches his vote to not-guilty.  The debate goes on.

Juror #11 is now starting to think, asking questions of his own: If the boy killed his father, why return home three hours later?

To get the knife, the explanation goes.

If the defendant had a clear enough head to wipe his fingerprints from the knife and go back to get it, how was he in such a panic that he left it in the body in the first place?

Juror #11 switches his vote.  It’s now 8 to 4, and still hot as all get out, and they’re all still in a claustrophobic room with a broken fan.  Juror #3, aggravated from the beginning, flips out.

“Assumed? Brother, I’ve seen all kinds of dishonesty in my day, but this little display takes the cake. You all come in here with your hearts bleeding all over the floor about slum kids and injustice. You listen to some fairy tales. Suddenly, you start getting through to some of these old ladies. Well, you’re not getting through to me. I’ve had enough.  What’s the matter with you guys? You all know he’s guilty. He’s got to burn. You’re letting him slip through our fingers.”

Interesting statement from a supposedly unbiased jury member.  This doesn’t go uncommented on, as Juror #8 snaps back:

“Slip through our fingers?  Are you his executioner?”

“I’m one of ‘em.”

“Perhaps you’d like to pull the switch.”

“For this kid?  You bet I would.”

After another brief exchange, Juror #3 lunges at Juror #8, screaming: “I’ll kill you!” an eerie echo of the supposed words of the boy.  This further cements Juror #8’s point: we say stuff like “I’ll kill you” all the time, without meaning, or thinking about it.

Jurors #2 and #6 switch sides.  It’s 6-6, all tied up.

Outside, it starts raining.  The broken fan starts working.  The discussion turns to the boy’s alibi.

Juror #4 points out that the boy could not remember the names of the films he saw, or anyone in them.  Juror #8 counters by turning the question around and asking him to recall details of a trip to the movies a few days prior.  When Juror #4 cannot give a full, definitive answer, Juror #8 also addresses the fact that when the boy was first asked what the names of the films were, he was in his apartment, cornered by the police, with his father’s body still in the apartment.  In other words, the kid was possibly too stressed and frazzled to remember.

Juror #2 brings up the stab wound itself, saying that it was a downward stab wound, and asked how that would be possible, as the father was over six feet tall, and the boy was only 5’7.  Juror #3 stands up, taking the knife and, in a tense display, demonstrates on Juror #8 how this could be done, by gripping the knife overhand.  

Juror #5 steps up with an argument.  He, as he mentioned earlier, was raised in the slums, and he’s seen knife-fights before.  Nobody who knew what they were doing would hold a switchblade overhand.  It can’t open that way.  The boy had been in knife fights before, and it’s unlikely that he would have made such a rookie mistake.

Another voted is called.  It’s 9-3, Not Guilty.

Juror #10, enraged, stands up and begins to rant:

“You’re not gonna tell me you believe that phony story about losing the knife, and that business about being at the movies. Look, you know how these people lie. It’s born in them…They don’t know what the truth is. And let me tell ya, they don’t need any real big reason to kill someone either. No, sir. They get drunk. Ah, they’re real big drinkers, all of 'em. You know that. And bang, someone’s lying in the gutter. Well, nobody’s blamin’ 'em for it, that’s the way they are, by nature, you know what I mean? Violent!…Human life don’t mean as much to them as it does to us. Look, they’re lushing it up and fighting all the time, and if somebody gets killed, so somebody gets killed - they don’t care. Oh sure, there are some good things about 'em, too. Look, I’m the first one to say that. I’ve known a couple who are okay, but that’s the exception, you know what I mean? Most of them, it’s like they have no feelings. They can do anything. What’s going on here? I’m tryin’ to tell ya. You’re making a big mistake, you people. This kid is a liar. I know it. I know all about them. Listen to me, they’re no good. There’s not a one of 'em who’s any good….This kid on trial here…well, don’t you know about them? There’s a danger here. These people are dangerous. They’re wild. Listen. Listen to me.”

One by one, the other jurors turn their backs on him and his racially prejudiced tirade, until, subdued, he goes to sit by himself in a corner with nothing else to say.

Juror #8 makes another impassioned speech:

“I don’t really know what the truth is. I don’t suppose anybody will ever really know. Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but we’re just gambling on probabilities. We may be wrong. We may be trying to let a guilty man go free, I don’t know. Nobody really can, but we have a reasonable doubt and that’s something that’s very valuable in our system. No jury can declare a man guilty unless it’s sure. We nine can’t understand how you three are still so sure.”

Juror #4 brings up the woman’s testimony from across the street.  He is quickly shot down by Juror #9’s sharp eyes: the woman had marks on her nose from glasses, suggesting that she wore them often.  People who wear glasses do not sleep with them on (as someone who wears glasses, I can confirm).  She was in bed at the time of the killing, happening to look out her window at around midnight to see the murder through the passing cars of an el-train, about six seconds of time total, in the dark, not wearing her glasses.

Juror #4 changes his vote, as does Juror #10.  It’s 11-1, Not Guilty.  This time, Juror #3 is the lone holdout.  He goes on a tirade as well, ranting about having all of the facts, all of the evidence on his side, and as he pulls out his wallet to prove it, a picture falls out: one of his and his son.

In a burst of realization that his anger is not directed towards the defendant, but rather his own son, Juror #4 breaks down, and the final vote is called: unanimous, Not Guilty.

Juror #1 knocks on the door and tells the guard that they’re ready to give their verdict.  The men file out, Juror #8 staying behind a moment to hand #3 his jacket.

Once outside the courthouse, Juror #9 and Juror #8 exchange names and smiles.  Juror #9, McCardle, says ‘so long’, and heads off.  Juror #8, Davis, walks down the courthouse steps, and disappears out of shot.

The end.

For being just over an hour and a half with only three settings, the film seems like there is a lot more to it than one would think.  We don’t even learn most of the juror’s names, and yet they seem like fully developed characters, and we feel the satisfaction of justice well served.

Or do we?

One of the most interesting things about this movie is that neither the jury, nor the audience, ever finds out if the boy is guilty, or not.  Only that there is reasonable doubt.  By the same token, there is plenty of evidence to convict him.  Even Juror #8 admits that he does not know if the boy is innocent, or guilty, and it’s left to the audience, as it was left to the jury, to make up our own minds about it.

Sobering, isn’t it?

As for me?  I don’t know.  Maybe he’s guilty.  Maybe he isn’t.  That doesn’t change the thrust of the movie.

The idea of the movie, the point of it, is that we have this system for a reason, and by showing us an assortment of the type of people who can end up on a jury, we are called to think about, and respect, our duty to our legal system.  We don’t want to be Juror #7, switching sides based on how fast he thinks they can get out so he can get to his ball game, or Juror #10, who allowed his hatred to cloud his reason, or Juror #3, who didn’t realize that he was trying to punish his own son based on his anger, instead of the actual defendant based on reason.  We want to take this seriously, like #9 and 11.  We want to know, want to believe, that in the end, there is a truth, and justice will prevail.

We want to be the Hero, Juror #8, on his Hero’s Journey for the truth.

Another thing we don’t know is what happens to each juror after the movie is over.  The film takes place over the span of one day.  We have no way of knowing if this affects anyone, if Juror #7 learns to be more cognizant of things around him, if Juror #10 turns from his racist views, or if Juror #3 reconciles with his son.  We just don’t know.  The film is full of ambiguity, and in that, it feels bitterly real, even if it isn’t realistic.

In that respect, the film makes quite an impact.  It stays with you.  It makes you think.

And the audience is the better for it.

Thanks so much for reading!  If you enjoyed it, please stay tuned to join us for the remainder of our study of 12 Angry Men. Don’t forget that my ask box is always open.  Thank you guys so much for reading, and I’ll see you all in the next article!

[elswordimaginesdrabbles]

Read the Air; It’s Hot Alright

Ain x reader

Warning: long

drawn by @21andree10 on Instagram

(y/n) let out a sigh of relief as they sunk into the lukewarm water. They were truly blessed to stumble across hot springs which they could have all to themselves. It was their night to relax and get rid of all the stress from battle… The El gang was quite exhausting to be around sometimes, especially since there weren’t any peaceful moments; every single person had a thing to complain about or start a fight for no reason.

Their thoughts were suddenly interrupted by another figure stepping into the water. Mind racing, they thought who could it have possibly been? No one dared use the mixed hot springs because they didn't want to deal with the opposite sex- but there it was, some possible predator stepping all over their territory.

“Ah, (Mr/Ms) Thief. I didn't know you'd be here as well,” Ain greeted with the ever-present smile. Turns out it was just the oblivious priest invading their space.

They didn't bother giving him another glance as he sunk most of his body into the water. It was impossible to comprehend why he didn't choose the other side of the bath; it was already tiny enough. An awkward silence followed, (y/n) blowing bubbles out of boredom while Ain closed his eyes as if to meditate. For the first time ever, he wore a peaceful expression in front of another living being.

“(Mr/Ms) Thief,” they groaned, “if you don't mind me asking, what is the point of those ‘hot springs’?” *bubbles stop*

(y/n) stared at him bewildered, but they didn't ask if he was joking; he never did anyway. They sighed and gathered all their intellect to answer the question as seriously as possible.

“Well, you see… hot springs… help you relax.”

“?”

“The water… you get in it… it feels good???”

“...I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

“Aaaah, how can you not get it?? Just shut up and relax in the water!” flailing their arms around, they missed one crucial detail…

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, it seems your towel slid off a bit.” they covered themselves instantly as a blush quickly formed on their cheeks.

“You didn’t see anything.”

“...Alright.” he didn’t pursue the subject further, which (y/n) was very thankful for. After a short while of mildly awkward silence, they took it upon themselves to break the quiet atmosphere since it was getting unbearable.

“Anyway, why do you keep calling me (Mr/Ms) Thief?? It’s not gonna take long for me to feel insulted, y'know?”

“I don’t mean it as a derogatory term, of course. Yet, when we met, you tried to swipe all of our food during an expedition in Sander… I still don’t understand Elsword’s decision to take you in.”

“Wow. Just wow. I’m not talking to you anymore.”

“Did I say something out of line? If so, I apologize.” his unwavering smile diagnosed (y/n) with a severe case of pouting.

“Aren’t priests supposed to be more social? It’s like you came from another world!”

“...Is that so?”

“You don’t even know what hot springs are!! How can I possibly believe you’re human?!” his passive aggressive expression told (y/n) something they weren't supposed to know…

“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t make that face and change the subject.”

“That would be most wise, (Mr/Ms) Thief. If I were you I wouldn’t speak about a secret this important.”

“Wait wh- Holy- You’re not actually human??? That’s it, I’m not letting you drop this ‘till you tell me what you are.”

“I can’t understand how that would help you in any way.”

“It’s not about help here, it’s about what I want. So spill it or else I’m letting the whole gang know.”

“...!”

“I wonder what Elsword will have to say about our alien comrade…”

“Foolish human…” he mumbled inaudibly, quickly switching back to a smile to tell his story. “Alright, I’ll ‘spill it’, as you said. I was sent on a mission by Goddess Ishmael-”

“Hold on a minute, Goddess? And Ishmael as well?? Don’t tell me, or are you the El Lady too?!”

“...I feel as if you’re mocking me.”

“You’re delusional mate, there’s no way around it. Or is it a priest trick where you pretend to be God’s messenger to attract followers?”

“I truly have no words. I had no idea a mere human could cause such an offense. Convince me not to strike you down this instant for disrespecting the Goddess.” his booming voice was no match for (y/n)’s savage laughter.

“I’d like to see you try...! Come at me, pretty boy!” Ain deemed the situation not worthy to break his pendulum over and began chanting his gibberish in German. Before he could even get halfway done, (y/n) launched themselves onto him, making sure to pin Ain’s hands in place. They completely annihilated any chance he had of fighting back. After securing a dominant position, they delivered their lines.

“Here’s reason one: you’re just a pretty boy outside the battlefield, and second, would your Goddess like the idea of her messenger murdering a human? I think not.” they slowly loosened their tight grip on him as he pondered on their words. Shortly afterwards, Ain made his thoughts clear.

“I suppose I should thank you for reminding me. I lost sight of my mission and acted out of line, so I apologize.”

“...Hmm? I didn’t quite catch that.”

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, I said, you have disrespected the Goddess. An apology is in order, no?”

“Fine, fine. I am sorry for disrespecting the Goddess. There. I won’t do it again.”

“I will make sure to relay your message to the Goddess.”

After the very heated debate, silence took over. They were too tired to try anything else and just quietly accepted their predicament; being forced to share hot springs with the strange alien priest.

“Why is this a place of relaxation? It feels as if it’s an elaborate trap I’ve mistakenly stepped into,” he pondered.

“Because you’re doing it wrong, dummy.”

“Then how would the right way be?” Ain asked confused.

(y/n) didn’t respond. He waited, and waited… “You just shut up. That’s it.”

“Is that all I have to do?”

“Yes. That’s all there is to it.” making a surprised face, he processed her words. His features relaxing, Ain looked up into the night sky. It was quite late judging by all the stars visible, and he wondered what he was still doing there; resting was mandatory since heavy battles awaited them the next day, yet he was wasting time with a human nonetheless.

Light snoring interrupted his train of thought. He glanced at (y/n), only to find them in an apparently deep sleep. Ain let out a chuckle, but stopped himself midway in shock. It was too genuine for his liking, and he couldn’t comprehend why a simple gesture provoked such a reaction. Yet he felt tired as well and didn’t bother thinking about it anymore.

Ain decided to wake them up; it would be bothersome in battle if (y/n) caught a cold.

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, you should wake up.” No response. “(Mr/Ms) Thief?” they didn’t answer the next time either, so Ain was stuck on what to do. He settled for lightly shaking their shoulder, but he’d soon find out that wouldn’t be the wisest decision… once the tip of his fingers touched their bare skin, they suddenly got up, headbutting him in the process, somehow. He truly felt that and hissed in pain, while (y/n) was frantically looking around as if woken from a daze. They eyed the nearby floating towel and realized that Ain wasn’t wearing anything. Then they jumped to a conclusion.

“P E R V E R T !”

And Elesis kicked down the door.

“Whose butt do I have to kick?!”

~A thorough scolding and some misunderstandings later~

Everyone had gone to their rooms for the night, but (y/n) decided to hang around for a little while longer. The staff at the inn was more than glad to cater to all their needs and brought them a Lanox specialty; they grumpily slurped from the glass, but then thought it actually tasted pretty good. It was mostly water with a tint of exotic fruits, just like the sweet, sweet syrup they used to-

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, can I have a moment of your time?” (y/n) spat the drink, accidentally splashing their lower face with it. They glared at the cause of her misfortune.

“I was wondering if you could clarify something for me.” they grabbed their drink and started slurping loudly, while also avoiding eye contact as much as they could.

“I will take that as a yes, so I’m going to ask my question.” they spat their drink again.

“I tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter,” they sighed. “Have a seat,” they pointed to the other side of the table.

“Sir, would you like a drink as well?” asked the waitress who just snuck up on him out of nowhere. (y/n) got a little spooked, not even their skills were that godlike.

“Of course, if you don’t mind. What would you recommend?”

“The Lanox Nectar is the best we’ve got. I’ll bring one on the house for you, sir!”

“Thank you~.” (y/n) watched the very human exchange with widened eyes.

“Is something wrong, (Mr/Ms) Thief?”

“I’m the one who should be asking that.”

“?”

“Here’s your drink, sir!”

“Gah!” (y/n) couldn’t help but lose their composure at the sight of the sneaky waitress. Once again, the wannabe thief got bested by a staff member who was just doing her job. Then she vanished and no matter how hard (y/n) would squint, there wasn’t any trace left of the mysterious girl.

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, I’d like to ask something about the hot springs today.” he didn’t even touch his drink and already got down to business. ‘Ah shit, here we go again’ they thought. “More specifically, about the way you reacted at the end.” They remembered with a somber expression the event and the excuse he dared to give: ‘It was an accident’, he said, but they didn’t buy one bit of it. They wondered why they were still hanging out with that pervert.

“Why did you shout ‘pervert’?”

“Because you are one.”

“I don’t understand why I’m a pervert, so I was wondering if you could explain.” ‘This guy’s a lunatic’, thought (y/n), but humoured him nonetheless.

“Do you really not know? Do I really have to talk to you about this? What did I do to deserve such harassment?”

“Oh, am I questioning something inappropriate? If so, I apologize.”

“Yes, it’s highly inappropriate…” then a yellow light bulb appeared above their head. “But it can’t be helped, can it? I’ll just have to explain it to you so that you won’t do it again.”

“That would be most helpful, (Mr/Ms) Thief.”

“Now, now, disclaimer (...). Here I go:

When two people share a bath together under the full moon, an ancient ritual is unleashed. The only way to prevent it from happening is for the people to wear towels. When yours fell off, I was really worried! So that’s why I shouted for help.

...Also, I forgot to mention, but only chosen people can perform the ritual correctly, and I panicked because we aren’t chosen. Get it?”

“Interesting… I never knew such a thing existed. I can’t help but wonder, what are the consequences of a ritual performed incorrectly?”

“A big explosion, of course.”

“I see now… So you were just trying to help me. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I understand now what Ms. Knight meant about ‘some things are just forbidden’. She was talking about the ritual going wrong, no?

“Yep.”

“If you don’t mind me asking-” Before he could finish his sentence, they got up and spoke.

“It was really nice talking to you Ain, but it is really, really late so I would like to go to sleep. Good night!”

“Ah, you’re right. May we resume this discussion another time?”

“Of course, of course! Good night!!”

“Have a good night as well, (Mr/Ms) Thief.”

There were only so many brain cells a person could afford to lose.

~to the beds, onwards we go~

(y/n) stared blankly at the ceiling, endless minutes of shuffling around having just passed. They usually slept like a log, but something wasn’t right this time. A bad feeling lingered in the air, and no matter how much they tried to shrug it off it was still there.

Inevitably, they got up and groaned. It was their duty to check for possible intruders; or at least that’s what (y/n) told themselves. They reached out for the emergency pocket knife, only to find it was gone.

Then, anger took over. Nobody dared swipe their weapons like that, and if they did, they’d have to speak to the unholy pair of fists (y/n)’s got.

Silent footsteps right outside the room made their ears perk up. They prepared a fighting stance, ready to face the intruder head on. By literally headbutting them.

The door opened suddenly. (y/n) didn’t waste a single second and grabbed the other person’s shoulders, striking in full force. They were more than ready to pin them down-

“Ahh, (Mr/Ms) Thief… This is the second time today. I see you’re quite relentless when it comes to violence,” he rubbed his head in an attempt to alleviate the pain. “I may not be as weak as a human, but I still take damage.”

“Ain?! What are you doing in my room this late at night? And without knocking, no less???”

“Was I supposed to knock?”

“YES. What if you had walked in and found me naked or something…”

“But you said the ritual can only fail when two people share a bath together under the full moon. Did I hear it wrong?”

“Ugh… Just stop talking.”

“Either way, I didn’t come here for nothing. I sensed… demons.” his expression darkening as he spoke.

“Ooh, that makes sense! Hey, hey…” she approached him and whispered quietly, “Do you think those demons you’re talking about snuck into my room and stole my weapons?”

“There is no doubt in my mind. Such filth....” his eyes spelled ‘anger’ and his mouth shouted ‘murder’. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, there was someone else who thought the same.

“Then let’s go give them a piece of my fists.”

~one sneaking montage later~

“Do you think this is their room?” spoke (y/n), their eyes glittering in excitement.

“I’m not certain.”

“Then we’re about to find out.”

“About to find out what?” they jumped into a clumsy stance, startled by Ciel’s sudden interruption. Ain just glared and mumbled inaudible insults.

“You’re making quite the ruckus in the middle of the night. Did you need something from Lu and I?” just then, (y/n) noticed Ciel was carrying a tray full of freshly baked cookies.

“Ooooh, can I have some?” Ain glared at them repulsed.

“How can you talk so casually to this… to this-!”

“Pretty please? Just ignore him, by the way, he’s stupid.”

“!”

“I made them for Lu, so…” staring into their puppy eyes, he sighed. “Alright, you can have one. But only one.”

“Thank youuuuu!” they squealed in delight while grabbing a cookie. “...You didn’t hear anything.”

“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me,” he chuckled.

(y/n) very rarely got to eat sweets, so holding one in their own two hands they couldn’t help but study every inch of it. Drooling at the chocolate chip, their eyes turned into glittering stars. Ciel smiled at the sight; but just as they were about to take a bite…

Ain slapped it out of their hand.

The other two gasped, but (y/n) didn’t hesitate to kneel on the floor and stuff it into their mouth. The guys watched in shock, while their taste buds were assaulted by heavenly flavors.

After an uncomfortable silence accompanied only by chewing noises, (y/n) got up and faced Ciel, her tone turning dopey.

“Thank you! I love you! Welcome to the team!”

“Thanks…?” Ciel was stuck between feeling flattered or repulsed by what he just witnessed.

“Sorry for suspecting you of stealing my weapons! I didn’t know you made such good cookies… heheh…”

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, that’s no way to behave around a demon. Cease at once.”

“Shut ep, grumpy face. I know just what you need… you need a cookie.”

“...What?”

“Cieeeeeel, can I get a cookie for Ain too?”

“Um, sure?” Ciel was still in shock and couldn’t think too much. The thief snickered evilly.

“Eat the cookie, Ain.”

“Preposterous.

“I’m gonna force you to eat it.”

“Stay away from me.” he glared at the cookie revolted, hoping that it would disappear. Instead, (y/n) extended their hand.

“Say aah~” before he could slap the cookie away, they attempted to kick him as hard as possible. Unfortunately, the attack was too heavy and they fell on their butt immediately afterwards. “Oof!”

Ain kneeled before them to check if they were unharmed.

“heheh… *hic*”

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, are you alright?” he could only watch as their smile got bigger and their movements dizzier. Ain had no clue about what could've possibly happened, since he'd never witnessed such strange behaviour before. ‘Is this a human function I was not aware of…?’ he thought.

“Did she drink something this evening?” Ciel inquired, but Ain leered.

“I didn't give you permission to speak to me like that, demon.”

“I'm not too happy about that either, but (y/n) doesn't seem well. Do you want to help them or not?”

If it had been any other person, Ain would have refused without even thinking about it; yet looking more attentively at (y/n)’s dopey face, something just wouldn't let him leave them like that.

“...I'll let it slide just this once.” all the softness drained from his face, he glared disgusted at Ciel. His hatred ran deep, despite the situation at hand.

“We should carry them to their room.” spoke Ciel while putting the tray full of cookies in front of his door. The instant he stepped towards the pair, Ain wrapped his arms around their shoulders as to shield them while aggressively staring Ciel down.

“...Or maybe you should carry them.” he backed away in realization.

“Ooh, are we hugging? Do you like me?” Ain forgot that the thing he held close was actually sentient. With a click of his tongue, he avoided their hopeful gaze, which brought upon a great disaster to the land of Elrios.

Incoherent bawling echoed loudly through the whole inn. Tears spilled like waterfalls from (y/n)’s eyes who was rubbing at them like a little child. Ain’s hands froze in mid air; it felt as if he'd just set off a bomb and he was really confused as to why. They kept going, Ciel starting to threaten the priest with his menacing gaze.

Wishing for (y/n) to be quiet already, he put a hand over their mouth, the noises now muffled. Slowly, the whining subsided and Ain almost sighed in relief before a pang of pain shot through his palm.

It was getting more and more painful, and only then did he realize that (y/n)’s teeth were sinking into his skin.

“Oh, you little f-”

“Ciel, what's with all this ruckus in the middle of the night? Where are my cookies?” Lu spoke after opening the door, a most peculiar sight entering her vision. “What have I just walked into…? Ciel, answer me this instant!”

Chuckling nervously, he replied “I'm not too sure either, Lu…”

Ain, with his hand still in (y/n)’s mouth, spat angrily “You filthy creature dare show yourself before me? Know your place and begone.”

“Huhu, how ironic of you to say that while kneeling on the ground, bested by a human!” Lu smirked, gaining the upper hand. Ain reacted by yanking his arm away from (y/n)’s grasp, making them whine and flop on their face.

Ain got up and dusted himself off: “I have business to attend to. Don’t get in my way, demon.” he snarled, to which (y/n) gasped.

“Demon? Did you just say demon?!” they spoke excitedly. “The demons took my weapons!” shouting, they then slapped themselves so hard the sound of it echoed through the whole inn. The other three watched in shock, each with a face more hilarious than the last.

Charging up their inner energy, (y/n) let out a long fierce battlecry. “You!” they pointed to Lu, “You stole my weapons!”

“What a bold accusation! I, Luciela R. Sourcream, steal a commoner’s belongings? How ridiculous. Ciel, put them in their place!”

“Lu, I think we should give them a chance to explain first.”

“...I’ll listen to you just because you baked my cookies on time.”

“They’re really good, by the way,” (y/n) spoke without thinking, making a grave mistake. The bomb was set off.

“CIEL!! How could you defile my cookies so?! I TRUSTED YOU!” whined Lu dramatically, stomping the floor with her small feet. He hurried towards her to calm the storm. While Ciel was distracted, Ain grabbed (y/n)’s hand and whispered into their ear:

“Let’s make haste.” before (y/n) could complain, Ain took them swiftly to the lobby.

They stared at him confused and more than ready to complain about the situation, yet Ain silenced (y/n) by putting a finger over their lips.

“We’ve successfully escaped the demons,” he smiled. “Now we can focus on figuring out your strange condition.”

“There’s nothing to figure out…” they grabbed his hand and moved it away from their face. “Anyway, it was that drink’s fault! It tasted weird,” spoke (y/n), quite proud of themselves.

“I see… Do you have any ideas where we could start?” Ain inquired with his eyebrows raised.

“Hmmm… I feel like I’m missing something…” they rubbed their chin as if a beard was there,” OH! I know! That girl who served our drinks! The blondie with the ponytail, remember?!”

“There was someone like that? I didn’t even notice.”

(y/n) opened their mouth to remind him of the event, but a gut feeling told them it would be futile to do so. ‘There is also another matter to take care of’, they thought.

“That girl stole my weapons! And drugged me! That’s it, I’m gonna go look for her. She better pray for her life.”

“Ah, an occasion to spread the word of Ishmael. How wonderful,” he beamed.

“Ain, no, you stay right here ‘till I’m done. It was a figure of speech anyway…”

“?” visibly confused, he prepared to ask what (y/n) meant by that, only to notice them stomping towards the counter.

“I would like to speak to the manager.” with a booming voice, they slammed their hand on the wooden surface to attract attention. Staring the girl into the eye, they noticed her blonde hair, tied into a ponytail.

“IT’S YOU!” they pointed,”You’re the one who drugged my drink!” The girl looked right, then left. Finally, she stated in a deadpan tone, “Ah, shit.”

In less than a second, she was gone from (y/n)’s sight and sprinting towards the employees’ back door.

“Excuse me?! I’m not done with you, you little wh*re, I’M TELLING THE MANAGER AND YOU’LL GET FIRED AND YOU’LL HAVE NIGHTMARES FOREVER OF THE DAY I RUINED YOUR LIFE-” shouting more nonsense, they tried jumping over the counter to chase her but a certain priest stopped her just in time.

“That’s not an appropriate way to behave, (Mr/Ms) Thief.”

“And that’s not an appropriate way to tell me my ways are not appropriate.”

“You’re quite childish, aren’t you?” he chuckled. All of (y/n)’s defenses cracked because of that one simple gesture, and steam started coming out of their ears. Taking a deep breath, they tried to calm the burning chaos inside of them and smirked.

“I’m going to Ciel now.”

“May I ask about the reason?” he furrowed his brow.

“Nay, thee shan’t.”

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, surely, you wouldn’t actually stand near filth such as that?”

“What can I say? He’s much more pleasant company than you; trust me, I know.”

“Unbelievable…” he looked visibly offended now, ready to strike someone down in less than a second. “I apologize, but I won’t tolerate this sort of behaviour, thief.” Ain spat their nickname like he’d spit one of Ciel’s cookies, making them gasp dramatically.

“That’s it, I’m murdering you. Better pray to Ishmael while you still can.” (y/n) spat back, preparing their fists.

“After I teach you a lesson, I think it would be most enjoyable to have you pray alongside me.”

“Did you just say enjoyable? Did you just say enjoyable?! I will completely mop the filth out of this floor with your moppy hair!”

“I find it hard to believe that you would stoop to words this lowly, thief. Be warned, I will not go easy on you this time.”

“If only I had my weapons… You’d be crying on the floor right now.”

“I highly doubt it.”

“Look, I’ve made lots of people cry before, what makes you think you won’t be one of them?!”

“I have plenty of reasons. It is truly regrettable that I even considered having a tiny speck of respect for you… Not only do you fraternize with the demons, but you also act like a degenerate human being.”

“Tiny? Tiny?! You want me to mourn for a tiny speck?!”

“It matters little to me whether you mourn or not.”

“Wh- It was supposed to be an exaggeration, you massive idiot! Why do you have to take everything so seriously, it triggers me deeply on a personal level!!”

“Any last words, thief?”

“Yes. Feel my wrath!” they lunged, while Ain was prepared to break his pendulum.

“You know Ciel, this is really entertaining. I don’t regret having my cookies stolen in the middle of the night, just because I got to see this!” (y/n) got a glimpse of Lu and Ciel watching their fight, before their fist finally collided with Ain’s chest in a very underwhelming manner. Then, as a balloon without air, they deflated, landing unceremoniously on the floor.

Ain looked at the scene with a confused smile, wondering why (y/n) started giggling out of nowhere with their face in the ground. Did they have a plan? Was it just another strange human ritual?

“I can’t watch this anymore…” Ciel sighed and tried to approach (y/n), yet a tiny hand stopped him midway.

“How dare you offer help to those people? The cookie thief and the hateful priest?! Ciel, I thought highly of you, but it seems it was wrong of me to do so…”

He gasped dramatically and retaliated in less than a second. “I apologize, Lu! I will go bake another batch of cookies just for you and leave those two to their own devices.”

“Chocolate chip cookies, don’t forget.”

“Yes! I will certainly leave those two to take care of themselves and definitely not check on the situation later!”

“Good job! I surely do not regret choosing you as my butler, Ciel~,” beamed Lu, walking away with Ciel in tow.

“...Ah.” Only then did Ain realize that the odd acting human was in his care. ‘What is there to do now?’ he thought, for (y/n) had started to munch on the carpet. Then, he remembered humans didn't usually eat carpets.

“Thief, cease this disgraceful behaviour at once.” After he spoke, a pair of curious eyes settled on his magnificent coat. (y/n) could only imagine the deliciousness of such a minty looking beverage and leaped towards it in an attempt to get a taste.  He noticed before they even thought about it and intercepted their attack with a quick slap on the forehead.

(y/n) responded by hugging the floor and sobbing into it, to which Ain didn't bother reacting to anymore. His face spelled ‘I'm done’ yet the thief kept on crying the same sentence: “I'm hungryyyy…”

Ain gazed upon their snot filled visage, a repulsive sight which was supposed to engulf his entire being with disgust. Yet, despite all of his alarms having set off, he kneeled before (y/n). He recalled a similar sight which had only taken place recently; Elsword felt defeated when In and Jin escaped, but his sadness was gone as quickly as it came since Ms. Knight had ruffled his hair and offered words of encouragement. ‘Is that what’s missing?’ he thought, his gloveless hand finding its way onto their head as if to comfort.

Almost gone by unnoticed, their sobbing had gotten quieter. The more Ain would pat their head, the less they'd cry, and so he thanked Ishmael for this newfound wisdom.

“...Let's get you to your room,” he mumbled, grabbing (y/n) and pulling them over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Without a sound, Ain traveled through the whole inn twice, probably even three times before he remembered where (y/n)’s room was; after all, it was by sensing their energy he stumbled across it the first time.

Ain laid their body on the bed as roughly as he picked them up, but he received no reaction. Instead, (y/n)’s sobbing had turned to silent tears as they covered their face with their palms.

‘A pitiful sight’, he thought; yet he could not stand still and watch since a strange feeling had wormed its way in. Then, the priest decided it'd be a good idea to repeat what he had done earlier and pat their head.

(y/n) on the other hand, couldn't even tell whether they were hungry or in complete despair for no reason in particular; but what they did know was someone's gentle hand comforting them and a gentle voice whispering ‘sleep well’. They did not know if it was actually real or not as they dozed off into a state of nothingness.

~darkness~

The bed was an incredibly soft surface and (y/n) wouldn't have gotten out of it if it hadn't been for the hot springs. It was finally time to relax and forget about all the worries that had plagued their mind for weeks.

On their way to the place in question, they grabbed a jerky and gulped it down in a second. ‘It's a lot tastier than usual’, they thought.

(y/n) sighed relieved. Fixing up their towel to make sure it wouldn’t fall, they opened the sliding door.

What a wondrous occasion for them to be able to finally savour the joy of hot springs! It had been a really long time since they'd been to one.

“Come in, (Mr/Ms) Thief. I’ve been waiting for you,” Ain had gotten there before them, but they didn’t mind too much and stepped into the water. They were really tired, and once they sunk their body into the hot springs their entire being relaxed.

“Would you mind if I gave you a massage?” (y/n) shook their head.

“Come here,” they approached him and he then tended to their sore back.

“You’re really good at this… I should ask you to do it more.”

“I’m glad to be of assistance.” a brief moment of silence followed as his firm hands ran over their bare skin. They felt themselves getting quite hot.

“...Do you hate me, Ain?”

“Why would I hate you?”

“I dunno…” their posture slouched.

“Just so you know, I don’t hate you. You don’t have to be sad.” his fingers moved onto (y/n)'s shoulders, their back straightening once again.

“I was a bit mean to you…”

“But I couldn’t hate you for that.”

“Maybe more than just a bit…”

“You’re still dear to me, (y/n).” they suddenly turned their head to face him, barely believing what they just heard.

“...Really?”

“Really.” he tucked a strand of hair behind their ear, staring at them lovingly. They didn’t know how to react.

“...I’m sorry for trying to hit you..”

“It’s alright. I forgive you.”

“I’m sorry for calling your hair moppy.”

“It’s fine.”

“I’m sorry for disrespecting the Goddess…”

“It can be easily solved.” they frowned. He gently caressed their head as he pulled them into a hug.

“...You’re really hot.”

“I’m flattered.”

“No, I’m… nevermind.” they gave into his touch and closed their eyes.

“You can sleep if you’d like. I’ll take care of you.”

“...You’re different.”

“I could say the same about you.”

Enveloped in warmth, they didn’t bother giving another argument.

“Look at me.” he raised their chin, gazing into their sleepy eyes.

“...Why though?”

“I just wanted to see you from up close. That’s all.”

“I should consider that creepy, but I’m too tired to care…” he chuckled, admiring their face even more. “What about the massage?” they asked innocently.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I got distracted.” his hands returned to their shoulders, making them even sleepier than before.

(y/n) looked up into the night sky. It was quite late judging by all the stars visible, and they wondered what they were still doing there; resting was mandatory since plenty of delicacies awaited them the next day, yet they were killing time with this pervert nonetheless.

Fluffy gray hair tickling their neck interrupted that train of thought. Not long after, a pair of arms wrapped around their torso, the towel seemingly gone.

“You will make a fine trophy to my wife collection.” he smiled wickedly, and (y/n) remembered: he was still a priest.

~darkness ends~

They woke up in a cold sweat, questioning reality with a distressed frown. Events of yesterday mingled with their dream, instilling uncertainty in what they were currently seeing.

“You're awake. How are you feeling?” inquired the man seated at their bedside. Upon closer inspection, they noticed his dark blue hair and identified him as Ciel; yet, (y/n) couldn't shake off the feeling that they were expecting someone else.

“I feel… fine, surprisingly. What happened yesterday?”

“You don't remember…?” he asked confused and (y/n) scratched the back of their neck. “Well, you weren't in your right mind, to say the least,” a tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips, but (y/n) didn't notice. If they had, they'd have punched it right off.

“Either way, I made you some breakfast,” he offered them a plate. “Don't tell Lu.” Ciel added a little more serious than usual.

(y/n) studied their dish; it was smaller in quantity than what they were used to, and so it made up in craftsmanship. Not only was the pancake softer than anything they'd ever touched, but it also had a smiley face drawn in chocolate topping, together with a small ‘get well soon’ next to it.

(y/n) had never seen such effort put into breakfast before and couldn't contain the little blush that covered their cheeks. Ciel smiled at the sight.

Yet, despite the good start they'd gotten, (y/n) couldn't take their mind off the dream they just had. Who was it that they dreamed of? The thief could only feel disturbed and slightly horny, but the reason remains unknown.

The person in their dream had a name; what was it? It stood on the tip of their tongue…

“Ciel, wasn't there another guy with us?”

“There was? I'm fairly sure I found you alone.”

“Never mind… I probably just dreamed it all.” slouched (y/n). They could not tell why that person they forgot was so important to them and it frustrated them endlessly.

“Which parts do you remember from last night?” spoke Ciel, attempting to make conversation. (y/n) pondered on the question and didn't answer too quickly.

“...I was drinking what seemed like normal juice, but then I realized the sweet syrup in it was supposed to mask the taste of a drug. Something distracted me from that, but I just… can't remember what.”

“Drug?! Do you know who did this to you?”

“Yeah. It was the blond ponytail girl at the counter who I went to question with… with….?”

“With who?”

“I don't know. I don't remember,” they replied sheepishly to which Ciel sighed.

“I think I know what girl you're talking about. She also tried to break into my and Lu’s room, but not without good reason. We caught her a while after I found you unconscious; the whole El gang suspects she might be working with the demons.” (y/n) nodded in understanding, although they spaced out in the middle because the explanation was getting too long.

“We'll be waiting for you downstairs. Until then, eat your breakfast and take your time.” before leaving, Ciel ruffled their hair and (y/n) stopped responding.

At that point, they truly felt that something was missing and it wasn't just their memories of last night. Something like… something that would barge into their room and complain about getting along with a demon, even though Ciel was only half demon. Something that would throw the pancakes on the floor without an ounce of hesitation.

“(Mr/Ms) Thief, would you like to explain what that is in your lap?” and there he goes again, coming in uninvited with a glare that could kill.

(y/n)’s dream came back to them in an instant and they didn't know whether to hug themselves in embarrassment or run for their life. They couldn't even utter his name because of the overwhelming emotions that seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. Yet what they said was this:

“You don't have a wife collection, do you?”

“??? Are you trying to distract me from the devil’s food? Give me one reason why I shouldn't obliterate it right this instant,” Ain spat.

‘As grumpy as ever’, (y/n) thought and laughed out loud, a little relieved that their dream was far from reality. On the other hand, the priest was livid from that reaction.

“What did you just say about me, you puny human? I'll have you know I am Ishmael’s most trusted agent. No matter where you may hide I will find you and wipe you out in the name of the Goddess with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this land, mark my words. Laugh, human, I'll serve the divine retribution you are owed nonetheless and you shall perish by my wrath.”

(y/n) did their best to abstain from laughing even louder, but it was to no avail; the gates had already been flooded, a swarm of pure joy took over their mouth and even stomach, for the endless laughter had made it hurt.

"Wow, and here I was, actually disturbed by you for some weird reason-" wiping off an imaginary tear they squeaked out, hiding their relief. Ain was not amused.

"I will not tolerate-"

"Nom." (y/n) nommed a quarter of a pancake, interrupting his incoming speech. Ain's aura had turned menacing as he approached the hungry thief's bed.

"Oh, do you want one too?" (y/n) munched; Ain froze.

"Preposterous."

"Dont lie, you know you want it."

"Such audacity. Take that poison away from my sight. Now."

(y/n) smirked and nommed another pancake. "Om nom, very yum. Me like."

Ain looked mortified as they ate pancakes one by one, until only half a piece remained. It was doused in chocolate to the point of feeling like a wet towel when touched; just the way (y/n) loved it.

"Are you suuuure you don't want any?" No answer.

He thought a little more; weren’t they in such a predicament because of him? His incompetence led to (y/n) laying in that bed after a shaky night they had no choice over. It was his fault only, for not noticing the subtle details and letting a vital member get almost injured from sheer stupidity from his part. Ishmael would believe that he had to atone.

Defeated and upset with himself, Ain shut his eyes and whispered, "Just one bite…"

(y/n) beamed at the response and gladly gave him the bite he asked for. At first he looked like he'd spit it out the instant he put the pancake in his mouth, but his face didn't lie as his features slowly relaxed. He hummed in delight.

And when things seemed to be going well, the dream came to their mind again, along with an idea.

"Hey Ain, you're really hot."

Perplexed, he spoke: "I'm not. My coat may seem warm, but was that supposed to be a question?"

"I didn't mean it that way."

"Then what way did you mean it in?"

(y/n) giggled.

~

Elesis: “You’re finally here! What took you so long?”

Ara: “Um, m-maybe it’s not very appropriate to ask that..?”

Aisha: “I don’t buy it one bit. (y/n)’s not smart enough to handle a guy like Ain.”

(y/n): “Oi, wanna fight?”

Rena: “Ahem.” the whole El gang’s attention was on her. “We have more important things to deal with, don’t we?” Everyone looked at the suspect; she seemed regretful.

Raven: “You should explain yourself now, while you have the chance.”

Add: “Can’t you see she clearly doesn't want to speak? We should just end her here and now.”

Eve: “Any allies of the enemy should be exterminated.”

Add: “See, even Eve agrees with me…! Kuku..”

Elsword: “Now that everyone’s here, tell us: why did you make a deal with the demons?”

Lu: “And to bring me down, no less. To bring me, Luciela R. Sourcream, down…!”

???: “What could I have possibly done…?” For a brief second, her and (y/n)’s eyes met.

Ain: “(y/n) and I can prove that Emily concealed vital information. When confronted about the drugged drinks, she avoided answering and ran away.”

Emily: “tsk..”

(y/n): “Why’d you do it though? Other than peace, don’t you have everything you need?”

Emily: “You know, maybe if you didn’t have your heads so far up your asses, you’d be aware. What kind of heroes are you guys if everyone's starving to death even when working their hardest?! Why should we care if demons invade us when even in this so called peaceful world we have nothing anyway!”

(y/n): “...Girl, have you looked at yourself?”

Emily: “...?”

(y/n): “Those mad skills of yours… they got me wondering if I was working in the wrong field. If you can even call what I’m doing ‘working’. You can move in the shadows better than I can, and I’ve been doing this for years! I’m surprised you’re not a demon by how fast you were moving.”

Emily: “...What are you on about?”

(y/n): “There’s a great future ahead of you, yes, you’re destined for greatness! You can get into places I’ve never been able to, you can swipe treasures I never even knew existed… Greatness, I say!”

Emily: “So you’re saying…”

(y/n): “Eat the rich, Emily. Eat the rich and sleep on their skins.”

Chung: “Ahahah, I don’t think that’s the lesson she had to learn…”

Aisha: “That’s a little ironic, coming from royalty…”

Ciel: “Now, now, whether or not we’ve learned anything, why don’t we eat this celebratory cake I’ve baked just for this occasion?”

Elesis: “Wow, what a convenient cake! I’m all for it!”

Lu: “Huhu, my butler never disappoints, as expected.”

Ain: “But doesn’t it seem like someone took a huge bite out of it?”

Elsword: “No way… (y/n), you betrayed us?!”

With a fistful of cake, (y/n): “I’d rather betray the world than let the world betray me!” then laughed proudly.

[idkwhatimdoinghere89]

Snow Day

Elliot Alderson x Female reader 2,125 words Warnings: Marijuana use, Alcohol use, Mostly fluff, mild to moderate suggestive sexual situations. ***** Sunday, December 1 My phone buzzed.

"Im on my way"

Elliot lived about 10 mins from my apartment, so it normally wasnt a bad walk except tonight the snow was expected to total about 14" within the city. Snow wasnt my cup of tea but its one of those few things that made Elliot happy. Like a school boy who just learned he didnt have to go to school and would run outside to build a snowman or flop down and make snow angels and just rejoice in the cold flurries that floated around him, the flakes softly landing on the tip of his nose and quickly melting away.

"Okay, see you soon" I quickly typed before setting my phone down on the kitchen counter

I had just gotten home from work and all I could think about was cracking open a bottle of red and snuggling with my boyfriend on the couch under a big fluffy blanket, watching old movies as the snow came down, tommorow being a guaranteed snow day for us and all.

I changed into a warm, ribbed henley shirt and bulky grey sweatpants that im pretty sure belonged to Elliot that I had aquired.

'So much better' I thought to myself. I opened the linen closet in the hallway to retreive the blanket and tossed it into the dryer on high just to fluff and warm it up a little. I went to the bathroom to quickly brush my teeth and check my hair and face. A few minutes later I came out and grabbed a bottle of red from the wine rack on the counter when my phone buzzed.

"Hey, Im here." I grew slightly confused.

"Okay, come on up!" I responded.

"Will you come down and take a walk with me?"

My heart skipped a beat. Elliot was in a rough patch with his mental state, I knew this weather made him happy.. so I obliged. I loved him more than myself so, naturally, I would do anything to make him happy. Just to keep him like this. This was my Elliot.

"Sure just give me a minute, Ill be right down."

I ran to my room and grabbed a pair of jeans and a bulky hoodie and threw them on. I got to the front door and slipped on my boots as I grabbed my beanie and slipped my coat over the hoodie. I despised the cold and snow, but like I said before.. anything for him. I grabbed my keys and headed out to the elevator.

I walked out of the small lobby and saw Elliot standing right on the sidewalk near the edge of the street, hoodie off, face torwards the sky. It was unusual, normally he tries to blend into the concrete or the side of the buildings in this city but tonight his demeanor was so childlike, it made my heart melt. I opened the door and was met with a blast of arctic air that immediatley sent chills thru me. I shivered as I approached him. He turned just as I got to him.

"Hey" he smiled, that warm, happy, content smile that damn near took my breath away.

"What are ya doin out here? Having fun?" I teased with a smile as I leaned in to give him just a quick kiss, PDA not being his favorite thing.

As our lips pressed, he lingered a little bit longer by putting both his hands on my head, cradling my jaw lightly. We kissed lightly for another few seconds before he pulled back, my jaw still cradled, and he smiled once again. I could feel the pure bliss radiating off of him.

This is my Elliot.

He softly grabs my hand as he smiles down at me. And off we go.

We chatted about our weekend, I hadnt seen him in a couple days so I was really looking forward to seeing him tonight and just relaxing together. The snowfall was that very quiet, relaxing, almost eerie snowfall. It was bizzare for the city to be this quiet. Him and I just strolled hand in hand for a few blocks, taking our time, chatting and what not. That was when a gust blew by, stinging my skin. I flinch and squeeze my eyes shut in response.

"Jesus it got 20 degrees colder!" I laughed while in pain

"Aw, come on, lets head back." he said.

By the time we got back to the entrance to the apartment complex it really did feel like it dropped a substantial amount in temperature. We finally got to the front door to my apartment as I entered the code to unlock the door. I audibly shook the cold air from my body and dramatically shivered as we stood by the entryway, flopping our boots off. I headed to the thermostat to up the temperature.

"You are such a baby" Elliot teased me.

"Im sorry, you know I love being warm!" I immediatley responded.

I walked over to the fireplace in the living room, turning it on. It was a fake but it certainly was nice ambiance.

Elliot shrugged off his hoodie and hung it by my coat near the front door. He then promtly took his seat at his spot on the couch. Giving a light stretch, he extended his arms and folded them behind his head, leaning back, just staring blankly at the dark tv. I yanked the hoodie off the threw it over a barstool next to the counter.

"Hmm." I said loud enough to grab his attention.

He looks over at me, snapping out of whatever day dream he was in with the powered down tv.

"Whats wrong?" he asked curiously.

"I know how we can get a little warmer.." I said with a grin.

"Oh yeah? Hows that?" he asked with a slightly devilish grin.

I smiled and headed down the hallway torwards the bathroom. Pulling the shower curtain out of the way I began to run hot water in the tub. I grabbed some lavender bath melts from a glass jar on a shelf, plopping them into the steaming water. I grabbed a lighter from a drawer and lit some candles, illuminating the bathroom.

Before I knew it the tub was nearly full. I turned it off and dimmed the lights and I headed out to the living room where Elliot had seemingly resumed his daydreaming until he heard me and glanced over at me with a content smile on his face, fully knowing my intentions. I said nothing but extended out my hand to him. He softly grabbed it and followed me to the bathroom.

"Go ahead, Ill grab some towels." I said.

He obliged and pulled his shirt off, followed by his pants, and boxer breifs, tossing them in a pile. I grabbed them and threw them in the washer, starting a small express load immediatley. I came back into the bathroom a minute later where he was fully submerged with just his little head poking out from the bubbles.

"Youre too good to me." he said with the same smile that melted me.

"Well its pointless to get clean then put on dirty clothes again, babe." I lightly teased.

"Oh wait!" I said while running to my room. I returned a few seconds later with a freshly packed bowl I had prepped that morning, anticipating Elliots arrival. He hummed in approval at the sight of me holding the bowl. I handed it to him as he reached up, shaking any excess water from his hands. Taking a huge hit, slowly blowing the smoke outward. Setting the bowl on a nearby shelf.

His eyes began to scan my body. Clearly it was my turn to hop in.

I smiled lightly and pulled my shirt from my body, tossing it to the floor. I unhooked my bra and slowly slid it off, exposing my chest. I made eye contact with him as my hands went to my button on my jeans, I tilted my head down a little and my long, dark, tousled hair flopped delicatley just past my cheek, past my collarbone landing on my breast in the worlds most perfect timing. I smiled to him an innocent little grin as I pulled my jeans down along with my underwear. Standing fully and dragging my jeans with my foot to its designated pile. His eyes blinked softly, matching his sweet smile. He never once stared at any particular part of my body, just my face.

"Youre so beautiful." he nearly whispered. I shyly smiled back and slowly eased into the hot water.

A little time goes by as we laugh and joke around, taking turns taking a few hits off the bowl, talking to eachother about absolutley whatever as we faced eachother from opposite ends of the tub. My foot in his hand, as he rubbed it lightly.

"Thank you" he said after a solid minute of blissful silence.

"For what?" I asked curiously.

"For taking a walk with me. I know you dont exactly love the snow." he said.

"I dont mind as long as im with you, El." I said flashing a content smile. "..thanks for warming up with me." I continued.

He responded with another smile. A few minutes later, we decided pruning wasnt a cute look. We both got out and wrapped up immediatley in a couple huge fluffy towels.

"Im gonna throw your stuff in the dryer, in my top drawer theres a pair of breifs you left here a few weeks ago..." He nodded and went to my room.

I dried off completley before wrapping the towel around my body and walked over to switch his clothes. I threw the fluffy blanket on the couch, it was still nice and warm from being in the dryer. He emerged a minute later wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer breifs. I tried but failed miserably to hide my eyes as they scanned his toned chest and stomach. He practically frolicked by me and laid down on the couch, exhaling lightly as his body plopped down.

'Im gonna cuddle that so good tonight.' I thought to myself.

I went to my room and put on what I originally had on before I met him earlier in the tundra that was outside. Along with some thick fuzzy socks.

I came out and stopped to grab a couple glasses from the cabinet, using a corkscrew to open the bottle of wine I had selected earlier.

"You want some, baby?" I glanced over to him as he was staring out the huge window, watching the snow fall. TV still off. He looked so peaceful.

"Sure." he said, barely audible.

I smiled to myself and poured.

I set both glasses down on the coffee table and headed over to the window to get a glance outside. A very noticable amount of snow had fallen since we came up. I was snapped out of my observation when I heard his voice crack ever so subtly.. "come here.."

I looked over to him and was met with bright blue/green eyes. The flicker from the fireplace cast a beautiful reflection. I got lost in them as they were the most blissful Ive ever seen him look. I slowly walked to the couch and laid next to him and snuggled in, pulling the blanket over us. I positioned myself half on top, half off of him inward torwards the back of the couch with my hand resting on his bare chest, and my head nuzzled just under his shoulder. We decided on an old black and white movie.

About half way thru my eyes became heavy from the marijuana/red wine haze when I suddenly felt the heat that was his hand running up and down my back, under my shirt. As he ran his hand back down, it hugged my torso, running along my hip bone.

"Mmm.." I exhaled with a closed mouth. I nudged my head into him, lightly kissing the skin around his pec. I could tell he was awake by his breathing. His right hand gently covered mine that was resting on his chest, squeezing it lightly. I looked up to him to be met with half hooded eyes, as If he was already watching me. I reached over and pressed my lips against his. Reminicent of our kiss earlier, just.. way heavier. Way deeper. It was certainly getting warmer. His hand began to trail up my back once more, only on the downward stroke he reached in a little further. My hand now matching his movements as I softly stroked down his chest, then his stomach...

Our breathing slowed down, but I certainly began to wake up.

[heath-ur]

00Q Kinktober - Day 10

Prompt List ; Ao3 Pairing: Bond x Q  Prompt: Dirty Talk Warnings: Smut, No Beta

Bond’s POV. For the first time! And I can’t keep plot from train-wrecking this. Oh well. You can skip to below the ~*~ if you’re here for smut and not for Q’s cats.

James lets himself into Q’s flat using the keyfob the boffin had given him after the last time he’d slept over nearly 2 weeks ago. At the time, he’d been a little surprised at the trust, but Q had explained patiently that the only things of importance he kept in his flat were his cats and his teas. The prior James was too besotted with to ever hurt and the second was beneath his notice. Q strived hard to keep his work and personal life separate, selections of previous and current partners excluded, so the only electronics that held any sensitive data were the tablet and laptop he kept on his person.  

Q had continued on as if he hadn’t shown James his throat, “Besides, the cats miss you something terrible when you’re away on mission. This way, you can come visit even if I’m still at the office.”

Well, he was back from another mission. And he could admit to himself that he missed a certain boffin and his two ridiculously cute cats. So here he was at 7 in the morning, letting himself in.

The cats were quick to clamber to the door - Gambit and Zugzwang both, even though the little tuxedo tabby was less curious than his bicolored brother - and rub against his crisped trousers. James slips the door closed quickly so Gambit couldn’t escape and bends down to scoop up little Zug to give his chin some clucks before he gets too shy. 

Q must not be awake yet - they wouldn’t be so expressive if they’d been loved on yet.

There is a moan from the couch that has James on alert, but he keeps his body relaxed so as not to concern Zuggy - the poor thing was so high-strung as it was; he didn’t need more stress in his life. He gently places the cat into the little cave portion of the cat tower that took up a good quarter of the living room wall and faces the possible intruder sleeping on the couch. 

The man has on a rumpled suit and his face pressed into the back of the couch. Just off a bender, then. James tries to keep his sense of jealousy in check. When it was just fun and games, he hadn’t minded the thought of Q with someone else - he certainly had more than his fair share of sexual partners. But then Q had told him about Alec and told Alec that they were it. And Alec and James had agreed - honeypots only. Q’d given him a keyfob to his home, for chrissakes. So this man couldn’t be a one-night-stand. He couldn’t be, but James wanted to murder him anyways. 

As if the man could sense James’ murderous thoughts, he pulls his face back enough to squint at the form over him. His face goes through several facial expressions - confusion, fear, concern - before settling into into a blank mask of ‘fuck it’. 

“Tanner,” James recognizes him now. He schools his mask into something a little more pleasant. The man was straight and 100% in love with his wife - Elenore or Elizabeth. El-something. 

“Q!” Tanner calls out, then whines in pain as it makes his headache worse. He keeps going, though. “Q! Please call off your menace of a bookend!”

After a few thumps and stumbles from the bedroom, Q comes to lean against the door jam, hair disarrayed, scrubbing his bare eyes, sleep pants slung low. “There’s no need to shout, and Gambit isn’t a menace. He just wants love. And they aren’t identical, why must you come up with weird twin references? Why are so you insistent about hating my cats, Bill? They...oh.” He’s opened his eyes and is staring at James before a smile takes over his face. “Welcome home, James.”

James can’t help but smile back, “I’m home. I thought I’d pop over to see my favorite kitten,” He steps over to Zuggy to pet him as he says it, but from the corner of his eye he can see how flushed Q becomes. “I wasn’t expecting you to have company.”

Q shrugs, “Some of us from the office went out last night. The ladies - R and Moneypenny - decided to leave us when I’d ceased to be amusing.” 

Tanner makes a noise in the back of his throat. “They did want to know how much you remembered in the morning.” 

Q squints in Tanner’s direction, “Enough. My retribution will be swift and devastating.” 

Tanner pales, but James isn’t sure if that is due to Q’s threat or his hangover. Either way, the man excuses himself from the flat as soon as he has his shoes on and tells Q he’ll see him tomorrow. Q grunts in his direction and stumbles up to James to press his head into James’ shoulder to block out the light. 

James finds himself curling his hands in Q’s hair gently, teasing the tangles out in small sections as they begin to sway. Gambit presses between their feet in a bid for attention, but James ignores him for now. 

Q makes a fussy sound when James begins leading him back to bed, but allows the manhandling like he always does. In moments, James has the curtains closed against the light and they’re both curled under the covers, Q clinging to James’ pectoral. 

~*~

When James wakes next, it’s to Q wiggling in his arms. As he lets go, Q shoots out of bed and to the bathroom. The sound is pissing, not vomiting, so James lays back and tucks his arms under his head and waits patiently for the boffin to finish his morning routine and feel more human again. 

Q easily clambers back into the bed and leans over for a kiss, breath minty and eyes clear. “Welcome home. Or have I said that already?” 

James chuckles and kisses Q a few more times. “You’ve already said, but I don’t mind hearing it again. DId you have a good night?” 

Q wrinkles his nose and presses his morning erection into James’ hip. “They got me drunk and began interrogating me over the both of you. I’ll need to infiltrate their mobiles later to make sure they didn’t make a recording, the ungrateful bints.” 

James cages Q in and reverses their positions, “Oh? What naugthy things did you say about us?”

Q scoffs. “They just wanted to know if the both of you were proportionate, how fit you were. Things like that.” He rolls his hips. “I didn’t say anything about our previous… hmm, encounters. Although Moneypenny was there when I first met Alec. And R knew why I was slipping away into my office that one time.” 

James lowers his mouth to kiss Q’s cheeks, the hinge of his jaw, his neck. He murmurs in Q’s ear, “So you didn’t tell them about how I pressed you against a wall so tight that all you could do was squirm to get off?” He presses his thigh in tight against Q’s cock as a reminder, relishing in Q’s moan, in the nails scraping across his back. 

“You didn’t tell them how you went to your knees for Alec within minutes of meeting him?” James bites down on a particularly pretty patch of neck. Q bucks up in shock, whimpering. James continues, “You didn’t tell them how you worked him over so well he pulled on your pretty curls so hard he thought he’d accidentally hurt you - until you asked oh so sweetly for more?” Q whines high in his throat, flush blooming in his cheeks and down his neck and chest, crawling down further in blotches and spots. His eyes were glazed, only a ring of green to be seen around the saucers of his pupils. 

“James… James please,” Q begs so gently - completely at opposition to the scratching and pulling of his hands. 

“Do you like that, darling? Do you like to know that we talk about our feisty kitten when we’re away? That we share what we like best? What you like best?” James immobilizes Q’s hands in  one of his, keeping them above their heads. At the same time, he shifts his weight to press the palm of his free hand down hard on Q’s chest just centered against his collarbones. He keeps his eyes focused on Q’s face, to make sure that he’s up for it. 

Q keens and thrashes, but no matter how hard he bucks, he can’t switch their positions. He doesn’t want to - James can see that in his face, in the way that Q’s lips are curling upwards at the same time that tears gather in his eyes. Oh, this perfect little force of nature. James grinds his cock next to Q’s, tensing his abs so Q gets the rub of those muscles he likes so much. 

James sucks and bites a ring of bruises against Q’s neck, just above his hand where they will be covered by a shirt later. “Alec was so upset that he couldn’t show me the beautiful bruises he left in his kitten’s skin to remember him by. Instead, he told me in detail about those cute little hiccups you make when you cried… and all I could think of was how much you cried when I had you in this bed for the first time. Do you remember? You struggled just like this before you let it go for me. Will you let go?” 

Q fusses and cries, he drums his feet like he had that first time, but soon enough he stops his false struggling and melts into the bed. James groans and ruts into the hollow of Q’s hip.

“So good for me,” He croons. “So good for us. Alec told me how much of a mess you left on that sofa.” He chuckles. “Wasn’t it the same one Tanner just spent the night on?” Q gasps and whines but keeps himself still, letting James do as he pleases. “Hmm... “ James sighs into Q’s skin. “Yeah, just like this, baby. Listen to you,” James coos and starts a rhythm with his hips. “Feel what a mess you’re making between us. Won’t you make it a little messier? For me, darling? I can’t wait to tell Alec what a good boy you’ve been for us.”

Q’s moan tapers out in surprise as he comes, thighs and arms tensing before becoming lax again. The extra slick and heat, along with the feeling of Q boneless and trusting below him, is enough to send James over the edge as well. 

James doesn't hesitate to drop most of his weight down on the slighter man as he takes time to catch his breath and stretch out his arms. Q tsks but only wraps James closer as soon as he has his hands free, raising his knees to better fit James between his thighs.  

Once the come between them begins to cool and congeal, James sighs but pulls away to go get a wet flannel from Q’s connected loo. When he comes back into the room, Q is still belly-up, but his face is covered by a pillow and his arms, as if he’s trying to smother himself. James pads up quietly and begins cleaning up the mess, leaning down to leave a kiss on Q’s nipple. Q squeaks but otherwise doesn’t move. 

“Too much?” James asks gently as he lays back into the bed, propping himself up on one arm.

Q mumbles. 

“Run that past me again?” 

Q lifts the pillow to expose his mouth and nose, but keeps his eyes hidden. “Good. Just…You two really do talk about me, don’t you?”

James laughs gently. “Did you not believe us?” He slips his hands down and around Q’s skin in random patterns. “We’ve said similar things before.” 

Q’s blush returns and he squirms, but he raises the pillow to squint in James’ direction. “Not like that, you haven’t.” His voice sounds both cross and embarrassed. 

James pauses his hand. “Would you prefer we stopped now that we know we’re speaking about the same person? Or would you just prefer that I don’t tell you?”

Q looks up to the ceiling. “No…. no. You can keep doing both. I just… didn’t realize how it would make me feel.” James begins his hand again and snuggles up closer. 

“That feeling is good, though?”

Q sighs and finally loses all of his tension. “Yes. Very… good.” 

James doesn’t miss how Q’s mostly-soft cock twitches in remembrance, and grins to himself. “Does this mean you’ll let us take pictures?”

Q makes an offended sound and tries to push James out of bed.